Surface modification of spent coffee grounds using phosphoric acid for enhancement of methylene blue adsorption from aqueous solution.

In this study, the surface of the spent coffee grounds (SCG) was activated using phosphoric acid to increase the removal efficiency of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution, which is one of the harmful substances emitted in industrial processes. According to Fourier transform infra-red analysis, after phosphorylation of the SCG (PSCG), P = O group, P-O-C (aromatic) bond, P = OOH and P-O-P were newly introduced on the surface of the adsorbent, and the peaks of carboxyl groups and OH-group were large and broad. In addition, the surface area and mesopore range of the PSCG adsorbent were increased, and the structure changed, which enabled easy adsorption of MB. The process of adsorbing MB from aqueous solution using PSCG was more suitable for the pseudo-second order and Langmuir models, and the adsorption process was closer to chemisorption than physical adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacity of PSCG was 188.68 mg/g. As a result of the reuse test, PSCG showed excellent performance with a high removal efficiency of 90% up to four consecutive uses. PSCG modified with phosphoric acid, an abundant lignocellulose-based biosorbent that is readily available everywhere, is a promising adsorbent capable of adsorbing MB in aqueous solution.

Immediate effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on gait patterns in chronic stroke survivors: A single group, pretest-posttest clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been used to reduce muscle spasticity and improve locomotion in stroke survivors. We speculate that acute changes in gait performance after TENS mediate functional improvement in the long-term. However, no previous study has investigated the effect of TENS on ankle kinetics and kinematics during walking in stroke survivors. PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate whether TENS applied over the paretic leg could rapidly improve the plantar flexion moment and ankle kinematics in chronic stroke survivors with lower limb paresis. METHODS: Twenty chronic stroke survivors were recruited. They underwent 30 min of TENS over the area innervated by the common peroneal nerve on the paretic leg. Three-dimensional (3D) motion capture was performed and ankle plantar flexor spasticity was assessed before and immediately after stimulation. Ankle kinematics and kinetic and spatiotemporal data were collected using 3D motion capture. Ankle plantar flexor spasticity was assessed using the Modified Tardieu Scale. PRINCIPAL RESULTS: A significant increase in the ankle plantar flexion moment of the paretic side during the pre-swing phase was observed immediately after stimulation (p = 0.009, maximal mean difference = 0.035, 95%CI = 0.0125 to 0.0575). The step length of the paretic limb also increased significantly after stimulation (p = 0.023, mean difference = -0.02, 95%CI = -0.04 to -0.004). TENS had no immediate effect on paretic ankle spasticity, as measured by the Modified Tardieu Scale, or on other temporo-spatial parameters. CONCLUSION: The findings support the use of TENS to improve the motor function and gait pattern in chronic stroke survivors. The study indicated that the application of TENS to the paretic leg before gait training might improve rehabilitation outcomes. Future studies investigating the effects of TENS on functional outcomes, the optimal stimulation duration, and assessing spasticity using more sensitive measures are warranted.

Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on major cardiovascular outcomes: an umbrella review of meta-analyses of observational studies and randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: Omega-3 fatty acids are commonly used as a lipid-lowering agent or dietary supplement for the purpose of prevention of cardiovascular diseases. However, even large-scale clinical trials have not shown significant results demonstrating clear clinical benefits in cardiovascular diseases. Thus, this umbrella review aims to summarize and evaluate the evidence of clinical effects of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on cardiovascular outcomes through comprehensive analyses of previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or observational cohort studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted relevant publication search in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. We retrieved and analyzed 3,298 articles published until August 28th, 2019. RESULTS: We identified 29 relevant articles and analyzed 83 meta-analyses of RCTs or cohort studies therefrom. As a result, we identified 12 cardiovascular outcomes that are related to omega-3 fatty acids supplementation. Among them, total mortality from major cardiovascular causes (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.86 to 0.98) had significant inverse associations, and moreover, statistical significances were maintained even in subgroup analysis of large-scale RCTs including more than 1,000 patients (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.88 to 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Our umbrella review study shows that omega-3 fatty acids supplementation have a clinical benefit in reducing mortality from cardiovascular causes. However, many studies still have shown conflicting results, and therefore, further studies will be needed to verify the clinical benefit of omega-3 supplementation.

