Fish Sidestream-Derived Protein Hydrolysates Suppress DSS-Induced Colitis by Modulating Intestinal Inflammation in Mice

Inflammatory bowel disease is characterized by extensive intestinal inflammation, and therapies against the disease target suppression of the inflammatory cascade. Nutrition has been closely linked to the development and suppression of inflammatory bowel disease, which to a large extent is attributed to the complex immunomodulatory properties of nutrients. Diets containing fish have been suggested to promote health and suppress inflammatory diseases. Even though most of the health-promoting properties of fish-derived nutrients are attributed to fish oil, the potential health-promoting properties of fish protein have not been investigated. Fish sidestreams contain large amounts of proteins, currently unexploited, with potential anti-inflammatory properties, and may possess additional benefits through bioactive peptides and free amino acids. In this project, we utilized fish protein hydrolysates, based on mackerel and salmon heads and backbones, as well as flounder skin collagen. Mice fed with a diet supplemented with different fish sidestream-derived protein hydrolysates (5% w/w) were exposed to the model of DSS-induced colitis. The results show that dietary supplements containing protein hydrolysates from salmon heads suppressed chemically-induced colitis development as determined by colon length and pro-inflammatory cytokine production. To evaluate colitis severity, we measured the expression of different pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and found that the same supplement suppressed the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNFα and the chemokines Cxcl1 and Ccl3. We also assessed the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and Tgfb and found that selected protein hydrolysates induced their expression. Our findings demonstrate that protein hydrolysates derived from fish sidestreams possess anti-inflammatory properties in the model of DSS-induced colitis, providing a novel underexplored source of health-promoting dietary supplements.     

Study of selenium distribution in the protein fractions of the Brazil nut, Bertholletia excelsa

The high selenium content of the Brazil nut, Bertholletia excelsa, makes this seed a healthy food qualified as an antiradical protector. The studied nut contained 126 ppm of selenium. Selenium was found to be distributed in the nut protein fractions. The water-extracted fraction, which represented 17.7% of the cake protein, was the richest in selenium with 153 ppm. Analysis by HPLC-MS showed that selenium was linked by a covalent bond to two amino acids to form selenomethionine and selenocystine. The selenomethionine represented a little less than 1% of the total amount of methionine.     

Automated management of nutrient solutions based on target electrical conductivity,ph, and nutrient concentration ratios

Abstract

An algorithm to automatically formulate the composition and prepare nutrient solutions for soilless cultures based on desired characteristics given as target values is proposed. To formulate the complete ionic composition of a nutrient solution, standard recommendations referring to the following solution characteristics should be available: (i) electrical conductivity (EC), (ii) pH, (iii) concentration ratios of macronutrients (meq basis), and (iv) micronutrient concentrations. Moreover, the mineral composition of the water used to prepare the nutrient solution should be taken into account. To develop the main steps of the algorithm, the total salt concentration (meq L‐¹) of the nutrient solution is related to the desired electrical conductivity. The target pH indicates the concentration of HCO₃ ^? in the nutrient solution, whereas the absolute concentration of each macronutrient is derived from the desired concentration ratios and the total salt concentration. The necessary calculations are standardized through the development of formulae. Furthermore, the differences in nutrient concentrations between desired levels in the solution and those found in the tap water represent the amounts of nutrients per volume nutrient solution (meq L^?1) which should be added through fertilizers. The above described steps of the algorithm have been tabulated to facilitate their implementation. Moreover, a numerical example concerning the composition of a nutrient solution for cucumbers is given. In the final steps of the algorithm, two standard formulae are used to calculate the quantities of individual macronutrient and micronutrients fertilizers needed to prepare particular volumes of stock solutions. Alternatively, when stock solutions of single fertilizers having known concentrations are used, the composition of the nutrient solution can be automatically adapted to new target values. This task can be performed without replacing the existing stock solutions by rearranging the formulae used in the last steps of the algorithm to calculate dilution ratios instead of fertilizer quantities.     

Constrained by aliens,shifting landscape,or poor water quality? Factors affecting the persistence of amphibians in an urban pond network

1. Freshwater communities and especially pond‐breeding amphibians are extremely vulnerable to land‐use change, alien species introductions and the use of pesticides or other toxic chemicals, as reflected in their worldwide decline. Effective conservation and management of ponds requires a better understanding of the biotic and abiotic factors that shape diversity patterns and species distribution, especially in cases of habitat loss
2. The present study aimed to reveal and classify which pond and landscape characteristics are the most important determinants for the occurrence patterns of amphibian species as well as for the overall amphibian species richness in an urban pond network. To achieve this aim, 17 biotic and abiotic variables were measured for 61 ponds and the dataset was analysed by means of a machine‐learning approach, suitability indices and co‐occurrence modelling
3. The highest probability of Triturus macedonicus occurrence was found at fishless artificial and semi‐natural ponds. The persistence of Lissotriton graecus in ponds was predicted by high pond connectivity and the absence of fish reflecting the species dispersive potential. Pelophylax kurtmuelleri showed a higher probability of occurrence with increased pond connectivity and macrophyte cover.
4. Amphibian species richness was higher in fishless ponds with well‐oxygenated waters located in sites with a low to intermediate road density network. Ponds categorized as ‘average’ in terms of newt suitability were more frequently inhabited by fish than Triturus macedonicus. Alien fish species showed negative associations with both newt species, while both newt species showed a positive association between them.
5. The results support the view that conserving a greater number of water bodies with increased landscape connectivity and without any fish presence could provide amphibian species with alternative habitat choices, especially in sites with human pressure where pond stability is at stake owing to continuous landscape changes.

