Chattonella species (Raphidophyceae), marine protists, are prevalent in coastal waters. Blooms of harmful microalgae are a common cause of mass fish deaths in finfish aquaculture, leading to substantial losses. Blooms of Chattonella in the Johor Strait of Malaysia have been recorded since the 1980s. From the strait, two Chattonella strains were isolated in this study, and their morphology exhibited characteristics comparable to Chattonella subsalsa. The molecular analysis underscored the identity of the species as C. subsalsa. To accurately identify C. subsalsa cells within the environment, a whole-cell fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) approach was established. The nucleotide sequences of the large subunit (LSU) and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) were employed for the in silico design of species-specific oligonucleotide probes. buy IBG1 High hybridization efficiency and probe parameters served as the criteria for selecting the superior candidate signature regions in LSU-rRNA and ITS2-rDNA. FISH-TSA was employed to analyze the synthesized biotinylated probes. The findings showed that the probes were particularly effective in targeting the intended cell types. Harmful algal surveillance programs could benefit from the FISH-TSA method, which has been shown to effectively detect harmful algae types.
The causative factors in the development of type 2 diabetes include the synergistic effect of inflammation and oxidative stress. Recent studies investigated the antioxidant activity of Ethulia conyzoides, which was apparent in laboratory tests. In male Wistar rats with induced type 2 diabetes, the residual aqueous fraction of Ethulia conyzoides was examined for its in-vivo antidiabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory potential. For 21 days, sub-acute antidiabetic studies were conducted on varying doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight) of the residual aqueous fraction. Post-treatment, the levels of blood glucose, serum insulin, and in vivo antioxidant and pro-inflammatory cytokines, specifically tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-) and interleukin-1 (IL-1), were determined. When rats received different doses of the residual aqueous fraction, there was a significant (p < 0.005) reduction in blood glucose, malondialdehyde (MDA), IL-1, and TNF levels, accompanied by a significant (p < 0.005) increase in SOD (superoxide dismutase), catalase, and insulin levels in contrast to the diabetic control group. Furthermore, a concentration of 400 milligrams per kilogram of body weight emerged as the most effective dosage. The residual aqueous fraction of Ethulia conyzoides exhibits a significant degree of antidiabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, as suggested by this outcome.
A water quality assessment is essential to establish the safety and appropriateness of water parameters and nutrients for fish and freshwater prawns within the natural ecosystem of the Nyatuh River in Terengganu, Malaysia. A study was undertaken to evaluate water quality parameters and nutrient levels in the Nyatuh River, Setiu, Terengganu, in connection with Macrobrachium rosenbergii populations within its basin, owing to the river's significance. Water quality parameters at four expeditions and five stations, each located in a different tidal condition, were evaluated during the course of the study. The data analysis indicated temperature fluctuations between 2656°C and 2930°C, dissolved oxygen (DO) levels ranging from 359 mg/L to 650 mg/L, pH values spanning 499 to 701, salinity levels between 0.01 ppt and 422 ppt, and depth readings from 271 meters to 554 meters. Further analysis revealed ammonia levels between 0.01 mg/L and 0.24 mg/L, nitrite between 0.01 mg/L and 0.05 mg/L, and phosphate between 0.01 mg/L and 0.12 mg/L. Regarding prawn catches, Expeditions 1, 2, 4, and 3 resulted in 176, 160, 102, and 68, respectively. The discrepancy in prawn catches could be due to significant differences in water level depth during high and low tides, coupled with fluctuating ammonia concentrations at each station and throughout different expeditions. For the purpose of statistical analysis, the temperature readings from the expedition, stations, and tidal zones demonstrated no notable discrepancies. The variables p, p, and F have the respective values: p = 0.280, p > 0.005, and F = 1206. Dissolved oxygen (DO), in terms of statistical significance, remained consistently unchanged; the p-value (0.714) exceeded the significance level (0.05), and the corresponding F-statistic stood at 0.737. The water depths measured during the expedition, station, and tidal observations varied considerably, with statistically significant results emerging (p = 0.000, p = 0.005, F = 1255, respectively). buy IBG1 Expedition 1 exhibited a superior water quality parameter and exceedingly low ammonia concentration, resulting in a larger prawn population than other expeditions. The prawn catch displays significant variability in its distribution across sampling sites, a consequence of substantial variations in water depth and water quality, which includes fluctuations in ammonia levels. In closing, the Nyatuh River's water quality exhibited substantial variability across expeditions, sampling locations, and tides, highlighting a notable change in water level depth between high and low tides. Considering the rapid development and growing importance of industrial and aquaculture along the river, additional resources and procedures should be implemented to prevent damage to the ecosystem caused by excessive pollution.
