Performance,rumen fermentation,blood minerals,leukocyte and antioxidant capacity of young Holstein calves receiving high-surface ZnO instead of common ZnO

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to assess the effect of feeding high-surface ZnO instead of common ZnO on the performance, rumen fermentation, blood minerals, leukocytes and antioxidant capacity of pre- and post-weaning calves. Thirty male suckling Holstein calves were allotted to one of three experimental groups (10 replicates) in a completely randomised design. Calves received: (1) a low Zn diet without Zn supplementation (control diet), (2) a high Zn diet containing 50 mg supplementary Zn/kg dry matter (DM) as common ZnO or (3) a high Zn diet containing 50 mg supplementary Zn/kg DM as high-surface ZnO (nano-ZnO). The control diet contained a native Zn content of 35.5, 34.7 or 33.7 mg/kg DM for the age periods of 7 to 30, 31 to 70 and 71 to 100 d, respectively. Supplementation of the diet with Zn did not change the dry matter intake (DMI) of calves during d 7 to 30 but increased the ADG in this period (p < 0.05). During age periods of 31 to 70 and 71 to 100 d, DMI and ADG of the Zn supplemented calves were higher (p < 0.05) than the control animals. The nutrient digestibility and the concentration of rumen volatile fatty acids were positively affected (p < 0.05) and the rumen ammonia-N concentration decreased (p < 0.05) by dietary Zn supplementation. Furthermore, the incidence of diarrhoea and pneumonia was lower in calves receiving the Zn supplemented diets. Irrespective of ZnO source, the blood total antioxidant capacity, leukocyte and haematocrit levels significantly increased (p < 0.05) with the ZnO supplemented diets. The post-weaning DMI, nutrient digestibility and blood haematocrit levels were higher in calves receiving high-surface ZnO, compared to those supplemented with common ZnO. With inclusion of the Zn sources in pre- and post-weaning diets, the blood Zn concentration increased (p < 0.05), but the blood Cu, Fe, Ca, P and Mg levels remained unchanged. Regardless of source, dietary supplementation of young calves with ZnO improved the performance and decreased rumen ammonia-N and the incidence of diseases. Moreover, high-surface ZnO had advantages over common ZnO in increasing the post-weaning feed intake, digestibility and blood Zn concentration.     

Exogenous application of spermine and putrescine mitigate adversities of drought stress in wheat by protecting membranes and chloroplast ultra-structure

Polyamines (PAs) are positively charged molecules known to mitigate drought stress; however, little is known about their mechanism of alleviating drought stress. We investigated the effects of PAs exogenously applied as a seed primer and as a foliar spray on the growth, membrane stability (MS), electrolyte leakage (EL), Na+ and K+ cations, reactive oxygen species (ROS), catalase (CAT; EC 1.11.1.6) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX; EC 1.11.1.7) activity and chloroplast ultra-structure in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.; cv. Sakha-94) under drought stress. Three PA solutions, namely, putrescine, spermine and a mixture of the two (Mix), were each applied at a concentration of 100 µM. Our study demonstrated that the retardation of chlorophyll loss and elevation of Rubisco levels were involved in PA-enhanced growth under drought stress. These relationships were mainly reflected in elevated fresh weight and dry weight in response to foliar spraying with all PA solutions and seed priming with the Mix solution. The elevated growth seemed to be due to increased photosynthetic pigments, protein and Rubisco. In contrast, drought decreased growth, photosynthetic pigments, protein and Rubisco. MS was enhanced by PAs applied as a seed primer or foliar spray, as shown by clear reductions in EL %, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the Na+/K+ ratio as well as reduced ROS markers and elevated CAT (but not GPX) activity. Further study showed that the Mix solution of PAs, applied either during seed priming or as a foliar spray, improved chloroplast ultra-structure, suggesting that improvements in Rubisco and photosynthetic pigments were involved in PA maintenance of chloroplast stability. Therefore, the present study showed that elevated CAT activity is the main mechanism through which PAs reduce ROS and MDA, thereby improving MS and protecting mesophyll cells structurally and functionally under drought stress in wheat.     

