Biomolecular alterations in the early life stages of four food fish following acute exposure of Triclosan

We investigated the effect of acute concentrations of triclosan (TCS; 96 h exposure and 10d post exposure) on the free amino acid, primary (SDS-PAGE) and secondary (FT-IR) structure of proteins in the embryos/larvae of Cyprinus carpio, Ctenopharyngodon idella, Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala. A concentration dependent increase in free amino acids, upregulation of polypeptides (100 and 70 kDa in C. carpio, C. idella and L. rohita, 55, 45, 36 kda in C. idella and L. rohita and 22 kDa in all the fish) and a decline in percent area of all the selected peaks of the FT-IR spectra was observed after exposure and recovery period. The decline in percent area was greatest for L. rohita at peak 1080 – 1088 cm⁻¹ (−75.99%) after exposure and at peak 2854 – 2855 cm⁻¹ (−53.59%) after recovery. Curve fitting analysis revealed a decrease in α-helices and increase in β-sheets in all fish after exposure and recovery period. The results suggest that TCS elicits alterations in biomolecules of fish embryos.     

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Association with Lifestyle,Diets, Socioeconomic and Sociodemographic in Asian Region

Objective: Risk factors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) have been linked with diets, life style and viral infections. NPC is more rampant in Asian populations than non-Asian countries. Our study aims to assess the validity of the suggestions provided by multiple case control studies demonstrating that salted fish consumption, smoking and alcohol consumption are associated with the risk of NPC in Asia. Methods: Search for related literature on salted fish, smoking and alcohol consumption were performed via Science Direct, PubMed databases and Google Scholar. Articles included in this study were from 2009 to 2017, with specific focus on salted fish, smoking and alcohol consumption as risk factors of NPC. This study excluded all articles published prior to 2009 and articles involving other cancers. Data were extracted independently by two different researchers and harmonized. Meta-analysis was conducted on the obtained data, by using R package Meta to create funnel and forest plots. Results: The meta-analysis revealed that salted fish, smoking and alcohol consumption were significantly associated to NPC risk with random effect model score showing OR of 1.41 at 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.13-1.75 (P<0.01), OR of 1.89 at 95 % CI of 1.49 – 2.38, and OR: 1.42 at 95 % CI of 1.23 – 1.65 respectively. Our results also revealed significant association of salted meat, salted vegetables, house type, wood dust exposure associated with NPC risk with p values less than 0.05. Conclusion: This study proposes that salted fish intake, smoking and alcohol consumption might be linked to NPC risk in Asians. Further studies are necessary to ascertain the molecular mechanisms and clarify if the associated path that could function as therapeutic target.     

基于层次分析法（AHP）的保健食品原料评价体系构建及分析

目的建立保健食品原料评价体系(Functional Food Crude Materials Evaluation System,FUFMES),为保健食品原料目录排名提供科学依据与技术保障。方法首先,利用文献调研和多轮专家访谈方法筛选FUFMES的指标并确定其层级关系;第二,使用层次分析法(Analytic Hierarchy Process,AHP)计算指标权重,具体方法是依据专家打分构建判断矩阵,利用R语言进行一致性检验与最大特征根检验,得出各级指标权重;第三,使用极值法计算原料的单个指标值;第四,利用线性加权综合法得到每种原料的评价指数并据此进行排名;最后,将获得的分析结果与专家评价结果进行比较。结果 FUFMES包括6个一级指标、39个二级指标、11个三级指标。利用FUFMES对9种保健食品原料进行评价,获得的评价指数依次是:西洋参(0.49)、人参(0.48)、银杏叶(0.21)、灵芝孢子粉(0.08)、鱼油(0.06)、螺旋藻(0.03)、辅酶Q10(0.02)、褪黑素(0.01)、大蒜油(-0.03)。基于该评价指数的排名结果与专家评价结果显示了较高一致性。结论构建了科学、完整的FUFMES,FUFMES将成为保健食品原料目录评价与排名的有力工具,为推进保健食品原料备案制提供科学依据与技术保障。     

Acute toxicity of chlorpyrifos to the non-target organism Cnesterodon decemmaculatus

Chlorpyrifos is the most used insecticide in Argentina. Cnesterodon decemmaculatus is a widely distributed, endemic fish from Neotropical America. It attains high densities in the shallow water assemblages of Argentina and Brazil. The aim of this study was to assess the acute toxicity of chlorpyrifos to C. decemmaculatus. The mean 96-h LC₅₀ of three independent determinations was 105.3 (±?3.1) μg/L. Sublethal effects were observed. Swimming behavioral changes at each chlorpyrifos exposure concentration were reported. C. decemmaculatus represents a good model for ecotoxicological risk assessment.     

