Reactive oxygen species signaling influences feeding behaviour.

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are not just by products of substrate oxidation but also chemicals that are involved in intracellular signaling when they are generated transiently and moderately. This review explores the intracellular signaling aspects of reactive oxygen species in influencing feeding behaviour. Substrates like glucose and lipids stimulate generation of reactive oxygen species mainly through mitochondria and to some extent through the NADPH oxidases. The level of ROS generated in hypothalamic neurons like NPY/AgRP and POMC neurons, under the influence of substrate level, directly influences the activity of these neurons and subsequently affect the downstream neurons located in other parts of the hypothalamus like the ventromedial nucleus (VMN), the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and the lateral hypothalamus. Activation of POMC neuronal population is driven by increase ROS level whereas activation of NPY/AgRP neurons occurs when ROS level is reduced. The activation of these neurons will determine the feeding behaviour which will either be satiety if POMC neurons are activated or increase food intake if NPY/AgRP neurons are activated.

Microbial Quality of the Lake Inside Thiruvananthapuram Zoological Garden, Kerala, India.

A study of the microbial water quality of the lentic body inside Thiruvananthapuram Zoological Garden was carried out. The water in the lake is used for cleaning the cages of the zoo animals and for their bath. Total viable count, coli form count and E.coli count for the water found was exceeding the limits as prescribed by WHO and CPCB. Prevalence of indicator bacteria like Escherichia coli was observed during the study period. Isolation of Staphylococcus sp and Pseudomonas sp was done and are identified and confirmed biochemically. Klebsiella oxytoca and Enterobacter cloacae were identified by the sequencing of 16S rRNA and COI genes. The sequence and phylogenetic similarity search done with all entries in the DNA sequence database, GenBank using BLAST and identified. Bacterial results hint towards the pollution status of the water body. Bacterial count studies showed a higher number of bacterial colonies present in the water during the Monsoon Period. The animals under capture are more sensitive to diseases than in wild. A regular monitoring of the water is needed to check water borne diseases.