SIRT1 Promotes Host Protective Immunity against Toxoplasma gondii by Controlling the FoxO-Autophagy Axis via the AMPK and PI3K/AKT Signalling Pathways.

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) regulates cellular processes by deacetylating non-histone targets, including transcription factors and intracellular signalling mediators; thus, its abnormal activation is closely linked to the pathophysiology of several diseases. However, its function in Toxoplasma gondii infection is unclear. We found that SIRT1 contributes to autophagy activation via the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and PI3K/AKT signalling pathways, promoting anti-Toxoplasma responses. Myeloid-specific Sirt1-/- mice exhibited an increased cyst burden in brain tissue compared to wild-type mice following infection with the avirulent ME49 strain. Consistently, the intracellular survival of T. gondii was markedly increased in Sirt1-deficient bone-marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). In contrast, the activation of SIRT1 by resveratrol resulted in not only the induction of autophagy but also a significantly increased anti-Toxoplasma effect. Notably, SIRT1 regulates the FoxO-autophagy axis in several human diseases. Importantly, the T. gondii-induced phosphorylation, acetylation, and cytosolic translocation of FoxO1 was enhanced in Sirt1-deficient BMDMs and the pharmacological inhibition of PI3K/AKT signalling reduced the cytosolic translocation of FoxO1 in BMDMs infected with T. gondii. Further, the CaMKK2-dependent AMPK signalling pathway is responsible for the effect of SIRT1 on the FoxO3a-autophagy axis and for its anti-Toxoplasma activity. Collectively, our findings reveal a previously unappreciated role for SIRT1 in Toxoplasma infection.

The significant influences of pH, temperature and fatty acids on meat myoglobin oxidation: a model study.

Colour is one of the important quality traits affecting the meat purchasing decision by consumers, and myoglobin is the principal heme protein responsible for the meat colour. This study aimed to investigate the effects of pH (5.3, 5.8, 6.4 and 7.4) and temperature (4 and 25 °C) on oxymyoglobin (OxyMb) oxidation in model reaction mixtures containing OxyMb, fatty acids (C18:2n-6 and C18:3n-3) and vitamin E. A decrease of the OxyMb concentration with increased acidity was observed for all the reaction mixtures with/without fatty acids and vitamin E. After 48 h of storage at 4 °C, the OxyMb concentration decreased by approximately 60-70%, 61-69%, 53.7-53.9% and 40.93-41.84% in the reaction mixtures containing [OxyMb + C18:2n-6 or C18:3n-3] at pH 5.3, 5.8, 6.4 and 7.4, respectively. While, after 48 h at 25 °C, the OxyMb concentration decreased by 95-98% in all the reaction mixtures containing [OxyMb + C18:2n-6 or C18:3n-3] under all the pH conditions. The presence of vitamin E significantly inhibited the OxyMb oxidation in the reaction mixtures containing fatty acids under acidic conditions, but a higher level of vitamin E may be required for meat(s) containing high n-3 fatty acids content that are stored at high temperature.

Effects of Selective Attention on Mean-Size Computation: Weighted Averaging and Perceptual Enlargement.

For efficient use of limited capacity, the visual system summarizes redundant information and prioritizes relevant information, strategies known respectively as ensemble perception and selective attention. Although previous studies showed a close relationship between these strategies, the specific mechanisms underlying the relationship have not been determined. We investigated how attention modulated mean-size computation. Fourteen people participated in this study. We hypothesized that attention biases mean-size computation by increasing the contribution (weighted averaging) and the apparent size (perceptual enlargement) of an attended item. Consistent with this hypothesis, our results showed that estimated mean sizes were biased toward the attended size and overestimated regardless of the attended size, supporting weighted averaging and perceptual enlargement, respectively. Taken together, the observed effects of selective attention on mean-size computation signify a close relationship between the two optimization mechanisms to achieve efficient management of the visual system's limited capacity.

Quality characteristics, fatty acid profiles, flavor compounds and eating quality of cull sow meat in comparison with commercial pork.

