Body Content Research Articles

An experimental study on coal damage caused by two-phase displacement of CO2- alkaline solution

Two-phase displacement of CO2- alkaline solution technology was proposed to address the obvious problems existing in the current coal mine gas control technologies, such as the gas enrichment and outburst risk caused by tradition CO2 injection technology, and the poor effect of conventional coal seam water injection technology. In order to investigate the damage characteristics of coal pore structure and permeability caused by two-phase displacement of CO2- alkaline solution, the composition and microstructure of coal after two-phase displacement of CO2- alkaline solution were tested experimentally, and the permeability experiment of two-phase displacement of CO2- alkaline solution was carried out. The results show that the reaction degree and dissolution of CO2-containing coal with alkaline solution are stronger than those with distilled water. The reaming effect of alkaline solution on CO2-containing coal is stronger than that of distilled water, and the two-phase displacement of CO2- alkaline solution has the greatest influence on mesopore and macropore; After two-phase displacement of CO2- alkaline solution, the permeability of coal sample increased by 47.6%–108.6%, and the water content of coal sample increased by 109%. The two-phase displacement of CO2- alkaline solution leads to the secondary development of coal pores, which significantly changes the coal pore structure, increases the permeability and water content of coal body, and thus obviously increases the gas extraction effect to reduce coal seam outburst risk and ensure coal mine safety production.

P546 The safety and efficacy of the new-generation budesonide-MMX in the aspect of the cytochrome P-450 enzyme genotype

Abstract Background Unlike previous forms of budesonide absorbing from the ileal and ascending colon region, the new-generation budesonide-MMX contains a formula, that allows absorption throughout the whole colon. Budesonide is degraded in the liver by cytochrome P450 3A enzyme, but so far, there is no study examining the relationship between the budesonide’s effect and the enzyme activity. CYP3A5 is absent in 90% of the European/caucasian population due to a functional loss mutation (CYP3A5*3), whereas patients with the wild-type CYP3A5*1 allele may be expected to have increased metabolism. The most common genetic polymorphisms in CYP3A4 (CYP3A4*1B and CYP3A4*22) result in increased and decreased expression, respectively. Methods We enrolled 33 patients with UC in this prospective study until January of 2021. Patients received 9 mg oral budesonide-MMX once daily until 8 weeks. Laboratory parameters (cholesterol, triglyceride, CRP) and serum hormone levels (parathormone, dehydroepiandrosterone and cortisol) were monitored before and after the 8-week therapy to follow metabolic and hormonal changes. During these visits, body composition analysis was also performed with InBody 770 machine to observe the adverse effects of budesonide-MMX in respect of body fat mass, body mass index, protein content of the body and bone mineral content. We examined the CYP450 3A (CYP3A5 and CYP3A4) enzyme genotype of the patients, to see, whether the different alleles of this drug-degrading enzyme affect the efficacy and safety. Results 33 patients had received the 2-month therapy. By the end of follow-up, based on partial Mayo score, 26 (78.8%) patients experienced remission and 6 patients (18.2%) were primary non-responders. Mean pMayo score decreased from 4.18 to 1.63 (p<0.001). No significant changes were observable regarding body composition. Serum cholesterol level showed significant increase (p<0.001), while triglyceride and CRP did not show significant changes. Serum cortisol levels were decreased (p<0.001), while PTH and DHEA showed no significant decrease. Only two patients experienced side effects: one of them hypertonia, headache and acnes, while the other mild diarrhoea. 3 patients have CYP3A5*1/*3 genotype, and 16 have CYP3A5*3/*3. There was no significant difference between the two groups, regarding safety and efficacy. Only 1 patient have CYP3A4*1B genotype, while the rest have CYP3A4*1, hence, no statistics could be performed. Conclusion In our study, budesonide-MMX proved to be safe and effective in the therapy of UC, however, cholesterol was elevated in the serum. Based on our cohort, different genotypes of CYP3A don’t have an impact on the effect of the drug, however, CYP3A allele variants are rare, therefore, further examinations should be performed.

Estimation of the Early Cs-137 Intake of Evacuees from Areas Affected by the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident Based on Personal Behavioral Data and the Latest Atmospheric Transport and Dispersion Model Simulation.

