This highly regarded book remains a standard work for both students and professionals in the meat industry. Its basic theme remains the central importance of biochemistry in understanding the production, storage, processing and eating quality of meat. At a time when so much controversy surrounds meat production and nutrition, Meat Science provides a clear guide, which takes the reader from the growth and development of meat animals, through the conversion of muscle to meat, to the point of consumption. This new edition incorporates significant advances in meat science during the past ten years.
Abstract Polycythemia is a hematological condition characterized by an elevated red blood cell (RBC) mass that exceeds the normal range for a specific age and gender; it can be classified as either primary or secondary. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of primary and secondary polycythemia among adult blood donors in the West Bank and characterize potential risk factors. This cross-sectional study included 674 adult Palestinian male blood donors, aged 18 to 62 years, at An-Najah National University Hospital. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Eligible donors underwent complete blood count (CBC) analysis, and samples meeting the latest World Health Organization (WHO) diagnostic criteria for polycythemia, hemoglobin > 16.5 g/dL or hematocrit > 49% in men, were sent for DNA sequencing. Among the participants, 16.6% met the diagnostic criteria for polycythemia; however, none had the JAK2 p.V617F mutation, indicating a potential lack of polycythemia vera (PV). Risk factor analysis revealed an increased risk of polycythemia in moderate (p = 0.039, OR 2.223, [95% CI 1.041–4.746]), heavy cigarette smoking (p = 0.008, OR 2.301, [95% CI 1.246–4.249]), and heavy waterpipe smoking (p ≤ 0.001, OR: 5.019, [95% CI 2.364–10.653]), whereas heavy coffee consumption had a protective effect against polycythemia (p = 0.013, OR 0.444 [95% CI 0.234–0.843]). The absence of the JAK2 p.V617F mutation among participants suggests that secondary polycythemia predominance is driven by smoking and other modifiable lifestyle factors. These findings emphasize the importance of public health efforts focused on lifestyle modification to reduce the risk of polycythemia.
Neurotransmitters are essential chemical messengers required for proper brain function, and any changes in their concentrations can lead to neuronal diseases. Therefore, sensitive and selective detection is crucial. This study presents a fast and simple colorimetric method for dopamine detection using three reagent solutions: AgNP and MPA, Ag/Au nanocomposite, and mercaptophenylacetic acid. TEM images showed a narrow distribution of Ag and Au nanoparticles with average sizes of 20 nm and 13 nm, respectively, with gold nanoparticles bound to the edges of silver nanoparticles. A paper-based biosensor was created using manual wax printing for the colorimetric detection of dopamine. Visual detection onsite showed color changes with both the silver nanoparticles and mercaptophenylacetic acid mixture and the silver–gold nanoparticle composite. Electrochemical detection using a glassy carbon electrode modified with 8 mM mercaptophenylacetic acid demonstrated high selectivity and sensitivity towards dopamine, with a peak in the range of 0.7–0.9 V. Interferences were minimized, ensuring high sensitivity and selective detection of dopamine.
Ragaey A Eid, Marwa O Elgendy, Ahmed M Sayed
et al.
Introduction: At the beginning in July 2023, there has been a significant increase in daily hospital admissions attributed to the new variant of COVID-19. Aim of this study is to explore the clinical benefits and outcomes of using linezolid in the management of pneumonic COVID-19 patients.
Methodology: The study included 230 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by RT-PCR. Group 1: 118 patients were managed with Linazolid alongside steroids. Group 2: (control group) patients treated according to the Protocol for Egyptian COVID-19 management outlines and WHO guidelines (112 patients). Each patient group was categorized into 3 age groups: 20-40 years, 41-65 years, and over 65 years. Patients were carefully followed up until recovery or mortality. A docking analysis was carried out to investigate the potential of linezolid to act as an Mpro inhibitor.
Results: Group 1's average recovery time was 15.1 days in contrast to 18.7 days for Group 2 (control). There were no deaths reported. In silico investigations revealed that Linezolid was able to achieve a binding mode comparable to that of the co-crystalized inhibitor.
Conclusions: Linazolid is considered an effective antiviral weapon against SARS-COV-2. It could be used in the management plan of pneumonic individuals due to SARS-COV-2 infection. We recommend using it to combat the current wave caused by Omicron EG-5 Variant.
