Comparison of oral versus injectable vitamin-D for the treatment of nutritional vitamin-D deficiency rickets

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and acceptability of a single dose of vitamin-D versus the efficacy of injectable Vitamin-D versus oral vitamin-D. STUDY DESIGN: Case control. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: It was carried out at the Department of Paediatrics, Kharadar General Hospital, Karachi, from August 2003 to April 2004. METHODOLOGY: Children of the age of 6 months to 3 years with clinical, biochemical and radiological evidence of vitamin- D deficiency rickets were included. The history, clinical examination, complete blood picture, serum calcium. Phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and X-ray of wrist joint were done. The children were divided into two groups A and B. Group A was given oral vitamin-D and group B was given intramuscular injection of vitamin-D on the first day and then they were followed for two more visits at 30 and 90 days with clinical, biochemical and radiological examinations to assess the outcome. RESULTS: There were 50 confirmed cases of rickets in each group. The mean age was 10.9+5.1 months and 14.7+8.1 months in group A and B respectively. In these children, clinical features were weakness, difficulty in walking, frontal bossing, ribcage deformity and widening of wrist were seen. After one dose of vitamin-D (cholecalciferol), there was appreciable gain of weight and height and raised levels of alkaline phosphatase became normal during follow-up. Radiological florid rickets and non-florid rickets in both groups healed clinically during follow-up period. Oral and injectable forms of vitamin-D (cholecalciferol) were effective but injectable form was shown to be statistically significant. There were no undesirable side effects and both forms of treatment were well-tolerated

Comparison of oral versus injectable vitamin-D for the treatment of nutritional vitamin-D deficiency rickets

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and acceptability of a single dose of vitamin-D versus the efficacy of injectable Vitamin-D versus oral vitamin-D. STUDY DESIGN: Case control. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: It was carried out at the Department of Paediatrics, Kharadar General Hospital, Karachi, from August 2003 to April 2004. METHODOLOGY: Children of the age of 6 months to 3 years with clinical, biochemical and radiological evidence of vitamin- D deficiency rickets were included. The history, clinical examination, complete blood picture, serum calcium. Phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and X-ray of wrist joint were done. The children were divided into two groups A and B. Group A was given oral vitamin-D and group B was given intramuscular injection of vitamin-D on the first day and then they were followed for two more visits at 30 and 90 days with clinical, biochemical and radiological examinations to assess the outcome. RESULTS: There were 50 confirmed cases of rickets in each group. The mean age was 10.9+5.1 months and 14.7+8.1 months in group A and B respectively. In these children, clinical features were weakness, difficulty in walking, frontal bossing, ribcage deformity and widening of wrist were seen. After one dose of vitamin-D (cholecalciferol), there was appreciable gain of weight and height and raised levels of alkaline phosphatase became normal during follow-up. Radiological florid rickets and non-florid rickets in both groups healed clinically during follow-up period. Oral and injectable forms of vitamin-D (cholecalciferol) were effective but injectable form was shown to be statistically significant. There were no undesirable side effects and both forms of treatment were well-tolerated

Role of a probiotic (Saccharomyces boulardii) in management and prevention of diarrhoea

AIM: To assess the efficacy and safety of Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) in acute watery diarrhoea and its role in reducing the frequency of episodes of diarrhoea in subsequent two months.Methods: Children from 2 mo to 12 years of age, with acute diarrhoea were selected according to inclusion criteria and randomised in S. boulardii group (treated with ORS, nutritional support and S. boulardii, 250 mg bid) and in control group (treated with ORS and nutritional support only). Active treatment phase was 5 d and each child was followed for two months afterwards. Frequency and consistency of stools as well as safety of drug was assessed on every visit. A comparison of two groups was done in terms of number of diarrhoeal episode in subsequent two months.Results: There were fifty patients in each group. Baseline characteristics such as mean age and the average frequency of stools were comparable in S. boulardii and control group at the time of inclusion in the trial. By d 3 it reduced to 2.7 and 4.2 stools per d respectively and by d 6 it reduced to 1.6 (S. boulardii Group) and 3.3 (control group). The duration of diarrhoea was 3.6 d in S. boulardii group whereas it was 4.8 d in control group (P = 0.001). In the following two months, S. boulardii group had a significantly lower frequency of 0.54 episodes as compared to 1.08 episodes in control group. The drug was well accepted and tolerated. There were no reports of the side effects during treatment period.Conclusion: S. boulardii significantly reduces the frequency and duration of acute diarrhoea. The consistency of stool also improves. The drug is well-tolerated

