Solid Phase Biosensors for Arsenic or Cadmium Composed of A trans Factor and cis Element Complex

The presence of toxic metals in drinking water has hazardous effects on human health. This study was conducted to develop GFP-based-metal-binding biosensors for on-site assay of toxic metal ions. GFP-tagged ArsR and CadC proteins bound to a cis element, and lost the capability of binding to it in their As- and Cd-binding conformational states, respectively. Water samples containing toxic metals were incubated on a complex of GFP-tagged ArsR or CadC and cis element which was immobilized on a solid surface. Metal concentrations were quantified with fluorescence intensity of the metal-binding states released from the cis element. Fluorescence intensity obtained with the assay significantly increased with increasing concentrations of toxic metals. Detection limits of 1 μg/L for Cd(II) and 5 μg/L for As(III) in purified water and 10 µg/L for Cd(II) and As(III) in tap water and bottled mineral water were achieved by measurement with a battery-powered portable fluorometer after 15-min and 30-min incubation, respectively. A complex of freeze dried GFP-tagged ArsR or CadC binding to cis element was stable at 4 °C and responded to 5 μg/L As(III) or Cd(II). The solid phase biosensors are sensitive, less time-consuming, portable, and could offer a protocol for on-site evaluation of the toxic metals in drinking water

Stress Response Pathways in Dairy Cattle: A Brief Review

Stress is an external event or condition that places a strain on a biological system. The animal response to stress involves the expenditure of energy to remove or reduce the impact of stress. This increases the maintenance requirements of the animal and results in loss of production. The biological response to stress is divided into acute and chronic phases, with the acute phase lasting hours to a few days, and the chronic phase lasting several days to weeks. The acute response is driven by homeostatic regulators of the nervous and endocrine systems and the chronic phase by homeorhetic regulators of the endocrine system. Both responses involve alterations in energy balance and metabolism. The thermal environment affects all animals and therefore represents the largest single stressor in animal production. Other types of stressors include housing conditions, overcrowding, social rank, disease, and toxic compounds. "Acclimation" to stress is a phenotypic response developed by the animal to an individual stressor within the environment. Acclimation is a homeorhetic process that takes several weeks to occur and occurs via homeorhetic, not homeostatic, mechanisms. It is a phenotypic change that disappears when the stress is removed. Milk yield and reproduction are extremely sensitive to stress because of the high energy and protein demands of lactation and the complexity of the reproductive process and multiple organs that are involved. Improvements in the protection of animals against stress require improved education of producers to recognize stress and methods for estimating the degree of stress on animals

Compositional Changes in Colostrum of Crossbred Dairy Cow

The research was conducted to examine the day-to-day variation in colostrum composition at the udder quarter level. For this purpose, a total of 3 Holstein Frisian crossbred cows were selected from Bangladesh Agricultural University Dairy Farm. Colostrum samples were collected both as mixed and separately from different teats. The concentration of major colostrum constituents (fat, protein, lactose, total solids, solids-not-fat, ash, pH, specific gravity) changed significantly (p≤0.05), the levels on day 4 were found similar to those of normal milk. The highest mean value of fat, protein, total solid, SNF, ash and specific gravity in colostrum was observed on 1st post-partum day as 6.02±0.70, 14.20±0.18, 23.88±1.25, 17.94±0.42, 1.03±0.05% and 1.05±0.00, respectively and later on, decreased as postpartum days advanced. Minimum average fat, protein, total solid, SNF, and ash content in colostrum was observed on 5th postpartum days as 3.75±0.11, 3.24±0.08, 12.00±0.20, 8.27±0.16% and 0.695±0.01, respectively. But lactose percent and pH showed an increasing trend from 1 to 5 postpartum days. Minimum average lactose and pH was observed on 1st and 5th postpartum days as 2.42±0.06%; 6.03±0.04% and 4.26±0.15; 6.30±0.04, respectively. The quality of colostrum produced by udder quarters was found significantly different (p<0.05). The rear quarters produced colostrum, which was significantly richer in fat, proteins, TS, pH compared to forequarters colostrum. The forequarters produced colostrum which was significantly richer in lactose, ash, SNF compared to forequarters colostrum. In conclusion, the results showed that colostrum composition was significantly changed up to 5 days post-partum

