The Reproducibility of Blood Acid Base Responses in Male Collegiate Athletes Following Individualised Doses of Sodium Bicarbonate: A Randomised Controlled Crossover Study

Background: Current evidence suggests sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) should be ingested based upon the individualised alkalotic peak of either blood pH or bicarbonate (HCO3−) because of large inter-individual variations (10–180 min). If such a strategy is to be practical, the blood analyte response needs to be reproducible. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the degree of reproducibility of both time to peak (TTP) and absolute change in blood pH, HCO3− and sodium (Na+) following acute NaHCO3 ingestion. Methods: Male participants (n = 15) with backgrounds in rugby, football or sprinting completed six randomised treatments entailing ingestion of two doses of 0.2 g·kg−1 body mass (BM) NaHCO3 (SBC2a and b), two doses of 0.3 g·kg−1 BM NaHCO3 (SBC3a and b) or two control treatments (CON1a and b) on separate days. Blood analysis included pH, HCO3− and Na+ prior to and at regular time points following NaHCO3 ingestion over a 3-h period. Results: HCO3− displayed greater reproducibility than pH in intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis for both TTP (HCO3− SBC2 r = 0.77, P = 0.003; SBC3 r = 0.94, P < 0.001; pH SBC2 r = 0.62, P = 0.044; SBC3 r = 0.71, P = 0.016) and absolute change (HCO3− SBC2 r = 0.89, P < 0.001; SBC3 r = 0.76, P = 0.008; pH SBC2 r = 0.84, P = 0.001; SBC3 r = 0.62, P = 0.041). Conclusion: Our results indicate that both TTP and absolute change in HCO3− is more reliable than pH. As such, these data provide support for an individualised NaHCO3 ingestion strategy to consistently elicit peak alkalosis before exercise. Future work should utilise an individualised NaHCO3 ingestion strategy based on HCO3− responses and evaluate effects on exercise performance

Selectivity control in Pt-catalyzed cinnamaldehyde hydrogenation

Chemoselectivity is a cornerstone of catalysis, permitting the targeted modification of specific functional groups within complex starting materials. Here we elucidate key structural and electronic factors controlling the liquid phase hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde and related benzylic aldehydes over Pt nanoparticles. Mechanistic insight from kinetic mapping reveals cinnamaldehyde hydrogenation is structure-insensitive over metallic platinum, proceeding with a common Turnover Frequency independent of precursor, particle size or support architecture. In contrast, selectivity to the desired cinnamyl alcohol product is highly structure sensitive, with large nanoparticles and high hydrogen pressures favoring C=O over C=C hydrogenation, attributed to molecular surface crowding and suppression of sterically-demanding adsorption modes. In situ vibrational spectroscopies highlight the role of support polarity in enhancing C=O hydrogenation (through cinnamaldehyde reorientation), a general phenomenon extending to alkyl-substituted benzaldehydes. Tuning nanoparticle size and support polarity affords a flexible means to control the chemoselective hydrogenation of aromatic aldehydes

Fat accretion measurements strengthen the relationship between feed conversion efficiency and Nitrogen isotopic discrimination while rumen microbial genes contribute little

The use of biomarkers for feed conversion efficiency (FCE), such as Nitrogen isotopic discrimination (ΔN), facilitates easier measurement and may be useful in breeding strategies. However, we need to better understand the relationship between FCE and ΔN, particularly the effects of differences in the composition of liveweight gain and rumen N metabolism. Alongside measurements of FCE and ΔN, we estimated changes in body composition and used dietary treatments with and without nitrates, and rumen metagenomics to explore these effects. Nitrate fed steers had reduced FCE and higher ΔN in plasma compared to steers offered non-nitrate containing diets. The negative relationship between FCE and ΔN was strengthened with the inclusion of fat depth change at the 3lumbar vertebrae, but not with average daily gain. We identified 1,700 microbial genes with a relative abundance >0.01% of which, 26 were associated with ΔN. These genes explained 69% of variation in ΔN and showed clustering in two distinct functional networks. However, there was no clear relationship between their relative abundances and ΔN, suggesting that rumen microbial genes contribute little to ΔN. Conversely, we show that changes in the composition of gain (fat accretion) provide additional strength to the relationship between FCE and ΔN

Sugar and abscisic acid signaling orthologs are activated at the onset of ripening in grape

The onset of ripening involves changes in sugar metabolism, softening, and color development. Most understanding of this process arises from work in climacteric fruits where the control of ripening is predominately by ethylene. However, many fruits such as grape are nonclimacteric, where the onset of ripening results from the integration of multiple hormone signals including sugars and abscisic acid (ABA). In this study, we identified ten orthologous gene families in Vitis vinifera containing components of sugar and ABA-signaling pathways elucidated in model systems, including PP2C protein phosphatases, and WRKY and homeobox transcription factors. Gene expression was characterized in control- and deficit-irrigated, field-grown Cabernet Sauvignon. Sixty-seven orthologous genes were identified, and 38 of these were expressed in berries. Of the genes expressed in berries, 68% were differentially expressed across development and/or in response to water deficit. Orthologs of several families were induced at the onset of ripening, and induced earlier and to higher levels in response to water deficit; patterns of expression that correlate with sugar and ABA accumulation during ripening. Similar to field-grown berries, ripening phenomena were induced in immature berries when cultured with sucrose and ABA, as evidenced by changes in color, softening, and gene expression. Finally, exogenous sucrose and ABA regulated key orthologs in culture, similar to their regulation in the field. This study identifies novel candidates in the control of nonclimacteric fruit ripening and demonstrates that grape orthologs of key sugar and ABA-signaling components are regulated by sugar and ABA in fleshy fruit

