Molecular cloning and expression of caspase-3 in the protandrous cinnamon clownfish, Amphiprion melanopus, during sex change

The caspase-3 appears to be a key protease in the apoptotic pathway. We identified caspase-3 complementary DNAs from the ovaries of the protandrous cinnamon clownfish (Amphiprion melanopus), and investigated its mRNA and proteins, and activity levels during the sex change (I, mature male; II, male at 90 days after removing of the female; and III, mature female). The nucleotide sequence of the caspase-3 cDNA was 969 base pairs in length with open reading frames encoding peptides of 282 amino acids. The caspase-3 mRNA and protein, and activity levels in stages of the mature gonad are higher than those of the development gonad stage. To understand the effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on gonad apoptosis, we examined expression of genes caspase-3 mRNA and activity level in immature cinnamon clownfish gonads after GnRH analogue (GnRHa). The findings support the hypothesis that caspase-3 expression is associated with both testicular and ovarian development, and suggests that it may play a role in the control of ovarian development in cinnamon clownfish. Also, we demonstrate that GnRH agonists stimulate caspase-3 production which can in turn stimulate apoptosis. The present study provides a framework for better understanding of the role of caspase-3 during sex change processes in fish.     

Modulating gut microbiota and digestive enzyme activities of Artemia urmiana by administration of different levels of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis on growth, gut microbiota, and digestive enzyme activities of Artemia urmiana. Three diets containing 10² (T₁), 10⁴ (T₂), 10⁶ (T₃) CFU of probiotics/g feed, and a control diet (C) without probiotic were used through a completely randomized design (treatments with triplicates). Twelve plastic tanks with the capacity of 60- l and density of 20 nauplii/ml were used and the trial continued for 15?days. Results showed that probiotics significantly increased the total length of A. urmiana (P?<?0.05). Although the total aerobic gastrointestinal bacteria count showed no significant differences among the treatments, the total Bacillus count significantly increased in experiments (P?<?0.05). The ratio of TCBS to total aerobic bacteria count was significantly lower in T₁ (0.31?±?0.05), T2 (0.27?±?0.15), and T₃ (0.25?±?0.05) compared to the control (0.76?±?0.34) (P?<?0.05). The probiotics were able to increase the protease and amylase activities (P?<?0.05). No significant effect on lipase activity. The study determined T₂ and T₃ as the most effective treatments for improving growth, bacterial flora, and digestive enzyme activities. As less probiotic needed in T₂, using 10⁴ bacteria per g diet is recommended for rearing Artemia up to the maturity stage.     

Anaesthetic efficacy of eugenol on iridescent shark,Pangasius hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878) in different size classes

Anaesthetic efficacy of eugenol was investigated on iridescent shark, Pangasius hypophthalmus. Fish (2, 5, 10 and 20 g) subjected to 20–200 mg L^?1 eugenol and behavioural response as well as induction and recovery times were recorded. Induction and recovery times were significantly affected by eugenol concentration as well as fish weight (P < 0.05). Generally, 27–300 s after exposure to 20–200 mg L^?1 eugenol, iridescent sharks reached stage 3 anaesthesia (suitable for general handling). Fish entered stage 4 anaesthesia (suitable for surgery and blood sampling) over 54–710 s exposure to such concentrations. Recovery time was 109–600 s in all weight classes as well as eugenol concentrations. Mortality (44–100%) was only observed in 2 g fish when subjected to 110–170 mg L^?1 eugenol. This study, for the first time, showed behavioural response of iridescent shark to anaesthesia as well as effectiveness of eugenol as anaesthetic in this important aquaculture‐ornamental species. According to the models obtained in this study, minimum eugenol concentrations to induce anaesthesia over less than 3 min were 53.8–81.5 mg L^?1 in 2–20 g fish. Likewise, maximum eugenol concentrations in which fish recovered over less than 5 min were 65.9–105.8 mg L^?1 in 2–20 g fish.     

