Small intestinal mucosal cells in piglets fed with probiotic and zinc: a qualitative and quantitative microanatomical study

Background: Probiotics and zinc are commonly used and beneficial in pig production. This work aimed to assess the effects of probiotic and zinc on the mucosal cells of the small intestine in respect to digestive capacity and immunity in pre- and post-weaned piglets.Materials and methods: Eighteen Large White Yorkshire piglets were divided equally into control and treatment groups. The piglets were maintained in standard management conditions and were weaned at 28 days of age. The treatment group of piglets fed a mixture of probiotics orally at 1.25 × 109 CFU/day and zinc at 2000 ppm/day from birth to 10 days of age. At three different age-groups viz. day 20 (pre-weaning) and, day 30 and day 60 (post-weaning), the animals were sacrificed. For histomorphology, the tissue samples were processed and stained with Mayer’s haematoxylin and eosin for routine study, combined periodic acid-Schiff-Alcian blue for mucopolysaccharides and Masson-Hamperl argentaffin technique for argentaffin cells. The stained slides were observed under the microscope. The samples were processed as per the standard procedure for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The statistical analysis of the data using the appropriate statistical tests was also conducted.Results: The mucosal epithelium of villi and crypts were lined by enterocytes, goblet cells, argentaffin cells, microfold (M-cell) cells, tuft cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes. The multipotent stem cells were located at the crypt base. The length of the enterocyte microvilli was significantly longer (p < 0.05) in the treatment group of piglets. The number of different types of goblet cells and argentaffin cells was more in treated piglets irrespective of segments of intestine and age. The intraepithelial lymphocytes were located in apical, nuclear and basal positions in the lining epithelium of both villus tip and base with their significant increase in the treatment group of piglets. The transmission electron microscopy revealed the frequent occurrence of tuft cells in the lining mucosa of the small intestine in treated piglets.Conclusions: Dietary supplementation of probiotic and zinc induced the number of different mucosal cells of villi and crypts in the small intestine that might suggest the greater absorptive capacity of nutrients and effective immunity in critical pre and post-weaned piglets

A study of prognostic predictors of supratentorial haematomas

The prognosis of supratentorial haematomas is based on clinical signs and radiological features. The role of evoked potentials has not been evaluated systematically. In a prospective study of supratentorial haemorrhage a number of clinical (17), radiological (3) and evoked potential (2) parameters were evaluated employing univariate logistic regression analysis in 69 patients and multivariate logistic regression stepdown analysis in 51 patients. The outcome was graded on the basis of the Barthel index (BI) score at 3 months as good (BI = 12) or poor (death or BI < 12) recovery. Employing univariate analysis the significant prognostic variables were Glasgow Coma Scale, Canadian Neurological Scale, tendon reflex, associated medical complications, urinary incontinence, ventricular extension of the haematoma and motor evoked potentials. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis the best set of parameters in relation to outcome inlcuded Glasgow Coma Scale (P < 0.05), Canadian Neurological Scale (P < 0.05), tendon reflex (P < 0.1), ventricular extent (P < 0.01) and motor evoked potentials (P < 0.05). From this study it is concluded that, in addition to clinical and radiological parameters, motor evoked potentials also have an important role in predicting outcome

A comparison of clinical and radiological findings in adults and children with Japanese encephalitis

Background: Japanese encephalitis (JE) is the most common human endemic encephalitis, prevalent mainly in Southeast Asia. It affects both adults and children in different areas, but there is no comparative study of their clinical features and outcomes. Objective: To evaluate clinical and radiological features in adults and children with JE. Methods: Patients with serologically or virologically confirmed JE who were treated during the past 10 years were included in this study. All patients underwent a detailed neurological examination, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging. The presence of movement disorders, anterior horn cell involvement, and electroencephalographic changes was noted. After 6 months, each patient's outcome was defined as poor, partial, or complete recovery. The clinical and radiological findings for both adults and children were compared using χ2 tests. Results: The results are based on 30 children and 37 adults. Seizure was present in 23 adults (62.2%) and in 17 children (56.7%). Three children had associated neurocysticercosis, and all of them had partial seizures. The occurrence of focal neurological deficit, anterior horn cell involvement, and parkinsonian features was not significantly different between adults and children. Dystonia was more common in children, occurring in 20 (66.7%) compared with 7 adults (18.9%). Six adults died, but none of the children did; however, the 6-month outcome was better for surviving adults compared with the children. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Conclusions: Children with JE are more likely to have dystonia and a poor outcome at 6 months compared with adults. The difference in clinical findings and outcome in children and adults with JE may be owing to immunological factors, maturation of the central nervous system, and neuronal plasticity

Using Qualitative Methods to Explore Farrier-Related Barriers to Successful Farriery Interventions for Equine Welfare in India

Farriery is a critical component of healthcare services for working equids. However, in India, an informal workforce, lack of structured training facilities and non-implementation of farriery regulations pose challenges for quality farriery. Brooke India, an equine welfare organisation, has undertaken many initiatives aiming to improve farriery services, including technical training and engagement with equid-owning communities. However, this has met with varying success. The study aimed to identify factors that prevent farriers providing quality farriery services. Focus-group discussions were conducted with farriers from two districts of Uttar Pradesh with varying programme outcomes. Within each area, farriers were grouped according to previous level of engagement with Brooke programmes. Demand for services, farrier status, the external environment and technical training and knowledge were identified as key elements that affected farriery work. These factors were very context specific: in areas where brick kilns provided the majority of customers, recent closures had resulted in an increase in those farriers’ feeling of insecurity. A systems approach to improving farriery services, taking these factors into account, is advised. Mentoring-based capacity building, which is closely aligned to farrier needs and expectations, is expected to have positive results in terms of technical skill and farrier engagement

Study of survival of motor neuron (SMN) and neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein (NAIP) gene deletions in SMA patients

In view of the paucity of deletion studies of survival of motor neuron (SMN) and neuronal apoptosis inhibitor protein (NAIP) genes in Indian SMA patients, this study has been undertaken to determine the status of SMN1, SMN2 and NAIP gene deletions in Indian SMA patients. Clinically and neurophysiologically diagnosed SMA patients were included in the study. A gene deletion study was carried out in 45 proximal SMA patients and 50 controls of the same ethnic group. Both SMN1 and NAIP genes showed homozygous absence in 76 % and 31 % respectively in proximal SMA patients. It is proposed that the lower deletion frequency of SMN1 gene in Indian patients may be due to mutations present in other genes or population variation, which need further study

MRI in Japanese encephalitis

We document the MRI features in seven patients with Japanese encephalitis. MRI was carried out on a 1.5 T system within 10-60 days of onset. In all the patients MRI revealed bilateral thalamic lesions, haemorrhagic in five. Signal changes were present in the cerebrum in four patients, the midbrain and cerebellum in three each, the pons in two and the basal ganglia in one. The lesions were haemorrhagic in three of the four patients with lesions in the cortex, two of the three with lesions in the midbrain and cerebellum, but the pontine lesions were haemorrhagic in both patients. Spinal cord involvement was seen in one of the three patients who underwent MRI. In two patients MRI was repeated 3 years after the onset, showing marked reduction in abnormal signal; and all the lesions gave low signal on both T1- and T2-weighted images. Bilateral thalamic involvement, especially haemorrhagic, may be considered characteristic of Japanese encephalitis, especially in endemic areas