Artigos em revistas internacionais
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Browsing Artigos em revistas internacionais by Field of Science and Technology (FOS) "Ciências Naturais::Ciências Biológicas"
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- Case report: human dermatitis linked to Ornithonyssus bursa (Dermanyssoidea: Macronyssidae) infestation in PortugalPublication . Waap, Helga; Aguin-Pombo, Dora; Maia, Maria; Aguin-Pombo, DoraOrnithonyssus bursa (Berlese, 1888), also known as the tropical fowl mite, is a blood-feeding ectoparasite of domestic and wild birds. It is considered a serious pest to poultry in warm and tropical climates and has been reported to attack humans, causing gamasoidosis. Avian-mite dermatitis may be difficult to recognize and misdiagnosed as bites from other arthropods. The present report describes two cases of human dermatitis linked to O. bursa infestation. Both cases occurred in an apartment in a residential area in Oeiras, Portugal, where two members of the same family presented with pruritic erythematous skin eruptions disseminated over their body over a period of 4 months. The lesions were located mostly in the pelvic, gluteal, coccygeal, and perineal regions, and also on the neck, wrists and torso. On inspecting the mattresses and the covers of the bedrooms, three mites ~1 mm long by 0.5 mm wide were found. The three specimens were identified as O. bursa. Investigations tracing back the source of infestation, revealed that the mites were carried over from chickens raised 45 km away (Sesimbra, Setúbal) that, after being slaughtered for consumption, had been transported by car to the apartment in Oeiras. The chickens were farmed in an open backyard henhouse that allowed free access to several species of wild birds, including pigeons (Columba livia), turtle doves (Streptopelia decaocto), and sparrows (Passer domesticus). Recent reports suggest that O. bursa may be established in Mediterranean countries, increasing the risk of gamasoidosis. This is the first record linking O. bursa infestation of chickens with human dermatitis in continental Portugal. More research is needed to assess the extent of poultry infestation and evaluate the possible implications for the poultry industry, as well as for human health in Portugal.
- Discovery of Hishimonus diffractus Dai, Fletcher & Zhang, 2013 (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae) in Europe, with remarks on previously recorded species of the genusPublication . Bella, Salvatore; Aguín-Pombo, Dora; Aguiar, António M. F.; Kunz, Gernot; Miralles-Núnez, Adria; Foster, Stuart; Sánchez-García, Inigo; Wilson, Michael R.; D`Urso, VeraDuring recent surveys on leafhoppers in urban and agroecosystem areas in Europe the Oriental Hishimonus diffractus Dai, Fletcher & Zhang, 2013 (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae) has been found. This species, described from China and Thailand, is recorded here for the first time from Europe in the following countries: France, Portugal (Madeira), Spain, Gibraltar, United Kingdom, and Italy (Sicily). H. diffractus has been found associated with Jasminum and Olea (Oleaceae), Citrus (Rutaceae), Pittosporum (Pittosporaceae), Rubus (Rosaceae), Nerium (Apocynaceae) and Vitis (Vitaceae). Presence of the adults, morphological features, and some biological notes are provided to H. diffractus. Furthermore, Hishimonus hamatus Kuoh, 1976 is here reported for the first time in Spain and France. All Hishimonus species introduced in Europe are considered, and their economic importance discussed. Details on the first record and country in Europe, origin area, current distribution and host plants are given for each species.
- Editorial: Interaction of microbiota and metabolomic disordersPublication . Pereira, Jorge A. M.; Augusto Machado Pereira, Jorge
- Evaluation of tropane alkaloids in teas and herbal infusions: effect of brewing time and temperature on atropine and scopolamine contentPublication . González-Gómez, Lorena; Morante-Zarcero, Sonia; Pereira, Jorge A. M.; Câmara, José S.; Sierra, Isabel; Augusto Machado Pereira, Jorge; Câmara, JoséAtropine and scopolamine belong to the tropane alkaloid (TA) family of natural toxins. They can contaminate teas and herbal teas and appear in infusions. Therefore, this study focused on analyzing atropine and scopolamine in 33 samples of tea and herbal tea infusions purchased in Spain and Portugal to determine the presence of these compounds in infusions brewed at 97 °C for 5 min. A rapid microextraction technique (µSPEed®) followed by high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) was used to analyze the selected TAs. The results showed that 64% of the analyzed samples were contaminated by one or both toxins. White and green teas were generally more contaminated than black and other herbal teas. Of the 21 contaminated samples, 15 had concentrations above the maximum limit for liquid herbal infusions (0.2 ng/mL) set by Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/1408. In addition, the effects of heating conditions (time and temperature) on atropine and scopolamine standards and naturally contaminated samples of white, green, and black teas were evaluated. The results showed that at the concentrations studied (0.2 and 4 ng/mL), there was no degradation in the standard solutions. Brewing with boiling water (decoction) for 5 and 10 min allowed for higher extraction of TAs from dry tea to infusion water.
