Teeth of the red fox Vulpes vulpes (L., 1758) as a bioindicator in studies on fluoride pollution

An examination was made of fluoride content in the mandibular first molars of the permanent teeth of the red fox Vulpes vulpes living in north-west (NW) Poland. The teeth were first dried to a constant weight at 105°C and then ashed. Fluorides were determined potentiometrically, and their concentrations were expressed in dry weight (DW) and ash. The results were used to perform an indirect estimation of fluoride pollution in the examined region of Poland. The collected specimens (n = 35) were classified into one of the three age categories: immature (im, 6–12 months), subadult (subad, from 12 to 20 months) and adult (ad, >20 months). The mean concentrations (geometric mean) of fluoride were similar in the im and subad groups (230 and 296 mg/kg DW and 297 and 385 mg/kg ash, respectively), and significantly smaller than in the ad group (504 and 654 mg/kg, respectively, in DW and ash). Basing on other reports that the ∼400 mg/kg DW concentration of fluoride in bones in the long-lived wild mammals generally reflects the geochemical background, it was found that 57% of the foxes in NW Poland exceeded this value by 9% to 170%. This indirectly reflects a moderate fluoride contamination in the tested region

How to Prevent and Control Sickle-Cell Anaemia and β-Thalassemia Major in the Tribal People of the Scheduled Area of Rajasthan (India)?

In India, Rajasthan is the largest state and it has total number of 33 districts. Eight of these districts, namely Banswara, Chittourgarh, Dungarpur, Pali, Pratapgarh, Rajasamand, Sirohi, and Udaipur districts have been grouped together as the “scheduled area” of Rajasthan. This is the most backward and underdeveloped area where more than 70% of the tribal populations reside. In this area, most dominating endogamous tribes are Bhil, Damor, Meena, Garasiya, Kathudia, and Sahariya and several communicable, noncommunicable and water-borne diseases are endemic. Some inheritable life threatening red cell genetic diseases or disorders, such as sickle-cell anaemia (Hb-SS) and β-thalassaemia major are also endemic in this tribal region. The maximum prevalence of genes in trait form of these genetic diseases in tribals has been found 31.14% and 9.00%, respectively. However, sickle-cell and β-thalassaemic genes are important and highly significant as these are causing morbidity and mortality in the tribal people. In fact, sickle-cell anaemia and β-thalassaemia major are lethal and found in adults and children, respectively. The curative option of these genetic diseases is bone marrow transplant and their available remedy is lifelong blood transfusion and removal of iron by chelation therapy. Both the options not only cost more, but also cause constant torment to the child. The cost of bone marrow technology is also so high that it is not easy for tribals to afford it. Secondly, this technology is not so accessible that everyone can get its facility. But by adopting special measures, the occurrence of these dangerous genetic diseases in tribals can be prevented and controlled. In this communication, these measures have been focussed.</jats:p

A Brief Review of Parasitic Castration in Aquatic Snails and Its Contribution in Control of Diverse Vector Snail Populations and Trematodiases in Man and Animals

Snails are invertebrate gastropod molluscs inhabited both the terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Most of these animals are dioeciously and their sexes are separated. In many monoecious (hermaphrodite) snail species, individuals have both male and female gonads. But in pulmonate monoecious snail species individuals have only single gonad called “ovotestis” which contains both testicular and ovarian tissues. In general, aquatic snail species are intermediate hosts of digenean trematode parasites of vertebrates including man and animals. In addition, aquatic snails are also act as vector of diverse trematodiases, such as schistosomiasis, clonorchiasis, opisthorchiasis, fascioliasis, amphistomiasis, etc. The prevalence of these digenetic trematode parasitic diseases in diverse geographical provinces is depending on the population of vector or intermediate host snail species. In fact, the various larval stages of digenean trematode parasites, such as sporocysts, rediae and cercariae are developed and multiplied asexually in the organ of hepatopancreas and/or gonads of host snails. These parasitic trematode larvae also act as castrators for snails and potential to prevent or block partially or completely their reproduction called “parasitic castration”. In this biological process, trematode larvae destroy the gonads in two ways, one is mechanically and the other physiologically. Parasitic castration is also induces sex conversion, gigantism and alteration the gene expression in brain of snails. In present communication, the most common vector snail species, different forms of trematode larvae and their basic biology and mode of parasitic castration in aquatic snails and its contribution in control of diverse vector snail populations and spreading of trematodiases are considered and brief and critically reviewed. Simultaneously, research gaps have also been highlighted for further advance research work. This review is helpful in understanding of biology or mechanism of parasitic castration and its contributory role the balancing of aquatic ecosystem.</jats:p