Serdang angels juara kejohanan ragbi antarabangsa Desaru Johor 7s

JOHOR BAHRU, 30 Okt - Pasukan ragbi Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Serdang Angels mendominasi perlawanan akhir Kejohanan Ragbi Antarabangsa Desaru Johor 7s 2016 untuk muncul juara pada pertandingan yang berlangsung di Sekolah Sukan Tunku Mahkota Ismail, Bandar Penawar, Johor

Chronic irradiation with low-dose-rate ¹³⁷Cs-γ rays inhibits NGF-induced neurite extension of PC12 cells via Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent kinase II activation

Chronic irradiation with low-dose-rate ¹³⁷Cs-γ rays inhibits the differentiation of human neural progenitor cells and influences the expression of proteins associated with several cellular functions. We aimed to determine whether such chronic irradiation influences the expression of proteins associated with PC12 cells. Chronic irradiation at 0.027 mGy/min resulted in inhibition of NGF-induced neurite extension. Furthermore, irradiation enhanced the nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced increase in the phosphorylation of extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK), but did not affect the phosphorylation of NGF receptors, suggesting that irradiation influences pathways unassociated with the activation of ERK. We then examined whether irradiation influenced the Akt−Rac1 pathway, which is unaffected by ERK activation. Chronic irradiation also enhanced the NGF-induced increase in Akt phosphorylation, but markedly inhibited the NGF-induced increase in Rac1 activity that is associated with neurite extension. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of irradiation on neurite extension influences pathways unassociated with Akt activation. As Ca²⁺ /calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) is known to inhibit the NGF-induced neurite extension in PC12 cells, independent of ERK and Akt activation, we next examined the effects of irradiation on CaMKII activation. Chronic irradiation induced CaMKII activation, while application of KN-62 (a specific inhibitor of CaMKII), attenuated increases in CaMKII activation and recovered neurite extension and NGF-induced increases in Rac1 activity that was inhibited by irradiation. Our results suggest that chronic irradiation with low-dose-rate γ-rays inhibits Rac1 activity via CaMKII activation, thereby inhibiting NGF-induced neurite extension

Comparison between Serum and Saliva Biochemical Constituents in Dairy Cows during Lactation and Dry Period

The present study was undertaken to compare serum and salivary biochemical constituents during lactation and dry period in dairy cows. Also, the present study evaluated for the first time the salivary biochemical constituents in dairy cows. The study was carried out using 45 healthy multiparous Holstein cows maintained in dairy farms located in Morioka city (Iwate prefecture, Japan). Cows were classified into groups based on the month of lactation. Serum, saliva and milk samples were collected and analyzed. Data were statistically analyzed and the variation in serum and salivary biochemical constituents during lactation and dry period were discussed. From the present study, it could be concluded that the 1st month of lactation has the highest levels for serum free fatty acids (FFA), β- Hydroxy butyric acid (BHBA) and aceto Acetic acid (ACAC). The dry period has the highest serum glucose level and the lowest serum FFA, BHBA and aspartate aminotransferase levels. Both serum and salivary FFA showed the highest value during the 1st month of lactation. Saliva contains a high level of gamma glutamyl transferase. The level of ammonia in saliva is higher than its serum level during all months of lactation and dry period. Most of the biochemical constituents in saliva change in different way from serum during lactation and dry period. Milk protein/fat ratio of 0.7 may be not indicative for subclinical ketosis

Sex differences in the serum level of endogenous ligands for estrogen receptor beta in the elderly population

Animal studies suggest that estrogen receptor beta (ER beta)-agonists, but not ER alpha-agonists, are antidepressants. Several endogenous ligands for ER beta have been proposed, including 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol (3 beta Adiol), Androstenediol (Delta 5-diol), and 7 alpha-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone (7 alpha-OH-DHEA). The aim of this study was to determine the serum and salivary levels of natural ER beta ligands in men and women with and without past depressive episodes in the elderly population. DHEA (a precursor of 3 beta Adiol, Delta 5-diol, and 7 alpha-OH-DHEA), 17 beta-estradiol (E2), and cortisol (F) were also measured. Samples were collected from 51 subjects and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was used for measurement. Comparisons were made between groups based on sex and depression history. E2, 3 beta Adiol, and Delta 5-diol levels were significantly lower in women than in men regardless of depression history. There were no significant differences between men and women in DHEA or 7 alpha-OH-DHEA levels. DHEA was significantly lower in women with depression than in women without depression. Reduced DHEA levels may be related to depression vulnerability in women. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanism underlying sex differences in the prevalence of depression and increased risk of depression during menopause. Not only E2 but also two other estrogenic steroids (3 beta Adiol and Delta 5-diol) should be involved in these studies.ArticleSCIENTIFIC REPORTS. 6:25878 (2016)journal articl