Microbial community composition associated with early developmental stages of the Indian white shrimp, Penaeus indicus.

Gut microbiota is known to influence the physiology, health, nutrient absorption, reproduction, and other metabolic activities of aquatic organisms. Microbial composition can influence intestinal immunity and are considered as health indicators. Information on gut microbial composition provides potential application possibilities to improve shrimp health and production. In the absence of such information for Penaeus indicus, the present study reports the microbial community structure associated with its early developmental stages. Bacterial community associated with the early developmental stages (egg, nauplii, zoea, mysis, PL1, PL6 and PL12) from two hatchery cycles were analysed employing 16S rRNA high throughput sequencing. Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes, were the two dominant phyla in P. indicus development stages. Sequential sampling revealed the constant change in the bacterial composition at genus level. Alteromonas was dominant in egg and nauplii stage, whilst Ascidiaceihabitans (formerly Roseobacter) was the dominant genera in both PL6 and PL12. The bacterial composition was highly dynamic in early stages and our study suggests that the mysis stage is the critical phase in transforming the microbial composition and it gets stabilised by early post larval stages. This is the first report on the composition of microbiota in early developmental stages of P. indicus. Based on these results the formation of microbial composition seems to be influenced by feeding at early stages. The study provides valuable information to device intervention strategies for healthy seed production.

Low-glycemic foods with wheat, barley and herbs (Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellerica and Emblica officinalis) inhibit α-amylase, α-glucosidase and DPP-IV activity in high fat and low dose streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat.

Wheat, barley or wheat + barley and herbs (Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellerica and Emblica officinalis) based low-glycemic-index (low-GI) foods were developed and studied α-amylase, α-glucosidase and DPP-IV inhibition property in vitro and in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The GI of products ranged from 47 to 53 than control white bread (GI = 95). Total phenolic (20.1 ± 1 mg gallic acid/g dry wt.) and flavonoids (15.2 ± 1 mg quercetin/g dry wt.) were higher in wheat + barley than barley (17.2 ± 1; 13.6 ± 2) and wheat (16.9 ± 1; 14.9 ± 2) products. The in vitro α-amylase (4-10%), α-glucosidase (5-17%) and DPP-IV (3-26%) inhibition (IC50) of methanol extracts were higher than the aqueous extracts. The fasting blood glucose (50.85, 33.22 and 24.52%) and oral glucose tolerance (AUC = 32.1, 36.04, and 27.73%) was lower in barley, wheat, and wheat + barley fed diabetic groups than diabetic control group (1571.5 ± 13.5 mg/dL/120 min). Feeding wheat, barley, and W + B foods for 60 days inhibited the intestinal α-amylase (1.2, 1.1 and 1.5-folds), α-glucosidase (1.3, 1.2 and 1.7-folds) and DPP-IV (1.6, 1.5 and 2.1-folds) activity compared to diabetic control. Low-GI foods lower the systemic glucose level, inhibit the glycolytic enzymes and DPP-IV activity and hence desirable for diabetes management. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-021-05231-0.

Abundance, community structure and diversity of nitrifying bacterial enrichments from low and high saline brackishwater environments.

The study reports diversity in nitrifying microbial enrichments from low (0·5-5‰) and high (18-35‰) saline ecosystems. Microbial community profiling of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) enrichments was analysed by sequencing 16S rRNA and was processed using Mothur pipeline. The α-diversity indices showed the richness of nitrifying bacterial consortia from the high saline environment and were clustering based on the source of the sample. AOB and NOB enrichments from both the environments showed diverse lineages of phyla distributed in both groups with 38 and 34 phyla from low saline and 53 and 40 phyla in high saline sources, respectively. At class level, α- and γ-proteobacteria were found to be more dominant in both the enrichments. AOBs and NOBs in enrichments from low saline environments were dominated by Nitrosomonadaceae, Gallionellaceae (Nitrotoga sp.) and Ectothiorhodospiraceae and Nitrospira, respectively. Though Chromatiaceae were present in both AOB and NOB enrichments, Nitrosoglobus and Nitrosococcus dominated the AOBs while NOBs were dominated by uncultured genera, whereas Rhizobiales were found in both the enrichments. AOBs and NOBs in enrichments from high saline environments were dominated by Nitrospira-like AOBs, Nitrosomonas and Nitrosococcus genera, whereas ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) group included Nitrosopumilus and Nitrososphaera genera comprising and Nitrospirae, respectively. The majority of the genera obtained in both the salinities were found to be either uncultured or unclassified groups. Results of the study suggest that the AOB and NOB consortia have unique and diverse microbes in each of the enrichments, capable of functioning in aquaculture systems practised at different salinities (0-60 ppt).

