Research Perspective on Biological Science Vol. 5

Managing Bovine Mastitis: Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

Alejandro Córdova Izquierdo — 2025-06-25

Mastitis is the most frequent and expensive disease in the Animal Production Units (UPAS-Animal Production Units) of dairy cattle, due to its serious consequences on economic losses in the quantity and quality of milk produced. Its cause is directly related to aspects of well-being, health and hygiene and sanitation of the high milk-producing animals. The study aimed to discuss the diagnosis, treatment and prevention strategies for managing Bovine mastitis. In terms of diagnosis, the clinical determination of mastitis in the UPAS of dairy cattle is based mainly on the preparation, training and experience of the actors in the dairy activity (veterinarians, herdsmen and workers). For the prevention of mastitis, it is vitally important to keep the udder health of each and every one of the cows that are in production in the UPA, in which the participation of the veterinarians in the training of the personnel (cattle ranchers and Workers) is of paramount importance. Its benefit is directly related to the quality of the work during milking and, as a consequence, with lower cases of mastitis in the UPAS, both clinical and subclinical. In the treatment of bovine mastitis, it should be standardised and specific based on the general health status of cows, such as fever, colour and physical appearance of milk (texture). It is essential to avoid having many types of antimicrobial treatments. Clinical cases of bovine mastitis should be treated as quickly as possible, especially in acute and subacute acute and acute clinical cases. Hence, in this work, the significant aspects to consider in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of bovine mastitis, considering the use of antimicrobials and other measures of vital importance essential for its prevention in UPAS dairy cattle operations, have been discussed.

Ecological Trends and Management Approaches for Pear Psylla Cacopsylla pyricola Foerster (Hemiptera, Psyllidae) in Kashmir, India

Kusum — 2025-06-25

Pear (Pyrus communis), a commercially important fruit crop, is widely cultivated across temperate regions of India, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, India. Since prehistoric times, pear has been utilized as food, making them the second most significant fruit in the temperate region. Among its key pests, Pear Psylla (Cacopsylla pyricola Foerster) has emerged as a serious threat, causing considerable damage by stunting tree growth, reducing fruit size, and inducing premature leaf drop. This study assessed the impact of various abiotic factors—namely temperature, humidity, and rainfall—on the seasonal incidence and population dynamics of Pear Psylla across four locations in the Baramulla and Srinagar districts of Kashmir. Regular monitoring of pest populations alongside meteorological observations revealed a positive correlation between psylla abundance and both maximum and minimum temperatures, whereas rainfall and maximum relative humidity exhibited a negative correlation. Regression analysis indicated that these climatic variables collectively explained up to 95% of the variation in psylla populations. Among the insecticides tested, cyantraniliprole 10.26% OD demonstrated the highest efficacy (92.74%), followed closely by acetamiprid 20% SP (90.87%). The findings suggest that the optimal temperature range for psylla development lies between 27°C and 29°C, underlining the significant influence of weather conditions on pest population dynamics. These insights can inform the development of timely and effective integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for Pear Psylla. IPM is often recognised as a pest management program that incorporates multiple techniques including cultural, biological, physical and chemical controls to limit risks to human and ecosystem health.

Evaluation of the In-vitro Antioxidant Activity and In-vivo Anti-Wrinkle Activities of Combined Lavandula angustifolia and Nerium oleander on Laboratory Mice

K. V. Naga Lakshmi — 2025-06-25

The current study investigates the in vitro antioxidant activity and in vivo anti-wrinkle effects of a combined ethanolic leaf extract of Lavandula angustifolia and Nerium oleander on laboratory mice. Antioxidant potential was evaluated using assays such as the hydrogen peroxide scavenging method. The combined extract IC50 value was found to be 17.96±2 which is comparable to standard Ascorbic acid (19.95±2). The in vivo anti-wrinkle activity was assessed by topically applying the extract to the UV-exposed skin of laboratory mice over a specified period. Key indicators such as wrinkle reduction and improvements in skin appearance were monitored and the results were tabulated in Table 13. The results demonstrated that the combined leaf extract exhibited significant antioxidant activity, suggesting its potential to mitigate oxidative stress. Furthermore, the in vivo application significantly improved skin parameters, confirming its efficacy in reducing wrinkle formation. These findings highlight the potential use of this plant-based formulation in cosmetic and therapeutic applications for skin health.

