Invertebrate Tissues Research Articles

Late Ordovician eurypterid preserves oldest euchelicerate musculature in pyrite.

Pyritization of soft tissues of invertebrates is rare in the fossil record. InNewYork State, it occurs in black shales of the Lorraine Group (Late Ordovician), the best-known example of which is Beecher's Trilobite Bed. Exceptional preservation at the quarry where this bed is exposed allowed detailed examination of trilobite and ostracod soft-tissue anatomy. Here, we present the first example of a eurypterid (sea scorpion) currently ascribed to Carcinosomatidae from this deposit that also preserves the first evidence for mesosomal musculature in eurypterids. This specimen demonstrates thateurypterid musculature can be preserved in pyrite and evidences the oldest example of euchelicerate muscles within the fossil record. Sulfur isotope data illustrate that pyrite rapidly replicated muscle tissue in the early burial environment, prior to the pyritization of biomineralized exoskeleton and cuticular trilobite limbs. This discovery therefore expands thelimited fossil record of euchelicerate musculature, while extending the taphonomic scope for preservation of detailed internal structures, more broadly, within arthropods.

A review of metal pollution in a transformed, urban South African Estuary

Metal pollutants enter coastal water bodies from agricultural, industrial, and domestic wastewater activities amongst other sources. These pollutants are often transported through the food chain to higher trophic levels including organisms such as fish. Ultimately, they may pass to humans that consume contaminated seafoods. As such, it is imperative to understand how metals in estuarine systems are transported across trophic levels. Baseline data on metal concentrations are of crucial importance to evaluate changes over time and amongst areas to inform management and conservation strategies. In this assessment, we compile and discuss a database of metal concentrations recorded in various environmental media in the Swartkops River estuary, as a baseline against which future comparisons can be made. The Swartkops Estuary is subjected to considerable anthropogenic pressure that has led to a deterioration in water quality. We also provide a conceptual model to understand the flow of metals in the estuary. We furthermore identify lines of future research that will address gaps and uncertainties in the existing data and provide recommendations for remediation. Studies on metal concentrations in the water column of the estuary are limited. Studies on metals in sediment suggest that the estuary is not significantly metal contaminated. While studies revealed that plants do accumulate metals and fauna studies show differences in metal concentrations in the tissue of invertebrates and fish. It is difficult to conclude if these fauna are accumulating metals in their tissue compared to historically and if concentrations reflect uptake as a consequence of exposure to metal contaminated water, sediment and food.

Metal bioaccumulation and effects of olivine sand exposure on benthic marine invertebrates

Due to the anthropogenic increase of atmospheric CO2 emissions, humanity is facing the negative effects of rapid global climate change. Both active emission reduction and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies are needed to meet the Paris Agreement and limit global warming to 1.5 °C by 2050. One promising CDR approach is coastal enhanced weathering (CEW), which involves the placement of sand composed of (ultra)mafic minerals like olivine in coastal zones. Although the large-scale placement of olivine sand could beneficially impact the planet through the consumption of atmospheric CO2 and reduction in ocean acidification, it may also have physical and geochemical impacts on benthic communities. The dissolution of olivine can release dissolved constituents such as trace metals that may affect marine organisms. Here we tested acute and chronic responses of marine invertebrates to olivine sand exposure, as well as examined metal accumulation in invertebrate tissue resulting from olivine dissolution. Two different ecotoxicological experiments were performed on a range of benthic marine invertebrates (amphipod, polychaete, bivalve). The first experiment included acute and chronic survival and growth tests (10 and 20 days, respectively) of olivine exposure while the second had longer (28 day) exposures to measure chronic survival and bioaccumulation of trace metals (e.g. Ni, Cr, Co) released during olivine sand dissolution. Across all fauna we observed no negative effects on acute survival or chronic growth resulting solely from olivine exposure. However, over 28 days of exposure, the bent-nosed clam Macoma nasuta experienced reduced burrowing and accumulated 4.2 ± 0.7 μg g ww−1 of Ni while the polychaete Alitta virens accumulated 3.5 ± 0.9 μg g ww−1 of Ni. No significant accumulation of any other metals was observed. Future work should include longer-term laboratory studies as well as CEW field studies to validate these findings under real-world scenarios.

