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Introduction: Anaplasma marginal is a rickettsial organism and is the causative agent in cattle anaplasmosis. This Parasite attacks the red blood cells after infection of sensitive bovine and is transmitted by ticks. Methodology: The study was aimed to detect Anaplasma marginale through PCR the prevalence of four genera (Rhipicephalus, Boophilus, Hyalomma, and Amblyomma) of ticks, twelve hundred animals were observed, 560 samples of blood randomly taken from cattle that possesses ticks on their body and these samples were shifted to the Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam. The infected cattle exhibited clinical signs such as Temperature, decrease in appetite, nausea, and chills. The study was conducted over a period of one year from November 2020 to November 2021. Results: The results of the study showed a high rate of Anaplasma infection (88.33%) and a prevalence of ticks at Mirpurkhas. Month-wise data reveals that the maximum infection was shown in the month of June and the minimum in the month of November at District Mirpurkhas, while at Hyderabad, the month-wise data indicates the Maximum infection rate in the month of May, and the minimum infection was found in the month of November. Conclusion: Ticks collected from two districts of Mirpurkhas and Hyderabad proceeded for identification of Tick’s genus, and the mostly ticks which were infested on animals concerned with the Hyalomma genus (26.11%) Amblyomma genus (25.37%), Boophilus genus (24.62%), and Rhipicephalus genus (23.88%).

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency, risk factors and pattern of congenital anomalies in neonates admitted at a tertiary care hospital. Methodology: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Research was conducted at NICU Pediatric ward, PMCH Nawabshah. Duration of study was 6 months after the approval of synopsis from January 2020 to July 2020. This study involved 300 neonates in NICU which were screened for congenital anomalies. Age, gender and birth weight of the neonate was recorded. Mothers were also enquired about consanguinity and use of folic acid and smoking and diabetic status during pregnancy. Frequency and type of birth defect were noted and were compared across various subgroups based on various neonatal and maternal factors. Results: The mean age of the neonates was 10.5±7.4 days while the mean birth weight was 2.89±0.74 Kg. There were 174 (58.0%) male and 126 (42.0%) female neonates with a male to female ratio of 1.4:1. 77 (25.7%) neonates were low birth weight. Birth defect was noted in 35 (11.7%) neonates. 3 neonates had multiple anomalies. The frequency of birth defects was significantly higher in women with no use of folic acid during pregnancy (14.8% vs. 5.2%; p-value=0.015) and cousin marriage (16.6% vs. 2.8%; p-value

This research article discusses facts about DNA. It is the building block of the body that plays an important role in making the whole body. It is the inherent substance of not only humans but also all other organisms, which is the key to sharing information from parent to child. All genetic information has been structured to transmit traits from one generation to the next, and also to discover the history of DNA. DNA is not only discovered by accident, but by research, it is discovered in its proper way, along with its existence and production. In the light of modern science and Islamic law, the effects and results of DNA tests have also been made clear that Islam has made everything clear like glass even though a single test can produce positive results. DNA testing is specifically designed to help you answer our questions about childbirth. This article mentions several Islamic rules regarding human life. DNA testing is a new and innovative technique. Which is done for different purposes but in the light of Islam unlike the modern world, it has a different view.

In recent years, a clear emphasis has been placed on replacing fishmeal and fish oil in aquafeeds with other alternative ingredients, including algae, particularly in low trophic omnivorous fish species. This work aimed at evaluating the effects of moderate dietary supplementation with the green microalga Chlorella fusca on growth, metabolism, and digestive functionality in juvenile thick-lipped grey mullet (Chelon labrosus). Fish were fed a control diet (CT) or a diet containing 15% C. fusca (C-15) biomass during 90 days. C. labrosus fed with the C-15 diet showed higher growth performance (in terms of final weight and length, weight gain, and specific growth rate) than the control group. Somatic indices and muscle proximate composition were similar at the end of the feeding trial. Regarding fatty acids profile, C. fusca-fed fish showed a selective retention of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the liver, and arachidonic acid (ARA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and DHA in the muscle. Dietary inclusion of this microalga significantly increased intestinal total alkaline protease, leucine aminopeptidase, and alkaline phosphatase activities in specimens fed with C-15 diet. Furthermore, intestine histological analysis revealed the absence of damage signs on gut morphology in fish fed the microalgae supplemented diet. Thick-lipped grey mullets fed the C-15 diet increased plasma glucose and decreased plasma lactate. Overall, the effects observed on liver (lipid metabolism, glycolysis and glycogenolysis) enzyme activities, together with adequate fatty acid profile, metabolic response, and gut morphology, and a significant increase in the intestinal mucosa’s digestive and absorptive capacity, could explain the positive effects on growth performance obtained in fish fed the microalgae-supplemented diet. In conclusion, the results obtained showed that C. fusca is suitable as dietary ingredient for feeding thick-lipped grey mullet juveniles.

