Impact of feed, light and access to manipulable material on tail biting in pigs with intact tails.

BACKGROUND: Tail biting (TB) is a welfare issue with economic consequences due to infections and ill-thrift. This study aimed to reduce tail injuries in a high-performing non-tail-docking pig herd. RESULTS: During eleven years preceding the trial, the annual incidence of tail injuries registered at slaughter in pigs from the herd increased from 3% (equivalent to the national mean) to 10%. It was positively correlated to a high weight gain and negatively correlated to daylight length. The overall incidence of tail injuries during the four years preceding the trial was 9.2% with significant differences between four identically structured buildings for fatteners (I < II < III < IV). The feed was enriched with amino acids, minerals and fibres. The buildings used different illumination strategies, I: standard fluorescent tubes with an invisible flickering light of 30-40% for 14 h daily, II: non-flickering led light for 14 h daily, III (control) and IV: standard fluorescent tubes for 2 h daily. IV had free access to manipulable material (hay-silage), while I-III was offered 100-200 g daily. During the adaptation period (6 months), the incidence of tail injuries decreased significantly in all buildings to a mean of 5.4%. The largest decrease (from 11.4 to 4.3%) was obtained in IV. During the trial period (12 months), the mean incidence of tail injuries decreased in all groups to a mean of 3.0%. There were no differences in treatment incidences of individual pigs due to TB between groups, but the use of enriched pellets due to TB in pens was lowest in II. The low incidence of tail injuries was retained during the post-trial period (6 months) when all buildings used artificial illumination for two hours per day. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of TB in fast growing non-tail-docked pigs in the herd was successfully reduced by supplementing the feed with amino acids, minerals, vitamins and fibres. Additional manipulable material accelerated that process and non-flickering illumination may have had an impact in preventing TB. The results obtained do not support the need for tail-docking of pigs, provided that the needs of the pigs in terms of feed ingredients, stocking density and access to manipulable materials are fulfilled.

Amino acid supplementation counteracts negative effects of low protein diets on tail biting in pigs more than extra environmental enrichment.

Low protein (LP) diets may increase the occurrence of damaging behaviours, like tail biting, in pigs. We investigated the effect of supplementing a LP diet with indispensable amino acids (IAA) or environmental enrichment on tail biting. Undocked pigs (n = 48 groups of 12) received either a normal protein diet (NP), a LP, LP with supplemented IAA (LP+), or LP diet with extra environmental enrichment (LP-E+) during the starter, grower, and finisher phase. Performance, activity, behaviour, and body damage were recorded. LP and LP-E+ had a lower feed intake, growth, and gain-to-feed ratio, and were more active than NP and LP+ pigs. LP-E+ pigs interacted most often with enrichment materials, followed by LP, LP+, and NP pigs. LP pigs showed more tail biting than all other groups during the starter phase and the finisher phase (tendency) compared to NP and LP+ pigs. Thus, LP-E+ only reduced tail biting in the starter phase, whereas LP+ tended to do so throughout. Tail damage was more severe in LP pigs than in NP and LP+, with LP-E+ in between. In conclusion, IAA supplementation was more effective than extra environmental enrichment in countering the negative effects of a low protein diet on tail biting in pigs.

The loop-tail mouse model displays open and closed caudal neural tube defects.

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the second most common cause of congenital malformations and are often studied in animal models. Loop-tail (Lp) mice carry a mutation in the Vangl2 gene, a member of the Wnt-planar cell polarity pathway. In Vangl2+/Lp embryos, the mutation induces a failure in the completion of caudal neural tube closure, but only a small percentage of embryos develop open spina bifida. Here, we show that the majority of Vangl2+/Lp embryos developed caudal closed NTDs and presented cellular aggregates that may facilitate the sealing of these defects. The cellular aggregates expressed neural crest cell markers and, using these as a readout, we describe a systematic method to assess the severity of the neural tube dorsal fusion failure. We observed that this defect worsened in combination with other NTD mutants, Daam1 and Grhl3. Besides, we found that in Vangl2+/Lp embryos, these NTDs were resistant to maternal folic acid and inositol supplementation. Loop-tail mice provide a useful model for research on the molecular interactions involved in the development of open and closed NTDs and for the design of prevention strategies for these diseases.

