Qualitative risk assessment of transmission pathways of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus at live poultry markets in Dhaka city,Bangladesh

Analysis of environmental samples obtained from the Live Poultry Markets (LPMs) of Dhaka City, Bangladesh, has revealed that the highest degree of prevalence of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (HPAI, H5N1), besides other subtypes of the LPAI virus, poses the plausible risk of transmission of these viruses between human and poultry species. The present study was conducted using the OIE risk analysis framework to assess the risk level of each pathway successively. The estimated risk parameters were integrated towards to obtain the overall risk level for each specific HPAI transmission pathway using the matrix adapted by Cristobel Zepeda accompanying other expert consultations. The relevant data obtained from published and unpublished sources, together with survey data of field observations, were used to formulate and confirm the risk pathways and their associated risks. The results revealed that the risk of the release of the HPAI virus was medium when exposure was high. Additionally, the consequence would be considered very high with a medium degree of uncertainty for all parameters. Ultimately, the overall risk for transmission was estimated as medium with a medium degree of uncertainty. The findings of this study reveal that there is a significant threat that HPAI virus transmission could occur among poultry and humans and effectively sustain within the environment of the LPMs. Our findings are primarily focused on public health considerations, the hygienic slaughter of poultry and the relevant cleaning and sanitation practices conducted in the LPMs to support evidence‐based decision‐making processes. The findings of the study have the potential to be used to formulate effective risk reduction measures and can be further adapted in low‐resource settings without major infrastructural changes required of the LPMs. All of which would reduce the risk of HPAI virus release and further lessen the degree of exposure and transmission in established LPMs.     

Distribution and partial characterization of seasonally expressed proteins in different aged shoots and roots of 'Loring' peach (Prunus persica)

During autumnal leaf senescence, leaf nitrogen in deciduous trees is translocated to storage sites, especially bark and xylem tissues. Proteins that accumulate in large amounts in bark and xylem in winter and are absent from these organs in summer are called storage proteins, and are believed to be vehicles for storing nitrogen reserves. These reserves are important for spring growth and help trees tolerate or recover from both abiotic and biotic stresses. Based on seasonal patterns of accumulation, we previously identified three storage proteins with molecular masses of 60, 19 and 16 kDa in bark tissues of 'Loring' peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch). To characterize the distribution of these proteins in different-aged tissues and to determine if they have any function other than nitrogen storage, we examined their seasonal distribution in bark tissues of current-year and 1-year-old shoots, scaffold branches, main trunks and 4-5-year-old roots of 'Loring' peach. Verification of protein identity was based on molecular mass and reactions with antibodies directed against each specific protein. Protein distribution was variable. For all three proteins, the greatest amount was present in mid-winter in current-year and 1-year-old shoots. These tissues also showed the greatest seasonal variation in the amount of protein present. The 16 kDa protein was present only in the youngest shoots, whereas the 19 kDa protein was present in all tissues examined. The 60 kDa protein was absent in root tissue. The amino acid composition and sequence of each protein were determined. The 60 kDa protein was identified as a dehydrin, and the 19 kDa protein appeared to be related to a family of allergen proteins in Rosaceous plants, some members of which are associated with pathogenesis-related proteins. The amino acid sequence of the 16 kDa protein appeared to have no homology with any proteins in the SwissProt database. Therefore, it is likely that the 16 kDa protein, in a strict sense, is a bark storage protein. Defining storage proteins solely by their pattern of accumulation and the extent to which they accumulate may not be a good functional definition. It is possible that storage proteins have functional roles in addition to nitrogen storage.     

Laboratory Yields and Process Stream Compositions from E‐Mill and Dry‐Grind Corn Processes Using a Granular Starch Hydrolyzing Enzyme

In dry‐grind corn processing, the whole kernel is fermented to produce ethanol and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS); the E‐Mill process was developed to generate coproducts in addition to DDGS. Compositions of thin stillage and wet grains obtained from the E‐Mill process will be different from the dry‐grind process. Knowledge of thin stillage compositions will provide information to improve coproducts from both processes. Laboratory dry‐grind and E‐Mill processes that used granular starch hydrolyzing enzymes (GSHE) were compared and process yields determined. Two methods, centrifugation and screening, were used to produce thin stillage and wet grains from the laboratory processes. Compositions of process streams were determined. In the dry‐grind process using GSHE, solids contents of beer, whole stillage, and wet grains were higher compared to the same fractions from the E‐Mill process using GSHE. Solids contents of mash for both processes were similar. Total solids, soluble solids, and ash contents of thin stillage were similar for the two processes. Fat content of thin stillage from E‐Mill was lower than that from the dry‐grind process; protein content of E‐Mill thin stillage was higher than that from dry‐grind thin stillage. Removal of germ and fiber before fermentation changed composition of thin stillage from the E‐Mill process. The screening method produced higher thin stillage and lower wet grains yields than using a centrifugation method. The screening method was less time consuming but resulted in limited wet grains material for additional analyses or processing. The centrifugation method of thin stillage separation removed more solids from thin stillage than the screening method.     

Ligation of the caudal mesenteric artery during resection and anastomosis of the colorectal junction for annular adenocarcinoma in two dogs

An 8-year-old terrier cross and a 10-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer presented to the University Veterinary Centre, Sydney, for investigation of long-standing tenesmus and dyschezia. Both patients had an annular adenocarcinoma at the colorectal junction. Exploratory laparotomy was performed and the affected large intestinal segment was removed by resection and anastomosis. In both dogs, the caudal mesenteric artery was intimately associated with the mass, necessitating its ligation and transection. Postoperatively, there was no evidence of anastomosis breakdown in either case and both animals recovered well from surgery. The dogs were euthanased 8 and 10 months, respectively, after surgery because of clinical signs relating to metastatic disease.     

