Changes in the nutritional parameters of muscles of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and the silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) following environmental exposure to cyanobacterial water bloom

The present study evaluated the effect of naturally developing cyanobacteria on the composition of muscles of two commercially important freshwater fish species. Fish were exposed to cyanobacterial biomass including Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis ichthyoblabe for 4 weeks. Then, they were transferred to dechlorinated potable water without any cyanobacteria for another 4-week period, thus modelling their preparation for consumers. Samples of muscles were collected every week during exposure and subsequent stay in dechlorinated potable water. The cyanobacterial water bloom of 3.9–6 × 10⁵ cells mL⁻¹ (133–383 μg g⁻¹ of total MC DW) induced statistically significant effects only in the content of fatty acids ( P <0.05; P <0.01) in the common carp ( Cyprinus carpio ), while all studied parameters including the content of dry matter and fat ( P <0.01), proteins ( P <0.05), fatty acid composition ( P <0.05; P <0.01) and some amino acids ( P <0.05) were affected in the silver carp ( Hypophthalmichthys molitrix ). This study has shown that cyanobacteria in the environment of commercially produced fish may decrease the dietetic value of fish muscles.     

Comparative Performance of Copper and Silver Coated Stretchable Fabrics

The present work described the development of multifunctional, electrically conductive and durable fabrics by coating of silver and copper particles using a dipping-drying method. The particles were directly grown on fabric structure to form electrically conductive fibers. Particles were found to fill the spaces between the microfibers, and were stacked together to form networks with high electrical conductivity. The electrically conductive fabrics showed low resistance with high stretch ability. The utility of conductive fabrics was analyzed for electromagnetic shielding ability over frequency range of 30 MHz to 1.5 GHz. The EMI shielding was found to increase with increase in concentration of copper and silver particles. Furthermore, the heating performance of the copper and silver coated fabric was studied through measuring the change in temperature at the surface of the fabric while applying a voltage difference across the fabric. The maximum temperature (119°C for silver and 112°C for copper) were obtained when the applied voltage was 10 V. Moreover, the role of deposited particles on antibacterial properties was examined against pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. At the end, the durability of coated fabrics was examined against several washing cycles. The fabrics showed good retention of the particles, proved by small loss in the conductivity of the material after washing.     

Mechanical,thermal and interfacial properties of green composites from basalt and hybrid woven fabrics

Composites based on pure Basalt and Basalt/Jute fabrics were fabricated. The mechanical properties of the composites such as flexural modulus, tensile modulus and impact strength were measured depending upon weave, fiber contents and resin. Dynamic mechanical analysis of all composites were done. From the results it is found that pure basalt fiber combination maintains higher values in all mechanical tests. Thermo-gravimetric (TG/DTG) composites showed that thermal degradation temperatures of composites shifted to higher temperature regions compared to pure jute fabrics. Addition of basalt fiber improved the thermal stability of the composite considerably. Scanning electron microscopic images of tensile fractured composite samples illustrated that better fiber-matrix interfacial interaction occurred in hybrid composites. The thermal conductivity of composites are also investigated and thermal model is used to check their correlation.     

