Effects of dietary supplements of zinc-methionine on milk production,udder health and zinc metabolism in dairy goats

Twenty-two Murciano-Granadina dairy goats were used to investigate the effects of organic Zn supplementation of a diet containing a high level of inorganic Zn. Goats were kept in pens, machine milked once a day throughout lactation and fed a diet based on a dehydrated mixture of whole-plant maize and alfalfa ad libitum, alfalfa pellets, barley grain and a concentrate mixture. Treatments were: (1) control, and (2) supplemented with 1 g/d Zn-Methionine (Zn-Met) included in the concentrate mixture. After parturition, goats were blocked in week 3 and dietary treatments were applied until week 23. From weeks 3-20, feed intake, milk yield, milk composition, milk somatic cell count (SCC), and udder health were measured. In week 21, all goats were injected intraperitoneally with 1 g/d DL-methionine for 5 d to establish the effects of methionine under the conditions of udder stress induced by hand milking on the second day. During weeks 22 and 23, diet digestibility, and N and Zn balance were determined. Dry matter intake, milk yield, and milk contents of total solids, fat, total and true protein, and casein did not differ between treatments, but whey protein and non-protein nitrogen contents were significantly lower for the Zn-Met group. Milk SCC tended to decrease as a result of Zn-Met supplementation but differences between treatments were not significant when halves with persistent infection were excluded. Hand milking increased SCC in both groups, but udders of supplemented goats showed a lower reaction. Apparent absorption of N significantly increased and Zn retention tended to increase in Zn-Met supplemented goats. We conclude that Zn-Met supplementation can enhance resistance to udder stress in dairy goats. Effects were attributed to the organic Zn and not to the methionine component. Zn retention and protein utilization were also improved by the Zn-Met supplement.     

Biotransformation of Waste Bile Acids: A New Possible Sustainable Approach to Anti-Fungal Molecules for Crop Plant Bioprotection?

Phytopathogenic fungi are among the main causes of productivity losses in agriculture. To date, synthetic chemical pesticides, such as hydroxyanilides, anilinopyrimidines and azole derivatives, represent the main treatment tools for crop plant defence. However, the large and uncontrolled use of these substances has evidenced several side effects, namely the resistance to treatments, environmental damage and human health risks. The general trend is to replace chemicals with natural molecules in order to reduce these side effects. Moreover, the valorisation of agri-food industry by-products through biotransformation processes represents a sustainable alternative to chemical synthesis in several sectors. This research is aimed at comparing the anti-phytopathogenic activity of waste bovine and porcine bile with secosteroids obtained by biotransformation of bile acids with Rhodococcus strains. The ultimate goal is to apply these natural products on food crops affected by phytopathogenic fungi.     

Chitosan Functionalized with Carboxyl Groups as a Recyclable Biomaterial for the Adsorption of Cu (II) and Zn (II) Ions in Aqueous Media

The modification of chitosan represents a challenging task in obtaining biopolymeric materials with enhanced removal capacity for heavy metals. In the present work, the adsorption characteristics of chitosan modified with carboxyl groups (CTS-CAA) towards copper (II) and zinc (II) ions have been tested. The efficacy of the synthesis of CTS-CAA has been evaluated by studying various properties of the modified chitosan. Specifically, the functionalized chitosan has been characterized by using several techniques, including thermal analyses (differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry), spectroscopies (FT-IR, XRD), elemental analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The kinetics and the adsorption isotherms of CTS-CAA towards both Cu (II) and Zn (II) have been determined in the aqueous solvent under variable pH. The obtained results have been analyzed by using different adsorption models. In addition, the experiments have been conducted at variable temperatures to explore the thermodynamics of the adsorption process. The regeneration of CTS-CAA has been investigated by studying the desorption process using different eluents. This paper reports an efficient protocol to synthesize chitosan-based material perspective as regenerative adsorbents for heavy metals.     

Micro-RNA and Proteomic Profiles of Plasma-Derived Exosomes from Irradiated Mice Reveal Molecular Changes Preventing Apoptosis in Neonatal Cerebellum

Cell communication via exosomes is capable of influencing cell fate in stress situations such as exposure to ionizing radiation. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that exosomes might play a role in out-of-target radiation effects by carrying molecular signaling mediators of radiation damage, as well as opposite protective functions resulting in resistance to radiotherapy. However, a global understanding of exosomes and their radiation-induced regulation, especially within the context of an intact mammalian organism, has been lacking. In this in vivo study, we demonstrate that, compared to sham-irradiated (SI) mice, a distinct pattern of proteins and miRNAs is found packaged into circulating plasma exosomes after whole-body and partial-body irradiation (WBI and PBI) with 2 Gy X-rays. A high number of deregulated proteins (59% of WBI and 67% of PBI) was found in the exosomes of irradiated mice. In total, 57 and 13 miRNAs were deregulated in WBI and PBI groups, respectively, suggesting that the miRNA cargo is influenced by the tissue volume exposed to radiation. In addition, five miRNAs (miR-99b-3p, miR-200a-3p, miR-200a, miR-182-5p, miR-182) were commonly overexpressed in the exosomes from the WBI and PBI groups. In this study, particular emphasis was also given to the determination of the in vivo effect of exosome transfer by intracranial injection in the highly radiosensitive neonatal cerebellum at postnatal day 3. In accordance with a major overall anti-apoptotic function of the commonly deregulated miRNAs, here, we report that exosomes from the plasma of irradiated mice, especially in the case of WBI, prevent radiation-induced apoptosis, thus holding promise for exosome-based future therapeutic applications against radiation injury.     

