In vitro testing of alternative synthetic and natural antiparasitic compounds against the monogenean sparicotyle chrysophrii

Gill monogenean Sparicotyle chrysophrii is considered the most detrimental fish parasite to the Mediterranean aquaculture. Treatment of sparicotylosis relies on frequent gill inspections correlated with the seasonal increase in seawater temperature, application of functional feeds, and treatments with formalin baths where permitted. While the latter is bound to be banned in Europe, other synthetic anthelminthics, such as praziquantel and ivermectin, are prone to induce resistance in the parasites. Therefore, we investigated, in vitro, 14 synthetic and natural compounds against adult S. chrysophrii, developing dose–response modelsm and estimated toxicity levels at 20%, 50%, and 80% parasite mortality. Bactericidal activity of target compounds was also tested in two important aquaculture bacteria; Vibrio harveyi and V. anguillarum, while their potential host toxicity was evaluated in gilthead seabream SAF-1 cell line. Synthetic compound bithionate sodium exerted the most potent toxicity against the monogenean, no host cytotoxicity, and a medium and high potency against two bacterial pathogens. In comparison, target natural compounds were approximately 20 (cedrol) or up to 154 times (camphor) less toxic for the monogenean. Rather than completely dismissing natural compounds, we suggest that their application in combination with synthetic drugs, especially if administered in the feed, might be useful in sparicotylosis treatment

Host-Parasite Interaction between Parasitic Cymothoid Ceratothoa Oestroides and Its Host, Farmed European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Parasitic isopod Ceratothoa oestroides (Cymothoidea, Isopoda) is a common and generalist buccal cavity-dweller in marine fish, recognised for its detrimental effect in fingerling and juvenile farmed European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Although distributed throughout the Mediterranean, the isopod provokes acute outbreaks mainly limited to particular endemic areas in Croatia (Adriatic Sea) and Greece (Aegean Sea). While numerous studies have previously evidenced its gross effect on farmed fish (i.e. decreased condition index, slower growth rate, lethargy and mortality), details on the host-parasite interaction are still lacking. Therefore, using a multimethodological approach, we closely examined the structure and appearance of isopod body parts acting in the attachment and feeding (stereomicroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy), and the extent of host tissues damage (histology, immunohistochemistry, micro-computational tomography) induced by parasitation. Interestingly, while hematophagous nature of the parasite has been previously postulated we found no unambiguous data to support this; we observed host tissues fragmentation and extensive hyperplasia at the parasitation site, and no structures indicative of heme detoxifying mechanisms in the parasite gut, or other traces of a blood meal. The bacterial biofilm covering C. oestroides mouthparts and pereopods suggests that the isopod may play a role in conveying secondary pathogens to the infected host, or alternatively, it serves the parasite in normal interaction with its environment

Bottlenecks in diagnostics of Mediterranean fish diseases

Three independent Horizon 2020 projects are prioritising a common task of solving diagnostic issues using different approaches and strategies. PerformFISH focuses its research objectives on diagnostic methods, MedAID has prepared a diagnostic manual for the most devastating fish diseases of the Mediterranean and ParaFishControl has prepared a diagnostic manual on parasitic diseases of European aquaculture species. Currently, the projects are investing large collaborative efforts to reinforce their tasks and to deliver mutual and cutting-edge material on the subject. Nevertheless, further efforts for the harmonisation, standardisation and validation of diagnostic methods for infectious diseases in Mediterranean aquaculture are needed, involving as many relevant stakeholders and experts as possible. The main goal of the workshop (WS) “Bottlenecks in diagnostics of Mediterranean fish diseases”, organised during the 19th International EAFP conference on Diseases of Fish and Shellfish, was to present results already obtained from the projects and discuss the bottlenecks in diagnostic procedures of target groups of pathogens. The WS provided an ideal environment and opportunity to exchange and discuss experiences and data with international experts in the diagnostic field attending the conference. Interactive discussions on diagnostics for a specific group of pathogens have resulted in highlighting new initiatives needed in the management of diseases in Mediterranean aquaculture. Furthermore, the WS emphasised a need for the establishment of this strong interactive network which will collaborate to receive, collect, compile and analyse all information gathered from different parts of the region.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The marine myxosporean Sigmomyxa sphaerica (Thélohan, 1895) gen. n., comb. n. (syn. Myxidium sphaericum) from garfish (Belone belone (L.)) uses the polychaete Nereis pelagica L. as invertebrate host

Sigmomyxa sphaerica (Thélohan, 1892) gen. n. (Myxozoa, Myxosporea) with myxosporean stages in the gall bladder of Belone belone (L.) (Teleostei, Belonidae) uses the polychaete Nereis pelagica L. (Nereidae) from shallow water in the northern Øresund, Denmark, as invertebrate host. The nearly spherical tetractinomyxon-type actinospores of S. sphaerica differ from those of two species of Ellipsomyxa which also use Nereis spp. as invertebrate host. Pansporocysts of S. sphaerica were not seen. S. sphaerica is redescribed on the basis of myxospore stages from B. belone and actinospores from N. pelagica, and the phylogenetic affinities examined on the basis of ribosomal small subunit gene sequences. S. sphaerica is closest related to Ellipsomyxa spp., and is not congeneric with morphologically similar Myxidium spp. from gadids. This is the fifth elucidated two-host life cycle of a marine myxozoan

