Response to dietary supplementation of L-glutamine and L-glutamate in broiler chickens reared at different stocking densities under hot, humid tropical conditions

A study was conducted to determine whether supplementing AminoGut (a commercial dietary supplement containing a mixture of l-glutamine and l-glutamic acid) to broiler chickens stocked at 2 different densities affected performance, physiological stress responses, foot pad dermatitis incidence, and intestinal morphology and microflora. A randomized design in a factorial arrangement with 4 diets [basal diet, basal diet + 0.5% AminoGut from d 1 to 21, basal diet + 0.5% AminoGut from d 1 to 42, and basal diet + virginiamycin (0.02%) for d 1 to 42] and 2 stocking densities [0.100 m(2)/bird (23 birds/pen; LD) or 0.067 m(2)/bird (35 birds/pen; HD)]. Results showed that villi length and crypt depth were not changed by different dietary treatments. However, birds in the HD group had smaller villi (P = 0.03) compared with those of the LD group. Regardless of diet, HD consistently increased the serum concentrations of ceruloplasmin, α-1 acid glycoprotein, ovotransferin, and corticosterone (P = 0.0007), and elevated heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (0.0005). Neither AminoGut supplementation nor stocking density affected cecal microflora counts. In conclusion, under the conditions of this study, dietary supplementation of AminoGut, irrespective of stocking density, had no beneficial effect on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and physiological adaptive responses of broiler chickens raised under hot and humid tropical conditions. However, AminoGut supplementation from d 1 to 42 was beneficial in reducing mortality rate. Also, the increased serum concentrations of a wide range of acute phase proteins together with elevated corticosterone and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio suggested that high stocking density induced an acute phase response either indirectly as a result of increased incidence of inflammatory diseases such as foot pad dermatitis or possibly as a direct physiological response to the stress of high stocking density.

Characterization of Stenotrophomonas acidaminiphila NCW-702 biofilm for implication in the degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

AIMS

Biofilm formation and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) degradation by a marine bacterium Stenotrophomonas acidaminihila NCW-702 was investigated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The biofilm structure was studied by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Both planktonic and biofilm cultures were used for PAHs (phenanthrene and pyrene) degradation. In 7 days, Sten. acidaminiphila biofilm culture efficiently degraded 71·1 ± 3·1% and 40·2 ± 2·4% of phenanthrene and pyrene, respectively, whereas 38·7 ± 2·5% of phenanthrene and 29·7 ± 1% of pyrene degradation was observed in planktonic culture. The presence of phenolic intermediates in the culture supernatant during degradation process was evaluated by Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. The average thickness and diffusion distance of Sten. acidaminiphila NCW-702 biofilm was found to be 23·94 ± 2·62 μm and 2·68 ± 0·7 μm, respectively. Bacterial biofilms have numerous metabolic features that aid in the degradation of hydrophobic organic pollutants.

CONCLUSIONS

Biofilm of Sten. acidaminiphila NCW-702 was able to degrade PAHs more efficiently as compared to planktonic cells. The findings support the efficacy of biofilms over planktonic culture in bioremediation applications.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The study provides a constructive application of bacterial biofilms for the bioremediation of hydrophobic organic contaminants. The biofilm mode remediation process has the advantage of reusability of bacterial biomass and is also a low cost process as compared to cell immobilization techniques.

Cytological evaluation of Apiaceae Lindl. from Western Himalayas

The present paper deals with cytological studies on 31 populations covering 17 species belonging to 10 genera of Apiaceae from Western Himalayas. The chromosome numbers in the two species as Chaerophyllum capnoides (n = 11) and Heracleum brunonis (n = 11), along with additional cytotypes for Pimpinella acuminata (n = 9) and Sium latijugum (n = 12) have been reported for the first time on world-wide basis. The genus Pleurospermum, although cytologically worked out earlier from outside India, its species densiflorum (n = 11) makes first representation of the genus from India. Besides, the chromosome number in Chaerophyllum aromaticum (n = 11) have been worked out for the first time from India. The course of meiosis varies from normal to abnormal in different populations of Chaerophyllum villosum, Pimpinella achilleifolia and Sium latijugum while abnormal meiotic course has been observed in all the studied populations of Chaerophyllum acuminatum, C. aromaticum, C. capnoides, Pimpinella acuminata, P. diversifolia, Pleurospermum densiflorum and Vicatia coniifolia. Such taxa are marked with meiotic abnormalities in the form of cytomixis, chromatin stickiness, formation of laggards and bridges resulting into abnormal microsporogenesis. The occurrence of structural heterozygosity has been recorded in the Chaerophyllum acuminatum and C. aromaticum. The effect of these abnormalities is clearly seen on the pollen size and fertility.

