Hematochemical profile of Cholistani cattle being reared in the Cholistan desert of Pakistan under pastoralism

ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to assess and create normal reference intervals for hematochemical profile of Cholistani cattle (n=360) being reared under pastoralism. The comparisons have been made with earlier published data on Bos indicus and taurus cattle breeds. The general health status of animals was ascertained through a thorough anamnesis from the livestock owners and clinical signs. However, theileriosis, in specific, was ruled out through blood smear examination. The animals were assigned in groups according to age: young (n=190; ≤12 months) and adult (n=170; >12 months up till 7 years); and gender: male (n=182) and female (n=178) cattle. The mean (±SE), median, range and reference intervals (25th to 95th percentile) for hematochemical profile were determined through descriptive statistics and differences between various groups were analyzed through Mann Whitney U test. The findings of this study may serve as reference hematochemical values for Cholistani cattle in specific and humped zebu cattle in general for assessing any physiological, pathological, or metabolic alterations.

Effect of slow-release amylase on extraction of peach peel phenolics and their antioxidant activities

The present manuscript demonstrates the work undertaken to optimise and validate a slow-release amylase-assisted extraction of polyphenols from peach fruit peel. A careful investigation and optimisation revealed that peach peel when hydrolysed with 1.50% (w/w) of SRA containing enzyme formulation at 40 °C and 6.1 pH, for 35 min significantly (P < 0.05) increased the extraction yield, levels of polyphenol contents (242.89 ± 1.56 mg gallic acid equivalents – GAE), and coumaric, chlorogenic, ferulic acids or their conjugate esters in extracts. Moreover, the extracts produced through SRA-assisted extraction exhibited ample level of free radical scavenging capacity (DPPH IC50 2.67 ± 0.03 μg mL−1), Trolox equivalent (TE) antioxidant capacity (450.52 ± 24.58 µmol of TE g−1), inhibition of peroxides in linoleic acid (85.68 ± 0.21%), and ferric reducing power of 3.11 ± 0.20 ppm gallic acid equivalents. The results suggested that the incorporation of SRA containing enzyme formulation may enhance the recovery of peach peel polyphenols while hydrolysing the glycosidic linkages without deteriorating their antioxidant character.

Effect of nociceptin on insulin release in normal and diabetic rat pancreas

Nociceptin (NC), also known as Orphanin FQ, is a brain peptide involved in the regulation of pain, but its role in the endocrine pancreas is poorly understood. The present study examines the pattern of distribution of NC and its effect on insulin and glucagon secretion after the onset of diabetes mellitus (DM). Male Wistar rats weighing 150-200 g were made diabetic with streptozotocin (60 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally). Four weeks after the induction of DM, pancreatic tissues were retrieved and processed for immunofluorescence, immunoelectron microscopy, and insulin and glucagon secretion. Isolated islets from non-diabetic and diabetic rats were used to determine the effect of NC on insulin release. NC was discerned in islet cells of non-diabetic control and diabetic rat pancreata. NC co-localized only with insulin in pancreatic beta cells. NC did not co-localize with either glucagon or somatostatin or pancreatic polypeptide. The number of NC-positive cells was markedly (p < 0.001) reduced after the onset of DM. Electron microscopy study showed that NC is located with insulin in the same secretory granules of the beta cells of both non-diabetic and diabetic rat pancreas. NC inhibits insulin release markedly (p < 0.05) from pancreatic tissue fragments of non-diabetic and diabetic rats. In contrast, NC at 10-12 M stimulates insulin release in isolated islets of DM rats. In conclusion, NC co-localizes with insulin only in the islet of Langerhans. The co-localization of NC with insulin suggests a role for NC in the regulation of pancreatic beta cell function.

