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Heart failure and chronic kidney disease (CKD) share several mediators of cardiac pathological remodelling. Akin to heart failure, this remodelling sets in motion a vicious cycle of progressive pathological hypertrophy and myocardial dysfunction in CKD. Several decades of heart failure research have shown that beta blockade is a powerful tool in preventing cardiac remodelling and breaking this vicious cycle. This phenomenon remains hitherto untested in CKD. Therefore, we set out to test the hypothesis that beta blockade prevents cardiac pathological remodelling in experimental uremia. Wistar rats had subtotal nephrectomy or sham surgery and were followed up for 10 weeks. The animals were randomly allocated to the beta blocker metoprolol (10 mg/kg/day) or vehicle. In vivo and in vitro cardiac assessments were performed. Cardiac tissue was extracted, and protein expression was quantified using immunoblotting. Histological analyses were performed to quantify myocardial fibrosis. Beta blockade attenuated cardiac pathological remodelling in nephrectomised animals. The echocardiographic left ventricular mass and the heart weight to tibial length ratio were significantly lower in nephrectomised animals treated with metoprolol. Furthermore, beta blockade attenuated myocardial fibrosis associated with subtotal nephrectomy. In addition, the Ca++- calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CAMKII) pathway was shown to be activated in uremia and attenuated by beta blockade, offering a potential mechanism of action. In conclusion, beta blockade attenuated hypertrophic signalling pathways and ameliorated cardiac pathological remodelling in experimental uremia. The study provides a strong scientific rationale for repurposing beta blockers, a tried and tested treatment in heart failure, for the benefit of patients with CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This paper presents the report on biodiesel and biogas production at a laboratory scale from Scenedesmus strain. Methodology and results: Previously isolated and identified Scenedesmus were grown in 10 Liter flask using BG-11 media at 16 h light and 8 h dark cycle. Oven-dried biomass (20 g) from 16-day-old culture of Scenedesmus was finely grounded and subjected to lipids extraction by chloroform-methanol-NaCl mixture. Microalgal lipids (6 mL) were subjected to transesterification by using NaOH leading to the production of 5 mL biodiesel and 4 mL of glycerin. Biodiesel was rich in methyl esters of linoleic acid, phosphorothioc acid and dodecanoic acid, as shown by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Oven-dried microalgae (2 g) without lipid extraction and leftover biomass (2 g) after lipid extraction were subject to biogas production through anaerobic digestion. Biogas (34, 27 and 19 mL) were recorded respectively in oven-dried whole biomass; lipid extracted biomass and control over a period of 15 days of anaerobic digestion. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: It was concluded that water bodies are rich in diverse algae, especially Scenedesmus sp., and this algae can be cultured to produce biodiesel and biogas. But the lipid accumulation potential of microalgae requires special treatment and lipid extraction methods are not up to the mark, which is a major bottleneck in biofuel production from microalgae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Author(s): The Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium; Management Committee; Paul R. Burton [1]; David G. Clayton [2]; Lon R. Cardon [3]; Nick Craddock [4]; Panos Deloukas [5]; Audrey Duncanson [6]; [...]

Author(s): Sergey Nejentsev [1, 57]; Joanna M. M. Howson (corresponding author) [1, 57]; Neil M. Walker [1]; Jeffrey Szeszko [1]; Sarah F. Field [1]; Helen E. Stevens [1]; Pamela Reynolds [...]