Prospect and potential of Burkholderia sp. against Phytophthora capsici Leonian: a causative agent for foot rot disease of black pepper

Foot rot disease is a very destructive disease in black pepper in Malaysia. It is caused by Phytophthora capsici Leonian, which is a soilborne pathogenic protist (phylum, Oomycota) that infects aerial and subterranean structures of many host plants. This pathogen is a polycyclic, such that multiple cycles of infection and inoculum production occur in a single growing season. It is more prevalent in the tropics because of the favourable environmental conditions. The utilization of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as a biological control agent has been successfully implemented in controlling many plant pathogens. Many studies on the exploration of beneficial organisms have been carried out such as Pseudomonas fluorescens, which is one of the best examples used for the control of Fusarium wilt in tomato. Similarly, P. fluorescens is found to be an effective biocontrol agent against the foot rot disease in black pepper. Nowadays there is tremendous novel increase in the species of Burkholderia with either mutualistic or antagonistic interactions in the environment. Burkholderia sp. is an indigenous PGPR capable of producing a large number of commercially important hydrolytic enzymes and bioactive substances that promote plant growth and health; are eco-friendly, biodegradable and specific in their actions; and have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity in keeping down the population of phytopathogens, thus playing a great role in promoting sustainable agriculture today. Hence, in this book chapter, the potential applications of Burkholderia sp. to control foot rot disease of black pepper in Malaysia, their control mechanisms, plant growth promotion, commercial potentials and the future prospects as indigenous PGPR were discussed in relation to sustainable agriculture

Biodegradation of cyclic amines by Pseudomonas strain involves an amine monooxygenase.

International audienceLa souche O1G3 de Pseudomonas putida catalyse la dégradation de la pyrrolidine et de la piperidine. Cette souche peut utiliser ces composés en tant que seules sources de carbone, d'azote et d'énergie. Lorsque les amines cycliques ont été utilisés comme substrats de culture, la synthèse d'une mono-oxygénase d'amines héminiques fut induite chez cette bactérie. Nous avons confirmé cette observation à l'aide d'analyses par spectrophotométrie et d'inhibiteurs spécifiques. Cette mono-oxygénase est une enzyme dépendante du NADH et catalyse le clivage du lien C-N de l'anneau de la pyrrolidine et de la piperidine par un mécanisme ressemblant à une désalkylation N. Cette réaction pourrait être suivie par un clivage de l'anneau pour former du ?-aminobutyraldéhyde à son tour oxydé en du ?-aminobutyrate. Des études plus approfondies sont en cours dans le but de purifier la mono-oxygénase renfermant de l'hème

Effets d'un hydrocarbure aromatique polycyclique et d'un PCB sur les activités de métabolisation des xénobiotiques de la truite arc-en-ciel (O. mykiss)

Des truites arc-en-ciel immatures ont été soumises à des conditions statiques d'exposition à 10 et 100 µg/l de 3,3', 4,4'-tétrachlorobiphényle (TCB) ou de benzo(a)pyrène (BaP) dissous dans l'acétone, pendant 72 h, puis transférées en eau courante non contaminée. Parallèlement un groupe de poissons a servi de lot témoin. Une partie des poissons a été sacrifiée en fin de période d'exposition, l'autre partie faisant l'objet d'un abattage après 2 semaines en eau propre. Le foie, les rosettes olfactives, les branchies et le rein ont été prélevés sur les poissons et, des microsomes et cytosols ont été préparés pour chacun des tissus par ultracentrifugation dans un tampon approprié. Les activités éthoxyrésorufine-o-dééthylase (EROD), glucuronosyl transférase (UDPGT) et glutathion-Stransférase (GST) ont été mesurées. Les résultats de l'exposition au BaP montrent qu'aux deux concentrations testées, l'activité EROD a été significativement augmentée par rapport au lot témoin, pour le foie (x 11 à 33 fois) et la branchie (x 5 à 7 fois). Seule la dose la plus élevée a permis d'augmenter l'activité de cette enzyme dans le rein et la rosette olfactive. A la fin de la période de dépuration, il n'est observé aucune différence significative entre les lots traités et témoins. Les transferases apparaissent peu sensibles au B(a)P. Après 72 h d'exposition au TCB, l'activité EROD du foie, des branchies, des rosettes et du rein est très significativement augmentée (5 à 50 fois selon le tissu) par rapport au témoin, aux deux concentrations testées. Cette induction est encore plus nette après la période de 2 semaines en eau propre. L'activité UDPGT hépatique est doublée en fin de traitement pour les deux doses et se maintient à ce niveau au cours de la période de dépuration. Les GST sont légèrement induites dans le foie après les 15 jours de dépuration. Ce travail confirme la grande sensibilité de l'activité EROD des truites arc-en-ciel aux hydrocarbures aromatiques polycycliques et aux PCB et souligne les possibilités et les limites d'utilisation de cette activité en tant que biomarqueur d'exposition à ces polluants

Illustrated Checklist of the Decapoda at Europa Island

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