Growth, haemato-biochemical, hormonal and disease characteristics in Black Bengal goats: a review.

The goats have been considered one of the noteworthy animals to provide food security and could promote socio-economic upliftment under challenging climatic scenarios in the coming decades, particularly in the tropics. Black Bengal goat (BBG) is one of the recognised native meat-type breeds of hot-humid tropics with distinguished characteristics, including superior-quality meat, excellent skin and high prolificacy. Smaller body mass, lower metabolic rate and efficient utilisation of high-fibre forages enable BBG to adapt to a wide range of harsh climates in the tropics. The BBG can maintain physiological homeostasis efficiently in terms of electrolyte profile, endocrine functions and haemato-biochemical traits in different life phases, including the gestation period, even in high-saline coastal areas of hot-humid tropics. Crossbreeding to improve its growth rate has been attempted, but the prolificacy has been decayed. This review is intended to attract global attention to the adaptive potentialities of Black Bengal goats in terms of growth and production, haemato-biochemical, endocrinological, salt tolerance and disease characteristics that could be an asset of climate-resilient agricultural farming.

Effect of dietary oregano essential oil and milk replacer on physiological status and immunological responses of pre- and post-weaned Ghoongroo piglets.

Ghoongroo pigs have good adaptability in a low input production system with high prolificacy. The present study was conducted on pre-and post-weaned Ghoongroo piglets from 2-3 days to 12 weeks of age to evaluate the effect of a milk replacer and oregano essential oil (EO) on growth, physiological and immunological responses. Thirty six piglets were randomly divided into three groups. The control group (n = 12) was allowed to suck mother's milk. Second group piglets were provided milk replacer (MR) and piglets of the third group were provided milk replacer along with oregano EO at 500 mg/kg diet. After weaning, piglets were provided standard concentrate diets. The results showed that the body weight in MR and MR + EO groups were significantly higher compared with the control. The MR + EO group had better intestinal microbiota, greater nonspecific innate immunity with the phagocytosis efficacy of neutrophils, lower cortisol concentration and more stable thyroid hormones than the other groups. The better haematological status supported the rapid organ development and improved intestinal health status in both the experimental groups. In conclusion, milk replacer, especially with the inclusion of oregano EO, can lower weaning stress, enhance nonspecific immunity and improve growth and health status of piglets.

Resonance Raman Spectroscopy and Density Functional Theory Calculations on Ferrous Porphyrin Dioxygen Adducts with Different Axial Ligands: Correlation of Ground State Wave Function and Geometric Parameters with Experimental Vibrational Frequencies.

A dioxygen adduct of ferrous porphyrin is an important chemical species in nature as it is a common intermediate in all oxygen transfer, storage, reducing, and activating heme enzymes. The ground state (GS) wave function of this complex has been investigated using several techniques like resonance Raman (rR), Mossbauer, and X-ray absorption spectroscopies. The Fe-O and O-O vibrations of these six-coordinated diamagnetic species show a positive correlation with each other in contrast to analogous ferrous carbonyl complexes where the Fe-CO vibration correlates negatively with the C-O vibration due to a synergistic effect. In this Article, three Fe-porphyrins with different axial ligands (imidazole, phenolate, and thiolate) are investigated using rR spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The GS wave functions of these species are analyzed, and the contribution of the three primary bonding interactions in the Fe-O2 unit (a σ interaction from the in-plane π* of the superoxide to the vacant dz2 of Fe, a π donation from the out of plane (oop) π* to the dπ orbital of Fe, and a π back bonding interaction from the dπ orbital of Fe to the oop π* of the superoxide) to the calculated Fe-O and O-O vibrations and bond lengths are deconvoluted using a MO theory framework. The GS wave function provides a basis for the correlations observed between different vibrational and geometric parameters of these dioxygen adducts. Furthermore, the correlations obtained allows estimation of the GS wave function and geometry of these species (both natural and artificial) using their experimentally observed Fe-O/O-O vibrations. The wave functions thus extracted from the experimental vibrational data reported offer insight into the role of the axial ligand and hydrogen bonding on the geometric and electronic structures of these crucial chemical species in different protein active sites.

