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In vitro faecal fermentation of Tritordeum breads and its effect on the human gut health
Get PDFSpontaneous fermentation of Tritordeum flour enhances the nutritional potential of this hybrid cereal. However, the effect of consumption of Tritordeum sourdough bread (SDB) on gut health remains to be elucidated. This study investigated the effect of in vitro digestion and faecal fermentation of SDB compared to that of traditional baker's yeast (BYB) Tritordeum bread. After 24-h anaerobic faecal fermentation, both SDB and BYB (1% w/v) induced an increase in the relative abundances of Bifidobacterium, Megasphaera, Mitsuokella, and Phascolarctobacterium genera compared to baseline, while concentrations of acetate and butyrate were significantly higher at 24 h for SDB compared to those for BYB. Integrity of intestinal epithelium, as assessed through in vitro trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) assay, was slightly increased after incubation with SDB fermentation supernatants, but not after incubation with BYB fermentation supernatants. The SDB stimulated in vitro mucosal immune response by inducing early secretion of inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and TNF-α, followed by downregulation of the inflammatory trigger through induction of anti-inflammatory IL-10 expression. Overall, our findings suggest that Tritordeum sourdough can modulate gut microbiota fermentation activity and positively impact the gut health
Projection of current and future distribution of adaptive genetic units in an alpine ungulate
Get PDFClimate projections predict major changes in alpine environments by the end of the 21st century. To avoid climate-induced maladaptation and extinction, many animal populations will either need to move to more suitable habitats or adapt in situ to novel conditions. Since populations of a species exhibit genetic variation related to local adaptation, it is important to incorporate this variation into predictive models to help assess the ability of the species to survive climate change. Here, we evaluate how the adaptive genetic variation of a mountain ungulate-the Northern chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra)-could be impacted by future global warming. Based on genotype-environment association analyses of 429 chamois using a ddRAD sequencing approach, we identified genetic variation associated with climatic gradients across the European Alps. We then delineated adaptive genetic units and projected the optimal distribution of these adaptive groups in the future. Our results suggest the presence of local adaptation to climate in Northern chamois with similar genetic adaptive responses in geographically distant but climatically similar populations. Furthermore, our results predict that future climatic changes will modify the Northern chamois adaptive landscape considerably, with various degrees of maladaptation ris
1H NMR profiling and chemometric analysis for ripening and production characterization of Grana Padano cheese
Get PDFGrana Padano (GP) cheese is a renowned PDO Italian cheese whose nutritional characteristics and market price are influenced by the ripening stage. In this work, it was demonstrated that the combined use of untargeted 1H NMR profiling and chemometric analysis can be used as a powerful tool to quantitatively characterize GP ripening and production, focusing on both aqueous and lipid fractions. An initial exploratory analysis revealed substantial variations in the aqueous fraction attributable to aging time, year and season of production. Multivariate analysis was adopted to show these differences, mainly attributable to amino acids. In contrast, the lipid fraction analysis highlighted the impact of production season on fatty acid unsaturation, influenced by feed variations. As regards the production process, this study focuses on the variations induced by bactofugation. In this respect, the aqueous fraction was found to be extensively influenced by this centrifugation step, affecting compounds crucial to organoleptic characteristic
Benthic biodiversity patterns in rapidly evolving Alpine proglacial ponds (Cevedale glacier, Italy)
Get PDFBorn to be wild: captive-born and wild Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) reveal space-use similarities when reintroduced for species conservation concerns
