RESUMEN Objetivo: Estudiar los cambios temporales de los factores relacionados con la autofagia en el músculo esquelético de ratas tras el ejercicio exhaustivo y el traumatismo contuso. Métodos: Se dividieron 42 ratas SD macho en 7 grupos con 6 ratas en cada grupo: grupo de control silencioso (C), inmediatamente después del ejercicio exhaustivo (E0), 24 horas después del ejercicio exhaustivo (E24), 48 horas después del ejercicio exhaustivo (E48), inmediatamente después de un traumatismo contuso (D0), 24 horas después de un traumatismo contuso (D24), 48 horas después de un traumatismo contuso (D48). Todos los grupos de ratas fueron sacrificados y rotulados, respectivamente, en diferentes momentos especificados anteriormente, y se extrajo el músculo gastrocnemio derecho, dividido en dos partes, una para los ARNm Lamp-2, BNIP3 y NIX mediante PCR cuantitativa fluorescente en tiempo real, y la otra para la proteína p62 mediante Western blotting. Resultados: (1) En comparación con el grupo C, los niveles de ARNm de p62, Lamp-2 y NIX en el grupo E48 aumentaron significativamente tras el ejercicio exhaustivo (P<0,05), lo que sugiere que la autofagia aumentó en las 48 horas posteriores al ejercicio exhaustivo. (2) En comparación con el grupo C, los niveles de ARNm de p62 ARNm y Lamp-2 aumentaron significativamente inmediatamente después del traumatismo contuso (P<0,05) y disminuyeron significativamente a las 48 horas después del traumatismo contuso (P<0,05), lo que sugiere que la actividad de autofagia aumentó inmediatamente después del traumatismo contuso y disminuyó a las 48 horas después de la lesión. Conclusión: En general, hubo diferencias en cada fase de recuperación entre los modelos de traumatismo contuso y ejercicio exhaustivo, y los factores de autofagia basal y los factores de autofagia mitocondrial también fueron inconsistentes. Los factores de autofagia basal p62 y Lamp-2 aumentaron significativamente 48 horas después del ejercicio excéntrico exhaustivo e inmediatamente después del traumatismo contuso. El factor de autofagia mitocondrial BNIP3 no aumentó tras el ejercicio exhaustivo y el traumatismo contuso, pero NIX sólo aumentó tras el ejercicio exhaustivo. Su mecanismo molecular debe investigarse con más detalle. Nivel de Evidencia III; Estudios Terapéuticos que Investigan los Resultados del Tratamiento. Objetivo Métodos 4 C , (C) E0, E0 E (E0) 2 E24, E24 (E24) E48, (E48) D0, D0 D (D0) D24, D24 (D24) D48. D48 . (D48) rotulados respectivamente anteriormente derecho partes Lamp2, Lamp2 Lamp 2, BNIP real p p6 blotting 1 (1 Lamp- E4 P<0,05, P005 P P<0,05 0 05 (2 (P<0,05 lesión Conclusión general inconsistentes detalle III Tratamiento (C (E0 E2 (E24 (E48 (D0 D2 (D24 D4 (D48 ( P00 P<0,0 (P<0,0 (E (E2 (E4 (D (D2 (D4 P0 P<0, (P<0, P<0 (P<0 P< (P< (P

