Restriction Enzyme Analysis of Tissue Culture-adapted Velogenic Newcastle Disease Virus

A velogenic Newcastle disease virus isolate typed to belong to group C1 by monoclonal antibody typing was adapted 50 times in chicken embryo fibroblast cell culture and 60 times in Vero cells. At every 10th passage the virus was characterized on the basis of mean death time, intracerebral pathogenicity indices and viral titration studies. A gradual reduction in the virulence of the virus was noted as the passage number increased. RT-PCR of a 254 bp region of the fusion gene encompassing the fusion protein cleavage site was carried out for the virulent as well as cell culture-adapted viruses at every 10th passage level. The amplicons were subsequently digested with three restriction enzymes, viz. AluI, HaeIII and PstI. It was found out that there was difference in banding patterns between the virulent and adapted viruses, indicating nucleotide substitutions in the virulent virus when it was sequentially passaged onto cell culture systems.     

Ovarian morphology and internal vis-à-vis non internal laying in relation to triacylglycerol,hormones and their receptors concentration around the age of sexual maturity in broiler breeder hens

1. Ovarian morphology, serum hormone concentrations of 17-β-estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, tri-iodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and triacylglycerol (TAG) were investigated at 23 and 26 weeks of age in broiler breeder hens provided with ad libitum access to feed. Progesterone, oestrogen-β, thyroid-α and -β receptor mRNAs were also quantified in the infundibulum at the same ages.

2. A large variation in the ovarian morphology was observed at 23 weeks of age including hens with undeveloped ovaries, non-laying hens with post ovulatory follicles (POF) and a predominance of non-laying hens without a POF.

3. Serum concentrations of triglyceride, 17-β-estradiol and progesterone at 23 weeks of age were lower in hens with an undeveloped ovary compared with other groups of hens, whereas testosterone, triiodothyronine and thyroxin were higher.

4. At 26 weeks of age, the average number of hierarchical yellow follicles in normal layers was 7.64?±?0·41 whereas in internal layers, the follicular numbers were significantly greater at 8.66?±?0·53. The higher follicular numbers in internal layers were associated with higher serum triglyceride and progesterone concentrations.

5. Oestrogen receptor-β and thyroid receptor-β mRNA was up regulated in the infundibulum of internal layers compared with normal laying hens at 26 weeks of age.     

Endometritis impairs luteal development, function, and nitric oxide and ascorbic acid concentrations in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

A vast majority of the world buffalo resource is concentrated in tropical and subtropical countries. Apart from heat stress and poor nutritional availability, endometritis is one of the most commonly encountered reproductive problems limiting fertility and consequently productive potential of the species. As demonstrated recently, endometritis impairs growth and follicular fluid composition of the largest follicle in buffalo. In the present study, the effect of endometritis on luteal development, function, nitric oxide (NO), and ascorbic acid was investigated. Reproductive tracts were collected from 90 cyclic buffaloes at an abattoir and grouped into endometritic (n?=?36) or non-endometritic (n?=?54) buffaloes based on physical examination of uterine mucus, white side test, and uterine cytology. Samples with pus-containing mucus, positive reaction on white side test, and/or >5 % neutrophils were considered to be positive for endometritis. Corpora lutea were enucleated, weighed, classified into stages I to IV, and assayed for progesterone (P₄), NO, and ascorbic acid concentrations. Endometritic buffaloes had lesser (P?<?0.0001) luteal weight and P₄, NO, and ascorbic acid concentrations than non-endometritic buffaloes. The findings indicated that endometritis impairs corpus luteum development and function in buffalo. Reduced luteal NO and ascorbic acid concentrations during endometritis are novel findings.     

Efficacy of anti-staphylococcal protein P128 for the treatment of canine pyoderma: potential applications

In this study, we demonstrate the antibacterial activity of P128 on Staphylococcus isolates responsible for canine pyoderma. Eighty seven swabs were collected from dogs suffering from pyoderma and subjected to antibiotic sensitivity test and 46 Staphylococcus strains were isolated and characterized. In-vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing with P128 was done by Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) method as per CLSI guidelines. All the Staphylococci isolated from the dogs with pyoderma, although showed resistance to various antibiotics tested, were lysed by P128. Clinical efficacy of P128 was examined in 17 dogs with pyoderma by application of the P128 hydrogel twice daily for 8 days and the results indicated complete healing of all the lesions of all the dogs under treatment. Under the conditions of this study, P128 was found to be a potent convenient proteinaceous drug for the treatment of staphylococcal pyoderma in dogs.     

Predicting Phytoplankton Growth and Dynamics in Relation to Physico-chemical Characteristics of Water Body

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution - Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts may reach soil through direct deposition of human or animal fecal material, irrigation with raw wastewater or untreated effluents,...     

Role of Indigenous Mycorrhizal Species in Enhancing Physiological and Biochemical Status,Nutrient Acquisition and Yield Pattern of Groundnut (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Arachis Hypogaea</Emphasis> L.)

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play an important and increasingly well-recognized role in agro ecosystems. Beneficial soil microorganisms like arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and soil health are key factors for producing safe plants. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi form a symbiotic association with roots of plants and facilitate plant growth through enhancing uptake of several macro- and micro-nutrients of low mobility in soil, like phosphorus, zinc, copper, etc. In the present study, we investigated the effect of 10 different isolated mycorrhizal species viz. Glomus mosseae, Glomus clarum, Glomus fasciculatum, Glomus intraradices, Glomus ambisporum, Gigaspora gigantea, Acaulospora denticulata, Glomus globiferum, Gigaspora albida, and Glomus pansiholus on growth, yield, and essential nutrient content of groundnut (Arachis hypogeae L.). Plants inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi showed significant increments in growth, yield, and nutrient uptake as compared to control (uninoculated) plants. Amongst all, plants inoculated with Glomus mosseae were more efficient in increasing growth parameters, enzymatic activities of nitrate reductase, and alkaline phosphatase as well as total yield as compared to other mycorrhizal inoculated plants. Overall, the study showed an additive effect of all mycorrhizal species on plant physiology. Thus, this study provides an important insight that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are most suitable for sustainable agriculture which will improve and help in increasing the growth as well as yield of groundnut.