In vitro Evaluation of Corn Germ Meal as Ruminant Feed

The present study was taken up to assess the chemical composition and in vitro nutritional worth of corn germ meal (CGM) in comparison to conventional oilseed cakes used in livestock feeding. The CP content of protein sources varied from 18.59% in CGM to 49.41% in soybean meal (SBM). CGM had the highest ether extract (EE) content, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and total carbohydrates. However, total ash, acid detergent insoluble crude protein (ADICP) and neutral detergent insoluble crude protein (NDICP) was lowest in CGM. In vitro net gas production in CGM (267.91 ml/g DM/24 h) was higher (P<0.05) than other conventional oil cakes. The digestibility of organic matter varied from 85.12% in DMC (deoiled mustard cake) to 96.19% in SBM. The ME availability was highest (P<0.05) in CGM (9.63 MJ/kg DM). Ammonical nitrogen in CGM was lower (P<0.05) than SBM and GNC (groundnut cake).The total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) production (mM/dl) was highest (P<0.05) in GNC (12.56) and lowest (P<0.05) in CGM (9.31). Methane production was lowest (P<0.05) in CGM than other conventional oil cakes. Hydrogen recovery (%) was higher (P<0.05) in CGM (65.76) and SBM (65.78) than other protein sources tested. Fermentation efficiency (%) was higher (P<0.05) in SBM (77.02) and GNC (76.75) while volatile fatty acids utilization index (VFA UI) was higher (P<0.05) in CGM (2.92) and DMC (2.84) than other protein sources tested. The results revealed that CGM can be used as a potential protein source for ruminants.

High-altitude pulmonary oedema: Newer treatment modalities for an age-old problem

Background & objectives: High-altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE) continues to challenge the healthcare providers at remote, resource-constrained settings. High-altitude terrain itself precludes convenience of resources. This study was conducted to evaluate the rise in peripheral capillary saturation of oxygen (SpO2) by the use of a partial rebreathing mask (PRM) in comparison to Hudson's mask among patients with HAPE. Methods: This was a single-centre, randomized crossover study to determine the efficiency of PRM in comparison to Hudson's mask. A total of 88 patients with HAPE referred to a secondary healthcare facility at an altitude of 11,500 feet from January to October 2013 were studied. A crossover after adequate wash-out on both modalities was conducted for first two days of hospital admission. All patients with HAPE were managed with bed rest and stand-alone oxygen supplementation with no adjuvant pharmacotherapy. Results: The mean SpO2on ambient air on arrival was 66.92�.8 per cent for all patients with HAPE. Higher SpO2values were achieved with PRM in comparison to Hudson's mask on day one (86.08�15 vs. 77.23�09%) and day two (89.94�96 vs. 83.39�93%). The difference was more pronounced on day one as compared to day two. Interpretation & conclusions: Mean SpO2values were found to be significantly higher among HAPE patients using PRM compared to those on Hudson's mask. Further studies to understand the translation of this incremental response in SpO2to clinical benefits (recovery times, mortality rates and hospital stay) need to be undertaken.

Electrophoresis test prevalence, requesting patterns, yield and related bone marrow biopsy findings at a South African tertiary hospital: A 5-year retrospective audit

Background. Studies of electrophoresis testing (serum protein electrophoresis (SPE), urine protein electrophoresis (UPE), immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE)) in a South African (SA) pathology laboratory setting are limited. Objectives. To evaluate the prevalence, testing pattern and yield of electrophoresis tests performed over a 5-year period in a tertiary academic laboratory and to relate these findings to bone marrow biopsy findings in a few selected cases.Methods. This was a retrospective audit of all SPE, UPE and IFE tests performed on new and follow-up adult patients (aged ≥18 years) from 2010 to 2015, using data from the Tygerberg Academic Hospital (Cape Town, SA) National Health Laboratory Service hospital information system database. A subgroup analysis of all patients with negative serum (SIFE) and/or urine immunofixation (UIFE) tests who had concurrent bone marrow biopsies close to the time of IFE testing was also performed.Results. A total of 5 086 SPE tests were performed (44.3% were follow-up tests, and of these patients 13.8% had SIFE tests); 1 299 UPE tests were performed (23.3% were follow-up tests, and of these patients 33.6% had UIFE tests). The mean ages of patients who had SIFE and UIFE tests were 59 years (standard deviation (SD) 14.2) and 60 years (SD 15), respectively. The female-to-male ratio was 1.1:1 for both SIFE and UIFE. The negative test yields for SIFE and UIFE were 31.3% and 52.1%, respectively. Bone marrow biopsy findings for patients with negative SIFE tests identified 8 out of the 20 biopsies (40.0%) as positive for myeloma.Conclusion. This audit provides baseline data on the prevalence of test requests, their source and the yield of electrophoresis testing in our laboratory. An increasing trend in SIFE and UIFE was evident