Assessing bioavailability of ruminally protected methionine and lysine prototypes.

Met and Lys are essential AA that can limit lactational performance in dairy cattle fed protein-sufficient diets. Thus, there is industry demand for ruminally protected (RP) sources of Met and Lys. One method of providing ruminal protection for Met and Lys is lipid encapsulation. The objective of this work was to assess 3 lipid-encapsulated Met prototypes (P1, P2, and P3) and 1 Lys prototype (P4) to determine ruminal protection, small intestine absorption (experiment 1), and animal production responses (experiment 2). Ruminal protection was estimated from 8-h in situ retention during ruminal incubation and intestinal absorption from plasma appearance after an abomasal bolus of the in situ retentate. Blood samples were collected over time to determine plasma Met and Lys concentration responses compared with unprotected Lys and Met infused abomasally. The prototypes were not exposed to the total diet or subjected to typical feed handling methods before evaluation. The bioavailability of P1, P2, and P3 Met prototypes was found to be 14, 21, and 18% of the initial AA material, respectively. The RP-Lys prototype had a bioavailability of 45%. To evaluate production responses, 20 Holstein cows were randomly assigned to 2 trials (n = 10 each) in a replicated Latin square design with 14-d periods. The base diet was predicted to be deficient in metabolizable Met (-14.8 g/d) and Lys (-16.1 g/d) per the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (version 6.55). In the Met trial, the base diet was supplemented with RP-Lys to meet Lys requirements, and treatments were as follows: no added RP-Met (NCM), NCM plus Smartamine M (SM; Adisseo, Alpharetta, GA), and NCM plus P1, P2, or P3 at 148% of the Met content of SM. In the Lys trial, the base diet was supplemented with RP-Met to meet the Met requirement, and treatments were as follows: no added Lys (NCL), NCL plus AjiProL (AL; Ajinomoto Heartland Inc., Chicago, IL), and NCL plus P4 at 55, 78, or 102% of the reported absorbed Lys in AL. All products were top dressed on the diet without prior mixing or extended exposure to the rest of the diet. Milk protein concentration significantly increased when diets were supplemented with P2, P3, or SM (3.12, 3.12, and 3.11%, respectively) compared with NCM (3.02%). Only P1 (3.04%) was significantly lower than SM. Prototype P2 had the greatest numerical milk protein output response among the 3 RP-Met prototypes, suggesting that it may have had the greatest efficacy when supplemented into these rations. There was a numerical milk protein concentration response to AL and a linear increase in milk protein concentration for P4. The P4 and AL treatments resulted in comparable milk protein production regardless of P4 dose.

L-Arginine supplementation enhances growth performance, lean muscle, and bone density but not fat in broiler chickens.

This study evaluated the effects of crystalline arginine (Arg) on performance and body composition in male broilers. A total of 600 1-day-old Ross 308 broilers were distributed in a completely randomized design, with 5 treatments and 6 replicates of 20 birds. The treatments were given as a percentage of the Ross 308 requirement, and defined as 70, 80, 90, 100 (Ross 308 requirement), and 110% of Arg. Body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were evaluated at 10, 24, and 42 d. Bone growth was measured from 7 to 11 d using mineral apposition rate (MAR) technique. At 42 d, 2 birds per pen were euthanized for bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition measurement using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and liver gene expression and muscle diameter size analysis. The means were subjected to ANOVA and, when significant (P ≤ 0.05), were compared by Dunnett's test. Regression analyses were performed to evaluate trends of Arg dose response. Birds fed 70 and 80% of Arg had lower BWG than the ones fed 100% of Arg (P < 0.001), with quadratic effects for all phases (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.94). The 70% of Arg group showed lower FI compared to 100% from 11 to 24 d and 1 to 42 d (P < 0.009), with quadratic and linear effects (P < 0.049, R2 > 0.72), respectively. The 70% of Arg group showed higher FCR compared to 100% (P < 0.0001) with quadratic effects (P < 0.002, R2 > 0.94) for all periods. At 42 d, the 70% of Arg group showed lower BMD, tissue, and lean muscle percentage than 100% of Arg. There was a quadratic effect of Arg levels on lean muscle (P = 0.046, R2 = 0.89). Therefore, the dietary supplementation with Arg is necessary as it leads to an overall body growth with increased lean deposition and BMD, without increasing fat accretion in Ross 308 broiler chickens.

