Probiotic potential of a novel endophytic Streptomyces griseorubens CIBA-NS1 isolated from Salicornia sp. against Vibrio campbellii infection in shrimp.

A novel endophytic Streptomyces griseorubens CIBA-NS1 was isolated from a salt marsh plant Salicornia sp. The antagonistic effect of S. griseorubens against Vibrio campbellii, was studied both in vitro and in vivo. The strain was validated for its endophytic nature and characterized through scanning electron microscopy, morphological and biochemical studies and 16SrDNA sequencing. The salinity tolerance experiment has shown that highest antibacterial activity was at 40‰ (16 ± 1.4 mm) and lowest was at 10 ‰ salinity (6.94 ± 0.51 mm). In vivo exclusion of Vibrio by S. griseorubens CIBA-NS1 was studied in Penaeus indicus post larvae and evaluated for its ability to improve growth and survival of P. indicus. After 20 days administration of S. griseorubens CIBA-NS1, shrimps were challenged with V. campbellii. The S. griseorubens CIBA-NS1 reduced Vibrio population in test group when compared to control, improved survival (60.5 ± 6.4%) and growth, as indicated by weight gain (1.8 ± 0.05g). In control group survival and growth were 48.4 ± 3.5% and 1.4 ± 0.03 g respectively. On challenge with V. campbellii, the S. griseorubens CIBA-NS1 administered group showed better survival (85.6 ± 10%) than positive control (64.3 ± 10%). The results suggested that S. griseorubens CIBA-NS1 is antagonistic to V. campbellii, reduce Vibrio population in the culture system and improve growth and survival. This is the first report on antagonistic activity of S. griseorubens isolated from salt marsh plant Salicornia sp, as a probiotic candidate to prevent V. campbellii infection in shrimps.

Vertical transmission and prevalence of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in the wild spawning population of the Indian white shrimp, Penaeus indicus.

White spot disease, caused by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), has historically been the most devastating disease in shrimp aquaculture industry across the world. The mode of virus transmission is the most crucial stage in the dynamics and management of virus infection. This study explored the mechanism of vertical transmission of WSSV in Indian white shrimp, Penaeus indicus, potential native species for domestication and genetic improvement, using quantitative real time PCR (q RT PCR), light and electron microscopy, and in situ hybridization. Wild brooders of P. indicus (n = 2576) were sampled along the South east coast of India, during 2016 to 2021. Of these âˆ¼ 58 % of the brooders were positive for WSSV, and almost 50 % of infected wild brooders were at the various stages of reproductive maturation. WSSV-PCR positive brooders (n = 200) were analysed for vertical WSSV transmission. The q RT PCR studies of reproductive tissues revealed that 61 % (n = 13) of spermatophore, 54 % (n = 28) of immature ovaries and 48 % (n = 27) of ripe ovaries were infected with WSSV. The lowest level of infection was recorded in females with ripe ovaries (6.84 × 101 ± 9.79 × 100 ng genomic DNA) followed by fertilized eggs (1.59 × 102 ± 3.69 × 101 ng genomic DNA), and larvae (nauplius and zoea). The histology of gravid females with high WSSV copies showed pyknotic and karyorrhectic germinal vesicle with degenerated cortical rods. Conversely, the gravid females with low WSSV copies showed fully developed ovary without characteristic signs of WSSV infection. Transmission electron microscopic studies clearly established the presence of WSSV particles in both ovaries and spermatophores. When subjected to in situ hybridization, WSSV-specific signals were observed in connective tissues of spermatophore, although gravid ovary and fertilized eggs were failed to produce WSSV specific signals. The present study provides the first molecular and histological evidence for trans-ovarian vertical transmission of WSSV. Development of disease-free base population being the cornerstone and first step in establishing the breeding program, the present findings could be a basis for development of such programs.

Impact of effluent of Pulp & Paper industry on the flora of river basin at Jaykaypur, Odisha, India and its ecological implications.

