CCM2-Artigos (em revistas ou actas indexadas)
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- Enhancing growth, nutrient uptake and flowering of Tagetes patula plants through the application of suspensions of Chlorella vulgarisPublication . Vieira, João; Saque, Moisés; Viana, Catarina; Rodrigues, Maria Helena; Guerreiro David Coelho, Luísa Isabel; Gama, Florinda; Varela, João; Pereira, Hugo; Reis, Mário; Pestana, Maribela; Correia, Pedro JoséTagetes patula L. is a prominent plant that is frequently used for its ornamental value. Marigolds are sources of various compounds of great interest to agricultural, pharmaceutical, and nutritional industries. Microalgae can be applied as a biostimulant as they have multifunctional properties in agriculture, namely facilitating nutrient uptake, improving crop performance and physiological status, and thus increasing tolerance to abiotic stress. This study evaluated the efect of applying Chlorella vulgaris as a plant biostimulant on the growth and fowering of T. patula plants. Microalgae suspensions were applied to the substrate at concentrations of 0.5, 2.0 and 5.0 g dry weight (DW) L−1. A set of plants without the application of microalgae was used as control. The use of microalgae had a positive impact on plant growth. Specifcally, C. vulgaris application resulted in greater height, while the highest concentration (5.0 g DW L−1) resulted in higher fresh weight. Microalgae application signifcantly promoted the earlier fowering of marigolds. The macronutrient and micronutrient values were statistically similar between the control plants and those treated with microalgae. When considering only the treated plants, there was a signifcant correlation between the concentration of C. vulgaris and the concentrations of N, P, Mn and Cu in the shoots of T. patula plants. Plants receiving higher concentrations of C. vulgaris exhibited higher levels of these nutrients. These results highlight the potential use of Chlorella vulgaris as an efective biostimulant for enhancing the growth, fowering, and nutrient uptake of T. patula, ofering valuable applications for improving ornamental plant production and, ultimately, agricultural sustainability.
- Marine heatwaves recurrence aggravates thermal stress in the surfgrass Phyllospadix scouleriPublication . Vivanco-Bercovich, Manuel; Sandoval-Gil, Jose Miguel; Bonet-Meliá, Paula; Cabello-Pasini, Alejandro; Muñiz-Salazar, Raquel; Montoya, Leonardo Ruiz; Schubert, Nadine; Marín-Guirao, Lázaro; Procaccini, Gabriele; Ferreira-Arrieta, AlejandraThe surfgrass Phyllospadix scouleri constitutes highly productive meadows along the Pacific coast of North America – a region that has been increasingly affected by severe marine heatwaves (MHWs) in recent years. Our study assessed the effects of consecutive MHWs simulated in mesocosms on critical ecophysiological descriptors of P. scouleri. Generally, our results revealed a progressive deterioration of the plant overall physiological status. Surprisingly, photosynthetic parameters only indicated physiological stress once the first heat exposure ceased (i.e., recovery period). Warming induced elevated oxidative damage and a decline in nitrate uptake rates. By contrast, non-structural carbohydrates and growth rates remained unaffected. Our results highlight the importance of including recovery periods in this sort of experiments, as they reveal delayed stress responses. Further, the accumulative detrimental effects due to the exposure to consecutive intense MHWs indicate that these events can compromise the vitality of surfgrasses and the ecosystem services provided by their meadows.
