Evaluation of housekeeping genes as references for quantitative real-time PCR analysis of gene expression in the murrel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Channa striatus</Emphasis> under high-temperature stress

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction is the most advanced method of quantifying gene expression studies; however, the significance of the obtained results strongly depends on the normalization of the data to compensate for differences between the samples. In the present study, expression analysis of six different constitutively expressed genes viz. 18S ribosomal RNA, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gapdh), beta actin (βactin), ribosomal binding protein L13, tubulin and TATA-box-binding protein (tbp) were carried out to test their efficacy as reference genes in three different tissues, namely liver, gill and muscle of murrel Channa striatus exposed to high temperature for variable time periods. The stability and suitability of the genes were determined by using bioinformatic tools: GeNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper. Based on the results, tub/βactin could be used as the reference genes for liver and gill tissues and βactin/gapdh could be the reference genes for muscle tissues in Channa striatus under both short- and long-term thermal stress.     

Preliminary study on homing,site fidelity,and diel movement of black rockfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sebastes inermis</Emphasis> measured by acoustic telemetry

Several species of fish exhibit strong homing ability and distinct site fidelity to their original habitats and spawning sites. We have studied the homing ability, site fidelity, and diel movement patterns of three nocturnal black rockfish Sebastes inermis. The patterns were studied by radio-linked acoustic positioning system (VRAP) and fixed monitoring receivers (VR2) in Maizuru Bay, Japan from June to July 2004. All tagged fish were displaced by 80–120 m, but they returned to their respective captured sites at dusk, regardless of the time of release. The fish tagged with a depth sensor transmitter displayed active vertical movement just after the release, and subsequently swam near the bottom depth around the captured site. After homing, they displayed small home ranges [average 815 ± 265 m² (SD)] around a single rocky area with one or two core areas (average 64 ± 30 m²). One core area was utilized during the daylight and dark periods, whereas the other was used primarily during the dark period. The depth-tagged fish primarily used the depth of the rock crevice during the daylight, and it spent its dark period between the surface and the deeper bottom depth.     

Biochemical changes and sensory assessment on tissues of carp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis>, Linnaeus 1758) during sale conditions

In this study, some biochemical changes of carp (Cyprinus carpio, Linnaeus 1758) tissues were investigated. Studies have been carried out on carp which have regional economical importance. Storage temperature and time are the most important factors that affect the quality of fish during sales. It was observed that the temperature varied between 9 and 12°C in sale conditions. In addition, we assumed the arrival time of the fish at the fish market to be 0 (zero) h. Biochemical analyses [malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and catalase activity] of carp tissues (muscle, liver, heart, spleen, brain) were carried out on fish which were held for 24 and 48 h, as well as on fresh fish (0 h). In addition, sensory analysis was conducted by a panel consisting of experienced judges of sensory evaluation. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) increases in MDA levels were found in liver, muscle, brain and spleen tissues when comparing the 0- and 24-h groups. But there was no statistically significant (P > 0.05) increase in MDA level in heart tissue of carp after 24 h. There was a statistically significant (P < 0.05) increase in MDA levels in muscle, spleen and heart tissues when comparing the 24- and 48-h groups. In the group examined at 24 h, it was observed that there were statistically significant differences from the 0 h group values (P < 0.05) for catalase (CAT) activity in muscle, brain, spleen and heart tissues. The decreases in CAT activity in liver and spleen tissues were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05) between the group examined at 24 h compared with the group examined at 48 h. Carp maintained good quality during the selling conditions up to 24 h. This experiment deals with the effects of post-slaughter time and storage temperature on carp tissues. It is concluded that by considering the storage temperature (9–12°C) and storage time (post-slaughter) the product maintained acceptable quality up to 24 h. There was significant deterioration of sensory quality, as a result of changes in chemical constituents.     

