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IntroductionDromedary camels robustly withstand dehydration, and the rough desert environment but the adaptation mechanisms are not well understood. One of these mechanisms is that the dromedary camel increases its body temperature to reduce the process of evaporative cooling during the hot weather. Stress in general, has deleterious effects in the body. In this study, we sought to determine the effects of dehydration and rehydration on stress parameters in the dromedary camels and how it pacifies these effects.MethodsNineteen male camels were randomly divided into control, dehydrated and rehydrated groups, and fed alfalfa hay ad-libitum. The dehydrated and rehydrated groups were water-restricted for 20 days after which the rehydrated camels were provided with water for 72 h. The control and dehydrated camels were slaughtered at day 20 from the start of experiment whereas the rehydrated group was killed 72 h later. Many biochemical, hematological histopathological parameters and gene analysis were performed in relevant tissues collected including blood, plasma, and tissues.Results and discussionIt was observed that severely dehydrated camels lost body weight, passed very hard feces, few drops of concentrated urine, and were slightly stressed as reflected behaviorally by loss of appetite. Physiologically, the stress of dehydration elicited modulation of plasma stress hormones for water preservation and energy supply. Our results showed significant increase in cortisol, norepinephrine and dopamine, and significant decrease in epinephrine and serotonin. The significant increase in malondialdehyde was accompanied with significant increase in antioxidants (glutathione, retinol, thiamin, tocopherol) to provide tissue protection from oxidative stress. The physiological blood changes observed during dehydration serve different purposes and were quickly restored to normality by rehydration. The dehydrated/rehydrated camels showed reduced hump size and serous atrophy of perirenal and epicardial fat. The latter changes were accompanied by significantly increased expression of genes encoding proteins for energy production (ANGPTL4, ACSBG1) from fat and significantly decreased expression of genes (THRSP; FADS 1&2) encoding proteins enhancing energy expenditure. This process is vital for camel survival in the desert. Dehydration induced no major effects in the vital organs. Only minor degenerative changes were observed in hepatic and renal cells, physiological cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in heart and follicular hyperplasia in splenic but lipidosis was not depicted in liver hepatocytes. Ketone bodies were not smelled in urine, sweat and breathing of dehydrated animals supporting the previous finding that the ß hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, a key enzyme in ketone body formation, is low in the camel liver and rumen. Rehydration restored most of blood and tissues to normal or near normal. In conclusion, camels are adapted to combat dehydration stress and anorexia by increasing anti-stressors and modulating genes involved in fat metabolism.

Milk quantity and quality traits in cattle are affected by udder health, breed, genetic (such as heritability, repeatability, and heterosis), and environmental factors. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of udder health, genetic factors and environmental factors on milk performance traits in cattle breeds. The study was conducted on four dairy farms in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 291 milk samples and 547 records were collected from lactating cattle ranging between parities one to six. For milk performance traits and udder health, each milk sample was analysed for milk composition (fat %, protein %, and lactose %) and SSC (by direct microscopic SCC method). The data were analysed using a generalized linear model of SAS studio for the effect of the SCC, breed, and herd on milk performance while wombat and CFC for the analysis of genetic and non-genetic factors. The results showed that animals with higher SCC have significantly lower (P<0.01) milk fat %. Breed-wise analysis showed significantly higher (P<0.01) protein % in Achai, lactose % in Jersey and its crossbred (Jersey x Achai), and LMY was recorded significantly higher in Friesian and its crossbred Jersey x Friesian (JF). The analysis of the environmental effect on milk composition and LMY showed that animals kept in the different herds have significantly different (P<0.01) milk compositions and LMY. The estimates of additive genetic variance (Va), variance of the permanent environment (Vpe), and estimates of phenotypic variation (Vp) were recorded highest for SCC. The analysis of the effect of genetic factors (i.e. heritability, repeatability, and heterosis) revealed that estimation of heritability was highest (0.59) for age at first calving (AFC) while lowest (0.00) for calving