Effect of cortisol and triiodothyronine bath treatments on the digestive enzyme profile and growth of Catla catla larvae during ontogenic development

Digestive enzyme profile is a good indicator of the nutritional and health status of the fish. The present investigation aims to evaluate the effect of exogenous bath treatment of hormones, cortisol and triiodothyronine, on the digestive enzyme activities and growth of carp Catla catla (Ham.) during ontogenic development. Catla larvae (4 days old) were given bath treatment with cortisol (hydrocortisone, 0.2 mg L^?1), 3,5,3′‐triiodothyronine (T3, 2.5 mg L^?1) and a combination of cortisol and T3 for 30 min. Digestive enzyme profile was recorded on every third day and was continued for 30 days. Larvae were fed with live food for initial 14 days and then weaned to mix feeding of live food and prepared diet. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher amylase, total protease, trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase, chitinase and chitinobiase activities were found in the hormone‐treated groups compared to the control one during ontogenic development. Among the treated groups, amylase activity was highest in cortisol‐treated larvae. Total protease, trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase, chitinase and chitinobiase activities were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in larvae exposed at combined treatment of cortisol and T3 compared to the other two groups in most sampling days. Average length, weight and specific growth rate of treated larvae were higher compared to the control one. The combined bath treatment of cortisol and triiodothyronine influenced the digestive enzyme activities of catla larvae and thereby enhanced the growth at early developmental stage. This helps the larvae to overcome the problems associated with early developmental stage.     

Probiotic efficiency of Bacillus sp. in Labeo rohita challenged by Aeromonas hydrophila: assessment of stress profile,haemato‐biochemical parameters and immune responses

Fish are always susceptible to a wide variety of deadly pathogens which cause a huge loss in aquaculture industries. In this investigation, we have demonstrated the in vivo probiotic efficiency of Bacillus sp. MVF1 (GenBank Acc. No. KP256503) in Labeo rohita challenged with pathogenic strain of Aeromonas hydrophila (MTCC 1739). To check the probiotic potential of the selected bacterial strain, fish were divided into four groups: control, D1, D2 and D3. A total of 100 days (70 days probiotic feeding + 71th day sampling and 28 days challenged test + 29th day sampling) of feeding trial was conducted. To establish the probiotic potential of Bacillus sp. MVF1, certain haematological parameters (haemoglobin, total erythrocyte and leucocyte count), serum biochemical parameters (total protein, albumin and globulin), immune parameters (serum lysozyme and total IgM levels) and hepatic stress profile (malondialdehyde production, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity) have been measured. Our results demonstrated that red blood cell number, white blood cell number and haemoglobin content were much higher in D2 group fish compared to other groups and control fish. Similarly, total protein contents, albumin concentration, globulin concentration, lysozyme activity and IgM production were also recorded to be highest in D2 group fish. This finding clearly indicated the probiotic potential of Bacillus sp. MVF1 in L. rohita. Furthermore, our results also demonstrated that 1 × 10⁷ CFU g^?1 feed (D2) provides better immunity compared to 1 × 10⁵ (D1) and 1 × 10⁹ (D3). Due to beneficial effects, the bacterium Bacillus sp. MVF1 might be useful in aquaculture industries to reduce the disease susceptibility.     

Identification of gut‐associated amylase,cellulase and protease‐producing bacteria in three species of Indian major carps

Isolation and enumeration of amylase, cellulase and protease‐producing autochthonous bacteria in the proximal intestine (PI) and distal intestine (DI) of three species of Indian major carps, catla (Catla catla), mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) and rohu (Labeo rohita), were investigated using the conventional culture‐based technique. Population levels of amylolytic strains were the highest in the PI of catla and the lowest in the DI of rohu. The highest viable count of cellulase and protease‐producing bacteria was recorded in the DI and PI of mrigal respectively. Among the bacteria isolated, 10 strains (five from PI and five from DI) were selected as potent enzyme producers according to a quantitative enzyme assay. The chosen strains were further identified by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The five strains isolated from catla showed high similarity to Citrobacter sp. clone W2, Enterobacter sp. JA24, Bacillus coagulans strain TR, uncultured bacterial clone Hel3bc04 and Bacillus cereus strain UST2006‐BC004. The four strains isolated from mrigal were most closely related to Bacillus sp. KCd2, uncultured bacterial clone Hel3bd09, B. cereus strain BU040901‐020 and Citrobacter freundii strain YRL11, while the strain isolated from rohu probably belonged to Bacillus sp. GV.     

