Kombucha is a non-alcoholic fermented tea-based beverage produced by a symbiotic culture of bacte... more Kombucha is a non-alcoholic fermented tea-based beverage produced by a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast. This growing popularity in the United States and developed countries has been part of the functional food’s movement in the use of plant infusions as a promising alternative to the benefits of the microbiome in the treatment of obesity and diabetes. However, recent studies show controversial information about the effects of Kombucha on health, often driven by different theories leading to the empirical use of the drink without standardization of quantity and forms, and preparation, which can cause harm to human health. Given that, we carried out this systematic review to evaluate the effect of Kombucha on health through pre-clinical studies with scientific evidence available in the literature, to enable future studies in humans.
For billions of years, life has continuously adapted to dynamic physical conditions near the Eart... more For billions of years, life has continuously adapted to dynamic physical conditions near the Earth’s surface. Fossils and other preserved biosignatures in the paleontological record are the most direct evidence for reconstructing the broad historical contours of this adaptive interplay. However, biosignatures dating to Earth’s earliest history are exceedingly rare. Here, we combine phylogenetic inference of primordial rhodopsin proteins with modeled spectral features of the Precambrian Earth environment to reconstruct the paleobiological history of this essential family of photoactive transmembrane proteins. Our results suggest that ancestral microbial rhodopsins likely acted as light-driven proton pumps and were spectrally tuned toward the absorption of green light, which would have enabled their hosts to occupy depths in a water column or biofilm where UV wavelengths were attenuated. Subsequent diversification of rhodopsin functions and peak absorption frequencies was enabled by t...
Benthic macroinvertebrate (BMI) sampling was conducted at two sites in Topanga Creek from 2003-20... more Benthic macroinvertebrate (BMI) sampling was conducted at two sites in Topanga Creek from 2003-2014. During this period, Southern California experienced extreme drought conditions (US Drought Monitor 2014). Examining trends in species composition over this period allows for a relatively long-term analysis of potential effects of drought on BMI communities. The Southern California Coastal Index of Biotic Integrity (SCC-IBI; Ode 2007) was applied to BMI samples from Topanga Creek to measure the effects of drought on quantitative biotic integrity. The following trends regarding the BMI community of Topanga Creek emerged during the course of this study: 1) Wet year rainfall in Topanga Creek Watershed positively correlated to relative and per sq. ft. springtime abundance of Baetis sp., relative abundance of Simulium sp. up to 78.7 cm (31") rain, and negatively correlated to relative abundance of Chironomidae n.d., 2) percent algae cover in April and May positvely correlated to abund...
Herein, the effect of the alkali cation (Li+, Na+, K+, and Cs+) in alkaline electrolytes with and... more Herein, the effect of the alkali cation (Li+, Na+, K+, and Cs+) in alkaline electrolytes with and without Fe impurities is investigated for enhancing the activity of nickel oxyhydroxide (NiOOH) for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Cyclic voltammograms show that Fe impurities have a significant catalytic effect on OER activity; however, both under purified and unpurified conditions, the trend in OER activity is Cs+ > Na+ > K+ > Li+, suggesting an intrinsic cation effect of the OER activity on Fe‐free Ni oxyhydroxide. In situ surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), shows this cation dependence is related to the formation of superoxo OER intermediate (NiOO−). The electrochemically active surface area, evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), is not influenced significantly by the cation. We postulate that the cations interact with the Ni−OO− species leading to the formation of NiOO−−M+ species that is stabilized better by bigger cations (Cs+). This sp...
The genus Herbaspirillum includes several strains isolated from different grasses. The identifica... more The genus Herbaspirillum includes several strains isolated from different grasses. The identification of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in the genus Herbaspirillum is an important stage studying the interaction of these molecules and the way they modulate physiological responses of different mechanisms, through RNA–RNA interaction or RNA–protein interaction. This interaction with their target occurs through the perfect pairing of short sequences (cis-encoded ncRNAs) or by the partial pairing of short sequences (trans-encoded ncRNAs). However, the companion Hfq can stabilize interactions in the trans-acting class. In addition, there are Riboswitches, located at the 5′ end of mRNA and less often at the 3′ end, which respond to environmental signals, high temperatures, or small binder molecules. Recently, CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats), in prokaryotes, have been described that consist of serial repeats of base sequences (spacer DNA) resulting from a previous exp...
