Production analysis of broiler farming in central Punjab,Pakistan

Tropical Animal Health and Production - This study examined the analysis of personal and production performance of broiler farming in 10 cities of central Punjab (Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Okara,...     

Fungal endophyte Penicillium janthinellum LK5 can reduce cadmium toxicity in Solanum lycopersicum (Sitiens and Rhe)

We investigated the role of gibberellins-producing endophyte Penicillium janthinellum LK5 associated with Solanum lycopersicum (host), abscisic acid (ABA)-deficient tomato mutant Sitiens and its wild-type Rheinlands Ruhm (Rhe) plants under cadmium (Cd) stress. A 100-μM Cd application to host, Sitiens and Rhe reduced the shoot growth, chlorophyll content and stomatal conductance. However, these parameters were significantly (P?<?0.0011) higher (1.0- to 2.6-folds) in host, Sitiens and Rhe under endophytic association than in non-endophyte infected plants (control) under Cd stress. Furthermore, endophytic association minimized the Cd-induced membrane injury and oxidative stress to host, Sitiens and Rhe plants by reducing electrolytes and lipid peroxidation while increasing the content of reduced glutathione and catalase activities as compared to non-endophyte-infected plants. Stress-responsive ABA content significantly increased (～2-folds) in Sitiens and Rhe under endophyte association, while in host plants it was decreased under Cd stress. Salicylic acid content was ～?1.7-fold higher in host, Sitiens and Rhe plants under Cd stress and endophyte association than in the control. Besides gibberellins production, the endophyte has the potential to solubilize phosphates (12.73?±?0.24 mg/l) since higher P was observed in the roots of Sitiens, Rhe and host plants. Similarly, nutrients like sulfur and calcium were more efficiently assimilated in roots of endophyte-associated plants than control under Cd stress. Conversely, Cd accumulation was significantly decreased (P?<?0.001) in the roots of endophyte-inoculated host, Sitiens and Rhe than control. In conclusion, endophyte symbiosis can counteract heavy metal stress which can exert negative effects on plant growth.     

Thermal,swelling and stability kinetics of chitosan based semi-interpenetrating network hydrogels

The present study is focused on studying the swelling kinetics, thermal and aqueous stabilities, and determination of various forms of water in the chitosan (CS) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) blend and semi-interpenetrating polymer network (sIPN). CS/PAN blend hydrogel films were prepared by solution casting technique. The blend film with optimum swelling properties was selected for the synthesis of sIPN. CS in the blend was crosslinked with the vapors of Glutaraldehyde (GTA) to prepare sIPN. The fabricated CS/PAN blend and sIPN hydrogels films were characterized with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The kinetics of swelling, bound and unbound waters and aqueous stability were determined experimentally. FESEM showed good miscibility between CS and PAN, FTIR showed no chemical interaction between CS and PAN; however, it did show a doublet for the sIPN, TGA showed improved thermal stability and swelling kinetic followed second order kinetics. The degree of swelling of the sIPN hydrogels samples at room temperature varied from ~2200 % (with a fair degree of stability (~30 %)) to ~1000 % (with high degree of aqueous stability (43 %)) with increase in the crosslinking time. The calculated unbound water (W_UB) max., for the blend was 52.3 % whereas for the bound (W_B) the max., was 41.9 %. However, for sIPN hydrogel films, the W_UB water decreased (max. 21.0 %) where as the W_B increased (max. 52.0 %). The decrease in W_UB and increase in the W_B is attributed to the formation of a compact structure and increase in the contact area between the water and polymers in sIPN hydrogels due to the induction of new water contacting point in these hydrogel films, respectively.     

Osteopontin gene polymorphism association with milk traits and its expression analysis in milk of riverine buffalo

Osteopontin gene is regarded as a plausible candidate in mammary gland differentiation and development, expressed by variety of cells, tissues, and biological fluids including milk. The current study was performed in two phases. In the first phase, Osteopontin gene polymorphisms were identified and associated with milk composition such as ash, milk fat, SNF, lactose, and protein. In the second phase, milk samples from five healthy mastitis-free Nili Ravi buffaloes were analyzed for expression of Osteopontin gene at transition (day 15), mid (day 90), and end (day 250) stage of their second lactation. Briefly, blood samples were collected from Nili Ravi buffalo to isolate the genomic DNA, specific primers were designed for PCR amplification. The amplified PCR products were sequenced bi-directionally. Six polymorphisms were identified in the coding region and four in the intronic region of the gene. The results showed that SNP g.38329758 T > C causing substitution of valine to alanine (V127A) was associated with high milk protein. For mRNA expression analysis, somatic cells were separated from milk samples for RNA isolation. Analysis of differential gene expression data has permitted us to illustrate the expression pattern of osteopontin gene in lactating buffalo. The Osteopontin gene was found to be transcribed among all three lactation stages, but expression was observed with the highest value (fold change) in peak lactation and remained elevated till the end of lactation. Identified gene marker may be helpful for the prediction of superior animal for selection. The presented study also gave an insight into the genetic screening and lactation biology of riverine buffalo, offering direction for future research in lactating buffalo.     

