Tissue Dry Weight Research Articles

Mercury in Marine Mussels from the St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf (Canada): A Mussel Watch Survey Revisited after 40 Years

Various species of marine mussels have been used, in the last 50 years, as sentinel organisms for monitoring metal contamination along marine coasts. There are two main reasons for this: these mollusks concentrate metals in their soft tissue and they are geographically widespread. In practice, trace metal concentrations in mussel soft tissue reveal (after some correction for biotic effects) the contamination level of their surrounding environment. We present the results of a mercury (Hg) survey in Mytilus spp. collected in the summers of 2016, 2018, and 2019 at 51 stations distributed along the coasts of the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. Mercury concentrations ranged from 0.063 to 0.507 µg g−1 (dry weight, dw), with a grand mean of 0.173 ± 0.076 µg g−1 dw (±1 standard deviation), and a median of 0.156 µg g−1 dw for the 504 individuals analyzed. Mercury contents per individual mussel were significantly (p < 0.01) related to shell length and dry tissue weight, with the smaller individuals having the highest Hg concentrations. To take into account these biotic effects, we normalized Hg concentrations of the mussel soft tissue for constant shell length (L) and soft tissue weight (TW) based on the log-log relationships between Hg content and L or TW. The normalized Hg contents of mussels varied from 10.9 to 66.6 ng per virtual individual of 35 mm length and 0.17 g dry weight. A similar normalization procedure applied to 1977–1979 data, yielded a very similar range: 12 to 64 ng. This observation suggests that the Hg bioavailable to marine mussels in the study area did not change over a span of 40 years. Regional Hg distribution patterns indicate a gradual decrease of Hg content in mussels downstream from freshwater discharges to the St. Lawrence Estuary and the Baie des Chaleurs, suggesting that rivers constitute a significant Hg source in these estuarine systems. Atmospheric Hg deposition and concentration in marine waters of the Atlantic Ocean are known to have decreased in the last decades. However, in coastal environments, the response to these changes does not seem to be rapid, probably because of the long residence time of Hg in soils before being exported to coastal areas.

Wheat-associated Pseudomonas taiwanensis WRS8 reduces cadmium uptake by increasing root surface cadmium adsorption and decreasing cadmium uptake and transport related gene expression in wheat.

Metal-resistant bacteria can reduce Cd accumulation in plants, but mechanisms underlying this effect are poorly understood. In this study, a highly effective Cd-resistant WRS8 strain was obtained from the rhizoshere soil of Triticum aestivum L. Yangmai-13 and identified as Pseudomonas taiwanensis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Strain WRS8 was investigated for its effects on Cd availability and wheat tissue Cd contents and the related mechanisms using a hydroponic culture experiment. In strain WRS8-inoculated solution, the Cd concentration reduced and the pH and cell-adsorbed Cd increased with time. Strain WRS8 increased the wheat root and above-ground tissue dry weights by 11-36% compared to the controls. In strain WRS8-inoculated wheat plants, the Cd contents of the roots and above-ground tissues decreased by 78-85% and 88-94% and the Cd bioconcentration and translocation factors decreased by 78-85% and 46-58% at days 3 and 10, respectively, compared with the controls. The root surface-adsorbed Cd contents increased by 99-121% in the WRS8 strain-inoculated wheat plants at days 3 and 10 compared to the controls. Furthermore, strain WRS8 colonized the wheat root surfaces and interiors and reduced the expression levels of the LCT1 and HMA2 genes involved in Cd accumulation and transport in wheat roots by 46% and 30%, respectively, compared to the controls. In the Cd-contaminated soils, strain WRS8 significantly reduced the available Cd content by 20-24% and increased the pH compared to the controls. These findings showed the important role of strain WRS8 in reducing solution and soil Cd availability and suggested that strain WRS8 reduced the wheat tissue Cd accumulation by increasing root surface Cd adsorption and decreasing wheat root Cd uptake and transport-related gene expression and may provide a new and effective wheat rhizobacteria-enhanced approach for reducing wheat Cd uptake in Cd-polluted environments.

