Tracing the genetic root of Trinket cattle: an endangered cattle population of a small isolated island of Nicobar group of islands

Trinket cattle are the inhabitant of a small island called Trinket, which is one of the picturesque islands of Andaman. This herd is thought to be of Danish leftover during their dynasty in Nicobar archipelago. When the island was abandoned by foreign invaders, indigenes utilized the animals for the purpose of meat. As a result, the cattle became semi-feral in nature. After the Great Sumatra earthquake and tsunami of Indian Ocean in 2004, Trinket island was left abandoned by indigenes and the cattle became totally feral in nature. To trace the genetic root of the cattle, this study has been undertaken based on the sequence information of the mitochondrial D-loop and cytochrome b gene. The genomic DNA was extracted from the blood samples of the Trinket cattle and was used for amplification of mitochondrial markers, and the sequence information was generated by Sanger sequencing. The analysis of sequence information revealed that the Trinket cattle belongs to Bos indicus (I) haplotype, sub-haplotype I2. The presence of I2 sub-haplotype in Trinket cattle may be due to the expansion of this I2 haplotype towards Southeast Asian countries. This is a novel input for the formulation of breeding strategy towards conservation of eco-friendly sustainable livestock in the isolated island ecosystem.

incidence and prevalence of idiopathic intracranial hypertension in south Sharaqiah region, Oman

To determine the incidence and demographic features of idiopathic intracranial hypertension [IIH] in south Sharqiyah, Sultanate of Oman. A retrospective review of Omani patients diagnosed as IIH in Sur Regional Hospital from January 2001 to December 2011 was carried out. All patients fulfilled the modified Dandy criteria for IIH. Data collected included age and sex of patients, age of onset of the disease, body mass index [BMI], presence of comorbid conditions, and medication use. Findings of ophthalmic examination, neuroimaging, and neurological assessment were recorded. Total number of new outpatients in the study period and the 2010 south Sharqiyah mid-population statistics were also collected. Forty patients were diagnosed as IIH during a period of 11 years from January 2001 to December 2011 in Sur Regional Hospital. The female to male ratio was 3:1; of the 40 patients; 30 [75%] females and 10 [25%] males. Thirteen patients [32.5%] were children below 15 years. Of females in the child bearing age [15-44 years] 60% were obese. As per 2010 census, the Omani population in south Sharqiyah region was 166,318. The calculated annual incidence per 100,000 persons of general population was 2.18. Annual incidence in women of all ages per 100,000 persons was 3.25 and in women of child bearing age was 4.14. In children below 15 years, the incidence was 1.9 per 100,000 children; it was 2.96 per 100,000 for female children. This study shows that the incidence in south Sharqiyah is comparable to that of other countries. Females and obese patients are at a higher risk of developing IIH. Obesity is not a risk factor in males and children. Nearly 60% of the females in the child bearing age were obese

retrospective study of fungal corneal ulcers in the south Sharqiyah region in Oman

To study the incidence, identify the risk factors and determine the predominant microorganisms and treatment regimen of fungal corneal ulcers. This was a retrospective analysis of corneal ulcers treated in the Ophthalmology Department of Sur Hospital, Oman, undertaken from January 2004 to December 2007. Medical and microbiology records of thirty two culture proven cases of fungal keratitis were reviewed for risk factors, laboratory findings and response to treatment. Out of the total 242 corneal ulcers, 13.22% were fungal. Among the 102 culture positive cases, 31.38% were fungal isolates. Fusarium spp [50%] and Aspergillus spp [34.4%] predominated in the hyaline fungal spectrum. The important risk factors were topical steroid usage in 31.25% of cases and ocular injury in 25%. The majority of cases [90.62%] responded to 2% ketoconazole alone or in combination with 0.15% amphotericin B. Fungal ulcer remains one of the leading causes of visual disability. Indiscriminate use of topical steroids and ocular trauma are the most important risk factors. Filamentous fungi are common aetiological agents in this region. Topical ketoconazole and amphotericin B were very effective for most of the cases

Juvenile myasthenia gravis: a case report

Myasthenia gravis most commonly affects young adult women and older men. Juvenile myasthenia gravis is considered to be a variant of adult myasthenia, and it comprises approximately 1% of all cases of myasthenia gravis. This report describes a ten-year old girl with drooping of eyelids since one year

Acute dacryocystitis secondary to congenital dacryocele

Congenital acute dacryocystitis is very rare, the swelling usually represents an infected dacryocele. An acute presentation of a congenital dacryocele which occurred in a one month old preterm infant is reported here