Journal articles on the topic 'B feed down'
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An, Xuejiao, Shengwei Zhang, Taotao Li, Nana Chen, Xia Wang, Baojun Zhang, and Youji Ma. "Transcriptomics analysis reveals the effect of Broussonetia papyrifera L. fermented feed on meat quality traits in fattening lamb." PeerJ 9 (April 27, 2021): e11295. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11295.
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To date, utilization of feed grains is increasing, which competes for human food. It is imperative to develop and utilize unconventional feed materials. Broussonetia papyrifera L. (B. papyrifera) is a good feeding material with high crude protein, crude fat, and low crude fiber, which is widely distributed in China. In this study, 12 Dorper ♂×Hu ♀ crossbred weaned male lambs were seleted into four groups based on the feed that ratio of the B. papyrifera fermented feed in the total mixed diet (0%, 6%, 18%, and 100%), to character the lambs’ longissimus dorsi (LD) fatty acids, morphology and transcriptome. Results showed that the muscle fiber’s diameter and area were the smallest in the 100% group. The highest content of beneficial fatty acids and the lowest content of harmful fatty acids in group 18%. RNA-seq identified 443 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the LD of lambs from 4 groups. Among these genes, 169 (38.1%) were up-regulated and 274 (61.9%) were down-regulated. The DEGs were mostly enriched in in fatty acid metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, and PPAR signaling pathways. Our results provide knowledge to understand effect of different ratios of B. papyrifera fermented feed on sheep meat quality traits, also a basis for understanding of the molecular regulation mechanism of B. papyrifera fermented feed affecting on sheep meat quality.
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Isah, O. A. "In vitro fermentation and chemical constituents of urea-molasses feed - blocks made with different binders for ruminants." Nigerian Journal of Animal Production 39, no. 2 (January 1, 2021): 142–49. http://dx.doi.org/10.51791/njap.v39i2.760.
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This study was carried out to assess the chemical contents, in vitro break down, volatile fatty acids, NH3¬-N and methane concentration of urea- molasses feed - block (UMFB) using different binders. Four feed - blocks were formulated as: UMFB A (Cement only), UMFB B (cement + clay), UMFB C (cement + cassava starch), and UMFB D (cassava starch + clay). The feed - blocks were incubated in vitro for 48 hours to assess gas production and other in vitro- ecology parameters. Results of chemical analysis revealed that UMFB C (21.70%), and B (21.65%) had highest (p< 0.05) crude protein content while UMFB D (18.62%) had lowest value. Intermediate crude protein content was recorded for UMFB A (19.58%). However, highest (p<0.05) values of ADF (16.8%) and ADL (15.5%) were recorded for UMFB D. Similar value of ADF (16.70%) and ADL (15.3%) were recorded also for UMFB B. The NDF value of feed - block A (34.6%) was highest (p<0.05) while lowest value of NDF was recorded for UMFB D (32.1%). Production of volatile fatty acids indicated that propionic acid (30.5%), oleic acid (11.3%,) and lactic acid (36.5%) were highest (p<0.05) for UMFB D. Concentration of NH3-N was highest in UMFB B while significant difference (p>0.05) was not observed in the pH and methane values for various UMFB. Highest in vitro digestibility of organic matter was observed in UMFB D. The study showed that the various feed - blocks could serve as a sustainable supplement during dry season and period of scarcity for the ruminants.
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Gorleku, David Ofoe, Gloria Pearl Ami BADU, John Tennyson AFELE, James Seutra KABA, and Akwasi Adutwum ABUNYEWA. "ASSESSING THE EFFICIENCY OF MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAF MEAL ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKEN." Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 54, no. 4 (2022): 370–76. http://dx.doi.org/10.46909/journalalse-2021-032.
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High cost of poultry feed and limited fishmeal are currently the major challenges in poultry production. To reduce cost while maximizing production, there is the need to use cheap but high nutritional feed sources like Moringa oleifera. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of Moringa oleifera on the growth performance of broiler chicken by measuring their live weight, rate of mortality, feed conversion ratio and benefit cost (b/c) ratio. Field experiment was carried out at the Animal Science Department farm, located in the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi-Ghana. A total of 30-day old chicks were raised for eight weeks under the required conditions, with all vaccines administered appropriately. The experiment was laid in a Complete Randomized Design with five treatments namely T1= 100% conventional feed only (as control), T2= 50% MoLM (Moringa oleifera Leaf Meal) + 50% conventional, T3= 75% MoLM + 25% conventional, T4= 25% MoLM + 75% conventional, T5= 80% MoLM and each treatment replicated six times. The result showed no significant differences between the various treatment for the feed conversion ratio and live weight at different growth periods. The benefit/cost ratio of T1 was more than one while the other treatments were less than one. T4 (25% MoLM) had a b/c ratio close to one. In conclusion, Moringa oleifera leaf meal at different levels can be used to supplement the fishmeal component in the poultry diet of broiler chicken to produce similar results as that of the conventional feed. The study recommends that farmers can adopt Moringa oleifera based poultry feed for their bird production when they cannot afford the conventional feed (fish meal-based feed) to cut down cost economically while increasing productivity.
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Santos, Tatiane Souza dos, Adriano Barbieri, Robert Guaracy Aparecido Cardoso Araujo, Gustavo Do Valle Polycarpo, Daniela Felipe Pinheiro, and Valquíria Cação Cruz-Polycarpo. "Performance, gut morphometry and enzymatic activity of broilers fed neonatal supplementation in housing." Acta Scientiarum. Animal Sciences 40, no. 1 (March 1, 2018): 38423. http://dx.doi.org/10.4025/actascianimsci.v40i1.38423.
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The objective was to evaluate the performance, relative organ weight, morphometry, intestinal length and pancreatic enzyme activity of broilers receiving neonatal supplementation. A total of 900 Cobb 500 broiler chicks was housed in 30 boxes of 2.5 m². The treatments were divided in a completely randomized design with six replications, and consisted of five inclusion levels (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 grams per bird). The supplement used was based of amino acids, vitamins and minerals, which was provided on the ration on the first day in the housing. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS (2008) and when significant broken down using a polynomial regression. Due to the inclusion of the neonatal supplement in the period from one to seven and one to 21 days of age, the feed intake presented a linear effect and the weight gain, a quadratic effect. The relative weights of the gizzard and liver showed a quadratic effect, and the inclusions of 4.18 and 3.41 grams/bird provided the lowest weights, respectively. The jejunum villi height decreased with supplementation as well as the activity of pancreatic lipase. It can be concluded that neonatal supplementation benefited the performance of birds up to 21 days of age.
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Sissener, Nini H., Gro-Ingunn Hemre, Santosh P. Lall, Anita Sagstad, Kjell Petersen, Jason Williams, Jens Rohloff, and Monica Sanden. "Are apparent negative effects of feeding GM MON810 maize to Atlantic salmon,Salmo salar, caused by confounding factors?" British Journal of Nutrition 106, no. 1 (March 21, 2011): 42–56. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0007114510005726.
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The present study was conducted to follow up on apparent differences in growth, relative organ sizes, cellular stress and immune function in Atlantic salmon fed feed containing GMBacillus thuringiensismaize compared with feed containing the non-modified parental maize line. Gene expression profiling on the distal intestinal segment and liver was performed by microarray, and selected genes were followed up by quantitative PCR (qPCR). In the liver, qPCR revealed some differentially regulated genes, including up-regulation of gelsolin precursor, down-regulation of ferritin heavy subunit and a tendency towards down-regulation of metallothionein (MT)-B. This, combined with the up-regulation of anti-apoptotic protein NR13 and similar tendencies for ferritin heavy chain and MT-A and -B in the distal intestine, suggests changes in cellular stress/antioxidant status. This corresponds well with and strengthens previous findings in these fish. To exclude possible confounding factors, the maize ingredients were analysed for mycotoxins and metabolites. The GM maize contained 90 μg/kg of deoxynivalenol (DON), while the non-GM maize was below the detection limit. Differences were also observed in the metabolite profiles of the two maize varieties, some of which seemed connected to the mycotoxin level. The effects on salmon observed in the present and previous studies correspond relatively well with the effects of DON as reported in the literature for other production animals, but knowledge regarding effects and harmful dose levels in fish is scarce. Thus, it is difficult to conclude whether the observed effects are caused by the DON level or by some other aspect of the GM maize ingredient.
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Chang, J. Y., and S. M. You. "Enhanced Boiling Heat Transfer From Micro-Porous Cylindrical Surfaces in Saturated FC-87 and R-123." Journal of Heat Transfer 119, no. 2 (May 1, 1997): 319–25. http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/1.2824226.
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The present research is an experimental study of pool boiling heat transfer from cylindrical heater surfaces immersed in saturated FC-87 and R-123. The baseline heater surfaces tested are plain, integral-fin with 709 fins/m, and commercial enhanced (High-Flux and Turbo-B). In addition, a highly effective micro-scale enhancement coating is applied to the plain and integral-fin surfaces to augment nucleate boiling heat transfer. Experiments are performed to understand the effects of surface micro- and macro-geometries on boiling heat transfer. The boiling performance of the micro-porous enhanced plain and integral-fin surfaces are compared with the High-Flux and the Turbo-B surfaces. At high heat flux conditions, the break down of the bulk liquid feed mechanism reduces boiling enhancement from the cylindrical surfaces.
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SUN, YAN, JIANMING LU, and TAKASHI YAHAGI. "CLASSIFICATION OF CIRRHOSIS FROM B-SCAN IMAGES USING PYRAMID NEURAL NETWORK." International Journal of Computational Intelligence and Applications 05, no. 04 (December 2005): 457–70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1142/s1469026805001696.
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This paper proposes a system applying a pyramid neural network for classifying the hepatic parenchymal diseases in ultrasonic B-scan texture. The conventional multilayer neural network emphasizing on the data carried by the last hidden layer has the drawback of not fully utilizing the information carried by the input data. A pyramid network can solve the problem successfully. To solve the common problem of neural network, which is time-consuming in computation, FDWT (Fast Discrete Wavelet Transform) is a key technique used during preprocessing to cut down the size of patterns feed to the network. The B-scan patterns are wavelet transformed, and then the compressed data is fed into a pyramid neural network to diagnose the type of cirrhotic diseases. The performance of the proposed system and that of a system based on the conventional multilayer network architecture is compared. The result shows that compared to the conventional 3-layer neural network, the performance of the proposed pyramid neural network is improved by effectively utilizing the lower layer of the neural network.
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Andersen, R. Charles, Trevor A. Branch, Anoma Alagiyawadu, Robert Baldwin, and Francis Marsac. "Seasonal distribution, movements and taxonomic status of blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) in the northern Indian Ocean." J. Cetacean Res. Manage. 12, no. 2 (February 8, 2023): 203–18. http://dx.doi.org/10.47536/jcrm.v12i2.578.
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There is a distinct population of blue whales, Balaenoptera musculus, in the northern Indian Ocean. The taxonomic status of these animals has long been uncertain, with debate over whether this population represents a distinct subspecies, and if so which name should apply. They have most frequently been assigned to B. musculus brevicauda, but are currently considered to be B. m. indica. The movements of these blue whales within the northern Indian Ocean are poorly understood. This paper reviews catches (n = 1,288), sightings (n = 448, with a minimum of 783 animals), strandings (n = 64) and acoustic detections (n = 6 locations); uses ocean colour data to estimate seasonality of primary productivity in different areas of the northern Indian Ocean; and develops a migration hypothesis. It is suggested that most of these whales feed in the Arabian Sea off the coasts of Somalia and the Arabian peninsula during the period of intense upwelling associated with the southwest monsoon (from about May to October). At the same time some blue whales also feed in the area of upwelling off the southwest coast of India and west coast of Sri Lanka. When the southwest monsoon dies down in about October–November these upwellings cease. The blue whales then disperse more widely to eke out the leaner months of the northeast monsoon (during about December to March) in other localised areas with seasonally high productivity. These include the east coast of Sri Lanka, the waters west of the Maldives, the vicinity of the Indus Canyon (at least historically), and some parts of the southern Indian Ocean. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that at least some of the blue whales that feed off the east coast of Sri Lanka in the northeast monsoon also feed in the Arabian Sea during the southwest monsoon. These whales appear to migrate eastwards past the north of Maldives and south of Sri Lanka in about December–January, returning westwards in about April–May
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Anbazhagan, Kolandaswamy, Vincent Fuentes, Eliane Bissac, Remy Nyga, Naomi Taylor, Jacques Rochette, and Kaiss Lassoued. "The Human Pre-B Cell Receptor Signaling Cascade Is Regulated Via PI-3Kinase and MAPK Pathway." Blood 118, no. 21 (November 18, 2011): 1314. http://dx.doi.org/10.1182/blood.v118.21.1314.1314.
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Abstract Abstract 1314 Background: Pre-B cell receptor (pre-BCR) constitutes a major check point in the early steps of mouse and human B cell development. Several functions have been attributed to this receptor which include a delivery of proliferation and survival signals, increased sensitivity to interleukin-7 (IL-7) and down modulation of recombinase activating genes (RAG) and surrogate light chain (SLC) encoding genes. Pre-BCR is also involved in shaping the VH repertoire and preventing autoimmunity. Finally, there is increasing evidence that pre-BCR might be implicated in leukemogenesis. Most of the functions of pre-BCR have been predicted based on studies in knockout mice and leukemic cell lines. In a previous study we have shown that pre-BCR aggregation resulted in the activation of src and Syk kinases which in turn activated the PI-3K/Akt, Btk, PLCγ-2 and Ras/MAPK. In this study, we examined the pre-BCR signalling cascade using human normal primary pre-B cells with a particular focus on transcription factors activation and Rag modulation and their regulatory aspects. Methods: Pre-B cells were sorted from adult human bone marrow samples, treated or not with inhibitors of Syk (BAY61–3606), Akt (LY294002) and MEKK1 (UO126) prior to crosslink the pre-BCR by means of F(ab')2 anti-μHC. The effect of Pre-BCR signaling was examined by quantifying the transcript levels of Rag1, Rag2, E2A, EBF1, Pax5, FoxO1 and FoxO3, IRF4/8. Activation of transcription factors such as NF-κB p50, c-Fos, IRF4 and FoxO3A, was assessed by analyzing their nuclear translocation by immunofluorescence microscopy. Results: We show that NF-κB p50 is translocated into nucleus within 3h after pre-BCR stimulation. Crosslinking of pre-BCR also resulted in an enhancement of nuclear c-Fos translocation. BAY61-3606 (Syk inhibitor) treatment resulted in complete apoptosis (100 % cell death within 48h). Although treatment of normal pre-B cells with LY294002 or U0126 did not alter cell survival, nuclear translocation of pre-BCR-induced p50 NF-κB was prevented by former and enhanced by later. Conversely, c-Fos nuclear expression was inhibited by U0126 and slightly but consistently enhanced by LY294002 in association with a decrease in its cytoplasmic location. Pre-BCR stimulation also induced IRF4 translocation to the nucleus. Pre-BCR stimulation also resulted in the down regulation of Rag1 (− 48 %, P<0.01), Pax5 (− 40%, P<0.01) and E2A (− 35 %, P< 0.01) transcripts, whereas EBF1 and FoxO1 and 3 expression remained unchanged. In LY294002-treated cells, Rag1/Rag2 expression was up regulated (+130%, P< 0.01 and +251%, P< 0.01, respectively) following pre-BCR crosslinking, whereas in the presence of U0126 the pre-BCR induced Rag1/Rag2 down modulation remained unchanged. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the pre-BCR has the potential to promote pre-B cell proliferation, survival and differentiation by activating NF-kB, c-Fos and IRF4. It also has the ability to protect pre-B cells from genome instability by down-regulating Rag1/2, probably through down modulation of Pax5 and E2A. We bring evidence that PI-3 K/Akt pathway plays a crucial role in the regulation of the pre-BCR signaling cascade and that Akt-mediated NF-kB and c-Fos activation is antagonized by MAPK. Up-regulation of Rag transcripts upon Akt inhibition suggests either a feed-back negative loop or a dual effect of pre-BCR on Rag expression with an Akt-dependent Rag down regulation and an accessory pathway that enhances Rag expression. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
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Dematheis, Flavia, Mathias C. Walter, Daniel Lang, Markus Antwerpen, Holger C. Scholz, Marie-Theres Pfalzgraf, Enrico Mantel, Christin Hinz, Roman Wölfel, and Sabine Zange. "Machine Learning Algorithms for Classification of MALDI-TOF MS Spectra from Phylogenetically Closely Related Species Brucella melitensis, Brucella abortus and Brucella suis." Microorganisms 10, no. 8 (August 17, 2022): 1658. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10081658.