ABSTRACT Objective: To study the temporal changes of autophagy related factors in skeletal muscle of rats after exhaustive exercise and blunt trauma. Methods: Forty-two male SD rats were divided into 7 groups with 6 rats in each group: Quiet control group (C), immediately after exhaustive exercise (E0), 24 hours after exhaustive exercise (E24), 48 hours after exhaustive exercise (E48), immediately after blunt trauma (D0), 24 hours after blunt trauma (D24), 48 hours after blunt trauma (D48). All groups of rats were killed and samped respectively at different time points specified above, and the right gastrocnemius muscle was taken, which was divided into two parts, one for mRNAs of, Lamp-2, BNIP3 and NIX by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, and the other for p62 protein by Western blotting. Results: (1) Compared with group C, mRNA levels of p62, Lamp-2 and NIX in group E48 were significantly increased after exhaustive exercise(P<0.05), suggesting that autophagy increased in 48h after exhaustive exercise. (2) Compared with group C, p62mRNA and Lamp-2 mRNA levels were significantly increased immediately after blunt trauma(P<0.05) and decreased significantly in 48h after blunt trauma(P<0.05), suggesting that autophagy activity was enhanced immediately after blunt trauma and decreased in 48h after injury. Conclusions: Generally, there were differences at each recovery phase between blunt trauma and exhausted exercise models, and the basal autophagy factors and mitochondrial autophagy factors were also inconsistent. Basal autophagy factors p62 and Lamp-2 increased significantly 48 hours after eccentric exhaustive exercise and immediately after blunt trauma. Mitochondrial autophagy factor BNIP3 did not increase after exhaustive exercise and blunt trauma, but NIX only increased after exhaustive exercise. Its molecular mechanism needs to be further studied. Level of Evidence III; Therapeutic Studies Investigating the Results of Treatment. Objective Methods Fortytwo Forty C , (C) E0, E0 E (E0) 2 E24, E24 (E24) 4 E48, (E48) D0, D0 D (D0) D24, D24 (D24) D48. D48 . (D48) above taken parts Lamp2, Lamp2 Lamp 2, BNIP realtime real PCR p p6 blotting 1 (1 Lamp- E4 exerciseP<0.05, exerciseP005 exerciseP P<0.05 P 0 05 exercise(P<0.05) h (2 pmRNA traumaP<0.05 traumaP005 traumaP trauma(P<0.05 traumaP<0.05, injury Conclusions Generally models inconsistent studied III Treatment (C (E0 E2 (E24 (E48 (D0 D2 (D24 D4 (D48 ( exerciseP<0.05 exerciseP00 P005 P<0.0 exercise(P<0.05 traumaP<0.0 traumaP00 trauma(P<0.0 (E (E2 (E4 (D (D2 (D4 exerciseP<0.0 exerciseP0 P00 P<0. exercise(P<0.0 traumaP<0. traumaP0 trauma(P<0. exerciseP<0. P0 P<0 exercise(P<0. traumaP<0 trauma(P<0 exerciseP<0 P< exercise(P<0 traumaP< trauma(P< exerciseP< exercise(P< trauma(P exercise(P

RESUMO Objetivo: Estudar as alterações temporais dos fatores relacionados à autofagia no músculo esquelético de ratos após exercício exaustivo e trauma contuso. Métodos: Quarenta e dois ratos machos SD foram divididos em 7 grupos com 6 ratos em cada grupo: Grupo de controle silencioso (C), imediatamente após o exercício exaustivo (E0), 24 horas após o exercício exaustivo (E24), 48 horas após o exercício exaustivo (E48), imediatamente após o trauma contuso (D0), 24 horas após o trauma contuso (D24), 48 horas após o trauma contuso (D48). Todos os grupos de ratos foram mortos e rotulados, respectivamente, em diferentes momentos especificados acima, e o músculo gastrocnêmio direito foi retirado, dividido em duas partes, uma para mRNAs de Lamp-2, BNIP3 e NIX por PCR quantitativo fluorescente em tempo real, e a outra para a proteína p62 por imunotransferência. Resultados: (1) Em comparação com o grupo C, os níveis de mRNA de p62, Lamp-2 e NIX no grupo E48 aumentaram significativamente após o exercício exaustivo (P<0,05), sugerindo que a autofagia aumentou em 48 horas após o exercício exaustivo. (2) Em comparação com o grupo C, os níveis de mRNA de p62mRNA e Lamp-2 foram significativamente aumentados imediatamente após o trauma contuso (P<0,05) e diminuíram significativamente em 48 horas após o trauma contuso (P<0,05), sugerindo que a atividade de autofagia foi aumentada imediatamente após o trauma contuso e diminuiu em 48 horas após a lesão. Conclusão: Houve, via de regra, diferenças em cada fase de recuperação entre os modelos de trauma contuso e de exercício exaustivo, sendo que os fatores de autofagia basal e os fatores de autofagia mitocondrial também foram inconsistentes. Os fatores de autofagia basal p62 e Lamp-2 aumentaram significativamente 48 horas após o exercício excêntrico exaustivo e imediatamente após o trauma contuso. O fator de autofagia mitocondrial BNIP3 não aumentou após o exercício exaustivo e o trauma contuso, mas o NIX aumentou somente após o exercício exaustivo. Seu mecanismo molecular precisa ser investigado com mais detalhes. Nível de Evidência III; Estudos Terapêuticos que Investigam os Resultados do Tratamento. Objetivo Métodos C , (C) E0, E0 E (E0) 2 E24, E24 (E24) 4 E48, (E48) D0, D0 D (D0) D24, D24 (D24) D48. D48 . (D48) rotulados respectivamente acima retirado partes Lamp2, Lamp2 Lamp 2, BNIP real p p6 imunotransferência 1 (1 Lamp- E4 P<0,05, P005 P P<0,05 0 05 (2 pmRNA (P<0,05 lesão Conclusão Houve regra inconsistentes detalhes III Tratamento (C (E0 E2 (E24 (E48 (D0 D2 (D24 D4 (D48 ( P00 P<0,0 (P<0,0 (E (E2 (E4 (D (D2 (D4 P0 P<0, (P<0, P<0 (P<0 P< (P< (P

