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The aim of this study was to gather information about the feeding habits of Micropterus salmoides Lac., an exotic species recently introduced into Lake Trasimeno and Esox lucius L., in order to determine the degree of overlap between the two diets. The stomachs of 179 largemouth basses and 125 pikes were examined. The index of diet overlap (α) was determined by using a Prominence Value (PV) of each food item, using Schoener’s formula. The value of the diet overlap index in the whole sample was 0.79. When the sample was divided in groups based on length, the index values were high and varied from a minimum of 0.623 to a maximum of 0.925. Based on theses results, a hypothesis of food competition between the two species in Lake Trasimeno could not be rejected.

The plant polyphenol trans-resveratrol (3, 5, 4'-trihydroxystilbene) mainly found in grape, peanut and other few plants, displays a wide range of biological effects. Numerous in vitro studies have described various biological effects of resveratrol. In order to provide more information regarding absorption, metabolism, and bioavailability of resveratrol, various research approaches have been performed, including in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models. In recent years, the induction of resveratrol synthesis in plants which normally do not accumulate such polyphenol, has been successfully achieved by molecular engineering. In this context, the ectopic production of resveratrol has been reported to have positive effects both on plant resistance to biotic stress and the enhancement of the nutritional value of several widely consumed fruits and vegetables. The metabolic engineering of plants offers the opportunity to change the content of specific phytonutrients in plant - derived foods. This review focuses on the latest findings regarding on resveratrol bioproduction and its effects on the prevention of the major pathological conditions in man. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The effect of a naturally acquired infection by three acanthocephalan parasites Dentitruncus truttae, Echinorhynchus truttae, and Polymorphus minutus on the reproductive potential of their intermediate host, Echinogammarus tibaldii (Amphipoda) from Lake Piediluco (Centre of Italy) was assessed. During May 2007, 1135 amphipods were collected from two different samplings and examined for larval helminths. Forty-five amphipods were infected and of those, 16 were infected with D. truttae (intensity=1–3 larvae), 15 with E. truttae (intensity=1–2 larvae), and 14 with P. minutus (intensity=1 larva). The sex ratio was nearly 1:1 in all examined amphipods. One female infected with D. truttae contained six eggs in the brood pouch and another female infected with E. truttae contained five eggs. However, none of the eight female amphipods harbouring P. minutus larva contained eggs in their brood pouch. Uninfected females of the same size and body length as that of the infected females contained between 20 and 32 eggs. No acanthocephalan species were found to co-occur. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]