Prevalence of Ruminant Paramphistomosis and Comparative Histopathology of the Infected Rumens in Narowal District, Punjab, Pakistan.

The present study reports the prevalence of Paramphistomum spp. in small and large ruminants and their association with the histopathology of the infected rumens. A total of 384 animals were screened for Paramphistomum spp. The animals found positive for Paramphistomum spp. were divided into three groups according to the worm load/5 cm2 (G1: 10 - 20 worms/5 cm2 = Low, G2: 20 - 40 worms/5 cm2 = Medium, and G3: >41 worms/5 cm2 = High). Tissue slides were prepared from samples of the rumen (1 cm2) taken from animals positive for ruminal fluke to determine the histological parameters, including epithelial length or thickness, length and width of the ruminal papilla, and thickness of tunica submucosa and mucularis externae. The overall prevalence of Paramphistomum spp. in the ruminant population of district Narowal was 56.25 % with a significant (P < 0.05) variation among different species of ruminants. The highest prevalence was in cattle, followed in order by buffalo, goat, and sheep. Epithelium thickness was significantly correlated with parasite load in large ruminants and the most significant (P < 0.05) decrease in epithelium thickness was in Group B (31.12 ± 1.82 µm) and Group C (31.07 ± 1.68 µm) and a same trend was recorded in small ruminants. Histopathological changes due to Paramphistomum spp. are reported for the first time, which explained the histomorphological and physiological changes in Paramphistomum-infected rumens which might be associated with lowered feed efficiency and productivity in ruminants.

Effects of Bacillus sp. MR-1/2 and magnetite nanoparticles on yield improvement of rice by urea fertilizer under different watering regimes.

AIMS: The present research aimed to examine the use of magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) in combination with phyto-beneficial rhizobacterium (PhBR) for improvement of applied N recovery (ANR) from urea fertilizer in rice grown under deficient and optimum watering conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Bacillus sp. MR-1/2 was positive for acetylene reduction, phosphate solubilization and ACC deaminase activity at temperature ranges 35-45°C. In a pot experiment, urea, MNPs and Bacillus sp. MR-1/2 were applied either alone or in combination to rice plants grown in pots under water deficit and optimal watering conditions. Combined application of urea, MNPs and Bacillus sp. MR-1/2 increased the plant N content and ANR by 27 and 65%, respectively, over their respective control values in rice grown under optimum watering conditions, whereas these increases were 27 and 41%, respectively, in rice grown under water deficit conditions. This treatment also increased the kernel weight and plant dry matter by 36 and 60%, respectively, over control (urea alone) values in rice grown under water deficit conditions, whereas these increases were 31 and 21·8%, respectively, in rice grown under optimum watering conditions. Values of malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase and ethylene concentration were higher in control treatment under both the watering regimes. The application of Bacillus sp. MR-1/2 either alone or in combination with MNPs and urea reduced MDA contents, APX, catalase and ethylene production in the rice plants. CONCLUSION: The combined application of MNPs+Bacillus sp. MR-1/2 reduced the N losses from applied urea, increased N uptake and ANR in rice, decreased MDA contents, APX and catalase activity and ethylene level in rice grown under deficit and optimum water conditions. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The application of MNPs together with Bacillus sp. MR-1/2 may help to increase ANR and rice productivity under water deficit conditions with low cost of production.

Genotyping for Dombrock blood group alleles in Northern Pakistani blood donors.

Genotyping can be used to identify rare blood group antigens and to solve suspected blood group discrepancies, particularly when serologic methods are limited. Unfortunately, only a few such studies have been performed in Pakistan. The present study was conducted to determine the frequency of Dombrock blood group alleles by genotyping samples from blood donors from the north of Pakistan. Blood samples were taken with consent from 300 blood donors; DNA was extracted and tested for DO*01 and DO*02 alleles by sequence-specific primer polymerase chain reaction (PCR-SSP), followed by gel electrophoresis. Allele frequencies were calculated. The observed and expected genotype frequencies were compared using the χ2 test. The allele frequencies for DO*01 and DO*02 were 0.40 and 0.60, respectively. Genotype frequencies were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. This study in Pakistani blood donors provides Dombrock blood group allele frequencies by PCR-SSP. This approach is efficient and economical and can be applied in developing countries. The findings can contribute to the development of in-house red blood cell panels, identification of rare blood types, and establishment of a national rare blood donor program.Genotyping can be used to identify rare blood group antigens and to solve suspected blood group discrepancies, particularly when serologic methods are limited. Unfortunately, only a few such studies have been performed in Pakistan. The present study was conducted to determine the frequency of Dombrock blood group alleles by genotyping samples from blood donors from the north of Pakistan. Blood samples were taken with consent from 300 blood donors; DNA was extracted and tested for DO*01 and DO*02 alleles by sequence-specific primer polymerase chain reaction (PCR-SSP), followed by gel electrophoresis. Allele frequencies were calculated. The observed and expected genotype frequencies were compared using the χ2 test. The allele frequencies for DO*01 and DO*02 were 0.40 and 0.60, respectively. Genotype frequencies were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. This study in Pakistani blood donors provides Dombrock blood group allele frequencies by PCR-SSP. This approach is efficient and economical and can be applied in developing countries. The findings can contribute to the development of in-house red blood cell panels, identification of rare blood types, and establishment of a national rare blood donor program.

