Identification and Characterization of Differentially Expressed Transcripts in the Gills of Freshwater Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) under Salt Stress

The giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, is an economically important species. It is a euryhaline shrimp, surviving in wide-range salinity conditions. A change in gene expression has been suggested as an important component for stress management. To better understand the osmoregulatory mechanisms mediated by the gill, a subtractive and suppressive hybridization (SSH) tool was used to identify expressed transcripts linked to adaptations in saline water. A total of 117 transcripts represented potentially expressed under salinity conditions. BLAST analysis identified 22% as known genes, 9% as uncharacterized showing homologous to unannotated ESTs, and 69% as unknown sequences. All the identified known genes representing broad spectrum of biological pathways were particularly linked to stress tolerance including salinity tolerance. Expression analysis of 10 known genes and 7 unknown/uncharacterized genes suggested their upregulation in the gills of prawn exposed to saline water as compared to control indicating that these are likely to be associated with salinity acclimation. Rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) was used for obtaining full-length cDNA of MRSW-40 clone that was highly upregulated during salt exposure. The sequenced ESTs presented here will have potential implications for future understanding about salinity acclimation and/or tolerance of the prawn

Splenectomy in Sickle Cell Haemoglobinopathies from a Tertiary Hospital of Southern Odisha: A Retrospective Study

Introduction: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a common haemoglobinopathy, where spleen is considered to be the first organ to be involved. Although it initially undergoes enlargement, but most often there occurs autosplenectomy. But in some cases, there is persistence of splenomegaly which may be associated with various complications. In these situations, splenectomy is considered as a good option to mitigate all these morbidities. Aim: To analyse the effect of splenectomy on haematological parameters and complications in patients of SCD in postoperative period. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted at SLN Medical College and Hospital, Koraput, Odisha, India, from April 2019 to March 2021. Total 42 patients of SCD underwent splenectomy. The haematological parameters {Haemoglobin (Hb), Total Leukocyte Count (TLC) and Total Platelet Count (TPC)} and blood transfusion needs were compared in preoperative and postoperative periods and analysed statistically with Student’s t-test. Results: Primary indication of splenectomy was hypersplenism 31 (73.8%) followed by splenic sequestration crisis in 8 patients (19.05%) and splenic abscess in 3 patients (7.1%). Postsplenectomy haemoglobin improvement was around 5.17 gm% (p-value<0.001). Postoperative complication was also minimal, seen in only eight patients, it was mostly due to surgical site infection (n=6) and fever (n=8). Preoperative blood transfusion rate was 9.07±1.92. Blood transfusion requirement rates were also drastically reduced to 0.5±0.707 postsplenectomy in these patients (p-value<0.001). Conclusion: Following splenectomy, the need of blood transfusion was grossly reduced and also, the incidence of its complication was reduced

Snowflake-like Cu-BDC-NH₂/Cu₅₈S₃₂ Binary Nanohybrid for H₂ Evolution and O₂ Reduction

In this study, a nonstoichiometric roxbyite (Cu58S32) phase with nanoplate (np) and snowflake (sf) morphologies was prepared under solvothermal conditions by varying the sulfur source. The Cu58S32 (CS) was subsequently used as a host matrix as well as a copper source for the in situ construction of Cu-BDC-NH2/Cu58S32 (CSM) nanohybrid materials. The regulated growth of Cu-MOF nanoplates over the well-crystalline and radially symmetric hexagonal dendritic structure of Cu58S32 led to the formation of an n–p heterojunction with a large interfacial contact area. Comprehensive characterizations of the nanohybrids unveiled improved light harvesting properties, large electrochemically active surface areas, and synergistic charge mobilization between the constituent semiconductor materials. The surface-aligned ultrathin Cu-MOF nanosheets contained three distinct types of coordinated metal sites involving Cu(II) dimers with a paddle wheel structure and monomeric Cu(II) with a distorted ligand environment. The optimal CSM(sf) hybrid displayed improved photocatalytic activity toward H2 evolution (9343 μmol g–1 h–1) and O2 reduction (2339 μmol g–1 h–1) under solar light simulation with reaction rates 14–20 times greater than pure semiconductors. The strong surface hydrophilic character, distinct morphology, and high redox ability of photogenerated electrons through the S-scheme charge transfer mechanism accounted for the improved activity of the nanohybrid materials

Effect of Vitamin E and Selenium (Se) supplementation in combating summer-induced-heat stress in ducks

Not Availabl