scholarly journals Diatom Biodiversity in Karst Springs of Mediterranean Geographic Areas with Contrasting Characteristics: Islands vs Mainland

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppina G. Lai ◽  
Sara Burato ◽  
Bachisio M. Padedda ◽  
Raffaella Zorza ◽  
Elisabetta Pizzul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anthropogenic Impact ◽  
Multivariate Analyses ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Diatom Assemblages ◽  
Karst Springs ◽  
Karst Ecosystems ◽  
Structural Indices ◽  
Epilithic Diatom

Karst ecosystems are considered as priority environments for the protection of biodiversity on a global scale. This study provides a first comparative analysis of epilithic diatom flora from karst springs in two Mediterranean geographic areas (Spain and Italy) with contrasting characteristics (islands vs mainland). We investigated twenty-three springs with different anthropogenic impact levels once in the winter season between 2007 and 2017 (N = 23). A total of 176 diatom taxa (56 genera) were found of which 101 (44 genera) were observed in single sites. A general good biotic integrity was revealed by structural indices (species richness, diversity and evenness). However, crenophilous species were generally present and abundant in less impacted springs. Comparing islands and mainland, significant differences were found in species composition and diversity (H’) based on multivariate analyses (global R = 0.610; p = 0.001) and t-test (t = 2.304; p = 0.031). Discharge and Cl− were the most significant variables in determining diatom assemblages. Our results confirm the role of springs as multiple ecotones and refuges for rare species and suggest that the geographic insularity may be an important factor in maintaining diatom biodiversity.

scholarly journals Epilithic diatom assemblages and environmental quality of the Su Gologone karst spring (centraleastern Sardinia, Italy)

2016 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppina G. Lai ◽  
Bachisio M. Padedda ◽  
Carlos E. Wetzel ◽  
Antonella Lugliè ◽  
Nicola Sechi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Pollution Index ◽  
Running Waters ◽  
Diatom Assemblages ◽  
Ecological Value ◽  
Organic Contamination ◽  
Karst Springs ◽  
Biological Water ◽  
Epilithic Diatom

Abstract Karst springs are considered among the most vulnerable groundwater-dependent ecosystems. Despite their ecological value and importance as strategic water sources, Mediterranean karst springs are still poorly investigated. The aim of this study was to analyse the epilithic diatom assemblages and to test their usefulness as indicators of environmental quality on the Su Gologone spring (central-eastern Sardinia, Italy), a biotope of great natural value and a precious source of drinking water. A total of 89 diatom taxa were found with 25 new records for Sardinian running waters. Species richness, Shannon-Wiener and Pielou indices showed good biotic integrity. The dominant taxa were alkaliphilous, halophobous-oligohalobous exigent, xeno- oligosaprobic and characteristic of oligotrophic waters. The eutrophication/pollution index − diatom based (EPI-D) and the Navicula Nitzschia Surirella indices indicated respectively an excellent/good biological water quality and a low physical disturbance. However, the biological and chemical oxygen demand, and the microbiological variables (E. coli, fecal and total coliforms) revealed an organic contamination of the water, although moderate. The judgment provided by the EPI-D should be verified after updating of the index. In fact, 10 taxa found in this study are not currently considered by the EPI-D method.

scholarly journals Response of epilithic diatom assemblages to weir construction on the Nakdong River, Republic of Korea

2021 ◽  
Vol 126 ◽  
pp. 107711
Author(s):  
Kyung-Lak Lee ◽  
Jae Sin Choi ◽  
Jae-Hak Lee ◽  
Kang-Young Jung ◽  
Han Soon Kim
Keyword(s):  
Republic Of Korea ◽  
Diatom Assemblages ◽  
Nakdong River ◽  
The Nakdong River ◽  
Epilithic Diatom

Innovatory role of nanomaterials as bio-tools for treatment of cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khuram Shahzad Ahmad ◽  
Muntaha Talat ◽  
Shaan Bibi Jaffri ◽  
Neelofer Shaheen
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Therapeutics ◽  
Physicochemical Characteristics ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Current Review ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Cancerous Cells

