FA Level Research Articles

Growth performance and nutrient utilisation of Senegalese sole fed vegetable oils in plant protein-rich diets from juvenile to market size

Sustainable aquaculture is highly dependent on the optimization of aquafeeds in terms of production costs, environmental sustainability and nutritional value. Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) is a prized flatfish produced in Europe with demonstrated capacity to cope well with both vegetable protein and oil sources. However, the total replacement of fish oil (FO) in diets with a high inclusion of plant proteins (PP) has never been assessed before in this species. Three extruded isoenergetic (23 KJ/g) and isolipidic (15% DM) practical PP-based diets (75% PP) were formulated: a control diet with fish oil (FO) and two experimental diets with 50% and 100% inclusion of a vegetable oil (VO) blend to replace FO (VO50 and VO100). Triplicate groups of fish (13.3 ± 0.9 g) were kept in a recirculation saltwater system at 19 °C and fed the experimental diets ad libitum during 18 months. Fish were sampled after 6 and 18 months (in juvenile and on-growing developmental stages, respectively). The total substitution of FO by VO (VO100) during the juvenile phase (6 months of feeding) significantly reduced final body weight, daily growth index, and protein gain, and increased FCR. A longer feeding period (after 18 months) showed that VO inclusion had no major effects on fish growth, but FCR was still significantly higher in fish fed VO100 than in FO. At the end of the trial, muscle saturated FA level decreased with increasing dietary VO, whereas monounsaturated and polyunsaturated FA levels increased in fish fed VO diets particularly due to increased levels of linoleic, α-linoleic and arachidonic acid acids. In conclusion, the long-term replacement of marine ingredients by VO and PP sources does not impair Senegalese sole growth, but strongly reduces EPA + DHA muscle levels, compromising the nutritional value of fillets for human consumption.

Role of folic acid deficiency as a possible risk factor for erectile dysfunction

Background: erectile dysfunction (ED) is the persistent inability to attain or maintain an erection. ED affects millions of men worldwide. The pathophysiology of ED includes vasculogenic, neurogenic, hormonal, anatomical, drug-induced and psychogenic causes. Endothelial dysfunction (EDys) is an important pathophysiologic factor underlying vasculogenic erectile dysfunction. The pathogenesis of both EDys and ED are linked through decreased expression and activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS) which is responsible for formation of Nitric Oxide (NO). NO is a relaxing factor which plays a major role in activation and maintenance of the erection process. Aim of the work: this study aimed to detect the possible relationship between serum folic acid and erectile dysfunction by measuring serum FA concentration in patients with erectile dysfunction and comparing them with the healthy controls. Methodology: our study has been carried out on 90 individuals who were categorized into two groups. Group 1: 60 married males complained of ED. Group 2: 30 married potent males as a control.All participants were subjected to : personal history, past history of medical diseases and operations, sexual history, general examination, genital examination and evaluation of erectile function according to the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) Questionnaire). Fasting serum samples were collected from all participants and assayed for serum total testosterone, serum prolactin, serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides (TG), HbA1c and serum folic acid.Results: results of the current study showed a significant relation between folic acid and ED. FA level was declined as ED severity increased. It is thought that ED severity was related to HHcy which was related to the severity of FA deficiency.Conclusion: a significant association between serum FA level and ED severity was detected in the current study. Serum FA level decreased as the severity of ED increased. These results suggest that FA deficiency might reflect the severity of ED. Recommendations: serum folic acid assessment as a part of the routine investigations for patients complaining with erectile dysfunction. Additional experimental and clinical studies are needed to determine whether FA supplementation may be beneficial for patients having ED.

