scholarly journals Photoreceptor diversification accompanies the evolution of Anthozoa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian G Gornik ◽  
B Gideon Bergheim ◽  
Benoit Morel ◽  
Alexandros Stamatakis ◽  
Nicholas S Foulkes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Analysis ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Model Species ◽  
Important Group ◽  
The Core ◽  
Tropical Oceans ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Opsin Genes ◽  
And Function ◽  
Tandem Duplications

Abstract Anthozoan corals are an ecologically important group of cnidarians, which power the productivity of reef ecosystems. They are sessile, inhabit shallow, tropical oceans and are highly dependent on sun- and moonlight to regulate sexual reproduction, phototaxis and photosymbiosis. However, their exposure to high levels of sunlight also imposes an increased risk of UV-induced DNA damage. How have these challenging photic environments influenced photoreceptor evolution and function in these animals? To address this question, we initially screened the cnidarian photoreceptor repertoire for Anthozoa-specific signatures by a broad scale evolutionary analysis. We compared transcriptomic data of more than 36 cnidarian species and revealed a more diverse photoreceptor repertoire in the anthozoan subphylum than in the subphylum Medusozoa. We classified the three principle opsin classes into distinct subtypes and showed that Anthozoa retained all three classes, which diversified into at least 6 subtypes. In contrast, in Medusozoa only one class with a single subtype persists. Similarly, in Anthozoa we documented three photolyase (PL) classes and two cryptochrome (CRY) classes, while CRYs are entirely absent in Medusozoa. Interestingly, we also identified one anthozoan CRY class (AnthoCRYs), which exhibited unique tandem duplications of the core functional domains. We next explored the functionality of anthozoan photoreceptors in the model species Exaiptasia diaphana (Aiptasia), which recapitulates key photo-behaviors of corals. We show that the diverse opsin genes are differentially expressed in important life-stages common to reef-building corals and Aiptasia and that CRY expression is light-regulated. We thereby provide important clues linking coral evolution with photoreceptor diversification.

scholarly journals Photoreceptor complexity accompanies adaptation to challenging marine environments in Anthozoa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian G. Gornik ◽  
B. Gideon Bergheim ◽  
Nicholas S. Foulkes ◽  
Annika Guse
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression Analysis ◽  
Aquatic Environments ◽  
The Sun ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Light Perception ◽  
Model Species ◽  
Light Sensing ◽  
Tropical Oceans ◽  
Exaiptasia Pallida ◽  
Tandem Duplications

AbstractLight represents a key environmental factor, which shapes the physiology and evolution of most organisms. Notable illustrations of this are reef-building corals (Anthozoa), which adapted to shallow, oligotrophic, tropical oceans by exploiting light from the sun and the moon to regulate various aspects of physiology including sexual reproduction, phototaxis and photosymbiosis. Together with the Medusozoa, (including jellyfish), the Anthozoa constitute the ancestral metazoan phylum cnidaria. While light perception in Medusozoa has received attention, the mechanisms of light sensing in Anthozoa remain largely unknown. Cnidaria express two principle groups of light-sensing proteins: opsins and photolyases/cryptochromes. By inspecting the genomic loci encoding these photoreceptors in over 35 cnidarian species, we reveal that Anthozoa have substantially expanded and diversified their photoreceptor repertoire. We confirm that, in contrast to Medusozoa, which retained one opsin class, anthozoans possess all three urmetazoan opsin classes. We show that anthozoans also evolved an extra sub-group (actinarian ASO-IIs). Strikingly, we reveal that cryptochromes including CRY-IIs are absent in Medusozoa, while the Anthozoa retained these and evolved an additional, novel cryptochrome class (AnthoCRYs), which contain unique tandem duplications of up to 6 copies of the PHR region. We explored the functionality of these photoreceptor groups by structure-function and gene expression analysis in the anthozoan model species Exaiptasia pallida (Aiptasia), which recapitulates key photo-behaviors of corals. We identified an array of features that we speculate reflect adaptations to shallow aquatic environments, moonlight-induced spawning synchronization and photosymbiosis. We further propose that photoreceptor complexity and diversity in Anthozoa reflects adaptation to challenging habitats.

scholarly journals Shallow Water Diving-Associated Alveolar Hemorrhage in an Active Duty Sailor: A Case Report

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brannon L Inman ◽  
Rachel E Bridwell ◽  
Amber Cibrario ◽  
Sarah Goss ◽  
Joshua J Oliver
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Lung Injury ◽  
Active Duty ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Breath Hold ◽  
Common Complication ◽  
Special Operations ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of ◽  
And Function

