Studies on some aspects of biology and ecology of coral reef fishes of Lakshadweep with observations on other coral reef ecosystems in the seas around India

The prelude for this study was an investigation conducted by me in 1988 - '89 on the bionomics of three marine ornamental fishes from Lakshadweep which emboided results of research mainly concerning biological aspects of feeding and reproduction. Motivated by the richness of reef fishes, their fascinating relationships evident from casual observations and from the basics obtained previously, it was considered desirable to undertake investigations on a broader scale which might open up a nearly dormant field of fisheries science in India

Coral reef fish abundance and diversity of seagrass beds in Kavaratti atoll, Lakshadweep, India

The community organization of coral reef fishes in the seagrass sub-habitat of Kavaratti toll, Lakshadweep, India was studied during the period from January 1991 to June 1992. Twenty-seven families represented by 65 species were recorded by the visual censes method. The community diversity for families and species was 2.49 and 3.14 respectively. Juveniles and sub-adults of the most adult reef fish, which inhabit other sub-habitats, were recorded here. The high species diversity in the seagrass beds is due to their roles as nurseries, shelter and foraging grounds for many species. Labridae, Chaetodontidae, Acanthuridae and Mullidae were the most speciose families. Ocurrence of siganids was highly seasonal. The cover that seagrass canopy provides conceals many species and perhaps influenced counts. The occurrence of balistids could be related to the presence of interstitial and patches and abundant invertebrate food. Scorpaenids subsisted on abundant invertebrates and juveniles fishes. High counts and pronounced variations make seagrass beds unstable habitats. However, monsoon assemblages were relatively stable perhaps due to lack of excessive new recruits and a habitat shift by most species

Habitat distribution and species diversity of coral reef fishes in the reefslope of the Kavaratti atoll, Lakshadweep, India

Habitat distribution and species diversity of coral reef fishes in the reef slope of Kavaratti atoll was studied by the visual census method during January 1991 to June 1992. Twenty seven families represented by 121 species, the highest for any sub-habitat of the atoll were recorded. The community diversity, also the highest both for families and species was 3.32 and 4.45 respectively. Family assemblages were not stable between censuses and pre-monsoon, mon- soon and post-monsoon seasons. Labridae, Chaetodontidae, Balistidae, Pomacentridae and Acanthuridae were the most specious families. Low abundance of coral feeders indicated unhealthy reef condition. While dominance of some surgeonfish indicated availability of al- gal food, balistids provided clues for topographic complexity

Community organization of coral reef fishes in the rubble sub-habitat of Kavaratti Atoll, Lakshadweep, India

A visual census of the coral reef fishes, conducted during January 1991 to June 1992, indicated the occurrence of 64 species belonging to fifteen families in the rubble sub-habitat of Kavaratti A toll (Lat. 10°33'N; Long. 7Z038'E) in Lakshadweep. The community diversity for families and species was 2.68 and 3.58 respectively. Family assemblages were not stable during different seasons. Labridae and pomacentridae made use of the rubble zone efficiently. Pomacentrids were characteristically site attached but varied in relative abundance. Rhinecanthus aculeatus among balistids depended on rubble for food and nesting sites. The occurrence of chaetodontids was due to their flexible feeding habits, in the absence of coral cover. Availability of food strongly determined the distribution of the surgeonfish, Acanthurus triostegus. The abundant turf algae harbored by rubble attracted schools of sub-adult herbivores resulting in variations

Community organization of reef fishes in the live coral sub-habitat of Kavaratti atoll, Lakshadweep, India

Data on the community organization of coral reef fishes of Kavaratti atoll, Lakshadweep, India were collected during the period January 1991 to June 1992. Species were enumerated by visual census on the live coral sub-habitat for frequency of occurrence, abundance, composition, diversity, evenness and seasonal variation in community parameters. As the live coral zone was composed of a single species of ramose coral (Acropora formosa), only 14 families and 39 species of reef fishes made use of this zone, the community diversity being 1.84 and 3.16. Chaetodontids, labrids and pomacentrids were comparatively more abundant. Varying habitats of chaetodontids explain their restricted distribution. Live coral does not seem to be a preferred habitat of labrids. The occurrence of epinephelids was influenced by readily available prey. Most species among live coral were resident, variations resulted from factors affecting new recruits rather than habitat shifts

