Application of the reverse line blot assay for the molecular de-tection of theileria and babesia sp. in sheep and goat blood samples from Pakistan

The present study was designed to detect the presence of tick-borne parasites [Theileria and Babesia spp.] in 196 blood samples collected from apparently healthy sheep and goats from two provinces, Punjab and Khyber Pukhtoon Khwa, in Pakistan. Reverse line blot [RLB] assay was applied for the parasitic detection by the amplification of hypervariable V4 region of the 18S ribosomal RNA [rRNA] gene. A membrane with covalently linked generic and species specific oligonucleotide probes was used for the hybridization of amplified PCR products. Parasites were detected in 16% of the ruminant blood samples under study. Two Theileria species, T. lestoquardi and T. ovis, were identified in samples. 25, of the total 32, infected animals were from Khyber Pukhtoon Khwa. Sheep were more prone to tick borne haemoprotozans as 81% infected samples were sheep as compared to 19% goats [P > 0.001]. Risk factor analysis revealed that male [P = 0.03], animals infested by ticks [P = 0.03] and herd composed of sheep only [P = 0.001] were more infected by blood parasites.

Formulation and in vivo evaluation for anti-aging effects of an emulsion containing basil extract using non- invasive biophysical techniques

Skin aging is a complex process induced by constant exposure to ultraviolet [UV] irradiation and damages human skin. UV generates reactive oxygen species leading to collagen deficiency and eventually skin wrinkling. Basil contains a number of phenolics and favonoids which possess antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to formulate and investigate the antiaging potential of a cream containing Basil extract. A single blinded study was conducted using non-invasive methods. Formulation containing 3% of the concentrated extract of Basil was developed by entrapping in the inner aqueous phase of w/o emulsion and base contained no extract. Both creams were stored at different storage conditions of 8°C, 25°C, 40°C and 40°C+ 75% relative humidity to predict their stabilities. The formulation and base were evaluated for their effects on various skin parameters i.e., moisture and trans epidermal water loss [TEWL], volume, energy and surface evaluation of the living skin [SELS]. Significant effects [p

Colopleural fistula: Case report and review of the literature

We report a 28-year-old woman, pregnant, at 24 weeks, with 3-day history of right-sided chest pain and shortness of breath. Few hours after admission, she delivered a dead baby. She had a history of right partial hepatic lobotomy and cholecystectomy at UK on May 2004 because of multiple pyogenic liver abscesses. Chest examination revealed signs of hydrothorax on the right side. Chest X-ray showed pleural effusion on the right side. Pleural fluid was exudative with high neutrophils. Gram stain and culture showed multiple organisms. CT scan chest and abdomen with contrast, combined with barium enema, revealed right colothorax communication. Colothorax fistula was closed surgically. On the following days, the patient's symptoms resolved, and she was consequently discharged

Effects of chronic hypervitaminosis A on the reproductive organs of male and female rats

Vitamin A palmitate was injected in a relatively toxic dose of 16.4 mg or 30,000 IU every other day to an average 200 g male and female rats for 36 days. The estrous cycle stopped in diestrus after 21 days of treatment. Even though, the serum vitamin A of the treated animals was about 150 times of the controls, no obvious sign of vitamin A toxicity was observed. The seminal vesicles of the treated male rats were significantly small and empty of fluid while the testes showed necrotic cells in all layers except the spermatogoneal layer. The ovulation apparently was not affected in the vitamin A treated female rats since the ovaries showed various stages of follicular growth with corpora lutea, but the uteri were pale and showed no signs of activity and they gave the usual quiescent picture of diestrus stage