Comparative analysis of protein profiles of wild virulent (E156) and aroA-htrA double deletion mutant vaccine strain (S30) of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Abortusequi under in vivo and in vitro growth conditions

In the present study, cell lysate and cell supernatant of the both strains i.e., virulent wild type (E156) and mutant (S30) vaccine strains of Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Abortusequi (S. Abortusequi), grown under varied in vivo and in vitro conditions were subjected to SDS PAGE and western blotting (using rabbit hyperimmune serum). Variation in growth conditions did not have any significant effect on expression of different proteins. SDS PAGE of E156 and S30 cell lysate (CL) revealed 26 and 28 bands, respectively with 3 prominent proteins of 71, 46 and 42 kDa in cell lysate of E 156 and 4 prominent proteins 71, 65, 46 and 40 kDa in S30 strain. The cell supernatant (CS) from both the strains, subjected to SDS PAGE, exhibited similarity in protein profile among these strains, however three bands of 65, 53 and 40 kDa were more prominent in CS preparation of S30, whereas a 56 kDa protein was prominent in CS of E156. Western blotting of E156 and S30 revealed 3 unique proteins of 65, 53 and 40 kDa present in CS preparation of S30 strains which could be used for differentiation of mutant and wild strains and also in development of test for differentiating vaccinated animals from naturally infected.

Ferromagnetic insulating and spin glass behavior in Cr substituted La(0.85)Ag(0.15)MnO(3) compounds

Single phase samples of polycrystalline La(0.85)Ag(0.15)Mn(1-y)Cr(y)O(3) (y = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20) were prepared by the solid-state route. These samples were studied by recording x-ray diffraction patterns to investigate their crystal structure, by measuring temperature and frequency variations of ac susceptibility and high temperature magnetization to investigate their magnetic properties and by measuring magneto-resistivity. X-ray diffraction patterns could be refined by using the [Formula: see text] space group. The lattice parameters and Mn-O bond lengths were found to decrease with Cr doping. Paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transitions followed by low temperature spin glass like behavior have been observed from ac susceptibility results. The above transitions could be understood on the basis of double exchange ferromagnetic interaction in Mn(3+)-O(2-)-Mn(4+), super-exchange ferromagnetic interaction in Cr(3+)-O(2-)-Mn(3+) and super-exchange antiferromagnetic interaction in Mn(4+)-O(2-)-Mn(4+) networks. Even though a strong ferromagnetic signal was observed in all the Cr doped samples, no metal-insulator transition has been observed. Thus Cr doping gives rise to a ferromagnetic insulating state and the Cr might take part in super-exchange ferromagnetic interactions. Colossal magneto-resistivity has been observed up to 20% of Cr doping in a wide temperature range down to low temperatures.

Solvothermal growth of flower-like morphology from nanorods of copper sulfides

The present work reports the effect of reaction time on solvothermal synthesis of copper sulfides from CuCl2 x 2H2O and thiourea with various compositions and morphologies using ethylenediamine as solvent at 120 degrees C. X-ray diffraction patterns of the products at different durations shows the development of different stoichiometric composition of copper sulfides in where Cu:S ratio increases from 1.39 to 1.79 indicating transformation of Cu39S28 to Cu7S4. As inferred by EDX and XPS studies of the final products. SEM shows the growth of bundles of nanorods of length approximately 1 microm and diameter in nanometer range are observed after 6 h. On increasing the reaction duration to 9 h, nanorods tends to combines with each other and growth occurs in six directions and after 12 h leads to the formation of flower-like morphology of copper sulfide. The optical properties of these products also have been studied.

A non-invasive technique for rapid extraction of DNA from fish scales

DNA markers are being increasingly used in studies related to population genetics and conservation biology of endangered species. DNA isolation for such studies requires a source of biological material that is easy to collect, non-bulky and reliable. Further, the sampling strategies based on non-invasive procedures are desirable, especially for the endangered fish species. In view of above, a rapid DNA extraction method from fish scales has been developed with the use of a modified lysis buffer that require about 2 hr duration. This methodology is non-invasive, less expensive and reproducible with high efficiency of DNA recovery. The DNA extracted by this technique, have been found suitable for performing restriction enzyme digestion and PCR amplification. Therefore, the present DNA extraction procedure can be used as an alternative technique in population genetic studies pertaining to endangered fish species. The technique was also found equally effective for DNA isolation from fresh, dried and ethanol preserved scales.

