Nanoscale distribution of potentially toxic elements in seaweeds revealed by synchrotron X-ray fluorescence.

Assessing the impact of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) on coastal waters requires understanding their interaction with seaweeds, as they are foundational organisms in nearshore ecosystems. While seaweeds are known to accumulate PTEs, information on the mechanisms and locations of this accumulation is very limited. We employed synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence (S-XRF) to map the distribution of various chemical elements at nanometric resolution in Fucus vesiculosus, a brown alga dominant in intertidal zones.

A field study of the molecular response of brown macroalgae to heavy metal exposure: An (epi)genetic approach.

Our understanding of the relative contribution of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms to organismal response to stress is largely biased towards specific taxonomic groups (e.g. seed plants) and environmental stresses (e.

High Hg biomagnification in North Atlantic coast ecosystems and limits to the use of δN to estimate trophic magnification factors.

Mercury contamination is a global environmental problem. This pollutant is highly toxic and persistent which makes it extremely susceptible to biomagnify, i.e.

Heavy metal tolerance in Scopelophila cataractae: Transcriptomic and epigenetic datasets.

Studying how different plant groups deal with heavy metal exposure is crucial to improve our understanding of the diversity of molecular mechanisms involved in plant stress response. Here, we used RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and epigenotyping by sequencing (epiGBS) to assess gene expression and DNA methylation changes respectively in plants from four populations of the metallophyte moss Scopelophila cataractae treated with Cd or Cu in the laboratory. We built RNA-seq and epiGBS sequencing libraries from control and treated samples from each population and sequenced them using Illumina HiSeq 3000 (PE-150 bp) and Illumina HiSeq X-Ten System (PE-150 bp) respectively.

Inheritance of DNA methylation differences in the mangrove Rhizophora mangle.

The capacity to respond to environmental challenges ultimately relies on phenotypic variation which manifests from complex interactions of genetic and nongenetic mechanisms through development. While we know something about genetic variation and structure of many species of conservation importance, we know very little about the nongenetic contributions to variation. Rhizophora mangle is a foundation species that occurs in coastal estuarine habitats throughout the neotropics where it provides critical ecosystem functions and is potentially threatened by anthropogenic environmental changes.

Epigenetic effects of parasites and pesticides on captive and wild nestling birds.

Anthropogenic changes to the environment challenge animal populations to adapt to new conditions and unique threats. While the study of adaptation has focused on genetic variation, epigenetic mechanisms may also be important. DNA methylation is sensitive to environmental stressors, such as parasites and pesticides, which may affect gene expression and phenotype.

Analysis of intra-thallus and temporal variability of trace elements and nitrogen in Fucus vesiculosus: Sampling protocol optimization for biomonitoring.

To advance the methodological standardization of the biomonitoring technique using macroalgae, we comprehensively characterized the intra-thallus and temporal patterns of variation in concentrations of a wide set of elements (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn, N) and δN signal in 6 consecutive Fucus vesiculosus apical dichotomous sections collected monthly over a four-year period (2015-2019) at 3 sites on the NW coast of Spain. The concentrations of Al, Co, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn increased significantly from the youngest to the oldest dichotomies regardless of the sampling time and collection site; As, Cd, N and δN showed the opposite trend. Time series analysis revealed a significant and consistent seasonal variation of As, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Zn, N and δN concentrations, with maximum values in winter and minimum values in summer.

Plant epigenetics: phenotypic and functional diversity beyond the DNA sequence.

Phenotypic variation determines the capacity of plants to adapt to changing environments and to colonize new habitats. Deciphering the mechanisms contributing to plant phenotypic variation and their effects on plant ecological interactions and evolutionary dynamics is thus central to all biological disciplines. In the past few decades, research on plant epigenetics is showing that (1) epigenetic variation is related to phenotypic variation and that some epigenetic marks drive major phenotypic changes in plants; (2) plant epigenomes are highly diverse, dynamic, and can respond rapidly to a variety of biotic and abiotic stimuli; (3) epigenetic variation can respond to selection and therefore play a role in adaptive evolution.

Epigenetic Approaches in Non-Model Plants.

Reduced representation bisulfite sequencing is an emerging methodology for evolutionary and ecological genomics and epigenomics research because it provides a cost-effective, high-resolution tool for exploration and comparative analysis of DNA methylation and genetic variation. Here we describe how digestion of genomic plant DNA with restriction enzymes, subsequent bisulfite conversion of unmethylated cytosines, and final DNA sequencing allow for the examination of genome-wide genetic and epigenetic variation in plants without the need for a reference genome. We explain how the use of several combinations of barcoded adapters for the creation of highly multiplexed libraries allows the inclusion of up to 144 different samples/individuals in only one sequencing lane.

Matching times: Trying to improve the correlation between heavy metal levels in mosses and bulk deposition.

The relationship between the concentrations of metals in moss tissues and atmospheric deposition is highly complex, resulting in a general lack of correlations between these two matrices. Here, we tried to improve the significance of the moss-bulk deposition (BD) relationship by eliminating the mismatch between the time that the moss tissue selected for analysis is exposed to atmospheric deposition, and the time during which BD is collected. For this, we analysed the concentrations of Cd, Hg and Pb in new grown tissue of Pseudoscleropodium purum and BD collected monthly, for one year, in 21 sampling sites (SS) under different degrees of pollution.

