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- 2024 Annual meeting of the international network on ectopic calcification (INTEC)—abstract proceedingsPublication . Cancela, M. Leonor; Alouane, Ahmed; Bertelli, Pietro M.; Camacho, Antonio; Derudder, Robbe; Forlino, Antonella; Harris, Matthew P.; Jacinto, Marta; Lengyel, Imre; Link, Wolfgang; Murshed, Monzur; Pasch, Andreas; Kaliya-Perumal, Arun-Kumar; Quaglino, Daniela; Qin, Zihan; Sabbagh, Yves; Seminari, Elena; Villar, Marcos M.; Winkler, Christoph; Vanakker, Olivier M.The 3rd Annual Meeting of the International Network on Ectopic Calcification (INTEC) was held in Faro, Portugal on 12–13 September 2024. This hybrid meeting brought together researchers and clinicians focused on the molecular, (patho)physiological, and clinical aspects of ectopic calcification in hereditary and acquired conditions, as well as in aging. The findings presented in this year’s meeting emphasised the complexity of the field, offering new insights into both mechanistic pathways and translational hurdles. The abstracts of this year’s meeting are collected in this conference paper, with permission from the corresponding authors.
- Editors' Corner: Blubber thickness in cetaceansPublication . Canario, AdelinoWang Y, Zhang Q, Xu Q, Zhang H, Liu X, Yang G. Cetacean-specific GPR12 mutation is functionally associated with blubber thickening. Gene, volume 968, 10 October 2025, 149734. https://doi.org/10.1016 /j.gene.2025.149734. The blubber, a thick layer of fatty tissue, is a key adaptation in aquatic mammals, providing energy storage and facilitating buoyancy and locomotion (Berta, 2023). Blubber thickening has evolved independently in cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), sirenians (manatees and dugongs), and pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, and walruses), raising questions about the genetic basis of this adaptation. Wang et al. (2025) reasoned that G protein-coupled receptor genes associated with the regulation of lipid metabolism could be involved, and homed in on GPR12, whose deficiency in mice leads to obesity and dyslipidemia (Bjursell et al., 2006)
- High variability in aggression and habituation to the mirror assay in ornamental Siamese fighting fish Betta splendensPublication . Coelho da Silva, Melina; Canario, Adelino; Hubbard, Peter; Cardoso, Sara D.; Gonçalves, DavidUnderstanding consistent inter-individual variability in animal behaviour, known as personality traits, is essential for exploring the mechanisms and evolutionary consequences of behavioural diversity. Aggressive behaviour influences survival, resource acquisition, and reproduction, so clarifying individual differences can enhance our understanding of ecological dynamics and improve experimental design accuracy in behavioural studies. In this study, ornamental male Betta splendens, a model organism for aggression research, were analysed for intra- and inter-individual variability in aggressive responses to their mirror image—a standard method for assessing aggression in fish—once per week, and their consistency was evaluated over three consecutive weeks There were significant differences in aggressive behaviour across individuals, with coefficients of variation ranging from 29 to 60%. While most fish exhibited the full suite of aggressive displays, some showed no aggressive behaviour, while others only displayed threat behaviours but did not advance to the attacks. The consistency of individual threat and attack behaviours varied, but repeatability was high overall (intra-class correlation coefficients≥0.5), indicating that individual fish have different levels of aggression. There was habituation to the mirror assay, with aggression decreasing significantly by the second week, though the degree of habituation, a form of learning, varied among individuals in some behaviours. Air-breathing frequency correlated positively with aggression behaviours and can be considered an indicator to infer aggression level in this species. These results indicate that inter-individual variation in aggressive behaviour and habituation to repeated testing using the mirror assay should be considered in aggression studies using B. splendens and potentially in other species.
