An approach to the association between gastrointestinal hormones and dry matter intake in ruminants

Las hormonas gastrointestinales están relacionadas con el consumo de alimento. A pesar de que el mecanismo de acción de muchas de estas hormonas en animales no rumiantes es relativamente entendido, en rumiantes su función es aún poco comprendida y muchas veces contradictoria. Por ello, en este ensayo se discute la relación de la insulina, ghrelina, colecistoquinina (CCK), péptido tirosina tirosina (PYY) y los péptidos que derivan del gen del proglucagon (oxintomodulina, glicentina y péptidos similares al glucagón 1 y 2 (GLP-1 y GLP-2)) con el consumo de alimento en rumiantes. Estas hormonas también tienen una función en la regulación del metabolismo energético, lo cual se discutirá en otro ensayo. Las evidencias sugieren que en rumiantes, insulina, CCK y el GLP-1 disminuyen el consumo, mientras que ghrelina lo aumenta. La función de oxintomodulina, GLP-2 y PYY se conoce poco en rumiantes.Gastrointestinal hormones are related to feed intake. Despite the fact that the mechanisms of action of many of these hormones in non–ruminant animals is relatively well known, in ruminants their function is still not understood, and results reported in the literature are often contradictory. For this reason, this essay discusses how insulin, ghrelin, colecistokinin (CCK), peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY) and peptides derived from the proglucagon gen (oxyntomodlin, glicentin and glucagon–like peptides 1 and 2 (GLP–1 and GLP–2)) are related to dry matter intake (DMI) in ruminants. These hormones also have a function in the regulation of metabolism, which will be discussed in another essay. The evidence suggests that in ruminants, insulin, CCK and GLP–1 reduce DMI, while ghrelin increases DMI. The function of oxyntomodulin, GLP–2 and PYY is little known in ruminants.Fil: Relling, Alejandro Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico CONICET- La Plata. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando Noel Dulout". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria; ArgentinaFil: Pinos Rodríguez, J. Manuel. Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí. Instituto de Investigación de Zonas Desérticas; MéxicoFil: Mattioli, Guillermo Alberto. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; Argentin

Routing stemflow water through the soil via preferential flow: a dual-labelling approach with artificial tracers

Stemflow and its belowground funnelling along roots and macropores may play an important role in the soil moisture redistribution in forest environments. In this study, a stemflow experiment on Pinus sylvestris L. (Scots pine) used artificial tracers to view and quantify preferential flow after stemflow infiltration into the soil. A total of 41 L of water labelled with enriched deuterium and brilliant blue FCF were applied at a flow rate of 7 L h−1 to the stem of a pine tree, which corresponds to the stemflow caused by about 50 mm of rainfall. Time domain reflectometry (TDR) probes were installed around the tree trunk to measure the high-resolution volumetric water content. A total of 1 d after the stemflow discharge, soil pits were dug in the different cardinal directions and at varying distances from the tree. Photographs were taken for imaging analysis to quantify preferential flow metrics. Soil samples were taken from the different profiles to analyse the dye concentrations and isotopic compositions. We found that stemflow infiltrated through an annulus-shaped area around the tree base. We observed a heterogenous spatiotemporal soil moisture response to stemflow and the occurrence of shallow perched water tables around the tree trunk. Dye staining demonstrated that stemflow infiltrated primarily along the surface of coarse roots and through macropores. The dye coverage was less extensive close to the soil surface and increased with depth and with proximity to the tree trunk. Lateral flow was also observed, mainly in the shallow soil layers. Our analyses demonstrate the prevalence of preferential flow. Deuterium and brilliant blue FCF concentrations were significantly correlated. The tracer concentrations decreased with increasing distance from the tree trunk, indicating dilution and mixing with residual soil water. Macropores, coarse roots (living or decayed) and perched water tables produced a complex network regulating the preferential flow. Our results suggest that stemflow affects soil moisture distribution, and thus likely also groundwater recharge and surface runoff. Our study provides insights into the soil hydrological processes that are regulated by stemflow belowground funnelling and improves our understanding of forest–water interactions.</p

An approach to the association between gastrointestinal hormones and dry matter intake in ruminants

