Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2025-02"
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- Literary fiction tourism: understanding the practice of fiction-inspired travelPublication . Baleiro, RitaThe allure of literary art in inducing travelling goes back centuries, but research into and expansion of literary tourism are very much twenty-first-century phenomena. In this context, Literary Fiction Tourism: Understanding the Practice of Fiction-Inspired Travel stands out as a unique and valuable addition to the field, likely to become a keystone piece in future research and management practices.
- Molecular responses in the intestine of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) following light and diet stimulation of smoltification: Potential molecular markers for a seawater-ready smoltPublication . Gaetano, Pasqualina; Fernandes Duarte, Vilma Vanessa; Striberny, Anja; Hazlerigg, David G.; Jørgensen, Even H.; Campinho, Marco António; Fuentes, JuanThe transfer to seawater (SW) represents a critical stage in the production of Atlantic salmon. The success of the transfer links with the optimal development of hypo-osmoregulatory capacities during smoltification. While various strategies are adopted in aquaculture to stimulate smoltification, considerable fish loss still occurs after transfer to sea cages. Therefore, we investigated the molecular responses in the anterior and posterior intestine of Atlantic salmon, following 1) a photoperiod treatment (24 h light (L):0 h dark (D) → 24 L:0D vs. 7 L:17D → 24 L:0D) and 2) dietary treatment (regular feed or feed enriched with a salt mix/tryptophan), combined with, or without a photoperiodic treatment in freshwater (FW), to evaluate how intestinal osmoregulatory mechanisms are modulated by these treatments, and to identify potential intestinal markers indicative of a SW-ready smolt. Using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), we investigated transcript levels of transporters and channels involved in ion movements through the enterocytes, tight junction components, and receptors (i.e., calcium-sensing re ceptor and prolactin receptor). The two intestinal regions showed different gene profiles and responsiveness towards the experimental treatments. In the anterior intestine, the exposure to short photoperiod (7 L:17D) upregulated Na+/K+ − ATPase subunit alpha 1c (nkaα1c), Na+/K+/2Cl− cotransporter 1 (nkcc1), Na+/K+/2Cl− cotransporter 2 (nkcc2), Cl− /HCO− 3 exchanger Slc26a6 (slc26a6), and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator I (cftrI), in FW and SW. Also, Na+/K+ − ATPase subunit alpha 1b (nkaα1b), occludin (ocln), and prolactin receptor (prlr) were upregulated in FW and claudin 15 (cldn15) in SW groups exposed to this photo period. The posterior intestine was less responsive to the experimental treatments, although upregulation of nkcc1, nkcc2, slc26a6, and cftrI was observed in FW in the short photoperiod groups. Hence, our findings show that exposure to a winter signal in FW more effectively activates hypo-osmoregulatory mechanisms in the in testine of Atlantic salmon, where a coordinated and complementary role of the anterior and posterior intestine ensures optimal SW processing. Dietary treatment had a positive but more marginal effect on the regulation of the genes investigated, mainly enhancing the impact of short photoperiod when the two treatments were combined. Overall, we propose the apical Na+/K+/2Cl− cotransporter, nkcc2, and the apical Cl− / HCO− 3 exchanger, slc26a6, as potential FW molecular markers in the anterior intestine to assess “SW-readiness” in Atlantic salmon smolts.
- Development of a new eco-friendly ultrasound-assisted extraction method to quantify tryptophan in wild mushrooms and determination of its beneficial propertiesPublication . López, Alejandro R.; Ortega-Caneda, Elena; Espada-Bellido, Estrella; Chinchilla, Nuria; Palma, Miguel; Aliaño González, María José; Barbero, Gerardo Fernández; Carrera, CeferinoBioactive compounds in food offer health benefits by influencing cellular and physiological functions. Tryptophan, an essential amino acid and precursor to neurotransmitters like melatonin and serotonin, regulates mood and circadian rhythms. However, its quantification in mushrooms is scarce studied. An eco-friendly ultrasound- assisted extraction (UAE) method has been optimized to quantify tryptophan using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array and fluorescence detector (UHPLC-DAD-Fl). Tryptophan levels were determined in 26 wild mushroom samples of the genus Lactarius and Boletus. The concentrations ranged from 0.042 mg/g to 0.742 mg/g. The extracts' health benefits were assessed for antioxidant capacity using DPPH (17.7 %71.6 %) and ABTS (7.2 %24.9 %) methods, while acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity ranged from 13.1 % to 49.8 %. Promising results were obtained. Hierarchical cluster analysis demonstrated a correlation between tryptophan concentration, mushroom species, location, and extract properties, highlighting tryptophan's crucial role in these mushrooms' health benefits.