Effects of dietary recombinant chlorella supplementation on growth performance, meat quality, blood characteristics, excreta microflora, and nutrient digestibility in broilers.

The use of chlorella as an immune stimulant to enhance nonspecific host defense mechanisms or as an antimicrobial to inhibit bacterial growth has been reported. Thus, the aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of recombinant chlorella supplementation on growth performance, meat quality, and the blood profile, excreta microflora, and nutrient digestibility in broilers. A total of 375 one-day-old ROSS 308 broilers (male and female) were allotted to 5 dietary treatments using 5 cages with 15 chicks per cage. Treatments were: 1) NC, basal diet supplemented with 1.0% E. coli fermented liquor (EFL); 2) PC1, 0.2% EFL with chlorella; 3) PC2, 1.0% EFL with chlorella; 4) T1, 0.2% EFL with chlorella (anti-viral); and 5) T2, 1.0% EFL with chlorella (anti-viral). The broilers in the T2 treatment groups showed higher body weight gain (BGW) by 2.55% (P < 0.01) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) by 2.75% (P < 0.05) compared with those fed the control NC treatment group. Moreover, the blood contents of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and IgA in the broilers of the T2 treatment group were significantly increased by 28.12, 23.07, and 29.72%, respectively -more than those found in the broilers of the NC treatment group (P < 0.01). In contrast, the LDL/C in the blood from the animals in the T2 treatment group was significantly decreased by 23.23% - more than that in the blood from the NC broilers (P < 0.05). Based on these results, we suggest that the dietary supplementation of broilers with recombinant chlorella could improve their growth performance, increase the concentration of IgA and apparently metabolizable nitrogen in the blood, and decrease ammonia emissions. Therefore, our findings have important implications for the effect of recombinant chlorella supplementation through increasing the concentration of IgA and the level of metabolizable nitrogen.

Engineering of a lipid-polymer nanoarchitectural platform for highly effective combination therapy of doxorubicin and irinotecan.

We developed a highly stable lipid-polymer nanoarchitectural platform for effective combination therapy of doxorubicin and irinotecan in the polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticle core, followed by incorporation of the whole assembly into a lecithin bilayer. It shows great potential for the treatment of a broad range of cancers.

Various levels and forms of dietary α-lipoic acid in broiler chickens: Impact on blood biochemistry, stress response, liver enzymes, and antibody titers.

The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of various levels and forms of α-lipoic acid (ALA) on blood biochemistry, immune and stress response, and antibody titers in broiler chickens. The four levels (7.5, 15, 75, and 150 ppm) and 2 sources (powder, P-ALA and encapsulated, E-ALA) of ALA along with negative (C-) and positive control (C+; contains antibiotics) diets consisted of 10 dietary treatments, and these treatments were allocated to 1,200 1-d-old chicks and were replicated 12 times with 10 birds per replicate. Among the blood biochemistry parameters, creatinine levels were almost 3 times lower in E-ALA-supplemented diets compared to the C- diet (0.09 vs. 0.25 mg/dL; P<0.0001). Neither level nor source of ALA affected blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total protein (TP), albumin, globulin, or albumin to globulin ratio (AGR). The supplemented diets decreased serum levels of the liver enzymes aspartate-aminotransferase (AST; P<0.006) and alanine-aminotransferase (ALT; P<0.0003). The Newcastle disease virus (NDV) antibody response in supplemented groups was poor at day zero (P<0.0001) but increased by d 14 (P<0.03). Birds did not respond to infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) vaccination at any observed stage (P>0.05). The concentration of cortisol was reduced in chickens fed ALA-supplemented diets as compared to the C- diet (P<0.001). Results suggest that ALA-supplemented diets ameliorated blood biochemistry profiles and immune responses and reduced stress in broiler chickens. The encapsulated form of ALA was more effective than the powder form.

