http://hdl.handle.net/10174/987 Wed, 04 Mar 2020 05:44:50 GMT 2020-03-04T05:44:50Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/27677 Title: Predicting Microhabitat Suitability for an Endangered Small Mammal Using Sentinel-2 Data Authors: Valerio, Francesco; Ferreira, Eduardo; Godinho, Sérgio; Pita, Ricardo; Mira, António; Fernandes, Nelson; Santos, Sara M. Abstract: Accurate mapping is a main challenge for endangered small-sized terrestrial species. Freely available spatio-temporal data at high resolution from multispectral satellite offer excellent opportunities for improving predictive distribution models of such species based on fine-scale habitat features, thus making it easier to achieve comprehensive biodiversity conservation goals. However, there are still few examples showing the utility of remote-sensing-based products in mapping microhabitat suitability for small species of conservation concern. Here, we address this issue using Sentinel-2 sensor-derived habitat variables, used in combination with more commonly used explanatory variables (e.g., topography), to predict the distribution of the endangered Cabrera vole (Microtus cabrerae) in agrosilvopastorial systems. Based on vole surveys conducted in two different seasons over a ~176,000 ha landscape in Southern Portugal, we assessed the significance of each predictor in explaining Cabrera vole occurrence using the Boruta algorithm, a novel Random forest variant for dealing with high dimensionality of explanatory variables. Overall, results showed a strong contribution of Sentinel-2-derived variables for predicting microhabitat suitability of Cabrera voles. In particular, we found that photosynthetic activity (NDI45), specific spectral signal (SWIR1), and landscape heterogeneity (Rao’s Q) were good proxies of Cabrera voles’ microhabitat, mostly during temporally greener and wetter conditions. In addition to remote-sensing-based variables, the presence of road verges was also an important driver of voles’ distribution, highlighting their potential role as refuges and/or corridors. Overall, our study supports the use of remote-sensing data to predict microhabitat suitability for endangered small-sized species in marginal areas that potentially hold most of the biodiversity found in human-dominated landscapes. We believe our approach can be widely applied to other species, for which detailed habitat mapping over large spatial extents is difficult to obtain using traditional descriptors. This would certainly contribute to improving conservation planning, thereby contributing to global conservation efforts in landscapes that are managed for multiple purposes. Sat, 01 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/27677 2020-02-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/27590 Title: New reports of Bursaphelenchus species associated with conifer trees in Romania Authors: Calin, M.; Costache, C.; Braasch, H.; Zaulet, M.; Buburuzan, L.; Petrovan, V.; Dumitru, M.; Mota, M.; Vieira, P.; Belbahri, L. Abstract: The 2013 annual monitoring programme for the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, analysed a total of 267 wood samples collected from declining or symptomatic coniferous trees distributed among national forests, gardens, public parks, distribution centres, wood-processing industries, as well as 104 samples collected from wood packing material originated from several other countries. From a total of eight species found, five have been previously reported from Romania, while three other species (Bursaphelenchus abietinus, Bursaphelenchus fraudulentus and Bursaphelenchus fuchsi) represent new findings for Romania. In addition, B. mucronatus was found in packing wood originated from Russia. Herein, we provide a morphological, morphometric and molecular characterization for the new species found for Romania. Bursaphelenchus xylophilus was not detected. Wed, 01 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/27590 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/27588 Title: Effects of environmental contaminants in inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review Authors: Cruz, Eduardo; Sousa, Ana Catarina; Pastorinho, M. Ramiro Abstract: Introduction: The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is characterized by a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and it has two important forms: Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Although the pathophysiology of the disease is mostly unknown, an interaction between the immune system, genetics, microbiome and environmental factors seems to be responsible for the disease onset. The role of environmental factors in the pathophysiology of this disease is reinforced if we consider the rapid growth in incidence and prevalence rates of IBD in areas where the incidence was previously low as, for example, Asia. However, the literature on the role of environmental factors in IBD is reduced and is not systematized. Hence, in this work a Systematic Review of the literature was performed. Materials and methods: For this systematic review the methodology “Navigation Guide Method for Grading Human Evidence” was used [1]. The research was carried out in three databases (Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed / MEDLINE). The inclusion criteria used were: research articles with original human data, clinically diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease, quantification of environmental contaminants and study of the association between environmental contaminants and inflammatory bowel disease. Only articles written in Portuguese, English, French or Spanish were included. Results: Sixteen studies were included in this systematic review. Of these, 13 studied Inflammatory Bowel Disease in general, 2 studies included only patients with Crohn’s Disease and 1 study included only patients with Ulcerative Colitis. The most studied environmental contaminants were sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter (PM), perfluorooctanoic acid, aluminum, iron, zinc, copper, titanium dioxide, silicates and endotoxins. We also identified different categories of studies, 4 studies on the effects of air pollution, 3 on the intake of contaminated water and 3 on the effects of diet. Additionally, 2 studies evaluated the serum concentrations of contaminants, 1 studied the impact of exposure to house dust, 2 attempted a cell characterization of IBD patients and in another colitis was induced. Overall, the quality of evidence was rated “moderate to low” and the strength of evidence as “Inadequate evidence on toxicity”. Discussion and conclusions: In this systematic review, we have identified different classes of environmental contaminants associated with IBD, but studies reporting their concentration in biological matrices are rare. Based on a moderate to low level of quality, the available evidence gathered in this Systematic Review is insufficient to access the role of environmental contaminants in inflammatory bowel disease. New epidemiological studies are necessary. Tue, 30 Apr 2019 23:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/27588 2019-04-30T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/27566 Title: A circular toxicity approach to isoprostanes: From markers of oxidative stress, to epidemiological warning systems and agents of aquatic toxicity Authors: Ricardo, Pais; Ana Catarina, Sousa; M. Ramiro, Pastorinho Abstract: Isoprostanes (IsoPs) are a class of oxidation products naturally formed in vivo that are indicative of endogenous oxidative stress. In individuals with chronic and oxidative stress related diseases, IsoPs are increased to pathological levels. Since they are excreted through urine into sewage systems, IsoPs can be detected in wastewater treatment plants' (WWTPs) effluents and thus can be used to evaluate the health status of a given population. The underlying principle is that higher isoprostanes WWTPs’ levels correspond to populations undergoing higher levels of oxidative stress, and thus disease. However, IsoPs are not eliminated by WWTPs and will end up being released into the aquatic environment, where they will be available for uptake by aquatic species. Being bioactive molecules, it has been suggested that IsoPs in the environment may elicit oxidative stress in aquatic organisms. In this context, we have critically reviewed the available data on IsoPs as products and effectors of toxicity, and propose the new concept of “circular toxicity”. In general, IsoPs excreted by humans as a consequence of oxidative stress are released into the aquatic environment where they may interact with aquatic organisms and induce the production of more IsoPs. These stress markers, in turn, will also be excreted, increasing the already high levels of stressors in the aquatic environment and thus create an escalating cycle of oxidative stress. Sat, 01 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/27566 2018-12-01T00:00:00Z