Terrestrialization of sediment bacterial assemblages when temporary rivers run dry.

Bacterial communities in river sediments are shaped by a trade-off between dispersal from upstream or nearby land and selection by the local environmental conditions. In temporary rivers (i.e.

Variability of faecal microbiota and antibiotic resistance genes in flocks of migratory gulls and comparison with the surrounding environment.

Gulls commonly rely on human-generated waste as their primary food source, contributing to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their resistance genes, both locally and globally. Our understanding of this process remains incomplete, particularly in relation to its potential interaction with surrounding soil and water. We studied the lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus, as a model to examine the spatial variation of faecal bacterial communities, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and its relationship with the surrounding water and soil.

Wastewater-based epidemiology applied at the building-level reveals distinct virome profiles based on the age of the contributing individuals.

Background: Human viruses released into the environment can be detected and characterized in wastewater. The study of wastewater virome offers a consolidated perspective on the circulation of viruses within a population. Because the occurrence and severity of viral infections can vary across a person's lifetime, studying the virome in wastewater samples contributed by various demographic segments can provide valuable insights into the prevalence of viral infections within these segments.

Winged resistance: Storks and gulls increase carriage of antibiotic resistance by shifting from paddy fields to landfills.

Waterbirds are vectors for the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance across environments, with some species increasingly reliant on highly anthropized habitats for feeding. However, data on the impact of their feeding habits on the carriage of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are still scarce. To fill this gap, we examined the microbiota (16S rRNA amplicon gene sequencing) and the prevalence of ARG (high-throughput qPCR of 47 genes) in faeces from white storks (Ciconia ciconia) and lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus) feeding in highly (landfill) and less (paddy fields) polluted habitats.

Zooming in to the neighborhood level: A year-long wastewater-based epidemiology monitoring campaign for COVID-19 in small intraurban catchments.

In recent years, wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as a valuable and cost-effective tool for monitoring the prevalence of COVID-19. Large-scale monitoring efforts have been implemented in numerous countries, primarily focusing on sampling at the entrance of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to cover a large population. However, sampling at a finer spatial scale, such as at the neighborhood level (NGBs), pose new challenges, including the absence of composite sampling infrastructure and increased uncertainty due to the dynamics of small catchments.

Chemo-Enzymatic Synthesis and Biological Assessment of -Coumarate Fatty Esters: New Antifungal Agents for Potential Plant Protection.

One trend in agriculture is the replacement of classical pesticides with more ecofriendly solutions, such as elicitation, which is a promising approach consisting of stimulating the natural immune system of a plant to improve its resistance to pathogens. In this fashion, a library of -coumaric-based compounds were synthesized in accordance with as many principles of green chemistry as possible. Then, these molecules were tested for (1) the direct inhibition of mycelium growth of two pathogens, and , and (2) plasma membrane destabilization in Arabidopsis and rapeseed.

Effects of combining flow intermittency and exposure to emerging contaminants on the composition and metabolic response of streambed biofilm bacterial communities.

Freshwater ecosystems are characterised by the co-occurrence of stressors that simultaneously affect the biota. Among these, flow intermittency and chemical pollution severely impair the diversity and functioning of streambed bacterial communities. Using an artificial streams mesocosm facility, this study examined how desiccation and pollution caused by emerging contaminants affect the composition of stream biofilm bacterial communities, their metabolic profiles, and interactions with their environment.

Sensors Network as an Added Value for the Characterization of Spatial and Temporal Air Quality Patterns at the Urban Scale.

Within the scope of the Aveiro STEAM City project, an air quality monitoring network was installed in the city of Aveiro (Portugal), to evaluate the potential of sensors to characterize spatial and temporal patterns of air quality in the city. The network consists of nine sensors stations with air quality sensors (PM10, PM2.5, NO, O and CO) and two meteorological stations, distributed within selected locations in the city of Aveiro.

Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in sewage from buildings housing residents with different vulnerability levels.

During the last three years, various restrictions have been set up to limit the transmission of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). While these rules apply at a large scale (e.g.

Repeatability of Brain Activity as Measured by a 32-Channel EEG System during Resistance Exercise in Healthy Young Adults.

Electroencephalography (EEG) is attracting increasing attention in the sports and exercise fields, as it provides insights into brain behavior during specific tasks. However, it remains unclear if the promising wireless EEG caps provide reliable results despite the artifacts associated with head movement. The present study aims to evaluate the repeatability of brain activity as measured by a wireless 32-channel EEG system (EMOTIV flex cap) during resistance exercises in 18 apparently healthy but physically inactive young adults (10 men and 8 women).

Persistence of low pathogenic avian influenza virus in artificial streams mimicking natural conditions of waterfowl habitats in the Mediterranean climate.

Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) can affect wildlife, poultry, and humans, so a One Health perspective is needed to optimize mitigation strategies. Migratory waterfowl globally spread AIVs over long distances. Therefore, the study of AIV persistence in waterfowl staging and breeding areas is key to understanding their transmission dynamics and optimizing management strategies.

Antibiotics, antibiotic resistance and associated risk in natural springs from an agroecosystem environment.