Natural magnetic nanoparticle containing droplet for smart drug delivery and heat treatment.

Biodegradable polymer droplet containing natural magnetic nanoparticle is composed for smart drug delivery and heat treatment. For selective and efficient drug delivery to the target tissue, direct high magnetic field will be applied near the target tissue. For drug release control and heat treatment, alternative high magnetic field will be applied. Magnetosome, natural magnetic nanoparticle, is extracted from magnetotactic bacteria, AMB-1. Mixture of magnetosome and sodium alginate composes into droplet using the microfluidic device applied Plateau-Rayleigh instability principle. The magnetosome contained droplet selected its rout at the bifurcate microchannels by direct high magnetic field. High alternative magnetic field generating circuit is designed with 18 mT and 4 Hz magnetic wave. The generated magnetic wave was applied to the extracted magnetosomes so that temperature of the magnetosomes increased from 15.2°C to 17.6°C.

First Report of Bean common mosaic virus in Cudrania tricuspidata in Korea.

Cudrania tricuspidata (Moraceae) is a deciduous tree widely distributed in East Asia, including China, Korea, and Japan. It produces delicious fruit, and its cortex and root bark have been used as a traditional medicine to treat neuritis and inflammation. As C. tricuspidata has become known as a functional food, its cultivation area and production gradually have increased in Korea. However, information of viral disease in C. tricuspidata is very limited. In September 2012, open-field-grown C. tricuspidata trees showing virus-like symptoms of mosaic, yellowing, and distortion on the leaves were found in Naju, Korea. The fruit production in the diseased trees decreased to 20 to 40% of that in healthy trees. To identify causal agent(s), total RNA was isolated from the symptomatic leaves and used to generate a transcriptome library using the TruSeq Stranded Total RNA with Ribo-Zero Plant kit (Illumina, San Diego, CA) according to the manufacturer's instruction. The transcriptome library was analyzed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) using an Illumina HiSeq2000 sequencer. NGS reads were quality filtered and de novo assembled by the Trinity pipeline, and the assembled contigs were analyzed against the viral reference genome database in Genbank by BLASTn and BLASTx searches (3). The entire NGS procedure was perofrmed by Macrogen Inc. (Seoul, South Korea). Among the analyzed contigs, one large contig (10,043 bp) was of viral origin. Nucleotide blast searches showed that the contig has a maximum identity of 89% (with 100% coverage) to the isolate MS1 (Genbank Accession No. EU761198) of Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV), which was isolated from Macroptilium atropurpureum in Australia. The presence of BCMV was confirmed by a commercially available double-antibody sandwich (DAS)-ELISA kit (Agdia, Elkhart, IN). To confirm the BCMV sequence obtained by NGS, two large fragments covering the entire BCMV genome were amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using two sets of specific primers (5'-AAAATAAAACAACTCATAAAGACAAC-3' and 5'-AGACTGTGTCCCAGAGCATTTC-3' to amplify the 5' half of the BCMV genome; 5'-GCATCCTGAGATTCACAGAATTC-3' and 5'-GGAACAACAAACATTGCCGTAG-3' to amplify the 3' half of the BCMV genome) and sequenced. To obtain the complete genome sequence, the 5' and 3' terminal sequences were analyzed by the 5' and 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) method as described previously (1). The assembled full-length sequence of BCMV isolated from C. tricuspidata was 10,051 nucleotides in length without a poly(A) tail. It was deposited in Genbank under the accession number KM076650. BCMV, a member of the genus Potyvirus, is one of the most common viruses naturally infecting legumes, including Phaseolus vulgaris (2). In general, BCMV is known to have a restricted host range outside legume species (2). Therefore, the identification of BCMV from C. tricuspidata in this report is very exceptional. Because BCMV is easily transmitted by various aphids like other potyviruses, a large-scale survey may be required for exact investigation of the BCMV incidence in C. tricuspidata to prevent rapid spread of the virus. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of BCMV in C. tricuspidata. References: (1) H.-R. Kwak et al. Plant Pathol. J. 29:274, 2013. (2) M. Saiz et al. Virus Res. 31:39, 1994. (3) S.-E. Schelhorn et al. PLoS Comput. Biol. 9:e1003228, 2013.

