Breakdown Of Fibers Research Articles

Dietary fibre complexity and its influence on functional groups of the human gut microbiota

The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the complex interactions between dietary fibre and the resident microbial community in the human gut. The microbiota influences both health maintenance and disease development. In the large intestine, the microbiota plays a crucial role in the degradation of dietary carbohydrates that remain undigested in the upper gut (non-digestible carbohydrates or fibre). Dietary fibre contains a variety of different types of carbohydrates, and its breakdown is facilitated by many different microbial enzymes. Some microbes, termed generalists, are able to degrade a range of different carbohydrates, whereas others are more specialised. Furthermore, the physicochemical characteristics of dietary fibre, such as whether it enters the gut in soluble or insoluble form, also likely influence which microbes can degrade it. A complex nutritional network therefore exists comprising primary degraders able to attack complex fibre and cross feeders that benefit from fibre breakdown intermediates or fermentation products. This leads predominately to the generation of the short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) acetate, propionate and butyrate, which exert various effects on host physiology, including the supply of energy, influencing glucose and lipid metabolism and anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory actions. In order to effectively modulate the gut microbiota through diet, there is a need to better understand the complex competitive and cooperative interactions between gut microbes in dietary fibre breakdown, as well as how gut environmental factors and the physicochemical state of fibre originating from different types of diets influence microbial metabolism and ecology in the gut.

FiberGrowth Pipeline: A Framework Toward Predicting Fiber-Specific Growth From Human Gut Bacteroidetes Genomes.

Dietary fibers impact gut colonic health, through the production of short-chain fatty acids. A low-fiber diet has been linked to lower bacterial diversity, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and promotion of mucosal pathogens. Glycoside hydrolases (GHs) are important enzymes involved in the bacterial catabolism of fiber into short-chain fatty acids. However, the GH involved in glycan breakdown (adhesion, hydrolysis, and fermentation) are organized in polysaccharide utilization loci (PUL) with complex modularity. Our goal was to explore how the capacity of strains, from the Bacteroidetes phylum, to grow on fiber could be predicted from their genome sequences. We designed an in silico pipeline called FiberGrowth and independently validated it for seven different fibers, on 28 genomes from Bacteroidetes-type strains. To do so, we compared the existing GH annotation tools and built PUL models by using published growth and gene expression data. FiberGrowth’s prediction performance in terms of true positive rate (TPR) and false positive rate (FPR) strongly depended on available data and fiber: arabinoxylan (TPR: 0.89 and FPR: 0), inulin (0.95 and 0.33), heparin (0.8 and 0.22) laminarin (0.38 and 0.17), levan (0.3 and 0.06), mucus (0.13 and 0.38), and starch (0.73 and 0.41). Being able to better predict fiber breakdown by bacterial strains would help to understand their impact on human nutrition and health. Assuming further gene expression experiment along with discoveries on structural analysis, we hope computational tools like FiberGrowth will help researchers prioritize and design in vitro experiments.