Respiratory diseases are responsible for major economic losses in poultry farms. Newcastle disease virus (NDV) infections cause huge economic losses in poultry industry especially in the presence of other co-infecting pathogens. The purpose of this study was to assess the less understood effect of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) on the replication and immune responses of NDV in broiler chicken. Three-week-old commercial broiler chickens were inoculated with either NDV, MG or both etiological agents. The experimental groups were identified as follows: negative control (Group C), Mycoplasma challenged (Group M), NDV challenged (Group V) and virus and Mycoplasma challenged (Group V+M). Blood samples and swabs were collected on daily basis for two weeks. All infected birds showed positive results for NDV shedding, however, the pattern of virus shedding was different, with birds of the group V+M showing more pronounced virus shedding than the birds in the group V. In addition, birds of V+M group showed significant reduction in anti-AI antibody responses and interferon gene expression than the birds in the V group. The present study revealed that MG could facilitate replication of NDV by bringing alterations in immune responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the prevalence of protozoan parasites in the muscles of rock pigeons (Columbia livia). The muscles from 54 (heart from 45 and breast from 54) rock pigeons were examined for DNA of Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Sarcocystis species using PCR. Twenty-four were female and 30 were males. The birds were part of flocks of pigeons housed at the tombs of saints in Lahore, Pakistan. Birds that died or were euthanized due to poor health were submitted for necropsy at the Department of Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan, where DNA isolations and PCR were conducted. Nineteen (35.1%) of the birds were positive for T. gondii DNA. Seven males and 12 females were positive. Breast tissue was always infected in T. gondii positive birds, while the heart was infected in 13 (28.8%) of breast positive birds. Five (9.2%) of the pigeons, 2 males and 3 females, were positive for N. caninum. The distribution of N. caninum DNA was more variable in the muscles of pigeons than T. gondii and was found only in the heart of 1 (female), heart and breast muscle of 2 (male), and only the breast muscle of 2 birds (female). One of the 54 rock pigeons (female) was positive for both T. gondii (heart and breast) and N. caninum (heart only). Two of the positive Neospora caninum amplicons were sequenced and had 97% nucleotide identity with N. caninum isolates. Sarcocystis DNA was not found in any bird. The prevalence of T. gondii in rock pigeons and their predation by cats suggest that they may play an unrecognized role in maintaining environmental contamination with T. gondii oocysts by cats. Our study indicates that rock pigeons are intermediate hosts of N. caninum and this information will aid in understanding the epidemiology of N. caninum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Respiratory diseases are responsible for major economic losses at poultry farms especially during during co-infections of respiratory pathogens. However, impact of co-infections is not well known, especially in broilers. The current study was aimed to assess the probable synergism of E. coli (O78) and velogenic Newcastle disease virus (vNDV-CK-Pakistan-NARC-13N39-2013), in the broiler model. Three-week-old commercial broilers were inoculated with either vNDV, E. coli serotype O78 or both agents simultaneously or 3 days apart. The birds were clinically observed and swabbed daily. They were killed at 4 and 14 days after single or dual inoculations and were inspected for gross lesions. Samples of the respiratory organs (trachea, lungs, and air sacs) were taken for histological analyses. All the infected subjects showed clinical signs of varying severity. Co-infected groups showed the most obvious clinical signs, associated with significant higher mortality and respiratory organ abnormalities, in comparison with the monoinfected groups (P<0.05). There was a non-significant (P>0.05) effect of the inoculation time intervals between vNDV and E. coli inoculation (none or 3 days). Microscopic lesions staining supported clinical and macroscopic findings. Higher virus shedding (P<0.05) in oropharyngeal swabs was observed in coinfected groups than single infected groups. The results revealed that experimental co-infection of E. coli and NDV enhances the degree of severity of clinical signs, gross lesions and death rate and warns that E. coli and NDV can cause substantial economic losses by exercising additive or synergistic pathogenic effect in the reproduction of respiratory disease if given simultaneously or three days apart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of Ttrichostrongyloids among camels in Charsada district was measured and trials conducted to determine the efficacy of Saussurea lappa and Fumaria parviflora and Albendazole. 