Julio Federico Benites, Diego Ricardo Gutiérrez, Silvana Cecilia Ruiz
et al.
Pumpkin (P) production in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, is of high quality. The product is sold whole and fresh, and is traditionally consumed after being cooked in water. Due to its pleasant flavor (semi-sweet), it is widely accepted among consumers, being a potentially versatile product to be consumed fresh or minimally processed (MP). Processing increases food’s susceptibility to microbial spoilage, making it necessary to use sanitizers. In this work, the effect of different application methodologies at different concentrations of rosemary essential oil (REO) on the sensory characteristics and microbiological quality of grated P was evaluated. The product was washed, sanitized, cut, peeled, grated and centrifuged, and then REO was superficially incorporated in two concentrations (4 and 8 μL/mL), applied in three ways: sprayed (TA), immersion (TI) and by strips embedded in EO being adhered to the storage container (TV). The product was subsequently stored at 5 °C in sealed polypropylene bags of 35 μm. In addition, an immersion treatment with NaClO-100 ppm-3 min and a control without any additive were included. Samples were taken at 24 h and 8 days of storage, evaluating mesophilic aerobic microorganisms (MA), psychrophilic (Psy), enterobacteria (E) and mold and yeasts (MY). Sensory evaluation was carried out by trained judges, determining that aroma and flavor were the critical attributes for acceptability. At the end of storage, microbiological analysis showed that REO treatments presented levels of 10<sup>7</sup> CFU/g, similar to NaCLO treatment, except TI with both concentrations, which was more effective in inhibiting the development of Psy and MY. Regarding aroma evaluation, at 8 days all treatments were acceptable, with the exception of TI and TV (8 μL/mL), while for flavor all treatments were acceptable with the exception of TI for both concentrations. Therefore, the application of TA and TV treatments at the lowest concentration could be considered for further studies to increase the shelf life of MP P.
Achmad Ezar Abdillah, Dewi Sarah, Aziz Aji Ardian
et al.
Abstract The study evaluated the effect of adding of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) essential oil (NEO) as a feed additive on methane production, rumen fermentation parameters, rumen enzyme activity, and nutrient digestibility in vitro. This study was divided into three treatments based on the level of NEO addition, which included 0 µL/L (T0), 100 µL/L (T1), and 200 µL/L (T2). The feed substrate composition consisted of king grass as forage and concentrate in a 60:40 ratio. Feed fermentation was conducted using the Menke and Steingass gas production and two-step Tilley and Terry in-vitro digestibility technique. The data obtained from the study were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and if there were differences between means, they were further assessed using DMRT. The results showed that T2 treatment significantly decreased (P < 0.05) ammonia (NH3) levels, total VFA, acetate, propionate, butyrate, and microbial protein (P < 0.05). Methane production and the activity of rumen protease enzyme significantly decreased (P < 0.05) at T1 and T2 treatment. The T2 treatment significantly reduced (P < 0.05) protein digestibility (IVCPD) at 48 h, while IVCPD at 96 h significantly increased (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the addition of nutmeg essential oil did not effect the activity of the amylase, carboxymethyl cellulase, and β-glucosidase enzymes, as well as the in-vitro digestibility of dry matter (IVDMD), crude fiber (IVCFD), and organic matter (IVOMD). The conclusion drawn from this study is that the optimum level for NEO is 200 µL/L, which can reduce methane production and increase crude protein digestibility at 96 h without any negative effect on rumen fermentation and nutrient digestibility.
Rafael André da Silva, Luiz Philipe de Souza Ferreira, Vinicius M. Paiva Roda
et al.
In diabetic retinopathy (DR), Müller cell gliosis contributes to retinal degeneration and inflammation. In this context, we highlight annexin A1 (AnxA1), an anti-inflammatory protein able to regulate neurodegeneration and angiogenesis; however, its mechanisms of action were poorly explored in DR. This study evaluates the function of AnxA1 in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DR in wild-type (WT) and knockout (AnxA1<sup>-/-</sup>) mice after 12 weeks. In addition, in silico analysis was performed with GSE111465 (whole retinas from 6-week-old STZ-diabetic or control animals) and GSE160306 (human retinas with different stages of DR). Retinas from 6-week-old STZ-diabetic mice showed raised transcripts of AnxA1 and GFAP compared to the controls. After 12 weeks, RD was associated with increased levels of AnxA1, formyl peptide receptor 2 (Fpr2) in the WT retina, as well as cleaved caspase 3 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) compared to the control samples. The lack of AnxA1 caused increased glutamine synthetase expression (Müller cell marker) in the retinas from RD animals compared to the WT RD group. On the other hand, no alterations in the levels of caspase 3 and VEGF expression were showed in the AnxA1<sup>-/-</sup> groups. Despite both genotypes presenting with gliosis in the peripheral retinas, as shown by glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) immunostaining, the AnxA1<sup>-/-</sup> RD group exhibited decreased levels of GFAP compared to the RD WT group. In an in silico study with human retinas, the severity of DR is associated with higher levels of AnxA1 mRNA expression. Additionally, a positive correlation between AnxA1 and GFAP mRNA levels was detected. These results allow us to conclude that AnxA1 participates in the progression of RD and that this protein can regulate the expression of GFAP.
