Phenotypic and Carcass Characterization of Hassan Sheep

Background: Hassan sheep is the third most populous breed of the five registered sheep breeds from Karnataka with limited studies on its morphological and carcass characteristics. Hence, the study was undertaken to know the present status of morphological and carcass characteristics of this breed. Methods: A total of 34 randomly selected flocks were surveyed and the data on various parameters were collected. The morphometrical data was collected on 344 sheep belonging to eight flocks from the breeding tract. The carcass characteristics were documented by slaughtering six male lambs (between nine to twelve months of age). Result: These sheep had varied coat colours viz. complete white (23.3%), white with light brown patches (58.1%) and white with black patches (18.6%) on head and neck region. It was observed that 40.4 per cent of males and only 1.4 per cent of females were horned. Atrophied ears were noticed in 2.3 per cent of these sheep. The average adult body length (cm), height at wither (cm), chest girth (cm), paunch (cm), ear length (cm), tail length (cm) and average adult body weight (kg) were 66.4±0.62, 65.03±1.45, 75.2±1.02, 76.5±1.38, 15.2±0.07, 11.5±0.07 and 32.7±2.03 in males and 63.8±0.85, 61.7±1.38, 71.8±2.32, 74.5±2.60, 15.0±0.34, 11.3±0.08 and 27.8±1.21 in females, respectively. The difference in body weight between males and females increased significantly over the age. The pre-slaughter weight (PSW), hot carcass weight (HCW) and dressing percentage recorded were 20.3±1.42 Kg, 9.5±0.23 kg and 46.80 per cent, respectively.

Circulation of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Circulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear, colorless liquid that circulates between the ventricular system and the subarachnoid space. In addition to its function as a natural cushion for the brain, CSF provides the circulation of metabolic products, hormones, and neurotransmitters. Moreover, it has tasks such as maintaining the homeostatic balance of the central nervous system, protecting the brain against mechanical injuries, preventing direct contact of the brain with the extracellular region. It also has a role in maintaining cerebral interstitial fluid (ISF) homeostasis and neuronal regulation. Normal CSF production, its circulation, and absorption have a critical role for the development and functioning of the brain. In an average adult person, roughly 150 ml of CSF circulates at any given moment. The ventricular part accounts for about 17% of the total volume of fluid, with the rest located in the subarachnoid cisterns and space. CSF is produced at a rate of about 0.3–0.4 mL/min, translating to 18–25 mL/H and 430–530 mL/day.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Pathophysiologic Perspective

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by chronically elevated blood glucose (hyperglycemia) and elevated blood insulin (hyperinsulinemia). When the blood glucose concentration is 100 milligrams/deciliter the bloodstream of an average adult contains about 5–10 grams of glucose. Carbohydrate-restricted diets have been used effectively to treat obesity and T2DM for over 100 years, and their effectiveness may simply be due to lowering the dietary contribution to glucose and insulin levels, which then leads to improvements in hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. Treatments for T2DM that lead to improvements in glycemic control and reductions in blood insulin levels are sensible based on this pathophysiologic perspective. In this article, a pathophysiological argument for using carbohydrate restriction to treat T2DM will be made.

A Comparative Study on Insect Longevity: Tropical Moths Do Not Differ From Their Temperate Relatives

If the evolutionary determinants of longevity were mainly extrinsic, related species from different habitats should systematically differ in individual lifespans. Comparative studies of insects can significantly contribute to understanding the evolution of lifespan, as the trait can feasibly be measured in a high number of species. We recorded adult longevities for 110 species of geometrid moths from a tropical community. Comparative analyses based on an original phylogenetic reconstruction were applied to reveal the correlates of species-specific values of lifespan. Larger moth species were found to live longer, and females tended to have shorter lifespans than males. Average adult lifespans in tropical geometrids, and the relationships of lifespan with other variables, were found to be highly similar to those reported for their temperate region relatives. The among-region similarity leads to the conclusion of the dominance of intrinsic (physiological) determinants of longevity over the extrinsic (ecological) ones: the contrasting environments of tropical and temperate forests have not produced detectable differences in moth longevities.

How readable and reliable is online patient information on chronic rhinosinusitis?

Objective This study aimed to assess the quality and readability of websites on chronic rhinosinusitis. Methods A total of 180 results from 3 different search engines regarding ‘chronic rhinosinusitis’, ‘sinusitis’ and ‘sinus infections’ were analysed for readability using the Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level, Flesch Reading Ease Score and Gunning Fog Index. The Discern tool was used to approximate information quality. Results From 180 total searches, 69 unique websites were identified. These had an average Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level of 9.75 (95 per cent confidence interval = 9.12–10.4), a Flesch Reading Ease Score of 45.0 (41.0–49.0) and a Gunning Fog Index of 13.7 (12.9–14.4), which equates to the average reading level of a college or university student. Discern scores were variable but consistently showed good-quality information. Conclusion Chronic rhinosinusitis information is of a high quality but is for a reading level higher than that of the average adult. Standardising patient information should ensure adequate comprehension and improve patient compliance.

Zinc Therapy in Dermatology: A Review and Update

Zinc is a micronutrient used over the years for many dermatological conditions such as infections, inflammatory dermatoses, pigmentary disorders, neoplasias etc. It is used in both elemental as well as salt form, either in topical or in oral form as a therapy. An average adult weighing 70 kg has a body zinc content of 1.4–2.3 gm. The role of zinc in deficiency disorder like acrodermatitis enteropathica is already established and used widely as treatment. Zinc has been identified as effective in the treatment of various disorders but it cannot be used as the replacement for proven first line treatment. Zinc can be used as adjuvant therapy in many dermatological disorders. This is a narrative review where various use of zinc as therapy in dermatological disorders is highlighted.

