Alloreactivity and autoreactivity converge to support B cell epitope targeting in transplant rejection

Antibody (Ab) responses against human leukocyte antigen (HLA) proteins mismatched between donor and recipient are leading cause of allograft loss in kidney transplantation. However, therapies targeting alloreactive B cell and Ab-secreting cell (ASC) are lacking, motivating the need to understand how to prevent and abrogate these alloresponses. Using molecular, structural, and proteomic techniques, we profiled the B cell response in a kidney transplant recipient with antibody-mediated rejection and graft loss. We found that this response spanned the rejected organ and peripheral blood, stimulated the differentiation of multiple B cell subsets, and produced a high-affinity, donor-specific, anti-HLA response. We found epitopic immunodominance that relied on highly exposed, solvent-accessible mismatched HLA residues as well as structural and biomolecular evidence of autoreactivity against the recipient's self-HLA allele. These alloreactive and autoreactive signatures converged in the recipient's circulating donor-specific Ab repertoire, suggesting that rejection requires both the recognition of non-self and breaches of tolerance to lead to alloinjury and graft loss.

Early Detection of Acute Kidney Injury by Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting with Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) is rapidly released by renal tubules after injury, potentially allowing early identification of acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery. However, the diagnostic performance of NGAL has varied widely in clinical studies and it remains unknown what factors modify the relationship between NGAL and AKI. The main objective of the study was to determine the efficacy of NGAL in early detection of AKI among the CABG patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). This prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Nephrology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh in collaboration with the Department of Biochemistry, BSMMU among 42 patients admitted into the Department of Cardiac Surgery, Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital and Research Institute, Dhaka Bangladesh from July 2014 to June 2015. For the measurement of NGAL, urine samples were obtained before surgery and 6 hours after commencement of CPB. Serum creatinine was measured preoperatively and 6, 24 and 48 hours postoperatively. Increase in the serum creatinine level at 6, 24 and 48 hours after surgery was used to analyze the diagnostic value of urinary NGAL. In this study 42 CABG patients with no known renal insufficiency planned to have CPB were included. Receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) was constructed by using NGAL, which gave a cut off value of ≥185.90ng/ml. Eight patients were AKI positive among them 6(75.0%) patients were NGAL positive and 2(25.0%) were NGAL negative. Diagnosis of AKI was delayed by 24-48 hours by serum creatinine measurement. This study has demonstrated that level of urinary NGAL concentration at 6 hours post CPB increased before the increase of serum creatinine level and NGAL is an early predictor of AKI in adult cardiac surgical patients. The early detection of renal injury by NGAL may allow earlier intervention in patients with high risk for AKI.

Effects of supplemental choline on deposition of cardiac, hepatic and abdominal fat in broiler

Two hundred forty Hubbard Classic broiler chicks were used in a 35-day trial to study the effects of supplemental choline on deposition of cardiac, hepatic and abdominal fat in broiler. Birds were fed four types of diet: control diet without choline chloride (T0), diet containing 0.1% choline chloride (T1), 0.2% choline chloride (T2) and 0.3% choline chloride. All birds had access to feed and water ad libitum. Results indicated that, trends for deposition of cardiac, hepatic and abdominal fat was decreasing (P<0.01) in a linear fashion both at 4th and 5th weeks as the level of supplemental choline increased linearly. Maximum deposition of cardiac, hepatic and abdominal fat was observed in birds fed the control diet (T0) and the mean values were 24.4, 34.9 and 4.1 at 4th week and 41.6, 47.8 and 6.2 at the 5th week. In contrast, minimum deposition of cardiac, hepatic and abdominal fat was observed in birds fed diet supplemented with 0.3% choline chloride (T3) and the mean values were 14.5, 19.8 and 1.74 at 4th week and 27.2, 27.8 and 2.2 at 5th week. It was concluded that increasing levels of supplemental choline substantially reduced deposition of cardiac, hepatic and abdominal fat in commercial broiler.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v43i2.20707 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2014. 43 (2): 118-122

Effects of resveratrol and essential oils on growth performance, immunity, digestibility and fecal microbial shedding in challenged piglets

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of resveratrol and essential oils from medicinal plants on the growth performance, immunity, digestibility, and fecal microbial shedding of weaned piglets. A total of 48 weaned piglets (8 kg initial weight, 28-d-old) were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments with 3 replications of 4 piglets each. The dietary treatments were NC (negative control; basal diet), PC (positive control; basal diet+0.002% apramycin), T1 (basal diet+0.2% resveratrol), and T2 (basal diet+0.0125% essential oil blend). All piglets were orally challenged with 5 ml culture fluid containing 2.3×10⁸ cfu/ml of Escherichia coli KCTC 2571 and 5.9×10⁸ cfu/ml Salmonella enterica serover Typhimurium. The PC group (p<0.05) showed the highest average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) throughout the experimental period, although feed conversion ratio (FCR) was improved in the T1 group (p>0.05). Serum IgG level was increased in the T1 group, whereas TNF-α levels was reduced in the supplemented groups compared to control (p<0.05). The PC diet improved the dry matter (DM) digestibility, whereas PC and T2 diets improved nitrogen (N) digestibility compared to NC and T1 diets (p<0.05). Fecal Salmonella and E. coli counts were reduced in all treatment groups compared to control (p<0.05). Fecal Lactobacillus spp. count was increased in the T2 group compared to others (p<0.05). Dietary treatments had no significant effect on fecal Bacillus spp. count throughout the entire experimental period. Based on these results, resveratrol showed strong potential as antibiotic alternatives for reversing the adverse effects of weaning stress on growth performance, immunity and microbial environment in E. coli and Salmonella-challenged piglets.

