HSI Values Research Articles

Effect of waterborne benomyl on the hematological and antioxidant parameters of the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

The present study was conducted to determine the 96 h-LC 50 of benomyl to the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus and to investigate the biochemical or hematological indices of blood and the alterations in the antioxidant enzymes of this fish in response to sublethal concentrations of benomyl. Fish weighing 71.61 ± 12.05 g were used in this study; they were subjected to fasting for 4 weeks before treatment. An aqueous solution of benomyl (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 mg L −1) was administered for 96 h to determine the LC 50. The 96 h-LC 50 value of benomyl was 4.39 (3.23–5.60) mg L −1 in the present study. For 5 weeks, the aqueous solution of benomyl (0, 100, 200, and 400 μg L −1) was administered to investigate its effect on the hematological parameters and antioxidant enzymes. The predominant hematological findings in fish exposed to benomyl were as follows: no significant change in the Hb (g dL −1) level, MCV (μm 3), MCH (pg) and MCHC (%) as compared to the control. Benomyl exposure led to greater increases in the GPT, GOT (Karmen-unit), LDH (Wroblewski unit), total cholesterol, Fe, and Ca (mg dL −1) values, whereas the levels of ALP (KA unit), total protein, triglyceride, albumin, and Mg (mg dL −1) did not increase. Benomyl increased the in vivo HSI (%), GST (nmol min −1 mg protein −1), and SOD (U mg protein −1) values in the fish livers in the test group, unlike those in the control group for 5 weeks. At concentrations higher than 100 μg L −1, benomyl affected the GST and SOD levels of Nile tilapia in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The present findings suggest that the in vivo hepatotoxicity associated with benomyl may, in part, result from the hematological index, and antioxidants may provide limited protection against benomyl toxicity.

A HABITAT SUITABILITY INDEX MODEL FOR THE EASTERN OYSTER (CRASSOSTREA VIRGINICA), A TOOL FOR RESTORATION OF THE CALOOSAHATCHEE ESTUARY, FLORIDA

A tool in the form of a habitat suitability index model (HSI) for the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, was adapted to evaluate and compare the effects of alternative restoration plans in southwest Florida. A component of a large forecasting model, this tool simulates system response by examining the impact of freshwater inputs into the system. The eastern oyster is a good indicator species for modeling because of its sedentary nature and its susceptibility to natural and artificial changes. In addition, oysters form a complex three-dimensional reef structure, which provides habitat and food for numerous species of fish and invertebrates. The model focuses on salinity, temperature, depth, substrate, and high flow frequency as the particular requirements to determine habitat suitability for the eastern oyster. A geographic information system (GIS) incorporates the oyster HSI model, which includes larval and adult components, to determine responses spatially and temporally to facilitate the decision making process. This paper evaluates four hydrologic and land use scenarios for the C-43 West Basin Reservoir Project. Model results indicate that the Preferred Flow scenario and the future conditions with the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan have higher HSI values then either the existing conditions or the future without the Comprehensive Everglades Plan.

モンゴル草原の土壌特性とＡＳＴＥＲデータの比較

The influence of soil condition in remote sensing data have not been clearly explained. Therefore, it is important to study the relationship between ground survey data and remote sensing data. Ground survey on soil condition such as topography, soil moisture, soil color and soil particle size were carried out in Mandal-GOBI, Mongolia on every August 1998 to 2002. The test area was covered by thin grass, the coverage ranges from 12% to 28%.Topographic survey was used kinematic GPS. Soil moisture was measured in 3cm depth by four-pin prove sensor. The measurement on ground surface was very difficult. Measured soil moisture ratio indicated 0.05 to 0.20 and topography was no related to the soil moisture. Soil color was measured by HSI value in digital camera images. The result showed soil color was almost same condition. Therefore, soil moisture and soil color was disregard in this study. Soil particle size was also measured by the digital camera images. Visual interpretation of the images was carried out to classify five categories of soil particle size.In this study, TERRA ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) image was compared with soil particle size. Firstly, ASTER image was geometrically rectified with topographic data by image matching. And topographic influence of the ASTER image was removed by logarithmic residuals method. The digital number in band 7 and band 8 had tendency to drop with large soil particle size. The digital number in Band 9 had tendency to rise with large soil particle size. Those tendencies were noticeable results in vegetated area. Therefore, vegetation condition should be discussed to understand the results.

