Search Results (1,105)

The increasing reliance on imported fish products in Kazakhstan raises concerns about the presence of fish-borne parasitic infections, particularly zoonotic helminths that pose risks to public health. This study aimed to assess the diversity and prevalence of helminths in commercially imported marine fish using both traditional and molecular diagnostic methods. A total of 670 specimens representing 17 fish species were collected from retail markets in Astana, Almaty, and Karaganda. Macroscopic inspection and muscle compression techniques were used to detect larval parasites, followed by DNA extraction and PCR amplification targeting the ITS-2, 5.8S, 18S rRNA, and mitochondrial COX gene regions. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis confirmed the presence of cestodes (Eubothrium crassum, Hepatoxylon trichiuri, Nybelinia surmenicola), acanthocephalans (Echinorhynchus gadi), and nematodes, with a predominance of zoonotic species from the Anisakidae family, including Anisakis simplex, A. pegreffii, Pseudoterranova decipiens, and Contracaecum osculatum. The highest levels of infection were detected in Atka mackerel (97.1%), herring (96.0%), mackerel (92.0%), and blue whiting (88.1%), while the lowest rates were recorded in smelt (6.8%), flounder (10.2%), and haddock (16.0%). This is the first molecular-based survey of fish helminths in Kazakhstan and highlights the need to integrate genetic screening into food safety control systems to better protect consumers and improve parasite monitoring of imported seafood. Full article

The large-eye dentex (Dentex macrophthalmus) is a relatively small sparid fish with increasing potential as a supplementary fishery resource in the Mediterranean Sea, particularly as traditional stocks face overexploitation. Despite its widespread distribution, biological data on this species, especially from Greek waters, remain scarce. This study presents the first comprehensive biological assessment of D. macrophthalmus in the Pagasitikos Gulf, focusing on population structure, growth, mortality, and the application of machine learning (ML) for age prediction. A total of 305 individuals were collected, revealing a female-biased sex ratio and negative allometric growth in both somatic and otolith dimensions. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters indicated a slow growth rate (k = 0.16 year⁻¹), with an estimated asymptotic length (L∞) of 25.97 cm. The population was found to be underexploited (E = 0.41), suggesting resilience to current fishing pressure. Stepwise regression and ML models were employed to predict age from otolith morphometrics. A linear model identified otolith weight and aspect ratio as the most significant predictors of age (R² = 0.8). Among the ML algorithms tested, the Neural Network model achieved the highest performance (R² = 0.764, MAPE = 14.10%), demonstrating its potential for accurate and efficient age estimation. These findings provide crucial baseline data for the sustainable management of D. macrophthalmus and highlight the value of integrating advanced ML techniques into fisheries biology. Full article

Background: Although telomere length maintenance is a common characteristic of hematological malignancies, the role of telomere length as a prognostic factor to stratify acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients depending on their risk of relapse remains elusive. Methods: This knowledge gap motivated us to examine telomere length values in children with ALL at the time of diagnosis and after treatment using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) (n = 35). To achieve high-resolution precision and cell specificity, a quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization (qFISH) technique was developed (n = 5). Results: The results demonstrated statistically significant evidence of telomere shortening in the lymphoblasts of children with ALL but not in the lymphocytes of children after remission following treatment. Our findings also suggested a significant association between telomere shortening and a high risk of relapse disease. Last but not least, our preliminary results showed a trend that telomere shortening was more pronounced in children with B-ALL compared to those with T-ALL in a non-significant manner. Conclusions: Consequently, the current study provides preliminary insights into the potentially substantial prognostic value of telomere length in the progression of pediatric ALL, with the possibility of predicting treatment response. To clarify the application of telomere length as a possible biomarker for disease progression and treatment response in children with ALL, the telomere length values of additional participants need to be examined in further studies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Synovial sarcoma (SS) is an aggressive soft-tissue tumor characterized by the chromosomal translocation t(X;18) (p11.2;q11.2), most commonly involving the fusion of the SYT gene on chromosome 18 with the SSX1 or SSX2 genes on chromosome X. This study aims to explore the clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of synovial sarcoma in a cohort of Moroccan patients. Methods: We analyzed 48 cases of synovial sarcoma using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples. Histological grading was performed according to the FNCLCC system. Immunohistochemical staining was employed to detect cytokeratin (CK) and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA). Molecular analysis included fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to identify SS18 gene rearrangements and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect SYT-SSX fusion transcripts. Results: Among the cohort, 56% of cases showed SS18 gene rearrangements via FISH, while RT-PCR confirmed the presence of SS18-SSX1 and SS18-SSX2 transcripts in 60% and 32% of cases, respectively. The remainder was classified as undifferentiated sarcoma. Notably, no significant associations were observed between SYT-SSX fusion type and clinicopathological features. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of integrating molecular techniques for precise diagnosis in synovial sarcoma. The results align with global patterns, emphasizing the necessity for molecular testing to enhance diagnostic accuracy and informing potential therapeutic advancements. Full article