500 camels were examined, and trichostrongyloids were observed in 175 (35%). Haemonchos longisteps was the most predominant specie with the prevalence of (52.57%), followed by Trichostrongylus probolurus, Ostertagia Ostertagi, Dictyocaulus and Nematodirus dromedari being10.85%, 9.71%, 9.14% and 9.14% respectively. Cooperia was found to be the least prevalent 8.57% parasite. Young animals were found to be at higher risk of infection than adult animals. The efficacy of Saussurea lappa was 65.85%, Fumaria parviflora was 46.34, and albendazole was (66.66%) at one dose. Whereas the efficacy after second dose was of Saussurea lappa (85.36%), Fumaria parviflora was (82.92 %), and albendazole was (97.4 3%). Making albendazole is the most effective treatment against trichostrongyloids in camels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sarcoptes scabiei infests a wide variety of mammals including domestic, farm and wild animals. Different varieties of S. scabiei are considered to be strictly host specific. However, some reports indicate that the parasite is not completely host specific. In the current study the dog strain (S. scabiei var. canis) was experimentally transmitted to domestic rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus. The back of the neck of experimental rabbits was shaved and scarified. The mites collected from skin scrapings of the infested dogs were applied on the prepared area on the rabbits. The progression of the disease was observed for 6 weeks and the quality of lesions was noted. The skin scrapings of the infested rabbits were checked on weekly basis to find the mites or their developmental stages. The presence of eggs and larvae proved that the parasites can also reproduce on non-normal host. The successful induction of infestation indicates that different varieties of S. scabiei are not strictly host specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 1258 bovines (n =726 cattle; n =532 buffaloes), positive for ticks, were included in the study to check determinants of tick infestation. Hyalomma was significantly (P<0.05) the most prevalent tick genus 71.9 and 62.03%, followed by Boophilus 22.04 and 28.57% and mixed infection 6.06 and 9.4% in cattle and buffaloes, respectively. Mild tick infestation (1-20 ticks/animal) was found significantly (P< 0.05) high, followed by moderate (21-50 ticks/animal) and high tick infestation (>50 ticks/animal) in bovines. In cattle, crossbreds were significantly (P<0.05) the most affected, followed by Sahiwal, Cholistani, Holstein Friesian and non-descript, respectively, while in buffaloes, non-descriptive breed was more affected than Nili Ravi. Females were significantly (P<0.05) the most affected gender than males in bovines. Calves were significantly (P<0.05) the most affected age group in both, followed by adult, young and old, respectively in cattle, while followed by young, adult and old, respectively in buffaloes. Udder was significantly (P<0.05) the highest tick infested site in both, followed by inner thighs, perineum, legs and tail, and neck, respectively in cattle, while followed by neck, tail, perineum, inner thighs, legs, and back and ears, respectively in buffaloes. Summer was significantly (P<0.05) the most tick favorable season, followed by winter, spring and autumn, respectively in bovines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to record the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in small ruminants with relation to age, diarrhoea in animals and water borne transmission. C. parvum is a zoonotic protozoan of all mammals, causes severe diarrhea that leads to great economic losses as small ruminants are a major source of cash for many rural populations, especially in semi-arid and arid regions of developing countries. Transmission occurs by direct contact with infected animals and contaminated food or water. To determine the prevalence of C. parvum a total of 300 animals (n=150 sheep and n=150 goats) with or without diarrheoa were monitored. Prevalence was recorded as 18.66% in goats and 21.33% in sheep. It was more prevalent (40%) in lambs. Out of positive animals 75% goats and 71.87% sheep were with diarrhoea. Chemotherapeutic trial of two anti parasitic drugs Paromomycine and Metronidazole were used to check their efficacy against Cryptosporidium in positive animals. Both showed significant results against positive control and reduction in egg count at different days. Metronidazole was found to be more efficacious. To check the waterborne transmission of Cryptosporidium a total of 200 water samples were collected from different water sources i.e., 50 tap water, 50 mineral bottle water, 50 underground (tube well) and 50 canal water. C. parvum was identified by measuring the size using stage micrometry and morphology. Overall 10.5% prevalence was observed in water samples containing 28% C. parvum oocysts in canal water, 8% in tap water and 4% in underground water, whereas no oocyst was found in mineral water bottles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In understanding the transmission dynamics in area-specific malaria epidemiological studies, the determination of Plasmodium sporozoite infection rate in the field caught Anopheles mosquitoes remains an integral component. In present study the Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) sporozoite infection rate of female Anopheles stephensi (An. stephensi) mosquitoes caught from Districts Kasur and Shiekupura, Province Punjab was detected. A nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR) was used to amplify 205 bp DNA of a small subunit ribosomal RNA (ssu rRNA) gene specific to P. falciparum from field caught An. stephensi. The P. falciparum sporozoite infection rate was higher, i.e. 10% in An. stephensi from District Shiekhupura followed by 6% sporozoite infection rate in mosquitoes collected from District Kasur. These results may contribute to plan and assess malaria control strategies in