Biodiversity of commercially important finfish species caught by mid-water and bottom trawls from two different coasts of Arabian Sea: Threats and conservation strategies

This study was conducted to estimate the diversity and the occurrence of commercially important finfish species collected by twenty fish sampling site of Sindh and Baluchistan coasts of the Arabian Sea in Pakistan from January to December 2019. Additionally, physicochemical characteristics of seawater were analyzed from these selected sites and found to be within suitable ranges required for fish growth and survive. A total of 81287 fish individuals were collected and identified as 49 species belonging to 26 families in our study. The most diversified family was Sparidae (13 species) followed by Carangidae and Lutjanidae (4 species), Mullidae, Serranidae, Ariidae (3 species), and Sciaenidae (2 species). The remaining 20 families were represented by only one species. The values of Shannon diversity index calculated for the four selected habitats revealed that high fish diversity was reported at Sonmiani Coast (H'=1.81), while less at Ormara Coast (H'=0.23). Likewise, Evenness index (E) was high at Sonmiani Coast (E=0.50) and less fish diversity was reported at Ormara Coast (E=0.06). Reducing risks to threatened marine species in coastal habitats also requires conservation actions at multiple scales. Thus, it was concluded that our study could be valuable in providing the more information’s regarding to the diversity of finfish species and their occurrence along the Pakistan Coast. Further, to better understand the effects, regular monitoring and conservation measures should be taken to mitigate the influence of anthropogenic activities and protect finfish diversity from further decline

Discovery of the diving beetle Laccornis oblongus (Stephens, 1835) in Bavaria, southern Germany (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae, Hydroporinae, Laccornini)

The diving beetle Laccornis oblongus (Stephens, 1835) is recorded for the first time from Bavaria, southern Germany, which marks the most south-westerly record of the species known to date. Three specimens were collected in the Murnauer Moos nature reserve in Upper Bavaria. We summarize what is known about the species habitat in Germany and provide photographs of the sampling site and habitus, median lobe of aedeagus, and paramere of the species. We provide a checklist of the 20 other diving beetle species we found syntopic with L. oblongus. 

Underwater Video as a Tool to Quantify Fish Density in Complex Coastal Habitats

Habitat loss is a serious issue threatening biodiversity across the planet, including coastal habitats that support important fish populations. Many coastal areas have been extensively modified by the construction of infrastructure such as ports, seawalls, docks, and armored shorelines. In addition, habitat restoration and enhancement projects often include constructed breakwaters or reefs. Such infrastructure may have incidental or intended habitat values for fish, yet their physical complexity makes quantitatively sampling these habitats with traditional gears challenging. We used a fleet of unbaited underwater video cameras to quantify fish communities across a variety of constructed and natural habitats in Perdido and Pensacola Bays in the central northern Gulf of Mexico. Between 2019 and 2021, we collected almost 350 replicate 10 min point census videos from rock jetty, seawall, commercial, public, and private docks, artificial reef, restored oyster reef, seagrass, and shallow sandy habitats. We extracted standard metrics of Frequency of Occurrence and MaxN, as well as more recently developed MeanCount for each taxon observed. Using a simple method to measure the visibility range at each sampling site, we calculated the area of the field of view to convert MeanCount to density estimates. Our data revealed abundant fish assemblages on constructed habitats, dominated by important fisheries species, including grey snapper Lutjanus griseus and sheepshead Archosargus probatocephalus. Our analyses suggest that density estimates may be obtained for larger fisheries species under suitable conditions. Although video is limited in more turbid estuarine areas, where conditions allow, it offers a tool to quantify fish communities in structurally complex habitats inaccessible to other quantitative gears.

Host contributions to the force of Borrelia burgdorferi and Babesia microti transmission differ at edges of and within a small habitat patch

