Effect of Spirulina fusiformis on cyclophosphamide and mitomycin-C induced genotoxicity and oxidative stress in mice

Spirulina fusiformis was tested for its possible in vivo protective effects against cyclophosphamide (CP) and mitomycin-C (MMC) induced genotoxicity and oxidative stress in mice. Pre-treatment with S. fusiformis (250, 500 and 1000 mg kg(-1), p.o., daily for 5 days) significantly reduced the chromosomal damage and lipid peroxidation with concomitant changes in antioxidants and detoxification systems. All the three tested doses were effective in exerting a protective effect against CP and MMC.     

Optimization of Farmyard Manure to Substitute Mineral Fertilizer for Sustainable Productivity and Higher Carbon Sequestration Potential and Profitability under Gardenpea-French Bean Cropping System in the Indian Himalayas

Carbon sequestration potential (CSP) and sustainability of gardenpea-french bean cropping system was assessed with farmyard manure (FYM) application vis-à-vis mineral fertilization as recommended NPK (NPK) and integrated nutrient management practices (INM) after six years’ cropping in Indian Himalayas. Application of 20 tons FYM ha^?1 provided highest CSP (0.527 Mg C ha^?1 year^?1) in soil and sustainability index. With the help of quadratic equations, it was estimated that maximum profit (optimum yield) and turn over of invested money could be achieved with application of 20.0 and 15.6 t FYM ha^?1, respectively. Application of 5.9 and 8.9 tons FYM ha^?1 would substitute NPK and INM, respectively. Pod number plant^?1 was the most important yield-contributing attribute as found from principal component analysis. Pod yield could be modelled through multiple linear equation with help of yield attributes.     

Effect of amount and source of supplemental dietary vegetable oil on broiler chickens exposed to aflatoxicosis

1. Addition of sunflower oil (SFO) at 30 or 60 g/kg or three vegetable oils, namely SFO, soybean (SBO) or groundnut (GNO), at 30 g/kg to isocaloric and isonitrogenous broiler chicken diets were evaluated for possible counteractive effects against aflatoxin (AF) (0.3 microg B1/g diet) from 0 to 42 d of age. 2. Body weight, food intake and serum concentration of protein were lower in the AF group than in the control, whereas in the SFO and SBO supplemented groups they were comparable with those of the control. Sunflower oil at both concentrations exerted similar effects on growth. Groundnut oil did not improve growth or food intake in AF-fed birds. 3. The serum concentration of cholesterol and triglycerides decreased with AF feeding and was increased by supplementation of any of the three oils both in the control and in AF-fed groups. 4. Liver and giblet weight and liver fat content were increased by AF; these effects were countered by dietary oil inclusion, except for liver weight at 60 g/kg SFO. Weights of pancreas and gall bladder were increased by AF. Oil supplementation reduced the weight of pancreas in chickens given AF. 5. Humoral immune response was depressed by AF and dietary oil supplementation (particularly SFO or SBO) countered this effect. Other variables, namely, serum gamma glutamyl transferase activity, bone mineralisation, weights of lymphoid organs, kidney and adrenals, ready-to-cook yields and fat content in muscle and skin showed little or no effect of dietary oil supplementation. 6. It is concluded that dietary inclusion of SFO or SBO at 30 g/kg may alleviate the adverse effects of 0.3 microg/g of AF B1 in commercial broiler chickens. Groundnut oil, although showing beneficial effects on some biochemical variables, failed to improve growth performance.     

