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In the current experiment the effects of brown seaweeds (Sargassum aquifolium, SA) on blood biochemical, antioxidant, innate immune, and mRNA gene expression responses of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) under high stocking rate were examined. The fish were allocated into equal six experimental groups: low stocking density (LSD) (the fish reared at 10 g L−1 and fed an un-supplemented diet), High stocking density (HSD) (the fish reared at 20 g L−1 and fed an un-supplemented diet), HSD + SA50, HSD + SA100, HSD + SA150, and HSD + SA200 (the fish reared at 20 g L−1 and fed Sargassum-supplemented diet at level 50, 100, 150, 200 g kg−1, respectively). After 56 days of the feeding trial, the fish at the HSD treatment revealed remarkedly reduced growth and feed efficiency compared to those at the LSD treatment, but the HSD + SA50 and HSD + SA100 fish groups showed a marked enhancement in performance and efficiency of consumed diets comparable to the LSD treatment. Under overcrowded stress, the fish fed diets enriched with Sargassum significantly diminished ammonia releasing levels within the entire environment. Serum total protein, albumin, liver enzymes, and lipase levels had significantly improved in HSD + SA150 and HSD + SA200 fish groups compared to those in the HSD treatment. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase exhibited high values at HSD + SA200- and LSD-treated groups than the HSD-treated group. However, HSD suppressed all plasma antioxidant activity. The high stocking rate remarkedly recorded higher plasma malondialdehyde levels, and Sargassum treatments significantly alleviated such increases. The HSD and HSD + SA50 fish groups significantly reduced plasma lysozyme, complement C3, IgA, and IgM levels and revealed higher intestinal aerobic and anaerobic bacterial counts than those at the LSD treatment; however, enriched tilapia diets with a high level of Sargassum diminished these negative effects. The HSD fish group significantly upregulated the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), and downregulated interleukin 10 (IL10), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GST) genes. Sargassum dietary administration, specifically at 50 g kg−1 level notably alleviated the adverse effects of high stocking rate on the cytokines. In conclusion, enriched tilapia diets with Sargassum treatment at levels ranging from 50 up to 100 g kg−1 alleviated overcrowded stress, oxidative stress, and immunosuppression caused by high stocking rate in Tilapia (O. niloticus).

Fish stocking and harvest regulations are frequently used to maintain or enhance freshwater recreational fisheries and contribute to fish conservation. However, their relative effectiveness has rarely been systematically evaluated using quantitative models that account for key size- and density-dependent ecological processes and adaptive responses of anglers. We present an integrated model of freshwater recreational fisheries where the population dynamics of two model species affect the effort dynamics of recreational anglers. With this model, we examined how stocking various fish densities and sizes (fry, fingerlings, and adults) performed relative to minimum-length limits using a variety of biological, social, and economic performance measures, while evaluating trade-offs. Four key findings are highlighted. First, stocking often augmented the exploited fish population, but size- and density-dependent bottlenecks limited the number of fry and fingerlings surviving to a catchable size in self-sustaining populations. The greatest enhancement of the catchable fish population occurred when large fish that escaped early bottlenecks were stocked, but this came at the cost of wild-stock replacement, thereby demonstrating a fundamental trade-off between fisheries benefits and conservation. Second, the relative performance of stocking naturally reproducing populations was largely independent of habitat quality and was generally low. Third, stocking was only economically advisable when natural reproduction was impaired or absent, stocking rates were low, and enough anglers benefitted from stocking to offset the associated costs. Fourth, in self-sustaining fish populations, minimum-length limits generally outperformed stocking when judged against a range of biological, social and economic objectives. By contrast, stocking in culture-based fisheries often generated substantial benefits. Collectively, our study demonstrates that size- and density-dependent processes, and broadly the degree of natural recruitment, drive the biological, social, and economic outcomes of popular management actions in recreational fisheries. To evaluate these outcomes and the resulting trade-offs, integrated fisheries-management models that explicitly consider the feedbacks among ecological and social processes are needed.

