Conjugated linoleic acid regulates phosphorylation of PPARγ by modulation of ERK 1/2 and p38 signaling in human macrophages/fatty acid-laden macrophages

Stimulation of macrophages by a variety fatty acids causes activation of MAP kinases (MAPKs). The consequences arising from down-regulation of MAPKs may be a limitation in the activity of PPARγ, which is modulated by a modification catalyzed by these kinases. Phosphorylation of MAP kinases-ERK1/2 and p38 as well as PPARγ was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting in human macrophages cultured with conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs). We demonstrated that CLA isomers alter MAP kinase phosphorylation and PPARγ activation. Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was diminished in cells cultivated with cis-9,trans-11 CLA, whereas phosphorylation of p38 was reduced by trans-10,cis-12 CLA. PPARγ was phosphorylated mainly by ERK1/2, and consequently, PPARγ phosphorylation was suppressed mainly by cis-9,trans-11 isomer. In human adipocytes, cis-9,trans-11 C 18:2 raised the activation of PPAR and several of its downstream target genes. We suggest that a similar process may also occur in human macrophages.     

Deposition of Copper in the Eutrophic,Submontane Dobczyce Dam Reservoir (Southern Poland) – Role of Speciation

In order to better understand Cu behaviour in the submontane, eutrophic Dobczyce dam Reservoir (southern Poland), speciationmeasurements of Cu in the water and the sediment were conducted. To investigate the partitioning of Cu in the main components ofthe sediment, a scheme of VI-step sequential extraction was used.In addition, other physical and chemical parameters of the water,such as temperature, pH, dissolved O₂, nutrients, and suspended particulate matter were determined. Copper content in the water and the sediment was low (1.1–7.4 μg L^-1 and 5.5–45.4 μg g^-1, respectively). In the water Cu was usually present in the dissolved state (with the exception ofthe near-bottom water). This was probably the main reason of itssmall accumulation (cumulation coefficient K = 10687.5) in the sediment of the Dobczyce Reservoir. The seasonal variations inCu contents in the dissolved and particulate phases as well as observed correlations with the physico-chemical parameters of thewater are discussed. In the sediment Cu occurred mainly in astrongly bound form. Most Cu found there was in the moderatelyreducible phase and residual. Therefore, copper (re-)mobilization from the sediment to the water was probably not of importance.     

Isolation and antihypertensive effect of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides from spinach Rubisco

Four new inhibitory peptides for angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE), that is, MRWRD, MRW, LRIPVA, and IAYKPAG, were isolated from the pepsin-pancreatin digest of spinach Rubisco with the use of HPLC. IC(50) values of individual peptides were 2.1, 0.6, 0.38, and 4.2 microM, respectively. MRW and MRWRD had an antihypertensive effect after oral administration to spontaneously hypertensive rats. Maximal reduction occurred 2 h after oral administration of MRW, whereas MRWRD showed maximal decrease 4 h after oral administration at doses of 20 and 30 mg/kg, respectively. IAYKPAG also exerted antihypertensive activity after oral administration at the dose of 100 mg/kg, giving a maximum decrease 4 h after oral administration. IAYKP, IAY, and KP, the fragment peptides of IAYKPAG, also exerted antihypertensive activity. LRIPVA [corrected] did not show any antihypertensive effect at a dose of 100 mg/kg despite its potent ACE-inhibitory activity.     

Acute phase protein concentrations after limited distance and long distance endurance rides in horses

Acute phase proteins (APP) have been described as useful for assessing health in human and animal patients, as they closely reflect the acute phase reaction (APR). In humans and dogs a reaction analogous to APR has also been described after prolonged or strenuous exercise. The aim of this study was to determine, if similar reactions occur in endurance horses after limited and long distance rides. Seventeen horses that successfully completed various distance competitions were tested. Routine haematological and biochemical tests were performed and the concentrations of serum amyloid A (SAA), C-reactive protein (CRP) and haptoglobin were measured. Typical endurance exercise-induced haematological and biochemical changes were observed in all horses, regardless the distance. After long distance rides, the level of SAA markedly increased, but CRP and haptoglobin concentrations remained unchanged. After limited distance rides no changes in the levels of APPs were noted. Exercise-induced APR in horses occurred only after prolonged, strenuous exertion, and differed from APR in inflammation in that only SAA concentration was increased.     

