Animal Biotechnology Options in Improving Livestock Production in the Horn of Africa.

The techniques of modern biology incorporates molecular cloning of genes, gene transfer, genetic manipulation of animal embryo transfer, genetic manipulation of rumen microbes, chemical and biological treatment of low quality animal feeds for improved nutritive value, genetically engineered immunodiagnostic and immunoprophylactic agents as well as veterinary vaccines, inter alia. Of course, these are a reality today and are finding their ways into research and development programs of developing countries. Biotechnology is offering unprecedented opportunities for increasing agricultural productivity and for protecting the environment through reduced use of agro-chemicals. The major thrust in biotechnology research is currently directed at solving immediate problems of industrialized countries, with major investments coming from transnational companies. However, many of the new discoveries and products will find their biggest markets in developing countries where the potential for improvement in agricultural productivity and health is greatest. The importance of biotechnology and its relevance is only slowly being accepted by policy makers in developing countries. In the presence of economic crisis, strong fiscal constraints, rapid social change and constant political instabilities, the difficulties associ ated with major policy changes in developing countries are enormous. In this review we discuss the potentials and limitations for biotechnological applications in animal breeding and animal health, food processing and forage improvement in the horn of Africa.

Correlation of lipid profile and carotid artery plaque as detected by Doppler ultrasound in ischaemic stroke patients--A hospital-based study.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality all over the world. Carotid plaque formation and intima media thickness can be a predictor of ischaemic stroke. In this regard studies from our country, are few and far between. This is a small hospital-based study to look in to this matter. We have assessed the intima media thickness of the common carotid as well as the internal and external carotid arteries by the ultrasound method. The lipid profiles were estimated and correlated with the intima media thickness. Results indicate that in the common as well as in the internal and external carotid arteries, the intima media thickness is a good predictor of ischaemic stroke. This thickness is also well correlated with the lipid levels in blood. Hence this non-invasive method can be used successfully to identify the high risk patients, prone to develop stroke.

Risk factor analysis in ischaemic stroke: a hospital-based study.

Stroke represents a major health burden in our country. Ischaemic stroke has got several risk factors associated with increased chance of atherosclerosis. A small hospital-based study was done to look into the risk factors associated with ischaemic stroke. Forty patients with CT-confirmed cerebral infarction were taken for the study and detailed history and clinical findings were obtained. Investigations like complete haemogram, fasting blood glucose, urea, creatinine, lipid profile, serum Lp(a), homocysteine, fibrinogen, ECG, chest x-ray, echocardiography, MRI/MRA where indicated, were done to identify the risk factors as well. Results indicated that hypertension was the most prevalent (87.5%) risk factor followed by ischaemic heart disease (35%) and diabetes. Dyslipidaemia was also found in a significant number of cases, mostly elevated LDL, low HDL and elevated Lp(a). Fibrinogen and homocysteine were of less significance.

Hepatopulmonory syndrome--an uncommon and severe complication of certain liver diseases.

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is charaterised by arterial hypoxaemia found mainly in association with chronic liver disease (most commonly cirrhosis of liver) but also rarely with acute liver diseases like fulminant hepatic failure or Budd-Chiari syndrome. The purpose of this article is to present an uncommon but grave complication mostly associated with cirrhosis of liver and to differentiate this entry from cyanotic heart diseases or certain lung conditions. Investigations include history and physical examination, certain biochemical tests, upper gastro-intestinal (GI) endoscopy, abdominal ultrasonography, liver biopsy and venacavography in appropriate cases. Finally, the suspected cases underwent arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis and contrast enhanced echocardiography (CEE) for confirmation of the diagnosis of HPS. Of the 123 cases of cirrhosis of liver, three cases of HPS (2.4%) were found-all of them being males. Also one male patient with inferior vena cava (IVC) obstruction amongst other causes presenting with HPS was encountered. As of now, no medical treatment has been proved to be useful and liver transplant remains the only hope for this disorder.

Effect of chitosan on lipid levels when administered concurrently with atorvastatin--a placebo controlled study.

In a placebo controlled trialthe lipid lowering effects of chitosan, a unique dietary fibre, was assessed when given along with atorvastatin 10 mg in patients with chronic coronary heart disease. Altogether 100 patients were studied. They were randomly allocated in two groups of 50 patients each. Patients of group A received atorvastatin 10 mg before dinner plus 2 g/day chitosan in two divided doses. The groupB patients received atorvastatin 10 mg plus placebo. Patients were followed up for a period of 6 weeks. There was significant reduction in mean body weight in group A patients (3.14% versus 1,29% of body weight, p<0.05). There was also a significant rise in HDL cholesterol value (3.8% versus 1.07%, p=0.02) in group A patients. However, there was no significant reduction in the mean values of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride in the two groups, although group A patients showed marginally lower values.