- A conformational-dependent interdomain redox relay at the core of protein disulfide isomerase activityPublication . Pinho Melo, Eduardo; El-Guendouz, Soukaina; Correia, Cátia; Teodoro Duarte Garcia Morais, Fernando Jorge; Lopes, CarlosProtein disulfide isomerases (PDIs) are a family of molecular chaperones resident in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) emerging as important factors in disease. In addition to an holdase function, some members catalyse disulfide bond formation and isomerization, a crucial step for native folding and prevention of aggregation of misfolded proteins. PDIs are characterized by a modular arrangement of thioredoxin-like domains, with the canonical, first identified PDIA1, organized as four thioredoxin-like domains forming a horseshoe with two active sites at the extremities. Using two fluorescent redox sensors, roGFP2 and HyPer, as client substrates either unfolded or native, and the in vitro reconstitution of the full pathways of oxidative protein in the ER, we clarified important aspects underlying the catalytic cycle of PDIA1. The N-terminal a active site is the main oxidant of thiols and can transfer electrons to the C-terminal a´ active site relying on the redox-dependent conformational flexibility of PDIA1 that allows the formation of an interdomain disulfide bond. The a´ active site act then as a crossing point to redirect electrons to the ER downstream oxidases or back to client proteins. The two active sites of PDIA1 work cooperatively as an interdomain redox relay that explains PDIA1 oxidative activity to form native disulfides and PDIA1 reductase activity to resolve scrambled disulfides. Moreover, this mechanism reveals a new rational for shutting perpetuity for this down oxidative protein folding under ER redox imbalance or when the levels of unfolded proteins and folding intermediates exceed the folding capacity of the system.
- Gla-Rich protein is associated with vascular calcification, inflammation, and mineral markers in peritoneal dialysis patientsPublication . MARREIROS, CATARINA; Viegas, Carla; Malho Guedes, Anabela; Silva, Ana Paula de Andrade; Águas, Ana Catarina; Faísca, Marília; Schurgers, Leon; Simes, DinaVascular calcification (VC) is a crucial risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), particularly in chronic kidney disease (CKD) populations. However, the specific relationship between VC and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) remains to be fully understood. The identification of new biomarkers to improve VC diagnosis and monitoring would significantly impact cardiovascular risk management in these high-risk patients. Gla-rich protein (GRP) is a VC inhibitor and an anti-inflammatory agent and thus is a potential VC marker in CKD. Here we explored the potential role of GRP as a marker for CVD and investigated the impact of VC in 101 PD patients. Methods: Circulating total Gla-rich protein (tGRP) was quantified in serum and in 24 h dialysate samples. VC score (VCS) was determined using the Adragão method. Results: Serum tGRP was negatively associated with VCS, serum calcium (Ca), phosphate (P), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), while it was positively associated with magnesium (Mg). A total of 35.6% of PD patients presented with extensive calcifications (VCS ≥ 3), and the lowest tGRP serum levels were present in this group (419.4 ± 198.5 pg/mL). tGRP in the 24 h dialysate was also negatively associated with VCS and with serum Ca and P. Moreover, serum Ca, P, and VCS were identified as independent determinants of serum tGRP levels. Conclusions: The association of serum tGRP with VC, mineral, and inflammation markers reinforces its potential use as a novel VC biomarker in CKD patients undergoing PD.
- Transcriptional regulation of the Human MGP promoter: Identification of downstream repressorsPublication . Caiado, Helena; Cancela, M. Leonor; Conceição, NatérciaMatrix Gla protein (MGP) is a vitamin K-dependent γ-carboxylated protein that was initially identified as a physiological inhibitor of ectopic calcification, primarily affecting cartilage and the vascular system. Mutations in the MGP gene were found to be responsible for the Keutel syndrome, a condition characterized by abnormal calcifications in the cartilage, lungs, brain, and vascular system. MGP has been shown to be dysregulated in several tumors, including cervical, ovarian, urogenital, and breast cancers. Using bioinformatic approaches, transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) containing CpG dinucleotides were identified in the MGP promoter, including those for YY1, GATA1, and C/EBPα. We carried out functional tests using transient transfections with a luciferase reporter assay, primarily for the transcription factors YY1, GATA1, C/EBPα, and RUNX2. By co-transfection analysis, we found that YY1, GATA1, and C/EBPα repressed the MGP promoter. Furthermore, the co-transfection with RUNX2 activated the MGP promoter. In addition, MGP expression is negatively or positively correlated with the studied TFs’ expression levels in several cancer types. This study provides novel insights into MGP regulation by demonstrating that YY1, GATA1, and C/EBPα are negative regulators of the MGP promoter, and DNA methylation may influence their activity. The dysregulation of these mechanisms in cancer should be further elucidated.
