Changes of hormones (T3, T4 and cortisol) and ions (Na+ , Cl, K+ ) during smoltification in Salmo trutta caspius Kessler 1877

Salmo trutta caspius is an important and economic fish in the Caspian Sea has several morphological and physiological changes during smoltification. In this study, Hormonal (T3, T4 & Cortisol) and ionic (Na+ , Cl & K+ ) changes in the serum were determined during the period of smoltification in 5, 10, 15 & 20g of hatchery reared salmo trutta caspius in different seasons (spring, summer, autumn & winter). Hormones were measured by Eliza and Radio Immuno Assay, Na+ and K+ using flame photometer, Cl by colorimeter. T3 and T4 were quite high in spring, especially in the juvenile of 20g. Cortisol was quite low in spring and summer in all of weight groups. Ionic changes showed no significant differences with weight, but it was significantly different among seasons. This result suggests that analyzing the plasma thyroid hormones and ionic provide useful information about the optimal time of transferring Caspian Sea trout from fresh water to sea water. It is concluded that the juvenile fish of 20g shows a better smoltification process in the spring

Techniques for evaluation of LAMP amplicons and their applications in molecular biology

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) developed by Notomi et al. (2000) has made it possible to amplify DNA with high specificity, efficiency and rapidity under isothermal conditions. The ultimate products of LAMP are stem-loop structures with several inverted repeats of the target sequence and cauliflower-like patterns with multiple loops shaped by annealing between every other inverted repeats of the amplified target in the similar strand. Because the amplification process in LAMP is achieved by using four to six distinct primers, it is expected to amplify the target region with high selectivity. However, evaluation of reaction accuracy or quantitative inspection make it necessary to append other procedures to scrutinize the amplified products. Hitherto, various techniques such as turbidity assessment in the reaction vessel, post-reaction agarose gel electrophoresis, use of intercalating fluorescent dyes, real-time turbidimetry, addition of cationic polymers to the reaction mixture, polyacrylamide gel-based microchambers, lateral flow dipsticks, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and nanoparticle-based colorimetric tests have been utilized for this purpose. In this paper, we reviewed the best-known techniques for evaluation of LAMP amplicons and their applications in molecular biology beside their advantages and deficiencies. Regarding the properties of each technique, the development of innovative prompt, cost-effective and precise molecular detection methods for application in the broad field of cancer research may be feasible

Differential elasticity in lineage segregation of embryonic stem cells

The question of what guides lineage segregation is central to development, where cellular differentiation leads to segregated cell populations destined for specialized functions. Here, using optical tweezers measurements of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), we reveal a mechanical mechanism based on differential elasticity in the second lineage segregation of the embryonic inner cell mass into epiblast (EPI) cells - that will develop into the fetus - and primitive endoderm (PrE) - which will form extraembryonic structures such as the yolk sac. Remarkably, we find that these mechanical differences already occur during priming and not just after a cell has committed to differentiation. Specifically, we show that the mESCs are highly elastic compared to any other reported cell type and that the PrE cells are significantly more elastic than EPI-primed cells. Using a model of two cell types differing only in elasticity we show that differential elasticity alone can lead to segregation between cell types, suggesting that the mechanical attributes of the cells contribute to the segregation process. Our findings present differential elasticity as a previously unknown mechanical contributor to the lineage segregation during the embryo morphogenesis

Effect of fasting and re-feeding on thyroidal hormone concentrations and growth performance of Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The aim of this study was to show the effect of four feeding regimes on thyroid hormones concentrations, growth performance and food coefficient in Rainbow Trout applied through 4 treatments and 3 replications in winter 2006. In this research, samples of rainbow trout with an initial mean weight (SD) 47.19 plus or minus 0.42 used in each rearing unite. Fish were fed twice a day ad libitum as follows: Treatment A (TA): which was the control treatment; Continues feeding, Treatment B (TB): 4 weeks of starvation and 5 weeks of re-feeding, Treatment C (TC): 3 weeks of starvation and 5 weeks of re-feeding, and Treatment D (TD): 2 weeks of starvation and 5 weeks of re-feeding. Indexes like food coefficient ratio (FCR), specific growth rate (SGR), daily food intake and thyroid hormones (T sub(3), T sub(4)) were also examined during the experiment. Blood samples were taken for thyroid hormones concentration at the beginning of the experiment and at the end of the starvation and every 12 days in re-feeding periods. TB and TC had significant difference (P0.05). There were no significant differences between the treatments in FCR (P>0.05). T3 concentration came down in comparison with the control treatment at the end of the starvation (day 29) (P<0.001) but increased in the re-feeding periods. T4 concentrations of fasting groups were lower than the control group at the end of fasting periods (P<0.05), but T sub(4) trend in re-feeding periods increased. According to the results, different treatments of feeding regimes could affect the thyroid hormones concentrations. Fasting periods reduced and re-feeding periods increased thyroid hormones concentrations. TB and TC showed more indexes of CG in comparison with TA and TD. We concluded that thyroid hormones alone are enough to assess CG and we suggest to use other growth relating physiological elements in different feeding diets and regimes in future studies to complete the evaluation

Feeding and growth efficiency indices of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) during different deprivation and re-feeding periods

This study aimed to have more insight into the effects of different feed deprivation periods on the growth and feed utilization indices of fish. The study lasted for eight weeks. Four treatments with three replicates including a control group without feed deprivation and treatment 1, 2 and 3 with 1, 2 and 3 week(s) of feed deprivation, respectively, were set up. Fish were fed ad lib for five weeks from week four up to the end of week eight, twice daily. The initial weight was (44.01g ±0.19 c S.E.M). At the end of the deprivation period (day 21 of experiment) starved fish including treatments 1 (46.90g ±2.74), 2 (46.04g ±1.21) and 3 (41.04g ±0.22) had significantly lower weights (P0.05). Different body compartments (crude protein, fat and energy) were not significantly differed among the treatments at the end of the starvation period (P>0.05). Results indicated that the fish could tolerate the starvation and could finally compensate for the final body weight

Posttransplant malignancies and their relationship with human leukocyte antigens in kidney allograft recipients.

