Percent Survival Research Articles

Oral administration of recombinant outer membrane protein A-based nanovaccine affords protection against Aeromonas hydrophila in zebrafish.

Aeromonas hydrophila, an opportunistic warm water pathogen, has always been a threat to aquaculture, leading to substantial economic losses. Vaccination of the cultured fish would effectively prevent Aeromoniasis, and recent advancements in nanotechnology show promise for efficacious vaccines. Oral delivery would be the most practical and convenient method of vaccine delivery in a grow-out pond. This study studied the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a nanoparticle-loaded outer membrane protein A from A. hydrophila in the zebrafish model. The protein was over-expressed, purified, and encapsulated using poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA)nanoparticles via the double emulsion method. The PLGA nanoparticles loaded with recombinant OmpA (rOmpA) exhibited a size of 295 ± 15.1nm, an encapsulation efficiency of 72.52%, and a polydispersity index of 0.292 ± 0.07. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the spherical and isolated nature of the PLGA-rOmpA nanoparticles. The protective efficacy in A. hydrophila-infected zebrafish after oral administration of the nanovaccine resulted in relative percentage survival of 77.7. Gene expression studies showed significant upregulation of immune genes in the vaccinated fish. The results demonstrate the usefulness of oral administration of nanovaccine-loaded rOmpA as a potential vaccine since it induced a robust immune response and conferred adequate protection against A. hydrophila in zebrafish, Danio rerio.

Effect of Different Plant Growth Regulators on Seed Germination, Seedling Growth and Establishment of Papaya (Carica papaya L.) c.v. Taiwan-7

An experiment was conducted at the Department of Horticulture, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences, Prayagraj (U.P)-211007, India during year 2023-24. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Design (RBD). There were Ten treatments including control replicated three times in which growing media such as pond soil, vermicompost, and Plant growth regulators mixed in various percentages. The different levels of plant growth regulators Such as GA3, NAA and BA with different compositions in different combinations showed positive responses on the physical quality attributes of the papaya plant. The maximum values of physical quality characteristics of papaya plant like Survival percentage (90.68) number of germination days (10.01), germination percentage (90.01), number of leaves (10.46), plant height (12.76 cm), leaf area (38.4 cm2) and chlorophyll content (52.84), Number of primary roots (10.46), number of secondary roots(27.68) and stem diameter (3.85 cm) were recorded in T3 (GA3 with 150 ppm) and followed by the treatment T6 (NAA with 150 ppm) while, minimum values of these characters maximum value of physical parameter was recorded in control treatment (T0). From the present investigation it is concluded that treatment (T3) Performed best in terms of growth parameters followed by (T6) and (T9). The maximum B:C ratio (2.02) was also observed in the same treatment i.e. (T3).

Reproductive conditioning, spawning induction and early development of the estuarine Caribbean clam, Polymesoda arctata (Deshayes, 1854), under hatchery conditions

Polymesoda arctata is a Caribbean estuarine clam commercially important that currently is considered threatened. The reproductive conditioning, spawning and early development were evaluated under laboratory conditions using organisms collected in the lagoon system of Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta (Colombian Caribbean) between December 2020 and May 2021. Two reproductive conditioning experiments were conducted over 7 weeks, examining the frequency of mature animals in the natural environment (controls) and in the laboratory under two water temperatures (26 and 29 °C) and different salinity regimes (constant at 5 and 15 ppt, increasing from 5 to 15 ppt, and decreasing from 15 to 5 ppt). One spawning experiment was done, comparing the spawning response of adult clams exposed to various stimuli (changes in water temperature and salinity, flow of seawater irradiated with UV light, addition of a high concentration of food and sperm to the water, as well as injections of serotonin and KCl into the foot and/or adductor muscle). Higher frequencies of mature clams were observed after 2 to 5 weeks of reproductive conditioning at a low temperature (26 °C) and under a constant salinity regime (at 5 or 15 ppt). Higher percentages of spawning and post-stimulation survival as well as spawning response speed were observed in specimens injected in the foot with a low concentration of serotonin (0.4 mL at 20 μM). The time of spawning response onset was shorter in males than in females. The fecundity increased with the live weight of the females, showing an average value of 3.4 × 106 oocytes per female. The early development of the estuarine clam from oocyte to juvenile stage was described in detail. The growth rates of larvae and spat were relatively high but their survival values were low, showing the need for additional research on the larval and post-larval rearing.