ABSTRACT Breath-hold diving is a common practice as a part of military dive training. An association between prior lung injury and a propensity for lung barotrauma may have the potential to impact mission readiness for combat divers, Pararescue, Combat Controllers, Army Engineer divers, and various units in Naval Special Warfare and Special Operations. Barotrauma is a common complication of diving, typically occurring at depths greater than 30 m (98.4 ft). Individuals with abnormal lung anatomy or function may be at increased risk of barotrauma at shallower depths than those with healthy lungs, rendering these service members unfit for certain missions. We describe the case of a 25-year-old male, with a remote history of polytrauma and resultant pulmonary pleural adhesions, whose dive training was complicated by lung barotrauma at shallow depths. In missions or training utilizing breath-hold diving, the association with secondary alterations in lung or thoracic anatomy and function may limit which service members can safely participate.

scholarly journals Association of P10L Polymorphism in Melanopsin Gene with Chronic Insomnia in Mexicans

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 571
Author(s):  
Bianca Ethel Gutiérrez-Amavizca ◽  
Ernesto Prado Montes de Oca ◽  
Jaime Paul Gutiérrez-Amavizca ◽  
Oscar David Castro ◽  
Cesar Heriberto Ruíz-Marquez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Power ◽  
Medical Condition ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Recessive Model ◽  
Chronic Insomnia ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Fisher's Exact Test ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Fisher’S Exact Test ◽  
And Function

The aim of this pilot study was to determine the association of the P10L (rs2675703) polymorphism of the OPN4 gene with chronic insomnia in uncertain etiology in a Mexican population. A case control study was performed including 98 healthy subjects and 29 individuals with chronic insomnia not related to mental disorders, medical condition, medication or substance abuse. Samples were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Genetic analyses showed that the T allele of P10L increased risk to chronic insomnia in a dominant model (p = 1 ×10−4; odds ratio (OR) = 9.37, CI = 8.18–335.66, Kelsey statistical power (KSP) = 99.9%), and in a recessive model (p = 7.5 × 10−5, OR = 9.37, KSP = 99.3%, CI = 2.7–34.29). In the insomnia group, we did not find a correlation between genotypes and chronotype (p = 0.219 Fisher’s exact test), severity of chronic insomnia using ISI score (p = 0.082 Fisher’s exact test) and ESS score (p ˃ 0.999 Fisher’s exact test). However, evening chronotype was correlated to daytime sleepiness severity, individuals with an eveningness chronotype had more severe drowsiness according to their insomnia severity index (ISI) score (p = 0.021 Fisher’s exact test) and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) score (p = 0.015 Fisher’s exact test) than the morningness and intermediate chronotype. We demonstrated that the T allele of the P10L polymorphism in the OPN4 gene is associated with chronic insomnia in Mexicans. We suggest the need to conduct larger studies in different ethnic populations to test the probable association and function of P10L and other SNPs in the OPN4 gene and in the onset of chronic insomnia.

scholarly journals Overview of Inositol and Inositol Phosphates on Chemoprevention of Colitis-Induced Carcinogenesis

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Samuel E. Weinberg ◽  
Le Yu Sun ◽  
Allison L. Yang ◽  
Jie Liao ◽  
Guang Yu Yang
Keyword(s):  
Inositol Phosphates ◽  
Human Cancer ◽  
Energy Transduction ◽  
Nutritional Deficiencies ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Rna Export ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel ◽  
And Function ◽  
Biologic Function ◽  
Atp Regeneration

Chronic inflammation is one of the most common and well-recognized risk factors for human cancer, including colon cancer. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is defined as a longstanding idiopathic chronic active inflammatory process in the colon, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Importantly, patients with IBD have a significantly increased risk for the development of colorectal carcinoma. Dietary inositol and its phosphates, as well as phospholipid derivatives, are well known to benefit human health in diverse pathologies including cancer prevention. Inositol phosphates including InsP3, InsP6, and other pyrophosphates, play important roles in cellular metabolic and signal transduction pathways involved in the control of cell proliferation, differentiation, RNA export, DNA repair, energy transduction, ATP regeneration, and numerous others. In the review, we highlight the biologic function and health effects of inositol and its phosphates including the nature and sources of these molecules, potential nutritional deficiencies, their biologic metabolism and function, and finally, their role in the prevention of colitis-induced carcinogenesis.

scholarly journals Risk Factors for and Mechanisms of COlistin Resistance Among Enterobacterales: Getting at the CORE of the Issue

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P Mills ◽  
Laura J Rojas ◽  
Steve H Marshall ◽  
Susan D Rudin ◽  
Andrea M Hujer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Control Study ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Colistin Resistance ◽  
E Coli ◽  
The Core ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Recent Emergence ◽  
Enterobacter Species ◽  
Ann Arbor ◽  
Control Study