More than 9 y have passed since the 2011 nuclear disaster in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. During this period, much effort has been spent on the dose reconstruction for Fukushima residents; however, the estimation of the internal dose due to the potential intake of the short-lived radionuclides (mainly iodine-131) has been challenging because of the lack of direct human measurements at the early phase of the accident. Our previous study revealed that the residual cesium body contents observed in delayed whole-body counter (WBC) measurements of residents from Namie-town, one of the most affected municipalities, varied greatly with the timepoint of their evacuations on 12 March 2011 when the first explosive event occurred at the accident site; i.e., the late evacuees had much higher residual cesium body contents compared to the prompt evacuees. The present study thus aimed to clarify this finding by reproducing the exposure situation based on the evacuees' personal behavioral data in combination with the latest atmospheric transport and dispersion model (ATDM) simulation for 356 selected subjects in adult and 15-y (13-17 y) age groups. The results demonstrated that the ATDM simulation-based method could reasonably reproduce the subjects' exposure situation, supporting the previous finding. However, the residual cesium-137 body contents calculated by this method were only 10%-20% of those in the subjects' WBC measurements. This large discrepancy was considered to be caused by both the present method's underestimation and the overestimation of the subjects' early intake in the WBC measurements due to a conservative intake scenario not assuming potential additional intake. Additional studies are needed to further clarify the reasons for the discrepancy and to evaluate the magnitude of the inhalation dose in the accident.

Exposure to methylmercury and inorganic mercury in the food does not lead to trophic magnification in the sea star Asterias rubens

Methylmercury accumulated at the top of aquatic food chains constitutes a toxicological risk to humans and other top predators. Biomagnification of methylmercury takes place among vertebrates at the higher trophic levels, but this process is less elucidated in benthic invertebrates at the lower trophic levels. Therefore, we investigated the accumulation from food and elimination of methylmercury and inorganic mercury in the benthic sea star Asterias rubens (L.) - a representative of trophic level ~3 - in laboratory experiments. Sea stars fed over 49 days with contaminated mussels (Mytilus edulis) accumulate methylmercury and inorganic mercury to the highest concentrations in the digestive glands, the pyloric caeca, less in stomach, gonad, tube feet, aboral body wall and not to detectable levels in the coelomic fluid. Concerning whole body contents, steady states were reached for both methylmercury and inorganic mercury during the 7-week feeding period and the sea stars reached approximately ½ and ¼ of the concentrations in the mussel food for the two mercury forms, respectively. Half-lives for the elimination of the two mercury forms varied between 45 and 173 days in a 140-d elimination period following the feeding period; inorganic mercury was eliminated faster than methylmercury. Examination of total mercury concentrations in field-collected sea stars confirmed this lack of trophic magnification in relation to the major food items, soft parts of molluscs. We suggest that mercury is not trophically magnified in sea stars 1) because they eliminate methylmercury faster than larger fish and decapod crustaceans and 2) maybe more importantly, because inorganic mercury with its faster elimination constitutes a larger fraction of the total mercury in the food at the lower trophic levels - as opposed to methylmercury which dominates at the higher trophic levels.

The effect of gradual addition of camelina seeds in the diet of rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) on growth, feed efficiency and meat quality

Camelina (Camelina sativa) is a robust crop to cultivate and a potential source of protein, oil and n-3 fatty acids for aquaculture. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of camelina seed in feed on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) performance and nutritional composition of the muscle. A mixture of faba bean, wheat gluten meal and rapeseed oil was gradually replaced by camelina seed (0%, 10% and 20% camelina in the diet). Fifty 0+ old fish were placed in each of the 12 recirculation aquaculture tanks to enable three treatments with four replicates. Camelina seed inclusion did not affect the growth performance, crude protein or fat content of fish body. The moisture content was the lowest (p = 0.021) with 20% camelina. The vitamin D3 contents in fish muscle were low, indicating that camelina may slightly impair the absorption of vitamin D3 (p = 0.055). Camelina diets decreased (p < 0.001) the proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids and increased (p < 0.001) polyunsaturated fatty acids and n-3 fatty acids, particularly α-linolenic acid, in fish muscle. Camelina seed proved to be a potential plant-based ingredient for rainbow trout feed.

