Nephrolithiasis – Most Debilitating Renal Disorder

Both metabolic and environmental risk factors are involved in the pathogenetic mechanisms of kidney stone formation. Major advances have been made in the concept of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of kidney stone disease over the last decade. It remains a major health burden worldwide. It is considered a systemic disorder associated with chronic kidney disease, bone loss and fractures, increased risk of coronary artery disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and the metabolic syndrome. Many therapeutic interventions which can effectively target the stones are available but these are associated with untoward effects. In the pursuit of finding better alternatives, large number of plants was screened for their antiurolithiatic activity. They were found to possess potent activity with minimal/no side effects. Development of new therapeutic agents is possible by understanding the link between nephrolithiasis and these systemic disorders

Nephrolithiasis – Most Debilitating Renal Disorder

Both metabolic and environmental risk factors are involved in the pathogenetic mechanisms of kidney stone formation. Major advances have been made in the concept of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of kidney stone disease over the last decade. It remains a major health burden worldwide. It is considered a systemic disorder associated with chronic kidney disease, bone loss and fractures, increased risk of coronary artery disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and the metabolic syndrome. Many therapeutic interventions which can effectively target the stones are available but these are associated with untoward effects. In the pursuit of finding better alternatives, large number of plants was screened for their antiurolithiatic activity. They were found to possess potent activity with minimal/no side effects. Development of new therapeutic agents is possible by understanding the link between nephrolithiasis and these systemic disorders

THE STRUTURE AND COMPOSITION OF NATURAL VEGETATION TYPES IN LOWER WALAWE BASIN IRRIGATION EXTENTION AREA

Sri Lanka has experienced a tremendous boost in large-scale irrigation development. TheUdawalawe irrigation extension project of the Mahawelli Authority will result in theconstruction of a left bank main canal from the Walawe River and the establishment of anirrigation system spanning an area of approximately 15.000 ha. A systematic study onbiodiversity was carried out in the Lower Walawe Irrigation extension area, from February toAugust 2001. This paper summarizes the structure and composition of natural vegetation typesin the study area, during the pre-development stage. A total of 45 transects (each 50mx5m) weredemarcated within 16 sites along the dry to arid zone climatic gradient in the study area. Eachtransect was divided into 10IILx5m sub plots to facilitate sampling and individual plants overlOcm in girth were recorded. The data was analysed using ecological indices (Shannon-Wienerindex and Simpson's Index) and multivariate analyses using the PCORD4 softwareThe area consists of 3 major natural vegetation types; dry thorny scrubland (DTF), rock outcropforests (ROF).and degrade dry zone forest (DDF). A total of 151 plant species, belonging to 52families were recorded from the above vegetation types. The most diverse families wereFabaceae [Relative Diversity (RD)=l1.3], Poaceae (RD=9.3) and Euphobiaceae (RD=8). Interms of density, the most abundant species in the study area were Flueggea leucopyrus(Euphobiaceae) (23.3%) and Phyllanthus polyphyllus (Euphobiaceae) (8.6%)Comparisons of the diversity among vegetation types showed that the degraded dry zone forest"vas high in diversity (Simpson's diversity index; D=17.6, Shannon-Wiener diversity indexH'=3.6) than rock outcrop forests (D=10.7,H=3.1) and scrubland (D=9.9,H=304). Consideringthe species composition and density of flora, a Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA)showed the DDF as a distinct cluster, while the ROF exhibited an overlap with the DTS. ATWINSPAN cluster analysis showed that the DTS and DDF separate into two distinct clusters,which correspond to the dry and arid climatic zones. However, the ROF remained as a singlemajor cluster.