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(1) Background: MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS) is the gold standard for microbial fingerprinting, however, for phylogenetically closely related species, the resolution power drops down to the genus level. In this study, we analyzed MALDI-TOF spectra from 44 strains of B. melitensis, B. suis and B. abortus to identify the optimal classification method within popular supervised and unsupervised machine learning (ML) algorithms. (2) Methods: A consensus feature selection strategy was applied to pinpoint from among the 500 MS features those that yielded the best ML model and that may play a role in species differentiation. Unsupervised k-means and hierarchical agglomerative clustering were evaluated using the silhouette coefficient, while the supervised classifiers Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, Neural Network, and Multinomial Logistic Regression were explored in a fine-tuning manner using nested k-fold cross validation (CV) with a feature reduction step between the two CV loops. (3) Results: Sixteen differentially expressed peaks were identified and used to feed ML classifiers. Unsupervised and optimized supervised models displayed excellent predictive performances with 100% accuracy. The suitability of the consensus feature selection strategy for learning system accuracy was shown. (4) Conclusion: A meaningful ML approach is here introduced, to enhance Brucella spp. classification using MALDI-TOF MS data.
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Sasry, Akbar Maulana, Supono Supono, and Wardiyanto Wardiyanto. "ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT C:N RATIOS IN THE BIOFLOC SYSTEM ON THE GROWTH OF Pangasius hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878)." e-Jurnal Rekayasa dan Teknologi Budidaya Perairan 9, no. 1 (October 23, 2020): 1075. http://dx.doi.org/10.23960/jrtbp.v9i1.p1075-1084.
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The development of catfish culture affects increasing waste in the waters. Aquaculture waste containing high nutrients has the potential to damage the cultivation environment. The Biofloc system in catfish farming can break down NH3 waste into flocks that can be consumed directly by fish. This study aims to analyze the growth and survival rate of catfish in biofloc systems with different C:N ratios. The research design used was a completely randomized design (CRD) with four treatments and three replications. Siamese catfish seeds were maintained in an aquarium container size 40 x 30 x 30 cm for 40 days with treatment media A (maintenance without biofloc), treatment B C:N ratio 15, treatment C C:N ratio 20, and treatment D C:N ratio 25. The results showed that the biofloc system with different C:N ratios had significant effect on the weight growth, daily growth rate, and feed convertion ratio of catfish. The best treatment for growth and viability of catfish is C:N ratio 25.
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Večeřa, Milan, D. Falta, G. Chládek, and L. Máchal. "The effect of low and high barn temperatures on behaviour and performance of Holstein dairy cows." Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis 60, no. 6 (2012): 343–50. http://dx.doi.org/10.11118/actaun201260060343.
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The experiment was carried out at the University Training Farm in Žabčice (the Czech Republic; location 49°0’51.081”N, 16°36’14.848”E, 179 m.a.s.l) over the period of one year (1st July to 30th June). The assessment of temperature impact was based on data from 16 hottest days (H) and 16 coldest days (L). The experimental group consisted of 70 cows in various stage of lactation (30d–210d) and parity (1–8). The cows were housed in a section (one quarter) of a free-stall barn with 77 stalls in three rows. Row A was located peripherally, close to the side wall, row B was in the middle and row C was situated centrally, close to the feed table. The cows were observed weekly on the same day at 9.00 a.m. The microclimate characteristics were recorded daily: temperature in hot (H) resp. cold (L) period was in average 27.1°C resp. – 1.47 °C, and relative humidity 54.4 % resp. 77.3 %, and THI 75 resp. 33.Behaviour was described by a number of cows standing or lying down, number of cows lying down on their left or right side and row preference (A, B, C) in the resting area. Cow Comfort Index (CCI – a number of cows lying down at given time) was calculated. A total of 1587 observations were analysed. A number of cows lying down (922) was significantly higher than that of standing cows (665). Milk production was significantly higher in hot (H) period (by 1.0–1.7 kg). There was an interaction in milk production between period and standing. In H period the standing cows produced more milk, in L period vice versa. The cows with non-significant tendency towards left-side laterality produced more milk (by 1.2 kg). No interaction was found between period and laterality for milk production. All the observed parameters significantly differed between rows A, B and C. Row A was the most preferred, the cows preferring it were young (low number of lactation) with greatest milk production. The cows in row C had the lowest milk production and were in late lactation. The interaction was found between period and row affected number of lactation (P < 0.01) and number of cows (P < 0.05). In H period the row A was preferred by older cows (high number of lactation), while in L period it was preferred by younger cows. The cows in H period used row C less while in L period they preferred it.
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Moreno-Garcia, Miguel E., Karen Sommer, and David J. Rawlings. "MAGUK-controlled CARMA1 and BCL-10 turnover propose a new mechanism for NF-κB inactivation in lymphocytes (33.31)." Journal of Immunology 182, no. 1_Supplement (April 1, 2009): 33.31. http://dx.doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.182.supp.33.31.
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Abstract In lymphocytes, the antigen receptor utilizes a unique scaffolding molecule, CARMA1, to organize an oligomerization cascade that ultimately activates NF-kappaB. Activation of CARMA1 is characterized by conformational changes that expose binding sites to downstream effectors, including BCL10. We found that CARMA1 activation induces its own turnover, and also drives the turnover of BCL10. In B and T cell lines, activated CARMA1 is post-translationally modified by K48-linked polyubiquitin chains, and its degradation is blocked by proteasome inhibitors. CARMA1 ubiquitination was enhanced in vitro by E3 ubiquitin protein ligases cIAP2 and NEDD4 (but not Cbl-b, ITCH, or beta-TrCP). The MAGUK region of CARMA1 plays a unique role in mediating these events as the SH3 and GUK domains are main ubiquitin acceptors, and deletion of a domain (HOOK) located between SH3 and GUK was sufficient to induce E3 recruitment and constitutive ubiquitination. Additionally, we show that CARMA1 promoted parallel ubiquitination and degradation of BCL10 via a TAK1-dependent mechanism. Functionally, we demonstrated that over-expression of cIAP2 reduced the CARMA1-dependent NF-kappaB activation in antigen receptor stimulated lymphocytes. We hypothesize that up-regulation of E3 ligases by NF-kappaB provides a feed-back control mechanism to shut-down NF-kappaB activation by degrading the CARMA1 scaffold and associated downstream effectors including BCL-10. This work was funded by NIH 5RO1HD37091 and 5RO3TW007322, and CRDF UKB2-2831-06.
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Rao, Zebin, Jinlong Li, Baoshi Shi, Yan Zeng, Yubo Liu, Zhihong Sun, Liuting Wu, Weizhong Sun, and Zhiru Tang. "Dietary Tryptophan Levels Impact Growth Performance and Intestinal Microbial Ecology in Weaned Piglets via Tryptophan Metabolites and Intestinal Antimicrobial Peptides." Animals 11, no. 3 (March 14, 2021): 817. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani11030817.
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Tryptophan (Trp) plays an important role in piglet growth. However, the effect of dietary Trp on microbial flora is still poorly understood. A total of 40 28-d weaned piglets were allocated to four groups with 10 barrows per group and one pig per replicate. Piglets were fed a corn and soybean meal-based diet with 0.14%, 0.21%, 0.28%, or 0.35% Trp for four weeks. Five piglets from each diet group were euthanized, and blood and tissue samples were collected. The average daily body weight gain, average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, spleen index, pancreas index, longissimus dorsi muscle index, plasma insulin, 5-hydroxytryptamine, kynurenine, and Trp concentrations of weaned piglets increased in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Compared with the 0.14% Trp diet, the adequate-Trp diets (0.21%, 0.28%, or 0.35%) down-regulated the relative abundances of 12 genera including Turicibacter, Prevotella, Mitsuokella, Anaerovibrio, Megasphaera, Succinivibrio, Sutterella, Desulfovibrio, and Methanobrevibacter (p < 0.05); up-regulated the abundances of Ruminococcaceae, Lactobacillus, and Muribaculaceae in the colon (p < 0.05); and augmented the mRNA level and concentration of porcine β-defensin 2 in the small intestinal mucosa (p < 0.05). Moreover, Trp-adequate diets increased the abundances of Trp hydroxylase, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, porcine β-defensin 2, phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin, and phosphorylated protein kinase B in the small intestinal mucosa (p < 0.05). We noted that a corn and soybean meal-based diet with 0.35% Trp may be a nutritional strategy to improve growth performance, intestinal mucosal barrier integrity, and intestinal microbial ecology in weaned piglets.
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Fu, Runqi, Hengzhi Zhang, Daiwen Chen, Gang Tian, Ping Zheng, Jun He, Jie Yu, et al. "Long-Term Dietary Supplementation with Betaine Improves Growth Performance, Meat Quality and Intramuscular Fat Deposition in Growing-Finishing Pigs." Foods 12, no. 3 (January 20, 2023): 494. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/foods12030494.
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This study was designed to investigate the effects of dietary betaine supplementation on growth performance, meat quality and muscle lipid metabolism of growing-finishing pigs. Thirty-six crossbred pigs weighing 24.68 ± 0.97 kg were randomly allotted into two treatments consisting of a basal diet supplemented with 0 or 1200 mg/kg betaine. Each treatment included six replications of three pigs per pen. Following 119 days of feeding trial, dietary betaine supplementation significantly enhanced average daily gain (ADG) (p < 0.05) and tended to improve average daily feed intake (ADFI) (p = 0.08) and decreased the feed intake to gain ratio (F/G) (p = 0.09) in pigs during 100~125 kg. Furthermore, a tendency to increase ADG (p = 0.09) and finial body weight (p = 0.09) of pigs over the whole period was observed in the betaine diet group. Betaine supplementation significantly increased a*45 min and marbling and decreased b*24 h and cooking loss in longissimus lumborum (p < 0.05), tended to increase intramuscular fat (IMF) content (p = 0.08), however had no significant influence on carcass characteristics (p > 0.05). Betaine supplementation influenced the lipid metabolism of pigs, evidenced by a lower serum concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.05), an up-regulation of mRNA abundance of fatty acid synthase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (p < 0.05), and a down-regulation of mRNA abundance of lipolysis-related genes, including the silent information regulators of transcription 1 (p = 0.08), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorα (p < 0.05), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (p = 0.07) and carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (P < 0.05) in longissimus lumborum. Moreover, betaine markedly improved the expression of microRNA-181a (miR-181a) (p < 0.05) and tended to enhance miR-370 (p = 0.08). Overall, betaine supplementation at 1200 mg/kg could increase the growth performance of growing-finishing pigs. Furthermore, betaine had a trend to improve meat quality and IMF content via increasing lipogenesis and down-regulating the abundance of genes associated with lipolysis, respectively, which was associated with the regulation of miR-181a and miR-370 expression by betaine.
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Dal-Bo, Michele, Paola Secchiero, Massimo Degan, Riccardo Bomben, Dania Benedetti, Antonella Zucchetto, Daniela Marconi, et al. "B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells Exposed to the Non-Genotoxic p53 Activator Nutlin-3 Are Characterized by a Specific Gene Expression Signature." Blood 114, no. 22 (November 20, 2009): 4374. http://dx.doi.org/10.1182/blood.v114.22.4374.4374.
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Abstract Abstract 4374 Introduction p53 plays a key role in determining the clinical features of B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Disruption of p53 by point mutations, deletion at 17p13, or both, occurs in a fraction of cases at diagnosis and predicts poor survival and chemorefractoriness. In cells with functional p53, p53 activity is inhibited through interaction with MDM2. In fact, p53 can be activated upon exposure of cells to inhibitors of p53/MDM2 interaction, like Nutlins. Exposure of CLL cells to Nutlin-3 is effective in raising the levels of p53 protein with subsequent induction of cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis, independently of the most relevant prognostic markers. The aim of the present study was to analyze the gene expression profile (GEP) induced by Nutlin-3 exposure in primary CLL cells from p53wt and p53del/mut cases. Patients and methods purified cells from 24 PB CLL samples, all characterized for IGHV mutational status, CD38 and ZAP-70 and p53 mutations (16 p53wt CLL, 8 p53del/mut CLL of which 6 with del17p13 and p53 mutations, 1 with del17p13 alone, and 1 with p53 mutations alone), were exposed to 10 mM Nutlin-3 for 24 hours. GEP was performed using a dual labelling strategy; the differential expression of the below reported genes were validated by quantitative real-time PCR. Results i) signature of Nutlin-3 exposure in p53wt CLL: 144 differentially expressed genes (143 up-regulated, 1 down-regulated) were correlated with response to Nutlin-3. Among the over-expressed genes, several genes were related to apoptosis (e.g. BAX, BBC3, E124, IKIP, FAS, LRDD, FLJ11259, TRIAP1, GADD45, TP53INP1, ISG20L1, ZMAT3, TNFRS10C, TNFRSF10B/TRAIL-R2), while other genes (e.g. MDM2, CDKN1A, PCNA) were up-regulated by Nutlin-3 as a part of a negative feed-back mechanism. Of note, this signature was not shared by 3/16 p53wt cases (identified as “non-responder” p53wt CLL) and 7/8 p53del/mut cases (identified as “non-responder” p53del/mut CLL); consistently, cells from these cases were also significantly resistant to the in-vitro cytotoxic effects of Nutlin-3; ii) signature of Nutlin-3 “non-responder” p53wt CLL: by comparing the constitutive GEP of 13 “responder” versus 3 “non-responder” p53wt CLL, we obtained 278 differentially expressed genes, 149 up-regulated and 129 down-regulated in “non-responder” p53wt CLL. Among up-regulated genes, we focused on MDM4/MDMX, a gene whose product was known to have an inhibitor activity of p53-dependent transcription and to form Nutlin-3 resistant complexes with p53. Among down-regulated genes, validations were made for BIRC4BP, whose product is known to act as an antagonist of the anti-apoptotic protein XIAP; iii) signature of Nutlin-3 “non-responder” p53del/mut CLL: by comparing the constitutive GEP of 13 “responder” versus 7 “non-responder” p53del/mut cases, we obtained 72 differentially expressed genes, 26 up-regulated and 46 down-regulated (31/46 located at the 17p segment) in “non-responder” p53del/mut CLL. Validations were made for several genes whose products display pro-apoptotic activities (e.g. PSMB6, RPL26 and ZBTB4, located at 17p segment, and GNAZ located at chromosome 22) among down-regulated genes, and ARHGDIA, whose gene product displays anti-apoptotic activities and mediates cellular resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, among up-regulated genes. Notably, CLL cells (n=43) displayed constitutively higher levels of MDM4/MDMX (p<0.0001) and ARHGDIA (p=0.0002) transcripts than purified normal B cells (n=15), irrespectively to the major biologic prognosticators. Conclusions specific gene-sets and GEP were documented to be associated with response or resistance to Nutlin-3 exposure in p53wt or p53del/mut CLL. These findings may help to identify novel molecular targets for CLL therapy. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
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Smit, M. N., V. Zamora, M. G. Young, N. G. Campbell, B. Uttaro, and E. Beltranena. "Empiric narrowing of the net energy value of reduced-oil corn distillers’ dried grain with solubles for growing-finishing pigs." Canadian Journal of Animal Science 95, no. 2 (June 2015): 225–41. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/cjas-2014-106.
