Journal of Coastal Life Medicine

253-258

Authors: Milena Ferreira, Isac Silva de Jesus, Eliana Feldberg, José Antônio Alves-Gomes

Electric fishes (Gymnotiformes) inhabit Central and South America and form a relatively large group with more than 200 species. Besides a taxonomic challenge due to their still unresolved systematic, wide distribution and the variety of habitats they occupy, these fishes have been intensively studied due to their peculiar use of bioelectricity for electrolocation and communication. Conventional analysis of cells, tissues and organs have been complemented with the studies on the electric organ discharges of these fishes. This review compiles the results of 13 bioassays developed during the last 50 years, which used the quickness, low costs and functionality of the bioelectric data collection of Gymnotiformes to evaluate the effects of environmental contaminants and neuroactive drugs.

265-272

Authors: Selvaraj Karthick Raja Namasivayam, Duraisamy Jayakumar, Ramesh Kumar, Rajan Sowri Arvind Bharani

Objective: To synthesize silver nanoparticles from the biomass of cold tolerant strain of Spirulina platensis and evalute the synthesized nanoparticles against antibacterial and anticancer activity. Methods: Silver nanoparticles were synthesized by the algal culture and characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy and X ray diffraction studies. Antibacterial activity has been studied with free nanoparticles adopting agar diffusion assay, biofilm inhibition assay and nanoparticles fabricated wound dressing against representative Gram-negative organism Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram-positive organism Staphylococcus aureus respectively. The in vitro anticancer activity of silver nanoparticles were screened against human Hep2 cell lines by means of MTT assay. Results: Reduction of silver ions by the algal culture was observed during 72 h of incubation and the synthesized nanoparticles were further characterized. Antibacterial study reveals both the strains were susceptible to free nanoparticles and fabricated wound dressing treatment. The in vitro anticancer activity of silver nanoparticles were screened against human Hep 2 cell lines by means of MTT assay which reveals that cell viability has been reduced as dose dependent manner. Conclusions: The observed results imply that silver nanoparticles synthesized from Spirulina platensis cold tolerant strain can be used as potential antibacterial and anticancerous agent.

276-283

Authors: Jinhua Cheng, Sung-Kwon Lee, Sasikumar Arunachalam Palaniyandi, Joo-Won Suh, Seung Hwan Yang

Objective: To enhance physiological activities of adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) via fermentation with Monascus pilosus (M. pilosus). Methods: The adzuki bean fermentation conditions with M. pilosus were optimized, and the effect of Monascus-fermentation on the antioxidant capacity and phenolic acid contents of adzuki bean was investigated. Results: Optimal fermentation conditions were determined by the production of monacolin K. The highest monacolin K production was observed in 5% inoculum sized on day 15 in fermentation. Free and bound phenolic acids were isolated from native and fermented adzuki bean. A 1.9-fold decrease was observed in bound p-coumaric acid content, whereas the contents of bound ferulic and sinapic acids were increased by 28- and 1.7-fold, respectively. However, the contents of free phenolic acids such as p-coumaric, ferulic, and sinapic acids were increased by 2.6-, 5.2-, and 7.2-fold, respectively. The fermentation of adzuki bean by M. pilosus enhanced the activities of DPPH● radical scavenging, ferrous ion-chelating, nitric oxide scavenging, and ferric antioxidant reducing activities 2.2-, 1.7-, 1.2-, and 1.8-fold, respectively. Conclusions: Results from our study suggest that the contents of p-coumaric, ferulic, and sinapic acids in adzuki bean were highly increased by fermentation with M. pilosus, resulting in enhanced various antioxidant activities.

290-294

Authors: Periyasamy Selvakumar, Alagarsamy Sakthivel, Ayyaru Gopalakrishnan

Objective: To study the prevalence of philometrid nematode, Philometra spp. infected in the ovaries of Epinephelus malabaricus (E. malabaricus) from southeast coast of India. Methods: Totally 4 801 fishes were collected from Mandabam, Tuticorin and Kanyakumari. The normal and infected ovaries were carefully removed from dissected fishes and the prevalence of nematode infection for each fish was examined. Then the nematode were carefully removed and washed in a 0.6% saline solution and fixed in 70% ethanol. Representative nematodes were cleaned with glycerin and fixed in a solution of 95% glacial acitic acid and 5% formalin for identification under light microscopy. Results: Of which 16.8%, 16.2% and 14.7% parasitic prevalence was observed from Mandabam, Tuticorin and Kanyakumari respectively. The intensity of parasitic worms per fish varied from 1 to 8 with an average of 6.33±0.84. Nematode length varies from 7-22 mm with in average of (18.70±4.57) mm. The average length and weight of E. malabaricus were (332.950 ±77.792) mm and (513.30±169.46) g respectively. Conclusions: It can be assumed that females of this nematode are unable to attain gravidity in this host species, and consequently, E. malabaricus does not serve as the true definitive host of Philometra spp. Prevalence of infection and intensity of the nematode are highly effected by sucking blood, causing atrophy of developing ova in the ovary, fibrosis of ovarian tissue, increasing granulocytes and haemorrhages, and thus negatively affecting the reproduction of some species of E. malabaricus.

