The Bombay duck : stock status and response to exploitation

The Bombay duck fishery supported by a single species, Harpodon nehereus forms a major pelagic resource in Ihe NW coast and about 91 %of the catch is landed along this region. Tlie NE coast contributed 9%. The exploitation is mainly by 'Doi net. The paper reviews its biology, fishery and stock assessment in the range of distribution

Application of synthetic models for the assessment of Bombay duck, Harpodon nehereus (Ham.) stock off the Maharashtra coast

For the formulation of a conceptual basis for future decision process and to evaluate the relation between catch and effort for the Bombay duck stock off the Maharashtra coast linear, exponential, hyperbolic and power formsare considered. The hyperbolic form fitted well to thedata indicating that the relation between catch and effort will be asymptotic within the normal range of effort. The significance of the asymptotic yield model is discussed in relation to dynamic pool model. The conclusions emerging from this study are that chances of biological and economical overfishing are rather remote for the Bombay duck stock off the Maharashtra coast

Bombay duck

The Bombay-duck holds a pride of place in the long established artisanal sector of the northwest and northeast coasts of India. A good or poor harvest of Bombay- duck exercise direct influence upon the livelihood of men and women engaged in this labour intensive sector in the maritime states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. It is an important fish for domestic use and also a valuable export item in dried or laminated form. Fresh extracts from Bombay-duck is believed to have considerable medicinal properties. The fishery is supported by a single species, Harpadon nehereus, popularly known as Bombay-duck in English. In Gujarati, this species is called Bumla, Bumili, Bombil or Bummaloh, in Marathi, Bombil; Cucah Sawahri, Coco mottah in Telugu and Nehere, Lutee or Bombla in Bengali (Fig.1)

Histological correlates of gastro esophageal reflux disease in South Indian population

Background: Diagnosing gastroeosopageal reflux disease (GERD) accurately is a complex problem. This study was conducted to examine the histological findings of GERD in Indian subjects. Esophageal biopsy can be combined with pH monitoring and endoscopy to define the histological damage that occurs due to acid regurgitation. The sensitivity and specificity of the individual findings needs clarity in this clouded area in order to be of use to the pathologist.Methods: A total of 102 patients with dyspepsia were included in this study. Those with heartburn and /or regurgitation were identified as patients with GERD and those without these symptoms were treated as cases of non GERD dyspepsia. Biopsies were taken 2cm above 'Z' line in all cases. The biopsies were read by a single pathologist. Basal cell hyperplasia (BCH), neutrophilic exocytosis (NE), dilated intercellular spaces (DIS), papillary elongation (PE) and lymphoid aggregates (LA), necrosis (NEC) and eosinophilic infiltration were studied. Results: 68 patients had GERD dyspepsia and 34 had non GERD dyspepsia. The histological findings of BCH, NE, PE, DIS, LA were found to be found much more often in patients with GERD symptoms (p values ranged from 0.0001 to 0.0008). We found BCH and papillary elongation together were the most sensitive histological findings. Specificity was highest when DIS combined with NE.Conclusions: In this study we found basal cell hyperplasia is the most common histological finding, and when combined with DIS or papillary elongation enhances its sensitivity. However to exclude other causes of dyspepsia, a combination of DIS, PE and NE can be used effectively.

Present status and role of small scale fisheries of India

India has a coast line of 6100 km and fishing is one of the oldest professions practised by a large section of people living along the coastal areas. About 2000 fishing villages are spread over along the coast line and over 0.32 million active fishermen are engaged in small-scale fisheries, employing indigenous crafts and gear, adopting traditional methods Prior to the introduction of mechanisation in the fifties, the entire marine fish production in the country was by the small-scale sector. At present, the contri bution from this sector is estimated at about 65% of the total marine fish landings in India and 0.5% of the Gross National Product (GNP). The indigenous crafts and gear deployed by this sector represent one of the largest collective private investment in the fishing industry

The Bombay duck

Bombay duck fishery showed declining trend in the earlier half of the seventies, picked up considerably in the latter half and reached the maximum in 1978 and 1979. However, it is seen that in 1979 the average sizes of the fishes landed at the centres of observation in Maharashtra and Gujarat, the two important states contributing to the major part of the Bombay duck fishery of the country, differed considerably. This would perhaps indicate that the fishery of these two states is supported by two independent stocks. Detailed studies for delimitation of stocks, both statistical and serological are necessary to establish the identity of stock