ИЗУЧЕНИЕ КЛИНИКО-БИОХИМИЧЕСКИХ ПОКАЗАТЕЛЕЙ ПРИ МЫШЕЧНОЙ ПАТОЛОГИИ СРЕДИ БОЛЬНЫХ ГЕМОФИЛИЕЙ

Aim. Determine the state of the biochemical composition of blood in the midst and resolution of muscle hematomas in patients with hemophilia.Materials and methods. 118 patients with hemophilia were examined. These patients were inpatient treatment at the hemophilia center at the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Hematology Center of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The control group consisted of 40 apparently healthy men of the same age. Results. Signs of massive hemorrhages in the tissue are an increase in the blood level of the activity of the cytoplasmic enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (54.1 ± 3.9 and 18 ± 4.1, respectively) and alanine aminotransferase (55.3 ± 5.2 and 27.3 ± 4.4, respectively). Depending on the severity of the breakdown of muscle fibers and the rate of progression of the complication, the increase in CPK activity in myopathies can be either sharp - 680.7 ± 14.2 IU / L (hemophilic tumor, tissue necrosis), or, conversely, insignificant 120.3 ± 11.1 IU / L (muscle tissue contracture or atrophy). Deficiency of serum iron (6.4 ± 1.1 μmol / L) was revealed in all groups of examined patients with hemophilia. There was a tendency to lower cholesterol content to 3.3 ± 0.2 mmol / L. The content of urea, as the end product of protein metabolism, was higher in hemophilia patients with a syndrome of necrotic changes in hematomas – in 4 patients (9.8 ± 2.2 mmol / l), which, in our opinion, is associated with an increase in the breakdown of hemoglobin and other proteins with massive hemolysis of erythrocytes in tissues. The study of trace elements in the blood serum revealed a deficiency of Mg²+ 1.6 times, Ca²+ 2.1 times.Conclision. In patients with hemophilia with hemorrhages in muscle tissue, there was a tendency to lower cholesterol and iron levels, and an increase in the amount of bilirubin. The “key” enzymes for the diagnosis and prognosis of complications can be a dynamic study of the activity of the levels of CPK (creatine phosphokinase) and ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase).

The decomposition of woody fibers by multiple fungi and their interaction

In this paper, we study the fungal community in which woody fibers are decomposed through fungal activity. Firstly, by analyzing the data of fungal traits, we establish Model I: a model for the decomposition of woody fibers by multiple fungi and their interaction. Secondly, under the existing microbiology research, we establish Model II: The Fungal Population Competition Model, to predict the relative advantages of species combinations in different environments and the importance and role of biodiversity. For this question, we extract the data of different fungi’s hyphal extension rate, moisture tolerance and decomposition rate. Then by modeling the Binary Nonlinear Regression model based on the least square method, we describe the breakdown of ground litter and woody fibers through two traits of fungi. Finally, we analyze the accuracy and sensitivity of the model, and prove that our model is accurate and stable for different parameters. Also, we discuss the latest developments in the role of fungi in ecosystems.

Exogenous Biological Renal Support Improves Kidney Function in Mice With Rhabdomyolysis-Induced Acute Kidney Injury.

Background: Rhabdomyolysis (RM) is a clinical syndrome characterized by breakdown of skeletal muscle fibers and release of their contents into the circulation. Myoglobin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most severe complications of RM. Based on our previous research, exogenous biological renal support alleviates renal ischemia–reperfusion injury in elderly mice. This study aimed to determine whether exogenous biological renal support promotes renal recovery from RM-induced AKI and to preliminarily explore the mechanisms involved.Methods: A parabiosis animal model was established to investigate the effects of exogenous biological renal support on RM-induced AKI. Mice were divided into three groups: the control group (in which mice were injected with sterile saline), the RM group (in which mice were injected with 8 mL/kg glycerol), and the parabiosis + RM group (in which recipient mice were injected with glycerol 3 weeks after parabiosis model establishment). Blood samples and kidney tissue were collected for further processing 48 h after RM induction. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted via Gene Ontology analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis, functional enrichment analysis, and clustering analysis.Results: No mice died within 48 h after the procedure. Exogenous biological renal support attenuated the histological and functional deterioration in mice with RM-induced AKI. Bioinformatics analysis identified key pathways and proteins involved in this process. We further demonstrated that exogenous biological renal support ameliorated AKI through multiple mechanisms, including by suppressing the complement system; attenuating oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death; and increasing proliferation.Conclusions: Exogenous biological renal support provided by parabiosis can improve renal function in RM-induced AKI by suppressing the complement system; decreasing oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death; and promoting tubular cell proliferation. Our study provides basic research evidence for the use of bioartificial kidneys to treat RM-induced AKI.

