Changes in fatty acids profile,monosaccharide profile and protein content during batch growth of Isochrysis galbana (T.iso)

To investigate the nutritional value of the marine micro‐alga Isochrysis galbana Tahitian Isochrysis strain (T.iso) as an alternative feed for aquaculture during culture age, its biochemical composition was studied under autotrophic and controlled culture conditions at different growth stages: exponential phase, early and late stationary phases and decay phase. Analysis showed that C14:0, C16:0, C16:1, C18:4 (n‐3) and C22:6 (n‐3) were the most abundant fatty acids in this alga at different growth stages. The highest values of monounsaturated fatty acids were recorded at the late stationary and the decay phases. However, the highest levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids were observed at the early stationary phase. At all growth stages, I. galbana (T.iso) contained arabinose, xylose, mannose, galactose and glucose. Glucose represented the main sugar, and its content per dry alga biomass weight increased with increasing age of the culture and reached about fourfold in the decay phase. The maximum protein content was also observed during this last phase.     

Effects of different five-day progesterone-based synchronization protocols on the estrous response and follicular/luteal dynamics in dairy cows

This study compared the responses shown by lactating dairy cows to four different P4-based protocols for AI at estrus. Cows with no estrous signs 96 h after progesterone intravaginal device (PRID) removal were subjected to fixed-time AI (FTAI), and their data were also included in the study. In Experiment I, follicular/luteal and endometrial dynamics were assessed every 12 h from the beginning of treatment until AI. The estrous response was examined in Experiment II, and fertility was assessed in both experiments. The protocols consisted of a PRID fitted for five days, along with the administration of different combinations of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), equine chorionic gonadotropin and a single or double dose (24 h apart) of prostaglandin F_2α. In Experiment I (40 cows), animals receiving GnRH at the start of treatment showed a significantly higher ovulation rate during the PRID insertion period while estrus was delayed. In Experiment II (351 cows), according to the odds ratios, cows showing luteal activity at the time of treatment were less likely to show estrus than cows with no signs of luteal activity. Treatment affected the estrous response and the interval from PRID removal to estrus but did not affect conception rates 28–34 days post AI. Primiparous cows displayed a better estrous response than multiparous cows. Our findings reveal acceptable results of 5-day P4-based protocols for AI at estrus in high-producing dairy cows. Time from treatment to estrus emerged as a good guide for FTAI after a 5-day P4-based synchronization protocol.     

Use of fish embryo biomarkers for the evaluation of mazut toxicity in marine environment

The risk of oil contamination, either through produced water discharges, accidents, or non-point-sources, has increased, and it is attributed with the negative impact on the Black Sea ecosystem, and especially in coastal waters. Coastal marine waters are known as the areas of fish and invertebrates spawning sites, including commercial species, which early developmental stages are highly sensitive to crude oil and its derivates. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of mazut at concentrations of 0.00001, 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1 ml l−1 on the biomarker response in the developmental embryos (stages IV and V) of tubenose goby Proterorhinus marmoratus. We used the biomarkers of antioxidant enzyme activities, namely superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (PER) and glutathione reductase (GR). The non-uniform response on mazut impact at tested concentrations on fish embryos was shown. The best biomarker was peroxidase activity, which was highly sensitive to oil pollution and reflected the response of the organism on stressful environment. The imbalance between tested antioxidant enzyme activities was clearer at low and high levels of mazut, and it was less in the case of medium values. The obtained results can be applied for the development of oil toxicity tests for monitoring management and for perspectives of conservation ecology.     

Adaptation to Change and Re-designing of Governance Systems: Cases from Small-Scale Rural Forestry

Changes in small-scale forest governance as a reaction to global changes are viewed from the system dynamics perspective, focused on two levels of dynamic systems: the policy system with sets of interactions at the national level and the management system at the local level. These interactions are considered through permanent adaptation and re-shaping of stakeholders’ networks and positions provoking further changes in the systems. Empirical evidence has been obtained from two case studies related to small-scale rural forestry in distinct contexts—France (the Territorial Forestry Charters) and Kyrgyzstan (collaborative forest management and leasing of forest plots)—and viewed through a theoretical framework of social-political systems dynamics. The changes caused by the systems’ capacity for adaptability and resilience are expressed through a double spiral of decision-making, characterising the interactions between national policies and local management practices. The analysis leads to a conclusion that changes are basically determined by the formal and informal stakeholders’ strategies developed in a specific context and their mutual adaptation aimed at system resilience.

Characterization of flavonols in cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) powder

Flavonoids were extracted from cranberry powder with acetone and ethyl acetate and subsequently fractionated with Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. The fraction eluted with a 60% methanol solution was composed primarily of phenolic constituents with maximum absorbance at 340 nm. A high-performance liquid chromatography procedure was developed, which resolved 22 distinct peaks with UV/vis and mass spectra corresponding to flavonol glycoside conjugates. Six new constituents not previously reported in cranberry or in cranberry products were determined through NMR spectroscopy to be myricetin-3-beta-xylopyranoside, quercetin-3-beta-glucoside, quercetin-3-alpha-arabinopyranoside, 3'-methoxyquercetin-3-alpha-xylopyranoside, quercetin-3-O-(6' '-p-coumaroyl)-beta-galactoside, and quercetin-3-O-(6' '-benzoyl)-beta-galactoside. Quercetin-3-O-(6' '-p-coumaroyl)-beta-galactoside and quercetin-3-O-(6' '-benzoyl)-beta-galactoside represent a new class of cranberry flavonol compounds with three conjugated components consisting of a flavonol, sugar, and carboxylic acid (benzoic or hydroxycinnamic acids). This is also the first report identifying quercetin-3-arabinoside in both furanose and pyranose forms in cranberry. Elucidation of specific flavonol glycosides in cranberry is significant since the specificity of the sugar moiety may play a role in the bioavailability of the flavonol glycosides in vivo.     

Wirkung des Mikroreliefs auf die räumliche Variabilität des Kohlenstoffgehaltes eines Podzoluvisols in einem Dauerdüngungsversuch

Effect of microrelief on the spatial variability of carbon content of a Podzoluvisol in a long term field trial The relationship between microrelief and spatial distribution and variability of the soil C_t-content was investigated in a long term field experiment with different fertilizer and herbicide treatments near Moscow. Only 20% of the C_t-variability were related to agricultural factors. In order to analyse the influence of the microrelief on soil C_t-content the relief was formalized. This formalization included the calculation of the local inclination, local water gathering area and local relative intensity of the temporary water streams, while distinguishing between convex and concave relief forms. Relief forms of different order were identified by kriging with different distances between the block centers. The parameters of the formalized relief were compared with the C_t-content of the soil by means of semivariograms and correlations. Through combination of relief parameters, it was possible to divide the field into different elements characterized by different correlations and effect types. The water gathering relief forms with maximal values of the relative intensity of the water streams and the arched forms with increasing intensity reduced soil C_t-content. C_t-accumulation occurred at transit positions between the convex and concave relief forms with medium intensity.     

Advances in the application of neuropeptides in insect control

The development of a new approach for the generation of a novel type of putative insect control agents based on backbone cyclic peptidomimetic antagonists of insect-neuropeptides is reported. The approach, termed the backbone cyclic neuropetide based on autogonist (BBC-NBA) was applied to the insect pyrokinin/pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) family as a model, and led to the discovery of a potent linear lead antagonist and several highly potent, metabolically stable BBC peptidomimetic antagonists, devoid of agonistic activity, which inhibited in vivo PBAN-mediated activities in moths.