Effect of betaine supplementation on production performance and serum antioxidant indices of Nili-Ravi buffaloes during summer.

This study aimed to determine whether feeding betaine (Bet) to lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes elevates their production performance during the hot and humid climate. Sixty lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes were randomly divided into four groups: the control group received a standard concentrates basal diet without Bet, whereas in the treated group the same diet was supplemented with Bet at 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6% on dry matter basis for 9 weeks. All animals received ad libitum amount of chopped green maize fodder. Milk production and its fat % were recorded twice daily, whereas for the remaining components samples were collected weekly. Blood samples were collected at the end of the experiment. The results showed that feeding Bet to buffaloes increased (p<0.05) milk yield, production efficiency, and nutrient utilization at all three inclusion levels; however, milk composition remained unaffected. A numerical but non-significant (p>0.05) increase in performance was noticed with higher doses of Bet. Superoxide dismutase in all three treatments and glutathione peroxidase in Bet 0.2% inclusion level were higher (p<0.05) as compared to the control. However, malondialdehyde was not significantly affected. Inclusion of Bet in the concentrate ration of lactating buffalos at 0.2% level on the dry matter basis is recommended as it positively influenced the production and also improved their antioxidant status during summer.

Study on awareness, knowledge, and practices towards antibiotic use among the educated and uneducated people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan

INTRODUCTION: Antimicrobial resistance developed through the inadequate use of antibiotics; is an overriding task for global public health. OBJECTIVE: To explore awareness, knowledge, and practices, and compare the elements associated with antibiotic misuse in different University students and uneducated people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. METHODS: Cross-sectional study was conducted from July to December 2020 using a validated questionnaire. Data were collected from eleven different university students and uneducated people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. RESULTS: 3,600 questionnaires were completed, consisting of 56.9% Male and 43.0% Female. 1,999 (55.5%) of the antibiotic users reported through the survey used non-prescription antibiotics within a one-month study period. Out of the participants, 230 (6.3%) were uneducated or their education level was below matric rest were university students. 1999 (55.5%) reported buying Antibiotics with Medical Prescription. Most self-medicated participants (56.9%) stop taking antibiotics when they feel better. More than 90% of the respondents answered that doctors and pharmacist staff do not guide them well that how to use antibiotics. 2,171 (60.03%) respondents mistakenly believed that antibiotics improve restoration from coughs and colds. Only 720 (20%) respondents knew that antibiotics also disturb normal flora and 547 participants (15.9%) agree that unnecessary use of antibiotics causes bacterial resistance. CONCLUSION: Finding from this study may have important implications for public health policy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan given the growing global resistance to antibiotics and the reported health issues related to their improper use.

Hematobiochemical, Oxidative Stress, and Histopathological Mediated Toxicity Induced by Nickel Ferrite (NiFe2O4) Nanoparticles in Rabbits.

From the past few decades, attention towards the biological evaluation of nanoparticles (NPs) has increased due to the persistent and extensive application of NPs in various fields, including biomedical science, modern industry, magnetic resonance imaging, and the construction of sensors. Therefore, in the current study, magnetic nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) nanoparticles (NFNPs) were synthesized and evaluated for their possible adverse effects in rabbits. The crystallinity of the synthesized NFNPs was confirmed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The saturation magnetization (46.7 emug-1) was measured using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and 0.35-tesla magnetron by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The adverse effects of NFNPs on blood biochemistry and histoarchitecture of the liver, kidneys, spleen, brain, and heart of the rabbits were determined. A total of sixteen adult rabbits, healthy and free from any apparent infection, were blindly placed in two groups. The rabbits in group A served as control, while the rabbits in group B received a single dose (via ear vein) of NFNPs for ten days. The blood and visceral tissues were collected from each rabbit at days 5 and 10 of posttreatment. The results on blood and serum biochemistry profile indicated significant variation in hematological and serum biomarkers in NFNP-treated rabbits. The results showed an increased quantity of oxidative stress and depletion of antioxidant enzymes in treated rabbits. Various serum biochemical tests exhibited significantly higher concentrations of different liver function tests, kidney function tests, and cardiac biomarkers. Histopathologically, the liver showed congestion, edema, atrophy, and degeneration of hepatocytes. The kidneys exhibited hemorrhages, atrophy of renal tubule, degeneration, and necrosis of renal tubules, whereas coagulative necrosis, neutrophilic infiltration, and severe myocarditis were seen in different sections of the heart. The brain of the treated rabbits revealed necrosis of neurons, neuron atrophy, and microgliosis. In conclusion, the current study results indicated that the highest concentration of NPs induced adverse effects on multiple tissues of the rabbits.

