Dairy Buffalo Production and Management Systems in Haor Areas of Sylhet in Bangladesh

The aim of the study was to describe the scenario of the present condition of production and management system of dairy buffalo at Haor areas of Sylhet in Bangladesh. Data were collected between February 2019 and January 2020. Sixty dairy farmers and thirty indigenous dairy buffaloes were selected for the study purpose. All respondent farmers were male and 65% were in between 40 to 50 years of age. Parity number had a significant relation in response of body weight. Quality analysis of milk showed that buffaloes which were reared at Haor areas have more fat content on an average 7.88% than buffaloes which were reared conventional dairy farm containing 7.34%. Price of buffalo’s milk and meat were varied with the seasonal changes, lower in winter season. All farmers fed the buffaloes only with green grass in winter. Four major diseases of buffaloes were found in Haor areas where the percentage of foot and mouth diseases was 15.59% followed by black quarter (11.01%), anthrax (7.34%) and hemorrhagic septicemia (6.42%). The buffaloes were not dewormed so parasitic infestations dramatically increased and easily transferred from one to another. The farmers had not enough knowledge about regular vaccination. But in contrast with profitability, total benefit cost ratio from buffalo rearing was 1:1.56 annually.

Genotyping of non-polio enteroviruses associated with acute flaccid paralysis in Thailand in 2013 and 2014

Background Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance was conducted as part of the World Health Organization’s strategy for completely eradicating poliomyelitis and leaving non-polio enteroviruses NPEVs as one of the main potential causes of AFP. We aimed to detect NPEV in association with AFP. Methods We used 459 isolates reported to be Negative Polio and some NPEVs by the World Health Organization Polio Regional Reference Laboratory (Thailand), which had been obtained during polio surveillance programmes conducted in Thailand in 2013–2014. Of 459 isolates, 35 belonged to the genus Enterovirus by RT-PCR and genotyping by DNA sequencing. Results This study found 17 NPEV genotypes, with 3, 13 and 1 belonging to enterovirus (EV) species A (EV-A), EV-B, and EV-C, respectively. The EV-A types identified included coxsackievirus A2 (CA2), CA4, and EV71, typically associated with hand, foot and mouth diseases. EV-B is the most prevalent cause of AFP in Thailand, while CA21 was the only type of EV-C detected. The EV-B species (13/35; 76.5%) constituted the largest proportion of isolates, followed by EV-A (3/35; 17.6%) and EV-C (1/35; 5.9%). For the EV-B species, Echovirus (E) 30 and CVB were the most frequent isolates. E30, CVB, E14, and E6 were considered endemic strains. Conclusion NPEVs, e.g. CA4, are reported for the first time in Thailand. Despite some limitations to this study, this is the first report on the circulation patterns of NPEVs associated with AFP in Thailand. AFP surveillance has unearthed many unknown NPEVs and, the cases of death due to AFP occur annually. Therefore, it is important to study NPEVs in the wake of the eradication of poliovirus in the context of the continued incidence of paralysis.

Gonotyping of non-polio enteroviruses associated with acute flaccid paralysis in Thailand in 2013 and 2014

Background Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance was conducted as part of the World Health Organization’s strategy for completely eradicating poliomyelitis and leaving non-polio enteroviruses NPEVs as one of the main potential causes of AFP. We aimed to detect NPEV in association with AFP.Methods We used 459 isolates reported to be Negative Polio and some NPEVs by the World Health Organization Polio Regional Reference Laboratory (Thailand), which had been obtained during polio surveillance programmes conducted in Thailand in 2013–2014. Of 459 isolates, 35 belonged to the genus Enterovirus by RT-PCR and genotyping by DNA sequencing.Results This study found 17 NPEV genotypes, with 3, 13 and 1 belonging to enterovirus (EV) species A (EV-A), EV-B, and EV-C, respectively. The EV-A types identified included coxsackievirus A2 (CA2), CA4, and EV71, typically associated with hand, foot and mouth diseases. EV-B is the most prevalent cause of AFP in Thailand, while CA21 was the only type of EV-C detected. The EV-B species (13/35; 76.5%) constituted the largest proportion of isolates, followed by EV-A (3/35; 17.6%) and EV-C (1/35; 5.9%). For the EV-B species, Echovirus (E) 30 and CVB were the most frequent isolates. E30, CVB, E14, and E6 were considered endemic strains.Conclusion NPEVs, e.g. CA4, are reported for the first time in Thailand. Despite some limitations to this study, this is the first report on the circulation patterns of NPEVs associated with AFP in Thailand. AFP surveillance has unearthed many unknown NPEVs and, the cases of death due to AFP occur annually. Therefore, it is important to study NPEVs in the wake of the eradication of poliovirus in the context of the continued incidence of paralysis.