Valence tautomerism in synthetic models of cytochrome P450.

CytP450s have a cysteine-bound heme cofactor that, in its as-isolated resting (oxidized) form, can be conclusively described as a ferric thiolate species. Unlike the native enzyme, most synthetic thiolate-bound ferric porphyrins are unstable in air unless the axial thiolate ligand is sterically protected. Spectroscopic investigations on a series of synthetic mimics of cytP450 indicate that a thiolate-bound ferric porphyrin coexists in organic solutions at room temperature (RT) with a thiyl-radical bound ferrous porphyrin, i.e., its valence tautomer. The ferric thiolate state is favored by greater enthalpy and is air stable. The ferrous thiyl state is favored by entropy, populates at RT, and degrades in air. These ground states can be reversibly interchanged at RT by the addition or removal of water to the apolar medium. It is concluded that hydrogen bonding and local electrostatics protect the resting oxidized cytP450 active site from degradation in air by stabilizing the ferric thiolate ground state in contrast to its synthetic analogs.

Concerted proton-electron transfer in electrocatalytic O2 reduction by iron porphyrin complexes: axial ligands tuning H/D isotope effect.

The electrochemical O2 reduction by thiolate- and imidazole-bound iron porphyrin complexes and H/D isotope effects on 4e(-) (determined by rotating disc electrochemistry) and 2e(-) (determined by rotating ring disc electrochemistry) O2 reduction rates are investigated. The results indicate that a thiolate axial ligand shows an H/D isotope effect greater than 18 and 47 for the 4e(-) and 2e(-) O2 reductions, respectively. Alternatively, an imidazole axial ligand results in H/D isotope effects of 1.04 and 4.7 for the 4e(-) and 2e(-) O2 reduction, respectively. The catalytic O2 reduction mechanism is investigated in situ with resonance Raman coupled with rotating disc electrochemistry. The data indicate that the rate-determining step changes from O-O bond heterolysis of Fe(III)-OOH species for a thiolate axial ligand to an O-O bond heterolysis of an Fe(II)-OOH for an imidazole axial ligand.

Electrocatalytic O2 reduction by [Fe-Fe]-hydrogenase active site models.

The instability of [Fe-Fe]-hydrogenase and its synthetic models under aerobic conditions is an inherent challenge in their development as practical H2 producing electrodes. The electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction of a series of synthetic model complexes of the [Fe-Fe] hydrogenase is investigated, and a dominant role of the bridgehead nitrogen in reducing the amount of partially reduced oxygen species (PROS), which is detrimental to the stability of these complexes, is discovered.

Resonance Raman, electron paramagnetic resonance, and density functional theory calculations of a phenolate-bound iron porphyrin complex: electrostatic versus covalent contribution to bonding.

Resonance Raman (rR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations of a phenolate-bound iron porphyrin complex are reported. The complex is found to exist in a five-coordinate high-spin state in a noncoordinating solvent and in a six-coordinate low-spin state in a coordinating solvent. The vibrations originating from the iron phenolate-bound chromophores reproduced those reported for heme tyrosine active sites in nature. The EPR parameters and iron-pyrrole (Fe-Npyr) vibrations of phenolate, thiolate, and imidazole ligated iron porphyrin complexes indicate that the phenolate axial ligand acts as a π anisotropic ligand, which is more covalent than a neutral imidazole ligand but less covalent than a thiolate axial ligand. While the Fe(III/II) potential of the phenolate compound in a noncoordinating solvent is 500 mV more negative than that of the imidazole-bound complex, it is also 110 mV more negative than that of the thiolate-bound complex. DFT calculations reproduce the geometry and vibrational frequencies and show that while both phenolate and thiolate axial ligands bear π and σ interaction with the ferric center, the former is significantly less covalent than the thiolate. The higher covalency of the thiolate ligand is responsible for the lower Fe-Npyr vibration and higher V/λ (from EPR) of the thiolate-bound complexes relative to those of the phenolate-bound complex, whereas the greater electrostatic stabilization of the Fe(III)-OPh bond is responsible for lowering the Fe(III/II) E° of the phenolate-bound complex relative to that of the thiolate-bound complex in a medium having a reasonable dielectric constant.

