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Bio-molecule assisted synthesis of nanoparticles using protein templates and the self-assembly of the bio-molecules together with small peptides, denatured protein, and DNA is a new advancement. Specific interactions with nanoparticles ultimately dictate the size and crystallinity of the nanomaterials and the formation of nanoparticles using protein for structural integrity. Here, we are using protein-based synthesis method for preparing highly crystalline ZnONPs. Crustin(Cr)-capped ZnONPs were synthesized and confirmed by Ultraviolet-vis spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman, X-ray diffraction (XRD), High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and Zeta potential analysis. UV–Vis spectrum revealed the preliminary confirmation of the Cr-ZnONPs. By using XRD patterns, confirmed the crystalline structure of Cr-ZnONPs. In addition, TEM analysis revealed that the particle size measurements are within the 50 nm range. Further, Cr-ZnONPs tested against different Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria at 50 µg/mL. The great potential of the antibacterial and biofilm control ability of Cr-ZnONPs at 50 µg/mL was observed. Moreover, the control of thrush infective fungal Candida albicans cells and eco-toxicological analysis of Cr-ZnONPs showed that no increase in toxicity up to 100 µg/L was observed in Ceriodaphnia cornuta. Overall, Cr-ZnONPs can be used for potential photocatalytic, antibacterial, antifungal and antibiofilm applications.

Bio-fabrication of metal nanocrystals can be achieved using eco-friendly and cost-effective routes with plants as reducing and capping mediators. A rapid and simple method for producing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the plant Alstonia venenata (R. Br.) (Family: Apocynaceae) was investigated. The mosquito larvicidal potential and the effect of the A. venenata aqueous leaf extract and AgNPs on non-target fish and insects were evaluated. The AgNPs were studied using UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, AFM, and XRD analysis. The larvicidal effectiveness on early third instar larvae was higher for the AgNPs than the plant extract; this was observed by testing on Anopheles stephensi (LC50 = 12.28 µg/mL), Aedes aegypti (LC50 = 13.49 µg/mL), and Culex quinquefasciatus (LC50 = 14.50 µg/mL). Furthermore, the plant extract and AgNPs were found to be safe for the environment-friendly Gambusia affinis fish, and Anisops bouvieri and Diplonychus indicus aquatic insects. This study confirmed that A. venenata is a potential bio-resource for the fabrication of nanocrystals as an effective mosquito control tool with negligible harmful on aquatic fish and insects in the environment.

Bioengineered green approaches of metal nanomaterials plays an extensive role against current environmental affairs and clinical pathogens. In the current exploration, biomolecule loaded silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were engineered by microwave irradiation mode using the leaf extracts of Ludwigia octovalvis and characterized by Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. FTIR revealed feasible biomolecules available in capping and bioreduction of AgNPs. XRD result clearly pinpoints the crystallinity of the synthesized AgNPs. FESEM analysis taped that AgNPs were found to be polyhedrons in nature with average size 28–50 nm. The antimicrobial properties of AgNPs was investigated against different bacterial pathogens (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris and Staphylococcus epidermidis). A potential anti-biofilm activity of phytocompounds loaded AgNPs against P. aeruginosa and S. epidermidis were recorded. As well, the enhanced decolouration action of AgNPs were detected against deadly pollutant dyes Alizarin red, Congo red, Methylene blue and Rhodamine b. The outcome undoubtedly indicated that the AgNPs may be considered as an successful nano based therapeutic drug for various diseases caused by pathogens and vigorous catalytic agent against toxic dyes.

The study is intended to deliver the incidence of heavy metals in the feathers of shorebirds from two important Central Asian Flyway (CAF) migratory shorebirds wintering sites such as the Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary (PWLS) and Pichavaram Mangrove Forest (PMF), India. Feathers of fifteen species of shorebirds and seven different metals viz., Cu, Cr, Co, Pb, Hg, Ni and Zn were analyzed. Zn was highest in Dunlin, Little-ringed Plover, Marsh Sandpiper, and Common sandpiper, Ni showed highest in Little ringed plover, and Common sandpiper, Co, Cr, and Cu were maximum in Little stint, Marsh sandpiper, and Dunlin, respectively. The Hg was higher in Black-winged stilt, Common redshank, Curlew Sandpiper, Eurasian curlew, Lesser Sand-plover, Temminck’s stint, Kentish plover, Spotted redshank, and Wood sandpiper, the Pb found highest in Kentish plover, Painted stork, Spotted redshank, Wood sandpiper, Eurasian Curlew, and Lesser sand-plover. The concentration of metals showed significant variations among the species of shorebirds studied (P Ni > Co > Cr > Cu > Pb > Hg. Nevertheless, the current study revealed that the level of metals in the shorebirds is alarming; since the PWLS and PMF are located along the CAF routes, it needs intensive studies on various pollutions to manage both the resident as well as migratory shorebirds.