Coexistence of virulence and ß-lactamase genes in avian pathogenic Escherichia coli.

Emergence of multidrug resistance in E. coli and advent of newer strains is becoming serious concern which requires keen observations. This study was designed to find the ciprofloxacin resistant E. coli isolates co-existed with multi-drug resistance along with ß-lactamase production from poultry source, and finally the genome sequencing of these strains to explore genetic variations. Study constituted on isolation of n = 225 E. coli from broiler farms of central China which were further subjected to identification of resistance against ciprofloxacin followed by antibiogram of n = 26 antibiotics and identification of ß-lactamase production. Whole genome resequencing was performed using Illumina HiSeq 4000 system. PCR results revealed predominant ß-lactamase genes i.e.CTX-M, CTX-M-1, CTX-M3, TEM-1 and OXA. Furthermore, the MDR isolates were containing most of the tested virulence genes. The most prevalent virulence genes were pap-C, fim-C, fim-H, iuc-D, irp-2, tra-T, iro-N and iut-A. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) loci mentioned in this data give valuable genetic markers to growing high-throughput techniques for fine-determination of genotyping of MDR and virulent isolates. Characterization of SNPs on functional basis shed new bits of knowledge on the evolution, disease transmission and pathogenesis of MDR E. coli isolates. In conclusion, these findings provide evidence that most of poultry E. coli are MDR, ß-lactamase producers, and virulent which could be a zoonotic threat to the humans. The whole genome resequencing data provide higher resolution of resistance and virulence characteristics in E. coli which can further be used for the development of prevention and treatment strategies.

The frequency of radial artery occlusion following cardiac catheterization with the use of transradial pneumatic compression band.

OBJECTIVES: Radial artery occlusion is a silent complication of a transradial approach to cardiac catheterization that may complicate subsequent transradial procedures in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. A transradial band reduces vascular complications and provides brisk, powerful and effective haemostasis. The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency of radial artery occlusion in 180 patients undergoing transradial coronary catheterization. RESULTS: The median age of the study cohort was 58 years. Radial artery occlusion was found in 14 (7.8%) patients. When stratifying by age group and sex, there was no significant difference in radial artery occlusion between age groups and sex. It was likewise found that comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension and smoking, increased the risk of radial artery occlusion however this was observed to be significant only for diabetes mellitus. We therefore conclude that a transradial pneumatic pressure band is an extremely helpful and safe strategy to prevent radial artery occlusion.

Early Versus Delayed Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy For Acute Cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered the gold standard for the management of acute cholecystitis but controversy surrounds the timings of the surgery. Studies are available favouring both early and delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The objective of this study was to compare early versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study included 180 patients irrespective of their age and sex presented at department of Surgery, Lahore General Hospital between January to December 2014 with a diagnosis of acute cholecystitis were assigned randomly to early laparoscopic cholecystectomy within 24 h of admission or to initial conservative treatment followed by delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 6-12 weeks later. RESULTS: The mean operating time was 64.32 min vs. 58.24 min in the delayed group, conversion rate (early 15.5% vs. delayed 14.4%). The mean postoperative hospital stay was 1.67 days in the earlier group and 4.38 days in the delayed group. Overall mortality was zero. CONCLUSIONS: Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis is safe, offering economic benefit of much shorter hospital stay and quick recovery.

Genetic diversity of Newcastle disease virus in Pakistan: a countrywide perspective.

BACKGROUND: Newcastle disease (ND) is one of the most deadly diseases of poultry around the globe. The disease is endemic in Pakistan and recurrent outbreaks are being reported regularly in wild captive, rural and commercial poultry flocks. Though, efforts have been made to characterize the causative agent in some of parts of the country, the genetic nature of strains circulating throughout Pakistan is currently lacking. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To ascertain the genetics of NDV, 452 blood samples were collected from 113 flocks, originating from all the provinces of Pakistan, showing high mortality (30-80%). The samples represented domesticated poultry (broiler, layer and rural) as well as wild captive birds (pigeons, turkeys, pheasants and peacock). Samples were screened with real-time PCR for both matrix and fusion genes (1792 bp), positive samples were subjected to amplification of full fusion gene and subsequent sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS: The deduced amino acid sequence of the fusion protein cleavage site indicated the presence of motif (112RK/RQRR↓F117) typical for velogenic strains of NDV. Phylogenetic analysis of hypervariable region of the fusion gene indicated that all the isolates belong to lineage 5 of NDV except isolates collected from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province. A higher resolution of the phylogenetic analysis of lineage 5 showed the distribution of Pakistani NDV strains to 5b. However, the isolates from KPK belonged to lineage 4c; the first report of such lineage from this province. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, data indicated the prevalence of multiple lineages of NDV in different poultry population including wild captive birds. Such understanding is crucial to underpin the nature of circulating strains of NDV, their potential for interspecies transmission and disease diagnosis and control strategies.

