Effect of stocking density and group size on growth performance,carcass traits and meat quality of outdoor-reared rabbits

The effect of stocking density (16 rabbits/m², 5 rabbits/m², 2.5 rabbits/m², n = 60, Experiment 1) and group size (4 rabbits/cage, 8 rabbits/cage, 16 rabbits/cage, n = 88, Experiment 2) on productive performance, carcass and meat quality of a slow-growing rabbit population reared outdoors was investigated in two experiments. The highest stocking density induced the highest skin percentage. Lower stocking densities showed lower lightness of Biceps femoris and higher redness of Longissimus lumborum muscles. Four rabbits/cage group (Experiment 2) showed the highest daily weight gain and slaughter weight and the lowest skin percentage. The muscles of 16 rabbits/cage showed significantly higher pHu than 8 and 4 rabbits/cage. BF of 16 and 4 rabbits/cage showed higher L* value. Productive performance and meat quality of rabbits reared outdoors improved in low group size while stocking density needs more experiments. The best combination of density, group size and total available surface that showed the best production and carcass traits was of 5 rabbits/m², 4 rabbits/cage, and 0.8 m².     

Materials and Wireless Microfluidic Systems for Electronics Capable of Chemical Dissolution on Demand

Electronics that are capable of destroying themselves, on demand and in a harmless way, might provide the ultimate form of data security. This paper presents materials and device architectures for triggered destruction of conventional microelectronic systems by means of microfluidic chemical etching of the constituent materials, including silicon, silicon dioxide, and metals (e.g., aluminum). Demonstrations in an array of home‐built metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect transistors that exploit ultrathin sheets of monocrystalline silicon and in radio‐frequency identification devices illustrate the utility of the approaches.     

Traumatic Acid Reduces Oxidative Stress and Enhances Collagen Biosynthesis in Cultured Human Skin Fibroblasts

Traumatic acid (TA) is a plant hormone (cytokinin) that in terms of chemical structure belongs to the group of fatty acids derivatives. It was isolated from Phaseolus vulgaris. TA activity and its influence on human cells and organism has not previously been the subject of research. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of TA on collagen content and basic oxidative stress parameters, such as antioxidative enzyme activity, reduced glutathione, thiol group content, and lipid peroxidation in physiological conditions. The results show a stimulatory effect of TA on tested parameters. TA caused a decrease in membrane phospholipid peroxidation and exhibited protective properties against ROS production. It also increases protein and collagen biosynthesis and its secretion into the culture medium. The present findings reveal that TA exhibits multiple and complex activity in fibroblast cells in vitro. TA, with its activity similar to unsaturated fatty acids, shows antioxidant and stimulatory effects on collagen biosynthesis. It is a potentially powerful agent with applications in the treatment of many skin diseases connected with oxidative stress and collagen biosynthesis disorders.     

Nonlinear Absorption of Submicrometer Grain‐Size Cobalt‐Doped Magnesium Aluminate Transparent Ceramics

Transparent cobalt‐doped magnesium aluminate spinel (Co:MgAl₂O₄) ceramics with a submicrometer grain size were prepared by spark plasma sintering. For the first time, the nonlinear absorption of Co:MgAl₂O₄ transparent ceramics was experimentally demonstrated. Both ground state absorption (σ_GSA) and excited state absorption (σ_ESA) were estimated using the solid‐state slow saturable absorber model based on absorption saturation measurements performed at 1.535 μm. σ_GSA and σ_ESA for 0.03 at.% Co:MgAl₂O₄ were found to be 4.1 × 10^?19 cm² and 4.0 × 10^?20 cm², respectively. In the case of 0.06 at.% Co:MgAl₂O₄ ceramics, σ_GSA = 2.6 × 10^?19 cm² and σ_ESA= 5.3 × 10^?20 cm² were determined.     