Effect of feeding lipids recovered from fish processing waste by lactic acid fermentation and enzymatic hydrolysis on antioxidant and membrane bound enzymes in rats.

Fish oil recovered from fresh water fish visceral waste (FVW-FO) through lactic acid fermentation (FO-LAF) and enzymatic hydrolysis (FO-EH) were fed to rats to study their influence on lipid peroxidation and activities of antioxidant and membrane bound enzyme in liver, heart and brain. Feeding of FO-LAF and FO-EH resulted in increase (P < 0.05) in lipid peroxides level in serum, liver, brain and heart tissues compared to ground nut oil (control). Activity of catalase (40-235 %) and superoxide dismutase (17-143 %) also increased (P < 0.05) with incremental level of EPA + DHA in diet. The increase was similar to cod liver oil fed rats at same concentration of EPA + DHA. FO-LAF and FO-EH increased (P < 0.05) the Na(+)K(+) ATPase activity in liver and brain microsomes, Ca(+)Mg(+) ATPase in heart microsome and acetylcholine esterase in brain microsomes when fed with 5 % EPA + DHA. There was also significant change in fatty acid composition and cholesterol/phospholipid ratio in microsomes of rat fed with FVW-FO. Feeding FVW-FO recovered by biotechnological approaches enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes in tissues, modulates the activities of membrane bound enzymes and improved the fatty acid composition in microsomes of tissues similar to CLO. Utilization of these processing wastes for the production of valuable biofunctional products can reduce the mounting economic values of fish oil and minimize the environmental pollution problems.

Olive oil improves the intestinal absorption and bioavailability of lutein in lutein-deficient mice.

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of olive (OO), groundnut (GNO), soybean (SBO), sunflower (SFO), rice bran (RBO), corn (CO), palm (PO) oil or mixed micelle (control) on absorption kinetics and bioavailability of lutein in lutein-deficient mice. Additional aim was to correlate the activity of intestinal triacylglycerol lipase with intestinal and plasma lutein levels. METHODS: After induction of lutein deficiency, mice (n = 165) were divided into eight groups (OO, SFO, GNO, RBO, PO, CO, SBO and control; n = 20/group) and the remaining (n = 5) were used as baseline (0 h). Groups were further divided into four subgroups (n = 5/subgroup) and were intubated with lutein (200 µM) dispersed in different vegetable oils. Plasma and tissue (intestine, liver and eyes), lutein, triglycerides, intestinal triacylglycerol lipases and fatty acid profile of plasma and tissues were measured at different time intervals. RESULTS: The percentage area under the curve value for plasma lutein in OO and GNO was higher by 41.8 and 5.1 %, while it was lower in other groups (18.2-53.3 %), when compared to control. Similarly, the percentage area under the curve for eye lutein in OO and GNO groups was higher by 35.2 and 4.8 %, whereas in other groups it was lower (5.4-69 %) than in control. Results show that olive oil facilitates the lutein absorption more compared to other vegetable oils, which may be due to the difference in fatty acid composition and higher activity of intestinal triacylglycerol lipase. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary olive oil rich in oleic acid improves the bioavailability and accumulation of lutein in lutein-deficient mice by modifying the intestinal triacylglycerol lipase activity.

Phages for treatment of Salmonella spp infection.

Salmonella, is one of the bacterial genera having more than 2500 serogroups is one of the most prominent food borne pathogen that is capable of causing disease out breaks among humans and animals. Recent reports clearly shows that this pathogen is evolved and it developed drug resistant towards most of the commercially available antibiotics. In order to overcome this emerging resistance, Bacteriophage therapy is one of the alternative solutions. It is more pathogen specific, high potency, and thereby highly safe for consumption. This chapter discuss about Rapid screening and Detection Methods Associated with Bacteriophage for Salmonella, commercially available phage products and regulatory status, Salmonella endolysins and future prospects of phage therapy.

Distinguishing three Dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.) species grown in Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India using morphological, biochemical and molecular traits.

Dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.), an important tropical fruit belonging to the family Cactaceae, is rich in essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates, dietary fibres and antioxidants. This study aims to distinguish three dragon fruit species well adapted to Andaman and Nicobar Island through morphological (34 quantitative and 26 qualitative traits), biochemical (5 traits) and molecular (14 ISSR primers) characterization. Morphological characterization revealed that presence of considerable amount of genetic variations among them especially for fruit characters viz., colour of peel and pulp. Cladode characters such as number of spines (3-5), length of areoles (mm) as 1-4, margin ribs of cladode (convex or concave) and its waxiness (weak or strong white waxy or light waxy) could be used for identification of three Hylocereus spp. under present study. Highest co-efficient of variation (%) obtained for pulp weight (88.7), whereas, lowest in distance of anthers belowstigma (3.3). Fruit and pulp weight (g) ranged from 26.5-419.3 and 10.3-258.8 with mean value of 204.8 and 125.3, respectively. Comparatively, high phenol (71.3-161.3) and flavonoid (26.6-508.2) content observed in peels than pulp (32.5-130.0 and 45.0-258.2) of fruit indicating higher antioxidant potential. Highest total carotenoids (µg 100 g-1), ß-carotene (µg 100 g-1) and xanthophyll (µg g-1) content obtained in pulp on DGF3 (33.8), DGF4 (55.9) and DGF3 (32.7), whereas, in peel on DGF2 (24.3), DGF4 (18.5) and DGF2 (24.1), respectively. DPPH-based scavenging activity (%) revealed higher scavenging activity of peels (55.6-81.2) than pulp (36.0-75.3) extracts. Comparatively, ABTS-based scavenging activity (%) was found more than DPPH-based one. Sixteen ISSR primers screened, 14 were produced 178 reproducible amplified bands. Number of amplified bands varied from 5 in UBC887 to 19 in UBC811 with an average of 12.71 bands per primer. Range of polymorphic bands and % polymorphism observed were 1-13 and 20.0-92.8, respectively. The polymorphic information content value of ISSR marker ranged from 0.42 (UBC895) to 0.91 (UBC 856). Cluster analysis distinguished three different Hylocereus species on the basis of geographic origin and pulp colour by forming separate groups and two genotypes each showed 52% (DGF1 and DGF3) and 76% (DGF2 and DGF4) genetic similarity. Key traits identified for distinguishing three different Hylocereus species were: Pulp/ peel colour of fruits, number of spines and length of areoles in cladode. Genotypes with high carotenoid and xanthophylls content (DGF4 and DGF2) identified under present study may be of industrial importance for development of nutraceutical products to meet out the vitamin-A deficiency among humans in tropical regions needed future focus.

Prognosticating patients with necrotising otitis externa based on response to treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Necrotising otitis externa (NOE) is a severe infection of the temporal bone. The traditional severity based staging system does not fully prognosticate all patients with NOE. We hypothesise that a patient response staging system would more accurately capture the disease process and guide prognosis. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective notes review of patients diagnosed with NOE from January 2017 to December 2018 in a regional tertiary referral centre. Patient outcomes from our proposed patient response staging system were compared to a modified previously published severity based Gleeson staging system with patients requiring prolonged treatment classified as having a poor outcome. RESULTS: A total of 34 patients were treated for NOE. The majority were male (n=24) and had diabetes (n=25). Patients with the most severe Gleeson staging did not have the worst outcome. Daily delay in resolution of otorrhoea was associated with an increased need for more than six weeks of treatment. Rapid responders are patients who had resolution of otalgia, otorrhoea and C-reactive protein normalisation within 14 days, and all were cured following standard 6 weeks of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The Gleeson staging system was valuable in assessing the extent of disease and all early Gleeson staged patients had good outcomes. However, patients with higher severity staging on the Gleeson system did not necessarily require prolonged treatment. There is a role for a joint approach in staging patients based on both modified Gleeson and treatment response, which would subsequently guide prognosis, duration of treatment and early diagnosis of potential fungal NOE.

Retinol-deficient rats can convert a pharmacological dose of astaxanthin to retinol: antioxidant potential of astaxanthin, lutein, and ß-carotene.

