scholarly journals Bacteria, Fungi and Microalgae for the Bioremediation of Marine Sediments Contaminated by Petroleum Hydrocarbons in the Omics Era

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1695
Author(s):  
Filippo Dell’ Anno ◽  
Eugenio Rastelli ◽  
Clementina Sansone ◽  
Christophe Brunet ◽  
Adrianna Ianora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Marine Sediments ◽  
Organic Contaminants ◽  
Petroleum Hydrocarbons ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Marine Systems ◽  
Chemical Treatments ◽  
Molecular Approaches ◽  
Hydrocarbon Removal ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
Review Current

Petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) are one of the most widespread and heterogeneous organic contaminants affecting marine ecosystems. The contamination of marine sediments or coastal areas by PHCs represents a major threat for the ecosystem and human health, calling for urgent, effective, and sustainable remediation solutions. Aside from some physical and chemical treatments that have been established over the years for marine sediment reclamation, bioremediation approaches based on the use of microorganisms are gaining increasing attention for their eco-compatibility, and lower costs. In this work, we review current knowledge concerning the bioremediation of PHCs in marine systems, presenting a synthesis of the most effective microbial taxa (i.e., bacteria, fungi, and microalgae) identified so far for hydrocarbon removal. We also discuss the challenges offered by innovative molecular approaches for the design of effective reclamation strategies based on these three microbial components of marine sediments contaminated by hydrocarbons.

scholarly journals Limnology and plankton diversity of salt lakes from Transylvanian Basin (Romania): A review

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mircea Alexe ◽  
Gheorghe Șerban ◽  
Andreea Baricz ◽  
Adrian-Ștefan Andrei ◽  
Adorján Cristea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Salt Lakes ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Food Web Structure ◽  
Sulfate Reducing ◽  
Molecular Approaches ◽  
Water Stratification ◽  
Plankton Diversity ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
Plankton Communities

<p>In the present work, we review the current knowledge on genesis, limnology and biodiversity of salt lakes distributed around the inner contour of Eastern Carpathian arc (Transylvanian Basin, Central Romania). Transylvanian salt lakes formed on ancient halite (NaCl) deposits following natural processes or quarrying activities.  Most of these lakes are located in eastern (Sovata area), southern (Ocna Sibiului), and western (Turda-Cojocna) parts of the Transylvanian Basin, have small surfaces (0.1-4 ha), variable depths (2-100 m), are hypersaline (&gt;10%, w/v, total salts, mainly NaCl) and permanently stratified. As consequence of steady salinity/density gradient, heat entrapment below surface layer (i.e., heliothermy) develops in several Transylvanian lakes. The physical and chemical water stratification is mirrored in the partition of plankton diversity. Lakes with less saline (2-10% salinity) water layers appear to harbor halotolerant representatives of phyto- (<em>e.g</em>., marine native <em>Picochlorum</em> spp. and<em> Synechococcus</em> spp.), zoo- (<em>e.g</em>., <em>Moina salina</em>), and bacterioplankton (<em>e.g</em>., Actinobacteria, Verrucomicobia), whereas halophilic plankton communities (<em>e.g</em>., green algae <em>Dunaliella</em> sp., brine shrimp <em>Artemia</em> sp., and members of Halobacteria class) dominate in the oxic surface of hypersaline (&gt;10% salinity) lakes. Molecular approaches (<em>e.g</em>., PCR-DGGE, 16S rRNA gene-based clone libraries, and DNA metabarcoding) showed that the O<sub>2</sub>-depleted bottom brines of deep meromictic Transylvanian lakes are inhabited by known extremely halophilic anaerobes (<em>e.g</em>. sulfate-reducing Delta-Proteobacteria, fermenting Clostridia, methanogenic and polymer-degrading archaea) in addition to representatives of uncultured/unclassified prokaryotic lineages. Overall, the plankton communities thriving in saline Transylvanian lakes seem to drive full biogeochemical cycling of main elements. However, the trophic interactions (<em>i.e., </em>food web structure and energy flow) as well as impact of human activities and predicted climate changes are yet to be assessed in these unique ecosystems with little or no match to analogous salt lakes worldwide.  </p>

scholarly journals Microbial metabolism of isoprene: a much-neglected climate-active gas

