In Memoriam: Gérard Diffloth (1939-2023)

This is an "In Memoriam" for Gérard Diffloth (1939-2023)

Effect of dietary Ginkgo biloba leaf on the growth performance and nonspecific immunity of red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii

This trial investigated the effect of dietary Ginkgo biloba leaf (GBL) on the growth performance and nonspecific immunity of red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii. 180 Crayfishes were randomly divided into three groups. One group was fed with basic diet, whereas the other two groups were fed with diets containing 1% and 3% GBL. After 32 days of feeding, GBL addition tended to increase the body weight gain rate compared with control. In 3% GBL group, the bodyweight gain rate of male crayfish was higher than that of female crayfish. While female crayfish were advantageous in terms of meat yield. Liver-related indexes were influenced by GBL addition and 3% GBL could reduce glutamic pyruvic transaminase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase as well as total cholesterol in male crayfish, showing its function in liver protection. Moreover, GBL addition effects on liver protection was better in male crayfish than female crayfish

Microbial-feeding interactions reveal the effects of feeding blood on the gut microbiota of the aquaculture leech (Hirudo nipponica)

Leeches (Hirudo nipponica), as a kind of aquatic animal, mainly feed on fresh blood. After feeding, they needed to digest for a long time because the intestinal digestive enzyme content is low, so their digestive needed the help of gut microbiota. Here, we examined intestinal microbiota in captive Hirudo nipponica of different periods after feeding blood with high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that gut microbial diversity was lower before feeding than after. At the level of the core phylum of the gut microbiota of Hirudo nipponica, the focus was on Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes. After feeding blood, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria decreased, while the opposite was true for Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. The core bacteria at the genus level are Aeromonas and Mucinivorans. The results show that the structure of the gut microbiota and function are closely associated with the blood feeding. The study aimed to lay a theoretical foundation for the blood-digestive mechanism of Hirudo nipponica

Characteristics of the interferon regulatory factor IRF5 and its stimulation expression by <em>Elizabethkingia miricola</em> Infection in black-spotted frog (<em>Pelophylax nigromaculatus</em>)

Interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) have been confirmed as vital transcription factors for the immune system, which play a certain role in anti-infection defense, immune regulation, hematopoietic cell development, and maturation of the immune system. In this study, the cDNA of Interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) was cloned from black-spotted frog, Pelophylax nigromaculatus, and termed PnIRF5. The results indicated, the full-length cDNA of PnIRF5 was 2090 bp, and a putative protein of 504 amino acids was encoded. The results of protein domain prediction suggested that PnIRF5 exhibited a DNA-binding domain (DBD), a middle region (MR), an IRF association domain (IAD), a virus activated domain (VAD), as well as two nuclear localization signals (NLSs). Phylogenetic analysis clustered PnIRF5 into the amphibian IRF5 subgroup in vertebrate IRF5 group. The results of qPCR show that PnIRF5 mRNA was expressed in all examined tissues, with higher levels were identified in the kidney, intestine, and lung. The gene expression of PnIRF5 was analyzed in kidney, spleen, and liver of black-spotted frog after challenged with Elizabethkingia miricola, and the maximum expression level of PnIRF5 in liver, spleen, and kidney were 1.80, 2.33 and 2.88 times that at 0 days post challenged, respectively. As indicated by the results, the PnIRF5 protein may take on critical significance in protecting black-spotted frog from E. miricola infection, and they may play a certain role in the immune response of black-spotted frog against bacteria

Visioning the future of Aquaculture in Hawai‘i

The University of Hawai‘i Aquaculture Program and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (sanctuary) co-hosted "Ho‘olālā i ka mahii‘a o kēia mua aku", a workshop focused on visioning the future of aquaculture in Hawai‘i. The workshop offered an opportunity to bring diverse stakeholders together to facilitate a dialogue on issues regarding aquaculture in Hawai‘i and to build relationships to promote future collaborations. Topics of discussion included food safety and security - sustaining local communities by enhancing locally produced and consumed foods; stimulating job creation while conserving natural and cultural resources, existing and future aquaculture projects, considerations for project siting and national aquaculture policies. A Workshop Advisory Team (WAT) was formed to plan the workshop and was comprised of cultural advisors, community and stakeholder representatives, and state and federal agency representatives. The WAT identified a workshop process, content, and potential participants. The workshop was the first of a series of planned discussions and brought together cultural and fishpond practitioners, community members, farmers, business and food industry representatives, subject matter experts, state and federal agency representatives and marine resource managers. The first day of the workshop was an information-sharing day open to the public. The format included presentations and panel discussions with opportunities for questions and answers. Presentations were provided on topics including: • Historical context of aquaculture in Hawai‘i • Current aquaculture activities in Hawai‘i • A national perspective of aquaculture • The role of the Department of Land and Natural Resources in the oversight of aquaculture in the State of Hawai‘i. Panel discussions included: Native Hawaiian aquaculture practices; today’s open ocean aquaculture; and cultural and environmental considerations in aquaculture practices. The remaining two days of the workshop focused on identifying common ground among the diverse participants to stimulate value-based discussions among multiple stakeholder groups. The remainder of the workshop focused on the Appreciative Inquiry (AI) strategic planning process for invited participants. Appreciate Inquiry is a process that identifies areas of common ground within a diverse group and is highly effective in stimulating discussions based on shared values among multiple stakeholders through a series of iterative and interactive sessions. The "Ho‘olālā i ka mahii‘a o kēia mua aku" workshop provided an opportunity for diverse stakeholders to expand participation in aquaculture-related conversations that involve cultural, community, economic, and natural resource interests. By utilizing the Appreciate Inquiry strategic planning process, facilitators worked with participants to identify commonalities and shared values that promote relationship building and allow for future collaborations. Discussions served to share and increase participants knowledge of a variety of issues including food safety and security - sustaining local communities by enhancing locally produced and consumed foods; stimulating job creation while conserving natural and cultural resources, existing and future aquaculture projects, considerations for project siting and national aquaculture policies. Additionally, it was recognized that although the workshop was an important step in visioningthe future of aquaculture in Hawai‘i, ongoing discussions will have to include additionalcommunities and stakeholder representatives to engage others in the process. To that end, fishpond revitalization and restoration were recognized as an important issue for many participants and there was agreement that a follow-up workshop should be planned for fishpond practitioners and agencies to discuss obstacles and challenges to fishpond restoration. This workshop will serve as an important venue to continue sharing knowledge and experiences relative to engaging community members to provide input in considering the future of aquaculture in Hawai‘i. This report provides an account of "Ho‘olālā i ka mahii‘a o kēia mua aku" workshop, a historical context and information on current aquaculture activities in Hawai‘i, and supplemental information regarding aquaculture projects globally. The intent of the report is to provide transparency and share information more broadly with those who did not participate in the workshop

