Bioactive compounds in cod (Gadus morhua) products and suitability of 1H NMR metabolite profiling for classification of the products using multivariate data analyses

This work investigates the suitability of (1)H NMR spectroscopy to identify the fate of some bioactive compounds in seafood submitted to several processing conditions and examines the possibility of using (1)H NMR spectroscopy profiling to classify such products. Perchloric acid extracts of cod white muscle from newly killed and (i) unprocessed, (ii) boiled, and (iii) fried fillets and from (iv) frozen fillets, (v) the frozen fillets after thawing, and (vi) their drip loss and from (vii) rehydrated cod klippfish (n = 5) were analyzed by 500 MHz (1)H NMR spectroscopy. It was possible to identify taurine, betaine, anserine, creatine, and trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) in all extracts examined, and frozen fish was recognizable by the presence of dimethylamine (DMA). None of the heating procedures seemed to induce the loss of bioactive compounds from the fillet, but freezing and thawing did: the compounds were lost in what is known as drip loss. About 80% of the samples were correctly classified using a probabilistic neural network procedure having as inputs the scores of the first 20 principal components of the principal component analysis of a selected region of the NMR spectra.     

Expression of drug efflux transporters in poultry tissues

Multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2) are two prominent members of the super-family of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters that carry a wide range of substrates across biological membranes, using ATP as energy source. The level of expression of these efflux transporters in different tissues has hitherto been studied mainly in mammals, and only P-glycoprotein (P-gp), the product of the MDR1 gene, has been described in chickens as of yet. The aim of this study was to describe the levels of expression of MDR1 and MRP2 mRNAs in different tissues of chickens, as these transporters play an important role in the absorption, distribution and excretion of drugs and toxins.In the gastro-intestinal tract, the highest levels of MDR1 mRNA expression were found in the small intestines, followed by the colon, whereas lower levels were found in the crop, proventriculus and the caeca. High MDR1 expression was also measured in the excretory organs such as liver, kidney and lungs. In contrast to rodents and humans, relatively low levels were found in the adrenals and in the immature sex organs such as testicles and ovaries.MRP2 mRNA expression was high in the liver, kidneys, duodenum and the jejunum, but expression was low in the ileum as well as in the lungs. No MRP2 expression could be detected in the other organs tested. Comparing the findings in chickens with previously published data, in particular those from humans and rodents, an unexpected high degree of similarity in the expression pattern of MDR1 and MRP2 mRNAs was apparent.     

Cultural landscapes of the future: using agent-based modeling to discuss and develop the use and management of the cultural landscape of South West Devon

Context

Hedgerows are typical landscape features of high environmental and cultural value that often have been sacrificed for agricultural intensification and scale enlargement.

Objectives

We studied the dynamics of hedgerow quality over time in a case study area renowned for its hedgerow landscapes: South West Devon (UK) answering the following research questions: (1) how does the imperative of scale enlargement affect hedgerow quality? and (2) to what extent can cultural landscape degradation be countered by targeted policies?

Methods

We applied an agent-based modeling approach, parameterized with a site specific survey, to explore and discuss outcomes of future landscape change with stakeholders and co-designed preferred scenarios of landscape change during a workshop.

Results

Outcomes suggested that in the case-study area, scale enlargement has a negative effect on hedgerow quality when agri-environment scheme subsidies (AES) are low. In contrast, if the level of AES enrollment is high, scale enlargement can have a positive effect on hedgerow quality, as large holders are more likely to enroll for AES. Stakeholders acknowledged the need for agricultural intensification, but at the same time valued biodiversity and environmental value of the landscape in South West Devon.

Conclusion

Current AES are able to retain a decent hedgerow quality. With lower AES, scale enlargement can have an invigorative effect on hedgerow quality as land managers of larger farms will be less likely to join AES As an addition to AES, harvesting wood fuel from coppiced hedgerows appears a promising way to incentivize rejuvenating hedgerow management without governmental subsidies.

     

Supercritical fluid extraction and high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of phloroglucinols in St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum L.)

A small-scale supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) method was developed for the selective extraction of phloroglucinols from St. John's wort (SJW) leaf/flower mixtures using supercritical carbon dioxide (CO(2)). The extraction efficiency was investigated as influenced by pressure, temperature, time, and modifier. The optimized condition of SFE was carried out at 3.80 x 10(4) kpa (5500 psi) and 50 degrees C. Samples were held in static extraction for 10 min, followed by a dynamic extraction for 90 min at the flow rate of 1 mL/min. A simple and sensitive HPLC method was developed for the analysis of hyperforin and adhyperforin, the major phloroglucinols, in the SFE extract of SJW.     

