Seasonal influence of physicochemical and climatic parameters on phytoplankton diversity and abundance pattern in community managed semi-impacted floodplain wetland.

Wetlands provide numerous ecological services and are key habitats for aquatic flora and fauna. In the Beledanga wetland, the current study was conducted for 3 years, from July 2019 to June 2021, to evaluate the seasonal influence of physicochemical parameters on phytoplankton diversity and abundance patterns. Overall 48 genera of phytoplankton were observed. Bacillariophyceae (27%) contributed the maximum to the total phytoplankton density. The total abundance of phytoplankton was found utmost during monsoon (4.081 × 103 unit l-1) and least during post-monsoon (3.316 × 103 unit l-1). One-way analysis of variance indicated significant seasonal differences (p < 0.05) for some genera. The study gave the idea about the most influencing physic-chemical parameters (dissolved oxygen, turbidity, total hardness, Ca2+, and total nitrogen) on the growth of phytoplankton with the help of different multivariate and univariate analysis (canonical correspondence analysis and Karl Pearson's correlation). The study again highlighted that climate parameters (temperature and rainfall) had some effect on the phytoplanktonic groups. Our study conceded that N:P in the studied wetland was less than the Redfield ratio (16:1) in all three seasons, while the Si:P ratio was noticed in the high range (15:1) during pre-monsoon. The value of the Shannon diversity index and Margalef's species richness index were noticed to be > 3, which signified quite rich in phytoplankton diversity. But the value of Algal Pollution Index, which describes the ecological pollution level based on the present algal genera was observed high throughout all seasons, indicating organic load. So in future the studied wetland may get adversely affected with influence of anthropogenic activities. Therefore, for sustainable biodiversity of the waterbody, the anthropogenic activities (retting and intensification of agricultural farming) and macrophytes need to be controlled and regulated.

Feeding Outcomes in Preterm Neonates with Antenatal Abnormal Umbilical Artery Doppler Profile: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Neonates with absent-or-reversed umbilical artery end-diastolic flow (AREDF) are at an increased risk of feeding problems. In this retrospective study, authors evaluated the incidence of feed intolerance in 213 preterm neonates (January 2017-May 2022) with AREDF. The median (IQR) gestation and birth weight were 32 (30, 33) wk and 1120 (840, 1425) g, respectively. Of 213 neonates, 103 (48.4%; 95% CI 41.5%, 55.3%) neonates developed feed intolerance. Twelve of 213 neonates developed any stage necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) (5.6%; 95% CI 2.9%, 9.6%) at a median age of 10 d. On multivariate regression, gestation was the only independent predictor of feed intolerance (OR 1.48; 95% CI 1.28, 1.70; for every 1 wk decrease below 36 wk). Almost 50% of preterm neonates with AREDF develop feed intolerance. Alternative feeding strategies warrant exploration to optimise nutrition in these neonates.

Oxygen saturation centiles in healthy preterm neonates in the first 10 min of life: a prospective observational study.

Current oxygen saturation targets in delivery room given by Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) are essentially derived from term neonates. This prospective observational study was conducted in a level-III neonatal unit in preterm neonates (< 37 weeks) who did not receive resuscitation or supplemental oxygen to create centile charts for pre-ductal oxygen saturations using robust statistical modelling methods. Pre-ductal oxygen saturations (SPO2) were recorded from birth till 10 min of age using current generation Masimo pulse oximeters. Centile charts were created by generalized additive models. The change in oxygen saturations over time across subjects was modelled as a Bayesian linear regression mixed-effects model after including 'a priori' covariates. Oxygen saturation data was analysed in 180 subjects with mean gestation of 34 ± 2 weeks. Mean (SD) time to first SPO2 was 167 ± 77 s. The median time to SPO2 of > 90% was 310 s (IQR: 235-400). Time to > 90% SPO2 was shorter in (a) 34-36 weeks compared to < 34 weeks (290 vs 340; p = 0.03) and (b) vaginally delivered compared to caesarean-section born neonates (300 vs 360; p = 0.2).    Conclusions: Oxygen saturations in first 10 min of age in healthy preterm neonates are significantly higher than the targets proposed by the NRP-2020. Larger preterm neonates and those born through vaginal route attained a preductal saturation of > 90% sooner. What is Known: • Pulse oximetry is the standard for oxygen saturation monitoring during immediate postnatal period. • Healthy term neonates take many minutes after birth to reach a pre-ductal saturation of >90%. But, postnatal oxygen saturation trend data in healthy preterm neonates are scarce. What is New: • Provides centile charts for oxygen saturations till 10 minutes of age using current generation Masimo pulse oximeters in a large cohort of healthy preterm neonates using robust statistical modelling methods. • Identifies covariates that significantly modifies the saturation trends using a Bayesian mixed models' regression.

Integration of pen aquaculture into ecosystem-based enhancement of small-scale fisheries in a macrophyte dominated floodplain wetland of India.

The rapid degradation, overexploitation, and encroachment of floodplain wetlands have led to considerable decline in fish diversity and production from these invaluable aquatic resources threatening livelihood of the dependent fishers. The climate change evident in the fast few decades has further aggravated the problem of eutrophication causing water stress and sedimentation leading to rampant macrophyte proliferation affecting ecological and economic functioning of these ecosystems. Macrophyte control and management needs serious attention for sustaining ecosystem services provided by these resources. In this direction, pen culture of grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella as a biocontrol for macrophytes along with Indian major carps was implemented in a co-management mode in Beledanga, a typical floodplain wetland, a gradually shrinking, macrophyte dominated floodplain wetland in lower Ganga basin. Indian major carps Labeo catla (6.28±0.23g), Labeo rohita (5.1±0.12g), Cirrhinus mrigala (3.5±0.08g) were stocked in the ratio 4:3:3 at the rate of 20 Nos.m-2 in pens (0.1ha each) in triplicate. Grass carp (7.1±0.42g) was stocked in pen at the rate of 20Nos.m-2 in duplicate. The fishes were fed with pelleted feed twice a day at the rate of 2-3% of body weight. The seed was overwintered in pens for a period of 90 days from November 2019 to January 2020. Average weight recorded at the end of culture period was 25.13±1.70g, 18.11±0.63g, 14.53±0.87g, and 39.20±1.90g in L. catla, L. rohita, C. mrigala, and C. idella, respectively. The survival of fish ranged from 70 to 81%. Growth performance and feed utilization efficiency of grass carp were significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to other carp species. The pen culture was found to be economically viable with a benefit cost ratio of 1.53. The fishes produced were released back into the open wetland as an additional input for culture-based fisheries. The intervention along with niche-based enhanced stocking led to 24% increase in the fish production from the wetland with grass carp contributing 20-22% of the total catch with 32% increase in revenue generated by the sale of fish within a short span of 1 year. The study successfully demonstrated technological suitability and economic feasibility of pen culture in this wetland and role of grass carp as a potential biocontrol species for macrophyte management. Grass carp stocked in open wetland grew to 0.8 to 1kg within 6 months and 2-2.3kg within a year and could utilize 40-45% of the submerged and emergent macrophytes. Integration and optimization of grass carp will not only aid in habitat management of macrophyte-choked wetlands but will also boost their small-scale fisheries by converting standing macrophyte biomass into protein-rich fish biomass. The enhanced production will also cater to nutritional and livelihood security of the dependent fishers.