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Biomedical subjects

R S Kulkarni

Publications and source records attributed to R S Kulkarni.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Somatic condition of the fish, Notopterus notopterus (Pallas) during different phases of the reproductive cycle.

The study on the mathematical relationship between length and weight of fishes has considerable importance in fishery research especially for the study of fish population dynamics and patterns of growth in fish stocks. This aspect is useful in rationally managing the population of fishes, and is an index of relative robustness of the fish). Variations from expected weight or length of an individual fish or group of fish indicate the general well being and state of gonadal development. The condition of fish can be influenced by the onset of maturity. The results indicate that the overall condition of the female and male fish seems to get improved towards the approach of maturing and mature stages of the gonads during pre-spawning phases. The reduction in the condition factor (K) and somatic condition factor (Ks) during spawning phase may be because of the fish becoming exhausted due to spawning activity. Although improvement in the condition of the fish was observed on the approach of breeding period, the overall condition seems to be better in the aquatic body from which the fish was collected.

Animals↗

Fecundity of the freshwater fish, Notopterus notopterus (Pallas) in natural and heavy metal contaminated water.

The knowledge of fecundity of fish from a specific aquatic body is extremely important in the successful management and exploitation of its fishery. In the present investigation the fecundity of the freshwater fish, Notopterus notopterus was studied in fish collected from a natural aquatic body (Sirnoor nala) near Gulbarga and also in fish exposed to some heavy metal contamination (HgCl2, CdCl2 and their combination) at sublethal concentration for 15 days in the laboratory. The mathematical relationship between fecundity and total length, body weight, ovary length and ovary weight were determined in both unexposed and exposed fish. The fish, N. notopterus has bigger oocytes and are few in number. Studies in the fish exposed to heavy metals indicate that significant reduction in these parameters after exposure to heavy metals at sublethal concentration was noticed. The fecundity has straight line relationship with total length, body weight, ovary length and ovary weight in control fish which did not alter after heavy metal exposure. This study provides the viability of species in only specific environment.

Animals↗

Changes in tissue cholesterol and serum cortisol level during four reproductive phases of the male freshwater fish, Notopterus notopterus.

The tissue cholesterol and serum cortisol changes during four reproductive phases has been studied in the freshwater fish Notopterus notopterus of male sex during four phases, preparatory (January - March), prespawning (April - May), spawning (August - September) and post spawning (November - December). The cholesterol content of the testis and liver increased during preparatory phase and maximum content of cholesterol was during spawning phase. The serum cortisol estimated by radioimmunoassay (RIA) technique which indicated that the level of the hormone was high during pre-spawning and spawning phases compared to other two phases. The increase in cholesterol during preparatory and spawning phases may be because of increase in cortisol synthesis needed for testicular growth and spermetogenesis during these phases. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) also increased during these phases.

Animals↗

Gonadosomatic and hepatosomatic indices of the freshwater fish Notopterus notopterus (Pallas) in response to some heavy metal exposure.

Area wise, the measurement of LC50 for pollutants is of great value in predicting the safe concentration dose of the contaminant in the environment on different aquatic species. The lethality of toxic substances including heavy metals to the aquatic organisms are usually assessed by following static bio-assay or continuous flow methods. The toxicity tests for mercuric chloride (HgCl2), cadmium chloride (CdCl2) and their mixture on Notopterus notopterus was determined by using 96h LC50 concentration on fish N. notopterus which indicated that cadmium chloride (CdCl2) was less toxic and mercuric chloride (HgCl2) was most highly toxic. The order of toxicity is mercuric chloride > mixture > cadmium chloride. On the basis of gonadosomatic index the reproductive cycle of N. notopterus can be categorised into immature, developing, maturing, mature, ripe and spent stages. Liver forms important organ of the body, which has a role in the ovarian development. On exposure to heavy metals at sublethal concentration both GSI (gonadosomatic index) and HSI (hepatosomatic index) are reduced.

Animals↗

Ovarian changes in response to heavy metal exposure to the fish, Notopterus notopterus (Pallas).

The ovarian and hepatic protein, lipid and cholesterol content were estimated in the fish, N. notopterus after exposing it to heavy metals at sublethal concentrations. The protein, lipid and cholesterol content of ovary and liver got reduced and amongst the three exposures (mercuric chloride, cadmium chloride and their combination) it was significantly reduced in the order of (HgCl2>HgCl2>+CdCl2>CdCl2>control). The above results indicated that HgCl2 is highly toxic and its toxicity gets reduced in combination.

Animals↗

Fecundity of the freshwater fish Channa punctatus (Bloch) from three aquatic bodies.

The fecundity studies on Channa punctatus revealed that there is a relationship between length of the fish with fecundity, weight of the fish and ovary with fecundity. The length and fecundity exhibit curvilinear relationship and a straight line relationship is observed between fecundity and body weight. Fecundity and ovary weight also exhibited linear relationship. The comparative degree of fecundity of the fish is Jagat tank > Kadaganchi tank > Kagina river. Although fish collected from Jagat tank exhibits higher fecundity, all the other three aquatic bodies provide proper environmental conditions for the growth and reproductive activity of the fish.

