Oxidative stress, inflammation, and steatosis elucidate the complex dynamics of HgCl2 induced liver damage in Channa punctata.

Water bodies are highly pollution-prone areas in which mercury (Hg) is considered as a major menace to aquatic organisms. However, the information about the toxicity of mercuric chloride (HgCl2) in a vital organ such as the liver of fish is still inadequate. This study aimed to assess the impact of mercuric chloride (HgCl2) exposure on the liver of Channa punctata fish over 15, 30, and 45 days, at two different concentrations (0.039 mg/L and 0.078 mg/L). Mercury is known to be a significant threat to aquatic life, and yet, information regarding its effects on fish liver remains limited. The results of this study demonstrate that exposure to HgCl2 significantly increases oxidative stress markers, such as lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein carbonyls (PC), as well as the levels of serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) in the fish. Additionally, the transcriptional and protein analysis of specific genes and molecules associated with necroptosis and inflammation, such as ABCG2, TNF α, Caspase 3, RIPK 3, IL-1ß, Caspase-1, IL-18, and RIPK1, confirm the occurrence of necroptosis and inflammation in the liver. Histopathological and ultrastructural examinations of the liver tissue further reveal a significant presence of liver steatosis. Interestingly, the upregulation of PPARα suggests that the fish's body is actively responding to counteract the effects of liver steatosis. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of oxidative stress, biochemical changes, gene expression, protein profiles, and histological findings in the liver tissue of fish exposed to mercury pollution in freshwater environments.

Dietary inclusion of Withania somnifera and Asparagus racemosus induces growth, activities of digestive enzymes, and transcriptional modulation of MyoD, MyoG, Myf5, and MRF4 genes in fish, Channa punctatus.

The present study explores growth potential of two medicinal herbs, Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha or 'A') and Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari or 'S') after their dietary inclusion in fish, Channa punctatus (13.5 ± 2 g; 11.5 ± 1 cm). Three hundred well-acclimatized fish were distributed into 10 groups- C (Control), S1 (1% S), S2 (2% S), S3 (3% S), A1 (1% A), A2 (2% A), A3 (3% A), AS1 (1% A and S), AS2 (2% A and S), and AS3 (3% A and S), each having 10 specimens. Fish were fed with these diets for 60 days. The study was performed in triplicate. Growth indices- weight gain (WG), specific growth rate percentage (SGR%), feed intake (FI), and condition factor (CF), after 30 and 60 days, were found significantly (p < 0.05) up-regulated in all the groups, except S1, when compared to the C. A significant (p < 0.05) increase in final body weight (FBW) was noticed in all the groups, except S1, after 60 days. Relative to the control group, activities of lipase and amylase in the gut tissue were elevated in all groups, at both sampling times, with the exception of lipase in S1 at 60 days, and amylase in S1 at day 30 and day 60 and S2 at day 60. The mRNA expression of myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) was also found to be significantly (p < 0.05) up-regulated with the highest fold changes recorded in AS3 for myoD (3.93 ± 0.91); myoG (6.71 ± 0.30); myf5 (4.40 ± 0.33); MRF4 (4.94 ± 0.21) in comparison to the C.

Evaluation of immunostimulatory attributes of Asparagus racemosus and Withania somnifera supplemented diets in fish, Channa punctatus (Bloch, 1793).

