Oncological Clearance Following Resection of the Carcinoma Rectum: A Comparison between Laparoscopic and Open Anterior Resection.

Till the day the rectal cancer deaths in the world is in eighth position. For rectal cancer surgery, short-term benefits are expected to be similar for laparoscopic resection of rectum (LRR) and open resection of rectum (ORR). In Bangladesh though the rectal cancer is the sixteenth most common cause of cancer deaths, there is lack of data regarding outcomes of laparoscopic and open surgical approaches for carcinoma rectum. Purpose of study was to compare oncopathological outcomes by quality of surgical resection between LRR and ORR groups. The quasi experimental study was conducted among 46 subjects who attended in the Department of Colorectal Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Bangladesh from July 2020 to June 2021 with rectal adenocarcinoma within 15cm from the anal verge. Equal number of subjects were allocated for LRR and ORR group. Oncopathological end points such as circumferential resection margin (CRM), distal resection margin (DRM), lymph nodes and quality of mesorectal excision were assessed and compared. Here every patients have given their written consent for this study. Mean age of the subjects for LRR and ORR were 45.47±12.66 and 44.47±12.48 years respectively. Majority of the subjects were in age above 40 years (67.0%). The proportion of male (56.5%) were higher than those of female (43.5%). The complete resection was better in LRR (91.3%) than ORR (87.0%) group though statistically not significant. CRM was lower in LRR (0.0%) than ORR (13.0%) group in respect of frequency distribution. DRM was negative for both LRR and ORR group (95.7% each) and it was not statistically significant. ORR met the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) criteria of harvesting 12 lymph nodes were as in LRR group 10 lymph nodes were harvested. The mean harvested lymph nodes were 12.2±5.55 and 10.1±5.55 in LRR and ORR group respectively. The study demonstrated that LRR is better (though statistically not significant) in respect of complete resection and CRM while in harvesting lymph nodes, ORR met the NCCN criteria but LRR does not. There is no difference observed regarding DRM in both groups. On oncopathological point of view both the group showed almost equally effective results. Laparoscopic surgery can be opted as the standard operative technique for surgical management of rectal cancer.

Dietary L-Tryptophan potentiates non-specific immunity in Labeo rohita fingerlings reared under elevated temperature.

At present environmental scenario global climate change is a reality and its affect all living organism including fish. The aquatic ecosystem is the most affected system as it is the biggest sink for global warming and elevated temperature and obviously affects all the aquatic life forms. With this hypothesis an experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of elevated temperature on Labeo rohita fingerlings and potential of dietary L-tryptophan (TRP) in mitigating the effects elevated temperature and enhancing the non-specific immunity. Seven hundred and twenty fishes were randomly distributed in three different thermal groups each with three replicates. The thermal groups were ambient temperature (26 °C), 34 and 38 °C. Then each thermal groups were fed with four different formulated diets containing 0. 0.36%, 0.72% and 1.44% TRP. The effect of dietary TRP supplementation was studied on stress responses, such as cortisol, blood glucose, histopathological changes in liver and kidney and immuno-hematological changes such as red blood cell count (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb), white blood cell count (WBC), lysozyme, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT), total serum protein, albumin, globulin and albumin-globulin ratio. Subsequently the treated fish were subjected to challenge test with Aeromonas hydrophila. In the present study, primary stress markers were noticeably (p < 0.01) elevated with temperature stress and levels were reduced with nutritional supplementation of TRP. Similarly, immuno-hematological parameters were altered with the exposure of temeparture stress and got improved with dietary TRP supplementation. Results of the present study suggest that dietary supplementation of 1.44% tryptophan has definitive role in the mitigation of temperature stress and gives protection against bacterial infection to L. rohita.

Stress mitigating and growth enhancing effect of dietary tryptophan in rohu (Labeo rohita, Hamilton, 1822) fingerlings.

