First hatchery bred streaked spinefoot rabbitfish (Siganus javus) in Sabah, Malaysia

The present study aims to expand the market potential of the streaked spinefoot rabbitfish (Siganus javus) in Malaysia and provide consumers more choices of affordable protein source from aquaculture. Spawning hehavior of S.javus was recorded in a week after the new moon in October 2019 and January 2020. Spawning occurred between midnight and early morning, and the eggs hatched about 16 to 18 hours later. Throughout the incubation and larvae rearing period, water temperature was maintained at 30 to 31 °C. Water salinity, pH and DO were 31 to 33 ppt, 7.8 to 8, and 5 to 7 mg/l, respectively. Eggs diameter ranged from 0.550 to 0.603 mm. At 1 day after hatched (d AH), eyes of the larvae were formed but unpigmented and mouth structure was not developed. At 2 d AH, the pigmentation of eyes darkened, digestive tract formed, and anus and mouth opened. At 3 d AH, the lower jaw began to show movement, indicating that the ability of larvae to indulge in feeding. The buds of dorsal and ventral fins started to develop and elongate from 9 d AH and were covered with melanophores. At 25 d AH, the body of the larvae turned brownish and abdominal cavity was deeply pigmented, indicating the onset of metamorphosis. By the age of 30 d AH, the larvae completed development into juvenile stage. At 270 d AH, the juvenile reached maximum size of 21 cm in total length. This study was the first successful attempt at naturally spawning and hatchery rearing of S. javus into juvenile stage in the country. The development of a complete larval rearing protocol for S. javus could provide information of practical importance in hatchery breeding of other rabbitfish species.

AAV9-MCT8 delivery at juvenile stage ameliorates neurological and behavioral deficits in an AHDS mouse model

Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome (AHDS) is a severe X-linked intellectual and psychomotor disability disorder accompanied by abnormal thyroid hormone (TH) levels. AHDS is caused by inactivating mutations in the monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8), a specific TH transporter widely expressed in the central nervous system. MCT8 gene mutations cause impaired transport of TH across brain barriers, leading to insufficient neural TH supply. There is currently no successful therapy for the neurological symptoms. AAV9-based gene therapy is a promising approach to treat monogenic neurological disorders. Here, the potential of this approach was tested in the well-established double knockout (dKO) Mct8-/y; Organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1c1 (Oatp1c1)-/- mouse model of AHDS, which displays disease-relevant neurological and TH phenotypes. Systemic intravenous delivery of adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9)-MCT8 at a juvenile stage led to improved locomotor and cognitive function, as well as rescue of T3-brain content and T3-related gene expression. This preclinical study indicates that this gene therapy may improve the neurological symptoms of AHDS patients.

Recruitment patterns of freshwater amphidromous fishes (Pisces: Gobiidae, Eleotridae) to the Cimaja estuary, Palabuhanratu Bay

The sustainability of amphidromous fishes is determined by the success of the larval recruitment process from marine to freshwaters habitats. This study aimed to determine the recruitment pattern of freshwater amphidromous fish to the Cimaja River estuary, Palabuhanratu Bay in terms of season and daily. Amphidromous fish were caught monthly on the 25th of Hijri or waning crescent from December 2020 to August 2021. Sampling in one whole day with observation intervals every 4 hours was carried out in June 2021 to reveal the time of larvae and juveniles of the amphidromous fish recruit to the Cimaja River estuary. A total of 13 species of amphidromous fishes representing five genera and two families was captured. The recruitment of amphidromous fishes into the Cimaja River occurs between the peak of the rainy season to dry season. Generally, amphidromous recruit into the estuary waters of the Cimaja River is at the juvenile stage (11.9-21.8 mm body length). However, the recruitment of some amphidromous fish species appears at the postflexion stage (6.9-11.9 mm BL). Based on diel observations, larvae and juveniles of amphidromous fish are generally preferred to recruit to the Cimaja River estuary in the early morning (03:00 am) and afternoon (03:00 pm). Recruitment of amphidromous fish larvae to the Cimaja River follows a semi-diurnal tidal cycle which is a tidal type in Palabuhanratu Bay. Amphidromous fishes use tidal flux to recruit and migrate upstream of the Cimaja River through estuaries.

