Musseling through: Mytilus byssal thread production is unaffected by continuous noise.

Anthropogenic low-frequency noise (ALFN) is a rising pollutant in the world oceans. Despite the ubiquity of ALFN, its effect on marine invertebrates is still poorly understood. Here, we tested how continuous low-frequency noise (CLFN), a substantial component of ALFN, affects the byssal thread production of Mytilus, a cosmopolitan genus of mussels with high ecological and economic importance. The effects of acute CLFN exposure and predator cues on byssogenesis by Mytilus spp. were explored in both the presence and absence of predator cues. While predator effluents increased thread production, CLFN had seemingly no effect on thread counts. Further, trends suggested a synergistic effect of CLFN and predator cues. The behavioral indifference of Mytilus spp. toward CLFN could contribute to the observed prevalence of these animals in inherently disturbed habitats. This would partly explain their success in colonizing and persisting on artificial substrata rife with disturbances.

A pilot study to detect the effects of a green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) nutraceutical on working farm dogs with musculoskeletal abnormalities using accelerometry.

AIMS: To obtain preliminary data on changes in gait from the use of a green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) extract product in working farm dogs with musculoskeletal abnormalities using accelerometry. METHODS: New Zealand working farm dogs (n = 32) with signs of musculoskeletal abnormalities were enrolled in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled cross-over study. Each dog was allocated to one of six groups to receive three trial substances (180 mg full fat green-lipped mussel extract (GLME180); 220 mg full fat green-lipped mussel extract (GLME220); placebo) in one of the six possible different orders. Each trial substance was administered orally once a day for an 8-week period, with a 4-week washout in between each. Dogs wore a collar-mounted triaxial accelerometer for the study duration. Diet and activity were not controlled. Accelerations were recorded continuously and analysed (n = 27) in 10-second activity epochs partitioned into daytime and night-time periods. Analysis of activity during the daytime period was limited to epochs when dogs were gaiting faster than a walk. The median and IQR of activity were determined for the daytime and night-time. Additionally, the 75th and 90th percentiles of daytime activity for each 24-hour period were determined. Mixed effects linear regression models were constructed to determine if each trial substance altered the response variables. RESULTS: During the daytime, the 90th percentile was higher when dogs were given GLME220 compared with the placebo (ß coefficient 2.6; 95% CI = 0.25-4.94; p = 0.03). Dogs that started the trial with the GLME products had a higher 90th percentile activity compared with dogs that began with the placebo (ß coefficient 26.26; 95% CI = 0.45-52.06; p = 0.046). The 75th percentile for activity was not affected by the GLME product. The daytime IQR was larger when dogs were given the GLME180 product compared with the placebo (ß coefficient 1.25; 95% CI = 0.12-2.37; p = 0.03). Night-time median activity and the IQR was greater in dogs that started the trial with the GLME products than in dogs that began with the placebo. The night-time IQR for activity was greater for GLME180 than for the placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of a low dose of the GLME-containing product increased peak activity in working farm dogs with signs of musculoskeletal abnormalities and may improve their performance. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Even mildly affected working farm dogs might benefit from support of their musculoskeletal abnormalities, and this particular GLME-based product shows promise as an adjunct to other management strategies.

Toxicokinetics and Mussel Watch: Addressing Interspecies Differences for Coastal Cadmium Contamination Assessment.

Bivalves are often employed for biomonitoring contaminants in marine environments; however, in these large-scale programs, unavoidably, using multiple species presents a significant challenge. Interspecies differences in contaminant bioaccumulation can complicate data interpretation, and direct comparisons among species may result in misleading conclusions. Here, we propose a robust framework based on toxicokinetic measurements that accounts for interspecies differences in bioaccumulation. Specifically, via a recently developed double stable isotope tracer technique, we determined the toxicokinetics of cadmium (Cd)─a metal known for its high concentrations in bivalves and significant interspecies bioaccumulation variability─in six widespread bivalve species including mussels (Perna viridis, Mytilus unguiculatus, Mytilus galloprovincialis) and oysters (Magallana gigas, Magallana hongkongensis, Magallana angulata). Results show that oysters generally have higher Cd uptake rate constants (ku: 1.18-3.09 L g-1 d-1) and lower elimination rate constants (ke: 0.008-0.017 d-1) than mussels (ku: 0.21-0.64 L g-1 d-1; ke: 0.018-0.037 d-1). The interspecies differences in tissue Cd concentrations are predominantly due to Cd uptake rather than elimination. Utilizing toxicokinetic parameters to back-calculate Cd concentrations in seawater, we found that the ranking of Cd contamination levels at the six sites markedly differs from those based on tissue Cd concentrations. We propose that this approach will be useful for interpreting data from past and future biomonitoring programs.

