The effects of eggshell calcium (Biomin H®) and its combinations with alfacalcidol (1α-hydroxyvitamin D3) and menaquinone-7 (vitamin K2) on ovariectomy-induced bone loss in a rat model of osteoporosis

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of eggshell calcium (Biomin H^® dietary supplement) and its combinations with alfacalcidol (1α-hydroxyvitamin D₃) and menaquinone-7 (vitamin K₂) on ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats. Adult female rats (n = 48) were divided into 6 groups of 8 individuals each: sham-operated rats (SHAM); ovariectomized (OVX) rats untreated; OVX rats treated with Biomin H^® (BIO); OVX rats simultaneously receiving Biomin H^®, vitamin D₃ (BIO + D₃); OVX rats simultaneously treated with Biomin H^®, vitamin K₂ (BIO + K₂) and OVX rats treated with Biomin H^®, vitamin D₃, vitamin K₂ (BIO + D₃ + K₂) during 8 weeks. Biochemical parameters, bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC) and femoral bone microstructure were determined. Plasma calcium and phosphate were increased in BIO + D₃ and BIO + D₃ + K₂ groups as compared to OVX. Alkaline phosphatase was elevated in OVX, BIO versus SHAM, BIO + D₃ + K2 groups. When compared to OVX group, decreased urine deoxypyridinoline was observed in all treated groups and femoral BMD, BMC were higher in BIO, BIO + D₃, BIO + D₃ + K₂ groups. The BIO + K₂ rats had similar densitometrical values than OVX individuals. Microcomputed tomography revealed increased trabecular relative bone volume (due to an increase in trabecular number) in BIO + D₃, BIO + D₃ + K₂ as compared to OVX. The higher relative bone volume in BIO + D₃, BIO + D₃ + K₂ groups was also accompanied by an increase in bone surface. In the cortical bone, an enhanced periosteal bone apposition was identified in BIO, BIO + D₃, BIO + K₂, BIO + D₃ + K₂ groups. The rats from BIO + D₃ + K₂ group had a higher area of primary osteon's vascular canals. In BIO + D₃, BIO + K₂, BIO + D₃ + K₂ groups, an increased area of secondary osteons was determined in comparison with OVX. Our results indicate the beneficial effect of triple application of Biomin H^®, vitamin D₃, vitamin K₂, as well as simultaneous administration of Biomin H^®, vitamin D₃ on the inhibition of ovariectomy-induced bone loss in a rat model of osteoporosis.     

Influence of the lipopolysaccharide structure of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis on interactions with pig neutrophils

The key process for immune response development is the recognition of bacteria by the immune system of the host based on the sensing of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP). One of the most important PAMP is the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) molecule, a complex molecule present in the outer membrane of Gram negative bacteria. In this study we were interested in how different parts of the LPS of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis are recognized by porcine neutrophils. To this aim, we constructed S. Enteritidis mutants with rfaL and rfaC genes disabled in the attachment of the O-antigen and in the synthesis of the inner oligosaccharide core of LPS, respectively. We found that in the absence of serum, both the rfa mutants associated with neutrophils and stimulated them for reactive oxygen species (ROS) production significantly more than the wild-type strain. Addition of polymyxin B, which neutralized lipid A, the endotoxic moiety of LPS, effectively decreased the association of the wild-type strain and the rfaC mutant with neutrophils, but not the rfaL mutant. This indicates that the oligosaccharide core newly exposed on the surface in the rfaL mutant, protected from interaction in the wild-type strain by the O-antigen but completely absent in the rfaC mutant, may represent a new ligand for porcine neutrophils that cannot be neutralized by polymyxin B.     

Instructive role of Wnt/beta-catenin in sensory fate specification in neural crest stem cells

Wnt signaling has recently emerged as a key factor in controlling stem cell expansion. In contrast, we show here that Wnt/beta-catenin signal activation in emigrating neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) has little effect on the population size and instead regulates fate decisions. Sustained beta-catenin activity in neural crest cells promotes the formation of sensory neural cells in vivo at the expense of virtually all other neural crest derivatives. Moreover, Wnt1 is able to instruct early NCSCs (eNCSCs) to adopt a sensory neuronal fate in a beta-catenin-dependent manner. Thus, the role of Wnt/beta-catenin in stem cells is cell-type dependent.     

Calibration of the process-based model 3-PG for major central European tree species

European Journal of Forest Research - Process-based forest models are important tools for predicting forest growth and their vulnerability to factors such as climate change or responses to...     