The family Streblidae comprises a monophyletic group of Hippoboscoidea, hematophagous dipterans t... more The family Streblidae comprises a monophyletic group of Hippoboscoidea, hematophagous dipterans that parasitize bats. Bartonella spp. and Rickettsia spp. have been reported in bats sampled in Europe, Africa, Asia, North, Central and South America. However, there are few reports on the Bartonella and Rickettsia bacteria infecting Hippoboscoidea flies and mites. While Spinturnicidae mites are ectoparasites found only in bats, those belonging to the family Macronyssidae comprise mites that also parasitize other mammal species. This study investigates the occurrence and assesses the phylogenetic positioning of Bartonella spp. and Rickettsia spp. found in Streblidae flies and Spinturnicidae and Macronyssidae mites collected from bats captured in Brazil. From May 2011 to April 2012 and September 2013 to December 2014, 400 Streblidae flies, 100 Macronyssidaes, and 100 Spinturnicidae mites were collected from bats captured in two sites in northeastern Nova Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro, southeaste...
Vase-shaped microfossils (VSMs) occur in dolomitic extraclasts of indeterminate provenance within... more Vase-shaped microfossils (VSMs) occur in dolomitic extraclasts of indeterminate provenance within the basal diamictite of the Neoproterozoic Urucum Formation (Jacadigo Group) of west-central Brazil, having an age constrained between 889±44 Ma (K-Ar; basement rocks) and 587±7 Ma (40Ar/39Ar age of early metamorphic cryptomelane in overlying manganese ore). Early isopachous carbonate cement entombed these VSMs, preserving rare direct evidence of original wall composition that is carbonaceous (now kerogenous) in practically all specimens. Some tests are siliceous or composed of a quartz-kerogen mixture; secondary replacement explains some features of these tests, but original biomineralization seems more likely for others. This interpretation, coupled with test morphology, suggests affinity to arcellinid testate amoebae. Five VSM taxa are recognized in the deposit:Cycliocyrillium simplexPorter, Meisterfeld, and Knoll, 2003, andC.torquataPorter, Meisterfeld, and Knoll, 2003, originally d...
Much remains to be learned about the neural architecture underlying word meaning. Fully distribut... more Much remains to be learned about the neural architecture underlying word meaning. Fully distributed models of semantic memory predict that the sound of a barking dog will conjointly engage a network of distributed sensorimotor spokes. An alternative framework holds that modality-specific features additionally converge within transmodal hubs. Participants underwent functional MRI while covertly naming familiar objects versus newly learned novel objects from only one of their constituent semantic features (visual form, characteristic sound, or point-light motion representation). Relative to the novel object baseline, familiar concepts elicited greater activation within association regions specific to the presentation modality. Furthermore, visual form elicited activation within high-level auditory association cortex. Conversely, environmental sounds elicited activation in regions proximal to visual association cortex. Both conditions commonly engaged a putative hub region within later...
Kombucha is a non-alcoholic fermented tea-based beverage produced by a symbiotic culture of bacte... more Kombucha is a non-alcoholic fermented tea-based beverage produced by a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast. This growing popularity in the United States and developed countries has been part of the functional food’s movement in the use of plant infusions as a promising alternative to the benefits of the microbiome in the treatment of obesity and diabetes. However, recent studies show controversial information about the effects of Kombucha on health, often driven by different theories leading to the empirical use of the drink without standardization of quantity and forms, and preparation, which can cause harm to human health. Given that, we carried out this systematic review to evaluate the effect of Kombucha on health through pre-clinical studies with scientific evidence available in the literature, to enable future studies in humans.
For billions of years, life has continuously adapted to dynamic physical conditions near the Eart... more For billions of years, life has continuously adapted to dynamic physical conditions near the Earth’s surface. Fossils and other preserved biosignatures in the paleontological record are the most direct evidence for reconstructing the broad historical contours of this adaptive interplay. However, biosignatures dating to Earth’s earliest history are exceedingly rare. Here, we combine phylogenetic inference of primordial rhodopsin proteins with modeled spectral features of the Precambrian Earth environment to reconstruct the paleobiological history of this essential family of photoactive transmembrane proteins. Our results suggest that ancestral microbial rhodopsins likely acted as light-driven proton pumps and were spectrally tuned toward the absorption of green light, which would have enabled their hosts to occupy depths in a water column or biofilm where UV wavelengths were attenuated. Subsequent diversification of rhodopsin functions and peak absorption frequencies was enabled by t...
Benthic macroinvertebrate (BMI) sampling was conducted at two sites in Topanga Creek from 2003-20... more Benthic macroinvertebrate (BMI) sampling was conducted at two sites in Topanga Creek from 2003-2014. During this period, Southern California experienced extreme drought conditions (US Drought Monitor 2014). Examining trends in species composition over this period allows for a relatively long-term analysis of potential effects of drought on BMI communities. The Southern California Coastal Index of Biotic Integrity (SCC-IBI; Ode 2007) was applied to BMI samples from Topanga Creek to measure the effects of drought on quantitative biotic integrity. The following trends regarding the BMI community of Topanga Creek emerged during the course of this study: 1) Wet year rainfall in Topanga Creek Watershed positively correlated to relative and per sq. ft. springtime abundance of Baetis sp., relative abundance of Simulium sp. up to 78.7 cm (31") rain, and negatively correlated to relative abundance of Chironomidae n.d., 2) percent algae cover in April and May positvely correlated to abund...
