Important Economic Product Research Articles

Potential nervous threat of nanoplastics to Monopterus albus: Implications from a metabolomics study

Nanoplastics, as a new class of environmental pollutants, have been frequently detected in environmental media and organisms. Monopterus albus (M. albus) is an important economic aquatic product with a high dietary consumption. However, the potential biological effects of nanoplastics on M. albus remain unknown. In this study, the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) at different concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, 5 and 10 mg/L) on M. albus were investigated using an untargeted metabolomics approach. The results showed that 59, 44, 24, and 31 individual differential metabolites and 16, 9, 6, and 2 significant differential metabolic pathways were significantly changed in 0.5, 1, 5, and 10 mg/L respectively, indicating the greater effect of PS-NPs at the relatively low concentrations. After further analysis, there are four same significant differential metabolic pathways for the 0.5 and 1 mg/L groups, i.e., ABC transporters, cAMP signaling pathway, Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, and Synaptic vesicle cycle. In addition, there was one mutual differential metabolic pathway (Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction) among the four groups, indicative of the probably universal nervous influence of nanoplastics on M. albus. In a word, the current work suggests that PS-NPs might affect the nervous systems of M. albus through disturbing their liver metabolism, and nanoplastics at relatively low concentrations may possess a greater effect, which provides significant information for assessing the toxic effect and exposure risk of nanoplastics to organisms in aquatic environment.

Green Supplier Assessment and Selection for Sea Cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) Processing Enterprise: Case Study in China

Green supply chain management is a crucial way to balance economic benefits and environmental impacts. As an important economic aquatic product in China, sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) is facing the dual challenges of economic benefits (profit) and environmental sustainability (material input and emission output). Currently, the sea cucumber industry in China lacks a green supplier screening system, resulting in a fragmented pattern of cooperation among enterprises. Core enterprises in the supply chain cannot assume social responsibility to help and guide upstream and downstream enterprises to jointly improve environmental performance. This study focuses on the selection and evaluation of green suppliers for sea cucumber processing enterprises. Firstly, a green supplier assessment indicator system for sea cucumber processing enterprises was established, and the indicator weights were determined by the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method. Next taking a large sea cucumber processing enterprise in Dalian, China, as an example, the importance level of each index was evaluated by fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE), and the score and ranking of existing suppliers were determined. The validity and practicality of the method were verified. The results show that Supplier 1 (S1) has the highest score, and the price of sea cucumber farming, the cleaner production level of sea cucumber farming, environmental awareness, and long-term cooperation willingness were the most important factors in the selection of green suppliers for sea cucumber processing enterprises, which provides useful clues on the best practice of making sustainable development decisions. With an in-depth understanding of the key factors, suppliers can formulate different prices according to the differences in sales channels to improve the economic deficiencies. Environmental pollution can also be reduced by using clean energy, establishing a recirculating aquaculture system, and using micro-ecological preparations. The conclusions of this study can provide technical support and decision-making suggestions for the application of green supply chain management in China’s aquaculture industry.

Budidaya Kepiting Bakau (Scylla Serrata) Teknologi Apartemen Sistem Resirkulasi Desa Cot Lamkuweueh, Kota Banda Aceh

It is one of the important and potential economic products of Aceh province. Wild crabs have great potential and prospects for aquaculture development. This can be seen from the large number of ponds in Banda Aceh city. Currently, the mangrove crab farming model using a floating cage system is the most popular in Aceh. The problem is that natural conditions cannot be controlled, so water quality changes drastically, making it difficult for farming to achieve success above 80%. Syiah Kuala University Aquaculture Research Program Community Services Group has developed a mangrove crab farming unit with a vertical apartment system equipped with a water circulation system or RAS. The apartment system is designed with 4 floors, each floor has 10 crab boxes. The time it takes for crabs to molt during spawning is 15-20 days with a survival rate of 80-90%. Hopefully this technology transfer to partners will become an educational model for mangrove crab farmers in Cot Lamkuweueh village, Banda Aceh city.

The Effect of Some Endophytic Bacteria on Seedling Growth and Physiological Properties of Salvia officinalis L.

