Serum Lipid & Hematological Profiles in Assessing Single & Multiple Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections among Direct Fecal Smear Positive Patients in a Tertiary Provincial Hospital in Sorsogon, Philippines

Introduction/Objective

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections have been recognized to be a global phenomenon and are still prevalent in tropical countries, particularly those with low human development index such as the Philippines. Previous literature have reported changes in the hematologic and serum lipid parameters of individuals with STH infections, however, there has yet to be a study in the Philippines regarding the association of said parameters to STH infections. This correlation could be valuable in evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of STH infected patients.

Methods/Case Report

The study assessed single and multiple helminth infections caused by STH, particularly A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura, and hookworm direct fecal smear (DFS) positive patients and its correlation to hematologic and serum lipid parameters. The researchers followed a retrospective and systematic approach wherein data readily available from DFS positive patients aged 5-19 years old with complete serum lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides) and complete blood count (RBC count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, WBC count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, monocyte count, eosinophil count, and platelet count) from the tertiary provincial hospital were utilized. Mean and standard deviation were used for the age and hematologic parameters. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey’s HSD was used for post hoc analysis while Fisher exact test was used to compare the percentages among the groups of patients. Statistical tests were performed using RStudio, at 5% level of significance.

Results (if a Case Study enter NA)

Patients with multiple STH infection have greater risk of lymphopenia than patients with single helminth infection (p=0.053). Moreover, eosinophilia is more observed in patients infected with T. trichiura, hookworm, or with multiple STH infections compared to patients infected with A. lumbricoides alone (p=0.023).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated significant differences among DFS positive patients with single and multiple STH infections in both serum and hematological profiles.

Effects of calcium ammonium nitrate fed to dairy cows on nutrient intake and digestibility, milk quality, microbial protein synthesis, and ruminal fermentation parameters

We evaluated the effects of supplemental calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) fed to dairy cows on dry matter (DM) intake, nutrient digestibility, milk quality, microbial protein synthesis, and ruminal fermentation. Six multiparous Holstein cows at 106 ± 14.8 d in milk, with 551 ± 21.8 kg of body weight were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. Experimental period lasted 21 d, with 14 d for an adaptation phase and 7 d for sampling and data collection. Cows were randomly assigned to receive the following treatments: URE, 12 g of urea/kg of DM as a control group; CAN15, 15 g of CAN/kg of DM; and CAN30, 30 g of CAN/kg of DM. Supplemental CAN reduced DM intake (URE 19.0 vs. CAN15 18.9 vs. CAN30 16.5 kg/d). No treatment effects were observed for apparent digestibility of DM, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, and neutral detergent fiber; however, CAN supplementation linearly increased nonfiber carbohydrate digestibility. Milk yield was not affected by treatments (average = 23.1 kg/d), whereas energy-corrected milk (ECM) and 3.5% fat-corrected milk (FCM) decreased as the levels of CAN increased. Nitrate residue in milk increased linearly (URE 0.30 vs. CAN15 0.33 vs. CAN30 0.38 mg/L); however, treatments did not affect nitrite concentration (average: 0.042 mg/L). Milk fat concentration was decreased (URE 3.39 vs. CAN15 3.35 vs. CAN30 2.94%), and the proportion of saturated fatty acids was suppressed by CAN supplementation. No treatment effects were observed on the reducing power and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances of milk, whereas conjugated dienes increased linearly (URE 47.6 vs. CAN15 52.7 vs. CAN30 63.4 mmol/g of fat) with CAN supplementation. Treatments had no effect on microbial protein synthesis; however, molar proportion of ruminal acetate and acetate-to-propionate ratio increased with CAN supplementation. Based on the results observed, supplementing CAN at 30 g/kg of DM should not be recommended as an optimal dose because it lowered DM intake along with ECM and 3.5% FCM, although no major changes were observed on milk quality and ruminal fermentation.

