Ameer Khusro

The effects of antibiotic, probiotic, organic acid, vitamin C, and Echinacea purpurea extract on performance, carcass characteristics, blood chemistry, microbiota, and immunity of broiler chickens

&NA; The present context investigated the comparative study on the supplementation of antibiotic, probiotic, organic acid, vitamin C, and herbal extract after vaccination into drinking water and their effects on performance, carcass quality, blood biochemical parameters, immune system, and intestinal flora in broiler chicks for 42 days. A total of 420 one‐day‐old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly assigned into 7 treatments with 3 replicates (pens) per treatment and 20 male chicks for each replicate (pen). The experimental treatments consisted of drinking water (control, without additive); drinking water + antibiotic sulfamet; drinking water + C‐Vet‐50; drinking water + antibiotic sulfamet + C‐Vet‐50; drinking water + probiotic Primalac; drinking water + butyric acid; and drinking water + extract of Echinacea purpurea Moench (coneflower). There were no differences observed among the treatments for feed intake, but during the whole experimental period, the highest body weight gain was found in the chicks fed with drinking water + antibiotic sulfamet + 50 cc vitamin C (P < 0.05). There were no differences (P > 0.05) observed among the treatments for feed conversion ratio (P > 0.05). Moreover, there were no differences reported among treatments for carcass characteristics at the end of the experiment. Among the treatments, drinking water + 50 cc vitamin C, and drinking water + extract of E. purpurea reduced (P < 0.05) the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and low‐density lipoproteins. Drinking water + 50 cc vitamin C, drinking water + Primalac, and drinking water + extract of E. purpurea increased (P < 0.05) the lymphocytes count and decreased the heterophils count and heterophil:lymphocyte ratio. The highest Escherichia coli count and lowest Lactobacillus count in ileal content of the broilers were observed in the control group (P < 0.05). The additives used in this study may be incorporated in the drinking water of broiler chickens as growth promoters and for improved performance. A further, wider supplementation study is required to understand the performance, immune system, variation in the intestinal microbial counts, and any other possible alteration in the intestinal biota of the broilers.

Anti-tubercular peptides: A quest of future therapeutic weapon to combat tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a symbolic menace to mankind, infecting almost one third of the worlds populace and causing over a million mortalities annually. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the key pathogen of TB that invades and replicates inside the hosts macrophage. With the emerging dilemma of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively-drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), the exigency for developing new TB drugs is an obligation now for worldwide researchers. Among the propitious antimycobacterial agents examined in last few decades, anti-tubercular peptides have been substantiated to be persuasive with multiple advantages such as low immunogenicity, selective affinity to bacterial negatively charged cell envelopes and most importantly divergent mechanisms of action. In this review, we epitomized the current advances in the anti-tubercular peptides, focusing the sources and highlighting the mycobactericidal mechanisms of promising peptides. The review investigates the current anti-tubercular peptides exploited not only from human immune cells, human non-immune cells, bacteria and fungi but also from venoms, cyanobacteria, bacteriophages and several other unplumbed sources. The anti-tubercular peptides of those origins are also known to have unique second non-membrane targets within Mtb. The present context also describes the several cases that manifested the severe side effects of extant anti-TB drugs. The downfall, failure to reach clinical trial phases, inept to MDR- or XDR-TB and severe complications of the currently available anti-tubercular drugs accentuate the imperative necessity to develop efficacious drugs from adequate anti-tubercular peptides. Keeping in view of the emerging trends of drug resistant Mtb globally and unexampled mycobactericidal characteristics of peptides, the anti-tubercular peptides of varied origins can be used as a potential weapon to eradicate TB in future by developing new therapeutic drugs.

Neoteric advancement in TB drugs and an overview on the anti-tubercular role of peptides through computational approaches

Tuberculosis (TB) is a devastating threat to human health whose treatment without the emergence of drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) is the million-dollar question at present. The pathogenesis of M. tuberculosis has been extensively studied which represents unique defence strategies by infecting macrophages. Several anti-tubercular drugs with varied mode of action and administration from diversified sources have been used for the treatment of TB that later contributed to the emergence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB). However, few of potent anti-tubercular drugs are scheduled for clinical trials status in 2017-2018. Peptides of varied origins such as human immune cells and non-immune cells, bacteria, fungi, and venoms have been widely investigated as anti-tubercular agents for the replacement of existing anti-tubercular drugs in future. In the present review, we spotlighted not only on the mechanisms of action and mode of administration of currently available anti-tubercular drugs but also the recent comprehensive report of World Health Organization (WHO) on TB epidemic, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. The major excerpt of the study also inspects the direct contribution of different computational tools during drug designing strategies against M. tuberculosis in order to grasp the interplay between anti-tubercular peptides and targeted bacterial protein. The potentiality of some of these anti-tubercular peptides as therapeutic agents unlocks a new portal for achieving the goal of end TB strategy.

