Survey of diversity, distribution, abundance and biomass of macrobenthic fauna in the southern Caspian Sea

Sediments samples were collected using Veen Grab Sampler (0.1 square meter) at 8 transects namely Astara, Anzali, Sefidroud, Tonekabon, Noshahr, Babolsar, Amirabad, Torkman in the southern of Caspian Sea. Five stations were selected at 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 meter depths in each transect. Sediments were sampled triplicate at each station. Samples also were collected during four seasons (spring (May), summer (July), fall (November) and winter (January)) in 2009. Results of this study showed that species composition of Macrobenthos consisted of 32 species which belonged to 7 families of Polychaeta, Crustacea and Bivalvia at studied area. In addition, Oligochaeta identified in “Class”, Chironomidae considered in Insecta categories “Family” and Streblospio spp. (Polychaeta) was recognized in “Genus”. Gammaridae and Pseudocumidae of Crustacea with 12 and 10 species had the highest species diversity compared to other groups, respectively. Polychaeta was consisted 75.5 percent of total abundance of macrobenthos which the major abundance (equal 62.4% of total abundance) were belong to Streblospio spp. from Spionidae family, while its biomass was equals 5.11% of total macrobenthos. In contrast, Cerastoderma lamarcki species from Bivalvia Class with only 1.7% of total abundance of macrobenthos allocated 69 percent of total biomass. In the southern of Caspian Sea, average total abundance was significantly less at 4 western transects (Astara, Anzali, Sefidroud, Tonekabon) compared to 4 eastern transects (Noshahr, Babolsar, Amirabad, Torkman) (p<0.05). The highest average abundance of macrobenthos (10655±1246SE ind/m^2) was observed at transect of Torkman, and lowest value (4032 ± 686SE ind/m^2) was recorded at transect of Sefidroud (p< 0.05). Generally, minimum species diversity were obtained at 20 m depth in all transects and the maximum value was observed at 5 m depth in most of transects (p<0.05). In contrary, maximum average abundance of Macrobenthoses was at 20 m depth in transects of Anzali, Sefidroud, Tonekabon, Nowshahr and Amirabad compared to other depths. Macrobenthoses abundance average in 5 m depth (except Astara and Torkman) was less than other depths in 6 transect (p < 0.05). Total average abundance and biomass of macrobenthos was 5976±583SE ind/m^2 and 43.675 ± 11.402SE gr/ m^2, respectively. Maximum and minimum of abundance of macrobenthos were observed in summer (7714±778 ind/m^2) and winter (4071 ± 340 ind/m^2), respectively. Maximum and minimum of biomass of macrobenthos were obtained in fall (50.271±13.258SE gr/ m^2) and in summer (35.123 ± 8.903SE gr/ m^2), respectively (p< 0.05). Percent of total organic matter (TOM) were low in 5 and 10 m depths and increased toward offshore depths. TOM percent was 2.06±0.11SE at 10 m depth and increased to 4.62 ±0.17SE in 100 m depth. Percent of silt and clay (grains size less than 63 micron) had positive significantly correlation with percent of TOM (p<0.01).While they had negative significantly correlation with percent of sand (grains size between 63 and 1000 micron) (p<0.01). Percent of silt and clay like organic matter, had ascending trend toward to depth increased and varied from 44.4 ± 4.06SE percent in 5 m depth to 96.5 ± 0.59SE percent in 100 m depth. In contrast, percent of sand decreased toward depth and varied from 54.5 ± 4.13SE percent in 5 m depth to 2.8 ± 0.53SE percent in 100 m depth. Result of current study showed that total abundance of macrobenthoses had positive significantly correlation with TOM percent (p<0.01) and silt/clay percent (p<0.05). Abundance of Oligochaeta had positive significantly correlation (p< 0.01) with TOM and silt/clay percent. Two groups of Polychaeta, Gammaridae and Cerastoderma lamarcki had negative significantly correlation with TOM and silt/clay percent (p< 0.01), and every four aforementioned groups had positive significantly correlation with sand percent (p< 0.01). Overall, different correlation between abundance of various macrobenthos groups and TOM percent and type of grain size of sediment could be related to fluctuation of abundance of various macrobenthos groups at difference transects and depths. On the other hand, in study area were occurred simultaneously some phenomena such as increased abundance of Oligochaeta and Polychaeta, dominance of Streblospio Genuse (Polychaeta group), and decreases abundance of Bivalvia and appearance of Menemiopsis leidyi which need to study more and monitoring of this area

