A rare case of globosus amorphus in a goat

We present a case of globosus amorphus delivered from a goat and subjected to radiography and histological examination. Radiography revealed a lack of development of any organ system; histological sections showed evidence of lymphoid aggregations, mononuclear infiltrations, blood capillaries, and dense fibroblasts.     

Assessment of suitability of two serotype A candidate vaccine strains for inclusion in FMD vaccine in India

The recent type A foot and mouth disease virus field isolates recovered in India are shown to be antigenically quite divergent from the in-use vaccine strain (IND 17/82), warranting the selection of a suitable vaccine strain which can cover this diversity in antigenic spectrum. In earlier studies employing neutralization test with anti-146S rabbit sera raised against eight candidate vaccine strains, IND 81/00 and IND 40/00 belonging to genotype VII were found to offer the best antigenic coverage. In order to assess the credibility of IND 81/00 and IND 40/00 as vaccine strains, 17 recent isolates received during 2005-2006 and representative isolates from older genotypes were subjected to two-dimensional micro-neutralization assay using bovine convalescent serum (against IND 81/00 and IND 40/00) and bovine vaccinate serum (against IND 40/00). From the results it is evident that both the isolates IND 81/00 (antigenic relationship 'r-value' >0.40 with 86% of isolates) and IND 40/00 ('r-value' >0.40 with 78% of isolates) show nearly equal antigenic relatedness with the recent field viruses and hence both of these are effective vaccine candidates in present context. Though very limited in its extent, these useful data obtained with antisera raised in homologous host system are logical extension of the on going quest for the appropriate vaccine strain and circumvents species disparities in the immune recognition of epitopes.     

Methods to improve the hatchability of checked chicken eggs

1. The hatchability of checked Leghorn and broiler parent hatching eggs was significantly improved by shell treatment: smearing with synthetic adhesive resin (Fevicol), or pasting cellophane tape or insulation tape over the checked portion of the shell. 2. Shell damage reduced hatchability by increasing evaporative loss, leading to embryonic dehydration. 3. Relative chick weight, expressed as a percentage of egg weight was lower in untreated checked eggs but comparable between intact and shell-treated hatching eggs. 4. The cost of chick production can be reduced by shell treatment of checked hatching eggs, especially in broiler parent eggs.     

Influence of age,sex and rearing systems on Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) expression pattern in gut,lung and lymphoid tissues of indigenous ducks

1. The objective of the experiment was to determine the influence of age, sex and rearing system on Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) gene expression in gut, lung and lymphoid tissues and physiological responses to stress in male and female indigenous ducks of Tamil Nadu, India.

2. A total of 36 ducks (12 males and 24 females) were obtained from local farmers and tissue samples of gut tissues (duodenum, jejunum, ileum and caecum), lymphoid organs (spleen and bursa) and lungs were collected in RNAlater solution followed by RNA extraction.

3. After normalisation to β-actin (endogenous control) qPCR analysis identified a significant effect of age, sex and rearing system on TLR7 expression in the ducks.

4. A significant up-regulation of TLR7 expression was observed in lungs, duodenum, jejunum, ileum and caecum of sexually mature (45 wk) compared with that of immature ducks (16 wk). Among sexes, male ducks had significantly higher TLR7 expression than female ducks.

5. Age and sex interactions were significant in lungs, duodenum, jejunum and caecum. Ducks reared in an extensive housing system showed significantly higher TLR7 expression in bursa, lungs, duodenum, ileum and caecum compared to intensively reared ducks. There were no effects of age, sex and rearing systems on TLR7 expression in the spleen.

6. The heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and serum corticosterone were higher in ducks reared on an intensive system compared with ducks from an extensive rearing system.     