First Report of Broad bean wilt virus 2 in Leonurus sibiricus in Korea.

Leonurus sibiricus L. (family Lamiaceae) has been used as a traditional herbal remedy to treat various gynecologic diseases. Although it is a widely distributed subtropical weed in Southeast Asia, L. sibiricus have been commercially cultivated on a small scale in many geographic areas of Korea. In August 2012, field-grown L. sibiricus plants showing mosaic, yellowing, and stunting symptoms were collected near a pepper field in Andong, Korea. Since L. sibiricus is only consumed as a raw material of traditional medicine in Korea, symptomatic plants lose commercial value entirely. To identify the causal agent(s) of the virus-like symptoms, total RNA was extracted from the symptomatic leaves, and a transcriptome library was generated using the TruSeq Stranded Total RNA with Ribo-Zero plant kit (Illumina, San Diego, CA) according to the standard protocol. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed using an Illumina HiSeq2000 sequencer. De novo assembly of the quality filtered NGS reads (101-bp paired-end reads) were performed using the Trinity pipeline and the assembled contigs (92,329 contigs) were analyzed against the viral reference genome database in GenBank by BLASTn and BLASTx searches (3). The entire NGS procedure was performed by Macrogen Inc. (Seoul, South Korea). Among the analyzed contigs, only two large contigs were clearly of viral origin. Nucleotide blast searches showed that the first and second contigs (5,914 and 3,534 bp, respectively) have maximum identities of 91 and 95% to RNA1 of the isolate RP3 (GenBank Accession No. JX183225) and RNA2 of the isolate RP7 (JX183234) of Broad bean wilt virus 2 (BBWV-2), which were isolated from pepper in Korea. The NGS results were confirmed by analyzing the sequences of the fragments covering the entire BBWV-2 genome amplified by RT-PCR using specific primers for BBWV-2 as described previously (1). To obtain the complete genome sequence, terminal sequences of both RNA segments were analyzed by the 5' and 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) method as described previously (1). The assembled full-length sequences of BBWV-2 RNA1 and RNA2 isolated from L. sibiricus were 5,951 and 3,575 nucleotides in length, respectively, and deposited in GenBank under the accessions KM076648 and KM076649, respectively. BBWV-2 belongs to the genus Fabavirus in the family Secoviridae and it is known to have a wide host range. To investigate the host range of the BBWV-2 isolated from L. sibiricus, sap from the symptomatic leaves of L. sibiricus was inoculated to the test plants including Nicotiana benthamiana, Capsicum annuum (red pepper), and C. annuum var. gulosum (Paprika). RT-PCR detection and sequencing of the amplicons showed that all the inoculated test plants were infected with the BBWV-2 isolated from L. sibiricus. Currently, BBWV-2 is epidemic in pepper fields in Korea (1,2). Because BBWV-2 is easily transmitted by various aphids, and L. sibiricus is widely distributed in both wild and cultivated fields in Korea, this host might serve as a potential source of BBWV-2 to other crops such as pepper. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of BBWV-2 in L. sibiricus. References: (1) H.-R. Kwak et al. Plant Pathol. J. 29:274, 2013. (2) H.-R. Kwak et al. Plant Pathol. J. 29:397, 2013. (3) S.-E. Schelhorn et al. PLoS Comput. Biol. 9:e1003228, 2013.

N-Acetyl cysteine blunts proteotoxicity in a heat shock protein-dependent manner.