AbstractConventional treatment modes like chemotherapy, thermal and radiations aimed at cancerous cells eradication are marked by destruction pointing the employment of nanomaterials as sustainable and auspicious materials for saving human lives. Cancer has been deemed as the second leading cause of death on a global scale. Nanomaterials employment in cancer treatment is based on the utilization of their inherent physicochemical characteristics in addition to their modification for using as nano-carriers and nano-vehicles eluted with anti-cancer drugs. Current work has reviewed the significant role of different types of nanomaterials in cancer therapeutics and diagnostics in a systematic way. Compilation of review has been done by analyzing voluminous investigations employing ERIC, MEDLINE, NHS Evidence and Web of Science databases. Search engines used were Google scholar, Jstore and PubMed. Current review is suggestive of the remarkable performance of nanomaterials making them candidates for cancer treatment for substitution of destructive treatment modes through investigation of their physicochemical characteristics, utilization outputs and long term impacts in patients.

scholarly journals Broken Worlds: Towards an Archaeology of the Shatter Zone

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Raffield
Keyword(s):  
Eighteenth Century ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Physical Geography ◽  
Trigger Factors ◽  
Eastern Woodlands ◽  
Term Change ◽  
Anthropological Research ◽  
Historic Change

AbstractIn recent years, archaeological studies of long-term change and transformation in the human past have often been dominated by the discussion of dichotomous processes of ‘collapse’ and ‘resilience’. These discussions are frequently framed in relatively narrow terms dictated by specialist interests that place an emphasis on the role of single ‘trigger’ factors as motors for historic change. In order to address this issue, in this article I propose that the study of the ‘shatter zone’—a term with origins in physical geography and geopolitics that has been more recently harnessed in anthropological research—has the potential to facilitate multi-scalar, interdisciplinary analyses of the ways in which major historical changes unfold across both space and time, at local, regional, and inter-regional levels. This article unpacks the concept of the shatter zone and aligns this with existing archaeological frameworks for the study of long-term adaptive change. I then situate these arguments within the context of recent studies of colonial interaction and conflict in the Eastern Woodlands of North America during the sixteenth to eighteenth century. The study demonstrates how a more regulated approach to the shatter zone has the potential to yield new insights on the ways in which populations mitigate and react to instability and change while also facilitating comparative studies of these processes on a broader, global scale.

scholarly journals Post-Translational Modifications Drive Success and Failure of Fungal–Host Interactions

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 124
Author(s):  
Charmaine Retanal ◽  
Brianna Ball ◽  
Jennifer Geddes-McAlister
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Candida Spp ◽  
Post Translational Modifications ◽  
Fungal Host ◽  
Resistant Species

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) change the structure and function of proteins and regulate a diverse array of biological processes. Fungal pathogens rely on PTMs to modulate protein production and activity during infection, manipulate the host response, and ultimately, promote fungal survival. Given the high mortality rates of fungal infections on a global scale, along with the emergence of antifungal-resistant species, identifying new treatment options is critical. In this review, we focus on the role of PTMs (e.g., phosphorylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, glycosylation, and methylation) among the highly prevalent and medically relevant fungal pathogens, Candida spp., Aspergillus spp., and Cryptococcus spp. We explore the role of PTMs in fungal stress response and host adaptation, the use of PTMs to manipulate host cells and the immune system upon fungal invasion, and the importance of PTMs in conferring antifungal resistance. We also provide a critical view on the current knowledgebase, pose questions key to our understanding of the intricate roles of PTMs within fungal pathogens, and provide research opportunities to uncover new therapeutic strategies.

A Crucial Role for Diet in the Relationship Between Gut Microbiota and Cardiometabolic Disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilias Attaye ◽  
Sara-Joan Pinto-Sietsma ◽  
Hilde Herrema ◽  
Max Nieuwdorp
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Cardiometabolic Disease ◽  
Microbiota Composition ◽  
Dietary Interventions ◽  
Fermentable Carbohydrates ◽  
Cost Efficient ◽  
And Function ◽  
Gut Microbiota Composition

Cardiometabolic disease (CMD), such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease, contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality on a global scale. The gut microbiota has emerged as a potential target to beneficially modulate CMD risk, possibly via dietary interventions. Dietary interventions have been shown to considerably alter gut microbiota composition and function. Moreover, several diet-derived microbial metabolites are able to modulate human metabolism and thereby alter CMD risk. Dietary interventions that affect gut microbiota composition and function are therefore a promising, novel, and cost-efficient method to reduce CMD risk. Studies suggest that fermentable carbohydrates can beneficially alter gut microbiota composition and function, whereas high animal protein and high fat intake negatively impact gut microbiota function and composition. This review focuses on the role of macronutrients (i.e., carbohydrate, protein, and fat) and dietary patterns (e.g., vegetarian/vegan and Mediterranean diet) in gut microbiota composition and function in the context of CMD.