Mussel-Inspired Polymer-Based Composites for Efficient Thermal Management in Dry and Underwater Environments.

To address the escalating power consumption of processors in data centers and the growing emphasis on environmental sustainability, the prospective shift from traditional air-cooling to immersion liquid cooling necessitates multiple functional integrations in polymer-based thermal conductive materials. Here, drawing inspiration from mussels, we showed a copolymer, poly(dimethylsiloxane-co-dopamine methacrylate) (PDMS-DMA), with a variety of reversible molecular interactions and simply combined with liquid metal (EGaIn) can yield a flexible, waterproof, and electrically insulating thermal conductive composite. The obtained PDMS-DMA/EGaIn composites demonstrate a harmonious blend of attributes, including a low modulus (75.8 kPa), high thermal conductivity of 6.9 W m-1 K-1, and rapid room-temperature self-healing capabilities, capable of complete repair within 20 min, even under water. Based on its electrically insulating and water resistance properties, PDMS-DMA/EGaIn emerges as a promising candidate for efficient and stable heat transfer in both air and underwater thermal management. Consequently, this water-resistant polymer-based composite holds significance for application in thermal protective layers for future immersion liquid cooling systems.

Efficient and reliable methods for estimating the abundance of keystone coastal macrofauna over large spatial scales.

Coastal bivalves are important ecosystem engineers, and identifying critical habitats can enhance conservation outcomes for threated keystone species as well as determining hotspots for invasive species. As early action is more efficient in both conservation and mitigation of species invasions, efficient and reliable tools for mapping and monitoring species over large scales are essential. We assessed the reliability and efficiency of towed video and quadrat sampling for estimating the abundance of three keystone macrofaunal bivalve species. To assess reliability, we compared the measured density based on each of the two methods to the "true" density estimated by manually surveying an entire transect. We found that both the video and quadrat method caused underestimation of the density of bivalves, but that the amount of underestimation was comparable, and further that both methods took substantially less time than surveying an entire transect manually. The video method underestimated the abundance of Pacific oysters (Magallana gigas), European flat oysters (Ostrea edulis), and blue mussels (Mytilus spp.) by 23%, 24%, and 16%, respectively. The causes of underestimation for the two oyster species were bivalves grouped in clusters, large amounts of small individuals, and generally higher abundances. While Mytilus spp. were underestimated overall, here observer experience was important, with inexperienced observers overestimating and experienced observers underestimating. Our study found both methods to be reliable and efficient for estimating the abundance of three keystone macrofaunal species, suggesting their potential applicability to other sessile or slow-moving species. We propose that these methods, due to their efficiency, can advance scientific knowledge and enhance conservation outcomes by establishing population baselines, assessing trends over time, and identifying and protecting critical habitats.

Mussel-Inspired Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposite for Methyl Orange Removal: Adsorption and Regeneration Behaviors.

A mussel-inspired multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposite (MWCNTs@CCh-PEI) was prepared by the co-deposition of catechol (CCh)/polyethyleneimine (PEI) and modification of MWCNTs for the efficient removal of methyl orange (MO). The effects of MO solution pH, contact time, initial MO concentration, and temperature on the adsorption capacity of MWCNTs@CCh-PEI were investigated. The results indicate that the adsorption capacity of MWCNTs@CCh-PEI was two times higher than that of pristine MWCNTs under the same conditions. The adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model, suggesting that the adsorption process was chemisorption. The adsorption isotherm shows that the experimental data were fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm model, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9873, indicating that the adsorption process was monolayer adsorption. The theoretical maximum adsorption capacity was determined to be 400.00 mg·g-1. The adsorption thermodynamic data show that the adsorption process was exothermic and spontaneous. More importantly, the adsorption capacity of MWCNTs@CCh-PEI showed no significant decrease after eight reuse cycles. These results demonstrate that MWCNTs@CCh-PEI is expected to be an economical and efficient adsorbent for MO removal.