- Urea as a key nitrogen source for the invasion of thesouthern coast of Portugal by the brown seaweedRugulopteryx okamurae (Dictyotales, Phaeophyceae)Publication . Jiménez Herrero, Javier; Alexandre, Ana; Silva, João; Santos, RuiThe invasive seaweed Rugulopteryx okamurae, native to East Asia, is spreading rapidly along the western Mediterranean and southern Portugal, severely affecting coastal biodiversity, ecosystem structure, and economic sectors such as fisheries and tourism. This study examined the nutrient up-take kinetics of R. ok amurae, including ammonium, nitrate, urea, amino acids, and phosphate, and their role in nitrogen and phosphorus budgets based on laboratory growth rates. R. ok amurae demonstrated the highest uptake for ammonium (Vmax = 57.95 μmol · g −1 DW · h −1), followed by urea (7.74 μmol · g −1DW · h −1), nitrate (5.37 μmol · g −1 DW · h −1), and amino acids (3.71 μmol · g −1DW · h −1). The species showed higher uptake affinity for urea (α = 1.8), which accounted for 70% of nitrogen uptake. Phosphate uptake was low, and total nitrogen uptake exceeded growth requirements. These findings suggest that R. okamurae relies on organic nitrogen (urea) and may guide toward effective management strategies to mitigate its spread in coastal ecosystems.
- Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) move westward with favourable flows along the south coast of PortugalPublication . Garel, Erwan; Winkler, Alexander; Gunasekara, S.S.; Abecasis, David; de Oliveira Júnior, LucianoBased on acoustic detections from a network of five stations along the south coast of Portugal, 25 transits of tagged meagre were identified between 2019 and 2020, mostly in summer. Comparisons with hourly current measurements from a moored Acoustic Doppler current Profiler and an High Frequency Radar system indicate that meagre move westward with favourable alongshore flows at a confidence level > 90% (while eastward transits observations were too few to be significant). Several similar transits of different individuals occurred within two days suggesting a species response to environmental changes. The analysis of surface seawater temperature from ERA5 shows that meagre always swam westward towards colder water, despite their warm water affinities. As such, they reached food-rich upwelling areas when the water temperature was higher than usual (due to the westward advection of warm water), probably optimizing their feeding ability. The demonstrated alongshore meagre movements in response to temperature variations induced by the mesoscale coastal circulation is particularly relevant for the management of this high economic value species in southern Portugal.
- OrthoMortPred: predicting one-year mortality following orthopedic hospitalizationPublication . Pires de Carvalho, Filipe Ricardo; Gavaia, Paulo; Brito Camacho, AntónioObjective: Predicting mortality risk following orthopedic surgery is crucial for informed decision-making and patient care. This study aims to develop and validate a machine learning model for predicting one-year mortality risk after orthopedic hospitalization and to create a personalized risk prediction tool for clinical use. Methods: We analyzed data from 3,132 patients who underwent orthopedic procedures at the Central Lisbon University Hospital Center from 2021 to 2023. Using the LightGBM algorithm, we developed a predictive model incorporating various clinical and administrative variables. We employed SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) values for model interpretation and created a personalized risk prediction tool for individual patient assessment. Results: Our model achieved an accuracy of 93% and an area under the ROC curve of 0.93 for predicting one-year mortality. Notably, ’EMERGENCY ADMISSION DATE TIME’ emerged as the most influential predictor, followed by age and pre-operative days. The model demonstrated robust performance across different patient subgroups and outperformed traditional statistical methods. The personalized risk prediction tool provides clinicians with real-time, patient-specific risk assessments and insights into contributing factors. Conclusion: Our study presents a highly accurate model for predicting one-year mortality following orthopedic hospitalization. The significance of ’EMERGENCY ADMISSION DATE TIME’ as the primary predictor highlights the importance of admission timing in patient outcomes. The accompanying personalized risk prediction tool offers a practical means of implementing this model in clinical settings, potentially improving risk stratification and patient care in orthopedic practice.
