Microbiota fingerprints within the oral cavity of cetaceans as indicators for population biomonitoring

Abstract The composition of mammalian microbiota has been related with the host health status. In this study, we assessed the oral microbiome of 3 cetacean species most commonly found stranded in Iberian Atlantic waters (Delphinus delphis, Stenella coeruleoalba and Phocoena phocoena), using 16S rDNA-amplicon metabarcoding. All oral microbiomes were dominated by Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria bacteria, which were also predominant in the oral cavity of Tursiops truncatus. A Constrained Canonical Analysis (CCA) showed that the major factors shaping the composition of 38 oral microbiomes (p-value < 0.05) were: (i) animal species and (ii) age class, segregating adults and juveniles. The correlation analysis also grouped the microbiomes by animal stranding location and health status. Similar discriminatory patterns were detected using the data from a previous study on Tursiops truncatus, indicating that this correlation approach may facilitate data comparisons between different studies on several cetacean species. This study identified a total of 15 bacterial genera and 27 OTUs discriminating between the observed CCA groups, which can be further explored as microbiota fingerprints to develop (i) specific diagnostic assays for cetacean population conservation and (ii) bio-monitoring approaches to assess the health of marine ecosystems from the Iberian Atlantic basin, using cetaceans as bioindicators.

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Concentration of mercury and selenium in tissues of five cetacean species from Croatian coastal waters

Archives of Biological Sciences ◽

10.2298/abs140215116b ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 67 (4) ◽

pp. 1377-1389 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Nina Bilandzic ◽

Marija Sedak ◽

Maja Djokic ◽

Martina Djuras ◽

Tomislav Gomercic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coastal Waters ◽

Tursiops Truncatus ◽

Significant Positive Correlation ◽

Adriatic Sea ◽

Balaenoptera Physalus ◽

Cetacean Species ◽

Stenella Coeruleoalba ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

Grampus Griseus ◽

Ziphius Cavirostris

Mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) concentrations were measured in muscle, liver, kidney, spleen and lung tissues of five cetacean species, three dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba, Tursiops truncatus and Grampus griseus) and two whale species (Balaenoptera physalus and Ziphius cavirostris), stranded along the Croatian coast during the period 1999-2002. Statistically significant differences in Hg concentrations in muscle, spleen and lung, and Se in liver and lung of the different dolphin species were observed. Mercury levels in liver and spleen and Se levels in liver differed between young and adult T. truncatus species. A significant positive correlation between different tissue types for Hg and Se concentrations was observed. In all tissues tested, the lowest Hg and Se concentrations were found in B. physalus. Mercury concentrations were positively correlated with Se in all tissues. The results present one of few studies related to lung and spleen tissues in these mammals, particularly in the Adriatic Sea. Since very little data are available, this research provides new data on concentrations of Hg and Se in five cetacean species from the Adriatic Sea basin.

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Exploring the resident gut microbiota of stranded odontocetes: high similarities between two dolphin species Tursiops truncatus and Stenella coeruleoalba

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315420000983 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 100 (7) ◽

pp. 1181-1188

Author(s):

Khaled F. A. Abdelrhman ◽

Alice Ciofini ◽

Giovanni Bacci ◽

Cecilia Mancusi ◽

Alessio Mengoni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Microbial Communities ◽

Tursiops Truncatus ◽

Amplicon Sequencing ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

Cetacean Species ◽

Stenella Coeruleoalba ◽

Interspecific Differences ◽

Gut Microbiota Composition

AbstractThe evaluation of symbiotic microbial communities occurring in the intestinal tract of animals has received great interest in recent years. However, little is known about gut microbial communities in cetaceans, despite their relevance in the ecology of marine communities. Here, we report an investigation using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of the resident gut microbiota of the two cetacean species Stenella coeruleoalba and Tursiops truncatus by sampling intestinal mucosa from specimens retrieved stranded along the Tyrrhenian coast of Tuscany (Italy). We found an abundance of members from Clostridiaceae and Fusobacteriaceae, which in total accounted for more than 50% of reads, in agreement with gut microbiota composition of other carnivorous mammals. Probably due to the limited number of samples available, sex, preservation status and also species, did not correlate with overall differences in the microbiota. Indeed, a high similarity of the taxonomic (family-level) composition between the gut microbiota of the two species was found. However, Pedobacter spp. was found abundant in amplicon sequencing libraries from S. coeruleoalba, while clostridia were more abundant from T. truncatus samples. Our results shed some light on the gut microbiota composition of two dolphin (S. coeruleoalba and T. truncatus) species, with specimens collected in the wild. Studies with a larger number of individuals are now needed to confirm these first results and evaluate the interspecific differences in relation to sex and age.

