CD4+CD25+ Regulatory T Cell Ontogeny and Preferential Migration to the Cecal Tonsils in Chickens

Thymic CD4+CD25+ cells have regulatory-T-cell-like properties in chickens. This study examined the ontogeny of CD4+CD25+ cells in the thymus and in peripheral compartments in chickens. CD4+CD25+ cells started to appear in the thymus at day 15 of incubation (E15), although at low percentages. Expressed as a percentage of CD4+ cells, CD4+CD25+ cells increased (P<0.01) from 1.7% at E20 to 7.3% at 0 d post-hatch (D0). CD4+CD25+ cells did not appear in the spleen or cecal tonsils of embryos. Expressed as a percentage of CD4+ cells, CD4+CD25+ cells increased (P<0.01) from 0% at D0 to 27% at D1 in cecal tonsils and from 0% at D0 to 11% at D1 in the spleen. Expressed as a percentage of all mononuclear cells, cecal tonsils at D1 had approximately 3.5-fold higher percentage of CD4+CD25+ cells than the spleen at D1. CD4+CD25+ cells from cecal tonsils of chicks at D1 were suppressive. CD4+CD25+ cells from D0 thymus, when injected back into MHC-compatible chicks, migrated to cecal tonsils and lungs and were detected until 10 d post-injection. CD4+CD25+ cells from cecal tonsils had a higher (P = 0.01) relative amount of CCR9 mRNA than CD4+CD25+ cells from the thymus. It could be concluded that in chickens CD4+CD25+ cells migrate from the thymus immediately post-hatch and preferentially colonize the gut associated lymphoid tissues. CD4+CD25+ cells' preferential migration to cecal tonsils is likely directed through the CCR9 pathway in chickens

Observations on broodstock maintenance, breeding and early larval development of the common spider conch Lambis lambis (Linnaeus, 1758) in captivity

Spider conches are common in shallow waters of the Indian coast. Of the eleven species reported from Indian waters, six species of the genus Lambis are categorised under Schedule IV of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Studies on the breeding of Lambis spp. are limited Considering its importance, an attempt was made to breed the common spider conch Lambis lambis, under controlled conditions. The brooders ranged from 152-184 mm/80-400 g in size/weight. They were maintained on macroalgal diet under static as well as airlift recirculation system. The conch shells, after 4 months of maintenance, exhibited mating behaviour and laid eggs under captivity during October-December 2010. The morphology and development of the embryo within the egg filaments, hatching, embryonic and early larval development up to 35 days post-hatch (dph) is detailed and compared with the similar observation made at Majuro atoll, Marshall Islands

Hybrid Composites for the Design and Development of Pressure Vessel for Underwater Applications

The study’s main objective is to design and develop pressure vessels in underwater applications using Hybrid composites-Fibre Metal Laminates (FML) so that the weight will be reduced. The proposed pressure vesselaccommodates electronics in the underwater ambient noise measurement system under an external hydrostatic&nbsp;pressure of 1 MPa (10 bar). The research study aims initially to design and develop a pressure vessel with stainless&nbsp;steel 316 L and subsequently design a pressure vessel with hybrid composites with a combination of composite&nbsp;materials of E-glass and carbon/epoxy materials with a metal alloy stainless steel 316 L. The pressure vessel has&nbsp;been optimised with varying metal and composite percentage combinations. The cylinder’s wall thickness has been&nbsp;pivotal in optimizing pressure vessel design. Classical Laminate Theory (CLT) transforms the FML pressure vessel or&nbsp;cylinder into a rectangular plate. As preliminary measures, FML specimen with a size of 0.45 m square laminate and&nbsp;0°orientation has been developed with 50 % metal layer and 50 % fibre composites, and corresponding mechanical&nbsp;tests have been carried out as per the standards. The tensile strength of the developed FML is 420 MPa compared&nbsp;to base metal (SS316 L) strength of 556 MPa, and similarly, Flexural and Impact properties have shown a higher&nbsp;level when compared to other types of FMLs

Estimation of crop coefficient for Marigold (Tagetes erecta (L.)) under drip irrigated greenhouse

Crop water consumption (ETc) varies from region to region depending on crop type, growth stages, soil, and climate conditions. In order to obtain full yield and avoid unnecessary water usage, the water demand of the cultivated plants should be accurately calculated, and irrigation water should be applied in accordance with plant needs. In this, the study was carried out in field No.C3 of Central farm at Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute, Kumulur, Trichy district to determine the growth stage-specific crop coefficient (Kc) and pan coefficient (Kp) for the greenhouse grown marigold (Tagetes erecta (L.). Since, a large area was occupied by a ClassA pan, the reduced-size evaporative pans (20 and 60 cm compared with Class A pan) was used and pan coefficient was determined as 0.93 and 0.96 respectively. A pan coefficient (Kp) was used to convert pan evaporation (Epan) to grass reference evapotranspiration (ETo). Based on the tensiometer readings, the depleted moisture content was taken to reckon the crop coefficient for different growth stage. The results revealed that crop coefficient (Kc) for marigold was observed as 0.37 during the initial stage (Kcin), 0.8 during mid-stage (Kcmid) and 0.47 (Kcfin) during the final stage. These results would be helpful for crop water requirement and irrigation scheduling for similar condition

