Antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities of Pinus radiata bark extract in salmonid cell lines

A fish meal supply shortage is limiting aquaculture development. Currently, plant‐based proteins, such as soya bean meal, are being used as an alternative protein source, despite that such a diet can adversely affect fish, such as by inducing an inflammatory response. A possible solution is to include dietary additives in farm diets to counteract negative effects. One such solution originates from pine bark extracts, which present bioactive properties. In this study, the antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties of Pinus radiata bark extracts were evaluated for the first time in a salmonid cell line. This extract chemically demonstrated antioxidant activity through 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH = 58.4 ± 1.1%) and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP = 575 ± 17 mgEqFe(II)·g extract^?1) assays. Additionally, the extract showed high flavonoid and phenolic compound contents. Up to 100 mg mL^?1, the P. radiata extract showed no cytotoxicity in the CHSE‐214 salmonid embryo cell line. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of the extract (50 μg mL^?1) was evaluated by a dichlorofluorescein (DCFH) assay in the SHK‐1 salmon cell line challenged with an oxidant stimulus (H₂O₂), showing 58.9% activity. The extract also protected DNA from oxidative damage, as observed through a comet assay. When assessing anti‐inflammatory properties in an in vitro inflammation model, the extract significantly reduced the relative expression of the pro‐inflammatory cytokines interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) and of the inducible cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) enzyme. These results suggest a potential application of P. radiata bark extract in functional foods in aquaculture.     

Prevalence of antibodies against feline panleukopenia virus in client-owned cats in Southern Germany

Feline panleukopenia is a frequent and commonly fatal disease of cats. Recent published studies have raised suspicions that some cats fail to develop antibodies after vaccination. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of antibodies against feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) in cats in Southern Germany, and to identify factors that are associated with a lack of antibodies. In total, 350 cats presented to the Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet were randomly included in the study. Information regarding signalment, origin, environment, lifestyle, housing conditions, health status, chronic diseases, glucocorticoid therapy, and vaccination status were collected. Antibodies were detected by haemagglutination inhibition test. Asymptomatic chi-squared tests and univariable logistic regression were used to investigate associations between a lack of antibodies and the different variables. Associations determined to be statistically significant at P < 0.1 were verified by a multivariable logistic regression analysis.Of the 350 cats, 103 (29.4%) had no antibodies against FPV. Chronic kidney disease, neoplasia, glucocorticoid therapy, and vaccination status were significantly associated with a lack of antibodies. The cats with no antibodies were likely to have inadequate immunity against panleukopenia and those with chronic diseases or receiving glucocorticoids were less likely to be protected.     

Novel micro–suction‐cup design for sampling soil solution at defined distances from roots

Micro–suction cups made of nylon membranes and polyacrylic tubes with planar geometry of the membrane were designed for repeated sampling of rhizosphere solution at defined distances from a root monolayer. Adsorption tests revealed that the materials used (nylon membrane, polyacrylic tube) have little influence on the concentration of heavy metals in the sample solution, whereas some organic acids are partly retained by the suction cup. A sampling protocol was developed for collecting extremely small solution volumes (i.e., droplets of 28.3±2.46 μl) for subsequent measurements of trace elements using ICP‐SFMS. A homogeneity test showed that soil‐solution concentrations of Ca, K, Mg, and Ni could be reproduced independent of the suction‐cup position in a rhizobox experiment without plants. In a similar experiment, the rhizobox was planted with the Ni hyperaccumulator Thlaspi goesingense. Compared to more distant soil layers, an increase of Ni and a concurrent decrease of Ca, K, and Mg at 1 mm distance from the root plane was found. These changes can be related to plant uptake and mobilization processes. Our results show that the novel micro–suction cups are a valuable tool for elucidating rhizosphere processes.     

Quantitative analysis of red wine tannins using Fourier-transform mid-infrared spectrometry

Tannin content and composition are critical quality components of red wines. No spectroscopic method assessing these phenols in wine has been described so far. We report here a new method using Fourier transform mid-infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy and chemometric techniques for the quantitative analysis of red wine tannins. Calibration models were developed using protein precipitation and phloroglucinolysis as analytical reference methods. After spectra preprocessing, six different predictive partial least-squares (PLS) models were evaluated, including the use of interval selection procedures such as iPLS and CSMWPLS. PLS regression with full-range (650-4000 cm(-1)), second derivative of the spectra and phloroglucinolysis as the reference method gave the most accurate determination for tannin concentration (RMSEC = 2.6%, RMSEP = 9.4%, r = 0.995). The prediction of the mean degree of polymerization (mDP) of the tannins also gave a reasonable prediction (RMSEC = 6.7%, RMSEP = 10.3%, r = 0.958). These results represent the first step in the development of a spectroscopic methodology for the quantification of several phenolic compounds that are critical for wine quality.     