An experiment was conducted to study the stress mitigation and growth enhancing role of dietary L-tryptophan (TRP) under thermal stress in rohu, Labeo rohita fingerlings for 45 days. Seven hundred and twenty fishes were distributed in three major groups that are ambient temperature (26 °C), 34 and 38 °C in triplicate following a complete randomized design. Acclimation of fishes to 34 and 38 °C over average ambient temperatures were carried out at 1 °C/day. Each group was fed with a diet supplemented with 0, 0.36, 0.72 or 1.42 % L-TRP. Results showed that blood glucose and serum cortisol level were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the higher temperature groups than the ambient temperature group. Similarly, aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, CAT, superoxide dismutase activities were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the control groups (0 % L-TRP) and decreasing activities of these enzymes were observed with the increasing level of dietary L-TRP. In different temperature groups, L-TRP-supplemented groups were found to have higher (p < 0.05) growth, RGR and PER. The results obtained in the present study indicate that dietary L-TRP mitigates thermal stress and enhances growth. From the present study, we can conclude that dietary supplementation of L-TRP at the 0.72 % level in the diet is found to be optimum to reduce thermal stress even up to 38 °C in rohu, L. rohita. The baseline data obtained here could be useful for the farmers to formulate feeds to culture the fish in different agro-climatic zones.

Effect of dietary supplementation of l-tryptophan on thermal tolerance and oxygen consumption rate in Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings under varied stocking density.

A 60 day feeding trial was conducted to study the effect of dietary l-tryptophan on thermal tolerance and oxygen consumption rate of freshwater fish, mrigala, Cirrhinus mrigala reared under ambient temperature at low and high stocking density. Four hundred eighty fingerlings were distributed into eight experimental groups. Four groups each of low density group (10 fishes/75L water) and higher density group (30 fishes/75L water) were fed a diet containing 0, 0.68, 1.36 or 2.72% l-tryptophan in the diet, thus forming eight experimental groups namely, Low density control (LC) (basal feed +0% l-tryptophan); LT1 (basal feed+0.68% l-tryptophan); LT2 (basal feed+1.36% l-tryptophan); LT3 (basal feed+2.72% l-tryptophan); high density control (HC) (basal feed+0% l-tryptophan); HT1 (basal feed+0.68% l-tryptophan); HT2 (basal feed+1.36% l-tryptophan); and HT3 (basal feed+2.72% l-tryptophan) were fed at 3% of the body weight. The test diets having crude protein 34.33±0.23 to 35.81±0.18% and lipid 423.49±1.76 to 425.85±0.31KCal/100g were prepared using purified ingredients. The possible role of dietary l-tryptophan on thermal tolerance and oxygen consumption rate was assessed in terms of critical thermal maxima (CTMax), critical thermal minima (CTMin), lethal thermal maxima (LTMax) and lethal thermal minima (LTMin). The CTMax, CTMin, LTMax and LTMin values were found to be significantly higher (p<0.05) in the treatment groups with CTMax 42.94±0.037 (LT2); LT Max 43.18±0.070 (LT2); CTMin 10.47±0.088 (LT2) and LTMin 9.42±0.062 (LT3), whereas the control group showed a lower tolerance level. The same trend was observed in the high density group (CTMax 42.09±0.066 (LT3); LTMax 43 23±0.067 (HT3); CTMin 10.98±0.040 (HT3) and LTMin 9.74±0.037 (HT3). However, gradual supplementation of dietary l-tryptophan in the diet significantly reduced the oxygen consumption rate in both the low density group (Y=-26.74x+222.4, r²=0.915) and the high density group (Y=-32.96x+296.5, r²=0.8923). Dietary supplementation of l-tryptophan at a level of 1.36% improved the thermal tolerance level and reduced the oxygen consumption rate in C. mrigala fingerlings.

Supplementation of microbial levan in the diet of Cyprinus carpio fry (Linnaeus, 1758) exposed to sublethal toxicity of fipronil: effect on growth and metabolic responses.

