Effets des aliments contenant les folioles de Moringa oleifera Lam et des aliments commerciaux sur les performances de croissance des lapins (Oryctolagus cuniculus) et la qualité de la viande

La présente étude s’est intéressée à la comparaison des performances (zootechniques et économiques) et à la qualité de la viande des lapins nourris aux aliments à base de folioles de Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) ou aux aliments commerciaux. Au total 144 lapereaux de race locale âgés de 35 à 40 jours dont 79 mâles et 65 femelles, ont été répartis en 6 lots de 24 animaux, à raison de 3 cages de 8 lapereaux par cage. Chaque lot a été nourri à volonté avec l’une des rations suivantes : deux  commerciales (ProvA et ProvB) et trois à bases de folioles de Moringa à 10% (Mor10), 20% (Mor20) et 30% (Mor30) et une ration témoin (Tem). A la fin de l’engraissement, 3 à 5 lapins par lot ont servi à l’évaluation des caractéristiques des carcasses et la qualité de la viande. Après 56 jours d’engraissement, les gains de poids moyens quotidiens (GMQ) des lapins des lots ProvB (19,5 g/j), Tem (20,9 g/j), Mor10 (17,4 g/j) et Mor30 (17,1 g/j) n’étaient pas différents (P>0,05). Toutefois, ces GMQ sont supérieurs (P<0,05) à ceux des animaux nourris au Mor20 (13,6 g) ou au ProvA (12,4g). Il ressort des calculs économiques  que les coûts alimentaires (Ca) par kg de gain de poids (GP) enregistrés au niveau du lot Tem (515 FCFA/kg GP) et des lots ayant consommé les aliments à base de Moringa (entre 455 et 555 FCFA/kg GP) étaient inférieurs à ceux des lots nourris aux aliments commerciaux (lots ProvA 691 FCFA/kg GP et ProvB 954 FCFA/kg GP). Une influence significative de l’alimentation sur la qualité de la viande ainsi que sur le rendement carcasse a été observée. L’effet du sexe a été significatif (P>0,05) pour les pourcentages de la carcasse et la perte d’eau à la conservation. Ces paramètres ont été plus faibles chez les lapines. Toutefois, l’effet des aliments n’a pas été observé pour les proportions des poumons et les pertes d’eau. Les rendements des carcasses chaudes et froides des lots Tem, ProvB, Mor10 et Mor30 sont identiques et sont significativement plus élevés (P>0,05) que ceux du lot ProvA. Dans tous les lots, le pH ultime de la cuisse est supérieur à celui mesuré au niveau du râble. Ces résultats suggèrent l’utilisation des rations à base de ressources locales (folioles de Moringa) comme solution alternative moins coûteuse aux rations commerciales.© 2013 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Mots clés : Lapins, Moringa oleifera, engraissement, qualité de la viande, calculs économiques

[89Zr]Oxinate4 for long-term in vivo cell tracking by positron emission tomography

Purpose 111In (typically as [111In]oxinate3) is a gold standard radiolabel for cell tracking in humans by scintigraphy. A long half-life positron-emitting radiolabel to serve the same purpose using positron emission tomography (PET) has long been sought. We aimed to develop an 89Zr PET tracer for cell labelling and compare it with [111In]oxinate3 single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Methods [89Zr]Oxinate4 was synthesised and its uptake and efflux were measured in vitro in three cell lines and in human leukocytes. The in vivo biodistribution of eGFP-5T33 murine myeloma cells labelled using [89Zr]oxinate4 or [111In]oxinate3 was monitored for up to 14 days. 89Zr retention by living radiolabelled eGFP-positive cells in vivo was monitored by FACS sorting of liver, spleen and bone marrow cells followed by gamma counting. Results Zr labelling was effective in all cell types with yields comparable with 111In labelling. Retention of 89Zr in cells in vitro after 24 h was significantly better (range 71 to >90 %) than 111In (43–52 %). eGFP-5T33 cells in vivo showed the same early biodistribution whether labelled with 111In or 89Zr (initial pulmonary accumulation followed by migration to liver, spleen and bone marrow), but later translocation of radioactivity to kidneys was much greater for 111In. In liver, spleen and bone marrow at least 92 % of 89Zr remained associated with eGFP-positive cells after 7 days in vivo. Conclusion [89Zr]Oxinate4 offers a potential solution to the emerging need for a long half-life PET tracer for cell tracking in vivo and deserves further evaluation of its effects on survival and behaviour of different cell types

Novel sol–gel preparation of (P2O5)0.4–(CaO)0.25–(Na2O)X–(TiO2)(0.35−X) bioresorbable glasses (X = 0.05, 0.1, and 0.15)

