Determination of Blood Glucose, Total Protein, Certain Minerals, and Triiodothyronine during Late Pregnancy and Postpartum Periods in Crossbred Dairy Cows

The late pregnancy (3rd trimester) and the postpartum period (PPP) (calving date or day zero to day 45) are very critical periods for the fertility and production in dairy cows. This study was designed to investigate blood glucose, total protein (TP), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), and triiodothyronine (T3) during late pregnancy and the PPP. Twenty-seven apparently healthy multiparous crossbred dairy cows (Friesian × Kenana) were included in this study. The cows were randomly allocated into three groups: group A (n = 10), cows with late pregnancy, group B (n = 7), cows in the PPP, and group C (n = 10), nonpregnant cows as control. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze the data. The results of this study showed that blood glucose was higher in late pregnancy and the PPP than in nonpregnant cows. The TP was significantly lower in late pregnant cows than during the PPP and in nonpregnant cows. Ca, P, and Mg were not significantly different between periods. Serum Fe and T3 were significantly lower during the PPP than that in late pregnant and nonpregnant cows. The results can provide indications of the nutritional status of dairy cows and a diagnostic tool to avoid the metabolic disorders that may occur during late pregnancy and the PPP

Impacts of Agricultural Practices on Insecticide Resistance in the Malaria Vector Anopheles arabiensis in Khartoum State, Sudan.

BACKGROUND Agricultural pesticides may play a profound role in selection of resistance in field populations of mosquito vectors. The objective of this study is to investigate possible links between agricultural pesticide use and development of resistance to insecticides by the major malaria vector Anopheles arabiensis in northern Sudan. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Entomological surveys were conducted during two agricultural seasons in six urban and peri-urban sites in Khartoum state. Agro-sociological data were collected from 240 farmers subjected to semi-structured questionnaires based on knowledge attitude and practice (KAP) surveys. Susceptibility status of An. arabiensis (n=6000) was assessed in all sites and during each season using WHO bioassay tests to DDT, deltamethrin, permethrin, Malathion and bendiocarb. KAP analysis revealed that pesticide application was common practice among both urban and peri-urban farmers, with organophosphates and carbamates most commonly used. Selection for resistance is likely to be greater in peri-urban sites where farmers apply pesticide more frequently and are less likely to dispose of surpluses correctly. Though variable among insecticides and seasons, broad-spectrum mortality was slightly, but significantly higher in urban than peri-urban sites and most marked for bendiocarb, to which susceptibility was lowest. Anopheles arabiensis from all sites showed evidence of resistance or suspected resistance, especially pyrethroids. However, low-moderate frequencies of the L1014F kdr allele in all sites, which was very strongly associated with DDT, permethrin and deltamethrin survivorship (OR=6.14-14.67) suggests that resistance could increase rapidly. CONCLUSIONS Ubiquitous multiple-resistance coupled with presence of a clear mechanism for DDT and pyrethroids (kdr L1014F) in populations of An. arabiensis from Khartoum-Sudan suggests careful insecticide management is essential to prolong efficacy. Our findings are consistent with agricultural insecticide use as a source of selection for resistance and argue for coordination between the integrated vector control program and the Ministry of Agriculture to permit successful implementation of rational resistance management strategies

Seasonal Variation in Biting Rates of Simulium damnosum sensu lato, Vector of Onchocerca volvulus, in Two Sudanese Foci.

