Influenza viruses are potent pathologic agents that cause lethal respiratory disease worldwide. The nonstructural protein (NS1) protein of the influenza virus plays a vital role in the virus replication by the evasion of host innate immune system. NS1 protein was found to be conserved functionally in both Influenza A and B viruses. Recent studies revealed that the NS 1 protein of influenza A and B viruses binds to TRIM 25 ubiquitin ligase that is needed for the post-translation modification of the RIG-I and thereby prevents the interferon signaling cascade. Protacs are the bifunctional molecules that bind to the target protein and an ubiquitin ligase, enabling ubiquitination and destruction of the target protein through the Ubiquitin-Proteasome system. In this minireview, based on earlier studies we propose novel molecules designed to target NS1 protein in order to elicit an interferon response and NEDD4 ligase to prevent the degradation of interferon (IFN)-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3).

A biological trial was conducted with “TANUVAS Namakkal gold Japanese quail” to determine the optimum level of energy and lysine requirement on the production performance during the chick and grower phase. Seven hundred and twenty, straight-run, day-old chicks were randomly grouped in nine treatments with four replicates of twenty chicks each. Three levels of energy (2800, 2900 and 3000 kcal/kg) and three levels of lysine (1.2, 1.3 and 1.4%) were used in a 3 x 3 factorial design. Low energy (2800 kcal/kg) had significant (P<0.01) influence on the body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio in the chick and grower phase. High (1.4%) lysine had significant (P<0.01) influence on the body weight, body weight gain in the chick phase. Low and medium lysine (1.2 and 1.3%) groups had significantly (P<0.05) better weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Low and high (1.2 and 1.4%) lysine levels recorded significantly (P<0.01) higher feed consumption during the grower phase.

A rare incidence of persistent hymen in a pregnant crossbred heifer is reported. Gynaeco-clinical and ultrasonographic examination of crossbred heifer brought with a history of straining and vaginal prolapse revealed presence of imperforate hymen with accumulated mucopurulent secretion. Circumferential resection of the hymen was performed by applying Foley’s catheter retraction. Seven days post-surgery, animal was diagnosed to be pregnant for about 30 days. Based on the circumstantial observations the case might be considered as imperforate hymen with hydrocolpos.

A study on effect of supplementary feeding of creep feed in Pattanam sheep lambs was conducted in its breeding tract of Tamil Nadu, India. Total number of 90 Pattanam sheep lambs at the age of one month were selected in the farmers flock and divided into three groups each comprising of 30 lambs, assigned to the following treatments and reared upto three months. In T-1 (control) 30 lambs were maintained by routine feeding management by farmers, in T-2 30 lambs were fed with concentrate supplementation at the rate of 50 gms per lamb per day along with routine feeding management by farmers and in T-3 30 lambs were reared by concentrate feeding at the rate of 50 gms per lamb per day with mineral supplementation through salt lick block along with routine feeding management by farmers. Fortnightly body weight (kg) and average daily gain (gms) was recorded to assess the influence of supplementation on growth rate of lambs in farmers flock. At start of the trial the overall body weight of lambs was 8.45 ± 0.91 which was non-significant. Fortnightly body weight was 9.78 ± 2.21, 10.98 ± 1.54, 11.77± 1.73 and 12.09 ± 1.73 in first, second, third and fourth fortnights respectively. Between groups significant difference (P< 0.05) in body weight gain was observed in first fortnight and highly significant difference (P< 0.01) was observed during subsequent fortnight. Average daily gain (g) was recorded as 88.67, 80.00, 52.67 and 26.00 during first, second, third and fourth fortnight, respectively. It can be observed that the lambs under T3 had superior ADG followed by the lambs under T2 and T1.

Immunochemical localization of antigenic fractions of ovine bladder worms viz., hydatid cyst, Coenurus cerebralis and Cysticercus tenuicollis is important to identify cross reactive as well as specific proteins. SDS PAGE and western blot technique were carried out to analyze various portions of three ovine bladderworms and to identify the specific protein of cystic echinococcosis. SDS PAGE analysis of fluid antigens revealed 9,6 and 9 bands for hydatid cyst(HCFA),Coenurus cerebralis(CCFA)and Cysticercus tenuicollis(CTFA) respectively and 24, 38 and 68 kDa protein bands were common in HCFA and CCFA. The common protein band between HCFA and CTFA was identified as 28kDa.24 kDa protein which was common between CCFA and CTFA. Scolex antigen revealed 3,6 and 9 bands respectively for HPSA, CCSA and CTSA. The common protein bands between HPSA and CTSA were 29, 72 and 98 kDa. Protein bands 12, 42,98 and 112 kDa were common between CCSA and CTSA. Membrane antigen revealed 4, 4 and 6 bands respectively for HGMA, CCMA and CTMA. The common protein band between CCMA and CTMA was 16kDa only. Western blot analysis revealed that the low molecular weight protein 8 kDa from HCFA was specific for cystic echinococcosis. Cross reaction was noticed between HPSA and CTMA as well as between HGMA and CTMA..

