24 research outputs found
Citizen Science Reveals Unexpected Continental-Scale Evolutionary Change in a Model Organism
Organisms provide some of the most sensitive indicators of climate change and evolutionary responses are becoming apparent in species with short generation times. Large datasets on genetic polymorphism that can provide an historical benchmark against which to test for recent evolutionary responses are very rare, but an exception is found in the brown-lipped banded snail (Cepaea nemoralis). This species is sensitive to its thermal environment and exhibits several polymorphisms of shell colour and banding pattern affecting shell albedo in the majority of populations within its native range in Europe. We tested for evolutionary changes in shell albedo that might have been driven by the warming of the climate in Europe over the last half century by compiling an historical dataset for 6,515 native populations of C. nemoralis and comparing this with new data on nearly 3,000 populations. The new data were sampled mainly in 2009 through the Evolution MegaLab, a citizen science project that engaged thousands of volunteers in 15 countries throughout Europe in the biggest such exercise ever undertaken. A known geographic cline in the frequency of the colour phenotype with the highest albedo (yellow) was shown to have persisted and a difference in colour frequency between woodland and more open habitats was confirmed, but there was no general increase in the frequency of yellow shells. This may have been because snails adapted to a warming climate through behavioural thermoregulation. By contrast, we detected an unexpected decrease in the frequency of Unbanded shells and an increase in the Mid-banded morph. Neither of these evolutionary changes appears to be a direct response to climate change, indicating that the influence of other selective agents, possibly related to changing predation pressure and habitat change with effects on micro-climate
Identification of Shell Colour Pigments in Marine Snails Clanculus pharaonius and C. margaritarius (Trochoidea; Gastropoda)
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The attached file is the published version of the article
A roadmap for the conservation of freshwater mussels in Europe
Europe has a long history of human pressure on freshwater ecosystems. As pressure continues to grow and new threats emerge, there is an urgent need for conservation of freshwater biodiversity and its ecosystem services. However, whilst some taxonomic groups, mainly vertebrates, have received a disproportionate amount of attention and funds, other groups remain largely off the public and scientific radar. Freshwater mussels (Bivalvia, Unionida) are an alarming example of this conservation bias and here we point out six conceptual areas that need immediate and long-term attention: knowledge, threats, socioeconomics, conservation, governance and education. The proposed roadmap aims to advance research, policy and education by identifying the most pressing priorities for the short- and long-term conservation of freshwater mussels across Europe
Color polymorphism in a land snail Cepaea nemoralis (Pulmonata: Helicidae) as viewed by potential avian predators
The role of dispersal and local environment in urban land snail assemblages: an example of three cities in Central Italy
Proteomic strategies in research on the cardiovascular system
The evolution of proteomics facilitates protein separation, identification and characterization,
which give better insight into molecular mechanisms underlying cardiovascular physiology and
pathophysiology. Investigations on the expression of proteins, their interactions and post-translational
modifications contributes to our better understanding of disease processes and provides
new cardiovascular biomarkers. Up to now, laboratory animals have been employed in proteomic
research on human disorders, although rodent models do not genuinely reflect human conditions.
Because of the similarities in anatomy, physiology and metabolism, farm animals such
as pigs, cows or sheep are increasingly being used as model organisms in human cardiovascular
research. It should be noted that application of proteomics has a huge potential for gaining some
new insight into physiology and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system, which cannot be
provided with conventional methods. Up to date, complete heart and aorta proteomes of human
and several animal species have been established. Several proteomic studies on human diseases,
including atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and dilated cardiomyopathy, have been conducted
and proved to be very valuable in bringing key information on their aetiology and progression,
as well as new challenges for biomedical investigation. The aim of this review is to summarize
achievements in proteomics of cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology with the
use of domestic and laboratory animal models
Przygotowanie próbek siary i mleka klaczy do rozdziału 2-DE, z pominięciem precypitacji acetonem
Excessive amount of lactose in the diet of two-week-old calves induces urinary protein changes
The present paper was undertaken to analyse and identify urinary proteins
that were significantly altered in urine of calves in response to short-term
administration of milk replacer with lactose addition. We used 2-D
electrophoresis combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation and time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Of all spots
analysed, four showed significantly decreased abundance: alpha-1-antiproteinase
(A1AT), serotransferrin (TF), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and cytochrome
P450 2E1 (CYP2E1). One displayed an increased abundance: adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-citrate synthase. The changes in abundance of SHBG and CYP2E1 proteins were caused by the direct effect of an oversupply of sugar, while A1AT, TF and ATP-citrate synthase showed altered abundance probably due to indirect effects. The results of this study confirmed that calves' urine is a very precious
biological material to evaluate the renal function, and it may be valuable in
veterinary and zootechnical diagnostics
Identification of TRPM6 and TRPM7 expression changes in response to a diet supplemented with inulin in porcine kidney
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral element in vertebrates and the
second most common intracellular cation. Recently identified
Mg<sup>2+</sup>-specific channels – TRPM6 and TRPM7 – have been shown to be
essential for whole-body and cellular Mg<sup>2+</sup> homeostasis. The aim of the
study was to determine the effect of inulin on the expression of TRPM6 and
TRPM7 in the renal cortex and medulla of growing pigs. The study was carried
out on 16 Danbred  ×  Duroc castrated male piglets fed a cereal-based
diet without inulin or with 2 % addition of inulin from chicory root from
the 10th day of life. In pigs fed a diet with inulin, TRPM6 expression was
greater in both the renal cortex and medulla compared to the control group.
The expression of TRPM7 in both the renal cortex and medulla in the control
group and in piglets fed a diet enriched with inulin was relatively stable.
To our knowledge, this is the first study aimed at the identification of
TRPM6 and TRPM7 in the kidneys of pig. It is proposed that inulin addition to
fodder resulted not only in a magnesium absorption increase, but also, due to
prolonged low plasma Mg concentration of examined piglets, renal magnesium
retention. Therefore, higher magnesium reabsorption via increased TRPM6
expression in the kidney was probably observed in order to supplement
deficiencies of this element. Diet-unresponsive expression of TRPM7 supports
the concept that this channel is not involved in the extracellular magnesium
homeostasis