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Not AvailableExtensive researches are in progress to explore the deep sea resources in our planet to conquer the dilemma and diminish the size of malnourished community. Nowadays the limelight has been broadened toward the deeper ocean. In the present study the nutrient profiling of two deep sea fish species (Neoepinnula orientalis and Chlorophthalmus corniger) was compared with a well-known edible brackish water fish (Scatophagus argus). The deep sea fish of interest (N. orientalis and C. corniger) were observed to possess relatively similar quantities of crude protein (18.6 ± 0.9 and 19.4 ± 0.9% respectively) as that of S. argus (20.4 ± 0.8%). The fat content of N. orientalis is commensurate with that of spotted scat, whereas C. corniger was found to contain very high fat content (14.6 ± 0.7%). Though their amino acid composition display slight variation with that of the brackish water fish, the deep sea fish were analyzed to contain significant amount of the essential amino acids viz. lysine, phenyl alanine, histidine, as well as the non essential amino acids aspartate, arginine, serine, glutamate, proline, glycine, alanine. The studies have also conceded that the fish from deep waters are the comparable sources of minerals, with those of the brackish water fish. Among the three fish of interest N. orientalis was noticed to be the richest source of sodium (5746 ± 27 mg kg−1), potassium (3438 ± 19 mg kg−1), calcium (4247 ± 16 mg kg−1) and magnesium (2253 ± 21 mg kg−1). Meanwhile, C. corniger is having highest levels of iron (120 ± 1.5 mg kg−1) and zinc (135 ± 2.8 mg kg−1), whereas S. argus was found to have the highest levels of manganese (35.8 ± 2.8 mg kg−1) and nickel (10.1 ± 0.8 mg kg−1). The level of cadmium in N. orientalis (0.75 ± 0.01 mg kg−1) was demonstrated to be slightly higher than the prescribed limit. The present study has revealed that both deep sea fish of interest exhibit an analogous nutritive value with that of the common edible brackish water fish, S. argus.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableA fish species belongs to Bembrops family (Perciforms: Perchophidae) with unique fluorescence is reported for the first time from Arabian Sea, India. DNA barcoding performed using NCBI database has confirmed that it is a new species in Bembrops genus. This species may be considered as new introduction to the Arabian Sea. This record explains the exclusivity of the species.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThough globally squid is considered as a delicious seafood item, the biochemical composition of deep sea squid species especially Mastigoteuthis flammea available in Arabian Sea is scanty. In the present study, we have investigated the proximate composition, amino acid composition and fatty acid profiling of M. flammea caught from Arabian Sea. The moisture, crude protein, crude lipid and ash contents of the squid were 60.20 g/100g, 23.13g/100 g, 17.05g/100 g, and 1.61g/100 g respectively. The squid species was found to contain the essential and non-essential amino acids in a balanced proportion, which is an essential criterion for attenuating protein deficiency related malnutrition disorders. Interestingly, its body oil was found to comprised of healthcare important n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in considerable quantities. The results of the present study suggest that the deep sea squid M. flammea can be considered as a potential resource of nutrients required for the normal maintenance of human health.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableSeafood is an excellent source of metabolically essential proteins, vitamins, trace elements and polyunsaturated fatty acids. There is a rising awareness of the beneficial role of fish and other marine foods in human nutrition. The knowledge regarding the nutritional significance of fish in counteracting the malnutrition and age-associated chronic diseases are relatively scanty. In this present study, an attempt has been made to examine the proximate composition, amino acid profile and fatty acid composition of small pelagic fishes (sardine, mackerel and anchovy) available in Indian south-west coast waters. The biochemical parameters were determined using standard experimental protocols. The low value small pelagic fishes are found to be rich sources of ω-3 Fatty acids [eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) & docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)], which are very much essential for the development of brain and heart tissues. Sardine and mackerel possess all the essential and non-essential amino acids in a balanced proportion capable of ameliorating the protein deficiency disorders. The non-protein amino acid taurine essential for various physiological functions was also found to be present in rich quantities in small pelagic fishes. Presence of sulphur containing amino acids cysteine and methionine and high histidine content adds functionality to the nutritional value of small pelagic fish protein. Anchovies and sardine are valuable sources of calcium, which can effectively be used to combat calcium deficiency in children. The result of the present study has indicated that small pelagic fishes [sardine, mackerel and anchovy] are potential sources of attenuating malnutrition-related diseases and age-associated disorders.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableBeing a natural biopolymer having excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, chitosan and its derivatives are extensively used for biomedical, agricultural and other healthcare applications. Chemical modifications made to chitosan can make it more or less toxic and can modulate biodegradation rate. In this study, composite polymeric films of chitosan were made by conventional solvent casting method followed by vacuum drying. In vivo biocompatibility and biodegradation were evaluated by subcutaneous implantation of the developed polymeric films in experimental rats. Briefly, the animals were divided into five groups of two animals each, namely, chitosan, chitosan/chondroitin sulfate, CZC chitosan/ zinc acetate/chondroitin sulfate, chitosan/zinc acetate and polypropylene control. Subcutaneous incision of 1 cm2 was made on the dorsal side of rats and the developed films were inserted in respective groups under sterile conditions after giving proper anesthesia. The wounds were sutured and animals were carefully monitored for any adverse pathological changes. No visible signs of tissue damage or inflammation were observed during the evaluation period. Body weight was monitored on weekly basis, and the animals were sacrificed after two months. The implanted material along with the surrounding tissue was excised and evaluated. Gross observation and histopathological evaluation of the excised tissue along with the implanted film showed absence of inflammatory cells and non- toxic nature of the biomaterial in all experimental groups except in polypropylene control. Masson’s trichrome staining exhibited collagen deposition around the implanted material which indicates favorable tissue response and biocompatibility. Better tissue biocompatibility was observed for composite polymeric films compared to bare chitosan film. It was interesting to note that the architecture of implanted chitosan-zinc acetate-Chondroitin sulphate film showed enhanced biodegradation during the course of tissue regeneration.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableToday most of the population especially children and elderly persons are suffering from nutritional deficiency disorders due to non-availability or scarcity of nutritionally balanced diet. The nutrient research world is mainly focusing this problem to find out a solution especially for malnutrition. Deep sea is a potential source of different fish varieties and the effective exploitation and utilization of the same will be helpful to boost up the status of nutrient rich diet for human consumption. As an attempt to diminish the above difficulty a comparative study has been made on the nutritional status of two abundantly available deep sea fishes (Parascolopsis tanyactis and Beryx splendens) with Sardinella longiceps; commonly available fish species of Indian coasts. Those species were inspected for their proximate composition and mineral status to find whether they could be a curative source for deficiency diseases in suffering population. The result of the study reveals that the selected fish species are rich in minerals which play vital roles in different physiological activities and are in a comparable level to that of common nutrient rich food fish sardine. So the effective utilization of those fishes may be helpful to trim down the human health problems.Not Availabl

Creativity in Indian Science

This paper reports the findings of a preliminary inquiry which is part of a larger project on creativity among Indian scientists from a psychological perspective. The aim of the project is to explore the scientists' cognitive and emotional ap proaches to work, to understand their personality pattern and to examine the psychosocial influences which have shaped them. The preliminary inquiry in cluded a review of literature and an open-ended interview with 20 scientists who were asked about their definition of creativity, their understanding of creative processes and the personality characteristics of creative people. In addition, infor mation pertaining to the impact of Indian culture on creativity and child rearing practices and codes of interpersonal relationship in India was also elicited. Inter view findings were subjected to a qualitative analysis, critically examining the scientists' views against the available literature on Indian character