1,384 research outputs found
<I>Andreaea flexuosa</I> R. Brown bis subsp. <I>luisieri</I> Sérgio <I>et</I> Sim-Sim (Andreaeaceae), a new <I>taxon</I> from Madeira Island
No full textA taxonomic study of critical plants belonging to the ecostate Andreaea from Madeira Island is presented. A new taxon, Andreaea flexuosa R. Brown bis subsp. luisieri Sérgio et Sim-Sim, is proposed based on material from upland areas in the central ridge of Madeira. Characters discriminating the two subspecies are presented and illustrated; data on ecology and distribution of the two subspecies are discussed.</p
Ecological drivers of taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity of bryophytes in an oceanic island.
No full textpeer reviewedMontane oceanic islands possess unique geographic and ecological attributes, rendering them valuable for assessing patterns and drivers of alpha and beta taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity along elevational gradients. Such comparisons of diversity facets can provide insights into the mechanisms governing community assembly on islands. Herein, we aimed to characterize taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic bryophyte diversity on Madeira Island within and across areas at varying elevations. We also assessed how these diversity facets for the alpha and beta components relate to ecological and anthropogenic factors. We estimated and compared alpha and beta taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity using 80 plots of 0.5 m × 0.5 m across the whole elevational gradient of the island. We compiled trait databases and supplemented them with our own observations. Phylogenetic information was sourced from the Moss and Liverwort Tree of Life. To assess the impact of ecological and anthropogenic factors on the three facets, we applied linear mixed-effects models and generalized dissimilarity models to alpha- and beta-diversity matrices, respectively. All facets of diversity exhibited strong correlations within both mosses and liverworts, indicating a substantial congruence when alpha and beta are analyzed separately. The bryophyte groups categorized by the growth form demonstrated contrasting patterns, aligning with their distinctive ecological requirements. While a mid-elevation peak emerged as a common pattern across the three facets of alpha diversity, beta diversity often displayed the opposite trend. Although the relative influence of environmental factors varied depending on the diversity facet and bryophyte grouping considered, we found that alpha and beta diversity of bryophytes are more influenced by climatic factors and the predominant type of vegetation than by anthropogenic factors. In the current context of global change, these results should be interpreted with caution, but they point to the resilience of bryophytes to survive in relatively well-preserved natural microhabitats within anthropogenic landscapes. In this study on Madeira Island, we investigated patterns and drivers of alpha and beta taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity along elevational gradients. We found that alpha and beta diversity of bryophytes are more strongly influenced by climatic factors and the predominant type of vegetation than by anthropogenic factors
Acanthamoeba castellanii induces coexisting and opposed immune responses in human monocytes
No full textPurpose: Monocytes are blood circulating innate immune cells that can recognize
microbial components and modulate the consequent innate and adaptive immune
responses through the release of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines.
So far, the effect of the facultative parasite Acanthamoeba on monocyte activation is
poorly investigated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the kinetics
and pattern of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines released by human
monocytes in response to Acanthamoeba.
Methods: The human monocytic cell line THP-1 and primary human peripheral blood
monocytes (PBMCs) were either co-incubated with whole and living trophozoites of
a clinical isolate of Acanthamoeba castellanii or stimulated with amoeba derived cell
free conditioned medium (aCM), in vitro. Release of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12 and IL-10 was
investigated at specific hours post-stimulation, by Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent
Assay (ELISA).
Results: Herein, we showed that both A. castellanii trophozoites and aCM induced an
early release of IL-10 by monocytes, significant since the earliest time point (1.3 h).
aCM was showed to be more effective in stimulating all pro-inflammatory cytokines
investigated, in both cellular models used. On the other hand, trophozoites induced
the production of TNF-α by both THP-1 and PBMCs; whereas IL-6 and IL-12 were only
slightly detected in PBMCs and THP-1 respectively.
Discussion: For the first time, it is demonstrated that Acanthamoeba, in particular
amoebic soluble molecules, can induce an early production of IL-10 as well as TNF-α,
IL-6 and IL-12 by human monocytes. This early coexistence of both pro-inflammatory
and anti-inflammatory cytokine might influence the infection outcome, promoting
inappropriate immune responses as well as immune evasion of Acanthamoeba.
Conclusions: Monocyte/Acanthamoeba interaction leads to a peculiar cytokine pattern,
that might influence the establishment and the nature of the infection.
