Isolation and Assessment of the in Vitro Anti-Tumor Activity of Smenothiazole A and B,Chlorinated Thiazole-Containing Peptide/Polyketides from the Caribbean Sponge,Smenospongia aurea

The study of the secondary metabolites contained in the organic extract of Caribbean sponge Smenospongia aurea led to the isolation of smenothiazole A (3) and B (4), hybrid peptide/polyketide compounds. Assays performed using four solid tumor cell lines showed that smenothiazoles exert a potent cytotoxic activity at nanomolar levels, with selectivity over ovarian cancer cells and a pro-apoptotic mechanism.     

Effects of dietary soy isoflavones on estrogenic activity,cortisol level,health and growth in rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss

Soy isoflavones (the phytoestrogens genistein, daidzein and glycitein) may act as estrogen receptor agonists or antagonists. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of dietary isoflavones on growth, reproduction and health in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Rainbow trout fed three experimental diets containing different concentrations of isoflavones (0, 500 and 1,500 ppm). Growth, estrogenic activity, plasma estradiol levels, gonadal development, state of stress and histological changes in selected tissues were evaluated at the end of 70 days. Neither growth performance nor the relative mRNA levels of Insulin Growth Factor I (igf‐I) in the liver were influenced by different levels of dietary isoflavones. Plasma and liver vitellogenin (VTG) protein levels and plasma 17‐β‐estradiol (E₂) were unaffected by treatments, although the correlation between plasma levels of E₂ and VTG densitometry values was significant (p < .05). The fish gonadosomatic index (GSI) did not significantly differ among the three experimental groups but correlated with plasma VTG densitometry values (p < .05). Plasma, muscle and fin cortisol concentrations fell within the normal welfare range and were not correlated with isoflavone levels. Histologically, the distal intestine showed a normal morphology with well‐differentiated enterocytes and in the liver hepatocytes were also normal. A supranuclear accumulation of lipid droplets in enterocytes and some lipid droplets in hepatocytes were observed in all tested groups, suggesting an impact of basal dietary lipid on transport/metabolism of fat in the fish. Overall, the present results suggest that the doses of isoflavones tested do not compromise rainbow trout reproduction, growth and health.     

The role of historical dolphin takes and habitat degradation in shaping the present status of northern Adriatic cetaceans

• 1. Nine cetacean species have been reliably reported to occur in the shallow northern Adriatic Sea since the 17th century. However, only two species were considered regular there until the 1970s: the short‐beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).
• 2. Short‐beaked common dolphins have progressively disappeared from the northern Adriatic and are now rare in the region. The systematic culling campaigns and other takes that occurred between the second half of the 18th century and the 1960s, and habitat degradation in subsequent years are the most likely causes of their decline.
• 3. Today, common bottlenose dolphins are the only regular component of the northern Adriatic cetacean fauna; however, they now occur at low densities, and their fragmented groups are facing significant anthropogenic threats.
• 4. The future of northern Adriatic dolphins will depend on precautionary action to prevent further decline and on intensified research effort aimed at identifying the most effective mitigation strategies.

Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vulnerabilities and fisheries impacts: the uncertain future of manta and devil rays

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Perception of a cetacean mass stranding in Italy: the emergence of compassion

• 1 The view that whales are malicious monsters has been pervasive throughout history. Conversely, the idea that these animals experience suffering has emerged only recently. One way of investigating perceptual, as well as behavioural, shifts is assessing general public reactions to mortality events involving wild, rare and charismatic animals.
• 2 Here, the responses of 118 individuals to questions regarding the mass stranding of seven sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) along the Adriatic Sea coast of Italy in December 2009 are reported through interviews taken at the stranding site and in the direct proximity of the dead animals.
• 3 When asked why the whales were stranded, 44.1% of the respondents suggested anthropogenic causes and 21.2% non‐anthropogenic. The remaining 34.7% mentioned a generic ‘disorientation’ or stated they did not know. When asked how they felt about the whales, 68.6% expressed feelings of compassion or care towards the animals. Clearly non‐compassionate attitudes accounted for only 4.1% of the sample. Finally, 21.2% expressed feelings that were ambiguous in terms of being suggestive of compassionate or non‐compassionate attitudes, including 11.9% amazement, 4.2% deprecation and 5.1% powerlessness.
• 4 These results are in stark contrast with information obtained from accounts of similar events that have occurred in historical times, up until the first half of the 20th century. For centuries, responses to cetacean live strandings—typically including killing and harming of the animals—were either utilitarian or characterized by feelings including fear and a desire to ‘subjugate the beast’, with no apparent concern for their suffering and death.
• 5 It is concluded that attitudes towards whales—today strikingly revolving around sadness, compassion and a sense of loss—have changed dramatically over time, with a steep turnaround in the 1970/1980s. Full appreciation of the ongoing evolution in public perception can channel marine conservation efforts and assist in the design of response strategies to marine mammal strandings. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

     

Interleukin-10 expression by real-time PCR and homology modelling analysis in the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus Labrax L.)