With the progression of aquaculture industry, there has been a spurt in dietary supplementation with economically viable medicinal herbs having enough immunostimulatory potential. This also aids in avoidance of environmentally undesirable therapeutics that are almost inevitable to safeguard fish against an array of diseases in aquaculture practices. The study aims to determine the optimal dose of herbs that can stimulate substantial immune response in fish for reclamation of aquaculture. Immunostimulatory potential of the two medicinal herbs- Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari), Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), individually, and in combination, with a basal diet was screened up to 60 days in Channa punctatus. 300 laboratory acclimatized healthy fish (14 ± 1 g; 11 ± 1 cm) were divided into ten groups- C, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2, A3, AS1, AS2, and AS3, based on the composition of dietary supplementation, in triplicates, with 10 specimens per group. The hematological index, total protein and lysozyme enzyme activity were performed after 30 and 60 days, while qRT-PCR analysis of lysozyme expression was done after 60 days of the feeding trial. The significant (P < 0.05) increments in hematological indices- (TEC, TLC, DLC, Hb, Hct, MCV, MCH and MCHC), total protein content and serum lysozyme activity, after 30 and 60 days; whereas upregulation of lysozyme transcript levels, both in liver and muscle tissues after 60 days of the feeding trial were recorded in groups- AS1, AS2, and AS3. The maximal increment in lysozyme expression was recorded in AS3, both in liver and muscle tissues, with 3.75 ± 0.13 and 3.21 ± 0.18-folds, respectively. However, increments were non-significant (P > 0.05) for MCV in AS2 and AS3 after 30 days; and for MCHC in AS1 for both the durations; whereas in AS2 and AS3, after 60 days of the feeding trial. A positive correlation (P < 0.05) among lysozyme expression, MCH, lymphocytes, neutrophils, total protein content, and serum lysozyme activity in AS3, after 60 days, conclusively, evinces that a 3% dietary supplementation with both A. racemosus and W. somnifera enhances immunity and health profile of the fish, C. punctatus. The study, thus finds ample scope in augmentation of aquaculture production and also paves the way for more researches for biological screenings of potential immunostimulatory medicinal herbs that can be appropriately incorporated in the fish diet.

Adding life to years: Role of gender and social and family engagement in geriatric depression in rural areas of Northern India.

BACKGROUND: Depression among elderly population is a major public health issue affecting nearly 5% to 7% of the world's elderly. In the coming years, a major share will be contributed by developing countries like India. In the rural areas of Allahabad district of Uttar Pradesh, there is scarce data on the depression. METHODOLOGY: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in rural Allahabad. A total of 411 elderly persons were selected from 2 blocks-Jasra and Bahadurpur-through multistage random sampling method. Short form of geriatric depression scale (GDS) was used to assess depression. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression among elderly was 19.7%. On binary logistic regression, depression had significant association with female sex [aOR = 2.4, 95% CI 1.1-5.1], having less-than-good relationship with family members [aOR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.2-6.0], not being cared for during illness by family members [aOR = 3.9, 95% CI 1.2-12.9], not being involved in leisure time activities [aOR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.3-4.9], and not regularly meeting relatives and friends [aOR = 4.7, 95% CI 1.9-11.6]. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of depression in elderly was high in rural areas of Allahabad. Female sex and social and family engagement are the important predictors of depression among them.

Development of gluten free eggless cake using gluten free composite flours made from sprouted and malted ingredients and its physical, nutritional, textural, rheological and sensory properties evaluation.

The aim of the study was to develop gluten free eggless cake using gluten free composite flour made of finger millet, sprouted soy and amaranth, for patients with celiac disease. Gluten free eggless cake prepared (T2), were analyzed for physical, textural, rheological and nutritional properties and compared with control cake (C) made using refined wheat flour and eggs and eggless composite flour cake made using whole wheat flour, malted finger millet, sprouted soy flour and amaranth (T1). There was no significant difference between T2 and C batter in terms of textural properties, flow behaviour index and consistency index. T2 had higher volume (454.4 cm3) as compared to T1 (437.1 cm3) cake. No significant differences in textural analysis were observed between cakes in terms of springiness, resilience and cohesiveness. The nutritional quality of T2 cake was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in case of phosphorous (224.0 mg/100 g) and iron content (7.39 mg/100 g). Therefore, gluten free eggless cake of high nutritional composition with good quality characteristics is a good substitute for refined flour egg and composite flour eggless cake. Higher mineral content due to germinated ingredients also made it a nutritious and palatable naturally gluten free food option for the people with celiac disease.

Mitigating potential of Melissa officinale against As3+-induced cytotoxicity and transcriptional alterations of Hsp70 and Hsp27 in fish, Channa punctatus (Bloch).

