Nano-selenium supplementation: improving growth, digestibility and mineral absorption in freshwater fish, Catla catla.

BACKGROUND: This research investigated the impact of selenium-nanoparticles (Se-NPs) supplemented in sunflower meal (SM)-based diets on digestibility, mineral absorption, and growth performance of Catla catla. Se-NPs were added to seven test meals in varying amounts (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 mgkg- 1). A total of 315 fish were evenly allocated three replicate tanks, with 15 fish per tank, and given diets equivalent to (5%) of their wet biomass daily for a period of 90 days. RESULTS: The test diet (T-D) supplemented with 1.5 mgkg- 1 Se-NPs yielded remarkable results, including a significant increase in mean weight gain (14 g), an impressive average weight gain percentage (208%), a 100% survival rate, with no mortality observed and the highest specific growth rate (1.25). Moreover, 1.5 mgkg- 1 Se-NPs (T-D-IV) demonstrated superior nutritional digestibility (CP, 76%; CF, 79% and GE, 74%). Additionally, the diet 1.5 mgkg- 1 Se-NPs showed enhanced mineral absorption (K, P, Ca, Na, Zn, Cu and Fe) than other diets. CONCLUSION: It was practically proven that the growth indices, nutrient absorption, and mineral status of C. catla were significantly improved by Se-NPs supplemented SM-based diets, with the optimum level of supplementation being 1.5 mgkg- 1.

Investigating the toxicity of polylactic acid microplastics on the health and physiology of freshwater fish, Cirrhinus mrigala.

The widespread presence of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic ecosystems has raised growing concerns among ecotoxicologists regarding their potential toxicity. This study explored the impacts of polylactic acid (PLA) MPs on the physiology and health of freshwater fish, Cirrhinus mrigala, by dietary exposure for 90 days. The experiment consisted of six groups: five treatment groups (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, and 2.5% PLA-MP) and a control group (0% PLA-MP). Each group was comprised of fifteen fish, and the experiment was replicated three times. The exposure severity of PLA-MPs varied from low to high, with treatment levels ranging from 0.5% to 2.5% PLA-MPs, relative to the control group. This exposure significantly affected their growth performance. Additionally, the apparent digestibility of the SFM-based diet decreased with increasing PLA-MPs concentration. Exposure to PLA-MPs induced considerable changes in body composition, characterized by increased moisture and crude fat content and decreased ash content and crude protein. The blood profile, including MCHC, RBCs, Hb, PLT and PCV exhibited significant declines in the high treatment group (2.5% PLA-MPs), while MCH, WBCs and MCV showed notable increases. Furthermore, histopathological examination of the intestine revealed an increase in abnormalities in the intestine at 2.5% PLA-MPs level. The high treatment group (2.5% PLA-MPs) showed the lowest mineral content in the fish muscles. In summary, dietary exposure to PLA-MPs led to alterations in overall body performance across the treatment groups, ranging from low to high severity levels.

Toxicological assessment of dietary exposure of polyethylene microplastics on growth, nutrient digestibility, carcass and gut histology of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings.

This study was conducted to ascertain the negative effects of dietary low-density polyethylene microplastics (LDPE-MPs) exposure on growth, nutrient digestibility, body composition and gut histology of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Six sunflower meal-based diets (protein 30.95%; fat 8.04%) were prepared; one was the control (0%) and five were incorporated with LDPE-MPs at levels of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10% in sunflower meal-based diets. A total of eighteen experimental tanks, each with 15 fingerlings, were used in triplicates. Fish were fed at the rate of 5% biomass twice a day for 60 days. Results revealed that best values of growth, nutrient digestibility, body composition and gut histology were observed by control diet, while 10% exposure to LDPE-MPs significantly (P < 0.05) reduced weight gain (WG%, 85.04%), specific growth rate (SGR%, 0.68%), and increased FCR (3.92%). The findings showed that higher level of LDPE-MPs (10%) exposure in the diet of O. niloticus negatively affects nutrient digestibility. Furthermore, the results revealed that the higher concentration of LDPE-MPs (10%) had a detrimental impact on crude protein (11.92%) and crude fat (8.04%). A high number of histological lesions were seen in gut of fingerlings exposed to LDPE-MPs. Hence, LDPE-MPs potentially harm the aquatic health.

