Background: The global rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a serious threat to public health, emphasizing the urgent need for accurate, rapid and efficient detection methods. Conventional approaches for detecting AMR genes typically involve bacterial isolation followed by DNA extraction-procedures that are time-consuming, involve multiple steps and are not well-suited for routine screening. This study aimed to optimize a direct PCR method for the detection of AMR genes and to apply the standardized protocol for screening these genes in various sample types. 
 
Methods: A total of 150 samples (50 samples from each category) were collected from Chennai district, Tamil Nadu, India. The bacteria was isolated following standard protocols, DNA was extracted and PCR amplication was done to detect the presence of AMR genes. In the Direct PCR Master, PCR amplification was done directly from samples without the need for prior DNA extraction.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Escherichia coli was most prevalent in cloacal samples, followed by chicken meat and water, whereas Staphylococcus aureus was predominantly found in chicken meat, followed by water and cloacal samples. Regardless of the source, the genes tetA, sul1 and blaOXA-1 were consistently detected in E. coli, while tetA, sul1 and qnrA were most prevalent in S. aureus isolates. When comparing conventional culture dependent method with the direct PCR method, the latter showed a high concordance rate (&gt;76%) with the culture-dependent method, demonstrating strong sensitivity and specificity for most target genes. Additionally, the direct PCR approach offers several advantages, including reduced risk of contamination, a simplified workflow and shorter turnaround times. These benefits make it a promising alternative for rapid detection of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, especially in resource-limited settings or during outbreak situations.

Rapid Detection of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Genes by Direct PCR Method: A Comparative Study with Culture-dependent Method

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<div>Background: The current study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical efficacy of supracondylar plate for repair of distal femoral fractures in dog. The distal extremity of femur is the greatest weight bearing area, supracondylar plate is an orthopaedic plate system that is pre-contoured to the complex shape of the lateral surface of the canine distal femur. 
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Methods: The study was conducted on six dogs presented with femur fracture to the Department of Surgery and Radiology, CVSc., Hyderabad over a period of 6 months (2020-21). Diagnosis based on the clinical signs, orthopaedic examination and radiography. Three fractures in right hind limb and three in the left limb. In dogs weighing less than 10 kg (N=3) were stabilized using 2.7 mm&nbsp;supracondylar plate while in dogs weighing more than 10 kg (N=3), 3.5 mm supracondylar plates were used. Right supracondylar plates of 2.7 mm were used in one dog while left supracondylar plates of 2.7 mm were used in two dogs. Similarly, right supracondylar plates of 3.5 mm were used in two dogs and left supracondylar plate of 3.5 mm in one dog. All the three right were 8 H while two left were 8 H and one was 6 holed. All the dogs showed partial weight bearing from 1st post-operative day. Lameness grading on pre-operatively showed grade V. Post-operatively, five dogs progressed to grade I lameness on 60th post-operative day and one dog to grade III lameness by the end of 60th post-operative day and later progressed to grade I by 120th post-operative day. The mean lameness pre-operatively and on 1st day, 15th day, 30th day, 60th day post- operatively were found to be 5.00&plusmn;0.00, 4.00&plusmn;0.00, 2.00&plusmn;0.25, 1.66&plusmn;0.33, 1.3&plusmn;0.30 and 1.00&plusmn;0.00 respectively. Radiographs obtained on the 60th post-operative day revealed dense callus of reduced size; fracture line barely visible with corticomedullary remodelling. The radiographs obtained on the 90th post-operative day clearly shows complete formation of bone with distinct cortex and medulla. Primary bone healing with minimal callus formation was recorded in case 5. 
 
Result: The supracondylar plate was successfully used in the treatment of distal femur fractures in dogs. Its configuration permitted early return to function of dogs affected with distal femur fractures.</div>
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A Clinical Study on the Use of Supracondylar Plate in the Treatment of Distal Femoral Fractures in Dogs

<div>Background: Artificial Insemination (AI) has been well established to obtain better fertility than natural mating. Semen extension and preservation play a major role in AI technique. The concentrated nature of chicken semen entails dilution of semen for easy handling and storage. With the availability of a wide range of extenders, exploring various extenders and dilution rates supplement the reproductive efficiency achieved through modern AI techniques. 
 
Methods: Pooled semen samples obtained from twenty White Leghorn breeder males were split equally into three portions, each for CARI poultry semen diluent, EK extender and Tselutin extender. At 1:2 dilution rate, the samples were subjected to sperm motility analysis from 0 to 96 h and AI was targeted at 0 and 24 h of semen collection. Fertility was assessed by candling of eggs collected from 2 to 8 days post insemination at 9th day of incubation. Further investigation of different dilution rates (1:2, 1:4, 1:6, 1:8, 1:10, 1:12, 1:14, 1:16, 1:18, 1:20) on fertility of fresh semen was done using the superior diluent. 
 
