Microbiome Analysis of Gut Bacterial Communities of Healthy and Diseased Malaysian Mahseer (Tor tambroides)

Aims: The gut microbiota is referred to an extra organ and is ciritical in assisting the host in terms of nutrition and immunity. Environmental stressors could alter gut microbial community and cause gut inflammation. This study aimed to investigate and compare the gut microbiota community between healthy and diseased Tor tambroides. Methodology and results: In this study, such gut microbial alterations were explored using NGS-based 16S rDNA sequencing on the Malaysian mahseer (T. tambroides). Three adult healthy and three diseased adult Malaysian mahseers (showing signs of exophthalmia, coelomic distension and petechial haemorrhage) were obtained from LTT Aquaculture Sdn Bhd. Our results revealed significant differences in microbial diversity, composition and function between both populations of T. tambroides. Alpha diversity analysis depicts lower diversity of gut microbiota composition in diseased T. tambroides as compared to the healthy group. In particular, Enterobacteriaceae, Aeromonas, Bacteroides, Vibrio and Pseudomonas were found within gut microbiota of the diseased fishes. In addition, cellulose-degrading bacteria and protease-producing bacteria were identified from the gut of T. tambroides. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: Thus, our findings emphasised on the association between the alteration in gut microbiota composition and infectious abdominal dropsy (IAD) in T. tambroides. This finding is important to provide basic information for further diagnosis, prevention and treatment of intestinal diseases in fish.

Pathophysiology of Concussive Non-Penetrative Captive Bolt Stunning of Turkeys

The non-penetrative captive bolt (NPCB) has been proposed as a more humane and practical alternative to constant voltage electrical stunning for small-scale seasonal turkey producers. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the CASH® Small Animal Tool (SAT) (formerly known as the CASH® Poultry Killer, CPK) and three configurations of the Turkey Euthanasia Device (TED), assessing behavioural, cranial/spinal responses and brain pathology. Immediately after stunning all birds showed cessation of rhythmic breathing and loss of neck and beak tension. One bird shot with the TED/hen configuration showed a positive nictitating membrane reflex in one eye with no other positive reflexes. All birds had moderate/severe gross damage to the hyperpallium layer over the cerebrums. For almost all other cerebrum structures, thalamus, and hindbrain, the TED/poult configuration and SAT produced the most extensive damage. The frequency of petechial haemorrhage in the pons and medulla was less in SAT shot birds (76% and 71% respectively) compared to those shot with the different configurations of the TED (ranging from 81% to 100%), however this difference was not significant. In conclusion, both NPCB guns were effective in inducing unconsciousness in turkeys, regardless of the variations in shot position and the different configurations of the TED.

Violent Asphyxial Death: A Study in Dinajpur Medical College, Dinajpur

Background: The word asphyxia is now commonly used to describe a range of conditions for which the lack of oxygen whether it is partial (hypoxia) or complete (anoxia) is considered to be the cause. The cardinal signs of asphyxia are cyanosis, congestion and petechial haemorrhage. Objective: To investigate the causes and manner of asphyxial death. Materials and Methods: It was a retrospective study conducted in the department of Forensic Medicine, Dinajpur Medical College, Dinajpur during July 2004 to June 2006. A total of 96 cases were examined and recorded. These cases were brought to the morgue of Dinajpur Medical College from 13 different police stations and 1 railway GRP station of Dinajpur district. The data were collected from the autopsy reports (preserved third copy) with permission of the concerned autopsy surgeons. Results: 88.55% of asphyxia deaths were due to hanging, 6.25% due to strangulation and 5.20% were due to suffocation. Conclusion: Most of the asphyxial deaths are due to hanging. Journal of Enam Medical College; Vol 3 No 2 July 2013; Page 91-93 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jemc.v3i2.16131

Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) in Hepatitis B-Virus Infection - A Case Report

A 30 years old male presented with fever, headache, myalgia, anorexia, petechial haemorrhage, easy bruising, gum bleeding and purpuric rash. Initially it appeared to be a case of autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) but finally our patient was diagnosed as a case of immune thrombocytopenia due to hepatitis B-virus infection. In this report we document the immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in a 30 years old male patient which is due to hepatitis B-virus infection in the replicative phase. Assessment of the replicative status and activity of liver disease of the patient was done. Key words: Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP); Hepatitis B-Virus Infection. DOI: 10.3329/jdmc.v19i1.6259 J Dhaka Med. Coll. 2010; 19(1) : 72-73.