Effects of weight and length of Barbus grypus broodstock on fingerlings production and growth

The effects of weight and length of Barbus grypus broodstock on fingerlings reproductive characteristics and growth were investigated. We chose three female treatments including weight and length groups (1) 2212.5±479g, 62.68±6.7cm, (2) 4518±780g, 79.12±4.36cm and (3) 7712.5±1171g, 92.62±3.13cm. The same male broodstock were used for all the treatments with the weight and length size of 1400±100g, 54.62±7.35cm. Female broodstock were injected 3mg/kg PG hormone two times at an interval of 10 hours. Males were injected 2mg/kg once at the time females received their second injection. Larvae and fingerling survival rate and growth indices (special growth coefficient, condition factor) up to the fingerling stage were calculated for all treatments of larvae culture. Fingerling stage in ponds, 02, pH, temperature, transparency, nitrate, and phosphate were measured and no significant difference was observed (P>0.05) among the ponds. The special growth rate, condition factor, and fingerling survival of the treatments showed no significant differences (P>0.05). However, our results indicated that larvae survival rate had significant differences between treatment 2 and other treatments (P<0.05). These indices increase in broodstock weight up to treatment 2 (4518±780g, 79.12±4.36cm) and after that it will be lowered. We conclude that the treatment 2 broodstock are ideal for fingerling survival and enhancement of growth and condition factors

The effect of lovastatin on cognition impairment induced by bilateral electrical lesion of nucleus basalis magnocellularis in the Alzheimerâs disease model in adult male rats

Background: Statins, inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase, are widely used as medication to lower cholesterol levels in human patients. Much evidence indicates that statins can also exert neuroprotective actions. So, this study aimed at examining the effect of lovastatin on cognition deficit induced by bilateral electrical lesion of nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) in the Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease model in adult male rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 56 adult male wistar rats were divided into 8 groups (n=7): control (intact), NBM lesion group (which received electrically- induced lesion 0.5 mA in 3s), sham group (the electrode was impaled into the NBM with no lesion(, lovastatin groups (lesion+1, 5, 10, 20 mg/kg) and DMSO 5 group (NBM lesion +DMSO 5). Acquisition and retention testing was done by using an eight-radial arm maze in which the patterns of arm entries were recorded for calculating working memory errors, reference memory error and latency in each group. Results: The bilateral NBM lesion resulted in significant reduction of spatial memory in acquisition and retention tests in the form of increased working and reference memory errors compared to the control group (P&lt;0.05). Post-lesion treatment with lovastatin improved the parameters of spatial memory errors in the acquisition and retention tasks compared to the lesion group. Conclusion: The electrical NBM lesion can reduce spatial memory function and the lovastatin therapy after brain injury improved cognitive disorders. It seems that lovastatin by reducing the activity of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme and increasing acetylcholine transferase enzyme activity can cause improvement in learning and memory capability

The Effect of Cortex/Medulla Proportions on Molecular Diagnoses in Kidney Transplant Biopsies: Rejection and Injury Can Be Assessed in Medulla

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/137720/1/ajt14233_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/137720/2/ajt14233.pd

Abundance, spawning season and type of gattan (Barbus xanthopterus Heckel, 1843) in south of Karkheh River and Hour-Al-Azim marsh (Khuzestan Province)

In this study 401 specimens of Gattan (Barbus xanthopterus) caught by drifting and set gillnets, cast nets and forks were studied. Samples were collected monthly (October 1996 to September 1997) from Hamidieh Dam to Hour-Al-Azim Lagoon. Morphometric and meristic parameters and biological characteristics were studied in the laboratory. The Highest frequency of Gattan in the river was in March and in Hour-Al-Azim was in December. The length range of the fish in the river was broader than in the hour, and fishes with lengths more than 700mm were only observed in the river. Sharp decrease in GSI in May and occurence of spawning in May and June showed that reproduction of this species occurs in spring (in a two month period) and is relatively short. Minimum and maximum ova diameter were 0.01mm and 2.25mmin stages II and IV of gonad maturity respectively. An increasing trend in ova diameter up to April and decreasing in June showed one time spawning of this species. Surface water temperature in the spawning season was between 25.5oC and 28.65oC and turbidity was in its lowest level in this period. Sex maturation in males occurred in length of 151-200mm (one year old), and in females in 501-550mm (3 years old). Average sex ratio (male to female) was 1:1.31 which is not significantly different from 1:1 (95% confidence limit)

