Effect of dietary supplementation of tocoferol acetate alone and with varying combinations on growth, survival and fatty acids profile of Macrobrachium rosenbergii larvae through Moina micrura enrichment

A study was carried out to determine the effect of tocopherol acetate along with cod liver oil astaxanthin enriched Moina micrura (MC- control, Ml- tocopherol acetate enriched, M2-tocopherol acetate combined with cod liver oil (CLO) enriched and M3- tocopherol acetate combined with astaxanthin enriched) on growth, survival and fatty acid composition of M. rosenbergii (de Man) larvae (TC- unenriched Moina fed larvae, Tl- tocopherol acetate enriched Moina fed larvae, T2- tocopherol acetate + CLO enriched Moina fed larvae to T3 – tocopherol acetate+ astaxanthin enriched Moina fed larvae). Growth was expressed as the time taken in to the settlement of 95% post larvae. Maximum growth i.e., the lowest time taken to the 95% PL settlement (40 days) and the maximum survival percentage (61%) was observed in both T2 and T3 treatments fed with M2 and M3 Moina respectively. Minimum growth and survival was observed in unenriched Moina fed larvae (TC). In larval treatments T2, (larvae fed with (M2) vitamin E + CLO enriched Moina), showed a higher percentage of EPA, DHA and higher HUFA level than other treatments.

Preparation and storage behaviour of fish protein biscuits

This paper deals with the investigations carried out on the preparation and storage characteristics of protein enriched biscuits (sweet and salt), incorporated with partially de-odourised fish protein concentrate. The product contains more than 20% protein and has storage life exceeding 6 months at room temperature (21°C to 32°C), in 400 gauge polythene bags.

Evolutionary implications of multiple SINE insertions in an intronic region from diverse mammals

An analysis of the nuclear beta-fibrinogen intron 7 locus from 30 taxa representing 12 placental orders of mammals reveals the enriched occurrences of short interspersed clement (SINE) insertion events. Mammalian-wide interspersed repeats (MIRs) are present at orthologous sites of all examined species except those in the order Rodentia. The higher substitution rate in mouse and a rare MIR deletion from rat account for the absence of MIR in the rodents. A minimum of five lineage-specific SINE sequences are also found to have independently inserted into this intron in Carnivora, Artiodactyla and Lagomorpha. In the case of Carnivora, the unique amplification pattern of order-specific CAN SINE provides important evidence for the "pan-carnivore" hypothesis of this repeat element and reveals that the CAN SINE family may still be active today. Particularly interesting is the finding that all identified lineage-specific SINE elements show a strong tendency to insert within or in very close proximity to the preexisting MIRs for their efficient integrations, suggesting that the MIR clement is a hot spot for successive insertions of other SINEs. The unexpected MIR excision as a result of a random deletion in the rat intron locus and the non-random site targeting detected by this study indicate that SINEs actually have a greater insertional flexibility and regional specificity than had previously been recognized. Implications for SINE sequence evolution upon and following integration, as well as the fascinating interactions between retroposons and the host genomes are discussed.

Photosynthetic bacteria in the marine environment at Porto-Novo

Sediment and water samples were collected from mangrove and estuarine biotopes at fortnightly intervals. The physico-chemical characters of the overlying water were studied. In the mangrove biotope maximum temperature (31.5°C) and in the estuarine biotope maximum salinity (35.6‰) were recorded during the summer season, whereas in post-monsoon period the sulphate content was increased to 516 p.p.m. and the pH was reduced to 7.4. Invariably both in the enriched sediment and water samples four major peaks (at wavelengths 460, 705, 772 and 850 nm) and two minor peaks (at wavelengths 580 and 663 nm) of absorption spectra were noticed. A pure culture of Chromatium sp., isolated from mangroves sediment, showed three peaks of absorption spectra at wavelengths, 500, 580 and 850 nm. The effect of sodium chloride on the growth of Chromatium sp., was also studied and it was observed that maximum growth occurred in the range 1-3% sodium chloride concentration. This isolate was also capable of utilizing various sulphur and carbon compounds. Glycerol and glucose did not show any specific effect whereas pyruvate, malate and acetate increased the growth.