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-12T02:01:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-06-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Aeromonas hydrophila is responsible for outbreaks of a severe infectious disease in fish farms around the world and is one of the major causes of economic losses to the neotropical fish farmers. This study assessed the induction of immune responses and protection against A. hydrophila in pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus, vaccinated through intraperitoneal and immersion route with inactivated virulent strain. Fish were randomly distributed in three vaccinated groups: intraperitoneal (i.p.) route; immersion; and immersion + booster; and control group (unvaccinated). All vaccination protocols used the concentration of 1.7 × 108 CFU mL−1 of inactivated A. hydrophila., and an oil adjuvant was used for vaccine prepararion for i.p. route vaccination. Blood and skin mucus from 9 fishes per treatment were collected at 14, 28, 42 and 84 days post-vaccination (DPV) for determination of lysozyme concentration in skin mucus, as well as antibodies anti-A. hydrophila in blood serum and skin mucus. Fish were challenged at 84 DPV with homologous and virulent strain of A. hydrophila for evaluation of resistance against bacterial infection. The results demonstrated that vaccination with inactivated A. hydrophila suspension by i.p. or immersion resulted in significant increase of skin mucus lysozyme and specific antibody levels in serum and skin mucus, at 28 and 42 DPV, and this increase in innate and adaptive immunity remained significant in pacu vaccinated through i.p. route up to 84 DPV. Although no significant differences were observed in the survival study, pacu vaccinated through i.p. route presented 31,33% of relative percentage survival (RPS) in LD50–96h when compared unvaccinated fish challenged at 84 DPV. The results observed in this study indicate that vaccination programs with inactivated A. hydrophila, including booster doses by i.p. or immersion routes, could result in more effective protection in pacu against this bacteriosis, by increasing innate and adaptive mucosal and systemic immune responses. Laboratory of Aquatic Organisms Pathology (Lapoa) Aquaculture Center from UNESP (CAUNESP), Rodovia de Acesso Paulo Donato Castellane s/n Department of Microbiology Faculty of Sciences University of Malaga Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine São Paulo State University (Unesp), Rodovia de Acesso Paulo Donato Castellane s/n, Zona Rural Department of Microbiology São Paulo State University (Unesp), Rodovia de Acesso Paulo Donato Castellane s/n, Zona Rural Laboratory of Animal Pharmacology and Toxicology Brazil University, Av. Hilário da Silva Passos, 950 Laboratory of Aquatic Organisms Pathology (Lapoa) Aquaculture Center from UNESP (CAUNESP), Rodovia de Acesso Paulo Donato Castellane s/n Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine São Paulo State University (Unesp), Rodovia de Acesso Paulo Donato Castellane s/n, Zona Rural Department of Microbiology São Paulo State University (Unesp), Rodovia de Acesso Paulo Donato Castellane s/n, Zona Rural FAPESP: 2012/12256-7 CNPq: 432830/2016-2

This study aimed to evaluate the combined effect of dietary Chlorella fusca and ethanol-inactivated Vibrio proteolyticus DCF12.2 (C + V diet) in Chelon labrosus juveniles, highlighting their nutritional, physiological, and morphological effects. The results showed that the combined dietary inclusion of C. fusca and V. proteolyticus significantly enhanced growth performance and feed utilization compared to the control group. The C + V diet increased the fish lipid quality index (FLQ), n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and n-3/n-6 ratio, which might be beneficial in terms of human nutrition. The C + V diet considerably increased carbohydrate metabolic activity by statistically boosting plasma glucose. The dietary inclusion of C. fusca in conjunction with V. proteolyticus increased metabolic enzyme activity as well as intestinal absorption capacity compared to that found in the control group. In conclusion, the experimental diet was suitable for feeding C. labrosus, increasing their growth and the nutritional characteristics of the muscle and intestine, without causing tissue damage.

Purpose This paper aims to examine the determinants that influence the customer’s adoption towards the use of family takaful scheme by extending diffusion theory of innovation (DOI) in the context of Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach The published work allied to takaful studies and DOI was reviewed. Total of 282 respondents who are non-users of family takaful product were used for the purpose of primary data collection through convenience sampling. Findings The customer’s adoption towards Islamic insurance is determined not only by perceived relative advantage and perceived compatibility but also by awareness and religious belief. Perceived complexity, on the contrary, turns out not to be a predictor of family takaful adoption. Further, gender, age and education do not moderate the family takaful adoption by the customers. Research limitations/implications This research alike others have limitations in terms of sampling method used and only covers one city of Pakistan, namely, Karachi. Further studies need to be conducted in other cities as well with a large population. Originality/value Extended DOI is not used in the context of takaful in Pakistan as evident from scarce literature on the empirical studies. Therefore, the authors extend the DOI in the current work. Further, this paper will be a useful reference guide for the academicians, operators of takaful business and future researchers.

The article has two fold purpose; it proposes a revised technology acceptance model which includes usability dimensions and then tests revised model by measuring user acceptance of web-based transactional systems (WTS). Model was tested and validated through data obtained from 301 online users. The results suggest that the two important tenets, usefulness and ease of use have significant influence on intention to transact. Response time was found to have an effect on perceived usefulness. Accessibility and navigability had shown significant impact on perceived ease of use. Overall, results supported the proposed hypothetical model.

