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Background: Aviadenoviruses affect birds, particularly chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys and pheasants, which have total 12 serotypes. Inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) caused by aviadenovirus was has been reported in many countries worldwide. The diseases was first reported from Assam in 2017. Although there is increasing reports of the occurrence of IBH-HPS in the broiler population of North Eastern India, but its prevalence at different geoclimatic condition and at various seasons have not been carried out. Under these circumstances, the present study was envisaged to analyse the seroprevalence status of Fowl adenovirus infection in some broiler rearing districts of Assam. Methods: For the present study, blood samples were collected from 12 different districts of Assam including all agroclimatic regions during the period from June, 2016 to May, 2017. Association of various factors like age, season and health status with the prevalence of the affected birds were also studied. Indirect ELISA was performed by using commercially available FAdV ELISA kit. The results obtained were analyzed by the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Result: A total of 460 serum samples were screened, of which 213 were found positive for FAdV antibodies with a sero-positivity of 46.38 per cent. FAdV antibodies were observed in all age grouped birds. Highest (64.28%) positivity was recorded in the birds of 4th week of age, followed by above 4th week (63.47%), 3rd week (32.03%), 2nd week (27.36%) and 1st week (10.0%). Health status-wise 68.97 percent sero-positivity was recorded in the affected flock, where as 32.51 percent in apparently healthy flock. Season-wise, highest (61.53%) sero-positivity was recorded in post monsoon season followed by monsoon (49.00%), winter (32.49%) and premonsoon (32.39%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Illegal migration of pigs/piglets from Myanmar to Mizoram is a common practice to meet the local demands. The migrated animals are suspected as potential carrier of various microbial pathogens. The present study was conducted on isolation, identification and molecular characterization of major bacterial pathogens (Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Haemophilus parasuis, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Pasteurella multocida) in pigs illegally migrated from Myanmar to Mizoram. Methods: A total of 209 rectal swabs and 209 nasal swabs were collected from apparently healthy migrated pigs during October 2018 to April, 2019. All the samples were processed for PCR based detection of target bacterial species followed by isolation and identification by bacteriological techniques. The bacterial species were further confirmed by BD Phoenix automated bacterial identification system and selected virulence genes of the bacterial species were determined by specific PCR assay. Result: By species specific PCR, 110 samples were found to be positive for selected bacterial species, of which 20 (9.57%), 1 (0.478%), 86 (41.15%), 2 (0.956%) and 1 (0.478%) were A. pleuropneumoniae, B. bronchiseptica, H. parasuis, M. hyopneumoniae and P. multocida, respectively. A total of 52 bacterial strains were isolated and identified, of which 11, 1, 39 and 1 were A. pleuropneumoniae, B. bronchiseptica, H. parasuis, M. hyopneumoniae and P. multocida, respectively. Virulence genes were detected in A. pleuropneumoniae and H. parasuis isolates. Based upon the published literatures, this is the first ever report of isolation and identification of pathogenic A. pleuropneumoniae and H. parasuis in pigs in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foot and mouth disease (FMD), one of the most contagious diseases of animals, affects different host species including wild animals. Asymptomatic FMD recovered animals may remain as carrier, which may be threat to other healthy animals. Hence, it is necessary to monitor the carrier status of the FMD recovered animals to effectively prevent further spread of the disease. Out of all the seven serotypes of FMD, O serotype is most commonly found in livestock. Therefore, in the present study, we chose to detect serotype 'O' in oropharyngeal fluid (OP) and to quantify cytokines, viz. IL-1α, IL-1β and IL-2. A total of 30 OP fluids and 30 blood samples were collected from 10 animals (1 in-contact healthy animal) for 3 months post infection. FMD O serotype could be detected in all the animals (100%). The RQ values were found to be 0.014 to 63.118 and 0.162 to 46.889 for IL-1α and IL-1β genes respectively, while insignificant RQ values were obtained for IL-2. In the second and third months, two animals showed down regulation for IL-1α gene, while IL-1β and IL-2 genes were down regulated in 7 animals and in all 10 animals, respectively for all the three months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Piglet mortality is a real concern to the pig farmers. The major cause is due to the late maturation of the immune system and dietary changes in postweaned piglets. The potential role of probiotic and zinc in the stimulation of the immune system is well established. Hence, the present study was undertaken to evaluate alterations of T and B cells in the small intestine after dietary inclusion of probiotic and zinc in pre and post-weaned piglets. Materials and methods: A total of 18 healthy Large White Yorkshire (LWY) piglets, irrespective of sex obtained from 3 litters at the age-group of 20, 30 and 60 days. They were divided into a control group fed with basal diet and a treatment group fed with probiotic and zinc supplement along with the basal diet, consisting of three animals in each group. The piglets were weaned at 28 days of age. After sacrificing the animals at day 20, 30 and 60 from both the groups, the abdominal cavity was opened and small intestinal tissue samples were collected, processed and stained by indirect immunofluorescence technique. The slides were evaluated under the fluorescent light microscope. The data were statistically analysed. Results: The different T and B cell subsets were recorded in the lining epithelium, core of villus, crypt area of lamina propria and Peyer's patch area. The number of CD4+, CD8+, IgA+ and IgM+ cells was higher in the treated piglets than the control group of animals, irrespective of segments of intestine and age-group. Conclusions: It can be concluded that the dietary supplementation of probiotic and zinc was found to be good additives as they can stimulate the immune response in piglets, especially during the critical early post-weaning period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ground-state electronic properties of CeOs4As12 have been investigated within the framework of full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method. The