First screening of bacteria assemblages associated with the marine polychaete Melinna palmata Grube, 1870 and adjacent sediments

Bacteria associated with marine invertebrate play a fundamental role in the biology, ecology, development and evolution of their hosts. Although many studies have been focused on the microbial populations of benthic and pelagic habitats, little is known about bacteria colonizing tube-dwelling polychaete. In this context, the current study provided the first characterization of the Melinna palmata Grube, 1870 microbiome based on Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA gene of the polychaete tissue and proximate sediments collected from the Black Sea, Romania, along a 24.2 m – 45.4 m depth-gradient. The diversity, taxonomic composition and deduced functional profile of the tissue and sediments associated bacterial communities were compared and analyzed in relation with the environmental parameters. This polychaete harbored a distinct bacterial assemblage as compared to their sediments and independent on the depth of their habitat, including 8 phyla in tissues dominated by Proteobacteria, and 12 phyla in sediments majorly represented by Actinobacteriota, respectively. At order level, Synechococcales, Rhodobacterales and Actinomarinales were highly represented in the M. palmata microbiome, while Microtrichales, Anaerolineales and Caldilineales were mostly found in sediments. A significant correlation was observed between Cyanobacteria taxa and the dissolved oxygen concentrations in shallow waters impacted by the Danube inputs. Meanwhile, this phylum showed a positive correlation with Planctomycetota colonizing the invertebrate tissues, and a negative one with Actinobacteriota and Chloroflexi found in sediments. The deduced functional profile of these bacterial assemblages suggested the prevalence of the amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism for both analyzed matrices. This pioneering report on the M. palmata microbiome highlighted the environment contribution to bacterial species enrichment of the polychaete, and provided a glimpse on the putative role of microbial communities associated with this marine organism.

The Role of Hydrogen Sulfide in the Localization and Expression of p53 and Cell Death in the Nervous Tissue in Traumatic Brain Injury and Axotomy.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of disability and death worldwide. It is characterized by various molecular-cellular events, with the main ones being apoptosis and damage to axons. To date, there are no clinically effective neuroprotective drugs. In this study, we examined the role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the localization and expression of the key pro-apoptotic protein p53, as well as cell death in the nervous tissue in TBI and axotomy. We used a fast donor (sodium sulphide, Na2S) H2S and a classic inhibitor (aminooxyacetic acid, AOAA) of cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), which is a key enzyme in H2S synthesis. These studies were carried out on three models of neurotrauma in vertebrates and invertebrates. As a result, it was found that Na2S exhibits a pronounced neuroprotective effect that reduces the number of TUNEL-positive neurons and glial cells in TBI and apoptotic glia in axotomy. This effect could be realized through the Na2S-dependent decrease in the level of p53 in the cells of the nervous tissue of vertebrates and invertebrates, which we observed in our study. We also observed the opposite effect when using AOAA, which indicates the important role of CBS in the regulation of p53 expression and death of neurons and glial cells in TBI and axotomy.

Microplastic abundance in urban vs. peri-urban mangroves: The feasibility of using invertebrates as biomonitors of microplastic pollution in two mangrove dominated estuaries of southern Africa

Microplastic (MP) prevalence has been well documented, however, knowledge gaps exist for African mangrove forests. This research is the first to compare MP pollution (using FT-IR analysis) in an urban (Durban Bay) and peri-urban (Mngazana Estuary) mangrove forest in South Africa, across different compartments. MP pollution (typology, abundance, and distribution) was quantified in estuarine surface water, sediment and the soft tissue of three keystone species (Austruca occidentalis, Chiromantes eulimene and Cerithidea decollata) in relation to disturbances acting on these systems. MP averages ranged from 99 to 82 MPs/kg sediment, 177 to 76 MPs/L water and 82 to 59 MP/g−1 DW in biota. Overall fibres were the dominant MP type across all compartments. The three invertebrate species exhibited MP bioaccumulation, however, significant differences were observed between MP concentrations in the soft body tissue of invertebrates and abiotic compartments, providing evidence that they are not effective biomonitors of MP pollution.

