Journal of Coastal Life Medicine

85-90

Authors: Hirokazu Kimura, Hiroyuki Tsukagoshi, Akihide Ryo, Yoshiroh Oda, Toshinobu Kawabata, Takashi Majima, Kunihisa Kozawa, Masayuki Shimojima

Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a life-threatening viral disease with a fatality rate ranging from around 30% to 90%. The first EVD outbreak was reported in the 1970s in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). Until 2013, most outbreaks occurred in the Central Africa region, including Zaire, Sudan and Uganda. However, between March and October 2014, over 10 000 cases of EVD have been recorded in West Africa, such as in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria, and a few hospital or secondary infections of EVD have occurred in Spain and the United States of America. EVD is presently one of the world's most feared diseases. In this literature review, we describe the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of EVD.

98-105

Authors: Vishwas Rao Methari, Thipramalai Thankappan Ajith Kumar, Mohideen Abdul Badhul Haq, Chinna Raja, Sheik Mohamed

Objective: To determine the physiological and ecological responses of marine ornamental fishes to the change of water temperature with its potential effects on the growth, survival and feeding in clown fish. Methods: Three different sea anemone fish (Premnas biaculeatus, Amphiprion clarkii, Amphiprion akallopisos) were reared in confinement at water temperatures of 26, 28, 30, 32, and 34 oC using thermostat and they were maintained up to the marketable size, and growth, survival and feeding were evaluated during the experimental period. Results: The results illustrated that water temperature influenced the physiological performance of juveniles of three different sea anemone fish significantly. The growth and survival rates of juveniles of three different clown fish significantly increased with the increase of water temperature from 26 oC to 34 oC (P<0.05). Water temperature also influenced the feeding of three different clown fish significantly with feed conversion ratio increased from (0.071依0.020), (0.075依0.030) and (0.079依0.028) to (0.057依0.040), (0.047依0.030) and (0.045依0.028) for Premnas biaculeatus, Amphiprion clarkii and Amphiprion akallopisos respectively with increase of water temperature from 26 oC to 34 oC (P<0.05). Specific growth rates (P<0.05) increased significantly with increase of water temperature and positively correlated with the feed conversion ratio, indicating that growth rates are significantly increased with increase of temperature. Conclusions: This study deliberately reveals that the physiological response of juveniles of clown fish as the change of water temperature and substantiated that water temperature influenced juvenile growth, survival and feeding significantly. This study also put forward that the reduced growth, survival and feeding of juveniles at lower temperature which have ecological impacts on clown fish juveniles in settlement and population replacement in the wild.

109-112

Authors: Mohammad Forouhar Vajargah, Hassan Rezaei

Objective: To determine the acute toxicity of trichlorophon (an organ phosphorus compound used in agricultural fields and a common disinfectant used for fish diseases) towards two ornamental fish Systomus tetrazona and Hemigrammus erythrozonus. Methods: In this research, two aquarium fish were exposed to different concentrations of trichlorophon (5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/L) for 96 h and physicochemical properties of water used for these experiments were stable and every mortality was recorded daily for 96 h. LC50 of 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h were attained by probit analysis software SPSS version 16. Results: The 96-h LC50 of trichlorophon for Systomus tetrazona and Hemigrammus erythrozonus were 8.74 and 8.88 mg/L, respectively. Conclusions: Eventually, toxicity values indicated that trichlorophon has the same toxicity towards the studied species and the lower value of LC50 for studied species in comparison with that of most species can be stated.

122-125

Authors: Puthamohan Vinayaga Moorthi, Chelliah Balasubramanian

Objective: To evaluate the antibacterial efficiency of the seaweed, Sargassum muticum (S. muticum) collected from Pudumadam, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, India. Methods: Crude solvent extracts of S. muticum were obtained by using Soxhlet extraction and the solvents like acetone, methanol and chloroform. These different extracts were tested against different human bacterial pathogens such as Micrococcus sp., Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin resistance), Salmonella paratyphi B, Staphylococcus epidermis (3615), Enterobacter aerogenus (111), Klebsiella pneumonia (109), Shigella fleschneri (1457) (S. fleschneri), Proteus vulgaris (1771), Staphylococcus aureus (96) and Salmonella typhymurium (SP7) which were obtained from Microbial Type Culture Collection, Indian Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India. Results: The results revealed that acetone extract had unveiled the maximum of 11 mm zone of inhibition at 40 μL against S. fleschneri. Similar zone of inhibition (11 mm) was also observed at 50 μL against Micrococcus sp. and S. fleschneri. Followed by acetone extract, chloroform extract also contributed 11 mm zone of inhibition against S. fleschneri and Salmonella paratyphi B at 40 and 50 μL respectively. Besides, methanol extracts revealed meager antibacterial activity (9 mm). Conclusions: The present investigation suggests that the phytochemical constituent of the S. muticum might be suitable agents for the control of human deadly diseases.