In order to meet the demand for medicinal sage (Salvia officinalis L.), which is an important economic product, harvesting from nature has economic value. However, it may not always be of the desired standard and quality. Also, the harvesting from nature endangers their natural population causing their genetic base to decline. For this reason, it is important to produce it in an agrosystem and to increase yield in a sustainable way. In this study, the effects of eleven endophyte bacteria (EB) isolates applications on the development, morphology, and physicochemical properties of Salvia officinalis L. were investigated by climate chamber experiments. Peat+perlite+soil (1:1:2) mixture was used as the growing medium and EB was applied two times by soaking method. Effects of EB applications on shoot/root length, root/stem fresh and dry weight, Dualex values (Nitrogen balance index (NBI), flavonol, anthocyanin, and chlorophyll), leaf area, leaf temperature and color values (L*, a) *, b * C and Hue° were examined. All EB applications increased the plant height and leaf area. Also, the majority of EB isolates enhanced the root dry weight. The effect of EB applications on flavonol and chlorophyll content was not found statistically significant. However, there was a statistically significant increase in the nitrogen balance index (NBI). It was also observed that EB applications caused changes in plant color. According to the results obtained, it has been seen that it is possible to produce environmentally friendly and sustainable medicinal sage with appropriate plant-bacteria combinations.

Glutathione S-transferase gene diversity and their regulation by Nrf2 in Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) during nitrite stress

Eriocheir sinensis is one of the most important economic aquatic products in China. However, nitrite pollution has become a serious threat to the healthy culture of E. sinensis. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) is an important phase II detoxification enzyme, which plays a leading role in the cellular detoxification of exogenous substances. In this study, we obtained 15 GST genes (designated as EsGST1-15) from E. sinensis, and their expression and regulation in E. sinensis under nitrite stress were studied. EsGST1-15 belonged to different GST subclasses. EsGST1, EsGST2, EsGST3, EsGST4, and EsGST5 belonged to Delta-class GSTs; EsGST6 and EsGST7 are Theta-class GSTs; EsGST8 is a mGST-3-class GST; EsGST9 belonged to mGST-1-class GSTs; EsGST10 and EsGST11 belonged to Sigma-class GSTs; EsGST12, EsGST13, and EsGST14 are Mu-class GSTs; EsGST15 is a Kappa-class GST. Tissue distribution experiments showed that EsGSTs were widely distributed in all detected tissues. The expression level of EsGST1-15 was significantly increased in the hepatopancreas under nitrite stress, indicating that EsGSTs were involved in the detoxification of E. sinensis under nitrite stress. Nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that can activate the expression of detoxification enzyme. We detected the expression of EsGST1-15 after interfering with EsNrf2 in the hepatopancreas of E. sinensis with or without nitrite stress. Results showed that EsGST1-15 were all regulated by EsNrf2 with or without nitrite stress. Our study provides new information about the diversity, expression, and regulation of GSTs in E. sinensis under nitrite stress.

Assessment of bioagents against cotton diseases under South Gujarat of India

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is one of the most important economic products of the group of fibres due to volume and value of production. Its cultivation is also of great social importance, due to the number of jobs generated directly or indirectly. The fibre, the main product of cotton has many industrial applications. The manufacturing of yarn for weaving of various kinds of fabrics, cotton batting for hospital use, felt clothing, blankets and upholstery, photographic films and plates for radiography among others. Here in this experiment, different bioagents were evaluated against the cotton foliar disease. This experiment engage the total nine treatments including control from which, treatment T5 (14.50 PDI) (Seed and soil application Pf CICR i.e., seed application: 108cfu/g @10g per kg of seed soil application: 2.5 kg/ha at 30 and 60 DAS) followed by T8 (18.33 PDI) significantly recorded minimum bacterial leaf blight infection in comparison to the treatment T9 i.e. control (42.33 PDI) in RCH 2 BG II hybrid. For Alternaria leaf spot disease, treatment T8 (8.17 PDI) (Seed treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescens CICR (2 x 108cfu/g) @ 10 g/kg seed + soil application of Trichoderma viride TNAU1 (2 x 106 cfu/g) @ 2.5 kg/ha in 250 kg of vermicompost and sprays of Kresoxim methyl (0.0443%) followed by Captan 70% + Hexaconazole 5% WP @ 1.5 g/l) were recorded significantly minimum Alternaria leaf spot disease in RCH 2 BG II hybrid as compared to the T9 i.e. control (19.33 PDI) followed by T7 (9.83 PDI) and T3 (10.50 PDI) treatment. The highest seed cotton yield was recorded in the treatment T5 (2606.00 kg/ha) followed by treatment T8 (2335.33 kg/ha) and treatment T7 (2275.67 kg/ha), respectively.