Punjab, Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In present study, four sheep breeds (i.e., Balochi, Rakhshani, Karakul and Cross) were evaluated for resistance with three anthelmintics (Oxfendazole. Levamisole and Ivermectin) against nematodes (Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus and Ostertagia) between April 2011 to March 2012 at Maslakh Sheep Farm, Pishin district, Balochistan. The overall results showed that there was reduction of EPG between 95% to 99% indicating the susceptibility of these anthelmintics against nematodes in the study area. The results of egg hatch test showed LC 50 less than 0.1 µg/ml of oxfendazole. This indicated that no resistance was found in eggs hatching to oxfendazole. In addition, the Egg hatch test also confirmed the result of Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test. The qualitative examination of faecal samples after Coproculture revealed four gastrointestinal nematode genera, Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus and Ostertagia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roost characteristics of Indian flying fox Pteropus giganteus at the Jinnah (n = 1052) and Lalazar (n = 40) gardens in Lahore were observed for a period of 1 year to find roost preferences in these bats. The Jinnah garden harbors 4119 trees belonging to 46 families, 103 genera, and 132 species, of which 44 trees belonging to 17 families, 19 genera, and 21 species served as bat roosts. The Lalazar garden harbors 90 trees representing 7 families, 9 genera, and 9 species. Six of these belonging to 2 families, 2 genera, and 2 species each served as bat roosts. Height of the roosting trees varied from 7.5 m (Dendrocalamus hamiltonii) to 19.8 m (Celtis australis) and diameter at breast height (dbh) ranged from 0.10 m (Putranjiva roxburghii) to 0.89 m (Kigelia pinnata). Maximum average bats (n = 88) were roosting in P. roxburghii with total height of 13.4 m and dbh of 0.1 m, whereas minimum bats (n = 8) were observed on Manilkara hexandra having height of 14.4 m and dbh of 0.24 m. It can be concluded from the present study that P. giganteus prefers to roost near water bodies on tall trees with relatively smaller diameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dengue virus has now become a serious threat to humans. As yet, no vaccine and proper treatment is available for dengue virus, so control of vector is the only option left to control dengue infection. Aedes mosquitoes are well known vectors for this virus but some studies show that dengue virus can also survive in Culex mosquitoes. A total of 370 adult Aedes (n=166) and Culex (n=204) mosquitoes were collected from selected localities of Urban Lahore. Total five pools of mosquitoes were found positive for dengue serotype2. There is need to conduct detailed studies to establish the vectorial role of Culex for dengue virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to observe the effects of oral administration of sugar cane extract (SCE) on Eimeria tenella oocysts infection in commercial broiler chickens. The present paper describes the growth promoting effects of SCE in broiler chickens. For this purpose one hundred and sixty (160) day old chicks were divided into 4 groups, i.e. A, B, C and D, each of 40 chicks. Group A was non-infected and non-niedicated control (healthy control), group B was infected with Eimeria tenella sporulated oocysts on day 21 (20000 oocysts per chick) and was considered as infected control. Chicks of group C were orally administered with SCE (500mg/ kg body weight) on day 21 and then challenged with 20,000 oocysts per chick of E. tenella oocysts. Chicks of group D were orally administered SCE at the dose rate of 500mg/kg body weight for three consecutive days and then challenged with 20,000 oocysts per chick of E. tenella oocysts. The results indicated that maximum reduction of oocyst per gram feces OPG counts (98.73%) occurred in members of group D which were administered SCE (500 mg/kg) for three consecutive days and then challenged with E. tenella oocysts. Group C (administered SCE for a single day @ 500mg/kg) was placed at no.2 and the reduction in this group occurred as (83.54%) as compared to group B. Mean body weight gains were calculated by taking difference between average weight records on day 21 and day 35 of age (final weight record). The difference of each group was compared with healthy control and percentage of weight gain of all the groups were recorded and compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two commercial preparations of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis VectoBac WDG and Mousticide WP were evaluated and compared for larval control of Anopheles stephensi a malaria vector in Pakistan under laboratory and semi field conditions. An. stephensi larvae were susceptible to VectoBac WDG and Mousticide WP but susceptibility was higher for VectoBac WDG. In semi field experiment, VectoBac WDG @ 0.4 mg/L (1X LC100) and1.6 mg/L (4X LC100) remained more effective against An. stephensi L3 larvae up to day 7 whereas larval mortality dropped below 50% at day 14 of post VectoBac WDG application. Mousticide WP @ 1.22 mg/L (1X LC100) produced 79.33% mean mortality of An. stephensi L3 at 1 day post treatment. The larval mortality dropped to 30% at day 14 of post treatment with Mousticide WP. No significant difference was seen in larval mortality between two dose rates of VectoBac WDG and Mousticide WP. © 2014 Friends Science Publishers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to record