132-138

Authors: Godswill Nduka Anyasor, Onajobi Funmilayo, Osilesi Odutola, Adebawo Olugbenga, Efere Martins Oboutor

Objective: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of a tropical African medicinal plant, Costus afer (C. afer) Ker Gawl. in vitro and identify the chemical constituents in the most active fraction. Methods: Hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous fractions obtained through successive solvent partitioning of 70% methanolic leaf or stem extracts of C. afer were subjected to in vitro anti-inflammatory screening assays viz. anti-denaturation of protein, stabilization of human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane against hypotonicity-induced hemolysis and anti-proteinase activities. Diclofenac sodium was used as a standard drug. The chemical compounds in the most active fraction were determined using quantitative phytochemical and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analytical methods, comparing the mass spectra of the GC/MS identified compounds with those of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) database library. Results: The hexane fraction of C. afer leaf (HFCAL) with an IC50 of 33.36 μg/mL, 33 μg/mL and 212.77 μg/mL exhibited the highest anti-denaturation of protein, stabilization of HRBC membrane and anti-proteinase activities respectively when compared with other test fractions. The GC/MS identified compounds in HFCAL known to possess anti-inflammatory property were terpenoids (naphthalene 1,6-dimethyl-; naphthalene 2,3-dimethyl-; phytol), phenol [phenol 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)], coumaran [2(4H)-benzofuranone, 5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro-4, 4,7atrimethyl and fatty acids (pentadecanoic acid; hexadecanoic acid; n-hexadecanoic acid; 9,12-octadecanoic acid-methyl ester; 9,12,15 octadecatrienoic acid and cis-vaccenic acid)]. Conclusion: Therefore, HFCAL could be considered as a potential source of antiinflammatory agents for herbal formulation or pharmaceutical drug production.

146-149

Authors: Nwoha Rosemary Ijeoma Ogechi, Omamegbe Joseph Omolathebu

Objective: To investigate clinical signs in Trypanosoma brucei infection in albino rats. Methods: Fourteen rats grouped into 2 with 7 rats in each group were used to determine classical clinical manifestation of Trypanosoma brucei infection in rats. Group A rats were uninfected control and Group B rats were infected with Trypanosoma brucei. Results: Parasitaemia was recorded in Group B by (3.86±0.34) d and the peak of parasitaemia was observed at Day 5 post infection. Classical signs observed included squint eyes, raised whiskers, lethargy, no weight loss, pyrexia, isolation from the other rats, and starry hair coat. Conclusions: These signs could be diagnostic or aid in diagnosis of Trypanosoma brucei infection in rats.

158-161

Authors: Muhammad Nasimullah Qureshi, Fazal Wajid, Inayat-ur-Rahman

Objective: To investigate quantification of methyl esters of fatty acids in the oil extracted from Physalis minima (P. minima) using gas chromatography-mass spectrometer. Methods: Oil was extracted from the shade dried plant with n-hexane through Soxhlet extraction. Fatty acids that present in the oil were derivatized to fatty acid methyl esters and analysed through gas chromatography-mass spectrometer. Results: A total of nine fatty acids were detected in quantifiable amount in the oil. Both the saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids were identified. Palmitic acid was found in the highest concentration as 46.83%. Linoleic acid (ω-6) and linolenic acid (ω-3) were obtained in appreciable amount as 16.98% and 14.80% respectively among the unsaturated fatty acids in the oil under study. From the literature review, it appeared that fatty acids were determined for the first time in the oil of P. minima. Conclusions: Presence of these important fatty acids in high amount makes P. minima oil beneficial for health, which can be used in the preparation of phytopharmaceutical or pharmaceutical preparations. Moreover, the results of this study are useful for the phytopharmaceutical industries to establish their quality control profile.

166-168

Authors: Jacob Mathew Jr.

As more people flock to coastal areas such as Hawaii for vacation, many may find themselves coming into contact with coral reef for the first time. Whether it’s through snorkeling, swimming, scuba diving, or surfing, the reef can pose a serious danger to anyone not familiar with this delicate life form. While it may appear to be a rock, it is actually a living creature that is home to multiple strains of bacteria. These bacteria can quickly invade injuries sustained from contacting reef, leading to tissue infections ultimately require surgical intervention. In this review, we provide a background on coral reef and its common associated injuries. As there are no evidenced based treatments currently available, anecdotal interventions can be considered.