Impact of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Markers on the Diagnostic Performance of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society Multiple System Atrophy Criteria.

BACKGROUND: Multiple system atrophy is a neurodegenerative disease with α-synuclein aggregation in glial cytoplasmic inclusions, leading to dysautonomia, parkinsonism, and cerebellar ataxia. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to validate the accuracy of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society Multiple System Atrophy clinical diagnostic criteria, particularly considering the impact of the newly introduced brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers. METHODS: Diagnostic accuracy of the clinical diagnostic criteria for multiple system atrophy was estimated retrospectively in autopsy-confirmed patients with multiple system atrophy, Parkinson's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, and corticobasal degeneration. RESULTS: We identified a total of 240 patients. Sensitivity of the clinically probable criteria was moderate at symptom onset but improved with disease duration (year 1: 9%, year 3: 39%, final ante mortem record: 77%), whereas their specificity remained consistently high (99%-100% throughout). Sensitivity of the clinically established criteria was low during the first 3 years (1%-9%), with mild improvement at the final ante mortem record (22%), whereas specificity remained high (99%-100% throughout). When MRI features were excluded from the clinically established criteria, their sensitivity increased considerably (year 1: 3%, year 3: 22%, final ante mortem record: 48%), and their specificity was not compromised (99%-100% throughout). CONCLUSIONS: The International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society multiple system atrophy diagnostic criteria showed consistently high specificity and low to moderate sensitivity throughout the disease course. The MRI markers for the clinically established criteria reduced their sensitivity without improving specificity. Combining clinically probable and clinically established criteria, but disregarding MRI features, yielded the best sensitivity with excellent specificity and may be most appropriate to select patients for therapeutic trials. © 2024 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

A Short Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Quality of Life Scale.

OBJECTIVE: The Progressive Supranuclear Palsy quality of life scale (PSP-QoL) has been shown to be a useful tool for capturing health-related quality of life of patients in "everyday life" and in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) research. However, at 45 items in length, the questionnaire can take a long time, exhausting PSP patients, in particular if cognitive impaired, which can have a negative impact on the assessment. The aim of this study was to establish a condensed version of the PSP-QoL for research and routine clinical care. METHODS: In this retrospective study, data originating from a German cohort of PSP patients was analyzed. Data from 245 PSP patients were included in this study. The short PSP-QoL questionnaire was created using a two-factor solution and item-total and inter-item correlations for mental and physical aspects of daily living of the PSP-QoL followed by confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS: The final scale included 12 items representing mental (five items) and physical symptoms (seven items). The specified two-factor model displayed an excellent fit in the confirmatory factor analysis. The short Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Quality of Life scale (PSP-ShoQoL) correlated moderately with the PSP Rating Scale (r [243] = 0.514, P < 0.001) and Geriatric depression scale (r [231] = 0.548, P < 0.001). Sensitivity to change confirmed a significant decrease in QoL after 12 months. DISCUSSION: In this study, we created a 12-item PSP-ShoQoL designed to "facilitate" daily clinical work that correlated strongly with the PSP-QoL and was sensitive to change. © 2024 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Correlation of Comorbidities and Variability of Tics in Children with Chronic Tic Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic tic disorder (CTD) is characterized by the presence of motor and/or phonic tics, and is often accompanied by comorbidities, where obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are the most predominant. The aim of this study was to investigate a correlation between comorbidities and variability of tics in children with CTD. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was completed on a clinical cohort recruited from the Danish National Tourette Clinic at Herlev Hospital. The cohort consisted of 167 children who were examined by the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale. Data regarding comorbidity were collected on 152 of these patients by using validated diagnostic instruments, and the patients were divided into four subgroups: CTD-only, CTD + ADHD, CTD + OCD, and CTD + ADHD + OCD. RESULTS: The comorbidity subgroups had significantly higher severity, impairment, and Total Tic Scores compared to the CTD-only group (p-value ≤ 0.001, 0.001, 0.003, respectively). The assessment of the association between variability of tics and comorbidities showed a significantly higher Simple Phonic Tic Score in the CTD + OCD group compared to the CTD-only group (p-value = 0.003). CONCLUSION: This study showed significantly higher Simple Phonic Tic Scores in the CTD + OCD group compared to the CTD-only group, which suggests that awareness of the variability of tics in patients with CTD and comorbidities is important.Total Tic Scores, severity of tics, and impairment were significantly higher in the comorbidity subgroups compared to the CTD-only group, which support findings from previous studies.

