Logic "AND Gate Circuit" Based Mussel Inspired Polydopamine Nanocomposite as Bioactive Antioxidant for Management of Oxidative Stress and Neurogenesis in Traumatic Brain Injury.

In the intricate landscape of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), the management of TBI remains a challenging task due to the extremely complex pathophysiological conditions and excessive release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) at the injury site and the limited regenerative capacities of the central nervous system (CNS). Existing pharmaceutical interventions are limited in their ability to efficiently cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and expeditiously target areas of brain inflammation. In response to these challenges herein, we designed novel mussel inspired polydopamine (PDA)-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (PDA-AMSNs) with excellent antioxidative ability to deliver a new potential therapeutic GSK-3ß inhibitor lead small molecule abbreviated as Neuro Chemical Modulator (NCM) at the TBI site using a neuroprotective peptide hydrogel (PANAP). PDA-AMSNs loaded with NCM (i.e., PDA-AMSN-D) into the matrix of PANAP were injected into the damaged area in an in vivo cryogenic brain injury model (CBI). This approach is specifically built while keeping the logic AND gate circuit as the primary focus. Where NCM and PDA-AMSNs act as two input signals and neurological functional recovery as a single output. Therapeutically, PDA-AMSN-D significantly decreased infarct volume, enhanced neurogenesis, rejuvenated BBB senescence, and accelerated neurological function recovery in a CBI.

Doubling the known diversity of a remote island fauna: marine bivalves of the Juan Fernández and Desventuradas oceanic archipelagos (Southeastern Pacific Ocean).

Juan Fernández and Desventuradas are two oceanic archipelagos located in the southeastern Pacific Ocean far off the Chilean coast that received protected status as marine parks in 2016. Remoteness and access difficulty contributed to historically poor biodiversity sampling and limited associated research. This is particularly noticeable for bivalves, with most prior regional publications focused on single taxa or un-illustrated checklists. This study investigates marine bivalves collected between the intertidal and 415 m depth during (1) the 1997 IOC97 expedition aboard the M/V Carlos Porter, with special focus on scuba-collected micro-mollusks of both archipelagos, (2) two expeditions by the R/V Anton Bruun (Cruise 12/1965 and Cruise 17/1966), and (3) Cruise 21 of USNS Eltanin under the United States Antarctic Program, which sampled at Juan Fernández in 1965. Also, relevant historical material of the British H.M.S. Challenger Expedition (1873-1876), the Swedish Pacific Expedition (1916-1917), and by German zoologist Ludwig H. Plate (1893-1895) is critically revised. A total of 48 species are recognized and illustrated, including 19 new species (described herein) and six other potentially new species. The presence of two species mentioned in the literature for the region (Aulacomya atra and Saccella cuneata) could not be confirmed. The genera Verticipronus and Halonympha are reported for the first time from the Eastern Pacific, as are Anadara and Condylocardia from Chilean waters. Lectotypes are designated for Arca (Barbatia) platei and Mytilus algosus. These findings double the number of extant bivalve species known from the Juan Fernández and Desventuradas archipelagos, highlighting the lack of attention these islands groups have received in the past. A high percentage of species endemic to one or both archipelagos are recognized herein, accounting for almost 78% of the total. The newly recognized level of bivalve endemism supports the consideration of Juan Fernández and Desventuradas as two different biogeographic units (Provinces or Ecoregions) of the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

Dispersal of Late Triassic clam shrimps across Pangea linking northwestern Gondwana and central Pangea rift basins.

Clam shrimps are a group of freshwater crustaceans who prospered during the Late Triassic. They were abundant in lacustrine sedimentary records of continental basins distributed throughout Pangea during this time. However, they show significant taxonomic differences between the clamp shrimp faunas from the rift basins of central Pangea and the southern Gondwanan basins. In this contribution, we show new fossil clam shrimp assemblages from the lacustrine sedimentary successions of the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia (the Bocas and Montebel formations), providing information on the Late Triassic species that inhabited the northwestern Gondwana basins. This study demonstrates that the basins of northwestern Gondwana shared Norian clamp shrimp species with rift basins of central Pangea and differed in their faunas with the basins of the southern portion of Gondwana. In addition, the Late Triassic clam shrimps paleobiogeographic distribution reflects the dispersal of this fauna throughout fluvial-lacustrine environments established in the rift valleys along the central Pangea. Therefore, the rift valleys produced during the early fragmentation of central Pangea could have acted as corridors for dispersion. Simultaneously, rift valleys also provided paleobiogeographic barriers that isolated the central Pangea clam shrimp faunas from southern Gondwana.