In the northeastern United States, the emergence of Lyme disease has been associated, in part, with the increase of small forest patches. Such disturbed habitat is exploited by generalist species, such as white-footed mice, which are considered the host with the greatest reservoir capacity for the agents of Lyme disease ( Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto) and human babesiosis ( Babesia microti ). Spatial risk analyses have identified edge habitat as particularly risky. Using a retrotransposon-based quantitative PCR assay for host bloodmeal remnant identification, we directly measured whether the hosts upon which vector ticks fed differed at the edge or within the contiguous small habitat patch. Questing nymphal deer ticks, Ixodes dammini , the northern clade of Ixodes scapularis , were collected from either the edge or within a thicket on Nantucket Island over 3 transmission seasons and tested for evidence of infection as well as bloodmeal hosts. Tick bloodmeal hosts significantly differed by site as well as by year. Mice and deer were identified most often (49.9%), but shrews, rabbits and birds were also common. Ticks from the edge fed on a greater diversity of hosts than those from the thicket. Surprisingly, mice were not strongly associated with either infection at either sampling site (OR<2 for all). Although shrews were not the most common host utilized by ticks, they were highly associated with both infections at both sites (OR= 4.5 and 7.9 B. burgdorferi and 7.9 and 19.0 B. microti , edge and thicket). We conclude that reservoir hosts may differ in their contributions to infecting ticks between edge and contiguous vegetated patches. Importance Habitat fragmentation is thought to be a main factor in the emergence of Lyme disease and other of the deer tick-transmitted infections. The patchwork of forest and edges promotes altered biodiversity, favoring the abundance of generalist rodents such as white footed mice, heretofore considered a key tick and reservoir host in the northeastern U.S. We used tick bloodmeal analyses to directly identify the hosts from which nymphal deer ticks became infected. We demonstrate that there is considerable microfocality in host contributions to the cohort of infected ticks and that shrews, although they fed fewer ticks than mice, disproportionately influenced the force of pathogen transmission in our site. The venue of transmission of certain deer tick-transmitted agents may comprise a habitat scale of 10 meters or fewer and depend on alternative small mammal hosts such as shrews.

Indoor air quality in wards of dental school clinic: Variations of VOCs, CO2 and airborne particle levels

Introduction: The indoor environment of dental clinics may endanger dental patients and personnel and due to a great variety of air pollutants throughout the usual dental operation. The purpose of the present cross-sectional study was the evaluation of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and factors affecting it in a dentistry faculty of Arak University of Medical Sciences. Material and methods: The IAQ of five dental active wards and the patient waiting room was evaluated. The concentrations of Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC), CO2, particulate matter, and bioaerosols were measured. Results: The TVOCs concentration in sampling locations ranged between 817 to 3670 μg/m3 during dental work and exceeded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guideline in all sampling locations. The highest values of Particulate Matter (PM) for PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 were observed in the periodontics ward, while the lowest values were observed in the endodontics ward. The PM2.5 concentrations exceeded the WHO limit in periodontics and pediatric wards. TVOC levels had a significant positive correlation with temperature (r=0.374, p<0.01) and RH (r=0.265, p<0.05). The predominant bacterial genus of the patient waiting area was Bacillus (36%), while the dominant bacterial genus of the other sampling site was Micrococcus spp. Penicillium (35.5%) and Cladosporium (28%) were the predominant fungi detected. Conclusion: Controlling of airborne particles is to be standardized by the infection control actions of dental clinics and improved ventilation capacity in the air conditioning system was suggested for reducing VOCs and PM concentrations.

Macrozoobenthos in an altitudinal gradient in North Patagonian Cautín River (Araucanía Region, Chile)

The Cautín River is closely related with the economic development of Temuco city, (38°S; Chile). Existing knowledge of the Cautín River is limited to information about its biological characteristics as a reference for the evaluation and assessment of water quality. The object of this study was to develop taxonomic characterisation of the benthic macroinvertebrates along the main course of the Cautín River, and to study the community structure using correlation analysis between community parameters. To carry out this research, the macroinvertebrate community was studied in 10 sampling sites distributed along the main course of the river. The samples were taken in summer (1997 and 2000), when optimal hydrological conditions existed. Analysis of the samples showed that the benthic fauna was composed of 56 taxa, the dominant group being insects with 48 taxa. Three main sectors were recognised in the course of the Cautín River: high, middle and low. Each sector has restricted-distribution species, while other species are widely distributed along the river. These distribution patterns seem to be influenced by dissolved oxygen concentration, temperature, altitudinal distribution and anthropo-cultural activity, present at every sampling site. Finally, this research provides a first approach to the biology of the Cautín River. Further studies could be planned on the basis of this knowledge to investigate water quality indicators based on macroinvertebrate communities.

Improving the Quality of EDTA-treated Blood Specimens from Mice

Nonterminal blood sampling in laboratory mice is a very common procedure. With the goal of improving animal welfare, different sampling sites and methods have been compared but have not achieved a consensus. Moreover, most of these studies overlooked the quality of blood specimens collected. The main preanalytical concern with EDTA-treated blood specimens for hematology analyses is platelet aggregation, which is known to cause analytical errors. Our objective was to find a nonterminal blood sampling method with minimal adverse effects on mice and few or no platelet aggregates. We tested and compared 2 collection sites, 4 sampling methods, and 3 antithrombotic drugs in 80 C57BL6/j male and female mice by evaluating platelet aggregates on blood smears and platelet, WBC, and RBC counts. In addition, the blood collection process was carefully evaluated, and adverse effects were recorded. Platelet aggregation was lower in specimens collected from the jugular vein than from the facial vein, with no effect of the sampling device or the presence of an antithrombotic additive. Highly aggregated specimens were significantly associated with lower platelet counts, whereas aggregation had no effect on WBC or RBC counts. Adverse events during sampling were significantly associated with more numerous platelet aggregates. The jugular vein is thus a satisfactory sampling site in mice in terms of both animal welfare and low platelet aggregation. Using antithrombotic agents appears to be unnecessary, whereas improving sampling conditions remains a key requirement to ensure the quality of EDTA-treated blood specimens from mice.