PROPTOSE EM CÃES E GATOS: ANÁLISE RETROSPECTIVA DE 64 CASOS

Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo envolvendo 45 cães e 19 gatos com proptose traumática do bulbo ocular. Foram estudados vários aspectos, tais como sexo, raça, idade, etiologia, tempo decorrente entre a lesão e admissão, seqüelas, além daqueles relacionados ao tratamento. O principal fator etiológico verificado entre cães foi a briga, enquanto na maioria dos gatos, a causa era desconhecida. Os cães adultos sem raça definida, seguidos pelo Pinscher, Poodle, Cocker Spaniel e Boxer foram os mais acometidos. As complicações mais comuns associadas à proptose foram ceratite ulcerativa, estrabismo, hifema, quemose, hiperemia, hemorragia de conjuntiva e periocular, ressecamento e opacidade da córnea, prolapso de terceira pálpebra, além de fratura nos ossos da face. Quinze cães e apenas 2 gatos avaliados foram submetidos ao reposicionamento do bulbo e tarsorrafia. Desses animais, somente 13 cães recuperaram a visão. Conclui-se que a precocidade na admissão dos cães influencia sobremaneira a obtenção de um prognóstico mais favorável, bem como na escolha do tratamento. Os gatos apresentam pior prognóstico em relação aos cães. Proptose in dogs and cats: retrospective analyses of 64 medical records Abstract A retrospective study of 45 dogs and 19 cats with traumatic proptosis was performed. Sex, breed-specific, age, etiologic factors, time between trauma and admission, sequels and treatment were obtained for these animals. The principal etiologic factor in dogs was fight and in cats was unknown. Mongrel dogs, Pinscher, Cocker and Boxer were the most affected breeds. The common complications were corneal ulceration, strabismus, hyphema, chemosis, hyperemia, conjunctive hemorrhage, defects in the corneal epithelium, third eyelid prolapsed and facial bone fractures. Fifteen dogs and only two cats suffered repositioning followed by tarsorrhaphy. From these animals, only thirteen dogs recovered the eye vision. In conclusion, the precocity in the admission was important for a more favorable prognosis as much as the treatment choice. The cats presented worse prognosis when compared to dogs

Altitudinal Variation of the Floristic Communities in Monaragala, an Isolated Hill in Eastern Sri Lanka

Compared to wet zonehills of Sri Lanka, the floristic communities of hills in drier regions ofits first peniplane has been poorly studied. This study investigatedthe floristic communitiesalong the altitudinal gradient in Monaragala, an isolated hill in the intermediate zone of theisland, by sampling trees and lianas >10 cm g bh, in 99 randomly located 10 m x10 m plots infour transects laid on different aspects of the hill.In the 9,900 m2 sampled in the study, 1,322 individuals were enumerated. They represented44 families, 103 genera and 149 species, among which 45 were endemic to Sri Lanka. Frommultivariate analysis of the plot data, one grassland / savanna and five forest communitiesseparated in relation to their variations in elevation and topography, disturbance level andphysiognomy of the vegetation. These communities were: two disturbed tall forests, onerestricted to low-elevation 210-780 m (LDT) and the other widespread at 540 – 620 m / 920 –950 m (WDT); three undisturbed tall forests, one at mid-elevation 600-880 m (MUT) and theother two on ridge slopes of Sirigala (RUT) and Maragala (IUT) at 880 -1100 m, and the lasta high-elevation disturbed grassland/savanna at 720 – 870 m (HDG).The five leading families in each of the six communities collectively represented 31 of the 44families identified in the study, reflecting familial diversity among the communities. Thedominant families were Sterculiaceae and Rutaceae in the lower elevation, while Lauraceae,Dipterocarpaceae, Myrtaceae, Bombacaceae and Apocynaceae were in mid - and upperelevations. Euphorbiaceae was common to all altitudinal ranges.Most species were restricted to a particular elevation range. At the lower range, Diospyrosebenum, Pterospermum suberifolium, Miliusa indica, Acronychia pedunculata, Alphonseasclerocarpa, Chlorocarpa pentaschista and Drypetes sepiaria. The mid- and higher rangeharboured endemic species and those common to wet zone rainforests, eg. Actinodaphneelegans, A. ambigua, Cullenia ceylanica, Cryptocarya wightiana, Hunteria zeylanica,Calophyllum tomentosum, Dipterocarpus zeylanicus.This study emphasizes that isolated hill forests located outside the wet zone, like Moneragala,harbour diverse and unique floral assemblages which need urgent conservation in a rapidlydeveloping era.

