The effects of dietary lipid and fibre levels on digestibility of diet and on the growth performance of sharpsnout seabream (Diplodus puntazzo)

In the present study, sharpsnout seabream (Diplodus puntazzo) were fed three experimental isonitrogenous diets composed of 45 g 100g-1 protein and varying lipid and fibre contents as follows: diet A: 45/10/1.5, B: 45/15/1.5 and C: 45/15/5. The effects of the diet composition were investigated by measuring digestibility, growth, carcass composition and haematological parameters. The apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) for proteins, fats and carbohydrates, measured at high (26˚C) and low (16˚C) water temperatures in laboratory conditions, were not affected by the diet or temperature treatments. Growth was evaluated in a seven-month trial using animals held in sea cages. The specific growth rate (SGR) showed no significant differences among the treatments while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly improved in the fish that were fed a low-fat diet. A significant increase in body fat was detected in the fish that were fed high-fat diets. The blood serum total lipid levels were elevated for the fish that were fed diet C. In conclusion, a diet containing a protein/fat/fibre ratio of 45/10/1.5 g 100g-1 can result in satisfactory growth and an improved FCR value when compared with diets with higher fat and/or fibre levels, demonstrating that the required fat level for sharpsnout seabream is lower than 15 g 100g-1

Replacement of Marine Fish Oil with de novo Omega-3 Oils from Transgenic Camelina sativa in Feeds for Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata L.)

Omega-3 (n-3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) are essential components of the diet of all vertebrates and. The major dietary source of n-3 LC-PUFA for humans has been fish and seafood but, paradoxically, farmed fish are also reliant on marine fisheries for fish meal and fish oil (FO), traditionally major ingredients of aquafeeds. Currently, the only sustainable alternatives to FO are vegetable oils, which are rich in C18 PUFA, but devoid of the eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA) abundant in FO. Two new n-3 LC-PUFA sources obtained from genetically modified (GM) Camelina sativa containing either EPA alone (ECO) or EPA and DHA (DCO) were compared to FO and wild-type camelina oil (WCO) in juvenile sea bream. Neither ECO nor DCO had any detrimental effects on fish performance, although final weight of ECO-fed fish (117 g) was slightly lower than that of FO- and DCO-fed fish (130 and 127 g, respectively). Inclusion of the GM-derived oils enhanced the n-3 LC-PUFA content in fish tissues compared to WCO, although limited biosynthesis was observed indicating accumulation of dietary fatty acids. The expression of genes involved in several lipid metabolic processes, as well as fish health and immune response, in both liver and anterior intestine were altered in fish fed the GM-derived oils. This showed a similar pattern to that observed in WCO-fed fish reflecting the hybrid fatty acid profile of the new oils. Overall the data indicated that the GM-derived oils could be suitable alternatives to dietary FO in sea bream

Exploring the Influence of Touch Points on Tourist Experiences at Crisis Impacted Destinations

Customer journeys in tourism are becoming more complex, often including multiple touch points that can influence expectations, experiences, and travel behaviors. The management of these different interactions is further complicated if tourist destinations face natural or man-made crises (e.g., financial crises, COVID-19). The current research takes a comprehensive look at how negative word-of-mouth (WOM) shapes pre-consumption expectations that drive actual tourist experiences and subsequent satisfaction behaviors. Using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), findings from 188 tourists confirm the influence of uncontrollable, negative WOM on destination image. Yet an actual, positive experience negates these negative pre-trip influences. Tourism managers are rewarded with satisfied and loyal tourists in response to creating positive experiences even at crisis impacted destinations

Patterns of gastric evacuation, digesta characteristics and pH changes along the gastrointestinal tract of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) and European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.)

A comparative study of gastric evacuation rates (GERs) and digesta content, moisture and pH values along the gastrointestinal tract was performed between gilthead sea bream and European sea bass. In order to distinguish species-specific differences from diet-elicited effects, all parameters were determined under either a fishmeal diet or a carob seed germ meal diet that contained high levels of total and soluble non-starch polysaccharides. GERs were significantly different between species and they were not affected by diet. Similarly, species-specific patterns were revealed in the distribution of digesta and water content along the gastrointestinal tract. In sea bream, stomach digesta and water content decreased with time, whereas in sea bass stomach retained the highest digesta and water content throughout the sampling period. The anterior and distal intestine exhibited the lowest accommodating capacities of digesta and water in either species. Overall, sea bream performed stomach digestion at lower hydration levels and higher pH compared with sea bass. Diet affected stomach moisture in both species and pH of stomach digesta in sea bass and of all intestinal sections in sea bream. The results obtained indicated that water and inorganic ion exchanges through the gut may differentiate between the species and warrant further investigation. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Anticancer activity of triazolo-thiadiazole derivatives and inhibition of akt1 and akt2 activation

