Observations on presumptive lumpy skin disease in native cattle and Asian water buffaloes around the tiger reserves of the central Indian highlands.

CASE HISTORY: Between August and October 2020, following the monsoon, signs of lumpy skin disease (LSD) were recorded and described in 154 oxen, 34 cows, 13 calves (Bos indicus) and two Asian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) cows belonging to smallholder farmers in 32 villages located around the Kanha and Bandhavgarh tiger reserves in the state of Madhya Pradesh, central India. Affected animals were subjected to a full clinical examination and detailed findings were recorded in a clinical register. A semi-structured questionnaire was attached to the existing clinical register format to gather information on the clinical disease history and animal husbandry practices relevant to the spread of LSD virus. CLINICAL FINDINGS: The affected animals were between 4 months and 14 years of age (mean 6.4 (SD 2.5) years). Persistent high temperature, depression, anorexia, and characteristic round nodules (lumps) on the skin were reported. The nodules were 2-5 cm in diameter and spread over the face, ears, neck, back, perineum, scrotum, legs, tail, udder, and nasal and oral mucosa. Secondary complications of myiasis (n = 39), mastitis (n = 16) and ulcerative lesions on legs were noticed. Death was reported for one animal (0.5%). The affected animals' recovery times were variable (mean 18.4 (SD 2.7) days). There was a significant positive correlation between delay in initiating treatment and the duration of sickness. Reduction in milk yield of 30-55% was reported in Bos indicus cows. DIAGNOSIS: Clinical findings and treatment responses consistent with lumpy skin disease and its sequelae. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The presumptive LSD outbreak caused serious economic loss to the animal keepers. LSD is a new disease for India and in the absence of active immunisation, efficient vector control, animal movement control and stall-feeding practice, it will inevitably become endemic in the country. The severe impacts resulting from the introduction of a new disease to a previously unaffected country highlight the need for iterative improvements in global transboundary disease surveillance. The value of clinical examination and recording of findings is demonstrated in the context of smallholder farming systems with limited access to laboratory diagnosis, which are common around the world. The description of an LSD outbreak in naïve populations of cattle and buffalo illustrates the need for increased awareness of the associated clinical signs and maintenance of high levels of biosecurity in hitherto disease-free countries.

A Rare Case of Large Hydatidiform Mole Mimicking a Term Pregnancy.

Molar pregnancy is a type of abnormal pregnancy that usually presents with amenorrhea, vaginal bleeding and elevated serum ß-hCG levels. We report a rare case of complete hydatidiform mole occurring in a 46-year-old P2L2 lady who presented with a term size uterus and elevated serum ß-hCG level (> 15,00,000 per deciliter, anemia (hemoglobin: 8.1 g/dL), difficulty in breathing and minimal vaginal bleeding. During the course of her evaluation, she had profuse vaginal bleeding, she underwent suction and evacuation, but bleeding was not controlled despite measures to control it. She was given uterotonics and antifibrinolytic agents and uterine artery ligation. But was proceeded with emergency hysterectomy for uncontrolled hemorrhage. The content of suction and evacuation was vesicles with blood clots and histopathology was reported as complete hydatidiform mole. The patient received a total of 4 units of packed red blood cells. She was discharged from hospital on 5th postoperative day and was followed up serial serum ß-hCG level. Therefore, complete mole can present with enlarged uterus, vaginal bleeding and anemia. It is also important to note that intractable bleeding following suction and evacuation not being controlled with uterotonics and antifibrinolytic agents and uterine artery ligation may require hysterectomy to save the patient's life.

Comparative Study of Rhodamine B degradation by Tio2 nanoparticles synthesized from titanium sec butoxide and its chloroacetato derivatves.