OBJECTIVE: Although the slaughter of cull sows (CS) for human consumption and meat products processing appears quite common throughout the world, relatively limited scientific information regarding the meat quality parameters of this pork type is available. The present study aimed at providing the technological quality characteristics and eating quality of CS meat, and comparing with those of commercial pork. METHODS: Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle samples of CS and finisher pigs (FP) at 24 h postmortem were collected and used for investigation of the meat quality traits (pH, color, shear force, cooking loss, water holding capacity), fatty acids, flavor compounds and sensory characteristics. RESULTS: The CS meat had significantly higher moisture content (p = 0.0312) and water holding capacity (p = 0.0213) together with lower cooking loss (p = 0.0366) compared to the FP meat. The CS meat also exhibited higher (p = 0.0409) contents of unsaturated fatty acids, especially polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA, p = 0.0213) and more desirable PUFA/total saturated fatty acids ratio (p = 0.0438) compared to the FP meat. A total of 56 flavor compounds were identified, amongst the amount of 16 compounds differed significantly between the two pork groups. Most of the PUFA-derived flavor compounds (e.g., hexanal, benzaldehyde, and hydrocarbons) showed higher amounts in the CS meat. While, 3-(methylthio)-propanal and 4-methylthiazole associated with pleasant aromas (meaty and roast odor notes) were only found in the FP meat. Furthermore, no differences were reported by panelists for flavor, juiciness, tenderness, and acceptability scores between the two pork groups studied. CONCLUSION: The sow meat exhibited better technological quality and its eating quality could be comparable to the commercial pork. This study provides meat processors and traders with valuably scientific information which may help to improve the utilization and consumption level of sow meat.

Quality characteristics and flavor compounds of pork meat as a function of carcass quality grade

Objective: The present work aimed at evaluating the effects of carcass quality grade on the quality characteristics of pork meat according to Korean carcass quality grade system. Method: Pork carcasses with varying in quality grades (QG): 1+ (QG1+, n=10), 1 (QG1, n=10) and 2 (QG2, n=10), were used to evaluate the relationship between carcass quality grade and meat quality. The meat quality traits, fatty acid profiles, flavor compounds and sensory qualities were measured on the longissimus dorsi muscle samples of these carcasses. Results: Pork meat of higher quality grade (GQ1+) presented significantly higher fat content (5.43%), C18:2n-6 level (19.03%) and total unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) content (62.72%). Also, the QG1+ meat was significantly higher in levels of classes of flavor compounds such as aldehydes, alcohols and hydrocarbons in comparison to those of the meat samples from the lower GQ groups. The sensory evaluation results (flavor, juiciness, tenderness and acceptability scores) of QG1+ meat was significantly higher than the QG1 and QG2 meats. The pork with lower QG (i.e., QG2) was found positively correlated to redness (r=0.987), C18:1n-9 level (r=1.000) but negatively correlated to the fat content (r=-0.949), and flavor (r=-0.870), juiciness (r=-0.861), tenderness (r=-0.862) and acceptability (r=-0.815) scores. Conclusion: The pork with higher quality grade had higher fat content, total unsaturated fatty acids and better eating quality, thus producing pork with higher quality grades should be considered in order to satisfy the consumer's expectation.

ATF3 attenuates cyclosporin A-induced nephrotoxicity by downregulating CHOP in HK-2 cells.

Calcineurin inhibitors such as cyclosporin A (CsA) are widely used to treat organ transplantation-associated complications. However, CsA use is limited due to renal dysfunction. This study attempts to characterize the mechanism of CsA-induced nephrotoxicity using a human embryonic kidney cell line (HK-2). We performed microarray-based whole-genome expression analysis in HK-2 cells. CsA treatment induced the expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related and apoptosis-inducing genes at 6 and 24h, respectively, indicating that ER-stress predisposed the cells to apoptosis. G1 phase cell-cycle arrest was also observed via ER stress in CsA-treated cells. Furthermore, we found an inverse relationship between activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), a stress-inducible protein, and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), an apoptosis-inducing protein. Moreover, when ATF3 knockdown cells were exposed to CsA, a prompt induction of CHOP was observed, which stimulated ROS production and induced cell death-related genes as compared to wild type. Taken together, our data demonstrate that ATF3 plays a pivotal role in the attenuation of CsA-induced nephrotoxicity by downregulating CHOP and ROS production mediated by ER stress.

Ensemble memory of a scene interacts with current perception regardless of attentional requirements.