ECOPHYSIOLOGY OF TWO LIANA SPECIES Calamus ovoideus AND Coscinium fenestratum UNDER DIFFERENT CANOPY REMOVAL TREATMENTS

Calamus ovoideus Thw. and Coscinium fenestratum Colbr. are naturally growing economicallyimportant liana species, around the Sinharaja MAB reserve, Sri Lanka. Growth performance andphysiological attributes of these species were examined using plants established in 1991 underthree different canopy removal treatments ina Pinus caribaea plantation in the buffer zone ofSinharaja forest. They were 3 pine rows and 1 pi lie row removed, 3 pine rows under plantingand the Pinus underplanting control where the initial light intensities were 22, 10, 5 and 3mol/m21 day respectively.The results showed that height after 8 years and the annual height increments were significantlyhigher among the three canopy removal treatments compared to that in the closed canopy controlfor both species. In C. ovoideus greatest height was in the three-pine rows removal treatment andleast in the closed canopy under planting . .In contrast, Cifenestratum showed no significantheight difference among the three canopy removal treatments compared to the control. The meanroot collar diameter after 8 years and its increments in C. fenestratum were significantly higherin the canopy removal treatments compared to that of the control. In the physiological studies,both species showed significant differences in their net photosynthetic rate and stomatalconductance when grown under different light regimes. The higher photosynthetic rate of C.ovoideus was in the one pine removed treatment ar.d in C. fenestratum it was in the three pinerows removed treatment.After 8 years of establishment, for both study species the three and one pine rows removed andthree pine rows underplanting treatment were better than the Pinus underplanting (closedunderstorey) treatment. This study revealed that these liana species could be successfullyintroduced to the monocuIture Pinus caribaea plantations in the lowland wet zone of Sri Lanka.

Action of topical dorzolamide 2% solution as an ocular hipotensive. Experimental study in dogs

The increasing of intraocular pressure (IOP) is the major risk factor for the development of glaucoma. Dorzolamide is used for the treatment of glaucoma. The aim of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of 2% solution dorzolamide on IOP of healthy dogs. Twenty adult dogs received topical treatment in the left eye with 2% dorzolamide. IOP measurements were carried out using aplanation tonometry (Tono-penâ). Measurements were performed 1 hour before instillation of a single drop of the dorzolamide in the left eye, and at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours after treatment. In the no treated eye, IOP decreased over time, with a maximum decrease from baseline of 13,8%. In the treated eye, there was a reduction of 22,4%. It was concluded that 2% dorzolamide is effective to reduce IOP in healthy dogs.O aumento da pressão intra-ocular (PIO) é o fator de risco primário para o desenvolvimento da neuropatia óptica glaucomatosa canina. O cloridrato de dorzolamida a 2% reduz a PIO pela diminuição da produção do humor aquoso. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a ação do cloridrato de dorzolamida em solução a 2% na PIO de cães normais e verificar possíveis alterações no olho sem tratamento. A mensuração da PIO foi realizada em ambos os olhos, 1 hora antes e 1, 2, 4, 6 e 8 horas após a instilação de uma gota do colírio hipotensor no olho esquerdo, utilizando-se tonômetro de aplanação. O olho não tratado apresentou redução significativa da PIO, sendo que a redução foi de 13,8% e 22,4% no olho tratado. A administração tópica do cloridrato de dorzolamida 2% resultou na redução significativa da PIO de cães clinicamente normais

Characterization of heterosis and genomic prediction‐based establishment of heterotic patterns for developing better hybrids in pigeonpea