TiO2 has been well recognized as a proficient photocatalyst. TiO2 nanoparticles have been synthesized from titanium sec butoxide (1) and its monochloroacetate derived compounds. The modifications of Ti(OsBu)4 with monochloroacetic acid in 1:1 and 1:2 molar ratios afforded Ti(OsBu)3(OOCCH2Cl) (2) and Ti(OsBu)2(OOCCH2Cl)2 (3), respectively. The use of monochloroacetic acid as a modifier allows the control of both the degree of condensation and oligomerization of the precursor. The cross linking of the gel and connectivity of the molecular building blocks are lowered in these heteroleptic alkoxides which results in the formation of gels instead of crystalline precipitate. This modification of the precursors leads to the generation of new building blocks which significantly affect the properties of the resulting TiO2. TiO2 powders were prepared via sol-gel method from these precursors and calcined at 400°C and 600°C for 4 h. Phase and morphology of the prepared metal oxide nanoparticles were studied. XRD patterns showed TiO2 in anatase phase. After coating with the surfactant trioctyl phosphinoxide (TOPO), TiO2 particles were dispersed in chloroform to study the particle size and distribution. The optical properties were studied by UV-VIS drs. The photocatalytic activity was studied over the degradation of Rhodamine B under UV radiation.

Can eye donation rates be increased in hospitals: a pilot study in a tertiary care hospital in North India?

INTRODUCTION: There is a huge need to increase the corneal donation rates worldwide. The tertiary care hospitals can play a pivotal role in this as these hospitals manage a large number of terminally sick patients. Traditionally the thrust of such hospitals is providing specialized medical care and something like eye donation does not get the attention it deserves. In this scenario, can such institutes contribute to increase eye donation rates? METHOD: An intervention involving all the main stakeholders in promoting eye donation, namely nurses, counsellors & the management of the institute, was put into place. The results of this intervention, i.e. the corneas procured by the institute, was measured over a post intervention period of one year. RESULT: The study showed a significant increase in the number of corneas procured by the institute post intervention. DISCUSSION: Hospitals can play a huge role in meeting the demand for corneas by scientifically implementing cornea retrieval programs. The study shows that by using technology & providing a dynamic leadership, hospitals can augment corneal donation rates.

In ovo carbohydrate supplementation modulates growth and immunity-related genes in broiler chickens.

A study was undertaken to investigate the role of in ovo administrated carbohydrates on the expression pattern of growth and immune-related genes. In ovo injections (n = 400) were carried out on the 14th day of incubation into the yolk sac/amnion of the broiler chicken embryos. Expression of growth-related genes: chicken growth hormone (cGH), insulin-like growth factor-I & II (IGF-I & II) and mucin were studied in hepatic and jejunum tissues of late-term embryo and early post-hatch chicks. Expression of candidate immune genes: Interleukin-2, 6, 10 and 12 (IL-2, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12), Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) were studied in peripheral blood monocyte cells of in ovo-injected and control birds following antigenic stimulation with sheep RBC (SRBC) or mitogen concanavalin A (Con-A). Glucose injection significantly increased the expression of IGF-II gene during embryonic period and both cGH and IGF-II in early post-hatch period, while ribose-injected chicks had higher expression of IGF-II gene during embryonic stage. Enhanced mucin gene expression was also observed in fructose-injected chicks during embryonic age. Glucose-injected chicks had higher expression of IL-6 or IL-10, while those injected with fructose or ribose had higher expression of IL-2, IL-12 and IFN gamma. It is concluded that in ovo supplementation of carbohydrates might help in improving the growth of late-term embryos and chicks. In ovo glucose could modulate humoral-related immunity, while fructose or ribose might help in improving the cellular immunity in broiler chickens.

Comparative study of seasonal variation in bacterial flora concomitant with farm raised fingerlings of Cyprinus carpio at tarai region of Uttarakhand.

