scholarly journals Taxonomic and Functional Response of Millipedes (Diplopoda) to Urban Soil Disturbance in a Metropolitan Area

Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zsolt Tóth ◽  
Elisabeth Hornung
Keyword(s):  
Metropolitan Area ◽  
Species Turnover ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Danube River ◽  
Functional Responses ◽  
Β Diversity ◽  
Functional Richness ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
And Function

Urbanization, as a major cause of local species extinction and biotic homogenization, drastically alters soil life. Millipedes are a key group of soil macrodetritivores and significantly influence soil quality, mainly through their essential role in nutrient cycling. Therefore, studying their taxonomic and functional responses to urban disturbance is crucial, as they contribute to the provision of several soil-related ecosystem services in cities. Differently degraded rural, urban forests and other woody patches (e.g., parks, gardens, and cemeteries) were sampled on Buda and Pest sides of the Budapest metropolitan area divided by the Danube River. We measured the most relevant physical and chemical properties of topsoil to characterize habitats. We applied an urbanization index based on vegetation cover and built-up area of the study sites to quantify urban intensity. The composition of the assemblages was determined by the division of the city along the Danube. Urbanization was associated with a reduction in species and functional richness of millipedes on both sides of Budapest. β diversity and species turnover increased with urban intensity. Urban disturbance was the main driver in assembly of taxonomic and functional community composition. A new species (Cylindroiulus caeruleocinctus (Wood, 1864)) to the fauna of Budapest was found. Detritivore invertebrates depend on leaf litter and other dead organic matter types, therefore microsites providing these resources greatly improve their survival. Due to increasing urban disturbance, it is recommended to provide appropriate detritus and shelter sites as part of the management of green spaces in order to maintain species richness, abundance, and function of species.

Diversity metrics, species turnovers and nestedness of bird assemblages in a deep karst sinkhole

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 8-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corrado Battisti ◽  
Marco Giardini ◽  
Francesca Marini ◽  
Lorena Di Rocco ◽  
Giuseppe Dodaro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Random Distribution ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Species Turnover ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Bird Assemblages ◽  
Β Diversity ◽  
Stick Model ◽  
Karst Sinkhole

We reported a study on breeding birds occurring inside an 80 m-deep karst sinkhole, with the characterization of the assemblages recorded along its semi-vertical slopes from the upper edge until the bottom. The internal sides of the sinkhole have been vertically subdivided in four belts about 20 m high. The highest belt (at the upper edge of the cenote) showed the highest values in mean number of bird detections, mean and normalized species richness, and Shannon diversity index. The averaged values of number of detections and species richness significantly differ among belts. Species turnover (Cody’s β-diversity) was maximum between the highest belts. Whittaker plots showed a marked difference among assemblages shaping from broken-stick model to geometric series, and explicited a spatial progressive stress with a disruption in evenness towards the deepest belts. Bird assemblages evidenced a nested subset structure with deeper belts containing successive subsets of the species occurring in the upper belts. We hypothesize that, at least during the daytime in breeding season, the observed non-random distribution of species along the vertical stratification is likely due to (i) the progressive simplification both of the floristic composition and vegetation structure, and (ii) the paucity of sunlight as resources from the upper edge to the inner side of the cenote.

scholarly journals Soil ammonia-oxidizing archaea in a paddy field with different irrigation and fertilization managements

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Limin Wang ◽  
Dongfeng Huang
Keyword(s):  
Ammonia Oxidation ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Paddy Soils ◽  
Soil Nitrification ◽  
Treated Soil ◽  
Ammonia Oxidizing Archaea ◽  
Rice Yields ◽  
Traditional Irrigation ◽  
Almost All ◽  
And Function

AbstractBecause ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) are ubiquitous and highly abundant in almost all terrestrial soils, they play an important role in soil nitrification. However, the changes in the structure and function of AOA communities and their edaphic drivers in paddy soils under different fertilization and irrigation regimes remain unclear. In this study, we investigated AOA abundance, diversity and activity in acid paddy soils by a field experiment. Results indicated that the highest potential ammonia oxidation (PAO) (0.011 μg NO 2 -  –N g-1 d.w.day-1) was found in T2 (optimal irrigation and fertilization)—treated soils, whereas the lowest PAO (0.004 μg NO 2 -  –N g-1 d.w.day-1) in T0 (traditional irrigation)- treated soils. Compared with the T0—treated soil, the T2 treatment significantly (P < 0.05) increased AOA abundances. Furthermore, the abundance of AOA was significantly (P < 0.01) positively correlated with pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), and PAO. Meanwhile, pH and SOC content were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the T2—treated soil than those in the T1 (traditional irrigation and fertilization)- treated soil. In addition, these two edaphic factors further influenced the AOA community composition. The AOA phylum Crenarchaeota was mainly found in the T2—treated soils. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that most of the identified OTUs of AOA were mainly affiliated with Crenarchaeota. Furthermore, the T2 treatment had higher rice yield than the T0 and T1 treatments. Together, our findings confirm that T2 might ameliorate soil chemical properties, regulate the AOA community structure, increase the AOA abundance, enhance PAO and consequently maintain rice yields in the present study.

