Five New Guaiane Sesquiterpenes from the Endophytic Fungus Xylaria sp. YM 311647 of Azadirachta indica

Five new guaiane sesquiterpenes, 1 – 5 , were isolated from the culture broth of the endophytic fungus Xylaria sp. YM 311647, isolated from Azadirachta indica A. Juss . The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, and their inhibitory activities against five pathogenic fungi were evaluated. All guaiane sesquiterpenes showed moderate or weak antifungal activities in a broth microdilution assay.     

Growth hormone affects behaviour of wild brown trout Salmo trutta in territorial owner–intruder conflicts

The effects of growth hormone (GH) implants on aggression, and ability to win dyadic territorial conflicts were studied in brown trout Salmo trutta parr. Bovine GH or vehicle (C) was given to either the territory owner or the intruder in four treatment combinations: C and C, C and GH, GH and C, GH and GH (owner and intruder). GH‐treated intruders initiated significantly more conflicts compared to control intruders. Furthermore, GH treatment of either the owner or intruder tended to increase aggression of the intruder. This indicates that intruders have more scope for motivational increase, while the motivation of owners is already at a maximum. The GH treatment, however, did not affect the outcome of the conflict. It thus appears that growth enhancement increases intruder aggression without increasing the chance of winning the conflict, which may have implications for the effect of growth‐selected or growth‐enhanced farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar on wild populations.     

Species diversity of the genus Osmundea (Ceramiales,Rhodophyta) in the Macaronesian region

Species diversity within the genus Osmundea in the Macaronesian region was explored by conducting a comprehensive sampling in the Azores, the Canary, and the Madeira archipelagos. Toward identification, all specimens were first observed alive to verify the absence of corps en cerise, a diagnostic character for the genus and morphometric data were measured (thallus length and width, first‐order branches length and width, branchlets length and width, cortical cell length and width in surface view, cortical cell length and width in transverse section). Specimens were sequenced for COI‐5P (39 specimens) and three species delimitation methods (Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent, Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery method, and Poisson Tree Processes) were used to assess the threshold between infra‐ and interspecific relationships. Subsequently, one or several sequences of plastid‐encoded large subunit of RuBisCO (21 specimens) per delimited species were generated to assess the phylogenetic relationships among Macaronesian Osmundea. Moreover, for each delineated species, vegetative and reproductive anatomy was thoroughly documented and, when possible, specimens were either assigned to existing taxa or described as novel species. This integrative approach has provided data for (i) the presence of O. oederi, O. pinnatifida, and O. truncata in Macaronesia; (ii) the proposal of two novel species, O. prudhommevanreinei sp. nov. and O. silvae sp. nov.; and (iii) evidence of an additional species referred as “Osmundea sp.1,” which is a sister taxon of O. hybrida.     

What shapes the altitudinal range of a high mountain Mediterranean plant? Recruitment probabilities from ovule to seedling stage

Recruitment is a complex process consisting of sequential stages affected by biotic interactions and abiotic factors. Assessment of these sequential stages and corresponding subprocesses may be useful in identifying the most critical stages. Accordingly, to assess the factors that may determine the altitudinal range limits of the high mountain Mediterranean plant Silene ciliata, a set of demographic stages, from flower production to establishment of 2‐yr‐old plants, and their influence on recruitment probability were examined using a step‐by‐step approach. We integrated florivory, pollination and pre‐dispersal seed predation as pre‐dispersal factors, and seedling emergence and survival as post‐dispersal determinants of recruitment. Three populations were monitored at the southernmost margin of the species along its local altitudinal range. Previous studies suggest that seediness is strongly limited by summer drought especially at the lower boundary of the species, a situation that may worsen under current global warming. Our results showed that recruitment was mainly limited by low seed production in the pre‐dispersal stage and low seedling emergence and survival in the post‐dispersal stage, probably due to environmental harshness in summer. By contrast, biotic factors responsible for propagule loss, such as flower and fruit predation, had a minor effect on the probability of plant recruitment. Although the relative importance of transition probabilities was similar among populations along the altitudinal range, comparatively lower flower production significantly reduced the number of recruited plants at the lowest altitude population. This demographic bottleneck, together with increased competition with other species favoured by climate warming, might collapse population growth and limit persistence at the lower altitudinal range of the species, raising its low local altitudinal edge.     

