Application of Native Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) for Fermentative Recovery of Lipids and Proteins from Fish Processing Wastes: Bioactivities of Fermentation Products

Fermentation using native lactic acid bacteria (LAB) was evaluated for its effectiveness in recovering lipids and proteins simultaneously from freshwater fish visceral waste (FVW). Five different LAB isolated from fish processing waste were employed in a fermentation process that involved 10% (w/w) glucose, 2% (w/w) NaCl, and 10% (v/w) LAB. Cultures evaluated included four native isolates (Pediococcus acidilactici NCIM5368, Enterococcus faecalis NCIM5367, Pediococcus acidilactici FM37, and Pediococcus acidilactici MW2) from FVW with E. faecium NCIM5335 as the reference culture. Fermentation with native LAB resulted in recovery of > 90% oil present in the material as against no recovery in case of raw (unfermented) viscera and resulted in > 50% of degree of hydrolysis of proteins. The fatty acid profile of lipids was not affected by the fermentation process. The fermentation liquor, rich in hydrolyzed protein, exhibited antioxidant as well as antagonistic properties against several bacterial pathogens. The results clearly demonstrate the usefulness of fermentation using native isolates for simultaneous recovery of lipids and proteins from fish processing waste. It also asserts the value of fermentation as an eco-friendly method and aids in minimizing disposal/pollution problems associated with these solid wastes.     

Immunogenic and antigenic properties of recombinant soluble glycoprotein of rabies virus

Rabies virus glycoprotein is a type I transmembrane protein exposed on the surface on the mature virus particle that induces virus neutralizing antibodies. In the present study, 60 amino acid C-terminal hydrophobic anchor (transmembrane) and cytoplasmic domains of glycoprotein were deleted from full-length glycoprotein and fused with polyhistidine tag. The N-terminal viral signal peptide was also replaced with CD33 signal peptide for efficient secretion in mammalian cells. Following transfection of Madin Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells with plasmid encoding this soluble form of glycoprotein, polyclonal populations of stably transfected resistant cells were obtained after G418 selection. The protein was expressed as a glycosylated protein and secreted outside the cells utilizing N-terminal CD33 signal peptide. The secreted soluble glycoprotein was purified from cell culture supernatant by Ni--agarose affinity chromatography utilizing C-terminal polyhistidine tag. Like full-length glycoprotein, the expressed recombinant soluble glycoprotein was found to be immunogenic when injected in rabbits. In this study, we have assessed the potential of recombinant soluble glycoprotein as diagnostic antigen in ELISA and found that this recombinant protein can be used as diagnostic antigen in ELISA for detecting anti-glycoprotein antibodies in immunized host.     

Effect of salt stress on interaction between lentil (Lens culinaris) genotypes and Rhizobium spp. strains: symbiotic N2 fixation in normal and sodic soils

 Following screening, selection, characterization and examination of their symbiotic N₂ fixation, only two Rhizobium strains (ND-16 and TAL-1860) and four lentil genotypes (DLG-103, LC-50, LC-53 and Sehore 74-3) were found to be suited to sodic soils. Interactions between salt-tolerant lentil genotypes and Rhizobium strains were found to be significant, and resulted in greater nodulation, N₂ fixation (nitrogenase activity), total nitrogen, plant height, root length and grain yield in sodic soils under field conditions compared to uninoculated controls. Significantly more nodulation, nitrogenase activity, glutamine synthetase (GS) and NADH-dependent glutamate synthase (NADH-GOGAT) activities were found in normal soil as compared to the soil supplemented with 4% and 8% NaCl. Salt stress inhibited nitrogenase, GS and NADH-GOGAT activities. However, nitrogenase activity in nodules was more sensitive to salt stress than GS and NADH-GOGAT activities (NH₄ ⁺ assimilation). The relevance of these findings for salt-tolerant symbionts is discussed. Received: 14 November 1997     