An AMA1/MSP119 Adjuvanted Malaria Transplastomic Plant-Based Vaccine Induces Immune Responses in Test Animals

Malaria is a tropical human disease, caused by protozoan parasites, wherein a significant number of the world's population is at risk. Annually, more than 219 million new cases are reported. Although there are prevention treatments, there are no highly and widely effective licensed anti-malarial vaccines available for use. Opportunities for utilization of plant-based vaccines as novel platforms for developing safe, reliable, and affordable treatments offer promise for developing such a vaccine against malaria. In this study, a Malchloroplast candidate vaccine was designed, composed of segments of AMA1 and MSP1 proteins, two epitopes of Plasmodium falciparum, along with a GK1 peptide from Taenia solium as adjuvant, and this was expressed in tobacco chloroplasts. Transplastomic tobacco lines were generated using biolistic transformation, and these were confirmed to carry the synthetic gene construct. Expression of the synthetic GK1 peptide was confirmed using RT-PCR and Western blots. Furthermore, the GK1 peptide was detected by HPLC at levels of up to 6µgg-1 dry weight of tobacco leaf tissue. The plant-derived Malchloroplast candidate vaccine was subsequently tested in BALB/c female mice following subcutaneous administration, and was found to elicit specific humoral responses. Furthermore, components of this candidate vaccine were recognized by antibodies in Plasmodium falciparum malaria patients and were immunogenic in test mice. Thus, this study provided a 'proof of concept' for a promising plant-based candidate subunit vaccine against malaria.

Combined biochar and metal-immobilizing bacteria reduces edible tissue metal uptake in vegetables by increasing amorphous Fe oxides and abundance of Fe- and Mn-oxidising Leptothrix species

In this study, a highly effective combined biochar and metal-immobilizing bacteria (Bacillus megaterium H3 and Serratia liquefaciens CL-1) (BHC) was characterized for its effects on solution Pb and Cd immobilization and edible tissue biomass and Pb and Cd accumulation in Chinese cabbages and radishes and the mechanisms involved in metal-polluted soils. In the metal-containing solution treated with BHC, the Pb and Cd concentrations decreased, while the pH and cell numbers of strains H3 and CL-1 increased over time. BHC significantly increased the edible tissue dry weight by 17–34% and reduced the edible tissue Pb (0.32–0.46 mg kg−1) and Cd (0.16 mg kg−1) contents of the vegetables by 24–45%. In the vegetable rhizosphere soils, BHC significantly decreased the acid-soluble Pb (1.81–2.21 mg kg−1) and Cd (0.40–0.48 mg kg−1) contents by 26–47% and increased the reducible Pb (18.2–18.8 mg kg−1) and Cd (0.38–0.39 mg kg−1) contents by 10–111%; while BHC also significantly increased the pH, urease activity by 115–169%, amorphous Fe oxides content by 12–19%, and relative abundance of gene copy numbers of Fe- and Mn-oxidising Leptothrix species by 28–73% compared with the controls. These results suggested that BHC decreased edible tissue metal uptake of the vegetables by increasing pH, urease activity, amorphous Fe oxides, and Leptothrix species abundance in polluted soil. These results may provide an effective and eco-friendly way for metal remediation and reducing metal uptake in vegetables by using combined biochar and metal-immobilizing bacteria in polluted soils.

Nitrogen and Phosphorous Content in Blue Mussels (Mytilus spp.) Across the Baltic Sea

To support the ongoing discussion about mussel farming and the potential to extract nutrients from the sea, this study investigated the phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) content of blue mussels (Mytilus spp.) under different abiotic and biotic parameters. The focus of this survey was on the highly eutrophied Baltic Sea, where salinity ranges from 4 to 27 psu, and is a major contributing factor to differential mussel growth. We observed that nutrient content was not linearly correlated to salinity, but if categorized, decreased at higher salinities. Chlorophyll-a and temperature did not significantly correlate with nutrient content, but season of harvest and mussel size did. Furthermore, habitat was a strong driver of nutrient content, indicating higher nutrient density if mussels are grown in mussel farms (i.e. in the water column) instead of on mussel culture beds or harvested from wild beds (on the sea bed). Values of N and P averaged 5.85 % N and 0.83 % P of tissue dry weight in mussels at the sea bed and 9.43 % N and 0.96 % P of tissue dry weight in mussels from longline cultivation. These results will be useful in refining estimations about mussel farming as a nutrient mitigation measure and the extraction potential, as well as related costs.

