This study aimed to assess the effect of a commercial blend of phytogenic feed additives (PA), comprising 5% carvacrol, 3% cinnamaldehyde, and 2% capsicum oleoresin on the modulation of immune ...biomarkers of broiler chickens, their growth performance, dietary energy, and nutrient retention. Four-hundred day-old birds were assigned to one of four dietary treatments. Two control diets based on either wheat (WC) or maize (MC) were each given with and without PA at 100 g/t. Growth performance variables including feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded. Dietary N-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (MEn), dry matter (DMR), nitrogen (NR), and fat retention (FR) coefficients were also determined. Gene expression of immune biomarkers (cytokines) were determined in caecal tonsil tissue from 21 d old birds. Expression of IL2, IL18, IL10, and IL17C in the caecal tonsils were upregulated (P < 0.05) in the birds fed MC-based diets compared to the WC fed birds. Feeding PA supplemented diets downregulated the expression of CD40LG (P < 0.001), IFNG, and IL6 (P < 0.05). There was a cereal type × PA interaction (P < 0.05), as expression of IFNB was downregulated in the birds fed PA supplemented MC but not WC. However, expression of IL12B was downregulated in birds fed PA supplemented WC but there was no significant (P > 0.05) change in expression levels in birds fed MC diets. Feeding MC diets gave greater FI (P < 0.001) and ME (P < 0.05), but lower FCR (P < 0.05) compared to birds fed WC diets. The WG and nutrient retention coefficients were not affected (P > 0.05) by cereal type. Supplementary PA improved FI (P < 0.05), WG (P < 0.001), FCR (P < 0.05), MEn (P < 0.05), MEn: GE ratio (P < 0.05), and FR (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary inclusion of PA improved overall growth performance variables, energy, and nutrient retention and intestinal cytokine expression.
During neurogenesis, progenitors switch from self-renewal to differentiation through the interplay of intrinsic and extrinsic cues, but how these are integrated remains poorly understood. Here, we ...combine whole-genome transcriptional and epigenetic analyses with in vivo functional studies to demonstrate that Bcl6, a transcriptional repressor previously reported to promote cortical neurogenesis, acts as a driver of the neurogenic transition through direct silencing of a selective repertoire of genes belonging to multiple extrinsic pathways promoting self-renewal, most strikingly the Wnt pathway. At the molecular level, Bcl6 represses its targets through Sirt1 recruitment followed by histone deacetylation. Our data identify a molecular logic by which a single cell-intrinsic factor represses multiple extrinsic pathways that favor self-renewal, thereby ensuring robustness of neuronal fate transition.
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•Bcl6 ensures robust neurogenesis by repressing major extrinsic self-renewal pathways•Bcl6 inhibits the Notch, Wnt, SHH, and FGF signaling pathways at multiple levels•Bcl6 represses transcription through Sirt1 recruitment and histone deacetylation
Bonnefont et al. show that Bcl6 promotes neurogenesis by directly repressing genes belonging to the major signaling pathways promoting cortical progenitor self-renewal. These data indicate that a single cell-intrinsic factor represses multiple extrinsic signaling pathways to ensure irreversible neurogenic commitment.
Abstract
Background
The emergence of resistance to artemisinin derivatives in Southeast Asia constitutes a serious threat for other malaria endemic areas, particularly in Côte d’Ivoire. To delay this ...resistance, the application of the control measures recommended by the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) for a correct management, in the private pharmacies, is a necessity. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to assess the level of knowledge and practices of private pharmacy auxiliary in Abidjan about the management of malaria.
Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from April to November 2015. It included auxiliaries of private pharmacies in Abidjan. Data collection material was a structured an open pretested questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out using Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 21.1. Chi square test was used to compare proportions for a significance threshold of 0.05 for the p value.
Results
A total, 447 auxiliaries from 163 private pharmacies were interviewed. It was noted that the auxiliaries had a good knowledge of clinical signs of uncomplicated malaria (99.1%), biological examinations (54.6% for the thick film and 40.7% for rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and anti-malarial drugs (99.3% for artemether + lumefantrine, AL). The strategies of vector control (long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets (LLITNs, Repellent ointments, cleaning gutters, elimination of larvae breeding site and intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) in pregnant women were also known by the auxiliaries, respectively 99.8% and 77.4%. However, the malaria pathogen (25.1%) and the NMCP recommendations (e.g. use of AL or AS + AQ as first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria and IPTp-SP in pregnant women) were not well known by the auxiliaries (28.2% and 26.9% for uncomplicated and severe malaria). Concerning the practices of the auxiliaries, 91.1% offered anti-malarial drugs to patients without a prescription and 47.3% mentioned incorrect dosages. The combination artemether + lumefantrine was the most recommended (91.3%). The delivery of anti-malarial drugs was rarely accompanied by advice on malaria prevention, neither was it carried out on the result of an RDT.
