Influence of single nucleotide polymorphism in the IGF-1 gene on performance and conformation traits in Munjal sheep.

Genetic polymorphism research in livestock species aims to assess genetic differences within and among breeds, primarily for conservation and development objectives. The aim of the present study was to determine the point mutation in the IGF-1 gene (g.855G>C and g.857G>A) and its association with performance traits in Munjal sheep. In total, 50 Munjal sheep were selected and the genomic DNA was isolated using the Automated Maxell RSC DNA/RNA purification system and the Maxwell RSC whole blood DNA kit. A reported set of primers was used to amplify the 294-bp fragment encompassing the targeted region, i.e. the 5' flanking region of the IGF-1 gene. The polymerase chain reaction product of 294-bp size harbouring the g.857G>A mutation in the 5' flanking region of the IGF-1 gene was digested with HaeII enzyme. Three possible genotypes were defined by distinct banding patterns, i.e. GG (194, 100 bp), GA (294, 194, 100 bp) and AA (294 bp) in the studied population of Munjal sheep. The genotypic and allelic frequencies of g.857G>A single nucleotide polymorphism of the IGF-1 gene indicated that the frequency of the A allele was higher in the studied population, i.e. 0.59 and the GA genotype was found to be the predominant genotype (0.66). Allele A of the IGF-1 gene was found to be associated with higher body weights and can be used in selection criteria for improving the performance of Munjal sheep. The positive effect of the IGF-1 gene on several conformational traits as observed in this study suggests that this area of the ovine IGF-I gene is particularly important and warrants further investigation on a larger population size.

Evaluating animal models comprising direct and maternal effects associated with growth rates and the Kleiber ratio in Harnali sheep.

The present work evaluated animal models comprising direct and maternal effects to estimate (co)variance components and genetic parameters of growth rates and Kleiber ratio in Harnali sheep. The information on pedigree and targeted traits of 1862 lambs born to 144 sires and 591 dams was collected for the period from 1998 to 2018. The traits studied were average daily gain from birth to 3 months of age (ADG1), 3 months to 6 months of age (ADG2), and 6 months to 12 months of age (ADG3) and their corresponding Kleiber ratios as KR1, KR2 and KR3, respectively. The statistical methods included the general linear model for analyzing the effects of fixed factors and animal models for deriving variance components for targeted traits. According to best model evaluated on the basis of likelihood ratio test, the estimated direct heritability was low in magnitude and ranged from 0.04 to 0.14. Direct heritability estimates for ADG1, ADG2, ADG3, KR1, KR2 and KR3 were 0.06, 0.14, 0.05, 0.04, 0.11 and 0.05, respectively. The maternal genetic effects contributed (4-7%) significantly for ADG1, KR1 and KR2 traits. The genetic correlations ranged from -0.35 ± 0.11 (ADG1-KR2) to 0.98 ± 0.01 (ADG2-KR2 and ADG3-KR3) and phenotypic correlations ranged from -0.36 ± 0.02 to 0.98 ± 0.01 for ADG1-KR2 and ADG2-KR2, respectively. The significant maternal effects along with low levels of direct effects for average daily gain and Kleiber ratio at different age group should be considered while setting selection and managerial strategies to achieve anticipated growth rates in Harnali sheep.

Assessment of egg quality and biochemical parameters of Aseel and Kadaknath indigenous chicken breeds of India under backyard poultry farming.

Egg quality parameters are very crucial for the egg industry as egg configuration affects grading, price, hatchability, chick weight, and consumer preference. Current study was undertaken to assess and compare the egg quality parameters in 2 important Indian breeds Aseel and Kadaknath reared under backyard system. Different parameters of external and internal egg quality were measured. Biochemical parameters of egg yolk estimated were egg yolk cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and triacylglycerol. Means for external characters of Aseel eggs viz., egg weight, egg length, egg width, shape index, shell weight, shell thickness, and shell ratio were 41.7 g, 5.16 cm, 3.85 cm, 74.75%, 4.65 g, 0.35 mm, and 11.23%, and corresponding values for Kadaknath eggs were 40.59 g, 5.13 cm, 3.79 cm, 74.02%, 4.28 g, 0.34 mm, and 10.61%, respectively. Average albumin length, width, height, and albumin index were 83.73 mm, 65.4 mm, 6.02 mm, and 9.26% for Aseel eggs and 82.27 mm, 64.80 mm, 5.52 mm and 8.52% for Kadaknath eggs, respectively. Mean values for yolk length, width, height and yolk index were 43.32 mm, 40.10 mm, 15.30 mm, and 38.30% in Aseel and 42.15 mm, 38.97 mm, 14.26 mm and 36.66% in Kadaknath breed, respectively. Mean values for egg yolk cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triacylglycerol were estimated as 9.38, 1.74, 0.17, and 1.94 mg/g in Aseel eggs and 8.38, 1.84, 0.11, and 1.76 mg/g in Kadaknath eggs, respectively. Biochemical analysis revealed that egg yolk quality of Kadaknath eggs was comparatively better than Aseel eggs.

