Preliminary evaluation of fish cartilage as a promising biomaterial in cartilage tissue engineering.

Fish cartilage is known as a valuable source of natural biomaterials due to its unique composition and properties. It contains a variety of bioactive components that contribute to its potential applications in different domains such as tissue engineering. The present work aimed to consider the properties of backbone cartilage from fish with a cartilaginous skeleton, including elasmobranch (reticulate whipray: Himantura uarnak and milk shark: Rhizoprionodon acutus) and sturgeon (beluga: Huso huso). The histomorphometric findings showed that the number of chondrocytes was significantly higher in reticulate whipray and milk shark compared to beluga (p < 0.05). The highest GAGs content was recorded in reticulate whipray cartilage compared to the other two species (p < 0.05). The cartilage from reticulate whipray and beluga showed higher collagen content than milk shark cartilage (p < 0.05), and the immunohistochemical assay for type II collagen (Col II) showed higher amounts of this component in reticulate whipray compared to the other two species. Young's modulus of the cartilage from reticulate whipray was significantly higher than that of milk shark and beluga (p < 0.05), while no significant difference was recorded between Young's modulus of the cartilage from milk shark and beluga. The gene expression of ACAN, Col II, and Sox9 showed that the cartilage-ECM from three species was able to induce chondrocyte differentiation from human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hASCs). From these results, it can be concluded that the cartilage from three species, especially reticulate whipray, enjoys the appropriate biological properties and provides a basis for promoting its applications in the field of cartilage tissue engineering.

Correction: Jafari et al. Modeling Thermal Developmental Trajectories and Thermal Requirements of the Ladybird Stethorus gilvifrons. Insects 2023, 14, 11.

Following the publication of [...].

Physicochemical and Biochemical Properties of Trypsin-like Enzyme from Two Sturgeon Species.

This work aimed to determine the physicochemical and biochemical properties of trypsin from beluga Huso huso and sevruga Acipenser stellatus, two highly valuable sturgeon species. According to the results obtained from the methods of casein-zymogram and inhibitory activity staining, the molecular weight of trypsin for sevruga and beluga was 27.5 and 29.5 kDa, respectively. Optimum pH and temperature values for both trypsins were recorded at 8.5 and 55 °C by BAPNA (a specific substrate), respectively. The stability of both trypsins was well-preserved at pH values from 6.0 to 11.0 and temperatures up to 50 °C. TLCK and SBTI, two specific trypsin inhibitors, showed a significant inhibitory effect on the enzymatic activity of both trypsins (p < 0.05). The enzyme activity was significantly increased in the presence of Ca+2 and surfactants and decreased by oxidizing agents, Cu+2, Zn+2, and Co+2 (p < 0.05). However, univalent ions Na+ and K+ did not show any significant effect on the activity of both trypsins (p > 0.05). The results of our study show that the properties of trypsin from beluga and sevruga are in agreement with data reported in bony fish and can contribute to the clear understanding of trypsin activity in these primitive species.

Thermal Oviposition Performance of the Ladybird Stethorus gilvifrons Preying on Two-Spotted Spider Mites.

The ladybird, Stethorus gilvifrons (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is an important predator of two-spotted spider mites, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), in southeastern Europe and western and southwestern Asia, such as Iran, India, and Turkey. To enhance forecasting the occurrence and performance of this predator in natural control and improve its usage in biological control, we evaluated and compared four non-linear oviposition models, i.e., Enkegaard, Analytis, Bieri-1, and Bieri-2. The models were validated by using data of age-specific fecundity of female S. gilvifrons at six constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 27, 30, and 34 °C). All four models provided good fit quality to age-dependent oviposition at 15 to 30 °C (R2 0.67 to 0.94; R2adj 0.63 to 0.94) but had a poor fit at 34 °C (R2 0.33 to 0.40; R2adj 0.17 to 0.34). Within temperatures, the best performing models were Bieri-1 (R2), Bieri-2 (R2adj), and Analytis (RSS) at 15 °C, Bieri-1 at 27 °C, and Analytis at 20, 25, and 30 °C. Analytis was the best suited model across the wide temperature range tested (from 15 to 30 °C). The models presented here allow for prediction of the population dynamics of S. gilvifrons in field and greenhouse crops in temperate and subtropical climates.

Seismic structural control using magneto-rheological dampers: A decentralized interval type-2 fractional-order fuzzy PID controller optimized based on energy concepts.

