Influence of Quadrato Motor Training on Salivary proNGF and proBDNF

Previous studies demonstrated exercise-induced modulation of neurotrophins, such as Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). Yet, no study that we are aware of has examined their change as a function of different training paradigms. In addition, the understanding of the possible training-induced relationship between NGF and BDNF change is still lacking. Consequently, in the current study we examined the effect of a Walking Training (WT) and of Quadrato Motor Training (QMT) on NGF and BDNF precursors (proNGF and proBDNF). QMT is a specifically structured sensorimotor training that involves sequences of movements based on verbal commands, that was previously reported to improve spatial cognition, reflectivity, creativity as well as emotion regulation and general self-efficacy. In addition, QMT was reported to induce electrophysiological and morphological changes, suggesting stimulation of neuroplasticity processes. In two previous independent studies we reported QMT-induced changes in the salivary proNGF and proBDNF levels. Our present results demonstrate that following 12 weeks of daily QMT practice, proNGF level increases while proBDNF showed no significant change. More importantly, while no correlation between the two neurotrophins prior to training was detectable, there was a significant correlation between change in proNGF and proBDNF levels. Taken together the current results suggest that the two neurotrophins undergo a complex modulation, likely related to the different pathways by which they are produced and regulated. Since variations of these neurotrophins have been previously linked to depression, stress and anxiety, the current study may have practical implications and aid in understanding the possible physiological mechanisms that mediate improved well-being, and the dynamic change of neurotrophins as a result of training

Chemoautotrophy at deep-sea vents : past, present, and future

Author Posting. © The Oceanography Society, 2012. This article is posted here by permission of The Oceanography Society for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Oceanography 25, no. 1 (2012): 218–233, doi:10.5670/oceanog.2012.21.Chemolithoautotrophic microorganisms are at the nexus of hydrothermal systems by effectively transferring the energy from the geothermal source to the higher trophic levels. While the validity of this conceptual framework is well established at this point, there are still significant gaps in our understanding of the microbiology and biogeochemistry of deep-sea hydrothermal systems. Important questions in this regard are: (1) How much, at what rates, and where in the system is organic carbon being produced? (2) What are the dominant autotrophs, where do they reside, and what is the relative importance of free-swimming, biofilm-forming, and symbiotic microbes? (3) Which metabolic pathways are they using to conserve energy and to fix carbon? (4) How does community-wide gene expression in fluid and biofilm communities compare? and (5) How efficiently is the energy being utilized, transformed into biomass, and transferred to higher trophic levels? In particular, there is currently a notable lack of process-oriented studies that would allow an assessment of the larger role of these ecosystems in global biogeochemical cycles. By combining the presently available powerful "omic" and single-cell tools with thermodynamic modeling, experimental approaches, and new in situ instrumentation to measure rates and concentrations, it is now possible to bring our understanding of these truly fascinating ecosystems to a new level and to place them in a quantitative framework and thus a larger global context.This review was written with support from NSF grants OCE-1136727, OCE-1038131, and OCE-1131095 (SMS) and OCE-1136451 (CV). Research mentioned in the review that was carried out in the labs of CV and SMS was supported by NSF grants MCB-0843678 (CV) and OCE-0452333 (SMS)

Microbial Biofilms Along a Geochemical Gradient at the Shallow-Water Hydrothermal System of Vulcano Island, Mediterranean Sea