Result: Upon analysis, sperm motility showed no significant difference among the diluents at 0 h storage while CARI poultry semen diluent showed superior motility (%) at the subsequent storage periods, followed by EK and Tselutin extender. Higher fertility (p&lt;0.05) was expressed in the diluents of CARI and EK at 0 h storage, whereas CARI poultry semen diluent showed superior fertility pattern (p&lt;0.05) followed by EK and least by Tselutin extender at 24 h semen storage. Further investigation of different dilution rates using CARI diluent, exhibited fertility (p&lt;0.05) of 90% and higher at 1:2 and 1:4 dilutions, followed by 1:6 and 1:8 at 2 to 6 days of fertile period.</div>

<div>Efficiency of Different Diluents and Dilution Rates on the Fertilization Potential of Chicken Spermatozoa</div>

Background: The study aimed to determine how different smoking methods and levels of fat content affect the generation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in smoked buffalo meat sausages. 
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Methods: The treatments included conventional smoking at 60oC for 40 minutes (T1A), 3% diluted liquid smoke (T1B), and 7% diluted liquid smoke (T1C). The fat percentage in the sausages was substituted with inulin as a fat replacer in the successive treatments (T2A, T2B, T2C, T3A, T3B, T3C). Nine PAH compounds were analysed: Fluoranthene, chrysene, benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(b) fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(ghi)perylene, and dibenzo(a,h)anthracene. 
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Result: Out of the nine PAHs, fluoranthene and chrysene were identified in the examined treated samples of PAHs. No substantial variance was noted regarding fat levels or smoking methods. The chrysene concentrations varied between 32.27 and 38.37 &micro;g/kg, while fluoranthene levels fluctuated from 15.10 to 53.47 &micro;g/kg. All treated samples were free of benzo(a)pyrene, which is considered the most potent carcinogen. 
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Effect of Different Smoking Methods and Levels of Fat on the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAHs) in Buffalo Meat Sausages

<div style="text-align: justify;">An experiment was conducted during 2014-2015 to standardize the seed testing method in Kabuli chickpea MNK-1 by number of seeds and number of germination papers. Among the different testing methods 25 seeds per replication recorded highest seed germination percentage (91.58%), less number of fresh un-germinated seeds (1.91%), abnormal seedlings (4.00%), diseased seeds (2.33%) and significantly higher seedling vigour index-I and II (2215 and 6863), among the number of germination papers used 2+1 &nbsp;as in between paper method(Bottom 2 and one paper above) recorded significantly higher germination percentage (92.12%), less number of fresh un-germinated seeds (1.41%), abnormal seedlings (3.66%), diseased seeds (2.33%) and significantly higher seedling vigour index-I and II (2463 and 6900), when compared to other. Irrespective of number of germination paper and seeds used however, interaction of 25 seeds per replication and 2+1 between paper method of seed germination testing showed significantly germination percentage (96.50%), less number of fresh un-germinated seeds (0.00%), abnormal seedlings (1.00%), diseased seeds (1.00%) and significantly higher seedling vigour index-I and II (2844 and 7792) followed by 50 seeds per replication.&nbsp;</div>

An improved method of seed germination testing in Kabuli chickpea

<div style="text-align: justify;">Black Soybean is highly nutritious legume of Uttarakhand but its hard seed coat reduces the nutrient availability to consumer. Attempt was made in this experiment to study effect of processing method on proximate composition of black soybean. Four Kilograms of black soybean was taken and subjected to three different processing methods like germination, roasting and cow urine treatment while one group was taken as control. Results indicated highly significant (Pd&rdquo;0.01) differences in dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, ash and crude fibre content of black soybean among different groups compared to control. All processing methods were effective in improving nutritional value of black soybean thereby increasing its utilization in foods and food formulations.</div>

Effect of processing method on nutritional quality of black soybean

Background: Direct wet seeding offers the advantage of faster and easier sowing, reduced labour and less drudgery, 7-10 days earlier crop maturity, more efficient water use and higher tolerance to water deficit, less methane emission, and often higher profit in areas with assured water supply. There is a possibility of intercropping green manures during early growth stage of rice with less interference on the crop growth, which also smothering the weed growth to enhance the productivity of wet direct seeded rice. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted during Kharif, 2019 and 2020 at the Department of Rice, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, to study the time of sowing and method of sowing under wet direct seeded rice. The experimental trial was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Treatments comprising of time of sowing in main plot viz., normal sowing time in first fortnight of July and delayed sowing time in second fortnight of July. In sub-plot, method of sowing viz., broadcasting method, line sowing method, paddy drum seeder method, paddy + dhaincha drum seeder method and direct planting method.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results revealed that, sowing of wet direct seeded rice during first fortnight of July month by using Paddy + Dhaincha drum seeder method recorded higher grain yield of 5707 kg/ha which resulted 33 per cent higher yield than that of broadcasting method.

