scholarly journals Seasonal and Altitudinal Prevalence of Fascioliasis in Buffalo in Eastern Nepal

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 48-53
Author(s):  
Ramesh Prasad Sah ◽  
Hari Kumar Prasai ◽  
Jiban Shrestha ◽  
Md Hasanuzzaman Talukder ◽  
AKM Anisur Rahman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Parasitic Diseases ◽  
Sedimentation Technique ◽  
Risk Period ◽  
Pasture Contamination ◽  
Low Altitude

Buffalo is the most important livestock commodities for milk, meat production and several other multipurpose uses distributed densely from southern tarai to northern mid-hills in Nepal. Among several internal parasitic diseases fascioliasis is highly economic one caused by Fasciola in buffaloes. However, there are only few studies carried on prevalence of fascioliasis emphasizing buffaloes in relation to seasonal (summer and rainy, and winter) and altitudinal variations. Therefore, we examined prevalence of fascioliasis seasonally and vertically. For the purpose, we selected two districts of eastern Nepal and sampled from low altitude area known as Madhesha ranging from 175-200, Dhankuta from 800-1200 m, and Murtidhunga from 1800-2200 m elevation from the sea level, representing tarai, mid hills and high hills, respectively. Altogether from February 2013 to January 2014 at every two months interval we collected 798 fecal samples from buffaloes; 282 from Murtidhunga, 239 from Dhankuta and 277 from Madhesha. The samples were examined microscopically for the presence of Fasciola eggs using sedimentation technique. Results showed that overall prevalence of fascioliasis in buffaloes was 39.9% (319/798), ranging highest 42.6%in Madhesha followed by 39.7% in Murtidhunga and 37.2% in Dhankuta, respectively. The prevalence of fascioliasis was found to be significantly (p <0.05) high in winter (44.9%) comparing to rainy season (34.4%). The prevalence of fascioliasis in buffaloes was relatively higher in low altitude than high altitude, although it was not statistically significant (p <0.05). In our findings the female buffaloes showed higher prevalence for fascioliasis than in male. Since the fascioliasis in buffaloes is highly endemic, thus strategic deworming in high risk period is recommended along with measure to prevent pasture contamination with buffalo feces.

scholarly journals Effect of high altitude on human placental amino acid transport

2020 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Owen. R. Vaughan ◽  
Fredrick Thompson ◽  
Ramón. A. Lorca ◽  
Colleen G. Julian ◽  
Theresa L. Powell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Amino Acid Transport ◽  
Acid Uptake ◽  
Acid Transport ◽  
Transport Capacity ◽  
System A ◽  
Low Altitude

Women residing at high altitudes deliver infants of lower birth weight than at sea level. Birth weight correlates with placental system A-mediated amino acid transport capacity, and severe environmental hypoxia reduces system A activity in isolated trophoblast and the mouse placenta. However, the effect of high altitude on human placental amino acid transport remains unknown. We hypothesized that microvillous membrane (MVM) system A and system L amino acid transporter activity is lower in placentas of women living at high altitude compared with low-altitude controls. Placentas were collected at term from healthy pregnant women residing at high altitude (HA; >2,500 m; n = 14) or low altitude (LA; <1,700 m; n = 14) following planned, unlabored cesarean section. Birth weight, but not placenta weight, was 13% lower in HA pregnancies (2.88 ± 0.11 kg) compared with LA (3.30 ± 0.07 kg, P < 0.01). MVM erythropoietin receptor abundance, determined by immunoblot, was greater in HA than in LA placentas, consistent with lower placental oxygen levels at HA. However, there was no effect of altitude on MVM system A or L activity, determined by Na+-dependent [14C]methylaminoisobutyric acid uptake and [3H]leucine uptake, respectively. MVM abundance of glucose transporters (GLUTs) 1 and 4 and basal membrane GLUT4 were also similar in LA and HA placentas. Low birth weights in the neonates of women residing at high altitude are not a consequence of reduced placental amino acid transport capacity. These observations are in general agreement with studies of IUGR babies at low altitude, in which MVM system A activity is downregulated only in growth-restricted babies with significant compromise. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Babies born at high altitude are smaller than at sea level. Birth weight is dependent on growth in utero and, in turn, placental nutrient transport. We determined amino acid transport capacity in placentas collected from women resident at low and high altitude. Altitude did not affect system A amino acid transport across the syncytiotrophoblast microvillous membrane, suggesting that impaired placental amino acid transport does not contribute to reduced birth weight in this high-altitude population.

