沙棘籽油对牛的皮肤伤口愈合疗效的研究

本研究旨在通过比较沙棘籽油（Hippophae rhamnoides）和防腐软膏（5％碘伏）、草本软膏（印度草药研究与供应有限公司）及一种刺激性温和的基础药膏（液体石蜡）,来研究沙棘籽油对牛的皮肤伤口愈合效果。这个实验是将12头雄性牛犊分为4组,6头牛都有皮肤伤口,3头胸背部脊椎区的两边都用当地的镇痛药。伤口分别用液体石蜡、5％的碘伏软膏、沙棘籽油（沙棘油）及草本软膏处理28d,并分为Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ四组。不同处理的功效是建立在对经过0d、3d、7d、10d、14d和28d的不同临床血液参数的研究基础之上的。在研究中,所有组的心脏、呼吸率和血液学的各种参数及肛温都维持在正常的生理极限内。沙棘油和草本软膏对伤口处理的临床研究中发现,在伤口愈合的初期,伤口保持了一定的干燥度,并且抑制了炎症初期伤口的恶化。不同的组之间,在持续28d的实验中,用草本软膏和沙棘油做处理的组中伤口的愈合率最高。这些组的伤口试验同时还表现出早治疗,早治愈的特征。但是,在草本软膏和沙棘油处理组中,草本软膏组处理的伤口的整体愈合能力还是略优于沙棘油的疗效。     

Isolation and characterisation of an Indian strain of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides type LC from a case of caprine arthritis

Isolation and characterisation of an Indian strain of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides LC from a case of caprine arthritis is reported in the study. The isolate was identified based on biochemical, digitonin sensitivity and growth inhibition tests. The virulence of the organism was studied by pathogenicity test in mice and goat. The antigenic and genomic profile of the isolate was compared with that of the standard strain (Y-Goat). Using different sets of primers, polymerase chain reaction was employed for rapid detection of the strain.     

Hemolytic anemia,spherocytosis, and thrombocytopenia associated with honey bee envenomation in a dog

This case report describes a massive honey bee envenomation in a 14‐month‐old male Belgian Malinois dog from St. Kitts, West Indies. Acute and delayed onsets of hemolytic anemia, echinocytosis, spherocytosis, thrombocytopenia, hemoglobinemia, and hemoglobinuria developed following envenomation. The dog recovered after treatment with glucocorticoids and supportive therapy. Spherocytosis, hemolysis, and thrombocytopenia in patients with massive bee envenomation are likely due to the direct toxic effects of the primary components of bee venom, melittin and phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂). Mellitin causes hemolysis by forming large pores in erythrocytes resulting in leakage of hemoglobin and also causes spectrin stiffening and resultant echinocyte and spherocyte formation. Melittin also stimulates PLA₂, a hydrolase that causes echinocytosis and spherocytosis, in vivo and in vitro, and mitochondrial breakdown in platelets. However, delayed manifestations could be attributed to immune‐mediated mechanisms from the generation of antibodies against damaged erythrocytes and platelet membrane proteins.     

The putative penicillin-binding proteins 1 and 2 are important for viability, growth and cell morphology of Brucella melitensis

The penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) are enzymes that regulate the assembly of the peptidoglycan layer of the bacterial cell wall. The genome of Brucella melitensis strain 16M possesses seven pbp genes: three in pbp-1 family (designated as 1A, 1B, and 1C); one in pbp-2 family; and three in pbp-6 family (designated as 6A, 6B, and 6C). We investigated the importance of pbp-1 and pbp-2 genes to viability, cell morphology and infectivity of B. melitensis. A recombinant B. melitensis strain (designated 16MDeltapbp1C) was generated by disrupting the pbp-1C of strain 16M by allelic exchange. This strain produced nearly 20% smaller colonies on trypticase soy agar plates, and grew slower in trypticase soy broth compared to the strain 16M. Electron microscopy revealed that strain 16M exhibited native cocco-bacillus morphology, while 16MDeltapbp1C possessed a spherical morphology. Strain 16MDeltapbp1C did not differ from strain 16M in terms of recovery from infected mouse macrophage cell line J774.1, or recovery from spleens of infected BALB/c mice, suggesting that pbp-1C is dispensable for intracellular persistence of B. melitensis. Expression of mRNA of fixR, the gene downstream of pbp-1C was similar between the strains 16M and 16MDeltapbp1C suggesting that disruption of pbp-1C did not induce any polar effects. Multiple attempts to mutate pbp-1A, pbp-1B, or pbp-2 genes failed, most probably because these genes are indispensable for viability of B. melitensis. Our findings suggest that pbp-1C regulates in vitro growth and cell morphology, whereas pbp-1A, pbp-1B, and pbp-2 are essential for viability of B. melitensis.     

Immunization with outer membrane proteins of Pasteurella multocida (6:B) provides protection in mice

The immunoprotective efficacy of Pasteurella multocida (6:B) outer membrane proteins (OMPs) was examined in the mouse model. Bacterial OMPs were extracted using sarkosyl method and analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. Prototype vaccines were prepared using OMPs with adjuvants including dioleoyl phosphatidyl choline-based liposome and Montanide ISA206 water-in oil-in water emulsion. Antibody response to the vaccine was monitored using indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The results of the study showed that immunized mice had high titre with both the formulations. The vaccinated mice were able to survive a live virulent bacterial challenge. Based on the findings of the study it can be inferred that OMPs are important determinants of immunoprotection hence can serve as vaccine candidates against haemorrhagic septicaemia.     

Evidence of a unique inter-allelic epistatic interaction for seed coat color in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh]

For enhancing productivity and profitability of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) a hybrid breeding technology based on a cytoplasmic nuclear male-sterility (CMS) system was developed at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). Among the elite hybrids ‘ICPH 2671’ was most out-standing with 30–35% yield advantage over local varieties. Despite its commercial release in 2010, this hybrid could not attract many growers due to its less preferred seed color. Both the parents (ICPA 2043 and ICPR 2671) of this hybrid and their crossed seeds had Greyed-orange [code no*: 167B/C (* The standard identification numbers of Royal Horticultural Society)] color. However, the commercial seeds produced on the hybrid plants surprisingly have Greyed-purple (code no: 183C) color that fetches relatively less profits. To understand the genetics of this phenomenon a cross combination was studied for seed color in F₁, F₂, and B₁C₁F₁ generations. The data suggested that three independent dominant genes controlled the expression of seed coat color. The observations further suggested the presence of two dominant genes (Brsd ₁ and Brsd ₂ ) in the male-sterile line ‘ICPA 2043’, ‘ICPR 2671’ and another dominant gene (Brsd ₃ ) in the restorer line. In the hybrid plants genes Brsd ₁ and Brsd ₂ act in complementation with the third gene Brsd ₃ , this also acts as a modifier. The presence of Brsd ₃ gene in a genotype together with Brsd ₁ and/or Brsd ₂ produces a strong inter-allelic epistatic interactions resulting in the Greyed-purple (183C) seed color. It was further postulated that the genetic constitution of ‘ICPA 2043’ is Brsd ₁ Brsd ₁ Brsd ₂ Brsd ₂ brsd ₃ brsd ₃ , while the genotype of the restorer line ‘ICPR 2671’ is brsd ₁ brsd ₁ brsd ₂ brsd ₂ Brsd ₃ Brsd ₃ .     

Population genetic structure and diversity of high value vulnerable medicinal plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acorus calamus</Emphasis> in India using RAPD and chloroplast microsatellite markers

Acorus calamus is a highly valued medicinal plant with global distribution used in several drugs of health care systems. We evaluated the genetic diversity and population structure of 50 populations of A. calamus from different geographical regions in India through RAPD and chloroplast microsatellite markers. From the total screened 82 RAPD primers and 18 cpSSR primers, 10 RAPD and nine cpSSRs were found polymorphic. The selected 10 RAPD primers produced a total of 96 reproducible bands, out of which 65 wer...     

NOV (CCN3) functions as a regulator of human hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells

Clinically successful hematopoietic cell transplantation is dependent on hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Here we identify the matricellular protein Nephroblastoma Overexpressed (Nov, CCN3) as being essential for their functional integrity. Nov expression is restricted to the primitive (CD34) compartments of umbilical vein cord blood, and its knockdown in these cells by lentivirus-mediated RNA interference abrogates their function in vitro and in vivo. Conversely, forced expression of Nov and addition of recombinant Nov protein both enhance primitive stem and/or progenitor activity. Taken together, our results identify Nov (CCN3) as a regulator of human hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells.     

Evaluation of Ultrasound,Microwave, Ultrasound–Microwave,Hydrothermal and High Pressure Assisted Extraction Technologies for the Recovery of Phytochemicals and Antioxidants from Brown Macroalgae

This study aims to explore novel extraction technologies (ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), ultrasound–microwave-assisted extraction (UMAE), hydrothermal-assisted extraction (HAE) and high-pressure-assisted extraction (HPAE)) and extraction time post-treatment (0 and 24 h) for the recovery of phytochemicals and associated antioxidant properties from Fucus vesiculosus and Pelvetia canaliculata. When using fixed extraction conditions (solvent: 50% ethanol; extraction time: 10 min; algae/solvent ratio: 1/10) for all the novel technologies, UAE generated extracts with the highest phytochemical contents from both macroalgae. The highest yields of compounds extracted from F. vesiculosus using UAE were: total phenolic content (445.0 ± 4.6 mg gallic acid equivalents/g), total phlorotannin content (362.9 ± 3.7 mg phloroglucinol equivalents/g), total flavonoid content (286.3 ± 7.8 mg quercetin equivalents/g) and total tannin content (189.1 ± 4.4 mg catechin equivalents/g). In the case of the antioxidant activities, the highest DPPH activities were achieved by UAE and UMAE from both macroalgae, while no clear pattern was recorded in the case of FRAP activities. The highest DPPH scavenging activities (112.5 ± 0.7 mg trolox equivalents/g) and FRAP activities (284.8 ± 2.2 mg trolox equivalents/g) were achieved from F. vesiculosus. Following the extraction treatment, an additional storage post-extraction (24 h) did not improve the yields of phytochemicals or antioxidant properties of the extracts.