PRELIMINARY STUDY ON CHEMICAL MECHANISM OF DECREASE OF TETRODOTOXIN CONTENT IN OVARIES OF A PUFFER FISH Lagocephalus inermis (Temminck and Schlegel, 1850) FERMENTED WITH RICE BRAN

Tetrodotoxins in salted and fermented ovaries with rice bran of a puffer fish Lagocephalus inermis (Temminck Schlegel, 1850) during five months were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorometric detector (HPLC- FLD). The analysed results showed that the original ovaries contained only tetrodotoxin with content of 7.59 µg/g fresh weight. 4,9-Anhydrotetrodotoxin - an isomer which is less toxic than tetrodotoxin has been found in all ovary samples since the second month. Tetrodotoxin in the ovaries disappeared in the 4th month of the experiment. In addition, 4,9-anhydrotetrodotoxin level in ovaries increased during fermentation. The present study contributes to clarifying the chemical mechanism of decreasing tetrodotoxin content in fermented ovary of puffer fish.Tetrodotoxins in salted and fermented ovaries with rice bran of a puffer fish Lagocephalus inermis (Temminck and Schlegel, 1850) during five months were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorometric detector (HPLC- FLD). The analysed results showed that the original ovaries contained only Tetrodotoxin with content of 7.59 µg/g fresh weight. 4,9-Anhydrotetrodotoxin- an isomer which is less toxic than Tetrodotoxin has been found in all ovary samples since the second month. Tetrodotoxin in the ovaries disappeared in the 4th month of the experiment. In addition, 4,9-Anhydrotetrodotoxin level in ovaries increased during fermentation. The present study contributes to clarify the chemical mechanism of decreasing Tetrodotoxin content in fermented ovary of puffer fish

Cyanide detoxification efficiency of injection and soak of hydroxocobalamin, sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate for sea water ornamental fish

The Oceanographic Museum offers interesting exhibits of several marine lives for tourist sightseeing and entertainment. These sea water ornamental fish are all caught in the wild. However, its health can be affected by cyanide poisoning during human fishing. Depending on the level of cyanide poisoning, fish can die after one and two weeks that caused economic damages for the museum. The present study is concerned with results of cyanide detoxification by using direct injection into cinnamon clownfish or soak of hydroxocobalamin, sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate with the aim of improving the health, survival and life time for fish, contributing to increasing economic efficiency for the Oceanographic Museum

MỘT SỐ ĐẶC TÍNH CỦA CANXI HYDROXYAPATIT CHIẾT XUẤT TỪ XƯƠNG CÁ NGỪ VẰN Katsuwonus pelamis

This paper is concerned with certain properties of calcium hydroxyapatite from skipjack tuna bone (Katsuwonus pelamis) which are by-products of fish export industry. Hydroxyapatite Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 and β-tricalcium phosphate Ca3(PO4)2, the high-value compounds, have been successfully extracted from skipjack tuna bones. The bones were heated at different temperatures of 600oC, 900oC, 1200oC. While at 600oC hydroxyapatites were obtained with Ca/P ratio of 1.658, comparable to the value of 1.67 found in human bone; the hydroxyapatite crystals of average size of 0.25 µm were formed with the same size distribution. In case of heated bone samples at 900°C and 1200°C, the calcium formed were biphasic calcium phosphate composed of hydroxyapatite and β-tricalcium phosphate; the Ca/P ratio was between 1.660–1.665; the calcium crystals of more than 1 µm were highly porous and connected to each other in priority orientation of tube direction.Bài báo này trình bày kết quả nghiên cứu về một số đặc tính của canxi hydroxyapatit chiết xuất từ xương cá ngừ Katsuwonus pelamis, một sản phẩm phụ từ ngành xuất khẩu thịt cá ngừ. Các hợp chất có giá trị là hydroxyapatit Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 và β-tricanxi phosphat β-TCP Ca3(PO4)2 đã được chiết xuất thành công từ xương cá ngừ vằn. Xương cá ngừ được nung ở các nhiệt độ khác nhau 600, 900 và 1.200oC. Dạng canxi thu được khi nung mẫu ở 600oC là hydroxyapatit với tỉ lệ Ca/P 1,658 gần với tỉ lệ Ca/P 1,67 trong xương người; các tinh thể hydroxyapatit có kích thước trung bình 0,25 µm và sự phân bố kích thước tương đối đồng đều. Đối với mẫu xương được xử lý ở 900 và 1.200oC, canxi thu được là hỗn hợp hai pha hydroxyapatit Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 và β-tricanxi phosphat Ca3(PO4)2; tỉ lệ Ca/P từ 1,660–1,665, các tinh thể canxi có độ xốp cao và liên kết với nhau theo hướng ưu tiên kiểu hình ống với kích thước lớn hơn 1 µm