Is concurrent prophylactic use of acetazolamide and dexamethasone superior to acetazolamide alone in un-acclimatized lowlanders on ascent to high altitude.

This pilot study was undertaken in lowlanders, during their ascent from 2600 m to 3500 m, to evaluate the effects of Acetazolamide and Dexamethasone on Cardio-Respiratory parameters and Exercise Capacity. 40 un-acclimatised low-landers were divided into 2 groups. Subjects of Group ‘A’ were given Acetazolamide and Dexamethasone and those of Group ‘B’ were given Acetazolamide and placebo. 8 subjects matched for age, physical fitness, height and weight were randomly selected from each study group and were evaluated for their Exercise Capacities. Both study groups showed significant rise in Heart Rate, Respiratory Rate and a significant fall in Systolic Blood Pressure. There was no difference in Exercise capacities achieved by subjects of two groups at 3500 m.

Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome: a case report with familial clustering.

Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome, also known as hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, is a rare autosomal dominant disorder manifested by telangiectases of the skin and mucous membranes and arteriovenous malformations of various organ systems. We present a case of Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome with 11 affected members in her family.

Coordinated secretion of alkaline phosphatase into serum and intestine in fat-fed rats.

BACKGROUND: Fat feeding increases the activity of intestinal alkaline phosphatase in the serum. The mechanism underlying this increase is unknown. Surfactant-like particles (SLP) secreted by enterocytes have been implicated in this phenomenon. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of feeding fish oil and protein synthesis inhibitors on alkaline phosphatase activity in serum and in different intestinal fractions. METHODS: Male albino rats were fed 2 mL of fish oil and were injected cycloheximide or actinomycin D. Alkaline phosphatase activity was determined in the serum and intestinal fractions (SLP, mucosa, muscularis). RESULT: Feeding fish oil significantly elevated alkaline phosphatase activity in serum (p< 0.001) and intestinal mucosa (p< 0.01). Administration of cycloheximide or actinomycin D significantly reduced alkaline phosphatase activity in serum (p< 0.01) and in intestinal mucosa (p< 0.05). BCIP staining of brush border alkaline phosphatase activity in acrylamide gels yielded similar results. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest a co-ordination between alkaline phosphatase synthesis and its assembly into lipoprotein vesicles, such as SLP, secreted by enterocytes in response to fat feeding.

A study of prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in women with first trimester pregnancy losses.

The study included 125 patients in the first trimester of pregnancy, who were divided into group A (50 control subjects with normal intrauterine pregnancy), Group B (50 patients with spontaneous abortion), group C (25 patients with ectopic pregnancy). All the patients were investigated including routine blood and urine tests and special tests related to the cause of pregnancy loss. The patients were tested for IgG antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis by ELISA technique and conjunctival smear were tested for presence of inclusion bodies to C. trachomatis. It was concluded that C. trachomatis is one of the important cause of spontaneous abortion and ectopic pregnancy. It is highly prevalent in our population, the prevalence being 10% in group A, 26% in group B, 28% in group C. Conjunctival smear showed presence of inclusion bodies in 0.8% patients. With abortions then risk of lower genital tract chlamydia infection spreading to upper genital tract increases. ELISA for C. trachomatis should be done when women are being investigated for the cause of spontaneous abortion and ectopic pregnancy.

Liver biopsies in patients with lysosomal storage disease: experience with effective sedation.

