Anti-Human Rhinoviral Activity of Polybromocatechol Compounds Isolated from the Rhodophyta, Neorhodomela aculeata

An extract of the red alga, Neorhodomela aculeata, exhibited antiviral activity against human rhinoviruses. Bioassay-guided purification was performed to yield six compounds, which were subsequently identified as lanosol (1) and five polybromocatechols (2–6) by spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectrometric analyses. Structurally, all of these compounds, except compound 5, contain one or two 2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl moieties. In a biological activity assay, compound 1 was found to possess antiviral activity with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 2.50 μg/mL against HRV2. Compound 3 showed anti-HRV2 activity, with an IC₅₀ of 7.11 μg/mL, and anti-HRV3 activity, with an IC₅₀ of 4.69 μg/mL, without demonstrable cytotoxicity at a concentration of 20 μg/mL. Collectively, the results suggest that compounds 1 and 3 are candidates for novel therapeutics against two different groups of human rhinovirus.     

Fragmentation of Waxy Rice Starch Granules by Enzymatic Hydrolysis

Small starch particles were prepared by hydrolyzing waxy rice starch using α‐amylase and then ultrasonicating in ethanol. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that a mild hydrolysis for 3 hr increased the melting enthalpy of the starch, which might indicate that the hydrolysis was selective in the amorphous regions. Later, at 6–24 hr, the hydrolysis rate was reduced, with gradual decreases in DSC melting enthalpy, indicating that the crystalline regions were eroded simultaneously. X‐ray diffraction patterns revealed the same trend as the DSC results. Average diameter of starch granules or particles was decreased dramatically in both volume‐ and number‐based measurements (5.94→1.64 μm, and 0.45→0.18 μm, respectively) during the early stage of rapid hydrolysis (up to 3 hr). Native waxy rice starch exhibited a particle size distribution with a major peak at 5.6 μm. After hydrolysis for 3 hr, the volume distribution of starch granules changed to two major size peaks at 0.5 and 3.6 μm. The starch fragment of 0.5 μm was assumed to consist of crystalline blocklets. With excessive hydrolysis (24 hr) or ultrasonication, however, starch particle diameter was increased, indicating that the particles might be swollen or aggregated into clusters.     

Effects of Added Minerals on Pasting of Partial Waxy Wheat Flour and Starch and on Noodle Making Properties

Mineral content, as determined and expressed by ash content, serves as an index of wheat flour quality for flour millers and food manufacturers who prefer flour of low mineral content, even though the significance of mineral content on the functional properties of wheat flour is not well understood. We explored whether minerals have any influence on the functional properties of wheat flour and product quality of white salted noodles. Ash, obtained by incinerating wheat bran, was incorporated into two hard white spring wheat flours and their starches to raise the total ash content to 1, 1.5, or 2%. Pasting properties were determined using a rapid visco analyzer (RVA). Addition of ash increased the peak viscosity of the flours in both water and buffer solution but did not affect the peak viscosity of starch. Wheat flours with added ash showed lower pasting temperature by approximately 10°C in buffer solution. Mineral extracts (15.3% ash) isolated from wheat bran, when added to increase the ash content of wheat flour and starch to 2%, increased the peak viscosity and lowered the pasting temperature of flour by 13.2–16.3% but did not affect the pasting properties of the isolated starch. The mineral premix also increased peak viscosity of wheat flour but not in starch. Added ash increased noodle thickness and lowered water retention of cooked noodles while it exhibited no significant effect on cooked noodle texture as determined using a texture analyzer.     

Breeding cereals for rust resistance in Australia

Rust diseases have caused significant losses to Australian cereal crops, and continue to pose a serious threat. Because Australian cereal crop yields are generally low, genetic resistance remains the most economical means of rust control. Resistant cultivars also contribute significantly to reducing over-summer rust survival. A policy of releasing only rust resistant wheats in northern New South Wales and Queensland has resulted in industry-wide protection from rust in this region for the past 40 years. The Australian Cereal Rust Control Program conducts annual pathogenicity surveys for all cereal rust pathogens, undertakes genetic research to identify and characterize new sources of resistance, and provides a germplasm screening and enhancement service to all Australian cereal breeding groups. These three activities are interdependent, and are closely integrated with particular emphasis on linking pathology and genetics to ensure breeding outcomes. Recent changes in the wheat rust pathogens, including the development of virulences for Yr17 , Lr24 , Lr37 and Sr38 resistance genes, and the introduction of a new pathotype of the wheat stripe rust pathogen, have provided new and significant challenges for wheat rust resistance breeding. Similar challenges exist in breeding barley and oats for rust resistance. Examples are discussed to illustrate the ways in which rust isolates are providing information that can be used in breeding for rust resistance. In future, as more markers linked to durable rust resistance sources become available, it is likely that the use of marker-assisted selection will become more common-place in rust resistance breeding.     