Reproductive biology of Donax striatus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mollusca: Bivalvia) on Gado Bravo Beach, municipality of Tibau do Norte, state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.

Aspects of the reproductive biology of Donax striatus were studied from individuals collected from Gado Bravo Beach in the municipality of Tibau do Norte, state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Donax striatus is a dioic species without external (on the shell) or internal (gonads) macroscopic dimorphism. Thus, a microscopic examination of the reproductive cells is necessary. For the characterization of the gonadal development stages and determination of the size at first sexual maturity (L50), 30 specimens were selected monthly between February 2021 and January 2022 and submitted to histological processing. The condition index (CI) of each individual was estimated and monthly variations were statistically assessed. The size at first maturity (L50) was estimated to be 14.2 mm in shell length. To foster conservation of the species, catches of individuals larger than 14.2 mm is recommended. The lowest condition indices were found in the dry season, with a greater occurrence of organisms in the elimination stage and exhibiting gonad tissue reorganization. Higher indices were found in the rainy season, with the presence of mature individuals. The continuous nature of gametogenesis in Donax stritatus reflects the influence of rainfall in the region. Males and females have peak gamete elimination with pauses during the year, but with the presence of maturing and eliminating individuals throughout the year. As shellfish gathering targeting Donax striatus is excessive on Gado Bravo Beach in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, it is hoped that the results of the present study can contribute to the establishment of management measures for the activity and conservation strategies for the species.

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.

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.

Tidings from the Tides-De novo transcriptome assembly of the endemic estuarine bivalve Villorita cyprinoides.

The Indian black clam Villorita cyprinoides Gray, 1825, is an economically valuable estuarine bivalve that faces challenges from multiple stressors and anthropogenic pressures. However, limited genomic resources have hindered molecular investigations into the impact of these stressors on clam populations. Here, we have generated the first transcriptomic reference datasets for V. cyprinoides to address this knowledge gap. A total of 25,040,592 and 22,486,217 million Illumina paired-end reads generated from two individuals were assembled using Trinity and rnaSPAdes. From the 47,607 transcripts identified as Coding Domain Sequences, 37,487 returned positive BLAST hits against six different databases. Additionally, a total of 14,063 Single Sequence Repeats were identified using GMATA. This study significantly enhances the genetic understanding of V. cyprinoides, a potential candidate for aquaculture that supports the livelihoods of many people dependent on small-scale fisheries. The data generated provides insights into broader genealogical connections within the family Cyrenidae through comparative transcriptomics. Furthermore, this transcriptional profile serves as baseline data for future studies in toxicological and conservation genetics.

Comparative performance analysis of mussel-inspired polydopamine, polynorepinephrine, and poly-α-methyl norepinephrine in electrochemical biosensors.

Polydopamine (PDA) has garnered significant interest for applications in biosensors, drug delivery, and tissue engineering. However, similar polycatecholamines like polynorepinephrine (PNE) with additional hydroxyl groups and poly-α-methylnorepinephrine (PAMN) with additional hydroxyl and methyl groups remain unexplored in the biosensing domain. This research introduces three innovative biosensing platforms composed of ternary nanocomposite based on reduced graphene oxide (RGO), gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), and three sister polycatecholamine compounds (PDA, PNE, and PAMN). The study compares and evaluates the performance of the three biosensing systems for the ultrasensitive detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). The formation of the nanocomposites was meticulously examined through UV-Visible, Raman, XRD, and FT-IR studies with FE-SEM and HR-TEM analysis. Cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry measurements were also performed to determine the electrochemical characteristics of the modified electrodes. Electrochemical biosensing experiments reveal that the RGO-PDA-Au, RGO-PNE-Au, and RGO-PAMN-Au-based biosensors detected target DNA up to a broad detection range of 0.1 × 10-8 to 0.1 × 10-18 M, with a low detection limit (LOD) of 0.1 × 10-18, 0.1 × 10-16, and 0.1 × 10-17 M, respectively. The bioelectrodes were proved to be highly selective with excellent sensitivities of 3.62 × 10-4 mA M-1 (PDA), 7.08 × 10-4 mA M-1 (PNE), and 6.03 × 10-4 mA M-1 (PAMN). This study pioneers the exploration of two novel mussel-inspired polycatecholamines in biosensors, opening avenues for functional nanocoatings that could drive further advancements in this field.

