Mass Gain Research Articles

Daily Lipolysis Gene Expression in Male Rat Mesenteric Adipose Tissue: Obesity and Melatonin Effects

Melatonin is involved in various functions such as the timing of circadian rhythms, energy metabolism, and body mass gain in experimental animals. However, its effects on adipose tissue lipid metabolism are still unclear. This study analyzes the effects of melatonin on the relative gene expression of lipolytic proteins in rat mesenteric adipose tissue and free fatty acid (FFA) and glycerol plasma levels of male Wistar rats fed a high-fat (HFD) or maintenance diet. Four experimental groups were established: control, obese, and control or obese plus 2.3 mg/kg/day of melatonin in tap water. After 11 weeks, animals were sacrificed at different times throughout a 24 h cycle, and mesenteric adipose tissue and plasma samples were collected and analyzed. Cgi58, Perilipin, and Dgat1 gene expression, as well as FFA and glycerol concentrations, showed rhythm patterns in the control group. HFD disrupted those rhythm patterns and increased FFA and glycerol concentrations during the dark photoperiod. In both melatonin-treated groups, almost all analyzed genes showed circadian patterns. Notably, melatonin significantly prevented the increase in FFA levels during the dark photoperiod in obese rats (obese group: ~1100 mM vs. obese + melatonin group: ~600 μM, similar to control levels). However, the rhythmic pattern observed in control animals was not sustained. According to our results, melatonin could regulate circadian gene transcription of mesenteric adipose tissue lipolysis proteins. The effect of melatonin on preventing elevated FFA plasma levels associated with high-fat diet intake warrants further investigation.

Evolving glacier patterns in the Chenab River Basin (1993-2021): Drivers and environmental implications.

Glaciers of Jammu and Kashmir are retreating faster than those in the broader northwestern Himalayas, yet some glaciers in the Chenab River basin display signs of periodic advancement and mass gain (2005-2007). These features, such as coalescing lobate structures and blocked meltwater streams, raise intriguing questions about localized glacier dynamics. While global concerns over climate change and glacier retreat persist, the lack of detailed evidence regarding glacier advance in this region warrants further investigation. Consequently, a comprehensive investigation of the Bhut and Warwan sub-basin glaciers of the Chenab River basin, was conducted to understand their spatio-temporal evolution between 1993 and 2021. Our analysis revealed an area loss (6.7%), surface thinning (-0.3±0.4 ma-1), increased debris cover (11%), and reduced glacial velocity (54% in Bhut and 20% in Warwan) between 1993 and 2021. In contrast, we also observed periodic insignificant glacier advancement on nine glaciers, a balanced state on twelve, and the complete disappearance of 113 glaciers in these three decades. Among Bhut and Warwan sub-basins, the former revealed higher average velocity, slowdown, and thinning compared to the latter. The higher average velocity in the Bhut sub-basin is controlled by relatively higher precipitation, and the increase in overall debris coverage possibly governs the enhanced slowdown and thinning. We conclude that while the climate controls the long-term and periodic glacier response, the spatial variability is governed largely by the debris thickness, which is variable among glaciers and might also be changing. Furthermore, the aforementioned geomorphological evidence of some glacier advances, while happening locally, does not well represent the state and recent dynamics of the glaciers in these regions overall.

Profile of Nandrolone-Based Anabolic Steroids Confiscated by Federal Police of Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brazil

Anabolic steroids are often consumed by both amateur and professional sports practitioners with the aim of improving their performance and for the rapid gain of muscle mass. Nandrolone is one of the main steroids consumed and is, frequently, acquired illegally or from dubious sources, and this raises serious concerns regarding the quality of the products. This work sought to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluates oily, nandrolone-based anabolic steroids confiscated by the Federal Police Department, in the triple border (Paraguay-Brazil-Argentina, PY-BR-AR). For the quantitative study, we conducted a methodological validation analysis based on the application of solvent extraction and GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry). A total of 40 samples of nandrolone steroids (as described on the label) were thoroughly investigated. The results obtained showed that 90% of the samples analyzed contained the active ingredient but 67.5% of these samples exhibited concentrations below the values indicated on the label; these products are thus considered to be of low quality and their consumption may pose serious risks to the consumers. The findings of this study point to the importance of enforcing regulatory controls on the sale of anabolic steroids with a view to inhibiting the consumption of counterfeit drugs that can pose serious risks to the health of consumers.

