Kvalitet jaja morskih riba u akvakulturi, pregled tehnika i rezultata

Background: Despite most of marine teleosts can produce large quantities of viable eggs in captivity, the quantity and quality of the larvae are low and variable, being the initial quality of the eggs one of the main causes of the variability. Considering that commercial hatcheries rely on good larval quality, the establishment of a series of criteria for egg quality is of paramount importance. Objectives: This review presents an overview on some of recent researches carried out in IRTA and University of Salzburg (2004‒2010) to address this bottleneck through correlating egg biochemical contents (BC) to embryo/larva success in a marine teleost considered as new species for Mediterranean aquaculture. Target species: Besides production cost reduction and market enlargement, species diversification is one of the main strategies to ensure future expansion of aquaculture industry. A series of biological and commercial characteristics make the common dentex, Dentex dentex, a highly suitable species to enter mariculture systems as a new species to supplement the intensive sparids production and to increase diversification. Applied methodologies: (i) Viable eggs were obtained from natural spawning of broodfish in captivity. (ii) Egg biometrical parameters (i.e., wet mass, dry mass, and water content) were recorded. (iii) Embryo/larva viability parameters (VPs, i.e., floating rate, hatching rate, and survival rate) were determined. (iv) Egg biochemical parameters (i.e., carbohydrate metabolites/enzymes, vitellogenin-derived proteins [VDP], non-Vtg-derived protein [non-VDP], free amino acid [FAA], proteinic amino acids [PAA], lipid classes [LC], fatty acids [FA], and morphological characteristics of lipid vesicle [LV]) were characterized and quantified. (v) A variety of statistical analyses were used to define the relationships existing between the egg BCs (as egg quality indicators) and the VPs (as criteria for embryo/larva success) that are currently used in mariculture systems. Results: Although a combination of statistical methods were used to correlate the egg BCs to embryo/larva success in common dentex, the current review was prepared based on the results of regression models. Carbohydrate (CH) metabolite contents and enzyme activity of the egg together with VDP, non-VDP, FAA, PAA, LC , and FA contents for one side and lipid vesicle (LV) morphological characteristics on the other were significantly and strongly correlated to embryo/larva success through almost 350 simple regression model (11 [r2=0.184‒0.490] for CHs and enzymes, 16 [r2=0.095‒0.634] for VDPs, 55 [r2=0.079–0.637] for non-VDPs, 49 [r2=0.605–0.875] for FAAs, 19 [r2=0.919−0.991] for PAAs, 5 [r2=0.459–0.739] for LCs, 201 [r2=0.640–0.948] for FAs, and 10 [r2=0.293–0.480] for LV). Conclusions: (i) Under a biological/physiological perspective the significant relationships found between egg BCs and embryo/larva success in common dentex highlight the importance of egg composition during the initial events of embryonic/larval development. The results obtained present a series of new relationships (either in agreement or against previous findings) that deserve further investigation to define their physiological ground. (ii) Under a more applied perspective these relationships indicate a potential use of egg BCs, as bio-markers, to predict egg quality in aquaculture. These markers can also be used as molecular probes to assess the improvements in broodstock management

Vortex ring propagation in confined spheroidal domains and applications to cardiac flows

Vortex ring formation is observed in the human cardiac left ventricle (LV) during diastole. Numerous studies to date have examined the intraventricular filling vortex for potential use in the diagnosis of cardiac dysfunction. However, a systematic understanding of the effects of LV size on vortex ring properties is currently unavailable. In diastolic dysfunction (LVDD), heart muscles can thicken and decrease the internal volume of the LV. On the other hand, by progressing diastolic dysfunction, the transmitral inflow changes and the impact of inflow altering on vortex ring properties is also unknown. In contrast to the considerable body of research on vortex ring propagation in semi-infinite domains and interaction with walls, only a limited number of studies have examined confined vortex ring dynamics. The latter studies only considered radially confined domains, which are a simplification to the combined radial and axial confinement observed in spheroidal domains such as the LV. We experimentally examined vortex ring propagation within three flexible-walled, semi-spheroidal physical models (semi-oblate, hemisphere, and semi-prolate) that presented both axial and radial confinement. 2D time-resolved particle image velocimetry (TR-PIV) measurements showed that while the formation process and peak circulation were nearly unaffected with changing geometry, increasing axial confinement increased the rate of normalized circulation decay. We next examined vortex propagation in an in-vitro model of the LV, under physiological hemodynamic. Two flexible-walled, anatomical physical models representative of a normal LV and an LV with asymmetric wall thickening characteristic of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) were examined. We varied the end-diastolic volume (EDV) of the models to change the confinement level. Peak circulation was lowered in the HCM model and also in the normal LV model with lower EDV when compared to the normal LV model with normal EDV. In the end, we examined the role of transmitral inflow on vortex ring properties under different grades of diastolic dysfunction. The normal transmitral flow showed higher circulation strength, momentum flux, and stronger vortex ring compared to those of diastolic dysfunction. Our results suggest that peak circulation and normalized circulation decay rates have the potential link with LVDD from the fluid mechanics' point of view