Effects of dietary oat supplementation on carcass traits, muscle metabolites, amino acid profiles, and its association with meat quality of Small-tail Han sheep.

Oat supplementation of the ruminant diet can improve growth performance and meat quality traits, but the role of muscle metabolites has not been evaluated. This study aimed to establish whether oat grass supplementation (OS) of Small-tail Han sheep improved growth performance and muscle tissue metabolites that are associated with better meat quality and flavor. After 90-day, OS fed sheep had higher live-weight and carcass-weight, and lower carcass fat. Muscle metabolomics analysis showed that OS fed sheep had higher levels of taurine, l-carnitine, inosine-5'-monophospgate, cholic acid, and taurocholic acid, which are primarily involved in taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, purine metabolism, and bile acid biosynthesis and secretion, decreased fat accumulation and they promote functional or flavor metabolites. OS also increased muscle levels of amino acids that are attributed to better quality and flavorsome mutton. These findings provided further evidence for supplementing sheep with oat grass to improve growth performance and meat quality.

Determination of Catecholamines in a Small Volume (25 µL) of Plasma from Conscious Mouse Tail Vein.

The determination of plasma catecholamine levels is commonly used as a measure of the sympathetic nervous system's response to stress and is highly important for diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis of cardiovascular diseases, catecholamine-secreting tumors arising from the chromaffin cells of the sympathoadrenal system, and affective disorders. Diseases in which catecholamines are significantly elevated include pheochromocytoma, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma, von Hippel-Lindau disease, baroreflex failure, chemodectina (nonchromaffin paraganglioma), and multiple endocrine neoplasia. Plasma norepinephrine levels provide a guide to prognosis in patients with stable, chronic, and congestive heart diseases. The method described here for the determination of plasma catecholamines is based on the principle that plasma catecholamines are selectively adsorbed on acid-washed alumina at pH 8.7 and then eluted at a pH between 1.0 and 2.0. Upon injection, catecholamines in elutes were separated by a reversed phase C-18 column. After separation, the catecholamines present within the mobile phase enter the electrochemical detector. Electrochemical detection occurs because electroactive compounds oxidize at a certain potential and thereby liberate electrons that create measurable current. Catecholamines readily form quinones under these conditions, get oxidized, release two electrons, and create current. The electrochemical detector detects this electrical current that linearly correlates to the catecholamine concentration loaded into the ultra-performance liquid chromatography instrument. A 15-min mixing time during the adsorption and desorption steps was found to be optimal. If the washing step was omitted, the catecholamines could not be eluted from the acid-washed alumina. To prevent dilution, the alumina had to be centrifuged and not aspirated to dryness after the washing step. We report here that by changing the range in the electrochemical detector, plasma catecholamines were measured with only 12.5 µL of plasma and more reliably with 25 µL of plasma. The detection limit was 1 ng/mL. This assay method is very useful as blood can be collected from the tail vein in a conscious mouse and the same mouse can be used for time-dependent or age-dependent studies.

The combination of danhong injection plus tissue plasminogen activator ameliorates mouse tail thrombosis-induced by κ-carrageenan.

