Serological survey of canine vector-borne diseases in two animal shelters in central Peninsular Malaysia

@#Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are increasingly becoming a cause for global concern because of their high morbidity and mortality rates in dogs. However, information on their occurrence in Malaysia is still scanty. In this study, a total of 103 dog blood samples were collected from two animal shelters in central Peninsular Malaysia and tested for the antibodies against Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi, and the antigen of Dirofilaria immitis. Of the 103 tested dogs, 44.7% (46) were found to be seropositive for Ehrlichia spp., 30.1% (31) for Anaplasma spp. and 13.6% (14) for D. immitis. Co-infections of Anaplasma spp. + Ehrlichia spp. (18.5%, 19) were most prevalent, followed by Anaplasma spp. + D. immitis (1.9%; two) and D. immitis + Ehrlichia spp. (1.0%; one). Furthermore, three dogs (2.9%) were also found to have triple infection, testing seropositive for Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp. and D. immitis. The dogs which were found to be seropositive with at least one pathogen were 66.7% (32/51) at shelter A, and 55.8% (29/52) at shelter B. Serological evidence showed that the exposure of major vector-borne diseases in dogs in shelters was relatively high in the surveyed areas. Routine detection and control of vector-borne diseases are of paramount importance for reducing the risk of CVBDs transmission in dogs and humans.

Study of serum uric acid in liver cirrhosis and its correlation with Child Turcotte Pugh, MELD and UKELD score

Background: Liver cirrhosis is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality. The availability of liver transplant has stressed on the need for accurate prognostication. Various scoring systems have been developed for the same and studies have been conducted to find the correlation of various biochemical parameters with these.Methods: This is a cross sectional study conducted on 100 patients with stigmata of liver cell failure on clinical examination and substantiated by imaging. Serum Uric acid and other biochemical parameters were determined. Child Turcotte Pugh Score, Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, United Kingdom Model for End Stage Liver Disease (UKELD) score was calculated and the correlation obtained.Results: The study showed significant, positive correlation between uric acid level and CTP, MELD and UKELD score. The study also showed the positive correlation of serum uric acid with various biochemical parameters such as total bilirubin, Prothrombin time/ International Normalized Ratio (PT/INR) and serum creatinine and negative correlation with serum albumin, with a significant p value. The mean serum uric acid was found to be 4.79(4.79± 2.0)Conclusions: The study showed a correlation between serum uric acid and the various available scoring systems such as CTP score, MELD and UKELD score. Hence serum uric acid can be used as an alternative prognostic parameter in predicting the severity and prognosis of cirrhosis of liver.

Correlation between APRI Index, MELD Score and Child Pugh Score in cirrhosis of liver

Background: Liver cirrhosis is the end result of chronic liver injury and is one of the most common cause of morbidity and mortality. Several scorings are available to predict the severity and prognosis of liver cirrhosis. This study aims to calculate APRI index, MELD score and child Pugh score in cirrhosis patients and to find the correlation between them.Methods: This is the Cross-sectional study on 100 patients confirmed with cirrhosis of liver. Cirrhosis due to alcohol, Hepatitis B and C, autoimmune, Cryptogenic, NAFLD, were included in the study. APRI Index, MELD Score and Child Pugh Score were calculated, and the correlation was obtained.Results: This study found out the relationship between APRI index, MELD Score and Child Pugh Score with significant p value. The study also showed that all the three scores were raised with patients who had complication of cirrhosis like encephalopathy, refractory ascites. Among those who had complication like grade 3 or 4 encephalopathy, APRI index had a mean value of 3.4, Child Pugh had a mean score of 13.2, and MELD had a mean score of 36.08 with standard deviation of 2.0, 1.5, 6.0 respectively.Conclusions: APRI index is an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality. The prognostic performance of all 3 was comparable, Hence APRI index can be used as an alternative scoring which is cost effective and objective method in predicting the severity and prognosis in cirrhosis of liver.

