Water Quality and Nutrient Dynamics of Biofloc with Different C/N Ratios in Inland Saline Water

A study evaluating water quality and nutrient dynamics in inland saline water was carried out using biofloc technology with different C/N ratios employed to raise Litopenaeus vannamei juveniles. The study was carried out for 60 days in FRP with no water exchange. Salinity, temperature, Dissolved oxygen, pH, nutrients, Biofloc Volume and Total Suspended Solids were monitored. All biofloc units indicated reduction in alkalinity at 40th day except the treatment with highest (25:1) C/N ratio, pH and alkalinity was not significant different among various treatments. Dissolved Oxygen was found to be significantly decreasing with increasing C/N ratios. The least Dissolved Oxygen was recorded at higher C/N ratios of 20:1 and 25:1 at the end of experiment. The Total Ammonical Nitrogen (TAN) and NO2–Nin C/N ratios 15:1 and 20:1 were found to have a significantly decreasing in trend after 20th and 18th day respectively. The NO3–N, PO43-–P, BVF and TSS in biofloc were shown an increasing trend in all the experiments. The present study elucidates the suitability of optimum C/N ratios in biofloc for maintaining the water quality to raise L. vannamei in inland ground saline water. The finding could help in reducing the environmental concern saline waste water discharge from the shrimp pond to the land.

Correlation of Maternal Age with Prevalence of Chromosomal Anomalies in Patients of Anorectal Malformation

Introduction: Aims: To identify the Anorectal malformations patients in North Indian region and then study the karyotype of these patients to evaluate cytogenetic aberrations and then correlate it with the maternal age. Subjects and Methods: Forty eight patients of anorectal malformation were selected from Department of Paediatric Surgery, KGMU, UP, Lucknow. Blood samples were collected and their cytogenetic study was done in the Department of Anatomy, KGMU-U.P, Lucknow. Karyotypes obtained were further analysed. Results: Out of 48 children enrolled in the study, karyogram could be obtained for 45 cases (93.75%). Maternal age at the time of birth of the child was <30 years in 91.1% cases. There were only 8.9% women who were >30 years of age at the time of birth of the child. However, proportion of those with anomalies was significantly higher in >30 years age group (75%) as compared to that in <30 years age group (2.4%). Conclusion: Although low maternal age was found most commonly, but number of cases with chromosomal anomalies was reported more in >30 years of age, which could be due to increased risk of congenital anomalies and malformations with advanced age.

Eco-Friendly Approach for Treating Dairy Effluent and Lipid Estimation Using Microalgae.

Aim: In this study, an attempt has been made to examine the utility of these species in treating dairy wastewater. Bioreactor was studied using immobilized Chlorella vulgaris and Anabaena ambigua to treat dairy effluent. Study Design: The entire study including the treatment and filtration was conducted in Centre for biotechnology, Institute of Science and Technology, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, between November 2014 to February 2015. Methodology: The treatment of dairy effluent consists of two stages; the first stage includes dairy effluent treatment using immobilised Chlorella vulgaris and Anabeana ambigua, while the second stage involves sand bed and coal bed filtration. Results: Chlorella vulgaris reported a high lipid content of 12% when compared with Anabaena ambigua 5% after the cultivation period. Whereas the protein content of Anabaena ambigua (40%) was higher than Chlorella vulgaris (28%) when compared with after harvesting. Whilst ammonium nitrate was completely removed by bead treatment it was 96% reduction when treated with Chlorella vulgaris. A 98% removal of phosphates was achieved on an average after algal bead treatment for both species in both modes of operation. Moreover, a significant decrease in BOD and COD was achieved by this method. Conclusion: It can be concluded that, the cultivation of algae in dairy effluent results the combined advantages of treating the dairy effluent and also producing algal biomass, which can further use of food additives for aquatic culture, animal and human feed, energies such as biogas and fuels and bio-fertiliser.

Formulation and Evaluation of Oxcarbazepine Suspension: In vitro/In vivo Correlation.

