A convenient route to the synthesis of isotopomeric dihydro-2(3H)furanones

A general synthetic procedure leading to isotopomeric dihydro-2(3H)furanones (gamma-butyrolactones) containing two, four, or six deuterium atoms has been developed. The labeled dihydro-2(3H)furanones were synthesized in quantitative yield from the saturated diacid C4 (succinic) or unsaturated diacids C4 (fumaric, maleic, or acetylendicarboxylic) in the presence of Ru4H4(CO)8(PBu3)4 using a deuterium pressure of 180 bar at 180 degrees C. This methodology was applied to the total synthesis of a hexadeuterated matairesinol lignan: The 3,4-bis[[3-methoxy-4-(phenylmethoxy)phenyl]methyl]dihydro-2(3H)furanone-[7,7',8,8',9',9'-D6] (benzyl-protected matairesinol-D6) was fully characterized.     

The expansion of the Atlantic–Mediterranean ghost crab Ocypode cursor (Linnaeus, 1758): Distribution,environmental niches and future perspectives

The tufted ghost crab Ocypode cursor (Linnaeus, 1758) found in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean is currently a great example that elucidates concerns within scientific and conservation communities. This species, native to the subtropical Atlantic Ocean and the warmest southeastern Mediterranean Sea (Egypt), has been extending its distribution in both regions since the 1980s, likely due to the warming sea temperatures. These small nocturn crabs are typically found inhabiting sandy beaches and dune environments. This species is an opportunistic predator eating terrestrial and marine prey, especially on sea turtle eggs. Despite its status as a threatened species by two European conventions, there is a lack of knowledge of its ecology and biology. Sometimes considered as an indicator of good ecological status of beaches where it lives, this ghost crab could nevertheless benefit from climate change to extend its distribution range. This review aims to create a baseline on the current knowledge and gaps in the published scientific literature on the ghost crab. Additionally, through an analysis of the existing literature, we also offer insights into the potential risk of beach erosion associated with the expansion of this species.     

Phytochemical Characterization and Effects on Cell Proliferation of Lentisk (Pistacia lentiscus) Berry Oil: a Revalued Source of Phenolics

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - The ethno-pharmaceutical use of the edible fixed oil produced from lentisk (Pistacia lentiscus) berries covers a long tradition in several Mediterranean regions....     

A consilience-driven approach to land use history in relation to reconstructing forest land use legacies

Landscape Ecology - The importance of societal factors in shaping forest area, structure and composition through economic activity, policy, governance, and population changes is frequently...     

Suppressive activity of some glucosinolate enzyme degradation products on Pythium irregulare and Rhizoctonia solani in sterile soil

Glucosinolate degradation products (GLDPs), mainly isothiocyanates, obtained by myrosinase‐catalysed hydrolysis of glucosinolates (GLs), are an important group of natural bioactive substances. The fungitoxic activity of four GLDPs, chosen on the basis of their side‐chain structures, was assayed against Pythium irregulare and Rhizoctonia solani. The effectiveness of the degradation products (DPs) of sinigrin (alkenyl GL), epi‐progoitrin (hydroxy‐alkenyl GL), glucoiberin and glucoerucin (thiofunctionalised GLs) in inhibiting P irregulare oospore germination and R solani soil colonisation were tested in a closed system, using an artificially infected soil. The fungitoxic activity of these GLDPs varied according to their side‐chain structure. As in previous in vitro studies, the thiofunctionalised GLDPs were found the most effective, producing complete inhibition of P irregulare oospore germination (0.01 µmole g⁻¹ soil) and R solani soil colonisation (0.5 µmole g⁻¹ soil), but even sinigrin DP showed a fungitoxic activity higher than that of epi‐progoitrin DP. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of light spectrum on growth and physiological status of gilthead seabream Sparus aurata and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss reared under recirculating system conditions