We prospectively applied a protocol used to sedate children who required a liver biopsy. Sixty liver biopsies were performed on thirty pediatric patients to assess the effects of treatment. Sixteen patients had Type 1 Gaucher's disease of which seven had a platelet count between 50-100,000/mm3. All seven had bleeding time performed and when indicated, intravenous DDAVP (1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin) was used to improve hemostasis. Fourteen patients had Niemann-Pick disease type C of which eight were significantly demented and uncooperative. Before liver biopsy, all patients were sedated with the following regimen: oral chlorpromazine (1 mg/kg) followed one hour later by intravenous meperidine (1 mg/kg) and pentobarbital (maximum dosage 6 mg/kg) administered by slow intravenous injection. Liver biopsies were obtained safely on all patients. Only 1 patient (2%) developed a potentially serious complication: an obstructed airway which was readily corrected by simple repositioning. Transient less serious complications occurred in another 7 patients (12%). There was no long term sequalae of the biopsy procedures. Our study indicates that with appropriate patient selection, this sedation protocol may be useful in pediatric patients requiring a liver biopsy.

Immunomodulators in clinical practice.

Immunomodulators have opened new vistas in the management of the immunocompromised patient. They have been shown to enhance the efficacy of vaccines in infections, head and neck malignancy, the immunosuppressed and recently in AIDS. The mechanism of their action is discussed. They hold promise of further advances in immunotherapy.

Comparative evaluation of bone marrow aspirate particle smears, imprints and biopsy sections.

Comparative evaluation of bone marrow aspirate particle smears, imprints and biopsy sections was done on 30 haematological problems. Core needle biopsy of the bone marrow is a safe and useful procedure. It is a valuable diagnostic aid for measurement of marrow cellularity, metastatic tumours and fibrosis. It should not be taken as a substitute for examination of the marrow by aspiration smear but is a complementary procedure which affords several advantages. Bone marrow biopsy was of maximum utility in myelofibrosis which was diagnosed on biopsy alone. There were three additional cases with normal bone marrow aspiration in which specific diagnosis could only be made from bone marrow biopsy sections. New methodologies i.e. plastic embedding and semi thin sections of undecalcified bone marrow, can be expected to improve the cytological details of tissue obtained by biopsy. Imprint preparations obtained from biopsy can be useful in patients of malignancy but we have found them to be of limited value except in cases of dry tap.

A comparative study of ophthalmodynamometry in hypertensive and non-hypertensive cases.

Ophthalmodynamometry was done on 100 hypertensive cases and 100 non-hypertensive cases who had clear media and no glaucoma. The ratio of the pressure mean ophthalmic: pressure mean brachial in the non-hypertensive group was 0.71:1.0, which rose to 0.78:1.0 in the hypertensive group. The ophthalmic humeral diastolic ratio increased with the severity of fundus changes. The pressure mean ophthalmic showed higher values with increasing grades of fundus changes. Those cases having a pressure mean opthalmic higher than the expected value in the hypertensive group as compared to the cases having a pressure mean ophthalmic lower than the expected value, were at a greater risk or had a graver prognosis. The importance of ophthalmodynamometry is stressed for the prognosis of hypertension along with the fundus examination.

Motor and sensory conduction in peripheral nerves of unanaesthetized streptozotocin diabetic and normal rats during ischemia.

Motor nerve conduction velocities (MNCVs) of ventral peripheral tail nerves of unanaesthetized streptozotocin diabetic rats were examined in comparison to age matched normal rats under normal and ischemic conditions. A miniature blood pressure cuff was applied to the base of the tail and was adjusted to provide complete vascular occlusion for 30 min. MNCVs were recorded during ischemia and in the post-ischemic period. MNCVs were markedly reduced during ischemia in normal rats but were unchanged in diabetic rats. Conversely, the sensation of heat induced pain was retained to an equal extent in normal and diabetic rats during ischemia states. The abnormal resistance to ischemia of MNCV of peripheral nerves is an early and sensitive index of nerve dysfunction and precedes slowing of MNCV in diabetic rats. The results suggest that initial peripheral nerve abnormalities in diabetic rats may be related to biochemical changes rather than axonopathy and may have heuristic significant for clinical diabetic neuropathy.