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Model-Based Distribution and Abundance of Three Delphinidae in the Mediterranean

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10020260 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 260

Author(s):

Grigorios Karamitros ◽

Georgios A. Gkafas ◽

Ioannis A. Giantsis ◽

Petros Martsikalis ◽

Menelaos Kavouras ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Tursiops Truncatus ◽

Marine Mammals ◽

Distance Sampling ◽

Additive Model ◽

Stenella Coeruleoalba ◽

Delphinus Delphis ◽

Model Based ◽

Transect Line ◽

The Mediterranean

Monitoring of Delphinidae species population patterns in the Mediterranean Sea was carried out in a sequence of surveys employing different approaches. Data from seven-year surveys with small catamaran sailing boats were analyzed under model-based approaches. Density Surface Models were used to produce spatial distribution prediction of three Delphinidae species (Stenella coeruleoalba, Tursiops truncatus, and Delphinus delphis) in an extended study area covering much of the Mediterranean Sea. A classical distance sampling protocol was applied in order to calculate the detection probability of clusters. Static (depth, slope, distance from the coast, and distance from isobaths of 200 m) and nonstatic (sea surface temperature and chlorophyll) variables were used to predict the species distribution/abundance in a generalized additive model context. Stenella coeruleoalba was found to be the dominant species, with an extended distribution in the study area; its abundance was significantly affected by both depth and distance. Tursiops truncatus and Delphinus delphis illustrated a significant abundance correlation with depth and chlorophyll, respectively, while both species showed a robust longitude correlation. Our model pinpoints the significance of nondesigned transect line surveys, suggesting the importance of specific habitat areas for future monitoring and conservation aspects of marine mammals.

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Cetacei spiaggiati lungo le coste della Campania dal 2006 al 2011 (Mammalia: Cetacea)

Natural History Sciences ◽

10.4081/18 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 153 (2) ◽

pp. 241

Author(s):

Nicola Maio ◽

Francesco Pollaro ◽

Fabio Di Nocera ◽

Esterina De Carlo ◽

Giorgio Galiero

Keyword(s):

Tursiops Truncatus ◽

Title Page ◽

Font Size ◽

Balaenoptera Acutorostrata ◽

Balaenoptera Physalus ◽

Stenella Coeruleoalba ◽

Delphinus Delphis ◽

Grampus Griseus ◽

Sono Stati

<div class="page" title="Page 1"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column">Nel presente lavoro viene riportato il risultato del rilevamento degli spiaggiamenti e dei rinvenimenti in mare di Cetacei avvenuti negli anni 2006 - 2011 lungo le coste della Campania. I dati sono stati raccolti in base ad una collaborazione scientifica tra l’Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, l’Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, il Centro Studi Cetacei e il Centro Studi Ecosistemi Marini, collaborazione, che nel 2008 è stata ratificata da un protocollo di intesa finalizzato agli interventi sui Cetacei spiaggiati lungo le coste della Campania. Nel 2009 la Giunta Regionale della Campania, su richiesta del Settore Veterinario dell’Assessorato alla Sanità, ha decretato la “Costituzione di un Comitato di Coordinamento per l’attuazione del protocollo di intesa per gli interventi in caso di Cetacei e tartarughe spiaggiate” formato dai rappresentanti dei citati enti, delle AA.SS.LL. costiere, della Direzione Marittima di Napoli e dell’A.R.P.A.C. al fine di approvare le linee guida relative alla procedura operativa da adottarsi in caso di intervento per il recupero di carcasse di Cetacei spiaggiati. In totale sono stati raccolti i dati riguardanti 73 esemplari di almeno 6 specie, così suddivisi: 1 Balaenoptera acutorostrata; 4 Balaenoptera physalus; 2 Grampus griseus; 1 Delphinus delphis; 9 Tursiops truncatus; 40 Stenella coeruleoalba; 10 Delfinidi indeterminati e 6 Cetacei indeterminati. Si riporta anche il primo caso di mal rossino diagnosticato in un esemplare di Stenella striata mai segnalato prima per le coste dell’Italia continentale. </div></div></div>