Grazing intensity as a management strategy in tropical grasses for beef cattle production: a meta-analysis

Correct pasture management associated with the adjustment of grazing intensity determines pasture persistence and the level of production per animal and per land area. The objective of this review was to examine the effect of grazing intensity in tropical pastures on the performance and productivity of beef cattle by a meta-analytical approach. The review followed a protocol developed and tested based on the PICOS strategy to formulate the guiding question: population (beef cattle), intervention (high grazing intensities), comparison (low grazing intensities), outcome (animal performance and productivity), and study design (experimental). Data were collected from papers published in the electronic databases of SCOPUS (Elsevier), Web of Science (Main collection), SpringerLink, Wiley Online Library, and Science Direct (Elsevier) by a single cross-reference search. The selected studies were considered relevant when they: (1) were primary research published in the format of a research article; (2) included grazing intensities as a management strategy; and (3) evaluated average daily gain (ADG, kg/animal per day), stocking rates (SR, animal unit (AU)/ha; AU = 450 kg), and weight gain per area (WGH, kg/ha). Thirteen manuscripts were selected due to their methodological strength for data extraction. The means under continuous stocking were 0.67 kg/animal per day for ADG, 518.12 kg/ha for WGH, and 4.19 AU/ha for SR. Under intermittent stocking, the means were 0.62 kg/animal per day for ADG, 980.18 kg/ha for WGH, and 5.10 AU/ha for SR. In tropical forages, the heights of 20 to 40 cm for pastures under continuous stocking and the defoliation intensities of 40 to 50% for those under intermittent stocking result in greater individual performance and animal productivity per land area.

Citrus pulp as a dietary source of antioxidants for lactating holstein cows fed highly polyunsaturated Fatty Acid diets

The effects of feeding pelleted citrus pulp (PCP) as a natural antioxidant source on the performance and milk quality of dairy cows fed highly polyunsaturated fatty acid (FA) diets were evaluated. Four lactating Holstein cows were assigned to a 4×4 Latin-square. Treatments, on a dry matter (DM) basis, were i) control diet; ii) 3% soybean oil; iii) 3% soybean oil and 9% PCP and; iv) 3% soybean oil and 18% PCP. When cows fed on citrus pulp, the DM intake tended to decrease. The total tract apparent digestibility of DM and ether extract decreased when cows fed on the control diet compared to other diets. Cows fed PCP had higher polyphenols and flavonoids content and higher total ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) in milk compared to those fed no pelleted citrus pulp. Cows fed 18% PCP showed higher monounsaturated FA and lower saturated FA in milk fat compared with cows fed the other diets. The lowest n-6 FA proportion was in milk fat from cows fed control. The present study suggests that pelleted citrus pulp added to 9% to 18% DM increases total polyphenols and flavonoids concentration, and the FRAP in milk.

Reduced diffusion in neurocysticercosis: circumstances of appearance and possible natural history implications

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Few studies discuss DWI findings in patients with NCC, and their conclusions are variable and contradictory. The aim of our study was to describe DWI findings of a cohort of patients with NCC, emphasizing the frequency of reduced diffusion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 48 patients with NCC. Two neuroradiologists analyzed MR images regarding location, number, and stage of NCC lesions. On the basis of visual analysis, they defined, by consensus, the presence of high signal within NCC lesions on DWI and measured their ADC values when feasible.

RESULTS

The total number of lesions was 342: parenchymal (263), subarachnoid (65), and intraventricular (14); 83 were DWI hyperintense. The first pattern was a small eccentric hyperintense dot/curvilinear structure on DWI (representing the scolex) noted in intraparenchymal lesions in vesicular (41 lesions, 29%) and colloidal vesicular (18 lesions, 19%) stages, in 14 (22%) subarachnoid lesions, and 2 (14%) intraventricular lesions; rADC calculations were hampered by the intrinsic small dimensions of this finding. The second pattern was the presence of total/subtotal DWI hyperintensity in intraparenchymal lesions, 5 in the colloidal vesicular stage (5%) and 1 in the granular nodular phase (3%). Two subarachnoid lesions also showed the same presentation; in this second pattern, reduced diffusion was present in different degrees, measured by rADC calculations.

