This study on the employment and income of fishermen in the nonmechanized fishing craft categories of Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu was carried out with the specific objectives of estimation of costs per fishing trip, seasonal employment and identification of the factors determining quantity of fish catch. The sample size was 90 fishermen respondents equally distributed among canoe, vallam and FRP boat operating villages. Descriptive analyses were used to estimate the items of costs and returns, pattern of employment and levels of net income per fishing trip for different fishing seasons. The average annual fishing days of employment was 243, 138 and 136 for canoe, vallam and FRP boat categories, respectively. The overall mean gross income per fishing trip was r. 1843.42, r.2444.77 and r. 2116.97 for canoe, vallam and FRP boat categories, respectively.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of curcumin on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant levels in DMBA (7, 12 Diemthyl Benanthracene) induced mammary carcinogenesis in rats. Twenty four Sprague-Dawley rats were equally distributed to control, DMBA, Tamoxifen (Standard drug) and curcumin groups. DMBA group showed significant (P<0.05) increase in lipid peroxidation and antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels besides reduced glutathione (GSH). Whereas, curcumin and Tamoxifen treated groups did not show any significant difference in lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status when compared to the control. Selective growth advantage of tumour cells was evident in the DMBA group and curcumin was able to prevent lipid peroxidation.

A study was conducted in buffaloes suffering with horn affections .The physiological and haematological parameters were within the normal limits in all the horn affections, but the plasma cortisol and C-reactive protein were more than the normal levels in all the horn affections for initial periods. A radiological sign like increased radio-opacity was noticed in the septic horn cases. Microscopic examination of biopsy samples of horn and skin following amputation revealed normal histology except in horn cancer where squamous cell nests and mitotic figures in the squamous cells were observed.

A trial was conducted to assess the influence of different methods of garlic supplementation on the blood profile of crossbred calves. For studying the blood profile, 18 Jersey crossbred calves of both sexes in the age group of 2-3 months were randomly allotted into three treatment groups of 6 calves in each group. Calves in the first group (T1) were supplemented with garlic powder at the dose rate of 250 mg/Kg BW for a period of 150 days in water whereas calves in the second group (T2) were supplemented with 250mg/Kg BW in concentrate feed and the third group (T3) was treated as control. The data on haemogram were collected and analysed as per standard procedures. There was no significant difference between the treatment groups in the values of either haemogram or serum biochemical parameters during experimental period.

Odontotermes formosanus termites are recognized as one of the major ecosystem engineers in tropical soils. This termite depends on intestinal microorganisms for cellulose digestion. Nine bacterial isolates from termite gut were identified using sugar fermentation and biochemical tests and confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The aerobes isolated from the termite gut were Bacillus sp., Citrobacter freundii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The facultative anaerobes isolated were Salmonella entrica, Enterococcus casseliflavus, Staphylococcus gallinarum and Serratia marcescens. DNA from these bacterial cultures was extracted for molecular identification by 16S rRNA gene amplification. The cellulolytic activities of these bacteria were assessed by congo red assay. This study revealed the presence of cellulolytic aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria in the gut of termite Odontotermes formosanus which could be manipulated for their cellulose digestion in rumen. 

A 3 months old goat kid presented to Veterinary Dispensary, Chetiyur, Salem district Tamil Nadu   with case history of ring like patches on the body complete alopecia, frequent itching with thick and scaly skin . Dermatophytes are cited among the most frequent causes of dermatological problems in domestic animals. The superficial mycoses caused by dermatophytes are called dermatophytosis- Trichophyton are usually the cause of dermatophytosis in domestic animals. Trichophyton verrucosum is the major fungal agent encountered in case of goats. Direct microscopic examination of skin scrapping with 20% KOH revealed long chains densely packed chlamydiospore found with swollen hyphae. The skin scrapping materials cultured in thiamine inositol nutrient supplement selective culture medium. Long chains of densely compacted chlamydospores present in lactophenol cotton blue staining. The goat kid recovered within a week by external antifungal and systemic antibiotic and nutritional therapy with good hygienic management.

Commercial cocktail enzymes were collected from the market and evaluated for enzyme activity. Among the enzyme preparations which is having more enzyme activity was selected for invitro evaluation by using de oiled rice bran as substrate. The results of the present study indicated that a significant (P < 0.05) and linear increase in the release of glucose and reducing sugars with the increase in the level of enzyme mixtures from 0 to 7.5 mg / 10 g of DORB.

The present study describes the cloning and expression of endoglucanase gene from termite gut bacteria. Salmonella enterica with cellulolytic activity was  isolated from the gut of the termite Odontotermes formosanus and characterized by sugar fermentation tests, biochemical tests and 16S rRNA  sequencing. Endoglucanase gene was amplified from the genomic DNA of the bacteria and the purified 1.72 Kbp Polymerase chain reaction product was cloned into pET100 prokaryotic vector. The recombinant plasmid expressed a 65kDa endoglucanase which reacted with anti His-HRP antibody in western blotting. Cellulolytic activity of the recombinant plasmid was confirmed by congo red assay and the enzyme activity was found to be 54 Units/ml.

Coagulase negative Staphylococci were considered as commensal organisms or contaminants with limited pathogenic potential. However, they are becoming more frequently associated with nosocomial infections in human and skin infections in animals. In this study, we attempted to isolate and identify the Staphylococci species that causes dermatological infections in dogs. Out of 35 isolates, 27 were identified as S.pseudintermedius and 3 as S.schleiferisubspschleiferi. Among three S.schleiferi isolates, 2 were closely related to S.schleiferi ATCC strain in pta gene sequences.  Methicillin resistant gene (mecA) was not detected in these isolates. All three isolates were susceptible to oxacillin, amikacin, gentamicin and tetracycline, intermediate susceptibility to ceftriaxone and resistant to Penicillin, ampicillin, sulphadiazine. S.schleiferi is an emerging cause of infections in veterinary patients. None of the isolate produced biofilm in microtitre tissue culture plate adherence method. This is the first report of isolation and identification of S.schleiferi from canine skin infections from India. Further studies are needed for early detection and virulence factors of S.schleiferi in the pathogenesis of pyoderma and otitis in dogs.

A study was undertaken to assess the effect of betel leaves (Piper betel Linn) extract on the physico-chemical, sensory and antioxidant properties of khoa made from cow’s milk and stored under room temperature. The physico-chemical parameters viz., pH, titratable acidity, fat, free fatty acids, sensory and antioxidant properties were evaluated periodically at an interval of 3 days upto 9 days. The  result revealed that sensory evaluation of khoa was not influenced by the presence of 0.5 per cent aqueous extract of betel leaves up to 9 days of storage period with an overall acceptability score of 6.83. The physico- chemical properties of khoa showed an increasing trend in acidity and decrease of pH as the storage period progresses. The free fatty acids levels were well within the prescribed limit because of antioxidant properties exhibited by the aqueous extract of betel leaves. From the study, it was concluded that khoa with 0.5 aqueous extract of betel leaves restricted the production of free fatty acid compared to control due to antioxidant property of betel leaves.