Occurrence of juvenile fishes on the seagrass beds of Kavaratti Atoll, Lakshadweep, India

In the atolls of Lakshadweep, juveniles of Acanthuridae and Labridae were most abundant on seagrass beds, the former during pre-monsoon and postmonsoon periods and the latter in pre-monsoon. Schooling species showed variable recruitment. Non-schooling species were rare. Peak settlement was observed during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Continuous occurrence of juveniles in different size ranges confirms the continuous spawning habits. Chaetodontids and holocentrids occurred consistently round the year. Seasonality in occurrence was most pronounced in Carangidae and Siganidae, but not so in Apogonidae, Lutjanidae and Mullidae. Seasonal abundance of juveniles was influenced by summer peaks, timing and magnitude of settlement, adult spawning and local migrations. Abundance of larvae increased with salinity. Juvenile abundance, independent of environmental parameters seemed to be controlled by seasons, tides and currents. Lunar phases and abundance of juveniles were found to be co-related

Reproductive biology of some common coral reef fishes of the Indian EEZ

The reproductive biology of some common coral reef fishes from the Lakshadweep ( 8" to 12"N and 71" 45' to 73"45'E) and the Gulf of Mannar (8"48' to 9"14'N and 799' to 79O14'E) in the Indian EEZ during January 1991 to June 1992 is reported. Protogyny was prominent in labrids, while other species either matured synchronously or differentially, with males maturing earlier or later than females. Sex-ratio indicated that females were dominant in most species. Fecundity estimates varied greatly, from 700 to 2,25,850 ova per female. Whenever the environment is favourable the coral reef fish spawn on a daily, weekly, fortnightly and monthly basis. Total fecundity per year, therefore, is presumably very high. Most species appeared to be perennial spawners, some showed small breaks, while very few indicated biannual spawning. Continuous occurrence of juveniles in different size ranges confirmed the continuous spawning habits. Spawning activity was minimum during monsoon seasons, evidently an adaptation to tide over adverse environmental conditions prevailing at that time lest the eggs and larvae are transported far and wide. This was corroborated by peak settlement during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons

Varespladib and cardiovascular events in patients with an acute coronary syndrome: the VISTA-16 randomized clinical trial

IMPORTANCE: Secretory phospholipase A2(sPLA2) generates bioactive phospholipid products implicated in atherosclerosis. The sPLA2inhibitor varespladib has favorable effects on lipid and inflammatory markers; however, its effect on cardiovascular outcomes is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of sPLA2inhibition with varespladib on cardiovascular outcomes. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A double-blind, randomized, multicenter trial at 362 academic and community hospitals in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, India, and North America of 5145 patients randomized within 96 hours of presentation of an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) to either varespladib (n = 2572) or placebo (n = 2573) with enrollment between June 1, 2010, and March 7, 2012 (study termination on March 9, 2012). INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized to receive varespladib (500 mg) or placebo daily for 16 weeks, in addition to atorvastatin and other established therapies. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary efficacy measurewas a composite of cardiovascular mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), nonfatal stroke, or unstable angina with evidence of ischemia requiring hospitalization at 16 weeks. Six-month survival status was also evaluated. RESULTS: At a prespecified interim analysis, including 212 primary end point events, the independent data and safety monitoring board recommended termination of the trial for futility and possible harm. The primary end point occurred in 136 patients (6.1%) treated with varespladib compared with 109 patients (5.1%) treated with placebo (hazard ratio [HR], 1.25; 95%CI, 0.97-1.61; log-rank P = .08). Varespladib was associated with a greater risk of MI (78 [3.4%] vs 47 [2.2%]; HR, 1.66; 95%CI, 1.16-2.39; log-rank P = .005). The composite secondary end point of cardiovascular mortality, MI, and stroke was observed in 107 patients (4.6%) in the varespladib group and 79 patients (3.8%) in the placebo group (HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.02-1.82; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In patients with recent ACS, varespladib did not reduce the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events and significantly increased the risk of MI. The sPLA2inhibition with varespladib may be harmful and is not a useful strategy to reduce adverse cardiovascular outcomes after ACS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01130246. Copyright 2014 American Medical Association. All rights reserved

