Neoroprotective effects of tocotrienol-rich fraction and α-tocopherol of vitamin E against glutamate toxicity on astrocyte-neuronal mono-culture and co-culture systems

Elevated concentration of glutamate, also known as glutamate neurotoxicity, is the major contributor to pathological cell death in nervous system. It has been suggested to play a key role in neurodegenerative diseases. In recent studies, palm tocotrienolrich fraction (TRF) has been shown to exhibit better neuroprotection than alphatocopherol against glutamate toxicity. It was also shown to exert potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and cholesterol-lowering properties. The main objective of this study is to elucidate the effects of TRF and α-tocopherol pretreatment and post-treatment against glutamate toxicity in astrocyte and neuronal cell. Besides, the synergism between astrocyte and neuronal cell in protecting glutamate neurotoxicity with the supplementation of TRF and α-tocopherol were assessed through co-culture model. Astrocyte and neuronal cell in this study were exposed to high concentration of glutamate. The behavior of cell lines responding to glutamate toxicity was determined through dose-response and time course study. Astrocyte and neuronal cell were subjected to glutamate injury before or after TRF and α-tocopherol treatment. The effects of TRF and α-tocopherol against glutamate toxicity were assessed through MTT cell viability assay, glutathione production, neuron-specific enolase (NSE) expression study and mode of cell death study. The expression of NSE was examined through reverse-transcriptase real time polymerase chain reaction (RT- qPCR) while mode of cell death was determined through acridine orange/propidium iodide (AOPI) assay. The morphological changes due to glutamate toxicity and TRF and α-tocopherol treatments were observed under fluorescence microscope. Statistical analysis was performed using one way ANOVA with SPSS 17.0. The concentration of glutamate needed to cause 50% cell death for astrocyte and neuronal cell were 230 mM and 80 mM, respectively. The concentrations of glutamate used throughout this study were only meant to cause injury to the cells. Glutamate with concentration of 60 mM and 180 mM were used to cause injury in neuronal cell and astrocyte respectively. Generally, TRF and α-tocopherol improved the cell viability of glutamate-injured neuronal cell and astrocyte by approximately 10%. In co-culture model study, TRF and α-tocopherol post-treatments provided nearly complete protection toward glutamate toxicity. Besides, TRF and α-tocopherol post-treatments were showed to restore the glutathione content upon glutamate injury. In astrocyte, TRF pre-treatment inhibited the decrease of glutathione content. In the presence of astrocyte, TRF and α-tocopherol pre-treatments inhibited decrease of glutathione content in neuronal cell which was not observed in mono-culture model. In addition, 300 ng/mL TRF and α-tocopherol completely restored glutathione production in glutamate-injured neuronal cell in co-culture model. TRF and α-tocopherol generally increased the percentage of healthy cell and decreased the percentage of necrotic cell in both cell lines as well as in co-culture model. TRF and α-tocopherol post-treatments with concentration of 100 to 300 ng/mL decreased the percentage of necrotic cell in glutamate-injured astrocyte and neuronal cell more than 10%. Downregulation or suppression of NSE expression was observed in glutamate induced astrocyte and neuronal cell as well as in co-culture model. In conclusion, TRF and α-tocopherol provided protection and recovery properties toward astrocyte and neuronal cell against glutamate toxicity. Similar effects between TRF and α-tocopherol were found in both astrocyte and neuronal cell against glutamate toxicity. Co-culture model in this study has demonstrated synergistic properties of astrocytes and neuronal cell. Supplementation of TRF and α-tocopherol in co-culture system further improved the recovery process and protection of astrocytes and neuronal cells compared to mono-culture

Protein intakes and contributing food sources among New Zealand male adolescents

Background: It is well established that protein is an important macronutrient required by the body to support a variety of biological functions. In particular, adequate protein intakes play a significant role in pubertal growth. However, recent data on protein intake and its food sources is scarce and in New Zealand is limited to a national survey that was conducted more than a decade ago. Objective: This thesis aims to investigate protein intake, determine the dietary sources of protein, as well as evaluating the adequacy of protein intake among New Zealand male adolescents. Design: The Survey of Nutrition Dietary Assessment and Lifestyle (SuNDiAL) project is a cross-sectional study involving 135 male adolescents aged 15-17 years from six high schools across New Zealand. Participants completed a self-administered online questionnaire on demographics and dietary habits. An interviewer assisted 24-hour dietary recall (24-HDR) was carried out during in-school visits, where anthropometric measurements were also taken. Body mass index (BMI) z-scores were calculated to assess body weight status. A second 24-HDR was carried out a week later through phone/ video call to account for intra-individual variation. FoodWorks software (FOODfiles 2016- Version 01) was used for nutrient analysis and the multiple source method was applied to adjust data for mean intake. Prevalence of inadequate protein intakes were determined by calculating the percentage of participants with intakes below the estimated average protein requirement of 49 g/d and 0.76 g/kg/d as per National Health and Medical Research Council recommendations. Results: Mean protein intake was 110 g/d (95%CI 104, 115); 1.63 g/kg/d (95%CI 1.54, 1.72). All participants had intakes that met the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) of 0.76 g/kg/d recommended by the National Health and Medical Council. Participants with a healthy weight had significantly higher protein intakes of 1.73 g/kg/d (95%CI 1.63, 1.84) compared to obese participants 1.11 g/kg/d (95%CI 0.88, 1.34); however, only 3 respondents were obese. The average protein contribution to total energy (TE) was 18.6%. The majority of participants (86.7%) had intakes within the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range of 15-25%, with 13.7% below the range and 1% exceeding the range. The five main protein food sources were poultry (16.4%), grains and pasta (11.3%), milk (8.3%), bread (8.2%) and bread-based dishes (7.4%). Based on the dietary habits questionnaire, one-fifth of participants (22.1%) reported consuming sports supplement with 77.7% of those reporting using a supplement containing whey protein. Conclusion: These findings suggest that protein intake is adequate among 15-17 year old New Zealand male adolescents. Further research using a larger, more representative sample is required to determine the association between protein intake and demographic characteristic

