Understanding mammary activity in red-rumped agouti and implications for management and conservation of this Neotropical game species

Abstract The red-rumped agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) produces precocial young and is the most hunted and farmed game species in several Neotropical countries. An understanding of the reproductive biology, including the relationship between litter size and teat functionality is crucial for conservation management of this animal. In precocial mammals, as the red-rumped agouti, maintaining maternal contact to learn foraging patterns may be more important than the energy demands and nutritional constraints during lactation and suckling may not play important roles when compared to altricial mammals. Therefore, in this study we evaluated the relationship between mammary functionality with litter size, litter birth weight, and parturition number in captive red-rumped agouti. Functionality was assessed by manual palpation of teats from un-sedated females (N=43). We compared the average birth weight of all newborns, male newborns and female newborns among agoutis with different litter sizes and different parturitions by one way ANOVAs, while Pearsons Chi-squared tests were used to detect relationships between teat functionality, litter size, and parturition number. Parturition number had no effect on the mean birth weight of all young (F0.822, P > 0.05), male young (F0.80, P > 0.05) or female young (F0.66, P > 0.05) in the litters. We found (i) no significant correlations (P > 0.05) between teat functionality and litter size and (ii) no significant correlations (P > 0.05) between teat functionality and parturition number. This suggests that whilst all teat pairs were functional, functionality was a poor indicator of litter size; suggesting that female agouti young may not have a high dependency on maternal nutrition; an possible evolutionary strategy resulting in large wild populations; hence its popularity as a game species.

Resumo A cutia (Dasyprocta leporina) produz filhotes precoces, e é a espécie cinegética mais caçada e criada em muitos países neotropicais. O entendimento da biologia reprodutiva, incluindo a relação entre o tamanho da ninhada e a funcionalidade das glândulas mamárias é crucial para o manejo conservacionista deste animal. Nos mamíferos precoces, como a cutia, manter o contato materno para a aprendizagem de padrões de forrageamento pode ser mais importante do que a demanda energética e de restrição nutricional durante a lactação, e a amamentação pode não desempenhar um papel importante quando comparado aos mamíferos altriciais. Portanto, neste estudo nós avaliamos a relação entre a funcionalidade mamária com o tamanho da ninhada, peso ao nascer da ninhada, e o número de partos em cutias cativas. A funcionalidade foi avaliada por meio de palpação manual das glândulas mamárias em fêmeas não sedadas (N=43). Nós comparamos a média do peso ao nascer de todos os recém-nascidos, macho e fêmeas recém-nascidos entre cutias com diferentes tamanhos de ninhadas e diferentes parturições, por meio da análise oneway ANOVA unifatorial; enquanto o teste do chi-quadrado de Pearson foi utilizado para detectar as relações entre a funcionalidade da glândula mamária, o tamanho da ninhada e o número de partos. O número de partos teve efeito na média de peso ao nascer dos filhotes (F0,822, P > 0,05), filhotes machos (F0,80, P > 0,05) ou filhotes fêmeas (F0,66, P > 0,05) nas ninhadas. A análise bivariada de Pearson (i) não mostrou correlação (P > 0,05) entre a funcionalidade da glândula mamária e o tamanho da ninhada e (ii) nenhuma correlação significativa (P > 0,05) entre a funcionalidade da glândula mamária e o número de parições. Os resultados sugerem que, embora todos os pares de tetas fossem funcionais, as cutias recém-nascidas podem não depender da nutrição materna para sobreviver; .embora todos os pares de tetas sejam funcionais, as cutias recém nascidas aparentemente não dependem da nutrição materna para sua sobrevivência; esta é, provavelmente, uma estratégia evolutiva que resulta em grandes populações da cutia em vida livre; e que pode explicar sua popularidade como espécie cinegética

Tagging and mapping of SSR marker for rust resistance gene in lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus subsp. culinaris).