Perceptual rivalry across animal species

This review in memoriam of Jack Pettigrew provides an overview of past and current research into the phenomenon of multistable perception across multiple animal species. Multistable perception is characterized by two or more perceptual interpretations spontaneously alternating, or rivaling, when animals are exposed to stimuli with inherent sensory ambiguity. There is a wide array of ambiguous stimuli across sensory modalities, ranging from the configural changes observed in simple line drawings, such as the famous Necker cube, to the alternating perception of entire visual scenes that can be instigated by interocular conflict. The latter phenomenon, called binocular rivalry, in particular caught the attention of the late Jack Pettigrew, who combined his interest in the neuronal basis of perception with a unique comparative biological approach that considered ambiguous sensation as a fundamental problem of sensory systems that has shaped the brain throughout evolution. Here, we examine the research findings on visual perceptual alternation and suppression in a wide variety of species including insects, fish, reptiles, and primates. We highlight several interesting commonalities across species and behavioral indicators of perceptual alternation. In addition, we show how the comparative approach provides new avenues for understanding how the brain suppresses opposing sensory signals and generates alternations in perceptual dominance.     

The fishing sector in Seychelles: an overview,with an emphasis on artisanal fisheries

Seychelles has a well-developed fishing sector that is a vital part of the social and economic development of the country. Three main types of fisheries are recognised: artisanal fisheries targeting demersal and semi-pelagic species, semi-industrial fisheries targeting pelagic species, and industrial fisheries targeting species of tuna. In economic terms, the industrial fisheries are of greatest importance. The per capita consumption of fish in Seychelles is one of the highest in the world and the artisanal fisheries contribute significantly to the protein requirements of the country. Artisanal fisheries catches have remained fairly stable since comprehensive monitoring began in 1985, averaging 4568 MT per annum. A wide range of fish and invertebrate species are targeted and the general catch composition has remained stable. Landing of tuna by the purse seine fleets has grown substantially over the last 18 years, attaining a record catch of approximately 42 945 MT in 2002. The demersal stocks targeted by the artisanal fisheries are known to be over- or optimally exploited close to centres of population, and lightly exploited elsewhere, whilst the industrialised fisheries for pelagic species require a precautionary approach to management as some stocks are being exploited close to maximum sustainable yield levels. Future development in Seychelles is tightly linked to fisheries and the marine environment in general.     

Observations on the levels of total mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) in species common to the artisanal fisheries of Seychelles

Exposure to mercury (Hg) in Seychelles is expected to be high owing to the large amounts of fish regularly consumed. In spite of this consumption, a recent long-term study of child development found no evidence that higher prenatal exposure to Hg increases the risk of neurological disorders. To identify the major sources of mercury in the diets of Seychellois fish consumers, 16 species of fish common to local markets were tested for total Hg. Selenium (Se), which may act as an antidote to Hg toxicity, was also measured. Mercury and selenium were measured using standardised laboratory procedures. The average total Hg concentration across all species was 0.07 mg/kg while the Se concentrations averaged 0.29 mg/kg. Based on the pooled species dataset, there was no correlation between total Hg and Se concentrations, suggesting that joint bioaccumulation of these elements does not occur in the reef fishes tested. Barracuda (Sphyraena jello) had the highest concentration of Hg (0.36 mg/kg), a level that was below European Union guidelines. Although Seychellois traditionally eat a large amount of fish, barracuda would need to be consumed more than 5 times a week for FAO/WHO Total Hg Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) limits to be exceeded, an unusual rate of consumption. Further investigations are needed to assess the risks posed to the population through the consumption of marine fish and fish products.