A time-series assessment of the productive and reproductive performance of Balochi sheep.

This study was carried out to find the environmental factors which have a significant effect on the productive and reproductive characteristics of the Balochi sheep. The study used data from 729 ewes and 71 rams for a period of 13 years (2003 to 2016) at the Sheep Research Center, Yet Abad, Balochistan, Pakistan. The productive characteristics considered for current study were weight, birth weight (BW), 90 days weight (3 MW), 180 days weight (6 MW), 270 days weight (9 MW), 365 days (12 MW), and 2 years weight (24 MW). Reproductive characteristics measured were ewe age at first service (AFS), service period (SP) of ewe, age at 1st lambing (AFL) of ewe, lambing interval (LI), and sex ratio. Restricted maximum likelihood (REML) assessments of different characteristics were analyzed for the Balochi sheep on the basis of location, birth year (YOB), season of birth (SOB), type of birth (TOB), and sex of lamb. The average means ± SE for BW, WW, 6 MW, 9 MW, 12 MW, and 24 MW, were 3.28 ± 0.83, 17.20 ± 2.04, 21.94 ± 1.60, 26.20 ± 2.87, 30.21 ± 3.58, and 37.11 ± 2.84 for ram and 2.56 ± 0.53, 15.69 ± 1.45, 19.57 ± 1.77, 24.07 ± 2.70, 27.46 ± 2.09, and 34.61 ± 2.32 for ewes respectively. The results of reproductive performance of the Balochi sheep age of ewe at the time of breeding, age at first service (AFS), service period (SP), age at first lambing (AFL), and lambing interval (LI) were 1078 ± 2.2, 579.61 ± 0.6, 206.25 ± 0.2, 731.67 ± 0.3, and 256.60 ± 0.3 days respectively. The twining and lambing rates were 10.12% and 86.78%, while the sex proportion for ram and ewes was 50.12:49.37. Area, sex, and TOB had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on weight while TOB (twinning rate) was higher in Balochi sheep. These conditions affected the productive and reproductive performance of the Balochi sheep. At Sheep Research Center, Yet Abad, Balochistan, Pakistan, performed fundamentally better in all qualities such as weight gain and reproductive performance. Supplements were given with feed to get maximum profit from the sheep of Yet Abad farm. The birth weight of males was higher than that of females and single conceived Balochi sheep were heavier than that of twins. Thus, it was concluded that the Balochi sheep can be improved with better management practices, feeding, and disease control.

Vaccines against chicken coccidiosis with particular reference to previous decade: progress, challenges, and opportunities.

Chicken coccidiosis is an economically significant disease of commercial chicken industry accounting for losses of more than £10.4 billion (according to 2016 prices). Additionally, the costs incurred in prophylaxis and therapeutics against chicken coccidiosis in developing countries (for instance Pakistan according to 2018 prices) reached US $45,000.00 while production losses for various categories of chicken ranges 104.74 to US $2,750,779.00. The infection has been reported from all types of commercial chickens (broiler, layer, breeder) having a range of reported prevalence of 7-90%. The concern of resistance towards major anticoccidials has provided a way forward to vaccine research and development. For prophylaxis of chicken coccidiosis, live virulent, attenuated, ionophore tolerant strains and recombinant vaccines have been extensively trialed and commercialized. Eimeria antigens and novel vaccine adjuvants have elicited the protective efficacy against coccidial challenge. The cost of production and achieving robust immune responses in birds are major challenges for commercial vaccine production. In the future, research should be focused on the development of multivalent anticoccidial vaccines for commercial poultry. Efforts should also be made on the discovery of novel antigens for incorporation into vaccine designs which might be more effective against multiple Eimeria species. This review presents a recap to the overall progress against chicken Eimeria with particular reference to previous decade. The article presents critical analysis of potential areas for future research in chicken Eimeria vaccine development.

True superior gluteal artery aneurysm with neurovascular compromise of the lower limb: a case report and review of the therapeutic options.