The Mutagenic and Carcinogenic Effects of Plant Products

Sudipta Chowdhury — 2025-06-25

Plant product toxicity or herbal toxicity is a field that has rapidly grown worldwide over the last few years, along with increased use of plant products. The aim of this study is to discuss the mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of some plant products. This chapter mainly focuses on the plants that are accepted as healthy; however, they contain genotoxic and carcinogenic compounds. This chapter discussed the commonly used herbal foods and medications that are carcinogenic. Moreover, the risks and hazards of some plants were discussed, and thorough studies were conducted.

Herbs, seeds, leaves or plant products are widely used as food, medicines, and even some people become addicted to betel nut chewing, pan masala, tobacco products, particularly cigarettes, etc., but sometimes may cause adverse effects in the body. These products induce various diseases, illnesses and even cancer. Therefore, using herbal products or medicines does not ensure their complete safety. These plant products or extracts are known to contain chemical components identified as significant genotoxic mutagens and carcinogens. Sometimes, these genotoxic agents are transformed or metabolised into procarcinogens and carcinogens. For example, fungal toxin aflatoxin is metabolised into a poisonous carcinogen that can cause the mutation of the p53 gene, and finally, hepatocellular carcinoma is induced. Contradictory results are often obtained with the beneficial and adverse effects of plant products as reported. The researchers should conduct further studies to assess the toxicity of plant products and their interactive effects on cancer risk. The government should take the initiative to inspire researchers to conduct extensive research in this field and to educate the general public about the need to restrict the excessive use of these products.

Exploring the Potential of Moringa oleifera and Andrographis paniculata Leaves as Natural Growth Promoters in Broilers

Muhammad Halim Natsir — 2025-06-25

The broiler industry is presently experiencing a significant transformation, prompted by the global demand for antibiotic-free animal products and the prohibition of antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs). This chapter examines the potential of Moringa oleifera and Andrographis paniculata as natural feed additives to address challenges related to productivity and health in broiler chickens. Recent research indicates that the bioactive compounds in these plants, including flavonoids, polyphenols, and andrographolides, have been demonstrated to enhance gut health and microbial populations. Notably, they reduce Escherichia coli and Salmonella counts while increasing lactic acid bacteria. Phytochemicals also contribute to improved feed efficiency and weight gain. Experimental evidence suggests that supplementation with the nano-liquid extract at a concentration of 0.75% is highly effective in optimizing growth performance, feed conversion ratio, production index, and income over feed cost (IOFC). The incorporation of Moringa oleifera and Andrographis paniculata into broiler nutrition represents a viable, sustainable, and health-conscious alternative to synthetic feed additives, thereby supporting animal welfare and consumer safety.

A Review on the Mechanisms Underlying Antihypertensive and Anti-obesity Effects of Eucommia Leaf Extract between Rodents and Humans

