Marine sponge-associated bacteria as a potential source for polyhydroxyalkanoates

Marine sponges are filter feeding porous animals and usually harbor a remarkable array of microorganisms in their mesohyl tissues as transient and resident endosymbionts. The marine sponge-microbial interactions are highly complex and, in some cases, the relationships are thought to be truly symbiotic or mutualistic rather than temporary associations resulting from sponge filter-feeding activity. The marine sponge-associated bacteria are fascinating source for various biomolecules that are of potential interest to several biotechnological industries. In recent times, a particular attention has been devoted to bacterial biopolymer (polyesters) such as intracellular polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) produced by sponge-associated bacteria. Bacterial PHAs act as an internal reserve for carbon and energy and also are a tremendous alternative for fossil fuel-based polymers mainly due to their eco-friendliness. In addition, PHAs are produced when the microorganisms are under stressful conditions and this biopolymer synthesis might be exhibited as one of the survival mechanisms of sponge-associated or endosymbiotic bacteria which exist in a highly competitive and stressful sponge-mesohyl microenvironment. In this review, we have emphasized the industrial prospects of marine bacteria for the commercial production of PHAs and special importance has been given to marine sponge-associated bacteria as a potential resource for PHAs.     

红树植物老鼠簕总三萜含量的测定

老鼠簕是一种重要的具海洋药用价值的红树林植物。以分光光度法(齐墩果酸为对照品,5%香草醛-冰醋酸和高氯酸为显色剂)测定红树植物老鼠簕中总三萜的含量。实验结果表明:在500nm波长条件下,齐墩果酸在0.04~0.20mg·mL-1范围内,0~60min间,吸光度与含量线性关系良好;首次测定得到,红树植物老鼠簕根的总三萜含量为0.62%,(RSD=0.91%,n=3);茎的总三萜含量为2.20%(RSD=3.94%,n=3);叶的总三萜含量为1.59%(RSD=5.04%,n=3)。     

Genotoxic and oxidative responses in coelomocytes of Eisenia fetida and Hediste diversicolor exposed to lipid‐coated CdSe/ZnS quantum dots and CdCl2

The emerging of Quantum Dots utilization in industrial or medicinal fields involved a potentially increase of these nanoparticles in environment. In this work, the genotoxic (comet assay) and oxidative effects (SOD activity, TBARS) of functionalized‐QDs and cadmium chloride were investigated on Hediste diversicolor and Eisenia fetida coelomocytes. Results demonstrated that functionalized‐QDs (QDNs) and cadmium chloride induced DNA damages through different mechanisms that depended on the nano‐ or ionic nature of Cd. The minimal genotoxic concentrations for H. diversicolor (<0.001ng/g for QDNs and CdCl₂) were lower than for E. fetida (between 0.01 and 0.1 ng/g for QDNs, and between 0.001 and 0.01 ng/g for CdCl₂). These results showed that H. diversicolor was more sensitive than E. fetida. The two contaminants had a low impact on the oxidative stress markers. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 918–926, 2015.     

抗凝血活性海洋硫酸多糖HP1-1的结构研究

目的 对抗凝血活性海洋硫酸多糖HP1-1的结构进行研究。方法 通过高效液相色谱(HPLC)、高效凝胶渗透色谱(HPGPC)、傅里叶变换红外光谱(IR)以及气质联用色谱(GC-MS)和核磁共振波谱(NMR)方法,对抗凝血活性海洋硫酸多糖HP1-1的结构进行解析。结果 海洋硫酸多糖HP1-1的分子量为297 kDa,总糖和硫酸基含量分别为78.1%和12.3%;HP1-1主要由葡萄糖组成,含有少量半乳糖、阿拉伯糖和甘露糖;HP1-1糖链中含有→4)-Glcp-(1→、→3)-Glcp-(1→、→3,4)-Glcp-(1→、→4)-Arap-(1→、→3,4)-Galp-(1→和→3)-Galp-(1→,硫酸基位于→4)-Glcp-(1→的C-3位和→3)-Galp-(1→的C-4位。 结论 海洋多糖HP1-1是主要由葡萄糖组成的硫酸多糖,含有多种糖基连接方式,为独特结构序列的新颖海洋硫酸甘露阿拉伯半乳葡聚糖。     

First Report of Paralytic Shellfish Toxins in Marine Invertebrates and Fish in Spain

A paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) episode developed in summer 2018 in the Rías Baixas (Galicia, NW Spain). The outbreak was associated with an unprecedentedly intense and long-lasting harmful algal bloom (HAB) (~one month) caused by the dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum. Paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) were analyzed in extracts of 45 A. minutum strains isolated from the bloom by high-performance liquid chromatography with post-column oxidation and fluorescence detection (HPLC-PCOX-FLD). PSTs were also evaluated in tissues from marine fauna (invertebrates and fish) collected during the episode and in dolphin samples. The analysis of 45 A. minutum strains revealed a toxic profile including GTX1, GTX2, GTX3 and GTX4 toxins. With regard to the marine fauna samples, the highest PSTs levels were quantified in bivalve mollusks, but the toxins were also found in mullets, mackerels, starfish, squids and ascidians. This study reveals the potential accumulation of PSTs in marine invertebrates other than shellfish that could act as vectors in the trophic chain or pose a risk for human consumption. To our knowledge, this is the first time that PSTs are reported in ascidians and starfish from Spain. Moreover, it is the first time that evidence of PSTs in squids is described in Europe.     

