Study of feeding biology and diet-associated microplastic contamination in selected creek fishes of northeastern Arabian Sea: A multi-species approach.

This study investigated the diet composition and microplastic contamination in six fish species collected from the creek area of northeastern Arabian Sea. The results show that the diet of the fish is mainly composed of shrimps, algae, fish, and zooplankton, with microplastics constituting up to 4.83 % (Index of Preponderance) of their diet. The average abundance of microplastics ranges from 5.82 to 7.69 items per fish, and their ingestion is influenced by seasonal variation, gut fullness, and trophic level. Microplastic contamination has no significant effect on the condition factor and hepatosomatic index of the fish species. However, polymer hazard index indicates that microplastic pollution in fish is associated with a low to high risk factor, which might cause potential harm to aquatic lives and higher vertebrates via food chain. Therefore, this study highlights the need for immediate attention and effective regulations to reduce microplastic pollution to protect marine life.

Exploring the physical and quality attributes of muffins incorporated with microencapsulated squalene as a functional food additive.

Squalene, a triterpenoid compound is proven to possess immense bioactivities by virtue of its high antioxidant activity. The present study was designed to investigate the quality attributes of muffins as influenced by addition of encapsulated squalene. Nutritional analysis showed that calorific value of prepared muffins has ranged from 480.78 ± 0.10 to 501.61 ± 0.38 kcal. Baking loss was lowest in case of muffins prepared with encapsulated squalene with its crumb region recorded higher moisture content. Color kinetics study indicated that browning index (BI) was higher in crust portion of encapsulated squalene enriched muffins. Scanning electron micrographs showing that muffins with encapsulated squalene had stronger structural organization. This was further supported by the textural studies showed that the muffins with encapsulated squalene was cohesive, springier and chewy with less gumminess and stiffness indicating their efficacy in improving the textural quality. Oxidative stability and microbiological quality were also high in squalene enriched foods suggesting that squalene might have some antimicrobial effects. Outcome of the study indicated that encapsulated squalene can be very well utilised as a functional food ingredient in ready -to-eat functional foods. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at (10.1007/s13197-020-04955-9).

Comparative isolation and genetic diversity of Arcobacter sp. from fish and the coastal environment.

Arcobacter species are emerging food-borne and water-borne human pathogens associated mostly with food animals and their environment. The present study was aimed to isolate Arcobacter species from fish, shellfish and coastal water samples using two methods and to determine their genetic diversity. Of 201 samples of fish, shellfish and water samples analysed, 66 (32·8%) samples showed the presence of Arcobacter DNA from both Arcobacter enrichment broth and Bolton broth. Arcobacters were isolated from 58 (87·8%) and 38 (57·5%) of Arcobacter DNA-positive samples using Arcobacter blood agar and Preston blood agar, respectively. Arcobacter sp. identified by biochemical tests were further analysed by a genus-specific PCR, followed by a multiplex-PCR and 16S rRNA-RFLP. From both the methods, four different Arcobacter species namely Arcobacter butzleri, Arcobacter skirrowii, Arcobacter mytili and Arcobacter defluvii were isolated, of which A. butzleri was the predominant species. Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC)-PCR fingerprint analysis revealed that the arcobacters isolated in this study were genetically very diverse and no specific genotype was found associated with a specific source (seafood or water). Since pathogenic arcobacters are not known to be natural inhabitants of coastal marine environment, identifying the sources of contamination will be crucial for effective management of this problem. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Arcobacter sp. are emerging food- and water-borne human pathogens. In this study, comparison of two selective media suggested Arcobacter blood agar to be more efficient in yielding Arcobacter sp. from seafood. Furthermore, the isolation of Arcobacter sp. such as Arcobacter butzleri, A. skirrowii, A. mytili and A. defluvii from seafood suggests diverse sources of contamination of seafood by Arcobacter sp. Analysis of enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequence-PCR patterns of A. butzleri showed high genetic diversity and lack of clonality among the isolates. Arcobacter contamination of seafood is an emerging issue both from seafood safety and seafood trade point of view.

