Tetrodotoxins (Ttxs) and vibrio alginolyticus in mussels from central adriatic sea (italy): Are they closely related?

Tetrodotoxins (TTXs), potent neurotoxins, have become an increasing concern in Europe in recent decades, especially because of their presence in mollusks. The European Food Safety Authority published a Scientific Opinion setting a recommended threshold for TTX in mollusks of 44 µg equivalent kg−1 and calling all member states to contribute to an effort to gather data in order to produce a more exhaustive risk assessment. The objective of this work was to assess TTX levels in wild and farmed mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) harvested in 2018–2019 along the coastal area of the Marche region in the Central Adriatic Sea (Italy). The presence of Vibrio spp. carrying the non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) and polyketide synthase (PKS) genes, which are suspected to be involved in TTX biosynthesis, was also investigated. Out of 158 mussel samples analyzed by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HILICMS/MS), 11 (7%) contained the toxins at detectable levels (8–26 µg kg−1 ) and 3 (2%) contained levels above the EFSA safety threshold (61–76 µg kg−1 ). Contaminated mussels were all harvested from natural beds in spring or summer. Of the 2019 samples, 70% of them contained V. alginolyticus strains with the NRPS and/or PKS genes. None of the strains containing NRPS and/or PKS genes showed detectable levels of TTXs. TTXs in mussels are not yet a threat in the Marche region nor in Europe, but further investigations are surely needed

Maximizing the Products Display for Purchaser Lucidity and Alleviation in Circulation to Augment the Sale of Supermarket: Milieu of Bangladesh

The purpose of this study is to appraise the accessible products display for the purchaser lucidity which may maximizes offers and actions of business with the alleviation in circulation to augment the random sale in the arena of supermarket. The study scrutinizes a fundamental research on the context of Bangladesh and especially for the Dhaka zone. A supermarket, a large form of the traditional grocery store, is a self-service shop offering a wide variety of food and household products, organized into aisles. It is larger in size and has a wider selection than a traditional grocery store, but is smaller and more limited in the range of merchandise than a hypermarket or big-box market. The traditional supermarket occupies a large amount of floor space, usually on a single level. It is usually situated near a residential area in order to be convenient to consumers. The basic appeal is the availability of a broad selection of goods under a single roof, at relatively low prices. Other advantages include ease of parking and frequently the convenience of shopping hours that extend far into the evening or even 24 hours a day. Key words: Circulation, Supermarket, Alleviation, Sale, Products, Variation, Lucidit

Neurocognitive function in HIV-infected patients: comparison of two methods to define impairment

To compare two definitions of neurocognitive impairment (NCI) in a large clinical trial of effectively-treated HIV-infected adults at baselin

Genetic characterization of 12 heterologous microsatellite markers for the giant tropical tree Cariniana legalis (Lecythidaceae)

Twelve microsatellite loci previously developed in the tropical tree Cariniana estrellensis were genetically characterized in Cariniana legalis. Polymorphisms were assessed in 28 C. legalis individuals found between the Pardo and Mogi-Guaçu River basins in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Of the 12 loci, 10 were polymorphic and exhibited Mendelian inheritance. The allelic richness at each locus ranged from 2-11, with an average of 7 alleles per locus, and the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.07-0.88. These loci showed a high probability of paternity exclusion. The characteristics of these heterologous microsatellite markers indicate that they are suitable tools for investigating questions concerning population genetics in C. legalis

New Approach Using the Real-Time PCR Method for Estimation of the Toxic Marine Dinoflagellate Ostreopsis cf. ovata in Marine Environment

