Marine Protein Research Articles

Socioeconomic differences in diet: An isotopic examination of post-Medieval Chichester, West Sussex.

Historical evidence suggests that social hierarchy pervaded all aspects of society in post-Medieval England. This study uses stable isotope analysis to explore the extent to which socioeconomic status and sex affected the dietary habits of the inhabitants of post-Medieval Chichester. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios were measured on 40 human burials from the post-Medieval site of St. Michael's Litten (Chichester, West Sussex, England). Samples were selected from three burial types that denoted differing socioeconomic status with roughly equal numbers of males and females: tomb burials (n = 13) for high-status; single coffin burials (n = 14) for middle-status; and shroud burials (n = 13) for low-status individuals. The data showed a largely terrestrial diet with the possibility of some inclusion of marine resources. The isotope results indicate significant variation in the consumption of terrestrial meat (and marine protein) between high-status tomb burials and coffin and shroud burials, showing that socioeconomic status likely played a role in daily dietary patterns. However, the isotope data suggest sex did not influence an individual's diet. These results mirror trends established in status-based studies from elsewhere in post-Medieval England. However, notably absent from the data is evidence for significant marine resource consumption, which is a well-established dietary trend of the late Medieval and early post-Medieval periods. These results indicate post-Medieval Chichester was a socially stratified society with clear implications that the diet of higher status individuals differed significantly from lower status.

At the world's edge: Reconstructing diet and geographic origins in medieval Iceland using isotope and trace element analyses.

ObjectivesA multi‐isotope study was conducted on individuals buried at Skriðuklaustur monastery (AD 1493–1554) to investigate their geographic origins and dietary composition. Comparative material from individuals excavated from Skeljastaðir, an inland farm site was also analyzed.Materials and methodsBone collagen was extracted from 50 humans (Skriðuklaustur and Skeljastaðir) and 25 animals (Skriðuklaustur) and analyzed for δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S. Dental enamel samples from 31 individuals (Skriðuklaustur) were also analyzed for 87Sr/86Sr, δ18O, δ13C, and trace elements (Pb, Sr, Zn, Ba).ResultsThe mean value determined from individuals from Skriðuklaustur (n = 36) was δ13C = −18.7 ± 0.8‰, δ15N = 12.8 ± 1.1‰, and δ34S = 9.0 ± 1.6‰, whereas at Skeljastaðir (n = 14), it was δ13C = −20.5 ± 0.8‰, δ15N = 7.8 ± 0.9‰, and δ34S = 9.4 ± 1.6‰. At Skriðuklaustur, human dental enamel samples (n = 31) provided a 87Sr/86Sr range of 0.7060–0.7088, δ18Ophosphate from 13.9 to 16.1‰ and δ13Ccarbonate from −16.6 to −12.9‰. Inferred drinking water (δ18Odw) values range from −12.3 to −8.9‰. Sr concentrations range from 25.8 to 156.7 ppm, Ba from 0.11 to 0.81 ppm, Zn from 43.8 to 145.8 ppm, and Pb from 0.13 to 9.40 ppm.DiscussionA combination of results indicates that the people from Skriðuklaustur were born in Iceland, but some lived inland during childhood while others lived closer to the coast. Since Skriðuklaustur was a hospital, these individuals may have sought medical treatment at the monastery. The δ13C and δ15N values determined from bone collagen indicate that the people residing at Skriðuklaustur consumed a diet high in marine protein, while those residing at Skeljastaðir exhibit values more consistent with terrestrial resources.

Utilization of feed resources in the production of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in Norway: An update for 2016

The utilization of feed resources in Norwegian salmon farming in 2010 and 2012 has been reported previously. The present study is an update for 2016, along with data on whole body composition of slaughter sized salmon. In 2016, in total 1,252,573 tonnes of salmon were produced. Fillet production was estimated to 814,172 tonnes. Given ‘as is’, 1,627,478 tonnes of feed ingredients were used (1,520,358 tonnes on dry matter basis). Marine ingredients constituted 405,921 tonnes (25%), 1,156,135 tonnes (71%) were of plant origin and 65,422 tonnes (4%) were other ingredients. The estimated retention of energy, protein, lipid, DHA + EPA and phosphorus was 41.3%, 36.6%, 49.4%, 37.3% and 18.5%, respectively, in whole salmon. In fillet, the corresponding retention values were 23.0%, 26.1%, 24.6%, 21.8% and 9.5%, respectively. Whole body of slaughter sized salmon (mean body weight 5276 g) contained 12.71 MJ/kg energy, 16.9% crude protein, 21.5% total lipids (0.44% EPA, 0.72% DHA) and 1.8% ash (0.31% phosphorus). The salmon production and use of feed ingredients in 2016 were of similar volumes as in 2012, but the use of marine protein sources was further reduced and replaced by plant ingredients.

