Can sport SCUBA divers provide reliable data for Rockfish conservation?

Rockfish are a long-lived group of fishes susceptible to overfishing. Rockfish conservation initiatives are currently hindered by a lack of fine scale population data. However, the abundance of recreational divers represents an untapped resource, ready to be deployed as citizen scientists in the Salish Sea. A potential issue is that the reliability of citizen scientist-generated SCUBA data is not known, particularly when those data are collected across gradients of diver competencies and diving conditions. To evaluate the reliability of citizen science data, pairs of divers of varying levels of experience identified and enumerated the number of individual finfish along predetermined transects. Divers also provided information about their competency (including diving experience, training and fish identification ability). The finfish counts, environmental conditions of each dive, and diver competency data were then analyzed to illuminate which elements significantly contribute to data reliability. As expected, diver competency is an important predictor of data quality, however, Scientific Diver certification under the Canadian Association of Underwater Science does not predict data quality. This finding, among others, provides important and actionable guidance for ensuring data quality in citizen science scuba survey programs and their use for long term monitoring of marine species of conservation concern such as Rockfish

Development of biomaterials and their application to the preservation of fruit and vegetables

Biobased food packaging materials have been defined as materials derived from renewable resources; the class of biopolymers encompasses all the polymeric compounds produced by living organisms and are mainly represented by polysaccharides, proteins and lipids. Biopolymers are largely used to produce biodegradable and edible films and coating that can reduce the problem of waste disposal due to the synthetic packaging. Moreover the concept of using edible film and coating to extend the shelf-life of food has been increased. This success in extending the shelf life and enhancing the quality of food, strongly depends on chemical composition and structure of the film-forming polymer. Films and coatings are mainly made by polysaccharides, proteins and lipids; they can improve the quality and extend the shelf life of minimally processed fruit and vegetables by acting as a barrier to water loss and gas exchange, creating a micromodified atmosphere around the product. This work was organized in three different parts: in the first part the properties on sodium caseinate/chitosan based films at different ratio have been studied; film forming dispersion and film structure have been studied by rheological, dynamical mechanical analysis, and microstructure characterization. The properties of the film have been investigated by moisture sorption adsorption behaviour, water vapour permeability and mechanical analysis. The second part aimed to understand the transpiration behaviour of a minimally processed product (iceberg lettuce) under different storage conditions and to quantify the amount of condensation and use it for designing a package to regulate moisture in headspace. The objective of the last part was to study an application on minimally processed fruit of the studied edible film. The effect of coatings (1% chitosan, chitosan 2%, sodium caseinate/chitosan blend) in combination with anti-browning agent (1% citric acid, 1% l-ascorbic acid agents, 1% CaCl2) on minimally processed apple slices was studied during storage. The effect on respiration rate, moisture loss and changes in colour was studied

Use of Medicinal Cannabis and Synthetic Cannabinoids in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): a systematic review

Background and Objectives: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common psychiatric disorder resulting from a traumatic event, is manifested through hyperarousal, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and sleep disturbances. Despite several therapeutic approaches being available, both pharmacological and psychological, recently a growing interest has developed in using cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids stems from their consideration as more efficient and better tolerated alternatives for the treatment of this condition. The present paper aims to evaluate the clinical and therapeutic potentials of medical cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids in treating PTSD patients. Methods: A systematic electronic search was performed, including all papers published up to May 2019, using the following keywords (((cannabis[Title/Abstract]) OR (synthetic cannabinoids [Title/Abstract])) AND ((PTSD[Title/Abstract]) OR (Posttraumatic stress disorder[Title/Abstract]))) for the topics ‘Cannabis’, ‘Synthetic Cannabinoids’, ‘PTSD’, and MESH terms, on the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science online databases. For data gathering purposes, PRISMA guidelines were followed. Results were organized into two groups, considering cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids as different therapeutic approaches for PTSD. Results: Present data show that cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids, both acting on the endocannabinoids system, may have a potential therapeutic use for improving PTSD symptoms, e.g., reducing anxiety, modulating memory-related processes, and improving sleep. Conclusions: Even though the current literature suggests that cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids may have a role in the treatment of PTSD, there is currently limited evidence regarding their safety and efficacy. Therefore, additional research is needed in order to better understand the effectiveness and therapeutic usage of these drug classes and monitor their safety.Peer reviewe

Improving physical properties of sodium caseinate based coating with the optimal formulation: effect on strawberries respiration and transpiration rates.