Anopheles subpictus B and its role in transmission of malaria in Odisha, India

Odisha state is highly endemic for malaria and among several Anopheline species found in the state, Anopheles subpictus is known to be one of the most prevalent species. An. subpictus complex consists of four sibling species i,e A,B,C and D. However, no work has been conducted on prevalence of sibling species of An. subpictus in Odisha. Hence attempt was made to study the prevalence of sibling species of An. subpictus and their role in transmission of malaria in four districts i,e Angul, Khurda, Cuttack and Puri of Odisha using Mitochondrial Gene, Cytochrome C Oxidase subunit I (COI) known as DNA barcode. The sibling species B of An. subpictus with sporozoite were reported for the first time in Odisha.

Thermal stability of kudzu root (Pueraria Radix) isoflavones as additives to beef patties

Kudzu root, Pueraria radix, extracts are a rich source of isoflavones. This study investigates the thermal stability of Pueraria radix extracts as a natural nutraceutical supplement in beef patties. The extract contained puerarin, diadzin, genistin, ononin, daidzein, glycitein, calycosin, genistein, formononetin and biochanin A; however, puerarin, daidzein and glycitein were the main components. The isoflavones concentrations in the spiked beef patties with kudzu root extracts were unaffected by cooking.

Cytomorphological studies in some members of tribe Paniceae (Poaceae) from district Kangra of Himachal Pradesh (Western Himalayas)

The present paper deals with cytological studies on the population basis of 21 species belonging to 9 genera of tribe Paniceae of family Poaceae from cytologically unexplored area of Western Himalayas i.e. district Kangra of Himachal Pradesh for the assessment of genetic diversity of grass flora. On world-wide basis, the chromosome counts have been made for the first time for three species such as Brachiaria remota (n = 16), Digitaria granularis (n = 36) and Isachne albens (n = 5). Similarly, on India basis, altogether new records are made for two species such as Echinochloa cruspavonis (n = 27) and Paspalum distichum (2n = 50). A comparison of the different euploid cytotypes studied at present for Digitaria adscendens, D. setigera and Oplismenus compositus revealed significant variations in their morphology, depicting increase in some of the characters of polyploid cytotypes. The course of meiosis has been observed to be normal in all the studied populations with high pollen fertility except for two species such as Paspalum dilatatum and P. distichum marked with abnormal meiosis and reduced pollen fertility.

Cytological studies of Brassicaceae burn. (Cruciferae juss.) from Western Himalayas

Cytological studies have been carried out on 12 species of Brassicaceae Burn. on population basis from different geographical areas of Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh in the Western Himalayas. Variable chromosome reports for Barbaraea intermedia (n = 16), Cardamine loxostemonoides (n = 8), Nasturtium officinale (n = 8), Sisymbrium orientale (n = 14) on world-wide basis have been added to the previous reports of these species. The chromosome numbers in seven species as Barbaraea intermedia (n = 8), B. vulgaris (n = 8), Capsella bursa-pastoris (n = 8), Descuriania sophia (n = 10), Rorippa islandica (n = 8), Sisymbrium strictum (n = 7) and Thlaspi alpestre (n = 7) have been worked out for the first time from India. The meiotic course in the populations of seven species such as Barbaraea intermedia, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Coronopus didymus, Descuriania sophia, Nasturtium officinale, Sisymbrium orientale and S. strictum varies from normal to abnormal while all the populations of two species Barbaraea vulgaris and Sisymbrium irio show abnormal meiotic course. Meiotic abnormalities are in the form of cytomixis, chromosomal stickiness, unoriented bivalents, inter-bivalent connections, formation of laggards and bridges, all resulting into abnormal microsporogenesis. Heterogenous sized fertile pollen grains and reduced reproductive potentialities have invariably been observed in all the meiotically abnormal populations. However, the meiotic course in all the populations of Cardamine loxostemonoides, Rorippa islandica and Thalspi alpestre is found to be normal with high pollen fertility.