A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to study the effect of dietary microbial levan on growth performance and metabolic responses of Cyprinus carpio fry exposed to sublethal dose (1/10th LC50) of fipronil [(±)-5-amino-1-(2,6-dichloro-α,α,α-trifluoro-p-tolyl)-4-trifluoromethylsulfinylpyrazole-3-carbonitrile]. Two hundred and twenty five fry were randomly distributed in five treatments in triplicates. Four purified diets were prepared with graded levels of microbial levan. Five different treatment groups were levan control L0P0 (basal feed + 0 % levan without exposure to pesticide); pesticide control L0P1 (basal feed + 0 % levan with exposure to pesticide); L0.25P1 (basal feed + 0.25 % levan with exposure to pesticide); L0.50P1 (basal feed + 0.50 % levan with exposure to pesticide); and L0.75P1 (basal feed + 0.75 % levan with exposure to pesticide). Weight gain% and specific growth rate were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in levan fed groups compared to their non-levan fed counterpart. Highest (p < 0.05) content of ascorbic acid in muscle, liver and brain tissues was observed with higher level of dietary levan. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity decreased with the increasing level of dietary levan in the liver and muscle. Aspartate aminotransferase activity exhibited a second order polynomial relationship with the dietary levan, both in liver (Y = -1.001x² + 5.366x + 5.812, r² = 0.887) and muscle (Y = -0.566x² + 2.833x + 6.506, r² = 0.858) while alanine aminotransferase activity showed third order polynomial relationship both in liver (Y = 1.195x³ - 12.30x² + 35.23x + 9.874, r² = 0.879) and muscle (Y = 0.527x³ - 8.429x² + 31.80x + 8.718, r² = 0.990). Highest (p < 0.05) superoxide dismutase activity in gill was observed in the group fed with 0.75 % levan supplemented diet. Overall results indicated that dietary microbial levan at 0.75 % in C. carpio fry ameliorated the negative effects of fipronil and augmented the growth.

Nitrite-induced alterations in sex steroids and thyroid hormones of Labeo rohita juveniles: effects of dietary vitamin E and L-tryptophan.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of sub-lethal nitrite exposure on sex steroids (testosterone and estradiol), cortisol and thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) of Labeo rohita juveniles. Fishes previously fed with normal or elevated levels of vitamin E (VE) and tryptophan for 60 days were exposed to sub-lethal nitrite for another 45 days with same feeding regime. There were nine treatment groups, viz. VE0TRP0-N, VE0TRP0+N, VE100TRP0-N, VE100TRP0+N, VE100TRP0.75+N, VE100TRP1.5+N, VE150TRP0+N, VE300TRP0+N and VE200TRP1+N. Except the groups VE0TRP0-N and VE100TRP0-N, all other groups were exposed to nitrite. At the end of the 45 days of nitrite exposure, serum samples were assayed for sex steroids, cortisol and thyroid hormones. The serum T3 and T4 levels decreased to the extent of 84.5 and 94.06%, respectively, upon nitrite exposure. Dietary supplementation with additional amounts of VE and tryptophan appears to reduce the decline of the production of T4. The serum testosterone and estradiol decreased 97.31 and 92.86%, respectively, upon nitrite exposure. Supplementation with additional amounts of VE was found to reverse nitrite-induced inhibition of testosterone and estradiol production. Serum cortisol increased upon nitrite exposure and unexposed (VE100-N) group showed lower levels, which were comparable to groups fed with elevated levels of VE. The overall results of the present study revealed that environmental nitrites have a negative impact on steroidogenesis, which can be overcome by dietary supplementation of elevated amounts of VE (minimum of 150 mg VE Kg diet(-1)) and to a lesser extent by tryptophan (only at the level of 1.5% of the diet).

Physiological responses of dietary tryptophan fed Labeo rohita to temperature and salinity stress.

Two experiments were conducted to elucidate the possible effects of dietary L-tryptophan (TRP) in Labeo rohita based on growth performance and physio-biochemical responses. In the experiment I, a 60-day feeding trial was carried out to elucidate the effects of dietary TRP enrichment on growth performance and physio-biochemical responses. In the experiment II, the TRP pre-fed L. rohita, from experiment I, was exposed to temperature and salinity stress to evaluate stress-mitigating efficacy of TRP. In L. rohita, dietary supplementation of TRP showed significant effect on weight gain percentage and feed conversion ratio but not on blood glucose. A significant increase in RNA content and RNA/DNA ratio upon TRP supplementation was observed and was positively correlated with growth performance. The results of experiment II indicated that weight gain percentage, serum T3 and T4 levels were significantly reduced in groups that were exposed to temperature and salinity stress and fed diets without TRP supplementation. However, dietary supplementation of TRP significantly augmented weight gain percentage in stress-exposed groups. Tryptophan supplementation helped in bringing back T3 and T4 levels comparable with control. A significant increase in superoxide dismutase, catalase, Adenosine triphosphatase, blood glucose and serum cortisol was observed in temperature- and salinity-exposed groups fed without TRP-supplemented diets. However, TRP supplementation was found to be effective in restoring the above parameters. The results of these experiments suggest that dietary TRP supplementation augments growth, lowers energy demand and helps in mitigating thermal and salinity stress in L. rohita.

