Clinical management of dogs with presumptive diagnosis of cervical intervertebral disc disease: 78 cases (2006-2017) / Tratamento clínico de cães com diagnóstico presuntivo de doença do disco intervertebral cervical: 78 casos (2006-2017)

This study aimed to identify dogs with a presumptive diagnosis of cervical intervertebral disc disease (IVDD; C1-C5 or C6-T2) submitted to clinical management and evaluate the outcome. This study also aimed to demonstrate the age, sex, and treatment response according to the neurological degree, and verify whether those factors could potentially influence the outcome. The data were obtained from patients with a neurological dysfunction, admitted at the Veterinary Hospital from January 2006 to March 2017. In addition to patient records, the tutors answered a questionnaire related to the success of therapy. A hundred and seventy-seven neurological records were evaluated, and 78 were included in the study according to the inclusion criteria. The most frequent breeds were Dachshunds, followed by mixed-breed dogs. Regarding the neurological dysfunction degree, 58.97% presented grade I (only neck pain), 25.64% were grade II (ambulatory tetraparesis), and 15.38% grade III (nonambulatory tetraparesis). Absolute and partial space rest were performed in 75.64% and 24.36% of the cases, respectively. The minimum rest time was one week and could come up to four weeks. Most dogs were small-sized (≤15kg). The recovery was satisfactory in 87.17% of dogs and unsatisfactory in 12.83%. Regarding recurrence, we observed that 10.3% of dogs presented satisfactory recovery. The clinical treatment for dogs with cervical IVDD can be indicated with adequate clinical response to dysfunction degrees ranging from I to III, either at rest or in restricted space and with a low rate of relapse.(AU)

O objetivo desse estudo foi identificar cães com diagnóstico presuntivo de doença do disco intervertebral cervical (DDIV; C1-C5 ou C6-T2) submetidos ao tratamento clínico e avaliar a resposta a terapia instituída e o índice de recidiva. Esse estudo também visou demonstrar a idade, o gênero e a resposta ao tratamento de acordo com o grau neurológico, a fim de verificar se esses parâmetros podem ser utilizados como fatores prognósticos para a evolução clínica desses pacientes. Foram revisados os registros neurológicos do Hospital Veterinário Universitário de janeiro de 2006 a março de 2017. Realizaram coleta de dados a partir dos registros e por meio de um questionário respondido pelos tutores. Avaliaram 177 fichas neurológicas de cães e obtidas informações para inclusão no estudo em 78 delas. As raças mais frequentes foram Dachshunds, seguido dos cães sem raça definida. Quanto ao grau de disfunção neurológica, 58,97% apresentavam grau I (somente dor), 25,64% estavam em grau II (tetraparesia ambulatória) e 15,38% em grau III (tetraparesia não ambulatória). O repouso absoluto e em espaço restrito foram realizados em 75,64% e 24,36% dos casos, respectivamente e com duração de no mínimo uma semana, podendo chegar a mais de quatro semanas. A maioria dos animais era de pequeno porte (≤15kg). A recuperação foi satisfatória em 87,17% dos cães e insatisfatória em 12,83%. Quanto à recidiva, esta foi observada em 10,3% dos pacientes com recuperação satisfatória. O tratamento clínico para cães com DDIV cervical pode ser indicado com adequada resposta clínica para graus de disfunção que variam de I a III, seja em repouso absoluto ou em espaço restrito e com baixo índice de recidiva.(AU)

Morphological and toxigenic study of Aspergillus flavus from indoor air

Aim: In the current investigation thirty four A. flavus cultures were isolated from indoor air samples of some farmers' house in coastal region of Odisha. Production of aflatoxin B1 and the pattern of formation of sclerotia by the isolates were studied in vitro. Methodology: Morphological study and production of sclerotia were carried out by observing fungal colonies on culture media. Conidiophores were identified under Phase contrast microscope. Detection of aflatoxin B1 was done by Thin Layer Chromatography technique. Results: The isolates exhibited variation in their colony characteristics and pattern of sclerotia formation. Overall 44% A. flavus isolates produced stable aflatoxin B1 and 41% were producers of sclerotia. About 32% A. flavus isolates produced both sclerotia and aflatoxin B1. Most of the non toxigenic isolates failed to form thick mycelia mat on β-CD-PDA media. Aflatoxin and sclerotia producing isolates were found more in coastal districts than inter-coastal regions. No significant variation in the pattern of sclerotia production was observed among isolates in less aerobic (sealed plates) and aerobic (unsealed plates) condition, however isolates had slightly more preference towards less aerobic environment for sclerotia production. The size of sclerotia was found to be inversely related to number of sclerotia. Interpretation: The presence of diverse A. flavus strains in farmers' indoor air, having the ability to produce either aflatoxin or sclerotia or both, may lead to serious health implications. This issue need to be addressed and a suitable way for proper management of indoor environment of farmers' need to be designed.

Recent advances in ocular leprosy.

Proper MDT soon after detection of leprosy and anti-reaction measures with newer steroids, regular supervision and monitoring of those released from treatment (RFT) reduce the incidence of ocular leprosy to a remarkable extent. Today, most eye complications are because of normal ageing process or of other phenomena in normal healthy population. Cataract and lagophthalmos are the main causes of blindness. However, in India, though the rate of cataract surgical coverage is up to the mark, the same for lagophthalmos is lagging far behind. Integration of management of ocular leprosy into community eye health care service is the talk of the day along with other health care facilities delivered to people affected with leprosy (PAL). Routine eye examinations are necessary for all PB and MB patients, as well as for the RFT persons in order to detect and treat eyes that are at high risk. All eye surgeries can be performed when needed, irrespective of deformities and bacteriological status, by latest microsurgical techniques with good outcome, and better rehabilitation measures. Reorientation training in ocular leprosy is the immediate special need for ophthalmologists, paramedical ophthalmic assistants and eye health care managers working in general hospitals in those areas that were previously "leprosy endemic zones".