The current state-of-the art in pharmaceutical continuous film coating - A review.

In this decade, one of the major trends in the pharmaceutical industry is the adoption of continuous manufacturing. This requires the development of continuous equivalents of essential pharmaceutical processes such as film coating. The process of film coating is the last step of the processing of solid dosage forms and is critical because it determines the visual appearance of the end product, along with ensuring its stability and possibly even defining the rate of drug release. Several manufacturers advertise continuous solutions for film coating, these include semi-continuous and fully continuous appliances. State-of-the-art continuous coaters can match the throughput of continuous manufacturing lines, because largest appliances have a capacity of 1200-1500kg/h. The paper also describes the main challenges related to continuous film coating including waste production at the beginning and end of the process and the problem caused by elastic recovery of the tablets when film coating is performed immediately after tablet compression. Lastly, we give an overview of the in-line sensors that can be used to monitor the quality of the film coated tablets, enabling real-time quality control of the process. Near-infrared and Raman spectroscopy can measure the mass gain of the tablets, while terahertz pulsed imaging and optical coherence tomography enable coating thickness measurement of individual tablets and even the characterization of intra-tablet coating thickness variability. UV imaging and machine vision can also measure coating thickness, and they are also excellent for detecting tablets with defective coating.

Intermittent topical menthol treatment reduces white adipose tissue and leads to overweight loss in obese rats.

Obesity, recognized as a metabolic disease and a global epidemic, calls for novel pharmacological interventions. Menthol, an organic compound, has shown promise in increasing energy expenditure and has been proposed as a potential anti-obesity drug. While preclinical studies have demonstrated menthol's preventive effect on body mass gain, none have investigated its efficacy in treating obesity. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of menthol in obesity treatment. Obesity was induced in rats through a hypercaloric diet. Obese rats were subjected to intermittent topical treatment with 5% menthol, resulting in sustained hyperthermia indicative of increased thermogenesis and energy expenditure. Additionally, menthol led to a reduction in the area of white adipocytes as a result of weight loss in obese rats. Our findings suggest that menthol has the potential to enhance metabolism and may serve as a viable treatment option for obesity. These results highlight the physiological significance of menthol in modulating metabolic processes and its potential role in combating obesity-related metabolic disorders.

Omentin-1 mitigates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by preserving autophagy through AMPKα/mTOR signaling pathway

Adipose tissue-derived adipokines facilitate inter-organ communication between adipose tissue and other organs. Omentin-1, an adipokine, has been implicated in the regulation of glucose and insulin metabolism. However, limited knowledge exists regarding the regulatory impact of endogenous omentin-1 on hepatic steatosis. C57BL/6J mice were fed with high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks to induce nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), while HepG2 cells were exposed to a 0.1 mM free fatty acid (FFA) mixture for 24 h to induce hepatic steatosis. Both the mice and cells were treated with omentin-1, and the therapeutic effects as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated. Our data demonstrate that omentin-1 attenuates weight and fat mass gain, preserves glucose homeostasis, normalizes the expression of lipogenesis-related proteins, and alleviates hepatic lipid accumulation in HFD fed mice. Furthermore, omentin-1 normalized AMPKα/mTOR signaling and preserves autophagy in these mice. In vitro, omentin-1 also preserves autophagy and attenuates lipid accumulation by normalizing AMPKα/mTOR signaling in a cell model of FFA treated HepG2 cells. However, inhibition of AMPK with Compound C or AMPKα whole-body knockout reverses the above beneficial effects of omentin-1. The present study demonstrates that omentin-1 exerts a preventive effect on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by preserving autophagy through normalizing the AMPKα/mTOR pathway, thereby suggesting its potential as a promising therapeutic agent against NAFLD.

From cells to recapture rates: responses and recovery of a wild fish after an experimental exposure to a widely used herbicide.