Heterogeneous Light Conditions Reduce the Assimilate Translocation Towards Maize Ears.

The border row crop in strip intercropped maize is often exposed to heterogeneous light conditions, resulting in increased photosynthesis and yield decreased. Previous studies have focused on photosynthetic productivity, whereas carbon allocation could also be one of the major causes of decreased yield. However, carbon distribution remains unclear in partially shaded conditions. In the present study, we applied heterogeneous light conditions (T), and one side of plants was shaded (T-30%), keeping the other side fully exposed to light (T-100%), as compared to control plants that were exposed entirely to full-light (CK). Dry weight, carbon assimilation, 13C abundance, and transport tissue structure were analyzed to clarify the carbon distribution in partial shading of plants. T caused a marked decline in dry weight and harvest index (HI), whereas dry weight in unshaded and shaded leaves did not differ. Net photosynthesis rate (Pn), the activity of sucrose phosphate synthase enzymes (SPS), and sucrose concentration increased in unshaded leaves. Appropriately, 5.7% of the 13C from unshaded leaves was transferred to shaded leaves. Furthermore, plasmodesma density in the unshaded (T-100%) and shaded (T-30%) leaves in T was not significantly different but was lower than that of CK. Similarly, the vascular bundle total area of T was decreased. 13C transfer from unshaded leaves to ear in T was decreased by 18.0% compared with that in CK. Moreover, 13C and sucrose concentration of stem in T were higher than those in CK. Our results suggested that, under heterogeneous light, shaded leaves as a sink imported the carbohydrates from the unshaded leaves. Ear and shaded leaf competed for carbohydrates, and were not conducive to tissue structure of sucrose transport, resulting in a decrease in the carbon proportion in the ear, harvest index, and ear weight.

Environmental contamination by naturally occurring asbestos (NOA): Analysis of sentinel animal lung tissue

Ophiolites are known sources of naturally occurring asbestos (NOA). In Calabria (Southern Italy) NOA are mainly concentrated in the ophiolitic sequences cropping in the Mount Reventino area, in the southern part of the Sila massif, and along the Coastal Chain. The most common type of asbestos identified in the rocks of these areas belongs to the tremolite-actinolite series. Another identified asbestiform mineral is fibrous antigorite belonging to the serpentine mineral group with a minor amount of chrysotile. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the diffusion of natural asbestiform fibers from NOA using sentinel animals. Fifteen lung samples of sheep, goats and wild boars from Mount Reventino area and two from an area free from NOA were collected. The lung samples were subjected to anatomopathological examination and lung fiber burden analysis by electron microscopy. Abundant tremolite and few antigorite fibers were detected in the lung samples coming from the NOA area. No corpuscle of asbestos was observed. No fiber was found in the two lung samples of sheet from the area free from NOA. These concentrations of fibers per gram of dry weight of lung tissue (f/gdw) ranged from 104 to 106 f/gdw. The asbestos fibers detected in the lungs of the examined animals reflect the geological features of the areas where they grazed and lived. The anatomopathological analysis showed that 60% of the examined animals had macroscopic lesions affecting their lungs. The presence of tremolite fibers in the lungs confirms the diffusion of mineral fibers in the environment and the real advantage of using animal populations in the study areas.

Aluminium in human brain tissue from donors without neurodegenerative disease: A comparison with Alzheimer\u2019s disease, multiple sclerosis and autism

A burgeoning number of studies are demonstrating aluminium in human brain tissue. While research has both quantified and imaged aluminium in human brain tissue in neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disease there are few similar data for brain tissue from non-neurologically impaired donors. We have used microwave assisted acid digestion and transversely heated graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry to measure aluminium in twenty brains from donors without recognisable neurodegenerative disease. The aluminium content of 191 tissue samples was invariably low with over 80% of tissues having an aluminium content below 1.0 μg/g dry weight of tissue. The data for these control tissues were compared with data (measured using identical procedures) for sporadic Alzheimer’s disease, familial Alzheimer’s disease, autism spectrum disorder and multiple sclerosis. Detailed statistical analyses showed that aluminium was significantly increased in each of these disease groups compared to control tissues. We have confirmed previous conclusions that the aluminium content of brain tissue in Alzheimer’s disease, autism spectrum disorder and multiple sclerosis is significantly elevated. Further research is required to understand the role played by high levels of aluminium in the aetiology of human neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disease.