Assessment of DNA Damage during In Vitro Development of Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Embryos: Effect of Cysteamine

Comet assay was used in the present study to examine DNA damage to buffalo oocytes and embryos during in vitro culture. Embryos were produced in vitro from oocytes obtained from slaughterhouse ovaries in presence of cysteamine (IVM and IVC media supplemented with 50 and 100 μm , respectively) or in its absence (controls). Compared to controls, cysteamine supplementation increased (p < 0.01) cleavage rate and proportion of oocytes that developed to 8‐ to 16‐cell stage. The incidence of DNA damage was lower (p < 0.01) in cysteamine group than that in controls at 8‐ to 16‐ (19.3 ± 4.24 vs 72.0 ± 5.22%) but not in 2‐cell stage embryos (11.7 ± 5.63 vs 20.8 ± 5.49%) or in mature oocytes (5.3 ± 3.43 vs 10.3 ± 4.73%). The tail length, which indicates magnitude of DNA damage, was shorter (p < 0.01) in cysteamine group than in controls in mature oocytes (25.5 ± 0.5 vs 36.0 ± 0.71 pixels) and 8‐ to 16‐cell stage (49.2 ± 1.64 vs 152.7 ± 1.28 pixels) but not in 2‐cell stage embryos (36.3 ± 1.54 vs 36.4 ± 0.75 pixels). Also, exposure of oocytes/embryos to UV radiation or H₂O₂ caused extensive DNA damage. In conclusion, these results suggest that oocytes/embryos suffer from DNA damage during progress of in vitro culture, which can be partly ameliorated by cysteamine supplementation of culture media.     

Ovsynch Plus protocol improves ovarian response in anovular Murrah buffaloes in low‐breeding season

The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of ovarian response and pregnancy rate in anovular buffaloes following Ovsynch and Ovsynch Plus protocols. Buffaloes (n = 55) were divided into two groups: Ovsynch group (n = 26): GnRH (10 μg, GnRH1) on Day 0, PGF₂α (25 mg) on Day 7, GnRH (10 μg, GnRH2) on Day 9; Ovsynch Plus group (n = 29): 500 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) 72 hr (day ?3) prior to Ovsynch protocol, followed by fixed timed artificial insemination (FTAI) 6 and 24 hr after GnRH2 injection in bot groups. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed daily, that is, from day 0 and ?3 in Ovsynch and Ovsynch Plus group, respectively for ovarian response and pregnancy diagnosis at day 30 post‐insemination. In Ovsynch Plus group, administration of eCG prior to GnRH1 increased (p < .001) the diameter (mm) of dominant follicle (DF) from 10.15 ± 0.26 to 12.23 ± 0.34 within 72 hr of treatment resulting higher ovulatory response to GnRH1. Ovulation after GnRH1 was higher (p < .01) in Ovsynch Plus group (96.6%) than Ovsynch group (61.5%). However, ovulation rate to GnRH2 was similar (p > .05) between groups (Ovsynch group: 76.9% vs. Ovsynch Plus group: 70.0%). Mean DF diameter (mm) that ovulated to both GnRHs was higher (p < .01) than non‐ovulated counterparts in both groups (Ovsynch group: 10.80 ± 0.27 vs. 8.47 ± 0.53; Ovsynch Plus group: 11.99 ± 0.24 vs. 9.5 ± 0.63). Pregnancy was established in buffaloes which responded to both GnRHs, irrespective of groups, being higher (p = .52) in Ovsynch Plus group (34.5%) than Ovsynch group (23.1%), though non‐significant. In summary, this study showed that eCG inclusion prior to Ovsynch regimen improves ovulatory response in anovular buffaloes during low‐breeding season.     

High-temperature Effects on Germination and Viability of Weed Seeds in Soil

The control of weeds by solar heating of the soil using transparent polyethylene (PE) sheets was studied in the field during the summers of 1994 and 1995. The maximum soil temperature under plastic cover at 5 cm depth averaged 53°C. At 5 cm soil depth, solarization increased temperature by about 9°C. In the non-solarized soils, such high-temperature days were fewer. A temperature of 55°C at 5 cm soil depths was recorded both in irrigated and non-irrigated mulched soils. However, mulched soil recorded 70% of the treatment period compared with 43% in unirrigated and mulched soils. Lower depths of 10 and 15 cm did not attain a temperature 55°C or 60°C on any day during the experimental period.
Solarization treatment with PE sheets significantly increased NO⁻₃—N and NH⁺₄—N in comparison with non-solarized plots. While uncovered plots showed significant increase in available phosphorus and marginally increased in potassium and electrical conductivity. Organic carbon content and pH did not vary under different treatments.
PE mulching for 30 days significantly reduced the number of weed seeds, specifically Avena fatua L. and Phalaris minor Retz., while Trianthema monogyna Linn, and Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav. were not affected much in comparison with the former. Melilotus indica (L.) All, was not at all affected by the solarization treatment studied. The solarization reduction index (SRI) was calculated for each weed species studied and it was concluded that weeds having a low SRI can be controlled more effectively than weeds with high SRI values. The heating effect from solarization decreased significantly with soil depth. The 30 days' soil solarization treatment in moist soil was more effective than the 10 and 20 days' heating treatment in moist and dry soils for weed control.