Three viruses of the bovine respiratory disease complex apply different strategies to initiate infection

Bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) is the major cause of serious respiratory tract infections in calves. The disease is multifactorial, with either stress or reduced immunity allowing several pathogens to emerge. We investigated the susceptibility of bovine airway epithelial cells (BAEC) to infection by the three major viruses associated with the BRDC: bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) and bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 (BPIV3). For this purpose, two culture systems for well-differentiated BAEC were used: the air-liquid interface (ALI) system, where filter-grown BAEC differentiate into a pseudostratified respiratory epithelium and precision-cut lung slices (PCLS) where BAEC are maintained in the original tissue organisation. Comparative infection studies demonstrated that entry and release of BPIV3 occurred specifically via the apical membrane with ciliated cells being the major target cells. By contrast, airway epithelial cells were largely resistant to infection by BHV-1. When the epithelial barrier was abolished by opening tight junctions or by injuring the cell monolayer, BHV-1 infected mainly basal cells. Respiratory epithelial cells were also refractory to infection by BRSV. However, this virus infected neither differentiated epithelial cells nor basal cells when the integrity of the epithelial barrier was destroyed. In contrast to cells of the airway epithelium, subepithelial cells were susceptible to infection by BRSV. Altogether, these results indicate that the three viruses of the same disease complex follow different strategies to interact with the airway epithelium. Possible entry mechanisms are discussed.     

Ocurrence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Philophthalmus gralli</Emphasis> (Trematoda: Philophthalmidae) in farmed ostriches in Brazil

This paper reports the occurrence of parasitism by the Oriental eye-fluke, Philophthalmus gralli in ostriches reared in a commercial flock from the State of Minas Gerais State, Southeastern Brazil. The two affected birds presented lacrimation, inflammatory reaction and loss of body condition. After physical examination the birds revealed, 17 and 15 trematodes each, only in the right eyes. The economic impact of this parasite on Brazilian ostrich industry is still undetermined, requiring further studies.     

Changes of heritability and genetic correlations in production traits over time in red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) under culture

Red abalone Haliotis rufescens is one of the most valuable mollusks in the international market, but it has a low growth rate. A breeding program is being developed to increase its growth rate in Chile. We estimated the changes in direct heritability (h²), maternal/common environments heritability (m²) and genetic correlations (r_G) of growth traits (shell length and width, total mass, flesh mass and foot protein as an indicator of meat quality) measured during 2 years (every 4 months) from the juvenile stage (27 months) to the adult harvesting age (51 months), in 60 full‐sib red abalone families. Heritabilities for growth traits measured in juveniles and young adults (27–35 months of age), were low (0.07–0.17) and not significant. Initial low h² were associated with significant amounts of maternal/common environmental effects (m² = 0.4). In young adults and abalone near the harvest age (39–51 months of age) h² were much higher (0.32–0.75). These results emphasize the importance of multiple estimations of h² over time. Among meat quality traits, only the h² for the flesh mass for adults at harvesting age was significant (0.15). We observed strong positive r_G (>0.9) between shell sizes (easy to measure) and total and flesh masses (trait more related to market value than shell sizes but harder to measure) for adults at harvesting age. Thus, if the 5% largest 51 month old abalone were selected from the population as broodstock we expect a positively correlated response on flesh mass of 23.4%.     

Beetle’s responses to edges in fragmented landscapes are driven by adjacent farmland use,season and cross-habitat movement

Context

Farming practices influence the degree of contrast between adjoining habitats, with consequences for biodiversity and species movement. Little is known, however, on insect community responses to different kinds of edges over time, and the extent of cross-habitat movement in agricultural landscapes.

Objective

To determine temporal changes in beetle responses to different farmland-woodland edges, and document cross-habitat movement.

Methods

We examined species richness, abundance, and movement across edges between remnant woodlands and four farmland uses (plantings, fallow, annual crops, woody debris applied over crops post-harvest) in southeastern Australia. We used directional pitfall traps to infer movement, and sampled at edges, and 20 and 200 m on both sides of edges, during spring and summer.

Results

Detritivore and predator abundance varied between seasons across the edge between woodlands and all farmlands, but seasonal differences were weaker for fallow-woodland and woody debris-woodland edges. Detritivores moved from farmlands towards woodlands, but not across fallow-woodlands and woody debris-woodlands edges during summer. During summer, predators showed short-range movement towards edges from all farmlands except plantings, and towards woody debris from woodlands. Edges showed temporally stable predator richness and higher herbivore richness than adjoining habitats.

Conclusions

Farmland use and season interactively affect beetle abundance across farmland-woodland edges. Woody debris can reduce seasonal fluctuations in beetle edge responses and increase permeability for cross-habitat movement, while plantings provide habitat during summer. Edges provide important resources for beetles in adjoining habitats, however, seasonal movement of predators specifically into edges may affect prey assemblages—a link requiring further study.

     

The effect of different extraction techniques on extraction yield, total phenolic, and anti-radical capacity of extracts from Pinus radiata Bark

The performance of four techniques, conventional maceration, Soxhlet extraction, microwave assisted extraction (MAE), and ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE), for extraction of Pinus radiata bark, in one and several stages, were evaluated. For each technique, the mass extracted (g extract/g bark), total phenols (by Folin-Cicalteau), and tannin (by precipitation) concentration and anti-radical capacity (diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH) were quantified. In one stage, the extracted mass increased in the following order: maceration < UAE < MAE < Soxhlet (p < 0.05). The total phenols and tannin levels were also higher with the Soxhlet technique. With additional extraction stages, only the samples produced with MAE and UAE techniques improved their parameters. Additionally, MAE extracts presented a higher anti-radical capacity than does Soxhlet and Pycnogenol^® extracts. Therefore, MAE was a simple and rapid method that was useful for extraction of P. radiata bark. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) provided evidence of the mechanical effects on cell walls, mainly evidenced by cell destruction produced by Soxhlet, MAE, and UAE on the bark. In contrast, maceration only results in slightly ruptured cell pores, which could explain its low extraction yield.