Polyamine-producing actinobacteria enhance biomass production and seed yield in Salicornia bigelovii

Thirty-five actinobacterial isolates obtained from Salicornia bigelovii rhizosphere in the United Arab Emirates were evaluated for their potential to produce polyamines and for their abilities to be rhizosphere-competent. The highly polyamine-producing Actinoplanes deccanensis UAE1 and Streptomyces euryhalinus UAE1 were selected, and their inoculation impacts on S. bigelovii were assessed under greenhouse conditions. Application of any of the two isolates significantly increased the length and dry weight of shoot and root tissues, photosynthetic pigments, and seed yields compared to control plants, suggesting that A. deccanensis and S. euryhalinus can promote S. bigelovii growth. The application of these isolates resulted in significant increases in the levels of endogenous free polyamines and plant growth regulators (auxins, gibberellic acid, and cytokinins), but a concomitant reduction in abscisic acid in S. bigelovii-tested tissues. Specifically, we found that putrescine, spermidine, and spermine produced by S. euryhalinus were the major contributors to plant growth parameters, but to a lesser extent by A. deccanensis. Both A. deccanensis and S. euryhalinus were, however, not capable of producing significant levels of other plant growth regulators in vitro. Plant yield was higher in the presence of S. euryhalinus than with A. deccanensis, suggesting relative superiority of S. euryhalinus as a rhizosphere-competent isolate compared to the nonrhizosphere-competent isolate A. deccanensis. This is the first study reporting the production of polyamines by marine actinobacteria and demonstrating the potential of polyamine-producing actinobacteria to enhance growth of halophytic plants through the increase in the endogenous levels of free polyamines and other plant growth regulators.

Quantification of pterygium fibroconnective components utilizing freeze-dried method

Introduction: To propose an objective method of quantifying pterygium fibroconnective components utilizing freeze-dried method. Methods: 60 primary pterygium were excised using controlled partial avulsion technique performed by a single surgeon (KMK), and divided into two groups: formalin-fixed (n=30) and fresh (n=30). Initially, each sterile container weight was measured and 5ml of 5% buffered formaldehyde were filled and stored for 1 week for formalin-fixed group while, 5ml distilled water were filled for fresh pterygium group. Each container was pre-frozen for 12 hours prior to freeze-dried (-80ºC for 24 hours). The final product known as fibroconnective tissue, then weighted as dry weight. Comparative analysis of wet and dry weight, and percentage of fibroconnective components between groups were performed via an independent t-test. Results: The overall mean and SD for formalin-fixed and fresh pterygium wet weight were 253.33 ± 82.17 μg and 255.17 ± 63.52 μg, and dry weight were 184.92 ± 84.31 μg and 179.54 ± 72.85 μg respectively. In terms of percentage of fibroconnective components, formalin-fixed group revealed slightly higher percentage compared to fresh pterygium tissue with 69.39 ± 13.29 % and 67.75 ± 13.27 % respectively. The difference in pterygium dry weight, between formalin-fixed and fresh pterygium tissue was statistically insignificant (p=0.792). Conclusions: The freeze-dried method can be used to quantify the fibroconnective component (dry weight) of pterygium fibro vascular tissue. Both methods (formalin-fixed and freeze-dried) are reliable in producing results. This is proven as there is no statistical significance between the two methods.