Burden of different beta-lactamase classes among clinical isolates of AmpC-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in burn patients: A prospective study

Background:

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most common pathogens causing infections in burns, and shows increasing resistance to β-lactam antibiotics by producing different classes of beta-lactamases. It is also not unusual to find a single isolate that expresses multiple β-lactamase enzymes, further complicating the treatment options. Thus, in this study, we aimed to determine the coexistence of different beta-lactamase enzymes in clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa in the burn ward.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 101 clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa from the burn ward were identified and tested for the presence of different beta-lactamase enzymes (extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL), Amp C and metallo β-lactamases (MBL) from October 2006 to May 2009. In vitro susceptibility pattern of antipseudomonal antibiotics was done by the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method.

Results:

A total of 33 (32.7%) isolates were confirmed to be positive for AmpC beta-lactamase. Co-production of AmpC along with ESBL and MBL was reported in 24.5% and 45.5% isolates, respectively. A total of 12 (11.9%) isolates were resistant to three or more antibiotic classes (multidrug resistance). Imipenem and piperacillin/tazobactum showed high sensitivity, with 86.1% and 82.2%, respectively.

Conclusion:

This study reveals the high prevalence of multidrug- resistant P. aeruginosa producing beta-lactamase enzymes of different mechanisms in this region from burn patients. The emerging antimicrobial resistance in burn wound pathogens poses serious therapeutic challenge. Thus proper antibiotic policy and measures to restrict the indiscriminate use of cephalosporins and carbapenems should be taken to minimize the emergence of this multiple beta -lactamase producing pathogen.

Cardioprotective effect of lycopene against isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats

The present study was designed to evaluate the cardioprotective potential of lycopene (LCP) against isoproterenol (ISP)-induced myocardial infarction (MI), by assessing hemodynamic, biochemical and histopathological parameters. Wistar male albino rats were orally administered with LCP (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/kg) or with vehicle for 30 days, with concurrent subcutaneous injections of ISP (85 mg/kg) on days 28 and 29. ISP significantly (p < 0.05) decreased systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure (SAP, DAP and MAP, respectively) and heart rate (HR). ISP also decreased contractility (+LVdP/dt), relaxation (-LVdP/dt) and increased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP). In addition to functional impairment, ISP also caused a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in antioxidants, namely, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), glutathione (GSH), cardiac injury marker enzymes, creatine phosphokinase-MB (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), as well as induced lipid peroxidation, malonaldialdehyde (MDA) and histopathological alterations in heart. However, pretreatment with LCP significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated ISP-induced cardiac dysfunction as evidenced by improved SAP, DAP, MAP, HR, (±)LVdP/dt and reduced LVEDP. Pretreatment with LCP also significantly (p < 0.05) prevented the depletion of antioxidants (SOD, CAT, GSHPx and GSH), myocyte injury marker enzymes (CK-MB and LDH) and inhibited lipid peroxidation and MDA formation in the heart. Furthermore, reduced necrosis, edema and infiltration of inflammatory cells on histopathological examination also depicted the protective effect of LCP against the deleterious effect of ISP. Based on the results, it is suggested that LCP possesses significant cardioprotective potential and may serve as an adjunct in treatment and prophylaxis of MI.

Contact dermatitis – Pathomechanism and understanding of disease in clinical setting

According to the pathophysiological mechanisms involved, two major types of contact dermatitis recognized irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). The diagnosis of either ICD or ACD is mainly depending on comprehensive clinical data (history and physical examination) as well as by performing appropriate diagnostic patch testing. Two forms of contact dermatitis may differ in early phase of development but development of clinical dermatitis have similar mechanism confusing the clinician and differentiating between ICD and ACD is often difficult in the clinical setting. This review will allow practicing physician to adopt rational clinical approach and the implementation of scientific information for therapeutic as well as preventive strategies. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal,2011,Vol-7,No-4, 70-77 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v7i4.6816

Bacteriological Profile Of Ear Discharge And Their Antibiotic Sensitivity In Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media In Kashmir,India

