Diversity of methanogens in the hindgut of grower and finisher pigs

This study examined the diversity of the methanogens in the hindgut of two different weight groups of pigs and correlated it with the amount of digested organic carbon (OC) and various components of dietary fiber. Five grower (58.9 ± 1.15 kg) and five finisher (89.4 ± 0.85 kg) Duroc × Landrace × Large Yorkshire female pigs were allocated into two groups and individually housed in cages. During the experiment, feed intake and fecal output were recorded for determination of apparent digestibility of OC, crude fiber (CF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF). At the end of the digestibility trial, pigs were sacrificed, and the contents of five segments of hindgut were sterilely collected to determine diversity of methanogens. Total microbial DNA of the hindgut contents was used as template for amplification of the methanogen16S rRNA gene, and the PCR products were further subjected to denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis. Results show that the number of DGGE bands and Shannon diversity index for the 90 kg pigs were higher (P<0.05) than those for the 60 kg pigs. Methanogen communities did not alter along the different segments of the hindgut for the two weight groups. In addition, the amount of OC, CF, NDF and ADF digested (g/d) for the 90 kg pigs (1018.77, 23.11, 268.86 and 99.16, respectively) was higher (P<0.05) than the respective values for the 60 kg pigs (669.27, 13.77, 222.31 and 69.07), indicating that the higher diversity of  methanogens in the former group was related to the higher quantity of fiber materials fermented in the hindgut. The positive correlation (p<0.05) between number of DGGE bands and Shannon diversity index with quantity of digested OC and ADF further reaffirmed the above suggestion.Key words: Methanogen, pig, Shannon diversity index, polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE)

Immunomodulatory Potential of Patchouli Alcohol Isolated from Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth (Lamiaceae) in Mice

Purpose: To isolate and purify patchouli alcohol (PA), a tricyclic sesquiterpene constituent of Pogostemon cablin, and investigate its immunomodulatory potential in Kunming mice.Methods: PA was prepared from an ethanol aqueous extract of P. cablin by silica gel column chromatography, and further purified by crystallization using n-hexane. Purity was assessed by analytical gas chromatography (GC) and confirmation of chemical structure performed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS). The effect of PA from Pogostemon cablin on immunological function was studied by macrophage phagocytosis, immune organ index, serum immunoglobulin level and delayed type  hypersensitivity (DTH) in mice that were administered orally doses of 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg.Results: The purity of PA was 99.3%. The oral administration of PA (40, or 80 mg/kg body weight) significantly increased the phagocytic index (p < 0.05), compared with prednisone acetate (PR) group. Administration of PA (80 mg/kg) boosted the production of circulating serum IgM (0.081 ± 0.010) and IgG (1.296 ± 0.120), while IgM and IgG in PR group was 0.069 ± 0.011 (p < 0.01) and 1.180 ± 0.070 (p < 0.01) respectively. However, PA (20 mg/kg) treatment elicited significant decrease in DTH induced by 2, 4-dinitro-chlorobenzene (DNCB) in mice (1.03 ± 0.40, p < 0.05), in comparison to DNCB-induced group (1.67 ± 0.84 mg).Conclusion: These results suggest that PA has significant immunomodulatory properties which probably act by activating mononuclear phagocytic system, augmenting humoral immune response while suppressing cellular immune response.Keywords: Patchouli alcohol, Pogostemon cablin, Immunomodulatory, Phagocytic index, Macrophag

Antifatigue Effect of Millettiae speciosae Champ (Leguminosae) Extract in Mice

Purpose: To evaluate whether Millettiae Speciosae Champ. (Leguminosae) can enhance exercise performance as well as ascertain if it a potential functional food material.Methods: The extract of Millettia speciosa Champ. (MSE) was orally administered to mice in 500, 1000, 2000 mg/kg doses to investigate its anti-fatigue effect in both forced swimming and climbing tests. Glycogen, triglyceride (TG), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatine phosphokinase (CK) levels in plasma which can indicate alterations in energy utilization during exercise performance, were determined to analyze the operating exercise mechanisms.Results: The results showed that swimming time to exhaustion was longer in all treated groups (41.06 ± 1.92, 47.84 ± 1.60, 54.00 ± 2.45 min for 500, 10000 and 2000 mg/kg doses, respectively) than for control (19.45 ± 0.62 min, p < 0.05). The middle and high doses of MSE-treated groups significantly prolonged the climbing time compared with control (p < 0.05). Furthermore, MSE reduced the content of TG significantly by increasing fat utilization, delayed the accumulation of BUN and decreased the level of CK (p < 0.05). In addition, administration of MSE significantly protected the depletion of muscle glycogen when compared with control (p < 0.05).Conclusion: The results show for the first time that Millettia speciosa Champ. (Leguminosae) has significant anti-fatigue activity, and also suggest that it is a potential functional food material.Keywords: Radix millettiae speciosae, Anti-fatigue activity, Exercise performance, Serum urea nitrogen, Gastrocnemius muscle glycogen, Triglyceride, Functional foo

