Detection of intercellular adhesion genes and biofilm production in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus aureus</Emphasis> isolated from bovine subclinical mastitis

Biofilm production by Staphylococcus aureus, an important virulence factor was investigated employing phenotypic and genotypic methods. A total of 102 S. aureus isolates from bovine subclinical mastitis cases were included in the study. Maximum number of biofilm producing strains were detected by Congo red agar (CRA) method (48.03%) followed by tube method (36.27%). Tissue culture plate method (TCP) without and with destaining identified 19.60 and 29.41% of S. aureus as biofilm producers, respectively. A polymerase chain reaction for detection of intercellular adhesion genes, icaA and icaD, responsible for biofilm formation was standardized. Of the 102 S. aureus isolates investigated, 36 (35.29%) strains revealed presence of both the genes. Considering polymerase chain reaction as a standard test, CRA and TCP without destaining were the most sensitive and specific, respectively. PCR technique standardized for detection of the icaA and icaD genes is reliable for identifying biofilm producing potential of S. aureus which may help in rapid detection of biofilm-producer Staphylococci. This would allow the early application of control measures.     

Water quality fluctuations under floating net cages for fish culture in Lake Cirata and its impact on fish survival

ABSTRACT:   Vertical profiles of water quality were surveyed before and after mass mortality of fish cultured in cages in Lake Cirata, a man made lake in Indonesia. The first survey was performed 4 months before the mass mortality and the second survey was carried out 4 days after the mass mortality. In the first survey, the conditions below 8 m depth were reductive and anoxic, although at 8 and 10 m depth, the water became oxidative in spite of low oxygen concentration in the second survey. These changes were probably caused by strong mixing of surface water with deeper water. Eight months after the mass mortality, when the redox potential at 8 m became reductive again, exposure tests of fish were performed in different layers in the water column around the cage. During the exposure tests the redox potential of the water was less than −100 mV and 93% of carp died within 6 h of exposure at 8 m depth. These results indicated that the mass mortality was caused by the strong mixing of surface water with reductive water in deeper layers.     

Fabrication of poly(caprolactone) nanofibers containing hydroxyapatite nanoparticles and their mineralization in a simulated body fluid

In the present study, we introduce poly(caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibers that contain hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles (NPs) as a result of an electrospinning process. A simple method that does not depend on additional foreign chemicals has been employed to synthesize HAp NPs through calcination of bovine bones. Typically, a colloidal gel consisting of PCL/HAp has been electrospun to form nanofibers. Physiochemical aspects of prepared nanofibers were characterized for FE-SEM, TEM, XRD and FTIR which confirmed nanofibers were well-oriented and had good dispersion of HAp NPs. Parameters affecting the utilization of the prepared nanofibers in various nano-biotechnological fields have been studied; for instance, the bioactivity of the produced nanofiber mats was investigated while incubated with stimulated body fluid (SBF). The results from incubation of nanofibers in SBF indicate that incorporation of HAp strongly activates precipitation of the apatite-like materials because the HAp NPs act as seeds that accelerate crystallization of the biological HAp from the utilized SBF.     

Virulence genes,serobiotypes and antibiotic resistance profile of Escherichia coli strains isolated from aquaculture and other sources

In order to determine the prevalence of pathogenic Escherichia coli, a total number of 155 E. coli isolates from aquaculture, clinical and veterinary sources were screened for seven pathogenic virulence markers and a house‐keeping gene by a polymerase chain reaction. The targeted virulence genes included eaeA of enteropathogenic E. coli, elt and est of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), ipaH of enteroinvasive E. coli, pCVD432 of enteroaggregative E. coli, stx, hlyA and eaeA of shigatoxigenic E. coli (STEC) and Enterohaemorrhagic E. coli. All the isolates were positive for phoA, the house‐keeping gene for E. coli. Among the 155 isolates, seven numbers (4.5%) harboured the virulence markers belonging to the pathogenic group ETEC and STEC. The virulent genes detected in these groups were elt, est, hlyA and stx. The sources of these virulence genes were fish (hlyA), shrimp (elt), feeder canal water (hlyA and elt) of aquaculture origin and from diarrhoea affected cow (hlyA, est and stx). The isolates with pathogenic traits belonged to the serogroups O6 or O29 and the remaining could not be typed. They showed resistance to two to four antibiotics out of the 12 antibiotics tested. Biotyping revealed that three isolates belonged to a single biotype (7333) and the remaining isolates were of diverse types. In conclusion, a molecular tool such as PCR proves as more effective tool for detection of this pathogen than the conventional methods. Detection of these emerging pathogens in aquaculture samples warrants for strict adherence to hygienic handling at retail outlets and proper cooking by the consumer before consumption.     

PHYTOTOXIC EFFECTS OF CADMIUM EXPOSURE AND METAL ACCUMULATION IN SUNFLOWER

The phytotoxicity imposed by cadmium (Cd) in sunflower was investigated on biomass, Cd accumulation, superoxide and lipid peroxidation product as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase. Plants accumulate substantial amount of Cd in different parts, the maximum being in roots, i.e., up to 820 μg g^?1 dry matter. Cadmium induced oxidative stress, indicated by increase in lipid peroxidation and superoxide content with increase in metal supply. Under Cd stress, the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase declined to a greater extent in roots than in leaves. Even though the peroxidase activity increased in leaves, a decreasing trend was observed in root due to Cd stress. The threshold of toxicity (10% growth reduction) and toxicity (33% growth reduction) values of Cd in sunflower were 14 and 72 μg g^?1 in leaves, 19 and 90 μg g^?1 in stem and 65 and 250 μg g^?1 Cd in roots, respectively.     