Effective management of Micropterus salmoides resources requires accurate assessment of their abundance and distribution. Fisheries acoustics is a key method for such evaluations, yet its application is limited by insufficient target strength (TS) data. This study combines the Sobel edge detection technique with the Kirchhoff ray-mode model to estimate the TS of Micropterus salmoides cultured in Guangdong, China, and validates the results through in situ measurements. The relationships between TS and fish body length were established at 38 kHz, 70 kHz, 120 kHz, and 200 kHz. At 200 kHz, the average in situ TS was –42.41 dB, with a fitted formula of TS = 32.00 lgL − 88.24. Further validation was performed using time- and frequency-domain analyses of echo signals. The results show that TS increases with swim bladder volume, indicating its dominant influence. The relationship between TS and frequency is nonlinear and affected by the swim bladder angle, swimming posture, and behavioral patterns. This study also improves the computational efficiency of the Kirchhoff ray-mode model. Overall, it provides essential parameters for acoustic stock assessment of Micropterus salmoides, providing a scientific basis for their sustainable management and conservation. Full article

Sex-specific information is crucial for sturgeon culture, conservation, and fisheries management. However, identifying their sex is difficult outside the spawning season. Two recently identified female-specific loci (AllWSex2 and SSM4) are conserved across many Acipenserid species, but they have not been validated for all species within this family. This study aimed to (1) determine whether SSM4 can be used to sex shortnose sturgeon, (2) develop and test a multiplex PCR technique using both ALLWSex2 and SSM4 for sexing shortnose sturgeon, (3) determine if long-term stored blood samples can be used to sex shortnose sturgeon, and (4) test the effect of storage temperature on DNA degradation. DNA was extracted from frozen RBC samples from 36 previously sexed fish. A multiplex PCR was set up using three pairs of primers: AllWSex2 and SSM4, as female-specific loci, and mtDNA, as an internal control. AllWSex2 and SSM4 allowed for perfect discrimination of sex. While long-term storage and storage temperature did cause DNA degradation, the signal was still strong enough after 8 years of cold storage for reliable sex determination. This suggests that researchers now have the ability to re-examine archived/frozen samples to determine the sex of their sturgeon. Full article

Agricultural drainage canals provide critical habitats for fish species that are highly sensitive to agricultural practices. However, conventional monitoring methods such as capture surveys are invasive and labor-intensive, which means they can disturb fish populations and hinder long-term ecological assessment. Therefore, there is a strong need for effective and non-invasive monitoring techniques. In this study, we developed a practical method using the YOLOv8n deep learning model to automatically detect and quantify fish occurrence in underwater images from a canal in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. The model showed high performance in validation (F1-score = 91.6%, Precision = 95.1%, Recall = 88.4%) but exhibited reduced performance under real field conditions (F1-score = 61.6%) due to turbidity, variable lighting, and sediment resuspension. By correcting for detection errors, we estimated that approximately 7300 individuals of Pseudorasbora parva and 80 individuals of Cyprinus carpio passed through the observation site during a seven-hour monitoring period. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of deep learning-based monitoring to capture temporal patterns of fish occurrence in agricultural drainage canals. This approach provides a promising tool for sustainable aquatic ecosystem management in agricultural landscapes and emphasizes the need for further improvements in recall under turbid and low-visibility conditions. Full article

