CIMO - Resumos em Proceedings Não Indexados à WoS/Scopus
URI permanente para esta coleção:
Navegar
Percorrer CIMO - Resumos em Proceedings Não Indexados à WoS/Scopus por Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS) "04:Educação de Qualidade"
A mostrar 1 - 10 de 26
Resultados por página
Opções de ordenação
- Adaptive genomic variation in honey bees from arid regionsPublication . Yadró Garcia, Carlos A.; Henriques, Dora; Haddad, N.; Obeidat, W. M.; AlShagour, B.; Muz, Mustafa Necati; Arab, A.; Eissa, A. A.; Hosri, C.; Lamghari, F.; Arruda, J.; Rufino, José; Martín Hernández, R.; Nanetti, A.; Pinto, M. AliceThe Middle East is home to a large number of Apis mellifera subspecies that have evolved under extreme aridity and desertic conditions. Therefore, they represent a unique opportunity to disentangle the genetic basis of adaptation to such challenging environmental conditions. We arranged a collection of 514 drone samples (haploid males) split into two latitudinal transects. Transect 1 comprised 342 samples: 66 A. m. lamarckii (Egypt), 197 A. m. syriaca (Jordan), 30 A. m. syriaca (Lebanon), 21 A. m. meda (southeastern Turkey), and 27 A. m. anatoliaca (Anatolia, Turkey). Transect 2 comprised 173 samples: 14 A. m. jemenitica (Oman), 9 A. m. jemenitica (UAE), 75 A. m. meda (Iran), and 75 A. m. caucasia (northeastern Turkey). For all samples, whole genomes were resequenced, and environmental and bioclimatic variables were retrieved from WorldClim. For each transect, we applied three genotype–environment association methods (Samβada, pRDA, and LFMM) and one outlier-detection approach (PCAdapt) to identify SNPs associated with environmental adaptation. SNPs were annotated, and the intersection of genes between the four methods in each transect was analysed for gene enrichment. In both transects, enriched terms included genes related to biological regulation through endocrine, neuroendocrine, and neurotransmitter pathways. The regulation of gene expression was also enriched, including several transcription factors, especially HOX genes. Transmembrane and ionic transporters also seem to play a central role in environmental adaptation in these subspecies. Finally, neurogenesis, synapse establishment, and neural system development were also enriched. When gene enrichment analysis was set to exclude electronic annotations (automatically assigned, non-curated GO terms), enriched terms included processes such as behaviour, learning or memory, cognition, and associative and olfactory learning and behaviour. Our findings point to a complex suite of regulatory and sensory 62 pathways that collectively shape the environmental adaptation of honey bee subspecies that have evolved in arid environments.
- Assessing pesticide impact on honeybee gut microbiota: a call for microbial diversity as an environmental risk assessment endpointPublication . Rosa-Fontana, Annelise; Aguado, Daniel; Martín Hernández, Raquel; Higes, Mariano; Henriques, Dora; Pinto, M. AliceA recent roadmap for integrating environmental microbiota into risk assessments under the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) remit has been published. The honeybee gut microbiota has emerged as a promising avenue to protect bees against stressors. Honeybees exhibit a stable core microbiota, and dysbiosis may serve as an indicator of adverse conditions. We investigated the gut microbiota of newly emerged “Apis mellifera iberiensis” workers exposed to a single concentration of the insecticide flupyradifurone (FPF, 36 ppm). The control groups included pure syrup (negative control, NC) and syrup supplemented with 1% acetone (acetone control, AC). Laboratory trials followed official guidelines (OECD No. 245). The abdomen of each bee was separated from the thorax, and DNA extraction was performed individually. Full-length 16s rRNA amplicon metagenomic was sequenced through PacBio sequel II (HiFi/CCS mode). The Shannon diversity index was used to analyze honeybee gut microbiota composition across experimental groups. Our results revealed a significant increase in bacterial community diversity (Shannon index, P = 0.003) after ten days of chronic exposure to FPF. This effect was more pronounced when compared to the AC group (P = 0.003) than to the NC group (P = 0.03). These findings demonstrate that FPF disrupts the honeybee gut microbiota. This study represents the first characterization of honeybee gut microbiota strictly adhering to OECD guidelines without modifications or adaptations. Furthermore, we have provided new insights into pesticide risk assessment, highlighting an overlooked aspect of bee health assessment. We propose integrating this approach into pesticide risk assessments by using diversity indices as comparative parameters. Specifically, we advocate for the inclusion of honeybee gut microbiota dysbiosis as a sublethal effect in the initial screening phase of risk assessments (laboratory-based assays) and as a key parameter for evaluating pollinator health.