Monitoring bee health in European agro-ecosystems using wing morphology and fat bodies

Current global change substantially threatens pollinators, which directly impacts the pollination services underpinning the stability, structure and functioning of ecosystems. Amongst these threats, many synergistic drivers, such as habitat destruction and fragmentation, increasing use of agrochemicals, decreasing resource diversity, as well as climate change, are known to affect wild and managed bees. Therefore, reliable indicators for pollinator sensitivity to such threats are needed. Biological traits, such as phenotype (e.g. shape, size and asymmetry) and storage reserves (e.g. fat body size), are important pollinator traits linked to reproductive success, immunity, resilience and foraging efficiency and, therefore, could serve as valuable markers of bee health and pollination service potential. This data paper contains an extensive dataset of wing morphology and fat body content for the European honeybee (Apis mellifera) and the buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) sampled at 128 sites across eight European countries in landscape gradients dominated by two major bee-pollinated crops (apple and oilseed rape), before and after focal crop bloom and potential pesticide exposure. The dataset also includes environmental metrics of each sampling site, namely landscape structure and pesticide use. The data offer the opportunity to test whether variation in the phenotype and fat bodies of bees is structured by environmental factors and drivers of global change. Overall, the dataset provides valuable information to identify which environmental threats predominantly contribute to the modification of these traits.

Using zebrafish as a model to assess the individual and combined effects of sub-lethal waterborne and dietary zinc exposure during development

The present research used zebrafish (5–28 days post-fertilization; dpf) as a model organism to investigate the effects of chronic exposure to environmentally relevant sub-lethal concentrations of waterborne (261 μg/L) and dietary zinc (Zn) (1500 mg Zn/kg dw), either independently or simultaneously, during development. The results showed that whole body contents of Zn were increased in all Zn treatment groups, with the highest accumulation of Zn observed in larvae simultaneously exposed to elevated waterborne and dietary Zn. In addition, exposure to elevated levels of Zn, either through the water or the diet, led to a decrease in whole body calcium (Ca) contents at 28 dpf. The findings also suggested that exposure to elevated levels of Zn resulted in a significant reduction in whole body manganese (Mn) contents. More importantly, the magnitude of decrease in Mn contents by Zn exposure was markedly higher than that in Ca and appeared to mirror the increases in whole body Zn accumulation. These results indicate that Mn regulation is more sensitive than Ca to disruption by Zn exposure in developing fish. Further examination of the Zrt-Irt-Like Protein (ZIP) family of transporters using droplet digital PCR technologies revealed that several zip transporters exhibited temporal and exposure route-specific changes following Zn exposure. In particular, the level of zip4 was influenced by Zn exposure regardless of the exposure routes, while changes in zip7 and zip8 levels were predominantly driven by waterborne exposure. Overall, our findings demonstrated that zebrafish during the developmental periods are sensitive to elevated levels of Zn seen in the environment, particularly following co-exposures to waterborne and dietary Zn. Future toxicological assessment of elevated Zn exposure should consider both the exposure routes and the life stages of fish.

Potential of waste reduction of agro-biomasses through Reishi medicinal mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) production using different substrates and techniques

One of the most important priorities in the medicinal mushrooms cultivation is the selection and preparation of the substrate, which depends on factors such as price and easy access to different lignocellulosic compounds. In order to investigate the effect of mixed and non-mixed agro-waste substrates on some vegetative, reproductive, nutritional and medicinal properties of two Iranian and Chinese strains of Ganoderma lucidum, the factorial experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design with three replications. The experimental substrates of different poplar wood chip (PWC), wheat bran (WB), soybean meal (SM), date palm leaf (DPL) and olive oil extraction waste (OOEW) were used. They were enriched with chemical supplements (ammonium nitrate, manganese sulfate and Nano manganese oxide) using two cultivation techniques (open bag door and Polika-Cotton) for fruiting body production.The results showed that various substrates significantly affect dry weight, moisture content quantity, vegetative and fruit yield, total ganoderic acids content, total polysaccharide value and mineral elements amount (nitrogen, potassium and calcium) in fruiting body. The highest amount of N content in the fruiting body of both Iranian and Chinese strains (5.88 and 6.25 mg/100 g dry matter) was dedicated to the combined PWC + SM (70:30) substrate enriched with Nano manganese oxide supplement and Polika-Cotton method. The highest total fresh of Iranian and Chinese strains weight (109.60 and 127.66 g, respectively) obtained in the combined PWC + WB (70:30) substrate enriched with manganese sulfate. The highest amount of total ganoderic acids in fruiting organs in both strains (0.52 and 0.42 μg/mg dry matter) is achieved using a combined PWC + SM (70:30) enriched with manganese sulfate.