The objective of the work was to improve the physical properties of caseinate (SC)-based coating by using a thickening agent, guar gum (GG), and a solid fat phase, beeswax (BW). To this aim, the effect of GG, BW, and surfactant concentration, varying the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) values given by surfactant combination, on the physicochemical properties of the caseinate-based blends and film has been investigated. The best formulation has been applied to strawberries to quantify the impact of the coating on respiration and transpiration rates. The results showed that GG, BW, their interaction, and HLB affected the physical properties of the sodium caseinate-based coating. The formulations most physically stable and containing small and uniform solid BW particles were those with an HLB of 9.2. GG affected the viscosity of the blends, whereas the effect of beeswax concentration on viscosity was very low. A 50% of reduction of water vapor permeability was obtained by changing GG and BW concentration. The best formulation, containing 8% SC, 0.2% GG, 2% BW, and Tween 80 and Span 80 at HLB of 9.2, was able to reduce the respiration and transpiration rates of strawberries by 17% and 40%, respectively, at 4 °C and relative humidity higher than 86%

Active packaging based on PLA and chitosan-caseinate enriched rosemary essential oil coating for fresh minced chicken breast application

Active packaging systems are considered an effective way to prolong the shelf life of fresh food products. This study compared five different biopolymer films for their ability to delay the lipid oxidation of raw chicken meat. New antioxidant poly lactic acid film was prepared by coating the film surface with chitosan or chitosan/caseinate blend enriched with rosemary essential oil at concentration of 1% and 2%. Films were characterized in terms of microstructure, water vapor permeability, mechanical properties, and antioxidant capacity. In vivo study was done using fresh minced chicken meats stored at 4 °C and analysed after 0, 4, 7, 11, 14, 21 days. Results indicated that water vapor transmission rate was reduced by the presence of the coating and assumed the lowest value (1.23 ± 0.03 × 10−4 g m-2 s-1) with coating enriched with 2% of rosemary essential oils. The films showed an antioxidant capacity of maximum 6% equivalent to the antioxidant capacity of 6,25 μg of REO/mL. Results from in vivo test showed that the active films were able to reduce meat oxidation during storage in anaerobic modified atmosphere condition: samples packed with active film showed constant malondialdehyde (MDA) and colour up to 14 days and reduction of heptanal and ethanol concentration compared to samples packed with control film (72 % and 90 % respectively). Overall, this study has demonstrated that PLA films coated with an active coating are a promising delivery method for providing antioxidant effects in packaging for fresh meat products

Effect of biopolymer active coating on alteration kinetics of minimally processed fennel stored at different temperatures

The effect of an active coating based on sodium caseinate and propyl gallate on the physical and nutritional quality indices changes of minimally processed fennel stored at different temperatures was investigated. Pseudo-zero and pseudo-first-order models well described the quality changes of the product over time, whereas the Arrhenius-type model was used to estimate the activation energy of the alteration processes in the range of temperatures tested. The kinetic constants of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and vitamin C loss were reduced by 30% and 20% thanks to the presence of the coating. Whereas for the physical properties, the kinetic constants were not affected. Additionally, the TAC loss of coated samples was less sensitive to temperature change (Ea TAC 113) than the control sample (Ea TAC 130). In conclusion, sodium caseinate coating enriched with propyl gallate can be a technological solution to preserve the nutritional quality of minimally processed fennels

Active caseinate/guar gum films incorporated with gallic acid: physicochemical properties and release kinetics