Impact of feeding biochar sources in rohu (Labeo rohita): Evaluating the growth, nutrient absorption, carcass composition, haematology and mineral status.

Biochar, an organic carbonaceous matter, is a unique feed additive that is now being used in aquaculture industry to formulate a cost-effective and eco-friendly diet. This experiment (in door) was conducted over course of 90 days to determine the most effective form of biochar, produced from various sources, for supplementation in Moringa oleifera seed meal-based diet. These sources were: farmyard manure biochar, parthenium biochar (PB), vegetable waste biochar, poultry waste biochar (PWB) and corncob waste biochar, added at 2 g/kg concentration to determine the effect of supplementation on the growth indices, nutrient absorption, carcass composition, haematology and mineral status of Labeo rohita (rohu) fingerlings. The research design consisted of six test diets with three replications (6 × 3) of each. Total of 270 fingerlings (6.30 ± 0.020 g) were fed at 5% body weight and 15 of them were kept in separate steel tanks. The results indicated that PWB was most effective in improving weight gain (285.58 ± 4.54%) and feed conversion ratio (1.060 ± 0.040) compared to control diet and other test diets. The same type of biochar (PWB) produced the best results for nutrient digestibility, that is, crude protein, crude fat and gross energy and carcass composition. In terms of haematology and mineral status, PWB showed the best results. In conclusion, it was found that PWB significantly enhanced (p < 0.05) L. rohita fingerling's growth, carcass composition, nutrient digestibility, haematological parameters (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and haemoglobin) and mineral composition (Ca, Na, P, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, K and Cu) whereas PB negatively affected all parameters. It is anticipated that the potential use of biochar will increase in aquaculture industry, as research on its incorporation in fish feeds is still limited.

Oncoinformatic screening of the gene clusters involved in the HER2-positive breast cancer formation along with the in silico pharmacodynamic profiling of selective long-chain omega-3 fatty acids as the metastatic antagonists.

The HER2-positive patients occupy ~ 30% of the total breast cancer patients globally where no prevalent drugs are available to mitigate the frequent metastasis clinically except lapatinib and neratinib. This scarcity reinforced researchers' quest for new medications where natural substances are significantly considered. Valuing the aforementioned issues, this research aimed to study the ERBB2-mediated string networks that work behind the HER2-positive breast cancer formation regarding co-expression, gene regulation, GAMA-receptor-signaling pathway, cellular polarization, and signal inhibition. Following the overexpression, promotor methylation, and survivability profiles of ERBB2, the super docking position of HER2 was identified using the quantum tunneling algorithm. Supramolecular docking was conducted to study the target specificity of EPA and DHA fatty acids followed by a comprehensive molecular dynamic simulation (100 ns) to reveal the RMSD, RMSF, Rg, SASA, H-bonds, and MM/GBSA values. Finally, potential drug targets for EPA and DHA in breast cancer were constructed to determine the drug-protein interactions (DPI) at metabolic stages. Considering the values resulting from the combinational models of the oncoinformatic, pharmacodynamic, and metabolic parameters, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA can be considered as potential-targeted therapeutics for HER2-positive breast cancer treatment.

Recuperative Effects of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) in Catla catla After Sub-Lethal Exposure to Lead.

This research was conducted to validate the beneficial effects of incorporating dietary cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) powder (CzP) in alleviating lead (Pb) poisoning in fish. Healthy Catla catla individuals (16.36 ± 0.19 g/fish) were distributed across 18 tanks in triplicate groups. The experimental groups were as follows: Control group: fish without supplementation or exposure to Pb; positive control group: fish without supplementation but exposed to 1 mg/L Pb; 5 g/kg CzP along with 1 mg/L Pb exposure; 10 g/kg CzP along with 1 mg/L Pb exposure; 15 g/kg CzP along with 1 mg/L Pb exposure; and 20 g/kg CzP along with 1 mg/L Pb exposure. The trial continued for a period of 60 days. Waterborne Pb had a deleterious effect on fish growth performance, body composition, blood profile, and digestive enzyme activity, along with elevated Pb accumulation in various tissues. Conversely, consumption of cinnamon effectively mitigated the toxic potential of Pb and enhanced fish longevity. Notably, 10 g/kg CzP boosted growth, improved carcass quality, reversed blood indices, restored enzyme function in the gut, and mitigated Pb accumulation in tissues. In summary, the findings revealed that incorporating 10 g/kg of CzP as a dietary supplement in C. catla aquaculture could effectively counteract heavy metal toxicity.

