Goat uterine epithelial cells are susceptible to infection with Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus (CAEV) in vivo

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine, using immunofluorescence and in situ hybridization, whether CAEV is capable of infecting goat uterine epithelial cells in vivo. Five CAEV seropositive goats confirmed as infected using double nested polymerase chain reaction (dnPCR) on leucocytes and on vaginal secretions were used as CAEV positive goats. Five CAEV-free goats were used as controls. Samples from the uterine horn were prepared for dnPCR, in situ hybridization, and immunofluorescence. The results from dnPCR confirmed the presence of CAEV proviral DNA in the uterine horn samples of infected goats whereas no CAEV proviral DNA was detected in samples taken from the uninfected control goats. The in situ hybridization probe was complementary to part of the CAEV gag gene and confirmed the presence of CAEV nucleic acids in uterine samples. The positively staining cells were seen concentrated in the mucosa of the lamina propria of uterine sections. Finally, laser confocal analysis of double p28/cytokeratin immunolabelled transverse sections of CAEV infected goat uterus, demonstrated that the virus was localized in glandular and epithelial cells. This study clearly demonstrates that goat uterine epithelial cells are susceptible to CAEV infection in vivo. This finding could help to further our understanding of the epidemiology of CAEV, and in particular the possibility of vertical transmission.     

Improved immune responses against avian influenza virus following oral vaccination of chickens with HA DNA vaccine using attenuated Salmonella typhimurium as carrier

This study evaluates the immune responses of single avian influenza virus (AIV) HA DNA vaccine immunization using attenuated Salmonella enterica sv. Typhimurium as an oral vaccine carrier and intramuscular (IM) DNA injection. One-day-old specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chicks immunized once by oral gavage with 10(9) Salmonella colony-forming units containing plasmid expression vector encoding the HA gene of A/Ck/Malaysia/5858/04 (H5N1) (pcDNA3.1.H5) did not show any clinical manifestations. Serum hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titer samples collected from the IM immunized chickens were low compared to those immunized with S. typhimurium.pcDNA3.1.H5. The highest average antibody titers were detected on day 35 post immunization for both IM and S. typhimurium.pcDNA3.1.H5 immunized groups, at 4.0±2.8 and 51.2±7.5, respectively. S. typhimurium.pcDNA3.1.H5 also elicited both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of immunized chickens as early as day 14 after immunization, at 20.5±2.0 and 22.9±1.9%, respectively. Meanwhile, the CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in chickens vaccinated intramuscularly were low at 5.9±0.9 and 8.5±1.3%, respectively. Immunization of chickens with S. typhimurium.pcDNA3.1.H5 enhanced IL-1β, IL-12β, IL-15 and IL-18 expressions in spleen although no significant differences were recorded in chickens vaccinated via IM and orally with S. typhimurium and S. typhimurium.pcDNA3.1. Hence, single oral administrations of the attenuated S. typhimurium containing pcDNA3.1.H5 showed antibody, T cell and Th1-like cytokine responses against AIV in chickens. Whether the T cell response induced by vaccination is virus-specific and whether vaccination protects against AIV infection requires further study.     

Rice Aroma: A Natural Gift Comes with Price and the Way Forward

Aromatic rice belongs to a small but important sub-group of rice, which is highly regarded for its excellent aroma and superior grain quality. Aromatic rice, especially Basmati-and Jasmine-type rice, is being traded at a high price in the local and global markets. Genetically, rice aroma is a phenotypical expression of spontaneous recessive mutations of the OsBadh2 gene(also known as fgr/badh2/osbadh2/os2AP gene). These mutations inhibit the flow of γ-aminobutyraldehyde(GAB-ald) to γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA), and consequently, the accumulated GAB-ald is diverted to a potent flavour component 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline(2AP) by a non-enzymatic reaction with methylglyoxal. The natural incidence of non-functional osbadh2 mutation along with selection and nursing by the farmer from the ancient time makes rice aroma as a prominent natural gift. As GABA and methylglyoxal play significant roles in stress tolerance, and their biosynthesis is strictly regulated in rice plants, the accumulation of 2AP in aromatic rice depends on the interaction of various genetic and environmental factors, and its production may come at some costs of sacrificing tolerance. This review focused on some potential underlying genes in the 2AP and GABA biosynthesis pathways, and analyzed most aspects of aroma formation in rice, and summarized the molecular mechanism of aroma production together with its genetic and non-genetic influencing factors. The present review also stated approaches to produce high-quality aromatic rice via developing novel cultivars and with good agronomic knowledge-based practice.     

Screening of microfilaricidal effects of plant extracts against Dirofilaria immitis

Canine dirofilariasis is a common tropical parasitic disease of companion animals, caused by infestation of Dirofilaria immitis filarids within the pulmonary arteries and extending into the right heart. Increased reports of adverse reactions elicited by current microfilaricidal agents against D. immitis such as neurological disorders, circulatory collapse and potential resistance against these agents, warrant the search for new agents in forms of plant extracts. The use of plant extracts in therapeutic medicine is commonly met with scepticism by the veterinary community, thus the lack of focus on its medical potential. This study evaluated the presence of microfilaricidal activities of the aqueous extracts of Zingiber officinale, Andrographis paniculata and Tinospora crispa Miers on D. immitisin vitro at different concentrations; 10 mg/ml, 1 mg/ml, 100 μg/ml, 10 μg/ml and 1 μg/ml within 24 h, by evaluation of relative microfilarial motility as a measure of microfilaricidal activity. All extracts showed microfilaricidal activity with Z. officinale exhibiting the strongest activity overall, followed by A. paniculata and T. crispa Miers. It is speculated that the microfilaricidal mechanism exhibited by these extracts is via spastic paralysis based upon direct observation of the microfilarial motility.     

