Daily and seasonal rhythmic secretary pattern of endocrinological profiles in mithun bull.

Mithun (Bos frontalis) is a unique domestic free-range bovine species available in North Eastern hilly (NEH) regions of India and is reared for its protein rich meat. Mithun suffers severe non-cyclical population fluctuations; however, it is not yet declared as endangered species. Mithun follows some sort of seasonality based on the calving trend and semen production, although it is a perennial breeder. However, there is need to study the rhythmic changes of endocrine profiles to understand the hormone flow pattern in mithun to select the suitable time for blood collection to assess the exact endocrine profiles and to select the suitable time for natural breeding or semen collection by artificial methods for further research, conservation and propagation of its germplasm. Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate the reproductive as well as metabolic endocrinological profiles in 24:00 h in intact adult mithun bulls during different seasons (winter, spring, summer and autumn) to know the rhythmic changes and flow pattern of the endocrinological profiles to improve its reproductive efficiency. Experimental mithun bulls (n = 6; age: 5-6 years; body condition score: 5-6 out of 10, classified as good) were selected for the study. Endocrinological profiles, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone/interstitial cell stimulating hormone (LH/ICSH), testosterone, cortisol, thyroxine (T4), insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), prolactin and melatonin (MT) were estimated at 04:00 h interval for one whole day in four seasons. The analysis was completed in two different ways as different times of collection (08:00, 12:00, 16:00, 20:00, 24:00 and 04:00 h) and day (08:00 to 16:00 h) & night time (20:00 to 04:00 h) collections. Repeated measures ANOVA analysis revealed that the bulls in winter and spring had significantly (p < 0.05) higher FSH, LH, testosterone, T4, IGF-1 and MT than those in summer whereas the bulls in summer had significantly higher cortisol and prolactin than those in winter and spring seasons. Similarly FSH, LH, testosterone, T4, IGF-1 and MT were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in night than in day time collections whereas cortisol and prolactin were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in day than in night time collections in different seasons. Correlation analysis revealed that FSH, LH, testosterone, T4, IGF-1 and MT had significant (p < 0.05) positive correlation with each other whereas these had significant (p < 0.05) negative correlation with cortisol and prolactin. The study concludes that season and time of blood collection had significant effect on the endocrinological profiles in mithun bulls. Estimation of FSH, LH, testosterone, T4, IGF-1 and MT during night time and cortisol and prolactin during day time was more appropriate to get correct value of the endocrinological profiles. Spring and winter have significantly greater beneficial effects than summer on reproduction and artificial breeding programs in mithun species in the semi-intensive management in the present location.

Truncated Nonlinear Interferometry for Quantum-Enhanced Atomic Force Microscopy.

Nonlinear interferometers that replace beam splitters in Mach-Zehnder interferometers with nonlinear amplifiers for quantum-enhanced phase measurements have drawn increasing interest in recent years, but practical quantum sensors based on nonlinear interferometry remain an outstanding challenge. Here, we demonstrate the first practical application of nonlinear interferometry by measuring the displacement of an atomic force microscope microcantilever with quantum noise reduction of up to 3 dB below the standard quantum limit, corresponding to a quantum-enhanced measurement of beam displacement of 1.7 fm/sqrt[Hz]. Further, we minimize photon backaction noise while taking advantage of quantum noise reduction by transducing the cantilever displacement signal with a weak squeezed state while using dual homodyne detection with a higher power local oscillator. This approach may enable quantum-enhanced broadband, high-speed scanning probe microscopy.

Effect of season and age on scrotal circumference, testicular parameters and endocrinological profiles in mithun bulls.