The mitigating potential of Melissa officinale (MO) (Lamiaceae) against arsenite (As3+)-induced oxidative stress, cytogenotoxicity, and expression of stress genes in fish, Channa punctatus (Bloch), teleost, was explored. After confirming the composition of MO extract, caffeic acid (0.96%), hesperidin (1.73%), naringenin (7.70%), lutenolin (3.29%), kaempferol (11.46%) and hesperetin (6.24%), by HPLC-PDA analysis, the experiment was set up in six groups (G1-G6), each containing 10 specimens. Blood, muscle, gills and liver tissues of control and treated fishes were excised at an interval of 24 till 96 h. Ameliorative potential of MO was confirmed by satisfactory restoration of altered activities of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidise, glutathione reductase, reduced glutathione and ascorbate peroxidase in G4, G5 and G6, co-exposed with 96 h-LC50/10 As3+ with MO. A significant (p < 0.05) recovery in the frequencies of cytogenotoxic markers, micronuclei, disintegrated nucleus and echinocytes, which were expressed significantly (p < 0.05) in G3 exposed to sub-lethal concentration of ATO alone, was recorded in fish groups (G4, G5 and G6) together treated with 96 h-LC50/10 of ATO and 2, 4 and 8 ppm of MO, respectively. Moreover, the expression of Hsp70 gene was downregulated (2.29-fold); whereas, Hsp27 gene was upregulated (1.16-fold) in G6, the group co-exposed with 96 h-LC50/10 As3+ with 8 ppm of MO in comparison with G3 (3.11-fold for Hsp70; 0.51-fold for Hsp27) after 96 h of exposure period. Thus, it can be inferred that the MO at its tested concentration can be effectively used to mitigate As3+ generated toxicities in C. punctatus.

Public health aspects of the world's largest mass gathering: The 2013 Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India.

India's Kumbh Mela remains the world's largest and longest mass gathering. The 2013 event, where participants undertook a ritual bath, hosted over 70 million Hindu pilgrims during 55 days on a 1936 hectare flood plain at the confluence of the Yamuna and Ganga Rivers. On the holiest bathing days, the population surged. Unlike other religious, cultural, and sports mass gatherings, the Kumbh Mela's administration cannot estimate or limit the participant number. The event created serious and uncommon public health challenges: initiating crowd safety measures where population density and mobility directly contact flowing bodies of water; providing water, sanitation, and hygiene to a population that frequently defecates in the open; and establishing disease surveillance and resource use measures within a temporary health delivery system. We review the world's largest gathering by observing first-hand the public health challenges, plus the preparations for and responses to them. We recommend ways to improve preparedness.

Visual impairment and blindness among the students of blind schools in Allahabad and its vicinity: A causal assessment.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Information on eye diseases in blind school children in Allahabad is rare and sketchy. A cross-sectional study was performed to identify causes of blindness (BL) in blind school children with an aim to gather information on ocular morbidity in the blind schools in Allahabad and in its vicinity. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional study was carried out in all the four blind schools in Allahabad and its vicinity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The students in the blind schools visited were included in the study and informed consents from parents were obtained. Relevant ocular history and basic ocular examinations were carried out on the students of the blind schools. RESULTS: A total of 90 students were examined in four schools of the blind in Allahabad and in the vicinity. The main causes of severe visual impairment and BL in the better eye of students were microphthalmos (34.44%), corneal scar (22.23%), anophthalmos (14.45%), pseudophakia (6.67%), optic nerve atrophy (6.67%), buphthalmos/glaucoma (3.33%), cryptophthalmos (2.22%), staphyloma (2.22%), cataract (2.22%), retinal dystrophy (2.22%), aphakia (1.11%), coloboma (1.11%), retinal detachment (1.11%), etc. Of these, 22 (24.44%) students had preventable causes of BL and another 12 (13.33%) students had treatable causes of BL. CONCLUSION: It was found that hereditary diseases, corneal scar, glaucoma and cataract were the prominent causes of BL among the students of blind schools. Almost 38% of the students had preventable or treatable causes, indicating the need of genetical counseling and focused intervention.

Resolution of Bitot's spots following mega-dose vitamin A supplementation in children between 1 and 5 years of age.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of Bitot's spots (BS) is often used to quantify vitamin A deficiency burden in India, both before and after mega-dose vitamin A supplementation (MVAS) programmes. However, the proportion of BS cured following this intervention is unclear in contemporary times. The current study evaluated the responsiveness of BS over 1 year to MVAS administered as per the national programme in rural India. DESIGN: Prospective, community-based, 1-year follow-up of a cohort. SETTING: Rural Uttar Pradesh, India. SUBJECTS: Two hundred and sixty-two children with BS, aged between 1 and 5 years, administered 60 mg (retinol equivalent) of vitamin A on diagnosis and after 1 month. Cure or resolution was defined if there was no discernible BS in either eye. RESULTS: During 1 year, only three children were lost to follow-up. At 6 months of follow-up (MVAS at baseline and 1 month later), 51·1 (95% CI 45·3, 57·3) % were classified as cured. The corresponding figure at 1 year (additional MVAS at 6 months) was 59·9 (95% CI 54·1, 65·9) %. Among those cured at 6 months, about half and three-quarters had resolved at 2 and 3 months, respectively. Apart from male gender, there were no significant sociodemographic or clinical predictors of response. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial non-response to MVAS at 6 months (49%) and 1 year (40%) of follow-up suggests that presently in the Indian subcontinent, BS is a relatively crude indicator of severe current vitamin A deficiency. For programmatic decisions and evaluation, the public health burden of vitamin A deficiency should not be assessed solely through BS.

