Detection and molecular characterization of naturally transmitted sheep associated malignant catarrhal fever in cattle in India

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is a fatal herpesvirus infection of domestic and wild ruminants, with a short and dramatic clinical course characterized primarily by high fever, severe depression, swollen lymph nodes, salivation, diarrhea, dermatitis, neurological disorders, and ocular lesions often leading to blindness. In the present study, fatal clinical cases of sheep associated malignant catarrhal fever (SA-MCF) were identified in cattle in the state of Karnataka. These cases were initially presented with symptoms of diarrhea, respiratory distress, conjunctivitis, and nasal discharges. Laboratory diagnosis confirmed the detection of ovine herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2) genome in the peripheral blood samples of two ailing animals. The blood samples collected subsequently from sheep of the neighboring areas also showed presence of OvHV-2 genome indicating a nidus of infection in the region. The positive test results were further confirmed by nucleotide sequencing of the OIE approved portion of tegument gene as well as complete ORF8 region of the OvHV-2 genome. Phylogenetic analysis based on the sequence of the latter region indicated close genetic relationship with other OvHV-2 reported elsewhere in the world.     

Effect of Incorporation of Additives in Tris‐Based Egg Yolk Extender on Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Sperm Tyrosine Phosphorylation During Cryopreservation

Phosphorylation of tyrosine residues on sperm protein is a known indicator of capacitation and a major intracellular signalling event. There is evidence that sperm cryopreservation promotes tyrosine phosphorylation and is associated with reduced fertility of spermatozoa. Under this study, cryoprotective role of different additives namely taurine, trehalose, catalase and 4‐bromophenacyl bromide on buffalo sperm quality was evaluated. Buffalo semen was cryopreserved in tris‐based egg yolk extender supplemented with additives like taurine (50 mm ) or trehalose (100 mm ) or 4‐bromophenacyl bromide (200 μm ) or catalase (100 U/ml) and used for assessment of levels of tyrosine phosphorylation in frozen‐thawed spermatozoa. The results obtained were compared with the level of protein tyrosine phosphorylation of semen cryopreserved in tris‐based egg yolk extender without additives. Proteins were extracted from a total number of nine ejaculates from three individual buffalo bulls chosen at random and analysed for tyrosine phospho‐proteins using SDS–PAGE followed by immunoblotting. Monoclonal anti‐phosphotyrosine antibody (Clone pT‐154) was used as primary antibody followed by treatment with HRP‐conjugated secondary antibody. Signals were detected on X‐ray film using chemiluminescence. Nine proteins (p20, p30, p32, p38, p49, p56, p59, p72 and p86) were found to be tyrosine phosphorylated in cryopreserved spermatozoa. Supplementation of additives significantly (p<0.05) reduced the level of protein tyrosine phosphorylation in spermatozoa. Moreover, this study showed improved (p<0.05) post‐thaw motility, viability and membrane integrity of spermatozoa on addition of these additives. The results obtained clearly indicate reduced level of capacitation like changes on supplementation of additives in terms of protein tyrosine phosphorylation.     

Larval and pupal toxicity effects of Plectranthus amboinicus, Bacillus sphaericus and predatory copepods for the control of the dengue vector, Aedes aegypti

The efficacy of copepod Mesocyclops aspericornis (Daday) combined with the larvicide Bacillus sphaericus (Bs) and a plant extract of Plectranthus amboinicus leaf abstract (PALE), used jointly and singly, was studied against Aedes aegypti in the laboratory. P. amboinicus leaf extract of 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 ppm caused significant mortality against Ae. aegypti larvae. The LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values for I to IV instars larvae and pupae were 26.12, 35.36, 45.76, 52.32 and 63.82 ppm, respectively. The LC₉₀ values for I to IV instars larvae and pupae were 82.53, 92.65, 108.06, 119.47 and 131.71 ppm, respectively. Under laboratory conditions, copepods treatment produced 7.9% predatory efficiency against 1st instar larvae of Ae. aegypti, at a copepod:larvae ratio of 1:10. When copepod treatment was combined with PALE this was increased to 8.7. The treatment of copepods combined with Bs and PALE yielded a better and more sustainable result (9.6%) than the agents used individually. This predation efficiency may be caused by detrimental effects of the P. amboinicus active principle compound (carvacrol) on the mosquito larvae. Our results suggest that the combined application of microbial insecticide (Bs), copepods and P. amboinicus leaf extract may be used to control Aedes populations.     