Get PDFAn ambitious conservation programme to save the Iberian lynx from extinction conducted several reintroductions aiming to restore its historical range. The urgency due to the delicate conservation status prompted translocating captive-born and wild individuals, while preventing an early assessment of how both groups combined their space-use and differed in post-release movements. To address this issue, we conducted a comprehensive movement ecology analysis using GPS data of 161 Iberian lynxes from 9 populations. First, we classified five movement phases within individuals' trajectories: residence areas (stable and transient), excursions, post-release dispersals, and transitions between residences. Second, we used continuous-time movement models to estimate range size and daily speeds and measured the distance travelled during extra-territorial movements. Finally, we conducted comparative analyses to evaluate differences between captive-born, wild translocated, and wild non-translocated individuals across phases, sex, age-class and populations. Most individuals in all groups established home ranges, supporting the reintroduction main goal. Yet, contrary to the species' natural pattern, captive-born subadults did not show intersexual home range size differences, which emerged after experiencing free-ranging, when becoming adults. More differences emerged for non-residential behaviours. Captive-born lynxes were more prone to post-release dispersal, to slower post-release movements and to having smaller transient residences, indicating cautious behaviour. Our study supports using captive-born individuals for reintroductions, while prioritizing wild individuals for reinforcements in highly competitive populations. Further, we suggest relevant metrics for planning translocations and connectivity management, and we demonstrate how an integrated ex-situ and reintroduction initiative can substantially contribute to restoring an endangered species' distribution rang
Subfossil diatoms of Perialpine lakes reveal early lake responses to climate warming and human impact in the 20th century
Get PDFThe majority of Perialpine lakes suffered from nutrient enrichment since the early 1960s because of the demographic growth and the economic boom that followed World War II. However, limnological surveys have remained scattered and irregular for both large and small Perialpine lakes during the early stages of nutrient enrichment, while regular monitoring programs started mainly during the most acute anthropogenic eutrophication or in conjunction with the launching of lake restoration measures. As a result, the early-stage responses of Perialpine lakes to major human-related perturbations occurred during Anthropocene can only be reconstructed based on information preserved in deep lake sediment records. Subfossil diatoms are among the most reliable biological remains in lake sediments and have been extensively used for the reconstruction of the trophic evolution of temperate lakes at secular scale. In this contribution we provide evidence of the capacity of subfossil diatoms to provide information on indirect effects of early global warming occurred in the first half of the 20th century in both large and small Perialpine lakes. We present results of subfossil diatom studies conducted during the last ca. 10 years on sediment cores from a set of large Perialpine, and two additional smaller mid altitude lakes, located on both the northern and southern Alpine slopes. Diatom based environmental reconstructions show that lake biological responses to major changes in lake nutrient availability during the post-war economic development was particularly rapid and coherent in different lake types north and south of the Alps. In addition, these studies reveal that first changes in the diatom species composition occurred already during the first half of the 20th century in several lakes. Although the investigated lakes differ in location, morphology (e.g. altitude, size, depth), and exposition to direct and indirect human impacts, subfossil diatoms first relevant changes mainly occurred between the 1930s and the 1940s. In most of the lakes early diatom changes consist in the rapid substitution of small centric taxa by pennate taxa mainly belonging to the genera Asterionella and Fragilaria. These changes could be interpreted as indirect community response to the first documented climate warming after the end of the Little Ice Age, that mimicked nutrient enrichment effects although being mediated by lake-specific hydrological and thermal dynamics. The interpretation of the observed changes is difficult for some lakes due to the combination of climate related effects with superimposed and simultaneous anthropogenic perturbations that ranged from early eutrophication to hydroelectric exploitation. These results underscore: a) the importance of the paleolimnological approach for complementing and expanding limnological surveys and for predicting future lake ecological trends based on the understanding of past lake responses; b) the potential of subfossil sediment diatoms as a proxy to understand indirect effects of climate change on the planktonic lake biota
The role of substrate‐borne vibrational signals in the sexual communication of the painted bug, Bagrada hilaris
