Growth comparison between post-larvae from cultured and wild spawners of Indian white shrimp, Penaeus indicus, in commercial farms in north Persian Gulf, Bushehr, Iran

Post larvae of wild and cultured spawners of the Indian white shrimp (Penaeus indicus, Milne Edwards, 1837) were reared to market size, in commercial ponds of shrimp farming site of Helleh, in Bushehr Province, during a six months period. Environmental factors, management process and the diet used to feed shrimps were almost similar for both treatments. Averages of the weight, length, specific growth rate, food conversion ratio and survival rate were measured and compared between the two treatments at harvesting time. Results indicated that, the post larvae of wild spawners had better growth, higher survival rate, and lower food conversion ratio. Weight gain of abdominal portion of the body, was higher in wild post larvae (P<0.01), which was in contrast to cephalothorax weight (P<0.01). Length-weight relationship measurements illustrated that, cultured post larvae obtained from wild spawners had similar size and were more acceptable for the market. Broodstock background could be the main reason for given differences, in which, those captured from the sea, had better condition due to receiving appropriate food with higher genetic diversity. To produce high quality post larvae for the expanding shrimp farming industry as an economic activity in the country, it is suggested that broodstocks to be obtained either from the sea as sub-adults or matured spawners, or to be provide from culturing shrimps, raised in conditions closest to the nature (i.e., ambient factors, prepared diets) and also with appropriate genetic diversity

Noscapine suppresses angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors-induced cough

Background: Dry cough is a common side-effect of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and is a major limiting factor of their use. It has been suggested that ACEI cause this side-effect by potentiation of the bradykinin effect. Previous work in our laboratory has shown that noscapine, an antitussive drug, inhibits the effect of bradykinin. Methods: To investigate the effect of noscapine on ACEI-induced cough, 611 hypertensive patients who were being treated with ACEI were evaluated for the incidence of persistent dry cough. Results: A cough had developed in 65 (10.6) patients, two (3.1) of whom also had severe respiratory distress that required hospitalisation and immediate discontinuation of the ACEI. Forty-two (64.6) patients had developed a mild cough and 21 (32.3) patients had developed a moderate to severe cough. The patients with moderate to severe cough received 15 mg of noscapine, orally three times daily, while they continued ACEI. Noscapine effectively resolved the cough in 19 (90) patients within 4-9 days of starting treatment. Conclusion: Noscapine, possibly by inhibition of bradykinin synthesis, eliminates ACEI-induced cough in the majority of patients and allows them to continue with ACEI therapy. © 2005 Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology

Creativity in Engineering Education

The paper examines the creativity in engineering education. The authors substantiate the topicality of the training of creative professionals in Russia and abroad and present training of creative professionals experience at the Department of Engineering Entrepreneurship of NR TPU. The empirical basis of the paper is the definition of the algorithm and conditions of the training of creative professionals

Simvastatin ameliorates gentamicin-induced renal injury in rats.

Gentamicin nephrotoxicity is one of the most common causes of acute renal failure. Simvastatin is one of the antioxidative drugs, which has anti-inflammatory and anabolic effects and modulates the immune system. The present study was conducted to assess the effect of simvastatin on ameliorating the gentamicin-induced renal injury in 87 Sprague-Dawley rats, which were allocated randomly to 11 study groups: (A) and (B) groups with only gentamicin in 2 dosages; (C), (D), and (E) gentamicin 50 mg/kg/day and simvastatin with different dosage; (F), (G), and (H) gentamicin 80 mg/kg/day and simvastatin with different dosage; (I) only simvastatin; (J) Injected normal saline; (K) control (no gentamicin and no simvastatin) group. Our study intervention period for injection of drugs was 12 days. Serum creatinine level and clearance were measured in all groups. At the end of the study, the rats were killed and both kidneys were removed and processed for histopathologic examination using the standard methods. The 50 mg/kg/day dose was utilized because it induces a mild form of renal toxicity, whereas the 80 mg/kg/day dose cause a more severe degree of renal injury. Morphologic examination of specimens from all rats was qualitatively assessed with blindness to treatment groups and proximal tubular profiles that were presented in each file were counted. The results demonstrated amelioration of gentamicin-induced renal toxicity in rats by simvastatin due to its antioxidant drug dose-related effect

Spatial distribution and assemblage structure of macrobenthos in a tidal creek in relation to industrial activities

The impact of petrochemical special economic zone activities on the health status of Jafari Creek was studied by assessing the changes in macroinvertebrate assemblages in nine sites during September 2006- January 2008. The relationship between spatial pattern of macroinvertebrate assemblages and ambient factors (i.e. water temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, sediment grain size distribution, sediment organic content, heavy metals contents) was measured. Background enrichment indices, contamination factor and contamination degree, were used to assess the health status in the study area based on nickel, lead, cadmium and mercury contents of the sediments. The macrobenthic communities had a low diversity and were dominated by opportunistic taxa. The BIO-ENV analysis identified salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH and silt/clay content of sediments as the major environmental variables influencing the infaunal pattern. This suggests that management should attempt to ensure minimal disturbance to environmental variables underlying the spatial variation in macroinvertebrate assemblages. Background enrichment indices showed that the health of Jafari Creek has declined over time due to the constant discharge of heavy metals to the Creek system. These indices also identified a significant degree of pollution in the study area. The decrease in the ecological potential of Jafari Creek was best highlighted by the alteration in macrobenthic assemblages

Early detection of patients at risk of acute renal failure after natural disasters

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Epidemiologic aspects of the Bam earthquake in Iran: the nephrologic perspective

Background: Acute renal failure is a serious, preventable, and potentially reversible midterm complication after mass disasters. In 2003, an earthquake struck Bam, Iran. This article studies the epidemiologic aspects of the earthquake from a nephrologic perspective. Methods: A questionnaire was sent to the reference hospitals. The resulting database of 2,086 traumatized patients hospitalized in the first 10 days was analyzed. Results: Mean age was 29.0 +/- 15.6 years. Compared with the resident population, the percentage of patients was lower among children and teenagers younger than 15 years and higher among young and middle-aged adults (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between mean ages of patients with acute renal failure and other patients. Time under the rubble was longer for patients with acute renal failure (6.2 +/- 4.1 versus 2.1 +/- 3.9 hours; P<0.001). These patients were hospitalized later (3.1 +/- 2.8 versus 1.5 +/- 1.7 days after the disaster; P<0.001) and longer (16.7 +/- 12.8 versus 12.5 +/- 11.3 days; P<0.001). Sepsis (11.6% versus 0.5%), disseminated intravascular coagulation (7.3% versus 0.3%), adult respiratory distress syndrome (9.1% versus 1.4%), fasciotomy (38.9% versus 1.9%), amputation (6.1% versus 0.5%), and death (12.7% versus 1.9%) were markedly more frequent among patients with acute renal failure (P<0.001 for all). Conclusion: Hospitalized patients were mostly young and middle-aged adults. Patients with acute renal failure were entrapped longer and hospitalized later and for longer periods. Medical complications, surgical procedures, and mortality were greater in the latter group. Early extrication and quick hospitalization with appropriate multidisciplinary care are cornerstones to prevent acute renal failure and Its subsequent mortality In earthquake conditions