The diversity of finfish population in Poonthura estuary, south-west coast of India, Kerala.

Quantitative measures of diversity are the ideal tools to reveal the community differences that are due to changes in the relative taxon abundance. The present study is an attempt to investigate the measures of finfish diversity of the Poonthura estuary, located in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, India. Samples were collected using gill nets from three stations. Biodiversity indices such as Margalef's richness (d), Pielou's evenness (J'), Shannon diversity (H') loge(2), Simpson diversity (1-λ), Simpson dominance (λ), average taxonomic distinctness (△+), and variation in taxonomic distinctness (λ+) were worked out for monthly and seasonal data (pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon). The ranges of species richness, evenness, Shannon diversity, and Simpson diversity and dominance were 2.30 to 4.51, 0.79 to 0.92, 2.52 to 3.42, 0.76 to 0.91, and 0.11 to 0.23 respectively. Considering the lacuna in information on this estuary, the results of the present study provide reference points for the measures of fish diversity for future studies. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) plotted to understand the seasonal and monthly variation of diversity. The clusters showed 40% similarity in the monthly samples, with the post-monsoon season showing the highest number of species. Various physicochemical parameters influenced the temporal fluctuations in diversity including seasons, river runoff, sewage discharge, and intrusion of saline water. Moreover, higher values of chlorophyll a is an indicator of eutrophication. Proper management inputs are necessary to sustain the resources along with pollution abatement measures for improving the livelihood support from this estuary.

Pasting, textural and thermal properties of resistant starch prepared from potato (Solanum tuberosum) starch using pullulanase enzyme.

Pullulanase enzyme (40 U/g, 10 h) was used for enzymatic hydrolysis of potato starch which was autoclaved (121 °C/30 min), stored under refrigeration (4 °C/24 h) and lyophilized. Comparison of morphological, pasting, textural and thermal properties among native hydrolysed starch (V2) and gelatinized hydrolysed starch (V3) prepared using pullulanase enzyme on potato starch (V1) were studied. The round, elliptical, irregular and oval shape with smooth surface of V1 was replaced with amorphous mass of cohesive structure leading to loss of granular appearance in V2 and V3. The percentage of amylose and resistant starch content of V2 (27.16 %) and (24.16 %); V3 (51.44 %) and (29.35 %) was higher when compared to V1 (22.17 %) and (3.62 %). The swelling power of V1 observed at 60 °C (0.85 %) and 95 °C (8.64 %) were significantly different from V2 at 60 °C (4.97 %) and 95 °C (7.66 %) and that of V3 at 60 °C (5.82 %) and 95 °C (7.5 %). Significance difference in water solubility (7.62 %) and absorption capacity (6.11 %) was noted in V3 when compared with V1 and V2 owing to amylose/amylopectin content. Increase in water solubility and absorption capacity along with decrease in swelling power of V2 and V3 was noted due to hydrolytic and thermal process. RS obtained from hydrolysis showed a reduction in viscosity, indicating the rupture of starch molecules. The viscosity was found to be inversely proportional to the RS content in the sample. The thermal properties of RS increased due to the retrogradation and recrystallization (P < 0.05).

Therapeutic potential of ethyl acetate fraction of Tephrosia purpurea Linn. leaves in a rat model of gout.

OBJECTIVE: The present study is to determine the potential treatment effects of ethyl acetate fraction of Tephrosia purpurea Linn. leaves (EATP) against gout. METHODS: Gout in experimental rats was induced with potassium oxonate at the dose of 250 mg/kg (intraperitoneal injection) for 7 consecutive days; EATP was administered 1 h after administration of the potassium oxonate on each day of experiment. Potassium oxonate was discontinued on the 8th day; thereafter allopurinol (10 mg/kg, p.o.) and EATP (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) were continued until day 14. The uric acid level was measured from serum and urine during the experiment. Other biochemical parameters were assessed, including blood and urine creatinine, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and total protein. Blood urea nitrogen, serum aspartate aminotransferase serum alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were also measured. The blood was analyzed for levels of malondialdehyde and the antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. Histopathological and radiological changes in the ankle of rats were observed after completion of the experiment. RESULTS: EATP was able to decrease serum uric acid and creatinine level; it also reduced inflammation, oxidative stress and lysosomal enzyme level, which has a role in acute inflammation. EATP increased uric acid excretion through urine due to its uricosuric effect. CONCLUSION: EATP lowered the serum uric acid level and increased the urine uric acid level through excretion, which is useful in the treatment of gout. Hence the EATP was found to be helpful in the treatment of gout.

Percutaneous estradiol gel with an intrauterine levonorgestrel releasing device or natural progesterone in hormone replacement therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the bleeding patterns and clinical compliance associated with postmenopausal amenorrhea-inducing forms of hormone replacement therapy using either percutaneous estradiol-gel and a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device or an oral/vaginal natural progesterone. METHODS: Sixty postmenopausal women with an intact uterus were followed over 12 months in this open, non-randomised, parallel group study. All patients continuously received a gel containing 1.5 mg of estradiol daily. The women were divided into three groups on the basis of progestin administration. Twenty women (group I) had a levonorgestrel-releasing device (LNG-IUD) inserted at the beginning of the study. Twenty-one women (group II) received oral natural micronised progesterone (oral P) 100 mg daily during 25 calendar days each month, and 19 women (group III) used vaginal natural micronised progesterone (vaginal P) 100-200 mg daily during 25 calendar days each month (higher dose if spotting occurred). Clinic visits were at 0, 3, 6 and 12 months. Bleeding patterns were recorded by the patient in a diary and clinical compliance was evaluated at control visits during the treatment. Symptoms were recorded using a modified Kuppermann index. The serum estradiol concentration was determined at the 0, 6 and 12 month control visits. RESULTS: 80% (n = 16) of the patients in the LNG-IUD group, 67% (n = 14) in the oral P group II and 53% (n = 10) in the vaginal P group were without bleeding at 12 months. Spotting was common during the first 3 months. Symptom relief was good in each group. The LNG-IUD did not cause any serious side-effects. Compliance was good for LNG-IUD and oral progesterone but not for vaginal progesterone. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous estradiol-gel associated with LNG-IUD is an appropriate method of hormone replacement therapy. The combination of oral natural progesterone with estradiol-gel is also useful, although bleeding episodes complicated the treatment in one third of the patients. The vaginal administration of natural progesterone was impractical due to bleeding disorders.