- Molecular responses in the intestine of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) following light and diet stimulation of smoltification: Potential molecular markers for a seawater-ready smoltPublication . Gaetano, Pasqualina; Fernandes Duarte, Vilma Vanessa; Striberny, Anja; Hazlerigg, David G.; Jørgensen, Even H.; Campinho, Marco António; Fuentes, JuanThe transfer to seawater (SW) represents a critical stage in the production of Atlantic salmon. The success of the transfer links with the optimal development of hypo-osmoregulatory capacities during smoltification. While various strategies are adopted in aquaculture to stimulate smoltification, considerable fish loss still occurs after transfer to sea cages. Therefore, we investigated the molecular responses in the anterior and posterior intestine of Atlantic salmon, following 1) a photoperiod treatment (24 h light (L):0 h dark (D) -* 24 L:0D vs. 7 L:17D -* 24 L:0D) and 2) dietary treatment (regular feed or feed enriched with a salt mix/tryptophan), combined with, or without a photoperiodic treatment in freshwater (FW), to evaluate how intestinal osmoregulatory mechanisms are modulated by these treatments, and to identify potential intestinal markers indicative of a SW-ready smolt. Using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), we investigated transcript levels of transporters and channels involved in ion movements through the enterocytes, tight junction components, and receptors (i.e., calcium-sensing receptor and prolactin receptor). The two intestinal regions showed different gene profiles and responsiveness towards the experimental treatments. In the anterior intestine, the exposure to short photoperiod (7 L:17D) upregulated Na+/K+ - ATPase subunit alpha 1c (nka alpha 1c), Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransporter 1 (nkcc1), Na+/K+/2Clcotransporter 2 (nkcc2), Cl- /HCO-3 exchanger Slc26a6 (slc26a6), and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator I (cftrI), in FW and SW. Also, Na+/K+ - ATPase subunit alpha 1b (nka alpha 1b), occludin (ocln), and prolactin receptor (prlr) were upregulated in FW and claudin 15 (cldn15) in SW groups exposed to this photoperiod. The posterior intestine was less responsive to the experimental treatments, although upregulation of nkcc1, nkcc2, slc26a6, and cftrI was observed in FW in the short photoperiod groups. Hence, our findings show that exposure to a winter signal in FW more effectively activates hypo-osmoregulatory mechanisms in the intestine of Atlantic salmon, where a coordinated and complementary role of the anterior and posterior intestine ensures optimal SW processing. Dietary treatment had a positive but more marginal effect on the regulation of the genes investigated, mainly enhancing the impact of short photoperiod when the two treatments were combined. Overall, we propose the apical Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransporter, nkcc2, and the apical Cl- / HCO-3 exchanger, slc26a6, as potential FW molecular markers in the anterior intestine to assess "SW-readiness" in Atlantic salmon smolts.
- The role of lag phases between real-term marine heatwaves in the trait responses of two macrophyte speciesPublication . Gillis, Lucy G.; Román, Salvador; Gustafsson, Camilla; Kauppi, Laura; Barrena de los Santos, Carmen; Varela, Zulema; Viana, Inés G.Coastal marine macrophytes are critical ecosystem engineers providing valuable ecosystem services. However, they experience detrimental impacts from climate change-induced stresses such as marine heatwaves (MHW), which are becoming more intense and frequent. This study investigated trait responses in real-term heatwaves, Continuous (1MHW) and Consecutive (with a 4-day lag phase, 2MHW), on two key macrophytes, the seaweed Fucus vesiculosus and seagrass Zostera marina. Our results showed very few negative effects on traits from both temperature treatments. Physiological traits indicated that both macrophytes were not stressed by the treat ments. Fucus vesiculosus showed little response to changes in temperature and the 2MHW treatment, which considered the lag phase, showed larger changes in frond area compared to the 1MHW treatment. In Z. marina, leaves presented statistically significant higher carbon content in the 1MHW treatment than in the control. Significantly higher leaf elongation rates and leaf width were also observed in Z. marina for the 2MHW treatment in comparison to the control. Fucus vesiculosus showed high acclimatization to changes in temperature, likely because it is a species adapted to grow in dynamic intertidal habitats. Contrary, Z. marina appeared to be more sensitive to the 1MHW treatment, as more significant changes were observed, however, the lag phase seemed not to be important in Z. marina as there was no change in trait response. Exploring the role of lag phases of different duration in the context of real-term MHW predictions is an important research direction and has relevance for ecosystem resistance that will ultimately affect the resilience of marine macrophyte populations.