Plasma lipid profile of mice fed diet supplemented with broiler fat

This study was conducted with 180 female Swiss albino mice to examine the effects of supplementing broiler fat in the diets of mice on blood lipid profile. Twenty one days old mice were collected from ICDDRB, Mohakhali, Dhaka. They were randomly distributed in four groups having three replications each. Each replicate group had 15 mice. Results revealed that supplementation of broiler fat in mice diet significantly changed (p<0.05) triglyceride (TG) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) among groups. The control group (T0) had the highest level of cholesterol and LDL. Cholesterol, TG and LDL markedly increased (p<0.05) in all dietary treatment groups, while high density lipoprotein (HDL) significantly (p<0.01) decreased after supplementation of experimental diets. It was concluded that all the dietary treatments in general increased blood cholesterol, TG and LDL in mice fed broiler fat with different oil supplements. However, the soybean and palm oil group was comparatively better than other groups in respect of cholesterol, HDL and LDL at the blood lipid profile of mice. Therefore, it can be concluded that consumption of broiler fat with soybean and palm oil could be less harmful for mice.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v43i1.19380 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2014. 43 (1): 21-24

Adulteration of raw milk in the rural areas of Barisal district of Bangladesh

The study was undertakento detect the type of adulterants and preservatives added to the incoming fluid milk from rural areas to the Barisal city of Bangladesh. Total fifty milk samples were collected from five different entry points of Karapure, Dabdopia, Shaestabad, Goriarpar and Khanpura of Barisal district where ten samples were taken from each entry point. The results indicated that, 100% of the milk samples were adulterated with water irrespective of collection points and months. Cane sugar, powdered milk and starch were detected as 26.0, 14.0 and 12.0% in the milk samples, respectively. Two types of preservatives namely formalin and sodium bicarbonate were detected in the fluid milk from the study areas. Out of all samples, 10.0% was adulterated with formalin and 20.0% with sodium bicarbonate. However, none of the samples contained either hydrogen peroxide or borax. There was a positive relationship between day temperature and intensity of adding preservatives to the fluid milk. As the day temperature increased, the number of preservative positive samples also increased in a linear fashion and vice versa. It could therefore be inferred that, the consumers need to be more cautious regarding the quality of raw milk specially in summer season.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v41i2.14126Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2012. 41 (2): 112-115

Sexually transmitted infections and sexual behaviour among youth clients of hotel-based female sex workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh

A cross-sectional study was conducted among youth clients of hotel-based female sex workers (YCHBFSWs) in nine randomly selected hotels in Bangladesh to examine sexual-risk behaviour, condom use and determinants of condom use in last sex, knowledge of HIV, sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence and STI care-seeking behaviour. A prestructured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic, behavioural, clinical information; urine specimens (before sex) and blood were collected for diagnosis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, syphilis and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2) infection. One thousand and thirteen participants were enroled in the study. Approximately half of them reported visiting female sex workers (FSWs) at least once a month and 25% visited FSWs at least once a week. Only 12% of participants reported regular condom use. The prevalence of N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, T. vaginalis, syphilis and HSV2 was 2.2%, 3.9%, 7.2%, 2.6% and 12.9%, respectively. Only 15.3% of the YCHBFSW sought STI care in the past year. Negotiation of condom use with FSWs was the main determinant (odds ratio = 17.95) for condom use at last sex. Male clients of FSWs, including YCHBFSW, are an important bridge population for HIV transmission in Bangladesh and HIV interventions should be designed and implemented for them.

Performance of Red Chittagong cattle in some selected Areas of Chittagong district of Bangladesh

A survey was conducted to estimate the productive and reproductive performances of RCC in Rawjan, Chandanaish, Potia, Satkania and Anowara upazillas of Chittagong, Bangladesh. The farmers of the study areas holding Red Chittagong Cattle (RCC) were divided into large (>1.50 acre), medium (>1.0-1.5 acre), marginal (>0.5-1.0 acre) and landless (>0-0.5 acre) categories. Existing feeding and rearing practices, productive and reproductive performances of RCC were investigated. It was found that, most of the RCCs (82%) were reared mainly by the marginal farmers. In between May to September, there was a severe shortage of feeds and fodders for RCC. However, despite severe shortage, the farmers were not interested to cultivate fodder. The degree of shortage for feed round the year had significant variation (p<0.01) among the farmers of all categories. Similar to feed shortage, the tendency of growing non-legume crops had marked variation (P<0.01) among the farmers of all categories. Birth weight, weaning weight, daily milk yield, lactation length, calving interval, age at first service, age at first calving and gestation length were 14.5 kg, 64.6 kg, 2.1 liters, 216 days, 14 months, 2.7 years, 42 months and 279.9 days respectively. It could therefore be inferred that, productivity of RCC may be increased by improving feeding systems in the study areas.http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v41i1.11973

