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Introduction: Causes of epileptic seizures are often multifactorial but for an effective therapy, they should be uncovered in detail. Case Presentation: We present a 67-year-old male patient with a central diabetes insipidus, who experienced a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. The patient was treated with levetiracetam for prevention of further seizures, opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, i.e., ibuprofen because of severe back pain due to vertebral compression fractures. In this setting, he developed significant hyponatremia and experienced another epileptic seizure. After stopping analgesics and switching from levetiracetam to lacosamide, sodium levels returned to normal and the patient remained free of seizures since then. Conclusion: The interrelationships of medical therapy, sodium levels and epileptic seizures in the context of central diabetes insipidus are discussed.

Introduction: Biocatalysis, particularly through engineered enzymes, presents a cost-effective, efficient, and eco-friendly approach to compound synthesis. We sought to identify ketoreductases capable of synthesizing optically pure alcohols or ketones, essential chiral building blocks for active pharmaceutical ingredients.Methods: Using BioMatchMaker®, an in silico high-throughput platform that allows the identification of wild-type enzyme sequences for a desired chemical transformation, we identified a bacterial SDR ketoreductase from Thermus caliditerrae, Tcalid SDR, that demonstrates favorable reaction efficiency and desired enantiomeric excess.Results: Here we present two crystal structures of the Tcalid SDR in an apo-form at 1.9 Å and NADP-complexed form at 1.7 Å resolution (9FE6 and 9FEB, respectively). This enzyme forms a homotetramer with each subunit containing an N-terminal Rossmann-fold domain. We use computational analysis combined with site-directed mutagenesis and enzymatic characterization to define the substrate-binding pocket. Furthermore, the enzyme retained favorable reactivity and selectivity after incubation at elevated temperature.Conclusion: The enantioselectivity combined with the thermostability of Tcalid SDR makes this enzyme an attractive engineering starting point for biocatalysis applications.

Abstract This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of Alfamurom (alpha-cypermethrin) against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes under spatial application using a portable ultra-low volume (ULV) nebulizer. The study consisted of two treatments: the treatment with four repetitions using two cages at each application distance of 10, 15, 20, and 25 meters, and a control group. Twenty-five female mosquitoes were used per repetition (cage). The sample was diluted to obtain a formulation containing 300 mL of Alfamurom + 100 mL of water + 100 mL of Natuinset. A total of 37.5 mL of this solution was applied to a final area of 750 m2 (equivalent to 500 mL per hectare). Knockdown assessment was conducted after 60 minutes, and mortality evaluation was performed 24 hours after insecticide application. The results showed 100% A. aegypti mortality at distances of 10, 15, 20, and 25 meters. The study was considered remarkable appropriate since there was no mortality in the control group. The A. aegypti female mosquitoes’ mortality in this experiment with alpha-cypermethrin (Alfamurom) using the ULV formulation was proved, and this formulation can be used in vector control actions alongside the adjuvant Natuinset.

Proton-sensing G Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) sense changes in the extracellular pH to effect cell signaling for cellular homeostasis. They tend to be overexpressed in solid tumors associated with acidic extracellular pH, and are of direct interest as drug targets. How proton-sensing GPCRs sense extracellular acidification and activate upon protonation change is important to understand, because it may guide the design of therapeutics. Lack of publicly available experimental structures make it challenging to discriminate between conflicting mechanisms proposed for proton-binding, as main roles have been assigned to either an extracellular histidine cluster or to an internal carboxylic triad. Here we present a protocol to derive and evaluate structural models of the proton-sensing GPR68. This approach integrates state-of-the-art homology modeling with microsecond-timescale atomistic simulations, and with a detailed assessment of the compatibility of the structural models with known structural features of class A GPCRs. To decipher structural elements of potential interest for protonation-coupled conformational changes of GPR68, we used the best-compatible model as a starting point for independent atomistic simulations of GPR68 with different protonation states, and graph computations to characterize the response of GPR68 to changes in protonation. We found that GPR68 hosts an extended hydrogen-bond network that inter-connects the extracellular histidine cluster to the internal carboxylic triad, and which can even reach groups at the cytoplasmic G-protein binding site. Taken together, results suggest that GPR68 relies on dynamic, hydrogen-bond networks to inter-connect extracellular and internal proton-binding sites, and to elicit conformational changes at the cytoplasmic G-protein binding site.

Effective conservation requires reliable data and information on the status of biodiversity. The conservation of freshwater biodiversity lags behind terrestrial and marine biodiversity because data and information limitations are greatest in freshwater ecosystems. Given that freshwater ecosystems are inhabited by disproportionately more species than other ecosystems, paucity of data and information threatens many species and dependent ecosystem services. Data and information on freshwater biodiversity is limited mainly because few freshwater ecosystems are considered for regular monitoring. However, even existing data is scattered and in non-user-friendly formats, limiting accessibility and use. It is desirable to make freshwater biodiversity data and information accessible everywhere so that it attains its full potential in guiding conservation. To increase accessibility to freshwater biodiversity data in Uganda, we present 34 datasets covering three major freshwater taxa: zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, and fish within freshwater ecosystems in the country. The datasets provide occurrence records and corresponding abundance data where applicable for the three major groups. The datasets which are available through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) cover a long period from 1971-2021 and have a total of 56,104 occurrence records. Of these records, 8,674 records were published in 2022. The data were mobilized from primary biodiversity surveys conducted by scientists at the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI) in Uganda. The surveys covered most of the water bodies in the country. The datasets are envisaged to increase accessibility to data for freshwater conservation research, decision making and capacity building. The data has already found use in development of conservation tools and conservation status assessments.

Background: Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia and has been described as driver of cardiovascular morbidity and risk factor for cardiac device-related complications, as well as in transvenous lead extraction (TLE). Objectives: Aim of this study was to characterize the procedural outcome and risk-factors of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing TLE. Methods: We performed a subgroup analysis of all AF patients in the GALLERY (GermAn Laser Lead Extraction RegistrY) database. Predictors for all-cause mortality were assessed. Results: A total number of 510 patients with AF were identified with a mean age of 74.0 ± 10.3 years. Systemic infection (38.4%) was the leading cause for TLE, followed by local infection (37.5%) and lead dysfunction (20.4%). Most of the patients (45.9%) presented with pacemaker systems to be extracted. The total number of leads was 1181 with a 2.3 ± 0.96 leads/patient. Clinical procedural success was achieved in 97.1%. Occurrence of major complications was 1.8% with a procedure-related mortality of 1.0%. All-cause mortality was high with 5.9% and septic shock being the most common cause. Systemic device infection (OR: 49.73; 95% CI: 6.56–377.09, p < 0.001), chronic kidney disease (CKD; OR: 2.67; 95% CI: 1.01–7.03, p = 0.048) and a body mass index < 21 kg/m2 (OR: 6.6; 95% CI: 1.68–25.87, p = 0.007) were identified as independent predictors for all-cause mortality. Conclusions: TLE in AF patients is effective and safe, but in patients with systemic infection the mortality due to septic shock is high. Systemic infection, CKD and body mass index 2 are risk factors for death in patient with AF undergoing TLE.

