Fresh Animals Research Articles

Loss of photoluminescence in wet-preserved rat and bandicoot specimens

ABSTRACT Museum specimens have been used as a convenient alternative to live or fresh animals in an increasing number of studies on fur photoluminescence. Although effects of chemical preservation on specimens have been noted, they have not been experimentally tested. I used a series of experiments to answer whether fixation and wet preservation, or tanning, alters the expression of fur photoluminescence in museum specimens. The photoluminescence of northern brown bandicoot, Isoodon macrourus, fur survived initial fixation, but the photoluminescence of both bandicoot and laboratory rat, Rattus norvegicus, fur was severely compromised by longer-term preservation in ethanol. Both chemical and alum tanning eliminated the blue-white photoluminescence of rat fur, but not the pink photoluminescence of bandicoot fur. The results of these small-scale tests indicate that museum-based studies using wet-preserved specimens are likely to be an underestimate of natural photoluminescence in live animals.

2D Collagen Membranes from Marine Demosponge Chondrosia reniformis (Nardo, 1847) for Skin-Regenerative Medicine Applications: An In Vitro Evaluation.

Research in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine has an ever-increasing need for innovative biomaterials suitable for the production of wound-dressing devices and artificial skin-like substitutes. Marine collagen is one of the most promising biomaterials for the production of such devices. In this study, for the first time, 2D collagen membranes (2D-CMs) created from the extracellular matrix extract of the marine demosponge Chondrosia reniformis have been evaluated in vitro as possible tools for wound healing. Fibrillar collagen was extracted from a pool of fresh animals and used for the creation of 2D-CMs, in which permeability to water, proteins, and bacteria, and cellular response in the L929 fibroblast cell line were evaluated. The biodegradability of the 2D-CMs was also assessed by following their degradation in PBS and collagenase solutions for up to 21 days. Results showed that C. reniformis-derived membranes avoided liquid and protein loss in the regeneration region and also functioned as a strong barrier against bacteria infiltration into a wound. Gene expression analyses on fibroblasts stated that their interaction with 2D-CMs is able to improve fibronectin production without interfering with the regular extracellular matrix remodeling processes. These findings, combined with the high extraction yield of fibrillar collagen obtained from C. reniformis with a solvent-free approach, underline how important further studies on the aquaculture of this sponge could be for the sustainable production and biotechnological exploitation of this potentially promising and peculiar biopolymer of marine origin.

Ag+-doped boron quantum dots with enhanced stability and fluorescence enabling versatile practicality in visual detection, sensing, imaging and photocatalytic degradation

In this work, a metal-doping strategy was put forward to construct metal-doped borophene and the corresponding zero-dimensional boron. Through theoretical calculations, Ag+ acts as the optimal metal ions to prepare Ag+-doped borophene derived boron quantum dots (Ag-BQDs). As predicted theoretically, doping of Ag+ endows borophene with enhanced stability of electronic structures. The newly emerging Ag-BQDs were experimentally acquired from ultrasonic-assisted liquid-phase exfoliation of bulk boron and solvothermal treatments. According to theoretical and experimental studies, the improved stability and fluorescence (FL) of Ag-BQDs are due to the formation of strong B-Ag bonding to competitively suppress B-O bonding. The function enables the maximal protection of borophene electronic structures from oxidization, destruction and reconfiguration. Because of Ag-BQDs with relatively higher colloidal and FL stability over BQDs, potential applications of Ag-BQDs were further explored in promising fields toward FL visualization in aqueous solutions and on filter paper, employed as a chemosensor of Fe3+ for FL sensing and visual detection at the solid/liquid phases, utilized for multiple FL bio-imaging at the levels of fresh plants, live animals and live cells of fresh plants, and applied to photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes and anticancer drug. Experimental results demonstrate excellent performances of Ag-BQDs in multiple applications, including versatile FL sensing and visual detection, unique multi-channel FL bio-imaging and visible-light-driven photodegradation of organic pollutants, toxic and harmful substances. This work can promote the development of metal-ion-doped low- dimensional nanomaterials with improved stability and FL properties for significant applications.