Aims: Oxcarbazepine was formulated as suspension in order to perk up the palatability, augment bioavailability of the product, furthermore extended to estimate good degree of in vitro in vivo correlation (IVIVC). Study Design: Formulation and Evaluation of Oxcarbazepine Suspension: In Vitro/In Vivo Correlation Place and Duration of Study: Birla Institute of Technological Sciences- Hyderabad, India between July 2011 to January 2012 Methodology: Oxcarbazepine had poor aqueous solubility, thus the solubility was increased by hydrotropes then formulated into suspension using taragum as viscosity enhancer. Further validity of dissolution study was extended by In vitro/In vivo correlation using level A method. Results: These suspensions were observed for in vitro dissolution profile and studied for in vivo pharmacokinetic profile, from the obtained values, a level A IVIVC modeling was observed, interestingly from the results attained suspension showed almost 98% drug release (FDR) and 85% drug absorbed (FDA) in 90min. Fascinatingly, from the correlation between FDR and FDA, slope and regression co-efficient obtained was near to 1.0 indicated good linearity. Conclusion: In conclusion, a point-to-point link from the level A which was a keystone of acceptable and reliable correlation was achieved.

Endometriosis after surgical menopause mimicking pelvic malignancy: surgeons' predicament

Prevalence of persistent endometriosis in women after menopause without any hormonal replacement therapy is very rare. This is a case of a woman with previous history of total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for endometriosis who presented with hemoperitoneum, vaginal bleeding, pelvic mass, and pulmonary thromboembolism mimicking as rectovaginal septum carcinoma. This is the first case report with a unique mode of presentation wherein the patient presented with hemoperitoneum requiring emergency embolization of the vessel to stabilize the patient. She underwent en bloc resection of the tumor with high anterior resection of the rectum. Histopathology confirmed endometriosis

Curiosity almost killed the cat: A case of accidental yellow oleander poisoning in school children.

Seven schoolchildren (9–12 years) accidentally ingested the seeds of yellow oleander (Cerbera thevetia or Thevetia neriifolia) while playing outdoors. Yellow oleander is an evergreen ornamental shrub that grows wild in most parts of India. The whole plant, including its sap, is toxic, containing several cardiac glycosides. All parts of the plant are dangerous, especially the seeds. After repeated vomiting by one child, all seven children were taken to hospital by their schoolteacher. On admission most of the victims appeared normal, though a few were drowsy or irritable. A few hours later, some of them developed hypotension, for which they were successfully treated and discharged after 18 hours. All children were followed up periodically over the next week, but did not display evidence of any sequelae or complications.

Expression of NF-kB and COX-2 in Young Versus Older Patients with Sporadic Colorectal Cancer.

Aim: to distinguish the expression of NF-kB and COX-2 between young and older group of sporadic colorectal cancer patients. Methods: this was a comparative study between sporadic CRC patients aged 40 years or younger and patients aged 60 years or more. Expression of NF-kB and COX-2 were assessed by immunohistochemical method using rabbit polyclonal antibodies against human p65 NF-kB and COX-2 proteins. Results: there were 98 cases of sporadic colorectal cancers between 1999 and 2007 obtained from the Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine University of Indonesia, Jakarta and Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Padjajaran University, Bandung. There were 60 patients aged 60 years or more and 38 patients aged 40 years or less. Most tumors were located in the distal colon. Positive expression of NF-kB was found in 72 (73.5%) cases, whereas COX-2 expression was found in 48 (49.0%) cases. No significant difference of NF-kB and COX-2 expression between young and older patients. Conclusion: the expression of nuclear factor kB (NF-kB) in Indonesian patients with sporadic colorectal cancer was high. However, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was only expressed in half of patients. There was no significant difference of NF-kB and COX-2 expressions between patients aged 40 years or less and patients aged 60 years or more. Further studies are needed to elaborate the role of inflammation in sporadic colorectal carcinogenesis.