Electrocatalytic O2 reduction reaction by synthetic analogues of cytochrome P450 and myoglobin: in-situ resonance Raman and dynamic electrochemistry investigations.

Bioinspired electrodes have been constructed by physiabsorption of two air stable iron porphyrin complexes, one bearing an imidazole coordination and the other bearing a thiolate coordination. To control the electron transfer (ET) rate to these O2 reducing electrocatalysts, the complexes were immobilized on edge plane graphite electrode and alkyl thiol self-assembled monolayer (SAM) modified Au electrodes with varying chain lengths of the thiols. Catalyst immobilized SAM modified surfaces were characterized using surface enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy (SERRS), and their electrocatalytic O2 reduction properties were investigated using rotating ring disc electrochemistry (RRDE). While the imidazole bound complex showed increase in partially reduced oxygen species (PROS) on decreasing ET rate, the thiolate bound complex showed the opposite trend, that is, the value of PROS reduced on decreasing the ET rate. SERRS coupled to rotating disc electrochemistry (SERRS-RDE) technique helps gain insight into the O2 reduction mechanism. The results obtained indicate that while the imidazole bound iron porphyrin complex reduces O2 through an inner sphere mechanism using a high-spin (HS) Fe(II) species, the thiolate ligated complex shows an inner sphere as well as outer sphere mechanism using a HS Fe(II) and low-spin (LS) Fe(II) species, respectively. The PROS formation by a HS Fe(II) species of this thiolate bound complex increases with decreasing ET rates while that of a LS Fe(II) species decreases with decreasing ET rates.

O2 reduction reaction by biologically relevant anionic ligand bound iron porphyrin complexes.

Iron porphyrin complex with a covalently attached thiolate ligand and another with a covalently attached phenolate ligand has been synthesized. The thiolate bound complex shows spectroscopic features characteristic of P450, including the hallmark absorption spectrum of the CO adduct. Electrocatalytic O2 reduction by this complex, which bears a terminal alkyne group, is investigated by both physiabsorbing on graphite surfaces (fast electron transfer rates) and covalent attachment to azide terminated self-assembled monolayer (physiologically relevant electron transfer rates) using the terminal alkyne group. Analysis of the steady state electrochemical kinetics reveals that this catalyst can selectively reduce O2 to H2O with a second-order k(cat.) ~10(7) M(-1 )s(-1) at pH 7. The analogous phenolate bound iron porphyrin complex reduces O2 with a second-order rate constant of 10(5) M(-1) s(-1) under the same conditions. The anionic ligand bound iron porphyrin complexes catalyze oxygen reduction reactions faster than any known synthetic heme porphyrin analogues. The kinetic parameters of O2 reduction of the synthetic thiolate bound complex, which is devoid of any second sphere effects present in protein active sites, provide fundamental insight into the role of the protein environment in tuning the reactivity of thiolate bound iron porphyrin containing metalloenzymes.

EPR, resonance Raman, and DFT calculations on thiolate- and imidazole-bound iron(III) porphyrin complexes: role of the axial ligand in tuning the electronic structure.

Iron(III) porphyrin complexes bearing covalently attached imidazole and thiolate axial ligands are investigated using resonance Raman, electron paramagnetic resonance, and cyclic voltammetry. The thiolate ligand stabilizes a low-spin ground state in solvent-bound six-coordinate species, weakens the Fe-N(pyr) bonds, and shifts the Fe(III/II) potential more negative by ~500 mV relative to an imidazole-bound species. Density functional theory calculations reproduce the experimental observation and indicate that the covalent charge donation from thiolate to iron reduces the Z(eff) on the iron. This increases the Fe(3d) orbital energies, which changes the bonding interaction present in these complexes significantly. In particular, the increase of the Fe(3d) energies activates an iron-to-porphyrin π*-back-bonding interaction not present in the imidazole-bound complex.

Evaluation of autologous bone marrow in wound healing in animal model: a possible application of autologous stem cells.