Role of folic acid deficiency as a possible risk factor for erectile dysfunction

Background: erectile dysfunction (ED) is the persistent inability to attain or maintain an erection. ED affects millions of men worldwide. The pathophysiology of ED includes vasculogenic, neurogenic, hormonal, anatomical, drug-induced and psychogenic causes. Endothelial dysfunction (EDys) is an important pathophysiologic factor underlying vasculogenic erectile dysfunction. The pathogenesis of both EDys and ED are linked through decreased expression and activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS) which is responsible for formation of Nitric Oxide (NO). NO is a relaxing factor which plays a major role in activation and maintenance of the erection process. Aim of the work: this study aimed to detect the possible relationship between serum folic acid and erectile dysfunction by measuring serum FA concentration in patients with erectile dysfunction and comparing them with the healthy controls. Methodology: our study has been carried out on 90 individuals who were categorized into two groups. Group 1: 60 married males complained of ED. Group 2: 30 married potent males as a control.All participants were subjected to : personal history, past history of medical diseases and operations, sexual history, general examination, genital examination and evaluation of erectile function according to the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) Questionnaire). Fasting serum samples were collected from all participants and assayed for serum total testosterone, serum prolactin, serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides (TG), HbA1c and serum folic acid.Results: results of the current study showed a significant relation between folic acid and ED. FA level was declined as ED severity increased. It is thought that ED severity was related to HHcy which was related to the severity of FA deficiency.Conclusion: a significant association between serum FA level and ED severity was detected in the current study. Serum FA level decreased as the severity of ED increased. These results suggest that FA deficiency might reflect the severity of ED. Recommendations: serum folic acid assessment as a part of the routine investigations for patients complaining with erectile dysfunction. Additional experimental and clinical studies are needed to determine whether FA supplementation may be beneficial for patients having ED.

Individual and combined toxicity of atrazine, butachlor, halosulfuron-methyl and mesotrione on the microalga Selenastrum capricornutum

The importance of controlling weeds and the needs of agricultural production mean that different herbicides are used in certain agricultural applications, and so organisms in aquatic environments are often exposed to mixtures of herbicides. This study examined the single and combined toxicity of atrazine (ATR), butachlor (BUT), halosulfuron-methyl (HAL) and mesotrione (MES), widely used herbicides with different sites of action, to the microalga Selenastrum capricornutum after 48h and 72h algal growth inhibition, using the combination index (CI)-isobologram equation. The order of toxicity of single herbicides after 48h and 72h of exposure ranked HAL > ATR > BUT > MES. After 48h exposure the two mixtures of BUT + MES and BUT + HAL + MES showed a synergism effect at the effect (fa) level of 0.5. After 72h exposure the five mixtures of ATR + BUT, BUT + HAL, BUT + MES, HAL + MES and BUT + HAL + MES showed synergism or additive effects at fa 0.5. The results indicated that the increase in toxicity caused by mixtures of these herbicides could, at suitable concentrations, pose a significant hazard to microalgae in the aquatic environment. The CI-isobologram equation may be a useful tool for the assessment of herbicide toxicity in aquatic ecosystems.

In-situ restoration of one-stage partial nitritation-anammox process deteriorated by nitrate build-up via elevated substrate levels.

The one-stage partial nitritation and anammox process (PN/A) has been a promising microbial process to remove ammonia from wastewater especially with low carbon/nitrogen ratio. The main breakdown was the deterioration caused by overgrowth of nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) resulting effluent nitrate build-up in the PN/A process. This study presented an in-situ restoring strategy for suppressing NOB activity in a one-stage granular PN/A system deteriorated over 2 months, using elevated concentrations of substrates (ammonia and nitrite) under limited dissolved oxygen level. The results showed that the NOB activity was successfully suppressed after 56 days of restoration, and finally the ratio of produced nitrate/consumed ammonium was reduced from 36.8% to 7%. On day 66 the nitrogen removal rate obtained as 1.2 kg N/(m3·d). The high FA level (5–40 mg/L) and low dissolved oxygen (<0.13 mg/L) were responsible for NOB suppression. From quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis, after this restoration, anammox bacteria had a widely growth, and AOB stay stable, but Nitrospira increase and Nitrobacter declined. High amount of NOB was still persistent in the granules, which was not easy to wash-out and threaten the deammonification performance.

