Rare Chimaeroid and Elasmobranch fishes from the continental slope off the West Coast of India

During exploratory trawling from the upper continental slope in depths between 180 and 450 metres off the West Coast of India, specimens of the Chimreroid fish Neoharriotta pinnata (Schnackenbeck) and the rare elasmobranchs Echinorhinus b"UC11S (Bonnaterrc) and Atractophorus armatus Gilchrist have been obtained. All three are new distributional records for Indian Seas and they are described and illustrate

Hypotheses on the mudbanks

The report gives a critical appraisal of the various hypotheses on the formation and the characteristic calmness of the mudbanks, in the light of the author's findings, with special reference to the Alleppey mudbank. A detailed account on various types of mudbanks along the southwest coast of India is also presented

Diurnal variations in the distribution of zooplankton in relation to currents and other ecological parameters of the mud bank of Alleppey, Kerala

Diurnal variations in the distribution of zooplankton biomass of the mud bank at purakkad-Thottappally region south of Alleppey, Kerala h ave been investigated during May and August, 1975. Along with this, observations on currents, hydrography and phytoplankton productivity were also carried out and their effects upon the zooplankton of the mud bank region were studie

Ecology of mudbanks - The current system at Alleppey mudbank

The knowledge of the water currents in the locality being essential for understanding the causes of forma tion, maintenance, movement and dissipation of mudbanks, the current system over two tidal cycles, one in May, before the formation, and the other in August, toward the end of the mudbank period, in 1975, at Alleppey mudbank was studied. Marked difference in the direction and velocity of the current was noticed between the two occasions. In May the effect of the tides was not noticeable on the direction of the current, which was southerly, whereas in August, though the major current con tinued to be southerly, the speed was considerably reduced due to tidal influence. Introducing thereby a northerly component. Along with the current observations, the diurnal changes in the hydrologica! and biological aspects observed in the mudbank are reported

Ecology of mudbanks - Hydrography

The variations in physical and chemical parameters of the Alleppey mudbank waters are discussed in this paper. The fluctuations in tem perature, salinity, oxygen and the comparatively high nutrient contents of the mudbank waters are highlighted

Source of mud at Alleppey mudbanks: Its distribution and physical and chemical characteristics

The chapter embodies the authors' findings, and the logical conclusions they drew from them, on the mud cones (or 'mud volcanoes') they found In the intertidal zone and on the beach of the Alleppey mudbank region in 1972. Their experiment with regard to these mud cones confirm beyond doubt the viscous nature of the mud that underlies at Allepey, and its being, for all probability, the source of Alleppey mudbank. Similar mud cones observed earlier by some workers are also discussed briefly

Dual mechanism of brain injury and novel treatment strategy in maple syrup urine disease

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is an inherited disorder of branched-chain amino acid metabolism presenting with lifethreatening cerebral oedema and dysmyelination in affected individuals. Treatment requires life-long dietary restriction and monitoring of branched-chain amino acids to avoid brain injury. Despite careful management, children commonly suffer metabolic decompensation in the context of catabolic stress associated with non-specific illness. The mechanisms underlying this decompensation and brain injury are poorly understood. Using recently developed mouse models of classic and intermediate maple syrup urine disease, we assessed biochemical, behavioural and neuropathological changes that occurred during encephalopathy in these mice. Here, we show that rapid brain leucine accumulation displaces other essential amino acids resulting in neurotransmitter depletion and disruption of normal brain growth and development. A novel approach of administering norleucine to heterozygous mothers of classic maple syrup urine disease pups reduced branched-chain amino acid accumulation in milk as well as blood and brain of these pups to enhance survival. Similarly, norleucine substantially delayed encephalopathy in intermediate maple syrup urine disease mice placed on a high protein diet that mimics the catabolic stress shown to cause encephalopathy in human maple syrup urine disease. Current findings suggest two converging mechanisms of brain injury in maple syrup urine disease including: (i) neurotransmitter deficiencies and growth restriction associated with branchedchain amino acid accumulation and (ii) energy deprivation through Krebs cycle disruption associated with branched-chain ketoacid accumulation. Both classic and intermediate models appear to be useful to study the mechanism of brain injury and potential treatment strategies for maple syrup urine disease. Norleucine should be further tested as a potential treatment to prevent encephalopathy in children with maple syrup urine disease during catabolic stress

Monsoon fishery and mud banks of Kerala coast

The south-west monsoon period is generally an offseason for the fisherfolk who use non- mechanised fishing crafts along the west coast of India, on account of the extremely rough con ditions of the sea. However, in some parts of Kerala, areas adjoining the coast become oc casionally very calm due to the formation of mud banks while other coastal areas are highly surf ridden. The calm areas formed near to the shore are of varying extent, from aboutlOkm2 to 25km2 and provide safe harbourage to the non-mech anised crafts when fishing in other regions is almost impossible. Launching and landing of vessels are easy at the mud bank areas

Mud of the mudbank: Its distribution and physical and chemical characteristics

Description of the texture, grain size, thickness and chemical properties, including mineralogical- studies, of the mud in the mudbanks is given. An echosurvey conducted in the mudbank revealed the pattern of distribution of mud and the extent of the area of the mudbank, which would provide answers to problems connected with the formation of the mudbank and the associated calmness