Whole-genome resequencing (WGRS) of 396 lines, consisting of 104 hybrid parental lines and 292 germplasm lines, were used to study the molecular basis of mid-parent heterosis (MPH) and to identify complementary heterotic patterns in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] hybrids. The lines and hybrids were assessed for yield and yield-related traits in multiple environments. Our analysis showed positive MPH values in 78.6% of hybrids, confirming the potential of hybrid breeding in pigeonpea. By using genome-wide prediction and association mapping approaches, we identified 129 single nucleotide polymorphisms and 52 copy number variations with significant heterotic effects and also established a high-yielding heterotic pattern in pigeonpea. In summary, our study highlights the role of WGRS data in the study and use of heterosis in crops where hybrid breeding is expected to boost selection gain in order to ensure global food security

ORQUIECTOMIA PARA A REDUÇÃO DO VOLUME PROSTÁTICO. ESTUDO EXPERIMENTAL EM CÃES

Prostatic disorders like benign  prostatic hyperplasia,  prostatitis, cysts,  and neoplasia are common in older male dogs. The objective of the treatment of such disorders  is to decrease prostatic size aiming to alliviate  their respective symptoms. The aim of the present research work was to evaluate the efficacy of castration in  regard to the prostatic size and stromal tissue of  healthy dogs. The prostate volume was evaluated by  ultrasonography and the measurements performed before (baseline) orchiectomy and at 7, 21, 40 and 90 days after castration. Canine prostatic volumes significantly decreased by 81% in the 90th day after castration. In most of the experimental animals (80%) as much  as 50%  reduction of the prostate volume  has been observed  after  15 days of  castration, showing that orchiectomy is an efficient  therapy to reduce prostatic size. On the other hand, ultra-sonography is a non invasive diagnostic method indicated towards prostatic evaluation.Doenças prostáticas como a hiperplasia prostática benigna (HPB), prostatites, cistos e neoplasias são enfermidades comuns em machos com idade avançada. O aumento prostático promove compressão do reto e uretra causando tenesmo, constipação, disúria e anúria; o tratamento mais eficaz para reduzir o tamanho prostático, principalmente na HPB, é a castração. Este estudo objetivou avaliar as dimensões e a estrutura prostática após a orquiectomia em cães normais; além da eficiência da ultra-sonografia. O volume prostático de 10 cães foi avaliado por meio da ultra-sonografia transabdominal antes e aos 7, 21, 40 e 90 dias após a orquiectomia. A análise dos resultados demonstrou que houve redução significativa de 81% do volume prostático 90 dias após a castração, sendo que a maioria dos cães (80%) apresentou pelo menos 50% de redução do volume prostático após 15 dias da orquiectomia. A orquiectomia é uma terapia eficiente para a redução do volume prostático. O emprego da ultra-sonografia transabdominal é um método não invasivo adequado para avaliação e mensuração prostática em cães

Corneal thickness measurements in ovines with ultrasonic pachymetry and noncontact specular microscopy

O propósito do presente trabalho foi avaliar os valores da espessura corneana central em córneas de ovinos sadios com o microscópio especular de não-contato e paquímetro ultra-sônico. A espessura corneana central foi determinada em 22 olhos de 11 ovinos, inicialmente com microscópio especular de não-contato (Topcon SP-2000P), seguido pelo paquímetro ultra-sônico (Nidek UP-1000). Os valores médios das medidas corneanas centrais foram 654mm e 665mm com o microscópio especular de não contato e o paquímetro ultra-sônico, respectivamente. As medidas da espessura corneana demonstraram que ambos os instrumentos são confiáveis.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the central corneal thickness values in normal ovine with Topcon SP-2000P noncontact specular microscope and ultrasonic pachymeter. Central corneal thickness was detemined in 22 eyes of 11 ovines, first with a noncontact specular microscopy (Topcon SP-2000P), then using an ultrasonic pachgmeter (Nidek UP-1000). The central corneal measurements were 654mm e 665mm with Topcon and ultrasonic pachymeter, respectively. The instruments were reliable in their measurements