C-reactive protein/albumin ratio as a predictor of 28 day mortality in patients with sepsis

Background: Sepsis is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Sepsis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Important biomarkers that can be used as prognostic markers in sepsis are C Reactive Protein (CRP) and serum Albumin levels. CRP levels markedly elevate in response to infection whereas albumin levels decrease in response to acute phase infection. We want to ascertain the value of CRP/albumin ratio as an independent predictor of 28-day mortality in sepsis patients.Methods: A prospective study was conducted including 150 patients satisfying the criteria for sepsis according to SOFA score of more than 2. Initial CRP/Albumin ratio was assessed to determine its significance in assessing the 28-day mortality, primary end point of our study. Secondary end points assessed were length of ICU stay, need for inotropic support, need for ventilator support and renal replacement therapy.Results: In the analysis of CRP/Albumin ratio as a predictor of 28-day mortality, patients were followed up from day of admission till 28 days to assess primary outcome. Among study subjects survivors were 92 in whom mean CRP/ALB ratio was 0.1197 and non survivors were 58 patients with mean CRP/ALB ratio was 0.0426. p-value <0.001, there was statistically significant difference found between survivor and Non-Survivor with respect to CRP/Albumin ratio. In assessing secondary outcome statistically significant association was found for need for ventilator and inotropic support, whereas it was insignificant in assessing need for dialysis and length of ICU stay.Conclusions: CRP/albumin ratio, which indicates the extent of residual inflammation, could be used as a prognostic marker in predicting mortality in patients with sepsis and septic shock

Significance of APTT as early predictor of bleeding in comparison to thrombocytopenia in dengue virus infection

Background: Dengue is a systemic viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus. Dengue Fever (DF) is characterized by fever, headache, muscle or joint pain, and rash. The spectrum of dengue virus infection spreads from an undifferentiated fever and dengue fever (DF) to dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) with shock. Factors responsible for bleeding manifestations in dengue are vasculopathy, thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Coagulopathy results in derangement of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) which is an indicator of impending bleeding risk.Methods: A prospective study was conducted from June to December in 2017 in R L Jalappa Hospital. Patients aged above 18 years with febrile thrombocytopenia who are positive for dengue virus serology (NS1Ag and/ or IgM) were included in the study. Serial daily monitoring of platelet count and analysis of APTT levels were done. APTT was considered abnormal if it was more than 33.8s. Patients were followed up for evidence of leaking and bleeding manifestations.Results: Out of 170 patients 28.1% patients had bleeding manifestations. Bleeding signs were seen on clinical examination in 52.37% of patients. capillary leak was found in the form of Pleural effusion in 35.3%, Ascites in 41.2% and Periorbital edema in 31.2% of patients. Elevated APTT levels were seen in 110(64.7%) patients. Among patients with abnormal APTT platelet transfusion was done in 78.9% of patients, and among those with normal APTT levels platelet transfusion was done in 21.1% of patients.Conclusions: Our study showed significant correlation between bleeding manifestations and prolonged APTT levels as well as thrombocytopenia with abnormal APTT levels. Study concluded that 21.1% of platelet transfusions could have been prevented considering prolonged APTT as a predictor of bleeding manifestation, thus saving the resources and reactions due to platelet concentrate transfusion

Foraminifera collected off Mandapam (Gulf of Mannar)

This note deals with the recent foraminifera from the mud samples collected at 200 m off Mandapam (Gulf of Mannar). Fourteen species belonging to 11 genera and 8 families are described and illustrated, of which 4 species are new records. Foraminiferan species recorded for the first time from the Indian region are (1) Bulimina elegans d' Orbigny var. exilis H.B. Brady, (2) Bolivina subtenuis Cushman, (3) Bolivina subreticulata Parr and (4) Streblus catesbyanus (d' Orbigny)

Culture of the sea bass Lates calcarifer

Studies on the growth of Lates calcarifer cultured in coastal ponds and net cages in the three different places at Tuticorin showed an increase of 16.2-23.2 mm/ 18.6- 53.2 g/ month at Karapad, 21.1-29.8mm/19.3- 36.3 g / month at Veppalodai in coastal ponds and 21.6-32.4 mm/ 31.4-55.0 g / month in a net cage in the Tuticorin Bay. The growth in Karapad pond, where supplementary feed was provided was better than in Veppalodai pond. The highest growth rate was obtained in net cage culture at Tuticorin Bay. Length-frequency analysis of samples from commercial catch reveal a faster growth in the wild than in the culture systems. The better growth in the brackishwater culture and in the wild is attributed to the lower salinity and better live feed availability in brackishwater. In the pond system, the growth can be improved by maintaining proper water exchange so as to maintain the salinity equivalent to open sea/bay/ brackishwaters and by providing supplementary feed

