Browsing by MeSH term "Ecosystem"
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Publication Impact of human-associated Escherichia coli clonal groups in Antarctic pinnipeds: presence of ST73, ST95, ST141 and ST131(Nature Publishing Group, 2018) Mora, Azucena; García-Peña, Francisco Javier; Alonso, María Pilar; Pedraza-Diaz, Susana; Ortega-Mora, Luis Miguel; Garcia-Parraga, Daniel; López, Cecilia; Viso, Susana; Dahbi, Ghizlane; Marzoa, Juan; Sergeant, Martin J; García, Vanesa; Blanco, Jorge; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España); Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España); Unión Europea. Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER/ERDF); Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España); Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Xunta de Galicia (España)There is growing concern about the spreading of human microorganisms in relatively untouched ecosystems such as the Antarctic region. For this reason, three pinniped species (Leptonychotes weddellii, Mirounga leonina and Arctocephalus gazella) from the west coast of the Antartic Peninsula were analysed for the presence of Escherichia spp. with the recovery of 158 E. coli and three E. albertii isolates. From those, 23 harboured different eae variants (α1, β1, β2, ε1, θ1, κ, ο), including a bfpA-positive isolate (O49:H10-A-ST206, eae-k) classified as typical enteropathogenic E. coli. Noteworthy, 62 of the 158 E. coli isolates (39.2%) exhibited the ExPEC status and 27 (17.1%) belonged to sequence types (ST) frequently occurring among urinary/bacteremia ExPEC clones: ST12, ST73, ST95, ST131 and ST141. We found similarities >85% within the PFGE-macrorrestriction profiles of pinniped and human clinic O2:H6-B2-ST141 and O16:H5/O25b:H4-B2-ST131 isolates. The in silico analysis of ST131 Cplx genomes from the three pinnipeds (five O25:H4-ST131/PST43-fimH22-virotype D; one O16:H5-ST131/PST506-fimH41; one O25:H4-ST6252/PST9-fimH22-virotype D1) identified IncF and IncI1 plasmids and revealed high core-genome similarities between pinniped and human isolates (H22 and H41 subclones). This is the first study to demonstrate the worrisome presence of human-associated E. coli clonal groups, including ST131, in Antarctic pinnipeds.Publication Multiomics Molecular Research into the Recalcitrant and Orphan Quercus ilex Tree Species: Why, What for, and How.(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2022-09-01) Maldonado-Alconada, Ana María; Castillejo, María Ángeles; Rey, María-Dolores; Labella-Ortega, Mónica; Tienda-Parrilla, Marta; Hernández-Lao, Tamara; Honrubia-Gómez, Irene; Ramírez-García, Javier; Guerrero-Sanchez, Víctor M; López-Hidalgo, Cristina; Valledor, Luis; Navarro-Cerrillo, Rafael M; Jorrin-Novo, Jesús V; Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España); Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación. Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa (España); Gobierno del Principado de Asturias (España); Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España)The holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) is the dominant tree species of the Mediterranean forest and the Spanish agrosilvopastoral ecosystem, "dehesa." It has been, since the prehistoric period, an important part of the Iberian population from a social, cultural, and religious point of view, providing an ample variety of goods and services, and forming the basis of the economy in rural areas. Currently, there is renewed interest in its use for dietary diversification and sustainable food production. It is part of cultural richness, both economically (tangible) and environmentally (intangible), and must be preserved for future generations. However, a worrisome degradation of the species and associated ecosystems is occurring, observed in an increase in tree decline and mortality, which requires urgent action. Breeding programs based on the selection of elite genotypes by molecular markers is the only plausible biotechnological approach. To this end, the authors' group started, in 2004, a research line aimed at characterizing the molecular biology of Q. ilex. It has been a challenging task due to its biological characteristics (long life cycle, allogamous, high phenotypic variability) and recalcitrant nature. The biology of this species has been characterized following the central dogma of molecular biology using the omics cascade. Molecular responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, as well as seed maturation and germination, are the two main objectives of our research. The contributions of the group to the knowledge of the species at the level of DNA-based markers, genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics are discussed here. Moreover, data are compared with those reported for Quercus