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Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Jun 2024Detecting human impact on freshwater ecosystems is problematic without rigorous assessment of temporal changes. Assessments of mining impacts are further complicated by...
Detecting human impact on freshwater ecosystems is problematic without rigorous assessment of temporal changes. Assessments of mining impacts are further complicated by the strong influence of local catchment geology on surface waters even in unmined environments. Such influence cannot be effectively considered by using broad-scale reference frameworks based on regionalization and stream types. Using the BACI (Before-After Control-Impact) design, we examined the impact of mining discharges on freshwater algae and macroinvertebrate communities resulting from the rerouting of treated wastewaters through a pipeline to larger water bodies in Northern and North-Eastern Finland. Impacted sites and control sites were sampled 1 to 2 years before and 1 to 3 years after the pipelines became operational. Stream diatom communities recovered from past loadings upstream of the pipeline (which was no longer impacted by wastewaters) after rerouting of the wastewaters, while no changes downstream from the pipeline were detected. Upstream from the pipeline, diatom species richness increased and changes in relative abundances of the most common diatom taxa as well as in the overall community composition were observed. The effects of the pipeline were less evident for stream macroinvertebrate communities. There was an indication that regional reference conditions used in national biomonitoring may not represent diatom communities in areas with a strong geochemical background influence. Lake profundal macroinvertebrate communities were impacted by past loadings before the construction of the pipeline, and the influence of the pipeline was observed only as changes in the abundances of a few individual species such as phantom midges (which increased in abundance in response to discharges directed through the pipeline). Our results highlight the variable influence of mining discharges on aquatic communities. Statistically strong monitoring programmes, such as BACI designs, are clearly needed to detect these influences.
Topics: Environmental Monitoring; Mining; Ecosystem; Diatoms; Invertebrates; Animals; Fresh Water; Finland; Rivers; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 38900337
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12812-x -
Anais Da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias 2024Lichens are symbiotic associations of algae and fungi. They are edible as food and have been used in traditional medicine for years. It is aimed to screen Peltigera...
Lichens are symbiotic associations of algae and fungi. They are edible as food and have been used in traditional medicine for years. It is aimed to screen Peltigera praetextata (Flörke ex Sommerf.) Zopfand and Peltigera elisabethae Gyeln. phytochemically by LC/QTOF/MS and according to the constituents to evaluate the antioxidant, tyrosinase inhibitory, and antibacterial activities. In total 54 of metabolites detected by LC/QTOF/MS were common in both species. According to LC/QTOF/MS scanning results, alkaloids, iridoid glycosides, phenolics, cyanogenetic glycosides, and terpenic structures were detected. DPPH, ABTS, superoxide radical scavenging activities, and metal chelating capacity IC50 values were 84.55, 9.349; 51.27, 9.127; 95.01, 58.65 and 20.57, 70.08 µg/mL., respectively. The CUPRAC reducing power was determined as 4.69 and 9.57 TEACCUPRAC, respectively. Tyrosinase inhibitor activity were found to be 86.95 and 196.7 µg/mL. Both lichens did not show antimicrobial effects. As a result of the antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitor activities it was seen that their activities were significant and further in vivo studies could be carried out on this lichens.
Topics: Lichens; Antioxidants; Phytochemicals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Monophenol Monooxygenase; Chromatography, Liquid; Mass Spectrometry
PubMed: 38896692
DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202420230657 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Hemorrhoid disease is a common anorectal disorder affecting populations worldwide, with high prevalence, treatment difficulties, and considerable treatment costs.... (Review)
Review
Hemorrhoid disease is a common anorectal disorder affecting populations worldwide, with high prevalence, treatment difficulties, and considerable treatment costs. Compared to other treatment options, medical therapy for hemorrhoids offers minimal harm, more dignity to patients, and is more economical. Unfortunately, there are few chemical hemorrhoid medications available clinically, which makes the search for efficacious, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly new medication classes a focal point of research. In this context, searching for available natural products to improve hemorrhoids exhibits tremendous potential. These products are derived from nature, predominantly from plants, with a minor portion coming from animals, fungi, and algae. They have excellent coagulation pathway regulation, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and tissue regeneration activities. Therefore, we take the view that they are a class of potential hemorrhoid drugs, prevention products, and medication add-on ingredients. This article first reviews the factors contributing to the development of hemorrhoids, types, primary symptoms, and the mechanisms of natural products for hemorrhoids. Building on this foundation, we screened natural products with potential hemorrhoid improvement activity, including polyphenols and flavonoids, terpenes, polysaccharides, and other types.
