Evaluation of cyanotoxin L-BMAA effect on α-synuclein and TDP43 proteinopathy.

The complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors is considered the cause of neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease (PD) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Among the environmental factors, toxins produced by cyanobacteria have received much attention due to the significant increase in cyanobacteria growth worldwide. In particular, L-BMAA toxin, produced by diverse taxa of cyanobacteria, dinoflagellates and diatoms, has been extensively correlated to neurodegeneration. The molecular mechanism of L-BMAA neurotoxicity is still cryptic and far from being understood. In this research article, we have investigated the molecular pathways altered by L-BMAA exposure in cell systems, highlighting a significant increase in specific stress pathways and an impairment in autophagic processes. Interestingly, these changes lead to the accumulation of both α-synuclein and TDP43, which are correlated with PD and ALS proteinopathy, respectively. Finally, we were able to demonstrate specific alterations of TDP43 WT or pathological mutants with respect to protein accumulation, aggregation and cytoplasmic translocation, some of the typical features of both sporadic and familial ALS.

Historical and projected response of Southeast Asian lakes surface water temperature to warming climate.

The temperature of surface and epilimnetic waters, closely related to regional air temperatures, responds quickly and directly to climatic changes. As a result, lake surface temperature (LSWT) can be considered an effective indicator of climate change. In this study, we reconstructed and investigated historical and future LSWT across different scenarios for over 80 major lakes in mainland Southeast Asia (SEA), an ecologically diverse region vulnerable to climate impacts. Five different predicting models, incorporating statistical, machine and deep learning approaches, were trained and validated using ERA5 and CHIRPS climatic feature datasets as predictors and 8-day MODIS-derived LSWT from 2000 to 2020 as reference dataset. Best performing model was then applied to predict both historical (1986-2020) and future (2020-2100) LSWT for SEA lakes, utilizing downscaled climatic CORDEX-SEA feature data and multiple Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP). The analysis uncovered historical and future thermal dynamics and long-term trends for both daytime and nighttime LSWT. Among 5 models, XGboost results the most performant (NSE 0.85, RMSE 1.14 °C, MAE 0.69 °C, MBE -0.08 °C) and it has been used for historical reconstruction and future LSWT prediction. The historical analysis revealed a warming trend in SEA lakes, with daytime LSWT increasing at a rate of +0.18 °C/decade and nighttime LSWT at +0.13 °C/decade over the past three decades. These trends appeared of smaller magnitude compared to global estimates of LSWT change rates and less pronounced than concurrent air temperature and LSWT increases in neighbouring regions. Projections under various RCP scenarios indicated continued LSWT warming. Daytime LSWT is projected to increase at varying rates per decade: +0.03 °C under RCP2.6, +0.14 °C under RCP4.5, and +0.29 °C under RCP8.5. Similarly, nighttime LSWT projections under these scenarios are: +0.03 °C, +0.10 °C, and +0.16 °C per decade, respectively. The most optimistic scenario predicted marginal increases of +0.38 °C on average, while the most pessimistic scenario indicated an average LSWT increase of +2.29 °C by end of the century. This study highlights the relevance of LSWT as a climate change indicator in major SEA's freshwater ecosystems. The integration of satellite-derived LSWT, historical and projected climate data into data-driven modelling has enabled new and a more nuanced understanding of LSWT dynamics in relation to climate throughout the entire SEA region.

Gradients of salinity and plant community richness and diversity in two different Mediterranean coastal ecosystems in NW Sardinia.

This study aimed to test if differences in soil salinity, plant richness and diversity were significantly affected by habitat, site and distance from the seashore at three sandy and three rocky coastal sites in north-western Sardinia. Each site has been divided into three belts placed at an equal distance of 50 m from the shoreline. We measured soil salinity using a probe and vascular plants richness and diversity using linear transects at all sites. Average soil salinity varied from 0.115 g/l to 0.180 g/l; it was higher in the rocky habitats than in the sandy ones. A total of 21 species were found per transect/site at the rocky sites and 30 species per transect/site at the sandy sites, with an average of Shannon and Weaver's Diversity Index of 1.8 per each belt at each site. These data confirm that, also in the Mediterranean islands, there are coastal gradients of soil salinity from the seashore to inland areas and that also vascular plant richness and diversity are influenced by the distance from the sea. Soil salinity was strongly affected by the type of habitat, being average at the rocky coasts and negligible at the sandy shores. The site effect was not significant for both soil salinity and plant richness and diversity.