Plant growth-promoting Bacillus sp. strain SDA-4 confers Cd tolerance by physio-biochemical improvements,better nutrient acquisition and diminished Cd uptake in Spinacia oleracea L.

Cadmium (Cd) is highly toxic metal for plant metabolic processes even in low concentration due to its longer half-life and non-biodegradable nature. The current study was designed to assess the bioremediation potential of a Cd-tolerant phytobeneficial bacterial strain Bacillus sp. SDA-4, isolated, characterized and identified from Chakera wastewater reservoir, Faisalabad, Pakistan, together with spinach (as a test plant) under different Cd regimes. Spinach plants were grown with and without Bacillus sp. SDA-4 inoculation in pots filled with 0, 5 or 10 mg kg⁻¹ CdCl₂-spiked soil. Without Bacillus sp. SDA-4 inoculation, spinach plants exhibited reduction in biomass accumulation, antioxidative enzymes and nutrient retention. However, plants inoculated with Bacillus sp. SDA-4 revealed significantly augmented growth, biomass accumulation and efficiency of antioxidative machinery with concomitant reduction in proline and MDA contents under Cd stress. Furthermore, application of Bacillus sp. SDA-4 assisted the Cd-stressed plants to sustain optimal levels of essential nutrients (N, P, K, Ca and Mg). It was inferred that the characterized Cd-tolerant PGPR strain, Bacillus sp. SDA-4 has a potential to reduce Cd uptake and lipid peroxidation which in turn maintained the optimum balance of nutrients and augmented the growth of Cd-stressed spinach. Analysis of bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) revealed that Bacillus sp. SDA-4 inoculation with spinach sequestered Cd in rhizospheric zone. Research outcomes are important for understanding morpho-physio-biochemical attributes of spinach-Bacillus sp. SDA-4 synergy which might provide efficient strategies to decrease Cd retention in edible plants and/or bioremediation of Cd polluted soil colloids.     

Circulating and local nuclear expression of survivin and fibulin-3 genes in discriminating benign from malignant respiratory diseases: correlation analysis

Survivin is an inhibitor of apoptosis as well as a promoter of cell proliferation. Fibulin-3 is a matrix glycoprotein that displays potential for tumor suppression or propagation. The present study aimed to validate the expression levels of survivin and fibulin-3 in benign and malignant respiratory diseases. This case–control study included 219 patients categorized into five groups. Group A included 63 patients with lung cancer, group B included 63 patients with various benign lung diseases, group D included 45 patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), and group E included 48 patients with various benign pleural diseases. Group C included 60 healthy individuals (control group). Serum survivin and fibulin-3 levels were measured by ELISA, whereas their nuclear expressions in the lung and pleura were assessed via Western blot analysis. The results showed significantly higher survivin serum levels and significantly lower fibulin-3 levels in group A compared with in group B and controls (P<0.001). There were significantly higher serum levels of survivin and fibulin-3 in group D compared with in group E and controls (P<0.001), consistent with observed nuclear survivin and fibulin-3 expression levels. Fibulin-3 was determined to have higher value than survivin in discriminating lung cancer from MPM (P<0.05). Survivin and fibulin-3 could be useful diagnostic markers for lung and pleural cancers, and fibulin-3 expression was particularly useful in differentiating lung cancer from MPM.     

Study of DYRK1B gene expression and its association with metabolic syndrome in a small cohort of Egyptians

Molecular Biology Reports - A cluster of many risk factors for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease is used to describe the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Moreover, genetic differences associated...     

Identification of Alkaloid Compounds Arborinine and Graveoline from Ruta angustifolia (L.) Pers for their Antifungal Potential against Isocitrate lyase (ICL1) gene of Candida albicans

Mycopathologia - Candida albicans has been reported globally as the most widespread pathogenic species contributing candidiasis from superficial to systemic infections in immunocompromised...     

