Optimum krill phospholipids content in microdiets for gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) larvae

The aim of the present study was to determine the optimum dietary levels of krill phospholipids (KPL) for sea bream (Sparus aurata) larvae, and its influence on larval development and digestive enzymes activity. Larvae were fed five formulated microdiets with five different levels of KPL. Complete replacement of live preys with the experimental microdiets for seabream larvae produced high survival and growth rates, particularly in fish fed the highest levels of KPL. In the present study, increase in dietary KPL up to 120 g kg^?1 (100 g kg^?1 total PL) significantly improved larval survival and growth, whereas further increase did not improve those parameters. An increase in alkaline phosphatase, trypsin and lipase activity with the elevation of KPL up to 120 g kg^?1 was also found denoting a better functioning of digestive system. Besides, there was a linear substrate stimulatory effect of dietary KPL on phospholipase A2 activity. Finally, increasing dietary KPL lead to better assimilation of n‐3 HUFA especially eicosapentaenoic acid, reflected in the higher content of these fatty acids in both neutral and polar lipids of the larvae. In summary, KPL were found to be an excellent source of lipids for seabream larvae. Optimum inclusion levels of this ingredient in microdiets to completely substitute live preys at this larval age were found to be 120 g kg^?1 KPL.     

Effect of krill phospholipids versus soybean lecithin in microdiets for gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) larvae on molecular markers of antioxidative metabolism and bone development

The objective of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of dietary marine phospholipids (MPL) obtained from krill and soybean lecithin (SBL) on the rearing performance and development of seabream (Sparus aurata) larvae. Larvae were fed from 16 to 44 day posthatching (dph) five formulated microdiets with three different levels (50, 70 and 90 g kg^–1) of phospholipids (PL) obtained either from an MPL or from a SBL source. Larvae‐fed MPL show a higher survival, stress resistance and growth than those‐fed SBL, regardless the dietary PL level. Overall, the increase in MPL up to 70 g kg^–1 total PL in diet was enough to improve larval gilthead seabream performance, whereas even the highest SBL inclusion level (90 g kg^–1 PL) was not able to provide a similar success in larval growth or survival. Inclusion of SBL markedly increased the peroxidation risk as denoted by the higher TBARs in larvae, as well as a higher expression of CAT, GPX and SOD genes. Moreover, SBL tends to produce larvae with a lower number of mineralized vertebrae and a lower expression of osteocalcin, osteopontin and BMP4 genes. Finally, increasing dietary MPL or SBL lead to a better assimilation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the larvae, n‐3HUFA (especially 20:5n‐3) or n‐6 fatty acids (especially 18:2n‐6), respectively. In conclusion, MPL had a higher effectiveness in promoting survival, growth and skeletal mineralization of gilthead seabream larvae in comparison with SBL.     

Training Requirements of Agricultural Extension Officers Using Borich Needs Assessment Model

This study is based on the opinions of selected Iraqi extension workers, regarding the type and amount of training they need, given their experience in the field. The Borich Needs Assessment Model was used for measuring training needs. The data were collected through questionnaires given to 300 respondents (agricultural workers) from January 15, 2016 to March 20, 2016. The results show that crop-planting courses have the greatest benefit. The greatest training need is skill and knowledge of teaching methods, while a moderately needed skill is the use of computer and information and communication technologies (ICT); management skills are the least needed training.     

Circulating oxidative stress status in dromedary camels infested with sarcoptic mange

Oxidative stress is an imbalance between radical-generating and radical-scavenging activity, resulting in oxidation products and tissue damage. This study was aimed to evaluate the status of oxidative stress indices in blood of camels naturally infested with S. scabiei. Forty-seven male camels (Camelus dromedaries) were divided according to the extent of the infested area with Sarcoptes scabiei into four groups, mild (MID, n = 12), moderate (MOD, n = 10), severely infested (SEV, n = 10) and healthy control group (n = 15). Blood was used for determination of red cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), serum nitric oxide (NO^•, a free radical), ascorbate and albumin concentrations, and erythrocytic values of malondialdehyde (MDA, a marker of lipid peroxidation), protein carbonyls (PC, an indicator of protein oxidation), glutathione (GSH) superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Decreased levels (P < 0.05) of RBC, Hb, PCV, albumin and ascorbate were noticed in MOD and SEV compared to controls with the lowest values (P < 0.05) in SEV except for ascorbate, where MOD did not differ from SEV. Compared to controls, NO^• gradually increased (P < 0.05) in MID followed by MOD and SEV, whereas MDA and PC were higher (P < 0.05) in MOD and SEV. PC was higher (P < 0.05) in MOD than SEV. In addition, the antioxidants GSH, SOD and CAT were higher (P < 0.05) in MID and lower (P < 0.05) in MOD and SEV compared to controls. GSH was lower (P < 0.05) in SEV compared to MOD. Besides, Hb was negatively correlated with NO^• (r = −0.68, P < 0.001), MDA (r = −0.53, P < 0.001) and PC (r = −0.73, P < 0.001). In conclusion, dromedary sarcoptosis is accompanied by a state of oxidative stress process, which increased by increasing the area of infestation, and may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease.     