A PHARMACEUTICAL AND ANALYTICAL EXPLORATION OF GOMUTRA HARITAKI

Ayurveda has emerged and developed as a holistic system of treatment. It has a great treasure of knowledge of natural drugs (Plant, Animal and Mineral originated) that has been in use since long to maintain the health and mitigate the adverse situation in the body during diseases. Even though Ayurveda is a medical science, other various disciplines related to medicine are also described in detail in it; Pharmaceutical science is one of them. Ayurvedic pharmaceutics is completely scientific and it has arisen from centuries of experiences. Vast literature is available on different issues of pharmaceutics in Ayurveda such as collection of raw material from their natural sources; identification & their validation; various purification, manufacturing and analytical methods; shelf life of drug & storage methods etc. All these relevant issues have been described in a very scientific manner, but recent developments of pharmaceutics need to be incorporated in existing science for their acceptance globally. Gomutra haritaki is a medicine that has Gomutra (Animal product) and Haritaki (Plant product) as ingredients and both have immense biochemical properties and prescribed in various ailments. In Ayurvedic text Gomutra haritaki has been described in Pandu roga (Anemia), Mukha roga (Mouth diseases) and Arsha (Piles). Through this article, an attempt has been made to collect the all related classical references, and generate the standard operative procedures for manufacturing. Gomutra haritaki was prepared as per description available in Vrihat nighantu ratnakar. It was yellowish brown in color and there was an intense smell of cow urine. Organoleptic and physiochemical characterization was evaluated through validated standardization procedures.

Ethno-pharmacological use of Ethiopian indigenous forest honey: the case of Sheka forest

Background Sheka forest is the last indigenous forest in Ethiopia. Plant species are important for the production of different honey types used for both consumption and healing purpose. Healing purposes of plant species used for honey production has not been well documented. Documentation of the community honey based ethno pharmacological knowledge can provide huge significance in the process of subjective interpretation. Materials and Methods The study employed ethnographic descriptive and explanatory research design which participate 40 healers from Sheka forest, Ethiopia Quantitative analytical tools such as relative frequency citation (RFC), use value (UV), cultural importance index (CI), relative importance (RI), frequency index (FI) and informants consensus factor (ICF). Results Six major plant species have been identified in the study area. Honey made from Scheflera abyssinica (Geteme) had higher relative importance (1.67), relative frequency citations (0.55), citation index and frequency index (100). Honey from Vernonia amygdaline (Girawa) was used basically to treat human ailments such as diarrhea and Tonsillitis. Honey from Ficus vasta (Sholla) was primarily used to treat coughing, itching and allergy. Syzgiu guineense (Dokima) and Guizotia schimperi (Meskel Abeba) honeys were primarily used as cosmetics and to protect skin from excessive cold. Scheflera abyssinica honey was used for treat of almost all of the above listed ailments. Ailments like cosmetics and excessive cold, Tonsillitis and Itching and Allergy had a higher Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) of 0.86, 22 0.82 and 0.80, respectively. Wound and Foot and Mouth diseases were the only two livestock ailments treated by five different honey types. Conclusion Six plant species used for medicinal honey production that treated eight ailments have been identified. Scheflera abyssinica (Geteme) honey used for the treatment of eight human ailments. Honey treatment for Tonsillitis and itching and allergy had a higher Informant Consensus Factor.

Cosmetic, Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Applications of Fish Gelatin/Hydrolysates

There are several reviews that separately cover different aspects of fish gelatin including its preparation, characteristics, modifications, and applications. Its packaging application in food industry is extensively covered but other applications are not covered or covered alongside with those of collagen. This review is comprehensive, specific to fish gelatin/hydrolysate and cites recent research. It covers cosmetic applications, intrinsic activities, and biomedical applications in wound dressing and wound healing, gene therapy, tissue engineering, implants, and bone substitutes. It also covers its pharmaceutical applications including manufacturing of capsules, coating of microparticles/oils, coating of tablets, stabilization of emulsions and drug delivery (microspheres, nanospheres, scaffolds, microneedles, and hydrogels). The main outcomes are that fish gelatin is immunologically safe, protects from the possibility of transmission of bovine spongiform encephalopathy and foot and mouth diseases, has an economic and environmental benefits, and may be suitable for those that practice religious-based food restrictions, i.e., people of Muslim, Jewish and Hindu faiths. It has unique rheological properties, making it more suitable for certain applications than mammalian gelatins. It can be easily modified to enhance its mechanical properties. However, extensive research is still needed to characterize gelatin hydrolysates, elucidate the Structure Activity Relationship (SAR), and formulate them into dosage forms. Additionally, expansion into cosmetic applications and drug delivery is needed.

