BackgroundThe aim of present work was to assess the concentration levels as well as vertical distribution of indicator bacteria including total coliform, fecal coliform, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) in the marine environment (seawater and coastal sediments) and evaluate the correlation between indicator bacteria and some physicochemical parameters of surface sediments as well as seawaters.MethodsA total number of 48 seawater and sediment samples were taken from 8 stations (each site 6 times with an interval time of 2 weeks) between June and September 2014. Seawater and sediment samples were collected from 30 cm under the surface samples and different sediment depths (0, 4, 7, 10, 15, and 20 cm) respectively, along the Persian Gulf in Bushehr coastal areas.ResultsBased on the results, the average numbers of bacterial indicators including total coliform, fecal coliform, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as well as HPC in seawater samples were 1238.13, 150.87, 8.22 MPN/100 ml and 1742.91 CFU/ml, respectively, and in sediment samples at different depths (from 0-20 cm) varied between 25 × 103 to 51.67 × 103, 5.63 × 103 to 12.46 × 103, 17.33 to 65 MPN/100 ml, 36 × 103 to 147.5 × 103 CFU/ml, respectively. There were no statistically significant relationships between the indicator organism concentration levels with temperature as well as pH value of seawater. A reverse correlation was found between the level of indicator bacteria and salinity of seawater samples. Also results revealed that the sediment texture influenced abundance of indicators bacteria in sediments. As the concentration levels of indicators bacteria were higher in muddy sediments compare with sandy ones.ConclusionResult conducted Bushehr coastal sediments constitute a reservoir of indicator bacteria, therefore, whole of the indicators determined were distinguished to be present in higher levels in sediments than in the overlying seawater. It was concluded that the concentration levels of microbial indicators decreased with depth in sediments. Except total coliform, the numbers of other bacteria including fecal coliform, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and HPC bacteria significantly declined in the depth between 10 and 15 cm.

Animal toxins are made of types of peptides and proteins well-tuned during millions of years of evolution (Escoubas and King, 2009). These venoms target various enzymes, receptors, and ion channels with great potency and sometimes good selectivity, hence, it is led to more attention to more research their physiological and pharmacological attributes (Escoubas and King, 2009). These venoms are made by poisonous animals from both marine animals and terrestrial animals, are injected into the body of victim for defense or hunt by animal wounding apparatus (Harvey, 2014). For thousand years in many parts of the world, some poisonous animals have been applied to remedy illnesses (Harvey, 2014). It has been

BackgroundThe present work was designed to detect heavy metal contents of Al, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, V, Co, Cr and Cu in sediments and shells of the Trachycardium lacunosum collected in polluted and unpolluted areas along the Persian Gulf.MethodsThe samples were taken from surface sediments (0-10 cm) and shells of Trachycardium lacunosum in two separated areas (polluted and unpolluted) in northern part of the Persian Gulf, Asaluyeh Bay, during summer 2013. The prepared samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES).ResultsBased on the results, all measured metals including Al, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, V, Co, Cr and Cu were meaningfully higher in the sediment samples of polluted area compared to unpolluted area and the order of metal concentrations in the sediment samples were Cr > Co > V > Ni > Zn > Cu > Fe > Al > Mn in polluted area. In the case of shell samples of Trachycardium lacunosum, polluted area contained significantly higher contents of Al, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, Cr and Cu compared to unpolluted area and the order of metal concentrations in the shell samples were Fe > Zn > Al > Mn > Cu > Cr > Ni > Co in the polluted area.ConclusionIt was concluded that shells of the Trachycardium lacunosum can be used as a suitable bioindicator for heavy metals in the aquatic environment. Results confirmed that due to the possible contaminations by oil and gas activities near the polluted area perennial monitoring and mitigation measures is extremely necessary.

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For the first time, we previously recorded an enormous population of the Cassiopea andromeda jellyfish that had increased dramatically from Bushehr coasts of Iran. The sub-acute toxicity of the jellyfish venom in rat organs was correspondingly carried out. The data presented in this paper relate to the in vivo and in vitro hematological effects of this venomous species of jellyfish venom.