The JK Paper industry located at Rayagada discharges biologically untreated effluent more than the permissible limit prescribed by Pollution Control Board, Odisha in to the environment. The industry is seriously polluting the surrounding aquatic and terrestrial environment. No detailed intensive study was carried out by previous workers on this industry earlier. The present study aims at finding out the impact of effluent on the flora at the contaminated site. The chemically treated effluent (TE) contained significant amount of mercury and cadmium. The TE has high BOD, COD, dissolved solids and suspended solids when compared to normal river water at the site of discharge. The TE deteriorated the natural water bodies changing the physico-chemical properties of natural river water. After meeting the river water the TE was diluted after 1 km distance from the meeting point of the river. Crop plants collected from the contaminated site showed higher level of residual Hg and Cd and significant depletion in pigment was observed. Plants collected from both the sides of the treated effluent canal showed significant amount residue mercury and cadmium in the plant leaves. The plants exposed to the TE, showed variation in chlorophyll and Phaeophytin pigment content when compared to their respective control values in all terrestrial plants collected from the contaminated site. In some plant leaves little increment in the pigment level was noted but the values were not significant. The changes observed in the plant pigment might be due to heavy metal accumulation. The presence of residual Hg and Cd in crop plants and plant leaves grazed by grazing animals after absorption, accumulation and enrichment may lead to a possible biological magnification, warrants attention. Proper biological treatment, treatment of effluent by modern methods and removal of heavy metals from the effluent before discharge by the industry is suggested.

Cellular and molecular immune response and production performance of Indian white shrimp Penaeus indicus (H. Milne-Edwards, 1837), reared in a biofloc-based system with different protein levels of feed.

The present study focuses on the immunity and growth of Penaeus indicus fed with varying protein levels (25%, 30%, and 35%) in a biofloc based rearing system. A 120 days growth trial was carried out using juvenile Penaeus indicus (0.71 ± 0.01) with dietary protein level, 25% (LP), 30% (MP), and 35% (HP), and a control diet-fed with 35% acted as control group resulting in 4 treatments each with four replicates and were randomly assigned 16 tank units (7500 L each). A combination of different carbon sources (molasses, wheat flour, and rice bran in 2:1:1 ratio), yeast and a probiotic (Bacillus sp.) consortium were used for the development of biofloc. At the end of the trial, the growth parameters of shrimps viz., initial weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and daily growth coefficient (DGC) were computed. The results indicated that shrimp fed with medium (30%) protein (MP) diet recorded significantly (P < 0.05) improved growth performance compared to high protein fed group (35%) and low protein (25%) fed group (LP) in a biofloc system and control group (35%). The immunological parameters such as hemagglutination activity (HA) assay, serum protein, lysozyme, phenol oxidase (PO), and inhibition of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were observed in serum, plasma, and hemocyte lysate supernatant (HLS). The HA activity, PO activity in plasma was found to be higher in high protein fed animals, whereas medium protein resulted in enhanced PO activity in serum. Similarly, lysozyme and SOD were inhibited well in high protein fed animals compared to the low protein fed group. The vital immune genes's mRNA profiling showed a potential rise in the expressional pattern in MP and HP treatments compared to LP and control. BGBP (beta-1,3-glucan binding protein) and hemocyanin mRNA transcript levels were highly upregulated in the HP (5 fold) and moderately expressed in MP (2 fold) and LP (1-2 fold). The transcripts of peroxinectin, antimicrobial peptides like crustin showed significant upregulation in HP followed by in MP and LP and control. Likewise, other immune genes, such as SOD, prophenoloxidase (proPO), showed a similar trend in a marginal way, indicating immunomodulation in the biofloc groups. This study suggested that biofloc with high protein (35%) supplementation can substantially enhance the immune response of shrimps, although medium protein level (30%) is optimum for improving the survival, growth, and in turn economic return in Indian white shrimp.

