Fiber gene based molecular and biological characterization of hydropericardium-hepatitis syndrome associated avian adenoviruses.

This study was designed to perform biological and molecular characterization of avian adenoviruses (AAVs) recovered from suspected cases of hydropericardium-hepatitis syndrome (HHS) in commercial poultry. Initially the samples were screened by Agar Gel Precipitation Test (AGPT) for the presence of AAVs followed by its confirmation and typing through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) focusing on already reported serotypes AAV-4, AAV-8 and AAV-10 elsewhere. These PCR-positive samples were further subjected to amplification of fiber gene, followed by conducting restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) using restriction enzyme Alu. The selected isolates were further propagated through cell culture and pathogenic potential of selected isolates was determined by infecting chickens. In this study, out of a total 190 samples, 57.8% of suspected cases were found positive for AAV presence through AGPT while sub-type identification using PCR revealed 46.3% for these viruses belonging to AAV-4, 41.8% to AAV-8 and 11.8% showed co-infection of AAV-4 and AAV-8. AAV-10 was not detected in any of the tested samples. On the basis of RFLP pattern, AAV-4 isolates were further divided into four sub-groups (A-D) while AAV-8 isolates had identical RFLP pattern. To further evaluate the pathogenic potential of these sub-groups of AAV-4 isolates, specific pathogen free (SPF) chicks were challenged with selected isolates belonging to each of the sub-groups, resulting in variable pattern of pathogenicity. It is concluded that any variation in the fiber gene of AAV-4 isolates may affect its pathogenicity and eventually specificity of the vaccines used against such infections. Therefore, regular monitoring of the circulating AAV serotypes may be helpful in understanding the pathogenic potential of emerging AAVs, which may lead to development of more effective response strategies accordingly.

Emergency blood transfusion services after the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: On 8 October 2005, an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter Scale struck the Himalayan region of Kashmir and Hazara divisions, killing an estimated 73,000 people. Soon after, a situation and response analysis of the emergency blood transfusion services was carried out in the affected areas to ascertain specific needs and suggest appropriate measures to assist in the disaster plan. METHOD: A semistructured questionnaire, complete with a checklist and participatory observation method, was used to collect data between 12 and 20 October 2005. Study sites were Abbotabad, Mansehra and Muzzafarabad in Pakistan, and interviewees were surgeons and blood bank personnel. RESULTS: Of the seven major hospitals in the area, 3 (43%) had a functional blood transfusion service. Although supply of voluntary blood was abundant, shortage of individual blood groups was noted at each centre. Quality assurance standards were either non-existent or inadequate. Only three blood banks had refrigerators, but with limited storage capacities. A complete breakdown of infrastructure coupled with frequent power failures posed a serious threat to safety of the blood. The continued aftershocks added to the problems. Although initial estimates of blood requirement were high, actual demand noted later was much lower. DISCUSSION: Timely establishment of blood banks in disaster areas, is a challenging task. Mobile blood banks can be advantageous in such situations. Organisation at a national level for blood transfusion services and development of a minimum standard of quality assurance in normal times should ensure safe emergency blood transfusion services when disaster strikes.

Bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis and related respiratory complications in a patient with West Nile virus infection.

The case report is presented of a patient with West Nile virus infection and ventilator dependent respiratory failure in whom bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis developed. If the prevalence of West Nile virus infection continues to rise, recognition of diaphragmatic paralysis and related respiratory complications will become increasingly important to the pulmonary/critical care physician.

Nutritional evaluation of desi and kabuli chickpeas and their products commonly consumed in Pakistan.

Physicochemical and nutritional quality of five improved cultivars of desi and kabuli chickpeas and their products were studied. The kabuli chickpea had larger seed (26 g/100 seeds) than desi type (21 g/100 seeds). The hydration capacity per seed of desi (0.16 g) was lower than kabuli type (0.26 g). A positive correlation (r = 0.87) between seed weight and hydration capacity was observed. The mean cooking time of dry desi vs kabuli seed (124.5 vs 113.8 min) was reduced to 37.5 vs 32.8 min and to 28.8 vs 22.5 min when soaked overnight in water and in 0.5% solution of sodium bicarbonate respectively. The mean value of protein (25.4 vs 24.4%), fat (3.7 vs 5.1%), carbohydrate (47.4 vs 55%), crude fibre (11.2 vs 3.9%), ash (3.2 vs 2.8%) and caloric value (327 vs 365 kcal/100 g) were for desi vs kabuli chickpeas respectively. There was no difference in the essential amino acid contents and in chemical scores of desi (65) and kabuli (67) chickpeas. The order of limiting amino acid was methionine+cystine, threonine and valine in both types. The chickpeas products contained 8.9-21.1% protein (N x 6.25), 3.1-21.8% fat, 53.4-75.9% carbohydrate, 1.6-11.1% crude fibre, 1.2-5.9% ash, 226-360mg Ca, 126-315 mg P, 3.8-8.2 mg Fe, 1.8-5.4 mg Zn, 1.5-5.4 mg Mn, 0.6-1.1 mg Cu and 370-490 kcal per 100 g. All chickpea products provided 7-23%, 7-40% and 52-78% of the total calories from protein, fat and carbohydrates respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

University of Wisconsin solution provides superior myocardial preservation compared with Stanford cardioplegic solution.

The efficacy of the University of Wisconsin solution to safely prolong preservation times for kidney, pancreas, and liver transplantation is established, but its efficacy in enhancing myocardial preservation is not yet clear. We studied the effects of Stanford cardioplegic solution and the University of Wisconsin solution both in preserving the myocardium and in protecting it from the effects of reperfusion injury after 6 hours of preservation. In 28 rat hearts we measured changes in high-energy phosphate content (with magnetic resonance spectroscopy) and histologic changes (edema, endothelial changes, myocyte architecture) during preservation and changes in high-energy phosphate content, histologic status, and performance (aortic systolic and diastolic pressure, heart rate, rhythm) in Langendorff and working hearts during reperfusion. No significant differences in the kinetics of high-energy phosphate changes were noted between the two cardioplegic solutions during preservation. However, at the end of 6 hours of preservation, hearts in the Stanford cardioplegic solution group were more edematous (p < 0.01) than those in the University of Wisconsin group. During reperfusion, no significant differences in the kinetics of high-energy phosphates were noted between the two cardioplegic solutions. None of the hearts in the University of Wisconsin solution group developed ventricular fibrillation at the start of reperfusion, but all hearts in the Stanford group did so. Once sinus rhythm was established no significant differences in developed pressure or heart rate were found between the two solutions. After 2.5 hours of reperfusion, hearts in the Stanford group were more edematous (p < 0.002) and had a greater disruption of myocyte architecture (p < 0.002) and greater arteriolar endothelial injury (p < 0.004). In conclusion, the University of Wisconsin solution better protects the myocardium in this rat model than does Stanford solution. The mechanism for this beneficial effect of the University of Wisconsin solution appears to be due to its better preservation of the microvasculature rather than differences in preservation of high-energy phosphates.