WWW++ - Adding why to what, when and where

RFID technology can be used to its fullest potential only with software to supplement the hardware with powerful capabilities for data capture, filtering, counting and storage. The EPCglobal Network architecture encourages minimizing the amount of business logic embedded in the tags, readers and middleware. This creates the need for a Business Logic Layer above the event filtering layer that enhances basic observation events with business context - i.e. in addition to the (what, when, where) information about an observation, it adds context information about why the object was there. The purpose of this project is to develop an implementation of the Business Logic Layer. This application accepts observation event data (e.g. from the Application Level Events (ALE) standard interface), enriches them with business context and provides these enriched events to a repository of business-level events (e.g. via the EPC Information Services (EPCIS) capture interface). The strength of the application lies in the automatic addition of business context. It is quick and easy to adapt any business process to the framework suggested and equally easy to reconfigure it if the business process is changed. A sample application has been developed for a business scenario in the retail sector.

Single base-resolution methylome of the silkworm reveals a sparse epigenomic map

Epigenetic regulation in insects may have effects on diverse biological processes. Here we survey the methylome of a model insect, the silkworm Bombyx mori, at single-base resolution using Illumina high-throughput bisulfite sequencing (MethylC-Seq). We conservatively estimate that 0.11% of genomic cytosines are methylcytosines, all of which probably occur in CG dinucleotides. CG methylation is substantially enriched in gene bodies and is positively correlated with gene expression levels, suggesting it has a positive role in gene transcription. We find that transposable elements, promoters and ribosomal DNAs are hypomethylated, but in contrast, genomic loci matching small RNAs in gene bodies are densely methylated. This work contributes to our understanding of epigenetics in insects, and in contrast to previous studies of the highly methylated genomes of Arabidopsis(1) and human(2), demonstrates a strategy for sequencing the epigenomes of organisms such as insects that have low levels of methylation.

Transplantable neural progenitor populations derived from Rhesus monkey embryonic stem cells

Cell-based therapies using embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in the treatment of neural disease will require the generation of homogenous donor neural progenitor (NP) populations. Here we describe an efficient culture system containing hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and G5 supplement for the production of highly enriched (88.3% +/- 8.1%)populations of NPs from rhesus monkey ESCs. Additional purification resulted in NP preparations that were 98% nestin positive. Moreover, NPs, as monolayers or neurospheres, could be maintained for prolonged periods of time in media containing HGF+G5 or G5 alone. In vitro differentiation and in vivo transplantation assays showed that NPs could differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. The kinds and quantities of differentiated cells derived from NPs were closely correlated with their niches in vivo. Glial differentiation was predominant in periventricular areas, whereas cells migrating into the cortex were mostly neurons. Cell counts showed that 2 months after transplantation, approximately 25% of transplanted NPs survived and 65% - 80% of the surviving transplanted cells migrated along the ventricular wall or in a radial fashion. Subcloning demonstrated that several clonal lines derived from NPs expressed nestin and differentiated into three neural lineages in vitro and in rat brains in vivo. In contrast, some subcloned lines showed restricted differentiation both in vitro and in vivo in rat brains. These observations set the stage for obtaining highly enriched NPs and evaluating the efficacy of NP-based transplantation therapy in the nonhuman primate and will provide a platform for probing the molecular mechanisms that control neural induction.

Enrichment of rotifer Brachionus rotundiformis with calcium

Possibility of enrichment of rotifer (Brachionus rotondiformis) with calcium (Ca) for feeding the fish fry was investigated. Rotifer was kept for 24 h with aeration in normal seawater (Treatment 1), seawater with 400 mg/l supplemental Ca from Ca-lactate (Treatment 2) and seawater with 400 mg/l supplemental Ca from Ca-chloride (Treatment 3). After the experimental period, Ca contents of rotifer were 0.20, 0.29 and 0.39% of dry weight in T-1, T-2 and T-3, respectively. Ca content of media did not affect phosphorus, zinc and manganese contents of rotifer. Results revealed that rotifer can be enriched with Ca for feeding fish fry and Ca-chloride might be a better source for Ca enrichment.

