Reproductive biology of the commercially important Uroteuthis (Photololigo) duvaucelii (d’ Orbigny [in 1835) off Mangalore, south-west coast of India

Uroteuthis (Photololigo) duvaucelii is one of the commercially important inshore squid resources off the south-west coast of India. Length-weight relationship for this species indicated no significant difference between the sexes and hence, the relationship for both the sexes was represented with the common equation W = 0.4624 L2.1158. U. (P.) duvaucelii spawned throughout the year with peak spawning in May. Absolute fecundity ranged from 1,545 to 13,585 eggs with an average of 7,554 eggs. Size at first maturity indicated that females matured earlier at 70 mm DML (dorsal mantle length) whereas males matured little later at 90 mm DML. Males were observed to be dominant during most of the study period with overall male to female ratio of 1:0.93. Seasonal and size dependent variations in sex ratio were distinct

Brown−Vialetto−Van Laere and Fazio−Londe syndromes: SLC52A3 mutations with puzzling phenotypes and inheritance

BACKGROUND: Brown-Vialetto-Van Laere Syndrome (BVVLS) and Fazio-Londe Disease (FLD) are rare neurological disorders presenting with pontobulbar palsy, muscle weakness, and respiratory insufficiency. Mutations in SLC52A2 (hRFVT-2) or SLC52A3 (hRFVT-3) genes can be responsible for these disorders with an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance. The aim of this study is to screen for mutations in SLC52A2 and SLC52A3 among Indian families diagnosed with BVVLS and FLD. METHODS: SLC52A2 and SLC52A3 were screened in one FLD and three BVVLS patients by exon-specific amplification using PCR and sequencing. In silico predictions using bioinformatics tools and confocal imaging using HEK-293 cells were performed to determine the functional impact of identified mutations. RESULTS: Genetic analysis of a mother and son with BVVLS was identified with a novel homozygous mutation c.710C>T (p.Ala237Val) in SLC52A3. This variant was found to have autosomal pseudo-dominant pattern of inheritance, which was neither listed in the Exome variant server or in 1000 genomes database. In silico analysis and confocal imaging of the p.Ala237Val variant showed higher degree of disorderness in hRFVT3 that could affect riboflavin transport. Furthermore, a common homozygous mutation c.62A>G (p.Asn21Ser) was identified in other BVVLS and FLD patients. Despite having different clinical phenotypes, both BVVLS and FLD disorder can be attributed to this mutation. CONCLUSION: A rare and peculiar pattern of autosomal pseudo-dominant inheritance is observed for the first time in two genetically related BVVLS cases with Indian origin and a common mutation c.62A>G (p.Asn21Ser) in SLC52A3 can be responsible for both BVVLS and FLD with variable phenotypes

Finfish constituents of trawl low value by-catch off Mangalore

Trawling remains a controversial method of fishing due to the poor selectivity of trawl net and catching of hugequantity and diversity of non target fishes. By-catch is recognised as an unavoidable portion of fish catch but quantity variesaccording to the type of gear operated. FAO has considered the resource damage due to discarding of by-catch as serious issue.Mangalore fisheries harbour is one among the major fishing harbours of Karnataka state with its significant contribution tothe Trawl landings. The study was conducted to assess the recourse damage due to indiscriminate fishing and landing of juveniles of commercially important species in low value by-catch due to smaller size and improper handling. The quantity of lowvalue by-catch was estimated from the landings of single-day and multi-day trawler landings for the period of August 2012 toMay 2013. The quantity of low value by-catch (trash fish) generated by trawlers of Mangalore was estimated as 32,426 t (19%of the total trawl catch). A total 121 species of finfishes belonging to 55 families have been identified constituting the low valueby-catch. Order Perciformes contributed 61.16 per cent (74 species) to the total number of species, followed by Clupeiformesand other groups, whereas the family Carangidae contributed 11.57 per cent (14 species) to the total number of species, followedby Engraulidae and other families. Presence of wide diversity of finfishes in low value by-catch showed an alarming signal of fisheries resource damage

Assessment of the status of empowerment of fisherwomen in Coastal Karnataka

Assessment of the status of empowerment of fisherwomen in Coastal Karnatak

Transcriptomic profile of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes after neonatal encephalopathy

A rapid and early diagnostic test to identify the encephalopathic babies at risk of adverse outcome may accelerate the development of neuroprotectants. We examined if a whole blood transcriptomic signature measured soon after birth,predicts adverse neurodevelopmental outcomeeighteenmonths after neonatal encephalopathy.We performed next generation sequencing on whole blood ribonucleic acid obtained within sixhours of birth from the first 47encephalopathic babies recruited to the Hypothermia for Encephalopathy in Low and middle-income countries (HELIX)trial. Two infants with blood culture positive sepsis were excluded, and the data from remaining 45 were analysed. A total of 855genes were significantly differentially expressed between the good and adverse outcome groups, of which RGS1and SMC4 werethe most significant. Biological pathway analysis adjusted for gender, trial randomisation allocation (cooling therapy versus usual care) and estimated blood leukocyte proportions revealed over-representation of genes from pathways related to melatoninand polo-like kinase in babieswith adverse outcome. These preliminary data suggest that transcriptomic profiling may be a promising tool for rapid risk stratification in neonatal encephalopathy. It may provide insights into biological mechanismsand identify novel therapeutic targetsfor neuroprotection

Hypothermia for moderate or severe neonatal encephalopathy in low-income and middle-income countries (HELIX): a randomised controlled trial in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh

Background: Although therapeutic hypothermia reduces death or disability after neonatal encephalopathy in high-income countries, its safety and efficacy in low-income and middle-income countries is unclear. We aimed to examine whether therapeutic hypothermia alongside optimal supportive intensive care reduces death or moderate or severe disability after neonatal encephalopathy in south Asia. Methods: We did a multicountry open-label, randomised controlled trial in seven tertiary neonatal intensive care units in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. We enrolled infants born at or after 36 weeks of gestation with moderate or severe neonatal encephalopathy and a need for continued resuscitation at 5 min of age or an Apgar score of less than 6 at 5 min of age (for babies born in a hospital), or both, or an absence of crying by 5 min of age (for babies born at home). Using a web-based randomisation system, we allocated infants into a group receiving whole body hypothermia (33·5°C) for 72 h using a servo-controlled cooling device, or to usual care (control group), within 6 h of birth. All recruiting sites had facilities for invasive ventilation, cardiovascular support, and access to 3 Tesla MRI scanners and spectroscopy. Masking of the intervention was not possible, but those involved in the magnetic resonance biomarker analysis and neurodevelopmental outcome assessments were masked to the allocation. The primary outcome was a combined endpoint of death or moderate or severe disability at 18–22 months, assessed by the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (third edition) and a detailed neurological examination. Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02387385. Findings: We screened 2296 infants between Aug 15, 2015, and Feb 15, 2019, of whom 576 infants were eligible for inclusion. After exclusions, we recruited 408 eligible infants and we assigned 202 to the hypothermia group and 206 to the control group. Primary outcome data were available for 195 (97%) of the 202 infants in the hypothermia group and 199 (97%) of the 206 control group infants. 98 (50%) infants in the hypothermia group and 94 (47%) infants in the control group died or had a moderate or severe disability (risk ratio 1·06; 95% CI 0·87–1·30; p=0·55). 84 infants (42%) in the hypothermia group and 63 (31%; p=0·022) infants in the control group died, of whom 72 (36%) and 49 (24%; p=0·0087) died during neonatal hospitalisation. Five serious adverse events were reported: three in the hypothermia group (one hospital readmission relating to pneumonia, one septic arthritis, and one suspected venous thrombosis), and two in the control group (one related to desaturations during MRI and other because of endotracheal tube displacement during transport for MRI). No adverse events were considered causally related to the study intervention. Interpretation: Therapeutic hypothermia did not reduce the combined outcome of death or disability at 18 months after neonatal encephalopathy in low-income and middle-income countries, but significantly increased death alone. Therapeutic hypothermia should not be offered as treatment for neonatal encephalopathy in low-income and middle-income countries, even when tertiary neonatal intensive care facilities are available. Funding: National Institute for Health Research, Garfield Weston Foundation, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Translations: For the Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Singhalese, Tamil, Marathi and Bangla translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section

Waist-To-Height Ratio in Assessing Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Affluent School Going Children

Introduction: Childhood obesity is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases among children and adolescents, and is responsible for a growing proportion of global health burden. It will lead to drastic complications if left unattended and waist to height ratio is simple and easily performable procedure even by non-medical staff in early detection of cardiometabolic risk. To study Waist circumference to height ratio (WHtR) in early detection of cardiometabolic risk factors in school children and educating parents about cardiometabolic risk in obesity. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in children aged between 11 to 17 years in affluent schools of Bangalore from January 2018 to May 2019. Weight, Height, BMI, waist circumference was measured as per the standard protocol and those with WHtR >0.5 were investigated for cardiometabolic risk factors. The parameters recorded were Blood pressure, FBS, HbA1c, HDL, LDL, Cholesterol, VLDL by standard methods. The results were analyzed and correlation of WHtR along with altered biochemical parameters were studied.Results: A total of 1577 children were included in the study, out of which 702 (44.5%) were boys and 875(55.5%) were girls. The mean age was 14.4±0.2 years. 280(17.8%) children had abnormal WHtR (>0.5). Area under the ROC curve for waist to height ratio among the children who had WHtR >0.5 was 78.4% which is good predictor of obesity and many of the children had abnormal biochemical parameters.Conclusion: Waist to height ratio is a significant anthropometric screening parameter that can be used in early identification of cardiometabolic risk factor in affluent school children and for those with WHtR >0.5 needs parental education and proper lifestyle modification and periodic cardiometabolic assessment

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Not AvailableUroteuthis (Photololigo) duvaucelii is one of the commercially important inshore squid resources off the south-west coast of India. Length-weight relationship for this species indicated no significant difference between the sexes and hence, the relationship for both the sexes was represented with the common equation W = 0.4624 L2.1158. U. (P.) duvaucelii spawned throughout the year with peak spawning in May. Absolute fecundity ranged from 1,545 to 13,585 eggs with an average of 7,554 eggs. Size at first maturity indicated that females matured earlier at 70 mm DML (dorsal mantle length) whereas males matured little later at 90 mm DML. Males were observed to be dominant during most of the study period with overall male to female ratio of 1:0.93. Seasonal and size dependent variations in sex ratio were distinct.Not Availabl

Reproductive biology of Nematalosa nasus (Bloch, 1795) off Mangalore coast, Karnataka

Nematalosa nasus is one of the important species comes under shads belongs to the clupeids group, clupeiod fisheries is one of the major fisheries in Indian country. In the present study, the complete reproductive biology with breeding seasonality of N. nasus along Mangalore coast studied for the first time. Six maturity stages were described macroscopically (male and female) and microscopically (female) throughout the maturation cycle. The spawning season in Mangalore lasts from September (2013) to April (2014), with peak spawning activity in October (2013) and November (2013). The size at first maturity was estimated to be 162 mm for both male and female respectively. The size frequency distribution of oocytes (ova diameter) provided evidence for its multiple spawning. The batch fecundity of this species was estimated between 1,02,093 to 8,32,129 eggs per individual. GSI indicated protracted spawning which extend from September (2013) to April (2014). The overall sex ratio exhibited equally was 1:1 (Male : Female)