DAMPAK COVID -19 TERHADAP PENERAPAN PENDIDIKAN KARAKTER DAN PENDIDIKAN ISLAM

ABSTRACTThe spreading of a new corona virus named Covid-19 has caused so many death tolls to almost all countries in the world. Researchers suspect that this virus originated from the traditional market in China's Wuhan City selling a wide variety of fresh wet animals traded for consumption, including bats and pangolins which ultimately transmit the virus to humans. The World Health Organization has confirmed that Covid-19 transmission through droplets or sparks from infected people through talking, sneezing or coughing. With such causes, world governments recommend and even order the citizens to always maintain health and hygiene by washing hands, wearing masks, and covering mouths when sneezing or coughing. While in Islam, there are also procedures for behaving to maintain health and cleanliness. This literature study used qualitative method to examine the relevance of the global pandemic to the Islamic character education. This study then found that the influence of Covid-19 on the application of character education and Islamic education. This conclusion could be seen from the factors that influence the majority of characters carried out during the Covid-19 plague including instincts, habits, wills and conscience.Keywords: Application, Character Education, Covid-19, Islamic Education

Causes of Mortality of Northern Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) in Alaska From 2002 to 2012

Most of the world’s sea otters reside in Alaska, but there has never been an assessment of long-term mortality patterns for this keystone predator. We examined data collected from 780 northern sea otter (Enhydra lutris kenyoni)carcasses recovered in Alaska from 2002 to 2012 to evaluate the causes of mortality and risk factors associated with death. A smaller group (n= 144, 18%) of fresh non-frozen carcasses were included in a more detailed mortality analysis. Forty-four% of the fresh dead otters were determined to have died from infectious endocarditis, meningoencephalitis, and/or septicemia due to systemic streptococcosis (“Strepsyndrome”).Streptococcus lutetiensis, a member of theStreptococcus bovis/equinus(SB/E) group was most commonly isolated, although other members of the SB/E group were identified. There were fewer cases whereS. phocaeand other streptococci were isolated. A regression analysis revealed age and location risk factors forStrepsyndrome. Subadults were the highest risk age group, and otters recovered from the Kachemak Bay region were 3.6 times (95% CI: 2.2–5.9) more likely to die fromStrepsyndrome than otters recovered elsewhere. Diagnosis of thisStrepsyndrome had not been reported in other marine mammals in Alaska. Sporadic cases of septicemia and infectious endocarditis due toS. lutetiensishave been seen in the southern sea otter population in California. Other causes of death for the fresh otters included neurologic diseases (10%), trauma (8%), nutritional diseases (7%), cardiovascular diseases (7%), gastrointestinal diseases /parasites (6%), undetermined (5%), septicemia (3%), and neoplasia (3%). All other causes of death (oiling, hepatobiliary, fungal, marine biotoxins, pulmonary) were at or below 1%. Twenty percent of fresh animals were positive for phocine distemper virus (PDV) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR, 11/55), 18% seropositive for PDV (7/38), and paramyxovirus-like particles were demonstrated by electron microscopy within inclusion bodies from one animal. Low concentrations of the harmful algal bloom toxins domoic acid and saxitoxin were also detected in 26% and 22% of fresh animals, respectively. Protozoal disease was rare. These patterns of disease differ from sea otters in other regions and possible reasons are discussed.

First report of an idiopathic partial tail myonecrosis in European brown shrimp Crangon crangon caught in the North Sea.

The European brown shrimp Crangon crangon is an abundant and commercially important species in the North Sea. Currently, there is interest in landing live shrimp to provide fresh animals for a growing market in live brown shrimp. During 4 survival studies between 2014 and 2016, shrimp were collected from commercial trawlers and maintained alive in off-shore facilities. From Day 1 onwards, a minority of shrimp (~2.24%) developed a white discoloration of the abdominal muscles and a depigmentation of the distal part of the abdomen, along with paralysis of the affected tissues and appendages. As the symptoms progressed, a circumferential blackish delineation appeared, creating a distinct boundary between healthy and necrotic tissue. Affected shrimp survived up to 3 wk, although in several animals the distal part of the tail was completely lost. Histological and electron microscopical examination confirmed the myonecrosis. A secondary bacterial invasion of the necrotic muscle was observed in some animals. RT-PCR for infectious myonecrosis virus was negative. The condition appears not to be contagious, based on the feeding of healthy shrimp with necrotic tissue of affected shrimp. Based on these observations, a mechanical cause inflicted during the catching process is proposed.

