Journal of Coastal Life Medicine

505-510

Authors: Hasna Kadri, Sondes Marouani, Mohamed Nejmeddine Bradai, Abderrahmen Bouaïn, Eric Morize

Objective: To investigate biometrics of Dipturus oxyrinchus (D. oxyrinchus), including length-weight relationships, total length (TL), disc width (DW), distance measured of snout tip to eye, width of the mouth, distance from snout tip to first dorsal, and the numeric characters in the Gulf of Gabes. Methods: Monthly sampling was conducted commercial bottom-trawl during December 2006 and January 2007, operating at a depth of 80-185 m. The TL, DW, distance of snout tip to eye, width of the mouth, distance from snout tip to first dorsal were measured to the nearest 0.1 cm and the weight was measured to the nearest 0.1 g. The parameters a and b were estimated by the least squares regression method. Results: A total of 520 D. oxyrinchus was ranged from 16.5 to 105.0 cm in TL and 30-5 300 g in total mass were analyzed during this study. The overall sex ratio was significantly different from the expected value of 1:16 (df=1, χ2=3.38, P<0.05), and there was significant difference in the TL (t-test=16.53, df=520, P<0.05). There was significant difference in the regression slopes between sexes for the TL and DW relationship (t-test=17.53, df=520, P<0.05). The b value for the TL/ weight relationship for males D. oxyrinchus sampled in this study (3.01) was lower than that for female (3.23). Morphometric characters were strongly positively correlated for TL. Conclusions: This study reported the first description of biometric relationships for D. oxyrinchus, which would be useful for the sustainable conservation of this rear fishery in the Gulf of Gabes and also form the basis for their inclusion in a regional security programme.

515-519

Authors: Kuppusamy Umaa Rani, Natesan Munuswamy

Objective: To detect the integrity of sperm DNA in the catfish Pangasianodon hypophthalmus cryopreserved with Hanks balanced salt solution, 5%-30% dimethyl acetamide (DMA) using the single-cell gel electrophoresis in order to test how sperm cryopreservation affected nuclear DNA stability. Methods: Electrophoresis was conducted for 60 min at 130 mA and 15 V. The comet images were analyzed using software CometScore 1.5, and parameters such as comet length, tail length and percentage DNA in the tail were obtained. Then the comet rate and damage coefficient were calculated. Results: There were no significant differences in motility, comet rate and damage coefficient between fresh sperm and cryopreserved sperm stored in 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% DMA, while the sperm cryopreserved with 25% and 30% DMA had lower motility, higher comet length and damage coefficients than those of fresh sperm. Conclusions: There was a positive correlation between comet rate of cryopreserved sperm and the concentration of DMA. The toxicity of cryoprotectant is the main factor for DNA damage in cryopreserved sperm.

527-534

Authors: Siti Alwani Ariffin, Kalavathy Ramasamy, Paul Davis, Vasudevan Mani, Mahmood Ameen Abdulla

Objective: To evaluate the in vivo acute toxicity and antioxidant activity of the marine endophytic fungus extract S2 isolated from Turbinaria conoides. Methods: Two doses (100 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) of the S2 extract were administered to rats orally for acute toxicity and antioxidant test. The body weight, relative weight of six organs, haematological, biochemical and antioxidant properties were investigated on Day 14. Results: A single oral dose treatment did not cause any mortality or observable adverse effects in rats. No significant variations in the body and organ weights between the control and the treated groups were observed. Heamatological analysis and clinical blood chemistry also did not reveal any toxic effects of the extract. The total white blood cell count and haemoglobin levels were increased. The levels of total serum cholesterol in males treated with 100 and 400 mg/kg were significantly (P<0.05) decreased (1.28 and 1.34 mmol/L respectively) compared to control (1.55 mmol/L) rats. Pathologically, neither gross abnormalities nor histopathological changes were observed. This study showed strong evidence of the non-toxic effects of S2 extract. Furthermore the extract exhibited significant (P<0.05) antioxidant activity through increased levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase enzymes in serum, liver and kidney. Conclusions: The research findings from the present study showed the potential of marine natural products particularly in Malaysia as a source of bioactive compounds. Marine endophytic fungi as a potential source of anticancer drugs with great potential as they are potent yet safe, thus deserving further extensive investigation.

