Effect of live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) administration on apparent digestibility of horses

Six mares were divided into two groups of three subjects each in a crossover design on the basis of body weight and age: Control(C)fedabasaldiet,Treatment(T)fedabasaldietand2 Control (C) fed a basal diet, Treatment (T) fed a basal diet and 2 2 g/head/d of live yeast ((S. cerevisiae 4.6x1010 CFU/day).Theexperimentaldesignwasdividedintotwo ).Theexperimentaldesignwasdividedintotwo . The experimental design was divided into two periods named period 1 and period 2 respectively of 35d each, and consisting of 3 different phases. Dur- ing each period all animals were subject to an adaptation phase of 14d (phase1); during phase 2 (18d) and phase 3 live yeast was administered (T) or not (C). Phase 3 consisted in a three days individual fecal collection period all the groups, in order to determine dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, crude fat, NDF and ADF apparent digestion rates using acid insoluble ash (AIA) as internal marker (Bergero et al., 2005). Results obtained evidenced as the administration of S. cerevisiae to mature horses resulted in increased digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, NDF, and ADF

Choroidal Structural Changes Correlate With Neovascular Activity in Neovascular Age Related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose To correlate changes in choroidal thickness and vascularity index with disease activity in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Methods Eyes diagnosed with AMD that had two sequential visits within 12 months and that had no choroidal neovascularization (CNV) or had inactive CNV at the first visit were included. Those that had active CNV at follow-up were enrolled as cases. Eyes that did not developed a CNV or that were still inactive at the second visit were enrolled as controls. Disease activity was based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography findings. Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT), mean choroidal thickness (MCT), and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) were assessed on enhanced depth imaging OCT and compared between the baseline and follow-up visit. Subgroup analysis accounting for lesion type and previous treatment, if any, were performed. Results Sixty-five eyes from 60 patients (35 females) and 50 age- and sex-matched controls were included. At the active visit, cases had an increase from 164 ± 67 μm to 175 ± 70 μm in mean ± SD SCT and from 144 ± 45 μm to 152 ± 45 μm in MCT (both P < 0.0001). The mean CVI also increased at from 54.5% ± 3.3% to 55.4% ± 3.8% (P = 0.04). Controls did not show significant changes in choroidal measurements between the two visits. Mean SCT, MCT, and CVI values were similar for previously treated and treatment-naive eyes. Conclusions Choroidal thickness and CVI significantly increased with active disease in nAMD eyes. Changes in choroidal thickness may predict CNV development or recurrence before they are otherwise evident clinically

Can lipid supplementation modulate inflammatory state and immune response in periparturient goats? A case study on hepatic and adipose miRNA expression

Saturated or unsaturated fatty acids compounds were administered to second-parity twins-diagnosed alpine dairy goats. Experimental groups were fed either calcium stearate (ST, n.7), fish oil (FO, n.8) or a control diet without any fat supplement (C, n.8) from one wk before (30g/head/d of fatty acids) to three wks after kidding (50g/head/d of fatty acids). ST provided 26% C16:0 and 69.4% C18:0 while FO provided 10.4% EPA and 7.8% DHA. Both ST and FO diets were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous, with the same calcium content. Previous obtained results on metabolic, productive parameters and mRNA expression of genes related to lipid metabolism and inflammatory response let us to consolidate the hypothesis that in goat lipogenesis is reduced across the transition period, if compared to cow, moreover FO can postpone or reduce lipomobilization. Based on these previous results, miRNA expression was performed on the same hepatic and adipose biopsies (collected on day -7 and 7 and 21 from kidding), as a new perspective in controlling cellular pathways, implicated in adipogenesis and metabolic and endocrine functions. We examined miR-26b and 155 for the infiltration of immune cells, miR-99a, 145 and 221 for the inflammation and lipolysis, miR-143 and 378 for pro-adipogenic function. MIXED and GLM procedures of SAS software were used for statistical analysis. No diet effect, but a time effect for miR-155 and a tendency for miR-221 were found. The increase of their expression over the time after kidding let us to speculate that goats have to face a postponed and more contained inflammation due to the lipolysis, when compared to cows