Canine histiocytic ulcerative colitis

Objective To assess prevalence, breed predilection, response to therapy and prognosis of canine histiocytic ulcerative colitis (CHUC).
Design A retrospective study of cases of CHUC seen at Sydney University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (SUVTH) over a 20-year period (1975 -1994).
Procedure Case records of all dogs in which colitis was suspected were reviewed. Dogs were diagnosed with CHUC based on colonorectal biopsy and histopathological examination.
Results CHUC was diagnosed in 8 of 57 dogs presented for colitis. All affected dogs were Boxers and six were female. Dogs with milder clinical signs showed moderately good response to therapy. Four dogs were still alive 1 to 7 years after diagnosis. Three dogs were euthanased, one for reasons other than CHUC, and one was lost to follow-up.
Conclusions Young boxer dogs with relatively mild signs of CHUC may respond moderately well to medical and dietary therapy with fair prognosis. Euthanasia early in the course of the disease may be unwarranted. Prevalence may be increasing within the SUVTH referral population.     

Pneumococcal antigen detection in cerebrospinal fluid: a comparative study on counter immunoelectrophoresis,latex agglutination and coagglutination

The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and predictive values of counter immunoelectrophoresis (CIE), latex agglutination (LA) and coagglutination (CoAg) tests were compared for detection of pneumococcal antigen in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients suspected of meningitis. A total of 95 CSF samples comprising 15 culture proven, 47 clinically suspected but culture negative cases of meningitis and 33 controls were screened by above tests. Among three tests, LA was found to have high sensitivity and moderately high negative predictive value than CIE and CoAg tests. However, CIE had slightly better specificity than LA and CoAg tests. Accuracywise CIE and LA tests were comparable than CoAg test. CIE and LA tests had high positive predictive value than CoAg test.     

Cutaneous water loss and respiration rates of various breeds of sheep at high ambient temperatures

Summary The sweating and respiratory rates in rams of Rambouillet (R), Chokla (C), Malpura (M), R × C and R × M breed/breed crosses were recorded when housed in sheds or exposed to 20, 25, 30, 35 and 42°C ambient temperatures in a climatic chamber. The sweating (cutaneous moisture) was higher (P<0.05) in Rambouillet and its crosses than the natives, the Malpura sheep producing the least sweat at all temperatures. There was no breed difference in the response of increase in sweating up to 35°C but at 42°C the Chokla showed a considerable increase. Sweating was more pronounced on the shoulder than on the mid-side region. Sweating and respiratory rates increased (P<0.05) with the increase in ambient temperature. The Rambouillet exhibited the highest increase in respiration rate at 25°C and the trend continued up to 42°C. The relationship between fleece characteristics, evaporative heat loss and heat tolerance of sheep is discussed.

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Perdida Cutanea De Agua Y Frecuencia Respiratoria De Varias Razas De Ovejas Sometidas A Temperaturas Ambientales Altas

Resumen Se registraron las frecuencias sudorípara y respiratoria en carneros de las razas Rambouillet (R), Chokla (C), Malpura (M), R × C y R × M, alojados en cobertizos o expuestos a temperaturas ambientales de 20, 25, 30, 35 y 42°C en una cámara climática. El sudor (humedad cutánea) fue mayor (P<0.05) en carneros Rambouillet y sus cruces que en animales nativos, siendo la raza Malpura la que menos sudor produjo bajo todas las temperaturas. No se presentaron diferencias significativas entre las diferentes razas respecto a la humedad cutánea hasta los 35°C, pero a los 42°C la raza Chokla presentó un aumento considerable. El sudor fue más notorio en la espalda que en la región média. Las frecuencias respiratoria y sudorípara aumentaron (P<0.05) directa y paralelamente a la temperatura ambiental. La raza Rambouillet tuvo la frecuencia respiratoria más alta a los 25°C, incrementandose esta paulatinamente hasta los 42°C. Se discute la relación entre las caracteristicas del vellon, la pérdida de calor por evaporación y tolerancia al calor de las ovejas.