Flatfish metamorphosis denotes the extraordinary transformation of a symmetric pelagic larva into an asymmetric benthic juvenile. This unique process involves eye migration, a 90° rotation in posture, and asymmetrical pigmentation for adaptation to a benthic lifestyle. In the present study, we used genetics to map a metamorphosis-related locus (q-10M) in the male linkage group (LG10M), a small interval of 0.9 cM corresponding to a 1.8 M-bp physical area in chromosome 9 in the Chinese tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis). Combined with single-marker analysis, ribosomal protein S6 kinase 2 (rps6kb2) a member of the family of AGC kinases was identified as a novel metamorphosis-related candidate gene. Its expression pattern during metamorphosis was determined by quantitative RT-PCR and whole-mount in situ hybridization analysis. rps6kb2 gene was significantly expressed in metamorphic climax stage larvae and distributed in all the tissues transforming during metamorphosis, including tail, jaw, eye and skin of larvae. The results suggest that rps6kb2 has a general role in tissue transformations during flatfish metamorphosis including tail changes, skull remodeling, eye migration, and asymmetrical pigmentation.

Water pollution is gradually increasing in natural waters through anthropogenic activities. This study aimed to use fish scales as a bio-indicator of pollution, along with water quality parameters, and the assessment and detection of selected heavy metals in water samples collected from the River Chenab, including the Chakbandi drain that gathers domestic sewage waste and industrial effluents from Faisalabad and deposits it into this freshwater body. All water quality parameters (pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), salinity, conductivity, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), phenols and sulphates) and concentrations of selected heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Cr) were found to be considerably higher than permissible limits as defined by the WHO, and therefore capable of causing ill health effects in aquatic organisms. Specimens of fish scales from selected fish were described qualitatively and observed quantitatively. In Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala, the scales showed several deformities in shape and different scale structures such as circuli, radii and annuli. In each of the three types of fish, considerable variation in the morphology of their scales was observed in specimens collected from polluted sites.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of anthropogenic pollution on DNA damage and the fatty acid profile of the bottom dweller fish (Cirrhinus mrigala), collected from the River Chenab, in order to assess the effect of the toxicants on the quality of the fish meat. The levels of Cd, Hg, Cu, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cr and Sn and of phenols from this river were significantly higher than the permissible limits set by the USEPA. Comet assays showed DNA damage in Cirrhinus mrigala collected from three different sampling sites in the polluted area of the river. Significant differences were observed for DNA damage through comet assay in fish collected from polluted compared to control sites. No significant differences were observed for DNA damage between farmed and fish collected from upstream. The micronucleus assay showed similar trends. Fish from the highly polluted sites showed less number of fatty acids and more saturated fatty acids in their meat compared to fish from less polluted areas. Several fatty acids were missing in fish with higher levels of DNA in comet tail and micronucleus induction. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3) was found missing in the fish from polluted environment while it was found in considerable amount in farmed fish 7.8±0.4%. Docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) also showed significant differences as 0.1±0.0 and 7.0±0.1% respectively, in wild polluted and farmed fishes.

The eastern and southern parts of the Faisalabad city produce considerable quantities of industrial and municipal pollutants, much of which is drained into the River Chenab, reducing the productivity of fauna and flora in the river. This study was aimed to determine whether cysteine is useful as a biomarker of exposure to polluted fresh water. The amino acid profile of fish muscle was analyzed by paper chromatography in Cirrhinus mrigala and Labeo rohita from the River Chenab to determine habitat related variations due to the pollution from industrial and domestic sources. C. mrigala showed higher level of metal contamination in muscle tissues for Sn, Cr, Pb, Zn, Mn, Cu, and Cd when compared to L. rohita. Both fish species collected from polluted areas of the river Chenab showed significantly (P

