Effect of autoclaved Ulva meal on growth performance, nutrient utilization and fatty acid profile of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of the dietary incorporation of autoclaved and raw (non-autoclaved) Ulva meal on juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) growth, nutrient utilization, body composition, diet digestibility and fatty acid composition. An algae-free control diet and four experimental diets with either 5 or 10 % inclusion levels of raw Ulva meal (5 % = RU5; 10 % = RU10) or autoclaved Ulva meal (5 % = AU5; 10 % = AU10) were formulated. Fish were fed three times daily to apparent satiation for 12 weeks. The growth of fish fed RU10 (final weight = 76.7 ± 3.31 g; SGR = 2.8 ± 0.05 %) diet was significantly higher than that in fish fed the AU10 diet (67.5 ± 1.61 g; SGR = 2.6 ± 0.03 %). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly better in fish fed the RU10 diet (0.9 ± 0.06) compared with control diet (1.0 ± 0.06). Condition factor, viscerosomatic index and dress-out remained unaffected by dietary treatment. The hepatosomatic index (HSI) was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in fish fed the AU10 diet (1.2 ± 0.19) than fish fed the other diets (≥1.6). The level of eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3—EPA) in muscle from fish fed the RU10, AU5 and AU10 diets was significantly higher than in fish fed control diet (P < 0.05). Dietary inclusion of Ulva meals resulted in a significant increase in muscle docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3—DPA) levels at the end of the feeding period. The results indicate that the dietary inclusion of raw Ulva meal at levels of up to 10 % can be used without significant negative effects on the growth performance, nutrient utilization, dietary digestibility and muscle fatty acid composition. In fact, the inclusion of dietary raw and autoclaved Ulva meal elevated n-3 fatty acids levels of rainbow trout muscle.     

Differential susceptibility of Hyalomma excavatum adults and nymphs to the entomopathogens Metarhizium anisopliae ARSEF 4556 and Steinernema carpocapsae

This study investigated the virulence of the entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae strain ARSEF 4556, and the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae against adult and nymphal stages of the tick Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum. The fungus was tested at three different concentrations, 10⁶, 10⁷, and 10⁸ conidia ml^?1. Ticks were exposed to 4000 IJs of S. carpocapsae in 0.5 ml distilled water in Petri dishes lined with 2 layers of moist filter paper. Adult ticks were not susceptible to M. anisopliae, whereas the nymphs were highly susceptible. Nymph mortality was dose dependent with all ticks being killed at the highest dose 96 hours post-inoculation. In contrast, S. carpocapsae was much more effective against engorged adults than unfed adults or nymphs. Tick susceptibility was not influenced by gender. The mean mortalities of the unfed adult males, females, and nymphs were 30% ± 9.2%, 40% ± 7.5%, and 36% ± 4.7%, respectively. Nymphal mortality was 36% and there was a significant difference between nematode treatment and control group (P < 0.05).     

Identification and characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alternaria alternata</Emphasis> (Fr.) Keissler causing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ceratonia</Emphasis> Blight disease of carob (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ceratonia siliqua</Emphasis> L.) in Turkey

A new dagger nematode, Xiphinema tica n. sp., is described and illustrated from several populations extracted from soil associated with several crops and wild plants in Costa Rica. The new dagger nematode is characterised by a moderate body size (3276–4240 μm), a rounded lip region, ca 13.5 μm wide, separated from body contour by a shallow depression, amphidial fovea large, stirrup-shaped, a moderately long odontostyle ca 135 μm long, stylet guiding ring located at ca 122 μm from anterior end, vulva almost equatorial (50–54%), well-developed Z-organ, with heavy muscularised wall containing in the most of specimens observed two moderately refractive inclusions variable in shape (from round to star-shaped), with uterine spines and crystalloid bodies; female tail short, dorsally convex-conoid, with rounded end and a small peg, with a c’ ratio ca 0.8, bearing two or three pairs of caudal pores and male absent. The unique and novel uterine differentiation based on the coexistence of a well-developed Z-organ mixed with uterine spines and crystalloid bodies in Xiphinema prompted us to update and include this combination of characters in the polytomous key of Loof and Luc (1990). Integrative diagnosis was completed with molecular data obtained, using D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rDNA, ITS1-rDNA, partial 18S–rDNA and the partial mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (coxI). The phylogenetic relationships of this species with other Xiphinema spp. indicated that X. tica n. sp. was monophyletic to the other species from the morphospecies Group 4, Xiphinema oleae.     