Essential trace elements in placental tissue and risk for fetal neural tube defects

This study examined the associations between concentrations of cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) in placental tissue and risks for NTDs with a case-control design consisting of 408 fetuses or newborns with neural tube defects (NTDs) and 593 non-malformed fetuses or newborns. The concentrations of Zn and Fe were determined by inductively coupled plasma-emission spectrometer and the other four elements by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer. Element concentrations were presented in ng/g or µg/g dry weight of placental tissue. The associations between the levels of each of the six ETEs and risk for NTDs were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression, and the associations between overall levels of all six ETEs and risk for NTDs were examined using Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). Concentrations above the median concentration of all participants for an individual element were associated with increased risk for NTDs: Mn, 3.17-fold (95% CI 2.35–4.28); Mo, 3.73-fold (95% CI 2.74–5.07); Se, 3.28-fold (95% CI 2.44–4.42); and Zn, 2.85-fold (95% CI 2.13–3.83), and a decreased risk for Co [OR, 0.18 (95% CI 0.14–0.25)]. The risk for NTDs increased with the increase in the concentrations of Mn, Mo, Se, and Zn, but decreased for Co, in the second, third, and fourth quartiles, respectively, compared to their lowest quartile (all Pstrend < 0.01). In BKMR model, the risk for NTDs increased constantly when the overall exposure levels were higher than the median of the six ETEs as a co-exposure mixture, and the associations between Co, Mn, Se, and Zn and NTD risk remained when the remaining five elements were taken into consideration simultaneously. Taken together, when evaluated individually, higher levels of Mn, Se, and Zn in placental tissue are associated with increased risk for NTDs, while higher levels of Co are associated with decreased risk for NTDs; when examined collectively, the risk of NTDs increases continuously when exposure levels are higher than the median of the six ETE mixture.

Efficient differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells from Wharton's Jelly mesenchymal stromal cells using human platelet lysate: A potential cell source for small blood vessel engineering.

The development of fully functional small diameter vascular grafts requires both a properly defined vessel conduit and tissue-specific cellular populations. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) derived from the Wharton's Jelly (WJ) tissue can be used as a source for obtaining vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), while the human umbilical arteries (hUAs) can serve as a scaffold for blood vessel engineering. To develop VSMCs from WJ-MSCs utilizing umbilical cord blood platelet lysate. WJ-MSCs were isolated and expanded until passage (P) 4. WJ-MSCs were properly defined according to the criteria of the International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy. Then, these cells were differentiated into VSMCs with the use of platelet lysate from umbilical cord blood in combination with ascorbic acid, followed by evaluation at the gene and protein levels. Specifically, gene expression profile analysis of VSMCs for ACTA2, MYH11, TGLN, MYOCD, SOX9, NANOG homeobox, OCT4 and GAPDH, was performed. In addition, immunofluorescence against ACTA2 and MYH11 in combination with DAPI staining was also performed in VSMCs. HUAs were decellularized and served as scaffolds for possible repopulation by VSMCs. Histological and biochemical analyses were performed in repopulated hUAs. WJ-MSCs exhibited fibroblastic morphology, successfully differentiating into "osteocytes", "adipocytes" and "chondrocytes", and were characterized by positive expression (> 90%) of CD90, CD73 and CD105. In addition, WJ-MSCs were successfully differentiated into VSMCs with the proposed differentiation protocol. VSMCs successfully expressed ACTA2, MYH11, MYOCD, TGLN and SOX9. Immunofluorescence results indicated the expression of ACTA2 and MYH11 in VSMCs. In order to determine the functionality of VSMCs, hUAs were isolated and decellularized. Based on histological analysis, decellularized hUAs were free of any cellular or nuclear materials, while their extracellular matrix retained intact. Then, repopulation of decellularized hUAs with VSMCs was performed for 3 wk. Decellularized hUAs were repopulated efficiently by the VSMCs. Biochemical analysis revealed the increase of total hydroyproline and sGAG contents in repopulated hUAs with VSMCs. Specifically, total hydroxyproline and sGAG content after the 1st, 2nd and 3rd wk was 71 ± 10, 74 ± 9 and 86 ± 8 μg hydroxyproline/mg of dry tissue weight and 2 ± 1, 3 ± 1 and 3 ± 1 μg sGAG/mg of dry tissue weight, respectively. Statistically significant differences were observed between all study groups (P < 0.05). VSMCs were successfully obtained from WJ-MSCs with the proposed differentiation protocol. Furthermore, hUAs were efficiently repopulated by VSMCs. Differentiated VSMCs from WJ-MSCs could provide an alternative source of cells for vascular tissue engineering.