The small abalone (Haliotis diversicolor) is one of the most important aquaculture species in East Asia. To facilitate gene cloning and characterization, genome analysis, and genetic breeding of it, we constructed a large-insert bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library, which is an important genetic tool for advanced genetics and genomics research. The small abalone BAC library includes 92,610 clones with an average insert size of 120 Kb, equivalent to approximately 7.6× of the small abalone genome. We set up three-dimensional pools and super pools of 18,432 BAC clones for target gene screening using PCR method. To assess the approach, we screened 12 target genes in these 18,432 BAC clones and identified 16 positive BAC clones. Eight positive BAC clones were then sequenced and assembled with the next generation sequencing platform. The assembled contigs representing these 8 BAC clones spanned 928 Kb of the small abalone genome, providing the first batch of genome sequences for genome evaluation and characterization. The average GC content of small abalone genome was estimated as 40.33%. A total of 21 protein-coding genes, including 7 target genes, were annotated into the 8 BACs, which proved the feasibility of PCR screening approach with three-dimensional pools in small abalone BAC library. One hundred fifty microsatellite loci were also identified from the sequences for marker development in the future. The BAC library and clone pools provided valuable resources and tools for genetic breeding and conservation of H. diversicolor.

Fish scale is an attractive model in bone physiology research and is also a crucial character for breeding new varieties. Thus, it is important to identify loci in the genome associated with scale formation. In this study, 290 microsatellite markers in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) were selected and tested for their segregation in a full-sib mapping panel containing 96 individuals (population 1). Association analysis identified seven simple sequence repeats (SSRs) (HLJ2509, HLJ3227, HLJ3675, HLJ3766, HLJ3863, FGFR1, FGFR7) that showed significant correlation with scale cover pattern in population 1. When the seven SSRs were investigated in two other populations, seven and five SSRs were significantly correlated with scale cover pattern in population 2 (116 individuals) and population 3 (57 individuals), respectively. The exceptions were FGFR1 and HLJ3227. A genetic linkage map was constructed using the 290 SSRs and 241 SSRs were mapped into 47 linkage groups (LGs), with 2-15 markers per LG. The map spanned 2,241.7 cM, with LG sizes that varied from 1.1 to 124.9 cM. All seven markers associated with scale cover mapped into LG3. We considered that a gene cluster that affected the scale cover pattern possibly existed in LG3. By aligning the seven markers with the zebrafish (Danio rerio) genome, we identified six candidate genes (atoh1a, ptch1, bmp1a, fgfr1a, fgf17, wnt5a) that may be associated with scale formation. We propose that the seven markers could be used with marker-assisted selection to breed a new variety of common carp, and the six candidate genes could help in understanding the scale cover mechanism.

Hemibarbus labeo is a valuable freshwater fish species distributed in the Heilongjiang River basin in China. Wild resources have declined sharply in recent years because of overfishing and pollution. Herein, twenty polymorphic microsatellites were isolated from an enriched genomic library in H. labeo for genetic conservation. These markers were characterized in 27 wild and 48 cultured individuals. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to ten, with an average of 5.200. The observed heterozygosity and the expected heterozygosity varied from 0.086 to 0.870 (mean = 0.538) and from 0.116 to 0.861 (mean = 0.5441), respectively. Three and two loci significantly deviated from Hard–Weinberg equilibrium in wild and cultured individuals, respectively. Three pairwise comparisons of six loci showed significant genotypic linkage disequilibrium in cultured individuals. These polymorphic markers represent a powerful tool to study population genetic diversity, genetic conservation and breeding systems in H. labeo.

The concentrations of nine heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mn, As and Fe) in the muscle tissue of four fish species (Oreochromis niloticus, Clarias gariepinus, Poecilia latipinna and Aphanius dispar dispar) collected from Wadi Hanifah were detected in two different seasons. The concentrations of the studied heavy metals, except for Cd, Pb, Ni and Cu in A. d. dispar and P. latipinna, were found to be below the safe limits recommended by various authorities and thus provide an indication of the extent of pollution of these metals. The present study also demonstrates that Zn and Cr were the most and least accumulated metals, respectively, in the studied fish muscle tissues. From the standpoint of human health, this study suggests that there is a possible health risk to consumers due to the current consumption rate of A. d. dispar and P. latipinna in Saudi Arabia.

