Acclimation to warm temperatures modulates lactate and malate dehydrogenase isozymes in juvenile Horabagrus brachysoma (Günther)

Differential expression of isozymes enables fish to tolerate temperature fluctuations in their environment. The present study explores the modulation of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase (sMDH) isozyme expression in the heart, muscle, brain, liver, gill, and kidney of juvenile Horabagrus brachysoma after 30 days of acclimation at 26, 31, 33, and 36°C. LDH and sMDH zymography were performed using native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The zymography revealed five distinct bands of LDH isoenzymes (labelled from cathode to anode as LDH-A4, LDH-A3B1, LDH-A2B2, LDH-A1B3, and LDH-B4) and three distinct bands of sMDH isoenzymes (labelled from cathode to anode as sMDH-A2, sMDH-AB, and sMDH-B2), with considerable variation in their expression in the tissues. Acclimation to the test temperatures did not influence the expression patterns of LDH or sMDH isozymes. Densitometric analysis of individual isozyme bands revealed a reduction in the densities of bands containing the LDH-B and sMDH-B molecules, while the densities of bands containing the LDH-A and sMDH-A molecules increased in the gills and muscle, indicating the role of these organs in adaptive responses to thermal acclimation. However, the total densities of the LDH and sMDH isozymes increased with higher acclimation temperatures, indicating that adaptation to increased temperatures in H. brachysoma is primarily characterised by quantitative changes in isozyme expression

Visceral leishmaniasis escaping the diagnosis and withstanding treatment in a case of recurrent pyrexia

Though visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the leading parasitic infection causing deatharound the world after malaria, it is a less suspected cause of pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO). We present a case of a middle aged man who was diagnosed with VL only months later owing to the stealthily masquerading disease as also to a generally low index of suspicion for it. A 59-year-old from Uttarakhand presented to us with complaint of fever of a few weeks duration. He was found to have a bicytopenia with elevated liver enzymes. Routine imaging studies were non-contributory. Cultures revealed candidemia while tests for viral and other atypical infections were negative. A bone marrow examination (BME) revealed haemophagocytosis. Positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT) showed mildly FDG avid hepatosplenomegaly. He was treated as a case of candidiasis with secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and was discharged. He was readmitted months later with recurring fever. Repeat investigations revealed pancytopenia with marked hepatosplenomegaly. A repeat BME, however, revealed Leishmania donovani (LD) bodies. Patient was treated with liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB) and discharged. Though the patient’s symptoms improved soon after, he was again admitted a couple of months later and found to have VL persisting in the BM aspirate. This report underscores the need to extensively evaluate cases of PUO rather than summarily dismissing them as routine. VL is one of the less suspected etiologies despite being the second largest parasitic killer

Are We Nodding for the Noodles? – An Empirical Evidence among the Bengaluru Youth

Noodles available in numerous brands and variants have become popular nowadays in the Indian markets. However, there were setbacks for this industry owing to the blacklist of a few brands by the state authorities and the consequent boycott of those brands by the general public. In this context, this study intends to investigate the factors which affect the purchase decision of consumers of Packaged Foods, especially the Ready-To-Cook noodles. The consumption patterns of the consumers in terms of taste, convenience and availability are also examined.  This exploratory research has been done among the Bengaluru youth in the age group of 20-30 years, and the influence of five major players in this segment - Maggi, Yippee, Ching’s, Top Ramen and Knorr are explored. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is used to understand the differences and variations among the brands. The paper concludes that Ready-To-Cook noodles has not yet got the acknowledgement and acceptance among the youth, though there is an immense potential for growth in this segment in the future. Critical factors that influence the buying decision of consumers are convenience, taste and availability. Consumers believe that noodles category should include more variety at reasonable and affordable prices, which will cater to the demand of this product in future. However, the brands in this study perform satisfactorily on the factors selected. And Maggi is perceived to be the best brand of noodle in terms of price, and Knorr in terms of its variety

HOMOLOGY MODELLING AND MOLECULAR DOCKING STUDY OF ORGANOPHOSPHATES AND PYRETHROIDS IN TERMS OF POTENTIAL TOXICITY

Objective: Though the adverse effects of pesticides used in agriculture may not immediately be visible in the human population however its long term exposure may cause detrimental effects by biomagnifications and bioaccumulation. Nowadays bioinformatics serves as an in silico tool not only for homology alignment but also for prediction of quaternary structures of biochemicals. The present study was aimed to compare the potential toxicities of triazophos and chlorpyrifos (organophosphates; OPs) and cypermethrin and deltamethrin (pyrethroids) and their interactions with cytochrome P450 functioning. Methods: The authors performed the BLAST for homology alignment for cytochrome P450 of human and Zebra fish and further proceeded for docking analysis of all the pesticides with cytochrome P450. Results: It was noted that 99% of query cover with 32% of homology in the sequences of cytochrome P450 between human and Zebra fish. Upon docking, the pesticide deltamethrin showed the highest interaction with cytochrome P450 with highest binding energy and least dissociation constant for Deltamethrin which was found to be 8.233 [kcal/mol] and 922849.687 [pM].Conclusion: Our preliminary results thus encompass/indicate that the deltamethrin is not only having detrimental effect on enzyme kinetics in general but also such similar effects be apprehended for human also