This work was supported by grant CPR.59632, LR72012MATTANA from the Regione
Sardegna
Influence of oral contraceptives on monocytes activity (with implications on modulation of the immune response)
No full textPurpose: Monocytes are effector cells of the non-specific immune response involved in
the first recognition and response to pathogens. Sex hormones may play an important
role in regulating the immune responses and monocytes possess functional sex hormone
receptors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether the use of oral
contraceptives (OCs) can affect monocyte activity. To this end, we evaluate the effect of
OCs on pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines release by human monocytes
in response to known agonists of TLR4 and TLR2 receptors.
Methods: Primary human peripheral blood monocytes from healthy adult women treated
(FOCs) or non-treated (Fs) with OCs were isolated during the follicular phase of
their menstrual cycle and stimulated with either LPS or Pam2CSK4, in vitro. Release of
TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-8 was investigated at specific hours post-stimulation, by Enzyme
Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA).
Results: Our data showed that both agonists used induced the release of TNF-α, IL-6
and IL-8 by Fs and FCOs monocytes, whereas IL-10 was only induced by LPS in both
monocytes population, at 18 h. Differences in the kinetics of LPS-induced TNF-α were
observed in FOCs monocytes, in comparison with Fs, but not quite significant. Of interest,
a highly significant reduction of IL-8 detection, both in the basal condition and
after the two stimulations, and of IL-10, after stimulation with LPS only, was observed in
monocytes FCOs in comparison with Fs monocytes.
Discussion: Our results indicate that the FCOs monocyte response to LPS and
Pam2CSK4 is delayed (TNF-α and IL-10) or less intense (IL-8 and IL-10). These changes
might reduce monocyte ability to activate neutrophils and endothelial cells, to recruit
neutrophils and other granulocytes in the site of infection, and to suppress inflammation
and macrophage activity.
Conclusions: The use of COs might influence the immunomodulatory activity of monocytes
during infectious processes.
This work was supported by grant CPR.59632, LR72012MATTANA from the Regione
Sardegna
Effects of the combined administration of SIM and DMXAA on B16.F10 cell proliferation under hypoxia-mimicking conditions.
No full text(A) 24 h after incubation of co-culture of B16.F10 cells and TAMs with different concentrations of DMXAA; (B) 24 h after incubation of co-culture of B16.F10 cells and TAMs with different concentrations of SIM administered alone or in combination with 100 μM DMXAA; (C) 24 h after incubation of mono-cultured B16.F10 cells with 100 μM DMXAA administered alone and with different concentrations of SIM administered alone or in combination with 100 μM DMXAA. Data are shown as mean ± SD of triplicate measurements; DMXAA: cells incubated with different concentrations of DMXAA; SIM: cells incubated with different concentrations of SIM; SIM+ 100 μM DMXAA: cells incubated with different concentrations of SIM administered in combination with 100 μM DMXAA; The two-way ANOVA Multiple Comparison Test with Bonferroni post-tests was used to compare overall effects of different drug concentrations (*, PPP<0.001).</p
Introduction by Manuela Gieri
No full textIn the introduction to the volume, the author outlines the development of Italian cinema from its early days to the present
Stress ossidativo associato ad un incremento dei livelli di taurina in pazienti con IRC sottoposti a terapia con statine
No full textPatients with chronic kidney (CKD) disease on stage 3 and 4 show a high CV morbidity and mortality. No traditional risk factors such as oxidative stress and inflammation are prevalent in this population. Lipid-lowering therapy has been reported to reduce several OS markers in hypercholesterolemia. We have investigated the effect of drugs on OS and plasma taurine (Tau), a sulfur amino acid with a marked antioxidant effect. We enrolled 30 CKD patients randomized to receive 3 different hypolipidemic regimens for 12 months: simvastatin alone (40 mg/day) or ezetimibe/simvastatin (Eze/Sim) combined therapy (10/20 or 10/40 mg/day. Tau concentration significantly increased throughout the therapy and the rise was more striking for the group with the administration of eze/sim 10/40 mg/day (31.6% after 1 year of therapy). A significant decrease of both MDA and All/UA ratio was observed during therapy for all patients with a more pronounced effect in patients treated with Eze/Sim 10/40 mg/day (-26% MDA and -28% All/UA ratio). Besides, an increase of reduced thiols with a greater effect was observed in subjects treated with Eze/Sim 10/40 mg/day (24.7%). We demonstrated that oxidative stress improvement during therapy was correlated with increased Tau levels. We hypothesize that Tau may be responsible for the oxidative stress improvement observed during lipid-lowering treatment through the reduction of superoxide anion production at the respiratory chain activity level
Thermo-mechanical model of the electron beam melting (EBM) additive manufacturing process
No full textAssessment of apoptotic/necrotic effects of different concentrations of SIM administered alone or in combination with 100 μM DMXAA on the co-culture model.
