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- Complexation and DFT studies of lanthanide ions by (2-pyridylmethoxy)homooxacalixarene derivativesPublication . Marcos, Paula M.; Teixeira, Filipa A.; Segurado, Manuel A.P.; Ascenso, José R.; Bernardino, Raul; Cragg, Peter J.; Michel, Sylvia; Hubscher-Bruder, Véronique; Arnaud-Neu, FrançoiseThe binding of lanthanide cations by 2-pyridylmethoxy derivatives of p-tert-butyldihomooxacalix[4]arene (1b), in the cone conformation, and p-tert-butylhexahomotrioxacalix[3]arene (2b), in both cone and partial cone conformations, was studied. These properties were assessed by extraction studies of the metal picrates from water into dichloromethane and stability constant measurements in methanol and acetonitrile, using spectrophotometric and microcalorimetric techniques. Proton NMR titrations with La3+ and Yb3+ cations were done in order to get information on the binding sites. Computational methods (density functional theory (DFT) calculations) were also used to complement the NMR data. The p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene analogue (3b) was also studied, and the results of the four ligands were compared. Partial cone-2b is the best extractant for lanthanide ions, showing some preference for the heavy lanthanides. In complexation, all four ligands show the same trend and a high selectivity for Yb3+ (ML, log β ≥ 7). Besides the formation of ML complexes, ML2 species were also obtained. In most cases, these species were corroborated by the proton NMR studies. For partial cone-2b with Pr3+ the complexation process is enthalpically driven, whereas for 3b the formation of the ML2 species with this cation is due to a favourable entropy term. DFT studies indicate that ligand 3b forms the most stable complex with La3+, followed by partial cone-2b.
- Excess winter mortality and morbidity before, during, and after the Great Recession: the Portuguese casePublication . Almendra, Ricardo; Perelman, Julian; Vasconcelos, João; Santana, PaulaAlthough winter mortality and morbidity are phenomena common to most European countries, their magnitude varies significantly from country to country. The geographical disparities among regions with similar climates are the result of several social, economic, demographic, and biological conditions that influence an individual’s vulnerability to winter conditions. The impact of poor socioeconomic conditions may be of such magnitude that an economic recession may aggravate the seasonal mortality pattern. This paper aims to measure the seasonal winter mortality, morbidity, and their related costs during the Great Recession (2009–2012) in mainland Portugal and its Regional Health Administrations (RHAs) and to compare it with the periods preceding and following it. Monthly mortality and morbidity data were collected and clustered into three periods: Great Recession (2009–2012), Pre-Recession (2005–2008), and Post-Recession (2013–2016). The impact of seasonal winter mortality and morbidity during the Great Recession in Portugal and its Regional Health Administrations was measured through the assessment of age-standardized excess winter (EW) death and hospital admissions rate and index, expected life expectancy gains without EW deaths, EW rate of potential years of life lost, and EW rate of emergency hospital admission costs. Important increases of winter deaths and hospital admissions were identified, resulting in an important number of potential years of life lost (87 years of life lost per 100,000 inhabitants in 2009–2012), life expectancy loss (1 year in 2009–2012), and National Health Service costs with explicit temporal and spatial variations. These human and economic costs have decreased consistently during the analyzed periods, while no significant increase was found during the Great Recession. Despite its reduction, the winter excess morbidity and mortality highlight that Portugal still faces substantial challenges related to a highly vulnerable population, calling for investments in better social and health protection.
- Synthesis, NMR and DFT conformational studies of homooxacalixarene (cyanopropyl)oxy derivatives, precursors to urea-terminated compoundsPublication . Marcos, Paula M.; Proença, Carla S.; Teixeira, Filipa A.; Ascenso, José R.; Bernardino, Raul; Cragg, Peter J.Direct O-alkylation of the parent compounds p-tert-butyldihomooxacalix[4]arene (1) and p-tertbutylhexahomotrioxacalix[3]arene (3) with 4-bromobutyronitrile and K2CO3 in acetonitrile afforded tetra- and tri-[(cyanopropyl)oxy] derivatives 2 and 4, respectively, as a mixture of conformers. These conformers were isolated and their conformational features studied by NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C, COSY and NOESY) and DFT methods. Dihomooxacalix[4]arene tetra[(cyanobutyl)oxy] derivative 5 was also obtained and studied for comparison purposes. In general, good agreement was obtained between theoretical calculations and the NMR experimental data. For compounds 2 and 4 the partial cone conformation was the most stable, while the cone conformation was the most stable for derivative 5.
