Effects of dietary fat, nitrate, and 3-nitrooxypropanol and their combinations on methane emission, feed intake, and milk production in dairy cows.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of individual and combined use of dietary fat, nitrate, and 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) on dairy cows' enteric methane (CH4) emission and production performance. Twenty-four primiparous and 24 multiparous Danish Holstein cows (111 ± 44.6 d in milk; mean ± standard deviation) were included in an incomplete 8 × 8 Latin square design with six 21-d periods. Dietary treatments were organized in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement aiming for 2 levels of FAT (30 or 63 g of crude fat/kg of dry matter [DM]; LF or HF, respectively), 2 levels of NITRATE (0 or 10 g of nitrate/kg of DM; UREA or NIT, respectively), and 2 levels of 3-NOP (0 or 80 mg/kg DM; BLANK or NOP, respectively). Treatments were included in ad libitum-fed partial mixed rations in bins that automatically measured feed intake and eating behavior. Additional concentrate was offered as bait in GreenFeed units used for measurement of gas emission. For total DM intake (DMI), a FAT × NITRATE interaction showed that DMI, across parities and levels of 3-NOP, was unaffected by separate fat supplementation, but reduced by nitrate with 4.6% and synergistically decreased (significant 2-way interaction) with 13.0% when fat and nitrate were combined. Additionally, 3-NOP decreased DMI by 13.4% and the combination of 3-NOP with fat and nitrate decreased DMI in an additive way (no significant 3-way interaction). The decreasing effects on DMI were more pronounced in multiparous cows than in primiparous cows. For treatments with largest reductions in DMI, eating behavior was altered toward more frequent, but smaller meals, a slower eating rate and increased attempts to visit unassigned feed bins. Energy-corrected milk (ECM) yield increased by 6.3% with fat supplementation, whereas ECM yield did not differ among diets including nitrate (FAT × NITRATE interaction). Cows supplemented with 3-NOP had 9.0% lower ECM yield than cows fed no 3-NOP. Based on three 2-way interactions including FAT, NITRATE, and 3-NOP, the combined use of the additives resulted in antagonistic effects on CH4 reduction. A 6% to 7% reduction in CH4 yield (CH4/kg of DMI) could be ascribed to the effect of fat, a 12% to 13% reduction could be ascribed to the effect of nitrate and an 18% to 23% reduction could be ascribed to the effect of 3-NOP. Hence, no combinations of additives resulted in CH4 yield-reductions that were greater than what was obtained by separate supplementation of the most potent additive within the combination. The CH4 yield reduction potential of additives was similar between parities. Increased apparent total-tract digestibility of organic matter (OM) in cows fed combinations including nitrate or 3-NOP was a result of a NITRATE × 3-NOP interaction. Apparent total-tract digestibility of OM was also increased by fat supplementation. These increases reflected observed decreases in DMI. In conclusion, combined use of fat, nitrate, and 3-NOP in all combinations did not result in CH4 reductions that were greater than separate supplementation of the most potent additive within the combination (3-NOP > nitrate > fat). Additionally, separate supplementation of some additives and combined use of all additives reduced DMI.

In Vitro and In Vivo Study of Combined Effect of Some Algerian Medicinal Plants and Probiotics against Helicobacter pylori.

Helicobacter pylori causes gastritis, peptic ulcers and gastric cancer and affects more than half of the world's population. Although this infection can have serious consequences, no novel cure or remedy have been discovered, the present therapy still relies on a variety of known antibiotics and anti-secretory agents. In the present study, the potential effect of combinations between methanolic extracts of four Algerian medicinal plants, garlic (Allium sativum), red onion (Allium cepa), cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) and fenugreek (T. foenum-graecum L.), with different strains of lactic acid bacteria against H. pylori, was investigated. Similarly, the in vivo antibacterial effect of fenugreek extract combined with Bifidobacterium breve on H. pylori colonization potential to confirm the enhanced effect of the mixture was explored. Helicobacter pylori was inhibited by all combined mixtures of extracts and probiotics with varying results. The highest anti-H. pylori activities were found in fenugreek/B. breve, cumin/B. breve, garlic/B. breve and onion/B. breve combinations with inhibition diameters of 29, 26, 23 and 25 mm, respectively. Preliminary studies on the effect of probiotics against H. pylori revealed that the inhibition was due to lactic acid and bacteriocins and it was also related to the presence of phenolic compounds in the studied plants, such as gallic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin and vanillic acid. Fenugreek extract was found to inhibit the growth of H. pylori in a concentration-dependent manner. When H. pylori-infected rats were administered B. breve, the infection rate of H. pylori was significantly reduced, while the combination of B. breve and fenugreek extract effectively inhibited H. pylori. In addition, the B. breve and fenugreek extract mixture significantly reduced gastritis in H. pylori-infected rats. These results suggest that this complex mixture may be an alternative to treating diseases caused by H. pylori infection.