Topics: Hemorrhoids; Humans; Biological Products; Animals; Polyphenols; Anti-Inflammatory Agents
PubMed: 38893547
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29112673 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Astaxanthin (AST) is a natural compound derived from shellfish, microorganisms, and algae, with several healthy properties. For this reason, it is widely used in the...
Astaxanthin (AST) is a natural compound derived from shellfish, microorganisms, and algae, with several healthy properties. For this reason, it is widely used in the diet of humans and animals, such as pigs, broilers, and fish, where its addition is related to its pigmenting properties. Moreover, AST's ability to reduce free radicals and protect cells from oxidative damage finds application during the weaning period, when piglets are exposed to several stressors. To better elucidate the mechanisms involved, here we generate ad hoc pig and rainbow trout in vitro platforms able to mimic the intestinal mucosa. The morphology is validated through histological and molecular analysis, while functional properties of the newly generated intestinal barriers, both in porcine and rainbow trout models, are demonstrated by measuring trans-epithelial electrical resistance and analyzing permeability with fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran. Exposure to AST induced a significant upregulation of antioxidative stress markers and a reduction in the transcription of inflammation-related interleukins. Altogether, the present findings demonstrate AST's ability to interact with the molecular pathways controlling oxidative stress and inflammation both in the porcine and rainbow trout species and suggest AST's positive role in prevention and health.
Topics: Animals; Xanthophylls; Oncorhynchus mykiss; Swine; Intestinal Mucosa; Oxidative Stress; Antioxidants; Intestines; Models, Biological; Permeability
PubMed: 38892151
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115966 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024While edible algae might seem low in fat, the lipids they contain are crucial for good health and preventing chronic diseases. This study introduces a binary matrix to...
While edible algae might seem low in fat, the lipids they contain are crucial for good health and preventing chronic diseases. This study introduces a binary matrix to analyze all the polar lipids in both macroalgae (Wakame-, Dulse-, and Nori- spp.) and microalgae (Spirulina-, and Chlorella-) using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). The key lies in a new dual matrix made by combining equimolar amounts of 1,5-diaminonaphthalene (DAN) and 9-aminoacridine (9AA). This combination solves the limitations of single matrices: 9AA is suitable for sulfur-containing lipids and acidic phospholipids, while DAN excels as an electron-transfer secondary reaction matrix for intact chlorophylls and their derivatives. By employing the equimolar binary matrix, a wider range of algal lipids, including free fatty acids, phospholipids, glycolipids, pigments, and even rare arsenosugarphospholipids were successfully detected, overcoming drawbacks related to ion suppression from readily ionizable lipids. The resulting mass spectra exhibited a good signal-to-noise ratio at a lower laser fluence and minimized background noise. This improvement stems from the binary matrix's ability to mitigate in-source decay effects, a phenomenon often encountered for certain matrices. Consequently, the data obtained are more reliable, facilitating a faster and more comprehensive exploration of algal lipidomes using high-throughput MALDI-MS/MS analysis.
Topics: Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; Lipids; Seaweed; Microalgae; 2-Naphthylamine; Aminacrine; Pigments, Biological; Spirulina
PubMed: 38892117
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115919 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024In this paper, the characteristics of 40 so far described virophages-parasites of giant viruses-are given, and the similarities and differences between virophages and... (Review)
Review
Virophages, Satellite Viruses, Virophage Replication and Its Effects and Virophage Defence Mechanisms for Giant Virus Hosts and Giant Virus Defence Systems against Virophages.
In this paper, the characteristics of 40 so far described virophages-parasites of giant viruses-are given, and the similarities and differences between virophages and satellite viruses, which also, like virophages, require helper viruses for replication, are described. The replication of virophages taking place at a specific site-the viral particle factory of giant viruses-and its consequences are presented, and the defence mechanisms of virophages for giant virus hosts, as a protective action for giant virus hosts-protozoa and algae-are approximated. The defence systems of giant viruses against virophages were also presented, which are similar to the CRISPR/Cas defence system found in bacteria and in Archea. These facts, and related to the very specific biological features of virophages (specific site of replication, specific mechanisms of their defensive effects for giant virus hosts, defence systems in giant viruses against virophages), indicate that virophages, and their host giant viruses, are biological objects, forming a 'novelty' in biology.
Topics: Giant Viruses; Satellite Viruses; Virophages; Virus Replication; Gene Silencing
PubMed: 38892066
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115878 -
Polymers Jun 2024Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) coatings are considered to be environmentally friendly antifouling coatings. However, the presence of hydrophobic surfaces can enhance the...
Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) coatings are considered to be environmentally friendly antifouling coatings. However, the presence of hydrophobic surfaces can enhance the adhesion rate of proteins, bacteria and microalgae, posing a challenge for biofouling removal. In this study, hydrophilic polymer chains were synthesised from methyl methacrylate (MMA), Poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEG-MA) and 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (TPMA). The crosslinking reaction between TPMA and PDMS results in the formation of a silicone-based amphiphilic co-network with surface reconstruction properties. The hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains are covalently bonded by condensation reactions, while the hydrophilic polymers migrate under water to induce surface reconstruction and form hydrogen bonds with water molecules to form a dense hydrated layer. This design effectively mitigates the adhesion of proteins, bacteria, algae and other marine organisms to the coating. The antifouling performance of the coatings was evaluated by assessing their adhesion rates to proteins (), bacteria ( and ) and algae (). The results show that the amphiphilic co-network coating (e.g., P-AM-15) exhibits excellent antifouling properties against protein, bacterial and microalgal fouling. Furthermore, an overall assessment of its antifouling performance and stability was conducted in the East China Sea from 16 May to 12 September 2023, which showed that this silicon-based amphiphilic co-network coating remained intact with almost no marine organisms adhering to it. This study provides a novel approach for the development of high-performance silicone-based antifouling coatings.
PubMed: 38891516
DOI: 10.3390/polym16111570 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Plants and algae use light not only for driving photosynthesis but also to sense environmental cues and to adjust their circadian clocks via photoreceptors. Aureochromes...
Plants and algae use light not only for driving photosynthesis but also to sense environmental cues and to adjust their circadian clocks via photoreceptors. Aureochromes are blue-light-dependent photoreceptors that also function as transcription factors, possessing both a LOV and a bZIP domain. Aureochromes so far have only been detected in Stramenopile algae, which include the diatoms. Four paralogues of aureochromes have been identified in the pennate model diatom : PtAureo1a, 1b, 1c, and 2. While it was shown recently that diatoms have a diel rhythm, the molecular mechanisms and components regulating it are still largely unknown. Diel gene expression analyses of wild-type , a PtAureo1a knockout strain, and the respective PtAureo1 complemented line revealed that all four aureochromes have a different diel regulation and that PtAureo1a has a strong co-regulatory influence on its own transcription, as well as on that of other genes encoding different blue-light photoreceptors (CPF1, 2 and 4), proteins involved in photoprotection (Lhcx1), and specific bHLH transcription factors (RITMO1). Some of these genes completely lost their circadian expression in the PtAureo1a KO mutant. Our results suggest a major involvement of aureochromes in the molecular clock of diatoms.
PubMed: 38891274
DOI: 10.3390/plants13111465 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024This Special Issue (SI) of , entitled ", , ", was focused on algal organisms, both microalgae and macroalgae, which have recently been recognized as new, cost-effective,...
This Special Issue (SI) of , entitled ", , ", was focused on algal organisms, both microalgae and macroalgae, which have recently been recognized as new, cost-effective, and valuable sources of health-promoting nutrients and bioactive compounds with a full spectrum of activities and beneficial effects on health [...].
PubMed: 38890964
DOI: 10.3390/foods13111736 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Algae are a booming resource in the food industry due to their several health benefits. This study assesses the impact of the combined use of selected macro- and...
Algae are a booming resource in the food industry due to their several health benefits. This study assesses the impact of the combined use of selected macro- and microalgae to improve the nutritional profile and the labeling of a vegetable cream by the introduction of nutrition and health claims. As macroalgae, two L., one natural (An) and one smoked (AnS), were selected for their high iodine concentration and flavor notes. A new strain of , golden (CvG), was selected as the microalgae, which is rich in proteins and has a neutral sensorial profile (golden color and mild flavor). In this study, two vegetable creams were compared. The control (CTRL) versus one enriched with a mixture of macroalgae and microalgae (CV-AN). Sensory, physicochemical, and functional properties of both vegetable creams were evaluated. The bioactivity assessed was the effect of iodine as a health claim and antioxidant and antihypertensive properties. CV-AN vegetable cream showed significantly higher values ( < 0.05) for protein content, iodine value, and antioxidant activity, with no significant differences ( > 0.05) in antihypertensive activity or sensory panel. The incorporation of these algae resulted in a vegetable cream with a better nutritional profile and sensory acceptability comparable to the control, offering protein and iodine source claims in the labeling.
PubMed: 38890879
DOI: 10.3390/foods13111651