The potential for soybean to diversify the production of plant-based protein in the UK

Soybean (Glycine max) offers an important source of plant-based protein. Currently much of Europe’s soybean is imported, but there are strong economic and agronomic arguments for boosting local production. Soybean is grown in central and eastern Europe but is less favoured in the North due to climate. We conducted field trials across three seasons and two sites in the UK to test the viability of early-maturing soybean varieties and used the data from these trials to calibrate and validate the Rothamsted Landscape Model. Once validated, the model was used to predict the probability soybean would mature and the associated yield for 26 sites across the UK based on weather data under current, near-future (2041-60) and far-future (2081-2100) climate. Two representative concentration pathways, a midrange mitigation scenario (RCP4.5) and a high emission scenario (RCP8.5) were also explored. Our analysis revealed that under current climate early maturing varieties will mature in the south of the UK, but the probability of failure increases with latitude. Of the 26 sites considered, only at one did soybean mature for every realisation. Predicted expected yields ranged between 1.39 t ha-1 and 1.95 t ha-1 across sites. Under climate change these varieties are likely to mature as far north as southern Scotland. With greater levels of CO2, yield is predicted to increase by as much as 0.5 t ha-1 at some sites in the far future, but this is tempered by other effects of climate change meaning that for most sites no meaningful increase in yield is expected. We conclude that soybean is likely to be a viable crop in the UK and for similar climates at similar latitudes in Northern Europe in the future but that for yields to be economically attractive for local markets, varieties must be chosen to align with the growing season

Study on Mahshahr creeks (north of Persian Gulf) as protected area

In recent years MPAs (Marine Protected Areas) have been known as a flexible tool to improve fishery management as well as to preserve biodiversity in valuable coastal waters habitats. This study was conducted to selecting the sensitive and high potential area that are impacted by several environmental stress and associated habitats are being damaged in Mahshahr creeks in Northwest of Persian Gulf. Study was done in eight creeks from October 2005 to September 2006. Different biotic parameters such as phytoplanktons, zooplankton, macro zooplankton, benthic animals and fishes (trawled species) communities and also physico-chemical parameters and sediments heavy metals were investigated. Different parameters were sampled monthly or seasonal from each creek. Water samples with bottle sampler and sediment were collected by Peterson grab. Several ecological and biological indices based on heavy metals and benthic communities were used. Concentrations of heavy metals were measured by using voltammetric plarography method (Methrom 797). The range and mean concentrations obtained in mg/kg were 35.16-15.03 (27.01) for Cu, 171.41-65.57 (102.672) for Ni, 20.06-4.63 (13.22) for Co, 0.78-0.093 (0.22) for Hg, 379-65.07 (113.7) for Zn, 1.00-0.27 (0.559) for Cd and 29.72-7.09 (14.66) for Pb. To evaluate the levels of sediment contaminations, the background values of the different heavy metals were calculated and contamination factor for each metals and degree of contamination for each creek determined as well. Measured concentrations were compared with International standards. Ultimately the heavy metals contamination factors (Cf) can be arranged as follows: Hg> Zn> Cu≥ Ni> Pb≥ Co > Cd and according to contamination degree (Cd), different creeks can be arranged as follows too: Ghannam> Ahmady≥ Zangy> Doragh≥ Darvish> ghazaleh> Patil> Bihad Regarding the results some elements such as Hg, Zn and Ni, are at risk level and all of the studied creeks are classified in moderate degree of pollution except Ghannam showing considerable degree of pollution. The benthic invertebrates are a well-established target in evaluations of environmental quality status. The AMBI (AZTI,s Marine Biotic Index) was developed to determine the impacts and the quality status in softbottom marine benthic communities. All creeks are characterized by muddy bottom. Macrobenthic animals, according to their sensitivity to an increasing stress gradient, classified in five ecological groups. In present study due to appearance of dominant species such as Capitella sp and nematodes (as opportunist species), diversity values was reduced. Two way ANOVAs showed only seasonal significant differences in mean abundance (P<0.05, f=5.712, df: 3,21) and Richness index values (p<0.05, f= 4.975, df=3,21), while all of creeks showed similar biological characters based on benthic communities. According to annual, mean of AMBI (BC) all of creeks classified in ecological group III with slightly pollution, except Darvish that was placed in unpolluted category. In general, according to AMBI and BI values, The most creeks are classified in unpolluted (34%) and slightly pollution (34%) categories except Zangy, Doragh and Patil in summer and also Zangy and Bihad in winter that showed moderate to heavily pollution (32%). The results of chemical quality of sediments, Cf values, Cd values, AMBI Index and water quality and risk Indices have confirmed each other. In general, the Mahshahr creeks are classified in moderate to heavy pollution status. In addition, biological parameters of benthic communities and other biotic parameters have showndescending trend in ecological quality in all of the studied creeks. Communities. According to annual, mean of AMBI (BC) all of creeks classified in ecological group III with slightly pollution, except Darvish that was placed in unpolluted category. In general, according to AMBI and BI values, the most creeks are classified in unpolluted (34%) and slightly pollution (34%) categories except Zangy, Doragh and Patil in summer and also Zangy and Bihad in winter that showed moderate to heavily pollution (32%). The results of chemical quality of sediments, Cf values, Cd values, AMBI Index and water quality and risk Indices have confirmed each other. In general, the Mahshahr creeks are classified in moderate to heavy pollution status. In addition, biological parameters of benthic communities and other biotic parameters have showndescending trend in ecological quality in all of the studied creeks. We used of some criteria for evaluation of biotic potential or sensitivity and also to explain the ecological health level of studied creeks. Positive and negative criteria are classified in three level 1, 3 and 5 for low, moderate and high degree of conservation value respectively. According to gained points the creeks Darvish, Doragh and Ghazaleh in high level and creeks Ghannam , Zangy and ahmady in low level of conservation value were classified

