Epibulbar melanoma in a foal

A case of epibulbar melanoma in a 6-month-old, gelded, chestnut Hanoverian foal is reported. The location and clinical appearance upon initial presentation led to the tentative diagnosis of staphyloma or a congenital mass of unknown origin. An attempt was made to surgically excise the mass under general anesthesia, but due to its infiltrative nature and intraoperative appearance, most, but not all was removed without compromising the integrity of the globe. Histopathological evaluation revealed a multinodular to packeted, poorly demarcated, unencapsulated, infiltrative exophytic melanocytic neoplasm composed of bundles and nests of plump spindloid to polygonal heavily pigmented epithelioid neoplastic cells interspersed with pigment-laden macrophages within a fine fibrovascular stroma. Upon examination after enucleation, neoplastic cells were found to infiltrate into the lateral cornea, sclera and the choroid. This is a unique case of an epibulbar melanoma with choroidal invasion in a foal. Based on the sudden onset and rapid growth as well as the histological evidence of invasion, well-differentiated features, heavy pigmentation, and no apparent mitoses, this neoplasm was considered to be a low-grade malignant melanoma. At 14 months after excision there is no evidence of recurrence.     

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.     

Effect of repeated laundering and Dry-cleaning on the thermo-physiological comfort properties of aramid fabrics

This research investigated the effect of repeated laundering and dry-cleaning on the physical and thermophysiological comfort properties such as air permeability, water vapour resistance and thermal resistance of fabrics made of meta-aramid (Nomex®) fibre. Two different types of fabric were selected for the study and subjected to repeated laundering and dry-cleaning (1, 5 and 10 cycles), which is commercially used for the care and maintenance of these fabrics. The fabric thickness, areal density, thermal resistance and water vapour resistance values increased with the number of laundering cycles, whereas the air permeability decreased due to the fabric shrinkage and swelling. On the other hand, the thickness and air permeability of the dry-cleaned fabric samples increased with the number of cycles; while the water vapour resistance and thermal resistance decreased. The scanning electron microscopy images showed the structural changes as indicated by the longitudinal fibrillation in the fabrics subjected to laundering or dry-cleaning.     

Role of Some Plant Growth Promotory Bacteria on Enhanced Fe Uptake of Wheat

The quest for plant growth promotory bacteria that can help in sustainable agriculture has increased in the recent years owing to increasing cost of fertilizers. In the present study, the potential of three isolated bacteria having plant growth promotory effects in mobilizing the indigenous soil iron (Fe) in two different varieties of wheat was evaluated. Three bacterial isolates belonging to the genera Burkholderia and Acinetobacter were evaluated singly and in combinations for Fe uptake of wheat in a net house study. Results showed that bacterial isolates when used in combination performed better in comparison to their individual use. These isolates significantly increased the mean Fe concentration in grains and straw by 34.0% and 52.4% over the uninoculated controls and also increased the total Fe uptake per pot in comparison to uninoculated controls. The bacterial inoculation also showed a positive impact on the bioavailability of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) extractable Fe in soil.     

Genetic appraisal of serological response post vaccination against enterotoxaemia (ET) in Malpura and Avikalin sheep

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Enterotoxaemia (ET) is a fatal enteric disease of small ruminants attributable to a toxigenic type of Clostridium perfringens. The key strategy for...     

Characterization of Agro-diversity by Seed Storage Protein Electrophoresis： Focus on Rice Germplasm from Uttarakhand Himalaya, India

The characteristics of 48 rice varieties from Uttarakhand Himalaya,India were detected by morphological and biochemical markers.The grains of the selected rice varieties varied in their morphological(grain length,grain width and grain weight)and biochemical characters(sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis,SDS-PAGE).Based on the presence of 70,65,60,57,37-39,22-23,13 and 10 kDa protein bands in the 48 rice varieties,seven types of profiles were identified.An unweighted pair group average ...     

Nutritional evaluation of tender pods of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Canavalia maritima</Emphasis> of coastal sand dunes

This study has been performed to evaluate the nutritional, antinutritional and protein qualities of tender pods of Canavalia maritima, the coastal sand dune wild legume of southwest India. The proximal features, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, antinutritional and protein qualities of fresh and pressure-cooked tender pods have been assessed. The crude protein was comparable to seeds of many edible legumes. Cooking significantly elevated the carbohydrates and calorific value of tender pods (P < 0.05), while crude fiber was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Minerals of fresh pods did not drain too much on cooking and K, Mg, Zn and Mn in fresh as well as cooked pods were comparable or higher than the NRC-NAS recommended pattern. Although cooking decreased the essential amino acids, threonine, valine, isoleucine, phenylalanine and lysine in cooked pods were equivalent or higher than the FAO-WHO-UNU recommended pattern. The palmitoleic acid in fresh pods and eicosenoic acid in cooked pods were relatively high. Similarly, the essential fatty acids, linolenic acid and linoleic acid were confined to fresh and cooked pods respectively. The fresh pods were devoid of tannins and trypsin inhibitors. The total phenolics and hemagglutinin activity decreased substantially in cooked pods. The diet of pressure-cooked pods showed improvement of in vivo protein quality, elevation of growth parameters and positive nitrogen balance in rats. Overall, the pressurecooking of tender pods of C. maritima improved the nutritional qualities by lowering the hemagglutinin activity.     

Demand for Processed Potato Products and Processing Quality Potato Tubers in India

Potato processing in India has shown a tremendous growth in the recent past, creating a proportionate increase in demand for processing quality potatoes. Reliable annual demand estimates of processing quality potato tubers in India were not available; hence, the current study was undertaken to provide such estimates. The study was based on a survey of 442 households in the state Maharashtra in India, which was regarded to be representative for India in the consumption of processed potato products. The annual expenditure on potato products during 2006–2007 in Maharashtra was estimated to be INR 5,254 million (€ 93.82 million), which was equivalent to 28,148 Mg of physical processed potato products and 83,333 Mg of processing quality potato tubers (0.38% of national potato production during 2006–2007, i.e. 22.09 million Mg). When the estimates were generalised to a national level, the requirement of processing-quality potato tubers in 2006–2007 was equal to 4.04% of national potato production. The forecasted annual demand of potato products in Maharashtra during 2011–2012 was 75,375 Mg and the corresponding demand of processing quality potato tubers was 230,760 Mg (0.75% of the estimated national potato production during 2011–2012, i.e. 30.89 million Mg). When generalised at national level, the demand of processing quality potato tubers during 2011–2012 was found to be 8% of the estimated national potato production.