PSIII-19 The Effect of Xylanase on Finisher Pig Performance

Abstract The breakdown of long chain arabinoxylans into smaller chain xylo-oligomers by the use of xylanase results in a shift towards fiber utilizing bacteria resulting in production of small chain fatty acids and improved pig performance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of xylanase (Econase XT; AB Vista) on finisher pig performance. A total of 598 pigs; (37.4 ± 1.0 kg) were fed a single-phase diet for 60 days. Pigs were assigned to two treatments; 0 (CTL) or 16,000 BXU/kg of xylanase (XYL) with 12 pen replicates and 24/25 pigs (mixed sex; gilts and boars) per treatment. The diet was based on wheat, barley, soybean meal, rapeseed meal, and wheat midds; SID Lys: 0.88%, NDF: 14.7%, and NE: 2090 kcal/kg. Average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were evaluated in phase 1 (0-26d), phase 2 (26-60d) and overall (0-60d). Liveability was measured per treatment. Data were analysed using JMP 12 using the standard least square platform and ANOVA was performed to determine significance at P < 0.05. The model included initial BW as a covariant. The results indicated that there was no effect of xylanase on liveweight, ADG or ADFI at any phase of the finisher period. The use of xylanase improved FCR in phase 2 (2.53 v 2.60: P < 0.05) and overall (2.44 v 2.49 P=0.03). No differences were seen in liveability (CTL; 96%; XYL 98%; P = 0.29). It can be concluded that the use of xylanase can be used in finisher feeds to improve FCR which is linked with greater energy utilisation that has been associated with greater fiber breakdown through xylanase use.

A 28-day clinical trial of aerosolized hyaluronan in alpha-1 antiprotease deficiency COPD using desmosine as a surrogate marker for drug efficacy

IntroductionA previous 2-week clinical trial of aerosolized hyaluronan (HA) in COPD showed a rapid reduction in lung elastic fiber breakdown, as measured by sputum levels of the unique elastin crosslinks, desmosine and isodesmosine (DID). To further assess the therapeutic efficacy of HA and the utility of DID as surrogate markers for the development of pulmonary emphysema, we have conducted a 28-day randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial of HA involving 27 subjects with alpha-1 antiprotease deficiency COPD. MethodsThe study drug consisted of a 3 ml inhalation solution containing 0.03% HA with an average molecular weight of 150 kDa that was self-administered twice daily. DID levels were measured in urine, sputum, and plasma using tandem mass spectrometry. ResultsFree urine DID in the HA group showed a significant negative correlation with time between days 14 and 35 (r = -1.0, p = 0.023) and was statistically significantly decreased from baseline at day 35 (15.4 vs 14.2 ng/mg creatinine, p = 0.035). A marked decrease in sputum DID was also seen in the HA group between days 1 and 28 (0.96 vs 0.18 ng/mg protein), but the difference was not significant, possibly due to the small number of adequate specimens. Plasma DID remained unchanged following HA treatment and no significant reductions in urine, sputum, or plasma DID were seen in the placebo group. ConclusionsThe results support additional clinical trials to further evaluate the therapeutic effect of HA and the use of DID as a real-time marker of drug efficacy.

The Present Role and New Potentials of Anaerobic Fungi in Ruminant Nutrition.

The ruminal microbiota allows ruminants to utilize fibrous feeds and is in the limelight of ruminant nutrition research for many years. However, the overwhelming majority of investigations have focused on bacteria, whereas anaerobic fungi (AF) have been widely neglected by ruminant nutritionists. Anaerobic fungi are not only crucial fiber degraders but also important nutrient sources for the host. This review summarizes the current findings on AF and, most importantly, discusses their new application potentials in modern ruminant nutrition. Available data suggest AF can be applied as direct-fed microbials to enhance ruminal fiber degradation, which is indeed of interest for high-yielding dairy cows that often show depressed ruminal fibrolysis in response to high-grain feeding. Moreover, these microorganisms have relevance for the nutrient supply and reduction of methane emissions. However, to reach AF-related improvements in ruminal fiber breakdown and animal performance, obstacles in large-scale AF cultivation and applicable administration options need to be overcome. At feedstuff level, silage production may benefit from the application of fungal enzymes that cleave lignocellulosic structures and consequently enable higher energy exploitation from forages in the rumen. Concluding, AF hold several potentials in improving ruminant feeding and future research efforts are called for to harness these potentials.

