Expression of biologically active bovine interleukin 7 and evaluating the activity in vitro

Research (Published online: 13-02-2016)

9. Expression of biologically active bovine interleukin 7 and evaluating the activity in vitro - J. Lijo, N. Vijay, H. J. Dechamma and G. R. Reddy

Veterinary World, 9(2): 160-165

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.160-165

Abstract

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Aim: Interleukin 7 (IL-7) is a ϒc family cytokine involved in the homeostatic proliferation and maintenance of immune cells. In the present study, we report the expression of bovine IL-7 (bIL-7) in Escherichia coli and evaluated for its biological activity.

Materials and Methods: The sequence coding for bIL-7 (mature protein) was amplified from primary bovine kidney cell culture and cloned into pET28-a vector and expressed in E.coli (BL 21 DE3). The expressed protein was purified by nickel-nitrilotriacetatechromatography, and the reactivity of the protein was confirmed by western blotting using monoclonal antibodies raised against human IL-7. The biological activity of expressed bIL-7 was evaluated by analyzing its effect on the expression of a nuclear factor for activated T-cells c1 (NFATc1), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2), suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) molecules in bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Ability of the expressed protein was also analyzed by its effect on phosphorylating signal transducer and activator 3 (STAT3) molecule by immunostaining in human embryonic kidney cells 293 (HEK293) cells.

Results: The bIL-7 was able to induce the expression of Bcl2 and NFATc1expression in bovine PBMCs by 7 and 5-folds, respectively, whereas a 2-fold decrease was observed in the case of SOCS3 expression. Immunostaining studies in HEK293 cells using antihuman phospho-STAT3 showed activation and nuclear translocation of STAT3 molecule on bIL-7 treatment.

Conclusion: bIL-7 gene was successfully amplified, cloned, and expressed in a prokaryotic expression system. The biological activity study showed that the E.coli expressed bIL-7 protein is biologically active. Considering the role of IL-7 in T-cell homeostasis and memory cell generation, this molecule can be used for enhancing the vaccine response and that has to be proved by further experiments.

Keywords: B-cell lymphoma 2, nuclear factor for activated T-cells c1, recombinant bovine interleukin 7, signal transducer and activator 3.

Effect of incorporation of calcium lactate on physico-chemical, textural, and sensory properties of restructured buffalo meat loaves

Research (Published online: 13-02-2016)

8. Effect of incorporation of calcium lactate on physico-chemical, textural, and sensory properties of restructured buffalo meat loaves - A. Irshad, B. D. Sharma, S. R. Ahmed, S. Talukder, O. P. Malav and Ashish Kumar

Veterinary World, 9(2): 151-159

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.151-159

Abstract

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Aim: The present study was conducted to develop a functional meat product by fortifying calcium (in the form of calcium lactate) with restructured buffalo meat loaf (RBML).

Materials and Methods: Deboned buffalo meat obtained from the carcass of adult female buffalo within 5-6 h of slaughter and stored under frozen condition. Calcium fortified RBML were prepared by replacing the lean buffalo meat with calcium lactate powder at 0%, 1%, 1.25%, and 1.5% level through the pre-standardized procedure. The developed products were evaluated for physico-chemical properties, proximate composition, calcium concentration (mg/100 g), water activity (aw), Lovibond® tintometer color units, texture profile analysis (TPA), and sensory qualities as per-standard procedures.

Results: Of the various product quality parameters evaluated, cooking yield (%), product pH, moisture (%), protein (%), fat (%), and water activity (aw) decreases significantly with increasing level of calcium lactate. Calcium content of fortified functional RBMLs was 135.02, 165.73, and 203.85 mg/100 g as compared to 6.48 mg/100 g in control. Most of the sensory scores at 1% and 1.25% levels of calcium lactate in treatment products remained comparable among themselves and control product, with a gradual decline.

Conclusions: The present study concluded that 1.25% calcium lactate was the optimum level for the fortification of calcium in RBML without affecting the textural and sensory properties which could meet out 15% of recommended dietary allowance for calcium.

Keywords: buffalo meat, calcium fortification, Lovibond® tintometer color units, meat loaves, restructured products, texture profile analysis and sensory attributes.

Age-specific changes in electrocardiographic parameters in bipolar limb leads of conscious female native cats of Odisha

Research (Published online: 12-02-2016)

7. Age-specific changes in electrocardiographic parameters in bipolar limb leads of conscious female native cats of Odisha - Subhashree Sarangi, A. P. K. Mahapatra, S. Mohapatra and A. K. Kundu

Veterinary World, 9(2): 147-150

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.147-150

Abstract

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Aim: To study and compare the age-specific changes in electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters in bipolar limb leads of conscious female native cats of Odisha.

