Molecular Confirmation, Epidemiology, and Pathophysiology of Ehrlichia canis Prevalence in Eastern India.

The present study aimed to investigate pathological epidemiology and molecular confirmation of Ehrlichia canis among pet dogs in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, a state in eastern India. A total of 178 dogs were screened for Ehrlichiosis based on history, clinical signs, blood, and buffy coat smear examination, resulting in only 56 dogs (31.46%) screening positive. The epidemiological study recorded a non-significant (p ≥ 0.05) increase in incidences among male dogs (68%), German Shepherds (25%), dogs more than 20 kg body weight (75%), in the summer months (55%), and dogs housed in pukka houses with exposure to the outside (59%). The majority of the infected dogs had a history of tick infestation (79%) at some point in their lives. Clinical signs showed non-typical manifestations like fever, lethargy, diarrhoea, epistaxis, hind limb edema, and corneal opacity. Haematological studies revealed anaemia and thrombocytopenia along with neutrophilia with relative lymphopenia and monocytosis. A decreasing trend was observed in the levels of total protein and albumin, with an increase in the levels of globulin, alanine aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine. The ultrasonography studies revealed hepatosplenomegaly along with hyper-echogenicity in various organs. Proteinuria and haematuria were consistent, along with the presence of bile salts in the urine of affected dogs. Molecular confirmation from n-type PCR data using Ehrlichia-specific primers targeting the p28 gene (843 bp) was done, and the identified gene sequences submitted to NCBI databases have accession numbers OQ383671-OQ383674 and OP886674-OP886677. Ticks collected from dogs were identified morphologically through microscopy and scanning electron microscopy as Rhipicephalus sanguineus.

Active surveillance and associated epidemiological risk factors of caprine paratuberculosis in selected district of Odisha, India.

Caprine paratuberculosis (PTB) is a progressive, debilitating and production-limiting disease that causes significant economic losses and raises public health concerns. The goal was to study active surveillance and associated epidemiological risk factors of caprine PTB in selected district of Odisha, India. The 818 goats of various ages, sexes and breeds were randomly screened in ten different districts for a year based on history, clinical signs and fecal smear examination using the Ziehl-Neelsen stain, yielding an overall prevalence of 38.75%, with clinical and sub-clinical PTB at 8.06 and 30.68%, respectively. A molecular tool, IS900 polymerase chain reaction, was also used to confirm the disease. With Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) bacilli and endoparasite infections, the majority of affected goats (69.08%) were low shedders. Puri coastal district had the highest prevalence (52.29%) followed by Sambalpur (48.61%), while Khordha had the lowest prevalence (26.41%). Caprine PTB was more common in goats over 2 years old (51.23%), in the Ganjam breed (42.30%), in females (39.17%) and in goats housed on earthen floors (55.83%) according to chi-square analysis. The current study concluded that higher (30.68%) observations of subclinical PTB were cause of real concern due to its insidious spread as well as its zoonotic significance with potential human consequences, which requires immediate attention at all levels. Because of the public health importance of this hidden killer disease, the current findings would be useful in developing a roadmap for implementing prevention and control policies, prompting provision for adequate funding with elaborative research.

Comparative study of echocardiographic parameters in healthy and dilated cardiomyopathy-affected dogs.

