Mussel culture in mulky estuary, Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka during 1997-'99

During 1997-'98 seasons, the mussel culture activities were carried out at Mulky estuary with the active participation of local fishermen and the growth rate was studied. Culture work was continued at two places in Mulky estuary during 1998-'99 seasons. The growth rate of mussels in Chitrapu area was higher than that observed in Mulky area. During 1998-'99 seasons, the meat content of the harvested mussel was low as they had spawned before the harvest. The culture works carried out at Mulky estuary reveal that mussel culture can be profitabily done during October-May months in Mulky estuary. The fishermen group can take up the culture activities as a part-time venture as the culture involves minimum labour only during the initial period and thereafter it needs little husbandry work. There is good demand for mussels in monsoon months when supply of marine fish is less due to ban on mechanized fishing. Mussels harvested in May can be processed and marketed for sale during the lean season, for which infrastructural facilities have to be developed. Once the marketing infrastructure is developed mussel culture activities can be taken up by more fishermen group in a profitable manner

Cystic swellings of scrotum: Management

The cystic swellings of scrotum are one among the commonest clinical entities faced by a surgeon in day to day practice and a cause of concern to the patient more with his fertility. Presenting with varied etiology they can represent a wide range of medical issues. Gold standard for the management of such cystic swellings of scrotum continues to be surgical extirpation of the lesion. Objective: To identify the cause, mode of presentation, various modalities of treatment and outcome of these with their complications. Method: A total of 170 cases of cystic swellings of scrotum fulfilling the methodology criteria were subjected to the preformatted study. Diagnosis was mostly by clinical examination and supported by ultrasonography. All cases were treated surgically with the appropriate surgical procedure. Results: Maximum patients were in the age group of 31-50 years and presented with scrotal swelling (59%) and more commonly affecting the right side. The commonest cause for cystic swelling of the scrotum was primary vaginal hydrocele (55%). Surgical procedure using Lords Plication was found to be simple, effective and associated with minimum post operative complications; the other conventional techniques like Partial/sub-total excision of sac, everson of sac were associated with more complications like haematoma, scrotal edema and infection. Majority of patients were discharged on 7th Post-operative day. Conclusion: The present study, primary vaginal hydrocele was the commonest cystic swelling of scrotum and treated surgically showed good results. Lord’s procedure was associated with the less post-operative complications, minimal tissue handling and good haemostatic control

Emerging clam fishery in Muthalapozhi Estuary

Muthalapozhi Estuary is located in northern part of Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala. Perunguzhi and Azhoor are commercial bivalve landing centers located along the Muthalapozhi Estuary, where large-scale clam exploitation has emerged during the recent past (Fig. 1). This new development is due to the increased domestic demand for clams in Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra consequent to the decreased availability of clams in their traditional local clam fishing grounds

The platelet-surface thiol isomerase enzyme ERp57 modulates platelet function

Background: Thiol isomerases are a family of endoplasmic reticulum enzymes which orchestrate redox-based modifications of protein disulphide bonds. Previous studies have identified important roles for the thiol isomerases PDI and ERp5 in the regulation of normal platelet function. Objectives: Recently, we demonstrated the presence of a further five thiol isomerases at the platelet surface. In this report we aim to report the role of one of these enzymes - ERp57 in the regulation of platelet function. Methods/Results: Using enzyme activity function blocking antibodies, we demonstrate a role for ERp57 in platelet aggregation, dense granule secretion, fibrinogen binding, calcium mobilisation and thrombus formation under arterial conditions. In addition to the effects of ERp57 on isolated platelets, we observe the presence of ERp57 in the developing thrombus in vivo. Furthermore the inhibition of ERp57 function was found to reduce laser-injury induced arterial thrombus formation in a murine model of thrombosis. Conclusions: These data suggest that ERp57 is important for normal platelet function and opens up the possibility that the regulation of platelet function by a range of cell surface thiol isomerases may represent a broad paradigm for the regulation of haemostasis and thrombosis

Advances in adulteration and authenticity testing of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)