Freshwater environments are biodiversity hotspots under multiple pressures, including pesticide exposure. S-metolachlor, a widely used herbicide, can induce genotoxic, cytotoxic and physiological effects in captive fish, but we have a limited understanding of the effects of exposure to S-metolachlor in free-living vertebrates. We carried out an original field experiment using integrative approaches across biological levels and temporal scales. The implantation of slow-release implants, an approach to mimic increasing exposure to S-metolachlor of wildlife in realistic multistress conditions, was coupled to a capture-mark-recapture monitoring of bullheads (Cottus perifretum) living in an agriculturally impacted stream. Thanks to our long-term monitoring programme, we evidenced high levels of metolachlor and its metabolites (metolachlor ESA and metolachlor OXA) in water bodies with strong monthly variations. S-metolachlor levels did not differ between treated and control fish and were moderate in bullhead tissues, likely because of xenobiotic metabolism and excretion. S-metolachlor exposure increased erythrocyte abnormalities and the neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratios. These cellular and physiological damages were observed at 2weeks, but not at 3months after the manipulation. This suggests a recovery, likely owing to cell turnover. We also found an increase of body mass of treated fish compared to control fish, and this mass gain persisted at 3months, suggesting obesogenic effects of S-metolachlor. Antioxidant levels, telomere length and recapture rate were not affected by the experimental treatment. In conclusion, we provide evidence for transient and specific cellular alterations induced by low concentrations of S-metolachlor and long-term mass gain in a wild vertebrate. This study paves the way for integrative field experiments to better understand the impacts of pollutants on fish populations.

Рекомбинантный химозин Camelus dromedarius в экспрессионной системе Pichia pastoris: очистка и анализ ферментативных свойств

Natural chymosin production is an expensive and complex process associated with ethical issues. The article introduces recombinant chymosin Camelus dromedarius (rChn-Cam) isolated from a P. pastoris expression system and optimized for different nutrient media at different zeocin concentrations. The sequence of prochymosin gene was obtained from NCBI BLAST. GS115/his4 P. prastoris served as a producer strain. The pPICZ(alpha) B vector with the AOXI promoter made it possible to construct the expression cassette. The experiment involved methods of genetical engineering and strain cultivation. The recombinant His-Tag-labelled proteins were isolated by the method of metal-affinity chromatography and analyzed using PAG electrophoresis and Western-blot analysis. The molecular weight was determined by MALDI-TOF MS while the concentration was defined spectrophotometrically. The shuttle expression plasmid pPICZ(alpha)B/proCYM_camel_pp_IDT revealed that the cell mass expansion of P. pastoris GS115/his4 (Mut+) should be performed with a preliminary introduction of 0.5% methanol. After the transformation of P. pastoris GS115/his4 and obtaining a strain-producer of P. pastoris/pPICZ(alpha)B/proCYM_camel_pp_IDT, the rate of cell mass gain started to correlate with the zeocin concentrations in two different media. Medium YPD was not fornified and contained 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL zeocin. MediumYPD was fortified with 0.00004% biotin and 1% glycerol and included 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL zeocin. The strain-producer grew better in the medium with a zeocin concentration of 50 μg/mL. The mass of rChn-Cam was 35.673 kDa after isolation and purification. When the pH of the substrate rose from 5.0 to 6.5, the coagulation activity decreased by 24%. The thermal inactivation threshold of rChn-Cam was 40–45°C. The unit of coagulation activity decreased as the zeocin concentration went up. The rChn-Cam concentration was in inverse correlation with the substrate coagulation time. In this research, the rChn-Cam obtained in the expression system of P. prastoris proved to be a good alternative to rChn used in the cheese industry.

Muffled olfactory and sensory cues from the reproductive stage soybean selectively reduce oviposition of a major polyphagous herbivore, fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda).

While the mother knows best/preference performance hypothesis has been well tested in natural ecosystems, how these ecological principles differ in agroecosystems is less explored. In this study, we investigated the ovipositional preference and offspring performance of fall armyworm (FAW) across vegetative and reproductive stages of soybean. We examined trichomes, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and assessed electroantennogram (EAG) measurements to understand how olfactory responses are affected by volatiles at different phenological stages during photoperiodism (photophase and scotophase). We found that gravid FAW preferred the vegetative compared to reproductive stage of soybean. Although VOC and EAG responses was not statistically different (P > 0.05) between photophase and scotophase, but vegetative stage exhibited significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher emissions and responses than the reproductive stage during both photophase and scotophase. Additionally, reproductive stage had lower trichomes compared to the vegetative stage. Interestingly, no significant difference was observed in offspring performance between the vegetative and reproductive stages of soybean. This suggests that oviposition preference does not necessarily correlate with offspring performance, which was confirmed through offspring mass and mass gain studies. Olfactory and sensory cues from soybean at reproductive stage reduced oviposition by mother FAW. Collectively, we show that while mother knows best may not fit FAW-Soybean interaction, muffled volatile emission in reproductive stages can have positive consequences for host success. The results from this study will enhance our understanding of FAW behavior across different phenological stages of host plants, that can be used to develop alternative and sustainable management strategies. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.

