Showing papers by "A. K. Gupta published in 2016"

Parasitological, biochemical and clinical observations in ponies experimentally infected with Trypanosoma evansi

Abstract: The present investigation aimed to study the parasitological, biochemical and clinical alterations in ponies during the course of Trypanosoma evansi experimental infection. Six female ponies were experimentally infected sub-cutaneously with mice adapted 2x10 6 T. evansi parasites, isolated from naturally infected horse, while two ponies were maintained as uninfected healthy controls. All six ponies became parasitologically positive between 5-7 days post infection (DPI) tested by standard parasitological detection method (SPDM) by blood smear examination showing varying degree of parasitaemia and two prominent peaks during the course of infection. The main clinical signs observed were intermittent fever, weakness, emaciation, anaemia, anorexia and incoordination in hind quarters leading to significant weight loss at terminal stage of infection. All the infected ponies developed subacute to acute disease within 56 days and reached to recumbency stage. Of them, four ponies died at different stages of infection and few of them showing neurological signs at terminal stage of infection. The present investigation also revealed that horse ponies are more susceptible than donkeys in experimental infection of T. evansi. Haematological studies showed a gradual fall in the levels of haemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT) and red blood cell (RBC) count from 10.57 to 4.83 (g/dl), 32.81 to 16.33 (%) and 8.53 to 3.33 (x10 12 cells/l) respectively, in infected animals over the study period. Serum Yadav SC 1,* , Jaideep Kumar 2 , Gupta AK 1 , Jerome A 4 , Prabhat Kumar 3 , Rajender Kumar 1 , Kanika Tehri 3 and Ritesh Kumar 3

Flavonoids: Its working mechanism and various protective roles

Abstract: Flavonoids have the ability to sequester free radicals are natural antioxidants derived from plants and commonly found in foods and beverages. Flavonoids have many potential beneficial properties. This review provides a survey of the literature regarding the different groups of known flavonoids, the probable mechanisms by which they act, and the potential clinical applications of these fascinating natural substances. To emphasize the importance of flavonoids, the structure and corresponding antioxidant properties are discussed. As their degree of absorption is controversial, however the antioxidant capability of flavonoids expressed in vitro may prove to be a dispute. Studies performed in vivo have offered the alternative view that better absorbed antioxidants, like vitamin C, are exerting the antioxidant effect witnessed after consumption of certain food, such as apples. This review addresses this issue by providing a survey of in vitro and in vivo studies regarding the absorption, bioavailability, and antioxidant properties of flavonoids. The main aim of this review was to give an overview of the research in the field of flavonoids. The potential valuable working mechanisms of flavonoids are discussed, followed by present knowledge on the absorption, conjugation, and toxicity of these substances. The potential clinical applications of flavonoids are also discussed.

Some reproductive parameters of Zanskari mares reared in an organized farm under tropical climate

Abstract: The present study was undertaken to record the data on duration of estrus, estrus cycle length, size of the follicle at ovulation, period of gestation and estrus after foaling (foal heat) in respect of Zanskari mares for 4 consecutive breeding seasons (2010–2014). The mares were closely monitored with transrectal ultrasonography for their follicle size variation and to determine size of the follicle at ovulation. The mares were inseminated with frozen thawed semen from Zanskari stallions. This is the first time ever that Zanskari stallion semen was cryopreserved successfully and viable foals were produced by using frozen semen via artificial insemination. The reproductive parameters of the mares of Zanskari breed in India are poorly investigated and thus no reports are available on reproductive characteristics of Zanskari breed till today in the literature. Our results can be useful as a ready reference for some of the reproductive characteristics and traits of Zanskari breed as well as indigenous horses reared under tropical region. The reproductive parameters analysed in the present study are fitting within the characteristics of the other Indian horse breeds reared under this region and the differences may be caused by breed effect and other environmental factors.

