Evaluation of trace elements, oxidant/antioxidant status, vitamin C and ß-carotene in dogs with dermatophytosis.

The aim of the study was to determine zinc, copper and iron levels, erythrocyte oxidant/antioxidant status, vitamin C and ß-carotene in dogs with dermatophytosis. A total of 23 dogs with clinically established diagnosis of dermatophytosis by trichogram and positive fungal culture and six dogs as control were included in this study. On cultural examination 52.17% fungal isolates were found to be Microsporum canis, 30.43% were Trichophyton mentagrophytes and 17.39% were M. gypseum. In comparison to healthy control, the dogs with dermatophytosis had significantly lower levels of zinc (P < 0.01), copper (P < 0.05), ß-carotene and vitamin C levels (P < 0.05) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P < 0.05) and catalase (P < 0.01), whereas the iron (P < 0.05) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (P < 0.01) levels were significantly increased. On correlation analysis, SOD activity was observed to be positively correlated (P < 0.05) with zinc and copper in both healthy and dermatophytosis affected dogs. In dermatophytosis affected dogs the MDA levels were negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with iron, ß-carotene levels and the activities of antioxidant enzymes; SOD and catalase. Our results demonstrated that dermatophytosis in dogs is associated with significant alteration in oxidant/antioxidant balance and trace elements. It might be secondary consequence of dermatophytosis infection or contributing factor in its pathogenesis.

Impact of method of application and concentration of potassium on yield of wheat.

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of different levels and methods of potassium application on yield, K uptake and forms of potassium in wheat crop at experimental field of Division of Soil Science, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir. The treatment consisted of 5 levels of potassium (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg K2O ha(-1)) and two methods of application viz Single basal and split (1/2 basal+1/2 at tiller initiation stage). Out of various treatments, split application of potassium @ 80 kg K2O ha(-1) was found superior to single basal application in terms of grain yield (43.20 q ha(-1)) and K uptake (22.89 kg ha(-1)) by grains at harvest. However, it was at par with split application of 60 kg K2O ha(-1). All forms of potassium viz water-soluble, exchangeable, available, boiling HNO3 extractable and lattice increased with increasing levels of potassium and were found maximum (3.20, 62.80, 66.00 ppm 0.723 and 1.440% respectively) when potassium was applied @ 80 kg K2O ha(-1) in two equal splits except for lattice K which was maximum (1.440%) when potassium was applied @ 60 kg K2O ha(-1).

Effect of available nutrients on yield and quality of pear fruit Bartlett in Kashmir Valley India.

Pear is one of the most important commercial crops grown in the Kashmir valley of India. A study was conducted during 2008 to find out the effect of available nutrients on yield and quality parameters of pear cultivar "Bartlett" which revealed that nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium exhibited significant and positive relationship with fruit length (0.882, 0.856, and 0.482 mm, respectively), diameter (0.869, 0.794 and 0.458 mm, respectively), weight (0.876, 0.825 and 0.439 g, respectively), volume (0.908, 0.806 and 0.404, Cm3 respectively) and yield (0.908, 0.764 and 0.702 kg tree(-1), respectively) however, only nitrogen and phosphorus showed similar relationship with total sugars (0.833 and 0.838% respectively). The calcium indicated significant and negative relationship with fruit diameter (-0.433) and yield (-0.589), while as it showed significant and positive correlation with fruit firmness (0.442) only. The sulphur revealed significant and positive relationship with fruit length (0.440), diameter (0.434), TSS (0.482) and yield (0.729) whereas zinc, copper, iron and manganese exhibited significant and positive relationship with fruit length (0.889, 793, 0.671 and 0.619, respectively), diameter (0.875, 0.807, 0.653 and 0.576, respectively) weight (0.881, 0.784, 0.669 and 0.615, respectively), volume (0.885, 0.832, 0.692 and 0.572, respectively) TSS (0.858, 0.761, 0.735 and 0.609, respectively), total sugars (0.853, 0.890, 0.705 and 0.517, respectively) and yield (0.777, 0.618, 0.789 and 0.701, respectively). It is therefore suggested that nutrients have effect on quality and yield of pear fruits.

