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Burgio M, Forte L, Prete A, Maggiolino A, De Palo P, Aiudi GG, Rizzo A, Carbonari A, Lacalandra GM, Cicirelli V. Effects of heat stress on oxidative balance and sperm quality in dogs. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1445058. [PMID: 39391220 PMCID: PMC11464488 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1445058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 10/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Heat stress negatively affects both animal reproductive performance and their overall wellbeing and welfare. When temperatures soar, the body responds to maintain balance, resulting in heat stress. This triggers various responses, including the buildup of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can harm sperm vitality through lipid peroxidation. Oxidative damage can result in sperm dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of environmental heat stress on canine quantitative and qualitative ejaculate parameters. Methods Thirty-six male crossbred dogs were involved in the trial. This study was performed in 2022, precisely from May to August. Dogs were subdivided in two groups, one heat stressed (HS) and one in thermoneutrality (TN). Thermo Hygrometric Index (THI) was hourly measured and ranged from 60 to 71 in TN dogs and from 60 to 83 for HS dogs. Semen and blood samples were collected at 30-day intervals, starting from May (0 days), and then at 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days and analysis for evaluating biochemical profile, semen oxidative status, and semen quality were performed. Results In HS dogs, serum total protein, albumin, and urea concentrations showed a significant decrease after 60 days (P < 0.01), with values lower than those observed in TN dogs (P < 0.01). Both catalase and glutathione peroxidase concentrations were reduced after 60 days in HS dogs, showing lower levels than the TN group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Antioxidant potential increased over time in HS dogs, reaching higher values at 60 days (P < 0.05) and 90 days (P < 0.01). On the other hand, ROS in the sperm of HS animals rose by day 90, surpassing the values recorded at previous time points and in TN dogs (P < 0.01). Semen concentration (P > 0.01) and total sperm count (P < 0.05) declined after 30 days in the HS group and remained lower than the TN group throughout the trial. Discussion The study demonstrates that heat stress negatively affects the oxidative status and sperm quality of male dogs, reducing reproductive performance. However, further research is needed due to the lack of complete breed homogeneity in the study groups.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucrezia Forte
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari A. Moro, Valenzano, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Alice Carbonari
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari A. Moro, Valenzano, Italy
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Bojer AK, Woldetsadik M, Biru BH. Machine learning and CORDEX-Africa regional model for assessing the impact of climate change on the Gilgel Gibe Watershed, Ethiopia. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 363:121394. [PMID: 38852417 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, profoundly impacting global water resources and sustainability. This study aimed to predict the long-term effects of climate change on the Gilgel Gibe watershed by integrating machine learning (ML) methods and climate model scenarios. Utilizing an ensemble mean of four regional climate models (RCMs) from the Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) Africa project, we forecast future climatic conditions. Although global and regional climate simulations offer valuable insights, their limitations necessitate alternative approaches, such as ML, for improved accuracy. Employing an ensemble ML model with Random Forest (RF), Extra Tree (ET), and CatBoost (CB) algorithms, we assessed various bias-correction methods using historical data from 1993 to 2009. Our results highlight the effectiveness of distribution mapping (DM) in capturing temperature variability and precipitation patterns, using the power transpiration (PT) method to represent precipitation variability. Projections indicate a decline in future precipitation under the RCP 8.5 (-32.2%) and SSP 4.5 (-88.8%) for 2024-2049, with further decreases expected for 2050-2099. Conversely, temperatures will rise under RCP 4.5 (TMAX 0.67 °C) and RCP 8.5 (TMAX 0.25 °C and TMIN 1.11 °C) in the near term, exacerbated by higher emissions under SSP 4.5 and 8.5. By leveraging an ensemble mean of four observed RCMs in an ML framework, our study successfully reproduced future Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) and (CMIP6) climatic datasets, with the CB model demonstrating superior performance in predicting future precipitation and temperature trends. These findings offer valuable insights for shaping future climate scenarios and informing policy decisions for the Gilgel Gibe Watershed, thereby enhancing water resource management in the basin and its environs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanuel Kumsa Bojer
- Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
| | - Muluneh Woldetsadik
- Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Bereket Hailu Biru
- Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, PO Box 40782, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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Pan F, Li Z, Xie H, Xu X, Duan L. Disentangling influences of driving forces on intra-annual variability in sediment discharge in karst watersheds. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 923:171486. [PMID: 38447723 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
The intra-annual variability in sediment discharge was considerably influenced by the climate variability and vegetation dynamics. Because of the coupled or relationships between climatic and vegetation variables, it is still challenging to decouple the direct and indirect effects of climate variability and vegetation dynamics on hydrological and sediment transport processes. The purpose of this study is to decouple influences of individual driving force on intra-annual distribution of sediment discharge during 2003-2017 using the partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) method in four typical karst watersheds of Southwest China. The coefficient of variation (Cv), Completely regulation coefficient (Cr), Lorenz asymmetry coefficient and Gini coefficient were used to represent the intra-annual sediment discharge variability. Results showed that the monthly sediment discharge (190 % < Cv < 353 %) exhibited greater variability than its potential affecting factors (18 % < Cv < 101 %). From the PLS-SEM analysis, the water discharge, climate, and vegetation together explain 57 %-75 %, 64 %-79 %, and 53 %-80 % of the total variance in Cv, Cr, and Gini coefficient, respectively. Specifically, water discharge exerts the largest influence on sediment discharge variability (0.65 ≤ direct effect ≤0.97, P < 0.05), while vegetation dynamic mainly indirectly affects sediment discharge variability (-0.88 ≤ indirect effect ≤ -0.01) through influencing water discharge. The climate factors also principally indirectly affect the sediment discharge variability (-0.47 ≤ indirect effect ≤0.19) by affecting water discharge and vegetation. The PLS-SEM can effectively reveal the driving force and influencing mechanism of intra-annual sediment discharge changes, and provide an important reference for regional soil and water resources management in karst watersheds. Future studies can decouple the influences of the extreme climate, unique lithology, discontinuous soil, heterogeneous landscape, and special geomorphology on spatial variability in sediment discharge across different karst watersheds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengjiao Pan
- College of Resources, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Zhenwei Li
- Huanjiang Observation and Research Station for Karst Ecosystem, Key Laboratory for Agro-Ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, China.