Synthetic colorants such as metanil yellow, lead chromate, Acid orange 7, Sudan red; rhizomes of related Curcuma sp. besides spent turmeric, starch, chalk and yellow soapstone are the main adulterants in traded turmeric while synthetic curcumin is an adulterant of natural curcumin. Both branded products as well as the produce from the unorganized sector are found adulterated. The adulterants, added either to increase the bulk, improve the colour and appearance or enhance the profit margin, often result in corroding the biological efficacy of the commodity and eroding the public impression besides posing health risks to the consumers. Various physical, chemical and PCR based methods are available to detect the adulterants in traded turmeric. While chemical methods are suited to detect the synthetic adulterants and spent turmeric, DNA based methods are the best options for detecting the biological adulterants (except spent turmeric) in the commodity. Along with adopting a supply chain system and quality linked pricing in turmeric trade, commercial adulteration diagnostic kits, if they can be developed and deployed, will be a very convenient way to ensure the quality of the traded produce

Wealth from waste-utilisation of fish waste for production of biogas

A biogas unit was installed in the premises of Mangalore Research Centre of CMFRI during November, 2016 in order to utilize the fish waste generated from the biological analysis done in the lab. This biogas unit installed is first of its kind in the state to utilize fish waste. A unit was installed gainfully utilizing the fish waste generated after the biological analysis of fish. Disposal of the fish waste generated periodically at the Research Centre during sampling made for biological studies was becoming difficult. However, with the installation of the biogas unit- designed and supplied by private manufacturer in Kerala, solved the disposal problem of fish waste

Development of bivalve farming as a source of income generation for women’s self-help groups in coastal India

The existing technologies of mussel and oyster farming were converted into an income-generating activity for coastal fishers, particularly for women’s self-help groups. As a result of a concerted approach, coupled with novel extension techniques, commercial mussel and oyster farming became established in the States of India, Kerala and susequently in Karnataka. Production in 2009 was over 20 000 tonnes making India one of the top ten bivalve farming countries in Asia. Innovations in these bivalve farming technologies simplified them, which resulted in an increase in profitability and made them attractive to farmers. During this process, the entire gamut of bivalve farming operations such as site identification, seed and spatfall calendars, remote setting, mechanization in seeding and harvesting, quality and depuration protocols, ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook products, organic farming protocols and environmental impact assessments were worked out. The success in commercializing the technologies was mainly a result of a unique synergy that was actively pursued and developed by technology developers, promoters, and credit advancers. This development scenario can serve as a role model for other states and developing nations where a similar hydrological, social, and market environment exists

A humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits platelet-surface ERp72 reveals a role for ERp72 in thrombosis

Background: Within the endoplasmic reticulum, thiol isomerase enzymes modulate the formation and rearrangement of disulphide bonds in newly folded proteins entering the secretory pathway to ensure correct protein folding. In addition to their intracellular importance, thiol isomerases have been recently identified to be present on the surface of a number of cell types where they are important for cell function. Several thiol isomerases are known to be present on the resting platelet surface including PDI, ERp5 and ERp57 and levels are increased following platelet activation. Inhibition of the catalytic activity of these enzymes results in diminished platelet function and thrombosis. Aim: We previously determined that ERp72 is present at the resting platelet surface and levels increase upon platelet activation, however its functional role on the cell surface was unclear. We aimed to investigate the role of ERp72 in platelet function and its role in thrombosis. Methods: Using HuCAL technology, fully humanised Fc-null anti-ERp72 antibodies were generated. Eleven antibodies were screened for their ability to inhibit ERp72 activity and the most potent inhibitory antibody (anti-ERp72) selected for further testing in platelet functional assays. Results and conclusions: Anti-ERp72 inhibited platelet aggregation, granule secretion, calcium mobilisation and integrin activation revealing an important role for extracellular ERp72 in the regulation of platelet activation. Consistent with this, infusion of anti-ERp72 into mice protected against thrombosis

Kanamycin sensitivity of cultured tissues of Piper nigrum L.

The kanamycin sensitivity for callus growth was studied in vitro in a cultivar of black pepper (Piper nigrum) using cotyledons as explants to investigate the suitability of kanamycin resistance as a selectable marker for Agrobacterium mediated transformation. Callus formation was completely inhibited at 50 ug ml-1 and above concentrations of kanamycin suggesting that 50 ug ml-1 is the minimum concentration needed to select the transformed tissues. &nbsp