Association between viral load and positivization time of a SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen test in routine nasopharyngeal specimens

BackgroundRapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen tests are potentially useful tools for screening carriers with high viral load. This study was aimed to assess the potential association between viral load and positivization time of a manual SARS-CoV-2 commercial antigen test in routine nasopharyngeal specimens.MethodsIn a sample of subjects undergoing routine diagnostic testing, SARS-CoV-2 positivity of nasopharyngeal samples was assayed with both molecular (Altona Diagnostics RealStar SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Kit) and antigenic (Roche SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Test) tests. Positivization time of rapid antigen test was correlated and compared with viral load expressed as mean of SARS-CoV2 E/S genes cycle threshold (Ct) values.ResultsThe study sample consisted of 106 patients (median age 48 years, 55 women) with positive results of rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen testing. A highly significant Spearman''s correlation was found between mean SARSCoV-2 E/S genes Ct values and positivization time of manual antigen test (r= 0.70; p<0.001). The positivization time of rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen test displayed an area under the curve of 0.82 (95%CI, 0.74-0.89) for predicting nasopharyngeal samples with high viral load (i.e., mean Ct <20). A positivization time cut-off of 32 SEC had 94.9% sensitivity and 58.2% specificity for detecting specimens with high viral load. The overall agreement between mean Ct value <20 and positivization time <32 SEC was 70.8%.ConclusionsPositivization time of rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen tests may provide easy and rapid information on viral load, thus making this type of manual assay potentially suitable for quick and reliable detection and isolation of supercarriers.     

ADVIA Centaur HER-2/neu shows value in monitoring patients with metastatic breast cancer

INTRODUCTION:The proteolytic breakdown product corresponding to the extracellular domain (ECD) of the HER-2/neu oncoprotein p185 is found in the circulation of healthy individuals and patients having cancers of epithelial origin. For the current evaluation we sought to determine the analytical performance as well as the clinical utility of the newly developed ADVIA Centaur HER-2/neu assay (Bayer HealthCare LLC, Diagnostics Division, Tarrytown, NY, USA) in monitoring patients with metastatic breast cancer during the course of disease and treatment and to compare the obtained results with those of CA 15-3. METHODS: The analytical performance (including precision, normal range, interfering substances, minimum detectable concentration, dilution recovery, spiking recovery and high-dose hook effect) were determined. HER-2/neu and CA 15-3 values were measured in retrospective samples obtained from 59 patients with metastatic breast cancer undergoing treatment over a 6-12 month period. Serial changes in serum HER-2/neu and CA 15-3 were correlated with changes in clinical status on a visit-to-visit basis. For each pair of serial measurements, changes of equal to or greater than, or less than 15% for HER-2/neu and 21% for CA 15-3 were considered to indicate progression or lack of progression, respectively. RESULTS: The ADVIA Centaur HER-2/neu assay demonstrated within-run imprecision and total imprecision ranging from 3.0-5.6% and from 3.2-5.7%, respectively. The upper limit of normal was 15.2 ng/mL (90% CI: 14.2-17.0 ng/mL). No significant interference (<5%) was seen with bilirubins, hemoglobin, triglycerides and cholesterol or therapeutic drugs commonly present in the sera of breast cancer patients. The minimum detectable concentration (analytical sensitivity) was found to be 0.5 ng/mL. The patient population in the clinical study included breast cancer patients who responded to therapy (stable, partial or complete response) or had disease progression. HER-2/neu levels showed a concordance of 78.1% (82/105 restaging time points) with the clinical course of disease, whereas CA 15-3 levels showed a concordance of 76.2% (80/105 restaging time points). The concordance with clinical status increased to 85.7% (90/105 restaging time points) when both results were used in combination as a series test. CONCLUSIONS: The ADVIA Centaur HER-2/neu assay provides excellent analytical performance for serial testing of serum HER-2/neu levels. The clinical data demonstrate the usefulness of serum HER-2/neu in monitoring metastatic breast cancer patients during treatment. Furthermore, the results indicate that serum HER-2/neu and CA 15-3 may be useful in identifying disease progression or therapeutic response in different subgroups of women with metastatic breast cancer.     