Dietary nano-Selenium supplementation improves growth performance, nutrient digestibility and hematology in Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings.

The following investigation was carried out to determine the effects of Selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) on the growth rates, nutrient digestibility, and hematology of Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings fed sunflower meal as basal diet. The experiment included seven test diets with varying Se levels (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 mg/kg) based on Se NPs supplementation. Chromic oxide, an inert maker, was also added. Fingerlings were fed at a rate of 5% of their body weight. The test meal of 1 mg/kg Se NPs resulted in the highest weight gain (12.31 g) and the lowest feed conversion ratio (1.58). Best hematological indices (RBCs 2.84 106 mm-3, WBCs 7.79 103 mm-3, PLT 66, Hb 8.5 g/100 ml, PCV 25% and MCV 190 fl) and maximum nutrient absorption (crude protein 72%, ether extract 73% and gross energy 67%) were also observed in the case of 1 mg/kg supplementation of Se NPs. Hematology studies indicated that when fish were fed 0.5 mg/kg Se NPs, their levels began to rise. Maximum results were achieved with feed containing 1 mg/kg of Se NPs, but when the concentration increased above 1 mg/kg, the values began to decline. Instead, nutrient digestibility began to increase when the concentration of Se NPs increased to 1 mg/kg and abruptly started to decline with a further increase in Se NPs. The results demonstrated that a sunflower meal-based diet supplemented with Se NPs (1 mg/kg) increased the growth performance, nutritional digestibility, and hematology of C. mrigala fingerlings.

Nutrient strengthening and lead alleviation in Brassica Napus L. by foliar ZnO and TiO2-NPs modulating antioxidant system, improving photosynthetic efficiency and reducing lead uptake.

With the anticipated foliar application of nanoparticles (NPs) as a potential strategy to improve crop production and ameliorate heavy metal toxicity, it is crucial to evaluate the role of NPs in improving the nutrient content of plants under Lead (Pb) stress for achieving higher agriculture productivity to ensure food security. Herein, Brassica napus L. grown under Pb contaminated soil (300 mg/kg) was sprayed with different rates (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg/L) of TiO2 and ZnO-NPs. The plants were evaluated for growth attributes, photosynthetic pigments, leaf exchange attributes, oxidant and antioxidant enzyme activities. The results revealed that 100 mg/L NPs foliar application significantly augmented plant growth, photosynthetic pigments, and leaf gas exchange attributes. Furthermore, 100 mg/L TiO2 and ZnO-NPs application showed a maximum increase in SPAD values (79.1%, 68.9%). NPs foliar application (100 mg/L TiO2 and ZnO-NPs) also substantially reduced malondialdehyde (44.3%, 38.3%), hydrogen peroxide (59.9%, 53.1%), electrolyte leakage (74.8%, 68.3%), and increased peroxidase (93.8%, 89.1%), catalase (91.3%, 84.1%), superoxide dismutase (81.8%, 73.5%) and ascorbate peroxidase (78.5%, 73.7%) thereby reducing Pb accumulation. NPs foliar application (100 mg/L) significantly reduced root Pb (45.7%, 42.3%) and shoot Pb (84.1%, 76.7%) concentration in TiO2 and ZnO-NPs respectively, as compared to control. Importantly, macro and micronutrient analysis showed that foliar application 100 mg/L TiO2 and ZnO-NPs increased shoot zinc (58.4%, 78.7%) iron (79.3%, 89.9%), manganese (62.8%, 68.6%), magnesium (72.1%, 93.7%), calcium (58.2%, 69.9%) and potassium (81.5%, 68.6%) when compared to control without NPs. The same trend was observed for root nutrient concentration. In conclusion, we found that the TiO2 and ZnO-NPs have the greatest efficiency at 100 mg/L concentration to alleviate Pb induced toxicity on growth, photosynthesis, and nutrient content of Brassica napus L. NPs foliar application is a promising strategy to ensure sustainable agriculture and food safety under metal contamination.

Clinical and serological insights into paraneoplastic brachial amyotrophic diplegia.

