Lung transplant recipients exhibit a high incidence of invasive aspergillosis. The inhalation of lipid complex amphotericin-B (Abelcet; ABLC) offers a possible prophylactic strategy. The goals of this study were to select the optimal nebulizer delivery system for ABLC and to measure deposited aerosol dose in 12 lung transplant recipients. In vitro testing was performed to select a nebulizer delivery system, and an empirical model was used to estimate lung deposition. Estimated pulmonary doses varied by as much as 2-fold between different nebulizers. Aerosol deposition testing was performed in six single and six double lung recipients, each of whom received one 7 mL (35 mg) nebulized dose of Technetium-labeled ABLC using the selected nebulizer. In single lung recipients, the average deposited doses were 3.9 ± 1.6 mg (mean ± S.D.) in the allograft versus 2.1 ± 1.1 mg in the native lung. Double lung recipients deposited on average 2.8 ± 0.8 mg (left lung) and 4.0 ± 1.3 mg (right lung). The drug was well distributed throughout the lungs, but delivery to the native lung was in some cases suboptimal. These studies provide an important precursor to studies of the efficacy of inhaled ABLC as a prophylaxis of invasive aspergillosis after lung transplant.

The genetic diversity among the Indian serotype A Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) isolates sampled over a period of 24 years (1977-2000) was studied by sequencing the VP1 gene. In the phylogenetic tree, constructed from 83 Indian and 37 other available sequences, the FMDV type A isolates were distributed into 10 major genotypes (designated as I-X). The Indian isolates were distributed in 4 genotypes (I, IV, VI and VII), and co-circulation of at least 2 genotypes (VI and VII) in different states of the country in recent years is evident from the result. The study also revealed differential geographic distribution of genotypes, for example, some (genotypes I and VII) were recovered from large geographical areas, some time even across the continents, suggesting the spread of the viruses beyond continental barriers. Localization of genotypes restricting to a particular country (genotypes III and X) was also observed in the study. The genetic diversity in the field isolates has been discussed in relation to the amino acid substitutions at the known antigenic sites. This work provides valuable insights into the epidemiological situation of type A FMDV in India and necessary information in the selection of suitable vaccine strain(s), if required, for the National FMD control program.

Introduction  A pneumatized turbinate, also called concha bullosa, is a normal anatomical variant of the paranasal sinus region. Depending on the site of pneumatization, the concha is classified into extensive, bulbous or lamellar type. The middle turbinate concha bullosa has been implicated as a possible etiological factor in chronic sinusitis. Objectives  The aim of this study was to investigate the anatomical variations of the concha bullosa, based on paranasal sinus imaging, and its possible association with sinusitis. Methods  This prospective descriptive study was performed at the Department of ENT and Head Neck Surgery over a period of one year, from 2016 to 2017. We studied the computed tomography scans of the nose and paranasal sinuses— in axial, coronal and sagittal planes—of patients who had symptoms of nasal obstruction, or headache and features of chronic sinusitis. Results  Out of the 202 scans studied, the prevalence of concha bullosa was 31.7%. The concha was bilateral in 35 (54.7%) patients and unilateral in 29 (45.3%) patients. Out of 99 conchae, 54 were on the right side and 45 were on left side. Ipsilateral sinusitis was found in 40.4% of the sides in the scans of subjects with concha. There was no statistically significant association between any type of middle turbinate concha with sinusitis, but sinusitis was more predominant with the extensive type of concha ( p  > 0.05). Conclusion  Multiple air cells, mucocele, pyocele and inflammatory mucosal thickenings in the concha are relatively rare. Detailed knowledge of anatomic variations of the concha bullosa is imperative for the radiologists and the operating surgeons.

In India, Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) serotype O has been associated with more than 75% of the outbreaks. Previous studies with this serotype have indicated that the viruses circulating in India belong to a single genotype. Recent (February 2001) FMD epidemics in Europe have focussed global attention on the source of the virus and have been traced to a strain, PanAsia (serotype O), which is present in India since 1990. In this study, to further characterize the isolates belonging to the PanAsian strain, we sequenced the complete VP1-encoding (1 D) gene for 71 FMDV serotype O isolates from India recovered from the field outbreaks during the last 4 decades (1962-2001). All the isolates in the tree were distributed in to three major branches (designated as A, B and C); the branch C is further divided into four groups (I-IV), of which the group IV belongs to the PanAsia strain. Furthermore, we show that the PanAsia strain has been circulating endemically since 1982 (not 1990 as reported earlier) and has been the most dominant outbreak strain in the recent years and distributed at least in 17 states of the country. During the year 2001, another new group (group III) of virus with genetic divergence of 5.4-11.1% at nucleotide level from the PanAsia strain is found to co-circulate endemically, and is slowly replacing it. At amino acid level this strain differed from PanAsia strain at five amino acid positions in the VP1. Although these strains are divergent at nucleotide level, they maintained a good antigenic relationship with one of the vaccine strains (IND R2/75) widely used in the country. Given the ability of the PanAsia virus to persist, spread and to outcompete other strains, the present trend could be of serious concern as the newly emerging virus is replacing it. If this is true, then there is another equally divergent strain as PanAsia that may pose a serious threat to the global dairy and meat industries.