Increased expression of GAPDH protein is not indicative of nitrosative stress or apoptosis in liver of starved rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Short-term starvation has been linked to in vivo protein degradation in liver of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). However, it is unclear whether this proposed increase in protein degradation is followed by programmed cell death (apoptosis) in liver of starved trout. A preliminary study in our laboratory revealed an isoform of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) protein that increased 4.5-fold in liver of starved trout. GAPDH is a glycolytic enzyme involved in other cellular functions, including apoptosis. Increased intracellular nitric oxide (NO) promotes nuclear translocation of GAPDH that is associated with increased apoptosis in mammals. If GAPDH protein is associated with apoptosis in rainbow trout, it could potentially be used as a biomarker of cellular stress in liver of teleost fish species. The purpose of this study was to determine whether increased GAPDH protein expression in liver of starved rainbow trout is associated with NO-induced apoptosis. Targeted proteomic analysis using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) was used to determine the level of GAPDH in nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in cell lysates. Dot blot and DNA fragmentation analyses were conducted to evaluate protein S-nitrosylation and apoptosis, respectively. Results showed that cytoplasmic GAPDH was 3.4-fold higher in liver of starved versus fed rainbow trout but could not be detected in nuclear fractions. Starvation significantly reduced hepato-somatic index but had no effect on iNOS protein expression, protein S-nitrosylation, or apoptosis. Our results indicate that starvation promoted significant reduction in liver mass that was not associated with increased apoptosis or NO-induced stress and that greater GAPDH concentration in liver of starved rainbow trout was located primarily in the cytoplasm.     

Targeted identification of genomic regions using TAGdb

Background

The introduction of second generation sequencing technology has enabled the cost effective sequencing of genomes and the identification of large numbers of genes and gene promoters. However, the assembly of DNA sequences to create a representation of the complete genome sequence remains costly, especially for the larger and more complex plant genomes.

Results

We have developed an online database, TAGdb, that enables researchers to identify paired read sequences that share identity with a submitted query sequence. These tags can be used to design oligonucleotide primers for the PCR amplification of the region in the target genome.

Conclusions

The ability to produce large numbers of paired read genome tags using second generation sequencing provides a cost effective method for the identification of genes and promoters in large, complex or orphan species without the need for whole genome assembly.     

Biochemical responses and oxidative stress in Francisella tularensis infection: a European brown hare model

Background

The aim of the present study was to investigate biochemical and oxidative stress responses to experimental F. tularensis infection in European brown hares, an important source of human tularemia infections.

Methods

For these purposes we compared the development of an array of biochemical parameters measured in blood plasma using standard procedures of dry chemistry as well as electrochemical devices following a subcutaneous infection with a wild Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica strain (a single dose of 2.6 × 10⁹ CFU pro toto).

Results

Subcutaneous inoculation of a single dose with 2.6 × 10⁹ colony forming units of a wild F. tularensis strain pro toto resulted in the death of two out of five hares. Plasma chemistry profiles were examined on days 2 to 35 post-infection. When compared to controls, the total protein, urea, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were increased, while albumin, glucose and amylase were decreased. Both uric and ascorbic acids and glutathione dropped on day 2 and then increased significantly on days 6 to 12 and 6 to 14 post-inoculation, respectively. There was a two-fold increase in lipid peroxidation on days 4 to 8 post-inoculation.

Conclusions

Contrary to all expectations, the present study demonstrates that the European brown hare shows relatively low susceptibility to tularemia. Therefore, the circumstances of tularemia in hares under natural conditions should be further studied.     

Dynamics of Atmospheric Aerosol Number Size Distributions in the Eastern Mediterranean During the ��SUB-AERO�� Project

Measurements of number size distributions of submicron aerosols have been performed at the Eastern part of Mediterranean as part of an extensive measurement campaign to study photo-oxidants and aerosols (SUB-AERO Project). The measurements were made at the Finokalia station on the island of Crete (Greece) and onboard the research vessel ??Aegaeon??. Two campaigns were performed during July 2000 and January 2001 using two scanning mobility particle sizers. The particle distributions measured in the range between 7.8 < d _p < 327 nm during the summer measurements and between 7.5 < d _p < 316 nm during the winter measurements, where d _p is the mobility particle diameter. The concentration of ultrafine particles (7.5 < d _p < 30 nm) was higher during the winter period and varied mainly between 5 × 10¹ and 2 × 10³?cm^?3 with concentration peak values for this mode exceeding 1 × 10⁴?cm^?3. During the summer campaign, an average number concentration of 1 × 10²?cm^?3 at Finokalia and about 5 × 10¹?cm^?3 aboard the ??Aegaeon?? vessel was measured. An average concentration of 1 × 10³?cm^?3 was measured for the particles in the size range between 30 and 100 nm, whereas in the size range 100?C300 nm, the measured concentration ranged between 1 × 10² and 5 × 10³?cm^?3. Diurnal patterns in number concentrations were observed in connection with the transport of air masses and local sources. During the winter period, three nucleation events were observed in connection with the appearance of a particle mode at 20 nm.     

