Successful therapeutic management of canine Isosporosis in puppies.

Four labrador male puppies were confirmed for the Isospora spp infection by direct smear and flotation method following complains of anorexia, haematemesis and haematochezia. The puppies were treated with trimethoprime and sulphamethoxazole @ 40 mg/kg body weight in combination with metronidazole @ 10 mg/kg body weight twice daily for 5 days which was supported with fluid therapy, aniemetics and plasma expanders. All the animals showed completed clinical recovery along with clearing of faecal oocyst.

Effect of Tamarindus indica leaf powder on plasma concentrations of copper, zinc, and iron in fluorotic cows.

AIM: The main objective of the study was to determine the deleterious effect of fluoride on plasma trace minerals of fluorotic cattle and to evaluate the effect of Tamarindus indica leaf powder toward correction of the same. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 cattle exhibiting chronic sign of fluorosis and 10 healthy cattle from nonfluorotic area were incorporated in this study. Fluorotic cattle were divided into three equal groups consisting of 10 cattle each. Group I from fluoride free area served as healthy control. The Group II received no treatment and served as disease control. Groups III and IV were supplemented with tamarind leaf powder at 15 g and 30 g/day with feed for 60 days. Plasma mineral status was evaluated after 60 days of treatment with double beam atomic absorption spectrophotometer. RESULTS: Statistical analysis of data revealed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in mean plasma copper (Cu) (0.344±0.007 ppm), zinc (Zn) (0.692±0.06 ppm), and iron (Fe) concentration (1.100±0.01 ppm) in fluorotic cattle in comparison to healthy cattle (0.58±0.010, 2.342±0.04, 1.406±0.04 ppm, respectively). Significant (p<0.05) increase in Cu, Zn, and Fe was recorded after supplementation of tamarind leaf powder to the fluorotic cattle. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that fluorotic cattle might be supplemented with T. indica leaf powder with feed for the correction of the decreased level of certain plasma minerals.

Concurrent infestation of Notoedres, Sarcoptic and Psoroptic acariosis in rabbit and its management.

Acariotic mange in rabbits is one of the important constraints in rabbit husbandry. Sarcoptes scabies var. cuniculi and Psoroptes cuniculi are most common mites prevailed in rabbits, but Notoedres cati, is the rarest mite ever been reported in rabbit. Two New Zealand white rabbits were presented with clinical signs of pruritus, alopecia, scab and crust formation and lichenification on the upper lip, ear pinnae, eyelids, lower jaw and limbs. Deep skin scraping was taken separately from 4 to 5 different skin lesions from each rabbit, revealed mixed infestations of N. cati, S. cuniculi and P. cuniculi. Subcutaneous injection of ivermectin at weekly intervals for four weeks resulted in remission of clinical signs and improvement of health condition in rabbits. This is the first report of N. cati infestation of rabbit in Odisha.

Comparative anthelmintic efficacy of ivermectin delivered through different routes in gastrointestinal nematode infected dogs.

Ivermectin is one of the most effective and widely used antiparasitic agents ever discovered because of its broad spectrum activity against nematodes and arthropods. Therefore, the study was conducted to determine the comparative anthelmintic efficacy of ivermectin by giving through oral and subcutaneous routes in clinically infected dogs and also to check the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode in dogs in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Total 154 dogs with clinical signs of gastroenteritis were examined for the presence of nematodal ova in their faecal sample and 64 were found positive (41.56 %). The screened dogs were divided in to two groups (n = 10 each), first group of animals were treated with ivermectin @ 0.5 mg/kg body weight by subcutaneous route and the second group with same dose of ivermectin through oral route. Efficacy of ivermectin was evaluated based on egg per gram (EPG), haematological and biochemical parameters. It is concluded that, Prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes are high in dogs in the climatic condition of Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Ivermectin was found effective when administered through either of the routes. Haemato-biochemical parameters were restored after administration of ivermectin and also significant reduction in EPG was found in dogs treated with ivermectin by both the routes, but no significant difference was observed in EPG between oral and subcutaneous treated dogs in various intervals of study.

Laparoscopic management of transverse testicular ectopia with persistent mullerian duct syndrome.