Species composition monitoring in artificial reefs area in Khuzestan coastal waters

This study was carried out in continuation of previous studies on artificial reefs monitoring in Khozestan coastal waters. The main purpose was the zoo species composition on and around the artificial reefs. Sampling was done from May 2012 to April 2013, from 4 stations in artificial reefs area. Reef structures were sampled by scuba diving. Physical and chemical parameters were measured and water quality status was determined by using WQS index. Zooplankton and macrozooplankton communities were sampled by 100 and 300 micrometer mesh size nets respectively. Benthic animal's samples from sediments around of the reefs body were collected by Ekman grab. Sediment characters, TOM and grain size were analyzed by using ignition loss and size series sieves methods respectively. Secondary production of macrobenthic animals based on dominant species length classes was estimated. Ichthyological information recorded by diver (census and video recording) and Gargoor traps were used for fishing effort calculation .Except for nitrite parameter (p<0.05) in different stations and silica parameters (p<0.05) in different months, other parameters were not shown significant differences in studied stations and months. The mean of zooplankton density was (914±52) N/m^3 and the Copepoda species were the most abundant group (235 ±10) N/m^3.Anosim analysis showed no significant differences in reefs specie composition. Different Crustacean groups were included more than 82 percent of macrozooplanktons communities. Among macrozooplankons, the mean density of decapoda, branchiopoda and copepoda were 302, 296 and 191.5 N/m3 respectively. The mean density of macrobenthic animals was 418±90.26 N/m^2 and mollusk, crustacean and polychaets were the most abundant benthic animals respectively. During the study period, total macrobenthos biomass 11.37 g-wet/m^2 and its mean value 2.84 g -wet /m^2, were estimated. Annual production for polychaets and crustacean groups 154g-wet/m^2 and 182 g-wet/m^2 were estimated respectively. Annual production of total macrobenthic animals was about 675 g-wet/m^2/y. According to sediment analysis, the range of silt-clay (8.7-95.6)% and seasonal mean TOM (4.47-13.25)% were calculated in studied stations. According to attached organisms biomass (wet weight), Cnidarian Anthozoa class with (88)% was the most abundant and then sponge (10)%, Cnidarian Hydrozoan class and arthropoda each one with 1% were included total attached organisms. Due to high biomass of Anthozoa species the most abundant mean was observed in spring season. The Malacostraca group especially Crustacean (72)% was the main mobile animals on reef bodies and then Echinodermata (Ophiurida and marine Orchids) (18)%, Mollusca (Bivalves and Gastropods) (4)% and Polychaets (3)% were the main mobile organisms. The range of Shannon diversity index was (3.22-3.46) and (2.44-3.38) in studied stations and months respectively. Totaly in studied area, the number 15 fishes species were observed and Sparidae family with 3 species were the diverse fish family. The fish Hamour (Epinephelus coiodes,Seranidae) (87)% was presented in all studied months and stations. After Hamour the Neopomacentrue sindensis and Diplodus sargus Kotschyi were the most abundant fishes. The maximum and the minimum of hamour catch per unit effort were in reef B in spring and reef C in autumn respectively .Data comparing showed that except for nitrite the other physical and chemical parameters were observed in the same range by 2005-2007 study. According to obtained results, Zoo communities in different part of ecosystem showed greater diversity than to past years and in comparing to mudflat coastal waters in Khozestan waters, new ecosystem has been created in the region. High diversity of different animal groups that were disperses in water column in early phases of its life and need to settlement to substrate to continuing the life were observed in area. Attached animals plays an important role in biological and ecological characters in the coastal area