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The role of probiotics in correction of microbiocenosis and cytokine balance of the oral cavity of patient with chronic inflammatory disease of periodont

Periodontology ◽

10.33925/1683-3759-2020-25-4-323-330 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (4) ◽

pp. 323-330

Author(s):

E. S. Ovcharenko ◽

V. V. Erichev ◽

S. I. Risovannij ◽

T. V. Aksenova ◽

S. V. Melekhov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oral Cavity ◽

Periodontal Diseases ◽

Treatment Protocol ◽

Chronic Inflammatory Disease ◽

Oral Microbiome ◽

Comprehensive Treatment ◽

Local Immunity ◽

Treatment Techniques ◽

Before And After

Relevance. A long-term inflammation in the oral cavity, unreasonable treatment of periodontal patients with antibiotics cause imbalance between certain types of fungal-bacterial associations accompanied by oral dysbiosis and change of local immune status. So, development and application of new comprehensive diagnosis and treatment techniques in periodontal patients, use of products for correction of microbiota and local immunity are a current and a long-term task. Purpose is to optimize the comprehensive treatment protocol of inflammatory periodontal diseases by introducing probiotics and evaluation of oral microbiome and cytokine profile.Materials and methods. 140 patients were examined. Of these 60 patients had chronic generalized plaque-induced gingivitis and 60 patients suffered from moderate chronic generalized periodontitis. Bacterial and fungal microbiome was assessed and the host immune response was evaluated in all patients before and after the treatment. Half of the patients were treated conventionally and the other half were treated according to a modified scheme: probiotic “Bifidumbacterin Forte” was added.Results. A large number of yeast-like fungi Candida and commensal bacteria were detected in periodontal pockets of patients with chronic generalized plaque-induced gingivitis and moderate chronic generalized periodontitis. That correlates with a significant increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL—8), decrease of concentration of INF-γ and increase of antiinflammatory cytokine IL-4.Conclusion. Changes in clinical, microbiological and immunological values during a modified combination therapy with a probiotic and during a conventional treatment demonstrated that effectiveness of treatment of chronic gingivitis and chronic periodontitis increased by 40% and 37% respectively.

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Determinants of lungworm specificity in five cetacean species in the western Mediterranean

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-021-04629-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Rachel Pool ◽

Clara Romero-Rubira ◽

Juan Antonio Raga ◽

Mercedes Fernández ◽

Francisco Javier Aznar

Keyword(s):

Bottlenose Dolphins ◽

Parasite Burden ◽

Western Mediterranean ◽

Host Size ◽

Cetacean Species ◽

Stenella Coeruleoalba ◽

Species Similarity ◽

Pilot Whales ◽

Common Dolphins ◽

Prey Overlap

Abstract Background Current data about Pseudaliidae show contrasting patterns of host specificity between congeneric species. We investigated how both contact and compatibility between hosts and parasites contributed to the patterns of lungworm infection observed in a community of five species of cetaceans in the western Mediterranean. Methods The lungs of 119 striped dolphins Stenella coeruleoalba, 18 bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus, 7 Risso’s dolphins Grampus griseus, 7 long-finned pilot whales Globicephala melas, and 6 common dolphins Delphinus delphis were analysed for lungworms. Parasites were identified by morphology and analysis of ITS2 sequences using both maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. Body length was used as a proxy for lungworm species fitness in different hosts and compared with Kruskal-Wallis tests. Infection parameters were compared between cetacean species using Fisher’s exact tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Phylogenetic specificity was explored by collating the overall lungworm species prevalence values in hosts from previous surveys in various localities. To explore the relative importance of vertical and horizontal transmission, Spearman’s rank correlation was used to look for an association between host size and lungworm burden. A Mantel test was used to explore the association between lungworm species similarity and prey overlap using dietary data. Results Halocercus delphini had higher infection levels in striped dolphins and common dolphins; Stenurus ovatus had higher infection levels in bottlenose dolphins; and Stenurus globicephalae had higher infection levels in long-finned pilot whales. These results are congruent with findings on a global scale. Morphometric comparison showed that the larger nematodes were found in the same host species that had the highest parasite burden. Lungworms were found in neonatal striped dolphins and a Risso’s dolphin, and there was a weak but significant correlation between host size and parasite burden in striped dolphins and bottlenose dolphins. There was also a weak but significant association between prey overlap and lungworm species similarity. Conclusions Data indicate that phylogenetic specificity has an important role in governing host–parasite associations, as indicated by the higher infection levels and larger nematode size in certain hosts. However, diet can also influence infection patterns in these preferred hosts and contribute to less severe infections in other hosts.

