Massive retroperitoneal tubercular abscess mimicking a leaking abdominal aortic aneurysm: a case report

In spite of being a common diagnosis in the patients of Asian origin, atypical presentations of tuberculosis may pose diagnostic challenges. We report a huge prevertebral abscess in a 30-year-old female, mimicking a leaking aortic aneurysm. The patient was managed successfully by emergency decompression and stabilization. The issues related to poor patient compliance to chemotherapy and management of atypical presentations of spinal tuberculosis are discussed here

Integrated Bio-Entity Network: A System for Biological Knowledge Discovery

A significant part of our biological knowledge is centered on relationships between biological entities (bio-entities) such as proteins, genes, small molecules, pathways, gene ontology (GO) terms and diseases. Accumulated at an increasing speed, the information on bio-entity relationships is archived in different forms at scattered places. Most of such information is buried in scientific literature as unstructured text. Organizing heterogeneous information in a structured form not only facilitates study of biological systems using integrative approaches, but also allows discovery of new knowledge in an automatic and systematic way. In this study, we performed a large scale integration of bio-entity relationship information from both databases containing manually annotated, structured information and automatic information extraction of unstructured text in scientific literature. The relationship information we integrated in this study includes protein–protein interactions, protein/gene regulations, protein–small molecule interactions, protein–GO relationships, protein–pathway relationships, and pathway–disease relationships. The relationship information is organized in a graph data structure, named integrated bio-entity network (IBN), where the vertices are the bio-entities and edges represent their relationships. Under this framework, graph theoretic algorithms can be designed to perform various knowledge discovery tasks. We designed breadth-first search with pruning (BFSP) and most probable path (MPP) algorithms to automatically generate hypotheses—the indirect relationships with high probabilities in the network. We show that IBN can be used to generate plausible hypotheses, which not only help to better understand the complex interactions in biological systems, but also provide guidance for experimental designs

Looking at Cerebellar Malformations through Text-Mined Interactomes of Mice and Humans

WE HAVE GENERATED AND MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE TWO VERY LARGE NETWORKS OF MOLECULAR INTERACTIONS: 49,493 mouse-specific and 52,518 human-specific interactions. These networks were generated through automated analysis of 368,331 full-text research articles and 8,039,972 article abstracts from the PubMed database, using the GeneWays system. Our networks cover a wide spectrum of molecular interactions, such as bind, phosphorylate, glycosylate, and activate; 207 of these interaction types occur more than 1,000 times in our unfiltered, multi-species data set. Because mouse and human genes are linked through an orthological relationship, human and mouse networks are amenable to straightforward, joint computational analysis. Using our newly generated networks and known associations between mouse genes and cerebellar malformation phenotypes, we predicted a number of new associations between genes and five cerebellar phenotypes (small cerebellum, absent cerebellum, cerebellar degeneration, abnormal foliation, and abnormal vermis). Using a battery of statistical tests, we showed that genes that are associated with cerebellar phenotypes tend to form compact network clusters. Further, we observed that cerebellar malformation phenotypes tend to be associated with highly connected genes. This tendency was stronger for developmental phenotypes and weaker for cerebellar degeneration

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Not AvailableA 84-days feeding trials was conducted to evaluate the use of animal and plant protein, in combination with glucosamine source for Asian Catfish, Clarias batrachus (av. wt. 0.22+0.01 to 0.24+0.07g). Six (31.18 to 43.51% crude protein, 369 to 399 kcal/100g, and crude lipid 0.0 to 6.69%) practical feeds were formulated. The animal and plant protein component of the feeds was progressively added with glucosamine 0.0, 0.5, 5.0 and 10.0% with fish meal, silkworm pupae, soybean meal and casein (F-1, PAG 0:100:0.5; F-2, PAG 0:100:5.0; F-3, PAG 0:100:10.0; F-4, PAG 100:0:0.5; F-5, PAG 100:0:5.0; F-6, PAG 100:0:10.0); The experimental feeds were fed to triplicate groups of fingerlings at 10% body weight per day and results were compared with control feed. Growth performance and feed utilization efficiency of catfish, fed with animal proteins are better than those of plant protein. The best growth among the animal protein group (F-1 to F-3) was recorded in F-2 followed by F-3 and F1 containing glucosamine @5.0, 10.0 and 0.05%. Amongst the plant protein fed fishes showed best in F6 followed by F5 and F4. The survival was improved in glucosamine supplemented feeds ranging from 49+3.2 to 85+1.7 whereas the control showed 41+1.8%. Results indicate that animal protein rich feeds were much acceptable than alternative plant protein sources for the Asian catfish, Clarias batrachus and the potential for replacing animal protein with soybean meal in the feeds of fish need moreNot Availabl

