Study of mTOR/PTEN gene expression in ACHN gastric cancer cell line treated with ethanolic extract of Tetraselmis suecia microalgae

The second leading cause of death worldwide is cancer, and the fourth most prevalent cancer is stomach cancer. Natural seafood products include a variety of biologically active compounds with medicinal properties that may be useful in cancer therapy. This study aimed to assess the growth-inhibitory impact of the ethanolic extract of Tetraselmis suecica algae on the expression of mTOR/PTEN genes using the MTT assay in the ACHN cell line. The optimal IC50 dosage of this extract was 1000 and 750 ?g/mL at 48 and 72 hours, respectively. Tetraselmis suecica extract dramatically lowered the survival rate of gastric cancer cells, increased the apoptotic PTEN gene expression, and decreased the mTOR gene expression in the ACHN cell line. The extract of T. suecica, as shown in the current study, is potentially useful in the treatment of stomach cancer

Structural surface properties of perspective marine antifouling coating based on bimetallic nanoparticles in organic matrix

The paper presents the results of a study on the potential protective anti-fouling coating obtained through the uniform distribution of bimetallic oxide nanoparticles containing copper and iron atoms within an organic matrix. The organic matrix was formed by mixing a suspension of the nanoparticles in xylene with a styrene-acrylic resin. Data on the dynamic light scattering of the initial xylene suspensions and similar suspensions stabilized by centrifugation are provided. The suspension produced an anti-fouling coating, which was investigated using atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy methods. It is demonstrated that as the mass fraction of particles in the matrix increases, noticeable agglomeration occurs. Additionally, exceeding a mass concentration of 20% leads to their uneven distribution within the organic matrix. The results of testing CuO-FeCuO nanoparticles-based antifouling coating in seawater regarding its biocidal effect on heterotrophic bacteria are presented. It is shown that the coating reduces the microfouling effect by 85% compared to an unprotected similar sample

16S rRNA revealed a low rate of maternal genetic variations in Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758 across the southern Caspian Sea

Genetic diversity surveys are informative and practical tools in aquaculture and restocking programs. With its maternal inheritance, mtDNA provides direct information about the available source of genetic variations in the female brood stock. The present study investigated the maternal genetic diversity of the Caspian common carp, Cyprinus carpio, and the farmed common carp across the southern Caspian Sea using direct sequencing of 571 bp fragment of 16S rRNA. A number of eight haplotypes were identified, with an average of Hd = 0.55. A low level of population differentiation was recognized with the overall Fst = 0.01, indicating an assumption of the shared ancestry in C. carpio in the southern Caspian Sea. Among different regions, Anzali population was observed to be a more unique stock of common carp across the southern Caspian Sea basin. Hence, considering Anzali as a separate population is highly recommended to enrich the genetic diversity and avoid the population structure breakdown in C. carpio. The obtained results during the present study can be useful in the ongoing restocking activities of C. carpio along the southern Caspian Sea. Furthermore, rehabilitation of the main rivers to provide the natural breeding of anadromous fish species such as C. carpio should be considered for their future conservation

Converting agricultural and fisheries waste into high-value products: Utilization of pea meal and shrimp protein hydrolysate as feed components for Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

This study aims to characterize pea meal and shrimp protein hydrolysate as alternative protein ingredients, replacing soybean meal (SBM) in tilapia feed. The presence of protease inhibitors and the in vitro digestion were evaluated for both raw and extruded pea meals, while the characteristics of shrimp protein hydrolysate were also studied. The nutritional quality of alternative ingredients was assessed to formulate a diet that meets tilapia juveniles’ requirements, and its preliminary effects on growth were evaluated. Extrusion significantly reduced the inhibitory effect of pea meal on tilapia proteases (from 5.4 to 1.9%). In vitro, protein digestion of extruded pea meal (7.8±1.35%) did not differ from the control treatment with fish meal (11.8±1.94%). Additionally, shrimp protein hydrolysate presented 41.6±2.91% of DPPH radical scavenging activity. Tilapia fed a diet including 25% extruded pea meal and 10% shrimp protein hydrolysate, replacing soybean meal, presented comparable growth indicators to those exposed to the control diet. All the results in this study demonstrate that it is possible to include these ingredients derived from industrial waste in tilapia diets, improving the quality of the feed without affecting its performance