Phytoremediation of Mixed Soil Contaminants

Tests were conducted to study the influence of non-ionic surfactants Triton X-100 and Tween 80 on the removal of mixed contaminants from a sandy soil using phytoremediation. Cd(II) and Pb(II) were used to form the inorganic contaminant, while used engine oil was selected to form the organic contaminant. The Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) plant was the plant chosen for phytoremediation of the sandy soil that contained the mixed contaminant. Thirty days after the plants were grown in the greenhouse, surfactants were applied to test pots in which the soil had been spiked with 50 mg kg⁻¹ of CdCl₂, 500 mg kg⁻¹ of PbCl₂ and 500 mg kg⁻¹ of used engine oil. Two control tests were conducted in this study. Planted and unplanted control tests were conducted using soil without surfactants. Following these tests, the tests were completed using the plants and surfactants at different concentrations. Test results showed that Triton X-100 and Tween 80 at concentrations higher than their critical micellar concentration enhanced Cd(II) and Pb(II) accumulation in the plant roots. Further, test data showed that translocation of contaminants to plant shoots occurred for Cd(II) but not for Pb(II). At the same concentrations, Tween 80 was more effective than Triton X-100 in facilitating rhizodegradation of used engine oil. This study demonstrates that simultaneous phytoremediation of Pb(II), Cd(II) and oil can be enhanced by using non-ionic surfactant Tween 80. Leaching test results indicated that the enhanced phytoremediation could remove the mixed contaminants safely from the point of view of limiting groundwater contamination.     

Surfactant-Enhanced Removal of Cu (II) and Zn (II) from a Contaminated Sandy Soil

Batch tests were conducted to know the effectiveness of using surfactants only and surfactants with a complexing agent to remove Cu (II) and Zn (II) from an artificially contaminated sandy soil. SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate), AOT (alpha-olefin sulfonate) and Tx-100 (Triton X-100) were the surfactants selected as the washing liquids. Complexing agent EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) was also selected for washing the soil. To avoid external factors from interfering with the cleaning process, artificial soil formed by a mixture of clean sand and bentonite was used to form contaminated soil samples. The amount of organic matter present was insignificant. Compared to extraction by distilled water, tests indicated that a six-fold increase in copper extraction occurred due to the presence of surfactants and/or the complexing agent EDTA. Compared to extraction by distilled water, zinc extraction by surfactants and or the complexing agent EDTA was nearly 1.2 to 1.3 times more. Effects of competition as well as interference associated with the adsorption and desorption of these metals are also very briefly reported.     

Evaluation of a fusion gene-based DNA prime-protein boost vaccination strategy against Newcastle disease virus

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The low potency of genetic immunization has to date impeded development of commercial vaccines against major infectious diseases. The aim of this study was...     

Influence of Aluminum on Mineral Nutrition of the Ectomycorrhizal Fungi Pisolithus sp. and Cantharellus cibarius

The influence of aluminum on the growth and mineral nutrition oftwo ectomycorrhizal fungi, Cantharellus cibarius and Pisolithus sp. was studied in vitro. The mycelial biomass of both fungi decreased as the concentration ofAl increased in the culture medium but C. cibarius wasmore resistant than Pisolithus sp. This growth inhibition was associated with impaired mineral nutrition. Increasing exogenous Al concentration causes Al accumulation in Pisolithus sp., up to 40 mg g^-1 dry weight. Aluminum accumulation was much less with C. cibarius.Exogenous Al concentration only poorly affected Ca, Mg, K and P level in Pisolithus sp. whereas C. cibarius accumulated these elements in response to exogenously supplied Al.The acid phosphatase activity of hyphae increased in the presenceof Al in both fungi suggesting a role of these enzymes in Al detoxification. These results are discussed by reference to the possible use of ectomycorrhizal fungi to improve host plant resistance to Al toxicity.     

Surfactant Enhanced Mobilization of Mineral Oil within Porous Media

The remediation of non-aqueous phase liquids(NAPL) using conventional aquifer treatment technologies islimited by the low solubility of NAPL. Surfactants can promotethe enhanced removal of NAPL through mobilization, a mechanismthat relies on the reduction of interfacial tension (IFT) at theflushing solution / NAPL interface. The conditions governingmobilization can be represented by the total trapping number(N_T), a dimensionless quantity relating viscous and buoyancyforces to the capillary forces trapping the NAPL residual. Column studies were conducted with dilute Triton X-100 solutionsdelivered through Ottawa sand spiked with light white mineraloil. At the higher flow rate, the surfactant solutions yieldedN_T values greater than the critical N_T necessary toinitiate mobilization, thereby promoting greater NAPL recovery asIFT dropped. While the critical N_T was not surpassed at thelower flow rate, variations in mineral oil recovery duringflushing clearly indicate a surfactant effect. The surfactant-induced enhancement and retardation of NAPL removal at the lowerflow rate both highlight the limitations of the N_T approach. For systems where free product NAPL is present, the totaltrapping number approach requires further refinement to defineits applicability as an indicator for NAPL mobilization.