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Smit, M. N., Zamora, V., Young, M. G., Campbell, N., Uttaro, B. and Beltranena, E. 2015. Empiric narrowing of the net energy value of reduced-oil corn distillers’ dried grain with solubles for growing-finishing pigs. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 225–241. This study attempted to empirically narrow down the net energy (NE) value of reduced-oil corn distillers’ dried grains and solubles (RO-cDDGS) by evaluating the response in pig growth performance, live backfat and loin depth, carcass traits, and primal pork cuts tissue composition to feeding diets formulated increasing the assumed NE value of RO-cDDGS, expecting a brisk change in slope of the response at the point at which the NE value of RO-cDDGS would be identified. In total, 1056 cross-bred pigs (31.7 kg) housed in 48 pens by gender were fed dietary regimens including 30% RO-cDDGS (6.7% ether extract) with assumed NE values of 1.7, 1.85, 2.0, 2.15, 2.3, or 2.45 Mcal kg−1over five growth periods (Grower 1: days 0–21, Grower 2: days 22–42, Grower 3: days 43–63, Finisher 1: days 64–76, Finisher 2: day 77 to market weight). Pig body weights were measured and feed disappearance (ADFI) was calculated by pen on days 0, 21, 42, 63, 76 and weekly thereafter until target slaughter weight (120 kg). For the entire trial (days 0–76), increasing the assumed NE value of RO-cDDGS linearly increased (P<0.01) ADFI and total lysine intake, did not affect NE intake and daily weight gain (ADG), quadratically decreased (P<0.05) feed efficiency, linearly decreased (P<0.05) live backfat depth and backfat:loin depth ratio, and did not affect carcass characteristics or pork primal cut tissue composition. Segmented regression only identified a change in slope for carcass ADG and lean ADG at 1.85 Mcal kg−1. These results indicate that the experimental approach taken was not reliable in narrowing down the NE value of RO-cDDGS because the decrease in dietary NE was too small (0.03 Mcal kg−1d), which limited the change in dietary Lys:NE ratio with increasing assumed NE value of RO-cDDGS. The approach resulted in progressive, but small changes in slope rather than a clearly identifiable point where one could conclude that the incremental dietary energy contribution from RO-cDDGS changed the response in a given variable.
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Rajput, Shahid Ali, Lvhui Sun, Ni-Ya Zhang, Mahmoud Mohamed Khalil, Zhao Ling, Li Chong, Shuai Wang, et al. "Grape Seed Proanthocyanidin Extract Alleviates AflatoxinB1-Induced Immunotoxicity and Oxidative Stress via Modulation of NF-κB and Nrf2 Signaling Pathways in Broilers." Toxins 11, no. 1 (January 7, 2019): 23. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/toxins11010023.
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Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a widely spread mycotoxin contaminates food and feed, causing severe oxidative stress damages and immunotoxicity. Grape seed proanthocyanidin (GSPE), a natural antioxidant with wide range of pharmacological and medicinal properties. The goal of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of GSPE against AFB1-induced immunotoxicity and oxidative stress via NF-κB and Nrf2 signaling pathways in broiler chickens. For the experiment, 240 one-day old Cobb chicks were allocated into four dietary treatment groups of six replicates (10 birds per replicate): 1. Basal diet (control); 2. Basal diet + AFB1 1mg/kg contaminated corn (AFB1); 3. Basal diet + GSPE 250 mg/kg (GSPE); 4. Basal diet + AFB1 1 mg/kg + GSPE 250 mg/kg (AFB1 + GSPE). The results showed that GSPE significantly decreased serum inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-10, and IL-6 induced by AFB1. Similarly, GSPE + AFB1 treated group revealed a significant decrease in mRNA expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-6) in the splenic tissue compared to the AFB1 treatment group. In addition, western blotting results manifested that GSPE treatment normalized the phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa B (p65) and the degradation of IκBα protein induced by AFB1. Furthermore, GSPE enhanced the antioxidant defense system through activating the nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor (Nrf2) signaling pathway. The mRNA and protein expression level of Nrf2 and its down streaming associated genes were noted up-regulated by the addition of GSPE, and down-regulated in the AFB1 group. Taken together, GSPE alleviates AFB1-induced immunotoxicity and oxidative damage by inhibiting the NF-κB and activating the Nrf2 signaling pathways in broiler chickens. Conclusively, our results suggest that GSPE could be considered as a potential natural agent for the prevention of AFB1-induced immunotoxicity and oxidative damage.
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Ahmed, Noha, Samir M. El-Rayes, Waleed F. Khalil, Ahmed Abdeen, Afaf Abdelkader, Mohammed Youssef, Zainab M. Maher, et al. "Arabic Gum Could Alleviate the Aflatoxin B1-provoked Hepatic Injury in Rat: The Involvement of Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory, and Apoptotic Pathways." Toxins 14, no. 9 (September 1, 2022): 605. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/toxins14090605.
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Aflatoxin B1 (AF) is an unavoidable environmental pollutant that contaminates food, feed, and grains, which seriously threatens human and animal health. Arabic gum (AG) has recently evoked much attention owing to its promising therapeutic potential. Thus, the current study was conducted to look into the possible mechanisms beyond the ameliorative activity of AG against AF-inflicted hepatic injury. Male Wistar rats were assigned into four groups: Control, AG (7.5 g/kg b.w/day, orally), AF (200 µg/kg b.w), and AG plus AF group. AF induced marked liver damage expounded by considerable changes in biochemical profile and histological architecture. The oxidative stress stimulated by AF boosted the production of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level along with decreases in the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. Additionally, AF exposure was associated with down-regulation of the nuclear factor erythroid2–related factor2 (Nrf2) and superoxide dismutase1 (SOD1) protein expression in liver tissue. Apoptotic cascade has also been evoked following AF-exposure, as depicted in overexpression of cytochrome c (Cyto c), cleaved Caspase3 (Cl. Casp3), along with enhanced up-regulation of inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and nuclear factor kappa-B transcription factor/p65 (NF-κB/p65) mRNA expression levels. Interestingly, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory contents of AG may reverse the induced oxidative damage, inflammation, and apoptosis in AF-exposed animals.
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Guo, Hong, Daozhong Jin, and Xiaoli Chen. "Lipocalin 2 is a Regulator Of Macrophage Polarization and NF-κB/STAT3 Pathway Activation." Molecular Endocrinology 28, no. 10 (October 1, 2014): 1616–28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/me.2014-1092.
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Lipocalin 2 (Lcn2) has been previously characterized as an adipokine/cytokine and implicated in obesity and inflammation. Herein, we investigated the role and potential mechanism of Lcn2 in the regulation of macrophage polarization in obesity-associated inflammation. We observed that Lcn2−/− mice displayed an up-regulation of expression of M1 macrophage marker Cd11c but a down-regulation of M2 marker arginase 1 in adipose tissue and liver of mice upon a high-fat diet feeding. Lcn2-deficient bone marrow–derived macrophages (BMDMs) were more sensitive to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, leading to a more profound up-regulation of expression of pro-inflammatory markers than wild-type (WT) BMDMs. Accordingly, LPS stimulation elicited an increase in the activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), c-Jun, and STAT3 signaling pathways as well as an up-regualtion of expression of NF-κB and STAT3 target genes such as IL-1β, IL-6, iNOS, and MCP-1 in Lcn2−/− BMDMs compared with WT controls. Pre-treatment of recombinant Lcn2 attenuated LPS-stimulated degradation of IκBα and STAT3 phosphorylation as well as LPS-induced gene expression of IL-6 and iNOS in Lcn2−/− BMDMs. Moreover, the NFκB inhibitor markedly blocked LPS-stimulated STAT3 phosphorylation in Lcn2−/− BMDMs. These results together with the time course of Lcn2 secretion, NFκB and STAT3 phosphorylation in response to LPS stimulation, suggest that Lcn2 plays a role as an anti-inflammatory regulator in macrophage activation via modulating a feed-forward activation of NFκB-STAT3 loop.
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Maciuc, Vasile, Claudia Pânzaru, Răzvan Mihail Radu-Rusu, and Vita Bilkevych. "Comparative study on the sustainability of cattle products in the North-East cross-border region of Romania." Tehnologìâ virobnictva ì pererobki produktìv tvarinnictva, no. 1(170) (June 24, 2022): 6–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.33245/2310-9289-2022-170-1-6-12.
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In this paper, the sustainability of cattle production in the crossborder region of North-East Romania and the Odessa region, Ukraine was pursued. The working methods used in this research were: observation, information systematization, mathematical-statistical method, and scientific explanation. The average milk production on lactation and on the breeds in Romania varied as follows: Transylvanian Pinzgau breed (PT) – 4118–4724 kg milk, Brună breed (B.) – 3543–5211 kg milk, Bălțată Românească breed (BR) – 2833–5519 Kg milk, and Bățlată cu Negru Românească breed (BNR) – 4.322–6.332 kg milk. Regarding the meat production, in 2016 it was 206 thousand tons live weight at slaughter, which increased by 6 thousand tons compared to 2015 when meat production was 200 thousand tons live weight at slaughter. The average milk production per cow in the Odessa region was 3.577 kg in 2014, down 262.0 kg compared to 2013, and by breed it was as follows: Red Ukrainian- 4.215 kg, Black Ukrainian spotted 4.665 kg, and Red Steppe with 3.394 kg milk. Also, meat production in 2014 was 32.203 kg, and in 2013 – 35.233 kg, with 3.030 kg less or 8.6 %. In the cross-border area of Romania as well as in the cross-border area of Ukraine in the analyzed farms, with large or family-type farms, the allowance of production factors is under necessity, the current conditions, especially financial, allowing only the use of certain production factors (breed, feed). If in Romania, the European funding contributes to achieving the sustainability of cattle production, in Ukraine, farmers face major deficiencies. Key words: cattle, production, milk, meat, sustainability, crossborder.
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Mosnier, Laurent, Joost Meijers, John Griffin, and Bonno Bouma. "Factor XI Dependent and Independent Activation of Thrombin Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor (TAFI) in Plasma Associated with Clot Formation." Thrombosis and Haemostasis 82, no. 12 (1999): 1703–8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0037-1614902.
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SummaryThrombin Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor (TAFI) also known as plasma procarboxypeptidase B is activated by relatively high concentrations of thrombin in a reaction stimulated by thrombomodulin. In plasma an intact factor XI-dependent feed back loop via the intrinsic pathway is necessary to generate sufficient thrombin for TAFI activation. This thrombin generation takes place after clot formation with consequent down-regulation of fibrinolysis. We developed a specific and sensitive assay for activated TAFI (TAFIa) and studied its factor XI-dependent generation during clot formation. In the absence of thrombomodulin, addition of 20 nM thrombin to normal plasma generated 5-10% of the amount of TAFIa generated by 20 nM thrombin in the presence of 8 nM thrombomodulin. Minimal activation of TAFI was detected in factor II deficient plasma when clotting was initiated by 20 nM thrombin. Addition of 320-640 nM of thrombin to factor II deficient plasma resulted in the same amount of TAFIa as in normal plasma, suggesting that ~50% of factor II has to be converted to thrombin for extensive activation of TAFI. A Mab that neutralizes activated factor XII had no effect on TAFI activation indicating that an intact contact system is not necessary for the activation of TAFI. The dependency of TAFI activation of factor XI was tested using a Mab that neutralizes activated factor XI. When plasmas from 13 healthy individuals were tested, this Mab reduced TAFI activation by 65% (range 35-89%). Our results indicate that activation of TAFI in serum after clot formation can be quantitated and that it takes place in both factor XI-dependent and factor XI-independent mechanisms.
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Shittu, Umar, Idris Zainab-L, Umma Sada, and Bashir Aliyu. "Epidemiological Distinctive Survey Of Children With Acute Respiratory Tract Infections In Some Selected Hospitals Of Katsina Metropolis, Nigeria." Journal of Basic and Applied Research in Biomedicine 6, no. 2 (December 23, 2020): 120–23. http://dx.doi.org/10.51152/jbarbiomed.v6i2.126.
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Acute respiratory tract infections (ARIs) in children under the age group of five (5) years are serious infections, which prevent the normal breathing function in the child's system. The infection usually begins as a viral infection in which it enters the child's system through the nose to the trachea (windpipe) and down to the lungs. This study aimed to identify the distinctive risk factors associated with the respiratory tract infection in which later it can lead the infection to become acute and find out the easy ways toward preventing the infections. The study was performed within the period of six (6) months during the rainy season between the periods of April to September using the human subjects under age group of five (5) years. The data analysis was done in the Bioconductor R package, statistics p-value with associated B-value were obtained from the distribution of the moderated t-statistic after the adjustment for multiple testing with a significance level of ((? 0.05) using LIMMA method. Pvclust method was also used to generate thousands of bootstrap samples by randomly sampling elements of the data and then compute graphic hierarchical clustering on each bootstrap copy. Distinctive risk factors of (ARTI) were identified, such as malnutrition (MNT), indoor air pollution (IAP), Crowdy and dirty environment (CDE), and parental education (PE) which shows significant influence on the infection. But indoor air pollution (IAP) with the highest level of significant influence to the infections. It is recommended that parents having children should be enlightened by the health personnel experts through different media communication channels and other channels in order to avoid leaving in dirty, crowdy and unventilated environment and to feed from recommended diets with their children.
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Popescu, Roua Gabriela, Sorin Avramescu, Daniela Eliza Marin, Ionelia Țăranu, Sergiu Emil Georgescu, and Anca Dinischiotu. "The Reduction of the Combined Effects of Aflatoxin and Ochratoxin A in Piglet Livers and Kidneys by Dietary Antioxidants." Toxins 13, no. 9 (September 13, 2021): 648. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/toxins13090648.
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The purpose of this study was to investigate the combined effects of aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A on protein expression and catalytic activities of CYP1A2, CYP2E1, CYP3A29 and GSTA1 and the preventive effect of dietary byproduct antioxidants administration against these mycotoxin damage. Three experimental groups (E1, E2, E3) and one control group (C) of piglets after weaning (TOPIGS-40 hybrid) were fed with experimental diets for 30 days. A basal diet containing normal compound feed for starter piglets was used as a control treatment and free of mycotoxin. The experimental groups were fed as follows: E1—basal diet plus a mixture (1:1) of two byproducts (grapeseed and sea buckthorn meal), E2—the basal diet experimentally contaminated with mycotoxins (479 ppb OTA and 62ppb AFB1) and E3—basal diet containing 5% of the mixture (1:1) of grapeseed and sea buckthorn meal and contaminated with the mix of OTA and AFB1. After 4 weeks, the animals were slaughtered, and tissue samples were taken from liver and kidney in order to perform microsomal fraction isolation, followed by protein expression and enzymatic analyses. The protein expressions of CYP2E1 and CYP3A29 were up-regulated in an insignificant manner in liver, whereas in kidney, those of CYP1A2, CYP2E1 and CYP3A29 were down-regulated. The enzymatic activities of CYP1A2, CYP2E1 and CYP3A29 decreased in liver, in a significant manner, whereas in kidney, these increased significantly. The co-presence of the two mycotoxins and the mixture of grape seed and sea buckthorn meal generated a tendency to return to the control values, which suggest that grapeseed and sea buckthorn meal waste represent a promising source in counteracting the harmful effect of ochratoxin A and aflatoxin B.