Effect of post-harvest calcium chloride dip treatment and gamma irradiation on storage quality and shelf-life extension of Red delicious apple.

Freshly harvested Red delicious apples were dipped in calcium chloride solution of varying concentrations (0.5-2.0% w/v) for 1 h prior to irradiation at dose level of 0.4 kGy. Fruits after radiation treatment were stored at 2 ± 1°C, RH 90% and evaluated at intervals of 30 days for various quality parameters. Results revealed significant (p ≤ 0.05) retention in firmness, juice yield and ascorbic acid content in samples treated with combination of calcium chloride at 2.0% w/v and gamma irradiation (0.4 kGy) during storage. Water soluble pectin was inversely correlated with firmness (r = 0.88) and was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower in samples subjected to combination treatment of 2.0% w/v CaCl2 and 0.4 kGy irradiation throughout the storage. The combination treatment of 2.0% CaCl2 and 0.4 kGy irradiation gave about 4.3 log reduction in yeast and mold count of apple samples. Results of the post refrigeration weight loss, firmness and overall acceptability revealed that combination treatment was helpful in extending the shelf-life of Red Delicious apples by around 20-25 days at 17 ± 2°C, RH 75% following 90 days of refrigeration.

Fabrication of 1,4-dioxane sensor based on microwave assisted PAni-SiO2 nanocomposites.

In this study, conducting polyaniline (PAni) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanocomposites (NCs) were synthesized for chemical sensing applications by microwave assisted reaction technique. Facile synthesis and characterization of the PAni-SiO2 nanocomposites were investigated in details and discussed in this report. For the potential application, 1,4-dioxane chemical sensor was fabricated with the PAni-SiO2 nanocomposites deposited onto glassy carbon electrode (GCE). A very thin uniform film was deposited onto GCE with nanocomposite by using conducting 5% nafion binder at room conditions. To evaluate the sensor analytical performances, a calibration plot such as current versus concentration of 1,4-dioxane was drawn and calculated the analytical parameters from the slope of calibration curve. Results are found as sensitivity (0.5934 µAµmol-1 L-2 cm-2), detection limit (16.0 ±â€¯0.8 pmol L-1), and quantification limit (LOQ; 53.3 ±â€¯1.5 pmol L-1) in this observation. Considering the linear region in calibration plot, the linear dynamic range of 1,4-dioxane chemical sensor was found (0.12 nmol L-1 ∼ 1.2 mmol L-1). Besides this, the proposed 1,4-dioxane chemical sensor was exhibited good reproducibility, long-term stability, high accuracy in detecting of 1,4-dioxane in real environmental samples. This research is to develop of a selective and an efficient electrochemical sensor. It might be a simple and easy way by applying electrochemical method to ensure the safe and sustainable green environment.

Structures and properties of Mg0.95Mn0.01TM0.04O (TM = Co, Ni, and Cu) nanoparticles synthesized by sol-gel auto combustion technique.

The room temperature structural, optical and dielectric properties of Mg0.95Mn0.05O and Mg0.95Mn0.01TM0.04O (TM = Co, Ni, and Cu) nanoparticles are reported. All transition metal nanocrystalline samples were successfully prepared by sol-gel auto combustion method. X-ray powder diffraction patterns at room temperature confirmed the formation of single-phase cubic structure with an Fm3̄m space group for all prepared samples. Slight variation in the lattice parameter of TM doped Mg0.95Mn0.05O has been observed. Using Rietveld refinement of XRD data, the space group and lattice parameters are determined. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements were performed to understand the morphology and grain size of the Mg0.95Mn0.01TM0.04O (TM = Co, Ni, and Cu) nanocrystals. The estimated band gaps as calculated by using UV-Vis spectroscopy are found to be 3.59, 3.61, 5.63 and 3.55 eV for Mg0.95Mn0.05O and Mg0.95Mn0.01TM0.04O (TM = Co, Ni, and Cu) nanocrystals, respectively. Both dielectric constant and dielectric loss is found to decrease due to TM (transition metal) doping. The ac conductivity is found to increase with increase in frequency. Electric modulus spectra reflect the contributions from grain effects: the large resolved semicircle arc caused by the grain effect. The results obtained in this study were discussed comparatively with those cited in the literature.