Resumo: Elucidar os mecanismos fisiológicos e ecológicos de dormência e germinação de sementes é de grande importância para a conservação e uso de espécies vegetais. Baseando-se no sistema de classificação de Baskin e Baskin para dormência de sementes, neste trabalho foram estudadas as causas da dormência em sementes de Tarenaya hassleriana (Cleomaceae), utilizando-se temperaturas alternadas, estratificação úmida fria, armazenamento seco e tratamento de imersão em GA3. Os resultados indicaram que as sementes maduras frescas de T. hassleriana tinham dormência combinada, incluindo dormência física e dormência fisiológica não profunda tipo 2, e eram fotoblásticas, com temperatura ótima de germinação de 35 °C. Além disso, sementes maduras frescas de T. hassleriana podem ter a dormência eficientemente quebrada e germinar por temperatura alternada de 20 °C/30 °C, estratificação úmida fria e estratificação úmida fria após armazenamento seco. Além disso, o tratamento de imersão com GA3 também pode quebrar a dormência e subsequente germinação a 35 °C, e o tratamento de armazenamento a seco pode quebrar a dormência e subsequente germinação a 5-15 °C. Esses resultados também sugerem que houve interações complexas entre o fitohormônio, o potencial osmótico e as vias regulatórias de sinalização de temperatura durante a liberação de dormência e germinação de sementes de T. hassleriana, que merecem um estudo mais aprofundado. Resumo vegetais Baseandose Baseando se Cleomaceae, Cleomaceae , (Cleomaceae) utilizandose utilizando alternadas GA T combinada 2 fotoblásticas 3 C °C disso C30 30 °C/3 515 5 15 5-1 fitohormônio aprofundado (Cleomaceae C3 °C/ 51 1 5-

Abstract: Elucidating the physiological and ecological mechanisms of seed dormancy and germination is of great significance for species conservation and the application of plant resources. Based on Baskin and Baskin’s classification system for seed dormancy, the cause of dormancy in Tarenaya hassleriana (Cleomaceae) seeds was studied using alternating temperature, cold moist stratification, dry storage, and GA3 soaking treatment. The results indicated that fresh mature T. hassleriana seeds had a combinational dormancy, including a physical dormancy and a type 2 non-deep physiological dormancy, and were photoblastic, with an optimal germination temperature of 35°C. In addition, fresh mature T. hassleriana seeds may be efficiently released from dormancy and promoted to germinate by an alternating temperature of 20 °C/30 °C, cold moist stratification, and cold moist stratification following dry storage. Furthermore, GA3 soaking treatment could also promote dormancy release and subsequent germination at 35 °C, and dry storage treatment could promote dormancy release and subsequent germination at 5-15 °C. These results also suggested that there were complex cross-talks among phytohormone, osmotic potential, and the temperature signaling regulatory pathways during dormancy release and germination of T. hassleriana seeds, which deserve further study. Abstract resources Baskins s Cleomaceae (Cleomaceae GA T nondeep non deep photoblastic 35C C 35°C addition C30 30 °C/3 °C Furthermore 3 515 5 15 5-1 crosstalks cross talks phytohormone potential study C3 °C/ 51 1 5-

