Llibres / Capítols de llibre (Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient)

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Conservation of Chinese Plant Diversity: An Overview
(IntechOpen, 2011-10) López i Pujol, Jordi; Wang, Hua-Feng; Zhang, Zhi-Yong
China is one of the richest countries in plant diversity, ranking third in the world (after Brazil and Colombia) in number of species, and one of the world’s 17 ‘mega-diversity’ countries (Mittermeier et al., 1997). The estimated number of vascular plant species may approach 33,000, with 30,000 angiosperms, 250 gymnosperms, and 2,600 pteridophytes (up to 12%, 27% and 20% of world’s total, respectively). Furthermore, approximately 2,200 bryophytes can be found in China (López-Pujol et al., 2006; Table 1). There are more than 3,000 genera and ca. 350 families of vascular plants (Li et al., 2003; MacKinnon & Wang, 2008). Nevertheless, these figures refer to mainland China and do not include either Taiwan or Hong Kong. Taiwan alone harbors more than 4,000 vascular plants (over 3,300 angiosperms, about 30 gymnosperms, and about 600 pteridophytes; Hsieh, 2002). With an area of only about 1,100 km2, Hong Kong still retains a very rich plant diversity, with more than 2,100 higher plants (Wu, 2002)...
The Genus Galanthus: A Source of Bioactive Compounds
(IntechOpen, 2012-02-21) Berkov, Strahil; Codina Mahrer, Carles; Bastida Armengol, Jaume
The Amaryllidaceae family is one of the 20 most important alkaloid-containing plant families (Zhong, 2005). It comprises about 1100 perennial bulbous species classified in 85 genera, distributed throughout the tropics and warm temperate regions of the world (Willis, 1988). The specific alkaloids produced by the amaryllidaceous plants have attracted considerable attention due to their interesting pharmacological activities. One of them, galanthamine, is a long acting, selective, reversible and competitive inhibitor of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme (Thomsen et al., 1998), which is marketed as a hydrobromide salt under the name of Razadyne® (formerly Reminyl®) and Nivalin® for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, poliomyelitis and other neurological diseases (Heinrich and Teoh, 2004). After its discovery in Galanthus woronowii by Proskurina and co-authors in 1955 (Proskurina et al., 1955), the pharmacological properties of galanthamine soon attracted the attention of the pharmaceutical industry. It was first produced by Sopharma (Bulgaria) under the name of Nivalin® from G. nivalis in the early 1960s, but due to the small plant size and variability of galanthamine content, this species was soon replaced by other plant sources (Berkov et al., 2009b). The genus Galanthus (Snowdrop; Greek gála "milk", ánthos "flower") comprises about 19 species (World Checklist of Selected Plant Families), and to our knowledge 11 have been investigated for their alkaloid content. Although the genus has only been partially studied, phytochemical work has revealed an exceptional diversity of alkaloid structures, many of them reported for the first time and with still unknown bioactivity. The present article provides a brief overview of the phytochemical studies within the genus Galanthus.
The Pentacyclic Triterpenes α, β-amyrins: A Review of Sources and Biological Activities
(IntechOpen, 2012-03-21) Hernández-Vázquez, Liliana; Palazón Barandela, Javier; Navarro-Ocaña, Arturo
Pentacyclic triterpenes are ubiquitously distributed throughout the plant kingdom, in a free form as aglycones or in combined forms, and have long been known to have a number of biological effects. The compounds alpha-amyrin and beta-amyrin are commonly found in medicinal plants and oleo-resin obtained by bark incision of several species of Bursera or Protium of the Burseraceae family. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that beta- amyrin also has important biological functions. In light of the considerable interest recently generated in the chemistry and pharmacological properties of amyrins and their analogs, we have undertaken this review in an effort to summarize the available literature on these promising bioactive natural products. The review will detail the recent studies on the chemistry and bioactivity of alpha, beta-amyrins, which is presented in the following sections: the isolation and distribution of alpha-amyrin and beta-amyrin, giving a brief introduction to amyrins as natural products and the methods used in their isolation; the biological activities of amyrins, examining the biological properties associated with these compounds with a focus on their potential chemotherapeutic applications.