Neuromodulatory pathways in learning and memory: Lessons from invertebrates

In an ever‐changing environment, animals have to continuously adapt their behaviour. The ability to learn from experience is crucial for animals to increase their chances of survival. It is therefore not surprising that learning and memory evolved early in evolution and are mediated by conserved molecular mechanisms. A broad range of neuromodulators, in particular monoamines and neuropeptides, have been found to influence learning and memory, although our knowledge on their modulatory functions in learning circuits remains fragmentary. Many neuromodulatory systems are evolutionarily ancient and well‐conserved between vertebrates and invertebrates. Here, we highlight general principles and mechanistic insights concerning the actions of monoamines and neuropeptides in learning circuits that have emerged from invertebrate studies. Diverse neuromodulators have been shown to influence learning and memory in invertebrates, which can have divergent or convergent actions at different spatiotemporal scales. In addition, neuromodulators can regulate learning dependent on internal and external states, such as food and social context. The strong conservation of neuromodulatory systems, the extensive toolkit and the compact learning circuits in invertebrate models make these powerful systems to further deepen our understanding of neuromodulatory pathways involved in learning and memory.     

Quorum sensing in Vibrio spp.: the complexity of multiple signalling molecules in marine and aquatic environments

Abstract

Quorum sensing (QS) is a density-dependent mechanism enabling bacteria to coordinate their actions via the release of small diffusible molecules named autoinducers (AIs). Vibrio spp. are able to adapt to changing environmental conditions by using a wide range of physiological mechanisms and many species pose a threat for human health and diverse marine and estuarine ecosystems worldwide. Cell-to-cell communication controls many of their vital functions such as niche colonization, survival strategies, or virulence. In this review, I summarize (1) the different known QS pathways (2) the diversity of AIs as well as their biological functions, and (3) the QS-mediated interactions between Vibrio and other organisms. However, the current knowledge is limited to a few pathogenic or bioluminescent species and in order to provide a genus-wide view an inventory of QS genes among 87 Vibrio species has been made. The large diversity of signal molecules and their differential effects on a particular physiological function suggest that the complexity of multiple signalling systems within bacterial communities is far from being fully understood. I question here the real level of specificity of such communication in the environment and discuss the different perspectives in order to better apprehend QS in natural habitats.     

海洋纤溶活性化合物FGFC1和FGFC2影响血小板聚集特性的研究

目的：研究新型海洋双吲哚纤溶活性化合物FGFC1对血小板聚集的影响,发现纤溶活性化合物FGFC1与血小板相关因子变化的关系,同时比较双吲哚化合物FGFC1和单吲哚化合物FGFC2作用于血小板的异同。方法：从新鲜兔血收集血小板,调整反应体系血小板密度,以乙酰水杨酸为阳性对照,采用微量比浊法分析FGFC1和FGFC2对血小板聚集率的影响,用酶联免疫法测定FGFC1和FGFC2对血小板生理因子含量的变化。结果：FGFC1对ADP和AA诱导的血小板聚集具有抑制作用,最大抑制率分别达到42.58%±1.7%和47.82%±2.18%;FGFC2对ADP、AA和胶原诱导的血小板聚集均具有抑制作用,最大抑制率分别为50.12%±1.02%、45.28%±1.09%和50.28%±2.12%。FGFC1与FGFC2均能提升血小板内环磷酸腺苷含量,且FGFC2能明显降低血小板内血栓素A2含量。结论：海洋双吲哚纤溶活性化合物显著抑制血小板聚集,FGFC1通过影响血小板环磷酸腺苷的含量实现抑制血小板聚集,FGFC2可能通过不止一种途径抑制血小板聚集。吲哚化合物抑制血小板聚集与分子结构密切相关。     

Climate change and the selective signature of the Late Ordovician mass extinction

Selectivity patterns provide insights into the causes of ancient extinction events. The Late Ordovician mass extinction was related to Gondwanan glaciation; however, it is still unclear whether elevated extinction rates were attributable to record failure, habitat loss, or climatic cooling. We examined Middle Ordovician-Early Silurian North American fossil occurrences within a spatiotemporally explicit stratigraphic framework that allowed us to quantify rock record effects on a per-taxon basis and assay the interplay of macrostratigraphic and macroecological variables in determining extinction risk. Genera that had large proportions of their observed geographic ranges affected by stratigraphic truncation or environmental shifts at the end of the Katian stage were particularly hard hit. The duration of the subsequent sampling gaps had little effect on extinction risk, suggesting that this extinction pulse cannot be entirely attributed to rock record failure; rather, it was caused, in part, by habitat loss. Extinction risk at this time was also strongly influenced by the maximum paleolatitude at which a genus had previously been sampled, a macroecological trait linked to thermal tolerance. A model trained on the relationship between 16 explanatory variables and extinction patterns during the early Katian interval substantially underestimates the extinction of exclusively tropical taxa during the late Katian interval. These results indicate that glacioeustatic sea-level fall and tropical ocean cooling played important roles in the first pulse of the Late Ordovician mass extinction in Laurentia.     

海洋与船舶运动仿真控制系统的设计

目的 在基于运动平台的抗眩晕训练和模拟操纵训练研究基础上建立更符合真实海洋环境要求的海上医疗救护实验研究平台,用于模拟海上医疗环境进行训练或实验。方法 设计海洋与船舶运动仿真控制系统,以算法规划路径,模拟海洋环境以及船舶在海浪中的运动及姿态。结果 系统能根据实验需要的浪级、天气、海区等初始情况的设置,计算生成实时的海洋状态模型,在６自由度摇摆平台上实现真实海洋环境的仿真。结论 仿真控制系统可为海上医疗救治研究提供实验环境、为海上医疗救治流程确定与验证提供研究手段。