Deltamethrin induced alterations of hematological and biochemical parameters in fingerlings of Catla catla (Ham.) and their amelioration by dietary supplement of vitamin C

The present study was carried out to investigate the sub-lethal toxicity of technical grade deltamethrin (a synthetic pyrethroid) of concentration 1.61 μg/L (1/3rd of 96 h LC₅₀) on hematological and biochemical parameters of catla (Catla catla) fingerlings and its amelioration through dietary vitamin C. The deltamethrin exposed fishes were fed with different levels of supplemented vitamin C such as 50, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg diet to see its ameliorating effect by assaying hematological parameters viz. total erythrocyte count (TEC), total leukocyte count (TLC), hemoglobin content (Hb), total serum protein, albumin, globulin, albumin–globulin ratio and biochemical parameters such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), acetylcholine esterase (AChE), alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), total adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), magnesium adenosine triphosphatase (Mg²⁺-ATPase) and sodium potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase) activities. The finding of this study showed that deltamethrin had negative effect on the hematological and biochemical parameters of Catla catla. The experimental group, which was exposed to deltamethrin and fed with normal diet showed significantly lower values (P ? 0.05) of all parameters studied except ALT activity. This might be due to possible disruption of hematopoiesis and proteosynthesis. However, the fish fed with varied concentration of vitamin C in diets neutralized the toxic effect of deltamethrin, as evidenced by significantly lowered hematological and biochemical response. Vitamin C @ 1000 mg/kg diet was the most effective in amelioration of harmful effect of deltamethrin on hematological and biochemical parameters of catla fingerlings. The result suggests that vitamin C can be effectively used to neutralize the toxic effect of deltamethrin on catla.     

Proteomic analysis of temperature-dependent changes in stored UHT milk

Molecular changes in milk proteins during storage of UHT-treated milk have been investigated using two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) coupled to MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. UHT-treated samples were stored at three different temperatures, 4 °C, 28 °C, and 40 °C, for two months. Three main changes could be observed on 2-DE gels following storage. They were (1) the appearance of diffuse staining regions above the position of the monomeric caseins caused by nondisulfide cross-linking of α and β-caseins; (2) the appearance of additional acidic forms of proteins, predominantly of α(S1)-casein, caused by deamidation; and (3) the appearance of "stacked spots" caused by lactosylation of whey proteins. The extent of the changes increased with increased storage temperature. Mass spectrometric analysis of in-gel tryptic digests showed that the cross-linked proteins were dominated by α(S1)-casein, but a heterogeneous population of cross-linked forms with α(S2)-casein and β-casein was also observed. Tandem MS analysis was used to confirm deamidation of N(129) in α(S1)-casein. MS analysis of the stacked spots revealed lactosylation of 9/15 lysines in β-lactoglobulin and 8/12 lysines in α-lactalbumin. More extensive analysis will be required to confirm the nature of the cross-links and additional deamidation sites in α(S1)-casein as the highly phosphorylated nature of the caseins makes them challenging prospects for MS analysis.     

Investigation of an outbreak of sheeppox among native sheep breeds in the Western Himalayas of India

Veterinary Research Communications - An outbreak of sheeppox was investigated in a cluster of villages situated in Western Himalayan ranges of a Northern Indian state. Non-migratory sheep...     

Application of silver nanoparticles to industrial sewing threads: Effects on physico-functional properties & seam efficiency

In this study, the role and impact of silver nanoparticles on industrial sewing threads have been investigated. Study of nanocoating on industrial sewing threads may be useful especially in the areas where skin comes in contact with the garments where anti-bacterial properties may be very useful. Silver particles are considered to have excellent anti bacterial properties. To understand the impact on sewability, investigation was focused to changes at the structural level, changes in physical and surface properties, tensile properties and anti-microbial properties of the nanotreated sewing threads. The structure and morphology of the silver nanoparticles on the sewing threads was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and quantitatively confirmed by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). A number of experimental methods and mathematical formulae were used to test individual threads. Custom designed fixtures were used for the study. All the results have been statistically analyzed and found to be significant. The effect of silver nanoparticles on physical properties, functional properties and seam efficiency was illustrated. The difference of the impact of silver nanoparticles on cotton and polyester sewing threads has been compared. It was found that silver nanotreatment leads to a significant reduction of tensile strength. The warp-way seam strength increased where as weft-way seam strength decreased due to damage of yarn. Deformation properties of the threads are not influenced significantly by nanotreatment. The nanotreatment of threads improves its frictional properties significantly. The threads also acquire effective anti-microbial properties with silver nanotreatment. Study of the impact of nanotreatment on the properties of cotton and polyester samples showed a bigger impact on cotton samples than polyester samples. The effect was durable even after several laundering treatments.     

