Search Results (29)

Silurus lanzhouensis is a large-sized commercial fish species endemic to the mid-upper reaches of the Yellow River, serving as a “Card of Aquatic Biological Species in the Yellow River”. However, due to factors such as overfishing and habitat changes, it has been listed as an endangered species. In order to protect and restore its wild resources, we conducted a detailed study for the first time from 2022 to 2024 on the age composition, growth characteristics, mortality rate, and current status of resource exploitation of the S. lanzhouensis population in the upper Yellow River. A total of 489 individuals underwent measurements for their total length (L) and body weight (W), with age determination conducted using lapillus otoliths. The collected samples exhibited a spectrum of total lengths spanning from 2.5 to 63.7 cm, body weights ranging from 0.11 to 1974.15 g, and ages ranging from 1 to 6 years. Further analysis of the length–weight relationships unveiled an allometric growth index (b) of 2.9562 for the overall samples, indicating an isometric growth pattern. Additionally, insights into the growth characteristics of S. lanzhouensis were provided by the von Bertalanffy growth function, revealing an asymptotic total length (L_∞) of 119.30 cm and a growth coefficient (K) of 0.1278 yr⁻¹. The growth characteristic index (φ) totaled 3.2598, suggesting a moderate growth rate in comparison to other Silurus species. The total mortality rate (Z) recorded for the population of S. lanzhouensis was found to be 0.5296 yr⁻¹. Through the application of three distinct methodologies on exhaustive samples, the average natural mortality rate (M) was calculated to be 0.3105 yr⁻¹. Consequently, the fishing mortality rate (F) for the entire sample set was determined to be 0.2191 yr⁻¹, leading to an exploitation rate (E) of 0.4137. Based on the survey findings, it is evident that the population of S. lanzhouensis has not been subjected to over-exploitation, attributable to ongoing stock enhancement. These results also provide foundational data for the protection and restoration of S. lanzhouensis in the upper Yellow River. Full article

Pediatric brain tumors are often noted to be different from their adult counterparts in terms of molecular features. Primary CNS lymphomas (PCNSLs) are mostly found in elderly adults and are uncommon in children and teenagers. There has only been scanty information about the molecular features of PCNSLs at a young age. We examined PCNSLs in 34 young patients aged between 7 and 39 years for gene rearrangements of BCl2, BCL6, CCND1, IRF4, IGH, IGL, IGK, and MYC, homozygous deletions (HD) of CDKN2A, and HLA by FISH. Sequencing was performed using WES, panel target sequencing, or Sanger sequencing due to the small amount of available tissues. The median OS was 97.5 months and longer than that for older patients with PCNSLs. Overall, only 14 instances of gene rearrangement were found (5%), and patients with any gene rearrangement were significantly older (p = 0.029). CDKN2A HD was associated with a shorter OS (p < 0.001). Only 10/31 (32%) showed MYD88 mutations, which were not prognostically significant, and only three of them were L265P mutations. CARD11 mutations were found in 8/24 (33%) cases only. Immunophenotypically, the cases were predominantly GCB, in contrast to older adults (61%). In summary, we showed that molecular findings identified in the PCNSLs of the older patients were only sparingly present in pediatric and young adult patients. Full article

Aquaculture has become the fastest growing sector in global agriculture. The environmental degradation, diseases, and high density of mariculture has made for an inevitable shift in mariculture production from coastal to deep-sea areas. The influence that traditional coastal and emerging deep-sea farming environments exert on aquatic growth, immunity and gut microbial flora is unclear. To address this question, we compared the growth performance, physiological indicators and intestinal microbiological differences of deep-sea and coastal aquaculture in the Guangxi Beibu Gulf of China. The results showed that the growth performance and the complement of C3 and C4 (C3, C4), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and lysozyme (LYS), these physiological and biochemical indicators in the liver, kidney, and muscle of Trachinotus ovatus (T. ovatus), showed significant differences under different rearing conditions. Metagenome sequencing analysis showed Ascomycota, Pseudomonadota, and Bacillota were the three dominant phyla, accounting for 52.98/53.32 (coastal/deep sea), 24.30/22.13, and 10.39/11.82%, respectively. Aligned against the CARD database, a total of 23/2 (coastal/deep-sea) antibiotic resistance genes were screened and grouped into 4/2 genotypes. It indicated that compared with deep-sea fish, higher biological oxygen levels (3.10 times), inorganic nitrogen (110.00 times) and labile phosphate levels (29.00 times) in coastal waters might contributed to the existence of eutrophication with antibiotic resistance. The results of the study can provide complementary data on the study of the difference between deep-sea farming and traditional coastal farming, serving as a reference to future in-depth work on the transformation of fisheries development and scientific standardization of deep-sea farming. Full article