BACKGROUND: After thrombosis, t-PA thrombolysis is the first choice, but the use of t-PA can easily lead to hemorrhagic injury and neurotoxicity. The combination of Danhong injection (DHI) and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) therapy may be a new strategy to find high-efficiency anti-thrombosis and low bleeding risk. However, nothing is about the effect of DHI plus t-PA on platelet activation. PURPOSE: The present research was to explore the optimal dose of DHI and t-PA in vivo and mechanisms involved with the treatment of combining DHI and t-PA for thrombotic disease and determined whether DHI plus t-PA affects thrombotic processes related to platelet activation. METHODS: Mice were induced by administering κ-carrageenan intraperitoneally, the ratio of different doses of DHI and t-PA in vivo, and the optimal dose effects on platelet aggregation, platelet adhesion, thrombosis formation, and platelet activation were determined. The effects of the αIIbß3 signaling pathway were analyzed in mice. RESULTS: In vitro, DHI (62% v/v), t-PA (1 mg/ml), and DHI + t-PA (62% v/v + 1 mg/ml) decreased rat platelet aggregation and adhesion, with a stronger effect from the combination as compared to t-PA monotherapy. In vivo, injections of κ-carrageenan were used to induce BALB/c mice. The optimal dose of DHI, t-PA, and DHI + t-PA is 12 ml/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 12 ml/kg + 7.5 mg/kg. The administration of DHI (12 ml/kg), t-PA (10 mg/kg), and DHI + t-PA (12 ml/kg + 7.5 mg/kg) decreased thrombi in mouse tissue vessels. Furthermore, the reduction of thrombosis formation by DHI, t-PA, and DHI + t-PA was related to lower collagen deposition, and lowered expressions of collagen I, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), and metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in mouse tails, with increased efficacy in combination as compared to t-PA alone. The anti-thrombosis actions of DHI, t-PA, and their combination regulated the expression of CD41, purinergic receptor (P2Y12), guanine nucleotide-binding protein G (q) subunit alpha (GNAQ), phosphatidylinositol phospholipase c beta (PLCß), Ras-related protein 1 (Rap1), RIAM, talin1, fibrinogen alpha chain (FG), kindlin-3, and RAS guany1-releasing protein 1 (RasGRP1). CONCLUSIONS: Based on expression, the mechanism responsible for thrombosis may be attributed to platelet activation via the αIIbß3 signaling pathway. Combination therapy with DHI and t-PA exerted potent thrombolytic effects. Thus, our data can be used as a foundation for further clinical studies examining the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicines for the treatment of thrombosis.

Effect of a dietary supplement on the reduction of lymphedema-progression in mouse tail-cut model.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate in vivo, in a mouse tail model of lymphedema, the effects of a dietary supplement, Garlive®, based on hydroxytyrosol from olive leaves, spermidine from rice seeds, hesperidin from citrus fruits and vitamin A. Hydroxytyrosol has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and inhibits leukotriene B4 generation; spermidine is able to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators; hesperidin inhibits the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines: IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10; vitamin A deficiency was shown to induce inflammation and aggravate existing inflammatory states, whereas supplementation with vitamin A could ameliorate inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The active compounds were included in tablets: 250 mg of olive leaf extract titrated in 10% hydroxytyrosol, 200 mg of citrus fruits extract titrated in 60% hesperidin, 10 mg of rice (Oryza sativa) seeds extract titrated in 1% spermidine and 0.8 mg of vitamin A. Mice of an inbred group were randomly selected and divided in the control group and drug-treated group. The wound necessary for lymphedema generation was made on the tail of each mice 1 cm below the base of the trunk. RESULTS: After surgical intervention, there was a gradual increase in the circumference of both ends of the wound. The control group showed higher increase of tail volume than the drug-treated group. The differences in tail swelling between the control group and the drug-treated group were significantly different. The peak of swelling was anticipated to the 6th day in the drug-treated group, whereas in the control group the peak was reached later on. CONCLUSIONS: The tested drug prevented the induction of swelling from day 5th of wound creation and decreased the duration of swelling, favoring the wound healing.

Future Tail Tales: A Forward-Looking, Integrative Perspective on Tail Research.

Synopsis Tails are a defining characteristic of chordates and show enormous diversity in function and shape. Although chordate tails share a common evolutionary and genetic-developmental origin, tails are extremely versatile in morphology and function. For example, tails can be short or long, thin or thick, and feathered or spiked, and they can be used for propulsion, communication, or balancing, and they mediate in predator-prey outcomes. Depending on the species of animal the tail is attached to, it can have extraordinarily multi-functional purposes. Despite its morphological diversity and broad functional roles, tails have not received similar scientific attention as, for example, the paired appendages such as legs or fins. This forward-looking review article is a first step toward interdisciplinary scientific synthesis in tail research. We discuss the importance of tail research in relation to five topics: (1) evolution and development, (2) regeneration, (3) functional morphology, (4) sensorimotor control, and (5) computational and physical models. Within each of these areas, we highlight areas of research and combinations of long-standing and new experimental approaches to move the field of tail research forward. To best advance a holistic understanding of tail evolution and function, it is imperative to embrace an interdisciplinary approach, re-integrating traditionally siloed fields around discussions on tail-related research.