Animals↗

Tomato leaf curl virus from Bangalore (ToLCV-Ban4): sequence comparison with Indian ToLCV isolates, detection in plants and insects, and vector relationships.

Tomato leaf curl virus (ToLCV) is a whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) transmitted geminivirus (family Geminiviridae, genus Begomovirus) causing a destructive disease of tomato in many regions of India, East Asia and Australia. While ToLCV isolates from Australia and Taiwan have a single genomic component (designated DNA-A), those from Northern India have two components (DNA-A and DNA-B). The ToLCV isolates from Southern India (Bangalore) previously cloned seem to have a DNA-A-like monopartite genome. We have used degenerate DNA-A-specific PCR primers to clone the genome of a ToLCV isolate (named ToLCV-Ban4) from field-infected tomato plants growing in Bangalore, India, in 1997. Degenerate DNA-B-specific PCR primers have not allowed to amplify a putative DNA-B from infected tomato, at the time when DNA-B fragments were amplified from plants infected by known bipartite begomoviruses. The full-length 2759 nucleotide-long DNA-A-like viral genome was sequenced. Similarly to other monopartite ToLCV and TYLCV isolates, ToLCV-Ban4 contains six open reading frames, two on the virion strand and four on the complementary strand. Sequence comparisons indicated that ToLCV-Ban4 is similar to the other three isolates from Bangalore previously sequenced, and is closely related to ToLCV-Ban2 (approximately 91% nucleotide sequence identity). Phylogenetic analysis showed that the ToLCV isolates from Bangalore constitute a group of viruses separated from those of Northern India. ToLCV-Ban4 was detected in tomato and in its whitefly vector Bemisia tabaci by one or by a combination of ELISA, Southern blot hybridization and PCR. Parameters of virus acquisition, retention and transmission by the whitefly vector were investigated in the laboratory. Single whiteflies were able to acquire ToLCV-Ban4 from infected tomato and to transmit the virus to tomato test plants, but five insects were necessary to achieve 100% transmission. Minimum acquisition access and inoculation access periods were 10 min and 20 min, respectively. A latent period of 6 h was required for B. tabaci to efficiently infect tomato test plants. Following a 24 h acquisition access period the insect retained its ability to infect tomato test plants for 12 days, but not for its entire life. In one insect/one plant inoculation tests, female whiteflies were more efficient (approximately 95%) than males (approximately 25%) in transmitting the virus.

Animals↗

Effect of cortisol on testis of freshwater fish Notopterus notopterus (Pallas).

Cortisol (20, 40 and 60 micrograms/fish for 10 days) treatment caused an increase in testicular-somatic index (TSI) in immature N. notopterus whereas in mature fish no change from that of controls was observed. Histology of testis indicated that spermatogenetic activity was activated in immature fish while it was inhibited in mature fish. Testicular cholesterol exhibited a similar response. The results indicate that cortisol inhibits spermatogenesis during mature phase while it promotes spermatogenesis during immature phase of the reproductive cycle in N. notopterus.

Animals↗

Bioremediation of epsilon-caprolactam from nylon-6 waste water by use of Pseudomonas aeruginosa MCM B-407.

Nylon-6, a man-made polymer that finds its application in the manufacture of car tires, ropes, fabrics, automobile parts etc., is manufactured with epsilon-caprolactam. Waste water generated during production of nylon-6 contains the unreacted monomer. Owing to the polluting and toxic nature of epsilon-caprolactam, its removal from waste streams is necessary. Pseudomonas aeruginosa MCM B-407 was isolated from activated sludge used to treat waste from a factory producing nylon-6. This organism was able to remove epsilon-caprolactam with simultaneous reduction in chemical oxygen demand (COD). The degradation of epsilon-caprolactam in waste water was found to be optimal over a wide range of pH from 5.0 to 9.0, temperature of 30 degrees C, and under shake or aerated conditions, with an inoculum density of 10(5) cells/ml and with an incubation period of 24 - 48 h. Thus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa MCM B-407 isolated from the activated sludge exposed to epsilon-caprolactam may play an important role in the bioremediation of epsilon-caprolactam from the waste waters of industries manufacturing nylon-6.

Caprolactam↗

Bilateral cervical plexus block for thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy in healthy and high risk patients.