Effects of Selenium-Enriched Yeast Improved Aflatoxin B1-Induced Changes in Growth Performance,Antioxidation Capacity,IL-2 and IFN-γ Contents,and Gene Expression in Mice

Sixty Kunming mice were randomly assigned into three groups. Mice in a control group were fed a basal diet, while mice in AFB1 group and AFB1-Se group were fed the basal diet supplemented with 250 μg/kg AFB1 or the basal diet supplemented with 250 μg/kg AFB1 and 0.2 mg/kg selenium as selenium-enriched yeast, respectively. On day 30 of the experiment, growth performance, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) levels, and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in liver, interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) contents in serum, and cytochrome P3a11 (Cyp3a11), IL-2, IFN-γ, and GSH-Px1 mRNA levels in liver were determined. The results showed that final weights, weight gains, T-AOC levels, GSH-Px1, and IFN-γ mRNA levels in AFB1-Se group and control group were higher or significantly higher than those in AFB1 group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), respectively. Body length gains in AFB1 group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference between the AFB1-Se and control groups (P > 0.05). IL-2 contents and liver IL-2 mRNA levels in AFB1-Se group were significantly higher than those in the AFB1 group and control group (P < 0.01), and IL-2 contents in the control group were also significantly higher than those in the AFB1 group (P < 0.01). IFN-γ contents in AFB1-Se group and AFB1 group were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.01), while IFN-γ contents in AFB1-Se group were significantly lower than those in AFB1 group (P < 0.01). Cyp3a11 mRNA levels in AFB1-Se group and AFB1 group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.01). The results indicated that selenium-enriched yeast could partly reduce the toxicity induced by AFB1 in mice, including improving growth performance, antioxidation capacity, IL-2 and IFN-γ contents, and enhancing IL-2, IFN-γ, and GSH-Px1 mRNA levels.

     

Benefit of Dietary Supplementation with Bacillus subtilis BYS2 on Growth Performance,Immune Response,and Disease Resistance of Broilers

A strain of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) BYS2 was previously isolated from Mount Tai, which is located in Tai’an City in the Shandong Province of China. The strain was then stored in the Environmental Microbiology Laboratory at Shandong Agricultural University. To evaluate the effect of the bacterium preparation in broiler production, we fed the bacterium (10⁶ CFU/g) to 1-day-old broilers and continued this feeding for 6 weeks to analyze its effect on growth and immune performance. We found that the average weight of the bacterium-fed group increased by 17.19% at weeks 5 compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The height of the villi in the duodenum and jejunum and the ratio of villi to crypt were significantly increased in the bacterium-fed group at weeks 5 (P < 0.05). Also, the IgG in the serum of broilers in the experimental group increased by 31.60% (P < 0.05) and IgM 30.52% (P < 0.05) compared with those in the control group. The expressions of the major pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), antiviral proteins, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and β-defensins were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the bursa immune organ indices of broilers in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Also, after 5 weeks of continuous feeding, when infected with Escherichia coli (E. coli) O1K1 and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) F48E8, the content of bacteria and virus in tissues and organs of the experimental group decreased significantly, and the survival rate of infected chickens increased by 31.1% and 17.7%, respectively (P < 0.05). These results show that the anti-infective B. subtilis BYS2 could, to some extent, replace antibiotics to promote growth, improve innate immunity, and enhance disease resistance in broilers.