Blood selenium level can alleviate the nephrotoxicity of lead and cadmium in the general population of the United States: a retrospective cross section analysis of population-based nationally representative data.

The current understanding of the interplay between blood selenium, cadmium and lead levels, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) is limited. Our objective was to investigate whether elevated blood selenium levels can mitigate the nephrotoxic effects of lead and cadmium. The exposure variables examined in this study include blood selenium, cadmium, and lead levels measured by ICP-MS. The outcome of interest was CKD, defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. In total, 10630 participants (mean (SD) age:48.9 ± 18.4; 48.3% male) were included in this analysis. The median (IQR) of blood selenium, cadmium, and lead levels was 191 (177-207) µg/L, 0.300 (0.180-0.540) µg/L, and 0.940 (0.570-1.510) µg/dL, respectively. We observed a significant positive association between cadmium and lead levels and CKD (OR; 1.86; 95%CI: 1.31- 2.64; OR:2.23; 95%CI:1.54-3.24). However, selenium had a negative association with CKD (OR:0.096; 95%CI:0.020-0.457). Based on a reference group with a selenium concentration of ≤ 191 µg/L and cadmium level of > 0.300 µg/L, a significant protective factor in the CKD was seen in subjects with high plasma selenium and lower cadmium concentrations (OR:0.685; 95%CI:0.515-0.912). Then selenium concentration of ≤ 191 µg/L and lead level of > 0.940 µg/dL were set as a reference group, and the OR for CKD decreased among the other group (OR:0.564; 95%CI;0.417- 0.762). The subgroup analysis indicated that there were no effect modifiers. Blood selenium has the potential to mitigate the nephrotoxic effects of lead and cadmium in the general population of the United States.

In vitro effect of an antimicrobial combination therapy without colistin and tigecycline for CPE and non-CPE.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate the in vitro effects of a combination of antimicrobials other than colistin (CL) and tigecycline (TGC) on carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). METHODS: We used 72 CRE strains including 65 carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) that produce IMP-1, IMP-6, NDM, KPC, and OXA-48-like carbapenemases; and 7 carbapenemase-nonproducing Enterobacteriaceae (non-CPE) strains. These strains were assessed using antimicrobial susceptibility testing, breakpoint checkerboard (BC) plate method, and kill curve experiment to determine the effect of the combination therapy. RESULTS: NDM, KPC, and OXA-48-like carbapenemase-producers showed higher MICs of carbapenem and aminoglycosides, and lower MICs of minocycline, compared to non-CPE and IMP-1/-6-producers. The results of the BC plate method suggested that the suitability of combinations of antimicrobials differ depending on the type of carbapenemases. Killing curve experiments demonstrated bactericidal or bacteriostatic action of the combination of antimicrobials even in sub-MIC concentrations of drugs. Our results suggest that the most effective antimicrobial combinations for each carbapenemase-producers are as follows; IMP-1 (tobramycin + tazobactam/piperacillin), IMP-6 (gentamicin + meropenem), NDM (minocycline + biapenem), KPC (arbekacin + doripenem) and OXA-48-like (minocycline + imipenem). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the combination of antimicrobials other than CL and TGC may be another candidate for the treatments of CPE infections, even though we have to choose effective antimicrobial combinations depending on the type of carbapenemase.

Optimization of preparation conditions for calcium pectinate with response surface methodology and its application for cell encapsulation.

The most notable and unique property of pectin is its ability to form gels, which is the foundation of its many functions and applications. To obtain the desired pectin hydrogel beads for tissue engineering or biological applications, the combined effect of the key factors of gel properties of calcium pectinate (CP) beads were investigated by response surface methodology (RSM). The results derived from RSM indicated that the model equation of average size and mechanical stability were significant and could be used to describe the process under a wide range of preparation conditions. The optimum condition for preparing variables were gained graphically. Moreover, the degree of methyl-esterification (DE) of pectin and pectin - calcium concentrates showed significant and combined effort on sphericity factor (SF). The mechanical stability of CP beads was significantly affected by the quadratic contributions of the pectin concentration, the interaction effects between pectin and calcium concentration, and the linear contribution of pectin concentration. The viability and proliferation of cells encapsulated in optimal CP beads demonstrated that the optimal formula results in better gel properties and are more suitable to cell encapsulation.