Monitoring of sewage pollution in the surface sediments of coastal ecosystems using linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) as molecular markers

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Molecular organic markers are an effective tool to detect the adverse effects of anthropogenic inputs in the aquatic environment. Linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) are...     

Anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer activity of Calligonum comosum in rats.

The 10% ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Calligonum comosum (50--400 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced the increase in hind paw oedema induced by carrageenan in rats. Following sub-acute oral administration of the extract (50 and 100 mg/kg, daily for 14 days), a significant anti-inflammatory activity in the cotton pellet model was observed. Pre-treatment with the extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) produced a significant and dose-dependent inhibition to the acute gastric ulcers induced by phenylbutazone, indomethacin, 0.2 N NaOH and 80% ethanol.     

Effects of different light regimes on the sexual maturation of the Fayoumi fowl

Four groups, each of 50 Fayoumi pullets, were subjected to different lighting regimes from hatching to maturity. Those receiving additional light from hatching were the first to mature, those maintained under natural conditions matured last.

Body, ovary and oviduct weights and the weight of the first egg were all reduced as a result of the extended photoperiod. The reduction was greatest in the group receiving additional light from hatching to sexual maturity.

The total number of ovarian follicles (size > 0.1 cm) was reduced especially by prolonged light application. The size of the follicles did not show a differential response, however.     

Brassica genotypes differ in growth, phosphorus uptake and rhizosphere properties under P-limiting conditions

Compared to other crops, Brassicas are generally considered to grow well in soils with low P availability, however, little is known about genotypic differences within Brassicas in this respect. To assess the role of rhizosphere properties in growth and P uptake by Brassicas, three Brassica genotypes (mustard, Brassica juncea cv Chinese greens and canola, Brassica napus cvs Drum and Outback) were grown in an acidic soil with low P availability at two treatments of added P: 25 and 100 mg P kg⁻¹ as FePO₄ (P25 and P100). The plants were harvested at the 6-leaf stage, at flowering and at maturity. Shoot and root dry weight (dry weight) and root length increased with time and were lower in P25 than in P100. In P25, shoot dry weight was lowest in Outback and highest in Chinese greens. In the P100 treatment, Chinese greens had a higher shoot dry weight than the two canola cultivars. Chinese greens had a lower root dry weight and root length at flowering and maturity than the canola genotypes in both P treatments. Irrespective of P treatment, shoot P concentration was lower in Chinese greens than in the two canola genotypes. Specific P uptake (μg P m⁻¹ root length) decreased with time. In P25, Chinese greens had the lowest specific P uptake at the 6-leaf stage but it was higher than in the two canola genotypes at flowering and maturity. In P100, Outback had the lowest specific P uptake. Available P in the rhizosphere (resin P) decreased over time with the greatest decrease from the 6-leaf stage to flowering. In P25, resin P in the rhizosphere was greatest in Chinese greens at the 6-leaf stage and flowering and smallest in Outback at flowering. Microbial P and acid phosphatase activity changed little over time, were not affected by P treatment and there were only small differences between the genotypes. The rhizosphere microbial community composition [assessed by fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis] of Outback and Chinese greens differed from that of the other two genotypes at the 6-leaf stage and flowering, respectively. At maturity, all three genotypes had distinct microbial communities. Plant traits such as production of high biomass at low shoot P concentrations as well as the capacity to maintain high P availability in the rhizosphere by P mobilisation can explain the observed differences in plant growth and P uptake among the Brassica genotypes.     

Genetic diversity of Ganoderma in oil palm plantings

Isolates of Ganoderma spp. associated with basal stem rot of oil palm were obtained by sampling from two palm plantings in Malaysia. Members of a subset of these were compared using a combination of somatic incompatibility and molecular genetic analyses. Incompatibility interactions between heterokaryons in culture indicated that Ganoderma generally occurred as numerous distinct strains, with compatible strains usually confined to individual palms. Analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in presumptive mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) revealed heterogeneity among isolates from neighbouring palms, and from within individual palms. The combination of mtDNA variability and somatic incompatibility suggests that Ganoderma BSR does not spread by direct root-to-root contact between palms. The results may indicate infection spread through basidiospore dispersal or through contact with a heterogeneous long-term residual inoculum in debris.     

Utilisation of unbleached kenaf fibers for the preparation of magnetic paper

Unbleached kenaf fibers were selected for the manufacture of magnetic paper using chemical coprecipitation method. This method involved precipitation and loading of nano-sized ferrite particles into the lumen of the kenaf fibers. While the degree of loading depended on both the degree of agitation and temperature of the coprecipitation, the thermal stability of the produced magnetic paper depended mainly on the temperature. The magnetic particles deposited on the fiber surface had detrimental effects on the strength of the produced paper. The coercivity value of the magnetic paper depended on the type of ferrite produced from the coprecipitation.