Abstract Objective Abnormal complement activation is associated with periodontitis. W54011 is a novel non-peptide C5aR antagonist (C5aRA) that exhibits favorable anti-inflammatory effects in various inflammatory models. However, whether W54011 inhibits periodontitis has not yet been fully elucidated. To address this, we have investigated the probable anti-inflammatory mechanism of W54011 in LPS-treated inflammation in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). Methodology HGFs were isolated from healthy gingival tissue samples using the tissue block method and were identified with immunofluorescence staining. The CCK8 assay and reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) were used to select the optimal induction conditions for Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and C5aRA (according to supplementary data S1, S2 and S3). The levels of inflammatory cytokines, C5aR, and the activation of NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways were determined by RT-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting. Results Immunofluorescence results showed that vimentin and FSP-1 were positive in HGFs and Keratin was negative in HGFs. Immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that C5aRA inhibited LPS-stimulated nuclear translocation of p-p65. RT-qPCR and Western blotting showed that C5aRA reduced the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, C5aR, p-p65, p-IκBα, p-JNK, p-c-JUN, and TLR4 in LPS-induced HGFs. Conclusion These findings suggested that C5aRA attenuated the release of inflammatory cytokines in LPS-induced HGFs by blocking the activation of the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. W W5401 nonpeptide non peptide CaR C aR CaRA aRA (C5aRA antiinflammatory anti models However elucidated this LPStreated LPS treated . (HGFs) CCK transcriptionPCR transcription RTPCR RT (RT-PCR (LPS according S1 S S3. S3 S3) NFκB/MAPK NFκBMAPK NF κB/MAPK κB RTquantitative quantitative RTqPCR qPCR (RT-qPCR FSP1 FSP 1 FSP- LPSstimulated stimulated pp65. pp65 pp p p65. p65 p-p65 IL1β, IL1β ILβ IL 1β, 1β β IL-1β IL6, IL6 6, 6 IL-6 TNFα, TNFα TNF α, α TNF-α pp65, p65, pIκBα, pIκBα IκBα, IκBα p-IκBα pJNK, pJNK JNK, JNK p-JNK pcJUN, pcJUN c JUN, JUN p-c-JUN TLR LPSinduced induced NFκB W540 (HGFs κBMAPK pp6 p6 p-p6 IL- W54 p-p W5

Abstract Vitamin D (VD) was reported to play protective roles in skeletal muscle. This study aimed to explore whether endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inhibition is associated with the protective effects of VD/VD receptor (VDR) signaling on skeletal muscle functions. C2C12 skeletal muscle cells were treated with palmitic acid (PA) and then incubated with different concentrations of 1,25-(OH)2-vitamin D3 (VD3), and we found that VD3 improved the impaired cell viability induced by PA and increased VDR expression in a dose-dependent manner. Then 100 nM VD3 treatment and VDR overexpression both ameliorated PA-induced ER stress, apoptosis, inflammation and glucose uptake inhibition in C2C12 myocytes. Furthermore, VDR knockdown reversed the protective effects of VD3 on C2C12 cell functions. Additionally, PA-treated C2C12 cells were treated with VD3 alone or together with AMPK signaling inhibitor Compound C. VD3 promoted phosphorylation of AMPK and SIRT1 expression, while Compound C reversed these effects and abolished the protective effects of VD3 in C2C12 cells. High-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice were treated with VD3, and VD3 alleviated skeletal muscle loss and insulin resistance in mice. In conclusion, VD inhibited AMPK/SIRT1-mediated ER stress by increasing VDR expression, and further ameliorated skeletal muscle loss and insulin resistance in mice.

