Immunoprotective Effect of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) and Glucomannan on T-2 Toxin-Induced Immunodepression in Poultry

The present investigation was undertaken to study the immunoprotective effect of seabuckthorn berries and glucomannan against T-2 toxin-induced immunodepression in 15-day-old chicks. T-2 toxin was produced in the laboratory by growing Fusarium sporotrichioides MTCC 2081 on wheat. T-2 toxin was fed to birds at 1 ppm level of the diet. The powdered seabuckthorn berries were added at 400 and 800 ppm levels, and glucomannan added at 1 g/kg of feed. All the treatments were continued up to 28 days. The immunoprotective effects of seabuckthorn and glucomannan were assessed by evaluating humoral immune reaction against NCD vaccine (haemagglutination test and immunoglobulin estimation), serum immunoglobulin levels, phagocytic index, and DTH reaction against DNFB between day 25 and day 28 of experiment. There was significant (P < .05) decrease in non-specific immunity in T-2 toxin-treated group as evidenced by a reduction in phagocytic index, DTH reaction, HI titer, and total serum Ig compared to the healthy control group. A significant increase (P < .05) in HI titer and total serum Ig was seen in seabuckthorn and glucomannan fed group. A significant (P < .05) increase in DTH reaction and non-specific immune response was seen in seabuckthorn and glucomannan fed birds. The present investigation revealed that the seabuckthorn alone protected the immunosuppressant action of T-2 toxin, but seabuckthorn and glucomannan in combination provided an additive protection against T-2 toxicity

Effect of trikatu pretreatment on the pharmacokinetics of pefloxacin administered orally in mountain Gaddi goats

The pharmacokinetics of orally administered pefloxacin were studied to evaluate the bio-enhancing effect of the herbal bio-enhancer, trikatu, in mountain Gaddi goats (n = 6). The findings of the study revealed a decreased plasma concentration (p > 0.05) of pefloxacin following trikatu administration during the absorption phase (10, 15, 20 min post pefloxacin administration). In contrast, the plasma concentrations of pefloxacin were significantly higher at 4, 6, 8 and 12 h (during the elimination phase) of the pefloxacin administration. The findings of the investigation revealed higher values for the area under the curve, the area under the first moment of the plasma drug concentration time curve, the mean residential time, the total duration of pharmacological action and bioavailability. Trikatu treatment, however, significantly reduced the elimination half life (t1/2β) and zero time intercept of the elimination phase. The apparent volume of distribution based on the total area under the plasma drug concentration curve [(Vd(area)] and the apparent volume of distribution based on the zero time plasma concentration intercept of the elimination phase [Vd(B)] were significantly higher in trikatu treated animals indicating a better penetration of the drug. Based on the MIC of 0.8 µg/ml of pefloxacin, a priming dose of 6.0 mg/kg and a maintenance dose of 2.21 mg/kg is required to be administered at 8 h intervals. For practical purposes in goats this would mean a priming dose of 6 mg/kg and a maintenance dose of 2 mg/kg given by the oral route, to be repeated at 8 h intervals

Cooling-Rate Effects in Sodium Silicate Glasses: Bridging the Gap between Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Experiments

Although molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are commonly used to predict the structure and properties of glasses, they are intrinsically limited to short time scales, necessitating the use of fast cooling rates. It is therefore challenging to compare results from MD simulations to experimental results for glasses cooled on typical laboratory time scales. Based on MD simulations of a sodium silicate glass with varying cooling rate (from 0.01 to 100 K/ps), here we show that thermal history primarily affects the medium-range order structure, while the short-range order is largely unaffected over the range of cooling rates simulated. This results in a decoupling between the enthalpy and volume relaxation functions, where the enthalpy quickly plateaus as the cooling rate decreases, whereas density exhibits a slower relaxation. Finally, we demonstrate that the outcomes of MD simulations can be meaningfully compared to experimental values if properly extrapolated to slower cooling rates

Long-term effects of severe acute malnutrition on lung function in Malawian children: a cohort study.

Early nutritional insults may increase risk of adult lung disease. We aimed to quantify the impact of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) on spirometric outcomes 7 years post-treatment and explore predictors of impaired lung function.Spirometry and pulse oximetry were assessed in 237 Malawian children (median age: 9.3 years) who had been treated for SAM and compared with sibling and age/sex-matched community controls. Spirometry results were expressed as z-scores based on Global Lung Function Initiative reference data for the African-American population.Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were low in all groups (mean FEV1 z-score: -0.47 for cases, -0.48 for siblings, -0.34 for community controls; mean FVC z-score: -0.32, -0.38, and -0.15 respectively). There were no differences in spirometric or oximetry outcomes between SAM survivors and controls. Leg length was shorter in SAM survivors but inter-group sitting heights were similar. HIV positive status or female sex was associated with poorer FEV1, by 0.55 and 0.31 z-scores, respectively.SAM in early childhood was not associated with subsequent reduced lung function compared to local controls. Preservation of sitting height and compromised leg length suggest "thrifty" or "lung-sparing" growth. Female sex and HIV positive status were identified as potentially high-risk groups

Mesoscale engineering of photonic glass for tunable luminescence

The control of optical behavior of active materials through manipulation of microstructure has led to the development of high-performance photonic devices with enhanced integration density, improved quantum efficiencies and controllable colour output. However, the achievement of robust light-harvesting materials with tunable, broadband and flatten emission remains a long-standing goal, owing to the limited inhomogeneous broadening in ordinary hosts. Here, we describe an effective strategy for management of photon emission by manipulation of mesoscale heterogeneities in optically active materials. Importantly, this unique approach enables control of dopant-dopant and dopant-host interactions at the extended mesoscale. This allows generating intriguing optical phenomena such as high activation ratio of dopant (close to 100 %), dramatically inhomogeneous broadening (up to 480 nm), notable emission enhancement, and moreover, simultaneously extending emission bandwidth and flattening spectral shape in glass and fiber. Our results highlight that the findings connect the understanding and manipulation at the mesoscale realm to functional behavior at the macroscale, and the approach to managing the dopants based on mesoscale engineering may provide new opportunity for construction of robust fiber light source.National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant IDs: 11474102, 51202180), the Chinese Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (Grant ID: NCET-13-0221), Guangdong Natural Science Funds for Distinguished Young Scholar (Grant ID: S2013050014549), Fundamental Research Funds for the Central University, Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars, State Education Ministry, World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI), MEXT, JapanThis is the author accepted manuscript. It is currently under an indefinite embargo pending publication by Nature Publishing Group