Prevalence and severity of depression among people residing in flood affected areas of Kerala

Background: The world is witnessing significant change in its climate leading to an increase in natural disasters. Kerala state of India recently witnessed its worst Monsoon rainfall in the century. Floods have significant effects on mental health. Screening of psychological problems is necessary in the background of recent floods in Kerala. So this study was done with the objectives to assess the prevalence of depression in the flood affected people of Kerala and to assess the severity of depression among people residing in flood affected areas of Kerala.Methods: Cross sectional study was done four weeks after flood. Individuals aged ≥15 years residing in flood affected areas were included and people not willing to participate were excluded. Purposive sampling was done and 306 participants were studied. Participants were assessed by interview technique using PHQ9 questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS-22. Descriptive statistics like percentage were applied. Inferential statistical tests like chi-square test were applied for association.Results: Among the participants 48% showed symptoms of depression. 28.10 % were mildly depressed, 12.74% were moderately depressed, 5.56% had moderately severe and 1.63% had severe depression. Maximum prevalence of depression was observed in geriatric age group.Conclusions: A significant amount of people residing in flood affected areas showed signs and symptoms of depression. An urgent intervention is therefore required to improve mental health status of the flood affected individuals.

Inferior Pelvicalyceal Anatomy – An Important Determinant of Residual Stone Clearance after Shock Wave Lithotripsy.

Background: Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) has revolutionized the treatment of renal stones. Clearance of stones after SWL depends upon a multitude of factors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of inferior calyceal anatomy on the stone clearance after SWL for renal stones. Methods: The study included a total 52 patients with age between 21 and 81 years admitted in our hospital with renal stones who were treated with SWL. The factors studied were- Infundibulo-pelvic angle (IPA), Infundibular length (IL), Infundibular width (IW) and their affect on stone clearance. Results: In the lower caliceal system three factors for stone clearance were studied; patients with an infundibulo-pelvic angle (IPA) of more than 89.3 degree had a statistically significant clearance as compared an angle less than that ( p=0.0000 ; 95% confidence interval [CI] , 0.774 to 1.1036 ); patients with an infundibular length (IL) of less than 26mm had a statistically significant clearance ( p=0.0004; 95% confidence interval [CI] , 0.616 to 0.0945 ); the infundibular width did not have a significant role in stone clearance in our study. Conclusion: In the lower calyceal system, the infundibulo-pelvic angle (IPA) and the infundibular length (IL) play a significant role in stone clearance.

Does Maternal Education Affect Maternal and Child Health Care Utilization?: A Community Based Study in a Urban Slum Area of Western India.

In order to examine the relationship between maternal education and maternal and child mortality a survey was carried out in urban slum area of Surat city. The sample for this survey was designed to provide estimates on a large number of indicators on the situation of children and women living in the area where RCH services are provided by the Health Department of Surat Municipal Corporation. We included the mothers who had delivered in the past 1 year and their babies.Various variables with respect to maternal care and child care were investigated. A logistic regression was applied for variables found significantly associated with maternal education. This study showed that maternal education was independently associated with various aspects of maternal health care and child health care services. It is recommended that the local authorities should make effort to increase the maternal education for the betterment of the society.

Comparative Study of Anticonvulsant Property among Different Fluoro Substituted Synthesized Benzothiazole Derivatives.

Objective: The present study is to evaluate antiepileptic activity of some fluoro benzothiazolo oxadiazolo quinazoline and sulfonamido quinazoline derivatives. Background of the Study: Epilepsy is a chronic disorder of the brain, characterized by the periodic and unpredictable occurrence of seizures. Epilepsies affect around 1–2% of the world population including the fact that the convulsions of approximately 25% of epileptics are inadequately controlled by medication. Materials and Methods: Albino mice (weighing 20-25g) of either sex were used in this study. MES seizures were induced in mice by delivering electroshock of 60ma for 0.2 seconds by means of an electro- convulsiometer transauricularly through a pair of ear clip electrodes. Both test animals and standard group received diazepam (5mg/kg) p.o strychnine nitrate (1 mg/kg) was administered. Results and Discussion: MES induced convulsion the mentioned dose was administered one hour prior to MES elicitation. It was observed that all SSBDs except ap- 7, bz-10 and s-5 shown significant anticonvulsant effect. The results are compiled in the Table 1 and graphically depicted in Figs 1 and 2 respectively. Conclusion: The present investigation revealed that the SSBDS ap-3, ap-6 and bz-9 were shown significant anticonvulsant activity against both MES and strychnine induced models.