In this paper, a combination of the interval type-2 fuzzy logic controller (IT2FLC) with the fractional-order proportional-integral-derivative (FOPID) controller, namely optimal interval type-2 fractional-order fuzzy proportional-integral-derivative controller (OIT2FOFPIDC), is developed for enhancing the seismic performance and robustness in seismic structural control applications. Based on the energy concepts, a decentralized framework of the OIT2FOFPIDC is proposed for easy and simple implementation in structures during earthquakes. For this purpose, a coot optimization algorithm (COA), as a powerful optimization algorithm, is also applied to adjust the membership functions (MFs), scaling factors, and the main controller parameters. Three controllers, namely optimal type-1 fuzzy proportional-integral-derivative controller (OT1FPIDC), optimal interval type-2 fuzzy proportional-integral-derivative controller (OIT2FPIDC), and optimal proportional-integral-derivative controller (OPIDC), are also proposed for comparison purposes. The seismic performances of the suggested controllers are examined with the evaluation of nine seismic performance indices and different ground accelerations in a 6-story smart structure equipped with two dampers. The robustness of the four controllers in the presence of the stiffness uncertainties is also compared in this study. On average, a reduction of 25.0%, 18.8%, and 18.5% in peak displacement, inter-story drift, and acceleration of stories is obtained for the OIT2FOFPIDC over the OT1FPIDC, respectively. Similarly, these reductions in comparison with the OIT2FPIDC are 16.3%, 13.3%, and 12.0%. Also, these reductions, in comparison with the OPIDC, are 33.3%, 27.8%, and 25.8%. Furthermore, simulation results show that the OIT2FOFPIDC is more robust than the other proposed controllers against uncertainties due to structural stiffness.

Modeling Thermal Developmental Trajectories and Thermal Requirements of the Ladybird Stethorus gilvifrons.

The development rate of the predatory ladybird, Stethorus gilvifrons (Mulsant), fed on Tetranychus urticae Koch, was determined at 15, 20, 25, 27, 30, 34, and 38 °C. The total development time from egg to adult emergence for females was estimated to be 61.4, 31.6, 14.4, 13.3, 12.5, and 11.7 days, respectively. The development time decreased with increasing temperature from 15 to 34 °C, but all eggs failed to hatch at 38 °C. The lower temperature threshold (T0) for the entire development period and the thermal constant (K) for female S. gilvifrons were estimated to be 11.64 °C and 194.50 degree-days (DD) using the common linear model, and 11.96 °C and 187.87 DD using the Ikemoto and Takai model, respectively. Data were fitted to 20 non-linear development rate models and the thermal thresholds (Tmin and Tmax) and optimal temperature (Topt) were estimated. Among non-linear models, the Briere-2 and Ikemoto and Takai linear model provided adequate descriptions of the temperature-dependent development of S. gilvifrons. The upper-temperature threshold was estimated to be about 44 °C using the Logan-10 non-linear model. The estimated thermal development characteristics can be used to predict the occurrence and the population dynamics, as well as to improve the mass rearing and release, of S. gilvifrons for the biological control of T. urticae.

Fish cartilage: A promising source of biomaterial for biological scaffold fabrication in cartilage tissue engineering.

Here, engineered cartilage-like scaffold using an extracellular matrix (ECM) from sturgeon fish cartilage provided a chondroinductive environment to stimulate cartilaginous matrix synthesis in human adipose stem cells (hASCs). Three dimensional porous and degradable fish cartilage ECM-derived scaffold (FCS) was produced using a protocol containing chemical decellularization, enzymatic solubilization, freeze-drying and EDC-crosslinking treatments and the effect of different ECM concentrations (10, 20, 30, and 40 mg/ml) on prepared scaffolds was investigated through physical, mechanical and biological analysis. The histological and scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed the elimination of the cell fragments and a 3-D interconnected porous structure, respectively. Cell viability assay displayed no cytotoxic effects. The prepared porous constructs of fish cartilage ECM were seeded with hASCs for 21 days and compared to collagen (Col) and collagen-10% hyaluronic acid (Col-HA) scaffolds. Cell culture results evidenced that the fabricated scaffolds could provide a proper 3-D structure to support the adhesion, proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of hASCs considering the synthesis of specific proteins of cartilage, collagen type II (Col II) and aggrecan (ACAN). Based on the results of the present study, it can be concluded that the porous scaffold derived from fish cartilage ECM possesses an excellent potential for cartilage tissue engineering.

Evaluation of a Bacterial Single-Cell Protein in Compound Diets for Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Fry as an Alternative Protein Source.