The bacterial infection is an important economic and limiting factor in intensive fish production. The present study focuses on investigation of the bacterial population associated with farmed common carp fingerlings, its environment and limnological quality of pond, during winter and summer season. It was found that the bacterial count in the pond sediment (6.40 cfu x 10(4)) was about 10 times higher in comparison of pond water (6.93 cfu x 10(3)). Further, the intestinal bacterial count was about 100 times higher (6.67 cfu x 10(5)) during winter and 1000 times higher (2.33 cfu x 10(6)) during summer season in comparison to the surfacial skin of fish during winter and summer (3.39 and 8.87 cfu x 10(3)), respectively. The isolated bacteria were both Gram negative and Gram positive, mostly aerobic rods. Furthermore, the temperature showed a significant relation with the bacterial counts of pond water. In the summer season, higher bacterial counts (8.72 cfu x 10(3)) were recorded as compared to winter (5.13 cfu x 10(3)). The dominant bacteria isolated from the sample of pond water, pond sediment and fish were identified as Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas sp., Flavobacter sp., Bacillus sp., Micrococcus sp., Corynebacterium sp. Moreover, the bacterial density was dependent on C:N values, and the optimum range of C: N ratio was found between 16-23, for the carp culture ponds. Among the isolated bacterial flora, the presence of strains which were well known for their probiotic properties suggested an autochthonous source for use in aquaculture. Further, analysis of various physico-chemical parameters of pond water revealed that they were within the suitable range for the freshwater fish culture throughout farming phase.

Physiological and biochemical response in green mussel Perna viridis subjected to continuous chlorination: Perspective on cooling water discharge criteria.

Heavy infestation by Perna viridis has been observed in the sub-seabed seawater intake tunnel and CWS of a tropical coastal power station in-spite of continuous low dose chlorination regime (0.2 ± 0.1 mg L-1) (CLDC), indicating periodical settlement and growth. Continuous arrival of mussels (colonized in the sub seabed tunnel intake section) at the pump house indicated that the mussels were able to tolerate and survive in a chlorinated environment, for varying time periods and were dislodged when they become weak and subsequent death, leading to flushing out of the system. In the present study, effect of continuous chlorination [0.2 mg L-1 (in-plant use); 0.5 mg L-1 (shock dose) & 1.0 mg L-1 (high levels)] was evaluated on mussels to assess; (a) time taken for mortality, (b) action of chlorine on physiological, genetic, metabolic and neuronal processes. 100% mortality of mussels was observed after 15 (0.2 mg L-1); 9 (0.5 mg L-1) and 6 days (1.0 mg L-1) respectively. Extended valve closure due to chlorination resulted in stress, impairing the respiratory and feeding behavior leading to deterioration in mussel health. Pseudofaeces excretion reduced to 68% (0.2 mg L-1); 10% (0.5 mg L-1) and 89% (1.0 mg L-1) compared to controls. Genotoxicity was observed with increase in % tail DNA fraction in all treatments such as 86% (0.2 mg L-1); 76% (0.5 mg L-1) and 85% (1.0 mg L-1). Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) stress biomarkers increased drastically/peaked within the first 3 days of continuous chlorination with subsequent quenching by antioxidant enzymes. Gill produced highest generation of ROS; 38% (0.2 mg L-1); 97% (0.5 mg L-1); 98% (1.0 mg L-1). Additionally, it was shown that 84% (0.2 mg L-1), 72% (0.5 mg L-1), and 80.4% (1.0 mg L-1) of the neurotransmitter acetylcholinesterase activity was inhibited by chlorine at the nerve synapse. The cumulative impact of ROS generation, neuronal toxicity, and disrupted functions weakens the overall health of green mussels resulting in mortality.

Development of near homozygous lines for diploid hybrid TPS breeding in potatoes.