Conventional fish population sampling methods such as electrofishing and netting, pose risks to fish and are often restricted to small, shallow headwater streams—especially where endangered species may be present. Additionally, non-capture surveying (e.g., snorkelling) can disturb fish and make observation more challenging. This study evaluates the effectiveness and reproducibility of remote underwater video (RUV) surveys in a shallow (<0.5 m deep), freshwater stream. Additionally, fish response to disturbances (e.g., shadows, noise, surface disruptions) were characterized. Fish abundance was estimated by maxN (maximum number of individuals observed in a single frame) and used multiple cameras placed in the same habitat (pool). Findings indicated a high consistency in maxN when fish numbers were low (<5 individuals), with increasing variability at higher numbers (>15 individuals). This suggests that single camera setups can reliably detect minimum abundance. Fish responses to four disturbances (e.g., shadows, noise, surface disruptions, mink) were noted throughout. Typically, these responses were short-lived, with fish returning to pre-disturbance maxN values within minutes, with the most significant response to researcher-induced disturbance occurring immediately after RUV deployment. Overall, RUVs proved effective for passive, non-capture fish monitoring in shallow, sensitive habitats, producing replicable data with minimal impact caused by researcher disturbance. This technique can be added to our toolboxes for studying small-bodied fishes in challenging environments. Full article

Urban industrialization is a major driver of water pollution, particularly through emerging contaminants that pose significant health risks for humans and ecosystems. This critical review focuses on Bangladesh’s Buriganga and Dhaleshwari rivers, which pass through highly industrialized and urban areas, analyzing contaminant types, sources, pathways, and impacts. By synthesizing data from studies published between 2005 and 2024, the paper examines pollutants such as heavy metals (e.g., Cr, Cd, Pb, Ni, Zn, Hg, As, Mn, Cu, Fe) and microplastics in water, sediments, and biota. The Buriganga River shows extreme heavy metal contamination, with surface water Cr concentrations reaching up to 167,160 μg/L, Pb up to 3830 μg/L, and Fe up to 30,000 μg/L, and sediment Cr up to 4249 μg/g, Pb up to 3312 μg/g, and Fe up to 15,435 μg/g. In contrast, the Dhaleshwari River exhibits elevated but comparatively lower heavy metal concentrations in surface water (e.g., Cr up to 3350 μg/L; Cd up to 1890 μg/L; Pb up to 1320 μg/L; Ni up to 1732 μg/L; Fe up to 6040 μg/L) and sediments (Cr up to 282 μg/g; Fe up to 14,375 μg/g). Microplastic contamination in Buriganga is widespread across water, sediments, and biota and dominated by polymers such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Industrial discharges, particularly from the textile, leather, and metal processing industries, are identified as primary sources for heavy metals and microplastics. Additional inputs from domestic waste, agricultural runoff, and municipal sewage intensify pollution, with Cr, Cd, and Pb notably frequently exceeding safety thresholds. Microplastics, originating from municipal waste and atmospheric deposition, persist in these rivers, posing ecological and public health risks. The persistence and bioaccumulation of heavy metals and microplastics threaten aquatic biodiversity by disrupting food chains and pose significant risks to local communities that depend on these rivers for agriculture, fishing, and daily water use. This review highlights the urgent need for comprehensive bioaccumulation studies, long-term monitoring, and enhanced detection techniques to better assess contamination levels. Strengthening environmental regulations, improving waste management, and adopting sustainable industrial practices are critical to mitigating emerging contaminant impacts and safeguarding these vital river ecosystems and public health. Full article

