DigitUMa
University of Madeira Institutional Repository
Recent Submissions
MALDI-TOF MS: a promising analytical approach to cancer diagnostics and monitoring
Publication . Sousa, Patrícia; Silva, Laurentina; Luís, Catarina; Câmara, José S.; Perestrelo, Rosa; Sousa Luís, Catarina Grace; Câmara, José; Perestrelo, Rosa
Cancer remains the second most common cause of death after cardiovascular diseases, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020. Although the incidence of cancer increases considerably with age, the cancer burden can also be reduced and have a high chance of cure through early detection, appropriate treatment, and care of patients. The development of high-throughput analytical approaches, like matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), contributes to identifying a pool of proteins/peptides as putative biomarkers for the early detection, diagnosis, and tumor progression. The purpose of the current review is to present an updated outline of recent proteome/peptidome research to establish putative cancer biomarkers using MALDI-TOF MS and highlight the applicability of statistical analysis in the oncology field. The pros and cons of MALDI-TOF MS application on cancer diagnostics and monitoring will be discussed, as well as compared with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS)-based proteomics (e.g., liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry). In addition, pre-analytical (e.g., sample quality control) and analytical (e.g., sample pre-treatment, instrumental analytical conditions) properties that influence the robustness of MALDI-TOF MS data will be also discussed.
Tracing the volatilomic fingerprint of the most popular italian fortified wines
Publication . Jasmins, Gonçalo; Perestrelo, Rosa; Coïsson, Jean Daniel; Sousa, Patrícia; Teixeira, José A.; Bordiga, Matteo; Câmara, José S.; Jasmins, Gonçalo; Perestrelo, Rosa; Câmara, José
The aim of the current study was to provide a useful platform to identify characteristic molecular markers related to the authenticity of Italian fortified wines. For this purpose, the volatilomic fingerprint of the most popular Italian fortified wines was established using headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). Several volatile organic compounds (VOCs), belonging with distinct chemical groups, were identified, ten of which are common to all the analyzed fortified Italian wines. Terpenoids were the most abundant chemical group in Campari bitter wines due to limonene’s high contribution to the total volatilomic fingerprint, whereas for Marsala wines, alcohols and esters were the most predominant chemical groups. The fortified Italian wines VOCs network demonstrated that the furanic compounds 2-furfural, ethyl furoate, and 5-methyl-2-furfural, constitute potential molecular markers of Marsala wines, while the terpenoids nerol, α-terpeniol, limonene, and menthone isomers, are characteristic of Vermouth wines. In addition, butanediol was detected only in Barolo wines, and β-phellandrene and β-myrcene only in Campari wines. The obtained data reveal an adequate tool to establish the authenticity and genuineness of Italian fortified wines, and at the same time constitute a valuable contribution to identify potential cases of fraud or adulteration to which they are subject, due to the high commercial value associated with these wines. In addition, they contribute to the deepening of scientific knowledge that supports its valorization and guarantee of quality and safety for consumers.
Biogeography, population and trophic ecology of cetaceans in a warm-temperate habitat
Publication . Ferreira, Rita Borges; Kaufmann, Manfred; Alves, Filipe Marco Andrade
Cetaceans play a crucial role in marine ecosystems by maintaining their structure and
function, providing essential ecosystem services, and acting as sentinel species. Despite
the inherent challenges, research efforts to document the distribution and movements
of pelagic cetacean populations have increased. Oceanic islands present strategic
advantages for studying pelagic cetaceans and integrating datasets from multiple
sources is a valuable approach to obtaining the long-term datasets necessary for
ecological studies on these long-lived mammals. Ultimately, such integration provides
insights into cetacean populations' connectivity and migration patterns across various
territories and international borders. The present study aims to elucidate the
distribution, movements, and ecological interactions of eight cetacean species, for
which limited information exists in the Macaronesia region (Eastern North Atlantic),
thereby providing crucial insights for their conservation. This study focuses on
understanding the movement patterns and site fidelity of Bryde's whale, sperm whale,
and Blainville's beaked whale in the archipelagos of the Madeira, Azores, and Canaries
through photographic-identification methods. Additionally, in Madeira, it examines the
social structure of the Blainville's beaked whale through photographic identification and
analyzes the dietary habits and ecological roles of six odontocete species through stable
isotopes. Research findings indicate that Bryde's whales exhibit high site fidelity to the
Madeira Archipelago during their seasonal presence, with first-time documented inter archipelago movements between Madeira and the Canaries. This reflects the species'
wide habitat range in the Macaronesia region, including international waters. For sperm
whales, the study supports the existence of a pelagic population in Macaronesia, with a
subset regularly using the Azores and Madeira Archipelagos. Preliminary data from the
Canaries suggest a need for further research to evaluate a population significantly
impacted by ship strikes. Blainville's beaked whales demonstrate female defense
polygyny in the Madeira Archipelago, with strong associations between females and
immatures, who exhibit the highest site fidelity rates. These findings underscore the
significance of the Macaronesia region in providing essential habitats for these species.