Efficient and practical synthesis of dissymmetrical ethers of 4-nitrocatechol

An efficient and practical synthesis of dissymmetrical ethers of 4-nitrocatechol from 5-nitrosalicyladehyde and 2-hydroxy-5-nitroacetophenone via Baeyer-Villiger oxidation is described. These dissymmetrical ethers are useful in the synthesis of various coccidiostats and other important pharmaceutical intermediates

Correlation between Microalbuminuria and Atherogenic Index in Evaluating Coronary Vascular Risk in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes

Microalbuminuria is a known important risk factor for Kidney disease. Recent studies have highlighted Micro albuminuria as an independent marker for Endothelial dysfunction and Cardiovascular diseases.8 Albumin leakage into urine is a reflection of widespread vascular damage. Microalbuminuria is highly prevalent in patients with Diabetes Mellitus, its prevalence ranging from 10 to 40%. AIM OF THE STUDY: The Aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of Microalbuminuria in newly diagnosed patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and to compare the effectiveness of Microalbuminuria with the fasting Lipid profile in detecting cardiovascular risk in these patients in terms of Atherogenic Index. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group includes 247 patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Patients with urinary tract infection, Macro albuminuria, Renal failure and Heart failure are excluded from the study. Fasting and post-prandial blood sugar, Fasting Lipid profile, Atherogenic Index, Creatinine and Urine Albumin are measured in all the patients. The patients were divided in to two groups: Group A, without Microalbuminuria and Group B, with Microalbuminuria. RESULTS: BMI, FBS, PPBS, Total Cholesterol, TGL, Atherogenic Index, Creatinine and Urine Albumin are found to be higher in Group B compared to Group A patients and Serum HDL is found to be lower in Group B compared to Group A patients. Pearson correlation coefficient of Atherogenic Indices with Urine Albumin excretion of Group B patients shows that there is a significant positive correlation (r = 0.60). CONCLUSION: Microalbuminuria can be used as an independent marker for early prediction of cardiovascular complications and can be used as a screening procedure in all patients diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes mellitus

Properties of cotton, tencel and cotton/tencel blended ring- spun yarns

Yarn characteristics of pure cotton, 67:33 cotton/tencel blend, 33:67 cotton/tencel blend and pure tencel have been studied. Blending is done at draw frame. Machinery parameters are kept constant for studying the effect of fibre parameters on yarn characteristics. It is observed that the addition of tencel increases single yarn strength significantly at the higher tencel composition. Presence of tencel improves the elongation property. Packing fraction of tencel and tencel blended yarn is found to be more than that of cotton. Swelling diameter of pure cotton yarn is found to be lower than those of pure tencel and tencel/cotton blend yarns. Hairiness (H) decreases with the addition of tencel in the blend. It is also observed that the coefficient of friction (yarn- to- metal) of blend yarn reduces with the addition of tencel fibre in the blend

Spawning, intracapsular development and production potential of viable juveniles of a murex Chicoreus virgineus var. ponderosa Sowerby under laboratory conditions

Muricids are commercially important gastropods and are exploited primarily for shell craft industries. They also occupy a niche in ornamental keeping. Studies on the larval development of muricids in Indian waters are few. Hence, an attempt was made to study with a focus on the optimum requirements for captive brood maintenance; regional variation in egg laying, intracapsular development and to estimate production potential of individual brooder (the length/ weight ranged from 80 - 110 mm/49 - 169 g (average 94.875 ± 3.980 mm/111.625 ± 14.870 g) of Chicoreus virgineus var. ponderosa collected off Tuticorin coast, Gulf of Mannar. Experimental airlift water circulation system fitted in 1 t FRP tanks having an overturn of 300% water is found suitable for long term maintenance and maturation of brooders with near cent percent survival over a year. Spontaneous breeding commenced from June ’09. Eggs cases were ‘vase’ shaped and measured 1.2 - 1.5 cm in height. Egg case numbers varied between 110 and 140 and got reduced to 10 - 40 during October and increased in Nov & December. Number of eggs within the egg case was highly variable ranging from 100 - 380. Eggs were spherical, embedded in jelly mass within the egg case and measured 510 - 608 μ (578 μ). Intra capsular development is detailed and compared with the earlier report on this species from other areas of Indian coast. Development took nearly 20 days and only few free living juveniles measuring between 1.7 - 1.9 mm emerged and the rest of the eggs have functioned as “Nurse eggs”. Average net production potential of a single viable egg case was estimated to be 6.7 nos for Chicoreus virgineus var. ponderosa of Tuticorin coast of Gulf of Mannar