A phylogeny analysis on six mullet species (Teleosti: Mugillidae) using PCR-sequencing method

In this study, genetic differences and phylogenic relationships among six Mugillidae species (Mugil cephalus, M. capito, Liza subviridis, L. saliens, L. aurata, Valamugil buchanani) were determined using PCR-sequencing. M. cephalus, L. subviridis, and V. buchanani from the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea, and L. aurata and L. saliens from the Caspian Sea were collected. Samples of an imported, Egyptian species M. capito were obtained from the Gomishan Research Center in Gorgan. Total DNA from the samples were extracted according to phenol-chloroform procedure. The extracted total DNAs were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and then sequenced. The number of bases in the mitochondrial 16s rRNA genome used in this study approximated 600 base pairs. The size of the bands was identical in all the studied species and no heteroplasmia was observed. In addition, the numbers of variable, preserved, and Pi sites were about 114/624, 488/624, and 110/624, respectively. Analysis of the sequences showed great differences between Mugil species and the other studied species. The phylogenetic tree obtained through Neighbor-Joining method revealed that L. saliens and L. aurata were in the same branch while L. subviridis was in a separate branch. In contrast, Maximum Parsimony tree located L. subviridis and L. aurata in a single branch and assigned L. saliens to a distinct branch. This result brings in the question of monophyletic origin of the genus Liza

Evaluation of combined disc method for the detection of metallo-β-lactamase producing Gram negative bacilli

Aims: Infections due to metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) producing Gram negative rods are a cause of high mortality and morbidity. Early detection by an economical and accurate method may improve patient outcome. This study was aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of combined disc method for MBL detection by comparing it with MBL-Etest.Methodology and Results: This cross-sectional, validation study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology, Army Medical College, National University of Sciences and Technology, Rawalpindi, over a period of six months. A total of 52 non-duplicate Gram-negative rods isolated from the routine clinical specimens and found resistant to meropenem/imipenem on Kirby Bauer Disc Diffusion method were subjected to two tests for metallo-β-lactamase detection. One was combined Disc test using imipenem with Ethylene Diamine Tetraacetic Acid (EDTA), where a strain showing an increase in zone of inhibition of combined disc of ≥ 7 mm as compared to imipenem alone, was considered as MBL producer and the other one was MBL-Etest for which results were interpreted as per manufacturer’s guidelines. Combined disc method for MBL detection was found to have a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of 97.5%, 100%, 100%, 92% and 98%.Conclusion, Significance and Impact of study: Combined disc method is an economical and reliable method for metallo-β-lactamase detection which can be used routinely in any laboratory

Temperature dependence of J–V and C–V characteristics of n-InAs/p-GaAs heterojunctions prepared by flash evaporation technique and liquid phase epitaxy

In this work, n-type of InAs films have been successfully fabricated on p-GaAs monocrystalline substrates by both flash evaporation technique and liquid phase epitaxy. The elemental composition of the prepared films has been confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. The morphology of the films has been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The current transport mechanisms of n-InAs/p-GaAs heterojunctions in the temperature range 300-400 K have been investigated. Temperature-dependent dark current density-voltage (J–V) studies under forward and reverse bias have been carried out for this purpose. In the temperature range studied, the dark current contribution in the low bias range is believed to be due to the generation-recombination of minority carriers in the space-charge region. A change in the preparation technique does not seem to have altered the dark current conduction mechanism. Capacitance-voltage (C–V) at various temperatures has been measured to identify the junction type as well as determination of the important junction parameters

Influence of Melissa officinalis essential oil and its formulation on Typhlodromips swirskii and Neoseiulus barkeri (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

The toxicity of Melissa officinalis L. essential oil and its formulation (Melissacide) were evaluated against eggs and females of two predatory phytoseiid mites, Typhlodromips swirskii (Athias Henriot) and Neoseiulus barkeri (Hughes), using direct spray. Results indicate that both tested materials were potent on predatory females than egg stage. Typhlodromips swirskii was proved to be more sensitive to the oil and formulation than N. barkeri. Females mortality were (62-100%) in T. swirskii, and (46-69%) in N. barkeri, when both predatory mites were sprayed with LC50 and LC90 of the oil and Melissacide reported on Tetranychus urticae Koch. Females of both predators were suffered from reduction in food consumption when sprayed with two sublethal concentrations of Melissacide, while insignificant differences reported in daily number of eggs deposited by females of T. swirskii, when sprayed with its LC25 value of Melissacide and control

Contrast sensitivity deficits in patients with mutation-proven inherited retinal degenerations