Cell wall modifications regulate flower development in dendrobium crumenatum

Master'sMASTER OF SCIENC

Lactate dehydrogenase in the guppy fish (Poecilia reticulata) as a biomarker of heavy-metal pollution in freshwater ecosystems

Heavy metal concentrations and allozyme variations were determined in females of guppy fish (Poecilia reticulata) populations collected from polluted and unpolluted sites. the concentrations of Cu and Fe were significantly (P0.05) in the Zn concentrations between the polluted and the unpolluted populations indicated that Zn, as a major essential metal, was regulated in this freshwater fish. seven enzyme systems EST, G6PDH, LDH, MDH, PGI, PGM, and SDH were tested. Only LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) was found to be agood biomarker for the contamination of Cu and Fe in P. reticulata. The zymogram of teh unpolluted wild population showed the same monomorphic allele as the unpolluted domesticated guppies from a pet shop,thus, further confirming LDH in P. reticulata as agood biomarker of contamination by Cu

Mesh-supported metal-organic framework thin films: fabrication and applications

Among one of the fastest growing field of materials research, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been demonstrating potentially high commercial value with proposed applications in the field of energy (such as solar energy conversion and electrical energy storage) [1], environmental sustainability (including gas storage and harmful gas removal)[2], and innovative healthcare (drug delivery)[3]. This research study aim to contribute to the understanding of synthesis and applications of mesh-supported MOF thin films. To begin with, three types of MOF powder, namely: Cu3(BTC)2, Ni3(BTC)2, and Co3(BTC)2 were successfully synthesized using an optimized solvothermal growth method.Further research progress were made by depositing various thickness of Cu3(BTC)2 and Ni3(BTC)2 MOF thin films on copper and nickel substrates.After process optimizations, the most homogeneous coating with the highest 82 % product yield was achieved by depositing Cu3(BTC)2 thin film on copper mesh (sample denoted as Cu3(BTC)2@Cu). Subsequently, Cu3(BTC)2@Cu was used as precursor to prepare porous Cu/C@Cu through a direct pyrolytic decomposition process. The effects of different heating parameters on the morphology, textural properties, and electrochemical properties of the as synthesized Cu/C@Cu were studied. Besides that, Cu3(BTC)2@Cu was also used as binder-free electrodes for the preparation of prototype supercapacitors (pseudocapacitors) and hybrid lithium ion batteries. In order to evaluate the performance of Cu3(BTC)2@Cu as negatrode in supercapacitors, varies carbon material such as graphene nanoplatelet, carbon blanket, and highly electrically conductive carbon (HEC) electrodes were used as pairing material. The best performing supercapacitor device was achieved with the combination of Cu3(BTC)2@Cu negatrode and HEC positrode, with a reported energy density of 1080 µWh/cm2 and a power density of 17.9 mW/cm2. Overall, Cu3(BTC)2@Cu is a flexible material which could be applied into many applications after proper tuning of its properties. This facile preparation method is transferable and could be applied into fabricating other supported-MOF thin films and MOF-derived porous nanostructures

The comparative effects between tocotrieonol-rich fraction (TRF) and α-tocopherol on glutamate toxicity in neuron-astrocyte mono- and co-culture systems

