Liver proteomic analysis of postpartum Holstein cows exposed to heat stress or cooling conditions during the dry period

Heat stress negatively affects cow performance, compromises immune function, and increases susceptibility to metabolic disorders, particularly during the dry period and as cows transition from gestation to lactation. Metabolic adaptations of the liver are critical for successful transition, yet it is unclear how heat stress affects metabolic pathways within the liver at the proteomic level. The objective of this study was to investigate the liver proteome of postpartum cows that were cooled or heat stressed during the dry period to gain insight into how protein expression is altered by prior heat stress and may contribute to performance and disease outcomes. During the dry period, cows were either housed in shaded barns with fans and water soakers [cooled group (CL); n = 5] or in shaded barns lacking these cooling devices [heat-stressed group (HT); n = 5]. Liver biopsies were collected at 2 d postpartum, and protein content was analyzed by label-free quantitative shotgun proteomics (nanoscale liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry). In the most comprehensive bovine liver proteomics analysis completed to date, we identified 3,270 proteins, 75 of which were differentially expressed between HT and CL cows (fold change ±1.2). The top pathways differing between HT and CL cows were oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial dysfunction, farnesoid X receptor/retinoid X receptor (FXR/RXR) activation, and the methylmalonyl pathway. Cooling cows during the dry period likely improves ATP production, reduces oxidative stress, and prevents excessive accumulation of hepatic triglycerides and cholesterol, which may contribute to greater milk yield and lower susceptibility to transition-related diseases.     

Mechanisms of Pheromone Communication Disruption in Choristoneura rosaceana Exposed to Microencapsulated (Z)-11-tetradecenyl Acetate Formulated with and Without Horticultural Oil

Flight tunnel and electrophysiological assays with male Choristoneura rosaceana Harris (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) were conducted to investigate the non-competitive mechanisms of communication disruption caused by microencapsulated (MEC) (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (3M MEC-LR) formulated with and without horticultural oil (Purespray Green). Male C. rosaceana were exposed for 1 h by resting on metal surfaces sprayed with either water, 2% oil in water, MEC-LR in water, or MEC-LR + 2% oil in water. In one experiment, sprayed surfaces were allowed to age up to 47 days in a laboratory fume hood prior to moth exposure to examine the effect of ageing on the disruptive efficacy of the formulations. In flight tunnel assays with calling females, males exposed to MEC or MEC + oil treatments for 1 h were significantly disrupted up to 1 h after exposure, and both treatments were effective for 47 days. Electroantennograms revealed no reduction in antennal sensitivity when measured 75 s after a 1-h exposure. Collectively, these results support habituation as a key mechanism of communication disruption for C. rosaceana exposed to the MEC formulations tested here. Male proximity to the pheromone-treated surfaces appears to be important in maintaining a disruptive effect as MEC treatments age and pheromone release rates decline. The addition of 2% oil increased the number of microcapsules deposited on sprayed surfaces and caused a moderate but significant increase in the disruptive effect of the MEC formulation. A better understanding of the mechanisms that underlie disruption by MEC formulations, and how an adjuvant like horticultural oil may enhance these mechanisms, may lead to improvements in this technology.     

Completely automated system for determining halogenated organic compounds by multisyringe flow injection analysis

A new, multisyringe flow injection setup was designed to develop the first completely automated flow methodology for the expeditious, accurate in-line determination of halogenated organic compounds (HOCs) in water. The target compounds are preconcentrated and isolated by solid-phase extraction. Following elution, previously organically bound halogens are released as free hydrogen halides by the combined action of UV light and a chemical oxidant for their subsequent spectrophotometric determination by reaction with Hg(SCN) 2 and Fe(3+). Optimizing the major hydrodynamic and chemical variables resulted in improved performance. Recovery of various HOCs was assessed, and potential interferents were examined. Under the selected operating conditions, the proposed method exhibits variable analytical performance depending on the particular sample volume used (e.g., a sample volume of 5 mL provides a linear working range of 140-2000 microg L(-1), a LOD of 100 microg L(-1), and a throughput of 9 samples h(-1)). The method was successfully used to determine total adsorbable organic halogens (AOX) in well water and leachates, and the results validated against an AOX reference method. The role of the proposed system in the environmental analytical field is critically discussed.     

Graphene oxide windows for in situ environmental cell photoelectron spectroscopy

The performance of new materials and devices often depends on processes taking place at the interface between an active solid element and the environment (such as air, water or other fluids). Understanding and controlling such interfacial processes require surface-specific spectroscopic information acquired under real-world operating conditions, which can be challenging because standard approaches such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy generally require high-vacuum conditions. The state-of-the-art approach to this problem relies on unique and expensive apparatus including electron analysers coupled with sophisticated differentially pumped lenses. Here, we develop a simple environmental cell with graphene oxide windows that are transparent to low-energy electrons (down to 400 eV), and demonstrate the feasibility of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements on model samples such as gold nanoparticles and aqueous salt solution placed on the back side of a window. These proof-of-principle results show the potential of using graphene oxide, graphene and other emerging ultrathin membrane windows for the fabrication of low-cost, single-use environmental cells compatible with commercial X-ray and Auger microprobes as well as scanning or transmission electron microscopes.     

