Characterization and production of polyclonal antisera against pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) serum immunoglobulin IgM derived from DEAE cellulose based ion exchange chromatography

Pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) is a commercially important candidate species in freshwater aquaculture and it is important to understand the immune system of pangasius against infectious disease. The present study was aimed at the purification, characterization and quantification of serum IgM in pangasius (P. hypophthalmus). Serum IgM was purified by diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) cellulose based ion exchange chromatography. The molecular weight of native immunoglobulin was found to be 798 kDa. Heavy (H) and light chains were found to possess molecular weight of 70.1 and 26 kDa respectively. A 248 bp segment of IgM H chain gene of pangasius was amplified and sequenced (partial). The antisera raised against pangasius immunoglobulin cross‐reacted with the immunoglobulin H chain of catfish such as Clarias gariepinus and Clarias batrachus, but not with their light chain indicating epitope sharing among IgM H chains in these catfish. The produced polyclonal antisera were used to develop an enzyme linked immuosorbent assay to quantify IgM levels in pangasius. In conclusion, the present study provides its future implications for epidemiology and immunology studies in pangasius.     

Surface modifications of natural Kanchipuram silk (pattu) fibers using glow discharge air Plasma

Experimental investigations have been carried out to modify the surface properties of natural Kanchipuram silk (pattu) fibers using a low temperature DC glow discharge air Plasma. Silk is an externally spun fibrous protein secretion formed into fibers. Plasma treatment is an eco-friendly, dry, and clean process over wet chemical method and does not suffer from any environmental and health concerns. Experiments have been performed considering three parameters such as discharge current, treatment time, and working pressure. The structural, thermal, morphological, optical, and mechanical studies of raw and plasma treated silk fibers have been obtained out using attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermo gravimetric analyzer (TGA), scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), diffuse absorbance spectroscopy, and tensile test. A comparative study has been done for the untreated and different treated fibers. Various characterization analyses reveal that surface roughness of the plasma treated silk fiber is increased and also crystallite size of treated samples is enhanced, plasma treated silk fibers maintain the whiteness effect and it is observed that UV transmittance region (A & B) is more for the treated fiber which signifies enhanced UV protection.     

Feather meal-based thermoplastics: Methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymer improves material properties

The poultry meat processing industry produces large amounts of feather meal, which is traditionally used as lowvalue plant fertilizer or fish nutrient. A higher value application for feather meal is described in this paper - a thermal blending and compression molding method to create compostable composites out of environmentally friendly materials: feather meal, glycerol, and a biodegradable copolymer of methyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride (MVEMA). The composite’s mechanical, microstructural and chemical characteristics are described. Feather meal plasticized only with glycerol is mechanically fragile, with average tensile strength of 1.7 MPa, Young’s modulus of 296 MPa and strain-at-failure of 0.6 %. With the addition of MVEMA copolymer, feather meal is transformed into a ductile plastic composite, with tensile modulus reduced 2- to 5-fold and strain-at-failure increased 4- to 25-fold. These properties are ideal for creating feather mealbased compostable bioplastics for agricultural and industrial applications.     

Effect of Probiotics on Growth Performance of Koi Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

A 45-day feeding experiment was conducted to measure the effects of enhancing the diet of koi carp (Cyprinus carpio) fingerlings with lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus (LAD) and/or brewer's yeast, Saccharomyces cervisiae (SCD). Fish with an average initial weight of 0.26g were fed one of four diets prepared for this study as follows: Diet 1 = basal diet (control); Diet 2 = basal diet + 0.5% LAD; Diet 3 = basal diet + 0.5% SCD; and Diet 4 = basal diet + 0.25% LAD + 0.25% SCD. Significantly (P < 0.05) highest growth rate was achieved in diet 3 followed by diet 4, diet 2, and diet 1. The highest gut microbial load and total heterotrophic count were also higher in diet 3 followed by diet 4, diet 2, and diet 1. Incorporation of 0.5% of brewer's yeast in the basal diet significantly (P < 0.05) improves growth performances and gut microbial load in koi carp.     

Microwave-assisted efficient extraction of different parts of Hippophae rhamnoides for the comparative evaluation of antioxidant activity and quantification of its phenolic constituents by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC)

The outcome of different extraction procedures (microwave, ultrasound, Soxhlet, and maceration) on the antioxidant activity of seeds, leaves, pulp, and fruits of Hippophae rhamnoides (sea buckthorn or SBT) was investigated by two different bioassays: 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) and 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assays. The SBT extracts were found to possess strong antioxidant activity measured in terms of TEAC (2.03-182.13 and 6.97-282.75 mg/g) with ABTS and DPPH assays, respectively. In general, the antioxidant capacity of microwave-assisted extracts was found to be significantly higher than those obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and maceration while being slightly higher than Soxhlet extracts. Further, microwave extracts of seeds were found to possess maximum antioxidant capacity followed by leaves, fruits, and pulp. Also, the chemical composition of extracts, studied in terms of the total phenolic content, was found to be in the range of 1.9-23.5 mg/g Gallic acid equivalent (GAE), which indicates a strong correlation between antioxidant activity and phenolic content present in the SBT. In addition, some of its bioactive phenolic constituents, such as rutin ( 1), quercetin-3- O-galactoside ( 2), quercetin ( 3), myricetin ( 4), kaempferol ( 5), and isorhamnetin ( 6), were also quantified in different extracts by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC).     

