In vitro and Lactation Responses in Mid-lactating Dairy Cows Fed Protected Amino Acids and Fat

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of ruminally protected amino acids (RPAAs) and ruminally protected fat (RPF) supplementation on ruminal fermentation characteristics (in vitro) and milk yield and milk composition (in vivo). Fourteen mid-lactating Holstein dairy cows (mean weight 653±62.59 kg) were divided into two groups according to mean milk yield and number of days of postpartum. The cows were then fed a basal diet during adaptation (2 wk) and experimental diets during the treatment period (6 wk). Dietary treatments were i) a basal diet (control) and ii) basal diet containing 50 g of RPAAs (lysine and methionine, 3:1 ratio) and 50 g of RPF. In rumen fermentation trail (in vitro), RPAAs and RPF supplementation had no influence on the ruminal pH, dry matter digestibility, total volatile fatty acid production and ammonia-N concentration. In feeding trial (in vivo), milk yield (p<0.001), 4% fat corrected milk (p<0.05), milk fat (p<0.05), milk protein (p<0.001), and milk urea nitrogen (p<0.05) were greater in cows fed RPAAs and RPF than the corresponding values in the control group. With an index against as 0%, the rates of decrease in milk yield and milk protein were lower in RPAAs and RPF treated diet than those of basal diet group (p<0.05). In conclusion, diet supplemented with RPAAs and RPF can improve milk yield and milk composition without negatively affecting ruminal functions in Holstein dairy cows at mid-lactating.

FIH-1, a novel interactor of mindbomb, functions as an essential anti-angiogenic factor during zebrafish vascular development

Objective

It has been shown that Mindbomb (Mib), an E3 Ubiquitin ligase, is an essential modulator of Notch signaling during development. However, its effects on vascular development remain largely unknown.

Approaches and Results

We identified a number of novel proteins that physically interact with Mib, including the Factor Inhibiting Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1 (FIH-1, also known as HIF1AN) from a yeast two hybrid screen, as previously reported. In cultured cells, FIH-1 colocalizes with Mib1, corroborating their potential interaction. In zebrafish embryos, FIH-1 appears to modulate VEGF-A signaling activity; depletion of fih-1 induces ectopic expression of vascular endothelial growth factor–a (vegfa) and leads to exuberant ectopic sprouts from intersegmental vessels (ISVs). Conversely, over-expression of fih-1 substantially attenuates the formation of ISVs, which can be rescued by concurrent over-expression of vegfa, indicating that FIH-1/HIF1AN may fine tune VEGF-A signaling.

Conclusions

Taken together, our data suggest that FIH-1 interacts with Mib E3 Ubiquitin ligase and modulates vascular development by attenuating VEGF-A signaling activity.

Effect of sapphire nitridation and group-III source flow rate ratio on In-incorporation into InGaN grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy

In-composition of N-polar InGaN films on the sapphire substrate with the surface nitridation was investigated. By varying the ratio of the group-III source flow rate from 0.7 to 0.95, the In-composition and the surface morphologies of InGaN films were changed. The In-composition of N-polar InGaN films was affected by the strain relaxation and the surface morphologies.

Spatial heterogeneity and stability of bacterial community in the gastrointestinal tracts of broiler chickens

Bacterial communities in the different regions of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of broiler chickens were analyzed by pyrosequencing approach to understand microbial composition and diversity. The DNA samples extracted from 7 different regions along the GIT were subjected to bacterial-community analysis by pyrosequencing of the V1-V3 region of 16S rRNA gene. Major bacterial phyla in the chicken-gut microbiota included Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteria, but Firmicutes were mostly dominant (67.3 ± 16.1% of the total sequence reads identified). Among Firmicutes, Lactobacillales, including the genera Lactobacillus and Enterococcus, were the most dominant (51.8 ± 34.5% of the total sequence reads identified) from the crop to ileum. In contrast, in the cecum and large intestine, those genera were rarely detected, and Clostridiales were dominant (55.9 ± 31.4%). Fast UniFrac analysis showed that microbial communities from the crop to jejunum of the same individual chicken were grouped together, and those from ileum, cecum, and large intestine were clustered in a more GIT-specific manner. The numbers of shared operational taxonomic units between the neighboring segments of GIT were low, ranging from 2.9 to 20.3%. However, the abundance of shared operational taxonomic units in each segment was relatively high, ranging from 61.7 to 85.0%, suggesting that substantial proportions of microbial communities were shared between each segment and its neighboring segments, comprising a core microbiota. Our results suggested that the microbial communities of 7 main segments in the chicken GIT were distinctive according to both individuals and the different segments of GIT, but their stability was maintained along the GIT.