Male fertility and reproductive health are intricately connected to dietary choices. Malaysian interest in herbal plants, as a means for both dietary supplementation and disease treatment, has increased substantially in recent years. Recently, Aquilaria malaccensis, popularly called karas or gaharu, has received increased attention for its medicinal potential stemming from its remarkable pharmacological properties. Still, there is a significant lack of research on how this affects male reproductive health and fertility. This study examined the effects of A. malaccensis on the weight of male reproductive organs (testis, epididymis, prostate gland, and seminal vesicle), and the correlation with sperm count, morphology, and motility in adult Sprague Dawley rats. Twenty-four male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four treatment groups: Control (receiving 1 mL of distilled water, n = 6), Treatment 1 (receiving 1 g A. malaccensis per kilogram body weight, n = 6), Treatment 2 (receiving 2 g A. malaccensis per kilogram body weight, n = 6), and Treatment 3 (receiving 3 g A. malaccensis per kilogram body weight, n = 6). Distilled water and A. malaccensis were administered via oral gavage, once daily, over a 28-day period. To determine the weight of the reproductive organs and the sperm's quality, the rats were put down on Day 29. Comparative analysis of testis, epididymis, prostate gland, seminal vesicle weights, and sperm motility revealed no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the control and treatment groups. There was a substantial increase in T1 (p<0.005), with a magnitude of 817%. In essence, the ingestion of 1, 2, or 3 grams of A. malaccensis had no impact whatsoever on the weight of the reproductive organs or sperm motility. Despite the increased consumption of A. malaccensis by the rodents, a negative effect was noted in both the quantity and structure of the sperm produced.
The research examined the potential of a blended culture of Bacillus subtilis, B. licheniformis, and B. megaterium to counteract acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) or Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS) in the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, using it as a representative model. Shrimp, infected with the Vibrio parahaemolyticus AHPND strain, were distributed to separate tanks and provided with specific diets featuring either Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus megaterium, or all Bacillus strains combined. Substantial survival of infected shrimps, fed a Bacillus mixed culture, correlated with a decreased percentage (5714%) of V. parahaemolyticus AHPND strain detection through PCR, indicating a small live cell count within the hepatopancreas. buy IBG1 Infected shrimp receiving Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, or Bacillus megaterium as feed showed widespread Vibrio parahaemolyticus AHPND strain distribution in all tissue, with 86.67%-100% PCR positive results and a high viable cell count (353-424 x 10³ CFU/g). Utilizing a combination of Bacillus subtilis, B. licheniformis, and B. megaterium bacteria demonstrated a capability to potentially manage the spread of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in shrimp, particularly within the hepatopancreas—the critical tissue for AHPND in white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). The vannamei shrimp is a vital component in aquaculture studies. This study revealed the efficiency and intricate process through which a mixed culture of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, and Bacillus megaterium controls the virulence of Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND), thus supporting its application in shrimp aquaculture as a biological control method to avoid chemical and antibiotic treatments.
Within Malaysia's oil palm plantations, the bagworm Metisa plana stands out as a primary pest, incurring considerable economic damage through infestation. Currently, the intricate microbial makeup of the bagworm is yet to undergo a systematic investigation. A crucial understanding of the pest's biology, including its bacterial community, is essential, as bacteria frequently associated with insects often confer advantages to the insect host, thereby enhancing its chances of survival. 16S amplicon sequencing served as the method to identify the bacterial community within M. plana. Comparative analyses of bacterial communities were performed twice. The first comparison contrasted early and late instar larvae from within the outbreak area; the second comparison contrasted late instar larvae from non-outbreak zones and those from outbreak areas.