Effects of commercial enrichment diets on the nutritional value of the rotifer (Brachionus plicatilis)

12 páginas, 4 tablasThe rotifer, Brachionusplicatifis, pre-fed on baker’s yeast, was enriched for 6 h with three commercial products from Artemia Systems S.A., namely Protein Selco (microcapsules), Dry Selco (microparticles) and Super Selco (an emulsion containing high levels of n-3 HUFA). The biochemical composition (protein, carbohydrate, total lipid, lipid classes and fatty acids) and dry weight ofthe rotifers before and after the enrichment experiments were studied. Two of the enrichers, Dry Selco and Super Selco, are rich in lipid but poor in protein and carbohydrate. Protein Selco contains lipid as well as protein and carbohydrate. The biochemical composition and the dry weight of the rotifers were changed after 6 h of enrichment. The percentage of protein and lipid increased with all of the three enrichers and the percentage of carbohydrate decreased slightly. Rotifer dry weight increased in rotifers enriched on Protein Selco. Phospholipids, sterol esters+ waxes, triacylglycerols and free fatty acids increased after the enrichment with the three enrichers while sterols slightly decreased when the rotifers were fed on Protein Selco. The fatty acid content of the rotifers increased after the enrichment with all ofthe enrichers and this increase was particularly apparent in the case of n-3 HUFAs (20: Sn-3 and 22 : 6n-3).This work was supported by the contract-project “ Larval Nutrition of Turbot” with the fish farm Cultivo de Peces S.A. (CULTIPECSA).Peer reviewe

Free amino acid composition in juveniles of Mytilus galloprovincialis: spatial variability after Prestige oil spill

10 páginas, 5 figuras, 2 tablasComposition of free amino acids (FAA) in juveniles of Mytilus galloprovincialis was analysed along a large geographical coastline area in Galicia (NW Spain). Individuals were sampled in February 2003, three months after the Prestige oil spill. Pollution values at sampling time were reported as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations in soft tissues of individuals and varied between the highest amount observed in Carrumeiro mussels (502 ng/g dw) and the lowest in Pindo mussels (196 ng/g dw), both locations being close to each other in the centre of the geographical area under study. Pollution values in the other populations varied within the range of 241–347 ng/g dw. Total free amino acids (TFAA) were highest in Aguiño–Pindo–Carrumeiro juveniles at the centre of the Coastline area studied (420–462 μmol/g dw) as compared to the other populations at North and South of Galicia (312–347 μmol/g dw). TFAA results were based on the variability observed in protein free amino acids (PFAA μmol/g dw) among populations (214–249 μmol/g dw for Aguiño–Pindo–Carrumeiro mussels and 98–149 μmol/g dw for the other populations) whereas non-protein free amino acids (NPFAA) taurine and ornithine did not show any significant spatial pattern of variation. Glycine and alanine represented the most abundant PFAA (16–29% and 2.7–11.9% of TPFAA, respectively) and significant correlations between PFAA and both the protein content of soft tissues (r=−0.82) and the condition index of juveniles (r=0.86) were observed. No significant relationships were detected, however, between pollution values in soft tissues as PAHs and FAA profiles with the exception of alanine concentrations as percentage of TFAA (r=0.88; P<0.01). The latter seemed to be an “all or nothing” effect likely due to the influence of other abiotic factors at one of the sampling sites. Such relationship was found not significant when the outlier represented by Carrumeiro mussels was removed from the analysis. The most abundant free amino acid taurine (43.2–68.5%TFAA) followed an inverse variability of that of glycine and by extension of the group PFAA most likely as a compensatory decrease in mussel populations with low protein content (and high condition index). Accordingly, taurine:glycine (t:g) ratio varied between 1 and 2 in most mussel populations but increased up to 3.2–4.2 in Miranda and Bueu mussels at both ends of the geographical interval studied with a corresponding PAHs concentrations of 261 and 304 ng/g dw, respectively. These mussel populations with the highest t:g ratios were characterised by the lowest PFAA contents (below 40%) and condition index values (below 10%). Results of the present study established a significant link between energetic status of growing juveniles and FAA concentrations in environments with different pollution degrees. Variability of the free amino acids profiles in soft tissues were related to endogenous factors of juveniles (protein content, condition index) whereas no relationship with contamination values could be observed. The utility of t:g ratio as general condition factor for M. galloprovincialis is also corroborated for in situ growing juveniles.This study was supported by the contract-project PROINSA, Code CSIC 2004448, Galicia PGDIT03RMA13E. JMFB acknowledges funding by the Program Ramón y Cajal 2003 from Ministry of Education and Sciences (Spain).Peer reviewe