Palmitoleic acid as a coordinating molecule between the invasive pinewood nematode and its newly associated fungi.

Symbiotic microorganisms are ubiquitous on the body surface or internal tissues of invertebrates, providing them with benefits. Developing symbiotic relationships requires synchronization of developmental stages and physical proximity of partners. Therefore, the identification of metabolites that coordinate the reproduction of symbiotic partners is essential. This study demonstrates that palmitoleic acid (C16: 1) coordinates bilateral propagation by regulating the synchronization of reproduction between the invasive pinewood nematode (PWN) and its newly associated blue-stain fungus, Sporothrix sp.1. When the PWN fed on Sporothrix sp.1, there was a significant increase in lipid metabolism gene expression and metabolite abundance. Through further investigations, it highlighted a significant enhancement in the reproduction of the PWN through direct acquisition of C16: 1, which was abundantly present in Sporothrix sp.1. Furthermore, the PWN biosynthesized C16: 1 through the involvement of the stearoyl-CoA 9-desaturase gene fat-5 and its hormone nuclear receptor nhr-80, which was clarified to promote the egg-laying capacity of females. Moreover, it is worth noting that the production of C16: 1 was significantly higher by the associated fungus Sporothrix sp.1 to enhance sporulation during the spore formation phase compared to the hypha growth phase. Thus, by coordinating the fecundity and spore production, the key lipid metabolite C16: 1 facilitates the rapid and successful colonization of a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship between the invasive PWN and the native Sporothrix sp.1 within the host. This finding emphasizes the significant role of metabolite sharing and its function in promoting partner synchronization within symbiotic relationships.

Plant‐based feed additives in Cyprinus carpio aquaculture

AbstractSpecies feeding lower at the food web like cyprinids (carp) are often advocated for sustainable aquaculture. However, their gastrointestinal biology (lack of stomach) has limited their acid‐peptic digestion, acid lysis of plants and invertebrate tissues, and phosphorus uptake. This review presents data from 118 articles on the use of plant‐based feed additives (PFAs) in Cyprinus carpio (common carp). Our review shows that most PFA research in carp is focused on improving feed and nutrient utilization efficiency along various levels (in vivo digestibility, metabolizability to in situ nutrient loading), while other half is focused on ensuring animal welfare standards (biomass, immunity, welfare). Several reviewed plant‐based additives however tend to do both. The PFAs include essential oils (EOs), plant‐part extracts (PPEs), medicinal plants (herbs) and spices. The effective inclusion rate of EOs is lower (0.5%–0.75%). Whereas PPEs, herbs and spices work at a generic inclusion rate of 2%–5% in carp feeds. Even at an optimum inclusion rate, there are factors controlling PFAs efficacy such as methods of preparation (reviewed). PFAs like lemon beebrush, geranium, dill, Rosemary pepper and common mallow with/without certain pre‐conditions are better to avoid in cyprinid diets. Although certain PFAs may potentially alter organoleptic qualities of carp flesh or might assist in training carp immunity, information on these aspects is limited. The review also provides a quick guide to researchers and feed companies interested in exploring the potential of PFAs in C. carpio aquaculture. Potential PFAs that could be valuable for cyprinids, but not yet explored are also listed.

Taurine, A Wonderful Molecule: A Review Article

Taurine chemically known as 2 aminoethanesulfonic acid; NH2CH2CH2SO3H it’s a non essential amino acid, due to absence of carboxyl group it does not participate in protein synthesis, it does not metabolized and thus not involved in gluconeogenesis, thereby not constituting a direct energy source, This wonderful molecule was discover in 1827 by two German scientist Tiedemann and Gmelin from bile of ox (Bos taurus), Ten years later, this amino acid got its name as Taurine by Demarcay, and 20 years later Jacobsen and Smith discovered that its structure contains sulfur. In a wide variety of invertebrate and vertebrate tissues the natural occurrence of taurine has been recognized, It is also present in plants algae and fungi. In this review we try to cover all possible beneficial role of taurine.