- Assessment of farmer's knowledge about fungi and mycotoxin in Southern MozambiquePublication . Bila, João; Macuamule, Custódia; Bombe, Amina; Ribeiro, Maria Isabel; Venâncio, Armando; Afonso, Sandra; Rodrigues, PaulaMycotoxins find their way into the human and animal body through the consumption of mycotoxin contaminated foods, which may result in acute or chronic intoxication. This study aimed to assess knowledge about fungi and mycotoxins among farmers in the provinces of Gaza and Inhamban.e, in southem Mozamhique.Data were collected using quantitative study hased on non-probabilistic questionnaire, covering 180 farmers from Gaza (90) and Inhambane (90) Provinces, from October to November 2022. Data were subjected to descriptive and statistical analysis. The majority of farmers were aged 36 or over (75.0%), were female (75.2%), had no education or only had primary education (80.6%) and had been a farmer for longer 15 years old (64.4%). The level of knowledge about fungi and mycotoxins is mainly explained by the province of residence, followed by the level of education, age and gender, with producers with higher levels of education and of male gender recording a higher level of knowledge. Regarding mycotoxins, most fanners have never heard about these toxic compounds. Likewise, regardless of the province, a significant number of farmers did not know or have never accounted for production losses or income losses due to fungal or mycotoxin contamination.
- Bioinformatics pipeline to evaluate patterns of diversity in detoxification genes in the Western honey bee (Apis mellifera)Publication . Barbosa, Daniela; Li, Fernanda; Bashir, Sana; Lopes, Ana Rita; Yadró Garcia, Carlos A.; Quaresma, Andreia; Rufino, José; Rosa-Fontana, Annelise; Verbinnen, Gilles; de Graaf, Dirk C.; De Smet, Lina; Taliadoros, Demetris; Webster, Matthew; Pinto, M. Alice; Henriques, DoraThe Western honey bee, Apis mellifera, displays significant genetic diversity in detoxification genes, which is pivotal for environmental adaptation and resilience. Herein, we developed a bioinformatics pipeline to investigate patterns of diversity in these genes, focusing on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across A. mellifera populations, with variant annotation performed using both snpEff and the Variant Effect Predictor (VEP). Our pipeline integrates GATK, VCFtools, PLINK, bcftools, snpEff, and VEP to process genomic data systematically. Regions of interest were defined in a BED file for variant filtering. Using GATK, SNPs were extracted from a VCF file and conversion to PLINK format for population genetics analyses. Variants were filtered by minor allele frequency (MAF) and population differentiation (FST index) to identify SNPs with considerable. Variants were annotated with snpEff and VEP to predict functional impacts, enabling a comparative analysis of their annotation consistency and depth. Custom scripts were developed to map SNPs to detoxification genes, quantify SNP density, and integrated gene descriptions and lineage data. The resulting data were visualized using a combination of and generate different graphs using ggplot2 and chromoMap for chromossomal maps. Quality control steps were applied through the pipeline ensuring data reliability. Our findings reveal distinct SNP patterns in detoxification genes, highlighting candidate SNPs associated with A. mellifera subspecies-specific adaptations. The comparison of snpEff and VEP annotations provides insights into their strengths and limitations, which can help optimize software selection for genomic studies. This pipeline offers a reproducible framework for studying genetic diversity in A. mellifera that is adaptable to other species, advancing conservation and evolutionary genomics.
