Microbiome variation in corals with distinct depth distribution ranges across a shallow-mesophotic gradient (15-85 m)

Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) are generally poorly studied, and our knowledge of lower MCEs (below 60 m depth) is largely limited to visual surveys. Here, we provide a first detailed assessment of the prokaryotic community associated with scleractinian corals over a depth gradient to the lower mesophotic realm (15-85 m). Specimens of three Caribbean coral species exhibiting differences in their depth distribution ranges (Agaricia grahamae, Madracis pharensis and Stephanocoenia intersepta) were collected with a manned submersible on the island of Cura double dagger ao, and their prokaryotic communities assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. Corals with narrower depth distribution ranges (depth-specialists) were associated with a stable prokaryotic community, whereas corals with a broader niche range (depth-generalists) revealed a higher variability in their prokaryotic community. The observed depth effects match previously described patterns in Symbiodinium depth zonation. This highlights the contribution of structured microbial communities over depth to the coral's ability to colonize a broader depth range.Austrian Science Fund (FWF); Catlin Group Limited; Global Change Institute; Eddie Bauer Grant for Expeditions by The Explorers Club; Marie Curie Fellowship [FP7-299320]; Lise Meitner Program of the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) [M1363-B20]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Activities and Determination of the Total Tannin Content of Bark Extracts Endopleura uchi

Endopleura uchi is a typical Amazonian tree and its bark is popularly employed in the preparation of teas against myomas, arthritis, influenza, diarrhea and cancer. In this study, the antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity of five different extracts of the bark, selected by their total tannin content, were assessed. The potential antioxidant activity of the extracts was determined by 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay and the values found were very similar among the extracts and to the standards antioxidants used in the tests. Cytotoxicity analysis in mammalian cells indicated that all the tested extracts exhibited IC50 values higher than the highest concentration used, showing that they do not present a risk when consumed under these conditions. Extract tested against five bacterial strains and one yeast strain did not show satisfactory growth inhibitory activity, and even the extracts that showed some antimicrobial activity were not effective at any dilution to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration. The results may serve as a reference for subsequent works, since such reference values described in the literature for the bark of E. uchi

Coral microbiome composition along the northern Red Sea suggests high plasticity of bacterial and specificity of endosymbiotic dinoflagellate communities

Background The capacity of reef-building corals to tolerate (or adapt to) heat stress is a key factor determining their resilience to future climate change. Changes in coral microbiome composition (particularly for microalgal endosymbionts and bacteria) is a potential mechanism that may assist corals to thrive in warm waters. The northern Red Sea experiences extreme temperatures anomalies, yet corals in this area rarely bleach suggesting possible refugia to climate change. However, the coral microbiome composition, and how it relates to the capacity to thrive in warm waters in this region, is entirely unknown. Results We investigated microbiomes for six coral species (Porites nodifera, Favia favus, Pocillopora damicornis, Seriatopora hystrix, Xenia umbellata, and Sarcophyton trocheliophorum) from five sites in the northern Red Sea spanning 4° of latitude and summer mean temperature ranges from 26.6 °C to 29.3 °C. A total of 19 distinct dinoflagellate endosymbionts were identified as belonging to three genera in the family Symbiodiniaceae (Symbiodinium, Cladocopium, and Durusdinium). Of these, 86% belonged to the genus Cladocopium, with notably five novel types (19%). The endosymbiont community showed a high degree of host-specificity despite the latitudinal gradient. In contrast, the diversity and composition of bacterial communities of the surface mucus layer (SML)—a compartment particularly sensitive to environmental change—varied significantly between sites, however for any given coral was species-specific. Conclusion The conserved endosymbiotic community suggests high physiological plasticity to support holobiont productivity across the different latitudinal regimes. Further, the presence of five novel algal endosymbionts suggests selection of certain genotypes (or genetic adaptation) within the semi-isolated Red Sea. In contrast, the dynamic composition of bacteria associated with the SML across sites may contribute to holobiont function and broaden the ecological niche. In doing so, SML bacterial communities may aid holobiont local acclimatization (or adaptation) by readily responding to changes in the host environment. Our study provides novel insight about the selective and endemic nature of coral microbiomes along the northern Red Sea refugia