Mithun is a domesticated free-range bovine species primarily used as a meat animal and is a pride of North Eastern Hilly regions of India. The present study was conducted to measure the effect of seasons on scrotal & testicular biometrics and endocrinological profiles for different age groups at different seasons in mithun bulls. A total of 30 mithun males were selected from the mithun breeding farm, ICAR-NRC on Mithun, Medziphema, Nagaland, India and were equally distributed into five groups based on their age. Each group consisted of six animals and the groups were Gr A (0.1-1.0 year), Gr B (1.1-2.0 years), Gr C (2.1-3.0 years), Gr D (3.1-5.0 years) and Gr E (5.1-6.0 years). The seasons were grouped into winter, spring, summer and autumn based on the meteorological data such as temperature humidity index (THI) and sunshine hours. Scrotal circumference (SC) & testicular biometrics and endocrinological profiles such as follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone/interstitial cell stimulating hormone (LH/ICSH), testosterone, thyroxine (T4), cortisol and insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF 1) were estimated during different seasons for different age groups. Statistical results revealed that the SC & testicular biometrics and endocrinological profiles differed significantly (p < 0.05) among the different age groups for the same season whereas SC and endocrinological profiles significantly (p < 0.05) differed among the seasons for same age group. Significantly (p < 0.05) greater SC and testicular weight were observed in Gr E and D, lower in Gr A and B and intermediate in Gr C and increased as age advances. Significantly (p < 0.05) greater SC was observed in winter and spring and lowest was in summer season. The hormone profiles such as FSH, LH/ICSH, testosterone & thyroxine were significantly (p < 0.05) greater and IGF-1 & cortisol were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in spring & winter than in summer season. The hormones, FSH, LH/ICSH and thyroxine increased significantly in Gr A followed by reduced in Gr B and then increased to Gr D and E, whereas concentration of testosterone, cortisol and IGF-1 increased according to age advanced. It was concluded that the spring and winter seasons has significantly greater beneficial effects than summer season on reproduction and artificial breeding programme in semi-intensive management of mithun in the present location.

[Chromoendoscopy in the diagnosis of precancerous lesions of the esophagus. Our experience]. / La cromoendoscopia nella diagnostica delle lesioni precancerose dell'esofago. Nostra esperienza.

The elements of an unfavourable prognosis for oesophageal cancer are frequent metastasis, high incidence of local recurrence and mainly the difficulty of an early diagnosis. Alcohol, tobacco and precancerous lesions are the most important risk factors of these tumours. According to literature, the authors suggest the method of chromoendoscopy, with vital staining by lugol or blue toluidine for endoscopic; guidance to biopsy in the aimed screening of patients, whose habits--alcohol, smoking--should cause, in time, the rising of lesions with neoplastic potentiality. Endoscopy with bioptic test is the best diagnostic investigation. In fact sensibility and specificity of these investigations increase using this method with vital staining.

[Post-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia with late diagnosis. Report of a clinical case]. / Ernia diaframmatica post-traumatica a diagnosi tardiva. Descrizione di un caso clinico.

Starting from the observation of a case of late diagnosed left-side hernia after traumatic rupture of diaphragma, the authors consider the increasing incidence of this pathology during the years. The increased frequency of thoraco-abdominal traumas and the more sophisticated diagnostic tools, permit an earlier diagnosis nowadays. In our patient the diagnosis was made late on the basis of the standard x-ray of the thorax. The CT scan of the thorax and of the abdomen gave more informations. Left thoracotomy enabled a wide exposure of the herniated viscera; the breakthrough of the diaphragm was repaired by means of interrupted suture and it was necessary to apply two prostheses of synthetic material.

Massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage in patients with portal hypertensive enteropathy: a report of two cases.

Mucosal and vascular changes in the lower gastrointestinal tract occur commonly in patients with portal hypertension. Portal enteropathy, however, is usually asymptomatic, though occasionally clinically significant for chronic gastrointestinal bleeding. Massive hemorrhage has only rarely been described and its management is controversial. Even though more effective non-operative treatments are now available, an emergency porta-systemic shunt procedure remains an important option for selected patients. We report on two cases of massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding from portal hypertensive enteropathy secondary to post-viral cirrhosis.