Studies on hill stream fish photosensitivity with psoralene and retene photosensitizers

Aim: A study was designed to measure the solar UV- B in Uttarakhand, Garhwal region and to observe the effect of retene and psoralene photosensitizers on hill stream fishes, Tor tor and Garra gotyla in the presence of natural solar ultraviolet and equal intensity of artificial UV-B radiation.Methodology: Solar UV-B was measured with the help of Kipps and Zonen radiometer having UV-B sensors. Experimental sites selected were Dehradun and Tehri located in Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. The artificial radiation was provided with Philips UV-B Lamps. Mortality, biochemical and enzymological parameters, which included glutathione, glucose-6-phosphatase, catalase and lipid peroxidation were analyzed. Results: The data of monitoring of UV-B showed that the maximum UV-B intensity was observed during the month of May to August and the minimum was in the month of December to February. Mortality rate of fish exposed to solar radiation, artificial UV-B, psoralene and retene indicated highest with 26% in Tor tor, exposed with psoralene+ artificial UV-B. Reduced glutathione, glucose- 6- phosphatase and catalase level decreased in all the groups compared to control. The maximum reduction in GSH level was observed after treatment of artificial UV-B + psoralene in Tor tor, while maximum reduction in catalase and glucose-6- phosphatase was observed after retene and artificial UV-B. Interpretation: Tor tor and Garra gotyla are important hill stream fishes. Retene and psoralene are natural photosensitizers present in the aquatic ecosystem and become phototoxic by generating oxidative radicals. Artificial UV-B was more toxic than natural solar radiation and Tor tor was found more sensitive than Garra gotyla. Enhanced UV-B with retene and psoralene photosensitizers affect hill stream fishes and aquatic biodiversity.

Educación caligráfica durante la infancia y su efecto a largo plazo en la escritura en la vida adulta / Calligraphic education during childhood and its long-term effect on the adult handwriting

Antecedentes:La escritura es una parte esencial de la comunicación. Uno de los componentes más importantes es la prehensión fina, es decir el agarre de la pluma, de la cual existen cinco variantes. Reconociendo que la educación tiene un rol importante en la generación de buenos hábitos de escritura para un mejor producto: la legibilidad. Metodología:Se realizó un estudio transversal de correlación. Se usaron dos métodos de recolección de información: cuestionario electrónico y prueba caligráfica. Resultados:Se reclutaron 120 sujetos, con edades entre 18 y 30 años. No se encontró relación significativa entre la legibilidad del texto con la duración de la educación caligráfica, el sexo, la edad, la mano preferente, el promedio ni tipo de letra. Se encontró relación significativa entre la comparación de los agarres estandarizados con el agarre alterno respecto a su legibilidad (p=0.01). Discusión:El 77.5% de la muestra obtuvo un promedio alto en la prueba caligráfica; sin embargo, no se encontró relación estadísticamente significativa con la duración de la educación caligráfica en la infancia, la legibilidad según sexo y edad, mano preferente, instrumento, tipo de letra y promedio académico. La única asociación significativa (p=0.01) fue entre legibilidad en agarre estandarizado con el alterno. Conclusión:La legibilidad de la caligrafía es multifactorial, con peso principal en la educación caligráfica infantil. Sin embargo, se comprobó que la duración de esta educación no es significativa para la legibilidad. Igualmente, el uso de un agarre alterno a las cinco variantes se asocia con peores resultados en la prueba caligráfica.

Background:Handwriting is an essential part of human communication. Its successful development is decisive for its personal and academic future. One of the most important components is the grip of the pen, which there are 5 standard variants. Calligraphic education has a very important role in the generation of writing habits and a better legibility. Methods:In a cross-sectional study of correlation between variables, the aim was to correlate calligraphic education with many variables. The data was collected with an electronic questionnaire and a calligraphic test.Results:The sample consisted of 120 subjects between the ages of 18-30. No statistically significant correlation was found between legibility and years of calligraphic education, gender, age, dominant hand, GPA and preferred font. The only significant correlation was found between legibility and the use of one standard grips of the pen and an alternative (p=0.01). Discussion:77.5% of the subjects had a high average in the calligraphic test and no correlation was found between legibility and length of calligraphic education in childhood, gender, age, dominant hand, writing tool, font and GPA. However, a significant association between legibility and the use of the standard grips was found, in comparison with people that do not use one of those grips (p=0.01).Conclusions:Handwriting legibility is a multi-factor influenced skill, and calligraphic education during childhood is decisive to develop it properly. Nevertheless, the study showed no association between the length of the education and legibility, and a correlation was found between the use of an alternative pen grip and a worse result in the calligraphic test.

Fish Pedicure-induced Aeromonas sobria Superficial Necrotic Bullous Dermatitis in a Previously Undiagnosed Diabetes Patient. What are the Risks of Fish Pedicure for Public Health?.

We describe a patient with previously undiagnosed diabetes who developed superficial necrotic bullous dermatitis due to Aeromonas sobria infection following a fish pedicure (also known as fish spa, fish therapy or Ichthyotherapy). A major concern regarding fish pedicure involves the transmission of viral and bacterial infections. It has been shown that fish tank water contains a wide variety of bacteria, including non-pathogenic as well as potentially pathogenic species. Commonly in fish spas the tank water is heated to a temperature of 25 to 30°C. Such temperatures favour overall bacterial growth and at the same time increase skin porosity upon immersion, hence indirectly promoting potential skin infections. The authors discuss three potential routes of transmission (from fish or tub surface to man, from water to man, and from man to man via the tub water) and analyse the potential risk of bacterial or viral transmission associated with fish pedicures. On the basis of the current case study and the consensus view of experts, the authors advise against fish pedicure, in particular for patients with diabetes or a compromised immune system.

Mortality of therapeutic fish Garra rufa caused by Aeromonas sobria

Objective:To investigate a case of mass mortality of Garra rufa (G. rufa) from a fish hatchery farm in Slovakia. Methods: Causative bacterial agent was swabbing out of affected fish skin area and subsequently identified using commercial test system. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by the disk diffusion method. Results: Infected G. rufa was characterized by abnormal swimming behaviour, bleeding of skin lesions and local haemorrhages. Despite of using recommended aquatic antibiotic treatment no improvement was achieved and Aeromonas sobria (A. sobria) was identified as a causative agent of fish mortality. Due to massive fish mortality, antibiotic susceptibility of pure isolated culture of A. sobria was evaluated employing eight antibiotics against human infections. A. sobria was resistant only against one antibiotic, namely ampicilin. Conclusions: These results indicate that A. sobria can act as a primary pathogen of G. rufa and may be a potential risk factor for immunodeficient or immunoincompetent patients during the ichthyotherapy.

Mortality of therapeutic fish Garra rufa caused by Aeromonas sobria

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate a case of mass mortality of Garra rufa (G. rufa) from a fish hatchery farm in Slovakia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Causative bacterial agent was swabbing out of affected fish skin area and subsequently identified using commercial test system. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by the disk diffusion method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Infected G. rufa was characterized by abnormal swimming behaviour, bleeding of skin lesions and local haemorrhages. Despite of using recommended aquatic antibiotic treatment no improvement was achieved and Aeromonas sobria (A. sobria) was identified as a causative agent of fish mortality. Due to massive fish mortality, antibiotic susceptibility of pure isolated culture of A. sobria was evaluated employing eight antibiotics against human infections. A. sobria was resistant only against one antibiotic, namely ampicilin.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These results indicate that A. sobria can act as a primary pathogen of G. rufa and may be a potential risk factor for immunodeficient or immunoincompetent patients during the ichthyotherapy.</p>