Ecology and settlement of marine fouling in the Suez Bay, Egypt

This study deals with seasonal variations, natural correlations and similarities of fouling assemblages on exposure panels in the Suez Bay during January 1992 to January 1993. Three main sources of pollutions flow into the bay; industrial waste products, domestic drainage of Suez city and ships' oil and refuse.The fouling assemblages on the test pan els after various periods (1, 2 and 3 months) belonged mainly to the algae (Ulva rigida), polychaetes (Hydroides elegans), Cirripedes (Balanus amphitrite) and amphipods. The fouling at the lst station was relatively more dense than at the 2nd station during the summer and autumn seasons. The lowest productivity was achieved at the 3rd station which was considered less polluted being offshore water. The overall paucity of fouling in the bay is because of the silt covering the submerged surfaces, particularly at the 2nd station, leading to the prevention of the settlements or establishment of fouling organisms. The seasonal changes in the intensity of fouling assemblages on submerged surfaces in seawater seems to be closely related to seasonal variations in water temperature. The great fouling communities on the buoys and long exposure panels showed a remarkable variety of species and density rather than on short term exposures, which were more dense during warmer months

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Tinjauan Yuridis Pengaturan Kebijakan Pemerintah Yang Bukan Merupakan Objek Gugatan Peradilan Tata Usaha Negara Dalam Menghadapi Keadaan Darurat Covid-19

Pada skripsi ini, penulis mengangkat seputar permasalahan pengaturan kebijakan pemerintah yang bukan merupakan objek gugatan peradilan tata usaha negara dalam menghadapi keadaan darurat COVID-19 yang tertuang dalam Pasal 27 ayat (3) UU No. 2 Tahun 2020. Pemilihan subjek penelitian ini didorong oleh kondisi di Indonesia yang terkena dampak wabah COVID-19, dimana presiden menyatakan keadaan darurat negara dan mengumumkan Perpu No. 1 Tahun 2020 yang kemudian diubah menjadi UU No. 2 Tahun 2020. Dalam undang-undang tersebut, kebijakan keuangan yang diambil untuk menangani Pandemi COVID-19 bukanlah merupakan objek gugatan yang dapat di gugat ke peradilan tata usaha negara. Adanya ketentuan tersebut menimbulkan persoalan hukum karena tidak sejalan dengan konstitusi Indonesia yang menyatakan Indonesia adalah negara yang berasaskan hukum. Berdasarkan hal tersebut, penelitian ini mengangkat dua rumusan masalah, yaitu: (1) Bagaimana politik hukum pengaturan kebijakan pemerintah yang bukan merupakan objek gugatan peradilan tata usaha negara dalam menghadapi Pandemi COVID-19 yang tertuang dalam Pasal 27 ayat (3) Undang-Undang No. 2 Tahun 2020 Tentang Penetapan Peraturan Pemerintah Pengganti Undang-Undang Nomor 1 Tahun 2020 Tentang Kebijakan Keuangan Negara Dan Stabilitas Sistem Keuangan Untuk Penanganan Pandemi Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)? (2) Bagaimana sinkronisasi dan harmonisasi Pasal 27 ayat (3) Undang-Undang No. 2 Tahun 2020 terhadap Undang-Undang No. 5 Tahun 1986 Tentang Peradilan Tata Usaha Negara? Skripsi ini termasuk dalam rumpun yuridis normatif yang juga memakai pendekatan undang-undang, sejarah, dan konseptual. Untuk itu, permasalahan hukum dalam penulisan skripsi ini kemudian dianalisis berdasarkan pasal-pasal yang terdapat peraturan perundang-undangan terkait. Selain itu, Penulis juga menggunakkan pendapat ahli dalam putusan hukum tersebut. Berdasarkan hal tersebut kesimpulan yang dapat diambil dalam analisis ini adalah Pasal 27 ayat (3) tidak selaras dengan doktrin konstitusionalitas, bahwa lembaga peradilan harus hadir dan memiliki kekuasaan untuk mengadili apakah keputusan pemerintah sesuai dengan undang-undang. Ketiadaan peradilan dapat mengubah negara menjadi negara kekuasaan. Rekomendasi yang diajukan adalah mengubah dan menambah klausul pada Pasal 27 ayat (3) Undang-Undang No. 2 Tahun 202