Yulistiani Yulistiani, Surya Dwiyatna, Febriansyah Nur Utomo
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a rare condition in which autoantibodies cause the loss of red blood cells. Steroids have been used to treat several illnesses, including AIHA. For now, steroids remain as the first line of treatment for AIHA. In AIHA, especially warm AIHA (wAIHA), steroids suppress autoantibody production and downregulate Fcγ receptors' expression on monocytes to prevent hemolysis. The type of steroids chosen for first-line therapy for wAIHA in pediatrics and adults are Prednisone (Prednisolone) and Methylprednisolone. At the same time, Dexamethasone is used as an alternative treatment in AIHA. Steroids show better therapeutic outcomes in the first 2-3 weeks of administration, but the proportion of patients who remain in remission after steroid discontinuation are still quite low. Long-term administration of steroids may affect bone, blood glucose metabolism, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA). However, steroids which have a linear pharmacokinetic profile, intermediate-acting glucocorticoids such as Prednisone (Prednisolone) or Methylprednisolone, and also tapering dose of steroids after 2-4 weeks administration will be safe for long term use as AIHA treatment.
Keywords: steroids, glucocorticoid, corticosteroid, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, AIHA, mechanism of action, efficacy
Jefferson Luiz da Silva, Lia Vezenfard Barbosa, Camila Figueiredo Pinzan
et al.
Dysbiosis and disturbances in gut homeostasis may result in dysregulated responses, which are common in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). These conditions may be refractory to the usual treatments and novel therapies are still necessary to reach a more successful regulation of intestinal immunity. The hormone melatonin (MLT) has been raised as a therapeutic alternative because of its known interactions with immune responses and gut microbiota. Hence, we evaluated the effects of MLT in experimental colitis that evolves with intestinal dysbiosis, inflammation and bacterial translocation. C57BL/6 mice were exposed to dextran sulfate sodium and treated with MLT. In acute colitis, the hormone led to increased clinical, systemic and intestinal inflammatory parameters. During remission, continued MLT administration delayed recovery, increased TNF, memory effector lymphocytes and diminished spleen regulatory cells. MLT treatment reduced Bacteroidetes and augmented Actinobacteria and Verrucomicrobia phyla in mice feces. Microbiota depletion resulted in a remarkable reversion of the colitis phenotype after MLT administration, including a counter-regulatory immune response, reduction in TNF and colon macrophages. There was a decrease in Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and, most strikingly, Verrucomicrobia phylum in recovering mice. Finally, these results pointed to a gut-microbiota-dependent effect of MLT in the potentiation of intestinal inflammation.
Abstract Background . Up to 20% of people with HIV (PWH) who undergo virologically suppressed antiretroviral therapy (ART) fail to experience complete immune restoration. We recently reported that plasma anti-CD4 IgG (antiCD4IgG) autoantibodies from immune non-responders specifically deplete CD4 + T cells via antibody-dependent cytotoxicity. However, the mechanism of antiCD4IgG production remains unclear. Methods . Blood samples were collected from 16 healthy individuals and 25 PWH on suppressive ART. IgG subclass, plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and antiCD4IgG levels were measured by ELISA. Gene profiles in B cells were analyzed by microarray and quantitative PCR. Furthermore, a patient-derived antiCD4IgG–producing B cell line was generated and stimulated with LPS in vitro. B cell IgG class switch recombination (CSR) was evaluated in response to LPS in splenic B cells from C57/B6 mice in vitro. Results . Increased plasma anti-CD4 IgGs in PWH were predominantly IgG1 and associated with increased plasma LPS levels as well as B cell expression of TLR2, TLR4, and MyD88 mRNA in vivo. Furthermore, LPS stimulation induced antiCD4IgG production in the antiCD4IgG B cell line in vitro. Finally, LPS promoted CSR in vitro. Conclusion . Our findings suggest that persistent LPS translocation may promote anti-CD4 autoreactive B cell activation and antiCD4IgG production in PWH on ART, which may contribute to gradual CD4 + T cell depletion. This study suggests that reversing a compromised mucosal barrier could improve ART outcomes in PWH who fail to experience complete immune restoration.
Han-Wei Jiang, Hsiang-Yi Wu, Chun-Hsiung Wang
et al.
