Biofloc Technology (BFT) in Aquaculture: What Goes Right, What Goes Wrong? A Scientific-Based Snapshot.

Aquaculture is a crucial industry that can help meet the increasing demand for aquatic protein products and provide employment opportunities in coastal areas and beyond. If incorrectly manage, traditional aquaculture methods can have negative impacts on the environment and natural resources, including water pollution and overuse of wild fish stocks as aquafeed ingredients. Biofloc technology (BFT) may offer a promising solution to some of these challenges by promoting a cleaner and sustainable production system. BFT converts waste into bioflocs, which serve as a natural food source for fish and shrimp within the culture system, reducing the need for external inputs, such as feed and chemicals. Moreover, BFT has the potential to improve yields and economic performance while promoting efficient resource utilization, such as water and energy. Despite its numerous advantages, BFT presents several challenges, such as high energy demand, high initial/running costs, waste (effluent, suspended solids, and sludge) management, opportunistic pathogens (vibrio) spread, and a lack of understanding of operational/aquatic/microbial dynamics. However, with further training, research, and innovation, these challenges can be overcome, and BFT can become a more widely understood and adopted technique, acting as an effective method for sustainable aquaculture. In summary, BFT offers a cleaner production option that promotes circularity practices while enhancing performance and economic benefits. This technique has the potential to address several challenges faced by the aquaculture industry while ensuring its continued growth and protecting the environment. A more broad BFT adoption can contribute to meeting the increasing demand for aquaculture products while reducing the industry's negative impact on the environment and natural resources. In this context, this review provides an overview of the advantages and challenges of BFT and highlights key technical, biological, and economic aspects to optimize its application, promote further adoption, and overcome the current challenges.

How might cancer patients experience existential guilt? A qualitative research.

OBJECTIVES: Existential guilt is a deep and multidimensional concept that is correlated with concepts, such as in/authenticity, existential anxiety, decisiveness, and personal and social responsibility. The aim of the present study is to investigate the experience of existential guilt among cancer patients. METHODS: The present research was conducted with a qualitative method with a content analysis design. A purposeful sampling method was used to select the participants and the sampling procedure went on until we reached data saturation. Data were obtained using semi-structured interviews with the participants. RESULTS: From a total of 18 interviews, 94 codes related to existential guilt were obtained. After the analysis, three main concepts were extracted: (1) incompleteness, (2) passivity, and (3) feelings of harm to self and others. Each of these had a number of subcategories. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: The participants of the present research were found to experience existential guilt in different ways. The research showed that it is necessary to find the sources of existential guilt in order that effective therapeutic attention can be given cancer patients.

A detailed look at the impacts of biofloc on immunological and hematological parameters and improving resistance to diseases.

The innate immunity of invertebrates serves as a critical trait that provides a valuable foundation for studying the common biological responses to environmental changes. With the exponential growth of the human population, the demand for protein has soared, leading to the intensification of aquaculture. Regrettably, this intensification has resulted in the overuse of antibiotics and chemotherapeutics, which have led to the emergence of resistant microbes or superbugs. In this regard, biofloc technology (BFT) emerges as a promising strategy for disease management in aquaculture. By harnessing the power of antibiotics, probiotics, and prebiotics, BFT offers a sustainable and eco-friendly approach that can help mitigate the negative impacts of harmful chemicals. By adopting this innovative technology, we can enhance the immunity and promote the health of aquatic organisms, thereby ensuring the long-term viability of the aquaculture industry. Using a proper carbon to nitrogen ratio, normally adding an external carbon source, BFT recycles waste in culture system with no water exchange. Heterotrophic bacteria grow along with other key microbes in the culture water. Heterotrophs play a major role in assimilating ammonia from feed and fecal waste, crucial pathway to form suspended microbial aggregates (known as 'biofloc'); while chemoautotrophs (e.g. nitrifying bacteria) oxidize ammonia into nitrite, and nitrite into nitrate promoting a healthy farming conditions. By using a highly aerated media and an organic substrates that contain carbon and nitrogen, protein-rich microbes are able to flocculate in culture water. Several types of microorganisms and their cell components have been studied and applied to aquatic animals as probiotics or immunostimulants (lipopolysaccharide, peptidoglycan, and 1-glucans) to enhance their innate immunity and antioxidant status, thereby enhancing their resistance to disease. In recent years, many studies have been conducted on the application of BFT for different farmed aquatic species and it has been observed as a promising method for the development of sustainable aquaculture, especially due to less use of water, increased productivity and biosecurity, but also an enhancement of the health status of several aquaculture species. This review analyses the immune status, antioxidant activity, blood and biochemical parameters, and level of resistance against pathogenic agents of aquatic animals farmed in BFT systems. This manuscript aims to gather and showcase the scientific evidences related to biofloc as a 'health promoter' in a unique document for the industry and academia.