     

Critical literature review and pooled analysis of diagnostic accuracy of Ortho VITROS SARS-CoV-2 antigen test for diagnosing acute SARS-CoV-2 infections

BackgroundThe present study is aimed at reviewing and meta-analyzing the currently published data on the diagnostic accuracy of Ortho VITROS SARS-CoV-2 antigen test for diagnosing acute SARS-CoV-2 infections.MethodsAn electronic search was conducted in Scopus and Medline with the keywords "VITROS" AND "antigen" AND "COVID-19" OR "SARS-CoV-2" AND "immunoassay" within the search fields "TITLE" AND "ABSTRACT" AND "KEYWORDS", without no date (i.e., up to January 23, 2022) or language restrictions, aimed at detecting documents reporting the diagnostic accuracy of this SARSCoV-2 immunoassay compared with reference molecular diagnostic methods.ResultsOverall, 5 studies (n=2734 samples) were finally included in our pooled analysis, four of which also provided diagnostic sensitivity in oro-and nasopharyngeal samples with high viral load. The pooled cumulative diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 0.82 (95%CI, 0.78-0.86) and 1.00 (95%CI, 1.00-1.00), respectively, whilst the area under the curve was 0.995 (95%CI, 0.993-0.997), the cumulative agreement 97.2% (95%CI, 96.5-97.8%), with 0.89 (95%CI, 0.86-0.91) kappa statistics, thus reflecting an almost perfect concordance with reference molecular biology techniques. The pooled diagnostic sensitivity in samples with high viral load was as high as 0.98 (95%CI, 0.96-0.99).ConclusionsThese results confirm that the automated and high-throughput Ortho VITROS SARS-CoV-2 antigen test may represent a valuable surrogate of molecular testing for diagnosing acute SARS-CoV-2 infections, especially in subjects with high viral load.     

Effects of Chromium and Carnitine Co-supplementation on Body Weight and Metabolic Profiles in Overweight and Obese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Randomized,Double-Blind,Placebo-Controlled Trial

The primary aim of our study was to determine the influence of taking chromium plus carnitine on insulin resistance, with a secondary objective of evaluating the influences on lipid profiles and weight loss in overweight subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 54 overweight women were randomly assigned to receive either supplements (200 μg/day chromium picolinate plus 1000 mg/day carnitine) or placebo (27/each group). Chromium and carnitine co-supplementation decreased weight (− 3.6 ± 1.8 vs. − 1.0 ± 0.7 kg, P < 0.001), BMI (− 1.3 ± 0.7 vs. − 0.3 ± 0.3 kg/m², P < 0.001), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (− 5.1 ± 6.0 vs. − 1.1 ± 4.9 mg/dL, P = 0.01), insulin (− 2.0 ± 1.4 vs. − 0.2 ± 1.2 μIU/mL, P < 0.001), insulin resistance (− 0.5 ± 0.4 vs. − 0.04 ± 0.3, P < 0.001), triglycerides (− 18.0 ± 25.2 vs. + 5.5 ± 14.4 mg/dL, P < 0.001), total (− 17.0 ± 20.3 vs. + 3.6 ± 12.0 mg/dL, P < 0.001), and LDL cholesterol (− 13.3 ± 19.2 vs. + 1.4 ± 13.3 mg/dL, P = 0.002), and elevated insulin sensitivity (+ 0.007 ± 0.005 vs. + 0.002 ± 0.005, P < 0.001). In addition, co-supplementation upregulated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (P = 0.02) and low-density lipoprotein receptor expression (P = 0.02). Overall, chromium and carnitine co-supplementation for 12 weeks to overweight women with PCOS had beneficial effects on body weight, glycemic control, lipid profiles except HDL cholesterol levels, and gene expression of PPAR-γ and LDLR. Clinical trial registration number: http://www.irct.ir: IRCT20170513033941N38.

