Flies could help to monitor disease outbreaks by acting as 'autonomous bionic drones' .

Flies could help to monitor disease outbreaks by acting as 'autonomous bionic drones'. Swarms of flies can be used to help monitor disease outbreaks, suggest scientists. This follows their research that shows how whole communities of bacteria – known as a microbiome – can “hitch a ride” on common carrion flies and can be transferred to any surface where the flies land. An international research team led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have proposed that swarms of flies can be used to help monitor disease outbreaks.

MAPPING GENOMES ,DATA AND HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

The human body is basically made up of million of cells that are packed with vital information about a person,their health status,disease tendencies and preferences. Genes have been the basis of existence of living creatures,providing information as regards the entity,much of the potential hidden in each entity were never fully utilized,because the level of information available at that time and what many believe was possible. Today,the story is very different with genome mapping,creating a new approach to disease diagnosis,treatment options and prevention of genetic diseases. This mapping of genomes provides us a wide range of data for health protocols, strategic planning and advanced understanding of what makes a man,who he is,what he feels and loves to do and eat. Beijing Genomics CEO Ye Yin, explains that a huge amount of information is locked in each of us and decoding it all could unlock big secrets. He spoke at Wired health , that there are around 100 trillion cells in the human body, each one containing three billion base pairs of DNA. If stretched in a line, they would cover the distance from Earth to the Moon more than 8,000 times. Despite the information density of the human genome, the actual genetic diversity between species isn't that wide. Yin pointed out that we share 63 per cent of our genes with fish and up to 96 per cent with chimpanzees. Even between two humans, the individual genetic variance is only around 0.5 per cent, yet it can result in pronounced differences. Yin said You can grow tall or short and there are maybe only a few base pairs difference in certain genes but genes determine many variable obvious phenotypes. For example, double or single eyelids, whether you can bend your thumbs back or not, if you can roll your tongue, even how much alcohol you can drink. Yin said if genes can be accurately mapped, then this will be a "big data revolution for healthcare". There is already, non-invasive prenatal tests that tests in-utero babies' DNA for Down's Syndrome, and Yin sees "gene tech" becoming like vaccines – a public health shield. Yin's company ,BGI Genomics is one of the world's leading genomics companies. They have recorded outstanding successes ,among which are decoding the Sars virus and creating the first detection kit; sequencing the first ancient human's genome; and serving as a key sequencing centre in the 1000 Genomes Project. Widespread genetic sequencing also has the potential to reflect population-wide health trends. Ying showed heatmaps generated from sequencing data depicting rates of likelihood of disease-causing mutations across China, contrasted against Europe. If this practice became common, the information could even reveal health differences between towns, potentially highlighting local-scale problems. The wealth of information in our cells is just a tip of the iceberg , Yin points to another genomic factor that can impact our health which is the bacteria in our guts. "There are always two to three kilograms of gut microbials in every person," he said . "It's another genome in our body and its even called a second breed. If you feel hungry, maybe it's your bacteria that feels hungry, not you. They're saying 'you must give us some cultures we want'." Even though it's all coming from the same gene background ,the human body the different microgenomics can have huge effects. Experiments on mice have shown that swapping bacteria can affect weight gain and retention. The results are a brand new way of rethinking various nutritional elements, and how to correct them . The phenomenal amount of data in our bodies can, and eventually will be mapped, right down to the individual and microgenomic levels,but human behavior and choices will remain a major influence on our health. materials from wired

THE ROLE OF GENETICS IN AGING AND DISEASES.

Scientists at the University of Georgia have shown that a hormone instrumental in the aging process is under genetic control, introducing a new pathway by which genetics regulates aging and disease. Earlier studies have found that blood levels of growth differentiation factor 11(GDF), decrease over time. Restoration of GDF11 reverses cardiovascular aging in old mice and leads to muscle and brain rejuvenation, a discovery that was listed as one of the top 10 breakthroughs in science in 2014. The discovery that GDF11 levels are under genetic control is of significant interest since it allows detection of genes responsible for GDF11 levels and its changes with age.The study confirmed results from previous experiments showing that GDF11 levels decrease over time and also showed that most of the depletion occurs by middle age. In addition, the study examined the relationship between GDF11 levels and markers of aging such as lifespan in 22 genetically diverse inbred mice strains. Of note, the strains with the highest GDF11 levels tended to live the longest. Gene mapping, was used by the team ,and they identified seven candidate genes that may determine blood GDF11 concentrations at middle age, demonstrating for the first time that GDF11 levels are highly heritable. Excerpts from the study "Circulating Concentrations of Growth Differentiation Factor 11 are heritable and correlate with life span,"

AGRIBUSINESS : Common fish diseases and treatment.

Fish health management refers to practices that ensures optimum growth and development.The health status of fish is hinged largely on procedural technique;these include stocking density,water quality,oxygen tension, rate of dissolved gases turbidity and feed.The proper implementation of these technique ensures that the fish are disease-free. Diseases affecting fish are classified as bacterial,viral and fungal; these will only proliferate when environmental conditions of the pond are altered thereby making the fish susceptible to infection. Bacteria enteritis is a bacterial infection caused by Aeromonas punctata , where the fish stops feeding,the intestines are distended,the body is darkened ,the gills are rotten and anal region is swollen.The condition results in high mortality,the treatment is use of antibiotics in feed or soak affected fish in antibiotic laced water.There is also a herbal remedy ; fresh garlic are crushed and added to feed at a rate of 5 g of garlic to 10 kg of feed for 3 days. Bacterial gill rot caused by flexibacter columnaris; affects the gills turns them black because of large deposit of mucus on the gills,thus making it putrid.The operculum is inflamed ,gills ulcerate and drop off.This is also treated by adding antibiotics to feed,also table salt at 2% concentration in 20litres of water can be used in the treatment tank,where the fish are immersed for 10-15 mins. The cotton white disease or "water mold" caused by saprolegria spp,affects the gill filaments making them hairy and white.The treatment involves immersing fish in a solution of common salt and sodium bicarbonate. White head and mouth disease caused by pseudomonas dermoalla, the fish loses the natural color and attains a milky color from head to tail.This condition is also caused by myxococus piscicala. Furunculosis refers to the condition where the fish skin and muscle are inflammed,distended with pus,the fins are damaged and are eroded. The sudden death syndrome usually caused by branchiomycosis sanguinis; the gills are pale,with heavy mucus deposit on gills ,spores are also noted on gills suffocating the fish because of insufficient oxygen.This disease is largely associated with poor water quality with high deposit of inorganic matter. The treatment of bacterial infection in fish requires use of antibiotics in feed or water but most importantly,the pond must be flushed .Water must be added to pond and it should be properly aerated before treatment commences. Fish diseases can be prevented with sound management practices and inclusion of atovi feed premix to fish feed.