Rheumatoid arthritis

Immune-mediated inflammatory disorders include a clinically diverse group of conditions sharing similar pathogenic mechanisms. Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, spondyloarthropathy, inflammatory bowel disease and connective tissue diseases are characterised by immune dysregulation and chronic inflammation. This review will focus immuno-pathogenic mechanisms, aspects of early disease, co-morbidity and therapy in rheumatoid arthritis

Systemic lupus erythematosus: A possible cause of non-alcoholic Wernicke’s encephalopathy

We report a young woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and an acute cerebellar ataxia. A history of poor appetite and vomiting preceded the inco-ordination. Ataxia in SLE has been well described, but is nevertheless uncommon. The clinical triad of mild confusion, ataxia and ophthalmoplegia also raised the possibility of Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE). The diagnosis of WE was further supported by the magnetic resonance imaging features. Owing to overlapping causal factors, this case illustrates the complexity of diagnosing and managing neuropsychiatric syndromes in a patient with SLE. The limited published literature on SLE-related cerebellar syndromes adds to the challenge. Gastrointestinal manifestations of SLE are described as being common in SLE, with nausea and vomiting occurring in >50% of cases in some series. Poor eating habits and vomiting are well-described causes of non-alcoholic WE. This is the first description of gastrointestinal SLE as a possible cause of WE

Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS) and the Cardiovascular System: In Physiology and in Disease States

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) plays a critical role in regulating and maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system. The importance of eNOS can be emphasized from the genetic polymorphisms of the eNOS gene, uncoupling of eNOS dimerization, and its numerous signaling regulations. The activity of eNOS on the cardiac myocytes, vasculature, and the central nervous system are discussed. The effects of eNOS on the sympathetic autonomic nervous system (SANS) and the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system (PANS), both of which profoundly influence the cardiovascular system, will be elaborated. The relationship between the eNOS protein with cardiovascular autonomic reflexes such as the baroreflex and the Exercise Pressor Reflex will be discussed. For example, the effects of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) are shown to be mediated by the eNOS protein and that eNOS-derived endothelial NO is most effective in regulating blood pressure oscillations via modulating the baroreflex mechanisms. The protective action of eNOS on the CVS is emphasized here because dysfunction of the eNOS enzyme is intricately correlated with the pathogenesis of several cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, arteriosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Overall, our current understanding of the eNOS protein with a focus on its role in the modulation, regulation, and control of the cardiovascular system in a normal physiological state and in cardiovascular diseases are discussed

Brain hubs defined in the group do not overlap with regions of high inter-individual variability

Connector \u27hubs\u27 are brain regions with links to multiple networks. These regions are hypothesized to play a critical role in brain function. While hubs are often identified based on group-average functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data, there is considerable inter-subject variation in the functional connectivity profiles of the brain, especially in association regions where hubs tend to be located. Here we investigated how group hubs are related to locations of inter-individual variability. To answer this question, we examined inter-individual variation at group-level hubs in both the Midnight Scan Club and Human Connectome Project datasets. The top group hubs defined based on the participation coefficient did not overlap strongly with the most prominent regions of inter-individual variation (termed \u27variants\u27 in prior work). These hubs have relatively strong similarity across participants and consistent cross-network profiles, similar to what was seen for many other areas of cortex. Consistency across participants was further improved when these hubs were allowed to shift slightly in local position. Thus, our results demonstrate that the top group hubs defined with the participation coefficient are generally consistent across people, suggesting they may represent conserved cross-network bridges. More caution is warranted with alternative hub measures, such as community density (which are based on spatial proximity to network borders) and intermediate hub regions which show higher correspondence to locations of individual variability

Effect of feeding Indukantham kashayam residues on growth performance and economics of production of weaned New Zealand White rabbits

