Organochloride insecticide residues in air in Delhi,India

Regular monitoring of air at three different sites, namely, Netaji Nagar, Moti Nagar and Town Hall in the metropolitan city of Delhi, India from June, 1980 to May, 1982 revealed varying levels of residues of DDT and HCH. The concentration of total DDT residues varied from 4 to 232 ng m^?3 with an average of 60 ng m^?3. Total HCH ranged from 0 to 21797 ng m^?3 with an average of 438 ng m^?3. Comparatively higher levels of total DDT (73 ng M^?3) were detected at Moti Nagar, the site near a DDT factory. The total HCH was highest at Town Hall (931 ng m^?3). Normally, higher quantities of the residues of DDT and HCH were detected during October to December. The insecticide residues consisted mainly of p, p′-DDT, p, p′-DDE, o, p′-DDT and p, p′-DDD, α- and γ-HCH. Only p, p′-DDT and p, p′-DDE were detected in all the samples and accounted for the bulk of total DDT. The HCH residues were mainly due to the α-isomer. Generally the concentration of HCH was higher than DDT in the air samples collected during the survey.     

EFFECT OF NITROGEN NUTRITION ON FRUIT QUALITY AND SHELF LIFE OF CUCURBITACEOUS VEGETABLE BITTER GOURD

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of nitrogen (N) nutrition on fruit quality and shelf life of cucurbitaceous vegetable, bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) using poultry manure as an organic source. Three levels of nitrogen (200, 250 and 300 kg N ha^?1) were applied in three ratios of organic-chemical N substitutions (1:1, 1:2, 2:1) at three different frequencies of application. The experiment was laid out as confounded 3³ design in 9-plot blocks with two replications confounding LR²F in RI and LRF² in RII. The crude protein, total phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and iron (Fe) content of fruits increased with increasing levels of N application and were highest with 300 kg. Highest iron content was recorded (0.10%) with higher doses of N. Higher levels of N nutrition reduced the ascorbic acid content in fruits. More frequent split application of nutrient N or greater proportion of organic source enhanced the shelf life of fruits.     

Phenotypic and genetic parameters for body traits in the giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) in India

Phenotypic and genetic parameters were estimated for three body traits (harvest weight, carapace length and standard length) and for adult male morphotypes of the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii in a fully pedigreed synthetic population in India. The data set included 9,173 progeny produced over four generations from 162 sires and 234 dams. Variance components and genetic parameters were estimated fitting an animal model using the residual maximum‐likelihood methodology. The heritabilities for harvest body weight (HW), carapace length (CL) and standard length (SL) were moderate (0.22 ± 0.056, 0.22 ± 0.055 and 0.25 ± 0.059 respectively). The common environmental effects for HW, CL and SL were 0.10 ± 0.020, 0.08 ± 0.018 and 0.10 ± 0.021 respectively. As M. rosenbergii is sexually dimorphic, we estimated heritabilities within each sex. Heritability of HW in females (0.27 ± 0.068) was greater than that in males (0.15 ± 0.057). CL and SL followed the same pattern. The occurrence of male morphotypes is a unique characteristic of adult populations of M. rosenbergii. Populations from culture ponds exhibit a wide range of sizes. To examine whether there was a heritable component in male morphotype frequencies, we treated male morphotypes as traits. The additive genetic variance (and hence the heritability) was zero for male morphotype, indicating that selective breeding to increase the proportion of desirable male morphotypes would not be effective. The genetic correlations among body traits were all positive, high and approaching unity. The results are discussed in relation to selection plans for the giant freshwater prawn.     

Beneficial effect of Embelia ribes ethanolic extract on blood pressure and glycosylated hemoglobin in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats

Embelia ribes (common name, Vidanga) is extensively used in traditional system of medicine for treatment of various disorders. It is described in Ayurveda, as a powerful anthelmintic, antifertility and antihyperlipidemic agent. The present study was undertaken to investigate modulatory effect of 6 weeks' chronic oral administration of E. ribes ethanolic extract on diabetes mellitus induced by a diabetogen, streptozotocin (STZ) with special reference to changes in glucose levels, glycated haemoglobin status and cardiac toxicity. STZ treatment (40 mg/kg iv) resulted in significant increase in blood glucose levels, glycated haemoglobin levels, heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP). Oral administration of E. ribes ethanolic extract in dose of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg significantly reduced the levels of blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin, heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) in animals when compared with diabetic rats.     

A topographical study of increased vascular permeability in passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in the chicken

Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis was produced in chickens with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and anti-BSA chicken serum. Colloidal carbon was then given intravenously to identify the leaky vessels. Microscopic examination of cleared unstained skin revealed the topography of labelled vessels. The carbon labelling was confined to venules and small veins only. Examination of the time-course of permeability response revealed a biphasic pattern.     

Detection of human filarial parasite Brugia malayi in dogs by histochemical staining and molecular techniques

Human filariasis caused by Brugia malayi is still a public health problem in many countries of Asia including India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. The World Health Organization (WHO) has targeted to eliminate filariasis by the year 2020 by Mass annual single dose Diethylcarbamazine Administration (MDA). Results of the MDA programme after the first phase was less satisfactory than expected. Malayan filariasis caused by B. malayi is endemic in the south of Thailand where domestic cat serves as the major reservoir host. There is no report about the occurrence of B. malayi in dogs. The present work was carried out to find out the incidence of microfilariasis in dogs and also to detect the presence of human filarial infection in dogs, if any. One hundred dogs above 6 months of age presented to the veterinary college Hospital, Mannuthy, Kerala, with clinical signs suggestive of microfilariasis - fever, anorexia, conjunctivitis, limb and scrotal oedema - were screened for microfilariae by wet film examination. Positive cases were subjected to Giemsa staining, histochemical staining and molecular techniques. Results of the study showed that 80% of dogs had microfilariasis; out of which 20% had sheathed microfilaria. Giemsa and histochemical staining character, PCR and sequencing confirmed it as B. malayi. High prevalence of B. malayi in dogs in this study emphasized the possible role of dogs in transmission of human filariasis.     

Studies on the broodstock production and larval rearing of Coral demoiselle Neopomacentrus nemurus (Bleeker 1857)

Steps taken for broodstock development of Neopomacentrus nemurus, Coral demoiselle (Bleeker, 1857) in a hatchery, its spawning and development of egg to the juvenile stage are described. Among the three treatments tried, only the trial using Parvocalanus crassirostris nauplii as the first diet helped in the development of larvae. Larval and post‐larval growth was studied for a period of 65 days post hatch. The larva measured 2–2.4 mm in total length at the time of hatching. The mouth size of larva at the time of hatching measured 237.92 µm. By the 5th day, the width of the larval body had significantly increased. All the fins were conjoined, except for the caudal fin which had begun its appearance on the 2nd day itself. The digestive system was functional by the 5th day and the copepod remains were seen in the digestive tract. The larva metamorphosed by the 15th day with fully developed fins and fin rays. On the 20th day, the larval body had begun to display signs of fin pigmentation. The larva assumed adult pigmentation by the 35th day. By the 65th day, the larva grew to a total length of about 27 mm and weighed about 0.56 g.     

Pollution profile of a river

A host of chemical industries subject the river to pollutants such as acids, alkalies and their salts, trace metals and radionuclides belonging to the Th and U chains. Proximity of different outfalls and poor lateral mixing in the river are responsible for high local aquatic concentrations. Scavenging reactions, in situ, and sedimentation of suspended matter result in the accumulation of radionuclides near the outfall area. Monsoon ‘flushes out’ the river into the backwater area and translocation of sediments is the major factor in the transport of pollutants.