Study on distribution of the Ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi in the Caspian Sea (Iranian Coasts)

In the early 1980s, an alien ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi already known as a gelatinous zooplankton was transported (likely via ballast waters) to the Caspian Sea from its introduced or native water of the Black Sea or western Atlantic which caused negative impacts. In this report, distribution of M. leidyi, planktonic and benthic organisms had been investigated in the Southern Caspian Sea (Iranian waters) in 6 transects consisted of Lisar, Anzali, Sefidroud, Nowshar, Babolsar and Amirabad at 26 stations during 2005 and 2006. As a whole, 1422 samples had been analyzed included 258, 346, 217, 117 and 484 belong to ctenophore, phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthos and physicochemical parameters, respectively. M. leidyi abundance and biomass were fluctuated between 284-2751 ind.m^-2 and 16.9- 390/9 g.m^-2 respectively in 2005 while maximum abundance and biomass were recorded in autumn and minimum in winter. In 2006, its mean abundance and biomass were 184-2150 ind.m^-2 and 9.1- 209/8 g.m^-2 respectively. M. leidyi maximum abundance and biomass were noted in summer and its minimum in spring and winter months. Overall, mean M. leidyi abundance and biomass were recorded in 20 m within 1202 ind.m^-2 and 139.5 g.m^-2 respectively. Maximum size of the ctenophore was recorded as 55 and 60 mm in 2005 to 2006 respectively, while less than 10 mm length frequency consisted 83.16 and 82.88 per cent of total population. Spatial_ temporal distribution of M. leidyi in different regions showed it was more abundant in west and east (714- 4494 ind.m^-2) ratio to central parts (13-1519 ind.m^-2) of the Southern Caspian Sea. Species composition of zooplankton had shown the negatively impacts of M. leidyi invasion in the period of sampling as the only 17 holozooplankton were determined with Rotatoria (7 species), Copepoda (4 species), Ciliophora (4 species) and cladocera (1 species). Zooplankton maximum abundance and biomass were recorded in February (3039742901 ind.m^-3 and 372.1575.4 mg.m^-3) respectively and its minimum were in July (12211601 ind.m^-3 and 6.9 7.7 mg.m^-3) respectively which was belonged to Rotatoria (76%) and Copepoda (10%). In this study, 21 species of benthic fauna were deter minted belong to Pseudocumidae (5 species), Gamaridae (4 species) Amphartidae (3 species), Oligochaeta, Balanidae, Xantidae, Nereidae, Scarbicularidae, Carididae, Mytilidae, Herpobdellidae and Chironomidae (each 1 species). Oligocheata was recorded with maximum abundance (943 2502 ind.m-2) and Bivalve consisted of higher biomass (68.7162.5 g.m^-2). From five phyla of phytoplankton, 172 species were determined of Chrysophyta (74 species), Cyanophyta (32 species), Chlorophyta (32 species), Pyrrophyta (24 species) and Euglenophyta (13 species), in which Chrysophyta and Pyrrophyta were noted as main groups with their maximum abundance (up to 65%) and biomass (93%). Maximum water temperature was recorded in August with 29.52.5 ֯C and minimum in February by 9.31.3 ֯C. Mean value of salinity was 12.010.90 ppt, secchi disk ranged between 0.2 to 7 m and oxygen demand varied from 5.95 to 10.54 mg. l^-1). Moreover, silicate concentration was recorded between 200 to 300μg.L^-1, Phosphate measured from 31-47 μg.L^-1, Ammonia varied in 10-29 μg.L^-1, Nitrite (0.6- 1.7 μg.L^-1), Nitrate (0.06-4.20 μg.L^-1, which mainly accumulated in coastal waters of the southern Caspian Sea