- Exploring the potential of microextraction in the survey of food fruits and vegetable safetyPublication . Berenguer, Cristina V.; García-Cansino, Laura; Ángeles García, María; Marina, María Luisa; Câmara, José S.; Pereira, Jorge A. M.; Câmara, José; Augusto Machado Pereira, JorgeThe increasing demand for food to feed an exponentially growing population, the fast evolution of climate changes, how global warming affects soil productivity, and the erosion of arable lands, create enormous pressure on the food chain. This problem is particularly evident for fresh fruits and vegetables that have a short shelf life. For this reason, food safety precautions are not always a priority and they are often overused to increase the productivity and shelf life of these food commodities, causing concerns among consumers and public authorities. In this context, this review discusses the potential of microextraction in comparison to conventional extraction approaches as a strategy to improve the survey of food safety requirements. Accordingly, selected examples reported in the literature in the last five years will focus on the detection and quantification of pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, and preservatives in fresh fruits and vegetables using different extraction approaches. Overall, the use of microextraction techniques to survey the presence of contaminants in the food chain is very advantageous, involving simpler and faster protocols, reduced amounts of solvents and samples, and consequently, reduced waste produced during analysis while conserving a high potential for automation. Additionally, this higher greener profile of the microextraction techniques will boost a progressive substitution of conventional extraction approaches by microextraction processes in most analytical applications, including the survey of food chain safety.
- Improved analytical approach for determination of tropane alkaloids in leafy vegetables based on µ-QuEChERS combined with HPLC-MS/MSPublication . González-Gómez, Lorena; Morante-Zarcero, Sonia; Pereira, Jorge A. M.; Câmara, José S.; Sierra, Isabel; Augusto Machado Pereira, JorgeThis work presents an optimized methodology based on the miniaturization of the original QuEChERS (μ-QuEChERS) followed by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) for the determination of tropane alkaloids (TAs), atropine, and scopolamine in leafy vegetable samples. The analytical methodology was successfully validated, demonstrating quantitation limits (MQL) ≤ 2.3 ng/g, good accuracy, and precision, with recoveries between 90–100% and RSD ≤ 13% for both analytes. The method was applied to the analysis of TA-producing plants (Brugmansia versicolor, Solandra maxima, and Convolvulus arvensis). High concentrations of scopolamine were found in flowers (1771 mg/kg) and leaves (297 mg/kg) of B. versicolor. The highest concentration of atropine was found in flowers of S. maxima (10.4 mg/kg). Commercial mixed leafy vegetables contaminated with B. versicolor and S. maxima were analysed to verify the efficacy of the method, showing recoveries between 82 and 110% for both analytes. Finally, the method was applied to the analysis of eighteen samples of leafy vegetables, finding atropine in three samples of mixed leafy vegetables, with concentrations of 2.7, 3.2, and 3.4 ng/g, and in nine samples with concentrations ≤MQL. In turn, scopolamine was only found in a sample of chopped Swiss chard with a concentration ≤MQL.
- Improved methodology to survey veterinary antibiotics in environmental samples using µSPEed microextraction followed by ultraperformance liquid chromatographyPublication . Antos, Joanna; García-Cansino, Laura; Ángeles García, María; Ginter-Kramarczyk, Dobrochna; Marina, María Luisa; Zembrzuska, Joanna; Câmara, José S.; Pereira, Jorge A. M.; Câmara, José; Augusto Machado Pereira, JorgeA μSPEed microextraction combined with ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) with UV detection was developed for analysing six veterinary antibiotics (tetracycline, chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline, doxycycline, sulfamethoxazole, and trimethoprim) in environmental samples. To optimise extraction, 12 sorbent cartridges, sample loading cycles, volumes, and pH were assayed. The PS/DVB-RP cartridge, three 250 μL sample loading cycles, and two 50-µL elutions with acidified methanol yielded maximum efficiency. The method was validated with optimised fast chromatographic separation, showing good linearity (R2 > 0.99), precision (RSD < 20%), and recoveries between 46-86%. Detection and quantification limits ranged from 0.30-1.23 μg L−1 and 0.92-3.73 μg L−1 , respectively. The optimised μSPEed/UPLC-PDA efficiently analysed environmental water samples, requiring only 6 min extraction, 6 min analysis, and 500 μL sample, surpassing alternative methods in speed, workloads and reproducibility. The cost-effective, commercially available equipment facilitates accessibility for laboratories and adaptability for analysing selected antibiotics in diverse matrices, including food and environmental samples.