According to Watson-Crick base pairing, Guanine binds to Cytosine and Adenine binds to Thymine to form a double helix DNA molecule; however, it is observed that guanine can also bind with another guanine through hoogesteen hydrogen bonding at about 90 degrees. Thus a tetrad is formed if four guanines are attached with each other. These tetrads are the cause of the formation of unusual structures called G-quadruplex structures. These structures not only formed by a single guanine rich nucleic acid sequence but their formation is also possible by two or four parallel sequences collectively. These structures (or guanine rich sequences through which they are formed) affect a well known technology named Affymetrix GeneChip which is popular for gene expression measurement effectively and cheaply. Since the nucleic acid sequences are placed very closely on GeneChip, they are able to interact with each other and then form G-quadruplex structures. In this case, they are not ready to hybridize with their target sequences. It is found that raw or hybridization level data of human, mouse and rat (mammalian in general) are affected by guanine rich sequences. This paper exhibits that GeneChips of two Bacterias are also affected by guanine-guanine interaction and hence measurement of gene expressions using these chips could be misleading.

Aquaculture procedures usually induce stress that affects the physiological status of fish. For this reason, the inclusion of additives in fish feeds to palliate stress might be a good alternative. This study aimed to assess the antimicrobial activity of citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) essential oil (CEO) against bacterial pathogens and to determine its dietary impact on the growth performance of Sparus aurata. In vitro tests confirmed that CEO possesses antimicrobial activity against several fish-specific pathogens. For the in vivo tests, three experimental groups were fed for 60 days with different concentrations of CEO: CTRL (0 mL kg−1 fish feed), CEO1 (1 mL kg−1 fish feed), and CEO2 (2 mL kg−1 fish feed). At the end of the experiment, the physiological status was characterized. Subsequently, the specimens of the CTRL and CEO2 groups were subjected to a challenge with an injection of Poly I:C for immune stimulation. Although S. aurata individuals tolerated CEO inclusion without compromising growth performance, it significantly reduced glycogen in the CEO2 group, concomitant to an increment of total peripheral leucocytes. Moreover, different hematological profiles’ responsive patterns against an inflammatory stimulus were observed. In conclusion, our results suggest that the use of CEO as a fish feed additive can prevent bacterial outbreaks and improve potential in vivo disease resistance in S. aurata without negatively affecting growth.

Noventa investigadores de la Universidad de Málaga pertenecientes a 21 grupos de investigación, se han organizado en un Instituto de Biotecnología y Desarrollo Azul, IBYDA. El objetivo del IBYDA es la investigación, la docencia, el desarrollo y la transferencia de conocimiento en el marco del desarrollo circular o azul; incluyendo el análisis económico de los proyectos, el modelado de diferentes escenarios, y su aplicación a la gestión y planificación del territorio. Así mismo, el instituto ofrecerá infraestructuras acuícolas y servicios, y promoverá el emprendimiento. La actividad transversal central del IBYDA es la Acuicultura Multitrófica como implementación de la estrategia de Biorrefinería, es decir, el aprovechamiento de distintos tipos de residuos para el cultivo de organismos, cuya biomasa se empleará para la obtención de productos de alto valor añadido. Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

This study evaluated the control of streptococcosis outbreaks in Brazil, isolated from diseased sorubim and identified as Lactococcus garvieae by genetic sequencing. This report determined the potential for lactococcosis control in sorubim Pseudoplatystoma sp. with two vaccines: an aqueous-based, whole-cell inactivated vaccine (bacterin) and an oil-adjuvanted bacterin. Their efficacy was evaluated at 30 days post-vaccination (d.p.v.) by challenge with L. garvieae, and the antibody production response at 15, 30 and 60 d.p.v. and the non-specific immune response were compared amongst treatments. High protection levels (P

In this study, we evaluated the in vivo comparative efficacy of ivermectin and Nigella sativa extract against helminths in Aseel chickens, and the effects of helminths on blood parameters before and after treatment in Aseel chickens. Forty naturally infected adult Aseel chickens were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 each): group A (ivermectin at 300 μg/kg); group B (N. sativa extract at 200 mg/kg); group C (ivermectin at 300 μg/kg + N. sativa extract at 200 mg/kg); group D was kept as a positive control to monitor time-related changes. On day 28 post treatment, the mean percentages of faecal egg-count reduction (FECR %) in groups A, B and C were recorded as 93.58, 88.09 and 100.00%, respectively. Further data analysis showed significantly higher efficacy in group C (100 ± 0.00%) than in groups A and B (P < 0.001). Highly significant (P < 0.001) improvements in mean percentage values of packed cell volume (PCV %) were recorded in groups A and C on days 14 and 28 post treatment. Meanwhile, the improvements in mean values of haemoglobin (Hb) concentration in groups A, B and C were highly significant (P < 0.001) when compared to that of group D on day 28 post treatment. The synergistic combination of ivermectin and N. sativa extract possessed greater efficacy than either ivermectin or N. sativa extract used alone. Furthermore, both PCV % and Hb concentration values gradually increased in the treated groups compared to the control group, in which PCV % and Hb concentration gradually decreased throughout the trial.