Drawbacks exist with the standard treatment (four-layer compression bandages) for venous leg ulcers. We have therefore compared the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of two-layer compression hosiery with the four-layer bandage for the treatment of such ulcers. We undertook this pragmatic, open, randomised controlled trial with two parallel groups in 34 centres in England and Northern Ireland. The centres were community nurse teams or services, family doctor practices, leg ulcer clinics, tissue viability clinics or services, and wound clinics. Participants were aged 18 years or older with a venous leg ulcer and an ankle brachial pressure index of at least 0·8, and were tolerant of high compression. We randomly allocated participants (1:1) to receive two-layer compression hosiery or a four-layer bandage, using a remote randomisation service and prevalidated computer randomisation program. Participants were stratified by ulcer duration and ulcer area with permuted blocks (block sizes four and six). The primary endpoint was time to ulcer healing, with a maximum follow-up of 12 months. Although participants and health-care providers were not masked to treatment allocation, the primary endpoint was measured by masked assessment of photographs. Primary analysis was intention to treat with Cox regression, with adjustment for ulcer area, ulcer duration, physical mobility, and centre. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN register, number ISRCTN49373072. We randomly allocated 457 participants to the two treatment groups: 230 to two-layer hosiery and 227 to the four-layer bandage, of whom 453 (230 hosiery and 223 bandage) contributed data for analysis. Median time to ulcer healing was 99 days (95% CI 84–126) in the hosiery group and 98 days (85–112) in the bandage group, and the proportion of ulcers healing was much the same in the two groups (70·9% hosiery and 70·4% bandage). More hosiery participants changed their allocated treatment (38·3% hosiery vs 27·0% bandage; p=0·02). 300 participants had 895 adverse events, of which 85 (9·5%) were classed as serious but unrelated to trial treatment. Two-layer compression hosiery is a viable alternative to the four-layer bandage—it is equally as effective at healing venous leg ulcers. However, a higher rate of treatment changes in participants in the hosiery group than in the bandage group suggests that hosiery might not be suitable for all patients. NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme (07/60/26).

Venous leg ulcer recurrence can be prevented with daily compression stocking wear; however, stocking effectiveness is often hindered by poor patient adherence. The ‘Personalised and Multi‐dimensional Compression Assessment and Intervention’ (PAMCAI) is a multidimensional decision aid, delivered by clinicians via an iPad application, designed to improve adherence. This study piloted the methodology and feasibility of PAMCAI's efficacy and cost‐effectiveness for evaluation in a larger randomised controlled trial (RCT). Using a two‐arm, single‐blinded pilot RCT with cost‐utility analysis, PAMCAI was compared with usual care in a tertiary hospital occupational therapy outpatient clinic. The primary outcome was adherence to wearing compression stockings, measured on a 4‐point scale. Twenty participants were randomised to receive PAMCAI (n = 10) or usual care (n = 10). Recruitment and pilot methodology appear feasible for use in a larger study. Compression stocking adherence was greater with PAMCAI compared to usual care (p = 0.002) and PAMCAI is likely cost‐effective, with an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of $3379.36 per quality‐adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Resolution of identified barriers to stocking adherence was positively associated with improvements in patient adherence. These findings support further investigation of PAMCAI in a larger RCT and its potential to improve patient adherence and the cost‐effectiveness of compression therapy for venous leg ulcer prevention.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism are common after stroke. In small trials of patients undergoing surgery, graduated compression stockings (GCS) reduce the risk of DVT. National stroke guidelines extrapolating from these trials recommend their use in patients with stroke despite insufficient evidence. We assessed the effectiveness of thigh-length GCS to reduce DVT after stroke. In this outcome-blinded, randomised controlled trial, 2518 patients who were admitted to hospital within 1 week of an acute stroke and who were immobile were enrolled from 64 centres in the UK, Italy, and Australia. Patients were allocated via a central randomisation system to routine care plus thigh-length GCS (n=1256) or to routine care plus avoidance of GCS (n=1262). A technician who was blinded to treatment allocation undertook compression Doppler ultrasound of both legs at about 7–10 days and, when practical, again at 25–30 days after enrolment. The primary outcome was the occurrence of symptomatic or asymptomatic DVT in the popliteal or femoral veins. Analyses were by intention to treat. This study is registered, number ISRCTN28163533. All patients were included in the analyses. The primary outcome occurred in 126 (10·0%) patients allocated to thigh-length GCS and in 133 (10·5%) allocated to avoid GCS, resulting in a non-significant absolute reduction in risk of 0·5% (95% CI −1·9% to 2·9%). Skin breaks, ulcers, blisters, and skin necrosis were significantly more common in patients allocated to GCS than in those allocated to avoid their use (64 [5%] vs 16 [1%]; odds ratio 4·18, 95% CI 2·40–7·27). These data do not lend support to the use of thigh-length GCS in patients admitted to hospital with acute stroke. National guidelines for stroke might need to be revised on the basis of these results. Medical Research Council (UK), Chief Scientist Office of Scottish Government, Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, Tyco Healthcare (Covidien) USA, and UK Stroke Research Network.