Subclinical intra-mammary infection is a very current disease in dairy females; several early tests exist for their detection: California Mastitis Test (CMT), Electrical Conductimetry of milk (CE), pH indicator papers. In this study, the milk of 104 cows (416 quarters) was tested using CMT (Raidex<sup>®</sup>) to first estimate the prevalence of the disease and to identify the effect of age, stage of lactation and position of neighborhoods on its prevalence; second, we looked for data related to camels from another study carried out on 57 camels (in Algiers (ENVH), starting with the hypothesis that the camel is more resistant. The prevalence rate (CMT > 1) is around 45% for cows and 15% for quarters. The study conducted in Algiers yielded a rate of 67% (for camels and 35% for quarters, i.e., an increase of 130% for quarters and 50% for animals. Our study emphasizes the impact of the last stage of lactation compared to the first (35% vs. 15%), which is in agreement with the other study; on the other hand, the effect of the posterior position of the teats and age was contradictory. The differences between the rates were not significant at <i>p</i> < 0.05 between neither the animals or quarters (Chi 2: 53.24 and 71.41).
Background Gold nanoparticle toxicity research is currently leading towards the in vivo experiment. Most toxicology data show that the surface chemistry and physical dimensions of gold nanoparticles play an important role in toxicity. Here, we present the in vivo toxicity of 5, 10, 30, and 60 nm PEG-coated gold nanoparticles in mice. Methods Animal survival, weight, hematology, morphology, organ index, and biochemistry were characterized at a concentration of 4000 μg/kg over 28 days. Results The PEG-coated gold particles did not cause an obvious decrease in body weight or appreciable toxicity even after their breakdown in vivo. Biodistribution results show that 5 nm and 10 nm particles accumulated in the liver and that 30 nm particles accumulated in the spleen, while the 60 nm particles did not accumulate to an appreciable extent in either organ. Transmission electron microscopic observations showed that the 5, 10, 30, and 60 nm particles located in the blood and bone marrow cells, and that the 5 and 60 nm particles aggregated preferentially in the blood cells. The increase in spleen index and thymus index shows that the immune system can be affected by these small nanoparticles. The 10 nm gold particles induced an increase in white blood cells, while the 5 nm and 30 nm particles induced a decrease in white blood cells and red blood cells. The biochemistry results show that the 10 nm and 60 nm PEG-coated gold nanoparticles caused a significant increase in alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels, indicating slight damage to the liver. Conclusion The toxicity of PEG-coated gold particles is complex, and it cannot be concluded that the smaller particles have greater toxicity. The toxicity of the 10 nm and 60 nm particles was obviously higher than that of the 5 nm and 30 nm particles. The metabolism of these particles and protection of the liver will be more important issues for medical applications of gold-based nanomaterials in future.
Trichothecenes are sesquiterpenoid mycotoxins produced by fungi from the order Hypocreales, including members of the Fusarium genus that infect cereal grain crops. Different trichothecene-producing Fusarium species and strains have different trichothecene chemotypes belonging to the Type A and B class. These fungi cause a disease of small grain cereals, called Fusarium head blight, and their toxins contaminate host tissues. As potent inhibitors of eukaryotic protein synthesis, trichothecenes pose a health risk to human and animal consumers of infected cereal grains. In 2009, Foroud and Eudes published a review of trichothecenes in cereal grains for human consumption. As an update to this review, the work herein provides a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary review of the Fusarium trichothecenes covering topics in chemistry and biochemistry, pathogen biology, trichothecene toxicity, molecular mechanisms of resistance or detoxification, genetics of resistance and breeding strategies to reduce their contamination of wheat and barley.
