Heparin, a heterogeneous anionic polysaccharide, is the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) used clinically an anticoagulant. This anticoagulant activity is primarily derived from its binding to the serine protease inhibitor antithrombin III, a potent inhibitor of thrombin (factor IIa) and factor Xa. Heparin is a complex natural product and its in vitro synthesis is not yet possible due to the difficulty o...

The one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) was first introduced to German South West Africa (Namibia) for military purposes in 1889. Introductions to the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) in 1897 and Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) in 1903 were initially with a view to replacing oxen that died of rinderpest. Disease risks attendant on these introductions were recognised and to some extent guarded against. T...

A one-day old male camel calf was presented to the Al-Qattara Veterinary Hospital with complaints of abdominal straining and lack of defecation. On examination it was found that the calf had no tail, the posterior sacral margin was blunt and the anal opening was absent. The case was diagnosed as congenital anury with atresia ani. The animal was sedated with 0.1 mg/kg of xylazine administered in...