the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in buthchers and buffaloes at Lahore, Pakistan. Blood samples of 50 butchers and 50 buffaloes were taken from main abattoir and local buffalo farms around Lahore, and assessed for seroprevalence of T. gondii by using a latex agglutination test (LAT). In the present study, 10% o f butchers and 14% buffaloes were found seropositive for T. gondii infection. Butchers ranging in age from 51-60 (n=12) years and above exhibited the highest seropositivity 25% followed by those aging 41-50 years (n=10) 20%. Similarly in buffaloes 14% was also related to age by using LAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fresh vegetables are an important part of human diet. Eating raw vegetables is customary in many parts of the world including Pakistan, but these raw vegetables can be a major source of parasitic infection. A parasitic survey on vegetables collected from major markets and growing fields in Lahore was conducted for the discovery of human and animal parasites. Ten vegetables viz., beet, cabbage, carrot, chili, coriander, cucumber, lettuce, mint, radish and tomato were evaluated in this study. Fifty sample of each vegetable were taken, comprising a total of 500 samples for the study. The collected samples were processed and microscopic examination was carried out for the presence of parasites on the vegetables. All vegetables were highly contaminated with parasites with an overall prevalence of 31.2%. Lettuce showed the highest contamination (48%), followed by cabbage (44%) and mint (podina) (42%) while chili showed the least contamination (16%). Examination of vegetables revealed twelve genera of parasites. Of parasites studied, Ascaris eggs found to be the highest (37.1%), followed by hookworm (10.8%) and Trichostrongyloides sp. (8.9%), and the least common parasite was Toxoplasma gondii (1.9%). The results would seem to indicates that one of the important routes of parasitic infection to humans is the consumption of raw and unwashed vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neospora caninum is an important cause of abortion in dairy cattle worldwide. Dogs are important in the epidemiology of N. caninum because they act as definitive hosts shedding oocysts in the environment. Vertical transmission of the parasite is well recognized as an important aspect of the epidemiology of the parasite but the importance of horizontal transmission has been less studied. A N. caninum competitive ELISA was used to examine serum samples from 600 dogs that were raised under 4 different living conditions. Samples from 138 dogs living on 24 dairies with a prevalence (0-70%) of anti-N. caninum antibodies in the cattle, 294 pet dogs without neurological signs, 76 from pet dogs exhibiting neurological signs, and 92 stray dogs were examined. The overall seroprevalence of N. caninum was 23.5% (95% CI = ± 2.99) in the 600 dogs. Significant (P < 0.05) differences were observed between the 4 different populations of dogs. The number of N. caninum positive samples were: 51 (36.9%, 95% CI = ± 3.09) of 138 dogs from dairies, 31 (10.5%, 95% CI = ± 6.38) of 294 pet dogs without neurological signs, disorders, 22 (28.9%, 95% CI = ± 6.70) of 76 pet dogs with neurological signs, and 37 (40.2%, 95% CI = ± 2.83) of 92 stray dogs. Seropositivity to N. caninum in dogs from dairies was associated with a high prevalence of N. caninum antibodies in the cattle. At the 3 dairies where no dogs were present, the seroprevalence to N. caninum in the cattle was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than in the 21 dairies where dogs were present. Seroprevalence was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in male dogs (97 of 366; 26.5%, 95% CI = ± 3.40) than in female dogs (44 of 234; 18.8%, 95% CI = ± 5.65). Seroprevalence in dogs increased with age suggesting postnatal exposure to N. caninum infection however, this increase was not significant (P > 0.05). The prevalence of N. caninum antibodies was not significantly (P > 0.05) different in dogs based on breed. These findings suggest a relationship between N. caninum infection of dogs from dairies and cattle on these dairies. However, further research is required to determine what is the most important way dogs acquire infection and how to prevent dogs from shedding oocysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of oxfendazole, levamisole and ivermectin against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep. Three hundred and twenty sheep comprised four breeds (Balochi, Rakhshani, Kurakul and Balochi/Kurakulcross ) were selected for this experiment. The selected sheep were divided into four groups.First group was treated with oxfendazole, second with Levamisole, third with ivermectin and fourth kept as untreated to serve as control. Faecal samples were collected on day first prior to administration of treatment followed by day 14 post treatment. The efficacy of each anthelmintics was measured using the faecal egg count reduction test and egg hatch test. The arithmetic faecal egg count reduction with oxfendazole, levamisole and ivermectin were recorded 97%, 98% and 99% respectively, which indicated the susceptibility of these anthelmintics against gastrointestinal nematodes. The results of egg hatch test indicated that Lc50 were 0.09931, 0.0894, 0.09302 and 0.086 ug/ml respectively for four sheep breeds, which are less than 0.1ug/ml of oxfendazole. Result indicates that no resistance was found in the eggs with oxfendazole. The egg hatch assay also