Las hormonas gastrointestinales están relacionadas con el consumo de alimento. A pesar de que el mecanismo de acción de muchas de estas hormonas en animales no rumiantes es relativamente entendido, en rumiantes su función es aún poco comprendida y muchas veces contradictoria. Por ello, en este ensayo se discute la relación de la insulina, ghrelina, colecistoquinina (CCK), péptido tirosina tirosina (PYY) y los péptidos que derivan del gen del proglucagon (oxintomodulina, glicentina y péptidos similares al glucagón 1 y 2 (GLP-1 y GLP-2)) con el consumo de alimento en rumiantes. Estas hormonas también tienen una función en la regulación del metabolismo energético, lo cual se discutirá en otro ensayo. Las evidencias sugieren que en rumiantes, insulina, CCK y el GLP-1 disminuyen el consumo, mientras que ghrelina lo aumenta. La función de oxintomodulina, GLP-2 y PYY se conoce poco en rumiantes.Gastrointestinal hormones are related to feed intake. Despite the fact that the mechanisms of action of many of these hormones in non–ruminant animals is relatively well known, in ruminants their function is still not understood, and results reported in the literature are often contradictory. For this reason, this essay discusses how insulin, ghrelin, colecistokinin (CCK), peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY) and peptides derived from the proglucagon gen (oxyntomodlin, glicentin and glucagon–like peptides 1 and 2 (GLP–1 and GLP–2)) are related to dry matter intake (DMI) in ruminants. These hormones also have a function in the regulation of metabolism, which will be discussed in another essay. The evidence suggests that in ruminants, insulin, CCK and GLP–1 reduce DMI, while ghrelin increases DMI. The function of oxyntomodulin, GLP–2 and PYY is little known in ruminants.Instituto de Genética Veterinari

An approach to the association between gastrointestinal hormones and dry matter intake in ruminants

Las hormonas gastrointestinales están relacionadas con el consumo de alimento. A pesar de que el mecanismo de acción de muchas de estas hormonas en animales no rumiantes es relativamente entendido, en rumiantes su función es aún poco comprendida y muchas veces contradictoria. Por ello, en este ensayo se discute la relación de la insulina, ghrelina, colecistoquinina (CCK), péptido tirosina tirosina (PYY) y los péptidos que derivan del gen del proglucagon (oxintomodulina, glicentina y péptidos similares al glucagón 1 y 2 (GLP-1 y GLP-2)) con el consumo de alimento en rumiantes. Estas hormonas también tienen una función en la regulación del metabolismo energético, lo cual se discutirá en otro ensayo. Las evidencias sugieren que en rumiantes, insulina, CCK y el GLP-1 disminuyen el consumo, mientras que ghrelina lo aumenta. La función de oxintomodulina, GLP-2 y PYY se conoce poco en rumiantes.Gastrointestinal hormones are related to feed intake. Despite the fact that the mechanisms of action of many of these hormones in non–ruminant animals is relatively well known, in ruminants their function is still not understood, and results reported in the literature are often contradictory. For this reason, this essay discusses how insulin, ghrelin, colecistokinin (CCK), peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY) and peptides derived from the proglucagon gen (oxyntomodlin, glicentin and glucagon–like peptides 1 and 2 (GLP–1 and GLP–2)) are related to dry matter intake (DMI) in ruminants. These hormones also have a function in the regulation of metabolism, which will be discussed in another essay. The evidence suggests that in ruminants, insulin, CCK and GLP–1 reduce DMI, while ghrelin increases DMI. The function of oxyntomodulin, GLP–2 and PYY is little known in ruminants.Instituto de Genética Veterinari

Reduced membrane-bound alkaline phosphatase does not affect binding of Vip3Aa in a Heliothis virescens resistant colony

The Vip3Aa insecticidal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is produced by specific transgenic corn and cotton varieties for efficient control of target lepidopteran pests. The main threat to this technology is the evolution of resistance in targeted insect pests and understanding the mechanistic basis of resistance is crucial to deploy the most appropriate strategies for resistance management. In this work, we tested whether alteration of membrane receptors in the insect midgut might explain the >2000-fold Vip3Aa resistance phenotype in a laboratory-selected colony of Heliothis virescens (Vip-Sel). Binding of 125I-labeled Vip3Aa to brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) from 3rd instar larvae from Vip-Sel was not significantly different from binding in the reference susceptible colony. Interestingly, BBMV from Vip-Sel larvae showed dramatically reduced levels of membrane-bound alkaline phosphatase (mALP) activity, which was further confirmed by a strong downregulation of the membrane-bound alkaline phosphatase 1 (HvmALP1) gene. However, the involvement of HvmALP1 as a receptor for the Vip3Aa protein was not supported by results from ligand blotting and viability assays with insect cells expressing HvmALP1

Trends in greenhouse gas emissions from dairy cattle in Mexico between 1970 and 2010

The objective of the present work was to estimate and assess trends in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), from dairy cows in Mexico from the base year of 1970 to 2010. Empirical and mechanistic models were used to estimate enteric methane emissions based on chemical composition of diets. Methane from manure was calculated using Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) and US Environmental Protection Agency recommended equations. N2O emission was calculated according to IPCC recommendations. Compared with the 1970s, current management practices using modern dairy cows increased feed conversion efficiency 32% and milk yield 62%. GHG emission intensity (i.e. emissions per unit of product) was reduced 30%, 25% and 30% for CH4, N2O and total emissions, respectively. The study showed that although GHG emissions in absolute terms increased in the past 40 years, emission intensity decreased due to higher level of production. This trend is likely to continue in the future, assuming milk production follows the same increasing trend as in other countries in North America. © 2014 CSIRO

Transplantation of clinical-grade human neural stem cells reduces neuroinflammation, prolongs survival and delays disease progression in the SOD1 rats.

