Comparison of Packed Cell Volume Changes after Erythropoietin Administration and Blood Transfusion in Patients with Anemia of Chronic Kidney Disease on Hemodialysis

Introduction: Anemia of chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be managed by regular administration of erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) and/or blood transfusion. The response to these therapies can be monitored by serial packed cell volume (PCV). Objective: This study was done to compare the temporal changes in PCV after ESA therapy and blood transfusion in patients with recently diagnosed anemia in CKD stage 5 on hemodialysis (CKD 5 HD). Methods: Medical records of patients undergoing hemodialysis at the National Kidney Center, Balaju, Kathmandu from July to September 2013 were examined retrospectively. The data collected were analyzed using Minitab 16. Results: A total of 44 patients were on ESA therapy while 48 patients were on blood transfusion. The mean PCV at the start of blood transfusion was significantly lower than the mean PCV at the start of ESA therapy (p = 0.000) but at four weeks, the mean PCV in blood transfusion group was significantly greater than that in ESA therapy group (p = 0.008). At eight weeks and twelve weeks, the mean PCVs in both groups were not significantly different from each other (p = 0.949 and p = 0.747). Conclusions: Blood transfusion increases PCV immediately and in sustained manner while with ESA therapy, the response takes a longer time to manifest. A large number of non-responders to ESA therapy may have influenced the findings of this study. It is recommended that adequate dosing of ESA and attention to comorbid conditions be followed during ESA therapy. Keywords: Anemia; chronic renal insufficiency; blood transfusion; hematinics.

Comparison of the effect of three intramuscular sedation protocols on packed cell volume and total protein in cats

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in packed cell volume (PCV) and total protein following intramuscular preanesthetic sedation with one of three drug combinations in cats. Methods Thirty client-owned cats were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, blinded, clinical study. A venous blood sample was obtained prior to administration of any sedation and PCV, total protein, electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl–, iCa2+), glucose and lactate were measured. Cats were randomly assigned to receive one of three intramuscular sedation protocols (n = 10 cats/protocol): methadone 0.2 mg/kg + acepromazine 0.02 mg/kg (MA), methadone 0.2 mg/kg + dexmedetomidine 5 µg/kg (MD) or methadone 0.2 mg/kg + midazolam 0.2 mg/kg + alfaxalone 2 mg/kg (MMA). Twenty-five minutes later, cats were assessed for level of sedation followed by another venous blood sampling to evaluate the same variables as above. Results There were no significant differences in demographics (age, weight, sex) between groups. Level of sedation was significantly higher in MMA cats. Within groups, after premedication, PCV and hemoglobin significantly decreased in all groups, total protein significantly decreased in the MA and MMA groups and glucose significantly increased in the MD group. For electrolytes, statistical changes were not clinically relevant; Cl– mean difference was significantly different between MA and MD; in the MD group Na+ and Cl– significantly decreased and in the MMA group Cl– significantly increased. Conclusions and relevance All three sedation protocols caused significant decreases in PCV and hemoglobin in healthy cats.

Direct-Push Blood Transfusion Practice in the Neonatal Unit of a Tertiary Hospital in South-South, Nigeria

Introduction: Transfusion of blood is a life-saving intervention in the care of ill neonates. Donated blood is a scarce national resource and must be used in the most efficient way. Exchange blood transfusion using the blood bag is the commonest mode of blood delivery employed. Other modalities of safe and sustainable blood delivery should also be explored, especially where paucity of funds predominates. This study aims to assess the usefulness of the direct push method where applicable, as an alternative to blood bag delivery in neonatal units of resource poor settings. Methods: A two year retrospective study of newborns admitted in the neonatal wards of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital. Data obtained were the age, gender, indication for admission, packed cell volume (PCV) before and after transfusion. Blood transfusion was done in aliquots over 24 hours under aseptic conditions, via a peripheral vein. The push and pull method was employed, with no anticoagulant in the syringe. Post-transfusion PCV was done at least 24 hours after the procedure. Results: Of the one thousand and seventy-seven (1077) admitted neonates, two hundred and thirty-nine (22.2%), received blood products. Of these, twenty-one (8.8%), received a direct whole blood transfusion. Age (days) of the neonates transfused ranged from 1 to 26 days, with a mean of 10.4 ± 8.13. The Packed Cell Volume (PCV) pre-transfusion ranged between 20% - 44%, with a mean of 30.05 ± 6.39 while post-transfusion PCV ranged between 31% to 51%, with a mean of 38.17 ± 5.52(Fig. 1). The commonest indication for transfusion was prematurity, 9(42.8%) and neonatal sepsis 5 (23.8%). Conclusion: The direct transfusion of blood occasionally used, seems a relatively safe practice to correct mild/moderate anaemia. It also provides sufficient blood, with the advantage of usage when the umbilical cord access is no longer feasible and where cost of blood would otherwise, hinder quick intervention. This practice may need further evaluation by other centers.