     

Plasma pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of L-lysine α-oxidase from Trichoderma cf. aureoviride RIFAI VKM F- 4268D in mice

L-lysine α-oxidase (LO) is an L-amino acid oxidase with antitumor, antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Pharmacokinetic (PK) studies were carried out by measuring LO concentration in plasma and tissue samples by enzyme immunoassay. L-lysine concentration in samples was measured spectrophotometrically using LO. After single i.v. injection of 1.0, 1.5, 3.0 mg/kg the circulating T_1/2 of enzyme in mice varied from 51 to 74 min and the AUC_0–inf values were 6.54 ± 0.46, 8.66 ± 0.59, 9.47 ± 1.45 μg/ml × h, respectively. LO was distributed in tissues and determined within 48 h after administration with maximal accumulation in liver and heart tissues. Mean time to reach the maximum concentration was highest for the liver—9 h, kidney—1 h and 15 min for the tissues of heart, spleen and brain. T_1/2 of LO in tissues ranged from 7.75 ± 0.73 to 26.10 ± 2.60 h. In mice, plasma L-lysine decreased by 79% 15 min after LO administration in dose 1.6 mg/kg. The serum L-lysine levels remained very low from 1 to 9 h (< 25 μM, 17%), indicating an acute lack of L-lysine in animals for at least 9 h. Concentration of L-lysine in serum restored only 24 h after LO administration. The results of LO PK study show that it might be considered as a promising enzyme for further investigation as a potential anticancer agent.

     

Evaluation of OptiMAL Assay test to detect imported malaria in Italy

This study evaluated a newly developed rapid malaria diagnostic test, OptiMAL Assay, to detect "Plasmodium falciparum malaria" and "non Plasmodium falciparum malaria" in blood samples from 139 individuals with a presumptive clinical diagnosis of imported malaria in Italy. OptiMAL Assay utilizes a dipstick coated with monoclonal antibodies against the intracellular metabolic enzyme, plasmodium Lactate Dehydrogenase (pLDH) present in and released from parasite-infected erythrocytes. Blood samples from 56 cases out of 139 were found "Plasmodium falciparum malaria" positive by microscopy; with these samples OptiMAL Assay and the ParaSight-F test, which is a kit detecting the P. falciparum histidin-rich protein 2 (HRP-2), showed an overall sensitivity of 83% and 94%, respectively, in comparison with microscopy. Parasitemia levels tested in the 56 P. falciparum positive blood samples by microscopy ranged from <0.004% to 20%. A correlation between sensitivity and parasitemia was evident and OptiMAL Assay and ParaSight-F test were more sensitive (96-100%; 100%) with samples with 0.1%-20% levels of parasitemia, while proved less sensitive (0-44%; 50-88%) with <0.004-0.01% levels of parasitemia.     

Interchangeability and diagnostic accuracy of two assays for total and free prostate-specific antigen: two not always related items

The variation between different PSA assays seems to influence the interpretation of individual PSA values and the clinical decisions about prostate cancer. One reason for this variability could be the different reactivity of antibodies for the various molecular forms of serum PSA; as a result, samples containing the same amount of tPSA but different proportions of fPSA can produce very different values. In this study, serum samples were collected prospectively from 152 consecutive patients referred to 2 institutions (Regional Hospital, Venice, 90 subjects; San Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, 62 subjects) for PSA elevation and/or symptoms. Serum samples were assessed according to the manufacturers' instructions on the following 2 analyzers: the Immulite 2000 assay (Diagnostic Products Corporation, Los Angeles, USA), which measures tPSA and fPSA, and the ADVIA Centaur (Bayer Diagnostics, Tarrytown, USA), which assays tPSA and cPSA. cPSA values were transformed into fPSA by the equation fPSA=tPSA-cPSA. When taking Immulite tPSA and f/tPSA values as 100%, ADVIA Centaur values were 92.6% and 122%, respectively, which means that 20% of patients would be classified differently according to the traditional biopsy cutoff. In conclusion, there are considerable differences between the 2 methods, which could affect clinical decisions.     

Improvement in quality of life and angina pectoris: 1-year follow-up of patients with refractory angina pectoris and spinal cord stimulation

Aims

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a treatment for patients with refractory angina pectoris (RAP) who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy and without revascularisation options. Previous studies have shown that SCS improves the quality of life in this patient group and reduces the severity of the angina pectoris. The aim of this prospective, single-arm observational study is to show this effect in a single-centre cohort using a multidisciplinary team approach to the selection process, with a follow-up period of 1 year.