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Not AvailableAssessment for the replacement of animal protein by plant protein, blended with glucosamine, feeding trials of 12 weeks was conducted for growth performances in Asian Catfish, Clarias batrachus fingerling (av. wt. 2.2+0.01 to 2.5g+0.01g).Six (34.27to 43.52 %,CP;3771.5to 3990.48kcal/100g, GE and crude lipid 1.67to 6.70%) diets were formulated. The animal or plant protein component of the diets was progressively added with glucosamine 0.5, 5.0 and 10.0 % in basic ingredients(F-1, PAG:: 0:100:0.5; F-2, PAG 0:100:5.0; F-3, PAG 0:100:10.0; F-4, PAG ::75:25:0.5; F-5, PAG:: 75:25:5.0; F-6, PAG:: 75:25:10.0).The best growth was recorded in fish fed F1 as 19.4±1.6g in F1 followed by F2, 18.7±0.6 g and F3, 18.6±0.5g. Amongst the plant protein fed fishes showed best growth in F4 followed by F6 and F5. The survival was improved in glucosamine supplemented feeds ranging from 73+4.9 to 80+3.8% whereas, the control showed 69+5.4%. The FCR, SGR, PER, feed intake, protein intake ranged between 1.9 + 0.1 to 2.4 + 0.2; 32.88 to 170.5%; 0.99 + 0.02 to 1.75 + 0.03; 136 + 15.0 to 600.0 + 31 mg; 68.5 + 5 to 187.6 + 11 mg. The synergistic growth on supplementing proteins and glucosamine showed significance( p<0.05) in case of weight gain, FCR, SGR, PER. The results suggest that the feeding habit of the fish with small crustaceans is met by the addition of glucosamine therefore, it is confirmed that glucosamine has impact on growth promotion in this fish when blended with plant origin ingredients.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableA 12- week feeding trials was conducted to evaluate the use of animal and plant protein, in combination with Glucosamine source for Asian Catfish, Clarias batrachus (av. wt. 2.2+0.009 to 2.6+0.03 g). This study was performed to evaluate the effect on fish growth performance by replacing animal protein with vegetable protein sources. In experiment, six (37.40 to 43.52 % crude protein, 16.15 to 16.76 kJ/g energy, and crude lipid 3.33 to 6.69%) practical diets were formulated. The animal and plant protein component of the diets was progressively added with glucosamine 0.5, 5.0 and 10.0% with fish meal, silkworm pupae, soybean meal and casein (F-1, PAG 0:100:0.5; F-2, PAG 0:100:5.0; F-3, PAG 0:100:10.0; F-4, PAG 50:50:0.5; F-5, PAG 50:50:5.0; F-6, PAG 50:50:10.0). The experimental moist diets were fed to triplicate groups of fingerlings at 10% of body weight and results were compared with control feed. Growth performance and feed utilization efficiency of catfish, fed diets with animal protein are better than those of plant protein supplemented feeds. After 12-week study the final weight gain recorded as 18.6g, 19.7g, 19.9g, 14.6g, 14.9g, 13.9g and 13.1g in F1 to F6 and in control fed fishes respectively. The percentage weight gain among the animal protein group (F-1, F2, F-3) were recorded as 615.4%, 756.5% and 804.5%, respectively. And the percentage weight gain in 50% replaced feeds (F-4, PAG 50:50:0.5; F-5, PAG 50:50:5.0; F-6, PAG 50:50:10.0), recorded as 563.6%, 547.8% and 479.2% respectively whereas in control it was 403.8%. The results suggests that the growth is better in total animal protein feeds and the best percentage weight gain (p<0.05) recorded in the feed F3, incorporated with 10% glucosamine (804.5%). The FCR were of the diets along with glucosamine in animal protein content has better growth performances ranged between 1.56 ± 0.03 to 1.90 ± 0.04. The survival was recorded in F1 to F6 as 88 ± 2.4%, 83 ± 2.3%, 76% ± 3.4, 74 ± 4.4%, 71 ± 2.8% and 76 ± 4.7% respectively and in control it is recorded as 68 ± 2.7%. The Hepatosomatic and Viscerosomatic indices ranged between 0.67 ± 0.03 to 1.94 ± 0.19 and 1.90 ± 0.02 to 3.17 ± 0.2 respectively in F1 to F7. The feed efficiency in terms of feed conversion ratio recorded as 1.56 ± 0.03 to 1.90 ± 0.04 among all the feeding trials. The findings shows that feed F3, containing 100% animal protein with 10% glucosamine is performed best. Results indicate that animal protein rich diets with glucosamine were much acceptable than plant protein and/or natural diets (Artemia nauplii) for Asian catfish, Clarias batrachus. And to assess the potential for replacing animal protein with soybean meal in the diets of fish need more evaluation along with synergistic approach of incorporating glucosamine.