- Microalgae and cyanobacteria as natural sources of antioxidant enzymes and enzyme inhibitors for Alzheimer's and diabetesPublication . Odenthal, Kilian; Nunes, Emmanuel; Nunes, Nuno; Fernandes, Tomásia; Fernandes, Igor A.; Carvalho, Miguel A. A. Pinheiro de; Nunes, Nuno; Fernandes, Tomásia; Almeida Pinheiro de Carvalho, Miguel AngeloMicroalgae and cyanobacteria biomass can be cultivated in large amounts, producing a variety of bioactive compounds. As a result, various industries have begun to study the potential of this biomass in a wide range of applications such as biofuel production, environmental remediation for contaminated soil and water, food supplements, and as a source of feed for aquaculture. The cultivation conditions have a profound impact on microalgae biochemical composition. Therefore, the culture conditions must be tailored to the specific appli cation of the biomass. This entails careful control of factors such as light exposure, nutrient concentration, and the application of stress conditions. To further enhance the value of microalgae biomass beyond its nutritional analysis, this review aims to explore the potential of the biomass as biofactories for producing antioxidant en zymes and inhibitors targeting Alzheimer's and diabetes diseases. Both chronic diseases are a growing concern due to an aging population and an increase in obesity rates. Microalgae when exposed to stressful conditions enhance the activity of antioxidant enzymes. However, further studies in the isolation and storage of these en zymes need to be performed. From the literature reviewed microalgae exhibited great potential in inhibiting key enzymes involved in Alzheimer's and Diabetes. The inhibitory potential was observed both in vitro and at a cellular level making them a promising natural alternative to current medication used to inhibit these enzymes.
- Microplastic ingestion and plastic additive detection in pelagic squid and fish: implications for bioindicators and plastic tracers in open oceanic food websPublication . Sambolino, Annalisa; Iniguez, Eva; Herrera, Inma; Kaufmann, Manfred ; Dinis, Ana; Cordeiro, Nereida ; Sambolino, Annalisa; Iñiguez Santamaría, Eva; Kaufmann, Manfred; cordeiro, nereidaThe ubiquitous presence of microplastics (MPs) in the ocean represents a potential threat to marine organisms, with poorly understood long-term adverse effects, including exposure to plastic additives. The present study investigated the ingestion of MPs in two epipelagic fish species (Trachurus picturatus and Scomber colias) and three pelagic squid spe cies (Loligo vulgaris, Ommastrephes caroli and Sthenoteuthis pteropus) from an open oceanic region of the Northeast Atlan tic. Seven phthalate esters (PAEs) were also analysed in the organisms' tissue, and the potential correlation between PAEs concentrations and ingested MPs was investigated. Seventy-two fish and 20 squid specimens were collected and analysed. MPs were found in the digestive tract of all species and in the squid species' gills and ink sacs. The highest occurrence of MPs was in the stomach of S. colias (85 %) and the lowest in the stomach and ink sac of O. caroli and L. vulgaris (12 %). Most of the particles identified (>90 %) were fibres. Among all the ecological and biological factors considered (dietary preferences, season, body size, total weight, liver weight, hepatosomatic index and gastrosomatic index), only gastrosomatic index (GSI) and season were significant predictors of MPs ingestion in fish species, with a greater likelihood of ingestion in the cold season and in specimens with higher GSI values (i.e. higher feeding inten sity). Four PAEs (DEP, DIBP, BBP, DEHP) were detected in all the species analysed, with average ∑PAEs concentrations ranging between 10.31 and 30.86 ng/g (wet weight). DIBP was positively correlated with ingested MPs, suggesting this compound might represent a “plastic tracer”. This study looks into the problem of MPs ingestion for pelagic species in an open oceanic region, highlighting the most suitable bioindicators and providing essential insights into the factors that may influence ingestion rates. Additionally, the detection of PAEs in all species indicates the need for further re search on the contamination sources, the effects of these chemicals on marine organisms, and the potential risks to human health through seafood consumption.
- Polystyrene microplastic particles in the food chain. Characteristics and toxicity: a reviewPublication . Siddiqui, Shahida Anusha; Singh, Shubhra; Bahmid, Nur Alim; Shyu, Douglas J.H.; Domínguez, Rubén; Lorenzo, Jose M.; Pereira, Jorge A. M.; Câmara, José S.; Augusto Machado Pereira, Jorge; Câmara, JoséPolystyrene (PS) is a crucial material for modern plastic manufacturers, but its widespread use and direct discard in the environment severely affect the food chain. This review provides a detailed study on the impact of PS microplastics (PS-MPs) on the food chain and the environment, including information on their mechanism, degradation process, and toxicity. The accumulation of PS-MPs in organisms' different organs leads to various adverse reactions, such as re duced body weight, premature deaths, pulmonary diseases, neurotoxicity, transgenerational issues, oxidative stress, metabolic alterations, ecotoxicity, immunotoxicity, and other dysfunctions. These consequences affect diverse ele ments in the food chain, spanning from aquatic species to mammals and humans. The review also addresses the need for sustainable plastic waste management policies and technological developments to prevent the adverse im pacts of PS-MPs on the food chain. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of developing a precise, flexible, and effective methodology for extracting and quantifying PS-MPs in food, considering their characteristics like particle size, polymer types, and forms. While several studies have focused on the toxicity of polystyrene microplastics (PSMPs) in aquatic species, further investigation is required to understand the mechanisms by which they are transferred across multiple trophic levels. Therefore, this article serves as the first comprehensive review, examining the mecha nism, degradation process, and toxicity of PS-MPs. It presents an analysis of the current research landscape of PS MPs in the global food chain, providing insights for future researchers and governing organizations to adopt better ap proaches to managing PS-MPs and preventing their adverse impacts on the food chain. As far as we know this is the first article on this specific and impactant topic.