Biosorption kinetics of Cu (II) ions removal from aqueous solution using bacteria

The present study highlights the effective removal of Cu (II) ions from synthetic solution using bacteria such as B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa and E. cloacae. Batch biosorption studies show that the biosorption of B. subtilis is effective when the concentration ranges from 25-200 mg L(-1). Biomass dosage, pH and the initial metal ion concentration have a profound effect on the biosorption process and this is reported in this study. In order to understand the nature of the biosorption process, Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied. Pseudo first and second order models were used to study the biosorption kinetics. The results show that these bacterial strains are very much suitable for the removal of Cu (II) ions. Being cost effective and efficient in toxic metal ion removal, these bacteria can be used on a large scale.     

Replacement of de‐oiled rice bran by soaked and fermented sweet potato leaf meal: Effect on growth performance,body composition and expression of insulin‐like growth factor 1 in Labeo rohita (Hamilton), fingerlings

A 60‐day feeding trial was conducted to determine the growth performance and expression of insulin‐like growth factor 1 gene (IGF‐I gene) in Labeo rohita fingerlings fed with either raw, soaked or fermented sweet potato leaf meal (SPLM) by completely replacing de‐oiled rice bran (DORB), following a completely randomized design. Seven isonitrogenous (30%) and isocaloric (1.8 MJ/100 g) diets were prepared by replacing DORB with 50% and 100% raw, soaked and fermented sweet potato leaf meal, maintaining DORB‐containing diets as a control. Weight gain %, SGR (specific growth rate) and PER (protein efficiency ratio) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher when 100% DORB was replaced by fermented SPLM in comparison to other treatment groups. The fermented and soaked SPLM‐fed groups had registered with lower FCR value. The expression of growth regulating gene IGF‐I mRNA and RNA/DNA ratio was found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) in soaked and fermented SPLM‐fed groups. In this study, the body protein and lipid composition did not vary significantly (p > 0.05). Hence, the study concludes that the fermented sweet potato leaf meal using Chaetomium globosum can replace 100% DORB in the diet of Labeo rohita without any detrimental effect on growth performance.     

Simulating coconut growth, development and yield with the InfoCrop-coconut model

Simulation modeling of perennial crops has immense potential for generating information for plantation managers. We report the development of the InfoCrop-coconut model and its application to coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) growing in diverse tropical and subtropical environments. The model is based on the generic crop model InfoCrop that simulates various annual crops in tropical and subtropical regions. The InfoCrop-coconut model was calibrated and validated with data compiled from published studies comprising many physiological, agronomical and nutritional experiments conducted between 1978 and 2005 in diverse geographic locations throughout India. The treatments included various water and nutrient regimes and varieties of coconut. Time to first flowering varied between 4 and 6 years, leaf production varied from 8 to 15 leaves year(-1) and nut yield ranged from 3000 to 27,000 nuts ha(-1) year(-1). The genetic coefficients used for calibration and validation were generated from field experiments conducted during 1995-2005. Model efficiency and validation performance were analyzed statistically. Simulated trends in phenological development, total dry mass and its partitioning, and nut yield agreed closely with observed values, although a 15% error was observed in a few cases. Considering that field measurements have an experimental error of 10-15% and wide variation existed within treatments, the model adequately simulated the effects of management practices and agro-climatic conditions over short periods. For a range of agro-climatic zones, simulated potential yields varied from 26 to 30 Mg ha(-1) year(-1) and potential annual dry mass production varied from 52 to 62 Mg ha(-1), depending on environment. We conclude that InfoCrop-coconut can be used to increase the efficiency of agronomic experiments designed to aid coconut crop management.