Sewage sludge digestion at increased micropollutant content

Research was conducted, which aim was to evaluate quantitative and qualitative PCB changes in sewage sludge during mesophilic digestion, and the influence of those compound concentration above acceptable level (1.9 mg kg⁻¹ of sludge dry matter), also nickel and cadmium ions, on mesophilic digestion process. Before and after the digestion, concentration of seven PCB congeners, Ni and Cd in particular chemical fractions of the sludge was analyzed.     

The Tiny Companion Matters: The Important Role of Protons in Active Transports in Plants

In plants, the translocation of molecules, such as ions, metabolites, and hormones, between different subcellular compartments or different cells is achieved by transmembrane transporters, which play important roles in growth, development, and adaptation to the environment. To facilitate transport in a specific direction, active transporters that can translocate their substrates against the concentration gradient are needed. Examples of major active transporters in plants include ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE) transporters, monosaccharide transporters (MSTs), sucrose transporters (SUTs), and amino acid transporters. Transport via ABC transporters is driven by ATP. The electrochemical gradient across the membrane energizes these secondary transporters. The pH in each cell and subcellular compartment is tightly regulated and yet highly dynamic, especially when under stress. Here, the effects of cellular and subcellular pH on the activities of ABC transporters, MATE transporters, MSTs, SUTs, and amino acid transporters will be discussed to enhance our understanding of their mechanics. The relation of the altered transporter activities to various biological processes of plants will also be addressed. Although most molecular transport research has focused on the substrate, the role of protons, the tiny counterparts of the substrate, should also not be ignored.     

The Combination of Intestinal Alkaline Phosphatase Treatment with Moderate Physical Activity Alleviates the Severity of Experimental Colitis in Obese Mice via Modulation of Gut Microbiota,Attenuation of Proinflammatory Cytokines,Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and DNA Oxidative Damage in Colonic Mucosa

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are commonly considered as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, but the possibility that the alterations in gut microbiota and oxidative stress may affect the course of experimental colitis in obese physically exercising mice treated with the intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) has been little elucidated. Mice fed a high-fat-diet (HFD) or normal diet (ND) for 14 weeks were randomly assigned to exercise on spinning wheels (SW) for 7 weeks and treated with IAP followed by intrarectal administration of TNBS. The disease activity index (DAI), grip muscle strength test, oxidative stress biomarkers (MDA, SOD, GSH), DNA damage (8-OHdG), the plasma levels of cytokines IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-17a, TNF-α, MCP-1 and leptin were assessed, and the stool composition of the intestinal microbiota was determined by next generation sequencing (NGS). The TNBS-induced colitis was worsened in obese sedentary mice as manifested by severe colonic damage, an increase in DAI, oxidative stress biomarkers, DNA damage and decreased muscle strength. The longer running distance and weight loss was observed in mice given IAP or subjected to IAP + SW compared to sedentary ones. Less heterogeneous microbial composition was noticed in sedentary obese colitis mice and this effect disappeared in IAP + SW mice. Absence of Alistipes, lower proportion of Turicibacter, Proteobacteria and Faecalibacterium, an increase in Firmicutes and Clostridium, a decrease in oxidative stress biomarkers, 8-OHdG content and proinflammatory cytokines were observed in IAP + SW mice. IAP supplementation in combination with moderate physical activity attenuates the severity of murine colitis complicated by obesity through a mechanism involving the downregulation of the intestinal cytokine/chemokine network and oxidative stress, the modulation of the gut microbiota and an improvement of muscle strength.     

Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio: An Emerging Marker of the Relationships between the Immune System and Diseases

Over the last 10 years, the evaluation of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as an emerging marker of diseases has become a compelling field of bio-medical research. Although a precise and unique cut-off value has not been yet found, its role as a flag of immune system homeostasis is well established. NLR has a well-known prognostic value and independently correlates with mortality in the general population and in several specific subsets of disease (sepsis, pneumonia, COVID-19, cancer, etc.). Moreover, NLR was recently considered as part of the decision-making processes concerning the admission/recovery of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. This review aims to provide an overview of the main use of this biomarker, focusing on the pathophysiology and the molecular basis underlying its central role as a reliable mirror of inflammatory status and adaptive immunity.