Effect of drinking water temperature on physiological variables of crossbred dairy cattle at high altitude temperate region of Himalayas

AIM

The objective of study was to investigate the effects of drinking water on certain physiological parameters such as heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT) and, ruminal motility (RM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experiment was carried out on 18 farm bred lactating crossbred cows. The animals selected for the study were divided into three groups of six animals each on the basis of milk yield and parity and were allotted to three treatment group of six each such as ambient drinking water temperature at 10.25±0.28°C (ambient water, T1), drinking water temperature at 15-20°C (T2) and drinking water temperature at 35-40°C (T3). All the managemental practices were kept similar during experiment except drinking water temperatures physiological variables such as HR, RR, RT, and RM of the individual cow was measured and recorded twice in a day at 800 h and again at 1400 h two consecutive days in a week 15 min after providing drinking water.

RESULT

HR and RR at morning and at evening recorded were within the normal physiological level for all the treatment groups. However, RT at morning was comparable in all the treatments whereas at evening it was significantly (p<0.01) higher for cows consuming in T2 and in T3 than cows consumed (T1). The RM during morning among the treatments were non-significant as compared to the rumen motility at evening was significantly higher for (T1) and (T2) than for cows in (T3).

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that offering warm drinking water at 35-40°C to crossbred lactating dairy cow is beneficial during winter at high altitude temperate region.

Luffa echinata: healer plant or potential killer

Bristly luffa (Luffa echinata), a member of the cucurbitaceae family is an Ayurvedic medicinal plant, which has been used in the traditional system of medicine for variety of symptoms. The active constituents like cucurbitacin, saponin, echinatin, β-Sitosterol, oleanolic acid and flavonoids have important pathophysiological effects on human body. However, there is no earlier published report of any toxicity on humans. We report a case of a 50-year-old gentleman, who presented with gastrointestinal bleeding, deranged liver function and shock following consumption of dried fruits of Luffa echinata soaked overnight in water. He had antral gastritis and duodenal erosions on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and was managed conservatively and recovered completely.

Fusarium solani infection in a kidney transplant recipient

Hyalo hypho mycosis due to Fusarium species mainly occurs in immunocompromised hosts. The clinical presentation varies from localized to disseminated involvement. A case of localized cutaneous fusariosis caused by Fusarium solani in a renal transplant patient is described and the skin manifestations of the disease are discussed.

Fungemia due to Trichosporon mucoides in a diabetes mellitus patient: a rare case report

Trichosporon species are widely distributed in nature and can occasionally belong to the human microbiota. For many years, Trichosporon beigelii, the only species of this genus, was found as the aetiological agent of superficial skin infection called white piedra. However, many cases of invasive trichosporonosis caused by different newly delineated species of Trichosporon have been published in increasing numbers in recent past years, especially in immunocompromised persons. We report a rare case of fungemia due to Trichosporon mucoides in a diabetes mellitus patient, which will add to the emerging list of trichosporonosis infections.

HIV counseling and testing in a tertiary care hospital in Ganjam district, Odisha, India

BACKGROUND

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) counseling and testing (HCT) conducted at integrated counseling and testing centers (ICTCs) is an entry point, cost-effective intervention in preventing transmission of HIV.

OBJECTIVES

To study the prevalence of HIV among ICTC attendees, sociodemographic characteristics, and risk behaviors of HIV-seropositive clients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

It was hospital record-based cross-sectional study of 26,518 registered ICTC clients at a tertiary care hospital in Ganjam district, Odisha, India over a 4-year period from January 2009 to September 2012.

RESULTS

A total of 1732 (7.5%) out of 22,897 who were tested for HIV were seropositive. Among HIV-seropositives, 1138 (65.7%) were males, while 594 (34.3%) were females. Majority (88.3%) of seropositives were between the age group of 15-49 years. Client-initiated HIV testing (12.1%) was more seropositive compared to provider-initiated (2.9%). Among discordant couples, majority (95.5%) were male partner/husband positive and female partner/wife negative. Positives were more amongst married, less educated, low socioeconomic status, and outmigrants (P<0.0001). Risk factors included heterosexual promiscuous (89.3%), parent-to-child transmission 5.8%, unknown 3.1%, infected blood transfusion 0.8%, homosexual 0.5%, and infected needles (0.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

There is need to encourage activities that promote HCT in all health facilities. This will increase the diagnosis of new HIV cases. The data generated in ICTC provide an important clue to understand the epidemiology in a particular geographic region and local planning for care and treatment of those infected with HIV and preventive strategies for those at risk especially married, young adults, and outmigrants to reduce new infections.

Guanfacine is an effective countermeasure for hypobaric hypoxia-induced cognitive decline

Hypobaric hypoxia (HH), an environmental stress resulting from ascent to high altitude, affects perception, memory, judgment, and attention, resulting in degradation of many aspects of normal functioning. Alpha 2A adrenergic agonist, guanfacine proved to be beneficial in the amelioration of neurological outcomes of many neuropsychiatric disorders involving adrenergic imbalance and neurodegeneration. Adrenergic dysregulation and neuronal damage have been implicated in hypoxia-induced cognitive deficits, however, efficacy of guanfacine as a countermeasure for HH-induced cognitive decline remains to be evaluated. We, therefore, have studied the effect of this drug on the HH-induced cognitive deficits, adrenergic dysfunction and neuronal damage. Rats were exposed to HH at a simulated altitude of 25,000 feet for 7days and received an IM injection of either saline or guanfacine at a dose of 1mg/kg. Adrenergic transmission was evaluated by biomarkers i.e. norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in medial prefrontal cortex (PFC) by biochemical and immunohistochemical assays. Spine and dendritic morphology of pyramidal neurons in layer II of medial PFC was studied using Golgi-Cox staining and Neurolucida neuronal tracing. The cognitive performance was assessed by Delayed Alternation Task using a T-Maze. There was a significant reduction in HH-induced increases in NE, DA and TH levels with guanfacine treatment. Guanfacine rescued HH-induced dendritic atrophy and mushroom type spine loss. The spatial working memory deficits induced by HH were significantly ameliorated with guanfacine treatment. Furthermore, the cognitive performance showed a positive correlation with dendritic arbors and spine numbers. These results showed that the HH-induced cognitive decline is associated with adrenergic dysregulation and neuronal damage in layer II of medial PFC, and that guanfacine treatment during HH ameliorated these functional and morphological deficits. The study suggests a potential role of the alpha-2A adrenergic agonist, guanfacine, in amelioration of PFC dysfunction caused by high altitude exposure.

Dipylidium caninum infection in a child: a rare case report

Dipylidiasis is a zoonotic parasitic infestation caused by the dog tapeworm Dipylidium caninum. Human dipylidiasis has been rarely reported in English literature. Young children are mostly at risk of acquiring the infection due to their close association with dogs and cats. We report a rare case of Dipylidium caninum infection in a 4 year old male child. The diagnosis was based on microscopic examination of stool. Confirmation of the proglottid segments was done by histopathological examination. To the best of our knowledge this is the first human case of Dipylidium caninum reported from this part of the country.