Evaluation of Formalin-Inactivated Vaccine Efficacy against Red Seabream Iridovirus (RSIV) in Laboratory and Field Conditions.

Red seabream iridovirus (RSIV) is a major cause of marine fish mortality in Korea, with no effective vaccine available since its first occurrence in the 1990s. This study evaluated the efficacy of a formalin-killed vaccine against RSIV in rock bream under laboratory and field conditions. For the field trial, a total of 103,200 rock bream from two commercial marine cage-cultured farms in Southern Korea were vaccinated. Farm A vaccinated 31,100 fish in July 2020 and monitored them for 18 weeks, while farm B vaccinated 30,700 fish in August 2020 and monitored them for 12 weeks. At farm A, where there was no RSIV infection, the vaccine efficacy was assessed in the lab, showing a relative percentage of survival (RPS) ranging from 40% to 80%. At farm B, where natural RSIV infections occurred, cumulative mortality rates were 36.43% in the vaccinated group and 80.32% in the control group, resulting in an RPS of 54.67%. The RSIV-infectious status and neutralizing antibody titers in serum mirrored the cumulative mortality results. This study demonstrates that the formalin-killed vaccine effectively prevents RSIV in cage-cultured rock bream under both laboratory and field conditions.

Impact of dietary administration of Arthrospira platensis free-lipid biomass on growth performance, body composition, redox status, immune responses, and some related genes of pacific whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei.

The current study aimed to assess the influence of dietary inclusion of cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis NIOF17/003 as a dry material and as a free-lipid biomass (FL) on the growth performance, body composition, redox status, immune responses, and gene expression of whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae. L. vannamei were fed five different supplemented diets; the first group was fed on an un-supplemented diet as a negative control group (C-N), the second group was fed on a commercial diet supplemented with 2% of A. platensis complete biomass as a positive control group (C-P20), whereas, the three remaining groups were fed on a commercial diet supplemented with graded amounts of FL at 1%, 2%, and 3% (FL10, FL20, and FL30, respectively). The obtained results indicated that the diet containing 1% FL significantly increased the growth performance, efficiency of consumed feed, and survival percentage of L. vannamei compared to both C-N and C-P20 groups. As for the carcass analysis, diets containing A. platensis or its FL at higher levels significantly increased the protein, lipid, and ash content compared to the C-N group. Moreover, the shrimp group fed on C-P20 and FL10 gave significantly stimulated higher digestive enzyme activities compared with C-N. The shrimp fed C-P20 or FL exhibited higher innate immune responses and promoted their redox status profile. Also, the shrimp fed a low FL levels significantly upregulated the expression of both the peroxiredoxin (Prx) and prophenoloxidase (PPO1) genes than those receiving C-N. The current results recommended that dietary supplementation with 1% FL is the most effective treatment in promoting the performance and immunity of whiteleg shrimp.

Evaluation of the Success of Planting in the Rehabilitation of a Watershed Area in Sei Lesan Protected Forest, Indonesia

