Effect of dietary incorporation of natural attractants on growth and survival during seed rearing of Indian butter catfish, Ompok bimaculatus

Aim: The objective of the study was to assess the effect of dietary incorporation of different feed attractants viz. tubifex, earthworm and fish meal on growth and survival of O. bimaculatus (pabda fish) fry. Methodology: Fifty numbers of fifteen days weaned fry (0.105±0.008g; 2.14±0.14cm) were stocked into each aerated aquariums (30.0 x 15.0 x 15.0 cm) following a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of four treatments including the control with three replicates each. Four iso-nitrogenous purified diets were prepared including three treatment diets with attractants (5%) by replacing an appropriate amount of casein and cellulose and fed to the fishes twice daily. Results: Results from the study showed that growth of fry as measured by final weight, weight gain, mean daily weight gain and specific growth rate of fries were significantly (p<0.05) higher in tubifex supplemented group and lower in control group. Survival was significantly higher in tubifex supplemented group (42.66±1.3%) and lower in control group. Moreover, other yield parameters such as total biomass, condition factor and performance index also followed the same trend as survival. Further, higher protease activity was found in control group (2.233±0.038 units mg protein-1 min-1) followed by earthworm (0.354±0.031 mg protein-1 min-1) supplemented group (p<0.05). The lipase and amylase activity were higher (p<0.05) in tubifex and control groups, respectively. Interpretation: It could be concluded that the dietary supplementation of tubifex at 5% inclusion level could be a promising aquaculture feeding strategy for pabda fish due to its rich nutrient content, increased feeding stimulation and more palatability.

A high yield DNA extraction method for medically important Candida species: A comparison of manual versus QIAcube‑based automated system.

The prognosis of infected individuals with candidemia depends on rapid and precise diagnosis which enables optimising treatment. Three fungal DNA extraction protocols have been compared in this study for medically important Candida species. The quality and quantity of the DNA extracted by physical, chemical and automated protocols was compared using NanoDrop ND-2000 spectrophotometer. It was found that the yield and purity (260/230) ratio of extracted DNA was significantly high in the physical treatment‑based protocol as compared to chemical based or automated protocol. Extracted DNA‑based real time‑polymerase chain reaction showed an analytical sensitivity of 103 cfu/mL. The result of this study suggests physical treatment is the most successful extraction technique compared to other two protocols.

Primary intraosseous atypical inflammatory meningioma presenting as a lytic skull lesion: Case report with review of literature.

Primary extradural meningiomas of the skull comprise 1% of all meningiomas, and lytic skull meningiomas are still rarer and are said to be more aggressive. We present a case of 38‑year‑old male with an extradural tumor which on histopathological examination showed features of inflammatory atypical meningioma (WHO Grade II). The intense inflammatory nature of osteolytic primary intraosseous meningioma has not been reported before. This entity deserves special mention because of the need for adjuvant therapy and proper follow‑up.

In silico structural and functional analysis of protein encoded by wheat early salt-stress response gene (WESR3).

Salt stress is one of the major abiotic stresses limiting grain yield in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Wheat early salt-stress response gene (WESR3) is one of the major salt stress genes, which is affected in the first phase of salt stress. In this study, sequence and structural analysis of protein coded by WESR3 gene was carried out using various bioinformatics tools. Sequence analysis of WESR3 protein revealed the presence of highly conserved regions of Mlo gene family. Three-dimensional modeling was carried out to elucidate its structure and its active site. The sequence analysis revealed that WESR3 protein might be involved in fungal pathogen attack pathway. Thus, in addition to its involvement in abiotic stresses, it also seemed to play an important part in biotic stress pathways. Out of the three modeled protein structures obtained from I-TASSER, HHPred and QUARK, the I-TASSER protein model was the best model based on high confidence score and lesser number of bad contacts. The Ramchandran plot analysis also showed that all amino acid residues of I-TASSER model lie in the allowed region and thus indicating towards the overall good quality of the predicted model. Seventeen active sites were predicted in the protein bearing resemblance to the Mlo family conserved regions. In conclusion, a detailed analysis of WESR3 protein suggested an important role of WESR3 in biotic and abiotic stress. These results aid to the experimental data and help to build up a complete view of WESR3 proteins and their role in plant stress response.

Correlation between two chemiluminescence based assays for quantification of hepatitis B surface antigen in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection.