effect of exchange correlation functional treated with GGA depicts a zero band gap semiconducting behavior, which turns to open an energy gap of 0.04 eV with inclusion of mBJ potential in the calculation. The presence of strong hybridization of Ce-f electronic states with conduction electrons predominates overall electronic profile, where the effects of spin polarization and localized electrons are also dominated. The brittle nature with the presence of ionic type of interatomic bonding has been observed for this material, whose hardness is also comparable to analogous Ce-filled skutterudites. The sample alloy possesses high reflectivity as evident from optical response, and the absorption coefficient increases dramatically beyond the visible spectral range that determines its optoelectronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classical swine fever (CSF) is a highly contagious viral infection that affects domestic and wild pig population. The classical swine fever virus (CSFV) targets immune cells which perturb the immune functions causing immunopathological disorders such as immunosuppression, leukopenia and haemorrhage. In the present study, ELISA and quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis was employed to determine cytokine profiles in pigs naturally infected with CSFV using whole blood assay (WBA) under field conditions. Significantly higher TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-6 expression levels were found in unvaccinated pigs infected with CSFV (group B) compared to vaccinated pigs that recovered after CSF (group A), the difference being statistically significant (p = 0.001). However, the expression of IFN-γ was significantly higher in group A compared to group B (p = 0.001). The findings of this field-supported study will help us to understand the immune biology of CSFV infection in infected pigs. The WBA technique can be used as a reliable, fast and feasible in vitro method to assess porcine cellular immune responses as it imitates the porcine blood conditions. Such studies could be of some value in determining the immune status of the ailing animals infected with CSFV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to see the incidence of avian pox in different districts of Asom and one district of Nagaland, where outbreaks, 29 of fowlpox, 13 of pigeonpox and 3 of duckpox were recorded. The age wise morbidity and cause specific mortality in case of fowlpox was recorded at 0-8 weeks (19.63 and 23.60%), at 9-20 weeks (5.57 and 14.43%) and above 20 weeks (1.39 and 11.11%), respectively. Likewise, in pigeonpox, morbidity and cause specific mortality were recorded at 0-8 weeks (11.11, 0%), 9-20 weeks (30.68, 37.03%) and above 20 weeks (35.08, 30%), respectively. Again in case of duckpox, morbidity was recorded at 0-8 weeks (10%), 9-20 weeks (0%) and above 20 weeks (6.66%), while no mortality was recorded among the ducks. External examination revealed erosions, crusts and several small, multifocal to coalescing wart-like nodules on various parts of the affected birds. During post-mortem examination, few birds showed fibronecrotic lesions on mucous membrane of the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract. Histopathological examination of the scab samples revealed intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusion bodies. During ultrastructural study, inclusion bodies were seen in the cytoplasm of the skin epithelium, which consist of numerous, dumbbell-shaped bodies typical of pox virions. During molecular diagnosis, out of 29 fowlpox, 9 pigeonpox and 3 duckpox suspected samples 86.20, 77.77 and 100% samples, respectively, were found positive by polymerase chain reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classical swine fever virus ( CSFV) is the causative agent of a highly contagious disease, hog cholera in pigs. The disease is endemic in many parts of the world and vaccination is the only way to protect the animals from CSFV infection. Wild hogs belong to the species Sus Scrofa Cristatus under the family Suidae are quite susceptible to CSFV infection. The epidemiological role concerning classical swine fever ( CSF) in India is largely unknown. We report here the three isolated cases of CSF in wild hogs from three National parks, namely Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park and Jaldapara National Park, from north-east part of India. The post-mortem and histopathological findings were clearly indicative for CSFV infection. The presence of CSFV genome was demonstrated in several organs and tissues collected from hogs died due to viral infection. In addition, CSF-specific antibodies were detected in two wild hogs as well as in eighteen feral pigs from the same locations. The phylogenetic analysis of the partial E2 protein gene and 5′ untranslated region of CSFV isolates from the wild hog showed identities with genotype 2.2 of the Indian isolates. Occurrence of CSF in wild hogs may pose a potent threat in the epidemiology of the virus in Northeast part of India. To the best of our knowledge, the report presented in the manuscript is the first comprehensive report on CSF in wild hogs form Northeast India. The findings reported would help us to understand the epidemiology and biology of CSFV in wild animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To control classical swine fever (CSF), a highly contagious viral disease causing serious losses in the pig industry worldwide, rapid detection and identification of the causative agent is a crucial step. In the present study, real-time RT-PCR and gel based RT-PCR techniques were compared for detection of CSF virus nucleic acid in both clinical as well as tissue samples. Clinical and tissue samples (325) were collected from CSF suspected outbreaks from different part of north eastern region of India. In gel based RT-PCR, % positivity was 44.61% while in realtime RT-PCR it was 57.23%. Flighest per cent positivity was recorded in tonsil followed by mesenteric lymph node, blood, nasal swab, spleen, kidney and ileum. The study indicated that probe based RT-PCR could specifically detect CSF virus genome and detection limit was about one log higher than a gel based PCR assay targeting the non translated region. Total time required to complete the gel based RT-PCR including extraction of viral RNA was about 6 h. On the other hand, real-time RT-PCR assay can be performed in 2 to 3 h, thus providing a rapid detection tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that investigates the outbreak of duck plague virus (DPV), also referred to us duck virus enteritis (DVE), in India. Researchers collected clinical samples from districts with DVE and analyzed it using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Moreover, they found that embryo samples had tremendous hemorrhage in their bodies.