Effects of physical activity on blood lipids and HbA1c in healthy pregnant women: the FitMum randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Maternal blood lipid and glucose concentrations during pregnancy affect fetal growth and the risk of pregnancy and delivery complications. We aimed to investigate the effects of physical activity (PA) during pregnancy on maternal blood lipid and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) concentrations. We hypothesized that higher PA was associated with improved lipid profile and glycemic control. METHODS: In a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial, we included 216 pregnant women before week 15+0 and tested the effects of two different PA interventions throughout pregnancy compared to standard care on maternal blood lipid and HbA1c concentrations. Additionally, we investigated the effect of PA per se measured by an activity tracker. Total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride, and HbA1c concentrations were measured at week ≤15+0, 28+0-6, 34+0-6, and at delivery (week 32+1 to 42+0). Effects of the interventions and PA per se were tested using linear mixed effects models and linear regression analyses, respectively. RESULTS: No effects of the PA interventions were detected on maternal lipids or HbA1c during pregnancy. In PA per se analyses, more minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA were associated with less increase in TC (-1.3E-04, p=0.020) and LDL-C (-8.5E-05, p=0.035) as pregnancy progresses. More active kilocalories were associated with less increase in TC (-5.5E-05, p<0.001), HDL-C (-9.5E-06, p=0.024), and LDL-C (-3.2E-05, p=0.005). CONCLUSION: Whilst there were no effects of offering PA interventions, higher PA was associated with reduced increases in total cholesterol, HDL-C, and LDL-C as pregnancy progressed.

Marine-Derived Peptides with Anti-Hypertensive Properties: Prospects for Pharmaceuticals, Supplements, and Functional Food.

Hypertension, a major health concern linked to heart disease and premature mortality, has prompted a search for alternative treatments due to side effects of existing medications. Sustainable harvesting of low-trophic marine organisms not only enhances food security but also provides a variety of bioactive molecules, including peptides. Despite comprising only a fraction of active natural compounds, peptides are ideal for drug development due to their size, stability, and resistance to degradation. Our review evaluates the anti-hypertensive properties of peptides and proteins derived from selected marine invertebrate phyla, examining the various methodologies used and their application in pharmaceuticals, supplements, and functional food. A considerable body of research exists on the anti-hypertensive effects of certain marine invertebrates, yet many species remain unexamined. The array of assessments methods, particularly for ACE inhibition, complicates the comparison of results. The dominance of in vitro and animal in vivo studies indicates a need for more clinical research in order to transition peptides into pharmaceuticals. Our findings lay the groundwork for further exploration of these promising marine invertebrates, emphasizing the need to balance scientific discovery and marine conservation for sustainable resource use.

Effects of prenatal exercise on gestational weight gain, obstetric and neonatal outcomes: FitMum randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effects of two different exercise interventions during pregnancy on gestational weight gain (GWG) and obstetric and neonatal outcomes compared to standard care. Additionally, we aimed to improve standardization of GWG measurements by developing a model to estimate GWG for a standardized pregnancy period of 40 weeks and 0 days accounting for individual differences in gestational age (GA) at delivery. METHODS: In a randomized controlled trial we compared the effects of structured supervised exercise training (EXE) three times per week throughout pregnancy versus motivational counselling on physical activity (MOT) seven times during pregnancy with standard care (CON) on GWG and obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Uniquely, to estimate GWG for a standardized pregnancy period, we developed a novel model to predict GWG based on longitudinally observed body weights during pregnancy and at admission for delivery. Observed weights were fitted to a mixed effects model that was used to predict maternal body weight and estimate GWG at different gestational ages. Obstetric and neonatal outcomes, among them gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and birth weight, were obtained after delivery. GWG and the investigated obstetric and neonatal outcomes are secondary outcomes of the randomized controlled trial, which might be underpowered to detect intervention effects on these outcomes. RESULTS: From 2018-2020, 219 healthy, inactive pregnant women with median pre-pregnancy BMI of 24.1 (21.8-28.7) kg/m2 were included at median GA 12.9 (9.4-13.9) weeks and randomized to EXE (n = 87), MOT (n = 87) or CON (n = 45). In total 178 (81%) completed the study. GWG at GA 40 weeks and 0 days did not differ between groups (CON: 14.9 kg [95% CI, 13.6;16.1]; EXE: 15.7 kg [14.7;16.7]; MOT: 15.0 kg [13.6;16.4], p = 0.538), neither did obstetric nor neonatal outcomes. For example, there were no differences between groups in the proportions of participants developing GDM (CON: 6%, EXE: 7%, MOT: 7%, p = 1.000) or in birth weight (CON: 3630 (3024-3899), EXE: 3768 (3410-4069), MOT: 3665 (3266-3880), p = 0.083). CONCLUSIONS: Neither structured supervised exercise training nor motivational counselling on physical activity during pregnancy affected GWG or obstetric and neonatal outcomes compared to standard care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT03679130; 20/09/2018.

