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Background: Dengue is endemic and prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical countries including India and can cause significant mortality and morbidity. There are limited studies available on factors associated with severe dengue from India, to investigate the predictors of severe dengue in south Indian patients. Methods: We recruited 334 patients with dengue admitted in Yashoda Hospital, Hyderabad. Study period was between March 2015 and February 2017. Based on clinical symptoms, we divided patients into severe dengue and non-severe dengue. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed for prognostic factors of severe dengue. Results: Out of 334 patients, there were 186(55.6%) males with mean age 30.3±14.3 39 years (age range: 10-73 years), severe dengue was seen in 117(35%) and non-severe dengue in 217(65%). Clinical symptoms of diabetes, low platelet count (5days after onset) elevated hematocrit, lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, convulsions and mortality were significantly associated with severe dengue. After multivariate analysis, diabetes (OR: 2.12; 95% CI:1.34-4.65) (5days) were independently associated with severe dengue.

Aim: The present study was conducted to explore the effect of supplementation of Withania somnifera and synbiotics alone or in combination on the composition of broiler breast meat under heat stress conditions. Materials and Methods: A 42-day feeding trial was conducted on 360 broiler chicks randomly allotted into eight treatment groups with three replicates each under completely randomized design. The T1 group was kept as control whereas T2-T4 were supplemented with 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% W. somnifera root powder; T5 and T6 were supplemented with 0.025% and 0.050% synbiotic and T7 and T8 were fed on diet containing 0.25% W. somnifera+0.025% synbiotic and 0.50% W. somnifera+0.05% synbiotic, respectively. Three broilers from each replicate were sacrificed at the end of the trial to estimate crude protein (CP), ether extract and ash content of the breast muscle on dry matter basis. Results: Significantly higher CP values and lower ether extract values were observed in 1.5% W. somnifera supplemented group (T4) or in group supplemented with 0.50% W. somnifera and 0.05% synbiotic (T8). The ash content of breast meat was observed non-significant in T1-T4 groups however the inclusion of synbiotics in T5-T8 groups significantly raised the ash contents. Conclusion: The study concluded that inclusion of 0.5% W. somnifera with 0.05% synbiotic substance enriches the total protein content and reduces the total lipids content of broiler breast meat under heat stress conditions.

Aim: To estimate genetic variability in exon 3 of caprine myostatin gene in Marwari goats. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 blood samples from unrelated Marwari goats were randomly collected from different villages of Bikaner (Rajasthan), India. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood using blood DNA isolation kit (Himedia Ltd.) as per manufacturer’s protocol. The quality of extracted genomic DNA was checked on 0.8% agarose gel. Specifically designed a primer set for caprine myostatin (MSTN) gene (Genebank accession no. DQ167575) was used to amplify the exon 3 region of MSTN gene in Marwari goat. The genetic variability in exon 3 of MSTN gene in Marwari goat was assessed on 8% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to detect single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) pattern. Results: The exon 3 of MSTN gene in Marwari goat showed two types of conformation patterns on 8% polyacrylamide gel. One of the patterns showed only two bands and was considered as genotype AA, whereas another pattern having an extra band was designated as genotype AB. The frequencies of AA and AB genotype for exon 3 region of MSTN gene were calculated as 0.90 and 0.10, respectively. Conclusion: Low level of polymorphism was observed at exon 3 region of MSTN gene in Marwari goat through SSCP analysis. This information could be utilized in future breeding plan to exploit the unique characteristics of Marwari goat of Rajasthan.

Several sterols were isolated from Calotropis procera. Analysis of their spectral data (UV, IR, MS, 1H, 13C NMR experiments) confirmed their structures as urs-19(29)-en-3-yl acetate, β-sitosterol and stigmasterol, multiflorenol, urs-19(29)-en-3-β-ol and 3β,27-dihydroxy-urs-18-en-13,28-olide.