Role of dose dependent Escherichia coli as ruminal anti-microflora agent to mitigate biogases production in prickly pear cactus flour based diet

The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the effects of Escherichia coli against the ruminal microflora fermentation activities in the mitigation of CH4 and CO2 production as well as ruminal fermentation kinetics by substituting dietary corn grain with prickly pear cactus (PC) flour. Three total mixed PC rations were prepared (/kg DM): 0 g (Control), 75 g (PC75), and 150 g (PC150). Besides, E. coli was supplemented at four different levels (dose): 0, 10, 20, and 40 mg/g DM of substrates. The in vitro rumen GP, CH4, and CO2 were estimated to be affected due to various doses of E. coli up to 72 h of incubation. Asymptotic GP, fractional rate of GP, and lag time were influenced significantly (P < .05) in the presence of ration. However, E. coli doses showed minor impact on the rate of GP as well as lag time. The asymptotic CH4 production was decreased linearly (P = .005) at the ration PC150. E. coli doses reduced the asymptotic CH4 production at 10 and 20 mg/g DM. The asymptotic CO2 production was linearly (P < .001) decreased by different levels of PC. The cubic (P = .023) effect of E. coli doses as well as significant (P = .002) ration × E. coli doses impact were reported on asymptotic CO2 production. The fractional rate of GP was quadratically (P < .05) influenced by PC and E. coli doses. The rations, dose, and rations × E. coli dose interaction had no influence (P > .05) on lag time. In a nutshell, PC flour inclusion in diet has the potentiality to replace the existing conventional feedstuffs for ruminant. Most importantly, revealing the first report, PC flours along with E. coli supplementation at varied doses mitigated the ruminal biogases production. This was as consequence to the antimicrobial impacts of E. coli against ruminal microflora, and that could certainly be a promising approach in order to improve ruminants diet constituents.

Biocontrol Properties of Basidiomycetes: An Overview

In agriculture, there is an urgent need for alternate ecofriendly products to control plant diseases. These alternate products must possess preferable characteristics such as new modes of action, cost effectiveness, biodegradability, and target specificity. In the current scenario, studies on macrofungi have been an area of importance for scientists. Macrofungi grow prolifically and are found in many parts of the world. Basidiomycetes (mushrooms) flourish ubiquitously under warm and humid climates. Basidiomycetes are rich sources of natural antibiotics. The secondary metabolites produced by them possess antimicrobial, antitumor, and antioxidant properties. The present review discusses the potential role of Basidiomycetes as anti-phytofungal, anti-phytobacterial, anti-phytoviral, mosquito larvicidal, and nematicidal agents.

Horse fecal methane and carbon dioxide productions and fermentation kinetics influenced by Lactobacillus farciminis supplemented diet

ABSTRACT The effect of equine fecal inocula on the in vitro gas, methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2) production was elucidated in the present study. Fecal inocula were obtained from four Azteca horses (aged 5–8 years, 480 ± 20.1 kg). In vitro fermentation (up to 48 hours) was performed with substrate consisting of 50% (w/w) oat straw and 50% (w/w) of a commercial concentrate in the presence of a commercial Lactobacillus farciminis product (0–6 mg/g DM of substrate). Incorporation of L. farciminis resulted in increased levels of asymptotic gas (GP), CH4, and CO2 production (P < .05). The lag time and the rate of GP were shown to be independent from L. farciminis addition (linear, P > .05; quadric, P > .05). Furthermore, a slight reduction in fermentation pH (linear, P = .029) and higher metabolizable energy values (P = .001) were obtained with L. farciminis supplementation in a dose‐dependent manner. No significant impact of L. farciminis on dry matter degradability values was estimated (P > .05). In vitro gas, CH4, and CO2 production were increased (linear, P ≤ .001) in the presence of L. farciminis from 6 hours of incubation onward. In conclusion, addition of L. farciminis at a dose‐dependent manner (2–6 mg/g DM of diet) was observed to be persuasive in terms of attaining amicable hindgut fermentation by improving fecal gas kinetics viz. gas, CH4, and CO2 production without any side effect. HighlightsLactobacillus farciminis at 2–6 mg/g dry matter of diet improved asymptotic gas production.Methane and carbon dioxide production increased up to 48 hours at higher doses of additive.Significant reduction in fermentation pH and higher metabolizable energy were reported.Consequences of L. farciminis on fecal gas emission in horse feeding were emphasized.