[Pharmacological Mechanisms of Boiogito and Bofutsushosan in Diabetes and Obesity Models].

　The antihyperglycemic activities of extracts of boiogito (BOT) and bofutsushosan (BTS) were investigated in streptozotocin-induced (STZ)-diabetic mice. BOT extract containing Stephania tetrandra S. MOORE root (stephania), has more potent antihyperglycemic activity than BOT extract containing sinomenium stem (sinomenium). Extracts of stephania and astragalus root (astragalus) exert combined effects in the antihyperglycemic and insulinotropic activities of BOT extract. Fangchinoline, but not tetrandrine, in stephania plays a role in its activity. Formononetin in astragalus potentiates the actions of fangchinoline. Tetrandrine has antiangiogenic effects on choroidal vessels in STZ-diabetic rats, which are associated with the inhibition of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation. BTS extract has shown antihyperglycemic and insulinotropic activities whereas gardenia fruit (gardenia) extract in BTS has antihyperglycemic, but not insulinotropic, activity in the diabetic mice. Gardenia extract decreased the HOMA-IR level and increased insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) uptake to skeletal muscle. The effects of gardenia extract on 2-DG uptake were associated with the upregulation of glucose transporter type 4 and Akt phosphorylation. Gardenia extract was also shown to have antihyperglycemic and insulinotropic actions in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed and STZ-diabetic mice. In addition, gardenia extract decreased the production of TNF-α and leptin, and increased the production of adiponectin in the visceral adipose tissues. In the early administration period, BTS extract increased mRNA expression levels of leptin, adiponectin, and UCP1 in brown adipose tissues in HFD-fed obese mice. With a longer duration of administration, BTS extract improved insulin resistance and subsequently reduced serum leptin and triglyceride levels in parallel with visceral adipose tissue volume and size.

Effect of baicalin Combined with phillyrin on the gene expression of influenza A virus nucleoprotein / 医学研究生学报

Objective Influenza A (InfA) is an acute respiratory infectious disease persistently threatening human health and social stability. The high mutation of the InfA virus makes very significant the development of anti-influenza drugs. Traditional Chinese herbal drugs have shown distinct advantages in the prevention and management of InfA. This study aimed to investigate the effect of baicalin combined with phillyrin on the gene expression of InfA virus nucleoprotein (NP).Methods The nucleoprotein eukaryotic expression vector of InfA virus was constructed by transient transfection of InfA virus NP eukaryotic recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1 (+)/NP into hela cells. Six groups were designed for the experiment: hela cells, liposome, recombinant plasmid (transfected pcDNA3.1(+)/NP), baicalin, phillyrin, baicalin (15.625 μg/mL-1) + phillyrin (12.5 μg/mL-1), each treated with respective agents after transfection. After 48 hours of culture, the number of the copied InfA virus NPs in the hela cells was measured by RT-qPCR and the effect of baicalin combined with phillyrin on the gene expression of InfA virus NP in the target cells evaluated by the statistical method.Results RT-qPCR showed that the gene expression of InfA virus NP was significantly lower in the baicalin + phillyrin than in the recombinant plasmid group (t=6.966, P1) and a synergistic effect of medium- and high-dose baicalin + medium- and high-dose phillyrin (CI<1).Conclusion Baicalin combined with phillyrin can decrease the gene expression of InfA virus NP and has a synergistic effect within a certain dose range.

Combinational Treatment of Curcumin and Quercetin against Gastric Cancer MGC-803 Cells in Vitro.

Gastric cancer remains a major health problem worldwide. Natural products, with stronger antitumor activity and fewer side effects, are potential candidates for pharmaceutical development as anticancer agents. In this study, quercetin and curcumin were chosen for testing and were applied separately and in combination to human gastric cancer MGC-803 cells. The MTT assay was used to evaluate cell growth inhibition. Annexin V-FITC/PI was carried out to measure apoptosis rate. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze mitochondrial membrane potential levels. Western blots were applied to detect expression of cytochrome c, total and phosphorylated ERK and AKT. Combined treatment with curcumin and quercetin resulted in significant inhibition of cell proliferation, accompanied by loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), release of cytochrome c and decreased phosphorylation of AKT and ERK. These results indicate that the combination of curcumin and quercetin induces apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway. Notably, effect of combined treatment with curcumin and quercetin on gastric cancer MGC-803 cells is stronger than that of individual treatment, indicating that curcumin and quercetin combinations have potential as anti-gastric cancer drugs for further development.