Myeloid-derived growth factor (MYDGF) is an angiogenic growth factor with therapeutic potential for ischemic tissue repair and the receptor is still unknown. Here the authors present the crystal structure of human MYDGF and identify its functional epitope through mutagenesis studies.

The design of urban public open spaces plays a key role in the development of micro-scale reactions to global phenomena (pandemic, climate change, etc.) that are currently reshaping the human habitat. Their transformability and healthy influence on the urban environment make them strategic nodes for acupunctural regeneration with systemic effects. Several methods, models, and indicators have been developed to face the complexity of these spaces, made up of tangible and intangible layers; however, there is a gap between theoretical investigation and the need for public administrations to devise feasible solutions, strategies, and guidelines. The paper focuses on this mediation, presenting, as a case study, an adopted methodology and the first results achieved according to guidelines for the regeneration of the system of squares in the historical center of Alessandria (Piedmont, Italy). In this case, a multidisciplinary approach and a Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) method, supported by geospatial analysis and GIS technology, have been employed to work as mediators for a participatory process which will involve public administration, stakeholders, experts, and researchers. The paper presents an overview of the workflow, with a focus on the first set of thematic indicators and an open conclusion. It will explain how they have been defined, integrated, and turned into a dialogic tool, with the aim of laying the foundation for the next stage of involvement by the public administration and stakeholders. Specific attention will be paid to the key role of vegetational and environmental parameters, which represents the requalification strategy’s backbone, for both local and systemic scales.

The massive presence and use of digital technologies in urban areas generate a growing amount of data. This new knowledge, from one side, assigns to the city the new posthuman image of a smart system; from the other side, the polyphony of data-sources interferes with the narrative structure of the city, increasing its complexity and multiplying both the possibilities of its explorations as the management and design of its futures. In fact, the integration of digital tools for the collection, analysis and visualization of data makes it possible to simulate possible scenarios of transformation. But how this system of fluctuating parameters relates to the physical space of the city? How these multiple virtual possibilities change the urban narrative? The intersection between digital mediation and physical urban space is the object of this paper, that moves from an interdisciplinary perspective, between narratology and urban design. We analyzed three case studies (Saint Petersburg, Bologna, Barcelona), representative of how the use of digital technologies transforms the representation of the city. In Saint Petersburg we have reshaped the (semantic) landscape of the city through Instagram data; in Bologna we have followed the (digital) traces of the temporary community of students, investigating the interaction and interference between the ‘univercity’ and the physical urban environment; in Barcelona we have analyzed an urban fragment (the street of La Rambla), considering it as a microcosmos of data.

Begitu mudah bagi debitur yang utangnya telah jatuh tempo dan dapat ditagih di pengadilan untuk dipailitkan berdasarkan pasal 2 ayat 1 dan pasal 8 ayat 4 No. 37 Tahun 2004 Tentang Kepailitan-PKPU. Syarat pailit yang dimuat seperti itu dapat dimanfaatkan debitur nakal atau debitur yang kondisi keuangannya lagi sulit untuk memohon pailit atas diri sendiri (Voluntary Bankruptcy Petition). Kepailitan yang hanya didasarkan pertimbangan pasal 2 ayat 1 dan pasal 8 ayat 4 UUK-PKPU tersebut tentu menyimpang dari prinsip kepailitan yang memandang bahwa kepailitan sebagai Commercial Exit From Financial Distress (jalan keluar dari persoalan yang membelit dalam keuangan). Oleh karenanya, Kepailitan bukan sebagai pranata untuk membangkrutkan suatu usaha. Terkait dalam hal ini perlu dipertimbangan keadaan insolven dari debitur. Debitur harus berada dalam keadaan insolven, baru kemudian hakim pengadilan dapat menjatuhkan pailit kepada debitur. Fakta mengungkapkan bahwa praktek hakim pengadilan dalam menerapkan prinsip Commercial Exit From Financial Distress di pengadilan Indonesia terhadap Voluntary Bankruptcy Petition masih berbeda-beda atau variatif. Putusan pengadilan dalam permohonan Voluntary Bankruptcy Petition PT Daya Guna Samudra menunjukkan bahwa dalam pertimbangan hukumnya pada perkara No.28/PAILIT/2004/PN.NIAGA.JKT.PST. Pada tanggal 16 Agustus 2004 tampak bahwa hakim menerapkan prinsip Commercial Exit From Fianncial. Dalam kasus Voluntary Bankruptcy Petition PT J & J Garment Indonesia dengan Nomor Perkara No.41/Pdt.Sus/Pailit/2013/PN.NIAGA.JKT.PST tertanggal 15 Agustus 2013, juga merupakan putusan yang tepat yaitu dengan menolak permohonan tersebut. Hakim memandang bahwa permohonan PT J & J Garmnet Indonesia tidak sertai dengan Account Audit dari Auditor Independen, sehingga tidak jelas bahwa debitur berada dalam keadaan insolven. Sementara putusan pengadilan terhadap permohonan Voluntary Bankruptcy Petition PT Mandala Airlines dengan Nomor Perkara No.48/Pdt.Sus.Pailit/2014/PN.Niaga.JKT.PSTbelum menerapkan Prinsip Commercial Exit From Financial Distress.

O zinco (Zn) é um micronutriente essencial para as plantas, sendo a autilização da fertilização de forrageiras com este elemento importante, pois grande parte dos solos no Brasil possuem concentrações deficientes deste micronutriente. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a produção de matéria seca do capim tanzânia (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzânia) e a disponibilização de Zn e dos metais pesados cádmio (Cd), chumbo (Pb) e cromo (Cr) no solo e no tecido vegetal de plantas fertilizadas com diferentes fontes (A, B, C, D e E) e doses de Zn (0, 2, 4, 6 kg ha-1). O experimento foi realizado em casa de vegetação no município de Marechal Cândido Rondon-PR utilizando-se um Latossolo Vermelho eutrófico (LVe), de textura média. Observou-se que em relação à produtividade não houve diferença significativa, já em relação ao Zn contido na folha, podemos observar que a fonte A se diferenciou das demais, disponibilizando maior quantidade do micronutriente para o tecido vegetal. As fontes de Zn proporcionaram aumento do elemento tóxico Pb no solo do experimento e a fonte A proporcionou aumento na concentração deste elemento no tecido foliar. Fatos estes que devem ser levados em conta, pois fertilizações sucessivas podem aumentar as concentrações destes elementos nocivos no meio ambiente.