Inoculation of pqqE gene inhabiting Pantoea and Pseudomonas strains improves the growth and grain yield of wheat with a reduced amount of chemical fertilizer.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was performed to examine the role of pqqE inhabiting rhizobacteria in organic acid production and relationship of the organic acids with phosphate solubilization by the bacteria in vitro as well as in vivo. METHODS AND RESULTS: The pqqE gene was PCR amplified and sequenced in genomic DNA of Pantoea sp. WP-5 and Pseudomonas sp. NN-4. Nucleotide sequence obtained from WP-5 and NN-4 showed maximum sequence similarity (88 and 89%, respectively) with the pqqE gene of Pseudomonas fluorescens strain CMR12a (KM251420). Deduced amino acid sequence from pqqE gene of Pseudomonas sp. NN-4 and Pantoea sp. WP-5 showed 75 and 93% similarity, respectively, with protein pyrroloquinoline quinone. Phosphate solubilization and acid production assay were quantified on spectrophotometer and high-profile liquid chromatograph, respectively, by each bacterial strain. Both strains produced organic acids such as acetic, citric, gluconic, succinic and malic acid and lowered the pH of Pikovskaya broth medium under laboratory conditions. Phosphate solubilization by Pantoea sp. WP-5 was 311 ± 4 and 204 ± 3 µg ml-1 in the culture medium supplemented with glucose and sucrose as carbon source, respectively. Pseudomonas sp. NN-4 solubilized 176 ± 3 and 298 ± 5 µg ml-1 phosphate in Pikovskaya broth medium under similar conditions. In field experiments conducted during two consecutive years, the concentration of acetic acid and gluconic acid was higher in root exudates of plants treated with Pantoea sp. WP-5 at 30% reduced doses of nitrogen (N)- and phosphorus (P)-based chemical fertilizers as compared to non-inoculated plants. Values of chlorophyll contents, crop growth rate, leaf area index, straw yield and P contents were recorded higher in plants inoculated with Pantoea sp. WP-5 and Pseudomonas sp. NN-4 as compared to non-inoculated control. Grain yield was increased by 10-12% due to inoculation with Pantoea sp. WP-5 and Pseudomonas sp. NN-4 over non-inoculated control in the field experiments. CONCLUSIONS: These results lead to the conclusions that the rhizobacteria inhabiting pqqE gene produced organic acids and solubilized the phosphate in vitro. On inoculation to wheat plants in field experiments, these strains produced the organic acids, solubilized the phosphate, and improved the P uptake and productivity of wheat. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The Pantoea sp. WP-5 and Pseudomonas sp. NN-4 are the potential candidates for inoculation to wheat as phosphate solubilizer even with reduced chemical fertilizer dose. The inoculation of the strains may enhance grain yield and net income of the farmer even with less chemical fertilizer application. This practice will be helpfull inminimizing environmental pollution.

Effect of CuSO4 and nano copper on serum antioxidant capacity in Weaned piglets.

