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Summary: Synaptic structural plasticity, key to long-term memory storage, requires translation of localized RNAs delivered by long-distance transport from the neuronal cell body. Mechanisms and regulation of this system remain elusive. Here, we explore the roles of KIF5C and KIF3A, two members of kinesin superfamily of molecular motors (Kifs), and find that loss of function of either kinesin decreases dendritic arborization and spine density whereas gain of function of KIF5C enhances it. KIF5C function is a rate-determining component of local translation and is associated with ∼650 RNAs, including EIF3G, a regulator of translation initiation, and plasticity-associated RNAs. Loss of function of KIF5C in dorsal hippocampal CA1 neurons constrains both spatial and contextual fear memory, whereas gain of function specifically enhances spatial memory and extinction of contextual fear. KIF5C-mediated long-distance transport of local translation substrates proves a key mechanism underlying structural plasticity and memory.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a prevalent condition that can be prevented and treated, defined by ongoing respiratory symptoms and restricted airflow resulting from abnormalities in the alveoli or airways, typically due to significant exposure to harmful particles or gases.1,2. Aim and Objectives: This study aimed to compare the prognostic value of three different scoring methods of Acute exacerbation of COPD(AECOPD): DECAF score, BAP65 score, CAUDA70 score in predicting outcome and mortality in the patient with AECOPD. Material and Methods: Study Design: Prospective hospital-based observational study. Study area: The study was conducted in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine in MVJ MC AND RH. Study Period: 1 year from June 2023-June 2024. Study population: The present study involved 100 cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with acute exacerbation. Sample size: The study consisted of 100 subjects. Sampling method: Simple random Sampling Technique. All these patients with exacerbation of COPD underwent routine clinical, radiological and laboratory assessment and appropriate treatment was initiated as decided by the treating clinician. Investigations followed standard of care. All the data needed for the proposed scoring systems were collected from patients, hospital records. Results: 29.2% died with score >3, 33.3% died with score 0-1, 37.5% died with score>2, There is a significant association between mortality and BAP 65 score. Among the study subjects 14.3% had score>3, 57.1% had score >2, 28.6% had score0-1. 34.8% readmission with score 0-1, 65.2% readmission with score 2 There is a significant association between BAP 65, DECAF, CAUDA70 and 30 day readmissions. Conclusion: Our findings imply that a straightforward clinical prediction tool that incorporates indices that are frequently available at the time of hospital admission will help stratify patients with AECOPD into risk categories that are clinically relevant, which may help clinicians manage these patients. In conclusion, we propose that the DECAF, BAP 65, and CAUDA 70 scores all play a part in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The molecular mechanisms underlying age‐related declines in learning and long‐term memory are still not fully understood. To address this gap, our study focused on investigating the transcriptional landscape of a singularly identified motor neuron L7 in Aplysia, which is pivotal in a specific type of nonassociative learning known as sensitization of the siphon‐withdraw reflex. Employing total RNAseq analysis on a single isolated L7 motor neuron after short‐term or long‐term sensitization (LTS) training of Aplysia at 8, 10, and 12 months (representing mature, late mature, and senescent stages), we uncovered aberrant changes in transcriptional plasticity during the aging process. Our findings specifically highlight changes in the expression of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that encode transcription factors, translation regulators, RNA methylation participants, and contributors to cytoskeletal rearrangements during learning and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Furthermore, our comparative gene expression analysis identified distinct transcriptional alterations in two other neurons, namely the motor neuron L11 and the giant cholinergic neuron R2, whose roles in LTS are not yet fully elucidated. Taken together, our analyses underscore cell type‐specific impairments in the expression of key components related to learning and memory within the transcriptome as organisms age, shedding light on the complex molecular mechanisms driving cognitive decline during aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing incidence of tick-borne diseases and the growing resistance to conventional acaricides underscore the urgent need for innovative and sustainable tick management strategies. This study investigates the potential of assembly and sex pheromones for the control of larval stages of Rhipicephalus sanguineus, the brown dog tick, which poses significant health risks to dogs. The ticks were collected from various canine hosts in Thrissur, Kerala and subjected to Petri-dish bioassays using vapour patches impregnated with synthetic assembly pheromone (AP) and sex pheromone (SP), both individually and in combination. The efficacy of these semiochemicals was assessed based on the attraction and clustering behaviour of unfed larvae and partially fed adult ticks over a 24-hour period. Results demonstrated a significantly higher attraction to AP-impregnated patches, with notable efficacy observed in causing tick aggregation, particularly beyond 30 min of exposure. While SP also showed potential in attracting ticks, the combination of SP and AP did not result in a synergistic effect. The study highlights the potential of using semiochemicals as an environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional acaricides, highlighting their role in integrated pest management strategies Keywords: Rhipicephalus sanguineus, adenine, guanine, xanthine, 2,6-DCP, Petri-dish bioassay