Challenges to manage pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Iran with a special situation: a qualitative multi-method study.

BACKGROUND: With the unprecedented expansion of COVID-19 in the world since December 2019, Iran's health system, like other countries, faced various challenges in managing the disease, which led to numerous experiences and lessons learned. This study was conducted to identify these challenges regarding unique political, economic, and cultural issues, which could help other countries with similar situations. METHODS: The present study was performed using a qualitative multi-method approach with a content analysis method. The data were collected through in-depth and semi-structured interviews and focused group discussions with 60 key persons who were selected purposefully, including policymakers, health care workers, and affected people by the disease, and the review of all available national reports between February 21, 2020, and March 22, 2021. The data collection and analysis were done simultaneously. RESULTS: Identified critical challenges for the management of COVID-19 in the health system were limited evidence and scientific controversies, poor social prevention and social inequalities, burnout and sustained workload among healthcare workers, improper management of resources and equipment, the lack of a guideline for contact tracing, and patient flow management, and mental health problems in the community. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, measures should be taken to conduct a continuous comprehensive risk assessment and develop a national response plan with an emphasis on precise contact tracing, active screening, patient flow, paying attention to the psychological and social dimensions of the disease, and also transparency of social inequalities in the face of risk factors of the COVID-19. Also, the social protection programs should become a vital tool for policymakers and supporting the vulnerable groups using the capacity of the community and international cooperation to develop a vaccine, which is difficult to procure due to the sanctions.

Psycho-social consequences associated with COVID-19 in people with ASD and their families: A literature review.

Background: COVID-19 has become a global pandemic and has inevitably affected the whole world. This effect is greater on people with ASD (ASD) and their families. Depression, attempts to cope with change, and having difficulty interacting with others are some of the challenges people with ASD often face. The aim of this study was to review the psycho-social consequences of COVID-19 in people with ASD and their families. Methods: This study is a Literature Review. Extensive electronic search results for the keywords ASD, COVID-19, Coronavirus, psychological, psychosocial, and consequence in Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Science Direct, SID and Magiran in 2020, eventually provided a total of 130 articles. After reviewing the titles of the articles, we excluded 85 articles as they were duplicated and/or irrelevant. Finally, based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 17 articles remained. Results: In general, the change in routine and uncertainty caused by COVID-19 have caused distress for people with ASD and will worsen their symptoms and mental health. Excessive stress worsens the mental health of caregivers, and as this burden increases, they report higher rates of social harm, depression, and anxiety that affect their daily functioning. Conclusion: The COVID-19 epidemic affects all strata of society. People with ASD are particularly vulnerable to the psychosocial effects of this epidemic. COVID-19 increases anxiety, distress, depression, financial problems, loss of a job, and even marital conflict. Access to necessary services and transmission problems are also the result of rapid social and environmental changes.

Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities: Qualitative exploration of barriers to the implementation of articles 25 (health) and 26 (rehabilitation) in Iran.

Background: The International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is the most important International Document for recognizing the rights of persons with disabilities, including the right to health and rehabilitation. Islamic Republic Iran acceded to the Convention in 2008, but still has a long way to go to achieve its desired status and in line with the objectives of the convention. This study aimed to identify the barriers to the implementation of articles 25 and 26 of the CRPD in Iran. Methods: This study was performed using conventional content analysis. Twenty-one individuals were recruited by purposive sampling with maximum variation and were continued until saturation. Data were gathered through in-depth, semi-structured interviews from June 2018 to May 2019. MAXQDA version 10 was used for analyzing data. Results: The resulting data analysis yielded 860 initial or open codes. The concepts were categorized into 27 subcategories and 7 categories. Main categories were included: "Structure inefficiency", "lack of comprehensive rehabilitation program", "inadequate awareness", "neglected economy of people with disabilities", "weak access to services", "cultural challenges" and "disregard for new technologies". Conclusion: The findings showed that the executive structures in the country have a lot of problems with health and rehabilitation programs for people with disabilities. It seems understanding the barriers to implementation of articles 25 and 26 of the international CRPD empowers officials in the field and improve services by providing a better view of the disabled. Nevertheless, it is recommended for policymakers to consider rehabilitation as a main element of the health system.