Genetic parameters of 305 days and monthly test-day milk yields in Murrah buffaloes

Abstract: The present investigation was carried out using first lactation 9,071 monthly test-day milk yield records of 965 Murrah buffaloes that calved from 1977 to 2012 sired by 98 bulls maintained at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal. Mixed model analysis was carried out by least-squares maximum likelihood programme to study the effects of genetic and non-genetic factors on first lactation 305-day milk yield and monthly test-day (TD) milk yield records of Murrah buffaloes. The highest monthly test-day milk yield was observed in TD 3 (7.64 kg) and lowest in TD 10 (4.46 kg). The average first lactation 305 days or less milk yield (FL305DMY) was 1806.45±16.99 kg. The effect of season of calving, period of calving and age at first calving was highly significant on FL305DMY and on most of the monthly test-day milk yields. The heritability estimate for FL305DMY was 0.18±0.08 and for monthly test-day milk yields it ranged from 0.09 (TD 6 ) to 0.18 (TD 3 ). The genetic and phenotypic correlations among monthly test-day milk yields and with 305 days milk yield were highly significant. The present investigation revealed that the non-genetic factors such as season of calving in general and year of calving in particular, might be considered when performing an evaluation of Murrah buffaloes based on monthly test-day milk yield records. High genetic and phenotypic correlation among monthly test-day milk yields and with first lactation 305 days milk yield suggested that these test-day yields could be used as the selection criteria, leading to a reduction in generation interval.

Management of Cherry Eye Using Different Surgical Techniques-A Study of 10 Dogs

Abstract: The study was conducted on sixteen (16) eyes of ten (10) dogs suffering from protrusion of gland of third eyelid (Cherry eye). The condition was managed either by excision of gland or by its replacement by conjunctival pocket technique or by anchoring to the orbital periosteum. One of the dogs treated by excision developed keratoconjunctivitis sicca, whereas the third eye lid got fixed with restricted movement in a dog treated by anchoring technique.

Effect of foliage supplementation to Heteropogon contortus based diets on nutrients digestibility, gas and metabolites production in sheep and goat inoculums.

Abstract: In present study 20 diets were formulated using Heteropogon contortus (HC) grass with 5 tree leaves (Hardwickia binata-HB, Albizia lebbek-AL, Grewia optiva-GO, Anogeissus pendulla-AP and Leucaena leucocephala-LL) and 5 shrubs (Dichrostachys cineria-DC, Securengia virosa-SV, Zizyphus xylophyrus-ZX, Helictris isora-HI and Acacia catechu-AC) in 75: 25 and 50: 50 ratios, which were evaluated for their nutritional composition and in vitro nutrients digestibility, fermentation and gas production in sheep and goat rumen inoculums to select grass: tree leaves/shrubs species and their ratio for silipastoral system of small ruminants. Diets differed significantly (P<0.05) in CP, NDF, ADF, cellulose and lignin contents. Diets with 50: 50 and 75: 25 ratios of HC grass with foliage also differed significantly (P<0.05) in CP and fiber contents. Nutrients degradability differed significantly (P<0.05) amongst diets in rumen inoculums of both sheep and goats and were similar between HC-foliage diets in 50: 50 and 75: 25 ratios. Sheep and goats had similar nutrients degradability, while sheep and goats tended to degrade more nutrients at 75: 25 than 50: 50 ratios, respectively. Diets degradability values for DM, CP, NDF and ADF were 62.73, 57.90, 47.22 and 42.75 in sheep and 63.22, 62.06, 49.22 and 42.77% in goats, respectively. Diets differed significantly (P<0.05) for in vitro TVFA, total N and ammonia N concentration in rumen inoculum of sheep and goats. Total-N and ammonia-N was higher (P<0.05) from diets with 50: 50 ratio of HC grassfoliage diets than 75: 25 ratio. Mean TVFA, total-N and ammonia-N contents were 62.38, 40.20 and 9.31 in sheep and 63.40 meq/l, 41.72 mg/100 ml and 9.45 mg/100 ml in goat's rumen liquor. Diets differed significantly (P<0.05) in IVDMD, gas production and partition factor in both species. Gas production tended to be more in sheep (156.73) than goats inoculums (142.76 ml/g). Results showed that HC: LL and HC: GO diets are superior in nutrients content, digestibility and metabolites production, while sheep and goat exhibited relatively higher nutrients utilization and more total volatile fatty acid production at 75: 25 and 50: 50 ratios of HC-tree foliage diets, respectively.

Estimation of genetic parameters of first lactation 305-day and monthly test-day milk yields in Karan Fries cattle.

