Short communication: Effect of pomegranate-residue supplement on Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst shedding in neonatal calves

Cryptosporidium parvum is considered one of the most common enteropathogens, responsible for the high incidence of diarrhea and deleterious implications on immunity and health in neonatal calves. The pomegranate is well known for its health-promoting properties. Two experiments were designed to test the antiparasitical and antidiarrheal effects of concentrated pomegranate extract (CPE) supplement in milk in neonatal Holstein calves. Forty-one calves were randomly divided into control (n = 20) and treatment (n = 21) groups. For the first experiment, the treatment group was supplemented with 3.75% CPE in the daily milk ration, between 3 and 14 d of age, whereas the control group received only milk. Fecal samples were collected between d 5 and 13 to quantify Cryptosporidium oocysts, and the duration and intensity of diarrhea were evaluated. Reduced fecal oocyst count and diarrhea intensity and duration were revealed in the 3.75% CPE calves. No difference was noted in average daily gain between groups. In a second experiment, which was designed to test the effect of a lower CPE concentration (0.6% of daily milk allocation), no effects on fecal oocyst count and average daily gain were observed. However, compared with control, the lower CPE group was characterized by a shorter duration of diarrhea and higher weight gain among males at 14 d of age. These results suggest that the CPE supplement-to-calf milk ratio may potentially alleviate intestinal morbidity caused by Cryptosporidium.     

Nitrites Derived From Foneiculum Vulgare (Fennel) Seeds Promotes Vascular Functions

Abstract: Recent evidence has demonstrated that nitrites play an important role in the cardiovascular system. Fennel (Foneiculum vulgare) seeds are often used as mouth fresheners after a meal in both the Indian sub‐continent and around the world. The present study aims to quantify the nitrite and nitrates in fennel seeds as well as elucidating the effect of fennel derived‐nitrites on vascular functions. Results from our study show that fennel seeds contain significantly higher amount of nitrites when compared to other commonly used post‐meal seeds. Furthermore our study confirmed the functional effects of fennel derived‐nitrites using in vitro and ex vivo models that describe the promotion of angiogenesis, cell migration, and vasorelaxation. We also showed that chewing fennel seeds enhanced nitrite content of saliva. Thus our study indicates the potential role of fennel derived‐nitrites on the vascular system. Practical Application: This study is focused on determining the effect of fennel‐derived nitrites on angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels from pre‐existing ones), cell migration, and vasorelaxation (dilation of blood vessels) thereby preserving cardiovascular health.     

Green and gold kiwifruit peel ethanol extracts potentiate pentobarbital-induced sleep in mice via a GABAergic mechanism

Kiwifruit is one of the most popular fruits worldwide, and it has various biological properties, including antioxidant, anti-allergic, and cardiovascular protective effects. The peel of kiwifruit, which is a by-product of processing, is a good source of flavonoids; however, its bioactivity has not been widely investigated. In this study, we evaluated the hypnotic effects of green (GRPE, Actinidia deliciosa) and gold (GOPE, Actinidia chinensis) kiwifruit peel ethanol extracts and their solvent fractions, and the possible underlying mechanisms. Oral GRPE and GOPE administration (125–1000 mg/kg) produced a dose-dependent decrease in sleep latency and an increase in sleep duration in pentobarbital-treated mice. Among three different solvent fractions of GRPE and GOPE, ethyl acetate (EA) fractions had the greatest effect on sleep duration at 250 mg/kg. The total flavonoid contents of solvent fractions were proportional to sleep duration. Like diazepam (a GABA_A–benzodiazepine (BZD) receptor agonist), the hypnotic effects of GRPE, GOPE, and their EA fractions were fully inhibited by flumazenil (a GABA_A–BZD receptor antagonist). These results suggest that potentiation effects of GRPE and GOPE on pentobarbital-induced sleep in mice may be modulated by a GABAergic mechanism.     

PBS/天然虎杖提取物复合材料的界面作用及其性能

将天然虎杖提取物(PCSZ)与可生物降解材料聚丁二酸丁二酯(PBS)复合,为了提高两者之间的相容性,采用硅烷偶联剂KH–550对提取物进行预处理,通过分子模拟阐明了PCSZ,KH–550与PBS间的界面作用,探讨了界面作用对PBS/PCSZ,PBS/KH–550改性PCSZ(PCSZ+K)复合材料性能的影响。结果表明,PCSZ只与PBS进行了共混,偶联剂对提取物进行预处理时,其乙氧基发生了水解。分子模拟表明提取物与PBS能够形成C=O…H—O;而偶联剂与提取物之间首先形成H—O…H—O,再通过偶联剂有机官能团—NH2与PBS形成静电吸附,同时未与偶联剂作用的提取物仍可与PBS形成C=O…H—O,增强了界面结合强度。PBS/PCSZ+K复合材料的混合能和Huggins参数相对于PBS/PCSZ复合材料更低,其相容性更好,使得PBS/PCSZ+K复合材料的热稳定性、拉伸性能、疏水性均较PBS/PCSZ复合材料有所提高。     

纯镁表面负载中药提取物对复合涂层性能影响

在纯镁超声微弧氧化表面,采用电泳沉积方法引入壳聚糖作为中间层,并在壳聚糖表面浸提中药提取物。研究中药提取物对复合涂层的微观结构、磨损性能、耐蚀性和生物活性等的影响。结果表明：负载中药提取物能对超声微弧氧化表面实现封孔处理,负载中药提取物涂层具有适宜的表面状态,从而改善耐蚀性;负载中药提取物涂层为化学结合提高了涂层的结合力和抗磨损性能,并具有优异的体外生物活性。     

工作面冲击地压成因及其防治

通过对工作面冲击地压的成因、机理、影响因素的详细分析，提出了治理冲击地压的具体办法。