A comparative study on intertidal faunal biodiversity of selected beaches of Mumbai coast.

Comparative study has been done to examine the biodiversity and ecological status of the intertidal region of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Bandstand and National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) rocky beaches in Mumbai, West coast of India. A total of 50 species of intertidal organisms were recorded from these shores. Shannon and Simpson’s diversity index, Margalef’s richness index and Pielou’s evenness index indicated different level of ecological state of the shore in different months. Dendrograms and 2-D non metric MDS ordination from Bray-Curtis similarity matrix of occurrence of intertidal organisms from these sites showed highest similarity and combination pattern of occurrence between Nerita oryzarum and Planaxis sulcatus in TIFR and Bandstand shore. Nerita oryzarum and Tactarius malaccanus at NCPA shore. Abundance/ biomass comparison (ABC) method of determining level of disturbance also pointed towards the polluted status of these shores. Study concludes that though these beaches are highly disturbed due to anthropogenic activities, they still support a rich intertidal biodiversity which need immediate attention for protection and conservation.

Assessment of coastal pollution through bioassay and transplantation of intertidal clams.

In the present study, a survey of Mahim creek and Bay area was undertaken that indicated absence of fauna, particularly molluscs from the area, which was a repository in the past. During bioassay experiments of Mahim creek water, the clams G. divaricatum and C. antiquata could not open their valves in 100% creek water and died within 12 hrs of exposure. The 96 hrs LC50 values of Mahim creek water for G. divaricatum and C. antiquata were found to be 20% and 40% respectively during summer and 38% and 57% respectively during rainy season. When two sets of the clams were transplanted at Mahim creek, they died within 12 hrs. These experiments suggest the extreme level of pollution in the area. This level of pollution is responsible for transforming the area into barren locality in terms of fauna, specially the rich molluscan diversity. However, Gorai creek was found to be comparatively very less polluted and it still serves as breeding and nursery ground for various fishes and prawn species. Hence it must be protected and conserved.

Monthly variation in night time noise levels at residential areas of Asansol city (India).

Intense vehicular movement and industrial activities are the major noise producing sources in the Asansol city. Ambient night time noise levels were monitored in ten residential areas from August 2002 to July 2003, to study the existing quality of noise and their impact in the local community. Based on the monitored noise levels in the area, traffic-social survey was also conducted. About 39% of individuals surveyed were highly annoyed with noise pollution from different origins. The study revealed that night time noise levels (10.00 pm - 6.00 am) in all the locations exceeded the limit prescribed by Central Pollution Control Board. The day time noise level was much higher at all locations in respect of the night time noise level. The Day-Night equivalent noise level (Ldn) was determined and ranged between 67.16 dB(A) and 89.44 dB(A). The percentile noise level (L90) exceeded the CPCB standard in all cases and varied from 72.36 dB(A) to 102.45 dB(A). Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that the local community is exposed to high noise environment.

Nephrotic syndrome in non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis: a report of three cases.

We describe three patients with nephrotic syndrome and non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis. In two of them, the liver disorder preceded the nephrotic syndrome while in the third patient the two conditions presented together. All three patients achieved remission of nephrotic syndrome with prednisolone and cyclophosphamide.

Comparison of plasma ascorbate status between diabetic retinopathy subjects with and without photo-coagulation therapy.

Metabolism of ascorbic acid is deranged in Diabetes Mellitus (DM). One important reason of this derangement is its increased turnover in the process of handling an increased load of free radicals. Anoxia, the triggering factor in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy generates free radicals in anoxia-reperfusion sequence. Any process like argon laser photocoagulation that destroys the anoxic sites and improves oxygenation in retina might hinder the process of generation of free radicals and thus expected to preserve ascorbic acid. In this study plasma total ascorbic acid concentration in matched groups of (I) diabetics with retinopathy with no history of photocoagulation (II) diabetics with retinopathy treated by laser and (III) diabetics without microvascular pathology were measured by 2-4 dinitrophenyl hydrazine method. Plasma total ascorbate concentration was significantly higher in group-II (0.47 +/- 0.09 mg/dl; X +/- SD) in comparison to group-I (0.19 +/- 0.07 mg/dl P < 0.001). The concentration was not significant between group-II and group-III (0.49 +/- 0.06 mg/dl; P = 0.40). Other clinical and metabolic parameters were not significantly different in between the groups. This observation leads to speculation that photocoagulation saves ascorbic acid from excessive turnover in anoxic retina in the process of handling free radicals.

Plasma ascorbate status in newly diagnosed diabetics exhibiting retinopathy--a finding that alarms.

Diabetics, who developed retinopathy within one year of detection of disease were found to have a significantly low plasma total ascorbate concentration compared to those who developed retinopathy 7-17 years after detection of DM. Traditional metabolic parameters did not show significant difference between the two groups. Thus a severe ascorbate deficiency may be an important determinant in the pathogenesis of retinopathy independent of metabolic status and duration of DM. It merits early supplementation of ascorbic acid to retard the progression of microvascular complication.

Role of plasma ascorbate in diabetic microangiopathy.

Plasma total ascorbate status measured by 2.4 dinitrophenyl hydrazine method showed that diabetics (N = 100) had significantly lower plasma total ascorbate compared with 45 age and sex matched non-diabetic controls; 0.34 +/- 0.16 mg/dl vs 0.68 +/- .06 mg/dl, P less than 0.001) regardless of presence or absence of retinopathy and irrespective of mode of treatment. The finding unique to this study was that plasma total ascorbate status in diabetics with retinopathy (0.19 +/- 0.07 mg/dl) was significantly lower than that of uncomplicated diabetics (0.49 +/- 0.06 mg/dl; P less than 0.001). Plasma Glucose had no correlation with plasma ascorbate levels and effect of duration of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) on ascorbate status in diabetics was ambiguous. Diabetics had abnormally fragile cutaneous capillaries detected by Hess test. The incidence of capillary fragility was more in patients with retinopathy. Hess test can be used as an easy and non-invasive test to assess plasma ascorbate status to detect microvascular involvement in DM. The experience of this study reflects that the two distinct microvascular lesions in diabetes, i.e. abnormal dermal capillary fragility and retinopathy may have a common link to ascorbic acid deficiency. An early switching on of the supplementation of ascorbic acid may retard the development of microvascular complications in diabetes.

Leucocyte migration inhibition response of Mycobacterium habana with sensitized animals and cells from leprosy patients.

Response of Mycobacterium habana sensitized mouse cells against habanin (sonicated extract) lepromin (Dharmendra) and tuberculin has been studied in the leucocyte migration inhibition test. The homologous antigenic response has evoked maximum inhibition as compared to heterologous antigens but close antigenic association has also been observed with lepromin and tuberculin. With human cells from leprosy patients these antigens have evoked analogous response indicating cross immunogenicity of M. habana with leprosy sensitized cells.