Echocardiography is a non-invasive and gold standard imaging tool for diagnosing dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. This study aimed to compare the echocardiographic parameters between healthy and DCM-affected dogs. A total of 52 client-owned dogs, comprising 38 males and 14 females, were included. Among these, 24 dogs (46.15%) were classified as healthy controls and 28 dogs (53.85%) were part of DCM group. On breed-wise prevalence, it was reported that Labrador Retriever breeds showed a higher incidence of DCM than the others. The comparative studies of echocardiographic parameters showed that DCM-affected dogs had significantly higher values in left ventricular long axis length at -end diastole (LVLdA4C) and -end systole (LVLsA4C), end diastolic volume (EDV), end systolic volume (ESV), left atrium (LA)/aorta diameter (Ao) ratio, left ventricular internal dimension at systole (LVIDs), and end point septal separation (EPSS), as well as significantly lower values in left ventricular contractibility indices such as fractional shortening (FS) and ejection fraction (EF) compared to healthy dogs. Also, receiver operating characteristic curves were made to determine the optimal cut-off points for each echocardiographic parameter with specificity and sensitivity for diagnosing DCM. Significant areas under the curve were observed for parameters such as LVIDs, EF, FS, LA/Ao, EPSS, LVLdA4C, LVLsA4C, left ventricular EDV, left ventricular ESV, and ESV for DCM-affected dogs. This cut-off value can be used as an early diagnosis of DCM through echocardiography, facilitating timely clinical interventions and management strategies for improved quality of life in dogs.

Dendritic Cells and the Establishment of Fetomaternal Tolerance for Successful Human Pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a remarkable event where the semi-allogeneic fetus develops in the mother's uterus, despite genetic and immunological differences. The antigen handling and processing at the maternal-fetal interface during pregnancy appear to be crucial for the adaptation of the maternal immune system and for tolerance to the developing fetus and placenta. Maternal antigen-presenting cells (APCs), such as macrophages (Mφs) and dendritic cells (DCs), are present at the maternal-fetal interface throughout pregnancy and are believed to play a crucial role in this process. Despite numerous studies focusing on the significance of Mφs, there is limited knowledge regarding the contribution of DCs in fetomaternal tolerance during pregnancy, making it a relatively new and growing field of research. This review focuses on how the behavior of DCs at the maternal-fetal interface adapts to pregnancy's unique demands. Moreover, it discusses how DCs interact with other cells in the decidual leukocyte network to regulate uterine and placental homeostasis and the local maternal immune responses to the fetus. The review particularly examines the different cell lineages of DCs with specific surface markers, which have not been critically reviewed in previous publications. Additionally, it emphasizes the impact that even minor disruptions in DC functions can have on pregnancy-related complications and proposes further research into the potential therapeutic benefits of targeting DCs to manage these complications.

Properties and physiological effects of dietary fiber-enriched meat products: a review.

Meat is a rich source of high biological proteins, vitamins, and minerals, but it is devoid of dietary fiber, an essential non-digestible carbohydrate component such as cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, lignin, polysaccharides, and oligosaccharides. Dietary fibers are basically obtained from various cereals, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and their by-products and have numerous nutritional, functional, and health-benefiting properties. So, these fibers can be added to meat products to enhance their physicochemical properties, chemical composition, textural properties, and organoleptic qualities, as well as biological activities in controlling various lifestyle ailments such as obesity, certain cancers, type-II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and bowel disorders. These dietary fibers can also be used in meat products as an efficient extender/binder/filler to reduce the cost of production by increasing the cooking yield as well as by reducing the lean meat content and also as a fat replacer to minimize unhealthy fat content in the developed meat products. So, growing interest has been observed among meat processors, researchers, and scientists in exploring various new sources of dietary fibers for developing dietary fiber-enriched meat products in recent years. In the present review, various novel sources of dietary fibers, their physiological effects, their use in meat products, and their impact on various physicochemical, functional, and sensory attributes have been focused.

Molecular complexity of mammary glands development: a review of lactogenic differentiation in epithelial cells.