Water soaking and exogenous enzyme treatment of plant-based diets: effect on growth performance, whole-body composition, and digestive enzyme activities of rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton), fingerlings.

A 2 × 2 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted to delineate the main effect of water soaking of plant ingredients, phytase, cellulase, and their interactions on the growth and digestive enzyme activities of Labeo rohita fingerlings. Two basal diets were prepared using water-soaked (S) or unsoaked (US) plant-based ingredients. Feed of US ingredients was supplemented with phytase (U kg(-1)) and cellulase (%) at the level of 0, 0 (C(us)); 500, 0 (T(1)); 0, 0.2 (T(2)); 500, 0.2 (T(3)), and feed of S ingredients at 0, 0 (C(s)); 500, 0 (T(4)); 0, 0.2 (T(5)), and 500, 0.2 (T(6)), respectively. Three hundred and sixty fingerlings were randomly distributed into eight treatments, each with three replicates. Soaking of the ingredients for 24 h significantly reduced the tannin content. However, feeding of S diets did not improve the fish growth. Highest performance was recorded in the T(3) group. A significant interaction between dietary phytase and cellulase was observed for apparent net protein utilization. Tissue crude protein, ether extract, and ash content of the fingerlings were observed highest in the T(3) group. Activities of amylase, protease, and lipase were recorded highest in the T(3) group. Results suggested that soaking of plant-based ingredients reduces tannin content; however, growth and digestive enzyme activities of group fed soaked diet were not improved, possibly due to leaching of soluble nutrients. Probably, a shorter duration soaking may be effective in reducing tannin content and avoiding nutrients leaching.

Yeast extract, brewer's yeast and spirulina in diets for Labeo rohita fingerlings affect haemato-immunological responses and survival following Aeromonas hydrophila challenge.

A feeding trial was conducted for 60 days to study the immunomodulatory role of three different immunostimulants yeast extract (YE), brewer's yeast (BY) and spirulina (SP) in Labeo rohita fingerlings. Four hundred and fifty fingerlings (avg. wt 3.35±0.15 g) were randomly distributed in ten treatments and fed with either of ten iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric semi-purified diets, prepared with three incremental levels (1%, 2% and 4%) of different immunostimulants except the control. Growth parameters did not vary significantly (p>0.05) among the experimental groups. Haematology and serum parameters was performed before Aeromonas hydrophila challenge whereas respiratory burst activity was analysed following challenge. The respiratory burst activity, total leucocyte count, serum total protein and globulin was significantly higher (p<0.05) in YE 1% supplemented group. The survival (%) after challenging with A. hydrophila was also highest in the YE fed groups. The results indicate that among the different sources and levels of immunostimulants, YE at lower inclusion level is more effective in promoting the immune status of L. rohita fingerlings.

Haemato-immunology and histo-architectural changes in Labeo rohita fingerlings: effect of dietary aflatoxin and mould inhibitor.

A feeding trail of 60 days was conducted for delineating the effect of dietary aflatoxin (AFB1) with or without supplementation of a mixture of mould inhibitor (0.25% clove oil + 0.32% sodium propionate) on haematology, respiratory burst activity and histology of Labeo rohita fingerlings. Three hundred and sixty fishes (avg. wt. 1.48-1.54 g) were randomly distributed into eight treatment groups. Eight experimental diets with four different levels of aflatoxin (0, 10, 20 and 40 ppb) with or without mould inhibitor were prepared. Haematological parameters like total serum protein, albumin, globulin and A:G ratio were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced with increasing levels of aflatoxin in the diet. However, supplementation of mould inhibitor showed enhanced values when compared to non-supplemented counter parts suggesting ameliorating effects of mould inhibitor on aflatoxin. Total leucocyte count was higher in aflatoxin-treated groups. Histological observations were complementary to haematological parameters. Respiratory burst activity was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in higher aflatoxin-treated groups but not affected significantly (P > 0.05) due to inclusion of inhibitor alone and/or interaction of aflatoxin level and inhibitor in the diet. From this study, it was concluded that up to 20 ppb aflatoxin level in the diet the haemato-immunological parameters are protected.