This study investigates the occurrence, transport, and risks associated to antibiotic residues, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli (AR-E. coli) in eleven natural springs in an agroecosystem environment with intense livestock production, where groundwater nitrate concentration usually sets above 50 mg L. Out of 23 multiple-class antibiotics monitored, tetracycline and sulfonamide residues were the most ubiquitous, and they were detected at concentrations ranging from ng L to μg L.

The Catalan Surveillance Network of SARS-CoV-2 in Sewage: design, implementation, and performance.

Wastewater-based epidemiology has shown to be an efficient tool to track the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in communities assisted by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The challenge comes when this approach is employed to help Health authorities in their decision-making. Here, we describe the roadmap for the design and deployment of SARSAIGUA, the Catalan Surveillance Network of SARS-CoV-2 in Sewage.

Worldwide Evaluation of CAMS-EGG4 CO Data Re-Analysis at the Surface Level.

This study systematically examines the global uncertainties and biases in the carbon dioxide (CO) mixing ratio provided by the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS). The global greenhouse gas re-analysis (EGG4) data product from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) was evaluated against ground-based in situ measurements from more than 160 of stations across the world. The evaluation shows that CO re-analysis can capture the general features in the tracer distributions, including the CO seasonal cycle and its strength at different latitudes, as well as the global CO trend.

Issue 1 - "Update on adverse respiratory effects of outdoor air pollution" Part 2): Outdoor air pollution and respiratory diseases: Perspectives from Angola, Brazil, Canada, Iran, Mozambique and Portugal.

Objective: To analyse the GARD perspective on the health effects of outdoor air pollution, and to synthesise the Portuguese epidemiological contribution to knowledge on its respiratory impact.

Results: Ambient air pollution has deleterious respiratory effects which are more apparent in larger, densely populated and industrialised countries, such as Canada, Iran, Brazil and Portugal, but it also affects people living in low-level exposure areas. While low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), are particularly affected, evidence based on epidemiological studies from LMICs is both limited and heterogeneous.

How can the built environment affect the impact of autonomous vehicles' operational behaviour on air quality?

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are pointed out as the technology that will reshape the concept of mobility, with significant implications for the economy, the environment, and society. This fact will bring new challenge to cities urban planning. Research to anticipate the AVs impacts, maximizing their benefits and reduce trade-offs are currently crucial.

Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant spread: The wastewater surveillance approach.

Wastewater based epidemiology (WBE) offers an overview of the SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating among the population thereby serving as a proper surveillance method. The variant of concern (VOC) Alpha was first identified in September 2020 in the United Kingdom, and rapidly became dominant across Europe. Our objective was to elucidate the Alpha VOC outcompetition rate and identify mutations in the spike glycoprotein (S) gene, indicative of the circulation of the Alpha VOC and/or other variants in the population through wastewater analysis.

Global dispersal and potential sources of antibiotic resistance genes in atmospheric remote depositions.

Antibiotic resistance has become a major Global Health concern and a better understanding on the global spread mechanisms of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and intercontinental ARB exchange is needed. We measured atmospheric depositions of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) by quantitative (q)PCR in rain/snow collected fortnightly along 4 y. at a remote high mountain LTER (Long-Term Ecological Research) site located above the atmospheric boundary layer (free troposphere).

Genome analysis of a new Escherichia phage vB_EcoM_C2-3 with lytic activity against multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli.

In this study, we present the complete, annotated genome of a new member of the Tequatrovirus (T4-like) genus, Escherichia phage vB_EcoM_C2-3. This phage has an isometric head (92 nm in diameter) and a contractile tail (114 nm in length). Its genome consists of a linear, double-stranded DNA of 167,069bp with an average G+C content of 35.

Monitoring waves of the COVID-19 pandemic: Inferences from WWTPs of different sizes.

Wastewater based epidemiology was employed to track the spread of SARS-CoV-2 within the sewershed areas of 10 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Catalonia, Spain. A total of 185 WWTPs inflow samples were collected over the period consisting of both the first wave (mid-March to June) and the second wave (July to November). Concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA (N1 and N2 assays) were quantified in these wastewaters as well as those of Human adenoviruses (HAdV) and JC polyomavirus (JCPyV), as indicators of human faecal contamination.

Faecal microbiota and antibiotic resistance genes in migratory waterbirds with contrasting habitat use.

Migratory birds may have a vital role in the spread of antimicrobial resistance across habitats and regions, but empirical data remain scarce. We investigated differences in the gut microbiome composition and the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in faeces from four migratory waterbirds wintering in South-West Spain that differ in their habitat use. The white stork Ciconia ciconia and lesser black-backed gull Larus fuscus are omnivorous and opportunistic birds that use highly anthropogenic habitats such as landfills and urban areas.

Detecting the effects of predator-induced stress on the global metabolism of an ungulate prey using fecal metabolomic fingerprinting.

Few field tests have assessed the effects of predator-induced stress on prey fitness, particularly in large carnivore-ungulate systems. Because traditional measures of stress present limitations when applied to free-ranging animals, new strategies and systemic methodologies are needed. Recent studies have shown that stress and anxiety related behaviors can influence the metabolic activity of the gut microbiome in mammal hosts, and these metabolic alterations may aid in identification of stress.