Abstract Stem cells are emerging as a therapeutic option for incurable diseases, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). However, critical issues are related to their origin as well as to the need to deepen our knowledge of the therapeutic actions exerted by these cells. Here, we investigate the therapeutic potential of clinical-grade human neural stem cells (hNSCs) that have been successfully used in a recently concluded phase I clinical trial for ALS patients (NCT01640067). The hNSCs were transplanted bilaterally into the anterior horns of the lumbar spinal cord (four grafts each, segments L3–L4) of superoxide dismutase 1 G93A transgenic rats (SOD1 rats) at the symptomatic stage. Controls included untreated SOD1 rats (CTRL) and those treated with HBSS (HBSS). Motor symptoms and histological hallmarks of the disease were evaluated at three progressive time points: 15 and 40 days after transplant (DAT), and end stage. Animals were treated by transient immunosuppression (for 15 days, starting at time of transplantation). Under these conditions, hNSCs integrated extensively within the cord, differentiated into neural phenotypes and migrated rostro-caudally, up to 3.77 ± 0.63 cm from the injection site. The transplanted cells delayed decreases in body weight and deterioration of motor performance in the SOD1 rats. At 40DAT, the anterior horns at L3–L4 revealed a higher density of motoneurons and fewer activated astroglial and microglial cells. Accordingly, the overall survival of transplanted rats was significantly enhanced with no rejection of hNSCs observed. We demonstrated that the beneficial effects observed after stem cell transplantation arises from multiple events that counteract several aspects of the disease, a crucial feature for multifactorial diseases, such as ALS. The combination of therapeutic approaches that target different pathogenic mechanisms of the disorder, including pharmacology, molecular therapy and cell transplantation, will increase the chances of a clinically successful therapy for ALS

Optical wavelength converters in fiber optical networks

Optical Networks often use a wavelength converter as part of a switching system to improve their networks. Wavelength conversion is defined as a process by which the wavelength of the transmitted signal is changed without altering the data carried by the signal. The device that performs this function is usually called a wavelength converter but it is also referred to as a wavelength (or frequency) changer, shifter or translator. It is termed an up-converter when the converted signal wavelength is longer than the original signal wavelength and it is called a down-converter if the converted signal wavelength is shorter than the original signal wavelength. A wavelength converter should be capable of receiving an incoming signal at any wavelength (i.e. a variable wavelength) at the input port and must produce the converted signal at a particular wavelength (i.e. a fixed wavelength) at the output port. Therefore the input/output (I/O) ports of the converter must possess the capability of a variable input–fixed output (VIFO) converter and the majority of the optical switching networks use this type of device

High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation Use and Severe Pediatric ARDS in the Pediatric Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipient

INTRODUCTION: The effectiveness of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) in the pediatric hematopoietic cell transplant patient has not been established. We sought to identify current practice patterns of HFOV, investigate parameters during HFOV and their association with mortality, and compare the use of HFOV to conventional mechanical ventilation in severe pediatric ARDS. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of a multi-center database of pediatric and young adult allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant subjects requiring invasive mechanical ventilation for critical illness from 2009 through 2014. Twelve United States pediatric centers contributed data. Continuous variables were compared using a Wilcoxon rank-sum test or a Kruskal-Wallis analysis. For categorical variables, univariate analysis with logistic regression was performed. RESULTS: The database contains 222 patients, of which 85 subjects were managed with HFOV. Of this HFOV cohort, the overall pediatric ICU survival was 23.5% (n = 20). HFOV survivors were transitioned to HFOV at a lower oxygenation index than nonsurvivors (25.6, interquartile range 21.1-36.8, vs 37.2, interquartile range 26.5-52.2, P = .046). Survivors were transitioned to HFOV earlier in the course of mechanical ventilation, (day 0 vs day 2, P = .002). No subject survived who was transitioned to HFOV after 1 week of invasive mechanical ventilation. We compared subjects with severe pediatric ARDS treated only with conventional mechanical ventilation versus early HFOV (within 2 d of invasive mechanical ventilation) versus late HFOV. There was a trend toward difference in survival (conventional mechanical ventilation 24%, early HFOV 30%, and late HFOV 9%, P = .08). CONCLUSIONS: In this large database of pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant subjects who had acute respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation for critical illness with severe pediatric ARDS, early use of HFOV was associated with improved survival compared to late implementation of HFOV, and the subjects had outcomes similar to those treated only with conventional mechanical ventilation