Materials and Methods: 20 healthy female native cats aged between 4 and 36 months of age were selected for the study. These queens were divided into two groups of 10 animals each. Group 1 constituted the queens aged 4-10 months (before puberty) with a mean weight of 2.28 kg (±0.4 standard error [SE]), and those aged 11-36 months (after puberty) with a mean weight of 3.72 kg (±0.6 SE) were in Group 2. The ECG was recorded with a 12-lead standard ECG recorder, Cardiart 108 T-MK VII-BPL (India) in the Leads I, II, and III.

Results: The mean heart rates were 160.73 (±7.83) beats/min and 139.09 (±2.72) beats/min in the cats aged 4-10 months and 11-36 months, respectively. Significant differences existed among Q- and R-wave amplitudes and duration of QT-interval

in Lead I. In Lead II, duration of QT and RR intervals, duration of ST-segment and amplitudes of P- and R-waves varied significantly. Significant differences were also observed in the P- and R-wave amplitudes in Lead III. The mean electrical axis was 63.11 (±1.98°) and 50.03 (±4.86°) in the cats aged 4-10 months and 11-36 months, respectively.

Conclusion: Since the ECG studies on conscious cats are scanty, and the number of native cats being presented in veterinary hospitals and clinics has increased drastically, there is a need to establish the reference values for ECG parameters in conscious native cats so that the cardiovascular abnormalities can be predicted.

Keywords: age-specific, conscious cat, electrocardiogram, mean electrical axis, native.

Loktanella spp. Gb03 as an algicidal bacterium, isolated from the culture of Dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus belizeanus

Research (Published online: 12-02-2016)

6. Loktanella spp. Gb03 as an algicidal bacterium, isolated from the culture of Dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus belizeanus - Anmar Hameed Bloh, Gires Usup and Asmat Ahmad

Veterinary World, 9(2): 142-146

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.142-146

Abstract

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Aim: Bacteria associated with harmful algal blooms can play a crucial role in regulating algal blooms in the environment. This study aimed at isolating and identifying algicidal bacteria in Dinoflagellate culture and to determine the optimum growth requirement of the algicidal bacteria, Loktanella sp. Gb-03.

Materials and Methods: The Dinoflagellate culture used in this study was supplied by Professor Gires Usup’s Laboratory, School of Environmental and Natural Resources Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia. The culture was used for the isolation of Loktanella sp., using biochemical tests, API 20 ONE kits. The fatty acid content of the isolates and the algicidal activity were further evaluated, and the phenotype was determined through the phylogenetic tree.

Results: Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, short rod-shaped, aerobic bacteria (Gb01, Gb02, Gb03, Gb04, Gb05, and Gb06) were isolated from the Dinoflagellate culture. The colonies were pink in color, convex with a smooth surface and entire edge. The optimum growth temperature for the Loktanella sp. Gb03 isolate was determined to be 30°C, in 1% of NaCl and pH7. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the bacterium belonged to the genus Loktanella of the class Alphaproteobacteria and formed a tight cluster with the type strain of Loktanella pyoseonensis (97.0% sequence similarity).

Conclusion: On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic data and genetic distinctiveness, strain Gb-03, were placed in the genus Loktanellaas the type strain of species. Moreover, it has algicidal activity against seven toxic Dinoflagellate. The algicidal property of the isolatedLoktanella is vital, especially where biological control is needed to mitigate algal bloom or targeted Dinoflagellates.

Keywords: algicidal activity, Gambierdiscus belizeanus, Loktanella sp. Gb-03, optimization growth.

Morphometric parameters and level of Salmonella and Escherichia coli contamination of Tilapia guineensis and Sarotherodon melanotheron in the waterway of Southern Benin

Research (Published online: 12-02-2016)

1. Morphometric parameters and level of Salmonella and Escherichia coli contamination of Tilapia guineensis and Sarotherodon melanotheron in the waterway of Southern Benin - Tossou Jacques Dougnon and Antoine Chikou

International Journal of One Health, 2: 1-6

Abstract

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Aim: The present study aims to evaluate the morphometric parameters and level of Salmonella andEscherichia coli contamination of Tilapia guineensis and Sarotherodon melanotheron in the waterway of Southern Benin.

Materials and Methods: 183 T. guineensis and 195 S. melanotheron were collected from June to July 2014 in four waterways: Lake Ahémé, Nokoué Lake, coastal lagoon, and lagoon of Porto-Novo. Weight, total length, and standard length of these fish were evaluated. E. coli and Salmonella sp. were sought in fresh fish.

Results: The results obtained in this study indicate that S. melanotheron presented high-performance of length and weight more than T. guineensis in Ahémé Lake and lagoon of Porto-Novo. However, in Nokoué Lake and coastal lagoon, no difference was observed between the two species of fish. As for bacteriological analysis, the population of T. guineensis was more contaminated with E. coli with respective values of 60% and 59.52% in the Nokoué Lake and coastal lagoon than in the two other streams. Regarding the population of S. melanotheron, she was most contaminated in the coastal lagoon with a percentage of 66.66% in Ahémé Lake, Nokoué Lake, and the lagoon of Porto-Novo. However, no Salmonella germ was detected in fish analyzed in this study.