First comparison of quantitative estimates of termite biomass and abundance reveals strong intercontinental differences

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia A.L. Dahlsjö ◽  
Catherine L. Parr ◽  
Yadvinder Malhi ◽  
Homathevi Rahman ◽  
Patrick Meir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Groups ◽  
Functional Diversity ◽  
Ecosystem Processes ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Species Density ◽  
Abundance Data ◽  
Standardized Protocol ◽  
Biogeographical Distribution ◽  
Belt Transect

Abstract:Termite species and functional groups differ among regions globally (the functional-diversity anomaly). Here we investigate whether similar differences in biomass and abundance of termites occur among continents. Biomass and abundance data were collected with standardized sampling in Cameroon, Malaysia and Peru. Data from Peru were original to this study, while data from Cameroon and Malaysia were compiled from other sources. Species density data were sampled using a standardized belt transect (100 × 2 m) while the biomass and abundance measurements were sampled using a standardized protocol based on 2 × 2-m quadrats. Biomass and abundance data confirmed patterns found for species density and thus the existence of the functional diversity anomaly: highest estimates for biomass and abundance were found in Cameroon (14.5 ± 7.90 g m−2 and 1234 ± 437 ind m−2) followed by Malaysia (0.719 ± 0.193 g m−2 and 327 ± 72 ind m−2) and then Peru (0.345 ± 0.103 g m−2 and 130 ± 39 ind m−2). The biomass and abundance for each functional group were significantly different across sites for most termite functional groups. Biogeographical distribution of lineages was the primary cause for the functional diversity anomaly with true soil-feeding termites dominating in Cameroon and the absence of fungus-growing termites from Peru. These findings are important as the biomass and abundance of functional groups may be linked to ecosystem processes. Although this study allowed for comparisons between data from different regions further comparable data are needed to enhance the understanding of the role of termites in ecosystem processes on a global scale.

Multivariate analyses of indigenous bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) landraces of Oman

2021 ◽  
pp. 483
Author(s):  
Ali Hussain Al Lawati ◽  
Saleem Kaseemsaheb Nadaf ◽  
Nadiya Abubakar Al Saady ◽  
Saleh Ali Al Hinai ◽  
Almandhar Almamari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Triticum Aestivum ◽  
Bread Wheat ◽  
Multivariate Analyses ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Improvement Programs ◽  
D Values

Oman is endowed with enormous diversity of important food crops that have global significance for food security and has ancient history of cultivation of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with its divergent landraces, which are useful in crop improvement. 55 indigenous Omani accessions conserved at the USDA were evaluated in the winter season (November to April) of the years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 on loamy soil under sprinklers in augmented design with 5 check varieties in 5 replications following crop husbandry practices as per national recommendations using 9 quantitative (descriptors) and 6 qualitative traits (anthocyanin pigmentation on plant parts). The data on traits were subjected not only for PC values and D values after varimax rotation through Kaiser normalization in Principal Component Analysis (PCA) but also for Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering (AHC). The results indicated that indigenous bread wheat accessions were significantly different (p>0.05) for all the quantitative traits except number of tillers. The multivariate analyses led to formation of four diverse clusters from PCA analyses corresponding to four quadrants of bi-plot graphs and three clusters from AHC analysis corresponding to main clades of dendrogram. The parents were selected from common accessions of distinct clusters in all the multivariate analyses for hybridization for improving characters of growth for higher yield or productivity with pigmentation on one or two plant parts useful for DUS test of varieties. The indigenous bread wheat landraces / accessions were genetically diverse and have potential for use in national crop improvement programs for earliness and higher grain productivity with distinct identification markers.

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