Bio-functionalization of silicon carbide nanostructures for SiC nanowire-based sensors realization

The bio-functionalization process consisting in grafting desoxyribo nucleic acid via aminopropyl-triethoxysilane is performed on several kinds of silicon carbide nanostructures. Prior, the organic layer is characterized on planar surface with fluorescence microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Then, the functionalization is performed on two kinds of nanopillar arrays. One is composed of top-down SiC nanopillars with a wide pitch of 5 microm while the other one is a dense array (pitch: 200 nm) of core-shell Si-SiC nanowires obtained by carburization of silicon nanowires. Depending on both the pillar morphology and the pitch, different results in term of DNA surface coverages are obtained, as seen from fluorescence microscopy images. Particularly, in the case of the wide pitch array, it has been shown that the DNA molecules are located all along the nanopillars. To achieve a DNA sensor based on a nanowire-field effect transistor, the functionalization must be conducted on a single SiC nanowire or nanopillar that constitutes the channel of the field effect transistor. The localization of the functionalization in a small area around the nanostructures guarantees high performances to the sensor. In this aim, the functionalization process is combined with common microelectronics techniques of lithography and lift-off. The DNA immobilization is investigated by fluorescence microscopy and atomic force microscopy.

Effects of soy sauce on physicochemical and textural properties of tumbled chicken breast

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of soy sauce on the physicochemical and textural properties of tumbled chicken breasts. Chicken breasts marinated with distilled water (Con), 4% NaCl solution, 4% NaCl and lactic acid solution (pH 4.9), and soy sauce solution (4% salt concentration and pH 4.9) were vacuum tumbled at 3°C for 60 min. The chicken breast marinated with soy sauce solution showed lower lightness and higher redness and yellowness due to the color of the soy sauce. The acidic marinades led to a decrease in pH value of tumbled chicken breast. The acidic marinades increased collagen solubility of sample compared with 4% NaCl solution, resulting in decreased shear force. Water-holding capacity, marination and cooking yields, and solubility of myofibrillar proteins were mainly affected by the presence of salt in the marinade, rather than by pH alternation. Our results suggested that soy sauce marination can improve the tenderness of tumbled chicken breast.

Highly efficient gene knockout in mice and zebrafish with RNA-guided endonucleases

RNA-guided endonucleases (RGENs), derived from the prokaryotic Type II CRISPR-Cas system, enable targeted genome modification in cells and organisms. Here we describe the establishment of gene-knockout mice and zebrafish by the injection of RGENs as Cas9 protein:guide RNA complexes or Cas9 mRNA plus guide RNA into one-cell-stage embryos of both species. RGENs efficiently generated germline transmittable mutations in up to 93% of newborn mice with minimal toxicity. RGEN-induced mutations in the mouse Prkdc gene that encodes an enzyme critical for DNA double-strand break repair resulted in immunodeficiency both in F₀ and F₁ mice. We propose that RGEN-mediated mutagenesis in animals will greatly expedite the creation of genetically engineered model organisms, accelerating functional genomic research.