| | - Hongxia Xie
- College of Resources, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Xianli Xu
- Huanjiang Observation and Research Station for Karst Ecosystem, Key Laboratory for Agro-Ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, China.
| | - Liangxia Duan
- College of Resources, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China.
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Gadd GM, Fomina M, Pinzari F. Fungal biodeterioration and preservation of cultural heritage, artwork, and historical artifacts: extremophily and adaptation. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2024; 88:e0020022. [PMID: 38179930 PMCID: PMC10966957 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00200-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYFungi are ubiquitous and important biosphere inhabitants, and their abilities to decompose, degrade, and otherwise transform a massive range of organic and inorganic substances, including plant organic matter, rocks, and minerals, underpin their major significance as biodeteriogens in the built environment and of cultural heritage. Fungi are often the most obvious agents of cultural heritage biodeterioration with effects ranging from discoloration, staining, and biofouling to destruction of building components, historical artifacts, and artwork. Sporulation, morphological adaptations, and the explorative penetrative lifestyle of filamentous fungi enable efficient dispersal and colonization of solid substrates, while many species are able to withstand environmental stress factors such as desiccation, ultra-violet radiation, salinity, and potentially toxic organic and inorganic substances. Many can grow under nutrient-limited conditions, and many produce resistant cell forms that can survive through long periods of adverse conditions. The fungal lifestyle and chemoorganotrophic metabolism therefore enable adaptation and success in the frequently encountered extremophilic conditions that are associated with indoor and outdoor cultural heritage. Apart from free-living fungi, lichens are a fungal growth form and ubiquitous pioneer colonizers and biodeteriogens of outdoor materials, especially stone- and mineral-based building components. This article surveys the roles and significance of fungi in the biodeterioration of cultural heritage, with reference to the mechanisms involved and in relation to the range of substances encountered, as well as the methods by which fungal biodeterioration can be assessed and combated, and how certain fungal processes may be utilized in bioprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey Michael Gadd
- Geomicrobiology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Pollution Control, College of Chemical Engineering and Environment, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, China
| | - Marina Fomina
- Zabolotny Institute of Microbiology and Virology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
- National Reserve “Sophia of Kyiv”, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Flavia Pinzari
- Institute for Biological Systems (ISB), Council of National Research of Italy (CNR), Monterotondo (RM), Italy
- Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
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Sun B, Xue R, Li W, Zhou S, Li H, Zhou B, Wang H. How does Mei-yu precipitation respond to climate change? Natl Sci Rev 2023; 10:nwad246. [PMID: 37954193 PMCID: PMC10632799 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwad246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Mei-yu is an important weather phenomenon in the middle-lower Yangtze River valley (YRV) region. This study investigates the changes in the characteristics of Mei-yu under global warming and the potential reasons based on observation and reanalysis data during 1961-2022. Notable increasing long-term trends are detected in the number of days without rainfall (NDWOR), the intensity of rainfall events, and the frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation events (EPEs) in the YRV region during the Mei-yu period (15 June-10 July) over past decades. The increasing trend in NDWOR is attributed to decreased relative humidity over land surface and a longer time for the air to be replenished with moisture after rainfall events in a warming climate. The increasing trends in the intensity of rainfall events and frequency/intensity of EPEs are attributed to the strengthened transient water vapor convergence and convection in the atmosphere under global warming. Furthermore, the response of Mei-yu to 2°C of global warming with respect to the pre-industrial climate is analysed using CMIP6 models. The results suggest that the NDWOR, intensity of rainfall events and frequency of EPEs will increase in the YRV region during the Mei-yu period under the 2°C warming scenario, which implies a more challenging climate risk management in the future. Overall, the intensity of rainfall events during the Mei-yu period has the most significant response to climate change in observations and projections. The model results have a relatively large uncertainty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Sun
- Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters/Key Laboratory of Meteorological Disasters, Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Climate and Environment Change, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519080, China
- Nansen Zhu International Research Centre, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Rufan Xue
- Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters/Key Laboratory of Meteorological Disasters, Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Climate and Environment Change, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Wanling Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters/Key Laboratory of Meteorological Disasters, Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Climate and Environment Change, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Siyu Zhou
- Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters/Key Laboratory of Meteorological Disasters, Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Climate and Environment Change, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Huixin Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters/Key Laboratory of Meteorological Disasters, Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Climate and Environment Change, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519080, China