Effects of dietary propolis supplementation on growth performance, immune responses, disease resistance and body composition of juvenile eel, Anguilla japonica

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary propolis supplementation on growth performance, immune responses, disease resistance and body composition of juvenile eel, Anguilla japonica, in order to evaluate its bioavailability as a feed additive for this species. A total of 540 fish averaging 7.7?±?0.22?g (mean?±?SD) were randomly distributed into 18 tanks in groups of 30, and each tank was then randomly assigned to one of three replicates of six diets containing 0 (P₀), 0.25 (P_0.25), 0.5 (P_0.5), 1.0 (P₁), 2.0 (P₂) and 4.0 (P₄) % dietary propolis. At the end of 12?weeks of feeding trial, weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency (FE) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) of fish fed P_0.5 diet were significantly higher than those of fish fed P₀, P₁, P₂ and P₄ diets (P?<?0.05). These parameters were 148.9%, 0.72% day^?1, 94.4% and 2.9, respectively for fish fed P_0.5 diet. Serum lysozyme activity of fish fed P_0.5 (105.7 units mL^?1) and P₁ (106.0 units mL^?1) diets were significantly higher than those of fish fed P₀, P_0.25, P₂ and P₄ diets. Mucus lysozyme activity of fish fed P₁ (8.4 units 10?cm^?2) diet was significantly higher than those of fish fed P₀, P₂ and P₄ diets. Results indicated that the optimum dietary propolis supplementation levels could be 0.25?C0.5% for optimum growth and feed efficiency, and 0.5?C1% for enhanced immune responses and disease resistance in eel, A. japonica. This study may suggest that the dietary propolis level for the optimum immune responses could be higher than the level for the optimum growth of eel.     

Development of a novel PCR assay based on the 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer region for the detection of Lactococcus garvieae

Lactococcus garvieae is recognized as an emerging pathogen in fish. Several PCR‐based methods have been developed for the detection and identification of L. garvieae; however, the sensitivity of these methods is still in question regarding the discrimination of this organism from other closely related species. Two primers, ITSLg30F and ITSLg319R, were designed from the sequence in the 16S–23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and used for the specific detection of L. garvieae. L. garvieae strains including fish isolates were positive by this method. In contrast, previously developed PCR methods showed false‐positive results with non‐L. garvieae species. Our results indicate that a PCR method using the newly designed ITS primer set provides a sensitive and efficient tool for the detection of L. garvieae in fish and aquaculture environments.     

Osmoregulatory ability and stress responses during freshwater adaptation of black porgy (Acanthopagrus schlegeli) treated with exogenous prolactin

The effects of ovine prolactin (oPRL) on osmoregulatory ability (electrolyte balance, plasma osmolality and activity of gill chloride cells and gill Na⁺/K⁺‐ATPase) and stress responses (plasma cortisol, glucose, aspartate aminotransferase: AST and alanine aminotransferase: ALT) were investigated in black porgy transferred to freshwater (FW). Fish in seawater (SW) were injected twice at a 24 h interval with oPRL (at 1, 3, or 5 μg g^–1 body weight) or vehicle (0.9% NaCl) and then transferred to FW. They were sampled 3 days after the transfer. With oPRL at 5 μg g^–1, levels of plasma Na⁺ and Cl^? and osmolality were significantly higher than in saline‐treated fish, whereas gill CCs number and Na⁺/K⁺‐ATPase activity were lower. Also, the 5 μg g^–1oPRL treatment led to significantly lower plasma cortisol levels than did saline treatment. However, there were no significant differences in plasma AST and ALT between groups. These results support the positive osmoregulatory role of PRL in black porgy during FW adaptation.     

