DNA barcoding Indian freshwater fishes.

DNA barcoding is a promising technique for species identification using a short mitochondrial DNA sequence of cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene. In the present study, DNA barcodes were generated from 72 species of freshwater fish covering the Orders Cypriniformes, Siluriformes, Perciformes, Synbranchiformes, and Osteoglossiformes representing 50 genera and 19 families. All the samples were collected from diverse sites except the species endemic to a particular location. Species were represented by multiple specimens in the great majority of the barcoded species. A total of 284 COI sequences were generated. After amplification and sequencing of 700 base pair fragment of COI, primers were trimmed which invariably generated a 655 base pair barcode sequence. The average Kimura two-parameter (K2P) distances within-species, genera, families, and orders were 0.40%, 9.60%, 13.10%, and 17.16%, respectively. DNA barcode discriminated congeneric species without any confusion. The study strongly validated the efficiency of COI as an ideal marker for DNA barcoding of Indian freshwater fishes.

Acute Toxicity Assessment of Reactive Red 120 to Certain Aquatic Organisms.

Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the acute toxicity of a widely used textile dye namely Reactive Red 120 (RR 120) on certain aquatic species such as Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (green alga), Lemna gibba (duck weed), Daphnia magna (water flea) and Oncorhynchus mykiss (Rainbow trout). All experiments were performed as per the OECD Guidelines for Testing of Chemicals. The toxicity end points of EC50, LC50, NOEC and LOEC for RR 120 were determined with 95% confidence limits using TOX STAT version 3.5. The EC50 of RR 120 for green alga, duck weed and water flea are >100.00, 64.34, 10.40 mg L(-1), respectively and LC50 for Rainbow trout is 78.84 mg L(-1). Based on the results, the test item RR 120 could be classified as non-toxic to green alga, harmful to duck weed and Rainbow trout, toxic to water flea.

Antioxidant status in neonatal jaundice before and after phototherapy.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal jaundice refers to yellow coloration of the skin and the sclera (whites of the eyes) of newborn babies that result from the accumulation of bilirubin in the skin and mucous membranes. Because bilirubin is potentially toxic to the central nervous system. Genetic disorders of bilirubin conjugation, particularly the common Gilbert's syndrome, can also contribute to neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the lipid per-oxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities in patients with neonatal jaundice before and after phototherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study includes 50 neonatal jaundice patients with average age 2-15 days. All patients of neonatal jaundice receiving phototherapy except feeding, cleaning. Subjects selected were from the patients attending Pediatrics Department. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase and catalase (CAT) to monitor the bilirubin level. RESULTS: The results show increased levels of bilirubin compared with controls (P < 0.001) shows the level of plasma MDA in control, before and after phototherapy. Represents the level of GPX was significantly increased in after the phototherapy group when compared with before phototherapy and control SPSS soft ware: (P < 0.001). Shows the reduced glutathione (GSH) level in plasma was significantly decreased in the after phototherapy group when compared with before phototherapy and control (P < 0.001). And finally with ascorbic acid and CAT. CONCLUSION: It is evident from the study that increased oxidative stress in neonatal jaundice babies leads to decrease in the levels of antioxidants like GSH and ascorbic acid and disturb their metabolism, that weaken their ability to fight the growing stress. Intense oxidative stress and decreased antioxidants may contribute to neural cell death and alter the erythrocytomembrane structure processing in neonatal jaundice.

Serum fructosamine a better indicator than glycated hemoglobin for monitoring gestational diabetes mellitus.

Gestational Diabetes mellitus is the condition of glucose intolerance that begins during pregnancy which is associated with both fetal and maternal complications. The measurement of serum fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin in normal and diabetic pregnancy used to investigate the influence of maternal and gestational age on concentrations of glycated proteins in serum and used to evaluate the patient's treatment. This study was done to measure the level of serum fructosamine and Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in Gestational Diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients and to compare with pregnant women without diabetes and healthy non-pregnant adults, to determine the pattern of change in serum fructosamine, influence of serum fructosamine and HbA1c values and to evaluate the efficacy of patient's treatment. In this study the level of fructosamine was positively correlated to HbA1c during 2(nd) trimesters of gestational period, implying that the level of fructosamine can be used to screen Gestational diabetes mellitus. Correlation of glycated hemoglobin values with serum fructosamine measurements in the accurate determination of glycaemic control provides confirmation of the utility of fructosamine measurement.