Impact of learning nutrition on medical students: their eating habits, knowledge and confidence in addressing dietary issues of patients.

Nutrition is an important component in the treatment of acute and chronic diseases and is a cornerstone in strategies for disease prevention and health promotion. Despite the acknowledged importance of nutrition, there is evidence to indicate that the nutrition training of medical students is inadequate in both quality and quantity. The study aimed to know the dietary/eating habits of medical students, assess their knowledge on nutrition and to assess their confidence in addressing the dietary issues of patients. It was a cross-sectional study conducted on final year medical students, interns and postgraduate students of Moti Lal Nehru Government Medical College, Allahabad. The sampling was purposive and a total of 218 participated in the study voluntarily. Overall 55% of the students were less knowledgeable and only 45% of them were more knowledgeable. Most (62%) postgraduates were more knowledgeable (p < 0.001). Majority of them (89.9%) were having healthy eating habits. There was no association between their healthy habits and more knowledge (p > 0.340). Only 45.4% of them were confident in assessing the diet of patients and 44% of them were confident in recommending change of diet in patients. However this study shows no association between increase in the level of knowledge and confidence levels of the students (p > 0.339 and p > 0.109) suggesting that we need to incorporate innovative teaching methods to increase their confidence. Most students (79%) said that the medical curriculum was either just enough or not enough in preparing them to deal with the dietary issues of patients and 55% of them were of the opinion that the faculty should be trained in nutrition. The study results intend to stimulate active consideration of proper role of nutrition learning in medical education.

Reaching the goal of Universal Salt Iodization (USI): experience of Uttar Pradesh, India.

BACKGROUND: In 2002, the percentage of households consuming iodized salt in the state of Uttar Pradesh (UP) in India dropped to as low as 6%. This implied that 3.5 million newborns in this non-salt producing state, with 180 million population, were at risk of brain damage unless universal accessibility and consumption of iodized salt was ensured and sustained. OBJECTIVES: Urgent measures were introduced in 3 phases in the statefor accelerating procurement, distribution and consumption of iodized salt. METHODS: In the first phase, a study on mapping of salt wholesalers and understanding the salt trading system--including understanding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of salt traders was undertaken to accelerate efforts to influence availability, marketing, and accessibility of iodized salt. The study revealed that a total of only 344 primary wholesalers supplied salt to the entire state. Of these, 126 wholesalers marketed 80% of salt and were located in only 15 of the total 70 districts of the state. This finding became a very strong basis for the program in phase II, which focused on the critical group of wholesalers and set up a system to frequently interact with them. The salt wholesalers were equipped with Salt Testing Kits (STKs) to ensure adequate iodine content in the salt procured by them and adherence to the legal ban on the sale of non-iodized salt for human consumption. Simultaneously, a "child-to-community" approach was launched through involvement of middle and high school children to create demand and monitor consumption of iodized salt at the household level. Over 217,000 salt samples (about 26,000 samples per quarter) were brought in by school children and tested for iodine content. RESULTS: The school activities resulted not only in influencing consumption of iodized salt, but also galvanized the entire chain linking consumers, retailers, and wholesalers. In less than 2 years, salt procured with nil iodine decreased from 38% to 15.3%, and salt marketed with adequate iodine level increased from 28.6% to 64.9%. School data revealed an increase in consumption of iodized salt from 6% to 46.7%. In phase 3, additional standardized activities at the school level were included and the program was taken to scale in the state. CONCLUSION: The findings revealed that identification and inclusion of salt wholesalers-not only the salt manufacturers-was important for achieving a rapid positive shift in iodized salt marketing and consumption practices.