Shallow water hydrothermal vents represent highly dynamic environments where strong geochemical gradients can shape microbial communities. Recently, these systems are being widely used for investigating the effects of ocean acidification on biota as vent emissions can release high CO2 concentrations causing local pH reduction. However, other gas species, as well as trace elements and metals, are often released in association with CO2 and can potentially act as confounding factors. In this study, we evaluated the composition, diversity and inferred functional profiles of microbial biofilms in Levante Bay (Vulcano Island, Italy, Mediterranean Sea), a well-studied shallow-water hydrothermal vent system. We analyzed 16S rRNA transcripts from biofilms exposed to different intensity of hydrothermal activity, following a redox and pH gradient across the bay. We found that elevated CO2 concentrations causing low pH can affect the response of bacterial groups and taxa by either increasing or decreasing their relative abundance. H2S proved to be a highly selective factor shaping the composition and affecting the diversity of the community by selecting for sulfide-dependent, chemolithoautotrophic bacteria. The analysis of the 16S rRNA transcripts, along with the inferred functional profile of the communities, revealed a strong influence of H2S in the southern portion of the study area, and temporal succession affected the inferred abundance of genes for key metabolic pathways. Our results revealed that the composition of the microbial assemblages vary at very small spatial scales, mirroring the highly variable geochemical signature of vent emissions and cautioning for the use of these environments as models to investigate the effects of ocean acidification on microbial diversity

Detection and phylogenetic analysis of the membrane-bound nitrate reductase (Nar) in pure cultures and microbial communities from deep-sea hydrothermal vents

Over the past few years the relevance of nitrate respiration in microorganisms from deep-sea hydrothermal vents has become evident. In this study, we surveyed the membrane-bound nitrate reductase (Nar) encoding gene in three different deep-sea vent microbial communities from the East Pacific Rise and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Additionally, we tested pure cultures of vent strains for their ability to reduce nitrate and for the presence of the NarG-encoding gene in their genomes. By using the narG gene as a diagnostic marker for nitrate-reducing bacteria, we showed that nitrate reductases related to Gammaproteobacteria of the genus Marinobacter were numerically prevalent in the clone libraries derived from a black smoker and a diffuse flow vent. In contrast, NarG sequences retrieved from a community of filamentous bacteria located about 50 cm above a diffuse flow vent revealed the presence of a yet to be identified group of enzymes. 16S rRNA gene-inferred community compositions, in accordance with previous studies, showed a shift from Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria to Epsilonproteobacteria as the vent fluids become warmer and more reducing. Based on these findings, we argue that Nar-catalyzed nitrate reduction is likely relevant in temperate and less reducing environments where Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria are more abundant and where nitrate concentrations reflect that of background deep seawater. © 2013 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. All rights reserved

Dynamic drivers of a shallow-water hydrothermal vent ecogeochemical system (Milos, Eastern Mediterranean)

Shallow-water hydrothermal vents share many characteristics with their deep-sea analogs. However, despite ease of access, much less is known about the dynamics of these systems. Here, we report on the spatial and temporal chemical variability of a shallow-water vent system at Paleochori Bay, Milos Island, Greece, and on the bacterial and archaeal diversity of associated sandy sediments. Our multi-analyte voltammetric profiles of dissolved O2 and hydrothermal tracers (e.g. Fe2+, FeSaq, Mn2+) on sediment cores taken along a transect in hydrothermally affected sediments indicate three different areas: the central vent area (highest temperature) with a deeper penetration of oxygen into the sediment, and a lack of dissolved Fe2+ and Mn2+; a middle area (0.5 m away) rich in dissolved Fe2+ and Mn2+ (exceeding 2 mM) and high free sulfide with potential for microbial sulfide oxidation as suggested by the presence of white mats at the sediment surface; and, finally, an outer rim area (1-1.5 m away) with lower concentrations of Fe2+ and Mn2+ and higher signals of FeSaq, indicating an aged hydrothermal fluid contribution. In addition, high-frequency temperature series and continuous in situ H2S measurements with voltammetric sensors over a 6-day time period at a distance 0.5 m away from the vent center showed substantial temporal variability in temperature (32 to 46 ºC ) and total sulfide (488 to 1329 �M) in the upper sediment layer. Analysis of these data suggests that tides, winds, and abrupt geodynamic events generate intermittent mixing conditions lasting for several hours to days. Despite substantial variability, the concentration of sulfide available for chemoautotrophic microbes remained high. These findings are consistent with the predominance of Epsilonproteobacteria in the hydrothermally influenced sediments Diversity and metagenomic analyses on sediments and biofilm collected along a transect from the center to the outer rim of the vent provide further insights on the metabolic activities and the environmental factors shaping these microbial communities. Both bacterial and archaeal diversity changed along the transect as well as with sediment depth, in line with the geochemical measurements. Beside the fact that it harbors an unexpected diversity of yet undescribed bacteria and archaea, this site is also a relevant model to investigate the link between ecological and abiotic dynamics in such instable hydrothermal environments. Our results provide evidence for the importance of transient geodynamic and hydrodynamic events in the dynamics and distribution of chemoautotrophic communities in the hydrothermally influenced sediments of Paleochori Bay

