Comparative modeling and mutual docking of structurally uncharacterized heat shock protein 70 and heat shock factor-1 proteins in water buffalo

Research (Published online: 23-12-2019)

21. Comparative modeling and mutual docking of structurally uncharacterized heat shock protein 70 and heat shock factor-1 proteins in water buffalo

Ravinder Singh, Ankita Gurao, C. Rajesh, S. K. Mishra, Saroj Rani, Ankita Behl, Vikash Kumar and R. S. Kataria

Veterinary World, 12(12): 20236-2045

ABSTRACT

Aim: In this study, a wide range of in silico investigation of Bubalus bubalis (BB) heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and heat shock factor-1 (HSF1) has been performed, ranging from sequence evaluation among species to homology modeling along with their docking studies to decipher the interacting residues of both molecules.

Materials and Methods: Protein sequences of BB HSP70 and HSF1 were retrieved from NCBI database in FASTA format. Primary and secondary structure prediction were computed using Expasy ProtParam server and Phyre2 server, respectively. TMHMM server was used to identify the transmembrane regions in HSP70. Multiple sequence alignment and comparative analysis of the protein was carried out using MAFFT and visualization was created using ESPript 3.0. Phylogenetic analysis was accomplished by COBALT. Interactions of HSP70 with other proteins were studied using STRING database. Modeller 9.18, RaptorX, Swiss-Modeller, Phyre2, and I-TASSER were utilized to design the three-dimensional structure of these proteins followed by refinement; energy minimization was accomplished using ModRefiner and SPDBV program. Stereochemical quality along with the accuracy of the predicted models and their visualization was observed by PROCHECK program of PDBsum and UCSF Chimera, respectively. ClusPro 2.0 server was accessed for the docking of the receptor protein with the ligand.

Results: The lower value of Grand Average of Hydropathy indicates the more hydrophilic nature of HSP70 protein. Value of the instability index (II) classified the protein as stable. No transmembrane region was reported for HSP70 by TMHMM server. Phylogenetic analysis based on multiple sequence alignments (MSAs) by COBALT indicated more evolutionarily closeness of Bos indicus (BI) with Bos taurus as compared to BI and BB. STRING database clearly indicates the HSF1 as one of the interacting molecules among 10 interacting partners with HSP 70. The best hit of 3D model of HSP70 protein and HSF1 was retrieved from I-TASSER and Phyre2, respectively. Interacting residues and type of bonding between both the molecules which were docked by ClusPro 2.0 were decoded by PIC server. Hydrophobic interactions, protein-protein main-chain-side-chain hydrogen bonds, and protein-protein side-chain-side-chain hydrogen bonds were delineated in this study.

Conclusion: This is the first-ever study on in silico interaction of HSP70 and HSF1 proteins in BB. Several bioinformatics web tools were utilized to study secondary structure along with comparative modeling, physicochemical properties, and protein-protein interaction. The various interacting amino acid residues of both proteins have been indicated in this study.

Keywords: Bubalus bubalis, docking, heat shock proteins, heat shock factor-1, heat shock protein 70, homology modeling.

---

Treatment of experimentally induced diabetic wound infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus using Aloe vera, Apium graveolens, and Sauropus androgynus extracts in rats

Research (Published online: 23-12-2019)

15. Treatment of experimentally induced diabetic wound infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus using Aloe vera, Apium graveolens, and Sauropus androgynus extracts in rats

Yos Adi Prakoso, Kurniasih Kurniasih, Agustina Dwi Wijayanti and Yuli Purwandari Kristianingrum

International Journal of One Health, 5: 99-106

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: One of the complications of diabetes mellitus is diabetic ulcer. Diabetic ulcer is commonly infected by infectious agents, especially methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of alcoholic extracts of Aloe vera, Apium graveolens, and Sauropus androgynus on promoting wound healing in a diabetic wound infected with MRSA.

