Biochemical Composition of the Ovary of Mystus Nemurus (Cuvier and Valenciennes) and Influence of Ascorbic Acid Supplementation on the Egg and Larval Quality

Selected biochemical compositions of the ovaries such as proximate composition, amino acid, fatty acid and ascorbic acid were determined and their role in developing eggs and larvae were evaluated. The ovaries contained substantial amounts of protein, lipid, and ascorbic acid. The protein comprised of high levels of both essential and non essential amino acids, while, the lipid cons is ted of higher proportions of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, and lower proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), respectively. These biochemical components did not show any significant (p> 0.05) changes at different gonad somatic index levels. Al though histology revealed that ovaries demonstrated asynchronous oocyte development, it appeared that there is continuous accumulation of nutrients into the oocyte until final maturation stage. eggs and larvae, marked reduction in protein, lipid, essential amino acid, saturated fatty acid and ascorbic acid contents indicated endogenous utilization. Quantitative decrease of these constituents suggested that more nutrients were utilized during embryonic development

Antimicrobial resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis : mechanistic and evolutionary perspectives

Antibiotic-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains are threatening progress in containing the global tuberculosis epidemic. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is intrinsically resistant to many antibiotics, limiting the number of compounds available for treatment. This intrinsic resistance is due to a number of mechanisms including a thick, waxy, hydrophobic cell envelope and the presence of drug degrading and modifying enzymes. Resistance to the drugs which are active against M. tuberculosis is, in the absence of horizontally transferred resistance determinants, conferred by chromosomal mutations. These chromosomal mutations may confer drug resistance via modification or overexpression of the drug target, as well as by prevention of prodrug activation. Drug resistance mutations may have pleiotropic effects leading to a reduction in the bacterium's fitness, quantifiable e.g. by a reduction in the in vitro growth rate. Secondary so-called compensatory mutations, not involved in conferring resistance, can ameliorate the fitness cost by interacting epistatically with the resistance mutation. Although the genetic diversity of M. tuberculosis is low compared to other pathogenic bacteria, the strain genetic background has been demonstrated to influence multiple aspects in the evolution of drug resistance. The rate of resistance evolution and the fitness costs of drug resistance mutations may vary as a function of the genetic background

Herbivorous fish rise as a destructive fishing practice falls in an Indonesian marine national park

Securing ecosystem functions is challenging, yet common priority in conservation efforts. While marine parks aim to meet this challenge by regulating fishing through zoning plans, their effectiveness hinges on compliance levels and may respond to changes in fishing practices. Here we use a speciose assemblage of nominally herbivorous reef fish in Karimunjawa National Park (zoned since 1989) to investigate whether areas subject to a restrictive management regime sustained higher biomass over seven years compared to areas where moderate and permissive regulations apply. Using a trait‐based approach we characterize the functional space of the entire species pool and ask whether changes in biomass translate into changes in functional structure. We track changes in predator biomass, benthic community structure, and fishing practices that could influence herbivore trajectories. Overall herbivore biomass doubled in 2012 compared to 2006–2009 and remained high in 2013 across all management regimes. We found no evidence that this biomass build‐up resulted from predator depletion or increased food availability but suggest it emerged in response to a park‐wide cessation of fishing with large drive nets known as muroami. The biomass increase was accompanied by a modest increase in taxonomic richness and a slight decrease in community‐scale rarity that did not alter functional redundancy levels. Subtle changes in both functional specialization and identity of assemblages emerged as generalist species with low intrinsic vulnerability to fishing recovered sooner than more vulnerable specialists. While this implies a recovery of mechanisms responsible for the grazing of algal turfs and detritus, restoring other facets of herbivory (e.g., macroalgal consumption) may require more time. An increase in the cost‐benefit ratio per journey of muroami fishing facilitated a ban on muroami nets that met minimal resistance. Similar windows of opportunity may emerge elsewhere in which gear‐based regulations can supplement zoning plans, especially when compliance is low. This does not advocate for implementing such regulations once a fishery has become unprofitable. Rather, it underlines their importance for breaking the cycle of resource depletion and low compliance to zoning, thus alleviating the resulting threats to food security and ecosystem integrity

