Radiological physics characteristics of the extracted heavy ion beams of the bevatron

Studies of the depth-ionization properties and the biological effects of heavy ion beams produced at the bevatron have extended work previously done with less energetic beams from other sources. Results indicate that heavy ion beams are suitable for tumor therapy, studies relating to space biology, and fundamental radiobiology.     

A Test of the 'Tall-Dwarf" Hypothesis in Pearl Millet, Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.

Positive height-grain yield relationships exist for many cereals, but cannot be fully used in breeding because of lodging and harvestability problems in tall cultivars. Law et al. (1978) proposed a “tall-dwarf” hypothesis for wheat, in which the positive effects of minor height genes could be exploited by selecting for them in a major dwarfing gene background. The applicability of this hypothesis to pearl millet was tested by crossing a set of dwarf S₁ progenies (from a single population) which varied in height onto two male-sterile lines. Mean (by S₁ pollinator) hybrid grain yield was closely related to mean hybrid height (r²= 0.60) over a range of mean yields of 3.0–3.9 t ha^?1 and a range of mean heights of 126–165 cm. The effect of height was expressed as an increase in grain number in one cross and as an increase in grain mass in the other, indicating the importance of background genetic effects on yield-height relationships in dwarf hybrids. The concept of “tall-dwarfs” appears to be applicable to pearl millet.     

Anti-inflammatory, cyclooxygenase inhibitory and antioxidant activities of standardized extracts of Tridax procumbens L.

The standardized EtOAc, MeOH and 70% EtOH extracts of Tridax procumbens aerial parts showed significant inhibition of rat paw edema at a medium dose of 200 mg/kg and the EtOAC extract was the most active. These extracts were standardized by HPLC with the help of chemical markers. Further, the extracts were evaluated for COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitory activity and EtOAc extract exhibited the highest inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2 at 50 μg/mL. Cent aurein, centaureidin and bergenin were isolated as COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitory principles from the EtOAc extract. The extracts also exhibited antioxidant activity against DPPH and ABTS free radicals. The anti-inflammatory activity of T. procumbens aerial parts could be at least in part due to COX-1, COX-2 enzyme inhibition and free radical-scavenging activities which may be attributed to the presence of flavonoids and other polyphenols in the extracts.     

Colorectal cancer in mice genetically deficient in the mucin Muc2

The gastrointestinal tract is lined by a layer of mucus comprised of highly glycosylated proteins called mucins. To evaluate the importance of mucin in intestinal carcinogenesis, we constructed mice genetically deficient in Muc2, the most abundant secreted gastrointestinal mucin. Muc2-/- mice displayed aberrant intestinal crypt morphology and altered cell maturation and migration. Most notably, the mice frequently developed adenomas in the small intestine that progressed to invasive adenocarcinoma, as well as rectal tumors. Thus, Muc2 is involved in the suppression of colorectal cancer.     

Effect of different concentrations of metabolisable energy and protein on performance of White Leghorn layers in a tropical climate

1. An experiment was conducted to study the effects of feeding graded concentrations of metabolisable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP) on the performance of layers. Nine diets with three concentrations each of ME (10.04, 10.67 and 11.30 MJ/kg) and CP (150, 165 and 180 g/kg) in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments were formulated.

2. A total of 5544 White Leghorn (WL) pullets (20 weeks of age) were housed in 4-bird colony cages and 22 adjacent cages constituted a replicate. Each diet was fed ad libitum to 7 replicates from 21 to 72 weeks of age. Production variables were recorded in 13 laying periods of 28 d each, and the data were pooled into three production phases, namely initial (21–32 weeks), peak (33–52 weeks) and post-peak (53–72 weeks).

3. No interaction was observed between ME and CP for egg production (EP), food intake (FI), food efficiency (FE), egg weight (EW), egg mass (EM) and body weight gain.

4. The EP, EW and EM during the initial phase of production were not affected by dietary ME concentrations, while the EW and EM improved with increasing concentrations of dietary CP from 150 to 165 g/kg.

5. During the peak production phase, improvements in EP (ME and CP), FI (ME), FE (ME, CP), EW (ME) and EM (ME, CP) were observed with increasing concentrations of energy and protein to 11.30 and 180 g/kg diet, respectively.

6. EP, EW and EM were unaffected by dietary variation in concentrations of ME and CP during post-peak production phase, but the FE improved and FI reduced with increasing dietary concentrations of these nutrients.

7. It is concluded that the optimum concentrations of ME for WL layers during the 21–32, 33–52 and 53–72 weeks of age are 11.30, 11.30 and 10.04 MJ/kg diet, respectively. The corresponding values for CP in diets are 180, 180 and 150 g/kg.     

Experimental oral administration of canine adenovirus (type 2) to raccoons (Procyon lotor).

Canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV2) has been proposed for recombinant vaccines to control rabies in wild animals. To evaluate the suitability of CAV2 as a safe vector for the genetically engineered vaccines, seven wild-caught raccoons (three males and four females) were administered CAV2 per os. Two of the animals were euthanatized on each of post-infection days 3, 6, and 14, and one was euthanatized on day 21. Two other control raccoons (a male and a female) were also euthanatized on day 21. Microscopic pulmonary lesions of multifocal necrotizing bronchiolitis with basophilic intranuclear inclusions were seen in 3/4 raccoons euthanatized on post-infection days 3 and 6. Ultrastructural examination of lungs with pulmonary lesions revealed hexagonal viral particles characteristic of adenoviruses. CAV2 is potentially pathogenic for raccoons, and this susceptibility should be of concern to developers of recombinant vaccines who intend to use CAV2 as a vaccine vector.     

Influence of esterified-glucomannan on performance and organ morphology, serum biochemistry and haematology in broilers exposed to individual and combined mycotoxicosis (aflatoxin, ochratoxin and T-2 toxin)

1. A study was conducted to evaluate the individual and combined effects of aflatoxin B1 (AF), ochratoxin A (OA) and T-2 toxin (T-2) on performance, organ morphology serum biochemistry and haematology of broiler chickens and the efficacy of esterified-glucomannan (E-GM), a cell wall derivative of Saccharomyces cerevisiae1026 in their counteraction. 2. Two dietary inclusion rates of AF (0 and 0.3 mg/kg), OA (0 and 2 mg/kg), T-2 (0 and 3 mg/kg) and E-GM (0 and 1 g/kg) were tested in a 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 factorial manner on a total of 960 broiler chickens from 1 to 35 d of age in an open sided deep litter pen house. 3. Body weight and food intake were depressed by all the mycotoxins, OA being the most toxic during early life. 4. Weights of kidney and adrenals were increased by AF and OA. Liver weight was increased by AF (17.8%), while OA increased gizzard weight (14.6%) and reduced bone ash content (8.1%). T-2 toxin showed no effect on these variables. 5. Serum cholesterol content was decreased and activity of serum gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) was increased by AF and OA while serum protein content was decreased by AF. These effects were more pronounced at 21 d than at 35 d of age. Inconsistent responses were seen in the other variables: blood urea nitrogen (BUN) content, activities of serum alanine amino transferase and aspertate amino transferase. Blood haemoglobin content was depressed by AF and T-2, whereas blood coagulation time was prolonged by OA. 6. Significant interactions were observed between any 2 toxins for their additive effects on body weight, food intake, bone ash content and serum GGT activity at 21 d. Conversely, antagonistic interactions were observed among any 2 of the toxins for their effects on variables such as serum protein and serum cholesterol content. Simultaneous feeding of all 3 mycotoxins did not show increased toxicity above that seen with any 2. 7. Esterified-glucomannan increased body weight (2.26%) and food intake (1.6%), decreased weights of liver (32.5%) and adrenals (18.9%) and activity of serum GGT (8.7%), and increased serum protein (14.7%), cholesterol (21.9%), BUN (20.8%) and blood haemoglobin (3.1%) content, indicating its possible beneficial effect on mycotoxicosis in broiler chickens.     

天然生长促进剂在家禽饲养中的应用前景

欧洲已禁止在饲料中使用抗生素生长促进剂(AGPs),将来其它许多国家也将跟随其后。因此,寻找AGPs替代品将是一项不间断的探索工作。印度家禽项目董事会的科学家断定,无论何时找到AGPs替代品,天然生长促进剂可以使家禽获益。     

Utilisation of sesame (Sesamum indicum) seed meal in broiler chicken diets

1. Soybean meal (SBM) was replaced with sesame seed meal (SSM) at proportions of 0.00, 0.33, 0.67 and 1.00 on a protein basis in broiler diets (2 to 42 d of age). Each diet was fed to 8 replicates of 5 birds each. 2. Body weight gain, food efficiency, ready-to-cook (RTC) yield, relative weights of giblet, liver and abdominal fat were not affected by including SSM up to 0.67 proportion of SBM in starter and finisher diets (360 and 310 g/kg, respectively). The relation between level of SSM and growth performance variable (weight gain, food efficiency and RTC yield) was non-linear. 3. Weight, breaking strength and ash content of tibia decreased non-linearly with the proportion of SSM in diet. 4. The activity of alkaline phosphatase and protein concentration in serum decreased linearly with the amount of SSM in the diet.     

Effect of supplementing germinated sprouts of pulses on performance,carcass variables,immune and oxidative stress indicators in broiler chickens reared during tropical summer season

Tropical Animal Health and Production - An experiment was conducted to study the effects of supplementing sprouts of pulses on performance, carcass variables, immune responses, and anti-oxidant...