Abstract Background Patients with retinal diseases frequently complain of poor visual function even when visual acuity is relatively unaffected. This clinical finding has been attributed to deficits in contrast sensitivity (CS). The purpose of our study was to evaluate the CS in patients with clinical and genetic diagnosis of inherited retinal degeneration (IRD) and relatively preserved visual acuity. Methods Seventeen patients (30 eyes) with IRD and visual acuity of 20/40 or better, and 18 controls (18 eyes) without any ocular condition underwent slit lamp examination, visual acuity testing via standard Snellen chart testing, CS testing via the Quick Contrast Sensitivity Function (QCSF), and Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT). CS were measured at 1.0, 1.5, 3.0, 6.0, 12.0, and 18.0 cycles per degree (cpd). T tests with general estimated equations were used to compare CS between groups. Wald chi square followed by pairwise comparisons was used to compare CS between multiple groups. Results We included 12 patients with rod-cone dystrophy (RCD), 3 patients with Stargardt disease (STGD) and 2 patients with Best disease. Patients with IRD had significantly worse CS than controls (p < 0.001) in all spatial frequencies. Patients with STGD had more marked deficits in CS than patients with Best disease (p < 0.001) and RCD (p < 0.001) despite having similar visual acuities. Conclusion Patients with IRD, especially patients with STGD with relatively preserved visual acuity have marked deficits in CS when measured across a range of spatial frequencies. We recommend that clinical trials for STGD incorporate CS measured over a range of spatial frequencies as a secondary clinical endpoint for monitoring visual function. CS may provide an explanation for complaints of visual dysfunction when visual acuity is not significantly altered.https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146723/1/12886_2018_Article_982.pd

Feasibility study of developing puffed snack from trimmed part of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

Incorporation of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) meat in extruded puffed corn-fish snack was studied. Fish protein concentrate (FPC) was produced by liquid-solid extraction. Ethanol and isopropanol were used as the solvents. FPC extraction efficiency of 19.5% and 9.5% (w/w) were obtained based on fish meat and whole fish respectively. Protein content of isopropanol extracted FPC (93.3%±0.4) significantly (P<0.05) was higher than ethanol extracted (92.5%±0.3) FPC. On the contrary fat contents were 0.17%±0.4 and 0.65%±0.11 respectively. Puffed corn-fish snack with 2 and 4% FPC as well as 5, 10, 15, and 20% minced fish meat in corn grits was extruded by a single screw extruder. The best formula was evaluated at 15% fish meat and 85% corn grits in the snack base, considering higher protein content, higher consumer acceptability, higher expansion ratio and lower fish smell. Six month storage stability “same as control” was obtained considering chemical, microbial and sensory evaluation according to standard of Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran; when Metalized Biaxillary-Oriented Poly Propylene was used as the packaging material. Incorporation of abdominal muscles (8% of whole fish body which obtained from trimming of fish fillets) on corn-fish snack was not feasible due to low-protein (11.7±0.1 i.e. 34% less than fish meat) and high-fat (14.2±0.1 i.e. 550% higher than fish meat) contents

Survey of preservatives on shelf life of silver carp burger

In this research in order to assess the possibility of antioxidant effects in quality protection and increase the shelf alife of fish burgers, ascorbic acid as a antioxidant by natural source used in raw uncoated fish burgers and in order to comparison by vacuum packaging, 3 treatments of uncoated fish burgers produced from cultivated silver carp: 1- burgers by common packaging (control) 2- burgers by vacunm packaging 3- burgers by 500ppm Ascorbic acid. Also in order to comparison BHA+BHT antioxidants (that have synergistic effects to each other) effect by vacuum packaging to prevention of lipid oxidation in semi-fried fish burgers 3 other treatments produced too: 1- burgers by common packaging (control) 2- burgers by vacunm packaging 3-burgers by 200 ppm BHA+BHT antioxidants comparatively to fats of product. All of the burgers after production and freezing conserved in -18°c for 6 months (Raw uncoated burgers) and one year (Semi-fried coated burgers). During the storage period chemical, microbiological, and organoleptic tests were down by three repetition monthly. Although peroxide value in raw uncoated fish burgers were higher than standard range even from first month but it seems this factor is not suitable for quality evaluation of uncoated raw fish burgers. Evaluation of TBA index in raw uncoated fish burgers during storage time showed at the end of storage period TBA index for control, vacuum and ascorbic acid treatments were 6.31, 4.76 and 1.29 mg malonaldehyde/kg respectively and taste scores were 5.11, 5.42 and 6.16 respectively. Results indicate the positive effects of ascorbic acid to prevention of lipid oxidation. By attention to TVN, TBA and organoleptic tests 4 mounths for treatments without ascorbic acid by vacuum packaging preference and 6 months shelf life for ascorbic acid treatment have suggested in -18°c temperature. For semi fried fish burger 28 prevention effect for lipid oxidation but vacuum packaging had 32 (without significantly difference,P>0.05). so we can for %BHA+BHT treatment this property was recommend the use of vacuum packaging instead of antioxidant treatment. By attention to TVN, pH, PV, TBA and microbiological and organoleptic tests we can suggest the 8 months for shelf life time of semi fried fish burgers. In this product TVN was the only limitation factor and exeeded from standard range at 9th month of maintenance