Genotype × environment interaction for zinc and iron concentration of wheat grain in eastern Gangetic plains of India

Zinc and iron are important micronutrients for human health for which widespread deficiency occurs in many regions of the world including South Asia. Breeding efforts for enriching wheat grains with more zinc and iron are in progress in India, Pakistan and CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre). Further knowledge on genotype × environment interaction of these nutrients in the grain is expected to contribute to better understand the magnitude of this interaction and the potential identification of more stable genotypes for this trait. Elite lines from CIMMYT were evaluated in a multilocation trial in the eastern Gangetic plains (EGP) of India to determine genotype × environment (GE) interactions for agronomic and nutrient traits. Agronomic (yield and days to heading) data were available for 14 environments, while zinc and iron concentration of grains for 10 environments. Soil and meteorological data of each of the locations were also used. GE was significant for all the four traits. Locations showed contrasting response to grain iron and zinc. Compared to iron, zinc showed greater variation across locations. Maximum temperature was the major determinant for the four traits. Zinc content in 30–60 cm soil depth was also a significant determinant for grain zinc as well as iron concentration. The results suggest that the GE was substantial for grain iron and zinc and established varieties of eastern Gangetic plains India are not inferior to the CIMMYT germplasm tested. Hence, greater efforts taking care of GE interactions are needed to breed iron and zinc rich wheat lines.     

Spongy tissue development in Alphonso mango: association with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus xylosus</Emphasis>

A Gram-positive and catalase positive Staphylococcus strain was found to be associated with spongy tissue defect of Alphonso mango. The organism was identified to species level by physiological, morphological and biochemical characterization and fatty acid profile. The strain was identified as Staphylococcus xylosus (IMTECH, India, Accession No. MTCC 7441). The optimal growth of the organism was observed in the pH range of 5.0–9.0 and temperature range of 10–45°C. It was mannitol and arabinose-positive and able to produce acid from various sugars. The organism was able to grow in a medium containing 2–10% NaCl. It was further identified to species level by genomic sequencing of 1,387 base pairs of DNA (Gene Bank accession No. EU019195). Based on nucleotide homology and phylogenetic analysis, the microbe was found to be S. xylosus. The survey of Alphonso mango trees with a known history of producing spongy fruits showed that some of the twigs, leaves and flowers were coated with a honeydew-like sticky substance and mango hopper insects were observed over the inflorescence. The source of contamination of spongy fruits by S. xylosus was in the sticky mass. Gram staining, the catalase test and morphological features of the culture isolated from the sticky mass exhibited characteristics identical to the Staphylococcus strain isolated from the spongy pulp. Pathogenicity tests on different varieties of mangoes, apples and guavas indicated that the disease was experimentally transmitted from infected to healthy fruits. This observation suggested that this organism develops spongy symptoms in the fruits post-harvest and lacks specificity. In inoculated fruits, catalase and peroxidase enzymes were expressed as in naturally infected fruits. This report shows that the infection by S. xylosus could be a major initiating factor for spongy tissue development in Alphonso mangoes.     

Aboveground biomass and carbon stock in the largest sacred grove of Manipur,Northeast India

Aboveground biomass and carbon stock in the largest sacred grove of Manipur was estimated for trees with diameter [10 cm at 1.37 m height.The aboveground biomass,carbon stock,tree density and basal area of the sacred grove ranged from 962.94 to 1130.79 Mg ha~(-1),481.47 to 565.40 Mg ha~(-1) C,1240 to 1320 stem ha~(-1) and79.43 to 90.64 m~2 ha~(-1),respectively.Trees in diameter class of 30–40 cm contributed the highest proportion of aboveground biomass(22.50–33.73%).The aboveground biomass and carbon stock in research area were higher than reported for many tropical and temperate forests,suggesting a role of spiritual forest conservation for carbon sink management.     

Improving aquaculture in post‐tsunami Aceh,Indonesia: experiences and lessons in better management and farmer organizations

Coastal aquaculture in Aceh was severely affected by the Asian Tsunami in December 2004. Capacity building among stakeholders was one of the key activities implemented by various agencies during the post‐tsunami aquaculture rehabilitation and subsequent development phase. The main objective was improving production efficiencies and farmer incomes. This article describes the process of implementation of the approach and crop outcomes until the end of 2009. In 2009, 1135 farmers and their 1296 ponds were ‘organized’ in 27 clusters across 84 villages of three districts to implement better management practices (BMP). Interventions reduced the prevalence of shrimp disease outbreaks significantly in participating ponds (22.45%) compared with non‐participating ponds (62.64%). Among the normal harvested ponds, though there was no significant improvement in shrimp yield but costs of shrimp production were significantly reduced by 12.1% and benefit cost ratio was significantly increased by 0.523 points in normal harvested participating ponds compared with normal harvested non‐participating ponds. Multivariable logistic regression analysis with 27 independent variables including a set of BMP showed that many factors were significantly associated with the normal harvests, improved yield and profits. The study shows that simple management improvements can reduce risks and improve economic returns.     

Uterine Leiomyoma in a Spayed Poodle Bitch: A Case Report

A 16‐year‐old, spayed, female poodle dog was presented for evaluation of tenesmus, with the ability to attract male dogs and a willingness to mate. The dog had undergone an ovariohysterectomy when it was 7 years old. Haematological and serum biochemistry analyses demonstrated leucocytosis and a mild uraemia. A vaginal smear was predominantly made up of superficial cells, accounting for at least 80% of the cells. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a heterogeneous multicystic mass at the caudal abdomen and two masses with anechoic areas adjacent to the caudal pole of each kidney. A midline exploratory laparotomy identified a uterine mass and residual ovaries that were surgically excised. Histopathological examination of the mass demonstrated that it was a leiomyoma. The left ovary had a cystic structure and the right ovary had a papillary cystic adenoma. Seven months after the surgery, the owner reported that the dog was clinically normal. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of a uterine leiomyoma after an incomplete ovariohysterectomy in the dog.