Thyasirid species composition (Bivalvia: Thyasiridae) and genetic connectivity of Parathyasira equalis (A. E. Verrill & K. J. Bush, 1898) in deep basins of sub-Arctic fjords.

BACKGROUND: Thyasirid bivalves are often recorded as a dominant component of macrobenthic infaunal communities in depositional environments such as fjord basins. Fjord basins comprise patchy soft-bottom habitats bounded by steep walls and sills; however, little is known how this semi-isolated nature of fjords affects benthic populations. Accordingly, data on the composition and population connectivity of thyasirids can provide valuable information on the ecology of these ecosystems. RESULTS: The species composition of thyasirid bivalves has been studied in the basins of three sub-Arctic fjords (Nordland, Northern Norway). Overall, six thyasirid species were recorded: Parathyasira equalis, Parathyasira dunbari, Mendicula ferruginosa, Genaxinus eumyarius, Thyasira sarsii, and Thyasira obsoleta. The species composition remained stable within the basins during the sampling period (2013-2020) and suggested the importance of local reproduction over advection of individuals for population dynamics. Only one species, Parathyasira equalis, was common in all fjords. We have further investigated the population genetics of this species by combining two types of genetic markers: a 579 bp fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and 4043 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) generated by genotyping-by-sequencing. The latter provided a more in-depth resolution on the population genetics of this species and revealed a weak but significant differentiation of populations within fjords, further indicating limited connectivity between basins. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, we conclude that limited dispersal between the basin communities results in weakly connected populations and might be an important structuring factor for macrobenthic communities.

Environmental and social framework to protect marine bivalves under extreme weather events.

Rising ocean temperatures, a consequence of anthropogenic climate change, are increasing the frequency, intensity, and magnitude of extreme marine heatwaves (MHWs). These persistent anomalous warming events can have severe ecological and socioeconomic impacts, threatening ecologically and economically vital organisms such as bivalves and the ecosystems they support. Developing robust environmental and social frameworks to enhance the resilience and adaptability of bivalve aquaculture is critical to ensuring the sustainability of this crucial food source. This review synthesizes the current understanding of the physiological and ecological impacts of MHWs on commercially important bivalve species farmed globally. We propose an integrated risk assessment framework that encompasses environmental monitoring, farm-level preparedness planning, and community-level social support systems to safeguard bivalve aquaculture. Specifically, we examine heatwave prediction models, local mitigation strategies, and social programs that could mitigate the impacts on bivalve farms and vulnerable coastal communities economically dependent on this fishery. At the farm level, adaptation strategies such as selective breeding for heat-tolerant strains, optimized site selection, and adjustments to culture practices can improve survival outcomes during MHWs. Robust disease surveillance and management programs are essential for early detection and rapid response. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of stakeholder engagement, knowledge exchange, and collaborative governance in developing context-specific, inclusive, and equitable safeguard systems. Proactive measures, such as advanced forecasting tools like the California Current Marine Heat Wave Tracker developed by NOAA's Southwest Fisheries Science Center, enable preemptive action before losses occur. Coordinated preparation and response, underpinned by continuous monitoring and adaptive management, promise to protect these climate-vulnerable food systems and coastal communities. However, sustained research, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration are imperative to navigate the challenges posed by our rapidly changing oceans.

Mussel-inspired immunomodulatory and osteoinductive dual-functional hydroxyapatite nanoplatform for promoting bone regeneration.

Simultaneously modulating the inflammatory microenvironment and promoting local bone regeneration is one of the main challenges in treating bone defects. In recent years, osteoimmunology has revealed that the immune system plays an essential regulatory role in bone regeneration and that macrophages are critical components. In this work, a mussel-inspired immunomodulatory and osteoinductive dual-functional hydroxyapatite nano platform (Gold/hydroxyapatite nanocomposites functionalized with polydopamine - PDA@Au-HA) is developed to accelerate bone tissues regeneration by regulating the immune microenvironment. PDA coating endows nanomaterials with the ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and anti-inflammatory properties, and it also exhibits an immunomodulatory ability to inhibit M1 macrophage polarization and activate M2 macrophage secretion of osteogenesis-related cytokines. Most importantly, this nano platform promotes the polarization of M2 macrophages and regulates the crosstalk between macrophages and pre-osteoblast cells to achieve bone regeneration. Au-HA can synergistically promote vascularized bone regeneration through sustained release of Ca and P particles and gold nanoparticles (NPs). This nano platform has a synergistic effect of good compatibility, scavenging of ROS, and anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory capability to accelerate the bone repair process. Thus, our research offers a possible therapeutic approach by exploring PDA@Au-HA nanocomposites as a bifunctional platform for tissue regeneration.