CONCLUSIONS

DWI may identify the scolex, increasing diagnostic confidence for NCC. Total/subtotal DWI hyperintensity, related to the stage of the lesion, though uncommon, allows including NCC as a consideration in the differential diagnosis of lesions with reduced diffusion and ring enhancement.

Parâmetros ruminais de vacas leiteiras mantidas em pastagem tropical

Foram utilizadas quatro vacas, portadoras de cânula no rúmen para estudar dois níveis de suplementação concentrada (base na matéria seca): 2,7 e 5,4 kg/vaca/dia, respectivamente, baixo (BC) e alto concentrado (AC). As vacas foram mantidas em pastejo intermitente de capim-Coastcross no período de verão, com lotação de cinco unidades animal/ha. O concentrado, para os dois níveis de suplementação apresentou a mesma composição química e foi dividido em partes iguais, fornecidas no momento das ordenhas da manhã e da tarde. Objetivou-se verificar efeitos do nível de suplementação com concentrado sobre o pH e as concentrações de nitrogênio amoniacal (N-NH3) e de ácidos graxos voláteis (AGV) do rúmen. O Coastcross apresentou, em média, 11,7% de proteína bruta (PB); 70,2% de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN); 35,2% de fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) e 63,8% de digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca (DIVMS). A ingestão total de alimentos foi, em média, de 13,4 e 14,6 kg de MS. A composição química das dietas ingeridas foi de 13,6 e 15,2% de PB; 2,6 e 3,2% de extrato etéreo e 64,0 e 59,0% de FDN, para os tratamentos BC e AC, respectivamente. O aumento do concentrado na dieta influenciou o pH, mas manteve valores que não comprometeram a atividade celulolítica dos microrganismos ruminais. As concentrações ruminais de N-NH3 e AGV totais não sofreram alterações com os dois níveis de suplementação com concentrado.

Diferentes tipos de sacos para análise da digestibilidade in vitro de forrageiras

O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca (DIVMS) e da fibra em detergente neutro (DIVFDN) de diferentes forrageiras no fermentador ruminal da ANKOM® (Daisy II), empregando-se diferentes materiais para a confecção dos filtros usados na digestibilidade: náilon (N) e tecido não tecido (TNT) comparado à testemunha (ANKOM®-F57) (T). As médias de DIVMS e DIVFDN dos tratamentos N e TNT, superestimam os valores obtidos com o material padrão T. Desta forma, comparando a eficiência dos materiais TNT e N, utilizados como alternativos, observa-se que é possível utilizar os mesmos na substituição do saco T, desde que sejam corrigidos através de equações estabe-lecidas neste experimento.

Production Performance and Milk Composition of Dairy Cows Fed Whole or Ground Flaxseed With or Without Monensin

Eight multiparous Holstein cows averaging 570 +/- 43 kg of body weight and 60 +/- 20 d in milk were used in a double Latin square design with four 21-d experimental periods to determine the effects of feeding ground or whole flaxseed with or without monensin supplementation (0.02% on a dry matter basis) on milk production and composition, feed intake, digestion, blood composition, and fatty acid profile of milk. Intake of dry matter was similar among treatments. Cows fed whole flaxseed had higher digestibility of acid detergent fiber but lower digestibilities of crude protein and ether extract than those fed ground flaxseed; monensin had no effect on digestibility. Milk production tended to be greater for cows fed ground flaxseed (22.8 kg/d) compared with those fed whole flaxseed (21.4 kg/d). Processing of flax-seed had no effect on 4% fat-corrected milk yield and milk protein and lactose concentrations. Monensin supplementation had no effect on milk production but decreased 4% fat-corrected milk yield as a result of a decrease in milk fat concentration. Feeding ground compared with whole flaxseed decreased concentrations of 16:0, 17:0, and cis6-20:4 and increased those of cis6-18:2, cis9, trans11-18:2, and cis3-18:3 in milk fat. As a result, there was a decrease in concentrations of medium-chain and saturated fatty acids and a trend for higher concentrations of long-chain fatty acids in milk fat when feeding ground compared with whole flaxseed. Monensin supplementation increased concentrations of cis9 and trans11-18:2 and decreased concentrations of saturated fatty acids in milk fat. There was an interaction between flaxseed processing and monensin supplementation, with higher milk fat concentration of trans11-18:1 for cows fed ground flaxseed with monensin than for those fed the other diets. Flaxseed processing and monensin supplementation successfully modified the fatty acid composition of milk fat that might favor nutritional value for consumers.