Abstract. Hedayati A, Pouladi M, Vazirizadeh A, Qadermarzi A, Mehdipour N. 2017. Seasonal variations in abundance and diversity of copepods in Mond River estuary, Bushehr, Persian Gulf. Biodiversitas 18: 447-452. The present study was carried out to investigate the abundance and biodiversity of copepods from Mond River (MR) estuary, Bushehr, the Persian Gulf during 4 seasons and their relationships with environmental factors. The water samples were collected in mid-season from spring 2012 to winter 2013 for one year period. Copepod samples were collected by using of 140 µm plankton net with 25 cm mouth diameter and vertical towing in all stations. Copepod assemblages were comprised of 4 orders, 13 families, and 10 genera. Orders were included; Calanoida, Cyclopoida, Poecilostomatoida, Harpacticoida and Genera were included: Cathocalanus, Acrocalanus, Paracalanus, Subeucalanus, Centropages, Temora, Calanopia, Labidocera, Pontella, Acartia, Oithona, Oncaea, Corycaeus, Microsetella, Microsetella .2) and in winter (0.83±0.12 and 2.39±0.15), respectively. The copepod assemblages had most amounts of diversity and abundance at station 5 in all seasons. Pearson correlation showed a significant correlation between copepod diversity and abundance with salinity, pH and temperature. Results showed that salinity factor was more effective environmental factor on Simpson (0.01> P and r=0.783) and Shannon-Weiner indices (0.01> P and r=0.727), and copepods abundance (0.01> P and r=0.664) in MR estuary.

Background: Globally, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the 3rd leading reason for mortality associated with cancer and the 6th most widespread malignant tumor. Objectives: This study aims to investigate selective toxicity of venom fractions of Pseudosynanceia melanostigma, commonly known as stonefish, on hepatocytes and mitochondria obtained from diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Different dilutions of extracted fractions from crude stonefish venom were treated on hepatocytes and mitochondria isolated from a rat model of hepatocellular carcinoma induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN). In response to stonefish venom fractions, mitochondrial related parameters including generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) collapse, mitochondrial swelling, cytochrome c release, activation of caspase 3, and induction of apoptosis were investigated. Results: Our results demonstrate that for the first time, fraction 3 of Pseudosynanceia melanostigma treatment on cancerous mitochondria had a significant accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) disruption, mitochondrial swelling, and cytochrome c release increased. Moreover, fraction 3 induced selective toxicity only in cancerous hepatocytes from the HCC but not those from healthy cells. Additional research also determined a significant increase in activation of caspase 3 and induction of apoptosis. Conclusions: In conclusion, this study provides evidence that fraction 3 of Pseudosynanceia melanostigma venom selectively induces apoptosis in cancerous hepatocytes from HCC through a ROS-mediated mitochondrial pathway.

Background: Marine animals have been considered by many researchers due to their various pharmacological effects. One group of marine animals that have been studied is cone snails. The conotoxin obtained from these marine animals has various therapeutic effects. Methods: This study was designed to investigate the apoptotic effects of crude venom of Conus textile and its fractions (A and B) on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells. Accordingly, parameters such as cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, collapse in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), lysosomal membrane damage and caspase-3 activation were evaluated. Results: The results showed that the crude venom (50, 100 and 200 µg/ml) from Conus textile and its fraction B (50, 100 and 200 µg/ml) significantly reduced viability in CLL B-lymphocyte. In addition, exposure of CLL B-lymphocyte to fraction B (50, 100 and 200 µg/ml) was associated with an increase in the level of ROS, the collapse of the MMP, damage to the lysosomal membrane, and activation of caspase-3. Conclusion: According to results, it was concluded that fraction B from crude venom of Conus textile causes selective toxicity on CLL B-lymphocyte with almost no effect on a normal lymphocyte. Furthermore, this venom fraction could be a promising candidate for induction of apoptosis in patients with CLL through the mitochondrial pathway.