RESEARCH PAPER: Comparison of two different methods for physiologic dead space measurements in ventilated dogs in a clinical setting

ObjectiveTo compare physiologic dead space (V_D) and physiologic dead space to tidal volume (V_T) ratio (V_D/V_T) obtained by an automated single breath test for carbon dioxide (CO₂) (method SBT) and a manual calculation (method MC) in ventilated healthy dogs.Study designProspective clinical study.AnimalsTwenty client‐owned dogs, ASA I and II undergoing anaesthesia for clinical purposes.MethodsFollowing pre‐medication, induction of anaesthesia, and intubation of the trachea, intermittent positive pressure ventilation was commenced. Mixed expired CO₂ partial pressure (PēCO₂) was measured by two methods: method MC by analysis, using an infrared capnograph, of the expired gas collected in a mixing box and method SBT which calculated it automatically by a device consisting of a mainstream capnograph and a pneumotachograph. At four time points arterial partial pressure of CO₂ (PaCO₂) was measured. Physiologic dead space variables (V_D and V_D/V_T) were calculated manually (method MC) or automatically (method SBT) using the Bohr–Enghoff equation.Method MC and SBT were compared using Bland–Altman plots and linear regression. Intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to measure consistency of each method.ResultsFour measurement pairs were obtained in all 20 dogs for method SBT and MC. The bias was ?1.15 mmHg, 7.97 mL and 0.02 for PēCO₂, V_D and V_D/V_T, respectively. Linear regression analysis revealed a correlation coefficient (r²) of 0.79, 0.94, and 0.83 for PēCO₂, V_D and V_D/V_T, respectively. The ICC revealed an excellent consistency for both methods.ConclusionsThe single breath test (SBT) can be used for clinical evaluation of V_D and V_D/V_T in anaesthetized ventilated dogs.Clinical relevanceThrough measuring V_D and V_D/V_T important information about lung ventilation can be obtained and the SBT is an easy method to use for this purpose.     

The Dynamic Effects of Entrepreneurship on Regional Economic Growth: Evidence from Canada

Facilitating entrepreneurship to address regional income disparity continues to be a major concern of policy makers across the globe. This study explores the temporal pattern of income disparity for Canadian provinces in two estimation steps. First, an econometric growth regression model is applied to identify the impact of entrepreneurship on regional economic growth. The estimation results suggest that entrepreneurship, measured in terms of the self‐employment rate, plays a pivotal role in determining regional development in Canada. Second, a dynamic vector autoregression model is employed to simulate long‐run regional growth effects that result from policy shocks affecting entrepreneurship. Compared to other growth drivers, entrepreneurship is found to have more pronounced and long‐term stimulative effects on regional development for the period of 1987–2007.     

Short-term effects of organo-mineral biochar and organic fertilisers on nitrogen cycling,plant photosynthesis,and nitrogen use efficiency

Purpose

Organo-mineral biochar fertiliser has the potential to replace conventional biochar and organic fertiliser to improve soil quality and increase plant photosynthesis. This study explored mechanisms involved in nitrogen (N) cycling in both soil and ginger plants (Zingiber officinale: Zingiberaceae) following different treatments including organic fertiliser, commercial bamboo biochar fertiliser, and organo-mineral biochar fertiliser.

Materials and methods

Soil received four treatments including (1) commercial organic fertiliser (5 t ha^?1) as the control, (2) commercial bamboo biochar fertiliser (5 t ha^?1), (3) organo-mineral biochar fertiliser at a low rate (3 t ha^?1), and (4) organo-mineral biochar fertiliser at a high rate (7.5 t ha^?1). C and N fractions of soil and plant, and gas exchange measurements were analysed.

Results and discussion

Initially, organo-mineral biochar fertiliser applied at the low rate increased leaf N. Organo-mineral biochar fertiliser applied at the high rate significantly increased N use efficiency (NUE) of the aboveground biomass compared with other treatments and improved photosynthesis compared with the control. There was N fractionation during plant N uptake and assimilation since the ¹⁵N enrichment between the root, leaf, and stem were significantly different from zero; however, treatments did not affect this N fractionation.

Conclusions

Organo-mineral biochar fertiliser has agronomic advantages over inorganic and raw organic (manure-based) N fertiliser because it allows farmer to put high concentrations of nutrients into soil without restricting N availability, N uptake, and plant photosynthesis. We recommend applying the low rate of organo-mineral biochar fertiliser as a substitute for commercial organic fertiliser.