Effects of different levels of Daphnia and Artemia extracts on food acceptability and growth factor rates of beluga (Huso huso Linnaeus, 1758)

In a 30 day feeding trial, Daphnia and Artemia extracts were added to diets of juvenile Beluga (Huso huso) at different levels to evaluate its effects on growth and survival rate of the fish. The trial was carried out in aquaculture research center of the Gorgan University, during which three different dietary levels of extracts (1:25, 1: 50 and 1:100) were used in 250 liter PVC tanks filled with about 125 liters of water. A total of 20 juvenile Beluga with an average weight of 5 plus or minus 0.2g each was stocked in tanks and were fed 4 meals a day. Growth and survival factors were analyzed at the end of the trial period. The results showed that the addition of extracts in diets led to improvement of body weight increase, weight increase percentage, specific growth rate (SGR), daily growth rate (DGR), daily growth index (DGI), condition factor (CF), price index (PI) and decrease of food conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the control treatment. The best improvement of growth index was achieved at the dietary level 1:50 Artemia extracts. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in survival among treatments

Negative performance of root extract of Onosma dichroanthum Boiss. on the burn wound healing in an animal model

Background: Onosma dichroanthum Boiss. belongs to the Boraginaceae family which locally known as" Hava Chobeh", and it is considered as one of the most important Mountainous medicinal plants in North of Iran, Its red roots have been used by the rural healers as either singular or combination with other plants as antiseptic and anti-inflammatory to treat the burns and wound healing. Methods and Findings: In this study, the acetonic extract of plant root was used for the evaluation of its healing efficiency on burn wound model in rat. Burn induced in Wistar rats, and subsequently they were divided into five groups were treated as follow: Group-I ointment containing of extract 2%, Group-II, traditional ointment containing of goat lipid and root extract, Groups-III ointment alone, Group-IV (positive control) the standard drug (silver sulphadiazine) and Group-V (negative control) untreated rats. The assessment the burn area healing was carried out within 14 days. Our results showed that the treated group in I and II, the intensity of wound increased up to the day 8, even the wound diameter much more expanded than negative control group (group V). The best result was demonstrated by Silver sulphadiazine treated group (group IV). Conclusion: This study shows that Onosma dichroanthum Boiss. root did not have any effect on healing of burn wounds in an animal model. Further studies are requiring for assessment of this plant in combination with other plants on burn wound healing. © Under License of Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License

Effect of short term transportation of chilled rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss) gametes in moisture oxygen bags on fertilization rate

Effect of transportation of rainbow trout gametes under moist oxygen packing at 1-2 °c on fertilization was studied. Gametes were transferred in polyethylene bags (20×18 cm) containing 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 % moist oxygen (in its free volume) and ten hours after transfer in a Styrofoam box with thermo gel bags, fertilization were conducted in 25 treatments (in 3 replicates) and fertilized eggs were transferred to an incubator designed for rainbow trout with recirculation system (10°c). Percentage of fertility, eyed eggs, and hatching rate were calculated as an indicator for determination of optimum level of oxygen during transportation. The best results were obtained from fertilization of eggs transported at 100% oxygen and sperm transported at 75% oxygen with 95.01 ± 1.2% fertility, 78±4.21% eyed eggs and 75±3.88% hatching rate which were significant different (p<0/05) compared to the control (treatment without oxygen). As in fish breeding programs, gamete transfer is simpler and inexpensive than brood stock transfer, and hence this method could be applied for short term transferring of rainbow trout gametes as a simple and applicable method

Hybridization between beluga (Huso huso) and Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) and their growth comparison