Bio-augmentation of heterotrophic bacteria in biofloc system improves growth, survival, and immunity of Indian white shrimp Penaeus indicus.

Effect of bio-augmentation of Bacillus spp in biofloc on growth, survival and immunity in Indian white shrimp Penaeus indicus was evaluated. Nine Bacillus strains were isolated and screened individually as well as in the form of a consortia. To maintain a C:N ratio of 12:1 a blend of carbohydrate sources was used. Bio-augmentation with bacterial consortium and Virgibacillus sp. produced improved growth and immunity. Shrimp survival ranged from 80 to 95% among treatments. Production was higher (35%) in the biofloc tanks with an average body weight (ABW) of 10.89 ± 1.2 g. On evaluating the immune responses, it was found that trypsin significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced Prophenoloxidase (PO) activity in Lysinibacillus, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis bio-augmented groups. Laminarin induced PO activity was observed in groups supplemented with Oceanobacillus sp., Bacillus sp.and Bacillus megaterium. The lysozyme (LZ) activity was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in B. cereus and Microbial Consortia (MC), while other treatments were less effective. Total hemocyte count (THC) significantly (P < 0.05) increased in all treatment groups compared to the control. Hyaline hemocyte (HH) count was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the control group (14.43%). Semi granular hemocytes (SGH) was higher in groups treated with Lysinibacillus, Bacillus sp., B. licheniformis and B. subtilis. The granular hemocyte (GH) count was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in Virgibacillus sp., B. cereus, B.megaterium and Oceanobacillus sp. The biofloc alone (BF), treated and augmented with B. megaterium significantly (P < 0.05) increased phagocytic activity. Highly significant phagocytic index (PI) was observed in bio-augmented groups, BF and MC. The relative expression levels of immune genes were found to be significantly up-regulated in shrimps grown in bio-augmented groups. Enhanced immunological parameters implies that bio-augmentation of biofloc with Bacillus spp. improved immunity in shrimps. Hence, bio-augmentation of probiotics in biofloc may be useful in improving culture conditions to produce P. indicus.

Weak correlation of bleeding scores to platelet electron microscopy: A retrospective chart review of pediatric patients with delta-storage pool disorder.

BACKGROUND: Delta granule storage pool deficiency (δ-SPD) is a rare platelet disorder in which a deficiency of platelet granules leads to poor aggregation, resulting in varying clinical bleeding phenotypes. Children with δ-SPD have variable laboratory results, making the proper diagnosis and evaluation controversial. OBJECTIVES: To describe the demographic and laboratory trends of this population and to assess the value of electron microscopy in diagnostic evaluation and its correlation to bleeding symptoms. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 109 pediatric patients diagnosed with δ-SPD. We collected demographic information and bleeding scores using a validated bleeding assessment tool. A descriptive and exploratory analysis was performed. RESULTS: The majority of patients were female, with an average age at diagnosis of 11.61 years. Females were diagnosed at a significantly older age presenting most often with menorrhagia, while males presented most commonly with epistaxis. The majority showed normal lumiaggregometry, the mean platelet electron microscopy (PEM) value was 2.37, and the mean bleeding score was 6. Bleeding assessment tool and PEM had a significantly weak correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with more dense granules per platelet had higher bleeding scores than those with fewer dense granules per platelet. The current body of evidence does not favor the use of PEM in routine clinical practice, and results are difficult to interpret. In patients with severe mucocutaneous bleeding symptoms and normal platelet aggregation studies, consideration should be given to an alternative diagnosis and further evaluation is warranted.

Effect of in-situ and ex-situ biofloc on immune response of Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia.