Mycorrhiza-feeding soil invertebrates in two coniferous forests traced with 13C labelling.

Mycorrhizal fungi represent a potentially abundant carbon resource for soil animals, but their role in soil food webs remains poorly understood. To detect taxa that are trophically linked to the extraradical mycelium of mycorrhizal fungi, we used stable isotope (13C) labelling of whole trees in combination with the in-growth mesh bag technique in two coniferous forests. This allowed us to detect the flux of carbon in the mycelium of mycorrhizal fungi, and consequently in the tissues of soil invertebrates. The mycorrhizal fungal genera constituted 93.5% of reads in mycelium samples from the in-growth mesh bags. All mycelium from in-growth mesh bags and about 32% of the invertebrates sampled (in total 11 taxa) received the 13C label after 45days of exposure. The extent of feeding of soil invertebrates on the mycelium of mycorrhizal fungi depended on the taxonomic affinity of the animals. The strongest trophic link to the mycorrhiza-derived carbon was detected in Isotomidae (Collembola) and Oppiidae (Oribatida). The label was also observed in the generalist predators, indicating the propagation of mycorrhiza-derived carbon into the higher trophic levels of the soil food web. Higher 13C labelling in the tissues of euedaphic Collembola and Oribatida compared to atmobiotic and hemiedaphic families indicates the importance of mycorrhizal fungi as a food resource for invertebrates in deeper soil horizons.

Differential detection of aspartic acid in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Aspartic acid is a non-essential amino acid obtained in the neuroendocrine tissues of vertebrates and invertebrates. Aspartic acid, a major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system, plays a key role in memory and acts in many other normal and abnormal physiological processes. In this work, we have developed an efficient chemosensor (PCF) based on the pyridine-carbazole moiety for the differential detection of aspartic acid in biological systems. PCF has a strong binding affinity towards aspartic acid, with a detection limit in the nanomolar range. The binding stoichiometry of aspartic aid and PCF was obtained as 1 : 1 from a Jobs plot analysis. Furthermore, the efficacy of PCF has been successfully demonstrated in in vitro experiments in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

A histological method for marine invertebrates

This study aimed to increase knowledge about the structure and health assessment for evaluating histopathology as a biomarker of marine invertebrates, which must have high-quality histologic slides. Unfortunately, the accuracy of this method has been specifically modified for the marine invertebrates in Thailand; we demonstrated a modified method for permanent histological slides, including Xestospongia sp., Halobates hayanus, Amphibalanus amphitrite, and Alpheus sp. (n = 30) individual specimens for each species) from Libong island, Thailand, which was compared to the standard method. Optimization of tissue adapts and troubleshoots typical histological procedures, including sample collection, fixation with 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin at 2-4 °C for 24 hrs., decalcification, dehydration, clearing, embedding sectioning, and examining after staining under the modified procedures each time, which can be accomplished easily in six days. Compared to the standard method, this modified protocol showed the first report. It warranted high-quality slide scans, which are particularly ideal for the tissue, cell, and nuclei-specific features of marine invertebrates.

PSIII-A-4 Analysis of Galectin Gene Variants from Diverse Sheep and Goat Populations Genotyped with the Illumina Beadchip