Sansei Nishibe — 2025-06-25

Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 20 m in height. The bark of the tree has been listed in the Chinese pharmaceutical book “Shennong Ben Cao Jing” since 300 AD. In the 1970s, Eucommia leaf tea, known as Tochu-cha in Japanese, was developed from roasted Eucommia leaves in Japan and is considered as a healthy tea. The antihypertensive, diuretic, anti-stress, insulin resistance improvement and anti-obesity effects of Eucommia leaf extract have been reported. However, the identification and properties of the active components as well as the underlying mechanism of action are largely unknown. This review summarizes studies involving the oral administration of geniposidic acid, a major iridoid component of Eucommia leaf extract which increases plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on the atria of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) by activating the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R). Changes in the gut microbiota play an important role in the efficacy of asperuloside, another component of the Eucommia leaf extract, which improves obesity and related sequelae, such as insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in rodents and humans. In addition, it was shown that ANP secretion by geniposidic acid also shows an anti-obesity effect with improvement of insulin resistance in rodents. This review focuses on the mechanisms underlying the antihypertensive and anti-obesity effects of the Eucommia leaf extract and summarizes the differences of mechanisms in their effects on rodents and humans. This review discussed the potential benefits of Eucommia leaf extract, geniposidic acid, and asperuloside in managing metabolic disorders, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes in rodent models. However, to demonstrate these effects in the case of humans, a combination of a potent cAMP-PDE (cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate-Phosphodiesterase) inhibitor with Eucommia leaf extract may be necessary, which requires further human clinical evaluation in the future.

Sourcing and Comparative Study on Proximate and Characterisation of Chitin and Chitosan from the Biomass of Nigerian Shrimp and Crab Shells and Conversion to Glucosamine

Akpuaka M U — 2025-06-25

The most important biopolysaccharides for biochemical industries are chitin and chitosan. These chemical entities are nitrogenous polysaccharide polymers containing 2-acetamido-2-deoxyglucoside units. These products are useful in engineering, medicine, agriculture and other industrial uses. Over the past few years, these compounds have garnered significant recognition for their numerous potential applications in cutting-edge pharmaceutical research.

Glucosamine is a known drug for treating musculoskeletal problems and has been obtained from a set of amino polysaccharides. Despite their broad applicability, there is limited information in the Nigerian context regarding their extraction and utilisation from local sources.

The present study was aimed at isolation of chitin and chitosan from shrimp and crab wastes by chemical methods involving deproteinization, demineralisation at 1M concentration of HCl and NaOH depigmentation, filtration and Deacetylation with 50% NaOH at 100°C, where necessary. These were simultaneously converted to glucosamine by acid hydrolysis using 37% HCl for 1 hour. The yield of chitin was 17% for shrimp and 28.00% for crab. Deacetylation of chitin using 50% NaOH at 100^oC resulted in 56% chitosan from shrimp and 71.10% from crab. The proximate analysis of chitin isolated gave rise to the following result: moisture 2.9%, ash 4.54%, lipids 2.1% and protein 3.3% for shrimp and moisture 4.03, ash 1.97%, lipid 1.73%, and protein 2.90% for Crab. These compounds were characterised using FTIR. In the infra-red spectrum, the shrimp chitin indicated an amide (I) band at 1614cm^-1, while crab chitin indicated an amide (1) band at 1629 cm^-1whereas chitosan and glucosamine showed no amide band but hydroxyl and amino groups between the ranges of 3110-3595 cm^-1 while crab showed absorption at 3565-3015cm^-1. The results of these analyses, including the proximate analysis, compared well with literature values. There is a paucity of information in the literature about this type of study in Nigeria. This study has created awareness that these biomaterials from crustacean sources from Nigeria are technologically useful for conversion into useful products that can be used in Engineering, Medicine, Agriculture and other industrial products. This work provides a route for controlling pollution threats caused by fishing and canning sites. This is a case of creating Wealth from Waste.

The vnd/NK-2 Gene in Drosophila melanogaster: Impacts of Small Molecular Changes on Development and Genetic Stability