Nutritional evaluation of cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus, meal as fish meal substitute for olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, juveniles

AbstractAn 8‐week feeding trial was designed to evaluate the potential of cricket meal, Gryllus bimaculatus, as a locally available unconventional source of protein in a practical diet for olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Three hundred juvenile fish (Initial weight, 33.5 ± 0.01 g) were randomly distributed into five dietary groups in triplicates (20 fish per tank) and each group was hand‐fed one of the experimental diets containing graded level of a cricket meal (CR) replacing 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80% of fish meal (FM) protein (designated as CR0, CR20, CR40, CR60, and CR80). Although replacing more than 40% of dietary FM protein resulted in lower growth rates and feed utilization efficiency, juvenile flounders fed the highest level of dietary CR (CR80) still performed as well as control group (CR0). Replacing more than 20% of FM with CR markedly reduced apparent nutrient digestibility in fish. Plasma total cholesterol concentration showed decreasing trend with increasing inclusion levels of CR in the diet. Whole body and fillet lipid content decreased with increasing levels of dietary CR. There was a remarkable enhancement in the levels of C18 fatty acids and reduction in the levels of n − 3 highly unsaturated fatty acids in the fillets of fish fed with the CR diets, which became more prominent with greater levels of dietary FM replacement. Antioxidant enzyme activities tended to increase with increasing dietary CR levels but gradually decreased when the replacement level exceeded 60%. Overall, the efficiency of CR as a promising substitute for FM in the flounder diets has been confirmed not only in relation to growth rates, but also in terms of immunopotency.

Response of Pituitary-Thyroid Axis to a Short-Term Shift in Deuterium Content in the Body.

We studied functional changes in rat pituitary-thyroid axis after a short-term shift in deuterium body content. Male Wistar rats consumed deuterium-enriched (500,000 ppm) or deuterium-depleted water (10 ppm) for 24 h. Rats of both experimental groups demonstrated elevated concentration of bound with transport proteins thyroxine and reduced level of thyroid-stimulating hormone in serum. No changes in the rate of thyroxine conversion to triiodothyronine were found. Thus, both the increase and reduction of deuterium body content produced similar changes in the function of the pituitary-thyroid axis with primary affection of the thyroid gland, indicative of its higher sensitivity to shift in deuterium levels.

Effects of three probiotic strains (Bacillus coagulans, B. licheniformis and Paenibacillus polymyxa) on growth, immune response, gut morphology and microbiota, and resistance against Vibrio harveyi of northern whitings, Sillago sihama Forsskál (1775)

The present study investigated the effects of three probiotic strains viz. Bacillus coagulans ATCC 7050 (BC), Bacillus licheniformis ATCC 11946 (BL), and Paenibacillus polymyxa ATCC 842 (PP) on growth, immune response and antioxidant enzyme activities, intestinal microbiota, and resistance against isolated Vibrio harveyi HY99 in juvenile northern whiting fish, Sillago sihama. Three hundred and sixty juvenile S. sihama fish (initial weight 0.67 ± 0.002 g) stocked in 12 fiberglass tanks were fed with basal diet void of probiotic inclusion (control, B0), and BC, BL, and PP at 1012 CFU kg−1 feed. After the 56-day experimental period, regardless of the probiotic strain used, there were significant increase (P < 0.05) in the survival rate, final weight, weight gain rate, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, hepatosomatic index, viscerosomatic index; crude protein, crude lipid content in the whole body; superoxide dismutase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, glutathione peroxidase levels in the liver and a significant decrease in the feed conversion ratio; aspartate aminotransaminase, alanine aminotransaminase, malondialdehyde levels in the liver (P < 0.05) of the probiotic treated group than the untreated. Congruently, a significantly high (P < 0.05) intestinal villi height, villi width, crypt depth, and muscle thickness, were detected in the probiotic treated groups than the control with the PP group experiencing the highest. Probiotics’ supplementations in diets also revealed a significantly high (P < 0.05) relative abundance of Proteobacteria than the control group contrast to as observed in Firmicutes. Additionally, the PP and BL groups were found to have a significant (P < 0.05) increase in Bacteroidetes and Gemmatimonadetes abundance than the BC and B0 groups. At the genus level, all fish supplemented with probiotic diet had a significantly (P < 0.05) lower abundance of some purportedly pathogenic genera such as Enterovibrio and Shewanella as well as significantly (P < 0.05) higher abundance of purportedly beneficial genera such as Ruegeria, Phyllobacterium, Sphingomonas, and Lactobacillus. Challenge with V. harveyi in a 14-day study revealed highly significant (P < 0.05) protection of probiotic groups than the control; thus, the B0, BC, BL, and PP groups obtained 78 %, 58 %, 53 %, and 43 % cumulative mortality, respectively. Collectively, these results suggest that dietary supplementation of probiotics viz. BC, BL, and PP at 1012 CFU kg−1 feed exert positive effects; however, PP at a similar dosage is recommended due to its highest improvement in the growth, immune response, antioxidant activities, intestinal health, and disease resistance against V. harveyi.