Antitumor Efficacy of Silver Nanoparticles Biosynthe-sized from Marine Red Seaweed Halymenia porphyroides Boergesen on Dalton’s Lymphoma Ascites in Mice

The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles from marine red seaweed Halymenia porphyroides against Dalton’s lymphoma ascites (DLA)-induced tumor inoculation was studied for antitumor activity. The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles from marine red seaweed Halymenia porphyroides were given orally to Swiss albino mice (50 mg/kg/day) for 14 days showed a significant reduction in body weight, packed cell volume, andviable tumor cell count when compared to the mice of the DLA control group.The haematological parameters of the treatment group with biosynthesized silver nanoparticles also exhibited increased haemoglobin, RBCs, Platelets, and decreased WBCs compared to the DLA control group of mice. Similarly, the biochemical parameters like total cholesterol, aspartate amino-transferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), triglycerides (TL), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of the treatment control group with biosynthesized silver nanoparticles reversed the parameters to normal levels compared to the DLA control group of mice. The antitumor efficacy of the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles from Halymenia porphyroides was confirmed based on the haematological, biochemical, life span, packed cell volume, cell count, and histopathological analysis.

The Effect of Feather Color and Sex on The Physiological Characteristics of Domestic Chickens

This study was conducted at the Animal Production Research Station - College of Agriculture - Al-Muthanna University, as 5 males and 5 females from three types of local chicken strains were used in this experiment according to the color black, brown and white, after the age of sexual maturity, and some blood characteristics were studied (Red blood cells, Packed cell volume(pcv)) and some biochemical characteristics such as concentration (glucose, cholesterol, and total protein) in blood serum. During the study period, birds were fed a diet containing 17.5% protein and 2814 kcal/kg feed. The results showed no significant differences in red blood cells between the strains (black, brown, and white), while males significantly outperformed females in the numbers of red blood cells (P≤0.05). While significant differences were found between the strains in the studied characteristics of (cholesterol, glucose, and total protein), as males outperformed females in the concentration of glucose and cholesterol, while the concentration of total protein decreased in males compared to females.

18 Genetic and Phenotypic Parameters for Aleutian Disease Tests and Their Correlations with Pelt Quality, Reproductive Performance, Packed-cell Volume, and Harvest Length in Mink

Aleutian disease (AD) is an untreatable immune complex disease in mink and brings tremendous economic losses to the mink industry globally. The ineffectiveness of culling, immunoprophylaxis, and medical treatment in controlling AD have urged mink farmers to select AD-resilient mink based on the AD tests. However, the genetic analysis of these tests and their correlations with AD-resilient traits have not been investigated. In this study, data on 5,824 mink were used to estimate the genetic and phenotypic parameters of four AD tests, including two systems of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIEP), and iodine agglutination test (IAT), and their genetic and phenotypic correlations with pelt quality, reproductive performance, packed-cell volume (PCV), and harvest length (HL). Significance (P < 0.05) of fixed effects (sex, year, color type, the number of mating, and dam age), covariates (age at blood sampling and age at harvest), and random effects (additive genetic, permanent environmental, and maternal effects) were determined using univariate models. The genetic and phenotypic parameters for all traits were estimated under bivariate models using ASReml 4.1. Estimated heritabilities (±SE) were 0.39±0.05, 0.61±0.07, 0.11±0.07, and 0.26±0.05 for antigen-based ELISA (ELISA-G), virus capsid protein-based ELISA, CIEP, and IAT, respectively. The ELISA-G showed moderate repeatability (0.58±0.04) and significant (P < 0.05) negative genetic correlations (±SE) with reproductive performance traits (from -0.41±0.16 to -0.49±0.12), PCV (-0.53±0.09), and HL (-0.45±0.16). These results indicated that the selection of mink with a lower ELISA-G score could not only decrease the anti-AMDV antibody level and the extent of anemia but also improve the female reproductive performance and the harvest length of mink without causing adverse influences on the pelt quality. Hence, ELISA-G could be applied as an indicator for genetic selection of AD-resilient mink and help mink farmers reduce the adverse effects of AD.

