Olive oil by-product as a natural antioxidant in gilthead sea bream (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sparus aurata</Emphasis>) nutrition

The aim of the study reported here was to evaluate the efficiency of a natural antioxidant substance in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) feeds. An olive oil by-product, olive mill vegetation water (VW), contains polyphenols, which have a strong antioxidant activity. A 147-day growth trial was conducted (monofactorial balanced, 4 × 3) with diet as the experimental factor. Two diets [isonitrogenous (crude protein 40%) and isoenergetic (gross energy = 18MJ kg⁻¹ on a dry weight basis] were formulated with 1 and 5% of VW (VW1, VW5); the control diet did not contain VW. A total of 600 juvenile gilthead sea breams (mean body weight 114.1 ± 5.7 g) were utilised. Production parameters and somatic indexes were calculated at the end of the growth trial. Antioxidant activity in fish fillets was investigated using TBARS and DPPH assays. A number of haematological parameters and digestive enzyme patterns were measured in fish in the middle and at the end of the experiment. The TBARS values showed slight delays in the development of oxidation in the fillet of fish fed with VW. There was no statistical difference between fish fed with the experimental diet and the control group, except for maltase activity, which increased with increasing VW in the feed. We found that the use of VW in a gilthead sea bream diet did not have any detrimental effects on gilthead sea bream production and physiological parameters and slightly improved the conservation of the fish fillets.     

Variations in the Composition,Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Cystoseira compressa during Seasonal Growth

The underexplored biodiversity of seaweeds has recently drawn great attention from researchers to find the bioactive compounds that might contribute to the growth of the blue economy. In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of seasonal growth (from May to September) on the in vitro antioxidant (FRAP, DPPH, and ORAC) and antimicrobial effects (MIC and MBC) of Cystoseira compressa collected in the Central Adriatic Sea. Algal compounds were analyzed by UPLC-PDA-ESI-QTOF, and TPC and TTC were determined. Fatty acids, among which oleic acid, palmitoleic acid, and palmitic acid were the dominant compounds in samples. The highest TPC, TTC and FRAP were obtained for June extract, 83.4 ± 4.0 mg GAE/g, 8.8 ± 0.8 mg CE/g and 2.7 ± 0.1 mM TE, respectively. The highest ORAC value of 72.1 ± 1.2 µM TE was obtained for the August samples, and all samples showed extremely high free radical scavenging activity and DPPH inhibition (>80%). The MIC and MBC results showed the best antibacterial activity for the June, July and August samples, when sea temperature was the highest, against Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella enteritidis. The results show C. compressa as a potential species for the industrial production of nutraceuticals or functional food ingredients.     

Use of the microalga Nannochloropsis occulata in the rearing of newborn longsnout seahorse Hippocampus reidi (Syngnathidae) juveniles

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of microalgae on the rearing of newborn juveniles of the longsnout seahorse, Hippocampus reidi. Two treatments in three replicates were tested over a 15‐day period: with and without the addition of the microalgae Nannochloropsis oculata at a concentration of 2.02 ± 0.44 × 10⁶ cells mL^?1. At each replicate, beginning on the second day of life, 120 H. reidi juveniles (stocking density of 3 ind L^?1) were fed the offspring of the benthic copepod Tisbe biminiensis (100 copepod cm^?2) together with newly hatched Artemia nauplii (3.8 mL^?1). From the sixth day of life, enriched Artemia metanauplii replaced newly hatched Artemia nauplii. After 15 days, the H. reidi individuals were counted, measured and weighed. Mean survival was significantly greater in the microalgae treatment (76.42 ± 5.07%) than in the treatment with no microalgae (25.44 ± 6.91%). Moreover, total length, height and dry weight were significantly larger in the microalgae treatment. Thus, the addition of microalgae increases the growth and survival of H. reidi juveniles fed T. biminiensis and Artemia. The higher growth and survival of H. reidi juveniles was not related to the larger ingestion rates but probably to the nutritional improvement of the live feeds or to the probiotic effect. The protocol developed for rearing H. reidi juveniles resulted in a high survival, and represents an advance in the farming of this species.     

Marine Demospongiae: A Challenging Treasure of Bioactive Compounds

In the last decades, it has been demonstrated that marine organisms are a substantial source of bioactive compounds with possible biotechnological applications. Marine sponges, in particular those belonging to the class of Demospongiae, have been considered among the most interesting invertebrates for their biotechnological potential. In this review, particular attention is devoted to natural compounds/extracts isolated from Demospongiae and their associated microorganisms with important biological activities for pharmacological applications such as antiviral, anticancer, antifouling, antimicrobial, antiplasmodial, antifungal and antioxidant. The data here presented show that this class of sponges is an exciting source of compounds, which are worth developing into new drugs, such as avarol, a hydroquinone isolated from the marine sponge Disidea avara, which is used as an antitumor, antimicrobial and antiviral drug.     

Detection and quantitation of genetically modified maize (Bt-176 transgenic maize) by applying ligation detection reaction and universal array technology

We have applied the ligation detection reaction (LDR) combined with a universal array approach to the detection and quantitation of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified cry1A(b) gene from Bt-176 transgenic maize. We demonstrated excellent specificity and high sensitivity. Down to 0.5 fmol (nearly 60 pg) of PCR amplified transgenic material was unequivocally detected with excellent linearity within the 0.1-2.0% range with respect to wild-type maize. We suggest the feasibility of extending the LDR/universal array format to detect in parallel several transgenic sequences that are being developed for food applications.     