Markers for Global Climate Change and Its Impact on Social, Biological and Ecological Systems: A Review

Present article sketches out major climate induced changes in marine, aquatic and terrestrial life. Few important biomarkers such as ecological, meteorological, socioeconomic, thermal, biophysical and biological, behavioral markers of climate change and global environmental stress have been highlighted to predict the future challenges and finding appropriate solutions. Though, so many climate change induced effects are visible but few unpredictable effects may be seen in future. Therefore, all such effects have been acknowledged, and tried to find appropriate solutions. Most visible effect is collection of high amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which is responsible for green house effect and causing natural calamities round the globe. It is not only jeopardized the survival of terrestrial, fresh water animals mainly planktons, bottom dwellers; coral reefs, algae, fish fauna in marine environment belong to different taxon but also responsible for disruption of ocean’s food web due to non-assimilation of extra carbon dioxide by the ocean water. There is a sharp decline in fresh water and sea shore micro-flora and micro-fauna. Other major visible effects are loss of biodiversity, depletion of forests, land degradation, severe floods and draughts. On other hand sudden changes in weather conditions causing irreparable devastations due to hurricanes and typhoons, storms, lightening, earthquakes and tsunamis are normally on rise. Both economic and ecological breakdowns are occurring more frequently which are more impactful and persistent. Climate change is major human health stressor; it is making fragmentation of socio-cultural bonds and reducing fertility of soil finally crop production. Climate change is imposing non-adaptive forced human migration, territorial conflicts, decreasing ecosystem productivity, disease out breaks, and impelling unequal resource utilization.

ОКСИДАНТНЫЙ СТРЕСС В ОРГАНИЗМЕ КОРОВ И ПЕРВОТЕЛОК В ПАТОГЕНЕЗЕ МЕТРИТА В РАННИЙ ПОСЛЕРОДОВОЙ ПЕРИОД

The data established in the course of this work reveal the pathogenesis of metritis in fresh cows and first-calf heifers in the early puerperal period against the background of oxidative stress, in farms of various organizational and legal forms of ownership of the Volgograd, Saratov regions and the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation. The use of indicators of the system "lipid peroxidation - antioxidant protection" (LPO-AOD) for the diagnosis of metritis in fresh cows and first-calf heifers has a high predictive reliability and, on this basis, the development of preventive measures for acute inflammation of the uterus. It was revealed that the increase in the amount of β-hydroxybutyric acids and their fractions (AcAc and BH) by 5.9 times, as well as mixing the content of buffer bases in the blood to 18.41 ± 1.53 mmol / L, glucose to 2.25 ± 0 , 16 mmol / l and the VL / AcAc index up to 1.53 ± 0.28 indicate abnormalities in metabolic metabolism characteristic of oxidative stress, with symptoms of postpartum acute metritis. It was confirmed that a 1.75-fold increase in the amount of manol dialdigide in this disease up to 1.125 ± 0.34 μmol / l, intermediate products of ketodienes, as well as conjugated trienes in the blood of fresh animals. Acute postpartum metritis in first-calf heifers and fresh-calf cows leads metabolic processes to a negative balance, increased release of estradiol and testosterone into the blood. Meanwhile, the content of cortisol (21.4 ± 3.47 ng / ml), as well as progesterone (11.2 ± 4.31 ng / ml) remains rather insignificant to ensure metabolic processes in the early pueperal period, which is associated with the completion of in the genitals of involutional processes. At the same time, the indicator of the ratio of progesterone to estradiol is significantly lower in heifers and cows with uterine disease in the primary postpartum period than in animals with its physiological course ranging from 1.8 to 2.2 times. The materials of the current work should be taken into account in the future, in the study of fresh cows and first-calf heifers suffering from acute postpartum metritis, as a concept for the development of the oxidative stress syndrome in such a pathology of metabolic processes.