Schistosomosis is a prevalent zoonotic parasitic disease affecting both humans and animals on a global scale, with an estimated 165 million cattle and 200 million people impacted worldwide. Eventhough, serological methodologies designed for the identification of specific antibodies targeting parasitic antigens are esteemed for their high sensitivity, there are criticisms due to their incapacity to reliably indicate active infection, inability to correlate with the intensity of infection and lack of specificity. Enhancing the specificity of serological assays presents a significant challenge, primarily attributable to the identification and synthesis of specific antigens. In addressing these limitations, recombinant technology with specific immunogenic proteins as candidate antigens emerges as a viable alternative. In this study, induction of 22.6 kDa recombinant tegument protein of Schistosoma spindale was achieved using 0.6 mM concentration of IPTG at 37°C for four hours. Nickel chelating affinity chromatography was employed for protein purification, yielding maximum protein concentration at 75mM elution. Subsequently, the dialysis technique was employed to remove contaminants, while lyophilisation method was employed for protein concentration. The protein concentration post dialysis was measured at 0.220 mg/mL, while lyophilisation resulted in a concentration of 2mg/m Keywords: 22.6 kDa tegumental protein, Schistosoma spindale, dialysis, lyophilisation

Food security and sustainable development is making a mandatory move in the entire human race. The attainment of this goal requires man to strive for a highly advanced state in the field of agriculture so that he can produce crops with a minimum amount of water and fertilizer. Even though our agricultural methodologies have undergone a series of metamorphoses in the process of a present smartagricultural system, a long way is ahead to attain a system that is precise and accurate for the optimum yield and profitability. Towards such a futuristic method of cultivation, this paper proposes a novel method for monitoring the efficient flow of a small quantity of water through the conventional irrigation system in cultivation using ClusteredWireless Sensor Networks (CWSN). The performance measure is simulated the creation of edge-fixed geodetic clusters using Mat lab's Cup-carbon tool in order to evaluate the suggested irrigation process model's performance. The findings of blocks 1 and 2 are assessed. Each signal takes just a little amount of energy to communicate, according to the performance. It is feasible to save energy while maintaining uninterrupted communication between nodes and cluster chiefs. However, the need for proper placement of a dynamic control station in WSN still exists for maintaining connectivity and for improving the lifetime fault tolerance of WSN. Based on the minimum edge fixed geodetic sets of the connected graph, this paper offers an innovative method for optimizing the placement of control stations. The edge-fixed geodetic cluster makes the network fast, efficient and reliable. Moreover, it also solves routing and congestion problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastro intestinal parasite (GIP) infection is an economically important disease that affects cattle population worldwide and contributes to decreased productivity and profitability in the livestock sector. An important obstacle to the management of helminth infections in cattle is the failure of therapy owing to anthelmintic resistance. The present study is aimed to identify the predominant gastrointestinal strongyles in cattle of Thrissur district, Kerala and to determine the incidence of benzimidazole resistance against these gastrointestinal strongyles in organised cattle farms and small holder farmers’ herd. Coproculture studies revealed that predominant strongyle was Mecistocirrus spp. (29.75 per cent) followed by Haemonchus spp. (21.5 per cent) and Oesophagostomum spp. (13 per cent). The in vivo method of benzimidazole resistance detection by faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) with albendazole was done in three organised cattle farms and three small holder farmers’ herd. The per cent FEC reduction in three organised farms were 38, 55 and 85 per cent and that of small holder farmers’ herd ranged between 75 - 100. This study forms the first report of anthelmintic resistance in cattle in south India and the results indicated that benzimidazole resistance was highly progressed in organised cattle farms and in a progression state in small holder farmers’ herd that necessitates the judicial utilisation of anthelmintics for the parasite control.