No full textDouble labeling for apoptosis (Annexin V-FITC) as well as for necrosis (PI) was performed. Relative fluorescence units measured were normalized for the number of cells in each condition. Data are shown as percentages of apoptosis (A) or necrosis (B) in comparison with positive controls and represented as mean ± SD of two independent measurements. SIM: cells incubated with different concentrations of SIM; SIM+100 μM DMXAA: cells incubated with different concentrations of SIM administered in combination with 100 μM DMXAA.</p
Estudo da diversidade de briófitos epífiticos:abordagem fitogeográfica com ênfase na conservação de locais seleccionados na laurissilva da Madeira
No full textTese de mestrado, Biologia (Biologia da Conservação), 2007, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de CiênciasPretendeu-se ao longo deste estudo, na área da Biologia da Conservação, caracterizar a composição florística (biodiversidade) da flora epífitica de locais seleccionados na Floresta Laurissilva da Ilha da Madeira, considerando a influência de diferentes variáveis climáticas e estacionais (abióticas e bióticas), contribuindo para a avaliação do seu actual estado de conservação. Este estudo contemplou treze espécies de forófitos em nove áreas previamente seleccionadas da Floresta Laurissilva da Ilha da Madeira (Clethra arborea, Erica arborea, Erica scoparia ssp. platycodon, Heberdenia excelsa, Ilex canariensis, Laurus novocanariensis, Myrica faya, Ocotea foetens, Persea indica, Rhamnus glandulosa, Salix canariensis, Sambucus lanceolata e Vaccinium padifolium). Na sequência do desenvolvimento metodológico deste estudo menciona-se a identificação de 77 taxa de briófitos, dos quais 46 são hepáticas e 31 são musgos. A análise estatistica multivariada, através da Análise de Correspondências Canónica (CCA) e da Análise de Correspondências Rectificada (DCA), demonstrou quais os factores que mais influenciam a composição dos briófitos epífiticos. A altitude, precipitação média anual, temperatura média anual, exposição, microexposição e perímetros dos forófitos, são as variáveis com maior influência na composição e distribuição das comunidades de briófitos epífiticos. Conclui-se que, a região da Fajã da Nogueira, Montado do Sabugal, Montado do Leacock é representativa do agrupamento de vegetação Laurissilva do Til (Clethro arboreae - Ocoteetum foetentis), a região do Montado dos Pessegueiros, Lagoa do Fanal é representativa do agrupamento de vegetação Urzal de altitude (Polysticho falcinelli - Ericion arboreae) e a região das Funduras é representativa do agrupamento de vegetação designado por vegetação de Transição (Semele androgynae -Apollonietum barbujanae). Esta classificação baseou-se nos factores climáticas e estacionais (bióticas e abióticas), tal como, na composição, afinidades fitogeográficas, tipo de endemismo e/ou estatuto de ameaça IUCN, dos grupos particulares de espécies de briófitos epífiticos em cada uma destas regiõesWith this study on Conservation Biology it was aimed to characterize the ephyphytic bryophyte species composition of the Laurel Forest of Madeira, considering the influence of different biotic and abiotic factors, contributing for the evaluation of their current conservation status. This study considered thirteen phorophytes in nine previously selected areas of Laurel Forest of Madeira (Clethra arborea, Erica arborea, Erica scoparia ssp. platycodon, Heberdenia excelsa, Ilex canariensis, Laurus novocanariensis, Myrica faya, Ocotea foetens, Persea indica, Rhamnus glandulosa, Salix canariensis, Sambucus lanceolata and Vaccinium padifolium). 77 taxa of bryophytes were indentified (46 liverworts and 31 mosses). The Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) and Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) indicated that the composition of ephyphytic bryophyte species is significantly related to dominant factors. The variables altitude, mean precipitation, mean temperature, plot exposure and phorophyte perimeter, are the ones with greater influence in the composition and distribution of the ephyphytic bryophyte communities. In conclusion, the Fajã da Nogueira, Montado do Sabugal, Montado do Leacock region is representative of the Laurel Forest (Clethro arboreae - Ocoteetum foetentis), the Montado dos Pessegueiros, Lagoa do Fanal region is representative of the high altitude Arborescent Heathlands (Polysticho falcinelli - Ericion arboreae) and the Funduras region is representative of the Transition vegetation (Semele androgynae -Apollonietum barbujanae). This classification was based on biotic and abiotic factors, as well as in the composition, phytogeographical affinities, endemics and IUCN status, of the particular groups of ephyphytic bryophyte species in each of these region
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