Tulisan ini hendak mengulas fenomena yang sedang dihadapi pemerintah Indonesia, yakni adanya kesenjangan antara kebutuhan yakni permintaan sekaligus ekspektasi akan pembangunan kekuatan sektor pertahanan yang memerlukan peningkatan anggaran dengan kondisi kemampuan sumber daya/anggaran yang terbatas. Untuk dapat mengakomodasi kebutuhan tersebut maka pertumbuhan Produk Domestik Bruto (PDB) yang tinggi menjadi prasyarat utama dan pemerintah perlu merumuskan strategi kebijakan makro ekonomi yang tepat untuk menciptakan pertumbuhan PDB yang tinggi. Penelitian ini membahas kebijakan fiskal-moneter sebagai instrumen pendorong pertumbuhan ekonomi dan mengetahui dampak kebijakan tersebut terhadap anggaran sektor pertahanan. Adapun penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan deskriptif kualitatif purposive sampling dengan metode Means-Ways-Ends dan kurva IS-LM sebagai alat analisis. Dari hasil penelitian, disimpulkan bahwa bauran kebijakan fiskal-moneter yang paling tepat adalah dengan mempertimbangkan situasi dan kondisi makro ekonomi yang sedang dihadapi sebagai dasar penentuan kombinasi kebijakan fiskal-moneter yang tepat guna mencapai pertumbuhan PDB yang tinggi. Bauran kebijakan tersebut harus disertai syarat adanya sinergi dan koordinasi antara kebijakan fiskal dan moneter. Kata Kunci: anggaran sektor pertahanan, bauran kebijakan Fiskal-Moneter, Produk Domestik Bruto (PDB)

The pathogenic bacteria Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida affects the development of Solea senegalensis culture. Vaccines made with inactivated cells have produced a relative protection against the sickness, however the administration of subcellular and purified antigens as vaccine could increase the effectiveness of the immune response. Thus, the aim of this work was the determination of antigens of P. damselae subsp. piscicida involved in the specific immune response of S. senegalensis. Fish were immunized by intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) with inactivated extracellular polymeric substances (ECP) and whole cells of P. damselae subsp. piscicida, and Freund's incomplete adjuvant. Two months later fish were boosted with the same antigens. Serum from fish was collected to determine by ELISA the title of antibodies against subcellular fractions of bacteria (ECP, capsule, outer membrane proteins, O antigen and formalized whole cells). Significant differences were found between control and immunized fish, but differences between first immunization and booster were only found for O antigen and capsule. Western blots derived from 2D-PAGE of ECP and Outer Membrane Proteins (OMP), using sole immunized serum, detected two high reactive antigens from ECP. Proteins were identified, by mass spectrometry, as ATP-dependent metalloprotease and Telurite resistance proteins. In the case of OMP, three antigenic proteins were detected and identified as Nrfa Y218f, Anti-oxidant AhpC/TSA, and a protein domain DNA binding heat shock related.

Background As obligate blood-feeding arthropods, ticks transmit pathogens to humans and domestic animals more often than other arthropod vectors. Livestock farming plays a vital role in the rural economy of Pakistan, and tick infestation causes serious problems with it. However, research on tick species diversity and tick-borne pathogens has rarely been conducted in Pakistan. In this study, a systematic investigation of the tick species infesting livestock in different ecological regions of Pakistan was conducted to determine the microbiome and pathobiome diversity in the indigenous ticks. Methodology/Principal findings A total of 3,866 tick specimens were morphologically identified as 19 different tick species representing three important hard ticks, Rhipicephalus, Haemaphysalis and Hyalomma, and two soft ticks, Ornithodorus and Argas. The bacterial diversity across these tick species was assessed by bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing using a 454-sequencing platform on 10 of the different tick species infesting livestock. The notable genera detected include Ralstonia, Clostridium, Staphylococcus, Rickettsia, Lactococcus, Lactobacillus, Corynebacterium, Enterobacter, and Enterococcus. A survey of Spotted fever group rickettsia from 514 samples from the 13 different tick species generated rickettsial-specific amplicons in 10% (54) of total ticks tested. Only three tick species Rhipicephalus microplus, Hyalomma anatolicum, and H. dromedarii had evidence of infection with “Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii” a result further verified using a rompB gene-specific quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay. The Hyalomma ticks also tested positive for the piroplasm, Theileria annulata, using a qPCR assay. Conclusions/Significance This study provides information about tick diversity in Pakistan, and pathogenic bacteria in different tick species. Our results showed evidence for Candidatus R. amblyommii infection in Rhipicephalus microplus, H. anatolicum, and H. dromedarii ticks, which also carried T. annulata., Author summary Ticks are known for their negative impact on animal and human health through infestation and are capable of transmitting a wide range of pathogens including protozoan, viruses, and bacteria such as the spirochetes and rickettsiae. Ticks are widely distributed in different ecological, and geographical regions of Pakistan. Tick-borne diseases, such as bovine babesiosis and theileriosis have been reported in Pakistan. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), a tick-borne viral disease in Pakistan, affects individuals who have close contact with livestock, including those working in slaughterhouses, veterinary practices, and hospitals. In Pakistan, CCHF is vectored by Hyalomma tick species, and therefore a significant threat could be posed to human health. However, there is a paucity of data on tick-borne zoonoses in Pakistan. In the current study, tick species infesting livestock across the Pakistan were catalogued, and molecular approaches were utilized to gain an insight into the microbiome associated with tick species. The results of our study revealed 19 tick species infesting livestock, and rich diversity of microbial communities associated with the ticks. Spotted Fever Group rickettsia, and Theileria annulata specific quantitative PCR assay confirmed the infection in Hyalomma tick species. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first detailed molecular study on tick species infesting livestock in Pakistan, and in depth vector competence studies should be conducted.