interval (CI), and estimation of repeatability was highest (0.99) for AFC while lowest (0.00) for CI. The results of heterosis analysis showed that crossbred (Achai x Jersey) had positive heterosis for milk composition traits and SCC while negative heterosis for LMY compared to their purebreds. The study concluded that crossbred, better herd management and nutrition, and selection based on genetic factors (such as heritability, repeatability, and heterosis) can bring improvement in milk performance traits and udder health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study demonstrates the inhibition of selective foodborne pathogenic bacteria by exposure to a 355 and 266 nm Nd:YAG laser. In baseline assay P. aeruginosa showed maximum inhibition followed by Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes grown on agar surface. Cell lysis was confirmed by confocal microscopy for all pathogens. In liquid media, P. aeruginosa was irradiated with the third harmonic of a Nd:YAG laser pulse energy of 185 mJ, which was able to reduce the population of 1.65 x [10.sup.5] by 4.7 logs, while P. aeruginosa could only be reduced by 0.73 log/[cm.sup.2] on packaging material surface. In the final phase, the laser's potential was preliminarily tested for sterilization of raw cow milk. The reduction patterns of E. coli, Salmonella sp. yeasts and Lactobacillus sp. were 30%, 25%, 47%, and 30%, respectively, in raw milk, moreover, laser exposure had no significant impact on physio-chemistry of milk. Therefore, results indicate the potential application of laser in packing materials and milk sterilization at the industrial level. Key words: laser, foodborne pathogens, sterilization, milk. Cette etude demontre l'inhibition de bacteries pathogenes selectives liees a la salubrite des aliments par l'exposition de 355 nm et 266 nm de Nd : YAG. Dans le test de reference sur la surface de la gelose, P. aeruginosa a montre une inhibition maximale suivie par Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium et Listeria monocytogenes. Lyse cellulaire a ete confirmee par microscopie confocale pour tous les pathogenes. Dans les milieux liquides, une energie d'impulsion de 185 mJ P. aeruginosa a ete irradiee avec un troisieme harmonique de laser Nd : YAG qui a permis de reduire la population de 1,65 x [10.sup.5] par 4,7 logs alors que P. aeruginosa ne pouvait etre reduite que de 0,73 log/[cm.sup.2] sur les materiaux d'emballage. En phase finale, le potentiel du laser a ete teste pour la sterilisation du lait de vache cru. Le profil de reduction de E. coli, Salmonella sp., levures et Lactobacillus sp. a ete de 30, 25, 47, 30 % dans le lait cru d'ailleurs, l'exposition au laser n'ont aucun impact significatif sur la physico-chimie du lait. En consequent, les resultats indiquent l'application potentielle du laser sur les materiaux d'emballage et la sterilisation du lait au niveau industriel. Mots-cles : laser, agents, pathogenes d'origine alimentaire, sterilisation, lait., 1. Introduction Food safety is a most serious issue for food industries and consumers in both developed and developing countries. Several studies have been proposed that various bacteria like Escherichia [...]

Aswathy Sreedevi, Reshma Javed, Avani Dinesh Community Medicine, AIMS, Kochi, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kerala, India Abstract: Cervical cancer is on the declining trend in India according to the population-based registries; yet it continues to be a major public health problem for women in India. Multifactorial causation, potential for prevention, and the sheer threat it poses make cervical cancer an important disease for in-depth studies, as has been attempted by this paper. This paper attempts to review the available knowledge regarding the epidemiology and pattern of cervical cancer; types of HPV (human papilloma virus) prevalent among cervical cancer patients and among women in general, high-risk groups such as commercial sex workers, and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)-positive women; and the role of the national program on cancer in control efforts. The peak age of incidence of cervical cancer is 55–59 years, and a considerable proportion of women report in the late stages of disease. Specific types of oncogenic HPV-16, 18 have been identified in patients with cervical cancer. Other epidemiological risk factors are early age at marriage, multiple sexual partners, multiple pregnancies, poor genital hygiene, malnutrition, use of oral contraceptives, and lack of awareness. A multipronged approach is necessary which can target areas of high prevalence identified by registries with a combination of behavior change communication exercises and routine early screening with VIA. Sensitizing the people of the area, including menfolk, is necessary to increase uptake levels. Vaccination against types 16 and 18 can also be undertaken after taking into confidence all stakeholders, including the parents of adolescent girls. Preventing and treating cervical cancer and reducing the burden are possible by targeting resources to the areas with high prevalence. Keywords: cervical cancer, HPV, screening, prevention, epidemiology, India

