应用于鱼道设计的新疆木扎提河斑重唇鱼的游泳能力测试

为了探究斑重唇鱼的游泳能力,给过鱼设施设计和鱼类游泳行为学研究提供基础参数,本研究以木扎提河野生斑重唇鱼(全长TL=12～16 cm)为研究对象,测定了其在(16.6±1.6)℃水温下的感应流速、临界游泳速度、爆发游泳速度及持续与耐久游泳能力。结果显示,斑重唇鱼感应流速为(0.18±0.02)m/s,相对感应流速为(1.40±0.23) BL/s (BL为体长);临界游泳速度为(1.02±0.15) m/s,相对临界游泳速度为(8.58±1.65) BL/s;爆发游泳速度为(1.39±0.17) m/s,相对爆发游泳速度为(10.92±1.86) BL/s;最大持续游泳速度为0.87 m/s,最大耐久游泳速度为1.37 m/s,与平均爆发游泳速度相近。其持续游泳时间与流速呈负相关(l g T=?5:136X+8:504)。当以斑重唇鱼为主要过鱼对象时,建议为吸引鱼类进入鱼道,进口流速设计为1.02～1.39 m/s,休息池主流设计为0.20～1.02 m/s,鱼道竖缝处流速宜低于0.85 m/s。鱼道长度为1 000 m时,鱼道内平均水流速度应低于0.78m/s。本研究结果可为新疆木扎...     

母羊妊娠期添加多不饱和脂肪酸对新生行为的改变

研究目的确定妊娠母羊日粮中添加长链脂肪酸（n-3）鱼油,以及维生素E是否会改变羊的初生行为。将Twin-（n=36）和triplet-（n=12）的妊娠103d的母羊分成4组．4种日粮处理．包括2种脂肪资源[Megalac,棕桐油提取物或鱼油混合物,20：5（n-3）和22：6（n-3）],2种维生素E浓度（50或500mg／kg）进行2×2设计。饲喂鱼油妊娠期延长2d,初生羊血浆中22：6（n-3）的比例增加5．1-fold．大脑中的比例增加10％,而大脑中的20：5（n-3）的比例增加5％。母羊饲喂鱼油而不是Megalac时,日粮高浓度的维生素E缩短羔羊站立的潜在期．而添加鱼油同样缩短出生至哺乳之间的时间43至34min。添加鱼油可降低初乳分泌率（ml／h）和脂肪及蛋白质的产量（g／h）。我们得出以下结论：母羊日粮添加鱼油可缩短出生至哺乳的时间,延长妊娠期,并且初生大脑中22：6（n-3）：20：4（n-6）的比率增加,同时能提高羔羊存活率。但是如何减少鱼油给初乳产量带来的负面影响有待进一步的研究。     

Screening for New Cosmeceuticals from Brown Algae Fucus vesiculosus with Antioxidant and Photo-Protecting Properties

Phlorotannins play a role in biological functions to protect the cells against UV and oxidative damage in brown algae. We hypothesized that these compounds can function as photo-protectors and antioxidants in skin care formulations. Two types of extracts (water (FV-WE) and 67% v/v ethanol (FV-EE)) from Fucus vesiculosus were obtained with a phlorotannin content between 7−14% in dry extract. Exposure to sun light during growth was included as a factor on the phlorotannin content but did not influence the phlorotannin content. However, green colored F. vesiculosus had lower total phenolic content (TPC) (FV-WE = 6.9 g GAE 100 g⁻¹ dw, FV-EE = 7.8 g GAE 100 g⁻¹ dw) compared to those with a yellow/brownish color (FV-WE = 10.4–13.7 g GAE 100 g⁻¹ dw, FV-EE = 11.2–14.0 g GAE 100 g⁻¹ dw). UVA and UVB photo protective capabilities of the extracts through different biological effective protection factors (BEPFs) were evaluated using in vitro methods; the Mansur method for sun protection factor (SPF) and calculation of effective solar absorption radiation (%ESAR) to determine SPF and UVA protection factor (UVA-PF) of the extract and in seaweed enriched lotion. The SPF was negligible, when evaluating FV-WE in lotion (10 and 20% w/w). Moreover, %ESAR of the FV-WE showed SPF and some UVA-PF, but not enough to give sufficient SPF in lotions (10% w/w). It was concluded that the concentration of UV protecting compounds in the extracts was too low to and that further fractionation and purification of phlorotannins is needed to increase the SPF.     

Stability of Saxitoxin in 50% Methanol Fecal Extracts and Raw Feces from Bowhead Whales (Balaena mysticetus)

In recent decades, harmful algal blooms (HABs) producing paralytic shellfish toxins (including saxitoxin, STX) have become increasingly frequent in the marine waters of Alaska, USA, subjecting Pacific Arctic and subarctic communities and wildlife to increased toxin exposure risks. Research on the risks of HAB toxin exposures to marine mammal health commonly relies on the sampling of marine mammal gastrointestinal (GI) contents to quantify HAB toxins, yet no studies have been published testing the stability of STX in marine mammal GI matrices. An understanding of STX stability in test matrices under storage and handling conditions is imperative to the integrity of toxin quantifications and conclusions drawn thereby. Here, STX stability is characterized in field-collected bowhead whale feces (stored raw in several treatments) and in fecal extracts (50% methanol, MeOH) over multiple time points. Toxin stability, as the percent of initial concentration (T0), was reported for each storage treatment and time point. STX was stable (mean 99% T0) in 50% MeOH extracts over the 8-week study period, and there was no significant difference in STX concentrations quantified in split fecal samples extracted in 80% ethanol (EtOH) and 50% MeOH. STX was also relatively stable in raw fecal material stored in the freezer (mean 94% T0) and the refrigerator (mean 93% T0) up to 8 weeks. STX degraded over time in the room-temperature dark, room-temperature light, and warm treatments to means of 48 ± 1.9, 38 ± 2.8, and 20 ± 0.7% T0, respectively, after 8 weeks (mean ± standard error; SE). Additional opportunistically analyzed samples frozen for ≤4.5 years also showed STX to be relatively stable (mean 97% T0). Mean percent of T0 was measured slightly above 100% in some extracts following some treatments, and (most notably) at some long-term frozen time points, likely due to evaporation from samples causing STX to concentrate, or variability between ELISA plates. Overall, these results suggest that long-term frozen storage of raw fecal samples and the analysis of extracts within 8 weeks of extraction in 50% MeOH is sufficient for obtaining accurate STX quantifications in marine mammal fecal material without concerns about significant degradation.     