Influence of a fish bacterium Lactobacillus sp. on the production of swordtail xiphophorus helleri (Heckel 1848)

The influence of a fish gut bacterium Lactobacillus sp on the production of swordtail Xiphophorus helleri was studied for a period of one year. The Lactobacillus sp P21 produced bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance and exhibited wide spectrum of action against Aeromonas hydrophila, Bacillus spp, Pseudomonas spp and Citrobacter freundi in vitro. The growth performance of X. helleri reared in the presence of Lactobacillus P21 at 106/ml rearing water was better than the control. The total plate counts, total MRS agar counts and the counts of motile aeromonads, presumptive pseudomonads, lactose fermenters and lactose non-fermenters in the gut of probiotic group were comparatively low than the control. On day 60 the count of Lactobacillus sp P21 was observed to be log 5.28/g in the gut of X. helleri indicating colonization of this bacterium in the gastrointestinal tract. The fecundity of X. helleri was in the range of 9-134. On average, it produced from 39.42±18.72 fry/female in control group to 53.00±23.57 fry/female in probiotic group. The increase in average fecundity in probiotic group over the control group was about 25%. There existed significant difference between probiotic group and control in respect of average fecundity/female (p<0.02), average number of fry survived /female (p<0.006) and average number of fry dead/female (p<0.029). The results of the present study demonstrated that the rearing of X. helleri in probiotic-enriched water have growth inducing ability and favourably influenced the reproductive performance in terms of high fecundity, high fry survival, reduced fry mortality and reduced fry deformity.

Solution-phase exfoliation of graphite for ultrafast photonics

We exfoliate graphite in both aqueous and non-aqueous environments through mild sonication followed by centrifugation. The dispersions are enriched with monolayers. We mix them with polymers, followed by slow evaporation to produce optical quality composites. Nonlinear optical measurements show similar to 5% saturable absorption. The composites are then integrated into fiber laser cavities to generate 630 fs pulses at 1.56 mu m. This shows the viability of solution phase processing for graphene based photonic devices. (C) 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Effects of Abnormal Early Rearing Environments on Fear Memory in Adult Rats

为了探讨早期饲养环境对成年后大鼠条件化恐惧的影响,实验采用巴氏恐惧条件化的方法对不同饲养环境下的大鼠进行了行为检测.具体操作为:把断奶后的大鼠饲养在3个不同的人工控制的环境中(丰富环境、社群环境和贫瘠环境);8周后进行恐惧条件化训练和测试(指标为僵直百分比),以及检测不同饲养环境下的大鼠的体重、自发活动和足部电击敏感性.结果显示:与社群组相比,丰富组的大鼠条件化僵直水平明显增加,而贫瘠组的明显减少;丰富和贫瘠环境明显的影响了大鼠的体重;不同环境对自发活动和足部电击敏感性没有影响.这些结果说明幼年期的丰富环境能提高成年后大鼠的由声音诱发的条件化恐惧反应,而贫瘠环境则削弱了这种反应.

Environmental enrichment and chronic restraint stress in ICR mice: Effects on prepulse inhibition of startle and Y-maze spatial recognition memory

In most studies regarding the improving or therapeutical effects induced by enriched environment (EE), EE was performed after the stress treatment or in patients with certain diseases. In the current study, the effects of chronic restraint stress (6 h/day) in mice living in an enriched environment or standard environment (SE) were tested. Mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: non-stressed or stressed mice housed in SE or EE conditions (SE, stress + SE, EE, stress + EE). Prepulse inhibition (PPI) of startle was tested after the 2 weeks or 4 weeks stress and/or EE treatment and 1 or 2 weeks withdrawal from the 4 weeks treatment. After the 4 weeks treatment, spatial recognition memory in Y-maze was also tested. The results showed that EE increased PPI in stressed and non-stressed mice after 2 weeks treatment. No effect of EE on PPI was found after the 4 weeks treatment. 4 weeks chronic restraint stress increased PPI in mice housed in standard but not EE conditions. Stressed mice showed deficits on the 1 h delay version of the Y-maze which could be prevented by living in an enriched environment. Our results indicated that living in an enriched environment reversed the impairing effects of chronic restraint stress on spatial recognition memory. However, EE did not change the effects of stress on PPI. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Supply of Astaxanthin and its combinations through live feed (Moina micrura) enrichment affects the growth, survival and fatty acid profile of Macrobrachium rosenbergii larvae