Galactose-α-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) allergy: first pediatric case in a series of patients in Spain.

Introduction And Objectives: Allergy to galactose-α-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) is a peculiar form of food allergy generally manifesting as an anaphylactic reaction hours after mammalian meat consumption, due to the presence of specific IgE against this oligosaccharide. In addition, immediate anaphylaxis may develop after exposure to other sources of alpha-gal, such as monoclonal antibody cetuximab, vaccines, plasma expanders or anti-snake venoms. Sensitization to alpha-gal has also been implicated in the rapid degeneration of biological valve implants, and recognized as a cause of occupational disease in cattle raisers.

Sampling optimization for biomonitoring metal contamination with marine macroalgae.

The aim of the present study was to optimize the protocol for sampling marine macroalgae to be used to biomonitor heavy metal contamination in marine ecosystems. For this purpose, we collected 50 subsamples of the brown seaweed Fucus vesiculosus at random in each of three sampling sites (SS) and determined the concentrations of Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, N, Ni, Pb, Zn and δN. We used semivariograms to explore the possible existence of spatial structure in the concentrations of the elements.

Application of macroalgae analysis to assess the natural variability in selected pollution concentrations (N and Hg), and to detect sources of it in coastal environments.

Here we present a new method in which algae are used to detect sources of heavy metal and organic pollution in coastal areas. The procedure involves characterization of the natural range of concentrations of the elements in areas not affected by local sources of pollution and subsequent comparison of concentrations in the study site to these natural range levels. To develop the method, the concentrations of various elements were determined in specimens of the macroalgae Fucus vesiculosus collected at >150 sampling sites along the shoreline.

Biomonitoring coastal environments with transplanted macroalgae: A methodological review.

The use of macroalgae transplants is a recent technique used in pollution biomonitoring studies in marine ecosystems. Only 60 articles published between 1978 and 2017 reported the use of this environmental tool for the active biomonitoring of inorganic pollutants and nutrients worldwide. In this review paper, we evaluated studies on this topic in relation to the development of methodological aspects of the technique and the degree of standardization of the protocols used.

Do mosses exist outside of Europe? A biomonitoring reflection.

The passive moss biomonitoring technique has been proved a useful environmental tool for the study of the air quality. However, after more than 40years of its discovery, it has not been used yet in decision making when dealing with atmospheric pollution. Scientific efforts and funding are wasted when these sort of findings do not have a meaningful impact on society.

Quantification of the overall measurement uncertainty associated with the passive moss biomonitoring technique: Sample collection and processing.

In this study we examined 6080 data gathered by our research group during more than 20 years of research on the moss biomonitoring technique, in order to quantify the variability generated by different aspects of the protocol and to calculate the overall measurement uncertainty associated with the technique. The median variance of the concentrations of different pollutants measured in moss tissues attributed to the different methodological aspects was high, reaching values of 2851 (ng·g) for Cd (sample treatment), 35.1 (μg·g) for Cu (sample treatment), 861.

Genetic structuring of the moss Pseudoscleropodium purum sampled at different distances from a pollution source.

In this study, we used amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis to investigate the genetic structure of the terrestrial moss Pseudoscleropodium purum (Hedw.) M. Fleish.

Trace element concentrations in the moss Hypnum cupressiforme growing in a presumably unpolluted area.

In this study we determined the concentrations of As, Cd, Hg, Ni and Pb in samples of the moss Hypnum cupressiforme collected during 5 different sampling surveys (2006-2014) in a presumably unpolluted area in northern Spain (25 sampling sites). We then applied factor analysis (FA) to the data to explore the factors underlying the spatial and temporal variability in the concentrations. The percentage of variance explained by the FA ranged between 34 and 98%, and was usually higher than 70%.

Cloning and characterization of tropomyosin from the mite Chortoglyphus arcuatus.

Tropomyosin is a pan-allergen that shares a high homology among species. It is involved in cross-reactivity among mites, crustaceans, mollusks and insects. The objectives were to express and purify recombinant tropomyosin from the storage mite Chortoglyphus arcuatus, and to investigate the homology and cross-reactivity with tropomyosin from other invertebrates.

Relationship between trace metal concentrations in the terrestrial moss Pseudoscleropodium purum and in bulk deposition.

The relationship between trace metal concentrations in Pseudoscleropodium purum (Hedw.) M. Fleish.

A critical review of protocols for moss biomonitoring of atmospheric deposition: sampling and sample preparation.

Currently, the most important guideline for the application of the moss technique to monitor the atmospheric deposition of heavy metals is the "Heavy metals, nitrogen and POPs in European mosses: 2015 survey" published by the UNECE ICP Vegetation. Two main problems have been identified with this guideline: i) some of the recommendations regarding the methodological aspects involved in the application of the moss technique are not based on scientific criteria; and, ii) some recommendations in the manual are very vague and some aspects are even left out (e.g.

Different sensitization to storage mites depending on the co-exposure to house dust mites.

Background: Co-sensitization to house dust mites (HDMs) and storage mites (SMs) is very frequent, although the clinical relevance is not well established.

Objective: To describe the pattern of sensitization and immunologic characterization of patients with positive skin prick test reactions to HDMs and SMs in 4 areas of Spain, selected according to high exposure to HDMs and variable exposure to SMs.

Methods: One hundred sixty-nine individuals with positive skin prick test reactions to HDMs and SMs were included.