- Sustainable production of biologically active molecules of marine based originPublication . Murray, Patrick M.; Moane, Siobhan; Collins, Catherine; Beletskaya, Tanya; Thomas, Olivier P.; Duarte, Alysson W.F.; Nobre, Fernando S.; Owoyemi, Ifeloju O.; Pagnocca, Fernando C.; Sette, L.D.; McHugh, Edward; Causse, Eric; Pérez-López, Paula; Feijoo, Gumersindo; Moreira, Ma.T.; Rubiolo, Juan; Leirós, Marta; Botana, Luis M.; Pinteus, Susete; Alves, Celso; Horta, André; Pedrosa, Rui; Jeffryes, Clayton; Agathos, Spiros N.; Allewaert, Celine; Verween, Annick; Vyverman, Wim; Laptev, Ivan; Sineoky, Sergei; Bisio, Angela; Manconi, Renata; Ledda, Fabio; Marchi, Mario; Pronzato, Roberto; Walsh, Daniel J.The marine environment offers both economic and scientific potential which are relatively untapped from a biotechnological point of view. These environments whilst harsh are ironically fragile and dependent on a harmonious life form balance. Exploitation of natural resources by exhaustive wild harvesting has obvious negative environmental consequences. From a European industry perspective marine organisms are a largely underutilised resource. This is not due to lack of interest but due to a lack of choice the industry faces for cost competitive, sustainable and environmentally conscientious product alternatives. Knowledge of the biotechnological potential of marine organisms together with the development of sustainable systems for their cultivation, processing and utilisation are essential. In 2010, the European Commission recognised this need and funded a collaborative RTD/SME project under the Framework 7-Knowledge Based Bio-Economy (KBBE) Theme 2 Programme 'Sustainable culture of marine microorganisms, algae and/or invertebrates for high value added products'. The scope of that project entitled 'Sustainable Production of Biologically Active Molecules of Marine Based Origin' (BAMMBO) is outlined. Although the Union is a global leader in many technologies, it faces increasing competition from traditional rivals and emerging economies alike and must therefore improve its innovation performance. For this reason innovation is placed at the heart of a European Horizon 2020 Strategy wherein the challenge is to connect economic performance to eco performance. This article provides a synopsis of the research activities of the BAMMBO project as they fit within the wider scope of sustainable environmentally conscientious marine resource exploitation for high-value biomolecules.
- Mediterranean Berries as Inhibitors of Lipid Oxidation in Porcine Burger Patties Subjected to Cooking and Chilled StoragePublication . Ganhão, Rui; Estévez, Mario; Armenteros, Mónica; Morcuende, DavidThe effi ciency of extracts from Arbutus unedo L. (AU), Crataegus monogyna L. (CM), Rosa canina L. (RC), and Rubus ulmifolius Schott. (RU) to inhibit lipid oxidation in raw, cooked and cooked and chilled (2°C/12 d) porcine burger patties, was investigated. The modifi cation of the fatty acid profi le during processing treatments (cooking and chilling), the quantitative measurements of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBA-RS), and lipid-derived volatiles, were used as indicators of lipid oxidation. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) gradually decreased during cooking and the subsequent storage of cooked burger patties with this decrease being signifi cantly greater (P<0.05) in control patties than in those with added berry extracts. In accordance, the control patties showed signifi cantly higher TBA-RS numbers and counts of lipid-derived volatiles in all treatments when compared to the berry-added counterparts (P<0.05). Results from the present work show, for the fi rst time, that extracts from A. unedo, C. monogyna, R. canina, and R. ulmifolius are promising antioxidants which could enhance the nutritional, safety and sensory properties of porcine burger patties.
- Men’s and Women’s Style of Living and Motivation to Run in Charity EventsPublication . Poczta, Joanna; Almeida, Nuno; Rozmiarek, Mateusz; Młodzik, Maciej; Malchrowicz-Mośko, EwaRunning has been very popular for years, especially in organized mass runs. Various running events take place all over the world, at different distances and locations, including charity running events. However, there has not been any research on the social impact of these events on participants to date. This article/paper is an attempt to remedy this situation. The authors conducted their research by the diagnostic survey method using standardized interview technique during the 6th Santa Claus Run organized in Poznan on the day of Santa Claus. A sample of 136 runners: 49 male respondents and 87 female respondents participated in the event voluntarily and completed a questionnaire. Therefore, the main goal of the study was to recognize the relationship between the lifestyles of men and women in the context of participation in a charity running event, in order to evaluate the differences between them. The specific goal was to discern the motives to take part in such kind of an event, as well as to find out what influence the participation in a charity run has on the respondents, both those leading an active and passive lifestyle. The most important result and the only one statistically significant difference in the conducted study was the indication that women have more empathy and participate more often than men in charity runs.