Diploid inbred-based F1 hybrid True Potato Seed (DHTPS) breeding is a novel technique to transform potato breeding and cultivation across the globe. Significant efforts are being made to identify elite diploids, dihaploids and develop diploid inbred lines for heterosis exploitation in potatoes. Self-incompatibility is the first obstacle for developing inbred lines in diploid potatoes, which necessitates the introgression of a dominant S locus inhibitor gene (Sli) for switching self-incompatibility to self-compatibility. We evaluated a set of 357 diploid clones in different selfing generations for self-compatibility and degree of homozygosity using Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers. A subset of 10 KASP markers of the Sli candidate region on chromosome 12 showed an association with the phenotype for self-compatibility. The results revealed that the selected 10 KASP markers for the Sli gene genotype could be deployed for high throughput rapid screening of self-compatibility in diploid populations and to identify new sources of self-compatibility. The homozygosity assessed through 99 KASP markers distributed across all the chromosomes of the potato genome was 20-78 % in founder diploid clones, while different selfing generations, i.e., S0, S1, S2 and S3 observed 36.1-80.4, 56.9-82.8, 59.5-85.4 and 73.7-87.8 % average homozygosity, respectively. The diploid plants with ∼80 % homozygosity were also observed in the first selfing generation, which inferred that homozygosity assessment in the early generations itself could identify the best plants with high homozygosity to speed up the generation of diploid inbred lines.

Prevalence of psychiatric morbidity amongst the community dwelling rural older adults in northern India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The population of elderly is growing globally and so are the physical illnesses and psychiatric morbidity. This study was planned to assess the prevalence and patterns of psychiatric morbidity amongst rural older adults in Lucknow, north India. METHODS: A survey was conducted in subjects aged 60 yr and above to identify the cases of psychiatric morbidity in rural population from randomly selected two revenue blocks of Lucknow district, Uttar Pradesh, India. All subjects were screened through Hindi Mental Status Examination (HMSE) and Survey Psychiatric Assessment Schedule (SPAS) to identify for the suspected cases of cognitive and the psychiatric disorders, respectively. The subjects screened positive on HMSE and SPAS were assessed in detail on Cambridge Mental Disorder of the Elderly Examination-Revised (CAMDEX-R) and Schedule for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN), to diagnose cognitive disorders and psychiatric disorders (other than the cognitive), respectively on the basis of International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10) diagnostic guidelines. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in rural older adults was found to be 23.7 per cent (95% CI=21.89-25.53). Mood (affective) disorders were the commonest (7.6%, 95% CI=6.51-8.80), followed by mild cognitive impairment (4.6%, 95% CI=3.72-5.53), mental and behavioural disorders due to substance use (4.0%, 95% CI=3.17-4.87) and dementia (2.8%) [Alzheimer's disease (2.4%, 95% CI=1.81-3.16) and vascular (0.4%, 95% CI=0.16-0.73)]. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Overall prevalence of psychiatric morbidity amongst rural elderly in this study was found to be less in comparison to those reported in earlier studies from India. However, prevalence pattern of different disorders was found to be similar. Therefore, it appears that a stringent methodology, refined case criteria for diagnosis and assessment by trained professionals restrict false diagnosis.

Comparative organoleptic quality of Indian major carps collected from pond and reservoir.

An attempt was made to distinguish the possible organoleptic differences between the pond reared and wild fish species of reservoirs and correlate these with the physicochemical characteristics of water bodies. The texture was found to firmer in wild varieties of fishes than pond reared fish, with best in Catla catla followed by Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala. All the cultured fishes had lighter colour than wild fish species which were darker in appearance. Comparatively, higher dissolved oxygen and transparency levels with low temperature and alkalinity levels were found in reservoirs. Hydrobiologically, the efficient ecosystem of reservoir was responsible for stronger texture and dark colouration in wild fish species. The fishes from reservoir exhibit tendency to lead active and agile life, comparatively the fishes from ponds are docile. Reservoirs have the potential of enhanced quality fish production.

Remote sensing study on geomorphological degradation of Sarda Sagar reservoir.

An attempt was made to estimate the geomorphological degradation due to sedimentation of Sarda Sagar reservoir, located in Pilibhit and Udhamsingh Nagar, district of Uttar Pradash and Uttarakhand respectively. The study was conducted using multidated IRS LIISS III remote sensing data for the year 2006-2007. Using satellite images of different seasons during 2006-2007, a total of 45.23 million m3 volume of sedimentation was computed in-between the 183.704 m and 190.504 m elevation. The reservoir has lost 11.72 % of the total capacity of water storage and an average rate of sedimentation was calculated as 0.26 % per year. Due to this sedimentation the new feeder channel of Sarda Sagar is choked with silt and the water flow from this channel has almost stopped. The morphology of the reservoir has been changed due to sedimentation during the period 1962 to 2007. This has altered breeding ground of fishes since important indigenous fish species which need flowing water condition to perform the breeding. This study would be helpful for the planners to manage the reservoir and to assess the biological productivity.

