Ross syndrome: a case report

Ross syndrome is a rare partial dysautonomic syndrome of unknown aetiology, characterized by segmental hypo/ anhidrosis associated with Holmes-Adie syndrome (tonic pupil and hypo/areflexia). The hypohydrosis or anhydrosis is patchy initially, later it becomes segmental or diffuse. This is due to affection of postganglionic cholinergic parasympathetic and sympathetic fibers involvement. There are a very few cases (approximately 50) have been reported in the literature since its original description. Author report a 22 years old male with classical features of Ross syndrome.

Fishery status of undivided Goalpara District, Assam with reference to socio -economic conditions of fishers.

The studies were conducted during 2008–2010 to evaluate Fishery status and its bearing on socio-economic condition of Fishers Community of undivided Goalpara district of Assam. A total of 97 species belongs to 56 genera of 26 families were recorded from various fish landing centers of the region during study period. Fishers catch fish in the river throughout the year. However, fishing intensity decreased during winter season due to decreasing water level. Fish catching ratio were also found in decreasing trend day by day due to increase in the level of fishing intensity as well as due to increasing numbers of fishers. The results of the co-efficient of correlation calculated from socio-economic data clearly exhibited that incomefamily size; expenditure - family size is highly related to each other in all the fishers groups.

Ichthyofaunal diversity of lower reaches of the Brahmaputra River, Assam.

An investigation was carried out from February 2009 to January 2010 in the core fish landing centres of Goalpara district, Assam to evaluate the present status of ichthyofaunal diversity of the lower reaches of Brahmaputra River. A total of 97 species including exotic species belonging to 56 genera of 26 families were recorded from all the fish landing centres. Among these, according to IUCN status, 5 species are endangered, 21 species vulnerable, 29 species lower risk-near threatened, 7 species lower risk-less concern and other 29 species are not evaluated. The families recorded were Notopteridae, Clupeidae, Engraulidae, Cyprinidae, Psilorhynchidae, Balitoridae, Cobitidae, Bagridae, Siluridae, Schilbeidae, Sisoridae, Clariidae, Heteropneustidae, Chacidae, Mugilidae, Beloniidae, Synbranchidae, Mastacembelidae, Chandidae, Nandidae, Cichlidae, Gobiidae, Anabantidae, Belontidae, Channidae and Tetradontidae. Seasonal variations of the fishes were also noticed remarkably. The taxonomic composition of the fish fauna suggests, Cyprinidae were the most dominant family with 39 representative species (42.8%) followed by Bagridae having 7 species (7.7%). The study reveals that lower reaches of River Brahmaputra is very rich in ichthyofaunal diversity. However, strategies such as controlled harvest, checks on growth of exotic species, controlling water pollution etc. are suggested for conservation of the native and endemic fish species of the region.

Bacteriological analysis of a pond water from Gobardanga, West Bengal.

The present communication deals with the bacteriological examination of a pond water, which is being used as one of the sources of drinking water, by multiple tube fermentation test to detect the coliform bacteria. The test was performed sequentially in three stages: presumptive, confirmed and completed coliform test. The results show that as the most probable number (MPN) index per 100 ml is 23, that pond water should be treated as nonpotable.

High frequency in vitro propagation of Phyllanthus amarus Schum. & Thom. by shoot tip culture.

With the aim of micropropagation of Phyllanthus amarus, an important medicinal herb, shoot tips were cultured in Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with kinetin/ BAP singly or in combination with IAA. Growth regulators at lower range (0.1-1.0 mg L(-1)) stimulated direct regeneration of shoots. Kinetin was superior to BAP and kinetin-IAA combination was more suitable than kinetin alone. About 15 shoots were yielded per explant after 30 days of culture in the medium containing kinetin and IAA both at 0.1mg L(-1). The cluster of proliferated shoots elongated and rooted simultaneously under the same treatment following another subculture, thus shortening the total time schedule of micropropagation. Shoot tips of regenerated shoots were continuously used to regenerate new shoots with periodic transfer to fresh medium resulting in a steady supply of normal, healthy plants without any deviation in the production rate during a continuous one year culture. Micropropagated plants were successfully established in soil with high survivality (80%).