The present study is aimed to investigate the effect of biofloc intake on Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT), developed within the system and its influence as feed supplementation on water quality, growth performance, immunological parameters, antioxidant status, immune gene expression, and its resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila infection. GIFT Tilapia juveniles of 5.1 g (±0.05) were stocked at a density of 15/m3 in lined ponds of 300 m2 in triplicates for 180 days. The experimental groups consisted of T1-biofloc developed within the culture systems (insitu), T2-biofloc supplementation in fish feed (exsitu) and C- Control without biofloc. Distillery Spent wash was used as a carbon source to maintain the C/N ratio of 10:1 for floc development in T1. Free CO2, pH, BOD, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, Calcium and Magnesium ions, Nitrate, Nitrite and ammonia were found to be significantly different between the treatments and control throughout the experiment. The immunological (Serum protein, Respiratory burst test (RBT) and Myeloperoxidase) and antioxidant indicators (Glucose, Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase) were found to be significantly higher in T1 at the end of the trial. Increased weight gain, specific growth rate, survival and decreased feed conversion ratio was found in T1 when compared with the other experimental groups. Real time quantitative PCR analysis revealed that there was no folded expression of the immunological genes such as Metallothionein gene, cathepsin L, Toll like receptor 7, Interleukin 1 ß and Tumour necrosis factor α in liver and intestine for both control and treatment. However, the upregulated expression of targeted genes except tumour necrosis factor α was found in head kidney of T1. At the end of the study, GIFT Tilapia when infected with Aeromonas hydrophila showed an improved immune response in T1 and T2 with lesser signs of infection than Control. The findings of the present study affirmed the importance of biofloc technology in triggering the immunomodulatory response of GIFT Tilapia with its upregulated immune gene expression and its role as an antimicrobial agent against Aeromonas hydrophila. This study suggests the adoption of in-situ (T1) based biofloc method to obtain better performance of GIFT Tilapia culture.

Carbohydrate sources deferentially influence growth performances, microbial dynamics and immunomodulation in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) under biofloc system.

This study aims to evaluate the influence of different carbohydrate sources on water quality, growth performance and immunomodulation in pacific white shrimp and to find an alternate for molasses in biofloc system. The experiment consists of 8 biofloc treatments with different carbon sources, C1 (maida flour), C2 (wheat flour), C3 (gram flour), C4 (millet flour), C5 (rice flour), C6 (corn flour), C7 (molasses), C8 (multigrain flour) and un-supplemented control C0 was conducted in 200 L tank system for 120 days. Shrimp juveniles of average weight 1 g were stocked at the rate of 300 nos/m3. Shrimp reared in C8, C7 and C4 treatments had similar growth, survival rate, and disease resistance and were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than other treatments including control. Immune parameters like total hemocyte count (THC) and prophenoloxidase (ProPO) activity showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) levels in biofloc treatment groups. The genes targeting the proPO cascade (PX, BGBP) and antioxidant defense systems (SOD, MnSOD, CAT) revealed significant upregulation in the transcript levels indicating an enhancement in the immune-regulatory functions in the BFT groups. The results suggest that millets and multigrain flour can effectively replace molasses as the carbohydrate source for biofloc system and the biofloc system offers higher growth, survival, and immunomodulation than control.

Carbon: Nitrogen (C:N) ratio level variation influences microbial community of the system and growth as well as immunity of shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in biofloc based culture system.