How do we maintain a rich and stable perceptual experience across the entire visual scene, even when we are focusing on a subset of visual inputs? The current study explored this question by investigating whether the visual system processes summary statistics of multiple features regardless of task relevance, and how they interact with subsequent perception. To test the processing of multifeature summary statistics under different attentional requirements, we presented multiple Gabor patches with heterogeneous orientations/colors and asked participants to attend to a single feature dimension (Experiments 1 and 3) or a single item (Experiment 2) for the memory task. During the memory maintenance period (before memory response), we asked the participants to perform a discrimination task (Experiments 1 and 2) or a boundary localization task (Experiment 3) to test how the memory of the ensemble representation alters the subsequent perceptual experience. We found evidence for obligatory processing of scene summary statistics presented for the memory task, which interacted with the subsequent perceptual sensitivity. Specifically, not only summary statistics relevant but also those of task-irrelevant feature (Experiments 1 and 3) and outside the focus of attention (Experiment 2) were encoded and bidirectionally interacted with subsequent perception. These results suggest obligatory processing of summary statistics of a scene, which may allow rich and stable visual experience by integrating temporally adjacent visual inputs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Hepatoprotective Effect of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DSR330 in Mice with High Fat Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DSR330 (DSR330) has been examined for its antimicrobials production and probiotics. In this study, the hepatoprotective effects of DSR330 were examined against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a high-fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6 mouse model. To induce the development of fatty liver, a HFD was administered for five weeks, and then silymarin (positive control) or DSR330 (108 or 109 CFU/day) was administered along with the HFD for seven weeks. DSR330 significantly decreased body weight and altered serum and hepatic lipid profiles, including a reduction in triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels compared to those in the HFD group. DSR330 significantly alleviated HFD-related hepatic injury by inducing morphological changes and reducing the levels of biomarkers, including AST, ALT, and ALP. Additionally, DSR330 alleviated the expression of SREBP-1c, ACC1, FAS, ACO, PPARα, and CPT-1 in liver cells. Insulin and leptin levels were decreased by DSR330 compared to those observed in the HFD group. However, adiponectin levels were increased, similar to those observed in the ND group. These results demonstrate that L. plantarum DSR330 inhibited HFD-induced hepatic steatosis in mice with NAFLD by modulating various signaling pathways. Hence, the use of probiotics can lead to hepatoprotective effects.

CM1, a Chrysin Derivative, Protects from Endotoxin-Induced Lethal Shock by Regulating the Excessive Activation of Inflammatory Responses.

Sepsis, a leading cause of death worldwide, is a harmful inflammatory condition that is primarily caused by an endotoxin released by Gram-negative bacteria. Effective targeted therapeutic strategies for sepsis are lacking. In this study, using an in vitro and in vivo mouse model, we demonstrated that CM1, a derivative of the natural polyphenol chrysin, exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by inducing the expression of the ubiquitin-editing protein TNFAIP3 and the NAD-dependent deacetylase sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). Interestingly, CM1 attenuated the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-induced production of inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting the extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/MAPK and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signalling pathways. In addition, CM1 induced the expression of TNFAIP3 and SIRT1 on TLR4-stimulated primary macrophages; however, the anti-inflammatory effect of CM1 was abolished by the siRNA-mediated silencing of TNFAPI3 or by the genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of SIRT1. Importantly, intravenous administration of CM1 resulted in decreased susceptibility to endotoxin-induced sepsis, thereby attenuating the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and neutrophil infiltration into the lung compared to control mice. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that CM1 has therapeutic potential for diverse inflammatory diseases, including sepsis.

Comparison of clinical features between two different types of exotropia before 12 months of age based on stereopsis outcome.

