Project description:Airborne ultrafine particles (UFP) constitute a potential risk factor for human health, being transport one of the most relevant sources, particularly in urban environments. We collected UFP from outdoor sites in Barcelona and Valencia (Spain) selected to distinguish between the contributions of road traffic, trains, ships, and planes. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to organic extracts from the collection filters, and their transcriptomes were analysed by RNA deep sequencing. Functional analysis of 2,941 significantly affected transcripts revealed a strong enrichment in functions related to general embryotoxicity, like induction of degradation pathways (endocytosis, necroptosis), and inhibition of development- and cell division-related genes. This embryotoxicity-related transcriptional response was linked to elevated concentrations of UFP, sulfur, and other inorganic species in the air samples, and it was particularly strong in UFP-rich airport samples. In addition, the functional analysis also identified a relatively small subset of genes configuring a typical dioxin-like response, traditionally associated with exposure to airborne combustion particles, and that was linked to PAH-rich emissions from harbour and traffic samples. Consistently, relative abundance of the implicated genes showed a strong correlation with high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the extracts. Our findings indicate that the parameters currently used to assess air quality overlook the role of UFP in total airborne toxicity and, consequently, they do not adequately protect human populations.
Project description:Sargassum is one of the most diverse brown algal genus with more than 150 known species, mostly benthic and few pelagic species. They contribute significantly to global primary production and serve as important habitat for wide range of marine organisms. Sargassum vulgare is one of the dominant habitat forming species along Mediterranean coast. Despite their huge ecological importance, it is relatively unknown how they will respond under future global climate change scenario. This work used de novo transcriptome sequencing approach to understand the molecular response of S. vulgare to chronic acidification at the shallow underwater volcanic CO2 vents off Ischia Island, Italy. Keywords: brown algae, Sargassum, de novo transcriptome, ocean acidification, CO2 vents.
Project description:It is important to maintain cognitive integrity during underwater operations, which may also trigger cognitive alterations. Cognitive effect of underwater operations and the underlying mechanism remain elusive. Here, we found a single underwater operation affects cognition in a time-dependent model. Prolonged exposure elicits significant cognitive impairment and hippocampal dysfunction, which was accompanied by activation of microglia and upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. RNA-sequencing supported the involvement of neuroinflammation and indicated the critical role of CCR3. Knockdown of CCR3 significantly rescued cognitive impairment and hippocampal dysfunction. Furthermore, the upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines was also reversed. Mechanistically, CCR3 knockdown switched the activated microglia from a pro-inflammatory to neuroprotective phenotype. Taken together, these results highlighted the time-dependent effects of a single underwater operation on cognitive function. Knocking down CCR3 can attenuate neuroinflammation by regulating polarization of activated microglia, thereby alleviating prolonged underwater operation-induced cognitive impairment.