Retinol (ROH) and provitamin-A carotenoids are recommended to treat ROH deficiency. Xanthophyll carotenoids, being potent antioxidants, can modulate health disorders. We hypothesize that nonprovitamin-A carotenoids may yield ROH and suppress lipid peroxidation under ROH deficiency. This study aimed to (i) study the possible bioconversion of astaxanthin and lutein to ROH similar to ß-carotene and (ii) determine the antioxidant potential of these carotenoids with reference to Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, antioxidant molecules, and lipid peroxidation (Lpx) induced by ROH deficiency in rats. ROH deficiency was induced in rats (n = 5 per group) by feeding a diet devoid of ROH. Retinol-deficient (RD) rats were gavaged with astaxanthin, lutein, ß-carotene, or peanut oil alone (RD group) for 7 days. Results show that the RD group had lowered plasma ROH levels (0.3 µmol/L), whereas ROH rose in astaxanthin and ß-carotene groups (4.9 and 5.7 µmol/L, respectively), which was supported by enhanced (69% and 70%) intestinal ß-carotene 15,15'-monooxygenase activity. Astaxanthin, lutein, and ß-carotene lowered Lpx by 45%, 41%, and 40% (plasma), respectively, and 59%, 64%, and 60% (liver), respectively, compared with the RD group. Lowered Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and enhanced superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione-S-transferase activities support the lowered Lpx. To conclude, this report confirms that astaxanthin is converted into ß-carotene and ROH in ROH-deficient rats, and the antioxidant potential of carotenoids was in the order astaxanthin > lutein > ß-carotene.

Influence of personality traits on the intensity of maximum voluntary bite force in adults.

PURPOSE: To determine the Maximum voluntary bite force among patients having different personality traits. METHODS: In total, 323 patients were given the big-five inventory (BFI) questionnaire to fill and allotted to the various personality traits. The patients in the Agreeableness (n = 62) and Neuroticism traits (n = 62) were included in the study. They were categorized into groups as Group 1a - Neuroticism male (41 patients) and Group 1b - Neuroticism Female (21 patients) and Group 2a - Agreeableness male (26 patients) and Group 2b - Agreeableness female (36 patients). Highest value of the maximal voluntary bite force (MVBF) was recorded using FlexiForce sensor (B 201) (Tekscan, USA). The statistical data were analyzed by independent t-test (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The mean bite force values for Neuroticism male was 778.66 N, Agreeableness male was 699 N, Neuroticism female was 686.24 N, and for Agreeableness female was 565.47 N. Statistically significant differences in the bite forces between the male and female groups of both the groups with the males showing significantly higher bite force values in both groups was seen. Also, the bite force in Neuroticism male was significantly higher than Agreeableness male and bite force in Neuroticism female was higher than Agreeableness female. CONCLUSION: In this study, the highest bite force was seen in Neuroticism males. Additionally, this study infers that personality has significant influence on the quantum of bite force. Thus, personality assessment of the patient can assist the clinician in planning the appropriate treatment.

Comparative effects of beta-carotene and fucoxanthin on retinol deficiency induced oxidative stress in rats.

This study aimed at comparing antioxidant potential of fucoxanthin (FUCO) with beta-carotene in relieving lipid peroxidation (Lpx) caused by retinol deficiency (RD) in rats. RD rats (n = 45) were fed a dose of either beta-carotene (0.81 mumol) or FUCO (0.83 mumol). Plasma and liver lipid peroxide levels and activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT) and glutathione transferase (GST) were measured for 8 h. Results revealed that RD increased (P < 0.05) Lpx in plasma and liver by 34.3% and 19.4%, while the CAT activity in plasma (89%) and liver microsomes (91%) and GST in liver homogenate (31%) and liver microsomes (30%) were decreased (P < 0.05) compared to control (rats fed basal diet). FUCO suppressed (P < 0.05) the Lpx level by 7-85% (plasma) and 24-72% (liver) as compared to beta-carotene (51-76%, 33-65%) over a period of 8 h. The activity of CAT in plasma and liver microsomes was higher (P < 0.05) in FUCO (90-95%, 85-93%) and beta-carotene (87-96%, 79-91%) groups as compared to RD group. Similarly, the activity of GST in liver and its microsomes was also elevated (P < 0.05) in FUCO (44-51%, 22-51%) and beta-carotene (19-54%, 30-43%) groups as compared to RD group. Results demonstrate that FUCO has greater potential than beta-carotene in modulating Lpx, CAT, GST in plasma and liver of RD rats.

Identification of carotenoids from green alga Haematococcus pluvialis by HPLC and LC-MS (APCI) and their antioxidant properties.

