Diversity of bacterial pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance profile among commensal rodents in Qatar

Rodents are sources of many zoonotic pathogens that are of public health concern. This study investigated bacterial pathogens and assessed their antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns in commensal rodents in Qatar. A total of 148 rodents were captured between August 2019 and February 2020, and blood, ectoparasites, and visceral samples were collected. Gram-negative bacteria were isolated from the intestines, and blood plasma samples were used to detect antibodies against Brucella spp., Chlamydophila abortus, and Coxiella burnetii. PCR assays were performed to detect C. burnetii, Leptospira spp., Rickettsia spp., and Yersinia pestis in rodent tissues and ectoparasite samples. Antimicrobial resistance by the isolated intestinal bacteria was performed using an automated VITEK analyzer. A total of 13 bacterial species were isolated from the intestine samples, namely Acinetobacter baumannii, Aeromonas salmonicida, Citrobacter freundii, Citrobacter koseri, Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Hafnia alvei, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Providencia stuartii, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella enterica. The majority of them were E. coli (54.63%), followed by P. mirabilis (17.59%) and K. pneumoniae (8.33%). Most of the pathogens were isolated from rodents obtained from livestock farms (50.46%), followed by agricultural farms (26.61%) and other sources (22.94%). No antibodies (0/148) were detected against Brucella spp., C. abortus, or C. burnetii. In addition, 31.58% (6/19) of the flea pools and one (1/1) mite pool was positive for Rickettsia spp., and no sample was positive for C. burnetii, Leptospira spp., and Y. pestis by PCR. A total of 43 (38%) bacterial isolates were identified as multidrug resistant (MDR), whereas A. salmonicida (n?=?1) did not show resistance to any tested antimicrobials. Over 50% of bacterial MDR isolates were resistant to ampicillin, cefalotin, doxycycline, nitrofurantoin, and tetracycline. The presence of MDR pathogens was not correlated with rodent species or the location of rodent trapping. Seven (11.86%) E. coli and 2 (22.2%) K. pneumoniae were extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) producers. These findings suggest that rodents can be a source of opportunistic bacteria for human and animal transmission in Qatar. Further studies are needed for the molecular characterization of the identified bacteria in this study.

     

Nutritional evaluation of organically grown fodders in lactating Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

A study was undertaken to evaluate the nutritional response of organically grown diets in buffaloes on nutrients utilization and nutrient efficiency for milk production. For this, ten milch Murrah buffaloes of average body weight (490.72?±?6.65 kg), milk yield (8.13?±?0.33 kg), and lactation stage (85?±?5.28 days) were distributed in inorganic (InDg₎ and organic dietary groups (OrDg) with five animals in each. Buffaloes of InDg and OgDg were fed sorghum hay–berseem fodder-concentrate mixture-based diets grown inorganically and organically, respectively. After 60 days of feeding, a digestion cum metabolism trial was conducted to assess feed intake, nutrient utilization, and N balance, while milk yield and composition were recorded fortnightly. DM, CP, digestible crude protein (DCP), and metabolizable energy (ME) intake (g/Kg w^0.75) were similar in animals of InDg and OrDg. NDF, ADF, and hemicellulose digestibility were (P?<?0.05) higher in animals on OrDg (59.20, 51.55, and 62.67) than InDg diet (54.57, 43.72, and 56.61 %), respectively. Urinary n loss (g/day) was (P?<?0.05) lower in OrDg (67.23) than in InDg (83.55); however, milk N was comparable in animals of both dietary groups (47.36 vs 45.82 g/day). Nitrogen balance was higher in animals of OrDg (39.72) than in InDg (28.08). DCP, TDN, and ME values of both diets were similar. No effect of diet was observed on milk yield and its composition; however, increased lactation length decreased milk yield. Buffaloes on both diets had similar efficiency and conversion ratio of nutrients for milk production. Results revealed that diets (organically vs. inorganically grown) have no effect on milk yield and its composition; however, buffaloes on organic diet have higher fiber digestibility and low urinary N loss which did not affect the dietary nutrients efficiency and conversion ratio for milk production.     

基于CSCD数据库论文产出情况分析——以新疆农业大学为例

文章采用文献计量学方法,以《中国科学引文数据库(CSCD)》为信息源,对其从2011年到2015年收录的新疆农业大学师生的相关记录,从年度发文量、机构分布、来源出版物、学科分类、作者等方面进行了全面的统计分析,以客观全面地反映新疆农业大学CSCD论文产出情况,为科技决策和管理部门制定科技发展规划提供决策依据。     

Control of brucellosis in Kuwait by vaccination of cattle,sheep and goats withBrucella abortus strain 19 orBrucella melitensis strain Rev. 1

Summary In Kuwait, approximately 12,000 diary cows were vaccinated with a reduced dose of 3×10⁹ Brucella abortus strain 19 and approximately 350,000 sexually mature sheep and goats with a reduced dose of 10⁷B.melitensis strain Rev. 1. Using the criteria of prevaccinal and postvaccinal incidences of antibodies, abortions, and human cases of brucellosis, the programme was very successful. Widespread vaccination of adult animals is the most effective method of controlling brucellosis among cattle, sheep and goats in many countries.