Cytotoxic agents from Terminalia arjuna

Although a number of chemicals have been isolated from Terminalia arjuna, only a few have been evaluated for their biological significance. As a part of our drug discovery programme for cytotoxic agents from Indian medicinal plants, four novel cytotoxic agents arjunic acid (1), arjungenin (2), arjunetin (3) and arjunoglucoside I (4) were isolated from the bark of T. ARJUNA. Out of the four compounds, arjunic acid (1) was significantly active against the human oral (KB), ovarian (PA 1) and liver (HepG-2 & WRL-68) cancer cell lines. Further, the most active compound arjunic acid was converted into seven semi-synthetic ester derivatives 5 - 11. 2-O-Palmitoyl arjunic acid (6) showed two times more activity, while 2, 3-di-O-acetyl-, 2-O-p-anisoyl-, 2, 3-di-O-benzoyl- and 2, 3-di-O-p-nitrobenzoyl arjunic acid (7 - 10) showed 1.7 - 2.3 times less activity than the cytotoxic drug vinblastine against the liver cancer cell lines HepG-2 and WRL-68 respectively.

Detection of pathogenic leptospires in animals by PCR based on lipL21 and lipL32 genes

Efficacy of primers capable of amplifying conserved outer membrane protein (OMP) genes i.e., lipL21 and lipL32 of Leptospira strains was tested for rapid and early diagnosis of the leptospirosis using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). These OMP genes were found to be conserved in various leptospiral serovars viz., Canicola, Pomona, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pyrogenes, Sejroe, Grippotyphosa, Ballum and Tarassovi as PCR products of 561 bp and 756 bp were obtained by PCR employing lipL21 and lipL32 based primers, respectively, in all these serovars. Absence of such amplicons in DNA extracted from Pasteurella, Campylobacter and Brucella confirmed the specificity of the primers. Serum and tissue samples collected from cattle, buffaloes and experimentally infected guinea pigs and calves were subjected to PCR using above primers as well as conventionally used primers G1/G2. All the sera and tissue samples, whether field samples or collected from experimentally infected animals, found positive for G1/G2 specific PCR were also positive for lipL21 and lipL32 specific PCR. The present study indicated that lipL21 and lipL32 based primers could be used for PCR based diagnosis of leptospirosis. Since G1/G2 primers are known not to amplify the DNA of Grippotyphosa, the use of primers employed in the present study could have an additional advantage in detection of cases of the disease.

Dose dependent effect of GnRH analogue on pregnancy rate of repeat breeder crossbred cows

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of treating repeat breeder dairy crossbred cows with different doses of GnRH analogue through i.m. at the time of artificial insemination, on pregnancy rates from their first service after treatment and overall pregnancy rates. One hundred and thirty seven crossbred dairy cows with a history of repeat breeding and eligible after 6-8 infertile services but clinically free of diseases were selected for the study. The animals were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 (n = 55) cows were treated intramuscularly with each 20 microg Buserelin-acetate (Receptal, Hoechst Roussel Vet GmbH) at the time of artificial insemination. Group 2 (n = 40) cows were treated intramuscularly with each 10 microg Buserelin-acetate at the time of artificial insemination. Group 3 (n = 42) cows were treated intramuscularly with saline as control at the time of artificial insemination. The first service pregnancy rates in Groups 1-3 were 45, 25 and 17%, respectively. Similarly, the overall conception rates in Groups 1-3 were 87, 58 and 48%, respectively. The results indicated that the pregnancy rate in crossbred cows could be improved by the GnRH treatment. The higher dose of GnRH significantly increased (P < 0.05) the first service as well as overall pregnancy rate in a dose dependent manner in repeat breeder crossbred cow bred previously 6-8 times unsuccessfully.

Comparative sequence analysis of 16S rRNA gene of Pasteurella multocida serogroup B isolates from different animal species

The phylogenetic relationships of five isolates of Pasteurella multocida serotype B:2 belonging to buffalo, cattle, pig, sheep and goat were investigated by comparative sequence analysis of 16S rRNA gene. The 1468bp fragment of 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison showed that the isolates of cattle (PM75), pig (PM49) and sheep (PM82) shared 99.9% homology with the buffalo isolate (vaccine strain P52) whereas, the goat isolate (PM86) shared 99.8% homology with the vaccine strain. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of these isolates were also found monophyletic with type B reference strain NCTC 10323 of P. multocida subsp. multocida. The present study indicated the close relationships of haemorrhagic septicaemia causing P. multocida serotype B:2 isolates of buffalo and cattle with other uncommon hosts (pig, sheep and goat).