We evaluated the benefits of bilateral deep cervical plexus block regional anesthesia in healthy and high risk patients undergoing thyroid and parathyroid surgery and assessed its effects on respiratory function. Twenty-one patients undergoing thyroid and parathyroid operations were studied. Bilateral superficial and deep plexus blocks were performed in all patients except one (who received only superficial plexus block because of a slightly prolonged prothrombin time) with 0.375-0.5% bupivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine. Intraoperatively, supplemental intravenous sedatives/narcotics were titrated to achieve patient comfort and cooperation. To allay anxiety, patients were allowed to listen to music via headphones intraoperatively. Forced vital capacity was measured before block, 10 minutes after the block and in the recovery room in half the patients. Eighteen patients tolerated the procedure well with supplemental sedation. Two patients required supplemental inhalation anesthesia via mask and one required tracheal intubation because of coughing prior to surgery. Three high risk patients tolerated the procedure well requiring only intraarterial line monitoring. Postoperatively, 11 patients had minimal incisional pain, 13 patients had mild pain on swallowing and 2 patients complained of nausea. There were no significant differences in the baseline forced vital capacity vs. forced vital capacity measured after the block and in the recovery room. This study indicates that regional anesthesia is an appropriate alternative to general anesthesia in selected patients undergoing thyroid and parathyroid surgery and did not compromise respiratory function.

Adult↗

Inhibitory effects of ketamine and halothane on recombinant potassium channels from mammalian brain.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that direct interactions between volatile anesthetics and channel proteins may result in general anesthesia. Using voltage-clamp techniques, the authors examined the effect of two general anesthetics (ketamine and halothane) on a rat brain potassium channel of known amino acid sequence, and further assessed whether the inhibition of the channel is altered by a partial deletion of the C-terminal sequence of this channel. METHODS: Xenopus laevis oocytes were microinjected with either Kv2.1 or delta C318 (a mutated channel in which the last 318 amino acids of the C-terminus have been deleted) cRNA, and channel function in translated channels was observed before, during, and after exposure to graded concentrations of ketamine (25, 50, and 75 micrometers) and halothane (1%, 2%, and 4%). RESULTS: Ketamine and halothane reduced Kv2.1 and delta C318 peak current amplitude in a dose-dependent and reversible fashion. The inhibition of current was voltage dependent for halothane but not for ketamine. Halothane accelerated the time constant of current inactivation, whereas ketamine affected this parameter minimally in both channel types. Use dependence of ketamine and halothane action was observed in both Kv2.1 and the mutant channel, attributable to augmentation of C-type inactivation. CONCLUSIONS: Although both ketamine and halothane inhibit potassium currents through the Kv2.1 channel, their mechanisms of action at this potential target may be different. Deletion of the C-terminal sequence resulted in decreased sensitivity to both anesthetics. Although it is not clear whether anesthetics interact directly with the C-terminus, which is thought to reside intracellularly, this portion of the channel protein clearly influences the actions of both anesthetics.

Anesthetics, Dissociative↗

Hypothalamo-neurohypophysial neurosecretory system and its vasculature in the freshwater catfish Mystus vittatus (Bloch).

The architectural pattern of the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial (HN) system of M. vittatus basically resembles that of other catfishes described earlier (Sathyanesan 1969 a, b). Some of the neurons of the nucleus preopticus of the hypophysectomised fish exhibit degeneration, whereas the viable ones were degranulated. The neurosecretory tract (NT) is in close association with the ependymal lining, both in the third ventricle and infundibular recess extending into the neurohypophysis. The pituicytes of the neurohypophysis are in close association with the NT which is of functional significance. In this species the NT entering the pituitary could be demonstrated with aldehyde fuchsin (AF), Palmgren's silver impregnation technique, alkaline and acid phosphatase and ascorbic acid tests. At least some among them may constitute separate tracts and their origin needs to be confirmed. As all those tracts pass through the infundibular base they come in direct contact among themselves as well as with the nucleus lateralis tuberis (NLT) neurons which lie on their pathway. In M. vittatus, in addition to the presence of neuro-adeno interface vasculature which is the median eminence (ME) equivalent of the teleosts, there is morphological evidence for the presence of a ME of tetrapodan type. The presence of strong alkaline and acid phosphatase and ascorbic acid activity in both the sites further supports the above view. However, additional ultrastructural evidence is needed to prove the functional status of the extra-hypophysial ME.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Cytochemical and histoenzymological studies on the adrenal of the teleost, Puntius sophore (Ham.).

In Puntius sophore the adrenal tissue is situated in the pronephric head kidney. The medullary cells are arranged closely around the wall of the cardinal veins and their branches. The cortical cells are located around the medullary cells in several layers forming a large mass of tissue. With the aid of chromaffin reaction techniques the medullary cells were differentiated. Noradrenaline cells were identified with iodate reaction technique. Cortical cells gave positive reaction to cholesterol, lipid, phospholipid and ascorbic acid tests. The steroidogenic property of these cells is suggested by the presence of delta 5 3 beta HSDH, G-6-PD and 11 beta HSDH enzymes. The intense MAO activity which is reported largely in the cortical tissue of Puntius sophore is not well known in the fishes.

Adrenal Glands↗

On complexifications of real manifolds.

This paper studies the problem of obtaining complexifications of a differentiable manifold which have desirable analytic or algebraic properties and which are minimal in the sense described below. It is seen that there is a significant difference between analytic and algebraic complexifications.

Journal Article↗

Conformally flat manifolds.

This note describes some new examples of conformally flat manifolds, as a step toward a classification of such manifolds up to conformal equivalence.

Journal Article↗