BACKGROUND:The abundance of onchocerciasis vectors affects the epidemiology of disease in Sudan, therefore, studies of vector dynamics are crucial for onchocerciasis control/elimination programs. This study aims to compare the relative abundance, monthly biting-rates (MBR) and hourly-based distribution of onchocerciasis vectors in Abu-Hamed and Galabat foci. These seasonally-based factors can be used to structure vector control efforts to reduce fly-biting rates as a component of onchocerciasis elimination programs. METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted in four endemic villages in Abu-Hamed and Galabat foci during two non-consecutive years (2007-2008 and 2009-2010). Both adults and aquatic stages of the potential onchocerciasis vector Simulium damnosum sensu lato were collected following standard procedures during wet and dry seasons. Adult flies were collected using human landing capture for 5 days/month. The data was recorded on handheld data collection sheets to calculate the relative abundance, MBR, and hourly-based distribution associated with climatic factors. The data analysis was carried out using ANOVA and Spearman rank correlation tests. RESULTS:Data on vector surveillance revealed higher relative abundance of S. damnosum s.l. in Abu- Hamed (39,934 flies) than Galabat (8,202 flies). In Abu-Hamed, vector populations increased in January-April then declined in June-July until they disappeared in August-October. Highest black fly density and MBR were found in March 2007 (N = 9,444, MBR = 58,552.8 bites/person/month), and March 2010 (N = 2,603, MBR = 16,138.6 bites/person/month) while none of flies were collected in August-October (MBR = 0 bites/person/month). In Galabat, vectors increased in September-December, then decreased in February-June. The highest vector density and MBR were recorded in September 2007 (N = 1,138, MBR = 6,828 bites/person/month) and September 2010 (N = 1,163, MBR = 6,978 bites/person/month), whereas, none appeared in collection from April to June. There was a significant difference in mean monthly density of S. damnosum s.l. across the two foci in 2007-2008 (df = 3, F = 3.91, P = 0.011). Minimum temperature showed significant correlation with adult flies counts in four areas sampled; the adult counts were increased in Nady village (rs = 0.799) and were decreased in Kalasecal (rs = -0.676), Gumaiza (rs = -0.585), and Hilat Khateir (rs = -0.496). Maximum temperature showed positive correlation with black fly counts only in Galabat focus. Precipitation was significantly correlated with adult flies counts in Nady village, Abu-Hamed, but no significance was found in the rest of the sampled villages in both foci. Hourly-based distribution of black flies showed a unimodal pattern in Abu-Hamed with one peak (10:00-18:00), while a bimodal pattern with two peaks (07:00-10:00) and (14:00-18:00) was exhibited in Galabat. CONCLUSION:Transmission of onchocerciasis in both foci showed marked differences in seasonality, which may be attributed to ecology, microclimate and proximity of breeding sites to collection sites. The seasonal shifts between the two foci might be related to variations in climate zones. This information on black fly vector seasonality, ecology, distribution and biting activity has obvious implications in monitoring transmission levels to guide the national and regional onchocerciasis elimination programs in Sudan

Clinical Implications of MiR128, Angiotensin I Converting Enzyme and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene Abnormalities and Their Association with T2D

Type 2 DM (T2D) results from the interaction of the genetic and environmental risk factors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE), and MicroRNAs (MiRNAs) are involved in important physiological processes. Gene variations in VEGF, ACE and MiRNA genes are associated with diseases. In this study we investigated the associations of the VEGF-2578 C/A (rs699947), VEGF-2549 insertion/deletion (I/D), and ACE I/D rs4646994 and Mir128a (rs11888095) gene variations with T2D using the amplification refractory mutation system PCR (ARMS-PCR) and mutation specific PCR (MSP). We screened 122 T2D cases and 126 healthy controls (HCs) for the rs699947, and 133 T2D cases and 133 HCs for the VEGF I/D polymorphism. For the ACE I/D we screened 152 cases and 150 HCs, and we screened 129 cases and 112 HCs for the Mir128a (rs11888095). The results showed that the CA genotype of the VEGF rs699947 and D allele of the VEGF I/D polymorphisms were associated with T2D with OR =2.01, p-value = 0.011, and OR = 2.42, p-value = 0.010, respectively. The result indicated the D allele of the ACE ID was protective against T2D with OR = 0.10, p-value = 0.0001, whereas the TC genotype and the T allele of the Mir128a (rs11888095) were associated with increased risk to T2D with OR = 3.16, p-value = 0.0001, and OR = 1.68, p-value = 0.01, respectively. We conclude that the VEGF (rs699947), VEGF I/D and Mir128a (rs11888095) are potential risk loci for T2D, and that the D allele of the ACE ID polymorphism may be protective against T2D. These results help in identification and stratification for the individuals that at risk for T2D. However, future well-designed studies in different populations and with larger sample sizes are required. Moreover, studies to examine the effects of these polymorphisms on VEGF and ACE proteins are recommended

The four pesticides classes used in urban and peri-urban sites during the agro-sociological survey.

<p>The four pesticides classes used in urban and peri-urban sites during the agro-sociological survey.</p

Hourly-based distribution of host-seeking females sampled from human-baits collection in Abu-Hamed and Galabat, Sudan.

<p>Hourly-based distribution of host-seeking females sampled from human-baits collection in Abu-Hamed and Galabat, Sudan.</p

Monthly density of black flies collected in Abu-Hamed and Galabat in 2007–2008 and 2009–2010.

<p>Monthly density of black flies collected in Abu-Hamed and Galabat in 2007–2008 and 2009–2010.</p