Effect of Supplementation with Organic Selenium or Turmeric and Rosemary Mixture on Beta-Defensin Content in Goat Milk.

The present study examines the effects of diet supplementation with an organic selenium or herb-spice mixture on beta-defensin1 (GBD-1) and beta-defensin2 (GBD-2) concentrations in goat milk. Herd-I, consisting of Polish White (PWI) and Fawn Improved (PFI) goats, received supplementation with organic or inorganic selenium (controls). All goats were free from parasites, mastitis, and small ruminant lentivirus infection. Herd-II, consisting of PWI goats, either received a turmeric-rosemary mixture (experimental) or not (controls). The Herd I control group demonstrated higher fat, free fatty acid, and somatic cell levels and lower protein and lactose contents than Herd II controls. The GBD-1 concentration was below the detection limit in both herds. Herd I controls demonstrated higher GBD-2 concentrations in milk than Herd II controls. In addition, lower GBD-2 concentrations were noted in PWI goat milk. Organic selenium or rosemary-turmeric mixture supplementation had no effect on the GBD-2 content in the milk of healthy goats. The higher GBD-2 concentration observed in Herd Ic than in Herd IIc may suggest that the type of basal diet affects defensin secretion.

The relationship between perceived competence and self-esteem among novice nurses - a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Novice nurses' responsibilities are greater than what their actual level of competence can cope with. This can cause increased levels of stress, which many studies have shown is a factor resulting in reduced self-esteem, which affects not only the well-being of nurses but also the quality of care provided. AIMS: To investigate the relationship between the self-assessment of nursing competencies and self-esteem among novice nurses and the moderation role of the sociodemographic variables and intention to leave the nursing profession on this relationship. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A correlational cross-sectional study was performed using an online questionnaire. The study was conducted between July and October 2019 among 122 novice nurses. The study tool consisted of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Nurse Professional Competence Scale-Short Version, and metrics. Calculations were performed using SPSS Statistics, version 25. To approach research questions hierarchical multiple regression was performed. RESULTS: The self-esteem level of novice nurses have been identified as low. Novice nurses who declared their willingness to leave their profession had a higher level of self-esteem than nurses who did not declare this willingness. The highest-rated competencies were in the fields of nursing care and value-based nursing care, while the lowest were in the areas of development, leadership, and the organisation of nursing care. Correlations between postgraduate education and competencies in the majority subscales were revealed. The results showed a negative correlation between self-esteem and all subscales of the competence scale. Seniority and postgraduate education were important moderators in the relationship between some competence subscales and self-esteem. CONCLUSION: Novice nurses present a low level of self-esteem. Nurses with a higher competence level showed lower self-esteem. Developing competencies at the beginning of one's nursing practice, which is crucial for patients' outcomes, should be accompanied by the strengthening of novice nurses' self-esteem.KEY MESSAGESNovice nurses with a higher level of self-esteem more often declared their willingness to leave their profession.The results showed a negative correlation between self-esteem and all subscales of the competence scale.Seniority and postgraduate education are important moderators in the relationship between some competence subscales and self-esteem.

The effect of single-nucleotide polymorphism in the promoter region of bovine alpha-lactalbumin (LALBA) gene on LALBA expression in milk cells and milk traits of cows.

Polymorphisms of milk protein genes have been proposed as candidate markers for dairy production traits in cattle. In the present study, a polymorphism was detected in the 5'-flanking (promoter) region of the bovine alpha-lactalbumin (LALBA) gene, a T/C transition located at nucleotide -1,001 relative to the transcription start site g.-1001T > C (NC_037332.1:g.31183170T > C), which is recognizable with PstI restriction endonuclease. In silico analyses showed that this mutation created novel retinoid X receptor alpha and vitamin D receptor transcription factor binding sites. Real-time PCR found that cows with different genetic variants of the promoter demonstrated different levels of expression of LALBA mRNA in milk somatic cells (MSCs). The TT genotype cows demonstrated low expression, whereas those with CT demonstrated much higher expression (P < 0.05). ELISA analysis found milk LALBA protein levels also differed between the TT and CT cows (P < 0.05) and that these levels were not correlated with the mRNA abundance in MSC. Association analysis found that the g.-1001T > C polymorphism in the promoter region of the LALBA gene influenced milk production traits in Polish Holstein-Friesian cows. High daily milk yield and dry matter yield, and high lactose yield and concentration were associated with the TT genotype. The TT genotype cows also had a lower number of somatic cells in the milk, considered as an indicator of udder health status. Therefore, the TT genotype could be more desirable from the breeder's perspective.

Structure and reactivity of [RuII(terpy)(N

The crystal structures of [RuII(terpy)(bipy)Cl]Cl·2H2O and [RuII(terpy)(en)Cl]Cl·3H2O, where terpy = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine, bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine and en = ethylenediamine, were determined and compared to the structure of the complexes in solution obtained by multi-nuclear NMR spectroscopy in DMSOd-6 as a solvent. In aqueous solution, both chlorido complexes aquate fully to the corresponding aqua complexes, viz. [RuII(terpy)(bipy)(H2O)]2+ and [RuII(terpy)(en)(H2O)]2+, within ca. 2 h and ca. 2 min at 37 °C, respectively. The spontaneous aquation reactions can only be suppressed by chloride concentrations as high as 2 to 4 M, i.e. concentrations much higher than that found in human blood. The corresponding aqua complexes are characterized by pKa values of ca. 10 and 11, respectively, which suggest a more labile coordinated water molecule in the case of the [RuII(terpy)(en)(H2O)]2+ complex. Substitution reactions of the aqua complexes with chloride, cyanide and thiourea show that the [RuII(terpy)(en)(H2O)]2+ complex is 30-60 times more labile than the [RuII(terpy)(bipy)(H2O)]2+ complex at 25 °C. Water exchange reactions for both complexes were studied by 17O-NMR and DFT calculations (B3LYP(CPCM)/def2tzvp//B3LYP/def2svp and ωB97XD(CPCM)/def2tzvp//B3LYP/def2svp). Thermal and pressure activation parameters for the water exchange and ligand substitution reactions support the operation of an associative interchange (Ia) process. The difference in reactivity between these complexes can be accounted for in terms of π-back bonding effects of the terpy and bipy ligands and steric hindrance on the bipy complex. Consequences for eventual biological application of the chlorido complexes are discussed.