Dietary fiber in poultry nutrition and their effects on nutrient utilization,performance,gut health,and on the environment:a review

Dietary fiber(DF)was considered an antinutritional factor due to its adverse effects on feed intake and nutrient digestibility.However,with increasing evidence,scientists have found that DF has enormous impacts on the gastrointestinal tract(GIT)development,digestive physiology,including nutrient digestion,fermentation,and absorption processes of poultry.It may help maintain the small and large intestine’s integrity by strengthening mucosal structure and functions and increasing the population and diversity of commensal bacteria in the GIT.Increasing DF content benefits digestive physiology by stimulating GIT development and enzyme production.And the inclusion of fiber at a moderate level in diets also alters poultry growth performance.It improves gut health by modulating beneficial microbiota in the large intestine and enhancing immune functions.However,determining the source,type,form,and level of DF inclusion is of utmost importance to achieve the above-noted benefits.This paper critically reviews the available information on dietary fibers used in poultry and their effects on nutrient utilization,GIT development,gut health,and poultry performance.Understanding these functions will help develop nutrition programs using proper DF at an appropriate inclusion level that will ultimately lead to enhanced DF utilization,overall health,and improved poultry growth performance.Thus,this review will help researchers and industry identify the sources,type,form,and amount of DF to be used in poultry nutrition for healthy,costeffective,and eco-friendly poultry production.     

Single and Combined Effects of Cadmium and Zinc on Carrots: Uptake and Bioaccumulation

ABSTRACT

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn), singly and in combination, on uptake and bioaccumulation of Cd and Zn in Daucus carota L. (carrot) grown under natural field conditions. Carrot plants were treated with two Cd concentrations (10 and 100 μg mL^?1), two Zn concentrations (100 and 300 μg mL^?1), and two combined concentrations of Cd and Zn (10 + 100 and 100 + 300 μg mL^?1) 15 d after seed germination. Treatments were repeated at 10 d intervals up to 90 d of plant age. A control was also kept without a Cd or Zn treatment. Uptake, total accumulation rate (TAR), bioconcentration factor (BCF), primary transport index (PTI), secondary transport index (STI), and accumulation of Cd and Zn in root, stem, and leaf were quantified. The results show that uptake, TAR, and accumulation of Cd and Zn are concentration-dependent phenomena. Highest accumulation of Cd and Zn was found in the root, followed by the stem and then leaves. The results also showed that bioaccumulation of Cd in root, stem, and leaf was greater at the low metal-application rates of Cd and Zn in combination than at the higher rate. This study further showed that interactions of Zn and Cd are dependent on the concentrations of those metals in the soil.     

Soil test-based nutrient balancing improved crop productivity and rural livelihoods: case study from rainfed semi-arid tropics in Andhra Pradesh,India

Widespread multinutrient deficiencies in the semi-arid tropics (SAT) are among major factors for large gaps between farmers’ current crop yields and potential yields. In this study, we adopted a stratified soil sampling method to assess soil fertility-related constraints in farmers’ fields in eight districts of Andhra Pradesh in the semi-arid tropics of India. Most of the fields across all eight districts were critical in sulfur (61%–98% deficient fields); and up to six districts each in boron (83%–98% deficient fields), zinc (50–85% deficient fields), and soil organic carbon (55–97% deficient fields). Low soil organic carbon specifically indicates nitrogen deficiency. Phosphorus deficiency was critical in three districts (60–84%) while potassium in general was adequate. Soil test-based nutrient balancing through the application of sulfur, boron, and zinc in addition to farmers’ practice of adding only nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium increased crop productivity by 8%–102%. Benefit–cost ratio (1.60–28.5) proved favourable to scale-up balanced nutrition. Better post-harvest soil health and residual benefits of sulfur, boron, and zinc up to four succeeding seasons indicated sustainability of the practice. Results showed that balanced nutrition is a way forward for sustainably improving farm productivity and livelihoods.     

Role of India's Anganwadi Center in Securing Food and Nutrition for Mothers and Children

India's 2013 National Food Security Act identifies Anganwadi centers (the courtyard shelter) as responsible for ensuring the food and nutrition for mothers and children. This article proposes four essential reforms that must take place to revitalize the languishing Anganwadi system: (a) strengthen implementation of the Integrated Child and Development Services (ICDS) through greater outreach and education; (b) boost incentives for Anganwadi workers and Anganwadi health workers; (c) bring together different government stakeholders to provide the integrative framework needed; and (d) improve monitoring and evaluation of Anganwadis so as to better gauge not just performance of workers, but also health and nutrition outcomes among women and children.