External factors affecting composition of the human gut microbiota have attracted considerable attention in recent years. Among these factors, habitat sharing with other humans and companion animals, especially dogs, is considered crucial together with the presence of intestinal protists. The Czech Republic, known for one of the highest rates of dog ownership in Europe, provides an ideal setting for studying such relationships. Here, we investigated the impact of dog ownership and lifestyle factors (residing in cities versus villages) on the gut microbiota (specifically bacteriome). In addition, we also investigated the influence of the common gut protist Blastocystis sp. on the human gut microbiota. Fecal DNAs from 118 humans and 54 dogs were subject to 16S rRNA gene sequencing using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Greater microbial diversity was observed in humans than in dogs. Owning a dog had no significant effect on the alpha and beta diversity of the human microbiota, although some bacterial genera were enriched in dog owners. In relation to lifestyle, urban dwellers had higher levels of Akkermansia, while people living in villages had a more diverse gut microbiota. The presence of Blastocystis sp. in humans correlated with specific microbial patterns, indicating an important role for this micro-eukaryote in the gut ecosystem. These findings highlight the intricate relationship between specific factors and the gut microbiota composition and emphasize the need for more extensive research in this area.
- Klíčová slova
- Blastocystis sp, Dog ownership, Dogs, Gut microbiota, Humans, Lifestyle,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Restricted range size brings about noteworthy genetic consequences that may affect the viability of a population and eventually its extinction. Particularly, the question if an increase in inbreeding can avert the accumulation of genetic load via purging is hotly debated in the conservation genetic field. Insular populations with limited range sizes represent an ideal setup for relating range size to these genetic factors. Leveraging a set of eight differently sized populations of Galápagos mockingbirds (Mimus), we investigated how island size shaped effective population size (Ne), inbreeding and genetic load. We assembled a genome of M. melanotis and genotyped three individuals per population by whole-genome resequencing. Demographic inference showed that the Ne of most populations remained high after the colonisation of the archipelago 1-2 Mya. Ne decline in M. parvulus happened only 10-20 Kya, whereas the critically endangered M. trifasciatus showed a longer history of reduced Ne. Despite these historical fluctuations, the current island size determines Ne in a linear fashion. In contrast, significant inbreeding coefficients, derived from runs of homozygosity, were identified only in the four smallest populations. The index of additive genetic load suggested purging in M. parvulus, where the smallest populations showed the lowest load. By contrast, M. trifasciatus carried the highest genetic load, possibly due to a recent rapid bottleneck. Overall, our study demonstrates a complex effect of demography on inbreeding and genetic load, providing implications in conservation genetics in general and in a conservation project of M. trifasciatus in particular.
- Klíčová slova
- conservation genetics, demographic inference, genetic diversity, genetic load,
- MeSH
- genetická zátěž * MeSH
- genom genetika MeSH
- genotyp MeSH
- hustota populace * MeSH
- inbreeding * MeSH
- ostrovy * MeSH
- Passeriformes genetika MeSH
- populační genetika * MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Ekvádor MeSH
- ostrovy * MeSH
Pikeperch (Sander Lucioperca) belongs to main predatory fish species in freshwater bodies throughout Europe playing the key role by reducing planktivorous fish abundance. Two size classes of the young-of-the-year (YOY) pikeperch are known in Europe and North America. Our long-term fish survey elucidates late-summer size distribution of YOY pikeperch in the Lipno Reservoir (Czechia) and recognizes two distinct subcohorts: smaller pelagic planktivores heavily outnumber larger demersal piscivores. To explore molecular mechanisms accompanying the switch from planktivory to piscivory, we compared brain transcriptomes of both subcohorts and identified 148 differentially transcribed genes. The pathway enrichment analyses identified the piscivorous phase to be associated with genes involved in collagen and extracellular matrix generation with numerous Gene Ontology (GO), while the planktivorous phase was associated with genes for non-muscle-myosins (NMM) with less GO terms. Transcripts further upregulated in planktivores from the periphery of the NMM network were Pmchl, Pomcl, and Pyyb, all involved also in appetite control and producing (an)orexigenic neuropeptides. Noncoding RNAs were upregulated in transcriptomes of planktivores including three transcripts of snoRNA U85. Thirty genes mostly functionally unrelated to those differentially transcribed were alternatively spliced between the subcohorts. Our results indicate planktivores as potentially driven by voracity to initiate the switch to piscivory, while piscivores undergo a dynamic brain development. We propose a spatiotemporal spreading of juvenile development over a longer period and larger spatial scales through developmental plasticity as an adaptation to exploiting all types of resources and decreasing the intraspecific competition.
