Effects of dietary vitamin B₁ (thiamine) and magnesium on the survival, growth and histological indicators in lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) juveniles

An interaction of two essential nutrients, thiamine and magnesium (Mg) has been documented in in vitro and in vivo studies in mammalian metabolism. However, the role of this association in poikilothermic vertebrates, such as fish, remains elusive. The purpose of this study was first to investigate the effects of dietary thiamine and Mg, and their interaction in lake trout and second to better understand the mechanism leading to early mortality syndrome (EMS), which is caused by a low thiamine level in embryos of many species of salmonids in the wild. Semi-purified diets (SPD) were prepared to accomplish 2 × 2 factorial design that were either devoid of or supplemented with thiamine mononitrate (20 mg/kg diet), magnesium oxide (700 mg/kg diet), or both. Lake trout alevins at the swim-up stage were fed for 10 wk one of the SPD diets or a commercial diet at the same rate (2.0-1.5%) based on recorded biomass. Our results showed that the concentrations of thiamine in the trunk muscle and Mg of whole body were closely associated with the dietary level of two nutrients. The interaction of low dietary Mg and thiamine resulted in apparently worsened overt symptoms of thiamine deficiency in lake trout leading to a higher mortality of fish during the seven week long trial (P<0.05). The fish fed a thiamine-devoid and Mg-supplemented diet were presumed to survive longer (10 wk) than the fish fed diets devoid of both nutrients (discontinued after 7th wk due to high mortality). However, we did not observe histopathological changes in the brain and liver corresponding to thiamine concentrations in tissues. These data suggest that Mg enhanced utilization of the thiamine remaining in the fish body and its interdependence was consistent with observations in mammals. EMS severity might be worsened when Mg is deficient in parental diets (and consequently in yolk sac) and/or first feed.     

Physical and chemical limnology of 204 lakes from the Canadian Arctic Archipelago

The physical and chemical limnology of 204 lakes from across the Canadian Arctic Archipelago was examined. Mean summer air temperature did not correlate well with lake chlorophyll levels due to the predominance of ultra-oligotrophic hard-water lakes located in a polar climate. Local geology influences ion budgets and is an important factor in determining pelagic phosphorus availability, carbon cycling and metal concentrations. Ratios of particulate carbon, particulate nitrogen and chlorophyll a indicate that planktonic microorganisms are not always the major producers of organic carbon in arctic lakes. Allochthonous particulate matter contributes significantly to the carbon and phosphorus budgets of small and mid-sized lakes across the Arctic, although the availability of these elements is controlled by many interacting geochemical and biological factors. Phosphorus is generally limiting, however, increases in available phosphorus, nitrogen and carbon are all required to make significant long-term differences in lake productivity. Particulate phosphorus levels can be high in lakes where phosphorus-rich shales or carbonatite bedrock are present. These phosphorus-enriched lakes are found in several areas across the mid-arctic islands, however, only small amounts of this nutrient are available as soluble reactive phosphorus. Although lakes throughout the Arctic are typically ultra-oligotrophic, they still represent an important sink for allochthonous nutrient deposition.     

Uptake and Metabolism of Choline by Rat Brain After Acute Choline Administration

The present study is concerned with the uptake and metabolism of choline by the rat brain. Intraperitoneal administration of choline chloride (4-60 mg/kg) caused a dose-dependent elevation of the plasma choline concentration from 11.8 to up to 165.2 microM within 10 min and the reversal of the negative arteriovenous difference (AVD) of choline across the brain to positive values at plasma choline levels of greater than 23 microM. Net choline release and uptake were linearly dependent on the plasma choline level in the physiological range of 10-50 microM, whereas the CSF choline level was significantly increased only at plasma choline levels of greater than 50 microM. The bolus injection of 60 mg/kg of [3H]choline chloride caused the net uptake of greater than 500 nmol/g of choline by the brain as calculated from the AVD, which was reflected in a minor increase of free choline level and a long-lasting increase of brain phosphorylcholine content, which paralleled the uptake curve. Loss of label from phosphorylcholine 30 min to 24 h after choline administration was accompanied by an increase of label in phosphatidylcholine, an indication of a delayed transfer of newly taken-up choline into membrane choline pools. In conclusion, homeostasis of brain choline is maintained by a complex system that interrelates choline net movements into and out of the brain and choline incorporation into and release from phospholipids.     

A second marker enzyme in the genetics of pappus part numbers inMicroseris hybrid B87 (Asteraceae,Lactuceae)

CrossingMicroseris pygmaea (10 pappus parts) withM. bigelovii (5 pappus parts) results in hybrids with variable pappus part numbers between 5 and 10. Previous work has shown that a system of four additively acting genes determines the average pappus part numbers of these hybrids. In hybrid B87 two genes have a 10-determining and a 5-determining allele each, two others a 5-determining and a null (inactive or missing) allele. Genetic linkage of one of the latter with the enzyme geneEsterase-1 and the leaf shape genespatulate leaves has been demonstrated. Here we demonstrate linkage between one of the two 10-determining genes and the enzyme locusEsterase- Y/B. The genotypes in the pappus part system of many specimens can now be fully determined. This is a major advance for the analysis of the evolution of this additive polygenic system.Genetics of Pappus Part Numbers inMicroseris Hybrid B87, II.—Part I:Bachmann & al. 1981.     