Biofloc technology (BFT) is a novel modern aquaculture farming technique used to reduce toxic nitrogen concentration, act as in situ food source and eradicate pollutants using carbon and therefore to control C:N ratio in an aquaculture system. In this study, effect of different C:N ratios of a biofloc based system on water quality such as the level of Total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) nitrite-nitrogen (NO2--N) and nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N) were explored. Further, the growth and immunity status of shrimp L. vannamei under the influence of different C:N ratios were evaluated. Two of the C:N ratios (15 and 20) could significantly (P < 0.05) reduce TAN, NO2-N and NO3-N levels (0.456 ±â€¯0.01, 0.145 ±â€¯0.09, and 0.102 ±â€¯0.02 ppm) compared to control (1.45 ±â€¯0.1, 0.749 ±â€¯0.14 and 0.675 ±â€¯0.16 ppm). Large variations in the frequency distribution of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) for the bacterial community in water with different C:N ration (BFT) and control were observed. Vibrios often considered as opportunistic pathogens, where the most dominant bacterial flora of water in control (79%) and C:N5 (37%) group. In C:N10, Thauera (62%) was most represented genus. Similarly, Attheyaceae (56%), followed by Peridiniaceae (30%) were the most dominant groups in C:N15 treatment. The diversity of bacterial flora was more spread in C:N20 treatments with Psychrobacter (26%), Proteobacteria (25%) and Peridiniaceae (20%) as the major groups. The trend of Vibrio dominance decreased with the increase in C:N ratios and thus confirming the dominance of heterotrophic bacteria in high C:N ratio groups. Upon challenge with pathogens, shrimps from C:N10, C:N15 and C:N20 groups showed significantly higher survival (P < 0.05) compared to the C:N5 and control group. Similarly, better growth rate was also observed in BFT tanks compared to control both during the culture and at harvest. Comparatively higher expression of four immune-related genes (ras-related nuclear gene (RAN), serine proteinase gene (SP), prophenoloxidase activating enzyme (PPAE), and crustin were observed in different C:N ratio ponds than control and these were in increasing trend with the C:N ratio. Gene expression analysis showed that the transcripts of those immune genes were significantly increased among all C:N treatments than that of control. Overall, these findings demonstrated that with optimum C:N ratio, BFT can be used to optimize the bacterial community composition for both optimal water quality and optimal shrimp health. This study thus indicates the possibility of obtaining better performance of L. vannamei culture with proper adjustment of C:N ratio in a biofloc based system.

Congenital Bilateral Coloboma of Upper Eyelid.

Congenital coloboma of eyelid is a rare anomaly. There is partial or total absence of eyelid structures. A seven year male child had coloboma of both the upper lids lateral to lacrimal puctum affecting the medial half of lid symmetrically with symblepharon in region of defect bilaterally. The study was carried out at Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajpati Medical College Berhampur, Odisha in year 2010. Both eyebrows were abnormal. He presented on and off diminution of vision, burning sensation, redness and watering from both the eyes on and off. On examination high refractive error was detected (visual aquity was 6/18 in righteye and 6/24 in left eye). Cornea was dry and opacities were present in both the eyes. There was limitation of ocular movement in both sides due to symblepharon. Nystagmus was present. The subject did not have any other associated anomaly. The birth and family history was normal. This case can be surgically treated and earliest management can give good fuctional as well as cosmetic results.

Oral administration of formalin killed Vibrio anguillarum cells improves growth and protection against challenge with Vibrio harveyi in banana shrimp.

UNLABELLED: Larval rearing in hatcheries and highly intensive grow-out culture practices followed in shrimp production systems favour the growth of potential pathogenic bacterial loads. This study reports the efficacy of formalin-killed vibrio bacterin on growth, survival and protection to challenge with virulent Vibrio harveyi and Vibrio anguillarum in juveniles of banana shrimp Fenneropenaeus merguiensis. Postlarvae 15 (0·24 ± 0·01 g) were administered orally in different concentrations of bacterial preparation (0, 10(6) , 10(8) , 10(10) and 10(12 ) CFU kg(-1) feed) for a period of 6 weeks. Physicochemical and microbial quality of water in larval rearing tanks, and growth and survival of the postlarvae were monitored at regular intervals, and body composition was estimated at the end of the experiment. Shrimps were challenged with V. harveyi and V. anguillarum, and cumulative mortality was calculated. The group receiving 10(8)  CFU kg(-1) feed showed highest average weight gain (162·66 ± 22·94 mg) and survival (90·33 ± 4·5%) and lowest cumulative mortality following the challenge with V. anguillarum (26%) and V. harveyi (36·67%). The results of the study suggest that formalized vibrio administered orally to F. merguiensis postlarvae could induce both homologous and heterologous protection against V. anguillarum and V. harveyi. 'Vaccination' of shrimp postlarvae at hatcheries would help in preventing the losses due to vibriosis and the most susceptible stages of shrimp development. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The study demonstrates the cross-protection offered by the oral feeding of formalin-killed Vibrio anguillarum against pathogenic V. harveyi challenge at the early developmental stages of banana shrimp, Fenneropenaeus merguiensis.

