Fecal carriage of multi-drug resistant and extended spectrum β-lactamases producing E. coli in household pigeons,Bangladesh

Antibiotic resistance and ESBL constitute a risk to human and animal health. Birds residing close to humans could mirror the spectrum of human associated antibiotic resistance. Household pigeons were screened in Bangladesh to shed light on human associated, as well as, environmental antibiotic resistance. Escherichia coli from pigeons (n = 150) were tested against 11 antibiotics. 89% E. coli isolates were resistant to one or more critically important human antibiotics like ampicillin, cefadroxil, mecillinam, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and tigecycline. No carbapenamase-producers were detected and the lower ESBL prevalence (5%) in pigeons. ESBL-producing E. coli isolates had bla_CTX-M-15 genes. Pigeons shared some bacterial clones and had bird associated sequence types like E. coli ST1408. Fecal carriage of bacteria resistance of critically important human antibiotics, together with examples of shared genotypes among pigeons, indicate the human-birds and bird to bird transmissions are important in the epidemiology of antibiotic resistance.     

Quantifying the effect of inbreeding on average daily gain and Kleiber ratio in Mazandaran native chickens

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The aims of this study was to evaluate inbreeding effects for growth rate (average daily gain from hatch to 8 weeks of age (ADG1–8), average...     

Effects of storage time and temperature on pH,specific gravity,and crystal formation in urine samples from dogs and cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine effects of storage temperature and time on pH and specific gravity of and number and size of crystals in urine samples from dogs and cats. DESIGN: Randomized complete block design. ANIMALS: 31 dogs and 8 cats. PROCEDURE: Aliquots of each urine sample were analyzed within 60 minutes of collection or after storage at room or refrigeration temperatures (20 vs 6 degrees C [68 vs 43 degrees F]) for 6 or 24 hours. RESULTS: Crystals formed in samples from 11 of 39 (28%) animals. Calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals formed in vitro in samples from 1 cat and 8 dogs. Magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) crystals formed in vitro in samples from 2 dogs. Compared with aliquots stored at room temperature, refrigeration increased the number and size of crystals that formed in vitro; however, the increase in number and size of MAP crystals in stored urine samples was not significant. Increased storage time and decreased storage temperature were associated with a significant increase in number of CaOx crystals formed. Greater numbers of crystals formed in urine aliquots stored for 24 hours than in aliquots stored for 6 hours. Storage time and temperature did not have a significant effect on pH or specific gravity. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Urine samples should be analyzed within 60 minutes of collection to minimize temperature- and time-dependent effects on in vitro crystal formation. Presence of crystals observed in stored samples should be validated by reevaluation of fresh urine.     

Ecological disturbances due to high cutback in the green infrastructure of Karachi: Analyses of public perception about associated health problems

This paper evaluates the changes to the green infrastructure of the megacity of Karachi, Pakistan, occurring during a period of rapid development, involving extensive loss of trees and green spaces since 2000, occurring as a consequence of road widening and improvements to the city's transport infrastructure, aggravated by a series of cyclones, involving further tree loss and which has led to numerous ecological problems in the city, assessing how the effect of the reduction of Karachi's green infrastructure has impacted both the reality and the perception of human health conditions. It uses medium-resolution satellite images classified for land use and land cover (LULC) data extraction and detailed field surveys to map the extent of change; structured questionnaires are used to identify the perception of selected, targeted groups regarding the state of Karachi's urban green infrastructure and perceived human health conditions. Findings indicate that the public perception of green space functionality or presence does not equate with the remote sensing and field mapping results, which show a dramatic loss. The need to develop a comprehensive urban greening strategy, which considers the needs and priorities of the population, is identified. The impact of such a strategy in terms of increased frequency of visits to green sites and associated increase in the physical activity of the people to improve overall physical health is discussed in relation to the general development of Karachi.     

Structural Effects of N-Arylcarbamoylpyrazolines on Calcium Uptake in Rat Brain Synaptosomes

N-Arylcarbamoylpyrazolines with various substituents at the para position of the carbamoyl benzene ring inhibited ATP-dependent Ca²⁺-uptake in synaptosomes prepared from the rat brain. The activity of these compounds was evaluated as log(1/I₅₀), the reciprocal logarithm of half inhibitory concentration, I₅₀ (m ), from the concentration–response curve for the inhibition of Ca²⁺-uptake. Among the compounds tested, methyl 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1-[N-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)carbamoyl]-2-pyrazoline-4-carboxylate was the most potent, the I₅₀ value of which as 9·12×10⁻⁷ m . Variations in the activity in terms of log(1/I₅₀) were quantitatively analysed using a substituent parameter, showing that the higher the electron-withdrawing effect of the substituent, the higher was the activity. The substituent effects were similar to those on insecticidal activity against the Americal cockroach. The higher the inhibitory activity against Ca²⁺ uptake, the higher seemed to be the insecticidal activity. Methyl(4S) - 3 - (4 - chlorophenyl) - 4 - methyl - 1 - [N - (4 - chlorophenyl)carbamoyl] - 2 - pyrazoline -4-carboxylate had higher inhibitory activity against Ca²⁺-uptake and higher in-secticidal activity than the R-isomer, but the difference was greater in theCa²⁺-uptake system.     