The brain is one of the most critical organs in the human body, regulating functions such as thinking, memory, learning, and perception. Studies have indicated that fish roe, snow fungus, and yeast may have the potential to modulate cognitive, memory, and emotional functions. However, more relevant clinical research in this area still needs to be conducted. This study explored the cognition-enhancing potential of a formula beverage including fish roe, snow fungus, and yeast. Sixty-four subjects were divided into a placebo group (n = 32) and a formula-drink group (n = 32), who consumed the product for 8 weeks. Cognitive tests were administered and analyzed at weeks 0, 4, and 8. After 4 and 8 weeks, there was a significant increase in the number of memory cards, and the response times among those who consumed the formula beverage were significantly faster than those in the placebo group. The subjects remembered the old items better and were more impressed with similar items based on the week effect. There was a significant increase in the cue effect of happy facial expressions after the subjects consumed the formula beverage for 8 weeks. In addition, there was a significant decrease in anxiety and fatigue, and improved quality of life. This formula beverage is a promising option that could be used to prevent further cognitive decline in adults with subjective cognitive complaints. Full article

Sodium chloride (NaCl) is a commonly used additive in minimally processed fish-based products. The addition of NaCl to fish products and packaging in a modified atmosphere is usually efficient with regard to limiting the occurrence of the aquatic environmental pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Given the negative effects of excess NaCl in the diet, there is a growing demand to reduce NaCl in food products with safer substituents, but the knowledge of their impact on antibiotic resistant P. aeruginosa is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological and transcriptome characteristics of P. aeruginosa NT06 isolated from fish and to determine the effect of selected concentrations of alternative NaCl compounds (KCl/NaL/NaC) on the P. aeruginosa NT06 virulence phenotype and genotype. In the study, among the isolated microorganisms, P. aeruginosa NT06 showed the highest antibiotic resistance (to ampicillin, ceftriaxone, nalidixic acid, and norfloxacin) and the ability to grow at 4 °C. The Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD) and the Virulence Factor Database (VFDB) revealed the presence of 24 and 134 gene products assigned to AMR and VF in the P. aeruginosa NT06 transcriptome, respectively. KCl, KCl/NaL and KCl/NaL/NaC inhibited pyocyanin biosynthesis, elastase activity, and protease activity from 40 to 77%. The above virulence phenotypic observations were confirmed via RT–qPCR analyses, which showed that all tested AMR and VF genes were the most downregulated due to KCl/NaL/NaC treatment. In conclusion, this study provides insight into the potential AMR and VF among foodborne P. aeruginosa and the possible impairment of those features by KCl, NaL, and NaC, which exert synergistic effects and can be used in minimally processed fish-based products. Full article

Sustainable financial fraud detection (FD) comprises the use of sustainable and ethical practices in the detection of fraudulent activities in the financial sector. Credit card fraud (CCF) has dramatically increased with the advances in communication technology and e-commerce systems. Recently, deep learning (DL) and machine learning (ML) algorithms have been employed in CCF detection due to their features’ capability of building a powerful tool to find fraudulent transactions. With this motivation, this article focuses on designing an intelligent credit card fraud detection and classification system using the Garra Rufa Fish optimization algorithm with an ensemble-learning (CCFDC-GRFOEL) model. The CCFDC-GRFOEL model determines the presence of fraudulent and non-fraudulent credit card transactions via feature subset selection and an ensemble-learning process. To achieve this, the presented CCFDC-GRFOEL method derives a new GRFO-based feature subset selection (GRFO-FSS) approach for selecting a set of features. An ensemble-learning process, comprising an extreme learning machine (ELM), bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM), and autoencoder (AE), is used for the detection of fraud transactions. Finally, the pelican optimization algorithm (POA) is used for parameter tuning of the three classifiers. The design of the GRFO-based feature selection and POA-based hyperparameter tuning of the ensemble models demonstrates the novelty of the work. The simulation results of the CCFDC-GRFOEL technique are tested on the credit card transaction dataset from the Kaggle repository and the results demonstrate the superiority of the CCFDC-GRFOEL technique over other existing approaches. Full article