Alloyed copper chalcogenide nanoplatelets via partial cation exchange reactions.

We report the synthesis of alloyed quaternary and quinary nanocrystals based on copper chalcogenides, namely, copper zinc selenide-sulfide (CZSeS), copper tin selenide-sulfide (CTSeS), and copper zinc tin selenide-sulfide (CZTSeS) nanoplatelets (NPLs) (∼20 nm wide) with tunable chemical composition. Our synthesis scheme consisted of two facile steps: i.e., the preparation of copper selenide-sulfide (Cu2-xSeyS1-y) platelet shaped nanocrystals via the colloidal route, followed by an in situ cation exchange reaction. During the latter step, the cation exchange proceeded through a partial replacement of copper ions by zinc or/and tin cations, yielding homogeneously alloyed nanocrystals with platelet shape. Overall, the chemical composition of the alloyed nanocrystals can easily be controlled by the amount of precursors that contain cations of interest (e.g., Zn, Sn) to be incorporated/alloyed. We have also optimized the reaction conditions that allow a complete preservation of the size, morphology, and crystal structure as that of the starting Cu2-xSeyS1-y NPLs. The alloyed NPLs were characterized by optical spectroscopy (UV-vis-NIR) and cyclic voltammetry (CV), which demonstrated tunability of their light absorption characteristics as well as their electrochemical band gaps.

The spectroscopic (FT-IR, FT-Raman, UV) and first order hyperpolarizability, HOMO and LUMO analysis of 3-aminobenzophenone by density functional method.

In this work, experimental and theoretical study on the molecular structure and the vibrational spectra of 3-aminobenzophenone (3-ABP) is presented. The vibrational frequencies of the title compound were obtained theoretically by DFT/B3LYP calculations employing the standard 6-311++G(d,p) basis set for optimized geometry and were compared with Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR) in the region of 400-4000 cm(-1) and with Fourier Transform Raman spectrum in the region of 50-4000 cm(-1). Complete vibrational assignments, analysis and correlation of the fundamental modes for the title compound were carried out. The vibrational harmonic frequencies were scaled using scale factor, yielding a good agreement between the experimentally recorded and the theoretically calculated values.

Toxicity Assessment of Expired Pesticides to Green Algae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata.

In order to investigate the effect of expired pesticides on the yield and growth rate of green algae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, a study was conducted as per the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guideline number 201. Fifteen expired pesticide formulations, most commonly used in Indian agriculture, were tested in comparison with their unexpired counterparts. The expired pesticide formulations studied belonged to various class and functional groups: organophosphate, pyrethroid-based insecticides; azole-based fungicides; acetamide, propionate, acetic acid-based herbicides; fungicides mixtures containing two actives-azole and dithiocarbamate. The toxicity endpoints of yield (EyC50: 0-72 h) and growth rate (ErC50: 0-72 h) of Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata for each pesticide formulation (both expired and unexpired pesticides) were determined statistically using TOXSTAT 3.5 version software. The results pointed out that some expired pesticide formulations exhibited higher toxicity to tested algal species, as compared to the corresponding unexpired pesticides. These data thus stress the need for greater care to dispose expired pesticides to water bodies, to avoid the effects on aquatic ecospecies tested.

Molecular structure, vibrational spectra and DFT molecular orbital calculations (TD-DFT and NMR) of the antiproliferative drug Methotrexate.

The FT-IR and FT-Raman spectral studies of the Methotrexate (MTX) were carried out. The equilibrium geometry, various bonding features and harmonic vibrational frequencies of MTX have been investigated with the help of B3LYP density functional theory (DFT) using 6-31G(d) as basis set. Detailed analysis of the vibrational spectra has been made with the aid of theoretically predicted vibrational frequencies. The vibrational analysis confirms the differently acting ring modes, steric repulsion, conjugation and back-donation. The energy and oscillator strength calculated by Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) results complement with the experimental findings. The calculated HOMO and LUMO energies show that charge transfer occur within the molecule. Good correlations between the experimental (1)H and (13)C NMR chemical shifts in DMSO solution and calculated GIAO shielding tensors were found.

X-ray crystallography characterization, vibrational spectroscopy, NMR spectra and quantum chemical DFT/HF study of N,N'-di(2-methoxyphenyl)formamidine.