N-Acetyl cysteine, a glutathione precursor, has been shown to benefit patients with Alzheimer's disease and reduce the symptoms of traumatic brain injury in soldiers. Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease are both characterized by stress from protein misfolding, or proteotoxicity. We have developed a high-throughput model of proteotoxicity by treating neuroblastoma N2a cells with the proteasome inhibitor MG132 and performing three independent assays for viability. Our previous study showed that N-acetyl cysteine protects N2a cells against two sequential treatments of MG132 and raises glutathione levels in a two-hit model of synergistic neurodegeneration. In the present study, however, N-acetyl cysteine was found to reduce the toxicity of a single hit of MG132 independent of its effect on glutathione. All three viability assays confirmed this protection. We measured heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) levels because Hsp70 is a protective chaperone that helps refold proteins or guides ubiquitinated proteins toward degradation by the proteasome. Hsp70 levels were higher in MG132-treated cells when N-acetyl cysteine was applied. No parallel change in heat shock cognate 70 (Hsc70) was elicited. Inhibition of Hsp70/Hsc70 activity with VER 155008 attenuated the protection afforded by N-acetyl cysteine in a dose-responsive manner. MG132 induced a large rise in ubiquitinated proteins and N-acetyl cysteine reduced this effect. Consistent with the chaperone functions of Hsp70, VER 155008 also prevented the reduction in ubiquitin-conjugated proteins by N-acetyl cysteine. These data reveal a new role for N-acetyl cysteine: this compound may reduce misfolded protein levels and ameliorate proteotoxicity through heat shock proteins. These findings broaden the potential mechanisms of action for this dietary supplement in neurodegenerative proteinopathies.

Supplementation of direct-fed microbials as an alternative to antibiotic on growth performance, immune response, cecal microbial population, and ileal morphology of broiler chickens.

An experiment was conducted to investigate the supplementation of direct-fed microbials (DFM) as an alternative to antibiotics on growth performance, immune response, cecal microbial population, and ileal morphology of broiler chickens. A total of 800 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross × Ross) were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments with 4 replicate pens per treatment (50 birds/replicate pen). The 4 dietary treatments fed for 35 d were a corn-soybean meal basal diet (control); control plus 0.1% virginiamycin, as an antibiotic growth promoter (AGP); control plus 0.1% direct-fed microbials that contained Lactobacillus reuteri (DFM 1); and control plus 0.1% direct-fed microbials that contained a mixture of L. reuteri, Bacillus subtilis, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (DFM 2). Results showed that dietary AGP and DFM supplementation significantly increased (P < 0.05) the BW gain of broilers during 0 to 21 d. The feed intake was reduced, whereas the feed conversion was improved significantly when birds were fed DFM 2 at 0 to 7 d of age. The white blood cell and monocyte levels were significantly higher in the DFM 2 group compared with the control. In addition, feeding DFM significantly (P < 0.05) increased the plasma immunoglobulin levels where a higher level was observed in DFM 2 compared with those of the other treatments. Neither DFM nor AGP treatments affected the cecal Lactobacillus and Salmonella content; however, cecal Escherichia coli content significantly decreased in broiler chickens fed DFM and AGP. The ileal villus height, and width and total thickness of muscularis externa were significantly increased when birds were fed DFM compared with AGP and control. These results indicate that the dietary supplementation of DFM increases the growth performance of birds at an early age, stimulates the immune response, decreases the number of E. coli, and improves the ileal morphology of broiler chickens. Thus, DFM that contained a mixture of several beneficial microorganisms could be a viable alternative to antibiotics in the broiler diets.

Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Plasma Mineral Chemistry as Affected by Dietary Chloride and Chloride Salts Fed to Broiler Chickens Reared under Phase Feeding System.