Ticks are obligate blood sucking ectoparasites recognised globally as vectors of various pathogens, next to mosquitoes. The present study is conducted on brown dog ticks collected from naturally infested dogs in and around Thrissur district. Adult immersion test was performed and the parameters such as engorged tick weight, egg mass weight as well as tick mortality were recorded to derive the reproductive indices, percentage inhibition of oviposition and percentage mortalities. Non-linear regression analysis of the dose response data yielded the LC50 values at 95% confidence intervals and, the slopes and regression coefficients of the different parameters were also derived. The Resistance factors (RF) were calculated to categorise resistance levels into I, II, III and IV. Resistance to amitraz was detected at level II in tick isolates collected from Choolissery and Mundur, at level III and level IV in isolates collected from Mannuthy and Paravattani, respectively. Two isolates collected from Mannuthy were found to be susceptible. One way ANOVA of resistance levels revealed that the resistance levels III and IV were significantly different from that of susceptible and resistance level II. This is the first report on detection of amitraz resistance levels in dog ticks from south India calling for proper implementation of tick control strategies to prevent spread of amitraz resistance.

Anaplasmosis is a fatal infectious disease affecting small ruminants all over the world. Haematological analysis and therapeutic evaluation of anaplasmosis were done in clinically affected goats from Thrissur district, Kerala in this study. A total of 100 blood samples from clinically affected goats were collected and microscopically examined using Field’s staining technique for anaplasmosis which revealed 50 per cent positivity. Infected goats showed significant (p

Gastro-intestinal strongylosis is a major parasitic infection in caprine causing reduced performance, irreversible damage and death, which eventually leads to huge economic loss to the producers. The use of anthelmintics as a simple, effective and quick control method against the parasitism by the farmers has been rampant since decades. But its indiscriminate and undue usage invariably paved way to the development of anthelmintic resistance in parasites. It is high time that control strategies are designed so as to utilise chemotherapy appropriately at the time that coincide with heavy incidence of strongylosis. In the present study, a total of 109 goats, comprising of 58 Malabari and 51 Attappady Black goats from an organised farm were screened for the incidence for strongyle infection. The infection was found to be very high throughout the monsoon seasons in Kerala (June to October) with 94.86 ±1.47 per cent. Majority of the animals exhibited very heavy infection with faecal egg count of (FEC) >1500 during the study period. On coproculture, Haemonchus contortus was found to be the most predominant strongyle followed by Oesophagostomum spp. and Trichostrongylus spp.

Anaemia and thrombocytopenia are the common clinical features of blood parasite infection in dogs. Blood parasites previously identified in dogs in Kerala were Babesia gibsoni, Babesia canis vogeli, Ehrlichia canis and Trypanosoma evansi. A two-year old female Labrador Retriever was brought to the University Veterinary Hospital, Mannuthy, Thrissur, with a complaint of anorexia for the past two weeks. A thorough clinical examination did not give any evidence of involvement of other body systems, except for a splenomegaly which was confirmed by radiography. The dog was negative for microfilaria and intestinal parasites. Haematological findings revealed moderate anaemia and thrombocytopenia. Anaemia was classified as non-regenerative based on reticulocyte count. Blood smear was positive for basophilic intra-erythrocytic inclusions suggestive of small babesia and basophilic inclusions in platelets suggestive of morula of Anaplasma spp. Species-specific PCR on whole blood genomic DNA-showed specific amplification for B. gibsoni and A. platys organisms and negative for B. canis vogeli, E. canis and T. evansi. The present study reports a case of non-regenerative anaemia due to B. gibsoni and A. platys co-infection in a dog and its successful therapeutic management. This is the second report of A. platys infection in dogs in Kerala, India.