En esta ponencia exponemos los resultados obtenidos en la laguna de Fuente de Piedra (Málaga), un humedal con declaración RAMSAR, sobre el que se vierten las aguas residuales de las localidades de Fuente de Piedra y Humilladero. Las aguas residuales de la primera localidad discurren, antes de entrar en la laguna, por un sistema semi-artificial de humedales que permite una cierta depuración de las aguas. Sucintamente podemos indicar que esta mejora de las aguas residuales ha sido puesta de manifiesto en una disminución de los valores de nitrógeno y fósforo total; un descenso en la abundancia de bacterias fecales y bacterias heterotróficas; un aumento en la diversidad bacteriana, una disminución de la concentración de clorofila (indicadora de una disminución en la abundancia de la comunidad fitoplanctónica); así como un incremento en la biomasa (biovolumen) de la comunidad zooplanctónica. Todos estos resultados muestran una mejora en la calidad del agua que se vierte a la laguna de Fuente de Piedra, suponiendo además una mejora de los servicios ecosistémicos que proporciona la laguna a la población local ya que favorece un incremento en la hidro-diversidad local (es importante señalar que estos humedales presentan numerosos años un hidroperiodo más largo que la laguna de Fuente de Piedra), actuando como punto de concentración de aves y punto de atracción para un turismo ornitológico, que encuentra en estos humedales semi-artificiales un entorno de enorme interés. Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Urban wastewater treatment is one of the most important challenges in villages of southern Spain. This is especially outstanding in arid and semiarid regions in which wastewater are discharged to temporary streams or wetlands. The treatment plant of the Fuente de Piedra village discharges its wastewater, passing previously through four semi-natural wetlands, into Fuente de Piedra Lake, a RAMSAR wetland. In summer 2016, a very dry year, water affluent to Fuente de Piedra was limited to wastewater plant effluents without dilution. In order to study the natural assimilation capacity of the wetland system, four key points were sampled. Physico-chemical and biological indicators were analyzed (temperature, pH, conductivity, total phosphorous, total nitrogen, bacteria, phytoplankton and zooplankton). The results show very high chlorophyll a concentration (>500 mg/l) at the water inlet, which decreased to concentration lower than

Cystic echinococcosis is an important zoonotic disease; it has serious impacts on animals as well as human health throughout the world. Genotypic characterization of Echinocossus granulosus (E. granulosus) in buffaloes has not been addressed in Pakistan. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the incidence and genotypic characterization of bovine E. granulosus. Out of 832 buffaloes examined, 112 (13.46%) were found infected. The favorable site for hydatid cyst development was liver (8.65%) followed by lungs (4.80%). The rate of cystic echinococcosis was found higher in females 14.43% than males 9.77%. The females above seven years aged were more infected as compared to the young ones. The partial sequence of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) gene was used for identification and molecular analysis of buffalo’s E. granulosus isolates. The alignment of redundant sequences were compared with already identified 10 genotypes available at National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) GenBank. The sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of all randomly selected buffalo isolates were belong to the G1- G3 complex (E. granulosus sensu stricto). All sequences were diverse from the reference sequence. No one showed complete identity to the buffalo strain (G3), representing substantial microsequence variability in G1, G2 and G3 genotypes. We evaluated the echinococcal infectivity and first time identification of genotypes in buffaloes in Sindh, Pakistan. This study will lead to determine accurate source of this zoonotic disease to humans in Pakistan.

Probiotics are currently being supplemented to cultured fish due to their benefits for fish performance. Herein, we tested the health protection and nutritional effects of probiotic Shewanella putrefaciens (Pdp11 strain), both fresh and lyophilized cells, on Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) juveniles. Pdp11 was incorporated into fish feed at concentration of 109 cells g−1, and then provided to juvenile sole for 2 months. Growth rates were significantly higher in fish fed the fresh probiotic compared with fish fed the control diet. Growth of fish receiving lyophilized bacteria was not improved when compared with controls. Body compositions (protein, total lipids and fatty acids profile) were similar for each dietary treatment. At the end of the study, fish were challenged by intraperitoneal inoculation with a pathogenic strain of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida. Relative percentages of survival (RPS) ranged between 25% and 43.8% for fish receiving both probiotic supplemented diets. Both fresh and lyophilized Pdp11 cells conferred protection against P. damselae subsp. piscicida. However, only fresh Pdp11 enhanced Senegal sole performance. These findings should be taken into account for industry purposes in which lyophilized Pdp11 might be easier to manage.

