Assessment of attenuated Salmonella vaccine strains in controlling experimental Salmonella Typhimurium infection in chickens

Salmonella hold considerable promise as vaccine delivery vectors for heterologous antigens in chickens. Such vaccines have the potential additional benefit of also controlling Salmonella infection in immunized birds. As a way of selecting attenuated strains with optimal immunogenic potential as antigen delivery vectors, this study screened 20 novel Salmonella Typhimurium vaccine strains, differing in mutations associated with delayed antigen synthesis and delayed attenuation, for their efficacy in controlling colonization by virulent Salmonella Typhimurium, as well as for their persistence in the intestine and the spleen. Marked differences were observed between strains in these characteristics, which provide the basis for selection for further study as vaccine vectors.     

Safety and immunogenicity of a delta inulin-adjuvanted inactivated Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine in pregnant mares and foals

In 2011, following severe flooding in Eastern Australia, an unprecedented epidemic of equine encephalitis occurred in South-Eastern Australia, caused by Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV) and a new variant strain of Kunjin virus, a subtype of West Nile virus (WNV_KUN). This prompted us to assess whether a delta inulin-adjuvanted, inactivated cell culture-derived Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccine (JE-ADVAX™) could be used in horses, including pregnant mares and foals, to not only induce immunity to JEV, but also elicit cross-protective antibodies against MVEV and WNV_KUN. Foals, 74–152 days old, received two injections of JE-ADVAX™. The vaccine was safe and well-tolerated and induced a strong JEV-neutralizing antibody response in all foals. MVEV and WNV_KUN antibody cross-reactivity was seen in 33% and 42% of the immunized foals, respectively. JE-ADVAX™ was also safe and well-tolerated in pregnant mares and induced high JEV-neutralizing titers. The neutralizing activity was passively transferred to their foals via colostrum. Foals that acquired passive immunity to JEV via maternal antibodies then were immunized with JE-ADVAX™ at 36–83 days of age, showed evidence of maternal antibody interference with low peak antibody titers post-immunization when compared to immunized foals of JEV-naïve dams. Nevertheless, when given a single JE-ADVAX™ booster immunization as yearlings, these animals developed a rapid and robust JEV-neutralizing antibody response, indicating that they were successfully primed to JEV when immunized as foals, despite the presence of maternal antibodies. Overall, JE-ADVAX™ appears safe and well-tolerated in pregnant mares and young foals and induces protective levels of JEV neutralizing antibodies with partial cross-neutralization of MVEV and WNV_KUN.     

Strategies and hurdles using DNA vaccines to fish

DNA vaccinations against fish viral diseases as IHNV at commercial level in Canada against VHSV at experimental level are both success stories. DNA vaccination strategies against many other viral diseases have, however, not yet yielded sufficient results in terms of protection. There is an obvious need to combat many other viral diseases within aquaculture where inactivated vaccines fail. There are many explanations to why DNA vaccine strategies against other viral diseases fail to induce protective immune responses in fish. These obstacles include: 1) too low immunogenicity of the transgene, 2) too low expression of the transgene that is supposed to induce protection, 3) suboptimal immune responses, and 4) too high degradation rate of the delivered plasmid DNA. There are also uncertainties with regard distribution and degradation of DNA vaccines that may have implications for safety and regulatory requirements that need to be clarified. By combining plasmid DNA with different kind of adjuvants one can increase the immunogenicity of the transgene antigen – and perhaps increase the vaccine efficacy. By using molecular adjuvants with or without in combination with targeting assemblies one may expect different responses compared with naked DNA. This includes targeting of DNA vaccines to antigen presenting cells as a central factor in improving their potencies and efficacies by means of encapsulating the DNA vaccine in certain carriers systems that may increase transgene and MHC expression. This review will focus on DNA vaccine delivery, by the use of biodegradable PLGA particles as vehicles for plasmid DNA mainly in fish.     

Economic contribution of wild edible mushrooms to a forest fringe ethnic community in some eastern lateritic parts of India

Dry deciduous forests of the eastern lateritic part of India are a typical case where forest valuation is yet to be integrated with the non-timber forest products like wild edible mushrooms (WEMs), which have a wide use in subsistence and cash income. A detailed accounting of the production and utilization of WEMs harvested from that region was made to highlight the economic worth of WEMs to the Santal community of this region. The WEMs production in the forest was in a polynomial pattern during the monsoon period. The net present value of revenues from WEMs was estimated to be contributing 9.83 and 10.29 % of total annual income of a Santal family of the Choupahari and Gonpur forests, respectively. The ecological footprint of the Santal communities on WEMs was higher in the forest area which was closer to the local markets than did the distant ones. Forest areas of the eastern lateritic part of India have a strong potentiality to produce WEMs that may be helpful for socio-economic upliftment of local tribal communities through the development of entrepreneurship and policy making.     

Introduction of genetic engineering in aquaculture: Ecological and ethical implications for science and governance

Within aquaculture, genetic engineering (GE) is emerging as a powerful method for breeding of fish and shellfish, and for developing alternative sources of feed and vaccines to combat diseases. On the other hand, the use of GE in aquaculture raises ecological, ethical and economic concerns. For instance, genetically modified (GM) feed could be spread to the aquatic environment and consumed by other marine organisms, and horizontal gene transfer may conceivably occur from DNA in feed or vaccines to a recipient genome or by faeces to the environment. Numerous reports have described beneficial effects such as viral disease resistance following DNA vaccination. However, side effects, such as activation of other genes than those which are central in immune defence mechanisms, may occur and warrant further investigations. In order to achieve sustainable introduction of GE, it is crucial that appropriate scientific investigations and ethical considerations are done prior to large-scale introduction of GE products such as DNA/GE vaccines and GM feed in commercial fish farming. This may result in a solid basis for the avoidance of potentially undesirable health and environmental effects. If GE can help make aquaculture a sustainable industry, this opens the possibility of positive market and consumer responses. This can best be achieved by involving the stakeholders from the conceptual stage to the commercial stage by facilitating a transparent process whose purpose is to inform research, to identify decision stakes, and to influence design, adoption and implementation of pro-active policy.     

