Preparation of reductive polypeptides from fresh placentas of dairy cows.

In order to prepare reductive polypeptides from the placenta of dairy cows' fresh placentas from healthy Chinese Holstein cows were obtained and homogenized. Response surface model was established to optimize the hydrolysis condition for the extraction of the placental polypeptides. Specifically, the placental tissue homogenate was treated with both trypsin and pepsin for 348 min and 329 min; at 35.00% and 35.75% of substrate concentration; with an enzyme-substrate ratio of 3.33% and 3.92%, respectively, based on the models. The treated samples were then demineralized and freeze-dried to obtain the hydrolyzed polypeptides. In order to identify the molecular mass distribution and reducibility of polypeptides, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) and Prussian blue methods were used. The concentrations of placental polypeptides after hydrolysis by trypsin or pepsin were 5.52% and 5.97%, respectively; the vitamin C (Vit C) equivalents were 36.26 µg mg-1 or 61.15 µg mg-1, respectively. Both groups showed intensity peaks of MALDI patterns in the range of 300 - 400 Da, and polypeptides hydrolyzed by pepsin had higher Vit C equivalent anti-oxidant activity than trypsin hydrolyzed polypeptide, suggesting that the proteins in the placental tissues were hydrolyzed to di-peptides and tri-peptides completely. In conclusion, both trypsin and pepsin hydrolysis performed well in preparation of reductive polypeptides from the fresh placentas of dairy cows; while, pepsin is more effective than trypsin. The primary reductive ingredients may be the oligopeptides with molecular mass less than 1000 Da.

Development of an Implantable Wireless and Batteryless Bladder Pressure Monitor System for Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Closed-loop neuromodulation based on bladder pressure is an effective therapy for lower urinary tract dysfunction. The catheter-based cystometry normally used for bladder pressure measurement is not conducive to patient health because it will bring great mental stress to the patient and increase the risk of infection. METHOD: This paper designs and implements an implantable wireless and batteryless bladder pressure monitor system that monitors bladder storage in real time by implanting a miniature packaged sensor which transmits the feedback signal to the external receiver through BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). The implanted part is powered by a dedicated magnetic resonance based wireless power transmission system, which means no battery is needed. RESULTS: The maximum distance to which power can be transmitted is 7cm. The in vitro experiment proves that the system performance can meet the requirement of bladder pressure monitoring. The animal experiment uses rabbits as a model to verify the effectiveness of the system. After implantation, this system can work for a long time without replacing the battery. CONCLUSION: This system can monitor the pressure of the bladder and provide a basis for Closed-loop neuromodulation in patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction.

Serum adipokines play different roles in type I and II ketosis.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the differences in several serum adipokines in perinatal dairy cows with type I and II ketosis, and the correlations between these adipokines and the two types of ketosis. METHODS: Serum adiponectin (ADP), leptin (LEP), resistin, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, and energy balance indicators related to ketosis were measured. Type I and II ketosis were distinguished by serum glucose (Glu) and Y values and the correlations between adipokines in the two types of ketosis were analyzed. RESULTS: ß-Hydroxybutyric acid of type I ketosis cows was significantly negatively correlated with insulin (INS) and LEP and had a significant positive correlation with serum ADP. In type II ketosis cows, ADP and LEP were significantly negatively correlated, and INS and resistin were significantly positively correlated. Revised quantitative INS sensitivity check index (RQUICKI) values had a significantly positive correlation with ADP and had a very significant and significant negative correlation with resistin, TNF-α, and IL-6. ADP was significantly negatively correlated with resistin and TNF-α, LEP had a significantly positive correlation with TNF-α, and a significantly positive correlation was shown among resistin, IL-6, and TNF-α. There was also a significant positive correlation between IL-6 and TNF-α. CONCLUSION: INS, ADP, and LEP might exert biological influences to help the body recover from negative energy balance, whereas resistin, TNF-α, and IL-6 in type II ketosis cows exacerbated INS resistance and inhibited the production and secretion of ADP, weakened INS sensitivity, and liver protection function, and aggravated ketosis.

Relationships between placental adiponectin, leptin, visfatin and resistin and birthweight in cattle.

Adipokines can affect intrauterine development while calf birthweight (CBW) is a breeding standard of calves, which reflects the status of fetal intrauterine development. To explore the correlation between placental adipokines and CBW, 54 healthy Chinese Holstein cows were used in the present study. The cows were grouped according to the CBW of their calves. Placentas were collected immediately after delivery and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the placental expression levels of adiponectin, leptin, visfatin and resistin. Our results show that the mRNA transcription and blood placental content of adiponectin, leptin, visfatin and resistin increased with increasing CBW. The analysis showed that the mRNA transcription levels of placental adiponectin, leptin and resistin were positively correlated with CBW. The mRNA and protein expression levels of adiponectin, leptin and visfatin between the three groups were significantly correlated. Placental resistin mRNA levels correlated positively with adiponectin mRNA, but not leptin or visfatin. The protein expression levels of resistin were significantly positively correlated with those of adiponectin, leptin and visfatin. These results suggest that placental adipokines play important roles in regulating calf intrauterine growth.