Parasite detection in food:Current status and future needs for validation

Background Many parasites (protozoa and helminths) can be transmitted through food and lead to infections with high morbidity, as well as disease outbreaks. Although the importance of foodborne parasites (FBP) is recognised by many sectors of the food industry, standardized analytical methods and validation procedures for testing food for FBP are lacking. Scope and approach:Current methods for detection of FBP, and their validation, are critically reviewed, focusing on priority FBP in Europe: the helminths Echinococcus multilocularis, Echinococcus granulosus, Taenia saginata, Trichinella spp., and Anisakidae, and the protozoa Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium spp., and Giardia duodenalis. Key findings and conclusions:Standard methods exist for detection of T. saginata in beef, and Trichinella spp. in meat (and are mandatory at meat inspection in Europe), Anisakidae in fish, and Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis in leafy green vegetables and berry fruits. For other FBP or foods, methods used in sample surveys have been described, but validation data are generally absent; limits of detection are not provided, ring trials have rarely been performed, and for most FBP quality control materials, proficiency schemes, and reference standards are lacking. The use of surrogate particles or organisms for method development or validation purposes needs to be carefully considered. Documented procedures for validation, such as ISO17468 and ISO16140-2:2016 that were established for bacteria, are mostly inappropriate for FBP. The development and application of standardized and validated detection methods would enhance understanding of the foodborne route of transmission, improve risk assessments, and help identify and verify critical control points.Peer Reviewe

On parallel Branch and Bound frameworks for Global Optimization

Branch and Bound (B&B) algorithms are known to exhibit an irregularity of the search tree. Therefore, developing a parallel approach for this kind of algorithms is a challenge. The efficiency of a B&B algorithm depends on the chosen Branching, Bounding, Selection, Rejection, and Termination rules. The question we investigate is how the chosen platform consisting of programming language, used libraries, or skeletons influences programming effort and algorithm performance. Selection rule and data management structures are usually hidden to programmers for frameworks with a high level of abstraction, as well as the load balancing strategy, when the algorithm is run in parallel. We investigate the question by implementing a multidimensional Global Optimization B&B algorithm with the help of three frameworks with a different level of abstraction (from more to less): Bobpp, Threading Building Blocks (TBB), and a customized Pthread implementation. The following has been found. The Bobpp implementation is easy to code, but exhibits the poorest scalability. On the contrast, the TBB and Pthread implementations scale almost linearly on the used platform. The TBB approach shows a slightly better productivity

Methodology for the Assessment of Multi-Hazard Risk in Urban Homogenous Zones

The multi-hazard risk assessment of urban areas represents a comprehensive approach that can be used to reduce, manage and overcome the risks arising from the combination of different natural hazards. This paper presents a methodology for multi-hazard risk assessment based on Spatial Multi-Criteria Decision Making. The PROMETHEE method was used to assess multi-hazard risks caused by seismic, flood and extreme sea waves impact. The methodology is applied for multi-hazard risk evaluation of the urban area of Kaštel Kambelovac, located on the Croatian coast of the Adriatic Sea. The settlement is placed in a zone of high seismic risk with a large number of old stone historical buildings which are vulnerable to the earthquakes. Being located along the low-lying coast, this area is also threatened by floods due to climate change-induced sea level rises. Furthermore, the settlement is exposed to flooding caused by extreme sea waves generated by severe wind. In the present contribution, the multi-hazard risk is assessed for different scenarios and different levels, based on exposure and vulnerability for each of the natural hazards and the influence of additional criteria to the overall risk in homogenous zones. Single-risk analysis has shown that the seismic risk is dominant for the whole pilot area. The results of multi-hazard assessment have shown that in all combinations the highest risk is present in the historical part of Kaštel Kambelovac. This is because the historical part is most exposed to sea floods and extreme waves, as well as due to the fact that a significant number of historical buildings is located in this area

Sustainability through production networks

Global economic crisis has brought into question sustainability of many industrial enterprises, especially Large-sized Enterprises (LEs). However, the strength of the European economy are not Large-sized Enterprises, but Small and Medium-sized industrial Enterprises (SMEs). As an alternative to LEs there is networking of SMEs into flexible production networks. Inside production network SMEs can collaborate on new product development forming Virtual Enterprise. SMEs collaborating as one Virtual Enterprise can be seen as a sustainable Large-sized Enterprise. However, to achieve sustainability through production networks, i.e. Virtual Enterprises, it is essential to choose an optimal combination of SMEs in Virtual Enterprise formation process. Since it is a complex task that requires the use of multi-criteria decision-making methods, in this paper PROMETHEE method is used

Designing a layout using Schmigalla method combined with software tool vistable

© 2017 DAAAM International Vienna, All Rights Reserved. In this paper, a design of optimal facility layout, for already existing factory, using a Schmigalla method combined with software tool visTABLE for layout modelling and optimization is presented. It is called static facility layout planning. Schmigalla method belongs to heuristic type of methods. These method types should be combined with some other methods or tools. Combination of this method in conceptual phase and software visTABLE for layout modelling and optimization in optimization phase is presented. For real-world industrial application, this particular combination is obtaining significant improvement results. Layout designing was realized on a real production process example with 15 different products. In the first part of the paper, a production process with all the data is presented. After that, in the second part, a theoretical and mathematical model of Schmigalla method as a base for layout modelling was used. Then, in the third part, Schmigalla method layout transformation was practically (virtually) realized with software visTABLE. In the fourth part, after layout realization of a virtual layout model, software visTABLE was additionally used (manually and automatically) for finding an optimal layout solution