The high level of community activity in using river watershed land has resulted in the exploitation of land around the watershed which has resulted in a decline in soil quality and caused land degradation along the river flow, therefore areas along the river flow require land reclamation so that the natural balance around the watershed is maintained. Reclamation is an activity that aims to repair or organize the use of land that has been disturbed as a result of inappropriate environmental processing business activities so that it can function and be efficient according to its intended purpose. The research aim is to evaluate the level of success of planting in the rehabilitation process of PT Berau Coal in the Lesan River Protected Forest. The research was carried out in the Sei Lesan Protected Forest Area in the Segah Watershed, Kelay Sub Watershed in Kelay District, Berau Regency, East Kalimantan Province, Indonesia from July to August 2022. This research used systematic sampling with the random start method, namely plot measurement, The first measuring plot is created randomly and subsequent measuring plots are created systematically with a sampling intensity of at least 5%. The results of the research show that the level of plant growth in watershed rehabilitation activities at PT Berau Coal Watershed Rehabilitation was declared successful with a plant survival percentage value of 78.24%, and the planting results in the PT Berau Coal Block C watershed rehabilitation area were very good with a percentage of healthy plants of 76.08%.

Off-season survival and life history of beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner) on various host plants

The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), has become a significant pest of chickpea in recent years. The polyphagous nature allows it to survive on various hosts during the off-season, creating a great menace to the crop in the following season. To assess the incidence and document the alternate hosts of S. exigua, a rapid roving survey was conducted in 11 chickpea-growing areas of Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Additionally, the life history traits of S. exigua were studied on major alternate host plants under laboratory conditions (27 ± 1 °C and 70 ± 2% RH) to understand the survival, life expectancy and potential contribution to future populations. The results show that, among the different crops surveyed, the maximum larval incidence was noticed in maize (1.93 larvae/plant), cowpea (1.73 larvae/plant), and sunflower (1.68 larvae/plant) during the off-season. Life history studies of S. exigua showed that highest larval survival percentage was observed on chickpea (83.6%), while the lowest was on maize (44.5%). The mean developmental time for larvae was longest on maize (27.1 days) and shortest on chickpea (14.9 days). Larvae did not develop beyond the third instar when fed with chilli. The growth index statistics showed chickpea (9.2) was the most suitable host plant, whereas maize (0.9) was the least suitable host. The age-stage-specific survival rate (Sxj) varied across developmental stages, and the survival curves overlapped, indicating different growth rates among individuals. The life expectancy (exj) at age zero was highest on groundnut (37.06 days). The intrinsic rate of increase (r) of S. exigua was lowest on maize (0.10 ± 0.0013) and highest on chickpea (0.22 ± 0.0010). Similarly, the net reproductive rate (R0) was highest on chickpea (846.39 ± 18.22) and lowest on maize (59.50 ± 2.06). The population doubled every 3.08 ± 0.011 days on chickpea compared to 7.22 ± 0.80 days on maize. The study conclusively indicates that chickpea and sunflower, primarily cultivated during the rabi season in India, are the most preferred hosts for S. exigua. In contrast, maize and cotton, mainly grown during the kharif season, are less preferred and merely support the pest's survival. Consequently, S. exigua switches hosts between different crops growing seasons, so effective management of S. exigua during the kharif season can help prevent pest outbreaks during the rabi season.

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) as adjuvant enhances the immune effects of Aeromonas veronii inactivated vaccine in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) has emerged as a significant economic fish species, with a rise in Aeromonas veronii infections in farming. However, research on adjuvants for vaccines against A. veronii in largemouth bass remains scarce. In present study, recombinant largemouth bass IL-1β (LbIL-1β) was expressed to explore its adjuvant effect on the A. veronii inactivated vaccine. Following vaccination with recombinant LbIL-1β (rLbIL-1β) and the inactivated A. veronii, higher serum SOD levels and lysozyme activities were observed in largemouth bass from inactivated A. veronii + rLbIL-1β vaccinated group. Furthermore, it was discovered that rLbIL-1β was able to boost the serum-specific antibody levels induced by the inactivated A. veronii. The qRT-PCR analysis revealed that rLbIL-1β also enhanced the expression of IgM, CD4, and MHC II in largemouth bass triggered by the inactivated A. veronii. After challenged with live A. veronii, the outcomes demonstrated that the relative percentage survival (RPS) for largemouth bass resulting from the inactivated A. veronii in combination with rLbIL-1β was 76.67 %, surpassing the RPS of 60 % in the inactivated A. veronii group. Collectively, these findings indicate that rLbIL-1β enhances the protective effect of the A. veronii inactivated vaccine on largemouth bass, showcasing potential as an adjuvant for further development.