Second round of an interlaboratory comparison of SARS-CoV2 molecular detection assays used by 45 veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the United States

The COVID-19 pandemic presents a continued public health challenge. Veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the United States use RT-rtPCR for animal testing, and many laboratories are certified for testing human samples; hence, ensuring that laboratories have sensitive and specific SARS-CoV2 testing methods is a critical component of the pandemic response. In 2020, the FDA Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN) led an interlaboratory comparison (ILC1) to help laboratories evaluate their existing RT-rtPCR methods for detecting SARS-CoV2. All participating laboratories were able to detect the viral RNA spiked in buffer and PrimeStore molecular transport medium (MTM). With ILC2, Vet-LIRN extended ILC1 by evaluating analytical sensitivity and specificity of the methods used by participating laboratories to detect 3 SARS-CoV2 variants (B.1; B.1.1.7 [Alpha]; B.1.351 [Beta]) at various copy levels. We analyzed 57 sets of results from 45 laboratories qualitatively and quantitatively according to the principles of ISO 16140-2:2016. More than 95% of analysts detected the SARS-CoV2 RNA in MTM at ≥500 copies for all 3 variants. In addition, for nucleocapsid markers N1 and N2, 81% and 92% of the analysts detected ≤20 copies in the assays, respectively. The analytical specificity of the evaluated methods was >99%. Participating laboratories were able to assess their current method performance, identify possible limitations, and recognize method strengths as part of a continuous learning environment to support the critical need for the reliable diagnosis of COVID-19 in potentially infected animals and humans.     

Continuous Production of Biogenic Magnetite Nanoparticles by the Marine Bacterium Magnetovibrio blakemorei Strain MV-1T with a Nitrous Oxide Injection Strategy

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) produce magnetosomes, which are membrane-embedded magnetic nanoparticles. Despite their technological applicability, the production of magnetite magnetosomes depends on the cultivation of MTB, which results in low yields. Thus, strategies for the large-scale cultivation of MTB need to be improved. Here, we describe a new approach for bioreactor cultivation of Magnetovibrio blakemorei strain MV-1^T. Firstly, a fed-batch with a supplementation of iron source and N₂O injection in 24-h pulses was established. After 120 h of cultivation, the production of magnetite reached 24.5 mg∙L⁻¹. The maximum productivity (16.8 mg∙L⁻¹∙day⁻¹) was reached between 48 and 72 h. However, the productivity and mean number of magnetosomes per cell decreased after 72 h. Therefore, continuous culture in the chemostat was established. In the continuous process, magnetite production and productivity were 27.1 mg∙L⁻¹ and 22.7 mg∙L⁻¹∙day⁻¹, respectively, at 120 h. This new approach prevented a decrease in magnetite production in comparison to the fed-batch strategy.     

May the Force (Field) Be with You: On the Importance of Conformational Searches in the Prediction of NMR Chemical Shifts

NMR data prediction is increasingly important in structure elucidation. The impact of force field selection was assessed, along with geometry and energy cutoffs. Based on the conclusions, we propose a new approach named mix-J-DP4, which provides a remarkable increase in the confidence level of complex stereochemical assignments—100% in our molecular test set—with a very modest increment in computational cost.     

Potentially Beneficial Effects on Healthy Aging by Supplementation of the EPA-Rich Microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum or Its Supernatant—A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial in Elderly Individuals

Dietary supplements that promote healthy aging are mostly warranted in an aging society. Because of age-related risks, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative agents such as microalgae are potential candidates for intervention. In a randomized controlled trial, we tested Phaeodactylum tricornutum (PT), a microalgae rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), carotenoids, vitamins, and β-glucans, cultured in bioreactors. In this pilot trial, 19 healthy elderly received supplements for two weeks based on either the whole PT (A), the β-1,3-glucan-rich PT supernatant (SupB), the combination thereof (A+SupB), or a Comparator product (Comp). The primary outcome variable plasma interleukin-6 was reduced after treatment with A+SupB compared to the Comp group (p = 0.04). The mobility parameters 5 s sit-to-stand test (p = 0.04 in the A group) and by trend gait speed (p = 0.08 in the A+SupB diet) were improved compared to Comp. No treatment effects were observed for fatty acids, compared to Comp but omega-6 to -3 fatty acid ratio (p = 0.006) and arachidonic acid/EPA ratio (p = 0.006) were reduced within group A+SupB. Further, the SupB study product reduced faecal zonulin (p = 0.03) compared to the Comp. The data revealed an anti-inflammatory and potentially anti-oxidative effect of particular PT preparations, suggesting that they might be suitable for effects in healthy elderly.