Many antibacterial agents have been continuously used by various industries in order to extend shelf life by controlling spoilage bacteria and reducing the risk of pathogenic bacteria. However, there are concerns related to safety and various health-related issues. The sericin in silk cocoons is considered as a waste product in the silk industry and is usually thrown away. Sericin is known to possess a number of important biochemical properties. Considering this, in the present study, sericin protein was extracted from silk cocoons via a degumming process, and its antibacterial activity was investigated against a number of foodborne pathogenic bacteria using standard procedures. Its synergistic antibacterial activity was also investigated using both sericin protein and standard antibiotics such as ampicillin, azithromycin, cephalexin, erythromycin, gentamycin, kanamycin, and streptomycin. The results showed that sericin extract displayed a prominent antibacterial effect against all the tested foodborne pathogenic bacteria, with the diameter of inhibition zones ranging from 9.44 ± 0.04 mm to 12.09 ± 0.58 mm, and the results were comparable with those of the standard antibiotics. The sericin extract at 500 µg/disc displayed the highest inhibition zones against both the tested <i>E. coli</i> (12.09 ± 0.58 mm) and the <i>L. monocytogenes</i> (11.51 ± 0.35 mm). Furthermore, sericin along with the standard antibiotics at (25 µg + 5 µg respectively)/disk displayed significant antibacterial potential against all the tested foodborne pathogenic bacteria, with the highest inhibition zone against <i>Salmonella</i> Typhimurium (26.59 ± 0.74 mm). The minimum inhibitory concentration and the minimum bactericidal concentration values of the sericin extract ranged from 0.0625 to 1.0 mg/mL. These data suggested that sericin extract has promising antibacterial potential that can be utilized in various industries as an effective antibacterial agent.
Yonelian Yuyun, Pahweenvaj Ratnatilaka Na Bhuket, Wiwat Supasena
et al.
Curcumin (CUR) has been used as adjuvant therapy for therapeutic application in the treatment of psoriasis through several mechanisms of action. Due to the poor oral bioavailability of CUR, several approaches have been developed to overcome the limitations of CUR, including the prodrug strategy. In this study, CUR was esterified with mycophenolic acid (MPA) as a novel conjugate prodrug. The MPA-CUR conjugate was structurally elucidated using FT-IR, <sup>1</sup>H-NMR, <sup>13</sup>C-NMR, and MS techniques. Bioavailable fractions (BFs) across Caco-2 cells of CUR, MPA, and MPA-CUR were collected for further biological activity evaluation representing an in vitro cellular transport model for oral administration. The antipsoriatic effect of the BFs was determined using antiproliferation and anti-inflammation assays against hyperproliferation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-induced human keratinocytes (HaCaT). The BF of MPA-CUR provided better antiproliferation than that of CUR (<i>p</i> < 0.001). The enhanced hyperproliferation suppression of the BF of MPA-CUR resulted from the reduction of several inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, IL-8, and IL-1β. The molecular mechanisms of anti-inflammatory activity were mediated by an attenuated signaling cascade of MAPKs protein, i.e., p38, ERK, and JNK. Our results present evidence for the MPA-CUR conjugate as a promising therapeutic agent for treating psoriasis by antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory actions.
Emerging viral pathogens cause substantial morbidity and pose a severe threat to health worldwide. However, a universal antiviral strategy for producing safe and immunogenic inactivated vaccines is lacking. Here, we report an antiviral strategy using the novel singlet oxygen (1O2)-generating agent LJ002 to inactivate enveloped viruses and provide effective protection against viral infection. Our results demonstrated that LJ002 efficiently generated 1O2 in solution and living cells. Nevertheless, LJ002 exhibited no signs of acute toxicity in vitro or in vivo. The 1O2 produced by LJ002 oxidized lipids in the viral envelope and consequently destroyed the viral membrane structure, thus inhibiting the viral and cell membrane fusion necessary for infection. Moreover, the 1O2-based inactivated pseudorabies virus (PRV) vaccine had no effect on the content of the viral surface proteins. Immunization of mice with LJ002-inactiviated PRV vaccine harboring comparable antigen induced more neutralizing antibody responses and efficient protection against PRV infection than conventional formalin-inactivated vaccine. Additionally, LJ002 inactivated a broad spectrum of enveloped viruses. Together, our results may provide a new paradigm of using broad-spectrum, highly effective inactivants functioning through 1O2-mediated lipid oxidation for developing antivirals that target the viral membrane fusion process.
Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is an endemic disease in Egypt causing disease in animals and humans since the 1977. Full molecular description of the national vaccine strain is a strategic concern to ensure the antigenic makeup of local vaccine is adequate to provide the required protective immunity for the vaccinated animal species and as a tool of final product quality control. Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of Gc gene of M segment of RVF-ZH501 strain which used in local vaccine production in veterinary serum and vaccine research institute (VSVRI) were carried out in this study. RVF-ZH501 strain was propagated by passages on BHK cell line and then purified my plaque purification technique. RT-PCR for amplification of the Gc gene of M segment. Sequence analysis of the obtained PCR product carried out by MEGA7 program. The result of the study revealed that RVF strain ZH501 Gc genomic content has 99.5 % molecular identity to the strains firstly isolated in Egypt in 1977, so still suitable for vaccine production.