Detection of multiple disease indicators by an autonomous biomolecular computer

The promise of biomolecular computers is their ability to interact with naturally occurring biomolecules, enabling in the future the development of context-dependent programmable drugs. Here we show a context-sensing mechanism of a biomolecular automaton that can simultaneously sense different types of molecules, allowing future integration of biomedical knowledge on a broad range of molecular disease symptoms in the decision of a biomolecular computer to release a drug molecule.     

Dietary selenium reduces retention of methyl mercury in freshwater fish

Adverse effects from organic mercury transported along aquatic food chains are health issues in humans and other top predators. Methyl mercury in organisms at the lower food chain levels is eliminated slowly, and laboratory studies have not clarified the role of selenium in the retention of methyl mercury in fish. Here, we investigated the effects of dietary selenium on the retention of organic and inorganic mercury in freshwater fish. Addition of selenite to the food augmented elimination of methyl mercury (but not inorganic mercury) from goldfish Carassius auratus in a dose dependent manner; selenite caused methyl mercury to be lost from the general body rather than from any specific organ. Seleno-cystine and seleno-methionine (but not selenate) likewise promoted elimination of methyl mercury from goldfish. The threshold for the augmenting effect of selenite on the elimination of methyl mercury in the zebra fish Danio rerio was 0.95 μg Se g(-1) food; higher concentrations reduced retention of methyl mercury in a dose dependent manner. Selenium concentrations in the food approaching natural background levels increase the elimination of methyl mercury from fish. Thus, selenium levels in a given aquatic food chain may affect mercury contamination along the food chain.     

Probiotic Bacillus spp. in Soy‐Curd: Nutritional,Rheological, Sensory,and Antioxidant Properties

The focus of this study was to coculture probiotic Bacillus spp. with dairy starter cultures namely, Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus for enhanced nutritional properties of soy‐curd. Subsequently, rheological, sensory, and antioxidant properties of soy‐curd along with mineral as well as fatty acid composition were analyzed. Data revealed an increase in the cell viability of probiotic Bacillus spp. on coculturing rather than as mono‐culture. Proximate analysis showed higher nutritional value along with increased trace elements. UFA/SFA ratio, rheology, and sensory properties of probiotic soy‐curd were in the acceptable range. Probiotic soy‐curd showed higher antioxidant activity as measured by the ability to scavenge free radicals. No significant difference in the overall quality within the probiotic products was observed. However, B. flexus MCC2427 cocultured product displayed slightly better attributes than other samples. In general, the results suggest that soy‐curd can be a suitable carrier for probiotic Bacillus spp. and the enhanced nutritional and antioxidant properties could be of additional advantage to combat malnutrition problem.     

Study of molecular behavior in oxidation of insulating oil using terahertz spectroscopy

The stock of aged power equipment is increasing and it is important to clarify the characteristics of deteriorated insulating oil. This paper describes a basic study of molecular behavior in the oxidation of insulating oil by terahertz spectroscopy. The oxidation of insulating oil was modeled by using various compositions of dodecane and 2‐octanol. The terahertz measurements indicated that signi?cant absorption related to hydroxyl groups (‐OH) occurred between 6 and 7 THz. The absorption band was also observed in accelerated aging alkylbenzene, which is used in power equipment as insulating oil and is sensitive to hydrogen bonds. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 183(1): 9–15, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.22335     

Measurement of topcoat thickness of thermal barrier coating for gas turbines using terahertz waves

The topcoat thickness of thermal barrier coating (TBC) samples was measured using terahertz (THz) waves. The index of refraction of yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ), which is the topcoat material, is necessary to obtain the topcoat thickness from time domain re?ectometry. Time domain THz spectroscopy was applied to YSZ samples, and the index of refraction was measured to be 4.8 in the frequency region 0.1 to 1.2 THz. The topcoat thickness of six di?erent TBC samples, which varied from 300 to 600 µm, was measured using THz waves. The results were in agreement with microscope observation results to within measurement error. In addition, the topcoat thickness pro?le of a turbine blade sample was measured with a resolution of 2.4 µm. The pro?le showed a standard deviation of 4 µm, which re?ects the actual variation in the topcoat thickness. The results showed that THz waves are e?ective for high‐resolution measurement of the topcoat thickness. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 183(4): 1–9, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.22385