Biogeography of Anisakis (Anisakidae) and Hysterothylacium (Rhaphidascarididae) nematode species in consumed fish
(Research Signpost, 2018) Roca Geronès, Xavier; Fisa Saladrigas, Roser; Montoliu Sanllehy, Isabel de
The presence of ascaridoid nematodes in commonly consumed fish constitutes an important health risk for humans as well as an economic problem for fisheries. Here, information is provided on the taxonomic status of the representative “anisakid-related” species of the families Anisakidae and Raphidascarididae. These parasites have a worldwide marine geographical distribution, mainly related to the presence of the vertebrate hosts involved in their life cycle. Morphological and molecular methods currently used for specific characterization of larval and adult nematode specimens are analysed and discussed. This study is focused on the taxonomy and parasite-host distribution of species of the genera Anisakis and Hysterothylacium from the North-East Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea regions.
Development of a strategy for the administration of praziquantel to the terrestrial edible snail Cornu aspersum parasitized by Brachylaima sp. metacercariae
(Research Signpost, 2017) Gállego, Laia; Gracenea Zugarramurdi, Mercedes
Deciphering the stack, a novel bacterial structure, by (cryo-) transmission electron microscopy and (cryo-) electron tomography
(Research Signpost, 2017) Delgado, Lídia; López Iglesias, Carmen; Mercadé Gil, M. Elena
Research in natural products: Amaryllidaceae ornamental plants as sources of bioactive compounds
(Research Signpost, 2017) Torras Claveria, Laura; Tallini, Luciana R.; Viladomat Meya, Francesc; Bastida Armengol, Jaume
Medicinal and food plants in ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology: Folk functional foods in Catalonia (Iberian Peninsula)
(Research Signpost, 2017) Vallès Xirau, Joan, 1959-; D'Ambrosio, Ugo; Gras Mas, Airy; Parada i Soler, Montserrat, 1968-; Rigat i Coll, Montserrat, 1966-; Serrasolses, Ginesta; Garnatje i Roca, Teresa
Recent advances in pharmaceutical sciences VII
(Research Signpost, 2017) Muñoz-Torrero López-Ibarra, Diego; Riu Aumatell, Montserrat; Feliu José, Carlos
The E-book series Recent Advances in Pharmaceutical Sciences reports research contributions from different areas of the multidisciplinary field of Pharmaceutical Sciences. This seventh volume consists of nine chapters, mainly dealing with the fields of botany, physiology, food science, biochemistry & molecular biology, plant physiology, microbiology, parasitology, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry.
Current status of Leishmaniosis in the Balearic Islands
(Research Signpost, 2016) Alcover Amengual, Maria Magdalena; Ballart Ferrer, J. Cristina; Serra, Teresa; Portús Vinyeta, Montserrat; Gállego Culleré, M. (Montserrat)
Data on leishmaniosis and its vectors (sand flies) in the Balearic Islands are scarce and restricted mainly to Majorca. According to the official data, the overall rate of human leishmaniosis (HL) is 0.7-3.5 cases per year/100,000 inhabitants (for the period 2001-2015), and the reported prevalence of canine leishmaniosis (CanL) varies between 0 and 45%, depending on the island and the dog population tested. In the present study, we investigated the sand fly fauna and current status of CanL in the Balearic Islands. Four sand fly species were captured: Phlebotomus perniciosus, a known vector in the Mediterranean area, P. sergenti, P. papatasi and Sergentomyia minuta. P. perniciosus was found throughout the island of Majorca, from sea level to the mountains, being detected in 70% of the capture sites and with a density of 6.7 specimens/m2. The global density of P. perniciosus in Minorca was of 3.4 specimens/m2, which constitutes a significant decrease compared to the results of a previous study performed 20 years ago. The influence of environmental factors on the presence or density of P. perniciosus differed according to the physiography of the area studied. A standard questionnaire sent to the local veterinarians in the Balearic Islands revealed that 73.8% of veterinarians had confirmed CanL cases in the previous 12 months and thought the disease was increasing in Minorca. The global seroprevalence of CanL in Minorca was 24%, being 31% among animals who had never left the island, which shows the existence of an autochthonous focus of CanL unrelated with an increasing vector density.