Hematological and histological overview of captive-bred female doublespotted queenfish Scomberoides lysan (Forsskål, 1775)

Health monitoring and assessment are required to support the improvement of maintenance efficiency of captive fish, but such information is lacking for the doublespotted queenfish Scomberoides lysan (Forsskål, 1775), a new candidate species for aquaculture in Thailand. The present study aimed to examine the morphological characteristics of erythrocytes and histopathological alterations in S. lysan females for the development of a health monitoring system. Female fish were randomly collected from a pond culture (n = 6, which was 34.5±0.9 cm in total length). Blood slides for hematological observations were prepared using the Wright-Giemsa stain method, while histological observations were made of tissues from the gills, kidneys, livers, and gonads. Blood smear test results showed that oval, mature erythrocytes were the most abundant cell type. Some erythrocytes exhibited nuclear morphological abnormalities, including kidney-shaped, polymorphic, and/or notched nuclei. The prevalence of such nuclei was only approximately 2%. The secondary lamellae of the gills displayed disorganization and aneurysms. Liver tissues displayed vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes and blood congestion. Kidney tissues displayed tubular disorganization and renal degeneration. Melanomacrophage centers were present in large numbers in both liver and kidney tissues. Our analyses confirmed that the highest histological alteration index (HAI) calculated for liver tissue was a moderate alteration. The observations of S. lysan in captivity elucidated the cellular structure of this fish; the health of this fish might be reduced in captivity

Population dynamics of three Epinephelus groupers in the Sulawesi Sea, Indonesia

Groupers of the genus Epinephelus play important roles in coastal ecosystems and small-scale fisheries. Market demand has driven intensive exploitation, threatening stock status and coastal community livelihoods if these valuable fisheries are poorly managed. This research on grouper population dynamics in Kwandang Bay, on the Sulawesi Sea coast of Gorontalo Province, Sulawesi, Indonesia, focused on three Epinephelus species: E. fasciatus, E. faveatus, and E. ongus. The mean length at first maturity (Lm50) was estimated using the Spearman-Karber formula, and population dynamics parameters were estimated through Response Surface Analysis using the ELEFAN I suite in FISAT II. Catches of all three species were dominated by juveniles with total length TL < Lm50. The respective asymptotic lengths (TL?) for E. fasciatus, E. faveatus, and E. ongus were 47.52, 53.50, and 52 cm, with von Bertalanffy growth coefficient K values of 0.49. 0.54 and 0.53, respectively. Natural and fishing mortality estimates were 1.01/year-1 and 1.23/year-1 for E. fasciatus, 1.05/year-1 and 2.00/year-1 for E. faveatus, and 1.04/year-1 and 2.44/year-1 for E. ongus. The Beverton and Holt yield per recruit analysis indicates overexploitation with respective exploitation rates (E) of 0.55/year-1, 0.66/year-1, and 0.70/year-1, all exceeding Emax = 0.37/year-1. Recommendations include setting minimum legal size limits (above 25 cm for E. fasciatus and E. faveatus, 26 cm for E. ongus), as well as reductions in fishing effort of 31% for E. fasciatus, 42% for E. faveatus, and 46% for E. ongus.   

Enhancing crab broodstock spawning and water quality using a recirculating aquaculture system with polychaete-assisted sand biofilter