Abstract Background Despite the recent emergence of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance, the epidemiology and mechanisms of colistin-resistant Enterobacterales (CORE) infections remain poorly understood. Methods A case-case-control study was conducted utilizing routine clinical isolates obtained at a single tertiary health system in Ann Arbor, MI. Patients with CORE isolates from January 1st 2016 to March 31st 2017 were matched 1:1 with patients with colistin-susceptible Enterobacterales (COSE) and uninfected controls. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare clinical and microbiologic features of patients with CORE and COSE to controls. A subset of available CORE isolates underwent whole genome sequencing to identify putative colistin resistance genes. Results Of 16,373 tested clinical isolates, 166 (0.99%) were colistin-resistant, representing 103 unique patients. Among 103 CORE isolates, 103 COSE isolates, and 102 uninfected controls, antibiotic exposure in the antecedent 90 days and age > 55 years were predictors of both CORE and COSE. Of 33 isolates that underwent WGS, a large variety of mutations associated with colistin resistance were identified, including 4 mcr-1/mcr-1.1 genes and 4 pmrA/B mutations among 9 Escherichia coli isolates; 5 mgrB and 3 PmrA mutations among 8 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates. Genetic mutations found in Enterobacter species were not associated with known phenotypic colistin resistance. Conclusions Increased age and prior antibiotic receipt were associated with increased risk for patients with CORE, and for patients with COSE. Mcr-1, pmrA/B, and mgrB were the predominant colistin resistance-associated mutations identified among E. coli and K. pneumoniae, respectively. Mechanisms of colistin resistance among Enterobacter species could not be determined.

scholarly journals Influence of spatial structure on protein damage susceptibility: a bioinformatics approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maximilian Fichtner ◽  
Stefan Schuster ◽  
Heiko Stark
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Molecular Medicine ◽  
Protein Damage ◽  
Aging Research ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
The Core ◽  
And Function ◽  
Thermophilic Organisms ◽  
Damage Susceptibility ◽  
Protein Shell

AbstractAging research is a very popular field of research in which the deterioration or decline of various physiological features is studied. Here we consider the molecular level, which can also have effects on the macroscopic level. The proteinogenic amino acids differ in their susceptibilities to non-enzymatic modification. Some of these modifications can lead to protein damage and thus can affect the form and function of proteins. For this, it is important to know the distribution of amino acids between the protein shell/surface and the core. This was investigated in this study for all known structures of peptides and proteins available in the PDB. As a result, it is shown that the shell contains less susceptible amino acids than the core with the exception of thermophilic organisms. Furthermore, proteins could be classified according to their susceptibility. This can then be used in applications such as phylogeny, aging research, molecular medicine, and synthetic biology.

2. Speaking of God in the Post-Human Era: An Examination of Radical Life Extension in Relation to Key Theological Concepts and Narratives

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaitlyn Barton
Keyword(s):  
Human Life ◽  
Life Extension ◽  
The Core ◽  
Psychological Suffering ◽  
The Cross ◽  
And Function ◽  
Radical Life Extension ◽  
The Way ◽  
Changing World

Rapid advancements in radical life extension technologies contribute to humanity’s ever-changing world. The normalization of radical life extension technologies would signify that the present era in which biology and evolution act as dictators of human life and health would come to an end, thereby ushering in the age of the post-human. The purpose of this paper is to engage in a theological analysis of how and to what degree the ways in which humanity speaks about God could be changed or influenced if radical life extension becomes normative within society. . It is likely that this powerful technology would have a significant impact on many facets of culture, including the way in which humanity engages with religion, in particular Christianity. To accomplish this, the technology that could potentially support radical life extension, namely nanotechnology and cybernetic immortality, will be explained in terms of their relevance and function. Subsequently, the affects of radical life extension for human life will be addressed. Specifically, the implications of the partial or full eradication of human biological and psychological suffering and death through the use of cybernetic immortality and nanotechnology and will be considered. From there, the core theological concepts and narratives will be analyzed in the context of the potential actualization of radical life extension technology. A focus will be placed on the ethic of loving thy neighbour, Christ’s suffering on the cross, the hope of salvation and the Christian hope of entrance into heaven after death. 

scholarly journals Regenerative Medicine Approaches for Age-Related Muscle Loss and Sarcopenia: A Mini-Review

Gerontology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 580-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Diego Naranjo ◽  
Jenna L. Dziki ◽  
Stephen F. Badylak
Keyword(s):  
Regenerative Medicine ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Signaling Molecules ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Muscle Physiology ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
And Function ◽  
Age Related Changes