scholarly journals Dicer1-mediated miRNA processing shapes the mRNA profile and function of murine platelets

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 127 (14) ◽  
pp. 1743-1751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesse W. Rowley ◽  
Stéphane Chappaz ◽  
Aurélie Corduan ◽  
Mark M. W. Chong ◽  
Robert Campbell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Responses ◽  
Mirna Processing ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Mrna Profile ◽  
And Function

Key Points Dicer1 deletion in MKs alters platelet miRNA and mRNA profiles. Dicer1-deficient platelets display increased integrins αIIb and β3 levels and enhanced in vitro and in vivo functional responses.

Enhanced Expression and Function of Renal SGLT2 (Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2) in Heart Failure: Role of Renal Nerves

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenichi Katsurada ◽  
Shyam S. Nandi ◽  
Neeru M. Sharma ◽  
Kaushik P. Patel
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Sglt2 Inhibitor ◽  
Renal Nerves ◽  
Coronary Artery Ligation ◽  
Functional Responses ◽  
Sodium Glucose Cotransporter ◽  
And Function ◽  
Renal Sympathetic

Background: Recent clinical studies demonstrate that SGLT2 (sodium-glucose cotransporter 2) inhibitors ameliorate heart failure (HF). The present study was conducted to assess the expression and function of renal SGLT2 and the influence of enhanced renal sympathetic tone in HF. Methods: Four weeks after coronary artery ligation surgery to induce HF, surgical bilateral renal denervation (RDN) was performed in rats. Four groups of rats (Sham-operated control [Sham], Sham+RDN, HF and HF+RDN; n=6/group) were used. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis were performed to evaluate the renal SGLT2 expression. One week after RDN (5 weeks after induction of HF), intravenous injection of SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin were performed to assess renal excretory responses. In vitro, human embryonic kidney cells were used to investigate the fractionation of SGLT2 after norepinephrine treatment. Results: In rats with HF, (1) SGLT2 expression in the proximal tubule of the kidney was increased; (2) the response of increases in urine flow, sodium excretion, and glucose excretion to dapagliflozin were greater; and (3) RDN attenuated renal SGLT2 expression and normalized renal functional responses to dapagliflozin. In vitro, norepinephrine promoted translocation of SGLT2 to the cell membrane. Conclusions: These results indicate that the enhanced tonic renal sympathetic nerve activation in HF increases the expression and functional activity of renal SGLT2. Potentiated trafficking of SGLT2 to cell surface in renal proximal tubules mediated by norepinephrine may contribute to this functional activation of SGLT2 in HF. These findings provide critical insight into the underlying mechanisms for the beneficial effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on HF reported in the clinical studies.

Temperature, osmotic and acidic activity of infusion solutions as an integral part of their mechanism of action

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-182
Author(s):  
Natalia A. Urakova
Keyword(s):  
Blood Plasma ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Aerobic Metabolism ◽  
Chemical Action ◽  
Routes Of Administration ◽  
Biological Objects ◽  
Physical Chemical ◽  
Different Temperatures ◽  
Cold Infusion ◽  
And Function

A review of the literature shows that the physical-chemical properties of infusion solutions can be an integral part of the mechanism of their local action on the routes of administration. This new scientific and practical direction in clinical pharmacology was born at the end of the 20th century in Russia. Initially, it was found that isotonic solutions of glucose, mannitol, and sodium chloride with different temperatures have different local effects on the metabolism and viability of isolated biological objects such as mitochondria and blood plasma. At the same time, it was shown that increasing the temperature of solutions from +37 to +45C accelerates the metabolism of these biological objects, increases their reactivity and enhances their response to the action of many drugs-activators of metabolism and function. And vice versa, lowering the temperature of these solutions from +37 to +20C and below (up to 0C) slows down their metabolism, reduces their reactivity, weakens their response to the action of drugs-activators of metabolism and function, and also increases survival in conditions of ischemia and hypoxia. These results allowed us to recommend warm infusion solutions as universal means of activating aerobic metabolism in tissues and the response of tissues to drugs with local physical-chemical action, and cold infusion solutions as universal means of inhibiting aerobic metabolism in tissues and increasing the resistance of tissues to the action of drugs on them. Following this, it was shown that many infusion solutions do not have isoosmotic activity, since the osmotic activity of drugs is not controlled. Therefore, one part of the solutions has hypotonic activity, and the other part has hypertonic activity. Therefore, sometimes the infusion solution can increase the hypoosmotic or hyperosmotic activity of the blood plasma. Then it was shown that the absolute majority of infusion solutions do not have a pH of 7.4. At the same time, very many infusion solutions have acidic activity, so they have an acidifying effect on the blood. The chronology of the development of inventions based on the achievements of the physical-chemical pharmacology of infusion agents is shown.