Climate change and heat stress: Impact on production, reproduction and growth performance of poultry and its mitigation using genetic strategies.

Heat stress is an important environmental determinant which adversely affects the performance of poultry worldwide. The present communication reviews the impact of heat stress on production, reproduction and growth performance of poultry, and its alleviation using genetic strategies. The adverse effects of high environmental temperature on poultry include decrease in growth rate, body weight, egg production, egg weight, egg quality, meat quality, semen quality, fertility and hatchability, which cause vast financial losses to the poultry industry. High ambient temperature has an antagonistic effect on performance traits of the poultry. Thus, selection of birds for high performance has increased their susceptibility to heat stress. Additionally, heat burden during transportation of birds from one place to another leads to reduced meat quality, increased mortality and welfare issues. Molecular markers are being explored nowadays to recognize the potential candidate genes related to production, reproduction and growth traits for selecting poultry birds to enhance thermo-tolerance and resistance against diseases. In conclusion, there is a critical need of formulating selection strategies based on genetic markers and exploring more genes in addition to HSP25, 70, 90, H1, RB1CC, BAG3, PDK, ID1, Na, F, dw and K responsible for thermoregulation, to improve the overall performance of poultry along with their ability to tolerate heat stress conditions.

Traditional Medicines and Dietary Therapy in COVID-19: Exclusive Analysis and Prospects

• The international committee on taxonomy of viruses declared the "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2" (SARS-CoV-2) as the new virus which has quickly transmitted from human to human and speed expeditiously across the globe causing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. • At present, COVID-19 is treated using chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir, etc,; however, these drugs have demonstrated inadequate clinical response while causing serious adverse effects. This facilitates the study of inhibition of COVID-19 protease by traditional herbal plants and dietary therapy. • India has always been a rich reservoir of medicinal plants because of several agro-climatic zones. Indian herbal plants such as harsingar (night jasmine or parijat), giloy (moonseed plant or guduchi) and aloe vera (ghrit kumari) are particularly interesting in terms of their inhibition potentials. Chinese Herbal medicines (CHM) has been recommended and included in the interim guidelines for the treatment of COVID-19 as Chinese medicine is on the mainstream health care system in China. • The key functional food plants with immunomodulatory and antiviral; antibacterial; antifungal; anti-inflammatory; antioxidant; anticancer activity included liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.), garlic (Allium sativum L.), tea (Camellia sinensis [L.] Kuntez), ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), black pepper (Pipper nigram L.) etc. • The present study explores the scientific data to provide exclusive analysis and establish the prospects of traditional medicine (TM) and dietary therapy (DT) in treatment and prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.

Foldscope as a primary diagnostic tool for oral and urinary tract infections and its effectiveness in oral health education.