- Challenge-based innovation immersion in a rural context: qualitative analysis of the students’ perspectivePublication . Lachovicz, Rebeca; Ferro-Lebres, Vera; Barroso, Bárbara; Antão, Celeste; Costa, Cláudia S.The discussion on immersive learning environments requires an in-depth understanding of the concept and its implications for the educational process. Contemporary higher education faces the challenge of adopting methodologies that promote experiential learning. Challenge-Based Innovation (CBI) emerges as a student-centred approach, integrating interdisciplinary collaboration and immersion in real contexts. This study was carried out in Miranda do Douro, a region in the north-east of Portugal known for its traditional agricultural practices and the preservation of the Mirandesa language and music. The aim of this study was to understand, from a qualitative perspective, how students experienced immersive learning in a rural context and to identify the dynamics of co-creation, collaboration and the development of emerging competences. Nineteen students from different nationalities (Portugal, Brazil, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, Cape Verde and Nepal) and academic backgrounds (health, communication, tourism, education and engineering) took part. They were organised into five teams to respond to challenges related to the enhancement of cattle and sheep farming, the promotion of traditional language and music and the rediscovery of the Mirandês donkey as a cultural and educational asset. Over the course of an intensive week, the students took part in daily co-creation activities, followed by individual and peer reflective assessments each evening. The qualitative methodology combined content analysis, discourse analysis and thematic analysis, with cross-checking of the data applied at four points in the reflective evaluations: on the first day, words entered into a collective software generated a word cloud, highlighting key concepts; on the second day, the students selected symbolic images representing their team roles; on the third day, reflective videos documented the maturation of ideas and communication skills; and at the end of the week, intra- and inter-group evaluations completed the data set. The results showed that the students’ word choices and speeches demonstrated a progressive commitment to the territory, centred on concepts such as “culture”, “collaboration”, “learning”, “diversity” and “creativity”, and expressions such as “expanding these projects to reach the whole of Portugal”. The symbolic representation of the team’s roles revealed profiles of creativity, organisation, communication and technical support, with strong alignment between the students’ self-perceptions and peer evaluations. Analysing the videos indicated an affective appropriation of the projects and the evolution of the ideas, visible in expressions such as ‘we want people to use our idea in real life’, ‘our next step is to filter the feedback and improve our solution’ and ‘together we want to guarantee its preservation, this is our project’. However, there were also initial moments of hesitation, expressed by the students through statements such as ‘anticipating the preparation of the project’ and ‘at first, we found it difficult to organise the ideas’, suggesting the need for stronger methodological guidance at the beginning. The co-created solutions were considered by the students to be creative and feasible, with strong potential for application, including the project proposing the use of waste wool for acoustic and thermal insulation, Mirandês cattle management initiatives led by butchers, digital platforms to promote the Mirandesa language and immersive cultural events aimed at revitalising traditional music and rediscovering the role of the Mirandês donkey. In conclusion, CBI was recognised as a transformative educational experience, promoting the development of interpersonal skills, critical thinking and a sense of territorial belonging. These results were confirmed by the students’ speeches and the consistency of the data obtained from different sources. Despite the promising results, there was a need to reinforce initial support for project preparation in order to promote earlier maturation of ideas. Overall, CBI shows potential as an innovative educational strategy by combining co-creative, immersive, multidisciplinary and intercultural practices in authentic learning contexts.
- Challenge-based innovation: a co-design challenge development proposal in an immersive contextPublication . Rodrigues, Pedro M.; Pereira, Fernando A.; Barbedo, Inês; Almeida-de-Souza, Juliana; Delgado, JaneIn a context where social, environmental and economic challenges require innovative and collaborative responses, Challenge-Based Innovation emerges as an approach that promotes the development of concrete solutions through co-creation processes between multiple local and institutional agents. Within this framework, the Working Envisioning (WE) project fostered the implementation of challenge-based innovation practices in the territory of Miranda do Douro, a region in the northeast of Portugal characterised by low population density, strong preservation of rural practices, rich natural heritage, and the maintenance of the Mirandesa language, the second official language of the country. Miranda do Douro currently faces challenges related to depopulation, the valorisation of local resources, and the preservation of its cultural identity, becoming a suitable setting for the application of collaborative and innovative methodologies. The aim of this study is to describe the process of developing strategic challenges through the co-design methodology, highlighting the dynamics of identification, formulation and validation. The adopted methodology was based on a structured cycle of internal and external processes. In the initial internal process, facilitators proceeded with the mapping and identification of key stakeholders in the territory, encompassing cultural, agricultural, social and environmental associations, as well as academic institutions and local economic agents. This was followed by the external process, in which focus groups were carried out with representatives of these stakeholders, with the aim of gathering perceptions, needs and concrete challenges faced by the community. This stage enabled the direct capture of emerging concerns and perceived development opportunities in the field. Returning to the internal process, the technical team drafted the challenges, seeking a formulation that was simultaneously open, inspiring and aligned with local realities, in order to foster creative and multidisciplinary solutions. Subsequently, the drafted challenges were submitted to a new phase of external validation with the stakeholders, ensuring they effectively responded to the community’s felt needs and aspirations. As a result of this co-design process, five priority challenges were identified: attracting new breeders to the Mirandesa cattle sector, promoting the continuity of certified local meat production; projecting traditional Mirandesa music as intangible cultural heritage of humanity, recognising its historical and cultural richness; developing new ways of valorising the residual wool from sheep in the Mirandês Plateau, promoting the circular economy; revitalising the Mirandesa language in a post-modern context through innovative strategies of promotion and teaching; and organising mediation activities with Mirandês donkeys, exploring their therapeutic and cultural benefits for the population. These challenges mirror the diversity and depth of local issues, covering economic, social, environmental and cultural dimensions. It is concluded that Challenge-Based Innovation, applied through the co-design methodology, proved effective in promoting active listening, integrating different visions, and building a participatory innovation agenda. This entire process culminated in the drafting of an Innovation Charter for Miranda do Douro, a strategic document that synthesises the main challenges, defines intervention priorities, and proposes pathways for promoting sustainable development and preserving the cultural and natural heritage of the territory. Thus, the experience reinforces the relevance of co-design as a tool for social and territorial innovation, enhancing local protagonism in the construction of solutions adapted to the real needs of communities.