Prevalence of microplastics in animal-based traditional medicinal materials: Widespread pollution in terrestrial environments

Microplastics (MPs) pollution is an emerging environmental and health concern. MPs have been extensively observed in the aquatic environment, yet rarely investigated in the terrestrial ecosystem, especially in relation to health risks. To evaluate potential MPs pollution in land-dwelling animal medicine materials, we collected 20 types of small animal-based medicinal materials and 10 types of available fresh terrestrial animals from eight different regions in China. MPs were found in all medicinal materials with an average incidence rate of 94.67%. The abundance of MPs was in the range of 1.80 ± 0.38 to 7.80 ± 0.83 items/individual or 1.59 ± 0.33 to 43.56 ± 9.22 items/g (dry weight), with polymer distribution by polyethylene terephthalate (40.45%), rayon (30.64%), polyethylene (10.11%), nylon (7.35%), polypropylene (5.93%), and polyvinyl chloride (5.52%). The majority of MPs were microfibers (84.68%), with 15.32% of fragments. Moreover, MPs were directly observed in the intestine, detected in all ten types of fresh medicinal animals with the abundance of 0.83 ± 0.35 to 3.42 ± 0.46 items/individual. Furthermore, significant positive correlations (R: 0.32–0.99, p < 0.05) of MPs characteristics were found between medicinal materials and fresh animals, including shape, size, color, and polymer distribution of MPs. The results support that MPs in the medicinal materials were likely derived from living animals. This study demonstrates the prevalence of MPs in animal-based, traditional medicinal materials, and also suggests widespread MPs pollution in terrestrial environments and latent health risks.

Modulation of Doxorubicin Intracellular Accumulation and Anticancer Activity by Triterpene Glycoside Cucumarioside A2-2.

The effect of treatment of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells with multidrug resistance by holothurian triterpene glycoside, cucumarioside A2-2 (CA2-2) was evaluated. Calcein-AM efflux assay and doxorubicin (DOX) uptake and retention measurement in cancer cells, as well as determination of DOX cytotoxic and anticancer effects were applied. Treatment of EAC cells with CA2-2 (0.01–0.1 μM) blocked Calcein-AM and DOX efflux from cancer cells and increased the accumulation and cytotoxicity of DOX in EAC cells. Moreover, pre-treatment of mice with EAC by CA2-2 (10 μg/kg/5 days, intraperitoneal injection (i.p.)), then transplantation of tumor cells into fresh animals and subsequent treatment of these mice with DOX (2 mg/kg/3 days i.p.) significantly increased average life span (ALS) of mice bearing a tumor and therefore boosted the antitumor effect of doxorubicin in vivo.

Hematological status of newly‐calved cows with mineral metabolism disturbance

In many livestock farms in Russia there is a problem of correct balancing rations by the major mineral elements. Mineral metabolism disturbance are accompanied by various pathologies from all body systems, including the reproduction function. Timely conducting clinical examination, including hematological examination of all groups of animals allows to prevent the development of negative conditions in the body of cows associated with impaired mineral metabolism. During 2018, 74 blood samples obtained from newly‐calved cows were investigated. All the animals had various signs of mineral failure ‐ lordosis of the lumbar spine, osteomalacia of the caudal vertebrae and the last pair of ribs, weakness of the ligaments of the finger joints. With biochemical research of serum determined that the concentration of total protein averaged 90.7 ± 5.9 g/l, albumin −27.3 ± 3.7 g/l, globulin −61.4 ± 3.2 g/l, which indicates hypoproteinemia with dysproteinemia, with the concentration urea increased to 9.5 ± 0.4 mmol/l. The alkaline phosphatase level in fresh cows was 122.1 ± 11.1 IU/l, AST activity was 130.8 ± 5.6 IU/l, and ALT −34.7 ± 3.9 IU/l. The concentration of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood of the studied animals were quite high and amounted to 8.7 ± 0.3 mmol/l and 0.29 ± 0.06 mmol/l, accordingly, indicating a violation of lipid metabolism. Ca : P ratio in the cows' blood was disturbed and was often 2: 1.9. The amount of total calcium in the blood was at the level of 2.25 ± 0.03 mmol/l, and of phosphorus −2.09 ± 0.03 mmol/l. During the morphological research, it was determined that the number of red blood cells in cows was lower than the reference values and amounted to 4.3 ± 0.4 * 10^6 /μL, the hemoglobin concentration was 84.0 ± 4.8 g /l, anemia was observed in erythropenia and hypochromemia. Also, in cows with signs of impaired mineral metabolism in the postpartum period, a decrease in hematocrit to 29.0 ± 0.5% was observed. The number of white blood cells was within the reference values and was 9.7 ± 0.5 *10^9/l. In the analysis of leukograms, neutrophilia was identified with the appearance of young cell forms, which suggests a possible course of the inflammatory process. Thus, it can be concluded that carrying out timely medical examination of fresh animals in violation of mineral metabolism will allow to assess the prospects for further use of cows and, taking the necessary measures, to extend their productive longevity.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Could dreissenid veligers be the lost biomass of invaded lakes?