What is cardiac resynchronisation therapy and who will benefit?

Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy (CRT) has been used extensively over the last years in the therapeutic management of the patients with end stage heart failure based on the data of large randomized trials on CRT. CRT improves symptoms, exercise capacity, quality of life and echocardiographic indices of severe systolic heart failure besides reduction in heart failure related hospitalizations and improvement in survival. However, there may be some non-responders as well. There is on-going research, which will identify patients without conventional indications for CRT so as to improve the responder rate. Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) techniques will assume an important role in identifying patients for CRT.

A prospective randomized trial of intraoperative bupivacaine irrigation for management of shoulder-tip pain following laparoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative shoulder-tip pain (STP) frequently occurs following laparoscopic surgery. In an attempt to abrogate this complication we prospectively evaluated the efficacy of intraoperative irrigation of the diaphragm with bupivacaine. METHODS: One hundred and five consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery were prospectively randomized to treatment or control groups. Treatment group (B, n = 55) received irrigation with 10 mL 0.5% bupivacaine in 500 mL saline and control group (A, n = 50) received an equal volume of normal saline. Each dome of the diaphragm was irrigated with 250 mL of either solution at the end of surgery. Laparoscopic procedures performed included cholecystectomy (n = 63), Nissen fundoplication (n = 21), appendicectomy (n = 7), hernia repair (n = 4), and diagnostic laparoscopy (n = 10). Patients' anesthesia and perioperative analgesia were standardized. STP was recorded on a visual analogue pain scale (VAPS) in the recovery room immediately following surgery and at 4, 10, and 24 hours thereafter. RESULTS: The overall incidence of STP in patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures was approximately 24%. Twenty-one patients (42%) in the control group and 4 patients (7%) in the treatment group complained of shoulder pain during the recording period (P = 0.003). Mean STP scores as recorded on VAPS were significantly lower in the bupivacaine group than in the control group from 4 to 24 hours after surgery (P < 0.01). Postoperative analgesia requirements were also significantly reduced in those patients receiving bupivacaine irrigation (P < 0.04). CONCLUSION: Intraperitoneal irrigation with bupivacaine to both hemidiaphragms at the end of surgery significantly reduces both frequency and intensity of STP following laparoscopic procedures thus reducing patient morbidity.

Management of Mirizzi syndrome: a new surgical approach.

BACKGROUND: In a prospective study of a patient population of 1,340 with biliary calculus disease, that ran from January 1993 to December 1997, 34 patients (2.53%) were identified as having Mirizzi syndrome. Eight patients were found to have type I (A and B) and 26 patients were found to have type II Mirizzi syndrome. A history of recurrent biliary colic and jaundice was present in the majority of patients. METHODS: Ultrasonography was helpful in five patients and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was helpful in 17 patients in the diagnosis of this condition. Because the amount of gall bladder tissue used in choledochoplasty is not yet standardized, a new policy regarding choledochoplasty was adopted. In type IA, retrograde cholecystectomy with simple closure of cystic duct was carried out. In type IB, retrograde cholecystectomy and choledochoplasty with 5 mm cuff of the gall bladder was carried out. In type II lesions the procedure depended on the size of fistula. Patients with fistula sizes of less than one-third of the common bile duct diameter underwent choledochoplasty with 5 mm cuff of the gall bladder, and patients with fistula sizes between one-third and two-thirds of the diameter of the common bile duct underwent choledochoplasty with 10 mm cuff of the gall bladder. Patients with fistula sizes of more than two-thirds of the common bile duct diameter underwent Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. RESULTS: There was no operative mortality and the complication rate was 17.64%. CONCLUSION: Although, out of 26 choledochoplasties, we encountered only one (3.84%) stump stone in a maximum follow-up period of 59 months, further long-term follow-up studies are required to prove the efficacy of the procedure.