Due to its speed, accuracy and cost-effectiveness, microscopy has become an integral part of clinical examination for disease diagnosis. However, modern microscopes are very costly and require skilled personnel for their operation and maintenance, and specimen processing and analysis is labour-intensive. Further, lack of such expensive diagnostic tools in remote areas is a serious concern. Affordable point-of-care diagnostic tools are the most useful for timely disease diagnosis and management. The Foldscope is an affordable origami-based microscopy device composed of a series of paper clippings, which, upon assembly, can hold a specimen slide for observation, and this specimen can be viewed via a mobile phone camera attached to it. The present study evaluated the use of the Foldscope in the clinical diagnosis of oral and urinary tract infections and evaluated its efficacy as a motivational tool for improving oral health among school children in India. We qualitatively compared the Foldscope to a clinical microscope by examining five different types of clinical samples. Of the different types of clinical samples, the Foldscope was effective in detecting infection in dental plaque samples and urine samples. Thus, we further analysed 31 dental plaque samples of patients aged 3-13 years and 25 urine samples of patients aged 11-62 years. We also evaluated the use of the Foldscope as an educational tool for motivating oral hygiene among 80 school children aged 12 years and found that students in the Foldscope intervention group had better measures of oral hygiene than did students in the nonintervention group. In summary, our study indicated that the Foldscope is useful in detecting urinary tract infections and kidney stones in urine samples and is a useful motivational tool for oral health education among school-aged children. Furthermore, it may also be useful in oral health monitoring in resource poor settings. LAY DESCRIPTION: Poor and remote population often suffers due to lack of capacity to buy products or avail services which are expensive. In such a society people are not able to afford even the basic detection of diseases. Foldscope may come to rescue here! Foldscope is a paper-based, use-and-throw, affordable microscope. This study explores the use of Foldscope in clinics and diseases diagnosis using patient samples. Preliminary detection of disease associated symptoms in dental and urinary infections and digital record keeping via storage in mobile phone memory and hospital OPD records for monitoring patient's health are some of the advantages of Foldscope for clinical use in resource poor settings. It identifies that Foldscope not only can be used by students or teachers for educational purposes but it can also pave a path for promotion of dental hygiene among young children. The study also suggests that further improvement in design or resolution of Foldscope will broaden the scope of its application, in future.

Image Processing to Improve Detection of Mesial Temporal Sclerosis in Adults.

In this retrospective case-control study, we investigated whether an image-processing algorithm designed to exaggerate the intensity of diseased hippocampi on FLAIR images can improve the diagnostic accuracy and interobserver reliability of radiologists in detecting mesial temporal sclerosis-related hippocampal signal alteration. Herein, we share the results of this study that showed that the image processing improved the confidence of radiologists in detecting mesial temporal sclerosis-related signal alteration, allowing an improved sensitivity, specificity, and interobserver reliability.

Tau positron emission tomography imaging in C9orf72 repeat expansion carriers.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: AV-1451 (18 F-AV-1451, flortaucipir) positron emission tomography was performed in C9orf72 expansion carriers to assess tau accumulation and disease manifestation. METHODS: Nine clinically characterized C9orf72 expansion carriers and 18 age- and gender- matched cognitively normal individuals were psychometrically evaluated and underwent tau positron emission tomography imaging. The regional AV-1451 standard uptake value ratios from multiple brain regions were analyzed. Spearman correlation was performed to relate the AV-1451 standard uptake value ratio to clinical, psychometric and cerebrospinal fluid measures. RESULTS: C9orf72 expansion carriers had increased AV-1451 binding in the entorhinal cortex compared to controls. Primary age-related tauopathy was observed postmortem in one patient. AV-1451 uptake did not correlate with clinical severity, disease duration, psychometric performance or cerebrospinal fluid markers. CONCLUSION: C9orf72 expansion carriers exhibited increased AV-1451 uptake in entorhinal cortex compared to cognitively normal controls, suggesting a propensity for primary age-related tauopathy. However, AV-1451 accumulation was not associated with psychometric performance in our cohort.

Histone/protein deacetylase inhibitor therapy for enhancement of Foxp3+ T-regulatory cell function posttransplantation.

T-regulatory (Treg) cells are like other cells present throughout the body in being subject to biochemical modifications in response to extracellular signals. An important component of these responses involves changes in posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of histones and many nonhistone proteins, including phosphorylation/dephosphorylation, ubiquitination/deubiquitination, and acetylation/deacetylation. Foxp3, the key transcription factor of Tregs, is constantly being rapidly turned over, and a number of these PTMs determine its level of expression and activity. Of interest in the transplant setting, modulation of the acetylation or deacetylation of key lysine residues in Foxp3 can promote the stability and function, leading to increased Treg production and increased Treg suppressive activity. This mini-review focuses on recent data concerning the roles that histone/protein deacetylases (HDACs) play in control of Treg function, and how small molecule HDAC inhibitors can be used to promote Treg-dependent allograft survival in experimental models. These data are discussed in the light of increasing interest in the identification and clinical evaluation of isoform-selective HDAC inhibitors, and their potential application as tools to modulate Foxp3+ Treg cell numbers and function in transplant recipients.