confirmed the result of faecal egg count reduction test. The qualitative examination of faecal samples after Coproculture revealed four gastrointestinal nematode genera i.e., Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus and Ostertagia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of sarcoptic mange in pet dogs and to investigate the cumulative role of biological factors such as age, gender and breed of the dog and physical environmental factors such as temperature, relative humidity and rain fall in the spread of this highly contagious parasitic disease. Sarcoptic mange was detected in 10.25% of the 3621 dogs brought to different veterinary clinics of Lahore for treatment of different ailments from January 2010 to December 2010. The dogs less than one year old were more heavily infested (12.21%) compared to those more than one year of age (7.36%). Both male and female dogs were found to be equally susceptible. Among the various breeds, German Shepherd showed the maximum prevalence (12.44%) and Doberman showed the minimum prevalence (6.10%). Maximum prevalence was noted in winter months and after the heavy rainfall of the previous months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Among the infectious organisms of parasitic origin, gastrointestinal nematodes are very important as they have been reported worldwide. The main aim of the present research study to highlight the annual epidemiological contributing factors associated with the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes and their control in sheep. Methods: A total 1200 faecal samples (100 per month) were collected from farmers holding Balochi-sheep (either sexes, 1-5 years old) during January-December 2012 and analyzed to determine the prevalence of nematodes based on microscopy and ELISA based diagnostic assay. Therapeutic efficacies of different synthetic and herbal medicines against these nematodes were assessed by field trials. Results: Results showed that 23.92% Balochi-sheep were infected with nematodes. Five nematodes infections were recorded with highest prevalence of Haemonchus (7.75%) followed by Nematodirus (7.58%), Strongyloides (4.42%), Trichostrongylus (2.33%) and Trichuris (1.83%). The younger and older ewes (one and five years) presented higher nematodes prevalence with peak during March/April and August/September. Haemonchus and Trichuris positive samples based on coprological examination were also showed 92-100% positive sensitivity for these nematodes by the ELISA. Sheep treated with Ivermectin showed higher reduction (97.76%) in nematode egg counts followed by Atreefal deedan (96.42%) and Oxfendazole (95.44%), respectively. Conclusion: The gastro-intestinal nematodes are prevalent in all age and either sex of Balochi-sheep with peak during summer. The ELISA based diagnosis is more accurte. The synthetic and herbal products are very effective against sheep nematodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sero-epidemiological studies were conducted on goat warble fly, Przhevalskiana silenus, to observe the prevalence of hypodermosis in district Ziarat, north, em upland of Balochistan, Pakistan during April 2011 to March 2012. The most prevalent breed of goat 'khurasani' was involved in the study and compared with the non-descript breed of goat. In the first study a total of 2880 (240 animals per month) goats of different age, sex and breed were examined on monthly bases. The mean percentage was 21.25% with the highest prevalence in January and lowest in October. Three age groups were selected for the study i.e. < 1 year, 1-2 year and > 2 year old in which the highest percentage was noted in 1-2 years of age group. No significant differences were observed between both sexes and both breeds. In the second study, sero-prevalence was studied by commercial ELISA kit. A total of 480 sera samples were collected during April 2011 to March 2012. Three hundred and eight (64.16%) samples were found sero-positive. Data analyzed by Pearson chi-square test (χ²) revealed significant difference (P < 0.05) month-wise in the prevalence studies. It is concluded that the commercial ELISA kit is a useful tool for the serodiagnosis of goat warble fly infestation which provides a base line data for the control and future eradication program of this economically important parasite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An epidemiological study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep in slaughter house at Quetta, Balochistan, from April 2011 to March 2012. A total of 960 gastrointestinal tract samples (80 per month) of sheep were examined during the study period. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode was 49.47% with the intensity of 516.63 in sheep. The higher monthly prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes was observed during April (65%) followed by November (62.5%) and October (57.5%). Statistically there was significant differences (P<0.05) amongst months. The genus-wise intensity among gastrointestinal nematodes was presented higher by Haemonchus (213.05), followed by Trichostrongylus (137.05), Trichuris (90.1), Ostertagia (44.21) and Nematodirus (32.21). Breed-wise prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes was higher in Balochi (50.20%) than the Harnai breed (48.75%). While, sex-wise prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes was higher in female (56.87%) as compared to the male (42.08%). Age-wise prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep was higher in the