Methods and results

Between July 2010 and March 2017, 87 patients with RAP referred to our centre received SCS. The Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) and RAND 36-Item Health Survey (RAND-36) were completed at baseline, prior to implantation, and 1 year post-implantation. After 1 year of follow-up there was a statistically significant decrease in the frequency of angina pectoris attacks from more than 4 times a day to 1–2 times a week (p < 0.001). The SAQ showed statistically significant improvement in four of the five dimensions: physical limitation (p < 0.001), angina frequency (p < 0.001), angina stability (p < 0.001) and quality of life (p < 0.001). The RAND-36 showed statistically significant improvement in all nine dimensions: physical functioning (p = 0.001), role/physical (p < 0.001), social functioning (p = 0.03), role/emotional (p < 0.05), bodily pain (p < 0.001), general health (p < 0.001), vitality (p < 0.001), mental health (p = 0.02) and health change (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study showed a significant improvement in quality of life and reduction of angina pectoris severity after 1 year of follow-up in patients treated with SCS for RAP.

     

Dosimetric study of a hybrid plan technique for external beam radiotherapy in patients with cervical cancer

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a hybrid technique which results from combining intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for the treatment of cervical cancer patients. Plans made with the hybrid technique and pure IMRT and VMAT were retrospectively compared in 20 patients with cervical cancer at different stages. All plans were made using the same contours based on the original computed tomography (CT) scans. Conformity (CI) and homogeneity (HI) indices of the planning target volumes (PTVs) were calculated for each technique in order to evaluate plan quality. All techniques were compared in terms of dose to organs at risk (OARs), number of monitor units (MUs) and treatment time. It turned out that plans made with the hybrid technique had improved dose conformity and homogeneity compared to plans made only with IMRT and VMAT (p < 0.001). Regarding the OARs, the maximum dose (D_max) delivered to the bladder, rectum and femoral heads was lower for the hybrid plans compared to the IMRT and VMAT plans (p < 0.001). The volumes irradiated to doses of 50 Gy (V_50Gy) for rectum, bladder and bowel were lower for the hybrid plans (p < 0.001, p = 0.002). Furthermore, the treatment time and MU values for the hybrid plans were found to be between of the values for the IMRT and VMAT plans. It is concluded that, as compared to IMRT and VMAT plans, the hybrid plan technique allowed a better conformity and homogeneity for the dose distribution in the PTV and a dose reduction to the OARs.

     

Enterocin M-Producing Enterococcus faecium CCM 8558 Demonstrating Probiotic Properties in Horses

The effects of non-authochtonous Enterococcus faecium AL41 = CCM 8558, enterocin M-producing and probiotic strain were tested on the microbiota, phagocytic activity, hydrolytic enzymes, biochemical parameters and dry matter in horses based on its previous benefits demonstrated in other animals. E. faecium CCM 8558 sufficiently colonized the digestive tract of horses. At day 14, its counts reached 2.35 ± 0.70 CFU/g (log 10) on average. The identity of CCM 8558 was confirmed by means of PCR after its re-isolation from horse faeces. The inhibition activity of CCM 8558 was demonstrated against Gram-negative aeromonads, counts of which were significantly reduced (P < 0.001). After 14 days application of CCM 8558, a tendency towards increased phagocytic activity (PA) was measured; PA value was 73.13% ± 8.55 on average at day 0/1; at day 14, it was 75.11 ± 8.66%. Cellulolytic, xylanolytic and pectinolytic activity in horse faeces was significantly increased (P < 0.001) at day 14 (after CCM 8558 application) and amylolytic activity as well (P < 0.01) compared to day 0/1. Inulolytic activity increased with mathematical difference 1.378. Dry matter value reached 20.81 ± 2.29% on average at day 0/1; at day 14, it was 20.77 ± 2.59% (P = 0.9725). Biochemical parameters were influenced mostly in the physiological range. These results achieved after application of CCM 8558 in horses are original, giving us further opportunity to continue these studies, to measure additional parameters and to show the benefits of CCM 8558 application in horses.