Ethics of care in technology-mediated healthcare practices: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Introducing new technologies into healthcare practices may challenge professionals' traditional care cultures. The aim of this review was to map how the 'ethics of care' theoretical framework informs empirical studies of technology-mediated healthcare. METHOD: A scoping review was performed using eight electronic databases: CINAHL with full text, Academic Search Premier, MEDLINE, the Philosopher's Index, SocINDEX with Full Text, SCOPUS, APA PsycInfo and Web of Science. This was followed by citation tracking, and articles were assessed against the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Of the 443 initial articles, 18 met the criteria and were included. We found that nine of the articles used the concept of 'ethics of care' (herein used interchangeably with the terms 'feminist ethics' or 'relational ethics') insubstantially. The remaining nine articles deployed care ethics (or its equivalent) substantially as an integrated theoretical framework and analytical tool. We found that several articles suggested an expansion of ethics of care to encompass technologies as part of contemporary care. Furthermore, ethics of care contributed to the empirical research by recognising both new relationships between patients and healthcare professionals as well as new ethical challenges. CONCLUSION: Ethics of care is sparsely used as a theoretical framework in empirical studies of technology-mediated healthcare practices. The use of ethics of care in technology-mediated care brings new dilemmas, relational tensions and vulnerabilities to the foreground. For ethics of care to be used more explicit in empirical studies, it is important that it is recognised by research community as an adequate, universal ethical theory.

The 3F Library: Fluorinated Fsp3 -Rich Fragments for Expeditious 19 F†NMR Based Screening.

Fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) is a popular method in academia and the pharmaceutical industry for the discovery of early lead candidates. Despite its wide-spread use, the approach still suffers from laborious screening workflows and a limited diversity in the fragments applied. Presented here is the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of the first fragment library specifically tailored to tackle both these challenges. The 3F library of 115 fluorinated, Fsp3 -rich fragments is shape diverse and natural-product-like with desirable physicochemical properties. The library is perfectly suited for rapid and efficient screening by NMR spectroscopy in a two-stage workflow of 19 F NMR and subsequent 1 H NMR methods. Hits against four diverse protein targets are widely distributed among the fragment scaffolds in the 3F library and a 67 % validation rate was achieved using secondary assays. This collection is the first synthetic fragment library tailor-made for 19 F NMR screening and the results demonstrate that the approach should find broad application in the FBDD community.

The FlpTRAP system for purification of specific, endogenous chromatin regions.

The repressor element 1-silencing transcription factor/neuron-restrictive silencer factor (REST/NRSF) binds to repressor element 1/neuron-restrictive silencer element (RE1/NRSE) sites in the genome and recruits effector proteins to repress its target genes. Here, we developed the FlpTRAP system to isolate endogenously assembled DNA-protein complexes such as the REST/NRSF complex. In the FlpTRAP system, we take advantage of the step-arrest variant of the Flp recombinase, FlpH305L, which, in the presence of Flp recognition target (FRT) DNA, accumulates as FRT DNA-protein adduct. The FlpTRAP system consists of three elements: (i) FlpH305L-containing cell extracts or isolates, (ii) a cell line engineered to harbor the DNA motif of interest flanked by FRT sites, and (iii) affinity selection steps to isolate the target chromatin. Specifically, 3×FLAG-tagged FlpH305L was expressed in insect cell cultures infected with baculovirus, and cell lysates were prepared. The lysate was used to capture the FRT-SNAP25 RE1/NRSE-FRT chromatin from a human medulloblastoma cell line, and the target RE1/NRSE chromatin was isolated by anti-FLAG immunoaffinity chromatography. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) and chromatin immunopurification (ChIP), we show that FlpH305L recognized and bound to the FRT sites. Overall, we suggest the FlpTRAP system as a tool to purify endogenous, specific chromatin loci from eukaryotic cells.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities in Extracts from Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) Blubber.