EFFECTS OF PROBIOTIC SACCHAROMYCES BOULARDII AND CO-TRIMOXAZOLE ON SOME HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN ADULT WISTAR RATS

Saccharomyces boulardii is a probiotic yeast used as a nutritional supplement. Co-trimoxazole, is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent used in the prophylaxis and treatment of infections.The goal of this study was to evaluate the individual and interactive effects of probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii and co-trimoxazole on some haematological parameters in albino rats. Thirty (30) albino Wistar rats weighing 150-200g were divided into five groups; Basal, A, B, C, and D, with six animals in each group. Group A (control) was given a normal rat pellet (standardized feed) and clean water (pH 6.5- 8.5). Group B was administered 5.5mg/kg body weight of the commercial probiotics (Saccharomyces boulardii). Group C was administered 4.4mg/kg body weight of co-trimoxazole. Group D was administered 5.5mg/kg body weight of the commercial probiotics and 4.4mg/kg body weight of co-trimoxazole. All administrations were done using a gavage tube for 15 days. Blood samples were collected for analysis on days 0, 5 and 15. The results showed that Saccharomyces boulardii caused a significant increase (P<0.05) in total white blood cell count and packed cell volume of the treated groups at day 5. On day 15, the total white blood cell count (10.67±0.66), packed cell volume (43.23±0.47), platelet count (932±38.89) and mean platelet volume (8.53±0.38) showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in the probiotic group. The co-trimoxazole group showed a significant reduction (P<0.05) in the packed cell volume and total white blood cell count. This study shows that Saccharomyces boulardii has a positive effect on the haematological profile of the test animals.

Changes in Serum Thiol-Disulphide Homeostasis in Sheep with Gastrointestinal Nematodes

This work aimed to evaluate the thiol-disulphide homeostasis in serum of lambs naturally infected by gastrointestinal nematodes presenting different levels of parasite load indirectly indicated by faecal worm egg counts (EPG). Furthermore, the possible changes in the thiol-disulphide dynamic after different procedures to reduce the parasitic charge, such as the integrated crop-livestock system or anthelmintic treatment, were assessed. The results were compared with a panel of various oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers. The lambs were divided into three groups: animals highly infected (EPG higher than 5000) and packed cell volume (PCV) lower than 24% (G1); animals highly infected (EPG higher than 5000) and normal PCV (>24%) (G2); and animals presenting EPG lower than 5000 and normal PCV (>24%) (G3). The highly infected lambs (G1 and G2) showed lower total thiol (TT) and native thiol (SH) (p ≤ 0.01) than those from G3. After treatment, TT and SH increased significantly in all groups (p ≤ 0.01), and the disulphide (SS)/TT and SS/SH ratios decreased significantly (p < 0.01) in G1 and G2. These results show that the thiol-disulphide balance was impaired in lambs infected by gastrointestinal nematodes and that it could be potentially used as a biomarker to monitor this disease.

Evaluation of the Antimalarial Activity of Crude Extract of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. Leaf against Plasmodium berghei in Mice

Introduction. Traditional medicinal plants are used as a common source of developing new and effective antimalarial drugs. E. globulus leaf has been used in the traditional management of malaria in different countries, including Ethiopia. However, there is no in vivo study done on the antimalarial activity of the plant. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the antimalarial activity of crude extract of E. globulus Labill. leaf in P. berghei-infected mice. Method. The fresh leaves of E. globulus were collected, washed, air-dried, and made as coarse powder. Either sex of mice aged 6 to 8 weeks was used in the experiment. The antimalarial activity of the crude extract was tested in four-day suppressive, curative (Rane’s), and prophylactic (repository) tests. The parameters like level of parasitemia, packed cell volume, body weight, rectal temperature, and mean survival time were recorded. The analysis of the data was done with SPSS version 20 with a 95% confidence interval in one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test. Results. In all three antimalarial test models, the extract of leaf of E. globulus at all three doses suppressed the level of parasitemia significantly ( p < 0.001 ), increased survival time ( p < 0.05 to p < 0.001 ), and prevented a decrease in body weight as compared to the negative control. The middle and large doses of the extract also decreased loss of body temperature ( p < 0.05 to p < 0.001 ) compared to the negative control. Reduction of packed cell volume was prevented within the three test doses of the extract in both curative and prophylactic tests and middle and large doses in the 4-day suppressive test compared to the negative control. Conclusion. The crude extract of the plant showed promising antimalarial activity. This supports the traditional use and the in vitro test result of the plant.