Transcriptomic responses and evolutionary insights of deep-sea and shallow-water mussels under high hydrostatic pressure condition.

Marine mussels inhabit a wide range of ocean depths, necessitating unique adaptations to cope with varying hydrostatic pressures. This study investigates the transcriptomic responses and evolutionary adaptations of the deep-sea mussel Gigantidas platifrons and the shallow-water mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis to high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) conditions. By exposing atmospheric pressure (AP) acclimated G. platifrons and M. galloprovincialis to HHP, we aim to simulate extreme environmental challenges and assess their adaptive mechanisms. Through comparative transcriptomic analysis, we identified both conserved and species-specific mechanisms of adaptation, with a notable change in gene expression associated with immune system, substance transport, protein ubiquitination, apoptosis, lipid metabolism and antioxidant processes in both species. G. platifrons demonstrated an augmented lipid metabolism, whereas M. galloprovincialis exhibited a dampened immune function. Additionally, the expressed pattern of deep-sea mussel G. platifrons were more consistent than shallow-water mussel M. galloprovincialis under hydrostatic pressures changed conditions which corresponding the long-term living stable deep-sea environment. Moreover, evolutionary analysis pinpointed positively selected genes in G. platifrons that are linked to transmembrane transporters, DNA repair and replication, apoptosis, ubiquitination which are important to cell structural integrity, substances transport, and cellular growth regulation. This indicates a specialized adaptation strategy in G. platifrons to cope with the persistent HHP conditions of the deep sea. These results offer significant insights into the molecular underpinnings of mussel adaptation to varied hydrostatic conditions and enhance our comprehension of the evolutionary forces driving their depth-specific adaptations.

Changes in the composition of invertebrate assemblages from wave-exposed intertidal mussel stands along the Nova Scotia coast, Canada.

Rocky intertidal habitats occur worldwide and are mainly characterized by primary space holders such as seaweeds and sessile invertebrates. Some of these organisms are foundation species, as they can form structurally complex stands that host many small invertebrates. The abundance of primary space holders is known to vary along coastlines driven directly or indirectly by environmental variation. However, it is less clear if the invertebrate assemblages associated to a foundation species may remain relatively unchanged along coastlines, as similar stands of a foundation species can generate similar microclimates. We examined this question using abundance data for invertebrate species found in mussel stands of a similar structure in wave-exposed rocky habitats at mid-intertidal elevations along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia (Canada). While the most abundant invertebrate species were found at three locations spanning 315 km of coastline, species composition (a combined measure of species identity and their relative abundance) differed significantly among the locations. One of the species explaining the highest amount of variation among locations (a barnacle) exhibited potential signs of bottom-up regulation involving pelagic food supply, suggesting benthic-pelagic coupling. The abundance of the species that explained the highest amount of variation (an oligochaete) was positively related to the abundance of their predators (mites), further suggesting bottom-up forcing in these communities. Overall, we conclude that species assemblages associated to structurally similar stands of a foundation species can show clear changes in species composition at a regional scale.

Molecular Interaction Mechanisms Between Lubricant-Infused Slippery Surfaces and Mussel-Inspired Polydopamine Adhesive and DOPA Moiety.

Lubricant-infused slippery surfaces have recently emerged as promising antifouling coatings, showing potential against proteins, cells, and marine mussels. However, a comprehensive understanding of the molecular binding behaviors and interaction strength of foulants to these surfaces is lacking. In this work, mussel-inspired chemistry based on catechol-containing chemicals including 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) and polydopamine (PDA) is employed to investigate the antifouling performance and repellence mechanisms of fluorinated-based slippery surface, and the correlated interaction mechanisms are probed using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Intermolecular force measurements and deposition experiments between PDA and the surface reveal the ability of lubricant film to inhibit the contact of PDA particles with the substrate. Moreover, the binding mechanisms and bond dissociation energy between a single DOPA moiety and the lubricant-infused slippery surface are quantitatively investigated employing single-molecule force spectroscopy based on AFM (SM-AFM), which reveal that the infused lubricant layer can remarkably influence the dissociation forces and weaken the binding strength between DOPA and underneath per-fluorinated monolayer surface. This work provides new nanomechanical insights into the fundamental antifouling mechanisms of the lubricant-infused slippery surfaces against mussel-derived adhesive chemicals, with important implications for the design of lubricant-infused materials and other novel antifouling platforms for various bioengineering and engineering applications.