Follow-up assessment of under-nourished children under integrated child development services scheme in tapi district, India

India shares the largest burden of under-nutrition in world. The aim of this study was to conduct follow-up assessment of under-nourished children attending anganwadi center [AWC]. This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in 50 AWC of Tapi district. Total 529 children aged 1-6 years diagnosed as under-nourished before 1 year were included. Pre-structured questionnaire was used for present day assessment of these children followed by Epi-info mediated analysis. Children of literate mothers had higher weight gain. Ninety percent of children attended anganwadi regularly, however 25% of children dropped out for more than 1 month. In 1 year, growth had faltered in 20% children and was stagnant in 63% of them. Children who were treated for under-nutrition; that completed course at Child Development and Nutrition Center; and whose parents were counseled about the under-nourished status of child had higher weight gain than their counterparts. Parents of under-nourished children must be counseled about the nutritional status of their child. In cases of under-nourished child, referral to higher center must be ensured by health worker. Supplementary feeding as a long-term solution to country's under-nutrition problem should be studied in detail with the alternative solutions

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with previous renal transplantation.

Objective: To analyse and present our experience of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with previous renal transplantation. Materials and Methods: Records of patients who have undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy after kidney transplantation from January, 2010 to December, 2010 were reviewed. Data, in form of, demographics, medications used, indication of transplantation, manifestation of gallstones, operative findings, duration of hospitalisation and postoperative complications were obtained and analyzed. Results: Ten patients have undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy. All patients were admitted on the day of surgery. Immunosuppression regimen was not modified during hospitalisation. Indications of cholecystectomy were billiary colic (4), acute cholecystitis (4) and asymptomatic gallstones (2). Laparoscopic cholecystecomy was uneventful in all cases. Postoperative complications were nausea and vomiting in two patients and port site infection in one patient. Conclusion: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is safe and feasible in patients who have undergone renal transplantation.

Present and future biochemical markers of cardiac diseases

Biochemical markers play an important role in the diagnosis of myocardial injuries and adopting a therapy that would improve clinical outcome. The earliest biomarkers, such as alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase, have become redundant with the development of more sensitive and specific assays for latest cardiac markers. This development of assays for new marker proteins has contributed to a greater understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease spectrum of many myocardial diseases

Frequency of infection with A and B supergroup Wolbachia in insects and pests associated with mulberry and silkworm.

Wolbachia is a ubiquitous, Gram-negative,vertically transmitted, alpha-proteobacterium that causes an array of reproductive abnormalities including cytoplasmic incompatibility, feminization of genetic males, parthenogenesis in a number of insect species, among others. Wolbachia is now being exploited as an agent for pest and vector control. Previous surveys indicated that it is commonly seen in 16-76% of arthropods. In this paper, using polymerase chain reaction assay based on specific amplification of the ftsZ -A and -B supergroup Wolbachia gene fragments, we found that 30% of insects and pests screened were positive for Wolbachia. Among them 66.7% harbour double Wolbachia infection, while 33.3 % harbour single Wolbachia infection. These results indicate widespread infection with both double and single Wolbachia, and provide a wealth of information to exploit this endobacterium for the management of pests and vectors.

Microsatellite DNA typing for assessment of genetic variability in Tharparkar breed of Indian zebu (Bos indicus) cattle, a major breed of Rajasthan.