- Computational analysis to predict the impact of non-synonymous mutations in a protein: an example with the Odorant Receptor 49bPublication . Bashir, Sana; Shiraishi, Carlos S.H.; Yadró Garcia, Carlos A.; Henriques, Dora; Pinto, M. Alice; Abreu, Rui M.V.Non-synonymous mutations lead to amino acid substitutions within proteins, potentially affecting protein structure and function. While some mutations have a minimal impact on protein structure and function, others can alter their stability, conformation, and biological activity. Therefore, predicting how mutations affect proteins is important when uncovering the genetic basis of honey bee response to selective pressures. In a recent whole-genome scan for signatures of selection in Apis mellifera syriaca, we found a non-synonymous mutation under selection in the Odorant Receptor 49b (Or49b) gene. According to the literature, this gene plays a role in honeybee foraging, communication, and environmental adaptation. In an attempt to understand the biological impact at the molecular level of the discovered mutation, we assembled a pipeline that integrates bioinformatics and protein modelling techniques to evaluate the structural and functional consequences of a mutation in a protein. Protein structures were generated from a FASTA file using AlphaFold3, converted from mmCIF to PDB format, and visualized in PyMOL, where mutations were introduced. Functional site predictions were performed using Proteins Plus, and molecular dynamics simulations were conducted in YASARA to assess stability and conformational changes. Our findings suggest that the mutation under selection in the OR49b gene, which replaces tyrosine with histidine, alters protein dynamics by modifying its energy landscape and stability. At the end of the molecular dynamics simulation, the total potential energy of the wild-type protein was calculated as -384,675 kcal/mol. In contrast, this value increased to -287,075 kcal/mol for the mutant protein. This difference suggests that the mutation may affect the OR49b conformation, flexibility, and eventually its biological function. Whether this change affects honey bee olfactory perception remains uncertain. However, given that the mutation is under selection, it is plausible that the alternative amino acid variants confer an adaptive advantage in different environments. From a practical perspective, understanding how mutations affect biological function can ultimately assist honey bee breeders in selecting colonies for breeding programs, enhancing resilience and adaptability.
- A Computational Approach to Study Non-Synonymous MutationsPublication . Bashir, Sana; Li, Fernanda; Shiraishi, Carlos S.H.; Yadró Garcia, Carlos A.; Barbosa, Daniela; Abreu, Rui M.V.; Rufino, José; Pinto, M. Alice; Henriques, DoraNon-synonymous SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) result in amino acid substitutions within proteins. While some may have minimal impact on protein structure and function, others can significantly alter stability, conformation, and biological activity. Therefore, it is crucial to predict how SNP-induced changes affect protein structure and function. Here, we developed a novel pipeline that integrates bioinformatics and molecular modeling techniques to evaluate the structural and functional consequences of a non-synonymous SNP in a protein. Initially, Protein Plus was used to predict the potential active sites, which will help to determine whether a mutation is located within the functional binding regions. Identification of active sites is necessary to prioritize mutations that may alter protein structure and function. PolyPhen-2 and I-Mutant were used to evaluate the functional impact of mutations and the thermodynamic stability of the proteins. Next, to visualize the structural changes, AlphaFold3 was used to generate highconfidence 3D models for wild and mutant proteins. Finally, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted using YASARA to explore the dynamic behavior and stability of both mutant and wild-type proteins. MD simulations provide valuable insight into structural flexibility, potential conformational shifts, and the overall impact of the mutation on protein function. This computational pipeline provides a detailed framework to evaluate the structural and energetic consequences of non-synonymous mutations.