Chromosome-level genome assembly of the freshwater mussel Sinosolenaia oleivora (Heude, 1877).

Sinosolenaia oleivora (Bivalve, Unionida, Unionidae), is a near-endangered edible mussel. In 2022, it was selected by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs as a top-ten aquatic germplasm resource, with potential for industrial development. Using Illumina, PacBio, and Hi-C technology, a high-quality chromosome-level genome of S. oleivora was assembled. The assembled S. oleivora genome spanned 2052.29 Mb with a contig N50 size of 20.36 Mb and a scaffold N50 size of 103.57 Mb. The 302 contigs, accounting for 98.41% of the total assembled genome, were anchored into 19 chromosomes using Hi-C scaffolding. A total of 1171.78 Mb repeat sequences were annotated and 22,971 protein-coding genes were predicted. Compared with the nearest ancestor, a total of 603 expanded and 1767 contracted gene families were found. This study provides important genomic resources for conservation, evolutionary research, and genetic improvements of many economic traits like growth performance.

Transcriptomic responses of Antarctic clam Laternula elliptica to nanoparticles, at single and combined exposures reveal ecologically relevant biomarkers.

In recent years micro- and nanoplastics and metal-oxide nanomaterials have been found in several environmental compartments. The Antarctic soft clam Laternula elliptica is an endemic Antarctic species having a wide distribution in the Southern Ocean. Being a filter-feeder, it could act as suitable bioindicator of pollution from nanoparticles also considering its sensitivity to various sources of stress. The present study aims to assess the impact of polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NP) and the nanometal titanium-dioxide (n-TiO2) on genome-wide transcript expression of L. elliptica either alone and in combination and at two toxicological relevant concentrations (5 and 50 µg/L) during 96 h exposure. Transcript-target qRT-PCR was performed with the aim to identify suitable biomarkers of exposure and effects. As expected, at the highest concentration tested, the clustering was clearer between control and exposed clams. A total of 221 genes resulted differentially expressed in exposed clams and control ones, and 21 of them had functional annotation such as ribosomal proteins, antioxidant, ion transport (osmoregulation), acid-base balance, immunity, lipid metabolism, cell adhesion, cytoskeleton, apoptosis, chromatin condensation and cell signaling. At functional level, relevant transcripts were shared among some treatments and could be considered as general stress due to nanoparticle exposure. After applying transcript-target approach duplicating the number of clam samples, four ecologically relevant transcripts were revealed as biomarkers for PS-NP, n-TiO2 and their combination at 50 µg/L, that could be used for monitoring clams' health status in different Antarctic localities.

[Structure and Evolution of DNA Transposons of the L31 Superfamily in Bivalves].

The mobile genetic elements IS630/Tc 1/mariner (ITm) are widespread DNA transposons that make a significant contribution to the evolution of eukaryotic genomes. With the start of large-scale application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies and the emergence of many new whole genome sequences of organisms in nucleotide sequence collections, the ITm elements have been identified in most taxa of the eukaryotic tree of life. Although ITm diversity has been studied in detail, new elements are still found, thus expanding the respective DNA transposon group and calling for review of its classification. Bivalve L31 elements were for the first time analyzed in detail to describe their structures, diversity, distribution, and phylogenetic position among the ITm elements. The L31 transposons were found to form an independent superfamily of an ancient origin within the ITm group. Rather high diversity was observed within the L31 clade; i.e., five phylogenetic clusters were identified. In mollusks, the L31 transposons have been detected only in the subclass Autobranchia and predominate in diversity and number in the infraclass Pteriomorphia. A protein encoded by open reading frame 2 (ORF2) was shown to be an integral structural component of almost all full-length L31 elements. The results provide for a better understanding of the evolution of particular ITm transposons. Further study of the L31 transposons in other taxa (cnidarians) and functional investigation of the ORF2 protein product will help to better understand the evolution of DNa transposons, the mechanisms of their horizontal transfer, and their contribution to eukaryotic biodiversity.