Chinese medicinal plants: an alternative approach for management of Verticillium wilt of cotton

Summary. The use of chemical fungicides is costly and potentially harmful to the environment. The trend towards the environmentally-friendly pesticides has led to the search for new antifungal agents from various sources, including Chinese medicinal herbs. This study aimed to confirm the antifungal potential of selected Chinese medicinal herbs, under in vitro and greenhouse conditions, against Verticillium dahliae, the causal agent of Verticillium wilt of cotton. Preliminary screening of 26 medicinal herbs for antifungal potential showed varied responses, reducing the radial colony growth of V. dahliae, and fungicidal potential. The strongest efficacy was observed for extracts from Prunus mume and Rhus chinensis, followed by Coptis chinensis, Cortex phellodendri chinensis (dried bark of Phellodendron chinense) and Curcuma longa. The efficacy of the four most effective herbs (R. chinensis, P. mume, C. chinensis and C. phellodendri chinensis) under greenhouse conditions correlated with in vitro tests. However, Prunus mume and Rhus chinensis gave the greatest reduction in severity of Verticillium wilt. The greatest improvements in plant height, fresh weight and number of leaves were obtained with P. mume and R. chinensis, followed by C. chinensis and C. phellodendri chinensis. Greatest improvements in plant growth resulted from P. mume and R. chi-nensis. Alternative control with Chinese medicinal herbs showing the greatest antifungal potential could provide economical, safe and non-hazardous tools for management of Verticillium wilt and increased cotton quality from sustainable production

Preliminary selection and evaluation of fungicides and natural compounds to control grey mold disease of rose caused by Botrytis cinerea

Botrytis cinerea es un hongo patógeno de las plantas que causa la enfermedad del moho gris del rosal (Rosa indica L.). La búsqueda de estrategias de control nuevas y alternativas respetuosas con el medio ambiente, en lugar de los productos químicos peligrosos, para diferentes enfermedades de los cultivos es un paso crucial y saludable para hacer frente a los retos actuales del cambio climático. Por lo tanto, este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la eficacia de diferentes extractos botánicos y agentes de biocontrol (biopesticidas) junto con diferentes fungicidas contra B. cinerea en condiciones in vitro. Se utilizaron tres concentraciones diferentes, a saber, 100, 200 y 300 ppm de cinco fungicidas, a saber, Acrobate, Melody, Cabrio top, Antracol y oxicloruro de cobre, extractos botánicos de ocho plantas Dhatura, Jengibre, Aak, Neem y Cebolla, en tres dosis diferentes de 5, 10 y 15%, El estudio de la incidencia de la enfermedad% de moho gris en el cultivo de rosas en la región muestra que la región de Hyderabad tiene un máximo (60%) de incidencia de la enfermedad en comparación con la región de Tandojam (40%). Entre los fungicidas, el Cabrio top redujo significativamente el crecimiento lineal de colonias (31 mm) de B. cinerea a una concentración de 300 ppm. Entre los productos botánicos, el extracto de la planta de neem mostró significativamente el menor crecimiento de colonias (23,33 mm), seguido de la planta de jengibre (25 mm) y la planta de dhatura (26 mm). La mayor concentración de fungicidas y las dosis más altas (15%) de extractos botánicos resultaron significativamente eficaces para controlar el patógeno B. cinerea. Among biopesticides, Fusarium solani appeared prominent in reducing colony growth (25.16 mm) of the pathogen but the difference was not significant 300 with most of the tested biocontrol agents. La recomendación en este estudio es la alta capacidad de los extractos botánicos y agentes de biocontrol en la reducción del crecimiento de moho gris, considerando potencialmente su uso en lugar de fungicidas sintéticos y mayor seguridad para el ecosistema.Campus Ic