A study was carried out with three replicates to determine the effects of feeding Moina micrura enriched with astaxanthin alone (M1) or astaxanthin in combination with either vitamin E (M2), vitamin D (M3) or Cod Liver oil (M4) on the growth, survival and fatty acid composition of giant fresh water prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) larvae. Growth rate was expressed as the time taken to the settlement of 95% post larvae. Maximum growth, the lowest time taken to the 95% PL settlement (38.5±0.50 days), was observed in larvae fed with M3 Moina. The highest survival rate (66.0±1.00%) was observed in those fed with M4 Moina and the second highest survival (61.0±1.00%) and growth rates (40.0±0.00 days) were shown with M2 Moina. The minimum values for both growth (42.5±0.50 days) and survival (33.0±1.50%) were observed in the group fed un-enriched Moina. Results also showed that the survival of prawn larvae increased as the quantities of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) increased in the dietary Moina. The highest levels of EPA (5.57±0.21%), DHA (3.50±0.21%) and highest total Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acids (HUFA) (13.87±0.68%) were seen in the Moina fed on astaxanthin and Cod Liver Oil (CLO). The results of the study showed that the nutritive quality of Moina, with respect to important fatty acids, can be increased by enrichment and will influence the growth, survival and the fatty acid composition of fresh water prawn larvae fed on them.

Isolating and recognizing crudeoiklegrading [sic] bacteria of Queshm Island shores for biodegradation of crude oil pollutions

This research was carried out for recognizing Natural Flora Bacteria of oil pollution in the coasts of Queshm island. In The First steps, The coasts of this Island were scrutinized as a Field of research and For knowing whether oil stains exist or not. It gets obvious That southern coasts of Queshm have got oil pollution which is created by oil tankers which carry oil of Iran continental shelf. Them oil stains were sampled from to certain stations. In The First step, primary isolation of exisiting bacteria in every oil sample was done and then purification of each bacterium was carried out. Then each purified bacterium that has got strong, recognized, typic growth was enriched oil sample of T5 station. And Bacterium C4 (gram—negative coccobacillus) was chosen as the second priority From oil sample of TA station and Bacterium B1 (gram—positive coccus) was chosen as The third priority From oil sample of TI station. All The above mentioned bacteria were biochemically, physiologically and morphologically experimented For specking The species. According To The tests done and comparing with The tests done and comparing with the reference Berge y' s, bacterium A5 Pelongs to the species pseudomonas sp and becterium C4 belongs to the species Aeromonas sp and bacterium BI belongs to The species micrococcus sp. In The Last stage, bacterium with The First priority (TA5 pseudomonas sp) was used in the planned microcosm. The sake of optimum and adapting to Laboratory conditions Each enriched and purified bacterium was given a code for station and a code For itself . Then This bacterium was studied and it was proved that it has potentiality For using oil as a source of carbon. From oil samples of 10 stations, 30 various Colonies of bacterium were Isolated, of which 20 bacteria had the highest potentiality of growth. And the other bacteria that has no typic growth were omitted From being studied. Since all of These 20 bacterium are able to use oil, a bacterium with maximum rate of growth in the presence of crude oil and Lack of other hydrocarbonic sources and with The code A5 ( gram — negative Bacillus ) was chosen as First priority From The mentioned microcosm contains sea water , suspension oil degrading bacterium , crude oil, azote and various concentrations of carbon and Incubated in 30°` and shook 150 PRA1 According to the results , index oil degrading bacterium (pseudomonas sp) belongs oil sample of T5 stations (east of sheeb draz Gulf) which growth best and have the potentiality of degrading oil in 25 glli malas and 50 glli cheese water and with 5 gill urea .

Glycine receptor activation regulates short-term plasticity in CA1 area of hippocampal slices of rats

Functional glycine receptors (GlyRs) are enriched in the hippocampus, but their roles in synaptic transmission are unclear. In this study, we examined the effect of GlyR activation on paired-pulse stimulation of the whole-cell postsynaptic currents (PSCs)