Conclusion: It appears that the morphometric parameters and weight of T. guineensis are lower than those of S. melanotheron. The evaluation of the microbiological quality revealed that T. guineensis is more contaminated with E. coli that S. melanotheron.

Keywords: benin, Escherichia coli, morphometric parameters, Salmonella sp., Sarotherodon melanotheron,Tilapia guineensis.

Developmental neurotoxicity of monocrotophos and lead is linked to thyroid disruption

Research (Published online: 08-02-2016)

5. Developmental neurotoxicity of monocrotophos and lead is linked to thyroid disruption - B. Kala Kumar, A. Gopala Reddy, A. Vamsi Krishna, S. S. Y. H. Quadri and P. Shiva Kumar

Veterinary World, 9(2): 133-141

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.133-141

Abstract

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Aim: A role of thyroid disruption in developmental neurotoxicity of monocrotophos (MCP) and lead is studied.

Materials and Methods: A total of 24 female rats after conception were randomized into four groups of six each and treated as follows: Group I - Sham was administered distilled water orally. Group II - A positive control was administered methyl methimazole at 0.02% orally in drinking water. Group III - MCP orally at 0.3 mg/kg and Group IV - Lead acetate at 0.2% orally in drinking water. The drug was administered from gestation day 3 through post-natal day 21 in all the groups. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition, thyroid profile (thyroid stimulating hormone, T3 and T4), neurodevelopment (brain wet weights, DNA, RNA and protein), and neurobehavioral (elevated plus maze, photoactometry, and Morris water maze) parameters were assessed in pups. A histopathology of thyroid of dams and brain of progeny was conducted.

Results: Inhibition of AChE was <20%. Thyroid profile decreased in the treatment groups. Neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral parameters did not reveal any significant changes. Thyroid architecture was affected significantly with MCP and lead. Cortical layers too were affected. The three layers of cerebellum either had abnormal arrangement or decreased cellularity in all treated groups relating to thyroid disruption.

Conclusion: MCP and lead might have affected the development of cerebrum and cerebellum via thyroid disruption leading to developmental neurotoxicity.

Keywords: behavioral alterations, developmental neurotoxicity, lead, monocrotophos, thyroid disruption.

Genetic analysis of growth traits in Harnali sheep

Research (Published online: 08-02-2016)

4. Genetic analysis of growth traits in Harnali sheep - Lalit, Z. S. Malik, D. S. Dalal, S. P. Dahiya, C. S. Patil and Ravinder Dahiya

Veterinary World, 9(2): 128-132

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.128-132

Abstract

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Aim: The present investigation was to study genetic characteristics of Harnali sheep with respect to growth performance and to estimate genetic parameters.

Materials and Methods: The 22 years (1992-2013) data of growth traits of a 1603 synthetic population of Harnali sheep maintained at Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, was utilized for this study. A mixed methodology with regression on their dam’s weight was used to study the effect of non-genetic factors on growth traits. Heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations were estimated using paternal half-sib analysis for body weight at various ages and average daily gain (ADG) for different growth periods.

Result: The overall least squares mean of body weights recorded for birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), six months body weight (SMW), one yearling body weight (YBW), average daily gain from birth to 3 months (ADG1) and average daily gain from 3 to 12 months (ADG2) were 3.35±0.05 kg, 12.41±0.08 kg, 16.30±0.12 kg, 21.88±0.08 kg, 100.66±0.86 g/day and 35.07±0.39 g/day, respectively. The effects of year of birth significantly (p<0.01) influenced the BW, WW, SMW, YWB, ADG1 and ADG2. The effects of sex of lamb significantly (p<0.01) influenced the BW, WW SMW, YWB, ADG1 and ADG2. The effects of dam’s weight at lambing significantly (p<0.01) influenced BW, WW, SMW, YWB, ADG1 and ADG2. No definite trend was observed over the years for the averages of body weight and gain. The heritability estimates of BW, WW, SMW, YBW, ADG1 and ADG2 were 0.40±0.05, 0.38±0.05, 0.45±0.06, 0.29±0.05, 0.40±0.06 and 0.33±0.02, respectively. The male lambs were significantly heavier than females at all stages of growth. The heritability estimates were moderate for all the growth traits and high genetic correlations of BW and WW with SMW were found.

Conclusion: Due to high heritability and positive correlations of SMW with other body weights and daily gain, it was concluded that selection on the basis of SMW would be the best approach to improve growth performance in Harnali sheep.

Keywords: correlations, growth traits, Harnali sheep, heritability.