Vasculitis, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, and Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation Associated With Methamphetamine Intoxication: A Case Report

Amphetamines and methamphetamines are two groups of substance whose use are increasing globally. Methamphetamines poisoning may develop different sympathetic symptoms; however, developing some complications, such as vasculitis, central nervous system involvement, and kidney injury. In this study, we report a case of methamphetamine poisoning that presented with loss of consciousness and developed Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP), Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), and pulmonary pseud vasculiti

Imatinib Mesylate Effects on Zebrafish Reproductive Success: Gonadal Development, Gamete Quality, Fertility, Embryo-Larvae Viability and Development, and Related Genes

Imatinib (IM) is a tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitor (TKI) used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia. Clinical case reports and a few laboratory mammal studies provide inconclusive evidence about its deleterious effects on reproduction. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the potential of zebrafish to characterize IM-induced effects on reproduction and clarify IM effects on reproductive success. To this end, we exposed adult zebrafish to four concentrations of IM for 30 days followed by a 30-day depuration period. IM exposure caused a concentration-dependent, irreversible, suppression of folliculogenesis, reversible decrease in sperm density and motility, decreased fecundity and fertility, but no significant change in atretic follicle abundance. We also observed IM-induced premature hatching, but no significant change in embryo-larvae survivability. However, we found significant IM-induced morphometric malformations. IM decreased expression of vegfaa and igf2a (two reproductive-, angiogenic-, and growth-related genes) in testes and ovaries. The results demonstrate IM can induce significant changes in critical reproductive endpoints and zebrafish as a suitable model organism to show effects of IM on reproduction. The findings suggest that TKI effects on reproductive success should be considered

Morphometric Characteristics and Time to Hatch as Efficacious Indicators for Potential Nanotoxicity Assay in Zebrafish

Although the effects of nano-sized titania (nTiO2) on hatching events (change in hatching time and total hatching) in zebrafish have been reported, additional consequences of nTiO2 exposure (i.e., the effects of nTiO2-induced changes in hatching events and morphometric parameters on embryo-larvae development and survivability) have not been reported. To address this knowledge gap, embryos 4 h postfertilization were exposed to nTiO2 (0, 0.01, 10, and 1000 μg/mL) for 220 h. Hatching rate (58, 82, and 106 h postexposure [hpe]), survival rate (8 times from 34 to 202 hpe), and 21 morphometric characteristics (8 times from 34 to 202 hpe) were recorded. Total hatching (rate at 106 hpe) was significantly and positively correlated to survival rate, but there was no direct association between nTiO2-induced change in hatching time (hatching rate at 58 and 82 hpe) and survival rate. At 58, 82, and 106 hpe, morphometric characteristics were significantly correlated to hatching rate, suggesting that the nTiO2-induced change in hatching time can affect larval development. The morphometric characteristics that were associated with change in hatching time were also significantly correlated to survival rate, suggesting an indirect significant influence of the nTiO2-induced change in hatching time on survivability. These results show a significant influence of nTiO2-induced change in hatching events on zebrafish embryo-larvae development and survivability. They also show that morphometric maldevelopments can predict later-in-life consequences (survivability) of an embryonic exposure to nTiO2. This suggests that zebrafish can be sensitive biological predictors of nTiO2 acute toxicity

Dislocation structures and the role of grain boundaries in cyclically deformed Ni micropillars

Transmission electron microscopy and finite element-based dislocation simulations were combined to study the development of dislocation microstructures after cyclic deformation of single crystal and bicrystal Ni micropillars oriented for multi-slip. A direct correlation between large accumulation of plastic strain and the presence of dislocation cell walls in the single crystal micropillars was observed, while the presence of the grain boundary hampered the formation of wall-like structures in agreement with a smaller accumulated plastic strain. Automated crystallographic orientation and nanostrain mapping using transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of lattice heterogeneities associated to the cell walls including long range elastic strain fields. By combining the nanostrain mapping with an inverse modelling approach, information about dislocation density, line orientation and Burgers vector direction was derived, which is not accessible otherwise in such dense dislocation structures. Simulations showed that the image forces associated with the grain boundary in this specific bicrystal configuration have only a minor influence on dislocation behavior. Thus, the reduced occurrence of “mature” cell walls in the bicrystal can be attributed to the available volume, which is too small to accommodate cell structures