The article discusses a study where the lapinized strain of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) was adapted to PK-15 cell line and the immunogenicity of the cell culture propagated virus was studied in pigs. The vaccine virus was confirmed by reversing transcription polymerized chain reaction (RT-PCR) targeting the E2 genes of CSFV. It suggests that culture adapted CSFV vaccine evinced comparable serum Ab to that of lapinized CSFV and retained similar immunogenicity as that of lapinized vaccine.

The article discusses a study which evaluated serological tests for identifying Brucella-infected and vaccinated cattle. The researchers compared the efficiency of competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA), Standard Tube Agglutination Test (STAT), 2-Marcapto-Ethanol test (2-MET), micro complement fixation test (MCFT) and isotype specific ELISA. Data shows the reciprocal of serum titre of Brucella vaccinated and infected cattle at different post-vaccination of post-abortion days.

The article discusses a research study on evaluating inactivation and stability of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) local isolates in pigs in Asom, India. Researchers conducted isolation of CSFV through lapinized cell culture adapted-CSFV vaccine and natural outbreak field samples, virus titration through indirect immunoperoxidase linked assay and determined the physico-chemical properties of virus. Results indicated the stability of Indian isolates of CSFV at low temperature and reduction of virus infection spread through heat treatment and swill.

Characterization of pig isolates of Pasteurella multocida has been carried out on the basis of PCR analysis, mouse bio-assay and electrophoretic migration pattern. Out of 20 swine isolates of P. multocida two isolates (LKD and DP) caused 100 per cent mortality in the inoculated mice. Comparing with that of P52 strain, mean death time of LKD strain was lower. The molecular weight of the sonicated extracts of different swine isolates were not homogenous and ranged from 91.2 kDa to 16.6 kDa. While in case of P52 reference strain molecular weights ranged from 83.2 kDa to 18.2 kDa. There were 18 bands in pig isolates and 17 protein bands in P52 strain. Study revealed that the pig isolate (LKD) was more pathogenic than that of P52 strain and differed in number and migration of protein bands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review gives an account of the current knowledge on the morphology, phytochemistry, and pharmacological aspects of Erythrina variegata. E. variegata also called Erythrina indica is a thorny deciduous tree growing to 60 feet tall. A wide range of chemical compounds have been isolated, mainly alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, and lectin. Different parts of the plant have been used in traditional medicine as nervine sedative, collyrium in opthalmia, antiasthmatic, antiepileptic, antiseptic, and as an astringent. The alkaloids extracted from the leaves of E. variegata are reported to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. Isoflavonoids isolated from E. variegata having antibacterial and anthelmintic activity. E. variegata shows several other characteristic pharmacological effects like neuromuscular blocking, smooth muscle relaxant, CNS depressant, and hydrocholeretic, which are consistent with the reported uses of the plant extracts in the indigenous system of medicine. Hence the present article includes the detailed exploration of morphology, phytochemistry, and pharmacological aspects of E. variegata in an attempt to provide a direction for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which evaluated antibody based and nucleic acid based techniques for detecting classical swine fever virus (CSFV) that infect pigs in Northeast India. Field tissue and leukocyte samples (120) were collected from CSFV suspected outbreaks and the test revealed that 64.16% were positive in direct FAT, 58.33% in S-ELISA and 75.83 in nested RT-PCR. The results indicated that molecular based technique using E2 specific primer could specifically detect CSFV genome in higher percentage than FAT or S-ELISA.