- Ecomorphological analysis of bovid remains from the Plio-Pleistocene hominin-bearing deposit of Unit P at Kromdraai, South AfricaPublication . Sambo, Recognise; Hanon, Raphaël; Steininger, Christine; Zipfel, Bernhard; Braga, José; Linchamps, Pierre; Maringa, NompumeleloThe site of Kromdraai is known for the first discovery of Paranthropus robustus remains. Research conducted at Kromdraai shows its rich fossiliferous deposits, geological complexity and potential to highlight the evolutionary history of Plio-Pleistocene hominin lineages in a dynamic and changing environment. Here, we provide the results of the first application of ecomorphology to bovid postcranial specimens from the newly excavated deposit of Kromdraai Unit P (KW-Unit P). Four anatomical elements of the bovid skeleton were measured and examined as they represent locomotion and substrate interaction: the astragalus and the proximal, intermediate and distal phalanges. Four discriminant function analyses (DFA) were conducted to determine each element's ability to predict habitat affiliation accurately. This was done by comparing the morphologies of the fossil specimens to modern bovids found in broadly defined habitats (open, light cover, heavy cover, and forest). For the modern assemblage, the DFA cross-validation tests correctly returned classifications ranging from 58.8% to 72.0% in a four-habitat system for the four bone elements. Fossil results revealed that bovids from KW-Unit P had varied morphological adaptations to open and light cover habitats (91.7% combined) with few forest (4.7%) and heavy cover (2.3%) adaptations. This indicates that during the deposition of KW-Unit P, the environment was open with savanna grasslands, tall grasses and light bushes. Forest which is a continuous tree canopy and heavy cover environments represented by dense woodlands and bushes were also present to a lesser degree. Overall, KW-Unit P is characterized as a mosaic with more open and light cover habitats indicating open savanna and grasslands, a riparian forest, woodlands and bushes.These reconstructions are consistent with previous palaeoenvironmental interpretations for KW-Unit P and Kromdraai B (KB) as a whole. Since our results are not entirely limited to KW-Unit P, we, therefore, argue that Paranthropus robustus found at Kromdraai thrived in mosaic environmental settings around the time when open habitats were dominant.
- Evaluation of MPA effects on small-scale fisheries: a long-term landings-based monitoring approachPublication . Belackova, Adela; Bentes, Luis; Buhl-Mortensen, Lene; Horta e Costa, Barbara; Gonçalves, Jorge Manuel SantosSmall-scale commercial fisheries represent a significant economic activity that can be affected by coastal Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Official fishery landings data can serve as an effective means of evaluating the effects of MPAs on fisheries and harvested species, as they are available over long periods and do not incur any costs. However, the use of long-term landings as a solid baseline for pre-MPA conditions has been rare. In this study, we applied a Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) design to long-term landings time series to assess the economic and ecological effects of a coastal multi-zone MPA in Portugal. We compared the landings and income per unit of effort (LPUE and IPUE) inside and outside the MPA after its implementation, and within the MPA before and after the implementation. Our results showed that the MPA had a positive influence on the LPUE and IPUE of the local fleet (54 landed taxa in the assemblage), based on significant positive trends inside the MPA after imple mentation, but not before or outside. We found significant positive responses to protection in four taxa with the highest LPUE: Octopus vulgaris, Conger conger, Soleidae, and Rajidae. The MPA’s small no-take zones likely enhance species with small home ranges and their spillover, and, together with the controlled number of fishing licenses, contribute to positive MPA outcomes. However, the LPUE of Muraena helena and Diplodus vulgaris declined significantly inside the MPA between before and after MPA implementation, which could be attributed to enhanced inter-species competition. Despite encouraging LPUE trends within the MPA, the study revealed that prices evolved in a more favourable manner outside than inside the MPA, suggesting that future research in this topic may be necessary to ensure the proper valuation of fishing resources within this and other MPAs. Despite the common limitations of landings data, our study demonstrates that comparing long-term landings from pre and post-MPA periods using a BACI design can be an efficient monitoring solution for budget and data-limited coastal MPAs.