Kae-Jung Hwang — 2025-06-25

Any change (i.e., a mutation) in the DNA sequence of any gene might result in significant cellular alterations, thereby damaging the corresponding organism and giving rise to a genetic defect. The knowledge on the NK-2 class of homeobox-containing genes and their encoded proteins was summarised. These genes are characterised by the presence of a 180-base-pair segment of DNA called the homeobox. The corresponding 60 amino acid residue fragment of the encoded protein is called the homeodomain. The NK-2 class of homeobox genes is defined by the encoding of tyrosine in position 54 of the homeodomain, which is responsible for the recognition of the unusual 5’ – CAAGTG – 3’ core consensus DNA sequence. The structural results on the NK-2 homeodomains both in the free and DNA-bound states, thermodynamic properties and CAT assays of the wild type and selected single amino acid residue replacements were reviewed. The review began by describing the structural, thermodynamic and binding experiments that were performed both on wild-type and mutant encoded proteins from these genes. These biophysical measurements with functional studies are designed to tell how any structural or thermodynamic changes that are observed might influence the ability of these genes or gene products to function properly. The study demonstrated that a tyrosine to methionine mutation in the vnd/NK-2 homeodomain and a mutation from tyrosine to cysteine in the highly homologous human cardiac CSX/NKX-2.5 homeodomain do not alter the structures of their respective homeodomain-DNA complexes. The transgenic data on a mutant gene that encodes for methionine in vnd/NK-2, a CNS gene, is lethal. Both the tyrosine to cysteine mutant in position 54 of the CSX/NKX-2.5 homeodomain that arises from a missense UAC to UGC mRNA codon change and a synonymous tyrosine to tyrosine change in position 14 from the rare UAU to the common UAC mRNA codon, also in the CSX/NKX-2.5 homeodomain, result in serious congenital heart defects. The potential roles of the mRNA in vnd/NK-2 were investigated by carrying out preliminary transient transfection assays using RNA Affymetrix chip assay data to show that the altered mRNAs do not properly repress known downstream target genes. The study suggested that alterations in the mRNA, as well as changes in individual amino acid residues in a protein, apparently can act as etiological agents to generate phenotypic alterations or genetic diseases in humans. A detailed molecular explanation for these observations remains elusive, although the information available on synonymous mutations does indicate an important role associated with changes in the mRNA that requires further investigation.

Comparative Study of Commercial Vaccines' Efficacy against Mannheimia haemolytica in a Mouse Model

Waffa A. Ahmed — 2025-06-25

Mannheimia haemolytica together with Pasteurella multocida represents a major bacterial causative agent of buffalo, cattle, sheep and goat respiratory diseases, and it's one of the most important causes for economic losses to these animals. Vaccination has proven to be the most cost-effective strategy for controlling a wide range of infectious diseases. The cross-protection between Pasteurella species has been demonstrated. Commercially available vaccines were used to prevent infections caused by P. multocida and M. haemolytica. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the cross-protection efficacy of two vaccines to protect mice against M. haemolytica, studying humoral immunity, using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), and conducting a challenge test. Forty-five mice were divided into three equal groups; group one and two were inoculated 4μl subcutaneously JOVAPAST^® and 1μl of Al-kindi vaccines, respectively, while the third group (control group) was inoculated with 0.5 ml PBS. Lethal Dose 50 (LD50) for M. haemolytica was estimated as 2× 10⁶ cfu/ml, and a challenge test was conducted by dropping 0.05 ml 2× 10⁶ cfu/ml intranasally after three weeks of immunisation for the three groups. The results of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay showed a significant increase of antibody titers at (P<0.01) in groups 1 and 2 after first- and second-post immunisation, in comparison with the control group. Also, the re-isolation of M. haemolytica from lung tissue of all groups, after the challenge test, was positive with a significant difference between the control and immunised group. The control group was 4× 10⁸ cfu ∕ml, which was higher than the immunised group one and group two, which were 2.5×10⁴ cfu∕ml and 3,5×10⁵ cfu∕ml, respectively, after 24 hours of intranasal infection. In conclusion, the two commercial vaccines showed good cross-protection efficacy against M. haemolytica, but the JOVAPAST^® vaccine showed higher efficacy than the Alkindi vaccine, as it contains two heterologous inactivated strains and provides the basis for the production of a vaccine from the two pathogen of local strains is recommended.