Copper is the most essential trace element in the animal body. Nano-sized copper particles have been widely used in a number of different animal species in modern medicinal practice. The present study was designed to examine the effect of dietary copper sulfate/(CuSO4) and nano copper supplementation on serum antioxidant capacity of weaning piglets. A total of 28 Duroc piglets (21 days, and weighing ~7 kg) were randomly divided into three equal groups. The control group (n=4) was administered with a normal standard diet; however the CuSO4 (n=12) and nano copper (n=12) groups were treated with 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day body weight, respectively. After 28 days, blood serum copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD), ceruloplasmin (CP), malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), peroxidase (POD), nitric oxide (NO), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and inhibition of hydroxyl radical (CIHR) were analyzed from all groups. The results indicated that nano copper supplementation has significant (P less than 0.05) effect on the serum antioxidant capability as compared to dietary CuSO4 group in weaned piglets. Nano-size copper 100 mg/kg/day supplementation was confirmed to improve the immunity level by strengthening the antioxidant capacity of weaning piglets. Dietary supplementation with 100 mg/kg body weight nano copper could be a potential substitute for weaned piglets.

exomeSuite: Whole exome sequence variant filtering tool for rapid identification of putative disease causing SNVs/indels.

Exome and whole-genome analyses powered by next-generation sequencing (NGS) have become invaluable tools in identifying causal mutations responsible for Mendelian disorders. Given that individual exomes contain several thousand single nucleotide variants and insertions/deletions, it remains a challenge to analyze large numbers of variants from multiple exomes to identify causal alleles associated with inherited conditions. To this end, we have developed user-friendly software that analyzes variant calls from multiple individuals to facilitate identification of causal mutations. The software, termed exomeSuite, filters for putative causative variants of monogenic diseases inherited in one of three forms: dominant, recessive caused by a homozygous variant, or recessive caused by two compound heterozygous variants. In addition, exomeSuite can perform homozygosity mapping and analyze the variant data of multiple unrelated individuals. Here we demonstrate that filtering of variants with exomeSuite reduces datasets to a fraction of a percent of their original size. To the best of our knowledge this is the first freely available software developed to analyze variant data from multiple individuals that rapidly assimilates and filters large data sets based on pattern of inheritance.

A semiconductor laser with monolithically integrated dynamic polarization control.

We report the first demonstration of a semiconductor laser monolithically integrated with an active polarization controller, which consists of a polarization mode converter followed by an active, differential phase shifter. High speed modulation of the device output polarization is demonstrated via current injection to the phase shifter section.

In vitro and in vivo anthelmintic response of the seeds of Amomum subulatum roxb and Vitex negundo.

The current study was designed to check the anthelmintic activities of some local plants. Seeds of Amomum (A.) subulatum and Vitex (V.) negundo in different solvents were subjected to in vitro (adult motility assay; AMA and egg hatch assay; EHA) and in vivo (faecal egg count reduction test; FECRT) anthelmintic activity testing protocols using Haemonchus (H.) contortus as an experimental model. The results of AMA, EHA, and FECRT were statistically analysed through linear regression and Duncan multiple range test. In AMA test, at 50 mg mL-1 concentration, the percent mortality of H. contortus was higher in A. subulatum than V. negundo, whereas, in EHA test, A. subulatum was proven better ovicidal (LC50=14.2 µg mL-1) than V. negundo (LC50= 65.7405 µg mL-1). The FECRT also indicated the better efficacy of A. subulatum than V. negundo against natural infection of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites. The crude powder of plants used in this study showed 29.6% to 57.7% anthelmintic. The reduction rate was found higher for A. subulatum (3 g kg-1) as compared to V. negundo (7 g kg-1). Reagrding efficacy analysis of solvents used for plants extract, ethyl acetate and chloroform were found better in increasing ovicidal activity in adult worms (in vitro testing), whereas, the crude aqueous methanol was found better than the crude powders in in vivo testing. It will be beneficial to document the indigenous knowledge to standard scientific procedures for their validation. This study will help to motivate the farmers to make a better choice of cultivation of the indigenous plants because of their varying efficacies as an alternative preventive approach against the GI parasitic infections.

An association between exposure to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and mortality rate of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to find an association between exposure of a population to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and mortality rate due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) across different countries worldwide. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To find the relationship between exposure to MERS-CoV and mortality rate due to SARS-CoV-2, we collected and analyzed data of three possible factors that may have resulted in an exposure of a population to MERS-CoV: (1) the number of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) cases reported among 16 countries since 2012; (2) data of MERS-CoV seroprevalence in camels across 23 countries, as working with camels increase risk of exposure to MERS-CoV; (3) data of travel history of people from 51 countries to Saudi Arabia was collected on the assumption that travel to a country where MERS is endemic, such as, Saudi Arabia, could also lead to exposure to MERS-CoV. RESULTS: We found a significantly lower number of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) deaths per million (deaths/M) of a population in countries that are likely to be exposed to MERS-CoV than otherwise (t-stat=3.686, p<0.01). In addition, the number of COVID-19 deaths/M of a population was significantly lower in countries that reported a higher seroprevalence of MERS-CoV in camels than otherwise (t-stat=4.5077, p<0.01). Regression analysis showed that increased travelling history to Saudi Arabia is likely to be associated with a lower mortality rate due to COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides empirical evidence that a population that was at an increased risk of exposure to MERS-CoV had a significantly lower mortality rate due to SARS-CoV-2, which might be due to cross-protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in that population because of an earlier exposure to MERS-CoV.