Herein, the effect of the alkali cation (Li+, Na+, K+, and Cs+) in alkaline electrolytes with and... more Herein, the effect of the alkali cation (Li+, Na+, K+, and Cs+) in alkaline electrolytes with and without Fe impurities is investigated for enhancing the activity of nickel oxyhydroxide (NiOOH) for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Cyclic voltammograms show that Fe impurities have a significant catalytic effect on OER activity; however, both under purified and unpurified conditions, the trend in OER activity is Cs+ > Na+ > K+ > Li+, suggesting an intrinsic cation effect of the OER activity on Fe‐free Ni oxyhydroxide. In situ surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), shows this cation dependence is related to the formation of superoxo OER intermediate (NiOO−). The electrochemically active surface area, evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), is not influenced significantly by the cation. We postulate that the cations interact with the Ni−OO− species leading to the formation of NiOO−−M+ species that is stabilized better by bigger cations (Cs+). This sp...
The genus Herbaspirillum includes several strains isolated from different grasses. The identifica... more The genus Herbaspirillum includes several strains isolated from different grasses. The identification of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in the genus Herbaspirillum is an important stage studying the interaction of these molecules and the way they modulate physiological responses of different mechanisms, through RNA–RNA interaction or RNA–protein interaction. This interaction with their target occurs through the perfect pairing of short sequences (cis-encoded ncRNAs) or by the partial pairing of short sequences (trans-encoded ncRNAs). However, the companion Hfq can stabilize interactions in the trans-acting class. In addition, there are Riboswitches, located at the 5′ end of mRNA and less often at the 3′ end, which respond to environmental signals, high temperatures, or small binder molecules. Recently, CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats), in prokaryotes, have been described that consist of serial repeats of base sequences (spacer DNA) resulting from a previous exp...
The family Streblidae comprises a monophyletic group of Hippoboscoidea, hematophagous dipterans t... more The family Streblidae comprises a monophyletic group of Hippoboscoidea, hematophagous dipterans that parasitize bats. Bartonella spp. and Rickettsia spp. have been reported in bats sampled in Europe, Africa, Asia, North, Central and South America. However, there are few reports on the Bartonella and Rickettsia bacteria infecting Hippoboscoidea flies and mites. While Spinturnicidae mites are ectoparasites found only in bats, those belonging to the family Macronyssidae comprise mites that also parasitize other mammal species. This study investigates the occurrence and assesses the phylogenetic positioning of Bartonella spp. and Rickettsia spp. found in Streblidae flies and Spinturnicidae and Macronyssidae mites collected from bats captured in Brazil. From May 2011 to April 2012 and September 2013 to December 2014, 400 Streblidae flies, 100 Macronyssidaes, and 100 Spinturnicidae mites were collected from bats captured in two sites in northeastern Nova Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro, southeaste...
Vase-shaped microfossils (VSMs) occur in dolomitic extraclasts of indeterminate provenance within... more Vase-shaped microfossils (VSMs) occur in dolomitic extraclasts of indeterminate provenance within the basal diamictite of the Neoproterozoic Urucum Formation (Jacadigo Group) of west-central Brazil, having an age constrained between 889±44 Ma (K-Ar; basement rocks) and 587±7 Ma (40Ar/39Ar age of early metamorphic cryptomelane in overlying manganese ore). Early isopachous carbonate cement entombed these VSMs, preserving rare direct evidence of original wall composition that is carbonaceous (now kerogenous) in practically all specimens. Some tests are siliceous or composed of a quartz-kerogen mixture; secondary replacement explains some features of these tests, but original biomineralization seems more likely for others. This interpretation, coupled with test morphology, suggests affinity to arcellinid testate amoebae. Five VSM taxa are recognized in the deposit:Cycliocyrillium simplexPorter, Meisterfeld, and Knoll, 2003, andC.torquataPorter, Meisterfeld, and Knoll, 2003, originally d...
Much remains to be learned about the neural architecture underlying word meaning. Fully distribut... more Much remains to be learned about the neural architecture underlying word meaning. Fully distributed models of semantic memory predict that the sound of a barking dog will conjointly engage a network of distributed sensorimotor spokes. An alternative framework holds that modality-specific features additionally converge within transmodal hubs. Participants underwent functional MRI while covertly naming familiar objects versus newly learned novel objects from only one of their constituent semantic features (visual form, characteristic sound, or point-light motion representation). Relative to the novel object baseline, familiar concepts elicited greater activation within association regions specific to the presentation modality. Furthermore, visual form elicited activation within high-level auditory association cortex. Conversely, environmental sounds elicited activation in regions proximal to visual association cortex. Both conditions commonly engaged a putative hub region within later...
Uploads
Papers by amanda garcia