Effect of Gibbrellic Acid, Kinetin and Potassium Nitrate on Seed Germination of Papaya (Carica papaya L.) cv. Red Lady

Seed germination is the most important aspect for raising the nursery for successful seedling production of papaya. The research was carried out at the Faculty of Agriculture, Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda (Punjab) during 2023 to evaluate the impact of different pre-soaking chemicals on seed germination and vigour of papaya seedling. The experiment was laid out Randomized block design with three replications and included ten different treatments., namely T1 (Control- double distilled water), T2 (GA3 @ 50 ppm), T3 (GA3 @ 100 ppm), T4 (GA3 @ 200 ppm), T5 (Kinetin @ 25 ppm), T6 (Kinetin @ 50 ppm), T7 (Kinetin @ 75 ppm), T8 (KNO3 @ 500 ppm), T9 (KNO3 @ 1000 ppm), T10 (KNO3 @ 1500 ppm), were soaked for 24 hours. The seeds were sown in a blend of sand, soil and vermiculite with a ratio of 2:1:1 and maintained under controlled polyhouse condition. Among the treatments, T3 (GA3 @100 ppm) demonstrated the most rapid seed germination, highest percentage of germination (56.20) and maximum survival percentage (53.44) and the T4 (GA3 @ 200 ppm) resulted in the lowest days to first emergence of seedling (3.66), maximum plant height (32.33), maximum number of leaves (8.66) and highest girth of seedling (5.86) at 60 days after sowing. In Conclusion, the most effective approach for enhancing seed germination in papaya involved pre-treating the seeds with GA3 @ 200 ppm in var. Red lady.

Edwardsiella tarda Attenuates Virulence upon Oxytetracycline Resistance.

The relationship between antibiotic resistance and bacterial virulence has not yet been fully explored. Here, we use Edwardsiella tarda as the research model to investigate the proteomic change upon oxytetracycline resistance (LTB4-ROTC). Compared to oxytetracycline-sensitive E. tarda (LTB4-S), LTB4-ROTC has 234 differentially expressed proteins, of which the abundance of 84 proteins is downregulated and 15 proteins are enriched to the Type III secretion system, Type VI secretion system, and flagellum pathways. Functional analysis confirms virulent phenotypes, including autoaggregation, biofilm formation, hemolysis, swimming, and swarming, are impaired in LTB4-ROTC. Furthermore, the in vivo bacterial challenge in both tilapia and zebrafish infection models suggests that the virulence of LTB4-ROTC is attenuated. Analysis of immune gene expression shows that LTB4-ROTC induces a stronger immune response in the spleen but a weaker response in the head kidney than that induced by LTB4-S, suggesting it's a potential vaccine candidate. Zebrafish and tilapia were challenged with a sublethal dose of LTB4-ROTC as a live vaccine followed by LTB4-S challenge. The relative percentage of survival of zebrafish is 60% and that of tilapia is 75% after vaccination. Thus, our study suggests that bacteria that acquire antibiotic resistance may attenuate virulence, which can be explored as a potential live vaccine to tackle bacterial infection in aquaculture.

Evaluating anticancer activity of emodin by enhancing antioxidant activities and affecting PKC/ADAMTS4 pathway in thioacetamide-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats

ABSTRACT Emodin is a naturally occurring anthraquinone derivative with a wide range of pharmacological activities, including neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities. We aim to assess the anticancer activity of emodin against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rat models using the proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis biomarkers. After induction of HCC, assessment of the liver impairment and the histopathology of liver sections were investigated. Hepatic expression of both mRNA and protein of the oxidative stress biomarkers, HO-1, Nrf2; the mitogenic activation biomarkers, ERK5, PKCδ; the tissue destruction biomarker, ADAMTS4; the tissue homeostasis biomarker, aggregan; the cellular fibrinolytic biomarker, MMP3; and of the cellular angiogenesis biomarker, VEGF were measured. Emodin increased the survival percentage and reduced the number of hepatic nodules compared to the HCC group. Besides, emodin reduced the elevated expression of both mRNA and proteins of all PKC, ERK5, ADAMTS4, MMP3, and VEGF compared with the HCC group. On the other hand, emodin increased the expression of mRNA and proteins of Nrf2, HO-1, and aggrecan compared with the HCC group. Therefore, emodin is a promising anticancer agent against HCC preventing the cancer prognosis and infiltration. It works through many mechanisms of action, such as blocking oxidative stress, proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis.

Influence of Tank Water Depths on Reproductive Performance of Catfish (Heterobranchus longifilis) Valenciennes, 1840

Aims: To determine the optimum water depth required for catfish spawning in hatcheries. Study Design: Treatments were assigned using complete randomized design. Place and Duration of Study: Fish Farm Complex of the Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), Nigeria. Methodology: Eighteen (18) similarly-sized H. longifilis broodstock (2.51-2.53 kg, 64 – 66 cm): comprising six broodstock of three males and three females, were held for six months at 0.50 m, 0.75 m and 1.0 m pond water depth. All males were sacrificed for milt extraction without hormonal inducement; with milt from each treatment diluted with normal saline solution. Female broodstock from each treatment were separately induced with ovaprim hormones at a single dosage of 0.5ml/kg body weight of fish and allowed for 16 hours before manual stripping; 3g of egg from each broodstock and mixed with the diluted milt and activated with 100 ml of normal saline. The fertilized eggs were incubated and thereafter assessed for percentage fertilization, hatchability, survival and fry production success. Results: broodstock reproductive parameters significantly increased (P = 0.00) with water depth of broodstock culture tank. Percentage fertilizations were: 49.50±0.78, 68.17±0.93, and 82.50±1.44; respectively. Percentage hatchability of broodstock eggs were: 91.37±1.65 significantly higher for 1.0 m water depth group than 67.79±4.58 from 0.75 m water depth treatment while the least value of hatchability 50.31± 0.78 was recorded for broodstock raised at 0.50 m water depth. The fish group raised at 1.0 m water depth also exhibited highest percentage survival value of 97.02 ± 1.09 and fry production success value of 73.08 ± 0.53 while broodstock raised at 0.50 m water depth indicated the least values: % survival, 8.38 ± 0.48 and fry production success of 2.07 ± 0.07. Conclusion: In times or places of water scarcity, H. longifilis broodstock may be raised at pond water of 0.5 m to 1.0 m. But the water depth that would afford the best breeding and reproductive performance is at 1.0 m depth.

Duration of Protection and Humoral Immune Response in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) Vaccinated against Streptococcus agalactiae.

Streptococcosis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae (S. agalactiae) is a major bacterial disease affecting the production of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.), causing significant economic losses due to mortality in the growing phase. Vaccination is the most effective method for preventing streptococcosis on Nile tilapia farms. In Brazil, the major tilapia-producing regions have long production cycles (6-10 months) and harvest tilapias weighing over 900 g for fillet production. Thus, data on the duration of the humoral immune response and protection in farmed tilapia have not been reported or are poorly described. Furthermore, the efficiency of serological testing for the long-term monitoring of immune responses induced by vaccination against S. agalactiae has never been addressed. This study evaluated the duration of protection and humoral immune response induced in Nile tilapia vaccinated against S. agalactiae until 300 days post-vaccination (dpv). The immunization trial was composed of two groups: vaccinated (Vac), vaccinated intraperitoneally with a commercial vaccine, and unvaccinated (NonVac) group, injected fish with sterile saline solution. At 15, 30, 150, 180, 210, and 300 dpv, blood sampling was conducted to detect anti-S. agalactiae IgM antibodies using indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), and the fish were challenged with pathogenic S. agalactiae to determine the duration of vaccine protection through relative percentage survival (RPS). Spearman's rank correlation was performed between the ELISA optical density (OD) of vaccinated tilapia and the duration of vaccine protection (RPS). The mean cumulative mortality in NonVac and Vac groups ranged from 65 to 90% and less than 35%, respectively. The average RPS was 71, 93, 94, 70, 86, and 67% at 15, 30, 150, 180, 210, and 300 dpv, respectively. RPS revealed that the vaccine provided protection from 15 to 300 dpv. The specific anti-S. agalactiae IgM antibody levels were significantly higher in the Vac group than that non-Vac group up to 180 dpv. The vaccinated fish exhibited significant protection for up to 10 months after vaccination. There was a positive correlation between the antibody response and RPS. This study revealed that a single dose of commercial vaccine administered to Nile tilapia can confer long-term protection against S. agalactiae and that indirect ELISA can monitor the duration of the humoral immune response for up to six months following vaccination. Finally, vaccine protection over six months can be associated with other components of the fish immune system beyond the humoral immune response by IgM antibodies.