Purpose: Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg) is the hallmark in diagnosing hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. In India many commercial assays are available for detection of HBsAg but very few can measure it quantitatively. The present study presents the comparative evaluation of two methods and their correlation with serum HBsAg in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients of CHB were included and there HBsAg levels were measured by two methods: (i) Elecsys, Roche Diagnostics, a qualitative assay and (ii) Architect, Abbott Diagnostics, a quantitative assay. The HBV DNA was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Results: Total of 136 patients were included in the study and there was a signifi cant overall correlation between both the assays (correlation coeffi cient [r] = 0.83; P < 0.001). Assays correlated well with each other across all subgroups of CHB: treatment naïve (r = 0.73; P < 0.001, n = 32), on treatment (r = 0.56; P < 0.05, n = 104), hepatitis Be (HBe) antigen positive (r = 0.67; P < 0.001, n = 62) and anti-HBe positive (r = 0.61; P < 0.05, n = 74) group. On correlation with serum HBV DNA, Architect assay demonstrated good correlation (r = 0.73; P < 0.001, n = 136) as compared to the Elecsys assay (r = 0.27; P = 0.068, n = 136). Architect HBsAg QT assay (A1) also correlated well with HBV DNA in the treatment naïve group (r = 0.69; P < 0.001, n = 32). Conclusions: Our study hence proved that both the assays are comparable and a simple qualitative assay with in-house modifi cation can be used easily for quatitation of HBsAg in clinical samples.

Does CSF composition predict shunt malfunction in Tuberculous Meningitis.

Background: Hydrocephalus secondary to tuberculous meningitis (TBM) continues to be a challenging condition to treat for neurosurgeons in developing countries. Shunt complications are reportedly more frequent in patients undergoing ventriculo-peritoneal shunt in patients with TBM than in those undergoing shunt surgeries for other causes. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) composition on shunt malfunction. Methods: We compared the CSF composition of 53 patients who had shunt malfunction during a five year period with that of 137 matched controls. Results: Patients who had shunt malfunction had a significantly higher concentration of CSF protein. The CSF cellularity and glucose concentration did not have any significant bearing in predicting shunt malfunction. Patients with CSF protein concentration of more than 200 mg/dL had a four times higher risk of having shunt malfunction than those with a concentration of less than 100 mg/dL. Patients with CSF protein in the 100-200 mg/dL range represent an intermediate zone. Conclusion: To conclude, patients with CSF protein concentration of more than 200 mg/dL have a significantly higher risk of shunt malfunction and hence have to be followed up closely.

Assessment of urban air pollution and it’s probable health impact.

The present study deals with the quantitative effect of vehicular emission on ambient air quality during May, 2006 in urban area of Lucknow city. In this study, SPM, RSPM, SO2, NOx and 7 trace metals associated with RSPM were estimated at 10 representative locations in urban area and one village area for control. Beside this, air quality index (AQI), health effects of different metals and mortality were assessed. The 24 hr average concentration of SPM, RSPM, SO2 and NOx was found to be 382.3, 171.5, 24.3 and 33.8 μg m-3 respectively in urban area and these concentrations were found to be significantly (p<0.01) higher by 94.8, 134.8, 107.4 and 129.6% than control site respectively. The 24 hr mean of SPM and RSPM at each location of urban area were found to be higher than prescribed limit of National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) except SPM for industrial area. The 24 hr mean concentration of metals associated with RSPM was found to be higher than the control site by 52.3, 271.8, 408.9, 75.81, 62.7, 487.54 and 189.5 % for Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Mn and Cr respectively. The inter correlation of metals Pb with Mn, Fe and Cr; Zn with Ni and Cr; Ni with Cr; Mn with Fe and Cu with Cr showed significant positive relation either at p<0.05 or p<0.01 level. Metals Pb, Mn and Cr (p<0.01) and Cu (p<0.05) showed significant positive correlation with RSPM. These results indicate that ambient air quality in the urban area is affected adversely due to emission and accumulation of SPM, RSPM, SO 2 , NO x and trace metals. These pollutants may pose detrimental effect on human health, as exposure of these are associated with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, neurological impairments, increased risk of preterm birth and even mortality and morbidity.

Microbial decolorization and bioremediation of melanoidin containing molasses spent wash.

Molasses spent wash from cane-molasses based distilleries contains a brown coloured recalcitrantpolymer melanoidin, which if disposed untreated poses a great threat to environment. Microbial decolorization and chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction was found to be dependent on specific carbon and nitrogen source. Under optimal condition of pH, carbon and nitrogen concentration for each treatment, it was found that Bacillus sp isolated from soil was capable of removing COD (85. 35%) and colour (81.10%) from distillery waste to the maximum extent after 9 days atpH 7 in the medium containing 0.5% peptone, 2% glucose and 10% (v/v), followed by Phanerochaete chrysosporium and lowest reduction was obtained by using native microbial consortium.

Rhizobia as a biological control agent against soil borne plant pathogenic fungi.