Abstract: Numerical and experimental studies on transport phenomena during solidification of an aluminum alloy in the presence of linear electromagnetic stirring are performed. The alloy is electromagnetically stirred to produce semisolid slurry in a cylindrical graphite mould placed in the annulus of a linear electromagnetic stirrer. The mould is cooled at the bottom, such that solidification progresses from the bottom to the top of the cylindrical mould. A numerical model is developed for simulating the transport phenomena associated with the solidification process using a set of single-phase governing equations of mass, momentum, energy, and species conservation. The viscosity variation of the slurry, used in the model, is determined experimentally using a rotary viscometer. The set of governing equations is solved using a pressure-based finite volume technique, along with an enthalpy based phase change algorithm. The numerical study involves prediction of temperature, velocity, species and solid fraction distribution in the mould. Corresponding solidification experiments are performed, with time–temperature history recorded at key locations. The microstructures at various temperature measurement locations in the solidified billet are analyzed. The numerical predictions of temperature variations are in good agreement with experiments, and the predicted flow field evolution correlates well with the microstructures observed at various locations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Experimental and numerical studies on macrosegregation during directional solidification of an aqueous ammonium chloride solution in a rectangular cavity are presented. Depending on the initial concentration and boundary temperature conditions, three distinct situations in the liquid during the solidification process are studied: mass diffusion only, solutal convection and double diffusive convection. The time dependent concentration of the solution inside the cavity is measured online for the above three situations using a laser based technique. This technique measures refractive index of the solution, which indirectly gives the concentration variation at a point in the solution during solidification. The interface growth is photographed using a shadowgraph technique, and the flow is visualised using a sheet of laser light scattered by neutrally buoyant, hollow glass spheres seeded in the fluid. Corresponding numerical studies are performed using a macroscopic model based on a fixed grid, enthalpy based, control volume approach. A good agreement between the experimental and computational results is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & objectives: An oedema outbreak occurred in a Guwahati pig farm. Escherichia coli isolates from different necropsy samples collected from the dead piglets with oedema were characterized to confirm the virulence. Methods: Haemolytic E. coli isolates recovered from liver, lung and intestine of pigs with oedema were examined for presence of genes encoding pathogroups such as enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), (eae/bfpA), enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAggEC), (eagg), enterotoxigive Escherichia coli (ETEC), (elt/est) and shiga like toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC), (stx1/ stx2) by PCR and molecular typing by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR (RAPD-PCR). Results: The three haemolytic E. coil recovered from diseased pigs were STEC because of presence of the stx2 and eae genes. Analysis by RAPD-PCR indicated that two of the three isolates were genetically related. Interpretation & conclusions: The isolation of STEC isolates from pigs with oedema was shown. Although the three isolates were untypable, presence of eae and stx2 genes clearly indicated these as prime cause of pig oedema disease. Further, demonstration of STEC in pigs becomes a public health concern, as pigs are potential reservoir of such agents, which may cause human illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impact behavior and tensile properties of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) terpolyer/Chlorsulfonated Polyethylene (CSM) blends are studied at CSM concentrations of 0 to 30.6 vol%. The data are presented as functions of CSM content. Predictive models have been employed to analyze the tensile properties. Impact behavior has been analyzed on the basis of interphase adhesion. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has been used to study the adhesion between the matrix and the elastomeric phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gut wall emigrating cells have been characterized in the intestinal lymph. The intestinal lymph duct was cannulated in 6-month-old minipigs. Under non-restraining conditions the efferent lymph from the mesenteric lymph nodes was collected in seven normal animals. Lymph coming directly from the gut (afferent lymph) was also collected in 18 pigs after resection of the mesenteric lymph node chains 3 months previously. The intestinal lymph How was similar in both groups (around 18 ml/h). The lymphoid cell yield was 1.2 ± 1.0 × 106/h in control animals, while in mesenteric lymph node resected pigs it was around 20 times higher (26.2 ± 17.6 × 106/h). In the gut-derived lymph 76.5 ± 8.8%. T lymphocytes were observed (CD4+. 48.1± 15.5%; CD8+,. 53.6 ± 12.7%). The percentage of immunoglobulin-positive cells was lower (IgM+, 10.1 ± 4.5; IgA+. 1.7 ±1.1). In 14 mesenteric lymph node resected pigs a mean of 5.6 ± 3.1 × 108 lymphocytes from the gut lymph were labelled in vitro with a fluorescent dye and retransfused. The labeling index of fluorescent cells in the intestinal lymph increased rapidly and remained at a high level until 44 h after cell transfusion. A four-to-ten times lower labelling index was found in the spleen, various lymph nodes and Peyer's patches. Most of the recovered lymphocytes were T cells. This model provides access to the cell pool leaving the gut wall, thus allowing an examination of its role in the gastrointestinal tract and other mucosal-lined organs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]