A 60-day trial was conducted in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fry (initial weight = 2.5 ± 0.6 g) to evaluate the potential use of a bacterial single-cell protein (SCP) as an alternative protein source. Five experimental diets with different levels of fishmeal replacement (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) and no amino acid supplementation were tested. At the end of the trial, we found that fry fed diets, replacing 25 and 50% of fishmeal with bacterial SCP, were 9.1 and 21.8% heavier, respectively, than those fed the control diet (p < 0.05), while Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) values were also lower in comparison to the reference group. These results were also supported by Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) and Lipid Efficiency Ratio (LER) values that improved in fish fed diets replacing 50% fishmeal by bacterial SCP. The inclusion of SCP enhanced Feed intake (FI) (p < 0.05), although FI was reduced at higher inclusion levels (>50%), which was associated to feed palatability. High levels of bacterial SCP (>50%) affected the muscular amino acid and fatty acid profiles, imbalances that were associated to their dietary content. The broken-line regression analysis using muscle DHA content and weight gain data showed that the maximum levels of fishmeal replacement by bacterial SCP were 46.9 and 52%, respectively.

Intraguild Predation between Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and Hippodamia variegata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) at Various Extraguild Prey Densities and Arena Complexities.

Intraguild predation (IGP) is a ubiquitous, important and common interaction that occurs in aphidophagous guilds. The effects of extraguild prey (EGP, i.e., aphids) density, predator life stage combinations and duration of the interaction on the level, asymmetry and direction of intraguild predation between lacewing Chrysoperla carnea and ladybird Hippodamia variegata were examined in simple laboratory arena and more complex microcosm environment. Three initial densities of 50, 150 and 400 Aphis fabae third instar nymphs and a control without aphids were provided to six combinations of predator life stages (2nd and 3rd larval instars of lacewing and 3rd and 4th instars and adult females of ladybird). The remaining aphid density and occurrence of IGP were checked after 24, 48 and 72 h. The IGP intensity (IGP level, IL) was similar in the simple arena (reaching 0.6 between larvae in absence of EGP and 0.3 between lacewing larvae and ladybird females) and microcosm environment (0.3 without EGP). In both environments, increasing EGP density lowered IL according to negative exponential relationship. IGP was asymmetric (general average asymmetry was 0.82 in simple arena and 0.93 in microcosm, the difference was not significant) and mostly in favour of larvae of C. carnea, except in the combination of 2nd larvae of C. carnea with the 4th larvae and adults of H. variegata. The direction of IGP, but not other characteristics, partially changed during the duration of the experiment. The incidence of IGP interactions among aphid predators under real conditions and its consequences on aphid biological control are discussed.

Feathers of Three Waterfowl Bird Species from Northern Iran for Heavy Metals Biomonitoring.

Waterbirds are considered the effective sentinels of aquatic ecosystems contamination and their feathers are widely used as non-destructive biological tools for contaminant biomonitoring. In this work, we measure and evaluate the concentrations of lead, copper and zinc in the breast feathers of three species namely Fulica atra, Anas crecca and Anas platyrhynchos in the wetland National Park Boujagh. Levels of lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were below the threshold that causes sub-lethal and reproductive effects. Significant differences in metal concentrations were found among bird species. The finding indicated that highest Pb and Zn concentrations were observed in common Coot. The effect of sex on heavy metal was observed for Pb in Anas platyrhynchos and while Cu, Zn in Anas crecca. Concentrations of metals were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in resident birds than in migratory. High levels of these heavy metals show that these birds can be used to monitor contamination in the wetland.

Fractional order PID control design for semi-active control of smart base-isolated structures: A multi-objective cuckoo search approach.

Fractional order PID (FOPID) controllers are introduced as a general form of classical PID controllers using fractional calculus. As this controller provides good disturbance rejection and is robust against plant uncertainties it is appropriate for the vibration mitigation in structures. In this paper, an FOPID controller is designed to adjust the contact force of piezoelectric friction dampers for semi-active control of base-isolated structures during far-field and near-field earthquake excitations. A multi-objective cuckoo search algorithm is employed to tune the controller parameters. Considering the resulting Pareto optimal front, the best input for the FOPID controller is selected. For seven pairs of earthquakes and nine performance indices, the performance of the proposed controller is compared with those provided by several well-known control techniques. According to the simulation results, the proposed controller performs better than other controllers in terms of simultaneous reduction of the maximum base displacement and story acceleration for various types of earthquakes. Also, it provides acceptable responses in terms of inter-story drifts, root mean square of base displacements and floor acceleration. In addition, the evaluation of robustness for a stiffness uncertainty of ±10% indicates that the proposed controller gives a robust performance against such modeling errors.