Establishing Human Lacrimal Gland Cultures with Secretory Function

PURPOSE: Dry eye syndrome is a multifactorial chronic disabling disease mainly caused by the functional disruptions in the lacrimal gland. The treatment involves palliation like ocular surface lubrication and rehydration. Cell therapy involving replacement of the gland is a promising alternative for providing long-term relief to patients. This study aimed to establish functionally competent lacrimal gland cultures in-vitro and explore the presence of stem cells in the native gland and the established in-vitro cultures. METHODS: Fresh human lacrimal gland from patients undergoing exenteration was harvested for cultures after IRB approval. The freshly isolated cells were evaluated by flow cytometry for expression of stem cell markers ABCG2, high ALDH1 levels and c-kit. Cultures were established on Matrigel, collagen and HAM and the cultured cells evaluated for the presence of stem cell markers and differentiating markers of epithelial (E-cadherin, EpCAM), mesenchymal (Vimentin, CD90) and myofibroblastic (α-SMA, S-100) origin by flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. The conditioned media was tested for secretory proteins (scIgA, lactoferrin, lysozyme) post carbachol (100 µM) stimulation by ELISA. RESULTS: Native human lacrimal gland expressed ABCG2 (mean±SEM: 3.1±0.61%), high ALDH1 (3.8±1.26%) and c-kit (6.7±2.0%). Lacrimal gland cultures formed a monolayer, in order of preference on Matrigel, collagen and HAM within 15-20 days, containing a heterogeneous population of stem-like and differentiated cells. The epithelial cells formed 'spherules' with duct like connections, suggestive of ductal origin. The levels of scIgA (47.43 to 61.56 ng/ml), lysozyme (24.36 to 144.74 ng/ml) and lactoferrin (32.45 to 40.31 ng/ml) in the conditioned media were significantly higher than the negative controls (p<0.05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSION: The study reports the novel finding of establishing functionally competent human lacrimal gland cultures in-vitro. It also provides preliminary data on the presence of stem cells and duct-like cells in the fresh and in-vitro cultured human lacrimal gland. These significant findings could pave way for cell therapy in future

Cyclodextrin Complexes of Reduced Bromonoscapine in Guar Gum Microspheres Enhance Colonic Drug Delivery

Here, we report improved solubility and enhanced colonic delivery of reduced bromonoscapine (Red-Br-Nos), a cyclic ether brominated analogue of noscapine, upon encapsulation of its cyclodextrin (CD) complexes in bioresponsive guar gum microspheres (GGM). Phase−solubility analysis suggested that Red-Br-Nos complexed with β-CD and methyl-β-CD in a 1:1 stoichiometry, with a stability constant (Kc) of 2.29 × 103 M−1 and 4.27 × 103 M−1. Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy indicated entrance of an O−CH2 or OCH3−C6H4−OCH3 moiety of Red-Br-Nos in the β-CD or methyl-β- CD cavity. Furthermore, the cage complex of Red-Br-Nos with β-CD and methyl-β-CD was validated by several spectral techniques. Rotating frame Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy revealed that the Ha proton of the OCH3−C6H4−OCH3 moiety was closer to the H5 proton of β-CD and the H3 proton of the methyl-β-CD cavity. The solubility of Red-Br-Nos in phosphate buffer saline (PBS, pH ∼ 7.4) was improved by ∼10.7-fold and ∼21.2-fold when mixed with β-CD and methyl-β-CD, respectively. This increase in solubility led to a favorable decline in the IC50 by ∼2-fold and ∼3-fold for Red-Br-Nos−β-CD-GGM and Red-Br-Nos−methyl-β-CD-GGM formulations respectively, compared to free Red-Br-Nos−β-CD and Red-Br-Nos−methyl-β-CD in human colon HT-29 cells. GGM-bearing drug complex formulations were found to be highly cytotoxic to the HT-29 cell line and further effective with simultaneous continuous release of Red-Br-Nos from microspheres. This is the first study to showing the preparation of drug-complex loaded GGMS for colon delivery of Red-Br-Nos that warrants preclinical assessment for the effective management of colon cancer