- Klíčová slova
- (Sander (Stizostedion) lucioperca), brain transcriptome, cannibalism, developmental plasticity, heterochrony, snoRNA,
- MeSH
- alternativní sestřih * MeSH
- genetická transkripce MeSH
- mozek * metabolismus MeSH
- nekódující RNA genetika metabolismus MeSH
- okounovití genetika fyziologie MeSH
- regulace genové exprese fyziologie MeSH
- stravovací zvyklosti MeSH
- transkriptom * MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- nekódující RNA MeSH
Understanding mechanisms driving tropical tree growth is essential for comprehending carbon sequestration and predicting the future of tropical forests amid rapid deforestation. We conducted a natural experiment in Mount Cameroon to identify climatic factors limiting diurnal and seasonal growth in dominant tree species across a 2200-m elevation gradient, from lowland rainforests to montane mist forests with distinct wet and dry seasons. Using high-precision automatic dendrometers, we recorded radial growth rates of 28 tropical tree species from 2015 to 2018, correlating them with rainfall (11 100-2500 mm) and temperatures (23-14°C) across elevations. Significant growth limitations were suggested at both extremes of water availability. Tree growth peaked during the dry and prewet seasons at humid lower elevations and during wet seasons at drier higher elevations. Growth rates increased with soil moisture at higher elevations and peaked at medium soil moisture at lower elevations. Trees grew fastest at lower temperatures relative to their elevation-specific means, with growth limited by high daytime temperatures and promoted by nighttime temperatures. Our results revealed significant interspecific diurnal and seasonal growth variations hindered by both water scarcity and excess in West African rainforests, essential for forecasting and modelling carbon sinks.
- Klíčová slova
- dendrometer, forest, growth dynamics, limitation, soil moisture, temperature, tropics,
- MeSH
- biodiverzita MeSH
- déšť MeSH
- deštný prales MeSH
- nadmořská výška * MeSH
- půda chemie MeSH
- roční období * MeSH
- stonky rostlin růst a vývoj fyziologie MeSH
- stromy * růst a vývoj fyziologie MeSH
- teplota MeSH
- tropické klima MeSH
- voda metabolismus MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Kamerun MeSH
- Názvy látek
- půda MeSH
- voda MeSH
Plants store nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) like starch, fructans and soluble sugars to support metabolism, stress tolerance and defence during low photosynthesis, ultimately influencing their growth and longevity. However, the relationship between NSC composition and growth or persistence in wild plants remains unclear. This study explores trade-offs between growth, longevity and NSCs in 201 plant species across diverse climates in the Western USA, spanning 500-4300 m in elevation and 80-1000 mm in precipitation. Annual growth rates and plant ages were derived from the ring widths of semidesert, steppe and alpine herbs and shrubs, along with NSC profiles in their roots and rhizomes. Results showed an inverse relationship between growth and age, with total NSC, starch and fructan levels negatively correlated with growth, supporting the growth-longevity and growth-storage trade-off hypotheses. Conversely, higher growth rates were linked to soluble sugars, suggesting that climate-driven growth limitations alone do not explain increased NSCs. Fructans were positively associated with longevity, especially in long-lived desert shrubs and alpine herbs, underscoring NSCs' active role in survival strategies. These findings challenge the carbon surplus hypothesis, suggesting that plants actively use specific NSCs to balance growth and persistence, with energy-rich sugars promoting growth and osmoprotective fructans enhancing longevity.
- Klíčová slova
- active accumulation, carbon allocation strategies, carbon allocation trade‐offs, longevity, nonstructural carbohydrates, plant growth,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The placental DNA methylation landscape is unique, with widespread partially methylated domains (PMDs). The placental "methylome" is conserved across mammals, a shared feature of many cancers, and extensively studied for links with pregnancy complications. Human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs) offer exciting potential for functional studies to better understand this epigenetic feature; however, whether the hTSC epigenome recapitulates primary trophoblast remains unclear. We find that hTSCs exhibit an atypical methylome compared with trophectoderm and 1st trimester cytotrophoblast. Regardless of cell origin, oxygen levels, or culture conditions, hTSCs show localized DNA methylation within transcribed gene bodies and a complete loss of PMDs. Unlike early human trophoblasts, hTSCs display a notable absence of DNMT3L expression, which is necessary for PMD establishment in mouse trophoblasts. Remarkably, we demonstrate that ectopic expression of DNMT3L in hTSCs restores placental PMDs, supporting a conserved role for DNMT3L in de novo methylation in trophoblast development in human embryogenesis.