The accumulation of microplastics in fish from an important fish farm and mariculture area, Haizhou Bay, China

Marine fisheries and aquaculture can match growing demand for marine protein from an increasing population. However, the microplastics (MPs) in marine environments may pose a threat to human health through food chains by seafood consumption. The MPs have been found lodged in the digestive tracts and other tissues of various sea animals, nevertheless, little is known in regard to the accumulation of MPs in fish from major fish farms and mariculture areas, especially in non-digestive tissues of fishes. This study investigated the accumulation of MPs in six major wild fish species (including Thryssa kammalensis, Amblychaeturichthys hexanema, Odontamblyopus rubicundus, Cynoglossus semilaevis, Chaeturichthys stigmatias and Collichthys lucidus), both in digestive and non-digestive tissues, from an important fish farm and mariculture area, Haizhou Bay, China. All fishes had items that were identified as MPs. The highest abundance of MPs was 22.21±1.70items/individual or 11.19±1.28items/g in T. kammalensis, which is filter-feeding and usually inhabits in estuary. The lowest abundance of MPs was observed in C. semilaevis (13.54±2.09items/individual) and C. stigmatias (1.61±0.56items/g). The abundance of MPs exponentially increased with the decrease of MPs size. The MPs were dominated by fiber in shape, black or grey in colour and cellophane in composition. As to different tissues, the total number of MPs on skin (800) or in gills (746) was higher than that in gut (514). In terms of skin, the abundances of MPs in three species of scaleless fish with mucus (A. hexanema, C. stigmatias and O. rubicundus) were generally higher than other three fishes with scales (C. lucidus, C. semilaevis and T. kammalensis), implying the potential high risk of scaleless fish consumption for human health in Haizhou Bay. More in-depth studies need to focus on the scaleless fish through mucus adsorbing enormous MPs.

Tripeptides From Casein Are Signal Molecules to Induce the Expression of the Extracellular Protease MCP-01 Gene in Marine Bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. SM9913.

Microbial extracellular proteases play crucial roles in marine protein degradation and nitrogen recycling. Although a large number of marine bacteria are found to produce extracellular proteases, it is still unknown how marine bacteria respond to environmental proteins to activate the expression of genes encoding extracellular proteases. The inducing signal molecule for marine bacterial extracellular proteases has never been identified. In this study, we identified tripeptides as the inducing signal molecules for the extracellular protease MCP-01 of the deep-sea bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. SM9913. We found that casein, but not casamino acids, can induce the gene expression and synthesis of MCP-01, suggesting that peptides rather than amino acids derived from casein induce the gene expression and synthesis of MCP-01 in SM9913. Then, casein was hydrolyzed by SM9913 extracellular proteases, and the peptides with inducing effect were isolated and characterized. Finally, four tripeptides, SPP, RYP, RQF and FRQ, were shown to have significant inducing effect on the expression of MCP-01 gene, indicating that they are likely the inducing signal molecules for the expression of protease MCP-01 gene in SM9913. This study sheds light on the induction mechanism for the gene expression and biosynthesis of marine microbial extracellular proteases, which is helpful in better understanding the adaptation of bacteria to deep-sea sedimental environment.

C-Phycocyanin Suppresses the In Vitro Proliferation and Migration of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells through Reduction of RIPK1/NF-κB Activity.