Lentil, as an economical source of protein, minerals and vitamins, plays important role in nutritional security of the common man. Grown mainly in West Asia, North Africa (WANA) region and South Asia, it suffers from several biotic stresses such as wilt, rust, blight and broomrape. Lentil rust caused by autoecious fungus Uromyces viciae fabae (Pers.) Schroet is a serious lentil disease in Algeria, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Italy, Morocco, Pakistan and Nepal. The disease symptoms are observed during flowering and early podding stages. Rust causes severe yield losses in lentil. It can only be effectively controlled by identifying the resistant source, understanding its inheritance and breeding for host resistance. The obligate parasitic nature of pathogen makes it difficult to maintain the pathogen in culture and to apply it to screen segregating progenies under controlled growth conditions. Hence, the use of molecular markers will compliment in identification of resistant types in different breeding programs. Here, we studied the inheritance of resistance to rust in lentil using F1, F2 and F2:3 from cross PL 8 (susceptible) x L 4149 (resistant) varieties. The phenotyping of lentil population was carried out at Sirmour, India. The result of genetic analysis revealed that a single dominant gene controls rust resistance in lentil genotype L 4149. The F2 population from this cross was used to tag and map the rust resistance gene using SSR and SRAP markers. Markers such as 270 SRAP and 162 SSR were studied for polymorphism and 101 SRAP and 33 SSRs were found to be polymorphic between the parents. Two SRAP and two SSR markers differentiated the resistant and susceptible bulks. SSR marker Gllc 527 was estimated to be linked to rust resistant locus at a distance of 5.9 cM. The Gllc 527 marker can be used for marker assisted selection for rust resistance; however, additional markers closer to rust resistant locus are required. The markers linked to the rust resistance gene can serve as starting points for map-based cloning of the rust resistance gene.

Successful treatment of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor by surgical resection and radiotherapy: a case report

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor [IMT] is a tumor composed of myofibroblasts and a mixed inflammatory infiltrate that rarely undergoes malignant transformation. The most common sites of involvement include the lung, liver and orbit, but it has been reported to occur in nearly every site of the body, including oral cavity and soft tissue. Although common in other sites, such a tumor in rarer location including inguinal region is likely to be missed/misdiagnosed and hence need to be reported. We present an unusual case of a 50 year old male with bilateral inguinal swelling attended our institute few days back with history of local excision twice, but still showing recurrence. He was treated by wide local excision with bilateral orchiectomy this time. Histopathological report revealed inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor with malignant transformation. Adjuvant radiotherapy was also given and patient taken in followup. At one year of serial follow-ups, the patient is disease-free both clinically and on investigations, indicating successful combined surgery and radiotherapy in the treatment of malignant IMT. IMT of the inguinal region is very rare. Its clinical presentation may resemble malignant tumor, so IMT should be kept as differential diagnosis. The recommended treatment is complete surgical resection with adjuvant corticosteroid. Adjuvant radiotherapy may be considered depending upon the location of the tumor

In-vitro scolicidal activity of Mallotus philippinensis (Lam.) Muell Arg. fruit glandular hair extract against hydatid cyst Echinococcus granulosus

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate new scolicidal agent from natural resources to cope with the side effects associated with synthetic drugs in Echinococcosis.@*METHODS@#The scolicidal potential of methanolic fruit powder extract (10 and 20 mg/mL) of Mallotus philippinensis (M. philippinensis) was investigated. Viability of protoscoleces was confirmed by trypan blue exclusion method, where mortality was observed at concentration of 10 and 20 mg/mL in 60 min treatment against Echinococcus granulosus (E. granulosus), under in-vitro conditions with reference to the known standard drug Praziquantel®.@*RESULTS@#At concentration 10 and 20 mg/mL, the mortality rate was observed 97% and 99% respectively for 60 min treatment; while up to 93% mortality was observed with 20 mg/mL for only 10 min treatment. The concentration above 20 mg/mL for above 2 h showed 100% mortality, irrespective of further incubation.@*CONCLUSIONS@#As compared with the standard anti-parasitic drug Praziquantel our extract has significant scolicidal activity with almost no associated side effects.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy of ophthalmic tumors