Toxoplasmosis, is a cosmopolitan zoonotic parasitic infection prevalent throughout the world affecting all warm blooded animals and man. A total of 72 serum samples from goats belonging to the organised,unorganised and small holder farms that had aborted recently or had a history of abortion were collected from the central districts of Kerala viz., Palakkad, Thrissur and Ernakulam. The samples were subjected to indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for the detection of IgG antibodies of Toxoplasma gondii. Factors predisposing to the prevalence of infection such as age, grazing behaviour and stage of gestation were also taken into account during the study. Out of 72 serum samples examined, 31(43 per cent) were negative, 13 (18 per cent) were weakly positive and 28 (38.88 per cent) were highly positive. A higher prevalence was noticed in goats above four years of age, in those with regular grazing behaviour and in those that had aborted in the second stage of gestation. District-wise prevalence revealed relatively higher prevalence in Ernakulam district (62.5 per cent) compared to Thrissur (56.09 per cent) and Palakkad (53.33 per cent), even though the difference was not statistically significant.

The study evaluated deltamethrin resistance in Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus tick populations of Kerala in India, using larval packet test (LPT). Dose response data were analysed by the probit method, the LC50 and LC95 of deltamethrin against ticks were determined by applying regression equation analysis to the probit-transformed data of mortality. In R. sanguineus, 50 per cent of isolates were found resistant at discriminating dose (600 ppm) by larval packet test. The p value obtained upon regression analysis was < 0.05 and was considered as significant. A majority of R. (B.) microplus were found to be susceptible to deltamethrin. However, these susceptible isolates survived doses which were twice the recommended doses (1.25 ppm – 100 ppm). The p value of isolates except isolate 1 and 5 were < 0.05 and statistically significant. The results highlight acaricide resistance to be one of the reasons for the alarming prevalence of tick-borne haemoparasites in Kerala and demand urgent interventions to ameliorate the resistance by alternate control strategies.

A total of 80 snails collected from three habitats viz., uncultivated paddy fields, permanent water bodies and catchment area of dams in Palakkad district of Kerala were screened for presence of echinostome infection. The collected snails were identified morphologically as Indoplanorbis exustus and Lymnaea luteola. Indoplanorbis exustus was found to be the most predominant snail species followed by L. luteola with a prevalence rate of 57.5 and 42.5 per cent, respectively. The prevalence rate of snails was higher in uncultivated paddy fields followed by permanent water bodies and catchment area of dams. Overall prevalence of echinostome infection in snails was found to be 11.2 per cent. Prevalence of infection in I. exustus constituted 13 per cent while that in L. luteola was nine per cent. Dissection of positive snails revealed intra molluscan stages like sporocyst.

The incidence of lungworms (Metastrongylus salmi) in domesticated pigs has been reported. The male and female lungworms were identified by morphological features. Histopathology of the lungs revealed marked lymphoid hyperplasia in the peribronchiolar area. Interstitium showed marked lymphoid reaction, thickening of alveolar walls with presence of congestion, haemorrhage and hemosiderin pigment deposits. Neovascularisation, emphysema and syncytia formation in the interstitium were also observed. Cut-section of the parasite could be observed in the bronchiolar lumen and hyperplasia of the bronchiolar epithelium could be observed. The bronchiolar wall was infiltrated with mononuclear cells and hyperplasia of the Bronchiole Associated Lymphoid Tissue (BALT) was significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the culture of microfilaria of Brugia spp. for the extraction of excretory-secretory protein. The microfilariae were separated from the various components of canine blood using HiSep™ LSM by gradient centrifugation method. The microfilariae were cultured in RPMI-1640 media and incubated at 37°C. The spent media was collected at 12 hour intervals, filtered, pooled and stored at -50°C. Protein estimation was done by Bradford’s method. The excretory-secretory protein produced can further be used in diagnostic tests.