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical outcomes and characteristics of 2 different types of early-onset exotropia on the basis of stereopsis outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 24 patients with newly diagnosed exotropia before 12 months of age and at least 1 year of follow-up after surgery. METHODS: The clinical records of all patients were reviewed. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to stereopsis. The presumable early-onset intermittent exotropia (EIE) group was composed of 6 patients (25%) who showed excellent stereopsis of ≥60 arc seconds. The primary infantile exotropia (PIE) group was composed of 18 patients (75%) who showed stereopsis of ≤100 arc seconds. We compared the preoperative and postoperative clinical features of the 2 groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The age at onset and visit, age at surgery, constancy before surgery, preoperative and postoperative angles of deviation, distant suppression, reoperation rate, and presence of dissociative vertical deviation (DVD) and inferior oblique overaction (IOOA). RESULTS: The age at the stereopsis test was 6.8 years in the EIE group and 6.4 years in the PIE group (P=0.41). There was no statistical difference in the mean preoperative exodeviation (32.8 prism diopters [PD] in the EIE group vs. 34.7 PD in the PIE group, P=0.58) and postoperative deviation at the stereopsis test (1.0 PD in the EIE group vs. 2.0 PD in the PIE group, P=0.97). The reoperation rate was 33% in the EIE group and 27% in the PIE group (P=1.00). There was no statistical difference in constancy between the EIE and PIE groups (33% vs. 56%, respectively, P=0.64). However, DVD (61%) and IOOA (56%) were noted only in the PIE group (P=0.016, P=0.024, respectively), and distant suppression was noted only in the PIE group (61%, P=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that excellent sensory outcome was observed in only 25% of patients with exotropia before 12 months of age, but motor outcome and reoperation rate were not different between the 2 types of exotropia. We observed DVD, IOOA, and distant suppression only in the PIE group. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Glial proliferation after vitrectomy for a macular hole: a spectral domain optical coherence tomography study.

PURPOSE: To characterize eyes with glial proliferation after macular hole (MH) surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent vitrectomy for an idiopathic MH using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). The pattern of the closed MH after surgery was categorized according to the presence (group 1) or absence (group 2) of apparent glial proliferation, which was determined by glial tissue reflectivity involving the external limiting membrane (ELM) and photoreceptor layers. Photoreceptor layer defect areas were categorized as mild or severe. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and pre- and postoperative OCT parameters were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Among 30 eyes followed-up for a median of 11 months, seven (23 %) were assigned to group 1 and 23 (77 %) to group 2. The median age was higher in group 1 (70 years) than in group 2 (63 years). The postoperative BCVA was poorer in group 1 than in group 2 at 3 months and at the final examination (P = 0.022 and P < 0.001 respectively). The median preoperative basal hole diameter in group 1 (1,219 µm) was larger than that of group 2 (590 µm) (P = 0.002). The MH index (hole height/basal hole diameter) was smaller in group 1 than in group 2 (P = 0.012). At the final examination, group 1 had larger mild and severe photoreceptor layer defect areas (medians 1,300 µm and 207 µm respectively) than group 2 (medians 110 µm and 70 µm respectively) (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Eyes with glial proliferation after surgery for MH had different preoperative characteristics than eyes with no evidence of glial proliferation. In addition to a large hole diameter, other factors such as a small MH index and advanced age could be involved in the development of glial proliferation.

Frontalis Sling Using a Silicone Rod for Ptosis in Third Nerve Palsy: Cosmesis versus Safety.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of the frontalis sling operation using a silicone rod for the correction of ptosis in patients with third nerve palsy with a focus on corneal safety. METHODS: Patients with third nerve palsy who underwent the frontalis sling operation using a silicone rod between 2008 and 2019 were included in this study. The medical records of all patients were reviewed, and their clinical characteristics and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. In this retrospective, interventional case series, the main outcome measures were eyelid contour, eyelid height by margin reflex distance, and corneal status. RESULTS: Twenty-four eyes of 18 patients (12 male and six female patients) were included. The mean age at the time of surgery was 35.1 years (range, 5-64 years). Twelve patients underwent a unilateral ptosis operation, and six patients received a bilateral ptosis operation. The mean follow-up period was 32.1 months (range, 2-87 months). Most patients (21 of 24 eyes, 88%) showed poor Bell's phenomenon on preoperative examination. Satisfactory eyelid height and eyelid contour were achieved in almost all patients (mean postoperative margin reflex distance, +1.2 mm) postoperatively. Although corneal erosions were detected for several months in eight of 24 eyes after surgery, these findings were well controlled medically with artificial tear eye drops and ointments. CONCLUSIONS: Frontalis sling surgery using a silicone rod can safely and effectively correct ptosis without severe corneal complications in patients with third nerve palsy. Our study outlines a new method to define the postoperative safety outcome by specifically focusing on categorized corneal status.