Important insect pests of poplars in agroforestry and strategies for their management in northwestern India

Today, more than 143 species of insects infest both indigenous as well as exotic species of poplars in northwestern India, with about 65 species infesting Populus deltoides alone. Random sampling surveys (1984-2002) were undertaken in lower hills and plains of six states (Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir) in this region. The survey included 36 nurseries, 84 large ( ≥ 3 ha) and 255 small (< 3 ha) block and bund plantations and recorded seven species causing outbreaks. However, eight insects having wide spread distribution in this region were identified as posing a threat to agroforestry with P. deltoides and need to be managed. Amongst these, three species (Clostera cupreata, C. fulgurita and Apriona cinerea) were ranked as 'major pests' as they had relatively higher incidence (> 50% of attack) and caused extensive economic loss during outbreaks, coupled with tree mortality which persisted for several years in succession over large areas. Five insects were identified as 'potential pests', as they also caused heavy infestation and economic loss, but only in some years, on a localized scale and with no large scale plant mortality, but need to be checked to improve productivity. The 'potential pests' were: one species in plantations (Ascotis selenaria) and four insects in nurseries [(Eucosma glaciata , Phalantha phalantha, Nodostoma waterhousie and white grubs) with >50% incidence]. Integrated pest management practices, comprising cultural methods, use of bio-pesticides, tolerant poplar varieties/clones, natural enemies, recommended safe insecticides and avoiding alternate host plants of the pest, are discussed for important pests.     

A multipronged approach for the detection of leptospirosis in captive sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) in Agra and Bannerghatta sloth bear rescue centers in India

Leptospirosis is an exacerbating factor responsible for the drastic decline of sloth bear population in India. In this study, a multipronged approach based on antigen detection using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) employing G1/G2 and LigBF/LigBR primers, antibody detection using Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) and recombinant LigBCon1-5 antigen based Latex Agglutination Test (rLigBCon1-5 LAT), serum biochemistry using hepatic (serum glutamate oxalo acetic transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamate pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and renal biomarkers (blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and Creatinine) and gross/histopathological evidence in liver and kidneys were employed to investigate leptospirosis in captive sloth bears. A total of 133 serum samples collected from Agra (n=113) and Bannerghatta (n=20) sloth bear rescue centers were screened using MAT and rLigBCon1-5 LAT. A total of 87 and 78 sera tested positive by MAT and LAT respectively. Pyrogenes was the leading serovar obtained using MAT followed by Icterohaemorrhagiae, Javanica, Grippotyphosa, Canicola and Tarassovi. The relative sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of rLigBCon1-5 LAT in comparison to MAT were 89.66%, 100% and 93.23% respectively. PCR performed on hepatic and renal tissues showed amplicon of 285 and 219 base pairs for G1/G2 and LigBF/LigBR primers respectively. Gross evidence (icteric liver, severely engorged hepatic sinusoids, congested kidneys with necrotic white spots on sub capsular surface), histopathology (severe hepatic degeneration and tubulointerstitial nephritis) and elevated hepatic/renal biomarkers were suggestive of leptospirosis. This study suggests that rLigBCon1-5 LAT can be employed as a pen-side test for detecting leptospirosis in sloth bears.     

Expression analysis of BsAPase14 acid phosphatase,a stress responsive boiling-stable protein from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis>

Developmental regulation and effect of abiotic stresses (osmotic, salt, heat, and drought) on induction of boiling-stable acid phosphatases (BsAPases) was studied in the growing wheat seedlings. SDS-PAGE revealed the induction of several boiling-stable polypeptides in a spatial and temporal manner in the growing seedlings. Western blot analysis, using polyclonal acid phosphatase antiserum, revealed the induction of a cross-reacting one 14 kDa boiling-stable acid phosphatase band (14 kDa, BsAPase14) in endosperm at 7 and 14 days of germination (DOG). Various abiotic stresses (heat, salt, and osmotic) also elicit accumulation of BsAPase14 in a tissue-dependent manner. Imposition of drought stress also resulted in an induction of boiling-stable protein (BsAPase-14) which disappeared after removing the stress. Based upon these observations, the possible role of BsAPase14 in water-stress tolerance is discussed.     

