Diazaquinomycins E–G,Novel Diaza-Anthracene Analogs from a Marine-Derived Streptomyces sp.

As part of our program to identify novel secondary metabolites that target drug-resistant ovarian cancers, a screening of our aquatic-derived actinomycete fraction library against a cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cell line (OVCAR5) led to the isolation of novel diaza-anthracene antibiotic diazaquinomycin E (DAQE; 1), the isomeric mixture of diazaquinomycin F (DAQF; 2) and diazaquinomycin G (DAQG; 3), and known analog diazaquinomycin A (DAQA; 4). The structures of DAQF and DAQG were solved through deconvolution of X-Ray diffraction data of their corresponding co-crystal. DAQE and DAQA exhibited moderate LC₅₀ values against OVCAR5 of 9.0 and 8.8 μM, respectively. At lethal concentrations of DAQA, evidence of DNA damage was observed via induction of apoptosis through cleaved-PARP. Herein, we will discuss the isolation, structure elucidation, and biological activity of these secondary metabolites.     

The activity and expression of chitinase in the equine lung and its activity in normal horses and animals with recurrent airway obstruction

Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) is a chronic inflammatory condition in equine lung, which may share a common immunological basis with human asthma, in which dysregulated Th2 responses occur. Mammals express chitinases and chitinase-like proteins, two of which are active enzymes, chitotriosidase and acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase). Both enzymes are upregulated in a range of inflammatory conditions, including asthma. We investigated the activity of chitinase in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from horses with and without RAO in response to organic dust challenges. No significant differences were found in activity, although in one study RAO animals had elevated chitinase activity that fell short of statistical significance. The pH optimum and pH lability of the activity was consistent with the presence of chitotriosidase. RT-PCR amplification of the mRNA encoding chitotriosidase and AMCase in normal equine lung showed that chitotriosidase, but not AMCase, is expressed in trachea, bronchi, and peripheral lung tissue. The gene for chitotriosidase was identified from the Equus caballus (horse) genome 1.1 database and its similarity to the same genes from other species was determined. The results of this study indicate that the involvement of chitotriosidase in RAO is uncertain.     

Geographical classification of honey samples by near-infrared spectroscopy: a feasibility study

The potential of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to determine the geographical origin of honey samples was evaluated. In total, 167 unfiltered honey samples (88 Irish, 54 Mexican, and 25 Spanish) and 125 filtered honey samples (25 Irish, 25 Argentinean, 50 Czech, and 25 Hungarian) were collected. Spectra were recorded in transflectance mode. Following preliminary examination by principal component analysis (PCA), modeling methods applied to the spectral data set were partial least-squares (PLS) regression and soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA); various pretreatments were investigated. For unfiltered honey, best SIMCA models gave correct classification rates of 95.5, 94.4, and 96% for the Irish, Mexican, and Spanish samples, respectively; PLS2 discriminant analysis produced a 100% correct classification for each of these honey classes. In the case of filtered honey, best SIMCA models produced correct classification rates of 91.7, 100, 100, and 96% for the Argentinean, Czech, Hungarian, and Irish samples, respectively, using the standard normal variate (SNV) data pretreatment. PLS2 discriminant analysis produced 96, 100, 100, and 100% correct classifications for the Argentinean, Czech, Hungarian, and Irish honey samples, respectively, using a second-derivative data pretreatment. Overall, while both SIMCA and PLS gave encouraging results, better correct classification rates were found using PLS regression.     

糖原组学在动物生产系统中的应用——病原菌凝集对宿主基因表达的影响

前言 糖原组学，是研究糖类的结构以及糖的结构如何影响其功能特性，特别是生物学机制的一门学科。糖原组学的研究已经深入到探索单糖和多聚糖与蛋白质和其他细胞组分的交互作用。并进一步阐明它们是如何影响细胞间和细胞-组织间的相互作用。糖类相互作用的重要性可以通过以下几点得到验证：人体中，编码酶的基因中有1％用于糖基化．其中几百个糖基化基因可被识别和注解：遗传与环境、自然和营养是人与动物健康的基本影响因素．其中营养是最主要的环境性因素。     

Potential of SPME-GC and chemometrics to detect adulteration of soft fruit purées

