The use of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to assess the diagnostic value of serum amyloid A, haptoglobin and fibrinogen in traumatic reticuloperitonitis in cattle

Acute phase proteins (APPs) such as serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), and plasma fibrinogen (Fb) are diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. This study determined the pattern of SAA in traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP) in cows, and compared the findings with Hp, and plasma Fb concentrations in the differential diagnosis of TRP using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Blood samples were collected from 89 cows: 53 cases of TRP, 16 animals with other internal disorders and 20 healthy controls.SAA and Hp had a similar pattern and magnitude of changes in TRP. Using the ROC method, the optimal cut-off for the diagnosis of TRP was 68 μg/mL for SAA and 0.74 g/L for Hp, with 100% sensitivity and 86.1% specificity; either of these parameters may therefore be used as a sensitive and relatively specific tool for the differential diagnosis of TRP in cattle. The diagnostic accuracy of plasma Fb was significantly lower than either SAA or Hp (P < 0.01). The combined use of these APPs (whilst aware of their conditional interdependence) may not provide any additional diagnostic information than can be obtained using either SAA or Hp alone.     

The antimicrobial peptide AsR416 can inhibit the growth,sclerotium formation and virulence of Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IA

European Journal of Plant Pathology - Plant antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as a part of plant defense responses, are small soluble defense molecules which can inhibit the growth of pathogens. This...     

Molecular identification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chilli leaf curl India virus</Emphasis> along with betasatellite molecule causing leaf curl disease of menthol mint (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mentha arvensis</Emphasis> var. Kosi) in India

Whitefly-transmitted begomovirus induces leaf curling and stunting of Mentha arvensis (Kosi) and is responsible for heavy economic losses in and around Lucknow, India. The complete genome was amplified, sequenced and assembled as 2759 bp long, with 1376 bp betasatellite molecule. Because no DNA-B amplicon was detected, the virus was classified as “Old World begomovirus” with the characteristic seven ORFs; two ORFs (AV1, AV2) in the V-sense and five ORFs (AC1–AC5) in the C-sense. BLASTn and phylogenetic analysis showed highest similarity (98%) with chilli leaf curl India virus (ChiLCINV). This is the first report of ChiLCINV infection in M. arvensis (Kosi) from India.     

Disease Progress Based on Effects of Verticillium dahliae and Pratylenchus penetrans on Gas Exchange in Russet Burbank Potato

ABSTRACT The interactive effects of concomitant infection by the nematode Pratylenchus penetrans and the fungus Verticillium dahliae on symptom expression in Russet Burbank potato was studied in growth chamber experiments. Treatments were P. penetrans at three initial densities, V. dahliae at one inoculum density, the combination of the nematode at these three densities and the fungus, and a noninfested control. Gas exchange was measured nondestructively in leaf cohorts of different ages, one to three times weekly, with a LI-COR portable photosynthesis system. The single-pathogen treatments had no effect on assimilation or transpiration rates, but joint infection had a significant impact. In concomitant infection, photosynthesis was impaired more than transpiration, so estimates of leaf health were based on carbon assimilation rates only. Reductions in assimilation rate were apparent before the onset of visual symptoms. Assimilation rates decreased as much as 44% in the top, and newest, leaves of concomitantly infected plants, compared to rates in control plants. Even so, the health of newly produced leaves did not become progressively worse through time. With light use efficiency less than 0.20 mol of CO(2) fixed per mol of photosynthetically active radiation used as the criterion for disease incidence, disease progressed acropetally from the oldest to the youngest leaves. In plants infected with P. penetrans (0.8 nematodes per cm(3) of soil) in combination with V. dahliae, all leaves in cohorts 1 and 2 were symptomatic by 45 days after planting, and leaves in cohorts 3 to 6 became symptomatic at weekly intervals thereafter. For the control and single-pathogen treatments, the first time that light use efficiency fell below 0.20 in all leaves in cohort 1 was 71 days after planting. Concomitant infection reduced leaf life span by about 3 weeks. Both visual and physiological symptom expression were invariant to differences in initial nematode inoculum densities ranging from 0.8 to 2.5 nematodes per cm(3) of soil in one experiment and from 1.3 to 4.1 nematodes per cm(3) of soil in a second experiment.     