Requirements of dietary chloride (dCl) and chloride salts were determined by using 4×2 factorial arrangement under four phase feeding program. Four levels (0.31, 0.45, 0.59 and 0.73%) and two sources (NH4Cl and CaCl2) of the dCl were allocated to 1,472 chicks in eight dietary treatments in which each treatment was replicated four times with 46 birds per replicate. The four phase feeding program was comprised of four dietary phases: Prestarter (d 1 to 10), Starter (d 11 to 20), Grower (d 21 to 33) and Finisher (d 34 to 42); and diets were separately prepared for each phase. The cations, anions, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS) and salinity were analyzed in drinking water and were not affected by dietary treatments. BW gain (BWG; p≤0.009) and feed:gain (FG; p≤0.03) were improved in CaCl2 supplemented diets during d 1 to 10. The maximum response of BWG and FG was observed at 0.38% and 0.42% dCl, respectively, for d 34 to 42. However, the level of dCl for BWG during d 21 to 33 (p≤0.04) and d 34 to 42 (p≤0.009) was optimized at 0.60% and 0.42%, respectively. The level of dCl for optimized feed intake (FI; p≤0.006), FG (p≤0.007) and litter moisture (LM; p≤0.001) was observed at 0.60%, 0.38% and 0.73%, respectively, for d 1 to 42. Water intake (DWI) was not affected by increasing dCl supplementation (p>0.05); however, the ratio between DWI and FI (DWI:FI) was found highest at 0.73% dCl during d 1 to 10 (p≤0.05) and d 21 to 33 (p≤0.009). Except for d 34 to 42 (p≤0.006), the increasing level of dCl did not result in a significant difference in mortality during any phase. Blood pH and glucose, and breast and thigh weights (percentage of dressed weight) were improved while dressing percentage (DP) and gastrointestinal health were exacerbated with NH4Cl as compared to CaCl2 supplemented diets (p≤0.001). Higher plasma Na(+) and HCO3 (-) and lower Cl(-) and Ca(++) were observed in NH4Cl supplemented diets (p≤0.001). Increasing supplementation of dCl increased plasma Cl(-) (p≤0.04; quadratically) and linearly reduced plasma K(+) (p≤0.001), Ca(++) (p≤0.003), HCO3 (-) (p≤0.001), and Na(+) (p≤0.001; quadratically). Consequently, higher requirements of dietary chloride are suggested for feed intake; nevertheless, lower levels of dietary chloride are sufficient to support optimal BWG and FG with increasing age. The NH4Cl supplemented diets ameliorate breast and thigh meat yield along with overall energy balance (glucose).

Compensation scheme for complementary and alternative medicine use in asbestos-related diseases in New South Wales, Australia.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Asbestos use has resulted in a high global incidence rate of asbestos-related diseases (ARDs). These diseases require high costs of compensation and medical expense, although definite cures have yet to be found. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been used as a means to attenuate symptoms of ARDs. Our objective is to describe the compensation scheme for CAM use for a population with ARDs in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. COMMENT: Expenses of CAM have conditionally been compensated by the workers compensation dust-diseases board (DDB) to a population with ARDs. The DDB approves patients` claim for the use of CAM if it is justifiable and related to compensable ARDs. To obtain the DDB`s approval for the CAM cost, a written recommendation letter by the treating medical doctors is required that justifies the use of CAM and that this option does not pose any adverse effects on the compensated patients. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: The use of CAM in a subject with ARDs does not have significant benefits of overall survival but does somewhat improve quality of life. However, awareness of the provisions of the compensation scheme for CAM use in a population with ARDs should be carefully informed and also emphasized any side effects on progress of ARDs.

Silymarin efficacy against influenza A virus replication.

The anti-influenza A/PR/8/34 virus activity of silymarin was evaluated in MDCK cells and investigated the effect of silymarin on synthesis of viral mRNAs. Silymarin was investigated for its antiviral activity against influenza A/PR virus using a cytopathic effect (CPE) reduction method. Silymarin exhibited anti-influenza A/PR/8/34 virus activity of 98% with no cytotoxicity at the concentration of 100 µg/ml reducing the formation of a visible CPE. Oseltamivir also did show moderate antiviral activity of about 52% against influenza A/PR/8/34 virus at the concentration of 100 µg/ml. Furthermore, the mechanism of anti-influenza virus action in the inhibition of viral mRNA synthesis was analyzed by Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), and the data indicated an inhibitory effect in late viral RNA synthesis compared with oseltamivir in the presence of 100 µg/ml of silymarin. Therefore, the potential of silymarin for use in treating influenza virus infection merits greater attention.

Clinical characteristics and audiological significance of spontaneous otoacoustic emissions in tinnitus patients with normal hearing.

OBJECTIVE: To define the clinical and audiological features of normal-hearing tinnitus patients with spontaneous otoacoustic emissions, and to evaluate the role of spontaneous otoacoustic emissions in tinnitus generation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients with spontaneous otoacoustic emissions were compared with 29 patients without spontaneous otoacoustic emissions, regarding clinical and audiological aspects. RESULTS: The mean age of the study group subjects was significantly lower, and they experienced the kindling effect less frequently than the control group. The mean tinnitus handicap inventory score of the study group was considerably higher than that of the controls, although the difference was not statistically significant. The study group had significantly quieter tinnitus, and higher transient evoked and distortion product otoacoustic emission responses, compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Normal-hearing tinnitus patients with spontaneous otoacoustic emissions have different clinical and audiological characteristics, compared with those without spontaneous otoacoustic emissions. Appropriate evaluation and treatment should be considered at an early stage in these patients.