- High plant protein diet impairs growth performance and intestinal integrity in greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili): Molecular and physiological insightsPublication . Fuentes, Juan; Fonseca, Filomena; Gregorio, Silvia; Kussaba Miguel, Larissa; Perera, Erick; Alarcón-López, Francisco J.; Martos-Sitcha, Juan A.The Mediterranean aquaculture industry that produces mainly seabream and seabass is exploring alternative plant-based protein sources for fish feeds together with the diversification of fish species. Effective plant-based formulations require diverse sources and additives to maintain fish welfare and growth, which is especially important for carnivorous species. In this scenario, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of a high percentage of fishmeal replacement with protein of plant origin in Seriola dumerili, a fast-growing species with a high protein requirement. Two diets were developed: MAP (marine animal protein) with a protein content of 92 % of animal origin and PPB (plant protein blend) with a 50 % replacement of protein of animal origin with plant protein. We combined electrophysiology measurements with expression analysis of claudins and members of the SLC superfamily of solute carriers to unravel and characterise putative markers of intestinal integrity and absorption. The replacement resulted in shorter and lighter fish with a reduction in growth rate (SGR) from 2.6 to 2. We simultaneously observed lower transepithelial tissue resistance (TER), lower permeability, and decreased cld12 expression in the anterior intestine. In addition, we demonstrated a strong regiondependent electrogenic transport of essential amino acids, with the mid-intestine having the highest transport capacity. The comparative study performed in the mid-intestine with fish fed the MAP or the PPB diets exposed a negative effect of dietary replacement with plant protein. No significant dietary impact on di- and tri-peptide transporters (SLC15) was found at the molecular level. However, a clear region-dependent expression pattern of slc15a1, slc15a2, and slc15a4 was observed, which warrants further investigation. The expression pattern of slc7a5 showed the effect of the diet, but in contrast, the diet and intestinal region affected the expression of its functionally associated slc3a1 and slc3a2 for amino acid antiport, with the strongest effects in the posterior intestine. The integrity and absorption impairments detected in response to protein source replacement will likely underlie the significant growth differences observed between the two dietary regimes.
- Common dolphin's shipping noise risk assessment on the Portuguese coastPublication . Spadoni, Giulia; Duarte, Ricardo; Soares, Cristiano; Fernandez, Marc; Jesus, SergioOcean noise generated by human activities at sea has been increasing over the decades, affecting marine eco systems. Ship traffic flow between the Mediterranean or South Atlantic and northern Europe makes the coast of Portugal one of the most intense shipping highways on a global scale. Among the cetaceans of the coast of Portugal, the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) was selected as a target species. Based on 15 years of obser vations, the common dolphins' habitat suitability was estimated, together with the shipping noise maps for the year 2019, to produce seasonal risk maps for the same year. A large number of areas with a high noise risk index (≥0.85) were found in Portugal's southern and southwestern coasts, especially during the summer and fall seasons. Comparably, the 0.50 risk index exceeds 7 % and 3.5 % of the total area in summer and fall, respec tively. These percentages decrease to 1 % in spring and winter.
- From a marsh that was once sea: the geological evolution of Europe's largest biological reserve as told by its benthic foraminifera-a reviewPublication . González-Regalado, María Luz; Guerra, Liliana; Ruiz, Francisco; Veiga-Pires, Cristina; Abad, Manuel; Izquierdo, Tatiana; Vidal, Joaquín Rodríguez; Cáceres, Luis Miguel; Muñiz, Fernando; Carretero, María Isabel; Tosquella, Josep; Muñoz, Adolfo Francisco; Pozo, Manuel; Muñoz, Juan Manuel; Toscano, Antonio; Gómez, Paula; Romero, Verónica; Gómez, GabrielThis paper presents an updated list of benthic foraminifera found in brackish and marine (paleo-)environments of the Donana National Park (SW Spain) from the Lower Pliocene to the present-day. This list, based on published records, includes ninety-four species whose autoecology and temporal distribution in surface sections and continuous sediment cores allow us to infer the palaeogeographic evolution of this Biosphere Reserve over the last millions of years. During the Lower Pliocene, this area was occupied by a wide shallow bay with Nonion faba and Ammonia beccarii as the most representative species. During the Upper Pliocene, there was a transition to terrestrial environments, later dominated by fluvial dynamics for much of the Pleistocene and devoid of these aquatic microorganisms. During the Upper Pleistocene and part of the Holocene, the park was flooded during the MIS-1 transgression and a large lagoon was formed and progressively silted up. At this stage, benthic foraminiferal assemblages were dominated by the brackish species Ammonia morphogroup tepida and Haynesina germanica, which were occasionally replaced by marine species (mainly miliolids) during high-energy events. Currently, benthic foraminifera are mainly represented by Ammonia morphogroup tepida in the temporary lagoons and distributary channels, while Ammonia beccarii is dominant in their marginal marine areas. In summary, there is a clear correspondence between the palaeogeographic evolution of the park and its benthic foraminiferal associations, a review of which contributes to increase the knowledge of its remarkable present and past faunal diversity.