Intake of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-n3-PUFA) is commonly recognized to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD). In previous studies, cold-pressed whale oil (CWO) and cod liver oil (CLO) were given as a dietary supplement to healthy volunteers. Even though CWO contains less than half the amount of LC-n3-PUFA of CLO, CWO supplement resulted in beneficial effects on anti-inflammatory and CVD risk markers compared to CLO. In the present study, we prepared virtually lipid-free extracts from CWO and CLO and evaluated the antioxidative capacity (AOC) and anti-inflammatory effects. Oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays were used to test the AOC, and the results indicated high levels of antioxidants present in all extracts. The anti-inflammatory effects of the extracts were tested with lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) treated THP-1 cells, measuring its ability to reduce cytokine and chemokine secretion. Several CWO extracts displayed anti-inflammatory activity, and a butyl alcohol extract of CWO most effectively reduced TNF-α (50%, p < 0.05) and MCP-1 (85%, p < 0.001) secretion. This extract maintained a stable effect of reducing MCP-1 secretion (60%, p < 0.05) even after long-term storage. In conclusion, CWO has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities that may act in addition to its well-known LC-n3-PUFA effects.

Preclinical and Clinical Studies on Antioxidative, Antihypertensive and Cardioprotective Effect of Marine Proteins and Peptides-A Review.

High seafood consumption has traditionally been linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, mainly due to the lipid lowering effects of the long chained omega 3 fatty acids. However, fish and seafood are also excellent sources of good quality proteins and emerging documentation show that, upon digestion, these proteins are sources for bioactive peptides with documented favorable physiological effects such as antioxidative, antihypertensive and other cardioprotective effects. This documentation is mainly from in vitro studies, but also animal studies are arising. Evidence from human studies evaluating the positive health effects of marine proteins and peptides are scarce. In one study, a reduction in oxidative stress after intake of cod has been documented and a few human clinical trials have been performed evaluating the effect on blood pressure. The results are, however, inconclusive. The majority of the human clinical trials performed to investigate positive health effects of marine protein and lean fish intake, has focused on blood lipids. While some studies have documented a reduction in triglycerides after intake of lean fish, others have documented no effects.

Enzymatic Pre-Treatment Increases the Protein Bioaccessibility and Extractability in Dulse (Palmaria palmata).

Several common protein extraction protocols have been applied on seaweeds, but extraction yields have been limited. The aims of this study were to further develop and optimize existing extraction protocols and to examine the effect of enzymatic pre-treatment on bioaccessibility and extractability of seaweed proteins. Enzymatic pre-treatment of seaweed samples resulted in a three-fold increase in amino acids available for extraction. Combining enzymatic pre-treatment with alkaline extraction resulted in a 1.6-fold increase in the protein extraction yield compared to a standard alkaline extraction protocol. A simulated in vitro gastrointestinal digestion model showed that enzymatic pre-treatment of seaweed increased the amount of amino acids available for intestinal absorption 3.2-fold. In conclusion, enzymatic pre-treatment of seaweeds is effective for increasing the amount of amino acids available for utilization and may thus be an effective means for increasing the utilization potential of seaweed proteins. However, both the enzymatic pre-treatment protocol and the protein extraction protocol need further optimization in order to obtain optimal cost-benefit and results from the in vitro gastrointestinal digestion model need to be confirmed in clinical models.

ω-3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Diseases: Effects, Mechanisms and Dietary Relevance.

ω-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA) have, since the 1970s, been associated with beneficial health effects. They are, however, prone to lipid peroxidation due to their many double bonds. Lipid peroxidation is a process that may lead to increased oxidative stress, a condition associated with adverse health effects. Recently, conflicting evidence regarding the health benefits of intake of n-3 from seafood or n-3 supplements has emerged. The aim of this review was thus to examine recent literature regarding health aspects of n-3 FA intake from fish or n-3 supplements, and to discuss possible reasons for the conflicting findings. There is a broad consensus that fish and seafood are the optimal sources of n-3 FA and consumption of approximately 2-3 servings per week is recommended. The scientific evidence of benefits from n-3 supplementation has diminished over time, probably due to a general increase in seafood consumption and better pharmacological intervention and acute treatment of patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD).

Comparative study on composition and functional properties of brewer's spent grain proteins precipitated by citric acid and hydrochloric acid.