Innovative technique for the base isolation of existing buildings

An innovative base isolation system has been recently proposed for the retrofitting of existing buildings, in which the isolation layer is inserted under the building foundations so that the building, along with its foundations, is isolated from the surrounding soil. The isolation layer resides in closely-spaced micro-tunnels, constructed under the entire width of the building. These micro-tunnels, along with the trenches around the building, isolate the structure from the surrounding soil. The execution of these micro-tunnels is the most critical construction stage, because it may result in settlements which can damage the structure. In this paper, the behaviour of an existing structure, consisting of a masonry wall subjected to tunnelling-induced ground subsidence, is analysed. A parametric study is conducted using 2-D nonlinear finite element analyses to understand the role of key factors such as strength and stiffness of soil and masonry, roughness of soil-structure interface, excavation sequence of tunnels, wall dimensions and openings configuration. The study identifies the design variables which influence the most the risk of structural damage and suggests the most effective damage symptoms to be monitored during constructio

Rectus Femoris Characteristics in Post Stroke Spasticity: Clinical Implications from Ultrasonographic Evaluation

In stroke survivors, rectus femoris (RF) spasticity is often implicated in gait pattern alterations such as stiff knee gait (SKG). Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) is considered the gold standard for focal spasticity treatment. However—even if the accuracy of injection is crucial for BoNT-A efficacy—instrumented guidance for BoNT-A injection is not routinely applied in clinical settings. In order to investigate the possible implications of an inadequate BoNT-A injection on patients' clinical outcome, we evaluated the ultrasound-derived RF characteristics (muscle depth, muscle thickness, cross-sectional area and mean echo intensity) in 47 stroke survivors. In our sample, we observed wide variability of RF depth in both hemiparetic and unaffected side of included patients (0.44 and 3.54 cm and between 0.25 and 3.16 cm, respectively). Moreover, our analysis did not show significant differences between treated and non-treated RF in stroke survivors. These results suggest that considering the inter-individual variability in RF muscle depth and thickness, injection guidance should be considered for BoNT-A treatment in order to optimize the clinical outcome of treated patients. In particular, ultrasound guidance may help the clinicians in the long-term follow-up of muscle quality

Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2’s activation in transgenic mice fed with dosage of saturated or unsaturated fatty acids using in vivo bioluminescent imaging

To counteract oxidative stress cells developed several mechanisms, including the transcription factor Nuclear Factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). The aim of the study was to evaluate the activation of Nrf2 in transgenic mice fed saturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids and the anti-inflammatory effect of estrogens on organism. Forty-eight ARE CRE OMO reporter mice were divided into 3 groups, consisting of 16 animals, based on presence/absence of estrogens (ovariectomized or sham female, OVX - SH; male, MA). Each group was further split in 4 subgroups of 4 animals each and fed different diets (7.5% lard, 7.5% tuna oil, 20.0 % lard and 20.0% tuna oil). Two times a week animals were anaesthetized and injected i.p. with 100µL luciferin 15 min before the imaging session. Using the Living Image Software, photon emission was mapped for selected body areas. On day 70, animals were sacrificed after a challenge with Sodium Arsenite. Specific organs were dissected and immediately subjected to ex vivo imaging session. MIXED and GLM procedures of SAS software were used for statistical analysis. Dietary treatments did not affect body weight and feed intake as well as Nrf2 expression in both pre- and post-challenge phases, with the exception of the abdominal region (P=0.031 pre-challenge); in this area, during the pre-challenge phase, OVX showed lower Nrf2 activation (P&lt;0.001). Ex vivo results outlined a significant effect of the challenge on all the considered organs (P&lt;0.001), while OVX subjects had higher Nrf2 expression on urinary bladder and kidney (P&lt;0.05) and high fat diet increased Nrf2 in urinary bladder (P&lt;0.05). The present trial shows how saturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation in the diet do not exert significant effects on oxidative stress in mice, but confirms the protective role of estrogens under physiological condition

Transcriptional regulation of lipid metabolism and inflammation in transition dairy goats by fish oil and stearate

