Search

The present investigation was undertaken to assess the rhythmic change in the expression profile of cytokine-related genes in the PBMC of Brucella abortus infected cattle. The whole blood samples were collected from cattle from the state of Rajasthan in Western India. All 20 samples of PBMC cultured cells from the 10 diseased cattle serologically positive for brucellosis, and 10 serologically negative healthy controls, were harvested, and the expression of cytokine-related genes was normalized relative to β-actin for their quantification by SYBR green-based real-time PCR. The subsequent analysis was based on the comparisons within treatment group (unstimulated or B. abortus stimulated) and between infection groups (healthy control versus diseased). The expression profiling of cytokine genes revealed differential expression of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12p40 and iNOS by PBMCs from healthy cows and Brucella positive cows even without stimulation with Brucella abortus antigen. This unique expression profile with enhanced expression of genes encoding IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6 and iNOS, and reduced expression of TNF-α, IL-4 and IL-12p40; indicates changing of the dynamic immune responses from a predominantly Th1-like pattern to a Th2-like pattern with the development of a chronic form of bovine brucellosis. The rhythmic change in immunological profiles conclusively analyzed in the present investigation will help to implement control measures in Western India. Abbreviations: PBMC: peripheral blood mononuclear cells; PCR: Polymerase chain reaction; IFN: Interferon; TNF: Tumour necrosis factor; IL: Interleukin; iNOS: Inducible nitric oxide synthase; Th: T helper [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Genetic variability of Marwadi sheep was studied using 18 microsatellite markers, proposed by The Food and Agriculture Organization and the International Society for Animal Genetics (FAOISAG). A total of 158 alleles ranging between 4 to 15 were found across 18 microsatellite loci. The most polymorphic marker was OarFCB48 with a total of 15 alleles and least polymorphic loci was TGLA377 with 4 alleles were detected. The high genetic variation (MNA=8.7) was observed in Marwadi sheep compare to other reported breed in Rajasthan. All studied loci contained high PIC value (>0.5) in the present study, where mean PIC value (0.751) is higher than earlier reported study on sheep in India, which indicates highly informativeness of markers to characterize Marwadi sheep breed population and showed abundant genetic diversity in this population. Further, the expected gene diversity (Hexp) ranged from 0.637 (OarHH35) to 0.900 (OarFCB48) with an overall mean of 0.797 and observed heterozygosity (Hobs) across 18 loci ranged between 0.300 (TGLA137) and 0.900 (OarVH72, BM757) with a mean of 0.602 were estimated. The present study has shown a high level of genetic variability in Marwadi sheep, suggesting good breeding practices were carried out in the farms and other places where samples were collected. Similarly, all the loci were detected highly polymorphic with 100% value of polymorphism observed in Marwadi sheep breed. The high polymorphic information content (PIC) value indicating informativeness of markers to characterize Marwadi sheep population. Hence, these markers could be used in various applications like conservation programmes, biodiversity studies and disease diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In general, underground mine/tunnels/roadways are supported especially in India, by using wooden cogs/props as support in addition to the massive use of roof bolting. But as wood is becoming scarce, there is need for suitable alternative supports to replace timbers in mines. Keeping in mind the Indian mining condition the support should be of greater longevity, light enough for easy portability and requiring less maintenance. Further, it should have facilities for height variation, sufficient yielding, continuous load monitoring and releasing remotely as the coal seam thickness varies widely in Indian mines. Then, the support material must be easily available and should have ease in operation by even an unskilled worker. Finally, the device must be economically viable for Indian mines, which is thriving for its longer life and should provide safety for miners. In this direction several efforts have been made to design such slow loading yielding props to meet all these requirements. After numerous attempts such innovative prop consisting of multiple disc springs has been designed and developed at CSIR-CIMFR of which the details description has been discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the occurrence and serotype diversity of Salmonella isolates in different species of poultry (chicken, emu and duck) and determine their resistance pattern against various antibiotics of different classes. Methods: About 507 samples comprising 202 caecal contents and 305 fecal samples from chicken, emu and duck were processed for isolation of Salmonella enterica. Salmonellae were isolated and detected by standard protocol of ISO 6579 Amendment 1: Annex D. Genetic confirmation was also made by using 16S rRNA genus specific PCR. Serotype specific PCR was also done to detect the most common serovars viz. Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Gallinarum. All obtained isolates were subjected to a set of 25 antibiotics to study their antibiogram by using Baeur-Kirby disk diffusion method. Results: Out of 507 samples processed, 32 isolates of Salmonella enterica (18 from caecal contents and 14 from faecal samples) were obtained, of which 24 belonged to 6 different serovars, 6 were untypeable and 2 were rough strains. Salmonella Enteritidis was the most predominant serotype (9), followed by Salmonella Typhimurium (5), Salmonella Virchow (4), Salmonella Gallinarum (3), Salmonella Reading (2) and Salmonella Altona (1). Antibiotic resistance pattern was maximum (100%) to oxacillin, penicillin and clindamycin, followed by ampicillin (68.75%), tetracycline (65.62%), nalidixic acid (56.25%) and colistin (46.87%).High sensitivity of isolates was recorded for chloramphenicol (96.87%) followed by meropenem (84.37%). Conclusions: Occurrence of high proportion of serovars in our study which can cause serious gastroenteritis in humans is a matter of concern. Salmonella Altona has been detected for the first time in India from poultry. This serotype is known to cause serious outbreaks of gastroenteritis in humans. Multidrug resistant isolates were recovered at high percentage which can be attributed to non-judicious use of antibiotics both in prophylaxis and treatment regimen. This observation draws serious attention as poultry serves as an important source of transmission of these multidrug resistant Salmonella serovars to humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ground control is one of the most important activities in underground mines to control the roof and side fall injuries in India. Since long wooden prop and cog were being used to support the mines panels, or roadways. Scarcity of timber due to ecological reasons and therefore increase in its cost make the support designer's or engineers to innovate the alternatives. In Indian mines different types of standing supports like square hollow section (SHS) prop, steel telescopic prop, pit prop, hydraulic prop, steel cogs etc. are being used in longwall as well as bord and pillar mining as per geological conditions of respective mines workings. These props are heavy, cumbersome portability, requiring regular maintenance and not user friendly. Keeping in mind the Indian mining condition, the support should be of greater longevity, light enough for easy portability and requiring less maintenance. Further it should have facility for height variation, sufficient yielding, continuous load monitoring and releasing remotely as coal seam thickness widely various Indian mines. This paper describes the design, working principle, advantages etc. of a slow loading suitable yielding prop with greater longevity, portability, sufficient yielding and continuous load monitoring with its use in varying coal seam thickness by replacing the conventional wooden and steel prop. This newly invented and patented prop has undergone a successful field trial and got the regular approval by the authority who looks after the mines safety i.e Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), Government of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]