Determination of Growth and Nutritional Composition of Nile Tilapia (<em>Oreochromis niloticus</em>) Fed With L-Glutamic Acid Supplemented Feeds

The study aimed to assess Nile tilapia's (Oreochromis niloticus) growth performance and body chemical composition through varying levels of L-Glutamic acid supplementation. In the experiment, four different groups of feed were prepared; the control C (0% L-Glutamic acid), G1 (1% L-Glutamic acid), G2 (2% L-Glutamic acid), and G3 (3% L-Glutamic acid). Tilapia juveniles with an average initial weight of 4.86 g were stocked into 12 fiberglass tanks (450L) with 40 individuals and three replications under controlled conditions, and the experiment was continued for a period of 60 days. At the end of the experiment, for the G2 group final weight (FW, 19.31±0.59 g), specific growth rate (SGR; 2.30±0.05), feed conversion ratio (FCR; 1.02±0.03), daily growth rate (DGR; 4.95±0.20) protein efficiency ratio (PER 2.83±0.10) and net protein utilization (NPU; 61.62±3.39) were better than the other groups (P<0.05). Nutritional composition data showed that the groups differed between protein, dry matter, and lipid compositions. The G2 group exhibited the highest whole-body protein level, recording a value of 21.24±0.52, whereas the control group demonstrated the lowest protein level at 20.17±0.15. In conclusion, incorporating 2% L-Glutamic acid into the diet of juvenile Nile tilapia is advisable for both the growth and development of the fish and for enhancing their nutritional composition

Paul Horley. Rongorongo: Inscribed Objects from Rapa Nui. Viña del Mar: Rapanui Press, 2021 (Book Review)

Book Revie

The involvement of GSK3β for glycogen synthesis throughout the annual cycle of Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas (Magallana gigas)

Crassostrea gigas is a frequently studied species in understanding physiological processes in bivalves. Similar to other animals, oysters store glucose in the body as glycogen. Glycogen is known to supply energy for germ cell development and maintenance. Glycogen is synthesized by glycogen synthase. GSK3β regulates glycogen synthase activity and plays an important role in glycogen synthesis. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effect of GSK3β on the annual cycle of oysters and the glycogen synthesis pathway and to investigate the energy pathway in comparison with seasonal variation. Oysters were sampled monthly for one year and were subjected to glycogen content, RT-PCR, FISH, and western blot analysis. The year-round glycogen content significantly differs only in the mantle edge during spring and summer of both sexes but not in labial palp, digestive gland, gonad, and adductor muscle. The expression of GSK3β mRNA level was highest in October for females and April for males. Both sexes had the lowest expression in July. In the adductor muscle, females and males showed the highest expression in April and the lowest in July and October. The pattern of GSK3β expression in gonads and adductor muscle was similarly confirmed through FISH. As a result of examining the signaling system, p-GSK3β (serine 9) increased. At the same time, glycogen synthase decreased in May when the condition index was the highest, p-GSK3β decreased in October and July when spawning occurred, and glycogen synthase increased. Overall, it is thought that p-GSK3β expression is high in C. gigas at ripe, which inhibits glycogen synthesis and is used as energy for growth and maturation. Glycogen synthesis occurs for energy storage during degeneration

Northern Pwo Karen Numeral Classifiers: Semantic Categories and Structures

Descriptions of the numeral classifier systems of Karenic (Tibeto-Burman) languages are limited to Eastern Kayah (Solnit 1997), Thai Sgaw Karen (Ratanakul 2001), and Kayan (Manson 2010). Thus, this paper aims to expand knowledge about Karenic classifiers by describing the numeral classifiers in a Northern Pwo Karen 103,000-word corpus of mostly narrative texts. Northern Pwo Karen is an under-documented Karenic language that is not intelligible with other Pwo Karen language varieties. The numeral classifiers include a small inventory of sortal classifiers and a more extensive inventory of mensural classifiers. Both sortal and mensural classifiers occur in interrogative and indefinite reference expressions. They also appear in adverbial phrases that provide more information about events