The effect of organic and inorganic zinc source, used with lignocellulose or potato fiber, on microbiota composition, fermentation, and activity of enzymes involved in dietary fiber breakdown in the large intestine of pigs

The study aimed at determining the effects of Zn sources, used with potato fiber (PF) or lignocellulose (LC), on microbiota ecology in the large intestine of pigs. The hypothesis was that organic Zn source, i.e. Zn glycinate (ZnGly), and PF improve polysaccharide digestibility via effects on microbiota involved in degradation of dietary fiber. Twenty four piglets of initial body weight 10.8 ± 0.82 kg were divided into 4 groups (n=6) fed diets with: LC and ZnSO4, LC and ZnGly, PF and ZnSO4, and PF and ZnGly. Fiber supplements introduced 10 g crude fiber/kg diet, while Zn additives provided 120 mg Zn/kg diet. After 4 weeks of feeding digesta was taken from 4 segments of the large intestine. Pigs fed ZnGly diets had greater population of Clostridium herbivorans in the cecum (P = 0.021) and proximal colon (P = 0.024), and reduced that of Clostridium spp. in the proximal colon (P = 0.037) in comparison with ZnSO4. ZnGly had no effect on bacterial enzymes activity but increased total phenols concentration in the proximal (P = 0.012) and distal colon (P = 0.008). Feeding PF diets decreased Clostridium spp. population in the distal colon (P = 0.010), while increased it in the proximal (P < 0.001) colon (P = 0.034) as compared to LC diets. In all parts of the colon, pigs fed PF diets had β-glucosidase activity twice as high as animals on LC diets (P < 0.05), while activity of cellulase did not differ between treatments. The interaction affected Clostridium spp. population in the cecum (P = 0.034) and middle colon (P = 0.005), ammonia concentration (P = 0.032) and β-glucosidase activity (P = 0.026) in the proximal colon, and isoacid concentrations in the distal colon (P < 0.05). The lack of interactive effect on most of the analyzed indices suggest that Zn source and fiber supplementation act independently on microbiota ecology and ZnGly and PF contribute to increase of fiber digestibility in different ways, i.e. by stimulation of C. herbivorans growth or by increase of β-glucosidase activity.

Thermal analysis of chicken fiber augmented epoxy composites

Abstract The structural properties of chicken feathers, a poultry by-product, promote its better utilization over dumping or incineration and polymer composites present one such area where they can be used directly without much processing. In this research, epoxy composites augmented with chicken feather fibers in open fibrous and nonwoven mat forms were prepared and tested for their thermal stability. Thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) characterization were done using the heating rate of 100 °C/min from 0 to 700 °C. The results show three stages of thermal decomposition including evaporation of moisture below 150 °C, breakdown of chicken fibers within the range of 250 to 350 °C, and final degradation of the matrix at above 450 °C. Insignificant difference was observed in thermal stability with an increase in chicken fiber content and also with mat as reinforcement forms.

DMD – ANIMAL MODELS & PRECLINICAL TREATMENT: P.210 Development of a new protective small molecule intervention for muscular dystrophy

Many serious inherited myopathies are marked by an exaggerated injury response to with muscle contraction, including Duchenne, Becker and several of the limb girdle muscular dystrophies. Amongst these, breakdown in the context of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is best understood. Skeletal muscle contraction leads to membrane stress, local calcium influx and muscle fiber breakdown through excessive contractures and activation of apoptotic pathways. We have identified a novel small molecule, EDG-5506 that stabilizes skeletal muscle fibers so that muscle use, either in the context of isolated contraction or exercise, is uncoupled from an exaggerated injury response.

Palmoplantar hyperkeratotic projections

Palmoplantar hyperkeratotic projections

Application of enzymes for the reduction of PFI revolutions in the secondary pulping process and characteristics of thermomechanical pulp