Microbiology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 166 (7) ◽  
pp. 600-613 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Colin Murrell ◽  
Terry J. McGenity ◽  
Andrew T. Crombie
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Marine Sediments ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Sole Source ◽  
Sources And Sinks ◽  
Global Emissions ◽  
Review Current

The climate-active gas isoprene is the major volatile produced by a variety of trees and is released into the atmosphere in enormous quantities, on a par with global emissions of methane. While isoprene production in plants and its effect on atmospheric chemistry have received considerable attention, research into the biological isoprene sink has been neglected until recently. Here, we review current knowledge on the sources and sinks of isoprene and outline its environmental effects. Focusing on degradation by microbes, many of which are able to use isoprene as the sole source of carbon and energy, we review recent studies characterizing novel isoprene degraders isolated from soils, marine sediments and in association with plants. We describe the development and use of molecular methods to identify, quantify and genetically characterize isoprene-degrading strains in environmental samples. Finally, this review identifies research imperatives for the further study of the environmental impact, ecology, regulation and biochemistry of this interesting group of microbes.

scholarly journals Cord Blood-Based Approach to Assess Candidate Vaccine Adjuvants Designed for Neonates and Infants

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Daisuke Tokuhara ◽  
Norikatsu Hikita
Keyword(s):  
Cord Blood ◽  
Protective Immunity ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Current System ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Vaccine Adjuvants ◽  
Adult Humans ◽  
Neonates And Infants ◽  
Induced Immunity ◽  
Review Current

Neonates and infants are particularly susceptible to infections, for which outcomes tend to be severe. Vaccination is a key strategy for preventing infectious diseases, but the protective immunity achieved through vaccination typically is weaker in infants than in healthy adults. One possible explanation for the poor acquisition of vaccine-induced immunity in infants is that their innate immune response, represented by toll-like receptors, is immature. The current system for developing pediatric vaccines relies on the confirmation of their safety and effectiveness in studies involving the use of mature animals or adult humans. However, creating vaccines for neonates and infants requires an understanding of their uniquely immature innate immunity. Here we review current knowledge regarding the innate immune system of neonates and infants and challenges in developing vaccine adjuvants for those children through analyses of cord blood.

scholarly journals Investigation of the Formation Mechanism and Environmental Risk of Tire—Pavement Wearing Waste (TPWW)

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8172
Author(s):  
Kechen Wang ◽  
Xiangyu Chu ◽  
Jiao Lin ◽  
Qilin Yang ◽  
Zepeng Fan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Formation Mechanism ◽  
Organic Contaminants ◽  
Asphalt Mixture ◽  
Fine Fraction ◽  
Crumb Rubber ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
The Road ◽  
Open Graded Friction Course ◽  
Volatile Alkanes ◽  
Physical And Chemical

Tire—pavement interaction behaviours result in large amounts of wearing waste matter, which attaches to the surface of the pavement and is directly exposed to the surrounding environment. This kind of matter imposes a great challenge to the environment of the road area. The current study is devoted to carrying out a comprehensive investigation of the formation mechanism of tire—pavement wearing waste (TPWW), as well as the resulting environmental risks. A self-developed piece of accelerated polishing equipment, the Harbin advanced polishing machine (HAPM), was employed to simulate the wearing process between vehicle tires and pavement surfaces, and the TPWW was collected to conduct morphological, physical, and chemical characterisations. The results from this study show that the production rate of TPWW decreases with the increase in polishing duration, and the coarse particles (diameters greater than 0.425 mm) account for most of the TPWW obtained. The fine fraction (diameter smaller than 0.425 mm) of the TPWW comprises variously sized and irregularly shaped rubber particles from the tire, as well as uniformly sized and angular fine aggregates. The environmental analysis results show that volatile alkanes (C9–C16) are the major organic contaminants in TPWW. The Open-Graded Friction Course (OGFC) asphalt mixture containing crumb rubber as a modifier showed the highest risk of heavy metal pollution, and special concern must be given to tire materials for the purpose of improving the environmental conditions of road areas. The use of polyurethane as a binder material in the production of pavement mixtures has an environmental benefit in terms of pollution from both organic contaminants and heavy metals.

scholarly journals Molecular Subtyping of Blastocystis sp. Isolated from Farmed Animals in Southern Italy