Cyanobacteria, Cyanotoxins, and Neurodegenerative Diseases: Dangerous Liaisons.

The prevalence of neurodegenerative disease (ND) is increasing, partly owing to extensions in lifespan, with a larger percentage of members living to an older age, but the ND aetiology and pathogenesis are not fully understood, and effective treatments are still lacking. Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are generally thought to progress as a consequence of genetic susceptibility and environmental influences. Up to now, several environmental triggers have been associated with NDs, and recent studies suggest that some cyanotoxins, produced by cyanobacteria and acting through a variety of molecular mechanisms, are highly neurotoxic, although their roles in neuropathy and particularly in NDs are still controversial. In this review, we summarize the most relevant and recent evidence that points at cyanotoxins as environmental triggers in NDs development.

Ecological, morphological and molecular characterization of Kryptoperidinium sp. (Dinophyceae) from two Mediterranean coastal shallow lagoons.

In this study, the field ecology of Kryptoperidinium sp. was examined in two Mediterranean shallow lagoons, Calich (CA) and Santa Giusta (SG) in Sardinia, Italy. Kryptoperidinium cell density and the environmental conditions were examined monthly from 2008 to 2015 in CA and from 2011 to 2016 in SG. Cell morphology was determined by observing specimens taken from the field and from cultures that were established by single-cell isolation from samples collected in the two lagoons. The molecular identity of strains from each lagoon was also ascertained. The growth rates of the strains were determined under three different temperature conditions and six salinity treatments. The two wild populations shared the same morphology and the cultured strains were morphologically and molecularly identical. The SSU and 5.8S phylogenies show the presence of two clusters within the available Kryptoperidinium sequences and the strains obtained in this study clustered with others from the Mediterranean and Baltic. The multiannual dynamics of Kryptoperidinium sp. in the field significantly differed in the two lagoons, showing much higher cell densities in CA than in SG. The presence of Kryptoperidinium sp. was detected throughout the year in CA, with recurrent blooms also affecting the adjacent coastal area. In contrast, Kryptoperidinium sp. was sporadically observed in SG. The variation in the environmental parameters was fairly wide during the presence and blooms of Kryptoperidinium sp., especially in CA. The application of Generalized Linear Models to the field data revealed a significant role of rainfall and dissolved inorganic nitrogen on the presence and blooms of the species. Although growth rates were similar between the two strains, significant differences were detected for the 10 and 40 salinity treatments. The results obtained in this study add to our knowledge about the ecology of a harmful species that is not well understood in transitional ecosystems such as Mediterranean lagoons.

Dataset of seasonal mean volumes of phytoplankton cell size classes in Mediterranean shallow coastal lagoons.

In this article, the floristic lists and the seasonal mean cell volumes of phytoplankton taxa observed in three Mediterranean lagoons are reported. These datasets include 40 species, 67 other taxa identified at least at genus level, and further 13 taxa attributed only at order or class level. These data are associated with Pulina et al. "Seasonal variations of phytoplankton size structure in relation to environmental variables in three Mediterranean shallow coastal lagoons" (Pulina et al., 2018) [1], where phytoplankton taxa were included in two different cell size classes (Utermöhl fraction of phytoplankton, cell size > 3 µm; Picophytoplankton, cell size < 3 µm) and in which their seasonal variations were interpreted and discussed.

Plankton dynamics across the freshwater, transitional and marine research sites of the LTER-Italy Network. Patterns, fluctuations, drivers.

A first synoptic and trans-domain overview of plankton dynamics was conducted across the aquatic sites belonging to the Italian Long-Term Ecological Research Network (LTER-Italy). Based on published studies, checked and complemented with unpublished information, we investigated phytoplankton and zooplankton annual dynamics and long-term changes across domains: from the large subalpine lakes to mountain lakes and artificial lakes, from lagoons to marine coastal ecosystems. This study permitted identifying common and unique environmental drivers and ecological functional processes controlling seasonal and long-term temporal course. The most relevant patterns of plankton seasonal succession were revealed, showing that the driving factors were nutrient availability, stratification regime, and freshwater inflow. Phytoplankton and mesozooplankton displayed a wide interannual variability at most sites. Unidirectional or linear long-term trends were rarely detected but all sites were impacted across the years by at least one, but in many case several major stressor(s): nutrient inputs, meteo-climatic variability at the local and regional scale, and direct human activities at specific sites. Different climatic and anthropic forcings frequently co-occurred, whereby the responses of plankton communities were the result of this environmental complexity. Overall, the LTER investigations are providing an unparalleled framework of knowledge to evaluate changes in the aquatic pelagic systems and management options.