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Satellite-Derived Protein Concentration of Phytoplankton in the Southwestern East/Japan Sea

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering ◽

10.3390/jmse9020189 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 189

Author(s):

Hyeonji Bae ◽

Dabin Lee ◽

Jae Joong Kang ◽

Jae Hyung Lee ◽

Naeun Jo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protein Concentration ◽

Japan Sea ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Measured Data ◽

Trophic Levels ◽

Coefficient Of Determination ◽

P Value ◽

Chl A ◽

Major Factors

The cellular macromolecular contents and energy value of phytoplankton as primary food source determine the growth of higher trophic levels, affecting the balance and sustainability of oceanic food webs. Especially, proteins are more directly linked with basic functions of phytoplankton biosynthesis and cell division and transferred through the food chains. In recent years, the East/Japan Sea (EJS) has been changed dramatically in environmental conditions, such as physical and chemical characteristics, as well as biological properties. Therefore, developing an algorithm to estimate the protein concentration of phytoplankton and monitor their spatiotemporal variations on a broad scale would be invaluable. To derive the protein concentration of phytoplankton in EJS, the new regional algorithm was developed by using multiple linear regression analyses based on field-measured data which were obtained from 2012 to 2018 in the southwestern EJS. The major factors for the protein concentration were identified as chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and sea surface nitrate (SSN) in the southwestern EJS. The coefficient of determination (r2) between field-measured and algorithm-derived protein concentrations was 0.55, which is rather low but reliable. The satellite-derived estimation generally follows the 1:1 line with the field-measured data, with Pearson’s correlation coefficient, which was 0.40 (p-value < 0.01, n = 135). No remarkable trend in the long-term annual protein concentration of phytoplankton was found in the study area during our observation period. However, some seasonal difference was observed in winter protein concentration between the 2003–2005 and 2017–2019 periods. The algorithm is developed for the regional East/Japan Sea (EJS) and could contribute to long-term monitoring for climate-associated ecosystem changes. For a better understanding of spatiotemporal variation in the protein concentration of phytoplankton in the EJS, this algorithm should be further improved with continuous field surveys.

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Prevalence of microorganisms associated with feline gingivostomatitis

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery ◽

10.1177/1098612x18761274 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 103-108 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Hitoshi Nakanishi ◽

Masaru Furuya ◽

Takehisa Soma ◽

Yoshiki Hayashiuchi ◽

Ryusaku Yoshiuchi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oral Cavity ◽

Pasteurella Multocida ◽

Age Distribution ◽

Anaerobic Bacteria ◽

Chronic Inflammatory Disease ◽

Oral Microbiome ◽

Pcr Assay ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Feline Herpesvirus ◽

Positive Rate

Objectives Feline gingivostomatitis (FGS) is a painful chronic inflammatory disease of the oral cavity. The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of detection of certain common feline bacteria and viruses to determine any potential associations with FGS. Methods A multicentre case-control study design was conducted. In total, 72 control cats and 32 cats with FGS were included in the study. Oral swabs were cultured for bacterial identification and a PCR assay was carried out to examine the infection of feline calicivirus (FCV), feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), Chlamydia felis, Mycoplasma felis and Bordetella bronchiseptica. Results There was a significant difference in age distribution between the control and the FGS group. Based on a PCR assay, the positive rate of FCV was significantly higher in FGS cats than control animals. For other infectious pathogens, including FHV-1, C felis and M felis, there was no significant difference. Bacterial culture of oral swabs revealed that Pasteurella multocida was most frequently detected, but the detection rate was significantly lower in FGS cats. In FGS cats, the incidence of Enterococcus faecalis and anaerobic bacteria were more frequently isolated than in control cats. Conclusions and relevance This study indicates that the positive rate of FCV was significantly higher in cats with FGS, and the microflora of the oral cavity of cats with FGS might be disrupted, although additional studies are required to compare the oral microbiome in cats of a variety of ages.

