Theileria infectivity ofHyalomma ticks in Haryana,India

Summary Theileria infection of Hyalomma ticks collected from three districts of Haryana was assessed in whole salivary glands by the methyl-green pyronin staining method. Of 1,662 ticks screened, 546 (32·8%) were found Theileria positive. Infection rate in 935 female ticks (36·9%) was more than that of 727 male ticks (27·6%). Density of Theileria infection (number of infected acini per infected tick) was also higher in female ticks.Theileria infection rate of ticks varied greatly in the three districts viz. only 12·0% in Rohtak, 25·8% in Hisar and 48·3% in Karnal. Per cent infection rate was high (63·7%) in ticks from indigenous cattle and low (18·6%) in those collected from buffaloes. However, the intensity of infection in infected ticks from cross-bred cattle was comparatively much higher. Frequency distribution ofTheileria positive acini in infected ticks revealed a low density of infection per infected tick. This points to the largely stable endemic situation prevailing in Haryana. Only a single salivary acinus was found infected in 16·6% of the infected ticks, about 70% had up to 10 infected acini while only about 10% had over 25 infected acini per tick. The masses in acini presumed to beTheileria were confirmed by demonstrating parasitic masses on staining one of a pair of salivary glands and inoculating the suspension of the other half of the gland into two cross-bred cow calves which developed clinical signs and lesions typical of theileriosis.

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Resumen Se determinó la infectividad theilérica de garraptasHyaloma colectadas en tres distritos de Haryana, examinando las glándulas salivares mediante el método de coloración de la pironina verde-metilo. De 1662 ácaros examinados, 546 (32·8%) se encontraron positivas a theileria. La frecuencia de infección en 935 hembras (36·9%) fue más alta que la encontrada en 727 machos (27·6%). El número de acinos infectados por garrapata infectada fue tambien superior en garrapatas hembras. La fracuencia de la infección theilérica vario en tres distritos. Se encontro el 12·0% en Rohtak, 25·8% en Hisar y 48·3% en Karnal. La frequencia de infección por ciento fue alta (63·7%) en garrapatas de ganado criollo y bajo (18·6%) en aquellas colectadas de búfalos. Sin embargo, la frecuencia de infección en garrapatas de ganado cruzado, fue comparativamente más alta. La frecuencia de distribución de acinos positivos a theileria en garrapatas infectadas, reveló una baja densidad de infección por garrapata infectada. Esto se?ala una situación endémica estable prevalente en Haryana. Solamente un acino salivar se encontro infectado en el 16·6% de gappapatas infectadas, cerca del 70·0% tuvo arriba de 10 acinos infectados, mientras que solamente et 10·0% tuvo sobre los 25 acinos infectados, por garrapata. Las masas de acinos presumiblemente de theileria, se confirmaron mediante la tinción de la glándula salivar e inoculando parte de ella en terneros cruzados, los cuales desarrollaron theileriosis.

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Résumé L’infection theilerienne desHyalomma récoltées dans 3 districts de l’Haryana a été examinée sur les glandes salivaires totales par la méthode de coloration au vert de méthyle-pyronine. Sur 1662 tiques, 546 (soit 32,8 p. 100) ont été trouvées positives pour lesTheileria. Le taux d’infection (36,9 p. 100) de 935 tiques femelles est supérieur à celui de 727 males (27,6 p. 100). La densité de l’infection parTheileria (nombre d’acini infectés par tique infectée) est plus grande chez les tiques femelles. Le taux d’infection des tiques varie considérablement selon le district: 12,0 p. 100 dans le Rohtak, 25,8 p. 100 dans l’Hisar et 48,3 p. 100 dans le Karnal. Il est élevé (63,7 p. 100) chez les tiques collectées sur du bétail indigène et bas sur celles prélevées sur des buffles (18,6 p. 100). Cependant, l’intensité de l’infection des tiques prélevées sur du bétail métis est comparativement plus grand. La fréquence de distribution des acini positifs pour lesTheileria chez les tiques infectées révèle une faible intensité d’infection par tique. Ceci montre la situation endémique stable existant dans l’Haryana. On n’a trouvé qu’un seul acinus infecté chez 16,6 p. 100 des tiques infectées; environ 70 p. 100 ont jusqu’à 10 acini infectés tandis que 10 p. 100 ont plus de 25 acini infectés. Les masses présentes dans les acini et présumées être desTheileria ont été confirmées être ces agents par coloration de l’une des paires de glandes salivaires et inoculation de l’autre à deux veaux métis qui ont developpé des signes cliniques et des lésions typiques de theileriose.

     

Basalt nanoparticle reinforced hybrid woven composites: Mechanical and thermo-mechanical performance

Nanoparticles are gaining wider importance and increasing utility in many areas of engineering and technology. This investigative work is conducted to study the effect of incorporating basalt nano particles in composites with basalt/basalt and basalt/jute woven structures as reinforcement. The nanoparticles were developed from basalt, they were characterized and used for reinforcing composites of basalt and jute hybrid fabrics. The mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of hybrid woven basalt reinforced epoxy composites were evaluated. Microscopic examination was carried out in order to analyze the internal structure and fractured surfaces. Interfacial characteristics, material morphology and failure was studied by use of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and optical microscopy. Thermal stability was characterized by TGA. The results elaborated that the incorporation of basalt nanoparticles exhibited superior properties compared to the pure epoxy resin impregnated basalt fabric reinforced composites in terms of mechanical and thermal stability.     

Macroscopic, neat, single-walled carbon nanotube fibers

Well-aligned macroscopic fibers composed solely of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were produced by conventional spinning. Fuming sulfuric acid charges SWNTs and promotes their ordering into an aligned phase of individual mobile SWNTs surrounded by acid anions. This ordered dispersion was extruded via solution spinning into continuous lengths of macroscopic neat SWNT fibers. Such fibers possess interesting structural composition and physical properties.     

Bovine brucellosis – a comprehensive review

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of great animal welfare and economic implications worldwide known since ancient times. The emergence of brucellosis in new areas as well as transmission of brucellosis from wild and domestic animals is of great significance in terms of new epidemiological dimensions. Brucellosis poses a major public health threat by the consumption of non-pasteurized milk and milk products produced by unhygienic dairy farms in endemic areas. Regular and meticulous surveillance is essentially required to determine the true picture of brucellosis especially in areas with continuous high prevalence. Additionally, international migration of humans, animals and trade of animal products has created a challenge for disease spread and diagnosis in non-endemic areas. Isolation and identification remain the gold standard test, which requires expertise. The advancement in diagnostic strategies coupled with screening of newly introduced animals is warranted to control the disease. Of note, the diagnostic value of miRNAs for appropriate detection of B. abortus infection has been shown. The most widely used vaccine strains to protect against Brucella infection and related abortions in cattle are strain 19 and RB51. Moreover, it is very important to note that no vaccine, which is highly protective, safe and effective is available either for bovines or human beings. Research results encourage the use of bacteriophage lysates in treatment of bovine brucellosis. One Health approach can aid in control of this disease, both in animals and man.     

Ochratoxin A: Carryover from animal feed into livestock and the mitigation strategies

This review aims to highlight the effects of ochratoxin A (OTA) in the feed of meat-producing animals. The accumulation of OTA in feed and its distribution in various farm animals were compared and evaluated. Primarily, the oral administration of OTA-contaminated feed and the predisposition in an animal''s vital organ were critically examined in this work. The collated reports show that OTA directly associated with endemic nephropathy and its high concentration leads to degeneration of liver cells, and necrosis of intestinal and lymphoid tissues. At present, limited reports are available in the recent literature on the problems and consequences of OTA in feed. Therefore, this review focused on the OTA carryover from feed to farm animals and the interaction of its secondary metabolites on their biochemical parameters. Hence, this report provides greater insights into animal health related to OTA residues in meat and meat products. This article also explores mitigation strategies that can be used to prevent the carryover effects of OTA in livestock feeds and the effects in the food chain.     

Alkaloid profiles of the Indian land races of the opiumpoppy Papaver somniferum L.

The capsule husks of a set of 115 Indian land races of opium poppy Papaver somniferum L. obtained over two cropping seasons were screened for the percent contents of papaverine, reticuline, narcotine, thebaine, codeinone, codeine,morphine and oripavine. Among the accessions screened 36, 7 and 1 didnot accumulate papaverine, papaverine and narcotine and codeine and morphine, respectively. The alkaloid profiles and correlations between alkaloids in all the four classes of accessions showed thatin the Indian genetic resources of P.somniferum (a) morphine is synthesized from codeine rather than oripavine, (b) net alkaloid contents are low under narcotine deficiency, and (c)accumulation of morphine and codeine was limited upstream of codeine and morphine. The accessions identified to be harboring genetic blocks in the phenenthrine and benzylisoquinolinebiosynthetic pathways will be useful for understanding the genetic control of secondary metabolism in opium poppy.     

C-NMR analysis of decomposing litter and fine roots in the semi-arid Mulga Lands of southern Queensland

Plant litter and fine roots are important carbon (C) inputs to soil and a direct source of CO₂ to the atmosphere. Solid-state carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C-NMR) spectroscopy was used to investigate the nature of C changes during decomposition of plant litter and fine roots of mulga (Acacia aneura F. Muell. Ex. Benth.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), lucerne (Medicago sativa) and buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) over an 18-month period. Alkyl C was closely associated with total N concentrations in all litter materials during decay and as alkyl C increased so did total N, indicating an increase in refractory biomacromolecules. Mulga phyllodes had the greatest alkyl C concentration of all litter and fine root materials, and also exhibited the NMR peaks assigned to tannins that may slow or hinder decomposition rates and nitrification. Mulga litter and fine roots decomposed slower than all other litter materials and the soil under mulga had the highest soil C concentration, indicating slower CO₂ release. The alkyl C-to-O-alkyl C ratio is generally used as an index of the extent of decomposition, but is not useful for the decay of woody components. Of all the NMR ratios studied that may indicate the extent of decomposition, the carbohydrate C-to-methoxyl C ratio proved to have the strongest and most consistent relationship with decay time, fraction of mass remaining and total C, even though increases in alkyl C were observed with decreases in carbohydrate C.     

Haemato-biochemical alterations and oxidative stress associated with naturally occurring porcine circovirus2 infection in pigs

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Porcine circovirus2 (PCV2) infection in pigs is one of the major causes of economic loss to the farmers in terms of low production, slow growth and increase...