The effects of dietary protein levels with amino acid supplementation on the growth performance,haematological profile and histology of meagre (Argyrosomus regius) in two different size classes

A 12‐week feeding trial was conducted to estimate the effects of supplemented amino acids (lysine and methionine) with different dietary protein levels on growth, haematology and liver histology in meagre (Argyrosomus regius) at two different sizes: fingerling (15.2 g) and juvenile (44.4 g). Six practical diets were prepared, and three of these practical diets were formulated with 40 (P40), 44 (P44) and 48% (P48) crude protein without supplementation of amino acids. Other three diets having same protein levels were supplemented with lysine and methionine (P40AA, P44AA and P48AA) to bring these amino acids level up to that estimated to be at the least in the 48% protein diet. Final mean weight (FMW) and specific growth rate (SGR) of P48AA in fingerlings were higher than that of 40AA. According to FMW and SGR of juveniles, there was interaction found between dietary protein levels and the supplementation of amino acids. The FMW and SGR of meagre fed P44AA were higher than that of fish fed the other diets, except fish fed the P48. Economic profit index, packed cell volume and haemoglobin for juvenile meagre were significantly improved with the dietary protein level and amino acid supplementation. The liver tissues of the P48 group in both sizes displayed better structure compared with the other groups. In conclusion, dietary crude protein content of practical diets for juvenile meagre could be reduced from 48% to 44% by adding essential amino acids with an enhancement in growth, health and economic profit.     

Chemically Modified Silica Gel with N-(2-aminoethyl)-Salicylaldimine for Simultaneous Solid Phase Extraction and Preconcentration of Cu(II), Ni(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II) in waters

In this study, N-(2-aminoethyl)salicylaldimine bonded silica gel was synthesized and characterized using Fourier transform infrared and C, H, N elemental analysis. The analytical conditions such as the pH and volume of the solution, flow rates of the sample solution and the type of eluent to achieve the simultaneous preconcentration of Cu(II), Ni(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II) were optimised using the modified silica gel loaded column using a solid phase extraction technique. Samples (50?C500?ml) containing metal ions at optimal pH of 8 were passed through the column filled with the modified silica gel at 7?ml min^?1 and then elution was achieved using 5?ml of 0.25?M HCl. The concentrations of metal ions in the eluates were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The effects of matrix ions were also studied and none of the major ions interfered to the proposed method. The accuracy of the developed method was validated using a certified reference water sample (Ontario Lake water, NWTMDA-54.4). The method was successfully applied to the analysis of various natural water samples. The adsorption capacities of the modified silica gel for Cu(II), Ni(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II) ions were determined and found to be 0.332, 0.261, 0.130 and 0.375?mmol g^?1, respectively.     

Recruitment of HIV and its receptors to dendritic cell-T cell junctions

Monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) can efficiently bind and transfer HIV infectivity without themselves becoming infected. Using live-cell microscopy, we found that HIV was recruited to sites of cell contact in MDDCs. Analysis of conjugates between MDDCs and T cells revealed that, in the absence of antigen-specific signaling, the HIV receptors CD4, CCR5, and CXCR4 on the T cell were recruited to the interface while the MDDCs concentrated HIV to the same region. We propose that contact between dendritic cells and T cells facilitates transmission of HIV by locally concentrating virus, receptor, and coreceptor during the formation of an infectious synapse.     

Development of flexible antimicrobial packaging materials against Campylobacter jejuni by incorporation of gallic acid into zein-based films

In this study, antimicrobial films were developed against Campylobacter jejuni by incorporation of gallic acid (GA) into zein-based films. The zein and zein-wax composite films containing GA between 2.5 and 10 mg/cm(2) were effective on different C. jejuni strains in a concentration-dependent manner. Zein and zein-wax composite films showed different release profiles in distilled water but quite similar release profiles at solid agar medium. Depending on incorporated GA concentration, 60-80% of GA released from the films, while the remaining GA was bound or trapped by film matrix. The GA at 2.5 and 5 mg/cm(2) caused a considerable increase in elongation (57-280%) of all zein films and eliminated their classical flexibility problems. The zein-wax composite films were less flexible than zein films, but the films showed similar tensile strengths and Young's modulus. Scanning electron microscopy indicated different morphologies of zein and zein-wax composite films. This study clearly showed the good potential of zein and GA to develop flexible antimicrobial films against C. jejuni.     