Few cases of true superior gluteal artery (SGA) aneurysms have been described in the English-language literature. This is the twenty-second reported case. SGA aneurysms can pose diagnostic problems, specifically when they are non-pulsatile and also therapeutic challenges when they are large. Although more aneurysms are being subjected to endovascular therapies, SGA aneurysmectomy or aneurysmorrhaphy still remain valid therapeutic options, especially in resource-poor settings. Surgery provides quick symptom resolution and still is the only means by which tissue for definitive histological diagnosis can be obtained.

Refractory bleeding from a giant de-differentiated liposarcoma of the chest wall: An indication for neoadjuvant chemotherapy and palliative resection? - A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) is a heterogenous neoplasm of variable histological grade. DDLPS uncommonly arises from the chest wall. There are limited data available about the tumor's response to chemotherapy and accessible reports indicate minimal benefits. Surgery is thus the cornerstone of management. Here, we demonstrate an uncommon situation where chemotherapy was used to arrest bleeding from a giant DDLPS that was refractory to all available hemostatic agents. This case also presents an uncommon indication for palliative chest wall resection and reconstruction (CWRR). PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 55-year old woman presented with refractory bleeding from an ulcerated and foul-smelling mass on the anterior chest wall, confirmed histologically to be DDLPS. Chemotherapy with Doxorubicin and Ifosfamide was used to control the bleeding. She subsequently had CWRR to improve her quality of life. The patient made an uneventful recovery but later died from pulmonary embolism. DISCUSSION: The dedifferentiated component of DDLPS is vascular and may account for why we were able to exhibit a hemostatic response to chemotherapy. CWRR was then employed to improve the quality of life in an advanced, ulcerated and infected tumor of the chest wall. CONCLUSION: We were able to demonstrate a hemostatic response of DDLPS to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and anticipate that this report may serve as a reference for further studies. Furthermore, we believe that palliative resection may be carried out to improve a patient's quality of life even in the face of advanced disease.

Dengue seroprevalence and its socioeconomic determinants in Faisalabad, Pakistan: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Socioeconomic disparities in the community make some groups more vulnerable to dengue infection. METHODS: Fourteen dengue cases (IgM positive) served as index cases for the positive geographic cluster investigations. RESULTS: Of 292 individuals, the overall dengue seroprevalence was 22.9% (IgM positive 4.8%; IgG positive 18.1%). The highest (45%) seroprevalence was reported in the most socioeconomically vulnerable lower class, followed by the middle class (39%). Orthogonal comparisons showed that socioeconomic factors play a significant role in the prevalence of dengue. CONCLUSIONS: An integrated approach is required to control the menace through vector control strategies and improvement of socioeconomic conditions.

Dengue seroprevalence and its socioeconomic determinants in Faisalabad, Pakistan: a cross-sectional study

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Socioeconomic disparities in the community make some groups more vulnerable to dengue infection. METHODS: Fourteen dengue cases (IgM positive) served as index cases for the positive geographic cluster investigations. RESULTS: Of 292 individuals, the overall dengue seroprevalence was 22.9% (IgM positive 4.8%; IgG positive 18.1%). The highest (45%) seroprevalence was reported in the most socioeconomically vulnerable lower class, followed by the middle class (39%). Orthogonal comparisons showed that socioeconomic factors play a significant role in the prevalence of dengue. CONCLUSIONS: An integrated approach is required to control the menace through vector control strategies and improvement of socioeconomic conditions.

Pyopericardium with Cardiac Tamponade in a Nigerian Child with Acute Osteomyelitis.

In pyopericardium, pus accumulates in the pericardial space as a result of infection by pyogenic organisms, most common of which are Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These patients are at risk of cardiac tamponade. Apart from pericardiocentesis in the management of these patients, definitive drug treatment may pose a formidable challenge in a setting of coinfection as in patients with tuberculosis who are predisposed to secondary bacterial infections. This was the case of our patient. We here highlight the challenges faced with etiologic diagnosis in resource-limited settings.