Epicardial adipose tissue extent: relationship with age, body fat distribution, and coronaropathy

Epicardial fat is a relatively neglected component of the heart and could be an important risk factor of cardiac disease. The objective of our study was to assess the relationship between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) extent, fat distribution, and coronaropathy in a group of adult victims of accidental or suspicious sudden death. In 56 cadavers, we performed 34 measurements of EAT from five computerized photographs of the heart (anterior and posterior faces, and three ventricle transversal slices) and analyzed their relationship with anthropometric markers of adiposity (BMI, waist and leg circumference, thickness of abdominal and thigh subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT)), with the presence and staging of coronary artery disease (CAD), and with markers of myocardial hypertrophy. Simple linear regressions showed that EAT measurements are highly intercorrelated (r from 0.4 to 0.6, P < 0.001), and correlate with age, waist circumference, and heart weight, and to a lesser extent, with BMI, abdominal SAT thickness, and leg SAT thickness. Multiple regression showed that age, waist circumference, and heart weight significantly and independently correlate with EAT (P < 0.0001). No other anthropometric measurement was found independently correlated with EAT. The EAT/myocardium ratios correlated positively with age and waist circumference. Anterior and posterior areas of EAT were found significantly increased in patients with CAD and correlated positively with CAD staging (P = 0.0034, r = 0.38). Anterior EAT surface was found positively associated with CAD (P = 0.01), independently of age and other adiposity measurements. Prospective studies are needed to assess the risk of occurrence/progression of CAD that relate to EAT excess.     

Liquid–liquid extraction of fermentation inhibiting compounds in lignocellulose hydrolysate

Several compounds that are formed or released during hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass inhibit the fermentation of the hydrolysate. The use of a liquid extractive agent is suggested as a method for removal of these fermentation inhibitors. The method can be applied before or during the fermentation. For a series of alkanes and alcohols, partition coefficients were measured at low concentrations of the inhibiting compounds furfural, hydroxymethyl furfural, vanillin, syringaldehyde, coniferyl aldehyde, acetic acid, as well as for ethanol as the fermentation product. Carbon dioxide production was measured during fermentation in the presence of each organic solvent to indicate its biocompatibility. The feasibility of extractive fermentation of hydrolysate was investigated by ethanolic glucose fermentation in synthetic medium containing several concentrations of furfural and vanillin and in the presence of decanol, oleyl alcohol and oleic acid. Volumetric ethanol productivity with 6 g/L vanillin in the medium increased twofold with 30% volume oleyl alcohol. Decanol showed interesting extractive properties for most fermentation inhibiting compounds, but it is not suitable for in situ application due to its poor biocompatibility. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 1354–1360. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Landscape simplification increases vineyard pest outbreaks and insecticide use

Diversifying agricultural landscapes may mitigate biodiversity declines and improve pest management. Yet landscapes are rarely managed to suppress pests, in part because researchers seldom measure key variables related to pest outbreaks and insecticides that drive management decisions. We used a 13‐year government database to analyse landscape effects on European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana) outbreaks and insecticides across c. 400 Spanish vineyards. At harvest, we found pest outbreaks increased four‐fold in simplified, vineyard‐dominated landscapes compared to complex landscapes in which vineyards are surrounded by semi‐natural habitats. Similarly, insecticide applications doubled in vineyard‐dominated landscapes but declined in vineyards surrounded by shrubland. Importantly, pest population stochasticity would have masked these large effects if numbers of study sites and years were reduced to typical levels in landscape pest‐control studies. Our results suggest increasing landscape complexity may mitigate pest populations and insecticide applications. Habitat conservation represents an economically and environmentally sound approach for achieving sustainable grape production.     

