Comparative efficacy of prolene and prolene-vicryl composite mesh for experimental ventral hernia repair in dogs

In this study, efficacy of two hernia mesh implants viz. conventional Prolene and a novel Prolene-Vicryl composite mesh was assessed for experimental ventral hernia repair in dogs. Twelve healthy mongrel dogs were selected and randomly divided into three groups, A, Band C [n=4]. In all groups, an experimental laparotomy was performed; thereafter, the posterior rectus sheath and peritoneum were sutured together, while, a 5 × 5 cm defect was created in the rectus muscle belly and anterior rectus sheath. For sublay hernioplasty, the hernia mesh [Prolene: group A; Prolene-Vicryl composite mesh: group B], was implanted over the posterior rectus sheath. In group C [control], mesh was not implanted; instead the laparotomy incision was closed after a herniorrhaphy. Postoperative pain, mesh shrinkage and adhesion formation were assessed as short term complications. Post-operatively, pain at surgical site was significantly less [P<0.001] in group B [composite mesh]; mesh shrinkage was also significantly less in group B [21.42%, P<0.05] than in group A [Prolene mesh shrinkage: 58.18%]. Group B [composite mesh] also depicted less than 25% adhesions [Mean +/- SE: 0.75 +/- 0.50 scores, P

impact of a bacterial inoculant on chemical composition, aerobic stability and in sacco degradability of corn silage and the subsequent performance of dairy cows

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bacterial inoculation on the fermentation and aerobic stability of corn silage and on the dry matter degradability and milk composition when fed to sheep or cows. Four male sheep were selected to measure dry matter degradability of uninoculated [UCS] and inoculated [ICS] corn silage. Milk composition was measured for 22 Holstein cows, separated into two treatment groups and fed with either UCS or ICS diets. Similar lactic acid concentrations but higher propionic and lower acetic acid concentrations were recorded for ICS diets compared to UCS diets [p < 0.05]. Aerobic stability was 12 h and 32 h for UCS and ICS, respectively. Values of in sacco dry matter loss were higher for ICS than for UCS [p < 0.05]. Lactose and solid non-fat content was higher in the milk of cows fed with ICS than UCS [p < 0.05]. We conclude that the Lalsil bacterial inoculant containing propioni bacterium acidipropionici andLactobacillusplantarum can be used as an additive due to its positive effect on fermentation, aerobic stability and dry matter degradability of corn silage. The slight positive effect of inoculcation on the nutritional value of silage appears to be limited to milk production improvement in dairy cows

Effect of maternal anemia on placental ratio

To determine the effect of maternal anemia on placental ratio. Cohort study. Unit-1, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics 1, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore from August 2002 to August 2003. One hundred pregnant women, 50 anemic and 50 having normal range of Hb were included in the study. After delivery, weight of the new born and weight of placenta was recorded. The fetoplacental ratio was calculated for both groups and compared. The mean weight of the newborn [+/-SD] in anemic group was 3.12 +/- 0.45 kg and 3.18 +/- 0.35 Kg in control group. The difference was statistically non-significant [P=0.445]. The mean placental weight of anemic groups was 0.58 /- 0.13 Kg and that of control group was 0.52 +/- 0.088 Kg showing a significant increase [P<0.009]. Feto-placental ratio was 0.193 +/- 0.035 [Mean +/- SD] in anemic patients and 0.166 +/- 0.024 in control group. FP ratio of anemic patients was significantly higher than control group [P<0.001]. This study confirms that anemia during pregnancy is associated with significantly large placental weight and a high fetoplacental ratio

Season dependent transferrin polymorphism in varanus bengalensis

Seasonal variations in the composition of plasma iron-binding protein of Varanus bengalensis is reported with the help of gel filtration and cellulose acetate membrane electro-phoresis followed by autoradiography. Two types of plasma transferrins were recorded in winter whereas only one was present in early summer

Hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin and thalassemia trait incidence in our population [a study of 300 adult subjects]

A prospective study of 300 adult subjects of either sex was conducted to evaluate the existence of hereditary persistence of foetal haemoglobin [HPFH] in our population. The majority of the subjects [98%] were found to have H[b]F values less than 2% with a mean SD of 0.73 +/- 0.54% and showed H[b]A2 levels as 2.67 +/- 0.66%. Only six subjects [2%] had moderate elevation of H[b]F [2% and above] and they all showed associated increase of H[b]A2 levels above the normal. Increased H[b]A2 levels in conjuction with elevation of H[b]F indicated the presence of heterozygous beta thalassaemia trait among this group. The incidence of thalassaemia trait in the 300 subjects studied was found to be 1.6%. The distribution of H[b]F in the erythrocytes was found to be heterocellular. Moderate rise of H[b]F in the individuals with uneven distribution, ruled out the existence of pancellular form of HPFH while the associated elevation of H[b]A2 was not consistent with heterocellular form of HPFH. Thus the existence of gene for HPFH among these subjects could not be proved

Relation of hepatic and muscle iron uptake with plasma iron levels in a land monitor, varanus bengalensis [reptilia]

Attempts were made to relate radioiron uptake of the liver and the muscle with plasma iron levels of Varanus bengalensis using regression and correlation coefficient analysis. With increasing time after radioactive treatment of this lizard, the radioiron uptake increased in the plasma, liver and muscle. However, correlation between plasma radioiron levels and those of liver or muscle decreased with increasing time after treatment. It is expected that the demonstrated relationship between plasma and the tissues examined will be useful in routine estimation of quantity of iron in the liver and muscle of Varanus bengalensis on the basis of known plasma iron values

rapid method of estimation of latent iron binding capacity and percentage of saturation of transferrin in vertebrate species

Curvilinear regression between bound iron and absorbance was worked out for the purified plasma transferrin of Varanus bengalensis. It is argued that the regression analysts carried out is bound to help in determining latent iron binding capacity of the trancferrin in unknown plasma samples of Varanus bengalensis and thus in determining percentage saturation of that sample