Mesenchymal stem cell tailored bioengineered scaffolds derived from bubaline diaphragm and aortic matrices for reconstruction of abdominal wall defects.

Bioengineered scaffolds derived from the decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) obtained from discarded animal organs and tissues are attractive candidates for regenerative medicine applications. Tailoring these scaffolds with stem cells enhances their regeneration potential making them a suitable platform for regenerating damaged tissues. Thus, the study was designed to investigate the potential of mesenchymal stem cells tailored acellular bubaline diaphragm and aortic ECM for the repair of full-thickness abdominal wall defects in a rabbit model. Tissues obtained from bubaline diaphragm and aorta were decellularized and bioengineered by seeding with rabbit bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (r-BMSC). Full-thickness abdominal wall defects of 3 cm × 4 cm size were created in a rabbit model and repaired using five different prostheses, namely, polypropylene sheet, nonseeded diaphragm ECM, nonseeded aorta ECM, r-BMSC bioengineered diaphragm ECM, and r-BMSC bioengineered aorta ECM. Results from the study revealed that biological scaffolds are superior in comparison to synthetic polymer mesh for regeneration in terms of collagen deposition, maturation, neovascularization, and lack of any significant (P > 0.05) adhesions with the abdominal viscera. Seeding with r-BMSC significantly increased (P < 0.05) the collagen deposition and biomechanical strength of the scaffolds. The bioengineered r-BMSC seeded acellular bubaline diaphragm showed even superior biomechanical strength as compared to synthetic polymer mesh. Tailoring of the scaffolds with the r-BMSC also resulted in significant reduction (P < 0.01) in antibody and cell mediated immune reactions to the xenogeneic scaffolds in rabbit model.

Adding α-tocopherol-selenium and ascorbic acid to periparturient sow diets influences hemogram, lipid profile, leptin, oxidant/antioxidant imbalance, performance and neonatal piglet mortality.

Alpha-tocopherol-selenium (ATS) and ascorbic acid (AA) are the potent antioxidants. The present study investigated whether supplementation of ATS and AA in periparturient sows has positive effects on amelioration of oxidative stress, serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), lipid profile and sows performance. For this, twenty-four pregnant multiparous sows (landrace×indigenous) were randomly distributed into four groups (6 sows per group) 20 days before expected date of farrowing as Control (basal diet); ATS (basal diet + ATS); AA (basal diet + AA) and ATS-AA (basal diet + ATS plus AA). The results of the study revealed that the concentrations of triglyceride and cholesterol significantly reduced from day -7 to day 7 of farrowing irrespective of supplementations to sows, but the leptin concentration significantly reduced on day 7 of farrowing in ATS-AA supplemented sows (p<0.05). Moreover, sows of supplemented groups experienced decreased oxidative stress and cortisol level than control sows. The serum IgG concentration was significantly increased on day 7 post-farrowing in ATS group but it was much earlier on day 2 of farrowing in ATS-AA group (p<0.001). Supplementing sows with ATS and/or AA did not influence significantly the birth weight, weaning weight and litter size at weaning (p>0.05). Although piglet survival rate was not affected significantly by supplementation, however, piglet mortality rate was lowest in ATS-AA than any other groups. It was concluded that supplementation of ATS and/or AA to sows during late gestating and early lactating period ameliorated oxidative stress, improved lipid profile and serum IgG level without influencing reproductive performance.

Ultrasonographic changes in dogs naturally infected with tick borne intracellular diseases.

Tick-borne infectious diseases constitute an emerging problem in Veterinary Medicine. The study was undertaken to find out the ultrasonographic changes of liver and spleen in 101 positive cases of tick borne intracellular haemoparasitic diseases in dogs. Abdominal survey of ultrasonography revealed hypo echogenicity of liver, gall bladder distension, splenomegaly, hepato-splenomegaly and ascites in various tick born intracellular diseases viz. ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, hepatozoonosis and in mixed infection. Correlating these USG finding with other laboratory examination will be very much useful to spot the diseases condition and organ involvement in tick born intracellular diseases of dog.

Concomitant infestation of Toxocara cati and Ancylostoma tubaeforme in a mongrel cat.

A 3½ years old mongrel female cat was brought with the history of inappetence, seizure and lateral recumbency since 4 days and motion sickness since 2 days. Faecal examination confirmed Toxocara cati and Ancylostoma tubaeforme along with un-hatched live Toxocara cati larvae. Treatment has been initiated with Pyrantel pamoate and along with supportive therapy.

Upcoming of the integrated tick control program of ruminants with special emphasis on livestock farming system in India.

Ticks and tick-borne diseases are a global problem and considered as a major obstacle in the health and product performance of animals which reflects impact on the livelihood of resource-poor farming communities. Tick control is practiced in a variety of methods including vaccination involving different livestock system. At present, periodic application of chemical acaricides is the most commonly used method of tick control especially among the small and marginal farmers of India. Resistance to existing chemical acaricides is widespread, and newer classes of acaricides have tended to be significantly more expensive. Presently, there is increasing concern about the use of chemicals in all forms of agriculture as well as livestock management by their potential environmental hazard and presence in food products. The use of herbal preparations among the rural folks is gaining importance because of their strong belief for folded benefits. Integrated control of ticks is the combination of a series of complementary control measures to make the best use of each without placing too much reliance on any single component. Alternative integrated approaches involve the use of eco-friendly cost effective sustainable methods in a strategic integrated manner.

Comparative efficacy of Annona squamosa and Azadirachta indica extracts against Boophilus microplus Izatnagar isolate.

In the search of developing herbal acaricides, eight medicinal plants were screened for their efficacy against Boophilus microplus, the widely distributed tick species in India. Of the seven extracts screened, the extracts prepared from the Annona squamosa seed showed very high level of efficacy (70.8%) after 24 h of treatment. The effect of treatment on oviposition of the survived ticks was also assessed, and a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in the reproductive index was noted in comparison to control. When efficacy of the in vitro optimized concentration of A. squamosa was compared with previously tested extract of Azadirachta indica in in vivo model, it was observed that the extracts prepared from A. indica is more efficacious than the extracts of A. squamosa. A comparable efficacy against B. microplus fed on animals treated with herbal extracts and commonly used synthetic acaricide was noted. The possibility of using the herbal extracts in IPM format for the management of ticks is discussed.