Trypsin from unicorn leatherjacket (Aluterus monoceros) pyloric caeca: purification and its use for preparation of fish protein hydrolysate with antioxidative activity.

BACKGROUND: Fish proteases, especially trypsin, could be used to prepare fish protein hydrolysates with antioxidative activities. In this study, trypsin from the pyloric caeca of unicorn leatherjacket was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI)-Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography. Hydrolysate from Indian mackerel protein isolate with different degrees of hydrolysis (20, 30 and 40% DH) was prepared using the purified trypsin, and antioxidative activities (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical-scavenging activities, ferric-reducing antioxidant power and ferrous-chelating activity) of the hydrolysate were determined. RESULTS: Trypsin was purified 26.43-fold with a yield of 13.43%. The purified trypsin had a molecular weight (MW) of 23.5 kDa and optimal activity at pH 8.0 and 55 °C. It displayed high stability in the pH range of 6.0-11.0 and was thermally stable up to 50 °C. Both SBTI (0.05 mmol L(-1)) and N-p-tosyl-L-lysine-chloromethylketone (5 mmol L(-1)) completely inhibited trypsin activity. Antioxidative activities of the hydrolysate from Indian mackerel protein isolate increased with increasing DH up to 40% (P < 0.05). Based on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the hydrolysate with 40% DH had a MW lower than 6.5 kDa. CONCLUSION: The purified protease from unicorn leatherjacket pyloric caeca was identified as trypsin based on its ability to hydrolyze a specific synthetic substrate and the response to specific trypsin inhibitors. The purified trypsin could hydrolyze Indian mackerel protein isolate, and the resulting hydrolysate exhibited antioxidative activity depending on its DH.

Effect of temperature and button mushroom varieties on life history of Lycoriella auripila (Diptera: Sciaridae).

Temperature-dependent development and population growth parameters of the fungus gnat, Lycoriella auripila (Winnertz), on button (737 and A15) mushroom were evaluated at nine constant temperatures, ranging from 8, 10, 12.5, 15, 20, 22.5, 25, 27, and 30 degrees C and developmental rates were modeled as a function of temperature. At 25 and 27 degrees C, an average of 20.89 and 22.43 d was needed for L. auripila to complete its development from oviposition to adult eclosion on 737 and A15, respectively. The population failed to survive at 8 and 30 degrees C. The developmental times of males or females on each variety at various constant temperatures differed significantly. The regression and Ikemoto and Takai linear models, in the absence of 10, 12.5, and 27 degrees C, described the relationship of developmental rate to temperature for male and female of L. auripila very well. Data were fitted to various nonlinear temperature-dependent models. The Logan 6 and Briere 1 nonlinear models provided the best estimation for Topt and Tmax and are highly recommended for the description of temperature-dependent development of L. auripila on 737 and A15, respectively. On 737 variety, significant differences were observed among all growth parameters at various temperatures. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r(m)) for L. auripila was 0.134 on 737 variety at 25 degrees C, which was significantly >0.052 on A15 variety at the same temperature. No other data are available in using linear and nonlinear models to describe the relationship between temperature and L. auripila development. Understanding the influence of temperature on development of L. auripila is discussed with respect to pest management in mushroom production.

Multivariate statistical assessment of heavy metal pollution sources of groundwater around a lead and zinc plant.

The contamination of groundwater by heavy metal ions around a lead and zinc plant has been studied. As a case study groundwater contamination in Bonab Industrial Estate (Zanjan-Iran) for iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, cadmium and lead content was investigated using differential pulse polarography (DPP). Although, cobalt, copper and zinc were found correspondingly in 47.8%, 100.0%, and 100.0% of the samples, they did not contain these metals above their maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). Cadmium was detected in 65.2% of the samples and 17.4% of them were polluted by this metal. All samples contained detectable levels of lead and iron with 8.7% and 13.0% of the samples higher than their MCLs. Nickel was also found in 78.3% of the samples, out of which 8.7% were polluted. In general, the results revealed the contamination of groundwater sources in the studied zone. The higher health risks are related to lead, nickel, and cadmium ions. Multivariate statistical techniques were applied for interpreting the experimental data and giving a description for the sources. The data analysis showed correlations and similarities between investigated heavy metals and helps to classify these ion groups. Cluster analysis identified five clusters among the studied heavy metals. Cluster 1 consisted of Pb, Cu, and cluster 3 included Cd, Fe; also each of the elements Zn, Co and Ni was located in groups with single member. The same results were obtained by factor analysis. Statistical investigations revealed that anthropogenic factors and notably lead and zinc plant and pedo-geochemical pollution sources are influencing water quality in the studied area.

