Removal of lipids and diarrhetic shellfish poisoning toxins from blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) during acid and alkaline isolation of proteins

Diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) toxins pose a serious health risk for consumers of bivalves and other shellfish, as well as a huge economic burden for the bivalve-producing farmers. In this work, the aim was to utilize a solubilization-based protein-isolation method to produce a low-DSP toxin protein isolate from toxic blue mussels that are unsuitable for the whole shellfish market. A homogenate of whole mussel meat was solubilized at low pH (2.8) or high pH (11.1), followed by centrifugation and reprecipitation of the solubilized mussel proteins at the isoelectric pH. In a second centrifugation, precipitated proteins were collected. These processes resulted in 81 (acid solubilization) and 72% (alkaline solubilization) reduction in the initial DTX-1 toxin content of the mussel meat. No other DSP toxins were found in the protein isolates. Acid processing of mussel meat resulted in 50% reduction in the total lipid content, while alkaline treatment did not significantly affect the lipid content. The effect of citric acid and calcium chloride addition to the mussel meat-water homogenate on lipid and toxin content was also investigated. A poor correlation factor was surprisingly obtained between reductions in DTX-1 toxin and lipids in protein isolates from processed toxic mussels. Results from an analytical mass balance of the DTX-1 toxin during acid processing showed that 61% of this toxin ended up in the aqueous supernatant after the second centrifugation. The present study presents a promising alternative way of utilizing mussels for food production in periods when they are toxic.     

GC-MS determination of isoflavonoids in seven red Cuban propolis samples

In the present study, the phenolic composition analysis of seven red varieties of propolis, collected in different regions of Cuba, was evaluated by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Seventeen compounds were identified in all samples by the interpretation of their mass spectra. This appears to be the first report on the GC-MS analysis of isoflavonoids in the propolis. The results confirmed the presence of the main isoflavonoids isolated previously and suggested the general structure for the other five isoflavonoids. Vestitol, 7-O-methylvestitol, and medicarpin were present in high amounts in all propolis samples analyzed. This result indicates that propolis samples rich in isoflavonoids are not exclusively found in Pinar del Rio province and proves that GC-MS technique is a useful and alternative tool for the chemical analysis of tropical red propolis.     

城乡交错区小型蔬菜生产系统氮磷钾元素平衡状况——以南京和无锡为例

土壤中氮磷钾元素能否维持平衡是关系到养分管理及农业可持续发展的一个重要内容。本文以江苏省南京和无锡两个典型城乡交错区的小型蔬菜生产系统为例,研究了一年期间氮、磷、钾养分元素的平衡状况及其影响因素。结果表明:南京的蔬菜地以有机肥作为生产系统养分输入的主要来源,而无锡则是以化肥和有机肥,特别是化肥为其主要来源。与蔬菜收获带出的养分相比,两蔬菜生产系统的氮磷元素均存在明显的盈余,其中氮的盈余量南京地区明显大于无锡地区,磷的盈余量前者却低于后者,而钾元素在南京地区呈正平衡,无锡地区呈弱的正平衡或负平衡,说明无锡地区钾元素已出现明显的亏缺趋势。这种养分不平衡的状况是由肥料种类不同、劳动力投入的差异以及由此产生的管理方式的不同造成的,因此要促进城乡交错区农业的可持续发展,根据土壤养分平衡状况及其影响因素,开发合理的施肥技术十分必要。     

Endothelial cell activation and neovascularization are prominent in dermatomyositis

Background

While vascular and immune abnormalities are common in juvenile and adult dermatomyositis (DM), the molecular changes that contribute to these abnormalities are not clear. Therefore, we investigated pathways that facilitate new blood vessel formation and dendritic cell migration in dermatomyositis.

Methods

Muscle biopsies from subjects with DM (9 children and 6 adults) and non-myositis controls (6 children and 7 adults) were investigated by immunohistochemistry using antibodies that recognize existing (anti-CD146) and newly formed blood vessels (anti-αVβ3) and mature dendritic cells (anti-DC-LAMP). Blood vessel quantification was performed by digitalized image analysis. Additional muscle biopsies from subjects with adult DM and non-myositis controls were used for global gene expression profiling experiments.

Results

A significant increase in neovascularization was found in muscle biopsies of DM patients; neovascularization (αVβ3 positive capillaries and vessels per muscle fiber) was much higher in juvenile than in adult DM patients (control vs juvenile DM: Mean ± SE: 0.06 ± 0.01 vs 0.6 ± 0.05; p < 0.0001 and control vs adult DM: Mean ± SE: 0.60 ± 0.1 vs 0.75 ± 0.1; p = 0.051). Gene expression analysis demonstrated that genes that participate not only in angiogenesis but also in leukocyte trafficking and the complement cascade were highly up regulated in DM muscle in comparison to age matched controls. DC-LAMP positive dendritic cells were highly enriched at perivascular inflammatory sites in juvenile and adult DM patients along with molecules that facilitate dendritic cell transmigration and reverse transmigration (CD142 and CD31).

Conclusion

These results suggest active neovascularization and endothelial cell activation in both juvenile and adult DM. It is likely that close association of monocytes with endothelial cells initiate rapid dendritic cell maturation and an autoimmune response in DM.

     

Consumption of 'extra' foods (energy-dense, nutrient-poor) among children aged 16-24 months from western Sydney, Australia

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the contribution of energy-dense, nutrient-poor 'extra' foods to the diets of 16-24-month-old children from western Sydney, Australia. DESIGN: An analysis of cross-sectional data collected on participants in the Childhood Asthma Prevention Study (CAPS), a randomised trial investigating the primary prevention of asthma from birth to 5 years. We collected 3-day weighed food records, calculated nutrient intakes, classified recorded foods into major food groups, and further classified foods as either 'core' or 'extras' according to the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. SETTING: Pregnant women, whose unborn child was at risk of developing asthma because of a family history, were recruited from all six hospitals in western Sydney, Australia. Data for this study were collected in clinic visits and at participants' homes at the 18-month assessment. PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred and twenty-nine children participating in the CAPS study; 80% of the total cohort. RESULTS: The mean consumption of 'extra' foods was approximately 150 g day(-1) and contributed 25-30% of the total energy, fat, carbohydrate and sodium to the diets of the study children. 'Extra' foods also contributed around 20% of fibre, 10% of protein and zinc, and about 5% of calcium. Children in the highest quintile of 'extra' foods intake had a slightly higher but not significantly different intake of energy from those in the lowest quintile. However, significant differences were evident for the percentage of energy provided by carbohydrate and sugars (higher) and protein and saturated fat (lower). The intake of most micronutrients was also significantly lower among children in the highest quintile of consumption. The intake of 'extra' foods was inversely associated with the intake of core foods. CONCLUSIONS: The high percentage of energy contributed by 'extra' foods and their negative association with nutrient density emphasise the need for dietary guidance for parents of children aged 1-2 years. These preliminary data on commonly consumed 'extra' foods and portion sizes may inform age-specific dietary assessment methods.     

Seasonal acoustic occurrence of blue,fin, and North Atlantic right whales in the New York Bight

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Arterial pulse wave propagation velocity in healthy dogs by pulse wave Doppler ultrasound

The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) values in healthy dogs using pulse wave Doppler ultrasound. A secondary aim was to determine the feasibility of this method and to report the intra- and interobserver reproducibilities of the PWV in conscious dogs. The data were studied in 30 healthy, adult, male (n?=?15) and female (n?=?15) dogs. The time interval marked between the R wave peak of the electrocardiogram and the intersection of the blood flow wave upstroke of the Doppler spectrum with the baseline of zero frequency was determined for the carotid (T₁) and for the femoral (T₂) arteries. The distance covered by the pulse wave (L) was determined. The PWV was then calculated using the following formula: L/T₂ - T₁. The mean values of PWV calculated from the total sample (n?=?30) evaluated were 13.41?±?2.20 m/s. No significant statistical difference was observed for the PWV measurements between males (14.82?±?3.18 m/s) and females (12.64?±?2.45 m/s). The analysis revealed no intra nor interobserver differences. A reasonable reproducibility of the PWV measurements was showed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), and the coefficients of variation (CV). These data demonstrate that noninvasive vascular Doppler analysis is a feasible and reproducible method to determine the carotid-femoral PWV in dogs.