3356 research outputs found
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Balancing the consequences of in-water cleaning of biofouling to improve ship efficiency and reduce biosecurity risk
No full textEffective environmental policy often involves introducing and maintaining
important activities with positive outcomes while minimizing environmental
consequences; essentially decoupling a positive activity from its negative
impacts. In-water cleaning (IWC) of biofouling from ships? submerged surfaces
is an example of an activity with positive outcomes (e.g., maintaining optimal ship
energy efficiency and decreased biosecurity risk) and unintended negative
consequences (e.g., release of living organisms, biocides, and microplastics).
Several approaches exist to mitigate these negative consequences, including
debris capture, with primary and secondary treatment of removed particulate
and dissolved materials. However, it is unlikely that these approaches will
eliminate environmental risk. Policy makers should be aware of the full suite of
risks related to ship IWC and the tradeoffs to consider when balancing
mitigation approaches
Increased histone H3 acetylation inhibit the inflammatory response and activate the serum immunity of Pearl oyster Pinctada fucata martensii
No full textTo produce cultured pearls, a mantle graft with a nucleus is transplanted into a
host pearl oyster, this process is called ?transplantation?. The immune response
of pearl oyster after transplantation is a major factor that leads to nucleus
rejection and death. Butyrate is a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor which
can inhibit the deacetylation process of histones and effectively reduce the
inflammatory response. To clarify the function of histone acetylation in
immune response after transplantation, butyrate (10 mmol/L) was used for the
treatment of pearl oysters before transplantation. Results showed that the
proportion of histone H3 acetylation of the hemocytes was significantly
increased after butyrate treatment before transplantation (BH group)
compared with the control group at 6?24 h. Transcriptome analysis showed
that butyrate treatment activated the ?lysosome?, inhibited cell migration and cell
proliferation at 6 and 12 h, respectively, and activated the intracellular immune
recognition response of pearl oyster at 24 h after transplantation. The apoptosis
detection revealed no significant difference in the proportion of apoptotic cells
between the control and BH group. Moreover, butyrate treatment increased the
activity of some immune-related enzymes in the serum of pearl oyster
after transplantation
Monitoring the light pollution changes of China?s mangrove forests from 1992-2020 using nighttime light data
No full textMangrove forests are one of the most biologically diverse and productive
ecosystems on Earth. They are important breeding and nursing grounds for
amphibians, invertebrates, birds, fish, etc. Light pollution may cause serious
degradation of biodiversity in the ecosystem. A report of the long-term holistic
views of light pollution changes is essential for sustainable management of
mangrove ecosystems. However, to date, such studies have rarely been carried
out. This study aimed to monitor the long-term light pollution changes of China?s
mangrove forests. To achieve this goal, we used time-series nighttime light (NTL)
data to build continuous light pollution data. NTL maps made with DMSP-OLS
(DNL) or NPP-VIIRS (VNL) are widely utilized in research on human activity.
However, DMSP and VIIRS images are different in spatial resolution, radiation
resolution, and data saturation. Thus, this study innovatively set an optimal
threshold for generating consistent light pollution data in mangrove areas from
1992-2020. The results showed that: (1) the proportion of light-polluted
mangrove forests in China increased from 12% in 1992 to 52% in 2020; (2) the
largest net increase occurred in Guangxi with an area of 4,086 ha, followed by
Guangdong (3,365 ha) and Hainan (2,944 ha); (3) Zhejiang had the largest
proportion of net growth (from 0% in 1992 to 99% in 2020), followed by
Hainan (66%) and Fujian (59%). Mangrove forests have been protected and
restored for decades in China; this study indicates that the establishment of
nature reserves is effective in preventing the light pollution of mangroves and
provides the first long-term multi-temporal dataset of light pollution in China?s
mangrove forests. This comprehensive information could support related studies
and facilitate the development of applicable coastal management strategies
in China
Contribution of the TGFb signaling pathway to pigmentation in sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus)
No full textPigmentation mediated by the transforming growth factor b (TGFb) signaling
pathway is a key trait for understanding environmental adaptability and species
stability. In this study, TGFb signaling pathway members and their expression
patterns in different color morphs of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus
were evaluated. Using a bioinformatics approach, 22 protein sequences of TGFb
signaling pathway members in A. japonicus were classified, including 14 that were
identified for the first time in the species, including 7 ligands, 6 receptors, and 1 RSmad.
We further evaluated mRNA expression data for different color morphs and
pigmentation periods. These results support the hypothesis that both subfamilies
of the TGFb superfamily, i.e., the TGFb/activin/Nodal and BMP/GDF/AMH
subfamilies, are involved in the regulation of pigmentation in A. japonicus. The
former subfamily was complete and contributes to the different color morphs. The
BMP/GDF/AMH subfamily was incomplete. BMP2/4-induced differentiation of
white adipocytes was regulated by the BMP2/4?ACVR2A?Smad1 signaling
pathway. These findings provide insight into the TGFb family in early chordate
evolution as well as the molecular basis of color variation in an economically
valuable species
A study of the feeding characteristics of a small and medium-sized copepod species (Sinocalanus tenellus) using genetic analysis techniques: seasonal comparison of potential/eaten food sources focused on phytoplankton
No full textIn aquatic ecosystem, the food web structure based on composition and
abundance of prey species influences the feeding characteristics of predators,
resulting in changes to the structure and function of the entire food web.
Zooplankton mainly feed on phytoplankton, but the method of analyzing the
feed source through visual and microscopic identification of gut contents has
limitations in applicable species and the low resolution of the analysis results. In
this study, potential vs. eaten food sources of Sinocalanus tenellus, a small and
medium-sized copepod species dominant in brackish waters, were analyzed
based on phytoplankton operational taxonomic units detected from the habitat?s
raw water and treated whole bodies of S. tenellus. The alpha diversity and
dominant/subdominant species of each potential and eaten food source were
identified, and they were compared across seasons. At the same time, the
feeding selectivity index (Ei) was calculated by identifying overlapping species
in the potential vs. eaten food source pool. As a result, it was confirmed that not
all surrounding potential food sources are fed on by S. tenellus, and that its diet
can vary depending on the presence/absence of preferred prey. Metabarcoding
techniques is considered to be an effective way to identify fluctuations in major
food sources of zooplankton at the genus or species level. If uncertainties such
as incomplete species identification as identified from the results of this study are
improved through improving of analysis methods such as application of speciesspecific
primers in the future, it will be useful for securing infor