Abstract Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex, multisystem disease, affecting large populations worldwide. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex polygenic disease that causes hyperglycemia and accounts for 90-95% of all diabetes mellitus cases. We conducted a randomized, controlled single-blind study to observe how dietary care with restriction of carbohydrate absorption affects glucose and lipid metabolism in elderly patients with T2DM. Participants in the control group (Group C) received usual care and in the experimental group (Group E) white common bean extract (WCBE) was given before meals. The trial was divided into two periods: intensive and maintenance intervention periods. Glucose and lipid metabolic parameters of both groups were monitored over the study period. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in Group E was lower than in Group C at the end of the 2- and 4-month, and significantly decline from baseline. The area under curve of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) glucose after 2- and 4-month intervention than baseline in Group E and were all significantly lower than in Group C after the intervention. Both High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) also improved in group E (P < 0.05). In the clinical management of elderly patients with T2DM, this individualized model of care without restricting carbohydrate intake can effectively improve patients' glucose metabolism. The effect of this care model is similar to that of a low-carbohydrate diet care model. Therefore, this regimen could be a novel antidiabetic approach for patients with T2DM who are unwilling to restrict their carbohydrate intake.

RESUMO Objetivo: Estudar os efeitos do exercício exaustivo e da contusão sobre a expressão dos fatores relacionados com a autofagia das proteínas Beclina 1, LC3 e PINK-1 no músculo esquelético de ratos. Métodos: Quarenta de dois ratos SD machos foram divididos randomicamente em 7 grupos com 6 ratos cada um: C, D0, D24, D48, E0, E24 e E48. Os ratos de cada um dos grupos foram submetidos à eutanásia e dissecados nos diferentes pontos de tempo de acordo com os grupos acima. Cada músculo quadríceps femoral dos membros posteriores esquerdos foi removido e dividido em duas partes, uma para RNAm de Beclina 1, LC3 e PINK-1 por PCR quantitativa fluorescente em tempo real e a outra para a proteína LC3 por Western blotting. Resultados: Em comparação com o grupo C, o teor de RNAm em Beclina 1, PINK-1 e LC3 no grupo exercício exaustivo imediato (E0) foi significativamente reduzido (p < 0,01). Contudo, os níveis de RNAm em PINK-1 e LC3 e a proteína LC3 em células do músculo esquelético aumentaram significativamente nas 48 horas pós-depleção (E48) (p < 0,05), sugerindo que a autofagia celular tendeu a aumentar durante o período de recuperação. Em comparação com o grupo C, o teor de RNAm de Beclina 1, RNAm de Pink-1 e RNAm de LC3 no grupo contusão imediata (D0) aumentou significativamente (p < 0,01) o que foi seguido por tendência de queda. Conclusão: Em geral, foram encontradas diferenças entre os modelos de contusão e de exercício exaustivo em cada fase de recuperação. A expressão gênica dos fatores relacionados com a autofagia não foi alta na fase de recuperação do exercício exaustivo inicial e, subsequentemente, seguiu tendência ascendente. Porém, os fatores acima aumentaram significativamente nas fases de recuperação imediata e inicial depois de contusão. O trauma contuso pode ser mais grave do que a lesão induzida por exercício exaustivo, de modo que a autofagia tem início mais cedo, de acordo com as mudanças nos fatores relacionados com a autofagia. Nível de Evidência III; Estudos terapêuticos -Investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

ABSTRACT Objective: To study the effects of exhaustive exercise and contusion on autophagy-related factors Beclin1, LC3 and PINK1 expression in the skeletal muscle of rats. Methods: Forty-two male SD rats were randomly divided into 7 groups, 6 rats in each group: C, D0, D24, D48, E0, E24, and E48. Each group of rats was killed and dissected at the different respective time points specified above. The whole quadriceps femoris of the left hind limbs were removed and divided into two parts, one for mRNAs of Beclin1, LC3 and PINK1 by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, and the other for LC3 protein by Western blotting. Results: Compared with group C, the contents of Beclin1 mRNA, PINK1 mRNA, and LC3 mRNA in the immediate exhaustive exercise group (E0) were significantly reduced p<0.01. However, the levels of PINK1 mRNA, LC3 mRNA, and LC3 protein in skeletal muscle cells increased significantly in the 48 hours after exhaustion (E48) p<0.05, suggesting that cell autophagy had an increasing trend during the recovery period. Meanwhile, compared with the C group, the contents of Beclin1 mRNA, PINK1 mRNA, and LC3 mRNA in the immediate blunt contusion group (D0) increased significantly p<0.01 and were followed by a downward trend. Conclusion: Generally, there were differences between the blunt contusion and exhausted exercise models at each recovery phase. The gene expression of the autophagy-related factors was not high in the early exhaustive exercise recovery phase and subsequently followed an upward trend. But the above factors increased significantly in the immediate and early recovery phases after blunt contusion. Injury from blunt contusion may be more severe than exhaustive exercise-induced-injury, so the autophagy starts earlier according to the changes in autophagy-related factors. Level of evidence III; Therapeutic studies investigating the results of treatment.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Estudiar los efectos del ejercicio exhaustivo y de la contusión sobre la expresión de los factores relacionados a la autofagia de las proteínas Beclina 1, LC3 y PINK-1 en el músculo esquelético de ratones. Métodos: Cuarenta y dos ratones SD machos fueron divididos aleatoriamente en 7 grupos con 6 ratones cada uno: C, D0, D24, D48, E0, E24 y E48. Los ratones de cada uno de los grupos fueron sometidos a eutanasia y disecados en los diferentes puntos de tiempo de acuerdo con los grupos encima. Cada músculo cuádriceps femoral de los miembros posteriores izquierdos fue removido y dividido en dos partes, una para RNAm de Beclina 1, LC3 y PINK-1 por PCR cuantitativa fluorescente en tiempo real y la otra para la proteína LC3 por Western blotting. Resultados: En comparación con el grupo C, el tenor de RNAm en Beclina 1, PINK-1 y LC3 en el grupo ejercicio exhaustivo inmediato (E0) fue significativamente reducido (p < 0,01). Con todo, los niveles de RNAm en PINK-1 y LC3 y la proteína LC3 en células del músculo esquelético aumentaron significativamente en las 48 horas post-depleción (E48) (p < 0,05), sugiriendo que la autofagia celular tendió a aumentar durante el período de recuperación. En comparación con el grupo C, el tenor de RNAm de Beclina 1, RNAm de Pink-1 y RNAm de LC3 en el grupo contusión inmediata (D0) aumentó significativamente (p < 0,01) lo que fue seguido por tendencia de caída. Conclusión: En general, fueron encontradas diferencias entre los modelos de contusión y de ejercicio exhaustivo en cada fase de recuperación. La expresión génica de los factores relacionados con la autofagia no fue alta en la fase de recuperación del ejercicio exhaustivo inicial y, subsecuentemente, siguió tendencia ascendente. Sin embrago, los factores encima aumentaron significativamente en las fases de recuperación inmediata e inicial después de contusión. El trauma contuso puede ser más grave que la lesión inducida por ejercicio exhaustivo, de modo que la autofagia tiene inicio más temprano, de acuerdo con los cambios en los factores relacionados a la autofagia. Nivel de Evidencia III; Estudios terapéuticos - Investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

Abstract Guava (Psidium guajava) is a highly perishable fruit with a short shelf life as physico-chemical changes occur continuously and rapidly after harvest leading to heavy postharvest losses. This experiment was laid down to unravel the effects of ascorbic acid (AA) on ripened guava fruits to improve its shelf life and quality. Four different concentrations of AA namely 0, 50, 100, 200 ppm were used to treat guava fruit for five minutes followed by storage at 25±2 °C and ≥80% relative humidity (RH) for 12 days. Physiological and biochemical changes were studied, together with the specific enzymatic activities for catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD). The results revealed that ascorbic acid treatments significantly reduced PWL, fruit decay percentage and suppressed pH and sugar/acid ratio than control fruits. Furthermore, soluble solid content, total acidity, total sugar, vitamin C and total phenolic contents were recorded higher in 200 ppm AA-treated fruits and maintained higher eating quality than control fruits. In addition, SOD, POD and CAT activities were observed higher in 200 ppm AA-treated fruits than control. The results clearly demonstrate that 200 ppm AA application have a potential to improve quality attributes of guava fruit.