- Klíčová slova
- DNA methylation, DNMT3L, differentiation, epigenetics, histone modifications, human trophoblast stem cells, partially methylated domains, placenta, syncytiotrophoblast,
- MeSH
- DNA-(cytosin-5-)methyltransferasa * metabolismus genetika MeSH
- epigenom MeSH
- kmenové buňky metabolismus cytologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- metylace DNA * genetika MeSH
- myši MeSH
- placenta * metabolismus cytologie MeSH
- těhotenství MeSH
- trofoblasty * metabolismus cytologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- myši MeSH
- těhotenství MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- DNA-(cytosin-5-)methyltransferasa * MeSH
BACKGROUND: Parasitism as a life strategy has independently evolved multiple times within the eukaryotic tree of life. Each lineage has developed mechanisms to invade hosts, exploit resources, and ensure replication, but our knowledge of survival mechanisms in many parasitic taxa remain extremely limited. One such group is the Myxozoa, which are obligate, dixenous cnidarians. Evidence suggests that myxozoans evolved from free-living ancestors to endoparasites around 600 million years ago and are likely one of the first metazoan parasites on Earth. Some myxozoans pose significant threats to farmed and wild fish populations, negatively impacting aquaculture and fish stocks; one such example is Sphaerospora molnari, which forms spores in the gills of common carp (Cyprinus carpio), disrupting gill epithelia and causing somatic and respiratory failure. Sphaerospora molnari undergoes sequential development in different organs of its host, with large numbers of morphologically distinct stages occurring in the blood, liver, and gills of carp. We hypothesize that these parasite life-stages differ in regards to their host exploitation, pathogenicity, and host immune evasion strategies and mechanisms. We performed stage-specific transcriptomic profiling to identify differentially expressed key functional gene groups that relate to these functions and provide a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms S. molnari uses to optimize its parasitic lifestyle. We aimed to identify genes that are likely related to parasite pathogenicity and host cell exploitation mechanisms, and we hypothesize that genes unique to S. molnari might be indicative of evolutionary innovations and specific adaptations to host environments. RESULTS: We used parasite isolation protocols and comparative transcriptomics to study early proliferative and spore-forming stages of S. molnari, unveiling variation in gene expression between each stage. We discovered several apparent innovations in the S. molnari transcriptome, including proteins that are likely to function in the uptake of previously unknown key nutrients, immune evasion factors that may contribute to long-term survival in hosts, and proteins that likely improve adhesion to host cells that may have arisen from horizontal gene transfer. Notably, we identified genes that are similar to known virulence factors in other parasitic organisms, particularly blood and intestinal parasites like Plasmodium, Trypanosoma, and Giardia. Many of these genes are absent in published cnidarian and myxozoan datasets and appear to be specific to S. molnari; they may therefore represent potential innovations enabling Sphaerospora to exploit the host's blood system. CONCLUSIONS: In order to address the threat posed by myxozoans to both cultured fish species and wild stocks, it is imperative to deepen our understanding of their genetics. Sphaerospora molnari offers an appealing model for stage-specific transcriptomic profiling and for identifying differentially expressed key functional gene groups related to parasite development. We identified genes that are thus far unique to S. molnari, which reveal their evolutionary novelty and likely role as adaptations to specific host niches. In addition, we describe the pathogenicity-associated genetic toolbox of S. molnari and discuss the implications of our discoveries for disease control by shedding light on specific targets for potential intervention strategies.
- Klíčová slova
- Sphaerospora molnari, Differential expression, Myxozoans, Pathogenicity related, Species specific genes,
- MeSH
- fyziologická adaptace genetika MeSH
- interakce hostitele a parazita genetika MeSH
- kapři parazitologie MeSH
- Myxozoa * genetika patogenita fyziologie MeSH
- nemoci ryb parazitologie MeSH
- stadia vývoje genetika MeSH
- stanovení celkové genové exprese MeSH
- transkriptom * MeSH
- žábry parazitologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- srovnávací studie MeSH
We report here on the development of tailored plasmonic AgNPs/C:H:N:O plasma polymer nanocomposites for the detection of the pathogenic bacterium Borrelia afzelii , with high selectivity and sensitivity. Silver (Ag) nanoparticles, generated by a gas aggregation source, are incorporated onto a C:H:N:O plasma polymer matrix, which is deposited by magnetron sputtering of a nylon 6.6. These anchored Ag nanoparticles propagate localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), optically responding to changes caused by immobilized pathogens near the nanoparticles. The tailored functionalization of AgNPs/C:H:N:O nanocomposite surface allows both high selectivity for the pathogen and high sensitivity with an LSPR red-shift Δλ > (4.20 ± 0.71) nm for 50 Borrelia per area 0.785 cm2. The results confirmed the ability of LSPR modulation for the rapid and early detection of (not only) tested pathogens.
- Klíčová slova
- C:H:N:O thin film, Lyme disease, ag nanoparticles, borrelia, localized surface plasmon resonance, magnetron sputtering, nanocomposite, nylon, plasma polymer, surface functionalization,
- MeSH
- kovové nanočástice * chemie MeSH
- nanokompozity * chemie MeSH
- povrchová plasmonová rezonance * MeSH
- stříbro * chemie MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- stříbro * MeSH
BACKGROUND: Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is the most common tick-borne viral infection in Eurasia. Outcomes range from asymptomatic infection to fatal encephalitis, with host genetics likely playing a role. BALB/c mice have intermediate susceptibility to TBE virus (TBEV) and STS mice are highly resistant, whereas the recombinant congenic strain CcS-11, which carries 12.5% of the STS genome on the BALB/c background, is more susceptible than BALB/c mice. In the present study, we employed these genetically distinct mouse models to investigate the host response to TBEV infection in both peripheral macrophages, one of the initial target cell populations, and the brain, the terminal target organ of the virus. METHODS: TBEV growth and the production of key cytokines and chemokines were measured and compared in macrophages derived from BALB/c, CcS-11, and STS mice. In addition, brains from these TBEV-infected mouse strains underwent in-depth transcriptomic analysis. RESULTS: Virus production in BALB/c and CcS-11 macrophages exhibited similar kinetics 24 and 48 h post-infection (hpi), but CcS-11 macrophages yielded significantly higher titers 72 hpi. Macrophages from both sensitive strains demonstrated elevated chemokine and proinflammatory cytokine production upon infection, whereas the resistant strain, STS, showed no cytokine/chemokine activation. Transcriptomic analysis of brain tissue demonstrated that the genetic background of the mouse strains dictated their transcriptional response to infection. The resistant strain exhibited a more robust cell-mediated immune response, whereas both sensitive strains showed a less effective cell-mediated response but increased cytokine signaling and signs of demyelination, with loss of oligodendrocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that variations in susceptibility linked to host genetic background correspond with distinct host responses, both in the periphery upon virus entry into the organism and in the brain, the target organ of the virus. These results provide insights into the influence of host genetics on the clinical trajectory of TBE.
- Klíčová slova
- Genetics, Macrophages, Mouse model, Neuroinflammation, Tick-borne encephalitis, Tick-borne encephalitis virus, Transcriptomics,
- MeSH
- cytokiny * metabolismus genetika MeSH
- genotyp MeSH
- klíšťová encefalitida * imunologie virologie genetika MeSH
- makrofágy * imunologie virologie MeSH
- mozek * virologie imunologie MeSH
- myši inbrední BALB C * MeSH
- myši MeSH
- viry klíšťové encefalitidy * genetika fyziologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- myši MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- cytokiny * MeSH
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Understanding interspecific differences in plant growth rates and their internal and external drivers is key to predicting species responses to ongoing environmental changes. Annual growth rates vary among plants based on their ecological preferences, growth forms, ecophysiological adaptations, and evolutionary history. However, the relative importance of these factors remains unclear, particularly in high-mountain ecosystems experiencing rapid changes. METHODS: We examined how habitat associations, elevational optima, growth forms, and ecophysiological and anatomical traits influence interspecific differences in radial growth rates among 324 vascular dicot species naturally occurring in the western Himalayas. Growth rates were determined from annual ring width measurements on the oldest plant sections of over 7,800 individuals from a range of habitats (desert, steppe, wetland, alpine, subnival), growth forms (perennial tap-rooted, rhizomatous, cushiony, woody), and climatic gradients (elevations of 2,650-6,150 m). KEY RESULTS: Habitat associations accounted for 24% of the variability in interspecific growth rates. Adding growth form and height increased the explanation to 42%, and incorporating plant functional traits further improved predictions to 46%. Growth rates were higher in warmer, drier conditions and lower in cold, wet environments. Subnival cushion plants had the slowest growth, while ruderal plants grew the fastest. Desert plants showed higher growth rates, reflecting their drought adaptive strategies, while wetland forbs had lower growth rates due to increased resource competition. Growth was positively correlated with leaf nitrogen content and non-structural carbohydrates (mainly fructans), due to enhanced photosynthesis and stress tolerance, and negatively correlated with leaf carbon and root nitrogen content. CONCLUSION: Our study of 324 dicot species in the western Himalayas suggests that plant growth in high elevations is determined by a combination of habitat conditions, morphological traits, and ecophysiological adaptations. Growth variations among the highest-growing angiosperms reflect adaptive strategies along the global 'fast-slow' and 'acquisitive-conservative' spectrums. These results underscore the importance of habitat-specific studies for predicting plant growth responses to environmental changes, emphasizing a species-specific approach for effective conservation in fragile ecosystems.
- Klíčová slova
- Ecophysiology, Fast-slow economic spectrum, Functional traits, Herbchronology, High-elevation plants, Himalayan plants, Plant growth,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