Abstract: The present investigation was carried out using first lactation 16,184 monthly test-day milk yields (MTDMYs) records of 1,583 Karan Fries cattle that calved from 1983 to 2012 sired by 130 bulls maintained at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal. Mixed model analysis was carried out by least-squares maximum likelihood programme to study the effects of genetic and non-genetic factors on first lactation 305-day milk yield (FL305DMY) and MTDMYs record of Karan Fries cattle. The highest and lowest MTDMYs were observed in TD-2 (12.95 kg) and TD-10 (9.72 kg), respectively. The average FL305DMY was 3123 kg. The effect of season of calving was found to be highly significant on all the MTDMYs while non-significant effect was observed on FL305DMY. Period of calving had non-significant effect on most of the MTDMYs and on FL305DMY, whereas; the effect of age at first calving was highly significant on majority of the MTDMYs and on FL305DMY. The heritability estimates for FL305DMY was 0.35±0.07 and for MTDMYs it ranged from 0.11 (TD-11) to 0.34 (TD-6). The genetic and phenotypic correlations among MTDMYs and with FL305DMY were found to be highly significant. The estimates of phenotypic and genetic correlations among all the MTDMYs ranged from 0.15 (TD-1 and TD-11) to 0.83 (TD-8 and TD-9) and 0.29 (TD-1 and TD-10) to 0.99 (TD-2 and TD-3), respectively. High phenotypic and genetic correlations of TD-3 (0.69 and 0.91) and TD–4 (0.65 and 0.99) with FL305DMY indicated that these key test-day yields could be used for the early and accurate selection of animals resulting in faster genetic gain.

Antifeedant activity of Morinda citrifolia L. (Noni) against Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner)

Abstract: During the investigation on antifeedant activity of Morinda cirifolia against third instar larvae of Halicoverpa armigera. The methanolic extract of leaves and root showed the extremely significant antifeedant activity at highest concentration 10,000 ppm with the C-value of 0.16 & 0.074. Whereas the extract of root bark showed the extremely significant antifeedant activity at 10,000, 7,000 ppm concentration with C-values of 0.035 & 0.043 and extract of stem bark showed the extremely significant antifeedant activity at 10,000 & 7,000, 5,000 & 3,000 ppm with C-value of 0.05, 0.118, 0.218 & 0.226. Stem bark extract was least preferred by the larvae because it showed the extremely significant antifeedant activity even at lower concentration. On the basis showed the extremely significant antifeedant activity even at lower concentration. On the basis of non preference by the larvae of H. armigera, the methanolic extract of stem bark can be used as an alternate to synthetic pesticide.

Development and Characterization of Mucoadhesive Microspheres of Ofloxacin

Abstract: A series of mucoadhesive microspheres of ofloxacin have been successfully prepared, using chitosan as a polymer cross-linked with glutaraldehyde as the shell. The morphology was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The swelling and releasing behaviors of the microspheres at pH 1.2 were investigated. The results revealed that microsphere exhibited very smooth and spherical surface and electrostatic interaction existed between cross-linked chitosan and ofloxacin. Ofloxacin bounded in the microspheres was slowly released in 0.1N HCl (pH 1.2) because the degree of swelling of the microsphere was very low. The release mechanism of the mucoadhesive microsphere was through the swollen microspheres and to be controlled by the cross-linking shell density of the microspheres. The higher the cross-linking density of, the lower is the swelling ability of the chitosan microsphere due to the slower relaxation of polymer chain, which then results in decreased drug release rate.

Application of UV-Visible Spectrophotometry to Differentiate Inkjet Printer Inks Extracted from Printed Matter

Abstract: The UV-Visible absorbance profile of cyan, magenta, yellow and black coloured inkjet printer inks for the differentiation and comparison was obtained by scanning the ink extracts under the wavelength range of 200–800 nm. The various parameters of absorption studies of extracts of different components of printer ink formulations in the visible and UV region enables to differentiate and distinguish different colour print document samples of distinct composition by their characteristic absorbance spectra and profile pattern.

Calcium Oxide: An Inexpensive Solid Support for Solvent Free Synthesis of Phosphorohydrazides and Thiophosphorohydrazide at Room Temperature

Abstract: A simple, efficient, facile and surface mediated method for synthesis of hydrazides of organophosphorous acids has been developed from their corresponding chloridates using calcium oxides as a solid support at room temperature. The developed method gave the desired hydrazides in excellent yields (7592%) and avoids the use of column chromatography.