Hydrozoan diversity on hard bottom in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard

This article is part of Andrey Voronkovs doctoral thesis, available in Munin at http://hdl.handle.net/10037/6381Hydroids in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, were studied on five hard-bottom transects along gradients of environmental conditions from the glacier at the fjord’s head to the fjord’s mouth at depth-range 0–30 m. Hydrozoa colonies are widely distributed on rock and gravel substrata in Kongsfjorden. In general, however, hydroids are not dominant or subdominant in zoobenthic communities. The exception is Symplectoscyphus tricuspidatus var. acuminatus, colonies of which were sometimes abundant enough to determine the community structure and characteristics of benthic diversity. Of the 23 species recorded in this study, Laomedea flexuosa, Phialella quadrata and Halecium tenellum as well as representatives of family Stylasteridae were recorded from Svalbard waters for the first time. Hydroid diversity was highest in the zoobenthic community structured by branched bryozoans. The abundance and distribution of hydroids were reduced, to some extent, in the inner part of the fjord compared to the outer fjord. Species richness of hydroids was high at shallow depths, decreased at around 15 m and then increased again to 30 m depth. Species with Low-boreal–Arctic and Panoceanic distributional ranges were the most frequently occurring species. Depth, type of background substratum and amount of silt on its surface were the main factors influencing hydroid distribution. Description of all recorded taxa distributions together with data on their habitat and associations in zoobenthic communities are presented in an Appendix

Salivary gland immunohistochemistry vs substantia nigra sonography: comparative analysis of diagnostic significance

Introduction. Parkinson's disease (PD) urges for new instrumental methods of diagnosis. Transcranial sonography of the substantia nigra (SN TCS) is an established method for early PD diagnosis but its application is limited. Recently, biopsies (primarily that of salivary gland) and test for abnormal -synuclein are suggested to verify PD. Materials and methods. We assessed 12 individuals with PD, HoehnYahr 2.3 0.4. The assessments included: UPDRS, NMSQ, NMSS, RBDSQ, PDQ-8, MoCA, and HADS scoring; SN TCS; and sublingual gland immunohistochemistry for phosphorylated -synuclein (PS-129) with automated morphometric analysis. Results. Substantia nigra hyperechogenicity was shown in 75% of patients whereas biopsy revealed PS-129 in 100% of patients. Echogenic area of the substantia nigra was 0.24 [0.21; 0.3] cm2. PS-129 inclusion area varied from 28.47 [27.55; 96.26] to 238.77 [234.13; 272.49] m2, and PS-129 proportion varied from 13.4% to 93.4% of the nervous fiber area across the patients. We found relations between PS-129 and NMSQ (r = 0.8; p 0.001), NMSS (r = 0.9; p 0.001), PDQ-8 (r = 0.7; p = 0.003), UPDRS-I (r = 0.7; p = 0.009), UPDRS-II (r = 0.6; p = 0.03), and HADS (anxiety r = 0.8; p = 0.002; depression r = 0.6; p = 0.04) scores. Conclusion. The results demonstrate a higher biopsy sensitivity as compared to SN TCS. Automated morphometric analysis has been newly applied to assess PS-129 occurrence. Immunohistochemistry results are directly related to non-motor symptom severity, which may indicate high probability of PS-129 presence and diagnosis confirmation in early disease

Cruise report Hywind Tampen 13 to 28 March 2023 - Cruise no. 2023001004 G.O. Sars