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García-Beltrán, Olimpo, Pamela J. Urrutia, and Marco T. Núñez. "On the Chemical and Biological Characteristics of Multifunctional Compounds for the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease." Antioxidants 12, no. 2 (January 17, 2023): 214. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/antiox12020214.
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Protein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, iron dyshomeostasis, increased oxidative damage and inflammation are pathognomonic features of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative disorders characterized by abnormal iron accumulation. Moreover, the existence of positive feed-back loops between these pathological components, which accelerate, and sometimes make irreversible, the neurodegenerative process, is apparent. At present, the available treatments for PD aim to relieve the symptoms, thus improving quality of life, but no treatments to stop the progression of the disease are available. Recently, the use of multifunctional compounds with the capacity to attack several of the key components of neurodegenerative processes has been proposed as a strategy to slow down the progression of neurodegenerative processes. For the treatment of PD specifically, the necessary properties of new-generation drugs should include mitochondrial destination, the center of iron-reactive oxygen species interaction, iron chelation capacity to decrease iron-mediated oxidative damage, the capacity to quench free radicals to decrease the risk of ferroptotic neuronal death, the capacity to disrupt α-synuclein aggregates and the capacity to decrease inflammatory conditions. Desirable additional characteristics are dopaminergic neurons to lessen unwanted secondary effects during long-term treatment, and the inhibition of the MAO-B and COMPT activities to increase intraneuronal dopamine content. On the basis of the published evidence, in this work, we review the molecular basis underlying the pathological events associated with PD and the clinical trials that have used single-target drugs to stop the progress of the disease. We also review the current information on multifunctional compounds that may be used for the treatment of PD and discuss the chemical characteristics that underlie their functionality. As a projection, some of these compounds or modifications could be used to treat diseases that share common pathology features with PD, such as Friedreich’s ataxia, Multiple sclerosis, Huntington disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
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Sun, Yaping, Matthew Iyer, Meng Zhao, Richard McEachin, Yi-Mi Wu, Xuhong Cao, Katherine Oravecz-Wilson, et al. "Genome-Wide Binding Studies of Acetyl-STAT3 Demonstrates a Novel Regulatory Pathway in Dendritic Cells." Blood 126, no. 23 (December 3, 2015): 647. http://dx.doi.org/10.1182/blood.v126.23.647.647.
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Abstract Dendritic cells play a vital role in the induction of either activation or tolerance of an immune response. However the molecular pathways regulating these opposite responses to immune stimuli remain poorly understood. STAT3 is a master transcriptional regulator of immune response including those mediated by DCs. STAT3 can either positively or negatively regulate DC responses, but the mechanisms are unknown. STAT3 is post-translationally modified by either acetylation of phosphorylation. While much is understood about transcriptional targets of phosphorylated STAT3, the gene targets and the functional impact of acetylated STAT3 remain unclear. We aimed to answer the gene targets of acetylated-STAT3 and test the hypothesis that acetylation of STAT3 plays a key role on negative regulation of DCs. To determine the transcriptional targets of acetyl-STAT3, we first performed genome-wide binding analysis of acetyl-STAT3 by ChIP-Seq. We additionally performed gene expression microarrays on these samples and coupled gene expression to the acetyl-STAT3 binding datasets then analyzed with Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). Inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDACi) acetylates STAT3, therefore, we treated DC with either HDACi or diluent and performed ChIP-Seq and analyzed with Genomic Regions Enrichment Annotation Tool (GREAT). The analysis revealed 3598 binding sites in 4605 gene loci as potential targets of acety-STAT3. Theses binding sites were mostly proximal but some were also distal up to over 100 kb from transcription start site. Gene expression array showed 1701 genes up-regulated and 1668 genes down-regulated. Proximal binding of acety-STAT-3 showed more effective transcription function than distal binding. Detailed analysis was performed utilizing TRANSFAC to analyze canonical GAS motif (TTCnnnGAA) and the non-canonical motif (single-nucleotide variants) of binding for acetyl-STAT3. In top 500 binding peaks, canonical motif sites bound by acetyl-STAT3 were 349 versus 87 in control (p<0.00001). Analysis of acetyl-STAT3 binding to all motifs, including the one canonical motif and 18 non-canonical motifs revealed that although all 19 motifs come in up-regulation and 16 motifs come in down- regulation, the canonical motif bound by acetyl-STAT-3 was associated with the highest percent of most significantly regulated target genes (92% and 91% for up- or down-regulation respectively), demonstrating the best transcription potential for canonical motif. We next validated the expression of some of the up-regulated (IL-10Ra, Cdk6, E2F2, Rb1, Mef2c, and E2F2) and down-regulated genes (Map3k, Fcgr3, Slfn2, and Prdm1) that are not known to be direct targets of phospo-STAT3 and further confirmed that the acetyl-STAT-3 binding peaks at these gene loci were associated with H3K4me3 marks We next performed analysis for functional pathways utilizing 2 different bioinformatics tools: IPA (Ingenuity Pathway Analysis) and MSigDB conjugated with and displayed by GREAT. IPA predicted that the most up-regulated pathways were those involved in Th2 differentiation and negative regulation of cytokine production and the most down-regulated pathways involved in antigen processing and presentation. MSigDB predicted that IL-10 signaling was among the most significantly altered pathway in the acetylated STAT-3 group. We next validated with ChIP-qPCR the genes involved in IL-10 and its signaling. We found the acetyl-STAT3 binding peaks at IL-10Ra and Ido1 gene loci were associated with H3K4me3 marks, demonstrating open configuration and increased transcription. We next determined its biological relevance. We found that DCs with increased acetylated-STAT3 showed enhanced response to IL-10 and showed reduced responses to TLR (LPS) stimulation and reduction in activation of T cells. Further functional studies showed that IL-10 treatment of DCs with acetyl-STAT3 caused greater expression in total STAT3 and IL-10 demonstrating a positive feed forward mechanism for sustaining tolerogeneic functions of DCs. These data thus collectively demonstrate (a) acetylation of STAT3 targets different genes than phosphorylation of STAT3 and (b) acetylated STAT3 acts in a feedforward mechanism to enhance DC tolerance by increasing IL-10Ra and thus enhancing sensitivity to IL-10. Thus, we identified a novel acetylated-STAT3 dependent regulatory pathway in DCs. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
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DeRaedt, Sarah, Anandi Bierman, Peter van Heusden, Cameron Richards, and Alan Christoffels. "microRNA profile of Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly) and its implications on mass rearing." PLOS ONE 17, no. 3 (March 17, 2022): e0265492. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0265492.
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The growing demands on protein producers and the dwindling available resources have made Hermetia illucens (the black soldier fly, BSF) an economically important species. Insights into the genome of this insect will better allow for robust breeding protocols, and more efficient production to be used as a replacement of animal feed protein. The use of microRNA as a method to understand how gene regulation allows insect species to adapt to changes in their environment, has been established in multiple species. The baseline and life stage expression levels established in this study, allow for insight into the development and sex-linked microRNA regulation in BSF. To accomplish this, microRNA was extracted and sequenced from 15 different libraries with each life stage in triplicate. Of the total 192 microRNAs found, 168 were orthologous to known arthropod microRNAs and 24 microRNAs were unique to BSF. Twenty-six of the 168 microRNAs conserved across arthropods had a statistically significant (p < 0.05) differential expression between Egg to Larval stages. The development from larva to pupa was characterized by 16 statistically significant differentially expressed microRNA. Seven and 9 microRNA were detected as statistically significant between pupa to adult female and pupa to adult male, respectively. All life stages had a nearly equal split between up and down regulated microRNAs. Ten of the unique 24 miRNA were detected exclusively in one life stage. The egg life stage expressed five microRNA (hil-miR-m, hil-miR-p, hil-miR-r, hil-miR-s, and hil-miR-u) not seen in any other life stages. The female adult and pupa life stages expressed one miRNA each hil-miR-h and hil-miR-ac respectively. Both male and female adult life stages expressed hil-miR-a, hil-miR-b, and hil-miR-y. There were no unique microRNAs found only in the larva stage. Twenty-two microRNAs with 56 experimentally validated target genes in the closely related Drosophila melanogaster were identified. Thus, the microRNA found display the unique evolution of BSF, along with the life stages and potential genes to target for robust mass rearing. Understanding of the microRNA expression in BSF will further their use in the crucial search for alternative and sustainable protein sources.
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Wagner, Michaela, Madlen Oelsner, Peer-Hendrik Kuhn, Torsten Haferlach, Michael Fiegl, Christian Bogner, Christian Peschel, and Ingo Ringshausen. "ZAP70 Integrates BCR-Signaling into Innate Signaling Pathways in CLL." Blood 124, no. 21 (December 6, 2014): 1944. http://dx.doi.org/10.1182/blood.v124.21.1944.1944.
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Abstract The recent clinical success with small molecule inhibitors targeting the B cell receptor (BCR) pathway provides unambiguous evidence that signals engaging the BCR play a key role in the pathogenesis of CLL. The binding of CLL cells to a proposed auto-antigen has encouraged many researchers to identify these antigens. This has more recently been challenged by the identification of an internal epitope within the BCR leading to a cell autonomous, antigen-independent activation of the BCR. Overall, the response of CLL cells to a continuous activation of the BCR is anergy. Notably, with respect to different subgroup of patients, M-CLL/ZAP70 negative cases appear to be more "locked" in an anergic state than UM/ZAP70 positive cases. Since investigations in non-malignant B cells suggest that innate signaling-pathways integrate into the BCR-signaling cascade to overcome anergy, we investigated the responses to TLR9 ligation in 57 purified CLL patient samples with regard to the expression of ZAP70, which is considered to amplify signals funneled through the BCR: Here we report that ZAP70 positive CLL shows an increased proliferative response (p=0.005) and enhanced survival (p=0.001) upon TLR9 stimulation when compared to ZAP70 negative CLL. Notably, compared to untreated controls, TLR9 ligation induced apoptosis in ZAP70 negative clones, as opposed to ZAP70 positive cells, in which TLR9 agonists inhibit cell death. TLR9-conditioned media from ZAP70 positive cells completely inhibited the pro-apoptotic effect of TLR9 on ZAP70 negative cells, indicating that soluble factors protect cells from TLR9 induced cell death. Analyzing the expression and modulation of BH3 proteins in TLR9 activated CLL cells, we observed a loss of the pro-apoptotic protein BIM in ZAP70 positive cells, strongly correlating with prolonged survival. Notably, increased BIM expression upon TLR9 ligation was observed in ZAP70 negative cells. In non-malignant B cells BIM is degraded upon activation of the BCR, but not due to the ligation of TLR9. Therefore, we hypothesized that BCR-mediated signals are involved in the TLR9 response of ZAP70 positive CLL. This hypothesis is further supported by the finding that TLR9 mediated loss of BIM in ZAP70 positive CLL was inhibited by the highly specific Syk inhibitor P505-15. Accordingly, TLR9 mediated survival of CLL cells was decreased by P505-15. Since the anti-apoptotic effect of TLR9 stimulation is mediated by soluble factors, we analyzed the secretom of TLR9-conditioned media from CLL samples by mass spectrometry. Surprisingly, we found secreted IgM in conditioned media from TLR9 stimulated, ZAP70 positive, but not negative CLL. TLR9 induced secretion of IgM could also be antagonized with P505-15, further supporting our finding that TLR9 ligation impinges on BCR signaling in ZAP70 positive CLL. In addition, TLR9 conditioned media depleted of soluble IgM, failed to protect cells from apoptosis, indicating that IgM is essential to rescue TLR9 stimulated cells from cell death. In summary, our data strongly indicate that -in ZAP70 positive CLL- TLR9 ligation induces the secretion of IgM and down-regulation of BIM, both features of BCR activation. We propose the idea that the soluble IgM binds to the surface BCR through an internal epitope interaction, engaging a positive feed-back loop and further promoting the survival of ZAP70 positive CLL. Thus, ZAP70 may operate as an amplifier for TLR9 mediated activation of the BCR signaling-cascade. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Haferlach: MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Other.
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Passerini, Verena, Michael Boesl, Elisabeth Silkenstedt, Elisa Osterode, Michael Heide, Robert Kridel, Christoph Ziegenhain, et al. "PARP14 Is a Novel Therapeutic Target in STAT6 mutant Follicular Lymphoma." Blood 132, Supplement 1 (November 29, 2018): 2842. http://dx.doi.org/10.1182/blood-2018-99-118063.
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Abstract The highly variable clinical course of follicular lymphoma (FL) is determined by the molecular heterogeneity of the tumor cells and complex interactions with the microenvironment. The underlying molecular mechanisms and therapeutic vulnerabilities are not well understood. IL-4 producing follicular helper T cells (TFH) have been identified as a key component of the malignant B-cell niche. IL-4 activates paracrine signaling via STAT6. In a cohort of 258 patients with advanced stage FL, we identified STAT6 mutations in 13% of diagnostic biopsies (n=33). All mutations were clustered within the DNA binding domain, mostly at D419, and included a polymorphic variant (rs11172102). Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed that STAT6 mutant cases were significantly enriched for two distinct IL-4 gene expression signatures. Gene expression data and immunohistochemistry of primary FL samples showed significant up-regulation of IL-4/STAT6 target genes in STAT6 mutant cases, including FCER2, which encodes for CD23. We stably expressed wild type STAT6 or mutant STAT6 (D419G, N421K, and D519V) in two B-cell lymphoma lines (OCI-Ly1, OCI-Ly8), both harboring the FL hallmark translocation t(14;18). Upon IL-4 stimulation, cells expressing mutant STAT6 had significantly increased FCER2 transcript levels. Similarly, IL-4 induced expression of membrane-bound as well as soluble CD23 was significantly increased in STAT6 mutant cells. Cells expressing mutant STAT6 showed significantly increased nuclear accumulation of pSTAT6 following IL-4 stimulation. Of note, we did not observe any effect of STAT6 mutations in the absence of IL-4. RNA sequencing of IL-4-stimulated lymphoma cell lines (STAT6 mutant versus wild type) identified PARP14 -a known transcriptional co-activator of STAT6- among the top differentially expressed genes. Bioinformatics and functional experiments demonstrated that PARP14 per se is a novel STAT6 target gene. Furthermore, reporter assays showed increased transactivation activity of mutant STAT6 at the PARP14 promotor, suggesting a regulatory feed-forward loop. Pharmacological inhibition of PARP and knock-down of PARP14 completely abrogated the mutant STAT6 gain-of-function phenotype. In summary, our results suggest that PARP14 is a novel target in STAT6 mutant FL. Our data also imply that the biological and clinical impact of STAT6 mutations will heavily depend on the (targetable) upstream activation of the IL-4 signaling cascade, including the abundance of IL-4 / TFH cells in the microenvironment of FL. Disclosures Richter: HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.: Research Funding. Klapper:Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; F.Hoffman-La Roche: Honoraria, Research Funding; HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.: Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding; Regeneron: Honoraria, Research Funding. Hiddemann:Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; F. Hoffman-La Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy, Research Funding. Weigert:Novartis: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding.
