The impact of multi-enzyme fortification on growth performance, intestinal morphology, nutrient digestibility, and meat quality of broiler chickens fed a standard or low-density diet

This research aimed to study the impact of supplementation of three multi-enzyme levels (0, 0.1, and 0.2% of feed) and two levels of dietary treatments [standard diet (SD) and low-density diet (LDD)] on growth performance, carcass traits, digestibility, and meat quality of broilers from 1 to 38 days of age. A total of 216 1-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly assigned to a factorial experiment (2 × 3) comprising six dietary treatments, each with six replicates and each replicate with six chickens. The results showed that the LDD significantly reduced body weight gain by 5.0%, compared with the SD. Multi-enzymes significantly improved body weight gain and the production index (PI) relative to the SD. The feed conversion ratio was significantly enhanced with increased multi-enzymes from 1 to 21 days. A significant relation between the multi-enzyme concentration and type of dietary treatment was observed in body weight gain and feed conversion ratio from 1 to 21 days of age. Nitrogen-free extract digestibility was significantly increased by using the SD diet compared with using the LDD. Multi-enzyme supplementation improved the digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, and nitrogen-free extract in the LDD. A significant relationship was found between the multi-enzyme concentration and type of dietary treatment on the pancreas, liver, and intestinal length percentages. The meat dry matter concentration was significantly higher in the LDD group than in the SD group. The low-density diet significantly reduced the total revenue compared with the SD, whereas broilers fed the SD recorded significantly higher total revenue and economic efficiency than those fed the LDD. The low-density diet significantly increased economic efficiency compared with the SD. Multi-enzymes significantly increased the total revenue, net revenue, and economic efficiency than the standard set. In conclusion, using multi-enzymes in broiler diets improved body weight gain. The LDD with multi-enzymes showed enhanced body weight gain compared with the SD without multi-enzymes

Self-oligomerization regulates stability of survival motor neuron protein isoforms by sequestering an SCF^Slmb degron

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused by homozygous mutations in human SMN1. Expression of a duplicate gene (SMN2) primarily results in skipping of exon 7 and production of an unstable protein isoform, SMNΔ7. Although SMN2 exon skipping is the principal contributor to SMA severity, mechanisms governing stability of survival motor neuron (SMN) isoforms are poorly understood. We used a Drosophila model system and label-free proteomics to identify the SCFSlmb ubiquitin E3 ligase complex as a novel SMN binding partner. SCFSlmb interacts with a phosphor degron embedded within the human and fruitfly SMN YG-box oligomerization domains. Substitution of a conserved serine (S270A) interferes with SCFSlmb binding and stabilizes SMNΔ7. SMA-causing missense mutations that block multimerization of full-length SMN are also stabilized in the degron mutant background. Overexpression of SMNΔ7S270A, but not wild-type (WT) SMNΔ7, provides a protective effect in SMA model mice and human motor neuron cell culture systems. Our findings support a model wherein the degron is exposed when SMN is monomeric and sequestered when SMN forms higher-order multimers

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1.

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field

Interaction of heavy metals with dehydrated carbon

Dehydrated carbon material was prepared from date palm leaflets via sulphuric acid treatment. The acid causes dehydration via the removal of water. In addition it causes oxidation to the dehydrated carbon surface. The carbon was tested for the removal of Pb2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Co2+, Ag+, Pd2+ and Hg2+ from aqueous solution in terms of different pH, time and concentrations and temperature. Optimum pH was found to be in the range of 3-5 for the metals under investigation. Sorption of Pb2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Co2+ was found fast, reaching equilibrium within ∼ 2 hr while the sorption of Ag+, Pd2+ and Hg2+ (nitrate and chloride media) was slow and required ∼80 hr to reach equilibrium. Activation energy, Ea, for the sorption of Pb2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Co2+ was 40 kJ/mol indicating a chemically controlled process. Equilibrium sorption capacity was much higher for Ag+, Pd2+ and Hg2+ than for Pb2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Co2+ with increased uptake, for both metals, by rising the temperature (25-45 °C). Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive spectroscopy showed that Ag+ and Pd2+ were reduced to their respective elemental states. For Hg2+, reduction took place to elemental mercury from nitrate media and to Hg2Cl2 from the chloride media. However, no reduction processes were involved in the sorption of Pb2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Co2+

Effect of weight reduction on obese patients with COPD and bronchial asthma

There is a link between obesity and both, asthma and COPD. Aim of the work: To study effect of weight reduction on pulmonary function tests of obese COPD and bronchial asthma patients. Subjects and methods: 2 groups were included, group(G)I, 30 obese COPD and GII 30 obese bronchial asthma patients. Pulmonary function tests were done to all participants before and after weight reduction. Results: GI showed increased FRC, ERV and RV significantly, IC was significantly decreased and GII showed increased FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEFR, FEF25–75% and ERV significantly after weight reduction. Conclusion: Weight reduction improved airway obstruction, increased ERV, RV, FRC and DLCO either significant or insignificant in asthma and COPD

Role of some T-lymphocyte subsets in assessment of treatment response in tuberculous patients

Background: CD4,CD8 T cells, T-helper 1 (Th1) and T-helper 2 (Th2) have an important role in host defence in pulmonary tuberculosis. Aim of the work: Evaluate the role of some T-lymphocyte subsets in treatment failure of tuberculous patients. Subjects and methods: This study was carried out on 52 persons divided into 4 groups: group I control, group II active TB patients, group III Responders to treatment and group IV (non-responders) .Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and peripheral blood samples from patients and controls were examined for the frequency of CD4, CD8, Th1 and Th2 cells using flow cytometry. Results: Bronchoalveolar lavage CD4% was significantly increased in group III as compared to other groups, CD8% was significantly increased in group IV as compared to other groups, Th1% was significantly high in group III as compared to other groups. Blood CD4% was increased in group III as compared to other groups, CD8% was significantly increased in groups II and IV as compared to other groups, Th1%was significantly decreased in groups II and IV as compared to other groups. Th2% was significantly increased in group IV as compared to other groups. Conclusion: CD4, CD8, Th1 and Th2 cells play a major role in immunology against TB infection and can be used as a marker for response to anti-tuberculous treatment