The effects of using spacer grafts on lower-eyelid retraction surgery in patients with facial nerve palsy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of the concomitant use of spacer grafts in lateral tarsal strip surgery in patients with facial nerve palsy-related lower-eyelid retraction. METHODS: Patients who underwent lateral tarsal strip surgery to correct facial nerve palsy-related lower-eyelid retraction were retrospectively reviewed. Postoperative decreases in marginal reflex distance-2 values at 1, 2 and 6 months were measured along with the effects of spacer grafts. RESULTS: Forty-five patients (28 males) were included (mean age: 59.56 years). Mean preoperative marginal reflex distance-2 was 6.87 ± 1.34 mm. Twenty patients underwent lateral tarsal strip surgery only (lateral tarsal strip-only); 25 patients underwent lateral tarsal strip surgery using spacer grafts (lateral tarsal strip + graft). Median (interquartile range) follow-up duration was 12.0 (6.0-23.0) months. Retraction was significantly improved and maintained at 1, 2 and 6 months postoperatively in all patients (mean marginal reflex distance-2: 3.78 ± 1.06 mm, 4.30 ± 1.23 mm and 4.72 ± 1.11 mm, respectively). Surgical outcomes were significantly better in the lateral tarsal strip + graft than in the lateral tarsal strip-only group (Δmarginal reflex distance-2: 3.92 vs. 2.05 mm at 1 month, p < 0.001; 3.38 vs. 1.61 mm at 2 months, p = 0.001; 2.88 vs. 1.69 at 6 months, p = 0.042). Subgroup analyses by spacer graft type revealed no significant differences. CONCLUSION: The concomitant use of spacer material in lateral tarsal strip surgery yielded better surgical outcomes than lateral tarsal strip surgery alone. The use of spacer grafts should be considered for correcting severe facial nerve palsy-related lower-eyelid retraction.

The effect of lacrimal drainage abnormality on the surgical outcomes of congenital lacrimal fistula and vice versa.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the various surgical modalities of congenital lacrimal fistula and assess the mutual effect of lacrimal fistula and lacrimal drainage abnormality on the individual surgical outcomes. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort and case-control study, 74 eyes from 63 patients with lacrimal fistula who underwent surgical management between 2000 and 2015 at three medical centers were enrolled. The data collected included sex, age, preoperative symptoms, presence of concurrent lacrimal drainage abnormality, surgical methods, and surgical outcomes. The main outcome measures were treatment outcomes based on lacrimal drainage patency and symptom improvement, surgical outcome of fistulectomy according to the presence of lacrimal drainage abnormality, and surgical outcome of lacrimal drainage abnormality according to the presence of fistula. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of surgery was 9.2 (SD, ±8.8) years and the mean follow-up duration was 14.4 (SD, ±19.5) months. All eyes (37/37) with fistula without lacrimal drainage abnormality demonstrated surgical success after simple fistulectomy. Patients with concurrent lacrimal drainage abnormalities showed more frequent surgical failure than those with fistula alone (p = 0.009). However, the presence of fistula did not affect the outcomes of surgery for lacrimal drainage abnormality (p = 0.179). CONCLUSION: Simple fistulectomy is sufficient for sole asymptomatic or pauci-symptomatic lacrimal fistula. Symptomatic fistula as well as those accompanied with lacrimal drainage abnormality underwent fistulectomy and lacrimal drainage system surgery. Patients with accompanying lacrimal drainage system abnormalities showed less favorable outcomes. Meticulous preoperative examination of the lacrimal drainage system is critical for surgical planning and prognosis prediction.

Continuous 24-h nicotinic acid infusion in rats causes FFA rebound and insulin resistance by altering gene expression and basal lipolysis in adipose tissue.