Rhizobia promote the growth of plants either directly through N2 fixation, supply of nutrients, synthesis of phytohormones and solubilization of minerals, or indirectly as a biocontrol agent by inhibiting the growth of pathogens. The biocontrol effect of rhizobia is due to the secretion of secondary metabolites such as antibiotics and HCN. Siderophore production in iron stress conditions provides rhizobia an added advantage, resulting in exclusion of pathogens due to iron starvation.

Brain abscess--an unusual complication of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt.

The authors report a case of a 10-year-old boy, who was operated for a craniopharyngioma with hydrocephalus. He succumbed to delayed development of brain abscess and its consequence, secondary to incompletely treated shunt tract infection. This unfortunate complication developed, despite the fact that conventional steps (removal of VP shunt and intravenous antibiotics) recommended for the treatment of VP shunt infection were adopted. The pathogenesis, management and review of literature of this extremely rare clinical entity is presented.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracereebral hematoma following lumboperitoneal shunt for pseudotumor cerebri: a rare complication.

Placement of lumboperitoneal (LP) shunt as a surgical treatment for benign intracranial hypertension (BIH) is generally a safe procedure, with complications like mechanical failure, overdrainage and infections. Subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracerebral hematoma were seen after lumboperitoneal shunt in a patient having BIH. These complications were the cause of the patient's deterioration. After removal of the hematoma and performing a decompressive procedure, patient's neurological condition improved. The clinical features, investigations and clinical course are described and the literature reviewed.

Physiological and biochemical alterations in Anabaena 7120 under iron stress.

Various physiological and biochemical process like growth, NO3- -uptake, nitrate reductase, glutamine synthetase and ATPases (Mg2+ and Ca2+ dependent) in the cyanobacterium Anabaena 7120 were observed under iron stress. Growth was found to be maximum in 50 microM Fe3+ added cells however, 20 microM Fe3+ (the Fe3+ concentration generally used for routine culturing of cyanobacterial cell in Chu 10 medium) incubation resulted in lower growth. Fe3+ starvation on the other hand showed very poor growth up to 4th day but once the growth started it reached at significant level on 7th day. Higher Fe3+ concentration reflected reduced growth with lethality at 500 microM Fe3+. Chlorophyll a fluorescence under Fe3+ stress reflected almost the similar results as in case of growth. However, the pigment was found to be more sensitive as compared to protein under Fe3+ stress. Similar results have been observed in case of NO3-uptake with only 80% reduction in nutrient uptake in 500 microM Fe3+ incubated cells. Nitrate reductase activity was lower in Fe3+ starved cells as compared to significant enzyme activity in 20 and 50 microM Fe3+ incubated cells. Similar to nitrate reductase, glutamine synthetase also showed maximum level in 50 microM Fe3+ added cells, however, higher Fe3+ concentration (300-500 microM ) resulted in reduced enzymatic activity. Glutamine synthetase activity was less sensitivity as compared to nitrate reductase activity under Fe3+ stress. ATPase (Mg2+ and Ca2+ dependent) always showed higher level with increasing Fe3+ concentration.

Calcium-dependent metabolic regulations in prokaryotes indicate conserved nature of calmodulin gene.

Role of free calcium and calcium binding protein calmodulin as signal molecule in cellular regulation is well established in eukaryotes. However, reports on Ca(2+)-dependent processes and their inhibition by calcium and/or calmodulin antagonists indicate towards the presence of calmodulin in prokaryotes as well. The common evolutionary origin of pro- and eukaryotes and many examples of evolutionary conservation of structure and functions support the contention of such conservation of the role of Ca2+ and calmodulin. Eukaryotic calmodulin (CaM) contains four structurally and functionally similar Ca2+ domains named I, II, III and IV. Each Ca2+ binding loop consists of 12 amino acid residues with ligands arranged spatially to satisfy the octahedral symmetry of Ca2+ binding. Plant calmodulin differ from vertebrate ones in 13 to 14 amino acid positions of which nine occur at -COOH- terminal half. Differences between protozoan and mammalian CaM also occur mostly in the same half. Isolation and characterization, although to a little extent, of CaM-like proteins from bacteria and cyanobacteria and their comparison with CaMs from diverse origin suggest high degree of conservation. Non-bulky amino acids like glycine, alanine and serine with low specific rotation are present in greater number in the primitive form of calmodulin and have been significantly reduced in highly evolved form of calmodulin, suggesting that their requirement was insignificant and were eliminated from EF hand structure during evolution. However, amino acids like glutamate/glutamine and aspartate/asparagine were highly conserved and did not show any major change in their frequency since their positions are too significant in calcium binding domain. While the number of positively charged amino acids like arginine and leucine was increased, histidine containing weakly ionized group and having a significant buffering capacity was reduced to a major extent, further suggesting that the acidic nature of calmodulin protein has been maintained during evolution. Thus it is now clear that the entire superfamily of Ca2+ binding proteins have arisen from a common genetic ancestry. Two successive tandem duplications of gene encoding a single domain containing protein of 30-40 residues gave rise to a four domain molecule from which this family was then derived.