Long-term effects of straw and farmyard manure on crop yields and soil properties

The effect of cereal straw with added mineral N fertilization on crop yields, N uptake, total organic C content and hot water soluble C content in topsoil and on the relationships between organic C content in topsoil and organic matter balance was evaluated in a long-term field experiment established in 1966. The effect of straw plus mineral N fertilization was similar to the effect of farmyard manure (FYM) in the dry matter yields and also in the N uptake by plants. The effect of straw and mineral N fertilization on the organic C accumulation in soil was inferior to the effect of farmyard manure. Relationships between organic matter balance and total organic C content in the topsoil was positive and statistically significant. A favourable effect of mineral NPK fertilization on the C sequestration to soil was related to the effect of FYM fertilization.     

Nitrogen fertilization does not affect micronutrient uptake in grain maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Due to continuous single nitrogen fertilization, we hypothesized a built-up deficiency of micronutrients in crops that would limit plant growth and crop quality. In 2-year field experiments using urea-N fertilized grain maize (Zea mays L.), hybrid KWS 2376 at 0, 120 and 240 kg N ha^?1 crop uptake of Zn, Mn, Cu and Fe was studied at DC 32, DC 61 and in the grain harvested. Micronutrient contents at DC 32 stage – 1st node (aboveground phytomass) and DC 61 – flowering (ear leaf) were all at levels indicative of adequate micronutrient supply to the crop. At both sampling occasions the Fe:Zn and Fe:Mn ratios were adequate implying that Fe did not inhibit the uptake of Zn and Mn. The application of nitrogen increased the Fe content at the 1st sampling in both years; in the second year the same was also the case for the Zn content. Nitrogen nutrition increased the contents of Mn and Fe at the 2nd sampling only in year 2; in the other treatments no changes were observed in the micronutrient contents. Micronutrient correlations in the grain were discovered between Zn and Mn contents and between Fe and Mn contents. In the second year the highest N-rate significantly increased the Fe and Zn content of the grain compared with the lower rates of nitrogen fertilization. Grain yields were not affected by the rate of nitrogen and ranged between 13.65 and 14.34 t ha^?1 (1st year) and between 13.68 and 14.18 t ha^?1 (2nd year). Nitrogen fertilization did not reduce the content of micronutrients in the plant or grain of maize. It is evident that the continuous single use of N fertilization so far has not resulted in a micronutrient deficiency of the plants limiting the nutrient density of the grain or reducing its quality.     

Botanical pesticides and their human health safety on the example of Citrus sinensis essential oil and Oulema melanopus under laboratory conditions

Biopesticides derived from plants have recently received increasing interest as an alternative to conventional chemicals suitable for integrated pest management and organic farming. In this study, Citrus sinensis (Osbeck) essential oil was tested for its potential for wheat protection against Oulema melanopus (L.). The chemical composition of the essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Twenty-four compounds were identified in the oil among which d-limonene was a predominant component, followed by myrcene, α-pinene, linalool, sabinene, decanal, and other minor components. Direct contact toxicity assay showed the effectiveness of the essential oil against O. melanopus larvae causing the mortality of 85% during 48 hours. The persistence study revealed high dissipation rate of the oil from treated plants, whereas concentrations lower than 0.01 g/kg were detected by GC-MS 5 min after the application of the oil, suggesting its environmental and food safety. These results, together with previous literature reports reviewed in this study, indicate the great potential of the C. sinensis essential oil for future use in crop protection against insect pests.