Digitalization of potato breeding program: Improving data collection and management.

A plant breeding program involves hundreds of experiments, each having number of entries, genealogy information, linked experimental design, lists of treatments, observed traits, and data analysis. The traditional method of arranging breeding program information and data recording and maintenance is not centralized and is always scattered in different file systems which is inconvenient for retrieving breeding information resulting in poor data management and the loss of crucial data. Data administration requires a significant amount of manpower and resources to maintain nurseries, trials, germplasm lines, and pedigree records. Further, data transcription in scattered spreadsheets and files leads to nomenclature and typing mistakes, which affects data analysis and selection decisions in breeding programs. The accurate data recording and management tools could improve the efficiency of breeding programs. Recent interventions in data management using computer-based breeding databases and informatics applications and tools have made the breeder's life easier. Because of its digital nature, the data obtained is improved even further, allowing for the acquisition of images, voice recording and other specific data kinds. Public breeding programs are far behind the industry in the use of data management tools and softwares. In this article, we have compiled the information on available data recording tools and breeding data management softwares with major emphasis on potato breeding data management.

A Prospective Comparative Study of Laparoscopic Totally Extraperitoneal (TEP) and Laparoscopic Transabdominal Preperitoneal (TAPP) Inguinal Hernial Repair.

Introduction Inguinal hernia is a common surgical problem throughout the world. Currently, the management options available are open mesh hernioplasty and laparoscopic mesh repair. Laparoscopic mesh repair can be performed by either transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair or totally extraperitoneal (TEP) repair. Many studies comparing the two procedures have been unable to establish the superiority of one procedure over the other and have yielded conflicting results. Thus, we performed this study to compare TAPP and TEP. Aim The aim of this study is to compare the clinical outcomes and safety of laparoscopic TEP and laparoscopic TAPP for inguinal hernia repair. Materials and methods Patients were randomly divided into two groups on the basis of surgical procedures. The first group of patients underwent laparoscopic TAPP mesh repair, and the second group of patients underwent laparoscopic TEP mesh repair. Their intraoperative and postoperative findings were noted. Patients were followed up at regular intervals for up to six months. Results The mean age and mean weight distribution between the two groups were not significant. The duration of surgery needed (in minutes) for TAPP was found to be significantly less compared to TEP. In the TEP group, conversion to open occurred for three subjects (6.7%) while there was no conversion in the TAPP group. Postoperative pain at 24 hrs was found to be higher in TAPP subjects compared to that in TEP subjects, but the difference was statistically insignificant. Tolerance to a liquid diet started few hours after surgery was found to be the same in both groups. Association of the duration of hospital stays with the type of surgery was not significant. Six subjects (13.2%) showed hematoma in the TEP group while five subjects (11%) in the TAPP group showed hematoma after one week of surgery. Eight subjects (17.6%) showed seroma in the TEP group while three subjects (15.4%) in the TAPP group showed seroma after one week of surgery. Two subjects (4.4%) showed superficial wound infection in both the TEP group and TAPP group after one week of surgery. Four subjects each (8.9%) showed scrotal edema in the TEP group as well as the TAPP group after one week of surgery. No subject showed port site hernia without closure of the sheath at one-week, one-month, and six-month follow-up visits. Two subjects (4.4%) each showed groin pain in the TEP group as well as the TAPP group after one week of surgery. There were no instances of bowel obstruction or mesh infection. Conclusion TEP is a more skill-demanding procedure as compared to TAPP and thus takes more time to perform. However, it is superior on account of not breaching the peritoneum. TAPP is favorable for larger hernias. The choice of procedure should be individualized according to the patient's characteristics and surgeon's preference.

