Use of Monsoon Herbage (Amaranthus spp.) in Complete Feed Block for Sheep Feeding

Favourable climatic condition and faster vegetation growth during monsoon season leads to abundance of forage production, which remained mostly unutilized by the grazing herbivores. Chaulai (Amaranthus spp) is one of the local green biomass that grows very fast after first monsoon shower and is not preferably grazed in comparison to other available grazing resources during monsoon. A huge quantity (dry biomass yield of approximately 10-15 Q/ha) of this biomass is therefore gone waste in due course, not being harvested or utilized. This plant is quite rich in protein (CP 10-14%) with succulent leaves and tender stems and has varying palatability in sheep, goat and cattle. Therefore an experiment was conducted to utilize Chaulai herbage in sheep feeding after drying, chaffing and incorporating in complete feed block (CFB)

Defeating Paediatric Tuberculous Meningitis: Applying the WHO "Defeating Meningitis by 2030: Global Roadmap"

Children affected by tuberculous meningitis (TBM), as well as their families, have needs that lie at the intersections between the tuberculosis and meningitis clinical, research, and policy spheres. There is therefore a substantial risk that these needs are not fully met by either programme. In this narrative review article, we use the World Health Organization (WHO) “Defeating Meningitis by 2030: global roadmap” as a starting point to consider key goals and activities to specifically defeat TBM in children. We apply the five pillars outlined in the roadmap to describe how this approach can be adapted to serve children affected by TBM. The pillars are (i) prevention; (ii) diagnosis and treatment; (iii) surveillance; (iv) support and care for people affected by meningitis; and (v) advocacy and engagement. We conclude by calling for greater integration between meningitis and TB programmes at WHO and at national levels

Candidate Gene Polymorphism for IL-Rγ and ChB6 Genes in the Indigenous Chicken of North Western Himalayan State of Himachal Pradesh, India

Present investigation was carried out to identify DNA polymorphism of IL-2Rγ and ChB6 genes. Sixty five birds belonging to the indigenous chicken of Himachal Pradesh were utilized. Good quality DNA samples were subjected to PCR-RFLP analysis using chicken specific primers. Overnight restriction enzyme digestion was carried out at 37°C with IU Hph I and Pvu II for IL-2Rγ and ChB6 genes, respectively. Amplification of IL-2Rγ gene resolved a 600 bp amplicon in all samples,  which upon digestion with Hph I RE yielded three patterns i.e. Hph I aa , Hph I a/b and Hph I bb. Hph I aa genotype revealed 465 and 42 bp fragments while Hph I bb genotypes revealed 454, 134, 104 and 42 bp fragments. Hph I a/b genotype resolved 465, 454, 134, 104 and 42 bp fragments. The frequencies of these patterns were 0.47, 0.23 and 0.30 for Hph I aa, Hph I a/b and Hph I bb, respectively. The amplification of Chicken B cell marker (ChB6) generated 215 bp amplicon in all the samples, which upon digestion with  Pvu II generated two pattern i.e. Pvu II aa and Pvu II bb respectively. Pvu II aa generated 215 bp fragments while Pvu II bb generated 215, 147 and 68 bp, respectively. The frequencies of the PCR-RFLP pattern of ChB6 gene were 0.57 and 0.43, respectively

Leukoencephalopathy With Brain Stem and Spinal Cord Involvement and High Lactate: A Genetically Proven Case Without Elevated White Matter Lactate

A 17-year-old Indian boy with gradually progressive ataxia with onset at 12 years of age is described. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed extensive, inhomogeneous signal abnormalities in the cerebral white matter, with involvement of selected tracts in the brain stem and spinal cord. The imaging findings were characteristic of leukoencephalopathy with brain stem and spinal cord involvement and high lactate, a recently described leukodystrophy. Interestingly, magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the abnormal white matter did not reveal elevated lactate. The patient was compound heterozygous for 2 new mutations in DARS2, genetically confirming the diagnosis. © The Author(s) 2011

Pediatric scrub typhus in Indian Himalayas

To retrospectively confirm the suspected rickettsial disease (Scrub typhus) using a gold standard diagnostic test i.e. microimmunofluorescence in pediatric patients with acute febrile illness of unknown etiology. Two serological tests, Weil-Felix and Microimmunofluorescence were used to confirm infection. All five children had fever, vomiting and generalized lymphadenopathy, but none had eschar or rash. One was cured with doxycycline, remaining four patients treated with azithromycin and one died despite treatment. Scrub typhus is a cause of fever of unknown origin in Himalayan region of India and azithromycin is an effective alternative to doxycycline in treating this disease