Phycocyanin, derived from Spirulina platensis, is a type of natural antineoplastic marine protein. It is known that phycocyanin exerts anticancer effects on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, but its underlying mechanism has not been elucidated. Herein, the antitumor function and regulatory mechanism of phycocyanin were investigated in three NSCLC cell lines for the first time: H358, H1650, and LTEP-a2. Cell phenotype experiments suggested that phycocyanin could suppress the survival rate, proliferation, colony formation, and migration abilities, as well as induce apoptosis of NSCLC cells. Subsequently, transcriptome analysis revealed that receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) was significantly down-regulated by phycocyanin in the LTEP-a2 cell, which was further validated by qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis in two other cell lines. Interestingly, similar to phycocyanin-treated assays, siRNA knockdown of RIPK1 expression also resulted in growth and migration inhibition of NSCLC cells. Moreover, the activity of NF-κB signaling was also suppressed after silencing RIPK1 expression, indicating that phycocyanin exerted anti-proliferative and anti-migratory function through down-regulating RIPK1/NF-κB activity in NSCLC cells. This study proposes a mechanism of action for phycocyanin involving both NSCLC apoptosis and down regulation of NSCLC genes.

Apparent digestibility of raw materials by yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi)

The apparent digestibility of 14 raw materials by yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) was examined using the diet substitution method and yttrium oxide as the inert marker. Each raw material was examined in triplicate and faecal material was collected from fish using manual stripping techniques. All raw materials were tested at 30% inclusion, except for blood meal (BLM), which was tested at 15% inclusion. The reference diet was primarily composed of fishmeal (FM). The raw materials examined included: two sources of FM (FM-1; prime quality & FM-2; recycled tuna trimmings); poultry by-product meal (PBM-1 & PBM-2); lupin kernel meal (LKM-1 & LKM-2) and soy protein concentrate (SPC-1 & SPC-2) and a single source of krill meal (KRM), meat meal (MM), BLM, faba beans (FBM), corn gluten meal (CGM) and wheat flour (WH). With the exception of FM-2 and BLM, marine and land animal proteins were well digested, recording protein ADCs between 66.5 and 79.2%. The energy from marine and land animal proteins was also well digested, ranging from 67.0–83.5%, with the exception of BLM, which recorded a very low energy ADC of 43.0%. Digestibility of protein from plant sources was highest in WH (97.7%), LKM-2 (95.0%), FBM (94.7%) and LKM-1 (86.3%). The energy from LKM-1, LKM-2 and FBM was also well digested (67.4–76.9%); however, energy digestibility was poor in SPC-1 (35.5%), SPC-2 (31.7%), WH (34.0%) and CGM (19.4%). Generally, the ADCs recorded from plant proteins were greater variability than the ADCs recorded from marine and land animal proteins. Apparent digestibility of amino acids from marine and land animal proteins was fairly consistent and reflected the crude protein ADCs of these raw materials. The recorded ADCs of amino acids from plant proteins was more erratic and the error variance among replicates was higher than observed among replicated marine and land animal proteins. Mean ADCs of many amino acids were > 100% in FBM, LKM-2 and WH whereas the mean ADCs of amino acids recorded from YTK fed CGM were close to zero and in some cases negative. The results from this study indicate that yellowtail kingfish are generally efficient at digesting nutrients and energy from marine and land animal protein sources. Plant proteins such FBM, LKM-1 and LKM-2 appear to have relatively high protein and energy digestibility in yellowtail kingfish and may prove useful as alternative protein and energy sources in aquafeeds. The poor digestibility of the BLM and CGM used in this study suggests these products interfere with digestibility in yellowtail kingfish or there was some form of interaction between these raw materials and other raw materials in the reference diet. The ADCs derived for the raw materials examined in this study will assist in the formulation of research and commercial aquafeeds for this developing aquaculture species.

Crystal structure of a cytocidal protein from lamprey and its mechanism of action in the selective killing of cancer cells

BackgroundIn previous research, we found that lamprey immune protein (LIP) possessed cytocidal activity against tumor cells, but the mechanism of the selective recognition and killing of tumor cells by LIP was not identified.MethodsSuperresolution microscopy, crystallographic structural analysis, glycan chip assay, SPR experiments, FACS assays, computational studies and mass spectrometric analysis firmly establish the mode of action of LIP, which involves dual selective recognition and efficient binding.ResultsWe determined the overall crystallographic structure of LIP at a resolution of 2.25 Å. LIP exhibits an elongated structure with dimensions of 105 Å × 30 Å × 30 Å containing an N-terminal lectin module and a C-terminal aerolysin module. Moreover, the Phe209-Gly232 region is predicted to insert into the lipid bilayer to form a transmembrane β-barrel, in which the hydrophobic residues face the lipid bilayer, and the polar residues constitute the hydrophilic lumen of the pore. We found that LIP is able to kill various human cancer cells with minimal effects on normal cells. Notably, by coupling biochemical and computational studies, we propose a hypothetical mechanism that involves dual selective recognition and efficient binding dependent on both N-linked glycans on GPI-anchored proteins (GPI-APs) and sphingomyelin (SM) in lipid rafts. Furthermore, specific binding of the lectin module with biantennary bisialylated nonfucosylated N-glycan or sialyl Lewis X-containing glycan structures on GPI-APs triggers substantial conformational changes in the aerolysin module, which interacts with SM, ultimately resulting in the formation of a membrane-bound oligomer in lipid rafts.ConclusionsLIP holds great potential for the application of a marine protein towards targeted cancer therapy and early diagnosis in humans.

Influence of Climate on Stable Nitrogen Isotopic Values of Contemporary Greek Samples: Implications for Isotopic Studies of Human Remains from Neolithic to Late Bronze Age Greece

In this paper, we study δ15N enrichment as an indicator not only of marine protein diet, but also of climate change. The slope of the variation of δ15N with precipitation was calculated equal to 0.38/100 mm of precipitation for Greek plants, 0.38/100 mm of precipitation for herbivores, and 0.32/100 mm of precipitation for the Greek human population (hair samples). As a case study, the slope was used to re-evaluate the published mean δ15N human bone collagen values from the Early Neolithic to Late Bronze Age for 22 archaeological sites. The results indicate that climate has a significant impact on the final δ15N values of plant and animal tissues. Furthermore, for the same sites, we investigated the intra-site diet patterns, while taking into account the environmental effect on the observed δ15N human bone collagen values.

Establishment of a Greek Food Database for Palaeodiet Reconstruction: Case Study of Human and Fauna Remains from Neolithic to Late Bronze Age from Greece

We review the stable isotopic data of recovered Greek bones from the Early Neolithic to the Late Bronze period in order to examine dietary changes over time. As an isotopic baseline we use the published fauna data of the periods. The analysis revealed a diet that included a significant proportion of foods based on C3 plants, and the bulk of the animal protein must have been provided by terrestrial mammals with a small but detectable proportion of marine protein for coastal and island populations. A more significant contribution of marine protein is observed for Bronze Age populations while the enrichment in both C and N isotopes is connected, for some areas, to the introduction of millet during the Bronze Age, and to freshwater consumption. An extensive database of Greek food sources is presented and compared to the fauna from the prehistoric periods (Early Neolithic to Late Bronze Age) of the literature. We propose that this database can be used in palaeodiet reconstruction studies.

The Introduction of Insect Meal into Fish Diet: The First Economic Analysis on European Sea Bass Farming

The economic and environmental sustainability of aquaculture depends significantly on the nature and quality of the fish feed used. One of the main criticisms of aquaculture is the need to use significant amounts of fish meal, and other marine protein sources, in such feed. Unfortunately, the availability of the oceanic resources, typically used to produce fish feed, cannot be utilized indefinitely to cover the worldwide feed demand caused by ever-increasing aquaculture production. In light of these considerations, this study estimates how aquaculture farm economic outcomes can change by introducing insect meal into the diet of cultivated fish. Several possible economic effects are simulated, based on various scenarios, with different percentages of insect flour in the feed and varying meal prices using a case study of a specialized off-shore sea bass farm in Italy. The findings indicate that the introduction of insect meal—composed of Tenebrio molitor—would increase feeding costs due to the high market prices of this flour and its less convenient feed conversion ratio than that of fish meal. Therefore, the expected environmental benefits of using this highly promising insect meal in fish feed do not align with the current economic interests of the aquaculture industry. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate this theme, and it must be noted that our findings cannot be generalized widely because a specific case study was used. Nevertheless, our findings suggest that efforts should be made—at least at the farm level—to find profitable ways to encourage the introduction of this attractive alternative to guarantee both economic and environmental sustainability in the near future.

Isotopic Insights into Dietary Life History, Social Status, and Food Sharing in American Samoa

We test the antiquity of a dietary life history model on Tutuila, American Samoa. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in serial, age-adjusted samples of first and third molars reveal isotopic biographies of 16 individuals from five late Holocene (200–1100 RCYBP) sites. Combining this with bone collagen from a larger sample of individuals, we document a patterned dietary life history on the island. Between ages zero and two years, infants show elevated δ15N values, consistent with a diet rich in breast milk. In early childhood (two–10 years), individuals shift to a diet with higher δ13C values, suggesting greater marine protein intake. Around age 10 years, males shift to a more terrestrially focused diet, while females retain a higher marine signature. After~20 years of age, males and females are more similar in diet, with a greater contribution from terrestrial resources. We argue that these shifts reflect diet-marked social transitions in life histories, especially social status and eating order within households, as predicted from the ethnographic model. When contextualized with other archaeological data, such as mortuary patterns and social organization, the isotopic biographic approach facilitates examination of diet-linked social transitions of individuals as they aged within ancient societies.

Multi-isotopic diet analysis of south-eastern Iberian megalithic populations: the cemeteries of El Barranquete and Panoría

The southern Iberian megalithic cemeteries of Panoria and El Barranquete offer an excellent opportunity to explore ancient dietary patterns. Due to the special nature of these funerary contexts as palimpsests, a multi-proxy approach including multi-isotopic determination and a high-resolution dating framework was carried out. As a result, 52 samples were isotopically measured, of which 48 were also radiocarbon dated. With this new isotopic series as a basis, three main conclusions can be drawn: (i) the diet was based on C3 plants and terrestrial animals with no evidence of marine protein consumption; (ii) there is a general tendency for carbon isotope values to increase during the Bronze Age, which is consistent with the intensification of crop farming taking place at the time; and (iii) nitrogen isotope variability is especially remarkable when comparing collective to individual tombs. People buried individually show the highest and the most variable nitrogen ratios in contrast with those buried in collective tombs that show similar nitrogen values over time. These differences support the hypothesis of a conservative megalithic population resisting cultural innovations during the Argaric Bronze Age.

The effect of low dose marine protein hydrolysates on short-term recovery after high intensity performance cycling: a double-blinded crossover study

BackgroundKnowledge of the effect of marine protein hydrolysate (MPH) supplementation to promote recovery after high intensity performance training is scarce. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of MPH supplementation to whey protein (WP) and carbohydrate (CHO): (CHO-WP-MPH), on short-term recovery following high intensity performance, compared to an isoenergetic and isonitrogenous supplement of WP and CHO: (CHO-WP), in male cyclists.MethodsThis was a double-blinded crossover study divided into three phases. Fourteen healthy men participated. In phase I, an incremental bicycle exercise test was performed for establishment of intensities used in phase II and III. In phase II (9–16 days after phase 1), the participants performed first one high intensity performance cycling session, followed by nutrition supplementation (CHO-WP-MPH or CHO-WP) and 4 hours of recovery, before a subsequent high intensity performance cycling session. Phase III (1 week after phase II), was similar to phase II except for the nutrition supplementation, where the participants received the opposite supplementation compared to phase II. Primary outcome was difference in time to exhaustion between the cycling sessions, after nutrition supplementations containing MPH or without MPH. Secondary outcomes were differences in heart rate (HR), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), blood lactate concentration and glucose.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 45.6 years (range 40–58). The maximal oxygen uptake (mean ± SD) measured at baseline was 54.7 ± 4.1 ml∙min− 1∙kg− 1. There were no significant differences between the two nutrition supplementations measured by time to exhaustion at the cycling sessions (meandiff = 0.85 min, p = 0.156, 95% confidence interval (CI), − 0.37, 2.06), HR (meandiff = 0.8 beats pr.min, p = 0.331, 95% CI, − 0.9, 2.5), RER (meandiff = − 0.05, p = 0.361, 95% CI -0.07 – 0.17), blood lactate concentration (meandiff = − 0.24, p = 0.511, 95% CI, − 1.00, 0.53) and glucose (meandiff = 0.23, p = 0.094, 95% CI, − 0.05, 0.51).ConclusionsA protein supplement with MPH showed no effects on short-term recovery in middle-aged healthy male cyclists compared to a protein supplement without MPH.Trial registrationThe study was registered 02.05.2017 at ClinicalTrials.gov (Protein Supplements to Cyclists, NCT03136133, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03136133?cond=marine+peptides&rank=1.