Occurrence and Exposure Assessment of Lipophilic Shellfish Toxins in the Zhejiang Province, China.

Although lipophilic shellfish toxins (LSTs) pose a significant threat to the health of seafood consumers, their systematic investigation and risk assessment remain scarce. The goals of this study were as follows: (1) analyze LST levels in commercially available shellfish in Zhejiang province, China, and determine factors influencing LST distribution; (2) assess the acute dietary risk of exposure to LSTs for local consumers during the red tide period; (3) explore potential health risks of LSTs in humans; and (4) study the acute risks of simultaneous dietary exposure to LSTs and paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs). A total of 546 shellfish samples were collected. LSTs were detected in 89 samples (16.3%) at concentrations below the regulatory limits. Mussels were the main shellfish species contaminated with LSTs. Spatial variations were observed in the yessotoxin group. Acute exposure to LSTs based on multiple scenarios was low. The minimum tolerable exposure durations for LSTs calculated using the mean and the 95th percentile of consumption data were 19.7 and 4.9 years, respectively. Our findings showed that Zhejiang province residents are at a low risk of combined exposure to LSTs and PSTs; however, the risk may be higher for children under 6 years of age in the extreme scenario.

Multifunctional Cell Regulation Activities of the Mussel Lectin SeviL: Induction of Macrophage Polarization toward the M1 Functional Phenotype.

SeviL, a galactoside-binding lectin previously isolated from the mussel Mytilisepta virgata, was demonstrated to trigger apoptosis in HeLa ovarian cancer cells. Here, we show that this lectin can promote the polarization of macrophage cell lines toward an M1 functional phenotype at low concentrations. The administration of SeviL to monocyte and basophil cell lines reduced their growth in a dose-dependent manner. However, low lectin concentrations induced proliferation in the RAW264.7 macrophage cell line, which was supported by the significant up-regulation of TOM22, a component of the mitochondrial outer membrane. Furthermore, the morphology of lectin-treated macrophage cells markedly changed, shifting from a spherical to an elongated shape. The ability of SeviL to induce the polarization of RAW264.7 cells to M1 macrophages at low concentrations is supported by the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, as well as by the enhancement in the expression of IL-6- and TNF-α-encoding mRNAs, both of which encode inflammatory molecular markers. Moreover, we also observed a number of accessory molecular alterations, such as the activation of MAP kinases and the JAK/STAT pathway and the phosphorylation of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α, which altogether support the functional reprogramming of RAW264.7 following SeviL treatment. These results indicate that this mussel ß-trefoil lectin has a concentration-dependent multifunctional role in regulating cell proliferation, phenotype, and death in macrophages, suggesting its possible involvement in regulating hemocyte activity in vivo.

Development of SPEEK-Coated IrOx Sensor for High-Biomass Aquatic pH Monitoring.

Instability is a key challenge for current pH sensors in practical applications, especially in aquatic environments with high biomass and redox substances. Herein, we present a novel approach that uses a highly stable IrOx sensing layer enveloped in a composite film of SPEEK doped with a silicon-stabilized ionic liquid (SP-IrOx). This design mitigates drift due to sensitive layer variations and minimizes interference from complex external conditions. After exhibiting robustness under moderately reducing conditions caused by S2-, I-, and ascorbic acid, the SP-IrOx sensor's efficacy was validated through real-time pH measurements in demanding aquatic settings. These included laboratory algal culture medium, sediment substrates, and mussel aquaculture areas. The sensor sustained accuracy and stability over extended periods of 6-8 days when compared to calibrated commercial electrodes. The deviations from reference samples were minimal, with a variance of no more than 0.03 pH units in mussel aquaculture areas (n = 17) and 0.07 pH units in an algal culture medium (n = 37). As a potentiometric, this solid-state electrode features a compact structure and low energy consumption, making it an economical and low-maintenance solution for precise pH monitoring in diverse challenging environments with high biomass and turbidity.

Toxicological study on ibuprofen and selenium in freshwater mussel Lamellidens marginalis and exploring the microbial cytochrome through modelling and quantum mechanics approaches for its toxicity degradation in contaminated environment.

