Changes in Biochemical Profile of Superovulated Sahiwal Cows through Hormonal Manipulation at Mid Luteal Phase of Estrous Cycle

In the present study, insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) administered during mid-luteal phase of the estrous cycle and effect on biochemical profiles of Sahiwal donor cows was noted. Altogether eighteen cows (n=18) were selected and divided into 3 groups; control (n=6, untreated), T-I (n=6, Insulin-treated) and T-II (n=6, IGF-I treated). Superovulatory treatment was started on day 9th of the estrous cycle. With the 6th dose of FSH, prostaglandin was injected to induce superovulatory estrus. The superovulated cows were bred and superovulatory response of each animal was recorded. The collections of embryos were done non-surgically on the 7th day of superovulatory estrus. About 15 ml blood without anticoagulant was collected on days 5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19 and 21st or day of embryo recovery where day 0 of estrous cycle was taken as the day of estrus. Serum was separated, centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 15 minutes and transferred into sterilized serum vials. All samples were stored at -20 oC till analysis. Serum glucose, cholesterol, total protein, urea, and creatinine were estimated by Span Diagnostic Kits. The concentration of serum glucose increased significantly in insulin-treated and IGF-1 treated Sahiwal donor cows. It may be concluded that exogenous insulin and IGF-1 administration during mid-luteal phase may be helpful in follicular and embryonic development by increasing the level of serum glucose. The concentration of serum cholesterol, total protein, urea, and creatinine remains unaffected

Testicular cytology indicates differences in Sertoli cell counts between “good freezer” and “poor freezer” bulls.

In artificial insemination, poor quality of semen unsuitable for cryopreservation and susceptibility of spermatozoa to cryodamage in crossbred bulls have been a matter of concern. Present study was designed to identify the testicular cytology indices that might be used to predict the semen quality and cryotolerance of spermatozoa in bulls. Based on the ejaculate rejection rate and sperm cryotolerance, bulls (Holstein Friesian X Tharparkar crossbred) were classified into either good (producing good quality semen with spermatozoa having good cryotolerance; n=4) or poor (producing poor quality semen with spermatozoa having poor cryotolerance; n=4). Testicular cytology was studied in all the 8 bulls using fine needle aspiration technique. Testicular cytology of good bulls and poor bulls differed significantly. The proportion of Sertoli cells was significantly higher in good bulls (25.3±1.6) compared to poor bulls (11.0±0.8). The Sertoli cell index was 46.1±5.0 in good bulls while it was only 13.8±1.3 in poor bulls. The cut off values, as determined using Receiver Operating Characteristics analysis, indicate that the bulls having testicular cytogram comprising of <15.5% Sertoli cells, <24.3 Sertoli cell index and >4.0 spermatogenic cells to Sertoli cell ratio might be a poor bull in terms of semen quality and cryotolerance of spermatozoa. The proportion of Sertoli cells in the testicular cytology had positive (P <0.05) relationship with semen quality and cryotolerance of spermatozoa.

Role of Personality and Stress in the Genesis of Bipolar Disorder - Mixed States: "Could it be a solution to the Diagnostic confusion prevailing in this disorder? (Part II)" .

Role of temperamental predisposition in the development of Mixed States is a relevant factor. Mania seems to arise from a hyperthymic background and Mixed States seems to arise from a depressive disposition. Aims: To compare the personality pathology and distribution of stress of patients of mixed states distributed according to the number of standardized criteria fulfilled and with the pure manic group. Materials and methods: Out of 214 bipolar disorder- current episode manic patients diagnosed as per DSM IV TR ,admitted in psychiatry ward of P.B.M. Hospital, Bikaner from 1st Jan 2007 to 31st Dec 2007,64 patients were randomly selected. Young’s Mania Rating Scale and Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale were applied to these patients and 32 patients were assigned to mixed states on displaying one or more depressive symptom on MADRS, excluding decreased sleep. Rest 32 patient were assigned to pure manic group displaying no depressive symptoms. Presumptive Stressful Life Event Scale was applied to find out any stress in the lifestyle of the sample and International Personality Disorder Examination was applied on the third follow up visit. Results: Patients with personality psychopathology and stress met 3 or more criteria as compared to those with personality psychopathology without stress (p<0.01). Disorder level personality psychopathology, especially anxious disorder level personality, was significantly higher in mixed group patients as compared to pure manic patients(p<0.02).Meeting more criteria for mixed mania also meant higher scores on MADRS(p<0.01) Also patients meeting more than 3 criteria for mixed states had a significantly higher duration of hospital stay than those meeting less than 3 criteria(p<0.02) Conclusion: Mixed states is a dimensional diagnosis, higher the vulnerability in terms of disorder level personality psychopathology higher is the MADRS scores and greater episode duration.

Major Depressive Disorder: Part-I: Personality and Phenomenology.

Objectives: To study the phenomenological variations in context of personality psychopathology in Major Depressive Disorder patients. Methods:36 indoor patients of psychiatry ward of tertiary level service out of total 168 admitted patients from Ist January 2008 to 31st Dec. 2008 diagnosed as Major Depressive Disorder (as per DSMIV TR) . Socio-demographic data on a self-designed Performa, Montgomery Asberg’s Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Hamilton Anxiety rating scale (HARS)and Presumptive Stressful Life Event Scale(PSLE) were applied to these patients and they were observed every alternate day till discharge. International Personality Disorder Examination (IPDE) was applied on their third follow-up visit, which ranged from 6 to8 weeks. Results: Sociodemographic variables by enlarge didn’t make a difference in MADRS score. MADRS score was significantly higher with increasing episodes of illness. Personality disorder patients had significantly higher MADRS score than Double traits (t=3.47, df=27, p<0.01) and Single trait (t=4.056, df=23, p<0.001) personality psychopathology. Higher level of depression in Personality disorder patients in all components of depression like sadness, reduced sleep pessimistic and suicidal thought etc were reported. Presence of stress with personality psychopathology added greater severity to depression. Conclusion: Our study brings out constitutional vulnerability with adverse environmental conditions were associated with higher level of psychopathology.