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Resumen En Kuwait, se vacunaron aproximadament 12,000 vacas lecheras con una dosis reducida de 3×10⁹ organismos deBrucella abortus cepa 19 y approximadament 350,000 ovejas y cabras sexualmente maduras fueron vacunadas con una dosis reducida de 10⁷ organismos deB. melitensis opa Rev. 1. Utilizando los criterios prevacunales de incidencia de anticuerpos, abortos, y casos humanos de brucelosis, el programa fuvo gran exito. Ef método mas efectivo de control de la brucelosis bovina, ovina y caprina an numerosas paises es la amplia utilización de vacuna en animales adultos.

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Résumé Au Kuwait, environ 12,000 vaches laitiěres ont été vaccinées avec une dose réduite de souche 19Brucella abortus (3×10⁹) et environ 350,000 moutons et chevres qui étaient matures sexuellement, one été vaccinés avec une dose réduite de soucheB. melitensis Rev. 1 (10⁷). Basé sur la présence d'anticorps, sur le nombre d'avortements et de cas de brucellose chez les humains avant et aprés vaccination, le programme a été un succěs. La méthode la plus effective pour contr?ler la brucellose chez les bovins, les ovins et les caprins dans beaucoup de pays et de vacciner sans exception tous les animaux adultes.

     

Assessment of diversity in Podophyllum hexandrum by genetic and phytochemical markers

For successful conservation and domestication of a species, evaluation of its genetic diversity by different markers is important. Morphological characteristics, phytochemical variation and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles were generated in different accessions of Podophyllum hexandrum in order to determine the genetic diversity. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis revealed a high degree of genetic diversity among the accessions used in the study. There was also high diversity in the concentration of marker compounds in the collected samples as revealed by HPLC analysis. It is shown that the approaches used in the work successfully discriminate between the accessions of this species and thus they constitute interesting tools to analyze molecular, biochemical and phenotypic diversity within this species. Similarity measurement using UPGMA followed by cluster analysis resulted in formation of many groups based on geographical distribution that generally reflected expected trends between the genotypes. There were also some important exceptions like PW-S, an accession from Wastoorwan, Khrew showing close resemblance to PG-S and PG-B collected from Gulmarg but grown at two different gene banks at Srinagar and Bonera. Further an accession PSH-B from Keller was significantly diverse from the rest of the native genotypes phytochemically, morphologically and at molecular level. RAPD data analysis was found to be significant predictor of phytochemical markers in cultivated P. hexandrum germplasm. Twelve accessions grown in gene bank repository were subjected to RAPD analysis and were assessed for content of podophyllotoxin and podophyllotoxin β-d-glycoside by HPLC. Individual regressions of podophyllotoxin and podophyllotoxin β-d-glycoside by RAPD analysis against HPLC has been found to determine linear values. Strong correlation and a strong association of values of the phytochemical variables and the DNA polymorphism data has been recorded.     

拟南芥花组织高表达TCP家族转录因子At1g30210的克隆与转录激活活性鉴定

本文从拟南芥中克隆到基因At1g30210的全长读码框。多序列比对结果表明,在推导的氨基酸水平上,该基因编码的蛋白含有特征性的TCP保守结构域,与已知的玉米、金鱼草和水稻的TCP家族基因中都存在显著性的保守性。另外通过酵母单杂交实验证明该基因编码的蛋白在酵母体内具有转录激活功能。同时RT-PCR实验结果表明,该基因在拟南芥花组织中表达量相对较高,具有明显的组织表达特异性。花器官高表达转录因子的克隆将为研究TCP基因调控植物花发育和花形态建成提供新的物质基础。     

Seasonal Changes in Arsenic Concentrations and Hydrogeochemistry of Canadian Creek, Ballarat (Victoria, Australia)

A 10-month study of surface waters in Canadian Creek (Ballarat, Victoria, Australia) showed the significant influence of historic gold mining waste material. The investigation focussed on the hydrogeochemistry of the surface waters and soils in order to: (1) document the levels and seasonal trends in major, minor and trace elements in the creek, (2) identify the process by which As is released from the soil/waste mining material to surface waters. For most dissolved major and trace elements (Na, Ca, Mg, K, and As) in surface waters, the concentrations decreased with the increasing rainfall and flow conditions except for Al and Fe. Two sites selected along the creek (< 1 km apart) allowed evaluation of the possibility that mining waste material is contributing to the elevated As concentrations (up to 145 μg/l) in downstream surface water. Arsenic concentration varied more than 28 fold seasonally and was highest in autumn and lowest in spring. Elevated concentrations of As (up to 1946 mg/kg) at the downstream site indicated the presence of a source of As concentration in both surface and subsurface soils. Oxidation of arsenic sulphides under aerobic conditions with redox fluctuations (7 to 201 mV) could cause elevated As levels in the creek. Significant statistical correlations among the major cations (Ca, Na and Mg) point to a common source(s) resulting in neutral to slightly alkaline (pH ～ 6.5 to 7.8) surface water. Fe and Al secondary phases under oxidising conditions are a significant controlling mechanism for the mobilization of As in highly contaminated soils (> 1500 mg/kg) in the study area. The large As adsorption capacity of Fe and Al could be limiting extreme mobilization into the water. Rainfall with relatively low pH is possibly causing mobilisation of Al, Fe and As from highly alkaline soils (pH ≈ 9.0) into the nearby creek.