Effect of once-a-day milk feeding on behavior and growth performance of pre-weaning calves.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects of once-a-day milk feeding on growth performance and routine behavior of preweaning dairy calves. METHODS: At 22nd day of age, twenty-four Holstein calves were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups (n = 12/treatment) based on milk feeding frequency (MF): i) 3 L of milk feeding two times a day; ii) 6 L of milk feeding once a day. The milk feeding amount was reduced to half for all calves between 56 and 60 days of age and weaning was done at 60 days of age. To determine the increase in weight and structural measurements, each calf was weighed and measured at 3 weeks of age and then at weaning. The daily behavioral activity of each calf was assessed from the 22nd day of age till weaning (60th day of age) through Nederlandsche Apparatenfabriek (NEDAP) software providing real-time data through a logger fitted on the calf's foot. RESULTS: There was no interaction (p≥0.17) between MF and sex of the calves for routine behavioral parameters, body weight and structural measurements. Similarly, there was no effect of MF on routine behavioral parameters, body weight and structural measurements. However, the sex of the calves affected body weight gain in calves. Male calves had 27% greater total body weight and average daily gain than female calves. There was no effect of the sex of the calves on behavioral measurements. Collectively, in the current study, no negative effects of a once-a-day milk feeding regimen were found on routine behavioral and growth parameters of preweaning calves in group housing. CONCLUSION: Once-a-day milk feeding can be safely adopted in preweaning calves from 22nd day of age.

Endoscopic Findings in Persistent Dyspepsia in Secondary Care Hospital Setting in North Kashmir.

BACKGROUND: Dyspepsia is a common clinical problem and has a great impact on the patient's quality of life. More than half of patients presenting with dyspepsia have no detectable lesion for their symptoms. The common organic causes of dyspepsia include peptic ulcer, esophagitis and cancer. The diagnostic test of choice is endoscopy. Age specific thresholds to trigger endoscopic evaluation may differ by gender, availability of resources and regional disease specific risks. AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of significant endoscopic lesions in patients presenting with dyspepsia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study. Data on patients presenting with dyspepsia and scheduled for upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy between January 2011 and December 2016 was collected. RESULTS: Nine thousand five hundred and twenty five patients with persistent dyspepsia were assessed by Upper GastroIntestinal (UGI) endoscopy. 58.8% were male. The mean age was 41 years. Endoscopy revealed normal findings or miscellaneous irrelevant findings in 6967 patients (73.1%). Significant endoscopic findings were diagnosed in 2558 (26.9%). These included peptic ulcers in 493 patients (5.1%), esophagitis in 560 (5.9%), erosive Gastroduodenitis in 1069 (11.2%), Varices in 40 patients (0.4%) and UGI malignancy in 279 (2.9%). CONCLUSION: The endoscopic diagnosis of persistent dyspepsia in our setting showed a predominance of functional disease. Every 4th person (26.7%) with persistent dyspepsia had organic lesions whereas UGI malignancy was an uncommon finding. The most frequent significant pathologies included erosive gastroduodenitis, esophagitis and peptic ulcer disease. Patients with recent onset of dyspepsia who are in the age group at risk of gastric malignancy should undergo early endoscopy. UGI endoscopy is simple procedure that can be undertaken for early diagnosis of benign as well as malignant lesions in patient presenting with dyspepsia.

Rhino-orbital-mucormycosis as a presenting manifestation of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Rhino-orbital mucormycosis is an uncommon and aggressive, angioinvasive fungal infection that occurs in immunocompromised states like diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, hematological malignancies and deferroxamine therapy. We report a patient who presented with rhino-orbital mucormycosis at six months of gestation and was incidentally detected to have diabetes. She was successfully treated with amphotericin B and appropriate surgery. To the best of our knowledge, there is no such report in the literature.

Cabergoline-induced tricuspid regurgitation: Case report and review of literature.

The increased risk of cardiac valve disease in patients treated for Parkinson's disease with cabergoline has raised concerns about the safety of treatment with ergot-derived dopamine agonists in patients with endocrine diseases, especially prolactinoma. Concern is raised because the use of cabergoline was associated in one study with an increased prevalence of moderate tricuspid regurgitation, and in two other studies with mild tricuspid regurgitation. Furthermore, the use of cabergoline was associated with increased frequencies of valvular thickening, calcifications, and increased mitral tenting area.

Intestinal ascariasis in children.

BACKGROUND: Ascariasis is a staggering health problem commonly seen in children of endemic areas. In the abdomen, ascaris lumbricoides can cause a myriad of surgical complications. Intestinal obstruction by ascaris lumbricoides is commonly seen in children. Most cases are managed conservatively. The purpose was to study the clinical presentation and management of symptomatic intestinal ascariasis in children. METHODS: A 3-year study was performed from April 2006 to April 2009 of pediatric-age patients who had symptomatic intestinal ascariasis. All patients had detailed clinical history, examination, plain X-ray of abdomen, and ultrasonography of abdomen. Peroperative findings were recorded in all patients who had surgical intervention. RESULTS: This prospective study had 360 patients. Male to female ratio was 1.37:1. 187 patients (52%) presented within 2-4 days of duration of illness. Mean +/- standard deviation (SD) age of patients was 6.35 +/- 2.25 years. Age group of 4-7 years (80%) was commonest group affected. Abdominal pain was a leading symptom in 357 patients (99%) with the pain in periumbilical area present in 215 patients (60%). In 227 patients (63%) abdominal distension was seen and was the commonest physical finding. Palpable worm masses were seen in 129 patients (36%); 81 patients (63%) had palpable worm masses in the umbilical quadrant. On X-ray of abdomen, visible worm masses were seen in 83 patients (23%). Abdominal sonography showed interloop fluid in 177 patients (49%) and free fluid in the pelvis of 97 patients (27%). The number of patients who were managed conservatively was 281 (78%), and 79 patients (22%) had surgical intervention. In patients who had surgical intervention, 39 patients (49%) had enterotomy and 7 patients (9%) had kneading of worms. Postoperative complications occurred in 33 patients, and an overall mortality of 1% (1 patient) was seen. CONCLUSIONS: Ascaridial intestinal obstruction is common in children in the Kashmir. Abdominal pain is the leading symptom in intestinal ascariasis. Plain X-ray and ultrasonography of the abdomen are used to diagnosis intestinal ascariasis. The majority of the patients can be managed conservatively.