The metabolic syndrome is not associated with homocysteinemia: The Persian Gulf Healthy Heart Study

Background: It is uncertain whether homocysteine and the metabolic syndrome or its components are related in the general population, as studies investigating the association between homocysteine levels and insulin resistance have shown conflicting results. Methods: In an ancillary study to the Persian Gulf Healthy Heart Study, a cohort study of Iranian men and women aged ≥25 yr, a random sample of 1754 subjects were evaluated for the association of plasma homocysteine levels and the metabolic syndrome using National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)-Adult Treatment Panel (ATP)-III criteria. Total homocysteine levels and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: Subjects with lower HDL-cholesterol and higher blood pressure showed significantly higher homocysteine levels (p=0.001 and p<0.0001; respectively). There was no significant difference in serum levels of homocysteine between subjects with and without the metabolic syndrome. In multiple logistic regression analysis, the metabolic syndrome did not show a significant association with serum homocysteine levels after adjusting for sex, age, smoking, fruit and vegetable intake pattern, body mass index, and physical inactivity. Concurrent elevated CRP levels and the metabolic syndrome also did not show a significant association with serum homocysteine levels after adjusting for sex, age, and lifestyle cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusions: There was no association between the metabolic syndrome using NCEP-ATPIII criteria and homocysteinemia in this study. These data refute the hypothesis that homocysteine levels are influenced by the metabolic syndrome, at least in general healthy population

A new interpretation of total column BrO during Arctic spring

Emission of bromine from sea-salt aerosol, frost flowers, ice leads, and snow results in the nearly complete removal of surface ozone during Arctic spring. Regions of enhanced total column BrO observed by satellites have traditionally been associated with these emissions. However, airborne measurements of BrO and O3 within the convective boundary layer (CBL) during the ARCTAS and ARCPAC field campaigns at times bear little relation to enhanced column BrO. We show that the locations of numerous satellite BrO "hotspots" during Arctic spring are consistent with observations of total column ozone and tropopause height, suggesting a stratospheric origin to these regions of elevated BrO. Tropospheric enhancements of BrO large enough to affect the column abundance are also observed, with important contributions originating from above the CBL. Closure of the budget for total column BrO, albeit with significant uncertainty, is achieved by summing observed tropospheric partial columns with calculated stratospheric partial columns provided that natural, short-lived biogenic bromocarbons supply between 5 and 10 ppt of bromine to the Arctic lowermost stratosphere. Proper understanding of bromine and its effects on atmospheric composition requires accurate treatment of geographic variations in column BrO originating from both the stratosphere and troposphere. Copyright 2010 by the American Geophysical Union

Both the C-Terminal Polylysine Region and the Farnesylation of K-RasB Are Important for Its Specific Interaction with Calmodulin

Background: Ras protein, as one of intracellular signal switches, plays various roles in several cell activities such as differentiation and proliferation. There is considerable evidence showing that calmodulin (CaM) binds to K-RasB and dissociates K-RasB from membrane and that the inactivation of CaM is able to induce K-RasB activation. However, the mechanism for the interaction of CaM with K-RasB is not well understood. Methodology/Principal Findings: Here, by applying fluorescence spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry, we have obtained thermodynamic parameters for the interaction between these two proteins and identified the important elements of K-RasB for its interaction with Ca 2+ /CaM. One K-RasB molecule interacts with one CaM molecule in a GTP dependent manner with moderate, micromolar affinity at physiological pH and physiologic ionic strength. Mutation in the polybasic domain of K-Ras decreases the binding affinity. By using a chimera in which the C-terminal polylysine region of K-RasB has been replaced with that of H-Ras and vice versa, we find that at physiological pH, H-Ras-(KKKKKK) and Ca 2+ /CaM formed a 1:1 complex with an equilibrium association constant around 10 5 M 21, whereas no binding reaction of K-RasB-(DESGPC) with Ca 2+ /CaM is detected. Furthermore, the interaction of K-RasB with Ca 2+ /CaM is found to be enhanced by the farnesylation of K-RasB. Conclusions/Significance: We demonstrate that the polylysine region of K-RasB not only contributes importantly to th