Artificial reefs monitoring in Khuzestan coastal waters

This research was done to study on communities' strucure of benthic animals' growth on artifitial reefs, constructed in Hendijan coastal waters in khozestan in Nort west Persian Gulf. The seasonal sampels of attached organisms were collected from spring to winter during 2010 year study.One station (D) in older and three stations (A, B, C) in newer reef site were selected.Random sampling was carriedout by using quadrat (25×25) via diving. During survey, the number of 59 species of attached animals belong to 13 animal groups, including, 9 species of cnidarian, 8 species of spoges, 7 species of Gastropoda, 8 species of Bivalve, 4 species of polychaet and 17 species of Crastacean were identified. In studied artifitial reef apoint of biomass, softcoral were dominant group which include 92% of total biota, and the species Plumarella sp. is the dominant species. However, apoint of abundance the species pisidia sp. from anomura crabs was the most abundant species especially in station A and D. Different kind of Cnidarian such as Dendronephthya sp., Sarcophyton sp. And Lobophyllia sp. was observed in station D for the first time. The polychates, Mollusk and some of crustacean and Echinodermata species were observed in lower abundance in comparision with previous studies. This results show that communities have been changed along time. According to MDS analysis, based on Bray-Curtis similarity, different stations presented seasonal variation based on identified species-biomass. Clustering analysis based on mean biomass indiffernt seasons explained that. Station D in 55%, station B in 75% and staton A and C in 80% similarity were Seperated. According to obtained results, there were not signifidant differences between station that can be caused by similarity in structural characteristics such as bottom slope and age of reefs. The mean abundance in spring was significantly high than other seasons. Which can be caused due to bioticfactos such as life cycle and reproduction season? In this research, fish communities accord to recorded information by visual consus and fisheries Traps arund the reefs, hare been increasing. In present study with increasing biomass in the biotic communities on artificial reefs enhancement of fish stock most be expected. These substrates can be reduced the pressure on destructed which is the opportunity for rehabilitation. In present study with increasing biomass in the biotic communities on artificial reefs enhancement of fish stock most be expected. These substrates can be reduced the pressure on destructed which is the opportunity for rehabilitation. The most frequent and abundant fish species was Epinephelus sp. This species was presented in all stations and seasons. The other abundant fish species were Scolopsis sp.,Epinephelus coioides, Diplodus sargus and Neopomacentrue sp.

Determination of biomass of fishes in Shadegan Wetland

Biomass estimation of fishes were done by depletion method in Shadegan Wetland in 2011-12. Fishing effort and landing catch amount per unit effort was done via random oversea in fixed landing area monthly. Fishermen and catch statistics were obtained from census. Total catch was calculated from multiplication of effort and average catch. Fishes biological characteristics survey indicated that Golden barb (Barbus luteus) and Berzem (Barbus pectoralis) has maximum (62 kg/ha) and minimum (4 kg/ha) biomass respectively. Maximum and Minimum biomass was in spring (380 kg/ha) and in winter (58 kg/ha) respectively and mean biomass was estimated 249 kg/ha in whole area during one year. Number of fishermen were about 1317 and maximum fishing effort was in April, May and June. Total fish landing was 4300 tons per year in which 1119 tons was calculated in April. Large scaled barb (Barbus grypus) and Abu mullet (liza abu) had maximum and minimum mean length and weight. The range length of most of fishes was low and their spawning season was in winter and spring. Length- weight relationship indicates their isometric growth. Despite of 45% decrease of number of fisherman to previous time (2008), catch effort and exploitation was increased (20%). Regarding fish living area (70000 ha), total biomass was 17430 tons

Survey on ecological characteristicsof Horolazim wetland in Khouzestan (2012-2013)