Simultaneous Production of Xylitol and Ethanol from Different Hemicellulose Waste Substrates by Candida tropicalis Strain Ly15

In the present study, we optimized the parameters for maximum yield of xylitol and ethanol by Candida tropicalis strain LY15 utilizing different Hemicellulosic Waste substrates (HWs) obtained by Acid-Alkaline hydrolysis method. Using the pomegranate peel as substrate, higher yield of xylose reductase, xylitol and ethanol were obtained. The optimal level of variables such as inoculum, HWs concentration, time period and RPM (agitation speed) were determined by the response surface methodology, with a significant co-efficient determination of R2= 0.89. Positive correlation was obtained with our experimental and predicted values. The interactions with the ideal levels of inoculum (1%), HWs (Pomegranate peel) (2%), time period (60 h) and RPM (140) showed highly significance values of xylose reductase (171.5 IU/mL), xylitol (55.57 g l-1) and ethanol (3.37 g l-1) at an incubation period of 60 h. The dual yield produced by Candida tropicalis strain LY15 using pomegranate peel makes the organism potent candidate for industrial application.

The effect of three tropical medicinal plants and superzist probiotic on growth performance, carcass characteristics, blood constitutes, immune response, and gut microflora of broiler

The pivotal aim of the present context was to determine the effect of probiotic (superzist) and medicinal plants (R. coriaria, H. persicum, and M. piperita) powder on growth performance, carcass characteristics, blood parameters, immunity response, and microflora counts of broilers over a 42-day feeding period. One hundred and fifty one-day-old chickens were randomly allocated to the following five treatments: (1) Control diets; (2) control diets + 0.03% w/v superzist; (3) control diets + 0.5% w/v R. coriaria; (4) control diets + 0.5% w/v H. persicum; and (5) control diets + 0.5% w/v M. piperita. No significant differences among treatments on broiler performance during 29th to 35th days of age, whereas a gradual reduction (P < 0.05) in the feed efficiency and economic index values between 36th to 42nd days of age, across the treatments versus control diet. Supplementations were increased (P < 0.05), the colon weight, colon length, and right cecum weight versus control. However, the superzist and phytogenic supplementation slightly increased the jejunum length, ileum length, and left cecum length. The supplementation showed reduced heterophils, increased lymphocytes and monocytes percentage, and decreased heterophils/lymphocytes ratio. Additions of superzist and medicinal plants reduced (P < 0.05) the total counts of E. coli and improved (P < 0.05) the cecal lactobacilli. In conclusion, under the appropriate conditions of this investigation, the superzist and tested medicinal plants could undoubtedly be ideal alternatives to the use of existing antibiotics as growth promoters in poultry industry.

Carboxymethyl cellulase production optimization from Glutamicibacter arilaitensis strain ALA4 and its application in lignocellulosic waste biomass saccharification

Abstract In this context, carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase) production from Glutamicibacter arilaitensis strain ALA4 was initially optimized by one factor at a time (OFAT) method using goat dung as proficient feedstock. Two-level full factorial design (25 factorial matrix) using first-order polynomial model revealed the significant (p < 0.05) influence of pH, moisture, and peptone on CMCase activity. Central composite design at N = 20 was further taken into account using a second-order polynomial equation, and thereby liberated maximum CMCase activity of 4925.56 ± 31.61 U/g in the goat dung medium of pH 8.0 and 100% moisture containing 1% (w/w) peptone, which was approximately two fold increment with respect to OFAT method. Furthermore, the partially purified CMCase exhibited stability not only at high pH and temperature but also in the presence of varied metal ions, organic solvents, surfactants, and inhibitors with pronounced residual activities. The enzymatic hydrolysis using partially purified CMCase depicted the maximum liberation of fermentable sugars from alkali pretreated lignocellulosic wastes biomass in the order of paddy straw (13.8 ± 0.15 mg/g) > pomegranate peel (9.1 ± 0.18 mg/g) > sweet lime peel (8.37 ± 0.16 mg/g), with saccharification efficiency of 62.1 ± 0.8, 40.95 ± 0.4, and 37.66 ± 0.4%, respectively after 72 hr of treatment.

Outbreak of Zika virus pathogenesis and quest of its vaccine development: Where do we stand now?

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is a life-threatening tropical infection, mainly caused by mosquito bite. After a very long period of quietness, ZIKV infections have become a problematic issue again. Previously, the virus was limited to Africa and Asia only but later it emerged in Brazil, South America, and other parts of the world in 2015. In 2016, there are emerging new cases of sexually transmitted ZIKV infection as well. At present, there is no proper treatment and available pronounced vaccines for the treatment of ZIKV infection. The prime focal point of this review is not only to provide imperative epidemiological information on ZIKV infection in brief but also the current situation of vaccines testing on animal model as well as in clinical trial phases. Currently there is no human vaccine for this pestiferous viral infection. Therefore, prevention, proper management, and up-to-date recommendation are crucial to mitigate the possible risk of vector and non-vector transmission of ZIKV.