ABSTRACT
Background: Fluid, electrolytes, and energy (FEE) management is important in the treatment of acute nondiarrheal illnesses. However, the use of FEE drinks in managing such illnesses is not well-documented. Objective: This study aimed to understand physicians’ knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) and perceived patient outcomes in treating FEE deficits in acute nondiarrheal illnesses using FEE drinks in India. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional respondent-blinded survey was designed and administered among practicing physicians across various specialties and prescribing statuses in India. KAP among groups of physicians was assessed, and the correlations between knowledge– attitudes, knowledge–practice, and knowledge–perceived outcomes were explored. Results: A total of 494 physicians participated in the study from September to October 2021. Overall, knowledge scores were moderate. Prescribers had a higher average knowledge score and more proactive attitudes and practices as compared to nonprescribers. Most physicians agreed that FEE management recommendations could improve patients’ recovery speed. There were significant positive correlations between knowledge scores and physicians’ attitudes toward the importance of FEE management awareness, the importance of FEE management for patient recovery, and a physician’s perception that FEE drinks improved patients’ recovery time. There was no significant correlation between knowledge score and practices. Conclusion: There may be benefits from improving the knowledge of physicians in India in FEE management and developing guidelines for the use of FEE drinks in acute nondiarrheal illnesses. Further research exploring the knowledge–practice gap and evaluating the clinical benefit of FEE drinks in acute nondiarrheal illnesses should also be undertaken to develop such guidelines.
ABSTRACT
Yak, an economically important bovine species considered as lifeline of the Himalaya. Indeed, this gigantic bovine is neglected because of the scientific intervention for its conservation as well as research documentation for a long time. Amelogenin is an essential protein for tooth enamel which eutherian mammals contain two copies in both X and Y chromosome each. In bovine, the deletion of a fragment of the nucleotide sequence in Y chromosome copy of exon 6 made Amelogenin an excellent sex-specific marker. Thus, an attempt was made to use the gene as an advanced molecular marker of sexing of the yak to improve breeding strategies and reproduction. The present study confirmed that the polymerase chain reaction amplification of the Amelogenin gene with a unique primer is useful in sex identification of the yak. The test is further refined with qPCR validation by quantifying the DNA copy number of the Amelogenin gene in male and female. We observed a high level of sequence polymorphisms of AMELX and AMELY in yak considered as novel identification. These tests can be further extended into several other specialized fields includingforensics, meat production and processing, and quality control.