Wavelength-scanning calibration of detection efficiency of single photon detectors by direct comparison with a photodiode

We present a practical calibration method of the detection efficiency (DE) of single photon detectors (SPDs) in a wide wavelength range from 480 nm to 840 nm. The setup consists of a GaN laser diode emitting a broadband luminescence, a tunable bandpass filter, a beam splitter, and a switched integrating amplifier which can measure the photocurrent down to the 100 fA level. The SPD under test with a fibre-coupled beam input is directly compared with a reference photodiode without using any calibrated attenuator. The relative standard uncertainty of the DE of the SPD is evaluated to be from 0.8% to 2.2% varying with wavelength (k = 1).

Fluctuating asymmetry in leaves and flowers of sympatric species in a tropical montane environment

AbstractFluctuating asymmetry (FA) represents small, random variations in traits, presumably with bilateral symmetry, and is widely used as a tool to measure developmental instability in plants and animals. Because FA is a quick, simple and reliable measure, it has been frequently used for monitoring levels of environmental stress. This study investigated whether FA can be used as a predictor of individual developmental instability for four sympatric Melastomataceae species. To achieve that aim, 20 individuals of Trembleya laniflora, T. parviflora, Lavoisiera campos‐portoana and Tibouchina heteromalla were marked in southeastern Brazil and monitored before and during the flowering season. The FA index was calculated as the mean of the difference in the width or length between the left and right sides measured for each leaf or flower. All studied species exhibited asymmetry in the leaves and flowers, but the leaves of L. campos‐portoana and the petal width of T. heteromalla exhibited directional asymmetry, also an indicator of developmental instability. The highest level of leaf asymmetry was found in T. heteromalla and on flowers of L. campos‐portoana. None of the studied species exhibited a significant relationship between the FA level of the leaves and flowers on an individual basis, indicating that environmental and/or genetic sources of stress might act differently on different plant traits. For the studied species, measurements of FA can be suggested as useful tools to biomonitor levels of stress experienced by both leaves and flowers within the Melastomataceae family.

Feasibility tests on concrete with very-high-volume supplementary cementitious materials.

The objective of this study is to examine the compressive strength and durability of very high-volume SCM concrete. The prepared 36 concrete specimens were classified into two groups according to their designed 28-day compressive strength. For the high-volume SCM, the FA level was fixed at a weight ratio of 0.4 and the GGBS level varied between the weight ratio of 0.3 and 0.5, which resulted in 70–90% replacement of OPC. To enhance the compressive strength of very high-volume SCM concrete at an early age, the unit water content was controlled to be less than 150 kg/m3, and a specially modified polycarboxylate-based water-reducing agent was added. Test results showed that as SCM ratio (R SCM) increased, the strength gain ratio at an early age relative to the 28-day strength tended to decrease, whereas that at a long-term age increased up to R SCM of 0.8, beyond which it decreased. In addition, the beneficial effect of SCMs on the freezing-and-thawing and chloride resistances of the concrete decreased at R SCM of 0.9. Hence, it is recommended that R SCM needs to be restricted to less than 0.8–0.85 in order to obtain a consistent positive influence on the compressive strength and durability of SCM concrete.

Relationships of levels of homocysteine, placental growth factor, folic acid and vitamin B12 in maternal blood and umbilical cord blood and their correlations with fetal growth restriction