The role of the male cloacal gland in reproductive success in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica).

The adult male Japanese quail has a well developed cloacal gland that produces meringue-like white foam. The physiological significance of the cloacal gland and its foam is still unclear. Therefore, we conducted two experiments to establish the functional role of the cloacal gland and its foam in natural mating and oviducal sperm transport. In the first experiment, artificial insemination of equal numbers of spermatozoa diluted in foam extract and normal saline once in a week were used to determine the role of foam in sperm transport in the female oviduct. After artificial insemination, eggs were collected to measure fertility, the duration of the fertile period, sperm holes and attached spermatozoa in the perivitelline membrane. Higher (P<0.05) fertility and greater duration of the fertile period were observed when semen was inseminated along with foam extract compared with normal saline. Further, the sperm holes and trapped spermatozoa in the perivitelline membrane were also higher (P<0.05) in the presence of foam extract. In the second experiment, two males with bigger and smaller cloacal gland areas were allowed to mate with a female. The mating attempts of males with larger cloacal gland were more successful (P<0.05) than males with smaller cloacal glands. Our results indicated that cloacal foam improves sperm transport in the female oviduct and that males with larger cloacal gland areas are preferred during mating.

Spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of phosphate in water and soil.

A simple spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of phosphate dissolved in soil and water. The method is based on the formation of phosphomolybdate with added ammonium molybdate followed by reduction with hydrazine in acidic medium. Orthophosphate and molybdate ions condense in acidic solution to give molybdophosphoric (phosphomolybdic) acid, which upon selective reduction (perhaps with hydrazinium sulphate) produces a blue colour, due to molybdenum blue of uncertain composition. The intensity of blue colour is proportional to the amount of phosphate. If the acidity at the time of reduction is 0.5 M in sulphuric acid and hydrazinium sulphate is the reductant, the resulting blue complex exhibits maximum absorption at 830 nm. The system obeys Lambert-Beer's law at 830 nm in the concentration range of 0.5-5 µg/mL of phosphate with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.1% and correlation coefficient of 0.99. Molar absorptivity was determined to be 2.9 × 104 L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 830 nm. The method is also applicable for the determination of phosphate in nuclear reprocessing plants, medical science, clinical science, agriculture, metallurgy and environmental science.

Effect of Dietary L-ascorbic Acid (L-AA) on Production Performance, Egg Quality Traits and Fertility in Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica) at Low Ambient Temperature.

Environmental stress boosts the levels of stress hormones and accelerates energy expenditure which subsequently imbalance the body's homeostasis. L-ascorbic acid (L-AA) has been recognized to mitigate the negative impact of environmental stress on production performances in birds. The present investigation was carried out to elucidate the effect of different dietary levels of L-AA on production performance, egg quality traits and fertility in Japanese quail at low ambient temperature. Sixty matured females (15 wks) were equally divided into three groups (20/group) based on the different dietary levels of L-AA (0, 250 and 500 ppm) and coupled with an equal number of males (1:1) obtained from the same hatch. They were managed in uniform husbandry conditions without restriction of feed and water at 14 h photo-schedule. Except for feed efficiency, body weight change, feed consumption and hen-day egg production were recorded highest in 500 ppm L-AA supplemented groups. Among the all egg quality traits studied, only specific gravity, shell weight and thickness differed significantly (p<0.05) in the present study. Fertility was improved significantly (p<0.01) to a dose dependent manner of L-AA. The findings of the present study concluded that dietary L-AA can be a caring management practice at least in part to alleviate the adverse effect of cold induced stress on production performance in Japanese quail.

Cytokines Expression and Nitric Oxide Production under Induced Infection to Salmonella Typhimurium in Chicken Lines Divergently Selected for Cutaneous Hypersensitivity.