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation of BCc1 nanomedicine effect on survival and quality of life in metastatic and non-metastatic gastric cancer patients

Background: Currently, the main goal of cancer research is to increase longevity of patients suffering malignant cancers. The promising results of BCc1 in vitro and vivo experiments made us look into the effect of BCc1 nanomedicine on patients with cancer in a clinical trial. Methods: The present investigation was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel, and multicenter study in which 123 patients (30-to-85-year-old men and women) with metastatic and non-metastatic gastric cancer, in two separate groups of BCc1 nanomedicine or placebo, were selected using a permuted block randomization method. For metastatic and non-metastatic patients, a daily dose of 3000 and 1500 mg was prescribed, respectively. Overall survival (OS) as the primary endpoint and quality of life (measured using QLQ-STO22) and adverse effects as the secondary endpoints were studied. Results: In metastatic patients, the median OS was significantly higher in BCc1 nanomedicine (174 days 95% confidence interval (CI) 82.37-265.62) than in placebo (62 days 95% CI 0-153.42); hazard ratio (HR): 0.5 95% CI 0.25-0.98; p = 0.046. In non-metastatic patients, the median OS was significantly higher in BCc1 nanomedicine (529 days 95% CI 393.245-664.75) than in placebo (345 days 95% CI 134.85-555.14); HR: 0.324 95% CI 0.97-1.07; p = 0.066. The QLQ-STO22 assessment showed a mean difference improvement of 3.25 and 2.29 (p value > 0.05) in BCc1 nanomedicine and a mean difference deterioration of - 4.42 and - 3 (p-value < 0.05) in placebo with metastatic and non-metastatic patients, respectively. No adverse effects were observed. Conclusion: The findings of this trial has provided evidence for the potential capacity of BCc1 nanomedicine for treatment of cancer. Trial registration IRCTID, IRCT2017101935423N1. Registered on 19 October 2017, http://www.irct.ir/ IRCT2017101935423N1 © 2019 The Author(s)

Survey of diversity, distribution, abundance and biomass of macrobenthic fauna in the southern Caspian Sea

The Sampling of macrobenthic communities in southeastern Caspian Sea, Iranian coast, were investigated seasonally from April to March 2012. Sampling was carried out at 8 transect as named Astara, Badar Anzali, Sefied rood, Tonekaboon, Nooshahr, Babolsar, Amirabad, Gomishan.In each transect were choice 8 stations at 5m, 10m, 20m, 50m, 100m depths respectively. Samples were taken in triplet with a 0.1m^² van Veen grab.Totally 28 macrofaunal species belonging to 10 families were identified as gamaridae (9species), corophidae (3species),psudocumidae(8 species), amphartidae (2species), balanidae, chironomidae, cardidae scorbicolaridae, nereidae, sponoidae, each one species. Polychaetes were dominated, representing 72.5% of the whole fauna while while (equal 62.4% of total abundance and 5/1%biomass) were belong to Streblospio spp. from Spionidae family. Cerastoderma lamarcki belong to bivavia consist of 2/3% total macobethos abundance and 73% biomass. Total abundance of macrobenthos of middle area were higher than east and west area in southern Caspian Sea. Average benthic population density (no/m^2) with (SE) was 4581(444 ). The benthic biomass (mg/m^2) with an overall mean of 12. 125(02). Spatial and temporal variations of benthos. In the present study showed, maximum abundance Macrobenthos 17855(5543) no/m^2) were recorded in 20 meter depths at Nooshahr trancect , while minimum 841(109 )in 10 meter depths at Amirabad trancect p<0.05. Maximum biomass 135.10(126) g/m^2 were obtained at 10m depths in Astara minimum 0.51(0.4) ) g/m^2 at 5m depths in Nooshahr transect . maximum were obtained in winter and minimum in summer Number of species varied 3 to 18 , Generally, minimum species diversity were obtained at 20 m depth in Tonekabon transects and the maximum value was observed at 100 m depth of sefeidrood variations physicochemical factors were between salinity 12.5to12.9ppt ,temperature 8-19˚c and PH 8.1 dissolve oxygen 69-101mg/li. Total secondary production calculated, according ,104/996g AFDW/m^2/yr.Maximum were recorded in 10meter depth (30/381AFDW/m^2/yr) and minimum at 50 meter depth(11/007g AFDW/m^2/yr) respectively. Average total organic matter were 3/18 percent in sample periods. Percent of total organic matter (TOM) were low in 5 and 10 m depths and increased toward offshore depths. TOM percent was 1/67(0.11 ) at 5 m depth and increased to 4/38(0.13 )in 100 m depth. Average total silt &clay were 68/63(2.97) percent in sample periods. Positive significant relation was between silt &clay and total organic matter. Macrobenthos community reduce in high silt clay and high sandy contents. Due to increase of streptolosbio.spp, monitoring program for understanding effect of this organism on ecosystem and on fish feeding is necessary

