Benthic foraminifera as bio-indicators of natural and anthropogenic conditions in Roscoff Aber Bay (Brittany, France).

Living benthic foraminifera, known as environmental bio-indicators of both natural and anthropogenic conditions in marine environments, were investigated in the coastal environment of Roscoff Aber Bay (Brittany, France). Eight sampling sites subject to natural variations (freshwater inputs, tides) and/or anthropogenic impacts (pollution, eutrophication) were studied over four seasons in 2021-2022 (November, February, May, August). We sought to understand the spatial distribution of foraminiferal populations within and between sampling sites over the different seasons and to identify sensitive species and those tolerant to anthropogenic impacts.

Impaired photoacclimation in a kleptoplastidic dinoflagellate reveals physiological limits of early stages of endosymbiosis.

Dinophysis dinoflagellates are predators of Mesodinium ciliates, from which they retain only the plastids of cryptophyte origin. The absence of nuclear photosynthetic cryptophyte genes in Dinophysis raises intriguing physiological and evolutionary questions regarding the functional dynamics of these temporary kleptoplastids within a foreign cellular environment. In an experimental setup including two light conditions, the comparative analysis with Mesodinium rubrum and the cryptophyte Teleaulax amphioxeia revealed that Dinophysis acuminata possessed a smaller and less dynamic functional photosynthetic antenna for green light, a function performed by phycoerythrin.

First subcellular localization of the amnesic shellfish toxin, domoic acid, in bivalve tissues: Deciphering the physiological mechanisms involved in its long-retention in the king scallop Pecten maximus.

Domoic acid (DA), the phycotoxin responsible for amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP), is an excitatory amino acid naturally produced by at least twenty-eight species of the bloom-forming marine diatoms Pseudo-nitzschia spp. Suspension feeders, such as bivalve mollusks, can accumulate and lengthy retain high amounts of DA in their tissues, threatening human health and leading to extensive-prolonged fishery closures, and severe economic losses. This is particularly problematic for the king scallop Pecten maximus, which retains high burdens of DA from months to years compared to other fast-depurator bivalves.

Enhanced scanning electron microscopy images using muscovite mica, an example with Rhizaria.

Muscovite mica sheets were used as a support to capture scanning electron microscopy pictures of marine biological samples. The physical properties of the cleaved muscovite mica provide a clean background, which greatly reduces the postprocessing of images, thereby enhancing them and resulting in impressive images. We chose siliceous Rhizaria for this investigation due to their morphological diversity and elaborate skeletons.

Subclavian versus femoral arterial cannulations during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: A propensity-matched comparison.

Background: During peripheral extracorporeal veno-arterial membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) support, subclavian arterial cannulation provides, in comparison to femoral arterial cannulation, an anterograde flow which may prevent from left ventricular (LV) distention and improve outcomes. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of subclavian cannulation to femoral cannulation in reducing LV overdistension consequences, hemostatic complications and mortality.

Methods: This retrospective study conducted in two intensive care units of the Lille academic hospitals from January 2013 to December 2019 included 372 non-moribund adult patients supported by VA-ECMO.

Towards eco-friendly marine antifouling biocides - Nature inspired tetrasubstituted 2,5-diketopiperazines.

Marine biofouling plagues all maritime industries at vast economic and environmental cost. Previous and most current methods to control biofouling have employed highly persistent toxins and heavy metals, including tin, copper, and zinc. These toxic methods are resulting in unacceptable environmental harm and are coming under immense regulatory pressure.

Evaluation of Anti-Activated Factor X Activity and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time Relations and Their Association with Bleeding and Thrombosis during Veno-Arterial ECMO Support: A Retrospective Study.

Background: We aimed to investigate the relationship between anti-activated Factor X (anti-FXa) and activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT), and its modulation by other haemostasis co-variables during veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) support. We further investigated their association with serious bleeding and thrombotic complications.

Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 265 adults supported by VA-ECMO for refractory cardiogenic shock from January 2015 to June 2019.

Antifouling Activity of Meroterpenes Isolated from the Ascidian Aplidium aff. densum.

The settlement and growth of fouling organisms on man-made surfaces can be prevented by the application of antifouling paints containing active compounds (biocides, heavy metals), most of which are toxic to non-target organisms. As part of our research program in chemical ecology and blue biotechnology, we are conducting studies to investigate the natural defence mechanisms of marine organisms that are free from epibionts, with the aim of isolating molecules involved in surface defence that could be good candidates as antifouling agents. Ascidians were selected for our investigation because previous studies have shown that they contain abundant and diverse secondary metabolites, which play a defensive role and have been applied to drug discovery.

Author Correction: Proteinaceous secretion of bioadhesive produced during crawling and settlement of Crassostrea gigas larvae.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

In Silico Analysis of Pacific Oyster () Transcriptome over Developmental Stages Reveals Candidate Genes for Larval Settlement.

Following their planktonic phase, the larvae of benthic marine organisms must locate a suitable habitat to settle and metamorphose. For oysters, larval adhesion occurs at the pediveliger stage with the secretion of a proteinaceous bioadhesive produced by the foot, a specialized and ephemeral organ. Oyster bioadhesive is highly resistant to proteomic extraction and is only produced in very low quantities, which explains why it has been very little examined in larvae to date.

The dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum affects development of the oyster Crassostrea gigas, through parental or direct exposure.

Harmful algal blooms are a threat to aquatic organisms and coastal ecosystems. Among harmful species, the widespread distributed genus Alexandrium is of global importance. This genus is well-known for the synthesis of paralytic shellfish toxins which are toxic for humans through the consumption of contaminated shellfish.

Proteinaceous secretion of bioadhesive produced during crawling and settlement of Crassostrea gigas larvae.

Bioadhesion of marine organisms has been intensively studied over the last decade because of their ability to attach in various wet environmental conditions and the potential this offers for biotechnology applications. Many marine mollusc species are characterized by a two-phase life history: pelagic larvae settle prior to metamorphosis to a benthic stage. The oyster Crassostrea gigas has been extensively studied for its economic and ecological importance.

Colonization of Polystyrene Microparticles by Vibrio crassostreae: Light and Electron Microscopic Investigation.

Microplastics collected at sea harbor a high diversity of microorganisms, including some Vibrio genus members, raising questions about the role of microplastics as a novel ecological niche for potentially pathogenic microorganisms. In the present study, we investigated the adhesion dynamics of Vibrio crassostreae on polystyrene microparticles (micro-PS) using electronic and fluorescence microscopy techniques. Micro-PS were incubated with bacteria in different media (Zobell culture medium and artificial seawater) with or without natural marine aggregates.