Effect of carbon and nitrogen ratio (C:N) manipulation on the production performance and immunity of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) in a biofloc‐based rearing system

A 16‐week indoor culture trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of varying C:N ratio on growth performance, physico‐chemical parameters, microbial dynamics, feed utilization, and immunological parameters. The experiment comprised of five biofloc treatment groups (with varying C:N ratio 5:1, 10:1, 15:1, 20:1) and a control with three replicates each, having 100 nos/m³ as stocking density in 500 L tanks with constant aeration. The C:N ratios of the treatments were manipulated using molasses as an organic carbon source whereas there was no carbon source added in control. The water quality parameters monitored throughout the experiment were found to be within permissible limits in shrimp culture. At the end of the experiment, it was observed that there were significant differences between the treatment groups and the control regarding absolute growth, SGR, FCR, PER, and FER. Furthermore, a considerable difference in immunological parameters, namely, THC, phagocytosis, and PO activity (17.5 × 10⁶ cells per ml, 43.5%, 0.112 Units min^?1 mg min^?1), was recorded among the treatments compared to that of the control groups (6.2 × 10⁶ cells per ml, 31.5%, 0.051 Units min^?1 mg min^?1) respectively. Enhanced growth and survival with substantial disease resistance were recorded in C15 treatment. The results indicate that the CN15 ratio coupled with minimal water exchange is optimal for improved survival, growth, and immune activity.     

Use of resistant ACCase mutants to screen for novel inhibitors against resistant and susceptible forms of ACCase from grass weeds

The aryloxyphenoxypropionic acid (AOPP) and cyclohexanedione (CHD) herbicides inhibit the first committed enzyme in fatty acid biosynthesis, acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACCase). The frequent use of AOPP and CHD herbicides has resulted in the development of resistance to these herbicides in many grass weed species. New herbicides that inhibit both the susceptible and resistant forms of ACCase in grass weeds would have obvious commercial appeal. In the present study, an attempt was made to identify molecules that target both the herbicide-sensitive and -resistant forms of ACCase. Seven experimental compounds, either CHD-like or AOPP-CHD hybrids, were synthesized and assayed against previously characterized susceptible and resistant forms of ACCase. All seven compounds inhibited ACCase from sensitive biotypes of Setaria viridis and Eleusine indica (I50 values from 6.4 to >100 microM) but were not particularly potent compared to some commercialized herbicides (I50 values of 0.08-5.6 microM). In almost all cases, the I50 values for each compound assayed against the resistant ACCases were higher than those against the corresponding sensitive ACCase, indicating reduced binding to the resistant ACCases. One compound, a CHD analogue, was almost equally effective against the resistant and susceptible ACCases, although it was not a very potent ACCase inhibitor per se (I50 of 51 and 76 microM against susceptible ACCase from S. viridis and E. indica, respectively). The AOPP-CHD hybrid molecules also inhibited some of the resistant ACCases, with I50 values ranging from 6.4 to 50 microM. These compounds may be good leads for developing ACCase inhibitors that target a wider range of ACCase isoforms, including those found in AOPP- and CHD-resistant weed biotypes.     

Relationship between admission hypoalbuminemia and inhospital mortality in acute stroke

This study aims at assessing the relation between hypoalbuminemia and inhospital mortality in patients with acute stroke. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 112 consecutively admitted patients with first acute stroke in Ahvaz Jundishapur Hospital were enrolled. All patients hospitalized for 7-9 days or expired in this period of time. Admission hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin < 3.5 mg dL(-) as well as other prognostic factors were determined and compared between the two groups. One hundred and twelve patients, 74 males and 38 females with the mean age of 69.2 +/- 12.1 (66-79) years were enrolled. Twenty nine (25.9%) patients expired during the hospitalization. Totally, admission hypoal buminemia was present in 49 (43.8%) patients. 43% of the patients were Hypoalbuminemia. Frequency of patients with admission hypoalbuminemia and is chemic heart disease was significantly higher in the nonsurvivors (75.8-32.5%, p = 0.001; 34.5 vs. 16.9%, p = 0.047, respectively). The mean Glasgow Coma Scale score was significantly lower in the nonsurvivors (8.1 +/- 1.8 vs. 9.4 +/- 0.5, p = 0.003). These three parameters remained significant in multivariate analysis. Sex, age, history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, anemia, heart failure and smoking habit, admission atrial fibrillation, ethnicity and stroke type were comparable between the two groups. In conclusion, hypoalbuminemia is an independent predictor of inhospital mortality in patients with acute stroke.     

Prevalence, biology, pathology, and public health importance of linguatulosis of camel in Iran

Linguatula serrata is a cosmopolitan zoonotic parasite with its adult form occurring in the nasal and respiratory passages of canids as the definitive hosts, while its immature stages localize in the mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, spleen, lungs, and, rarely, in other organs, such as the ocular region of herbivorous intermediate hosts. Humans can behave as both intermediate and final host and are infected by visceral and nasopharyngeal linguatulosis. Consumption of infected, improperly cooked viscera of the intermediate hosts, including sheep, goats, cattle, camels, or other herbivores containing the larval stages of this parasite is a potential source of infection of human beings with the nasopharyngeal form of linguatulosis. However, nasopharyngeal secretions or feces of carnivores containing eggs of Linguatula are the main sources for infecting human beings with the visceral form of this infection. In the present study, the prevalence of infection by nymphs of L. serrata in 101 camels in Yazd Province, central Iran, was estimated based on histopathological studies of samples from two, apparently enlarged, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), together with one sample from a whitish pinpoint spot on the liver and spleen of each animal. Thirteen camels (12.9%) were infected with the nymphal stage of L. serrata. Age and sex did not play a significant role in the prevalence of this parasitic infection. The number of parasites in each MLN ranged from one to six larvae. In view of the consumption of raw or undercooked liver and visceral organs of camel by humans of this region, the importance of careful inspection at slaughter needs to be emphasized.     