A study was conducted to evaluate the potential of autologous bone marrow-derived cells in comparison with buffy coat of autologous blood for rapid cutaneous wound healing in rabbit model. Three square full-thickness skin excisional wounds were created in 15 selected experimental animals (rabbit) divided randomly into three groups. The wound was treated with autologous bone marrow cells in plasma (group 1), buffy coat of blood in plasma (group 2) and autologous plasma as control (group 3). Wounds were observed for 30 days for granulation tissue formation, biochemical, histomorphological and histochemical evaluation. In this study, granulation tissue appeared significantly lesser in wounds of group 3 animals followed by group 2 and 1 animals. Neovascularisation, granulation tissue formation, denser, thicker and better arranged collagen fibres, reticulin fibres and elastin fibres formation was more in group 1 as compared with other groups. It was concluded that the application of bone marrow-derived nucleated cells into the wound margins resulted in early and significantly faster rate of complete healing as compared with buffy coat of autologous blood and autologous plasma (control). This approach may be beneficial in various surface wounds that heal at a slower rate and recommended for healing of various complicated wound in future.

RFamide peptides, the novel regulators of mammalian HPG axis: A review.

The RFamide-related peptides (RFRPs) are the group of neuropeptides synthesized predominantly from the hypothalamus that negatively affects the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-gonadal (hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal [HPG]) axis. These peptides are first identified in quail brains and emerged as the mammalian orthologs of avian gonadotropin inhibitory hormones. The RFRP-3 neurons in the hypothalamus are present in several mammalian species. The action of RFRP-3 is mediated through a G-protein-coupled receptor called OT7T022. The predominant role of RFRP-3 is the inhibition of HPG axis with several other effects such as the regulation of metabolic activity, stress regulation, controlling of non-sexual motivated behavior, and sexual photoperiodicity in concert with other neuropeptides such as kisspeptin, neuropeptide-Y (NPY), pro-opiomelanocortin, orexin, and melanin. RFamide peptides synthesized in the granulosa cells, interstitial cells, and seminiferous tubule regulate steroidogenesis and gametogenesis in the gonads. The present review is intended to provide the recent findings that explore the role of RFRP-3 in regulating HPG axis and its potential applications in the synchronization of reproduction and its therapeutic interventions to prevent stress-induced amenorrhea.

A study on the electrocardiography in dogs: Reference values and their comparison among breeds, sex, and age groups.

AIM: The present investigation was intended to generate some basic data on electrocardiography (ECG) parameters in different breeds and their alterations in respect to sex and age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present investigation was carried out on 239 owned dogs of 11 different breeds presented to the Institute Veterinary Clinic during 2018-2019. The animals, irrespective of breed and sex were grouped on the basis of their age groups. Recordings of rdiartR, BPL, India) at 25 mm/s paper speed and 10 mm=1 mV calibration keeping the animals on the right lateECG were performed by a single-channel ECG machine (Caral recumbence without any anesthesia. Heart rate, along with the amplitude and duration of different waves and complexes was measured. RESULTS: Heart rate did not vary significantly among breeds, sex, and different age groups. The highest heart rate has been reported in Doberman and the lowest in Beagle. The heart rate was lowest at the age group of 6 months-2.5 years and highest around 10.5-12.5 years irrespective of breed and sex. The incidence of sinus arrhythmia was mostly seen in older dogs. All the waves and complexes did not vary significantly between breeds, age, and sex except P duration which was significantly (p<0.05) higher in Golden retriever and Doberman breeds. CONCLUSION: The present investigation generated some reference values of ECG in dogs which will help the clinicians to diagnose different cardiac abnormalities through ECG.

Novel decellularized animal conchal cartilage graft for application in human patient.

