Conversion of pectenotoxin-2 to pectenotoxin-2 seco acid in the New Zealand scallop, Pecten novaezelandiae

SUMMARY: Comparison of pectenotoxin (PTX) profiles between the toxic dinoflagellate Dinophysis acuta and scallops Pecten novaezelandiae collected at Wedge Point, Queen Charlotte Sound, New Zealand was carried out by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) with turbo-ionspray ionization. Although the major PTX homolog in D. acuta was pectenotoxin-2 (PTX2), the scallops contained pectenotoxin-2 seco acid (PTX2SA) as the predominant toxin. Pectenotoxin-2 isolated from D. acuta was rapidly converted to PTX2SA and its epimer 7- epi -pectenotoxin-2 seco acid (7- epi -PTX2SA) in the scallop extracts. These results indicate that PTX2SA and 7- epi -PTX2SA arose from the conversion of PTX2 by scallop tissue. The results indicate that New Zealand scallops have an ability to reduce the cytotoxicity of PTX2 by conversion to PTX2SA.     

Gymnodimine C, an isomer of gymnodimine B, from Karenia selliformis

Gymnodimine C (1), an oxidized analogue of the spiro-imine algal toxin gymnodimine (3), was isolated from extracts of the cells of Karenia selliformis. The structure of gymnodimine C, determined by one- and two-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, was found to be isomeric with gymnodimine B (2) at C-18.     

Performance,endocrine, metabolic,and reproductive responses of Nellore heifers submitted to different supplementation levels pre- and post-weaning

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of high and low supplementation levels pre- and post-weaning on performance, endocrine, metabolic, and reproductive responses of Nellore heifers. Fifty Nellore heifers with 132?±?9.9 kg average body weight (BW) and 138?±?19 days of age were supplemented from 4 to 14 months. The heifers were distributed into five supplementation plans: HH—6 g/kg of BW of supplement pre- and post-weaning, HL—6 g/kg of BW of supplement pre-weaning and 3 g/kg post-weaning, LH—3 g/kg of BW pre-weaning and 6 g/kg of BW post-weaning, LL—3 g/kg of BW pre- and post-weaning, and CC—control, no supplementation. Interactions were not significant (P?>?0.10). The level of supplement fed pre-weaning did not affect any of the performance variables evaluated at the end of the experiment (P?>?0.10). There was a significant effect of supplementation and level of supplementation fed post-weaning on average daily gain (ADG) and final BW (P?<?0.05). Overall ADG was also affected only by supplementation and level of supplement fed post-weaning (P?<?0.05) with animals receiving 6 g/kg of BW post-weaning gaining more weight. Follicular diameter was greater in animals that received 6 g/kg of BW post-weaning (P?<?0.05). In summary, performance, endocrine, metabolic, and reproductive variables evaluated in the current study were improved by the level of supplement fed post-weaning. Heifers receiving supplementation of 6 g/kg of BW post-weaning had greater responses, independent of the level received during the pre-weaning phase.     

Effect of pH on rheotaxis of bull sperm using microfluidics

The aim of the present research is to study the effect of pH values on the sperm rheotaxis properties. Semen collected from bulls was diluted with SOF medium (1:10). pH of the medium was adjusted using a digital pH meter to the following pH values: 6.0, 6.2, 6.4, 6.4, 6.8, 7.0. All kinetic parameters of sperm (n = 3,385) were determined through a computer‐assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system using microfluidic devices with controlled flow velocity. The following parameters were determined: total motility (TM%), positive rheotaxis (PR%), straightline velocity (VSL, μm/s), average path velocity (VAP, μm/s), linearity (LIN, as VSL/VCL, %), beat cross‐frequency (BCF, Hz) and curvilinear velocity (VCL, μm/s). Nitric oxide, calcium and potassium were estimated in semen at different pH values. To confirm the effect of nitric oxide and K⁺, we used sodium nitroprusside (an NO donor) and KCL as (a K⁺ donor) to see their effect on sperm PR%. The results showed no difference in TM% at pH (6–7). The PR% was the lowest at pH 6 and 7. The best parameters for the PR% were at pH 6.4–6.6. The concentration of Ca⁺² did not change at different pH values. The mean NO values decreased with the increase of pH; however, the mean values of K⁺ increased with the increase of pH. Addition of high concentration of NO and K⁺ to the semen media at fixed pH level had a negative effect on TM% and PR%. In conclusion, the bull sperm had the best rheotaxis properties at pH 6.4–6.6 and sensitive to the change of seminal NO and K⁺.     

Exploring Nontraditional Pathways Into Hunting in New York State: Implications for Recruitment and Retention

Anecdotal evidence suggests that adults lacking previous hunting experience and family support for hunting comprise a growing proportion of new hunters. Empirical evidence of such a trend is lacking. Furthermore, hunting motivations and constraints for these “nontraditional path hunters” (NTPHs) have not been well documented. We articulate a strategy for identifying potential NTPHs in New York, describe socialization mechanisms initiating NTPHs into hunting, and explore motivations and constraints of these hunters. Data were collected using a Web-based survey of 3,605 NTPHs identified among 2014 Sportsman Education course graduates in New York. We found that many NTPHs were initiated by friends and co-workers, and their motivations and constraints were similar to traditional hunters. These findings suggest that NTPHs are not a panacea to the trend of declining numbers of hunters in New York.     

Rapid fluctuations in sea level recorded at huon peninsula during the penultimate deglaciation

About 140,000 years ago, the breakup of large continental ice sheets initiated the Last Interglacial period. Sea level rose and peaked around 135,000 years ago about 14 meters below present levels. A record of Last Interglacial sea levels between 116,000 years to 136, 000 years ago is preserved at reef VII of the uplifted coral terraces of Huon Peninsula in Papua New Guinea. However, corals from a cave situated about 90 meters below the crest of reef VII are 130, 000 +/- 2000 years old and appear to have grown in conditions that were 6 degreesC cooler than those at present. These observations imply a drop in sea level of 60 to 80 meters. After 130,000 years, sea level began rising again in response to the major insolation maximum at 126,000 to 128,000 years ago. The early (about 140,000 years ago) start of the penultimate deglaciation, well before the peak in insolation, is consistent with the Devils Hole chronology.     

Coral record of equatorial sea-surface temperatures during the penultimate deglaciation at huon peninsula

Uplifted coral terraces at Huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea, preserve a record of sea level, sea-surface temperature, and salinity from the penultimate deglaciation. Remnants have been found of a shallow-water reef that formed during a pause, similar to the Younger Dryas, in the penultimate deglaciation at 130,000 +/- 2000 years ago, when sea level was 60 to 80 meters lower than it is today. Porites coral, which grew during this period, has oxygen isotopic values and strontium/calcium ratios that indicate that sea-surface temperatures were much cooler (22 degrees +/- 2 degreesC) than either Last Interglacial or present-day tropical temperatures (29 degrees +/- 1 degreesC). These observations provide further evidence for a major cooling of the equatorial western Pacific followed by an extremely rapid rise in sea level during the latter stages of Termination II.