Rregarding the potential and capabilities of different socio-economic, ecological and recreational, Hurolazim wetland is allocated as a special place in the collection of ecosystems and environment and the study of existing ecological conditions is necessary to protect and restoring management. In this study, monthly Samples of four stations (stations north of the road, Imam Reza (1) and south of the road, Imam Reza (2), in the Rofayeh area and stations Tabor (3) and the Shatt Ali (4), in the Shatt Ali area) were taken during the year from April to March 2012. Samples included physical and chemical parameters, phyto and zoo planktons, benthos, fish, and fishing status. Phytoplankton samples using sampling bottles from 0.5 meters below the surface were taken and counted based on alive unit. Zooplankton samples were collected by 100 micron mesh size plankton net from a depth of 1.5-2 meters. Benthic animals and sediment were sampled by Van Vin grab(0.125 square meters). One sample for benthos and one sample for grain size analysis and percentage of organic matter were sampled from each stations. In order to estimate the monthly depleted catches, data collected from the census in place and sampling was done at the time. Three fishing area has inspected randomly once every 15 days and active fishermen and caches were recorded in the prepared forms during the day. In this way, the number of observed boats, the average boat per day, the catches of the boats and CPUE were registered and total fishing effort was calculated monthly. In this study, 194 species of phytoplankton were identified. Diatoms with 85 species, Cyanophyta with 59 species, Chlorophyta with 31 species, Euglenophyta and Dinophyta with 18 and one species were observed respectively. The highest abundance frequency of phytoplanktons with 38.96 percent were observed in Tabar station (3), Diatoms with 46% has shown the highest frequency and then Cyanophyta (34.17%), Chlorophyta (16.39%), Euglenophyta (1.6 %) and Dinophta (1.58%) were included of the total abundance respectively. In the summer colonies of Cyanophyta were in high density. A total of 35 species of zooplankton have been identified. from Rizopoda, the species of Arcellidae and Centripyxidae families, from Rotifera, the species of Brachionidae, Lecanidae, Asplanchnidae and Philodinidae families, from Cladocera ,the species of Daphnidae, Sisidae and Chydoridae families and from copepods, Cyclopoda families have been observed that included about 98 percent of identified zooplankton. Respectively, Copepoda (39.9 %), Rotifera (34.71 %), Cladocera (22.38 %) and Rizopoda (0.843 %) were dominant groups. The species Brachionus urceolaris with average density of 7.29 individual per liter, is the most abundant species that included 17 % of total abundance frequency in the wetland. The higher frequency of crustacean zooplankton such as Copepoda and Cladocera could be indicated an environment more favorable conditions and expected to be good status of food in the Horolazim wetland. Among the known benthic groups, families, Tephritidae (85%) and Chironomidae (7 %) of the order Diptera and Ostracoda (2 %) from crustacean, were the dominant macrobentic groups Among the studied stations, Station South Road Imam Reza (2), and the station Shatt Ali (4), were the highest and the lowest abundance respectively. The mean abundance of macrobenthos in different seasons showed the lowest and the highest abundance frequency in summer and winter respectively. According to diversity indices, The stations Tabar (3) was the highest and the Station South Road Imam Reza (2), was the lowest value of diversity index. The results showed the higher than 71.84 % of Silt-Clay percentage in all stations, The highest value of sediments TOM in the Station South of the Road Imam Reza(2) in the winter and the lowest in station Shat Ali(4) in summer were recorded. Based on HFBI index the stations north of the road Imam Reza (1) and the station Shatt Ali (4) in moderate status and the stations south of the road Imam Reza (2) and Tabar (3) in good status were classified. In this study, 15 species of fishes belonging to 8 genera and 3 families were identified. It was noticed that 87.4 percent of all identified species in the wetland belonged to the Cyprinidae family. The results of previous studies in 2006 and 2008 in the Iraqi part of Hawizeh wetland showed that the most common fish species belonged to Biah, Karas, Hemry and Shelej that included 89.3 percent of total fishing in the current study .Finally, It is evaluated that changes in water regime of freshwater wetlands, controlled the environmental characteristics and conditions. That means water plays a decisive role in the vital characteristics of wetlands. Changes of quantity and quality of water may be associated with changing the quantity and quality of biotic fauna in wetland system. In the management and protection of a wetland system, it is necessary to adopt measures based on scientific principles and reasonable methods in order to protect water quality