Changes in masticatory function after injection of botulinum toxin type A to masticatory muscles

This study examined changes in masticatory function after botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection using objective and subjective tests during 12 weeks. Also, we compared differences in masticatory function between group in which only masseter muscle (M group) was injected and group in which masseter and temporal muscle (M-T group) were injected. Forty subjects were assigned into two groups; M group (n = 20) and the M-T group (n = 20). The Meditoxin(®) was used as BTX-A injection. The mixing ability index (MAI) was used as the objective indicator, and visual analogue scale (VAS) and food intake ability (FIA) index were used as subjective indicators. Overall, the masticatory function drastically declined after 4 weeks and gradually recovered with time. Compared with the pre-injection state, the masticatory function decreased by 89·2% (MAI), 12·2% (FIA) and 32·2% (VAS) 4 weeks after the injection (P < 0·05). When the results between M group and M-T group were compared, scores of VAS and FIA were significantly different 4 weeks after the injection (P < 0·05), but the MAI score showed no significant difference between two groups. In conclusion, this study showed that masticatory function was significantly decreased after BTX-A injection into the masticatory muscle after 4 and 8 weeks from injection. However, masticatory efficiency measured using MAI could completely recover after 12 weeks. Furthermore, after 8 weeks from the injection, the masticatory function measured after injection into only the masseter muscle was similar to that measured after injection into both masseter and temporal muscle.

Differences in gene organization between type I and type II crustins in the morotoge shrimp, Pandalopsis japonica

Crustins are cysteine-rich cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) found in decapod crustaceans. Six novel crustin genes (Paj-CrusIc, Id, Ie, If, IIb and IIc) were identified in the morotoge shrimp, Pandalopsis japonica. Deduced amino acid sequences of isolated Paj-Crus genes ranged from 99 to 178 amino acid residues (10.6-17.8 kDa). Sequence analysis of nine isolated Paj-Crus genes and 100 different crustins from various decapod crustaceans revealed that a splice site and KXXXCP motif within the WAP domain may be the main criteria for classifying type I and II crustins, suggesting that the two types of crustin genes may have been generated by different processes. We also identified three intron-less crustin I genes (Paj-Crus Id, Ie and If) for the first time, which may have been generated by gene duplication. The tissue distribution profiles showed that Paj-CrusI genes were expressed predominantly in the gill and epidermis, whereas Paj-CrusII genes were expressed ubiquitously, suggesting that the two types of crustins may play different roles in various tissues or under different physiological conditions. Differing from previous results, hemocyte-specific crustin was not isolated from Pandalopsis japonica. This study showed that both types of crustin genes (types I and II) exist in decapod crustaceans and their primary structure and expression profiles differ from each other, suggesting that they may play different biological roles. This will help to extend our knowledge of the crustacean innate immune response, which will provide important basic information of shrimp immunity against various pathogens.

Biomagnification of persistent chlorinated and brominated contaminants in food web components of the Yellow Sea

Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in 32 species inhabiting the Yellow Sea to assess their bioaccumulation potentials. The concentrations in these samples were lower than those reported for other countries or locations. Relatively high levels of BDE 209 in biota suggest an ongoing source of deca-BDE technical mixing within the Yellow Sea. The accumulation profiles of PCBs were uniform between species, but the concentrations of OCPs and PBDEs varied widely. Pelagic and benthic food-chain components were separated by their δ(13)C values. Significant positive correlations between δ(15)N and PCB 153, PCB 138, p,p'-DDE, oxy-chlordane, and trans-nonachlordane were found only for pelagic consumers, indicating that the pelagic food chain is an important bioaccumulation pathway for selected PCB and OCP compounds. The other compounds did not show any biomagnification through benthic and pelagic food chains, suggesting the lower bioaccumulation potentials of these contaminants.

Establishment of a bone-specific col10a1:GFP transgenic zebrafish

During skeletal development, both osteogenic and chondrogenic programs are initiated from multipotent mesenchymal cells, requiring a number of signaling molecules, transcription factors, and downstream effectors to orchestrate the sophisticated process. Col10a1, an important downstream effector gene, has been identified as a marker for maturing chondrocytes in higher vertebrates, such as mammals and birds. In zebrafish, this gene has been shown to be expressed in both osteoblasts and chondrocytes, but no study has reported its role in osteoblast development. To initially delineate the osteogenic program from chondrogenic lineage development, we used the zebrafish col10a1 promoter to establish a transgenic zebrafish expressing a GFP reporter specifically in osteoblast-specific bone structures that do not involve cartilaginous programs. A construct harboring a -2.2-kb promoter region was found to be sufficient to drive the reporter gene in osteoblast-specific bone structures within the endogenous col10a1 expression domain, confirming that separable cis-acting elements exist for distinct cell type-specific expression of col10a1 during zebrafish skeletal development. The -2.2-kb col10a1:GFP transgenic zebrafish marking only bone structures derived from osteoblasts will undoubtedly be an invaluable tool for identifying and characterizing molecular events driving osteoblast development in zebrafish, which may further provide a differential mechanism where col10a1 is involved in the development of chondrocytes undergoing maturation in other vertebrate systems.

