Optimization of weaning strategy in the climbing perch (Anabas testudineus, Bloch 1792) larvae on growth, survival, digestive, metabolic and stress responses.

A 30-day experiment was carried out to know responses of different weaning approaches to the growth and survival of Anabas testudineus larvae. A total of 10800 larvae (Avg. weight 0.016 ± 0.03 mg; 3DPH) were randomly distributed in nine treatments (triplicates), including two controls. The strategies are as follows: C1 (Control I): feeding with live food (LF) for 30 days and C2 (Control II): feeding with microparticulate diet (MPD) for 30 days; T1: LF for 5 days and MPD for next 25 days; T2: LF for 10 days and MPD for next 20 days; T3: LF for 15 days and MPD for next 15 day; T4: LF for 20 days and MPD for next 10 days; T5: LF for 25 days and MPD for next 5 days; T6: LF for 5 days, then 25% LF replacement by MPD for next 5 days, 50% LF replacement by MPD for next 5 days, 75% LF replacement by MPD for next 5 days, and 100% LF replacement by MPD for last 10 days; and T7: LF for 10 days, then 25% LF replacement by MPD for next 5 days, 50% LF replacement by MPD for next 5 days, 75% LF replacement by MPD for next 5 days, and 100% LF replacement by MPD for last 5 days. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher WG and SGR were recorded in T2 (213.17 ± 0.32, 23.98 ± 0.02) followed by T6, whereas the lowest was found in C2. Significantly higher (p < 0.05) percentage survival was manifested in the T7 (31.83 ± 0.22), followed by T2 (24.75 ± 0.13), and the lowest survival was observed in the C2. The digestive enzyme activities were found to be non-significant (p > 0.05) between different treatment groups. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) were reported to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) in C2 (68.52 ± 0.08, 19.55 ± 0.10, 21.79 ± 0.04, and 0.044 ± 0.01) followed by T1; however, their reduced level was observed in C1. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glucose, and cortisol levels was observed significantly (p < 0.05) higher in C2 and lower in C1 and T2. As per the finding, it can be recommended that the appropriate weaning time for A. testudineus larvae is from 13 DPH onwards, in which larvae can be fed an initial ten days LF afterward MPD and the best weaning strategy can be adopted as in the T7 group for higher survival percentage.

Synthesis and Characterization of Coconut Shell Ash.

Synthesizing Coconut Shell Ash (CSA) is a kind of manufacturing the powder form ash material which can be incorporated in the composite as reinforcement. This ash material used to improve the mechanical properties of metals when added in Metal Matrix Composite's (MMC's) based preparation. The fabrication of CSA powder is the preparatory functional part, because it varies its properties based on the manufacturing method. In this work, a novel method is used to manufacture the ash powder and to study the physical and chemical properties of CSA particles. CSA particles are synthesized in open fire hearth. Physical properties such as pH, ash content, moisture content, loss on ignition, density, surface area, pore volume and pore dia were studied. Chemical characterization study is carried out for chemical composition analysis, the morphology of ash particles, percentage of various elements present and various chemical functional groups present in the samples through XRF, SEM/EDS and FTIR techniques respectively. Crystallite structures, average particle size, and thermal stability of CSA were investigated by XRD and TGA methods. The result shows that the total maximum percentage of SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 (~84%) will increase the strength of MMC's. The total percentage of Ca and K is minimum than the other CSA preparation methods, so that it will reduce the corrosion. And also produce low density ash powder (1.65 gm/cc) which will reduce the weight and density of MMC's. This CSA powder can be used in MMC where maximum strength-weight ratio and wear resistance is required.

Effect of pterostilbene on hepatic key enzymes of glucose metabolism in streptozotocin- and nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of pterostilbene and its effect on key enzymes of glucose metabolism. Diabetic rats were orally administered with pterostilbene (10, 20, 40 mg/kg) for 2, 4 and 6 weeks on glucose was determined. Administration of pterostilbene at 40 mg/kg significantly decreases plasma glucose. Based on these data, the higher dose, 40 mg/kg pterostilbene, was selected for further evaluation. Oral administration of pterostilbene for 6 weeks on glucose, insulin levels and hepatic enzymes in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats. A significant decrease in glucose and significant increase in plasma insulin levels were observed in normal and diabetic rats treated with pterostilbene. Treatment with pterostilbene resulted in a significant reduction of glycosylated hemoglobin and an increase in total hemoglobin level. The activities of the hepatic enzymes such as hexokinase was significantly increased whereas glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase were significantly decreased by the administration of pterostilbene in diabetic rats. A comparison was made between the action of pterostilbene and the antidiabetic drug--metformin.

