On bumper catches of lizard fishes at Sassoon dock, Bombay

Eventhough the appearance of Lizard fishes of the genus Sauridain the catches is not significant, landings by trawlers are showing fishery value for these fishes particularly at Sassoon Dock, Bombay during months of March, April and May. Species Saurida tumbil and Saurida undosquamis are of special interest as the landings and are sent outside Maharashtra in iced condition. The percentage of their occurrence during 1989 landings is noted to be 80 % of S. tumbil and 20 % of S. undosquamis. The maximum length recorded for S. tumbil is 437 mm and S. undosquamis 327 mm. The size of 437 mm recorded for S. tumbil appears to be the largest for the species from Indian waters

Effect of potassium and zinc on growth, yield and economics of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) cv. CO-34

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of different levels of potassium and zinc on growth, yield and economics of sweet potato. The experiment was laid out on clay and loam soil by adopting randomized block design with factorial technique (FRBD). The sixteen treatments consisted of combination of four levels of po-tassium (0, 80, 100 and 120 kg/ha through muriate of potash and four levels of foliar zinc (control i.e. water spray, 10, 20 and 30ppm) through zinc sulphate. The individual application of potassium 120 kg K2O/ha significantly in-creased the number of tubers per plant (4.60), average weight of tuber (275.31 g), length of tuber (16.77 cm), diam-eter of tuber (5.69 cm), tuber yield per plot (9.71 kg), tuber yield per hectare (49.04 t) respectively as compared to control. With the foliar application of zinc (30 ppm) significant increase in number of tubers per plant (4.18), average weight of tuber (234.73 g), length of tuber (18.12 cm), diameter of tuber (5.16 cm), tuber yield per plot (8.33 kg) and tuber yield per hectare (42.05 t) was recordedas compared to control. The treatment combination (120 kg K2O+30ppm Zn) recorded the maximum yield parameters i.e. chlorophyll content (37.00 mg/100 g), average weight of tuber (302.17 g), length of tuber (19.82 cm), diameter of tuber (5.97 cm), maximum tuber yield per plot (11.02 kg), tuber yield per hectare (55.67 t) and benefit-cost ratio (B: C ratio) of 4.22:1.While, the treatment (120 kg K2O+30ppm Zn) had the maximum number of tuber (4.86), minimum number of tuber was recorded in control. From the experi-ment, it appeared that application of potassium and zinc can be used to improve yield and higher net monetary re-turns of sweet potato

Concept maps in immunology: A metacognitive tool to promote collaborative and meaningful learning among undergraduate medical students

Introduction: Concept maps are graphical representations of knowledge that connect concepts, ideas, and relationships. The present study aims at assessing the perception of medical students in utilization of concept maps as a tool to foster their lifelong learning skills in immunology.Methods: The current study was approved by Institutional Ethics and Review Committee. Third-year undergraduate (MD3) medical students of the academic year 2021-22 were sensitized about the concept map study and included after obtaining their informed consent. The students worked in teams to find answers and link the different words or phrases of the concept maps. At the end of the immunology course, students’ perception on concept map-based learning strategy was assessed. A pre-designed, selfadministered questionnaire, pre-validated by subject experts for relevance and feasibility, was used for the study. The questionnaire included some quantitative questions assessed by using 3-pointLikert Scale and an open-ended question to receive students’ comments on concept map-based learning strategy. The responses were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 22. Descriptive statistics was used for the quantitative variables, tabulated as numbers and percentages while the qualitative data was analyzed by thematic analysis. The quantitative data results were prioritized but supported by students’ comments on open ended question. Results: Out of 133 eligible participants, 109 students who volunteered and completed the study were included. Majority of our participants (>80%) welcomed the concept map-based learning strategy. Almost 4 out of 5 expressed that concept maps are interesting and enjoyable, encourage active participation, peer discussion, and enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills. More than 80% of the students agreed that concept maps promoted deep understanding of the topic and lifelong learning. Nearly 3 out of 4 students suggested including concept maps in many immunology topics in future. Majority of students penned down positive comments indicating concept map tool facilitates metacognitive skills.Conclusion: From the study, it can be concluded that concept maps are effective active learning strategies to improve themetacognitive domain of medical students in immunology course, thus assisting them to become better lifelong learners

Note on the food of the spinner dolphin Stenella longirostris Gray, caught off Maharashtra coast

The morphometric measurements of two spinner dolphins and the stomach contents analysis of one of them are presented here

Observations on the Landing of Lantern fish Myctophum pterotum Alcock along Maharashtra Coast

The lantern fishes are pelagic and are considered to be deep water forms, occurring upto 2000 m depth. The highest catch and catch/unit were registered at Sassoon Dock during Oct.-Nov 198