Abstract Galectins are a highly conserved family of β-galactoside binding lectins encoded by lectin, galactosidebinding soluble genes (LGALS). They are found on a variety of cells and tissues of vertebrates and invertebrates. Understanding the roles of galectins in host–pathogen interaction and activation of host innate, and adaptive immunity has become an important research question. Galectins are known to play a role in parasitic infection in small ruminants. However, little is known about LGALS variants in sheep and goat breeds across the world. In this study, we investigated galectin single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variants on five distinct sheep breeds from different geographical regions of Ethiopia. A total of 88 sheep (Arsi-Bale=12, Horro=24, Menz=18, Wolayita=18 and Blackhead Somali=16) were genotyped with Ovine Infinium HD SNP BeadChip (600K). An In Silico approach with Ensembl database (https://useast.ensembl.org/index.html) and SNP BeadChip (perfect matched reference SNP along with their genomic position) identified a total of nineteen SNPs from LGALS-1, -2, -3, -4, -7, -8, -9, -11 and -12 with a consequence of upstream, downstream, and missense gene variant. For all these variants, a highly variable minor allele frequency (MAF) was observed across five sheep populations. We also investigated a total of 308 Chinese goat (Qinggeli=48, Nanjiang=48, Luoping=48, Liaoning=116, and Guangfeng=48) genotyped with Illumina Goat 50K BeadChip. The goat chip only contained a SNP from LGal-4 (rs268252010) which was also found at variable MAF level across the said populations. These results have implications for animal health and production and warrant further investigation using targeted sequencing of galectin genes across different local and international sheep and goat breeds.

Vertebrate extracellular matrix protein hemicentin-1 interacts physically and genetically with basement membrane protein nidogen-2

Hemicentins are large proteins of the extracellular matrix that belong to the fibulin family and play pivotal roles during development and homeostasis of a variety of invertebrate and vertebrate tissues. However, bona fide interaction partners of hemicentins have not been described as yet. Here, applying surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy and co-immunoprecipitation, we identify the basement membrane protein nidogen-2 (NID2) as a binding partner of mouse and zebrafish hemicentin-1 (HMCN1), in line with the formerly described essential role of mouse HMCN1 in basement membrane integrity. We show that HMCN1 binds to the same protein domain of NID2 (G3) as formerly shown for laminins, but with an approximately 3.5-fold lower affinity and in a competitive manner. Furthermore, immunofluorescence and immunogold labeling revealed that HMCN1/Hmcn1 is localized close to basement membranes and in partial overlap with NID2/Nid2a in different tissues of mouse and zebrafish. Genetic knockout and antisense-mediated knockdown studies in zebrafish further show that loss of Nid2a leads to similar defects in fin fold morphogenesis as the loss of Laminin-α5 (Lama5) or Hmcn1. Finally, combined partial loss-of-function studies indicated that nid2a genetically interacts with both hmcn1 and lama5. Together, these findings suggest that despite their mutually exclusive physical binding, hemicentins, nidogens, and laminins tightly cooperate and support each other during formation, maintenance, and function of basement membranes to confer tissue linkage.

Biliary Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Metabolite Equivalents Measured in Fish and Subtidal Invertebrates Following the Refugio Beach Oil Spill.

Monterey formation crude oil spilled from an onshore pipeline and entered the surf zone near Refugio State Beach, Santa Barbara County, CA, USA on 19 May 2015. Exposure to nearshore fish was evaluated by measuring biliary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolite concentrations in surfperch (Embiotocidae), collected near the release point, at a lesser oiled area, Gaviota State Beach, and near the Coal Oil Point oil seep, Campus Point, at both four days and approximately one year after the oil spill. Three to four weeks after the spill, fish, invertebrates, and kelp were collected near the same three sites for PAH analysis of edible tissues to support the fishery closure assessment. Additionally, thirteen days after the spill, vegetation, and invertebrate tissue samples from the seafloor near Refugio State Beach were analyzed for PAHs. In surfperch bile, mean naphthalene, phenanthrene and benzo(a)pyrene metabolite equivalents were significantly higher at Refugio State Beach, compared to Gaviota State Beach or Campus Point in 2015. One year later, there was no significant difference between the three sites. Spatial and depth zone patterns of PAH tissue concentrations from composited invertebrate, vegetation and fish showed highest concentrations were measured in invertebrates collected near Refugio State Beach. Overall, results show elevated PAH levels in nearshore organisms and provide a useful reference for potential PAH exposures in fish and subtidal invertebrates following a large nearshore oil spill.

