Unique Physiological and Behavioural Adaptive Features of The One-Humped Camel (Camelus dromedarius) to Arid Environments

The dromedary camel is mainly found in the tropics of Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian sub-content, where it is of great importance to nomadic and rural communities to provide high-quality animal protein in the form of milk and meat and as a means of transportation. In the Arabian Gulf region, the camel gained popularity and importance recently as a racing animal. The camel is well adapted to harsh environments characterized by inadequate water and vegetation, high ambient temperature, and rough terrain. Camels are working animals suited to their desert habitat and are a vital means of transport for humans and cargo, especially for rural farmers. There are three surviving species of camel. Camels originated in North America and eventually spread across Beringia to Asia. They survived in the Old World, and eventually, humans domesticated them and spread them globally. However, the literature on the physiological parameters of the camel is scanty. This review aims to provide a general overview of the physiological features of the camel and an update on the available studies of physiological and behavioural features of the camel and the effects of thermal environmental conditions on some physiological responses

Inhibitory effects of swietenia mahagoni seeds extract on A-glucosidase and A-amylase

This study analyzed the inhibition activity of Swietenia mahagoni seeds extract on α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes inhibition assays. Swietenia mahagoni seeds were extracted by using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) extraction at pressures of 20-30 MPa and temperatures of 40-60°C. The oil yields obtained were analyzed with α- glucosidase and α- amylase enzymes inhibition assays. All data obtained were expressed as mean ± standard deviation for triplicate experiments. One way analysis was used for statistical significance by using statistica software version 7.0 (StartSoft, EUA) and IC50 (extract concentration causing 50% enzyme inhibitory) was determined by using GraphPad Prism 6.0 software. Swietenia mahagoni seeds extract have a strong inhibition of α-glucosidase enzyme activity (98.4% ± 0.2) but a moderate inhibition of α- amylase enzyme activity (34.9% ± 1.2). These findings implied that Swietenia mahagoni seeds extract could be an effective natural antidiabetic agent

Emergence of unusual human rotavirus strains in Salento, Italy, during 2006–2007

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In recent years, rotavirus genotyping by RT-PCR has provided valuable information about the diversity of rotaviruses (RV) circulating throughout the world.</p> <p>The purpose of the present study was to monitor the prevalence of the different G and P genotypes of rotaviruses circulating in Salento and detect any uncommon or novel types.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>During the period from January 2006 to December 2007, a total of 243 rotavirus positive stool samples were collected from children with diarrhoea admitted to four Hospitals in the province of Lecce (Copertino, Galatina, Gallipoli and Tricase).</p> <p>All the specimens were tested for RV by real time PCR and genotyped for VP7 (G-type) and VP4 (P-type) gene by reverse transcription (RT) and multiplex PCR using different type specific primers.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In course of this study we identified 4 common G&P combinations viz. G2P[8], G1P[8], G2P[4] and G9P[8] amongst 59.8% of the typeable rotavirus positives.</p> <p>Rotavirus G2P[8] was recognized as the most widespread genotype during the sentinel-based survey in Salento.</p> <p>The detection of other novel and unusual strains, such as G2P[10], G4P[10], G8P[4], G9P[11] and G10P[8] is noteworthy.</p> <p>Furthermore, a significant number of mixed infections were observed during the survey period but G3P[8] rotaviruses were not detected.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study highlights the genetic diversity among rotaviruses isolated from children in Salento and the emergence of some novel strains. Therefore, it is highly essential to continuously monitor for these strains so as to assess the impact of vaccines on RV strains circulating in Salento and understand the effect of strain variation on efficacy of presently available vaccines.</p

A Non-Cytosolic Protein of Trypanosoma evansi Induces CD45-Dependent Lymphocyte Death

In a recent study dealing with a mouse model of Trypanosoma evansi-associated disease, a remarkable synchrony between the parasitaemia peak and the white-blood-cell count nadir was noticed. The present study was designed to establish whether there is a direct causal link between the parasite load during its exponential phase of growth and the disappearance of peripheral blood leukocytes. In vitro experiments performed with trypanosomes and purified peripheral blood mononucleated cells revealed the existence of a lymphotoxin embedded in the T. evansi membrane: a protein sensitive to serine proteases, with a molecular mass of less than 30 kDa. Lymphocytes death induced by this protein was found to depend on the intervention of a lymphocytic protein tyrosine phosphatase. When lymphocytes were exposed to increasing quantities of a monoclonal antibody raised against the extracellular portion of CD45, a transmembrane protein tyrosine phosphatase covering over 10% of the lymphocyte surface, T. evansi membrane extracts showed a dose-dependent decrease in cytotoxicity. As the regulatory functions of CD45 concern not only the fate of lymphocytes but also the activation threshold of the TCR-dependent signal and the amplitude and nature of cytokinic effects, this demonstration of its involvement in T. evansi-dependent lymphotoxicity suggests that T. evansi might manipulate, via CD45, the host's cytokinic and adaptive responses