Background: Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a major bacterial disease that causes significant economic disruption across the globe. Aims: Our study was based on using a fluorescence polarization assay (FPA) that used fluorescein-labeled ESAT-6 protein to detect Mycobacterium bovis antibodies in bovine serum. Methods: The ESAT-6 protein was used in a FPA. Positive TB reactors were determined by the comparative intradermal test (CID) and interferon gamma test (IFN-γ). Antibodies against M. bovis were detected using a fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeled tracer and a whole culture FITC labeled tracer in the positive cattle. Results: Of the 192 animals tested for bTB, 37 were found to be positive by either the CID or IFN-γ assays. Using the mP values from five culturepositive serum samples, a cutoff value of more than >127 mp provided the best discrimination between positive reactors and negative bTB animals. The ESAT-6 results of FPA in comparison with CID results revealed sensitivity of 92.9% and specificity of 64.6%, and in comparison with results IFN-γ, showed sensitivity of 95.7% and specificity of 49%. FPA using FITC labelled ESAT-6 as a tracer has better sensitivity (95.7%) and specificity (49.1%) than IFN-γ test in humoral immune response in animals. Conclusion: This work revealed that the ESAT-6 protein as an antigen can be used in diagnosing bTB using a practical and sensitive humoral test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nature and strength of the interactions between the 1,3-bis(dimethylhexadecyl)propanediammonium dibromide (16-3-16) gemini surfactant and a homologous series of nonionic polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan ester surfactants having laurate (Tween 20), stearate (Tween 60), or oleate (Tween 80) alkyl tails has been investigated. The critical micelle concentration (cmc) values of the mixed gemini-tween systems were determined using the du Notly ring surface tension method, and the results have been analyzed using Clint's, Rubingh's, Motomura's, and Maeda's theories for mixed micellar systems. The results demonstrate a synergistic mixing behaviour between the Tween surfactants and the 16-3-16 gemini surfactant, where the strength of interaction is dependent upon the chain length and saturation of the Tween alkyl tail. Key words: gemini surfactants, Tween surfactants, mixed micelles, surface tension. On a etudie la nature et la force des interactions entre l'agent de surface jumeau dibromure de 1,3- bis(dimethylhexadecyl)propanediammonium (16-3-16) et une serie d'agents de surface non ioniques a base d'ester de polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitane comportant des chaines alkyles du laurate (Tween 20), du stearate (Tween 60) ou oleate (Tween 80). On a determine; les valeurs de concentration micellaire critique (cmc) des systemes mixtes jumeau-Tween en faisant appel a la methode de la tension superficielle des anneaux de Noiiy et on a analyse les resultats a l'aide des theories de Clint, de Rubingh, de Motomura et de Maeda pour les systemes micellaires mixtes. Les resultats mettent en evidence un comportement de melange synergistique entre les agents de surface de la famille Tween et l'agent de surface jumeau 16-3-16 et la force de l'interaction depend de la longueur et de la saturation de la chaine alkyle du Tween. Mots-cles: agents de surface jumeaux, agents de surface Tween, micelles mixtes, tension superficielle. [Traduit par la Redaction], Introduction Gemini surfactants represent an intriguing class of surfactants that have been extensively studied by various research groups since the late 1980s. Their unique structure, which consists of two typical [...]

A feeding trial was conducted in nine Holstein Friesian heifers to observe the effect of replacement of cottonseed cakes with sunflower meal on their growth rate and age at maturity. Experimental animals were divided into three equal groups A, B and C. The major protein source in three experimental rations 1, 2 and 3 was based on cottonseed cakes (100%), cottonseed cakes (50%) + sunflower meal (50%) and sunflower meal (100%), respectively. These rations were fed to three groups respectively, for 183 days. The average daily weight gains of groups A, B and C were 0.849 ± 0.056, 0.756 ± 0.122 and 0.914 ± 0.027 kg, while feed efficiency averaged 2.72 ± 0.172, 2.73 ± 0.426 and 2.53 ± 0.0.072, respectively. Age at maturity for these groups averaged 376.33 ± 16.83, 425 ± 46 and 333.67 ± 4.84 days, respectively. Sunflower meal based ration showed equally good performance in terms of growth rate, feed efficiency and age at maturity while cost of production of sunflower meal based ration was the lowest.