There is very little knowledge related to how floating windfarms effect the marine environment as this is such a new “product”. Thus, the data that we gathered on this cruise will be novel in that sense. The aim of the cruise was to look at possible effects of the windfarm on the marine environment. Based on limited cruise time and tough weather conditions around Hywind Tampen we had to be selective related to topics for this first cruise, and we choose to focus on the following: 1) Measuring noise from the turbine. This we did by deploying a hydrophone mooring within the windfarm. 2) Measuring current to track possible changes in current and wake effect. We did this by deploying ADCP’s within and around the windfarm, and by conducting CTD transects around and within the windfarm. 3) Look at possible effects on pelagic fish distribution, by conducting acoustics transects with RV G.O. Sars's multi-frequency acoustics, within and around the windfarm. As the RV G.O. Sars is not allowed closer then 500m to the turbines, we conducted acoustic transects with an acoustic kayak-drone within the 500 m range to the wind turbines. The kayak being allowed as close as 15-20m to the turbines. To able ground truthing of acoustic findings we trawled with an open trawl equipped with a camera (DeepVision) and we took eDNA samples along the transects. 4) Effect of bottom structure on the benthic fauna. This was studied by ROV transects filming fauna around 3 suction anchors and the adjacent chains connecting the turbines to the anchor. ROV control transects were conducted from the very same suction anchors, but on a line moving away from the windfarm. This cruise was conducted in collaboration with the NFR-funded WindSys project.Cruise report Hywind Tampen 13 to 28 March 2023 - Cruise no. 2023001004 G.O. SarspublishedVersio

Cruise report Hywind Tampen 13 to 28 March 2023 - Cruise no. 2023001004 G.O. Sars

Source at https://www.hi.no/hi.There is very little knowledge related to how floating windfarms effect the marine environment as this is such a new “product”. Thus, the data that we gathered on this cruise will be novel in that sense. The aim of the cruise was to look at possible effects of the windfarm on the marine environment. Based on limited cruise time and tough weather conditions around Hywind Tampen we had to be selective related to topics for this first cruise, and we choose to focus on the following: 1) Measuring noise from the turbine. This we did by deploying a hydrophone mooring within the windfarm. 2) Measuring current to track possible changes in current and wake effect. We did this by deploying ADCP’s within and around the windfarm, and by conducting CTD transects around and within the windfarm. 3) Look at possible effects on pelagic fish distribution, by conducting acoustics transects with RV G.O. Sars's multi-frequency acoustics, within and around the windfarm. As the RV G.O. Sars is not allowed closer then 500m to the turbines, we conducted acoustic transects with an acoustic kayak-drone within the 500 m range to the wind turbines. The kayak being allowed as close as 15-20m to the turbines. To able ground truthing of acoustic findings we trawled with an open trawl equipped with a camera (DeepVision) and we took eDNA samples along the transects. 4) Effect of bottom structure on the benthic fauna. This was studied by ROV transects filming fauna around 3 suction anchors and the adjacent chains connecting the turbines to the anchor. ROV control transects were conducted from the very same suction anchors, but on a line moving away from the windfarm. This cruise was conducted in collaboration with the NFR-funded WindSys project

Diversity of hard-bottom fauna relative to environmental gradients in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard

A baseline study of hard-bottom zoobenthos in relation to environmental gradients in Kongsfjorden, a glacial fjord in Svalbard, is presented, based on collections from 1996 to 1998. The total species richness in 62 samples from 0 to 30 m depth along five transects was 403 species. Because 32 taxa could not be identified to species level and because 11 species are probably new to science, the total number of identified species was 360. Of these, 47 species are new for Svalbard waters. Bryozoa was the most diverse group. Biogeographic composition revealed features of both Arctic and sub-Arctic properties of the fauna. Species richness, frequency of species occurrence, mean abundance and biomass generally decreased towards the tidal glaciers in inner Kongsfjorden. Among eight environmental factors, depth was most important for explaining variance in the composition of the zoobenthos. The diversity was consistently low at shallow depths, whereas the non-linear patterns of species composition of deeper samples indicated a transitional zone between surface and deeper water masses at 15–20 m depth. Groups of “colonial” and “non-colonial” species differed in diversity, biogeographic composition and distribution by location and depth as well as in relation to other environmental factors. “Non-colonial” species made a greater contribution than “colonial” species to total species richness, total occurrence and biomass in samples, and were more influenced by the depth gradient. Biogeographic composition was sensitive to variation of zoobenthic characteristics over the studied depth range. A list of recorded species and a description of sampling sites are presented