The increasing global demand for mangrove crabs (genus Scylla) and threats to the wild populations highlight the urgency of fully rearing them in captivity. The supply of hatchery seedstock is still inadequate to meet the requirements for farming. One of the major causes is the inconsistent larval quality in the hatchery, which appears to be due to poor broodstock performance. The present study evaluated the efficiency of two broodstock holding systems: the Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) with a polychaete-assisted biofilter and the conventional system with regular water replacement, referred to as non-RAS (NRAS, control), based on the survival rate, spawning, and hatching of S. serrata captive broodstock. The percentage survival of mangrove crab broodstock was similar in the RAS (54.00±10.00) and NRAS (50.84±3.89) systems. However, a significantly higher mean percentage of spawning (28.61±6.65) and hatching (28.61±6.65) was observed in the RAS compared to the NRAS (15.18±7.41 and 15.18±7.41, respectively). Temperature levels were recorded in the RAS, ranging from 27.7-29.3°C, and that of NRAS was 26.7-28.5°C. Salinity in RAS ranged from 33.7-35.2 ppt, while in the NRAS, it ranged from 33.5-34.7 ppt. Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations ranged from 5.8 to 7.3 mg/L in RAS and 5.5 to 7.3 mg/L in NRAS. Additionally, pH values in the RAS ranged from 7.8 to 8.6, compared to 7.8-8.5 in the non-RAS. Moreover, ammonia levels were significantly lower in the RAS, 0.11-0.25 mg/L, compared to 0.31-1.18 mg/L in the NRAS. Similarly, nitrite concentrations were significantly lower in the RAS (0.001-0.007 mg/L) than in the NRAS (0.013-0.026 mg/L). This suggests that RAS with a polychaete-assisted biofilter enhances the reproductive performance of the mangrove crab S. serrata

Distribution and density of Brachyuran crabs in Shatt Al-Basra Canal, Basrah, Iraq

Crab samples were collected monthly from September 2023 to June 2024 in the Shatt Al-Basra Canal, Basrah, Iraq. During sampling, the air temperature ranged from 8 to 38°C, biological oxygen demand (BOD) from 3.5 to 7.3 mg/L, and total organic carbon (TOC) from 0.25 to 0.54. Based on the results, the highest density recorded for Nasima dotilliformis in December was 6 ind/m2, for Leptochryseus kuwaitensis in February, and for Ilyoplax stevens in December and January, reaching 4 ind/m2. Nasima dotilloformis was found throughout the whole study period in all months, but the two other species were absent in some months, with L. kuwaitensis having a lower density. Temperature had the most significant impact on the presence and density of the crab community and was a fundamental factor in the dryness of the riverbank soil. The results also showed a significant inverse correlation between temperature and BOD and an insignificant direct correlation between temperature and TOC

Pelagic primary productivity in the Euphrates River, Samawa City, Iraq

This study quantified the seasonal primary productivity of the Euphrates River near Samawa City between January and December 2023 by assessing key biological characteristics at three selected sites. Annual productivity estimates ranged from 24925.18 to 58144.01 mg/m²/y. Water quality analysis revealed seasonal fluctuations in dissolved oxygen (4.8-13 mg/l), nitrate (1.84-9.83 µg/l), nitrite (0.08-3.05 µg/l), and phosphate (0.017-0.93 µg/l). Biological indices varied across sites and seasons. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated a moderate positive correlation between phosphate levels and biomass, suggesting a potential influence of phosphate on the river's primary productivity

Sublethal effects of malathion on behavior and hepatic gene expression of HSP70 and CYP1A in Persian Sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) fingerlings

Malathion, an organophosphate pesticide widely used in agriculture, poses significant risks to aquatic ecosystems. This study investigated the sublethal effects of malathion on hepatic HSP70 and CYP1A gene expression in fingerling Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus). Fish were exposed to 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mg L?¹ malathion (corresponding to sublethal fractions of the LC??) for 7 days. Liver samples were collected at 1, 2, 4, and 7 days post-exposure, and gene expression was quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Behavioral responses and mortality were recorded. No mortality occurred in any group; however, fish exposed to 0.2 mg L?¹ malathion exhibited reduced feeding, impaired swimming balance, and decreased activity, especially toward the end of exposure. HSP70 expression peaked on day 1 at the highest concentration (15.7-fold higher than the control) and then gradually declined. CYP1A expression showed a similar dose-dependent pattern, with the highest induction (19.29-fold) observed on day 4 in the 0.2 mg/L group. Heat map visualization confirmed temporal and dose-dependent expression dynamics. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.73, P<0.0001) between the expression levels of HSP70 and CYP1A suggested a coordinated stress response to malathion exposure. These results demonstrate malathion-induced modulation of oxidative stress and detoxification genes in Persian sturgeon, underscoring the utility of these molecular biomarkers for monitoring organophosphate pollution in aquatic species