PENGARUH KOMPOSISI DAN FREKUENSI APLIKASI UREA DENGAN ARANG SEKAM PADI PADA PERTUMBUHAN BIBIT KAKAO (Theobroma cacao L.)

Fertilizer can be used as a tool enchane plant growth and soil fertility, because by applying fertilizer it can supply nutrient in the soil so that plant growth is optimal. The type of fertilizer used is organic fertilizer (rice hust charcoal) and anrganic (urea) which acts as an increase in plant growth and devolopment and increase soil fertility. This study aims to obtain the effect of the composition of the application frequency of the mixture of urea and hust charcoal on the growth of cacao seeds, get the best effect of the composition of the urea fertilizer and husk charcoal on the growth of cacao seedling and get an interaction between the composition of the application frequency of urea and husk charcoal on the growth cacao seed. This research was carried out in the practice garden of the devolopment of plantation plant cultivation and Lampung State analysis laboratory. The study was conducted from January to May 2019. The study was arranged in a factorial block design (RBD) with 2 factor, the first factor composition fertilizer and second factor application frequency of urea and rice husk charcoal. The research showed there was on effect of the best composition of the mixture of urea dan husk charcoal on the growth of cacao seedling in the (1:2) with application frequency 2 time, and there was an interaction between the composition of the application frequency of urea and husk charcoal on the growth of cacao seedling in all observed variables except for abserving stem diameter, N plant tissue and plant sttover dry weight.

Effects of plant growth promoting microorganisms inoculums on mineral nutrition, growth and productivity of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Two field experiments were carried out separately to evaluate the ability of three plant growth promoting microorganisms (PGPM, Pantoea ananatis, Enterobacter sp. and Piriformospora indica) as bio-fertilizer on rice (Oryza sativa L.) productivity under different levels of potassium sulfate fertilizer (PSF). The results clearly showed that the PGPM significantly enhance the dry weight of rice plant tissues as compared with the control. Uptake of phosphorus and potassium in rice plant tissues and also nutrient use efficiency (NUE) remarkably increased especially when the co-inoculation with P. ananatis and P. indica in experiment I and the combined (seed + seedling root) inoculation method in experiment II were used. Grain yield (GY) increased linearly with the addition of PSF up to 110 kg ha−1 for the co-inoculation treatment (23% lower than the control), then remained constant at its maximum (5348 kg ha−1, 32% higher than the control) up to 180 kg ha−1 in experiment I. Similarly, the maximum value of GY (5330 kg ha−1, 20% more than the control) was obtained at 100 kg ha−1 PSF in experiment II. Consequently, both co-inoculation and combined inoculation methods could be selected as the best ways for improving NUE and plant growth of rice in sustainable production systems.

Effect of nutritional factors on the accretion of secondary metabolites in Malaysian ginseng adventitious root cultures

In this study, we aimed to verify the effect of nutritional factors on the accretion of secondary metabolites in the adventitious root (AR) cultures of Malaysian ginseng (Eurycoma longifolia Jack) grown in small-scale bioreactors. AR were induced from leaf explants and cultured in different types of media including Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, Driver Kuniyuki Walnut (DKW) medium, Gamborg’s B5 medium, Woody Plant Medium (WPM), and ¾ MS medium. Among these media, the MS and Gamborg’s B5 media induced lateral root development from initial inoculum, which accounted for the increase in AR biomass accretion. By contrast, the DKW and WPM media did not induce lateral root formation from the cultured explants. The ¾ MS medium was optimal for the growth of AR and accretion of secondary metabolites, after 7 weeks of culture, the biomass of AR increased by 8.6-fold in ¾ MS medium, and the total phenolic and flavonoid contents reached 5.23 and 2 mg g−1 of tissue dry weight, respectively. Analysis of mineral elements in the spent medium revealed that ¾ MS medium was most suitable for nutrient supply to developing AR. LC–MS analysis showed the accretion of eurycomanone, a therapeutically useful metabolite, in the AR of Malaysian ginseng.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Native and Non-native Oysters

Non-native species introductions are associated with a range of ecosystem changes such as habitat destruction, competition with native species, and biodiversity losses. Less well known is the role non-native species play in altering biogeochemical processes, such as the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). In this study we used laboratory incubations to compare seasonal (spring, summer, fall) emissions of the GHGs nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2) from native (Crassostrea virginica) and non-native (Ostrea edulis) oysters collected from a northern temperate estuary (Duxbury Bay, Massachusetts, USA). We observed strong seasonal signals in GHG fluxes, where C. virginica was the higher GHG emitter, and produced on average twice as much N2O (0.39 nmol g-1 dry tissue weight hr-1) and twenty times as much CH4 (1.31 nmol g DTW-1 hr-1) compared to O. edulis (0.16 nmol N2O g DTW-1 hr-1 and 0.07 nmol CH4 g DTW-1 hr-1). C. virginica also had significantly (p < 0.001) higher summer maximum production rates of CO2 compared to O. edulis (53.4 mol g DTW-1 hr-1 and 45.4 mol g DTW-1 hr-1, respectively). Despite these differences, chlorophyll-a consumption rates between the species were similar (p = 0.95). These results suggest that the non-native O. edulis is a lower GHG emitter than the native C. virginica and highlight that, at least in terms of GHG emissions, this non-native species introduction may not be detrimental to the environment.

The Impact of Soil-Applied Biochars From Different Vegetal Feedstocks on Durum Wheat Plant Performance and Rhizospheric Bacterial Microbiota in Low Metal-Contaminated Soil.

Biochar shapes the soil environment and plant growth. Nevertheless, the mechanisms associated with an improved plant biomass and soil microbiome in low metal-contaminated soils are still unclear. In this study, the influence of biochar on soil physico-chemical properties, plant performance, and rhizosphere microbiota in durum wheat was investigated at the above- and belowground levels. Two kinds of biochar from different feedstocks (wood chips and wheat straw pellets) and two Italian durum wheat varieties, Duilio and Marco Aurelio, were analyzed in a greenhouse using a low-nutrient gleyic fluvisol containing a very small amount of Pb and Zn. Four different treatments were performed: soil-only control (C), soil amended with woody biochar equilibrated with nutrient solution (B1+) and non-activated (B1−), and soil amended with non-activated (B2−) wheat straw biochar. Seven weeks after seed germination, (1) the physico-chemical properties of soil, biochars, and mixtures were assessed; (2) the fresh and dry weight of aboveground plant tissues and roots and other morphometric traits were measured; and (3) metabarcoding of the 16S rRNA bacterial gene was performed on rhizosphere soil samples. The results showed that the biochar from wheat straw had stronger impact on both durum varieties, with higher electrical conductivity, higher levels of available K and Na, and a substantial increase of dissolved Na+, K+, and Cl− ions in pore water. Generally, biochar amendment decreased Zn availability for the plants. In addition, biochar improved plant growth in the early growth stage, and the more positive effect was achieved by combining wheat straw biochar with Marco Aurelio. Rhizosphere bacterial microbiota showed variation in alpha diversity only due to treatment; on the other hand, the differential analysis showed consistent variation among samples with significant effects on amplicon sequence variant (ASV) abundance due to the specific biochar treatment as well as the genotype. The pure B1−, due to its scarce nutrient content with respect to the richer types (B1+ and B2−), had a negative impact on microbiota richness. Our study highlights that an appropriate combination of biochar feedstock and crop species may lead to superior yield.