No full textThe invasive alien stink bug Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), native to eastern-southern Africa and central-southern Asia, poses significant economic threats to agroecosystems due to its polyphagous diet with a preference for brassicaceous crops. Current control methods using broad-spectrum insecticides are expensive and often result in significant negative ecological impacts, as well as posing a health risk to consumers. This study provides a detailed description of the mating behavior of B. hilaris, with the aim to ascertain whether substrate-borne vibrations have a role in premating phases. Such knowledge may contribute to the development of alternative biorational control techniques employing vibrational strategies. Virgin adults were tested individually or in pairs on different substrates, that is, a loudspeaker membrane and a bean plant. Vibrations emitted by males and females were recorded using a laser Doppler vibrometer, and the following spectral and temporal parameters were analyzed: fundamental frequency, emission time, repetition time, and signal modulation. Three distinct types of vibration emitted by males and females were identified: a male vibrotype (MV-1), a female vibrotype (FV), and a copula signal exclusively emitted by males (MS-2). MV-1 and FV were emitted prior to genitalia contact, whereas MS-2 was emitted within the mounting and engagement phases. Statistical analysis revealed significant transitions in behavioral phases for couples that achieved mating. By analyzing the walking behavior, there was an inverse relationship between motility and signal emission when comparing the two sexes, which suggests that males might engage in a form of searching behavior. These findings provide insight into the crucial role of vibrational communication to achieve mating in B. hilari
Circulating low-molecular-weight (poly)phenol metabolites in the brain: unveiling in vitro and in vivo blood-brain barrier transport
No full textCirculating metabolites resulting from colonic metabolism of dietary (poly)phenols are highly abundant in the bloodstream, though still marginally explored, particularly concerning their brain accessibility. Our goal is to disclose (poly)phenol metabolites' blood-brain barrier (BBB) transport, in vivo and in vitro, as well as their role at BBB level. For three selected metabolites, benzene-1,2-diol-3-sulfate/benzene-1,3-diol-2-sulfate (pyrogallol-sulfate - Pyr-sulf), benzene-1,3-diol-6-sulfate (phloroglucinol-sulfate - Phlo-sulf), and phenol-3-sulfate (resorcinol-sulfate - Res-sulf), BBB transport was assessed in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC). Their potential in modulating in vitro BBB properties at circulating concentrations was also studied. Metabolites' fate towards the brain, liver, kidney, urine, and blood was disclosed in Wistar rats upon injection. Transport kinetics in HBMEC highlighted different BBB permeability rates, where Pyr-sulf emerged as the most in vitro BBB permeable metabolite. Pyr-sulf was also the most potent regarding BBB properties improvement, namely increased beta(β)-catenin membrane expression and reduction of zonula occludens-1 membrane gaps. Whereas no differences were observed for transferrin, increased expression of caveolin-1 upon Pyr-sulf and Res-sulf treatments was found. Pyr-sulf was also capable of modulating gene and protein expression of some solute carrier transporters. Notably, each of the injected metabolites exhibited a unique tissue distribution in vivo, with the remarkable ability to almost immediately reach the brai
Substrate-borne vibrations produced during the interaction with natural enemies alter aphids probing behavior
Get PDFThe “ecology of fear”, i.e., physiological and behavioral alterations displayed by pests in response to predation risk, has recently been proposed as a sustainable alternative to chemicals for pest control. However, the development of such a strategy requires a detailed understanding of the signals and cues underlying the pest-antagonist interaction and eliciting the prey behavioral alteration. Here, we characterized the substrate-borne vibrations produced during the interaction between the green peach aphid Myzus persicae and its antagonists, the parasitoid wasp Aphidius colemani and the ladybug Adalia bipunctata. Thereafter, coupling the electrical penetration graph (EPG) with a stimulus controller, we evaluated whether the playback of the vibrations, alone and in combination with the alarm pheromone, impacted aphid probing behavior and interaction with the host plant. Aphids responded to vibrations exhibiting longer non-probing, shorter intracellular probes, i.e. the behavior through which the insect evaluates host plant quality, delay in accessing the phloem vessels and decrease of the frequency of phloem salivation events. In contrast, on plants treated with the alarm pheromone, insects displayed longer intracellular probes. We hypothesize that the alarm pheromone, signaling a distant threat, might induce a careful evaluation of the host plant in order to decide the magnitude of the reaction. On the other hand, vibrations might indicate a closely approaching threat pushing the aphid to rush the host evaluation process and the whole feeding process. The possible repercussion of the behavioral alterations observed on the dynamics of aphid-borne plant virus transmission is also discusse