Nicotinic acid (NA) has been used as a lipid drug for five decades. The lipid-lowering effects of NA are attributed to its ability to suppress lipolysis in adipocytes and lower plasma FFA levels. However, plasma FFA levels often rebound during NA treatment, offsetting some of the lipid-lowering effects of NA and/or causing insulin resistance, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. The present study was designed to determine whether a prolonged, continuous NA infusion in rats produces a FFA rebound and/or insulin resistance. NA infusion rapidly lowered plasma FFA levels (>60%, P < 0.01), and this effect was maintained for ≥5 h. However, when this infusion was extended to 24 h, plasma FFA levels rebounded to the levels of saline-infused control rats. This was not due to a downregulation of NA action, because when the NA infusion was stopped, plasma FFA levels rapidly increased more than twofold (P < 0.01), indicating that basal lipolysis was increased. Microarray analysis revealed many changes in gene expression in adipose tissue, which would contribute to the increase in basal lipolysis. In particular, phosphodiesterase-3B gene expression decreased significantly, which would increase cAMP levels and thus lipolysis. Hyperinsulinemic glucose clamps showed that insulin's action on glucose metabolism was improved during 24-h NA infusion but became impaired with increased plasma FFA levels after cessation of NA infusion. In conclusion, a 24-h continuous NA infusion in rats resulted in an FFA rebound, which appeared to be due to altered gene expression and increased basal lipolysis in adipose tissue. In addition, our data support a previous suggestion that insulin resistance develops as a result of FFA rebound during NA treatment. Thus, the present study provides an animal model and potential molecular mechanisms of FFA rebound and insulin resistance, observed in clinical studies with chronic NA treatment.

Back-fat thickness as a primary index reflecting the yield and overall acceptance of pork meat.

Predicting aspects of lean meat yield and eating quality of pork based on some particular carcass traits become increasingly important from an economic profitability point of view. The present study aimed to determine the relationship between the back-fat (BF) thickness with lean meat yield and meat quality traits of crossbred pigs. A total of 220 crossbred pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) ♀ × Duroc ♂] reared under identical conditions and harvested at 180 days old were slaughtered and screened for BF thickness. Four BF thickness groups: 12-15, 16-20, 21-25, and 26-30 mm were classified, and longissimus dorsi (LD) muscles from these groups were used to analyze meat quality characteristics. Results showed that increasing BF thickness decreased the lean meat yield and loin lean area. Increasing BF thickness up to 26-30 mm increased intramuscular fat content and pH of LD muscles. The LD muscles of the thicker BF (21-30 mm) groups received significantly higher flavor, juiciness, and overall acceptability scores than those of the thinner back-fat (12-20 mm) groups. Overall, when all the pre-harvest factors are kept the same, BF thickness could be considered as a primary index for predicting lean meat yield, and the minimal back-fat thickness of 21-30 mm is required to improve the overall acceptability of pork meat.

Relationship between body size traits and carcass traits with primal cuts yields in Hanwoo steers.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the correlation between body size traits, carcass traits, and primal cuts in Hanwoo steers. METHODS: Sixty-one beef carcasses were classified for conformation and primal cut weight. Additionally, carcass weight, fat thickness, carcass dimensions, and longissimus muscle area were determined to complement the grading. RESULTS: The average live weight and cold carcass weight were 759 and 469 kg, respectively. The mean carcass meat, fat, and bone proportions were 551, 298, and 151 g/kg, respectively. Primal cuts weights showed significant positive correlations (p<0.001) of 0.42 to 0.82 with live weight, carcass weight, and longissimus muscle area and a significant negative correlation with carcass fat (without shank, -0.38 to -0.10). Primal cut weights were positively correlated (p<0.01) with carcass length (0.41 to 0.77), forequarter length (0.33 to 0.57), 6th lumbar vertebrae-heel length (0.33 to 0.59), 7th cervical vertebrae carcass breadth (0.35 to 0.58), 5th to 6th thoracic vertebrae breadth (0.36 to 0.65), 7th to 8th thoracic vertebrae girth (0.38 to 0.63), and coxae girth (0.34 to 0.56) and non-significantly related to cervical vertebrae length and coxae thickness. CONCLUSION: There was a high correlation among live weight, carcass weight, longissimus muscle area, carcass length, 7th cervical vertebrae carcass breadth, 5th to 6th thoracic vertebrae breadth, and 7th to 8th thoracic vertebrae girth of the primal cuts yield. The correlation between fat and primal cut yields was highly significant and negative. Carcass length and 7th to 8th thoracic vertebrae girth, appear to be the most important traits affecting primal cut yields.

