Based on a variety of genetic, biochemical, and neuropathological evidence, amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) has been suggested to be causal in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Abeta has been shown to mediate neurodegenerative and inflammatory changes associated with amyloid plaques, as well as exert direct neurotoxicity through oligomeric forms of Abeta. The mechanism of Abeta toxicity, however, remains ...

HEMICAL COMPOUNDS derived from living organisms are similar to non-biological substances in that their composition and structure can be characterized, and many can be directly synthesized by standard chemical methods. However, biological compounds are fundamentally different in that each has an underlying evolutionary history. We describe several compounds from an unusual source, the venoms of ...

Carbonate mud is a major constituent of recent marine carbonate sediments and of ancient limestones, which contain unique records of changes in ocean chemistry and climate shifts in the geological past. However, the origin of carbonate mud is controversial and often problematic to resolve. Here we show that tropical marine fish produce and excrete various forms of precipitated (nonskeletal) cal...

Endocrine-immune system interactions have been widely demonstrated in mammals, whereas in fish, these relationships remain unclear. Of the organs that constitute the endocrine system, the pineal gland and its secretory product melatonin act in the synchronization of daily and seasonal rhythms in most vertebrates, including fish. Seasonal differences in immunocompetence and disease prevalence ha...

Discoloration of dark-fleshed fish species during storage and processing was mainly due to the reaction of myoglobin, a monomeric globular heme protein contributed to the pigmentation of red meat fish, alone and with other muscle components. Metmyoglobin formation caused by the autooxidation of myoglobin was a major factor influencing the darkening of dark-fleshed fish meat during iced and froz...

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and fraud along the fish product supply chain impede sustainable fisheries worldwide and pose a major challenge to regulators, as well as control and enforcement authorities. In this context the ability to determine authenticity and provenance of fish and fish products throughout the fish product supply chain constitutes a key asset. This JRC re...

Listeria monocytogenes is a cause of concern to food industries, mainly for those producing ready-to-eat (RTE) products. This microorganism can survive processing steps such as curing and cold smoking and is capable of growing under refrigeration temperatures. Its presence in RTE fish products with extended shelf life may be a risk to the susceptible population. One example of such a product is...

Unsustainable harvesting of natural fish stocks is driving an ever growing marine aquaculture industry. Part of the aquaculture support industry is net suppliers who provide producers with nets used in confining fish while they are grown to market size. Biofouling must be addressed in marine environments to ensure maximum product growth by maintaining water flow and waste removal through the ne...

Problem statement: Spoilage of food products is due to chemical, enzymatic or microbial activities One-fourth of the world’s food supply and 30% of landed fish are lost through microbial activity alone. With the ever growing world population and the need to store and transport the food from one place to another where it is needed, food preservation becomes necessary in order to increase its she...

The Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonia Peruana (IIAP) is the leading governmental organization working in aquaculture and fisheries research in the Peruvian Amazon region. In addition, IIAP produces fingerlings, offers training courses, and works with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) endeavoring to promote fish culture. This report summarizes fieldwork and survey results from rural...