Appropriate management of stand density is necessary to avoid wasted growing space and overcrowding-induced self-thinning and therefore to optimize profitability. We developed a Gingrich-style stocking chart for Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora), Korean white pine (P. koraiensis), and Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) in Korea. Datasets for even-aged stands were categorized into two censored datasets via relative density based on species-specific stand density indices to assign adequate plots for tree allometry. Censored plot data for maximum density on full stocking were used to develop A-level stocking based on mean individual tree area. In censored plot data for minimum density on full stocking, individual trees represented open-grown trees, and a crown competition factor of 100 was proposed as B-level stocking. Based on parameters estimated from allometry, stocking diagrams comprising quadratic mean diameter, number of trees, and basal area were correctly expressed. A-level stocking at the same quadratic mean diameter revealed that Korean white pine had the most trees and largest basal area, while Japanese larch had the fewest trees and smallest basal area. In contrast, B-level stocking disclosed that Japanese larch had the most trees and basal area, whereas Korean white pine had the fewest trees and smallest basal area. The stocking diagrams suggest that silvicultural treatments for these species should be species-specific.

The effects of dietary Nano selenium (Se) and garlic extract on the performance of grass carp under different stocking densities were examined. Fish (2.10 ± 0.09 g) were stocked into 18 tanks: fish were fed a diet supplemented with 1 mg Nano Se and 1 g garlic kg−1 diet (Diet1) or a diet supplemented with 2 mg Nano Se and 2 g garlic kg−1 diet (Diet2) and reared at low (LD, 24 fish per tank), medium (MD, 48 fish per tank), and high (HD, 96 fish per tank) stocking densities. After 60 days, growth was highest in Diet2‐LD and Diet2‐MD groups and lowest in Diet1‐HD group. Results showed an extreme low or high density induced stress responses. At all densities, serum cortisol and glucose levels were significantly lower and amylase and lipase activities were higher in fish fed diet 2. The protease, catalase, and GPx activities were highest in the Diet2‐MD group. The highest SOD activity was observed in medium‐density groups. The serum malondialdehyde level was lowest in Diet2‐LD and Diet2‐MD groups. Thus, higher dietary levels of Nano Se and garlic are recommended to suppress stress and improve growth, digestive activity, and antioxidant capacity in grass carp. In addition, farming fish at medium density is the most optimal aquaculture practice.