Haematococcus pluvialis, a green alga accumulates astaxathin upto 2-3% on dry weight basis. In the present study, identification of carotenoids from Haematococcus cyst cell extract by HPLC and LC-MS (APCI) and their antioxidant properties were evaluated in vitro model systems. The extract exhibited 89% and 78% antioxidant activity in beta-carotene linoleate model, and hydroxyl radical scavenging model at 9 ppm of total carotenoid respectively. The extract also showed 80%, 85% and 79% antioxidant activity against lipid peroxidation in kidney, brain and liver of rats. Low-density lipoprotein oxidation induced by Cu2+ ions also protected (45%, 64% and 75%) by the extract in a dose dependent manner with different carotenoid levels. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances concentration in the blood, liver, and kidney of rat was also significantly (p<0.005) decreased in H. pluvialis treated rats. Potent antioxidant activity is attributable to various carotenoids present in the extract.

Nodular regenerative hyperplasia of liver.

Nodular regenerative hyperplasia of the liver (NRHL) is a very rare cause of portal hypertension and liver failure. The condition is characterized by diffuse micronodular transformation of hepatic parenchyma without fibrous septa between the nodules. We present our experience with a 32-year-old woman who presented with recurrent episodes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding associated with massive splenomegaly who was subsequently found to have NRHL. This article considers the salient aspects of this rare condition, how it affects the patients and the options available in its management. A plea is made for the need for liver biopsy for all patients with portal hypertension especially those being considered for surgery.

Do the progesterone receptors have a role to play in gallbladder cancer?

BACKGROUND: Gallstone disease as well as gallbladder cancer are more common in women and female sex hormones may be involved in their etiology. AIM AND METHODS: To determine whether female sex hormones have a role in the pathogenesis, of gallbladder carcinoma and in its prognosis, we estimated, by enzyme immunoassay, the estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PgR) in the gallbladders of 21 patients with gallbladder cancer, 19 patients with cholelithiasis, and 6 patients who underwent incidental removal of essentially normal gallbladder as a component of wider resection. RESULTS: ER were present in the gallbladder mucosa in all the three groups in proportions which were not significantly different (9/21 in carcinoma, 4/19 in gallstones, and 1/6 normal), whereas the expression of PgR was greater in carcinomas (13/18), less in cholelithiasis (4/12), and absent in normal gallbladders. PgR expression was higher in tumors of lower stage (7/7) and lower in advanced disease stage IV tumors (6/11). PgR expression was associated with better disease stage (p=0.05) and significantly longer overall survival (median survival of 301 d vs 54 d) as well as better survival within the same stage (269 d vs 54 d for stage IV disease, p=0.011). Cox's regression analysis showed that PgR was an independent risk factor (R=0.2283, p=0.0035). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the female sex hormones may have a role in the pathogenesis of gallbladder cancer and that PgR expression has a prognostic significance. We believe that when this relationship is reaffirmed by larger studies, gallbladder cancer may be treated with appropriate sex hormonal manipulation.

Bone Tissue Engineering with Multilayered Scaffolds-Part I: An Approach for Vascularizing Engineered Constructs In Vivo.

Obtaining functional capillaries through the bulk has been identified as a major challenge in tissue engineering, particularly for critical-sized defects. In the present study, a multilayered scaffold system was developed for bone tissue regeneration, designed for through-the-thickness vascularization of the construct. The basic principle of this approach was to alternately layer mesenchymal stem cell-seeded nanofibers (osteogenic layer) with microfibers or porous ceramics (osteoconductive layer), with an intercalating angiogenic zone between the two and with each individual layer in the microscale dimension (100-400 µm). Such a design can create a scaffold system potentially capable of spatially distributed vascularization in the overall bulk tissue. In the cellular approach, the angiogenic zone consisted of collagen/fibronectin gel with endothelial cells and pericytes, while in the acellular approach, cells were omitted from the zone without altering the gel composition. The cells incorporated into the construct were analyzed for viability, distribution, and organization of cells on the layers and vessel development in vitro. Furthermore, the layered constructs were implanted in the subcutaneous space of nude mice and the processes of vascularization and bone tissue regeneration were followed by histological and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. The results indicated that the microenvironment in the angiogenic zone, microscale size of the layers, and the continuously channeled architecture at the interface were adequate for infiltrating host vessels through the bulk and vascularizing the construct. Through-the-thickness vascularization and mineralization were accomplished in the construct, suggesting that a suitably bioengineered layered construct may be a useful design for regeneration of large bone defects.