ABSTRACT To investigate the protective effect of glutamine (Gln) on lymphocyte proliferation and the intestinal mucosal immune response in heat-stressed broilers, 360 21-day-old Arbor Acres (AA) broilers were assigned to 4 groups in a completely randomized design, each of which included 6 replicates with 15 birds per replicate for 21 days. The chickens were fed a basal diet under no stress (NS group), a basal diet under heat stress (HT group), or a basal diet under heat stress with the addition of either 0.5 % or 1.0 % Gln. The results showed that the broilers in the HT group exhibited fewer proliferating peripheral lymphocytes, a lower growth performance, phagocytic rate and index of neutrophils, fewer goblet cells in whole intestine and intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) cells in the ileum, a lower sIgA content in the duodenum and the jejunum, a lower immunoglobulin content of serum and intestinal mucosa, than those of the NS group (p<0.05). Diets supplemented with Gln increased growth performance, the number of proliferating peripheral lymphocytes, the phagocytic rate and phagocytic index of neutrophils, the number of whole intestine goblet cells and ileum IEL cells, the sIgA contents of the duodenum and the jejunum, and the immunoglobulin contents of serum and intestinal mucosa (p<0.05) in broilers exposed to HT. In conclusion, Gln can enhance intestinal immune function in broiler chickens by stimulating T and B lymphocyte proliferation, increasing the number of goblet cells and IEL cells, as well as increasing the content of sIgA and immunoglobulin secretion.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of glutamine (Gln) on the intestinal mucosal structure and immune cells of broilers infected with Salmonella Enteritidis. 160 1-d-old commercial Arbor Acres (AA) broilers were randomly selected to receive one of four treatments, each of which had 5 replicates. Each replicate consisted of 8 chicks subjected to a 21-d feeding trial. Group I served as the unchallenged (CON). All birds in groups II (SCC) - IV were challenged with 2.0 × 104 CFU/mL of S. Enteritidis. The birds in groups III and IV were treated with 0.5% and 1.0% Gln. The results showed that S. Enteritidis infection led to a decrease in the relative length and weight, villus height:crypt depth (VH:CD) of the jejunum and ileum, the number of intraepithelial lymphocyte cells, and number of goblet cells and an increase in the number of mast goblet cells compared with the measurements of these parameters in the CON group (p<0.05). In addition, the Gln groups had increased relative length and weight, VH:CD of the jejunum and ileum, numbers of intraepithelial lymphocyte cells, and numbers of goblet cells and decreased crypt depth in the jejunum and ileum and numbers of mast goblet cells compared with the measurements of these parameters in the SCC group (p<0.05). It was concluded that Gln added to broiler diets can effectively alleviate the intestinal mucosal damage caused by S. Enteritidis infection and improve its normal defense barrier function.

ABSTRACT The aim was to investigate the effect of glutamine (Gln) on broilers challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis. 240 1-day-old birds were divided into four groups in a completely randomized design, each of which included 6 replicates with 10 birds per replicate. Group I served as the unchallenged, untreated control (CON). All birds in groups II (SCC) - IV were challenged with 2.0 × 104 CFU/mL of S. Enteritidis. Birds in group III and IV were treated with 0.5% (Gln 1) and 1.0% (Gln 2), respectively, of Gln. The results indicated that S. Enteritidis infection led to a decrease in the average body weight at d 7, 14, and 21 (p<0.05). Chickens fed the Gln showed improved average body weights in comparison with the SCC group (p<0.05). At d 4, 7, 14, and 21, the Gln groups increased digestive enzyme (trypsin, lipase and amylase (except the amylase activity of jejunum at d 14 and d 21)) activities in the intestine (p<0.05), superoxide dismutase (SOD) (at d 14 jejunum; except at d 4, ileum) and catalase (CAT) (at d 4, and d 21, jejunum; d 4, ileum) activity in the serum (except at d 14) and intestinal mucosa (p<0.05), and the mRNA expression of SOD, CAT and nuclear respiratory factor 2 (Nrf2) of the intestinal mucosa compared with the SCC group (p<0.05). These results suggest that Gln as a feed additive could be effective for reducing the detrimental effects of S. Enteritidis infection of broilers.