Prevalence of hypertension among Iranian hemodialysis patients and associated risk factors: a nationwide multicenter study

The aim of this study is to document the prevalence of HTN and characterize risk factors associated with HTN in Iranian hemodialysis patients. Three hundred and thirty seven HD patients from 5 university based HD centers around Iran were enrolled in the study. Urea reduction ratio was calculated using formula: 100 * (1-(urea before HD/urea after HD)). Pearson Chi-square test, independent sample t-test and one way ANOVA were used for evaluations, where appropriate. Multivariate logistic regression model was used for defining independent risk factors. Two sided p < 0.05 were considered significant. Patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension as causes of ESRD significantly were more likely to have hypertension before and after dialysis (p < 0.05). Patients with conventional thrice weekly dialysis (compared to twice), hemodialysis duration of more that 6 months, acetate type of dialysate, ESRD cause when diabetes mellitus and hypertension, were significantly associated with having pre-HD hypertension. We also found that hemodialysis center of the capital city had a significant better measures compared to other cities (p < 0.05). This study revealed a relatively acceptable prevalence of hypertension in our HD population. Nevertheless, because of higher prevalence of HTN in HD centers out of capital city, it seems necessary that we should urgently pay more attention in promotion of these centers toward achieving better outcome with implementing strict guidelines to follow.     

Shift work as an oxidative stressor

Background  

Some medical disorders have higher prevalence in shift workers than others. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of night-shift-working on total plasma antioxidant capacity, with respect to the causative role of oxidative stress in induction of some of these disorders.     

Validating models of one-way land change: an example case of forest insect disturbance

Landscape Ecology - Validation of models of Land Use and Cover Change often involves comparing maps of simulated and reference change. The interpretation of differences between simulated and...     

Biochemical diversity in wild and cultivated pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) in Pakistan

The present study was conducted to screen out elite pomegranates through determination of biochemical diversity in wild and cultivated genotypes for a breeding program and for fresh/processed use in industry. The results showed high morphological diversity in accessions of wild pomegranate fruits as compared to cultivated genotypes. The first six principal components covered 80.75 and 75.49% diversity in 53 wild and 62 cultivated pomegranate genotypes, respectively. High values of the coefficient of variance (10.78–18.62%), and a high range of minimum to maximum values of total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid content, total soluble sugars, and total phenolic content (0.10–1.25, 5.88–29.96, 9.69–19.85 and 175.05–595.42), respectively, were recorded in the studied genotypes. Ascorbic acid content had a strong correlation with antioxidant activity (0.952%), super dismutase oxides (0.94%), catalase (0.921%), and titratable acidity (0.91%). Peroxides had a strong correlation (0.88%) with catalase, and 0.81% each with super dismutase oxides and antioxidant activity. Wild and cultivated pomegranates were clustered successfully in separate groups, based on biochemical traits. A variety improvement program and selection of high-quality pomegranate genotypes could help to reduce pomegranate-related malnutrition issues in the human diet.     

Prevalence of subclinical ketosis in dairy cattle in the Southwestern Iran and detection of cutoff point for NEFA and glucose concentrations for diagnosis of subclinical ketosis

Subclinical ketosis (SCK) is simply a condition marked by increased levels of circulating ketone bodies without the presence of the clinical signs of ketosis. Subclinical ketosis can cause economic losses through decreased milk production and association with preparturient diseases. Limited information is available regarding the prevalence of SCK in dairy herds in Southwestern Iran. The objectives of this study were (i) determination of the cutoff point of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) and glucose concentrations for diagnosis of SCK using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and (ii) determination of prevalence of subclinical ketosis in apparently healthy dairy cattle in Southwestern Iran. From October to December 2009, a total of 100 clinically healthy multiparous Holstein cows (3-8 years old) were randomly selected from 16 dairy herds around Kazerun, Fars Province, Iran. The cows had two-six lactations, with body weight ranging from 500 to 650 kg. Blood samples for each cow were taken at 2, 4 and 6 weeks post parturition and 3-4h after the morning feeding. The optimal cutoff point was set, by the ROC method, to >0.26 mmol/L for NEFA, and < 2.26 mmol/L for glucose with corresponding 82.54% sensitivity and 91.89% specificity for NEFA and 44.44% sensitivity and 78.38% specificity for glucose. Cows with BHB concentrations higher than 1200 μmol/L were classified as having SCK. In 2, 4 and 6 weeks post parturition 63%, 68% and 59% of the tested cows were subclinically ketotic. Overall, 97% of tested cows (97/100) were considered subclinically ketotic in at least one sample period. Thirty percent of tested cows (30/100) suffered from subclinical ketosis in all of the 2, 4 and 6 weeks postpartum. The results suggest that, a cut-off point of 0.26 mmol/L for NEFA concentrations can be used during early lactation for diagnosis of subclinical ketosis and making management decisions for prevention and treatment. Glucose cannot be a good criterion for diagnosis of SCK and it does not appear to be useful for monitoring subclinical ketosis.