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1656
Author(s):  
Simona Gabrielli ◽  
Marialetizia Palomba ◽  
Federica Furzi ◽  
Emanuele Brianti ◽  
Gabriella Gaglio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Pcr Amplification ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Fallow Deer ◽  
Small Subunit ◽  
Zoonotic Transmission ◽  
Ssu Rrna ◽  
Molecular Approaches ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Blastocystis Sp

Blastocystis is a common intestinal protist distributed worldwide, infecting humans and a wide range of domestic and wild animals. It exhibits an extensive genetic diversity and, so far, 25 distinct small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) lineages termed subtypes (STs)) have been characterized; among them, 12 have thus far been reported in humans. The aims of the present study were to detect and genetically characterize Blastocystis sp. in synantropic animals to improve our current knowledge on the distribution and zoonotic transmission of Blastocystis STs in Italy. Samples were collected from N = 193 farmed animals and submitted to DNA extraction and PCR amplification of the SSU rRNA. Blastocystis was detected in 60 samples (31.08%) and successfully subtyped. Phylogenetic analysis evidenced that the isolates from fallow deer, goats, and pigs (N = 9) clustered within the ST5; those from pheasants (N = 2) in the ST6; those from chickens (N = 8) in the ST7; those from sheep (N = 6) in the ST10; and those from water buffaloes (N = 9) in the ST14 clade. The comparison between the present isolates from animals and those previously detected in humans in Italy suggested the animal-to-human spillover for ST6 and ST7. The present study represents the widest Blastocystis survey performed thus far in farmed animals in Italy. Further epidemiological studies using molecular approaches are required to determine the occurrence and distribution of Blastocystis STs in other potential animal reservoirs in Italy and to define the pathways of zoonotic transmission.

scholarly journals Meteorite Orbits from Observations by Camera Networks

1983 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 399-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Halliday ◽  
Arthur A. Griffin ◽  
Alan T. Blackwell
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Great Difficulty ◽  
Camera Networks ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Lost City ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Physically Identical ◽  
Review Current ◽  
Visual Observations

Camera networks for the study of bright fireballs now have a history approaching two decades• It was hoped that the networks would produce a statistically significant group of recovered meteorites with accurate orbits. Due to the great difficulty in locating the meteorites from a photographed event, there are still only three meteorites with orbits determined from suitable photographs; Pribram, Lost City and Innisfree (Ceplecha I96I, McCrosky et al. 1971, Halliday et al. 1978, respectively). Networks do, however, provide an alternative approach to the problem. Instead of determining approximate orbits from visual observations of recovered meteorite falls, it is now preferable to use reliable orbits from the camera networks for fireballs which are believed to have dropped meteorites that could not be located, or, that are believed to have been physically identical to meteorites, although no appreciable mass survived the atmospheric flight. This paper will review current knowledge based on this approach to the problem.

Effects of physical and chemical treatments upon biophysical properties and micro-relief of human skin

2008 ◽  
Vol 300 (5) ◽  
pp. 243-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Atrux-Tallau ◽  
Ngoc T. T. Huynh ◽  
Laurie Gardette ◽  
Cyril Pailler-Mattéi ◽  
Hassan Zahouani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Skin ◽  
Biophysical Properties ◽  
Chemical Treatments ◽  
Physical And Chemical

scholarly journals Puparia Cleaning Techniques for Forensic and Archaeo-Funerary Studies

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 104
Author(s):  
Jennifer Pradelli ◽  
Fabiola Tuccia ◽  
Giorgia Giordani ◽  
Stefano Vanin
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Hydroxide ◽  
Molecular Identification ◽  
Sodium Hydroxide Solution ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Molecular Analyses ◽  
Chemical Treatments ◽  
Wrong Identification ◽  
Physical And Chemical

Diptera puparia may represent both in forensic and archaeo-funerary contexts the majority of the entomological evidence useful to reconstruct the peri and post-mortem events. Puparia identification is quite difficult due to the lack of identification keys and descriptions. In addition, external substances accumulated during the puparia permanence in the environment make the visualization of the few diagnostic characters difficult, resulting in a wrong identification. Six different techniques based on physical and chemical treatments have been tested for the removal of external substances from puparia to make identification at species level feasible. Furthermore, the effects of these methods on successful molecular analyses have also been tested as molecular identification is becoming an important tool to complement morphological identifications. The results of this study indicate that cleaning via warm water/soap, the sonication and treatment with a sodium hydroxide solution are the best methods to achieve a good quality of the samples.

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