Objective To observe the levels of the placenta growth factor(PLGF), the homocysteine(Hcy), the folic acid(Fa) and the Vitamin B12(Vit B12) in the maternal blood and the umbilical cord blood, and study the correlation and the mutual influence on the level of the fetal growth restriction(FGR). Methods The 44 inpatient delivery mothers and their babies were selected from Feb.to Nov.2010 in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, according to the womb age with birth weight percentile, and they were divided into 3 groups: the FGR group, appropriate for gestational age(AGA) group, large for gestational age(LGA) group.The fetal birth weight, height, head circumference, abdominal circumference, placenta weight were measured, and body mass index(BMI) was calculated, neonatal growth status was evaluated, and the delivery method and gender were recorded, and the Hcy, Fa, Vit B12 levels in the maternal blood and the umbilical cord blood were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Results 1.The Fa, Vit B12 levels in the maternal blood, umbilical cord blood in FGR group were obviously lower than those in the LGA group and AGA group(all P<0.05, 0.01). The Hcy levels in the maternal blood, umbilical cord blood in FGR group were obviously higher than those in the LGA group, AGA group(all P<0.05). The PLGF levels in the maternal blood, umbilical cord blood of FGR group were remarkably lower than those in the LGA group and AGA group(P<0.05, 0.01). In the maternal blood and umbilical cord blood, the Fa, Vit B12 levels, were positively correlated with PLGF(all P<0.001).2.The Hcy level in the maternal blood and umbilical cord blood, were negatively correlated with fetal birth weight, height, head circumference, abdominal circumference, placenta weight, BMI(all P<0.05). In the pregnant women blood Fa level, compared with fetal birth weight, head circumference, abdominal circumference, placenta weight, and BMI, were positively correlated(all P<0.05). In the maternal blood Vit B12 level, compared with fetal birth head circumference, abdominal circumference, and BMI, were positively correlated(all P<0.05). In the maternal blood PLGF level, compared with fetal birth weight, head circumference, abdominal circumfe-rence, BMI, was positively correlated(all P<0.05). By the stepwise multiple regression analysis, screening out the maternal blood Fa, Hcy, the umbilical cord blood Hcy influenced the fetal birth weight obviously, the most influent factor for the placenta weight was the maternal blood Hcy.3.The placenta weight in FGR group was lower than that of the LGA group and AGA group(P<0.001), and in the LGA group, AGA group, fetal birth weight, height, head circumfe-rence, abdominal circumference, BMI, compared with the placenta weight, were positively correlated(all P<0.001). Conclusions 1.Hyperhomocysteinemia may happen during pregnancy for the lack of the Fa and Vit B12, and FGR attacks may be related to the rise of Hcy level.2.In the later period of the pregnant women, the Fa, Vit B12, Hcy levels have the severe influence on the fetal physical condition.3.Placenta weight plays an important role in the fetal growth and development.4.The PLGF hyposecretion of the placenta may be the one of the key links to the pathogenesis of the FGR. Key words: Fetal growth restriction; Homocysteine; Folic acid; Vitamin B12; Placenta growth factor

Structural study of humic acids during composting of activated sludge-green waste: Elemental analysis, FTIR and 13C NMR

The humic acids extracted from a compost of activated sludge at different stages of maturity were characterized by various chemical techniques. Elemental analysis showed the reduction of H, and the H/C and C/N ratios and an increase in the proportion of N and S. At the end of composting C% and O% presented the same values as initially, although they increased in the intermediate stage. Based on the ratios of FTIR absorbance it was shown that the end product was enriched in etherified and peptidic compounds absorbing at 1384, 1034 and 1544 cm −1. The alkyl and other N-rich and oxidized recalcitrant structures compose the new humic polymers produced during composting. In principal components analysis, the first axis, PC1: 49.75% considers the variability between structures in decomposition from the other parameters that concern the stable new humic polymers formed after composting. PC2 (40.5%) shows a negative correlation between (aromatic carbon, FA level) and (aliphatic carbon, HA level) during composting.