A Methodological Approach to Inner-city Location Selection of Universities

Emerging as urban institutions in the medieval Europe, universities began to offer education in college buildings in the center of the cities where they were originally established. Over time, with the effect of the American campus model, they have become independent settlements that can grow and develop in large areas outside of cities. Today, however, many university campuses are functionally, economically, and socially obsolete and in need of restructuring. This study aims to develop a systematic decision-making process for the evaluation of urban settlement of universities in accordance with some parameters. Thus, based on the national and international research on the location selection of universities, ‘25 subparameters under four main parameter groups affecting the urban location selection’ were identified. The analysis of these parameters was performed by applying the AHP method, the evaluation of alternative decisions was carried out by applying the TOPSIS method, and a decision-making methodology was developed for the location selection of universities within the city. To test this methodology, ‘Selçuk University’ was determined as the sampling site. With the method developed in the study, it was determined that the interaction between the university and the city and the accessibility of the university were critical in the urban settlement of the universities. Although the establishment of a university campus has become easier with the growth and development of higher education today, the fact that universities exist for the society and cannot be isolated from it should not be forgotten. Therefore, the return of the university to the city must be ensured and the university and the city must be reconciliated.

CATTLE NECROBACTERIOSIS IN THE LIVESTOCK FACILITIES OF THE ALMATY REGION

Necrobacteriosis affects many species of animals. The most susceptible and sensitive to Fusobacterium necrophorum are reindeer, cattle and small cattle, pigs, and rabbits. A constant carriership of the causative agent of necrobacteriosis in the rumen and intestines of ruminants has been established, causative agent is found in food particles during chewing, as well as in feces. The causative agent of necrobacteriosis is widespread in the environment (livestock buildings, walking yards, manure, soil, pastures, stagnant reservoirs, etc.). Infestation of animals occurs when the pathogen enters the injured areas of the skin or mucous membranes of animals. Disturbed blood circulation, cracks and peeling of the horn happen as a result of long-term keeping of animals in damp premices, grazing them in damp, swampy areas, and also maceration of the limb tissues. Four cultures of the causative agent of cattle necrobacteriosis Fusobacterium necrophorum were isolated from sick animals with symptoms of lameness, their biological properties were studied. The pathogenicity of the isolated cultures was studied in laboratory animals. The work was conducted in laboratory and production conditions in "KazSRVI" LLP and at the dairy farm at "Arkabay" human settlement (village) of Talgar district of Almaty region, where stall keeping of animals is practiced. Slices from the diseased hoof of cows were taken at the border of the diseased and healthy tissue. Samples of the selected biological material were plated on Kitt-Tarozzi medium at the sampling site on the farm. The biological material taken from sick animals was studied within several hours after sampling in accordance with the guidelines for laboratory diagnosis of necrobacteriosis. Material for laboratory research (sections from the horny tissue of the hoof on the border with the healthy one) were taken fresh and inoculated on a nutrient medium for anaerobes. The results of cultivation of the necrobacteriosis causative agent on liquid and solid nutrient media under anaerobic conditions are presented. To get rid of the accompanying microflora and obtain a pure culture of F. necrophorum, a bioassay was set on laboratory animals - rabbits. All isolated cultures were highly pathogenic for rabbits. On the 14-15th day after infection, the experimental rabbits died. A pure culture of F. necrophorum, not contaminated with extraneous microflora, was sown from the internal organs of rabbits. It was found that rabbits are the optimal biomodel for purification of the F. necrophorum culture. The biochemical properties of the isolated cultures have been studied. It was found that epizootic cultures of the causative agent of necrobacteriosis emitted hydrogen sulfide and had hemolytic properties. In experiments in vitro and in vivo, it was found that the isolated cultures of F. necrophorum showed hyaluronidase activity. Cultures of F. necrophorum had a high catalase activity, they split hydrogen peroxide with the formation of oxygen (gas bubbles). When studying biochemical properties, it was found that F. necrophorum releases ammonia within 2-3 hours. Four cultures of F. necrophorum isolated from biological material from cattle were identical in biological properties.