Cloning and Sequence Analysis of the Gene Encoding LipL32 of Leptospira interrogans Serovar Sejroe

Leptospira, a member of the order Spirochaetales, is the causative agent of leptospirosis, an important zoonosis encountered worldwide. The Leptospira interrogans serovar Sejroe was grown in EMJH medium and its DNA was isolated using standard techniques. The LipL32 gene was amplified using the reported primer of Kirschneri of LipL32. The amplified product was found to comprise 756 base pairs. This amplified gene fragment of LipL32 lipoprotein was cloned in E. coli (DH5 alpha) cells using pDrive plasmid as a vector. The recombinant cells were selected on LB agar medium containing ampicillin, X-gal and isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside. Plasmid was extracted from the recombinant white colonies, and restriction endonuclease (RE) analysis was carried out using PstI and SalI. On partial sequence analysis, the product exhibited 756 base pairs, corresponding to 251 amino acids. The cloned gene could be further used for expression of recombinant protein for serodiagnosis of leptospirosis.

Identification of avian strains of Pasteurella multocida in India by conventional and PCR assays

The prevalence of capsular and somatic serotypes were studied among 123 Pasteurella multocida strains isolated from chickens (n=94), ducks (22), quails (4), turkeys (2) and geese (1) from different geographical regions of India. All strains exhibited similar cultural and morphological characteristics. Ninety-two of the isolates belonged to serotype A:1, the most prevalent serotype, with serotypes A:3, A:1,3, D:3 and F:3 having two isolates each. Only one isolate was positive for serotypes A:4 and D:1. Twenty isolates were untyped. A multiplex capsular PCR assay generated amplicons of sizes approximately 460, approximately 1044, approximately 657 and approximately 854 bp in 106 isolates identified as capsular serotype-A, 15 in serotype D and two in serotype F. Capsular types B and E were not detected in any of the avian isolates studied. The present findings suggest that a multiplex capsular PCR assay may be suitable for the rapid initial identification serotypes P. multocida during epidemiological studies of fowl cholera.

Immunoreactive outer membrane proteins of Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola strain Hond Utrecht IV

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

Leptospirosis is a severe and complex zoonotic disease prevalent in many countries including India. Current leptospiral research is focussed on the identification of the outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of the organism that could be used in developing diagnostic assays for leptospirosis.

METHODS

The Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola was grown in EMJH medium and the cells were subjected to sarcosyl detergent treatment. The sarcosyl soluble (SS) and sarcosyl insoluble (SI) fractions were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting to deduce their protein profile and identifying various immunodominant antigens.

RESULTS

The protein profile of SS fractions indicated the presence of three major bands of 41, 32 and 25 kDa and minor bands of 85 and 46 kDa. The SI fraction in serovar Canicola revealed the presence of 112, 93, 77, 43, 36, 29 and 22.5 kDa as major bands and minor bands of 102 and 53 kDa. In immunoblotting, the SS proteins of 41, 32 and 25 kDa and SI proteins of 112, 77, 36 and 22.5 kDa were detected to be major immunogenic proteins.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION

In our study immunogenic proteins were extracted from SS and SI fractions and OMPs were similar to those reported in other pathogenic Leptospira strains. These OMPs being unique to all the pathogenic leptospires, can be targeted for diagnostic purpose. Further analysis of the cellular location and expression of leptospiral proteins will be useful in the annotation of genomic sequence data and in providing insight into the biology of Leptospira cells.

A solution blending route to ethylene propylene diene terpolymer/layered double hydroxide nanocomposites

Ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM)/MgAl layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanocomposites have been synthesized by solution intercalation using organically modified LDH (DS-LDH). The molecular level dispersion of LDH nanolayers has been verified by the disappearance of basal XRD peak of DS-LDH in the composites. The internal structures, of the nanocomposite with the dispersion nature of LDH particles in EPDM matrix have been studied by TEM and AFM. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows thermal stability of nanocomposites improved by ≈40 °C when 10% weight loss was selected as point of comparison. The degradation for pure EPDM is faster above 380 °C while in case of its nanocomposites, it is much slower.

Evaluation of a recombinant LipL41 antigen of Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola in ELISA for serodiagnosis of bovine Leptospirosis

The efficacy of a recombinant leptospiral lipoprotein LipL41 as an antigen for conducting enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for diagnosis of bovine leptospirosis was evaluated. Using known positive and known negative cattle sera the recombinant antigen was found to be highly reactive in the concentration of 100 ng/well. Using a total of 321 field cattle sera the sensitivity of ELISA as compared to microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was calculated to be 100% whereas the specificity was 85.3%. The seropositivity of leptospirosis among bovine population was found to be 21.18% having the predominance of serovars Sejroe and Pomona. It was concluded that rLipL41 protein could be a putative diagnostic candidate for serodiagnosis of bovine leptospirosis.