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Niveau Des Pertes D'eau Par Transpiration, Et Rhythme Respiratoire De Differentes Races De Moutons Soumis A Des Temperatures Ambiantes Elevees

Résumé Les pertes par transpiration et le rythme respiratoire de béliers de Rambouillet (R), Chokla (C), Malpura (M) et de croisements R × C et R × M ont été relevés lorsque les animaux étaient en bergerie ou exposés à des températures ambiantes, dans une chambre climatique, à 20, 25, 30 et 42°C. Les pertes d'eau par transpiration ont été plus importantes (P<0.05) chez les mérinos de Rambouillet et les métis par rapport aux animaux de race locale, les Malpura manifestant les déperditions d'eau moindre à toutes les températures.Il n'y a pas eu de différences raciales dans la réponse à l'accroissement de la transpiration jusqu'à 35°C mais à 42°C les Chokla ont manifesté une augmentation considérable.La déperdition d'eau par transpiration cutanée a été plus prononcée au niveau des épaules que sur le côté du milieu du corps. La transpiration et le rythme respiratoire ont augmenté (P<0.05) avec l'accroissement de la température ambiante. Les mérinos de Rambouillet ont montré la plus importante augmentation du rythme respiratoire à 25°C, température qui a continué de s'accroître jusqu'à 42°C, limite supérieure de l'expérimentation.Les relations entre l'influence de la température sur les pertes d'eau par évaporation et al tolérance des moutons à la chaleur sont discutées.

     

Superovulatory Response and Embryo Recovery after Treatment with Different Gonadotrophin during Induced Luteal Phase inCamelus dromedarius

Superovulation, embryo recovery and transfer were attempted in 19 dromedary camels of about 6-10 years of age, and having calved at least once. Superovulation was done using two commercially available porcine FSH preparations, FSH-I (II donors) and FSH-2 (8 donors) during a luteal phase created by inducing ovulation with hCG. The superovulatory response was assessed by ultrasonography. The embryo recovery was attempted non-surgically in sitting position on day 8 and day 7 after first mating in one FSH-1 and one FSH-2 group, respectively. Considerable individual variation in response to the superovulatory stimulus was observed. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of superovulatory response and embryo recovery (p > 0.05). In total 30 embryos were recovered from 17 donors (1.51 embryos/donor). Recipients were synchronized with donors using hCG. Eight embryos were transferred, resulting in two pregnancies and live births.     

Dimensional issues in agricultural data warehouse designs

Recently, the government of India embarked on an ambitious project of designing and deploying the Integrated National Agricultural Resources Information System (INARIS) data warehouse for the agricultural sector. The system's purpose is to support macro level planning. This paper presents some of the challenges faced in designing the data warehouse, specifically dimensional and deployment challenges of the warehouse. We also present some early user evaluations of the warehouse. Governmental data warehouse implementations are rare, especially at the national level. Furthermore, the motivations are significantly different from private sectors. Designing the INARIS agricultural data warehouse posed unique and significant challenges because, traditionally, the collection and dissemination of information are localized.     

Carbohydrate metabolism during tuber initiation in potato: A transient surge in invertase activity marks the stolon to tuber transition

Summary The relationship between carbohydrate metabolism and tuber initiation in potato was determined by monitoring changes in the amount of starch and sugars along with the activities of sugar metabolizing enzymes upon transfer of plants to tuber-inducing conditions (TI; short days, cold nights) from non-inducing conditions (NTI: long days, warm nights). Switch to TI conditions caused an immediate slow-down in plant growth and triggered swelling of stolon tips, which went on to develop into tubers. Leaves of plants moved to TI conditions accumulated less starch and sugar while their stolon tips showed a sudden upsurge in starch content and a sharp decline in sugars even before any tip swelling was detectable. These changes were paralleled by a transient surge in the activity of cell wall invertase (74%) and soluble invertase (30%) in stolon tips of plants transferred to TI conditions in two unrelated cultivars under different experimental conditions. As the surge in invertase activity faded, it was replaced by a substantial increase in sucrose synthase activity as the tuber enlargement proceeded. The transient increase in invertase activity just prior to tuber initiation appears to mark a turning point in the transition of stolon tip to tuber.