The ecological effects of invading adult zebra and quagga mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena bugensis, respectively) are well-documented worldwide, but the ecology and fate of their veliger larvae are poorly understood. We addressed potential errors encountered when estimating veliger biomass. Faced with uncertainty surrounding an established length–mass relationship for veligers, we developed a new dry mass relationship that works for both fresh and formalin-preserved animals. We used this new equation to estimate that veliger dry biomass averaged 74 ± 0.6% of the values obtained from the established equation. Therefore, researchers who assumed the established equation yielded wet mass and applied correction factors of 10 to 50% would have underestimated biomass. Use of coarse-mesh nets also leads to underestimates of biomass. We found that 153-µm-mesh nets captured only 3 to 27% of individuals, or 10 to 66% of veliger biomass captured in 64-μm-mesh nets. We also examined temporal trends, seasonality, and relative contribution of veliger larvae to total zooplankton biomass at several Laurentian Great Lake long-term monitoring sites in Ontario, Canada. Based on the new equation, veliger biomass generally increased from 2008 to 2014, with May to October means of 1 to 27 mg/m3 in Lake Ontario, Georgian Bay, and Lake Erie, or up to 39% of total zooplankton biomass. Veligers were present for most of the sampling season, but abundance peaked in August and September. In contrast, crustacean biomass has declined markedly in Lake Ontario since the 1990s. Given their dominance across many sites, accurate depiction of veliger dry mass may partially offset the observed losses in crustacean biomass to the pelagic food web following P control and the dreissenid invasion of the Great Lakes.

Sperm count of Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller, 1862) populations with distinct life histories, with introduction of a simple counting method

Sperm count is an important quality assessment tool in farming programs and stock improvement in crustaceans. However, this procedure is still little used in caridean shrimps and standardization of appropriate techniques for the group is lacking. In this study, we propose a simple protocol adapted to determine sperm count in carideans using as model the Amazon River prawn Macrobrachium amazonicum. Males of dominant morphotypes (GC1 and GC2) of this species with amphidromous and hololimnetic life cycles were collected and carefully dissected. The ejaculatory duct was removed from the vas deferens and dissociated in a solution of distilled water (9μl) and methylene blue (1μl). Subsequently, 1μl of this new solution was added to distilled water (9μl), and then 1μl was pipetted and quantified in a Neubauer chamber. The feasibility of this technique was also evaluated in animals preserved (5–480days) in 70% ethanol from collections and the structural morphology of spermatozoa (spz) was examined. Despite morphometric differences observed between different types of males, the mean sperm count was similar for the species. In amphidromous animals, 60,258spz/μl were registered for GC1 and 65,308spz/μl for GC2, while in hololimnetic prawns, 48,950spz/μl were registered in GC1 and 53,850spz/μl in GC2. The variation in sperm count among animals preserved for different periods of time was small and very similar to those of fresh animals. Also, no microscopic changes in the structures of spz were observed. This technique can be applied to obtain a spermiogram in fresh as well as preserved animals, being especially important in studies with animals examined in population studies and deposited in collections or laboratories. This protocol can be used as a general model for spermiogram in caridean shrimps due to the great similarity of male reproductive systems within the group.

Compositional Discrimination of Decompression and Decomposition Gas Bubbles in Bycaught Seals and Dolphins

Gas bubbles in marine mammals entangled and drowned in gillnets have been previously described by computed tomography, gross examination and histopathology. The absence of bacteria or autolytic changes in the tissues of those animals suggested that the gas was produced peri- or post-mortem by a fast decompression, probably by quickly hauling animals entangled in the net at depth to the surface. Gas composition analysis and gas scoring are two new diagnostic tools available to distinguish gas embolisms from putrefaction gases. With this goal, these methods have been successfully applied to pathological studies of marine mammals. In this study, we characterized the flux and composition of the gas bubbles from bycaught marine mammals in anchored sink gillnets and bottom otter trawls. We compared these data with marine mammals stranded on Cape Cod, MA, USA. Fresh animals or with moderate decomposition (decomposition scores of 2 and 3) were prioritized. Results showed that bycaught animals presented with significantly higher gas scores than stranded animals. Gas composition analyses indicate that gas was formed by decompression, confirming the decompression hypothesis.