A majority of intraocular tumors can be diagnosed based on clinical examination and ocular imaging studies, which obviate the need for diagnostic ophthalmic fine needle aspiration biopsy [FNAB]. Overall, diagnostic accuracy of ophthalmic FNAB is high but limited cellularity can compromise the diagnostic potential of ophthalmic aspirate samples. The role of ophthalmic FNAB is limited in retinal tumors. Orbital FNAB should be considered in the evaluation of lacrimal gland tumors, orbital metastasis, and lymphoproliferative lesions. Negative cytologic diagnosis of malignancy should not be considered unequivocal proof that an intraocular malignancy does not exist. With improved understanding of genetic prognostic factors of uveal melanoma, ophthalmic FNAB is gaining popularity for prognostic purposes in combination with eye conserving treatment of the primary tumor. In special clinical indications, ancillary studies such as immunohistochemistry and FISH can be performed on ophthalmic FNAB samples. Assistance of an experienced cytopathologist cannot be overemphasized

Vascular tumors of the retina and choroid: diagnosis and treatment

The vascular tumors of the retina and choroids comprise a diverse group of congenital and acquired lesions. The major vascular tumors of the retina include retinal capillary hemangioma, cavernous hemangioma of the retina, retinal vasoproliferative tumor, and racemose hemangiomatosis of the retina or Wyburn-Mason syndrome. Choroidal vascular tumors include circumscribed choroidal hemangioma and diffuse choroidal hemangioma. While classified as benign, visual symptoms secondary to exudative retinal detachment and a variety of other mechanisms are common and are a major source of long-term visual disability. While many therapeutic modalities exist, treatment of symptomatic cases can be challenging. Of particular importance, many of the vascular tumors of the retina and choroids have significant associations with systemic disease. As ocular symptoms are often the most common presenting disease manifestation, the ophthalmologist plays an important role in accurate and early diagnosis. The ability to initiate prompt screening and treatment in appropriate cases is critical. In the following article, the key clinical and diagnostic features of the major retinal and choroidal vascular tumors, their systemic associations, and the literature pertaining to the most currently available treatment strategies are reviewed

case-control study of bidi smoking and bronchogenic carcinoma

To evaluate the risks imposed by tobacco smoking, in particular, bidi smoking, in the development of lung cancer. Two hundred eighty-four histologically confirmed patients of bronchogenic carcinoma and 852 controls matched for age, sex, and socioeconomic status were interviewed according to a predesigned questionnaire. Effects of individual variables defining the various aspects of tobacco smoking, in particular, bidi smoking, were assessed using logistic regression models. 81.3% cases of bronchogenic carcinoma were ever smokers as compared with 42.2% among controls. The odd ratios for ever smoking, bidi smoking, and cigarette smoking were 5.9 [confidence interval [CI] 4.3, 8.4], 6.1 [CI 4.3, 8.7], and 5.3 [CI 2.7, 10.4], respectively. Bidi smoking poses a very high risk for lung cancer even more than that of cigarette smoking

Intraocular vascular tumors

It is important to distinguish between uveal and retinal vascular tumors. Choroidal hemangiomas are benign hamartomatous disorders and are classified as circumscribed or diffuse. Circumscribed tumors occur sporadically, without any associated local or systemic anomalies. In contrast, a diffuse choroidal hemangioma is usually evident at birth and generally occurs as a part of neuro-oculo-cutaneous hemangiomatosis [Sturge-Weber syndrome]. Retinal vascular tumors include capillary hemangioma, cavernous hemangioma, arteriovenous communications [Wyburn-Mason syndrome], and vasoproliferative tumor. Each subtype has a characteristic clinical feature and an attempt should be made to differentiate them because of specific systemic associations, treatment, and prognosis associated with them