Brewer's spent grain (BSG) is an abundant agro-industrial residue and a sustainable low-cost source for extracting proteins. The composition and functionality of BSG protein concentrates are affected by extraction conditions. This study examined the use of citric acid (CA) and HCl to precipitate BSG proteins. The resultant protein concentrates were compared in terms of their composition and functional properties. The BSG protein concentrate precipitated by CA had 10% lower protein content, 5.8% higher carbohydrate, and 5.4% higher lipid content than the sample precipitated by HCl. Hydrophilic/hydrophobic protein and saturated/unsaturated fatty acid ratios increased by 16.9% and 26.5% respectively, in the sample precipitated by CA. The formation of CA-cross-linkages was verified using shotgun proteomics and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Precipitation by CA adversely affected protein solubility and emulsifying properties, while improving foaming properties. This study provides insights into the role of precipitants in modulating the properties of protein concentrates.

Effects of prenatal exercise interventions on maternal body composition: A secondary analysis of the FitMum randomized controlled trial.

The main objective of the study was to investigate the effects of prenatal exercise interventions on maternal body composition at 28 weeks gestation and 7-14 days after delivery. We also explored associations between physical activity (PA) per se and body composition. This study presents secondary outcomes of the FitMum randomized controlled trial, which included healthy inactive pregnant women at gestational age ≤ 15+0 weeks. They were randomized to structured supervised exercise training, motivational counselling on PA, or standard care. Maternal body composition was measured by doubly labeled water at 28 weeks gestation (n = 134) and by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan 7-14 days after delivery (n = 117). PA, including moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA), active kilocalories, and steps, were measured continuously from inclusion to delivery by a wrist-worn activity tracker. One hundred fifty pregnant women were included with a median pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) of 24.1 (21.6-27.9) kg/m2. We found no differences between groups in fat mass, fat percentage or fat-free mass at 28 weeks gestation or 7-14 days after delivery. Visceral adipose tissue mass and bone mineral density measured 7-14 days after delivery did not differ between groups either. Linear regression analyses adjusted for pre-pregnancy BMI showed that a higher number of daily steps was associated with lower fat mass, fat percentage, and visceral adipose tissue mass at 28 weeks gestation and 7-14 days after delivery. Active kilocalories during pregnancy was positively associated with fat-free mass 7-14 days after delivery. Neither structured supervised exercise training nor motivational counselling on PA during pregnancy affected maternal body composition at 28 weeks gestation or 7-14 days after delivery compared to standard care. Interestingly, when adjusted for pre-pregnancy BMI, higher number of daily steps was associated with lower fat content during pregnancy and after delivery, whereas MVPA and active kilocalories were not. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT03679130; 20/09/2018.

The comorbidity and co-medication profile of patients with progressive supranuclear palsy.

BACKGROUND: Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is usually diagnosed in elderly. Currently, little is known about comorbidities and the co-medication in these patients. OBJECTIVES: To explore the pattern of comorbidities and co-medication in PSP patients according to the known different phenotypes and in comparison with patients without neurodegenerative disease. METHODS: Cross-sectional data of PSP and patients without neurodegenerative diseases (non-ND) were collected from three German multicenter observational studies (DescribePSP, ProPSP and DANCER). The prevalence of comorbidities according to WHO ICD-10 classification and the prevalence of drugs administered according to WHO ATC system were analyzed. Potential drug-drug interactions were evaluated using AiDKlinik®. RESULTS: In total, 335 PSP and 275 non-ND patients were included in this analysis. The prevalence of diseases of the circulatory and the nervous system was higher in PSP at first level of ICD-10. Dorsopathies, diabetes mellitus, other nutritional deficiencies and polyneuropathies were more frequent in PSP at second level of ICD-10. In particular, the summed prevalence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases was higher in PSP patients. More drugs were administered in the PSP group leading to a greater percentage of patients with polypharmacy. Accordingly, the prevalence of potential drug-drug interactions was higher in PSP patients, especially severe and moderate interactions. CONCLUSIONS: PSP patients possess a characteristic profile of comorbidities, particularly diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The eminent burden of comorbidities and resulting polypharmacy should be carefully considered when treating PSP patients.

The potential of anthocyanin-loaded alginate hydrogel beads for intelligent packaging applications: Stability and sensitivity to volatile amines.

