Socio-economic drivers of specialist anglers targeting the non-native European catfish (Silurus glanis) in the UK.

Information about the socioeconomic drivers of Silurus glanis anglers in the UK were collected using questionnaires from a cross section of mixed cyprinid fisheries to elucidate human dimensions in angling and non-native fisheries management. Respondents were predominantly male (95%), 30-40 years of age with £500 per annum. The proportion of time spent angling for S. glanis was significantly related to angler motivations; fish size, challenge in catch, tranquil natural surroundings, escape from daily stress and to be alone were considered important drivers of increased time spent angling. Overall, poor awareness of: the risks and adverse ecological impacts associated with introduced S. glanis, non-native fisheries legislation, problems in use of unlimited ground bait and high fish stocking rates in angling lakes were evident, possibly related to inadequate training and information provided by angling organisations to anglers, as many stated that they were insufficiently informed

Back to the Roots : Revisiting the Use of the Fiber-Rich Cichorium intybus L. Taproots

Fibers are increasingly recognized as an indispensable part of our diet and vital for maintaining health. Notably, complex mixtures of fibers have been found to improve metabolic health. Following an analysis of the fiber content of plant-based products, we found the taproot of the chicory plant (Cichorium intybus L) to be 1 of the vegetables with the highest fiber content, comprising nearly 90% of its dry weight. Chicory roots consist of a mixture of inulin, pectin, and (hemi-)cellulose and also contain complex phytochemicals, such as sesquiterpene lactones that have been characterized in detail. Nowaday, chicory roots are mainly applied as a source for the extraction of inulin, which is used as prebiotic fiber and food ingredient. Chicory roots, however, have long been consumed as a vegetable by humans. The whole root has been used for thousands of years for nutritional, medicinal, and other purposes, and it is still used in traditional dishes in various parts of the world. Here, we summarize the composition of chicory roots to explain their historic success in the human diet. We revisit the intake of chicory roots by humans and describe the different types of use along with their various methods of preparation. Hereby, we focus on the whole root in its complex, natural form, as well as in relation to its constituents, and discuss aspects regarding legal regulation and the safety of chicory root extracts for human consumption. Finally, we provide an overview of the current and future applications of chicory roots and their contribution to a fiber-rich diet.Peer reviewe

Use of antimicrobials in practice (targeted on cattle, pigs, poultry, horses)

Worldwide, antibiotics are used to treat and prevent bacterial infections, both in humans and animals. In Europe, 2014 data (2017 JIACRA) estimate that the average antimicrobial consumption (AMC) in animals was higher in animals (152 mg/kg) than in humans (124 mg/kg), but the opposite applied to the median AMC (67 and 118 mg/kg, respectively). In 18 of 28 European countries, AMC was lower in animals than in humans. Most European countries have taken extensive actions to promote responsible and prudent use of antibiotics in animals. Since 2011, the overall sales of veterinary antibiotics in EU/EEA countries are decreasing [EMA European Medicines Agency: answer to the request from the European Commission for updating the scientific advice on the impact on public health and animal health of the use of antibiotics in animals - categorisation of antimicrobials (EMA/CVMP/CHMP/682198/2017), 2019], and this is mainly accounted for reduction in antibiotic use in food-producing animals. Nevertheless, there seems to be still space for improvement, especially in certain pharmaceutical forms used for mass medication, consumptions of which create big part of the total figures of overall sales. The use in animals like dogs and cats in tonnes is relatively low. ESVAC sales data indicated that the majority of consumption of veterinary medicinal products used in 2017 (excluding topical formulation) can be allocated to food-producing animals in most of the EEA countries. The sales, in mg/PCU (Population Correction Unit), of antimicrobial veterinary medicinal products differ extensively between EU/EEA countries. This can partly be explained, among other factors, by the differences in the animal demographics, production systems and dosing of the various antimicrobials

IOP1, a novel hydrogenase-like protein that modulates hypoxia-inducible factor-1α activity

A central means by which mammalian cells respond to low oxygen tension is through the activation of the transcription factor HIF-1 (hypoxia-inducible factor-1). Under normoxic conditions, HIF-1α (the α subunit of HIF-1) is targeted for rapid degradation by the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway. Under hypoxic conditions, this degradation is inhibited, thereby leading to the stabilization and activation of HIF-1α. Here, we report the identification of IOP1 (iron-only hydrogenase-like protein 1), a protein homologous with enzymes present in anaerobic organisms that contain a distinctive iron–sulfur cluster. IOP1 is present in a broad range of cell types. Knockdown of IOP1 using siRNA (small interfering RNA) in mammalian cells increases protein levels of HIF-1α under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions, and augments hypoxia-induced HRE (hypoxia response element) reporter gene and endogenous HIF-1α target gene expressions. We find that IOP1 knockdown up-regulates HIF-1α mRNA levels, thereby providing a mechanism by which knockdown induces the observed effects. The results collectively provide evidence that IOP1 is a component of the protein network that regulates HIF-1α in mammalian cells