Sitting and standing performance in a total population of children with cerebral palsy: a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Knowledge of sitting and standing performance in a total population of children with cerebral palsy (CP) is of interest for health care planning and for prediction of future ability in the individual child. In 1994, a register and a health care programme for children with CP in southern Sweden was initiated. In the programme information on how the child usually sits, stands, stands up and sits down, together with use of support or assistive devices, is recorded annually.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional study was performed, analysing the most recent report of all children with CP born 1990-2005 and living in southern Sweden during 2008. All 562 children (326 boys, 236 girls) aged 3-18 years were included in the study. The degree of independence, use of support or assistive devices to sit, stand, stand up and sit down was analysed in relation to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), CP subtype and age.</p> <p>Result</p> <p>A majority of the children used standard chairs (57%), could stand independently (62%) and could stand up (62%) and sit down (63%) without external support. Adaptive seating was used by 42%, external support to stand was used by 31%, to stand up by 19%, and to sit down by 18%. The use of adaptive seating and assistive devices increased with GMFCS levels (p < 0.001) and there was a difference between CP subtypes (p < 0.001). The use of support was more frequent in preschool children aged 3-6 (p < 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>About 60% of children with CP, aged 3-18, use standard chairs, stand, stand up, and sit down without external support. Adding those using adaptive seating and external support, 99% of the children could sit, 96% could stand and 81% could stand up from a sitting position and 81% could sit down from a standing position. The GMFCS classification system is a good predictor of sitting and standing performance.</p

Lower Blood Calcium Associates with Unfavorable Prognosis and Predicts for Bone Metastasis in NSCLC

Ionized calcium was involved in various cellular signal pathways,and regulates many cellular processes, including those relevant to tumorigenesis. We hypothesis that imbalance of calcium homeostasis is correlated with development of lung carcinomas. We collected the clinical data of 1084 patients with non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated in Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University. Logistic regression was used to determine the association between calcium levels and clinical characteristics, and COX regression and Kaplan-Meier model were applied to analyze risk factors on overall survival. Blood electrolytes were tested before treatment; and nearly 16% patients with NSCLC were complained with decreased blood calcium, which is more frequent than that in other electrolytes. Further, Multivariate logistic regression analysis disclosed that there were significant correlation between blood calcium decrease and moderate and poor differentiation (P = 0.012, OR = 1.926 (1.203–4.219)), squamous cell carcinoma (P = 0.024, OR = 1.968(1.094–3.540)), and bone metastasis (P = 0.032, OR = 0.396(0.235–0.669)). In multivariate COX regression analysis, advanced lymph node stage and decreased blood calcium were significantly and independent, unfavorable prognostic factors (P<0.001). Finally, the Kaplan-Meier Survival curve revealed that blood calcium decrease was associated with shorter survival (Log-rank; χ2 = 26.172,P<0.001). Our finding indicates that lower blood calcium levels are associated with a higher risk of unfavorable prognosis and bone metastasis of NSCLC

Lack of association between mutations of gene-encoding mitochondrial D310 (displacement loop) mononucleotide repeat and oxidative stress in chronic dialysis patients in Taiwan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mitochondria (mt) are highly susceptible to reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we investigated the association between a region within the displacement loop (D-loop) in mtDNA that is highly susceptible to ROS and oxidative stress markers in chronic dialysis patients. We enrolled 184 chronic dialysis patients and 213 age-matched healthy subjects for comparison. Blood levels of oxidative stress markers, such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and free thiol, and the mtDNA copy number were determined. A mononucleotide repeat sequence (CCCC...CCCTCCCCCC) between nucleotides 303 and 316-318 (D310) was identified in mtDNA.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Depending on alterations in the D310 mononucleotide repeat, subjects were categorized into 4 subgroups: 7-C, 8-C, 9 or 10-C, and T-to-C transition. Oxidative stress was higher in chronic dialysis patients, evidenced by higher levels of TBARS and mtDNA copy number, and a lower level of free thiol. The distribution of 7-C, 8-C, and 9-10C in dialysis and control subjects was as follows: 7-C (38% <it>vs. </it>31.5%), 8-C (35.3% <it>vs. </it>43.2%), and 9-10C (24.5% <it>vs. </it>22.1%). Although there were significant differences in levels of TBARS, free thiol, and the mtDNA copy number in the D310 repeat subgroups (except T-to-C transition) between dialysis patients and control subjects, post hoc analyses within the same study cohort revealed no significant differences.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although oxidative stress was elevated in chronic dialysis patients and resulted in a compensatory increase in the mtDNA copy number, homopolymeric C repeats in the mtDNA region (D310), susceptible to ROS, were not associated with oxidative stress markers in these patients.</p