Clinical spectrum of infective endocarditis: 15 years experience.

Four hundred and sixty-six patients (277 males, 189 females; mean age 23.2 years) diagnosed as cases of infective endocarditis during the past 15 years were retrospectively analysed. Two-thirds of patients belonged to the 15 to 35 years age group. The most common predisposing cardiac lesion was rheumatic heart disease seen in 73.4 percent patients. Mitral valve prolapse and right-sided endocarditis were infrequent, seen in four patients each. Blood culture positivity was 28.7 percent in adults and 61 percent in children. Commonest organism isolated was staphylococcus aureus in adults (39.3%) and streptococcus viridans in children (48%). Salmonella typhi was detected in 17 patients and showed excellent response to ciprofloxacin and gentamycin. Overall mortality was 13.9 percent and resistant heart failure was the leading cause of death. Our study presents the clinical spectrum of infective endocarditis and highlights the comparison with western studies.

Pulmonary function profile in chronic congestive heart failure and the effect of ipratropium bromide.

Twenty-five symptomatic patients of chronic heart failure were subjected to spirometry to detect abnormalities of pulmonary function and to assess the effect of ipratropium bromide in reversing or minimising these abnormalities. All the patients exhibited abnormal pulmonary function manifesting as obstructive (15/25) or restrictive (10/25) ventilatory defect. There was overall improvement in lung functions with ipratropium bromide especially in those with obstructive ventilatory defects and mostly comprised of smokers. Forced expiratory volume in one second increased by 47.7 percent (p < 0.02), forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity ratio by 14.1 percent (p < 0.001) and maximal voluntary ventilation by 40.6 percent (p < 0.05) in these patients. It is concluded that ipratropium bromide can prove as a promising adjunctive therapeutic intervention in improving quality of life in patients of chronic congestive heart failure who are incapacitated by dyspnoea and have clearly documented ventilatory defects.

Silent myocardial ischemia and cardiac autonomic neuropathy in diabetics.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of silent myocardial ischemia (SMI) with cardiac autonomic neuropathy in asymptomatic diabetic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred asymptomatic patients of diabetes mellitus were assessed for evidence of cardiac autonomic neuropathy. Of these, 30 (15 males, 15 females; mean age 44.7 +/- 8.8 years) were found to have cardiac autonomic neuropathy. Thirty (30) age and sex matched diabetic patients (mean age 42.4 +/- 7.6 years) who had no evidence autonomic neuropathy were included in the study as control group. Both the groups of patients were evaluated for SMI by 24 hour ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring. RESULTS: Incidence of SMI was significantly higher in patients with autonomic neuropathy 12/30 (40%) compared to those without 3/30 (10%) p < 0.001. Duration of diabetes was more (13 +/- 1.59 years) in patients with autonomic neuropathy compared to the control group (8.66 +/- 1.55 years) p < 0.001. Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in patients with autonomic neuropathy in comparison to control group < 0.05 and < 0.01, respectively. There was no difference in the pattern of SMI in the two groups (p = N.S). CONCLUSION: Cardiac autonomic neuropathy predisposes patients with diabetes mellitus to SMI. Twenty four hour ambulatory ECG monitoring provides useful diagnostic information in early detection and evaluation of SMI in asymptomatic diabetic patients.

The evaluation of the role of ultrasonography and ultrasound-guided aspiration as an initial screening test in blunt abdominal trauma.

