The palatability of flavoured novel floating pellets made with brewer's spent grain to captive carp

Abstract

The palatability to common carp, Cyprinus carpio L. of three newly developed differently flavoured floating pellets made from a high proportion (40%) of brewer's spent grain (BSG) was tested using a multiple-offer feeding experiment. The addition of ‘bold’ flavours, such as vanilla or strawberry essence, may help mask the unpleasant taste of some piscicides; however, their inclusion must not compromise uptake by carp. There were no significant differences between the consumption rates of the three varieties, and all flavours were readily consumed. Therefore, it is suggested that highly flavoured pellets made with BSG have a strong potential to mask the flavour of an unpalatable toxin, and further research is now needed to test this hypothesis.     

Scleroderma-polymyositis overlap syndrome versus idiopathic polymyositis and systemic sclerosis: a descriptive study on clinical features and myopathology

Introduction

The objective was to characterize the clinical and myopathologic features of patients with scleroderma-polymyositis (SSc-PM) overlap compared with a population of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and polymyositis (PM).

Methods

A three-way comparison of patients with SSc-PM overlap (n = 25) with patients with SSc (n = 397) and PM (n = 40) on clinical and myopathologic features and causes of death. One neuropathologist blinded for the diagnosis evaluated all recent available muscle biopsies. Biopsies were scored for presence of inflammation, necrotic muscle fibers, rimmed vacuoles, fibrosis, and immunohistochemical staining. Clinical or myopathologic characteristics were compared by using the χ² test or one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results

The prevalence of SSc-PM overlap in the Nijmegen Systemic Sclerosis cohort was 5.9%. The mortality was 32% (eight of 25) in SSc-PM, of which half was related to cardiac diseases. The prevalence of pulmonary fibrosis was significantly increased in SSc-PM (83%) (P = 0.04) compared with SSc (49%) and PM (53%). SSc or myositis-specific antibodies were nearly absent in the SSc-PM group. In almost all biopsies (96%) of SSc-PM patients, necrotic muscle fibers were present, which was significantly increased compared with PM patients (P = 0.02).

Conclusions

Patients with SSc-PM have increased prevalence of pulmonary fibrosis and cardiac disease as the cause of death compared with patients with SSc and PM . In addition, we found that necrotizing muscle fibers with inflammation characterize SSc-PM overlap in muscle biopsies. Further research should focus on underlying mechanisms causing necrosis, inflammation, and fibrosis and their relation to pulmonary involvement and mortality in patients with SSc-PM overlap.     

Sensilla coeloconica ringed by microtrichia in host‐seeking biting midges

The distribution and morphology of antennal sensilla coeloconica in parasitic and predaceous biting midges were studied in females of Forcipomyia (feeding on the blood of frogs), Atrichopogon (feeding on haemolymph), Austroconops, Culicoides (feeding on the blood of birds and mammals) and Brachypogon (feeding on haemolymph and dissolved tissues of insects) (all: Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). A Lower Cretaceous female of Archiculicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from Lebanese amber, which fed on the blood of unknown vertebrates, was also examined. In sensilla coeloconica ringed by microtrichia, the peg is grooved longitudinally and protrudes distinctly from the pit. We suggest that the microtrichia encircling the protruding peg form a structure resembling a picket fence in order to maintain a higher level of humidity, which facilitates the capture and transport of odour molecules through the channels in the peg wall. Sensilla coeloconica ringed by microtrichia function as very effective chemoreceptors in host‐ and prey‐seeking activity. During the evolution of Ceratopogonidae, sensilla coeloconica with a fence of microtrichia have evolved twice in groups feeding on the blood of vertebrates (i.e. in the basal lineage: Lower Cretaceous or earlier) and in the subgenus Lasiohelea of Forcipomyia (Palaeogene). Sensilla coeloconica ringed by microtrichia are described for the first time in the relict genus Austroconops.     

Cuticle hydrolysis in four medically important fly species by enzymes of the entomopathogenic fungus Conidiobolus coronatus

Entomopathogenic fungi infect insects via penetration through the cuticle, which varies remarkably in chemical composition across species and life stages. Fungal infection involves the production of enzymes that hydrolyse cuticular proteins, chitin and lipids. Host specificity is associated with fungus–cuticle interactions related to substrate utilization and resistance to host‐specific inhibitors. The soil fungus Conidiobolus coronatus (Constantin) (Entomophthorales: Ancylistaceae) shows virulence against susceptible species. The larvae and pupae of Calliphora vicina (Robineau‐Desvoidy) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Calliphora vomitoria (Linnaeus), Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Musca domestica (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Muscidae) are resistant, but adults exposed to C. coronatus quickly perish. Fungus was cultivated for 3 weeks in a minimal medium. Cell‐free filtrate, for which activity of elastase, N‐acetylglucosaminidase, chitobiosidase and lipase was determined, was used for in vitro hydrolysis of the cuticle from larvae, puparia and adults. Amounts of amino acids, N‐glucosamine and fatty acids released were measured after 8 h of incubation. The effectiveness of fungal enzymes was correlated with concentrations of compounds detected in the cuticles of tested insects. Positive correlations suggest compounds used by the fungus as nutrients, whereas negative correlations may indicate compounds responsible for insect resistance. Adult deaths result from the ingestion of conidia or fungal excretions.