Effects of different levels of organic chromium and selenomethionine cocktails in broilers.

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace mineral that plays an important role in physiological processes by regulating the antioxidant defense system and enhancing immunity. Chromium is an essential mineral involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and also plays a role in maintaining normal insulin function. Based on these advantages, we hypothesized that the addition of selenomethionine (SeMet) and organic chromium (OC) to broiler diets would increase Se deposition, antioxidant capacity and immune response in meat. Therefore, this study analyzed the effects of OC and SeMet on growh performance, nutrients digestibility, blood profiles, intestinal morphology, meat quality characteristics, and taxonomic analysis of broilers. A total of 168 one-day-old broiler chicken (Arbor Acres) were randomly allotted to 3 groups based on the initial body weight of 37.33 ± 0.24 g with 7 replicate per 8 birds (mixed sex). The experiments period was 28 days. Dietary treatments were folloewd: Basal diets based on corn-soybean meal (CON), basal diet supplemented with 0.2 ppm OC and 0.2 ppm SeMet (CS4), and basal diet supplemented with 0.4 ppm OC and 0.4 ppm SeMet (CS8). Supplementation of OC and SeMet did not affect on growth performance, nutrient digestibility. However, CS8 supplementation increased in duodenum villus height and villus height : crypt depth, and increased in breast meat Se deposition. In addition, CS8 group showed higher uric acid and total antioxidant status than CON group. Taxonomic analysis at phylum level revealed that Proteobacteria and Firmicutes of CS4 and CS8 were lower than CON group. In genus level, the relative abundance of fecal Lactobacillus and Enterococcus of CS4 and CS8 groups were higher than CON group. In short, 0.4 ppm OC and 0.4 ppm SeMet supplementation to broiler diet supporitng positive gut microbiome change, also enhancing antioxidant capacity, and Se deposition in breast meat.

Bradykinin stimulates glutamate uptake via both B1R and B2R activation in a human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

AIMS: We were to examine the effect of bradykinin (BK) in the regulation of glutamate transporter and its related signaling molecules in a human retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE) cells, which are important cells to support retina. MAIN METHODS: d-[2,3-(3)H]-aspartate uptake, western immunoblotting, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, [(3)H]-arachidonic acid release, and siRNA transfection techniques were used. KEY FINDINGS: BK stimulated glutamate uptake as well as the mRNA expression of excitatory amino acid transporter 4 (EAAT4) and excitatory amino acid carrier 1 (EAAC1), which was blocked by treatment with bradykinin 1 receptor (B1R) and bradykinin 2 receptor (B2R) siRNA, suggesting the role of B1R and B2R in this process. The BK-induced stimulation of glutamate uptake was also blocked by [des-Arg(10)]-HOE 140, a B1R antagonist, and HOE 140, a B2R antagonist, as well as by the tyrosine kinase inhibitors genistein and herbimycin A. In addition, the BK-induced stimulation of glutamate uptake was blocked by treatment with the phospholipase A(2) inhibitors mepacrine and AACOCF(3), the cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor indomethacin, and the COX-2 inhibitor Dup 697. Furthermore, the BK-induced increase in COX-2 expression was blocked by the PI-3 kinase inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002, Akt inhibitor, and the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors staurosporine and bisindolylmaleimide I, suggesting the role of PI-3 kinase and PKC in this process. BK stimulated Akt activation and the translocation of PKC activation via the activation of B1R and B2R. SIGNIFICANCE: BK stimulates glutamate uptake through a PKC-Akt-COX-2 signaling cascade in ARPE cells.

New York State case manager survey: urban and rural differences in job activities, job stress, and job satisfaction.

The impact of stress in the workplace on employees' well-being and effectiveness has been increasingly recognized in recent years. The purpose of this research was to study the quality of working life of case managers in urban and rural community mental health programs in New York State. The objectives were to describe specific job activities and examine differences in the perceptions of job stress and job satisfaction. Urban case managers attributed greater job stress intensity and frequency than did rural workers to stressors relating to collaborating and coordinating services. Urban case managers reported higher levels of perceived job stress due to organizational support deficits than did rural workers. No differences were found for the 2 groups on job pressure stressors. The significance of the findings for mental health agencies is discussed.

Extracts of Phellinus gilvus and Phellinus baumii inhibit pulmonary inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide in rats.

Compared to saline-challenged rats, rats exposed to 50 microg intratracheal lipopolysaccharide showed an increase of total white cells (from 0.3 x 10(6) to 2.4 x 10(6)), neutrophils (from 0.09 x 10(6) to 1.8 x 10(6)), the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha (from 200 pg ml(-1) to 1200 pg ml(-1)), and interleukin (IL)-1beta (from 220 pg ml(-1) to 650 pg ml(-1)) in the bronchial lavage fluid. However, after pretreatment with extracts of Phellinus gilvus and Phellinus baumii, the total white cells, neutrophils, and the level of IL-1beta in lipopolysaccharide-challenged rats were similar to those in saline-challenged rats, except for TNF-alpha. The results indicate that extracts of P. gilvus and P. baumii may be useful in preventing acute pulmonary inflammation in human diseases.