Conclusion
The epidemiology and the NMCP recommendations for the diagnostic and therapeutic management of malaria, are not well known to auxiliaries, which may have implications for their practices. These results show the need to sensitize and train private pharmacy auxiliaries, and also to involve them in NMCP activities.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
We provide an assessment of surface temperature changes in mountainous areas of the world using a set of climate projections at a 0.5° resolution for two 30-year periods (2040–2069 and 2070–2099), ...using four Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) emission scenarios and five AOGCM. Projected average temperature changes varied between +3.2
°C (+0.4
°C/per decade) and +2.1
°C (+0.26
°C/per decade) for 2055 and +5.3
°C (+0.48
°C/per decade) and +2.8
°C for 2085 (+0.25
°C/per decade). The temperature is expected to rise by a greater amount in higher northern latitude mountains than in mountains located in temperate and tropical zones. The rate of warming in mountain systems is projected to be two to three times higher than that recorded during the 20th century. The tendency for a greater projected warming in northern latitude mountain systems is consistent across scenarios and is in agreement with observed trends. In light of these projections, warming is considered likely to affect biodiversity (e.g., species extinctions, changes in the composition of assemblages), water resources (e.g., a reduction in the extent of glaciated areas and snow pack), and natural hazards (e.g., floods). Accurate estimate of the effects of climate change in mountain systems is difficult because of uncertainties associated with the climate scenarios and the existence of non-linear feedbacks between impacts.
We aimed to evaluate whether two commonly used PCR primers are effective to identify
P. endodontalis
and discriminate from other prevalent black-pigmented bacteria in apical periodontitis (AP). ...Endodontic canal samples from patients with asymptomatic AP (n = 20) were collected and cultured in anaerobiosis. Two primer sets to detect
P. endodontalis
were selected from the literature and first analyzed for their specificity
in silico
; and then tested on clinical isolates
in vitro
and finally, in apical exudates
ex vivo
. The identity
of P. endodontalis
was verified by PCR and Sanger sequencing with universal primers for bacterial V3–V6 regions 16S rDNA. Only one primer set showed specificity only for
P. endodontalis
clones in silico and also was specific for
P. endodontalis
in vitro
and
ex vivo
.
Validity of a repeated-sprint test for football Impellizzeri, F M; Rampinini, E; Castagna, C ...
International journal of sports medicine,
11/2008, Letnik:
29, Številka:
11
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Three studies involving 108 football players were conducted to examine the reliability of a repeated-shuttle-sprint ability (RSSA) test and its ability to differentiate between players of various ...competitive levels and playing positions. Study 1: Short-term reliability was determined in 22 professional players completing the RSSA test (6 x 40-m sprints with 20 s of recovery between sprints) on two separate occasions. Study 2: Long-term reliability (seasonal changes) was examined in 31 professional players completing the RSSA test four times (during the preseason period, at the start, middle and end of the competitive season). Study 3: 108 players were divided and compared according to competitive level or playing position. Standard error of measurement values expressed as coefficient of variation for RSSA mean time and best time were 0.8 and 1.3 % (short-term reliability) and 0.9 and 1.2 % (long-term reliability), respectively. The smallest worthwhile changes were 0.5 % for both mean and best time. Professional players showed better RSSA performance than amateur players, and defenders displayed the lowest RSSA performance. In conclusion, the RSSA test showed adequate construct validity but only RSSA mean time showed sufficient reliability to detect large training-induced changes but not small important differences.
Shade effects on coffee rust are controversial, possibly because shade helps to prevent high fruit loads, which decreases leaf receptivity to the pathogen but, at the same time, might provide a ...better microclimate for germination and colonization. These two probable antagonistic pathways are combined under natural conditions. In order to clarify their individual effects, we dissociated the two factors by manually homogenising fruit loads under two light exposure situations, under shade and in full sunlight. The trial was set up in Turrialba, Costa Rica at 600 m of elevation, in a coffee plot initially under shade provided by the tree legume Erythrina poeppigiana. The plot was subdivided into two subplots: one was maintained under shade, whereas shade was eliminated in the second subplot. In each subplot, we removed fruiting nodes from 40 coffee plants in order to obtain the following four levels: none, 150, 250, and 500 fruiting nodes per coffee plant. Coffee rust incidence and severity, along with plant growth and defoliation, were assessed on these coffee plants over a period of two years. Air and leaf temperatures, leaf wetness and relative humidity were also monitored. As expected, the intensity of the coffee rust epidemic increased in line with fruit load. We quantified a 28.9% increase in coffee rust incidence and a 129.2% increase in severity on plants with 500 fruiting nodes as compared to plants with no fruits. With the homogenised fruit load, the intensity of the coffee rust epidemic was greater in the shaded subplot, with a 21.5% increase in incidence and a 22.4% increase in severity. Two mechanisms were suggested. Firstly, we highlighted a dilution effect due to host growth which was 25.2% and 37.5% greater in full sunlight when considering new leaves or new leaf area respectively. Secondly, the microclimate was more conducive to coffee rust under shade, with lower intra-day temperature variations, due to lower maxima, and a higher leaf wetness frequency. We concluded that shade has antagonistic effects on coffee rust. Coffee rust is reduced by shade because shade reduces the fruit load. However, with an equivalent number of fruiting nodes, coffee rust incidence and, to a lesser extent, severity were greater under shade. The service provided by shade in controlling coffee rust is necessarily associated with a disservice that consists in reducing yield in the short term.