BACKGROUND: Brachial amyotrophic diplegia (BAD) is typically linked to a neurodegenerative etiology such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Clinical and serological characterizations of paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes resembling BAD are limited. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients with BAD-like presentations was conducted. Clinical/paraclinical features of paraneoplastic BAD and neurodegenerative BAD cases were compared. RESULTS: Between 2017 and 2023, 13 cases of BAD were identified, of these 10 were neurodegenerative BAD (ALS variant), and 3 cases associated with paraneoplastic autoimmunity. An additional paraneoplastic BAD case diagnosed in 2005 was included. LUZP4-IgG was detected in all four paraneoplastic cases, with coexisting KLHL11-IgG in three cases and ANNA1 (anti-Hu)-IgG in one case. Out of the four paraneoplastic cases, two patients had seminoma, while the remaining two had limited cancer investigation. Three patients exhibited bi-brachial weakness as the initial symptom before the onset of brainstem symptoms or seizures. Compared to BAD patients with a neurodegenerative etiology, a higher proportion of paraneoplastic cases had ataxia (75% vs 0%, p = 0.011). Other clinical features only detected in the paraneoplastic BAD group were vertigo (n = 2), hearing loss (n = 2) and ophthalmoplegia (n = 2). Electrodiagnostic studies in these patients revealed cervical myotome involvement, supportive of motor neuronopathy. All paraneoplastic cases but none of the neurodegenerative BAD cases exhibited inflammatory cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings (lymphocytic pleocytosis and/or supernumerary oligoclonal bands; p = 0.067). Despite the administration of immunotherapy and/or cancer treatment, none of the paraneoplastic patients reported clinical improvement. DISCUSSION: BAD or bi-brachial neurogenic weakness is a rare phenotypic presentation associated with paraneoplastic autoimmunity. Co-existing features of brainstem dysfunction or cerebellar ataxia should prompt further paraneoplastic evaluation. Common serological and cancer associations among these cases include LUZP4-IgG and KLHL11-IgG, along with testicular germ cell tumors, respectively.

Substitution of fishmeal: Highlights of potential plant protein sources for aquaculture sustainability.

High protein content, excellent amino acid profile, absence of anti-nutritional factors (ANFs), high digestibility and good palatability of fishmeal (FM), make it a major source of protein in aquaculture. Naturally derived FM is at risk due to an increase in its demand, unsustainable practices, and price. Thus, there is an urgent need to find affordable and suitable protein sources to replace FM. Plant protein sources are suitable due to their widespread availability and low cost. However, they contained certain ANFs, deficiency of some amino acids, low nutrient bioavailability and poor digestibility due to presence of starch and fiber. These unfavourable characteristics make them less suitable for feed as compared to FM. Thus, these potential challenges and limitations associated with various plant proteins have to be overcome by using different methods, i.e. enzymatic pretreatments, solvent extraction, heat treatments and fermentation, that are discussed briefly in this review. This review assessed the impacts of plant products on growth performance, body composition, flesh quality, changes in metabolic activities and immune response of fishes. To minimize the negative effects and to enhance nutritional value of plant products, beneficial functional additives such as citric acid, phytase and probiotics could be incorporated into the plant-based FM. Interestingly, these additives improve growth of fishes by increasing digestibility and nutrient utilization of plant based feeds. Overall, this review demonstrated that the substitution of fishmeal by plant protein sources is a plausible, technically-viable and practical option for sustainable aquaculture feed production.

Salt stress amelioration and nutrient strengthening in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) via biochar amendment and zinc fortification: seed priming versus foliar application.