Characterization of avian strains of Pasteurella multocida by restriction endonuclease and amplified fragment length polymorphism

Avian strains of Pasteurella multocida were typed by employing restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) and single enzyme-amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) to evaluate their applicability for epidemiological studies of fowl cholera outbreaks. A total of 72 strains isolated from different avian species (chicken, duck, turkey, quail and goose) belonging to various geographical regions of India were characterized. REA using two different enzymes HhaI and HpaII produced 9 and 18 clusters respectively, whereas Single enzyme-AFLP recognized 32 patterns out of 72 strains typed. The study indicated that REA using HpaII is a simple and resource efficient method, however, further typing with more stringent and rapid method like Single enzyme-AFLP, could drastically enhance investigation in epidemiological studies of fowl cholera outbreaks.

Effect of a Homeopathic complex on oestrus induction and hormonal profile in anoestrus cows

This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of a homeopathic complex in the management of true anoestrus in crossbred cows. Six anoestrus cows were treated with a homeopathic complex (Calcarea phosphorica 30c, Aletris farinosa 30c, Pulsatilla 30c, Aurum muriaticum natronatum 30c, Sepia 30c and Phosphorus 30c in equal proportion, 15 pills twice daily orally for 10 days). Six animals acted as control without any treatment. Treatment was 100% effective in inducing oestrus in anoestrus cows with mean interval of 27.5+/-5.3 days. All animals conceived and overall conception rate was 54.5% with 1.83 services per conception. In the homeopathic complex treated group, increased serum oestradiol concentration (20.88+/-5.60 to 27.80+/-7.28 pg/ml) was observed compared to the pretreatment (11.71+/-2.06 pg/ml) and control value (10.43+/-1.77 to 13.94+/-3.14 pg/ml). The homeopathic complex medicine may be effective and economical in the treatment of true anoestrus condition in cows.

Swift heavy ion induced formation of nanocolumns of C clusters in a Si based polymer

The formation of nanocolumns of C clusters in thin films of a Si based inorganic polymer, allylhydridopolycarbosilane (HPCS), as a result of irradiation of the films with 100 MeV Au ions at fluences of 2 × 10(12) and 5 × 10(12) ions cm(-2) is demonstrated. The evolution and arrangement of the C clusters while subjected to the irradiation fluence is investigated by energy filtered cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy. Irradiation results in evolution of C clusters of sizes ≤5 nm, and their alignment along channels of ∼10 nm diameter, which are essentially the latent tracks created by the Au ions in the polymer. At the fluence of 5 × 10(12) ions cm(-2), these clusters become densely packed in the channels. The growth of such C cluster filled nanocolumns is shown to be a consequence of two simultaneous diffusion processes taking place during the transient molten phase of the latent tracks.

Detection of Pasteurella multocida in experimentally infected embryonated chicken eggs by PCR assay

Applicability of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to detect Pasteurella multocida in experimentally infected embryonated chicken egg was assessed in the present study. PCR assay rapidly and specifically detected the genome of P. multocida in amniotic fluid, allantoic fluid and homogenates of infected embryo and its membranes. The sensitivity of detection was as low as 20 bacterial cells/ml of allantoic or amniotic fluids. Detection of P. multocida in dead embryos by PCR was possible up to 6 and 30 days or more following storage of dead embryos at 37 degrees C, and at 4 degrees C as well as at -20 degrees C, respectively. The study revealed that PCR assays could be employed directly for detection and confirmation of P. multocida infection in experimentally infected chicken embryos.

Detection of multiple strains ofPasteurella multocidain fowl cholera outbreaks by polymerase chain reaction-based typing

Applicability of molecular methods for the detection and differentiation of Pasteurella multocida strains involved in two separate fowl cholera outbreaks in a single poultry farm was investigated. A total of 12 and 18 strains of P. multocida obtained from two separate outbreaks were subjected to phenotypic and genotypic characterization. Phenotypically, all strains were similar; however, DNA-based techniques by employing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were found to be highly specific and sensitive for rapid detection and differentiation of strains. All 30 strains gave amplicons of approximately 460 bp and approximately 1,044 bp specific for P. multocida and capsular serogroup A in the Multiplex Capsular PCR typing system. Molecular typing techniques such as repetitive extragenic palindromic PCR, enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR and single primer PCR differentiated all 30 strains into different profiles. However, similar patterns of genome fragments were observed among all strains following restriction endonuclease analysis using the enzyme HpaII. The current investigation revealed involvement of the same and multiple strains of P. multocida in two outbreaks. The results also indicated that molecular methods of detection and typing are rapid in comparison with conventional methods for epidemiological investigations of fowl cholera outbreaks.