Effects of densification on untreated and nano-aluminum-oxide impregnated poplar wood

Effects of densification of poplar wood (Populus nigra) impregnated with nano-aluminum oxide (NA) and pre-treated with water vapor for 4 and 6 h were investigated in the present study. Physical and mechanical properties of treated poplar wood were measured according to the ASTM D-143 standard specifications, and then compared with the untreated specimens. Results showed significant improvement in all properties as a result of densification. A 4-h vapor pre-treatment improved effects on both physical and mechanical properties. When the duration of vapor-treatment increased to 6 h, wood polymers degraded to the extent that the improvements due to the vapor pre-treatment decreased substantially, though the final results were still significant improvements compared with the control specimens. High thermal conductivity coefficient of NA slightly but not significantly improved properties. Due to the high spring-back after 15 days, densified poplar is not recommended for applications in which densified wood will be exposed for long periods to high humidity or to direct water.     

Effect of biochar-amended urea on nitrogen economy of soil for improving the growth and yield of wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) under field condition

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate effect of biochar-amended urea on nitrogen economy of soil for improving the growth and yield of wheat under field condition. Experiment plan was comprised of twelve treatments with four replications including treatments without application of urea and biochar (control) and urea only. Biochar was applied at 1–10% of the weight of urea fertilizer applied each treatment. Results showed that application of biochar at 10% with recommended dose of urea significantly improved plant height, spike length, number of tillers, number of spikelet per spike, 1000 grain weight, grain yields, biomass yield, harvesting index, nitrogen (N) concentration and uptake in grain and straw, and agronomic efficiency of nitrogen by 6.0%, 11.1%, 32.0%, 55.3%, 5.4%, 38.0%, 19.0%, 9.0%, 19.0%, 26.0%, 65.0%, 50.0%, and 63.0%, respectively, as compared to treatment comprised of recommended rate of nitrogen without biochar.     

Evaluation of Three Chitin Metal Silicate Co-Precipitates as a Potential Multifunctional Single Excipient in Tablet Formulations

The performance of the novel chitin metal silicate (CMS) co-precipitates as a single multifunctional excipient in tablet formulation using direct compression and wet granulation methods is evaluated. The neutral, acidic, and basic drugs Spironolactone (SPL), ibuprofen (IBU) and metronidazole (MET), respectively, were used as model drugs. Commercial Aldactone^®, Fleximex^® and Dumazole^® tablets containing SPL, IBU and MET, respectively, and tablets made using Avicel^® 200, were used in the study for comparison purposes. Tablets of acceptable crushing strength (>40 N) were obtained using CMS. The friability values for all tablets were well below the maximum 1% USP tolerance limit. CMS produced superdisintegrating tablets (disintegration time < 1 min) with the three model drugs. Regarding the dissolution rate, the sequence was as follow: CMS > Fleximex^® > Avicel^® 200, CMS > Avicel^® 200 > Dumazole^® and Aldactone^® > Avicel^® 200 > CMS for IBU, MET and SPL, respectively. Compressional properties of formulations were analyzed using density measurements and the compression Kawakita equation as assessment parameters. On the basis of DSC results, CMS co precipitates were found to be compatible with the tested drugs. Conclusively, the CMS co-precipitates have the potential to be used as filler, binder, and superdisintegrant, all-in-one, in the design of tablets by the direct compression as well as wet granulation methods.     

Microalgae as Contributors to Produce Biopolymers

Biopolymers are very favorable materials produced by living organisms, with interesting properties such as biodegradability, renewability, and biocompatibility. Biopolymers have been recently considered to compete with fossil-based polymeric materials, which rase several environmental concerns. Biobased plastics are receiving growing interest for many applications including electronics, medical devices, food packaging, and energy. Biopolymers can be produced from biological sources such as plants, animals, agricultural wastes, and microbes. Studies suggest that microalgae and cyanobacteria are two of the promising sources of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), cellulose, carbohydrates (particularly starch), and proteins, as the major components of microalgae (and of certain cyanobacteria) for producing bioplastics. This review aims to summarize the potential of microalgal PHAs, polysaccharides, and proteins for bioplastic production. The findings of this review give insight into current knowledge and future direction in microalgal-based bioplastic production considering a circular economy approach. The current review is divided into three main topics, namely (i) the analysis of the main types and properties of bioplastic monomers, blends, and composites; (ii) the cultivation process to optimize the microalgae growth and accumulation of important biobased compounds to produce bioplastics; and (iii) a critical analysis of the future perspectives on the field.     