Restoration of the external ear and nose in human patients, in either congenital deformity or acquired defects, is a challenge in reconstructive surgery. Optimization of the currently available materials is necessary for rhinoplasty and microtia correction to avoid intraoperative manoeuvring and early rejection. The aim of this study was to develop cross-linked decellularized caprine conchal cartilages as biocompatible, robust, and non-toxic matrix template. The characterization of the decellularized tissue encompasses in vitro lymphoproliferation assay, cytotoxicity test, agar gel precipitation test, in vivo immunocompatibility study, histology, and determination of pro-inflammatory cytokines in animal model. Decellularized cartilage was implanted in human volunteer at R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, India, and samples were assessed histologically by retrieving those after 4 months. The processed cartilages were implanted in rhinoplasty (nine) and microtia patients (six) keeping autogenous cartilage graft as control up to 18 months after surgery. Primary outcomes were viability and safety of the material, both in animal model and human pre-application in actual site. Secondary outcomes included self-assessed clinical findings on gross examination. This study is under the ethical approval no. RKC/14 dated January 27, 2012. The in vitro cellular reactivity was less in processed cartilage protein than control. Histology of retrieved tissues in animal model and human volunteer showed no adverse reactions. Production of IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α cytokines was lower at 4 weeks. The rhinoplasty and microtia operation in clinical patients utilizing the processed cartilage showed satisfactory recovery with improved facial look. These low cost, easily available, biocompatible, safe xenocartilage biomatrices of caprine conchal cartilage origin are very flexible in shape and size, enabling them as potential bioimplant for repair of nasal and auricular structure without any rejection or diverse biomedical applications.

Association between udder morphology and in vitro activity of milk leukocytes in high yielding crossbred cows.

AIM: The present investigation was conducted to study the association between udder morphology and in vitro activity of milk leukocytes in high yielding crossbred cows. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 48 healthy high yielding crossbred cows were selected for the study. The udder configuration and teat/udder morphology were recorded before milking. Milk samples (100 ml/cow) were collected aseptically. Milk somatic cell counts (SCC) and milk differential leukocyte counts were performed microscopically. Milk leukocytes (viz., neutrophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages) were isolated from milk samples by density gradient centrifugation. Phagocytic index (PI) of milk neutrophils and macrophages were evaluated by colorimetric nitro blue tetrazolium assay. Lymphocytes proliferation response was estimated by MTT assay and expressed as stimulation index. RESULTS: There was a significant (p<0.01) positive correlation between milk SCC with mid teat diameter, teat base diameter and significant (p<0.05) negative correlation between milk SCC and the height of the teat from the ground. Milk SCC was found to be significantly (p<0.01) lower in bowl-shaped udder and higher (p<0.01) in pendulous type. Milk macrophage percentage was positively (p<0.01) correlated with udder circumference. PI of milk neutrophil was negatively (p<0.01) correlation between teat base diameter, and PI of milk macrophages was found to be positively (p<0.01) correlated with teat apex diameter. Both PI of milk neutrophils and macrophages was found to be significantly (p<0.01) lower in the animals having flat and round teat and pendulous type of udder. In vitro PI of milk neutrophils was found to be significantly (p<0.01) lower in flat teat. In vitro PI of milk macrophages was found to be significantly (p<0.01) lower in the round and flat teats compared to pointed and cylindrical teats. CONCLUSION: Udder risk factors such as teat shape and size, teat to floor distance, udder shape, and size may decrease the in vitro activity of milk leukocytes hence facilitates the incidence intramammary infections.

Enhanced bone regeneration with carbon nanotube reinforced hydroxyapatite in animal model.

In order to improve the inherently poor mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite (HAp) and to increase its feasibility as load bearing implant material, in the present investigation, functionalised (HFC1 and HFC2) and non-functionalized (HC1 and HC2) multi-walled carbon nanotubes were used as reinforcing material with HAp. Significant improvement with respect to fracture toughness, flexural strength and impact strength of the composites was noticed. In vitro biological properties of HAp-carbon nanotube (CNT) biocomposites have also favored uniform and systematic apatite growth on their surface. Subsequently, in vivo osseous ingrowth at bone defect of rabbit femur was evaluated and compared using radiology, push out test, fluorochrome labeling, histology and scanning electron microscopy after 2 and 4 months respectively. The results demonstrated growth of web like soft callus from the host bone towards the implant, ensuring strong host bone interaction. Toxicological studies of the liver and kidney cells exhibited no abnormality, thereby confirming non-toxicity of the CNT in the animal body. Host-implant biomechanical strength showed high interfacial strength of the composites, indicating their high potentials to be used for bone remodeling applications.