Materials and Methods: A total of 60 male Sprague-Dawley rats (6 months old, weighing 250-300 g) were injected with 65 mg/kg body weight of streptozotocin to induce diabetes. On day 7, the backs of the rats were shaved, and two circular wounds (4 mm in diameter) were created on their back, which were infected with MRSA. The rats were divided into six groups: Group I = control, Group II = treated with cream base without extract, Group III = treated with 2% A. vera cream, Group IV = treated with 2% A. graveolens cream, Group V = treated with 2% S. androgynus cream, and Group VI = treated with 2% A. vera + 2% A. graveolens + 2% S. androgynus cream. The wounds were treated twice a day for 14 days. The data were collected on days 7 and 14.

Results: The results showed that all three herbal extracts and their combination decreased wound area and percentage of the wound, increased tensile strength of skin, collagen deposition, vascular endothelial growth factor expression, and skin thickness, and depressed the C-reactive protein profile and cyclooxygenase-2 expression.

Conclusion: A. vera, A. graveolens, and S. androgynus creams can be used as herbal therapies against diabetic wounds infected with MRSA, both as a single and combination treatment.

Keywords: Aloe vera, Apium graveolens, diabetes ulcer, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Sauropus androgynus.

Evaluation of the efficacy of commonly used disinfectants against isolated chlorine-resistant strains from drinking water used in Egyptian cattle farms

Research (Published online: 21-12-2019)

20. Evaluation of the efficacy of commonly used disinfectants against isolated chlorine-resistant strains from drinking water used in Egyptian cattle farms

Mohamed Abdelhameed Kamal, Mahmoud Abdelaty Khalaf, Zakia Attia Mohamed Ahmed and Jakeen El Jakee

Veterinary World, 12(12): 2025-2035

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Drinking water of poor microbiological quality contains high percentages of microbes causing outbreaks of mainly coliform-related diseases. These microbes could be controlled by many hygienic standards including disinfection, but disinfectants misuse causes the developing of disinfectant-resistant strains. The present study aimed to investigate drinking water bacterial profile, determine chlorine-resistant strains, and statistically correlate that with the used disinfectant and disinfection process variables. In vitro evaluation of the bactericidal effect of the most commonly used disinfectants in cattle operations against the isolated chlorine-resistant strains and detection of qacE resistance gene in the isolated chlorine-resistant Escherichia coli strains in some cattle farms suffering coliform and non-coliform related disease around Egypt.

Materials and Methods: A structured questionnaire is used to survey a convenience sample of 132 Egyptian cattle beef and dairy farms suffering emerged epidemics to identify commonly used disinfection process, disinfectant types, disinfectants frequency, and rate of use. One hundred and thirty-two water samples were collected for microbiological analysis to obtain water bacterial profile and testing resistance to chlorine. Statistical analysis was performed to identify the level of association between microbial profile and presence of chlorine-resistant strains in each farm with used disinfection, disinfectant types, and rate of use in these farms.

Results: A wide range of disinfectant types used for variable purposes inside cattle farms with a different frequency of use and the highest percent of farms 25.8% use 4-5 types of disinfectants, followed by 25% of farms use two types, then 18.9% use three types. Microbial profile of water samples revealed isolation of E. coli, Streptococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella spp., Proteus spp., Salmonella spp., Enterobacter spp., Citrobacter spp., Shigella flexneri, Serratia marcescens, and Yersinia enterocolitica in percent (98.5, 97.7, 97.7, 76.5, 66.7, 36.4, 78.8, 74.2, 30.3, 29.5, and 14.4% of cattle farms, respectively), from which five E. coli, four Salmonella, four Pseudomonas, two Klebsiella, and four Streptococcus strains expressed chlorine resistance. Statistical analysis showed weak to moderate correlation (rho 0.15-0.46) between bacterial profile strains count and presence of resistant strains with different farm disinfection, disinfectant types, and rate of use. Experimental evaluation of the bactericidal effect of the eight selected disinfectants on the chlorine-resistant isolated strains revealed that peroxymonosulfate killed 19/19 isolated strains/15 min contact time, and quaternary ammonium compounds killed only 3/19 strains/15 min contact time. The qacE resistance gene was detected in 3/4 isolated chlorine-resistant E. coli strains.