Blueberry muffin rash in a patient with hemolytic disease of the newborn due to anti-Cw

Blueberry muffin rash is a characteristic multiple bluish skin nodules associated with perinatal infection, severe and chronic anemia, and neoplastic infiltrative diseases. We present an unusually severe case of hemolytic disease of the newborn. He required exchange transfusions for several times. The complete work up led to the diagnosis of anti-Cw. The skin lesion regressed spontaneously within one month

Tocilizumab for treatment patients with COVID-19: Recommended medication for novel disease

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus has spread all over the world. Scientists are trying to discover drugs as effective treatment for patients with COVID-19. So far about 30 drugs have been introduced that one of them is Tocilizumab. Recently Tocilizumab has been introduced to treat patients with COVID-19 and researchers are investigating further the efficacy of this drug for different are patients. In Iran and China, some reports showed a positive effect of Tocilizumab on Saturation of Peripheral Oxygen (SPO2) but results of CT scan in patients in different. In some patients, CT scan showed reduced infiltration, however in other no change was observed. Unfortunately, until now there has been no definitive and effective treatment for patients with COVID-19. Although Tocilizumab has been accepted by China Health Commission to treat infected patients, its positive effects still cannot be predicted in all patients. Based on evidence of the Tocilizumab's effect on the SARS COV 2, researchers hope this drug will make effective and promising treatment to improve lung tissue inflammation in patients with the fatal COVID-19 virus. The present study provides an overview of respiratory inflammation with COVID-19 and probable effect of Tocilizumab on SARS-COV 2. © 2020 Elsevier B.V

Gradient and pressure recovery of a self-expandable transcatheter aortic valve depends on ascending aorta size: In vitro study

Objective: In this study we aimed to understand the role of interaction of the Medtronic Evolut R transcatheter aortic valve with the ascending aorta (AA) by evaluating the performance of the valve and the pressure recovery in different AA diameters with the same aortic annulus size. Methods: A 26-mm Medtronic Evolut R valve was tested using a left heart simulator in aortic root models of different AA diameter (D): small (D = 23 mm), medium (D = 28 mm), and large (D = 34 mm) under physiological conditions. Measurements of pressure from upstream to downstream of the valve were performed using a catheter at small intervals to comprehensively assess pressure gradient and pressure recovery. Results: In the small AA, the measured peak and mean pressure gradient at vena contracta were 11.5 ± 0.5 mm Hg and 7.8 ± 0.4 mm Hg, respectively, which was higher (P \u3c .01) compared with the medium (8.1 ± 0.4 mm Hg and 5.2 ± 0.4 mm Hg) and large AAs (7.4 ± 1.0 mm Hg and 5.4 ± 0.6 mm Hg). The net pressure gradient was lower for the case with the medium AA (4.1 ± 1.2 mm Hg) compared with the small AA (4.7 ± 0.8 mm Hg) and large AA (6.1 ± 1.4 mm Hg; P \u3c .01). Conclusions: We have shown that small and large AAs can increase net pressure gradient, because of the direct interaction of the Medtronic Evolut R stent with the AA (in small AA) and introducing higher level of turbulence (in large AA). AA size might need to be considered in the selection of an appropriate device for transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Fish larval nutrition and feed formulation: knowledge gaps and bottlenecks for advances in larval rearing

Despite considerable progress in recent years, many questions regarding fish larval nutrition remain largely unanswered, and several research avenues remain open. A holistic understanding of the supply line of nutrients is important for developing diets for use in larval culture and for the adaptation of rearing conditions that meet the larval requirements for the optimal presentation of food organisms and/or microdiets. The aim of the present review is to revise the state of the art and to pinpoint the gaps in knowledge regarding larval nutritional requirements, the nutritional value of live feeds and challenges and opportunities in the development of formulated larval diets.Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries; Research Council of Norway [CODE-199482, GutFeeling-190019]; Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation MICINN + FEDER/ERDF [AGL2007-64450-C02-01, CSD2007-0002]; project HYDRAA [PTDC/MAR/71685/2006]; Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal; FEDER; EC [LIFECYCLE- 222719]; EU RTD [FA0801]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio