Effects of supplementation with plant extract product containing carvacrol,cinnamaldehyde and capsaicin on serum metabolites and enzymes during the finishing phase of feedlot-fed bull calves

This study investigated the in vivo effects of a commercial blend of plant extracts (carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde and capsaicin) on serum metabolic parameters closely connected with energy and protein metabolism (glucose; l-lactate; non-esterified fatty acids, NEFA; urea nitrogen, SUN; creatinine; total protein, TSP) and enzymes associated with hepatic function (aspartate-aminotransferase, AST and gamma-glutamyl transferase, GGT) in finishing-stage Belgian Blue bull calves maintained in a commercial feedlot. Monitoring was performed over 86 days in 24 animals randomly allotted to two groups: (1) a control group (CTR, no supplementation; n = 10), and (2) a group receiving dietary supplementation with a commercial blend of plant extracts (PEX, 100 mg/kg DM of concentrate; n = 14). Under the conditions of our study, supplementation with the commercial blend did not give detrimental effects, but the opposite: the decrease in serum l-lactate, NEFA and creatinine levels and the increase in SUN concentrations; suggests an improvement in the energy status and protein turnover of the supplemented animals.     

Outplanting time and methodologies related to mariculture of the edible kelp Undaria pinnatifida in the Atlantic coast of Spain

Little is known about offshore cultivation of the edible seaweed Undaria pinnatifida outside Asian waters. However, currently its commercial cultivation is being considered in the North Western Atlantic coast of Spain (Galicia). The effect of outplanting time and methodologies related to the cultivation of U. pinnatifida in this area was studied. Biomass yield, morphological features, and growth rate were examined on sporophytes outplanted from October to December at the same site in a coastal bay. Experiments were conducted over two years, applying different harvesting and cultivation methods. Results indicate that the most suitable months for outplanting were October and November, with larger biomass production as well as improved sporophyte quality (i.e., morphology). Cultivations from October to December ended when most of the sporophytes had developed sporophylls (reproductive structures) and this occurred between early and late April in all the outplanting trials. The similar harvest time for all plants suggests that harvesting time is not related to outplanting period but should be mainly influenced by the photoperiod. These results suggest a single harvest as the most appropriate method. Moreover, results also showed that cultivation was successful using the two tested methods: seedling string all along the culture rope and seedling strings inserted at regular intervals into the rope. Finally, this paper also discusses the suitability of two different systems of offshore farming: in long-line and in vertical rope.     

La scintigraphie osseuse en trois phases pancorporelles

Performing three-phase whole-body bone scan is easy on every patient, does not increase the radiation burden to the patient and enhances the diagnostic value of the procedure. It should be performed almost routinely on every patient scheduled for a bone scan.     

Protein kinase C-mediated desensitization of the neurokinin 1 receptor

An understanding of the mechanisms that regulate signaling bythe substance P (SP) or neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1-R) is of interestbecause of their role in inflammation and pain. By using activators andinhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) and NK1-R mutations of potentialPKC phosphorylation sites, we determined the role of PKC indesensitization of responses to SP. Activation of PKC abolishedSP-induced Ca²⁺ mobilization in cells that expresswild-type NK1-R. This did not occur in cells expressing aCOOH-terminally truncated NK1-R (NK1-R324), which may correspond toa naturally occurring variant, or a point mutant lacking eightpotential PKC phosphorylation sites within the COOH tail (NK1-RSer-338, Thr-339, Ser-352, Ser-387, Ser-388, Ser-390, Ser-392,Ser-394/Ala, NK1-RKC4). Compared with wild-type NK1-R, thet_1/2 of SP-induced Ca²⁺mobilization was seven- and twofold greater in cells expressing NK1-R324 and NK1-RKC4, respectively. In cells expressing wild-type NK1-R, inhibition of PKC caused a 35% increase in thet_1/2 of SP-induced Ca²⁺mobilization. Neither inhibition of PKC nor receptor mutation affecteddesensitization of Ca²⁺ mobilization to repeated challengewith SP or SP-induced endocytosis of the NK1-R. Thus PKC regulatesSP-induced Ca²⁺ mobilization by full-length NK1-R and doesnot regulate a naturally occurring truncated variant. PKC doesnot mediate desensitization to repeated stimulation or endocytosis ofthe NK1-R.

     

Neighbours' breeding success and the sex ratio of their offspring affect the mate preferences of female zebra finches

Several hypotheses on divorce predict that monogamous pairs should split up more frequently after a breeding failure. Yet, deviations from the expected pattern "success-stay, failure-leave" have been reported in several species. One possible explanation for these deviations would be that individuals do not use only their own breeding performance (i.e., private information) but also that of others (i.e., public information) to decide whether or not to divorce. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the relative importance of private and public information for mate choice decisions in female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata).We manipulated the reproductive performance of breeding pairs and measured females' preferences for their mate and the neighbouring male first following pair formation and then seven weeks later when all females had laid eggs and the young were independent. Although all females reduced their preference for their mate after a breeding failure, the decrease was significant only when the neighbouring pair had reproduced successfully. Furthermore, there was no evidence that females biased the sex ratio of their offspring according to their mate's attractiveness. On the other hand, after reproduction, both successful and unsuccessful females increased their preferences for males who had produced a larger proportion of sons. Despite the fact that other mechanisms may have also contributed to our findings, we suggest that females changed their mate preferences based on the proportion of sons produced by successful males, because offspring sex ratio reflects the male's testosterone level at the moment of fertilization and hence is an indicator of his immune condition.     

Glycosylation of the human erythrocyte glucose transporter is essential for glucose transport activity

The human erythrocyte glucose transporter is a fully integrated membrane glycoprotein having only one N-linked carbohydrate chain on the extracellular part of the molecule. Several authors have suggested the involvement of the carbohydrate moiety in glucose transport, but not definitive results have been published to date. Using transport glycoproteins reconstituted in proteoliposomes, kinetic studies of zero-trans influx were performed before and after N-glycanase treatment of the proteoliposomes: this enzymatic treatment results in a 50% decrease of the Vmax. The orientation of transport glycoproteins in the lipid bilayer of liposomes was investigated and it appears that about half of the reconstituted transporter molecules are oriented properly. Finally, it could be concluded that the release of the carbohydrate moiety from the transport glycoproteins leads to the loss of their transport activity.