Growing health consciousness and awareness of healthy nutrition have increased consumer demand for dairy products. The present study was carried out to assess the consumer preference for different dairy products available at University retail outlets in Chennai city. 100 respondents who bought dairy products were chosen using systematic random sampling procedure from each University retail outlet in Chennai city viz., (i) Urban Chennai (Madras Veterinary College, Vepery) and (ii) Rural Chennai (College of Food and Dairy Technology, Koduvalli). A survey method was adopted for the collection of primary data from consumers with the help of well-structured and pre tested interview schedule. Majority of the respondents (76.0%) preferred pasteurized raw milk sold at university retail outlet due to its freshness and quality. Overall, majority of the respondents preferred khoa (86.0%) followed by ghee (80.0%), ice cream (75.0%), flavoured milk (72.5%), paneer (63.0%), butter milk (55.5%) and chocobar (39.0%). Overall, product safety and taste were considered as the most important reason for buying dairy products at university retail outlets. Overall, attitude of staff and shopping environment were the least important reason for buying dairy products at university retail outlets. University outlets were ranked third in consumer preference for source of dairy products after supermarket and specialized outlets. Majority of them were purchasing fluid milk and chocobar occasionally whereas majority of the respondents purchase flavoured milk, butter milk and ice cream daily as they are refreshment products. Hence, whenever the product is available, consumers are ready to take which indirectly indicates that there is always demand for the dairy products of University. This imparts the need to enhance the production of quality and variety dairy products.

An experiment was conducted by feeding diets with different levels of energy (2850, 2950 and 3050 kcal/kg in pre-starter diet, 2950, 3050 and 3150 kcal/kg in starter diet and 3050, 3150 and 3250 kcal/kg in finisher diet) and protein (21.5, 22.5 and 23.5% in pre-starter diet, 20.5, 21.5 and 22.5% in starter diet and 19, 20 and 21% in finisher diet) to commercial broilers for a period of five weeksto assess the muscle protein content in environmentally controlled and open sided housing system. The interaction between feeding different levels of energy and protein and housing system revealed no significant influence on breast and thigh muscle protein level in broilers.

A five-year old full-term pregnant Holstein-Friesian crossbred cow with the history of straining for the past 12 hours was presented to the Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital. Based on the clinical examinations, the case was diagnosed as dystocia due to foetal ascites. Successful per-vaginal delivery of foetal anomaly calf with spinal dysraphism was reported in this communication.

The modified Apgar score for puppies was evolved based on the reference range of heart rate, respiration, irritability reflex, motility and membrane mucous colour according to the physiology of canine neonate. A total of 100 puppies born to the bitches that underwent Spontaneous Whelping (SW), Assisted Whelping (AW) and Caesarean section (CS) were selected and were divided into III groups viz. SW (n=30), AW (n=35) and CS (n=35).A modified Apgar score model was used to assess neonatal viability of the puppies. Among the total 100 pups evaluated 36, 13 and 51 pups were having Apgar scores of 0 to 4, 5 to 9 and 10 to 14, respectively. Out of 36 pups having Apgar scores of 0 to 4 at birth, 5.56, 19.44 and 75.00 per cent of pups were born through SW, AW and CS, respectively. Among 13 pups born with Apgar scores of 5 to 9 at birth, 0, 38.46 and 61.54 per cent of pups were born through SW, AW and CS, respectively. Out of 51 pups with Apgar scores of 10 to 14 at birth, 54.90, 45.10 and 0 per cent of pups were born through SW, AW and CS, respectively. Among the viable pups at birth, the pups born through CS were having low and medium Apgar scores of 0 to 4 and 5 to 9, respectively. All the pups delivered through SW had highest Apgar scores at birth while the pups delivered through AW had shown Apgar scores between 5 to 9 and 10 to 14.

The objective of the present study was to assess changes in biochemical and mineral parameters during prepartum and postpartum period in Murrah buffaloes. Eight healthy pregnant Murrah buffaloes of four to six years of age were randomly selected for the study. Same animals were used as self control and divided in to two groups, G I: pre-partum (n=8) and G II: post-partum (n=8). Whole blood was collected one week before and one week after calving by venipuncture. Plasma was separated and used for estimation of biochemical and mineral parameters. Significant differences between groups were analyzed using paired t-test. The total protein, albumin, globulins, cholesterol, calcium and phosphorous levels were significantly (P<0.05) lower during post-partum compared to pre-partum period. No significant difference (P>0.05) between pre-partum and post-partum was noticed with respect to BUN and creatinine concentration. Significantly lower levels of protein profile, cholesterol, calcium and phosphorus is indicative of negative energy balance and susceptibility of dam to metabolic diseases. Thus, ameliorative nutritional strategies might be adapted to optimize animal health and production.