Toxicological stress in aquatic organisms is caused by the discharge of hundreds of toxic pollutants and contaminants among which the current study concentrates on the toxic effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen (IBF) and the trace element selenium (Se). In this study, IBF and Se toxicity on freshwater mussel Lamellidens marginalis was studied for 14 days, and in silico predictions for their degradation were made using Molecular modelling and Quantum Mechanical approaches. The degrading propensity of cytochrome c oxidase proteins from Trametes verticillatus and Thauera selenatis (Turkey tail fungi and Gram-negative bacteria) is examined into atom level. The results of molecular modelling study indicate that ionic interactions occur in the T. selenatis-HEME bound complex by Se interacting directly with HEME, and in the T. versicolor-HEME bound complex by IBF bound to a nearby region of HEME. Experimental and theoretical findings suggest that, the toxicological effects of Se and IBF pollution can be reduced by bioremediation with special emphasis on T. versicolor, and T. selenatis, which can effectively interact with Se and IBF present in the environment and degrade them. Besides, this is the first time in freshwater mussel L. marginalis that ibuprofen and selenium toxicity have been studied utilizing both experimental and computational methodologies for their bioremediation study.

Mussel-Inspired Sonochemical Nanocomposite Coating on Catheters for Prevention of Urinary Infections.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections are the most common hospital-acquired infections and cause patient discomfort, increased morbidity, and prolonged stays, altogether posing a huge burden on healthcare services. Colonization occurs upon insertion, or later by ascending microbes from the rich periurethral flora, and is therefore virtually unavoidable by medical procedures. Importantly, the dwell time is a significant risk factor for bacteriuria because it gives biofilms time to develop and mature. This is why we engineer antibacterial and antibiofilm coating through ultrasound- and nanoparticle-assisted self-assembly on silicone surfaces and validate it thoroughly in vitro and in vivo. To this end, we combine bimetallic silver/gold nanoparticles, which exercise both biocidal and structural roles, with dopamine-modified gelatin in a facile and substrate-independent sonochemical coating process. The latter mussel-inspired bioadhesive potentiates the activity and durability of the coating while attenuating the intrinsic toxicity of silver. As a result, our approach effectively reduces biofilm formation in a hydrodynamic model of the human bladder and prevents bacteriuria in catheterized rabbits during a week of placement, outperforming conventional silicone catheters. These results substantiate the practical use of nanoparticle-biopolymer composites in combination with ultrasound for the antimicrobial functionalization of indwelling medical devices.

A Testis-Specific DMRT1 (Double Sex and Mab-3-Related Transcription Factor 1) Plays a Role in Spermatogenesis and Gonadal Development in the Hermaphrodite Boring Giant Clam Tridacna crocea.

The testis-specific double sex and mab-3-related transcription factor 1 (DMRT1) has long been recognized as a crucial player in sex determination across vertebrates, and its essential role in gonadal development and the regulation of spermatogenesis is well established. Here, we report the cloning of the key spermatogenesis-related DMRT1 cDNA, named Tc-DMRT1, from the gonads of Tridacna crocea (T. crocea), with a molecular weight of 41.93 kDa and an isoelectric point of 7.83 (pI). Our hypothesis is that DMRT1 machinery governs spermatogenesis and regulates gonadogenesis. RNAi-mediated Tc-DMRT1 knockdown revealed its critical role in hindering spermatogenesis and reducing expression levels in boring giant clams. A histological analysis showed structural changes, with normal sperm cell counts in the control group (ds-EGFP) but significantly lower concentrations of sperm cells in the experimental group (ds-DMRT1). DMRT1 transcripts during embryogenesis exhibited a significantly high expression pattern (p < 0.05) during the early zygote stage, and whole-embryo in-situ hybridization confirmed its expression pattern throughout embryogenesis. A qRT-PCR analysis of various reproductive stages revealed an abundant expression of Tc-DMRT1 in the gonads during the male reproductive stage. In-situ hybridization showed tissue-specific expression of DMRT1, with a positive signal detected in male-stage gonadal tissues comprising sperm cells, while no signal was detected in other stages. Our study findings provide an initial understanding of the DMRT1 molecular machinery controlling spermatogenesis and its specificity in male-stage gonads of the key bivalve species, Tridacna crocea, and suggest that DMRT1 predominantly functions as a key regulator of spermatogenesis in giant clams.