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Otsuka, Jiro, and Sadaji Hayama. "Special Issue on Precision and Ultraprecision Positioning." International Journal of Automation Technology 3, no. 3 (May 5, 2009): 223. http://dx.doi.org/10.20965/ijat.2009.p0223.
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I have been the chairman of the technical committee of ultraprecision positioning at the Japan Society of Precision Engineers (JSPE) from 1993 to 1997. In November 2008, the 3rd International Conference on Positioning Technology (ICPT) was held in Shizuoka, Japan. After the conference I together with Dr. Sadaji Hayama, an adviser of the journal editorial board, asked by mail the most significant presenters and members of the technical committee of ultraprecision positioning if they are willing to contribute their papers for this special issue. As a result, we received more than 20 manuscripts, among which 2 development reports, 2 reviews, and 14 papers have been selected for publication in this journal. The contents of these papers relate mainly to the nano/subnanometer positioning technology, new control methods for ultraprecision positioning, guide way for precision positioning, positioning for ultraprecision machining, new hard disk drive method, etc. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the authors for their interesting papers on this issue and I also would like to deeply thank all the reviewers and editors for their invaluable effort.1. Demarcation Between Precision Positioning and Ultraprecision Positioning The Technical Committee of Ultraprecision Positioning (TCUP) has had a poll on Ultraprecision and Ultraprecision technology to the randomly selected members of Japan Society for Precision Engineers (JSPE) every four years since 1986 [1]. Results indicate that most respondents felt that the maximum allowable positioning error and image resolution was 1 µm for precision positioning and 10 nm for ultraprecision positioning. After 2004, most respondents appeared to view 0.1 nm as the demarcation line between the precision positioning and ultraprecision positioning.2. Know-How for Achieving Ultraprecision Positioning The champion device in ultraprecision positioning is always the stages of demagnification exposure devices for semiconductors. The exposure method using stages have advanced from 1980s steppers shown in Fig. 1(a) to today's scanning stages with the increasement of LSI capacity in achieving higher processing as shown in Fig. 1(b). The stepper consists of X and Y stages.The XY stages in the 1980s consisted of a DC servomotor, either a ball or sliding screw plus a linear guide way consisting of either rollers or a slide guide. Current scanning type consists of a linear motor and pneumatic hydrostatic guide way (Fig. 1(b)). Reticle and wafer stages travel in opposite directions and the relative positioning error is about 1 nm.Ultraprecision positioning of sub-µm accuracy is now achieved either by an AC servomotor and a ball screw or by using a linear motor. subsection2.1. Achieving high positioning resolution and accuracy with less than 0.1 µm generally depends on three factors: newpage(1) Displacement sensors for feed-back(2) Mechanical structure(3) Control, including software Ultraprecision positioning is possible only when these three factors are well coordinated.(1) Displacement Sensors Ultra-precision positioning requires high-performance displacement sensors. About 10 sensor manufacturers in Japan alone currently achieve resolution under 1 nm [3]. To achieve higher resolution, laser interferometers must operate in thermostatic chambers controlling or monitoring temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure. Great effort is required to minimize or eliminate air turbulence and inhomogeneous atmosphere temperatures in the laser beam path. To achieve nm level resolution, operations must be conducted in a vacuum.Linear encoders, although somewhat less accurate than laser interferometers, are used in over 50% for ultraprecision positioning devices in Japan and their market share continues to grow, according to the 2006 TCUP poll. Analog sensor performance in detecting microscopic displacement is steadily improved. The technical level of precision positioning device is often assessed by how the designer considers Abbe's principle.(2) Mechanical Structure Overall structural rigidity should be maximized to ensure monolithic construction. Semiconductor aligners used in exposure are made from ceramics with a high specific rigidity, i.e., the quotient of Young's modulus divided by specific gravity.1990s arguments pitting linear actuators against ball screws subsided as their specific advantages and domains of preferred use became established. Linear guide ways using steel balls or rollers are becoming cheaper, and their accuracy and other aspects of performance are improving.When stage movement is reversed, friction generated by preloads as nonlinear spring behavior which is caused by elastic deformation of balls and race ways over the moving stroke of several tens of µm, stage vibration is easy to generate. Another disadvantage, called waving, occurs when the table moves up and down at the sub-µm level perpendicular to the stage travel direction at twice the spacing of the roller separation. It is found out that waving is minimized by crowning roller guide race way. Error due to waving is reduced to less than one tenth of the original error margin [4]. Nonlinear spring behavior is minimized by modifying control method of the positioning device. For longitudinal travel, pneumatic-hydrostatic devices virtually unaffected by friction are an alternative but are prohibitively expensive.(3) Control, Including Software In precision positioning, control devices and systems have advanced significantly in the last two decades [5], changing from analog to digital with higher sampling frequency. Current digital control enables devices to be operated in conceptually the same way as analog control. TCUP respondents [1] stated that 70% of positioning devices in Japan still depend on conventional control, PID control, with innovative contemporary control theory, fuzzy control, and neural nets, etc. yet to be fully implemented.2.2. Higher Positioning Speed Higher positioning speed is required, as well as higher positioning accuracy. In scanning Fig. 1(b), maximum stage speed exceeds 2 m/s second and maximum acceleration ranges from 3G to 5G. The corresponding speed and acceleration of the wafer stage is one fourth of these values. At such high acceleration, reaction dampers are used to prevent vibration [2].About ten years ago, the maximum velocities of positioning stages tended to be limited by the speed of the displacement sensor for feed-back, however at present, it is possible to operate at the range of speed mentioned above. Note that the velocity exceeding 2 m/s is possible even with ball-screw, but noise and microvibration remain a problem.3. Nanometer and Subnanometer Positioning [3, 5-7, 10] We are pursuing the convergence of the positioning resolution to the fullest extent of the resolution of the displacement sensor for the feed-back. Bulletins [3, 6] have carried reports on experiments attaining resolution for positioning with maximum error below 0.1 nm. We introduce cases of positioning device development at nm and sub-nm resolution using both ball screw [7] and linear motor drives [8]. I would like to introduce a commercialized ball screw drive production of 1 nm resolution [7].3.1. Combination of Ball-Screw and Stepping Motors [7] The positioning devices have the resolution respectively at 1 nm and 5 nm (the lengths of travelling strokes for the stage are 20 m and 50 mm respectively). Both compensate for the rolling frictions between the ball screw and the roller guide way and for the nonlinear spring behavior at the micro-displacement range through the control of the stepping motors at high, medium and low ranges of speeds. As the dimension of detector of the displacement sensor is very small, we can make the positioning devices smaller. So, it is very strong to external disturbances.3.2. New type of Linear Motor Drive [8] The latest new type of linear actuators, generally referred to as tunnel actuators (TAs) used in ultraprecision positioning devices with a stage stroke of 200 nm (Fig. 2) are free from magnetic attractive force between stator magnets and armatures, generating less heat and having other advantages over conventional linear motors with cores.In experiments using a displacement sensor to adjust feed-back with 0.034 nm resolution and a maximum velocity of 400 mm/s, we use ball guide ways to reduce cost and still achieved a positioning resolution of 0.2 nm (Fig. 3) [8]. Experiments confirmed that, to achieve more higher resolution, electric current linear amplifiers are 10 times more effective than PWM as the current amplifier.4. Conclusions We have discussed how nanometer- and sub-nm level positioning resolution and accuracy became possible, greatly contributing to advances in nanotechnology. Nanometer and subnanometer positioning resolution are currently verified by signals from displacement sensors for feed-back. Considering changes in the positioning of stages, however, such positioning and resolution should be verified by using displacement sensors which are more accurate.If possible, verification on the resolution and accuracy must be done using a laser interferometer in a vacuum in a temperature-controlled chamber. We feel that positioning resolution should be indicated by signals directly received from sensors without low pass filter.
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Suntara, Chanon, Anusorn Cherdthong, Metha Wanapat, Suthipong Uriyapongson, Vichai Leelavatcharamas, Jutaporn Sawaengkaew, Pin Chanjula, and Suban Foiklang. "Isolation and Characterization of Yeasts from Rumen Fluids for Potential Use as Additives in Ruminant Feeding." Veterinary Sciences 8, no. 3 (March 19, 2021): 52. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/vetsci8030052.
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a yeast strain often used to improve the feed quality of ruminants. However, S. cerevisiae has limited capacity to provide biomass when inoculated with carbon sources and a low ability to produce cellulase enzymes. Here, we hypothesized that yeast in the rumen produces a large amount of biomass and could release cellulase enzymes to break down fiber content. Therefore, the aim of this study was to screen, isolate and identify yeast from the rumen fluids of Holstein Friesian steers and measure the efficiency of biomass production and cellulase activity. A fermentation medium containing sugarcane molasses as a carbon source and urea as a nitrogen source was optimized. Two fistulated–crossbred Holstein Friesian steers averaging 350 ± 20 kg body weight were used to screen and isolate the ruminal yeast. Two experiments were designed: First, a 12 × 3 × 3 factorial was used in a completely randomized design to determine biomass and carboxymethyl cellulase activity. Factor A was the isolated yeast and S. cerevisiae. Factor B was sugarcane molasses (M) concentration. Factor C was urea (U) concentration. In the second experiment, potential yeasts were selected, identified, and analyzed for 7 × 4 factorial use in a completely randomized design. Factor A was the incubation times. Factor B was the isolated yeast strains, including codes H-Khon Kaen University (KKU) 20 (as P. kudriavzevii-KKU20), I-KKU20 (C. tropicalis-KKU20), and C-KKU20 (as Galactomyces sp.-KKU20). Isolation was imposed under aerobic conditions, resulting in a total of 11 different colonies. Two appearances of colonies including asymmetric colonies of isolated yeast (indicated as A, B, C, E, and J) and ovoid colonies (coded as D, F, G, H, I, and K) were noted. Isolated yeast from the rumen capable of providing a high amount of biomass when inoculant consisted of the molasses 15% + urea 3% (M15 + U3), molasses 25% + urea 1% (M25 + U1), molasses 25% + urea 3% (M25 + U3), and molasses 25% + urea 5% (M25 + U5) when compared to the other media solution (p < 0.01). In addition, 11 isolated biomass-producing yeasts were found in the media solution of M25 + U1. There were 4 isolates cellulase producing yeasts discovered in the media solution of M25 + U1 and M25 + U5 whereas molasses 5% + urea 1% (M5 + U1), molasses 5% + urea 3% (M5 + U3), molasses 5% + urea 5% (M5 + U5), molasses 15% + urea 1% (M15 + U1), molasses 15% + urea 3% (M5 + U3), and M25 + U3 were found with 2, 3, 1, 2, 1, and 2 isolates, respectively. Ruminal yeast strains H-KKU20, I-KKU20, and C-KKU20 were selected for their ability to produce biomass. Identification of isolates H-KKU20 and I-KKU20 revealed that those isolates belonged to Pichia kudriavzevii-KKU20 and Candida tropicalis-KKU20 while C-KKU20 was identified as Galactomyces sp.-KKU20. Two strains provided maximum cell growth: P. kudriavzevii-KKU20 (9.78 and 10.02 Log cell/mL) and C. tropicalis-KKU20 (9.53 and 9.6 Log cells/mL) at 60 and 72 h of incubation time, respectively. The highest ethanol production was observed in S. cerevisiae at 76.4, 77.8, 78.5, and 78.6 g/L at 36, 48, 60, and 72 h of incubation time, respectively (p < 0.01). The P. kudriavzevii-KKU20 yielded the least reducing sugar at about 30.6 and 29.8 g/L at 60 and 72 h of incubation time, respectively. The screening and isolation of yeasts from rumen fluids resulted in 11 different yeasts being obtained. The potential yeasts discovered in the rumen fluid of cattle were Pichia kudriavzevii-KKU20, Candida tropicalis-KKU20, and Galactomyces sp.-KKU20. P. kudriavzevii-KKU20 had higher results than the other yeasts in terms of biomass production, cellulase enzyme activity, and cell number.
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Khoshal, Abdullah Khan, Barbara Novak, Pascal G. P. Martin, Timothy Jenkins, Manon Neves, Gerd Schatzmayr, Isabelle P. Oswald, and Philippe Pinton. "Co-Occurrence of DON and Emerging Mycotoxins in Worldwide Finished Pig Feed and Their Combined Toxicity in Intestinal Cells." Toxins 11, no. 12 (December 11, 2019): 727. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/toxins11120727.
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Food and feed can be naturally contaminated by several mycotoxins, and concern about the hazard of exposure to mycotoxin mixtures is increasing. In this study, more than 800 metabolites were analyzed in 524 finished pig feed samples collected worldwide. Eighty-eight percent of the samples were co-contaminated with deoxynivalenol (DON) and other regulated/emerging mycotoxins. The Top 60 emerging/regulated mycotoxins co-occurring with DON in pig feed shows that 48%, 13%, 8% and 12% are produced by Fusarium, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Alternaria species, respectively. Then, the individual and combined toxicity of DON and the 10 most prevalent emerging mycotoxins (brevianamide F, cyclo-(L-Pro-L-Tyr), tryptophol, enniatins A1, B, B1, emodin, aurofusarin, beauvericin and apicidin) was measured at three ratios corresponding to pig feed contamination. Toxicity was assessed by measuring the viability of intestinal porcine epithelial cells, IPEC-1, at 48-h. BRV-F, Cyclo and TRPT did not alter cell viability. The other metabolites were ranked in the following order of toxicity: apicidin > enniatin A1 > DON > beauvericin > enniatin B > enniatin B1 > emodin > aurofusarin. In most of the mixtures, combined toxicity was similar to the toxicity of DON alone. In terms of pig health, these results demonstrate that the co-occurrence of emerging mycotoxins that we tested with DON does not exacerbate toxicity.
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Liu, Chia Chia, Lanfang Qin, Carmine De Angelis, Sarmistha Nanda, Resel Pereira, Martin J. Shea, Agostina Nardone, et al. "Abstract PD1-05: Targeting the FRA1-dependent transcriptional nexus in high FOXA1-driven endocrine-resistant and metastatic breast cancer." Cancer Research 82, no. 4_Supplement (February 15, 2022): PD1–05—PD1–05. http://dx.doi.org/10.1158/1538-7445.sabcs21-pd1-05.