     

Enterocin M and Sage Supplementation in Post-weaning Rabbits: Effects on Growth Performance,Caecal Microbiota,Fermentation and Enzymatic Activity

The effects of enterocin (Ent) M and sage extract applied separately and in combination were investigated. EntM (E 50 μL/animal/day in water) and sage extract (S 10 μL/animal/day in water) were applied individually and in combination (E+S) to rabbits during 21 days of treatment. The rabbits’ growth was not significantly influenced by the additives. Lower feed conversion (FC) was noted in the experimental groups compared with controls, with the lowest data detected in E. The antimicrobial activity of EntM was noted (in E+S: lactic acid bacteria—P < 0.01; in E, E+S: enterococci, enterobacteria—P > 0.05; in E: clostridia—P > 0.05). The most significant changes in fermentation between weaned and older rabbits were noted in amylolytic activity at day 21 (E P < 0.05; E + S P < 0.05); prolonged reduction effect of sage extract on amylolytic activity was observed. The activity of cellulase, pectinase and xylanase was higher in older than in younger animals. Decrease in lactic acid and volatile fatty acids was noted during EntM administration, with significant effect on propionic acid concentration (E P < 0.05; E+S P < 0.001). The sage extract reduced propionic acid (S P < 0.001) and butyric acid levels (S P < 0.05) and increased the concentrations of butyric, iso-valeric, valeric, caproic acids and lactic acid (P < 0.001). It seems to be that EntM and sage supplementation may improve the economy of rabbit farms (increased FC) and the health status of rabbits (reduction of spoilage microbiota, enhanced enzymatic activities in caecum).

     

Clinical and virological impact of single and dual infections with influenza A (H1N1) and SARS-CoV-2 in adult inpatients

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mimics the influenza A (H1N1) virus in terms of clinical presentation, transmission mechanism, and seasonal coincidence. Comprehensive data for the clinical severity of adult patients co-infected by both H1N1 and SARS-CoV-2, and, particularly, the relationship with PCR cycle threshold (Ct) values are not yet available. All participants in this study were tested for H1N1 and SARS-CoV-2 simultaneously at admission. Demographic, clinical, treatment, and laboratory data were extracted from electronic medical records and compared among adults hospitalized for H1N1 infection, SARS-CoV-2 infection and co-infection with both viruses. Ct values for viral RNA detection were further compared within SARS-CoV-2 and co-infection groups. Score on seven-category ordinal scale of clinical status at day 7 and day 14 were assessed. Among patients with monoinfection, H1N1 infection had higher frequency of onset symptoms but lower incidence of adverse events during hospitalization than SAR-CoV-2 infection (P < 0.05). Co-infection had an increased odds of acute kidney injury, acute heart failure, secondary bacterial infections, multilobar infiltrates and admittance to ICU than monoinfection. Score on seven-category scale at day 7 and day 14 was higher in patients with coinfection than patients with SAR-CoV-2 monoinfection (P<0.05). Co-infected patients had lower initial Ct values (referring to higher viral load) (median 32) than patients with SAR-CoV-2 monoinfection (median 36). Among co-infected patients, low Ct values were significantly and positively correlated with acute kidney injury and ARDS (P = 0.03 and 0.02, respectively). Co-infection by SARS-CoV-2 and H1N1 caused more severe disease than monoinfection by either virus in adult inpatients. Early Ct value could provide clues for the later trajectory of the co-infection. Multiplex molecular diagnostics for both viruses and early assessment of SAR-CoV-2 Ct values are recommended to achieve optimal treatment for improved clinical outcome.     