Microplastic pollution as a grand challenge in marine research: A closer look at their adverse impacts on the immune and reproductive systems.

Microplastic (MP) pollution of the marine environment is now a growing global concern posing a threat to a variety of species through the ingestion and transfer within food webs. This is considered a potential toxicological threat to marine species due to the chemical additives used to make many plastic products, or the persistent organic pollutants that may accumulate on them while residing in the environment. While the presence of MPs in the marine environment is widely documented, there are no other review articles providing a summary of published effect studies of MPs on the immune and reproductive systems of marine species. This manuscript reviews reproductive and immune-system changes in response to MPs in 7 and 9 species, respectively. Some species such as Mytilus galloprovincialis and oyster Crassostrea gigas were investigated in multiple papers. Most studies have been conducted on invertebrates, and only 3 studies have been performed on vertebrates, with exposure times ranging between 30 min and 60 days. A review of the literature revealed that the most common MPs types studied in relation to adverse impacts on immune system and reproductive success in marine species were polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE). The immune system's responses to MPs exposure varied depending on the species, with altered organismal defense mechanisms and neutrophil function observed in fish and changes in lysosomal membrane stability and apoptotic-like nuclear alterations in phagocytes reported in invertebrate species. Reproductive responses to MPs exposure, varied depending on species, but included significant reduction in gamete and oocyte quality, fecundity, sperm swimming speed, and quality of offspring. The lack of published data means that developing a clear understanding of the impact across taxonomic groups with different feeding and behavioral traits is often difficult. Further work is required to better understand the risk MPs pose to the immune and reproductive systems of marine species in order to fully evaluate the impact these ubiquitous pollutants are having on marine ecosystems and the associated goods and services they provide.

Impact of the erineum strain of Colomerus vitis (Acari: Eriophyidae) on the development of plants of grapevine cultivars of Iran.

The present experiment was aimed at determining the influence of the grape erineum strain of Colomerus vitis (GEM) (Acari: Eriophyidae) on responses of local grapevine cultivars. GEM was applied at five density levels to each of five cultivars, i.e. Shahani, Sahebi Uroomie, Khalili Bovanat, Rishbaba and Sezdang Ghalat (listed from early to late grape ripening). The experiment was performed in a full factorial design (12 replicates each) and effects of the mite on the relative content of leaf chlorophyll, internode and cane length, leaf area and weight, number and size of the erinea, and percentage of leaves with erinea were investigated. Also mite density on leaves and in buds was assessed. Data were analyzed with a two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test to separate means among treatment levels and cultivars. The relative content of chlorophyll (expressed in Spad units) in infested leaves was reduced along with an increase in mite density and it was shown to be highly significant at the two higher mite density levels for Khalili Bovanat, Rishbaba and Sezdang Ghalat; Shahani and Sahebi Uroomie leaves appeared to be less affected by mite infestation. The highest mite density treatment displayed a strong correlation with weight (positive correlation) and size (negative correlation) of the leaves of four cultivars; leaves of Sahebi Uroomie appeared to be less affected. The reduced internode length was weak in infested plants. Most infested plants produced shorter canes and their lengths appeared to have a strong negative correlation with the highest mite density in four cultivars; canes of Sahebi Uroomie did not appear affected. At the highest mite density, canes of Khalili Bovanat and Sahebi Uroomie displayed the most and the least shortening effects, respectively. The percentage of leaves with erinea, as well as the number of erinea per leaves and the diameter of erinea increased along with the mite population density. The mite densities in buds (April 2014) and on leaves with erinea (in November 2013) were higher at the highest treatment level in the medium-late (Rishbaba) and late ripening (Sezdang Ghalat) cultivars, than in the early and early-medium ripening ones. Almost all data collected in the current experiment allowed the conclusion that Sahebi Uroomie and Shahani were less affected than the other cultivars (Khalili Bovanat, Rishbaba and Sezdang Ghalat).

Study of defense-related gene expression in grapevine infested by Colomerus vitis (Acari: Eriophyidae).

Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to study the expression of some marker genes involved in the interaction between grape (Vitis vinifera L.) and the erineum mite Colomerus vitis Pagenstecher (Acari: Eriophyidae). Potted vines of cultivars Atabaki (resistant to C. vitis), Ghalati (susceptible to C. vitis) and Muscat Gordo (moderately resistant to C. vitis) were infested at the six-leaf stage. The expression of protease inhibitor (PIN), beta-1,3-glucanase (GLU), polygalacturonase inhibitor (PGIP), Vitis vinifera proline-rich protein 1 (PRP1), stilbene synthase (STS), and lipoxygenase (LOX) genes was assessed on young leaves collected 96, 120 and 144 h after mite infestation (hami). As a control, non-infested leaves collected 24 h before mite infestations were used. Differences were detected in expression of the selected genes during the C. vitis-grapevine interaction. The resistant cultivar Atabaki increased the expression of LOX, STS, GLU, PGIP and PRP1 genes during the first 120 hami. On the contrary, in the susceptible Ghalati, all selected genes showed an expression level similar or lower than non-infested leaves. Muscat Gordo increased the expression of all selected genes in comparison with non-infested leaves, but it was lower than in Atabaki. Significant transcript accumulation of PIN gene was detected for Muscat Gordo whereas it was slightly up-regulated in Ghalati and Atabaki. LOX, STS, PIN, GLU, PGIP and PRP1 genes were clearly expressed in response to C. vitis infestation. We therefore infer that expression of PGIP, PIN and PRP1 genes could represent a defense strategy against C. vitis infestations in grapevine leaves.

Influence of the erineum strain of Colomerus vitis (Acari: Eriophyidae) on grape (Vitis vinifera) defense mechanisms.

Grape (Vitis vinifera) is commonly affected by the erineum strain of Colomerus vitis (GEM) in Iran and the susceptibility of grape cultivars to GEM is poorly understood. In order to evaluate the impact of GEM on grape and its defense mechanisms against the mite, an exploratory study was carried out on 19 cultivars (18 Iranian and the non-native Muscat Gordo). The differential susceptibility of cultivars to GEM was compared on the basis of the area of leaf damage induced by GEM. The cultivars White Thompson seedless of Bovanat, Atabaki Zarghan, Koladari Ghoochan and Sahebi Uroomie were less susceptible to GEM, whereas Ghalati Dodaj, Rishbaba, Muscat Gordo and Neyshaboori Birjand appeared to be the most affected by the mite. In a no-choice setup, plants of selected cultivars of these two groups were infested by GEM and assayed for 10 biomarkers usually related to plant stress mechanisms against plant feeders: the activity of defense enzymes-peroxidase (POX), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), catalase (CAT), the amount of total polyphenolics, total flavonoids, total soluble carbohydrates, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and malondialdehyde (MDA) expressing lipid peroxidation. The biomarkers were assessed in grape leaves 7 days before releasing the mites, as well as 7, 14 and 28 days after infestation (DAI). The activity of the enzymes and the amount of the compounds usually increased in percentage after mite infestation. A significant negative correlation was found between the area of leaf damage and PPO, POX, SOD, MDA and H2O2 for all sampling dates. The area of leaf damage showed a significant positive correlation with total soluble carbohydrates at 28 DAI, and significant negative correlations with CAT (at 14 and 28 DAI), PAL and total flavonoids (at 7 DAI). No correlation was observed between area of leaf damage and total polyphenolics. The biomarkers PPO, SOD, CAT activity and H2O2 provided the best explanation for the response of grape cultivars to GEM infestation.

Utilizing modern experimental methodology to quantify jet-breaker dimension effects on drop manhole performance.

Drop structures and especially drop manholes are extensively employed in supercritical routes of sewer and drainage systems. Drop manholes remarkably affect hydraulic features of their downstream system, while their operation is dominated by the flow regime inside them. Poor hydraulic performance of these structures under Regime R2 was improved with the jet-breaker, yet its proper dimensions were needed to be precisely determined. In this paper, effects of the jet-breaker length, width, sagitta, and angle on drop manhole energy dissipation and air demand (as responses), under the inlet pipe 80% filling ration, were experimentally studied. The modern statistical design of experiment (DoE) methodology and dimensional analysis were utilized to design the experiments in accordance with the 24-1 IV fractional factorial design. Ten specific jet-breakers were examined and more than 135 tests were performed. The statistical analysis of the results revealed that both responses were significantly improved when the jet-breaker length and width were 2 and 1.4 times the inlet pipe diameter, respectively; its sagitta was equal to 0, and its angle was at 70°. The use of DoE resulted in 21% reduction in experimental runs, straightforward data analysis, and unbiased concluding.