Milk production and milk composition of dairy cows fed Lac100® or whole flaxseed

Cows were fed whole flaxseed or calcium salts of soybean oil as a fat source. Cows fed flaxseed had lower (P < 0.01) milk yield and higher (P < 0.01) percentages of fat and protein than cows fed calcium salts. Feeding whole flaxseed and calcium salts of soybean oil increased, respectively, the concentrations of alpha-linolenic acid and conjugated linoleic acid in milk. Key words: Flaxseed, fatty acids, fat supplement

Short communication: effect of tannic acid on composition and ruminal degradability of bermudagrass and alfalfa silages

We measured the effects of the addition of tannic acid on chemical composition and crude protein (CP) ruminal degradability of bermudagrass, cv. coast cross (Cynodon dactylon L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) silages with nylon bags incubated in the rumen of two fistulated lactating cows. Silage pH was greater for alfalfa than for bermudagrass. The addition of tannic acid had no effect on silage pH. Ammonia N was greater in alfalfa than in bermudagrass silage. Treated and control silages had similar ammonia N concentrations. The percentage of CP that was solubilized at time 0 was lower for alfalfa than for bermudagrass silage. The addition of tannic acid decreased the portion of CP solubilized at time 0 and increased the potentially degradable fraction of CP. The potentially degradable fraction of CP was greater for alfalfa than for bermudagrass. There was an interaction of species and treatment; the disappearance rate of CP increased with tannic acid treatment of alfalfa but decreased with acid treatment of bermudagrass. The effective degradability of CP was similar for control and treated alfalfa but lower for treated than for control bermudagrass. Tannic acid treatment is effective in decreasing the rapidly soluble fraction of alfalfa and bermudagrass silages, which could be beneficial to the animal because it would decrease the excess of N in the rumen after feeding. Tannic acid treatment decreased CP degradability of bermudagrass silage but had no effect on alfalfa silage, suggesting that tannic acid concentration required to effectively decrease CP degradability differs among forages.

Milk yield and composition of dairy cows fed concentrate based on high moisture wheat or high moisture corn

Thirty-six Ayrshire cows were assigned to 18 pairs and were blocked within parity (5 pairs of primiparous heifers and 13 pairs of multiparous cows); pairs had similar calving dates. The study, which was conducted over 3 yr, was designed to determine the effects of high moisture grain on milk yield and composition and to determine in vitro DM digestibility and ruminal degradabilities of DM, N, and starch of high moisture grains. Treatment diets consisted of isonitrogenous and isoenergetic concentrates that were based on high moisture wheat or high moisture corn. Both groups were fed a mixture of grass silage, grass hay, protein supplement, and a vitamin and mineral mix for ad libitum intake. Treatment diets were fed from wk 4 to 29 and from wk 4 to 37 of lactation for cows in first and second lactations, respectively. There was no interaction between treatment diet and year of lactation. Cows fed high moisture wheat had higher 4% FCM than did cows fed high moisture corn. Milk composition was similar for the two treatment diets. Ruminal degradabilities of DM and starch were higher for high moisture wheat than for high moisture corn. In vitro DM digestibility was higher for high moisture wheat (90.5%) than for high moisture corn (71.6%). This greater digestibility contributed to the higher milk yield of dairy cows fed high moisture wheat.