Bivalves as indicators of environmental variation and potential anthropogenic impacts in the southern Barents Sea

Author Posting. © Elsevier B.V., 2009. 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 Marine Pollution Bulletin 59 (2009): 193-206, doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2009.02.022.Identifying patterns and drivers of natural variability in populations is necessary to gauge potential effects of climatic change and the expected increases in commercial activities in the Arctic on communities and ecosystems. We analyzed growth rates and shell geochemistry of the circumpolar Greenland smooth cockle, Serripes groenlandicus, from the southern Barents Sea over almost 70 years between 1882 and 1968. The datasets were calibrated via annually-deposited growth lines, and growth, stable isotope (δ18O, δ13C), and trace elemental (Mg, Sr, Ba, Mn) patterns were linked to environmental variations on weekly to decadal scales. Standardized growth indices revealed an oscillatory growth pattern with a multi-year periodicity, which was inversely related to the North Atlantic Oscillation Index (NAO), and positively related to local river discharge. Up to 60% of the annual variability in the Ba/Ca could be explained by variations in river discharge at the site closest to the rivers, but the relationship disappeared at a more distant location. Patterns of δ18O, δ13C, and Sr/Ca together provide evidence that bivalve growth ceases at elevated temperatures during the fall and recommences at the coldest temperatures in the early spring, with the implication that food, rather than temperature, is the primary driver of bivalve growth. The multi-proxy approach of combining the annually integrated information from the growth results and higher resolution geochemical results yielded a robust interpretation of biophysical coupling in the region over temporal and spatial scales. We thus demonstrate that sclerochronological proxies can be useful retrospective analytical tools for establishing a baseline of ecosystem variability in assessing potential combined impacts of climatic change and increasing commercial activities on Arctic communities.We gratefully acknowledge past financial support from Norsk Hydro, and continuing financial support from StatoilHydro, the Norwegian Research Council, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute through Bates College. This publication was made possible, in part, by NIH Grant Number P20 RR-016463 from the INBRE Program of the National Center for Research Resources

Hard-bottom benthic ecosystem in Kongsfjorden, a glacial fjord in the Arctic.

Subtidal hard-bottom habitats constitute substantial parts of the Arctic fjord ecosystem. There is a deficiency in complex faunistic surveys of the composition of hard-bottom fauna in the Arctic. The aim of this study was to increase the understanding of how animals are distributed on hard-bottom and their role in the marine ecosystem in the Arctic. A baseline study of hard-bottom zoobenthos in relation to environmental gradients in Kongsfjorden, a glacial fjord in Svalbard, is presented, based on collections from 1996 to 1998. The inventory resulted in a total of 403 species in 62 samples from 0 to 30 m depth along five transects. Of these, 47 species are new for Svalbard waters. The diversity generally decreased towards the tidal glaciers in the inner Kongsfjorden. It was consistently low at shallow depths, whereas the non-linear patterns of species composition of deeper samples indicated a presence of different hydrographical conditions between surface and deeper water masses at 15-20 m depth. Among eight environmental factors, depth and distance from the glacier were most important for explaining variance in the composition of the zoobenthos. Biogeographic composition was sensitive to variation of environmental characteristics over the studied depth range and revealed features of both Arctic and sub-Arctic properties of the fauna. Shifts in climate-related environmental variables are expected to influence the composition of the biota. It will likely result in shifts in ecosystem functioning. A list of recorded species with distribution and abundance characteristics is given in the Appendix. We contributed to the knowledge of Kongsfjorden ecosystem not only with the biotic data, but also with a description of physical environment at sampling sites. Seven zoobenthic community types were identified on hard substrata in Kongsfjorden. Method of adequate determination of community types included consideration of species’ potential role in community, accounting for dominant species and similarity in species composition. Specific approach to the diversity study of hydroids in Kongsfjorden allowed evaluation of the role of a particular taxon in hard-bottom habitats and estimation of importance of abiotic factors in validation of species separation for taxonomic purposes. The studied habitats and transects should be counted as useful for climate change-related monitoring of diversity on hard-bottom and research on ecosystem functioning. Future studies could reveal new species at these sites related to altered distribution ranges and invasions of species

