Analysis of the effects of thermal stress on milk production in a humid tropical climate using linear and non-linear models.

The decline of milk production in crossbred cattle during the onset of summer was evaluated using lactation records of the cows (n = 48) maintained at the Livestock Research Station, Thiruvazhamkunnu, for the period between January 2019 and March 2019. Climate data were obtained from an automatic weather station maintained on the campus. The temperature-humidity index (THI) was used to assess the thermal stress on animals. Values varied between 70.78 and 83.93 during the study period, indicating that the cows were exposed to mild and moderate stress. Highly significant negative correlations (p < 0.01) were observed between the average temperature, THI, and milk production. Linear, logarithmic, power, and polynomial models linking milk production and THI were used to fit the data. The coefficient of determination (R2) in general exceeded 0.85 and these equations could be used to model the drop in milk production or predict production loss due to thermal stress. The rate of decline in daily milk production observed in the study was 2.13% per unit increase in THI. A general linear model that included THI, parity, and the stage of lactation as independent variables, and milk production as a response variable, was also tested. Parity and stages of lactation were observed to influence forenoon and afternoon milk production significantly (p < 0.01). The temperature-humidity index also had a significant effect on forenoon milk production (p < 0.05) and afternoon milk production (p < 0.01).

Calcium depletion at high glucose concentration promotes vesicle-mediated NET release in response to Staphylococcus aureus.

The primary immune response against Staphylococcus aureus is mediated by neutrophils. In response to S. aureus and its proteins, neutrophil shows two different kinds of NETosis, viz. suicidal and vesicular NETosis. Glucose is the major energy source of neutrophils for performing NETosis. However, NETosis was found altered in response to high glucose levels. Growth of S. aureus was also found modulated in response to high glucose and they behave differently at different glucose levels. This work was attempted to study NET release in response to S. aureus cell-free culture supernatant at different glucose concentrations. Freshly isolated neutrophils were treated with different concentrations of glucose along with S. aureus cell-free culture supernatant and were analyzed for neutrophil extracellular trap formation, ROS production, and peptidylarginine deiminase 4 activities. Influence of calcium on NETosis was analyzed using calcium chelator (EDTA) and calcium inhibitor (TMB-8). With increasing glucose levels, NET release in response to S. aureus cell-free culture supernatant was increased. Oxidant level was also increased dose-dependently with increasing concentrations of glucose. At very high glucose concentrations (> 15 mM), vesicular NETosis was predominantly observed. At these glucose concentrations, peptidylarginine deiminase activity was found to be decreased. Furthermore, calcium quenching in the medium facilitated vesicular mode of NET release. In conclusion, calcium depletion occurring at high glucose concentrations can reduce peptidylarginine deiminase 4 activity and can thereby promote the vesicular NET release.

Investigation and confirmation of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection in wild caught penaeid shrimps of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is one of the most prevalent, widespread and devastating pathogen associated with shrimp population. The present study was aimed at screening the wild caught shrimps from Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI) for WSSV infection. Shrimp samples of different penaeid species including Penaeus monodon, Penaeus indicus, Penaeus merguiensis and Metapenaeus monoceros collected from nine different landing centers across the coast of ANI were screened for WSSV infection. Presence of white spots, a typical clinical sign of white spot disease was observed on the exoskeleton of WSSV infected shrimp samples. Out of 241 shrimp samples, 39 samples of P. monodon were found positive for WSSV by nested PCR. Histopathological examination revealed eosinophilic to basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies in gill tissue which are typical characteristics of WSSV infection. Nucleotide sequence of WSSV isolated from ANI showed 100% identity to the sequences of WSSV reported from Thailand, Taiwan, China, Egypt, Mexico, Korea, France and 99% identity to WSSV reported from India. The detection of WSSV in wild P. monodon of ANI further confirms the virus spread and biogeography.

A randomized double-blind, multiple-arm trial comparing the efficacy of submucosal injections of hyaluronidase, dexamethasone, and combination of dexamethasone and hyaluronidase in the management of oral submucous fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: Numerous treatment modalities for oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) have been advocated over the years. However, its medical treatment is not yet fully standardized. This randomized double-blind trial assessed and compared the effects of two commonly used drugs, independently and in combination. METHODS: Forty-five patients were staged clinically and histopathologically for OSF and were randomly divided into three groups of 15 each by permuted block randomization. Each group received biweekly submucosal injections of hyaluronidase (1500 IU), dexamethasone (8 mg) or a combination of both (750 IU and 4 mg), respectively, for a period of 5 weeks. Improvement in pain upon opening, burning sensation, and tightness of mucosa as perceived by the patient, as well as improvement in mouth opening measured clinically were determined at the end of week 2, months 1, 2, 3, and 6 after the final injection. Results were compared and statistically analyzed using analysis of variance. RESULTS: Submucosal injection of hyaluronidase gave a quicker and better improvement of measured symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Biweekly submucosal injection of hyaluronidase over a period of 5 weeks appears to be a viable treatment option for OSF.