Evolutionary growth of molecular clouds as traced by their infrared bright fraction

ABSTRACT Understanding how stars form, evolve, and impact molecular clouds is key to understanding why star formation is such an inefficient process globally. In this paper, we use the infrared bright fraction, $f_\text{IRB}$ (the fraction of a given molecular cloud that appears bright against the 8 $\mu$m Milky Way background) as a proxy for time evolution to test how cloud properties change as star formation evolves. We apply this metric to 12 000 high-mass star-forming molecular clouds we identify using the Herschel–Hi-GAL survey between $|\ell |{\lt }70^{\circ }$ on the Milky Way plane. We find clouds are not static while forming stars. Instead, molecular clouds continuously gain mass while star formation progresses. By performing principal component analysis on the cloud properties, we find that they evolve down two paths distinguished by their mass gain. Most clouds (80 per cent) gain four times more mass as a function of $f_\text{IRB}$. The remaining 20 per cent experience an extreme period of growth, growing in mass by a factor of 150 on average and during this period, they initially gain mass fast enough to outpace their star formation. For all clouds, it is only after half their area becomes star forming that mass-loss occurs. We expect stellar feedback and potentially galactic shear is responsible. By analysing cloud positions, we suggest that the rate of mass growth may be linked to the larger galactic environment. Altogether, these results have strong implications on how we assess star-forming ability on cloud scales when assuming molecular cloud masses are fixed in time.

Improvement of bone properties in children with osteogenesis imperfecta after pamidronate:a bone biopsy study

Abstract Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), or bone brittle disease, is characterized by increased mineralization of bone matrix independently of clinical severity. So, a beneficial effect of antiresorptive treatments such as bisphosphonates (BP) is questionable. We aim to compare the bone matrix characteristics before and after BP pamidronate (PAM). Fifty-eight children (9 ± 5 year-old) with OI (Type I, III, IV, V, VI, XI or unknown) received intravenous PAM for 2 years and underwent transiliac bone biopsies before (n = 57) and after (n = 35) treatment. Compared to age-matched controls, untreated OI was characterized by cortical and cancellous rarefaction. Two years of PAM in OI patients significantly decreased bone remodeling activity, increased cortical thickness, improved the maturation of both organic and mineral matrix, most of the nanomechanical properties, despite further increased the degree of mineralization. Overall, in addition to a gain in bone mass, our results showed for the first time that PAM is able to increase the maturation of mineral crystals and collagen matrix contributing to its antifracture efficacy in OI patients.

Clonal differences in ecophysiological responses to imposed drought in selected Eucalyptus grandis x E. urophylla hybrids.

Measuring ecophysiological responses of Eucalyptus clones grown under reduced water availability could assist in clonal selection for climate resilience. We hypothesized that clonal variation in chlorophyll a fluorescence was more readily detected than variations in leaf-level gas-exchanges when two-year-old E. grandis x E. urophylla hybrid clones (C1, C2, C3, and C4) were grown under rainfed (RF) and water-restricted (WR) conditions were evaluated during dry and rainy seasons, in the morning and midday diurnal periods. The C2 clone was the most drought tolerant as it had a similar net CO2 assimilation rate (A) considering the RF and WR conditions at midday during the dry season, while C1, C3, and C4 CO2 assimilation rates (A) decreased by 29.1 %, 28.3%, and 13%, respectively. This response was associated with a reduction to a lesser extent in leaf water potential, stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration rates (E) (ca. 10%, 30% and 13% under WR, respectively), when compared to the other clones during the dry season at midday. The lower leaf to air vapor pressure deficit of C2 contributed to its greater water use efficiency (WUE), resulting in greater total dry mass gain. C1, C3 and C4 were less drought tolerant, decreasing gs, E and especially A under WR, resulting in lower WUE and total dry mass gain. Chlorophyll a fluorescence indexes were better indicators of drought tolerance compared to gas-exchange parameters in definition of drought tolerance of clonal Eucalyptus. Three drought sensitive clones showed low photochemical efficiency under WR, with the electron transport rate being impaired between photosystems II and I, indicated by the greater changes in photosynthetic performance index (PIabs). Under WR conditions, Fv/Fm, Ψ0, ΦE0, and PIabs decreased in all clones while ΦD0 and DI0/CS0 increased, with C2 showing the most stable responses suggesting that the photochemical apparatus was the less damaged by drought. Thus, C2 was the best clone for regions with water scarcity.