Curcumin interrupts the interaction between the androgen receptor and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in LNCaP prostate cancer cells.

Recently, studies have investigated the significance of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway in prostate cancer. The transcriptional activity of the androgen receptor (AR) is modulated by interaction with coregulators, one of which is ß-catenin. Curcumin, a dietary yellow pigment of Curcuma longa, has emerged as having a chemopreventive role. Although curcumin has been shown to inhibit AR expression, its molecular mechanism has not been fully elucidated. In this study, whether curcumin mediates the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway with regard to AR/ß-catenin interactions was studied. Curcumin was shown to induce significant inhibition of AR expression in a dose-dependent manner. Marked curcumin-induced suppression of ß-catenin was shown in the nuclear and cytoplasmic extracts as well as whole cell lysates. Further analysis revealed that phosphorylation of Akt and glycogen synthase kinase-3ß were attenuated, but phosphorylated ß-catenin was increased after curcumin treatment. Finally, cyclin D1 and c-myc, the target gene of the ß-catenin/T-cell factor transcriptional complex, were also decreased. These findings suggest that curcumin modulates the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway and might have a significant role in mediating inhibitory effects on LNCaP prostate cancer cells.

In vitro anti-enterovirus 71 activity of gallic acid from Woodfordia fruticosa flowers.

AIMS: The anti-enterovirus 71 (EV71) activity of six Nepalese plants' extracts and gallic acid (GA) isolated from Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz (family; Lythaceae) flowers were evaluated in Vero cells. METHODS AND RESULTS: The anti-EV71 activity of tested compounds was evaluated by a cytopathic effect reduction method. Our results demonstrated that flowers' extracts of W. fruticosa exerted strong anti-EV71 activity, with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of 1.2 microg ml(-1) and no cytotoxicity at a concentration of 100 microg ml(-1), and the derived therapeutic index (TI) was more than 83.33. Rivabirin showed no antiviral activity against EV71. Furthermore, GA isolated from W. fruticosa flowers exhibited a higher anti-EV71 activity than the extract of W. fruticosa flowers, with an IC(50) of 0.76 microg ml(-1) and no cytotoxicity at a concentration of 100 microg ml(-1), and the derived TI was 99.57. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that flower extracts of W. fruticosa possessed anti-EV71 activity and GA isolated from these flowers showed stronger anti-EV71 activity than that the extracts. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Our results suggest that the GA from W. fruticosa flowers may be used as a potential antiviral agent.

Effects of antioxidant supplements on cancer prevention: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effect of antioxidant supplements on the primary and secondary prevention of cancer as reported by randomized controlled trials. METHODS: We searched Medline (PubMed), Excerpta Medica database, and the Cochrane Review in October 2007. RESULTS: Among 3327 articles searched, 31 articles on 22 randomized controlled trials, which included 161 045 total subjects, 88 610 in antioxidant supplement groups and 72 435 in placebo or no-intervention groups, were included in the final analyses. In a fixed-effects meta-analysis of all 22 trials, antioxidant supplements were found to have no preventive effect on cancer [relative risk (RR) 0.99; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96-1.03). Similar findings were observed in 12 studies on primary prevention trials (RR 1.00; 95% CI 0.97-1.04) and in nine studies on secondary prevention trials (RR 0.97; 95% CI 0.83-1.13). Further, subgroup analyses revealed no preventive effect on cancer according to type of antioxidant, type of cancer, or the methodological quality of the studies. On the other hand, the use of antioxidant supplements significantly increased the risk of bladder cancer (RR 1.52; 95% CI 1.06-2.17) in a subgroup meta-analysis of four trials. CONCLUSIONS: The meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials indicated that there is no clinical evidence to support an overall primary and secondary preventive effect of antioxidant supplements on cancer. The effects of antioxidant supplements on human health, particularly in relation to cancer, should not be overemphasized because the use of those might be harmful for some cancer.