Studies on the effect of dry Sundakai (solanum torvum) powder supplementation on lipid profile,glycated proteins and amino acids in non-insulin dependent diabetic patients

The effect of dry Sundakai powder supplementation (7 g providing 1.23 g of crude fibre) on glycemic control, lipidemic control, total amino acids and uronic acid was studied on 30 non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients. All the patients were on hypoglycemic drugs. The above parameters were monitored at day 1, 15 and 30 days. After one month of fibre supplementation, no significant changes were observed with respect to glucose, lipid profile, glycated proteins, total amino acids and uronic acid levels in these subjects.     

Paclitaxel delivery from cobalt-chromium alloy surfaces using self-assembled monolayers

Polymer-based platforms in drug-eluting stents (DESs) can cause adverse reactions in patients. Hence, the development of a polymer-free drug delivery platform may reduce adverse reactions to DES. In this study, the use of a polymer-free platform, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), is explored for delivering an antiproliferative drug [paclitaxel (PAT)] from a stent material [cobalt-chromium ((Co-Cr) alloy]. Initially, carboxylic acid terminated phosphonic acid SAMs were coated on Co-Cr alloy. Two different doses (25 and 100 μg/cm2) of PAT were coated on SAM coated Co-Cr surfaces using a microdrop deposition method. Also, control experiments were carried out to coat PAT directly on Co-Cr surfaces with no SAM modification. The PAT coated specimens were characterized using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). FTIR spectra showed the successful deposition of PAT on SAM coated and control-Co-Cr surfaces. SEM images showed islands of high density PAT crystals on SAM coated surfaces, while low density PAT crystals were observed on control-Co-Cr alloy. AFM images showed molecular distribution of PAT on SAM coated as well as control-Co-Cr alloy surfaces. In vitro drug release studies showed that PAT was released from SAM coated Co-Cr surfaces in a biphasic manner (an initial burst release in first 7 days was followed by a slow release for up to 35 days), while the PAT was burst released from control-Co-Cr surfaces within 1-3 days. Thus, this study demonstrated the use of SAMs for delivering PAT from Co-Cr alloy surfaces for potential use in drug-eluting stents.     

Effect of colocasia leaves (Colocasia antiquorum) on serum and tissue lipids in cholesterol-fed rats

Dried colocasia powder (10% and 20%) was fed to hypercholesterolemic rats for a period of one month to explore the effect on serum lipids and tissue lipids. The results indicated that there was a significant increase in total lipids, total cholesterol, and triglycerides levels in the cholesterol fed rats. Liver cholesterol showed a slight reduction which was non-significant, while an increase in liver triglyceride was observed in rats fed with 10% and 20% colocasia leaves diet with or without cholesterol. All these observations indicate an aggravating effect of colocasia leaves on serum and tissue lipids in cholesterol-fed rats.     

Studies on the effect of curry leaves supplementation (Murraya koenigi) on lipid profile,glycated proteins and amino acids in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients

Curry leaves powder supplementation (12 g providing 2.5 g fibre) was carried out for a period of 1 month in 30 non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients. The parameters monitored at 1, 15 and 30 days were fasting and 2 h post-prandial blood sugar levels, serum total cholesterol and its lipoprotein fractions, triglycerides, total amino acids, uronic acid, glycosylated serum proteins and glysocylated low density lipoprotein cholesterol fraction. The results indicated a transient reduction in fasting and post-prandial blood sugar levels at 15-day period with no appreciable changes in serum glycosylated protein levels, glycosylated low density lipoprotein cholesterol fraction, serum lipids, lipoprotein cholesterol levels, uronic acid and total amino acids were observed during the supplementation period, i.e. either at 15 days or 30 days.     

Toxicity of some insecticides to Apanteles plutellae a parasite of the diamond back moth∗

Abstract

The susceptibility of adults and cocooned stages of Apanteles plutellae Kurdj. (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) to four synthetic pyrethroid insecticides and five other chemical insecticides was tested. The chemicals, formulated as emulsifiable concentrates, were decamethrin (0.0014%), permethrin (0.01%), fenvalerate (0.01%), cypermethrin (0.005%), dichlorvos (0.05%), monocrotophos (0.05%), endosulfan (0.05%), phosalone (0.05%) and quinalphos (0.05%). Adults were exposed for 6 h to filter paper impregnated with insecticide solution and were then transferred to untreated vials for observation. Cocoons were sprayed with the chemicals by means of a glass atomiser and held for adult emergence. The pyrethroid formulations and phosalone had little or no harmful effect on the adults and cocooned stages of A. plutellae but quinalphos was highly toxic to all stages tested. Dichlorvos, monocrotophos and endosulfan were highly toxic to adults but relatively safe for the cocooned stages.