Dietary Protein Requirement of Giant Snakehead, Channa marulius (Ham., 1822) Fry and Impact on Growth Indices

Six semi-purified diets (energy 17.97?C18.47?kJ?g^?1) containing protein levels of 300?g?kg^?1(diet-A), 360?g?kg^?1(diet-B), 420?g?kg^?1(diet-C), 480?g?kg^?1(diet-D), 540?g?kg^?1 (diet-E) and 600?g?kg^?1(diet-F) were estimated for the protein requirement of Channa marulius fry (length 4.11?±?0.59?cm) in a completely randomized experiment design in triplicate set. The fry were reared in 18 FRP tanks at a stocking density of 40 fry m³ and fed @ 8?C5?% bw. The diets A, B, C and D showed significantly (p?<?0.05) low survival levels of 46.6, 46.6, 46.6 and 53.3 in comparison to diets E (88.3?%) and F (85.0?%) after 28th day of rearing. The net biomass, SGR and per day weight gain were found significantly (p?<?0.05) higher and FCR low with diets E and F in comparison to diets A, B, C and D. The proximate analysis of carcass showed that the fish fed diets E and F had significantly (p?<?0.5) higher deposition of protein and lipids in the tissue. The study revealed that the protein requirement of C. marulius fry is around 540?C600?g?kg^?1 and the fry could be reared to fingerling size on formulated diets.     

Cerebrospinal fluid lactate: Is it a reliable and valid marker to distinguish between acute bacterial meningitis and aseptic meningitis?

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate assay has been a subject of research since 1925. A systematic review by Huy and colleagues in the previous issue of Critical Care summarizes data from 25 studies evaluating the role of CSF lactate in the differential diagnosis between acute bacterial and aseptic meningitis. The authors concluded that CSF lactate is a good single indicator and a better marker compared with conventional markers. But concerns remain because of poor quality of included studies, lack of proper 'gold standard', and limited applicability. More studies with a rigorous design are needed to determine definitively whether CSF lactate assay is a reliable and valid marker to distinguish between acute bacterial meningitis and aseptic meningitis.     

Environmental factors associated with Crohn’s disease in India

Background  

The frequency of diagnosis of Crohn’s disease (CD) in India is increasing. This case-control study was designed to detect associations of environmental and dietary factors with the diagnosis of CD.     

Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast with high grade spindle cell component with osteoid formation--a rare case report

Metaplastic carcinoma breast is rare entity with incidence of 0.02% of all breast malignancies. The ranges of age at diagnosis as well as clinical symptoms do not differ from that of conventional invasive ductal breast cancer. We are reporting a rare case diagnosed as metaplastic breast carcinoma on ultrasonography and confirmed histopathologically. The case merits presentation because of its rarity, low frequency of axillary metastasis and difficulty in interpreting the morphological features which correspond with prognosis.     

Myeloid Sarcoma: An Unusual Case of Mediastinal Mass and Malignant Pleural Effusion with Review of Literature

Myeloid sarcoma is an extramedullary tumor seen most commonly in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and less frequently in chronic myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and rarely, in an isolated form without any other underlying malignancy. Malignant pleural effusion in hematological malignancies is rare when compared with solid tumors. We present an unusual case of myeloid sarcoma in which a mediastinal mass with pleural effusion was the initial presentation. A 27 year old gentleman presented with complaints of fever, chest pain and swelling in the anterior chest wall for 6 months. Examination revealed a lump measuring 5 × 5 cm on the left side of the chest wall. Hematological evaluation showed hemoglobin-14.2 g/dL, platelet count-233 × 10⁹/L, TLC-117 × 10⁶/L with normal differential counts. Contrast enhanced computerised tomography (CECT) confirmed the presence of a soft tissue mass in the superior mediastinum abutting against the chest wall. Core biopsy was suggestive of myeloid sarcoma and immunohistochemistry was positive for myeloperoxidase and negative for CD3, CD 20 and CD 23. Pleural fluid analysis showed the presence of malignant cells. Bone marrow examination did not show an excess of blasts. A final diagnosis of extramedullary myeloid sarcoma with malignant pleural effusion was made. The patient was given induction chemotherapy (3 + 7 regimen) with daunorubicin and cytosine arabinoside. Repeat CECT done on day 28 showed complete resolution of pleural effusion and significant reduction in the size of mediastinal mass. The patient has successfully completed three cycles of consolidation therapy following which there has been complete resolution of the mass. He remains asymptomatic on close follow up.     

Seasonal variation in photogonadal response of the tropical weaver bird

A marked seasonal variation in photogonadal response of the tropical weaver bird has been demonstrated by shifting the birds from normal day length to continuous light every month of the year. While the gonadostimulatory effect of the long photoperiod was immediate during progressive, peak, and regressive phases of the reproductive cycle, the response was delayed by 1 to 3 months during the quiescent and regressive phases, respectively. Although a progressive decline in photosensitivity ensues after the gonads have attained a peak, weaver finches, unlike other photoperiodic passerine forms, do not develop a typical photorefractoriness which is described as spontaneous gonadal collapse and absence of redevelopment under continued long photoperiod. This is evident from the following: (1) gonadal activity is sustained indefinitely in extended long days; (2) during the period of gonadal regression birds are still photosensitive; (3) the sexually quiescent gonads of the postreproductive period can eventually be stimulated by long days; (4) the delayed photoresponse at this time cannot be “broken” by a pretreatment with long dark periods.     

Effect of neurotransmitters, Guanosine triphosphate, and divalent ions on the regulation of adenylate cyclase activity in malignant and adenosine cyclic 3':5'-monophosphate-induced "differentiated" neuroblastoma cells.

The effect of acetylcholine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine, prostaglandin (PGE1), guanosine triphosphate (GTP), and divalent ions on adenylate cyclase activity in homogenates of "differentiated" and malignant mouse neuroblastoma cells was studied. The sensitivity of adenylate cyclase to acetylcholine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine markedly increased in adenosine cyclic 3:5-monophosphate-induced differentiated neuroblastoma cells. Although 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in malignant neuroblastoma cells, it failed to do so in X-irradiation induced differentiated cells. PGE1 and GTP stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in malignant and adenosine cyclic 3:5-monophosphate induced differentiated neuroblastoma cells to about the same level. GTP protentiated the PGE1 effect in differentiated concentrations of magnesium and manganese inhibited adenylate cyclase activity; this effect was more pronounced in differentiated cells than in malignant cells. Calcium stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in malignant and differentiated cells to about the same level. There was no significant difference in the values of Km and Vmax of neuroblastoma cells. This study shows that the sensitivity of adenylate cyclase to neurotransmitters and divalent ions (magnesium and manganese) and the sensitivity of PGE1 stimulated enzyme activity to GTP increase in adenosine cyclic 3:5-monophosphate-induced differentiated neuroblastoma cells. Therefore, we suggest that the reverse may be true during malignant transformation of nerve cells.