Biocompatible Platinum Nanoclusters Prepared Using Bitter Gourd Polysaccharide for Colorimetric Detection of Ascorbic Acid.

Ascorbic acid is an organic compound with antioxidant properties that can protect the human body from the threat of free radicals. Therefore, it is important to detect the existence and measure the concentration of ascorbic acid to regulate its content in the human body. In this work, we prepared bitter gourd polysaccharide (BGP)-stabilized platinum nanoclusters (Pt-BGP NCs) by reacting BGP with K2PtCl4. Pt-BGP NCs and catalyzed the decomposition of H2O2 to generate •OH radicals, which could oxidize TMB to form oxidized TMB (oxTMB), indicating their peroxidase-like properties. The kinetics followed the Michaelis–Menten equation. Furthermore, the colorimetric detection of ascorbic acid using Pt-BGP NCs showed high selectivity and a low detection limit of 0.191 μM. The accuracy of real sample detection using Pt-BGP NCs was as high as 98.9%. More importantly, Pt-BGP NCs had high cell biocompatibility and extremely low hemolysis rate due to the component of BGP. In summary, the prepared Pt-BGP NCs with reductive activity and good biocompatibility have good application prospects in colorimetric detection of ascorbic acid.

Effects of dietary rapeseed meal levels on growth performance, biochemical indices and flesh quality of juvenile genetically improved farmed tilapia

An 8 week feeding study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary rapeseed meal levels on growth, serum biochemical indices and flesh quality of juvenile genetically improved farmed tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (GIFT) (initial body weight 26.81 g). Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets (Diets RM1, RM2, RM3, RM4 and RM5) were formulated containing 0%, 11.6 %, 23.2 %, 34.8 % and 46.4 % of rapeseed meal, respectively. The values for weight gain, specific growth rates and feed efficiency of fish fed with RM4 and RM5 diets were significantly lower than those of fish fed with other diets. Fish fed with RM4 and RM5 diets had significantly lower serum alkaline phosphatase activity and total protein content than those fed with RM1 diet. The highest serum triglyceride concentration was observed in fish fed with RM5 diet. Dietary treatments had no significant influence on whole body and muscle moisture, crude protein, and ash contents. However, crude lipid content in the whole body and muscle of fish fed with RM4 and RM5 diets was significantly higher than that of fish fed with other diets. Lysine concentrations in the muscle decreased with increasing levels of RM. Similar trends were observed in hardness, cohesiveness, chewiness and springiness of fish. Broken-line analysis revealed that the appropriate dietary RM supplementation level of GIFT is 22.08 % based on weight gain.

A 2-Hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde Schiff Base for Turn-on Fluorescence Detection of Zn2+ Based on PET Mechanism.

Zinc ion is closely related to human health. Its content in human body is small, while the effect is large. However, it is not the more the better, must be in a scientific balance. Therefore, it is significant to the rapid detection of Zn2+ in the environment and organism. Herein, a fluorescent probe based on 2-hydroxy-1-naphthalene formaldehyde and furan-2-carbohydrazide was conveniently synthesized via Schiff base reaction. And this probe has been successfully applied to the accurate and quantitative detection of Zn2+ in real samples, showing turn on fluorescence, good selectivity, very low detection limit, real time response and reusability. In addition, this probe has the potential application to trace Zn2+ in living cells with low cytotoxicity.