Paralytic Shellfish Toxins and Cyanotoxins in the Mediterranean: New Data from Sardinia and Sicily (Italy).

Harmful algal blooms represent a severe issue worldwide. They affect ecosystem functions and related services and goods, with consequences on human health and socio-economic activities. This study reports new data on paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) from Sardinia and Sicily (Italy), the largest Mediterranean islands where toxic events, mainly caused by Alexandrium species (Dinophyceae), have been ascertained in mussel farms since the 2000s. The toxicity of the A. minutum, A. tamarense and A. pacificum strains, established from the isolation of vegetative cells and resting cysts, was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The analyses indicated the highest toxicity for A. pacificum strains (total PSTs up to 17.811 fmol cell-1). The PSTs were also assessed in a strain of A. tamarense. The results encourage further investigation to increase the knowledge of toxic species still debated in the Mediterranean. This study also reports new data on microcystins (MCs) and ß-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) from a Sardinian artificial lake (Lake Bidighinzu). The presence of MCs and BMAA was assessed in natural samples and in cell cultures by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). BMAA positives were found in all the analysed samples with a maximum of 17.84 µg L-1. The obtained results added further information on cyanotoxins in Mediterranean reservoirs, particularly BMAA, which have not yet been thoroughly investigated.

Multiannual Chattonella subsalsa Biecheler (Raphidophyceae) blooms in a Mediterranean lagoon (Santa Giusta Lagoon, Sardinia Island, Italy).

Recurrent blooms of Chattonella subsalsa (Raphidophyceae) were associated with fish kills in Santa Giusta Lagoon (Mediterranean Sea). This study investigated the population dynamics of C. subsalsa and its relationship with environmental and meteorological conditions, using multiannual ecological data (1990-2016). In addition, for the first time, this study examined the presence of C. subsalsa cysts in lagoon sediments. The species was first detected in Santa Giusta Lagoon in July 1994. Bloom events coinciding with fish kills were recorded in 1994, 1998, 1999, and 2010. The timing and dynamics of C. subsalsa blooms and fish kills varied over the examined period. Presence of C. subsalsa was strongly influenced by temperature, especially in the early years of the series (1990-2002). Temperature control may have been lesser important in the more recent years, when higher temperature may have generated continuative suitable conditions for C. subsalsa affirmation, especially in July. Thus, the variations in the availability of food (via autotrophy and/or mixotrophy) could be one of the control keys on the proliferation of this species in the future in SG. Cysts of C. subsalsa were present in lagoon sediments at abundances ranging 200-2000cystsg-1 wet sediment. This study is among a few that have examined C. subsalsa population dynamics and bloom events in the field over a long time period. Findings from this study contribute to a better understanding of C. subsalsa bloom development, by identifying environmental and meteorological variables that may promote blooms of this species in the Santa Giusta Lagoon.

Effects of trophic status on microcystin production and the dominance of cyanobacteria in the phytoplankton assemblage of Mediterranean reservoirs.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the abundance of cyanobacteria and microcystins in four Sardinian reservoirs (Italy) characterised by different trophic status to define a reference picture for future changes. Increasing levels of eutrophication and the abundance of cyanobacteria are expected to occur due to climate change, especially in the southern Mediterranean. Consequently, an in-depth study of the occurrence of harmful cyanobacteria is important to develop appropriate management strategies for water resources at a local scale. Monthly samples were collected at one station in each reservoir over an 18-month period. The Analysis of similarity indicated that cyanobacterial abundance and species composition differed significantly among the reservoirs. The Redundancy analysis highlighted their relationship to trophic, hydrological and seasonal patterns. Spearman's analysis indicated that there were significant correlations among the most important species (Planktothrix agardhii-rubescens group, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae and Dolichospermum planctonicum), nutrients and microcystins. We highlighted that the species composition during periods of maximum microcystin concentrations differed from those typically reported for other Mediterranean sites. We found new potential microcystin producers (Aphanizomenon klebahnii, Dolichospermum macrosporum and Dolichospermum viguieri), which emphasised the high diversity of cyanobacteria in the Mediterranean area and the need for detailed research at the local scale.