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Abstract Background: Aberrant activation of the pioneer transcription factor (TF) FOXA1 contributes to endocrine resistance and metastasis in ER+ breast cancer (BC) by promoting genome-wide enhancer and transcriptional reprogramming that engages the AP-1 TF complex. Identification of central transcriptional nexuses in this deregulated network is key for developing new therapeutic interventions focusing on transcriptional programs. We previously identified FRA1, among the AP-1 components, as the top super-enhancer target forming a FOXA1/FRA1-centered transcriptional axis to activate genes enriched in luminal B-subtype BC and ER+ metastases. To further dissect the FOXA1/FRA1-centered transcriptional axis and its potential therapeutic role, we employed integrative multi-omics data analysis and functional studies targeting FRA1 using our MCF7-parental (P) and FOXA1-amplifed tamoxifen-resistant (TamR) preclinical models. Methods: RNA-seq data were obtained in MCF7-P and TamR cells with FOXA1 and/or AP-1 (FRA1 and c-Jun) perturbation via overexpression and/or si/shRNA knockdown (KD). Differential gene expression was analyzed using DESeq2 or the limma-voom R package. ChIP-seq-based genome-wide FOXA1 binding sites were further refined by intersection with promoter-tethered regions (PTRs) denoting Hi-C-mapped chromatin looping. Genomic binding of FOXA1/c-Jun and H3K27ac modification at target gene loci were aligned and visualized by IGV. Significance of gene set enrichment was determined using a chi-square test adjusted for multiple comparisons. Clinical relevance was examined using an RNA-seq dataset of ER+ metastatic BC (SABCS19-GS2-02). Clonogenicity, soft agar, and wound-healing assays were performed using MCF7-TamR cell derivatives engineered for doxycycline (Dox)-inducible KD of FRA1 or NS shRNA. Significance of the KD effects in functional assays was determined using a linear mixed-effects model. Results: We found that FRA1 and the two embryonic TFs SOX9 and KLF4 that harbor FOXA1-bound PTRs were commonly down-regulated in TamR cells upon KD of FOXA1, FRA1, or c-Jun. We observed increased c-Jun binding at the FOXA1-bound super-enhancer and the PTR looping to the FRA1 gene locus in TamR vs. P cells, suggesting a feed-forward mechanism by which FRA1 transcription is strengthened by the AP-1-engaged super-enhancer in TamR cells. Among the FOXA1-activated genes in TamR cells, a subset of secretory protein-encoding genes was more enriched in the genes commonly dependent on both FRA1 and c-Jun, vs. the genes depending on either FRA1 or c-Jun alone. This FOXA1/FRA1/c-Jun-activated secretome is enriched for multiple biological processes engaged in tumor metastasis and associated microenvironmental niches, and was upregulated in clinical ER+ metastases vs. primary tumors. A larger proportion of this secretome, including CXCL8 and S100P, also relies on ER preferentially in TamR vs. P cells (40% vs. 16%, respectively). FRA1 KD using two different shRNA sequences in TamR cells reduced SOX9 and KLF4 expression levels, and significantly diminished clonogenicity, soft agar colony formation, and wound healing, compared to the control NS KD. Conclusions: Our integrative bioinformatics analyses reveal a feed-forward mechanism on FRA1 activation in amplifying high-FOXA1-induced transcriptional reprogramming in endocrine resistance. A prometastatic secretome activated by FRA1/c-Jun may represent a main transcriptional output of the FOXA1/FRA1-dependent nexus in promoting ER+ disease progression. These identified key transcriptional nexuses may present network hotspots susceptible to therapeutic interventions in which FRA1 inhibition could be used as a new transcriptional program-oriented therapy to treat advanced ER+ BC. Citation Format: Chia Chia Liu, Lanfang Qin, Carmine De Angelis, Sarmistha Nanda, Resel Pereira, Martin J. Shea, Agostina Nardone, Rinath Jeselsohn, Ofir Cohen, Nikhil Wagle, Zhijie Liu, Mothaffar F. Rimawi, C. Kent Osborne, Rachel Schiff, Xiaoyong Fu. Targeting the FRA1-dependent transcriptional nexus in high FOXA1-driven endocrine-resistant and metastatic breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2021 Dec 7-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PD1-05.
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O’Neill, Maggie, and Ramaswami Harindranath. "Theorising narratives of exile and belonging : the importance of Biography and Ethno-mimesis in “understanding” asylum." Qualitative Sociology Review 2, no. 1 (April 29, 2006): 39–53. http://dx.doi.org/10.18778/1733-8077.2.1.04.
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The article explores the use and importance of taking a biographical approach to conducting participatory action research (PAR) with asylum seekers and refugees in order to: better understand lived experiences of exile and belonging; contribute to the important field of Biographical Sociology; provide a safe space for stories to be told; and in turn for these stories to feed in to policy and praxis. The authors’ combined work on the asylum-migration nexus, the politics of representation and participatory action research methodology (PAR) as ethno-mimesisi argues for the use of biography to contribute to cultural politics at the level of theory, experience and praxis, and is constitutive of critical theory in praxis. PAR research undertaken with Bosnian refugees in the East Midlands and Afghan refugees in London will be the focus around which our analysis develops. We develop a case for theory building based upon lived experience using biographical materials, both narrative and visual, as critical theory in practice towards a vision of social justice that challenges the dominant knowledge/power axis embedded in current governance and media policy relating to forced migration. The dominant power/knowledge axis related to forced migration is embedded in current (New Labour) governance and re-presented in some media texts as identified below. New Labour governance is symbolised in the competing discourses of a) strong centralised control and b) more open systems, network and partnership based governance (Newman, 2003: 17-23; Clarke, 2004; Lewis, 2000). Open systems are made up of partnerships and networks – “joined up government”, “that transcends the vertical, departmental structures of government itself” (Newman, 2003: 20). to develop or foster a consensual style of governing. Progressive governance is defined by Newman (2003:15) as involving a significant shift from governance through hierarchy and competition to governance through networks and partnerships with an emphasis upon inclusion. Progressive governance involves the production of techniques and strategies of responsibilisation of citizens operationalised through the development of networks, alliances, and partnerships, with a strong focus upon active citizenship. Thus, spreading responsibility for social control to non state agencies and “communities” (Garland, 2001). In relation to forced migration/asylum discourses around the exclusion of the “other” (involving criminalisation, detention and deportation) and the maintenance and control of borders (developing ever more tighter controls on entry and asylum applications) exist in tension with discourses that speak of human rights, responsibilities and possibilities for multi-cultural citizenship especially in the community cohesion literature. There is a conflict at the heart of New Labour’s approach to asylum policy linked to the “alterity” of the asylum seeker that promulgates hegemonic ideologies and discourses around rights to belonging and citizenship, perceived access to resources (redistribution) and misrecognition fostering suspicion of the “stranger”. Alongside discourses of fairness and rights to enter and seek refuge, there exist regressive discourses that water down the vitally important actual and symbolic 1951 UN convention, and foster a split between “bogus” and “genuine” refugees, making it extremely hard to seek asylum in the UK.
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Nenseter, M. S., R. Blomhoff, C. A. Drevon, G. M. Kindberg, K. R. Norum, and T. Berg. "Uptake of LDL in parenchymal and non-parenchymal rabbit liver cells in vivo. LDL uptake is increased in endothelial cells in cholesterol-fed rabbits." Biochemical Journal 254, no. 2 (September 1, 1988): 443–48. http://dx.doi.org/10.1042/bj2540443.
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1. Hepatic uptake of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in parenchymal cells and non-parenchymal cells was studied in control-fed and cholesterol-fed rabbits after intravenous injection of radioiodinated native LDL (125I-TC-LDL) and methylated LDL (131I-TC-MetLDL). 2. LDL was taken up by rabbit liver parenchymal cells, as well as by endothelial and Kupffer cells. Parenchymal cells, however, were responsible for 92% of the hepatic LDL uptake. 3. Of LDL in the hepatocytes, 89% was taken up via the B,E receptor, whereas 16% and 32% of the uptake of LDL in liver endothelial cells and Kupffer cells, respectively, was B,E receptor-dependent. 4. Cholesterol feeding markedly reduced B,E receptor-mediated uptake of LDL in parenchymal liver cells and in Kupffer cells, to 19% and 29% of controls, respectively. Total uptake of LDL in liver endothelial cells was increased about 2-fold. This increased uptake is probably mediated via the scavenger receptor. The B,E receptor-independent association of LDL with parenchymal cells was not affected by the cholesterol feeding. 5. It is concluded that the B,E receptor is located in parenchymal as well as in the non-parenchymal rabbit liver cells, and that this receptor is down-regulated by cholesterol feeding. Parenchymal cells are the main site of hepatic uptake of LDL, both under normal conditions and when the number of B,E receptors is down-regulated by cholesterol feeding. In addition, LDL is taken up by B,E receptor-independent mechanism(s) in rabbit liver parenchymal, endothelial and Kupffer cells. The non-parenchymal liver cells may play a quantitatively important role when the concentration of circulating LDL is maintained at a high level in plasma, being responsible for 26% of hepatic uptake of LDL in cholesterol-fed rabbits as compared with 8% in control-fed rabbits. The proportion of hepatic LDL uptake in endothelial cells was greater than 5-fold higher in the diet-induced hypercholesterolaemic rabbits than in controls.
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Fulciniti, Mariateresa, Nicola Amodio, Rajya Bandi, Rao H. Prabhala, Sophia Adamia, Teresa Calimeri, Lavinia Biamonte, et al. "Mir-23b Plays a Critical Role As a Tumor Suppressor miRNA In Multiple Myeloma." Blood 122, no. 21 (November 15, 2013): 122. http://dx.doi.org/10.1182/blood.v122.21.122.122.
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Abstract Deregulated expression of microRNAs (miR) is a hallmark of cancer. Tumor suppressor miRNAs are generally down-regulated in cancer cells compared to their normal counterpart, and their enforced expression indeed represents a promising strategy for cancer treatment. We have found miR-23b to be downregulated in CD138+ myeloma cells from 38 multiple myeloma (MM) patients and 18 plasma cell leukemia (PCL) patients compared to normal PCs. Decreased expression of miR-23b was further confirmed in an independent dataset of 66 MM patients by TaqMan miRNA assays. The downregulation of miR-23b expression was also observed in several myeloma cells lines when compared with PBMC and BMSC. Interestingly, interaction of BMSC with MM cells resulted in further decrease in miR-23b expression in both cell types. Moreover, Interleukin-6 (IL-6) also suppressed the expression of miR-23b in a time- and dose- dependent pattern, indicating that the human bone marrow microenvironment (huBMM) modulates miR-23b levels. miR-23b is commonly repressed in autoimmune conditions by IL-17, a cytokine shown to promote myeloma cell growth and inhibit its immune function. We have indeed observed further decrease in miR-23b expression in MM cells after IL-17 treatment for 24 hours. We have also observed downregulation of miR-23b in CD19+ Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia (WM) cells compared to CD19+ B cells from healthy donors, which was further decreased in the presence of components of the WM bone marrow milieu. We further assessed the functional significance of miR-23b by both gain- and loss-of-function studies. A significant decrease in cell proliferation and survival, along with induction of caspase 3/7 activity was observed over time in miR-23b mimic–transfected myeloma (H929, KMS11) and WM cell lines (MWCL1) with low miR-23b expression. At the molecular level, we have identified Sp1, a transcription factor endowed with oncogenic activity in MM and WM, as a target of miR-23b. Expression of miR-23b decreased Sp1 mRNA levels via 3’UTR binding, as assessed in luciferase reporter assays. On the other hand, genetic and/or pharmacological inhibition of Sp1 led to miR-23b upregulation, thus highlighting the occurrence of a feedback loop between miR-23b and its target. Of note, miR-23b transfection significantly reduced Sp1-driven NF-kB activity in MM and WM cells. Finally, c-Myc, an important oncogenic transcription factor known to stimulate MM cell proliferation, has been shown to transcriptionally repress miR-23b. Moreover, treatment with the demethylating agent 5-aza-deoxycitidine significantly increase the expression of miR-23b in MM1S and KMS-11 cells suggesting that promoter methylation may be an additional mechanism of miR-23b suppression in myeloma. Thus MYC-dependent miR-23b repression in myeloma cells may allow activation of oncogenic transcription factors Sp1 and NF-κB, representing the first feed forward loop with critical growth and survival role in myeloma. Taken together, these data support a model in which the humoral environment reduces miR-23b expression in tumor cells, suggesting a tumor suppressor role in MM and WM and highlighting the potential of a miR-23b-based replacement therapy to treat these hematologic malignancies. Disclosures: Anderson: gilead: Consultancy; onyx: Consultancy; celgene: Consultancy; sanofi aventis: Consultancy; oncopep: Equity Ownership; acetylon: Equity Ownership.
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Ashaolu, James Olumide, Bernard Ufuoma Enaibe, and Moyosore Salihu Ajao. "Prolonged Head-Down Posture of Bats Induces Remodeling of the Aorta." Gravitational and Space Research 3, no. 1 (July 1, 2015): 29–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/gsr-2015-0003.
Full textAbstract:
ABSTRACT Inversion is the regular position for bats at rest, but continuous inversion was expected to reverse the gravity vector exposure from feet-ward to head-ward and present hemodynamic challenges that induce remodeling of the aorta. There is paucity of information regarding the cardiovascular structural adaptations in bats engaged in regulating cranial or caudal blood redistribution in prolonged inversion. The aim of this study was to determine aortic adaptations in bats during prolonged inversion. Forty (40) bats were captured at Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria and randomly allocated into a normal control group and three test groups (n=10/group). The inversion period was not extended in control group A, but was maintained 8 days in B, 15 days in C, and 22 days in D. At the end of each inversion period, the bats were euthanized using intramuscular injection, and tissues were processed for Haematoxylin and Eosin, Orcein, and Van Gieson staining. Histological changes in the tunica media and adventitia were quantified, and the results were analyzed statistically. The ascending aorta exhibited thickening of the media and adventitia, whereas the abdominal aorta showed thinning of these regions. The changes increased in magnitude with longer periods of inversion. The histological stains indicated alterations in smooth muscle cells, collagen, and elastin content, consistent with predicted elevated pressure in the ascending and decreased pressure in the abdominal aortae. The vascular adaptation in bats may provide insights into suspected cardiovascular changes in astronauts during long-term spaceflight.
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Muhammad, Cahyo Nur, and Yuli Hariyati. "PRESTIGIOUS PERCEPTION OF POTATO FARMING: AN OVERVIEW OF THE ECONOMY, SOCIO-CULTURE, AND ITS EXISTENCE." Agricultural Social Economic Journal 21, no. 1 (January 31, 2021): 25–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.21776/ub.agrise.2021.021.1.4.
Full textAbstract:
Potato farming has been developed by the Tengger Tribe in Ngadisari Village, Sukapura District, Probolinggo Regency. These tribal people cultivate various agricultural commodities, but they feel prestige when farming potatoes. This prestigious perception underlines the research that aims: 1. To determine the existence of the prestigious perception, 2. To analyze economically whether potato farming supports the prestigious perception that it can provide higher profits than other plants cultivated on the same land, and 3. Are there socio-cultural reasons for the prestigious perception of potato farming. This study used quantitative methods with 30 respondents selected by purposive sampling. The description method used to know the existence and identify social-cultural factors of the prestigious perception. To prove that economically, analyzed by comparing the potato’s farming income with non-potato on the same land. The result showed: 1) 77 % of respondents still feel prestige if they cultivate potatoes, 2) economically, potato farming had a higher income than non-potato farming, and 3) socio-cultural factors that support Tengger Tribe feel prestige: a. passed down from generation to generation, b. farming complexity challenges, and c. the needs and equality of female workers.
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Choi, Ra-Yeong, Ju Ri Ham, Hyo-Seon Ryu, Sang Suk Lee, Michelle A. Miguel, Man-Jeong Paik, Moongi Ji, et al. "Defatted Tenebrio molitor Larva Fermentation Extract Modifies Steatosis, Inflammation and Intestinal Microflora in Chronic Alcohol-Fed Rats." Nutrients 12, no. 5 (May 14, 2020): 1426. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nu12051426.