Lipid changes in male Albino rats exposed to graded doses of Lead

In order to determine the lipid changes in male albino rats exposed to graded doses of lead as lead acetate for periods of 4, 8 and 12 weeks, a total of 60 male albino rats were divided into four groups as, A, B, C and D. Group A served as the control while groups B, C and D were exposed to 200, 300 and 400 ppm, respectively. At the end of exposure period, blood samples were collected for the determination of lead concentration. Total triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and phospholipid concentrations were also determined in the plasma. There was a significant (p &lt; 0.05) period and dose dependent increase in blood lead concentrations in treated groups compared to the control group while plasma triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations followed similar patterns of alterations. The high density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density cholesterol concentrations show varying degrees of alterations, with a significant increase in high density cholesterol fractions while a significant decrease in the low density cholesterol fractions. The phospholipid concentration showed a dose-dependent decrease. It can be concluded that exposure to varying concentrations of lead over varying periods of exposures show accumulation of lead in the blood together with varying alterations in some of the lipid parameters of male albino rats

Evaluation of the “Antidotal” Potential of Mangifera indica L. leaves extract on sodium arsenate exposed male Wistar rats using some biochemical markers

In order to evaluate the antidotal potential of Mangifera indica L leaves extract on sodium arsenate exposed male Wistar rats using some biochemical markers, forty-two apparently healthy male Wistar rats (weight range 120-160 g) were used in the study. The animals were randomly separated into six groups. Other than groups “A” (non-exposed control) and “B” (exposed control), groups; C, D, E, and F respectively were treated with different dosages of Mangifera indica L extract  viz., l00 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg extract. Volumes of extract administered did not exceed 0.2 ml regardless of the body weight of the animal respectively. Some biochemical parameters assessed were: serum protein, albumin, conjugated bilirubin, unconjugated bilirubin (ICB), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine  aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP),gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), urea, creatinine, creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH),acid phosphatase, prostatic phosphatase, serum lipid profile, that is total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high density lipoprotein cholesterol  (HDL), and the hormones, testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels. Group “B” had significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher activities for AST, GGT, CK, LDH and higher cholesterol concentration when compared to Mangifera indica treated groups and to the non-exposed control. Testosterone and LH were significantly (P&lt;0.05) lower in group “B” unlike the Mangifera indica treated groups and group “A”. This observation could be attributed to adverse effect of toxicosis on exposure to animals in group “B”. Antitodal property of the extract, due to one or more of its phytochemicals such as flavonoids, tannins alkaloid and anthraqunones could be the most probable reason for potential therapeutic potential. Conclusively, this observation gives credence to its cytoprotective and antitodal properties

Analysis of a 4-span continuous plate in one direction using Matlab programming

The present study presents a computer approach based on polynomial shape functions application for analysis of continuous plate in one direction using Matlab. A 4-span continuous plate in the x-direction comprises of boundary conditions SSSC, SCSC, SCSC and SCSS single panels’ plate was analyzed. It was assumed that, the external edges were simply supported while the internal edges of each panel were clamped. The bending moments of the clamped edges were calculated for each panel using appropriate boundary conditions which formed the fixed end moments (FEMs). Stiffness method was used based on beam analogy to analyze the continuous plate. Matlab codes were applied to develop a computer program for this analysis. To validate the results of this present study, the values of the moments obtained were compared with those of earlier studies using manual method. The percentage difference for fixed end moments were all 0.00% and that of support moments had the maximum value of 0.016%. Thus, it was concluded that the present study program based on Matlab is adequate and a faster approach for a 4-span continuous plate in one direction analysis. Keywords: Matlab Programming, Continuous Plate, Polynomial Shape Functions, Beam Analogy, Fixed Edge Moment

Use of goat interleukin-6, cortisol, and some biomarkers to evaluate clinical suitability of two routes of ascorbic acid administration in transportation stress

Aim: The study determined the effect of ascorbic acid (administered orally and intramuscularly) in short-term transportation stress. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four apparently healthy Kalahari goats were grouped into four groups (A, B, C, and D) of 6 animals each: Group A - untreated and unexposed to stress; Group B - treated with 200 mg/kg Vitamin C orally and exposed to 2 h transportation stress; Group C - treated with Vitamin C 200 mg/kg intramuscularly and exposed to 2 h transportation stress; and Group D - untreated and exposed to 2 h transportation stress. The animals were stocked using standards stipulated by the Nigerian Animal Disease Control Act and transported at 40 km/h. Cortisol and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were assayed using quantitative sandwich ELISA. Classical stress hematological parameters and antioxidative stress markers such as glutathione s-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde were determined. Heart rate variability (HRV) was also assessed. Results: The route of ascorbic acid administration did not influence the expression of IL-6, and changes in cortisol surge, antioxidative stress markers, and other hematological parameters in Kalahari goats though Group C goats showed higher HRV values (p<0.05) than others. This gives credence to the enhanced cardiac responsiveness and stress survivability in Kalahari goats. Conclusion: Both routes could be used in the administration of ascorbic acid. Kalahari goats exposed to short-term stress; however, the intramuscular route had better heart variability and thus improved the survivability of the animals

Indoor air pollution in rural settings in Plateau State, Nigeria

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