Assessment of El-Salaam underground water for poultry use

Water quality for 13 wells in El-Salaam, in a new city near Cairo, has been investigated. Those wells were dug specifically to provide water for a company specializing in broiler poultry production. The water was analyzed for the following bacteriological parameters: total bacterial counts (10²–10⁴), total coliforms (<1?10²), fecal coliforms (<1?10²) fecal streptococci (<1?10³), aerobic spore formers (10²–10⁴) and total counts for Clostridia (<1?10³) per 100 mL. Chemical parameters such as pH, sulphate, alkalinity, hardness, and pesticides indicate that the water is unacceptable for poultry production. This study illustrates the need for monitoring and maintaining the integrity of groundwater sources at El-Salaam.     

The Contribution by the Study of the Algae Forms (Phytoplankton and Periphyton) as Integrators of Physicochemical and Microbiological Data in the Varenna Stream

Physico-chemical, microbiological, ichthyotoxicological conditions and microalgae of Varenna stream were studied in samples taken in 12 collecting stations. The data reported indicate a marked deterioration proceeding downstream e.g. an increase of bacterial population, concentration of suspended solids, COD and variations in the composition and abundance of phytoplankton and periphyton.     

Metal contamination of drinking water from corrosion of distribution pipes

The objectives of this study were to evaluate metal contamination of drinking water resulting from the corrosion of distribution pipes and its significance to human health. A community in Dhahran, which is served from its own desalination facilities, was chosen for this study. About 150 drinking water samples were collected and analyzed for metal concentrations using an inductively coupled argon plasma analyzer. It was found that copper, iron and zinc in the drinking water increased during its transportation from the desalination plant to the consumers. This increase was related to the length and material of distribution pipes. Concentrations of copper and zinc were increased during overnight storage of water in the appliances. Metal concentrations found in this study are discussed with reference to human health.     

New morphological characteristic of Xyrichtys novacula (Pisces: Labridae) from the Adriatic Sea

In 1983 curred horns were detected in the rare Adriatic Sea fish Xyrichtys novacula (Linnaeus, 1758). Their dimensions and histological structures have been investigated. This observation, compared with previous occurrences, suggested the existence of heteromorphism within this species.     

Dynamics of skeleton formation in the Lake Baikal sponge Lubomirskia baicalensis. Part II. Molecular biological studies

In a preceding study it has been reported that the freshwater sponge Lubomirskia baicalensis, living in Lake Baikal (East Siberia), is composed of spicules forming a characteristic pattern which follows radiate accretive growth. Here we report that the spicules are synthesized by the enzyme silicatein, a protein which is related to cathepsin L. The cDNAs for silicatein and the related cathepsin L were isolated and used as probes to show that the mRNA levels of silicatein in the bases of the spicule skeleton of the animals are low, while the mRNA level of cathepsin L in this region exceeds that of the growing zone. This is the first comprehensive study on the importance of the axial filament/silicatein as an essential structural and functional component determining the growth and stability of demosponge spicules.Note: Sequences from Lubomirskia baicalensis have been deposited in the EMBL/GenBank; cDNAs for the putative silicatein (LBSILICA) are deposited under the accession no. AJ786771 and for cathepsin L (LBCATL) under the accession no. AJ786770.     

Movements of bluefin tuna (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Thunnus thynnus</Emphasis>) in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean recorded by pop-up satellite archival tags

Pop-up satellite archival tags were implanted into 68 Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus Linnaeus), ranging in size from 91 to 295 kg, in the southern Gulf of Maine (n=67) and off the coast of North Carolina (n=1) between July 2002 and January 2003. Individuals tagged in the Gulf of Maine left that area in late fall and overwintered in northern shelf waters, off the coasts of Virginia and North Carolina, or in offshore waters of the northwestern Atlantic Ocean. In spring, the fish moved either northwards towards the Gulf of Maine or offshore. None of the fish crossed the 45°W management line (separating eastern and western management units) and none traveled towards the Gulf of Mexico or the Straits of Florida (known western Atlantic spawning grounds). The greatest depth recorded was 672 m and the fish experienced temperatures ranging from 3.4 to 28.7°C. Swimming depth was significantly correlated with location, season, size class, time of day, and moon phase. There was also evidence of synchronous vertical behavior and changes in depth distribution in relation to oceanographic features.Communicated by J.P. Grassle, New Brunswick     

Daily and seasonal feeding rhythmicity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Palaemonetes varians</Emphasis> (Leach 1814) from southwestern Europe

The feeding activity rhythm of Palaemonetes varians (Leach 1814) was studied by collecting stomachs over a 24-h cycle in four different seasons of 1996 and spring–summer of 1997 to assess a regulation of this behaviur dependent upon seasonal variations in photoperiod length. A total of 6,692 stomachs were collected from a population reared in an extensive earthen pond located in the Guadalquivir Estuary salt marshes (Spain). Stomach fullness (f) classification was performed with a stereomicroscope by means of a four-point visual qualitative scale. Results showed that a high proportion of stomachs were empty in all seasons considered and a great variability in the data occurred irrespective of the time of the day. The number of full stomachs at each catch were represented over 24-h for each sampling season. Time series showed the occurrence of a feeding activity rhythm phased at day–night transitions. The sunset peak occurred in all months of sampling, while the sunrise one occurred in summer. Results are discussed in relation to available data on behavior, moulting, and reproduction of this and other species of the same genus.     

Earthworm resources of Benghazi, Libya

This study presents the first survey of earthworm species (Oligochaeta) from Benghazi, a Mediterranean coastal city in Libya. A total of three peregrine species were recorded: Allolobophora caliginosa trapezoides, Allolobophora rosea (Family: Lumbricidae), Microscolex dubius (Family: Microscolecidae). Their distribution and density in six habitats (vegetable garden, flower garden, green house, farmland, grassland, plain barren landscape) are discussed in relation to some of the physico-chemical parameters and composition of the soil.     

Toxicological study of plant extracts on termite and laboratory animals

Toxic activity of leaf extracts of Polygonum hydropiper L. and Pogostemon parviflorus Benth. were tested in the laboratory against tea termite, Odontotermes assamensis Holm. Both the tested extracts caused mortality of the termite. The highest toxic activity (100%) was found in the 2.0% chloroform extracts of P. hydropiper. The chloroform extract of P. hydropiper was explored for possible mammalian toxicological effects. The LD50 was 758.58 mg/kg in male albino mice. Subcutaneous injection of sub-lethal dose of extract into male mice once a week for 6 weeks failed to express any significant influence on WBC, RBC count and blood cholesterol.