Resistance of grapevine to the erineum strain of Colomerus vitis (Acari: Eriophyidae) in western Iran and its correlation with plant features.

The interaction of grape erineum mite (GEM), Colomerus vitis Pagenstecher (Acari: Eriophyidae), with grape was investigated in the laboratory. We studied some plant morphological biochemical features potentially related to vine resistance/tolerance of eight native grapevine cultivars, extensively cultivated in western Iran, and two non-native cultivars. Free-choice experiments indicated that the cultivars Shahani, Flame seedless and Yaghuti were colonized by lower levels of GEM, whereas Muscat Gordo, Gazne and White Thompson seedless hosted denser populations. These differences between cultivars may be due to differential attractiveness to GEM, possibly associated with plant biochemical and morphological traits. In no-choice assays with six grapevine cultivars, mite population development and some cultivar features were assessed. Mite populations grew fastest on Gazne and Muscat Gordo, and slowest on Yaghuti and Shahani. The degree of mite infestation was associated with reduction of leaf area, increase of leaf weight, shortening of shoots and more numerous erinea: these features were larger on the most infested Gazne, whereas morphological features of Shahani and Yaghuti were scarcely affected by GEM infestation. Also trichome type and density of the assayed cultivars appeared to be related to mite density: the most infested cultivars (Gazne and Muscat Gordo) displayed higher ranks of blade and vein hairs and lower ranks of blade and vein bristles and domatia. No correlation was found between mite density and leaf thickness of mature leaves. The amount of leaf waxes was highest in Shahani and Yaghuti, which displayed the lowest mite density, the fewest erinea and the largest leaves. Carbohydrate amount of uninfested leaves was lowest on the least infested Shahani and highest on the most infested Gazne; phenols increased in leaves of Shahani and decreased in those of Gazne after mite infestation. Finally, cultivars also appeared to influence some morphological traits of the mites: larger specimens were detected on White Thompson seedless, Flame seedless and Gazne, whereas smaller mites were found on leaves of the less infested Yaghuti and Shahani. These results indicate that leaf hairiness, leaf wax and carbohydrate contents may be useful tools for a preliminary screening among vine cultivars and help predict resistance/tolerance to GEM. Shahani and Yaghuti seem quite promising for developing grape resistance programs against GEM in western Iran.

Neophyllobius lorestanicus sp. nov. and N. ostovani sp.nov. (Acari: Camerobiidae) from Iran.

Two new species of the genus Neophyllobius Berlese, 1886 are described: Neophyllobius lorestanicus sp. nov. collected from soil under Prunus domestica L. (Rosaceae) in Markazi province and Neophyllobius ostovani sp. nov. from soil and rotten leaves of oak trees in Fars province, Iran. A key to all known Iranian and Turkish species of Neophyllobius is provided.

Development of a 12-Word Version of a Verbal Learning Test for Persian-Speaking Older Adults: Reliability, Construct Validity, and Normative Standards.

OBJECTIVE: As people enter old age, they develop diseases, challenges, and cognitive and behavioral deficits that are associated with decreased abilities. Memory abilities and deficiencies and impaired models can be assessed using neuropsychological instruments, and a rehabilitation program can be developed based on the individuals' memory deficits. The present cross-sectional research aims to develop a new test (henceforth known as the Persian Verbal Learning Test, or PVLT) that is appropriate for Persian-speaking older adults. METHODS: For normative data, we administered PVLT to a group of 374 Persian-speaking healthy older adults consisting of both genders (190 women and 184 men) who were aged 60-89 years old. To determine reliability and validity, we evaluated neurologically healthy older adults and analyzed the results using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The present findings showed that age, education, and gender significantly affect subtests of the PVLT. In the evaluation of reliability, significant positive correlations were observed between the variables of the PVLT in the standard/standard form. Furthermore, moderate correlations were observed between PVLT variables (immediate recall, short-delay recall, long-delay recall, and recognition), and the Immediate and Delayed Logical Memory subtests of Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R). However, subtests of the PVLT also showed significantly positive correlations with MoCA and non-verbal variables of WMS-R. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study and given the good psychometric properties obtained, PVLT can potentially be used as a more appropriate tool than the SVLT for Persian-speaking older adults.

