Resource use and improvement strategy analysis of the livestock and feed production supply chain in Thailand

Purpose

The aim of this research is to reveal the overall money flows and physical flows of the livestock and feed production supply chain in Thailand in order to analyze the resource use and cost and assess material use efficiency of the whole supply chain. Another aim is to evaluate the options to improve and evaluate trade-off between economic and environmental performance.

Methods

This research conducted material and monetary flow modeling using material flow analysis (MFA) and input output analysis (IOA). Data collected from the Thai Input-Output Tables 2005 were employed to develop the monetary flow model. Direct and indirect resource consumption (energy, water, and land use) and turnover along the supply chain were assessed using environmentally extended input-output analysis model (EEIOA). Scenario analysis with improvement options was applied to the model to evaluate the effectiveness of the improvement options.

Results and discussion

One third of energy and water consumption were from the animal farm itself. The rest were from feed production and upstream raw material production. Land use in the system was mainly from maize and paddy field. Feed conversion ratio improvement should play an important role in the strategy for resource efficiency and reduce environmental impact in the whole supply chain. Energy intensity reduction, the best option in overall energy reduction, is the policy that the government is pushing to be implemented in all sectors, and it can also easily be applied along with the other options. Therefore, it should be applied with the other options for improvement.

Conclusions

The results from monetary flow and physical material flow can visually show the holistic view of the Thai livestock production supply chain quantitatively and allow the stakeholders to understand the economic structure of the supply chain system. This can enable the decision makers to analyze the interrelation effect and impact of changing one sector demand or changing resource efficiency to impact other sectors in the system.

     

Molecular dynamics simulations of asymmetric heterodimers of HER1/HER2 complexes

The family of human epidermal growth factor receptors (HER) is involved in tumor cell growth. Homodimerization and heterodimerization of the HER family are important for activation of these receptors. The structures of homodimer conformation are well characterized, while the structures of heterodimer conformations, especially between HER1 and HER2, are not completely understood. In this study, two models of possible asymmetric HER1/HER2 kinase domains were built. Molecular dynamics simulations and molecular mechanics-Poisson-Boltzmann surface area (MM-PBSA) methods were applied to examine the possibility of these two-heterodimer interactions. From our results, it could be concluded that the HER2 kinase domain prefers to serve as the receiver rather than the activator. Key binding residues of this dimer complex at N lobe of HER2 is ALA683 and at C lobe of HER1 are GLU914, GLU917, and ASP930. This study will be useful in allowing us to predict and be able to control activity of this enzyme in disease in the future.

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Graphical abstract A model of the asymmetric dimer of HER1–HER2 heterodimer with key intereaction residues in (a) HER1A and (b) HER2R by molecular dynamic simulation

     

Microfluidic chip-based nanoelectrode array as miniaturized biochemical sensing platform for prostate-specific antigen detection

A microfluidic biosensor chip with an embedded three-electrode configuration is developed for the study of the voltammetric response of a nanoelectrode array with controlled inter-electrode distance in a nanoliter-scale sample volume. The on-chip three-electrode cell consists of a 5 × 5 array of Au working nanoelectrodes with radii between 60 and 120 nm, a Cl(2)-plasma-treated Ag/AgCl reference electrode, and a Au counter electrode. The nanoelectrode array is fabricated by creating high-aspect-ratio pores through an alumina insulating layer using an I(2) gas-assisted focused-ion-beam (FIB) milling, ion beam sculpting, and electrodeposition of Au. The glass substrate with the electrode pattern is assembled with a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannel slab giving a volume of 180 nL for each channel. Cyclic voltammetry calibration with a standard redox species exhibits a significant increase of current density by two orders of magnitude compared to that obtained from a microelectrode. On-chip functionalization of the nanoelectrodes with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) biosensor complex and detection of PSA based on a competitive immunoassay method are performed. The detection limit is approximately 10 pg/mL (～270 fM), which corresponds to roughly 30,000 copies of PSA in the microchannel test volume.     

Computational study of EGFR inhibition: molecular dynamics studies on the active and inactive protein conformations

The structural diversity observed across protein kinases, resulting in subtly different active site cavities, is highly desirable in the pursuit of selective inhibitors, yet it can also be a hindrance from a structure-based design perspective. An important challenge in structure-based design is to better understand the dynamic nature of protein kinases and the underlying reasons for specific conformational preferences in the presence of different inhibitors. To investigate this issue, we performed molecular dynamics simulation on both the active and inactive wild type epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) protein with both type-I and type-II inhibitors. Our goal is to better understand the origin of the two distinct EGFR protein conformations, their dynamic differences, and their relative preference for Type-I inhibitors such as gefitinib and Type-II inhibitors such as lapatinib. We discuss the implications of protein dynamics from a structure-based design perspective.     

Assimilation and translocation of nitrogen and carbon in Curcuma alismatifolia Gagnep

Curcuma or Siam tulip (Curcuma alismatifolia Gagnep.) is an ornamental flowering plant with two underground storage organs, rhizomes and storage roots. Characteristics of N and C assimilation and transport in curcuma were investigated. The plants were treated with ¹⁵NH₄⁺ + ¹⁵NO₃^? and ¹³CO₂ at 10, 13 or 21 weeks after planting. Plants were sampled at several stages up to 32 weeks. The C stored in old storage roots was used rapidly during the first 10 weeks; after which N stored in old rhizomes and old storage roots were used. The daily gain in C depending on photosynthesis was remarkably high between 10 and 21 weeks. However, the daily gain in N was relatively constant throughout the growth period. The ¹⁵N absorbed at 10 weeks was initially accumulated in leaves and roots, but some was transported to flowering organs at 13 weeks. At harvest, 41% of ¹⁵N was recovered in new rhizomes and 17% in new storage roots. After ¹³CO₂ exposure at 10 and 13 weeks, the distribution of ¹³C among organs was relatively constant in subsequent stages. When given ¹³CO₂ at 21 weeks, a large amount of labelled C was recovered in new storage roots and new rhizomes at harvest. Both new rhizomes and new storage roots stored N and C, however, rhizomes played a more important role in supplying N, while storage roots provided C.     