Significant decline of endangered Antipodes Island penguins: Is extreme weather an additional impact?

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Electronic monitoring in fisheries: Lessons from global experiences and future opportunities

Since the beginning of the 21st century, electronic monitoring (EM) has emerged as a cost‐efficient supplement to existing catch monitoring programmes in fisheries. An EM system consists of various activity sensors and cameras positioned on vessels to remotely record fishing activity and catches. The first objective of this review was to describe the state of play of EM in fisheries worldwide and to present the insights gained on this technology based on 100 EM trials and 12 fully implemented programmes. Despite its advantages, and its global use for monitoring, progresses in implementation in some important fishing regions are slow. Within this context, the second objective was to discuss more specifically the European experiences gained through 16 trials. Findings show that the three major benefits of EM were as follows: (a) cost‐efficiency, (b) the potential to provide more representative coverage of the fleet than any observer programme and (c) the enhanced registration of fishing activity and location. Electronic monitoring can incentivize better compliance and discard reduction, but the fishing managers and industry are often reluctant to its uptake. Improved understanding of the fisher's concerns, for example intrusion of privacy, liability and costs, and better exploration of EM benefits, for example increased traceability, sustainability claims and market access, may enhance implementation on a larger scale. In conclusion, EM as a monitoring tool embodies various solid strengths that are not diminished by its weaknesses. Electronic monitoring has the opportunity to be a powerful tool in the future monitoring of fisheries, particularly when integrated within existing monitoring programmes.     

Transport of Radiopaque Fluid into the Uterus After Vaginal Deposition in the Oestrous Bitch

A limited number of studies have been published concerning intrauterine infusions in the bitch, presumably because it is difficult to pass a catheter into the canine cervix. Cobb (1959) designed an apparatus for hysterosalpingography with which he reported fairly easy catheterization of the cervical canal in the anaesthetized bitch. Recent advances made in the field of deepfreezing of dog semen have emphasized the need for a simple method for intrauterine infusion in the unanaesthetized bitch. The first successful insemination with frozen dog semen was reported in 1969 by Seager. The semen was frozen in pellets and deposited vaginally. Over a six-year period 61 (39.1 %) out of 156 bitches inseminated with this method became pregnant (Seager et al. 1975). Andersen (1972), however, when inseminating dog semen frozen in French straws, reported no success after vaginal deposition of the thawed semen. Based on experience with insemination in Blue foxes Andersen (1975) developed a special catheter which he could introduce through the cervix to deposit the semen into the corpus uteri without anaesthetizing the bitches. With this method 19 (73.1 %) out of 26 bitches became pregnant (Andersen 1977, personal communication). This method of passing the catheter through the cervix requires training and the method is impractical in nervous or obese bitches in which palpation of the abdomen is difficult or impossible. In order to fully use the advantages offered to the dog breeders by deep-freezing of dog semen, it is necessary to develop a simple method of inseminating the bitch that can be employed by practising veterinarians without previous special training. The present investigation was undertaken as an introduction to further studies of the problems related to the use of frozen dog semen.     

Effect of fenpropimorph and imazalil on sterol biosynthesis in penicillium italicum

Fenpropimorph was found to be highly active against Penicillium italicum (EC₅₀ 0.01/μg ml^?1). Conidia of P. italicum, treated with low concentrations of fenpropimorph, swelled in size and showed distorted germ tubes. During the initial stages of mycelial growth, fenpropimorph had little or no effect on the dry weight increase, which became strongly inhibited within 24 h after addition of the toxicant (0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 μg ml^?1). Irregular deposition of β–1,3 and β–1, 4 polysaccharides, probably chitin, was observed after treatment with fenpropimorph or imazalil. Fenpropimorph (0.05 and 0.2 μ ml^?1) caused the accumulation of a major demethyl-sterol that was different from ergosterol. It was identified as ergosta-8, 14, 24(28)-trien-3β-ol by mass, infrared, ultraviolet and proton nuclear magnetic resonance, spectrometric procedures. At both concentrations, the accumulation was already detected after incubation for 2 h. In contrast, imazalil (0.1 μg ml^?1) caused the accumulation of several methyl- and dimethyl-sterols which were tentatively identified as eburicol (24-methylene-24, 25-dihydrolanosterol), 4, 14α-dimethylergosta-8, 24(28)-dien-3-one, 14α-methylergosta-8, 24(28)-dien-3-one and obtusifoliol (4, 14α-dimethylergosta-8, 24(28)-dien-3α-ol). The accumulation of ergosta-8, 14,24(28)-trien-3β-ol indicates inhibition of the Δ¹⁴-reductase in P. italicum in a similar manner to that found previously in Ustilago maydis.