Frequency of soy food consumption and serum isoflavone concentrations among Chinese women in Shanghai

OBJECTIVE: The food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) can be an efficient tool to evaluate dietary intake in large, population-based studies, especially for specific foods. The objective of this study was to validate the assessment of soy and isoflavone (daidzein and genistein) intakes, measured by an FFQ, by comparing intakes with serum isoflavone concentrations. DESIGN AND SETTING: Soy and isoflavone intakes and serum isoflavone concentrations were determined as part of a case-control study of dietary factors and risks of benign breast disease and breast cancer. The FFQ, administered during an in-person interview, included six soy-specific line items. Blood was drawn within one week of FFQ completion. SUBJECTS: In total, 1823 women living in Shanghai, People's Republic of China. RESULTS: In this population, soybean milk, fresh bean curd and other bean foods were eaten once per week, and fermented bean curd, fried bean curd puff and soybeans were eaten less than once per week. A significant linear trend (P<0.01) in serum isoflavone concentrations across increasing categories of soy and isoflavone intakes was observed, indicating that soy and isoflavone intakes, measured by the FFQ, well distinguished serum isoflavone concentrations. Linear trends were also observed in both case and control groups in stratified analyses, suggesting little differential bias by case-control status. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the FFQ provides a useful marker of soy food consumption and isoflavone exposure in this population.     

Developing a landscape‐scale,multi‐species,and cost‐efficient conservation strategy for imperilled aquatic species in the Upper Tennessee River Basin,USA

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Brazilian sardinella (Sardinella brasiliensis) conservation by immersion in seawater added with sea salt and refrigerated on‐board

On‐board Brazilian sardinella (Sardinella brasiliensis) conservation system based on cooling in ice, but in recent years, fishing boats have been applying immersion in chilled brine as a storage system on‐board. This study evaluated this system concerning physicochemical quality (total volatile bases, pH, histamine, moisture) of the fish and cation concentrations. Offshore (on‐board) data were collected (total storage time, over time temperature, fish mass captured by bid, load capacity in use and available) to assess the efficiency and viability. The results showed that this system is useful in maintaining the physicochemical quality of the fish since the samples met the quality standards required by law. Data showed high levels of sodium in fish muscle, which are strongly influenced by the immersion time, suggesting the need for standardization of the method considering the risks associated with consumption of foods with high levels of sodium.     

Physiological Concentrations of Acute-Phase Proteins and Immunoglobulins in Equine Synovial Fluid

Synovial fluid (SF) is capable of reflecting infectious, immunological, or inflammatory joint conditions in horses by altering its composition and appearance. Although plasma and SF compositions are quantitatively different, this latter compartment reflects changes in plasma macromolecules. Therefore, changes in serum immunoglobulin protein concentrations tend also to alter intracapsular levels. Therefore, it is necessary to know the physiological concentrations of proteins present in SF. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of total protein, albumin, transferrin, haptoglobin, α1-acid glycoprotein, ceruloplasmin, and immunoglobulins A and G in SF of six healthy horses. The synovial proteinogram was obtained by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The SF proteins reached a maximum of 25% of serum concentrations, varying inversely with molecular weight of the protein, except for the ceruloplasmin.     

RESEARCH PAPER: Comparison between two methods for cardiac output measurement in propofol‐anesthetized dogs: thermodilution and Doppler

ObjectiveTo compare cardiac output (CO) measured by Doppler echocardiography and thermodilution techniques in spontaneously breathing dogs during continuous infusion of propofol. To do so, CO was obtained using the thermodilution method (CO_TD) and Doppler evaluation of pulmonary flow (CO_DP) and aortic flow (CO_DA).Study designProspective cohort study.AnimalsEight adult dogs weighing 8.3 ± 2.0 kg.MethodsPropofol was used for induction (7.5 ± 1.9 mg kg^?1 IV) followed by a continuous rate infusion at 0.7 mg kg^?1 minute^?1. The animals were positioned in left lateral recumbency on an echocardiography table that allowed for positioning of the transducer at the 3rd and 5th intercostal spaces of the left hemithorax for Doppler evaluation of pulmonary and aortic valves, respectively. CO_DP and CO_DA were calculated from pulmonary and aortic velocity spectra, respectively. A pulmonary artery catheter was inserted via the jugular vein and positioned inside the lumen of the pulmonary artery in order to evaluate CO_TD. The first measurement of CO_TD, CO_DP and CO_DA was performed 30 minutes after beginning continuous infusion (T0) and then at 15‐minute intervals (T15, T30, T45 and T60). Numeric data were submitted to two‐way anova for repeated measurements, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Bland &; Altman analysis. Data are presented as mean ± SD.ResultsAt T0, CO_TD was lower than CO_DA. CO_DA was higher than CO_TD and CO_DP at T30, T45 and T60. The difference between the CO_TD and CO_DP, when all data were included, was ?0.04 ± 0.22 L minute^?1 and Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) was 0.86. The difference between the CO_TD and CO_DA was ?0.87 ± 0.54 L minute^?1 and r = 0.69. For CO_TD and CO_DP, the difference was ?0.82 ± 0.59 L minute^?1 and r = 0.61.ConclusionDoppler evaluation of pulmonary flow was a clinically acceptable method for assessing the CO in propofol‐anesthetized dogs.