A high-density linkage map of goldfish (Carassius auratus) was constructed using RNA-sequencing. This map consists of 50 linkage groups with 8,521 SNP markers and an average resolution of 0.62 cM. Approximately 84% of markers are in protein-coding genes orthologous to zebrafish proteins. We performed comparative genome analysis between zebrafish and medaka, common carp, grass carp, and goldfish to study the genome evolution events in the Cyprinidae family. The comparison revealed large synteny blocks among Cyprinidae fish and we hypothesized that the Cyprinidae ancestor undergone many inter-chromosome rearrangements after speciation from teleost ancestor. The study also showed that goldfish genome had one more round of whole genome duplication (WGD) than zebrafish. Our results illustrated that most goldfish markers were orthologous to genes in common carp, which had four rounds of WGD. Growth-related regions and genes were identified by QTL analysis and association study. Function annotations of the associated genes suggested that they might regulate development and growth in goldfish. This first genetic map enables us to study the goldfish genome evolution and provides an important resource for selective breeding of goldfish.

Current study investigated the fermentative production of cell mass and crude protein using an axenic culture of the thermotolerant strain of Chlorella vulgaris grown mixotrophically in an illuminated 10-l glass bioreactor. The process was then upscaled to 1,000-l bioreactor. The organism supported maximum specific growth rate, crude protein volumetric productivity, and specific productivity of 1.2 day−1, 2.26 g l−1 day−1, and 0.76 g g−1 day−1, respectively, with urea as nitrogen source. Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy values for its formation were 74.3, 56. 2 kJ mol−1, and −59.1 J mol−1 K−1, respectively, in both reactors and corresponded to those of thermotolerant organisms. Algal biomass grown in 10-l bioreactor contained 0.52 ± 0.03, 12.6 ± 2.0, 60.0 ± 4.5, 0.4 ± 0.02, 4.5 ± 0.2, 12 ± 0.5, and 3.81 ± 0.5% carotenoids, carbohydrates, crude protein, DNA, RNA, lipids, and total chlorophyll, respectively. Dry biomass supported good growth of fish larvae comparable with that on commercial diet.

Maternal oxidative stress during pregnancy may impair fetal growth and help in the development of diseases in adulthood. The aim of current study was to assess total oxidation status (TOS), related parameters and their relationship to DNA damage (%) and homocysteine level in normal pregnant women in low-income participants. In a cross-sectional study healthy women were grouped as normal, while age matched nulliparous and singleton pregnancies were included for first, second and third trimester groups. TOS (P < 0.01), melanodialdehyde (MDA) (P < 0.001), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P < 0.01), triiodothyronine (T3) (P < 0.01), thyroxine (T4) (P < 0.01), and homocysteine (P < 0.001), in pregnant women were significantly higher as compared to normal healthy women. While serum total proteins (P < 0.01), albumin (P < 0.01) and total antioxidant status (TAS) (P < 0.001) decreased significantly as compared to normal healthy women. Women in third trimester showed a significantly high level of body temperature (P < 0.01), triglyceride (P < 0.01), LDL-cholesterol (P < 0.05), AST (P < 0.01), T3 (P < 0.01), homocysteine (P < 0.001), TOS (P < 0.01) and MDA (P < 0.001) but a lower concentration of serum proteins, albumin and TAS at the end of the pregnancy. Pearson correlation indicated a positive relationship of homocysteine with triglycerides (P < 0.027), TOS (P < 0.01), MDA (P < 0.035) and had a negative relationship with total protein (P < 0.026). DNA damage was strongly related with T3 (P < 0.008), TOS (P < 0.02), MDA (P < 0.037) and MBI (P < 0.048) profiles of pregnant women. These changes were considered normal for pregnant women having optimum blood pressure and normal child birth. Hormonal influences and hemodilution may contribute towards the observed changes in this study.

A study of the levels of six pesticide residues (endosulfan, carbofuran, cypermethrin, profenofos, triazophos, and deltamethrin) was conducted to determine possible environmental and health risks in surface waters, sediment, and fish Catla catla. Samples were analyzed by gas chromatography with an electron capture detector. The total concentration of pesticides in water, sediment, and fish ranged from 0.005 to 3.17 μg/l, 0.61 to 23.06 ng/g dry weight, and 0.35 to 19.15 μg/g lipid-normalized units, respectively. According to the concentrations and detection frequencies, endosulfan and profenofos were the most dominant pesticides recorded in fish tissue and sediment samples. Profenofos and cypermethrin, meanwhile, were the most abundant pesticides recorded in water samples at these sites. Cypermethrin and triazophos were not detected in the sediment samples. The concentration of endosulfan, carbofuran, and deltamethrin were higher than the permissible limits for fish set by international agencies and pose a potential ecological risk to the aquatic ecosystem and a consequent hazard to human health.