A study was conducted to examine the effect of inclusion of Indukantham kashayam residue on growth performance and economics of production of weaned New Zealand White rabbits. Eighteen weaned New Zealand White rabbits of four to six weeks age were selected from Rabbit Breeding Station, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy. The experimental animals were randomly divided into three groups of six animals each and one of the three dietary treatments T1 (control diet with 18 per cent CP and 2700 kcal DE), T2 (Diet containing 5 per cent Indukantham kashayam residues) and T3 (Diet containing 10 per cent Indukantham kashayam residues) was alloted to each group. Data on weekly weight gain and daily feed intake were collected during course of study, while feed conversion ratio and economics of production were computed. The findings of the current study revealed that growth performance of weaned New Zealand White rabbits remained unaffected (p>0.05) among the dietary treatments. Indukantham kashayam residue can be included in the diet of growing rabbits up to 10 per cent level to reduce cost of production

Effect of feeding low protein diets supplemented with selected essential amino acids on growth performance and gut health in early weaned Large White Yorkshire piglets

A study was conducted to assess the effect of feeding low protein diets supplemented with selected amino acids on growth performance and gut health in early weaned Large White Yorkshire piglets. Thirty Large White Yorkshire female piglets belonging to Centre for Pig Production and Research, Mannuthy, weaned at 21 days of age were allotted to three dietary treatment groups (T1, T2 and T3) with five replicates for each treatment. Piglets were fed pre-starter ration till they gained a body weight of 5 kg and then on starter ration from 5 to 18 kg body weight. The dietary protein in treatments T2 and T3 were reduced by 15 and 25 per cent respectively than that of control treatment (T1). Five amino acids viz., lysine, methionine, threonine, valine and isoleucine were supplemented to all treatment groups to meet the requirements as per NRC (1998). Body weights of animals were taken at weekly intervals. There was no significant difference in average body weight among three treatment groups from first to third week. From fourth to eleventh week, the average weekly body weight of T1 was significantly higher than T3. The average daily gain was significantly different among three treatment groups with highest values observed for group T1, followed by T2 and T3. The feed conversion efficiency was statistically similar among treatment groups. Total viable count and coliform count were significantly lower in the faeces of piglets fed with low protein diets, indicating a reduction in microbial population in faeces of piglets in relation to reduction in dietary protein level. From the overall results, it could be concluded that reducing the dietary protein levels had resulted in reduced growth performance in early weaned piglets, in spite of being supplemented with selected essential amino acid

From the cell membrane to the nucleus: unearthing transport mechanisms for Dynein

Mutations in the motor protein cytoplasmic dynein have been found to cause Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, spinal muscular atrophy, and severe intellectual disabilities in humans. In mouse models, neurodegeneration is observed. We sought to develop a novel model which could incorporate the effects of mutations on distance travelled and velocity. A mechanical model for the dynein mediated transport of endosomes is derived from first principles and solved numerically. The effects of variations in model parameter values are analysed to find those that have a significant impact on velocity and distance travelled. The model successfully describes the processivity of dynein and matches qualitatively the velocity profiles observed in experiments

Modeling the potential impact of changing access rates to specialist treatment for alcohol dependence for local authorities in England: The Specialist Treatment for Alcohol Model (STreAM)

OBJECTIVE: We modeled the impact of changing Specialist Treatment Access Rates to different treatment pathways on the future prevalence of alcohol dependence, treatment outcomes, service capacity, costs, and mortality. METHOD: Local Authority numbers and the prevalence of people "potentially in need of assessment for and treatment in specialist services for alcohol dependence" (PINASTFAD) are estimated by mild, moderate, severe, and complex needs. Administrative data were used to estimate the Specialist Treatment Access Rate per PINASTFAD person and classify 22 different treatment pathways. Other model inputs include natural remission, relapse after treatment, service costs, and mortality rates. "What-if" analyses assess changes to Specialist Treatment Access Rates and treatment pathways. Model outputs include the numbers and prevalence of people who are PINASTFAD, numbers treated by 22 pathways, outcomes (successful completion with abstinence, successfully moderated nonproblematic drinking, re-treatment within 6 months, dropout, transfer, custody), mortality rates, capacity requirements (numbers in contact with community services or staying in residential or inpatient places), total treatment costs, and general health care savings. Five scenarios illustrate functionality: (a) no change, (b) achieve access rates at the 70th percentile nationally, (c) increase access by 25%, (d) increase access to Scotland rate, and (e) reduce access by 25%. RESULTS: At baseline, 14,581 people are PINASTFAD (2.43% of adults) and the Specialist Treatment Access Rate is 10.84%. The 5-year impact of scenarios on PINASTFAD numbers (vs. no change) are (B) reduced by 191 (-1.3%), (C) reduced by 477 (-3.3%), (D) reduced by almost 2,800 (-19.2%), and (E) increased by 533 (+3.6%). The relative impact is similar for other outputs. CONCLUSIONS: Decision makers can estimate the potential impact of changing Specialist Treatment Access Rates for alcohol dependence