Comparative analysis of vitamin D content in population of different climatic zones of Carpathian region

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (4 (72)) ◽  
Author(s):  
V. V. Povorozniuk ◽  
I. V. Pankiv
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Severe Form ◽  
Climatic Zones ◽  
Vitamin D Intake ◽  
Carpathian Region ◽  
Low Altitude

The adequate vitamin D intake is found only in 19,5 % of inspected habitants of Carpathian region. The vitamin D deficiency is marked in 135 (80,5 %) and among them severe form is detected in 48 (28,4 %) of the inspected people. Frequency of vitamin D deficiency depends on a residence and increases with the height above a sea level. 25 (ОН) D level is higher among the ihabitants of low altitude region (27,14±1,26 nmol/l) comparatively with data of middle altitude region (21,37±1,34 nmol/l) and high altitude region (15,56±1,04 nmol/l).

Serum levels of adrenal androgens up to adrenarche in Peruvian children living at sea level and at high altitude

1993 ◽  
Vol 136 (3) ◽  
pp. 517-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Goñez ◽  
A. Villena ◽  
G. F. Gonzales
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate ◽  
Adrenal Androgen ◽  
Adrenal Androgens ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Low Altitude ◽  
Cross Sectional Design

ABSTRACT Serum levels of adrenal androgens were measured in children of both sexes living at sea level and at high altitude using a cross-sectional design. The levels were compared in relation to age at each altitude (150 m and 3400 m above sea level), and the first significant increase in mean levels compared with values at preceding ages was assessed and defined as adrenarche. A total of 118 boys and 95 girls aged 6–12 years living at low altitude and 95 boys and 104 girls aged 7–15 years living at high altitude, all of them attending public schools, were studied. Serum dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and androstenedione were measured by radioimmunoassay and height and weight by standard anthropometric techniques. There were two significant increases in serum levels of adrenal androgens, the first observed in children between 6 and 8 years at sea level, and between 7 and 9 years at high altitude, and the second in children between 10 and 12 years at sea level and between 12 and 15 years at high altitude. Serum adrenal androgen levels increased earlier in children at sea level than at high altitude. It is concluded that adrenarche occurs later at high altitude than at sea level. Journal of Endocrinology (1993) 136, 517–523

scholarly journals Progeny of Xenopus laevis from altitudinal extremes display adaptive physiological performance

2021 ◽  
pp. jeb.233031
Author(s):  
Carla Wagener ◽  
Natasha Kruger ◽  
John Measey
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Phenotypic Variation ◽  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Common Garden ◽  
Parental Origin ◽  
Thermal Limits ◽  
Critical Thermal Limits ◽  
Low Altitude

Environmental temperature variation generates adaptive phenotypic differentiation in widespread populations. We used a common garden experiment to determine whether offspring with varying parental origins display adaptive phenotypic variation related to different thermal conditions experienced in parental environments. We compared burst swimming performance and critical thermal limits of African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) tadpoles bred from adults captured at high (∼ 2000 m above sea level) and low (∼ 5 m above sea level) altitudes. Maternal origin significantly affected swimming performance. Optimal swimming performance temperature had a >9°C difference between tadpoles with low altitude maternal origins (Topt: pure- and cross-bred 35.0°C) and high altitude maternal origins (Topt: pure-bred 25.5°C, cross-bred 25.9°C). Parental origin significantly affected critical thermal limits. Pure-bred tadpoles with low altitude parental origins had higher CTmax (37.8±0.8°C) than pure-bred tadpoles with high altitude parental origins and all cross-bred tadpoles (37.0±0.8 and 37.1±0.8°C). Pure-bred tadpoles with low altitude parental origins and all cross-bred tadpoles had higher CTmin (4.2±0.7 and 4.2±0.7°C) than pure-bred tadpoles with high altitude parental origins (2.5±0.6°C). Our study shows Xenopus laevis tadpoles’ varying thermal physiological traits is the result of adaptive responses to their parental thermal environments. This study is one of few demonstrating potential intraspecific evolution of critical thermal limits in a vertebrate species. Multi-generation common garden experiments and genetic analyses would be required to further tease apart the relative contribution of plastic and genetic effects to the adaptive phenotypic variation observed in these tadpoles.

Pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vascular reactivity in beagles at high altitude

1988 ◽  
Vol 65 (6) ◽  
pp. 2632-2640 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. F. Grover ◽  
R. L. Johnson ◽  
R. G. McCullough ◽  
R. E. McCullough ◽  
S. E. Hofmeister ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Vascular Reactivity ◽  
Chronic Hypoxia ◽  
Acute Hypoxia ◽  
Prostaglandin Synthesis ◽  
Inhibition Of Prostaglandin Synthesis ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial ◽  
Low Altitude

It is unclear whether dogs develop pulmonary hypertension (PH) at high altitude. Beagles from sea level were exposed to an altitude of 3,100 m (PB 525 Torr) for 12-19 mo and compared with age-matched controls remaining at low altitude of 130 m (PB 750 Torr). In beagles taken to high altitude as adults, pulmonary arterial pressures (PAP) at 3,100 m were 21.6 +/- 2.6 vs. 13.2 +/- 1.2 Torr in controls. Likewise, in beagles taken to 3,100 m as puppies 2.5 mo old, PAP was 23.2 +/- 2.1 vs. 13.8 +/- 0.4 Torr in controls. This PH reflected a doubling of pulmonary vascular resistance and showed no progression with time at altitude. Pulmonary vascular reactivity to acute hypoxia was also enhanced at 3,100 m. Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis did not attenuate the PH or the enhanced reactivity. Once established, the PH was only partially reversed by acute relief of chronic hypoxia, but reversal was virtually complete after return to low altitude. Hence, beagles do develop PH at 3,100 m of a severity comparable to that observed in humans at the same or even higher altitudes.

scholarly journals Effect of altitude on mortality of end-stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis in Peru

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katia Bravo-Jaimes ◽  
Viky Y Loescher ◽  
Carlos Canelo-Aybar ◽  
Jose Rojas-Camayo ◽  
Christian R Mejia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Proportional Hazards ◽  
Cox Model ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards ◽  
Historical Cohort ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards Models ◽  
Low Altitude ◽  
Stage Renal Disease ◽  
End Stage

Abstract Background In Latin America, the prevalence of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) has risen tremendously during the last decade. Previous studies have suggested that receiving dialysis at high altitude confers mortality benefits; however, this effect has not been demonstrated at &gt;2000 m above sea level (masl) or in developing countries. Methods This historical cohort study analyzed medical records from six Peruvian hemodialysis (HD) centers located at altitudes ranging from 44 to 3827 masl. Adult ESKD patients who started maintenance HD between 2000 and 2010 were included. Patients were classified into two strata based on the elevation above sea level of their city of residence: low altitude (&lt;2000 masl) and high altitude (≥2000 masl). Death from any cause was collected from national registries and Cox proportional hazards models were built. Results A total of 720 patients were enrolled and 163 (22.6%) resided at high altitude. The low-altitude group was significantly younger, more likely to have diabetes or glomerulonephritis as the cause of ESKD and higher hemoglobin. The all-cause mortality rate was 84.3 per 1000 person-years. In the unadjusted Cox model, no mortality difference was found between the high- and low-altitude groups {hazard ratio [HR] 1.20 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.89–1.62]}. After multivariable adjustment, receiving HD at high altitude was not significantly associated with higher mortality, but those with diabetes as the cause of ESKD had significantly higher mortality [HR 2.50 (95% CI 1.36–4.59)]. Conclusions In Peru, patients receiving HD at high altitudes do not have mortality benefits.

Aldosterone dynamics during graded exercise at sea level and high altitude

1975 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. T. Maher ◽  
L. G. Jones ◽  
L. H. Hartley ◽  
G. H. Williams ◽  
L. I. Rose
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Renin Angiotensin System ◽  
O2 Uptake ◽  
Bicycle Exercise ◽  
Hormonal Responses ◽  
Angiotensin System ◽  
Altitude Exposure ◽  
Graded Exercise ◽  
Low Altitude