Three enzymes, mannanase, xylanase, and cellulase, were applied for hydrolysis of thermomechanical pulp (TMP) primary discharge prior to PFI refining, aiming to study the effect of enzymatic hydrolysis on the required number of PFI revolutions. The quantity of reducing sugar was used as an indicator for enzyme hydrolysis efficiency. Then, under the optimized enzyme loading, treated and un-treated pulp were refined with different PFI revolutions. Subsequent fiber characteristics, such as fiber length and fines content were examined. Under the optimized enzyme loadings and a given 20000 PFI revolutions, in comparison with the control pulp, mannanase and xylanase pre-treatment could save PFI refining revolutions by 20% and 25%, respectively. There was no significant energy savings for the cellulase-treated pulp. During the hydrolysis, the enzyme broke down TMP fibers into shorter pieces and yielded more fines than the control pulp. Among the three enzymes, cellulase showed the highest efficiency in fiber breakdown, mannanase in the middle, xylanase the lowest. Longer hydrolysis time (more than one hour) had no evident effect on the pulp freeness reduction and reducing sugar production. Among the three enzymes, under the optimized enzyme loading, cellulase was the most efficient for enhancing production of reducing sugars.

Stem cell derived extracellular vesicles for vascular elastic matrix regenerative repair

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are localized expansions of the abdominal aorta that develop due to chronic proteolytic disruption of the structural extracellular matrix (ECM) components (elastin and collagen) within the aorta wall. Major limitations in arresting or reversing AAAs lie in naturally poor and aberrant regeneration and repair of elastic matrix structures in the aorta wall. Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) have emerged as a promising regenerative tool and their therapeutic effects are also known to be effected through their paracrine secretions. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) present in these secretions have emerged as critical cellular component in facilitating many therapeutic benefits of MSCs. EV treatment is thus potentially appealing as a stem cell-inspired cell-free approach to avoid possible phenotypic plasticity of MSCs in vivo. In this study, we investigated the thus far unknown effects of BM-MSC derived EVs on vascular elastic matrix repair in the context of AAA treatment. EVs isolated from BM-MSC source were characterized and their pro-regenerative and their anti-proteolytic effects were evaluated on our established in vitro experimental conditions derived from AAA rat model. Our studies revealed the efficacy of BM-MSC derived EVs in attenuating the proteolytic activity and also in imparting elastic matrix regenerative benefits under aneurysmal environment. Interestingly, compared to cell culture conditioned media (CCM), EVs demonstrated superior regenerative and anti-proteolytic benefits in a proteolytic injury culture model of AAA. From these studies, it appears that EVs derived from BM-MSCs could be beneficial in undertaking a reparative effort in AAA induced degeneration of vascular tissue.Statement of SignificanceAbdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are localized, rupture-prone expansions of the aorta which result from loss of wall flexibility due to enzymatic breakdown of elastic fibers. There are no established alternatives to surgery, which possess high risk for the mostly elderly patients. Our previous studies have established the elastic regenerative and reparative effect of cell culture secretions derived from adult stem cell source. In this study, we propose to isolate extracellular vesicles (exosomes) from these secretions and evaluate their regenerative benefits in AAA smooth muscle cell culture model. This simple and innovative treatment approach has the potential to arrest or reverse AAA growth to rupture, not possible so far.

Ermin is a p116RIP -interacting protein promoting oligodendroglial differentiation and myelin maintenance.

Myelin sheaths, which insulate the axons and ensure saltatory conduction of the nerve impulse, are generated and maintained via largely uncharacterized mechanisms. Ermin is an oligodendrocyte-specific protein associated with the cytoskeleton, but how it regulates cytoskeletal remodeling during oligodendrocyte differentiation and its role in myelin maintenance are not clear. To address this, we generated mice constitutively deficient for Ermn, the Ermin-coding gene. We found that aged Ermn-knockout mice exhibit an aberrant myelin architecture, with splitting of myelin layers, peeling of the myelin sheath from axons, and breakdown of myelinated fibers. As a result, these mice had remarkably impaired motor coordination. Ermn knockout also accelerated cuprizone-induced demyelination and exacerbated the associated movement disorders. Ermin was found to contribute to oligodendrocyte morphogenesis by associating with the myosin phosphatase Rho interacting protein (Mprip/p116RIP ) and inactivating RhoA, a GTPase that controls cytoskeletal rearrangement in differentiating cells. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms regulating oligodendroglial differentiation, the maintenance of the myelin sheaths, and remyelination.