- Computational Insights into the Impact of NonSynonymous Mutations in the ABC Transporter Gene of Apis melliferaPublication . Bashir, Sana; Li, Fernanda; Shiraishi, Carlos S.H.; Younes, Sarra Bin; Yadró Garcia, Carlos A.; Barbosa, Daniela; Abreu, Rui M.V.; Rufino, José; Pinto, M. Alice; Henriques, DoraNon-synonymous mutations lead to amino acid substitutions that can affect a protein’s structure and function, thereby influencing biological processes such as detoxification. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters (an important superfamily of detoxification genes) play a critical role in the efflux of toxic compounds in honey bees (Apis mellifera), essential for their survival in environments exposed to natural and synthetic xenobiotics. In this study, non-synonymous mutations in 21 ABC transporter genes were identified. Then, computational tools were employed to investigate the structural and functional consequences of a non-synonymous mutation in the protein encoded by the ABC transporter gene LOC411997. Protein structures were generated from a FASTA file using AlphaFold3, converted from mmCIF to PDB format, and visualised in PyMOL, where mutations were introduced. Functional site predictions were performed using Proteins Plus, and molecular dynamics simulations were conducted in YASARA to assess stability and conformational changes. Our findings suggest that a mutation that replaces threonine with isoleucine alters the protein dynamics by modifying its energy landscape and stability. The total potential energy of the wild-type protein was calculated as -3,640,842 kcal/mol. In contrast, this value increased to -3,443,695 kcal/mol for the mutant protein. This difference suggests that the mutation may affect conformation, flexibility, and biological function of the protein encoded by the ABC transporter gene LOC411997. Understanding these conformational changes at the molecular level will contribute to strategies for improving honey bee’s resilience and conservation.
- Conservation status of the honey bee subspecies native to the Mediterranean islandsPublication . Henriques, Dora; Yadró Garcia, Carlos A.; Yadró García, Carlos A.; Mangion, Marion Zammit; Galea, Thomas; Cilia, Giovannni; Nanetti, Antonio; Muz, Mustafa Necati; Muz, Dilek; Varnava, Andri; Hatjina, Fani; Charistos, Leonidas; Rufino, José; Martín Hernández, Raquel; Pinto, M. AliceThe Mediterranean islands have been a stage for honey bee diversification, hosting four of the 31 recognized subspecies: Apis mellifera siciliana in Sicily, A. m. ruttneri in Malta, A. m. cypria in Cyprus, and A. m. adami in Crete. However, owing to small population sizes, island subspecies are particularly vulnerable to introgressive hybridization when exotic queens or colonies are introduced into their geographically isolated territories. While previous genetic surveys—typically based on mitochondrial and/or microsatellite markers—have provided valuable insights, the current conservation status of these subspecies remains uncertain. Here, we sequenced the whole genomes of 327 samples collected from Sicily (n=97), Malta (n=79), Cyprus (n=37), and Crete (n=36), along with probable source populations (A. m. intermissa, A. m. sahariensis, A. m. media, A. m. anatoliaca, A. m. macedonica, A. m. cecropia, A. m. ligustica, A. m. carnica, A. m. caucasia), to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the ancestry and diversity patterns of these insular subspecies. Whole-genome data were analysed using the software Admixture and additional analytical tools to explore ancestry and introgression patterns. For A. m. siciliana, 32 out of 97 samples (32.99%) exhibited high purity levels based on a threshold of 0.9. The situation in Malta was more concerning, with only 11 out of 79 samples (13.92%) classified as pure A. m. ruttneri. The most severe admixture was observed in Crete, where just 2 out of 36 samples (5.56%) were identified as pure A. m. adami, highlighting extensive hybridization with mainland subspecies. Meanwhile, A. m. cypria appears to be the best-preserved Mediterranean subspecies, with genetic integrity largely maintained except in the northwestern population, which exhibited shared ancestry with mainland A. m. anatoliaca. Overall, our findings highlight the urgent need for conservation efforts across these islands. While the native subspecies remain threatened by hybridization, their preservation might still be possible, provided that further importations of non-native colonies are effectively prevented.
- «
- 1 (current)
- 2
- 3
- »