Occurrence of allergic dermatitis in dogs with special reference to canine atopic dermatitis in Kerala

Allergic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease manifested as itchy skin rashes, caused as a result of hypersensitivity reactions elicited in the body due to exposure to various allergens. Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a widespread skin condition characterized by an inherited propensity to develop pruritic inflammatory skin disease linked to IgE antibodies, which usually target environmental allergens. The study was conducted on 245 cases of allergic dermatitis in dogs presented to the small animal dermatology unit during the period from 2019 to 2021. Out of the total 2,032 dermatological cases in dogs presented to the clinics from different parts of Kerala, 245 cases were diagnosed as various allergies over a period of three years, and out of which, 63 cases were recorded as canine atopic dermatitis (CAD). All the 63 cases diagnosed as CAD were utilized for age-wise, gender-wise and breed-wise occurrence of disease. The occurrence of allergic dermatitis in the present study was recorded as 13 per cent. The highest occurrence rate recorded was that of flea allergy followed by atopic dermatitis, contact allergy dermatitis and food allergy. In the current study, higher incidence (66.7 per cent) of atopic dermatitis was found in dogs below 3 years of age, followed by dogs older than 5 years and of the age group >3 to 5 years. Gender-wise occurrence of atopic dermatitis revealed a male predominance with a sex ratio of 1.74: 1 in the present study. Labrador breed of dogs were more prone to atopic dermatitis followed by Beagle, Pomeranian, Shih Tzu, Pug, Pit bull, German Shepherd dog, Dachshund, Rottweiler and Golden Retriever

A prospective study on haematobiochemical aspects of atopic dermatitis in dogs

A prospective study on haemato-biochemical aspects of canine atopic dermatitis was conducted in the Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy during the period from 2019 to 2021. Sixteen dogs diagnosed with atopic dermatitis using characteristic clinical (Favrot’s) criteria with exclusion of other pruritic skin diseases, together with elevated Ig E levels and ten healthy animals formed the subjects for the present study. Whole blood samples were collected from atopic and healthy controls and haematobiochemical parameters were estimated. Haemato-biochemical studies of atopic dogs revealed anaemia with leukocytosis, neutrophilia and eosinophilia and hypoalbuminaemia with reduced AG ratio. Absolute eosinophil count that was found positively correlated with neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in atopic dogs, is of diagnostic significance in quantifying inflammatory response which helps in instituting customized treatment to atopic animals in clinical practice. Hypoalbuminaemia observed in atopic animals in the present study indicates the need for nutrient supplementation in the therapeutic protocol of the disease

Testicular echotexture and seminal quality of young Montana Tropical Compound bulls classified as sound and unsound for breeding

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between testicular echotexture and seminal quality, in addition to evaluate the testicular parenchyma echogenicity pattern in young Montana bulls classified as sound and unsound for breeding. Fifty-two young Montana Tropical Compound bulls from 22 to 33 months of age were used. The animals were previously evaluated by breeding soundness evaluation and thereafter divided into two groups of breeding soundness classes: 1 = 16 animals sound for breeding; 2 = 36 animals unsound for breeding by means of physical and morphological analysis of semen. All animals underwent an ultrasound examination of the testes, and the images were analyzed with the software "Image J". ANOVA was used for statistical analysis, to determine the effect of groups in relation to testicular measurements, physical and morphological semen features and ultrasound pixel analysis. There was a difference between scrotal circumference between classes, with 39.7±2.1 cm and 37.3±3.1 cm for sound and unsound animals, respectively. Regarding testicular echotexture, mean values for the pixel intensity were 95.7 and 94.0 for sound and unsound animals for breeding, respectively, with no difference between the classes. None of the studied parameters were correlated with each other, indicating that the quantification of the pixel intensity in testicular echotexture was not effective in determining the degree of sexual maturity in Montana Tropical Compound bulls

Ultrassonografia testicular em bovinos jovens da raça Nelore criados em sistema extensivo

Este estudo visou avaliar o padrão ultrassonográfico do parênquima testicular de touros jovens da raça Nelore, desde a fase peripuberal até a puberdade, estabelecer padrões fisiológicos e também verificar se existe diferença de ecogenicidade entre animais púberes e pré-púberes na mesma idade. Foram realizados exames ecográficos dos testículos de 19 bovinos aos 10, 12, 14, 16 e 18 meses de idade. O padrão ultrassonográfico do parênquima testicular mostrou-se homogêneo e com ecogenicidade moderada. A ecogenicidade testicular aumentou em proporção direta com a idade dos animais. Não houve diferença significativa entre a ecogenicidade testicular de animais púberes e pré-púberes na mesma idade