The effect of dietary administration of Saussurea lappa root on performance, blood biochemical indices, redox status, innate immune response, intestinal microbial population and resistance against A. hydrophila infections of Tilapia Fingerlings

AbstractThis experiment was performed to identify the influence of dietary Saussurea lappa root (SLR) on the performance and general health status of Nile Tilapia fingerlings (O. niloticus). Four formulated diets with different SLR levels of 0.0, 2.5, 5 and 10 g/kg, respectively, were afforded to fingerling fish (15.42 ± 0.05 g) for 8 weeks. The feed efficiency ratio (FER), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio varied with dietary SLR level in a linear model and a high feed efficiency rate was recorded at the 10 g/kg group, while FI and FCR exhibited an opposite trend (P < 0.001). Dietary SLR level influenced serum protein constituents, liver and renal function enzymes, triglycerides, cholesterol and glucose (P < 0.001). Serum Catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) remarkedly increased with dietary SLR level and attained a level at 10 g/kg. Furthermore, serum lysozyme, complement C3 (C3), IgA and IgD were stimulated by 10 g/kg SLR. Intestinal digestive enzymes (lipase and amylase) increased with SLR level up to 10 g/kg. As the dietary SLR level raised, the cumulative survival percentage aginst A. hydrophila challenge increased and then reached a maximum at 10 g/kg SLR group. Moreover, gene expression of pro‐inflammation cytokines (TNF‐2a, IL‐1β, and IL‐10) in liver and kidney transcriptomes demonstrated effective immunostimulant capabilities of greater SLR inclusion levels in fish diet. Meanwhile, intestinal microbial investigation, revealed that high levels of SLR in tilapia fish feed significantly suppressed total bacterial count, and pathogenic bacterial count (such as, E. coli, Coliform, Aeromonas spp, Pseudomonas spp.), and stimulated lactic acid bacteria development. Finally, it is recommended to include a high level of SLR (5 or 10 g/kg) in the diet of O. niloticus fingerlings to enhance feed efficiency, antioxidant characteristics, and immunological response against bacterial infections.

Modified Scalp Replantation for Total Scalp Avulsion: Scalp-Shifting Technique.

Scalp replantation is the best treatment for scalp avulsion due to its functional and esthetic benefits. Regular scalp replantation requires only unilateral or bilateral superficial temporal vascular anastomosis. However, shear force always damages vessels in severe scalp avulsions. Short, superficial temporal vessels (STVs) make tension-free anastomosis challenging. The objective of this article is to improve the regular scalp replantation technique. When the STVs are short, tension-free anastomosis, and cosmetic symmetry can be achieved without vein grafts or vascular replacement. This study retrospectively reviewed 18 patients with scalp avulsion, of which 10 underwent scalp-shifting replantation, and 8 underwent regular scalp replantation with direct anastomosis of the STVs. Postoperatively, the authors, assessed whether there was a significant difference in the percentage of scalp survival and in the facial symmetry of patients between the 2 methods. The percentages of scalp survival and facial symmetry were good after surgeries using both methods, and no significant differences were observed. The authors use scalp-shifting replantation to create tension-free anastomoses in cases where scalp avulsion injuries have left the superficial temporal arteries too short. This technique ensures facial symmetry, scalp reimplantation survival, and equally excellent results in function and esthetics.