The Mechanisms of Fur Development and Color Formation in American Mink Revealed Using Comparative Transcriptomics.

American mink fur is an important economic product, but the molecular mechanisms underlying its color formation and fur development remain unclear. We used RNA-seq to analyze the skin transcriptomes of young and adult mink with two different hair colors. The mink comprised black adults (AB), white adults (AW), black juveniles (TB), and white juveniles (TW) (three each). Through pair comparison and cross-screening among different subgroups, we found that 13 KRTAP genes and five signaling pathways (the JAK-STAT signaling pathway (cfa04630), signaling pathways regulating pluripotency of stem cells (cfa04550), ECM-receptor interaction (cfa04512), focal adhesion (cfa04510), and the Ras signaling pathway (cfa04014)) were related to mink fur development. We also found that members of a tyrosinase family (TYR, TYRP1, and TYRP2) are involved in mink hair color formation. The expression levels of TYR were higher in young black mink than in young white mink, but this phenomenon was not observed in adult mink. Our study found significant differences in adult and juvenile mink skin transcriptomes, which may shed light on the mechanisms of mink fur development. At the same time, the skin transcriptomes of black and white mink also showed differences, with the results varying by age, suggesting that the genes regulating hair color are active in early development rather than in adulthood. The results of this study provide molecular support in breeding for mink coat color and improving fur quality.

In Vitro Antioxidant Properties and Phenolic Profile of Acid Aqueous Ethanol Extracts from Torreya grandis Seed Coat.

Torreya grandis is an important economic forestry product in China, whose seeds are often consumed as edible nuts, or used as raw materials for oil processing. To date, as an important by-product of Torreya grandis, comprehensive studies regarding the Torreya grandis seed coat phenolic composition are lacking, which greatly limits its in-depth use. Therefore, in the present study, the Torreya grandis seed coat was extracted by acid aqueous ethanol (TE), and NMR and UHPLC-MS were used to identify the major phenolics. Together with the already known phenolics including protocatechuic acid, catechin, epigallocatechin gallate, and epicatechin gallate, the unreported new compound 2-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenylethyl) malonic acid was discovered. The results of the antioxidant properties showed that both TE and 2-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenylethyl) malonic acid exhibited strong ABTS, DPPH, and hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity, and significantly improved the O/W emulsion’s oxidation stability. These results indicate that the TE and 2-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenylethyl) malonic acid could possibly be used in the future to manufacture functional foods or bioactive ingredients. Moreover, further studies are also needed to evaluate the biological activity of TE and 2-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenylethyl) malonic acid to increase the added value of Torreya grandis by-products.

Breed-specific expression mode of the Wnt signalling pathway is involved in feather follicle morphogenesis between Anser cygnoide and Anser anser

ABSTRACT Feathers are important economic products. Anser cygnoide (AC) is superior in reproduction, growth and feather quality, while Anser anser (AA) has an advantage in feather yield. Understanding the development of feather follicles facilitates deliberate crossbreeding. Here, we compared feather follicles morphogenesis between AC and AA. Feathers and dorsal skin were sampled at multiple embryonic days to investigate feather phenotypes, feather follicle morphology and the expression of hub molecules (FZD4, β-catenin, LEF1, TCF4 and c-Myc) in the Wnt signalling pathway. We found a marked difference in plumage colour between the two breeds. Feather colour in AA has undergone a ‘black dorsum’ stage and cavity formation in AC was earlier. Furthermore, different trends in molecular hub expression helped explain the phenotypical and morphological differences: the upregulated Wnt signals in AC at E12 and/or E15, as well as in AA at E18, were associated with early epidermal placode formation and cavity formation in AC, also, related to the development of the secondary feather follicles and ‘black dorsum’ in AA. Summarily, breed-specific expression patterns of Wnt signalling pathway between AC and AA might participate in the shaping of breed-specific feather follicles morphogenesis and feather phenotypes. This work provides references for feather follicles development in geese.