Calcium phosphate coupled Newcastle disease vaccine elicits humoral and cell mediated immune responses in chickens

Calcium phosphate (CaP) particles were coupled with inactivated Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccine. The surface morphology of CaP particles coupled to NDV was found to be spherical, smooth and with a tendency to agglomerate. The mean (± SE) size of CaP particles was found 557.44 ± 18.62 nm. The mean percent encapsulation efficiency of CaP particles coupled to NDV assessed based on total protein content and haemagglutination (HA) activity in eluate was found to be 10.72 ± 0.89 and 12.50 ± 2.09, respectively. The humoral and cell mediated immune responses induced by CaP coupled NDV vaccine were assessed in comparison to a commercial live vaccine (RDV ‘F’). CaP coupled NDV vaccine elicited prolonged haemagglutination inhibition (HI) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) titres in the serum even at fourth and fifth week post-vaccination (PV), unlike RDV ‘F’ inoculated chickens whose titres declined to insignificant levels by this time. CaP coupled NDV vaccine could stimulate HI antibodies in tracheal washings and tears from second and first week PV, respectively. IgA ELISA antibodies were also seen in tracheal washings of these birds from third week PV and in tears from second week PV. CaP coupled NDV vaccine elicited cell mediated immune responses (CMI) from two to four weeks PV. The stimulation indices obtained after stimulation with specific antigen was not significantly different between CaP coupled antigen and live NDV virus except on first week PV. However, CaP coupled antigen did not cause suppression of lympo proliferation as indicated by statistically similar responses to mitogen, concanavalin A between the two groups. Overall, CaP coupled NDV vaccine elicited stronger and prolonged immune responses in comparison to the commercial live vaccine. No increase in the serum calcium and phosphorous levels were seen in CaP coupled NDV vaccine inoculated chickens.     

Molecular cloning and characterization of cDNA encoding CD11b of cattle

CD18, the common β subunit of β₂-integrins, associates with four distinct chains to give rise to four different β₂-integrins: CD11a/CD18 (LFA-1), CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1), CD11c/CD18 (CR4), and CD11d/CD18. Previously, we and others showed that CD18 of LFA-1 serves as a receptor for Mannheimia haemolytica leukotoxin (Lkt). Level of expression of Mac-1 is higher than that of LFA-1 and other β₂-integrins on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), which constitute the leukocyte subset most susceptible to Lkt. Hence, it is likely that CD18 of Mac-1 also mediates Lkt-induced cytolysis. Co-expression of CD11b and CD18 of cattle on Lkt-resistant cells is necessary to irrefutably demonstrate the role of Mac-1 in Lkt-induced cytolysis. This approach is hindered by lack of availability of complete sequence of cattle CD11b. Therefore, in this study, we cloned and sequenced the full length cDNA encoding cattle CD11b. The 3459 bp cDNA of cattle CD11b encodes a polypeptide of 1152 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of CD11b of cattle exhibits 75% identity to that of humans and chimpanzees, 74% identity to that of dogs, and 70% identity to that of mice and rats. Availability of cattle CD11b cDNA should facilitate the elucidation of Lkt-receptor interactions in cattle and other species.     

Developments in undergraduate teaching of small-animal soft-tissue surgical skills at the University of Sydney

This article discusses recent developments in soft-tissue surgery teaching at the University of Sydney, Faculty of Veterinary Science. An integrated teaching program was developed for Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) students with the aim of providing them with optimal learning opportunities to meet "Day One" small-animal soft-tissue surgical competencies. Didactic lectures and tutorials were introduced earlier into the curriculum to prepare students for live-animal surgery practical. In addition to existing clinics, additional spay/neuter clinics were established in collaboration with animal welfare organizations to increase student exposure to live-animal surgery. A silicon-based, life-like canine ovariohysterectomy model was developed with the assistance of a model-making and special effects company. The model features elastic ovarian pedicles and suspensory ligaments, which can be stretched and broken like those of an actual dog. To monitor the volume and type of student surgical experience, an E-portfolio resource was established. This resource allows for the tracking of numbers of live, student-performed desexing surgeries and incorporates competency-based assessments and reflective tasks to be completed by students. Student feedback on the integrated surgical soft-tissue teaching program was assessed. Respondents were assessed in the fourth year of the degree and will have further opportunities to develop Day One small-animal soft-tissue surgical competencies in the fifth year. Ninety-four percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they were motivated to participate in all aspects of the program, while 78% agreed or strongly agreed that they received an adequate opportunity to develop their skills and confidence in ovariohysterectomy or castration procedures through the fourth-year curriculum.