In order to evaluate the possible production of hybrids using two species of sturgeon; beluga (Huso huso) and Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) a reciprocal crosses with three treatments and three replicates for each treatment was conducted. Reproduction normative including number of eggs per gram, fertilization rate, survival rate, and also 32 mophmetric and merestic parameters of parents, hybrids and control groups were compared. Genetic analysis of hybrid was conducted using two methods of cytogenetic (chromosome preparation) and molecular (microsatellite) techniques. Histological analysis was performed for sexual gonad development. The growth comparison between hybrids and control fish was conducted in fiberglass tanks for 18 months. Fish were fed using pellets and biometric measurements were carried out 17 times during the study period. Means, analysis of variance, standard deviation, Duncan s test and percentage of hetrosis were calculated using Quatro Pro and SPSS programs. Significant differences were detected between beluga controls and hybrids (male beluga x female A. persicus) and between A. persicus controls and hybrids (male beluga x female A. persicus) regarding number of eggs per gram (P 0.003). However no significant differences were detected between the control groups and hybrids regarding fertilization rate at the four celled and 35 celled stages, number of larvae produced, mortality rate up to the onset of exogenous feeding and the number of larvae surviving (P<0.01). Growth rates differed in hybrid fish and fish in the control groups and highest weight increase at the end of the rearing period belonged to beluga control (975±10 g) followed by hybrids produced by crossing female beluga with male A. persicus (840±143 g), hybrids produced by crossing female A. persicus with male beluga (681.85±281 g) and lowest growth increases belonged to the A. persicus control group (535.15±131 g). Specific growth rate in the second and third six months of rearing in hybrids produced by crossing female beluga with male A. persicus was higher than those recorded in the beluga control group. Percentage of hetrosis was negative during the early rearing period (-18.93), however at the end of the rearing period offspring were superior to parents and percentage of hetrosis was 0.79. Comparison of 32 morphologic and merestic parameters showed significant differences between 23 parameters between beluga controls and hybrids and between 31 parameters between A. persicus controls and hybrids (P,0.05). The hybrids production was proved using the cytogenetic (chromosomal count) as well as microsatellite techniques. The number of chromosomes in hybrids was intermediate to the parents (2n=190 ± 9) and like all other sturgeon species, microchromosomes comprised more than 50% of the chromosomes. The chromosome number in hybrids was half the number of chromosomes in the parents (A. persicus 2n=258±4 and beluga 2n=118±3). With regard to the fact that the number of chromosomes in A. persicus is 4N and that in beluga is 2N the number of chromosomes in hybrids is 3N or triploid. DNA bands produced by PCR in parents and offspring showed genetic inheritance. Histological analysis of control fish and hybrids after 18 months of rearing showed that male and female cells were observed in hybrids that is a characteristic feature of impotent or sterile fish. However only one type of sexual cells were observed in fishes in the control groups (A. persicus and beluga). Results obtained from the present study show that the hybrids produced are triploid (3N) and histologically sterile. Also hybrids produced showed good growth. With regard to the scarcity of female beluga and the limitation in the production of beluga fingerlings, it is suggested that sturgeon hatcheries produce hybrids and thus meet the fingerling demands of sturgeon farms. Also considering that the hybrids produced are sterile they can be considered as a candidate for export for aquarium fish. With regard to the fact that the hybrids produced are a new species it is suggested that this species is named Belupars which is a taken from the names of the two parents Beluga and Persicus

A bioassay-guided fractionation scheme for characterization of new antibacterial compounds from Prosopis cineraria aerial parts

Background and Objectives:Due to the importance of finding of new antibacterial agents, the antibacterial properties of Prosopis cinerariaaerial parts were investigated using a bioassay guided fractionation scheme. Materials and Methods:The organic extract was prepared via maceration in methanol, followed by the fractionation using n-hexane and ethyl acetate. The MICs of fractions were determined against some human pathogenic bacteria using broth micro-dilution assay. The primary characterization and identification of bioactive substance(s) was based on a bio-autograph- ical method using HPTLC and flash chromatography in parallel with agar overlay assays. Finally the exact mass of effective compound(s) was determined by LC-MS. Results:The best antibacterial activities were related to the ethyl acetate fraction. The effective antibacterial compound of the plant were 2 substances with molecular weight of 348 and 184 Dalton that inhibited the growth of assessed Gram positive bacteria with MIC values lower than 125 to 62.5 µg/ml synergistically. Conclusion: Further analysis using nuclear magnetic resonance could reveal the exact structure of these two antibacterial substances. These 2 effective antibacterial compounds could be applied as lead compound for synthesis of new antibacterial agents. © 2016, Tehran University of Medical Science. All Rights reserved