The Evolution of Biomineralization through the Co-Option of Organic Scaffold Forming Networks.

Biomineralization is the process in which organisms use minerals to generate hard structures like teeth, skeletons and shells. Biomineralization is proposed to have evolved independently in different phyla through the co-option of pre-existing developmental programs. Comparing the gene regulatory networks (GRNs) that drive biomineralization in different species could illuminate the molecular evolution of biomineralization. Skeletogenesis in the sea urchin embryo was extensively studied and the underlying GRN shows high conservation within echinoderms, larval and adult skeletogenesis. The organic scaffold in which the calcite skeletal elements form in echinoderms is a tubular compartment generated by the syncytial skeletogenic cells. This is strictly different than the organic cartilaginous scaffold that vertebrates mineralize with hydroxyapatite to make their bones. Here I compare the GRNs that drive biomineralization and tubulogenesis in echinoderms and in vertebrates. The GRN that drives skeletogenesis in the sea urchin embryo shows little similarity to the GRN that drives bone formation and high resemblance to the GRN that drives vertebrates’ vascular tubulogenesis. On the other hand, vertebrates’ bone-GRNs show high similarity to the GRNs that operate in the cells that generate the cartilage-like tissues of basal chordate and invertebrates that do not produce mineralized tissue. These comparisons suggest that biomineralization in deuterostomes evolved through the phylum specific co-option of GRNs that control distinct organic scaffolds to mineralization.

ЧАСТОТНО-АМПЛИТУДНЫЕ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКИ СУММАРНЫХ БИОПОТЕНЦИАЛОВ СА3 ЗОНЫ ГИППОКАМПА ПРИ ДЕЙСТВИИ САЛИЦИЛАТА КОБАЛЬТА И НИКЕЛЯ

The neurotropic effects of cobalt and nickel salicylate were studied during perfusion of rat hippocampal sections with solutions of these salts at concentrations of 10-2 M, 10-3 M, 10-4 M and 10-6 M. The results of this study convincingly demonstrate that the formation of complex salts of acetylsalicylic acid with divalent metals cobalt and nickel leads to changes in neurotropic effects with varying degrees of severity. In the case of nickel salicylate, there is a decrease in the severity of the depressing neurotropic effect compared with acetylsalicylic and salicylic acids [16]. And in the case of cobalt salicylate at a concentration of 10-4 M, an activation effect is manifested. We believe that this is due to the influence of the whole complexon, since a high degree of stability is shown for cobalt salicylate, especially in an aqueous solution [10]. And this salt should remain fairly stable. In this regard, it is natural to assume that cobalt salicylate is capable of triggering other processes compared to acids and, perhaps, the mechanism of its action is less strongly associated with the COX system. The observed activation effect may be associated with a direct stimulating effect on the nerve cell and/or the result of synchronization of excitation in neural networks. It should be noted that the neurotropic effects of cobalt salicylate revealed in this work coincide in their orientation with the effect of this salt on the functioning of neurons of the subcaryngeal ganglia complex of the grape snail [10]. This indicates the uniformity of the mechanisms of influence of this salt on the nervous tissue of invertebrates and vertebrates. For nickel salicylate, only a weakening of the inhibitory effect is shown in comparison with the precursor acids, perhaps the stability constant of this salt is not high and its noticeable dissociation occurs. As a result, the released residues of acetylsalicylic acid will block COX, which will trigger a mechanism of neurotropic influence close to the effects of salt solutions, the effects of which were described earlier [16]. The contribution of nickel ions will be insignificant, because its mass fraction in the salt molecule is small. From the position of ionic mechanisms, we believe that the inhibition of the generation of total biopotentials by the studied salts is most likely associated with the suppression of the incoming sodium current. And the stimulating effect of cobalt salicylate in a concentration of 10-4 M, on the contrary, with its stimulation (relief). Also, the described effects can be realized as a result of modulation of synaptic interaction in neural networks. Elucidation of these biophysical mechanisms is a priority task of our further research. And also, the most important question remains open about the possible change in the effects of these salts with different injections of substances into the body: oral, intramuscular, intravenous, etc.