Semen characteristics of breeding bulls at the Central Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm of Bangladesh

The experiment was conducted on 97 breeding bulls at the central cattle breeding and dairy farm, Savar, Dhaka to find out the physical and chemical properties of different bull semen. Out of 97 bulls, 9 were Local (L), 9 were Friesian (F), 13 were Sahiwal (SL), 12 were Local×Friesian (L×F), 10 were Sahiwal×Friesian (SL×F), 26 were Local×Friesian×Friesian (LF1×F), 18 were Local×Friesian× Friesian×Friesian (LF2×F) bulls. The semen of different crossbred and local bulls was examined for ejaculate volume, concentration, pH and motility percent of sperm before and after freezing. It was observed that, the maximum average ejaculate was obtained from SL×F and the mean value was 12.9 ml. However, the minimum average ejaculate was obtained from LF×F and the mean value was 7.4 ml. Before freezing, the maximum average sperm concentration was obtained from SL and the mean value was 1858.4 million/ml. The minimum average sperm concentration was obtained from LF1×F and the mean value was 1286.6 million/ml. The maximum average pH was obtained from LF2×F and the mean value was 6.5. The maximum average motility was obtained from SL and the mean value was 68.8%. However, the minimum average motility was obtained from L×F and the mean value was 63.7%. After freezing, sperm concentration, pH and motility reduced substantially irrespective of type of breed. It could therefore be inferred that freezing of semen should be undertaken with special care to maintain optimum semen quality.http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v41i1.11968

Evaluation of green tea by-product and green tea plus probiotics on the growth performance, meat quality and immunity of growing–finishing pigs

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of green tea by-product (GTB) and green tea plus probiotics (GT+P) on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, blood parameters and immunity of growing–finishing pigs. In total, 80 crossbreed growing pigs were assigned to receive four dietary treatments for a period of 8 weeks. The dietary treatments were a basal diet (control), basal diet supplemented with 0.003% chlortetracycline (antibiotic), basal diet with 0.5% GTB (GTB) and basal diet containing 0.5% GT+P (GT+P). The results of our study indicated that bodyweight gain increased (P < 0.05) in response to the addition of GT+P to the basal diet. Crude protein and crude ash content, and shear values of loin meat were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in the GT+P group, although moisture and juiciness were decreased (P < 0.05). The GTB group had higher (P < 0.05) serum glucose concentrations, whereas the GT+P exhibited lower (P < 0.05) insulin concentrations. The values of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances of fresh loin meat and meat that had been preserved for 1 week were lower (P < 0.05) in the GT+P group than those of the control and GTB groups. The growth of spleen cells incubated in concanavalin A (Con A) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) medium was statistically higher (P < 0.05) for the GT+P group than for the GTB or antibiotic group. IL-6 and TNF-α production by spleen cells induced by Con A and LPS was increased in the GTB and GT+P group (P < 0.05) compared with the antibiotic group. Taken together, the results of the present study indicated that GT+P exerts positive effects on weight gain, meat composition, blood parameters and immunity in pigs, and could be used as an alternative to antibiotics for growing–finishing pig feeds.

Effect of concentrate supplementation on growth and reproductive performance of rabbit under rural condition

Crossbred New Zealand White meat type 8 male and 16 female rabbits aged 3.5 to 4.5 months weighing 9.5 to 13.0 kg were used in a 128 day trial to study the effects of concentrate supplementation on growth and reproductive performance of rabbit under rural condition. Rabbits were divided according to live weight into two treatment groups, i.e. T1 (conventional diet) and T2 (conventional diet + concentrate 75 g/d per rabbit) with four replications per treatment in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD). All animals had free access to locally available green grasses. Results showed that, average daily live weight gain was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in T2 (13.02 ± 0.43 g/d) than T1 (5.30 ± 0.43 g/d) group. Litter weight at birth was better (p < 0.05) in T2 (180.38 ± 16.37g) than T1 (137.19 ± 16.37g) group. Litter size at weaning differed (p < 0.05) and the mean values were 1.37 ± 0.30 for T1 and 2.37 ± 0.27 for T2 group. Kit weight at weaning was superior (p < 0.01) in T2 (408.12 ± 3.85g) than T1 (310.62  ± 3.56g) group. Kit mortality up to weaning was higher (p < 0.01) in T1 (45.0 ± 10.07 %) than T2 (26.92 ± 10.7 %) group. These results indicate that, supplementation of concentrate in addition to conventional feeding may improve growth and reproductive performance of rabbit under rural condition.  Key words: Crossbred, New Zealand White rabbit, reproductive performance, growth, concentrate DOI = 10.3329/bjvm.v4i2.1296 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2006). 4 (2): 129-132