Hormonal responses to graded exercise of eight low altitude residents were examined at sea level (SL) and after 1 (acute) and 11 (chronic) days at 4,300 m (HA). Caloric, water, and electrolyte intakes were controlled, as were temperature and humidity. Blood was sampled at rest and during light and moderate upright bicycle exercise (20 min at 40% and 75% of maximal O2 uptake, respectively). Mean VO2 max at HA was 27% lower than at SL. Resting plasma levels of aldosterone (Aldo), renin, and angiotensin II (A II) were significantly lower (P smaller than 0.05) on day 1 at HA compared to SL, but returned to SL values by day 11. Plasma cortisol values at rest were similar at SL and HA and were not significantly altered by light or moderate exercise. Renin, A II, and Aldo rose progressively with increasing workload in each environment. With acute HA, renin and Aldo were lower than at either SL or chronic HA. The chronic HA levels tended to approximate SL findings, implying adaptation. The data suggest that aldosterone is predominantly under the control of the renin-angiotensin system during graded exercise at sea level and that the response of this system is altered on acute high-altitude exposure.

scholarly journals Perbandingan prevalensi pterygium pada nelayan di Tuminting dengan petani di Rurukan

e-CliniC ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuf S. Tangdilintin ◽  
Laya M. Rares ◽  
Yamin Tongku
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Sun Exposure ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
North Sulawesi ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
High Altitude Area ◽  
Eye Examination ◽  
Low Altitude ◽  
The Difference

Abstract: Based on Riset Kesehatan Dasar 2013, North Sulawesi is one of 10 provinces in Indonesia that have the highest pterygium prevalence. Previous findings at different areas showed that pterygium is more common at areas with high altitude than at areas with low altitude. Topography of North Sulawesi with mountains and hills might be related to the high prevalence of pterygium at this province. This study was aimed to obtain the difference in pterygium prevalence at area with high altitude compared to area with low altitude at North Sulawesi. This study used a cross sectional quantitative design and was conducted at Tuminting (mean altitude about 0 km above sea level) and at Rurukan (mean altitude about 1km above sea level). There were 51 respondents at each location. Eye examination was performed and data about sun exposure were collected among fishermen at Tuminting and farmers at Rurukan. The results showed that the pterygium prevalence at Rurukan was 56.9% and at Tuminting was 41.2%. Conclusion: There was a difference in pterygium prevalence between people at high altitude area from people at low altitude area at North Sulawesi.Keywords: pterygium, altitude Abstrak: Berdasarkan hasil Riset Kesehatan Dasar 2013 Provinsi Sulawesi Utara termasuk dalam 10 provinsi dengan prevalensi pterygium tertinggi di Indonesia. Temuan sebelumnya di daerah yang lain menemukan prevalensi pterygium lebih tinggi di daerah dengan ketinggian dari permukaan laut yang tinggi dibandingkan daerah dengan ketinggian dari permukaan laut yang rendah. Topografi provinsi Sulawesi Utara yang sebagian besar terdiri dari pegunungan dan bukit-bukit mungkin berhubungan dengan tingginya prevalensi pterygium di Sulawesi Utara. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendapatkan perbedaan prevalensi pterygium pada daerah dengan ketinggian yang tinggi dengan daerah dengan ketinggian yang rendah di Sulawesi Utara. Desain penelitian ialah potong lintang kuantitatif yang dilakukan di Tuminting (ketinggian rata-rata sekitar 0 km di atas permukaan laut) dan di Rurukan (ketinggian rata-rata sekitar 1 km di atas permukaan laut). Terdapat 51 responden pada tiap-tiap lokasi penelitian dan dilakukan pemeriksaan mata serta pengumpulan data mengenai paparan terhadap matahari dari responden nelayan di Tuminting dan responden petani di Rurukan. Hasil penelitian mendapatkan prevalensi pterygium di Rurukan 56,9% dan di Tuminting 41,2%. Simpulan: Terdapat perbedaan prevalensi pterygium di daerah dengan ketinggian dari permukaan laut yang tinggi (Rurukan) dibandingkan daerah dengan ketinggian dari permukaan laut yang rendah (Tuminting) di Sulawesi Utara. Kata kunci: pterygium, ketinggian daerah

scholarly journals High-altitude is associated with better short-term survival in critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo R. Morocho Jaramillo ◽  
Katherine Simbaña-Rivera ◽  
Javier V. Velastegui Silva ◽  
Lenin Gómez-Barreno ◽  
Ana B. Ventimilla Campoverde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Outcome ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Chronic Kidney Failure ◽  
Disease Classification ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Altitude Exposure ◽  
Low Altitude