Influence of Dietary Copper Methionine Concentrations on Growth Performance,Digestibility of Nutrients,Serum Lipid Profiles,and Immune Defenses in Broilers

A 42-day experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of dietary copper (Cu) concentrations on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and serum parameters in broilers aged from 1 to 42 days. Five hundred forty 1-day-old broilers were randomly assigned into 1 of the following 6 dietary treatments: (1) control (basal diet without supplemental Cu), (2) 15 mg/kg supplemental Cu (Cu15), (3) 30 mg/kg supplemental Cu (Cu30), (4) 60 mg/kg supplemental Cu (Cu60), (5) 120 mg/kg supplemental Cu (Cu120), and (6) 240 mg/kg supplemental Cu (Cu240), Cu as copper methionine. A 4-day metabolism trial was conducted during the last week of the experiment feeding. The results showed that dietary Cu supplementation increased the average daily gain and the average daily feed intake (P < 0.01). The feed gain ratio, however, was not affected by dietary Cu (P > 0.10). Additionally, dietary Cu supplementation increased the digestibility of fat and energy (P < 0.05). The concentration of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased with dietary Cu supplementation (P < 0.05). The activities of serum Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (P < 0.05), glutathione peroxidase (P < 0.05), and ceruloplasmin (P = 0.09), on the contrary, were increased by Cu addition. For immune indexes, dietary Cu supplementation increased serum IgA and IgM (P < 0.05). In addition, the activities of serum ALT increased with increasing dietary Cu supplementation (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our data suggest that Cu supplementation can increase fat digestibility and promote growth. Additionally, dietary Cu supplementation can reduce serum cholesterol and enhance antioxidant capacity in broilers.

     

Real-Time PCR Assays for the Specific Identification of Probiotic Strains Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 and Lactobacillus reuteri LRC (NCIMB 30242)

The broad spectrum of health benefits attributed to probiotics has contributed to a rapid increase in the value of the probiotic market. Probiotic health benefits can be strain specific. Thus, strain-level identification of probiotic strains is of paramount importance to ensure probiotic efficacy. Both Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 and Lactobacillus reuteri LRC (NCIMB 30242) strains have clinically proven health benefits; however, no assays were developed to enable strain-level identification of either of these strains. The objective of this study is to develop strain-specific PCR-based methods for Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 and Lactobacillus reuteri LRC strains, and to validate these assays according to the guidelines for validating qualitative real-time PCR assays. Using RAST (Rapid Annotation using Subsystem Technology), unique sequence regions were identified in the genome sequences of both strains. Probe-based assays were designed and validated for specificity, sensitivity, efficiency, repeatability, and reproducibility. Both assays were specific to target strain with 100% true positive and 0% false positive rates. Reaction efficiency for both assays was in the range of 90 to 108% with R square values > 0.99. Repeatability and reproducibility were evaluated using five samples at three DNA concentrations each and relative standard deviation was < 4% for repeatability and < 8% for reproducibility. Both of the assays developed and validated in this study for the specific identification of Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 and Lactobacillus reuteri LRC strains are specific, sensitive, and precise. These assays can be applied to evaluate and ensure compliance in probiotic products.

     

Exposure to intermittent hypoxia impairs learning and memory ability in rats

To study the effects of chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) on learning and memory ability in Sprague–Dawley rats, we established a rat model of CIH. A total of 24 male Sprague–Dawley rats were included and were assigned to three experimental groups (n = 8/group): the unhandled control (UC) group (normal feeding for 4 weeks), the CIH group (CIH for 4 weeks), and the removal of hypoxia (RH) group (normal feeding for 4 weeks after CIH for 4 weeks). All the results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and comparison between groups was performed using S–N–K method. Performance on the Morris water maze test (a learning and memory test) was significantly worse for CIH rats than for UC rats and RH rats (P < 0.05), but was significantly better for RH rats than for UC rats (P < 0.05). Synaptophysin expression in the CA3 region of the hippocampus was reduced in the CIH group and the RH group compared with the UC group (P < 0.05), but was significantly greater in the RH group than in the CIH group (P < 0.05). Synaptophysin is a calcium-binding protein located in the membranes of presynaptic vesicles. Changes of synaptophysin expression may indirectly reflect the structural changes in the hippocampal CA3 region. In rats, CIH can cause declines in learning ability and memory and reduce the expression of synaptophysin in the CA3 region of the hippocampus; these effects could be partially rescued by the removal of hypoxic factors. The observed decline in learning and memory ability in rats may relate to a decrease in synapse quantity and structural changes in the CA3 region of the hippocampus.