Dietary high protein and vitamin C mitigates endosulfan toxicity in the spotted murrel, Channa punctatus (Bloch, 1793).

The amelioration effect of dietary high protein and vitamin C against stress was evaluated in spotted murrel, Channa punctatus, exposed to endosulfan. Two hundred and forty fish (average weight: 27.01 g/fish), distributed equally into 4 different groups (control, T(1), T(2), and T(3)), each with 6 replicates were fed with control (40% crude protein, CP and 0.1% vitamin C), T(1) (40% CP and 0.1% vitamin C), T(2) (50% CP and 0.1% vitamin C), and T(3) (50% CP and 0.2% vitamin C) diets for 90 days. Groups fed T(1), T(2), and T(3) diets were exposed to sublethal endosulfan concentration, whereas the control was maintained without endosulfan exposure. Results indicated significant reduction in the growth performance, survival, and activities of lactate dehydrogenase (liver and muscle), malate dehydrogenase (liver and muscle), enzymes of protein metabolism (aspartate amino transferase in liver and alanine amino transferase in liver and muscle), acetyl choline esterase (brain), alkaline phosphatase activity (liver), and ATPase (gill) enzymes of group fed control diet and exposed to endosulfan. However, endosulfan exposed fish fed high CP and vitamin C diet exhibited significant (P<0.05) improvement in their growth performance and metabolic enzyme activities. Further, high CP and vitamin C diet reduced endosulfan accumulation in the muscle. Overall results indicate that vitamin C (0.2%) supplementation in high CP (50%) diet improves growth, metabolism, and reduce endosulfan bioaccumulation in C. punctatus.

Non-gelatinized starch influences the deposition of n-3 fatty acids in the muscle of a tropical freshwater fish, Labeo rohita.

A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to study the influence of gelatinized (G) to non-gelatinized (NG) starch ratio in the diet on fatty acids profiles and oxidative status in Labeo rohita fingerlings. Two hundred and thirty-four fingerlings (average weight: 2.53 g) were distributed in six treatment groups with each of three replicates. Six semi-purified diets either containing NG and/or G corn starch (42.43%) viz., T(1) (100% NG and 0% G starch), T(2) (80% NG and 20% G starch), T(3) (60% NG and 40% G starch), T(4) (40% NG and 60% G starch), T(5) (20% NG and 80% G starch) and T(6) (0% NG and 100% G starch) was fed to respective groups. Catalase, superoxide dismutase and malic enzyme activities decreased linearly with the increasing level of G starch, whereas reverse trend was found for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Total saturated fatty acids in muscle increased with the increasing level of G starch in the diet. Total n-3 fatty acids decreased linearly with the increasing level of G starch in the diet. Among the n-3 fatty acids, linolenic acids content was more in NG starch fed group. Similarly, eicosapentaenoic acid contents gradually decreased with increasing level of G starch content. The n-6/n-3 ratio was higher in G starch fed group. This suggests that dietary starch type may be manipulated for quality improvement of fish flesh.

Genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of antibacterial drug, ciprofloxacin, on human lymphocytes in vitro.

Ciprofloxacin is a bactericidal drug which is being used widely throughout the world for the treatment of various bacterial infection. Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of Ciprofloxacin on human lymphocytes in vitro had been assessed taking various parameters like mitotic index (MI), chromosome aberration (CA), anaphase anomalies, replicative index (RI) and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) as end points. Our results indicate low mitotic index, low replicative index and high frequency of anaphase anomalies on one hand and on other hand, high frequency of chromosome aberration and sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in the exposed groups as compared to that of control group. These are the indications of both cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of Ciprofloxacin on human lymphocyte culture in vitro. All the parameters obtained from the experimental group were statistically significant when compared to that of control.

