Microsatellite variability in natural populations of the blackspot seabream Pagellus bogaraveo (Brünnick, 1768): a database to access parentage assignment in aquaculture

Eight microsatellite loci previously reported were assessed for their utility in parentage assignment in 96 individuals belonging to natural populations of the blackspot seabream Pagellus bogaraveo (Brünnick, 1768) from the Mediterranean and Northeast Atlantic regions. At the mtDNA level, no differentiation was found between these two regions but based on microsatellite data an overall discrete genetic differentiation is perceivable between the two regions separated by the Strait of Gibraltar. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 8 to 30. A database constructed with allele frequency data from six populations was used in a simulation parentage assignment test using the software cervus . The test showed that the number of markers used is enough to perform parentage assignments with real data. The polymorphic information content for each locus was very high (mean value of 0.849), with a total exclusionary power of 0.9995. In summary, seven of the eight microsatellites analysed proved to be sufficient and powerful tools for parentage assignment in hatcheries and the allele frequency data given here can be used to perform pedigree analysis against which real data may be tested.     

Phenylphenalenone type compounds from the leaf fibers of abaca (Musa textilis)

A series of phenylphenalenone type compounds, known to play a role as phytoalexins in plants of the Musaceae family, have been identified for the first time in the leaf fibers of abaca (Musa textilis). Among the phenylphenalenone type compounds identified, the structure of a novel compound, (1R)-2,3-dihydro-4,9-dihydroxy-8-methoxy-1-phenylphenalene, has also been described in abaca fibers. Its structure was elucidated by analysis of one- and two-dimensional NMR (correlation spectroscopy, heteronuclear single quantum correlation, and heteronuclear multiple bond correlation) spectroscopic data.     

Soil microbial community response to land-management and depth,related to the degradation of organic matter in English wetlands: Implications for the in situ preservation of archaeological remains

Wetlands are important habitats not only for their unique ecological value but also because they contain organic material that is fundamental to our understanding of precedent landscape and human past. This study compares the effects of two different land-management regimes on metabolic diversity and bacterial community structure with depth in order to relate them to the process of organic matter degradation and the potential for preservation in situ of organic archaeological artefacts in wetland soils. Soil cores were collected at five depths down to 100 cm from two wetlands sites in England. Environmental variables were monitored and the metabolic capabilities of the microbial community were studied using Biolog Ecoplates^®. DNA was extracted from soil, and the bacterial community structure was examined by polymerase chain reaction followed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE). To determine compositional changes in the bacterial community with depth, information about specific groups of bacteria at the site with higher water table (Hatfield Moor) was obtained by cloning and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. Biolog and DGGE analyses showed depth variation and between-site variation. Carbon substrate utilization and bacterial diversity decreased with increasing depth. The wetland soil under an arable regime in which the water levels were kept elevated, showed higher metabolic capability and bacterial richness when compared with the soil under pasture and subjected to long-standing drainage. Cloning and sequencing showed that Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria were the predominant taxa within the soil profile, but there was a clear shift in bacterial community composition with increasing depth as several taxonomic groups (δ-Proteobacteria and Spirochaetes) were only detectable at 50 cm depth. Because the site with a high and stable water table presented higher metabolic activity and bacterial diversity, it may be that saturated conditions and a high water table are not sufficient to guarantee the preservation in situ of organic material such as archaeological artefacts.     

RAPD genetic diversity of Albanian olive germplasm and its relationships with other Mediterranean countries

RAPD markers were used for the study of 19Albanian olive cultivars and two wild olives (oleasters). A total of 76polymorphic bands (4.8 polymorphic markers per primer) out of 107 reproducible were obtained using 16 primers. The number of bands per primer ranged from 4 to 10,whereas the number of polymorphic bands ranged from 1 to 9, corresponding to 71%of the total amplification products. All the accessions could be identified by the combination of four primers: OPA-19;OPA-02; OPK-16 and OPP-19. The dendrogram,based on Jaccard's index, included three major groups according to their origin: 1)most of the cultivars from the area of Berat (South of Albania) 2) cultivars from the Centre and Centre-North of Albania and3) cultivars from the Centre and North-West of Albania along with the oleaster from Elbasan. In order to evaluate the origin of Albanian cultivars they were compared to those diffused in other countries like Greece, Italy and Turkey, due to geographical and historical affinity among these countries, by using a one way AMOVA. Although most of the genetic diversity was attributable to differences among cultivars within each country (91.47%) significantφ-values among countries(φ_st = 0.085; p < 0.001)suggested the existence of RAPD phenotypic differentiation. Significant φ-values in all pairs formed by Albania with the other countries were observed. These results are consistent with the autochthonous origin of Albanian cultivars. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Avascular necrosis of the femoral heads in a red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens): possible Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.

A 17-mo-old captive-born female red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) presented with a sudden onset of lameness in its left hind leg was diagnosed radiographically as having possible severe, bilateral Legg-Calve-Perthes disease with fracture of the great trochanter of the left femur. Surgical repair of the fracture was performed using pins and a tension band wire through a lateral approach to the hip. This is the first case reported at Madrid Zoo-Aquarium, where 63 individuals have been bred over 15 yr.     