Heavy metals in water of the rivers Hooghly and Haldi at Haldia and their impact on fish.

The paper deals with the measurement of five heavy metals viz., Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn in water of the rivers Hooghly and Haldi at Haldia during June 1999 to October 2002. The industrial effluent out fall (OF) at Patikhali, Haldia was also taken as sampling site along with above out fall (AOF) and below out fall (BOF) sites. Most of the metals exhibited their least concentration at the sampling site above the Haldia industrial area of river Hooghly. The average concentrations of the studied metals were Cd 2-14, Cu 5-19, Mn 8-88, Pb 17-41 and Zn 22-37 microg l(-1). Comparison of the data with the Criterion Continuous Concentration (CCC) of USA revealed that Cd, Cu and Pb were the pollutants present at alarming level to disturb the aquatic life process in the zone. The effect was found to reflect on the tissue level aberrations in the residential fishes. The other two metals viz., Mn and Zn were probably less harmful to the aquatic ecosystem. In India, necessity is felt to develop the CCC values, which will be more appropriate for protection of aquatic environment than comparing with drinking water standards.

Escherichia coli heat stable enterotoxin receptors & guanylyl cyclase activity in the intestinal brush border membrane of hamsters & guinea pigs.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Although Escherichia coli heat stable enterotoxin (STa) causes diarrhoea in laboratory animals, no studies were done to find out the species specific variation of distribution of the STa receptors in laboratory animals. The present investigation evaluates the density of STa receptors and the guanylyl cyclase (GC) activity in the small intestinal epithelial cells of hamsters and guinea pigs. METHODS: Brush border membrane (BBM) was prepared from the small intestines of hamsters and guinea pigs. Receptor binding assay, GC assay and autoradiography were performed to determine the density of STa receptors, the GC activity and molecular weights of the STa binding proteins respectively. RESULTS: The receptor densities, per mg BBM protein at equilibrium, were found to be 4.1 x 10(9) and 1.5 x 10(12) in hamsters and guinea pigs respectively. The GC activity was found to be lower in STa treated hamster BBM compared to that of guinea pig. Scatchard analysis of the stoichiometric data showed a linear plot, and STa bound with association constants of 0.31 x 10(12) M-1 and 1.04 x 10(12) M-1 in hamsters and guinea pigs respectively. Autoradiographic analysis of the SDS-PAGE, revealed that 125I-STa bound apparently to a 45 kDa membrane protein in hamster and a 115 kDa membrane protein in guinea pig. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: It appears that a lower density of STa receptor exists in hamsters compared to that in guinea pigs. STa binds with a single population of STa receptors in each species with different ligand binding affinities. Also, the molecular weights of the STa binding proteins differ in these species. Moreover, the GC activity was found to be lower in hamsters than in guinea pigs.

An aminopeptidase regulates LPS stimulated interleukin-8 receptor on the surface of human neutrophils.

A large number of inflammatory diseases are mediated by interleukin-8, an inflammatory neutrophil chemotactic agent. Since the cytokine acts through a cell surface receptor, detailed knowledge about the regulation of receptor expression is very important. We found that LPS in serum became activated and triggered the expression of IL-8 receptor by more than two folds within 30 min. After that period, the receptor attained normal level within 2 hr of SA-LPS stimulation. EDTA and bestatin could block this downregulation of IL-8 receptor. Intracellular Ca2+ level was increased till 45 min of SA-LPS stimulation and then the level was reduced. Addition of CaCl2 accelerated and depletion of Ca2+ inhibited the downregulation of the IL-8 receptor. The ligand could fully protect the loss of receptor from downregulation. It suggests that during SA-LPS stimulation, increase in intracellular Ca2+ level activates an aminopeptidase which presumably cleaves the N-terminal region of the receptor, critically essential for the function of IL-8. Thus the activated aminopeptidase regulates the functions of IL-8. The study is important for understanding the regulation of IL-8 receptor expression by LPS during bacterial infection.

Influence of temperature on survival, growth and fecundity of the freshwater snail Indoplanorbis exustus (Deshayes)

To note the effect of temperature on survival, growth and fecundity, newly hatched (zero day old) snails Indoplanorbis exustus were cultured at 10 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, 30 degrees and 35 degreescentigrades constant temperatures and room temperature (17.5 degrees - 32.5 degrees centigrades). Individuals exposed to 10 degrees centigrades died within 3 days while those reared at 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, 30 degrees, 35 degrees centigrades and room temperature survived for a period of 6, 27, 18, 16, 12 and 17 weeks respectively. An individual added on an average 0.21 mm and 0.45 mg, 0.35 mm and 7.94 mg, 0.63 mm and 15.5 mg, 0.81 mm and 27.18 mg, 1.07 mm and 41.48 mg and 0.78 mm and 31.2 mg to the shell diameter and body weight respectively at those temperatures per week. The snails cultured at 15 degrees centigrades died prior to attainment of sexual maturity. On an average, an individual produced 31.9 and 582.77, 54.86 and 902.18, 56.01 and 968.45, 49.32 and 798.68 and 62.34 and 1143.97 capsules and eggs respectively at 20 degrees, 25 degrees, 30 degrees, 35 degrees centigrades and room temperature (17.5 degrees - 32.5 degrees centigrades)