The effects of dietary administration of probiotic Pdp11, a bacterial probiotic strain from the Alteromonadaceae family, on growth and stress tolerance to high stocking density was analyzed in juvenile gilthead sea bream Sparus auratus . In the first trial, juvenile specimens were fed during 116 days with control feed or diets supplemented with Pdp11, and growth, serum immunological parameters as well as plasmatic, hepatic and muscular metabolic parameters were assessed. Growth performance improved in group receiving probiotic compared to control group. No differences were observed for the assessed immunological or metabolic parameters. In the second trial, specimens from both groups from the first experiment were submitted to the following conditions for 15 days: i) group fed with control food and either under low density (3 kg/m 3 ), or high density (30 kg/m 3 ) and ii) group fed with probiotic supplemented feed and either under low density, or high density. Our results indicated that administration of probiotic Pdp11 in the diet promoted growth and improved stress tolerance under high stocking density, suggesting its use will be beneficial for the aquaculture industry of this species.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of dietary administration of two probiotic strains belonging to Shewanella genus (Pdp11 and Pdp13), on juvenile Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis, Kaup 1858). Fish were fed three experimental diets for 2 months: two diets supplemented with 109 cfu g−1 feed of Pdp11 and Pdp13 probiotics and one control group. At the end of the experiment, samples were collected to determine muscle and liver body composition and to study digestive tract and liver histology. A challenge with Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida (ip) was performed. Results showed a protection for fish receiving probiotic supplemented diets (Relative Percentage Survival 27.5 ± 2.5% for Pdp11; 32.5 ± 2.5% for Pdp13) and a better growth for control and Pdp11 diets. Higher total protein in muscle were detected for fish fed the probiotic diets and significant differences in muscle and liver fatty acid profiles were observed for Pdp11 and Pdp13 compared to the control. Light microscopy images from sole specimens fed the Pdp11 diet showed scarce presence of lipid droplets inside of enterocytes and hepatocytes while greater numbers were found in fish fed the control and Pdp13 diets. Finally, the DGGE technique results suggest that the addition of the probiotic strains of Shewanella genus highly influenced the intestinal microbiota of Senegalese sole specimens, although this effect may depend on the probiotic strain assayed.

Analysis of a model is always a hot area of research. The quality of a feature model plays a significant role in software production because it is being used in product development. In this paper, along with the verification of errors in feature models we are validating our previous work where we have presented algorithms for the detection of quality level for a given feature model. Here, we are presenting the linear formulas of the feature models that we use as input for the quality detection algorithms. Further, this version is validating our semantics based quality detection technique of feature models.

The effects of dietary administration of two probiotics, Shewanella putrefaciens Pdp11 and Shewanella baltica Pdp13, on growth, respiratory burst activity of phagocytes of Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis), and survival of fish challenged with Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida have been studied. Fish were fed for 60 days with three different diets: one control, and two diets supplemented with 109 cfu g− 1of probiotics Pdp11 (Pdp11 diet) and Pdp13 (Pdp13 diet). Respiratory burst activity of phagocytes from fish fed with diet Pdp11 significantly increased after 60 days of feeding, whilst this significant increase was not detected in phagocytes from fish fed control and Pdp13 diets. On the other hand, the cumulative percentage of mortality after the challenges with P. damselae subsp. piscicida, was 100% in the groups fed with control diet, whereas mortality rates observed in the groups fed with diets supplemented with Pdp11 and Pdp13 ranged from 75–100% and 65–80%, respectively. These results suggest that an increased respiratory burst activity of the phagocytes is not essential to increase the protection against the P. damselae subsp. piscicida. On the other hand, the use of both probiotics improved the growth, and the survival against the pathogen, in comparison with those fish receiving the control diet.

Seeds of a Chinese traditional medicine plant, Cochinchina momordica were used in the present study for the improvement of influenza vaccine (H5N1) in chicken. Crude extraction from Cochinchina momordica seed (ECMS) was obtained by ethanol extraction method. In experiment No. 1, two weeks old chickens were immunized with influenza vaccine (H5N1) alone or combined with ECMS (5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 microg/dose). Serum IgG antibody levels (by ELISA) as well as effects on daily weight gain were measured on 0, 7, 14 and 28th day after immunization. Results revealed that all ECMS groups numerically increased the antibody levels while 10 and 20 microg/dose groups significantly (P0.05) enhanced total IgG antibody on day 28, when compared with control. Average daily weight gain was also significantly higher in 20 microg/dose ECMS group. Adjuvant effect was also confirmed in experiment No. 2 when chickens were immunized with 20 microg/dose ECMS and antibody titer was measured through hemagglutination inhibition (HI). It is concluded that ECMS has potential to improve the immune responses and deserve further study as an adjuvant.

