Influence of Lernaeocera branchialis (Crustacea: Copepoda) on growth rate of Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua

Influence of Lernaeocera branchialis, a hematophagous copepod, on the growth rate of Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, was investigated in fish of various sizes. Initially, it appeared that growth, over a 16-mo period, was reduced when single or multiple infections were present. We then examined growth rate by comparing food consumption, weight gain, food conversion efficiency, and condition (k) factor over a 2-mo period and subsequently over a 4 wk in control and experimentally infected fish. Total body weight and length of each fish, controls and infected were determined before and after feeding known weights of food. Adults infected with young parasites consumed more food and gained more weight than controls, especially in the first month, but food conversion efficiency and k-factor were greater than those of controls after 2 mo, but food efficiency was still lower than in controls. In 2 groups of young infected fish, all values were consistently lower than those of uninfected fish of comparable size during the 2-mo period. Three additional trials on immature cod confirmed that infected fish consumed less food and exhibited less growth than infected controls. Our results suggest that only adult cod infected with immature parasites compensate for the infections by increasing food consumption, thus resulting in a transitory weight gain. Additionally, parasites that have completed their reproductive activities still produce subtle effects in the form of low food conversion efficiency in their hosts.     

Colloid carcinoma of the breast with concomitant metastasis and a tuberculous lesion in the axillary lymph nodes. A case report.

A 30-year-old woman presented with a lump in the left breast and left axillary lymphadenopathy that, on fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), proved to be duct cell carcinoma with metastasis. Histology of the radical mastectomy specimen showed a mixed colloid carcinoma. Axillary lymph nodes revealed a variety of pathologic changes consisting of reactive hyperplasia, tuberculosis and metastasis. A combination of a tuberculous lesion and metastasis in the same lymph nodes was also found. During follow-up, after radiotherapy, the patient developed left supraclavicular and right cervical lymphadenopathy that, on FNAC, revealed a tuberculous lesion and metastasis, respectively. The rarity of this condition with double pathology is highlighted, and the reason behind the limitations of FNA in subtyping the primary malignancy and its failure to detect the tuberculous lesion in the axillary lymph node are discussed.     

Membrane filtration method for bacteriological testing of water: enhanced colony visualization and stability on purification of phenol red indicator

Commercially-available phenol red indicator, purified by adsorption chromatography was incorporated into lauryl sulphate broth (LSB) used in the membrane filtration method for the detection of Escherichia coli and other coliform bacteria. Relative to LSB containing the impure dye or its major contaminant, the purified phenol red provided clear visualization of discrete yellow colonies observed against a white background. The colonies remained stable for at least 24 h at 25°C under standard laboratory lighting conditions. This simple procedure will enhance the detection of coliforms in samples.     

First fossil evidence of samaras of Ventilago Gaertn. (Rhamnaceae) from India and its implications

The Ventilago Gaertn. (Rhamnaceae) is widely distributed in pantropical areas of Africa, Asia, and Australia. However, fossil records of this taxon are sparse, which limits understanding of the evolution and biogeographic history of the genus. In the present study, we report and describe two new fossil species of Ventilago, V. siwalika sp. nov. from the Miocene sediments of Himachal Pradesh, western Himalaya, and V. pliocenica sp. nov. from the Pliocene sediments of Jharkhand, eastern India based on single-winged samaras. Ventilago pliocenica is characterized by a prominent midvein, obtuse to sub-round apex with mucronate tip, longitudinal secondary veins extending the full length of the fruit, and reticulate nature of higher-order veins, the presence of equatorial rim, the hypanthium, and short pedicel. On the other hand, V. siwalika is characterized by a prominent midvein, obtuse to sub-round apex with mucronate tip, longitudinal secondary veins extending the full length of the fruit, and reticulate nature of higher-order veins. Our discovery represents the first unambiguous fossil record of single-winged samara of Ventilago from India and provides valuable insights into the evolution of this genus. In this paper, we also review its biogeographic history and add new information to understand its hypothetical migration route. Present and earlier records of Ventilago also suggest that this genus was a common forest element during Neogene (Miocene time) in Asia.     