     

The effect of sleep on motor skill learning in young badminton players aged 6–9 years

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of sleep on the acquisition of motor skills in young badminton players. Thirteen badminton players, aged 6–9 years (8.0 ± 0.3 years; mean ± SE), practiced the shuttle bouncing drill, and a skill none of the players had prior experience with. After practice sessions, shuttle bouncing performance was immediately tested and then retested 1 week later. We evaluated sleep parameters for 7 consecutive days using actigraphy. Using the median value of sleep efficiency, subjects were divided into two groups: good sleepers and poor sleepers. Good sleepers had shorter sleep latency (p < 0.05), longer wake after sleep onset (p < 0.001), longer total sleep time (p < 0.005), and higher sleep efficiency (p < 0.001) than the poor sleepers. Interestingly, improvement in shuttle bouncing performance was significantly greater in the good sleeper group than that in the poor sleeper group (p < 0.05). In addition, we found that changes in the shuttle bouncing performance positively correlated with sleep efficiency (β = 0.765, p < 0.01) and total sleep time (β = 0.588, p < 0.05) after adjusting for their badminton career. These data suggest that sleep may affect the acquisition of motor skills in young players.

     

Characterization of Aqueous Dispersions and Gels Made of Sodium Caseinate and Basil Seed Gum: Phase Behavior,Rheology, and Microstructure

The interactions between sodium caseinate (NaCas) and basil seed gum (BSG) in the presence of calcium chloride (CaCl₂) were investigated. The phase behavior of the mixed aqueous dispersions and their gels revealed a homogeneous mixture, obtained at the higher concentrations of both CaCl₂ and BSG. The Herschel-Bulkley model sufficiently fitted the flow behavior of the mixture solution data. Apparent viscosity increased significantly (p < 0.05) by increasing the concentration of BSG, where the addition of CaCl₂ had no significant effect on the viscosity of the samples (p > 0.05). Furthermore, there was an increase in thixotropy due to the higher concentrations of BSG and CaCl₂. Based on the frequency sweep test, at the low frequencies, a more gel-like behavior was observed in the case of the higher concentrations of either BSG or CaCl₂. The rheological and SEM data suggested that the stronger structure of NaCas-BSG gel in the presence of the higher concentrations of CaCl₂ was related to the induction of complex formation between the two biopolymers.

     

The Effects of a Synbiotic Mixture of Galacto-Oligosaccharides and Bacillus Strains in Caspian Salmon,Salmo trutta caspius Fingerlings

The effect of dietary supplementation with a synbiotic mixture of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and Bacillus spp. was examined in Caspian salmon, Salmo trutta caspius (Kessler, 1877) fingerlings. Caspian salmon fed with the synbiotic diet had significantly higher weight gain rate, protein efficiency ratio, and survival rate, as well as lower feed conversion ratio, compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The serum protein, albumin, globulin, and lactate dehydrogenase levels of the fish fed with the synbiotic diet were significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.05), while the serum alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly lower (P < 0.05). The activities of the innate immune response parameters, including lysozyme, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were significantly higher in the Caspian salmon fed with the synbiotic diet (P < 0.05). The gut microbiota of the Caspian salmon fed with the synbiotic diet contained significantly elevated total viable aerobic bacterial counts (TVABCs), lactic acid bacteria (LAB) levels, and LAB/TVABCs ratio (P < 0.05). Additionally, the gut activities of amylase, trypsin, and chymotrypsin in the gut, as well as the trypsin/chymotrypsin ratio, were significantly increased in the fish that received the synbiotic diet (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the combined GOS and Bacillus spp. supplement positively affected the growth, survival rate, immunobiochemical parameters, digestive activity, and beneficial microbial density in the gut of Caspian salmon fingerlings.