Endosymbiotic bacteria in the bivalve Loripes lacteus: Localization, characterization and aspects of symbiont regulation

Loripes lacteus inhabits reduced sediments in shallow waters and harbors chemotrophic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in its gills. In this study, a combination of molecular (16S rRNA analysis, real time PCR and fluorescence in-situ hybridization) and microscopy approaches (confocal and transmission electron microscopy) was used to characterize this symbiotic association and evaluate factors potentially involved in endosymbiont acquisition and regulation. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed the presence of two phylotypes of endobacteria specifically associated with clam gills. The more abundant phylotype is a close relative to thiotrophic symbionts found in several symbiotic Lucinidae, while the second phylotype clustered with bacteria not known to be involved in symbiotic association. Endobacteria were not detected in other organs including gonads strongly suggesting a horizontal mode of transmission of symbionts to aposymbiotic juveniles. Clams were exposed to 3weeks of starvation, which caused a significant decrease in the relative abundance of both phylotypes as compared to fresh animals suggesting a lytic degradation of endobacteria within clam gills. In addition, endosymbiont-depleted clams were not able to re-acquire their symbionts once moved back to “optimal” conditions. These results highlight the need for a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that mediate acquisition, regulation and control of endosymbiotic bacteria by L. lacteus.

Accumulation and distribution of 137Cs and 90Sr in the body of the wild boar (Sus scrofa) found on the territory with radioactive contamination

We studied the concentration and distribution of 137Cs and 90Sr in the bodies of 188 wild boar (Sus scrofa Linnaeus, 1758) taken near the Chernobyl site. Of these, 111 animals were taken in the Alienation Zone, 41 animals were taken in the Permanent Control Zone and 36 animals were taken in the Periodic Control Zone. The samples included muscle and bone (rib) tissues and samples of heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, spleen, genitals and skin. The weight of the samples was 0.5 kg fresh weigh. The average concentration of 137Cs in the muscles of the wild boar found in the Alienation Zone was 46 ± 10 kBq/kg, in the Permanent Control Zone – 13 ± 3.0 kBq/kg and in the Periodic Control Zone – 0.6 ± 0.1 kBq/kg. The largest concentration of 137Cs was detected in the muscle tissue and kidneys taken animals. In some samples of muscle tissue it reached more than 660 kBq/kg. The 137Cs concentrations were also high in heart and spleen up 64.3 kBq/kg and 67.5 kBq/kg – animals from the Alienation Zone and 10.3–10.6 kBq/kg – animals from the Permanent Control zone. The lowest concentration of 137Cs was found in the lungs and skin of animals. The analyses of 90Sr concentration in the organs and tissues of the wild boar showed that 90Sr was concentrated mainly in the bone tissue. The average level of 90Sr concentration in bone was 17.6 kBq/kg fresh weight animals from the Alienation Zone and 13.47 kBg/kg – animals from the Permanent Control zone. In muscle tissues and organs contained 90Sr – 30.0–110.0 Bq/kg in the Alienation Zone and 11.0–30.0 Bq/kg in the Permanent Control zone.

K+/Na+ in the animal extracellular fluid at weathering of granitoids and problem of the origin of life

Leaching of granitoids of the paleoproterozoic age was performed from several seconds to 360 days in water solutions (pH < 6.0) in the oxygen or argon medium. Under these conditions the entrance of K+ into the solution has been shown to occur at the higher rate than that of Na+. The obtained data are considered as evidence in favor of a possibility of the existence at the earlier stages of the Earth geologic history of water reservoirs with predominance of K+ over Na+. The K+/Na+ ratio exceeding 1 has been shown in prokaryotes, in cells and tissues of the free living and parasitic species of invertebrate and vertebrate animals. At the same time in the extracellular fluid of the fresh water, marine, and terrestrial animals, in which the Na+ concentration varies from 13 to 482 mmol/l, the K+/Na+ ratio is preserved at the level of 0.034 +/- 0.001. These results are discussed in connection with the problem of origin of protocells and of concentration ratios of monovalent cations in water phases of multicellular organisms.