Chemical Characterization of Taif Rose (Rosa damascena Mill var. trigentipetala) Waste Methanolic Extract and Its Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Effects against Cadmium Chloride (CdCl2)-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Potential Anticancer Activities against Liver Cancer Cells (HepG2)

Taif rose (Rosa damascena Mill) is one of the most important economic products of the Taif Governorate, Saudi Arabia. Cadmium chloride (CdCl2) is a common environmental pollutant that is widely used in industries and essentially induces many toxicities, including hepatotoxicity. In this study, the major compounds in the waste of Taif rose extract (WTR) were identified and chemically and biologically evaluated. GC–MS analysis of WTR indicated the presence of many saturated fatty acids, vitamin E, triterpene, dicarboxylic acid, terpene, linoleic acid, diterpenoid, monoterpenoid, flavonoids, phenylpyrazoles, and calcifediol (vitamin D derivative). The assessment of potential anticancer activity against HepG2 cells proved that WTR had a high cell killing effect with IC50 of 100–150 µg/mL. In addition, WTR successfully induced high cell cycle arrest at G0/G1, S, and G2 phases, significant apoptosis, necrosis, and increased autophagic cell death response in the HepG2 line. For the evaluation of its anti-CdCl2 toxicity, 32 male rats were allocated to four groups: control, CdCl2, WTR, and CdCl2 plus WTR. Hepatic functions and antioxidant biomarkers (SOD, CAT, GRx, GPx, and MDA) were examined. Histological changes and TEM variations in the liver were also investigated to indicate liver status. The results proved that WTR alleviated CdCl2 hepatotoxicity by improving all hepatic vitality markers. In conclusion, WTR could be used as a preventive and therapeutic natural agent for the inhibition of hepatic diseases and the improvement of redox status. Additional in vitro and in vivo studies are warranted.

Proteomic analysis of Eriocheir sinensis hemocytes in response to hypoxia stress

The Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis, is an important economic aquatic product in China. Oxygen is essential for the crab, hypoxia is a natural phenomenon common in the process of aquaculture and will bring a harmful impact on the growth, development and disease outbreak of crab. To understand the effect of hypoxia on the crab, the proteome changes of E. sinensis hemocytes in the hypoxia (1.5 ± 0.5 mg/L of DO) and the normoxia groups (6.0 ± 0.5 mg/L of DO) were obtained using iTraq labeling and affinity enrichment followed by high-resolution LC-MS/MS analysis. In total, 664 differentially expressed proteins were reliably quantified (567 up-regulated and 97 down-regulated) using 1.2-fold change in expression as a physiologically significant benchmark. GO annotation, KEGG annotation, etc. were used to analysis these significantly different expression proteins. Many pathways or biological process were identified in the process of E. sinensis hemocytes response hypoxia, such as tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, cell apoptosis, VEGFR/MAPK pathway, prophenoloxidase system (proPO system), phagocytosis, and so on. Ten selected genes from these different expression proteins were verified by qRT-PCR analysis. Finally, the activity of several major antioxidant enzymes (phenoloxidase (PO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA)) were analysis, the results showed that hypoxia stress significantly increased these enzymes activity. These study could serve as a basis to understand the relationship between E. sinensis hemocytes and hypoxia stress, and also provide reference to study hypoxia stress in other crustaceans.