age group of < 1 year (60.83%) followed >2 years (43.33%) and 1-2 years (41.25%). Statistically there was no significant difference P > 0.05 between breeds, sex and age groups. Five genera of gastrointestinal nematode parasites were recovered during study period. Among these Haemonchus was the highest (71.36%) prevalent followed by Trichostrongylus (58.49%), Trichuris (28.84%), Ostertagia (17.26%) and Nematodirus (9.47%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A voluminous body of research has reported that the therapeutic concentration of ivermectin in the blood/tissue of domestic animals can be lethal to zoophilic Anopheles mosquito species, when they ingest blood meal from treated animals. In Pakistan ivermectin is used for the treatment of endo and ecto-parasites in veterinary practices. Currently, no study is available in Pakistan showing the effect of ivermectin on the survivorship of malaria vector mosquitoes. These studies were undertaken to evaluate the insecticidal effect of ivermectin, on the survivorship of zoophilic malaria vectors Anopheles culicifacies and A. stephensi under field conditions of (district Okara) Punjab, Pakistan. Anopheles mosquitoes were sampled on cattle given ivermectin treatment. Insecticidal effect of ivermectin on the survivorship of A. culicifacies and A. stephensi was monitored for 12 days post blood feeding. In conclusion, ivermectin in a dose appropriate for cattle use led to a significant reduction in both A. culicifacies and A. stephensi survival when they fed on treated cattle, compared with controls. A. stephensi was found more susceptible than A. culicifacies to ivermectin after feeding on treated cattle and inseticidal effect was observed for 28 day post ivermectin treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficacy of albendazole, metronidazole and paromomycin was evaluated against Cryptosporidium in experimentally infected cattle. Cryptosporidium oocysts harvested from cattle reared at different livestock farms identified by microscopic morphology and PCR were used for experimental infection. Oocyst per gram (OPG) count was increased in control (untreated) cattle. A single dose of 10mg/kg body weight of albendazole caused significant reduction in OPG count and efficacy determined was 43.05, 58.7 and 64.6 percents on 13th, 20th and 27th day post treatment. At 7.5mg/kg body weight dose efficacy recorded was 34.8, 57.1 and 62.9 percents, respectively. A single dose of 50mg/kg body weight of metronidazole caused significant decrease in OPG count and efficacy calculated on days 13, 20 and 27 was 32.8, 53.3 and 56.6 percent, respectively. Similar pattern of reduction in oocyst number and efficacy was recorded at higher dose of metronidazole. At dose rate of 25mg/kg body weight of paromomycin used against Cryptosporidiosis under experimental conditions significant reduction in OPG count was observed with percent efficacy of 55.04, 68.5 and 79.4 on different observational days. At 50mg/kg body weight dose rate of paromomycin percent efficacy determined was 48.1, 65 and 69, respectively. On comparison the most effective reduction in OPG was observed by the use of paromomycin at dose rate of 25mg/kg body weight of cattle. Results of paromomycin were better than other two trialed drugs and may be a choice for therapy of, cryptosporidiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cardiac fibroblasts (CF) play a central role in the repair and remodeling of the heart following injury and are important regulators of inflammation and extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover. ECM-regulatory matricellular proteins are synthesized by several myocardial cell types including CF. We investigated the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines on matricellular protein expression in cultured human CF. cDNA array analysis of matricellular proteins revealed that interleukin-1α (IL-1α, 10ng/ml, 6h) down-regulated connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) mRNA by 80% and up-regulated tenascin-C (TNC) mRNA levels by 10-fold in human CF, without affecting expression of thrombospondins 1–3, osteonectin or osteopontin. Western blotting confirmed these changes at the protein level. In contrast, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) did not modulate CCN2 expression and had only a modest stimulatory effect on TNC levels. Signaling pathway inhibitor studies suggested an important role for the p38 MAPK pathway in suppressing CCN2 expression in response to IL-1α. In contrast, multiple signaling pathways (p38, JNK, PI3K/Akt and NFκB) contributed to IL-1α-induced TNC expression. In conclusion, IL-1α reduced CCN2 expression and increased TNC expression in human CF. These observations are of potential value for understanding how inflammation and ECM regulation are linked at the level of the CF. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a study which investigates hepatitis C seroprevalence in blood donors and to assess the risk factors linked with its occurence. It says that analytical cross sectional study was performed at blood banks in various public and private hospitals in Lahori, Pakistan during 2009. Results show that the seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) was estimated to be 17.78%. It mentions that occupational status, surgical treatment place, blood transfusion history were significantly linked with hepatitis C occurrence. It notes that the overall HCV prevalence in blood donor was very high which could increase disease spread.

