Comparative therapeutic efficacy of levofloxacin, ornidazole and alpha tocopherol combination with prostaglandin F2α on IL-6 and IL-10 transcript level in longstanding cases of endometritis in crossbreed Jersey cows.

This study compared the therapeutic efficacy of levofloxacin, ornidazole and alpha tocopherol combination and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) in longstanding cases of endometritis and evaluated their impact on Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) transcript level in peripheral blood leukocytes. Eighteen endometritic crossbred Jersey cows were randomly allotted to three groups (six in each) viz. Group I (levofloxacin combo treatment I/U), group II (PGF2α treatment I/M), group III (no treatment, control), and group IV (six non-endometritic healthy cyclic) was taken for comparison study. The clinical efficacy was assessed by haematological study (TLC: Total leukocyte count; DC: Differential count), polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) count in uterine cytology and relative mRNA expression of IL-6 and IL-10 in peripheral blood leukocytes before and after treatment with respect to conception rate following single and second inseminations. Group I and II registered significant increase in TLC and neutrophil count. PMN cytology was increased two and three fold in group I and II, respectively. The IL-6 transcript level was increased by 2.5 and 4.6 fold while that of IL-10 increased by 3.7 and 5.2 fold in group I and II, respectively. Conception rate across group I to IV following single insemination was found to be 66.67%, 50%, 16.67%, and 83.33% and their corresponding values following second insemination were 66.67%, 83.33%, 16.67%, and 83.33%, respectively. Thus, the administration of levofloxacin combo and PGF2α might have better conception rate following first and second insemination, respectively. Our study also reveals that PGF2α could register better clearance of bacteria through stronger PMN cell and cytokine activity in post-treatment period.

Certain hormonal profiles of postpartum anestrus jersey crossbred cows treated with controlled internal drug release and ovsynch protocol.

AIM: The study was conducted to determine the serum levels of certain hormones in post-partum anestrus cows following treatment with controlled internal drug release (CIDR) and Ovsynch protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 postpartum anestrus cows were divided into three equal groups after thorough gynecoclinical examination. The Group 1 animals received an intravaginal progesterone device on day 0 and 2 ml of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) on day of CIDR removal (7th day), Group 2 cows were treated with ovsynch protocol (gonadotropin-releasing hormone [GnRH]-PGF2α-GnRH) on day 0, 7 and 9, respectively, and Group 3 cows were supplemented with mineral mixture and treated as control. The serum estrogen, progesterone, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine concentration were estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit and absorbance was read at 450 nm with Perkin Elmer Wallac 1420 Microplate Reader. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in progesterone level in Group 1 after withdrawal of CIDR as compared to other two groups. However, the estrogen assay revealed a greater concentration in Group 2 against Group 1 on day 7 of sampling. However, there was no significant difference for serum triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) irrespective of treatment protocols and days of sampling. CONCLUSION: Treatment with CIDR based progesterone therapy and drug combinations may affect the reproductive hormonal balance like estrogen and progesterone, which is inevitable for successful return to cyclicity and subsequent fertilization and conception. However, as far as serum T3 and T4 concentration concerned it may not give an astounding result.

Milk derived bioactive peptides and their impact on human health - A review.

Milk-derived bioactive peptides have been identified as potential ingredients of health-promoting functional foods. These bioactive peptides are targeted at diet-related chronic diseases especially the non-communicable diseases viz., obesity, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Peptides derived from the milk of cow, goat, sheep, buffalo and camel exert multifunctional properties, including anti-microbial, immune modulatory, anti-oxidant, inhibitory effect on enzymes, anti-thrombotic, and antagonistic activities against various toxic agents. Majority of those regulate immunological, gastrointestinal, hormonal and neurological responses, thereby playing a vital role in the prevention of cancer, osteoporosis, hypertension and other disorders as discussed in this review. For the commercial production of such novel bioactive peptides large scale technologies based on membrane separation and ion exchange chromatography methods have been developed. Separation and identification of those peptides and their pharmacodynamic parameters are necessary to transfer their potent functional properties into food applications. The present review summarizes the preliminary classes of bioactive milk-derived peptides along with their physiological functions, general characteristics and potential applications in health-care.

Potentially toxic elements in lignite and its combustion residues from a power plant.