Study of Success Level of Reclamation Plant on the Post-mining Land of PT. Kitadin Site Embalut

Coal mining activities in Indonesia are generally or usually carried out using an open pit mining system which results in negative impacts such as loss of forest vegetation, loss of animals and plants (flora and fauna), as well as damage and loss of soil layers around the coal mining area. To overcome the problem of land damage or changes due to mining is to carry out reclamation. The research aims to determine the reclamation process on post-coal mining land and to assess the level of success of reclamation of revegetation. The research was carried out from mid-April 2023 to the end of May 2023 in the post-mining land revegetation reclamation area of ​​PT Kitadin Site Embuat which is located in Emputar Village, Tenggarong Seberang District, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan Province. The research results show that (1) the reclamation process on PT Kitadin's post-coal mining land begins with land use activities (filling cover soil, spreading root zone soil, and controlling erosion), revegetation activities, and other forms of reclamation activities; and (2) revegetation of the PT Kitadin Site Embulant at the Homogeneous Educational Forest and Heterogeneous Educational Forest locations was declared successful with a plant survival percentage reaching 94.5%, however, the soil pH parameter was declared unsuccessful because the soil pH value at the Homogeneous Educational Forest location was only 4.80 (classified as acid).

Comparative analysis of Keynote522 treatment outcomes in Hispanic versus non-Hispanic patients with breast cancer: A single tertiary center experience.

e12661 Background: The addition of pembrolizumab to neoadjuvant chemotherapy on the Keynote522 (KN522) clinical trial, changed the standard of care for early stage triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). This regimen demonstrated longer event free survival and higher percentage of patients with pathologic complete responses (pCR). However, limited data exist on the comparative outcomes between Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients in real-world settings as this patient population was likely underrepresented on the original trial. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with early stage TNBC treated on KN522 regimen and undergoing surgery at a single tertiary center from July 2021 to present. Patients were stratified into Hispanic and non-Hispanic ethnicity cohorts. The primary endpoint was pCR rate, and secondary endpoints was incidence of adverse effects (AEs). Results: Among a cohort of 41 patients identified, 26 (63%) were of Hispanic and 15 (37%) were non-Hispanic. The pCR rate was 50% among Hispanic and 53% among non-Hispanic patients (p=0.83). Hispanic patients experienced higher rates of anemia (88% vs. 67%, p=0.06), fatigue (85% vs. 60%, p=0.07), skin rash (46% vs. 27%, p=0.21), and endocrine toxicities (23% vs. 13%, p=0.21). However, Hispanic patient also had fewer hospitalizations (35% vs. 47%, p=0.44), dose-modifications (12% vs. 40%, p=0.53), dose omissions (19% vs. 33%, p=0.31), and showed higher KN522 completion rates (81% vs. 53%, p=0.06). Conclusions: Our findings indicate a comparable pCR rate between Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients with early-stage TNBC receiving KN522 therapy. While Hispanic patients exhibited higher incidences of certain adverse effects, they demonstrated lower rates of hospitalizations, dose modifications, and omissions, alongside a notably higher completion rate of the KN522 regimen. These trends may be attributed to various factors such as genetic predispositions, and potentially differential physiological responses to therapy within this ethnic group. These findings underscore the importance of including minorities, such as Hispanic patients, in clinical trial populations to ensure that treatment outcomes are representative of diverse patient demographics. [Table: see text]

Effect of Fishmeal Replacement with Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) Meal on Growth Performance and Survival of the Black Molly (Poecilia sphenops)