A 4-month-old male child presented with right undescended testis and left inguinal hernia with funiculitis. Ultrasonography showed funiculitis on the left side testis along with presence of 1.5 × 1 cm testis like structure just above left testis and empty right scrotal sac without any evidence of mullerian structures. On diagnostic laparoscopy, right testicular vessels were crossing from right to left and had uterus with both testes in left hernia sac. Mobilization of vessels, division of uterus, and hernia repair was done laparoscopically. On the review of literature, there is only one case report of total laparoscopic repair of transversetesticular ectopia (TTE) with hernia without persistent mullerian duct (PMDS). The uniqueness of our case is that it had TTE with hernia and PMDS, which were totally managed by laparoscopy. On 6 months of follow-up, both the testes are palpable in scrotum.

Effect of Moringa oleifera on hematological parameters of calves reared in industrial fluorotic area.

AIM: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the ameliorative potential of dried Moringa oleifera fruit powder in fluorosis affected calves reared around the vicinity of aluminium smelter plant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total 107 calves were screened on the basis of clinical signs and higher plasma fluoride (more than 0.2 ppm) level for evidence of fluorosis. Out of that, 90 samples found positive and from them 18 calves of 6-12 months age group were selected and divided equally into three groups named as Group II, III, and IV. Group II remained as disease control group whereas Group III calves were supplemented with dried M. oleifera fruit powder of 25 g/calve for 60 days. Group IV calves were supplemented with calcium carbonate at 100 mg/kg body weight and boric acid at 10 mg/kg for the same experimental period. Group I consisted of six numbers of healthy calves taken from the non-fluorotic zone, i.e. Bhubaneswar. Plasma fluoride level, hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), total leukocyte count (TLC), differential count (DC), total erythrocyte count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular Hb (MCH), and MCH concentration (MCHC) were estimated on day 0, 30, and 60 of the experiment. RESULTS: Supplementation of dried M. oleifera fruit powder to fluorosis affected calves resulted in significant reduction in plasma fluoride level and increase in Hb%, PCV, TLC and altered DC. Similar results were also recorded in calcium+boron group, except PCV and Hb. No significant changes were observed in MCV, MCH, and MCHC values. CONCLUSION: The present study concluded that supplementation of dried M. oleifera fruit powder daily for 60 days has shown protection against chronic fluoride toxicity in calves.

Modeling non-syndromic autism and the impact of TRPC6 disruption in human neurons.

An increasing number of genetic variants have been implicated in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), and the functional study of such variants will be critical for the elucidation of autism pathophysiology. Here, we report a de novo balanced translocation disruption of TRPC6, a cation channel, in a non-syndromic autistic individual. Using multiple models, such as dental pulp cells, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neuronal cells and mouse models, we demonstrate that TRPC6 reduction or haploinsufficiency leads to altered neuronal development, morphology and function. The observed neuronal phenotypes could then be rescued by TRPC6 complementation and by treatment with insulin-like growth factor-1 or hyperforin, a TRPC6-specific agonist, suggesting that ASD individuals with alterations in this pathway may benefit from these drugs. We also demonstrate that methyl CpG binding protein-2 (MeCP2) levels affect TRPC6 expression. Mutations in MeCP2 cause Rett syndrome, revealing common pathways among ASDs. Genetic sequencing of TRPC6 in 1041 ASD individuals and 2872 controls revealed significantly more nonsynonymous mutations in the ASD population, and identified loss-of-function mutations with incomplete penetrance in two patients. Taken together, these findings suggest that TRPC6 is a novel predisposing gene for ASD that may act in a multiple-hit model. This is the first study to use iPSC-derived human neurons to model non-syndromic ASD and illustrate the potential of modeling genetically complex sporadic diseases using such cells.

A review on plant-derived natural products and their analogs with anti-tumor activity.

Traditional medicines, including Chinese herbal formulations, can serve as the source of potential new drugs, and initial research focuses on the isolation of bioactive lead compound(s). The development of novel plant-derived natural products and their analogs for anticancer activity details efforts to synthesize new derivatives based on bioactivity- and mechanism of action-directed isolation and characterization coupled with rational drug design - based modification. Also, the anticancer activity of certain natural products and their analogs can be enhanced by synthesizing new derivatives based on active pharmacophore models; drug resistance and solubility and metabolic limitations can be overcome by appropriate molecular modifications; and new biological properties or mechanisms of action can be added by combining other functional groups or molecules. Preclinical screening for in vitro human cell line panels and selected in vivo xenograft testing then identifies the most promising drug development targets.

Haematology and serum biochemistry of chital (Axis axis) and barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak) reared in semi-captivity.