Spirulina maxima derived marine pectin promotes the in vitro and in vivo regeneration and wound healing in zebrafish.

Purified bioactive components of marine algae have shown great pharmaceutical and biomedical potential, including wound healing activity. However, the activity of Spirulina maxima is the least documented with regard to wound healing potential. In the present study, we investigated the regenerative and wound healing activities of a Spirulina (Arthrospira) maxima based pectin (SmP) using in vitro human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and in vivo zebrafish model. SmP treated (12.5-50 µg/mL) HDFs showed increased cell proliferation by 20-40% compared to the untreated HDFs. Moreover, in vitro wound healing results in HDFs demonstrated that SmP decreased the open wound area % in concentration-dependent manner at 12.5 (32%) and 25 µg/mL (12%) compared to the control (44%). Further, zebrafish larvae displayed a greater fin regenerated area in the SmP exposed group at 25 (0.48 mm2) and 50 µg/mL (0.51 mm2), whereas the untreated group had the lowest regenerated area (0.40 mm2) at 3 days post amputation. However, fin regeneration was significantly (P < 0.001) higher only in the SmP treated group at 50 µg/mL. Furthermore, the open skin wound healing % in adult zebrafish was significantly higher (P < 0.05) after topical application (600 µg/fish) of SmP (46%) compared to the control (38%). Upregulation of genes such as tgfß1, timp2b, mmp9, tnf-α, and il-1ß, and chemokines such as cxcl18b, ccl34a.4, and ccl34b.4, in the muscle and kidney tissues of SmP treated fish compared to the respective control group was demonstrated using qRT-PCR. Histological analysis results further supported the rapid epidermal growth and tissue remodeling in SmP treated fish, suggesting that SmP exerts positive effects associated with wound healing. Therefore, SmP can be considered a potential regenerative and wound healing agent.

Effects of Algan Hemostatic Agent on bleeding time in a rat tail hemorrhage model.

BACKGROUND: Algan Hemostatic Agent (AHA) is a multi-herbal extract containing a standardized amount of Achillea millefolium, Juglans regia, Lycopodium clavatum, Rubus caesius or Rubis fruciosus, Viscum album, and Vitis vinifera, each of which is effective in hemostasis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of AHA on bleeding time in a rat tail hemorrhage model. METHODS: Forty-eight Sprague Dawley rats (5-7 weeks old, 180-210 g) were randomly and equally allocated to six groups as follows: heparin plus saline (heparinized control), heparin plus AHA-soaked sponge, heparin plus liquid form of AHA, saline (non-heparinized control), AHA-soaked sponge and liquid form of AHA. Heparin (640 IU/kg) was administered intraperitoneally three times a day for three days in heparinized groups. For the bleeding model, the tail of rats was transected. According to the study group, either saline- or AHA-soaked sponge or liquid form of AHA was applied over the hemorrhage area. In AHA- or saline-soaked sponge groups, once the bleeding time had started, it was checked every 10 seconds. If the bleeding did not stop after 40 seconds, it was accepted as a failure. In liquid AHA group, the duration of bleeding was measured using a chronometer and defined as the time (seconds) from wounding until the bleeding stopped. RESULTS: Bleeding time in the heparinized and non-heparinized control groups was over 40 seconds. After applying the sponge form of AHA on the wound area, bleeding time was significantly shortened to less than 20 seconds in both heparinized and non-heparinized rats (p<0.001 for both). The liquid form of AHA stopped bleeding in 5.0±1.2 seconds and 8.0±1.3 seconds in heparinized and non-heparinized groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: AHA is a highly effective topical hemostatic agent in a rat tail hemorrhage model, thus may provide for a unique clinically effective option for control of bleeding during surgical operations or other emergencies.

Elucidation of the active ingredients of Lamiophlomis herba against hemorrhage based on network pharmacology and tail snipping model in mice.