In order to search of viable alternative protein source for aquaculture, a feeding trial of six-months was carried out to test the effect of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) meal relacing fishmeal protein at 0% (control), 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% in practical diets (named D0, D25, D50, D75 and D100 respectively) on the growth performance, feed utilization and survival of black molly (Poecilia sphenops). At the end of six-months, significantly higher final weight and length were observed in D75 diet fed set followed by D50 set and then in D0 set, whereas lowest value was recorded in D100. The specific growth rate (SGR) in percent of control fishes (D0) was 2.25±0.02, whereas the result of SGR (%) was noted best in D75 set (2.44±0.02) and poorest in the D100 (1.97±0.02). Although D75 diet fed set showed lower feed conversion ratio (FCR), black molly fed with D25 and D50 diets still utilized the diets as well as control (D0) as their values did not vary significantly. Significantly higher survival percentage was 96.67%, observed in D75 set, in contrast lowest found in D100 set (64.44%). Hence, mealworm could be successfully incorporated by replacing fishmeal from 50% to 75% in the diet of black molly with optimal growth, feed utilization and better survival.

A bacterial ghost vaccine against Aeromonas salmonicida infection in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)

Aeromonas salmonicida is one of the most prevalent pathogens that causes huge economic losses to aquaculture. Effective vaccination is the first choice for preventing infection. Bacterial ghost (BG), an empty bacterial shell devoid of cytoplasm, is a promising vaccine antigen with distinct advantages. Herein, we established strategies for producing a substantial yield of A. salmonicida ghost (ASG) and investigated the immune-protective properties of it. As a result, 2.84 mg/ml NaOH was discovered to be capable of inducing considerable amounts of ASG. Furthermore, the ASG vaccine elicited adaptive immunity in turbots after rapid activation of innate immunity. Even though formalin-killed cells (FKC) produced a few more antibodies than ASG, ASG ultimately provided a much stronger immune protection effect because it strengthened cellular immunity, with a relative percentage survival (RPS) of 50.1 % compared to FKC. These findings demonstrated that ASG effectively activated cell-mediated immunity, which helped get rid of microorganisms inside cells. Therefore, this study presented novel perspectives for future research on furunculosis vaccine products based on ASG as an antigen.

Evaluating the Efficiency of Solar and Petrol-Powered Recirculating Aquaculture Systems for African Catfish (<i>Clarias gariepinus</i>) Fingerling Production

Accessibility of quality fingerlings is dependable on a hatchery system with the capacity to produce all year round. There are two hatchery systems operational in Nigeria namely, the flow-through and re-circulating systems. These two systems require electricity to power periodic or constant water supply and aeration. When electricity supply fails or non-existent, this will result in anxiety and hardship to hatchery operators with the subsequent low output. This paper, therefore, assessed the production efficiency of solar and petrol-powered generator recirculating aquaculture systems for African catfish <i>(Clarias gariepinus)</i> fingerlings production. The results obtained from the growth performance and survival percentage of <i>Clarias gariepnus</i> reared in the two recirculating systems (solar and generator powered recirculating systems) showed no significant difference (P> 0.05) in the initial weight, specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) of <i>C. gariepnus</i> from the two-recirculating systems. However, the result showed significant differences (P<0.05) in the final mean weight, weight gained, and survival rate in the two-recirculating systems. Aligning with the guidelines outlined by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the means and range values of temperature (°C), dissolved oxygen (mg/l), pH and ammonia, observed from the two recirculating production systems indicated temperature (22.81°C - 25.11°C), dissolved pH (7.10-7.42), dissolved oxygen (6.22- 6.62mg/l), ammonia (0.04-0.08mg/l) respectively. The survival rate of fry reaching 84% for the solar group and 64% for the generator at the end of 28- 56 days. Thus, this study revealed that solar energy might become the most promising energy source that can replace the usual source of energy for hatchery operations in Nigeria. This study, therefore, recommended that Solar Powered Recirculating Systems be adopted where feasible, given their demonstrated support for increased growth rates and higher survival rates to enhance efficiency and sustainability of aquaculture production systems.