Genetic analysis of growth traits in Harnali sheep.

AIM: The present investigation was to study genetic characteristics of Harnali sheep with respect to growth performance and to estimate genetic parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 22 years (1992-2013) data of growth traits of a 1603 synthetic population of Harnali sheep maintained at Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, was utilized for this study. A mixed methodology with regression on their dam's weight was used to study the effect of non-genetic factors on growth traits. Heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations were estimated using paternal half-sib analysis for body weight at various ages and average daily gain (ADG) for different growth periods. RESULT: The overall least squares mean of body weights recorded for birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), six months body weight (SMW), one yearling body weight (YBW), average daily gain from birth to 3 months (ADG1) and average daily gain from 3 to 12 months (ADG2) were 3.35±0.05 kg, 12.41±0.08 kg, 16.30±0.12 kg, 21.88±0.08 kg, 100.66±0.86 g/day and 35.07±0.39 g/day, respectively. The effects of year of birth significantly (p<0.01) influenced the BW, WW, SMW, YWB, ADG1 and ADG2. The effects of sex of lamb significantly (p<0.01) influenced the BW, WW SMW, YWB, ADG1 and ADG2. The effects of dam's weight at lambing significantly (p<0.01) influenced BW, WW, SMW, YWB, ADG1 and ADG2. No definite trend was observed over the years for the averages of body weight and gain. The heritability estimates of BW, WW, SMW, YBW, ADG1 and ADG2 were 0.40±0.05, 0.38±0.05, 0.45±0.06, 0.29±0.05, 0.40±0.06 and 0.33±0.02, respectively. The male lambs were significantly heavier than females at all stages of growth. The heritability estimates were moderate for all the growth traits and high genetic correlations of BW and WW with SMW were found. CONCLUSION: Due to high heritability and positive correlations of SMW with other body weights and daily gain, it was concluded that selection on the basis of SMW would be the best approach to improve growth performance in Harnali sheep.

Study of the role of efflux pump in ciprofloxacin resistance in Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi.

PURPOSE: There are increasing reports on failure of clinical response to ciprofloxacin in typhoid fever despite the strain being sensitive to drug in in-vitro using standard guidelines and showing mutations in DNA gyrase. But this increased MIC and clinical failures with ciprofloxacin are not always co-related with mutations presently identified in gyrA and parC genes. This shows that there may be other mechanisms such as an active drug efflux pump responsible as has been shown in other Enterobacteriaceae. This study was carried out to determine the role of efflux pump in Salmonella Typhi isolates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total 25 already characterized nalidixic acid sensitive and nalidixic acid resistant S. Typhi strains with different range of ciprofloxacin MIC were included to study the role of efflux pump in the presence of CCCP (efflux pump inhibitor). For genotypic characterization, the entire acrR gene was sequenced to confirm the presence of any mutation in the gene. RESULTS: The MIC of ciprofloxacin remained same in the presence and absence of CCCP in the studied strains and no significant mutations were found in the acrR gene in any of the isolates studied. CONCLUSIONS: No role of efflux pump in ciprofloxacin resistance was found in strains studied. There is a need to explore further mechanism of ciprofloxacin resistance in Salmonella Typhi.

An oral Sindbis virus replicon-based DNA vaccine containing VP2 gene of canine parvovirus delivered by Escherichia coli elicits immune responses in dogs.

A Sindbis virus replicon-based DNA vaccine containing VP2 gene of canine parvovirus (CPV) was delivered by Escherichia coli to elicit immune responses. The orally immunized dogs developed CPV-specific serum IgG and virus neutralizing antibody responses. The cellular immune responses analyzed using lymphocyte proliferation test and flow cytometry indicated CPV-specific sensitization of both CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ lymphocytes. This study demonstrated that the oral CPV DNA vaccine delivered by E. coli can be considered as a promising approach for vaccination of dogs against CPV.

Sindbis virus replicon-based DNA vaccine encoding Rabies virus glycoprotein elicits specific humoral and cellular immune response in dogs.

A Sindbis virus (SINV) replicon-based DNA vaccine encoding Rabies virus (RABV) glycoprotein G developed previously (Saxena et al., Vaccine 26, 6592, 2008) was used for immunization of dogs against rabies. The intradermal injection of DNA vaccine into external ear generated protective level of virus neutralizing antibodies. The cellular immune response was specific to RABV, in particular by an increase in CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ lymphocytes. This study has demonstrated that the SINV replicon-based DNA vaccine encoding RABV G is capable of inducing the protective level of specific immune response in dogs.

Influence of amorphous cyclodextrin derivatives on aceclofenac release from directly compressible tablets.

An inclusion complex of hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin (HPbetaCD), an amorphous, highly water soluble derivative and aceclofenac (AC), was prepared by the kneading method. The complex was further characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD), fourier-transform infra red spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and in vitro dissolution studies. The dissolution of AC from the inclusion complex studied by the dispersed powder technique showed significant dissolution enhancement in case of the kneaded product (KN) compared to pure AC. The complex possessed good compressibility and the tablets so compressed displayed good dissolution profile. The dissolution data were characterized by different model independent parameters such as dissolution efficiency (DE), difference factor (f1) and similarity factor (f2).

Primary osteosarcoma of the skull. A report of 3 cases.

Osteosarcomas are malignant bone tumors, which commonly affect the long bones of young adults. Primary osteosarcomas of the skull are exceedingly rare. We herein report 3 cases of primary osteosarcoma of the skull involving the calvaria, diagnosed over a period of 8 years at the Department of Pathology of our Institute.

Nutritional evaluation and shelf life studies of papads prepared from wheat-legume composite flours.

The present study was carried out to develop papads from wheat and legume blends and to analyze them for organoleptic acceptability, nutritional quality, and keeping quality. Papad is a dehydrated product prepared from dhals or rice. A firm but pliable dough is made from the flours of dhals or rice with addition of suitable seasoning. It is shaped into balls, rolled out thin, dried and toasted over open fire so as to give a light, crisp product. Mung flour papads were kept as control and wheat flour, chickpea flour, and pea flour were used to supplement mung flour papads. Three different proportions (10, 20, 30%) of each flour were used to supplement Mung flour. Papads with wheat flour (10%), chickpea flour (20%), and pea flour (10%) level of supplementation were found to be most acceptable and these papads were subjected to nutritional evaluation. Protein content significantly increased on supplementation with legume flours at all levels. Fat content was significantly higher in chickpea flour supplemented papads. Ash content varied significantly from 10.17 to 10.78% in papads. Total carbohydrates decreased significantly on supplementation with chickpea flour. Copper content increased significantly on supplementation. A significant decrease in phytic acid and trypsin inhibitor of supplemented papads was found. In vitro protein digestibility significantly increased on supplementation but a significant decrease in in vitro starch digestibility was found in supplemented papads. Storage studies showed that chickpea flour and pea flour supplemented papads can be stored safely for 60 days and wheat flour supplemented papads for 30 days both at room and refrigeration temperatures.

Clear cell odontogenic carcinoma: a diagnostic dilemma.

A 26-year-old man presented with a swelling in the right side of face and CT scan revealed a destructive tumor in the right maxilla. Tumor recurred within 5 years of its excision and histopathological examination revealed a clear cell odontogenic carcinoma. The rarity of this tumor, occurrence in maxilla and young age of the patient are some of the rare features which need documentation. The importance of its diagnosis and various differential diagnoses are discussed.

Holoacardius acephalus-myelecephalus.

Holoacardius acephalus is a rare anomaly occurring in twin pregnancy. This case was an amorphic monstrous mass with only lower limb buds showing five digits and no definite human form unlike those reported in the Indian literature which either showed the presence of other body parts like thorax, abdomen and head and neck structures or were totally undifferentiated. The other twin had intra uterine growth retardation. This case came to the hospital in labour. As this condition can be recognised in the antenatal period, diagnosis of this anomaly is important for better perinatal outcome.

Acceptability and viscosity of low cost home processed supplementary foods developed for preschool children.

Four supplement mixtures using whole wheat, pearl millet, bengal gram, green gram, groundnuts and amaranth leaves were developed employing roasting and malting techniques. Malting used in the formation of the supplements reduced significantly hot paste viscosity of all the four supplements and increased their nutrient density per unit volume. The organoleptic trials conducted on rural mothers revealed that taste, texture, colour, aroma, appearance and overall acceptability of all the four supplements were found to be excellent with mean overall acceptability. Children did not develop any GIT disorders after consuming the products. Trained panelists found all the four supplements acceptable as indicated by a nine point hedonic scale.