Seasonal changes in chemistry,algal populations,chlorophyll a and photosynthetic activity in the R. Delimi,Jos Plateau,Nigeria

Seasonal studies were undertaken (August 1983–July 1984) toevaluate the algal distribution and ecology of the RiverDelimi, Jos Plateau, Nigeria at three stations: upstream, withlittle allochthonous input; midstream, receiving heavy domesticaffluents; downstream. A wide amplitude of variability wasdiscernible in physicochemical factors, and photosyntheticactivity and abundance of suspended algae in relation to thedegree of pollution along the first 7-km stretch of the river.Conductivity (µS cm^-1) showed a 9-fold increase fromupstream (x = 35) to downstream. The standing crop(Chl a) fluctuated markedly, with 6-times higher valuesfor a polluted midstream site (x = 18.2 mg m^-3). Production rate measurements (mg C m^-3 d^-1) showed significant variability with relatively lowvalues (x = 610) recorded for the upstream andhighest (x = 1050) at the midstream site. Apositive correlation was obtained between production rates andChl a for the polluted midstream zone.     

Phosphorylation of the microtubule-associated protein MAP2 by GTP.

The chick brain microtubule-associated protein MAP2 can be phosphorylated in vitro to the extent of 12 mol/mol with GTP at the same sites as can be labelled by the cyclic AMP-independent protein kinase utilizing [gamma-32P]ATP as the phosphoryl donor. Consequently, the microtubule protein is chemically modified by the conditions usually employed for studies of microtubule assembly, so that the derived kinetic parameters may not relate to steady-state conditions.     

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA): Studies on the general and specific humoral response

Serum specimens from 138 patients suffering from chronic respiratory disorders including 63 with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), 20 with suspected ABPA, 25 with pulmonary tuberculosis, 14 with bronchial asthma, 10 with chronic bronchitis and 6 with miscellaneous pulmonary conditions were studied for circulating antibodies to Aspergillus. The ammonium sulfate test was employed with an iodine-125 labeled mycelial component derived from Aspergillus fumigatus. When compared to normal controls from the same area, this test indicated that sera from 82 per cent of patients with ABPA had elevated binding titers to the radiolabeled antigenic component. Immunodiffusion using a culture filtrate antigen from A. fumigatus, revealed precipitating antibody to this fungus in 89 per cent of sera from ABPA patients. The majority of patients with ABPA demonstrated marked elevations of total serum IgE, moderate elevations of serum IgA and IgD and slightly increased levels of IgG and IgM.This study was supported in part by Research Grant AI 10940 from the National Institutes of Health and by NHLI Contract N01-HL-3-2942(B), and forms a part of the Ph.D. thesis submitted by Z.U.K. to the University of Delhi.     

Microbial transformation of sterols

Summary Arthrobacter simplex, Serratia marcescens, Fusarium and Mycobacterium were tested for their ability to transform phytosterol to Androsta 1, 4 diene 3, 17 dione (ADD). Arthrobacter simplex ATCC 6946 was found to be more efficient than the other species tested.     

Effect of sulfur-containing compounds on anaerobic degradation of cellulose to methane by mixed cultures obtained from sewage sludge

Tests were made to determine the effects of inorganic and organic sulfur sources on the degradation of cellulose to methane in a chemically defined medium with sulfur-poor inoculum prepared from sewage sludge. The results show that a sulfur source of about a 0.85 mM concentration is essential for the degradation of cellulose to CH4. However, the production of CH4 from CO2 and H2 provided in the headspace occurred with 0.1 mM sulfate or sulfide. At a 9 mM concentration, all inorganic sulfur compounds other than sulfate inhibited both cellulose degradation and methane formation, and this inhibition increased in the order thiosulfate less than sulfite less than sulfide less than H2S. It appears that the degradation of cellulose to CH4 in a sulfate-free medium by inoculum maintained in a low-sulfur medium is inhibited because of the lack of availability of sulfur for growth of bacteria and synthesis of cell materials and sulfur-containing cofactors involved in cellulose degradation and methanogenesis. The reduction of methanogenesis by higher levels of sulfate probably occurs as a result of stimulation of reactions converting acetate and H2 to end products other than CH4.