Molecular detection of Anaplasma in apparently healthy Cholistan breed of cattle from the Bahawalpur district, Pakistan

The present study was designed to report the prevalence of Anaplasma sp. in blood samples of Cholistan breed of cattle from Bahawalpur District and to determine the risk factors associated with the prevalence of this parasite. A total of 148 blood samples were randomly collected from apparently healthy cattle. On the sampling sites, data on the characteristics of the animals (species, gender, age) were collected through questionnaires. 47 blood samples (31.8% of total) produced the 577 base pairs DNA fragment specific for 16S rRNA gene of Anaplasma sp. by PCR amplification. Out of 47 Anaplasma sp. positive PCR products, 9 were found to be Anaplasma marginale by restriction with BssNa1 and 9 were confirmed to be Anaplasma phagocytophilum (A. phagocytophilum) as they amplified 550 bp fragment from the amplified MSP 2 gene of this species. Risk factor analysis indicated that the presence of parasite was not limited to a particular sex or age group of the infected animals. Comparison of hematological profile revealed that Anaplasma sp. positive cattle had significantly reduced levels of mean corpuscular volume (P=0.02) and eosinophils (P=0.02) than in parasite negative animals. While studied serum biochemical profile remain unaffected when compared between the two groups.

A report on the molecular detection and seasonal prevalence of Trypanosoma brucei in Dromedary Camels from Dera Ghazi Khan District in Southern Punjab (Pakistan)

The present study was designed for molecular detection of Trypanosoma brucei through PCR, by using kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) maxicircle primers, on seasonal basis and to demonstrate the effect of this parasite on complete blood count and selected parameters of serum biochemistry in camels from Southern Punjab (Pakistan). A total of 291 camel blood samples (61 male, 230 females) were collected from Dera Ghazi Khan District in Pakistan during March 2012 till February 2013 for Trypanosoma brucei detection by blood smear screening, micro hemato centrifugation and Polymerase chain reaction techniques. Twenty eight out of 291 blood samples (9.62%) produced a 164 bp DNA fragment specific for T. brucei. Only 6 blood samples (2.06%) were found parasite positive by microscopic examination and 13 (4.46%) were positive for microhematocrit centrifugation technique. Seasonal PCR based prevalence of trypanosomiasis was 6.9%, 13.7%, 9.7% and 8.1% during spring, summer, autumn and winter seasons respectively. T. brucei prevalence was not restricted to a particular age group or and gender of the studied animals (P > 0.05). A significant increase in WBC (P = 0.001), neutrophils (P = 0.004), ALT (P = 0.028) and decreased RBC (P < 0.000), hemoglobin (P < 0.000) and packed cell volume (P < 0.000) were detected in parasite positive as compared to the parasite negative blood samples. In conclusion, PCR is a more reliable and sensitive technique than conventional microscopic blood screening and microhematocrit centrifugation for the detection of T. brucei in camel blood. We recommend the use of PCR for the effective prophylactic detection of T. brucei in livestock in order to reduce economic losses.

Prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in horses from Southern Punjab (Pakistan)

The present study was designed to optimize a PCR-RFLP protocol for the molecular detection of Anaplasma sp. and to compare its prevalence in blood samples of equines from Southern Punjab (Pakistan) and to find out the risk factors involved in the spread of anaplasmosis. A total of 210 blood samples were collected from equines from 2 sampling sites (Dera Ghazi Khan and Khanewal districts). Data on the animals' characteristics (age, species and gender) were collected through survey. PCR amplified the 577bp product specific for 16S rRNA gene of Anaplasma spp. in 9 blood samples (4.3% of total), [Dera Ghazi Khan (N = 3) and Khanewal (N = 6)]. These Anaplasma spp. positive blood samples were used for PCR amplification using A. phagocytophilum specific primers and parasite was detected in all of them. Also it was revealed that the characteristics of the animals i.e. age, gender, species had no significant association with the presence of Anaplasma sp. Hematological parameters remained unaffected while lymphocyte count was significantly lowered in A. phagocytophilum positive samples.

Extra temporal involvement in herpes simplex encephalitis

Temporal lobe abnormalities on brain imaging have been described as strong evidence for herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) in appropriate clinical settings. Extra temporal abnormalities are less well described in these patients. We retrospectively reviewed 20 patients of HSE and found extra temporal involvement in 11 (55%) patients. Three patients (15 %) had pure extra temporal abnormalities. Twelve patients (60%) had temporal lobe involvement, four patients (20%) had pure temporal lobe involvement and five patients (25%) had normal CT/MRI scans. Our study suggests that extra temporal involvement on brain imaging is common in HSE and in a significant minority of the patients this can even be the sole abnormality.