Oxidation Behavior of Mechanically Alloyed High‐Entropy Alloys: A Review

High‐entropy alloys (HEAs) owing to their entropy maximized design exhibit simple solid solution structures and possess fascinating properties. In addition to mechanical properties, the oxidation resistance is an important property that is crucial for determining the suitability of high‐temperature operation of the structural members. Among processing routes, mechanical alloying is one of the most widely used techniques primarily due to the generation of nanocrystalline grains and alloying elements with wide melting point differences. Mechanically alloyed HEAs differ from cast alloys in several aspects, including the phases developed, microstructure, oxidation products, and mass gain kinetics. This difference is largely attributed to the presence of numerous grain boundaries in mechanically alloyed HEAs, which serve as significant diffusion paths. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of oxidation studies performed in several mechanically alloyed HEAs, detailing their microstructure, oxidation products, and kinetics. It also compares the oxidation behavior of few of these systems with their cast counterparts. The oxidation behavior is further analyzed from both thermodynamic and kinetic perspectives. Finally, the article suggests several future research directions that can further the understanding of oxidation behavior of mechanically alloyed HEAs and contribute to their development.

Экспрессионная система Pichia pastoris рекомбинантного химозина Camelus dromedarius с подбором оптимальных условий индукции белка

The paper introduces optimal conditions for chymosin protein induction. The research featured the correlation between the cell mass gain of transformed P. pastoris/pPICZ(alpha)B/proCYM_camel_pp_IDT and the composition of nutrient media with different carbon sources and zeocin resistance producer strains. P. pastoris GS115/his4 was transformed to obtain P. pastoris/pPICZ(alpha)B/proCYM_camel_pp_IDT as a strain producer. The cell mass growth rate correlated with the zeocin concentrations in the YPD nutrient medium without glycerol and biotin and the YPD nutrient medium fortified with 0.0000% biotin and 1% glycerol. The biomass density increased faster when cultured on the fortified medium, regardless of zeocin concentration, especially during cultivation day 1. The cell mass growth on solid and liquid selective media was multidirectional. The two experimental samples on solid selective media with 200 μg/ml zeocin started growing on cultivation day 3 if the YPD medium was not fortified. The samples on fortified medium, on the contrary, showed no growth on day 3. The optical density of the cell mass grown on liquid selective medium demonstrated a particular pattern: the rate of biomass growth in the fortified medium samples decreased gradually whereas the unfortified medium samples demonstrated signs of growth, which intensified on cultivation day 2. To increase the cell density of P. pastoris strain GS115/his4, a preliminary application of 0.5 % methanol is recommended as a carbon source to activate the MUT metabolic pathway, i.e., methanol utilization. Adding the alternative oxidase enzyme is also recommended since strain GS115/his4 belongs to the MUT+ phenotype with a high growth rate and productivity, hence the need for additional methanol. The obtained data may help to optimize the commercial yield of P. pastoris as a producer of recombinant protein.

Successful treatment of megaesophagus with sildenafil in juvenile Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii) undergoing rehabilitation.