Conclusion: Drinking water microbial profile strains and resistance to disinfectants are widely varied in cattle farms, and this variance depends on critical factors among which the disinfection process types used disinfectant types and frequency of disinfectants use or change.

Keywords: cattle farms, disinfectant resistance, drinking water, microbial profile, resistance genes.

Small ruminants as a pathway to reduce urban poverty: An empirical analysis of Sudan

Research (Published online: 20-12-2019)

19. Small ruminants as a pathway to reduce urban poverty: An empirical analysis of Sudan

Raga Elzaki, Samar Abdalla and Mohammed Al-Mahish

Veterinary World, 12(12): 2017-2024

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study aimed to measure the energetic incidence of poverty and determines the main factors that cause urban poverty. Moreover, the study examines the key role of the livestock sector in poverty reduction in urban regions and develops an analytical tool to aid in urban area poverty mitigation through goats and sheep ownership.

Materials and Methods: The study mainly depends on primary data assembled through structured and unstructured questionnaires, which were distributed among the targeted groups in the urban area in Sudan. Poverty line and poverty indices were calculated and measured using various well-known methods. The causes of poverty were estimated using logistic regression, and the effect of small ruminants in poverty alleviation was estimated using multivariate regression analysis.

Results: The study findings indicate that both food and income poverty lines are less than the standard poverty line. In addition, the results imply that rural migration and crime predictors are among the most important factors in increasing urban poverty in the study area. Furthermore, livestock ownership has a significant impact on poverty reduction.

Conclusion: The study concludes that small ruminants are playing a key role in reducing urban poverty. Thus, the study urges planners and policy-makers to support policies that promote livestock sector development as a strategy to alleviate poverty in Sudan.

Keywords: goats, sheep, urban poverty causes, urban poverty line, urban poverty reduction.

Seroepidemiological study of the exposure to Toxoplasma gondii among horses in Algeria and analysis of risk factors

Research (Published online: 20-12-2019)

18. Seroepidemiological study of the exposure to Toxoplasma gondii among horses in Algeria and analysis of risk factors

Sabrine Fazia Ouslimani, Safia Tennah, Naouelle Azzag, Salima Yamina Derdour, Bernard China and Farida Ghalmi

Veterinary World, 12(12): 2007-2016

ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of the Toxoplasma gondii in horses in different parts of Algeria and to determine risk factors for the infection.

Materials and Methods: A total of 736 blood samples were collected from horses of various breeds, gender, coat colors, and ages. All horses came from various farms, racecourses, and equestrian centers. The seroprevalence was investigated by three different methods: Indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) as reference method, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and latex agglutination test (LAT).

Results: Out of the 736 sera, 178 (24.18%) were positive for IFAT, 133 (18.07%) for LAT, and 317 (43.07%) for ELISA. It was found that IFAT and LAT were in high agreement (Kappa 0.79), indicating that LAT and IFAT had similar capabilities in the detection of anti-T. gondii antibodies from horse sera. Risk factors analysis based on IFAT results indicated that the habit of the animals was significant risk factors (p≤0.05) for Toxoplasma infection. The seroprevalence was significantly higher in horses living on farms. Moreover, a higher seroprevalence was found in older animals compared to younger ones. Furthermore, the seroprevalence in females was significantly higher than that in males and gelding. Breed, coat color, and water sources are also important factors to influence the seroprevalence of T. gondii.

Conclusion: The results indicated that T. gondii is present in horses throughout Algeria and thus represents a risk for both human and animal health. These results underline the need to increase the vigilance and the preventive measures against this disease not only to protect the horses but also to limit the spread of the parasite.

Keywords: Algeria, horse, seroprevalence, Toxoplasma gondii.