► Shade effects on coffee rust were studied under several fruit load conditions. ► The intensity of the coffee rust epidemic increased in line with fruit load. ► The intensity of the coffee rust epidemic was greater under shade. ► Dilution effect due to host growth was greater in full sunlight. ► Microclimate was more propitious to coffee rust growth under shade.
Absorption of glucose from the lumen of the intestine into enterocytes is accomplished by sodium-glucose co-transporter 1 (SGLT1). In the majority of mammalian species, expression (this includes ...activity) of SGLT1 is upregulated in response to increased dietary monosaccharides. This regulatory pathway is initiated by sensing of luminal sugar by the gut-expressed sweet taste receptor. The objectives of our studies were to determine (1) if the ruminant intestine expresses the sweet taste receptor, which consists of two subunits taste 1 receptor 2 (T1R2) and 3 (T1R3), and other key signaling molecules required for SGLT1 upregulation in nonruminant intestines, and (2) whether T1R2-T1R3 sensing of artificial sweeteners induces release of glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) and enhances SGLT1 expression. We found that the small intestine of sheep and cattle express T1R2, T1R3, G-protein gustducin, and GLP-2 in enteroendocrine L-cells. Maintaining 110-d-old ruminating calves for 60d on a diet containing a starter concentrate and the artificial sweetener Sucram (consisting of saccharin and neohesperidin dihydrochalcone; Pancosma SA, Geneva, Switzerland) enhances (1) Na+-dependent d-glucose uptake by over 3-fold, (2) villus height and crypt depth by 1.4- and 1.2-fold, and (3) maltase- and alkaline phosphatase-specific activity by 1.5-fold compared to calves maintained on the same diet without Sucram. No statistically significant differences were observed for rates of intestinal glucose uptake, villus height, crypt depth, or enzyme activities between 50-d-old milk-fed calves and calves maintained on the same diet containing Sucram. When adult cows were kept on a diet containing 80:20 ryegrass hay-to-concentrate supplemented with Sucram, more than a 7-fold increase in SGLT1 protein abundance was noted. Collectively, the data indicate that inclusion of this artificial sweetener enhances SGLT1 expression and mucosal growth in ruminant animals. Exposure of ruminant sheep intestinal segments to saccharin or neohesperidin dihydrochalcone evokes secretion of GLP-2, the gut hormone known to enhance intestinal glucose absorption and mucosal growth. Artificial sweeteners, such as Sucram, at small concentrations are potent activators of T1R2-T1R3 (600-fold>glucose). This, combined with oral bioavailability of T1R2-T1R3 and the understanding that artificial sweetener-induced receptor activation evokes GLP-2 release (thus leading to increased SGLT1 expression and mucosal growth), make this receptor a suitable target for dietary manipulation.
The primary cilium is a central signaling component during embryonic development. Here we focus on CROCCP2, a hominid-specific gene duplicate from ciliary rootlet coiled coil (CROCC), also known as ...rootletin, that encodes the major component of the ciliary rootlet. We find that CROCCP2 is highly expressed in the human fetal brain and not in other primate species. CROCCP2 gain of function in the mouse embryonic cortex and human cortical cells and organoids results in decreased ciliogenesis and increased cortical progenitor amplification, particularly basal progenitors. CROCCP2 decreases ciliary dynamics by inhibition of the IFT20 ciliary trafficking protein, which then impacts neurogenesis through increased mTOR signaling. Loss of function of CROCCP2 in human cortical cells and organoids leads to increased ciliogenesis, decreased mTOR signaling, and impaired basal progenitor amplification. These data identify CROCCP2 as a human-specific modifier of cortical neurogenesis that acts through modulation of ciliary dynamics and mTOR signaling.
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•CROCCP2: a hominid-specific gene duplicate uniquely expressed in human fetal cortex•CROCCP2 overexpression in the mouse embryo leads to cortical progenitor amplification•CROCCP2 is required for basal progenitor amplification in human cortical organoids•CROCCP2 acts by decreasing ciliogenesis and enhancing the mTOR pathway
van Heurck et al. identify CROCCP2, a hominid-specific gene duplicate, as a human-specific modifier of neurogenesis in the developing cerebral cortex. They find that CROCCP2 is necessary and sufficient to enhance human cortical progenitor amplification and acts by decreasing primary cilia dynamics and enhancing the mTOR pathway.
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