This study aimed to elucidate the active ingredients of Lamiophlomis herba (LH), the overground part of Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo, against hemorrhage based on network pharmacology and tail snipping model in mice. A total of 118 hemorrhage-related target genes were identified by retrieving public databases, and 39 genes were identified as the hub genes of hemorrhage based on protein-protein interaction and module analyses. The interactions between 67 potentially active ingredients in LH and 7 genes in the 39 hub genes were established and analyzed through molecular docking and Cytoscape. A total of 21 ingredients were involved in the interactions, and were divided into three categories: iridoid (15 ingredients), flavonoid (2 ingredients) and other category (4 ingredients). Based on the "multi-ingredient, multi-target" characteristic of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), the results of network pharmacology indicated that iridoid might be the key active ingredient group of LH against hemorrhage. The contribution of iridoid to the hemostatic effect of LH was investigated by the tail snipping model in mice. The results showed that iridoid was the key active ingredient group of LH against hemorrhage, which confirmed the prediction in network pharmacology. Additionally, the previous reports also supported this prediction. In conclusion, the finding of the present study indicates that iridoid is the key hemostatic ingredient group of LH. This work provides valuable references for investigation of the hemostatic ingredients of LH based on the holistic theory of TCMs. Meanwhile, this work also provides further insight into the development of hemostatic drugs based on LH.

Systemic acyl-ghrelin increases tail skin temperature in rats without affecting their thermoregulatory behavior in a cold environment.

Fasting increases ghrelin that is a peptide hormone with two circulating isoforms, acyl and des-acyl ghrelin. We reported that fasting or des-acyl ghrelin facilitates behavioral thermoregulation in the cold in rats assessed by tail-hiding behavior that was the indicator of rats' thermoregulatory behavior in the cold; however, the effect of acyl-ghrelin on the same process remains to be elucidated. We investigated the effect of acyl-ghrelin on thermoregulatory behavior in the cold in rats. The animals received an intraperitoneal saline or 24 µg acyl-ghrelin injection and were exposed to 27 °C or 15 °C for 2 h, while their body temperature, tail skin temperature, and tail-hiding behavior were constantly monitored. cFos immunoreactive (cFos-IR) cells in the median preoptic area, medial preoptic area, paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and arcuate nucleus were counted. Body temperature and the duration of thermoregulatory behavior did not show a significant difference between the acyl-ghrelin-treated and control groups at 15 °C; however, tail skin temperature in the acyl-ghrelin-treated group was higher than that in the control group. The number of cFos-IR cells in the PVN was greater in the control group than that in the acyl-ghrelin-treated group at 27 °C. These results indicate that acyl-ghrelin did not affect behavioral thermoregulation but might affect tail skin temperature in rats in the cold.

Effect of Collagen Peptide, Alone and in Combination with Calcium Citrate, on Bone Loss in Tail-Suspended Rats.

Oral administration of bovine collagen peptide (CP) combined with calcium citrate (CC) has been found to inhibit bone loss in ovariectomized rats. However, the protective effects of CP and CP-CC against bone loss have not been investigated in a tail-suspension simulated microgravity (SMG) rat model. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 40) were randomly divided into five groups (n = 8): a control group with normal gravity, a SMG control group, and three SMG groups that underwent once-daily gastric gavage with CP (750 mg/kg body weight), CC (75 mg/kg body weight) or CP-CC (750 and 75 mg/kg body weight, respectively) for 28 days. After sacrifice, the femurs were analyzed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, three-point bending mechanical tests, microcomputed tomography, and serum bone metabolic markers. Neither CP nor CP-CC treatment significantly inhibited bone loss in SMG rats, as assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and three-point bending mechanical tests. However, both CP and CP-CC treatment were associated with partial prevention of the hind limb unloading-induced deterioration of bone microarchitecture, as demonstrated by improvements in trabecular number and trabecular separation. CP-CC treatment increased serum osteocalcin levels. Dietary supplementation with CP or CP-CC may represent an adjunct strategy to reduce the risk of fracture in astronauts.