Optimizing bacteriotherapy to prevent or treat food allergy

Abstract Depletion of protective gut microbes strongly correlates with the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases, including food allergies. In previous work we transferred feces from healthy or cow’s milk allergic (CMA) infants to germ free mice and showed that healthy infants harbor intestinal bacteria that are causally protective against food allergy in this model. Monocolonization with a single bacterial species, Anaerostipes caccae, was sufficient to mimic the protective effect of the healthy microbiota. These studies have provided the conceptual basis for the use of bacteriotherapy to prevent food allergy. We are taking a synbiotic approach in which we co-deliver a new sub-strain (A. caccae_lahuc), isolated from the feces of infants in our study, with prebiotic substrates that enhance the ability of A. caccae_lahuc to grow in mice with a replete microbiota and produce butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid with immunoregulatory properties. In vitro studies of A. caccae_lahuc cultured with fecal bacteria from a CMA infant identified potato starch or the combination of lactate and acetate, the intermediate products of fiber breakdown, as prebiotics which maximize butyrate output. We are optimizing delivery of these prebiotics with A. caccae_lahuc to determine whether they stimulate butyrate production in vivo. We found that A. caccae_lahuc bacteriotherapy without prebiotics leads to its stable colonization in mice already colonized with the CMA microbiota without measurable increases in fecal or cecal butyrate. By decoupling growth from butyrate release, we are obtaining mechanistic insights into the components necessary to optimize a synbiotic formulation efficacious for the prevention or treatment of food allergy.

Polarization gating technique extracts depth resolved fluorescence redox ratio in oral cancer diagnostics.

Mortality of oral cancer is often due to late diagnosis. Effective non-invasive diagnostic techniques may increase the survival rate based on an earlier diagnosis.. We report on the application of the polarization gating technique for isolating weakly scattered and highly scattered components of fluorescence emission from the superficial and deeper layers of tissue due to intrinsic fluorophores NADH and FAD. The fluorescence polarization spectra were collected from 21 normal and 67 oral squamous cell carcinoma biopsy tissues. The tissues were excited at 350 nm and the fluorescence emission had two peaks corresponding to NADH, and FAD respectively. The spectra were analyzed using the polarization gating technique along with the spectral deconvolution method to derive the optical redox ratio from different layers of tissue. The fractional change in redox ratio between superficial and deeper layers of tissue exhibits excellent statistical significance (p<10-3) which may be due to a shift in the metabolic pathway from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis in the cancer cell. Further, variation in collagen intensity in deeper layers of tissue is observed which may be attributed to the breakdown of collagen fibers in the stroma. Linear discriminant analysis showed that oral cancer tissue is discriminated with a better accuracy using polarization gating technique than that of conventional fluorescence spectroscopy.