Advances in the research of new genetic markers for the detection of Helicobacter pylori infection
(Research Signpost, 2016) Piqué i Clusella, Núria; Palau de Miguel, Montserrat; Berlanga Herranz, Mercedes; Miñana i Galbis, David
Helicobacter pylori is one of the human pathogens with highest prevalence around the world. Colonizing the human stomach, H. pylori could lead to peptic ulceration, gastric adenocarcinoma and gastric lymphoma. H. pylori is a genetically diverse bacterial species, and variability in virulence factors has a role in bacterial pathogenesis and progression to gastric cancer, although bacterium and host factors of progression are not completely understood. In a recent study, we have demonstrated that six housekeeping genes related to H. pylori pathogenesis were specifically amplified for H. pylori in a total of 52 H. pylori clones isolated from 11 patients. Although most clones isolated from the same patient showed identical gene sequences, events of multiple infection and microevolution were detected. We consider that housekeeping genes could be useful for H. pylori detection and to elucidate the mode of transmission and the relevance of the multiple infection. Further genetic studies are required to provide powerful tools to face all current unmet challenges of H. pylori infection, such as the elucidation of mode of transmission, the development of new sensitive and specific PCR methods for H. pylori detection, and implication of H. pylori in other diseases.
Lichenysin production and application in the pharmaceutical field
(Research Signpost, 2016) Coronel León, Jonathan; Manresa Presas, Ma. Ángeles (María Ángeles); Marqués Villavecchia, Ana M.
Lipopeptides such as lichenysin are biosurfactants of great interest, due to the demand for natural surface-active agents with low toxicity. Bacillus licheniformis AL 1.1 produces a lipopeptide characterized as lichenysin (LchAL1.1), which acts as a powerful surfactant, able to reduce surface tension to 28.5 mN m-1 and with a critical micelle concentration of 15 mg L-1. LchAL1.1 is particularly effective in preventing biofilm formation by pathogenic strains, has an emulsifying capacity and permeabilizes membranes by a colloid-osmotic process. The production of lipopeptides from agro-industrial residues, particularly molasses, is a sustainable process of great potential for the development of economic bioprocesses.
Organisation, expression and evolution of rRNA genes in plant genomes
(Research Signpost, 2016) Garcia Giménez, Sònia; Cortés, Paula; Fernàndez, Xènia; Garnatje i Roca, Teresa; Kovaík, Aleš
Here we present an overview on the results of eight years of research line devoted to the organisation, expression and evolution of rRNA genes in plant genomes. We describe how we discovered a new rDNA arrangement in genus Artemisia, which includes all rRNA genes in a single unit (L-type). This was the first time that such organisation was found in seed plants. We further explored family Asteraceae in depth, to which Artemisia belongs, to find that the L-type arrangement may be present in about 25% of its species. Later on we move to gymnosperms to describe the landscape of rRNA arrangements in a representative sample of its diversity. We assess the expression rate of the L-type rRNA in several L-type species, which is comparable to that of species with separated arrangement of rRNA genes (S-type). Finally, we present the resource www.plantrdnadatabase.com which includes information on type of rDNA arrangement, number and position of rDNA loci in plants.
Recent Advances in Pharmaceutical Sciences VI
(Research Signpost, 2016) Muñoz-Torrero López-Ibarra, Diego; Domínguez García, Àngela; Manresa Presas, Ma. Ángeles (María Ángeles)
This E-book is the sixth volume of a series that compiles contributions from different areas of the multidisciplinary field of Pharmaceutical Sciences, particularly phisical chemistry, food science, toxicology, botany, biochemistry and molecular biology, preventive medicine and public health, pharmacology, physiology, microbiology, and parasitology.