Effect of starvation and refeeding on digestive enzyme activities in juvenile roach, Rutilus rutilus caspicus.

We evaluated the effects of starvation and refeeding on digestive enzyme activities in juvenile roach, Rutilus rutilus caspicus. Fish were divided into four feeding groups (mean mass 1.68 ± 0.12 g). The control group was fed to satiation twice a day throughout the experiment with formulated diet (SFK). The other three groups were deprived of feed for 1(S1), 2(S2), and 3(S3) weeks, respectively, and then fed to satiation during the refeeding period. The results showed that trypsin specific activity was not affected significantly either by starvation or refeeding, in all experimental groups. Chymotrypsin specific activity did not change significantly in S1 fish during the experimental period. In S2 and S3 fish no significant changes were observed during the starvation period. Upon refeeding, the activity increased in S2 fish, while it decreased in S3 fish. Amylase specific activity decreased significantly during the starvation period in all experimental groups. Upon refeeding, the activity increased. Alkaline phosphatase specific activity did not change significantly during the experiment period in S3 fish, while it showed significant changes during the starvation and refeeding period in the S1 and S2 fish. Starvation also had a significant effect on the structure of the intestine.

Effect of temperature on demographic parameters of the hawthorn red midget moth, Phyllonorycter corylifoliella, on apple.

The hawthorn red midget moth, Phyllonorycter corylifoliella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), is one of the most serious pests of apple and pear orchards in Iran, however little is known about its biology and relationship with environmental factors. The reproduction and population growth parameters of P. corylifoliella were examined at six constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, 33 and 35° C) on apple var. golden delicious. At 35° C, P. corylifoliella failed to develop beyond the first instar. The lowest (13%) and highest (64%) mortality rates of immature stages occurred at 25 and 33° C, respectively. The life expectancies (ex) decreased with increasing of age and the life expectancies of one-day-old larvae were estimated to be 38.68, 33.34, 35.11, 26.28 and 16.11 days at 15, 20, 25, 30 and 33° C, respectively. The highest intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm), net reproductive rate (Ro) and finite rate of increase (lambda) at 25° C were 0.100 ± 0.003, 47.66 ± 5.47 and 1.11 ± 0.00, respectively. The mean generation time (T) decreased with increasing temperatures from 86.86 ± 0.53 days at 15° C to 33.48 ± 0.16 days at 30° C. Doubling time (DT) varied significantly with temperature and the shortest doubling time was obtained at 25° C. The results of this study provide direction for future research on evaluating the performance of P. corylifoliella and the efficiency of its natural enemies in apple orchards under variable environmental conditions.

Effect of temperature on life history of Aphidius colemani and Aphidius matricariae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), two parasitoids of Aphis gossypii and Myzus persicae (Homoptera: Aphididae).

The performance of two aphid parasitoids, Aphidius colemani Viereck and Aphidius matricariae (Haliday), against Aphis gossypii Glover on greenhouse cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer) on sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) were evaluated at various constant temperatures. Biological parameters of both parasitoids including developmental time, pupal survivorship, percentage of parasitism, and sex ratio of the progeny were studied at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 degrees C. At 25 degrees C, an average of 10.0 +/- 1.1 and 9.8 +/- 1.1 d was needed for A. colemani to complete its development from oviposition to adult eclosion on A. gossypii and M. persicae, respectively. The corresponding average times needed for A. matricariae were 11.9 +/- 0.9 and 11.5 +/- 1.1 d, respectively. The lower developmental thresholds for A. colemani reared on A. gossypii and M. persicae were estimated from linear regression equations to be 2.97 and 2.65 degrees C, respectively, whereas these values for A. matricariae were 3.37 and 3.51 degrees C, respectively. Parasitization rate of both parasitoid species, recorded as percent aphids mummified, increased almost linearly with increasing temperature to reach a maximum at 25 degrees C and decreased at 30 degrees C. The optimal temperatures for development of A. colemani and A. matricariae were approximately 30 and 25 degrees C, respectively, and high mortality occurred at higher temperatures. The Lactin 2 and Briere 1 developmental models were accepted based on their excellent goodness-of-fit to the data (residual sum of square and coefficient of determination) and estimable temperature thresholds and are strongly recommended for the description of temperature-dependent development of A. colemani and A. matricariae.