Isothermal crystallization behavior of PAR/PBT composite prepared by island-in-a-sea fiber method

The PAR fiber reinforced PBT composite was manufactured using the PAR/PBT island-in-a-sea fiber. The isothermal crystallization kinetics of the PAR/PBT composite and the neat PBT resin were investigated in the temperature range of 187–199 °C. To calculate the Avrami parameters for analyzing the crystallization behavior, crystallization peaks were measured and analyzed in terms of the crystallization temperature and the inclusion of the PAR fiber. The crystallization rate of the PBT is faster than that of the PAR/PBT composite from the analysis of their relative crystallinity. Consequently, it is considered that the PAR fiber interrupted the crystal nucleation and growth of the PBT matrix. It can be confirmed with the crystallization half time and the crystalline morphologies at the chosen isothermal temperatures.     

Canine model of ischemic stroke with permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion: clinical features,magnetic resonance imaging,histopathology, and immunohistochemistry

The purpose of this study was to identify time-related changes in clinical, MRI, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical findings associated with ischemic stroke in dogs. Additionally, the association of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and tissue levels of interleukin (IL)-6 with clinical prognosis was assessed. Ischemic stroke was induced by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in nine healthy experimental dogs. The dogs were divided into three groups according to survival time and duration of the experimental period: group A (survived only 1 day), group B (1-week experimental period), and group C (2-week experimental period). Neurologic status was evaluated daily. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed according to a predetermined schedule. Concentration of IL-6 in CSF was measured serially after ischemic stroke. Postmortem examination was performed for all experimental dogs. During histopathological examination, variable degrees of cavitation and necrosis due to neuronal cytopathic effects, such as pyknotic nuclei and cytoplasmic shrinkage, were observed on the affected side of the cerebral cortex in all dogs. Immunohistochemistry specific for IL-6 showed increased expression in the ischemic lesions. CSF IL-6 concentrations and ischemic lesion volumes 1 day after ischemic stroke were significantly higher in group A compared to groups B and C.     

Identification of the DDAH2 Protein in Pig Reproductive Tract Mucus: A Putative Oestrus Detection Marker

Precisely detecting oestrus is important for artificial insemination. The aims of this study were to identify oestrus‐specific sow mucus proteins to determine the optimal time for artificial insemination. The proestrous‐ and oestrous‐stage mucus proteins were purified and analysed with proteomic tools such as two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization–time‐of‐flight analyses. Among the differentially expressed proteins, the dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 2 (DDAH2) protein showed a 3.6‐fold increase during the proestrous stage compared to that during the oestrous stage. A western immunoblot study revealed that two of three sow mucus samples clearly showed negative anti‐DDAH2 antibody activity during the oestrous stage. This study demonstrated that the pig DDAH2 mucus protein exists during the proestrous stage, but not during the oestrous stage, suggesting that mucus DDAH2 could be useful as an oestrus detection marker.     

Particulate Matter-Induced Inflammation/Oxidative Stress in Macrophages: Fucosterol from Padina boryana as a Potent Protector,Activated via NF-κB/MAPK Pathways and Nrf2/HO-1 Involvement

Fucosterol is a phytosterol that is abundant in marine brown algae and is a renowned secondary metabolite. However, its ability to protect macrophages against particulate matter (PM) has not been clarified with regard to inflammation; thus, this study aimed to illustrate the above. Padina boryana, a brown algae that is widespread in Indo–Pacific waters, was applied in the isolation of fucosterol. Isolation was conducted using silica open columns, while identification was assisted with gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and NMR. Elevated levels of PM led the research objectives toward the implementation of it as a stimulant. Both inflammation and oxidative stress were caused due the fact of its effect. RAW 264.7 macrophages were used as a model system to evaluate the process. It was apparent that the increased NO production levels, due to the PM, were mediated through the inflammatory mediators, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e., interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), including prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂)). Further, investigations provided solid evidence regarding the involvement of NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in the process. Oxidative stress/inflammation which are inseparable components of the cellular homeostasis were intersected through the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Conclusively, fucosterol is a potent protector against PM-induced inflammation in macrophages and hence be utilized as natural product secondary metabolite in a sustainable manner.     