Major Depressive Disorder: Part-II -Comorbid Anxiety Disorders.

Objective: To demonstrate that Anxiety Disorder comorbidity is reflection of underlying common risk factors (Anxiety proneness) in Major Depressive Disorder patients and may not be a separate disorder. We hypothesized that “Anxious personality traits or disorders under stress take the form of state that is Anxiety Disorders”. Methods:36 indoor patients of psychiatry ward of tertiary level services, out of total 168 admitted patients from Ist January 2008 to 31st Dec. 2008 diagnosed as Major Depressive Disorder (as per DSMIV TR). Socio-demographic data on a self-designed Performa, Montgomery Asberg’s Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Hamilton Anxiety rating scale (HARS) and Presumptive Stressful Life Event Scale (PSLE) were applied to these patients and they were observed every alternate day till discharge. International Personality Disorder Examination (IPDE) was applied on their third follow-up visit, which ranged from 6 to8 weeks. Results: High level of co-existence of Anxiety disorder 29(80.5%) in the study sample, 11 patients (30.55%) of Major Depressive Disorder had personality disorder level of psychopathology and 18(50%) patient of Major Depressive Disorder had double or more personality traits psychopathology and there were 7(19.45%) patients of Major Depressive Disorder had only single trait personality psychopathology. Conclusion: This work support the gene environmental diathesis where vulnerable person under stress develop Axis I disorder which are considered currently as co morbid disorders.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Phenomenology, Personality Profile, Stress and their Inter-Relationship.

The purpose of this study was to study the psychiatric morbidity of Rheumatoid Arthritis and to look for an association between disease parameters and personality dimensions of Rheumatoid Arthritis patients. Methods: 40 patients were selected from Rheumatoid Clinic of P.B.M.Hospital,Bikaner as per Association of Rheumatoid Arthritis (A.R.A.) revised criteria. The ICD-10 Module of International Personality Disorder Examination (IPDE),Social And Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS),Hamilton’s Rating Scale for depression(HAM-D),Presumptive Stressful Life Events Scale(PSLE) were administered to these patients .Bivariate statistical methods were used to find association between illness variables and psychological dimensions. Group differences were analyzed by students T-test and ANOVA. Results: Rheumatoid Arthritis patients with psychiatric morbidity showed higher R.A. severity (p<0.02), swan neck and valgus deformity (p< 0.05), more number of joints involved (p<0.01), smaller joints (metacarpo-phalangeal and inter-phalangeal) involvement (p<0.05), presence of C - reactive protein in blood samples (p<0.01). Majority of patients who had personality psychopathology also reported stress in preceding one year period. Personality level psychopathology either alone or in combination is present in 17 patients that is 42.5 % of the sample. Patients with single personality trait psychopathology were better in comparison to severe personality psychopathology in terms of number of joints involved, joint deformities, social and occupational functioning and psychiatric morbidity. Conclusion: Preliminary findings suggest that the severity of Rheumatoid Articles correlates with psychiatric morbidity.

Personality Profile, Stress and their Inter-Relationship.

The purpose of this study was to study the psychiatric morbidity of Rheumatoid Arthritis and to look for an association between disease parameters and personality dimensions of Rheumatoid Arthritis patients. Methods: 40 patients were selected from Rheumatoid Clinic of P.B.M.Hospital,Bikaner as per Association of Rheumatoid Arthritis (A.R.A.) revised criteria. The ICD-10 Module of International Personality Disorder Examination (IPDE),Social And Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS),Hamilton’s Rating Scale for depression(HAM-D),Presumptive Stressful Life Events Scale(PSLE) were administered to these patients .Bivariate statistical methods were used to find association between illness variables and psychological dimensions. Group differences were analyzed by students T-test and ANOVA. Results: Rheumatoid Arthritis patients with psychiatric morbidity showed higher R.A. severity (p<0.02), swan neck and valgus deformity (p< 0.05), more number of joints involved (p<0.01), smaller joints (metacarpo-phalangeal and inter-phalangeal) involvement (p<0.05), presence of C - reactive protein in blood samples (p<0.01). Majority of patients who had personality psychopathology also reported stress in preceding one year period. Personality level psychopathology either alone or in combination is present in 17 patients that is 42.5 % of the sample. Patients with single personality trait psychopathology were better in comparison to severe personality psychopathology in terms of number of joints involved, joint deformities, social and occupational functioning and psychiatric morbidity. Conclusion: Preliminary findings suggest that the severity of Rheumatoid Articles correlates with psychiatric morbidity.

Appendico-cutaneous fistula: a diagnostic dilemma.

Appendicular inflammation can present as a discharging fistula on the abdominal wall. This faecal fistula can be difficult to diagnose even with the assistance of advanced radiological techniques. Many pathological conditions of the appendix can present as appendico-cutaneous fistulae, and these have been defined to be distinct from those external appendicular fistulae that follow appendicectomy for acute appendicitis. Appendico-cutaneous fistula is a rare disease, and we could retrieve only 16 cases from a (Pubmed) search. An exploratory laparotomy is the gold standard for confirmation of this rare condition and, simultaneously, it allows treatment by appendicectomy and excision of the fistulous tract. We report and discuss one such case that we managed.