Digestibility of protein and starch from sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is linked to biochemical and structural features of grain endosperm

Although a principal source of energy and protein for millions of the world's poorest people, the nutritional value of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is diminished because of low digestibility of grain protein and starch. To address this problem, we analyzed the properties of two sorghum lines that have a common pedigree but differ in digestibility. Consistent with results based on a ruminal fluid assay, the protein and starch of one line (KS48) was more thoroughly digested than that of the other (KS51) using in vitro assays based on pepsin and α-amylase. The indigestibility of KS51 relative to KS48 was shown to be due to (i) a greater abundance of disulfide-bonded proteins; (ii) presence in KS51 of non-waxy starch and the accompanying granule-bound starch synthase; and (iii) the differing nature of the protein matrix and its interaction with starch. The current findings suggest that each of these factors should be considered in efforts to enhance the nutritional value of sorghum grain.     

Spatial epidemiological approaches to inform leptospirosis surveillance and control: A systematic review and critical appraisal of methods

Leptospirosis is a global zoonotic disease that the transmission is driven by complex geographical and temporal variation in demographics, animal hosts and socioecological factors. This results in complex challenges for the identification of high‐risk areas. Spatial and temporal epidemiological tools could be used to support leptospirosis control programs, but the adequacy of its application has not been evaluated. We searched literature in six databases including PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Scopus, SciELO and Zoological Record to systematically review and critically assess the use of spatial and temporal analytical tools for leptospirosis and to provide general framework for its application in future studies. We reviewed 115 articles published between 1930 and October 2018 from 41 different countries. Of these, 65 (56.52%) articles were on human leptospirosis, 39 (33.91%) on animal leptospirosis and 11 (9.5%) used data from both human and animal leptospirosis. Spatial analytical (n = 106) tools were used to describe the distribution of incidence/prevalence at various geographical scales (96.5%) and to explored spatial patterns to detect clustering and hot spots (33%). A total of 51 studies modelled the relationships of various variables on the risk of human (n = 31), animal (n = 17) and both human and animal infection (n = 3). Among those modelling studies, few studies had generated spatially structured models and predictive maps of human (n = 2/31) and animal leptospirosis (n = 1/17). In addition, nine studies applied time‐series analytical tools to predict leptospirosis incidence. Spatial and temporal analytical tools have been greatly utilized to improve our understanding on leptospirosis epidemiology. Yet the quality of the epidemiological data, the selection of covariates and spatial analytical techniques should be carefully considered in future studies to improve usefulness of evidence as tools to support leptospirosis control. A general framework for the application of spatial analytical tools for leptospirosis was proposed.     

Fucoxanthin Is a Potential Therapeutic Agent for the Treatment of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers diagnosed and the leading cause of cancer-related death in women. Although there are first-line treatments for BC, drug resistances and adverse events have been reported. Given the incidence of BC keeps increasing, seeking novel therapeutics is urgently needed. Fucoxanthin (Fx) is a dietary carotenoid commonly found in seaweeds and diatoms. Both in vitro and in vivo studies show that Fx and its deacetylated metabolite fucoxanthinol (Fxol) inhibit and prevent BC growth. The NF-κB signaling pathway is considered the major pathway contributing to the anti-proliferation, anti-angiogenesis and pro-apoptotic effects of Fx and Fxol. Other signaling molecules such as MAPK, MMP2/9, CYP and ROS are also involved in the anti-cancer effects by regulating the tumor microenvironment, cancer metastasis, carcinogen metabolism and oxidation. Besides, Fx also possesses anti-obesity effects by regulating UCP1 levels and lipid metabolism, which may help to reduce BC risk. More importantly, mounting evidence demonstrates that Fx overcomes drug resistance. This review aims to give an updated summary of the anti-cancer effects of Fx and summarize the underlying mechanisms of action, which will provide novel strategies for the development of Fx as an anti-cancer therapeutic agent.     

Acrylamide in French fries: influence of free amino acids and sugars

The free amino acid profile and sugar (fructose, glucose, and sucrose) composition were determined in potato samples selected to give a large range of variation (a total of 66 samples). From these samples French fries were produced in a laboratory-scale simulation of an industrial process followed by a finish fry at 180 degrees C for 3.5 min using a restaurant fryer. The final product was blast frozen and analyzed for acrylamide. Acrylamide was detected in all samples, but its concentration varied significantly from 50 to 1800 ng/g. For isotope dilution (13C3) acrylamide analysis, samples were extracted with water, cleaned up on HLB Oasis polymeric and Accucat mixed mode anion and cation exchange SPE columns, and analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Statistical analysis of the data indicates that the effect of sugars and asparagine on the concentration of acrylamide in French fries is positive and significant (p < 0.001). It appears that one of the ways acrylamide formation in French fries can be effectively controlled is by the use of raw products with low sugar (and to a lesser degree, asparagine) content.     

