Article
Neurosciences
Shoko Nakamuta, Yoshio Yamamoto, Masao Miyazaki, Atsuhiro Sakuma, Masato Nikaido, Nobuaki Nakamuta
Summary: Lungfish have two distinct sensory epithelia in their olfactory organs, corresponding to the lamellar olfactory epithelium and primitive vomeronasal organ (VNO) found in teleosts and tetrapods, respectively. The expression of V1Rs, a type of olfactory receptor, in lungfish suggests an intermediate step in the segregation of V1R expression between the olfactory epithelium and VNO, reflecting the evolutionary position of lungfish between teleosts and amphibians.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuen K. Ip, Charmaine W. Q. Leong, Mel Boo, Wai P. Wong, Siew H. Lam, Shit F. Chew
Summary: African lungfishes are highly ammonia-tolerant obligatory air-breathers. The study found that branchial vacuolar-type H+-ATPase (Vha) played a crucial role in regulating the acidification of the external medium in lungfishes. Furthermore, exposure to high ammonia concentrations resulted in increased expression and activity of Vha, enhancing its ability to acidify the external medium.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY A-MOLECULAR & INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniela Amelio, Filippo Garofalo
Summary: African lungfish undergo remarkable morphological and biochemical adjustments in the skin during aestivation, including reorganization of epidermal layers, decrease of mucous cells, regenerative processes, and changes in Heat Shock Proteins expression. Our findings suggest a protective role for these adjustments in response to the stressful conditions associated with aestivation.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Elska B. Kaczmarek, Samantha M. Gartner, Mark W. Westneat, Elizabeth L. Brainerd
Summary: The study found that the major cranial bones serve as valves or pumps during air breathing and suction feeding, controlling the pattern of fluid flow; both behaviors exhibit an anterior-to-posterior wave of expansion and compression; the pectoral girdle and cranial rib rotate consistently during air breathing and suction feeding, with the muscle between them shortening during buccal expansion.
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Samantha M. Gartner, Katrina R. Whitlow, J. D. Laurence-Chasen, Elska B. Kaczmarek, Michael C. Granatosky, Callum F. Ross, Mark W. Westneat
Summary: This study used XROMM to investigate the kinematics of cranial bones and muscles during feeding in West African lungfish. The results revealed the unique motion patterns of cranial elements and the contribution of muscle shortening to successful suction feeding.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Liang Sun, Lifangyu Cheng, Heng Fu, Rui Wang, Yian Gu, Yibin Qiu, Ke Sun, Hong Xu, Peng Lei
Summary: In this study, a nitrogen conversion strategy based on the synthesis of poly-gamma-glutamic acid (gamma-PGA) by Bacillus subtilis NX-2 was developed to remove nitrogenous pollutants in aquaculture effluents. The nitrogen removal efficiency of NX-2 was found to be closely related to gamma-PGA synthesis and positively correlated with the inoculum level. Through adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) experiment, a strain named ALE 5 M with high degradation rates of ammonia nitrogen and nitrite was obtained, indicating the potential of gamma-PGA synthesis for nitrogen removal in aquaculture water.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Wouter Mes, Philippe Kersten, Roel M. Maas, Ep H. Eding, Mike S. M. Jetten, Henk Siepel, Sebastian Lucker, Marnix Gorissen, Maartje A. H. J. Van Kessel
Summary: Accumulation of ammonia is a challenge in intensive aquaculture, and feeding strategy and dietary protein content can impact fish growth and nitrogen metabolism. Nitrogen cycle bacteria in the gills convert ammonia to N-2 and potentially explain the unaccounted nitrogen in the balance.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
M. Ferreira, R. Delagarde, N. Edouard
Summary: To ensure sustainable and efficient production, dairy farms need to reduce their environmental impacts and nitrogen losses while increasing feed self-sufficiency. This study investigated the effects of increasing the proportion of maize silage in a fresh grass diet on cow performance and nitrogen excretion in grass-based dairy systems. The results showed that increasing the proportion of maize silage led to a decrease in dry matter intake, milk yield, nitrogen intake, and nitrogen excretion in faeces and urine. However, it also resulted in a decrease in dietary protein concentration and unsustainable decreases in dry matter intake and milk yield.