A study on micro-albuminuria--an independent risk factor for vasculopathy in diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes is becoming a serious threat to combat felt among the doctors of the world. India, in partcular is a vulnerable country contributing maximum number of cases to the global diabetic pool. Macro-and microvascular complications are important causes of mortality and morbidity. Micro-albuminuria is a surrogate marker for detetion of vasculopathy for which early detection and aggressive treatment can reduce mortality and morbidity. A small study was conducted to identify the usefulness of this marker in our setting which can be used as a cost-effective tool for detecting the dreadful complication early. This study has demonstrated that in presence of micro-albuminuria the vascular complications of diabetes definitely increase and it is more relevant in cases of type 2 diabetes irrespective of other parameters rendering it to be a independent risk factor. It also indicates that presence of this marker along with vasculopathy is time dependent ie, more the duration of the disease more is the complication.

Carotid intima media thickness: an independent marker for assessment of macrovascular risk in diabetic patients.

In view of the global epidemic of diabetes with India being the hottest reservoir of the disease, it was tried to identify carotid intima media thickness as a surrogate marker for atherosclerosis in diabetic subjects. The study becomes more relevant because diabetes is now considered a disease of the endothelium and a risk equivalent of coronary atherosclerosis (paradigm shift). The study incorporated 41 normotensive patients of diabetes and 31 age and sex matched controls. Plasma glucose and lipid profiles were assessed in all and the carotid intima media thickness was measured. Results were statistically analysed for significance and correlation coefficient between values of plasma glucose and carotid intima media thickness. Results clearly showed that carotid intima media thickness abnormality can pick up atherosclerosis even if the lipid parameters are nearly normal. So it crystallises from this small study that, as a non-invasive test carotid intima media thickness is a better and early predictor of atherosclerosis in diabetic subjects. It also revealed the linear relationship between both fasting and postprandial blood sugar with carotid intima media thickness.

Carcinoma of the gall bladder presenting as dermatomyositis.

Dermatomyositis (DM), manifested as paraneoplastic syndrome, is not a very common clinical entity but its association with various internal malignancies is well-documented in literature. We present such a case of DM associated with characteristic skin lesions and subacute onset of proximal muscle weakness, acquired from a very rare malignancy like adenocarcinoma of gall bladder.

Predictive efficacy of Framingham's risk score in Indian scenario--a retrospective case-control study.

To assess the predictive ability of Framingham's risk score in primary prevention in our population, 252 cases and 212 age and sex matched controls were taken up for study. Those patients, who were presenting for the first time with acute coronarysyndrome (ACS) and who did not have any prior manifestations of coronary artery disease (CAD) and whose medical records were available formed the patient group. Framingham's risk score was calculated and the corresponding 10 years risk was assessed in each of them. The patients and controls were divided into two groups--diabetic and non-diabetic. Depending on the 10 years risk, they were further grouped into high risk (10 years risk > 20%), moderately high risk (10 years risk 10 to 20%) and low risk (10 years risk less than 10%). Results were compared and statistically analysed. In the diabetic patients with ACS 14% would have qualified as high risk, 33% as moderately high risk and 53% as low risk whereas in diabetic patients without any manifestation of CAD the distribution was 4% in the high risk, 54% in the moderately high risk and 42% in the low risk. In the non-diabetic subjects, amongst the patients of ACS, 20% would have been in high risk, 39% in moderately high risk and 41% in the low risk. The corresponding figures in the non-diabetic control subjects were 10% in high risk, 22% in the moderately high risk and 68% in the low risk. In the non-diabetic subjects, the mean risk was significantly more in patients than in controls (14.15% versus 8.61%, p <0.01). However, in the diabetic patients there was no significant difference in the mean projected risk between patients with ACS and patients without any manifestation of CAD (11.37% versus 10.41%, p>0.05).

A study of bone mineral density in diabetes mellitus in eastern India.

To measure bone mineral density in diabetic patients at the time of clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and to find out correlation, if any, with microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus and glycosylated haemoglobin, a study was conducted at Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata among 138 cases of diabetes and 212 controls. All patients were screened for ophthalmoscopy, routine blood and urine examinations. Bone ultrasound attenuation study of the calcaneus was performed in all cases. The bone ultrasound attenuation result was compared to a mean normal population result and expressed as Z score and T score. The age of diabetic patients varied from 11 years to 70 years. Of 138 diabetics, 32 (23.18%) had type 1 diabetes and rest type 2 diabetes. Forty-two diabetic patients had retinopathy, 42 nephropathy and 48 had neuropathy. Glycosylated haemoglobin was above 7% in 124 patients. The broadband ultrasound attenuation of type 1 diabetics ranged from 38 to 95 dB/MHz and in type 2 it was 35 to 104 dB/MHz. There was no statistically significant correlation between neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy and bone mineral density status. It was also found no correlation between glycosylated haemoglobin values and ultrasound attenuation.

Glycaemic consequences of HIV and highly active antiretroviral therapy: a pilot study and review of literature.