Effect of paddy straw plus nonforage fiber sources based complete rations with different levels of neutral detergent fiber on hemato-biochemical and mineral profile of lactating dairy cows

Aim: This study was conducted to assess the effect of feeding paddy straw plus nonforage fiber sources based complete rations with different levels of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) on hemato-biochemical and mineral parameters of lactating dairy cows. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted for 6 months in 18 lactating dairy cows, divided into three groups of six each, by feeding them on paddy straw plus nonforage fiber sources based complete rations containing different levels of NDF, in two phases of 3 months (90 days) each, being the early and mid lactation phases, respectively. Three isonitrogenous and isocaloric complete rations, T1, T2 and T3 with 25%, 30% and 35% NDF, respectively, were fed to the experimental animals. Blood samples were collected at the beginning and the end of each of the two phases to estimate the different hematological, plasma protein, and mineral parameters to know the overall health status of the animals and standard methods were followed to analyze the samples. Results: There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in various hematological parameters such as hemoglobin, glucose, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in blood; plasma protein parameters such as total protein, albumin, globulin and albumin: globulin ratio and mineral parameters such as plasma calcium and phosphorus levels at the beginning and end of Phase I (1st day and 90th day) and Phase II (91st day and 180th day) as well as between the three dietary treatments, with all the values being in the normal range for lactating dairy cows. Even though nonsignificant (p>0.05), the BUN values of animals fed on ration T1, both at the beginning and end of Phase I, were higher than that of animals fed on rations T2 and T3 because the diet T1 with lowest NDF and the highest soluble carbohydrate content underwent rapid fermentation in the rumen, produced more energy, which was utilized by the rumen microbes to degrade the protein in the feed to ammonia, the excess ammonia being transported to the liver and excreted through the blood resulting in a higher BUN content. Conclusion: Feeding of paddy straw plus nonforage fiber sources based complete rations with different levels of NDF had no effect on hemato-biochemical and mineral profile as well as overall health status of lactating dairy cows. However, the higher, BUN values found in cows fed on diet T1 with 25% NDF as compared to those fed on T2 and T3 with 30% and 35% NDF, respectively, indicate more wastage of protein in T1 as compared to T2 and T3, in early lactation

Sensory and chemical evaluation of laboratory ensiled hybrid Napier grass prepared using Lactobacillus plantarum and propionic acid as additives

The present study was undertaken to evaluate silage made from hybrid Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) ensiled in the laboratory using various additives with regard to sensory as well as chemical characteristics. Four different silages were prepared viz., grass ensiled without additives (GS) as control, and grass silage with Lactobacillus plantarum at 1 x 105 CFU per gram of fresh forage (GSL), grass silage with propionic acid at the rate 0.45 kg per ton of fodder (GSA), and grass silage with combination of Lactobacillus plantarum (1 x 105 CFU per gram of fresh forage) and propionic acid (0.45 kg per ton of fodder) (GSLA) in triplicates. One from each triplicate was opened on 21, 30 and 45 days of ensiling and was evaluated for sensory (colour, aroma, presence or absence of extraneous matter) and chemical (pH, lactic acid, proximate analysis and fibre fractions) characteristics. From the overall results, it could be concluded that hybrid Napier grass, ensiled for 21 days using L. plantarum was effective in preserving its nutritive value