Carrier rate of the c.235G>C mutation in the bovine isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IARS) gene of Japanese Black cows at Kagoshima prefecture, Japan,and analysis of the metabolic profiling and reproductive performance of heterozygous cows

Bovine isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IARS) disorder, a major cause of weak calf syndrome, is caused by a homozygous missense (c.235G>C) mutation in the bovine IARS gene of Japanese Black (JB) cattle, which was identified in 2013. However, the extent to which the carrier rate has changed at Kagoshima prefecture, Japan, and whether the carrier status is associated with any clinical or reproductive problems, have yet to be ascertained. In this study, using a real-time polymerase chain reaction-based genotyping assay, we determined the carrier rate in a regional JB cow population at Kagoshima prefecture. Comparative analyses were performed on the metabolic profile test (MPT) results and reproductive performance data obtained for heterozygous carrier and homozygous wild-type cows. In 2009 and 2018, DNA samples were collected from 130 and 462 clinically healthy JB cows, respectively, in Kagoshima prefecture. MPT results and reproductive performance data were evaluated for 62 cows, comprising four heterozygous carriers and 58 wild-type cows. Genotyping revealed that the carrier rate was 6.9% in 2009 and 1.5% in 2018, the difference of which was statistically significant (P<0.005). There were no statistically significant differences between the carrier and wild-type cows with respect to either MPT results or reproductive performance, indicating that the carrier cows have necessary IARS activity to maintain minimal health and reproductive potential.     

Effects of inclusion of corn gluten feed in dairy rations on dry matter intake,milk yield,milk components,and ruminal fermentation parameters: a meta-analysis

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Corn gluten feed (CGF) is a co-product of wet milling that can replace energy or fiber ingredients in dairy cow rations. The present meta-analysis examines...     

DNA vaccine-encoded glycoprotein B of HSV-1 fails to protect chronic morphine-treated mice against HSV-1 challenge

The use of morphine has been demonstrated to increase susceptibility to infections. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a highly successful pathogen among immunocompromised individuals. In the present study, due to the importance of HSV vaccination in morphine abusers, the effects of chronic morphine exposure on the host response to a HSV-1 gB DNA-based vaccine have been investigated. The study is addressing an important aspect of vaccine development among the susceptible (immunocompromised) hosts. BALB/c mice were exposed to morphine over 11 days. They were then vaccinated with DNA vaccine or KOS strain as a live vaccine. The findings showed that the morphine-treated animals failed to respond to DNA vaccination evaluated by the anti-HSV gB antibody titer, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and lethal HSV-1 challenge. Under the same conditions, the KOS vaccine showed a reduced Ab titer and DTH response in morphine-treated mice, but could protect mice against the lethal challenge and was safe for vaccination of morphine-treated animals.     

Comparative efficacy of standard AGID and precipitinogen inhibition test with monoclonal antibodies based competitive ELISA for the serology of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Peste des Petits Ruminants</Emphasis> in sheep and goats

This project was conducted to investigate the comparative efficiency of competitive ELISA (cELISA), standard Agar Gel Immunodiffusion Test (AGID) and Precipitinogen Inhibition Test (PIT) for the diagnosis of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in Pakistan. To deal with this, serum samples from 198 sheep and 82 goats were collected from three different government livestock farms and all the samples were run simultaneously with the three serological tests. The samples found positive for PPR antibodies through cELISA, AGID and PIT were 96 (34.2%), 60 (21.4%) and 72 (25.7%), respectively. Kappa statistics were applied to evaluate the concordance between the laboratory-based test (cELISA) and field-based tests (AGID and PIT). Kappa statistics scores for cELISA versus AGID and PIT were 0.6343 (95% Confidence Interval CI 0.5231–0.7456) and 0.7134 (95% Confidence Interval CI 0.5987–0.8281), respectively, which indicate a “substantial” agreement between cELISA and AGID and “significant” agreement between cELISA and PIT. AGID and PIT revealed relative diagnostic sensitivities with cELISA of 59.3% and 69.7% and relative diagnostic specificities of 98.3% and 97.2%, respectively. The data suggested that for mass screening and control of PPR, these serological tests proved practical in the absence of cELISA since they have high relative diagnostic specificities and a satisfactory relative diagnostic sensitivities.     