Social aspects of the sustainability of integrated multi-trophic aquaculture

A pilot project in the Bay of Fundy, Canada, is growing kelps, mussels, and salmon in an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) system. Biological and economic results are positive, but social acceptability is also a critical component of aquaculture sustainability. Focus group sessions with several segments of the population (restaurateurs, residents of communities near aquaculture facilities, and the general population) were held and the participants’ knowledge of, and opinions on, IMTA were recorded. Most participants felt that IMTA had the potential to reduce the environmental impacts of salmon farming, benefit community economies, and improve industry competitiveness and sustainability. All felt that seafood produced in IMTA systems would be safe to eat and 50% of the participants were willing to pay 10% more for these products if labelled as such. The participants felt that IMTA appears to be an improvement over current monoculture practices and would be cautiously welcomed in the marketplace. A promotional campaign educating the general public, food distributors, and other industry stakeholders about the positive benefits of IMTA would go a long way in gaining mainstream acceptance of this aquaculture practice.     

Current situation and the development of the dairy industry in Jordan,Saudi Arabia,and Syria

The development of the dairy industry plays an important role in the economy of Middle Eastern countries. Judged by its growth rate, the dairy industry is viewed as one of the most progressive food industries in the Middle East. During the early 1970s, countries established executive programs to promote dairy farming; the major objective was to attain self-sufficiency in milk production. A massive investment was set up for importing top class cattle, complying with top industry operating standards, and a simultaneous introduction of the latest technology in processing, packaging, and distributing. Milk production has grown tremendously at rates of 6.6% and 4.9% in Syria and Saudi Arabia, respectively, between 2002 and 2007, which resulted in these nations being almost self-sufficient. Regarding Jordan, milk production has not yet met this target. An excessive growth in the dairy industry is quite noticeable in this region with an expanding capacity for exports. The aim of this study is to show the most recent trends and future prospects of the dairy industries in Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. It also attempts to investigate the drivers for the development of milk production, consumption, and trade in the region.     

Recirculation nursery systems for bivalves

In order to increase production of bivalves in hatcheries and nurseries, the development of new technology and its integration into commercial bivalve hatcheries is important. Recirculation aquaculture systems (RASs) have several advantages: high densities of the species can be cultured resulting in a cost-effective production system; optimal temperature maximizes production and allows rapid turnover of the product; stable water quality improves growth rate and minimizes stress and potential loss by diseases. Pilot RAS systems were developed for seed rearing of oysters (Crassostrea gigas), scallops (Pecten maximus), mussels (Mytilus edulis) and clams (Ruditapes decussatus). Optimal feed addition and waste matrix were determined. Based on this, system flow rates were designed. Seed growth in the pilot RAS systems was compared at different renewal rates and with growth in flow-through systems (FTS). All four species can be reared in RAS and showed similar growth in RAS and in FTS or in RAS with a higher renewal rate. RAS can keep O₂, nitrogen and pH within the desired range. Temperature was generally higher in RAS than in FTS, probably due to heat induced by the pump circulating the water. The supply of sufficient amount of food in combination with a desire to reduce the renewal rate calls for use of concentrated feed in RAS.     

Alterations in the brain monoaminergic neurotransmitters of rainbow trout related to naphthalene exposure at the beginning of vitellogenesis

The contents of dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA), serotonin (5HT), and some related metabolites were studied in different brain regions of rainbow trout at two different stages of sexual maturation (at the beginning of vitellogenesis), after naphthalene (NAP) administration. The effects of NAP varied according to duration of exposure, brain region and vitellogenesis stage of the trout, and were more significant during previtellogenesis. The changes observed in DA metabolism were generally stimulatory after exposure for 3 h, and either stimulatory or inhibitory (depending on the brain regions) after exposure for 3 days to NAP. NA levels were altered by NAP in various brain regions, but only during previtellogenesis. With respect to 5HT, treatment with NAP reduced levels of the amine and/or its main metabolite in most of the brain regions studied, particularly 3 h after treatment. The results suggest that NAP might interfere with the processes regulating brain monoamine metabolism, either locally or indirectly by altering steroid feedback to brain centres, and thus disrupt endocrine control of reproductive development through the brain–pituitary axis.     