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor (NLR) family members are innate immune sensors involved in the recognition of highly conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC) is a critical adaptor molecule in multiple inflammasome protein complexes, mediating inflammation and host defense. Caspase1, an inflammatory caspase, has been documented to play important roles in the innate immune system. In this study, we identified and characterized NLRC3-like, ASC, and Caspase1 (referred to as LmNLRC3L, LmASC, and LmCaspase1) from the spotted sea bass (Lateolabrax maculatus). A sequence analysis revealed that LmNLRC3L, LmASC, and LmCaspase1 shared similar features with their fish counterparts. LmNLRC3L contained a FISNA domain, a NACHT domain, and four LRR motifs, followed by a C-terminal fish-specific B30.2 domain. LmASC possessed a PYRIN domain for interacting with inflammasome sensor proteins, as well as a CARD domain. LmCaspase1 had a CARD domain at its N-terminus and a CASC domain at its C-terminus. These three genes were ubiquitously distributed in the liver, spleen, head kidney, gill, intestine, skin, muscle, and brain. They share similar expression patterns, and all demonstrate the highest level of expression in the gill. We analyzed the expression changes in genes in the spleen, gill, and head kidney after stimulation experiments in vivo. After lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, the expression levels of these three genes were significantly upregulated in the short term, followed by significant downregulation at 48 and 72 h in some examined tissues. Following Edwardsiella tarda infection, these three genes were upregulated in various tissues. However, the expressions of these three genes were not affected by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly (I:C)) stimulation. Overall, our results indicate that these three genes are involved in the immune response against bacterial infection in the spotted sea bass, providing the foothold for understanding the immune function and mechanism of the fish inflammasome. Full article

Nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain-like receptors (NOD-like receptors, NLRs) can regulate the inflammatory response to eliminate pathogens and maintain the host’s homeostasis. In this study, the head kidney macrophages of Siberian sturgeon were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation by evaluating the expression of cytokines. The high-throughput sequencing for macrophages after 12 h treatment showed that 1224 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 779 upregulated and 445 downregulated, were identified. DEGs mainly focus on pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and the adaptor proteins, cytokines, and cell adhesion molecules. In the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, multiple NOD-like receptor family CARD domains containing 3-like (NLRC3-like) were significantly downregulated, and pro-inflammatory cytokines were upregulated. Based on the transcriptome database, 19 NLRs with NACHT structural domains were mined and named in Siberian sturgeon, including 5 NLR-A, 12 NLR-C, and 2 other NLRs. The NLR-C subfamily had the characteristics of expansion of the teleost NLRC3 family and lacked the B30.2 domain compared with other fish. This study revealed the inflammatory response mechanism and NLRs family characterization in Siberian sturgeon by transcriptome and provided basic data for further research on inflammation in teleost. Full article

In recent years, due to the globalization of food trade and certified agro-food products, the authenticity and traceability of food have received increasing attention. As a result, opportunities for fraudulent practices arise, highlighting the need to protect consumers from economic and health damages. In this regard, specific analytical techniques have been optimized and implemented to support the integrity of the food chain, such as those targeting different isotopes and their ratios. This review article explores the scientific progress of the last decade in the study of the isotopic identity card of food of animal origin, provides the reader with an overview of its application, and focuses on whether the combination of isotopes with other markers increases confidence and robustness in food authenticity testing. To this purpose, a total of 135 studies analyzing fish and seafood, meat, eggs, milk, and dairy products, and aiming to examine the relation between isotopic ratios and the geographical provenance, feeding regime, production method, and seasonality were reviewed. Current trends and major research achievements in the field were discussed and commented on in detail, pointing out advantages and drawbacks typically associated with this analytical approach and arguing future improvements and changes that need to be made to recognize it as a standard and validated method for fraud mitigation and safety control in the sector of food of animal origin. Full article