Abstract Phycobilisomes (PBS) are antenna megacomplexes that transfer energy to photosystems II and I in thylakoids. PBS likely evolved from a basic, inefficient form into the predominant hemidiscoidal shape with radiating peripheral rods. However, it has been challenging to test this hypothesis because ancestral species are generally inaccessible. Here we use spectroscopy and cryo-electron microscopy to reveal a structure of a “paddle-shaped” PBS from a thylakoid-free cyanobacterium that likely retains ancestral traits. This PBS lacks rods and specialized ApcD and ApcF subunits, indicating relict characteristics. Other features include linkers connecting two chains of five phycocyanin hexamers (CpcN) and two core subdomains (ApcH), resulting in a paddle-shaped configuration. Energy transfer calculations demonstrate that chains are less efficient than rods. These features may nevertheless have increased light absorption by elongating PBS before multilayered thylakoids with hemidiscoidal PBS evolved. Our results provide insights into the evolution and diversification of light-harvesting strategies before the origin of thylakoids.
Md Bashir Uddin, Mohammad Nurul Alam, Mahmudul Hasan
et al.
Zoonotic and antimicrobial-resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i> (hereafter, <i>E. coli</i>) is a global public health threat which can lead to detrimental effects on human health. Here, we aim to investigate the antimicrobial resistance and the presence of <i>mcr-1</i> gene in <i>E. coli</i> isolated from chicken feces. Ninety-four <i>E. coli</i> isolates were obtained from samples collected from different locations in Bangladesh, and the isolates were identified using conventional microbiological tests. Phenotypic disk diffusion tests using 20 antimicrobial agents were performed according to CLSI-EUCAST guidelines, and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined for a subset of samples. <i>E. coli</i> isolates showed high resistance to colistin (88.30%), ciprofloxacin (77.66%), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (76.60%), tigecycline (75.53%), and enrofloxacin (71.28%). Additionally, the pathotype <i>eaeA</i> gene was confirmed in ten randomly selected <i>E. coli</i> isolates using primer-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The presence of <i>mcr-1</i> gene was confirmed using PCR and sequencing analysis in six out of ten <i>E. coli</i> isolates. Furthermore, sequencing and phylogenetic analyses revealed a similarity between the catalytic domain of <i>Neisseria meningitidis</i> lipooligosaccharide phosphoethanolamine transferase A (LptA) and MCR proteins, indicating that the six tested isolates were colistin resistant. Finally, the findings of the present study showed that <i>E. coli</i> isolated from chicken harbored <i>mcr-1</i> gene, and multidrug and colistin resistance. These findings accentuate the need to implement strict measures to limit the imprudent use of antibiotics, particularly colistin, in agriculture and poultry farms.
Kevin Tabury, Mehri Monavarian, Eduardo Listik
et al.
PVT1 is a YAP1 dependent stress responsive lncRNA that promotes ovarian cancer metastasis and chemoresistance, making PVT1 a promising therapeutic target. Metastatic growth of ovarian cancer cells into the peritoneal cavity requires adaptation to various cellular stress factors to facilitate cell survival and growth. Here, we demonstrate the role of PVT1, one such stress induced long non-coding RNA, in ovarian cancer growth and metastasis. PVT1 is an amplified and overexpressed lncRNA in ovarian cancer with strong predictive value for survival and response to targeted therapeutics. We find that expression of PVT1 is regulated by tumor cells in response to cellular stress, particularly loss of cell–cell contacts and changes in matrix rigidity occurring in a YAP1-dependent manner. Induction of PVT1 promotes tumor cell survival, growth, and migration. Conversely, reducing PVT1 levels robustly abrogates metastatic behavior and tumor cell dissemination in cell lines and syngeneic transplantation models in vivo. We find that reducing PVT1 causes widespread changes in the transcriptome leading to alterations in cellular stress response and metabolic pathways including doxorubicin metabolism, which impacts chemosensitivity. Together, these findings implicate PVT1 as a promising therapeutic target to suppress metastasis and chemoresistance in ovarian cancer.
A. S. Deshmukh, D. E. Steenberg, M. Hostrup
et al.
Skeletal muscle conveys the beneficial effects of physical exercise but due to its heterogeneity, studying the effects of exercise on muscle fibres is challenging. Here, the authors carry out proteomic analysis of myofibres from freeze-dried muscle biopsies, show fibre-type specific changes in response to exercise, and show that the oxidative and glycolytic muscle fibers adapt differentially to exercise training.
Resistance to second generation anti-androgen therapies such as enzalutamide (ENZ) can emerge in prostate cancer patients. Here, the authors identify an ENZ-resistant mechanism driven by AR-dependent transcription of noncanonical targets that make resistant cells susceptible to dual inhibition of BET and CBP/p300 signaling.