Behavioural indicators of welfare in farmed fish

Behaviour represents a reaction to the environment as fish perceive it and is therefore a key element of fish welfare. This review summarises the main findings on how behavioural changes have been used to assess welfare in farmed fish, using both functional and feeling-based approaches. Changes in foraging behaviour, ventilatory activity, aggression, individual and group swimming behaviour, stereotypic and abnormal behaviour have been linked with acute and chronic stressors in aquaculture and can therefore be regarded as likely indicators of poor welfare. On the contrary, measurements of exploratory behaviour, feed anticipatory activity and reward-related operant behaviour are beginning to be considered as indicators of positive emotions and welfare in fish. Despite the lack of scientific agreement about the existence of sentience in fish, the possibility that they are capable of both positive and negative emotions may contribute to the development of new strategies (e.g. environmental enrichment) to promote good welfare. Numerous studies that use behavioural indicators of welfare show that behavioural changes can be interpreted as either good or poor welfare depending on the fish species. It is therefore essential to understand the species-specific biology before drawing any conclusions in relation to welfare. In addition, different individuals within the same species may exhibit divergent coping strategies towards stressors, and what is tolerated by some individuals may be detrimental to others. Therefore, the assessment of welfare in a few individuals may not represent the average welfare of a group and vice versa. This underlines the need to develop on-farm, operational behavioural welfare indicators that can be easily used to assess not only the individual welfare but also the welfare of the whole group (e.g. spatial distribution). With the ongoing development of video technology and image processing, the on-farm surveillance of behaviour may in the near future represent a low-cost, noninvasive tool to assess the welfare of farmed fish.     

Influence of the fungal hyperparasite Trichoderma harzianum on the growth of Epichloë typhina,an agent of choke disease in grasses

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - In its sexual stage, the fungus Epichloë typhina (Ascomycetes: Clavicipitaceae) is a pathogen that causes choke disease in many grass species. It...     

Der gezielte Einsatz von reduzierten Aufwandmengen herbizider Tankmischungen in Mais – ein Beitrag zur Umsetzung des integrierten Pflanzenschutzes in der landwirtschaftlichen Praxis

The competitive ability of maize is low in its early growth stages and because of this weed control is essential. Agricultural practice is dominated by chemical weed control. The trials indicated that some herbicide mixtures used at 75% of the permitted dose have herbicidal potential. In trials in the states Brandenburg, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt and Thüringen, four herbicide mixtures were tested in the years 2004 to 2006.The practiced 75% of permitted dose and 50% of permitted doses were tested for their herbicidal potential. The weed species react differently to reduced herbicide doses. 50% of the 26 recorded weed species showed no drop in herbicide treatment efficacy at a reduced dose compared to the recommended dose. A drop in efficacy of between 1 and 5% was recorded after use of reduced herbicide rates in 25% of the other recorded weed species. 15?% of all recorded weed species showed a drop of efficacy of between 5 to 10%. Only 10% of recorded weed species reacted with an efficacy drop of more than 10?% between recommended and reduced doses. The tested herbicide mixtures had a different herbicidal potential for specific weed species. The herbicide treatment in maize is carried out after emergence of the weed species. It is therefore possible to choose the most suitable herbicide mixture at the 50% dose rate with the smallest drop of efficacy to target the specific species. In this way only slightly more weeds survive at a higher density compared with the recommended dose rate. The selection pressure is hardly higher. The knowledge of the herbicidal potential of mixtures could be used in agricultural practice. In this way the input of active ingredient/area can be reduced by the approximate efficacy of herbicide treatments. The tested herbicide mixtures are only an example of how, by the knowledge of efficacy reserves of herbicide in relation to the weeds present, the applied dose can be better adapted to the treatment frequency index.     

The impact of carbofuran on acetylcholinesterase activity in Anisakis simplex larvae from Baltic herring

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of carbofuran, a carbamate pesticide on the enzymatic activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the larvae of the herring nematode parasite Anisakis simplex. A. simplex larvae collected from herring were exposed to carbofuran in vivo at concentrations of 50, 100, 500 and 1000 μg/l, for 24, 48 and 72 h, at a temperature of 4 °C. Generalized Linear Models (GLM) were applied to analyze the relationship between AChE activity and carbofuran concentration, the time of exposure and the biological parameters of the host. The results indicate that A. simplex larvae have a high threshold of sensitivity to carbofuran. The average enzymatic activity was higher in parasites obtained from male hosts, when compared with female hosts. These data suggest that host sex-dependent biological processes may also influence AChE enzymatic activity in parasites.     

Influence of bitches sex pheromones on the heart rate and other chosen parameters of blood flow in stud dogs (Canis familiaris)

The aim of this study was to verify the usefulness of the measurement of chosen cardiovascular activity parameters for examination of sex pheromones effects in male dogs. We evaluated the influence of the bitches' sexual pheromones (BSP) on heart rate (HR) with the use of a Holter monitor, and chosen parameters of blood flow in vessels of penis, testes and kidney, with color-coded and pulsed Doppler ultrasonography. We found that the BSP increased HR in all examined males even without showing any other signs of arousal. There were no changes in the RI (resistant index) and PI (pulsative index) in any trials during the pheromone presentation. The increase in blood flow intensity was noted in penile vessels but not in the testes and kidney. We concluded that measurement of flow intensity in the penis as well as the changes in heart rate as the male's reaction to the BSP can be useful in research concerning sex pheromones in dogs.