Improved delivery of repaglinide through different polymeric devices

Repaglinide (RGL) loaded polymeric drug delivery devices like microcapsules (MC) and transdermal patches (TDP) were formulated and there in vitro-in vivo parameters compared to find out the best route of drug delivery. The formulations were subjected to various studies like hypoglycemic activity, glucose tolerance and pharmacokinetic studies. The formulation TDP1 having drug-polymer ratio 1:1 showed comparatively higher RGL release and better permeation across mice skin. Comparatively higher RGL content was found in TDP1 (99.6 ± 1.8 %) than MC1 (89.2 ± 2.3 %). From the glucose tolerance test, transdermal route effectively maintained the normoglycemic levels in contrast to the oral group, which produced remarkable hypoglycemia. The significantly high area under curve (AUC) values observed with transdermal system also indicate increased bioavailability of drug from these systems compared to oral route. The transdermal system of RGL exhibited better control of hyperglycemia besides more effectively reversing the complications associated with diabetes mellitus than oral administration in mice.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FERTILIZER INDUSTRY EFFLUENT AND ITS TOXICOLOGICAL IMPACT ON THE ACTIVITY OF ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE (AChE) IN FRESHWATER TELEOSTS Heteropneustes fossilis AND Labeo rohita

Industrijska revolucija je dobar pokazatelj gospodarskog razvoja države, međutim, može biti i prijetnja za floru i faunu ako se u prirodu ispuštaju nepročišćene otpadne vode industrije. Cilj ovog istraživanja je procijeniti toksikološke učinke pročišćenih i nepročišćenih industrijskih otpadnih voda na aktivnost acetilkolinesteraze (AChE) kod Heteropneustes fossilis i Labeo rohita, jestivih riba različitih karakteristika poput razlika u morfologiji, staništu, ishrani, itd. Analizirani su fizikalno-kemijski parametri otpadnih voda kao što su: pH, električna vodljivost (EC), alkalitet, tvrdoća, otopljeni kisik (DO), fosfati, sulfati, nitrati, slobodni amonijak, kloridi, cink, željezo, krom i kalij jer ti parametri nisu bili u rasponu prema ISO smjernicama. Vrijednost LC50 za nepročišćene vode iznosila je 2,34% (v/v) i 0,80% (v/v) tijekom 96 h kod H. fossilis i L. rohita. Smrtnost riba u obrađenim otpadnim vodama nije zabilježena. Tijekom izlaganja subletalnim koncentracijama (1/15, 1/(10 ), 1/5 LC50) kod obje vrste riba aktivnost AChE u metabolički osjetljivim organima (mozak, mišići, škrge) je bila smanjena. Daljnja istraživanja biokemijskih i molekularnih pokazatelja mogla bi približiti mehanizam njihovog djelovanja.Industrial revolution is a good indicator of economic development of a country; however, it can be a threat to the flora and fauna if the untreated effluent of an industry is discharged. The present study is aimed to assess the comparative toxicological impacts of treated and untreated industrial effluents on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in Heteropneustes fossilisand Labeo rohita, the most common edible fishes having diverse characters which include differences in morphology, habitat, food and feeding, etc. The physico-chemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), alkalinity, hardness, dissolved oxygen (DO), phosphate, sulphate, nitrate, free ammonia, chloride, zinc, iron, chromium and potassium of both untreated and treated effluent from the fertilizer industry were also analyzed as these parameters were not in range as per ISO guidelines. The LC50 value for untreated effluent was 2.34% (v/v) and 0.80% (v/v) for 96 h in H. fossilis and L. rohita, respectively, while no mortality was recorded in the treated effluent. The AChE activity in both fish species was found to decline in metabolically responsive organs like brain, muscle and gills through exposure to sub-lethal concentrations (1/15th, 1/10th and 1/5th of LC50 value) of the untreated effluent for 96 h. Further studies on biochemical and molecular aspects may reveal the mechanism of their action

Enzymes of Earthworm as Indicators of Pesticide Pollution in Soil

Abstract The importance of the earthworms in the agricultural practices is well known. The increasing applications of pesticides and chemicals in the agricultural farms have adversely influenced the flora and fauna of the soil. Earthworms which immensely contribute in increasing the quality and fertility of agricultural soil are reported be worst hit organisms under such conditions. Recent reports have indicated growing interests among researchers to explore biochemical and molecular markers as indicators of accumulation of pollutants in the soil in general and pesticides in particular. The varying levels of several biomolecules in different parts of the earthworm have been reported which are indicative of sensitivity of the organisms to different xenobiotics. However, the existing information lacks the literature displaying stock of information regarding the impact of pesticides on the levels of some key enzymes regulating many crucial functions in the earthworm at one place. Keeping in view this issue, it was envisaged to bring out a mini review which illustrates updated information available on the impact of pesticides on the activities of certain key enzymes reported to be responsible for catalysing metabolic pathways concerning the neurotransmission system, energy metabolism, oxidative stress and amino acids metabolism in different body parts of the earthworms, a prospective bioindicators of pesticides contamination in the soil

Wireless Power Transmission

Wireless Power Transmission through inductive coupling is one of the new emerging technologies that will bring tremendous change in human life. Due to shortage of time and fast running life style it is difficult to carry the complete charging set which increases the demand of the wirelessly charged products. Wireless power transfer is one of the simplest and inexpensive ways of charging as it eliminate the use of conventional copper cables and current carrying wires. In this paper, a technique is devised for a wireless power transfer through induction, and a feasible design is modeled accordingly. The technique used in this paper is the inductive coupling as it the easiest method of high efficiency power transfer without using wired medium (eg, transformer). In this paper the result of experiment is given which is done to check wireless working of a simple application by glowing LED, and charging a mobile. Wireless power transfer is not much affected by placing hurdles likes books, hands and plastic between transceiver and receiver. This research work focuses on the study of wireless power transfer for the purpose of transferring cut and dried amount of energy at maximum efficiency