Outcome of scorpion sting envenomation after a protocol guided therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Scorpion sting (SS) envenomation is a life threatening emergency in children, though not so severe in adults. Attempt to develop protocol using prazosin and dobutamine and few other drugs to treat SS. METHODS: Children aged 0-13 years with a history of scorpion sting were studied. Clinical features, complications, drug therapy and outcome of the cases for the period 1992-97(N = 186) was collected by the authors and also from the medical records department (RETROSPECTIVE GROUP). Cases treated during 1997-2000 (N = 198) as per the protocol were recorded as PROSPECTIVE GROUP. All the cases were observed for at least for 24 hours. Cases coming within 4 hours of a sting were given a dose of Prazosin (30 mic.gm/Kg/dose) and were observed. Those who came after 4 hours & were asymptomatic received only symptomatic treatment. Cases with signs of envenomation received Prazosin every 6 hourly till recovery. Cases having acute pulmonary edema (APE) were treated with dobutamine and sodium nitroprusside drip. Complicated cases were monitored in PICU as per the protocol. RESULT: Complications associated with excessive parasympathetic and sympathetic stimulation were observed. Myocarditis was observed due to the toxin and excessive catecholamine, which complicated in left ventricular failure (LVF) and APE. Nearly half of the children with acute myocarditis developed APE. Death was mainly due to myocarditis and APE, with or without encephalopathy. Mortality was high in children who received steroid and antihistaminics outside and who came late (> 4 hours). CONCLUSION: Complication rate remained almost same in both the groups. There was a significant reduction in overall mortality (P = < 0.0155) and in deaths associated with APE (P = < 0.0001) after the protocol guided therapy. There was also a reduction in mortality in encephalopathy group though not statistically significant. This treatment protocol and aggressive management of APE reduced the mortality due to SS significantly.

Double blind, placebo-controlled trial of Tranexamic acid on recent internal haemorrhoid bleeding.

A Double blind randomized placebo controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Tranexamic acid in 54 patients with recent hemorrhoid bleeding. Age, gender, body weight, height, grade of hemorrhoid, time of onset of recent bleeding were comparable between two groups. Analysis of haemostatic effect or stop bleeding as an immediate outcome of this study revealed that in the grade 2 patients, 23/23 (100%) of tranexamic group and 18/23(78.26%) of placebo group the bleeding stop. After 3 days of observation, there was statistically significant different for the rate of stop bleeding as well as at the end of observation. Bleeding stop earlier in the Tranexamic group with median 4 days (3-5 days), compare to placebo, median 11(9.55-12.45). Analysis of recurrent bleeding as an outcome of this study revealed that in the placebo group 9/18(50%) of grade 2 patients and all grade 3 (100%)patients suffered from recurrent bleeding. Since the days 4, both group have significant different time for recurrent bleeding and at the end of observation, cumulative probability of free of bleeding between two groups significantly different. Median still stop bleeding in the placebo group was 36 days, and the tranexamic group never reaches the median until the end of observation. Conclusion: tranexamic acid was an effective drug to stop recent hemorrhoid bleeding and prevent further recurrent bleeding, significantly better than placebo.

Effect of arsenite on certain aspects of protein metabolism in fresh water teleost, Tilapia mossambica (Peters).

The sublethal toxicity of sodium arsenite on protein metabolism was investigated in teleost fish, Tilalpia mossambica at the end of 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of exposure. Total protein content, free amino acid content and activities of the enzymes aspartate amino transferase (AAT) and alanine amino transferase (ALAT) in liver, gill, brain and muscle exhibited significant (P<0.05) alterations throughout the investigation in relation to that of control. It is suggested that the fish is able to respond to the stressful situations by gearing up the metabolic activity as revealed by the elevated protein, amino acid content and the activities of AAT and ALAT.

In vitro propagation of Acorus calamus Linn.--a medicinal plant.

High frequency in vitro propagation protocol was standardized from rhizome explants of A. calamus. Maximum shoot multiplication frequency was obtained on Murashige and Skoog's media supplemented with 4 mg/l 6-benzyl amino purine and 0.5 mg/l indole-3-acetic acid. Regenerated shoots were rooted in vitro or directly transferred to sterile soil and well developed roots were observed within two weeks. The rooted plants were successfully established in the field.

Primary plasmacytoma of testis. Report of a case.

A primary testicular tumour in a 62 year old man was found to be a plasmacytoma on histopathological examination without any extra testicular disease prior to or subsequent to orchiectomy, fulfilling the criteria for the primary extramedullary plasmacytoma. Such cases are extremely rare. Evaluation of such a case was discussed and the relevant literature reviewed.