Stock assessment of the bony fishes in Iranian coastal waters of the Caspian Sea (2007-2010)

In the years 2007-2007, 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 the exploitation of bony fishes resources (by 131 beach seines) started on 12 October but finished on 9 April, 9 April and 13 April, respectively. During these periods the total catch of bony fishes were 23537.8, 20045.5 and 18664.8 tonnes, respevtively. During these periods, kutum predominated and represented the highest proportion of total catch at 73.1, 74.0 and 66.9% , followed by golden grey mullet at 18.3, 13.9 and 18.7%, respectively. K values calculated 0.22, 0.15 and 0.14 year-1 and L∞ were 66.0, 62.7 and 70.0 cm for kuttum, golden grey mullet and common carp, respectively. The instantaneous coefficient natural mortality were estimated as 0.386 and 0.35 year-1 for kutum and golden grey mullet, respectively. During three periods, the exploitation rates were 0.789, 0.584 and 0.614 for kutum and 0.71, 0.75 and 0.61 for golden grey mullet, respectively. In the years 2007-2007, 2008-2009 and 2009-2010, the total biomass, from the biomass-based cohort analysis were 56600, 62090 and 61590 tonnes for kutum and and MSY estimated about 24733.7 and 8550.4 tones for kuttum and 11040, 11900 and 14460 tonnes for golden grey mullet, respectively. The ABC (acceptable biological catch) were estimated as 8000 and 2200 tonnes

Towards a consistent mechanism of emulsion polymerization—new experimental details

The application of atypical experimental methods such as conductivity measurements, optical microscopy, and nonstirred polymerizations to investigations of the ‘classical’ batch ab initio emulsion polymerization of styrene revealed astonishing facts. The most important result is the discovery of spontaneous emulsification leading to monomer droplets even in the quiescent styrene in water system. These monomer droplets with a size between a few and some hundreds of nanometers, which are formed by spontaneous emulsification as soon as styrene and water are brought into contact, have a strong influence on the particle nucleation, the particle morphology, and the swelling of the particles. Experimental results confirm that micelles of low-molecular-weight surfactants are not a major locus of particle nucleation. Brownian dynamics simulations show that the capture of matter by the particles strongly depends on the polymer volume fraction and the size of the captured species (primary free radicals, oligomers, single monomer molecules, or clusters)

Effects of fat saturation on short T2 quantification.

Ultrashort TE (UTE) sequences have the capability to image tissues with very short T2s that typically appear as low signal in clinical sequences. UTE sequences can also be used in multi-echo acquisitions which allow assessment of the T2s of these tissues. Here we study the accuracy of such T2 measurements when combined with fat saturation (FS)