Haemato-immunological responses to dietary yeast RNA, omega-3 fatty acid and beta-carotene in Catla catla juveniles.

A preliminary study with 60 days feeding was conducted to study the immunomodulatory role of different immunostimulants like beta-carotene, omega-3 fatty acid and yeast-RNA in Catla catla fingerlings. Two hundred and sixty four fingerlings were randomly distributed into eight treatment groups with each of three replicates. Eight isonitrogenous (crude protein 34.12-35.40%) and isocaloric (458.41-461.48 kcal/100g) purified diets were prepared with graded level of beta-carotene, omega-3 fatty acid and yeast-RNA viz., Control (basal diet), T1 (Basal + 1% omega-3 fatty acid), T2 (Basal + 3% omega-3 fatty acid), T3 (Basal + beta-carotene), T4 (T1 + beta-carotene), T5 (T2 + beta-carotene), T6 (Basal + 0.4% yeast-RNA) and T7 (Basal + 0.8% yeast-RNA). The immunomodulatory effects of dietary immunostimulants were studied in terms of respiratory burst activity (NBT) of blood phagocytes, total leukocyte count, serum total protein, serum globulin, A/G ratio (A/G) and serum lysozyme activity. The respiratory burst activity of T7 group was significantly higher (p<0.05) than the other groups. Haemoglobin content, total erythrocyte count and serum albumin content did not vary among the treatment groups, whereas total leukocyte count, serum globulin content and serum lysozyme activity were found to be highest in T7 group. Relative survival percent after challenge with Aeromonas hydrophila was also highest in T7 (88.88%) group followed by T6 (75.06%) and T4 (66.66%) and the lowest in T2 group. It was observed that total leucocyte count, NBT and lysozyme activity of T2 group fed with high omega-3 fatty acid (3%) was less than (p<0.05) its lower counterparts T1 (1%) and control group. Based on the results of the present study, it concludes that supplementation of yeast-RNA at 0.8% registered higher immunological responses in C. catla juveniles. It is also observed that higher supplementation of omega-3 fatty acid (3%) in the diet causes immunosuppression in C. catla juveniles.

Pre- and post-challenge immuno-haematological changes in Labeo rohita juveniles fed gelatinised or non-gelatinised carbohydrate with n-3 PUFA.

The combined effect of dietary carbohydrate type and n-3 PUFA (EPA+DHA) on pre- and post-challenge haemato-immunological responses in Labeo rohita juveniles was studied. Fish were fed for 67days with six different test diets containing either gelatinised (G) or non-gelatinised (NG) corn (43%) with three levels of n-3 PUFA (0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0%). During the pre-challenge period, significantly higher (P<0.05) NBT, serum lysozyme activity, total protein and globulin content was recorded in the NG carbohydrate fed groups. Highest NBT value was recorded in the groups fed with 1.0% n-3 PUFA, whereas the highest serum lysozyme activity (P<0.05) was recorded at either 0.5% or 2.0% n-3 PUFA fed groups in both the pre- and post-challenge period. Feeding of NG corn significantly increased the total leucocyte count, lysozyme activity, A/G ratio and decreased the total erythrocyte count, haemoglobin, serum total protein and globulin content of L. rohita juveniles during the post-challenge period. Similarly, feeding of n-3 PUFA at any level significantly increased the immunological parameters like lysozyme activity or A/G ratio, whereas total leukocyte count increased due to feeding of either 0.5% or 1.0% n-3 PUFA. The NBT and albumin values remained similar in both the pre- and post-challenge period. After challenge with Aeromonas hydrophila, the highest survival was recorded in the NG carbohydrate fed groups, whereas the lowest survival was recorded in the highest level of n-3 PUFA fed group irrespective of dietary carbohydrate type. Thus, a high level of G carbohydrate as well as n-3 PUFA is found to be immunosuppressive in L. rohita juveniles. NG carbohydrate supplemented with 1.0% n-3 PUFA is found to be optimum to enhance the immunity in L. rohita juveniles.

Radioprotection of turmeric extracts in bacterial system.