Kenji Togashi, Kazunori Adachi, Kazuhito Kurogi
et al.
Objective Models for genomic selection assume that the reference population is an unselected population. However, in practice, genotyped individuals, such as progeny-tested bulls, are highly selected, and the reference population is created after preselection. In dairy cattle, the intensity of selection is higher in males than in females, suggesting that cows can be added to the reference population with less bias and loss of accuracy. The objective is to develop formulas applied to any genomic prediction studies or practice with preselected animals as reference population. Methods We developed formulas for calculating the reliability and bias of genomically enhanced breeding values (GEBV) in the reference population where individuals are preselected on estimated breeding values. Based on the formulas presented, deterministic simulation was conducted by varying heritability, preselection percentage, and the reference population size. Results The number of bulls equal to a cow regarding the reliability of GEBV was expressed through a simple formula for the reference population consisting of preselected animals. The bull population was vastly superior to the cow population regarding the reliability of GEBV for low-heritability traits. However, the superiority of reliability from the bull reference population over the cow population decreased as heritability increased. Bias was greater for bulls than cows. Bias and reduction in reliability of GEBV due to preselection was alleviated by expanding reference population. Conclusion Cows are easier in expanding reference population size compared with bulls and alleviate bias and reduction in reliability of GEBV of bulls which are highly preselected than cows by expanding the cow reference population.
Alberto Rodrigues Capítulos La Plata, Nora Gómez, Néstor Gabellone
et al.
El agua es fundamental para la existencia de la vida, forma parte del territorio, define paisajes y promueve el desarrollo cultural y económico de los pueblos. Los múltiples usos del agua requieren que sea tratada como un bien común y un patrimonio universal compartido por los pueblos. Por lo tanto para lograr una gestión del agua responsable y sostenible a largo plazo es necesario preservar los ecosistemas acuáticos a partir de un fuerte compromiso de los diferentes sectores de la sociedad. El objetivo del VI Congreso Argentino de Limnología: Agua, Ambiente y Sociedad es generar un espacio de reunión para que especialistas, relacionados con las distintas temáticas de la ecología acuática, puedan exponer los avances en las investigaciones limnológicas y su potencial transferencia a la sociedad. Su principal propósito es abrir un ámbito de debate sobre temas relevantes como los relacionados con la calidad del agua y del hábitat de lagos, lagunas, embalses, ríos y estuarios, la conservación de la biodiversidad y de la integridad biótica y ecológica de los ecosistemas acuáticos. Asimismo incluye temas relacionados con los efectos de la contaminación proveniente de los distintos usos del suelo y aquellos vinculados con las consecuencias del cambio climático, la evaluación, manejo y aprovechamiento sostenible de los recursos acuáticos como así también la rehabilitación y restauración de los cuerpos de agua. Para tal fin se convocó a prestigiosos actores del ámbito académico y de la gestión, que con sus conocimientos y experiencia profesional enriquecerán las discusiones y conclusiones orientadas a mejorar el manejo y preservación de los ambientes acuáticos y sus recursos a partir de un enfoque diverso e integral.
Se redescriben ambos sexos de la hasta ahora especie Holártica, Afrotropical y Oriental, Forcipomyia (Synthyridomyia) murina (Winnertz, 1852), y la especie se registra por primera vez en Argentina (provincias de Salta, La Rioja, Santiago del Estero, Córdoba, Corrientes, Buenos Aires y Río Negro). Forcipomyia (S.) calchaqui Spinelli & Marino, 1997 y Forcipomyia (S.) soibelzoni Marino & Spinelli, 2001 se reconocen como sinónimos menores. Se presenta una clave para la identificación de las cuatro especies del subgénero que habitan la región Neotropical, y se compara a F. murina con las especies más similares del Viejo Mundo.
