Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are two cardiovascular diseases associated with considerable morbidity, mortality and quality of life impairment. As they are multifactorial diseases, several factors contribute to their pathogenesis, including oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, and these may have key roles in the development of these pathologies. Alterations of the lipid metabolism an...

Acacia longifolia (Andrews) Willd. is a legume native to southeast mainland Australia and Tasmania and has two described subspecies: A. l. subsp. longifolia and A. l. subsp. sophorae . The species has been introduced around the world and is considered invasive in several Mediterranean-type climate regions, including in South America, South Africa, and southern Europe. Previous studies comparing native and invasive populations...

Acacia longifolia is an aggressive invader in Mediterranean-type ecosystems severely impacting biodiversity and ecosystem functions. The species’ invasiveness has been linked to its ability to thrive in nutrient poor soils, high seed production, and quick establishment after fire. In this study, we identify and compare the bacterial endophytes of A. longifolia seeds collected from populations in the species’ native (Australia)...

Cork oak ( Quercus suber ) is one of the most important forest species in Portugal and in the Mediterranean basin, but in recent decades a progressive decline has been registered in the montado ecosystem. The main phytopathogenic agent involved in this process, Phytophthora cinnamomi , has a high infection potential and survival ability, and became a serious threat to this ecosystem. Extensive areas of cork oak are infected in...