Geoeconomic variations in epidemiology, ventilation management, and outcomes in invasively ventilated intensive care unit patients without acute respiratory distress syndrome: a pooled analysis of four observational studies

Background: Geoeconomic variations in epidemiology, the practice of ventilation, and outcome in invasively ventilated intensive care unit (ICU) patients without acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remain unexplored. In this analysis we aim to address these gaps using individual patient data of four large observational studies. Methods: In this pooled analysis we harmonised individual patient data from the ERICC, LUNG SAFE, PRoVENT, and PRoVENT-iMiC prospective observational studies, which were conducted from June, 2011, to December, 2018, in 534 ICUs in 54 countries. We used the 2016 World Bank classification to define two geoeconomic regions: middle-income countries (MICs) and high-income countries (HICs). ARDS was defined according to the Berlin criteria. Descriptive statistics were used to compare patients in MICs versus HICs. The primary outcome was the use of low tidal volume ventilation (LTVV) for the first 3 days of mechanical ventilation. Secondary outcomes were key ventilation parameters (tidal volume size, positive end-expiratory pressure, fraction of inspired oxygen, peak pressure, plateau pressure, driving pressure, and respiratory rate), patient characteristics, the risk for and actual development of acute respiratory distress syndrome after the first day of ventilation, duration of ventilation, ICU length of stay, and ICU mortality. Findings: Of the 7608 patients included in the original studies, this analysis included 3852 patients without ARDS, of whom 2345 were from MICs and 1507 were from HICs. Patients in MICs were younger, shorter and with a slightly lower body-mass index, more often had diabetes and active cancer, but less often chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure than patients from HICs. Sequential organ failure assessment scores were similar in MICs and HICs. Use of LTVV in MICs and HICs was comparable (42\ub74% vs 44\ub72%; absolute difference \u20131\ub769 [\u20139\ub758 to 6\ub711] p=0\ub767; data available in 3174 [82%] of 3852 patients). The median applied positive end expiratory pressure was lower in MICs than in HICs (5 [IQR 5\u20138] vs 6 [5\u20138] cm H2O; p=0\ub70011). ICU mortality was higher in MICs than in HICs (30\ub75% vs 19\ub79%; p=0\ub70004; adjusted effect 16\ub741% [95% CI 9\ub752\u201323\ub752]; p<0\ub70001) and was inversely associated with gross domestic product (adjusted odds ratio for a US$10 000 increase per capita 0\ub780 [95% CI 0\ub775\u20130\ub786]; p<0\ub70001). Interpretation: Despite similar disease severity and ventilation management, ICU mortality in patients without ARDS is higher in MICs than in HICs, with a strong association with country-level economic status. Funding: No funding

Clinical Prevalence of Peste Des Petits Ruminants (PPR) Disease in Small Ruminants at the Urban Areas of Hyderabad, Sindh

Peste des Petits Ruminants is a highly contagious viral disease of small ruminants, caused by Peste des Petits Ruminants virus (PPRV), spreading worldwide in these days. Thus, current study was planned to check the prevalence percentage of PPR in small ruminants especially in goat and sheep surrounding the urban areas of Hyderabad district of Pakistan. A total of two hundred goat (n=200) were examined during study period. The highest prevalence percentage was observed for PPR (35%) followed by respiratory tract infection (17%), urine incontinence (10%), tympany (9.5%) and indigestion (6%). The prevalence percentage of fracture (1.5%) was lowest among all followed by retained placenta (2%), dystokia (2.5%), mastitis (3%) and abortion (3.5%). Whereas, wound (4.5%) and enterotoxaemia (5.5%) showed moderate prevalence. Similarly, a total two hundred sheep (n=200) were examined and prevalence of different disorders in sheep was found quietly different from the goat. The PPR appeared to be most prevalent problem (30%) in sheep too followed by indigestion (15.5%), respiratory tract infection (13.5%), tympany (12.5%) and wound (7.5%). Fracture appeared as least prevalent problem (1%) followed by dystokia (1.5%), retained placenta (3%), mastitis (3.5%) and abortion (5%). The moderate prevalence was of enterotoxaemia (7%); where, as prevalence of urine incontinence was recorded zero (0%). Overall Prevalence percentages of different disorders in both species indicate that PPR (32.5%) appeared as most prevalent disease followed by respiratory tract infections (15.25%), tympany (11%), indigestion (10.75%) and enterotoxaemia (6.25%). Furthermore; fracture appeared as least prevalent complaint (1.25%) followed by dystokia (2%), retained placenta (2.5%), mastitis (3.25%) and dystokia (4.25%). As for as urine incontinence (5%) and enterotxaemia (6.25%) are concerned, their prevalence was found moderate. No doubt PPR is one of the major emerging issue for small ruminant production therefore current study was planned to provide a proper baseline information so that infected heads could be identified on very early stage for their timely cure and prevention

