Clinico-pathological assessment of virulent Newcastle Disease Virus in ducks / Avaliação clínico-patológica do Vírus da Doença de Newcastle em patos

Abstract Newcastle disease (ND) is an infectious, highly contagious and lethal disease of avian species. It is considered that ducks are natural reservoir or carrier for Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and are resistant against different strains of NDV. Current study was designed to evaluate the pathogenesis of Newcastle disease in domestic ducks through histopathology, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and serum biochemical changes. For this purpose, eighty ducks were reared for 42 days and divided in two groups A and B. Ducks in group A were challenged with (NDV) at rate of 0.1 ml of ELD50 (virus titer 107.32/100µl) on second week of age, whereas Group B was control negative. Splenomegaly, atrophy of thymus and necrotic lesion in kidney were observed on 9th day of post infection. Hepatic degeneration and mononuclear cell infiltration were noticed in proventriculus and intestine in challenged ducks. Viral antigen detected in lungs, intestine, proventriculus and lymphoid organs of infected ducks through IHC. Albumin and total protein values were significantly low in infected groups A as compared to control group B. ALT, AST, and ALP values were significantly high in infected group A. On 5th and 7th day of post infection oropharyngeal swabs were negative for NDV and cloacal swabs were positive for NDV through Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. It is concluded that ducks are susceptible to NDV and virulent strain of NDV caused disease in ducks.

Resumo A doença de Newcastle (DN) é uma doença infecciosa, altamente contagiosa e letal de espécies aviárias. Considera-se que os patos são reservatórios ou portadores naturais do vírus da doença de Newcastle (VDN) e são resistentes a diferentes cepas de VDN. O presente estudo foi desenvolvido para avaliar a patogênese da DN em patos domésticos por meio de histopatologia, imuno-histoquímica (IHQ) e alterações bioquímicas séricas. Para este propósito, 80 patos foram criados por 42 dias e divididos em dois grupos A e B. Os patos do grupo A foram submetidos ao VDN a uma taxa de 0,1 ml de ELD50 (título viral de 107,32 / 100 µl) na segunda semana de idade, enquanto o Grupo B foi controle negativo. Esplenomegalia, atrofia do timo e lesão necrótica no rim foram observadas no 9º dia pós-infecção. Degeneração hepática e infiltração de células mononucleares foram observadas no proventrículo e intestino em patos infectados. Antígeno viral foi detectado em pulmões, intestino, proventrículo e órgãos linfoides de patos infectados por IHQ. Os valores de albumina e proteína total foram significativamente baixos no grupo A infectado em comparação com o grupo B. Os valores de ALT, AST e ALP foram significativamente altos no grupo A. No 5º e no 7º dia após a infecção, os esfregaços orofaríngeos foram negativos para VDN, enquanto os esfregaços cloacais foram positivos para VDN por meio da reação em cadeia da polimerase via transcriptase reversa. Conclui-se que os patos são suscetíveis ao VDN e à cepa virulenta de VDN que causou doenças em patos.

Clinico-pathological assessment of virulent Newcastle Disease Virus in ducks

Abstract Newcastle disease (ND) is an infectious, highly contagious and lethal disease of avian species. It is considered that ducks are natural reservoir or carrier for Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and are resistant against different strains of NDV. Current study was designed to evaluate the pathogenesis of Newcastle disease in domestic ducks through histopathology, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and serum biochemical changes. For this purpose, eighty ducks were reared for 42 days and divided in two groups A and B. Ducks in group A were challenged with (NDV) at rate of 0.1 ml of ELD50 (virus titer 107.32/100µl) on second week of age, whereas Group B was control negative. Splenomegaly, atrophy of thymus and necrotic lesion in kidney were observed on 9th day of post infection. Hepatic degeneration and mononuclear cell infiltration were noticed in proventriculus and intestine in challenged ducks. Viral antigen detected in lungs, intestine, proventriculus and lymphoid organs of infected ducks through IHC. Albumin and total protein values were significantly low in infected groups A as compared to control group B. ALT, AST, and ALP values were significantly high in infected group A. On 5th and 7th day of post infection oropharyngeal swabs were negative for NDV and cloacal swabs were positive for NDV through Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. It is concluded that ducks are susceptible to NDV and virulent strain of NDV caused disease in ducks.