Effect of dietary supplementation of Bacillus subtilis spores on growth performance,oxidative status,and digestive enzyme activities in Japanese quail birds

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The present trial investigated the feeding effect of B. subtilis spores on growth performance, blood metabolites, antioxidative status, and digestive enzyme...     

Bioinsecticide production by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. 1. Pattern of cell growth,toxin production and by-product synthesis

To develop a cost-effective process for the production of Bacillus thuringiensis-based insecticide, it is important to cultivate the bacterial strain in rich medium to obtain the highest yields of spore-crystal complexes. It was found that cultivation of the bacterium in medium with high concentrations of glucose (50–90 g l^?1) resulted in much lower bacterial spores, crystal protein and lower toxicity, when tested against Spodoptera littoralis and Anagasta kuehniella larvae. The best results were obtained with glucose concentration of 20.0 g 1^?1 as 7.1 × 10¹¹ spores ml^?1 and 3.4 g l^?1 of crystal protein were achieved with LC₅₀ of 40.1 and 50.2 mg kg^?1 meal against S. littoralis and A. kuehniella, respectively. However, >21% of the consumed glucose was diverted into by-product synthesis at the expense of spore-crystal protein mixture. Only 78.3% of consumed glucose was converted into spores and crystal protein. Among by-products formed, acetic acid and β-hydroxybutyric acid (PHB) were produced during the phase of active growth and glutamic acid and succinic acid during the phase of active toxin production.     

Local plants as potential sources of tannins in Egypt. Part VI (Moraceae to Rosaceae)

This study is a continuation of the previous parts and also deals with the colour tests, free sugars and phenolic aglycones of thirty four plants, ranging from the familyMoraceae toRosaceae, with the aim of identifying the type of tannins present.

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Zusammenfassung Diese Arbeit ist eine Weiterführung der vorangegangenen Mitteilungen und befaßt sich ebenfalls mit Farbreaktionen, freien Zuckern und phenolischen Aglykonen von weiteren 34 Pflanzen (Morraceae bis Rosaceae) mit dem Ziel, den Typ des jeweils vorliegenden Tannins zu identifizieren.

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Resume Suite du travail précédent. Réactions colorées, sucres libres, aglycones phénoliques de 34 autres espèces végétales (Moracées à Rosacées). Essai d'identification des tannins présents dans chaque échantillon.

     

Is nitric oxide a hormone?

Nitric oxide (NO) is a simple ubiquitous signaling molecule and plays important roles in almost every biological system. Recent evidences suggest that NO may act as an endocrine molecule. The aim of this review is considering available literature on endocrine roles of NO and/or its metabolites, i.e. nitrite and nitrate. Existing data suggest the idea that NO is a hormone that after production in tissues, it is stabilized and transported as nitrite and/or S-nitrosothiols in the blood to target cells.     

Local plants as potential sources of tannins in Egypt,part. IV (Aceraceae to Flacourtiaceae)

Continuing a previous study, the leaves and barks of thirty one plants collected from the botanical gardens in Cairo, were subjected to detailed studies with the aim of identifying the type of tannins present in each plant. The study included colour tests and paper chromatography of both the free sugars and phenolic aglycones. The plants recorded here are those ranging fromAceraceae toFlacourtiaceae.

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Zusammenfassung In Fortsetzung dieser Reihe wurden die Blätter- und Rindermaterialien von 31 Pflanzen, gesammelt aus den botanischen Gärten in Kairo, auf ihre Gerbstoffe untersucht. Mit Hilfe der Papierchromatographie wurden sowohl die freien Zucker als auch die phenolischen Komponenten dieser Pflanzen identifiziert.In dieser Mitteilung wurden die Untersuchungsergebnisse der Pflanzen der Familien Aceraceae bis Flacourtiaceae gegeben.

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Résumé En poursuivant nos études précédentes, les feuilles et les écorses de 31 plantes cueillies dans les jardins de Caire, ont été soumises à des études détaillées. En vue d'identifier le type des tannins présent dans chaque plante, les études contenaient des expériments par chromatographie sur papier concernant les sucres natifs et les aglycones phénoliques. Les plantes qui ont été rapportées ici sont celles des familles Aceraceae à Flacourtiaceae.