543-548

Authors: Jorge G Fernández, Martín A Fernández-Baldo, Gabriela Sansone, Viviana Calvente, Delia Benuzzi, Eloy Salinas, Julio Raba, María I Sanz

Objective: To study the effect of temperature on the morphological characteristics of Botrytis cinerea (B. cinerea) and its correlated with the genetic variability. B. cinerea is a plant-pathogenic fungus that produces the disease known as grey mould in a wide variety of agriculturally important hosts in many countries. Methods: Six strains from different host collected have been isolated and characterized by several methods as mycelial growth, fungicide resistance, pathogenicity and the effects of the temperature. Also was analyzed by PCR and distinguished by the presence or absence of transposable elements. Results: Results showed that clear morphological differences exist between strains at the temperature of 4, 12 and 28 °C. All strains analyzed molecularly were classified as Group II (transposa-type). Demonstrating a negative correlation between mycelial growth and other characteristics as the fungicide resistance and pathogenicity. Lastly, it is difficult to establish relationships phenotypic and genotypic between strains of B. cinerea. Conclusions: The results indicated that the mycelial growth, resistance at fungicide and pathogenicity are independent of the characteristics molecular, however, are dependent of a factor such as temperature.

560-565

Authors: Aseer Manilal, Behailu Merdekios, Jimna Kambivelikkakath Velappan, Jose Paul Veliyath Paul, Akbar Idhayadhulla, Chinnaswamy Muthukumar, Mulugeta Melkie

Objective: To investigate the in vitro antimicrobial potential of mangrove associates against a battery of human and shrimp pathogenic bacteria and to elucidate its antimicrobial principles. Methods: In the present study, 12 species of mangrove associates collected from the Kollam (southwest coast of India) vicinity were extracted in different organic solvents of increasing polarity. The resultant extracts obtained from the respective species were examined for the antimicrobial activity against a panel of shrimp and human pathogens by agar diffusion assay. Results: Of the 1 2 species evaluated, three species of mangrove associates [Calophyllum inophyllum (C. inophyllum), Cerbera odollam and Dalbergia candenatensis] were found to be active. The broadest and highest rank of activity was observed in the crude extract of C. inophyllum. Amongst the pathogens tested, shrimp pathogenic Vibrios were the most sensitive organisms while human pathogens were found to be a bit resistant. In the present study, ethyl acetate was found to be the best solvent for extracting antimicrobial metabolites. The bioactive principles present in the crude extract of C. inophyllum were chemically elucidated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometer studies revealed the presence of two principal compounds such as 1-Dimethyl(phenyl)silyloxyhexadecane (24.73%) and β-d-Mannofuranoside, O-geranyl (50%) which might play functional role in the chemical defense against microbial invasion. Conclusions: Based on the overall findings, it could be inferred that the mangrove associate C. inophyllum is a promising candidate for the development of plant-based human and veterinary grade antibiotics in future.

571-578

Authors: Sarabjeet Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Ajay S. Kushwah, Gaurav Gupta

Objective: To assess potential of quercetin and etodolac to treat oxidative stress in neuronal death and inflammation in Alzheimer’s disease of AlCl 3 induced rat models. All results of this AlCl 3 model are compared with those obtained in controls. Methods: Wistar rats, housed in a controlled environment were treated with aluminum chloride (4.2 mg/kg of body weight, i.p.) for 28 d rather than oral to ensure neurotoxic concentration in hippocampus and hypothalamic region, part highly active in memory control and cognition, while control group was injected with saline. Estimation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione and acetylcholine levels gave estimation of neuronal damage. Low (20 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg) and high (40 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) doses of quercetin and etodolac were administered to the test groups respectively. Histopathology study was conducted to perform relative study. Results: Co-administration of quercetin and etodolac either alone or in combination prevented the changes in biochemical markers of Alzheimer’s disease, but significant results (P<0.05) were seen when a combination of two was administered at low dose levels. Good correlation was developed between chemical estimations and histopathology study. Conclusions: Our findings suggest a combined role of anti-oxidant and cyclooxygenase inhibitor in protection of neural degeneration and inflammation due to oxidative stress.

580-588

Authors: Ferdous Ahamed, Bernerd Fulanda, Muhammad Abu Bakar Siddik, Md. Yeamin Hossain, Md. Mostafizur Rahman Mondol, Zoarder Faruque Ahmed, Jun Ohtomi

The freshwater prawn fishery plays an important role in the economy of Bangladesh. The fishery is mainly based on the culture of Macrobrachium rosenbergii. The culture fishery has been growing rapidly, thus, masking the dwindling capture fishery which is faced with serious environmental issues augmented by deleterious fishing methods. Despite the high prospects of the freshwater prawn aquaculture in Bangladesh, a lot of research is needed to ensure the sustainable development of the capture fishery which forms a key source of prawn aquaculture seed as well as provide a baseline for future appraisals. Freshwater prawn aquaculture in Bangladesh is based on traditional methods with continuous adaptations by the rural fishers. However, numerous constraints to its full development are evident at all stages of its production. Lack of quality brood stock, seed, feeds and poor technical knowledge at farmers level are but some of the impediments challenging the sustainability of this industry. This paper reviews the freshwater prawn fishery of Bangladesh over the last few decades and outlines approaches for the development of an ecosystem-based management of both the culture and capture sectors of this important fishery.