Flatfishes, goatfishes and whitefishes

Although in order to exploit these minor demersal resources there are no specialised fishing efforts, their contribution to demersal Jinjish production is substantial, mostly exploited by bottom trawling in recent years. The annual flat fish production has been amounting upto 63,344 t in 1992, that of goatfishes upto 33,300 t in 1991 and of whitefish to 25,340 t in 1985. Of late, Kerala has accounted for 47% flatfish production, followed by Karnataka-Goa 23% and Maharashtra 14%. For goatfishes, Tamilnadu-Pondicherry is responsible for 41% followed by Kerala 30% and Andhra Pradesh 13%. Gujarat has been harvesting 49% of the Whitefish yield, followed by Karnataka-Goa 18 % and Maharashtra 13%. The present paper brings together all the available data published and unpublished on the fishery and biology of various species contributing to the fisheries in different parts of the country. Based on these it is seen that the catch of the Malabar sole can be marginally increased in Calicut but not in Mangalore. In the case of the whitefish, there is an all-India decline in production in all the states due to indiscriminate exploitation of juveniles by considerably small cod end mesh size of bottom trawls. The present paper draws attention to the gaps still existing in our knowledge and the future research need on the fishery and biology of the important species, stock assessment estimates, relationships between the parental stocks and the progeny: the bottom hydrological conditions and the biological characteristics of the various populations in space and time, for realising the Maximum Sustainable Yield and for implementing their management and conservation

Major and minor fisheries harbours of India. 8. Fisherries harbours along the coasts of North Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal

The present account gives information about the three major and five minor fisheries harbours along the coasts of north Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Benga

Conservation Status of the Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus (Aves: Galliformes: Phasianidae) in Bangalore University Campus, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

The Indian Peafowl, Pavo cristatus was abundant in Bangalore University Campus (BUC) during 1970-80. However, the peafowl population declined alarmingly in the BUC region after 1990. The present paper deals with the abundance, sex ratio of peafowls and their conservation methods in the Biodiversity Park (Bio-Park) of BUC, which had been established in 2006. A total of 117 peafowls was recorded in the BUC region in which the females outnumbered the males. The increased abundance of the peafowl population in the campus could be mainly due to the availability of suitable roosting, foraging and nesting sites. The peafowls have used 18 species of plants and trees for perching and roosting in BUC. The peafowl population increased in the BUC region due to habitat rejuvenation and protection, availability of food sources and breeding/nesting sites. The results of the present investigation constitute the baseline data for the further understanding of the ecological community of national bird in the protected habitats as hotspots for biodiversity of urban ecosystem. Conservation of microhabitats through the proper restoration of ponds, streams and water check-dams including vegetation in the BUC is responsible for the existence of peafowl population

Conservation Status of the Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus (Aves: Galliformes: Phasianidae) in Bangalore University Campus, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

The Indian Peafowl, Pavo cristatus was abundant in Bangalore University Campus (BUC) during 1970-80. However, the peafowl population declined alarmingly in the BUC region after 1990. The present paper deals with the abundance, sex ratio of peafowls and their conservation methods in the Biodiversity Park (Bio-Park) of BUC, which had been established in 2006. A total of 117 peafowls was recorded in the BUC region in which the females outnumbered the males. The increased abundance of the peafowl population in the campus could be mainly due to the availability of suitable roosting, foraging and nesting sites. The peafowls have used 18 species of plants and trees for perching and roosting in BUC. The peafowl population increased in the BUC region due to habitat rejuvenation and protection, availability of food sources and breeding/nesting sites. The results of the present investigation constitute the baseline data for the further understanding of the ecological community of national bird in the protected habitats as hotspots for biodiversity of urban ecosystem. Conservation of microhabitats through the proper restoration of ponds, streams and water check-dams including vegetation in the BUC is responsible for the existence of peafowl population

Major and minor fisheries harbours of India. 6. The fisheries harbour and fishery at Tuticorin

The Tuticorin Fisheries Harbour Is one of the old and important fishery ports of India located on the southern Tamil Nadu coast and on the western side of the Gulf of Mannar. Now owing to its commercial and economic importance from the marine fisheries point of view it is considered as one of the major fisheries harbours on the east coast of India. The harbour was constructed at a cost of Rs. 2.1 crore in 1968 in a total area of 17 acres, out of which the berthing area is 2.7 acres. This harbour has a berthing facility to accommodate 450 medium sized mechanised wooden trawlers. The total length of the jetty is 800 m and the depth in the area of berthing is 3m

Bibliography of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography of the Indian Ocean 1962-67

The need for comprehensive bibliographies on scientific subjects for the ben- efit of the research workers has long been recognized especially in view of the increas- ing number of periodicals and other publications coming out in recent years. In India where library facilities are not adequate except in some of the larger cities and Univer- sity Centres the usefulness of such bibliographies needs no emphasis. Speaking of marine fisheries and oceanography it may be stated that a number of research labora- tories have been established in the country during the past two decades and a bibliog- raphy service for scientific workers there has become an absolute necessity. The present bibliography is intended to meet this need in addition to the Advance Abstracts of Contributions on Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences in India issued from this Insti- tute from 1967