Marine ornamental fish imports in the European Union: an economic perspective

The marine ornamental fish trade (MOFT) is a worldwide industry that targets a remarkable quantity and diversity of reef fish species and provides an important source of revenue for exporting countries, particularly developing nations in Southeast Asia. Here we provide, for the first time, an economic assessment of the MOFT to the European Union (EU), one of the key players of the marine aquarium trade, along with the USA and Japan. Data from EUROSTAT (the European Statistical System) was analysed for the MOFT between 2000 and 2011. Results show that this industry was not affected by the economic crisis and accounted for a total of 135 million Euros during the study period. Both the UK and Indonesia have been reinforcing their importance as leading importer and exporter countries, respectively. The long‐term temporal pattern of the MOFT by EU and non‐EU countries is described, as well as its diversity and evenness between importing and exporting countries. The present economic assessment also identifies the key players of this industry, and ultimately contributes to management and conservation practices that may enhance the sustainable use of world's coral reefs.     

巴西半干旱地区自然条件和菌根菌接种条件下赤桉和大桉地上生物量营养成分分析(英文)

对巴西米纳斯吉拉斯州北部半干旱地区(15°09’S43°49’W)的赤桉(Eucalyptus camaldulensis)和大桉(Eucalyptus grandis)人工林的地上生物量、营养成分含量和菌根菌定植百分率进行了调查和分析。结果表明,赤按和大桉人工林的总地上生物量分别为33.6Mg·hm-2和153.1Mg·hm-2。赤桉树干、叶子、枝条和树皮的生物量分别占总生物量的64.4%,19.6%,15.4%,0.6%,大桉地上生物量的分配与赤按基本相同。赤桉叶子和枝条的干物质占其总生物量的35%,叶子和枝条中的N,P,K,Ca,Mg,and S的含量分别占总生物量这些营养元素的15.5%,0.7%,12.3%,22.6%,19%,1.4%。树干(包括树皮)中的营养成分累积相对比较低。与赤桉相比,大桉的营养含量变化较小。这2个树种的树干上部含有高浓度的磷,树皮也含有大量的营养物质,尤其是大桉;说明在半干旱地区,立地上脱落的植物性废物对降低树木生产力损失有重要意义。赤桉和大桉都有菌根营养。     

Effect of immersion time of cultch on spatfall of the scallop Argopecten purpuratus (Lamarck 1819) in the Marine Reserve at La Riconada, Antofagasta, Chile

A pilot program to evaluate the feasibility of collecting juvenile (seed) scallops using Japanese technology was carried out from October 2001 to April 2002 in the Marine Reserve at La Rinconada, Antofagasta, Chile. The continuous presence of larvae in waters in the reserve allowed for collection of 400–15,340 spat per collector and showed the high reproductive capability of local scallops and the relationship between numbers of larvae in the water and amount of spatfall. Highest rates of settlement were proportional to high numbers of umbone larvae in the water at >5000 larvae m⁻³ when collectors were first immersed. Absence of a relationship between larval numbers and postlarval settlement with trophic factors such as chlorophyll and particulate organic matter in the water suggests that productivity was not limited by these factors. Harvest of spat from collectors immersed for four and five months had recovery efficiencies of 5.5% and 59.4% compared with settlement in collectors after immersion for one month. Cohort analyses of recovered spat suggested that settlement occurred over the lengthy immersion period and was due to the continuous presence of larvae in the water. The loss of a high percentage of spat over the 4–5 immersion period compared with settlement in the first month can be attributed to intraspecific competition of spat density and growth as well as clogging of the collectors by sediment and marine fouling that impeded a flow of water through the nets.     

Interactions of high methoxyl pectin with whey proteins at oil/water interfaces at acid pH

The interactions between whey protein isolate (WPI) and high methoxyl pectin (HMP) at pH 3.5 were investigated in situ using ultrasound (US) and diffusing wave spectroscopy (DWS). HMP was added to 10% oil-in-water emulsions containing 1% WPI. At neutral pH, no protein-pectin interactions were observed as both molecules are negatively charged, while at pH 3.5 bridging flocculation occurred via electrostatic interactions. Four different stages were distinguished during the addition of HMP in WPI-stabilized emulsions at pH 3.5. At a concentration below a critical value, no interactions were observed. At concentrations >0.02% HMP, a change in the l factor indicated a change in the ordering of the emulsion droplets, influenced by long-range interactions. At higher concentrations (in the range between 0.04 and 0.06% HMP), attenuation showed significant changes in the surface of the oil droplets, changes which affected the droplet-droplet interactions. At pectin concentrations >0.05%, attenuation of sound and 1/l* decreased, while velocity of sound and particle size increased, as a result of bridging flocculation. These results demonstrated for the first time that methods such as US and DWS combined permit the observation of the early stages of the interactions between two biopolymers at the interface. This is significant in light of increasing efforts in engineering complex interfacial layers.     