Haematological and serum biochemical values of clinical significance that could serve as reference data for deer kept in captivity were measured for chital (Axis axis) and barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak). The venous blood from four each of chital and barking deer (n = 8) reared in semi-captivity was collected after proper restraint of the animals. The mean blood haemoglobin, packed cell volume, total erythrocyte count and total leukocyte count of all the eight deer of the two species were 15.90 +/- 0.44 g/dl, 51.44 +/- 0.60%, 20.83 +/- 0.57 x 10(6)/microl and 2.37 +/- 0.20 x 10(3)/microl. Serum total protein, albumin, bilirubin, cholesterol and blood urea nitrogen irrespective of species were 6.83 +/- 0.19 g/dl, 3.90 +/- 0.11 g/dl, 0.33 +/- 0.08 mg/dl, 106.81 +/- 3.59 mg/dl and 24.79 +/- 2.11 mg/dl, respectively. Serum enzyme activities indicative of liver function such as alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) were 30.38 +/- 4.67 units/ml and 42.88 +/- 5.97 units/ml, respectively. The serum calcium and phosphorus levels of all the eight deer were 10.27 +/- 0.36 mg/dl and 8.31 +/- 0.68 mg/dl, respectively. This is the first report on baseline values in barking deer. The distribution of haematological and serum biochemical values was fairly normal, suggesting that the mean values could be representative of normal values for two different deer species.

Conservation surgery in the management of T1 and T2 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: the Birmingham UK experience.

The aim of this paper was to evaluate our experience using conservation surgery in the management of T1 and T2 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Eighteen patients underwent conservation surgery between 1993 and 2000 and were analysed retrospectively. The mean age was 54 years and the male to female ratio was 8:1. There were 14 tonsil and 4 tongue base tumours and 83% of cases presented with neck nodes, thereby classifying them as having advanced disease (stages 2-4). All patients received postoperative radiotherapy. All patients were followed up to December 2001. The median follow-up time was 3.8 years (minimum was 1.5 years). The 2-year and 5-year survival rates were 100% and 92% respectively. Approximately 66% of patients returned the EORTC and GHQ/12 quality-of-life questionnaires. Of these, seventy-five percent had a high healthy level of general functioning in accordance with the EORTC general health section. These results show that conservation surgery techniques are effective in the treatment of T1 and T2 oropharyngeal squamous carcinoma associated with significant metastatic neck disease. The techniques are well tolerated, produce minimal functional deficit and do not have a negative impact on the patients quality of life in either the immediate postoperative period or up to 4 years post-treatment.

Strain-dependent anterior segment neovascularization following intravitreal gene transfer of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).

BACKGROUND: A promising strategy for delaying death of photoreceptor cells in retinal degenerative disease is to support survival of these cells through intraocular delivery of growth/neurotrophic factors. One factor that has received great attention is basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF; fgf-2), a known stimulator of angiogenesis. We evaluated the potential for neovascularization induced by adenovirus-mediated intravitreal delivery of bFGF. METHODS: Recombinant adenoviruses carrying the low molecular weight (18 kD) or the high molecular weight (22, 23 and 24 kD) forms of human bFGF, driven by the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter/enhancer, were prepared. Viruses were delivered to eyes of different strains of mice and rats through intravitreal injection. Contralateral eyes were injected with control virus carrying a reporter gene [green fluorescent protein (GFP) or lacZ]. Transgene expression was assessed by Western analysis and by immunohistochemistry. Neovascularization was evaluated in vivo and histologically at termination of the experiment. RESULTS: Adenovirus-mediated delivery of the 18 kD form of bFGF resulted in anterior segment neovascularization in a strain-dependent fashion. Generation of new blood vessels was not observed after injection of the higher molecular weight forms of bFGF or of control solutions. CONCLUSION: The low molecular weight form (18 kD) (but not the high molecular weight forms) of bFGF drives angiogenic response in the anterior segment of specific strains of mice. Genetic modifiers may contribute to and/or prevent neovascularization induced by bFGF.

Epidemiology of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the pinna.