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Person - job fi t and the work commitment of IT Personnel

Journal of Human Growth and Development ◽

10.7322/jhgd.119277 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 218 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Therasa C. ◽

C. Vijayabanu

Keyword(s):

Regression Analysis ◽

Principal Component ◽

Attrition Rate ◽

P Value ◽

Work Commitment ◽

Key Factors ◽

Coeffi Cients ◽

Work Autonomy ◽

Major Factors ◽

The Impact

Introduction: There have been given a much higher importance to employee commitment and retention since India is experiencing the highest attrition rate globally Economic Times, 2015. Hence, considering the factors of Person-job fi t to interpret the impact towards work commitment is very well essential, especially in the current scenario. Work Commitment is a vital element in any organization which has outstanding impact on productivity and functioning and hence it is very much vital to have a committed workforce which is necessary in this competitive environment and tight labour market. In the same way, there is considerable amount of evidence that if P-J fi t is high then it will have a direct impact on organization commitment also. Person-job fi t is the compatibility between person’s competency and abilities and the requirements of the job Zheng et al.2. If there exists a mismatch between person-job fi t then the consequences might result in poor work commitment, low job satisfaction and extremely lower involvement in the job. Objective: This study analyzed the key factors that contribute to Person- job compatibility among IT workers and also analyzed the relationship and impact of Person- job compatibility towards work commitment. Methods: Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was used to fi lter the key factors initially, followed by a linear regression technique to determine the impact of Person- job compatibility factors in work commitment on a sample of 300 employees. EFA used Principal Component analysis for extraction and Promax for rotation. Finally regression analysis was carried out to predict the work commitment through statistically significant person-job compatibility variables. Results: The impact of person-job compatibility on work commitment was studied through regression analysis and it imply that for every unit increase in HR Policy, a 0.52 (unstandardised coeffi cients) increase in work commitment is predicted and it has been turned out as a most impacting variable to predict work commitment. The coeffi cients for Relationship (B =.330, sig =.000), HR Policies (B =.519, sig =.000), Pay and Benefi ts (B =.386, sig =.000) and Employee Growth (B =.290, sig =.001) were statistically significant, since its p-value is .000 which is smaller than .05. The coeffi cients for Work Autonomy (B =.154, sig = .081) was not statistically signifi cant, since its p-value is 0.081 which is greater than.05. Conclusion: The major factors responsible for creating work commitment among IT employees are Relationship, HR Policies and strategies, Pay and benefi ts, Work autonomy and Employee growth. The most contributing regressors which accounts for creating work commitment are HR policies, Pay and benefi ts, Employee growth and work autonomy.

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Role of Oral Microbiome Signatures in Diagnosis and Prognosis of Oral Cancer

Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment ◽

10.1177/1533033819867354 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

pp. 153303381986735 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Indranil Chattopadhyay ◽

Mukesh Verma ◽

Madhusmita Panda

Keyword(s):

Oral Cancer ◽

Epithelial Cells ◽

Oral Cavity ◽

Bacterial Species ◽

Treatment Strategies ◽

Genetic Alterations ◽

Oral Microbiome ◽

Oral Carcinogenesis ◽

Early Diagnostic

Despite advancement in cancer treatment, oral cancer has a poor prognosis and is often detected at late stage. To overcome these challenges, investigators should search for early diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. More than 700 bacterial species reside in the oral cavity. The oral microbiome population varies by saliva and different habitats of oral cavity. Tobacco, alcohol, and betel nut, which are causative factors of oral cancer, may alter the oral microbiome composition. Both pathogenic and commensal strains of bacteria have significantly contributed to oral cancer. Numerous bacterial species in the oral cavity are involved in chronic inflammation that lead to development of oral carcinogenesis. Bacterial products and its metabolic by-products may induce permanent genetic alterations in epithelial cells of the host that drive proliferation and/or survival of epithelial cells. Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum induce production of inflammatory cytokines, cell proliferation, and inhibition of apoptosis, cellular invasion, and migration thorough host cell genomic alterations. Recent advancement in metagenomic technologies may be useful in identifying oral cancer–related microbiome, their genomes, virulence properties, and their interaction with host immunity. It is very important to address which bacterial species is responsible for driving oral carcinogenesis. Alteration in the oral commensal microbial communities have potential application as a diagnostic tool to predict oral squamous cell carcinoma. Clinicians should be aware that the protective properties of the resident microflora are beneficial to define treatment strategies. To develop highly precise and effective therapeutic approaches, identification of specific oral microbiomes may be required. In this review, we narrate the role of microbiome in the progression of oral cancer and its role as an early diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for oral cancer.

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