Reliable diagnostic tests that are able to distinguish infected from vaccinated animals are a critical component of regional control programs for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the affected countries. Non-structural protein (NSP) serology based on the 3ABC protein has been widely used for this purpose, and several kits are commercially available worldwide. This report presents the development of a 3ABC-antigen-based indirect ELISA, employing a peroxidase-conjugated protein G secondary antibody that can detect antibodies from multiple species. Recombinant 3ABC protein was expressed in insect cells and purified using affinity column chromatography. Using this protein, an indirect ELISA was developed and validated for the detection of NSP antibodies in serum samples collected from animals with different status of FMD. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were found to be 95.8 (95 % CI: 92.8-97.8) and 97.45 % (95 % CI: 94.8-99.0), respectively. The in-house ELISA compared well with the commercially available prioCHECK FMDV NS-FMD kit, with a high agreement between the tests, as determined by the kappa coefficient, which was 0.87. The in-house ELISA showed higher sensitivity for detecting vaccinated and subsequently infected animals, when compared to the reference test. Both of the tests were able to detect NSP antibodies as early as 7-8 days after experimental infection.

Heat stress proteins assist cellular proteins in the acquisition of native structure. The present research was conducted to study how thermo-tolerance is modulated by HSP90 and HSP70 gene polymorphism and its association with hemato-physio-biochemical parameters, supported by their expression profiles in Chokla, Magra, Marwari, and Madras Red sheep breeds. Least square analysis revealed significant effect (P < 0.05) of season and breed on all the physiological parameters, i.e., temperature, respiratory rate, and pulse rate (a.m. and p.m.), as well as hematological parameters like Hb, packed cell volume, total erythrocyte count (TEC), neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio, and total leukocyte count (TLC). There was a significant influence (P < 0.05) of breed on biochemical parameters such as glucose, SGOT, phosphorous, triglyceride, and cholesterol. Eight fragments were amplified and sequenced in HSP90, and 70 genes and 13 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. Tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system PCR, PCR-RFLP, and allele-specific PCR genotyping protocols were developed for large-scale genotyping of five SNPs. A significant difference (P < 0.05) of rectal temperature (a.m.), respiratory rate (p.m.), triglyceride, and total protein was observed at SNP01; albumin at SNP2; pulse rate (p.m.) at SNP3; and rectal temperature (p.m.), pulse rate (p.m.), Hb (g/dL), and N/L ratio at SNP4 and TLC at SNP5. Gene expression analysis revealed higher expression in less adapted animals with Madras Red < Magra < Chokla < Marwari expression pattern [corrected]. Predominant allele was found to be superior in most of the SNPs (SNP1-4) indicating the selection acting in directional manner (positive selection). Finally, it is concluded that TACCA haplotype combination of SNP1-SNP2-SNP3-SNP4-SNP5 might be of some selection advantage for the identification of animals more adaptable to heat stress.

No abstract

Aim:The present investigation was undertaken to study the reproduction performance and effect of non-genetic factors on reproduction performance of Jersey crossbred cows.Materials and Methods:Data on 355 Jersey crossbred cattle maintained at the Post-graduate Research Institute in Animal Sciences, Kattupakkam, Tamil Nadu, distributed over 30 years (1985 to 2014). The effect of various non-genetic factors including the period of birth, season of birth, period of calving, season of calving and parity were analyzed through least-squares analyses using univariate general linear model. The different (co)variance components for calculation of genetic parameters were estimated using restricted maximum likelihood method by fitting an animal model.Results:The overall least-squares means (±standard error) of age at first service, age at first calving, weight at first calving, service period, calving interval, dry period, and number of services per conception were 848.06±9.72 days, 1204±12.20 days, 289.81±1.71 kg, 210.01±6.41 days, 489.12±6.45 days, 137.96±5.58 days, 2.50±0.07, respectively. Period of calving had either significant (p<0.05) or highly significant (p<0.01) effect on all reproduction traits studied except service period, calving interval, and dry period. Number of services per conception was affected by season of calving. Parity had significant influence (p<0.05) or highly significant (p<0.01) influence on all the traits studied except service period and dry period. Heritability estimates of age at first service, age at first calving, weight at first calving, service period, calving interval, dry period, and number of services per conception were 0.299, 0.220, 0.017, 0.142, 0.222, 0.177, and 0.042, respectively. The estimates of repeatability for service period, calving interval, dry period, and number of services per conception were 0.219, 0.234, 0.420, and 0.001, respectively.Conclusions:The reproduction performances of Jersey × Red Sindhi crossbreds were lower when compared to the earlier reports on Jersey crossbreds. Heritability and repeatability values were also low to moderate, indicating limited scope for improvement through selection.