Senegalese sole cultures are frequently affected by Vibrio harveyi disease outbreaks. Vaccines in aquaculture are one of the most successful methods of preventing fish pathologies; however, these vaccines are usually composed of inactivated whole cells containing a wide pool of antigens, and some do not induce any protection against pathogens. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify immunogenic proteins of V. harveyi involved in the specific antibody production by Senegalese sole. S. senegalensis specimens were immunized, by intraperitoneal injection, with V. harveyi bacterin supplemented with inactivated extracellular polymeric substances (ECP) and Freund incomplete adjuvant to obtain polyclonal antiserum. One month later, specimens were re-inoculated with the same antigens. Sera from immunized fish were collected two months post first immunization. Strong specific immune response to V. harveyi antigens was detected by ELISA using bacterin (limit dilutions of sera were 1:64000), ECP (1:4000) and outer membrane proteins (OMP) (1:4000) as antigens. Presence of immunogenic proteins in V. harveyi ECP and OMP were determined by 2D-PAGE. For Western Blot analysis some gels were transferred onto nitrocellulose membranes and incubated with sera from S. senegalensis specimens immunized against V. harveyi. 2D-PAGE and Western Blot showed at least five reactive proteins in the ECP and two in the OMP fraction. The spots that clearly reacted with the sole antiserum were excised from stained gel, and analyzed by mass spectrometry (MALDI/TOFTOF). A database search was then performed, using MASCOT as the search method. According to the results, the five ECP spots were identified as Maltoporine, protein homologous to Metal dependent phosphohydrolase, two porins isoforms of V. harveyi and a protein homologous to the cell division protein FtsH. Reactive proteins in the OMP fraction were identified as the protein 3-hydroxyisobutyrate dehydrogenase and a protein homologous to acid phosphatase.

This study is aimed at identifying and determining the percentage of occurrence frequency of cellulose decomposing soil fungi. The soil samples were inoculated into culture plates prepared in Sabouraud medium under sterilized conditions and incubated at 30 degrees C for 4 to 7 d. The identified fungal species were incubated in self-designed cellulose medium for testing their cellulolytic ability. Forty-two species, including 2 nova species, representing sixteen genera showed growth and sporulation in the cellulose medium. Most of the isolated species were from genus Aspergillus and Penicillium. Aspergillus niger and Mucor hiemalis showed highest occurrence frequency (45% and 36% respectively), as these species were collected from about 80% of soil samples. Being agar free and cheaper, the new fungal medium designed showed results equivalent to Sabouraud medium.

Four isolates obtained from gilthead seabream have been tested for their adhesion to the skin, gill and intestinal mucus of gilthead seabream, and for their ability to interfere with Listonella anguillarum ,a n important pathogen of farmed gilthead seabream. The ability to adhere to mucus was higher than 7% for all isolates. Three isolates showed an antagonistic eiect against some of the pathogenic strains tested. They were assayed to interfere with the attachment of L. anguillarum to the mucus of gilthead seabream. Only two isolates signi¢cantly reduced the adhesion of L. anguillarum to all of the mucus assayed under exclusion, competition and displacement conditions. According to the criteria applied, the isolate Pdp11 was selected and its in vivo probiotic potential was assessed by oral administration followed by challenge with the pathogen L. anguillarum. For the feeding trial, a group of 50 gilthead seabreams received a commercial diet supplemented with lyophilized10 8 CFU g 1 of this isolate for 15 days. An other group of similar characteristics received the non-supplemented commercial diet. After the challenge, the mortality of the ¢sh receiving the diet supplemented with the potential probiotic was signi¢cantly lower than that observed in the groups of ¢sh receiving the non-supplemented commercial diet.

A comparative study on the prevalence of Anaplasma parasite was conducted on ticks carrying buffaloes and cattle. Five hundred blood samples of both animals (250 of each) were collected during February, March and April. Thin blood smears on glass slides were made, fixed in 100% methyl alcohol and examined. Microscopic examination revealed that 205 (41%) animals had Anaplasma parasites, out of which 89, 44 and 72 animals had Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma centrale and mixed infection respectively. Infected buffaloes and cattle were 75 and 130 respectively. The infection in female was 53 and 92 in buffaloes and cattle respectively. Twenty-two and 92 blood samples of male were found positive in buffaloes and cattle respectively. Com- parative study revealed that the cattle were 26.82% more susceptible than buffaloes. The parasite prevailing percentage in female of both animals was slightly higher than that of the male. This investigation was aimed at studying the comparative prevalence of Anaplasma parasite in tick carrying buffaloes and cattle.

A bacteriological study of 25 outbreaks affecting cultured gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) in southwestern Spain from 1997 to 2000 has been carried out. Each year, the highest number of outbreaks occurred during winter and affected fish with sizes ranging between 2 and 25 g. The most frequently isolated microorganisms were identified as Vibrio (69.90%). Other microorganisms belonging to Pseudomonas spp., Photobacterium damselae ssp. piscicida, Cytophaga/Flexibacterlike and Aeromonas spp. were isolated with a frequency lower than 10%. The outbreaks with the highest mortalities of cultured gilthead sea bream were due to P. damselae ssp. piscicida. An increase in the number of resistances to different antimicrobials has been observed in this study with respect to previous studies carried out in the same area. This increase was very high in the case of some species of Vibrio, Pseudomonas spp. and P. damselae ssp. piscicida. D 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Bacteria isolated from an outbreak with moderate mortalities in farmed sole, Solea senegalensis (Kaup), in the south of Spain were identified as Vibrio harveyi and V. parahaemolyticus. Only bacterial strains showing swarming were virulent in sole and caused mortalities in experimentally inoculated fish. However, the signs of the disease were only reproduced with V. harveyi. The intramuscular inoculation of the extracellular products (ECPs) of both species produced mortalities in inoculated fish and the appearance of surface ulcers in the case of V. harveyi. However, the inoculation of sublethal doses of ECPs to fish showed a protective effect against V. harveyi.

