Prevalence of Causative Organisms in Corneal Ulcers Seen at Sekuru Kaguvi Eye Unit, Harare, Zimbabwe

A CAJM article on optical organisms causing corneal ulcers prevalent in Zimbabwe.Objective: To investigate the prevalence of organisms causing corneal ulcers, determine frequency of ocular risk factors and assess the value of Gram stain in initial identification of pathogens. Design: A descriptive cross sectional study. Setting: Sekuru Kaguvi Eye Unit at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare, Zimbabwe. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 43 patients with corneal ulcers for the study, Demographic data was obtained, measurement of visual acuity was done by Snellen’s chart and a Topcon Slit Lamp was used to determine the characteristics of ulcers for all the patients. Corneal scrapings were obtained and examined by microscopy and culture methods to determine etiologic organisms. Positivity rates between Gram stain and culture methods were compared. Main Outcome Measures: Prevalence of different bacterial isolates in corneal ulcers, risk factors to infection and laboratory methods used for detection. Results:. Gram-positive cocci were the most prevalent organisms found (54%) followed by E. coli (18%). Pseudomonas, Klebsiella and Narcodia constituted about 9% each. Trauma, use of traditional eye medicine and previous viral disease were the common risk factors. Conclusion: Bacteria were the only organisms identified and Gram-positive cocci were the most common isolates. Gram stain of corneal smears was not reliable in initial recognition of offending pathogens

Effect of Silver Ions on Ethylene Metabolism of Mustard Grown Under Irrigated and Non- irrigated Conditions

A field experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2004-2005 at the Experimental farm of Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India on mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czen and Coss, cultivar Alankar) under irrigated and non -irrigated  conditions to evaluate the application of 0  and 200 µl/L  ethrel (E200) or 1 mM silver thiosulphate (S) at flowering stage along with a basal  uniform application of 80 kg N ha-1 on leaf area, plant dry mass, net photosynthetic rate and seed yield. Silver thoisulphate, which inhibits the physiological action of ethylene was used in the experiment with ethrel. Ethrel is a source of ethylene and its effects are manifested through physiological action of ethylene. Ethrel 200 µl/L (E200) treatment enhanced leaf area, net photosynthetic rate, plant dry mass and seed yield by 10.6, 9.1, 7.7 and 11.6% over S treatment. So silver thiosulphate (S) reduces the physiological action of ethrel (source of ethylene) in this study. This clearly indicates that silver ions used in this experiment in the form of silver thiosulphate inhibits the action of ethylene metabolism in mustard

251 CAMELID EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT IN VITRO: EFFECT OF PROTEIN SUPPLEMENT IN MATURATION MEDIUM AND SUBSEQUENT CULTURE IN TWO DIFFERENT MEDIA ON FERTILIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT

Successful IVM/IVF can be used to produce large number of embryos cheaply for transfer and for manipulations. The technology has not previously been reported for the dromedary. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of protein supplement [BSA vs. heat inactivated estrous camel serum (OCS)] in the maturation medium and subsequent culture of in vitro-fertilized zygotes in TCM199 or G1 and G2 medium (Vitrolife, Gothenburg, Sweden) on the rate of cleavage and development of embryos to blastocysts. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) were collected by puncturing the follicles excised from the slaughterhouse ovaries (Nowshari and Wernery, A.E.T.E. 19th Scientific Meeting, September 12–13th 2003, Rostock, Germany). For IVM, TCM199 supplemented with 0.33 mM pyruvate, 10 μg/mL FSH and LH, and 1 μg/mL oestradiol (maturation medium) was used. The maturation medium was supplemented with either 5 mg/mL BSA or 10% OCS. After 30 to 32 h culture, COC were fertilized with epididymal spermatozoa which was stored at 4°C in TRIS-tes-egg yolk diluent for 1 to 8 days and consisted of not less than 50% motile spermatozoa on the day of use. The spermatozoa were swim up in fertilization medium (TALP, Parrish et al. 1985 Theriogenology 24, 537). Oocytes and spermatozoa (2–4 × 106) were incubated in the fertilization medium for 14–16 h at 38°C under 5% CO2 in air. Intact oocytes were removed from the fertilization medium and washed three times in the respective culture medium. Oocytes from two of the maturation treatments were divided into two subgroups and cultured in either medium TCM199 supplemented with 0.33 mM pyruvate and 10% OCS or medium G1 plus 10% OCS at 38°C under 5% CO2, 5% O2, 90% N2. Zygotes in medium G1 were transferred to medium G2 on Day 3. Zygotes were examined for cleavage on Day 2 and further development on Day 8. The results are presented in Table 1. The results indicate that supplementation of maturation medium with BSA or OCS does not affect the rate of cleavage and development of embryos, however, culture of zygotes in sequential medium (G1-G2) affects the cleavage rate (P < 0.01) but not the further development of in vitro-produced dromedary embryos. Further studies are needed to improve the success of IVF and development during culture in this species. Table 1

Kashmir identity; A political study

The whole discussion revolves around Kashmir identity which leads to conclusion that underlying all political upsurges in Kashmir, there lies a distinct conception of Kashmir identity. Kashmiryat as the identity is commonly known is a manifestation of cultural-linguistic bonds strengthened by a common heritage. Its geographical compactness has made it possible to maintain the uniqueness of Kashmir region which gets reflected in varied socio-cultural dimensions of day-to-day life of Kashmiri community. The thesis is divided into four chapters