The title compound, N,N'-di(2-methoxyphenyl)formamidine (DMPF) was synthesized and characterized by FT-IR, FT-Raman, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR spectroscopy and X-ray single crystal diffraction. The results show that the compound crystallizes in an orthorhombic system, with space group of Pbca and eight molecules in the unit cell. The unit cell parameters are: a=11.1118 (7)A, b=14.9878 (9)A and c=16.2851 (10)A. The molecular geometry, the normal mode frequencies and corresponding vibrational assignments of DMPF at the ground state were performed by HF and B3LYP methods with 6-311+G(d,p) basis set. It was observed that the bond lengths and angles in the molecule, obtained by X-ray at the level of theory, were in good agreement with those of the experiment. A detailed interpretation of the infrared and Raman spectra of DMPF was reported. The (13)C NMR and (1)H NMR of DMPF have been calculated using HF and B3LYP methods with 6-311+G(d,p) basis set. Comparison between experimental and theoretical results showed that B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) method is able to provide more satisfactory results for predicting IR, Raman, (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR properties.

Acclimation of Anabas testudineus (Bloch) to three test temperatures influences thermal tolerance and oxygen consumption.

Teleost fish have developed their own specific adaptive mechanism, both behavioral and physiological, to maintain homeostasis in response to unfavorable temperatures. Therefore, this study was aimed at assessing the critical thermal maxima (CT(Max)), critical thermal minima (CT(Min)), and oxygen consumption rate of Anabas testudineus (17.03 +/- 1.2 g) after acclimating to three preset temperatures (25, 30, and 35 degrees C) for 30 days. The CT(Max) and CT(Min) were 40.15, 41.40, 41.88 degrees C and 12.43, 13.06, 13.94 degrees C, respectively, and were significantly different (P < 0.05). The thermal tolerance polygon for the specified temperatures was 278.30 degrees C(2). The oxygen consumption rate (117.03, 125.70, 198.48 mg O(2) kg(-1) h(-1), respectively) increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing acclimation temperatures. The overall results indicate that the thermal tolerance and oxygen consumption of A. testudineus are dependent on acclimation.

Dietary high protein and vitamin C mitigates endosulfan toxicity in the spotted murrel, Channa punctatus (Bloch, 1793).

The amelioration effect of dietary high protein and vitamin C against stress was evaluated in spotted murrel, Channa punctatus, exposed to endosulfan. Two hundred and forty fish (average weight: 27.01 g/fish), distributed equally into 4 different groups (control, T(1), T(2), and T(3)), each with 6 replicates were fed with control (40% crude protein, CP and 0.1% vitamin C), T(1) (40% CP and 0.1% vitamin C), T(2) (50% CP and 0.1% vitamin C), and T(3) (50% CP and 0.2% vitamin C) diets for 90 days. Groups fed T(1), T(2), and T(3) diets were exposed to sublethal endosulfan concentration, whereas the control was maintained without endosulfan exposure. Results indicated significant reduction in the growth performance, survival, and activities of lactate dehydrogenase (liver and muscle), malate dehydrogenase (liver and muscle), enzymes of protein metabolism (aspartate amino transferase in liver and alanine amino transferase in liver and muscle), acetyl choline esterase (brain), alkaline phosphatase activity (liver), and ATPase (gill) enzymes of group fed control diet and exposed to endosulfan. However, endosulfan exposed fish fed high CP and vitamin C diet exhibited significant (P<0.05) improvement in their growth performance and metabolic enzyme activities. Further, high CP and vitamin C diet reduced endosulfan accumulation in the muscle. Overall results indicate that vitamin C (0.2%) supplementation in high CP (50%) diet improves growth, metabolism, and reduce endosulfan bioaccumulation in C. punctatus.

Metal concentrations in water, sediment, and fish from sewage-fed aquaculture ponds of Kolkata, India.

The concentrations of lead, cadmium, chromium, copper, and zinc were investigated in the sewage-fed pond water, sediment, and the various organs of Labeo rohita, Catla catla, Cirrhinus mrigala, Oreochromis mossambicus, and Cyprinus carpio cultured in sewage-fed ponds, Kolkata, India. Among the metals, cadmium, lead, and zinc were detected in water and, except lead, were below the water quality guideline levels for the protection of freshwater aquatic life proposed by CEQG (Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines) and AENV (Alberta Environment). Therefore, lead could pose danger to aquatic organisms. All the five metals were detected in the sediment and, except cadmium and lead, were below the sediment quality guideline levels for aquatic life proposed by EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). Therefore, these two metals could be toxic to aquatic organisms. Significant (P > 0.05) differences were observed among the five fish species for all these metals accumulation. Also, significant (P > 0.05) differences were noticed among these metals accumulation in fish organs. Cadmium showed the least bioaccumulation, while zinc showed the highest bioaccumulation in all the fish species. Though the metal concentration in the different fish tissues was variable, the highest concentration was found in kidney and the lowest in the muscle. Concentrations of these metals in the muscle tissue of all the fish species were well below the consumption safety tolerance in fish set by WHO/FAO, and thus, so far as these metals are concerned, these sewage-fed cultured fishes are safe and suitable for human consumption.

