Assessment of Oxidative Stress in Peste Des Petits Ruminants (Ovine Rinderpest) Affected Goats

The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate oxidative stress in goats affected with peste des petits ruminants (PPR). The experiment was designed to collect blood samples from PPR affected as well as healthy goats during a series of PPR outbreaks which occurred during February to April 2012 in different districts of Rajasthan state (India). Out of total 202 goats of various age groups and of both the sexes, 155 goats were PPR affected and 47 were healthy. Oxidative stress was evaluated by determining various serum biomarkers viz. vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and xanthine oxidase, the mean values of which were 1.71±0.09 µmol L-1, 13.02±0.14 µmol L-1, 2.22±0.09 µmol L-1, 3.03±0.07 µmol L-1, 135.12±8.10 kU L-1, 289.13±8.00 kU L-1, 6.11± 0.06 kU L-1 and 98.12±3.12 mU L-1, respectively. Each parameter analysis of variance showed highly significant effect (P=0.0001) of health status and age category. Further interaction between health status and age category was also highly significant (P=0.0001) for each parameter studied. The results indicated that vitamins A, C, E and glutathione levels depressed by 18.95%, 38.67%, 47.64%, and 47.39%, respectively and the serum catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and xanthine oxidase activities increased by 90.79%, 75.11%, 90.34%, and 44.06%, respectively in affected animals as compared to that in healthy ones. On the basis of the altered levels of serum biomarkers of oxidative stress it was concluded that the animals affected with PPR developed oxidative stress

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Efficacy Against E. Coli Isolates of Different Serogroups Obtained From Diarrhoeic Neonates of Calves, Kids, and Lambs

Fourteen antimicrobials were evaluated their efficacy against 115 Escherichia coli isolates recovered from faecal samples collected from neonatal diarrhoeic calves (66), kids (25) and lambs (24). Of these isolates 37 were nontypeable, four were of rough type and 74 isolates were typeable for 'O' antigen belonging to 19 different serogroups (O2, O3, O5, O17, O21, O22, O25, O41, O45, O55, O60, O65, O70, O76, O114, O116, O147, O152, and O158). Evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy by disc diffusion method revealed that the most effective antibiotics were ciprofloxacin, sparfloxacin and triple sulpha followed by co-trimoxazole, chloramphenicol, nitrofurantoin, gentamicin, nalidixic acid, polymixin-B and amoxyclav in decreasing order of their efficacy while ampicillin and cephotaxime were found totally ineffective against these isolates. All the isolates showed multiple drug resistance to various antibiotics ranging from two to ten antibiotics. The resistance patterns were independent of serogroups of isolates and the animal species from which isolates were obtained. However, there was a variation in resistance pattern for same antibiotic vis-a vis locations of their isolation

A highly miniaturized electron and ion energy spectrometer prototype for the rapid analysis of space plasmas.

MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems) plasma analyzers are a promising possibility for future space missions but conventional instrument designs are not necessarily well suited to micro-fabrication. Here, a candidate design for a MEMS-based instrument has been prototyped using electron-discharge machining. The device features 10 electrostatic analyzers that, with a single voltage applied to it, allow five different energies of electron and five different energies of positive ion to be simultaneously sampled. It has been simulated using SIMION and the electron response characteristics tested in an instrument calibration chamber. Small deviations found in the electrode spacing of the as-built prototype were found to have some effect on the electron response characteristics but do not significantly impede its performance

Assessment of Oxidative Stress in Peste des petits ruminants (Ovine rinderpest) Affected Goats

The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate oxidative stress in goats affected with peste des petits ruminants (PPR). The experiment was designed to collect blood samples from PPR affected as well as healthy goats during a series of PPR outbreaks which occurred during February to April 2012 in different districts of Rajasthan state (India). Out of total 202 goats of various age groups and of both the sexes, 155 goats were PPR affected and 47 were healthy. Oxidative stress was evaluated by determining various serum biomarkers viz. vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and xanthine oxidase, the mean values of which were 1.71±0.09 µmol L-1, 13.02±0.14 µmol L-1, 2.22±0.09 µmol L-1, 3.03±0.07 µmol L-1, 135.12±8.10 kU L-1, 289.13±8.00 kU L-1, 6.11± 0.06 kU L-1 and 98.12±3.12 mU L-1, respectively. Each parameter analysis of variance showed highly significant effect (P=0.0001) of health status and age category.  Further interaction between health status and age category was also highly significant (P=0.0001) for each parameter studied. The results indicated that vitamins A, C, E and glutathione levels depressed by 18.95%, 38.67%, 47.64%, and 47.39%, respectively and the serum catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and xanthine oxidase activities increased by 90.79%, 75.11%, 90.34%, and 44.06%, respectively in affected animals as compared to that in healthy ones. On the basis of the altered levels of serum biomarkers of oxidative stress it was concluded that the animals affected with PPR developed oxidative stress