Factors predicting peri- and neonatal outcome in diabetic pregnancy.

A population-based birth cohort including 296 consecutive type 1 diabetic births in a geographically defined catchment area was used to evaluate factors predicting poor perinatal and neonatal outcome. Though perinatal mortality has decreased (17.1/1000 births at 28 or more weeks of gestation), the neonatal morbidity rate still remains high despite improved maternal metabolic control and developed antepartum surveillance. Poor glycemic control during the first weeks of pregnancy was the most important risk factor (relative risk (RR) 2.91; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29-6.55) predicting adverse neonatal events such as long (>10 days) stay in the neonatal unit, malformation or perinatal death. The risk was further increased in cases of severe diabetes (White class F-R; RR 2.75; 95% CI 1.59-4.76) and primiparity (RR 1.64; 95% CI 1.02-2.65). By evaluating these risk factors at the first antenatal visit, a subgroup with a particular need of counselling and intensive feto-maternal monitoring can be identified.

Sequelae of moderate finger frostbite as assessed by subjective sensations, clinical signs, and thermophysiological responses.

The aim of the study was to investigate prevalence and qualities of sequelae following moderate finger frostbite. The study material comprised 30 subjects, who had suffered second-degree frostbite (73% contact frostbite) 4-11 years before this study. In clinical tests 66% of the subjects had an elevated tendency for vasospasm, yet only 20% suffered from white fingers. However, no marked traces of frostbite-related alterations were observed in systemic cardiovascular reflex tests or in X-ray examinations of the frostbite area. Subjective assessments revealed a high prevalence of sequelae (63%), although the primary frostbite was moderate and local. The sequelae in the frostbite area included hypersensitivity to cold (53%), numbness of fingers (40%), and declined sensitivity of touch (33%). Also working ability was lowered due to frostbite sequelae (13%). In cold air provocation tests, the skin temperature of the frostbitten areas decreased more quickly and reached lower values than in healthy control subjects. In conclusion the suffered frostbite was associated with an increased tendency for vasospasm. Subjective sensations of the frostbitten area were associated with thermophysiological changes. The sequelae were reported to worsen in the cold environment thus emphasizing the probable occupational limitations of even moderate cold injury.

Therapeutic potential of ethyl acetate fraction of Tephrosia purpurea Linn. leaves in a rat model of gout / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#The present study is to determine the potential treatment effects of ethyl acetate fraction of Tephrosia purpurea Linn. leaves (EATP) against gout.@*METHODS@#Gout in experimental rats was induced with potassium oxonate at the dose of 250 mg/kg (intraperitoneal injection) for 7 consecutive days; EATP was administered 1 h after administration of the potassium oxonate on each day of experiment. Potassium oxonate was discontinued on the 8th day; thereafter allopurinol (10 mg/kg, p.o.) and EATP (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) were continued until day 14. The uric acid level was measured from serum and urine during the experiment. Other biochemical parameters were assessed, including blood and urine creatinine, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and total protein. Blood urea nitrogen, serum aspartate aminotransferase serum alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were also measured. The blood was analyzed for levels of malondialdehyde and the antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. Histopathological and radiological changes in the ankle of rats were observed after completion of the experiment.@*RESULTS@#EATP was able to decrease serum uric acid and creatinine level; it also reduced inflammation, oxidative stress and lysosomal enzyme level, which has a role in acute inflammation. EATP increased uric acid excretion through urine due to its uricosuric effect.@*CONCLUSION@#EATP lowered the serum uric acid level and increased the urine uric acid level through excretion, which is useful in the treatment of gout. Hence the EATP was found to be helpful in the treatment of gout.

LMA C Trach aided endotracheal intubation in simulated cases of cervical spine injury: A series of 30 cases.

BACKGROUND: Laryngeal mask airway (LMA) C Trach is a novel device designed to intubate trachea without conventional laryngoscopy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of C trach in the simulated scenario of cervical spine injury where conventional laryngoscopy is not desirable. METHODS: This prospective pilot study was carried out in 30 consenting adults of either gender, ASAPS I or II, scheduled for surgery requiring endotracheal intubation. An appropriate sized rigid cervical collar was positioned around the patient's neck to restrict the neck movements and simulate the scenario of cervical spine injury. After induction of anesthesia, various technical aspects of C Trach facilitated endotracheal intubation, changes in hemodynamic variables, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: Mask ventilation was easy in all the patients. Successful insertion of C Trach was achieved in 27 patients at first attempt, while 3 patients required second attempt. Majority of patients required one of the adjusting maneuvers to obtain acceptable view of glottis (POGO score >50%). Intubation success rate was 100% with 26 patients intubated at first attempt and the rest required second attempt. Mean intubation time was 69.8±27.40 sec. With experience, significant decrease in mean intubation time was observed in last 10 patients as compared to first 10 (46±15.77 sec vs. 101.3±22.91 sec). Minor mucosal injury was noted in four patients. CONCLUSION: LMA C Trach facilitates endotracheal intubation under direct vision and can be a useful technique in patients with cervical spine injury with cervical collar in situ.