Optimization of the sublethal dose of silver nanoparticle through evaluating its effect on intestinal physiology of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.).

Silver nanoparticles (SNPs) are widely used in a variety of biomedical and consumer products as an antimicrobial additive. The present study was conducted to evaluate the impacts of low-dose SNPs on intestinal physiology of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) for assessing its apparent environmental risk due to extensive commercial use. SNPs were synthesized by a chemical reduction method yielding 1-27 nm oval shaped particles. Early fingerlings of tilapia were exposed with two sublethal concentrations (0.8 and 0.4 mg L(-1)) of SNPs for twenty one days period and its impact on the intestinal physiology was evaluated by histochemistry, catalase expression, glutamate dehydrogenase activity, SDS-PAGE and gut micro flora count. Histological analysis showed thinning of intestinal wall, swelling on mucosal layer and immunohistochemical assay exhibited an enhanced catalase expression in SNPs treated fishes. Gut microflora count elicited a dose-dependent depletion and a variable SDS-PAGE profile followed by significant (P < 0.05) elevations in glutamate dehydrogenase activity in SNPs-treated fishes. This study was designed to provide a better understanding of environmentally acceptable, dose-dependent SNPs delivery in fishes and to formulate guidelines in aquatic toxicology.

Poisoning and envenomation registry: analysis of 200 case reports.

BACKGROUND: Poisoning and envenomation are common health hazards for the Armed Forces personnel. This study was undertaken to analyse the problem in a systematic way so that meaningful data can be generated for policy formulation regarding treatment of such cases. METHODS: Data were collected from various service hospitals on a 16-point format of all patients treated for any kind of poisoning or envenomation. The data so collected were fed into an electronic database established at the Poisoning and Envenomation Registry for the Armed Forces and analysed for various parameters. RESULTS: During the observation period of 18 months, the poisoning registry received 202 reports from all over the country, of which 182 were of poisoning and the rest were of envenomation due to snake bites. The maximum numbers reported to the registry were the cases pertaining to soldiers who were poisoned during train travel and were robbed of their belongings. The number of such case reports equals that of incidents due to pesticides for deliberate self-harm. As far as envenomation data are concerned, it is felt that we have received far less number of reports than what actually occurred. Among the ones that we received, all except one were venomous bites which were given polyvalent ASV, and they survived the envenomation. CONCLUSION: Poisoning and envenomation are important health problems in the Armed Forces. The soldiers travelling by train are the most important group where interventions can be planned for prevention of poisoning and subsequent financial loss during travel. In most of the poisoning cases, there were few diagnostic measures used, which emphasises the need of an analytical and therapeutic poison centre for the Armed Forces. Activated charcoal could have been incorporated in the treatment of many poisoned patients.

Quality of ready to serve tilapia fish curry with PUFA in retortable pouches.

UNLABELLED: Studies on the physical, chemical, and microbiological qualities of fresh tilapia meat revealed its suitability for the preparation of ready to eat fish curry packed in retort pouches. Studies on the fatty acid profile of tilapia meat suggest fortification with polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) to increase the nutritional value. Based on the commercial sterility, sensory evaluation, color, and texture profile analysis F(0) value of 6.94 and cook value of 107.24, with a total process time of 50.24 min at 116 °C was satisfactory for the development of tilapia fish curry in retort pouches. Thermally processed ready to eat south Indian type tilapia fish curry fortified with PUFA was developed and its keeping quality studied at ambient temperature. During storage, a slight increase in the fat content of fish meat was observed, with no significant change in the contents of moisture, protein, and ash. The thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values of fish curry significantly increased during storage. Fish curry fortified with 1% cod liver oil and fish curry without fortification (control) did not show any significant difference in the levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), during thermal processing and storage. Sensory analysis revealed that fortification of fish curry with cod liver oil had no impact on the quality. Tilapia fish curry processed at 116 °C and F(0) value of 7.0 (with or without fortification of cod liver oil) was fit for consumption, even after a period of 1-y storage in retort pouch. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Tilapia is a lean variety of fish with white flesh and therefore an ideal choice as raw material for the development of ready to serve fish products such as fish curry in retort pouches for both domestic and international markets. Ready to eat thermal processed (116 °C and F(0) value of 7.0) south Indian type tilapia fish curry enriched with PUFA and packed in retort pouch was acceptable for consumption even after a storage period of 1 y at ambient temperature.