Neuroprotective Effect of L-carnitine. Focus on Changing Mitochondrial Function

Introduction: In this study, the neuroprotective effect of L-carnitine administered per os in a dose of 25 mg/kg – 800 mg/kg was evaluated. The effects of L-carnitine on changes in mitochondrial function were also studied. Materials and Methods: The neuroprotective effect and mitochondrial function were evaluated in a model of permanent focal ischemia in Wistar-line rats. L-carnitine was administered to rats orally for 72 hours from the moment of modeling ischemia. On the 4th day after the ischemia simulation, the change in the respiratory function of the mitochondria, the opening time of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, the mitochondrial membrane potential, the concentration of intracellular calcium and the size of the cerebral necrosis zone were determined in rats’ brain supernatant. Results: As a result, it was found that the administration of L-carnitine contributed to the restoration of mitochondrial function and a decrease in the size of the brain necrosis zone. At the same time, the administration of L-carnitine in low doses (25 mg/kg – 100 mg/kg) did not have a significant effect on the change in the concentration of intracellular calcium. It should be noted that an increase in the dose of L-carnitine from 200 mg/kg to 800 mg/kg was not accompanied by a significant increase in the therapeutic effect. Discussion: L-carnitine is one of the key biomolecules that directly affect metabolic processes. It is known that L-carnitine acts as a ”shuttle” for long-chain fatty acids and thus can affect the alteration of mitochondrial function. However, the detailed nature of the mitochondriotropic action of L-carnitine has not been yet established. This was the focus of this study, which showed that the mitochondrion-oriented effect of L-carnitine is dose-dependent and expressed in the form of restoring the respiratory function of mitochondria, restoring the mitochondrial potential and increasing the latent opening time of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, reducing the level of intracellular calcium. Conclusion: The study allowed us to expand our understanding of the L-carnitine neuroprotective effect and the effect of this compound on changes in mitochondrial function. Graphical abstrac

Neuroprotective Effect of L-carnitine. Focus on Changing Mitochondrial Function

Introduction: In this study, the neuroprotective effect of L-carnitine administered per os in a dose of 25 mg/kg – 800 mg/kg was evaluated. The effects of L-carnitine on changes in mitochondrial function were also studied. Materials and Methods: The neuroprotective effect and mitochondrial function were evaluated in a model of permanent focal ischemia in Wistar-line rats. L-carnitine was administered to rats orally for 72 hours from the moment of modeling ischemia. On the 4th day after the ischemia simulation, the change in the respiratory function of the mitochondria, the opening time of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, the mitochondrial membrane potential, the concentration of intracellular calcium and the size of the cerebral necrosis zone were determined in rats’ brain supernatant. Results: As a result, it was found that the administration of L-carnitine contributed to the restoration of mitochondrial function and a decrease in the size of the brain necrosis zone. At the same time, the administration of L-carnitine in low doses (25 mg/kg – 100 mg/kg) did not have a significant effect on the change in the concentration of intracellular calcium. It should be noted that an increase in the dose of L-carnitine from 200 mg/kg to 800 mg/kg was not accompanied by a significant increase in the therapeutic effect. Discussion: L-carnitine is one of the key biomolecules that directly affect metabolic processes. It is known that L-carnitine acts as a ”shuttle” for long-chain fatty acids and thus can affect the alteration of mitochondrial function. However, the detailed nature of the mitochondriotropic action of L-carnitine has not been yet established. This was the focus of this study, which showed that the mitochondrion-oriented effect of L-carnitine is dose-dependent and expressed in the form of restoring the respiratory function of mitochondria, restoring the mitochondrial potential and increasing the latent opening time of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, reducing the level of intracellular calcium. Conclusion: The study allowed us to expand our understanding of the L-carnitine neuroprotective effect and the effect of this compound on changes in mitochondrial function. Graphical abstrac