Allium discoloration: precursors involved in onion pinking and garlic greening

Precursors involved in the formation of pink and green-blue pigments generated during onion and garlic processing, respectively, have been studied. It has been confirmed that the formations of both pigments are of very similar natures, with (E)-S-(1-propenyl)cysteine sulfoxide (isoalliin) serving as the primary precursor. Upon disruption of the tissue, isoalliin and other S-alk(en)ylcysteine sulfoxides are enzymatically cleaved, yielding 1-propenyl-containing thiosulfinates [CH3CH=CHS(O)SR; R = methyl, allyl, propyl, 1-propenyl] among others. The latter compounds have been shown to subsequently react with amino acids to produce the pigments. Whereas the propyl, 1-propenyl, and methyl derivatives form pink, pink-red, and magenta compounds, those containing the allyl group give rise to blue products after reacting with glycine at pH 5.0. The role of other thiosulfinates [RS(O)SR'] (R, R' = methyl, allyl, propyl) and (Z)-thiopropanal S-oxide (the onion lachrymatory principle) in the formation of the pigments is also discussed.     

Pharmacokinetics of a high-concentration formulation of buprenorphine (Simbadol) in male dogs

ObjectiveTo describe the pharmacokinetics of buprenorphine in dogs following administration of a high-concentration formulation of buprenorphine.Study designProspective, randomized, crossover study.AnimalsA total of six healthy male intact Beagle dogs, aged 9–13 months and weighing 10.3 ± 1.4 kg (mean ± standard deviation).MethodsDogs were randomized to be administered buprenorphine (0.12 mg kg^–1; Simbadol, 1.8 mg mL^–1) via the intravenous (lateral saphenous) or subcutaneous (dorsal interscapular) route followed by the alternative route of administration after a 14 day interval. Blood was sampled before administration and at set times up to 72 hours after injection. Plasma buprenorphine concentration was measured using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.ResultsA three-compartment model with zero or biphasic rapid and slow first-order input in (intravenous or subcutaneous data, respectively) and first-order elimination from the central compartment best fitted the data. The rapid first-order input accounted for 63% of the dosage absorption. Typical values (% interindividual variability) for the three compartment volumes were 900 (33), 2425 (not estimated) and 6360 (28) mL kg^–1. The metabolic and two distribution clearances were 25.7 (21), 107.5 (74) and 5.7 (61) mL minute^–1 kg^–1. The absorption half-life for the fast absorption phase was 8.9 minutes with a 0.7 (103) minute delay. The absorption half-life for the slow absorption phase was 347 minutes with a 226 (42) minute delay. Median (range) bioavailability calculated from noncompartmental analysis was 143 (80–239)%. Calculated terminal half-life was 963 minutes.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe high-concentration formulation of buprenorphine administered subcutaneously had a large volume of distribution and a rapid absorption phase followed by slower, delayed absorption. The high estimate of bioavailability should be interpreted with caution as values above 100% are most commonly related to experimental issues.     

Cardiovascular function,pulmonary gas exchange and tissue oxygenation in isoflurane-anesthetized,mechanically ventilated Beagle dogs with four levels of positive end-expiratory pressure