- A pioneering longterm experiment on mesophotic macrofouling communities in the North AtlanticPublication . Canning-Clode, João; Gizzi, Francesca; Braga-Henriques, Andreia; Ramalhosa, Patrício; Abreu, Pedro; Álvarez, Soledad; Biscoito, Manuel; Buhl-Mortensen, Pål; Delgado, João; Esson, Diane; Freitas, Mafalda; Freitas, Magno; Henriques, Filipe; Jakobsen, Joachim; Jakobsen, Kirsten; Kerckhof, Francis; Lüter, Carsten; Moura, Carlos J.; Radeta, Marko; Rocha, Rosana M.; Santos, Romana; Sepúlveda, Pedro; Silva, Rodrigo; Silva, Teresa; Souto, Javier; Triay-Portella, Raül; Wirtz, Peter; Xavier, Joana R.; Bastida-Zavala, Rolando; Bellou, Nikoleta; Gueroun, Sonia K. M.; Monteiro, João G.The mesophotic zone represents one of our planet's largest and least explored biomes. An increasing number of studies evidence the importance of macrofouling species in marine ecosystems, but information on these communities and the factors influencing their structures at mesophotic depths remain poor. This lack of understanding limits our ability to predict anthropogenic impacts or conduct restoration operations in the mesophotic and the lower boundary of the euphotic zones. In this study, we performed a 24-month experiment in a natural environment to investigate three factors influencing the macrobenthic community structure of the mesophotic and the euphotic lower boundary: depth, substrate orientation and substrate material. Using a manned submersible, several recruitment panels of two different materials were deployed at 100, 200 and 400 meters in vertical and horizontal positions. All three factors contributed to structuring the macrofouling communities, but depth and substrate orientation displayed the strongest effects. This study not only advances our understanding of lower boundary euphotic and mesophotic macrofouling communities but also establishes a foundation for future research and restoration efforts of mesophotic environments in the Madeira archipelago, where mesophotic habitats are amongst the least studied marine habitats in the Northeast Atlantic.
- A comparative study of the influence of soil and non-soil factors on seed germination of edible salt-tolerant speciesPublication . Castañeda-Loaiza, Viana; Rodrigues, Maria João; Fernandes, Eliana; Custódio, LuísaCultivating edible salt-tolerant plants (halophytes) for human consumption is increasingly important due to climate change and soil salinization, and offers sustainable agricultural solutions. Optimizing seed germination, the crucial initial stage of crop growth, is essential for enhancing crop production. This study aimed to optimize the germination of edible halophytes under greenhouse conditions, focusing on select soil (salinity and substrate) and non-soil-related factors (chemical and mechanical treatments). The target species were selected for their commercial value and included Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. (crystalline iceplant), Salicornia ramosissima J. Woods (sea aspara gus), Medicago marina L. (sea medick), Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link (European beachgrass), Portulaca oleracea L. (common purslane), and Atriplex halimus L. (Mediterranean saltbush). Salinity negatively impacted germination rates (GRs) and delayed mean germination time (MGT) across species. P. oleracea had the highest GR (95.6%) in coco peat under freshwater irrigation, and the shortest MGT (5.2 days). A. halimus did not germinate under the tested conditions. Scarification with sulfuric acid improved the GR of M. marina by 42.2%, while scarification with ultrasounds improved the GR of A. arenaria by 35.5%. Our results indicate that the choice of substrate and the application of specific treatments like scarification can significantly improve the germination of certain halophyte species under variable saline conditions.