Prospective Risk Assessment of some Heavy Metals on Tilapia zilli in Temsah Lake

This study was conducted to determine the pollution index of some heavy metals in Temsah Lake water to assess their transfer into Tilapia zillii tissues using bioaccumulation factors as well as evaluate their associated health risks. Results showed that Pb, Cd, and Cu levels increased significantly during spring, summer, and both spring and summer, respectively. The pollution index of heavy metals in the Temsah Lake revealed that Fe had a moderate effect in winter and a strong effect in the other seasons. Pb had a serious impact on aquatic life in the spring and autumn, while Cd had a serious impact in the summer and autumn. Water temperature is strongly correlated with Cu in the liver, Pb in the musculature, and Cd in the water and liver. Conversely, it negatively correlated with fish weight, length, Fe, Zn, and Cu in the musculature. Fish length showed an inverse relationship with water Cu, Cd, Pb, and Cd. The histopathological examination revealed hydropic degeneration, fatty changes, and interstitial and focal infiltration of immunocompetent cells. Muscular tissue revealed degenerative changes manifested by atrophy and fragmentation of muscular fibers in some specimens. The bioaccumulation factor of heavy metals in Tilapia zilli musculature and liver was found to be highest during winter. Fish musculature was safe for Pb, Cd, and Cu and might represent potential risks for Fe and Zn. In conclusion, warm seasons have the highest integrated biomarker response (IBRv2) scores for the detected heavy metals, also the sum of IBRv2 of the heavy metals content is the highest in musculature followed by livers then water samples. Herein, TCR results for Pb and Cd in Tilapia zilli are within the permissible range (10−4 to 10−6)

Prospective Risk Assessment of some Heavy Metals on Tilapia zilli in Temsah Lake

This study was conducted to determine the pollution index of some heavy metals in Temsah Lake water to assess their transfer into Tilapia zillii tissues using bioaccumulation factors as well as evaluate their associated health risks. Results showed that Pb, Cd, and Cu levels increased significantly during spring, summer, and both spring and summer, respectively. The pollution index of heavy metals in the Temsah Lake revealed that Fe had a moderate effect in winter and a strong effect in the other seasons. Pb had a serious impact on aquatic life in the spring and autumn, while Cd had a serious impact in the summer and autumn. Water temperature is strongly correlated with Cu in the liver, Pb in the musculature, and Cd in the water and liver. Conversely, it negatively correlated with fish weight, length, Fe, Zn, and Cu in the musculature. Fish length showed an inverse relationship with water Cu, Cd, Pb, and Cd. The histopathological examination revealed hydropic degeneration, fatty changes, and interstitial and focal infiltration of immunocompetent cells. Muscular tissue revealed degenerative changes manifested by atrophy and fragmentation of muscular fibers in some specimens. The bioaccumulation factor of heavy metals in Tilapia zilli musculature and liver was found to be highest during winter. Fish musculature was safe for Pb, Cd, and Cu and might represent potential risks for Fe and Zn. In conclusion, warm seasons have the highest integrated biomarker response (IBRv2) scores for the detected heavy metals, also the sum of IBRv2 of the heavy metals content is the highest in musculature followed by livers then water samples. Herein, TCR results for Pb and Cd in Tilapia zilli are within the permissible range (10−4 to 10−6)

Patterns of Y-chromosome diversity intersect with the trans-New Guinea hypothesis

The island of New Guinea received part of the first human expansion out of Africa (>40,000 years ago), but its human genetic history remains poorly understood. In this study, we examined Y-chromosome diversity in 162 samples from the Bird's Head region of northwest New Guinea (NWNG) and compared the results with previously obtained data from other parts of the island. NWNG harbors a high level of cultural and linguistic diversity and is inhabited by non-Austronesian (i.e., Papuan)-speaking groups as well as harboring most of West New Guinea's (WNG) Austronesian-speaking groups. However, 97.5% of its Y-chromosomes belong to 5 haplogroups that originated in Melanesia; hence, the Y-chromosome diversity of NWNG (and, according to available data, of New Guinea as a whole) essentially reflects a local history. The remaining 2.5% belong to 2 haplogroups (O-M119 and O-M122) of East Asian origin, which were brought to New Guinea by Austronesian-speaking migrants around 3,500 years ago. Thus, the Austronesian expansion had only a small impact on shaping Y-chromosome diversity in NWNG, although the linguistic impact of this expansion to this region was much higher. In contrast, the expansion of Trans-New Guinea (TNG) speakers (non-Austronesian) starting about 6,000-10,000 years ago from the central highlands of what is now Papua New Guinea, presumably in combination with the expansion of agriculture, played a more important role in determining the Y-chromosome diversity of New Guinea. In particular, we identified 2 haplogroups (M-P34 and K-M254) as suggestive markers for the TNG expansion, whereas 2 other haplogroups (C-M38 and K-M9) most likely reflect the earlier local Y-chromosome diversity. We propose that sex-biased differences in the social structure and cultural heritage of the people involved in the Austronesian and the TNG expansions played an important role (among other factors) in shaping the New Guinean Y-chromosome landscape

Thymus algeriensis and Thymus fontanesii: Chemical Composition, In Vivo Antiinflammatory, Pain Killing and Antipyretic Activities: A Comprehensive Comparison