Development of New Natural Extracts

For over the past 20 years, a remarkable development in the study and search of natural products has been observed. This is linked to a new market trend towards ecology and also due to new regulations. This could be a rupture, but also a real booster for creativity. Usually, in the flavor and fragrance field, creativity was boosted by the arrival of new synthetic molecules. Naturals remained the traditional, century‐old products, protected by secrecy and specific know‐how from each company. Regulatory restrictions or eco‐friendly certification constraints like hexane‐free processes triggered an important brainstorming in the industry. As a result, we developed new eco‐friendly processes including supercritical CO₂ extraction, allowing fresh plants to be used to obtain industrial flower extracts (Jasmine Grandiflorum, Jasmine Sambac, Orange blossom). These extracts are analyzed by GC, GC/MS, GC? O, and HPTLC techniques. New or unusual raw materials can also be explored, but the resulting extracts have to be tested for safety reasons. Some examples are described.     

Induction of meiotic gynogenesis in Atlantic cod,Gadus morhua (L.)

Gynogenesis is one of several chromosome‐manipulating techniques used in fish. In gynogenesis the male does not contribute to the genetic material of the offspring, and the sperm cells act only as stimulators in order for the egg to start development. This technique has several applications, both in aquaculture and in biological research: gynogenetic fish may be used as a step in the production of all‐female populations, the production of isogenetic‐ and inbred lines, revealing of the sex determination mechanism, construction of genetic maps, and testing of environmental vs genetic control of different traits. The aim of this study was to develop a simple protocol for production of gynogenetic cod (Gadus morhua L.) for further use in aquaculture research. Various milt dilutions and UV‐irradiation doses were tested, in order to inactivate the sperm without destroying its ability to induce egg development. This was followed by pressure treatment of the eggs shortly after ‘fertilization’ to suppress the completion of meiosis II, and thereby restoring diploidy. A dose of 9000 erg mm^?2, followed by a 5‐min pressure treatment (58.6 MPa) 180 min‐degrees after fertilization gave 100% gynogenetic larvae. Histologically, sexual differentiated fish were all females, possibly confirming female homogamety in Atlantic cod. No particular signs of reduced growth, survival or enhanced deformity rates were observed after the fish had reached the juvenile phase. Mortality was, however, high during the egg and larval stages. This protocol has made capable the production of gynogenetic cod juveniles in significant amounts using relatively simple means; the next step will be to elaborate on the technique in order to produce mitotic gynogenetic (double haploid) individuals, which are 100% homozygous.     

Biotransformation of 4‐fluoro‐N‐(1‐{2‐[(propan‐2‐yl)phenoxy]ethyl}‐8‐azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan‐3‐yl)‐benzenesulfonamide,a novel potent 5‐HT7 receptor antagonist with antidepressant‐like and anxiolytic properties: In vitro and in silico approach

The aim of the study was to investigate the metabolism of 4‐fluoro‐N‐(1‐{2‐[(propan‐2‐yl)phenoxy]ethyl}‐8‐azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan‐3‐yl)‐benzenesulfonamide (PZ‐1150), a novel 5‐HT₇ receptor antagonist with antidepressant‐like and anxiolytic properties, by the following three ways: in vitro with microsomes; in vitro employing Cunninghamella echinulata, and in silico using MetaSite. Biotransformation of PZ‐1150 with microsomes resulted in five metabolites, while transformation with C. echinulata afforded two metabolites. In both models, the predominant metabolite occurred due to hydroxylation of benzene ring. In silico data coincide with in vitro experiments, as three MetaSite metabolites matched compounds identified in microsomal samples. In human liver microsomes PZ‐1150 exhibited in vitro half‐life of 64 min, with microsomal intrinsic clearance of 54.1 μL/min/mg and intrinsic clearance of 48.7 mL/min/kg. Therefore, PZ‐1150 is predicted to be a high‐clearance agent. The study demonstrated the applicability of using microsomal model coupled with microbial model to elucidate the metabolic pathways of compounds and comparison with in silico metabolite predictions.