近60年来克里雅绿洲耕地动态变化驱动力及生态环境效应

利用1950-2008年统计资料和土地详查数据,采用多元统计分析与文献调查,分析了塔克拉玛干沙漠南缘克里雅绿洲近60年来耕地动态变化情况及其驱动机理,并讨论了耕地动态变化对绿洲生态环境的影响。结果表明:(1) 1950-2008年克里雅绿洲耕地面积经历了急剧增加(1950-1961年)→缓慢减少(1962-1990年)→快速增加(1991-2008年)的变化过程,耕地数量总体呈增加趋势,人均耕地面积呈减少趋势;(2)影响克里雅绿洲耕地动态变化的驱动因子可归纳为政策变动、经济发展、人口增长、农业科技进步等四大因素;(3)耕地动态变化某种程度上改善了克里雅绿洲生态环境的同时,导致了绿洲外围沙漠化,绿洲内部土壤盐渍化,湿地减少,河道缩短等一系列生态环境问题,威胁了绿洲稳定性。     

Estimating cation exchange capacity using soil textural data and soil organic matter content: A case study for the south of Iran

Cation exchange capacity (CEC) is an important soil property that is used as an input data in soil and environmental models. Although CEC can be measured directly, its measurement is expensive and time-consuming, therefore pedotransfer functions can be used for estimating it from more readily available soil data. As CEC is highly dependent on soil texture, it may be successfully estimated from the soil textural data. In this study, 20 soils were selected from Fars province, in the south of Iran, and the values of CEC, soil organic matter content, and soil particle size distribution curve of each soil were measured and the geometric mean particle-size diameter (d _g ), and the summation of the number of spherical particles for whole parts of the soil particle-size distribution (N) were determined for each soil. Then, five multiple linear regressions were derived between CEC and mentioned soil properties. The results showed that more applicable equation for the study area was based on the percentages of clay, sand and soil organic matter content.     

Effects of Thiobacillus and Different Levels of Sulfur Fertilizer on Growth and Physiological Indices in Intercropping of Sesame (Sesamum Indicum L.) and Mung Bean (Vigna Radiata L.)

The two-location field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of Thiobacillus and different levels of sulfur fertilizer on growth and physiological indices in the replacement intercropping of sesame and mung bean. A factorial experiment was performed based on a randomized complete block design in 3 replications in 2018. The experimental factors consisted of cropping ratio at five levels: 1. sesame sole cropping, 2. mung bean sole cropping, 3. 75% sesame +25% mung bean (3:1), 4. 50% sesame +50% mung bean (1:1), 5. 25% sesame +75% mung bean (1:3). Sulfur fertilizer was used at three levels: control level (S₀), 50% of recommended amount (S₁), 100% of recommended amount (S₂). Thiobacillus bacteria was used at two levels: T₀ and T₁. The results showed that growth indices chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, biological yield, and grain yield of sesame and mung bean were significantly affected by the studied treatments. The highest growth indices, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, biological yield and grain yield of sesame were obtained by the 3:1 ratio. For the mung bean, the highest growth indices, chlorophyll a, biological yield, grain yield were obtained by mung bean sole cropping and the highest chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll were obtained by the 1:1 ratio. Also, sulfur fertilizer, 100% of the recommended amount, increased all studied indices in both plants except for chlorophyll a in sesame. Interaction effects of cropping ratio and location on growth indices, grain biological yield, chlorophyll a of sesame and mung bean were significant.