Identifying breeding goals to develop selection index for buffalo in Egypt using preference survey.

The aim of the study was to identify the breeding goals, derive the relative goal values (RGV), and develop selection index (SI) for buffalo in Egypt. A structured questionnaire survey of milk-producing buffalo holders in 10 Egyptian governorates was carried out to collect data. The total number of surveyed holders was 1797. Buffalo holders were asked to identify the breeding goal groups (BGG). Breeding goal groups were ranked, according to relative importance to farmers, in descending order. The breeding goal traits (BGT) within each BGG were chosen and ranked in descending order. The survey results reflected the importance of milk production traits as the main breeding goal. Traits of milk yield and fat yield were given the greatest attention. In order to estimate the relative goal values (RGV), the subjective determination procedure was used. A principal component analysis (PCA) followed by cluster analysis (CA) of the principal components were performed. The CA led to the identification of three farmer clusters. Six selection indices were proposed from the PCA. The indices yielded different precision with a maximum of 93% of the holder's preferences variability. The current study revealed that subjective method could be used to identify the RGV. Further studies are needed particularly those related to the production system. Also, measurements of market data and consumers requests and their influence on the selected traits are badly needed.

Evaluation of proteins in sheep colostrum via laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and multivariate analysis.

Colostrum is essential to guarantee normal and healthy feeding in newborn ruminants during the first hours. In the present work, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), as a spectrochemical analytical technique, and principal component analysis (PCA) as a multivariate analysis method were used to evaluate colostrum compared to mature milk of sheep to plan the nutritional strategies for newly born lambs. Samples of colostrum have been collected from thirty-three Barki ewes. The sheep were milked every 12 h three times after birth, the fourth sample of mature milk is taken from milking in the 7th day postpartum. The spectrochemical analytical results depicted that the intensities of CN and C2 spectral bands, and C 247.86 nm atomic line (as an indicator for protein content in LIBS spectra) are higher in colostrum than that in milk. This relationship has been confirmed by measuring the total protein in the same samples conventionally. The relation between calcium and protein percentage has also been demonstrated. Moreover, it has been shown that the higher is the CN bands' intensity the lower is the bacteria count in colostrum samples, owing to the high levels of lactoferrin with its antibacterial effect. The qualitative analysis of LIBS data using PCA led to a pronounced discrimination between colostrum and mature milk. The present study demonstrates that it is, in principle, possible to make use of the analytical and chemometric results in dairy farms to evaluate sheep colostrum to manage the nutritional strategies for the lambs.

Green laser irradiation effects on buffalo semen.

The overall objective of this paper is to develop a more sensitive and less costly technique of laser irradiation of spermatozoa at certain wavelengths and exposure times suitable for improvement of buffalo semen quality. A 532 nm continuous wave (CW) DPSS laser light has been used to irradiate buffalo semen for different time intervals. Three semen pools from three different bulls (Bubalus bubalis) were used in the experiment, each pool was divided into six groups : control (not irradiated), and the other five were exposed to laser light for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 minutes with fluencies of 0.076, 0.15, 0.23, 0.31, and 0.38 Joule/cm² respectively at an output power 1mW. The results show that the semen quality parameters increase under the effect of laser irradiation. Maximum improvement in the semen quality has been reached after 4 minutes of exposure. Such results indicate the possibility of adopting laser irradiation as an easy and straightforward technique for in situ improvement of the semen quality to optimize the artificial insemination conditions.

The septal body revisited.

INTRODUCTION: The term septal body refers to a thickened area of the nasal septum which is located superior to the inferior turbinate and anterior to the middle turbinate. Despite its important role in changing nasal airflow resistance, it has received little attention. Clinically, a well developed septal body may be misdiagnosed as high septal deviation. AIM: The aim of the present study was to reassess the histological characteristics of the septal body mucosa and the morphometric differences between it and the adjacent septal mucosa. This information was then used to determine the exact location and surface area of the septal body. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed on 30 cadaveric specimens (60 sides). Serial numbered sections of the whole septal mucosa were stained with haematoxylin and eosin as well as periodic acid Schiff - Alcian blue. Morphometric analysis was performed to determine the histological differences between the septal body mucosa, the anterior septal mucosa and the inferior septal mucosa. The precise boundaries of the septal body area were then defined in a manner similar to the Mohs micrographic surgical technique. RESULTS: The histological characteristics of the septal body mucosa included thick (more than 60 microm), pseudostratified, ciliated respiratory epithelium with goblet cells, abundant seromucinous glands and many blood sinusoids. Morphometric analysis showed that the septal body mucosa had thicker epithelium and more glandular acini and blood sinusoids than the rest of the septal mucosa. Mapping of the septal body area showed that its anterior end was 2.2 +/- 0.3 cm (mean +/- standard deviation) behind the caudal edge of the septal cartilage, and its inferior border was 1.1 +/- 0.2 cm above the floor of the nose. The mean horizontal diameter of the septal body was 2.0 +/- 0.15 cm, and the mean vertical diameter was 1.5 +/- 0.11 cm. CONCLUSIONS: The present study determined the morphometric characteristics of the septal body as well as its location and surface area. The intimate relationship of the septal body to the internal nasal valve and the histological characteristics of its mucosa should stimulate research into its potential role in modifying nasal airflow pattern and resistance, and its role in changing the humidity and temperature of the inspiratory air stream.