ABSTRACT NEDDylation has been shown to participate in the DNA damage pathway, but the substrates of neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated 8 (NEDD8) and the roles of NEDDylation involved in the DNA damage response (DDR) are largely unknown. Translesion synthesis (TLS) is a damage-tolerance mechanism, in which RAD18/RAD6-mediated monoubiquitinated proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) promotes recruitment of polymerase η (polη) to bypass lesions. Here we identify PCNA as a substrate of NEDD8, and show that E3 ligase RAD18-catalyzed PCNA NEDDylation antagonizes its ubiquitination. In addition, NEDP1 acts as the deNEDDylase of PCNA, and NEDP1 deletion enhances PCNA NEDDylation but reduces its ubiquitination. In response to H2O2 stimulation, NEDP1 disassociates from PCNA and RAD18-dependent PCNA NEDDylation increases markedly after its ubiquitination. Impairment of NEDDylation by Ubc12 knockout enhances PCNA ubiquitination and promotes PCNA-polη interaction, while up-regulation of NEDDylation by NEDD8 overexpression or NEDP1 deletion reduces the excessive accumulation of ubiquitinated PCNA, thus inhibits PCNA-polη interaction and blocks polη foci formation. Moreover, Ubc12 knockout decreases cell sensitivity to H2O2-induced oxidative stress, but NEDP1 deletion aggravates this sensitivity. Collectively, our study elucidates the important role of NEDDylation in the DDR as a modulator of PCNA monoubiquitination and polη recruitment.
Abstract Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a complex neurodegenerative disease with cellular and molecular mechanisms yet to be fully described. Mutations in a number of genes including SOD1 and FUS are associated with familial ALS. Here we report the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from fibroblasts of familial ALS patients bearing SOD1 +/A272C and FUS +/G1566A mutations, respectively. We further generated gene corrected ALS iPSCs using CRISPR/Cas9 system. Genome-wide RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of motor neurons derived from SOD1 +/A272C and corrected iPSCs revealed 899 aberrant transcripts. Our work may shed light on discovery of early biomarkers and pathways dysregulated in ALS, as well as provide a basis for novel therapeutic strategies to treat ALS.
A feeding trial was conducted for a
period of four months using eighteen weaned
White Giant broiler rabbits, belonging to University Rabbit Farm, Mannuthy with three groups of six replicates each, to assess the effect of supplementation of Mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) on caecal microbial count and incidence of diarrhoea. The animals were divided into three groups of six animals as uniformly as possible with regard to sex, age and weight and were randomly alloted to three dietary treatments. The animals were fed with three experimental rations, T1- basal diet (16 per cent CP and 2500 kcal/ kg DE), T2- basal diet + 1.5 g MOS/ kg diet and T3- basal diet + 3 g MOS/ kg diet and fodder adlibitum. Caecal coliform count, total viable count and incidence of diarrhoea during the entire period of experiment were recorded. The results of the study indicated that the addition of MOS at 3 g/ kg diet resulted in significant reduction of coliform count and total viable count was similar in all the three groups. Inclusion of MOS at both levels 1.5 and 3 g / kg diet resulted in reduced incidence of diarrhoea in experimental rabbits when compared to control group without any additive.
Octacosanol, which has prominent physiological activities and functions, has been recognized as a potential growth promoter in animals. A total of 392 1-d-old male Arbor Acres broiler chicks with similar body weight were randomly distributed into four dietary groups of seven replicates with 14 birds each supplemented with 0, 12, 24, or 36 mg octacosanol (extracted from rice bran, purity >92%)/kg feed. The feeding trial lasted for six weeks and was divided into the starter (day 1 to 21) and the grower (day 22 to 42) phases. The results showed that the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly improved in broilers fed a diet containing 24 mg/kg octacosanol compared with those fed the control diet in the overall phase (day 1 to 42, p = 0.042). The average daily gain and FCR both showed linear effects in response to dietary supplementation of octacosanol during the overall phase (p = 0.031 and 0.018, respectively). Broilers fed with 24 or 36 mg/kg octacosanol diet showed a higher eviscerated yield, which increased by 5.88% and 4.26% respectively, than those fed the control diet (p = 0.030). The breast muscle yield of broilers fed with 24 mg/kg octacosanol diet increased significantly by 12.15% compared with those fed the control diet (p = 0.047). Eviscerated and breast muscle yield increased linearly with the increase in dietary octacosanol supplementation (p = 0.013 and 0.021, respectively). Broilers fed with 24 or 36 mg/kg octacosanol diet had a greater (p = 0.021) pH45min value in the breast muscle, which was maintained linearly in response to dietary octacosanol supplementation (p = 0.003). There was a significant decrease (p = 0.007) in drip loss value between the octacosanol-added and the control groups. The drip loss showed linear (p = 0.004) and quadratic (p = 0.041) responses with dietary supplementation of octacosanol. These studies indicate that octacosanol is a potentially effective and safe feed additive which may improve feed efficiency and meat quality, and increase eviscerated and breast muscle yield, in broiler chicks. Dietary supplementation of octacosanol at 24 mg/kg diet is regarded as the recommended dosage in the broilers’ diet.