Agronomic potential of biochar prepared from brewery byproducts

This work investigated the effect of biochar produced from brewery byproducts, spent grain and surplus yeast on the physicochemical characteristics of a calcareous loam soil and plant growth of maize (Zea mays L.). Maize is a plant which needs high nitrogen fertilization, while the effect of acidic or neutral biochars on alkaline calcareous soils has only been assessed in a few studies. The effect of biochars on dry weight, as well as the level of macro- and micronutrients in soil, and above- and belowground plant tissues, were investigated, in a 30 day experiment after seedling emergence of maize (Zea mays L.), in the presence and absence of nitrogen fertilization.The results indicated that biochar from organic brewery by-products significantly increased the dry weight of the aboveground part of the plant by 59–186%, relative to the control, without the addition of inorganic N fertilization, and by 46–157% with the addition of inorganic N fertilization. The dry weight of the belowground plant tissues significantly increased by 83–92% and 46–106%, relative to the control, with or without the addition of inorganic N fertilization, respectively. Biochar addition, especially at 5% application rate individually or in a mixture, significantly increased the phosphorus content of plant tissues. The content of potassium in the plants was affected mainly by the addition of biochar derived from surplus yeast, while the concentration of calcium and magnesium in plant tissues was positively affected by spent grain biochar, in absence of inorganic nitrogen fertilization. Addition of biochars produced from brewery byproducts improved soil fertility parameters, particularly the contents of total organic carbon (by 133% and 118% with or without fertilization, respectively), total nitrogen (by 120% and 81% respectively) and available phosphorus in the studied loam calcareous soil. Overall, biochar from brewery wastes showed the potential to enhance plant growth and nutrient availability, thus it is a promising organic fertilizer for sustainable agriculture.

An efficient and comprehensive plant glycerolipids analysis approach based on high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer.

In past two decades, numerous lipidomics approaches based on mass spectrometry with or without liquid chromatography separation have been established for identification and quantification of lipids in plants. In this study, we developed an efficient and comprehensive lipidomics approach based on UPLC with an Acquity UPLCTM BEH C18 column coupled to TripleTOF using ESI in positive ion mode and MS/MSALL scan for data collection. Lipid extract was prepared to 2 mg/ml solution according to dry tissue weight and mixed with 13 kinds of internal standards including PA, PC, PE, and PG. Each analysis required single injection of 5–10 μl lipid solvent and completed in 32 min. A target method dataset was generated using the LipidView software for prediction of the accurate mass of target lipid species. The dataset was uploaded into the PeakView to create processing datasets to search target lipid species, which achieved batch data processing of multiple samples for lipid species‐specific identification and quantification. As proof of concept, we profiled the lipids of different tissues of rapeseed. Thirteen lipid classes including 218 glycerolipids were identified including 46 TAGs, 15 DAGs, 20 PCs, 24 PEs, 13 PGs, 14 PIs, 26 PSs, 12 PAs, 16 MGDGs, 16 DGDGs, 6 LysoPCs, 5 LysoPEs, and 5 LysoPGs. Together, our approach permits the analysis of glycerolipids in plant tissues with simplicity in sample analysis and data processing using UPLC‐TripleTOF.

Effect of Culture Depth and Season on the Condition and Reproductive Indices of Blue Mussels (Mytilus edulis L.) Cultured in a Cold-Water Coastal Environment

Condition, growth, and reproductive indices of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) grown in deep and shallow sites were studied from May to December 2016 in the South Arm region of Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland. The region was shown to be characterized by a seasonal thermocline that formed in April and lasted to October annually, resulting in a cold-water deep layer (mean annual temperature: 4.36 ± 5.1°C) and a comparatively warmer surface layer (mean annual temperature: 5.81 ± 6.3°C). The deepwater culture sites extended into the cold-water layer and the shallow sites were typically in the warmer layer above. Mussels grown in shallow sites had longer and heavier shells than those from deepwater sites, likely linked to warmer surface waters. Both reproductive and physiological condition indices were high for mussels from both culture depths in May. Physiological condition declined for both deep and shallow cultured mussels from May through to August. Mussels from deep sites, however, had a higher overall mean dry tissue weight: wet tissue weight ratio for the study period. Reproductive indices, including measurements of reproductive output, declined for shallow mussels from May through to August, but remained high for deep mussels until August when a significant spawn occurred for mussels from both depths. In addition, mussels from deep sites were observed to maintain themselves in a prespawning ripe stage for a longer period than those from shallow sites. Variations in physiological and reproductive indices for mussels from each respective culture depth were thought to be linked to differences in the environmental characteristics of the deep and shallow water layers, including rate of temperature change and potential differences in phytoplankton quality and energetics. The additional data provided in the present study add to the current understanding of the effects of the deepwater environment on mussel reproduction patterns and its relationship to production meat yield. The data will help in highlighting the benefits of using deepwater sites leading to increased environmental sustainability for mussel culture in subarctic coastal environments such as those on the north coast of Newfoundland.