- Maternal thyroid hormone is required to develop the hindbrain vasculature in zebrafishPublication . Trindade, Marlene; Silva, Nádia; Rodrigues, Joana; Kawakami, Koichi; Campinho, Marco AntónioThyroid hormone (TH) signaling is important and necessary for proper neurodevelopment. Inadequate levels of maternally derived THs (MTH) supply affect target gene expression profiles, which are fundamental for the brain’s normal growth, maturation, and function. The monocarboxylate transporter 8 (SLC16A2, MCT8) is the main TH transporter present in the brain during embryonic development, and mutations in this transporter lead to a rare and debilitating human condition known as the Allan-Herndon-Dudley Syndrome (AHDS). This mutation affects the capacity for intracellular transport of the hormone, leading to impaired brain development that constitutes the main pathophysiological basis of AHDS. Like humans, zebrafish embryos express slc16a2 that transports exclusively T3 at zebrafish physiological temperature. Studies in zebrafish Mct8 knockdown (KD) models found impaired hindbrain vasculature development. Here, using zebrafish Mct8 KD and knockout (KO) models, we shed light on the maternal T3 (MT3)-dependent developmental mechanism behind hindbrain vasculature development. We first demonstrate that MT3-regulates hindbrain vegfaa expression. We provide evidence that hindbrain neurons are not the source of vegfaa, instead, restricted pax6a+ neuroprogenitor cells (NPCs) instruct central arteries (CtAs) ingression into the hindbrain. Therefore, MT3 acts as an integrator, providing the regulatory cues necessary for the timely ingression of the CtAs into the hindbrain.
- Open protocols, the new standard for acoustic tracking: results from interoperability and performance tests in European watersPublication . Aspillaga, Eneko; Bruneel, Stijn; Alós, Josep; Verhelst, Pieterjan; Abecasis, David; Aarestrup, Kim; Birnie-Gauvin, Kim; Afonso, Pedro; Palmer, Miquel; Reubens, JanBackground The lack of compatibility between acoustic telemetry equipment from different manufacturers has been a major obstacle to consolidating large collaborative tracking networks. Undisclosed encrypted signal cod ing protocols limit the use of acoustic telemetry to study animal movements over large spatial scales, reduce com petition between manufacturers, and stifle innovation. The European Tracking Network, in collaboration with several acoustic telemetry manufacturers, has worked to develop new transparent protocols for acoustic tracking. The results are energy-efficient transmission protocols accessible to all researchers and manufacturers. Today, the Open Protocols (OP) are already available to manufacturers and developers, and the first transmitters and receivers to implement them are already in the water. Results The main objective of this study was to confirm the compatibility between devices from different manufac turers using OP, characterise the acoustic range of each transmitter–receiver manufacturer combination, compare the detection efficiency to the standard protocols used at present (R64K and encrypted protocols), and assess its robustness against spurious detections. An international collaborative effort was made to conduct acoustic range tests in four main aquatic habitats: a river, a coastal lagoon, a coastal habitat, and the open sea. Receivers and trans mitters from different manufacturers were deployed at increasing distances from each other using the same experi mental design at each location. The decay of detection probability with distance was modelled for each transmit ter–receiver manufacturer combination by applying logistic regression using a Bayesian approach. Furthermore, to thoroughly assess performance differences in an applied research context, we conducted a direct field comparison between groups of smolts tagged with OP and R64K tags, tracking their migration to the sea. Conclusions Our results confirm full compatibility between the tested devices, with negligible differences in the measured acoustic ranges between OP manufacturers and when compared to encrypted protocols. The OP was also robust against spurious detections, and the field comparison between OP and R64K showed equal perfor mance. We hope these novel insights will encourage international research groups to promote OP-based studies to ensure compatibility and maximise the benefits of acoustic telemetry networks.
- Selected papers from the XXI SPB national congress of biochemistry 2021Publication . Aureliano, Manuel; Cancela, M. Leonor; Costa, Ana R.; Antunes, Célia M.The XXI SPB National Congress of Biochemistry 2021 was held at the University of Évora in Portugal on 14–16 October 2021. Under challenging conditions, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we managed to organize the National Congress of Biochemistry in a hybrid format, where at least 2/3 of the participants (130) came to Évora in person. With the pandemic under control, we carried out the Congress both successfully and safely. This was the main meeting point for Portuguese Biochemistry Society (SPB), fostering the discussion and dissemination of high-quality research in biochemistry, both fundamental and applied, taking place in Portugal. The scientific program under the title “Tuning Biochemistry with Life Sciences and Society” covered a broad range of boundaries, ranging from molecular mechanisms of diseases to drug discovery, as well as innovative biochemistry projects. Science and innovation were promoted through dialogue, sharing, and healthy confraternization.