Water flows through mussel rafts and their relationship with wind speed in a coastal embayment (Ría de Ares-Betanzos, NW Spain)

14 páginas, 4 tablas, 8 figurasKnowledge of water flows through mussel rafts and their controlling factors is required for an ecosystem approach to the sustainable management of this culture in the Galician rías. With this aim, 4 acoustic 2D-ACM current meters were hung from the bow of 4 rafts located in the mussel cultivation areas of the Ría de Ares-Betanzos (NW Spain) during autumn 2007. Simultaneously, an Aanderaa DCM12 Doppler profiler was moored in an area free of rafts in the middle ría. There were differences in the subtidal and tidal dynamics of the middle channel and mussel farm areas. The tide explained 51.5% of the total variance of the surface current in the middle ría. The explained variance in the seed collection areas of Redes (inner ría) and Miranda (outer ría), where only 2–3 rafts are anchored, were 64.1% and 16.8%, respectively. In the cultivation areas of Arnela (inner ría) and Lorbé (middle ría), where 101 and 40 rafts are anchored, 14.3% and 53.4% of the total variance was explained by the tide. These disparities in the contribution of the tide are likely due to a combination of topographic and bathymetric differences among sites and distortions of the natural flow by the rafts and their hanging ropes. Furthermore, there was a marked influence of winds on the subtidal currents within the rafts; contrasting correlation coefficients and lag times between wind speed and currents were observed for the outer and inner sides of the embayment. The filtration rate of the growing mussels and the number of mussels per raft allow an efficient clearing of the particles transported across the hanging ropes by the measured subtidal currents of 2–3 cm s–1 characteristic of the cultivation areas of Arnela and LorbéPROINSA Mussel Farm, codes CSIC20061089 and 0704101100001Xunta de Galicia PGIDIT06RMA018E and PGIDIT09MMA038EESSMA project Spain–Canada Grant of MICINNPeer reviewe

α,γ-Peptide nanotube templating of one-dimensional parallel fullerene arrangements

(Figure Presented) The formation and full characterization of single self-assembling α,γ-peptide nanotubes (α,γ-SPNs) is described. The introduction of C60 into cyclic peptides allows the preparation of supramolecular 1D fullerene arrangements induced by peptide nanotube formation under appropriate conditions. © 2009 American Chemical Society.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science and the ERDF [SAF2007-61015 and Consolider Ingenio 2010 (CSD2007-00006)] and the Xunta de Galicia (GRC2006/ 132, PGIDIT06PXIB209018PR, PGIDIT08CSA047209PR, and R2006/ 124). The work by J.M.V. and J.L.C. was supported by Grants BFU2007- 62382/BMC from the Spanish MEC (J.M.V.) and S-0505/MAT/0283 from the Madrid Regional Government (J.M.V. and J.L.C.). C.R. and R.J.B. thank the Spanish MEC for their FPU Fellowships. We also thank Dr. Carmen Serra (Nanotechnology and Surface Analysis Service at C.A.C.T.I., University of Vigo) for her help with STM. We also thank Dowpharma for their kind gift of ENZA enzymes used in the preparation of D-Boc-γ-Acp-OH.Peer reviewe

On the Use of Multiple Probe Insertions at the Same Site for Repeated Intracerebral Microdialysis Experiments in the Nigrostriatal Dopamine System of Rats

The effects of implantation of a dialysis probe into the striatum of awake rats on indices of dopamine (DA) and serotonin neurotransmission were assessed, first over 24 h following initial insertion of a probe, and then again following reinsertion of a probe at the same site 1 week later. It was found that the basal concentration of DA in dialysate stabilized within 20–40 min after probe implantation, although DA showed a modest decline 24 h later. There was, however, no significant difference in basal DA between two test sessions separated by 1 week. On the other hand, the basal concentrations of the DA metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid, progressively increased for 2–3 h after probe implantation and decreased markedly by 24 h later. Furthermore, in contrast to DA, the DA metabolites decreased even further after the second probe insertion. Amphetamine-stimulated DA release was also greatly attenuated following the second probe insertion, relative to the first probe insertion. Two probe insertions had only modest effects on the concentration of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in dialysate, relative to the DA metabolites. It is suggested the effects of two probe insertions on DA metabolism and amphetamine-stimulated DA release described here are indicative of probe-induced damage to the nigrostriatal DA system. If this is the case, multiple probe insertions may not provide a feasible strategy for within-subjects design dialysis experiments over extended periods of time, at least in the DA system of small animals. It is suggested further that a stable basal concentration of DA in dialysate may be an especially poor indicator of the integrity of the dopaminergic input to the striatum.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/65235/1/j.1471-4159.1992.tb10044.x.pd