Dorset Pre-Inuit and Beothuk foodways in Newfoundland, ca. AD 500-1829.

Archaeological research on the Canadian island of Newfoundland increasingly demonstrates that the island’s subarctic climate and paucity of terrestrial food resources did not restrict past Pre-Inuit (Dorset) and Native American (Beothuk) hunter-gatherer populations to a single subsistence pattern. This study first sought to characterize hunter-gatherer diets over the past 1500 years; and second, to assess the impact of European colonization on Beothuk lifeways by comparing the bone chemistry of Beothuk skeletal remains before and after the intensification of European settlement in the early 18th century. We employed radiocarbon dating and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratio analysis of bulk bone collagen from both Dorset (n = 9) and Beothuk (n = 13) cultures, including a naturally mummified 17th century Beothuk individual. Carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of 108 faunal samples from Dorset and Beothuk archaeological sites around the island were used as a dietary baseline for the humans. We combined our results with previously published isotope data and radiocarbon dates from Dorset (n = 12) and Beothuk (n = 18) individuals and conducted a palaeodietary analysis using Bayesian modelling, cluster analysis and comparative statistical tests. Dorset diets featured more marine protein than those of the Beothuk, and the diets of Beothuk after the 18th century featured less high trophic level marine protein than those of individuals predating the 18th century. Despite inhabiting the same island, Dorset and Beothuk cultures employed markedly different dietary strategies, consistent with interpretations of other archaeological data. Significantly, European colonization had a profound effect on Beothuk lifeways, as in response to the increasing European presence on the coast, the Beothuk relied more extensively on the limited resources of the island’s boreal forests and rivers.

Effects of dietary tuna dark muscle enzymatic hydrolysis and cooking drip supplementations on growth performance, antioxidant activity and gut microbiota modulation of Bama mini-piglets.

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the enzymatic hydrolysis of tuna dark muscle (EH-TDM) and cooking drip (EH-TCD) as nutrition supplements in Bama mini-piglets. Our results showed that EH-TDM treatment produce considerable benefits for the Bama mini-piglets in terms of the feed efficiency, the prevention of oxidative damage and the control of blood lipid levels. The EH-TCD treatment also improved the growth performance, whereas all other aspects deteriorated. The analyses of the gut microbiota revealed an increased proportion of bacteria involved in energy metabolism and protein utilization in these two groups. Furthermore, short chain fatty acid producing bacteria were increased, as well as the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which are involved in intestinal dysfunction regulation. This study will provide valuable information for the development of marine protein hydrolysates as feed ingredients for the swine industry.

Metabolic stimulation of phenolic biosynthesis and antioxidant enzyme response in dark germinated barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) sprouts using bioprocessed elicitors.

Sprouting and seed elicitor treatments stimulate the biosynthesis of health relevant phenolic bioactives in plants partly by upregulating proline-associated pentose phosphate pathway (PAPPP). This study investigated the upregulation of PAPPP-linked and antioxidant enzyme associated metabolic responses in elicitor-treated barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) sprouts previously established with stimulation of health relevant phenolic bioactives. Barley seeds were treated with bioprocessed elicitors marine protein hydrolysates (GroPro®, GP) and soluble chitosan oligosaccharide and germinated under dark conditions. Upregulation of PAPPP and subsequent stimulation of phenolic biosynthesis and antioxidant enzyme responses were monitored at day 2, 4, and 6 of sprouting. High PAPPP-linked antioxidant enzyme responses were observed at early stages of germination with selected doses of GP treatments, especially in cv. Pinnacle. Total soluble phenolic content remained at higher level, while guaiacol peroxidase activity increased over the course of sprouting indicating increased phenolic polymerization to support structural needs of sprouts.

Transcriptome Analysis of Phycocyanin-Mediated Inhibitory Functions on Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer A549 Cell Growth.