The role of myeloid cells in lung injury‐induced muscle atrophy

RationaleIntensive care unit acquired weakness (ICUAW) occurs in nearly 50% of patients admitted to the ICU. Patients exhibiting ICUAW have increased in‐hospital and post‐ICU mortality. ICUAW, and the associated muscle atrophy specifically, cannot be completely explained by disuse and may involve a secondary trigger to enhance the breakdown of muscle fibers. Recent work has suggested that excessive systemic inflammation may contribute to this process. We hypothesized that muscle atrophy in ICUAW may, in part, be induced by myeloid cell recruitment to muscle.MethodsC57Bl6/J mice received intratracheal (IT) instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 3 μg/g) or saline and were euthanized 3, 6, 12, 24, 72 hours thereafter. For antibody‐mediated myeloid cell depletion, 200 μg of αGR‐1, αLy6G, or isotype control antibodies were administered IP 24 hours and 1 hour prior to injury and mice were examined 24 hours post‐injury. Whole gastrocnemius muscle was analyzed using RT‐qPCR. For in vitro studies, C2C12 myoblasts were differentiated for 7 days and stimulated with LPS (1 μg/ml) to elicit an inflammatory response. Bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs) were differentiated with 10 ng/ml of macrophage‐colony stimulation factor for 7 days and seeded at a density of 2600 cells/cm2 (4940 cells/well) onto C2C12 myotubes after 6 days of differentiation. On day 7 of C2C12 differentiation, cocultures were stimulated as previously described. Supernatants and cell lysates were analyzed by ELISA and RT‐qPCR. Myotube diameter was measured using ImageJ.ResultsIT LPS upregulates the atrogene muscle RING‐finger 1 (MuRF1) and induces atrophy in vivo. However, this effect of LPS is not seen in cultured C2C12 myotubes alone. Depletion of neutrophils and monocytes with αGR‐1 antibody reduced MuRF1 expression in vivo. Both C2C12 myotubes and whole muscle show rapid, transient expression of myeloid chemoattractants MCP‐1 and KC (CXCL1). Cocultures of BMDMs and C2C12 myotubes enhance the expression of IL‐6 and MCP‐1 synergistically and induce C2C12 myotubes to produce TNFα.ConclusionsOur data indicate that IT LPS induces MuRF1 in vivo and our in vitro data in myotubes suggests that this effect may require myeloid cells. Further supporting this conclusion, we found that antibody depletion of myeloid cells reduced IT LPS‐induced MuRF1 expression. Moreover, expression of key myeloid cell chemoattractants are induced in muscle both in vitro and in vivo in response to LPS and addition of BMDMs to C2C12 myotubes with LPS treatment reveals synergistic increases of IL‐6 and MCP‐1 and induces C2C12 myotubes to produce TNFα. The current study implicates macrophages and neutrophils as modulators of the muscle atrophy response to following lung injury.Support or Funding InformationNIH 5R01HL143452‐02NIH 2T32HL076122‐16

Rumen Virus Populations: Technological Advances Enhancing Current Understanding.

The rumen contains a multi-kingdom, commensal microbiome, including protozoa, bacteria, archaea, fungi and viruses, which enables ruminant herbivores to ferment and utilize plant feedstuffs that would be otherwise indigestible. Within the rumen, virus populations are diverse and highly abundant, often out-numbering the microbial populations that they both predate on and co-exist with. To date the research effort devoted to understanding rumen-associated viral populations has been considerably less than that given to the other microbial populations, yet their contribution to maintaining microbial population balance, intra-ruminal microbial lysis, fiber breakdown, nutrient cycling and genetic transfer may be highly significant. This review follows the technological advances which have contributed to our current understanding of rumen viruses and drawing on knowledge from other environmental and animal-associated microbiomes, describes the known and potential roles and impacts viruses have on rumen function and speculates on the future directions of rumen viral research.

Modulation of Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage, Inflammation, and Oxidative Markers by Curcumin Supplementation in a Physically Active Population: A Systematic Review.

Physical activity, particularly high-intensity eccentric muscle contractions, produces exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). The breakdown of muscle fibers and the consequent inflammatory responses derived from EIMD affect exercise performance. Curcumin, a natural polyphenol extracted from turmeric, has been shown to have mainly antioxidant and also anti-inflammatory properties. This effect of curcumin could improve EIMD and exercise performance. The main objective of this systematic review was to critically evaluate the effectiveness of curcumin supplementation on EIMD and inflammatory and oxidative markers in a physically active population. A structured search was carried out following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines in the databases SCOPUS, Web of Science (WOS), and Medline (PubMed) from inception to October 2019. The search included original articles with randomized controlled crossover or parallel design in which the intake of curcumin administered before and/or after exercise was compared with an identical placebo situation. No filters were applied to the type of physical exercise performed, the sex or the age of the participants. Of the 301 articles identified in the search, 11 met the established criteria and were included in this systematic review. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the McMaster Critical Review Form. The use of curcumin reduces the subjective perception of the intensity of muscle pain; reduces muscle damage through the decrease of creatine kinase (CK); increases muscle performance; has an anti-inflammatory effect by modulating the pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8; and may have a slight antioxidant effect. In summary, the administration of curcumin at a dose between 150–1500 mg/day before and during exercise, and up until 72 h’ post-exercise, improved performance by reducing EIMD and modulating the inflammation caused by physical activity. In addition, humans appear to be able to tolerate high doses of curcumin without significant side-effects.