Bio-based microplastic polylactic acid exerts the similar toxic effects to traditional petroleum-based microplastic polystyrene in mussels.

Microplastics (MPs) have accumulated in the oceans, causing adverse effects on marine organisms and the environment. Biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) is considered as an excellent substitute for traditional petroleum-based plastics, but it is difficult to degrade completely and easily become MPs in the marine environment. To test the ecological risk of bio-based PLA, we exposed thick-shelled mussels (Mytilus coruscus) to bio-based PLA and petroleum-based polystyrene (PS) (at 102, 104, and 106 particles/L) for 14 days. The significant increase in enzyme activities related to oxidative stress and immune response showed that mussels were under physiological stress after MP ingestion. While enzyme activities of nerve conduction and energy metabolism were significantly disturbed after exposure. Meanwhile, normal physiological activities in respiration, ingestion and assimilation were also suppressed in association with enzyme changes. The negative effects of PS and PLA in mussels were not differentiated, and further integration analysis of integrated biomarker response (IBR) and principal component analysis (PCA) also showed that PLA would induce adverse effects in mussels and ecological risks as PS, especially at environmental concentrations. Therefore, it is necessary to pay more attention to the environmental and ecological risk of bio-based MP PLA accumulating in the marine environment.

Mussel shell-derived biogenic hydroxyapatite as reinforcement on chitosan-loaded gentamicin composite for antibacterial activity and bone regeneration.

In this study, hydroxyapatite (HAp) was synthesized from natural biowaste materials, specifically mussel shells, and combined with chitosan (CS) and gentamicin sulfate antibiotic (GA) using an in-situ method. The resulting composite material, designated HAp/CS-GA, has its physicochemical and structural properties characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The drug-loaded structure was confirmed by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Additionally, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) equipped with the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic (EDX) technique was used to determine the surface topography and main components. The composite of HAp/CS-GA was analyzed using a drug release profile and UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). The fabricated composites antimicrobial behavior was examined against bone infection-causing Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, showing potential activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus compared to Escherichia coli, respectively. Simultaneously, the cytotoxicity of the composite was evaluated by MTT assay using an MG-63 osteoblast-like cell line that exhibited no toxicity in the prepared composite. After a 24 h incubation period, the MG-63 cells on the HAp/CS-GA composite showed good proliferation, according to Hoechst 33258 fluorescence staining results. The results suggested that the composite had excellent biocompatibility and antibacterial activity and enhanced the osteoblast cell proliferation. Therefore, the designed HAp/CS-GA composite would be a promising candidate for bone tissue engineering.

Mussel-inspired chitosan and its applications in the biomedical field.

Chitosan (CS) has physicochemical properties including solubility, crystallinity, swellability, viscosity, and cohesion, along with biological properties like biocompatibility, biodegradation, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antitumor effects. However, these characteristics of CS are greatly affected by its degree of deacetylation, molecular weight, pH and other factors, which limits the application of CS in biomedicine. The modification of CS with catechol-containing substances inspired by mussels can not only improve these properties of CS, but also endow it with self-healing property, providing an environmentally friendly and sustainable way to promote the application of CS in biomedicine. In this paper, the properties of CS and its limitation in the biomedical filed are introduced in detail. Then, the modification methods and properties of substances with catechol groups inspired by mussels on CS are reviewed. Finally, the applications of modified CS in the biomedical field of wound healing, drug delivery, anticancer therapy, biosensor and 3D printing are further discussed. This review can provide valuable information for the design and exploitation of mussel-inspired CS in the biomedical field.