Single cell genomics-based analysis of gene content and expression of prophages in a diffuse-flow deep-sea hydrothermal system

© The Author(s), 2019. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Labonte, J. M., Pachiadaki, M., Fergusson, E., McNichol, J., Grosche, A., Gulmann, L. K., Vetriani, C., Sievert, S. M., & Stepanauskas, R. Single cell genomics-based analysis of gene content and expression of prophages in a diffuse-flow deep-sea hydrothermal system. Frontiers in Microbiology, 10, (2019): 1262, doi:10.3389/fmicb.2019.01262.Phage–host interactions likely play a major role in the composition and functioning of many microbiomes, yet remain poorly understood. Here, we employed single cell genomics to investigate phage–host interactions in a diffuse-flow, low-temperature hydrothermal vent that may be reflective of a broadly distributed biosphere in the subseafloor. We identified putative prophages in 13 of 126 sequenced single amplified genomes (SAGs), with no evidence for lytic infections, which is in stark contrast to findings in the surface ocean. Most were distantly related to known prophages, while their hosts included bacterial phyla Campylobacterota, Bacteroidetes, Chlorobi, Proteobacteria, Lentisphaerae, Spirochaetes, and Thermotogae. Our results suggest the predominance of lysogeny over lytic interaction in diffuse-flow, deep-sea hydrothermal vents, despite the high activity of the dominant Campylobacteria that would favor lytic infections. We show that some of the identified lysogens have co-evolved with their host over geological time scales and that their genes are transcribed in the environment. Functional annotations of lysogeny-related genes suggest involvement in horizontal gene transfer enabling host’s protection against toxic metals and antibacterial compounds.This work was supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Dimensions of Biodiversity Program [OCE-1136488 (to RS), OCE-1136727 (to SMS) and OCE-1136451 (to CV)], as well as DEB-1441717 and OCE-1335810 (to RS), and the DOE JGI CSP project 1477

Quadrato Motor Training (QMT) is associated with DNA methylation changes at DNA repeats: A pilot study

The control of non-coding repeated DNA by DNA methylation plays an important role in genomic stability, contributing to health and healthy aging. Mind-body practices can elicit psychophysical wellbeing via epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation. However, in this context the effects of movement meditations have rarely been examined. Consequently, the current study investigates the effects of a specifically structured movement meditation, called the Quadrato Motor Training (QMT) on psychophysical wellbeing and on the methylation level of repeated sequences. An 8-week daily QMT program was administered to healthy women aged 40-60 years and compared with a passive control group matched for gender and age. Psychological well-being was assessed within both groups by using self-reporting scales, including the Meaning in Life Questionnaire [MLQ] and Psychological Wellbeing Scale [PWB]). DNA methylation profiles of repeated sequences (ribosomal DNA, LINE-1 and Alu) were determined in saliva samples by deep-sequencing. In contrast to controls, the QMT group exhibited increased Search for Meaning, decreased Presence of Meaning and increased Positive Relations, suggesting that QMT may lessen the automatic patterns of thinking. In the QMT group, we also found site-specific significant methylation variations in ribosomal DNA and LINE-1 repeats, consistent with increased genome stability. Finally, the correlations found between changes in methylation and psychometric indices (MLQ and PWB) suggest that the observed epigenetic and psychological changes are interrelated. Collectively, the current results indicate that QMT may improve psychophysical health trajectories by influencing the DNA methylation of specific repetitive sequences