The protective effect of benfotiamine on gastric ulcers in male rats: an experimental study.

Gastric ulcers are a common gastrointestinal disorder associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It can also increase the risk of gastric cancer. This study aimed to investigate the effect of benfotiamine on experimentally-induced gastric ulcers in male rats. In this study, 30 Wistar male rats were divided randomly into six groups: control (normal), indomethacin, omeprazole, and treatment groups, including 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of benfotiamine. Gastric ulcer was induced by indomethacin gavage. Omeprazole and different therapeutic doses of benfotiamine were administered for three days. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment, the rats were euthanized, and samples were collected.The results demonstrated that 100 and 200 mg/kg of benfotiamine treatment significantly improved indomethacin-induced gastric tissue damage. Moreover, benfotiamine at 100 and 200 mg/kg effectively attenuated the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α and oxidative stress markers MDA and ROS while increasing the antioxidant GSH. These findings suggest that benfotiamine's gastroprotective effects are mediated through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which help mitigate the tissue damage and inflammatory response associated with indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers.However, further research is needed to elucidate the precise molecular mechanisms underlying these beneficial effects and to evaluate the potential therapeutic application of benfotiamine in clinical settings.

Three new species of the genus Neophyllobius Berlese (Acari: Camerobiidae) from Southern and Southwestern Iran.

Three new species of the genus Neophyllobius Berlese, 1886 are described and illustrated from Iran: Neophyllobius edwardi sp. nov. and Neophyllobius seemani sp. nov. collected from soil under oak trees; and Neophyllobius dogani sp. nov. collected from soil under Astragalus bushes. A key to the species of Iran is provided.

Austroteneriffia shiraziensis sp. nov. (Acari: Teneriffiidae) from southwestern Iran, with description of male and immature stages.

A new species, Austroteneriffia shiraziensis sp. nov., is described and illustrated from soil under oak trees in the Koohm- are Sorkhi region, Fars province, south western Iran. The description ofA. shiraziensis sp. nov. is based on females, males, deutonymphs, and protonymphs. A key to adult females of Austroteneriffia is provided.

New species of Hypoaspis Canestrini and Coleolaelaps Berlese (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) associated with Polyphylla olivieri Castelnau (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Iran .

White grubs, including Polyphylla olivieri Castelnau, are among the most economically important pests of orchard trees and other crops such as potato and sugar beet. The larvae feed on the roots of the host plants and their adults feed on the leaves. Several types of organisms are parasitic or phoretic on this pest, including three species of mites from Iran. Two new species of mites, namely Hypoaspis (Hypoaspis) surii n. sp. and Coleolaelaps massoumii n. sp. are described here from the adults of P. olivieri in Hamedan, Iran. Hypoaspis polyphyllae Khanjani & Ueckermann was previously described from the larva of this species of beetle.

The impact of microplastics on bivalve mollusks: A bibliometric and scientific review.

Bivalves are important members of the ecosystem and their populations are declining globally, making them a concern for their role in ecosystem services and the fishing industry. Bivalves are excellent bioindicators of MPs pollution due to their widespread distribution, filtering capabilities, and close association with human health. Microplastics (MPs) have direct and indirect impacts on bivalves, affecting their physiology, habitat structure, food sources, and persistence of organic pollutants. This review provides an extensive overview of the impact of MPs on bivalves, covering various aspects such as their economic significance, ecological roles, and importance in biomonitoring environmental quality. The article presents the current state of knowledge on the sources and pathways of MPs in aquatic environments and their effects on bivalves. The mechanisms underlying the effects of MPs on bivalves, including ingestion, filtration activity, feeding inhibition, accumulation, bioaccumulation, and reproduction, are also discussed. Additionally, a bibliometric analysis of research on MPs in bivalves is presented, highlighting the number of papers, geographical distribution, and keyword clusters relating to MPs. Finally, the review emphasizes the importance of ongoing research and the development of mitigation strategies to reduce the negative effects of MPs pollution on bivalves and their habitats in oceans and coastal waters.