The objective of the study was to study the microflora and the antibiograms of patients with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) in Kashmir,in order to provide a guidelines for making a protocol for empirical antibiotic therapy. Study design:Prospective study Material and methods: This study was conducted on OPD basis in Department of Ear, Nose and Throat and HNS Government medical college Srinagar kashmir from july 2010 to june 1011 and one hundred twenty five(125) patients with unilateral or bilateral active chronic suppurative otitis media were prospectively studied.They had chronic ear discharge and had not received antibiotics for the previous five days. Swabs were taken from discharging ear's and sent to microbiological section of hospital were culture for bacteria was done Antibiotic sensitivity testing was done with standard antibiotic discs using Kirby-bauer disk diffusion method.4 Results:From the Clinical specimens off the 125 patients microbiological culture was positive in 110 specimens. The most common causal organisms isolated were Staphylococcus aureus (48%) including 8% of methcillin resistant staph aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16%) followed by coagulase negative.Antibiotic sensitivities of staph aureus (other than MRSA) showed that 72% isolates were sensitivity to gentamicin,55% to ciprofloxacin followed by 36% to cephalosporins (cetazidime,ceftriaxone) .For pseudomonas aeruginosa 72% isolates were sensitive to piperacillin/tazobactum 48% to ciprofloxacin and 32% to ceftazidime/ceftriaxone. Of the three antibiotics commonly available as topical eardrops,ciprofloxacin and gentamicin has the highest susceptibility rate. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v11i3.11731 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 11 No. 03 July’12

Studies on solvent extraction of iron(III) as a step for conversion of a waste effluent to a value added product

Solvent extraction of iron(III) from actual sulphate waste pickle liquor was investigated using trialkylphosphine oxide diluted with kerosene. The waste pickle liquor was procured from a local company which deals with the manufacturing of pipes and tubes made of iron and steel. Various parameters were studied to optimise a suitable condition for the maximum extraction of iron. The composition of the aqueous feed used in the experiment was 60.88 g/L Fe(III), 53 g/L acid with traces of Cu, Ni and Co. An ambient extraction at 30 °C yielded acceptable kinetics and loading efficiency for 40% trialkylphosphine oxide with a saturated loading capacity of 51.85 g/L in four contacts at O/A ratio of 1/1 in a multiple contact mode. Iron from the loaded organic was stripped using various strippants such as distilled water, H(2)SO(4) and oxalic acid. Since only 32% of loaded Fe could be stripped with 2 M H(2)SO(4) in five contacts, further stripping was done with 5% oxalic acid which showed a very promising result. It was found that almost 100% of Fe(III) could be stripped out with 5% oxalic acid at O/A of 1/1 in five contacts.

First Report of Chickpea chlorotic stunt virus Infecting Legume Crops in Tunisia

During a survey of legume crops in the northeast and northwest regions of Tunisia in April 2010, plants showing yellowing, reddening, and stunting symptoms were observed. A total of 281 symptomatic samples were collected: 142 plants from 10 chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) fields, 84 plants from six faba bean (Vicia faba L.) fields, and 55 plants from six pea (Pisum sativum L.) fields. All samples were tested by the tissue-blot immunoassay procedure with the following monoclonal antibodies (MAbs): a broad-spectrum legume-luteovirus MAb (5G4), Faba bean necrotic yellows virus (FBNYV; genus Nanovirus, family Nanovirudae) (3-2E9; provided by J. Vetten, BBA, Braunschweig, Germany), Beet western yellows virus (BWYV; genus Polerovirus, family Luteoviridae) (A5977; Agdia, Elkhart, IN), Bean leafroll virus (BLRV; genus Luteovirus, family Luteoviridae) (4B10), Soybean dwarf virus (SbDV; genus Luteovirus, family Luteoviridae) (ATCC PVAS-650; American Type Culture Collection ATCC, Rockville, MD,), and a mixture of three MAbs (5-2B8, -3D5, and -5B8) to a Syrian isolate of Chickpea chlorotic stunt virus (CpCSV) (1). Serological tests showed that CpCSV was detected in 121 samples (43.06%) (62 chickpea, 57 faba bean, and 2 pea), followed by FBNYV (detected in three faba bean and three pea), BWYV (detected in three chickpea and one faba bean), and BLRV (detected in one pea sample). FBNYV, BLRV, and BWYV have been previously detected in faba bean and chickpea in Tunisia (4), but to our knowledge, this is the first report of CpCSV affecting legumes in Tunisia, which was found in seven chickpea, seven faba bean, and two pea fields. CpCSV has been reported to naturally infect legume crops such as chickpea, lentil, field pea, and faba bean as well as some leguminous weeds and a few wild non-legume plants species in many countries in West Asia and North Africa and causes economic losses on chickpea in Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Syria (1-3). Serological results of CpCSV was confirmed in four (two pea, one faba bean, and one chickpea) samples by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR using CpCSV specific primers (F:5'-TAGGCGTACTGTTCAGCGGG-3' and R:5'-TCCTTTGTCCATTCGAGGTGA-3') (3), which produced an amplicon of expected size (413 bp). No amplification was observed from healthy plant extracts. Sequence analysis revealed that the four Tunisian isolates (TuV 258-201 collected from faba bean [GenBank Accession No. HQ199310], TuC 215-201 collected from chickpea [HQ199307], and TuP 163-201 [HQ199308] and TuP 166-201 collected from pea [HQ199309]) were most similar to each other with a high sequence identity (99%) and clustered with isolates of CpCSV from Syria (GenBank Accession No. EU541270), Egypt (EU541269), and Morocco (EU541267), to which they were most closely related (98%). The Tunisian isolates also showed high sequence identity (96%) in the coat protein region with Ethiopian (GenBank Accession No. EU541257) and Sudanese (EU541263) isolates. However, all isolates are distinct from BWYV, BLRV, and SbDV (less than 70% sequence identity). Since CpCSV is transmitted by aphids only, additional studies are needed to identify the host range of the virus and the efficient aphid vectors to better understand the epidemiology of this virus under Tunisian conditions References: (1) A. D. Abraham et al. Arch.Virol. 154:791; 2009. (2) N. Y. Asaad et al. J. Phytopathol. 157:756, 2009. (3) S. G. Kumari et al. Phytopathol. Mediterr. 47:42, 2008. (4) A. Najar et al. Phytopathol. Mediterr. 39:423, 2000.