The relationship of D-dimer levels with risk for developing deep-vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary thromboembolism after orthopaedic trauma surgery.

BACKGROUND: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are common complications in trauma patients. Fibrin-related markers (FRMs), such as fibrin and fibrinogen degradation products (FDPs), D-dimer, and soluble fibrin (SF), are considered to be useful for the diagnosis of thrombosis (DVT). OBJECTIVE: We report on 3-month follow-up of fibrinolytic activity after Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery (OTS). METHODS: Patients who entered the study were divided into (group 1) patients who did not develop DVT/PE after OTS while patients who developed DVT/PE were included in (group 2). Blood samples were obtained on day of surgery and postoperative days 1, 7 and 30, and assayed for blood counts, C-reactive protein (CRP), and D-dimers. Demographic and clinical data were also collected. RESULTS: Postoperative levels of D-dimers of both groups increased on day 1, and remained elevated on day 30. Postoperative levels of D-dimers on day 1, 7 and 30 were higher in group 2 (p < 0.05). There were no differences in perioperative levels of CRP between groups, and they correlated with D-dimers both preoperatively and on day 30. Taken together, these data suggest that orthopaedic trauma surgery induced an activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis. This situation lasts at least as late as 30 days after surgery. CONCLUSION: The D-dimer levels were significantly higher in patients developing DVT/PE post OTS.

A rare case of thiamine-responsive megaloblastic anaemia syndrome: a disorder of high-affinity thiamine transport.

A three year old boy presented with sensory neural hearing loss since birth, Diabetes mellitus and anaemia. On investigation he was found to be suffering from thiamine responsive megaloblastic anaemia (TRMA) a very rare condition diagnosed in our settings.

Priapism in association with sickle cell anemia in Saudi Arabia.

A questionnaire study of 42 Saudi patients with sickle cell anemia revealed that none of them had ever suffered from priapism. A comparison of hematological parameters between Jamaican priapism patients and Saudi non-priapism patients suggested that high Hb F levels and hypochromic microcytosis in Saudi patients might play an important role in preventing this complication.

Pathological fracture of vertebral column in association with sickle cell anemia in Saudi Arabia.

We describe two cases of sickle cell anemia who were admitted in the hospital with the complaint of backache. X-ray examination and bone scan revealed pathological fracture of vertebral column. These cases are of interest since sickle cell anemia in the Eastern part of Saudi Arabia is reported to run a relatively 'benign' course.

Relationship of haemoglobin F and alpha thalassaemia to severity of sickle-cell anaemia in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

To define the natural history of sickle cell anaemia a cord blood screening programme was initiated and during the first 3 years a total of 129 newborns with FS phenotype were detected, of whom 83 infants were followed up regularly. Forty-three of them had attained the ages of between 1 and 3 years and the analysis of their data revealed that in 21 of 43 cohort children (14 FS and 7 FS + Barts) who had almost identically raised levels of haemoglobin F, the clinical manifestations of the disease appeared to be influenced by the size of the RBC, with the microcytic group having a relatively milder clinical course as compared with the normocytics. Similar observations were made in about 50% (47/93) of non-cohort older children and adults with sickle-cell anaemia, suggesting that alpha thalassaemia in combination with increased levels of fetal haemoglobin was probably an important predictor of the clinical severity in patients with sickle-cell anaemia in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Serum immunoglobulin and complement levels in patients with sickle cell anaemia from eastern province of Saudi Arabia.

Serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgM) and complement (C3, C4) levels were determined in 61 sickle cell anaemia patients of various age groups and both sexes in their steady state by nephelometry. Serum IgG was found to be consistently elevated in 46% cases of all age groups. Increase in the levels of IgA, IgM and in the complement values (C3, C4) was also observed. Although the mechanism responsible for these variations was unclear, however, this study gave an idea about the general pattern of serum immunoglobulin and complement levels in sickle cell anaemia patients from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.