Distributions of metals in the food web of fishponds of Kolleru Lake, India.

The distributions of trace metals (Pb, Cd, Cr Mn, Zn and Cu) in water, sediment, plankton and four fish species (Labeo rohita, Catla catla, Pangasius pangasius and Cirrhinus mrigala) from fishponds of Kolleru Lake, India were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The concentrations of lead (0.01-0.03mg/l) and copper (0.01-0.08mg/l) in water and cadmium (3.0-9.0mg/kg), chromium (47-211mg/kg) and copper (10-64mg/kg) in sediment were above the EPA threshold effects level (TEL) and are of biological concern. The abundance orders of metals were Mn>Cd>Cu>Pb in water, Mn>Cr>Zn>Cu >Pb>Cd in sediment and Cu>Mn>Cr>Zn>Pb>Cd in plankton. The concentrations of the metals in the muscles of these four fish species apparently decrease in the order Zn>Cu>Cr>Mn=Pb>Cd and were well below WHO permissible limits that were safe for human consumption.

Modulation of digestive enzyme activities during ontogeny of Labeo rohita larvae fed ascorbic acid enriched zooplankton.

The effect of supplementation of ascorbic acid through enriched zooplankton [10%, 20% and 30% ascorbyl palmitate (AP) inclusion in diet of zooplankton] on different digestive enzyme activities during ontogeny of Labeo rohita larvae was studied from 4 day to 15 day post hatch. Ascorbic acid (AA) content in different groups of unenriched (8.6+/-0.71) and enriched zooplankton were, 750+/-29.3, 1409.1+/-45.5, 2009.21+/-199.2 mug/g respectively on dry matter basis with differences (P<0.05) between the treatments. A difference (P<0.05) was found in tissue AA level in different dietary groups. Low amylase, protease, lipase and alkaline phosphatase activities were present in rohu larvae from the mouth opening stage which showed increasing trend with the age of larvae and increasing dietary AA content. A clear dose-dependent modulation of digestive enzyme activities in response to 10%, 20% and 30% AP enriched zooplankton feeding was evidenced from positive correlations between dietary AA content with magnitude of elevation of enzyme activity in different groups. There were 57, 55, 29.2 and 2 fold increases in amylase activity; 7.35, 7.02, 4.43 and 2.73 fold increases in protease activity; 45.636, 41.50, 19.83 and 13.69 fold increases in lipase activity and 6, 5, 3, and 2 fold increases in alkaline phosphatase activity observed in the 15th day post hatch larvae fed 20%, 30%, 10%AP enriched and normal zooplankton respectively, than 4-day post hatch larvae of the respective groups. Enzyme activities were also positively correlated with specific growth rates of wet weight of rohu larvae at the 15th day post hatch. Increased AA might have played an important role in advancing morphological transformation of the digestive tract, protecting gastric mucosa and accelerating growth by the process of tissue formation, which necessitated the requirement of more nutrient thereby, increasing digestive enzyme activity. The regulatory role of AA in the modulation of different digestive enzymes activity and its physiological consequences of nutrient digestibility and utilization during ontogenesis could be extrapolated for better nutrient management of the larvae.

FTIR, FT-Raman spectra and ab initio, DFT vibrational analysis of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine.

The FTIR and FT-Raman spectra of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4-DNPH) has been recorded in the region 4000-400 and 3500-50cm-1, respectively. The optimized geometry, frequency and intensity of the vibrational bands of 2,4-DNPH were obtained by the ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) levels of theory with complete relaxation in the potential energy surface using 6-31G(d,p) and 6-311G(d,p) basis sets. The harmonic vibrational frequencies were calculated and the scaled values have been compared with experimental FTIR and FT-Raman spectra. The observed and the calculated frequencies are found to be in good agreement. The experimental spectra also coincide satisfactorily with those of theoretically constructed bar type spectrograms.