Background and aims Understanding the effects of livestock grazing on the ecosystem biomass and soil nitrogen processes of grassland ecosystems is critical to improving knowledge on the mechanisms underlying grassland degradation and accurately assessing the influence of grazing management on grassland functions. Methods We examined the interannual patterns of ecosystem biomass and soil nitrogen mineralization in response to cattle grazing in a Chinese meadow steppe. The soil core incubation method was employed for soil N transfer estimation, whilst the fumigation extraction method, a modified Baermann funnel method and harvest method were used for various measurements of ecosystem biomass parameters. Results We found that cattle grazing caused consistent significant increases in soil temperature, irrespective of the stocking rate and year, whereas significant effects on soil moisture and edaphic properties were observed only in individual years and/or at specific stocking rates. Consistent positive effects at moderate stocking rates were observed for aboveground net primary production and soil nematode biomass in all study years. The across stocking rate pattern of N mineralization in response to cattle stocking appeared to be year-specific, although negative effects were found in most cases. In contrast, the interannual pattern of N mineralization was determined principally by the interannual patterns in precipitation and soil moisture and was much less affected by cattle grazing. Conclusions Soil N mineralization in this meadow steppe was affected by cattle grazing via two major mechanisms, i.e., its effects on the aboveground net primary production (ANPP) and thus the quantity of plant litter input into the soil and its effects on soil temperature and moisture. Overall, our study spanned the longest consecutive years with the broadest range of stocking rates thus far of its kind, which revealed for the first time that the soil nitrogen mineralization pattern with respect to stocking rate was year-specific. Our findings have important implications for adaptive management and sustainable utilization of Chinese grasslands.

A growth model was developed to optimize the management of multi-trophic aquaculture systems by analyzing the influence of light and biomass stocking density (SD) in the productivity of Ulva ohnoi fed with the effluents from Solea senegalensis culture tanks. Growth rates and productivity were determined in three flat bottom algae tanks with different incident photon irradiances (E0) (163, 280, and 886 μmol photons m−2 s−1), photoperiod 12:12 h, and with stocking densities ranging from 82 to 340 gdw m−2. The distribution of photon irradiance in the algae tanks was estimated as a function of the E0 and SD. The results obtained showed that the algae exposed to the highest E0 (886 μmol photons m−2 s−1) and SD below 170 gdw m−2 showed a strong decrease in their growth rate, together with morphological changes. The model proposed to estimate the specific growth rate (μNET), on the basis of E0 and SD, assumed that photosynthetic activity is dependent on the local photon flux density and, therefore, spatially distributed in the tank. Non-linear regression used to estimate the growth kinetic parameters showed a standard deviation of the distance between measured and fitted μNET data values equal to 0.011 day−1. In terms of biomass productivity per unit area (BPA), the model shows, for each E0 level, a trend to increase with SD, achieving a maximum BPA, where SD can be considered optimal, and decreasing for higher SD values. The optimal SD and the maximum BPA achievable can be also determined as a function of E0.

Hematological studies of fishes are useful in the diagnosis of many diseases as well as investigation of the extent of damage to the blood. These parameters act as efficient and insightful index to examine health status, physiological and pathological changes occurring in various fishes, i.e., metabolic perturbations in fish body thereby acting as non-specific biomarkers in the field of environmental toxicology, deficiencies and chronic stress in natural as well as aquaculture systems and checking water quality. The assessments of these blood parameters help the biologists to understand the fish homeostasis and biomonitoring of severe and chronic patho-physiological changes inferable to nutrition, water quality, or disease so as to establish the normal reference values of different species and determine systematic relationships among them. Lot of work on various aspects of hematological parameters and their relation with ecological factors has been reported on several fish species from different parts of the world. Each study attributes one or other factors responsible for variation in hematological parameters among different fish species. Therefore, in the present study, an attempt has been made to compile the information about the hematological studies of various fish species reported from different parts of the world, and through this study, a general overview has been generated about the major factors responsible for the variation in hematological parameters of fish. The review provides an insight to the characteristics of hematological values showing that fluctuating internal environment of the fish, along with other intrinsic (age, body size, the cycle of sexual maturity, health condition, nutritional state, species) and extrinsic factors (temperature, stress, season, dissolved oxygen, water quality, lotic or lentic environment, stocking density, photoperiod, sampling conditions, laboratory techniques), are the reasons of huge variability of hematological parameters in fishes.