Article
Agronomy
Gunavathy Selvarajh, Huck Ywih Ch'ng
Summary: The addition of rice straw biochar at 5-10 t/ha significantly increased the availability of nitrogen in the soil, as well as the exchangeable NH4+, NO3-, phosphorus, and potassium content. This led to improved nutrient uptake by rice plants, resulting in increased plant growth and productivity.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yihao Wei, Shuping Xiong, Zhiyong Zhang, Xiaodan Meng, Lulu Wang, Xiaojiao Zhang, Meiqin Yu, Haidong Yu, Xiaochun Wang, Xinming Ma
Summary: This study investigated the localization and expression of individual TaGS isozymes in wheat grain, highlighting the distinct roles they play in nitrogen metabolism during grain development. TaGS1;3 was found to play a key role in Gln assimilation into endosperm for gluten synthesis, with stable expression in specific grain tissues. The findings suggest that GS-GOGAT cycle and GDH have varying impacts on NH4+ assimilation in different stages of grain development.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Tingting Shan, Lisi Zhou, Bing Li, Xiaomei Chen, Shunxing Guo, Airong Wang, Lixia Tian, Jingting Liu
Summary: The study suggests that the fungus MF23 may enhance the production of Dendrobium officinale by influencing its N metabolism, particularly by promoting the uptake of NH4+ and increasing NH4+ assimilation capacity through upregulating specific genes and enzyme activity.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Khadim Dawar, Hammad Khan, Mohammad Zaman, Christoph Muller, Syed Sartaj Alam, Shah Fahad, Mona S. Alwahibi, Jawaher Alkahtani, Beena Saeed, Shah Saud, Hafiz Mohkum Hammad, Wajid Nasim
Summary: The application of urea with biochar can significantly reduce NH3 and N2O emissions, as well as promote wheat growth and yield. Nitrapyrin further enhances these effects, indicating its potential for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and increasing nitrogen use efficiency in agriculture.
JOURNAL OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATION
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Z. Jaksic, T. Bulic, M. Micic, A. Gavrilovic
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the physiological fitness and survival rate of Mediterranean mussels under acute exposure to high ammonia concentrations, as well as the changes in haemocyte population and biochemical parameters. The results showed that mussels have an inherent response to ammonia exposure, and the modulation of haemocyte population structure may serve as a bioindicator for mussels exposed to high ammonia concentrations.
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Yongfang Xian, Hongmei Wang, Minghua Wu, Deyou Yu, Lili Wang
Summary: Urea-free reactive printing has become popular as part of cleaner production in the textile industry. The study found that a binary nitrogen-free compound with a 5:5 mixture ratio of glycerol and 1,4-butanediol had excellent printing performance, serving as a potential substitute for urea and significantly reducing the emission of ammonia-nitrogen pollutants.
Article
Soil Science
Oz Kira, Avi Shaviv, Yael Dubowski
Summary: Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency is crucial for sustainable intensification of crop production, driving developments in N-fertilization methods and EENFs. Improved decision-making tools based on local field information are necessary. While EENFs contribute to sustainable intensification, further research is needed to understand the complexity of nitrogen processes under different conditions.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Yuen K. Ip, Mel Boo, Miguel Mies, Shit F. Chew
Summary: The study found that after 30 days of exposure to darkness, giant clams showed significant changes in coloration and gene expression in the outer mantle. However, after returning to a normal photoperiod for just 11 days, the quantity of symbionts and coloration increased significantly, indicating that the giant clam-coccoid dinoflagellate holobiont is phototrophically plastic and particularly tolerant to bleaching.
Article
Biophysics
Felizitas C. Wermter, Christian Bock, Wolfgang Dreher
Summary: The CEST effect at 2.8 ppm is primarily influenced by the organism and organ, with multiple amino acids, proteins, and molecules impacting the results. This study aimed to determine the exchange rates of six amino acids under different pH and temperature conditions to create multi-pool models for accurate analysis of the CEST effect in various organisms. By optimizing experimental parameters based on the exchange rates, potential misinterpretations of CEST measurements can be avoided, and the saturation can be further optimized.