Mutations in Leptin (LEP) Gene Are Associated with Carcass and Meat Quality Traits in Crossbreed Rabbits

Leptin is a hormone synthesized and secreted primarily in adipose cells that help to regulate energy balance. This study examined the associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the rabbit leptin gene with growth traits, slaughter traits and physicochemical parameters of New Zealand White (NZW) and Belgian Giant Grey (BGG) crossbreed rabbits. In total, 320 crossbreed animals were genotyped for polymorphisms within exon 2—g.16081633T>C, intron 1_2—g.16081420C>T, and within UTR—g.16079636C>G for association analysis. Identified polymorphisms within rabbits leptin gene showed significant differences for dissectible fat percentage in carcass and dissectible fat weight in intermediate part (g.16081633T>C). Moreover, meat traits like protein content (g.16081633T>C; g.16079636C>G), intramuscular fat content (g.16081633T>C; g.16079636C>G, g.16081420C>T), dry matter (g.16081420C>T), ash (g.16081420C>T), water (g.16081420C>T), and cohesiveness (g.16081420C>T, g.16079636C>G) were affected by polymorphisms in leptin gene. We conclude that polymorphism in the rabbit leptin gene influences important carcass and meat traits of NZW?×?BGG crossbreeds. Therefore, polymorphisms identified in this study may be used in selection as a meat trait markers.     

Life Cycle Inventory for Use of Waste Solvent as Fuel Substitute in the Cement Industry - A Multi-Input Allocation Model (11 pp)

Background The Swiss chemical industry produces large amounts of organic waste solvents. Some of these solvents cannot be recovered. A common option for the treatment of such organic waste solvents is the incineration in hazardous waste incinerators. Alternatively, the waste solvents can be used as fuel in cement production. On the one hand, solvent incineration in cement kilns saves fossil fuels such as coal and heavy fuel oil. On the other hand, fuel-bound emissions may change as well. These emission changes can either have a negative or a positive net ecological impact, depending on the chemical nature of the waste solvent used.Goal and Scope The aim of our work was to develop a multi-input allocation model, which allows one to calculate life cycle inventories for specific waste solvents. These LCIs can then be used in further applications, e.g. a comparison of different waste solvent treatment options. Results and Discussion A multi-input allocation model was developed that takes into account the physico-chemical properties of waste solvents such as elementary composition and net calorific value. The model is based on a set of equations and data on fuel mix, fuel composition as well as transfer coefficients for heavy metals. The model calculates “avoided inputs” and “changes in emissions” which arise from substituting fossil fuels with waste solvents. Life cycle inventories can be calculated for specific waste solvents if the elementary composition and the net calorific value are known. The application of the model is illustrated in a case study on four waste solvents. The results show that solvent incineration in cement kilns generally reduces the overall impact of clinker production because fossil fuels are replaced. A sensitivity analysis revealed that the model is especially sensitive to the fuel mix and coal properties, such as net calorific value as well as the content of nitrogen and carbon. The transfer coefficients are also uncertain, but this uncertainty is not relevant as the amount of heavy metal emitted into the atmosphere is small. Conclusions and Outlook The proposed model serves to calculate inventory data for the combustion of liquid alternative fuels such as waste solvents in cement kilns. Although our model represents Swiss cement production conditions, it can be applied to other countries by fitting the most sensitive parameters of fuel mix and coal properties. In case the technology used is very different to the Swiss situation, the transfer coefficients also need to be adapted.     

An Inbred Lineage of Djungarian Hamsters with a Strongly Attenuated Ability to Synchronize

An inbred lineage of Ph. sungorus was established at our institute showing some unusual characteristics of the circadian system that appear incompatible with an adequate adaptation to the periodic environment. We identified a hamster for which activity onset was delayed under light‐dark conditions (L:D=14∶10 h) by about 4 h in relation to the light‐dark transition. As the activity offset remained synchronized with the time of light‐on, the activity period (α) became compressed to 6 h. By means of a special breeding program, the percentage of animals showing such a phenomenon increased, indicating that it has a genetic component. Also, it is possible now to breed a larger number of hamsters to further investigate the rhythm deviations and the underlying mechanisms. Activity rhythms were investigated using passive infrared motion sensors. Whereas some of the hamsters showed a rather stable phase delay of activity onset relative to the onset of darkness, some animals progressively delayed their activity onset up to a critical, minimal length of α (3.03±0.02 h). Thereafter, the rest‐activity rhythm started to free‐run with a remarkably long period (τ=25.02 h) or became arrhythmic. Some hamsters showed several consecutive cycles alternating between a free‐running rhythm and entrainment, with increasing τ and reducing the phases of temporary entrainment. Finally, these hamsters became arrhythmic. The total amount of activity per day was similar in the wild type and delayed activity onset hamsters. The latter did increase the intensity of activity, thereby compensating for the shorter α. The period length in constant darkness was significantly longer in the delayed hamsters compared to wild type animals (24.37±0.03 h vs. 24.24±0.02 h; p<0.001). However, this difference seems too small to cause the later activity onset. The phase response following a light pulse (100 lux, 15′ at CT14 where CT12=activity onset) was similar in delayed and wild type hamsters (?1.66±0.12 h and ?1.82±0.16 h). As access to running wheels is known to influence the circadian pacemaker, particularly to strengthen oscillator coupling, a set of further experiments was conducted. The free‐running period was significantly shorter when the hamsters were provided with running wheels (24.25±0.04 h and 24.07±0.04 h in wild type and delayed hamsters, respectively; p<0.005 and p<0.05). However, the effect on the activity onset was not unequivocal. In many hamsters it was still delayed, whereas in others the unlocking of the wheels led to an expansion of α. The described inbred lineage appears to be an excellent model to further investigate the properties and the interaction of the two oscillators underlying the daily activity pattern.