Behavioural fever in zebrafish larvae

Behavioural fever has been reported in different species of mobile ectotherms including the zebrafish,Danio rerio, in response to exogenous pyrogens. In this study we report, to our knowledge for the first time, upon the ontogenic onset of behavioural fever in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae. For this, zebrafish larvae (from first feeding to juveniles) were placed in a continuous thermal gradient providing the opportunity to select their preferred temperature. The novel thermal preference aquarium was based upon a continuous vertical column system and allows for non-invasive observation of larvae vertical distribution under isothermal (TRat 28°C) and thermal gradient conditions (TCH: 28-32°C). Larval thermal preference was assessed under both conditions with or without an immersion challenge, in order to detect the onset of the behavioural fever response. Our results defined the onset of the dsRNA induced behavioural fever at 18–20 days post fertilization (dpf). Significant differences were observed in dsRNA challenged larvae, which prefer higher temperatures (1–4°C increase) throughout the experimental period as compared to non-challenged larvae. In parallel we measured the abundance of antiviral transcripts;viperin, gig2, irf7, trim25andMxbmRNAs in dsRNA challenged larvae under both thermal regimes: TRand TCh. Significant increases in the abundance of all measured transcripts were recorded under thermal choice conditions signifying that thermo-coupling and the resultant enhancement of the immune response to dsRNA challenge occurs from 18dpf onwards in the zebrafish. The results are of importance as they identify a key developmental stage where the neuro-immune interface matures in the zebrafish likely providing increased resistance to viral infection

Near Superhydrophobic Carbon Nanotube Coatings Obtained via Electrophoretic Deposition on Low‐Alloy Steels

Sucker rods are a key element in certain oil-extraction processes as they link the motor group on the surface with the pumps located downhole. During the transport from the production site toward the extraction well, these components are prone to corrosion. A hydrophobic carbon nanotube (CNT) coating, deposited via electrophoretic deposition (EPD), is proposed as a protective layer, shielding the rods from harsh environmental conditions. Three different coating systems are considered and thoroughly characterized (depending on the additive that is used to deposit the CNT), namely, magnesium nitrate hexahydrate (Mg–Nit), triethylamine (TEA), and a duplex coating (DD). The latter presents an approach which combines the advantages of each additive, mechanical stability from Mg–Nit and strong hydrophobicity from TEA (near superhydrophobic). The former coatings are further processed to overcome their individual shortcomings, resulting in an increase in the coating's stability for TEA coating, as well as transforming the hydrophilic Mg–Nit surface into a hydrophobic surface

U.S. intervention in Africa: from “reduced footprint” to combined offensive

La siguiente investigación tiene como fin exponer algunas de las múltiples actividades a través de las cuales se despliega la estrategia estadounidense de intervención en África, poniendo el acento en dos cuestiones: 1) aquellas acciones habilitantes de infraestructura, entrenamiento y asesoría a fuerzas locales, realizadas con el objeto de abaratar los costos políticos de la injerencia para el proyecto imperial y de cuidar los intereses corporativos ligados al modelo de acumulación extractivo; 2) aquellos programas que buscan incidir sobre la subjetividad de determinados segmentos poblacionales -para el Pentágono potencialmente insurgentes- a partir de una combinación y re-diseño de elementos de represión con otros mecanismos de dominación cultural.The following research aims to expose some of the many actitivities trough which it unfolds the U.S. intervention strategy in Africa, emphasizing two issues: 1) the enabling actions of infrastructure, training and local forces advice, accomplished with the object of reduce the political costs of the interference for the imperial project and look after the corporative interest bounded to the extractive accumulation model; 2) the programs that seek to influence the subjectivity of certain population sectors - potentially insurgents for the Pentagon- from a combination and redesign of repression elements with other mechanisms of cultural domination.Fil: Winer, Sonia Veronica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Instituto de Estudios de América Latina y el Caribe; ArgentinaFil: Melfi, Lucas Sebastian. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Instituto de Estudios de América Latina y el Caribe; Argentin

Nothofagus pumilio forest affected by recent tephra deposition in northern patagonia: II-shifts in diversity and structure of rhizosphere fungal communities