The antioxidant role of pterostilbene in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus in Wistar rats.

The antioxidant effect of pterostilbene on streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats has been assessed. The activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase and reduced glutathione was significantly decreased in liver and kidney of diabetic animals when compared with normal control. There were significant improvements in these activities after treatment with pterostilbene at a dose of 40 mg kg(-1) for six weeks. The increased levels of lipid peroxidation measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in liver and kidney of diabetic rats were also normalized by treatment with pterostilbene. Chronic treatment of pterostilbene remarkably reduced the pathological changes observed in liver and kidney of diabetic rats. These results indicated the antioxidant property of pterostilbene.

Antidiabetic activity of Boerhaavia diffusa L.: effect on hepatic key enzymes in experimental diabetes.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of daily oral administration of aqueous solution of Boerhaavia diffusa L. leaf extract (BLEt) (200 mg/kg) for 4 weeks on blood glucose concentration and hepatic enzymes in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats. A significant decrease in blood glucose and significant increase in plasma insulin levels were observed in normal and diabetic rats treated with BLEt. Treatment with BLEt resulted in a significant reduction of glycosylated haemoglobin and an increase in total haemoglobin level. The activities of the hepatic enzymes such as hexokinase was significantly increased and glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase were significantly decreased by the administration of BLEt in normal and diabetic rats. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was also performed in the same groups, in which there was a significant improvement in glucose tolerance in rats treated with BLEt. A comparison was made between the action of BLEt and antidiabetic drug-glibenclamide (600 microg/kg). The effect of BLEt was more prominent when compared to glibenclamide.

Antidiabetic effect of Boerhavia diffusa: effect on serum and tissue lipids in experimental diabetes.

The present study was designed to investigate the antihyperlipidemic activity of an aqueous extract of Boerhavia diffusa leaves in alloxan diabetic rats. Hyperlipidemia is an associated complication of diabetes mellitus. Many herbs and spices are known to be antihyperglycemic. Oral administration of B. diffusa leaf extract (BLEt) at 200 mg/kg of body weight for 4 weeks resulted in significant reduction in serum and tissue cholesterol, free fatty acids, phospholipids, and triglycerides. Moreover, BLEt supplementation was found to be more effective than glibenclamide in the treatment of diabetic rats.

Antioxidant effect of Boerhavia diffusa L. in tissues of alloxan induced diabetic rats.

Administration of B. diffusa leaf extract (BLEt; 200 mg/kg) for 4 weeks resulted in a significant reduction in thiobarbutric acid reactive substances and hydroperoxides, with a significant increase in reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione--S-transferase in liver and kidney of alloxan induced diabetic rats. The results suggest that BLEt has remarkable antidiabetic activity and can improve antioxidant status in alloxan induced diabetic rats.

Salvage hypospadias repairs.

AIM: Review of our experience and to develop an algorithm for salvage procedures in the management of hypospadias cripples and treatment of urethral strictures following hypospadias repair. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of hypospadias surgeries over a 41-month period. Out of a total 168 surgeries, 20 were salvage/re-operative repairs. In three children a Duplay repair was feasible, while in four others a variety of single-stage repairs could be done. The repair was staged in seven children - buccal mucosal grafts (BMGs) in five, buccal mucosal tube in one, and skin graft in one. Five children with dense strictures were managed by dorsal BMG inlay grafting in one, vascularized tunical onlay grafting on the ventrum in one, and a free tunical patch in one. Three children were treated by internal urethrotomy and stenting for four weeks with a poor outcome. RESULTS: The age of children ranged from 1.5-15 years (mean 4.5). Follow-up ranged from 3 months to 3.5 years. Excellent results were obtained in 10 children (50%) with a well-surfaced erect penis and a slit-like meatus. Glans closure could not be achieved and meatus was coronal in three. Two children developed fistulae following a Duplay repair and following a staged BMG. Three repairs failed completely - a composite repair broke down, a BMG tube stenosed with a proximal leak, and a stricture recurred with loss of a ventral free tunical graft. CONCLUSIONS: In salvage procedures performed on hypospadias cripples, a staged repair with buccal mucosa as an inlay in the first stage followed by tubularization 4-6 months later provides good results. A simple algorithm to plan corrective surgery in failed hypospadias cases and obtain satisfactory results is devised.