Background: We describe the development and validation of a new quantitative real time PCR (qrt-PCR) method for the enumeration of the toxic benthic dinoflagellate Ostreopsis cf. ovata in marine environment. The benthic Ostreopsis sp. has a world-wide distribution and is associated during high biomass proliferation with the production of potent palytoxin-like compounds affecting human health and environment. Species-specific identification, which is relevant for the complex of different toxins production, by traditional methods of microscopy is difficult due to the high morphological variability, and thus different morphotypes can be easily misinterpreted. Methodology/Findings: The method is based on the SYBR I Green real-time PCR technology and combines the use of a plasmid standard curve with a ‘‘gold standard’’ created with pooled crude extracts from environmental samples collected during a bloom event of Ostreopsis cf. ovata in the Mediterranean Sea. Based on their similar PCR efficiencies (95% and 98%, respectively), the exact rDNA copy number per cell was obtained in cultured and environmental samples. Cell lysates were used as the templates to obtain total recovery of DNA. The analytical sensitivity of the PCR was set at two rDNA copy number and 8.061024 cell per reaction for plasmid and gold standards, respectively; the sensitivity of the assay was of cells g21 fw or 121 in macrophyte and seawater samples, respectively. The reproducibility was determined on the total linear quantification range of both curves confirming the accuracy of the technical set-up in the complete ranges of quantification over time. Conclusions/Significance: We developed a qrt-PCR assay specific, robust and high sample throughput for the absolute quantification of the toxic dinoflagellate Ostreopsis cf. ovata in the environmental samples. This molecular approach may be considered alternative to traditional microscopy and applied for the monitoring of benthic toxic microalgal species in the marine ecosystems

The use of organic phosphorus by Ostreopsis cf. ovata: a mixotrophic strategy to account for its success?

Many coastal environments are suffering increasing levels of organic nutrients deriving from anthopogenic and microbial activities and this will affect the natural communities of these environments. In addition, the importance of phosphorus as a nutrient that is limiting primary productivity in these areas is also coming to light. Likewise, in recent years, incidences involving Ostreopsis ovata blooms in temperate coastal zones have been reported with increasing frequency, intensity and distribution. So it was decided to investigate a potential link between these actualities. Studies of O. ovata ‘success’ have covered many aspects of its ecology, however, to date there has been no information given about its possible use of organic substrates as nutrient source. Yet there are many reports in the literature on diverse algal groups that can maintain ‘normal’ activity by making use of organic substrates. In this preliminary study, the phosphatase assay was used as convenient and rapid method to assess possible organic nutrition. Phosphatases are a group of enzymes that hydrolyse simple organic compounds and release inorganic phosphate. Evidence has shown that the bulk of enzyme activity is associated with the cell wall or its immediate surroundings, leading to the release of inorganic phosphate external to the cytoplasmic membrane and the subsequent uptake of much of this into the cell. Here we report on the phosphatase activities of O. ovata cultured in media containing inorganic or organic phosphate and natural samples. Primarily the results show that O. ovata could utilise organic P compounds as growth continued unimpeded in organic P only media and the occurrence of high surface phosphatase activity associated with the cells. The results also highlight what seems to be a high constitutive phosphatase activity. This signifies that even when experiencing high ambient nutrient levels, that rates of activity can continue to supply ‘luxury’ levels of P to the cells. It is likely that O. ovata would thrive under high nutrient conditions and have a competitive edge over other groups of organisms that may have product repressible phosphatases

Growth and phosphatase activities of ostreopsis cf. Ovata biofilms supplied with diverse dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) compounds

It is becoming increasingly evident that the use of organic nutrients is widespread among many aquatic phototrophic organisms. Simultaneously, incidents of eutrophication of coastal waters are becoming more common due to rises in organic nutrient loads deriving from anthropogenic activities and natural terrestrial processes. In the northern Adriatic Sea, blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate Ostreopsis cf. ovata are reported as a frequent phenomenon linked to particular environmental conditions, including increased organic nutrient loads. Ostreopsis blooms typically produce a mucilaginous biofilm that can cover all benthic substrata. In order to clarify the role of dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) in the onset and maintenance of an O. cf. ovata bloom, we investigated the growth rates in the presence of a range of phosphomonoesters (PMEs) (D-fructose 1, 6-disphosphate, β-glycerophosphate, α-D-glucose 1-phosphate, guanosine 5’-monophos-phate and phytic acid) and phosphodiesters (PDEs) (DNA and RNA). Levels of both phosphomonoesterase (PMEase) and phosphodiesterase (PDEase) activities were assessed in the O. cf. ovata biofilms. The results showed that O. cf. ovata growth is not inhibited in media containing a wide range of DOP and diverse ratios of PME:PDE compared to those containing inorganic phosphorus. Much of the hydrolytic activity was associated with bacteria and with extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs). Our findings suggest that the success of O. cf. ovata stems from the collective participation of all components of the biofilm (O. cf. ovata, EPSs and bacteria) that allows it to thrive in phosphorus-limited environments, but where the main source of phosphorus is organic