Phycocyanin (PC), derived from cyanobacteria and Spirulina cells, is a type of natural antineoplastic marine protein. It has been reported that phycocyanin exerts an antitumor function in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, but the underlying mechanism has not been elucidated. In this research, a transcriptome study was performed to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of phycocyanin on human NSCLC A549 cells. The survival rate and proliferation ability of A549 cells were markedly reduced by phycocyanin, along with abnormal morphologic changes. The transcriptome analysis showed that 2970 genes were differentially expressed after phycocyanin treatment in A549 cells, including 1431 down-regulated and 1539 up-regulated genes. Gene ontology and KEGG analysis suggested that some classical pathways, such as Wnt, NF-κB, and PI3K-AKT signaling, were significantly enriched. Strikingly, protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis showed that ubiquitin-C (UBC) occupied the highest degree (the highest number of interactions) in differential genes, indicating that it might play a key role in the phycocyanin-mediated regulatory process in A549 cells. Moreover, qRT-PCR results showed consistent expression trends of differential genes with transcriptome analysis. Consequently, this study has provided a theoretical basis for regulation of phycocyanin in A549 cells, which lays a foundation for the treatment of NSCLC.

From field to fish: Tracking changes in diet on entry to two medieval friaries in northern England

Members of religious orders during the later medieval period in Britain were expected to adhere to strict rules governing their daily lives which restricted their consumption of meat. This study aims to investigate whether this switch to a ‘religious diet’ can be isotopically detected in presumed religious individuals upon their entry into a religious order during adolescence. Secondary aims of this study include: 1) a comparison of the carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope values between individuals with and without diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH); and 2) to compare the mean values of the sites analyzed with geographically and temporally related sites from previously published studies. To achieve these aims, δ13C and δ15N analysis of third molar incremental dentine collagen and bulk rib bone collagen was undertaken on ten presumed religious individuals: five from the Carmelite friary at Priory Close, Northallerton, founded in 1356 CE, and five from the Friars of the Sack-turned-Carmelite friary at Clavering Place, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, founded in 1266 CE. Twelve contemporaneous faunal samples were also analyzed to provide an isotopic baseline. The δ13C and δ15N profiles of all individuals from both sites in this study increased from the beginning of the formation of the third molar at c. 8.5 years to its completion at c. 23.5 years indicating a shift during adolescence from a largely terrestrial mixed diet to one that contained a significant amount of animal and marine protein. Individuals exhibiting skeletal pathology indicative of DISH were found to have individual δ13C and δ15N values that were elevated above the means for each site, and the mean rib collagen δ13C and δ15N values at Priory Close and Clavering Place were in line with published data from other later medieval religious sites in northeastern England. This study provides evidence for a shift in diet experienced by members of religious orders during adolescence and lays the foundation for future studies of dietary changes at different religious institutions.

Precolonial/early colonial human burials from the site of White Marl, Jamaica: New findings from recent rescue excavations

AbstractThe recent excavation of three human burials at White Marl, Jamaica (AD 900–1500), presented an important opportunity to garner new insight into precolonial life and death on Jamaica. The study, undertaken as a part of a collaborative heritage mitigation programme in the wake of planned infrastructural development of parts of the site, focused on burial practices and ancient diet and mobility. The results reveal that the burial treatment of these three individuals is consistent with contemporaneous practices observed throughout the Caribbean in regard to burial location, body treatment, body position, and grave goods. The radiocarbon dates of the three individuals are consistent with a long occupation span of the site (cal. AD 1221–1641) and additionally reveal the possibility that one of the individuals (Burial 3) lived during the Spanish colonial occupation of the island. Carbon and nitrogen isotopic analysis of bone collagen of the three individuals indicates a relatively low marine protein contribution to the diet. Carbon isotope values from tooth enamel are consistent with whole diets dominated by C3‐plants. Starch grains identified in dental calculus indicate that, similar to contemporaneous sites throughout the region, White Marl inhabitants were consuming arrowroot, palms, achira, maize, and wild beans. Plant preparation techniques included grinding, roasting, and toasting. In addition, the tentative identification of a Theobroma cacao starch grain in Burial 1 represents the first finding of precolonial cocoa in the Caribbean islands. Expansion of the strontium isotope programme is needed to improve our understanding of the mobility of the White Marl population; however, tentative assessment of the results suggests that Burial 2 may have originated from elsewhere on the island of Jamaica.