Molecular Characterization and Antibacterial Resistance Determination of Escherichia coli Isolated from Fresh Raw Mussels and Ready-to-Eat Stuffed Mussels: A Major Public Health Concern.

Our study focused exclusively on analyzing Escherichia coli (E. coli) contamination in fresh raw mussels and ready-to-eat (RTE) stuffed mussels obtained from authorized and regulated facilities. However, it is critical to recognize that such contamination represents a significant public health threat in regions where unauthorized harvesting and sales practices are prevalent. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the prevalence, molecular characteristics, and antibacterial resistance profiles of E. coli in fresh raw mussels and RTE stuffed mussels. E. coli counts in fresh raw mussel samples ranged from 1 to 2.89 log CFU/g before cooking, with a significant reduction observed post-cooking. RTE stuffed mussel samples predominantly exhibited negligible E. coli presence (<1 log CFU/g). A phylogenetic analysis revealed a dominance of phylogroup A, with variations in the distribution observed across different sampling months. Antibacterial resistance was prevalent among the E. coli isolates, notably showing resistance to ampicillin, streptomycin, and cefotaxime. Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESßL) production was rare, with only one positive isolate detected. A variety of antibacterial resistance genes, including tetB and sul1, were identified among the isolates. Notably, virulence factor genes associated with pathogenicity were absent. In light of these findings, it is imperative to maintain rigorous compliance with quality and safety standards at all stages of the mussel production process, encompassing harvesting, processing, cooking, and consumption. Continuous monitoring, implementation of rigorous hygiene protocols, and responsible antibacterial drug use are crucial measures in mitigating food safety risks and combating antibacterial resistance. Stakeholders, including seafood industry players, regulatory agencies, and healthcare professionals, are essential to ensure effective risk mitigation and safeguard public health in the context of seafood consumption.

BDNF-loaded chitosan-based mimetic mussel polymer conduits for repair of peripheral nerve injury.

Care for patients with peripheral nerve injury is multifaceted, as traditional methods are not devoid of limitations. Although the utilization of neural conduits shows promise as a therapeutic modality for peripheral nerve injury, its efficacy as a standalone intervention is limited. Hence, there is a pressing need to investigate a composite multifunctional neural conduit as an alternative treatment for peripheral nerve injury. In this study, a BDNF-loaded chitosan-based mimetic mussel polymer conduit was prepared. Its unique adhesion characteristics allow it to be suture-free, improve the microenvironment of the injury site, and have good antibacterial properties. Researchers utilized a rat sciatic nerve injury model to evaluate the progression of nerve regeneration at the 12-week postoperative stage. The findings of this study indicate that the chitosan-based mimetic mussel polymer conduit loaded with BDNF had a substantial positive effect on myelination and axon outgrowth. The observed impact demonstrated a favorable outcome in terms of sciatic nerve regeneration and subsequent functional restoration in rats with a 15-mm gap. Hence, this approach is promising for nerve tissue regeneration during peripheral nerve injury.

Local differences in robustness to ocean acidification.

Ocean acidification (OA) caused by increased atmospheric carbon dioxide is affecting marine systems a globally and is more extreme in coastal waters. A wealth of research to determine how species will be affected by OA, now and in the future, is emerging. Most studies are discrete and generally do not include the full life cycle of animals. Studies that include the potential for adaptation responses of animals from areas with different environmental conditions and the most vulnerable life stages are needed. Therefore, we conducted experiments with the widely-distributed blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, from populations regularly exposed to different OA conditions. Mussels experienced experimental conditions prior to spawning, through embryonic and larval development, a highly vulnerable stage. Survivorship to metamorphosis of larvae from all populations was negatively affected by extreme OA conditions (pH 7.3, Ωar, 0.39, pCO2 2479.74), but, surprisingly, responses to Mid OA (pH 7.6, Ωar 0.77, pCO21167.13) and Low OA (pH 7.9, Ωar 1.53, pCO2 514.50) varied among populations. Two populations were robust and showed no effect of OA on survivorship in this range. One population displayed the expected negative effect on survivorship with increased OA. Unexpectedly survivorship in the fourth population was highest under Mid OA conditions. There were also significant differences in development time among populations that were unaffected by OA. These results suggest that adaptation to OA may already be present in some populations and emphasizes the importance of testing animals from different populations to see the potential for adaptation to OA.