The development of a chitosan anion exchanger, obtained from shrimp shells, and its adsorption capacity for chloride, bromide, iodide and phosphate anions are provided. Dependence of exchange processes with the anions as a function of pH and contact time between exchanger and anions were initially investigated. Results showed that the best adsorption of ions occurred at pH 3.0. Exchange isotherms were then developed by the Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich mathematical models. Results demonstrated that chitosan produced from shrimp shells may be used as feedstock in the manufacture of anion exchange microspheres.

Availability of nutrients and toxic heavy metals in marigold plants. This study was performed aiming to assess the availability of nutrients and toxic heavy metals present in marigold plants (Calendula officinalis) treated with different fertilizers. The treatments were arranged in factorial scheme (2 x 2 x 3) in a completely randomized experimental design (CRD), with two textures of soil (sandy and clayey), two forms of fertilization (organic and chemical) and three fertilization levels (without fertilization, recommended dose, and twice the recommended dose) totaling 12 treatments, with four replications. The results showed that the clayey soil promoted the availability of N P, K, Mg, Cu, Zn and Fe; on the other hand, the sandy soil favored the availability of Ca, Mn, Pb and Cr. The organic fertilization provided higher levels of P and Fe, while the leaf tissue of marigold plants chemically fertilized presented higher concentrations of K and Mn.Realizou-se este trabalho com o objetivo de avaliar a disponibilidade de nutrientes e de metais pesados tóxicos presentes em plantas de calêndula (Calendula officinalis) após diferentes tipos de adubação. Os tratamentos foram arranjados em esquema fatorial (2 x 2 x 3) dispostos em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado (DIC), sendo duas texturas de solo, (argilosa e arenosa), duas formas de adubação (química e orgânica) e três doses de adubação (sem adubação, dose recomendada e o dobro da dose recomendada), totalizando 12 tratamentos com quatro repetições. Os resultados demonstraram que os solos argilosos favoreceram a disponibilidade de N P, K, Mg, Cu, Zn e Fe; os solos de textura arenosa favoreceram a disponibilidade de Ca, Mn, Pb e Cr. A adubação orgânica disponibilizou maiores teores de P e Fe, enquanto o tecido foliar de plantas de calêndula adubadas com adubação química apresentaram concentrações maiores de K e Mn.

Current research evaluates the efficaciousness of pine (Pinus elliottii) bark as adsorbent of the toxic heavy metals cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr) from aqueous solutions, at two pH conditions: 5.0 and 7.0. Approximately 500 mg of adsorbent material and 50 mL of solution contaminated by Cd, Pb and Cr at different concentrations prepared from standard solutions of each metal were added in 125 mL Erlenmeyer flasks. Flasks were stirred during 3h at 200 rpm at 25ºC. Further, 10 mL aliquots were then retrieved and concentration of metal Cd, Pb and Cr determined by AAS. Adsorption isotherms for each metal were consequently obtained and linearized according to Langmuir and Freundlich’s mathematical models. Results show that the Pinus bark was efficacious in the removal of toxic heavy metals Cd, Pb and Cr from contaminated solutions and that the bark’s adsorption capacity depended on pH solution.

Os fertilizantes utilizados para suprir micronutrientes podem apresentar metais pesados tóxicos em sua composição que podem proporcionar severas consequências ao meio ambiente. Plantas cultivadas na presença de determinadas concentrações de elementos tóxicos podem oferecer risco de contaminação, pois os acumulam em seus tecidos. Desse forma, neste trabalho objetivou-se avaliar a disponibilização dos metais pesados tóxicos Cd, Pb, e Cr para o solo e tecido foliar da cultura da soja, cultivada a campo e fertilizada com um formulado N:P2O5:K2O e diferentes fontes de Zn. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial [(5+1)x2], com três repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos de cinco diferentes fertilizantes NPK+Zn (quatro fontes com Zn e uma sem Zn), um tratamento sem adubação e duas doses de adubação (uma vez e o seu dobro). Com base nos resultados obtidos foi concluído que a aplicação dos tratamentos disponibilizou Cd, Pb e Cr para as plantas de soja e para o solo do experimento nas duas doses de adubação utilizadas.Fertilizers used to supply micronutrients may have toxic heavy metals in their composition, which can have severe consequences for the environment. Plants grown in the presence of certain concentrations of toxic elements may present a risk of contamination because the toxins accumulate in their tissues. This study aimed to measure the presence of the toxic heavy metals Cd, Pb and Cr in the soil and leaf tissue of field-grown soybean plants, fertilized with a formulated N:P2O5:K2O and different sources of Zn. The experimental design utilized randomized blocks in a factorial scheme [(5+1)x2], with three replications. The treatments consisted of five different fertilizers NPK + Zn (four sources with Zn and one without Zn), a treatment without fertilizer and two fertilizer levels (a single and double application). Based on obtained results it was concluded that the double application of the treatments released Cd, Pb and Cr into the soybean plants and experiment.

Este trabalho avaliou a produtividade e a absorção de nutrientes pela cultura do milho, utilizando-se dejetos de suínos criados em sistema de ciclo completo. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram arranjados em esquema fatorial 4 x 2 + 2, sendo quatro doses dedejeto suíno (20, 30, 40 e 50 m3 ha-1), aplicadas antes da semeadura, e duas formas de adubação em cobertura (90 kg de N na forma de ureia e 20 m3 ha-1 de dejeto suíno); e dois tratamentos adicionais, com adubação química com NPK, na proporção de 10, 100 e 45 kg ha-1, respectivamente, com duas formas de adubação em cobertura (20 m3 ha-1 de dejeto suíno e 90 kg de de N na forma de ureia), totalizando dez tratamentos e 40 parcelas. Foram avaliados a produtividade em kg de grãos ha-1 e os teores de nutrientes foliares. Os tratamentos que receberam ureia em cobertura foram superiores aos tratamentos quereceberam dejetos de suínos em cobertura. Não houve diferença estatística entre os tratamentos que receberam adubação química (NPK) e os tratamentos que receberam dejetos de suínos, indicando que a utilização do dejeto de suíno como biofertilizante pode ser uma das alternativas para o destino deste.This work evaluated the productivity and the nutrient absorption by a corn crop using manure of swine reared in a full-cycle system. The experimental design used was completely randomized, with 4 replications. The treatments were arranged in a 4 x 2 + 2 factorial scheme, with 4 doses of swine manure (20, 30, 40 and 50 m3 ha-1), applied before sowing and two forms of cover fertilization (90 kg of N in urea form and 20 m3 ha-1 of swine manure); and two additional treatments, with NPK chemistry fertilization, in the ratios of 10, 100 and 45 kg ha-1, respectively, with two forms of cover fertilization (20 m3 ha- 1 of swine manure and 90 kg of N in urea form), totaling 10 treatments and 40 parcels. Productivity in kg of grains ha-1 and nutrients concentration in the leaf were evaluated. The treatments that received urea in cover were superior to treatments that received swine manure in cover. There was no statistically significant difference among treatments that received chemistry fertilizer (NPK) and swine manure, which indicates that the utilization of swine manure as a biofertilizer can be one of the alternatives for its use.