Soil salinity is a major nutritional challenge with poor agriculture production characterized by high sodium (Na+) ions in the soil. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and biochar have received attention as a sustainable strategy to reduce biotic and abiotic stress. However, there is a lack of information regarding the incorporation of ZnO NPs with biochar to ameliorate the salinity stress (0, 50,100 mM). Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the potentials of ZnO NPs application (priming and foliar) alone and with a combination of biochar on the growth and nutrient availability of spinach plants under salinity stress. Results demonstrated that salinity stress at a higher rate (100 mM) showed maximum growth retardation by inducing oxidative stress, resulted in reduced photosynthetic rate and nutrient availability. ZnO NPs (priming and foliar) alone enhanced growth, chlorophyll contents and gas exchange parameters by improving the antioxidant enzymes activity of spinach under salinity stress. While, a significant and more pronounced effect was observed at combined treatments of ZnO NPs with biochar amendment. More importantly, ZnO NPs foliar application with biochar significantly reduced the Na+ contents in root 57.69%, and leaves 61.27% of spinach as compared to the respective control. Furthermore, higher nutrient contents were also found at the combined treatment of ZnO NPs foliar application with biochar. Overall, ZnO NPs combined application with biochar proved to be an efficient and sustainable strategy to alleviate salinity stress and improve crop nutritional quality under salinity stress. We inferred that ZnO NPs foliar application with a combination of biochar is more effectual in improving crop nutritional status and salinity mitigation than priming treatments with a combination of biochar.

Towards cleaner environment: recycling microalgal co-product to reduce emissions and impacts while eliminating fishmeal in rainbow trout feed for sustainable aquaculture.

The rapid increase in aquaculture over the last several decades has led to concerns about the environmental impact of fish feeds relying on marine resources for fishmeal (FM). We aim to assess Nannochloropsis sp. QH25 co-product as a viable and sustainable replacement for FM in juvenile rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, feeds. We formulated four experimental diets: a reference (FM based), 33N, 66N, and 100N diet (33%, 66%, and 100% co-product replacement). Rainbow trout were randomly assigned to one of 16 tanks and randomly assigned an experimental diet to consume throughout the experiment (64 days total), with four replicate tanks per diet. We compared the phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) digestibility, emissions, and growth between diets and, compared six environmental impacts (biotic resource use (BRU), global warming potential (GWP), water use, land use, marine eutrophication potential (MEP), and freshwater eutrophication potential (FEP)) of each diet. Our results indicate that replacing FM with co-product did not significantly alter growth. P digestibility of the experimental and reference diets was comparable. BRU conversion ratio was significantly lower in the experimental diets. However, there were significantly higher water and land use conversion ratios but insignificantly higher results in GWP, MEP, and FEP between the reference and 100N diet.

In vivo solid-phase microextraction with in vitro calibration: determination of off-flavor components in live fish.

The presence of off-flavor compounds in fish represents a significant economic problem encountered in aquaculture production. The off-flavor compounds are due to the absorption of substances produced by a range of microorganisms. Currently, a number of strategies have been used to prevent or limit the growth of these microorganisms. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies via monitoring the concentrations of off-flavor compounds in the recirculating aquaculture system. In vivo solid-phase microextraction (SPME), a rapid and simple sample preparation method, will allow monitoring the concentration of off-flavor compounds in live fish. In this research, geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) produced by cyanobacteria and actinomycetes, which are the major sources for "earthy" and "muddy" flavors in fish, were selected as representatives. In order to accurately quantify these compounds in fish muscle, two kinetic calibration methods, on-fiber standardization and measurement using predetermined sampling rate, were used as quantification methods, which were both validated by traditional methods. The detection limit of in vivo SPME in fish muscle was 0.12 ng/g for geosmin and 0.21 ng/g for 2-MIB, which are both below the human sensory thresholds.

Microorganisms in Fish Feeds, Technological Innovations, and Key Strategies for Sustainable Aquaculture.

Aquaculture, the world's fastest growing food sector, produces over half of all fish for human consumption. Aquaculture feeds include fishmeal and fish oil, extracted from wild-caught fish such as sardines, and poses ecological, food security, and economic drawbacks. Microalgae, yeasts, fungi, bacteria, and other alternative ingredients show promise as potential ingredients in aquafeeds that provide protein/amino acids, lipids, or omega-3 sources and sources of bioactive molecules. This review article discusses the issues that the literature often lacks data on, such as the recent development of using microorganisms, technological innovation, challenges, and opportunities to develop a low environmental footprint of aquaculture diet. The ingredients often require novel processing technology to improve digestibility and fish growth and reduce antinutritional factors. This is an important gap to fill because microalgae are the most frequently used organism in fish feed, particularly as a dietary supplement or mixed with other ingredients. The production, processing, and formulating steps can affect the nutritional qualities. Stepwise strategies are required to evaluate these ingredients for feed application, and in this article, I articulated the stepwise key approaches of evaluating nutritional and environmental response metrics to develop highly sustainable aquaculture feed using these microorganisms, which would guide a more judicious inclusion of these novel ingredients.