The relationship between petroleum price and real exchange rate: an example of Iraq

Petroleum is one of the world's most important economic products. It is widely accepted that petroleum is not only an energy product, but also a financial asset. Therefore, it is important to understand the dependence of petroleum prices on economic conditions and financial markets and how they can affect the world economy. The fluctuations in world petroleum prices affect the economies of petroleum importing countries through different channels. One of the most important of these influence channels is the exchange rate. Because changes in exchange rates cause different economic problems in fragile economies. Changes in petroleum prices affect the economic performance of any country through various channels. One of the channels of influence is exchange rates. Petroleum prices affect the transfer of income from petroleum exporting countries to petroleum importing countries through trade and thus determine the exchange rate. In this study, the Relationship between Petroleum Price and Real Exchange Rate in Iraq was examined by ADF unit root test, Johansen-Juselius cointegration test and Granger causality analysis. For the analysis, the Petroleum Price and Real Exchange Rate data of Iraq were taken from the official website of the World Bank and transferred to the Eviews 10 program and necessary analyzes were made. The results of the analysis were analyzed and interpreted in tables.

LncRNAs and their regulatory networks in breast muscle tissue of Chinese Gushi chickens during late postnatal development

BackgroundChicken skeletal muscle is an important economic product. The late stages of chicken development constitute the main period that affects meat production. LncRNAs play important roles in controlling the epigenetic process of growth and development. However, studies on the role of lncRNAs in the late stages of chicken breast muscle development are still lacking. In this study, to investigate the expression characteristics of lncRNAs during chicken muscle development, 12 cDNA libraries were constructed from Gushi chicken breast muscle samples from 6-, 14-, 22-, and 30-week-old chickens.ResultsA total of 1252 new lncRNAs and 1376 annotated lncRNAs were identified. Furthermore, 53, 61, 50, 153, 117, and 78 DE-lncRNAs were found in the W14 vs. W6, W22 vs. W14, W22 vs. W6, W30 vs. W6, W30 vs. W14, and W30 vs. W22 comparison groups, respectively. After GO enrichment analysis of the DE-lncRNAs, several muscle development-related GO terms were found in the W22 vs. W14 comparison group. Moreover, it was found that the MAPK signaling pathway was one of the most frequently enriched pathways in the different comparison groups. In addition, 12 common target DE-miRNAs of DE-lncRNAs were found in different comparison groups, some of which were muscle-specific miRNAs, such as gga-miR-206, gga-miR-1a-3p, and miR-133a-3p. Interestingly, the precursors of four newly identified miRNAs were found to be homologous to lncRNAs. Additionally, we found some ceRNA networks associated with muscle development-related GO terms. For example, the ceRNA networks contained the DYNLL2 gene with 12 lncRNAs that targeted 2 miRNAs. We also constructed PPI networks, such as IGF-I-EGF and FZD6-WNT11.ConclusionsThis study revealed, for the first time, the dynamic changes in lncRNA expression in Gushi chicken breast muscle at different periods and revealed that the MAPK signaling pathway plays a vital role in muscle development. Furthermore, MEF2C and its target lncRNA may be involved in muscle regulation through the MAPK signaling pathway. This research provided valuable resources for elucidating posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms to promote the development of chicken breast muscles after hatching.

Contamination of corn grain for human consumption with transgenic sequences in Paraguay

Abstract Corn is one of the most important economic, social and cultural agricultural products in Paraguay, being the main ingredient of several typical foods. Due to the cross-pollination of this plant, it can be contaminated with transgenic maize pollen found in nearby fields. The general objective of this research was to evaluate the presence of transgenic sequences in corn grains marketed in the Departments of Itapua, Alto Parana and Canindeyu for the preparation of flour for human consumption. We studied 18 samples of corn kernels marketed for the preparation of flour from the Departments of Itapua, Alto Parana and Canindeyu. The DNA was extracted using the Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) protocol. For the detection of the transgenic sequences, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was used. The bands were analyzed visually and using the ImageJ program. The results showed the presence of 5 positive samples for the P-35S-CaMv promoter and 5 samples for the T-nos terminator, none of them presented both sequences sought in the same construction; this indicates that 10 of 18 samples were contaminated with transgenic sequences. These findings show that transgenic products are available in Paraguayan local markets without consumers being aware of this situation.

The Effects of a Cold Disinfestation on Bactrocera dorsalis Survival and Navel Orange Quality.

Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck is an important economic product in South China, but the presence of quarantine pests in this product proposes the potential threat to international trade security. To find a proper phytosanitary cold treatment for Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), commonly called oriental fruit fly, one of the most serious quarantine insects in navel orange, eggs in petri dish and larvae in navel orange fruits were exposed to a 1.7 °C cold chamber for 0–11 days to compare the tolerance to cold treatment. The 2nd instar larva (4 days) is the most tolerant stage, and the estimated time for 99.9968% mortality at the 95% confidence level is 11.3 (9.5, 14.6) days. Then 15 days was selected as the target time for the confirmatory tests, resulting in no survivors from 37,792 treated larvae with the efficacy of 99.9921% mortality at the 95% confidence level. The quality assessments were conducted to compare the effect on the navel orange fruit between cold treatment and the conventional cold storage. Results indicated that the cold treatment did not negatively affect the fruit quality. Therefore, this cold treatment showed potential as a commercial quarantine treatment for navel orange in international trade.

The feasibility of using image processing and artificial neural network for detecting the adulteration of sesame oil

Sesame oil is one of the most important nutritional and economic products in the world, which yields a high economic value for many countries every year. The production of sesame oil due to the complex process is very costly and this will increase the price of the product. High prices of sesame oil provide the condition and motivate profiteers to misuse this situation. The main method of misuse is to mix oils such as corn, canola, sunflower, and soybean oil into pure sesame oil. Therefore, the main goal of this study is to evaluate a portable intelligent system for detecting oil adulteration using the technology of machine vision. For evaluation of the adulterated sesame oil, 13 samples of oilseed, sunflower and canola, which included different percentages of their mixing, were prepared. In order to detect the adulteration of sesame oil, artificial neural networks were designed and evaluated with a hidden layer with a number of different neurons (from 1 to 20). The best network with structure 12-6-7 provided for the prediction of mixed samples of sesame oil and sunflower seeds, correlation coefficient (R) and mean square error (MSE) of 0.944 and 0.006, respectively. Also, the best network with structure 12-10-7 to predict the mixed samples of sesame oil and canola provided correlation coefficient and mean square error of 0.946 and 0.0003, respectively. These results show the success of color modeling for detecting of adulteration in pure sesame oil.

English

Hide and Skins are important economic products contributing to the largest share of the total and agricultural export commodities followed by live animals in Ethiopia. The current study was conducted with the objective of assessing the major causes of hide and skin defect, quality, and marketing of the raw materials in Adami-Tulu and Bora district. A total of 768 (382 sheep and 220 goat skins and 76 cattle hides) sample was randomly selected and visually examined for defects at the collection centers. Further, 20 apparently health and 20 apparently defective goat skins were selected randomly and tested for physicochemical characteristics including tensile strength/mm², elongation percentage, tear load, thickens (mm), fat content and moisture content at crust stage of processing. A questionnaire survey was also done with 200 respondents to assess the marketing situation of hide and skins in the study areas. Major defects before processing were cockle (36.6%), flay defect (51.6%), scratch (60.7%), scar (26.2%) and putrefaction (17.5%), and brand (0.5%). The proportions of scratch, flay defect and cockle were higher in goat skin, sheep skin and cattle hide, respectively (P<0.05). Both defective and apparently normal goat skins after tanning to wet blue stage have demonstrated different types of defects. Prevalence of cockle, scratch, putrefaction and pox lesion was increased after processing defective skins. None of the skins considered normal were free of defects. However, the appearance of defects such as cockle, scratch, putrefaction and pox lesion was higher in defective than in those considered normal (P<0.05). Grading at wet blue stage revealed that majority of skins in both groups earned grades 3 to 5; there was no grade one.  On the other hand, physico-chemical examination (tensile strength, percentage elongation, tear load, moisture, content, etc.) as a reflection of the natural characteristics of goat skin showed that both groups classified defective and normal, had within standard or better performance as compared to the Ethiopian Standard set by the authority. It can be concluded that if the major defects are significantly reduced, access to market and market information is improved. Raw hides and skins in the study areas as reflected from goat skin analysis have outstanding natural characteristics that could make them qualify for better grades in the market. Key words: Adami-Tulu, Bora, defects, hide and skins, marketing, physico-chemical characteristics. &nbsp