Species-specific differences and temperature-dependence of Na+/K+-ATPase in freshwater mussels Anodonta anatina and Unio tumidus (Bivalvia: Unionidae).

The predicted global warming of surface waters can be challenging to aquatic ectotherms like freshwater mussels. Especially animals in northern temperate latitudes may face and physiologically acclimate to significant stress from seasonal temperature fluctuations. Na+/K+-ATPase enzyme is one of the key mechanisms that allow mussels to cope with changing water temperatures. This enzyme plays a major role in osmoregulation, energy control, ion balance, metabolite transport and electrical excitability. Here, we experimentally studied the effects of temperature on Na+/K+-ATPase activity of gills in two freshwater mussel species, Anodonta anatina and Unio tumidus. The study animals were acclimated to three ambient temperatures (+4, +14, +24 °C) and Na+/K+-ATPase activity was measured at those temperatures for each acclimation group. Both species had their highest gill Na+/K+-ATPase activity at the highest acclimation temperature. Na+/K+-ATPase activity of gills exhibited species-specific differences, and was higher in A. anatina than U. tumidus in all test groups at all test temperatures. Temperature dependence of Na+/K+-ATPase was confirmed in both species, being highest at temperatures between +4 and + 14 °C when Q10 values in the acclimation groups varied between 5.06 and 6.71. Our results underline the importance of Na+/K+-ATPase of gills for the freshwater mussels in warming waters. Because Na+/K+-ATPase is the driving force behind ciliary motion, our results also suggest that in warming waters A. anatina may be more tolerant at sustaining vigorous ciliary action (associated with elevated respiration rates and filter-feeding) than U. tumidus. Overall, our results indicate great flexibility of the mussel's ecophysiological characteristics as response to changing conditions.

Modelling and mapping carbon capture potential of farmed blue mussels in the Baltic Sea region.

This study applies a regional Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) model, enhanced to include biocalcification processes, to evaluate the carbon capture potential of farmed blue mussels (Mytilus edulis/trossulus) in the Baltic Sea. The research emphasises the long-term capture of carbon associated with shell formation, crucial for mitigating global warming effects. The model was built using a comprehensive pan-Baltic dataset that includes information on mussel growth, filtration and biodeposition rates, and nutrient content. The study also examined salinity, temperature, and chlorophyll a as key environmental factors influencing carbon capture in farmed mussels. Our findings revealed significant spatial and temporal variability in carbon dynamics under current and future environmental conditions. The tested future predictions are grounded in current scientific understanding and projections of climate change effects on the Baltic Sea. Notably, the outer Baltic Sea subbasins exhibited the highest carbon capture capacity with an average of 55 t (in the present scenario) and 65 t (under future environmental conditions) of carbon sequestrated per farm (0.25 ha) over a cultivation cycle - 17 months. Salinity was the main driver of predicted regional changes in carbon capture, while temperature and chlorophyll a had more pronounced local effects. This research advances our understanding of the role low trophic aquaculture plays in mitigating climate change. It highlights the importance of developing location-specific strategies for mussel farming that consider both local and regional environmental conditions. The results contribute to the wider discourse on sustainable aquaculture development and environmental conservation.

Intelligent breast cancer diagnosis with two-stage using mammogram images.

Breast cancer (BC) significantly contributes to cancer-related mortality in women, underscoring the criticality of early detection for optimal patient outcomes. Mammography is a key tool for identifying and diagnosing breast abnormalities; however, accurately distinguishing malignant mass lesions remains challenging. To address this issue, we propose a novel deep learning approach for BC screening utilizing mammography images. Our proposed model comprises three distinct stages: data collection from established benchmark sources, image segmentation employing an Atrous Convolution-based Attentive and Adaptive Trans-Res-UNet (ACA-ATRUNet) architecture, and BC identification via an Atrous Convolution-based Attentive and Adaptive Multi-scale DenseNet (ACA-AMDN) model. The hyperparameters within the ACA-ATRUNet and ACA-AMDN models are optimized using the Modified Mussel Length-based Eurasian Oystercatcher Optimization (MML-EOO) algorithm. The performance is evaluated using a variety of metrics, and a comparative analysis against conventional methods is presented. Our experimental results reveal that the proposed BC detection framework attains superior precision rates in early disease detection, demonstrating its potential to enhance mammography-based screening methodologies.

