No abstract

Acute dermal toxicity study was conducted in rats. The parameters studied were body weight, serum biochemistry and gross pathology. The animals were also observed for clinical signs and mortality after the application of test film. The dermal irritation potential of silk protein film was examined using Draize test. In the initial test, three test patches were applied sequentially for 3 min, 1 and 4 hours, respectively, and skin reaction was graded. The irritant or negative response was confirmed using two additional animals, each with one patch, for an exposure period of 4 hours. The responses were scored at 1, 24, 48 and 72 hours after the patch removal. Skin sensitization study was conducted according to Buehler test in guinea pigs, in which on day 0, 7 and 14, the animals were exposed to test material for 6 hours (Induction phase) and on day 28, the animals were exposed for a period of 24 hours (Challenge phase). The skin was observed and recorded at 24 and 48 hours after the patch removal. In acute dermal toxicity study, the rats dermally treated with silk film did not show any abnormal clinical signs and the body weight, biochemical parameters and gross pathological observations were not significantly different from the control group. In acute dermal irritation study, the treated rabbits showed no signs of erythema, edema and eschar, and the scoring was given as “0” for all time points of observations according to Draize scoring system. In skin sensitization study, there were no skin reactions 24 and 48 hours after the removal of challenge patch, which was scored “0” based on Magnusson/Kligman grading scale.

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A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of ochratoxin A (OTA) on broiler chicks challenged with Eimeria tenella oocysts. Two hundred day-old, unsexed Cobb broiler chicks were randomly divided into four treatment groups. Each treatment consisted of five replicates and ten chicks per replicate, making the following treatments: group I: control; group II: OTA (1 mg/kg) daily through feed; group III: coccidia (orally inoculated with 50,000 E. tenella oocysts/chick on day 21); group IV: OTA (1 mg/kg) daily through feed + coccidia (orally inoculated with 50,000 E. tenella oocysts/chick on day 21). Six birds from each group were slaughtered on the 5th, 7th, 9th and 11th day post infection. The results showed higher mortality with severe gross lesions in caecum and a greater number of faecal oocysts in groups III and IV. The gross lesions observed in group IV were characterised by distension of caecum with blood-tinged content indicative of haemorrhagic typhlitis with mucosal tissue debris. Microscopically, lymphoid organs revealed severe lymphocytolysis and depletion with cellular sparsity in OTA treated groups. The increased severity of lesions in the caecum of group IV was attributed to the additive effect of OTA and E. tenella. Caecum exhibited severe haemorrhages, the presence of numerous second generation schizonts, matured merozoites and developing oocysts. Group IV showed an increase in the severity of coccidiosis which is due to the immunosuppressive effect of OTA. Thus, it was concluded that the expression of E. tenella and its pathological effects were maximum in the presence of OTA compared to the incidence of coccidiosis alone in broiler chicks.

An experimental trial with 2×2×2 factorial design was conducted to assess the individual and combined effects of mycotoxins including ochratoxin A (OTA) (0 and 1.0 mg/kg), aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) (0 and 0.5 mg/kg) and high-grade sodium bentonite (HGSB) (0 and 1.0%) in broilers. Significant depression of body weight, feed consumption, serum protein and serum albumin were noticed due to OTA, AFB1 and OTA+AFB1. The relative weights of pancreas, spleen and bursa were not altered significantly either by inclusion of OTA, AFB1, OTA+AFB1 or HGSB. Increases in the relative weights of liver and gizzard were observed in OTA, AFB1 and OTA+AFB1. Decreases in serum protein levels and increases in gamma glutamyl transferase were noticed in the OTA+AFB1 group. Also decreases in serum protein levels for alanine amino transferase and thymus were observed. The antibody titres against Newcastle Disease and Infectious Bursal Disease were significantly (P<0.05) decreased in all the treatment groups compared to control. HGSB reduced the toxicity of aflatoxin and marginally ameliorated the effect of OTA+AFB1 on some parameters.

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The objective of the study was to collect repeated, low-stress blood samples from the ulnar vein of chickens required for pharmacokinetic studies or hormonal assays. The study used 5 apparently healthy, unsexed, commercial broiler chickens about 6 weeks old and weighing 1.7-1.9 kg for serial sampling of blood. The study prepared the birds prior to cannulation and penetrated the catheter through the skin and into the lumen of the ulnar vein. The study successfully carried out serial blood samplings in 4 of 5 cannulated birds. Heparin (10%) solution maintained patency and prevented blood clot formation inside the cannula. However, the study found repeated clotting occurring in 1 bird. Cannula failed to maintain patency; the study could not carry out blood sampling properly, which was attributed to air embolism that might have occurred during catheter manipulation or repeated filling of cannula with heparin solution. The study observed no hematoma or inflammation at the site of cannulation. Owing to the advantages and to facilitate compliance with nonhuman animal welfare, this technique seems simple and efficient, allowing adoption for serial blood collection in chickens.

Tamanu-based biodiesel can be used as a non-conventional fuel blended with conventional fuel in a compression ignition engine without any need for modification in engine design. The three main processes involved in production of biodiesel are removal of OH group by H 2 SO 4 (acid) and KOH (base), and removal of soapy water. The molar ratios tried in this process were 4:1 to 10:1 and the yield was maximum at 6:1 (86.15%). In this present study, production of biodiesel from Tamanu oilseeds, its performance analysis and emission characteristics in a CI engine were extensively studied. Prepared Tamanu-based biodiesel was used in a four-stroke CI engine and performance analysis was done. The blend proportions used in the diesel engine were 10À40 wt.% biodiesel (B10, B20, B30 and B40). Analysis of emissions such as NO X, CO, and HC from a CI engine has shown that the biodiesel blends produced fewer emissions than that of commercial diesel. Results revealed that there is a substantial reduction of emissions and an increase in performance of the biodiesel blends tested. Moreover, the amounts of toxic pollutants emitted from the biodiesel blends are significantly less when compared to commercial diesel.