Effect of various commercial diets on rearing performance, body chemical and fatty acid composition, liver histology and vertebral column anomalies in Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) post-larvae

The effects of three commercial diets (AF PE and PP) that differed in nutritional value on growth, cannibalism and survival in Eurasian perch post-larvae were performed. Of the feeds used, the PE feed contained a lower level of crude protein and a higher level of crude fat with a higher level of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and a lower level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) than the AF and PP feeds. Additionally, chemical composition, including the fatty acid (FAs) content of perch body, liver histology and vertebral column anomalies relative to tested diets were analysed. It was shown that the two-month perch fed by diet with the highest fat content and the lowest protein content (PE) achieved significantly higher weight and body length. During the experiment, a relatively higher survival was obtained in perch groups fed with PE and PP feeds. Significantly lower type II intra-cohort cannibalism in perch fed with two diets (PE and PP) was observed, which probably resulted from better assimilation and, consequently, a sense of greater satiety in fish (PE diet) and faster perception by perch of its presence in the experimental system (PP diet). Moreover, the increase in type II cannibalism in perch fed with the AF diet could be due to the poorer palatability of this feed (understood in terms of its availability). The results of our study confirmed the hypothesis that the level of fat in the body of fish depended on the level of crude fat from feed used; however, it was also found that the fatty acid composition of the perch body was irrespective of the content of FAs in the diet used. Our data suggest that differences in the level of proximate and FAs compositions in tested commercial diets do not affect the histological structure of the liver and the prevalence of skeletal malformation in Eurasian perch post-larvae.

Case teaching note: Designing a multiple sting, digitally focussed, marketing communications campaign plan for Cirque du Soleil’s next London show. Group role play seminar activity.

This armchair created case is based on the events marketing challenge of selling a perishable service, seats for a Cirque du Soleil winter show series, located temporarily at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall venue. A real-world advertising agency client campaign brief format is used as the core case body content to provide a concise and rich problem statement. Preparing initially individually and then working in small groups, students are invited to address the campaign brief, building a digitally focussed, integrated marketing communications plan. Students are required to use their marketing knowledge of the RACE and AIDA frameworks, tentpole and content marketing and to apply their understanding of personas and segmentation. The role play format also offers the opportunity for students to reflect on their team working skills.

Effect of Seasonal Fluctuations on the Nutrient Content of Whole Body of Callinectes pallidus

Due to the effect of species, age, sex, environment and season on the nutrientcomposition of seafood, the effect of seasonal fluctuations on the nutrient content of whole body of Callinectes pallidus caught during dry and wet seasonswas investigated.The proximate composition of the whole body of Callinectes pallidus caught in the month of February (dry season) and June (rainy season)was determined using standard methods, the fatty acid composition was analysed using Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrophotometer and the amino acid composition was analyzed using Amino Acid Analyzer. Parameters such as crude fat, ash content and carbohydrateshowed significant difference (p&lt;0.05) between Callinectes pallidus caught in February and Junewhile moisture content, crude protein and crude fibreshowed no significant difference (p&lt;0.05). The percentage eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for C. pallidus caught in June (18.47%, 10.53%) was higher than those caught in February (11.21%, 6.90%) while the n-6/n-3 ratio of C. pallidus caught in February (1.07) was higher than those caught in June (0.71). Glutamic acid had the highest concentration of non-essential amino acid in C. pallidus caught in both seasons while leucine had the highest concentration of essential amino acids. This study showed that C. pallidus caught in wet season had higher crude protein content, polyunsaturated fatty acids and essential amino acids than C. pallidus caught in dry season.

Effect of Cinnamon Leaves (Cinnamomun burmannii) Extract in the Diet on Growth Performances and Survival Rate of Milkfiish (Chanos chanos) Juveniles

One of the problems that often occur in milkfish farmers is the inadequate use of diet protein for growth. Due tu a larger proportion of diet protein is utilized as energy by fish. Cinnamomun leaves extract (C. burmannii) contains the active ingredients of polyphenol and synnamaldehyde compounds which are thought to threaten body contents from diet fats and carbohydrates. So that diet fats and carbohydrates are expected to be used more efficiently as a substitute for diet protein energy. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of polyphenol and synnamaldehyde compounds in cinnamomun (C. burmannii) leaves extract to increase the growth and survival of milkfish (C. chanos). The study consisted of four treatments, namely A (0 g/kg diet), B (0.5 g/kg diet), C (1 g / kg diet), and D (2 g/kg diet) the treatment was repeated three times. The results showed that the additions of cinnamomun leaves extract in the diet at different doses had a significant effect (P &lt;0,05) on the level of diet consumption, efisiency diet utilizen, protein efficiency ratio, and relative growth rate, but the same (P &gt;0,05) for the survival rate. Treatment B (0.5 g/kg diet) gave the highest results for level of diet consumption, efisiency diet utilizen, protein efficiency ratio, and relative growth rate, wich are 77.18 ± 1.41 g, 47.32 ± 10.32%, 1.18 ± 0.26%, and 0.95 ± 0.26%. Based on the results obtained, the best dose of cinnamomun leaves extract (C. burmannii) is 0.5 g/kg diet. Keyword: Cinnamomun Leaves, Extract, Growth., Survival Rate, Milkfish, Juvenille

