Reproductive and breeding biology of Schizothorax labiatus, a snow trout found in River Jhelum, Kashmir

Aim: Schizothorax labiatus is one of the economically valuable food fish among indigenous schizothoracids (snow trouts), inhabiting the Jhelum River system in Kashmir along with other snow trouts of family Cyprinidae. The present study was conducted to understand and bring forward various reproductive traits of S. labiatus inhabiting River Jhelum. Methodology: The investigation was carried on 310 samples (221 males and 89 females) with total length and total weight ranging between 143 to 350 mm and 62 to 449 g, respectively, for a period twelve months. Results: Gonadosomatic index (GSI) was recorded maximum during April for both males (6.19) and females (11.12), indicating that the fish fully matures during this month and spawns during coming months i.e., May when the GSI values start decreasing abruptly. The average values of absolute and relative fecundity in the fish were recorded per gm body weight as 10323 and 42, respectively. Sex ratio was found in 1:0.41 ratio, indicating a significant dominance of males over opposite sex and Lm, i.e., length at first maturity was estimated to be 196 mm and the corresponding age at this length was 2+ years. Interpretation: The fish breeds once in a year in natural/wild habitat. These findings on reproductive biology of the endemic snow trout, and the influence of environmental conditions on breeding biology will serve as a baseline data towards planning seed production and conservation strategies.

Prevalence and clinical evaluation of Pressure Ulcers using Braden scale from orthopedics wards of a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Background: The need for research into bed sores in orthopedic patients is evident from the increased number of beds they occupy and the considerable morbidity from pressure sores in orthopedic wards. Objective: To analyze and ascertain the prevalence and clinical evaluation of Pressure Ulcers from orthopedics wards of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Material and methods: The present prospective study was conducted by the Department of Orthopedics of a tertiary care teaching hospital from July 2009 to August 2014 among 228 patients seeking care for trauma to proximal femur, hip joint, pelvis and undergone elective surgery or surgery for removal of old implants. Braden scale was used for predicting pressure ulcers in the study subjects. All patients showing the potentiality of developing clinical signs of bed sores were selected and put on the study list. Patients aged ≥ 80 years, sick patients due to terminal illnesses and the worst pressure sores were excluded from the study. Results: Out of total 228 study subjects, 61 subjects developed pressure ulcers giving a prevalence of 26.75%. According to Braden Scale, 16.39% of patients were at high risk for developing the pressure ulcers. 68.85% of ulcer patients were treated for trauma mostly for fracture hips, pelvis or proximal femur or spine. Majority of patients (60.66%) developed pressure ulcers after the second week of admission. The lengths of stay of patients with bed sores exceed the stay of non sores patients on orthopedic wards by several times. Sacrum was the most commonly affected part of body. Conclusion: The findings of the current study highlight the multi-factorial etiology of pressure ulcers and they are preventable. Its prevention would require multidimensional approach including the collaboration of all the nursing and surgical staff. Frequent patient turning, close monitoring and frequent skin checks would delay the onset of pressure ulcers.

Progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), carcinoma breast and valvular heart disease: an unusual combination.

Systemic sclerosis is a multi system disorder characterised by fibrosis of skin and internal organs. There are reports of relation between cancer and polymyositis/dermatomyositis, but no overall association with systemic sclerosis. Reports of the coexistence of cancer and systemic sclerosis, however, emphasise a close temporal relation in their occurrence. Cardiac involvement in the form of myocardial fibrosis and pericarditis occurs frequently in systemic sclerosis, while valvular involvement has been reported only sporadically. We report a patient, admitted for adenocarcinoma of left breast who was found to have features of systemic sclerosis, pulmonary hypertension, gangrene of toes, and stenotic mitral valve disease. The possible mechanisms of the coincidence of the three disorders are discussed.

The diagnosis and management of MSUD in Saudi Arabia by using two different methods.

Plasma amino acid concentrations were measured in Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) infants using reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The technique involved an automated data acquisition system and phenylisothiocyanate (PITC) pre-column derivatization. During a period of three years more than 14 cases of MSUD have been confirmed in our hospital suggesting an alarmingly high rate of incidence of this disease in the Kingdom as compared to the West. We present here a simple and reliable method of quantitating the branched chain and other amino acid concentrations in plasma samples of children with metabolic disorders. In addition, we also present a fluorimetric COBAS based enzymatic method for the rapid semiquantitative measurement of branched chain amino acids for a disease in which a prompt initial diagnosis is essential.

Acute toxicity and anti acetylcholinesterase potential of some biphenyl derivatives to non target species.

Five newly synthesised biphenyl derivatives were evaluated for their acute contact toxicity (LC50) against rice weevil and honey bee and anti acetylcholinesterase potential (I50) against honey bee, fish, pigeon and rat. Amongst, O,O-dimethyl-O, p-Nitro-biphenyl phosphate was most potent against rice weevil, whereas p-(4-Nitrophenyl) phenyl-N-methyl carbamate against honey bee. Based on I50 values the biphenyl derivatives of phosphoric acid esters were more potent anti acetylcholinesterase (AChE) agents against rat and fish brain AChE while derivative of carbamic esters towards pigeon brain AChE. The anti AChE potency of both groups appear to be of the same order towards bee head AChE.