Effects of dietary carbohydrate kind and level on growth, body composition and glycemic response of juvenile sunshine bass ( Morone chrysops ♀× M. saxatilis ♂)

The ability of juvenile sunshine bass to use different levels (20 and 40% of diet) and kinds (glucose, maltose, or dextrin) of dietary carbohydrate was evaluated in terms of growth indices, glycemic response, and liver and muscle composition. Six semipurified diets containing 35% crude protein and each of the carbohydrates at either 20 or 40% of diet were maintained isocaloric (3.2 kcal/g) by adjusting lipid to 11 or 2% of diet, respectively. Two basal diets containing no soluble (digestible) carbohydrate were also formulated at each of the lipid levels. Diets were fed for 7 weeks to fish in triplicate tanks (15 fish/tank) connected to a brackish water (5–7‰) recirculating system. Fish fed the 20/11 (% carbohydrate/% lipid) diets had significantly ( P<0.05) better feed and protein efficiencies and weight gain compared to those fed the 40/2 diets regardless of carbohydrate kind. However, fish fed diets containing dextrin and maltose had significantly better feed and protein efficiencies than those fed diets with glucose regardless of carbohydrate inclusion level. Moreover, fish fed the 20/11 diets containing glucose, maltose, and dextrin had significantly higher intraperitoneal fat (IPF) ratio (IPF weight×100/body weight) and lower muscle ratio (muscle weight×100/body weight) values due to the higher dietary lipid level. There was no significant difference in hepatosomatic index (HSI; liver weight×100/body weight) due to carbohydrate kind; however, those fish fed diets with soluble carbohydrate had significantly greater HSI values. The fish fed diets with soluble carbohydrates (regardless of kind) had more glycogen and less lipid, moisture, and protein in the liver than fish fed diets without soluble carbohydrates. After 7 weeks of feeding, fasting (15 h postprandial) plasma glucose concentrations were similar (5.0–6.0 mmol/l) among fish fed all diets. Postprandial plasma glucose peaked higher (18–22 mmol/l) and earlier (4 h) in fish fed diets with glucose; whereas, fish fed diets with dextrin exhibited lower (12–19 mmol/l) and significantly delayed (8 h) peak concentrations. Interaction between carbohydrate/lipid level and carbohydrate complexity was noted in the glycemic response data. In fish fed diets with glucose, hyperglycemia was more pronounced at the 40/2 inclusion level; whereas, fish fed diets with dextrin exhibited a higher transient at the 20/11 inclusion level. These data as well as liver composition changes indicate that both differences in substrate digestion/absorption rates and the glucose/fatty acid cycle noted in other species is operative in juvenile sunshine bass.

Effect of dietary Mirex and PCBs on calcium and magnesium metabolism in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri and coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch; A comparison with great lakes coho salmon

1. 1. Dietary Mirex (50 mg·kg −1 dry weight of feed) or PCBs (500 mg·kg −1 dry weight of feed) significantly lowered serum Ca 2+ concentrations in yearling coho salmon ( O. kisutch); lower organo-chlorine levels and a mixed diet of Mirex and PCB were without effect. There were no significant changes in serum Mg 2+ concentrations. 2. 2. There were no significant changes in muscle or skeleton Ca 2+ content in salmon, although fish fed Mirex- or PCB-contaminated diets for 10 weeks had elevated skeletal Mg 2+ concentrations. 3. 3. Spawning female Lake Erie coho salmon had significantly lower serum Ca 2+ levels than comparable fish from Lakes Ontario and Michigan and serum Mg 2+ levels in spawning Lake Erie fish of both sexes were significantly lower than in comparable fish from Lake Michigan. Significantly higher serum Ca 2+ levels were found in the females in spawning coho salmon in Lakes Ontario and Michigan but not in fish from Lake Erie. 4. 4. The hypocalcaemia evident in feral coho salmon from Lake Erie cannot be related to organochlorine content but may be a factor in the poor growth of coho salmon in Lake Erie compared with those in Lakes Ontario and Michigan. 5. 5. None of the contaminated diets had significant effects on the Ca 2+ or Mg 2+ levels in serum, muscle or skeleton of rainbow trout ( S. gairdneri). 6. 6. Dietary Mirex (50 mg·kg −1 dry weight of feed) or PCBs (500 mg·kg −1 dry weight of feed) significantly elevated muscle water content in trout but not in salmon and significantly lowered muscle lipid content. 7. 7. HSI values were significantly elevated in PCB-fed salmon and trout and weight gain was significantly lower in trout fed the high Mirex or PCB diets.

Physiologic evaluation of the WBGT index for occupational heat stress.

In order to examine whether identical WBGT levels achieved by different combinations of environmental thermal parameters result in equivalent physiological responses, three fit young men were exposed for 2 hours at WBGT levels of 85°F and 89°F, each under four different combinations of natural wet bulb, globe temperature, and air speed. Air temperature and metabolic work were kept constant, at 96°F and 289 kcal/hr, respectively. Heart rate, rectal temperature, forehead skin temperature, and sweat loss of the subjects were determined during the steady-state phase of the exposures. It was found that condition in which the ambient humidity was relatively higher resulted in higher heart rate, body core temperature, forehead temperature, and sweat loss. Under dry conditions, the strain of exposure at WBGT 85 and 89 could not be differentiated. Under these conditions computed HSI values and observed Botsford wet globe readings were better indicators of relative strain resulting from the exposures than WBGT.