This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition, and evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, and the analgesic properties of methanol extracts from the leaves of Thymus algeriensis and Thymus fontanesii (Lamiaceae). Thirty-five secondary metabolites were characterized in both extracts using HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS. Phenolic acids, mainly rosmarinic acid and its derivatives, dominated the T. algeriensis extract, while the phenolic diterpene carnosol and the methylated flavonoid salvigenin, prevailed in T. fontanesii extract. Molecular docking study was carried out to estimate the anti-inflammatory potential and the binding affinities of some individual secondary metabolites from both extracts to the main enzymes involved in the inflammation pathway. In vitro enzyme inhibitory assays and in vivo assays were used to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts. Results revealed that both studied Thymus species exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects. They showed to be a more potent antioxidant than ascorbic acid and more selective against cyclooxygenase (COX-2) than diclofenac and indomethacin. Relatively, the T. fontanesii extract was more potent as COX-2 inhibitor than T. algeriensis. In conclusion, Thymus algeriensis and Thymus fontanesii may be interesting candidates for the treatment of inflammation and oxidative stress-related disorders

The impact of the Austronesian expansion: Evidence from mtDNA and Y chromosome diversity in the Admiralty Islands of melanesia

The genetic ancestry of Polynesians can be traced to both Asia and Melanesia, which presumably reflects admixture occurring between incoming Austronesians and resident non-Austronesians in Melanesia before the subsequent occupation of the greater Pacific; however, the genetic impact of the Austronesian expansion to Melanesia remains largely unknown. We therefore studied the diversity of nonrecombining Y chromosomal (NRY) and mitochondrial (mt) DNA in the Admiralty Islands, located north of mainland Papua New Guinea, and updated our previous data from Asia, Melanesia, and Polynesia with new NRY markers. The Admiralties are occupied today solely by Austronesian-speaking groups, but their human settlement history goes back 20,000 years prior to the arrival of Austronesians about 3,400 years ago. On the Admiralties, we found substantial mtDNA and NRY variation of both Austronesian and non-Austronesian origins, with higher frequencies of Asian mtDNA and Melanesian NRY haplogroups, similar to previous findings in Polynesia and perhaps as a consequence of Austronesian matrilocality. Thus, the Austronesian language replacement on the Admiralties (and elsewhere in Island Melanesia and coastal New Guinea) was accompanied by an incomplete genetic replacement that is more associated with mtDNA than with NRY diversity. These results provide further support for the "Slow Boat" model of Polynesian origins, according to which Polynesian ancestors originated from East Asia but genetically mixed with Melanesians before colonizing the Pacific. We also observed that non-Austronesian groups of coastal New Guinea and Island Melanesia had significantly higher frequencies of Asian mtDNA haplogroups than of Asian NRY haplogroups, suggesting sex-biased admixture perhaps as a consequence of non-Austronesian patrilocality. We additionally found that the predominant NRY haplogroup of Asian origin in the Admiralties (O-M110) likely originated in Taiwan, thus providing the first direct Y chromosome evidence for a Taiwanese origin of the Austronesian expansion. Furthermore, we identified a NRY haplogroup (K-P79, also found on the Admiralties) in Polynesians that most likely arose in the Bismarck Archipelago, providing the first direct link between northern Island Melanesia and Polynesia. These results significantly advance our understanding of the impact of the Austronesian expansion and human history in the Pacific region

Dietary Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) enhanced the growth performance, antioxidative capacity, immune response and ameliorated stress-related markers induced by hypoxia stress in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Nile tilapia can tolerate a wide range of farming conditions; however, fluctuations in the environmental conditions may impair their health status. The incorporation of medicinal herbs in aquafeed is suggested to overcome stressful conditions. In this study, dietary Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) was evaluated on the growth performance, antioxidative capacity, immune response, and resistance of Nile tilapia against hypoxia stress. Fish fed five diets incorporated with Guduchi at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 g/kg for 56 days then exposed with hypoxia stress for 72 h. The growth performance, feed intake, and feed efficiency ratio were significantly (P \u3c 0.05) increased by including Guduchi in tilapia diets regardless of the inclusion level. Similarly, the lipase and protease activities were markedly (P \u3c 0.05) increased in tilapia fed dietary Guduchi. The activities of lysozyme and bactericidal activities in serum and mucus, nitro-blue tetrazolium (NBT), and alternative complement activity (ACH50) were markedly (P \u3c 0.05) enhanced in tilapia treated with Guduchi supplements regardless of the dose. Additionally, the activities of liver and intestinal superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase were markedly enhanced (P \u3c 0.05) by including Guduchi in tilapia diets compared with the control. Before and after hypoxia stress, tilapia-fed dietary Guduchi had lower glucose and cortisol levels than fish-fed Guduchi-free diets (P \u3c 0.05). In all groups, glucose and cortisol levels were markedly higher after hypoxia compared before hypoxia stress (P \u3c 0.05). In conclusion, dietary Guduchi can be included at 5.17–5.49 g/kg to enhance the growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, immune and antioxidative responses, and the resistance of Nile tilapia against hypoxia stress