Effect of Time and Method of Sowing in Wet Direct Seeded Rice

<div>Harvesting methods adopted for paddy crop are largely dependent on the land size of the farmers. Mechanized methods are completely implemented by the farmers of medium and large categories. On the other hand, the marginal and small farmers are struggling between manual and mechanized methods because of unavailability of implements that can suit to their land size an economic level. Cutting and threshing operations are performed separately which are responsible for more input cost and grain loss. Various methods of harvesting were studied and the loss of grain associated with the methods is emphasized. In manual method, before threshing, the cutting, collecting, bundling and transportation operation requires which consumes time, energy and cost and increase the grain loss significantly. In mechanized methods, the time, energy and input cost can be minimized. The manual crop cutting requires about 8 to 12 and 25 to 45 times, respectively, more man-hours per hectare compared to rotary blade cutter and vertical conveyor reaper. The field capacity of manual harvesting methods is 4 to 10 times less than the mechanized methods.</div>

Harvesting and Threshing Methods for Paddy-I: A Review

Background: Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is a specific disease causing agent of Crohn&rsquo;s disease (CD) and Johne&rsquo;s disease (JD) both in humans and animals respectively. Preliminary studies reveal high bio-incidence of MAP in domestic available unpasteurized milk as well as in commercially available pasteurized milk products. 
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Methods: A total of 46 samples of milk and milk products (butter, milk powder, icecream, flavored lassi, dahi/flavored dahi) were collected from local markets of Mathura, Vrindavan and from canteen in GLA University, Mathura campus. These samples were screened using various diagnostic methods including Ziehl-Neelsen staining (acid fast staining), IS900 PCR, Dot ELISA and Plate ELISA for the presence of MAP. 
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Result: Out of 46 samples tested, 3, 16 and 37 samples showed the positive results for MAP in Polymerase chain reaction, Microscopy and plate ELISA assay tests respectively. Out of 10 samples screened by means of dot ELISA, 2 were positive for MAP infection. The prime objective of this study was to reconfirm the bioincidence of MAP in commercially sold milk and milk products in Brij region and to establish the fact that MAP is not inactivated through pasteurization.&nbsp; 
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Load of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in Commercial Milk and Milk Products Supplied in Braj Region using Different Diagnostic Methods

<div>Background: The present investigation is an attempt to study the effect of different harvesting and threshing methods on germination and seedling vigour of dhaincha. The use of a combine harvester to harvest dhaincha will be an effective alternative method that has not been widely tried. However, work on different methods of harvesting and threshing of dhaincha is limited. Hence, a study was conducted to evaluate the impact of various harvesting and threshing methods on germination and seedling vigour of dhaincha. 
 
Methods: This study was conducted at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, TNAU, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. The dhaincha crop was harvested and threshed using four different methods viz., manual harvesting and manual threshing, manual harvesting and threshing by tractor treading, manual harvesting and mechanical threshing&nbsp;and harvesting and threshing by combine harvester. The resultant seeds were tested for mechanical damage and germination potential. The experiment was laid in completely randomized block design. Germination was tested by roll towel method using 100 seeds in four replications. Germination percentage, root and shoot length were measured in seven days after sowing from ten randomly selected seedlings in each replication. For the estimation of dry matter production, ten seedlings were selected at random and kept in a hot air oven maintained at 85oC for 24 hours after measuring their root and shoot length and vigour index was calculated. Mechanical damage to seeds was observed by ferric chloride test. Seed recovery per cent was calculated based on the 100 kgs of dhaincha seeds were cleaned and graded treatment wise using cleaner cum grader and the seeds retained on the bottom sieve were weighed and expressed as per cent of total quantity of seed. 
 
Result: The results revealed that the significant difference was found among the different harvesting and threshing methods. The seeds harvested and threshed by manual method recorded 85 per cent germination followed by seeds harvested manually and threshed by mechanical threshing (84 per cent) and seeds harvested manually and threshed by tractor treading (80.5 per cent). The lowest germination of 80.0 per cent was recorded by combine harvesting. From this study, it could be inferred that combine harvester is a modern method for harvesting of dhaincha that saves time and labour when compared to all other methods.</div>