Behind Closed Doors: The Priorities of the Alcohol Industry as Communicated in a Trade Magazine

Background: Efforts to reduce alcohol-related harm face strong resistance from the alcohol industry. It is important to monitor industry actions over time to assist in developing appropriate responses to this resistance. Monitoring can enable public health to identify industry positions on alcohol policy issues, stay abreast of current and emerging marketing tactics, and inform the development of possible counter-actions. One form of monitoring is the examination of industry trade publications where the industry converses with itself. The aim of this study was to assess industry strategic approaches as communicated in articles published in a leading Australian alcohol trade magazine to provide insights for policy makers and advocacy groups.Methods: Thematic analysis of 362 articles published in a trade magazine over a one-year period.Results: Three primary themes were evident in the articles: (1) the legitimization of alcohol as an important social and economic product, (2) the portrayal of the industry as trustworthy and benign, and (3) the strategic embedding of alcohol in various facets of everyday life.Conclusions: There was a general failure to acknowledge the substantial burden of disease caused by alcohol products, and instead much effort was expended on legitimizing the product and the companies responsible for its production, distribution, and promotion. The level of denial exhibited shows that additional regulation of the industry and its tactics will need to proceed without industry acceptance. Clear resistance to increasing consumer protections also points to the futility of inviting industry members to the policy table.

Ascertaining the competitiveness of Thai exports to PRC

PurposeThis study aims to fundamentally focus on the comparative advantage measurement and the trend of change in the international competitiveness of five Thai economic products exporting to the People’s Republic of China during the first half of the 2010s via the analysis of the revealed comparative advantage (RCA) index and market share.Design/methodology/approachThe RCA index has been computed to show the comparative advantages of the product to a certain extent: whether it is cost-effective to produce that product in a certain location compared to opportunity cost of the resources in producing that product. The data set of number and value of five important export products from Thailand to China during 2010-2013 has been obtained from the Thai Ministry of Commerce and Thai-Chinese Business Information Centre.FindingsThe study reveals that of these five important economic products, cassava has the highest comparative advantage and continues to have a rapid growth trend, whilst computer equipment and components have been shown to have comparative disadvantage and the lowest comparative advantage index scores.Research limitations/implicationsMeasuring with various sophisticated indices may provide clearer results. Also, according to unavailability of data set, the four-year period may not be able to show the long-term trend of competitiveness. Future studies are encouraged to study in the longer-term period with numerous indices.Practical implicationsThe research also provides policy implications and measures to develop each sector to enhance competitiveness.Originality/valueThis is the original attempt to use both indices to assess the competitiveness of important Thai exports to the Chinese market.

Chemical characterization of Rosa damascena Miller var. trigintipetala Dieck essential oil and its in vitro genotoxic and cytotoxic properties

Rosa damascena Miller var. trigintipetala Dieck (Taif rose) is considered as one of the most important economic products of Taif governorate, KSA. In this study, the different components of Taif rose essential oil were characterized using GC-MS technique. In addition, the in vitro cytotoxic, genotoxic and anticancer effects of the oil were investigated toward normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes and two kinds of human cancer cell lines; HepG2 and MCF7. GC-MS analysis showed that the acyclic monoterpene alcohols had the highest content (254.7 mg/g oil). The major components of the oil that have relative percentage > 5% were β-citronellol, geraniol, nerol, linalool, phenylethyl alcohol and nonadecane. The results showed that the oil was safe at a dose < 50 μg/mL when applied to normal human blood lymphocytes monitored by 7-AAD assay and DNA index determination. The oil exerted anticancer activity against HepG2 and MCF7 with IC50 = 13.03 ± 0.8 and 16.44 ± 1.4 μg/mL respectively. In conclusion, the essential oil of Taif rose can be used as an effective therapeutic natural agent after more toxicological in vitro and in vivo studies.