The role of ultrasonography (US) as an initial screening test was evaluated in 3000 consecutive cases of blunt abdominal trauma (BAT). Seventy-three were positive for free fluid collection or organ injury. US-guided aspiration was used to rule out the hollow visceral injury in those referred to nonsurgical therapy. Sixty patients underwent laparotomy. These included 53 clinically unstable patients, three stable patients with positive US-guided aspiration for bile or intestinal contents and four who deteriorated upon conservative treatment. The remaining patients with US negative for fluid had some evidence of abdominal injury or clinical examination. Ultrasonography complemented the clinical examination. Both the sensitivity and specificity of US for the detection of free fluid were 100%. The overall sensitivity was 92% in spleen injuries, 88% in liver injuries and 100% in kidney injuries, with a positive predictive value of 96%, 100% and 100% and a specificity of 97%, 100% and 100% respectively. Retrospective correlation of US with laparotomy findings regarding free fluid showed that 50-100 mL of free fluid was minimal, 100-500 mL moderate, and above 500 mL significant. Thirteen patients completed conservative treatment with an uneventful course in the hospital. Both the US findings and the clinical condition of the patient should be considered in decision-making in BAT. Unnecessary laparotomies can be avoided when the major bleeding site is not in the abdomen and such patients can be safely observed after excluding the hollow visceral injury by US-guided aspiration. US, being rapid to perform, sensitive and easily repeatable, is quite useful as an initial screening test in BAT patients.

A novel method for preparing stoichiometric SnO(2) thin films at low temperature.

Tin oxide is a well known nonstoichiometric material with dual valency. The invariance of stoichiometry is very intriguing. As of today no report is available for preparing perfect stoichiometric tin oxide. Here we report a novel method to prepare stoichiometric tin oxide by modifying the known plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition technique using SnCl(4)-xH(2)O as precursor and O(2) as reactant gas at various temperatures from 300 to 800 degrees C. Tetragonal rutile structure of SnO(2) was found, grown along the [110] direction. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic measurement showed constant Sn/O ratio. Sn 3d and O 1s were found composed of only Sn(4+) (487.2 eV) and O-Sn(4+) (531.2 eV) with equal peak widths. Raman band intensity ( approximately 633 cm(-1)) was found increasing with temperature, indicating the morphological changes. Sheet resistance of approximately 0.5 kOmega/at 300 degrees C was measured that reduces to approximately 0.1 kOmega/at 600 degrees C. It is found that film stoichiometry remains unaltered, while the structural morphology changes significantly.

Hydatid cyst of the pancreas.

A rare case of hydatid cyst of the pancreas is reported. Although ultrasonography and computerised tomography scan confirmed the presence of a cystic mass in the body and tail of the pancreas, diagnosis was made only on laparotomy. A distal pancreatectomy was done and the diagnosis of hydatid cyst of the pancreas was confirmed by histopathology. Though very rare, pancreatic hydatidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic lesions of the pancreas in the appropriate epidemiological setting.

Unusual dysmorphic features in five patients with Noonan's syndrome: a brief review.

Noonan's syndrome is a relatively common, multiple congenital anomaly syndrome, genetically inherited as an autosomal dominant disorder with variable penetrance. It is defined by a characteristic phenotype, congenital heart disease, ocular defects and mild mental retardation. Molecular studies have confirmed that it is a heterogeneous disorder and there may be evidence for an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.1 The gene responsible for Noonan' syndrome has been mapped to the long arm of chromosome 12.2,3 The human deltex gene (DLT x 1), mapping to chromosomal region 12q24 in the vicinity of the Noonan's syndrome critical region is being evaluated as a candidate gene for this disorder.4 Various types of musculoskeletal abnormalities have been reported, including short stature, craniofacial dysmorphism, short or webbed neck and fetal pads in fingers and toes.5 We report five cases with the unusual physical features of overriding toes and simian creases. Such abnormalities can be considered among the minor manifestations of the syndrome.