A microneurovascular study of the great saphenous vein in man and the possible implications for survival of venous flaps.

Cross sections (n = 372) of human long saphenous veins (n = 12) from unsalvageable fresh above knee amputation specimens brought to a trauma centre in a large metropolitan hospital were studied. The veins were harvested longitudinally with an amount of soft tissue equivalent to the diameter of the vein and sectioned at intervals of 5 mm. The sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin for general study, Van Gieson for better delineation of different coats of the vessel wall and reticulin stain to differentiate between venules and arterioles. The vascular structures within the vein wall and its surrounds were analysed by using analySISpro via a CCD camera attached to a light microscope, with the help of a frame grabber card and image analysis software. Results show that the vein has vasa vasorum within its wall, a capillary network around it, arterioles, venules and the saphenous nerve and its branches with their vascular network a further distance apart. The relevance of the microsurgical anatomy of the saphenous vein and its soft tissue envelope in the survival of venous flaps is discussed.

An unusual case of orbital trauma with a large foreign body in the maxilla.

A case in which a broken handle of a scooter was found lodged in the right maxillary sinus and infratemporal fossa with an unusual route of entry through the orbital floor without any injury to the globe is reported.

HISTAMINE RELEASE AND CHANDONIUM IODIDE.

Histamine releasing activity of chandonium iodide and d-tubocurarine was studied in guinea pig ileum (in vitro), guinea pig peritoneum (in vivo) and in human volunteers (in vivo) by intradermal testing at dilutions of 1:1,000 and 1:10,000 of the clinical dosage of drugs. d-tubocurarine revealed significant histamine releasing activity in in vivo animal experiments and high incidence of positive intradermal reaction, 53.5 per cent and 13.5 per cent, in human volunteers. Chandonium iodide neither showed histamine releasing activity in animals nor in man. In clinical terms, chandonium iodide appears to be a safe neuromuscular blocking agent.

Effect of foot-electroshock stress on cholinergic activity, tissue glycogen and blood sugar in albino rats.

The immediate or 24 hr delayed effects of 1-day (1-DS) or (7-DS) foot-electroshock stress in albino rats were studied on cardiac acetylcholine (ACh), blood and cardiac cholinesterase (ChE) activities, cardiac, hepatic and muscle glycogen contents and blood sugar concentrations. The effects of physostigmine (PHY), atropine, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-HD), vagotomy and adrenalectomy on 1-DS induced changes were also studied. 1-DS produced an increase in cardiac ACh content which lasted for 24 hr but repeated stress showed phenomenon of adaptation. There seems to be activation of autonomic cholinergic system in stress. 1-DS and 7-DS produced a short-lived inhibition of blood ChE activity and 7-DS also of cardiac ChE activity. Inhibition of ChE activity was probably related to release of adrenaline from adrenal medulla. 1-DS produced hepatic and muscle glycogenolysis with slight hypoglycaemia but without any effect on cardiac glycogen. Following repeated stress there was a phenomenon of adaptation. The hepatic and muscle glycogenolysis produced by stress is due to the release of adrenaline from adrenal medulla. Normally functioning cardiac cholinergic system seems to have a protective effect on heart against stress, in the absence of which cardiac glycogenolysis is induced by stress.

Supression of nociceptive responses in the rat by physostigmine. Role of serotonin.

Physostigmine produced a dose-related suppression of nociceptive response in the rat, as tested by the rat tail-hot wire technique. The antinociceptive action of physostigmine was significantly reduced after treatment with drugs known to reduce brain serotonin activity. The results suggest that the antinociceptive action of physostigmine, in the rat, is serotonin-mediated.