Este trabalho avaliou a produtividade e a absorção de nutrientes pela cultura do milho, utilizando-se dejetos de suínos criados em sistema de ciclo completo. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram arranjados em esquema fatorial 4 x 2 + 2, sendo quatro doses de dejeto suíno (20, 30, 40 e 50 m3 ha-1), aplicadas antes da semeadura, e duas formas de adubação em cobertura (90 kg de N na forma de ureia e 20 m3 ha-1 de dejeto suíno); e dois tratamentos adicionais, com adubação química com NPK, na proporção de 10, 100 e 45 kg ha-1, respectivamente, com duas formas de adubação em cobertura (20 m3 ha-1 de dejeto suíno e 90 kg de de N na forma de ureia), totalizando dez tratamentos e 40 parcelas. Foram avaliados a produtividade em kg de grãos ha-1 e os teores de nutrientes foliares. Os tratamentos que receberam ureia em cobertura foram superiores aos tratamentos que receberam dejetos de suínos em cobertura. Não houve diferença estatística entre os tratamentos que receberam adubação química (NPK) e os tratamentos que receberam dejetos de suínos, indicando que a utilização do dejeto de suíno como biofertilizante pode ser uma das alternativas para o destino deste.

O correto incremento da produtividade agrícola deve estar aliado ao avanço tecnológico no conhecimento das exigências nutricionais de cada cultura, proporcionando, dessa forma, o correto uso de insumos na propriedade agrícola. Com o objetivo de estudar a resposta de plantas de soja ao zinco (Zn) em relação a diferentes doses de fósforo (P) e potássio (K), foi realizado este experimento no município de Palotina-PR. O solo foi classificado como Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo eutrófico. Os tratamentos foram arranjados em esquema fatorial 3x3, constituindo três formas de adubação com P2O5 e K2O: sem adubação, uma vez e duas vezes a recomendação de adubação pela análise de solo e três doses de Zn (0; 2 e 4 kg ha-1). Como fonte de nutrientes, foram utilizados fosfato bicálcico para P, cloreto de potássio para K e sulfato de zinco para Zn. As doses de Zn aplicadas não influenciaram, significativamente, a produtividade, não sendo justificada a sua suplementação na forma de adubação de base. Já a adubação com P2O5 e K2O provocou significativo aumento da produtividade e aumento do número de legumes por planta, com aumento das doses desses nutrientes no solo.The correct productivity increment must be allied to the technological advance in the knowledge of the nutritional requirements of each culture, thus allowing for the correct use of the inputs in the agricultural property. With the objective of studying the plants of soybean reply to zinc (Zn) in relation to the different doses of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), this experiment was performed in the municipality of Palotina-PR. The soil was classified as typic hapludalf. The treatments were arranged in a 3x3 factorial scheme, constituting three fertilization forms with P2O5 e K2O: without fertilization, recommended dose and twice the recommended fertilization dose by the soil analysis and three Zn doses (0; 2 and 4 kg ha-1). Nutrient sources used were bicalcic phosphate for P, potassium chloride for K and zinc sulphate for Zn. The applied Zn doses did not significantly influence productivity, so supplementing the base fertilization form is not justified. On other hand, fertilization with P2O5 e K2O resulted in a significant increase in productivity and an increase in the number of legumes per plant, with an increase of the doses of these nutrients in the soil.

The present work aimed modify chemically the chitosan (QTS) surface to obtain a reticulate chitosan quaternary ammonium salt (SAQQR), and compare this anionic exchanger with an commercial ion exchanger in the extraction of available phosphorus in soils. The results showed that the two exchangers are identical, extracting similar and proportional quantities of available phosphorus in the studied soils, and the anionic exchanger of SAQQR provides a high chemical stability, not affected by the pH difference of soils.