This work concerns the case study of a Mediterranean Ramsar salt lake (Fuente de Piedra, southern Spain) that receives the treated wastewater of the local village treatment plant. The wastewater goes through a system of canals, water dams, and three semi-natural ponds that were built in 2005. This work aims to investigate the capacity of the system to assimilate the impact of wastewater effluents on Lake Fuente de Piedra. For this, four points were sampled on 27–29 April 2016, at the inlet and the outlet points of the first and the third semi-natural ponds, with three replicates each. Temperature, pH, and conductivity at the inlet were 19.62 °C, 7.99, and 3262.67 μS/cm, respectively, and increased through the pond system by 7.59%, 8.04%, and 37.34%, respectively. Phytoplankton concentration indicators decreased from the inlet point to the outlet point (chlorophyll a from >500 to 5 × 1010 to 4.3 × 109 μm3/mL). Zooplankton biovolume, in contrast, increased three orders of magnitude from the inlet (3.5 × 107 μm3/mL) to the outlet point (1.6 × 109 μm3/mL). Heterotrophic bacteria (1.29 × 105 cfu/mL) and faecal enterococci (1033 ± 351 cfu/100 mL) were high at the inlet point, but decreased at the outlet point by almost three orders of magnitude. Total phosphorous and total nitrogen decreased 40.3% and 23.1% through the pond system. The results showed an improvement in water quality in its passage through the built system. Additionally, as permanent wetlands with acceptable water quality, the water system attracts wild fauna during the dry summer, leading to the conclusion that these semi-natural or artificial wetlands should be extrapolated to other aquatic ecosystems (Mediterranean wetlands) that receive contributions of residual waters. Better functioning of the treatment plant is desirable to improve the conservation of the Ramsar and adjacent wetlands systems.

3, 33, Buffalo Bulletin

This study was conducted to screen different snail species to determine their susceptibility for different parasitic infections and also to determine LC50 and LC90 values. The screening of snail species infected with Schistosome parasite and mean number of cercariae shed by individual infected snail was 184+12. The experiment on relationship of snail size and dose of Niclosamide showed that juvenile snails were more susceptible to chemical when compared with adult snails. A series of seven experiments indicated that concentration of 0.067 and 0.109 mg L(-1) were required to kill 50 and 90% snails, respectively in an exposure period of 24 h and no death occurred in recovery period.

The role of the capsule inPhotobacterium damselasubsp.piscicida(formerlyPasteurella piscicida) as a virulence factor was evaluated by determining the phagocytic and bactericidal activities of macrophages of gilt-head seabream. Five capsulated strains ofP. damselasubsp.piscicidapathogenic for gilt-head seabream and one strain (EPOY-8803-II) described as noncapsulated and avirulent for this fish species were used in the study. Significant differences (P

Abstract Qatar Petroleum's supergiant Dukhan field located onshore Qatar has a mature well inventory of hundreds of wells. Mitigating well integrity risk without affecting crude oil production and water injection targets is critical to sustaining revenue streams from the field. This involves a large number of integrity repair wellwork with workover rigs. Performing such a wellwork campaign is time-intensive and without adequate prioritization has the potential of jeopardizing well integrity and causing safety/environmental issues besides adversely affecting the production and injection levels. This paper discusses a qualitative model that has been developed and used to prioritize repair wellwork in Dukhan field. The model is centered round integrity risk level and revenue potential of wells. A set of integrity parameters including status of surface and downhole barriers determines integrity risk level. Another set of reservoir management and well capability parameters determines revenue potential. Each of the wells is then assigned scores to reflect the risk level and the revenue potential. Cross-scaling of such scores defines the priority of a repair wellwork. Using the above approach for wellwork prioritization has been effective in mitigating integrity risk and maintaining revenue potential of the large inventory of mature wells.

Probiotics are currently being supplemented to cultured fish due to their benefits for fish performance. Herein, we tested the health protection and nutritional effects of probiotic Shewanella putrefaciens (Pdp11 strain), both fresh and lyophilized cells, on Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) juveniles. Pdp11 was incorporated into fish feed at concentration of 109 cells g−1, and then provided to juvenile sole for 2 months. Growth rates were significantly higher in fish fed the fresh probiotic compared with fish fed the control diet. Growth of fish receiving lyophilized bacteria was not improved when compared with controls. Body compositions (protein, total lipids and fatty acids profile) were similar for each dietary treatment. At the end of the study, fish were challenged by intraperitoneal inoculation with a pathogenic strain of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida. Relative percentages of survival (RPS) ranged between 25% and 43.8% for fish receiving both probiotic supplemented diets. Both fresh and lyophilized Pdp11 cells conferred protection against P. damselae subsp. piscicida. However, only fresh Pdp11 enhanced Senegal sole performance. These findings should be taken into account for industry purposes in which lyophilized Pdp11 might be easier to manage., Sí