Clinical Prevalence of Peste Des Petits Ruminants (PPR) Disease in Small Ruminants at the Urban Areas of Hyderabad, Sindh

Peste des Petits Ruminants is a highly contagious viral disease of small ruminants, caused by Peste des Petits Ruminants virus (PPRV), spreading worldwide in these days. Thus, current study was planned to check the prevalence percentage of PPR in small ruminants especially in goat and sheep surrounding the urban areas of Hyderabad district of Pakistan. A total of two hundred goat (n=200) were examined during study period. The highest prevalence percentage was observed for PPR (35%) followed by respiratory tract infection (17%), urine incontinence (10%), tympany (9.5%) and indigestion (6%). The prevalence percentage of fracture (1.5%) was lowest among all followed by retained placenta (2%), dystokia (2.5%), mastitis (3%) and abortion (3.5%). Whereas, wound (4.5%) and enterotoxaemia (5.5%) showed moderate prevalence. Similarly, a total two hundred sheep (n=200) were examined and prevalence of different disorders in sheep was found quietly different from the goat. The PPR appeared to be most prevalent problem (30%) in sheep too followed by indigestion (15.5%), respiratory tract infection (13.5%), tympany (12.5%) and wound (7.5%). Fracture appeared as least prevalent problem (1%) followed by dystokia (1.5%), retained placenta (3%), mastitis (3.5%) and abortion (5%). The moderate prevalence was of enterotoxaemia (7%); where, as prevalence of urine incontinence was recorded zero (0%). Overall Prevalence percentages of different disorders in both species indicate that PPR (32.5%) appeared as most prevalent disease followed by respiratory tract infections (15.25%), tympany (11%), indigestion (10.75%) and enterotoxaemia (6.25%). Furthermore; fracture appeared as least prevalent complaint (1.25%) followed by dystokia (2%), retained placenta (2.5%), mastitis (3.25%) and dystokia (4.25%). As for as urine incontinence (5%) and enterotxaemia (6.25%) are concerned, their prevalence was found moderate. No doubt PPR is one of the major emerging issue for small ruminant production therefore current study was planned to provide a proper baseline information so that infected heads could be identified on very early stage for their timely cure and prevention

Effect of Okra Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus (OYVMV) on Plant Growth and Yield

Okra yellow vein mosaic virus (OYVMV) is one of the most destructive diseases of okra plant. In the current study, effect of okra yellow vein mosaic virus (OYVMV) was assessed on plant growth and yield in naturally infected crop under agro-ecological conditions of Hyderabad district. The virus showed the significant reduction in plant height, number of leaves, flowers, fruits, and over all pickings and yield of all the locations wherever the crop was examined in the district. The significant reduction in plant height (48.67 cm) in infected plants as compared to healthy plants (62.96 cm) was recorded. Similarly, significant difference in the flowers formation per plant at all four locations was recorded in diseased (0.912) and healthy (2.165) plants. Fruit weight was also significantly reducing due to the disease prevalence at all four locations (73.25 g) as compared to healthy observed fruits (91.50 g). Interestingly, on overall basis there were more numbers of leaves (20.66) in infected plants as compared to healthy one (16.33). It is obvious from the results that virus (OYVMV) showed significant increase in number of leaves but reduced plant height, flowers, fruits and yield at all four observed locations, thus, pathologists and breeders are advised to work more on evaluation of resistant varieties using advanced molecular tools. The growers are also advised to adopt preventive as well as curative control measures so that the yield losses may be decreased