Ultra-low gamma-ray measurement system for neutrinoless double beta decay

An experiment for the detection of 0νβ(+)/EC and 0νEC/EC in 92Mo nuclei has been carried out with a scintillating crystal, CaMoO4, in coincidence with the HPGe detector. We study the background events inside the event selection window for 0ν β(+)/EC decays of CaMoO4 detector. For 51.2 days of data taking period, we didn't observe any event in the neutrinoless EC/EC decay event window. The (92)Mo 0νβ(+)/EC decay half-life limit was set to 0.61×10(20) years with a 90% confidence by method of Feldman and Cousins. This ultra-low gamma ray measurement utilizing coincidence technique can be used for the resonant EC/EC decay process of some nuclei which is potentially important for neutrinoless double beta decay process.

Establishment of a transgenic zebrafish EF1α:Kaede for monitoring cell proliferation during regeneration

Zebrafish is considered as a versatile experimental animal for various research models from development to diseases. In this study, we report the development of transgenic zebrafish line named as Tg(EF1α:Kaede) that expresses translation elongation factor 1 subunit alpha (EF1α) promoter linked to a fluorescent protein (FP), Kaede for monitoring proliferating cells in during regeneration. It was revealed that about 1.4 kb 5'-flanking region of the EF1α was sufficient for its promoter activity. Expression of Kaede with a property of photo-conversion from green to red was detected in different embryonic stages as well as various organs such as brain, heart, pancreas, intestine, ovary, and fins of adult fish. Cell proliferation pattern during fin regeneration was monitored after amputation of Tg(EF1α:Kaede) caudal fin and results shown that this system is simple and efficient method for detecting proliferating cells during tissue regeneration. Developed Tg(EF1α:Kaede) line has potential to investigate the cell proliferation, regeneration, wound healing capacities after tissue damage and evaluate the therapeutic power of wound healing drugs.

A comparison of intra-operative blood loss and acid-base balance between vasopressor and inotrope strategy during living donor liver transplantation: a randomised, controlled study

Administration of vasopressors or inotropes during liver transplant surgery is almost universal, as this procedure is often accompanied by massive haemorrhage, acid-base imbalance, and cardiovascular instability. However, the actual agents that should be used and the choice between a vasopressor and an inotrope strategy are not clear from existing published evidence. In this prospective, randomised, controlled and single-blinded study, we compared the effects of a vasopressor strategy on intra-operative blood loss and acid-base status with those of an inotrope strategy during living donor liver transplantation. Seventy-six adult liver recipients with decompensated cirrhosis were randomly assigned to receive a continuous infusion of either phenylephrine at a dose of 0.3-0.4 μg.kg(-1).min(-1) or dopamine and/or dobutamine at 2-8 μg.kg(-1).min(-1) during surgery. Vascular resistance was higher over time in the phenylephrine group than in the dopamine/dobutamine group. Estimated blood loss was significantly lower in the phenylephrine group than in the dopamine/dobutamine group (mean (SD) 4.5 (1.8) l vs 6.1 (3.4) l, respectively, p=0.011). Patients in the phenylephrine group had lower lactate levels in the late pre-anhepatic and the early anhepatic phase and needed less bicarbonate administration than those in the dopamine/dobutamine group (median (IQR [range]) 40 (0-100 [0-160]) mEq vs 70 (40-163 [0-260]) mEq, respectively, p=0.018). Postoperative clinical outcomes and laboratory-measured hepatic and renal function did not differ between the groups. Increased vascular resistance and reduction of portal blood flow by intra-operative phenylephrine infusion is assumed to decrease the amount of intra-operative bleeding and thereby ameliorate the progression of lactic acidosis during liver transplant surgery.