- Special issue: emerging topics in metal complexes: pharmacological activity, 2nd editionPublication . Ścibior, Agnieszka; Aureliano, Manuel; Llopis, JuanThis Special Issue (SI), titled “Emerging Topics in Metal Complexes: Pharmacological Activity, 2nd Edition”, includes reports updating our knowledge about magnesium (Mg) and neurodegeneration, various metal-containing complexes in terms of their potential therapeutic applications (i.e., ruthenium (Ru), platinum (Pt), zinc (Zn), vanadium (V), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), and other metal complexes and their mechanisms in treating Alzheimer’s disease (AD)), and the efficacy of platinum (Pt)-based complexes in the treatment of lung cancer. It also includes research into a promising radiotheranostic agent against prostate cancer and a novel Fe(III)-pyridoxal-derivative complex with serum proteins and DNA binding activities. In addition, this SI provides valuable findings on the efficacy of methylene blue (MB) in protecting the heart from doxorubicin (Dox)-induced damage and addresses the identification of key active constituents in Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. leaves (EUOL) against Parkinson’s disease (PD) and their underlying mechanisms. The scientific articles making up this SI, i.e., three review articles and four original papers (seven in total), have garnered a total of 16 citations and 17,528 views, indicating an average of 2 citations and 2,504 views per publication (29 November 2025). Figure 1 summarizes the issues included in this SI.
- Training manual for seagrass monitoring and management in the RAMPAO countriesPublication . Barrena de los Santos, Carmen; de la Hoz Schilling, Carolina; Queiroga, Henrique; Ahmed, Mohamed; Araújo, António; Frade, Duarte; Martins, Samir; Barri, Iça; Bandeira, Salomão; Failler, Pierre; Serrao, Ester A.; Santos, Carmen B. de los; Queiroga, Henrique; Cheikh, Sidi; Araújo, António; Serrão, EsterThis training manual aims to improve knowledge, raise awareness, and provide appropriate working tools to managers and other users of MPAs in the RAMPAO network for the protection and conservation of seagrass habitats. Its preparation used a participatory approach, through consultation with MPA managers and other conservation stakeholders from seven RAMPAO member countries (Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal and Sierra Leone), with the aim of identifying their capacity building needs and gaining a better understanding of the threats facing seagrass beds in West Africa.
- Transcriptomic profiling of zebrafish mutant for cdkl5 reveals dysregulated gene expression associated with neuronal, muscle, visual and skeletal developmentPublication . Varela, Tatiana da Conceição Domingos ; Domingos Varela, Débora Cristina; Conceição, Natércia; Cancela, M. LeonorZebrafish is a well-recognized model for studying human genetic disorders. Recently, we proposed the homozygous cdkl5sa21938 mutant zebrafish as a model of CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), a developmental epileptic encephalopathy with diverse symptoms. This study aimed to explore Cdkl5-associated molecular mechanisms in zebrafish and assess their similarity to those in mammals. We conducted RNA sequencing on whole cdkl5−/− zebrafish and wild-type siblings at 5- and 35-days post-fertilization (dpf) to compare their gene expression profiles. Most significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were related to muscle, neuronal, and visual systems which are affected in CDD. Gene Ontology analysis revealed downregulated DEGs enriched in muscle development, extracellular matrix, and actin cytoskeleton functions at both stages, while upregulated DEGs were enriched in eye development functions at 35 dpf. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed enrichment of downregulated DEGs in focal adhesion and extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction pathways at both stages. Neuronal development DEGs were mainly downregulated at both stages, while synaptic signaling DEGs were upregulated at 35 dpf. Crossing cdkl5−/− mutants with the Hb9:GFP transgenic line showed fewer motor neuron cells with shorter axons compared to the wild type, which may explain the impaired motor phenotype observed in zebrafish and CDD patients. Moreover, we identified key downregulated DEGs related to cartilage development at both stages and bone development at 35 dpf, potentially explaining the skeletal defects seen in zebrafish and CDD individuals. In conclusion, Cdkl5 loss in zebrafish leads to dysregulation of genes involved in CDKL5-associated functions in mammals, providing new insights into its less studied functions and phenotypes.