Volcanic eruptions have a significant effect on ecosystems, including soil and its fungal communities. Due to the eruption of the Puyehue-Cordón Caulle in 2011, thick tephra deposits accumulated in several Nothofagus pumilio forests in Northern Patagonia. The tephra deposition affected plant establishment and development during the post-eruption period. In this work we analyzed rhizosphere fungal communities associated with N. pumilio seedlings at three study sites sampled three years after the eruption, two with a thick tephra layer (50 cm) and a third site with no tephra deposition. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was performed for the different fungal communities (Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes and Total fungi). We found clear shifts in rhizosphere fungal communities, especially for Basidiomycetes and Total fungi. Site-related characteristics, such as type of substrate, light intensity and the existence of understory and previous mycelial networks, seemed to be the main factors determining the structure of these fungal communities. Given their sensitivity to different types of environmental change, these microbial communities could be used as bioindicators. Specifically, Basidiomycetes and total fungi seem to be better bioindicators of environmental changes than ascomycetes. The results shown here contribute to the understanding of how fungal communities respond to disturbance, an important issue in the evaluation of how ecosystem processes might be affected in areas commonly subjected to geological risks, such as volcanism. This information is also relevant to the planning and successful implementation of restoration activities based on seedling optimization by rhizosphere fungi.Fil: Fernández, Natalia V.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto Andino Patagónico de Tecnologías Biológicas y Geoambientales. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto Andino Patagónico de Tecnologías Biológicas y Geoambientales.; Argentina; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Fontenla, Sonia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto Andino Patagónico de Tecnologías Biológicas y Geoambientales. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto Andino Patagónico de Tecnologías Biológicas y Geoambientales.; Argentina; ArgentinaFil: Moguilevsky, Denise. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto Andino Patagónico de Tecnologías Biológicas y Geoambientales. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto Andino Patagónico de Tecnologías Biológicas y Geoambientales.; Argentina; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Meie, Sebastián. Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias; Chile. Universidad de La Frontera; ChileFil: Rilling, Joaquín. Universidad de La Frontera; ChileFil: Cornejo, Pablo Sebastian. Universidad de La Frontera; Chil

Depression in primary care and the role of evidence-based guidelines: cross-sectional data from primary care physicians in Germany

Background: Depression is the most common mental health burden worldwide. Primary care physicians (PCPs) play a key role in the care provision for people with depression. The first objective of the present study was to examine the health care situation of depression in primary care, focusing on the cooperation between PCPs and mental health specialists. Secondly, we aimed at examining the role of the German S3 Guideline for Unipolar Depression in the primary care provision. Methods: Data of N = 75 PCPs were analysed from a cross-sectional online survey. Analysis of descriptive information on the current status of primary health care and depression was conducted. Further, to examine factors that are related to the usage of guidelines, multiple regression was performed. Results: Only 22.1% of PCPs described the quality of cooperation with ambulatory mental health specialist as good. The most frequent problems in the cooperation were of structural nature (49.3%, long waiting list, few therapy units, as well as barriers in the communication and the information exchange). With regard to the role of the guideline, 65% of PCPs reported never or seldom using the guideline and 31.7% of PCPs perceived the guideline as not useful at all. In addition, perceived usefulness of the S3 guideline was positively associated with the usage of the guideline. Results of the logistic regression revealed a significant association between the usage of the German S3 Guideline for Unipolar Depression and rating of perceived usefulness of the guideline (OR: 4.771; 95% CI: 2.15-10.59; p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study highlights the central role of PCPs and demonstrates major barriers in the outpatient health care provision of depression. Present findings suggest a strong need for collaborative health care models to resolve obstacles resulting from fragmented mental health care systems. Finally, reported perceived barriers in the implementation of the German S3 Guideline for Unipolar Depression indicate the urge to involve PCPs in the development of evidence-based guidelines, in order to ensure a successful implementation and usage of guidelines in clinical practice

Fish can show emotional fever: stress-induced hyperthermia in zebrafish

Whether fishes are sentient beings remains an unresolved and controversial question. Among characteristics thought to reflect a low level of sentience in fishes is an inability to show stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH), a transient rise in body temperature shown in response to a variety of stressors. This is a real fever response, so is often referred to as &lsquo;emotional fever&rsquo;. It has been suggested that the capacity for emotional fever evolved only in amniotes (mammals, birds and reptiles), in association with the evolution of consciousness in these groups. According to this view, lack of emotional fever in fishes reflects a lack of consciousness. We report here on a study in which six zebrafish groups with access to a temperature gradient were either left as undisturbed controls or subjected to a short period of confinement. The results were striking: compared to controls, stressed zebrafish spent significantly more time at higher temperatures, achieving an estimated rise in body temperature of about 2&ndash;4&deg;C. Thus, zebrafish clearly have the capacity to show emotional fever. While the link between emotion and consciousness is still debated, this finding removes a key argument for lack of consciousness in fishes