Combined effects of astragalus soup and persistent Taiji boxing on improving the immunity of elderly women.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the combined effects of astragalus soup and persistent Taiji boxing on improving the immunity of women of advanced years. DESIGN: 120 elderly women lacking daily exercise were chosen as the study subjects. By using the table of random numbers, they were then divided into the control group and the experiment group, consisting of 60 each. The control group practiced Taiji boxing for 45 minutes twice a day. The experiment group did the same, and, in addition, took astragalus soup after each boxing. Indexes related to physical immunity of the two groups were observed and compared when they were first chosen, when the alternative treatment was applied three, six and twelve months later, respectively. RESULTS: The two groups demonstrated no significant differences in general data and research indexes when chosen (P > 0.05). Three months after the two groups were chosen and treated differently, the control group demonstrated no significant improvement while most indexes of the experiment group improved considerably (P > 0.05). After six months, the related indexes of both groups improved substantially (P < 0.05) and the improvement with the experiment was even clearer (P < 0.05). Twelve months later, the improvement with the experiment group was more noticeable (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In a relatively short period of three months, Taiji boxing produces no noticeable effect on the improvement of immunity in elderly women. However, when they resume the exercise for another three months and longer, Taiji boxing has a noticeable advantage and the effect is the most favorable when it is combined with astragalus soup.

Natural products and food components with anti-Helicobacter pylori activities.

The bacterial pathogen Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) colonizes in over half of the world's population. H. pylori that establishes life-long infection in the stomach is definitely associated with gastro-duodenal diseases and a wide variety of non-gastrointestinal tract conditions such as immune thrombocytopenia. Triple therapy which consists of a proton pump inhibitor and combinations of two antibiotics (amoxicillin, clarithromycin or amoxicillin, metronidazol) is commonly used for H. pylori eradication. Recently, the occurrence of drug-resistant H. pylori and the adverse effect of antibiotics have severely weakened eradication therapy. Generally antibiotics induce the disturbance of human gastrointestinal microflora. Furthermore, there are inappropriate cases of triple therapy such as allergy to antibiotics, severe complications (liver and/or kidney dysfunction), the aged and people who reject the triple therapy. These prompt us to seek alterative agents instead of antibiotics and to develop more effective and safe therapy with these agents. The combination of these agents actually may result in lower a dose of antibiotics. There are many reports world-wide that non-antibiotic substances from natural products potentially have an anti-H. pylori agent. We briefly review the constituents derived from nature that fight against H. pylori in the literature with our studies.

Cytotoxic Effect of X-irradiation of Mouse Tumor Cells in the Presence of Korean Ginseng Extract / 대한방사선종양학회지

PURPOSE: We already reported the results that aqueous extract of Korean ginseng roots showed a marked cytotoxicity. In this study, we investigated whether combined ginseng product with X-irradiation increase the cytotoxicity of tumor cells than X-irradiation or not. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty gram of Korean ginseng powder mixed with 1 L of distilled water was extracted with reflux flask under condition of 100 degrees C for 5 hrs. This aquaous ginseng extract was filtered, centrifuged and then was freezed under condition of -90degrees C for 16-18 hrs. The freezing extract was dried with freeze drier, and then diluted. X-irradiation was given to tumor cells by 6 MeV linear accelerator. The cytotoxicity of ginseng in vitro was evaluated from its ability to reduce the clonogenecity of fibrosarcoma (FSa II) cells. In X-irradiation alone group, each 2, 4, 6 and 8 Gy was given to tumor cells. In X-irradiation with ginseng group, 0.2 mg/mL of ginseng extract was exposed to tumor cells for 1 hour before X-irradiation. RESULTS: The yield for 50 g of ginseng extract which was treated with freezing drier was 3.13 g (6.3%). Cytotoxicity in vitro was measured as survival fraction which was judged from the curve, at ginseng concentration of 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 1 mg/mL were 0.89+/-0.04, 0.86+/-0.06, 0.73+/-0.01 and 0.09+/-0.02, respectively. Survival fraction at X-irradiation alone of 2, 4, 6 and 8 Gy were 0.81+/-0.07, 0.42+/-0.08, 0.15+/-0.02, 0.03+/-0.01, respectively. But, survival fraction in combined group of X-irradiation and ginseng (0.2mg/mL) at each same radiation dose were 0.28+/-0.01, 0.18+/-0.03, 0.08+/-0.02, 0.006+/-0.002, respectively ( p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The yield for ginseng extract which was treated with freezing drier was 6.3%. Cytotoxicity of Fsa II in combined ginseng with X-irradiation group was increased than that of X-irradition alone group, and its enhancing effect seemed to be added.