The domestication of common carp in rice paddies (5–20 cm depth) is challenging, as the fish must withstand drastic fluctuations in temperature and dissolved oxygen, restricted movement, and bird predation without the option of diving. The effects of stress responses in different species of carp in shallow-water environments remain poorly understood, particularly with fluctuating water levels where real-time monitoring is challenging. This study employed a glucose biosensor system enabling real-time monitoring, together with biochemical analysis techniques capable of evaluating multiple physiological indicators, to investigate shallow-water adaptation in Qingtian paddy field carp and Xingguo red carp. Our results quantitatively reveal, for the first time, the differing physiological stress thresholds of the two carp strains under shallow water. The Qingtian paddy field carp exhibited a higher tolerance to shallow water and showed faster recovery from prolonged stress. Furthermore, the total cholesterol and triglyceride contents of Qingtian paddy field carp gradually increased with prolonged shallow-water stress, reflecting the activation of lipid metabolic pathways. These findings highlight the advantages of biosensor technology in aquatic stress research and a strong support of the core element of paddy domesticated carp in the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems. Full article

Different treatments of fish scales from carps (Cyprinus carpio) (FS)—mechanical milling, modified with cerium dioxide (CeO₂) nanoparticles and controlled carbonization of FS and modification with CeO₂—were applied to obtain FS, FS-CeO₂ and CFS-CeO₂ bio-adsorbents. The synthesized adsorbents were used for As(V) and Cr(VI) oxyanion separation from water. Porosity and the amount of CeO₂ nanoparticles deposition were controlled using different experimental conditions. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to select optimal parameters for adsorbent synthesis to obtain the highest adsorption capacity. The structural and surface characteristics of the synthesized adsorbents were examined using FTIR, XRD and SEM techniques. The efficiency of pollutant removal was analyzed in terms of varying experimental conditions: the mass of adsorbent, pH, temperature and contact time. RSM was also used to optimize adsorption and desorption processes. The adsorption data, obtained at 25, 35 and 45 °C, were processed using Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm and Van’t Hoff thermodynamic models. The FS-CeO₂ bio-adsorbent showed good adsorption capacities of 92.61 and 65.50 mg g⁻¹ for As(V) and Cr(VI) ion removal, respectively, obtained by using the Langmuir model. Thermodynamic parameters proved that adsorption was a viable, spontaneous and endothermic process. The results from kinetic modeling indicated that both adsorbate and surface functional group concentration determine overall kinetic law with the highest participation of intra-particle diffusion resistance to pollutant transport. Exceptional adsorption and desorption performances of FS-CeO₂ in conjunction with the bio-based origin of synthesized adsorbents offer valuable alternatives for the remediation of polluted water. Full article

Fish stocks and their management are paramount for sustainable fisheries under the ongoing changes in atmosphere–sea interactions. The Aegean Sea, one of the composite seas influenced by different water masses, is characterized by a diverse ecosystem. Small pelagic fish are abundant and tend to form schools that vary in size. One of the most efficient and rapid techniques for sampling fish schools over a large area is the use of acoustic methods. Therefore, an acoustic survey was conducted in the coastal areas along the entire Turkish Aegean waters between June and August 2024, using a scientific quantitative echosounder equipped with a split-beam transducer operating at 206 kHz. During the survey, environmental parameters, including water physics, optics, and bathymetry, were measured at 321 stations. Additionally, satellite data were used to obtain water primary production levels for each sampling month across the entire study area. Using a custom computer algorithm written during the present study in MATLAB (2021a), fish schools were automatically detected to measure various morphological and acoustic features. Through a series of statistical analyses, three optimal clusters, validated with the total silhouette sum of distances (1317.38), were identified, each characterized by specific morphological, acoustic, and environmental variables associated with different areas of the study. School morphology and acoustic properties also varied with bottom depth. Cluster 1 was mostly found in open and relatively deep waters. Cluster 2 appeared in areas impacted by anthropogenic sources. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that the first component (PCA1) was correlated with school height from the bottom (HFB) and overall school height (SH), followed by minimum depth (MnD), maximum depth (MxD), and volume backscattering strength at the school edge (SvE). The second component (PCA2) was associated with school width (SW) and area (A). Cluster 1 was characterized by schools with large SW and A, and relatively high HFB and SH. Cluster 2 showed low HFB and SH, while Cluster 3 had high MnD and MxD and low SvE. Based on the descriptors for these clusters, each cluster could be attributed to fish species at different life stages inferred based on target strength (TS), namely sardine, horse mackerel, and chub mackerel, distributed along the entire Turkish Aegean coast. Full article