Limnology and Rotifer Fauna of Khushalsar lake,Kashmir

Kashmir traditionally known as heaven on earth for its beauty is gifted with water resources comprising rivers, lakes, streams and springs. Lakes provide a multitude of uses and are prime regions of human settlement and habitat. One such water body is Khushalsar Lake located in the downtown area of Srinagar city. It is noticed that Khushalsar at present has fallen victim to extensive encroachment, garbage dumping and the release of untreated sewage. Taking the pathetic condition of this lake and dynamic nature of water bodies in general into consideration this study was taken up to analyse the different physicochemical parameters and the rotifer abundance of this water body since rotifers are considered to be important indicators of trophic conditions of any aquatic habitat. The data collected was analysed using standard tools, statistical software’s SPSS (version 20) and PAST3. Nutrient content of this water body was found to be high and only sixteen species of Rotifera were observed. Statistically different physico-chemical parameters were compared at inlet, middle and outlet of the study lake. Only few parameters showed significant differences. Shannon-Wiener index of rotifer signifies the water body to be moderately diverse as the values lies below 5.00 while as values of Simpson diversity index indicate accelerated eutrophication.

Effects of different ratios of crude protein and non-fibrous carbohydrates on growth, metabolism, physiology, nutrient utilization and muscle cellularity of Lophiosilurus alexandri, a carnivorous freshwater fish

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of different ratios of crude protein/non-fibrous carbohydrates (CP/NFC) on growth, metabolism, physiology, nutrient utilization efficiency and muscle cellularity of juvenile Lophiosilurus alexandri. Treatments consisted of isoenergetic diets (4500 kcal/kg) with CP/NFC ratios of 0.78; 1.02; 1.26 and 1.60, delivered for 75 days. Polynomial regression analysis showed that the different CP/NFC ratios affected weight gain and specific growth rate with estimated maximum values of 1.27 and 1.25, respectively. Feed conversion rate and the hepatosomatic index had minimum values with CP/NFC ratios of 1.33 and 1.02, respectively. Muscle and liver glycogen levels were maximized with CP/NFC content of 0.87 and 1.26, respectively. The CP/NFC ratio of 1.20 maximized the deposition of lipids in the muscle while that of 1.11 maximized the concentration of total soluble proteins in the same tissue. Plasma total cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol and triglycerides increased linearly with increasing dietary CP/NFC ratio. Ratios estimated at 0.99, 0.94, 0.93 and 0.98 minimize the concentrations of HDL, total protein, alanine aminotransferase and creatinine in fish plasma, respectively. Nucleus diameter of hepatocytes increased linearly with increasing dietary CP/NFC ratio, while percentage of liver tissue nuclei decreased linearly. Hypertrophic muscle fibers were influenced by diets with the estimated ratio of 1.21 CP/NFC maximizing the occurrence of these fibers. Fish body crude protein increased linearly with increasing CP/NFC ratios in the diet. Fish body content of mineral matter, total phosphorus and visceral fat were minimized with the ratios of 1.34, 1.38 and 1.12, respectively. There were no effects of CP/NFC ratios on the viscerosomatic index, feed intake, carcass yield, the enzymes aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase, percentages of cytoplasmic and capillary sinusoids in liver tissue, and body dry matter, crude energy, total lipids, viscera dry matter. It is concluded that diets containing CP/NFC within 1.11–1.33 improve productive performance and nutrient use efficiency of fish. The different CP/NFC ratios also interfere with some plasma and metabolic variables that, associated with performance results, indicate a better physiological state of juvenile L. alexandri with an initial average weight of 30 g.