Microscopic filaments of the siphonous green algae Ostreobium (Ulvophyceae, Bryopsidales) colonize and dissolve the calcium carbonate skeletons of coral colonies in reefs of contrasted salinities. Here, we analyzed their bacterial community’s composition and plasticity in response to salinity. Multiple cultures of Pocillopora coral-isolated Ostreobium strains from two distinct rbcL lineages representative of IndoPacific environmental phylotypes were pre-acclimatized (>9 months) to three ecologically relevant reef salinities: 32.9, 35.1, and 40.2 psu. Bacterial phylotypes were visualized for the first time at filament scale by CARD-FISH in algal tissue sections, within siphons, at their surface or in their mucilage. Ostreobium-associated microbiota, characterized by bacterial 16S rDNA metabarcoding of cultured thalli and their corresponding supernatants, were structured by host genotype (Ostreobium strain lineage), with dominant Kiloniellaceae or Rhodospirillaceae (Alphaproteobacteria, Rhodospirillales) depending on Ostreobium lineage, and shifted Rhizobiales’ abundances in response to the salinity increase. A small core microbiota composed of seven ASVs (~1.5% of thalli ASVs, 19–36% cumulated proportions) was persistent across three salinities in both genotypes, with putative intracellular Amoebophilaceae and Rickettsiales_AB1, as well as Hyphomonadaceae and Rhodospirillaceae also detected within environmental (Ostreobium-colonized) Pocillopora coral skeletons. This novel knowledge on the taxonomic diversity of Ostreobium bacteria paves the way to functional interaction studies within the coral holobiont. Full article

We developed and applied a method to quantify spearfisher effort and catch, shark interactions and shark depredation in a boat-based recreational spearfishing competition in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in Queensland. Survey questions were designed to collect targeted quantitative data whilst minimising the survey burden of spearfishers. We provide the first known scientific study of shark depredation during a recreational spearfishing competition and the first scientific study of shark depredation in the Great Barrier Reef region. During the two-day spearfishing competition, nine vessels with a total of 33 spearfishers reported a catch of 144 fish for 115 h of effort (1.25 fish per hour). A subset of the catch comprised nine eligible species under competition rules, of which 47 pelagic fish were weighed. The largest fish captured was a 34.4 kg Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus). The most common species captured and weighed was Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson). The total weight of eligible fish was 332 kg and the average weight of each fish was 7.1 kg. During the two-day event, spearfishers functioned as citizen scientists and counted 358 sharks (115 h effort), averaging 3.11 sharks per hour. Grey Reef Sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) comprised 64% of sightings. Nine speared fish were fully depredated by sharks as spearfishers attempted to retrieve their catch, which equates to a depredation rate of 5.9%. The depredated fish included four pelagic fish and five reef fish. The shark species responsible were Grey Reef Shark (C. amblyrhynchos) (66%), Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) (11%), Whitetip Reef Shark (Triaenodon obesus) (11%) and Great Hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran) (11%). There were spatial differences in fish catch, shark sightings and rates of depredation. We developed a report card that compared average catch of fish, sightings of sharks per hour and depredation rate by survey area, which assists recreational fishers and marine park managers to assess spatio-temporal changes. The participating spearfishers can be regarded as experienced (average 18 days a year for average 13.4 years). Sixty percent of interviewees perceived that shark numbers have increased in the past 10 years, 33% indicated no change and 7% indicated shark numbers had decreased. Total fuel use of all vessels was 2819 L and was equivalent to 6.48 tons of greenhouse gas emissions for the competition. Full article