pH indicators have emerged as promising tools for real-time monitoring of product freshness and quality in intelligent food packaging applications. However, ensuring the stability of these indicators is critical for practical use. This study aims to evaluate the stability of anthocyanins-loaded alginate hydrogel beads of varying sizes at different temperatures under accelerated light conditions and relative humidity (RH) levels of 53% and 97% during 21 days of storage. Moreover, their sensitivity to the principal spoilage volatiles of muscle food products such as ammonia (NH3), dimethylamine (DMA) and trimethylamine (TMA) was investigated. The half-life of cyanidin-3-glucoside in small hydrogel beads was roughly twice as long as that of the larger beads under accelerated light exposure at 4 °C and they were less likely to undergo noticeable color changes over time. Both sizes of hydrogel beads stored at 97% RH and 4 °C showed color stability over the 21-day period with minimal color variation (|ΔE| ≤ 3). The UV-vis spectra of the purple corn extract exhibited changes across pH 2 to 12, as evidenced by the visible color variations, ranging from pink to green. The limit of detection (LOD) for NH3 was 25 ppm for small beads and 15 ppm for large ones. Both types of beads exhibited similar LOD for DMA and TMA, around 48 ppm. This research showed that alginate hydrogel beads containing anthocyanins from purple corn are a viable option for developing intelligent packaging of muscle foods. Furthermore, the use of hydrogel beads of different sizes can be customized to specific muscle foods based on the primary spoilage compound generated during spoilage.

Marine Capture Fisheries from Western Indian Ocean: An Excellent Source of Proteins and Essential Amino Acids.

The Republic of Seychelles is located in Western-Central Indian Ocean, and marine capture fisheries play a key role in the country's economic and social life in terms of food security, employment, and cultural identity. The Seychellois are among the highest per capita fish-consuming people in the world, with a high reliance on fish for protein. However, the diet is in transition, moving towards a Western-style diet lower in fish and higher in animal meat and easily available, highly processed foods. The aim of this study was to examine and evaluate the protein content and quality of a wide range of marine species exploited by the Seychelles industrial and artisanal fisheries, as well as to further to assess the contribution of these species to the daily intake recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). A total of 230 individuals from 33 marine species, including 3 crustaceans, 1 shark, and 29 teleost fish, were collected from the Seychelles waters during 2014-2016. All analyzed species had a high content of high-quality protein, with all indispensable amino acids above the reference value pattern for adults and children. As seafood comprises almost 50% of the consumed animal protein in the Seychelles, it is of particular importance as a source of essential amino acids and associated nutrients, and as such every effort to sustain the consumption of regional seafood should be encouraged.

Implementing wood ants in biocontrol: Suppression of apple scab and reduced aphid tending.

BACKGROUND: Ants can become efficient biocontrol agents in plantation crops as they prey on pest insects and may inhibit plant pathogens by excreting broad-spectrum antibiotics. However, ants also provide a disservice by augmenting attended honeydew producing homopterans. This disservice may be avoided by offering ants artificial sugar as an alternative to honeydew. Here we tested the effect of artificial sugar feeding on aphid abundance in an apple plot with wood ants (Formica polyctena, Förster), and tested the effect of ant presence on apple scab (Venturia inaequalis, Cooke) disease incidence. RESULTS: Over a 2-year period, sugar feeding eliminated ant-attended aphid populations on the apple trees. Furthermore, scab symptoms on both leaves and apples were reduced considerably on ant trees compared to control trees without ants. The presence of ants on the trees reduced leaf scab infections by 34%, whereas spot numbers on fruits were reduced by between 53 and 81%, depending on apple variety. In addition, the spots were 56% smaller. CONCLUSION: This shows that problems with wood ant-attended homopterans can be solved and that ants can control both insect pests and plant pathogens. We therefore propose wood ants as a new effective biocontrol agent suitable for implementation in apple orchards and possibly other plantation crops. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Orange-Footed Sea Cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa)-Effect of Different Enzymes on Protein Yield and Bioactivity.

While sea cucumber is a food delicacy in Asia, these food resources are less exploited in Europe. The aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition and potential food applications of the less exploited orange-footed sea cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa). In particular, the antioxidative capacity and free amino acids associated with the umami flavor released by enzymatic hydrolyses by either Bromelain + Papain (0.36%, 1:1) or Alcalase (0.36%) were studied. Fresh C. frondosa contained approximately 86% water, and low levels of ash (<1%) and lipids (<0.5%). The protein content was 5%, with a high proportion of essential amino acids (43%) and thus comparable to the FAO reference protein. The high concentration of free amino acids associated with umami, sour, sweet, and bitter may contribute to flavor enhancement. Hydrolysis by Bromelain + Papain resulted in the highest protein yield, and the greatest concentration of free amino acids associated with umami and sour taste. All samples showed promising antioxidant capacity measured by FRAP, ABTS, DPPH and ORAC compared to previous reports. The inorganic arsenic concentration of fresh C. frondosa ranged from 2 to 8 mg/kg wet weight and was not affected by processing. This is comparable to other seafood and may exceed regulatory limits of consumption.