Haematological and blood biochemical characteristics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glyptosternum maculatum</Emphasis> (Siluriformes: Sisoridae) in Xizang (Tibet)

This study investigated the haematological and blood biochemical characteristics of Glyptosternum maculatum. The haematological and biochemical parameters were measured in 30 adult fish collected from Nyingchi Reach of Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet. The red blood cell count (RBC), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), erythrocyte osmotic fragility (maxEof and minEof), the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, mean cell volume (MCV), mean cellular haemoglobin content (MCH), and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were determined. Compared with other Siluriformes fishes, G. maculatum showed similar mean values for Hct, Hb, MCH, and MCHC and had slightly lower RBC and higher MCV. The biochemical parameters were assayed including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin/globulin ratio, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, urea, creatinine, glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride. The result showed that the value of AST in G. maculatum was obviously higher than that in Rhamdia quelen as well as in Silurus merdionalis.     

Gastrointestinal and hepatic enzyme activities in juvenile silvery-black porgy (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sparidentex hasta</Emphasis>) fed essential amino acid-deficient diets

As amino acids (AAs) are vital molecules in the metabolism of all living organisms and are the building blocks of enzymes, a 6-week feeding trial was conducted for determining the influence of dietary essential amino acid (EAA) deficiencies on pancreatic, plasma, and hepatic enzyme activities in silvery-black porgy (initial weight 4.7?±?0.01 g) juveniles. Eleven isoproteic (ca. 47%) and isoenergetic (ca. 20.5 MJ kg^?1) diets were formulated including a control diet, in which 60% of dietary nitrogen were provided by intact protein (fish meal, gelatin, and wheat meal) and 40% by crystalline AA. The other 10 diets were formulated by 40% reduction in each EAA from the control diet. At the end of the experiment, fish fed with threonine-deficient diet showed the lowest survival rate (P?<?0.05), whereas growth performance decreased in fish fed all EAA-deficient diets, although the reduction in body growth varied depending on the EAA considered. Pancreatic enzymes (trypsin, lipase, α-amylase, and carboxypeptidase A) activities significantly decreased in fish fed the EAA-deficient diets in comparison with fish fed the control diet (P?<?0.05). Fish fed with the arginine-deficient diet had the highest plasma and liver alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase levels (P?<?0.05). Plasma and liver lactate dehydrogenase and superoxide dismutase showed the highest and lowest values, respectively, in fish fed the arginine and lysine-deficient diets (P?<?0.05). Plasma metabolites were significantly affected by dietary EAA deficiencies (P?<?0.05). The results of this study suggesting dietary EAA deficiencies led to reduction in growth performance as well as pancreatic and liver malfunction. Furthermore, arginine and lysine are the most limited EAA for digestive enzyme activities and liver health in silvery-black porgy.     

Evaluation of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Labeo rohita</Emphasis> as an immunomodulator: in vitro expression model

Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) or type II interferon is a cytokine that is critical for innate and adaptive immunity against viral and some bacterial and protozoal infections. The importance of IFN-γ in the immune system lies in its ability to inhibit viral replication directly and most importantly from its immunomodulatory effects. Previously, we successfully co-administered IFN-γ along with GAPDH gene of Edwardsiella tarda as bicistronic DNA vaccine in Labeo rohita. In order to ascertain the individual role of IFN-γ, the present study involves cloning and expression of 552-bp IFN-γ open-reading frame (ORF) of L. rohita in striped snakehead (SSN-1) cell line using eukaryotic expression vector system (pQE-TriSystem) followed by transfection in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBMCs) to evaluate its immunomodulatory ability in comparison to polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C)-treated PBMCs. The 18.7-kDa protein, expressed in the pQE-IFNγ-transfected SSN-1 cells, reacted with anti-His antibody in Western blot confirming it to be recombinant IFN-γ, whereas the relative expression of IFN-γ, iNOS, Mx, and IL-1β genes in PBMCs was quantified at 24 h and 48 h post treatment by qPCR. The comparative kinetics of all four genes showed significantly (p?<?0.05) high upregulation pattern in both pQE-IFNγ-transfected cell group and Poly I:C-treated cell group demonstrating recombinant IFN-γ as an equally efficient inducer like Poly I:C. Thus, our in vitro experiment results highlight the immunomodulatory potential of recombinant IFN-γ as an analogue to synthetic Poly I:C which warranted future studies to further explore the potential of recombinant IFN-γ as an effective vaccine adjuvant against different microbial invasion.