O presente trabalho avaliou a eficiência da biomassa seca de aguapé (Eichornia crassipes) na remoção dos metais pesados cádmio (Cd), chumbo (Pb), cromo (Cr), cobre (Cu), zinco (Zn) e níquel (Ni) de soluções preparadas com estes metais. O delineamento utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos (soluções com diferentes concentrações dos metais pesados) e quatro repetições. A biomassa seca permaneceu nas soluções dos tratamentos por um período de 48h, e nos intervalos de 1; 2; 3; 6; 12; 24; 36 e 48h após a instalação do experimento, coletaram-se alíquotas de cada tratamento, determinando-se a maior remoção de cada metal pesado pela biomassa seca do aguapé. Foi realizada digestão nitroperclórica na biomassa seca e determinação dos teores dos metais na biomassa e nas alíquotas por espectrometria de absorção atômica, modalidade chama. Para os metais Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu e Zn ocorreu remoção significativa pela massa seca do aguapé nos diferentes tratamentos, enquanto para o Ni não foi encontrada diferença significativa. Dessa forma, conclui-se que a biomassa seca produzida, a partir do aguapé Eichornia crassipes, é um excelente material para a remoção, tanto em pequena como em grande escala, de corpos hídricos contaminados com metais pesados.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar quimicamente as fases sólida e líquida de biofertilizante suíno, separadas com diferentes floculantes. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tipos de floculantes, sendo cinco doses de cada floculante, com cinco repetições. A separação foi efetuada por meio de floculação/decantação por 1h após a adição do floculante. Realizou-se a caracterização química das fases sólida e líquida do biofertilizante, a partir da determinação de N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe e Mn. Na fase líquida, o objetivo de diminuir os macronutrientes foi atingido quando se utilizaram as doses 10 e 20 mL da combinação entre calcário dolomítico + hidróxido de cálcio, e os micronutrientes foram reduzidos quando foram utilizados os floculantes sulfato de alumínio e hidróxido de cálcio + sulfato de alumínio.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar quimicamente as fases sólida e líquida de biofertilizante suíno, separadas com diferentes floculantes. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tipos de floculantes, sendo cinco doses de cadafloculante, com cinco repetições. A separação foi efetuada por meio defloculação/decantação por 1h após a adição do floculante. Realizou-se a caracterização química das fases sólida e líquida do biofertilizante, a partir da determinação de N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe e Mn. Na fase líquida, o objetivo de diminuir os macronutrientes foi atingido quando se utilizaram as doses 10 e 20 mL da combinação entre calcário dolomítico + hidróxido de cálcio, e os micronutrientes foram reduzidos quando foram utilizados os floculantes sulfato de alumínio e hidróxido de cálcio + sulfato de alumínio.The objective of this work was to chemically evaluate the solid liquid phases of swine biofertilizer separated by different flocculants. The experimental design was completely randomized, with five kinds of flocculants and five doses of each flocculant, with five repetitions. The separation was conducted through flocculation/decantation for an hour after the addition of each flocculent. The chemical characterization was done on the solid and liquid biofertilizer phases from the determination of the following elements: N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn. For the liquid phase, the purpose of decreasing macronutrients was achieved using the doses of 10 and 20 mL of the combination between the flocculants dolomitic limestone + calcium hydroxide, and micronutrients reduction occurred when the flocculants aluminum sulfate and calcium hydroxide + aluminum sulfate were used.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o tempo de homogeneização para que os metais Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cd, Pb e Cr apresentassem maior uniformidade em um reservatório de dejetos bovinos, e determinar as concentrações destes metais no dejeto. O dejeto foi submetido à homogeneização após repouso por 45 dias. Coletaram-se amostras do dejeto em quatro diferentes tempos de homogeneização e em três diferentes profundidades. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental de parcelas subdivididas, sendo a parcela constituída pela profundidade de coleta das amostras e a subparcela pelos tempos de coleta. A determinação dos teores dos metais foi realizada por espectrometria de absorção atômica, modalidade chama. As concentrações de metais encontradas no dejeto foram inferiores aos limites estabelecidos, e o tempo necessário para ocorrer a homogeneização do Cu, Zn e Mn foram 50 minutos; para o Cd, Pb e Fe foram 30 minutos e para o Cr, 60 minutos.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o tempo de homogeneização para que os metais Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cd, Pb e Cr apresentassem maior uniformidade em um reservatório de dejetos bovinos, e determinar as concentrações destes metais no dejeto. O dejeto foi submetido à homogeneização após repouso por 45 dias. Coletaram-se amostras dodejeto em quatro diferentes tempos de homogeneização e em três diferentes profundidades. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental de parcelas subdivididas, sendo a parcela constituída pela profundidade de coleta das amostras e a subparcela pelos tempos de coleta. A determinação dos teores dos metais foi realizada por espectrometria de absorção atômica, modalidade chama. As concentrações de metais encontradas no dejeto foram inferiores aos limites estabelecidos, e o tempo necessário para ocorrer a homogeneização do Cu, Zn e Mnforam 50 minutos; para o Cd, Pb e Fe foram 30 minutos e para o Cr, 60 minutos.The objective of the present work was to determine the homogenization time so that the metals Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cd, Pb and Cr would show the highest uniformity in a reservoir of bovine manure, as well to determine the concentration of this metals in the manure. Samples of the manure in four different times of homogenization and in three different depths were collected. The experimental design used was of subdivided parcels. The parcel was formed by the depth of collecting samples, and the sub parcel by the collecting times. The determination of metals was performed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The found concentrations of metals in the manure were lower than the established limits, and the necessary time for the homogenization of Cu, Zn and Mn is 50 minutes; for the Cd, Pband Fe is 30 minutes and for the Cr 60 minutes.

Para o aumento da produtividade de grãos de soja e redução de seus custos, o uso de micronutrientes tem se intensificado nos últimos anos. O objetivo do trabalho é avaliar a produtividade e componentes de produção da soja, com a aplicação de adubo químico formulado com diferentes fontes de Zn e marcas comerciais, bem como a análise econômica de duas doses de aplicação. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso (DBC) com três repetições e esquema fatorial 5x2. Constituído de 5 fontes de fertilizantes (4 com Zn e 1 sem Zn), e duas doses de adubação (300 e 600 kg ha-1). Os fertilizantes possuem as fórmulas de NPK (2 - 20 - 18 e 0,3% de Zn quando presente), aplicados na base. Os dados foram submetidos a análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste Tukey a 5% de probabilidade. A aplicação da dose de 300 kg ha-1 proporcionou elevação, em relação à utilização do dobro da dose, dos teores foliares de Zn, já o dobro da adubação (600 kg ha-1) proporcionou elevação dos parâmetros componentes da produção e produtividade da soja; bem como dos teores de P, K e Zn no solo como efeito residual da adubação. A análise econômica demonstrou viabilidade no uso do dobro da dose de adubação e o uso do fertilizante contendo Zn não acarretou ganhos financeiros em relação a produtividade.

Anthrax is a fatal disease caused by strains of Bacillus anthracis. Members of this monophyletic species are non motile and are all characterized by the presence of four prophages and a nonsense mutation in the plcR regulator gene. Here we report the complete genome sequence of a Bacillus strain isolated from a chimpanzee that had died with clinical symptoms of anthrax. Unlike classic B. anthracis, this strain was motile and lacked the four prohages and the nonsense mutation. Four replicons were identified, a chromosome and three plasmids. Comparative genome analysis revealed that the chromosome resembles those of non-B. anthracis members of the Bacillus cereus group, whereas two plasmids were identical to the anthrax virulence plasmids pXO1 and pXO2. The function of the newly discovered third plasmid with a length of 14 kbp is unknown. A detailed comparison of genomic loci encoding key features confirmed a higher similarity to B. thuringiensis serovar konkukian strain 97-27 and B. cereus E33L than to B. anthracis strains. For the first time we describe the sequence of an anthrax causing bacterium possessing both anthrax plasmids that apparently does not belong to the monophyletic group of all so far known B. anthracis strains and that differs in important diagnostic features. The data suggest that this bacterium has evolved from a B. cereus strain independently from the classic B. anthracis strains and established a B. anthracis lifestyle. Therefore we suggest to designate this isolate as "B. cereus variety (var.) anthracis".