Resumo A doença de Newcastle (DN) é uma doença infecciosa, altamente contagiosa e letal de espécies aviárias. Considera-se que os patos são reservatórios ou portadores naturais do vírus da doença de Newcastle (VDN) e são resistentes a diferentes cepas de VDN. O presente estudo foi desenvolvido para avaliar a patogênese da DN em patos domésticos por meio de histopatologia, imuno-histoquímica (IHQ) e alterações bioquímicas séricas. Para este propósito, 80 patos foram criados por 42 dias e divididos em dois grupos A e B. Os patos do grupo A foram submetidos ao VDN a uma taxa de 0,1 ml de ELD50 (título viral de 107,32 / 100 µl) na segunda semana de idade, enquanto o Grupo B foi controle negativo. Esplenomegalia, atrofia do timo e lesão necrótica no rim foram observadas no 9º dia pós-infecção. Degeneração hepática e infiltração de células mononucleares foram observadas no proventrículo e intestino em patos infectados. Antígeno viral foi detectado em pulmões, intestino, proventrículo e órgãos linfoides de patos infectados por IHQ. Os valores de albumina e proteína total foram significativamente baixos no grupo A infectado em comparação com o grupo B. Os valores de ALT, AST e ALP foram significativamente altos no grupo A. No 5º e no 7º dia após a infecção, os esfregaços orofaríngeos foram negativos para VDN, enquanto os esfregaços cloacais foram positivos para VDN por meio da reação em cadeia da polimerase via transcriptase reversa. Conclui-se que os patos são suscetíveis ao VDN e à cepa virulenta de VDN que causou doenças em patos.

Effect of celery (apium graveolens) seeds extract on protease inhibitor (ritonavir) induced dyslipidemia.

Objective: The present study was carried out to explore protective effects of ethanolic extract of Apium graveolens (celery seeds) on ritonavir, a protease inhibitor induced dyslipidemia. Materials & Methods: Thirty mice were divided into 5 groups. Group 1 mice served as healthy control. Group 2 mice were given drug ritonavir at doses of 33.33 mg/kg (200mg/day, human dose), group 3 received same dose of ritonavir and ethanolic extract of celery seeds(CSE) at the doses of 75mg/kg. Group 4 was treated with same dose of ritonavir and CSE at high doses i.e.150mg/kg. Group 5 mice were given ritonavir and hypolipidemic drug, fenofibrate. All groups of mice were given the drug and extract by oral gavage route for the period of 12 weeks. Blood lipid profile and liver lipids of all the groups were tested at the end of 12 weeks. Results: Blood lipid profile was found to be deranged in the group of mice treated with ritonavir. Concurrent treatment of ritonavir with low dose of CSE showed no significant improvement in blood lipid profile in group 3 mice but high dose CSE along with ritonavir with the same dose of ritonavir exhibited significant improvement (p<0.05) in group 4 mice. Effect of fenofibrate in group 5 was almost equally effective as that of high dose of CSE. There was a similar pattern of decrease in liver lipids in all the groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: Above results suggest that ethanolic extract of celery seeds possess potential for improving blood lipid profile & liver lipids deranged by ritonavir when given concurrently. Its efficacy approaches that of fenofibrate. Its intake along with ritonavir would be better in terms of cost and side effects as compared to fenofibrate.

Salivary total antioxidant activity as a non invasive biomarker for oxidative stress in asthmatic patients.

Background: Bronchial Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease along with hyperresponsiveness of bronchi. The present study was designed to assess the redox status of patients suffering from bronchial asthma and to compare it with that of normal healthy controls, by determining the total antioxidant activity (AOA) of the serum and saliva and correlating it with the disease status. Method: Total AOA was assayed spectrophotometrically in saliva and serum of two groups; asthmatic patients attending OPD of pulmonary Medicine and healthy controls. The patients were followed for a period of three months after start of therapy and total AOA was measured post therapy. Results: Asthmatic patients exhibited significantly(p<0.05) decreased serum and salivary total AOA as compared to healthy controls. Decreased contents of total AOA in serum and saliva was positively correlated with the severity of disease process. Total AOA in serum was significantly (p<0.0001) higher than salivary AOA in all the categories of asthmatic patients. Total AOA in serum was significantly (p<0.0001) higher than that in saliva of the control subjects. The depressed total AOA returned to near normal values post treatment. In Conclusion: Total AOA in serum and saliva is a good indicator for assessing the severity and progress of bronchial asthma. Salivary total AOA can be taken as a potential biomarker for oxidative stress in asthmatic patients.