Seven species of snails Indoplanorbis, Bulinus, Physa, Lymnaea, Gyraulus, Bellamaya and Oncomelonia belonging to class Pulmonata and Prosobranchia were collected from water bodies of four districts i.e. Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Lahore and Kasur of the Punjab province, Pakistan. Of 10341 snails, 11.67% (Indoplanorbis, Bulinus and Physa) were found to be shedding amphistome cercariae. Season wise prevalence indicated that it was highest during summer and lowest during winter. The most favourable temperature was 30±31℃, maximum day light for 14 h and pH ranging from 7.44 to 7.51. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present project was designed to study the effect of age, sex and socio-economic status on the prevalence of Pediculosis (Pediculus capitis). Methodology: A survey was conducted among 1-5 class children of five public sector schools located in Lahore, where most of the students belonged to middle and low income classes. After obtaining ethical clearance from the parents, school principals and students, 500 children of age ≥ 7 years were examined both macroscopically and microscopically on first come first basis up to 100 children from each school. Results: Of 500 children (n=122 boys; n=378 girls), overall 387 (77.40%) while in girls 323 (85.45%) and in boys 64 (52.46%) were positive for Pediculosis. A higher prevalence was recorded in children of ≤ 11 years as compared to above 11 years. The Pediculosis rates in Low, Middle and High socio-economic groups were 61.40%, 50.00% and 29.41% in boys whereas 95.48%, 81.90% and 60.31% in girls, respectively. Conclusion: It is concluded that age, sex and socio-economic status of society are important factors for the distribution of Pediculosis in developing countries like Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study that examined the epidemiology of fasciolosis at slaughter houses, livestock farms, veterinary hospital and on household cattle in different districts of Punjab province in Pakistan. It discusses the infection rates under different management conditions, with the overall highest seasonal prevalence in all types of cattle recorded during autumn followed by spring and winter. The lowest prevalence was recorded during summer. Findings also show that older and male cattle had a higher infection rate compared to the young and female cattle.

Background: Stromelysin (MMP-3) is an important regulator of vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) invasion, a key contributor to saphenous vein (SV) bypass graft failure. The 5A allele of the common -1612 MMP-3 5A/6A promoter polymorphism reportedly confers increased promoter activity, MMP-3 tissue expression, and susceptibility to a number of vascular pathologies. The aim of this study was to determine whether the MMP-3 5A/6A polymorphism directly influences endogenous MMP-3 expression levels and, consequently, cell invasion, in SV-derived SMC cultured from patients with different genotypes. Material and Methods: Genotyping of 226 patients revealed -1612 MMP-3 5A/6A genotype frequencies of 20.8% 5A/5A, 52.7% 5A/6A, and 26.5% 6A/6A. Using a standardized, controlled protocol, we investigated cytokine- and growth factor-induced MMP-3 expression (real-time polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR], ELISA) and SV-SMC invasion (Boyden chamber with Matrigel barrier) using cultured SV-SMC from patients with different MMP-3 genotypes. Results: Despite observing a strong correlation between MMP-3 mRNA levels and MMP-3 protein secretion, no significant differences were apparent in MMP-3 expression levels or cell invasion between cells with different MMP-3 5A/6A genotypes. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the MMP-3 5A/6A promoter polymorphism in isolation does not influence levels of MMP-3 secretion or cellular invasion in human SV-SMC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Sympathetic activation has a role in the development of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). The presynaptic α2C-adrenoceptor inhibits the release of norepinephrine from sympathetic nerve terminals in the heart. A deletion polymorphism in the α2C-adrenoceptor (α2CDel322-325) generates a hypofunctional α2C-adrenoceptor, which may result in chronic adrenergic signalling. This study aimed to investigate whether the α2CDel322-325 polymorphism was associated with an increased prevalence of LVH in patients with systemic hypertension. Methods. Left ventricular mass was measured in 205 patients with systemic hypertension and 60 normal volunteers using a 1.5-T Philips MRI system. Genotyping was performed using a restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Results. No significant difference was observed between the distribution of the α2CDel322-325 genotypes in hypertensive patients with LVH compared with those without LVH. Adjusting for confounding variables the odds ratio (OR) of being ins/del for the α2CDel322-325 and having LVH was 0.49 (95% CI 0.14-1.69, p = 0.256). Conclusions. These observations suggest that there is little evidence for an association between α2CDel322-325 polymorphism and an increased prevalence of LVH in patients with systemic hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]