Lysmata amboinensis (de Man, 1888)

The Pacific cleaner shrimp is easily identified by its colour patterns. The body is light brown with one white band dorsally and two red bands laterally running longitudinally. The tail has two white spots on either side. The antennae are white in colour and the first pair has red coloured base. It grows up to a maximum of 6 cm

Protocol developed for the hatchery production of marine model fish Oryzias dancena (Hamilton, 1822)

A non-human species that has been widely studied in the laboratory for helping scientists understanding the biological processes is called a ‘model organism’. Their inherent characteristics include easy maintenance, anatomical and physiological similarities to humans, high reproductive rate and large offspring number, and a short generation time (the time period from birth to reproduction). Among the fishes, zebra fish (Danio rerio) is widely accepted globally as a model organism for research in freshwater providing valuable insights into cell, tissue, organ, and system level. However, for studies involving marine and brackish waters, it is not advisable to superimpose the cues obtained from freshwater model organism, which necessitates the use of a species with marked euryhaline characteristics. Oryzias dancena (Hamilton, 1822), with tolerance to varying salinities, are small and easy to bred, and are capable of being maintained in large numbers; therefore offers as an excellent alternate fish model organism for experiments in marine systems

Preliminary estimates of potential areas for seaweed farming along the Indian coast

India has enormous potential for seaweed mariculture; however, mass scale commercial farming of seaweeds is yet to take off successfully in the country. R&D efforts over the years have resulted in techno-scientific improvements in farming technologies such as floating rafts, net-tubes, long-lines, and cage based IMTA systems for seaweed culture. However, a few challenges remain, particular in identifying potential sites, its demarcation and developing suitable and sustainable spatial plans for seaweed farming on a country-wide, commercial perspective. In view of the emerging importance of seaweed mariculture and policy thrust by the Government of India, an all India preliminary site selection survey suitable for seaweed farming was conducted by ICAR-CMFRI along all maritime states of India. From this survey a total of 23,970 ha area were identified as potential seaweed farming along the Indian coast. In the present article, we present details of the suitable sites and its demarcation on a preliminary spatial map for facilitating the imminent expansion and effective adoption of seaweed farming in the country

Palliative low dose fortnightly methotrexate in oral cancers: Experience at a rural cancer centre from India

Context: Palliative fortnightly chemotherapy in oral cancers. Aims: We present our experience with a regimen employing fortnightly (once in 2 weeks) injectable methotrexate (MTX) (40 mg/m 2 ) in a predominantly elderly cohort of patients with carcinoma of oral cavity and oropharynx. Settings and Design: Retrospective chart review conducted at a rural cancer center in India. Materials and Methods: All patients with oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers started on treatment with fortnightly injectable MTX (40 mg/m 2 ) between 01/01/2011 and 31/12/2011. Statistical Analysis Used: The factors analyzed included the duration of disease control, pain control, overall survival and progression free survival which were evaluated using the Kaplan Meier method. Results: A total of 60 patients with a median age of 66.5 years were analyzed. Majority of the patients had poor nutritional status, performance status or co-morbidities. MTX was given for recurrent disease in 19 patients and after initial palliative radiotherapy in 41 patients. The median number of cycles delivered was nine. Grade 3/4 toxicities were seen in 2 patients only. Disease control rate at the end of treatment was seen in 33 (55%) patients. Median overall survival was 34 weeks (interquartile range: 17-50 weeks). Conclusions: The fortnightly regimen of MTX was well-tolerated and showed a good clinical activity in this elderly cohort of patients with advanced oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers

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Not AvailableYellowfin tuna being one of the commercially important fish species, the quality characteristics were investigated. Yellowfin tuna muscle had 23.18% crude protein and 1.52% crude fat. Tuna protein was well balanced with amino acids and the percentage ratio of essential amino acids to total amino acids was 48.2. Tuna meat was rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Saturated fatty acid (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) contents of raw tuna were 31.19, 8.23 and 58.79%, respectively. n-3/n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio was 6.78, showing that yellowfin tuna meat is rich in n-3 PUFA. The other quality parameters like total volatile base nitrogen (TVBN) and trimethyl amine (TMA) were well within acceptable limits. Primary and secondary lipid oxidation products were also studied. The surface colour parameters and texture of yellowfin tuna meat showed that the samples used in the present study were of good quality.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThe biogenic amines are low molecular weight organic bases present normally in the body with biological activity influencing important physiological functions. The physiological functions of these molecules are achieved by very low concentrations in the tissues. However, significantly high amounts of biogenic amines are produced during processing and storage of seafood as a result of microbial contamination andinadequatestorageconditions.Microorganismshavingdecarboxylase enzyme activity convert amino acids to their respective biogenic amines. Biogenic amines in seafood have been implicated as a major causative agent of food borne illness, where intoxication results from the ingestion of foods containing higher amount of biogenic amines. Hence its identification, quantitation and awareness of this food borne toxin areimportantinrelationtofoodsafetyandspoilage.Theaimof thispaperistoreviewthebasicconceptsofseafoodqualityand safety in relation to biogenic amines along with its control measures and future areas for research.Not Availabl

Enhanced larval survival in orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) using optimized feeding regime

Orange-spotted grouper, ideal finfish for mariculture, is constrained by the non-availability of sufficient seeds due to lower inconsistent larval survival. The present study attempted to establish a reliable larval rearing technique. Larvae fed with un-enriched or enriched rotifers (screened or unscreened) did not survive beyond 13 days post-hatch (DPH). Subsequently, copepod (Parvocalanus crassirostris) nauplii were supplemented at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 ml−1, in addition to enriched and screened rotifers, with live feed density of 12 ml−1, and this resulted in significantly improved survival at first feeding. Significantly higher (39.2%) larval survival on 16 DPH, with minimal size heterogeneity (13.13%), was observed in the group fed a combination of 2 copepod nauplii and 10 rotifers ml−1. However, mass mortality was observed between 18 and 21 DPH; and consequently, adult P. crassirostris were supplemented at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 ml−1 from 16 DPH along with rotifers, Artemia nauplii and artificial feed. Significantly higher larval survival on metamorphosis (40 DPH) was observed in the groups fed with 0.75 (17.71%) and 1 ml−1 (19.50%) P. crassirostris. Larval rearing protocol, with an average survival and length up to metamorphosis of 18.14% and 29.83 mm, respectively, during eleven cycles was developed. With consistent enhanced larval survival, the present study would facilitate mass scale seed production