Quaternary phosphate-based glasses in the P2O5–CaO–Na2O–TiO2 system with a fixed P2O5 and CaO content of 40 and 25 mol% respectively have been successfully synthesised via sol–gel method and bulk, transparent samples were obtained. The structure, elemental proportion, and thermal properties of stabilised sol–gel glasses have been characterised using X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (31P NMR), titanium K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES), fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The XRD results confirmed the amorphous nature for all stabilized sol–gel derived glasses. The EDX result shows the relatively low loss of phosphorus during the sol–gel process and Ti K-edge XANES confirmed titanium in the glass structure is in mainly six-fold coordination environment. The 31P NMR and FTIR results revealed that the glass structure consist of mainly Q1 and Q2 phosphate units and the Ti4+ cation was acting as a cross-linking between phosphate units. In addition DTA results confirmed a decrease in the glass transition and crystallisation temperature with increasing Na2O content. Ion release studies also demonstrated a decrease in degradation rates with increasing TiO2 content therefore supporting the use of these glasses for biomedical applications that require a degree of control over glass degradation. These sol–gel glasses also offer the potential to incorporate proactive molecules for drug delivery application due to the low synthesis temperature employed

Development of microspheres for biomedical applications: a review

An overview of microspheres manufactured for use in biomedical applications based on recent literature is presented in this review. Different types of glasses (i.e. silicate, borate, and phosphates), ceramics and polymer-based microspheres (both natural and synthetic) in the form of porous , non-porous and hollow structures that are either already in use or are currently being investigated within the biomedical area are discussed. The advantages of using microspheres in applications such as drug delivery, bone tissue engineering and regeneration, absorption and desorption of substances, kinetic release of the loaded drug components are also presented. This review also reports on the preparation and characterisation methodologies used for the manufacture of these microspheres. Finally, a brief summary of the existing challenges associated with processing these microspheres which requires further research and development are presented

Current perspectives on bone metastases in castrate-resistant prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most frequent noncutaneous cancer occurring in men. On average, men with localized prostate cancer have a high 10-year survival rate, and many can be cured. However, men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer have incurable disease with poor survival despite intensive therapy. This unmet need has led to recent advances in therapy aimed at treating bone metastases resulting from prostate cancer. The bone microenvironment lends itself to metastases in castrate-resistant prostate cancer, as a result of complex interactions between the microenvironment and tumor cells. The development of 223radium dichloride (Ra-223) to treat symptomatic bone metastases has improved survival in men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer. Moreover, Ra-223 may have effects on the tumor microenvironment that enhance its activity. Ra-223 treatment has been shown to prolong survival, and its effects on the immune system are under investigation. Because prostate cancer affects a sizable portion of the adult male population, understanding how it metastasizes to bone is an important step in advancing therapy. Clinical trials that are underway should yield new information on whether Ra-223 synergizes effectively with immunotherapy agents and whether Ra-223 has enhancing effects on the immune system in patients with prostate cancer

Brief evidence-based interventions for universal child health services: a restricted evidence assessment of the literature

Background Universal child health services (UCHS) provide an important pragmatic platform for the delivery of universal and targeted interventions to support families and optimize child health outcomes. We aimed to identify brief, evidence-based interventions for common health and developmental problems that could be potentially implemented in UCHS. Methods A restricted evidence assessment (REA) of electronic databases and grey literature was undertaken covering January 2006 to August 2019. Studies were eligible if (i) outcomes related to one or more of four areas: child social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB), infant sleep, home learning environment or parent mental health, (ii) a comparison group was used, (iii) universal or targeted intervention were delivered in non-tertiary settings, (iv) interventions did not last more than 4 sessions, and (v) children were aged between 2 weeks postpartum and 5 years at baseline. Results Seventeen studies met the eligibility criteria. Of these, three interventions could possibly be implemented at scale within UCHS platforms: (1) a universal child behavioural intervention which did not affect its primary outcome of infant sleep but improved parental mental health, (2) a universal screening programme which improved maternal mental health, and (3) a targeted child behavioural intervention which improved parent-reported infant sleep problems and parental mental health. Key lessons learnt include: (1) Interventions should impart the maximal amount of information within an initial session with future sessions reinforcing key messages, (2) Interventions should see the family as a holistic unit by considering the needs of parents with an emphasis on identification, triage and referral, and (3) Brief interventions may be more acceptable for stigmatized topics, but still entail considerable barriers that deter the most vulnerable. Conclusions Delivery and evaluation of brief evidence-based interventions from a UCHS could lead to improved maternal and child health outcomes through a more responsive and equitable service. We recommend three interventions that meet our criteria of “best bet” interventions

Tools and techniques for solvent selection: green solvent selection guides

Driven by legislation and evolving attitudes towards environmental issues, establishing green solvents for extractions, separations, formulations and reaction chemistry has become an increasingly important area of research. Several general purpose solvent selection guides have now been published with the aim to reduce use of the most hazardous solvents. This review serves the purpose of explaining the role of these guides, highlighting their similarities and differences. How they can be used most effectively to enhance the greenness of chemical processes, particularly in laboratory organic synthesis and the pharmaceutical industry, is addressed in detail