Buffalo Milk Yield, Quality, and Marketing in Different Agro-Climatic Districts of Bangladesh

The study was aimed at assessing the productive performance of dairy buffalo and milk marketing approaches in different agro-climatic districts of Bangladesh. Three (03) districts of Bangladesh viz. Bhola, Mymensingh, and Dinajpur were chosen from the coastal, river basin and semi-arid region, respectively. A triangulation method of survey was used to collect the data and the components of the triangle were buffalo farms, buffalo farmers and buffalo herdsmen. The investigation duration was twelve (12) months. The study revealed that the highest milk yield (5 L/h/d; p=0.010) was found in the river basin and semi-arid region. Lactation yield was also recorded double in the river basin and semi-arid districts compared to coastal districts (p=0.000). In the case of lactation length, the river basin buffaloes possessed 33 and 36% longer than coastal and semi-arid districts, respectively. All the chemical components were found significantly different (p≤0.050) but fat. Among different agro-climatic districts, about 92% of milk was traded in the coastal region after meeting the household's need but it was noted that the farmers from the semi-arid region kept more than 21% of milk for family consumption (p=0.000). The highest unit price (BDT 72/L) of milk was observed in the river basin district (p=0.011). In conclusion, the current situations of buffalo farming and milk marketing approaches in Bangladesh, varies considerably

Variations of Raw Milk Components and Amino Acid Profiles in Different Dairy Buffalo Crossbreds

This study aimed to assess the relationship between milk components and amino acid (AA) profiles among different buffalo crossbreds in Bangladesh. A total of thirty-six (36) lactating buffaloes were selected from Murrah, Nili-Ravi, and Mehsana crossbreds, and they were assigned to 03 groups, each with 12 buffaloes. The total experimental period was 10 weeks, including the initial 10 days of diet adjustment. The results from the experiment revealed that milk protein, fat, and total solids contents of Murrah crossbred was significantly (p<0.05) higher than Mehsana and Nili-Ravi crossbreds. In contrast, the lactose content of all buffalo crossbreds was statistically similar (p>0.05). In the case of milk amino acid contents, all the milk samples entailed a higher concentration of Glutamic acid (0.9-1.00 g/100 g of milk), whereas Cysteine had the lowest concentration (0.02-0.05 g/100 g). The most prevalent essential amino acids were Leucine, Lysine, and Phenylalanine, whereas the most prevalent non-essential amino acids were Glutamic acid, Proline, Asparagine, and Serine. Lysine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Phenylalanine, Cysteine, and Histidine concentrations differed significantly (p<0.05), and at the same time as the other 11 AAs concentrations were found non-significant (p>0.05). The highest Lysine: Methionine ratio observed in Murrah buffalo was about 3.20%, while in Mehsana and Nili-Ravi buffalo was about 2.80 and 2.50%, respectively. Thus, it was evident from the study that the raw milk components and amino acid composition vary considerably in the different lactating buffalo crossbreds. Finally, the compositional data of raw milk may create the way of sustainable use of milk from dairy buffalo crossbreds and improve food and nutrition security, particularly in developing countries

Population Abundance of Potentially Pathogenic Organisms in Intestinal Microbiome of Jungle Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos) Shown with 16S rRNA Gene-Based Microbial Community Analysis

Jungle Crows (Corvus macrorhynchos) prefer human habitats because of their versatility in feeding accompanied with human food consumption. Therefore, it is important from a public health viewpoint to characterize their intestinal microbiota. However, no studies have been involved in molecular characterization of the microbiota based on huge and reliable number of data acquisition. In this study, 16S rRNA gene-based microbial community analysis coupled with the next-generation DNA sequencing techniques was applied to the taxonomic classification of intestinal microbiome for three jungle crows. Clustering of the reads into 130 operational taxonomic units showed that at least 70% of analyzed sequences for each crow were highly homologous to Eimeria sp., which belongs to the protozoan phylum Apicomplexa. The microbiotas of three crows also contained potentially pathogenic bacteria with significant percentages, such as the genera Campylobacter and Brachyspira. Thus, the profiling of a large number of 16S rRNA gene sequences in crow intestinal microbiomes revealed the high-frequency existence or vestige of potentially pathogenic microorganisms