Abstract Background Variations in hormone concentrations across the menstrual cycle affect human female mate preferences. It has been shown that around the time of ovulation human females prefer more masculine male voices, faces, and bodies while simultaneously preferring less faces that are more feminine. They prefer also displays of male dominance, males with more symmetrical faces, and the scent of males with high levels of body symmetry. The aim of the experiments reported here was to investigate whether there are changes in female preferences for walking gaits across the menstrual cycle. Results Experiment 1 showed female observers could discriminate between point-light walkers with low and high levels of fluctuating asymmetries in their gaits. Female observers were more sensitive to asymmetries in female gaits than they were for asymmetries in male gaits. Experiment 2 showed that level of gait asymmetry did not affect the abilities of observers to discriminate female from male walkers. Experiment 3 showed that female observers did not change their preference for low and high asymmetry walkers across their menstrual cycles. However, females showed a decreased preference for all female walkers at the time during which it was estimated observers were at peak fertility. That same change in preference was not observed for male walkers. Conclusions These data suggest female observers may not value gait asymmetry, as a mate selection cue, in the same way that they value asymmetries in faces and bodies. While only “average” gaits were used in these experiments, rather than the gaits of individual walkers, the types of asymmetries in gait tested here were not used in the same way as static cues for judging the apparent healthiness of individuals. Females do discriminate well average female gait asymmetries and do change their preferences for those gaits across their menstrual cycle. Doing so may reflect the operation of processes that equip females with an advantage when competing for mates at times of peak fertility.

Marine organisms are under threat from a simultaneous combination of climate change stressors, including warming sea surface temperatures (SST), marine heatwave (MHW) episodes, and hypoxic events. This study sought to investigate the impacts of these stressors on the Australasian snapper ( C. auratus ) - a finfish species of high commercial and recreational importance, from the largest snapper fishery in Aotearoa New Zealand (SNA1). A MHW scenario was simulated from 21°C (current February SST average for north-eastern New Zealand) to a future predicted level of 25°C, with the whole-animal and mitochondrial metabolic performance of snapper in response to hypoxia and elevated temperature tested after 1-, 10-, and 30-days of thermal challenge. It was hypothesised that key indicators of snapper metabolic performance would decline after 1-day of MHW stress, but that partial recovery might arise as result of thermal plasticity after chronic (e.g., 30-day) exposures. In contrast to this hypothesis, snapper performance remained high throughout the MHW: 1) Aerobic metabolic scope increased after 1-day of 25°C exposure and remained high. 2) Hypoxia tolerance, measured as the critical O 2 pressure and O 2 pressure where loss of equilibrium occurred, declined after 1-day of warm-acclimation, but recovered quickly with no observable difference from the 21°C control following 30-days at 25°C. 3) The performance of snapper mitochondria was also maintained, with oxidative phosphorylation respiration and proton leak flux across the inner mitochondrial membrane of the heart remaining mostly unaffected. Collectively, the results suggest that heart mitochondria displayed resilience, or plasticity, in snapper chronically exposed to 25°C. Therefore, contrary to the notion of climate change having adverse metabolic effects, future temperatures approaching 25°C may be tolerated by C. auratus in Northern New Zealand. Even in conjunction with supplementary hypoxia, 25°C appears to represent a metabolically optimal temperature for this species., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Bowering, McArley, Devaux, Hickey and Herbert.)

Spinal anomalies are a recognised source of downgrading in finfish aquaculture, but identifying their cause(s) is difficult and often requires extensive knowledge of the underlying pathology. Late-onset spinal curvatures (lordosis, kyphosis, scoliosis) can affect up to 40% of farmed New Zealand Chinook (king) salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) at harvest, but little is known about their pathogenesis. Curvature development was radiographically documented in two related cohorts of commercially-farmed Chinook salmon throughout seawater production to determine (1) the timing of radiographic onset and relationships between (2) the curvature types, (3) the spinal regions in which they develop and (4) their associations with co-existing vertebral body anomalies (vertebral compression, fusion and vertical shift). Onset of curvature varied between individuals, but initially occurred eight months post-seawater transfer. There were strong associations between the three curvature types and the four recognised spinal regions: lordosis was predominantly observed in regions (R)1 and R3, kyphosis in R2 and R4, manifesting as a distinct pattern of alternating lordosis and kyphosis from head to tail. This was subsequently accompanied by scoliosis, which primarily manifested in spinal regions R2 and R3, where most of the anaerobic musculature is concentrated. Co-existing vertebral body anomalies, of which vertebral compression and vertical shift were most common, appeared to arise either independent of curvature development or as secondary effects. Our results suggest that spinal curvature in farmed New Zealand Chinook salmon constitutes a late-onset, rapidly-developing lordosis-kyphosis-scoliosis (LKS) curvature complex with a possible neuromuscular origin.

Acute heat shock has previously been shown to improve subsequent low O2 (hypoxia) tolerance in an intertidal fish species, a process known as cross-tolerance, but it is not known whether this is a widespread phenomenon. This study examined whether a rock pool specialist, the triplefin fish Bellapiscis medius, exhibits heat shock induced cross-tolerance to hypoxia, i.e., longer time to loss of equilibrium (LOE) and lower critical O2 saturation (Scrit) after recovering from an acute heat challenge. Non-heat shock controls had a median time to loss of equilibrium (LOE50) of 54.4 min under severe hypoxia (7% of air saturation) and a Scrit of 15.8% air saturation. Contrary to expectations, however, treatments that received an 8 or 10°C heat shock showed a significantly shorter LOE50 in hypoxia (+8°C = 41.5 min; +10°C = 28.7 min) and no significant change in Scrit (+8°C = 17.0% air saturation; +10°C = 18.3% of air saturation). Thus, there was no evidence of heat shock induced cross-tolerance to hypoxia in B. medius because exposure to acute heat shock impaired hypoxia tolerance., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

To examine how different fish coping strategies respond to salinity challenge, olive flounder ( Paralichthys olivaceus ) with active coping style (AC) and passive coping style (PC) were transferred from seawater (SW) to freshwater (FW) and their behavior and physiology were analyzed. Different behavioral coping strategies, in terms of escape and feeding tendencies, were confirmed in AC and PC fish without FW exposure. Differences in swimming distance between AC and PC flounder were then assessed after 1 and 2 days of FW transfer. Plasma parameters and branchial gene expression were also determined 2, 5, 8, and 14 days after transfer, with comparisons between AC and PC fish and against a SW-acclimated control group. The results showed that: (1) PC flounder exhibited a significant reduction in swimming activity, while AC flounder significantly increased locomotion 2 days after transfer. (2) The plasma osmolality and plasma ionic (Na + and Cl - ) concentration of FW-acclimated PC flounder declined in a continuous fashion over time but this contrasted against the plasma parameters of AC flounder which fluctuated below the baseline level of a SW-acclimated control group. (3) The expression of NKA-α1 and NHE-3-like mRNA in PC flounder gill increased significantly from 5 days, but the expression of these two genes in AC flounder only increased after 8 days of transfer. (4) There were no remarkable differences observed in Rhcg expressions between AC and PC flounder. This study indicates for the first time that PC flounder adopt a "freeze-passive tolerance" strategy while AC flounder adopt a "flight-active resistance" defense strategy in response to salinity challenge., (Copyright © 2019 Zeng, Herbert and Lu.)