The presence of potentially toxic elements in lignite and coal is a matter of global concern during energy extraction from them. Accordingly, Barsingsar lignite from Rajasthan (India), a newly identified and currently exploited commercial source of energy, was evaluated for the presence of these elements and their fate during its combustion. Mobility of these elements in Barsingsar lignite and its ashes from a power plant (Bikaner-Nagaur region of Thar Desert, India) is presented in this paper. Kaolinite, quartz, and gypsum are the main minerals in lignite. Both the fly ash and bottom ash of lignite belong to class-F with SiO2 > Al2O3 > CaO > MgO. Both the ashes contain quartz, mullite, anhydrite, and albite. As, In, and Sr have higher concentration in the feed than the ashes. Compared to the feed lignite, Ba, Co, U, Cu, Cd, and Ni are enriched (10-5 times) in fly ash and Co, Pb, Li, Ga, Cd, and U in bottom ash (9-5 times). Earth crust-normalization pattern showed enrichment of Ga, U, B, Ag, Cd, and Se in the lignite; Li, Ba, Ga, B, Cu, Ag, Cd, Hg, Pb, and Se, in fly ash; and Li, Sr, Ga, U, B, Cu, Ag, Cd, Pb, and Se in bottom ash. Hg, Ag, Zn, Ni, Ba, and Se are possibly associated with pyrite. Leaching test by toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) showed that except B all the elements are within the safe limits prescribed by Indian Standards.

Male urethral diverticulum having multiple stones.

Congenital diverticulum of male urethra is an uncommon entity. Neglected management complicates the process in the form of calculi formation and recurrent urinary infection. A 10-year-old boy presented with urinary voiding disturbances and development of a painless hard lump at the penoscrotal junction. Imaging demonstrated presence of anterior urethral diverticulum with contained calculi in it. Open urethral diverticulectomy, extraction of multiple calculi, and primary urethral reconstruction over a Foley catheter was carried out. Early diagnosis and individualized surgical management of congenital male urethral diverticulum is the key to a successful outcome.

Prevalence of ß-thalassemia and other haemoglobinopathies in six cities in India: a multicentre study.

The population of India is extremely diverse comprising of more than 3,000 ethnic groups who still follow endogamy. Haemoglobinopathies are the commonest hereditary disorders in India and pose a major health problem. The data on the prevalence of ß-thalassemias and other haemoglobinopathies in different caste/ethnic groups of India is scarce. Therefore the present multicentre study was undertaken in six cities of six states of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, Assam, Karnataka and Punjab) to determine the prevalence of haemoglobinopathies in different caste/ethnic groups using uniform methodology. Fifty-six thousand seven hundred eighty individuals (college students and pregnant women) from different caste/ethnic groups were screened. RBC indices were measured on an automated haematology counter while the percentage of HbA(2), HbF and other abnormal Hb variants were estimated by HPLC on the Variant Hemoglobin Testing System. The overall prevalence of ß-thalassemia trait was 2.78 % and varied from 1.48 to 3.64 % in different states, while the prevalence of ß-thalassemia trait in 59 ethnic groups varied from 0 to 9.3 %. HbE trait was mainly seen in Dibrugarh in Assam (23.9 %) and Kolkata in West Bengal (3.92 %). In six ethnic groups from Assam, the prevalence of HbE trait varied from 41.1 to 66.7 %. Few subjects with δß-thalassemia, HPFH, HbS trait, HbD trait, HbE homozygous and HbE ß-thalassemia as well as HbS homozygous and HbS-ß-thalassemia (<1 %) were also identified. This is the first large multicentre study covering cities from different regions of the country for screening for ß-thalassemia carriers and other haemoglobinopathies where uniform protocols and methodology was followed and quality control ensured by the co-ordinating centre. This study also shows that establishment of centres for screening for ß-thalassemia and other haemoglobinopathies is possible in medical colleges. Creating awareness, screening and counselling can be done at these centres. This experience will help to formulate a national thalassemia control programme in India.

Acute intestinal obstruction: an unusual complication of mucocele of appendix.

A rare case of intestinal obstruction due to compression of ileocecal junction by mucocele of appendix is presented. Imaging with ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) is useful in establishing preoperative diagnosis. Avoidance of rupture of during appendicectomy is critical in preventing potential complication of pseudomyxoma peritonei.