Overview on actual status of world’s and Vietnam’s marine biodiversity

Based on recently published IUCN Red List 2008 and other current documents, an overview on the actual status of the marine biodiversity in the world and in Vietnam particularly is given in the paper. By continents, Asia is in first rank, having the greatest number of threatened wild animals (6,755 species), of which 663 inCritically Endangered (CR). America is in second rank (5,502 species), but with a high number of wild animals categorized as Extinct (EW, EX). Africa and Europe are continents having relatively low number of threatened wild animals, rest reactively 4,504 and 2,800 species, although number of animals in CriticallyEndangered category (552 species) and Extinct Category (241 species) are high in Africa. During a period, notso long, from 1990-2005. A remarkable increasing trend of threatened situation of the marine species diversityin the world as well as in Vietnam has been recorded. It was expressed not only on the increasing number ofthreatened species, but also on the threatened categories in different groups marine as well as fresh water animals. For first time, in the Vietnam Red List 2007, has recorded marine and freshwater animals categorized as extinct in the wild (EW). At the same time, a great number of marine animals (fishes, turtles,dugong and invertebrates) must be considered as in CR, EN categories. Hence, some actual problems of marine biodiversity conservation are given and discussed by the author in the paper.In comparison with land animals, in the past time, marine animals ware fewer to be evaluated threatened status. So that, justly to 2008 year, among 41. 500 assessed animals, only 1500 marine species has been evaluated and listed in IUCN Red List, including marine fishes, mammals, birds, corals turtles

Seasonal effects on water and osmotically-active ionic contents (Na+, K+ and Cl and #8211;) of skeletal muscles of the spiny-tailed lizard, Uromastix hardwickii

To assess the seasonal effects on water & osmotically-active ionic contents (Na+, K+ & Cl-) of skeletal muscles of the spiny-tailed lizard Uromastix hardwickii. Fresh animals (adults) of both the sexes were used in all the experiments, and the gastrocnemius (skeletal) muscles were dissected out, reptilian buffer solution was used to keep dissected muscles moist & use during experimentation. The muscle sample solutions were prepared by heating/drying and incinerating/ashing the muscle tissues, treating with acid and deionized water respectively. These samples were then used for the estimation of Na+, K+ & Cl- ions. The water content was found as percent wet muscle weight. The average mean values of water content and these osmotically active ionic contents were found to fall significantly(P

Chemical and biological characterization of a crude venom extract from the sea anemone-&lt;i&gt;Bunodosoma cavernata&lt;/i&gt;

Background: Sea-anemones, in common with other members of the phylum cnidaria (coelenterate) possess numerous tentacles containing specialized stinging cells of cnidocysts. Our main objective is to elucidate the chemical character and biological properties of this Nigerian species of sea anemone Bunodosoma cavernata with a view to providing investigators a scientific basis for future research. Methods: The Nigerian species of sea anemone-Bunodosoma cavernata were collected at Opuaduakiri fishing port in Bonny town, Rivers State, Nigeria. The animal extract was prepared according to standard procedure. The protein content of the extract and percentage protein in the whole animal were also estimated following standard methods. Other biochemical constituents of the animal estimated were the total lipids, carbohydrate, moisture and the mineral content. The stability of the extract and an arbitrary unit of biological activity of the extract were also determined. Results: From the results, the protein content of the crude extract was 0.5 mg protein/ml for a 10-fold diluted extract, while the percentage total protein was about 39.4%. The percentage lipid was about 14.9% while carbohydrate was probably absent. The moisture content was about 95.7% with about 3.4% mineral content. The extracts prepared from fresh animals showed the highest activity or potency while the freeze-dried extract lost their potency after about 6 months storage. The result showed that the bulk of the animal was water with very low mineral content. On the biochemical constituents, protein level was the highest and the animal was probably devoid of carbohydrates. Conclusion: We conclude that the anemone (B. cavernata) extract is probably highly toxic and it is very likely that the difficulty in storage which resulted in loss of its biological activities was due to the proteinaeceous nature of the animal. Keywords: Sea anemone, Biochemical constituents, Stability, ExtractsPort Harcourt Medical Journal Vol. 3 (1) 2008: pp. 15-26