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The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of seasonal variation on the frequency of post-farrowing dysgalactia syndrome (PFDS), sow body condition score (BCS), piglet survival, and weaning to estrus interval under intensive management systems. In addition, the effects of PFDS on litter characteristics and serum biochemistry, oxidative stress indices, thyroid, and cortisol profile were examined in order to identify potential biomarkers in the pre-farrowing stage. The study was conducted in summer and winter seasons in Nagaland, India, on 50 sows from 30 days before farrowing until weaning at 45 days. Sows were classified retrospectively into PFDS and non-PFDS. Although statistically, no significant difference was noted in the occurrence of PFDS between the seasons, the proportion of PFDS development was substantially higher in winter than summer (37.5 vs. 26.9%). In winter, the incidence of piglet stillbirth and sow weaning to estrus period was significantly higher (p < 0.05) and the mean litter size at weaning was significantly lower (p < 0.01). At weaning, the mean litter weight and average daily weight gain were decreased (p < 0.05) in both summer and winter, and the total number of piglets died in each litter was increased in sows afflicted with PFDS compared with healthy sows. A significant interaction effect of peripartum days and PFDS was observed in the changes of blood glucose, albumin (p < 0.05), and HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.07) concentration. Mean T3 and T4 concentration was influenced by peripartum days in both the season and a consistently lower T3 concentration was detected in PFDS sows before farrowing. It is concluded that PFDS sows exhibited an increased incidence of stillbirth and scouring of neonatal piglets during the winter. A pronounced drop in mean circulating T3 concentration in sows from 30 days before farrowing to 3 days after farrowing reflects endocrine-mediated metabolic dysfunction. Further research is warranted with more number of sows to identify the critical values of serum T3 concentration in the immediate pre-farrowing period for prediction of sows developing PFDS after farrowing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the traditional five sensory perceptions, colour and smell often go hand in hand, along with taste. Among the objects used for worshipping God, for instance, flowers and incenses occupy prime places. The subject matter of this article is the chemistry of musk and related perfumes derived from natural sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indigo and Tyrian purple are two dyes which have captured the imagination of the common man as well as the gentry from the very beginning of human civilization. Their story is like a multi-coloured yarn, with strands from chemistry, history, culture and politics. Their popularity is reflected by the fact that their stories are very well documented not only in scientific journals but also in books and even on the celluloid! Recent studies show that indigo may be utilized even as a semi-conducting material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We will discuss in this article an outline of the biosynthesis and a few laboratory-designed syntheses of camphor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The story of carbohydrate chemistry from its embryonic stage to the present day high profile research bridging organic chemistry and the life sciences is like a fascinating travelogue through space and time. In this brief article, this intriguing field of natural products chemistry is presented with appropriate illustrations, with the hope that it will kindle further interest in the young readers to whom this is primarily addressed. We begin our journey with Emil Fischer and quickly traverse some areas of classical and modern organic chemistry. In the process we come across some familiar landmarks as well as visit a few exotic places before ending on the borders of biology. Beyond this is a region full of promise inviting further exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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