- Mechanisms of bioinvasions by coastal crabs using integrative approaches – A conceptual reviewPublication . Rato, Lénia D.; Crespo, Daniel; Lemos, Marco F. L.Crustaceans are amongst the most reported invaders of coastal habitats, and predatory brachyuran crabs one of the most successful marine invasive groups. They hold high tolerance to abiotic stress and their genetic, life-history, and behavioural adaptation mechanisms prompt their invasive conspicuousness. However, there is a generalized ambiguity on the specific processes that make these bioinvasions successful. No trait-related patterns have yet been found, mostly since traits attributed solely to non-indigenous crab species lack confirmation by comparison with their native counterparts and across each other. Therefore, this review discusses the available literature on fitness and plasticity of brachyuran crabs under global changes, and advances the increasing importance of addressing native versus non-native invasive species comparisons in the annals of brachyura invasion dynamics. Further on, integrative approaches are highlighted and proposed as innovative tools to disentangle trait-related tolerance, overall crab phenotypic plasticity and further adaptation. These indicator tools will advance the knowledge on crabs’ invasive potential, which ultimately affects upcoming population dynamics and ecosystem services, adding value to an effective management of coastal bioinvasions.
- Study of Temporal Variations in Species–Environment Association through an Innovative Multivariate Method: MixSTATICOPublication . González-Narváez, Mariela; Fernández-Gómez, María José; Mendes, Susana; Molina, José-Luis; Ruiz-Barzola, Omar; Galindo-Villardón, PurificaciónThe study of biotic and abiotic factors and their interrelationships is essential in the preservation of sustainable marine ecosystems and for understanding the impact that climate change can have on different species. For instance, phytoplankton are extremely vulnerable to environmental changes and thus studying the factors involved is important for the species’ conservation. This work examines the relationship between phytoplankton and environmental parameters of the eastern equatorial Pacific, known as one of the most biologically rich regions in the world. For this purpose, a new multivariate method called MixSTATICO has been developed, allowing mixed-type data structured in two different groups (environment and species) to be related and measured on a space–time scale. The results obtained show how seasons have an impact on species–environment relations, with the most significant association occurring in November and the weakest during the month of May (change of season). The species Lauderia borealis, Chaetoceros didymus and Gyrodinium sp. were not observed in the coastal profiles during the dry season at most stations, while during the rainy season, the species Dactyliosolen antarcticus, Proboscia alata and Skeletonema costatum were not detected. Using MixSTATICO, species vulnerable to specific geographical locations and environmental variations were identified, making it possible to establish biological indicators for this region.
- Attitudes of Local Population Towards the Impacts of Tourism Development: Evidence From CzechiaPublication . Linderová, Ivica; Scholz, Petr; Almeida, NunoIncreasing the socio-economic effects caused by the tourism development in the local population, they adopt some attitudes according to the impacts directly or indirectly perceived. However, some of this impact can be considered positive or negative, according to different perspectives. The issue of the resident-tourist relationship has been much-discussed recently. Therefore, many case studies are being conducted that address the impacts on both residents and tourists. The goal of this manuscript is to analyze the attitudes of local residents to the development of tourism in the urban monument zone Předhradí. Primary data were collected in a questionnaire survey for residents who have a permanent residence in a municipality of Předhradí in 2020. In our research, we tried to identify the significant negative impacts of tourism development. In the same way, we evaluate how the locals see positive effects on their quality of life conducted with tourism development. The research finds out that local respondents perceived some negative impacts to increase the economic perspective, as they referred to in the higher traffic load or increased noise. The pandemic crises are perceived as a game-changer in the tourism industry. For that reason, we suggest the primary considerations for future research not only with the academic perfective as for the practical point of view. The local population’s entrepreneurship attitudes must be one of the tools to assume the resilience toward the tourism development impacts.
- Is mobile phone radiation genotoxic? An analysis of micronucleus frequency in exfoliated buccal cellsPublication . Oliveira, F. M. de; Carmona, A. M.; Ladeira, C.Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are classified as “possibly carcinogenic” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Some publications have reported associations between EMF exposure and DNA damage, but many other studies contradict such findings. Cytomorphological changes, such as micronuclei (MN), indicative of genomic damage, are biomarkers of genotoxicity. To test whether mobile phone-associated EMF exposure affects the MN frequency in exfoliated buccal cells, we obtained cells smears from the left and right inner cheeks of healthy mobile phone users, aged 18–30 (n =86), who also completed a characterization survey. MN frequencies were tested for potential confounding factors and for duration of phone use and preferential side of mobile phone use. No relationship was observed between MN frequency and duration of mobile phone use in daily calls. Cells ipsilateral to mobile phone use did not present a statistically significantly higher MN frequency, compared to cells contralateral to exposure. A highly statistically significant (p < 0.0001) increase in MN frequency was found in subjects reporting regular exposure to genotoxic agents. Therefore, our results suggest that mobile phone-associated EMF do not to induce MN formation in buccal cells at the observed exposure levels.