A Biofloc-Based Aquaculture System Bio-augmented with Probiotic Bacteria Bacillus tequilensis AP BFT3 Improves Culture Environment, Production Performances, and Proteomic Changes in Penaeus vannamei.

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the probiotic effect of bio-augmented Bacillus tequilensis AP BFT3 on improving production, immune response, and proteomic changes of Penaeus vannamei reared in a biofloc system. Penaeus vannamei larvae (PL13) were stocked in 100-L tanks at a rate of 100 no per tank to study the effect of B. tequilensis AP BFT3 with and without biofloc (BFT-PRO and PRO). Control tanks devoid of probiotic strain were maintained in a clear water system. The growth and survival considerably increased in probiotic added biofloc reared shrimp than probiotic added clear water reared ones and control. Water quality significantly improved in probiotic added (PRO) and biofloc-probiotics (BFT-PRO) system than control. Microbiological investigations indicate increased heterotrophic bacterial load in BFT-PRO compared to the PRO and control. The quality of the isolated microbes was analyzed in terms of enzyme production, and an abundance of enzyme-producing bacterial population was observed in BFT-PRO shrimp. Immune-related genes were significantly upregulated in BFT-PRO shrimp, followed by the PRO and control. The proteomic data (2D gel electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF) of muscle tissue from the experimental animals identified 11 differentially expressed proteins. The Daxx OS and Lit v 1 tropomyosin was found upregulated in BFT-PRO shrimps. Downregulation of Na+/K+ATPase was observed in biofloc with probiotic-supplied groups. The findings revealed that the BFT system's efficacy could be improved through the addition of probiotics. The addition of B. tequilensis AP BFT3 as a probiotic in biofloc induced the expression of essential proteins, reducing contracting diseases during culture.

Bioaugmentation of biofloc system with enzymatic bacterial strains for high health and production performance of Penaeus indicus.

The beneficial effects of two probiotic bacterial strains Marinilactibacillus piezotolerans and Novosphingobium sp. during the culture of Indian white shrimp, Penaeus indicus, under biofloc and clear water system were evaluated. The experimental variation were CW1 (M. piezotolerans in clear water), BFT1 (biofloc + M. piezotolerans), CW2 (Novosphingobium sp. in clear water), BFT2 (biofloc + Novosphingobium sp.) and control (without bacterial strains and biofloc). Growth and survival considerably increased in probiotic bio-augmented treatments. Probiotic incorporation significantly improved water quality, especially ammonia reduction. Microbiota analysis from gut samples taken from different treatments revealed varied microbial population structure among clear water culture, biofloc culture and control. Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the top phyla observed in the treatments which were significantly higher in bio-augmented systems than the control. Vibrio genera were predominantly observed in control and clear water system compared to that of biofloc systems. Immune genes were significantly altered in response to probiotic gut microbial supplementation than the control. Higher gene expression profile of important immune genes was observed in the biofloc reared shrimps. Expression of digestive enzyme related genes such as trypsin, chymotrypsin, cathepsin L, cathepsin B and alpha amylase were also upregulated significantly in probiotic supplementation especially in the biofloc treatments. Proteomic analysis of hepatopancreas of shrimps from different treatments was carried out by using 2D gel electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF analysis. The proteins were mostly related to growth and stress tolerance. Eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein was expressed in all the groups and it was high in biofloc treated animals followed by animals treated solely with probiotics compared to those of control groups. The results concludes that biofloc already proved as an effective culture method for healthy shrimp production and supplementation of probiotic bacterial strains registered additional benefit for growth, survival, microbial, immunological status of P, indicus culture.

Probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus rhamnosus influences the blood profile in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum).

This paper reports the effect of feeding probiotic diets on blood profiles in rainbow trout. Two experiments were performed: in the first, fish of average weight 75 g were offered either a commercial feed or the same incorporated with 10(9) CFU g(-1) of lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus rhamnosus for 30 days; in the second study performed for a similar duration, fish of average weight 126 g were offered formulated diets that either contained the same bacteria in heat-killed or freeze-dried form (nearly 10(11) CFU g(-1)), or the basal diet without the bacteria. Blood samples were collected at different times after commencement of probiotic feeding to determine the total cholesterol, triglyceride contents, the plasma alkaline phosphatase activity, plasma protein and hematocrit value. The plasma cholesterol significantly increased upon probiotic feeding in the first experiment. A significant elevation (P<0.05) of plasma cholesterol and triglyceride and alkaline phosphatase activity level was found in the freeze-dried probiotic fed groups at 20 and 30 days postfeeding. This was concomitant with the increased plasma protein and hematocrit values in FD group at 20 and 30 days. Likewise, the heat-killed probiotic fed group registered significantly high values of triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase activity, and plasma protein compared to the control diet fed groups after 20 days of feeding. Thus, alterations in the blood profiles could serve as supplementary information when examining the benefits of probiotics for fish.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) affects the antioxidant and immune defense of the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a very potent antioxidant derived from green tea, was compared with vitamin E in terms of its effects on antioxidant defense and immune response of rainbow trout, by means of a feeding trial of eight weeks. Two of the experimental diets were supplemented with EGCG at either 20 or 100 mg kg(-1) diet (which contained only 30% of the intended levels) and the third was provided with 100 mg kg(-1) vitamin E but not EGCG. The control diet was not supplemented with the test components. Observation of tissue levels indicated that the high amount of EGCG helped to increase the availability of the lipid-soluble antioxidant vitamin E. The lower levels of lipid hydroperoxide in the liver of fish fed the higher amount of EGCG suggested that it was an effective antioxidant. Considering the immune indices, EGCG and vitamin E at 100 mg (actual amounts 31.9 and 94.1 mg kg(-1) diet, respectively) had identical capabilities in improving phagocytic activity and controlling hydrogen peroxide production by leucocytes. However, EGCG could possibly be more effective at enhancing serum lysozyme activity and the alternative complement activity. This work revealed the potential of EGCG as an antioxidant and an immunostimulant for rainbow trout, at least at the inclusion level of 32 mg kg(-1) diet.

An RNA ligase essential for RNA editing and survival of the bloodstream form of Trypanosoma brucei.

RNA editing in trypanosomes occurs by a series of enzymatic steps that are catalyzed by a macromolecular complex. The TbMP52 protein is shown to be a component of this complex, to have RNA ligase activity, and to be one of two adenylatable proteins in the complex. Regulated repression of TbMP52 blocks editing, which shows that it is a functional component of the editing complex. This repression is lethal in bloodforms of the parasite, indicating that editing is essential in the mammalian stage of the life cycle. The editing complex, which is present in all kinetoplastid parasites, may thus be a chemotherapeutic target.

Iodine status of women in reproductive age group in urban slums of Cuttack City, Orissa.

A community based cross-sectional study involving 168 women of reproductive age was carried out in urban slums of Cuttack city in 2005 to assess the iodine status. Pre-designed, pre-tested schedule was used to collect relevant information & urine samples collected from the study subjects were analyzed by ammonium persulfate digestion method to estimate the iodine level. The median urinary iodine concentration of the study subjects was 64.5 microg/L, 62.5% of study population had iodine deficiency i.e. < 100 microg/L & among them, 74.3% had moderate to severe iodine deficiency i.e. <50 microg/L. Iodine deficiency was significantly higher among women of Muslim religion & Hindu Scheduled Caste & those coming from joint families.