Papaya (Carica papaya) latex- an alternative to rennet for cottage cheese preparation

Objective: The study was conducted to standardize the desire level of papaya latex on quality of cheese prepared from cow milk. Materials and methods: Cheese sample was prepared using whole milk collected from Dairy Farm, Bangladesh Agricultural University. This experiment was conducted on five treatments from cow milk named as sample CC1: cow control; A1: 2 drops (0.06 gm); B1: 3 drops (0.10 gm); C1: 4 drops (0.14 gm); D1: 5 drops (0.16 gm) of papaya latex. All experimental cheeses were judged by a panel of judges for organoleptic evaluation using a score card. The total solids and ash content of the different types of cheese were determined by oven drying method according to AOAC. Fat per cent, protein and acidity were determined by Babcock method, procedure and titrating with N/10 sodium hydroxide solution, respectively described by Aggarwala and Sharma. Results: There was significant difference within the overall physical score of different samples except color score. Overall score of sample B1 was highest (93.67&plusmn;1.53) and score of sample D1 was lowest (72.33&plusmn;12.01). In case of chemical analysis, the highest protein value was 17.14&plusmn;0.34% found in B1 and lowest value was 14.94&plusmn;0.16% found in D1. The highest fat value of sample B1 was 23.00&plusmn;1.00% and lowest value was 16.00&plusmn;1.00% found in C1. Highest carbohydrate was found in A1 (9.44&plusmn;2.25) and lowest in D1 (5.02&plusmn;0.04). Total solids and moisture content of cheese differed significantly (P<0.01) among the sample. On the other hand, non-significant difference was found in acidity. Conclusion: Cheese from cow milk, time on curd coagulation have significant difference (P<0.01) but non-significant difference was found in yield. Highest yield was found in sample CC1 (200.00&plusmn;5.00 gm/kg) and lowest yield was found in B1 (193.33&plusmn;2.89 gm/kg). [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2017; 4(3.000): 249-254

Population Abundance of Potentially Pathogenic Organisms in Intestinal Microbiome of Jungle Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos) Shown with 16S rRNA Gene-Based Microbial Community Analysis

Jungle Crows (Corvus macrorhynchos) prefer human habitats because of their versatility in feeding accompanied with human food consumption. Therefore, it is important from a public health viewpoint to characterize their intestinal microbiota. However, no studies have been involved in molecular characterization of the microbiota based on huge and reliable number of data acquisition. In this study, 16S rRNA gene-based microbial community analysis coupled with the next-generation DNA sequencing techniques was applied to the taxonomic classification of intestinal microbiome for three jungle crows. Clustering of the reads into 130 operational taxonomic units showed that at least 70% of analyzed sequences for each crow were highly homologous to Eimeria sp., which belongs to the protozoan phylum Apicomplexa. The microbiotas of three crows also contained potentially pathogenic bacteria with significant percentages, such as the genera Campylobacter and Brachyspira. Thus, the profiling of a large number of 16S rRNA gene sequences in crow intestinal microbiomes revealed the high-frequency existence or vestige of potentially pathogenic microorganisms

Influence of multiple showering on quality of buffalo semen during hot-humid season

Objectives: This experiment was conducted on buffaloes to see effect of showering on maintaining good quality of buffalo semen in hot season. Materials and methods: This study was conducted on 6(six) indigenous buffalo bulls in hot summer of March and April 2017. The effect of multiple showering vs single shower alone on fresh and equilibrated semen quality was observed. The buffalos were divided into similar two groups (according to age and weight) and housed in half-walled openshed with adequate spacing and the feeding management being identical. The bulls in the control group were allowed to a single shower at 10.00 am and experimental bulls were allowed to four showers at 07.00, 10.00, 13.00 and 16.00. Temperature and humidity were recorded during this time. The average temperature was around 35&#xb0;C along with 72% relative humidity. The quality of experimental bulls semen was evaluated in terms of volume, live sperm, sperm concentration, sperm motility, motion parameters and morphology for normal and abnormal sperm. For this analysis Computer Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA) system was used. Results: Between experimental group and control group semen quality differs significantly for volume (2.04±0.13 mL; 2.53±0.27 mL) (P [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2018; 5(1.000): 12-18