Effect of free ammonia on the respiration and growth processes of an enriched Nitrobacter culture

The inhibitory effect of free ammonia (FA;NH 3) on the metabolism of Nitrobacter is investigated using a method that allows decoupling energy generation from growth processes. A lab-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was operated for the enrichment of Nitrobacter. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis showed that 73% of the bacterial population in the reactor was Nitrobacter, while no Nitrospira was detected. Batch tests were carried out to measure the oxygen uptake rate (OUR) by the culture at various FA levels, in the presence ( OUR withCO 2 ) or absence ( OUR withoutCO 2 ) of inorganic carbon (CO 2, HCO 3 − and CO 3 2−). The FA inhibition on the respiration initiated at below 1 mgNH 3–N L −1 in both cases. OUR withoutCO 2 gradually decreased by 12% when the FA concentration increased from 0 to approximately 4 mgNH 3–N L −1 and remained at the same level till an FA level of 9 mgNH 3–N L −1 (the highest FA concentration applied in this study). This indicates that FA has a limited inhibitory effect on the respiratory capability of Nitrobacter. Starting from a level that is 15% higher than OUR withoutCO 2 when no FA was present, OUR withCO 2 decreased more rapidly than OUR withoutCO 2 reaching the same level as OUR withoutCO 2 when FA was between 6–9 mgNH 3–N L −1. This implies that in this range of FA the presence of inorganic carbon did not cause any increase in the respiration activity of Nitrobacter. The results suggest that, while still oxidizing nitrite at approximately 75% of the non-inhibited rate, Nitrobacter likely ceased to grow at an FA level of above 6 mgNH 3–N L −1. While the real mechanisms remain to be identified, this study indicates that the FA inhibition on Nitrobacter is likely much more serious than suggested by previous studies where OUR withCO 2 (or the equivalent nitrite oxidation rate) was used as the sole measure of the inhibitory effects.

Fluctuating asymmetry in Podarcis muralis populations from Southern Montenegro: detection of environmental stress in insular populations

Abstract We examined degree of between-sides difference in number of femoral pores (fluctuating asymmetry, FA) in Podarcis muralis populations, distributed on islands and in coastal area of Lake Skadar (Southern Montenegro). The aim of this study was to test sensitivity of fluctuating asymmetry of chosen trait to isolation effect in the absence of anthropogenic impacts. The results indicate that FA in the number of femoral pores do not vary significantly between insular populations of P. muralis. Generally, there is negative but non-significant correlation between island size and FA level. Also, overdominance hypothesis of enhanced developmental homeostasis at higher levels of heterozygosity was not confirmed in this study. The results support earlier conclusions obtained from electrophoretic studies, that analyzed insular populations from Lake Skadar archipelago still do not suffer deleterious effects as a result of isolation.

Dietary modulation of fatty acid profiles and oxidative status of rat hepatocyte nodules: Effect of different n−6/n−3 fatty acid ratios

Male Fischer rats were fed the AIN 76A diet containing varying n-6/n-3 FA ratios using sunflower oil (SFO), soybean oil (SOY), and SFO supplemented with EPA-50 and GLA-80 (GLA) as fat sources. Hepatocyte nodules, induced using diethylnitrosamine followed by 2-acetylaminofluorene/partial hepatectomy promotion, were harvested, with surrounding and respective dietary control tissues, 3 mon after partial hepatectomy. The altered growth pattern of hepatocyte nodules in rats fed SFO is associated with a distinct lipid pattern entailing an increased concentration of PE, resulting in increased levels of 20:4n-6. In addition, there is an accumulation of 18:1 n-9 and 18:2n-6 and a decrease in the end products of the n-3 metabolic pathway in PC, suggesting a dysfunctional delta-6-desaturase enzyme. The hepatocyte nodules of the SFO-fed rats exhibited a significantly reduced lipid peroxidation level that was associated with an increase in the glutathione (GSH) concentration. The low n-6/n-3 FA ratio diets significantly decreased 20:4n-6 in PC and PE phospholipid fractions with a concomitant increase in 20:5n-3, 22:5n-3, and 22:6n-3. The resultant changes in the 20:4/20:5 FA ratio and the 20:3n-6 FA level in the case of the GLA diet suggest a reduction of prostaglandin synthesis of the 2-series. The GLA diet also counteracted the increased level of 20:4n-6 in PE by equalizing the nodule/surrounding ratio. The low n-6/n-3 ratio diets significantly increased lipid peroxidation levels in hepatocyte nodules, mimicking the level in the surrounding and control tissue while GSH was decreased. An increase in n-3 FA levels and oxidative status resulted in a reduction in the number of glutathione-S-transferase positive foci in the liver of the GLA-fed rats. Modulation of cancer development with low n-6/n-3 ratio diets containing specific dietary FA could be a promising tool in cancer intervention in the liver.