Empirical mode decomposition analysis of HRV data from patients undergoing local anaesthesia (brachial plexus block)

Spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) is used for the assessment of cardiovascular autonomic control. In this study, a data-driven adaptive technique called empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and the associated Hilbert spectrum has been used to evaluate the effect of local anaesthesia on HRV parameters in a group of 14 patients undergoing axillary brachial plexus block. The normalized amplitude Hilbert spectrum was used to calculate the error index associated with the instantaneous frequency. The amplitude and the frequency values were corrected in the region where the error was higher than twice standard deviation. The intrinsic mode function (IMF) components were assigned to the LF and the HF part of the signal by making use of the centre frequency and the standard deviation spectral extension estimated from the marginal spectrum of the IMF components. The optimal range of the stopping criterion was found to be between 4 and 9 for the HRV data. The statistical analysis showed that the LF/HF ratio decreased within an hour of the application of the brachial plexus block compared to the values at the start of the procedure. These changes were observed in 13 of the 14 patients included in this study.

Retroperitoneal fibrosis masquerading as para-aortic lymphadenopathy on F-18 FDG PET/CT in a patient with carcinoma cervix

We present a case of carcinoma cervix found to have a soft tissue lesion in retroperitoneal region with intense FDG uptake. However, this FDG uptake was false positive as the final diagnosis was retroperitoneal fibrosis.

Bioprospecting for hyper-lipid producing microalgal strains for sustainable biofuel production

Global petroleum reserves are shrinking at a fast pace, increasing the demand for alternate fuels. Microalgae have the ability to grow rapidly, and synthesize and accumulate large amounts (approximately 20-50% of dry weight) of neutral lipid stored in cytosolic lipid bodies. A successful and economically viable algae based biofuel industry mainly depends on the selection of appropriate algal strains. The main focus of bioprospecting for microalgae is to identify unique high lipid producing microalgae from different habitats. Indigenous species of microalgae with high lipid yields are especially valuable in the biofuel industry. Isolation, purification and identification of natural microalgal assemblages using conventional techniques is generally time consuming. However, the recent use of micromanipulation as a rapid isolating tool allows for a higher screening throughput. The appropriate media and growth conditions are also important for successful microalgal proliferation. Environmental parameters recorded at the sampling site are necessary to optimize in vitro growth. Identification of species generally requires a combination of morphological and genetic characterization. The selected microalgal strains are grown in upscale systems such as raceway ponds or photobireactors for biomass and lipid production. This paper reviews the recent methodologies adopted for site selection, sampling, strain selection and identification, optimization of cultural conditions for superior lipid yield for biofuel production. Energy generation routes of microalgal lipids and biomass are discussed in detail.