Primary fish cell culture phase 1: primary cell culture of the interior pituitary gland of the Acipenser gueldenstaedtii

Fish cell lines have been used to support many areas of research, beginning with fish viruses and extending into immunology, genetic studies, toxicology, environmental effects, aquaculture and seafood quality and it is the first step in the gene banking, to preserve gene materials. The present study we cultured cell of interior pituitary of the Acipenser gueldenstaedtii gland, as a first attempts in IRAN. FISH cell culture has widespread applications in virology, toxicology and as in vitro models in cytogenetic, biomedical, physiological researches. A cell line has been established from the Acipenser gueldenstaedtii interior pituitary and scales have been used to develop primary cell cultures. Recently, successful primary culture of the interior pituitary gland of Acipenser gueldenstaedtii has been developed by explants method. The present study evaluated the potential of several interior pituitary gland from different developmental stages for development of cell cultures using explants method. Pituitary gland from various stages of the adult Acipenser gueldenstaedtii was collected under standard aseptic conditions. Developing gonads from 15-20-year-old male and female sturgeon were collected during late April and early May2007. In all the cases the tissues were pooled in cold PBS antibiotic antimycotic solution (Sigma Chemicals, USA). The tissues were evaluated for attachment, growth and ability to undergo to produce suspension of cells. Primary cultures were initiated from the above tissues according to our earlier procedures, with certain modifications in the sub cultivation procedure. Briefly, tissues were cut into 1 mm3 size fragments which were seeded into 25 cm2 tissue culture flasks. After appropriate semidrying and addition of minimum essential medium (MEM) (Sigma, USA) supplemented with 15% fetal bovine serum (FBS) (Sigma, USA), cell growth was monitored. A seeding density of 1.5 105 cells as determined by a hemocytometer. The results have been showed the Acipenser gueldenstaedtii interior pituitary cells growth in incubator Co2 in 370 C, the cells adapted in this temperature. They were in Lag phase for 10 days, in log phase on 10- 22 days, and in stationary phase on 23- 28 days, after that they died. So we could produce sturgeon growth hormone from fish pituitary cells culture. By this study we can passage the cells on 21th day, for every week. In this way we can produce continued cell culture and store them for gene banking

Comparison of growth, morphometric and meristic parameters of hybrids produced by crossing between Beluga (Huso huso) and Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus)

Reciprocal crosses betvveen Beluga and Persian Sturgeon in four treatments and three replications were conducted and reproduction metrics including number of eggs per gram, percentage of fertilization, and survival rate were assessed. Also, we measured 32 morphomeiric and meristic attributes of brood stocks, hybrids and controls. To compare the growth rate of hybrids and controls, fingerlings were grown for 18 months in 2000 liter fiberglass tanks and fed by pellets. During rearing period, 17 samples were taken in 15-30 days interval and total weight and length of the specimens were measured. Average weight and length, standard deviation, analysis of variance, Duncan test and Heterosis were calculated. We found a significant difference (130.001) between controls and treatments in terms of fertilization rate (in stage 4 and 35), number and mortality rate of larvae during active feeding and final stages. Hybrid and control fingerlings showed different growth performances. After an 18 months rearing period, the highest growth was found in Beluga (975±10 grams), with hybrid of female of Beluga and male Persian sturgeon coming next (840±143 grams), hybrid of male Beluga with female Persian sturgeon being the third (681.152$1 grams). The slowest growth rate was seen in control Persian sturgeon with an average growth of 535.15±131 grams. Daily growth rate of hybrids produced from crossing of female Beluga with male Persian sturgeon was higher than control Beluga during second and third rearing period each taking six months. We observed significant differences (p<0.05) in 31 morphometric and meristic parameters from a total of 32 attributes. The percentage of heterosis was variable, being -73.76 in early growth period and 0.79 at the final rearing stage with an average heterosis of -32.69. The hybrid produced from female Beluga and male Persian Sturgeon showed a very good o growth performance. However, with the inadequacy of female Beluga in the Caspian Sea and the priority of restocking Beluga, it is suggested that the hybrid production be conducted using male • Beluga and female Persian Sturgeon