Risk factors and clinical presentation of cats with feline idiopathic cystitis

Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) is the most common cause of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). This retrospective, case-controlled study evaluated possible risk factors associated with FIC and compared different clinical presentations in 64 cats with FIC. Several risk factors known to be involved in FLUTD were identified as playing a role in FIC. Of the stressful situations considered, most did not occur with increased frequency in cats with FIC compared to controls, except for a house move. The presence of pyuria, haematuria and an increased urine protein:creatinine ratio were significantly higher in obstructed males compared with non-obstructed males. An obstruction was significantly more likely in cats with struvite crystalluria compared with cats without struvite crystalluria. These findings suggest that urethral plugs might be an important cause or contributing factor of obstruction in FIC. Episodes of FIC seem to occur mainly in susceptible cats in combination with a deficient environment.     

Lettuce response to organic and phosphate fertilizers and root mycorrhization

The response of lettuce to production system, organic and phosphate fertilizers and root mycorrhization, was evaluated in two pot trials with factorial treatment combination of: (i) soil type (from organic and from conventional production systems) and organic fertilizer (0, 2 and 4 t ha^?1) in the first trial; and (ii) mycorrhizal inoculation (mycorrhized and non-mycorrhized plants) and Gafsa phosphate (0, 100 and 200 kg P₂O₅ ha^?1) in the second. Lettuce growth decreased with increasing rates of the organic fertilizer because of its very high electrical conductivity (50.1 dS m^?1) and lack of maturation. However, the fertilizer harmful effects were minimized in the soil from organic production. The application of Gafsa phosphate significantly increased lettuce yield and nutrient uptake. However, for the highest rate of phosphate, mycorrhized lettuce yield decreased compared to non-mycorrhized lettuce, suggesting that high soil available P may have harmful effects on the activity of mycorrhizal fungi.     

Structural ripening-related changes of the arabinan-rich pectic polysaccharides from olive pulp cell walls

In this study, the structural features and ripening-related changes that occur in the arabinan-rich pectic polysaccharides highly enmeshed in the cellulosic matrix of the olive pulp fruit were evaluated. These pectic polysaccharides, obtained from two consecutive harvests at green, cherry, and black ripening stages, account for 11-19% of the total pectic polysaccharides found in the olive pulp cell walls and were previously shown to occur as calcium chelating dimers. On the basis of the 13C NMR, (1H, 13C) gHSQC, 2D COSYPR, and (1H,13C) gHMBC carbon and proton resonances of the variously linked arabinosyl residues, we propose a tentative structure. This structure is particularly characterized by T-beta-Araf (1-->5)-linked to (1-->3,5)-Araf residues and by the occurrence of branched and linear blocks in the arabinan backbone. Methylation analysis showed that these pectic polysaccharides of black olives have more arabinan side chains, which were shorter (less (1-->5)-Araf), highly branched (more (1-->3,5)-Araf), and with shorter side chains (fewer (1-->3)-Araf) than those of green and cherry olives. Quantitative 13C NMR data indicated that these modifications involved the disappearance of the characteristic terminally linked beta-Araf residue of the arabinans. This odd feature can be used as a diagnostic tool in the evaluation of the stage of ripening of this fruit, as well as a marker for the presence of olive pulp in matrices containing pectic polysaccharides samples.     

Chemical characterization of lignin and lipid fractions in kenaf bast fibers used for manufacturing high-quality papers

The chemical composition of lignin and lipids of bast fibers from kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) used for high-quality paper pulp production was studied. Pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) of fibers showed a lignin with a high syringyl/guaiacyl ratio (5.4) and minor amounts of p-hydroxyphenyl units. Simultaneously, sinapyl and coniferyl acetates were also identified, indicating that this lignin is partially acetylated. p-Hydroxycinnamic acids were found in only trace amounts. The main lipids identified by GC/MS of extracts from kenaf fibers were series of long-chain n-fatty acids, waxes, n-alkanes, and n-fatty alcohols. Free and esterified sterols and triterpenols, steroid hydrocarbons, and steroid and triterpenoid ketones, as well as steryl glycosides, were also found. Finally, the fate of the main constituents of kenaf fibers in alkaline pulping was also investigated.     

Inhibition of hemoglobin- and iron-promoted oxidation in fish microsomes by natural phenolics

Natural phenolic antioxidants have been tested in hake (Merluccious merluccious) microsomes as inhibitors of lipid oxidation promoted by fish muscle prooxidants: hemoglobin (Hb), enzymatic NADH-iron and nonenzymatic ascorbate-iron. The phenolics selected were as follows: (a) a grape phenolic extract (OW), (b) a fraction (IV) with isolated grape procyanidins with a medium-low degree of polymerization and galloylation percentage, (c) hydroxytyrosol obtained from olive oil byproducts, and (d) a synthetic phenolic antioxidant, propyl gallate. All compounds delayed lipid oxidation activated by Hb, enzymatic NADH-iron, and nonenzymatic ascorbate-iron, excluding hydroxytyrosol that was not an effective antioxidant on oxidation promoted by nonenzymatic iron. The relative antioxidant efficiency was independent of the prooxidant system, IV > propyl gallate > OW > hydroxytyrosol, and showed a positive correlation with their incorporation into microsomes (p < 0.05). The reducing capacity or ability for donating electrons and the chelating properties may also contribute to the antioxidant activity of phenolics, although these factors were less decisive than their affinity for incorporating into the microsomes. Conversely, the inhibition of Hb oxidation by phenolics and their polarity did not seem to play an important role on antioxidant mechanism. These results stressed the importance of incorporating the exogenous antioxidants into the membranes where are located key substances for fish lipid oxidation (highly unsaturated phospholipids, iron-reducing enzymes, and endogenous alpha-tocopherol).