This is a retrospective study designed to compare the incidence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the head and neck skin area with special reference to the pinna. The results showed 426 patients had 460 cutaneous malignancies in the head and neck area, managed by four specialties (ENT, Dermatology, General Surgery and GPs) over the period 1994-99. The lesions comprised 375 (80.47 per cent) BCC and 85 (18.47 per cent) SCC. In cases of BCC the facial areas were commonly involved (88 per cent), whilst SCC was almost equally distributed between the most (face, forehead and nose) and least exposed areas (pinna and scalp). The overall ratio of BCC to SCC remained four to one in the head and neck area. In 41 patients with 51 lesions over the pinna there were 29 (56.8 per cent) BCC and 22 (43.1 per cent) SCC hence the ratio was 1.3 to 1 for this site. We conclude that in the case of a suspicious lesion over the pinna, the risk of SCC is comparatively much higher. With increasing awareness of early and quick diagnosis of cancer cases, it is recommended that these patients should be referred urgently to prevent the significant morbidity associated with invasive SCC.

Generation of transgenic mice for studies of ocular development and disease.

Over the past decade, there has been spectacular growth in our understanding of the molecular genetics of eye development and ocular disease. Although this is primarily caused by developments in recombinant DNA technology, it is also caused in large part by advances in, and the spread of, transgenic mouse technology. Whereas 10 years ago few laboratories had the equipment and skill to generate transgenic mice, now most investigators have access to a transgenic core facility. Transgenic mouse studies have fueled our understanding of ocular development, have delineated regulatory elements involved in gene expression in cells of the eye, and have unraveled pathogenic mechanisms involved in eye disease.

Free jejunal patch flaps in oral and oro-pharyngeal reconstruction.

Free jejunum has been commonly tubed to provide a reconstructive pharyngeal conduit following pharyngolaryngectomy. It is also common practice to repair small oral and oro-pharyngeal defects with skin-lined flaps i.e. radial free forearm or pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. Free jejunal patch flaps can provide cover for large defects, secrete mucus, tolerate radiotherapy well and do not contract. The operation is associated with a low morbidity and early return of swallowing is feasible. Here we describe the functional results of free jejunal patch flap reconstruction of extensive oral and oro-pharyngeal defects.

Basic fibroblast growth factor induces a transformed phenotype in normal human melanocytes.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF or FGF-2) is produced by nearly all melanomas in vitro and in vivo but not by normal melanocytes, which require exogenous bFGF for growth. In this study, we transduced normal human melanocytes to overexpress two forms of bFGF: (bFGF-Long and bFGF-Short) using replication-deficient adenovirus 5 vectors. bFGF-Long induced the 17.8, 22.5, 23.1 and 24.2 kDa forms of bFGF, whereas bFGF-Short induced only the 17.8 kDa mature form. Growth of cultured melanocytes transduced with either vector was similar to that of nevus and melanoma cells and was independent of exogenous bFGF and of insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1, and cyclic AMP enhancers, requiring only phorbol ester as an exogenous mitogen. Like primary melanoma cells, transduced normal melanocytes grew anchorage independently in soft agar. When injected into the dermis of human skin grafted to mice, bFGF-transduced melanocytes proliferated for at least 20 days, whereas cells from control cultures showed poor survival and no proliferation. These results demonstrate that bFGF upregulation is a critical component in melanoma progression.

Invasion of the recurrent laryngeal nerve by adenoid cystic carcinoma. An unusual cause of true vocal fold paralysis.

True vocal fold paralysis and goitre are both common problems encountered in ENT practice. Their co-existence, however, should arouse suspicion of the presence of malignant thyroid disease. A rare case of true vocal fold paralysis caused by a clinically occult subglottic adenoid cystic carcinoma, in a 72-year-old, is described. The existence of multinodular goitre in this patient was co-incidental and confounded the diagnostic process.

Stable transgene expression in rod photoreceptors after recombinant adeno-associated virus-mediated gene transfer to monkey retina.

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) is a promising vector for therapy of retinal degenerative diseases. We evaluated the efficiency, cellular specificity, and safety of retinal cell transduction in nonhuman primates after subretinal delivery of an rAAV carrying a cDNA encoding green fluorescent protein (EGFP), rAAV. CMV.EGFP. The treatment results in efficient and stable EGFP expression lasting >1 year. Transgene expression in the neural retina is limited exclusively to rod photoreceptors. There is neither electroretinographic nor histologic evidence of photoreceptor toxicity. Despite significant serum antibody responses to the vector, subretinal readministration results in additional transduction events. The findings further characterize the retinal cell tropism of rAAV. They also support the development of studies aimed ultimately at treating inherited retinal degeneration by using rAAV-mediated gene therapy.