ObjectivesTo compare pulmonary gas exchange, tissue oxygenation and cardiovascular effects of four levels of end-expiratory pressure: no positive end-expiratory pressure (ZEEP), positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of maximal respiratory system compliance (PEEPmaxC_rs), PEEPmaxC_rs + 2 cmH₂O (PEEPmaxC_rs+2), PEEPmaxC_rs + 4 cmH₂O (PEEPmaxC_rs+4), in isoflurane-anesthetized dogs.Study designProspective randomized crossover study.AnimalsA total of seven healthy male Beagle dogs, aged 1 year and weighing 10.2 ± 0.7 kg (mean ± standard deviation).MethodsThe dogs were administered acepromazine and anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane. Ventilation was controlled for 4 hours with ZEEP, PEEPmaxC_rs, PEEPmaxC_rs+2 or PEEPmaxC_rs+4. Cardiovascular, pulmonary gas exchange and tissue oxygenation data were evaluated at 5, 60, 120, 180 and 240 minutes of ventilation and compared using a mixed-model anova followed by Bonferroni test. p < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsCardiac index (CI) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were lower in all PEEP treatments at 5 minutes when compared with ZEEP. CI persisted lower throughout the 4 hours only in PEEPmaxC_rs+4 with the lowest CI at 5 minutes (2.15 ± 0.70 versus 3.45 ± 0.94 L minute^–1 m^–2). At 180 and 240 minutes, MAP was lower in PEEPmaxC_rs+4 than in PEEPmaxC_rs, with the lowest value at 180 minutes (58 ± 7 versus 67 ± 7 mmHg). Oxygen delivery index (DO₂I) was lower in PEEPmaxC_rs+4 than in ZEEP at 5, 60, 120 and 180 minutes. Venous admixture was not different among treatments.Conclusion and clinical relevanceThe use of PEEP caused a transient decrease in MAP and CI in lung-healthy dogs anesthetized with isoflurane, which improved after 60 minutes of ventilation in all levels of PEEP except PEEPmaxC_rs+4. A clinically significant improvement in arterial oxygenation and DO₂I was not observed with PEEPmaxC_rs and PEEPmaxC_rs+2 in comparison with ZEEP, whereas PEEPmaxC_rs+4 decreased DO₂I.     

Remanence du parathion et du methylparathion dans tubercules de pomme de terre et dans le sol a la suite de traitements du sol

Résumé On présente les résultats des recherches effectuées pendant 4 ans, sur la persistence du parathion et du méthylparathion dans les tubercules de pomme de terre et dans le sol, à la suite des traitements du sol avec des préparations en poudre. On a effectué des déterminations pour la récolte de la même année et pour celle de l'année suivante, c'est-à-dire 6 mois et respectivement 18 mois après le traitement.En général, les résidus accumulés dans les pommes de terre ont varié entre 0,08 et 0,44 ppm. Le dépôt résiduel accumulé pendant 6 mois dans les pommes de terre présente des valeurs voisines de celles accumulé et après un intervalle de 18 mois.La quantité de substance toxique présente dans le sol au moment de la récolte a été de 3 à 6 fois plus grande que celle trouvée dans les tubercules récoltés du même sol, et elle a varié entre 0,27 et 0,58 ppm.

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Summary During 4 years, investigations have been carried out on parathion and methylparathion residues in potato tubers and in soil, following soil treatments with dust preparations. Determinations were made for the crop of the same year, as well as for that of the next year, i.e. 6 months and 18 months after the treatment, respectively. In all cases, except in one year, the residues which accumulated in potatoes 6 months later, had values close to those of the residual deposit accumulated after 18 months.At harvesting, the amount of toxicant available in the soil was 3 to 6 times larger than that found in potato tubers harvested on the same soil, and varied between 0.27–0.58 ppm.No evident differences between the amounts of parathion and methylparathion residues were found, and this suggests that the same degradation factor acts on both compounds.The precipitations played an important role; thus in years with low precipitations, the toxicant deposits increased in the soil and, implicitly, also in the tubers.

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Zusammenfassung Es werden die Ergebnisse einer vierjährigen Forschungsarbeit über die Verweildauer von Parathion und Methylparathion in der Kartoffelknolle und im Boden nach Bodenbehandlungen mit Stäubemitteln zusammengefaßt. Die Rückstandsanalysen wurden am Erntegut desselben Jahres, das heißt 6 Monate nach der Behandlung, und am Erntegut des nächsten Jahres, also 18 Monate nach dem Zeitpunkt der Behandlung, durchgeführt.Mit Ausnahme eines einzigen Jahres erreichte der Rückstand in der Kartoffelknolle in allen Fällen Werte zwischen 0,08 und 0,44 ppm. Die nach 6 Monaten in den Knollen festgestellten Rückstandswerte unterscheiden sich von den nach 18 Monaten nachgewiesenen nur unwesentlich.Im Boden wurden zur Zeit der Ernte drei- bis sechsmal höhere Rückstandswerte gefunden als in Knollen. Dieselben variierten zwischen 0,27 und 0,58 ppm.Die Rückstandswerte für Parathion und für Methylparathion zeigten keine deutlichen Unterschiede. Dies läßt auf die Einwirkung der gleichen Abbaufaktoren für beide Verbindungen schließen. Eine besondere Bedeutung unter den Klimafaktoren kam den Niederschlägen zu. In Jahren, in denen diese gering waren, wurden größere Rückstandswerte im Boden und auch in den Kartoffelknollen festgestellt.