Origins of archaeal tetraether lipids in sediments : insights from radiocarbon analysis

Author Posting. © Elsevier B.V., 2008. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of Elsevier B.V. for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 72 (2008): 4577-4594, doi:10.1016/j.gca.2008.06.021.Understanding the supply and preservation of glycerol dibiphytanyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) in marine sediments helps inform their use in paleoceanography. Compound-specific radiocarbon measurements of sedimentary alkenones from multiple environments have been used to gain insight into processes that affect paleo-temperature reconstructions. Similar analyses are warranted to investigate how analogous processes affecting GDGTs impact TEX86 paleotemperatures. Here we present radiocarbon measurements on individual GDGTs from Bermuda Rise and Santa Monica Basin sediments and discuss the results in the context of previous studies of co-depositional alkenones and foraminifera. The 149 C contents of GDGTs and planktonic foraminifera in Bermuda Rise are very similar, suggesting a local source; and TEX86- derived temperatures agree more closely with foraminiferal temperatures than do temperatures. In contrast, GDGTs in Santa Monica Basin are depleted in 1412 C relative to both alkenones and foraminifera, and TEX86 temperatures agree poorly with known surface water values. We propose three possible factors that could explain these results: (i) GDGTs may be labile relative to alkenones during advective transport through oxic waters; (ii) archaeal production deep in the water column may contribute 1416 C-depleted GDGTs to sediments; and (iii) some GDGTs also may derive from sedimentary archaeal communities. Each of these three processes is likely to occur with varying relative importance depending on geographic location. The latter two may help to explain why TEX86 temperature reconstructions from Santa Monica Basin do not appear to reflect actual sea surface temperatures. Terrigenous GDGTs are unlikely to be major contributors to Bermuda Rise or Santa Monica Basin sediments, based on values of the BIT index. The results also indicate that the crenarchaeol regioisomer is governed by processes different from other GDGTs. Individual measurements of the crenarchaeol regioisomer are significantly depleted in 1424 C relative to co-occurring GDGTs, indicating an alternative origin for this compound that presently remains unknown. Re-examination of the contribution of crenarchaeol regioisomer to the TEX86 index shows that it is a significant influence on the sensitivity of temperature reconstructions.This work was supported by the David & Lucille Packard Foundation and by NSF-OCE-0241363 and EAR-0311937 (to A.P.)

Functions of height and width dimensions in the intertidal mussel, Mytilus californianus

Author Posting. © National Shellfisheries Association, 2008. This article is posted here by permission of National Shellfisheries Association for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Journal of Shellfish Research 27 (2008): 385-392, doi:10.2983/0730-8000(2008)27[385:FOHAWD]2.0.CO;2.A mussel's shell records its history of growth. We investigated variability in the size and shape of mussel shells of Mytilus californianus Conrad (1837) to test the hypothesis that the mussel shell provides information on the contemporary condition of the mussel. Two factors were associated with shape: an epithelial discoloration and the Sr/Ca in the shell nacre. Sr/Ca data distinguished the mussel populations as did a discriminate analysis that included the trace metal ratios; Sr/Ca, Mg/Ca, Mn/Ca, Ag/Ca, Cd/Ca, Ba/Ca, and Pb/Ca. Size varied independently of shape and was not associated with the two factors. However, a null model that describes the morphological variability in height and width suggests that mussel size also plays a central role in partitioning phenotypic variability. These analyses of contemporary factors coupled with analyses of morphological variability holds promise for addressing the functional roles of mussel height and width and what proportion of phenotypic variability can be attributed to environmental factors