Evaluation of Oxidative Stress in Sheep Affected with Peste des petits ruminants

The aim of the investigation was to evaluate oxidative stress in sheep affected with peste des petits ruminants (PPR). Oxidative stress in the affected sheep was evaluated by determining various serum biomarkers viz. vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and xanthine oxidase, the mean values of which were 1.70±0.07µmol L-1, 13.00± 0.10 µmol L-1, 2.25 ±0.07 µmol L-1, 3.10 ±0.06 µmol L-1, 140.00 ±8.00 kU L-1, 294.22 ±9.91 kU L-1, 6.99± 0.05 kU L-1 and 100.10 ±3.00 m U L-1, respectively. The levels of vitamins A, C, E and glutathione decreased significantly (p≤0.05) and the serum catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and xanthine oxidase activities increased significantly (p≤0.05) in affected sheep as compared to that in healthy ones. On the basis of the altered levels of serum biomarkers of oxidative stress it was concluded that the animals affected with PPR developed oxidative stress. The findings suggested the relevance of periodic assessment of oxidative status in ruminants for healthier management through supplementation of proper antioxidants as supportive treatment in PPR and in healthy in-contact animals

Fuelling of TCA cycle in hepatic cells Marwari goat during ambient temperature associated stress

The present study was launched to assess the effect of extreme ambient temperature associated stress on fuelling of TCA cycle in hepatic cells of Marwari goat. Based on the fact that whenever a hepatocyte needs fuel for TCA cycle, the activity of enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase (GD) increases making alpha-ketoglutarate available for TCA cycle, 600 apparently healthy Marwari goats of either sex, between 6 months to 3 years of age were screened and blood samples were collected during moderate, cold and hot ambient temperature periods to determine the serum glutamate dehydrogenase enzyme and glucose concentration. The mean value of serum GD was significantly (p≤0.05) higher during cold and hot ambient temperature periods in comparison to overall moderate mean value. However, the rise was greater in cold (2.20 times) than hot ambient temperature (1.19 times). The serum GD activity was higher in male and younger animals. Serum glucose concentration showed a reverse trend as compared to serum GD activity. The results indicated that in cold condition associated stress the fuelling to TCA cycle was more than moderate and hot ambient temperature periods. Serum GD activity was also found related with glucose homeostasis. Further the study has shown that variations in the enzyme levels are not always pathological and while interpreting clinical data, a clinician must consider these variations

CHANGES IN SERUM ENZYMES LEVELS ASSOCIATED WITH LIVER FUNCTIONS IN STRESSED MARWARI GOAT

Serum enzyme levels were determined in goats of Marwari breed belonging to farmers’ stock of arid tract of Rajasthan state, India. The animals were grouped into healthy and stressed comprising of gastrointestinal parasiticised, pneumonia affected, and drought affected. The serum enzymes determined were sorbitol dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, ornithine carbamoyl transferase, gamma-glutamayl transferase, 5’nucleotidase, glucose-6-phosphatase, arginase, and aldolase. In stressed group the mean values of all the enzymes increased significantly (p≤0.05) as compared to respective healthy mean value. All the enzymes showed highest values in the gastrointestinal parasiticised animals and least values in the animals having pneumonia. In gastrointestinal parasiticised animals maximum change was observed in G-6-Pase activity and minimum change was observed in malate dehydrogenase mean value. It was concluded that Increased activity of all the serum enzymes was due to modulation of liver functions directly or indirectly

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Efficacy Against E. coli Isolates of Different Serogroups Obtained from Diarrhoeic Neonates of Calves, Kids, and Lambs

Fourteen antimicrobials were evaluated their efficacy against 115 Escherichia coli isolates recovered from faecal samples collected from neonatal diarrhoeic calves (66), kids (25) and lambs (24).  Of these isolates 37 were nontypeable, four were of rough type and 74 isolates were typeable for 'O' antigen belonging to 19 different serogroups (O2, O3, O5, O17, O21, O22, O25, O41, O45, O55, O60, O65, O70, O76, O114, O116, O147, O152, and O158). Evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy by disc diffusion method revealed that the most effective antibiotics were ciprofloxacin, sparfloxacin and triple sulpha followed by co-trimoxazole, chloramphenicol, nitrofurantoin, gentamicin, nalidixic acid, polymixin-B and amoxyclav in decreasing order of their efficacy while ampicillin and cephotaxime were found totally ineffective against these isolates. All the isolates showed multiple drug resistance to various antibiotics ranging from two to ten antibiotics. The resistance patterns were independent of serogroups of isolates and the animal species from which isolates were obtained. However, there was a variation in resistance pattern for same antibiotic vis-a vis locations of their isolation

Role of leptin and adiponectin in gestational diabetes mellitus: a study in a North Indian tertiary care hospital

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) exposes women to a higher risk for development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in later years of life. Newborns of mothers with GDM are at increased risk for acute perinatal complications including hypoglycaemia, jaundice and being large for gestational age. One of the mechanisms underlying glucose metabolism in pregnancy are a group of substances, which includes leptin and adiponectin, produced mainly in the adipose tissue; in this paper we analyze the role of these mediators in women with GDM. This case control study was performed in 90 females (30 GDM patients and 60 control subjects without GDM) referred to a tertiary care hospital. Blood samples were analyzed for fasting blood glucose, leptin and adiponectin. Leptin andAdiponectin were analyzed using ELISA technique. In our study, the levels of fasting blood glucose were statistically significantly higher (p=0.000) in gestational diabetes patients as compared to controls. There was statistically significant positive correlation between blood glucose and leptin (p = 0.000, r = 0.585). There was statistically significant negative correlation between blood glucose and adiponectin(p = 0.000, r = -0.661). An amplification of the low-grade inflammation already existing in normal pregnancy may lead to increase in leptin and decrease in adiponectin. These factors may play a role in development of gestational diabetes mellitus. Further studies are required for establishing them as a marker for gestational diabetes mellitus.KEY WORDS: Gestational diabetes mellitus; Leptin; Adiponecti