spp. All omics data generated, and the genome of Q. ilex available, will be integrated with morphological and physiological data in the systems biology direction. Thus, we will propose possible molecular markers related to resilient and productive genotypes to be used in reforestation programs. In addition, possible markers related to the nutritional value of acorn and derivate products, as well as bioactive compounds (peptides and phenolics) and allergens, will be suggested. Subsequently, the selected molecular markers will be validated by both genome-wide association and functional genomic analyses.Publication Neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption caused by polystyrene nanoparticles in zebrafish embryo(Elsevier, 2023-05-20) Torres-Ruiz, Mónica; De Alba-González, Mercedes; Morales, Mónica; Martin-Folgar, Raquel; González-Caballero, MCarmen; Cañas Portilla, Ana Isabel; De la Vieja, Antonio; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España); Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España); Instituto de Salud Carlos III; National University of Distance Education (España)Nanoplastics (NP) are present in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Humans can be exposed to them through contaminated water, food, air, or personal care products. Mechanisms of NP toxicity are largely unknown and the Zebrafish embryo poses an ideal model to investigate them due to its high homology with humans. Our objective in the present study was to combine a battery of behavioral assays with the study of endocrine related gene expression, to further explore potential NP neurotoxic effects on animal behavior. Polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNP) were used to evaluate NP toxicity. Our neurobehavioral profiles include a tail coiling assay, a light/dark activity assay, two thigmotaxis anxiety assays (auditory and visual stimuli), and a startle response - habituation assay in response to auditory stimuli. Results show PSNP accumulated in eyes, neuromasts, brain, and digestive system organs. PSNP inhibited acetylcholinesterase and altered endocrine-related gene expression profiles both in the thyroid and glucocorticoid axes. At the whole organism level, we observed altered behaviors such as increased activity and anxiety at lower doses and lethargy at a higher dose, which could be due to a variety of complex mechanisms ranging from sensory organ and central nervous system effects to others such as hormonal imbalances. In addition, we present a hypothetical adverse outcome pathway related to these effects. In conclusion, this study provides new understanding into NP toxic effects on zebrafish embryo, emphasizing a critical role of endocrine disruption in observed neurotoxic behavioral effects, and improving our understanding of their potential health risks to human populations.Publication Spatial and temporal variability of the Glossina palpalis palpalis population in the Mbini focus (Equatorial Guinea)(BioMed Central (BMC), 2007-08-30) Ochando, Jordi; Descalzo, Miguel Angel; Ndong-Mabale, Nicolas; Ndongo-Asumu, Pedro; Bobuakasi, Leonardo; Buatiché, Jesús N; Nzambo-Ondo, Sisinio; Ondo-Esono, Melchor; Benito, Agustin; Roche, Jesus; RETICS-Investigación colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET-ISCIII) (España); Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo; Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIBACKGROUND: Human African Trypanosomiasis is a vector-borne parasitic disease. The geographical distribution of the disease is linked to the spatial distribution of the tsetse fly. As part of a control campaign using traps, the spatial and temporal variability is analysed of the glossina populations present in the Mbini sleeping sickness foci (Equatorial Guinea). RESULTS: A significant drop in the annual mean of the G. p. palpalis apparent density was noted from 2004 to 2005, although seasonal differences were not observed. The apparent density (AD) of G. p. palpalis varies significantly from one biotope to another. The fish dryers turned out to be zones with the greatest vector density, although the AD of G. p. palpalis fell significantly in all locations from 2004 to 2005. CONCLUSION: Despite the tsetse fly density being relatively low in fish dryers and jetties, the population working in those zones would be more exposed to infection. The mono-pyramidal traps in the Mbini focus have been proven to be a useful tool to control G. p. palpalis, even though the activity on the banks of the River Wele needs to be intensified. The application of spatial analysis techniques and geographical information systems are very useful tools to discriminate zones with high and low apparent density of G. p. palpalis, probably associated with different potential risk of sleeping sickness transmission.