Effect of strain and selection line on the fecundity of the cyclopoid copepod Paracyclopina nana Smirnov, 1935

We studied the effect of strain and selection lines on the fecundity of the cyclopoid copepod Paracyclopina nana. We used six strains (HL, YL, BS, SL, TH, TS) and six isofemale lines (including three higher and three lower fecundity lines). As for the selection of strain, total nauplii production per female of SL strain was the highest in the individual culture (231 nauplii per female) and population growth rate in HL and SL strains showed higher values than the others in combined culture. For the selection of line, the total nauplii production per female of HF₂‐2 (high fecundity and second generation) line was the highest (302 nauplii per female) but those of LF₂‐1 (low fecundity) (80 nauplii per female), and LF₂‐3 (46 nauplii per female) lines were lower than the others. In F₄ generation, three selected HF₂‐2 line showed that the total nauplii production were higher than those of three selected LF₂‐3 lines. In the combined culture on the different selection lines (F₈), population growth rate of two selected high fecundity lines showed higher values than that of the non‐selection group and selected low fecundity line. Our results demonstrate that the production of P. nana can be improved by selection of the line with high fecundity.     

Changes of soil organic carbon and its fractions in relation to soil physical properties in a long-term fertilized paddy

Soil organic carbon (SOC) has an important role in improving soil quality and sustainable production. A long-term fertilization study was conducted to investigate changes in SOC and its relation to soil physical properties in a rice paddy soil. The paddy soils analyzed were subjected to different fertilization practices: continuous application of inorganic fertilizers (NPK, N–P–K = 120–34.9–66.7 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ during 1967–1972 and 150–43.7–83.3 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ from 1973 to 2007), straw based compost (Compost, 10 Mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), a combination of NPK + Compost, and no fertilization (control). Soil physical properties were investigated at rice harvesting stage in the 41st year for analyzing the relationship with SOC fraction. Continuous compost application increased the total SOC concentration in plough layers and improved soil physical properties. In contrast, inorganic or no fertilization markedly decreased SOC concentration resulting to a deterioration of soil physical health. Most of the SOC was the organo-mineral fraction (<0.053 mm size), accounting for over 70% of total SOC. Macro-aggregate SOC fraction (2–0.25 mm size), which is used as an indicator of soil quality rather than total SOC, covered 8–17% of total SOC. These two SOC fractions accumulated with the same tendency as the total SOC changes. Comparatively, micro-aggregate SOC (0.25–0.053 mm size), which has high correlation with physical properties, significantly decreased with time, irrespective of the inorganic fertilizers or compost application, but the mechanism of decrease is not clear. Conclusively, compost increased total SOC content and effective SOC fraction, thereby improving soil physical properties and sustaining production.     

Declining birds in Australian agricultural landscapes may benefit from aspects of the European agri-environment model

Temperate Australia’s wheat/sheep zone and much of Western Europe have both experienced dramatic declines in native bird populations associated with agricultural landscapes. We compare recent conservation strategies on private land in the context of each region’s historical agricultural development and the ecology of its bird fauna. Specifically, we consider which aspects of the conservation instruments and practices employed in European agricultural landscapes might be used to augment and inform approaches to private-land biodiversity conservation in Australia. Australian biodiversity conservation activities have focussed predominantly on remnant native vegetation and rarely target the agricultural matrix (i.e. land that is primarily used for agricultural production). However, declining species include those that not only primarily inhabit woodland, but also species for which components of the agricultural matrix are important, or even their main, habitat. In contrast, in Europe a range of conservation activities undertaken through agri-environment schemes focus explicitly on the management of the agricultural matrix. Whilst the different approaches to conservation on private land in Australia and Europe reflect the two continents’ different ecologies, land-use histories and political economies of agriculture, there are a number of parallels between bird population declines in the two regions, and an opportunity may exist to incorporate some of the successful aspects of the European agri-environment approach into emerging stewardship schemes in Australia. We suggest that the long-term nature of European agri-environment agreements, the principle of landholder payments more commensurate with reduced production opportunity and management actions specifically targeted at the agricultural matrix, are features of the European scheme that could benefit both woodland- and matrix-inhabiting bird species in Australian agricultural landscapes.