The present study estimates genetic variability with a set of 25 microsatellite markers in a random sample of 50 animals of Tharparkar breed of Indian zebu (Bos indicus) cattle. Tharparkar is a dual-purpose breed, valued for its milk as well as draught utility, and is adapted to the inhospitable Thar desert conditions of Rajasthan typified by summer temperature hovering above 50 degrees C, sparse rainfall and vegetation, and scarcity of even drinking water. The observed number of alleles ranged from 4 (ETH3, ILSTS030, INRA5, INRA63 and MM8) to 11 (HEL9 and ILSTS034), with allelic diversity (average number of observed alleles per locus) of 6.20. Observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.25 (INRA63) to 0.77 (ETH10), and from 0.51 (HEL5 and HAUT27) to 0.88 (HEL9) respectively. Wide range of genetic variability supported the utility of these microsatellite loci in measurement of genetic diversity indices in other Indian cattle breeds too. Various average genetic variability measures, namely allele diversity (6.20), observed heterozygosity (0.57), expected heterozygosity (0.67) and mean polymorphism information content (0.60) values showed substantial within-breed genetic variability in this major breed of Rajasthan, despite accumulated inbreeding as reflected by high average inbreeding coefficient (F(IS) = 0.39). The Tharparkar population has not experienced a bottleneck in the recent past.

Genetic diversity studies of Kherigarh cattle based on microsatellite markers.

We report a genetic diversity study of Kherigarh cattle, a utility draught-purpose breed of India, currently declining at a startling rate, by use of microsatellite markers recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization. Microsatellite genotypes were derived, and allelic and genotypic frequencies, heterozygosities and gene diversity were estimated. A total of 131 alleles were distinguished by the 21 microsatellite markers used. All the microsatellites were highly polymorphic, with mean (+/- s.e.) allelic number of 6.24 +/- 1.7, ranging 4-10 per locus. The observed heterozygosity in the population ranged between 0.261 and 0.809, with mean (+/- s.e.) of 0.574 +/- 0.131, indicating considerable genetic variation in this population. Genetic bottleneck hypotheses were also explored. Our data suggest that the Kherigarh breed has not experienced a genetic bottleneck in the recent past.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome as a paradoxical response to anti-tuberculosis and anti-retroviral therapy.

Paradoxical response or immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) during the course of antituberculous therapy is being increasingly recognised among patients with and without HIV co-infection. A 40-year-old HIV infected male on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) presented with persistent fever and weight loss. He was diagnosed to have miliary tuberculosis and HIV co-infection. Following initiation of anti-tuberculous chemotherapy, the clinical course was characterised by development of acute respiratory failure (ARDS) as a paradoxical response/IRIS to treatment. This uncommon manifestation of paradoxical response (ARDS) in HIV and tuberculous co-infection following initiation of ART and anti-TB treatment is very scarcely reported in the past. With the increasing incidence of HIV/AIDS and TB co-infection along with liberal access to ART in the developing world, it is likely that paradoxical reactions will be encountered more frequently.

Peripheral plasma FSH concentration in relation to expression of estrus in Sahiwal cattle (Bos indicus).

An experiment was conducted to investigate the changes in peripheral plasma FSH concentrations in relation to expression of estrus in Sahiwal cows. Out of total five estrus, three were accompanied by overt signs whereas rest two were silent estrus. In cows with overt estrus, plasma FSH concentrations during periestrus, early luteal, midluteal and late luteal phase were 1.65+/-0.34, 1.67+/-0.21, 1.58+/-0.18 and 1.69+/-0.31 ng/ml, respectively and the corresponding values in cows with silent estrus being 0.68+/-0.39, 0.50+/-0.12, 0.75+/-0.13 and 0.46+/-0.12 ng/ml, respectively. The overall plasma FSH levels in cows that exhibited overt estrus was 1.63+/-0.82 ng/ml as against 0.64+/-0.55 ng/ml in silent estrus. It was concluded that FSH levels were higher (P<0.01) in cows that exhibited overt estrus compared to silent estrus.