The mammary gland is a dynamic organ with various physiological processes like cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis during the pregnancy-lactation-involution cycle. It is essential to understand the molecular changes during the lactogenic differentiation of mammary epithelial cells (MECs, the milk-synthesizing cells). The MECs are organized as luminal milk-secreting cells and basal myoepithelial cells (responsible for milk ejection by contraction) that form the alveoli. The branching morphogenesis and lactogenic differentiation of the MECs prepare the gland for lactation. This process is governed by many molecular mediators including hormones, growth factors, cytokines, miRNAs, regulatory proteins, etc. Interestingly, various signalling pathways guide lactation and understanding these molecular transitions from pregnancy to lactation will help researchers design further research. Manipulation of genes responsible for milk synthesis and secretion will promote augmentation of milk yield in dairy animals. Identifying protein signatures of lactation will help develop strategies for persistent lactation and shortening the dry period in farm animals. The present review article discusses in details the physiological and molecular changes occurring during lactogenic differentiation of MECs and the associated hormones, regulatory proteins, miRNAs, and signalling pathways. An in-depth knowledge of the molecular events will aid in developing engineered cellular models for studies related to mammary gland diseases of humans and animals.

Effects of microplastics, pesticides and nano-materials on fish health, oxidative stress and antioxidant defense mechanism.

Microplastics and pesticides are emerging contaminants in the marine biota, which cause many harmful effects on aquatic organisms, especially on fish. Fish is a staple and affordable food source, rich in animal protein, along with various vitamins, essential amino acids, and minerals. Exposure of fish to microplastics, pesticides, and various nanoparticles generates ROS and induces oxidative stress, inflammation, immunotoxicity, genotoxicity, and DNA damage and alters gut microbiota, thus reducing the growth and quality of fish. Changes in fish behavioral patterns, swimming, and feeding habits were also observed under exposures to the above contaminants. These contaminants also affect the Nrf-2, JNK, ERK, NF-κB, and MAPK signaling pathways. And Nrf2-KEAP1 signalling modulates redox status marinating enzymes in fish. Effects of pesticides, microplastics, and nanoparticles found to modulate many antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione system. So, to protect fish health from stress, the contribution of nano-technology or nano-formulations was researched. A decrease in fish nutritional quality and population significantly impacts on the human diet, influencing traditions and economics worldwide. On the other hand, traces of microplastics and pesticides in the habitat water can enter humans by consuming contaminated fish which may result in serious health hazards. This review summarizes the oxidative stress caused due to microplastics, pesticides and nano-particle contamination or exposure in fish habitat water and their impact on human health. As a rescue mechanism, the use of nano-technology in the management of fish health and disease was discussed.

Etiopathological and hematobiochemical profiles in goats with gastrointestinal disorders.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in small ruminants limit production efficiency and productivity growth in the livestock sector, thereby directly preventing farmers from augmenting their income. This study aimed to provide detailed insight into the etiology, hematobiochemical parameters, and epidemiological risk factors of GI disorders in goats and to determine the pathology associated with the disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over the period of 2018-2019, 500 goats in and around Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, were screened for GI disorders based on clinical signs. Blood samples from the control (n=10) and treatment (n=25) groups were collected for both hematological and serum biochemical alterations. Fecal examinations (n=220) were conducted for parasitic, bacterial, and virological assessments. Detailed necropsy and histopathological evaluations were conducted on 27 goats. RESULTS: The GI disorder prevalence rate and mortality rate among the 500 goats analyzed were 44.4% and 12.27%, respectively. Chi-square analysis showed a significantly higher occurrence of GI disorders among the goats that were between 6 months and 1.5 years old (58.72%), were of the Ganjam breed (45.49%), had a poor body condition (71.11%), and were housed with an earthen floor (55.22%). The most common etiological risk factor observed was parasitic infection (65.45%), followed by bacterial (18.18%) and mixed infection (9.54%). Blood analysis showed neutrophilia and eosinophilia in infected goats, in addition to anemia; significant decreases in total protein, globulin, albumin, and glucose levels; and significant increases in aspartate transaminase and alanine aminotransferase levels. The major histopathological findings were infiltration of mononuclear cells and desquamation of the intestinal and ruminal mucosa. CONCLUSION: Stakeholders should focus not only on parasitic infections and other important etiological risk factors for GI disorders in goats but also on proper farming management practices to help enhance the income of farmers. The hematobiochemical alterations and pathomorphological changes reported in this study can be used by field veterinarians as guidelines for clinical evaluation and disease severity assessment.