Use of FAMACHA to Detect Anaemia and Control of Gastrointestinal Parasite in Goats of A and N Islands, India

Background: FAffaMAlanCHArt (FAMACHA) is a technique for treating the animals infested with gastrointestinal parasites by using clinical anaemia as the determinant. The test is based on the assessment of colour variation of the conjunctival mucous membrane. Methods: In the present study FAMACHA has been standardized and used to correlate the anaemic status of goats with faecal egg count (gastro intestinal parasites) and blood profile. On the basis of FAMACHA score and faecal egg count, the goats were treated with benzimidazole compound and macrocyclic lactone. Result: The result indicated significant (P less than 0.05) reduction in the faecal egg count of Haemonchus spp from 1200±155.76 to 525±75, Strongyloides spp from 469.57±77.37 to 78.26±33.83 and Eimeria spp from 900±240.05 to 195.65±55.34 respectively. FAMACHA score of anaemic goats improved from 4.08±0.11 to 3.2±0.13. Mean haemoglobin (g/dl), packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) improved from 8.33 to 8.99, 22.66 to 24.86, 13.73 to 14.76 and 18029 to 19894, respectively which indicated clinical improvement. Highly significant (P less than 0.01) correlation was observed between the FAMACHA score and the haemoglobin level. It could be concluded that FAMACHA is a very handy tool to detect anaemic status of the animals and correlate with gastrointestinal parasitic load.

Development of Novel Polyamide-Imide/DES Composites and Their Application for Pervaporation and Gas Separation

Novel polymer composites based on polyamide–imide Torlon and deep eutectic solvent (DES) were fabricated and adapted for separation processes. DES composed of zinc chloride and acetamide in a ratio of 1:3 M was first chosen as a Torlon-modifier due to the possibility of creating composites with a uniform filling of the DES through the formation of hydrogen bonds. The structure of the membranes was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis; thermal stability was determined by thermogravimetric analysis and mass spectrometry. The surface of the composites was studied by determining the contact angles and calculating the surface tension. The transport properties were investigated by such membrane methods as pervaporation and gas separation. It was found that the inclusion of DES in the polymer matrix leads to a significant change in the structure and surface character of composites. It was also shown that DES plays the role of a plasticizer and increases the separation performance in the separation of liquids and gases. Torlon/DES composites with a small amount of modifier were effective in alcohol dehydration, and were permeable predominantly to water impurities in isopropanol. Torlon/DES-5 demonstrates high selectivity in the gas separation of O2/N2 mixture.

Membrane Technologies as Environmentally Safe Methods of Waste Water Purification

A classification of chemical purification technologies, membrane processes, depending on the pore size in membranes is given. It has been established that environmentally friendly membrane methods for separating liquid media are an alternative to traditional methods for separating technological solutions and industrial waste waters.

Extraction of Valuable Components from Man-made Waters

The results of experimental studies on isolation of poly-charged metals cations from man-made waters, which are valuable components, are presented. For their isolation and concentration, the method of homogenous sedimentation was used, which provides self-purification of water bodies in natural conditions and is responsible for the formation of bottom sediments. To implement these processes, energy-consuming low-pressure membrane methods were used- nanofiltration and dialysis, which creates conditions for the formation of solid solutions inside the composite membrane and do not require additional dosage of reagents. With the help of such combination, it was possible to obtain conditionally clean water for technical and household use, to divert environmentally friendly waste waters to the hydrographic network of the region. In addition, the shape of resulting original “ore body” simplifies its processing into individual components. It is noted the use of membrane reactors makes it possible to implement the homogenous deposition regime, which ensures the isolation of transition metals in the form of solid solutions with natural components of surface waters.

New insights about myofibrillar myopathies: the role of metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in the pathogenesis

Background There are few reports suggesting that gene expression and activation of various matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are deregulated. MMP-2 and MMP-9 represent the two MMPs, which degrade type IV collagen, the component of basement membrane. Methods We analyzed the involvement of gelatinases, MMP-2 and MMP-9, in the pathogenesis of myofibrillar myopathy (MFM). Muscle specimens from 23 patients well diagnosed with MFM, were immunostained by MMP-2 and MMP-9. We analyzed qualitatively the immunoexpression in three compartments: subsarcolemmal (SSC), intracytoplasmic (ICC) and perinuclear (PNC). Results 95,7% and 100% samples showed MMP-2 and MMP-9 upregulation ICC, respectively. PNC showed MMP-2 (82,6%) and MMP-9 (8,7%) regulation (p<0.001). SSC and ICC did not present statistical significance. There was no correlation between mutated gene and immunohistochemical pattern distribution. Conclusion Our results suggest that MMP-2 and/or MMP-9 could participate in the pathomechanism of MFM, causing damage of sarcomere and deposition of protein aggregates.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF METHODS FOR DETERMINING THE EFFECTIVE CO2 DIFFUSION COEFFICIENT IN FINE-GRAINED CONCRETE OF DIFFERENT DENSITIES

Direct and indirect methods for determining the effective diffusion coefficient of CO2 in concrete are considered. The features of the diffusion process in a capillary-porous body are described. Based on the test results of samples of fine-grained concrete with different densities, a comparative analysis of the coefficients obtained by the main methods was carried out. The criteria for comparison were the dependence of the water-cement ratio on diffusion, as well as the rate of carbonization on time. The presence of significant deviations in the low permeability concretes of the coefficients obtained by the membrane methods of 72 % and the electrical conductivity of concrete saturated with electrolyte 85 % in the low permeability concrete from the values obtained by the carbonization method was established.

In vivo antiplasmodial potential of Carrageenan and Prosopis africana buccal films of artemether on malariogenic mice

Objective: To deliver bioadhesive buccal films of artemether (ART) with ability to adhere, hydrate and release drug across the buccal membrane. Methods: Buccal films prepared by film casting using carrageenan (CAR) and Prosopis africana (PRO) were characterized by size, zeta potential, texture, water content, morphology, thermal and interaction studies, in vitro and in vivo antiplasmodial activity in mice. Results: Films were stable with sizes (2442 and 835 nm), water content (21 and 15 %), bioadhesivity (24 and 9.4 %) and film thickness (0.18 and 0.28 mm) for CARART and PROART respectively. Enthalpy of CARART, PROART and ART were 76, 22 and 88 J/g where as parasitaemia reduction of 67 and 76 % were observed for CARART and PROART respectively. Conclusion: Though CARART had better water content and bioadhesivity necessary for film hydration at buccal membrane, PROART eventually had superior buccal performance perhaps due to its film thickness and amorphous nanoparticle subdivision. Key words: Artemether; Carrageenan; Prosopis africana; Sublingual buccal films; Malaria