Nat Genet

The function of the majority of genes in the mouse and human genomes remains unknown. The mouse embryonic stem cell knockout resource provides a basis for the characterization of relationships between genes and phenotypes. The EUMODIC consortium developed and validated robust methodologies for the broad-based phenotyping of knockouts through a pipeline comprising 20 disease-oriented platforms. We developed new statistical methods for pipeline design and data analysis aimed at detecting reproducible phenotypes with high power. We acquired phenotype data from 449 mutant alleles, representing 320 unique genes, of which half had no previous functional annotation. We captured data from over 27,000 mice, finding that 83% of the mutant lines are phenodeviant, with 65% demonstrating pleiotropy. Surprisingly, we found significant differences in phenotype annotation according to zygosity. New phenotypes were uncovered for many genes with previously unknown function, providing a powerful basis for hypothesis generation and further investigation in diverse systems.Comment in : Genetic differential calculus. [Nat Genet. 2015] Comment in : Scaling up phenotyping studies. [Nat Biotechnol. 2015

High-troughput mouse phenotyping.

Here, we describe the systematic mouse phenotyping approach of the German Mouse Clinic (GMC), that works as an open-access phenotyping platform, and of the European Mouse Disease Clinic, which is an EU-funded multi-centre project characterising mutants generated by the large-scale mouse mutagenesis project European Conditional Mouse Mutagenesis Program. We explain the aims and the general framework of these large-scale projects and the resulting consequences for the phenotyping strategies. Then, we focus on the description of the behavioural tests used in the GMC to detect motor and nonmotor symptoms in mouse mutants that are genetic models of human movement disorders or neurodegenerative diseases

Frequency wavelength multiplexed optoacoustic tomography.

Optoacoustics (OA) is overwhelmingly implemented in the Time Domain (TD) to achieve high signal-to-noise ratios by maximizing the excitation light energy transient. Implementations in the Frequency Domain (FD) have been proposed, but suffer from low signal-to-noise ratios and have not offered competitive advantages over time domain methods to reach high dissemination. It is therefore commonly believed that TD is the optimal way to perform optoacoustics. Here we introduce an optoacoustic concept based on pulse train illumination and frequency domain multiplexing and theoretically demonstrate the superior merits of the approach compared to the time domain. Then, using recent advances in laser diode illumination, we launch Frequency Wavelength Multiplexing Optoacoustic Tomography (FWMOT), at multiple wavelengths, and experimentally showcase how FWMOT optimizes the signal-to-noise ratios of spectral measurements over time-domain methods in phantoms and in vivo. We further find that FWMOT offers the fastest multi-spectral operation ever demonstrated in optoacoustics

Cholestatic ABCB4-deficient mice reveal depression/anxiety-like behavior.

Aims: Depression is commonly associated with chronic liver disease; however, its causality remains largely unknown (Lee et al. Psychosomatics 2013;54:52 – 9). Quantitative phenotypes are linked to psychiatric disorders, thus genetic studies in mice might help to identify modifier genes that influence behavior. Our aim now was to characterize the behavioral phenotype in the ABCB4-deficient (Abcb4–/– ) mouse, a well-established model for chronic cholestatic liver disease.   Methods: We used the Open Field (OF) test, which evaluates spontaneous exploratory drive, reactivity to novelty and emotionality. Specifically, time courses of distance travelled, including speed of movement and time spent in the center, and rearing frequencies were noted in 5-min-intervals. Additionally, we assessed sensorimotor gating by Prepulse Inhibition (PPI) one week after OF at different intensities. The tests were carried out with 18 Abcb4–/– mice and 20 BALB/cJ wild-type controls, aged 10 to 13 weeks.   Results: OF revealed significant genotype effects (p < 0.001) with consistently decreased locomotor activity characterized by reduced speed of movement and increased avoidance of the peripheral and central zones in Abcb4–/– mice. The time course of unconditioned behavior of Abcb4–/– mice in the OF revealed a significant genotype effect on the curve shape of the measured parameters. Furthermore, we detected a significant decrease in rearing activity for Abcb4–/– mice as compared to controls (total frequency 47.8 ± 8.4 vs. 99.0 ± 8.6 [events], p < 0.001). Assessment of PPI revealed a deficit at 69 dB intensity in female Abcb4–/– mice only.   Conclusions: Abcb4–/– mice show greater anxiety behavior and reduced exploratory activity compared to wild-type controls. However, given that ABCB4 is almost exclusively expressed in liver but not in brain, the induced locomotor behavioral alterations are most likely secondary, e.g. caused by neurochemical changes associated with the significantly reduced serum vitamin D levels recently described by us in Abcb4–/– mice. Of note, this model resembles the link between chronic liver diseases and increased stress susceptibility observed in humans. &nbsp