Participation of lectins in crustacean immune system

Several lectins have been found in crustaceans, and it has been suggested that they play roles in cell signalling, cell–cell interaction, protein synthesis and pathogen recognition. These functions are performed through their specificity for carbohydrates. This review analyses the carbohydrate specificity, tissue distribution and participation in the immune responses of lectins in crustaceans. Furthermore, we explore some data showing that lectin expression seems to be stimulated by pathogens, favouring crustacean survival.     

Late Bronze Age glass production at Qantir-Piramesses, Egypt

It has been uncertain whether the glass produced during the Late Bronze Age (LBA) originated in Egypt or Mesopotamia. Here we present evidence for the production of glass from its raw materials in the eastern Nile Delta during the LBA. Glass was made in workshops that were separate from where the production of objects took place. The initial melting of the raw materials to semi-finished glass was done at temperatures of 900 degrees to 950 degrees C, followed by coloration and ingot production at 1000 degrees to 1100 degrees C.     

Relationship between content and intake of bean polyphenolics and protein digestibility in humans

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of bean polyphenolics on bean protein digestibility in humans. Steam pressure cooking decreased tannic acid in beans by: 38.2 (white), 23.9 (red), 38.5 (white:black mixture, 50:50), 20.5 (Ipala black) and 44.4% (Jalpatagua black). The reduction in catechin was: 57.5, 97.6, 83.0, 78.7 and 88.4%, respectively. The content of tannic acid in dried cooked beans was: 284.9 in white, 834.5 in red, 620.2 in the white:black mixture, 1,021 in Ipala black and 1,009 mg/100 g in the Jalpatagua black bean. These percentages correlate significantly with fecal nitrogen (r=0.29, p<0.05). Catechin of the dried cooked beans was 7.5 in white, 27.4 in red, 25.4 in the white:black mixture (50:50), and 60.1 and 55.5 mg/100 g in each of the black cultivars, and correlated significantly with fecal nitrogen (r=0.34, p<0.01), absorbed nitrogen (r=–0.37, p<0.01) and protein digestibility (r=–0.35, p<0.01). It was concluded that one of the factors that reduces bean protein digestibility is the polyphenlic compound.     

Pathogenicity and control of Eimeria mitis infections in broiler chickens.

The pathogenicity of two strains (B4 and C2) of Eimeria mitis was studied using young broiler chickens. Both strains of coccidia were pathogenic, and C2 strain was more virulent than B4. Growth of the broilers was depressed as early as day 3 postinoculation (PI), but the depression was greatest during days 5 and 6 PI. Feed conversion and shank skin pigment of the young broiler chickens were concomitantly affected by infections of E. mitis. Infection subsided by day 7 or 8 PI and was accompanied by a compensatory growth. The drugs effective against the infections were halofuginone, lasalocid, monensin, and nicarbazin. The least efficacious were zoalene and amprolium plus ethopabate.     

Riverine connectivity,upstream influences,and multi‐taxa representation in a conservation area network for the fishes of Michigan,USA

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Impact of compound alpha treatment in vivo on egg production by the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica

Sheep infected with the triclabendazole-susceptible Cullompton isolate of Fasciola hepatica were treated with compound alpha at a dosage of 15 mg/kg at 12 weeks post-infection. Adult flukes were recovered from the bile ducts at 24h, 48 h and 72 h post-treatment (pt). They were processed for whole mount analysis, histology and transmission electron microscopy of the female reproductive system: specifically, the uterus, Mehlis' gland, ovary and vitellaria. As judged by the appearance of the uterus, normal egg production ceased within 24h of treatment; this phenomenon preceded significant changes to the other reproductive organs. Over the 3-day pt period, there was a progressive decline in the number of oogonia in the ovary, together with an increase in the number of eosinophilic and apoptotic oocytes and vacuolation and shrinkage of the ovarian tubules. There was a shift in the cell population within the vitelline follicles at 48 h pt, with relatively greater numbers of mature vitelline cells and fewer immature cells. The follicles were vacuolated and the shell globule clusters in the mature cells were disorganised. Greater disruption was seen at 72 h pt, with a reduction in the size of the follicles and rupture of cells, releasing their content into the lumen of the follicles. These histological observations were confirmed and extended at the TEM level. Thus, examination of electron micrographs showed that disruption of the shell globule clusters was evident at 48 h pt, which coincided with the start of the breakdown of the mature cells and of the nurse cell network. These degenerative changes were more conspicuous at 72 h pt. In the Mehlis' gland, shrinkage and vacuolation of the cells and their cytoplasmic extensions became progressively greater from 48 h to 72 h pt, and secretory activity declined. The changes in the reproductive organs and inhibition of egg production are put in context of the overall time-course of drug action.     

Conservation of threatened species in the Galapagos Marine Reserve through identification and protection of marine key biodiversity areas

• 1. The Galapagos Marine Reserve provides refuge for numerous threatened marine species, including 16 mammals, birds, reptiles and fish currently recognized on the 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, plus an additional 25 endemic fish, mollusc, crustacean, echinoderm, coral and macroalgal species that comply with threatened species criteria because of declining extent of occurrence or highly‐localized ranges, and hence also qualify for inclusion on the Red List.
• 2. Threatened marine species with restricted ranges are not randomly distributed across the archipelago but tend to co‐occur at a limited number of sites that are predominantly located in the west. Sites at which threatened species are known to persist, particularly those with a large proportion of the global population, are here identified as sites of global conservation significance — key biodiversity areas.
• 3. The majority (27) of the 38 inshore key biodiversity areas identified are currently protected from fishing because they lie within the 17% of coastal waters that is zoned as ‘no‐take’ tourism or conservation zones. All key biodiversity areas should be protected from extractive exploitation if threatened species are to be safeguarded. This can be achieved, at the minimum, through a relatively minor amendment to the existing marine zoning scheme, whereby an additional 2% of the coastline is dedicated to conservation.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.