Effects of rigor state, thawing temperature, and processing on the physicochemical properties of frozen duck breast muscle

The objectives of this study were to evaluate effects of rigor state, thawing temperature, and processing on the physicochemical properties of intact frozen duck breast muscle and homogenates prepared with the frozen-thawed muscles. Prerigor breast muscle was frozen at -25°C and thawed at 4 and 15°C, and the physicochemical properties of duck breast frozen prerigor compared with those in frozen postrigor and 4°C chilled postrigor muscles. The homogenates prepared with duck breast frozen prerigor showed similar physicochemical properties as the frozen-thawed postrigor muscle homogenate. The thawing temperature did not affect the physicochemical properties of homogenates prepared with duck breast muscle frozen prerigor. Also, no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the ultimate pH value and color parameters were observed among the frozen-thawed treatments despite the differences in rigor state and thawing temperature. However, a higher thawing temperature of the intact frozen prerigor muscle resulted in an increase in thawing loss and shear force due to excessive muscle shortening. In this study, the intact duck breast that has undergone thaw-rigor showed main problems associated with thaw-rigor, such as higher thawing loss and shear force, regardless of thawing temperature. However, the processing (grinding and salting) decreased the difference in physicochemical properties due to rigor state before freezing and thawing temperature. Therefore, the frozen-thawed duck breast muscle used to manufacture ground-type meat product may be frozen before rigor onset.

Korean mistletoe lectin regulates self-renewal of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells via autophagic mechanisms

OBJECTIVES

The balance between survival and death is a key point for regulation of physiology of stem cells. Recently, applications of natural products to enhance efficiencies in culturing and differentiation of stem cells are increasing. Korean mistletoe lectin (Viscum album L. var. coloratum agglutinin, VCA) has been known to be toxic to some cancer cells, but it is still unclear whether VCA has a cytotoxic or indeed a proliferative effect on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Here, we have compared effects of VCA in naïve placenta-derived stem cells (PDSCs), immortalized PDSCs and cancer cells (HepG2), and analysed their mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MTT assay was performed to analyse effects of VCA on naïve PDSCs, immortalized PDSCs and HepG2. FACS, ROS, caspase-3 assay, western blotting and immunofluorescence were performed to detect signalling events involved in self-renewal of the above cell types.

RESULTS

VCA had cancer cell-specific toxicity to HepG2 cells even with low concentrations of VCA (1-5 pg/ml), toxicity was observed to immortalized PDSCs and HepG2s, while proliferation of naïve PDSCs was significantly increased (P < 0.05). ROS production by VCA treatment in naïve PDSCs was significantly lower compared to controls (P < 0.05). Furthermore, autophagy was activated in naïve PDSCs treated with VCA through increase in type II LC3 and decrease in phosphorylated mTOR.

CONCLUSIONS

VCA can promote MSC proliferation through an activated autophagic mechanism.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection or transanal endoscopic microsurgery for nonpolypoid rectal high grade dysplasia and submucosa-invading rectal cancer

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) has been shown to be highly effective for early rectal cancer, and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been introduced to treat noninvasive colorectal neoplasia. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of ESD and TEM for superficial early rectal cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 63 patients with nonpolypoid rectal high grade dysplasia or submucosa-invading cancer who were treated with ESD or TEM, and compared clinical outcomes and safety between the treatment groups.