Previously reported data clearly indicate that depending on species, ambient light spectrum can affect fish growth, physiology, behaviour, reproduction, etc. Since light spectrum can be easily controlled in intensive indoor fish farming facilities, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of coloured light on growth performance (body weight, growth rate, food utilization, carcass composition, etc.) and physiological status (blood and plasma parameters, brain neurotransmitters, tissue fatty acid composition, etc.) of two widely reared fish species, gilthead seabream Sparus aurata and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. For this purpose, 240 specimens of S. aurata (29.8 ± 0.13 g) and 60 specimens of O. mykiss (71.4 ± 0.30 g) were exposed to white (full-spectrum, fluorescent lamps), red (605 nm) and blue (480 nm) light (lamps covered with appropriate filters) for 11 weeks under recirculating water systems. Blue light had a significantly negative impact on O. mykiss growth performance accompanied with reduced liver total lipids and plasma glucose and increased brain serotonergic and dopaminergic activity. In the case of S. aurata, red light significantly increased brain dopaminergic activity, while a tendency towards reduced growth was also observed. Since these results indicated the establishment of stressful conditions, O. mykiss and S. aurata should not be reared under blue and red light, respectively. For each species, the effect of the remaining light colours tested, was not clearly differentiated so that an appropriate light spectrum for the most efficient farming of O. mykiss and S. aurata could not be suggested, at least for the time period examined. Nevertheless, present results suggest that light colour should be regarded as a rearing factor worth to be further investigated, especially when recirculating systems are concerned.     

Genetic variability of Lizard canary breed inferred from pedigree analysis

The genealogical data of 471 (whole population: WP) Lizard canaries of an Italian breeder were analyzed to evaluate the genetic variability of the breed. The reference population (RP) comprised 346 living reproductive birds. Average generation interval was 1.61 ± 0.718 for males and 1.72 ± 0.863 for females. The average value of inbreeding (F) and relatedness (AR) in the RP were 15.83% and 22.63%, while the average increase in inbreeding was estimated to be 6.71% per generation (effective population size = 7.49). The results showed the need to reduce the level of inbreeding which would result in significant loss of genetic variation and in significant inbreeding depression.     

Adaptation to climate across the Arabidopsis thaliana genome

Understanding the genetic bases and modes of adaptation to current climatic conditions is essential to accurately predict responses to future environmental change. We conducted a genome-wide scan to identify climate-adaptive genetic loci and pathways in the plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Amino acid-changing variants were significantly enriched among the loci strongly correlated with climate, suggesting that our scan effectively detects adaptive alleles. Moreover, from our results, we successfully predicted relative fitness among a set of geographically diverse A. thaliana accessions when grown together in a common environment. Our results provide a set of candidates for dissecting the molecular bases of climate adaptations, as well as insights about the prevalence of selective sweeps, which has implications for predicting the rate of adaptation.     

Comparison of growth performance and biometric relationships in two reciprocal sturgeon hybrids reared in net cages (Sicily, Mediterranean)

This study was designed to investigate growth performance in two sturgeon hybrids reared in two quadrangular floating cages moored in an artificial pond, representing the first experience of sturgeon culture performed at Southern Mediterranean latitudes. The research was carried out from December 2000 to July 2001 and tested the growth performance, feeding parameters and biometric relationships. The sturgeons were randomly collected from the cages on a monthly basis, and total length, standard length (SL) and wet weight (WW) were recorded. The specific daily growth rate (SGR_W) as somatic WW, food conversion ratio and condition factor (CF) were calculated. Biometric relationships, as linear regression, were also calculated on SL and WW data. Both hybrids grew slowly from December to April, but faster during the warm months. The growth performance of the two hybrids seems to be influenced by variability of the environmental conditions and, for both fish groups, there was a strong correlation between water temperature and SGR_W at temperatures below 25 °C. The CF (constantly below 1) was similar for both hybrids. The regression analysis for WW and SL calculated for the entire period showed a positive allometry for both hybrids, indicating that the fishes grew in weight at a greater rate than required to maintain constant body proportion.