Structure, Evolution, and Mitochondrial Genome Analysis of Mussel Species (Bivalvia, Mytilidae).

Based on the nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of specimens taken from two mussel species (Arcuatula senhousia and Mytilus coruscus), an investigation was performed by means of the complex approaches of the genomics, molecular phylogenetics, and evolutionary genetics. The mitogenome structure of studied mussels, like in many other invertebrates, appears to be much more variable than in vertebrates and includes changing gene order, duplications, and deletions, which were most frequent for tRNA genes; the mussel species' mitogenomes also have variable sizes. The results demonstrate some of the very important properties of protein polypeptides, such as hydrophobicity and its determination by the purine and pyrimidine nucleotide ratio. This fact might indirectly indicate the necessity of purifying natural selection for the support of polypeptide functionality. However, in accordance with the widely accepted and logical concept of natural cutoff selection for organisms living in nature, which explains its action against deleterious nucleotide substitutions in the nonsynonymous codons (mutations) and its holding of the active (effective) macromolecules of the polypeptides in a population, we were unable to get unambiguous evidence in favor of this concept in the current paper. Here, the phylogeny and systematics of mussel species from one of the largest taxons of bivalve mollusks are studied, the family known as Mytilidae. The phylogeny for Mytilidae (order Mytilida), which currently has no consensus in terms of systematics, is reconstructed using a data matrix of 26-27 mitogenomes. Initially, a set of 100 sequences from GenBank were downloaded and checked for their gender: whether they were female (F) or male (M) in origin. Our analysis of the new data confirms the known drastic differences between the F/M mitogenome lines in mussels. Phylogenetic reconstructions of the F-lines were performed using the combined set of genetic markers, reconstructing only protein-coding genes (PCGs), only rRNA + tRNA genes, and all genes. Additionally, the analysis includes the usage of nucleotide sequences composed of other data matrices, such as 20-68 mitogenome sequences. The time of divergence from MRCA, estimated via BEAST2, for Mytilidae is close to 293 Mya, suggesting that they originate in the Silurian Period. From all these data, a consensus for the phylogeny of the subfamily of Mytilinae and its systematics is suggested. In particular, the long-debated argument on mussel systematics was resolved as to whether Mytilidae, and the subfamily of Mytilinae, are monophyletic. The topology signal, which was strongly resolved in this paper and in the literature, has refuted the theory regarding the monophyly of Mytilinae.

In situ visualization of the cellular uptake and sub-cellular distribution of mussel oligosaccharides.

Unlike chemosynthetic drugs designed for specific molecular and disease targets, active small-molecule natural products typically have a wide range of bioactivities and multiple targets, necessitating extensive screening and development. To address this issue, we propose a strategy for the direct in situ microdynamic examination of potential drug candidates to rapidly identify their effects and mechanisms of action. As a proof-of-concept, we investigated the behavior of mussel oligosaccharide (MOS-1) by tracking the subcellular dynamics of fluorescently labeled MOS-1 in cultured cells. We recorded the entire dynamic process of the localization of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-MOS-1 to the lysosomes and visualized the distribution of the drug within the cell. Remarkably, lysosomes containing FITC-MOS-1 actively recruited lipid droplets, leading to fusion events and increased cellular lipid consumption. These drug behaviors confirmed MOS-1 is a candidate for the treatment of lipid-related diseases. Furthermore, in a high-fat HepG2 cell model and in high-fat diet-fed apolipoprotein E (ApoE) -/- mice, MOS-1 significantly promoted triglyceride degradation, reduced lipid droplet accumulation, lowered serum triglyceride levels, and mitigated liver damage and steatosis. Overall, our work supports the prioritization of in situ visual monitoring of drug location and distribution in subcellular compartments during the drug development phase, as this methodology contributes to the rapid identification of drug indications. Collectively, this methodology is significant for the screening and development of selective small-molecule drugs, and is expected to expedite the identification of candidate molecules with medicinal effects.