RESULTS

30 patients underwent ESD and 33 underwent TEM. For ESD compared with TEM, en bloc resection rates were 96.7% vs. 100% (P = 0.476) and R0 resection rates were 96.7 % vs. 97.0 % (P = 1.000). There were no cases of local recurrence or distant metastasis in either group. Antibiotics were required in 11 patients (36.7%) in the ESD group and 33 (100%) in the TEM group (P < 0.001). There was no difference in net procedure time although ESD was associated with shorter total procedure time and hospital stay than TEM, with mean (standard deviation [SD]) 84.0 (51.2) vs. 116.4 (58.5) min (P = 0.0023), and 3.6 (1.2) vs. 6.6 (3.5) days (P < 0.001), respectively. There were no significant differences in complications between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Both ESD and TEM are effective and oncologically safe for treating nonpolypoid rectal high grade dysplasia and submucosa-invading cancers. ESD has the additional advantages of minimal invasiveness and avoidance of anesthesia. Therefore, ESD could be recommended as a treatment option for superficial early rectal cancers.

Fulminant Type 1 diabetes in a pregnant woman as an initial manifestation of the insulin autoimmune syndrome

Fulminant Type 1 diabetes is a subtype of Type 1 diabetes characterized by (1) abrupt onset of diabetes, (2) very short duration of hyperglycaemia with mildly elevated HbA(1c) (< 69 mmol/mol, 8.5%), (3) rapid progression to diabetic ketoacidosis, (4) very low C-peptide level, and (5) often associated with elevated serum pancreatic enzymes, and absence of diabetes-related autoantibodies. We encountered a case of fulminant Type 1 diabetes that developed with an initial manifestation of the insulin autoimmune syndrome and rapidly progressed to diabetic ketoacidosis during pregnancy. A 31-year-old Korean woman presented with recurrent sudden onset of sweating and change of consciousness during sleep at 19 weeks gestation. During a 72-h fasting test, hypoglycaemia (1.72 mmol/l) occurred at 4 h after the start of the test. At that time, there was a high insulin level (370.2 μU/ml), a paradoxically low C-peptide level (0.01 nmol/l) and a positive insulin autoantibody test. An oral glucose tolerance test revealed postprandial hyperglycaemia. She was initially diagnosed as the insulin autoimmune syndrome. On the day 5 of admission, she developed diabetic ketoacidosis. Her HbA(1c) was 62 mmol/mol (7.8%). The rapid progression of diabetic ketoacidosis altered the diagnosis to fulminant Type 1 diabetes. This case differed from typical fulminant Type 1 diabetes because it presented with hypoglycaemia, and positive insulin and anti-phospholipid antibody tests. Her HLA typing was HLA-DQA1*0302, 0501, HLA-DRB1*0301 (DR3), 0901(DR9). Her glucose level was subsequently very well controlled with multiple insulin injections and she successfully delivered a healthy baby.

Volumetric response evaluation after intensity modulated radiotherapy in patients with supratentorial gliomas

Radiotherapy is frequently indicated to treat cerebral gliomas. Accurate response evaluation after radiotherapy is essential to determine the efficacy of treatment. We retrospectively analyzed the volumetric tumor response after simultaneous integrated boost-intensity modulated radiotherapy (SIB-IMRT) in patients with gliomas. Thirty-five patients (Grade II, 7 patients; Grade III, 12; and Grade IV, 16) were treated with SIB-IMRT with a median total dose of 55.9 Gy/26 fractions for Grade II and 60 Gy/25 fractions for Grade III-IV tumors. Tumor responses were evaluated for enhancing volume on post-gadolinium T1-weighted images (Vgd) and hyper-intensity volume on T2-weighted FLAIR images (V(fl)) on serial MRIs. With the median follow-up of 24.0 months, overall response rates (RRs) were 57% for V(gd) and 51% for V(fl). Tumor grade was predictive of response favoring the lower grade in Vfl with RRs of 86% for Grade II, 75% for Grade III, and 19% for Grade IV tumors (p = 0.004). Time to 50% or greater volume reduction (T50) in Vgd was 8 months for grade III. The T50 in V(fl) was approximately 24 months both for Grade II and III tumors. Majority of Grade IV tumors continued to progress and never reached the T50 in Vgd or Vfl. Responders survived longer than non-responders for V(gd) and V(fl). Volume response after radiotherapy was dependent upon tumor grade and time. LGGs are very responsive to radiotherapy with the RRs of 86% in V(fl). The response of Vfl is more protracted compared to V(gd). Further investigation is needed to determine the clinical significance of volumetric response evaluation.