Ongoing Supplementation of Probiotics to Cesarean-Born Neonates during the First Month of Life may Impact the Gut Microbial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenqing Yang ◽  
Liang Tian ◽  
Jiao Luo ◽  
Jialin Yu
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Intestinal Microbiota ◽  
Influencing Factor ◽  
Delivery Mode ◽  
Next Generation Sequencing Technology ◽  
Operational Taxonomic Units ◽  
Β Diversity ◽  
Α Diversity ◽  
Clusters Of Orthologous Groups ◽  
And Function

Objective The delivery mode is considered to be a significant influencing factor in the early gut microbiota composition, which is associated with the long-term health of the host. In this study, we tried to explore the effects of probiotics on the intestinal microbiota of C-section neonates. Study Design Twenty-six Chinese neonates were enrolled in this study. The neonates were divided into four groups: VD (natural delivery neonates, n = 3), CD (cesarean-born neonates, n = 9), CDL (cesarean-born neonates supplemented with probiotic at a lower dosage, n = 7), and CDH (cesarean-born neonates supplemented with probiotic at a higher dosage, n = 7). Fecal samples were collected on the 3rd, 7th, and 28th day since birth. The V3–V4 region of the 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene was sequenced by next-generation sequencing technology. Results The α-diversity of the intestinal microbiota of cesarean delivery neonates was significantly lower than that of the naturally delivered neonates on the 28th day (p = 0.005). After supplementation with probiotics for 28 days, the α-diversity and the β-diversity of the gut flora in the cesarean-born infants (CDL28 and CDH28) was similar to that in the vaginally delivery infants. Meanwhile, the abundances of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium were significantly increased since the 3rd day of probiotic supplementation. Besides, the sustained supplementation of probiotics to neonates would help improve the abundance of the operational taxonomic units in several different Clusters of Orthologous Groups of proteins. Conclusion This study showed that probiotics supplementation to cesarean-born neonates since birth might impact the diversity and function of gut microbiota. Key Points

scholarly journals Redevelopment of biological activity in stripmine spoils: saprotrophic fungi – abstract

1988 ◽  
Vol 94 ◽  
pp. 85-85
Author(s):  
Suzanne Visser
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Community ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Plant Residues ◽  
Fungal Community Composition ◽  
Saprotrophic Fungi ◽  
Fungal Community Structure ◽  
Soil Fungal Community ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Decomposition Of Plant Residues

The impact of severe soil disturbance on soil fungal community composition and function and how this relates to the resultant decomposition/mineralisation process is very poorly understood. Consequently, research was conducted to determine: (a) to what degree fungal community structure and potential function are altered in a sub-alpine coal mine spoil (Luscar, Alberta), and (b) how do alterations in the fungal community affect patterns of fungal colonisation and decomposition of plant residues deposited on recently mined soil.

Dormant propagule banks of aquatic invertebrates in ponds invaded by exotic pine species in southern Brazil

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 954 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Stenert ◽  
Bruna Ehlert ◽  
Arthur Cardoso Ávila ◽  
Francisco Diogo Rocha Sousa ◽  
Fernanda Mara Esquinatti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Aquatic Invertebrates ◽  
Species Turnover ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Aquatic Communities ◽  
Β Diversity ◽  
Pine Invasion ◽  
Dry Sediments ◽  
Pine Species

Exotic pine invasion affects native wetland communities in the Southern Hemisphere by changing the hydrological regimen and physicochemical characteristics. Studies evaluating the emergence of aquatic invertebrates from dormant stages are vital to identify the resilience of aquatic communities in ponds invaded by exotic pine species. In the present study, we tested the hypotheses that: (1) pine invasion decreases the richness of drought-resistant aquatic invertebrates in ponds; (2) pine invasion modifies the invertebrate composition in ponds; and (3) these differences in species composition (β diversity) are associated primarily with species turnover. Dry sediment samples were collected from three natural ponds in native grassland and three ponds in a pine invasion matrix in southern Brazil. In all, 7205 invertebrates, primarily represented by cladocerans (18 species), were sampled after rewetting dry sediments. Pine invasion decreased the richness of aquatic invertebrates because the natural ponds had almost 60% more species and a higher number of estimated species than the pine ponds. The composition differed between natural and pine ponds, and this difference in species composition (β diversity) was associated primarily with the replacement of some species by others. The presence of pine appears to alter colonisation and survival rates of aquatic invertebrates that aestivate in dry sediments in southern Brazil wetlands.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document