On-farm evaluation of three different hatchery sources of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) cultured in on-levee tanks in low-salinity waters of west Alabama

ABSTRACT

Shrimp farmers in Alabama who produce the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, have recently reported abnormally low survival at harvest. Farmers have hypothesized that this phenomenon may be due to disease, toxic algae, shrimp source, or reduced shrimp robustness in later stages of production. To compare performance of shrimp from different sources, postlarvae were obtained from three different hatcheries and stocked on the same day in on-levee tank systems (TS) on two farms (Farm 1-TS; Farm 2-TS1; Farm 2-TS2). Following 104 days of culture on Farm 2-TS1 and Farm 2-TS2, there were no differences in survival (72.8%–91.2%) or final weight (19.8–24.6 g). At Farm 1-TS following 107 days of culture, there were differences in survival from shrimp sourced from one hatchery (40.5%) compared to the other two hatcheries (61.0%–69.8%). Results demonstrated acceptable growth performance and survival from all hatchery sources.     

Assessment of phytochemical and genetic diversity analysis of Plumbago zeylanica L. accessions

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Selection of elite accessions is important to get the maximum quantity of bioactive compounds in medicinal plants. In this study, thirteen accessions...     

Evaluation of microbial culture techniques for the isolation of Pythium insidiosum from equine tissues.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of sample handling, storage, and culture techniques on the isolation of Pythium insidiosum from infected equine tissues. Tissue and kunker samples obtained immediately posteuthanasia from a horse with subcutaneous pythiosis were used to assess the effects of sample type (kunkers vs. tissues), media type (selective vs. nonselective), storage technique, and storage time on P. insidiosum isolation rate. Overall, isolation rates were higher from fresh kunkers (94.6%) and stored kunkers (76.4%) than from fresh tissues (8.3%) or stored tissues (4.6%). Isolation of P. insidiosum also occurred more often on antibiotic-containing media than on nonselective media for both fresh and stored samples. For samples that were stored for 1-3 days prior to culture, P. insidiosum isolation rates were highest for the following techniques: kunkers stored at room temperature and plated on selective media (100%), kunkers stored at 4 C and then plated on either nonselective (91.7%) or selective (95.8%) media, kunkers stored on cold packs and then plated on either nonselective (93.8%) or selective (100%) media, kunkers stored in ampicillin solution and plated on selective media (100%), and kunkers stored in ampicillin/gentocin solution and plated on selective media (87.5%). For samples stored for 4-5 days, P. insidiosum isolation rates were highest for kunkers stored at 4 C and then plated on either nonselective (81.3%) or selective (87.5%) media, kunkers stored in ampicillin solution and then plated on selective media (87.5%), and kunkers stored in ampicillin/gentocin solution and plated on selective media (87.5%). Results of this study suggest that optimal isolation rates of P. insidiosum from infected equine tissues are achieved by culturing fresh kunkers on selective media. For samples that cannot be processed immediately, acceptable handling techniques include storage at room temperature for up to 3 days, refrigeration for up to 5 days, shipping on cold packs, and storage in antibiotic solution, each combined with subsequent inoculation on selective media.     

Does Biochar Improve Establishment of Tree Seedlings in Saline Sodic Soils?

Reforestation of saline sodic soil is increasingly undertaken as a means of reclaiming otherwise unproductive agricultural land. Currently, restoration of degraded land is limited to species with high tolerances of salinity. Biochar application has the potential to improve physical, biological and chemical properties of these soils to allow establishment of a wider range of plants. In a glasshouse trial, we applied biochar made from Acacia pycnantha (5 Mg ha⁻¹) or no biochar to either a low (EC_e 4·75 dS m⁻¹, ESP 6·9), a moderate (EC_e 27·6 dS m⁻¹, ESP 29·3) or a high (EC_e 49·4 dS m⁻¹, ESP 45·1) saline sodic soil. The regional common reforestation species Eucalyptus viminalis and Acacia mearnsii were planted as tubestock in to the soils. Early establishment indicators, including growth, plant condition and nutrition, were assessed at the end of a simulated growing season, 108 days after biochar application. Application of biochar increased height, and decreased root : shoot and the concentration of Mn, N and S in plants of E. viminalis when grown in the highly saline sodic soil. Biochar application increased the concentration of B in leaves of E. viminalis and increased the concentration of P, K and S in leaves of A. mearnsii when grown in the low saline sodic soil. The results confirm that there is potential for biochar to assist in reforestation of saline sodic soils. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seed Size Variation and its Effects on Germination and Seedling Vigour in Rice

The extent of seed size variations within a rice variety and its effect on germination and seedling vigour were investigated. Seed size was determined by weighing individual grains of randomly selected one hundred panicles. Grains were sorted into four size classes: 11–15, 16–20, 21–25 and 25–30 mg. There was nearly a three-fold variation between the smallest and the largest seeds, which ranged from 11 to 30 mg. Germination rate and seedling vigour index values increased with the increase of seed size suggesting the selection of larger seeds for good stand establishment.