Bilateral apex pubis distance：a novel index for follicular development and egg laying status in domestic hens (Gallus gallus domesticus)

1. Measures of the bilateral apex pubis (BAP) in White Leghorn (WLH) hens aged from 16 to 64 weeks (from the time ovaries were completely undeveloped to senility) were ranked into various groups so the relationship between external traits (BAP distance, comb length, comb height, wattle length, wattle height, body weight) and internal traits (largest ovarian follicle diameter (LFD) and oviduct weight and length) could be determined.2. Using correlation and regression analysis with data from 16 weeks of age to the onset of lay, measurements of the apex pubis showed a strong correlation with LFD (r = 0.80, P < 0.01) and oviduct weight (r = 0.80, P < 0.01).3. Multiple comparisons among WLH hens from 16 to 43 weeks of age showed that the BAP distance increased in all groups ranked by LFD or by laying period.4. In the late laying period (>60 weeks of age), BAP distance showed a significant decrease (P < 0.01) in long-term non-laying hens compared to laying hens.5. These findings suggest BAP distance can serve as an index for evaluating the onset and probable stages of follicular development during sexual maturation and/or aid in the identification and selection of non-laying hens during reproduction.

The recessive C locus in the MITF gene plays a key regulatory role in the plumage colour pattern of duck (Anas platyrhynchos)

1. The c/c alleles are responsible for the white plumage colour of ducks; however, the gene corresponding to this locus is still unclear. In order to identify the locus-related candidate gene associated with duck's plumage colour pattern, it was necessary to analyse the whole genome resequencing data. 2. A total of 929,465 SNPs in chromosome 13 and 1,688 SNPs in the region of the Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor (MITF) gene were identified from whole genome resequencing data analysis. After construction of an F_ST plot from chromosome 13, MITF was highlighted as a candidate gene, possessing the highest F_ST value (0.811) on chromosome 13. 3. Six novel SNPs were discovered, located in the intronic region of the MITF gene. F2 progeny of Kaiya × Liancheng ducks (N = 1,061) were selected for genotyping by the Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) technique. Association analysis using Haploview software was used for validation of the results. 4. Association results between SNPs and phenotypes showed significant association with corresponding phenotypes. All the significantly associated SNPs were located in the identified candidate gene. 5. The identified candidate gene provided novel information which is important in marker-assisted selection and breeding of duck and for the investigation of the C locus recessive white genetic mechanisms underlying plumage colour pattern.

A Case of Mollarets Meningitis In Apollo Hospitals Dhaka

Mollarets Meningitis is defined as a benign recurrent aseptic meningitis characterized by more than three episodes of fever, headache, meningeal irritation lasting typically 3-5 days. It has spontaneous recovery without any residual neurological deficit. Mollaret in 1944 described this extremely rare form of self-limiting aseptic recurrent benign meningitis. Here we present the report of a patient with Mollarets Meningitis with some atypical features. Early diagnosis may prevent prolonged hospital admissions, unnecessary investigations, and exposure to unnecessary medications, with their associated considerable costs.Pulse Vol.10 January-December 2017 p.42-46

A Case of Recurrent Stroke in Left MCA Stenosis

We report the clinical, neuro-radiological findings of a young man who was admitted to Apollo Hospitals Dhaka, Bangladesh because of abrupt onset of aphasia and right sided mild hemiparesis. He had two strokes six days apart one and half years ago. His past medical history was significant for HTN, smoking. His MRI of the Brain showed acute infarct in left middle cerebral artery (MCA) region congruent with his symptoms and signs. MRA done during his first stroke showed left MCA long segment luminal narrowing. DSA done during initial stroke showed complete occlusion of superior division of left MCA with collateral flow from left anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and posterior cerebral artery (PCA) to left MCA. Other extensive work up for stroke etiology was inconclusive. His stroke recurrence points towards left MCA stenosis (which is reversible) with good collateral circulation which helped the patient get significant neurological recovery. In young patients with recurrent strokes with or without conventional risk factors, vascular anomalies (intra-cranial and extra-cranial) should be investigated to find out the other rare causes for strokes. As TEE was not done here, it conclusively can not be ascertained that some cardio-embolic source of stroke was not present. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pulse.v6i1-2.20359 Pulse Vol.6 January-December 2013 p.70-74

A Case of Sub-acute Combined Degeneration of the Spinal Cord with Associated Pernicious Anaemia

Aim and Objective Vitamin B12 deficiency disease, specially associated with pernicious anaemia is a relatively rare disease in the developing countries. Patients with B12 deficiency may present with hematological, gastro-intestinal and neuro-psychiatric manifestations. Here we discuss a case of a fifty five-year-old lady presented with sub-acute combined degeneration of the spinal cord. Case presentation A fifty five year old female was admitted in Neurology ward in Apollo Hospitals, Dhaka from OPD for progressive quadriparesis with tingling in the hands and feet. She had no associated visual, bulbar symptoms, sphincter incontinence or memory impairment. Investigation revealed mild anaemia, macrocytosis on peripheral blood picture, low Vitamin B12 level with megaloblastic changes in bone marrow examination. Anti-Intrinsic factor antibody and anti-parietal cell antibody was not done, as it is not available here. MRI of dorsal spine shows T2 hyper-intense lesions in the posterior cord. GI Endoscopic biopsy revealed chronic atrophic gastritis. Conclusion We presented this case because of its relatively uncommon occurrence in our country. Sub-acute combined degeneration of spinal cord associated with dietary deficiency is common in Indian sub-continent. High index of suspicion is needed for its early diagnosis as delay in treatment can lead to poor neurological recovery. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pulse.v5i1.20193 Pulse Vol.5 January 2011 p.57-60

Zeolite-based organized molecular assemblies. photophysical characterization and documentation of donor oxidation upon photosensitized charge separation

An organized molecular assembly composed of two ruthenium polypyridine complexes, Ru(bpy)(2)(bpz)(2+) and Ru(bpy)(2)(H(2)O)(2)(2+) (where bpy = 2, 2'-bipyridine and bpz = 2, 2'-bipyrazine), has been prepared in adjacent supercages of Y-zeolite. This material has been characterized by diffuse reflectance, electronic absorption, electronic emission, and resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy, as well as lifetime measurements. The spectral results confirm the identity of the entrapped complexes and resonance Raman measurements show that the relative concentrations of the two complexes within the zeolite particles are identical. A dramatic decrease in emission intensity observed for the adjacent cage assembly, relative to that observed for an appropriate reference material composed of a mixture of zeolite particles containing the separated complexes, indicates strong interaction between the adjacent complexes which provides an additional nonradiative decay pathway. The excited state lifetime measurements implicate a very short-lived component, dominating the decay curve at early times, which is most reasonably attributed to excited-state electron-transfer quenching of the adjacent cage pair. More importantly, analysis of diffuse reflectance spectra acquired during selective (sensitizer) irradiation of a sample of this material, wherein the remaining cages are filled with a suitable acceptor (MV(2+)), provides direct evidence for oxidation of the Ru(bpy)(2)(H(2)O)(2)(2+) donor complex, confirming the targeted synergy of the adjacent cage assembly.