- Nansen Zhu International Research Centre, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Botao Zhou
- Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters/Key Laboratory of Meteorological Disasters, Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Climate and Environment Change, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Huijun Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters/Key Laboratory of Meteorological Disasters, Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Climate and Environment Change, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519080, China
- Nansen Zhu International Research Centre, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
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Chen LJ, Li ZZ, Zhou XW, Xing XY, Lv B. Integrated transcriptome and metabolome analysis reveals molecular responses of spider to single and combined high temperature and drought stress. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 317:120763. [PMID: 36503821 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
High temperature and drought are abiotic stresses restricting many arthropods' survival and growth. Wolf spiders are poikilothermic arthropods that are vital in managing insects and pests. Nonetheless, investigating changes in spiders under temperature and drought stress are limited, especially at the molecular and gene expression levels. The study found that the combined effects of high temperature and drought stress significantly reduced survival rates and raised superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde levels in the wolf spider Pardosa pseudoannulata. An integrated transcriptome and metabolome analysis showed that differentially expressed genes and metabolites were highly enriched in pathways involved in the proteolysis and oxidation-reduction process. The gene expression profiles displayed that heat shock protein (HSP) families (i.e., small heat shock protein, HSP70, HSP90, and HSP beta protein) were up-regulated under temperature and/or drought stresses. Additionally, a conjoint analysis revealed that under the combined stress, several important enzymes, including maltase-glucoamylase, glycerol-6-phosphate transporter, alanine-glyoxylate transaminase, and prostaglandin-H2 D-isomerase, were altered, affecting the metabolism of starch, sucrose, amino acids, and arachidonic acid. The protein interaction network further confirmed that under the combined stress, metabolic processes, peptide metabolic processes, and ATP generation from ADP were up-regulated, indicating that spiders could accelerate the metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins to combat stress and maintain homeostasis. Overall, this work showed that exposure to a combination of pressures might cause distinct defensive reactions in spiders and offered novel perspectives to research the molecular underpinnings of spider adaptation to a changing climate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Jun Chen
- College of Urban and Rural Construction, Shaoyang University, 422099, Shaoyang, China.
| | - Zhe-Zhi Li
- College of Urban and Rural Construction, Shaoyang University, 422099, Shaoyang, China
| | - Xuan-Wei Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, 400715, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao-Yi Xing
- College of Urban and Rural Construction, Shaoyang University, 422099, Shaoyang, China
| | - Bo Lv
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, 65211, Columbia, USA
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Micheluz A, Pinzari F, Rivera-Valentín EG, Manente S, Hallsworth JE. Biophysical Manipulation of the Extracellular Environment by Eurotium halophilicum. Pathogens 2022; 11:1462. [PMID: 36558795 PMCID: PMC9781259 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11121462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Eurotium halophilicum is psychrotolerant, halophilic, and one of the most-extreme xerophiles in Earth's biosphere. We already know that this ascomycete grows close to 0 °C, at high NaCl, and-under some conditions-down to 0.651 water-activity. However, there is a paucity of information about how it achieves this extreme stress tolerance given the dynamic water regimes of the surface habitats on which it commonly occurs. Here, against the backdrop of global climate change, we investigated the biophysical interactions of E. halophilicum with its extracellular environment using samples taken from the surfaces of library books. The specific aims were to examine its morphology and extracellular environment (using scanning electron microscopy for visualisation and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry to identify chemical elements) and investigate interactions with water, ions, and minerals (including analyses of temperature and relative humidity conditions and determinations of salt deliquescence and water activity of extracellular brine). We observed crystals identified as eugsterite (Na4Ca(SO4)3·2H2O) and mirabilite (Na2SO4·10H2O) embedded within extracellular polymeric substances and provide evidence that E. halophilicum uses salt deliquescence to maintain conditions consistent with its water-activity window for growth. In addition, it utilizes a covering of hair-like microfilaments that likely absorb water and maintain a layer of humid air adjacent to the hyphae. We believe that, along with compatible solutes used for osmotic adjustment, these adaptations allow the fungus to maintain hydration in both space and time. We discuss these findings in relation to the conservation of books and other artifacts within the built environment, spoilage of foods and feeds, the ecology of E. halophilicum in natural habitats, and the current episode of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Micheluz
- Conservation Science Department, Deutsches Museum, Museumsinsel 1, 80538 Munich, Germany
| | - Flavia Pinzari
- Institute for Biological Systems, Council of National Research of Italy, Area della Ricerca di Roma 1, Via Salaria Km 29,300, 00015 Monterotondo, Italy
- Life Sciences Department, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
| | | | - Sabrina Manente
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Scientific Campus, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino, 30170 Venice, Italy
| | - John E. Hallsworth
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
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