The fusion of 1,2,4-triazole and 1,3,4-thiadiazole rings results in a class of heterocycles compounds with an extensive range of pharmacological properties. A series of 1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,2,4-thiadiazoles was synthesized and tested for its enzyme inhibition potential and anticancer activity. The results show that 1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,2,4-thiadiazoles display potent anticancer properties in vitro against a panel of cancer cells and in vivo efficacy in HT-29 human colon tumor xenograft in CB17 severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Preliminary mechanistic studies revealed that KA25 and KA39 exhibit time-and concentration-dependent inhibition of Akt Ser-473 phosphorylation. Molecular modeling experiments indicated that 1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,2,4-thiadiazoles bind well to the ATP binding site in Akt1 and Akt2. The low acute toxicity combined with in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity render triazolo[3,4-b]thiadiazoles KA25, KA26, and KA39 promising cancer therapeutic agents. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Molecular variation at the apolipoprotein B gene locus in relation to lipids and cardiovascular disease: a systematic meta-analysis

Apolipoprotein B (apoB) is the sole protein component of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and is thought to play an important role in atherogenesis. We performed a meta-analysis of the associations between the three most frequently investigated polymorphisms (XbaI, signal peptide insertion/deletion, EcoRI) in the apolipoprotein B (APOB) gene, lipid parameters, and the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD). We restricted our analysis to Caucasians. Homozygotes for the XbaI X+ allele had significantly elevated levels of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and apoB, but a decreased risk (OR=0.80; 95%CI: 0.66-0.96) of IHD. Homozygosity for the signal peptide deletion allele was associated with similarly increased levels of LDL-C and apoB, and with an increased risk of IHD (OR=1.30; 95%CI: 1.08-1.58). Subjects homozygous for the rare EcoRI allele had significantly decreased levels of total and LDL cholesterol, but unaltered risk of IHD. We conclude that all three polymorphic apoB sites are associated with altered lipid levels, but not necessarily with a consistently altered risk of IHD. These data suggest that the relationship between apoB levels, hypercholesterolemia and IHD risk cannot have a simple molecular basis in the apoB gen

Staccato reperfusion improves myocardial microcirculatory function and long-term left ventricular remodelling: A randomised contrast echocardiography study

Objective: To investigate the effects of staccato reperfusion (SR) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on myocardial microcirculatory function as assessed by myocardial contrast echocardiography. Setting: Tertiary centre. Methods: Thirty-nine patients were randomised to SR (n=20) or abrupt reperfusion (AR, n=19) within 48 h of an acute coronary syndrome. Contrast intensity replenishment curves were constructed to assess the blood volume (An), velocity (β) and flow (AXβ) of the segments associated with the PCI-treated artery before, 48 h, 1 and 12 months after PCI. Left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic (EDVs) and systolic volumes (ESVs) were evaluated. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) was determined immediately before and 18 min after PCI to assess oxidative stress. Results: SR was related to a greater improvement in An, β and AXβ at 48 h, 1 and 12 months after intervention compared with AR (mean AXβ: 0.91, 5.5, 7.14, 6.9 for SR vs 1.02, 3.34, 4.28, 3.71 for AR, p<0.01). After PCI, the mean MDA change was -27% in SR patients and +55% in the AR patients (p<0.05). The percentage change in MDA correlated with the percentage change in An at all time points (r=0.468, r=0.682, r=0.674, p<0.01). Compared with AR, SR was related to a greater percentage decrease in EDV (-11.61% vs -4.13%) and ESV (-34.68% vs -14.83%) at 12 months after PCI (p<0.05). The percentage change in ESV at 12 months correlated with the corresponding percentage changes in An, β and AXβ (r=-0.410, r=-0.509, r=-0.577, respectively, p<0.05). Conclusions: SR improves myocardial microcirculatory function after PCI, leading to a concomitant improvement in LV geometry, probably through reduction of oxidative stress