The present study investigates the possible role of crude turmeric extracts in radioprotection by a variety of methods. Although curcumin, the main bioactive component of turmeric, has been extensively used in such studies, the efficiency of the crude extracts has been poorly investigated. This study revealed that dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) extracts of turmeric produces a significant amount of radioprotection, which is very similar in nature and extent to that imparted by curcumin. Field Inversion Gel Electrophoresis (FIGE) studies also clearly showed the protection offered by turmeric extracts against X-ray induced DNA damage of E. coli WP2s(lambda) cells.

Dietary high protein and vitamin C mitigate stress due to chelate claw ablation in Macrobrachium rosenbergii males.

Stress due to claw ablation was tested in Macrobrachium rosenbergii males. Dietary high protein and vitamin C were supplemented for amelioration of stress. We used four different treatments: fed with 25% protein and a normal dose (0.12%) of vitamin C (T(1)); 35% protein and a normal dose (0.12%) of vitamin C (T(2)); 25% protein and a high dose (0.24%) of vitamin C (T(3)); and high protein 35% and a high dose (0.24%) of vitamin C (T(4)) for 30 days. All test prawns (T(1) to T(4)) were subjected to ablation of their second chelate legs after the 15th day of the feeding trial. A control treatment was maintained without claw ablation and fed with 25% protein. Haemolymph glucose, hepatopancreatic glycogen, muscle ascorbate and enzyme activities (glucose 6 phosphatase (G6Pase), fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in hepatopancreas) were tested at different recovery periods (0, 6, 24 h, 7 and 14 days). Results indicate a high glucose level immediately after claw ablation and a concomitant increase in gluconeogenic enzymes (G6Pase and FBPase). However, glycogen reserves were regained in the treatments due to claw ablation stress after 24 h. LDH and ALT activity decreased in the hepatopancreas of M. rosenbergii up to 24 h after claw ablation. Overall results indicate that claw ablation is stressful to M. rosenbergii and high protein and vitamin C diet may mitigate stress due to claw ablation.

Antiovulatory faculty of the flower of Malvaviscus conzattii.

The methanol extract of the flowers of Malvaviscus conzattii was orally administered in cycling unilaterally ovariectomized (ULO) rats at a dose level of 1 g/kg body wt/day for one or two cycles. The effect of the extract on the length of the cycle and ULO-induced compensatory ovulation and hypertrophy of the remaining ovary was assessed on the first oestrus following completion of treatment. Although no adverse influence was observed on either of the parameters, the cycle length was significantly prolonged and both the compensatory phenomena underwent significant inhibition after treatment of the extract for two consecutive cycles. In another experiment, the extract was found to be ineffective in preventing exogenous gonadotropin(s)-induced ovulation in immature and sub-adult rats. It is, therefore, suggested that the extract might have interfered with the synthesis and/or release of gonadotropin(s) from the pituitary while the ovarian utilization of gonadotropin(s) remained unaffected. The LD50 of the extract was found to be 20 g/kg body wt.

Disruption of pregnancy in mouse by aristolic acid: I. Plausible explanation in relation to early pregnancy events.

Aristolic acid (AA), obtained from Aristolochia indica Linn, disrupted nidation in mice when administered on Day 1 of pregnancy. The implantation inhibiting effect of the compound was assessed with respect to certain parameters which are characteristics of early pregnancy, such as tubal transport of ova into the uterus, hyperpermeability of the endometrial capillaries, increase in uterine weight and total protein content, endometrial bed preparation and changes in uterine phosphatase enzymes during Days 4-6 of pregnancy. The compound did not affect tubal transport of eggs, but the uterine blue reaction, caused by extravasation of the dye, pontamine blue, at future implantation sites was inhibited significantly in treated mice. Histological picture of the uterus revealed AA-induced impairment of development (i.e. decidualization) and reconciled with decreases found in uterine weight and its total protein contents in treated animals. In control untreated mice, specific uterine alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity increased significantly from Days 4 through 6 of pregnancy, but this was prevented in treated mice. On the other hand, specific uterine acid phosphatase (AP) activity was high on Day 5, while in treated mice uterine AP activity remained low during Days 4 and 5 and increased significantly thereafter. It was inferred that AA interferes with steroidal conditioning of the uterus and renders it hostile to ovum implantation.