Low-noise electrometer and its low-noise cryogenic probe with completely guarded sample chamber

We describe a low-noise cryogenic probing system capable of measuring currents at the femtoAmpere (fA) level with integration time ⩽1 s and current noise spectra at the 1 fA/√Hz level with the sample cooled to cryogenic temperatures. The system consists of a low-noise electrometer and a low-noise cryogenic probe with completely guarded sample chamber. The low-noise electrometer has amplification of 0.1 V/1 pA with f3 dB=70 Hz, 1.1 V/pA with f3 dB=20 Hz, and/or 10.1 V/pA with f3 dB=1.4 Hz, and input current noise power density of 0.4 fA/√Hz rms and input voltage noise power density of ≈0.3 μV/√Hz rms at 1 Hz frequency. With the cryogenic probe, the entire measurement system has input current noise of 0.8 fA/√Hz rms at 1 Hz. The completely guarded sample chamber reduces parasitic conductance to &amp;lt;10−16 S and parasitic capacitance to ⩽15 fF between pairs of pins for current–voltage measurements. With this instrumentation, we are able to characterize the current and current noise of quantum well infrared photodetectors for sensitive zero-background applications.

STIM IMAGING FOR MAMMALIAN CELL SAMPLES BEFORE MICRO-PIXE ANALYSES IN AIR ENVIRONMENT AT JAERI TAKASAKI LIGHT ION MICROBEAM SYSTEM

In TIARA facility of JAERI, a scanning transmission ion microscopy (STIM) technique was introduced to the light ion microbeam system, so as to make direct beam positioning to samples for micro-PIXE analyses in the atmosphere. STIM is a low current (less than fA level) and high efficient sample imaging technique, which does not induce radiation damage even to biological cells for beam positioning before micro-PIXE analysis. The sample (bovine aortic endothelial cells) was prepared using a freeze-dry method on a thin polymer film which act not only as a sample backing foil but also as a beam extraction window to the atmosphere. A Si PIN photodiode (cover glass removed) was set just behind the sample in the atmosphere to measure the energy of proton microbeams passing through the sample and the window. STIM images were obtained in a short time, and corresponded with elemental maps obtained by subsequent micro-PIXE analyses. This paper will describe details of the experimental system and show preliminary results of STIM imaging and micro-PIXE analyses.

Abscisic Acid Suppresses the Increases in Cell Wall-Bound Ferulic and Diferulic Acid Levels in Dark-Grown Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Coleoptiles

Application of abscisic acid (ABA) to dark-grown wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) roots interfered the cell wall hardening of coleoptiles during several days of the treatment. Although the amounts of wall-bound diferulic (DFA) and ferulic (FA) acids in coleoptiles increased as the coleoptiles grew, ABA substantially reduced their increases. When ABA was removed, however, these contents increased and reached levels near those of control coleoptiles. A close correlation was observed between the levels of DFA and FA and the mechanical properties of cell walls. The ratio of the amount of DFA to FA was almost constant irrespective of growth conditions. The activities of phenylalanine- (PAL) and tyrosine-ammonia-Iyase (TAL) increased rapidly in the control coleoptiles. ABA greatly reduced the increases in these enzyme activities. In response to ABA removal, the enzyme activities increased rapidly. There was a close correlation between the increase in FA level and the changes in enzyme activities. These results suggest that ABA suppresses the increases in PAL and TAL activities in wheat coleoptiles, resulting in the reduced level of wall-bound FA, which, in turn, may cause the reduced DFA level and thereby maintain cell wall extensibility.