Characterization of cassava production systems in Vietnam.

Using a nationally representative survey of cassava-growing households in Vietnam and a robust method of varietal identification based on DNA fingerprinting, this paper provides a broad picture of cassava production and socio-economic characteristics of cassava producers in the country. It presents a descriptive analysis of cassava production practices, varietal use, varietal preferences, as well as cassava utilization, and marketing. Results indicate that more than 85% of the cassava area in Vietnam is planted to improved varieties. The average yield at national level is 19 tons per hectare. About 69% of total cassava produced per household is sold as either fresh roots and/or dried chips. The remaining 31% is either for own consumption or for livestock feed. Of all the six regions surveyed, the Southeast is characterized by the most intensive cassava production practices. It also has the largest average cassava area per household, the highest percentage of tractor use, and a higher percentage of fertilizer application on cassava fields. The findings suggest that there are huge challenges for sustainable cassava intensification, specifically in identifying the needs for market diversification, dealing with emerging pests and diseases, and implementing adequate soil management practices. This is particularly challenging in a system that is driven by the need to maximize output with minimum investment. Future research and development should focus on integrated value chain development with multiple actors focusing attention on integrated pest and disease management, seed systems development, breeding for resistance and earliness, and climate change adaptation, among others

Molecular epidemiology of Japanese encephalitis in northern Vietnam, 1964?2011: genotype replacement

Background: Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is an arthropod-borne virus causing serious public health issues in Asia. JEV consists of five genotypes and recent studies have shown the emergence of JEV genotype I (GI) and its replacement of genotype III (GIII). Using an archival JEV collection, we investigated the molecular evolution of JEV in Vietnam over the last 48 years (1964-2012) in humans, mosquitoes, and pigs, within the global context. Methods: The nine JEV isolates from humans, pigs, and mosquitoes sequenced in this study and 29 sequences available in GenBank were used to analyze the envelope (E) protein of the Vietnamese JEVs. A collection of 225 cerebrospinal fluid specimens from patients with suspected Japanese encephalitis (JE) was also tested and genotyped with real-time RT-PCR. Results: The 38 E genes identified with sequencing and nine Vietnamese JEV strains genotyped with real-time RT-PCR, belonging to two lineages, evolved in accordance with those in the rest of the world. The first GIII strain was detected in humans in Vietnam in 1964, and in mosquitoes in 1979, whereas GI strains were first detected in humans and mosquitoes in 1990 and 1994, respectively. After 2004, GI was the only genotype detected in Vietnam, demonstrating that the GIIII strains had been displaced by GI strains. Five haplotypes were identified in the Vietnamese JEVs, with SKSS predominant. The S123N and S123R substitutions in the E protein were already present in the Vietnamese JEVs. Conclusion: This study describes the long evolutionary history of JEV in Vietnam over 34 years, which correlates well with the global evolution of JEV. The Vietnamese GIII strains have been replaced by GI strains in mosquitoes, pigs, and humans. The predominant haplotypes of the Vietnamese strains support this genotype displacement in Vietnam. Further surveillance is required to confirm the disappearance of the GIII strains in nature and the emergence of new pathogens causing encephalitis in Vietnam, after the long-term use of JEV vaccines in that country