Genotoxicity of quinocetone, cyadox and olaquindox in vitro and in vivo.

Quinocetone (QCT) and Cyadox (CYA) are important derivative of heterocyclic N-oxide quinoxaline (QdNO), used actively as antimicrobial feed additives in China. Here, we tested and compared the genotoxic potential of QCT and CYA with olaquindox (OLA) in Ames test, HGPRT gene mutation (HGM) test in V79 cells, unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) assay in human peripheral lymphocytes, chromosome aberration (CA) test, and micronucleus (MN) test in mice bone marrow. OLA was found genotoxic in all 5 assays. In Ames test, QCT produced His(+) mutants at 6.9 µg/plate in Salmonella typhimurium TA 97, at 18.2 µg/plate in TA 100, TA 1535, TA 1537, and at 50 µg/plate in TA 98. CYA produced His(+) mutants at 18.2 µg/plate in TA 97, TA 1535, and at 50 µg/plate in TA 98, TA 100 and TA 1537. QCT was found positive in HGM and UDS assay at concentrations ≥10 µg/ml while negative results were reported in CA test and MN test. Collectively, we found that OLA was more genotoxic than QCT and CYA. Genotoxicity of QCT was found at higher concentration levels in Ames test, HGM and UDS assays while CYA showed weak mutagenic potential to bacterial cells in Ames test.

Comparison of sirolimus-eluting stents with paclitaxel-eluting stents in saphenous vein graft intervention (from a multicenter Southern California Registry).

This study was designed to compare the safety and efficacy of sirolimus-eluting stents (SESs) to paclitaxel-eluting stents (PESs) in percutaneous intervention of saphenous vein graft (SVG) lesions. SVGs develop atherosclerosis at high rates and often require repeat revascularization. Percutaneous intervention with drug-eluting stents has become the preferred method of revascularization due to higher restenosis with bare metal stents and increased morbidity and mortality with repeat coronary artery bypass grafting. We sought to compare the rate of major adverse cardiac events and stent thrombosis between SESs and PESs in patients undergoing SVG intervention. A multicenter analysis of 172 patients with SVG lesions treated with SESs or PESs was performed. The 30-day and 1-year clinical outcomes of 102 patients receiving SESs were compared to those of 70 patients receiving PESs. There was no significant difference in baseline demographic, angiographic, and procedural characteristics between the SES and PES treatment groups. There was no statistical difference in major adverse cardiac events at 30 days and at 1 year (hazard ratio [HR] 1.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.77 to 3.23, log-rank p = 0.21). There was also no difference in survival (HR 1.28, 95% CI 0.39 to 4.25, log-rank p = 0.69) or target vessel revascularization (HR 2.54, 95% CI 0.84 to 7.72, log-rank p = 0.09). In conclusion, this multicenter analysis of real-world patients demonstrated that SESs and PESs have similar clinical outcomes when used in SVG intervention.

Meta-analysis of studies comparing coronary artery bypass grafting with drug-eluting stenting in patients with diabetes mellitus and multivessel coronary artery disease.

This meta-analysis was undertaken to assess the efficacy and safety of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) compared to drug-eluting stenting (DES) in patients with diabetes mellitus and multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD). CABG has been the preferred revascularization strategy in patients with diabetes compared to DES. Drug-eluting stents reduce the rate of target vessel revascularization compared to bare-metal stents. The ideal revascularization strategy for patients with diabetes with multivessel CAD in the DES era is unknown. A search of published reports was performed to identify clinical studies comparing CABG with DES in patients with diabetes with multivessel CAD with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Five studies including 1,543 patients with diabetes (757 who underwent CABG and 786 who underwent DES) met the selection criteria. The mean follow-up period was 18 months (range 12 to 36). Compared to DES, CABG was associated with a lower risk for major adverse cardiac events (odds ratio [OR] 0.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.36 to 0.65), driven mainly by a lower risk for repeat revascularization (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.30), despite having a higher percentage of triple-vessel disease. There was no significant difference in death (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.52 to 1.39) or myocardial infarction (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.41 to 1.61). Patients in the CABG group had a higher risk for cerebrovascular events (OR 2.15, 95% CI 0.99 to 4.68). In conclusion, PCI with DES is safe and may represent a viable alternative to CABG for selected patients with diabetes with multivessel CAD.