Salivary Glands after Prolonged Aluminum Exposure: Proteomic Approach Underlying Biochemical and Morphological Impairments in Rats

Aluminum (Al) is one of the most abundant elements on Earth, and its high extraction rate and industrial use make human exposure very common. As Al may be a human toxicant, it is important to investigate the effects of Al exposure, mainly at low doses and for prolonged periods, by simulating human exposure. This work aimed to study the effects of low-dose exposure to chloride aluminum (AlCl₃) on the oxidative biochemistry, proteomic profile, and morphology of the major salivary glands. Wistar male rats were exposed to 8.3 mg/kg/day of AlCl₃ via intragastric gavage for 60 days. Then, the parotid and submandibular glands were subjected to biochemical assays, proteomic evaluation, and histological analysis. Al caused oxidative imbalance in both salivary glands. Dysregulation of protein expression, mainly of those related to cytoarchitecture, energy metabolism and glandular function, was detected in both salivary glands. Al also promoted histological alterations, such as acinar atrophy and an increase in parenchymal tissue. Prolonged exposure to Al, even at low doses, was able to modulate molecular alterations associated with morphological impairments in the salivary glands of rats. From this perspective, prolonged Al exposure may be a risk to exposed populations and their oral health.     

Microgravity Modifies the Phenotype of Fibroblast and Promotes Remodeling of the Fibroblast–Keratinocyte Interaction in a 3D Co-Culture Model

Microgravity impairs tissue organization and critical pathways involved in the cell–microenvironment interplay, where fibroblasts have a critical role. We exposed dermal fibroblasts to simulated microgravity by means of a Random Positioning Machine (RPM), a device that reproduces conditions of weightlessness. Molecular and structural changes were analyzed and compared to control samples growing in a normal gravity field. Simulated microgravity impairs fibroblast conversion into myofibroblast and inhibits their migratory properties. Consequently, the normal interplay between fibroblasts and keratinocytes were remarkably altered in 3D co-culture experiments, giving rise to several ultra-structural abnormalities. Such phenotypic changes are associated with down-regulation of α-SMA that translocate in the nucleoplasm, altogether with the concomitant modification of the actin-vinculin apparatus. Noticeably, the stress associated with weightlessness induced oxidative damage, which seemed to concur with such modifications. These findings disclose new opportunities to establish antioxidant strategies that counteract the microgravity-induced disruptive effects on fibroblasts and tissue organization.     

The Interplay between Autonomic Nervous System and Inflammation across Systemic Autoimmune Diseases

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the immune system are deeply interrelated. The ANS regulates both innate and adaptive immunity through the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches, and an imbalance in this system can determine an altered inflammatory response as typically observed in chronic conditions such as systemic autoimmune diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and systemic sclerosis all show a dysfunction of the ANS that is mutually related to the increase in inflammation and cardiovascular risk. Moreover, an interaction between ANS and the gut microbiota has direct effects on inflammation homeostasis. Recently vagal stimulation techniques have emerged as an unprecedented possibility to reduce ANS dysfunction, especially in chronic diseases characterized by pain and a decreased quality of life as well as in chronic inflammation.     

Hybrid Nanoparticles and Composite Hydrogel Systems for Delivery of Peptide Antibiotics

The growing number of drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria poses a global threat to human health. For this reason, the search for ways to enhance the antibacterial activity of existing antibiotics is now an urgent medical task. The aim of this study was to develop novel delivery systems for polymyxins to improve their antimicrobial properties against various infections. For this, hybrid core–shell nanoparticles, consisting of silver core and a poly(glutamic acid) shell capable of polymyxin binding, were developed and carefully investigated. Characterization of the hybrid nanoparticles revealed a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately 100 nm and a negative electrokinetic potential. The nanoparticles demonstrated a lack of cytotoxicity, a low uptake by macrophages, and their own antimicrobial activity. Drug loading and loading efficacy were determined for both polymyxin B and E, and the maximal loaded value with an appropriate size of the delivery systems was 450 µg/mg of nanoparticles. Composite materials based on agarose hydrogel were prepared, containing both the loaded hybrid systems and free antibiotics. The features of polymyxin release from the hybrid nanoparticles and the composite materials were studied, and the mechanisms of release were analyzed using different theoretical models. The antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa was evaluated for both the polymyxin hybrid and the composite delivery systems. All tested samples inhibited bacterial growth. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of the polymyxin B hybrid delivery system demonstrated a synergistic effect when compared with either the antibiotic or the silver nanoparticles alone.     

GidaBot: a system of heterogeneous robots collaborating as guides in multi-floor environments

Intelligent Service Robotics - GidaBot is an application designed to set up and run a heterogeneous team of robots to act as tour guides in multi-floor buildings. Although the tours can go through...