In the present study, the impact of Salmonella Typhimurium on cell-mediated immunity (CMI) was investigated in 5 week-old immuno divergent broiler lines selected for the high and low response to phytohemagglutinin-P. The immune response was assessed in peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) induced with Salmonella Typhimurium at different time intervals (0 h, 0.5 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h). The differential mRNA expression patterns of IFN-γ, IL-2 and iNOS were evaluated by quantitative real time PCR. In-vitro production of nitric oxide (NO) was also estimated in the culture supernatant and correlated with iNOS mRNA expression. Present study showed higher production of NO in the high cell-mediated line (HCMI) as compared to the low cell-mediated line (LCMI) upon stimulation with Salmonella Typhimurium. Correspondingly, higher mRNA expression of iNOS and IFN-γ were observed in high response birds (HCMI); but IL-2 was down regulated in this line compared to the low response birds (LCMI). Significantly (p<0.05) higher expression of iNOS, IFN-γ and higher production of NO in high line indicated that the selection for PHA-P response might be employed for increasing the immune competence against Salmonella Typhimurium in chicken flocks.

Effect of a dietary supplement on the reduction of lymphedema-progression in mouse tail-cut model.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate in vivo, in a mouse tail model of lymphedema, the effects of a dietary supplement, Garlive®, based on hydroxytyrosol from olive leaves, spermidine from rice seeds, hesperidin from citrus fruits and vitamin A. Hydroxytyrosol has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and inhibits leukotriene B4 generation; spermidine is able to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators; hesperidin inhibits the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines: IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10; vitamin A deficiency was shown to induce inflammation and aggravate existing inflammatory states, whereas supplementation with vitamin A could ameliorate inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The active compounds were included in tablets: 250 mg of olive leaf extract titrated in 10% hydroxytyrosol, 200 mg of citrus fruits extract titrated in 60% hesperidin, 10 mg of rice (Oryza sativa) seeds extract titrated in 1% spermidine and 0.8 mg of vitamin A. Mice of an inbred group were randomly selected and divided in the control group and drug-treated group. The wound necessary for lymphedema generation was made on the tail of each mice 1 cm below the base of the trunk. RESULTS: After surgical intervention, there was a gradual increase in the circumference of both ends of the wound. The control group showed higher increase of tail volume than the drug-treated group. The differences in tail swelling between the control group and the drug-treated group were significantly different. The peak of swelling was anticipated to the 6th day in the drug-treated group, whereas in the control group the peak was reached later on. CONCLUSIONS: The tested drug prevented the induction of swelling from day 5th of wound creation and decreased the duration of swelling, favoring the wound healing.

Effectiveness of Interventional Strategies in Modulating Knowledge and Attitude of Health Care Professionals for Promoting Organ Donation: A Study in Tertiary Care Public Hospital of North India.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of interventional "educational module" on knowledge and attitude regarding organ donation amongst resident doctors and nurses in the Institute of National Importance. STUDY DESIGN: Interventional and prospective. METHODS: We devised an interactive educational module covering various aspects of organ donation through a series of audiovisual lectures and information booklets. Resident doctors and nurses posted in those areas of the 1948-bedded Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), where head injury patients were treated and were subject to intervention using this module. The pre and postinterventional scores of their knowledge and attitude regarding organ donation were compared to find out impact of the intervention. RESULTS: A total of 242 nurses and 87 resident doctors participated in this research. Higher knowledge score was observed preintervention amongst doctors as compared to nurses. Significant improvement was seen in total knowledge scores of both groups postintervention. Doctors had better scores for the "concept of organ donation," while nurses were more familiar with "procedures and protocols." Both had low knowledge about "clinical criteria for brain death" and "legal issues" preintervention which improved significantly postintervention. The positive impact of intervention was also observed on attitude in both categories. A significant impact of intervention was observed on overall propensity of doctors and nurses to promote organ donation, for pledging their own organs and for counseling of the patient/attendants on this cause. CONCLUSION: Scientifically designed educational modules have a promising role in improving awareness and attitude of health care professionals regarding organ donation and their propensity to be prospective donors, effective counselors, and advocates of organ donation.