Background: Vitamin E, which can be categorized into tocotrienols and tocopherols, is known to protect cells from glutamate neurotoxicity. Studies have shown that tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) protecting the brain against oxidative damage more efficient than α-tocopherol. The role of astrocyte in promoting neuronal survival and recovery after glutamate neurotoxicity is also increasingly appreciated. Aims: To elucidate the effects of TRF and α-tocopherol and the synergism between astrocyte and neuron against glutamate neurotoxicity. Methods: Astrocyte and neuron were subjected to glutamate injury followed by TRF and α-tocopherol treatments (100 – 300 ng/ml). Effects of TRF and α-tocopherol on nerve cell viability and glutathione contents against glutamate toxicity were examined. The synergism between astrocyte and neuron was elucidated through co-culture model. Statistical analysis was performed using one way ANOVA. Results: Both TRF and α-tocopherol improved approximately 10% of glutamate-injured astrocyte and neuronal cell viability. In co-culture model, TRF and α-tocopherol provided nearly complete protection from glutamate toxicity. Besides, TRF and α-tocopherol treatments significantly restored at least 20% of glutathione contents in glutamate-injured neurons. In the presence of astrocyte, 300 ng/ml TRF and α-tocopherol completely restored glutathione contents in glutamate-injured neuron. Conclusions: TRF and α-tocopherol had shown promising neuroprotective effects in astrocyte and neuron from glutamate toxicity. Great scavenging effect of both TRF and α-tocopherol against glutamate toxicity was observed in neuron. Similar protective effects between TRF and α-tocopherol were observed. Co-culture model demonstrated the synergistic properties between neuron and astrocyte. Supplementation of TRF and α-tocopherol in co-culture further improved the recovery process

Association and Interaction Effect between VEGF Receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) Gene Polymorphisms and Dietary Pattern on Blood Lipids in Malaysian Adults

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) and diet are related to blood lipid health. Gene-diet interaction studies can identify the risks. The objectives are to determine associations, and interaction effects between VEGFR-2 gene polymorphisms (rs1870377 and rs2071559) and dietary patterns on blood lipids in multi-ethnic Malaysian adults. Methods: Dietary intakes of 509 (153 Malay, 179 Chinese, and 177 Indian) Malaysians were obtained from food frequency questionnaire for the construction of dietary patterns using factor analysis. Anthropometric measurements: body mass index and blood pressure; and biomarkers: glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio were determined. Genotyping of rs1870377 and rs2071559 was performed by real-time PCR using Taqman probes. Results: Two major dietary patterns were extracted from all subjects: "Vegetables, fruits, and soy diet" (VFSD), and ‘Rice, egg, and fish diet' (REFD). There were significant genetic associations for rs2071559 with TG (p=0.048) in Malays, and in Chinese for rs1870377 with TC (p=0.001) and LDL-C (p=0.007), and rs2071559 on LDL-C (p=0.048). The interaction effects of VEGFR-2 gene polymorphisms and dietary patterns were significant in Malays between rs2071559 and REFD on TG (p=0.005); and in Chinese between VFSD and rs1870377 on LDL-C (p=0.028) after adjusting for potential confounders. There were no significant genetic or dietary associations on blood lipids in Indians (p>0.05). Conclusion: The significant associations and gene-diet interaction effects between VEGFR-2 gene polymorphisms and dietary patterns on blood lipids may pose hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia risks in Malay and Chinese Malaysians

Radiation-Pressure-Mediated Control of an Optomechanical Cavity

We describe and demonstrate a method to control a detuned movable-mirror Fabry-Perot cavity using radiation pressure in the presence of a strong optical spring. At frequencies below the optical spring resonance, self-locking of the cavity is achieved intrinsically by the optomechanical (OM) interaction between the cavity field and the movable end mirror. The OM interaction results in a high rigidity and reduced susceptibility of the mirror to external forces. However, due to a finite delay time in the cavity, this enhanced rigidity is accompanied by an anti-damping force, which destabilizes the cavity. The cavity is stabilized by applying external feedback in a frequency band around the optical spring resonance. The error signal is sensed in the amplitude quadrature of the transmitted beam with a photodetector. An amplitude modulator in the input path to the cavity modulates the light intensity to provide the stabilizing radiation pressure force

Combining Understanding of Immunological Mechanisms and Genetic Variants Toward Development of Personalized Medicine for Psoriasis Patients

Psoriasis is multifactorial disease with complex genetic predisposition. Recent advances in genetics and genomics analyses have provided many insights into the relationship between specific genetic predisposition and the immunopathological mechanisms driving psoriasis manifestation. Novel approaches which utilize array-based genotyping technologies such as genome-wide association studies and bioinformatics tools for transcriptomics analysis have identified single nucleotide polymorphisms, genes and pathways that are associated with psoriasis. The discovery of these psoriasis-associated susceptibility loci, autoimmune targets and altered signaling pathways have provided opportunities to bridge the gap of knowledge from sequence to consequence, allowing new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of psoriasis to be developed. Here, we discuss recent advances in the field by highlighting how immune functions associated with psoriasis susceptibility loci may contribute to disease pathogenesis in different populations. Understanding the genetic variations in psoriasis and how these may influence the immunological pathways to cause disease will contribute to the efforts in developing novel and targeted personalized therapies for psoriasis patients

Observation of Squeezed Light in the 2 μm Region

We present the generation and detection of squeezed light in the 2 μ m wavelength region. This experiment is a crucial step in realizing the quantum noise reduction techniques that will be required for future generations of gravitational-wave detectors.This research was supported by the Australian Research Council under the ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery, Grant No. CE170100004. B. S. has been supported by ARC Future Fellowship FT130100329