The study also highlights variations in dietary preferences and foraging strategies among
different species, enhancing our understanding of marine biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics. It emphasizes the need for international collaboration when addressing the
conservation challenges of these highly dynamic species. By combining long-term
datasets with innovative methodologies, this research significantly contributes to the
understanding and protection of cetaceans, underscoring the critical role of oceanic
islands in marine conservation efforts.
Urinary proteomic/peptidomic biosignature of breast cancer Patients using 1D SDS-PAGE combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry
Publication . Sousa, Patrícia; Camacho, Irene; Câmara, José S.; Perestrelo, Rosa; Camacho, Irene; Câmara, José; Perestrelo, Rosa
The potential development of a rapid and highly sensitive breast cancer (BC) diagnostic method has been increasingly investigated by many researchers in order to significantly improve the diagnosis of this disease that affects millions of women worldwide. Thus, this investigation aimed to establish a potential BC urinary peptidomic pattern using one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (1D SDS-PAGE) coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) as a useful approach for BC diagnosis. The results of Lowry’s assay demonstrated that the total protein concentration increased after precipitation and that the healthy control group (HCs, 160 to 318 µg/mL, 142 ± DD µg/mL, on average) presented higher total protein content than the BC patients (140 to 311 µg/mL, 115 ± DD µg/mL, on average). Related to MALDI-TOF MS analysis, the results revealed that four peptide ion biosignatures (m/z 1046.5, 1062.5, 1237.7 and 1727.9) allowed the discrimination between BC patients and HCs. The distinction efficiency and accuracy of BC urine peptides were determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis that enabled the recognition of some features with great sensitivity (88%) and specificity (98%). Therefore, the obtained data revealed MALDI-TOF MS as a powerful tool to explore peptidomic biosignatures due to its speed, sensitivity, and mass accuracy, which allow the establishment of novel disease biomarkers.
Impact of Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica Newman) on the chemical composition of two grape varieties (Nebbiolo and Erbaluce) grown in Italy
Publication . Selli, Serkan; Perestrelo, Rosa; Kelebek, Hasim; Sevindik, Onur; Travaglia, Fabiano; Coïsson, Jean Daniel; Câmara, José S.; Bordiga, Matteo; Perestrelo, Rosa; Câmara, José
The effect of Japanese beetles (P. japonica) on critical quality indicators of Nebbiolo and Erbaluce grapes, spe cifically on their phenolic and volatile composition, was assessed. Adult beetle symptoms include extended
skeletonization of leaves. Leaves are frequently left with their mid-vein intact but, when severely damaged,
quickly turn brown. However, the plant tends to recover by generating a new leaf apparatus and the grapes reach
ripeness. It emerged that the phenolic content of grapes produced by plants attacked by P. japonica (396 and 550
mg/kg, Nebbiolo and Erbaluce respectively) was generally higher when compared to healthy plants (266 and
188 mg/kg, Nebbiolo and Erbaluce respectively). Similarly, in the (red) Nebbiolo cultivar, the anthocyanin
content was significantly lower in grapes produced with healthy plants. The influence of P. japonica on the
volatile composition of Nebbiolo and Erbaluce grapes showed a total volatile fraction of affected grapes (433 and
439 µg/kg, respectively) significantly higher than the one related to healthy grapes (391 and 386 µg/kg,
respectively). In response to the attack by P. japonica the plant significantly increases the content of some volatile
compounds such as hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal, 1-hexanol, (E)-2-hexen-1-ol and phenyl ethyl alcohol.