Viral Zoonoses

Human infection by zoonotic viruses—pathogens that normally infect animals—may result in no obvious illness, a nonspecific viral syndrome, or more severe illness typically characterized by hemorrhagic fever, encephalitis, or rash arthralgia. Transmission usually occurs by direct contact with or a bite from an infected animal or arthropod. Viral families discussed include Flaviviridae, Bunyaviridae, Arenaviridae, Filoviridae, Togaviridae, Rhabdoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, and Reoviridae, with consideration given to the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of specific viruses. Hemorrhagic fevers addressed include dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever, yellow fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and Rift Valley fever; hantavirus infections; and the Marburg and Ebola viruses. Encephalitic fever–causing viruses discussed include La Crosse; Japanese; Murray Valley; St. Louis; tick-borne; West Nile; Powassan; eastern, western, and Venezuelan equine; rabies; Nipah; Barmah Forest; and Colorado tick fever. Rash arthralgia may be caused by the Barmah Forest, Chikungunya, Mayaro, O’nyong-nyong, Ross River, and dengue viruses. Other viral zoonoses considered include monkey B virus, ruminant and primate poxvirus, Newcastle, and foot-and-mouth diseases, as well as vesicular stomatitis virus infection. A diagram depicts the generalized arbovirus maintenance cycle. Tables list the important viral zoonoses that cause human disease, the principal hantaviruses that cause human disease, the arenaviruses that cause significant human illness, and the viral zoonoses endemic in the United States. This review contains 1 figure, 32 tables, and 80 references. Key words: dengue, diagnosis, encephalitis, epidemic, epidemiology, infection, rabies, virus, vaccine

Oral and Periodontal Manifestations of COVID-19 and its Plausible Association with Periodontal Disease

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has caused a significant and urgent threat to the global health. It has markedly affected the delivery of healthcare services all over the world. Early diagnosis of the disease is imperative to contain the spread of the viral infection. The virus can also lead to potential systemic complications such as lungs involvement, skin, and oral manifestations. The presence of oral lesions is emerging evidence that may indicates the presence of COVID-19 infection. Since, the virus has affinity for Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE2) receptors present in the respiratory tract, oral mucosa, tongue and salivary glands; therefore, the oral cavity serves as a major habitat for invasion of the virus. This review aimed to discuss the oral and periodontal manifestations of COVID-19. Articles between December 2019 and April 2021 were searched for this narrative review in Pub Med, Scopus, Science Direct related to COVID-19 and its oral manifestations, using the following terms: “Corona virus,” “COVID-19,” and “SARS-CoV-2” in combination with “Stomatognathic diseases,” “Oral manifestation,” and “Mouth diseases” and "Periodontal diseases". The oral manifestations commonly associated with COVID-19 are salivary gland disorders, xerostomia, alteration of taste and smell and lesions in oral mucosa. The appearance of these oral manifestations during the asymptomatic phase of disease helps in early identification of the disease. The recent COVID-19 infection has been strongly associated with the appearance and establishment of cytokine storm. It is found that many components of the cytokine storm are common with the cytokine expression found in periodontitis. This narrative review aims at exploring the association between COVID-19 and periodontal disease through their cytokine profiles.

GROWTH INHIBITORY EFFECT OF CHLORHEXIDINE AND HEXETIDINE CONTAINING-MOUTHWASHES AGAINST ORAL BACTERIAL ISOLATES

Background Frequent use of mouthwash (MW) is one of the most effective methods used to prevent oral bacterial infections and to assist individuals in their efforts to achieve and maintain better oral health. Using a MW containing antibacterial agents would be a simple way to prevent growth and multiplication of pathogenic organisms in oral cavity causing dental caries and other mouth diseases. Chlorhexidine (CHX) and Hexetidine (HX) have been proposed as potent biocides against oral bacteria. Objective The present study was performed to investigate oral bacteria growth inhibition when using any of four mouthwashes that are commercially available in the Libyan market and contain either CHX, (Zordy land Oraxin), or HX, (Hextril and Givalex), and to clarify whether CHX and HX were suitable and safe biocides that can be included in mouthwash products. Materials and Methods Sixty adult (45 females and 15 males) volunteers had been chosen and divided into four groups and their saliva samples were assessed for microbial count at the beginning and the end of two weeks of treatment, during which they rinsed with 15ml of mouthwashes for 30 seconds twice a day (morning and evening) in addition to their usual oral hygiene procedures. The antibacterial activity of mouthwashes was assayed by cell viable count technique and cell diffusibility measurement. Results The results showed wide variations in the effectiveness of mouthwashes; those containing CHX were more effective (P ≤0.05) than formulations containing HX on oral microbial count. The main findings of the present study were that Zordyl, Oraxinand Hextril exerted high effects on the salivary microbiota, causing 90%, 60% and 34% reduction in salivary bacterial counts respectively. 25% reduction was observed for Givalex. On the other hand, the zone of inhibition test showed that Zordyl and Oraxin had large zone inhibitory effects, while Hextril and Givalex, were less effective on some bacterial species. Conclusion It can be concluded that twice daily use of CHX mouthwash (CHX-MW) or HX mouthwash (HX-MW) reduces oral bacterial load counts in healthy subjects when used as an adjunct to their normal oral hygiene procedures. This also suggests that inhibitory power of mouth washes containing CHX is greater on oral bacteria than mouthwashes containing HX.