Unusual manifestation of dengue fever.

Dengue fever is an important public health problem in India and has various serious manifestations, which if not identified and treated at appropriate time can lead to dire consequences. Quadriparesis during the course of dengue infection is quite unusual and rarely reported. The authors hereby report a case of acute motor quadriparesis due to Guillain-Barre syndrome during the course of dengue infection, who showed gradual response to conservative treatment.

Effect of pre-freeze addition of cysteine hydrochloride and reduced glutathione in semen of crossbred Jersey bulls on sperm parameters and conception rates.

This study was aimed to assess the effect of pre-freeze addition of cysteine hydrochloride and glutathione (GSH) on post-thaw sperm functional parameters and field fertility. The experimental bulls (n = 6) aged 4-6 years were used for this study. A total of 36 ejaculates (six ejaculates per bull) were collected and divided into three groups, group I (control), group II (5 mm cysteine hydrochloride) and group III (5 mm GSH). The extended semen samples with and without additives were filled in mini straw using automatic filling and sealing machine and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. Post-freeze seminal traits were recorded after thawing at 37°C for 30 s. The curvilinear velocity (VCL) and amplitude of lateral head displacement values were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in GSH than the cysteine and control groups. Post-thaw plasmalemma integrity was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in GSH group when compared to cysteine and control groups. The loss of acrosomal integrity was significantly (p < 0.01) lower in GSH than in cysteine and control groups. Addition of GSH non-significantly (p = 0.1) improved mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) (per cent) than control group. This study indicates that the addition of cysteine and GSH suggestive (p = 0.08) of reducing lipid peroxide levels. The conception rate (%) in glutathione group was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that in cysteine (68 vs 58) and control (49) groups. The post-thaw sperm progressive forward motility (r = 0.4) had moderate, but no significant correlation with conception rate. However, post-thaw straight-line velocity (r = 0.7), loss of acrosomal integrity (r = -0.8) and MMP (r = 0.9) had significant (p < 0.05) correlation with field fertility. This study indicates that the use of glutathione as semen additive may be used for improving post-thaw semen quality and overall augmentation of pregnancy in cows.

Disseminated tuberculosis: interesting hematological observations.

Disseminated tuberculosis can present in various ways including prolonged fever / pyrexia of unknown origin, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, meningitis and rarely extreme forms of hematological abnormalities such as pancytopenia and leukemoid reaction. We hereby report a case who presented with short history of fever, associated with vomiting and altered sensorium. He also had evidence of meningitis on neuroimaging with equivocal CSF finding. During his stay, he showed a spectrum of interesting hematological findings, including severe pancytopenia on peripheral smear, hemophagocytosis, epithelioid cell granuloma with Langhans' giant cells and focal necrosis consistent with tuberculosis on bone marrow examination. He showed an excellent clinical as well as hematological response to four drug antitubercular treatment (RHZE). The report highlights the significance of hematological picture in final confirmation of tuberculosis which may otherwise be passed off as nutritional or other unrelated causes.

Mucormycosis.

Mucormycosis is an aggressive, opportunistic infection caused by fungi belonging to the class of Phycomycetes. Rhino-oculo-cerebral mucormycosis is the commonest anatomical presentation of mucormycosis and is a potentially fatal disease. We report here a case of a 65-year-old diabetic female who presented with a locally invasive type of mucormycosis and was treated successfully by surgical debridement along with medical treatment (Amphoterecin-B and insulin).

Evaluation of a capillary blood collection system for screening for hemoglobinopathies in remote areas.

Accurate estimation of hemoglobin (Hbs) A, Hb A(2), Hb F and abnormal Hb is required for diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies and genetic counseling. High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) is the most suitable approach available. But for 70% of the rural Indian population, HPLC analysis facilities are not available and screening would require transportation of samples to laboratories in bigger cities. We thus evaluated the feasibility of using a kit designed for measuring Hb A(1c) using capillary blood for collection and preservation of samples over a period of 15 days at different temperatures for screening for hemoglobinopathies. Capillary blood (5 microl) of 90 individuals was collected in the capillary collection system and run on the Variant Hemoglobin Testing System on days 1, 3, 5, 8, 12 and 15 after incubation at 4, 22, 37, 42 and 50 degrees C. The stability of different Hbs varied at different temperatures. The stability was maintained for 12 to 15 days by most of the samples up to 37 degrees C. Hb E was stable for 3 days up to at 37 degrees C and Hb D and Hb Q for 3 days up to 42 degrees C. This capillary blood collection system would have tremendous potential for sample collection and transportation under adverse climatic conditions for screening of hemoglobinopathies in remote areas in different countries.