Rock island melody: A revision of the Afroedura bogerti Loveridge, 1944 group, with descriptions of four new endemic species from Angola

Four new species of flat geckos in the Afroedura bogerti Loveridge, 1944 group are described from south-western and west-central Angola. The description of these new species significantly restricts the distribution range of typical A. bogerti, a morphologically very similar species, from which they differ genetically by 5.9–12% divergence for the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Morphologically and genetically, Angolan Afroedura are divided into two main groups: a mostly south-western coastal group and a west-central inland/highland group. These two groups are further divisible into three and two subgroups respectively, all geographically isolated, differing by a combination of the following features: colouration, average adult size, number of mid-body scale rows, number of scale rows on dorsal and ventral surface of each tail verticil and if nostril scales are in contact or not. All five Angolan species are morphologically distinguishable and in agreement with the molecular results. An updated dichotomous key to the Afroedura transvaalica group is provided. The new discovery adds to a growing number of endemic Pro-Namib reptiles described from Angola in recent years.

Ionizing radiation and its considerations in imaging diagnosis: comparison of absorbed dose between cone beam computed tomography and multi-detector computed tomography in the head and neck

Introduction: The objective of this study was to compare the mean absorbed dose in patients undergoing head and neck examinations using two cone beam computed tomography (CBCT, Kodak and i-CAT) and one multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT). Methods: Three thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs), calibrated in air kerma, were positioned in 24 regions of the head and neck of a phantom simulating an average adult. The mean absorbed dose (mGy) values in these positions, for different organs and tissues, were obtained using correction factors, considering the ratio between the mass energy absorption coefficients of organ/tissue and air. Comparison between radiation doses in the most radiosensitive regions was done by calculating the ratio of these dose values, with propagated uncertainty. Results: The dose in all regions was significantly higher for MDCT when compared to CBCT. Concerning CBCT equipment, the Kodak device had a higher absorbed dose than the i-CAT for most of the regions tested. The uncertainty of the i-CAT was greater than that of the Kodak. Conclusion: Due to the considerable difference between absorbed doses, emphasizing the higher dose values obtained in MDCT, the dissemination of CBCT application in medicine is recommended, as well as further studies to broaden the criteria for use.

Biofortification of Potato and Carrot With Iodine by Applying Different Soils and Irrigation With Iodine-Containing Water

Accumulation of iodine by potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and carrot (Daucus carota L. var. sativus) plants cultivated on different soils (sand, sandy silt, and silt) using irrigation water containing iodine at concentrations of 0.1 and 0.5 mg/L was investigated. In the edible organs of potato and carrot control plants grown on sand, sandy silt, and silt soils, the iodine concentrations were 0.15, 0.17, and 0.20 mg/kg (potato) and 0.012, 0.012, and 0.013 mg/kg (carrot); after the treatment by applying 0.5 mg/L iodine dosage, the iodine concentrations were 0.21, 0.19, 0.27 mg/kg (potato) and 3.5, 3.7, 3.0 mg/kg (carrot), respectively. Although the iodine treatment had no significant effect on the biomass production of these plants, in potato tubers, it resulted in higher Fe and lower Mg and P concentrations, whereas no similar trend was observable in carrot roots. The accumulation of Mn, Cu, Zn, and B in the edible part of both plants was not influenced by the iodine treatment. The soil properties did not have a significant impact on biomass production under the same environmental conditions. The concentration and the distribution of iodine in both plants were slightly modified by the growing medium; however, the photosynthetic efficiency and the chlorophyll content index of potato plants cultivated in silt soil increased significantly. Potato plant was not suitable for biofortification with iodine, while considering the iodine concentration and the moisture content of carrot roots, it can be calculated that consuming 100 g fresh carrot would cover about 38% of the daily iodine intake requirement for an average adult person.

Quantifying sublethal Florida manatee-watercraft interactions by examining scars on manatee carcasses

A leading human-related threat to the Florida manatee Trichechus manatus latirostris is collisions with watercraft, which account for 20-25% of reported mortalities. Quantitative threat assessments do not include information on all known manatee-watercraft interactions. These interactions often result in sublethal wounding, usually leaving multiple fresh external wounds in a variety of patterns. These wounds then resolve into well-healed scars. We characterized and quantified watercraft-related scar patterns (1 pattern = 1 strike event) on 2935 nonperinatal carcasses (>150 cm total length) that were recovered from 2007 through 2016 to compare the number of patterns by life stage, sex, and population region and across years. We used generalized linear mixed models to examine the effects of several factors on the probability carcasses having scars and on the number of scar patterns per carcass. The models indicated that approximately 96% of adults, approximately 70% of subadults, and approximately 34% of calves had watercraft-related scars. The raw data showed that 1 in 4 adults had been hit 10 or more times; 5 adult carcasses bore evidence of 40 or more strikes. On average, adult females had more scar patterns than did adult males. Manatees on Florida’s west coast had more scar patterns than did those on the east coast, while carcasses from the less populated Everglades had significantly fewer scar patterns than did those from the rest of the state. These results improve our understanding of the extent of sublethal injury of the Florida manatee caused by boat strikes.