Epidemiology of thermotolerant Campylobacter infection in poultry in Nsukka agricultural zone, Nigeria

Research (Published online: 19-12-2019)

14. Epidemiology of thermotolerant Campylobacter infection in poultry in Nsukka agricultural zone, Nigeria

Emmanuel Okechukwu Njoga, Innocent Okwundu Nwankwo and Joel Chukwudi Ugwunwarua

International Journal of One Health, 5: 92-98

ABSTRACT

Backgrond and Aim: Thermotolerant Campylobacter organisms (TCOs) are primary causes of bacterial foodborne gastroenteritis worldwide. Although all warm-blooded animals are susceptible to colonization by TCOs, food-producing animals, especially poultry, are major reservoirs of the infection for transmission to humans. This epidemiological study for thermotolerant Campylobacter infection (TCI) in poultry was, therefore, conducted to determine the prevalence and to identify the risk factors of TCI in 60 randomly selected poultry farms in Nsukka agricultural zone.

Materials and Methods: A structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on the farmers' involvement in practices that may aggravate TCI in poultry farms. Isolation of TCOs for the determination of prevalence of the infection was done following standard microbiological protocol.

Results: The majority (93.3%) of the farms practiced intensive management system. Farm and individual prevalence of TCI were 78.3% and 19.4%, respectively. The prevalence of 15.7% and 23.6% was recorded for birds reared in urban and rural areas, respectively. Similarly, prevalence rates of 17.2%, 25%, 14.7%, and 24.5% were documented for broiler, layer, male, and female birds, respectively. Major risk factors of TCI found were non-sanitization of drinking water, rearing birds of different ages together, thinning, raising other animals alongside poultry, and overstocking.

Conclusion: Overall prevalence of 19.4% is high from public health and food safety points of view. Farmers' participation in the risk factors for TCI is massive. Significant improvement in biosecurity practices in poultry farms in the study area is therefore imperative; to limit TCI in poultry and hence the risk of human infection through the food chain or at the poultry-human interface.

Keywords: biosecurity, Nigeria, poultry, public health, risk factors, thermotolerant Campylobacter infection.

Effectiveness of six molecular typing methods as epidemiological tools for the study of Salmonella isolates in two Colombian regions

Research (Published online: 19-12-2019)

17. Effectiveness of six molecular typing methods as epidemiological tools for the study of Salmonella isolates in two Colombian regions

Kelly Lozano-Villegas, Roy Rodríguez-Hernández and Iang Rondón-Barragán

Veterinary World, 12(12): 1998-2006

ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim of this study was the genotypic characterization of the strains of Salmonella spp. isolated from broiler chickens and humans with gastroenteritis from two regions of Colombia, by BOXA1R-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR methods.

Materials and Methods: Forty-nine strains of Salmonella were assessed, 15 from poultry farms in Santander region, and 34 from Tolima region isolated from poultry farms (n=24) and the stool samples of people with gastroenteritis (n=10). BOXA1R primers were selected for repetitive element-based PCR (REP-PCR) and five arbitrary primers, namely, GTG 5, OPB 15, OPP 16, OPS 11, and P 1254 were used for RAPD-PCR to generate DNA fingerprints from the isolates. Fingerprint data from each typing method were under composite analysis and the diversity of the data was analyzed by grouping (clustering). The dendrogram was generated by the unweighted group method with analysis of the arithmetic mean based on the Dice similarity coefficient. In addition, Simpson's index was evaluated to discriminate the power of the methods.

Results: OPP 16 primer and composite analysis proved to be superior compared to other REP-PCR typing methods. The best discriminatory index was observed when GTG 5 (0.92) and OPP 16 (0.85) primers were used alone or combined with RAPD-PCR and BOX-PCR (0.99).

Conclusion: This study indicated that OPP 16 and GTG 5 primers provide suitable molecular typing results for the discrimination of the genetic relationship among Salmonella spp. isolates and may be useful for epidemiological studies.

Keywords: dendrogram, serotyping, typing methods.