Production of bacterial oxylipins by Pseudomonas aeruginosa 42A2
(Research Signpost, 2015) Martín Arjol, Ignacio; Busquets Abió, Montserrat; Manresa Presas, Ma. Ángeles (María Ángeles)
Oxylipins are a family of natural compounds that are reported to perform a variety of biological functions. Besides the biological properties of such compounds, interest in hydroxy fatty acids is increasing, due to the industrial applications of these renewable compounds as a starting material for resins, emulsifiers, plastics or polyesters. Hydroxy fatty acids are used as thickeners in a new generation of emulsifiers and lubricants, to reach new levels of performance. When grown in submerged culture with oleic or linoleic acid, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 42A2 produced several oxylipins. In this study, oxylipin production and its applications are examined.
Ultrastructure of spermiogenesis and the spermatozoon in cyclophyllidean cestodes
(Research Signpost, 2015) Miquel Colomé, Jordi; Torres Martínez, Jordi; Feliu José, Carlos
The usefulness of the ultrastructural characters of spermiogenesis and of the spermatozoon in the interpretation of relationships in the Platyhelminthes has been widely demonstrated. The present paper provides a review and an update on the ultrastructural knowledge on spermiogenesis and on the spermatozoon in cyclophyllidean cestodes. For each family of cyclophyllideans the pattern of spermiogenesis and the type of sperm cell is provided. Moreover, the most interesting characteristics of both spermiogenesis and the spermatozoon are compiled and illustrated for each family. Finally, new spermatological data on some species of the Anoplocephalidae and the Taeniidae are provided.
Molecular insights into the diversification of Cheirolophus (Asteraceae) in Macaronesia
(Research Signpost, 2015) Vitales Serrano, Daniel; Pellicer Moscardó, Jaume; Vallès Xirau, Joan, 1959-; Garnatje i Roca, Teresa
The diversification of Cheirolophus in Macaronesian archipelagos constitutes a paradigmatic example of radiation on oceanic islands. Phylogenetic and molecular dating analyses indicate an extraordinarily fast process, showing one of the highest speciation rates ever found on plants from oceanic islands. Such radiation has been recently studied employing phylogeographic, population genetic and molecular cytogenetic approaches. Here, the main potential patterns and processes involved in the diversification of the genus in the Canary Islands and Madeira are reviewed and discussed as a whole.
Plant cell and organ cultures as a source of phytochemicals
(Research Signpost, 2015) Bonfill Baldrich, Ma. Mercedes; Cusidó Vidal, Rosa M.; Lalaleo, Liliana; Palazón Barandela, Javier
Plant cell and organ cultures constitute a promising platform for the production of numerous valuable secondary compounds. Currently, in vitro culture techniques involve both empirical and rational approaches as suitable strategies to condition high metabolite production and establish competitive plant cell-based bioprocesses. In this context, we have developed hairy root cultures of Panax ginseng, and engineered hairy root cultures of Duboisia, Datura metel and Hyoscyamus spp and plant cell cultures of Centella asiatica and Taxus spp. This chapter describes our work on the development of two different biotechnological systems to improve taxol production in cell suspension cultures of Taxus spp and ginsenoside production in hairy root cultures of Panax ginseng.
Detailed human risk assessment arising from groundwater contaminated by chlorinated hydrocarbons (DNAPLs)
(Research Signpost, 2015) Baratier, Célia; Cortés Lucas, Amparo
Human health risk assessment is the basis for groundwater contamination and remediation goals definitions. Chlorinated solvents have a high toxicity for humans, even at low concentrations, and are important soil and groundwater pollutants. The main objective of this work is to assess the human health risk derived of exposition to a contaminated groundwater using a commercial Risk Analysis model (RBCA) and taking into consideration different exposure factors. A case study was used. Some risk differences were observed using specific exposure factors in different countries, which were explained by differences in life style.
Recent advances in pharmaceutical sciences V
(Research Signpost, 2015) Muñoz-Torrero López-Ibarra, Diego; Vinardell Martínez-Hidalgo, Ma. Pilar; Palazón Barandela, Javier
This E-book is the fifth volume of a series that compiles contributions from different areas of the multidisciplinary field of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The E-book consists of 11 chapters that cover the areas of organic chemistry, health and environmental management, plant physiology, food science, toxicology, botany, parasitology, physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology, microbiology, and pharmacology.

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