Composite active films based on sodium caseinate/guar gum were prepared by the incorporation of gallic acid at different concentrations to investigate its effect on the structure, physicochemical properties, and the release kinetics from the film. The incorporation of gallic acid imparted changes in the FT-IR spectra. Water vapor permeability (WVP) of films decreased up to 21% after the incorporation of gallic acid in the film. The gallic acid released from the films GAI*60 μg.ml−1, GAII*250 μg.ml−1 and GAIII*650 μg.ml−1 was 67%, 32% and 30% respectively. Similarly, the diffusion coefficient was also affected by an increase in the concentration and was: 8.10 × 10−12 m2s−1, 6.23 × 10−12 m2s−1, and 4.5 × 10−12 m2s−1 for GAI, GAII and GAIII films respectively. Molecular docking suggested the potential inactivation of oxidative enzymes due to binding of gallic acid near their active sites. Therefore, gallic acid releasing films maybe considered as an active food packaging for fruits and vegetables (F&V)

C2238/αANP modulates apolipoprotein E through Egr-1/miR199a in vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro

Subjects carrying the T2238C ANP gene variant have a higher risk to suffer a stroke or myocardial infarction. The mechanisms through which T2238C/αANP exerts detrimental vascular effects need to be fully clarified. In the present work we aimed at exploring the impact of C2238/αANP (mutant form) on atherosclerosis-related pathways. As a first step, an atherosclerosis gene expression macroarray analysis was performed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) exposed to either T2238/αANP (wild type) or C2238/αANP. The major finding was that apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene expression was significantly downregulated by C2238/αANP and it was upregulated by T2238/αANP. We subsequently found that C2238/αANP induces ApoE downregulation through type C natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR-C)-dependent mechanisms involving the upregulation of miR199a-3p and miR199a-5p and the downregulation of DNAJA4. In fact, NPR-C knockdown rescued ApoE level. Upregulation of miR199a by NPR-C was mediated by a reactive oxygen species-dependent increase of the early growth response protein-1 (Egr-1) transcription factor. In fact, Egr-1 knockdown abolished the impact of C2238/αANP on ApoE and miR199a. Of note, downregulation of ApoE by C2238/αANP was associated with a significant increase in inflammation, apoptosis and necrosis that was completely rescued by the exogenous administration of recombinant ApoE. In conclusion, our study dissected a novel mechanism of vascular damage exerted by C2238/αANP that is mediated by ApoE downregulation. We provide the first demonstration that C2238/αANP downregulates ApoE in VSMCs through NPR-C-dependent activation of Egr-1 and the consequent upregulation of miR199a. Restoring ApoE levels could represent a potential therapeutic strategy to counteract the harmful effects of C2238/αANP

Active Biopolymer Coating Based on Sodium Caseinate: Physical Characterization and Antioxidant Activity

The objective of this work was to investigate the e�ect of sodium caseinate concentration on physical-chemical properties of coating solutions and films obtained by casting as a starting point for the development of an active coating for minimally processed fruits or vegetables. Sodium caseinate solutions at di�erent concentrations (4%, 8%, 10%, 12%, 14%) were used as a coating system. The coating viscosity and desorption kinetic were characterized. Minimally processed fennels were coated by dipping and the liquid and dry coating thickness were estimated by assessing the amount of coating on fennel during draining as a function of solution properties (concentration and viscosity). Film obtained by casting were also characterized in terms of equilibrium moisture content, color, and water vapor permeability. The potential of using the sodium caseinate solution to obtain active coating was investigated by adding gallic acid or rosemary oil to sodium caseinate solution at 4%. The antioxidant capacity of the coating was evaluated by DPPH test. Results show that sodium caseinate solutions follow a Newtonian behavior in the range of concentration investigated and the viscosity increased as solids concentration increased, following a power law. The drying rate was in the range 0.0063–0.00107 mgH2O mgsolids -1 min-1 m-2 as a function of sodium caseinate concentration. The average liquid and dry coating thickness on fennels were in the range 20–70 and 0.7–6.4 micrometry, respectively. The water vapor permeability slightly decreased as the solid concentration increased. Active coating showed good antioxidant properties