In this paper we investigate the interleukin-10 (IL-10) expression and 3D modelling of the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.). IL-10 is a regulatory cytokine that has been intensively studied in mammals and has been found mainly involved in the suppression or deactivation of activated immune responses. The full-length sea bass IL-10 cDNA consists of 1015 bp and is translated in a predicted molecule of 187 amino acids. A multiple alignment of this peptide with other known sequences showed the conservation of fundamental IL-10 family characteristics. Expression analysis by real-time PCR in control fish showed a high basal expression in the head kidney (HK), followed by gut and brain. In vitro treatment of HK leucocytes with LPS showed an intense increase of IL-10 expression at 4 h and a significant decrease at 24 h, with PHA-L no differences were evidenced. A 3D model for sea bass IL-10 was obtained by accurate homology procedures and putative interaction residues with the IL-10 receptor described. The results suggested that sea bass IL-10 could be involved in anti-inflammatory responses, but further experiments are needed to assess its importance in response to pathogenic agents, vaccinations and immunostimulants.     

Controlled reproduction in the wild European eel (Anguilla anguilla): two populations compared

This study aimed to describe the response variability of female silver eels in terms of gonad development and eggs production to a standardized gonadotropic treatment (Carp pituitary extracts—CPE), and to relate this variability to population characteristics. For this purpose, sexual maturation, ovulation, and fertilization were induced in two eel populations coming from different locations in Adriatic Sea (Comacchio—CM and Marano-Grado—MG lagoons), and after that, their reproductive capacity was valuated. External (Silver index—SI, Eye index—EI, Pectoral fin length index—PFLI, Condition factor—K) and hormonal (17β-estradiol—E2, testosterone—T) parameters were measured, and some subject/group were killed for histological and lipid analysis and age determination. Morphometric parameters showed the CM-Group to have highest values of Body weight (BW), Body length (BL), and K, while MG-Group presented highest PFLI and Gonadosomatic index (GSI) values. Regarding hormonal analysis, the CM-Group showed significantly higher T and E2 levels than the MG-Group, both groups showed considerably rapid increase at T5 (5th injection). A positive trend in gonadal development was found through histological evaluation; a more regular maturation was observed in the MG-Group, whereas the CM-Group presented an exponential oocytes development starting from T10 (10th week), which led to an anticipated spawning. Lipid content showed significant differences in T0 (start study), post-ovulation, and Control (30th week) between CM and MG eels. As to zootechnical performances, while MG eels released spontaneously into the water, the CMs were stripped in order to check ovulation. The MG eels were statistically the most productive with 40.1 ± 6.33 % BW of eggs released. Furthermore, CM females ovulated mainly between the 19th and 22nd week (77.8 % spawned eels) instead in the MG’s ovulation goes from the 24th to the 28th week (100 % spawned eels). As fertilization is of concern, in both groups fertilized eggs were obtained with no difference in larvae production. These results seem to indicate that bigger dimensions, higher K, and larger lipid content (Comacchio eels) could fasten gonadic maturation without positively influencing reproductive performance of animals, both in term of quantity and quality of produced eggs. Smaller females with a highest SI (Marano-Grado eels) presented a more regular gonadic development, leading the animals to spontaneous spawning.     

Assessing the potential of marine Natura 2000 sites to produce ecosystem‐wide effects in rocky reefs: A case study from Sardinia Island (Italy)

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Rapid determination of lignin content of straw using fourier transform mid-infrared spectroscopy

To determine lignin content in triticale and wheat straws, calibration models were built using Fourier transform mid-infrared spectroscopy combined with partial least-squares regression. The best model for triticale and wheat straws was built using averaged spectra with raw spectrum in spectrum format and constant in path length as spectral pretreatments. The values of r(2), root-mean-square error of prediction (RMSEP), and residual predictive deviation (RPD) for the triticale straw model were 0.935, 0.305, and 3.89, respectively. The r(2), RMSEP, and RPD values for the wheat straw model were 0.985, 0.163, and 8.50, respectively. Both models showed good predictive ability. A model built using both triticale and wheat straws indicated that the values of r(2), RMSEP, and RPD were 0.952, 0.27, and 4.63, respectively. This model also showed good predictive ability and could predict lignin contents in triticale and wheat straws with the same high accuracy.     

GIS-models work well, but are not enough: Habitat preferences of Lanius collurio at multiple levels and conservation implications

Species conservation largely depends on knowledge of habitat needs of target species. GIS-models are increasingly used to assess habitat preferences and distribution of target species, but their accuracy is constrained by availability of digital data layers. We developed a two-steps approach aiming at showing pros and cons of landscape (GIS)- and site-level habitat models, identifying key habitat factors for conservation of a threatened bird species, the red-backed shrike Lanius collurio. A spatially explicit GIS-model was generated using landscape variables, and a second model at site level was developed using fine-scale variables measured on the ground. The GIS-based model was then extrapolated to the entire region to obtain a map of distribution of suitable habitats. Positive associations between shrike occurrence and both hedgerow length and partial shrub cover were detected at both scales. Shrikes were also positively associated with grassland cover at landscape level and with partial cover of untilled herbaceous vegetation at the finer scale, and negatively affected by lucerne cover. The GIS-model led to an affordable map of predicted habitat suitability which should help conservationists to focus on different local priorities, but was unable to identify effects of untilled and lucerne cover. Site-level model gave fine details for habitat management, but its application elsewhere requires ground-measurements of factors. Combining the multiscale models could indicate more urgent actions at large scales (e.g. maintaining suitable habitats, or improving connectivity among isolated patches) and draw a detailed figure of the most suitable habitat for the species. Shrike occurrence was associated with a higher number of shrub and tree species: the indicator value of the species should ensure general benefits for biodiversity from dedicated management.