Algal community membership of estuarine mudflats from the Savannah River, United States

Algae represent a large and diverse group of photosynthetic organisms inhabiting all aquatic habitats. Although the traditional assessment of algal diversity relies mainly on microscopy-based morphological identification, certain limitations exist. In this study, we present a combined molecular and morphological assessment of algal diversity in mudflats from the Savannah River Estuary, Georgia. High diversity of diatoms was documented, and less than 20% of the algal community was physiologically active at the time of collection. From the total genomic DNA extracted from the field samples and lab isolates, 18S rDNA sequences were PCR amplified, cloned, sequenced, identified, and then compared to the taxa identified via microscopy. Only a few of the DNA sequences matched documented taxa, and the abundance of particular algal species was limited to morphological analysis. Surprisingly, upon examination of the remaining lysis buffer from the mechanical lysis step of algal cells, diatom species were left intact even in the presence of a detergent indicating that the diatom species resistant to lysis could be easily underrepresented. Generation of additional algal sequences data, tied to accurate taxonomic identification, is essential to current environmental sequencing projects and potentially would allow faster acquisition of algal community structure within these unique environments

Algal community composition from kaolin recovery ponds located in middle Georgia

This is the first floristic and ecological evaluation of small pond systems developed over different periods of time after seized kaolin mining operations. Assessment of the total algal assemblage was used to infer environmental conditions of the aquatic habitats and also provided information about the ecological health and integrity of the aquatic ecosystems. The main objectives of this study were to document algal community composition and discern the amount of time it takes for a mined pond to reach its high biodiversity of primary producers. Winter and summer samples were taken from a pond developing for two years after removal of kaolin and from a pond that was thirty years old. Both pond systems contained rich algal communities predominantly from Cyanobacteria, Bacillariophyta, and Chlorophyta; however, the 30-year pond had higher Shannon-Wiener diversity, richness, and evenness values in both sampling seasons. In winter, filamentous Zygnematales dominated algal communities in the 2-year pond, while the 30-year pond community was dominated by diatoms. In both sites, the most taxon- rich group was green algal representatives of Desmidiaceae. In summer, potentially toxin- producing filamentous Cyanobacteria of the Nostocales were recorded in the 2-year pond, while the 30-year pond had higher average algal cell evenness and few toxic Nostocales. The average abundance of 11 diatom species, seven green algae, and one representative each of Euglenophyta, Cyanobacteria, and Cryptophyta resulted in less than 20 percent overall similarity between the two ponds. Our findings suggest that after two years of development potentially harmful kaolin residues are removed by natural sorption processes and do not negatively influence primary producers. However, stabilization processes in those manmade ecosystems may potentially take more than two years to produce high species richness and prevent toxic algal blooms

Differences in HIV⁺ vs. HIV⁻ scatter plots of DSST/protein abundance correlation analyses results for four salivary proteins of interest.

<p>(A–D) Scatter plots showing the correlation of specific salivary protein abundance values against measured DSST scores in HIV⁺, heroin dependent individuals. The proteins include IL1RA (interleukin-1 receptor antagonist), CANX (calnexin), VCP (valosin-containing protein), and UBA1 (ubiquitin-like modifier-activating enzyme 1). All proteins, except for IL1RA, show significant direct correlation of DSST with salivary protein abundance at <i>P-</i>value<0.05. (E–H) Scatter plots showing the same comparison except against HIV⁻ heroin dependent individuals; however, no perceived correlation is observed, i.e., all p-values are well above 0.05. The linear regression is shown by a red line, and the Pearson product-moment correlation score (<i>r</i>) and Benjamini-Hochberg corrected <i>P</i>-values are indicated in the inlay boxes.</p

Overview of clinical saliva sample collection and proteomic analysis.

<p>A) Timeline of the three participant cohorts and their respective days of saliva sample collection and DSST testing. The control population was HIV⁻ and heroin independent so no methadone treatment was initiated at day 0. B) Graph of DSST correlation with all identified and quantified saliva proteins from each respective group after sample collection, processing, instrument and data analysis. Proteins shown in red are those which pass the Benjamini-Hochberg corrected <i>P</i>-value of <0.05.</p

Proteins showing a significant correlation between abundance and DSST score.

<p>Proteins showing a significant correlation between abundance and DSST score.</p

Overview of differentially abundant saliva proteins across methadone treatment.

<p>A) and B) Heat map of all differential protein abundances in the HIV⁺ and HIV⁻, heroin dependent cohorts respectively due to methadone treatment (see supplemental table 3 for complete list) at p value <0.05. Clustering is based upon a Pearson distance metric with K-means clustering (K:5). Protein abundance values were scaled for plotting. C) Venn diagram showing the overlap between the respective HIV ^+/− heat map results and the previous 58 DSST correlating saliva proteins.</p

Demographics.

1<p>Mean (SE).</p>2<p>[ ] percent of sample affected.</p>3<p>p = 0.04.</p

Inverse relationship of IL1RA ELISA results with DSST scores.

<p>Scatter plot of IL1RA ELISA absolute concentrations (circles and dotted lines) and DSST scores (triangles and solid lines) over time across 6 HIV-positive individuals showing consistent inverse correlation. Sampling time points include 1 (the day participant presents to the methadone clinic and begins first dose), 2 and 3 (second and third sessions ∼35 and 36 days of methadone, respectively), and 4 (∼100 days on methadone). The Pearson product-moment correlation scores are shown in the lower left corner of each scatter plot.</p

A graphical representation of the overlap between 47 salivary proteins that demonstrated significant positive correlations with DSST scores in HIV⁺ heroin addicts and exosomal proteins identified in the ExoCarta database [73].

<p>Proteins are grouped by functional categories for visualization purposes, and not sub-exosomal localization. Adapted from Mathivanin et al. <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0089366#pone.0089366-Mathivanan2" target="_blank">[105]</a>.</p