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableA 12-week feeding trials was conducted to evaluate the use of animal and plant protein, in combination with glucosamine source for Asian catfish, Clarias batrachus (average weight 2.1–2.6 g). This study was performed to evaluate the effect on fish growth performance by replacing animal protein with a blend of vegetable protein sources. In experiment, six (40.45–43.51 % crude protein, 16.45–16.76 kJ/g energy, and crude lipid 5.01–6.69 %) practical diets were formulated. The animal and plant protein component of the diets was progressively added with glucosamine 0.0 %, 0.5 %, 5.0 % and 10.0 % with fish meal, silkworm pupae, soybean meal (SBM) and casein (F1, PAG 0:100:0.5; F2, PAG 0:100:5.0; F3, PAG 0:100:10.0; F4, PAG 25:75:0.5; F5, PAG 25:75:5.0; F6, PAG 25:75:10.0). The experimental diets were fed to triplicate groups of fingerlings ad libitum and results were compared with control feed (natural feed). Growth performance and feed utilization efficiency of catfish, fed diets with animal protein are better than those of plant protein supplemented feeds. After 12-week study the final weight gain recorded as 18.6, 19.7, 19.9, 16.3, 15.2, 15.6 and 13.1 g in control fed fishes. The best growth among the animal protein group (F1–F3) were recorded as 745.5 %, 838.1 % and 765.2 % respectively. The growth percentage in 25 % replaced feeds (F4, PAG 25:75:0.5; F5, PAG 25:75:5.0; F6, PAG 25:75:10.0), recorded as 579.2 %, 484.6 % and 609.1 % respectively whereas in control it was 469.6 %. The results suggests that the growth is better in total animal protein feeds and the best growth (p < 0.05) recorded in the feed incorporated with 10 % glucosamine. The data on growth and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were considered animal protein content of the diet along with glucosamine has better growth performances. The survival was recorded in F1–F6 as 88 %, 83 %, 76 %, 78 %, 80 % and 75 % respectively and in control it is recorded as 68 %. The hepatosomatic and viscerosomatic indices ranged between 0.78–1.51 and 1.9–3.03 respectively in F1 to F6. The feed efficiency in terms of FCR recorded as 2.34–2.95 among all the feeding trials. Results indicate that animal protein rich diets with glucosamine were much acceptable than natural diets for Asian catfish, C. batrachus and the potential for replacing animal protein with SBM in the diets of fish need more evaluation along with synergistic approach of incorporating glucosamine. Inclusion of plant protein blend affected growth performance and reduced digestibility, but was not compensated by increased feed intake.Not Availabl

Kala-azar epidemic in Varanasi district, India.

Reports at the Sir Sunder Lal Hospital, Banaras Hindu University, of a large number of kala-azar cases from one particular village in Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh, led us to carry out an epidemiological study of the situation using standard techniques. The overall prevalence and case fatality of the disease were 12.9% and 10.5%, respectively. A history of fever and hepatosplenomegaly was noted for all the cases. The case definition was the presence of parasites in bone marrow or splenic aspirate smears. The disease was more prevalent among adults, but occurred also among children. However, there was no clear linear relationship between the prevalence of the disease and age group. Kala-azar occurred among males and females, and its prevalence did not correlate significantly with income. Since the disease vector continues to be present in the study area, the health authorities should take strong steps to control the disease