Hydrocephalus is an intractable disease characterized by the excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the cerebral ventricles. There are many cases in both human and animals; however, the cause and mechanism of its development is not clearly understood. In this study, differences of cerebral ventricles in 5 inbred mice strains (MRL/MpJ, C57BL/6, C3H/He, DBA/2 and BALB/c) were investigated by histological techniques to determine the possibility of a new animal model for hydrocephalus. Our analysis showed that significant differences in the volume and the surface area of lateral ventricles in the 5 inbred strains, with MRL/MpJ mice having the largest lateral, third, aqueduct and fourth ventricles. In addition, when MRL/MpJ mice were compared to BALB/c mice on 0 day after birth, the former already had larger lateral ventricles than the latter. Although there was no significant difference in the ratios of ependymal cell types in MRL/MpJ mice and BALB/c mice, the number and the diameter of lipid droplets in MRL/MpJ mice were, interestingly, smaller than those in BALB/c mice. It is well known that ependymal cells absorb nutritional substances in CSF by endocytosis, suggesting the possibility that their decrease may relate to the larger cerebral ventricles in MRL/MpJ. In conclusion, MRL/ MpJ mice have greater volumes in cerebral ventricles than other strains and may be useful for a model showing high susceptibility to hydrocephalus.

Mx1 (Myxovirus resistance protein) and Oas1b (Oligoadenylate synthetase-1), induced by type 1 interferon (IFN), play a role in early antiviral innate immunity by inhibiting the replication of viruses. In mice, Mx1 and Oas1b confer resistance to the infection of orthomyxoviruses including influenza viruses and flaviviruses including West Nile viruses, respectively. Laboratory mice have been used to study the mechanisms of the pathogenesis of these virus infections; however, it is possible that they are not a suitable model system to study these viruses, since most of the inbred laboratory mouse strains lack both genes. It has been reported that feral mouse-derived inbred strains show resistance to the infection of these viruses due to the presence of intact both genes. In this study, we generated congenic strains in which the Mx or Oas locus of the MSM/Mx (MSM) mouse was introduced to the most widely used mouse strain, C57BL/6J (B6). B6.MSM-Ms mice showed resistance to the infection of influenza virus but not of West Nile virus. On the other hand, B6.MSM-Oas mice showed resistance to the infection of West Nile virus but not of influenza virus. Our results indicate that Mx1 and Oas1b show highly antiviral specificity in mice possessing the same genetic background. Therefore, these congenic mice are useful for not only infection study but also investigation of host defense mechanism to these viruses.

Pleurotus cornucopiae (PC) mushrooms are found in the field and commonly known in Japan as Tamogidake mushrooms. The present study investigated the protective effects of an aqueous extract of PC on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity and the possible mechanism involved in this protection including cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2E1. Wistar rats were pretreated with aqueous extracts of PC (0, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) orally for 8 days prior to the intraperitoneal administration of a single dose of CCl4 (0.5 ml/kg) or corn oil. Pretreatment with PC mushroom extract significantly prevented the increased serum enzyme activities of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases in a dose-dependent manner, and suppressed the expression of CYP2E1. PC mushroom extract also protected hepatocytes from the damage effects of CCl4 as remarked by histological and electromicroscopical findings. It was concluded that repeated daily doses of aqueous extracts of PC mushroom reduced the toxic effects exerted by CCl4 on the liver.

Firfty serum and fifty semen samples collected from cattle and buffalo bulls were subjected to ELISA and gB gene based PCR, respectively to detect antibodies in serum and viral DNA in the semen against BHV 1. Out of 50 bulls, 15 (30%) serum samples were detected positive by ELISA while 21 (42%) semen samples were positive by gB gene based PCR. While correlating the results of ELISA and PCR, some seronegative bulls revealed presence of viral genome in semen whereas few seropositive bulls could not reveal viral genome in semen, thus, suggesting application of combined serological assay and PCR assay to detect the presence of BHV-1 infection in bulls.

The level of antibody by ELISA,immunsosuppressive effect baes on the response of birds to Newcastle disease vaccination and damage to bursa of Fabricius by IBD vaccination were studied. The efficacy of six different IBD vaccination schedules were studied using intermediate and intermediate plus strains of vaccines either alone or in combination. In vaccinated groups, the sero-conversion of the vaccine virus was noticed during fourth week, reaching to the peak between eight to twelve weeks of age in different groups. Afterwards, there was a gradual decrease in the titres, by the end of 20th week (maximum period tested). There was no significant difference in the titres of different treatment groups. However, all the groups showed titres above protective level during the entire period of study. There was significant difference in bursa body weight (B-BW) ratios of vaccinated groups in comparison with control group. Histopathological studies of bursal sections revealed depletion of lymphoid follicles, presence of cystic spaces, edema and hemorrhages. The birds vaccinated with hot strain of IBD vaccine showed metaplastic changes, presence of foam cells with pronounced interfollicular fibrosis. The bursal scores were maximum in the groups vaccinated with hot strains of IBD vaccines.

Hyalomma ticks of either sex were collected from the apparently healthy cross-bred cattle. The ticks were dissected and their salivary glands were stained by methyl green pyronin stain for the detection of Theileria annulata sporozoite in their salivary glands. The prevalence of Theileria annulata infection in Hyalomma ticks was found to be 21.5%. No correlation was found between parasitemia of cattle and tick infection rate.

Filix-mas a homeopathic drug consisting etherieal extract of male fern is used to remove the tape worms. The drug was tested for Moniezia expensa infection in sheep. Ten sheep naturally affected Moniezia expansa were used. Filix-mas 200 (10 _ 15 drops) was given three times a day orally to animals of the group A, while the sheep group B were kept as untreated control. Efficacy of the drug was observed by calculating faecal egg count reduction. It was found that Filix-mas could cure 100% monieziosis in sheep.

The seroprevalence of Mycoplasma equigenitalium among indigenous equines was determined by an indirect ELISA. One thousand thirty nine sera samples from apparently healthy indigenous equines from seventeen States of the country were subjected to indirect ELISA. The overall seroprevalence in the country was found to be 5.96% with a range of 0% to 19.0% in different States of India (Haryana, 9.6%; Rajasthan, 7.2%; Uttaranchal, 2.0%, Karnataka, 2.3%; Punjab, 10.4%; Uttar Pradesh, 3.4%; Gujarat, 0%; Andhra Pradesh, 0%; Maharashtra, 2.9%; West Bengal, 0%; Tamil Nadu, 0%; Meghalaya, 19.0%; Jammu and Kashmir, 7.8%; Delhi, 0%; Himachal Pradesh, 5.5%; Bihar, 3.3%; Madhya Pradesh, 4.0%).

An overall prevalence of 20.07% true anoestrus and delayed puberty in cattle was recorded out of 2202 gynaecological cases presented to the clinical complex and different clinical camps held at different locations of Kashmir valley over a period of three years (2005_2008). The highest prevalence of true anoestrus in cows was recorded in the 1st parity when they attained approximately 3 years of age and during autumn season.