302-306

Authors: Md. Istiaque Hossain, Rajia Sultana, Murshida Khatun

Objective: To understand the existing fish distribution and marketing systems, assess marketing costs and margins and identify constraints of fish marketing systems. Methods: Data were collected from three different markets by fishermen, commission agents, wholesalers, retailers, day laborers etc. through questionnaire interviews and participatory approach during June to September, 2013. Results: Four types of marketing channel were identified from farmers to consumers in all the three fish markets through a number of intermediaries. The daily supply of total fish in Binodpur Market, Talaimari Market and Shaheb Market was estimated 0.8-1 ton, 0.2-0.3 ton and 8-8.1 ton, respectively. Virtually, most of the fish (75%) is imported from outside; the local supply amount is only 25%. The total marketing cost of wholesalers and retailers of the three markets were $ 8.58 and $ 6.47 per day, respectively. The average marketing margin of the wholesalers and retailers of the three markets were $ 0.18 and $ 0.25 per kg respectively. Income of fisherman, wholesaler, retailer and day laborer was estimated at $ 350, $ 9.75, $ 6.48, and $ 1.69, respectively. Conclusions: Traders have broadly improved their food consumption, standards of living, purchasing power, choice and ability as an economic sector.

312-316

Authors: Buhari Hauwa Ali, Erhabor Osaro, Imrana Sani, Abubakar Wase, Onuigwe Festus, Okwesili Augustine, Isaac Zama, Yakubu Abdulrahaman, Dallatu Kabiru, Yeldu Mohammed Haruna

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and socio-demographic factors associated with iron deficiency anaemia among blood donors in Sokoto, North Western, Nigeria using a combination of haemoglobin haematocrit and serum ferritin measurements. Methods: One hundred and fifty consecutively recruited whole blood donors, comprising of 148 (98.7%) family replacement donors and 2 (1.3%) voluntary non-remunerated donors aged 18-60 years and mean age 39±21 years constituted the subjects for this study. The full blood count was carried out using Mythic 22 CT fully automated haematology analyser (Orphee SA, Switzerland). Serum was tested for ferritin using a human ferritin enzyme immunoassay kit- ACCU Diag™ ELISA Ferritin kit (Diagnostic Automation/Cortez Diagnostic Inc. California, USA). Results: The prevalence of anaemia (haemoglobin<11.0 g/dL) was evident in 24 (16%) and iron deficiency anaemia (serum ferritin<12 ng/mL+haemoglobin<11 g/dL) in 5 (10%) of donors. The haemoglobin and ferritin levels was significantly lower among regular voluntary remunerated blood donors (13.50±0.00 and 34.88±0.00) compared to family replacement donors (14.10±2.40 and 74.12±45.20) respectively (P=0.01 and 0.05 respectively). The mean haemoglobin and ferritin level was compared among donors based on gender. The haemoglobin and ferritin was significantly higher among male donors (14.20±2.00, 78.02±49.10) compared to female donors (12.35±2.5 and 42.20±32.13) (P=0.01). The mean haemoglobin and ferritin level was compared among donors based on occupational groups. The haemoglobin and ferritin was significantly higher among civil servants compared to farmers and students (P=0.01). Conclusions: Iron deficiency anaemia is prevalent among blood donors in Sokoto, North Western, Nigeria. There is need to include routine ferritin in the blood donor testing protocol in the area to enable the diagnosis of donors with latent iron deficiency anaemia to facilitate iron supplementation for regular blood donors at risk and those with iron deficiency anaemia.

322-325

Authors: Javid Ali, Bashir Ahmad

Objective: To evaluate brine shrimp lethality assay of solvent extracts (aqueous, methanol, ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, chloroform and n-hexane) of Hippophae rhamnoides (H. rhamnoides) leaves. Methods: Brine shrimp cytotoxicity assay was used to assess the cytotoxic potential of H. rhamnoides leaves extracts. Three vials for concentration of each extract were made and 10 shrimps per vial (30 shrimps per dilution) were transferred to specific concentration of each extract. Results: The mortality of aqueous extract was 46.7%, methanol extract was 46.7%, ethanolic extract was 50.0%, ethyl acetate was 26.7%, acetone extract was 33.3%, chloroform extract was 40.0% and n-hexane extract was 33.3%. The lowest LD50 was found in methanol extracts (1 199.97 μg/mL). Brine shrimp cytotoxicity of tested extracts of H. rhamnoides showed that mortality rate was concentration dependent. Conclusions: It is concluded that bioactive components are present in all leaves extracts of H. rhamnoides, which could be accounted for its pharmacological effects. Thus, the results support the uses of this plant species in traditional medicine.

333-335

Authors: Ambali Hauwa Motunrayo, Nwoha Rosemary Ijeoma Ogechi, Garba Danjuma Bire, Kantiyok Josiah Tagwai, Omamegbe Joseph Omolathebu

A two years' old, white and brown Yankassa ewe, weighing 20 kg was presented with dystocia of about 48 h duration at Mabs Veterinary Centre Ltd, Lagos. On thorough physical and vaginal examination, there were evidences of feotal parts and foul smelling discharges per vagina. A systematic and calculated traction and retropulsion revealed schistosomus reflexus cojoined twins. There was a complete recovery of the ewe 3 days post operative management. Finally, this case reported a true schistosomus reflexus cojoined twins in Yankassa ewe which was successfully relieved through traction and retropulsion despite the supposedly small birth canal which precluded the procedure in ewes except for caesarian section or fetotomy.