Influences of dietary biotin and avidin on growth, survival, deficiency syndrome and hepatic gene expression of juvenile Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus.

This study was undertaken to assess the interactive effects of dietary biotin and avidin on growth, feed conversion, survival and deficiency syndrome of tilapia and to determine the influence of dietary biotin deficiency on the expression of key genes related to biotin metabolism in tilapia. Six iso-nitrogenous and iso-energetic diets based on a common purified basal diet (vitamin-free casein as the protein source) were prepared for this study. The six dietary groups were 0 g avidin with 0 mg biotin (A0B0), 0 g avidin with 0.06 mg biotin/kg diet (A0B1), four avidin-supplemented diets incorporating at a incremental concentrations 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg diet with 0.06 mg biotin/kg diet (A15B1, A30B1, A60B1 and A120B1). Fish were hand-fed three times a day to apparent satiation for 12 weeks. Each diet was fed to three replicate groups of fish. Fish were kept in glass aquaria in a recirculating aquaculture system under standardized environmental conditions. Growth was significantly higher in fish that received the biotin-supplemented diet (A0B1), compared to diets lacking biotin or supplemented with avidin. Tilapia fed higher concentration of avidin-supplemented diets (A60B1 and A120B1) showed significant growth depression and displayed severe deficiency syndromes such as lethargy, anorexia, circular swimming and convulsions, which ultimately lead to death. There was a strong proportional linear relationship between the avidin content of the diet and feed conversion ratio, FCR (y = 0.43x + 0.135; r = 0.960; P < 0.001) and strong inverse relationship with protein efficiency ratio, PER (y = -0.309x + 2.195; r = 0.961; P < 0.0001). Elevated levels of biotinidase, pyruvate carboxylase, propionyl-CoA carboxylase-A and propionyl-CoA carboxylase-B transcripts were noted in fish fed all graded level of avidin-supplemented diets. A broken-line analysis indicated that feeding tilapia a diet with 44.5 times more avidin than the dietary biotin requirement can induce deficiency syndromes including retarded growth, when analyzing the data of percentage weight gain.

Management of Subacute Thyroiditis - A Systematic Review of Current Treatment Protocols.

Purpose: This systematic review endeavors to find an effective treatment protocol for subacute thyroiditis (SAT) to minimize side effects, recurrence and long-term hypothyroidism. Materials and Methods: We analyzed available original studies on treatment protocols for SAT. A thorough literature search was performed on the following online databases PubMed, Cochrane library nd Google Scholar using appropriate keywords for choosing relevant articles. Two reviewers assessed the methodological quality of selected articles independently using a critical appraisal instrument. The results were analyzed and synthesized qualitatively using the level of evidence method. Results: The literature search retrieved a total of 460 publications after abstract screening; out of which 36 articles met the inclusion criteria. After full text screening, 23 articles were further excluded as they were focusing on aspects of SAT other than management, the remaining 15 articles were investigated for both reliability and validity. Thirteen studies provided low-quality evidence, and two randomized control trials (RCT) provided a high quality of evidence. Steroid therapy was found to be the most effective for moderate to severe SAT and provided relief from acute symptoms but was found to not be a risk factor for recurrence. Low initial doses of steroid (15 mg) were preferred over high initial dosage (30-40 mg). Furthermore, a look into the mode of steroid delivery (RCT) revealed that intrathyroidal steroid therapy can potentially become a safer and faster mode of therapy. The duration of tapering was found to be of significance as a short tapering period was linked with greater recurrence rates. Conclusion: Low initial doses of steroid along with an extended tapering period may help lower recurrence rates; also, intrathyroidal steroid injections are potentially a better alternative to oral prednisone (PSN) with regard to safety and speed of action. However, the evidence is of moderate quality and further investigation is required.

Molecular identification, characterization, and antagonistic activity profiling of Bacillus cereus LOCK 1002 along with the in-silico analysis of its presumptive bacteriocins.