     

Collagen-Containing Fish Sidestream-Derived Protein Hydrolysates Support Skin Repair via Chemokine Induction

Restoring homeostasis following tissue damage requires a dynamic and tightly orchestrated sequence of molecular and cellular events that ensure repair and healing. It is well established that nutrition directly affects skin homeostasis, while malnutrition causes impaired tissue healing. In this study, we utilized fish sidestream-derived protein hydrolysates including fish collagen as dietary supplements, and investigated their effect on the skin repair process using a murine model of cutaneous wound healing. We explored potential differences in wound closure and histological morphology between diet groups, and analyzed the expression and production of factors that participate in different stages of the repair process. Dietary supplementation with fish sidestream-derived collagen alone (Collagen), or in combination with a protein hydrolysate derived from salmon heads (HSH), resulted in accelerated healing. Chemical analysis of the tested extracts revealed that Collagen had the highest protein content and that HSH contained the great amount of zinc, known to support immune responses. Indeed, tissues from mice fed with collagen-containing supplements exhibited an increase in the expression levels of chemokines, important for the recruitment of immune cells into the damaged wound region. Moreover, expression of a potent angiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), was elevated followed by enhanced collagen deposition. Our findings suggest that a 5%-supplemented diet with marine collagen-enriched supplements promotes tissue repair in the model of cutaneous wound healing, proposing a novel health-promoting use of fish sidestreams.     

Response of ungrafted rootstocks and rootstocks grafted with wine grape varieties (Vitis sp.) to ‘lime-induced chlorosis’

The ungrafted rootstocks 41B, 1103P, 110R and 140Ru, the grafted combinations of 41B, 1103P and 110R with Xinomavro (one of the most important red wine grape varieties in Greece), as well as those of 1103P, 110R and 140Ru with Chardonnay, were evaluated for 'lime-induced chlorosis' tolerance by growing them with a) basic nutrient solution (BNS), b) BNS + 10 mM bicarbonate, c) BNS without iron (Fe) and d) BNS without zinc (Zn), in hydroponics. The ungrafted 140Ru followed by 41B under high bicarbonate presented the lowest degree of chlorosis; however only 41B presented non-differentiated biomass production and root/shoot ratio. Chlorotic symptoms in combination with plant growth parameters should be used as a tool for grapevine rootstock lime-tolerance screening whereas leaf Fe concentration and root ferric chelate reductase (FCR) activity should not. Lime-stress conditions affected plant mineral nutrition by depressing leaf nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and increasing potassium (K), and zinc (Zn).     

Occurrence of a new resistant breaking pathotype of Meloidogyne incognita on tomato in Greece

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - In a pot assay, a population of Meloidogyne incognita from Northern Greece, reproduced on the resistant tomato cv. Silvana carrying the Mi gene and on...     

THE DETERMINANTS OF CONSUMPTION FOR ORGANIC AQUACULTURE PRODUCTS—EVIDENCE FROM GREECE

This study investigates Greek consumers' behavior towards organic aquaculture products, identifying possible distinct consumer groups and examining possible linkages between consumer characteristics and marketing aspects of organic aquaculture. Using data from an in-person field survey, a two-step cluster analysis demonstrated different attitudes among consumers with different profiles and also identified two distinct consumer groups differentiated primarily by income: the low-potential consumers and the high-potential consumers, representing 34% and 66% of the total sample, respectively. This study provides evidence that consumers' socioeconomic and demographic characteristics are key factors determining the consumers' purchasing behavior for organic aquaculture products. Thus, a market segmentation strategy is needed to allow organic aquaculture production to take advantage of the significant potential for growth in the near future.     

Differential competitive and allelopathic ability of Cyperus rotundus on Solanum lycopersicum,Solanum melongena and Capsicum annuum

A 2-year greenhouse and laboratory study was conducted to investigate the competition and allelopathy between Cyperus rotundus L. and Solanum lycopersicum L., S. melongena L. and Capsicum annuum L. All crops showed low ability to withstand competition of C. rotundus and this was the reason for the reduction of their total fruit number and fruit yield by 81%–94% and 86%–96%, respectively. The aqueous extracts from C. rotundus plant parts decreased the seed germination and root length of all vegetable cultivars, indicating supplementary allelopathic activity of C. rotundus on all vegetables. The low correlation coefficient between the total fruit yield of the cultivars grown under weed-free conditions and total fruit-yield reduction due to C. rotundus interference indicates clearly that the yielding ability of the cultivars is not related with their tolerance to C. rotundus interference.     

A Computational Approach Based on GIS Technology for the Development of an Anthropogenic Emission Inventory of Gaseous Pollutants in Greece

This paper describes a computational system developed for the compilation of an anthropogenic emission inventory of gaseous pollutants for Greece. The inventory was developed using a geographical information system integrated with SQL programming language to provide high temporal gridded emission fields for CO, NO₂, NO, SO₂, NH₃ and 23 non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) species for the reference year 2003. Activity and statistical data from national sources were used for the quantification of emissions from the road transport, the other mobile sources and machinery sectors and from range activities using top-down or bottom-up methodologies. Annual emission data from existing national and European emission databases were also used. The emission data were spatially and temporally disaggregated using source-specific spatiotemporal indicators. On national scale, the road transport sector produces about 60% of the annual CO and NMVOC total emissions, with gasoline vehicles being the main CO and NMVOC emissions source. The road transport is responsible for approximately half of the higher alkanes and for more than half of the ethene and toluene emissions. The maritime sector accounts for about 40% of the annual total NO_x emissions, most of which are emitted by the international shipping subsector, whilst SO₂ is emitted mainly by the energy sector. The evaluation of the emissions inventory suggests that it provides a good representation of the amounts of gaseous pollutants emitted on national scale and a good characterisation of the relative composition of CO and NO_x emission in the large urban centres.