Protective effects of fermented rice extract on ulcerative colitis induced by dextran sodium sulfate in mice.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), characterized by the gut mucosal ulceration. Growing evidence indicates that dysregulation of immune response to the commensal microbiota involves the pathogenesis of IBD. Previous studies have demonstrated the favorable probiotic effects of fermented rice extracts through triple fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Weissella cibaria (FRe). Thus, the therapeutic potential of FRe for UC was examined. Dextran sodium sulfate UC mice model was orally administered distilled water as a control, sulfasalazine, or FRe at 300, 200, and 100 mg/kg, once a day for a week. The UC control exhibited body weight loss, bloody stools, and colonic shortening. However, the FRe, especially at 300 mg/kg, led to a reduction in weight loss, disease activity index scores, and colon weight, and an increase in colorectal length. The histopathological analyses revealed mild changes involved in the colonic crypt and mucosal damages in the FRe groups, along with inhibited inflammation. Indeed, the FRe reduced neutrophil infiltration and production of proinflammatory cytokines (i.e., tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6/-8). This was accompanied by the down-regulation of nuclear factor-kappa B. The gene expression responsible for the intestinal barrier integrity (i.e., Zonna occludens-1/-2, Claudin-1, Occludin, Mucin-1/-2) was up-regulated in the FRe groups. In addition, the FRe reduced lipid peroxidation and enhanced antioxidant activity. Interestingly, the microbiota dysbiosis was attenuated in the FRe groups, and the number of beneficial bacteria, Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria, was increased. It suggests that the FRe potently ameliorate UC as a functional food.

Wheat Extract Oil (WEO) Attenuates UVB-Induced Photoaging via Collagen Synthesis in Human Keratinocytes and Hairless Mice.

The efficacy of wheat extract oil (WEO), standardized to glucosylceramides, for protecting against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced damage of skin barrier function was assessed using the SHK-1 hairless mouse model and two human skin cell lines, namely, CCD-986sk and HeCaT. The ability of repeated oral administration of 30, 60, and 120 mg of WEO/kg/day for 12 weeks to prevent skin damage of SKH-1 hairless mice induced by UVB irradiation was evaluated. The results demonstrated that UVB-induced water evaporation (transepidermal water loss, TEWL) was significantly decreased by WEO. Similarly, UVB-induced losses in moisture and skin elasticity were improved by WEO supplementation. WEO attenuated the tissue procollagen type I, hyaluronic acid (HA), and ceramide reductions induced by UVB treatment as well. Collagen concentrations in skin tissue were increased in the WEO-treated mice, while UVB-induced epidermal thickening was reduced. In vitro studies using HeCaT human keratinocytes confirmed increased HA and collagen synthesis in response to WEO treatment. This may occur via WEO suppression of matrix metallopeptidase-1 (MMP-1), since its induction by UVB treatment was diminished in treated CCD-986sk cells. Oral administration of WEO improves skin barrier function in UVB-irradiated mice by attenuating damage typically observed in photoaging. This research further clarifies the clinical benefits previously observed by dietary WEO consumption.

Differential circulating and visceral fat microRNA expression of non-obese and obese subjects.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Altered microRNA (miRNA) expression is associated with the pathophysiology of obesity; however, little is known about the miRNAs commonly dysregulated in the blood and visceral fat tissue of obese patients. This study compared the circulating and visceral fat miRNA expression in subjects with and without obesity. METHODS: For the circulating miRNA study, 20 healthy control and 30 obese subjects were recruited. For the tissue miRNA expression study, omental fat tissue was collected in ten female subjects each in the control and obese groups. MiRNA expression was measured by TaqMan low-density arrays. Metabolic risk factors were measured. Target genes for selected miRNAs were analyzed using informatics tools and a functional network map was constructed. RESULTS: 11 miRNAs were down-regulated (miR-133a, -139-5p, -15b, -26a, -301, -30b, -30c, -374, -451, -570, and -636), and one was up-regulated (miR-155) in both depots in obese subjects. These miRNAs had significant associations with BMI, waist circumference, and fat mass. Among them, miR-15b, miR-26a, miR-301, miR-30b, and miR-30c had more predicted obesity-related target genes than other miRNAs. In particular, miR-15b had numerous target genes associated with adipogenesis, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, diabetes and insulin resistance, and mitochondrial function. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that the miRNA alteration in the serum and visceral fat has pathophysiological implications for obesity. Our study identified dysregulated miRNAs that may be novel therapeutic targets to combat obesity.