Replacement of fishmeal with rice protein concentrate in practical diets for European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax reared at winter temperatures

As no information is available regarding the efficacy of using rice protein concentrate (RPC) to replace fishmeal (FM) in diets for European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), a trial was conducted to determine the optimum inclusion for European sea bass juveniles. Diets were formulated to replace 25%, 50% and 75% of fishmeal with RPC. Additional high level inclusion diets (50% and 75%) were supplemented with lysine and methionine to determine if these were limiting factors. Fish (18.0 ± 0.06 g) were fed the experimental diets for 12 weeks. The final mean weight and specific growth rate (SGR) were significantly higher in fish fed the control diet (diet FM) and low level RPC (diet RPC25) than in fish fed the other diets. The supplementation of the amino acids had a positive effect on growth, elevating the final weight of the high level RPC (RPC75 + AA) group above that of the non‐supplemented group (RPC75). However, this was still not comparable to fish fed FM and RPC25 diets. No significant differences in body composition were observed. A digestibility study demonstrated an inverse relationship between elevating inclusion levels of RPC and apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) for dry matter and lipid, with significantly lower values than the control being observed with RPC inclusions above 25%. The mesenteric fat index followed this trend. Circulating leucocyte levels, leucocyte ratios and serum lysozyme activity remained unaffected by dietary treatment. However, compared with the control group, fish fed RPC75, RPC50 + AA RPC75 + AA displayed significantly lower haematocrit values. The present study demonstrates that the inclusion of RPC at 140 g kg^?1 (effectively replacing 25% of FM content) does not compromise European sea bass growth performance, body quality or basic haematological parameters. It is suggested that future studies including higher levels test the efficacy of additional amino acid supplementation (e.g. tryptophan).     

Effect of thermal modification on the properties of narrow-leaved ash and chestnut

The concept of thermal modification has evolved from a challenging research program to commercial reality in several European countries in recent years. The aim of this study is to determine the change of various physical properties (oven-dry density, air-dry density, weight loss, swelling and anti-swelling efficiency (ASE)), compression strength parallel to grain, colour difference (ΔE), glossiness and surface roughness of narrow-leaved ash (Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl.) and chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) woods after heat treatment under different temperatures and durations. For this study two different temperatures (160 °C and 180 °C) and two different durations (2 h and 4 h) were considered. A stylus method was employed to evaluate the surface characteristics of the samples. Roughness measurements by the stylus method were made in the direction perpendicular to the fiber. Four main roughness parameters which are mean arithmetic deviation of profile (R_a), mean peak-to-valley height (R_z), root mean square roughness (R_q), and maximum roughness (R_y) obtained from the surface of wood were used to evaluate the effect of heat treatment on the surface characteristics of the specimens. The properties studied were significantly different (p = 0.05) at two temperatures and two durations of heat treatment. Based on the findings of this study, the results showed that oven-dry density, air-dry density, swelling, compression strength parallel to grain and surface roughness decreases with increasing heat treatment temperature and time.     

Growth responses of six seed sources of Pinus brutia Ten. (Turkish red pine) to herbaceous weed competition

Herbaceous weeds present amajor obstacle to foresters in the earlyestablishment and growth of Turkish red pine (Pinus brutia Ten.), an important coniferof the semi-arid Mediterranean region. Greatgenetic variability of this pine species indrought resistance has already beenwell-studied. The existence of such variationwithin this species in relation to herbaceousweed competition is unknown. This studyinvestigated the effect of herbaceous weedcompetition on the growth of the seedlings ofTurkish red pine seed sources with differentmoisture regimes in their native sites, usingthe rapid screening technique. Two-month-oldTurkish red pine seedlings were grown inindividual pots in a glasshouse either with orwithout joint goose goat grass (Aegilopscylindrica L.). After two simulatedgrowing seasons, grass competitionsignificantly and progressively reduced pinegrowth. Although mean total pine biomass wasreduced by 71% due to weed competition,seedlings of different pine seed sourcesdisplayed significant differences in growthresponses to the weed treatments: dry site seedsource seedlings generally exhibitedsignificantly greater growth than moist siteseed source seedlings under weed competition. These results suggest that competition fromherbaceous weeds is an important factor inreducing the early growth of Turkish red pineseedlings, and that selection ofcompetition-tolerant seed sources can result insubstantial enhancement of the competitivestatus of this pine species against itsherbaceous competitors in early years.