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This study examined the effects of defatted mealworm fermentation extract (MWF) on alcoholic liver injury in rats. The rats were fed either a Lieber-DeCarli control (Con) or alcohol liquid diet (EtOH). The alcohol-fed rats were administered MWF (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg/day) and silymarin (200 mg/kg/day) orally for eight weeks. MWF prevented alcohol-induced hepatocellular damage by decreasing their serum aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase levels significantly compared to the EtOH group. MWF effectively reduced the relative hepatic weight, lipid contents, and fat deposition, along with the down-regulation of transcriptional factors and genes involved in lipogenesis compared to the EtOH group. It also enhanced the antioxidant defense system by elevating the glutathione level and glutathione reductase activity. MWF attenuated the alcohol-induced inflammatory response by down-regulating hepatic inflammation-associated proteins expression, such as phosphorylated-inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappa B-alpha and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, in chronic alcohol-fed rats. Furthermore, sequencing analysis in the colonic microbiota showed that MWF tended to increase Lactobacillus johnsonii reduced by chronic alcohol consumption. These findings suggest that MWF can attenuate alcoholic liver injury by regulating the lipogenic and inflammatory pathway and antioxidant defense system, as well as by partially altering the microbial composition.
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Robles, M., P. Peugnet, C. Dubois, F. Piumi, L. Jouneau, M. C. Aubrière, M. Dahirel, L. Wimel, A. Couturier-Tarrade, and P. Chavatte-Palmer. "65 Placental Function at Term is Altered in Broodmares Fed with Cereals from Mid Gestation." Reproduction, Fertility and Development 30, no. 1 (2018): 171. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rdv30n1ab65.
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Recent data obtained in our laboratory suggest that feeding pregnant broodmares with cereal concentrates may affect both mare and foal metabolism in the short and long term. Here, we investigated feto-placental biometry and placental function at term in mares fed with cereals and forage or forage only. Twenty-two multiparous mares inseminated with the same stallion were allocated to 1 of 2 groups from 7 months of gestation: group F (n = 10) were fed forage only, whereas group B (n = 12) received forage and cracked barley until foaling. At 3 and 9 months of gestation, a glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) was performed to evaluate the insulin resistance of pregnant mares. At birth, placentas and foals were weighed and measured. Placental samples were collected above the umbilical cord insertion and snap frozen. An RNA sequencing (RNAseq) analysis was performed on 9 placentas of each group. After normalization, gene levels were analysed using the DESEqn 2 package of R software (https://www.r-project.org/). Enrichment of gene sets was analysed using the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) software using the Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology [GO, biological processes (bp), molecular function (mf) and cellular components (cc)] databases. Gene analysis statistical results were considered significant for P-values < 0.05 after false rate discovery (fdr) correction. The IVGTT results were analysed using a type 3 ANOVA on a mixed linear model with group as fixed effect and age of the mare as random effect. At 3 months of gestation, maternal glucose metabolism was not different between groups. At 9 months, B mares had a higher insulin area under the curve (AUC) after glucose injection than F mares (P < 0.01), without any difference in glucose AUC, suggesting that B mares were more insulin resistant than F mares. At birth, no difference was observed for feto-placental biometry between groups. Gene-level analysis could not discern differences in gene expression between groups after fdr correction. The GSEA analysis, however, showed that 8 gene sets were down-regulated in C placentas (2 KEGG, 2 GObp, 3 GOmf, 1 GOcc) and 193 gene sets were up-regulated (15 KEGG, 144 GObp, 12 GOmf, 22 GOcc) in B placentas. The down-regulated gene sets were involved in neutral amino acids and anion transport, fatty acid oxidation, acetyl coA synthesis, cholesterol and folate degradation, and the up-regulated gene sets were involved in RNA expression, inflammation (activation and recruitment of immune cells, MAPK signalling, complement and coagulation cascades, pro-inflammatory cytokine production and signalling) and in vascularisation (vasculogenesis, angiogenesis and smooth muscle cells development). The results are consistent with the altered function observed in term placentas of women who suffer from gestational diabetes. In conclusion, feeding pregnant mares with cereal from mid gestation alters the placental function at term. The authors thank the GeT platform (Toulouse, France) for the sequencing of the samples.
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Parameswaran, Reshmi, Derek Wong, Keman Zhang, Abhishek Asthana, Marcos de Lima, and Paolo F. Caimi. "Ligand Based CAR T-Cell Targeting BAFF Receptors Asa Novel Therapy for B Cell Malignancies." Blood 136, Supplement 1 (November 5, 2020): 31–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1182/blood-2020-141009.
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Background: Autologous T cells engineered to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) targeting CD19 have shown rapid and durable responses in B cell malignancies. Although CD19 CAR-T cells have demonstrated remarkable success, CD19-negative relapses occur in 30-45% of patients, highlighting the need for adoptive immunotherapies with alternative targeting approaches. B-cell activating factor (BAFF) is a critical B cell survival factor. Receptors of BAFF (BAFF-R, TACI and BCMA) are expressed by a wide range of B cell neoplasms, including ALL, CLL, NHL and MM, making them attractive therapeutic targets. We developed a novel ligand-based CAR that when expressed in T cells, targets and eliminates malignant B cells expressing BAFF receptors (BAFF CAR-T). This approach has several potential advantages over CD19 targeting CAR-T therapy: CD19 is expressed on all B cells, but BAFF receptors are expressed only on mature B cells, making it a more specific antigen for targeting and potentially narrowing down the side effect profile. BAFF CAR-T cells are a potential therapeutic strategy to treat CD19 CAR-T relapsed patients as well as chemotherapy resistant patients. Methods: BAFF ligand was fused to a second generation CAR backbone containing 4-1BB costimulatory and CD3ζ intracellular signaling domains. T cells were isolated from human blood, activated and transduced with BAFF-CAR lentiviral particles. In vitro tumor cell killing was analyzed using calcein-AM cytotoxicity assay. For in vivo testing of BAFF CAR-T cytotoxicity, we used mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) Jeko-1 xenograft model. Immunocompromised NSG mice were subcutaneously injected with human MCL cell line Jeko-1 (10.106 cells at day 0). Once these mice developed measurable tumors, we injected T cells transduced with empty vector (control T cells) or BAFF-CAR T cells (10 x 106 cells) or PBS intra-tumorally as a one-time injection. Tumor volumes were measured every other day using calipers. Results: BAFF CAR-T cells showed significant cytotoxicity in vitro (not shown) and in vivo against human MCL cell line Jeko-1. Mice treated with BAFF-CAR-T showed significant reduction in tumor volume compared to mice treated with control T cells and PBS (Figure 1A, B). Tumor progression was observed after control T cell and PBS treatment, whereas the cohort treated with BAFF CAR-T did not show any tumor progression, and with complete or near-complete tumor eradication. Survival analysis showed the BAFF CAR-T treated cohort had significantly longer survival compared to control-T cell and PBS treated cohorts (Figure 1C). Mice were sacrificed when tumor volume reached 2 cm3. Conclusion: Our data suggest that targeting BAFF receptors with a novel, ligand-based BAFF-CAR-T is a feasible and effective immunotherapeutic strategy to eliminate malignant B cells, warranting further development. BAFF-CAR-T cells have therapeutic potential against a wide spectrum of B cell malignancies, including CD19 negative relapsed disease. Clinical grade expansion and clinical trials are in development for BAFF CAR-T therapy non Hodgkin lymphoma patients. Disclosures Parameswaran: Luminary Therapeutics: Consultancy; Luminary therapeutics: Research Funding. de Lima:Kadmon: Other: Personal Fees, Advisory board; BMS: Other: Personal Fees, advisory board; Incyte: Other: Personal Fees, advisory board; Celgene: Research Funding; Pfizer: Other: Personal fees, advisory board, Research Funding. Caimi:Amgen: Other: Advisory Board; Bayer: Other: Advisory Board; Verastem: Other: Advisory Board; Kite pharmaceuticals: Other: Advisory Board; ADC therapeutics: Other: Advisory Board, Research Funding; Celgene: Speakers Bureau.
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Bogacki, Paweł, Tomasz Gach, and Mirosław Szura. "Elective surgery during COVID-19 pandemic – patient’s perspective." Polish Journal of Surgery 94, no. 3 (November 10, 2021): 1–7. http://dx.doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0015.5034.
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<b>Introduction:</b> COVID-19 pandemic has drastically altered the way surgical units function. Many changes have been introduced to diminish the risk of viral transmission among patients and healthcare professionals. Much have been said about the burden of those changes on hospital employees in their daily struggle, but little has been published on the patient’s perspective. </br></br> <b> Aim:</b> The aim of this study is to determine patient’s perception of undergoing elective surgical procedure during COVID pandemic. </br></br> <b> Materials and methods:</b> We surveyed 285 consecutive patients that were admitted for elective surgery to the General Surgery Department of St John Grande’s Hospital in Krakow after the national COVID lock-down had been lifted. The survey focused on how patients see this situation and how it determined their health-related behaviors. </br></br> <b> Results:</b> A total of 285 consecutive patients admitted to the Surgical Department for elective surgery between July 1<sup>st</sup> and August 1<sup>st</sup> were asked to fill out a survey on admission. As many as 252 fully filled out surveys were gathered. Thirty-three surveys were excluded from the study due to their incompletion. As many as 40% of the patients had their surgical plans altered in some way due to the pandemic. No fear or slight fear of the virus was declared by 88.8% of the patients. However, 54% feel less safe in the hospital than before the pandemic. Median evaluation of preparation of the hospital was 9 out of 10, average score being 8.72. The majority of the patients have no opinion on whether they should be tested for coronavirus before admission. Almost no one (3.2%) is willing to pay for a commercial test prior to admission, but the majority (76.6%) is willing to self-quarantine before surgery if needed. Detailed results of the survey are described in the manuscript. </br></br> <b>Conclusions:</b> The pandemic does not seem to have greatly influenced patients’ health-related behaviors. The general attitude towards the pandemic by patients is rather calm. Most of them feel less safe in the hospital than before the pandemic, but the level of fear is low. Very few resigned from surgery solely because of the pandemic.
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Beverly, Robert L., Prajna Woonnimani, Brian P. Scottoline, Jiraporn Lueangsakulthai, and David C. Dallas. "Peptides from the Intestinal Tract of Breast Milk-Fed Infants Have Antimicrobial and Bifidogenic Activity." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22, no. 5 (February 27, 2021): 2377. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms22052377.
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For bioactive milk peptides to be relevant to infant health, they must be released by gastrointestinal proteolysis and resist further proteolysis until they reach their site of activity. The intestinal tract is the likeliest site for most bioactivities, but it is currently unknown whether bioactive milk peptides are present therein. The purpose of the present study was to identify antimicrobial and bifidogenic peptides in the infant intestinal tract. Milk peptides were extracted from infant intestinal samples, and the activities of the bulk peptide extracts were determined by measuring growth of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bifidobacterium longum spp. infantis after incubation with serial dilutions. The peptide profiles of active and inactive samples were determined by peptidomics analysis and compared to identify candidate peptides for bioactivity testing. We extracted peptides from 29 intestinal samples collected from 16 infants. Five samples had antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and six samples had bifidogenic activity for B. infantis. We narrowed down a list of 6645 milk peptides to 11 candidate peptides for synthesis, of which 6 fully inhibited E. coli and S. aureus growth at concentrations of 2500 and 3000 µg/mL. This study provides evidence for the potential bioactivity of milk peptides in the infant intestinal tract.
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MARTIN, DALE E., and L. E. LOWE. "CHARACTERIZATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF ROOT MAT HORIZONS IN SOME COASTAL BRITISH COLUMBIA PODZOLS." Canadian Journal of Soil Science 69, no. 1 (February 1, 1989): 17–23. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/cjss89-002.
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Podzols formed in high-rainfall areas of south coastal B.C. often have layers of highly organic material at depth in the profile, and in many cases, “pipes” of similar material angling down through the profile. These materials have a greasy feel, few discernible mineral grains, occasional remnants of wood structure and a cellular nature. The horizontal layers, termed "root mats", range in thickness from 1 cm to > 30 cm, and are overlain by coarse-textured material of low organic matter content. Chemically this material is similar to surficial H horizons with respect to C:N and N:S ratios, but closely resembles Podzolic B horizons with respect to Fe content and humus fraction ratios. In contrast oxalate-extractable Al values are remarkably high, sometimes exceeding 10%. The majority of the root mats can be classified as organic (> 17% organic C), either as H or O horizons. Those containing < 17% C meet the criteria for Bhf horizons. Key words: Root mat, root channel, oxalate-extractable Al, organic horizons
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Panagiotou, Thomai, and Robert J. Fisher. "Producing micron- and nano-size formulations for functional foods applications." Functional Foods in Health and Disease 3, no. 7 (July 8, 2013): 274. http://dx.doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v3i7.48.
Full textAbstract:
Background: Nutrient deficiencies affect the health and wellness of large populations around the world. For example, the majority suffer from vitamin, essential fatty acid (such as omega-3), dietary fiber, and other important ingredient deficiencies due to their limited supply in the human food chain. Current trends in the nutraceutics industry to place these substances in higher. more-efficiently dispersed quantities in our food have become critically essential to their business plans. Nutrients in the form of small solids or droplets improve bioavailability. However, there remain numerous barriers to successful implementation of cost effective manufacturing processes. These challenges are addressed in the work presented here with particular focus on stability, bioavailability, and consumer acceptance. The goal is to develop large scale manufacturing systems that implement efficient platform technologies, with their respective operational maps, to produce functional food formulations, with particle sizes of these specially formulated nutraceutical ingredients in the micron-and nano- range.Objective: Demonstrating that stable micron- and nano-size emulsions, liposomes, and aqueous suspensions of functional food formulations can be produced using both “top down” and “bottom up” methods is our main objective. Addressing the challenges associated with the incorporation of these ingredients into large scale manufacturing systems, mainly mechanical stability and related shelf-life issues, is also a focus. That is, to develop proper processing protocols providing improved quality foods enriched with ingredients that are in limited supply in our food chain; to enhance human health and wellness world-wide.Methods: The formulations considered here typical of those used for increasing bioavailability of the infused, specially formulated ingredients with anti-cancer, anti-aging, and in-general wellness properties, lowering fat content and enhancing the shelf-life stability. Included are (a) an oil-in-water (fish oil/omega-3) emulsion, (b) liposome chaperones to vitamin C, and (c) aqueous suspensions (curcumin crystals, lutein/carotenoids, and fiber in soy milk). The production techniques include both “top-down” particle size reduction and “bottom-up” formation of crystals/precipitates via solubility adjustments. Both techniques are based on high shear processing of multiple liquid feeds. Using an impinging jet system, micro-mixing scales less than 100 nm were obtained.Results: (a) All nano-emulsion types, single, double and larger, either as oil-in-water and water-in-oil, can effectively be produced from various formulations using “top-down” methods. Illustrated here are single, oil-in-water systems; concentrations of 12-14 wt. % fish oil/omega-3 were mixed with water containing food grade surfactants. The high shear processing produced stable, submicron particles; with median particle sizes of 119-163 nm, no particles larger than 1 micron, and the “fish” odor was suppressed. Pertinent discussions related to the other types are also given as suggested path forward approaches for the development of nutrient enriched functional foods. This includes water-in-oil formulations for reduced fat content and the delivery of multiple species via double and triple emulsions, as compared to liposome configurations. (b) Although liposomes may be used to encapsulate both hydrophobic and hydrophilic substances, we selected liposomal vitamin C as our initial proof-of-concept system since it is absorbed into the body over four times more easily than its non-encapsulated form. After top down processing, the median size was 200 nm, compared to a median size of about 5 microns obtained by traditional self-assembly protocols. (b) Aqueous suspensions of micron- and nano- size formulations were also accomplished. The top down size reduction technique was used for processing soy bean fibers and lutein and the bottom-up method used for curcumin crystals. The fibers initially had a median size of 150 microns and a bi-modal distribution was obtained after processing; 99% of the particles were smaller than 15 microns with median sizes at 10 microns and the larger peak at about 200 nm. The curcumin submicron particles were formed via anti-solvent crystallization; with stable particles in the range of 300-500 nm. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that stable micron- and nano-size emulsions, liposomes, and aqueous suspensions can be produced using both “top down” and “bottom up” methods. The formulation properties, in terms of particle size and stability, strongly depend on the processing parameters used in terms of energy input and temperature history. The energy requirements of the “bottom up” methods may be substantially lower than those of “top down” methods. Although some of the processes presented here have been scaled up to commercial levels, more work is needed in terms of fully assessing the bioavailability of the produced formulations and optimizing the processes to minimize cost. Key words: nano-emulsion, nano-suspension, high-shear processing, crystallization, curcumin, fish oil, liposomal vitamins: C and E, lutein, nutraceuticals, omega-3, soybean fiber
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Hufschmidt, Dirk, Gisela M. Arzac, Maria Carmen Jiménez de Haro, and Asunción Fernández. "A hydrogen generator coupled to a hydrogen heater for small scale portable applications." E3S Web of Conferences 334 (2022): 06006. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202233406006.