Reconstruction of lymphatic vessels in the mouse tail after cupping therapy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate the regulatory mechanism of local lymphatic reconstruction after cupping therapy in a mouse model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The lymphatic reconstruction process in the mouse tail after cupping therapy as well as the expression levels of the vascular endothelial identification molecule CD34, prospero homeobox protein 1 (PROX1), and lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 (LYVE-1) were investigated for a duration of 4 days through immunohistochemistry experiments. RESULTS: On day 1 after cupping therapy, the CD34+ and LYVE-1+ cell densities were significantly increased, and the formed CD34+LYVE-1+ tubular structure started to express PROX1. This was followed by a decrease in both the CD34+ and LYVE-1+ stem cell densities to basal levels on the second day after cupping therapy. Both the CD34+ and LYVE-1+ cell densities subsequently increased again on the third day after cupping therapy. The increase in the LYVE-1+ density was accompanied by tubular structure formation, which is characteristic of lymphangiogenesis. In addition, the colocalisation of CD34+ and LYVE-1+ cells by immunohistochemistry suggests that the CD34+ stem cells differentiated into new lymphatic endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of cupping therapy involves upregulation of vascular and lymphatic endothelial markers (CD34+, LYVE-1+, and CD34+LYVE-1+) in local tissues, which in turn promotes local new lymphatic vessel formation through the expression of PROX1.

Effect of sIL-13Rα2-Fc on the progression of rat tail intervertebral disc degeneration.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of degenerative disc disease caused by intervertebral disc injury is increasing annually, seriously affecting the quality of life of patients and increasing the disease burden on society. The mechanisms of intervertebral disc degeneration include changes in extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and tissue fibrosis. sIL-13Rα2-Fc potently inhibits interleukin (IL)-13, as well as blocks related cell signaling pathways and inhibits fibrosis in certain tissues. However, it is unknown whether sIL-13Rα2-Fc inhibits fibrosis in injured intervertebral discs and slows the process of degeneration. We hypothesized that sIL-13Rα2-Fc delays the progression of intervertebral disc degeneration by inhibiting intervertebral disc fibrosis and improving ECM deposition. METHODS: A rat tail intervertebral disc degeneration model was established. Pathological changes in rat intervertebral disc tissue were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson staining. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG), chondroitin sulfate (CS), keratan sulfate (KS), and hyaluronic acid (HA) contents were quantitatively analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Type I and type II collagen expression levels were analyzed by reverse transcription-PCR and western blotting. RESULTS: Hematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson staining revealed annulus fibrosus rupture, disordered arrangement, decreased nucleus pulposus tissue, and decreased collagen fiber in the rat intervertebral disc tissue. Following treatment with sIL-13Rα2-Fc, pathological changes in the rat intervertebral disc were reduced. Rat intervertebral disc tissue showed decreased GAG, CS-KS, and (HA) contents, increased type I collagen levels, and decreased type II collagen levels in degenerated intervertebral discs. sIL-13Rα2-Fc intervention increased the contents of GAG, CS, KS, and HA; inhibited the expression of type I collagen; and promoted the expression of type II collagen. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that intervertebral disc degeneration is associated with tissue fibrosis. sIL-13Rα2-Fc can regulate type I and type II collagen expression levels by increasing GAG, CS, KS, and HA contents, thereby slowing the progression of intervertebral disc degeneration.

Lizard Tail Extracts Exert Protective Effect Against Oxidative Stress-Induced Cellular Senescence in Human Fibroblasts.

Lizards are the evolutionarily closest animals to humans among the self-renewable species. Recent reports show that lizard tail extracts (LTE) inhibit the proliferation and angiogenesis of cancer cells but do not show any toxicity against human fibroblast cells. Nevertheless, few scientific studies investigated the effects of LTE on the treatment of skin diseases, especially oxidative stress aging. Therefore, we explored the effect of LTE on the anti-aging activity of human fibroblasts. We confirmed the anti-aging effect of LTE by SA-ß-galactosidase staining. In addition, the hydrogen peroxide-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) were decreased by the LTE, as measured by staining with the 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate reagent. We performed Western blot analysis to examine the signaling pathways. In conclusion, the LTE can prevent cellular senescence through the suppression of ROS and the downregulation of p21.

