Influence of mitochondrial genome rearrangement on cucumber leaf carbon and nitrogen metabolism

The MSC16 cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) mitochondrial mutant was used to study the effect of mitochondrial dysfunction and disturbed subcellular redox state on leaf day/night carbon and nitrogen metabolism. We have shown that the mitochondrial dysfunction in MSC16 plants had no effect on photosynthetic CO2 assimilation, but the concentration of soluble carbohydrates and starch was higher in leaves of MSC16 plants. Impaired mitochondrial respiratory chain activity was associated with the perturbation of mitochondrial TCA cycle manifested, e.g., by lowered decarboxylation rate. Mitochondrial dysfunction in MSC16 plants had different influence on leaf cell metabolism under dark or light conditions. In the dark, when the main mitochondrial function is the energy production, the altered activity of TCA cycle in mutated plants was connected with the accumulation of pyruvate and TCA cycle intermediates (citrate and 2-OG). In the light, when TCA activity is needed for synthesis of carbon skeletons required as the acceptors for NH4+ assimilation, the concentration of pyruvate and TCA intermediates was tightly coupled with nitrate metabolism. Enhanced incorporation of ammonium group into amino acids structures in mutated plants has resulted in decreased concentration of organic acids and accumulation of Glu

Biocontamination of the western Vistula Lagoon (south-eastern Baltic Sea, Poland)

Non-native species exert considerable pressure on aquatic ecosystems; accordingly, they are treated as biopollutants. The Vistula Lagoon, one of the largest brackish water bodies in the Baltic, has become a part of the central corridor for hydrobionts migrating in the direction of western Europe and species expanding in inshore waters. Ten non-indigenous species of benthic invertebrates from five different biogeographical regions have been found in the western part of the Lagoon. Their considerable abundance relative to the numbers and abundance of native species testifies to the high level of biopollution there. The integrated biological contamination index (IBC) calculated for the macrobenthos in the western Vistula Lagoon was 4 and corresponds to the Lagoon's poor ecological status

The first record of a new alien species Limnodrilus cervix Brinkhurst, 1963 (Annelida, Clitellata) in the Vistula Lagoon (southern Baltic Sea)

The present work reports the first record of Limnodrilus cervix in the south-eastern part of the Baltic Sea. A specimen of this North American species was found in 2010 in the Vistula Lagoon, near the village of Piaski (Poland). The distribution of other Nearctic Limnodrilus species in Europe is also presented

The combination of low salinity and low temperature can limit the colonisation success of the non-native bivalve Rangia cuneata in brackish Baltic waters

We studied the behavioural (burrowing and valves gaping) and metabolic responses of Atlantic rangia Rangia cuneata (G.B. Sowerby I, 1832) at different salinities and temperatures. Three salinities (S = 0.5, 7.0, 10.0) were tested at 20 °C, with an additional control of 2.4. The control salinity (S = 2.4) was also tested at 10 °C to examine responses specific to colder temperatures. Clams exposed to the lowest (S = 0.5, T = 20 °C) and the highest salinity (S = 10.0, T = 20 °C), as well as lower temperature (T = 10 °C, S = 2.4) significantly (p .05). Clams kept their shells open in the lowest salinity, but closed in the highest salinity and at lower temperature. The closure time was longer in salinity of 10.0 than at temperature of 10 °C, where the highest reduction in the metabolic rate occurred in relation to the control conditions. This latter fact, in combination with shell closure, may indicate the activation of an anaerobic pathway. Thus, in the long term, lower temperatures may adversely affect R. cuneata, especially at very low salinity (S = 0.5, 2.4), in which this hyper-osmoregulating species has to strongly pump water with ions and oxygen to compensate for energy demand. In salinity of 10.0, where the species is isosmotic to the environment, changes in behaviour (moving to the sediment surface and closing the shell) with a simultaneous reduction in the metabolic rate may be due to lower costs of osmoregulation. Our results may help explain the strong inter-annual fluctuations in the population size of this subtropical species in the Baltic coastal waters resulting from the mass mortality of adults after long winters

How do differences in the nutritional and hydrological background influence phytoplankton in the Vistula Lagoon during a hot summer day?

The aim of this work was to find out whether the difference between the central Vistula Lagoon (the southern Baltic Sea) and the western lagoon was reflected in the relationships between nutrients and phytoplankton during one-day hot summer conditions when the water temperature exceeded 20°C. Significant differences in Soluble Reactive Phosphorus (SRP) and Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN) concentrations, and also in the biomass of the dominant phytoplankton assemblage of Cyanoprokaryota, were noted in the studied parts of the lagoon. No such differences were found for the nitrogen to phosphorus ratio (N:P) or for the biomasses of Bacillariophyta and Chlorophyta. The very low values of N:P (on average 2.8 and 3.4) indicated strong nitrogen limitation. The Correspondence Canonical Analysis (CCA) showed that the central part of the lagoon could be defined as positively related to DIN and to N:P, and western part could be characterized by correlation with temperature, dissolved oxygen and SRP concentrations. Competition for the limited resources of Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen in the western, shallower part of the lagoon was in favour of Cyanoprokaryota, to the detriment of other phytoplankton assemblages. In contrast, the Cyanoprokaryota biomass in the central part of the lagoon, where DIN concentrations were increased, was lower, and Bacillariophyta in particular prospered at their expense. Here, the competition for Soluble Reactive Phosphorus was not so clear-cut

Does Gut-Microbiome Interaction Protect against Obesity and Obesity-Associated Metabolic Disorders?

More research has recently focused on the role of the gut microbiota in the development or course of numerous diseases, including non-communicable diseases. As obesity remains prevalent, the question arises as to what microbial changes are associated with increased obesity prevalence and what kind of prevention and treatment approaches it could provide. Moreover, the influence of the gut-brain axis on obesity is also crucial, since it can affect metabolism and food intake. The quantitative and qualitative changes in the microbiota composition are called dysbiosis; however, in view of the current knowledge, it is difficult to conclude which microbial imbalances are adverse or beneficial. Increased numbers of pathological microorganisms were observed among patients with obesity and comorbidities associated with it, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and insulin resistance. Our review provides current knowledge regarding changes in the intestinal microbiota associated with obesity and obesity-associated comorbidities. Nevertheless, given that dietary patterns and nutrients are two of the factors affecting the intestinal microbiota, we also discuss the role of different dietary approaches, vitamins, and minerals in the shaping of the intestinal microbiota

Is There an Ideal Diet to Protect against Iodine Deficiency?

Iodine deficiency is a global issue and affects around 2 billion people worldwide, with pregnant women as a high-risk group. Iodine-deficiency prevention began in the 20th century and started with global salt iodination programmes, which aimed to improve the iodine intake status globally. Although it resulted in the effective eradication of the endemic goitre, it seems that salt iodination did not resolve all the issues. Currently, it is recommended to limit the consumption of salt, which is the main source of iodine, as a preventive measure of non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension or cancer the prevalence of which is increasing. In spite of the fact that there are other sources of iodine, such as fish, seafood, dairy products, water, and vegetables, the high consumption of processed food with a high content of unionised salt, alternative diets or limited salt intake can still lead to iodine deficiency. Thus, iodine deficiency remains a relevant issue, with new, preventive solutions necessary. However, it appears that there is no diet which would fully cover the iodine requirements, and iodine food supplementation is still required