Mast cells in Helicobacter pylori associated antral gastritis.

Mast cells are known to be effector cells in various inflammatory reactions, but their role in gastritis is unclear. The present study was undertaken to investigate the extent of mast cell involvement in antral gastritis with and without Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and thus evaluate the possible role of mast cells in the pathogenesis of H. pylori-associated gastritis. Antral mucosal biopsies were taken from 212 subjects with symptoms suggestive of acid peptic disease. Sections were assessed for inflammation. Modified Giemsa stain was used to detect H. pylori infection and 1% toluidine blue to count mast cells. Mast cell counts were significantly higher in the antral mucosa even in H. pylori-negative gastritis (68.4 +/- 6.7/mm2), as compared to normal non-inflamed mucosa (45.7 +/- 5.8/mm2) (P < 0.05). However, with H. pylori infection, the mucosal mast cell count were markedly increased (123.8 +/- 4.7/mm2) as compared to normal mucosa (P < 0.01). and H. pylori-negative gastritis (P < 0.01) this increase was noticed uniformly in patients with H. pylori-positivity, irrespective of the presence or absence of a peptic ulcer. After cure of H. pylori infection, the mast cell density decreased significantly (44.9 +/- 4.6/mm2) to reach levels that were similar to those in normal mucosa. There was a positive correlation between the antral mucosal mast cell density and polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cell infiltration (rs = 0.61). H. pylori infection, and 0.73 respy. It was concluded that could be responsible for increasing the mast cell density in the gastric antrum. Probably by inducing castain mucosal cytokine.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the brainstem with atrial septal mass.

Simultaneous occurrence of cardiac and central nervous system tumors have been rarely reported. A 23 years male presented to us with right cerebello-pontine (CP) angle symptoms and signs. Cranial imaging showed a mass lesion in the right pons infiltrating into the right and middle cerebellar peduncles. There was also a cardiac-atrial septal mass. The brainstem lesion was found to be a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma where as the cardiac lesion was not accessible. Central nervous system lymphomas are reported rarely and the prognosis is poor. The chances of the cardiac lesion in this patient also being a lymphoma are high, as it was a infiltrative cardiac mass, infiltrating the atrial septum.

Peripheral plasma progesterone concentration in relation to estrus expression in Sahiwal cows.

The present study investigated the changes in peripheral plasma progesterone levels in relation to expression of estrus in Sahiwal cows. Out of a total of five estrus, three were accompanied by overt signs whereas the remaining two were silent estrus. In cows with overt estrus, plasma progesterone concentrations during periestrus, early luteal, midluteal and late luteal phase were 0.40 +/- 0.02, 0.74 +/- 0.10, 1.94 +/- 0.22 and 0.63 +/- 0.16 ng/ml, respectively and the corresponding values in cows with silent estrus being 0.47 +/- 0.03, 0.94 +/- 0.08, 1.39 +/- 0.13 and 0.95 +/- 0.19 ng/ml, respectively. The overall plasma progesterone levels in cows that exhibited overt estrus was 1.23 +/- 0.99 ng/ml as against 1.08 +/- 0.09 ng/ml in silent estrus. It was concluded that progesterone levels were lower (P > 0.05) in cows that exhibited silent estrus compared to overt estrus.

Social support in treatment-seeking heroin-dependent and alcohol dependent patients.

Social support is being recognized as a positive influence on health. It may influence motivation, treatment compliance and outcome in drug dependent patients. On the basis of clinical impression, it was hypothesized that social support in heroin (illicit drug) dependent patients is poorer than in alcohol dependent patients. The current study was undertaken to assess and compare the social support amongst treatment seeking alcohol dependent patients and heroin dependent patients. Despite lesser proportion of patients with any legal source of income in the heroin dependent subject group, the mean social support score across the two study groups was comparable. Overall, the mean social support scores were low in both the groups. The study provides some undestanding about the perceived social support amongst treatment seeking drug dependent individuals from India and also indicates the need to address the issue of social support in substance users.