Sarcopenia is a complex and multifactorial disease that includes a decrease in the number, structure and physiology of muscle fibers, and age-related muscle mass loss, and is associated with loss of strength, increased frailty, and increased risk for fractures and falls. Treatment options are suboptimal and consist of exercise and nutrition as the cornerstone of therapy. Current treatment principles involve identification and modification of risk factors to prevent the disease, but these efforts are of limited value to the elderly individuals currently affected by sarcopenia. The development of new and effective therapies for sarcopenia is challenging. Potential therapies can target one or more of the proposed multiple etiologies such as the loss of regenerative capacity of muscle, age-related changes in the expression of signaling molecules such as growth hormone, IGF-1, myostatin, and other endocrine signaling molecules, and age-related changes in muscle physiology like denervation and mitochondrial dysfunction. The present paper reviews regenerative medicine strategies that seek to restore adequate skeletal muscle structure and function including exogenous delivery of cells and pharmacological therapies to induce myogenesis or reverse the physiologic changes that result in the disease. Approaches that modify the microenvironment to provide an environment conducive to reversal and mitigation of the disease represent a potential regenerative medicine approach that is discussed herein.

scholarly journals Sec1p Binds to SNARE Complexes and Concentrates at Sites of Secretion

1999 ◽  
Vol 146 (2) ◽  
pp. 333-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chavela M. Carr ◽  
Eric Grote ◽  
Mary Munson ◽  
Frederick M. Hughson ◽  
Peter J. Novick
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Snare Complex ◽  
The Other ◽  
Complex Assembly ◽  
Vesicle Docking ◽  
Neuronal Protein ◽  
The Core ◽  
Target Membrane ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
And Function

Proteins of the Sec1 family have been shown to interact with target-membrane t-SNAREs that are homologous to the neuronal protein syntaxin. We demonstrate that yeast Sec1p coprecipitates not only the syntaxin homologue Ssop, but also the other two exocytic SNAREs (Sec9p and Sncp) in amounts and in proportions characteristic of SNARE complexes in yeast lysates. The interaction between Sec1p and Ssop is limited by the abundance of SNARE complexes present in sec mutants that are defective in either SNARE complex assembly or disassembly. Furthermore, the localization of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged Sec1p coincides with sites of vesicle docking and fusion where SNARE complexes are believed to assemble and function. The proposal that SNARE complexes act as receptors for Sec1p is supported by the mislocalization of GFP-Sec1p in a mutant defective for SNARE complex assembly and by the robust localization of GFP-Sec1p in a mutant that fails to disassemble SNARE complexes. The results presented here place yeast Sec1p at the core of the exocytic fusion machinery, bound to SNARE complexes and localized to sites of secretion.

scholarly journals Within-subjects Effects of Standardized Prosthetic Socket Modifications on Physical Function and Patient-Reported Outcomes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Anderst ◽  
Goeran Fiedler ◽  
Kentaro Onishi ◽  
Gina McKernan ◽  
Tom Gale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Function ◽  
Patient Reported Outcomes ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Pressure Sensors ◽  
Residual Limb ◽  
Prosthetic Socket ◽  
Large Patient ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
And Function

Abstract • Background: Among the challenges of living with lower limb loss is the increased risk of long-term health problems that can be either attributed directly to the amputation surgery and/or prosthetic rehabilitation or indirectly to a disability-induced sedentary lifestyle. These problems are exacerbated by poorly fit prosthetic sockets. There is a knowledge gap regarding how the socket design affects in-socket mechanics, and how in-socket mechanics affect patient-reported comfort and function. The objectives of this study are: 1) to gain a better understanding of how in-socket mechanics of the residual limb in transfemoral amputees are related to patient-reported comfort and function, 2) to identify clinical tests that can streamline the socket design process, and 3) to evaluate the efficacy and cost of a novel, quantitatively informed socket optimization process.• Methods: Users of transfemoral prostheses will be asked to walk on a treadmill wearing their current socket plus 8 different check sockets with designed changes in different structural measurements that are likely to induce changes in residual limb motion, skin strain, and pressure distribution within the socket. Dynamic biplane radiography and pressure sensors will be used to measure in-socket residual limb mechanics. Patient-reported outcomes will also be collected after wearing each socket. The effects of in-socket mechanics on both physical function and patient-reported outcomes (aim 1) will be assessed using a generalized linear model. Partial correlation analysis will be used to examine the association between research grade measurements and readily available clinical measurements (aim 2). In order to compare the new quantitative design method to the Standard of Care, patient reported outcomes and cost will be compared between the two methods, utilizing the Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney non-parametric test (aim 3).• Discussion: Knowledge on how prosthetic socket modifications affect residual bone and skin biomechanics itself can be applied to devise future socket designs, and the methodology can be used to investigate and improve such designs, past and present. Apart from saving time and costs, this may result in better prosthetic socket fit for a large patient population, thus increasing their mobility, participation, and overall health-related quality of life. • Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05041998

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