Proteomic identification of alterations in metabolic enzymes and signaling proteins in hypokalemic nephropathy

Hypokalemic nephropathy caused by prolonged K(+) deficiency is associated with metabolic alkalosis, polydipsia, polyuria, growth retardation, hypertension, and progressive tubulointerstitial injury. Its pathophysiology, however, remains unclear. We performed gel-based, differential proteomics analysis of kidneys from BALB/c mice fed with high-normal-K(+) (HNK), low-normal-K(+) (LNK), or K(+)-depleted diet for 8 wk (n = 6 in each group). Plasma K(+) levels were 4.62 +/- 0.35, 4.46 +/- 0.23, and 1.51 +/- 0.21 mmol/L for HNK, LNK, and KD mice, respectively (p < 0.0001; KD vs. others). With comparable amounts of food intake, the KD mice drank significantly more water than the other two groups and had polyuria. Additionally, the KD mice had growth retardation, metabolic alkalosis, markedly enlarged kidneys, renal tubular dilation, intratubular deposition of amorphous and laminated hyaline materials, and tubular atrophy. A total of 33 renal proteins were differentially expressed between the KD mice and others, whereas only eight proteins were differentially expressed between the HNK and LNK groups, as determined by quantitative intensity analysis and ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc multiple comparisons. Using MALDI-MS and/or quadrupole-TOF MS/MS, 30 altered proteins induced by K(+)-depletion were identified as metabolic enzymes (e.g., carbonic anhydrase II, aldose reductase, glutathione S-transferase GT41A, etc.), signaling proteins (14-3-3 epsilon, 14-3-3 zeta, and cofilin 1), and cytoskeletal proteins (gamma-actin and tropomyosin). Some of these altered proteins, particularly metabolic enzymes and signaling proteins, have been demonstrated to be involved in metabolic alkalosis, polyuria, and renal tubular injury. Our findings may lead to a new road map for research on hypokalemic nephropathy and to better understanding of the pathophysiology of this medical disease when the functional and physiological significances of these altered proteins are defined.     

Neuroprotective Effects of Phenolic and Carboxylic Acids on Oxidative Stress-Induced Toxicity in Human Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y Cells

An increase in oxidative stress is a key factor responsible for neurotoxicity induction and cell death leading to neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Plant phenolics exert diverse bioactivities i.e., antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Herein, phenolic compounds, namely protocatechuic aldehyde (PCA) constituents of Hydnophytum formicarum Jack. including vanillic acid (VA) and trans-ferulic acid (FA) found in Spilanthes acmella Murr., were explored for anti-neurodegenerative properties using an in vitro model of oxidative stress-induced neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Exposure of the neuronal cells with H₂O₂ resulted in the decrease of cell viability, but increasing in the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) together with morphological changes and inducing cellular apoptosis. SH-SY5Y cells pretreated with 5 µM of PCA, VA, and FA were able to attenuate cell death caused by H₂O₂-induced toxicity, as well as decreased ROS level and apoptotic cells after 24 h of treatment. Pretreated SH-SY5Y cells with phenolic compounds also helped to upregulate H₂O₂-induced depletion of the expressions of sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) and forkhead box O (FoxO) 3a as well as induce the levels of antioxidant (superoxide dismutase (SOD) 2 and catalase) and antiapoptotic B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) proteins. The findings suggest that these phenolics might be promising compounds against neurodegeneration.     

Freshwater use analysis of cassava for food feed fuel in the Mun River basin,Thailand

Purpose

This research aims to assess the current freshwater use in the cassava supply chain for food, feed fuel in the Mun basin, and the water scarcity impact and possible options to increase cassava production to meet the future demand following the Renewable and Alternative Energy Development Plan (AEDP) target.

Methods

This research analyzes freshwater use based on ISO 14046 water footprint assessment. The analysis was implemented based on a life cycle perspective that determines the impact on freshwater use from cassava products along their supply chain. Both direct water use and indirect water use that associated are analyzed. Midpoint impact of water use was assessed using water stress index (WSI) to calculate water scarcity footprint.

Results and discussion

The results show that in the current situation, total freshwater use of all cassava-related product in Mun basin in the base case is 1140 million m³/year. When WSI was applied, water scarcity footprint of all cassava-related products in the Mun basin in the base case was only 147 million m³/year. In the scenario 1, increasing irrigation to increase yield in the existing cassava cultivation area in the Mun basin has the largest water use compare to other scenarios. Scenarios 2 and 3, expanding cassava cultivation area in Mun basin and in other regions, have lower water and water scarcity impact than scenario 1. The benefit from transforming paddy rice (in unsuitable areas) to cassava cultivation was also good. However, more resources are required including land, energy, or fertilizer, and other environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas emission or eutrophication could be increased from the increasing resource use. Therefore, the decision-making process needs to consider the trade-off between those factors, and a more complete life cycle assessment (LCA) on the envisioned alternatives should be applied for further analysis.

Conclusions

The increasing demand of biofuels derived from cassava can increase stress on water in the Mun River basin. Increasing irrigation water use in the area as per requirement could possibly increase yield to meet the future feedstock demand but has large water scarcity impact. However, this could be alleviated by using groundwater from additional wells in the farm. Expanding cassava cultivation area could be another option having low water scarcity impact, but it requires more resources and could increase other environmental impacts that need to be further analyzed by a complete LCA.