Tuning the thermodynamic onset potential of electrocatalytic O2 reduction reaction by synthetic iron-porphyrin complexes.

A porphyrin ligand with two ß-pyrrolic electron withdrawing ester groups is synthesized and its Co complex is crystallographically characterized. The iron complex of this porphyrin ligand shows an ∼200 mV positive shift in its Fe(III/II) potential in organic as well as aqueous solvents and in the onset potential of ORR relative to that of an unsubstituted porphyrin.

Electrocardiogram pattern of some exotic breeds of trained dogs: A variation study.

AIM: The present study has been conducted to evaluate the variation in electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters among different trained breeds of dogs (viz. Labrador, German Shepherd, and Golden Retriever) used for security reasons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ECG was recorded by single channel ECG at a paper speed of 25 mm/s and calibration of 10 mm=1 mV. The recordings were taken from all the standard bipolar limb leads (Lead-I, II, and III) and unipolar augmented limb leads (Lead-aVR, aVL, and aVF). RESULTS: Heart rate was found to be highest in Labrador and lowest in German Shepherd. P-wave duration was maximum in Golden Retriever breed and lowest in Labrador. Maximum amplitude of P-wave was found in Labrador followed by German Shepherd and Golden Retriever. There was significantly (p<0.05) higher values of PR interval in German Shepherd compared to other breeds. The variation in QRS duration, ST segment duration, T-wave duration, and T-wave amplitude was found to be non-significant among breeds. Inverted T-waves were most common in Golden Retriever and German Shepherd, whereas positive T-waves were found in Labrador. There was significant (p<0.05) variation in mean electrical axis of QRS complex among different breeds and it ranges from +60° to +80°. CONCLUSION: The present study provides the reference values for different ECG parameters to monitor the cardiac health status among Labrador, German Shepherd, and Golden Retriever breeds.

A comparative study on the expression profile of MCTs and HSPs in Ghungroo and Large White Yorkshire breeds of pigs during different seasons.

Thermal stress has a significant adverse effect on commercial swine production but it is not easy to measure. Animals may adapt to stress conditions by an alteration in the expression of stress-related genes such as heat shock proteins (HSPs) and monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs). The present study presents a comparative analysis of seasonally varied effects on the expression profiles of HSPs (27, 70, and 90) and MCTs (1, 2, and 4) transcripts in thigh muscle and colon tissue of Ghungroo and Large White Yorkshire (LWY) breeds of pig. By real-time polymerase chain reaction, the mRNA expression of HSP27 and HSP90 genes was found to be higher in both thigh muscle and colon tissue in Ghungroo compared to Large White Yorkshire pigs during the summer. However, the relative expression of HSP70 was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in Ghungroo compared to Large White Yorkshire pigs during both seasons in both thigh muscle and colon tissue. The expression of HSP90 was higher in Ghungroo when compared to LWY though the variation was non-significant (P > 0.05) in the colon during different seasons. However, in Ghungroo, the mRNA expression of MCT1 was found to be significantly (P < 0.05) higher in thigh muscle and colon regions during the summer compared to LWY, whereas MCT2 was expressed more in the colon in LWY compared to Ghungroo during the summer. The relative expression of mRNA of MCT4 was found to be significantly (P < 0.05) higher in thigh region in both summer and winter in Ghungroo compared with LWY. Thus, the study demonstrated that both HSPs and MCTs gene expression during thermal stress suggests the possible involvement of these genes in reducing the deleterious effect of thermal stress, thus maintaining cellular integrity and homeostasis in pigs. These genes could be used as suitable markers for the assessment of stress in pigs.

Spectroscopic characterization of a phenolate bound Fe(II)-O2 adduct: gauging the relative "push" effect of a phenolate axial ligand.

Dioxygen adducts of solvent, imidazole and phenolate bound iron porphyrin complexes are reported. The data show that the Fe-O vibration of the Fe-O2 species shifts from 584 cm(-1) to 570 cm(-1) as neutral axial ligands are replaced by the anionic phenolate ligand.