Bioactive Peptides from Algae: Traditional and Novel Generation Strategies,Structure-Function Relationships,and Bioinformatics as Predictive Tools for Bioactivity

Over the last decade, algae have been explored as alternative and sustainable protein sources for a balanced diet and more recently, as a potential source of algal-derived bioactive peptides with potential health benefits. This review will focus on the emerging processes for the generation and isolation of bioactive peptides or cryptides from algae, including: (1) pre-treatments of algae for the extraction of protein by physical and biochemical methods; and (2) methods for the generation of bioactive including enzymatic hydrolysis and other emerging methods. To date, the main biological properties of the peptides identified from algae, including anti-hypertensive, antioxidant and anti-proliferative/cytotoxic effects (for this review, anti-proliferative/cytotoxic will be referred to by the term anti-cancer), assayed in vitro and/or in vivo, will also be summarized emphasizing the structure–function relationship and mechanism of action of these peptides. Moreover, the use of in silico methods, such as quantitative structural activity relationships (QSAR) and molecular docking for the identification of specific peptides of bioactive interest from hydrolysates will be described in detail together with the main challenges and opportunities to exploit algae as a source of bioactive peptides.     

家禽养殖中的水质控制

虽然鸡群中推荐使用水冲洗去除污染物质,但是冲洗不能去除黏液层或者细菌生物膜或者藻类.因此,更多的家禽养殖者添加一些有机酸到饮水和冲洗程序中.这除了抑制饮水系中生物膜形成,还会减少有害细菌,改善动物生长性能和食品安全.     

Validation of an immunoturbidimetric D-dimer assay in canine citrated plasma

Abstract: D-dimer is a neoantigen formed when thrombin initiates the transformation of fibrinogen to fibrin; it is derived from plasmin digestion of cross-linked fibrin. In human medicine, the usefulness of this analyte in diagnosing disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) has been assessed in patients fulfilling the clinical and laboratory requirements for this disorder. In canine medicine, the use of D-dimer is relatively new. Detailed studies are needed to understand the relationship between D-dimer concentration in plasma and DIC status in dogs. We validated a D-dimer immunoturbidimetric assay (Tina-quant [a] D-Dimer, Boehringer Mannheim) in canine citrated plasma samples. Intra-assay and interassay variability (coefficient of variation) was 5.63% and 8.82%, respectively. The assay was linear, using 2 samples with low and high D-dimer concentrations (r = .996 and .998). Accuracy was 102.2% and 95.7% based on a recovery study in which 2 samples were assessed. Reference values for D-dimer were established using 70 healthy dogs that were assessed clinically and evaluated on the basis of a complete laboratory workup. The reference range was set between 0.02 and 0.28 μg/mL (chi-square test for normal distribution, P > .05).     

Delayed acute capture myopathy in three roe deer

Delayed acute capture myopathy is the term used to describe the clinical syndrome observed in three roe deer captured by drive-nets and transported to an enclosure for scientific purposes. The animals died 48 h, 60 h and 8 days after being captured. The simultaneous deaths coincided with a previous episode of deliberate human disturbance. The histopathological findings were indicative of acute myopathy and myoglobinaemic nephrosis. These could be related to an ataxic myoglobinuric syndrome brought on by capture and transport operations. The lack of clinical signs and negative prognosis indicators in the period between capture and just before death. the absence of gross muscular lesions in the animal that died after 8 days post-capture, the simultaneous deaths of animals captured at different times and the evidence of deliberate human disturbance in the enclosure are suggestive of death triggered by a second stress episode.     

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in wild pigs (Sus scrofa) from Spain

Sera collected from 507 hunter-killed wild pigs (Sus scrofa) between 1993 and 2004 from five geographic regions in northern Spain and seven regions in southern Spain were assayed for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by the modified agglutination test (MAT). Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 185 (38.4%) of 507 pigs with titers of 1:25 in 71, 1:50 in 111 and > or =1:500 in 3; seroprevalence was significantly higher (P<0.05) in pigs from southern regions. Seroprevalence was density dependent; it was higher in pigs from high stocking per hectare and availability of forage. Statistically significant differences were not observed between T. gondii seroprevalence and hunting estates (open versus fenced), sex or age. Serological results indicate a widespread exposure to T. gondii among Spanish wild boars, suggesting that this population could represent a public health risk for persons that handle or consume raw or undercooked infected wild pig meat.     

Genetic and antigenic characterization of the surface lipoprotein P48 of Mycoplasma bovis

The presence of a membrane lipoprotein homologous to the P48 of Mycoplasma agalactiae was investigated in different Mycoplasma bovis isolates selected by geographical locations and biological properties. Its potential as a diagnostic tool was also discussed. The presence of a specific signal observed in all M. bovis field isolates probed with a rabbit antiserum raised against the M. agalactiae recombinant P48 demonstrated that this protein is structurally and antigenically conserved within the M. bovis cluster. No signal was detected when testing six different mycoplasma species found in cattle. The p48 gene was identified by PCR approach and partially sequenced. Full length gene sequence was obtained by direct bacterial chromosome sequencing. Five UGAs were selectively mutated into UGG and the full length mutated gene, lacking the signal peptide, was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified recombinant antigen (r-P48) was evaluated as a potential marker of infection using a panel of 86 well-characterized sera from experimentally and naturally infected cattle. Specific IgM antibodies were detected within 6-9 days after experimental infection followed by an IgG response lasting from the third/fourth week after contact. Although antibody titers were well below those observed in sheep or goats infected with M. agalactiae, results suggest that M. bovis r-P48 can be used as a specific marker of infection.     

Use of haloperidol and azaperone for stress control in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) captured by means of drive-nets

The physical capture of wild ungulates is performed for different purposes when anaesthesia in field conditions is not possible or advisable. The use of tranquilizers may contribute to improved welfare of captured animals. We studied the effect of haloperidol and azaperone on the stress response of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) through the study of physiological, haematological and serum biochemical parameters. Thirty one roe deer were drive-net captured and randomly injected with haloperidol (0.30 ± 0.04 mg/kg IM; n = 13), azaperone (0.43 ± 0.07 mg/kg IM; n = 11) or saline (0.5 mL IM; n = 7), and restrained for 3 h. The interindividual variability of heart rate was lower in the treated deer, suggesting a calming effect, and erythrocyte and biochemical parameters indicated vasodilation, splenic sequestration, hemodilution, improvement of renal perfusion and a protective effect on muscle. These results support the suitability of using either azaperone or haloperidol in capture operations of roe deer, in order to reduce stress and prevent its adverse effects.