Simple methods for measurement of bovine mucosal antibody responses in vivo

The mucosal immune response serves as the first line of defence against many bacterial and viral diseases. Therefore, measurement of mucosal immune responses is important in evaluating mucosal immunisation protocols and understanding initial host/pathogen interactions. In this study we compare two methods for repeated sampling of bovine rectal mucosal secretions, namely rectal swabbing and rectal biopsies, and evaluate a simple swabbing method for sampling bovine nasal secretions. Both rectal swabs and rectal biopsies yielded similar quantities of total IgA (TIgA)/ml. However, rectal biopsies yielded five times more total IgG (TIgG)/ml than rectal swabs. Blood contamination was estimated to contribute approximately 7% of TIgG and <0.05% TIgA in rectal swab samples compared to 40% of TIgG and 4.5% of TIgA in rectal biopsy samples, indicating that rectal swabbing was more effective at sampling rectal mucosal secretions. Nasal swabs were effective at obtaining nasal secretion samples with only 1% of TIgG and <0.05% TIgA estimated to be blood derived. Furthermore, H7 flagellin-specific antibodies were detected in both nasal and rectal swab samples following either rectal immunisation with purified H7 flagellin or oral challenge with live E. coli O157:H7, indicating that both techniques are effective methods for monitoring mucosal antibody responses in cattle.     

福氏志贺菌基因mdoD对细菌生长、耐热击及酸碱能力的影响

本试验以福氏志贺菌和印护突变体（敲除基因,mdoD的福氏志贺菌）为出发菌株,研究了福氏志贺菌基因叩护在低渗和正常渗透压条件下,在标准培养基和洗菜水中对细菌生长、耐热击及耐酸碱能力的影响。试验结果表明：在标准培养基中,opgD突变体生长效率比福氏志贺菌低,提高渗透压后突变体与福氏志贺菌生长曲线相似;在不同的洗菜水中,opgD突变体生长曲线不同,其生长速率明显比福氏志贺菌慢,加盐提高渗透压之后,福氏志贺菌和opgD突变体对数生长期均提前;福氏志贺菌和opgD突变体的抗性试验结果表明：opgD突变体抗热击的能力比福氏志贺菌显著降低,而opgD突变体的耐碱能力却比福氏志贺菌更强。     

Effect of feeding complete feed block containing rumen protected protein,non‐protein nitrogen and rumen protected fat on improving body condition and carcass traits of cull ewes

Nutrient utilization, body condition and carcass traits of cull ewes were studied in three dietary regimens based on complete feed block (CFB) feeding to control (C) with rumen protected protein (RPP), CU [RPP + urea (6 g/kg)] and CUF [RPP + urea + rumen protected fat (RPF; 40 g/kg)]. The RPP component (g/kg) in C had 1% formaldehyde‐treated soy flakes 50, mustard cake 50 and sesame cake 30. The mustard and sesame cakes were replaced with urea on equivalent N basis in CU and CUF. The ewes were offered ad libitum CFB composed (g/kg) of concentrate 650, roughage 300 and molasses 50. The digestibility of OM and EE was higher (p < 0.05) in CUF than in CU and C, while that of NDF and ADF was lower (p < 0.05). The CP digestibility was higher in both CU and CUF. Utilization of N and Ca was higher (p < 0.05) in CUF compared with C and CU. Urinary purine derivatives analysis and microbial N synthesis were similar in all the groups. Blood glucose concentration improved at 90 day compared with 0 day. Ruminal attributes showed a higher (p < 0.05) pH, total N, TCA precipitable N, entodiniomorphs and total ciliate population in CU and CUF than in the control. The CUF had higher (p < 0.01) DM, digestible OM and ME intake, which resulted in higher (p < 0.05) weight gain and better feed efficiency. Ewes in all the groups showed an improvement in carcass traits at 90 day. The pre‐slaughter weight was higher (p < 0.05) and dissected and KOH bone content was lower in CUF. Thus, feeding of CFB with urea as a cheaper N source and RPF to enrich with energy supported the improved performance as evidenced from higher nutrient input, ‘utilization and efficiency with enhanced carcass traits’ for better marketability and returns from cull ewes.     

“Tum-thang” (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Crotalaria tetragona</Emphasis> Roxb. ex Andr.): a little known wild edible species in the north-eastern hill region of India

Crotalaria tetragona Roxb. ex Andr., locally known as “Tum-thang” was collected from Mizoram state of north-eastern hill region of India during 2008. Its flowers were being sold by the tribal communities in local markets. The buds and flowers are cooked as vegetables and used in garnishing of local food preparations especially in non-vegetarian recipes. This species is reported here as little known Edible type in Indian region and may be considered as a multi-purpose species with potential. Edible uses of some of the Crotalaria species in different regions of world have also been included in the present communication.     

Functionalizing gold nanoparticles with bluetongue virus multiple peptide antigens utilizing gold-thiol interaction: A novel approach to develop pen side test

Bluetongue is an economically important viral disease of small ruminants. The present/current diagnostic kits and methods to diagnose BTV are laborious, time consuming and expensive. In the present study, we have attempted to develop a novel approach to detect BTV antibodies in sera that in future can be harnessed for developing a pen side diagnostic test. Briefly, we identified the immunodominant regions of the VP7 protein of BTV and synthesized them in the multiple antigenic peptide (MAP) format with cysteine at C-terminal of the lysine mosaic, which elicited highly ordered conformation as well as ELISA reactivity. Finally, we coated the MAP peptides on the gold nanoparticles that can be used to detect BTV specific antibodies in the sera using a spot test.     

Nutritional applications and beneficial health applications of green tea and l-theanine in some animal species: A review

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) is a popular herbal plant with abundant health benefits, and thus, it has been used as a potent antioxidant for a long time. Based on the available literature, the diversity and the availability of multifunctional compounds in green tea offer its noteworthy potential against many diseases such as liver and heart diseases, inflammatory conditions and different metabolic syndromes. Owing to its bioactive constituents including caffeine, amino acids, l -theanine, polyphenols/flavonoids and carbohydrates among other potent molecules, green tea has many pharmacological and physiological effects. The effects of green tea include anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-stress, hypolipidaemic, hypocholesterolaemic, skin/collagen protective, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anti-infective, anti-parasitic, anti-cancerous, inhibition of tumorigenesis and angiogenesis, anti-mutagenic, and memory and bone health-improving activities. Apart from its utilization in humans, green tea has also played a significant role in livestock production such as in dairy, piggery, goatry and poultry industries. Supplementation of animal feeds with green tea and its products is in line with the modern concepts of organic livestock production. Hence, incorporating green tea or green tea by-products into the diet of poultry and other livestock can enhance the value of the products obtained from these animals. Herein, an effort is made to extend the knowledge on the importance and useful applications of green tea and its important constituents in animal production including poultry. This review will be a guideline for researchers and entrepreneurs who want to explore the utilization of feeds supplemented with green tea and green tea by-products for the enhancement of livestock production.     

Rheology and microscopic topology of entangled polymeric liquids

The viscoelastic properties of high molecular weight polymeric liquids are dominated by topological constraints on a molecular scale. In a manner similar to that of entangled ropes, polymer chains can slide past but not through each other. Tube models of polymer dynamics and rheology are based on the idea that entanglements confine a chain to small fluctuations around a primitive path that follows the coarse-grained chain contour. Here we provide a microscopic foundation for these highly successful phenomenological models. We analyze the topological state of polymeric liquids in terms of primitive paths and obtain parameter-free, quantitative predictions for the plateau modulus, which agree with experiment for all major classes of synthetic polymers.