Demographic and clinico-epidemiological features of dengue fever in Faisalabad, Pakistan.

This cross-sectional study was carried out to explore the epidemiological and clinical features of dengue fever in Faisalabad, Pakistan during 2011 and 2012. During the study period, anti-dengue IgM positive cases were reported in the post-monsoon period during the months of August-December. Certain hotspots for the dengue infection were identified in the city that coincide with the clusters of densely populated urban regions of the city. Out of total 299 IgM positive patients (male 218 and female 81); there were 239 dengue fever (DF) and 60 dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) patients. There was decrease in the median age of dengue patients from 31 years in 2011 to 21.5 years in 2012 (p<0.001). Abdominal pain was seen in 35% DHF patients followed by nausea in 28.3%, epistaxis in 25% and rash in 20% patients (p<0.05). Patients reported to be suffering from high-grade fever for an average of 8.83 days in DHF as compared to 5.82 days in DF before being hospitalized. Co-morbidities were found to be risk factor for the development of DHF in dengue patients. Clinical and laboratory features of dengue cases studied could be used for the early identification of patients at risk of severe dengue fever.

Update of old and emerging therapies in chronic hepatitis C.

The main aim in treating hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is to achieve a sustained virological response (SVR). It is defined as undetectable HCV-RNA in peripheral blood 24 weeks after the end of treatment. The RNA is detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The SVR practically reflects eradication of HCV infection and cure of the underlying HCV-induced liver disease. Treatment of HCV-induced chronic hepatitis includes one of the available Interferon-alpha (INF-alpha) in combination with Ribavirin (RBV). To achieve much better results, combination of PEG-INF with RBV is currently recommended. This regimen is quite effective in treating HCV genotype 2 and 3 but much less so in genotypes 1 and 4. At the same time it has long been observed that these combinations have sometimes severe side effects and contraindications limiting their efficacy and applicability in a significant number of chronic HCV patients. Therefore, the importance of improving existing therapies and developing new, effective, safe and tolerable drugs is well appreciated, worldwide. This review describes improvements in the current standard therapy and new emerging drugs.

Adsorption studies on teak leaves (Tectona grandis): removal of lead ions from wastewater.

Teak leaves (Tectona grandis) abundantly available in India showed high sorption capacity for lead ions and were found efficient for the removal of lead ions from aqueous solutions. The extent of removal was found to be dependent on pH, temperature, concentration of metal ions and the dose of adsorbent. Thermodynamic parameters were calculated at different temperatures. The sorbent once used can be regenerated and recycled two - three times almost with the same capacity. However, regeneration by column operation gave better results than batch process.

The use of testa of groundnut shell (Arachis hypogea) for the adsorption of Ni(II) from the aqueous system.

This paper presents the use of testa of groundnut shell for the removal of nickel from dilute aqueous solutions at laboratory scale. The adsorption isotherm of Ni(II) on the testa of groundnut shell was carried out by the batch adsorption process. Various parameters such as initial concentration, pH and amount of the adsorbent doses were studied. The experimental adsorption data obtained followed both Langmuir as well as Freundlich isotherms. Maximum adsorption (85%) was observed at pH 6. The monolayer adsorption capacity was found to be 18.79 mg/g, which is greater than most of the low-cost adsorbents reported.

Adsorption studies on rice husk: removal and recovery of Cd(II) from wastewater.

Adsorption behaviour of Ni(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Cr(VI) on untreated and phosphate-treated rice husk (PRH) showed that adsorption of Ni(II) and Cd(II) was greater when PRH was used as an adsorbent. Sorption of Cd(II) was dependent on contact time, concentration, temperature, adsorbent doses and pH of the solution. The Langmuir constants and thermodynamic parameters have been calculated at different temperatures. It was found that recovery of Cd(II) from synthetic wastewater by column operation was better than a batch process.