AbstractBackgroundThe novel human coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has affected at least 218 countries worldwide. Some geographical and environmental factors are positively associated with a better or worse prognosis concerning COVID-19 disease and with lower or higher SARS-CoV-2 transmission. High altitude exposure has been associated with lower SARS-CoV-2 attack rates; nevertheless, the role of chronic high-altitude exposure on the clinical outcome of critically ill COVID-19 patients has not been studied.ObjectiveTo compare the clinical course and outcomes of critically ill patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in two intensive care units (ICU) located at low and high altitude.Exposure and OutcomeTo explore the effect of two different elevations (10 m vs 2,850 m above sea level) on COVID-19 clinical outcome and survival.MethodsA prospective cohort, two-center study in confirmed COVID-19 adult patients admitted to a low altitude (Sea level) and high altitude (2,850 m) ICU units in Ecuador was conducted. Two hundred and thirty confirmed COVID-19 patients were enrolled from March 15th to July 15th, 2020. Sociodemographic, clinical, laboratory and imaging parameters including supportive therapies, pharmacological treatments and medical complications were reported and compared between the low and high-altitude groups.ResultsThe median age of all the patients was 60 years, 64.8% were men and 35.2% were women. A total of 105 (45.7%) patients had at least one underlying comorbidity, the most frequent being chronic diseases, such as hypertension (33.5%), diabetes (16.5%), and chronic kidney failure (5.7%). The APACHE II scale at 72 hours was especially higher in the low-altitude group with a median of 18 points (IQR: 9.5-24.0), compared to 9 points (IQR: 5.0-22.0) obtained in the group of high altitude. There is evidence of a difference in survival in favor of the high-altitude group (p = 0.006), the median survival being 39 days, compared to 21 days in the low altitude group.ConclusionThere has been a substantial improvement in survival amongst people admitted to the high-altitude critical care unit. High altitude living was associated with improved survival, especially among patients with no comorbidities. COVID-19 patients admitted to the high-altitude ICU unit have improved severity-of-disease classification system scores at 72 hours and reported better respiratory and ventilatory profiles than the low altitude group.

scholarly journals Long-term exposure to high-altitude chronic hypoxia during gestation induces neonatal pulmonary hypertension at sea level

2010 ◽  
Vol 299 (6) ◽  
pp. R1676-R1684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilio A. Herrera ◽  
Raquel A. Riquelme ◽  
Germán Ebensperger ◽  
Roberto V. Reyes ◽  
César E. Ulloa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Vascular Reactivity ◽  
Soluble Guanylate Cyclase ◽  
Heme Oxygenase 1 ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Low Altitude

We determined whether postnatal pulmonary hypertension induced by 70% of pregnancy at high altitude (HA) persists once the offspring return to sea level and investigated pulmonary vascular mechanisms operating under these circumstances. Pregnant ewes were divided into two groups: conception, pregnancy, and delivery at low altitude (580 m, LLL) and conception at low altitude, pregnancy at HA (3,600 m) from 30% of gestation until delivery, and return to lowland (LHL). Pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) was measured in vivo. Vascular reactivity and morphometry were assessed in small pulmonary arteries (SPA). Protein expression of vascular mediators was determined. LHL lambs had higher basal PAP and a greater increment in PAP after NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (20.9 ± 1.1 vs. 13.7 ± 0.5 mmHg; 39.9 ± 5.0 vs. 18.3 ± 1.3 mmHg, respectively). SPA from LHL had a greater maximal contraction to K+ (1.34 ± 0.05 vs. 1.16 ± 0.05 N/m), higher sensitivity to endothelin-1 and nitroprusside, and persistence of dilatation following blockade of soluble guanylate cyclase. The heart ratio of the right ventricle-to-left ventricle plus septum was higher in the LHL relative to LLL. The muscle area of SPA (29.3 ± 2.9 vs. 21.1 ± 1.7%) and the protein expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (1.7 ± 0.1 vs. 1.1 ± 0.2), phosphodiesterase (1.4 ± 0.1 vs. 0.7 ± 0.1), and Ca2+-activated K+ channel (0.76 ± 0.16 vs. 0.30 ± 0.01) were greater in LHL compared with LLL lambs. In contrast, LHL had decreased heme oxygenase-1 expression (0.82 ± 0.26 vs. 2.22 ± 0.44) and carbon monoxide production (all P < 0.05). Postnatal pulmonary hypertension induced by 70% of pregnancy at HA promotes cardiopulmonary remodeling that persists at sea level.

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