Aim: Canine babesiosis is an important vector-borne hemoparasitic disease caused by Babesia canis vogeli and Babesia gibsoni, in India. The communication places on record the salient findings of the study directed to detect and characterize the pathogenic B. gibsoni isolates of Kerala state. Materials and Methods: A total of 150 dogs were examined for the presence of hemoparasites by light microscopy as well as by PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene of B. gibsoni. Hematological parameters were also analysed. Phylogenetic tree was constructed based on Tamura kei model adopting ML method. Results: A sensitive and specific polymerase chain reaction assay was developed with newly designed primer pair BAGI-F/ BAGI-R for the amplification of 488 bp fragment of 18S rRNA gene of B. gibsoni. Out of the 150 dogs examined, molecular evidence of B. gibsoni was recorded in 47.3% animals, while light microscopy detected the infection in 26.67% cases. The phylogenetic analyses revealed that B. gibsoni, Kerala, isolate was closest and occurred together with Bareilly isolate. Anemia and thrombocytopenia were the significant hematological alterations in chronic B. gibsoni infection. Conclusion: A high prevalence of natural infection of B. gibsoni was detected among the study population. The affected animals showed anaemia and thrombocytopenia. Phylogenetic analysis of this pathogenic isolate from south India revealed the closest similarity with Bareilly isolates.

Poultry farming is the most organized and economically viable sector in animal agriculture. As sub-lethal AF is a constant threat to broiler industry and produces immunosuppression, birds would be more prone to coccidiosis even under reduced infective dose. So it is important to study the response of sub-infectious dose of coccidia in an immunecompromised state. The susceptibility of broiler chicks to sub-infective dose of sporulated oocyst of Eimeria tenella in sub-lethal aflatoxicosis was revealed by significant alterations in serological parameters.

Nematocidal properties of spore crystal mixtures of six Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains (KAU 49, 50, 52, 61, 99 and 424) collected from Western Ghats, a biodiversity hot spot of India, were analysed against Haemonchus contortus larvae isolated from goats. One dose nematocidal assay dose response to lyophilised spore-crystal mixtures (SCM) of the six Bt strains were determined by adding 200 μg/mL of each SCMs to culture plate wells containing aqueous suspension of H. contortus larvae. Out of the strains screened, KAU 50 and 424 were found to possess nematocidal properties. Maximum nematocidal properties were exhibited 7 days post-inoculation of the lyophilised SCMs. The 50 per cent lethal concentrations deduced by log probit analysis for KAU 50 was found to be 130.59 μg/mL, whereas that of KAU 424 was found to be 144.536 μg/mL at 95 per cent confidence level. This is the first report on the nematocidal propery of Bt strains against Haemonchus contortus larvae isolated from goats. Further studies are needed for identification and characterisation of the toxin.

Bivitellobilharzia nairi is a poorly understood trematode belonging to the family Schistosomatidae that has a profound impact on its host species, the elephant. The pernicious effects of the different life stages of this parasite can often be fatal. The first reports of schistosomosis in African and Asian elephants were published by Vogel and Minning (1940) and Mudaliar and Ramanujachari (1945), respectively. The morphologies of ova and adult helminths of B.nairi, the schistosome affecting Indian elephants (Elephas maximus indicus) have been described in detail by Rao and Hiregaudar (1935), Sundaram et al. (1972), Chandrasekharan (1989), Islam (1994) and Vimalraj et al. (2012). According to Bhoyar et al. (2014), the infection remains subclinical in most cases and is only discovered upon post-mortem examination. More recently, Devkota(2015) found that Bivitellobilharzia spp. infects both, captive and wild Asian elephants. Karawita et al. (2015) claimed to report the first death of an Asian elephant due to caecocolic intussusception on account of schistosomosis

Oestrus ovis is a larviparous protelean fly whose larvae parasitize the nasal cavities and adjoining sinuses of sheep and goats. It is primarily a widespread infestation of sheep and rarely occurs in goat, camel, deer, reindeer, elk and ibex (Lapage, 1956; Das and Bhatia,1994). The larvae elicit clinical signs of cavitary myiasis seen as seromucous or mucopurulent nasal discharge, frequent sneezing, incoordination and dyspnoea (Madhu et al., 2014). The migratory larvae may also penetrate and erode dorsal turbinate bones, frontal sinuses and occasionally the skull bones thereby entering into the cerebral cavity, causing false gid (Taylor et al., 2007). In India prevalence of O. ovis has been reported in several places (Chhabra and Ruprah, 1976 ; Jagannath et al., 1989 and Allaie et al., 2016). Myiasis has medical and public health significance if the incidental host is man (Sreejith et al., 2010). The present paper describes the occurrence of nasal myiasis from crossbred Malabari goats for the first time in Kerala and its successful medical management.