Proteome profiling of the compatible interaction between wheat and stripe rust

Over the last decade, comparative molecular profiling studies between compatible and incompatible plant-pathogen interactions have shown that susceptible response of the host to a pathogen requires factors that promote disease development. In this study, we examined proteome profiles during a compatible interaction between wheat and stripe rust. A 2D-LC system (ProteomeLab PF2D) was used for protein separation and to compare the proteome from infected and control samples. More than 700 protein peaks at each time point were compared between pathogen- and mock-inoculated samples. Selected proteins, with significant differences in abundance were identified by nanoLC-ESI- MS/MS and generated spectra were searched against the wheat protein databases from UniProt, and NCBI and the Puccinia database from The Broad Institute. In total, the identified proteins comprised of 62 % wheat and 38 % Pst proteins. All identified proteins were searched by bioinformatics-based algorithms to detect their subcellular localization and signal peptide motifs which have the potential to catch the candidate effector proteins. The wheat proteins were classified based on their function. Although a compatible interaction, many wheat proteins, such as antioxidants, PRs and cold-responsive proteins, are implicated in defense and stress tolerance. On the pathogen side, 64 proteins were identified, and included some important pathogenicity proteins that can play role in pathogen virulence and suppress the host defense. In addition, we discovered that nine proteins have a signal sequence and three of the hypothetical fungal proteins, PGTG_11681T0, PGTG_07231T0 and CBH50687.1, have been tentatively identified as candidate effectors.     

Contributions to the leafminer fauna (Diptera: Agromyzidae) from Turkey, with four new records

In a study carried out during 2002 and 2004 in Diyarbakıir and Mardin provinces, southeast Turkey, specimens were collected twice a month from cultivated and non-cultivated plants. Sixteen leafminer (Diptera: Agromyzidae) species were identified. Among them,Agromyza abiens Zetterstedt, 1848;Napomyza elegans (Meigen, 1830);Phytoliriomyza dorsata (Siebke, 1864); andPhytomyza aquilonia Frey, 1964 are new records for the Turkish leafminer http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 24, 2005.     

Anethole inhibits growth of recently emerged multidrug resistant toxigenic Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor variant strains in vitro

To search natural compounds having inhibitory effect on bacterial growth is important, particularly in view of growing multidrug resistant (MDR) strains of bacterial pathogens. Like other bacterial pathogens, MDR Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of diarrheal disease cholera, is becoming a great concern. As an approach of searching new antimicrobial agents, here, we show that anethole, a well-studied natural component of sweet fennel and star anise seeds, could potentially inhibit the growth of MDR O1 El Tor biotype, the ongoing 7th cholera pandemic variant strains of toxigenic V. cholerae. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of anethole against diverse O1 El Tor biotype strains is evaluated as 200 µg/ml. Moreover, the effect of anethole is bactericidal and exerts rapid-killing action on V. cholerae cells. This study is the first report which demonstrates that anethole, purified from natural compound, is a potent inhibitor of growth of toxigenic V. cholerae. Our data suggest that anethole could be a potential antimicrobial drug candidate, particularly against MDR V. cholerae mediated infections.     

Understanding the economic and farming practices driving species selection in aquaculture within the Mymensingh division of Bangladesh

Aquaculture is a major supplier of animal protein for Bangladesh’s population, and the Mymensingh division is a major contributor to finfish aquaculture, producing 43% of the total pond pangasius and 9% of the total amount of tilapia (figures from 2018). We conducted a finfish farmer survey covering Netrokona, Jamalpur and Mymensingh districts to understand current finfish farming practices and identify factors that drive farmers in their species choice between pangasius or tilapia cultivation. We found that most finfish farmers in Mymensingh are experienced practitioners and practise polyculture with a range of stocking densities for each species. Using an economic model of polyculture practice, we have shown that over a production cycle, pangasius gain body mass at a rate nearly 4 times greater than that for tilapia, resulting in substantially larger revenues and providing a strong incentive for their culture. High levels of tilapia aquaculture likely persist due to their short production cycle and an associated decreased economic risk due to crop loss from disease, both factors providing a strong incentive for their culture. Our findings also indicate production yield differences through different species selection in polyculture systems. For example, co-culturing pangasius, tilapia and carp together was less productive than co-culture of pangasius with tilapia. Furthermore, higher yields of tilapia were obtained when co-cultured with carp compared with pangasius, the reasons for which are not known and warrant further investigation. Our study uses information provided by finfish farmers to produce a useful guide on fish species choices to maximise production yields, and therefore food production, from their ponds.

     

Improved survival of rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton-Buchanan) and silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Valenciennes) fingerlings using low-dose quinaldine and benzocaine during transport

The effects of fingerlings immersion in low‐dose benzocaine (15 and 30 mg L⁻¹, silver carp and rohu) and quinaldine (100 μL L⁻¹ silver crap and 250 μL L⁻¹ rohu) for 1, 3 and 6 h on stress responses and survival of rohu, Labeo rohita and silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix fingerlings were evaluated in a transport simulation experiment. Both quinaldine and benzocaine showed low mortalities (0–2%). The total mortality in control (with no anaesthesia) was 30% for rohu and 14% for silver carp. Quinaldine and benzocaine‐treated fingerlings had significantly higher plasma chloride levels than the control in both species. Benzocaine, quinaldine, as well as the control, had an initial elevation of plasma cortisol levels. Benzocaine lost its effectiveness after 3 h exposure while quinaldine persisted throughout the 6 h experimental period. Both sedatives reduced bacterial build‐up compared with the control. No post‐exposure mortality was observed for any of the transport methods assessed 48 h after the treatment. This study suggests that the use of low‐dose benzocaine or quinaldine during transport has positive effect on the survival and health of rohu and silver carp fingerlings.