Physical and nutritional qualities of extruded weaning foods containing sorghum,pearl millet,or finger millet blended with mung beans and nonfat dried milk

Sorghum, pearl millet, and finger millet flours (60% of each) were blended with toasted mung bean flour (30%) and nonfat dry milk (10%) and extruded (Brabender single screw) to make precooked, ready-to-eat, weaning foods. The extruded foods had high cold paste viscosity, but their cooked paste viscosity was lower than that of the respective blends. Chemical scores of the extruded foods were 78 for sorghum, 80 for pearl millet, and 96 for finger millet. Protein digstibility corrected amino acid scores (PD-CAS) were similar for pearl millet (68%) and finger millet (69%); PD-CAS for sorghum was 57%. Total dietary fiber content of the foods ranged from 7.6 to 10.1%, with the soluble dietary fiber content of the foods being about 10% higher than that of the corresponding blends. Extrusion enhanced the in vitro protein digestibility of foods, but no marked difference occurred in the in vitro carbohydrate digestibility among the unprocessed blends and the extruded foods. The net protein ratio, protein efficiency ratio, and biological values were higher for the finger millet food than for the pearl millet food, probably because of the higher lysine content of the finger millet protein.Contribution No. 95-253-J of the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station.     

Genetic diversity of influenza A viruses circulating in pigs between winter and summer in a Minnesota live animal market

There has been little surveillance of influenza A viruses (IAVs) circulating in swine at live animal markets, particularly in the United States. To address this gap, we conducted active surveillance of IAVs in pigs, the air, and the environment during a summer and winter season in a live animal market in St. Paul, Minnesota, that had been epidemiologically associated with swine‐origin influenza cases in humans previously. High rates of IAV were detected by PCR in swine lungs and oral fluids during both summer and winter seasons. Rates of IAV detection by PCR in the air were similar during summer and winter, although rates of successful virus isolation in the air were lower during summer than in winter (26% and 67%, respectively). H3N2 was the most prevalent subtype in both seasons, followed by H1N2. Genetically diverse viruses with multiple gene constellations were isolated from both winter and summer, with a total of 19 distinct genotypes identified. Comparative phylogenetic analysis of all eight segments of 40 virus isolates from summer and 122 isolates from winter revealed that the summer and winter isolates were genetically distinct, indicating IAVs are not maintained in the market, but rather are re‐introduced, likely from commercial swine. These findings highlight the extent of IAV genetic diversity circulating in swine in live animal markets, even during summer months, and the ongoing risk to humans.     

Impact of feeding on growth performance,blood biochemical and mineral profiles of pre-pubescent camels under pastoral management in arid western Rajasthan

The experiment was undertaken on 20 pre-pubescent dromedary camels of 300?±?7.0 kg average bodyweight (BW) and 1.5–2 years of age to determine change in body weight, blood biochemical and mineral profiles and morphometric parameters on rangeland grazing (GR) and supplementary stall feeding (GS) at arid northwestern part of Rajasthan over a period of 80 days. GR camels were maintained only on grazing, while GS camels were fed semi-intensively ad-lib groundnut haulms along with formulated concentrate and mineral mixture to meet maintenance requirement. Intake of young camels was determined using chromium(III) oxide as internal marker. The biomass yield of rangeland estimated was 0.54 t DM/ha. Dry matter intake (kg/day) by GR camels on rangeland grazing was lower than that by GS camels fed on supplementary feeding. The nutrient digestibility of dry matter and organic matter (P?<?0.05) and crude protein was higher in GS camels than that in GR camels. Likewise, intake of digestible crude protein (P?<?0.05) and metabolizable energy were higher in stall-fed young camels. Pre-pubescent camels fed on grazing had significantly (P?<?0.01) low glucose and higher urea concentration compared to stall-fed camels. Final body weight of camels differed significantly (P?<?0.05) between groups. The camels fed on supplementary stall feeding had significantly (P?<?0.01) higher total gain (kg) and average daily gain (ADG) compared to camels on grazing. Among morphometric parameters, body length and body height showed more significant increase in GS compared to GR camels. Intake of digestible crude protein (DCP) by GR group was 43 % low compared to the requirement for growing camel of 300 kg body weight. Despite this, GR camels were able to maintain body weight due to better recycling of urea which was significantly higher in comparison to GS camels. The findings of significantly (P?<?0.01) low serum glucose and higher urea concentration and lower body weight gain of GR camels suggest the need of locally available protein and energy supplement in addition to grazing for better growth performance.     

Determining the Core Literature of Water: A Citation Analysis of Faculty From New Mexico State University

Facilitating access to journals for a multidisciplinary field of study requires an understanding of the literature used by those researchers. This study examines the journals used for publication and those cited by 85 faculty affiliates of the New Mexico State University (NMSU) Water Science and Education Center (WSEC), a multidisciplinary faculty group with a water research focus. The authors have used information gained from this study to enhance collections and outreach at NMSU. This study also adds to the literature on citation analysis as a tool for informing collection development and management.     

Electrical properties of ultrafine nylon-6 nanofibers prepared via electrospinning

We report on the preparation and electrical characterization of nylon-6 nanofibers via electrospinning technique. During electrospinning, the polymer solution became highly ionized and emerging out of the micro-tip syringe by forming mesh-like ultrafine nanofibers structure in between the main fibers. The resultant nylon-6 nanofibers were well-oriented with uniform structure. The diameter of the ultrafine nanofibers (7 to 40 nm) is one order less than those of main fibers (100 to 200 nm). The current-voltage (I-V) measurements revealed a linear curve with an occurrence of negative differential resistance (NDR) behavior. The existence of NDR region in the nylon-6 nanofibers can be attributed to the tunneling current through the ultrafine structures. The fabrication of nanofibers, in the form of ultrafine mesh-like form, is relatively fast and inexpensive, and it paves the way to build up of new dimension for nano device applications.