Hypertension in Yemeni patients with type II diabetes and its association with vascular complications

Diabetes Mellitus [DM] and its complications are a common problem among Yemeni population. Hypertension is commonly associated with type II DM. Both are risk factors for vascular complications. This study was designed to assess the prevalence of hypertension in Yemeni patients with Type II DM, and its association with macrovascular and microvascular complications. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of hypertension among Yemeni patients with diabetic Type II, and its association with vascular complications of DM. A Cross Sectional Study was carried out in Al-Thawra Hospital, between June to December 2007. A total of one hundred eighty-nine adult patients with Type II DM were included in the study. The diagnosis of Diabetes was based on the WHO criteria, while the diagnosis of hypertension was based on the criteria of the fifth Joint National Committee [JNC-5]. The patients were divided into two groups: with and without hypertension, and their clinico-laboratory parameters were studied and analyzed. The mean age was 55.6 +/- 10.2 years, and mean BMI was 22.61 +/- 3.6 kg/m[2]. The mean time duration of DM was 8.9 +/- 6.3 years. The prevalence of hypertension in Type II diabetic patients was 55% [N = 104 patients]. No significant differences were observed in the duration, sex and BMI of both groups. Hypertension was significant in the elderly, low HDL cholesterol, and poor glycemic control group. The hypertensive diabetic groups were observed to have more ischemic heart disease [IHD], diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy than the normotensive diabetics. Hypertension is common among Yemeni patients with Type II DM. It's associated with increased prevalence of both micro-and macro-vascular complications

APACHE II scoring system in a general intensive care unit

Critical care may be defined loosely as the process of high-frequency physiologic monitoring coupled with short-response-time pharmacologic, ventilatory, and procedural interventions. This activity designed to re-establish normal homeostasis and minimize complications of primary, secondary, and iatrogenic injury. This article will focus on some of the more recent developments in the scoring system which became popular in wide range of ICUs world wide. Use of a scoring system has been suggested to result in management decisions that could salvage costly ICU resources, which are scantily available in the developing world

Biochemical effects of Nigella sativa L seeds in diabetic rats.

Oral administration of ethanol extract of N. sativa seeds (300 mg/kg body weight/day) to streptozotocin induced diabetic rats for 30 days significantly reduced the elevated levels of blood glucose, lipids, plasma insulin and improved altered levels of lipid peroxidation products (TBARS and hydroperoxides) and antioxidant enzymes like catalase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione and glutathione peroxidase in liver and kidney. The results confirm the antidiabetic activity of N. sativa seeds extract and suggest that because of its antioxidant effects its administration may be useful in controlling the diabetic complications in experimental diabetic rats.

A new combination chemotherapy for recurrent Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Thirty seven Hodgkin's lymphoma patients with recurrence after first remission induced by radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy with mustine, oncovin, procarbazine and prednisolone (MOPP) were randomised to treat with a new combination chemotherapy comprising of doxorubicin, oncovin, procarbazine and prednisolone (DOPP). While the other group received further cycles of MOPP. Twenty two patients received DOPP and out of them 14 (63.6%) showed complete remission (CR). Other group of 15 patients were treated with further cycles of MOPP and among them two (13.3%) showed CR. However, the overall response rate including CR and partial remission (PR) in both the groups were almost same, 90.9% with DOPP and 86.6% with MOPP. It is concluded that DOPP combination is satisfactory and most likely superior to MOPP for producing CR in patients treated with radiotherapy and/or MOPP.

Cancer morbidity.

In the present study, 1736 cases of cancer has been analysed by major sites, sub-sites and mortality trend. The most common cancerous lesion in the male was in the lungs and in the female in the uterine cervix. The second common lesion in male and female were larynx and breast respectively. In children, retinoblastoma was the commonest type of cancer.

Cancer of male breast. (A report on incidence).

During a retrospective study of 1843 patients with malignant lesions, 83 were identified as breast cancer. Of these, 4 turned out to be male breast cancer showing a male to female ratio of this neoplasms to be 1:19.7.