Note on a large sized Indian squid landed

Indian squid, Uroteuthis (Photololigo) duvauceli (Orbigny, 1835) locally called as Narsingha, forms an important cephalopod resource in Gujarat. The present specimen was collected on 20th January 2017 from the Veraval Fishing Harbour caught by a singleday trawler operating at a depth zone of 40 to 60 m off Gujarat coast. The particular trawler also landed about 20 kg of considerably bigger size squids. U. (P.) duvauceli show differential allometric growth and the asymptotic length for male is higher than females, whereas the female grows faster compared to males

Commercially Important Rays and Skates of Gujarat

Commercially Important Rays and Skates of Gujara

Experimental cultivation of seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii using net-tube method

Kappaphycus alvarezii an economically important red tropical seaweed, is used as significant source for carrageenan that is used in various food, pharmaceutical, industrial and biotechnological applications. The commercial cultivation of K. alvarezii was initiated in the Philippines in the year 1960 and later it was introduced in many countries including India for experimental or commercial cultivation. The rapid growth rates, easy dispersal and ways to cultivate K. alvarezii makes the species adaptable and flourish in new habitats. It is reported that the species can double its biomass in 15-30 day

Experimental cultivation of seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii using net-tube method

Kappaphycus alvarezii an economically important red tropical seaweed, is used as significant source for carrageenan that is used in various food, pharmaceutical, industrial and biotechnological applications. The commercial cultivation of K. alvarezii was initiated in the Philippines in the year 1960 and later it was introduced in many countries including India for experimental or commercial cultivation. The rapid growth rates, easy dispersal and ways to cultivate K. alvarezii makes the species adaptable and flourish in new habitats. It is reported that the species can double its biomass in 15-30 day

Dynamics of Amphan Cyclone and Associated Changes in Ocean, Land Meteorological and Atmospheric Parameters

The low-pressure system developed in the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea during March- October, often forms tropical cyclones, depending upon the intensity widespread destruction occurs in the areas where landfall takes place along the Indian coastal region. On 20 May, 2020, tropical cyclone Amphan hit the Indian coast at Bakkhali, West Bengal, in the afternoon (1330 IST). On 19 May, 2020, the intensity strengthened into a super cyclonic storm, with a strong wind speed up to 220 km/h. This cyclone affected a large population of India and Bangladesh. More than twenty-two thousand houses were damaged and millions of people were shifted to a safe place and due to the spread of COVID-19, the rescue missions were quite challenging. The cyclone affected most of the eastern states of India, heavy rainfall occurred causing floods along the track of cyclones. Using multi-satellite, ground and Argo floats data, we have analyzed meteorological and atmospheric parameters during May 2020. Our detailed analysis shows pronounced changes in atmospheric (CO mole fraction, total ozone column) and ocean parameters (chlorophyll concentration, dissolved oxygen, salinity, sea surface and sub-surface temperature) before and after the cyclone. Changes in ocean parameters such as caused by the cyclone Amphan along its track and the atmospheric and meteorological parameters change as the cyclone moves over the land

Role of Ionic Surfactants in Constitution of Binary Micellar System for Solubilizing Telmisartan

In this study, two binary micellar systems of Pluronic P-123 (P-123) were employed for solubilizing antihypertensive drug Telmisartan (TMS). They are, P123 with cationic surfactant, cetyl pyridinium bromide (CPB); and P123 with anionic surfactant, ammonium dodecyl sulfate (ADS).  The solubilization studies in two polymeric binary micellar mediums were investigated through conductivity, FTIR, and UV-visible spectroscopy.  The change in the particle size and charge were observed through SEM, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential measurements.  From the conductivity studies various thermodynamic parameters such as Gibb’s free energy of micellization (ΔGm), Enthalpy (ΔHm), and entropy of micellization (ΔSm) were calculated.  There was a negative value of ΔGm for both the mixed micellar systems, -20.4 kJmol-1 for CPB + P-123 + TMS and -25.9 kJmol-1 for ADS + P-123 + TMS.  This is suggestive of the spontaneity of micellization of both the systems with drug TMS. UV studies demonstrated higher solubility with both the mixed micellar systems compared to solubilization in a single micelle of P-123.  The binding constant values were determined from UV absorbance values using the Benesi - Hildebrand plot. The values were 79. 36 M-1 for TMS +P-123, 465.11 M-1 for TMS + P-123 + CPB and 1133.8 M-1 for TMS + P-123 + ADS.  There was swelling of the micellar size from 16.23 nm to 52.02 nm for CPB group and from 3.16 nm to 32.04 nm for ADS group due to the encapsulation of TMS in the mixed micellar cavities. Size of both the ternary systems containing drug are suitable for cellular uptake.  This study offers two alternative combinations of mixed polymeric micellar systems to enhance TMS solubilization to improve bioavailability

A hospital-based study of severe anemia in adults in Eastern India

Background: Anemia remains a crucial health problem in developing countries. Cardiac compromise and fatal complications usually occur at Hb of <5g/dL. The aim of the study was to determine possible etiologic and clinical profile in adult patients with very severe anemia (Hb of <5g/dL).Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in a teaching hospital of Odisha over a period of 12months. A total of 70 patients of both men and non-pregnant women admitted to the medicine wards were included after exclusion. Detailed history, clinical examination and investigation findings were recorded. Independent ‘t’ test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, Pearson chi-square test and Fisher exact test were used as applicable, to compare the variables.Results: The mean Hb (g/dL) was 3.73 ±0.85 and the mean age of the study group was 53.34±17.75years. No significant difference was observed in the severity of anemia between the female (mean Hb of 3.56±0.93) and male patients (mean Hb of 3.87±0.77) (p=0.130). The most frequent etiology found was absolute iron deficiency (44.3%, n=31) and mostly (41.9%) found in the age group of ≥65years (p<0.001). Congestive cardiac failure was found in 20% (n=14) of patients and majority of patients (64.2%, n=9) were males (p<0.001).Conclusions: Iron deficiency is the principal cause of very severe anemia in adults rather than malignancy or anemia of chronic disease and only about one fourth of patients develop heart failure even with very severe anemia