Probiotic bacteria can modulate murine macrophage’s superoxide production in Trichinella spiralis infection

The effect of probiotic strains (Enterococcus faecium EF55, E. faecium CCM7420, E. faecium CCM8558, E. durans ED26E/7, Lactobacillus fermentum CCM7421, L. plantarum 17L/1) on the production of superoxide anion (O2-) in peritoneal macrophages of Trichinella spiralis infected mice was examined. E. faecium EF55 and E. faecium CCM8558 strains increased the O2-production prior to parasitic infection,at the day7of application.A significant inhibition of the O2- production caused by T. spiralis infection on day 5 post infection (p.i.) was prevented by all examined strains. Lactobacilli stimulated metabolic activity of macrophages during intestinal and early muscular phase (from day 5 to 25 p.i.) of trichinellosis. Enterococci increased the O2- production in early intestinal phase (day 5 p.i.) and during the muscular phase of trichinellosis (days 25 and 32 p.i.). Respected increase in macrophage’s metabolic activity induced by probiotic treatment in the intestinal phase of trichinellosis augmented the host antiparasite defence (damage and killing of newborn larvae with reactive oxygen species from macrophages)

Influence of Peroral Supplementation of Selenium and Vitamin E on the Antioxidant Status of Racing Pigeons

The racing season is considered a critical period for racing pigeons due to the susceptibility to stress and weakening of the birds. One of the ways how to support their health and avoid problems involves supplementation of mineral-vitamin preparations based on selenium and vitamin E, which act as important antioxidants and protect cells against damage. This study investigated the influence of peroral supplementation of selenium at a dose of 0.3 mg Se.kg−1 feed dry matter (DM) in the form of Na2SeO3 and vitamin E 300 mg.ml−1 added to water at a rate of 4 ml.l−1 during 60 days. The supplemented group comprised 14 pigeons and their results were compared with a control group of 14 pigeons fed non-supplemented commercial feed. Blood samples were collected and examined at the beginning of the supplementation period, one day before a 300 km race and after the race. Pigeons from the supplemented group exhibited increased plasma levels of Se and vitamin E, as well as the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) before and after the 300 km race in comparison with the controls. Comparison of the activity of the enzymes: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (ASP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and creatinine kinase (CK) at the beginning of the supplementation and one day before the race showed no changes. A significant (P < 0.05) increase in the activity of all investigated enzymes were observed after the race in both groups

Andreev Reflection Spectroscopy Study of Spin Polarization in Co₂Cr(Fe)Al Heusler Alloys

The present paper is dealing with the experimental study of the influence of Fe substitution on the Curie temperature and spin polarization in Co₂CrAl Heusler alloys. A recently successfully introduced new rapid quenching method has been used for the preparation of Co₂CrAl and $Co₂Cr_{0.6}Fe_{0.4}Al$ ribbon samples. The Curie temperatures have been determined from magnetization measurements being 378 K for Co₂CrAl and much above 400 K for $Co₂Cr_{0.6}Fe_{0.4}Al$. The spin polarization parameter P₀ of the studied samples has been estimated from point-contact Andreev reflexion spectroscopy measurements. In pure Co₂CrAlP₀ = 0.5 - 0.9, and in the case of $Co₂Cr_{0.6}Fe_{0.4}AlP₀$ = 0.4 - 0.9. Hence, it is shown that Fe substitution of Cr in $Co₂Cr_{1-x}FeₓAl$ Heusler alloys at a concentration of x=0.4 significantly increase the Curie temperature without marked influence on the spin polarization

Structure of Melt-Spun Co 2 MnAl Heusler Alloy

The growth-related microstructure and texture of the Co2MnAl-type Heusler alloy in the form of a melt-spun ribbon was studied by electron microscopy, electron backscattered diffraction and X-ray diffraction. It is shown that melt spinning produces a single-phase disordered Heusler alloy. The fine grain structure at the wheel side of the ribbon exhibits no texture, while dominant columnar grain structure formed on the free surface side exhibits the 111 fibre texture with a declination by about 10 degrees in the spinning direction. The dendritic growth of columnar crystals causes inhomogeneity of the chemical composition on a micrometre scale with a higher Co and Al concentration in the centre of dendritic arms and a higher concentration of Mn at the dendrite arm boundaries