The metabolic consequences of HIV and AIDS are accentuated in the setting of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Peripheral lipodystrophy, central adiposity, hyperlipidaemia, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus are frequent associations of protease inhibitor containing highly active antiretroviral therapy regimens. Ninety patients aged 25-50 years (males 52, females 38), seropositive for HIV 1 and 2 or both were selected to see the glycaemic profiles in asymptomatic early HIV disease with CD4 counts > 100/microl and to compare this with the glycaemic profile of (a) advanced HIV disease (CD4 counts < 200/microl), not on highly active antiretroviral therapy and (b) advanced HIV disease (CD4 counts < 200/microl), on uninterrupted non-protease inhibitor highly active antiretroviral therapy > 6 months. All the patients were grouped into 3: (1) Group A: CD4 counts > 500/microl (n=37), highly active antiretroviral therapy naive, (2) group B: CD4 counts < 200/microl (n=21), not on highly active antiretroviral therapy, and (3) group C: CD4 counts < 200/microl, receiving uninterrupted non-protease inhibitor based highly active antiretroviral therapy for > 6 months (n=32). The fasting blood glucose, glycosylated Hb (HbA1c) levels, were measured in all the patients in 3 groups and significance of difference between means was calculated among various groups. Body weight and waist-hip ratio were also measured. The results were analysed and compared with other studies.

Possible relationship between phenylthiocarbamide taste sensitivity and epilepsy.

The study was based on the data of a sample of 400 epileptic patients (200 idiopathic and 200 symptomatic) and 100 normal healthy individuals serving as controls. The PTC threshold distribution was bimodal. The number of non-tasters among idiopathic epileptics (35.5%) and symptomatic epileptics (32.5%) was significantly higher than controls (20%). The relative incidence of non-tasters in idiopathic and symptomatic epilepsies was 2.20 and 1.93 respectively. There is evidence that non-tasters tend to ingest a greater quantity of bitter tasting goitrogenic substances present naturally in edible plants which in turn exert greater thyroid stress in non-tasters or less sensitive tasters. Such a stress during intrauterine or early childhood growth and development might have affected neurological maturation which in turn made them more susceptible to epilepsy than tasters, who faced lesser stress.

Internet: a major resource for toxicologists.

Use of the Internet in developing countries is now growing faster. Internet has created a new conduit not only for communication but also in the access, sharing and exchange of information among scientists. The Internet is now viewed as the world's biggest library where retrieval of scientific literature and other information resources are possible within seconds. Large volumes of toxicological information resources are available on the Internet. This review outlines some sites that may be of great importance and useful to the toxicologist.

Internet resources for the human geneticist.

The Internet is a massive expanding body of information, which is likely to play a significant role for clinicians and researchers across the world. Since its inception in December 1969 the Internet has grown rapidly and is anticipated to expand 1,000% in the coming next few years. Various useful databases on human genetics are already in 'the Net' and many more are being added constantly. The future of human geneticist is in handling of information. In this review of Internet and compilation of important web site addresses we expect to stimulate and instruct human geneticists in navigating the Net. The list of web sites provided in this article is expected to facilitate their search.

Gastroenterology and the Internet.

BACKGROUND: The Internet has come to play a significant role in health care across the world. Simple specific how-to-use information about the Internet for Gastroenterologists is lacking in the literature. AIM: To explain the origin, functions, use and impact of the Internet and to provide a list of important web site addresses related to Gastroenterology. METHODS: We undertook a detailed scan of the Internet and identified a large number of web sites pertaining to Gastroenterology. The sites were then thoroughly searched to evaluate their potential usefulness to Gastroenterology clinicians and researchers. A list of web site addresses were then compiled according to specific sub-areas of Gastroenterology. CONCLUSION: This overview of Internet and compliation of important web site addresses is expected to stimulate and instruct Gastroenterologists in the use of the Net in health care delivery and research. The list of web sites according to subspecialities provided in this article is expected to facilitate their search.

Congenital abnormalities in Durgapur Steel Plant Hospital with special reference to neural tube defect.

In a retrospective study of congenital abnormalities from January, 1991 to December, 1993 in Durgapur Steel Plant Hospital, a referral hospital covering wide industrial belt, the incidence of neural tube defects was detected remarkably high. It was revealed that increased incidence of neural tube defects was found in patients from low socio-economic status with gross nutritional deficiency and inadequate antenatal care.

Polymorphic protein expression (profile) in numigall.

Ten protein and enzyme polymorphic systems, viz. haemoglobin, albumin, transferrin, adenosine deaminase, adenylate kinase phosphoglucomutase, esterase-D, glyoxalase, alkaline phosphatase and amylase were studied in numigall (guinea fowl x chicken hybrids) to assess structural gene expression and regulatory gene divergence between the parental species. The investigation revealed presence of both the maternal and paternal electrophoretic components in case of adenosine deaminase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, albumin and transferrin although no clear differences could be identified for haemoglobin and glyoxalase. Esterase-D and adenylate kinase phenotypes showed a dominance of the chicken type.