Genomic characterization of drought tolerance-related traits in spring wheat

Drought tolerance was investigated in ‘C306’, one of the most drought tolerant wheat cultivars bred in India in the 1960’s. An intervarietal mapping population of recombinant inbred lines of the cross ‘C306’ × ‘HUW206’ was evaluated for drought tolerance components, namely potential quantum efficiency of photosystem (PS) II (F_v/F_m), chlorophyll content (Chl), flag leaf temperature (Lt), and grain yield per plant (Gyp) under stress. Three independent experiments were conducted under well-watered and water-stressed conditions in greenhouses and growth chambers at Kansas State University (USA). Five hundred and sixty microsatellite markers covering the entire genome were screened for polymorphism between the parents. A QTL (QLt.ksu-1D) for Lt (low flag leaf temperature under stress) on the short arm of chromosome 1D between markers Xbarc271 and Xgwm337 at LOD 3.5 explained 37% of the phenotypic variation. A QTL for F_v/F_m (QF _v /F _m .ksu-3B) and Chl (QChl.ksu-3B) controlling quantum efficiency of PS II and chlorophyll content under stress were co-localized on chromosome 3B in the marker interval Xbarc68–Xbarc101 and explained 35–40% of the phenotypic variation for each trait. A QTL (QGyp.ksu-4A) for Gyp on chromosome 4A at a LOD value of 3.2 explained 16.3% of the phenotypic variation. Inconsistent QTLs were observed for F_v/F_m on chromosomes 3A, 6A, 2B, 4B, and 4D; for Chl on 3A, 6A, 2B and 4B; and for Lt on 1A, 3A 6A, 3B and 5B. The identified QTLs give a first glimpse of the genetics of drought tolerance in C306 and need to be validated in field experiments using the marker-phenotype linkages reported here.     

Equine glanders in Turkey

In the course of an epidemiological study of glanders on a number of Turkish islands in the Sea of Marmara, 1128 horses were examined by using the intracutaneous mallein test. Thirty-five (3-1 per cent) developed an increase in rectal temperature and a swelling at the point of injection. Ten of these horses were killed and glanders was confirmed in five cases by the presence of lesions and by the immunohistological demonstration of the causative agent, Burkholderia mallei. Clinical and pathological findings indicated that in all cases the infection was restricted to the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity with its parasinus, the nostrils and the upper lips. It was confirmed that equine glanders is endemic in Turkey.     

Chemical composition of essential oils in Mentha spicata L. accession [IIIM(J)26] from North-West Himalayan region,India

Mentha spicata L. (spearmint) was collected from different sub-tropical and temperate zones of North-West Himalayan region of India. Plants were collected during the flowering stage and essential oil was extracted using Clevenger-type apparatus for 2.5 h and analyzed. GC–MS analysis reveals that carvone was major part which varied between 49.62%–76.65%, second major component was limonene that varied between 9.57%–22.31%. 1,8-cineole varied between 1.32%–2.62%, whereas trans-carveol varied between 0.3%–1.52%. Out of 26 collections, one accession was found rich in carvone (76.65%) along with low limonene content (9.57%). Chemical composition of this accession is described in detail.     

Epitheliotropic lymphoma in a squirrel (Sciurus sp.).

A 12-yr-old, intact male squirrel (Sciurus sp.) presented with a 15 mm-by-20 mm area of alopecia and plaque-like dermal thickening over the left caudolateral thorax. Routine diagnostic tests ruled out more common conditions that result in alopecia, such as dermatophytosis and acariasis. A punch biopsy was obtained under anesthesia and submitted for histopathologic evaluation. The diagnosis of epitheliotropic lymphoma was made, and follow-up surgical excision was performed. Histopathologic features were consistent with epitheliotropic lymphoma, and immunohistochemistry confirmed a T-cell origin. There was no local recurrence, new lesions, or evidence of metastasis 10 mo after surgical excision. To our knowledge, to date, epitheliotropic lymphoma has not been described in a squirrel.