A comparative study of regression of jaundice in patients of malaria and acute viral hepatitis

Background & objectives: Jaundice is one of the common manifestations of severe malaria in adults.The purpose of this study is to compare the pattern of clinical and biochemical parameters such asserum bilirubin and liver enzyme levels in patients of malaria with jaundice and acute viral hepatitis.Methodology: The present study was conducted on 34 patients of malaria with jaundice and 15patients of acute viral hepatitis. Estimation of serum bilirubin, aspartate amino transferase (AST),alanine amino transferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase was done daily using standard proceduresin malaria patients and weekly in acute viral hepatitis patients.Results: Mean level of serum bilirubin on first day in malaria and acute viral hepatitis patients was7.07 ± 3.94 and 10.38 ± 7.87 mg%, whereas on Day 8 it was 1.19 ± 1.43 and 7.88 ± 7.02 mg%respectively. Mean level of AST on Day 1 in malaria and acute viral hepatitis patients was 158.47 ±120.35 and 1418.6 ± 834.11 IU/L, whereas on Day 8 it was 41 ± 28.33 and 775.3 ± 399.01IU/L respectively. Mean level of ALT on Day 1 in malaria and acute viral hepatitis patients was220.14 ± 145.61 and 1666.67 ± 1112.77 IU/L, whereas on Day 8 it was 50.85 ± 37.31 and 823.8 ±475.06 IU/L respectively. Mean level of serum alkaline phosphatase on Day 1 in malaria and acuteviral hepatitis patients was 394.74 ± 267.78 and 513.4 ± 324.7 IU/L, whereas on Day 8 it was84.76 ± 68.50 and 369.27 ± 207.75 IU/L respectively.Interpretation & conclusion: We observed that resolution of jaundice in malaria took 1–2 weeks incontrast 6 to 8 weeks in viral hepatitis. This difference in duration was statistically significant. Thus,jaundice not resolving in 1–2 weeks time in a patient of malaria requires serious consideration forpresence of other concomitant diseases including viral hepatitis

In Vitro

This study aimed to determine the effects of maleic acid (MA) addition to corn at ensiling on silage quality and in vitro methane and total gas production, metabolisable energy (ME), and organic matter digestibility (OMD) parameters by using in vitro gas production techniques. Forage corn was ensiled either without (control group: MA 0) or with three different dosages of maleic acid, 0.5% (MA 0.5), 1.0% (MA 1.0), and 1.5% (MA 1.5) w/w of the fresh material for 60 days. As a result of this study, neutral detergent fibre level was decreased in the MA 1.5 group (P<0.05). The 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% addition of maleic acid to forage corn at ensiling increased lactic acid concentration (P<0.05) in silage and reduced propionic acid (P<0.05). Iso-valeric acid concentration in the organic acids of the silage was decreased with maleic acid addition (P<0.05). The maleic acid addition decreased in vitro ruminal methane production (P<0.01). The silage pH value, and acetic, butyric and isobutyric acid concentrations and in vitro total gas production, OMD, and ME values did not change by MA addition (P>0.05). It was concluded that MA addition could reduce methane emission without any negative effects on silage nutrient composition or in vitro ruminal fermentation parameters

Status of perennial tree germplasm resources in India and their utilization in the context of global genome sequencing efforts

Tree species are characterized by their perennial growth habit, woody morphology, long juvenile period phase, mostly outcrossing behaviour, highly heterozygosity genetic makeup, and relatively high genetic diversity. The economically important trees have been an integral part of the human life system due to their provision of timber, fruit, fodder, and medicinal and/or health benefits. Despite its widespread application in agriculture, industrial and medicinal values, the molecular aspects of key economic traits of many tree species remain largely unexplored. Over the past two decades, research on forest tree genomics has generally lagged behind that of other agronomic crops. Genomic research on trees is motivated by the need to support genetic improvement programmes mostly for food trees and timber, and develop diagnostic tools to assist in recommendation for optimum conservation, restoration and management of natural populations. Research on long-lived woody perennials is extending our molecular knowledge and understanding of complex life histories and adaptations to the environment, enriching a field that has traditionally drawn its biological inference from a few short-lived herbaceous species. These concerns have fostered research aimed at deciphering the genomic basis of complex traits that are related to the adaptive value of trees. This review summarizes the highlights of tree genomics and offers some priorities for accelerating progress in the next decade

Balanço hídrico e excreção renal de metabólitos em ovinos alimentados com palma forrageira (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dyck)

Resumo Objetivou-se avaliar balanço hídrico e excreção renal de metabólitos em borregos sem raça definida, alimentados com diferentes quantidades de palma forrageira (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dyck), na forma in natura e em farelo. Foram utilizados 20 borregos, com peso vivo médio inicial de 20 Kg e foram distribuídos no delineamento inteiramente casualizado, sendo cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. As dietas experimentais consistiram em uma dieta controle à base de feno de tífton, farelo de soja, suplemento mineral e calcário, os demais tratamentos visaram testar níveis diferentes de palma forrageira corrigida com ureia em duas formas: in natura e farelada e em dois níveis de substituição (50 e 100%) da matéria seca do feno de tífton. Amostras de sangue e urina foram coletadas para determinação de diferentes metabólitos e minerais e utilização de equações para obtenção dos índices de excreção urinária destes metabólitos, taxa de depuração endógena de creatinina e reabsorção de água livre de eletrólitos, além do registro de ingestão de água e volume de urina. A ingestão voluntária de água sofreu influência das dietas, sendo que os animais submetidos às dietas contendo farelo de palma e feno e farelo de palma foram superiores aos demais tratamentos. A ingestão de água via alimentos também sofreu influência da dieta, sendo maior nos animais que receberam palma in natura e farelo mais palma in natura. Com relação à ingestão total de água foi maior para os animais alimentados com dietas contendo palma in natura em relação aos demais tratamentos. As dietas experimentais influenciaram na excreção renal de metabólitos derivados purínicos e minerais, sem alterar a função renal. A presença da palma forrageira tanto na condição de farelo como in natura proporciona aumento do volume urinário sem alterar a função renal, além de que deve ser considerado como uma excelente estratégia alimentar no semiárido

Potential and existing mechanisms of enteric methane production in ruminants

Enteric methane (CH4) emissions in ruminants have attracted considerable attention due to their impact on greenhouse gases and the contribution of agricultural practices to global warming. Over the last two decades, a number of approaches have been adopted to mitigate CH4 emissions. However, the mechanisms of methanogenesis have still not been fully defined. According to the genome sequences of M. ruminantium in the rumen and of M. AbM4 in the abomasum, the pathways of carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction and formate oxidation to CH4 have now been authenticated in ruminants. Furthermore, in the light of species or genera description of methanogens, the precursors of methanogenesis discovered in the rumen and research advances in related subjects, pathways of acetate dissimilation via Methanosarcina and Methanosaeta as well as metabolism of methanol to CH4 might be present in the rumen, although neither process has yet been experimentally demonstrated in the rumen. Herein the research advances in methanogenesic mechanisms including existing and potential mechanisms are reviewed in detail. In addition, further research efforts to understand the methanogenesis mechanism should focus on isolation and identification of more specific methanogens, and their genome sequences. Such increased knowledge will provide benefits in terms of improved dietary energy utilization and a reduced contribution of enteric CH4 emissions to total global greenhouse gas emissions from the ruminant production system