Genetic mapping provides evidence for the role of additive and non-additive QTLs in the response of inter-specific hybrids of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus</Emphasis> to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Puccinia psidii</Emphasis> rust infection

Eucalypts are susceptible to a wide range of diseases. One of the most important diseases that affect Eucalyptus plantations worldwide is caused by the rust fungus Puccinia psidii. Here, we provide evidence on the complex genetic control of rust resistance in Eucalyptus inter-specific hybrids, by analyzing a number of full-sib families that display different patterns of segregation for rust resistance. These families are totally unrelated to those previously used in other inheritance studies of rust resistance. By using a full genome scan with 114 genetic markers (microsatellites and expressed sequence tag derived microsatellites) we also corroborated the existence and segregation of a resistance locus, explaining 11.5% of the phenotypic variation, on linkage group 3, corresponding to Ppr1. This find represents an additional validation of this locus in totally unrelated pedigree. We have also detected significant additive × additive digenic interactions with LOD >10.0 on several linkage groups. The additive and epistatic QTLs identified explain between 29.8 and 44.8% of the phenotypic variability for rust resistance. The recognition that both additive and non-additive genetic variation (epistasis) are important contributors to rust resistance in eucalypts reveals the complexity of this host-pathogen interaction and helps explain the success that breeding has achieved by selecting rust-resistant clones, where all the additive and non-additive effects are readily captured. The positioning of epistatic QTLs also provides starting points to look for the underlying genes or genomic regions controlling this phenotype on the upcoming E. grandis genome sequence.     

Detection and characterization of Leptospira spp. in dogs diagnosed with kidney and/or liver disease in Selangor,Malaysia

Leptospirosis is a serious bacterial disease that affects both humans and animals. A wide range of symptoms have been described in humans; the disease in dogs is commonly associated with kidney and/or liver disease. In Malaysia, information about the common serovars infecting dogs is limited. Therefore, we investigated the occurrences of leptospirosis in 124 pet dogs diagnosed with kidney and/or liver disease. Blood, urine, abdominal effusion, and/or kidney and liver were collected from the dogs. Based on microscopic agglutination testing, 53 of 124 (42.7%) dogs were seropositive for leptospiral exposure. Sera were frequently positive to serovars Bataviae (n = 12), Javanica (n = 10), and Icterohaemorrhagiae (n = 10). Direct detection using PCR showed that 42 of 124 (33.9%) of the whole blood and 36 of 113 (31.9%) urine samples were positive for pathogenic Leptospira spp. By PCR, 2 of 23 (9.1%) kidney and 2 of 23 (9.1%) liver were positive for pathogenic Leptospira spp. Abdominal effusion from 4 dogs were PCR-positive for pathogenic Leptospira spp. The species detected were L. interrogans, L. borgpetersenii, L. kirschneri, and L. kmetyi by partial 16S rRNA sequencing. We further identified and characterized 11 Leptospira spp. isolates from 8 dogs as serovars Bataviae, Javanica, and Australis. The mortality rate of the Leptospira-infected dogs was high (18 of 53; 34%).     

Plasma pharmacokinetics of alfaxalone after a single intraperitoneal or intravenous injection of Alfaxan® in rats

Alfaxalone (3α‐hydroxy‐5α‐pregnane‐11, 20‐dione) is a neuroactive steroid with anaesthetic properties and a wide margin of safety. The pharmacokinetic properties of alfaxalone administered intravenously and intraperitoneally in rats (n = 28) were investigated. Mean t_1/2elim for 2 and 5 mg/kg i.v. was 16.2 and 17.6 min, respectively, but could not be estimated for IP dosing, due to sustained plasma levels for up to 60 min after injection. Cl_p for i.v. injection was calculated at 57.8 ± 23.6 and 54.3 ± 6.8 mL/min/kg, which were 24.5% and 23% of cardiac output, respectively. The observed C_max was 3.0 mg/L for IP administration, and 2.2 ± 0.9 and 5.2 ± 1.3 mg/L for 2 and 5 mg/kg i.v. administration, respectively. AUC_0–60 was 96.2 min·mg/L for IP dosing. The relative bioavailability for IP dosing was 26% and 28% compared to i.v. dosing. Differences in t_1/2elim and Cl_p from previous pharmacokinetic studies in rats are likely due to variations in alfaxalone formulation rather than sex differences. Alfaxan^® given IP caused sustained levels of alfaxalone, no apnoea and longer sleep times than i.v. dosing, although immobilization was not induced in 30% of rats given Alfaxan^® IP. A pharmacodynamic study of the effects of combining IP injection of Alfaxan^® with other premedication agents is worthwhile, to determine whether improved anaesthesia induction could ultimately provide an alternative anaesthetic regimen for rats.     

Chromosome mapping and expression of a putative testis-determining gene in mouse

Isolation and mapping of a mouse complementary DNA sequence (mouse Y-finger) encoding a multiple, potential zinc-binding, finger protein homologous to the candidate human testis-determining factor gene is reported. Four similar sequences were identified in Hind III-digested mouse genomic DNA. Two (7.2 and 2.0 kb) were mapped to the Y chromosome. Only the 2.0-kb fragment, however, was correlated with testis determination. Polymerase chain reaction analysis suggests both Y loci are transcribed in adult testes. A 3.6-kb fragment was mapped to the X chromosome between the T16H and T6R1 translocation breakpoints, and a fourth (6.0 kb) was mapped to chromosome 10. Hence, mYfin sequences have been duplicated several times in the mouse, although they are not duplicated in humans.