Fecal carriage of multi-drug resistant and extended spectrum β-lactamases producing E. coli in household pigeons,Bangladesh

Antibiotic resistance and ESBL constitute a risk to human and animal health. Birds residing close to humans could mirror the spectrum of human associated antibiotic resistance. Household pigeons were screened in Bangladesh to shed light on human associated, as well as, environmental antibiotic resistance. Escherichia coli from pigeons (n = 150) were tested against 11 antibiotics. 89% E. coli isolates were resistant to one or more critically important human antibiotics like ampicillin, cefadroxil, mecillinam, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and tigecycline. No carbapenamase-producers were detected and the lower ESBL prevalence (5%) in pigeons. ESBL-producing E. coli isolates had bla_CTX-M-15 genes. Pigeons shared some bacterial clones and had bird associated sequence types like E. coli ST1408. Fecal carriage of bacteria resistance of critically important human antibiotics, together with examples of shared genotypes among pigeons, indicate the human-birds and bird to bird transmissions are important in the epidemiology of antibiotic resistance.     

Effect of lactation on functional and morphological echocardiographic variables in adult dairy cows

ObjectivesTo study the effect of pregnancy and lactation on echocardiographic parameters in Holstein dairy cows.AnimalsNine multiparous high milk producing (HMP) dairy cows (producing more than 40 kg of milk per day in peak production) and 9 low milk producing (LMP) cows (producing less than 30 kg or milk per day in peak production).MethodsEchocardiography was performed twice; one month before calving and two months after calving.ResultsThe heart rate of HMP cows in the early lactation period was significantly higher than in the dry period. In LMP cows, there was a significant increase in left ventricular dimension in the early lactation period as compared to the dry period, and the interventricular septum in systole (IVSs) in the dry period was significantly thicker than early lactation period. In HMP cows, there was an increase in the right ventricular diameter in systole in the early lactation period as compared to the dry period. Left ventricular and aortic dimensions in the dry period of HMP were significantly higher than those of LMP cows. When the data were corrected for body weight, comparison of values of the dry period of HMP and LMP cows showed that left ventricular volume in systole in HMP was significantly higher and that IVSs, left ventricular fractional shortening and ejection fraction were significantly lower than in LMP cows.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that lactation influences the intracardiac dimensions. The amount of milk production can influence echocardiographic parameters in dairy cows.     

Correction to: Impact of leaf infestation by herbivorous insects on the elemental uptake of citrus trees

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - In the original publication, the article title was incorrectly published as ‘Impact of leave infestation by herbivorous insects on the elemental...     

Influence of NaCl salinity on some physiological aspect of strawberry cv. Camarosa

One of the most important elements affecting the growth and development of a plant is salinity. Therefore, to evaluate the effect of salinity on some physiological aspect of Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) plants cv. Camarosa, a greenhouse experiment was conducted at Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan in 2009. This study was carried out as Factorial experiment based on RCD design with 4 replications to determine the influence of salinities (0, 30, 60 and 9 mMol.L-1) on proline, soluble sugars content, chlorophyll a (CHLa), chlorophyll b (CHLb), total chlorophyll (TC), Spad and chlorophyll florescence. Results indicated that fresh leaves tissue were used to measure proline, soluble protein and soluble sugars content, CHLa, CHLb, TC. Salinity treatment significantly increased proline content, soluble sugars while chlorophyll a (CHLa), chlorophyll b (CHLb), Spad and chlorophyll florescence significantly decreased. Nine day after NaCl exposure, Fv/Fm and Spad in 60 and 90 mM NaCl were significantly lower than control. It was concluded that this cultivar of strawberry may uses osmoregulation by increasing proline and soluble sugars level in order to tolerate salinity conditions.