Juvenile king scallop, Pecten maximus, is potentially tolerant to low levels of ocean acidification when food is unrestricted.

The decline in ocean water pH and changes in carbonate saturation states through anthropogenically mediated increases in atmospheric CO2 levels may pose a hazard to marine organisms. This may be particularly acute for those species reliant on calcareous structures like shells and exoskeletons. This is of particular concern in the case of valuable commercially exploited species such as the king scallop, Pecten maximus. In this study we investigated the effects on oxygen consumption, clearance rates and cellular turnover in juvenile P. maximus following 3 months laboratory exposure to four pCO2 treatments (290, 380, 750 and 1140 µatm). None of the exposure levels were found to have significant effect on the clearance rates, respiration rates, condition index or cellular turnover (RNA: DNA) of individuals. While it is clear that some life stages of marine bivalves appear susceptible to future levels of ocean acidification, particularly under food limiting conditions, the results from this study suggest that where food is in abundance, bivalves like juvenile P. maximus may display a tolerance to limited changes in seawater chemistry

Toxoplasmosis-associated IRIS involving the CNS: a case report with longitudinal analysis of T cell subsets

Background: HIV-infected patients may present an unforeseen clinical worsening after initiating antiretroviral therapy known as immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). This syndrome is characterized by a heightened inflammatory response toward infectious or non-infectious triggers, and it may affect different organs. Diagnosis of IRIS involving the central nervous system (CNS-IRIS) is challenging due to heterogeneous manifestations, absence of biomarkers to identify this condition, risk of long-term sequelae and high mortality. Hence, a deeper knowledge of CNS-IRIS pathogenesis is needed. Case presentation: A 37-year-old man was diagnosed with AIDS and cerebral toxoplasmosis. Anti-toxoplasma treatment was initiated immediately, followed by active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) 1 month later. At 2 months of HAART, he presented with progressive hyposensitivity of the right lower limb associated with brain and dorsal spinal cord lesions, compatible with paradoxical toxoplasmosis-associated CNS-IRIS, a condition with very few reported cases. A stereotactic biopsy was planned but was postponed based on its inherent risks. Patient showed clinical improvement with no requirement of corticosteroid therapy. Routine laboratorial analysis was complemented with longitudinal evaluation of blood T cell subsets at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 6 months upon HAART initiation. A control group composed by 9 HIV-infected patients from the same hospital but with no IRIS was analysed for comparison. The CNS-IRIS patient showed lower percentage of memory CD4(+) T cells and higher percentage of activated CD4(+) T cells at HAART initiation. The percentage of memory CD4(+) T cells drastically increased at 1 month after HAART initiation and became higher in comparison to the control group until clinical recovery onset; the percentage of memory CD8(+) T cells was consistently lower throughout follow-up. Interestingly, the percentage of regulatory T cells (Treg) on the CNS-IRIS patient reached a minimum around 1 month before symptoms onset. Conclusion: Although both stereotactic biopsies and steroid therapy might be of use in CNS-IRIS cases and should be considered for these patients, they might be unnecessary to achieve clinical improvement as shown in this case. Immunological characterization of more CNS-IRIS cases is essential to shed some light on the pathogenesis of this condition.Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT; PIC/IC/83313/2007) and co-financed by the Portuguese North Regional Operational Program (ON.2 - O Novo Norte) under the National Strategic Reference Framework (QREN) through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). A FCT fellowship was attributed to RRS (PD/BD/106047/2015; Inter-University Doctoral Program in Ageing and Chronic Disease) and to CN [SFRH/BPD/65380/2009; Programa Operacional Potencial Humano (POPH) through the Fundo Social Europeu (FSE)]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio