Association of heat stress protein 90 and 70 gene polymorphism with adaptability traits in Indian sheep (Ovis aries)

Heat stress proteins assist cellular proteins in the acquisition of native structure. The present research was conducted to study how thermo-tolerance is modulated by HSP90 and HSP70 gene polymorphism and its association with hemato-physio-biochemical parameters, supported by their expression profiles in Chokla, Magra, Marwari, and Madras Red sheep breeds. Least square analysis revealed significant effect (P < 0.05) of season and breed on all the physiological parameters, i.e., temperature, respiratory rate, and pulse rate (a.m. and p.m.), as well as hematological parameters like Hb, packed cell volume, total erythrocyte count (TEC), neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio, and total leukocyte count (TLC). There was a significant influence (P < 0.05) of breed on biochemical parameters such as glucose, SGOT, phosphorous, triglyceride, and cholesterol. Eight fragments were amplified and sequenced in HSP90, and 70 genes and 13 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. Tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system PCR, PCR-RFLP, and allele-specific PCR genotyping protocols were developed for large-scale genotyping of five SNPs. A significant difference (P < 0.05) of rectal temperature (a.m.), respiratory rate (p.m.), triglyceride, and total protein was observed at SNP01; albumin at SNP2; pulse rate (p.m.) at SNP3; and rectal temperature (p.m.), pulse rate (p.m.), Hb (g/dL), and N/L ratio at SNP4 and TLC at SNP5. Gene expression analysis revealed higher expression in less adapted animals with Madras Red < Magra < Chokla < Marwari expression pattern [corrected]. Predominant allele was found to be superior in most of the SNPs (SNP1-4) indicating the selection acting in directional manner (positive selection). Finally, it is concluded that TACCA haplotype combination of SNP1-SNP2-SNP3-SNP4-SNP5 might be of some selection advantage for the identification of animals more adaptable to heat stress.

Microbial profiles of liquid and solid fraction associated biomaterial in buffalo rumen fed green and dry roughage diets by tagged 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing

The microbiome of buffalo rumen plays an important role in animal health and productivity. The rumen bacterial composition of both liquid and solid fraction was surveyed using pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Sequences were analyzed using taxonomy-dependent clustering methods and revealed that the dominant ruminal bacteria shared by samples belonged to phyla Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Fibrobacteres and Proteobacteria. The core rumen microbiome of the rumen consisted of 10 phyla, 19 classes, 22 orders and 25 families. However, the relative abundance of these bacterial groups was markedly affected by diet composition as well as in type of biomaterial. In animals fed with a green and dry roughage diet, the cellulolytic bacteria, Ruminococcaceae, and Fibrobacteraceae was found in highest abundance in all biomaterials which reflected the need for enhanced fiber-digesting capacity in buffalo. The polysaccharide-degrading Prevotellaceae bacteria were most abundant in buffalo rumen. In taxonomic comparison of rumen bacteria, about 26 genera were differentially abundant among liquid and solid fraction of ruminal fluid. These results highlight the buffalo ruminal microbiome's ability to adapt to feed with different composition.

Metagenomic analysis of buffalo rumen microbiome: Effect of roughage diet on Dormancy and Sporulation genes

Buffalo rumen microbiome experiences a variety of diet stress and represents reservoir of Dormancy and Sporulation genes. However, the information on genomic responses to such conditions is very limited. The Ion Torrent PGM next generation sequencing technology was used to characterize general microbial diversity and the repertoire of microbial genes present, including genes associated with Dormancy and Sporulation in Mehsani buffalo rumen metagenome. The research findings revealed the abundance of bacteria at the domain level and presence of Dormancy and Sporulation genes which were predominantly associated with the Clostridia and Bacilli taxa belonging to the phyla Firmicutes. Genes associated with Sporulation cluster and Sporulation orphans were increased from 50% to 100% roughage treatment, thereby promoting sporulation all along the treatments. The spore germination is observed to be the highest in the 75% roughage treatment both in the liquid and solid rumen fraction samples with respect to the decrease in the values of the genes associated with spore core dehydration, thereby facilitating spore core hydration which is necessary for spore germination.

Study of rumen metagenome community using qPCR under different diets

The aim of this study was to detect the major bacteria present in rumen microbiota. Here, we performed qPCR based absolute quantitation of selected rumen microbes in rumen fluid of river buffalo adapted to varying proportion of concentrate to roughage diets. Animals were adapted to roughage-to-concentrate ratio in the proportion of 100:00 (T1), 75:25 (T2), 50:50 (T3) and 25:75 (T4) respectively for 30 days. At the end of each treatment, rumen fluid was collected at 0 h and 2 h after feeding. It was found that among fibrolytic bacteria Ruminococcus flavefaciens (2.22 × 10(8) copies/ml) were highest in T2 group and followed by 1.11 × 10(8) copies/ml for Fibrobacter succinogenes (T2), 2.56 × 10(7) copies/ml for Prevotella ruminicola (T1) and 1.25 × 10(7) copies/ml for Ruminococcus albus (T4). In non-fibrolytic bacteria, the Selenomonas ruminantium (2.62 × 10(7) copies/ml) was predominant in group T3 and followed by Treponema bryantii (2.52 × 10(7)copies/ml) in group T1, Ruminobacter amylophilus (1.31 × 10(7)copies/ml) in group T1 and Anaerovibrio lipolytica (2.58 × 10(6) copies/ml) in group T4. It is most notable that R. flavefaciens were the highest in population in the rumen of Surti buffalo fed wheat straw as roughage source.

Seminal gold content in healthy fertile men in India

Objective:

Since centuries Ayurveda, mentions the role of gold in the treatment of male infertility ‘Swarna Bhasma’ (Ash of gold) has been used with good results by Ayurvedic practitioners in the treatment of infertility. Hence, a study was planned to estimate gold in whole semen by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Materials and Methods:

Whole semen from 11 healthy males of proved fertility from Lucknow (India) was analyzed for gold content by Atomic Absorption spectrophotometry at wavelength 242.8 nm with Hollow Cathode Gold Lamp. Prior to analysis, all the samples were subjected to digestion procedure, achieved by treating them with mixture of concentrated Nitric acid and concentrated Perchloric acid in 6: 1 ratio.

Observation:

On analysis all semen samples were found to contain gold ranging from 0.36 to 1.98 μg/ml with a mean value of 0.88 μg/ml and a standard deviation of 0.51 μg/ml.

Conclusion:

In the present study, gold was estimated after complete digestion (oxidation of organic matters; hence, whatever amount of gold detected, denotes the levels in seminal plasma as well as the sperm itself) in whole semen (seminal plasma and sperm). It seems that the hypothesis made for presence of gold in sperm might be true. However, the literature available in this connection is very scanty and further studies are needed for scientific documentation of gold in male infertility.

High through put 16S rRNA gene-based pyrosequencing analysis of the fecal microbiota of high FCR and low FCR broiler growers

The performance of birds appears to vary among the flock of growing broilers which may in part be due to variation in their gut microbiota. In the view of poultry industry, it is desirable to minimise such variation. We investigated metagenomic profile of fecal bacteria in birds with high and low feed conversion ratio (FCR) to identify microbial community linked to low and high FCR by employing high throughput pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA genomic targets. Therefore feeding trial was investigated in order to identify fecal bacteria consistently linked with better feed conversion ratio in bird performance as measured by body weight gain. High-throughput 16S rRNA gene based pyrosequencing was used to provide a comparative analysis of fecal microbial diversity. The fecal microbial community of birds was predominated by Proteobacteria (48.04 % in high FCR and 49.98 % in low FCR), Firmicutes (26.17 % in high FCR and 36.23 % in low FCR), Bacteroidetes (18.62 % in high FCR and 11.66 % in low FCR), as well as unclassified bacteria (15.77 % in high FCR and 14.29 % in low FCR), suggesting that a large portion of fecal microbiota is novel and could be involved in currently unknown functions. The most prevalent bacterial classes in high FCR and low FCR were Gammaproteobacteria, Clostridia and Bacteroidia. However in low FCR birds Phascolarctobacterium, Faecalibacterium and Clostridium predominated among the Clostridia. In FCR comparison of fecal bacteria, about 36 genera were differentially abundant between high and low FCR birds. This information could be used to formulate effective strategies to improve feed efficiency and feed formulation for optimal gut health.

Metagenomic analysis of virulence-associated and antibiotic resistance genes of microbes in rumen of Indian buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

A major research goal in rumen microbial ecology is to understand the relationship between community composition and its function, particularly involved in fermentation process is of a potential interest. The buffalo rumen microbiota impacts human food safety as well as animal health. Although the bacteria of bovine rumen have been well characterized, techniques have been lacking to correlate total community structure with gene function. We applied 454 next generations sequencing technology to characterize general microbial diversity present in buffalo rumen metagenome and also identified the repertoire of microbial genes present, including genes associated with antibiotic resistance and bacterial virulence. Results suggest that over six percent (6.44%) of the sequences from our buffalo rumen pool sample could be categorized as virulence genes and genes associated with resistance to antibiotic and toxic compounds (RATC), which is a higher proportion of virulence genes reported from metagenome samples of chicken cecum (5.39%), cow rumen (4.43%) and Sargasso sea (2.95%). However, it was lower than the proportion found in cow milk (11.33%) cattle faeces (8.4%), Antarctic marine derived lake (8.45%), human fecal (7.7%) and farm soil (7.79%). The dynamic nature of metagenomic data, together with the large number of RATC classes observed in samples from widely different ecologies indicates that metagenomic data can be used to track potential targets and relative amounts of antibiotic resistance genes in individual animals. In addition, these data can be also used to generate antibiotic resistance gene profiles to facilitate an understanding of the ecology of the microbial communities in each habitat as well as the epidemiology of antibiotic resistant gene transport between and among habitats.

Methanogen diversity in the rumen of Indian Surti buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), assessed by 16S rDNA analysis

The methanogenic communities in buffalo rumen were characterized using a culture-independent approach of a pooled sample of rumen fluid from three adult Surti buffaloes. Buffalo rumen is likely to include species of various methanogens, so 16S rDNA sequences were amplified and cloned from the sample. A total of 171 clones were sequenced to examine 16S rDNA sequence similarity. About 52.63% sequences (90 clones) had ≥ 90% similarity, whereas, 46.78% of the sequences (81 clones) were 75-89% similar to 16S rDNA database sequences, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses were also used to infer the makeup of methanogenic communities in the rumen of Surti buffalo. As a result, we distinguished 23 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) based on unique 16S rDNA sequences: 12 OTUs (52.17%) affiliated to Methanomicrobiales order, 10 OTUs (43.47%) of the order Methanobacteriales and one OTU (4.34%) of Methanosarcina barkeri like clone, respectively. In addition, the population of Methanomicrobiales and Methabacteriales orders were also observed, accounting 4% and 2.17% of total archea. This study has revealed the largest assortment of hydrogenotrophic methanogens phylotypes ever identified from rumen of Surti buffaloes.

Bacterial diversity in the rumen of Indian Surti buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), assessed by 16S rDNA analysis

Bacterial communities in buffalo rumen were characterized using a culture-independent approach for a pooled sample of rumen fluid from 3 adult Surti buffaloes. Buffalo rumen is likely to include species of various bacterial phyla, so 16S rDNA sequences were amplified and cloned from the sample. A total of 191 clones were sequenced and similarities to known 16S rDNA sequences were examined. About 62.82% sequences (120 clones) had >90% similarity to the 16S rDNA database sequences. Furthermore, about 34.03% of the sequences (65 clones) were 85-89% similar to 16S rDNA database sequences. For the remaining 3.14%; the similarity was lower than 85% Phylogenetic analyses were also used to infer the makeup of bacterial communities in the rumen of Surti buffalo. As a result, we distinguished 42 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) based on unique 16S r DNA sequences: 19 OTUs affiliated to an unidentified group (45.23% of total OTUs), 11 OTUs of the phylum Firmicutes, also known as the low G+C group (26.19%), 7 OTUs of the Cytophaga-Flexibacter-Bacteroides phylum (16.66%), 4 OTUs of Spirochaetes (9.52%), and 1 OTU of Actinobacteria (2.38%). These include 10 single-clone OTUs, so Good's coverage (94.76%) of 16S rRNA libraries indicated that sequences identified in the libraries represent the majority of bacterial diversity present in rumen.

Novel cytogenetic finding: an unusual X;X-translocation in Mehsana buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Cytogenetic investigations of a phenotypically normal Mehsana river buffalo calf (Bubalusbubalis) revealed an XXY chromosome complement due to X;X-translocation in all screened metaphase plates. The chromosomal anomaly was identified by GTG-banding while CBG- and RBG-banding revealed two heterochromatin blocks and that one of the two X chromosomes was late replicating, respectively. The normal cytogenetic profiles of sire, dam and relatives of the calf suggest that the anomaly could have arisen spontaneously during oogenesis. This is the first report on a male river buffalo calf having an XXY chromosome complement with translocation between the two X chromosomes.

Confirmation of the correct placement of lower end of DJ stent during open surgery: point of technique

A simple technique to confirm the correct placement of the double J (DJ) stent at the time of antegrade insertion during open surgery is described. At the time of antegrade DJ stent placement about 30-50 ml of sterile methylene blue is instilled into the bladder. Appearance of methylene blue from the upper end and side holes of the DJ stent confirms the correct placement of the lower end of the stent.

Vesical Calculi With Unrepaired Vesicovaginal Fistula: A Clinical Appraisal of an Uncommon Association

PURPOSE

Primary vesical calculi are uncommon in patients with vesicovaginal fistula (VVF). We retrospectively analyzed 19 such cases and present our experience with the management of this condition.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 1989 and December 2002, 19 patients were treated for this association. All patients provided a history and underwent physical examination, metabolic evaluation for stone disease, urine culture test and cystovaginoscopic examination. They were treated with a staged procedure with the fistula repaired 2 to 3 months after stone removal.

RESULTS

VVF was a result of obstructed labor in all cases. The patients presented a mean of 28.8 months after fistula formation. No metabolic abnormality was detected in any patient. Urine culture was positive for Proteus mirabilis in 6 and Escherichia coli in 5, and it yielded mixed growth in 8. All women had some residual urine in the bladder (mean 11 ml). The fistula was located supratrigonally in 13 cases, while it was high trigonal in the remainder. A total of 17 patients were treated endoscopically by cystolitholapexy or fragmentation of the stone by transurethral cystolithotripsy using a Lithoclast (Microvasive Urology, Natick, Massachusetts). Two patients required open suprapubic cystolithotomy. All patients underwent fistula repair 3 months after stone removal with successful results in 16.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary vesical calculi in patients with VVF are associated with urinary contamination, a high or supratrigonal fistula location, residual urine in the bladder and a long history of disease. Staged management of the problem showed good results.

Wilms' tumour : a clinicopathologic study with special reference to its morphologic variants

Twenty five cases of Wilms' tumour were studied with special reference to their morphological variations. Wilms' tumour constituted 7.6% of all the malignant tumours of childhood and 50% of renal malignancies. Male/female ratio was 4:1; the mean age being 3.5 years. Left side was commonly involved (60.9%) center dot bilateral involvement in one case (4.3%). Morphologic study revealed triphasic pattern in 60% cases, biphasic (epithelial + stromal) in 12% and monophasic pattern in 28%. Other features observed were myxomatous degeneration, rhabdomyoblasts, calcification and squamous epithelial pearls seen in 20%, 12%, 8% and 4% respectively.

Tumours of the male urogenital tract: a clinicopathologic study

The present communication deals with the study of 388 tumours of the male urogenital tract diagnosed histopathologically during the period of 1984 to 1990. Of these 12 (3.09%) were benign and the rest 376 (96.91%) malignant. The incidence of malignant growths of male urogenital tract was 8.71% of all the malignancies or 14.19% of all cancers in males. Renal tumours constituted 10.64% of all the malignant tumours of male urogenital tract or 1.51% of all the male cancers. Morphological variants were renal cell carcinoma (37.5%), Wilms' tumour (47.5%), transitional cell carcinoma (7.5%), papillary cystic adenocarcinoma (3.5%), leiomyosarcoma (2.5%), metastatic from thyroid (2.5%). The mean age of the cases for renal cell carcinoma was 50.3 years and for Wilms' tumour 3.5 years. Urinary bladder cancer comprised 29.52% of all the malignancies of male urogenital tract or 4.19% of all malignant growths in males. The average age of the patients was 53.9 years. Transitional cell carcinoma was the commonest type of tumour (91.9%). Primary malignant tumours of the testis constituted 0.95% of all the malignancies, 1.55% of all male cancers, 10.9% of all malignancies of male urogenital tract or 18.3% of all the malignant growths of male genital tract. The mean age of the patients was 40.6 years. Seminoma was the commonest -46.34% of all the testicular tumours. The incidence of prostatic cancer was 1.81% of all cancers, 2.95% of all malignancies in males or 20.74% of all malignancies of male urogenital tract or 34.82% of malignancies of male genital tract.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Muscle and serum adenosine triphosphatase in patients suffering from tetanus

Serial estimation of muscle and serum adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity was performed in 16 healthy control patients and 32 cases with tetanus. There was no significant difference due to age and sex in muscle and serum ATPase activity between the normal and tetanus cases. Tetanus patients showed a marked increase in muscle and serum ATPase activity as compared to normal. The ATPase activity increased with the severity of convulsion and disease. There was increased mortality in tetanus patients having higher values of muscle and serum ATPase.

Occipital teratoma bearing digits and nails

A rare case of an occipital teratoma hearing nails and digits is reported in a child.