Climate Change and the Potential Spreading of Marine Mucilage and Microbial Pathogens in the Mediterranean Sea

Background: Marine snow (small amorphous aggregates with colloidal properties) is present in all oceans of the world. Surface water warming and the consequent increase of water column stability can favour the coalescence of marine snow into marine mucilage, large marine aggregates representing an ephemeral and extreme habitat. Marine mucilage characterize aquatic systems with altered environmental conditions. Methodology/Principal Findings: We investigated, by means of molecular techniques, viruses and prokaryotes within the mucilage and in surrounding seawater to examine the potential of mucilage to host new microbial diversity and/or spread marine diseases. We found that marine mucilage contained a large and unexpectedly exclusive microbial biodiversity and hosted pathogenic species that were absent in surrounding seawater. We also investigated the relationship between climate change and the frequency of mucilage in the Mediterranean Sea over the last 200 years and found that the number of mucilage outbreaks increased almost exponentially in the last 20 years. The increasing frequency of mucilage outbreaks is closely associated with the temperature anomalies. Conclusions/Significance: We conclude that the spreading of mucilage in the Mediterranean Sea is linked to climate-driven sea surface warming. The mucilage can act as a controlling factor of microbial diversity across wide oceanic regions and could have the potential to act as a carrier of specific microorganisms, thereby increasing the spread of pathogenic bacteria

Cleavage of prothrombin bound in immune complexes results in high thrombin enzymatic activity

Thrombin plays a pivotal role in blood clotting as well as in the regulation of vascular remodeling and oxidative stress. Recent evidence suggests that auto-antibodies directed against prothrombin, may play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. It is however not clear, if prothrombin bound in an immune complex retains its clotting and regulatory properties or acts solely by increasing vascular inflammation. In order to answer this question, we used a newly developed stain for the detection of thrombin activity of such complexes. Plasma and serum samples were subjected to rocket immunoelectrophoresis in an anti-prothrombin antiserum containing agarose gel. Gel plates, covered with a nitrocellulose membrane were soaked with chromogenic thrombin substrate. The product of thrombin activity was diazotized to red azo dye bound to nitrocellulose. Activity stain revealed barely discernible rockets in plasma, but heavily stained ones in serum. Pre-incubation with trypsin enhanced activity of immunoprecipitates deriving from plasma, but not from serum. Densitometric analysis showed, that the trypsin-enhanced activity in plasma derived immune complexes was twice as high as in serum derived immunoprecipitates. Thrombin active centre is not blocked by anti-prothrombin antiserum allowing to retain thrombin activity. Moreover, prothrombin in immunoprecipitate is readily cleaved by proteolytic enzymes. This cleavage could potentially be enhanced by antibody binding, although these results need to be confirmed using different antibodies

Cleavage of prothrombin bound in immune complexes results in high thrombin enzymatic activity

Thrombin plays a pivotal role in blood clotting as well as in the regulation of vascular remodeling and oxidative stress. Recent evidence suggests that auto-antibodies directed against prothrombin, may play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. It is however not clear, if prothrombin bound in an immune complex retains its clotting and regulatory properties or acts solely by increasing vascular inflammation. In order to answer this question, we used a newly developed stain for the detection of thrombin activity of such complexes. Plasma and serum samples were subjected to rocket immunoelectrophoresis in an anti-prothrombin antiserum containing agarose gel. Gel plates, covered with a nitrocellulose membrane were soaked with chromogenic thrombin substrate. The product of thrombin activity was diazotized to red azo dye bound to nitrocellulose. Activity stain revealed barely discernible rockets in plasma, but heavily stained ones in serum. Pre-incubation with trypsin enhanced activity of immunoprecipitates deriving from plasma, but not from serum. Densitometric analysis showed, that the trypsin-enhanced activity in plasma derived immune complexes was twice as high as in serum derived immunoprecipitates. Thrombin active centre is not blocked by anti-prothrombin antiserum allowing to retain thrombin activity. Moreover, prothrombin in immunoprecipitate is readily cleaved by proteolytic enzymes. This cleavage could potentially be enhanced by antibody binding, although these results need to be confirmed using different antibodies

Water as a source of macronutrients and micronutrients for fish with special emphasis on the nutritional requirements of two fish species: the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

In contrast to terrestrial animals, fish can ingest minerals from food or directly from water. Although micro- and macro-elements are needed in small quantities, they play a key role in many metabolic processes. Trace mineral and macromineral deficiencies may go unnoticed due to an absence of clear clinical symptoms in fish. Absorption processes are determined by various factors, mostly mineral concentrations in water but also other water parameters. The required dietary supplementation of macronutrients and micronutrients is very difficult to determine, and the amount of nutrients absorbed by fish from water is equally difficult to measure. Interactions between elements should also be taken into consideration. Many authors emphasize that phosphates may reduce the absorption of most micronutrients. Also, the current parameters of the water can affect the bioavailability. Some elements such as calcium, chlorine and sodium can be absorbed from ambient water in a quantity sufficient to meet the demand for this element. Other elements, however, require supplementation in a diet. For example, studies indicate the need for supplementation of phosphorus, zinc, copper and manganese. Most research concentrates on feedstuff as a source of micro- and macronutrients. Meanwhile, information concerning bioavailability of minerals directly from water is scarce. The aim of this study was to analyse literature from a different perspective, and concentrate on water as a source of minerals in fish nutrition. Measurements of water parameters such as temperature, pH, nitrate and nitrite levels and the amount of dissolved oxygen are a regular component of environmental control in fish farming. Determination of micro- and macro-element levels, however, remains uncommon in aquaculture. Measurements of these parameters could suggest which elements need to be supplemented and which are found in water in amounts that satisfy the needs of the fish