Yolk and copper utilisation during embryogenesis of the freshwater prawnCaridina nilotica

Yolk and copper utilisation during embryogenesis of the fresh-water prawnCaridina nilotica var.bengalensis (De Man) have been described. The egg number/brood increased with increase in length as well as volume (L8) of the mother animal. The water content increased from 61·3% (I stage) to 76·4% (III stage) as development proceeded. Fat appeared to be the major source of energy for embryonic metabolism. During development 28·4µg of dry substance were utilised for embryonic metabolism. The pattern of copper absorption followed the trend of salt absorption

Role of endothelial Nox2 NADPH oxidase in angiotensin II-induced hypertension and vasomotor dysfunction

NADPH oxidase (Nox)-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known to be involved in angiotensin II-induced hypertension and endothelial dysfunction. Several Nox isoforms are expressed in the vessel wall, among which Nox2 is especially abundant in the endothelium. Endothelial Nox2 levels rise during hypertension but little is known about the cell-specific role of endothelial Nox2 in vivo. To address this question, we generated transgenic mice with endothelial-specific overexpression of Nox2 (Tg) and studied the effects on endothelial function and blood pressure. Tg had an about twofold increase in endothelial Nox2 levels which was accompanied by an increase in p22phox levels but no change in levels of other Nox isoforms or endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Basal NADPH oxidase activity, endothelial function and blood pressure were unaltered in Tg compared to wild-type littermates. Angiotensin II caused a greater increase in ROS production in Tg compared to wild-type aorta and attenuated acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation. Both low and high dose chronic angiotensin II infusion increased telemetric ambulatory blood pressure more in Tg compared to wild-type, but with different patterns of BP change and aortic remodeling depending upon the dose of angiotensin II dose. These results indicate that an increase in endothelial Nox2 levels contributes to angiotensin II-induced endothelial dysfunction, vascular remodeling and hypertension

Betacellulin Induces Increased Retinal Vascular Permeability in Mice

BACKGROUND: Diabetic maculopathy, the leading cause of vision loss in patients with type 2 diabetes, is characterized by hyper-permeability of retinal blood vessels with subsequent formation of macular edema and hard exudates. The degree of hyperglycemia and duration of diabetes have been suggested to be good predictors of retinal complications. Intervention studies have determined that while intensive treatment of diabetes reduced the development of proliferative diabetic retinopathy it was associated with a two to three-fold increased risk of severe hypoglycemia. Thus we hypothesized the need to identify downstream glycemic targets, which induce retinal vascular permeability that could be targeted therapeutically without the additional risks associated with intensive treatment of the hyperglycemia. Betacellulin is a 32 kD member of the epidermal growth factor family with mitogenic properties for the retinal pigment epithelial cells. This led us to hypothesize a role for betacellulin in the retinal vascular complications associated with diabetes. METHODS AND FINDINGS: In this study, using a mouse model of diabetes, we demonstrate that diabetic mice have accentuated retinal vascular permeability with a concomitant increased expression of a cleaved soluble form of betacellulin (s-Btc) in the retina. Intravitreal injection of soluble betacellulin induced retinal vascular permeability in normoglycemic and hyperglycemic mice. Western blot analysis of retinas from patients with diabetic retinopathy showed an increase in the active soluble form of betacellulin. In addition, an increase in the levels of A disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM)-10 which plays a role in the cleavage of betacellulin was seen in the retinas of diabetic mice and humans. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that excessive amounts of betacellulin in the retina may contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic macular edema

Environmental restraints on the food conversion of cyprinid forage fishes: Influence of availability of food on Rasbora daniconius (Hamilton)

The effects of food availability on the bioenergetics and the body composition of the cyprinid Rasbora daniconius (Ham.) have been described. During the 15-day experimental period, fish in the weight range of 475 to 1660 mg were fed daily on Tubifex tubifex for different durations. The food intake increased from 7·96±2·323 mg dry/fish/day for fish exposed to food for 2 hr to 11·57±0·757 mg dry/fish/day for fish fed ad libitum diet. For the same series of fish, the feeding rate also increased. Growth of fish expressed as mg gain in dry weight/fish/day increased with increases in food intake. However, the food conversion efficiency was highly variable in relation to the daily food intake or feeding rate. © 1980, Indian Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved

Desmidorches Pauciflora (Wight) Decne. (Asclepiadaceae): a new record for Eastern Ghats, India

International audienceDesmidorches Pauciflora (Wight) Decne. is recorded as new for the flora of Eastern Ghats as it was previously reported only Tirunelveli and Travancore hills of Southern Western Ghats, Indi

Comparative studies on the effects of population density on moult production and food conversion in two freshwater prawns

Conspecific population density stress affects moult production and growth of Macrobrachium lanchesteri (Palaemonidae) and Caridina weberi (Atyidae). In either species an intermediate density level of 4 and 8 individuals/151 of freshwater respectively, appears to be ideal for growth. While the effects of increased population densities on the physiological processes of food conversion of either species are comparable, intergeneric variations in the regulation of food intake and growth are evident. © 1984 Indian Academy of Sciences

Effect of temperature on food intake, growth and conversion

The effect of temperature on food intake, growth and conversion efficiency has been studied in the final instar male and female larvae cf Eupterote mollifera. Food consumed, assimilated and metabolised decreased with increase in temperature. The larval duration decreased from 12 days for the group reared at 22° C to 5 days for the group reared at 37δ C. While the rates of feeding, assimilation and conversion increased with increase in temperature, high conversion efficiencies (K1 and K2) were observed for the larvae reared at 27 and 32° C. © 1982 Indian Academy of Sciences

Preliminary investigations on the utilization of tubificid worms by postlarvae of Macrobrachium lanchesteri (de Man)

Postlarvae of Macrobrachium lanchesteri were stocked in confined waters. The larvae were fed on an 'ad libitum' food of Tubifex tubifex worms for 30 days and their rearing has been established. 1 Kg of initially stocked postlarvae need 4.5 Kg of live T. tubifex to produce 0.537 Kg of new flesh. The worms were found to increase the crude protein content of larval flesh by 17 of the dry matter. © 1981 Dr W. Junk b.v. Publishers

Desmidorches Pauciflora (Wight) Decne. (Asclepiadaceae): a new record for Eastern Ghats, India

International audienceDesmidorches Pauciflora (Wight) Decne. is recorded as new for the flora of Eastern Ghats as it was previously reported only Tirunelveli and Travancore hills of Southern Western Ghats, Indi