Use of homeo drug for curing ulcerative syndrome in fishes

Fungal infection was observed in Catla catla and Labeo rohita cultured in two private fish farms. The later stage of the infection resulted in ulcerations followed by haemorrhage on the dorsal surface of the body. Initially, usual treatments of copper sulphate, potassium permanganate and common salt solution were tried, but no improvement was observed. Then repeated intramuscular injections of homeopathic drug Heaper Sulpher and Arnica spray were given with encouraging results. Infection reported in another farm was also successfully controlled using a similar treatment.

The myogenic automatism of the systemic heart of Octopus vulgaris (Cephalopoda: Coleoidea): evidence for localized stretch sensitivity and pacing activity

The localization of the stretch sensitivity and myogenic automatism in the systemic heart of Octopus vulgaris has been studied on an isolated preparation in which the ventricle was zoned by ligatures. Each region has been submitted to two different levels of internal hydrostatic pressure (1 and 2 kPa). Only the two atrio-ventricular regions were able to contract regularly when submitted to internal pressure, with a frequency dependent from the pressure value, while the ventricle-aortic region was insensitive to the stretching by internal pressure. This result supports the hypothesis that the automatism in this heart is localized. Electrocardiogram recordings from different areas of an isolated and perfused preparation of the systemic heart ventricle are also reported, which suggest that the electrical activity of the ventricle originates in two narrow areas near the atrio-ventricular valves.

Determination of ubiquinone and tocopherol in heart, liver and muscle tissues of fresh water fish, Rohu (Labeo rohita, Hamilton)

The liver, heart and muscle tissues of Rohu, (Labeo rohita, Hamilton) were examined for their ubiquinone (UQ) and tocopherol contents. These three tissues contained respectively 11.60, 3.94 and 0.19 mg of ubiquinone and 10.16, 5.32 and 3.58 mg of tocopherol per 100 g. The 4% (V/V) of diethyl ether (EE) in light petroleum ether (PE) fractions of all three tissues on paper chromatographic separation gave spots having the same Rf value as standard ubiquinone-50 (UQ 10). Both the 4% and 6% (V/V) diethyl ether in light petroleum ether fraction of liver, heart and muscle tissues gave a single spot with the same Rf value as α – tocopherol.

Incidence of epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) in freshwater fishes in the endemic area of Punjab, Pakistan

Incidence of Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS) has been recorded for the first time in freshwater fishes in the endemic area of Punjab, Pakistan. Survey of private fish farms, hatchery and natural water bodies was conducted in a radius of 14 Km from around river Ravi near Lahore (Punjab Province) Pakistan. Out Of 1628 fishes belonging to 18 genera, 517 fishes of 10 genera were found affected with EUS. The incidence of EUS in culturable fishes was higher in Cirrhina mrigala (15.4%) moderate in Catla cat/a (13.3%) and lower in Labeo rohita (5.0%). Exotic fish, Chinese carp Ctenoparyngodon idella and Hypophthalmicthys molitrix were not affected with EUS. In non-culturable fishes the incidence of EUS was highest in Channa punctatus (72.8%) moderate in by C. straitus (65.45%) and comparatively lower Puntius ticto (43.7%). A slow growing temperature sensitive Saprolegnia spp. was isolated from all of EUS infected fish species. Aeromonas spp. and Pseudomonas spp. were isolated from the diseased fishes. Ectoparasites viz. Lernaea, Argulus and Triclwdina spp. were also isolated from the skin and gills of infected fish species. The disease was more severe in water having low alkalinity (70 mg/1), hardness (75 mg/1) and low temperature of 10-12 °C.

Rapid detection of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) of Penaeus monodon by latex agglutination test using monoclonal antibodies

Latex beads were sensitized with monoclonal antibodies (MAb) rose against VP28 of WSSV. The optimum concentration of MAb required to sensitize the latex beads was 125 µg/ml. The sensitized latex beads were used to detect WSSV from PCR-positive stomach tissue homogenates obtained from infected shrimp. Stomach tissue homogenates from WSSV-infected shrimp agglutinated the sensitized latex beads within 10 minutes, while uninfected samples did not produce any agglutination, although non-specific agglutinations were observed in some samples. The analytical sensitivity, analytical specificity, diagnostic sensitivity and diagnostic specificity of the (LAT) agglutination test were assessed. The analytical sensitivity of the test was 40 ng of purified WSSV (2 µg/ml). The sensitized latex beads did not agglutinate with normal shrimp tissue or MBV-infected tissue homogenate. The test has a diagnostic sensitivity of 70 and 45%, respectively, compared to single-step and nested PCR. The diagnostic specificity of the test was 82%. This test is a simple and rapid on-farm test which can be used to corroborate clinical signs for the detection of WSSV in grow-out ponds.