Stock assessment of Bombay duck Harpodon nehereus (Ham.) off Maharashtra coast

The do1 nets contribute the major share to the landing of Bombay duck Hurpodon nehereus. Features of the do1 net fishery, fishing areaand seasonal distribution of the fishery are presented. Biological studies are chiefly confined to food and feeding habits, analysis of maturity stages, sex ratio and length-weight relationship. The lengthat50%maturity was observed as 230 mm. Different spawning cycles were noticed and fecundity evinced alinearincreasewith fish weight. The growth parameters and mortality estimates were made. Assuming terminal exploitation rate as 0.78, the average catch was observed to be 52 213 tonnes. MSY estimated by Thompson and Bell model was 5463 1 tomes and biomass MSY as 76893 tonnes and hence it wasassumed that theBombay duck along the Maharnshtra coast was optimally exploited

Occurrence of ribbonfish in the Indian EEZ

The survey conducted by FORV Sagar Sampada during 1985-91 (90 cruises) revealed the occurrence of ribbonfish in 56 stations out of 904 stations where fishing was conducted. It was reported from 41 stations along the west coast and 14 stations along the east coast. About 14 tonne of ribbonfish was caught in these operations which formed 4.8% of the total fish catch. West coast was more productive and contributed 93.6% of the catch, while the east coast only 6.4%. It abundantly occurred in the southwest, centralwest, northwest and northeast coasts. Depth-wise study revealed that major portion of the catch was obtained from within the 100 m depth zone. The dominant species reported was Trichiurus leptur

HPLC-LIF for early detection of oral cancer

At present, the diagnosis of many cancers relies on the subjective interpretation of morphological changes in biopsy samples. This usually provides only late diagnosis. Early detection, which can provide more successful therapy, is expected to be possible by identification of tumour markers in physiological samples. Immunoassay used at present for this purpose has several drawbacks. It is applicable only for known markers, can usually detect only one marker at a time, and may also fail to detect a marker when there exist conditions, which may mask or prevent the interaction between antigen and the antibody. We have developed a high performance liquid chromatography- laser induced fluorescence (HPLC-LIF) technique to detect and record simultaneously spectra and chromatograms of physiological samples, which will enable the detection of multiple 'markers' in a single physiological sample in a short time. Samples of saliva and serum from normal and oral cancer subjects have been studied with the set up. The present studies show that body fluids like saliva and serum of normal, premalignant and malignant subjects have substantially different protein profiles. By simultaneous recording of the chromatographic peaks and corresponding fluorescence spectra, it is possible to carry out unambiguous discrimination between normal, premalignant and malignant cases even when markers are present in femto/subfemtomole quantities, which should assist in early diagnosis of neoplasia

Comparison of Protocols to Reduce Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Prescribed a Sodium–Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor

OBJECTIVE Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are approved for type 1 diabetes in Europe and Japan, with off-label use in type 1 diabetes in the United States. Although there were no consistent approaches to risk mitigation in clinical trials of these agents, protocols have been developed to try to reduce the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). However, a validated risk mitigation strategy does not exist. We reviewed available DKA risk mitigation protocols to better understand the various strategies currently in use. METHODS We conducted a search of the published medical literature and other medical information sources, including conference presentations, for protocols. We then categorized the information provided into guidance on patient se-lection, initiation of SGLT2 inhibitors, ketone monitoring, necessary patient action in the event of ketosis or DKA, and inpatient treatment of ketosis or DKA. RESULTS Patient selection is generally similar among the protocols, although some require a minimum BMI and insulin dose. All protocols advocate routine measurement of ketones, although some insist on blood ketone tests. Although action steps for ketosis varies, all protocols advocate rapid patient intervention. The importance of evaluating ketones and acid-base balance even in the absence of hyperglycemia is emphasized by all protocols, as is the need to continue administering insulin until ketosis has resolved. CONCLUSION DKA risk mitigation must be pursued systematically in individuals with type 1 diabetes, although the best strategy remains to be determined. Given the ongoing need for adjunctive therapies in type 1 diabetes and current use of SGLT2 inhibitors for this purpose, additional education and research are crucial, especially in the hospital environment, where DKA may not be diagnosed promptly and treated appropriately