Rabies virus (RV) is highly neurotropic and migrates to the neuronal soma by retrograde axonal transport from nerve terminals, after which it is taken by anterograde axonal transport to be finally released into the central nervous system (CNS) from which it disseminates, resulting in lethal encephalitis. Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) are crucial in the initial events of the infection by RV since they can act as a gate for the viral entrance into the CNS. In the present study, we examined cell tropism of RV and the roles of neuronal cytoskeletal components in the production of viral nucleoprotein (N protein) using cultured nerve cells and non-neuronal cells from DRG of newborn mice. Our in vitro study demonstrated a low propagation rate of RV in nerve cells, susceptibility of non-neuronal cells to RV, and independence of cytoplasmic synthesis of viral N protein from the neuronal cytoskeleton. The present study also suggests that Schwann cells should be considered as another possible candidate supporting RV propagation.

Japanese black bears, Ursus thibetanus japonicus, have been classified as a vulnerable species so that data on reproduction are needed to maintain and/or extend their population. They are known to have a peculiar style of reproduction, giving birth to their neonates and raising them during denning, a period of complete fasting. In this study, we investigated the metabolic rate and milk composition of mother bears raising neonates, and the changes in body weight of the neonates under captive conditions. Seven female bears kept in dens were weighed once a month, and the amount of energy they used was calculated. From birth, cubs were also weighed and their growth rate was determined. In addition, the milk composition was analyzed to investigate its characteristics. As a result, it was found that mother bears used 34% more energy than did solitary females. There was no significant difference in the energy used for nursing whether they had single or twin cubs. On the other hand, the body weight gain of single cubs was significantly higher than that of twin cubs, suggesting that the growth of the cubs was highly affected by the suppression of mother's energy consumption during the fasting period. The milk had high fat and low sugar concentrations. This indicates that mother bears used the fat accumulated prior to denning for their main energy source when raising cubs. Considering all results together, Japanese black bears showed remarkable efficiency in the use of energy for reproduction during the fasting period.

Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta1) is a pleiotropic cytokine with both pro- and antiinflammatory properties, depending on its environment and concentration. The present study evaluated the effects of orally-delivered TGF-beta1 on mice parenterally-infected with various protozoan parasites. We report that while orally-administered TGF-beta1 seems to confer partial protection against murine chronic babesiosis and acute trypanosomosis, no beneficial clinical effects were observed against acute babesiosis, malaria or toxoplasmosis. Taken together, these preliminary data suggest that the systemic effects conferred by exogenous TGF-beta1 could be parasite species-specific. The variations in different parasitic infections could be due to (i) intrinsic differences between parasite species and/or strains in their ability to induce production of immunosuppressive molecules and/or (ii) differences in mechanisms governing host protection against different parasitic infections.

A total of six clinical cases of snake bite were examined clinico-haematologically. The clinical examination revealed the normal rectal temperature but increased respiration as well as heart rates. The hematological values showed decreased Hb and PCV but increase in polymorphonuclear cells. All these snake bite dogs had been successfully treated with slow i.v. administration of antivenin along with corticosteroids i.m., adrenaline (1: 10,000 dilution in i.v. fluid), inj. DNS (5%), i.m. administration of antibiotic(s) and local antiseptic dressing with povidone Iodine after irrigation or washing the affected area(s) with soap water. Out of six dogs, four dogs survived and two died even after treatment.

Survivability of Listeria monocytogenes in clay loam soil was examined at 30° C for a period of 35 days. The microorganism inoculated in soil steadily declined from 3.5 × 10 6 g -1 to 3.9 × 10 4 g -1 (P = 0.05) on 35 th days. Destruction of normal soil microflora by heat treatment resulted in marginal rise in 3.3 × 10 6 g -1 of L. monocytogenes to 4.2 × 10 6 g -1 during the first 7 days, followed by steady decline to 5.6 × 10 4 g -1 on 35 th days. Heat treated soil inoculated with lower concentration of L. monocytogenes (3.6 × 10 4 g -1 ) supported sharp rise in its population to 4.8 × 10 6 g -1 (P=0.05) during the first weak which gradually declined, but remained higher (6.1 × 10 4 g -1 ) than the initial load even on 35 th days. In non-sterile soil, the rise was less appreciable but L. monocytogenes maintained its levels (10 4 g -1 ) during the experimental period. Survivability of the microorganisms was also observed in the soil with added chicken manure, cattle manure or sheep/goat manure.

Ground fresh green leaves of Lucas aspera and Parthenium hysterophorus were screened for their molluscicidal property at dilutions of 1,000,2,500,5,000 and 10,000 ppm in water against fresh water snail, Indoplanorbis exustus at 6, 24 and 48 hr of exposure. Cent percent mortality of snails was noticed in all dilutions except the first one for each exposure time.

Examination of 816 soil samples from different parts of Puducherry city viz. public places, residential areas, some school play grounds revealed overall 2.21% contamination of soil with the ova of Toxocara. Besides Toxocara, ova of non-hookworm strongyles(0.74%), Ancylostoma (1.23%), Trichuris (0.74%), Taenia (0.12%) and Moniezia (0.86%) were also recorded. A few ascarid eggs, mites and their eggs, and larvae of free-living nematodes were also commonly encountered in the soil.

A total of 128 faecal samples of dogs suspected for canine parvovirus infection were examined by Haemagglutination (HA) and Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests. The prevalence of canine parvovirus infection was 45.30% (58/128) and the age wise maximum (70.20%) prevalence was found in dogs upto 6 month. The breed wise maximum (56.90%) prevalence was in Non-descript dogs and sex wise prevalence revealed no significant difference in male (45.9%) and female (43.3%).

Effect of strain (Khaki Campbell, Indigenous) and age (224 and 280 days) of ducks on the physical egg quality and presence of off-flavour in eggs was studied. The average of egg weight, yolk index and percent yolk weight for the two ages under study were significantly (P0.05) higher in Indigenous duck eggs whereas the same average value for albumen index, Haugh Unit score and percent albumen were higher in Khaki Campbell eggs. However, shape index, yolk colour score, shell thickness and percent shell weight of eggs were comparable for the two strains. Age of ducks had an insignificant influence on shape index, albumen height, shell thickness and yolk index as evident from the least difference between average values of two strains under study. But, the average values of the two strains under study were significantly affected by age for A.I., H.U. score, % albumen weight, % shell weight and % yolk weight. Presence of off-flavour was more pronounced in Khaki Campbell eggs than that of indigenous eggs.