Antiproliferative effects of dietary phenolic substances and hydrogen peroxide

There has been controversy as to whether the antiproliferative activity of dietary phenolic substances on cancer cells is due to the bioactivities of phenolics or the generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in media as an artifact. This study was to investigate whether the formation of H2O2 by different phenolics induces acute toxicity and carcinogenicity in normal rat liver epithelial cells. Gallic acid, one of the major antioxidants present in fruits and vegetables, dose-dependently generated considerably more H2O2 in DMEM media without cells than did quercetin. Gallic acid exerted stronger antiproliferative activity than quercetin on both Caco-2 human colon cancer cells (Caco-2 cells) and WB-F344 normal rat liver epithelial cells (WB cells) cultured in DMEM media, and the effect was partially reduced by catalase. Furthermore, gallic acid (but not quercetin) also inhibited gap-junction intercellular communication (GJIC; a carcinogenic phenomenon), which was in part protected by the addition of catalase. Exogenous H2O2 addition also inhibited the proliferation of both Caco-2 cells and WB cells and inhibited GJIC in a dose-dependent manner, but these effects were almost abolished by the treatment with catalase. From these results it is concluded that the antiproliferative effects of some antioxidants on cancer cells are partially due to their prooxidant actions.     

International regulatory considerations pertaining to the development of stem cell-based veterinary medicinal products

Stem cell-based products (SCPs) are an emerging field of veterinary medicine that focuses on the regeneration, repair, or replacement of damaged tissues or organs. However, there are some issues in applying the traditional regulatory guideline for the approval of SCPs as veterinary medicinal products. This article describes the positions of Korea, US, and EU regarding SCPs, and compares the regulatory guidelines of each country for their safety evaluation. Although there are some differences in the regulatory guidelines, similar considerations in identifying the quality of SCPs and their safety has adopted. Overall, these guidelines need to be harmonized among countries.     

Neurogenic and cardiomyogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from minipig bone marrow

The present study investigated the potential of minipig bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) to differentiate in vitro into neuron- and cardiomyocyte-like cells. Isolated BM-MSCs exhibited a fibroblast-like morphology, expressed CD29, CD44 and CD90, and differentiated into osteocytes, adipocytes and chondrocytes. Upon induction in two different neuronal specific media, most of BM-MSCs acquired the distinctive morphological features and positively stained for nestin, neurofilament-M (NF-M), neuronal nuclei (NeuN), β-tubulin, galactocerebroside (Gal-C) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Expression of nestin, GFAP and NF-M was further demonstrated by RT-PCR and RT-qPCR. Following cardiomyogenic induction, MSCs exhibited a stick-like morphology with extended cytoplasmic processes, and formed cluster-like structures. The expression of cardiac specific markers α-smooth muscle actin, cardiac troponin T, desmin and α-cardiac actin was positive for immunofluorescence staining, and further confirmed by RT-PCR and RT-qPCR. In conclusion, our results showed the in vitro differentiation ability of porcine BM-MSCs into neuron-like and cardiomyocyte-like cells.     

A Review on Fucoidan Structure,Extraction Techniques,and Its Role as an Immunomodulatory Agent

Functional ingredients for human health have recently become the focus of research. One such potentially versatile therapeutic component is fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharides (FCSPs), referred to as fucoidans. The exploitation of marine brown algae provides a rich source of FCSPs because of their role as a structural component of the cell wall. Fucoidans are characterized by a sulfated fucose backbone. However, the structural characterization of FCSPs is impeded by their structural diversity, molecular weight, and complexity. The extraction and purification conditions significantly influence the yield and structural alterations. Inflammation is the preliminary response to potentially injurious inducements, and it is of the utmost importance for modulation in the proper direction. Improper manipulation and/or continuous stimuli could have detrimental effects in the long run. The web of immune responses mediated through multiple modulatory/cell signaling components can be addressed through functional ingredients, benefiting patients with no side effects. In this review, we attempted to address the involvement of FCSPs in the stimulation/downregulation of immune response cell signaling. The structural complexity and its foremost influential factor, extraction techniques, have also attracted attention, with concise details on the structural implications of bioactivity.     

Growth, stress tolerance and non-specific immune response of Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus to probiotics in a closed recirculating system

ABSTRACT:   Effects of probiotics on growth, stress tolerance and non-specific immune response in Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus were evaluated in a closed recirculating system. Survival and growth of flounder treated by supplying commercial probiotics either in the diet (the probiotic diet group), or into the rearing water (the water supply group), were higher compared to the untreated group (the control group). Water quality parameters, pH, NH₄-N, NO₂-N and PO₄-P showed lower concentration in the probiotic diet group compared with the control group and the supply group. Plasma lysozyme activity in the probiotic diet group and the water supply group was significantly higher ( P  < 0.05) than that in the control group. In heat shock stress tests, flounder in the probiotics-treated groups showed greater heat tolerance (measured by 50% lethal time, LT50) than the control group. Pathogen challenge tests with Vibrio anguillarum (2 × 10⁷ c.f.u./mL) resulted in significantly higher survival in the probiotics-treated groups than the control group. Results indicated that probiotics supplied in the rearing water and the diet of fish enhanced the stress tolerance and the non-specific immune system of Japanese flounder, providing them a higher resistance against stress conditions and pathogens.