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This study aims to build and test a small scale portable device able to couple a hydrogen generation system (based on a NaBH4 solution as liquid H2 carrier) to a hydrogen heater (based on the exothermic catalytic combustion of the released H2). The hydrogen generating system is based on the hydrolysis of stabilized solutions of NaBH4 (fuel solutions) which are pumped into the hydrolysis reactor. The generated H2 feeds the catalytic combustor. Two catalysts have been developed for the H2 generation and the combustion reactions able to operate at room temperature without need of additional energy supply. For the NaBH4 hydrolysis a Co-B catalyst was supported on a perforated and surface treated stainless steel (SS316) home-made monolith. For the flameless H2 catalytic combustion a Pt catalyst was prepared on a commercial SiC foam. The device was automatized and tested for the on-demand production of heat at temperatures up to 100ºC. In steady state conditions the NaBH4 solution flow is controlling the H2 flux and therefore the heater temperature. Once the steady-state is reached the system responds in a few minutes to up and down temperature demands from 80 to 100 ºC. The catalysts have shown no deactivation during the tests carried out in several days.
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Choji, Solomon, Faith Damla, Larry Barde, Riyang Zakka, and Adeshola Adegbite. "ANTI-DIABETIC EFFECTS OF ETHANOL LEAF EXTRACT OF ONIONS (Allium cepa) ON ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC WISTAR ALBINO RATS." BOKKOS JOURNAL OF APPLIED SCIENTIFIC REPORTS 1, no. 2 (March 14, 2021): 19–34. http://dx.doi.org/10.47452/bjasrep.v1i2.22.
Full textAbstract:
ANTI-DIABETIC EFFECTS OF ETHANOL LEAF EXTRACT OF ONIONS (Allium cepa) ON ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC WISTAR ALBINO RATS
Choji Solomon S. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Plateau State University, Bokkos. P.M. B 2012, Jos. Nigeria. Chojisolomon@gmail.com
+2347065752410
Damla Faith U. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Plateau State University, Bokkos. P.M. B 2012, Jos. Nigeria
Barde Larry A. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Plateau State University, Bokkos. P.M. B 2012, Jos. Nigeria
Zakka Riyang. Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Science, Federal University Wukari. P.M.B 1020
Adegbite Adeshola. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology. Ogbomoso. Oyo State.
Abstract.
Diabetes is a chronic disease characterised by high blood glucose level and abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates, protein and fat. The condition is characterised by persistent hyperglycaemia. Allium cepa leaf is a functional food used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The use of plants especially vegetable as antidiabetic remedies have added interest of joining two basic diabetes mellitus control factors: food and medication. The ethanol extract of Allium cepa leaf was investigated for antidiabetic effects using alloxan- induced diabetic wistar albino rats. Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into six groups; Group A rats were non-diabetic control. Diabetes was induced in groups B, C, D, E and F by single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150mg/kg body weight). Group B were not treated and served as negative control group. Group C were treated with glibenclamide (5mg/kg body weight), thus served as postive control group. Groups D, E and F were treated with 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively for a period of two weeks through intraperitoneal route. The effect of treatment with the doses of the extract and standard drug were studied on blood glucose level, total serum cholesterol and body weight. Allium Cepa extract produced a dose- dependent significant reduction in the blood glucose level when compared with that of the control group. Significant total serum cholesterol reduction was observed at 300 and 400mg/kg. An observed decrease in body weight of the negative control group was recorded and significant increase for all other groups. The findings from this study indicate that the crude extract of Allium cepa leaf caused a significant hypoglycaemic and hypocholesterolemic activity in alloxan-induced diabetic rats thus, validates its use in ethno – medicine for the control of diabetes mellitus.
KEY WORDS: Diabetes mellitus, Allium cepa, Alloxan, Blood glucose, Cholesterol Glibenclamide.
1.0 INTRODUCTION.
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic disorders associated with disturbances in the metabolism of fuel molecules due to absolute deficiency of insulin, insufficient insulin secretion and / or its secretion [1]. It is a disorder that affects the body’s ability to make or use insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that helps transport glucose (blood sugar) from the bloodstream into the cells so they can break it down and use it for fuel. People cannot live without insulin [2]. It is also a widespread endocrine disorder that is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality and is found in all population throughout the world [3]
Despite the presence of anti-diabetic drugs in the pharmaceutical market, the treatment of diabetes with medicinal plants is often successful. Herbal medicine and plant components with insignificant toxicity and less or no side effect are notable therapeutic options for the treatment of this disease around the world [4]. The most common herbal active ingredients used in treating diabetes are flavonoids, tannins, phenols and alkaloids [5]. The existence of these compounds implies the importance of the anti-diabetic properties of these plants [4].
Allium cepa is one of the recognised medicinal plants known to possess several medicinal properties including lowering of blood pressure, antiseptic, hypoglycaemic and hypocholesterolemic activity [6]. In the rural communities, many people depend solely on medicinal plants for the treatment of diabetes due to its easy accessibility, affordability and availability even when the efficacy of the herbal remedies has not been established [6].
Dietary therapy is unarguably the best treatment for diabetes. The diabetic diet should be carefully monitored to minimize the load placed on the blood glucose regulating mechanism. The use of plants, especially vegetables, by the population as antidiabetic remedies has added interest of joining two basic diabetes mellitus control factors: food and medication [7]. This research is thus geared towards finding a medicinal plant that will not only increase the energy content of diabetics but also lower glycaemic index properties for the management of diabetic pressures in our society.
2.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS.
2.1 Materials.
2.1.1 Chemicals and Reagents.
Baker Ltd Dagenham, England, BDH Chemicals Ltd; Poole England, Sigma Chemicals, St Louis, USA, Emzor Pharmaceuticals Industry Ltd, Nigeria and Randox Laboratories. London, UK.
2.1.2 Plant
The Allium cepa leaves used for the experiment was bought from Barkin Ladi Market, Plateau State, Nigeria. The plants were identified by Professor Pob Poppva in the Department of Botany, University of Jos, Plateau State. A voucher specimen was deposited in the herbarium unit of the department.
2.1.3 Experimental Animals.
A total of thirty-six (36) adult male Wistar albino rats weighing 80 to 150g and twelve (12) mice were used for the experiment. The experimental animals were purchased from Chris Animal Farm, G.R.A. Awka. They were housed six (6) rats per cage at the experimental Animal House of Biochemistry Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State. They were acclimatized for two weeks under standard laboratory conditions and were maintained on water and Guinea growers mash pellet (Vital Feed Grand Cereals Nigeria Ltd, Jos, Nigeria) that was obtained from Eke Market, Awka, Anambra State.
2.2 Methods
2.2.1 Preparation of ethanol leaf extract of Allium cepa .
The leaves of Allium cepa were properly washed with distilled water and dried at room temperature for three weeks. The dried leaves were then pulverised using corona manual grinding machine. The powdered samples of Allium cepa was weighed and exactly 1475g was extracted in 5 litres of 80% ethanol for 24 hours with occasional stirring, sieved and filtered using filter paper (Whatman number 1). The filtrate was then concentrated using a rotary evaporator at 600C and appeared as a dark brown gel solid. The extracts were kept in a labelled glass container and stored in a refrigerator until when required for reconstitution and administration.
2.2.2 Phytochemical Screening of Secondary metabolites(Constituents)
The qualitative phytochemical screening of the ethanol leaf extract of Allium cepa was carried out using standard procedures as outlined by [8], [9].
2.2.3 Acute toxicity and Median Lethal Dose (LD50) test of ethanol leaf extract of Allium cepa.
The median Lethal Dose (LD50) was determined using Wistar albino mice as described by the modified method of [10]. Test animals were divided into six (6) groups. The first 3 groups which contain 3 animals each were given 10mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 1000mg/kg body weight of the ethanol extract of Allium Cepa leaves. The Allium Cepa extract was administered orally and was monitored for 24 hours. The last 3 groups which contain one animal each per group were then given 1600mg/kg, 2900mg/kg and 5000mg/kg body weight of the ethanol extract of Allium Cepa leaves and were observed for 24 hours.
2.2.4 Induction of Diabetes.
Alloxan was prepared and induced by adopting the method of [11]. All rats, except for the normal control group were intraperitoneally injected with 150mg/kg body weight of the prepared alloxan dissolved in normal saline solution. The blood glucose levels of the rats were checked before the administration of alloxan using one touch glucometer (Fine touch, USA) and test strips. The rats were then fasted for 16 hours, but with free access to water after which they received an intraperitoneal injection of alloxan 150mg/kg body weight. The rats were orally given 20ml each of 10% glucose solution after 2 hours to prevent hypoglycaemia. The animals were allowed free access to food and water after alloxan administration. After 48 hours of the alloxan administration, blood was collected orbito-rectally and their glucose levels were checked using one touch glucometer and test strips. Diabetes was confirmed to have been induced if the glucose level was observed to be far much higher than normal (above 140mg/dl).
2.2.5 Experimental Design
This study was carried out on alloxan –induced diabetic rats for two (2) weeks. A total of thirty-six (36) Wistar albino rats were used for the experiment. The albino rats were randomly divided into six (6) groups with six (6) rats in each group. The extract and the reference drug were administered intraperitoneally to the animals.
Group A – Normal (non-diabetic control)
Group B – Diabetic (negative) control group
Group C – Diabetic (positive) control – this group received 5mg/kg body weight of glibenclamide.
Group D – This group received 200mg/kg body weight of the extract.
Group E – This group received 300mg/kg body weight of the extract.
Group F – This group received 400mg/kg body weight of the extract
The weights of the animals were carefully monitored before the induction and throughout the duration of the experiment.
2.2.6 Biochemical Assay
2.2.6.1 Blood glucose level determination
Determination of the blood glucose level was done by the glucose-oxidase principle [12] using the one touch instrument and results were reported as mg/dl [13].
2.2.6.2 Determination of total serum cholesterol.
The cholesterol of the serum was oxidised to tetraene derivative by ferric ions derived from ferric perchlorate using four different test tubes that were marked test, control, standard and blank. The absorbance was measured (using spectrophotometer) at 590nm wavelength and compared with that of a pure solution of cholesterol [14]
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Sambou, E., P. M. Vila, and A. T. Kobea. "Non-trough <i>fo</i>F2 enhancements at near-equatorial dip latitudes." Annales Geophysicae 16, no. 6 (June 30, 1998): 711–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00585-998-0711-8.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract. Fine resolution series from three equatorial ionosondes of the IEEY network in West Africa have revealed small-scale daytime peak F2 structures, superposed on the slowly varying minimum or "trough" distribution in the ±5° magnetic latitude zone. We report this new morphology, concentrating on foF2 enhancements of two types: near-equatorial crests (which travel either northwards or southwards) and magnetic field-aligned domes, whose onsets last only tens of minutes. Both types are observed to start at mid-morning or early afternoon hours. We relate their occurrence with the available variations of Vz=E × B upward drift which feeds the equatorial plasma fountain. We suggest the foF2 enhancements to be triggered by brief slow-downs of the Vz velocity near F2 peak altitude in our West African sector. Their short latitude extent differentiates them from the larger-scale tropical crest system. Further analysis of these features should lead to weather-like models of the low latitude ionosphere variations, where unstable local coupling between processes seems to be the trigger.Key words. Ionosphere (Equatorial ionosphere · Ionosphere-atmosphere interaction · Plasma temperature and density)
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Graziano, Martín, Lucas C. Parra, and Mariano Sigman. "Neural Correlates of Perceived Confidence in a Partial Report Paradigm." Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience 27, no. 6 (June 2015): 1090–103. http://dx.doi.org/10.1162/jocn_a_00759.
Full textAbstract:
Confidence judgments are often severely distorted: People may feel underconfident when responding correctly or, conversely, overconfident in erred responses. Our aim here was to identify the timing of brain processes that lead to variations in objective performance and subjective judgments of confidence. We capitalized on the Partial Report Paradigm [Sperling, G. The information available in brief visual presentations. Psychological Monographs: General and Applied, 74, 1, 1960], which allowed us to separate experimentally the moment of encoding of information from that of its retrieval [Zylberberg, A., Dehaene, S., Mindlin, G. B., & Sigman, M. Neurophysiological bases of exponential sensory decay and top–down memory retrieval: A model. Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience, 3, 2009]. We observed that the level of subjective confidence is indexed by two very specific evoked potentials at latencies of about 400 and 600 msec during the retrieval stage and by a stationary measure of intensity of the alpha band during the encoding period. When factoring out the effect of confidence, objective performance shows a weak effect during the encoding and retrieval periods. These results have relevant implications for theories of decision-making and confidence, suggesting that confidence is not constructed online as evidence is accumulated toward a decision. Instead, confidence attributions are more consistent with a retrospective mechanism that monitors the entire decision process.
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Cho, Hang-Hee, Soo-Jung Lee, Sung-Ho Kim, Sun-Hee Jang, Chungkil Won, Hong-Duck Kim, Tae Hoon Kim, and Jae-Hyeon Cho. "Acer tegmentosum Maxim Inhibits Adipogenesis in 3t3-l1 Adipocytes and Attenuates Lipid Accumulation in Obese Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet." Nutrients 12, no. 12 (December 7, 2020): 3753. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nu12123753.
Full textAbstract:
We investigated the effect of Acer tegmentosum Maxim (ATM) on adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells and anti-obesity properties in obese rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Cellular lipid content in DMI (dexamethasone, 3–isobutyl–1–methylxanthine, and insulin mixture)-treated cells increased, while ATM treatment caused a significant reduction in lipid accumulation in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. ATM (60 ug/mL) caused inhibition of adipogenesis via down-regulation of the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ) (48%), C/EBPα (66%), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) (64%) expressions in 3T3-L1 cells. Moreover, ATM induced a decrease in the expressions of adipocyte-specific genes, such as adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein-2 (aP2), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and lipoprotein lipase (LPL). Protein kinase B (Akt) and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) phosphorylation was also decreased by ATM treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We investigated the anti-obesity effects of ATM on HFD-induced obese rats. Rats fed with an HFD demonstrated elevations in body weight gain, while the administration of ATM reversed body weight (BW) gains and adipose tissue weights in rats fed an HFD. ATM supplementation caused a decrease in the circulating triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and led to inhibition of lipid accumulation in the adipose tissues in HFD-induced obese rats. Epididymal fat exhibited significantly larger adipocytes in the HFD group than it did in the ATM-treated group. These results demonstrate that ATM administration caused a reduction in adiposity via attenuation in adipose tissue mass and adipocyte size.