The effects of dietary lipid sources and lecithin on the production of giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii larvae in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam

The giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, is cultured widely in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam but it is often difficult or expensive for hatchery operators to purchase commercial diets used as a feeding supplement to Artemia nauplii. Therefore, in the present study, the effects of lipid sources and lecithin on the growth and survival rate of M. rosenbergii larvae were examined in order to develop suitable hand-prepared larval diets for seed production of M. rosenbergii in this area. Six egg custard diets consisting of various ratios of lipid (originating from soybean oil and squid oil) and lecithin were used for rearing Macrobrachium rosenbergii larvae. Treatments in which larvae were fed diets containing squid oil exhibited the highest body length and survival rates (7.14-7.43 mm and 51.1-68.1%, respectively), and differed significantly from other treatments (P < 0.05). Use of dietary soybean oil yielded the lowest body length and survival rates (6.29-6.75 mm and 22.0-48.7%, respectively). The supplementation of dietary lecithin did not increase final body weight but did improve larval survival rates. The n-3 HUFA content of prawns fed dietary squid oil was higher than those of animals provided with other diets. These results indicated that the most appropriate diet for rearing M. rosenbergii larvae is the diet containing 3% squid oil and 1.5% lecithin

Hybrid Periodic Mesoporous Organosilicas (PMO-SBA-16): A Support for Immobilization of d-Amino Acid Oxidase and Glutaryl-7-amino Cephalosporanic Acid Acylase Enzymes

This study examined the adsorption and stability of d-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) and glutaryl-7-amino cephalosporanic acid acylase (GL-7-ACA acylase) enzymes using two different types of periodic mesoporous organosilicas PMO-SBA-16 synthesized from 1,2-bis­(trimethoxysilyl)­ethane (BTME) and 1,4-bis­(triethoxysilyl)­benzene (BTEB). Very high loading, specific enzymatic activities, and stabilities have been reached by proper optimization of mesopore structure and morphology

Evidência de alterações de permeabilidade vascular na dengue: quando a dosagem de albumina sérica define o quadro? Plasma leakage detection in severe dengue: when serum albumin quantification plays a role?

Evidência de extravasamento vascular decorrente do aumento da permeabilidade capilar caracteriza e diferencia febre hemorrágica da dengue. Este artigo avalia o valor de albumina sérica na detecção de alterações de permeabilidade vascular em casos de dengue. Quatorze pacientes diagnosticados com febre hemorrágica da dengue em dois hospitais privados em Recife, Brasil, entre janeiro e maio de 2002 foram seguidos com dosagens diárias de hematócrito e albumina sérica. Ultra-son e Raio X de tórax foram realizados. Oito (57%) casos apresentaram hemoconcentração de 20% ou mais. Hipoalbuminemia foi detectado em dez (71%) pacientes. Dosagem de albumina sérica aumentou a detecção de alterações de permeabilidade em seis (43%) casos na qual a hemoconcentração foi inferior a 20% e os sintomas foram compatíveis com um a resposta imune exacerbada. Raio-X foi normal em todos os casos. A utilização, portanto, de dosagem de albumina sérica aumenta a sensibilidade de detecção de casos de febre hemorrágica da dengue.<br>Evidence of vascular leakage due to increased capillary permeability characterizes and differentiates dengue hemorrhagic fever. This article assesses the value of serum albumin for detecting vascular permeability abnormalities in dengue cases. Fourteen patients diagnosed with dengue hemorrhagic fever at two private hospitals in Recife, Brazil, between January and May 2002 were followed up with daily hematocrit and serum albumin assays. Ultrasound scans and chest X-rays were also performed. Eight (57%) of the cases presented hemoconcentration of 20% or more. Hypoalbuminemia was detected in ten patients (71%). Serum albumin assays increased the detection of permeability abnormalities in six cases (43%) in which the hemoconcentration was less than 20% and the symptoms were compatible with an exacerbated immune response. The X-rays were normal in all cases. Thus, the use serum albumin quantification increased the sensitivity of dengue hemorrhagic fever detection