Short-term results of initial trabeculectomy with intraoperative or postoperative 5-fluorouracil for primary glaucomas.

Thirty-three eyes of 33 patients were prospectively evaluated to study the short term efficacy, safety, and overall surgical outcome of initial trabeculectomy for primary glaucomas with adjunctive intraoperative or postoperative 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) use. Twelve eyes serving as controls underwent trabeculectomy without adjunctive antimetabolites. Eleven eyes received intraoperative 5-FU, while 10 eyes received subconjunctival 5-FU postoperatively. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was maintained below 22 mmHg at 3 months of follow up in 90.9% and 80% of patients in the intraoperative and postoperative 5-FU groups, respectively, without use of additional antiglaucoma medications, whereas 66.7% of the patients in the control group achieved similar IOP levels. Hypotony (IOP < 6 mmHg) was seen more commonly after intraoperative 5-FU (27.3%). Corneal epithelial defects were seen exclusively in the postoperative 5-FU group (40%). The use of intraoperative 5-FU exclusively as a mode of antimetabolites delivery seems an acceptable alternative to enhance success rates of trabeculectomy for the primary glaucomas.

Short-term results of initial trabeculectomy with intraoperative or postoperative 5-fluorouracil for primary glaucomas.

Thirty three eyes of 33 patients were prospectively evaluated to study the short term efficacy, and overall surgical outcome of initial trabeculectomy for primary glaucomas with adjunctive intraoperative on postoperative 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) use. Twelve eyes served as control who underwent trabeculectomy without adjunctive antimetabolites. Eleven eyes received intraoperative 5-FU, while 10 eyes received subconjunctival 5-FU postoperatively. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was maintained below 22 mmHg at 3 months of follow up in 90.9% and 80% of patients in the intraoperative and postoperative 5-FU groups respectively, without use of additional antiglaucoma medications, whereas 66.7% of the patients in the control group achieved similar IOP levels. Hypotony (I.O.P. < 6 mmHg) was seen more commonly after intraoperative 5-FU (27.3%). Corneal epithelial defects were seen exclusively in the postoperative 5-FU group (40%). The use of intraoperative 5-FU exclusively as a mode of antimetabolite delivery seems an acceptable alternative to enhance success rates of trabeculectomy for the primary glaucomas.

Synthesis and in vivo hypoglycemic screening studies on some life essential metal complexes of oral antidiabetic [N-(p-tolylsulphonyl)-N'-n butyl-urea] (tolbutamide).

Present communication deals with the synthesis of complexes of [N-(p-tolylsulphonyl)-N'-n butyl-urea], with certain transition metals viz. Cu(II), Zn(II), Fe(II) and Cd(II). Structures of all the complexes have been established on the basis of their consistent elemental and spectral analysis. Also, it reports their in vivo hypoglycemic screening on albino rats. Out of all the complexes studied, Zn-Tolbutamide complex could be recommended as more potent hypoglycemic agent in lieu of tolbutamide alone.

Breastfeeding in babies delivered by cesarean section.

One hundred mothers undergoing cesarean section and their infants were studied regarding various factors affecting the establishment of breastfeeding during their stay in hospital (mean = 11 +/- 3.6 days). Nearly two-thirds (65.7%) of mothers who underwent elective cesarean section, and 62.8% of mothers who received spinal anesthesia were breastfeeding exclusively; while only 53.8% mothers who had undergone an emergency cesarean section and 28.6% who received general anesthesia were exclusively breastfeeding their neonates. All 9 mothers who initiated breastfeeding within 12 h of the surgery were practicing total breastfeeding. In contrast only 5.8% of mothers who initiated breastfeeding after 96 hours, were exclusively breastfeeding their neonates. Total breastfeeding was more frequent (86.8%) in newborn infants who received prelacteal feeds by spoon as compared to those who received by feeding bottle (33.3%). Babies separated from the mothers in hospital were less likely (35.5%) to be on total breastfeeding as compared to those (68.1%) who were not separated from their mothers. This study suggests that for proper establishment of breastfeeding in mothers undergoing cesarean section an elective procedure under spinal anesthesia promotes, early initiation of breastfeeding. Early initiation of breastfeeding has highly significant correlation with establishment of breastfeeding while separation of babies from mothers discourages breastfeeding.