Microsatellite diversity among the primitive tribes of India.

The present study was undertaken to determine the extent of diversity at 12 microsatellite short tandem repeat (STR) loci in seven primitive tribal populations of India with diverse linguistic and geographic backgrounds. DNA samples of 160 unrelated individuals were analyzed for 12 STR loci by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Gene diversity analysis suggested that the average heterozygosity was uniformly high ( >0.7) in these groups and varied from 0.705 to 0.794. The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium analysis revealed that these populations were in genetic equilibrium at almost all the loci. The overall G(ST) value was high (G(ST) = 0.051; range between 0.026 and 0.098 among the loci), reflecting the degree of differentiation/heterogeneity of seven populations studied for these loci. The cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling of genetic distances reveal two broad clusters of populations, besides Moolu Kurumba maintaining their distinct genetic identity vis-à-vis other populations. The genetic affinity for the three tribes of the Indo-European family could be explained based on geography and Language but not for the four Dravidian tribes as reflected by the NJT and MDS plots. For the overall data, the insignificant MANTEL correlations between genetic, linguistic and geographic distances suggest that the genetic variation among these tribes is not patterned along geographic and/or linguistic lines.

Iron deficiency anaemia in sickle cell disorders in India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is uncommon in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) because of availability of an adequate iron source potentially from increased red cell turnover and from blood transfusions. Also, iron deficiency anaemia can often go unnoticed because the sickle cell disease patients are already anaemic. Iron deficiency in sickle cell patients may result in lowering the intracellular haemoglobin concentration and this may ameliorate sickling. The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia and the response of iron supplementation in sickle cell disorders in tribal population of the four States viz. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Orissa and Tamil Nadu. METHODS: A total of 8434 individuals (7105 AA, 1267 AS and 62 SS) were tested for zinc protoporphyrin/haem (ZPP/H) ratio and haemoglobin levels. Twenty two sickle cell anaemia (SS), 47 sickle cell trait (AS) and 150 normal control (AA) individuals who were iron deficient, were given iron therapy for a period of 12 wk and the laboratory investigations were repeated at the 13th wk. RESULTS: Sixty seven per cent of subjects with sickle cell anaemia and 26 per cent with sickle cell trait had elevated ZPP/H ratios (>80 micromol/mol) as against 22.8 per cent of normal individuals. The elevated ZPP/H ratios is an indicator of microcytic anaemia of iron deficiency. Following iron therapy, an improvement in the Hb levels and ZPP/H ratios was observed in both sickle cell disorders and normal individual cases. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: This study suggests that iron deficiency anaemia is an important problem in Indian sickle cell anaemia patients and iron supplementation should be given only in proven cases of iron deficiency anaemia.

Frequency of partial D in Western India.

Partial D is of clinical importance as the partial D-positive individuals who lack some epitopes of D antigen can develop anti-D if exposed to normal D antigen. The frequency of partial D varies in different populations. The majority of molecular studies on D variants have been reported in European, African and some East Asian populations, but no study has been reported in the Indian population so far. The aim of the study was to screen Indian population for detection of partial D by serology and classify them by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (M-PCR). The study population, consisting of 10,000 RhD-positive individuals from West India, was screened for detection of partial D using the partial D kit. In addition to these, blood samples referred because of serological RhD discrepant results from blood banks of West India were also investigated. The samples identified as partial D from these two groups were further characterized by M-PCR. Fifteen partial D cases were identified by population screening and 45 were identified from referred samples. Population screening revealed that one third of partial D was DFR when tested by partial D kit. We were able to classify 63.4 and 76.6% of partial D by partial D kit and M-PCR, respectively. The incidence of partial D in West India was found to be at least 0.15% when tested with partial D kit. DFR partial D was found to be predominant in the present study.