The up-regulation of two identified wound healing specific proteins-HSP70 and lysozyme in regenerated Eisenia fetida through transcriptome analysis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Disposed earthworm has been used to treat various common ailments including burns, arthritis, itching, and inflammation for thousands of years in China. As their remarkable ability to fully regenerate in a scar-free manner, regenerated tissue homogenate of amputated Eisenia fetida (E. fetida) have been considered as an excellent wound repair therapy in our previous study. We have demonstrated that regenerated earthworm (G-90') can perform higher wound repair ability to non-regeneration tissue (G-90) through significant promotion of cutaneous wound repair in mice after their administration into wound beds. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we aimed to reveal the mechanism of G-90' and to explore a potential wound healing accelerated strategy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two functional proteins- HSP70 and lysozyme in G-90' were confirmed by cross-identification of LC-MS/MS and transcriptome analyses. Followed with semi-quantitative PCR and western blot, their expression were validated to up-regulate in 3-day regenerated tissues (G-90'). CONCLUSION: This study implies the therapeutic potency of G-90' for wound recovery and provides a new strategy to assess other natural materials targeting wound healing with the tail-amputated E .fetida as a model organism.

Motor context dominates output from purkinje cell functional regions during reflexive visuomotor behaviours.

The cerebellum integrates sensory stimuli and motor actions to enable smooth coordination and motor learning. Here we harness the innate behavioral repertoire of the larval zebrafish to characterize the spatiotemporal dynamics of feature coding across the entire Purkinje cell population during visual stimuli and the reflexive behaviors that they elicit. Population imaging reveals three spatially-clustered regions of Purkinje cell activity along the rostrocaudal axis. Complementary single-cell electrophysiological recordings assign these Purkinje cells to one of three functional phenotypes that encode a specific visual, and not motor, signal via complex spikes. In contrast, simple spike output of most Purkinje cells is strongly driven by motor-related tail and eye signals. Interactions between complex and simple spikes show heterogeneous modulation patterns across different Purkinje cells, which become temporally restricted during swimming episodes. Our findings reveal how sensorimotor information is encoded by individual Purkinje cells and organized into behavioral modules across the entire cerebellum.

Characterization of Soybean Germinated Embryo Extract as an Estrogen Receptor Subtype-Selective and Tissue-Specific Modulator.

Phytoestrogens possess beneficial effects in the management of menopausal symptoms with few side effects. Soybeans are major natural sources of isoflavones, with high estrogen receptor (ER)-ß selectivity. The objective of this study therefore was to develop a solvent-mediated extraction method for soybean germinated embryos (SGEs) and to investigate the biological activities of the extract. Ethanolic extraction yielded the SGE extract (SGEE), which had a unique composition of biologically active aglycones and soyasaponins. SGEE showed a proliferative effect in MCF7 cells and ERß-selective transcriptional activities in human embryonic kidney cells. In addition, oral administration of SGEE to ovariectomized rats resulted in the induction of ERß and estrogen-responsive genes in the uterus and a decrease in tail skin temperature and uterus weight. Our data suggest that germination and ethanolic extraction are effective measures for producing isoflavone-rich food supplements, which may be useful as alternative menopausal hormone therapy.

Dietary Selenomethionine Administration and Its Effects on the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis): Oxidative Status and Corticosterone Levels.

Selenium (Se) is an essential nutrient which in excess causes toxicity. The disposal of incompletely combusted coal, which often is rich in Se, into aquatic settling basins is increasing the risk of Se exposure worldwide. However, very few studies have looked at the physiological effects of Se exposure on long-lived, top trophic vertebrates, such as the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). During a 7-week period, alligators were fed one of three dietary treatments: mice injected with deionized water or mice injected with water containing 1000 or 2000 ppm selenomethionine (SeMet). One week after the last feeding alligators were bled within 3 min of capture for plasma corticosterone (CORT). A few days later, all alligators were euthanized and whole blood and tail tissue were harvested to measure oxidative damage, an antioxidant-associated transcription factor, and antioxidant enzymes [glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPX1), superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1), and SOD2] by Western blotting. There was a dose-dependent increase in baseline CORT levels in alligators administered SeMet. Except for blood SOD2 levels, SeMet treatment had no effect (p > 0.05 for all) on oxidative status: oxidative damage, GPX1, SOD1, and muscle SOD2 levels were similar among treatments. Our results illustrate that high levels of Se may act as a stressor to crocodilians. Future studies should investigate further the physiological effects of Se accumulation in long-lived, top-trophic vertebrates.