Association between psychosocial distress with cardio metabolic risk factors and liver enzymes in a nationally-representative sample of Iranian children and adolescents: The CASPIAN-III study

Background: The present study was designed to evaluate association of psychosocial distress with cardio metabolic risk factors and liver enzymes in Iranian children and adolescents.Method: This nationwide study was conducted as the third survey of the school-based surveillance system that was conducted among 5593 school students, 10-18 years in Iran. High triglyceride (TG), high fasting blood sugar (FBS), high total cholesterol (TC), high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), hypertension (HTN), generalized obesity and abdominal obesity were considered as cardio metabolic risk factors and alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were considered as liver enzymes. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression (MLR) analysis.Result: Psychosocial distress was detected in2027 (71.2) of boys and 1759 (63.3) of girls. Among boys, the mean of LDL, AST and DBP were higher and the mean FBS and HDL were lowering those with psychiatric distress than their other counterparts. Girls with psychosocial distress had significantly higher mean of HDL and FBS than those without psychiatric distress. Psychosocial distress significantly increased the odds of high LDL (OR = 2.36, 95CI 1.53, 3.64), high FBS (OR = 1.23, 95CI 1.02, 1.49) and low HDL (OR = 1.65, 95CI 1.41, 1.95).Conclusion: Psychosocial distress in adolescents is associated with increased risk of some cardio metabolic risk factors. © 2014 Qorbani et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Studying the impacts of the rainbow trout farms effluents on Sabzkooh River in Charmahal-O-Bakhtiari Province

Sabzkooh in Ardal and Gandoman region in Charmahal province with annual production of 1300 metric tons of rainbow trout, is one of the most important rivers in the province. The effects of fish farms effluent on the river water quality and the possibilities to develop or limit the existing ones were studied. Flora and fauna of the river including Phyto and zooplankton, macroinvertebrates and fishes were sampled and studied. Moreover some key physico-chemical water quality parameters, concentrations of stable pollutants (heavy metals: Zn, Cu, Fe, Pb, Cd and agricultural poisons (herbicides or pesticides: DDT, Lindane, Alderine and indosulfate) and Coliform contamination were also measured. All phytoplankton genus were of tow taxa, Cianophyta and Chrysophyta and zooplankton fauna belonged to Rotatoria, Protozoa and meroplanktonic chirinomids and nematodes. Four fish species from 3 families were identified of which rainbow trout had the highest relative frequency (94.6%).All the measured heavy metals including Zn, Cu, Fe, Pb, Cd and the agricultural poisons concentrations such as DDT, Lindane, Alderine and indosulfate were lower than the hazardous level suggested for the surface waters. According to the benthic macroinvertebrates populations study, stations at downstream (no. 6 and 7) which received the Chartakhteh and Rudarud farms effluent had least EPT richness and the hilsenhof family level biotic index at this locations was greater than 5.25, classifying them as having organic pollution. Even though measured key physico-chemical parameters such as nutrients (N and P compounds and BOD5) in the receiving stations and effluent water never exceed the maximum permitted range but in downstream stations these factors were very close to the range. One way analyze of variance (P 95%) for TN, TP, No_2, NH_4, BOD_5, pH, PO_4 and Ec revealed no significant differences between stations before and just after receiving the effluents, however these parameters in the effluents themselves significantly differ from upstream stations 1,2 and 3 proving relatively lower organic pollution and the potential for constructing new farms or expanding the existed ones in upstream region from Chartagh to Dehnoo. At downstream from Dehnoo to Rudarud and lower parts, dense trout farm effluents in addition with point and non point pollution (municipal, agricultural and other coming run off from the catchments area) had remarkable effects on the river water quality and as a result no farm construction or expansion is recommended. To avoid or reduce the existing farms effects on the river system there should be certainly some remediation actions carried out. Constructing sedimentation ponds before releasing the effluents, obeying the rule of water extracting, preventing fish escape, increasing feeding efficiency and controlling the lateral inlets from catchments area which are potentially pollutant, should be considered to improve the situation and prevent further environmental problems caused by fish farms effluent in these area