Nitrogen mineralization in irrigated plantations of shisham and mulberry

Ammonification and nitrification rates and nitrogen uptake were measured using the buried-bag technique in irrigated mixed plantations of shisham (Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. ex DC.) and mulberry (Morus alba L.). Nitrogen transformations were rapid in these stands, particularly following thinning to reduce stand density. In young stands, net N mineralization was 26.72 mg N kg⁻¹ soil month⁻¹ (approximately 480 kg ha⁻¹ month⁻¹), but, as the end of the 22-year rotation approached, nitrification slowed to 13.41 mg N kg⁻¹ soil month⁻¹ (approximately 241 kg ha⁻¹ month⁻¹). N₂-fixing shisham appeared to respond after thinning only to the increased space and temporarily reduced competition for light and moisture, but mulberry appeared to benefit greatly from the nitrogen released through mineralization following thinning.     

Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and CNS depressant activities of new constituents of Nepeta clarkei

Two new pentacyclic triterpenes named kirmanoic acid (1) and kurramanoic acid (2) have been isolated from the chloroform-soluble portion of the whole plant of Nepeta clarkei Hook. The structures of the two new compounds were assigned on the basis of their 1H and 13C NMR spectra including two-dimensional NMR techniques such as COSY, HMQC, and HMBC experiments. Kirmanoic acid (1) was investigated for analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and CNS depressant activities. Interestingly kirmanoic acid (1) showed strong analgesic activity than standard drug in acetic induced writhing and formalin tests. Similarly kirmanoic acid (1) also showed strong anti-inflammatory activity than its standard drug. The gross behavioral study of kirmanoic acid (1) revealed that it exhibited mild CNS stimulant and muscle relaxant in the mice. Compound 1 showed a slight increase in Locomotor activity and possesses the antidepressant effect.     

Acylated flavonol glycoside from Platanus orientalis

The ethylacetate and n-butanol fractions of ethanolic extract of Platanus orientalis leaves led to the isolation of new acylated flavonol glycoside as 3',5,7-trihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavonol 3-[O-2-O-(2,4-Dihydroxy)-E-cinnamoyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl (1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranoside, along with seven known compounds. All the compounds were characterized by NMR including 2D NMR techniques. The isolates were evaluated for NF-κB, nitric oxide (NO), aromatase and QR2 chemoprevention activities and some of them appeared to be modestly active.     

Evaluation of oil formulations of deltamethrin for use on cotton targets for tsetse fly control

A range of formulations of deltamethrin were prepared, some containing an ultraviolet (UV) absorber compound or a combination of the UV absorber and an oil, and applied to blue cotton tsetse fly target samples which were then exposed to the effect of simulated sunlight and water in the laboratory. The residue of insecticide remaining on the targets and the activity of the latter against tsetse flies was determined. Formulations containing the UV absorber and coconut oil or silicone oil remained the most effective against tsetse flies. A coconut oil formulation of the insecticide was selected for field evaluation in comparison with a commercial deltamethrin formulation, Glossinex 200′ S.C., which contains 10% UV absorber. Target samples treated with these formulations were exposed to natural tsetse fly habitat in Ghana for a period of five months and evaluated for deltamethrin residues and activity against four species of tsetse fly. After five months, 4–13 times more deltamethrin remained on the targets treated with the coconut oil formulation than on those treated with ‘Glossinex’, and consequently the former were more active against tsetse flies than the latter. Target samples sequentially dipped in the coconut oil formulation resulted in uniform insecticide concentration on the targets, whereas those dipped in ‘Glossinex’ contained gradually decreasing deltamethrin concentrations.     

Development of a pen-site test kit for the rapid diagnosis of H7 highly pathogenic avian influenza

As well as H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV), H7 HPAIV strains have caused serious damages in poultry industries worldwide. Cases of bird-to-human transmission of H7 HPAIV have also been reported [11]. On the outbreak of avian influenza, rapid diagnosis is critical not only for the control of HPAI but also for human health. In the present study, a rapid diagnosis kit based on immunochromatography for the detection of H7 hemagglutinin (HA) antigen of influenza A virus was developed using 2 monoclonal antibodies that recognize different epitopes on the H7 HAs. The kit detected each of the tested 15 H7 influenza virus strains and did not react with influenza A viruses of the other subtypes than H7 or other avian viral and bacterial pathogens. The kit detected H7 HA antigen in the swabs and tissue homogenates of the chickens experimentally infected with HPAIV strain A/chicken/Netherlands/2586/03 (H7N7). The results indicate that the present kit is specific and sensitive enough for the diagnosis of HPAI caused by H7 viruses, thus, recommended for the field application as a pen-site test kit.     

The measurement of forces on a cage wheel lug when operating in wet clay soil

The forces acting on a single model cage wheel lug were measured when operating in a wet clay soil. After initial lug entry into the soil, the normal and tangential forces acting on the lug increased up to a certain peak value and then dropped as lug rotation increased further. The tangential force later attained a negative peak value. The pull force showed the same trend as lug normal force. The lift force showed the same trend as tangential force, however, the positive peak value of lift force was much higher than the positive peak value of tangential component. The lift force was higher than the pull force. Increase in lug sinkage showed almost proportionate increase in lug forces while increase in soil moisture showed decrease in lug forces. The effect of lug slip on lug forces at constant sinkage was found to be statistically non-significant.