The greenfin horse-faced filefish (Thamnaconus septentrionalis) is susceptible to recurrent Amyloodinium ocellatum (AO) infestation over the grow-out production cycle. This parasite breeds mainly on the gills, causing hypoxia in the fish body, and leading to many deaths. The host-parasite response drives a complex immune reaction, which is poorly understood. To generate a model for host-parasite interaction and the pathogenesis of AO in greenfin horse-faced filefish, an RNA-seq approach, differential gene expression, GO, and KEGG analyses were employed. Overall, 624 new genes and 2076 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected, including 942 upregulated and 1134 downregulated genes in the gills. Compared with the control group, the expression of leptin a, GTPase IMAP family member 4, and NLR family CARD domain-containing protein 3 was significantly higher in the AO-infected group. Conversely, cell wall integrity and stress response component 1-like, and hepcidin-like were significantly downregulated in the gills of AO-infected fish. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that DEGs were significantly enriched in signaling pathways associated with viral protein interaction with cytokine and cytokine receptor and cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction. Collectively, this transcriptomic study provides novel molecular insights into the pathology caused by AO infestation and alternative theories for future research implementing strategies to control and manage AO. Full article

The Mediterranean diet is a healthy dietary pattern in which fish consumption is an important key element. In Spain, fish intake is the second highest in Europe. Dietary guidelines recommend an intake of 1–3 portions a week of fish. However, Spanish fish sales have been decreasing since 2008. The unexpected pandemic spread of the SARS-CoV-2 in 2020 led the Spanish Government to take restrictive measures that had an impact on people’s behavior, including food purchases and consumption. The aim of the study was to analyze purchase data of fish, seafood, and fish products during the lockdown in Spain, using data from loyalty card holders (>5,000,000 participants) from a hypermarket chain in Spain. The results show a 45% increase in the purchase of all types of fish, seafood, and fish products, with the highest increment observed in the retiree (+65 years) as compared to the younger populations. Moreover, the retiree, in spite of the digital divide, were also the ones that most increased online shopping. These data should be considered since events like COVID-19 confinement can have a permanent impact on people’s dietary habits, a possibility that should be monitored in the future. Full article

Suboptimal nutrition may contribute to lionfish (Pterois volitans and Pterois miles) health issues in managed care environments. This study’s objective was to establish and compare whole blood fatty acid profiles in wild and aquarium lionfish. Whole blood samples were dried onto specialized high-quality paper cards from wild, invasive lionfish harvested off the North Carolina coast (n = 16) and lionfish managed by the North Carolina Aquariums (n = 12). Blood fatty acid profiles were analyzed from dried blood spots. Aquarium lionfish had significantly (p < 0.05) higher linoleic (18:2ω6) and eicosapentaenoic (20:5ω3) acid levels than wild lionfish. Similarly, aquarium lionfish had significantly (p < 0.05) lower saturated fatty acids and arachidonic (20:4ω6) to eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5ω3) ratios than wild lionfish. Total omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as the ratio of these two fatty acid groups, were similar between wild and aquarium lionfish. Gut content analysis of wild lionfish diets included reef-dependent and schooling fish while aquarium lionfish diets were pelagic fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and commercial gel diets with nutrient supplements. This study reports whole blood fatty acid profiles in lionfish, providing comparative macronutrient data that may be useful for improving their nutrition and welfare in aquariums. Full article

Eating patterns characterised by low intakes of processed carbohydrates and higher intakes of fat- and Vitamin D-rich foods are associated with protection against dental caries. The aim of this formative study was to evaluate the extent to which the knowledge of children and adults of foods for oral health reflects dietary guideline advice, and the evidence base for foods associated with increased and decreased caries burdens. Using a novel card-sorting task, the participants categorised foods according to their knowledge of each food for oral health. There were no differences between children and adults in the categorisation of fresh, minimally processed foods. Fish, chicken, and red meat were categorised as healthy by significantly fewer children than adults. High-sugar foods were correctly characterised as unhealthy by nearly all participants. More children categorised breakfast cereals as healthy than adults. There were no statistically significant differences between children and adults for the categorisation of brown or wholegrain breads categorised as healthy. The alignment of the participants’ beliefs with dietary guideline recommendations suggests education through health promotion initiatives is successful in achieving knowledge acquisition in children and adults. However, recommendations to increase the intake of refined carbohydrates inadvertently advocate foods associated with increased caries burdens. Full article