Effect of electric stimulation on heart beat and body muscle in fish

The effect of AC and DC electric stimulations on the heart-rate and the entire body of Heteropneustis fossillis, Tilapia mossambica and Macrobrachium rosenbergii were studied and presented in kymograph tracings. The reaction of spinal cord in Puntius ticto, Heteropneustis fossilis and Tilapia mossambica to D. C. field was observed to find out its role in electric shocks. A test-check of the electrical resistance of a few species was also conducted. The effect of D. C. and A.C. on the body muscle was found to be the same as that in the case of frog. Different degrees of cardiac slowing were observed in AC and DC. Unbalanced galvanotropic movements were also noticed in spinal fishes.

The triglyceride fatty acids from heart lipids of Puntius sarana and their variation with different sizes

The triglyceride fatty acid components from the heart lipid of Puntius sarana of different sizes have been characterized by thin-layer and gas liquid chromatography. Csub(10) to Csub(24) acids including both odd-numbered and branched chain acids were detected. The major constituents were ante-iso Csub(10), Csub(10), Csub(12:2), Csub(14), Csub(16), Csub(16:1),Csub(17), Csub(18) , Csub(18:1), Csub(18:2), Csub(18:3) and Csub(20:4) while twenty other acids were detected in lower proportion. The composition of these acids and their variation with size of fish have been investigated and discussed.

Polymorphisms in the C-type lectin genes cluster in chromosome 19 and predisposition to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection

Background: Polymorphisms of CLEC4M have been associated with predisposition for infection by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). DC-SIGNR, a C-type lectin encoded by CLEC4M, is a receptor for the virus. A variable number tandem

Anti Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) Agents 4. Discovery of 5,5 '-(p-Phenylenebisazo)-8-hydroxyquinoline Sulfonates as New HIV-1 Inhibitors in Vitro

To search for compounds with superior anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) activity, ten 5,5'-(p-phenylenebisazo)-8-hydroxyquinoline sulfonates (4a-j) were synthesized and preliminarily evaluated as HIV-1 inhibitors in vitro for the first time. Some compounds demonstrated anti-HIV-1 activity, especially 5,5'-(p-phenylenebisazo)-8-hydroxyquinoline p-ethylbenzenesulfonate (4g) and 5,5'-(p-phenylenebisazo)-8-hydroxyquinoline p-chlorobenzenesulfonate (41) showed the more potent anti-HIV-1 activity with 50% effective concentration (EC50) values of 2.59 and 4.01 mu g/ml, and therapeutic index (TI) values of 31.77 and 24.51, respectively.

Chronotropic and inotropic effects of adenosine and AMP on the isolated systemic heart of Octopus vulgaris

The effect of adenosine on the function of the heart in Octopus vulgaris was studied using an isolated heart preparation. Bolus injections of adenosine or AMP (adenosine precursor) induced both positive chronotropic and inotropic effects. The maximum inotropic effect preceded the maximum chronotropic effect. The impermeable adenosine analogue 2-chloroadenosine elicited a similar effect, while the adenosine uptake blocker dipyridamole did not affect the adenosine response. These results suggest that adenosine acted extracellularly. The concentration-response curves of adenosine and AMP were also determined, by evaluating the effects on ventricular and coronary function. Under these conditions, the potent chronotropic effect elicited by both substances apparently masked or compensated for the inotropic effect, owing to the negative force-frequency relationship known to occur in the octopus heart. The AMP displayed a lower threshold than adenosine, suggesting an higher affinity for the purinergic receptors involved or a strict association between 5'-nucleotidase and the adenosine receptor on the plasma membrane.

Development of cell culture from caudal fin and heart of Tor tor (Hamilton-Buchanan)

Tor mahseer (Tor tor), possess high commercial and recreational value as they are potential game as well as food fish of India. Two cell culture systems were developed from fin and heart of T. tor (Hamilton-Buchanan). The explants excised aseptically from fingerling of T. tor were cultured in Leibovitz-15 (L-15) medium with 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Radiation of cells started after 72 hours and 48 hours of explant attachment from caudal fin and heart respectively. Confluent monolayer of cells with heterogeneous morphology around fin explants was observed after 7-10 days, where as a homogenous confluent layer of fibroblastic cells from heart explant was observed after 12-13 days. The establishment of cell culture systems from different organs and tissues of commercial important species would facilitates in vitro research.