Effects of dietary supplementation with organic selenium-enriched yeast on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of finishing lambs

This study was aimed to assess the impact-enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae with organic selenium addition in finishing lambs on fatty acid composition and physicochemical meat characteristics. Eighteen five-month-old Pelibuey female lambs were fed the same diet for 60 days. Animals were assigned a completely random design of three treatments, control (Se0) without the addition of selenium-yeast or supplemented with 0.35 ppm of selenium-yeast (Se35) and with 0.60 ppm of selenium-yeast (Se60). Lambs were slaughtered at an average weight of 39.5 ± 4.41 kg. Feed intake and meat water holding capacity were decreased (P = 0.001) in Se35 lambs, whereas meat moisture and fat were decreased (P = 0.002) in Se60 lambs. However, meat carbohydrates were increased (P = 0.001) in Se60 lambs. It is concluded that consumption of selenium-yeast in lambs did not alter the productive variables nor the fatty acid composition, though, the fat content is lower, and the carbohydrates are higher in physicochemical meat characteristics

Distribution of protein kinase Mzeta and the complete protein kinase C isoform family in rat brain

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a multigene family of at least ten isoforms, nine of which are expressed in brain (alpha, betaI, betaII, gamma, delta, straightepsilon, eta, zeta, iota/lambda). Our previous studies have shown that many of these PKCs participate in synaptic plasticity in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. Multiple isoforms are transiently activated in the induction phase of long-term potentiation (LTP). In contrast, a single species, zeta, is persistently activated during the maintenance phase of LTP through the formation of an independent, constitutively active catalytic domain, protein kinase Mzeta (PKMzeta). In this study, we used immunoblot and immunocytochemical techniques with isoform-specific antisera to examine the distribution of the complete family of PKC isozymes and PKMzeta in rat brain. Each form of PKC showed a widespread distribution in the brain with a distinct regional pattern of high and low levels of expression. PKMzeta, the predominant form of PKM in brain, had high levels in hippocampus, frontal and occipital cortex, striatum, and hypothalamus. In the hippocampus, each isoform was expressed in a characteristic pattern, with zeta prominent in the CA1 stratum radiatum. These results suggest that the compartmentalization of PKC isoforms in neurons may contribute to their function, with the location of PKMzeta prominent in areas notable for long-term synaptic plasticity

Low cost, injection molded, nasopharyngeal swabs for addressing global diagnostic supply shortages

ABSTRACTThe SARS-CoV-2 pandemic revealed the fragility of global supply chains, resulting in shortages of essential clinical supplies for the detection and treatment of COVID-19, including nasopharyngeal swabs (NP) commonly used to collect clinical samples for respiratory disease diagnostics. Groups around the world led a response to find alternatives to these shortages. Here, we describe the development of a single-component nasopharyngeal swab (GrooveSwab) composed of medical grade polypropylene that can be mass manufactured using conventional injection molding. The design inspired by cat tongue papillae consists of a non-absorbent stacked ring structure that allows for efficient and comfortable collection of viscous mucus samples and faster release into collection medium compared to traditional absorbent swabs. GroveSwabs were evaluated in 2 clinical studies in the US and Peru and demonstrated 90% or better concordance with commercial swabs. The simplified NP swab offers a reliable, lower cost, and more manufacturable alternative to absorbent swabs to avoid future shortages.</jats:p

Retinol-binding protein 2 (RBP2) binds monoacylglycerols and modulates gut endocrine signaling and body weight

Retinol-binding protein 2 (RBP2) binds 2-monoacylglycerols affecting their intestinal levels and enteroendocrine responses.</jats:p