NMR IN BIOMEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mel Boo, Caryn Z. Pang, Shit F. Chew, Yuen K. Ip
Summary: Giant clams require increased transport of Ca2+ and HCO3- for shell formation. This study identified two proteins involved in HCO3- transport and found that their expression levels increased significantly in response to light, suggesting their role in light-enhanced uptake of HCO3-.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY A-MOLECULAR & INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Caryn Z. Pang, Mel Boo, Yuen K. Ip, Shit F. Chew
Summary: Research on giant clams reveals that dinoflagellates utilize AMT2 to absorb ammonia in photosynthesis, particularly with a stronger absorption capacity in dinoflagellates residing in the outer mantle, enhancing the assimilation process of ammonia.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Raagavi Mani, Mel Boo, Siow Y. Ng, Shit F. Chew, Yuen K. Ip
Summary: Giant clams harbor symbiotic dinoflagellates that possess their own carbon concentration mechanism and are influenced by light exposure. The study indicates that light enhances the gene and protein expression levels of the symbiotic dinoflagellates in the clam's outer mantle, and different species may vary in their ability to generate CO2.
Article
Biology
Ioannis Georgoulis, Christian Bock, Gisela Lannig, Hans-O Portner, Konstantinos Feidantsis, Ioannis A. Giantsis, Inna M. Sokolova, Basile Michaelidis
Summary: This study investigates the impact of heat hardening on the metabolomic profile of Mytilus galloprovincialis and suggests that heat-hardened mussels show higher metabolic activity and diversification of metabolic pathways. Accumulation of formate and taurine provides antioxidant and cytoprotective roles in mussels during hypoxia and thermal stress.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
H. -O. Poertner, R. J. Scholes, A. Arneth, D. K. A. Barnes, M. T. Burrows, S. E. Diamond, C. M. Duarte, W. Kiessling, P. Leadley, S. Managi, P. McElwee, G. Midgley, H. T. Ngo, D. Obura, U. Pascual, M. Sankaran, Y. J. Shin, A. L. Val
Summary: Earth's biodiversity and human societies are threatened by pollution, overconsumption of resources, urbanization, demographic changes, inequalities, and habitat loss, which are worsened by climate change. This review examines the connection between climate, biodiversity, and society, and proposes a roadmap for sustainability. The roadmap includes limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and preserving and restoring ecosystems on a significant portion of land and water. It emphasizes the need for interconnected protected areas and shared spaces to enhance biodiversity, and the ability of people and nature to adapt to and mitigate climate change. It calls for bold policy interventions and interconnected systems at all levels to promote human, ecosystem, and planetary health for a livable future.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christina Hoerterer, Jessica Petereit, Gisela Lannig, Christian Bock, Bela H. Buck
Summary: Circular economy-driven feed ingredients, such as insects and microbial meals, have the potential to replace fishmeal in high-trophic fish diets. This study examined the metabolic response of juvenile turbot to diets with graded fishmeal replacement with plant, animal, and emerging protein sources and found a decrease in metabolites associated with energy deficiency. The results suggest that balanced feed formulations with lower fishmeal replacement levels have the potential for industry application.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nina Krebs, Jan Tebben, Christian Bock, Felix C. Mark, Magnus Lucassen, Gisela Lannig, Hans-Otto Poertner
Summary: We assessed a methodology to measure the in vivo protein synthesis rate in Antarctic fish. By injecting labeled phenylalanine into the eelpout species Pachycara brachycephalum and monitoring its incorporation into muscle tissue, we found a low protein synthesis rate for this species. The results were in agreement with previous studies that used radioactive labels, indicating the reliability of this non-radioactive method for studying growth in polar fish.
Article
Biology
Jennifer B. M. Steffen, Eugene P. Sokolov, Christian Bock, Inna M. Sokolova
Summary: Coastal environments often experience fluctuations in salinity and hypoxia-reoxygenation stress that can negatively impact the mitochondrial functions of marine organisms. This study found that oysters adapted to low salinity exhibited improved mitochondrial performance and plasticity, while oysters adapted to high salinity showed higher hypoxia tolerance.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Ioannis Georgoulis, Christian Bock, Gisela Lannig, Hans O. Portner, Inna M. Sokolova, Konstantinos Feidantsis, Ioannis A. Giantsis, Basile Michaelidis
Summary: This study investigates the stress memory effect of heat hardening on M. galloprovincialis metabolite profile, aiming to identify the underlying biochemical mechanisms that enhance mussels' thermal tolerance.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nina Krebs, Christian Bock, Jan Tebben, Felix C. Mark, Magnus Lucassen, Gisela Lannig, Hans-Otto Poertner
Summary: This study compared protein synthesis and degradation capacities between the Antarctic eelpout and its temperate counterpart. The results showed that the Antarctic eelpout has higher adaptation to cold in terms of protein turnover compared to the temperate eelpout.