P. Krishnan

Species diversity and distribution of mangroves in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Abstract Despite extensive studies on mangrove ecosystems of Andaman and Nicobar Islands since the 1870s, knowledge of exact species composition is far from complete, and there is a lack of comprehensive locality data. The present study was designed to review the existing literature and to provide an updated checklist of the true mangrove species of the Islands. Preliminary surveys were carried out in seven regions (four from the Andaman group and three from the Nicobar group), and the specific survey sites for detailed study (n=51) were selected based on representativeness, importance, and accessibility. During 2009–2013, all the selected sites were visited, and mangrove species occurrence was recorded. At present, 25 true mangrove species distributed among 10 families and 14 genera were identified vis-à-vis 17 to 36 species reported in earlier studies. The discernible changes in species numbers from earlier studies could mainly be attributed to our exclusion of associated littoral vegetation and of species unlikely to be present among the true mangroves of the Islands. Given their limited geographical area, the low similarity index values between the Andaman and Nicobar Island groups (≤0.4) indicate a need for periodical surveys, as mangrove biodiversity is usually homogenous in regions where there are no impassable dispersal barriers. Further, regular updating of information on the extent and status of mangroves in the Islands is imperative not only to improve our understanding of phytogeography but also for better management and conservation.

A nontoxic case of vitamin D toxicity.

Vitamin D toxicity also known as hypervitaminosis D was previously believed to be rare. But with an increase in vitamin D supplementation several cases have been reported in literature. Fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin D, due to their ability to accumulate in the body, have a higher potential for toxicity than water soluble vitamins. The main clinical consequence of vitamin D toxicity is hypercalcemia. In this report we describe an adult female patient who developed very high serum Vitamin D levels (746 ng/mL, RI: 20 to 50) as a result of medication error. Inspite of such high serum concentrations the patient was without any clinical symptoms and had normal serum calcium. We critically discuss the mechanism of toxicity and hypothesize the possible molecular/metabolic factors which might have been responsible for this nontoxic presentation. This case study highlights the fact that physicians need to consider the risk of medication errors while prescribing Vitamin D therapy. Clinical trials to study Vitamin D toxicity in humans is not possible ethically. Thus the evidence base regarding the safety profile of Vitamin D supplementation in humans has been build through case reports. This review of the paradoxical clinico-laboratory manifestation of hypervitaminosis D could possibly contribute to existing literature.

Studies on the Recovery of Bleached Corals in Andaman: Fishes as Indicators of Reef Health

The corals in Andaman and Nicobar Islands suffered extensive bleaching during April 2010 to the extent of 60–70 % due to elevated sea surface temperature (SST) and a significant portion of that is hitherto dead. This study evaluates the degree of recovery of the coral reefs and reef fishes, a year after the event. Line intercept transect (LIT) surveys were conducted in three sites, namely, North Bay, Tarmugli and Chidiyatapu for assessing coral cover together with visual census of reef fishes along the same transects. It was observed that all sites were quite badly affected during the bleaching period with more than 95 % of the corals being fully or partially bleached. Out of the bleached corals, only 54 % recovered at North Bay, whereas Tarmugli and Chidiyatapu exhibited 81 and 86 % recovery, respectively. The collapse of coral reef systems affected the abundance and diversity among fish species. Due to recovery and new recruitment of corals, live coral cover has increased, and consequently,, abundance of fishes seems to have increased. Understanding the associations of fishes and corals could possibly lead to selection of certain species of fishes as indicators of reef health. The results of the study lead to the hypothesis that fishes, especially those belong to the families, Chaetodontidae, Pomacentridae, Acanthuridae and Scaridae can be potential indicators of reef health.

Interference of the Hope Hemoglobin With Hemoglobin A1c Results.

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is now considered to be the marker of choice in diagnosis and management of diabetes mellitus, based on the results of certain landmark clinical trials. Herein, we report the case of a 52-year-old ethnic Southeast Asian Indian man with impaired glucose tolerance whose glycated hemoglobin (ie, HbA1c) levels, as measured via Bio-Rad D10 high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Roche Tina-quant immunoassay were 47.8% and 44.0%, respectively. No variant hemoglobin (Hb) peak was observed via the D10 chromatogram. We assayed the patient specimen on the Sebia MINICAP capillary electrophoresis platform; the HbA1c level was 6.8%, with a large variant Hb peak of 42.0%. This finding suggested the possible presence of the heterozygous Hb Hope, which can result in spuriously elevated HbA1c results on HPLC and turbidimetric immunoassays. Although the capillary electrophoresis system was able to identify the variant, the A1c results should not be considered accurate due to overlapping of the variant and adult Hb peaks on the electrophoretogram reading. Hb Hope is usually clinically silent but can present such analytical challenges. Through this case study, we critically discuss the limitations of various HbA1c assay methods, highlighting the fact that laboratory professionals need to be aware of occurrences of Hb Hope, to help ensure patient safety.

Growth and survival of marine sponges, Stylissa massa (Carter, 1887) and Liosina paradoxa (Thiele, 1899) in sea and land based culture systems

Two species of marine sponges Stylissa massa and Liosina paradoxa were cultured in cages (in situ) and in land based aquaria (ex situ) over a period of 120 days. Growth and survival were evaluated using four substrates viz., tile, block, coral rock and rope) under both in situ and ex situ conditions. L. paradoxa in cages recorded significant increase (p<0.05) on day 90 i.e., by 70% compared to initial volume whereas at 120 days there was a significant (p<0.05) decrease (54.22%). S. massa showed significant increase (p<0.05) in growth by 95.6% at 120 days compared to initial volume. Negative growth was recorded in S. massa under aquarium conditions while L. paradoxa recorded good growth as well as survival and performed exceptionally well in aquarium during the entire experimental period of 120 days. In cages, 90.62% survival was recorded for S. massa in 120 days. Among the different substrates used, coral rocks gave 100% survival whereas other substrates such as tiles, blocks and ropes showed 87.5% survival. Under aquarium conditions, S. massa showed overall survival of 81.25% and among the different substrates, 100% survival was obtained with coral rocks, 87.5% with blocks, 75% with ropes and the lowest survival of 62.5% was recorded with tiles.

Granulocytic sarcoma of the dorsal spine in an aleukemic patient

The spine is an uncommon location for granulocytic sarcoma that is an extramedullary deposit of malignant myeloid cells. Very few cases are reported in literature as occurring in aleukemic patients. Due to histopathological similarity with lymphoma, Ewings sarcoma, and multiple myeloma, the diagnosis is often missed. We describe a 22-year-old man presented with worsening dorsal compressive myelopathy in whose treatment was started after initial diagnosis of a lymphoma and who has had no leukemic conversion even after 2 years.

An Elderly Man with a Calcified Brain

A 63-year-old man presented with gait difficulty, slowing of all motor activity, and memory loss. He had been diagnosed and treated for Parkinson disease over the previous year but without any improvement. A computed tomography scan showed extensive calcifications throughout the brain (Fig. 1). The serum calcium concentration was 3.1 …