Objectives: This research aimed to isolate, identify, and characterize a new strain of Bacillus cereus through different molecular biology approaches so that it could be further studied for therapeutic purposes against selective enteric pathogens. Materials and Methods: Pure isolates of B. cereus were prepared from buffalo yogurt samples in REMBA medium. Initially, the morphological, physiological, and biochemical properties were studied accordingly. Following the tests, the molecular identification for the strain identification was conducted through plasmid DNA extraction, PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, and 16S rRNA sequencing up to 1.37 kb. Afterward, the antibiotic sensitivity [Epsilometer test (E-Test)] and antifungal activity were tested considering different concentrations. Being classified from the aforementioned tests, a comprehensive antimicrobial activity test was conducted using the cell-free-supernatant (CFS) of the test strain against selective enteric pathogens in humans in vitro. Besides, the different clusters of genes were identified and characterized for understanding the presumptive bacteriocins present in the CFS of the strain in silico, where molecular string properties were calculated. Finally, the evolutionary relationship among diversified bacteriocins synthesized by different Bacillus strains was studied to predict the CFS-containing bacteriocins of the new strain. Results: Purified isolates of B. cereus were Gram-positive rods and showed significant tolerance (p < 0.0001) to different concentrations of pH, phenol, bile salt, and NaCl. 16S rRNA revealed the strain as LOCK 1002, which was strongly sensitive to all the antibiotics used and resistant to selective antifungal agents. The CFS of B. cereus LOCK 1002 was found to be a very promising antagonist to all the enteric pathogens used in the culture condition. Two gene clusters were predicted to be interconnected and responsible for different presumptive bacteriocins. Conclusion: The newly identified LOCK 1002 can be a very potent strain of B. cereus in use as an antimicrobial agent for having different bacteriocin coding gene clusters.

Apparent Digestibility of Macronutrients and Fatty Acids from Microalgae (Schizochytrium sp.) Fed to Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): A Potential Candidate for Fish Oil Substitution.

Aquaculture feed formulation has recently turned its focus to reduce the reliance on marine-derived resources and utilise alternative feedstuffs, as an approach to improve the environmental sustainability of the aquaculture sector. The fish oil market is highly volatile, and availability of this commodity is continuously decreasing for use in aquaculture. Currently, a growing number of commercial efforts producing microalgae are providing omega 3-rich oil for sustainable aquaculture feed. This study was focused to determine the nutrient digestibility of a marine microalga, Schizochytrium spp., which is rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), as a novel dietary lipid source that could be utilized effectively by rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). A whole-cell Schizochytrium spp. biomass was used in the digestibility experiment at two different temperatures, 8 °C and 15 °C. No significant differences were detected between the two temperatures for the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of the dry matter (94.3 ± 4.9%), total lipids (85.8 ± 0.0%), crude proteins (89.5 ± 1.8%), energy (83.1 ± 1.7%) and fatty acids (85.8 ± 7.5%). The ADCs of the nutrients, energy, DHA and other fatty acids showed that Schizochytrium spp. is a high-quality candidate for fish oil substitution and supplement of LC-PUFA in fish feed with vegetable oils.

Microalgae-blend tilapia feed eliminates fishmeal and fish oil, improves growth, and is cost viable.

Aquafeed manufacturers have reduced, but not fully eliminated, fishmeal and fish oil and are seeking cost competitive replacements. We combined two commercially available microalgae, to produce a high-performing fish-free feed for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)-the world's second largest group of farmed fish. We substituted protein-rich defatted biomass of Nannochloropsis oculata (leftover after oil extraction for nutraceuticals) for fishmeal and whole cells of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich Schizochytrium sp. as substitute for fish oil. We found significantly better (p < 0.05) growth, weight gain, specific growth rate, and best (but not significantly different) feed conversion ratio using the fish-free feed compared with the reference diet. Fish-free feed also yielded higher (p < 0.05) fillet lipid, DHA, and protein content (but not significantly different). Furthermore, fish-free feed had the highest degree of in-vitro protein hydrolysis and protein digestibility. The median economic conversion ratio of the fish-free feed ($0.95/kg tilapia) was less than the reference diet ($1.03/kg tilapia), though the median feed cost ($0.68/kg feed) was slightly greater than that of the reference feed ($0.64/kg feed) (p < 0.05). Our work is a step toward eliminating reliance on fishmeal and fish oil with evidence of a cost-competitive microalgae-based tilapia feed that improves growth metrics and the nutritional quality of farmed fish.