The potential of combining solid-phase microextraction (SPME) with gas chromatography and chemometric data analysis to differentiate between pure strawberry samples (Fragraria ananassa) and strawberry samples adulterated with 10, 40, and 70% (v/v) apple purée was investigated. The method involved the extraction of aroma volatiles from the headspace of the purée samples using a SPME fiber followed by GC analysis with flame ionization detection. The principal component analysis (PCA) data matrix consisted of the relative percent peak areas of 37 compounds deemed to be significant in the differentiation of the samples on the basis of adulteration. The PCA results clearly showed that differentiation of the adulterated and unadulterated samples was possible, particularly at the higher levels of adulteration. Partial least-squares regression (PLSR) using a dummy set of Y variables (set to 0 for unadulterated and 1 for adulterated samples) resulted in clear discrimination between unadulterated purées and those containing 40 and 70% (v/v) apple. PLSR using a second set of Y variables, consisting of the actual level of adulteration, enabled quantification of apple purée with a standard error of prediction of 11.6%, implying a minimum detectable level of 25% (v/v) apple. GC-MS analysis enabled identification of the compounds with the greatest influence on sample differentiation. These compounds were identified as hexanoic acid, 2-hexenal, and alpha-farnesene, all of which are key aroma compounds in apples.     

Evict or infect? Managing populations of the large pine weevil, Hylobius abietis, using a bottom–up and top–down approach

Hylobius abietis is the most important pest of replanted coniferous sites in Northern Europe, where feeding by adult weevils can result in up to 100% mortality of seedlings. Field trials were conducted with the aim of reducing H. abietis populations developing in Sitka spruce stumps by increasing pressure from natural enemies (top–down pressure), and reducing the quality of stumps for development (bottom–up pressure). Top–down pressure was applied through inundative treatment of stumps with entomopathogenic nematodes (Heterorhabditis downesi or Steinernema carpocapsae). Bottom–up pressure was applied by treating stumps with the wood colonising fungus Trichodermakoningii. Natural levels of parasitism of H. abietis by the parasitoid Bracon hylobii and the effect of applied agents on B. hylobii were also investigated. Heterorhabditis downesi parasitised more immature weevils than S. carpocapsae, and significantly reduced numbers of adults emerging from stumps compared to controls. Entomopathogenic nematodes did not significantly impact on populations of B. hylobii, and over three sites the effects of both agents were additive. Stumps modified by application of the fungus (bottom–up pressure) did not have fewer H. abietis developing in, or emerging from them; however, development of H. abietis was more advanced in these stumps, and the success of natural enemies was differentially affected. T.koningii facilitated B. hylobii while having the opposite effect on entomopathogenic nematodes, suggesting that it affected the outcome of competition between the nematodes and the parasitoid.     

Definition, dynamics and stability of métiers in the Irish otter trawl fleet

The Irish otter trawl fleet operates in a complex multi-species multi-gear fishery, spanning a wide geographic area, and involving around 275 trawlers. Factorial and clustering methods were applied to 2003 fishing trip data to define thirty-three métiers. Definitions were based on six trip characteristics taken from logbooks, namely: fishing gear, mesh size, vessel length, species composition, area, and month. Métiers exploiting demersal species or species groups are characterised by single vessel bottom otter trawls, typically with mesh sizes of 70 mm or more, operating year round. This includes nine Nephrops dominated métiers highlighting the importance of this species to the fleet. Many demersal métiers are characterised by groups of species, such as mixed whitefish or slope species. Métiers exploiting pelagic species are often focussed on single species, and are typically seasonal, mid-water trawling (often paired) with mesh sizes less than 70 mm. Pelagic métiers account for the majority of landings by over an order of magnitude in several cases. Demersal métiers account for the majority of fishing trips and effort, (primarily Nephrops métiers), and vessels (primarily mixed species métiers). The new métier definitions were found to be appropriate remained relevant despite declining fleet landings and effort between 2003 and 2006. Species compositions within these métiers have generally remained similar to the proportions defined in 2003. These robust métier definitions present opportunities to improve fisheries sampling, assessment and management. Although métiers pose complexity challenge for such applications they can be used the building blocks for appropriate management units.