Daytime low tides that lead to high-temperature events in stranded rock pools often co-occur with algae-mediated hyperoxia as a result of strong solar radiation. Recent evidence shows aerobic metabolic scope (MS) can be expanded under hyperoxia in fish but so far this possibility has not been examined in intertidal species despite being an ecologically relevant scenario. Furthermore, it is unknown whether hyperoxia increases the upper thermal tolerance limits of intertidal fish and, therefore, their ability to withstand extreme high-temperature events. Therefore, we measured the metabolic response (mass-specific rate of oxygen consumption, Ṁ O 2 ) to thermal ramping (21-29°C) and the upper thermal tolerance limit ( U TL ) of two intertidal triplefin fishes ( Bellapiscis medius and Forsterygion lapillum ) under hyperoxia and normoxia. Hyperoxia increased maximal oxygen consumption ( Ṁ O 2 ,max ) and MS of each species at ambient temperature (21°C) but also after thermal ramping to elevated temperatures such as those observed in rock pools (29°C). While hyperoxia did not provide a biologically meaningful increase in upper thermal tolerance of either species (>31°C under all conditions), the observed expansion of MS at 29°C under hyperoxia could potentially benefit the aerobic performance, and hence the growth and feeding potential, etc., of intertidal fish at non-critical temperatures. That hyperoxia does not increase upper thermal tolerance in a meaningful way is cause for concern as climate change is expected to drive more extreme rock pool temperatures in the future and this could present a major challenge for these species., Competing Interests: Competing interestsThe authors declare no competing or financial interests., (© 2018. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.)

Intertidal fish species face gradual chronic changes in temperature and greater extremes of acute thermal exposure through climate-induced warming. As sea temperatures rise, it has been proposed that whole-animal performance will be impaired through oxygen and capacity limited thermal tolerance [OCLTT; reduced aerobic metabolic scope (MS)] and, on acute exposure to high temperatures, thermal safety margins may be reduced because of constrained acclimation capacity of upper thermal limits. Using the New Zealand triplefin fish ( Forsterygion lapillum ), this study addressed how performance in terms of growth and metabolism (MS) and upper thermal tolerance limits would be affected by chronic exposure to elevated temperature. Growth was measured in fish acclimated (12 weeks) to present and predicted future temperatures and metabolic rates were then determined in fish at acclimation temperatures and with acute thermal ramping. In agreement with the OCLTT hypothesis, chronic exposure to elevated temperature significantly reduced growth performance and MS. However, despite the prospect of impaired growth performance under warmer future summertime conditions, an annual growth model revealed that elevated temperatures may only shift the timing of high growth potential and not the overall annual growth rate. While the upper thermal tolerance (i.e. critical thermal maxima) increased with exposure to warmer temperatures and was associated with depressed metabolic rates during acute thermal ramping, upper thermal tolerance did not differ between present and predicted future summertime temperatures. This suggests that warming may progressively decrease thermal safety margins for hardy generalist species and could limit the available habitat range of intertidal populations., Competing Interests: Competing interestsThe authors declare no competing or financial interests., (© 2017. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.)

The clownfish-anemone association exemplifies a symbiosis where both members benefit from nutrient exchange and protection from predators. Clownfish also perform aeration-like behaviour in their host anemones at night, but it is not yet known whether this is stimulated by the onset of hypoxia, and whether both members benefit from O 2 replenishment. Oxygen at 3 distances above the sea anemone Entacmaea quadricolor (0.2, 1.2 and 2.2 cm) therefore was measured under 3 light levels (photon flux density = 0, 55 and 110 µmol m -2 s -1 ), with and without the anemonefish Amphiprion frenatus. Hypoxia (O 2  < 50% air saturation) was recorded in the anemone, but only at 0.2 cm away from the anemone surface under dark conditions when A. frenatus was absent. This localised layer of hypoxia was eliminated by the presence of A. frenatus exhibiting aeration-like behaviour. Respirometry revealed that A. frenatus is extremely hypoxia tolerant (S crit  = 14.3% at 25 °C), suggesting that aeration behaviour does not provide a major metabolic advantage to clownfish because they do not breathe water at 0.2 cm and are not metabolically constrained by O 2 at distances ≥ 1.2 cm. That the aeration behaviour of A. frenatus facilitates only the metabolism of its O 2 -conforming host reveals a unique aspect of this symbiotic relationship.

Turbidity as a result of increased suspended sediments in coastal waters is an environmental stress of worldwide concern. Recent research on fish suggests that detrimental changes to gill structure can occur in turbid waters, with speculation that these alterations diminish fitness variables, such as growth and development, by negatively impacting the O 2 uptake capacity (respiration) of fish. Specifically to address this unknown, the impact of turbid water on the gill structure, somatic growth rate and O 2 uptake rates of a juvenile sparid species ( Pagrus auratus ) was addressed following exposure to five different turbidity treatments (<10, 20, 40, 60 or 80 nephelometric turbidity units) for 30 days. Significant gill structural change was apparent with a progressive increase in turbidity and was quantified as a reduction in lamellar density, as well as an increase in basal hyperplasia, epithelial lifting and increased oxygen diffusion distance across the lamellae. The weight of control fish did not change throughout the experiment, but all fish exposed to turbid waters lost weight, and weight loss increased with nephelometric turbidity units, confirming that long-term turbidity exposure is detrimental to growth productivity. The growth of fish could be impacted in a variety of ways, but the specific hypothesis that structural alteration of the gills impairs O 2 uptake across the gills and limits growth fitness was not supported because there was no measurable difference in the standard metabolic rate, maximal metabolic rate, aerobic metabolic scope or critical oxygen saturation limit of fish measured in clear water after 30 days of exposure. Although impaired O 2 uptake as a result of structurally adjusted gills is unlikely to be the cause of poor fish growth, the exact mechanism by which growth productivity is affected in turbid conditions remains unclear and warrants further investigation.