Food allergy is a growing global health concern, with seafood representing one of the most significant sources of allergic reactions. The primary allergens responsible for fish and shellfish allergies are β-parvalbumins and tropomyosin, respectively. Therefore, ensuring food safety requires precise and reliable methods for the detection and quantification of these molecules. Traditional approaches, such as ELISA and PCR, have notable limitations in terms of specificity, sensitivity, and multiplexing capabilities. In contrast, liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has emerged over the past decade as a powerful alternative, offering enhanced accuracy and analytical depth. Various LC-MS-based strategies have been developed for the identification and quantification of seafood allergens, contributing to improved allergen monitoring and risk assessment. Nevertheless, the routine implementation of these methods in analytical laboratories still faces several challenges, including high equipment costs, complex workflows, and the need for standardized reference materials and protocols. Continued technological advances and validation efforts are necessary to overcome these barriers and to integrate LC-MS-based techniques into routine food allergen testing. Full article

Complex chromosomal rearrangements (CCRs) are rare structural abnormalities involving at least three chromosomal breakpoints and often two or more chromosomes. Owing to their inherent genomic complexity, CCRs are frequently associated with abnormal phenotypes, including developmental delay, congenital anomalies, and infertility. In this study, we report four male patients, three of them with de novo rare structural chromosomal rearrangement detected through a combination of Giemsa-Trypsin (GTG) banding, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and high-resolution microarray techniques (SNP array and array CGH). Each of the four cases turned out to be of a different type: in addition to two exceptional CCRs, an inv dup del 18q and a cluster rearrangement involving the long arm of chromosome 4 were identified. Despite the limitations of the testing methods, we performed a detailed analysis of the relationship between the most detailed genotype data and the associated phenotype. Our study provides further valuable evidence that the use of molecular cytogenetic methods is of paramount importance even in cases with abnormal karyotypes detected by light microscopy, as high-resolution data may reveal unsuspected genomic complexity, which is essential for genetic counseling in these patients. Full article

In Italy, karyotype analysis is routinely performed on all young males intended for reproduction to screen for chromosome abnormalities. This practice gained prominence following the identification of a complex chromosome abnormality in a well-known bull named Magnifico and its progeny. This procedure significantly enhances the value of the Mediterranean Italian River Buffalo breed, particularly in the context of artificial insemination both within Italy and in other countries importing semen. In the current study, 159 young Mediterranean Italian River Buffalo (MIRB) males intended for reproduction, 30 females with fertility issues, 3 young females and a male co-twin were investigated by analyzing their karyotype using both CBA- and RBA-banding. All males displayed a normal karyotype (2n = 50, XY), although one animal displayed an abnormal X-chromosome with C-band polymorphism, as it is C-band negative when this chromosome normally shows the largest C-band among all chromosomes. This result was also confirmed by the FISH-mapping technique using three bovine BAC-clones containing SAT-I, SAT-III and SAT-IV. Cytogenetic investigation showed that seven females, along with one male co-twin, were affected by freemartinism (XX/XY leukocyte chimerism) and were subsequently removed from the farm. In two of these females, clinical and necroscopic examinations showed severe damage of the internal reproductive organs. Full article