Characterization of avian adenovirus type-4 causing hydro-pericardium syndrome in broilers in Karachi, Pakistan

Avian adenovirus was isolated from naturally infected birds during 1990 to 2003 in the vicinity of Karachi, Pakistan. The virus is known to cause hydro-pericardium syndrome [HPS] in poultry The mortality was recorded 20-50% in commercial broilers. Fifty field samples were collected; however, six samples were selected for molecular studies. These isolates were grown and characterized by cell culture using chicken embryo liver cell culture, chicken embryo pathogenicity, agar gel precipitation [AGP], serum neutralization test, DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and restriction enzyme analysis [REA]. Reference strain J2-A [ATCC VR-829] was used to confirm that HPS isolates belongs to avian adenovirus type-4. The disease was reproduced in 28-day-old broilers by intramuscular inoculation of cell extracts. Typical hydropericardium was observed in experimental chickens 72 h post-inoculation. The 50% neutralization endpoint of pooled sera of these isolates was not recorded more than 1:40. The results showed that there was no difference in PCR product of 1319 bp with H3/H4 primer on agarose gels, which is characteristic of group I avian adenovirus [AA]. Restriction fragment length polymorphism [RFLP] analysis of PCR products using restriction enzyme Hpa II resulted in five bands confirming the presence of AA in the analyzed samples

I-Neighborhood net convergence spaces

In this article our aim is, starting with an I-neighborhood convergence space, we introduce the notion of net-convergence and then conversely, starting with net-convergence space, we construct an I-neighborhood convergence space. Finally, we introduce the notion of a cluster point of a net in I-neighborhood convergence space and a relationship is achieved between cluster point and a limit point

Effects of voluntary exercise on heart function in streptozotocin [STZ] - induced diabetic rat

Exercise training improves cardiac performance and has been utilized as an effective adjunct to pharmacotherapy in the management of diabetes mellitus. The aims of this study were to characterize voluntary exercise habits in streptozotocin [STZ]-induced diabetic rats and investigate whether attained levels of voluntary exercise induce effects on diabetic heart function. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ [60 mg/kg]. Animals were divided into 4 groups: Control Sedentary [CS], Diabetic Sedentary [DS], Control Running [CR] and Diabetic Running [DR]. DR and CR rats were provided with running wheels. Body weight and blood glucose were measured in running rats at the start and end of the 60-day exercise period. Ventricular action potentials were measured in spontaneously beating heart. Shortening and intracellular Ca[2+] were measured in electrically stimulated ventricular myocytes. DR rats exercised less than CR rats. At 60 days the mean distance covered by DR rats was 1027 +/- 289 m compared to 5975 +/- 1117min CR rats. CR gained whilst DR rats lost weight at the end of the exercise period. Mean blood glucose in CR and DR rats at the start of the exercise period was 71 +/- 4 and 426 +/- 21 mg/dl, respectively. Glucose levels were not altered in CR rats but were reduced in DR rats at the end of the exercise period. The time to peak shortening and peak Ca[2+] transient and time to half relaxation of the Ca[2+] transient were prolonged in myocytes from DS compared to CS rats and were not additionally altered by voluntary exercise. In conclusion, diabetic rats were less inclined to partake in voluntary exercise compared to controls and the levels and duration of exercise were insufficient to significantly alter cardiac performance in either control or diabetic rats

Intelocking versus kuntscher nails in the management of femoral shaft fractures

To compare the outcome of Femoral shaft fractures managed with Interlocking and Kuntscher intramedullary nails, in terms of healing time, full weight bearing and post-operative complications. Prospective, quasi-experimental study from March 1999 to May 2002. Orthopaedics Unit I, Civil Hospital, Karachi. A total of 200 cases of Femoral shall fractures. Half [100] the cases of Femoral shaft fractures were treated with Kuntscher intramedullary nails and the other half [100] with Interlocking nails, the cases being assigned randomly. The detailed data of the patients was recorded, computed and analyzed using Chi-square test and Students t-test. The main parameters compared included fracture healing time, full weight bearing time and post-operative complications. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of demographic data, fracture type and associated co-morbidities. The average operating time was 110 +/- 25 minutes for the Interlocking nail and 80 +/- 15.8 mins for the K-nail. All patients of K-nail group needed blood transfusion, while only 17 patients of interlocking group needed blood transfusion. The fill weight bearing time was significantly shorter [p < 0.005] in cases of Interlocking nail. Out of 200 fractures 182 [91%] healed with in six months while 18 [9%] did not. The latter included 6 [3%] cases treated with Interlocking nails and 12 [6%] with Kuntscher nails, p < 0.005. Interlocking intramedullary nailing is better than Kuntscher nailing in every respect

Neuropsychiatric manifestations of typhoid fever

Neuropsychiatric manifestations of typhoid fever are not uncommon, occurring in 12 of 40 patients admitted to the medical unit at District Headquarters Hospital, Rawalpindi. The clinical presentation ranged from a confusional state, Parkinsonian rigidity, meningism to semi-coma. The diagnosis may be missed or delayed unless there is a strong index of suspicion

Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme patterns of rat testis and reproductive tract: changes during postnatal development

Electrophoretic patterns of LDH isoenzymes in whole testis as well as in testicular isolated cells of immature and mature rat are demonstrated. Further, these molecular forms are studied in testis, vas deferens, epididymis, seminal vesicle, prostate and during development from one week to 4 weeks and above at selected time intervals. LDH - X is demonstrated only in testis and cells found in seminiferous tubular compartment and is suggested to appear during the prophase of frist meiotic divison of spermatogenesis. The isoenzymes appear to be intense during 2 - 3 week of age and do not show any significant shift as the development progresses