Induced-swimming can improve the growth and feed conversion efficiency of finfish aquaculture species, such as salmonids and Seriola sp., but some species, such as Atlantic cod, show no or a negative productivity response to exercise. As a possible explanation for these species-specific differences, a recent hypothesis proposed that the applicability of exercise training, as well as the exercise regime for optimal growth gain (ERopt growth), was dependent upon the size of available aerobic metabolic scope (AMS). This study aimed to test this hypothesis by measuring the growth and swimming metabolism of hapuku, Polyprion oxygeneios, to different exercise regimes and then reconciling the metabolic costs of swimming and specific dynamic action (SDA) against AMS. Two 8-week growth trials were conducted with ERs of 0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, and 1.5 body lengths per second (BL s(-1)). Fish in the first trial showed a modest 4.8% increase in SGR over static controls in the region 0.5-0.75 BL s(-1) whereas the fish in trial 2 showed no significant effect of ER on growth performance. Reconciling the SDA of hapuku with the metabolic costs of swimming showed that hapuku AMS is sufficient to support growth and swimming at all ERs. The current study therefore suggests that exercise-induced growth is independent of AMS and is driven by other factors.

It was hypothesised that chronic hypoxia acclimation (preconditioning) would alter the behavioural low-O(2) avoidance strategy of fish as a result of both aerobic and anaerobic physiological adaptations. Avoidance and physiological responses of juvenile snapper (Pagrus auratus) were therefore investigated following a 6 week period of moderate hypoxia exposure (10.2-12.1 kPa P(O(2)), 21 ± 1 °C) and compared with those of normoxic controls (P(O(2))=20-21 kPa, 21 ± 1 °C). The critical oxygen pressure (P(crit)) limit of both groups was unchanged at ~7 kPa, as were standard, routine and maximum metabolic rates. However, hypoxia-acclimated fish showed increased tolerances to hypoxia in behavioural choice chambers by avoiding lower P(O(2)) levels (3.3 ± 0.7 vs 5.3 ± 1.1 kPa) without displaying greater perturbations of lactate or glucose. This behavioural change was associated with unexpected physiological adjustments. For example, a decrease in blood O(2) carrying capacity was observed after hypoxia acclimation. Also unexpected was an increase in whole-blood P(50) following acclimation to low O(2), perhaps facilitating Hb-O(2) off-loading to tissues. In addition, cardiac mitochondria measured in situ using permeabilised fibres showed improved O(2) uptake efficiencies. The proportion of the anaerobic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase, at least relative to the aerobic marker enzyme citrate synthase, also increased in heart and skeletal red muscle, indicating enhanced anaerobic potential, or in situ lactate metabolism, in these tissues. Overall, these data suggest that a prioritization of O(2) delivery and O(2) utilisation over O(2) uptake during long-term hypoxia may convey a significant survival benefit to snapper in terms of behavioural low-O(2) tolerance.

The yellowtail kingfish, Seriola lalandi, shows a distribution of anaerobic and aerobic (red and pink) muscle fibres along the trunk that is characteristic of active pelagic fishes. The athletic capacity of S. lalandi is also shown by its relative high standard metabolic rate and optimal (i.e. least cost) swimming speed. To test the hypothesis that lateral line afferent information contributes to efficient locomotion in an active pelagic species, the swimming performance of S. lalandi was evaluated after unilateral disruption of trunk superficial neuromasts (SNs). Unilaterally disrupting the SNs of the lateral line impaired both swimming performance and energetic efficiency. The critical swimming speed (U(crit); mean ± s.d., N=12) for unilaterally SN-disrupted fish was 2.11±0.96 fork lengths (FL) s(-1), which was significantly slower than the 3.66±0.19 FL s(-1) U(crit) of sham SN-disrupted fish. The oxygen consumption rate (mg O(2) kg(-1) min(-1)) of the unilaterally SN-disrupted fish in a speed range of 1.0-2.2 FL s(-1) was significantly greater than that of the sham SN-disrupted fish. The least gross cost of transport (GCOT; N=6) for SN-disrupted fish was 0.18±0.06 J N(-1) m(-1), which was significantly greater than the 0.11±0.03 J N(-1) m(-1) GCOT for sham SN-disrupted fish. The factorial metabolic scope (N=6) of the unilaterally SN-disrupted fish (2.87±0.78) was significantly less than that of sham controls (4.14±0.37). These data show that an intact lateral line is important to the swimming performance and efficiency of carangiform swimmers, but the functional mechanism of this effect remains to be determined.

The effect of altered oxygen transport potential on behavioural responses to environmental hypoxia was tested experimentally in snapper, Pagrus auratus, treated with a haemolytic agent (phenylhydrazine) or a sham protocol. Standard metabolic rate was not different between anaemic and normocythaemic snapper (Hct=6.7 and 25.7 g dl(-1), respectively), whereas maximum metabolic rate, and hence aerobic scope (AS), was consistently reduced in anaemic groups at all levels of water P(O(2)) investigated (P<0.01). This reduction of AS conferred a higher critical oxygen limit (P(crit)) to anaemic fish (8.6±0.6 kPa) compared with normocythaemic fish (5.3±0.4 kPa), thus demonstrating reduced hypoxic tolerance in anaemic groups. In behavioural choice experiments, the critical avoidance P(O(2)) in anaemic fish was 6.6±2.5 kPa compared with 2.9±0.5 kPa for controls (P<0.01). Behavioural avoidance was not associated with modulation of swimming speed. Despite differences in physiological and behavioural parameters, both groups avoided low P(O(2)) just below their P(crit), indicating that avoidance was triggered consistently when AS limits were reached and anaerobic metabolism was unavoidable. This was confirmed by high levels of plasma lactate in both treatments at the point of avoidance. This is the first experimental demonstration of avoidance behaviour being modulated by internal physiological state. From an ecological perspective, fish with disturbed oxygen delivery potential arising from anaemia, pollution or stress are likely to avoid environmental hypoxia at a higher P(O(2)) than normal fish.

The relationship between whole blood-oxygen affinity (P(50)) and pH-dependent binding (i.e., cooperativity and the Bohr [ Phi ] and Root effects) was examined statistically under standardized conditions (10.0 degrees Celsius) in four unrelated cold-temperate marine fishes that differ widely in their swimming performance and their expected responses to hypoxia: cod (Gadus morhua), herring (Clupea harengus), mackerel (Scomber scombrus), and plaice (Pleuronectes platessa). An unexpected difference in blood-oxygen affinity was found (herring>plaice>mackerel>cod), and this was independent of both swimming performance and the predicted low O(2) response of each species. The ecotype of the four marine species was also unrelated to pH-dependent binding because no difference in the Bohr effect was apparent ( Phi varied insignificantly from -0.90 to -1.06), and differences in the magnitude of the cooperative binding reaction were associated only with the presence of the Root effect. Although several reviews propose a generalized link between blood-oxygen affinity and pH-dependent binding, our results advise against overestimating the adaptive functional properties of hemoglobin across unrelated species.