Elucidating Cd-mediated distinct rhizospheric and in planta ionomic and physio-biochemical responses of two contrasting Zea mays L. cultivars

Cadmium (Cd) in soil–plant system can abridge plant growth by initiating alterations in root zones. Hydroponics and rhizoboxes are useful techniques to monitor plant responses against various natural and/or induced metal stresses. However, soil based studies are considered more appropriate in order to devise efficient food safety and remediation strategies. The present research evaluated the Cd-mediated variations in elemental dynamics of rhizospheric soil together with in planta ionomics and morpho-physio-biochemical traits of two differentially Cd responsive maize cultivars. Cd-sensitive (31P41) and Cd-tolerant (3062) cultivars were grown in pots filled with 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 µg/kg CdCl₂ supplemented soil. The results depicted that the maize cultivars significantly influenced the elemental dynamics of rhizosphere as well as in planta mineral accumulation under applied Cd stress. The uptake and translocation of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn and Fe from rhizosphere and root cell sap was significantly higher in Cd stressed cv. 3062 as compared to cv. 31P41. In sensitive cultivar (31P41), Cd toxicity resulted in significantly prominent reduction of biomass, leaf area, chlorophyll, carotenoids, protein contents as well as catalase activity in comparison to tolerant one (3062). Analysis of tolerance indexes (TIs) validated that cv. 3062 exhibited advantageous growth and efficient Cd tolerance due to elevated proline, phenolics and activity of antioxidative machinery as compared to cv. 31P41. The cv. 3062 exhibited 54% and 37% less Cd bio-concentration (BCF) and translocation factors (TF), respectively in comparison to cv. 31P41 under highest Cd stress regime. Lower BCF and TF designated a higher Cd stabilization by tolerant cultivar (3062) in rhizospheric zone and its potential use in future remediation plans.     

Silver-coated magnetic nanoparticles as an efficient delivery system for the antibiotics trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole against E. Coli and S. aureus: release kinetics and antimicrobial activity

BioMetals - Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole are prescribed for a broad spectrum of bacteria. However, the use of these medicines is restricted due to the risk of microbial resistance in the body....     

Hyaluronic acid optimises therapeutic effects of hydrogen peroxide‐induced oxidative stress on breast cancer

Distinguishing the multiple effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on cancer cells is important to understand their role in tumour biology. On one side, ROS can be oncogenic by promoting hypoxic conditions, genomic instability and tumorigenesis. Conversely, elevated levels of ROS‐induced oxidative stress can induce cancer cell death. This is evidenced by the conflicting results of research using antioxidant therapy, which in some cases promoted tumour growth and metastasis. However, some antioxidative or ROS‐mediated oxidative therapies have also yielded beneficial effects. To better define the effects of oxidative stress, in vitro experiments were conducted on 4T1 and splenic mononuclear cells (MNCs) under hypoxic and normoxic conditions. Furthermore, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂; 10–1,000 μM) was used as an ROS source alone or in combination with hyaluronic acid (HA), which is frequently used as drug delivery vehicle. Our result indicated that the treatment of cancer cells with H₂O₂ + HA was significantly more effective than H₂O₂ alone. In addition, treatment with H₂O₂ + HA led to increased apoptosis, decreased proliferation, and multiphase cell cycle arrest in 4T1 cells in a dose‐dependent manner under normoxic or hypoxic conditions. As a result, migratory tendency and the messenger RNA levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2), and MMP‐9 were significantly decreased in 4T1 cells. Of note, HA treatment combined with 100–1,000 μM H₂O₂ caused more damage to MNCs as compared to treatment with lower concentrations (10–50 μM). Based on these results, we propose to administer high‐dose H₂O₂ + HA (100–1000 μM) for intratumoural injection and low doses for systemic administration. Intratumoural route could have toxic and inhibitory effects not only on the tumour but also on residential myeloid cells defending it, whereas systemic treatment could stimulate peripheral immune responses against the tumour. More in vivo research is required to confirm this hypothesis.