To better understand the interaction between saturated or unsaturated fatty acids and its effect onexpression of genes involved in subcutaneous adipose tissue metabolism, 23 second parity alpine dairygoats were enrolled in the experiment and fed either a non fat-supplemented basal diet (C; n=8), thebasal diet supplemented with stearic acid (ST; n=7) or the basal diet supplemented with fish oil (FO;n=8). 30g/head/d supplemental fatty acids during the dry period and 50g/head/d during lactation weredelivered starting one week before parturition up to 21 days in milk. Subcutaneous adipose tissuesamples were harvested at day -7, 7 and 21 relative to kidding and mRNA levels of genes involved ininflammation were measured via qPCR. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Nosignificant effects for treatment were observed, however eight genes were significant for time. HP andSAA3 expression peaked at day 7 postpartum, to then return at prepartum level around 21 d relative tokidding, while IL8, IL10, and IL18 expression constantly increased along the transition period. Vice versa,expression of IL1β, IL6R, and RXRA decreased in response to kidding, with a subsequent increase at day21. The obtained results led us to hypothesize that goats face a postponed lipomobilization afterkidding, probably related to their reduced production. The next step will involve the analysis of miRNArelated to immune cell infiltration, adipocyte inflammation and lipolysis and positive regulation ofadipogenesis to better understand the complex network of lipid metabolism in periparturient goats

Innovative technique for the base isolation of existing buildings

An innovative base isolation system has been recently proposed for the retrofitting of existing buildings, in which the isolation layer is inserted under the building foundations so that the building, along with its foundations, is isolated from the surrounding soil. The isolation layer resides in closely-spaced micro-tunnels, constructed under the entire width of the building. These micro-tunnels, along with the trenches around the building, isolate the structure from the surrounding soil. The execution of these micro-tunnels is the most critical construction stage, because it may result in settlements which can damage the structure. In this paper, the behaviour of an existing structure, consisting of a masonry wall subjected to tunnelling-induced ground subsidence, is analysed. A parametric study is conducted using 2-D nonlinear finite element analyses to understand the role of key factors such as strength and stiffness of soil and masonry, roughness of soil-structure interface, excavation sequence of tunnels, wall dimensions and openings configuration. The study identifies the design variables which influence the most the risk of structural damage and suggests the most effective damage symptoms to be monitored during constructio

Enhancement of cortical extracellular 5-HT by 5-HT1A and 5-HT2C receptor blockade restores the antidepressant-like effect of citalopram in non-responder mice.

We recently found that the response of DBA/2 mice to SSRIs in the forced swim test (FST) was impaired and they also had a smaller basal and citalopram-stimulated increase in brain extracellular serotonin (5-HT) than 'responder' strains. We employed intracerebral microdialysis, FST and selective antagonists of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2C receptors to investigate whether enhancing the increase in extracellular 5-HT reinstated the anti-immobility effect of citalopram in the FST. WAY 100635 (0.3 mg/kg s.c.) or SB 242084 (1 mg/kg s.c.), respectively a selective 5-HT1A and 5-HT2C receptor antagonist, raised the effect of citalopram (5 mg/kg) on extracellular 5-HT in the medial prefrontal cortex of DBA/2N mice (citalopram alone 5.2+/-0.3 fmol/20 microl, WAY 100635+citalopram 9.9+/-2.1 fmol/20 microl, SB 242084+ citalopram 7.6+/-1.0 fmol/20 microl) to the level reached in 'responder' mice given citalopram alone. The 5-HT receptor antagonists had no effect on the citalopram-induced increase in extracellular 5-HT in the dorsal hippocampus. The combination of citalopram with WAY 100635 or SB 242084 significantly reduced immobility time in DBA/2N mice that otherwise did not respond to either drug singly. Brain levels of citalopram in mice given citalopram alone or with 5-HT antagonists did not significantly differ. The results confirm that impaired 5-HT transmission accounts for the lack of effect of citalopram in the FST and suggest that enhancing the effect of SSRIs on extracellular 5-HT, through selective blockade of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2C receptors, could be a useful strategy to restore the response in treatment-resistant depression