Abstract Radio frequency heating (RFH) provides higher efficiency and more uniform heating zone compared with conventional method. The aim of present work is to evaluate the effect of RFH (at 90 °C for 5 or 10 min) on the changes in composition (protein oxidation and fat distribution), microstructure, flow characteristic and rehydration property of infant milk powder. The results indicate that the concentration of protein dityrosine was slightly enhanced, more free fat appeared on powder surfaces (> 50% increase), and porosity in powder matrix as tested by SEM was increased after RFH treatment. For powder flowability, raw sample had low cohesiveness (specific energy = 4.39 mJ/g), and RFH provided better flowability and decreased compressibility. Moreover, RFH had some negative impacts on wettability and solubility of powder particles with contact angle increase at least 5% and solubility decrease of 2%~4%, indicating worse rehydration abilities. Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer (GAB) model was applied to fit moisture vapor sorption isotherms, and longer RFH duration leading to higher c values (about 63% increase at 10 min). In addition, the RFH initiated browning reaction as CIE a* values increased from -1.8 to -1.3.

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that hepatic vitamin C (VC) levels in VC deficient mice rescued with high doses of VC supplements still do not reach the optimal levels present in wild-type mice. For this, we used a mouse scurvy model (sfx) in which the L-gulonolactone oxidase gene (Gulo) is deleted. Six age- (6 weeks old) and gender- (female) matched wild-type (WT) and sfx mice (rescued by administering 500 mg of VC/L) were used as the control (WT) and treatment (MT) groups (n = 3 for each group), respectively. Total hepatic RNA was used in triplicate microarray assays for each group. EDGE software was used to identify differentially expressed genes and transcriptomic analysis was used to assess the potential genetic regulation of Gulo gene expression. Hepatic VC concentrations in MT mice were significantly lower than in WT mice, even though there were no morphological differences between the two groups. In MT mice, 269 differentially expressed transcripts were detected (> twice the difference between MT and WT mice), including 107 up-regulated and 162 down-regulated genes. These differentially expressed genes included stress-related and exclusively/predominantly hepatocyte genes. Transcriptomic analysis identified a major locus on chromosome 18 that regulates Gulo expression. Since three relevant oxidative genes are located within the critical region of this locus we suspect that they are involved in the down-regulation of oxidative activity in sfx mice.

Humans and guinea pigs are species which are unable to synthesize ascorbic acid (vitamin C) because, unlike rodents, they lack the enzyme L-gulonolactone oxidase (Gulo). Although the phenotype of lacking vitamin C in humans, named scurvy, has long been well known, information on the impact of lacking Gulo on the gene expression profiles of different tissues is still missing. This knowledge could improve our understanding of molecular pathways in which Gulo may be involved. Recently, we discovered a deletion that includes all 12 exons in the gene for Gulo in the sfx mouse, characterized by spontaneous bone fractures. We report here the initial analysis of the impact of the Gulo gene deletion on the murine gene expression profiles in the liver, femur and kidney.

The Sox family of genes shares a high sequence similarity with the HMG box region of the human Y chromosomal gene, SRY. We used highly degenerate primers to clone and sequence seven Eremias breuchleyi Sox genes (EbSox2, EbSox3, EbSox4, EbSox11, EbSox12, EbSox14 and EbSox21). A database search for the cloned sequences revealed the following percentage identity with the homologous human SOX genes: EbSox2 = 96%, EbSox3 = 88%, EbSox4 = 94%, EbSox11 = 99%, EbSox12 = 96%, EbSox14 = 98%, EbSox21 = 97%. Cluster analysis indicates that they seem to belong to group B and group C of Sox gene family, respectively.