Morphospecies Abundance of Above-Ground Invertebrates in Agricultural Systems under Glyphosate and Microplastics in South-Eastern Mexico

Soil invertebrates are important for diverse soil ecosystem services, which are jeopardized by pesticides and microplastics. In the present study, we aimed to assess above-ground invertebrates’ morphospecies abundance in the presence of glyphosate (GLY), its main metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), and microplastics (MPs). Three land-use systems were analyzed: agricultural systems with and without plastic mulch and pesticides (AwPM, AwoPM) and natural unmanaged farming systems (UF). Soil GLY, AMPA, MP concentrations and above-ground invertebrates were quantified. GLY concentrations were also assessed inside invertebrate tissues. GLY, AMPA and the highest concentration of GLY in invertebrates’ tissue were found only in AwoPM at 0.14–0.45 mg kg−1, 0.12–0.94 mg kg−1 and 0.03–0.26 mg kg−1, respectively. MPs were present as follows: AwPM system (100%, 400–2000 particles kg−1) > AwoPM (70.8%, 200–1000 particles kg−1) > UF (37.5%, 200–400 particles kg−1). No significant correlations were found between soil MPs, GLY and AMPA. There was a significant correlation between MPs and morphospecies from the order Entomobrymorpha (Collembola, R = 0.61, p < 0.05). Limnophila, Mesogastropoda (Gastropoda) and Siphonaptera morphospecies were only present in the UF system. GLY in invertebrate tissue was inversely correlated with soil GLY (R = −0.73, p < 0.05) and AMPA (R = −0.59, p < 0.05). Further investigations are required to understand these phenomena.

Employing marine invertebrate cell culture media for isolation and cultivation of thraustochytrids

Abstract Thraustochytrids, a common group of marine eukaryotic protists, have drawn considerable scientific and industrial interest due to their ability to synthesize high levels of bioactive compounds, including polyunsaturated fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid, squalene and carotenoids, and their new applications for biofuels. The pharmaceutical and industrial potential of thraustochytrids necessitate effective isolation of new strains and establishment of axenic cultures. To date, existing isolation protocols have used baiting and direct plating methods to generate axenic cultures with varied media compositions that contain peptone and yeast extracts as nitrogen sources, glucose as carbon source, seawater and antibiotics. Here we reveal a new approach for the isolation of thraustochytrids from tissues of marine invertebrates using (a) primary cell cultures in a liquid medium containing basal medium, 50% artificial seawater, vitamins, proteins and antibiotics, and (b) cultivation in the same cell culture medium. Using the colonial tunicate Botryllus schlosseri as a model system, thraustochytrid cells thrived in the medium from the day of extraction, grew and proliferated for the next five weeks (five-passages, up to 1.9 × 106 cells ml−1 in passage 5; 1.45-fold multiplication week−1). This new approach for isolation and cultivation of axenic thraustochytrid cultures enables the isolation of new species with promising bioactive compounds.

Diet-Host-Microbiota Interactions Shape Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Ligand Production to Modulate Intestinal Homeostasis.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated basic-helix-loop-helix transcription factor that binds structurally diverse ligands and senses cues from environmental toxicants and physiologically relevant dietary/microbiota-derived ligands. The AhR is an ancient conserved protein and is widely expressed across different tissues in vertebrates and invertebrates. AhR signaling mediates a wide range of cellular functions in a ligand-, cell type-, species-, and context-specific manner. Dysregulation of AhR signaling is linked to many developmental defects and chronic diseases. In this review, we discuss the emerging role of AhR signaling in mediating bidirectional host-microbiome interactions. We also consider evidence showing the potential for the dietary/microbial enhancement ofhealth-promoting AhR ligands to improve clinical pathway management in the context of inflammatory bowel diseases and colon tumorigenesis.