Use of recombinant factor VIIa (NovoSeven) in a haemophilia A patient with inhibitor in Kuwait.

Development of inhibitors is a known complication in some haemophiliacs receiving coagulation factor replacement therapy. We report on the successful management of a young boy with haemophilia A with inhibitor using recombinant factor VIIa. We had failed to control bleeding in this patient following his circumcision, despite infusion with high doses of factor VIII concentrate for 2 weeks. Recombinant factor VIIa is a useful 'factor VIII bypassing agent' for the control of bleeding in patients with haemophilia A and B who develop inhibitors. We suggest that severely affected haemophiliacs should be absolved of ritual circumcision as a protective measure against what might become a life-threatening haemorrhage - especially in those with inhibitors.

Effect of chloropheniramine maleate on liver and kidney functions as well as blood count of guinea pigs.

The present study aimed at exploring the effect of antihistamine chloropheniramine maleate (H1-blocker) on liver and kidney functions as well as on blood count. 60 mature guinea pigs were used. Histamine or chloropheniramine maleate was given, either alone or together, intramuscularly for 7 successive days. At the end of the experimental period, blood samples were collected for determination of blood counts and of the levels of urea, creatinine, GOT, GPT, and alkaline phosphatase in the sera of different groups. The results showed significant groupwise variations in blood count, liver function as well as kidney function.

Lorazepam treatment of psychogenic catatonia: an update.

Six papers have reported the efficacy of lorazepam in alleviating catatonic symptoms that have psychogenic causes. The authors report five new cases of catatonia; three patients responded favorably and two failed to respond to lorazepam. Investigation of the nonresponders revealed the presence of pernicious anemia in one and postpartum psychosis in the other. These findings demonstrate that lorazepam has an important role in the treatment of catatonic symptoms. Its effects appear to be specific for psychogenic catatonic states and for conditions in which biogenic amines, specifically dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid, play a part. The authors stress intramuscular administration of lorazepam for patients in catatonic states because this route provides the psychiatrist with immediate results that assist with early diagnosis and treatment.

Lorazepam for psychogenic catatonia.

Catatonia poses special diagnostic and management problems for the psychiatrist. The authors report three patients with psychogenic catatonia who received intramuscular lorazepam and experienced rapid resolution of their conditions.

Some pharmacokinetic and biochemical aspects of sulphadiazine and sulphadimidine in ewes.

Eight experiments were carried out on eight clinically healthy non-pregnant ewes. Each animal was injected intravenously with either sulphadiazine or sulphadimidine at a dose rate of 100 mg/kg body weight. A two-compartment pharmacokinetic model was developed to describe the disposition of these drugs. The elimination half-lives were 7.15 +/- 0.58 h and 9.51 +/- 0.59 h and the distribution half-lives were 0.56 +/- 0.07 h and 0.42 +/- 0.05 h for sulphadiazine and sulphadimidine, respectively. The apparent specific volumes of distribution were less than 1 litre/kg (0.410 and 0.501 litres/kg for sulphadiazine and sulphadimidine, respectively) which indicates a relatively lower distribution of these drugs to tissues than in plasma in sheep. The degree of plasma protein binding was similar for both drugs (19.15 +/- 0.55% and 23.12 +/- 0.32%) for sulphadiazine and sulphadimidine, respectively). Serum concentrations of ketone bodies, total lipids and calcium were significantly reduced, and blood glucose concentration significantly increased following administration of both of these sulphonamides, whilst serum total protein concentration was unaltered. The serum cholesterol concentration was significantly reduced following sulphadiazine administration, but not after sulphadimidine.