INTRODUCTION: Kidney transplant recipients are at increased risk of cancers, most frequently skin cancers, and in some regions, Kaposi sarcoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. We sought to investigate the associate of the most frequent malignancies among our patients with human leukocyte antigens (HLAs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study on 44 kidney allograft recipients who had posttransplant malignancy and 44 kidney allograft recipients without malignant lesions (control group). All of the patients had been treated by immunosuppressive regimens including cyclosporine plus prednisolone or cyclosporine, prednisolone, and mycophenolate mofetil. Data on HLA typing were achieved from their transplant records. RESULTS: There were 15 patients (34.1) with Kaposi sarcoma; 13 (29.6) with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, 6 (13.6) with skin cancer, 2 (4.5) with ovary cyst adenocarcinoma, and 8 (18.2) with other tumors. The mean interval from transplantation to diagnosis of malignancy was 15.3 month. Twelve patients died of cancer during the follow-up (mean, 12.3 years). No significant difference was noted in the age, sex, and time of transplantation between these patients and those in the control group. Kaposi sarcoma was associated with HLA-CW4 (P = .03) with an odds ratio of 4.96 (95 confidence interval, 2.90 to 8.12). CONCLUSIONS: We found HLA-CW4 as a risk factor of Kaposi sarcoma in kidney allograft recipients. Screening for malignancies after kidney transplantation sounds very important with special attention to the specific environmental and genetic factors in each population

Posttransplant malignancies and their relationship with human leukocyte antigens in kidney allograft recipients.

INTRODUCTION: Kidney transplant recipients are at increased risk of cancers, most frequently skin cancers, and in some regions, Kaposi sarcoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. We sought to investigate the associate of the most frequent malignancies among our patients with human leukocyte antigens (HLAs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study on 44 kidney allograft recipients who had posttransplant malignancy and 44 kidney allograft recipients without malignant lesions (control group). All of the patients had been treated by immunosuppressive regimens including cyclosporine plus prednisolone or cyclosporine, prednisolone, and mycophenolate mofetil. Data on HLA typing were achieved from their transplant records. RESULTS: There were 15 patients (34.1) with Kaposi sarcoma; 13 (29.6) with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, 6 (13.6) with skin cancer, 2 (4.5) with ovary cyst adenocarcinoma, and 8 (18.2) with other tumors. The mean interval from transplantation to diagnosis of malignancy was 15.3 month. Twelve patients died of cancer during the follow-up (mean, 12.3 years). No significant difference was noted in the age, sex, and time of transplantation between these patients and those in the control group. Kaposi sarcoma was associated with HLA-CW4 (P = .03) with an odds ratio of 4.96 (95 confidence interval, 2.90 to 8.12). CONCLUSIONS: We found HLA-CW4 as a risk factor of Kaposi sarcoma in kidney allograft recipients. Screening for malignancies after kidney transplantation sounds very important with special attention to the specific environmental and genetic factors in each population

Reactive Security for Smart Grids Using [email protected] Simulation and Reasoning

Smart grids leverage modern information and communication technology to offer new perspectives to electricity consumers, producers, and distributors. However, these new possibilities also increase the complexity of the grid and make it more prone to failures. Moreover, new advanced features like remotely disconnecting meters create new vulnerabilities and make smart grids an attractive target for cyber attackers. We claim that, due to the nature of smart grids, unforeseen attacks and failures cannot be effectively countered relying solely on proactive security techniques. We believe that a reactive and corrective approach can offer a long-term solution and is able to both minimize the impact of attacks and to deal with unforeseen failures. In this paper we present a novel approach combining a [email protected] simulation and reasoning engine with reactive security techniques to intelligently monitor and continuously adapt the smart grid to varying conditions in near real-time

Mapping local patterns of childhood overweight and wasting in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2017

A double burden of malnutrition occurs when individuals, household members or communities experience both undernutrition and overweight. Here, we show geospatial estimates of overweight and wasting prevalence among children under 5 years of age in 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 2000 to 2017 and aggregate these to policy-relevant administrative units. Wasting decreased overall across LMICs between 2000 and 2017, from 8.4% (62.3 (55.1–70.8) million) to 6.4% (58.3 (47.6–70.7) million), but is predicted to remain above the World Health Organization’s Global Nutrition Target of <5% in over half of LMICs by 2025. Prevalence of overweight increased from 5.2% (30 (22.8–38.5) million) in 2000 to 6.0% (55.5 (44.8–67.9) million) children aged under 5 years in 2017. Areas most affected by double burden of malnutrition were located in Indonesia, Thailand, southeastern China, Botswana, Cameroon and central Nigeria. Our estimates provide a new perspective to researchers, policy makers and public health agencies in their efforts to address this global childhood syndemic