Abdominal magnetic resonance angiography: principles and practical applications.

Abdominal magnetic resonance (MR) angiography has become a robust technique for evaluation of the aorta and its major branch vessels. Its safety and accuracy make MR angiography an ideal choice for screening and diagnostic angiography of the abdominal aorta and renal and visceral arteries; however, interventional procedures (i.e., angioplasty and stenting) still require conventional digital subtraction angiography. This article focuses on practical applications of abdominal MR angiography that have been made possible by recent technological advances in MR hardware and software.

Supplementation and delivery of n-3 fatty acids through spray-dried milk reduce serum and liver lipids in rats.

Indian diets comprising staples such as cereals, millets, and pulses provide 4.8 energy % from linoleic acid (18:2n-6) but fail to deliver adequate amounts of n-3 FA. Consumption of long-chain n-3 PUFA such as EPA (20:5n-3) and DHA (22:6n-3) is restricted to those who consume fish. The majority of the Indian population, however, are vegetarians needing additional dietary sources of n-3 PUFA. The present work was designed to use n-3 FA-enriched spray-dried milk powder to provide n-3 FA. Whole milk was supplemented with linseed oil to provide alpha-linolenic acid (LNA, 18:3n-3), with fish oil to provide EPA and DHA, or with groundnut oil (GNO), which is devoid of n-3 PUFA, and then spray-dried. Male Wistar rats were fed the spray-dried milk formulations for 60 d. The rats given formulations containing n-3 FA showed significant increases (P < 0.001) in the levels of LNA or EPA/DHA in the serum and in tissue lipids as compared with those fed the GNO control formulation. Rats fed formulations containing n-3 FA had 30-35% lower levels of serum total cholesterol and 25-30% lower levels of serum TAG than control animals. Total cholesterol and TAG in the livers of rats fed the formulations containing n-3 FA were lower by 18-30% and 11-18%, respectively, compared with control animals. This study showed that spray-dried milk formulations supplemented with n-3 FA are an effective means of improving dietary n-3 FA intake, which may decrease the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease.

Value of serum CEA and AFP in the diagnosis and prognosis of carcinoma gallbladder.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The poor prognosis of carcinoma of the gallbladder (CAGB) is attributable to delayed presentation in the absence of specific clinical findings in the early stages. To ascertain whether the commonly available serum tumour markers (carcino-embryonic antigen-CEA and alpha foeto protein-AFP) could be used for distinguishing CAGB from other biliary disorders and in assessing the prognosis of patients with CAGB, serum levels of these markers in patients with CAGB and those with cholelithiasis were studied. METHODS: Estimation of serum CEA in 28 patients with CAGB and 30 patients with cholelithiasis and AFP in some of these cases was done by enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: The mean values of CEA and AFP were 15.1 ng/ml and 166.5 ng/ml respectively for the CAGB group and 12.6 ng/ml and 166.5 ng/ml respectively for the cholelithiasis group. There was no statistical difference between the groups (p > 0.05). These markers did not show any statistically significant correlation with the stage of disease or length of survival in the patients with CAGB. CONCLUSION: Serum levels of CEA and AFP do not have any diagnostic or prognostic significance in the management of CAGB.

Spontaneous cholecysto-cutaneous fistula mimicking postoperative scar sinus.

Although biliary fistulae are common, spontaneous biliary fistulae are very rare. Even more rare are spontaneous cholecysto-cutaneous fistulae. A case of spontaneous cholecysto-cutaneous fistula presenting through an abdominal scar mimicking a postoperative scar sinus is presented, the literature is reviewed and the reasons for occurrence of such a fistula are discussed.

Sub chronic toxicity studies of lactulose in rats.

Lactulose has profound health benefits by way of increasing bifidobacterial flora in the intestine of infants thereby protecting them against enteric infection, constipation and systemic encephalopathy. In the present study to assess the sub chronic toxicity of lactulose syrup, the rats were fed on a basal feed supplemented with lactulose syrup at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 5.0% for a period of 21 weeks. Monitoring of food consumption, gain in body weight and physical observations did not reveal any treatment-related toxicity in any of the group of rats. Terminal autopsy also did not reveal any signs of toxicity. Further, no significant alterations in relative organ weight, serum biochemistry and urinalysis were observed up to 1% lactulose supplementation level. The results suggest that supplementation of lactulose in the diet does not produce any toxicity at the doses tested.