Functional and molecular characterization of a non-human primate model of autism spectrum disorder shows similarity with the human disease

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a multifactorial disorder with characteristic synaptic and gene expression changes. Early intervention during childhood is thought to benefit prognosis. Here, we examined the changes in cortical synaptogenesis, synaptic function, and gene expression from birth to the juvenile stage in a marmoset model of ASD induced by valproic acid (VPA) treatment. Early postnatally, synaptogenesis was reduced in this model, while juvenile-age VPA-treated marmosets showed increased synaptogenesis, similar to observations in human tissue. During infancy, synaptic plasticity transiently increased and was associated with altered vocalization. Synaptogenesis-related genes were downregulated early postnatally. At three months of age, the differentially expressed genes were associated with circuit remodeling, similar to the expression changes observed in humans. In summary, we provide a functional and molecular characterization of a non-human primate model of ASD, highlighting its similarity to features observed in human ASD.

Identification of entomopathogenic nematodes and their symbiotic bacteria in national parks of Thailand, and mosquitocidal activity of Xenorhabdus griffiniae against Aedes aegypti larvae

Summary Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) Steinernema and Heterorhabditis with symbionts with Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus bacteria, respectively, are reported as biocontrol agents for insect control. The objectives of this study were to identify EPN and their symbiotic bacteria in national parks of Phitsanulok Province, Thailand, and to test how Xenorhabdus isolates attack Aedes aegypti larvae. We collected 810 soil samples from four national parks. The juvenile stage of EPN was isolated from soil samples using a baiting technique with Galleria mellonella followed by a White trap. Partial regions of 28S rDNA and internal transcript spacer were sequenced to identify EPN, and recA sequencing was used to discriminate between Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus. We found that 74 of the 810 soil samples (9.1%) were positive for the EPN. The EPN were molecularly identified as S. surkhetense, S. longicaudum, H. indica and Heterorhabditis sp. SGmg3, and their symbiotic bacteria were identified as X. stockiae, X. griffiniae, X. indica, X. vietnamensis, P. luminescens subsp. akhurstii, and P. temperata subsp. temperata. Xenorhabdus griffiniae showed potential larvicidal activity against A. aegypti (91% mortality at 72 and 96 h after exposure). This study demonstrates the diversity of EPN and symbiotic bacteria in national parks of Thailand and the potential to use X. griffiniae as a biocontrol agent to kill A. aegypti larvae.

Mislocalisation of Pax7 and Its Interaction with Importin-α1 (KPNA2) in Dystrophin-Deficient Myoblasts

Background: Pax 7 is one of the key factors in the development of tissues and organs during embryogenesis. It has been suggested that Pax7 may play a major role during myogenesis. Our previous study has shown that Pax7 cell is attenuated in the mdx embryo during gestation as well as in dystrophic muscle indicating that an absence of dystrophin in muscle affects pax7 regulation in Duchene Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the Pax7 expression pattern as well as their specific transport protein in dystrophin-deficient myoblasts at postnatal/juvenile stage. Methods: In this study, dfd13 (dystrophin-deficient) and C2C12 (non-dystrophic) myoblasts were cultured under normal conditions prior to further analyse its expression pattern at proliferating stage via western blot and immunofluorescence analysis. Protein prediction and protein interaction study was done via in silico and co-immunoprecipitation analyses, respectively.Results: It was found that Pax7 localised in the cytoplasm of dystrophin-deficient myoblasts and high expression retained during differentiation. Co-localisation analysis of Pax7 with subcellular markers indicated that Pax7 is highly synthesised at their proliferative state. Interestingly, it is shown that Pax7 possess a nuclear location signal and KPNA2 was suggested as an escort protein for Pax7 translocation into the nucleus. Conclusion: For the first time, our study showed that Pax7 is mislocalised in dystrophin-deficient myoblasts and it is postulated that KPNA2 is the karyopherin-α which might be responsible for Pax7 translocation into the nucleus.

Study on the Ecological Situation and the Nursery Function of the Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile, 1813 Prairies on the Islands of Ventotene e Santo Stefano

On behalf of the Management of the Protected Marine Area of the island of Ventotene and Santo Stefano the Marine Ecology and Biology Institute of Piombino (ITALY) carried out a very in dept study aimed at knowledge of the ecological situation of the Posidonia Oceanica (L.) Delile, 1813 meadows. The most appropriate methodologies were used to be able to identify all the benthic species present in order to evaluate the efficiency of the nursery function of the prairies investigated. The results of the numerous species captured in the juvenile stage have demonstrated the excellent nursery function of the meadows of the island of Ventotene.

3. Reproduction and life history

‘Reproduction and life history’ discusses the life cycle of amphibians, which includes a fully aquatic, juvenile stage. This is the larva, known in the anurans as the tadpole. It feeds and grows, and eventually undergoes a rapid transformation, or metamorphosis, into the adult. Metamorphosis can take place in as little as nine days from the eggs hatching. A small number of species in all three amphibian orders have evolved the most complete mode of parental care of all, viviparity, which is bearing the young live. An area of interest here is the courtship and mating practices of amphibians.