To describe the outcome of megaesophagus in harbor seal pups undergoing rehabilitation from January 2021 to December 2023. 5 harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardii) pups, 2 males and 3 females, were included in the study. All 5 cases had no clinical signs associated with megaesophagus on initial presentation to the rehabilitation facility. Case 1 presented with regurgitation, diarrhea, bloating, and poor gain of body mass starting 24 days into rehabilitation. Case 2 presented with regurgitation and bloating on day 12. Case 3 presented with hyporexia, bloating, poor gain of body mass, and regurgitation between days 55 and 60. Case 4 presented with lethargy, diarrhea, and regurgitation starting on day 12 of rehabilitation. Case 5 presented with difficulty gavage feeding 14 days into rehabilitation and regurgitation starting day 28. Radiographs in all 3 cases revealed dilation of the esophagus and gas distention of the stomach and intestines, consistent with megaesophagus. Cases 1, 2, and 3 were treated with 1 mg/kg sildenafil by mouth every 12 hours for 14 days at the time of diagnosis. Cases 1 and 2 showed improvement in radiographic lesions and resolution of clinical signs after treatment and were released after 1 and 3 months of posttreatment monitoring respectively. None of the clinical signs returned after medications were discontinued. Postrelease survival was monitored in case 2 via a satellite-linked transmitter for 39 days. Case 3 was euthanized due to worsening lethargy, difficulty tube feeding, and continued loss of body mass after 6 days of treatment. Case 4 was euthanized at the time of diagnosis of megaesophagus on radiographs due to dull mentation and declining clinical status, and case 5 died a few hours after diagnosis of megaesophagus on radiographs before sildenafil treatment could be initiated. Sildenafil successfully managed megaesophagus in 2 of 3 P vitulina richardii juveniles. This case series highlights that sildenafil may be a potential treatment option for megaesophagus in P vitulina richardii pups undergoing rehabilitation. Based on the results of these cases, it is hypothesized that megaesophagus in rehabilitated harbor seals is not always a congenital defect but possibly an iatrogenic condition.

Advancement of the Oxidized State of an As-Cast Low-Mn, High-Cr Cantor’s Alloy in Natural Air at 1000 °C

In order to discover how the multiple oxides observed in the final external scales after long exposure of a low-Mn, high-Cr Cantor’s alloy to hot air were formed, oxidation tests in a furnace were performed for seven different durations. Metallographic characterization was carried out concerning the oxidation products obtained after each test duration. The different oxides did not appear one after the other, but simultaneously, early on in the exposure to hot air and after. They all thickened progressively and the chemical composition of each also evolved with time, more or less. Globally, the innermost oxide is almost entirely chromia, much richer in Cr than in Mn, while the outermost one contains principally Mn. The interrupted tests also allowed specifying the mass gain kinetic, which is parabolic and twice as fast as a chromia-forming alloy. Despite the lowered content in Mn, manganese still plays an important role in the oxidation phenomenon, starting very early.

Thermodynamics of coal oxidation mass gain behavior based on parallel reaction model by TG and DSC

Thermodynamics of coal oxidation mass gain behavior based on parallel reaction model by TG and DSC

Rice sucrose non-fermenting related protein kinase (SnRK1) has a limited role in defense against Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda)

Sucrose non-fermenting (SNF) related protein kinase 1 (SnRK1) is a master regulator of energy deprivation signaling and has also been implicated in abiotic and biotic stress regulation. SnRK1 promotes stress tolerance through metabolic and transcriptional changes and plays important roles in innate immunity against various pathogens. However, whether it plays a role against insect herbivory is not understood. To test this, using the wild type (with SnRK1) and snrk1 mutant lines in rice, we examined the potential role of SnRK1 in rice against the ruinous pest, Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda. We also investigated the response of FAW towards these lines at different time intervals after exogenous application of plant hormone, Jasmonic acid (JA), and a JA blocker (Ibuprofen). Additional experiments by feeding FAW with leaf infused diet, fresh leaves, and a short-term exposure of FAW to the lines were also carried out. FAW mass gain, growth and development, and host ecophysiological traits were observed. In addition, we also quantified the major surface defenses- trichomes, and wax before and after herbivory. Our results show that FAW response did not vary between mutants and wild type rice. Meanwhile, we found plant hormonal application influenced the ecophysiological traits regardless of mutants and wild type rice. Collectively, we show that while defense against FAW in rice is JA mediated, SnRK1 has a limited role as observed through manipulative experiments with the wild type and snrk1 mutant rice lines.

Oxidation Behavior of Nanocrystalline Alloys.

Thermo-mechanically stabilized nanocrystalline (NC) alloys are increasingly valued for their enhanced mechanical strength and high-temperature stability, achieved through thermodynamic and kinetic stabilization methods. However, their fine-grained structure also increases susceptibility to internal oxidation due to higher atomic diffusivity associated with a greater volume fraction of grain boundaries (GBs). By incorporating solutes that form protective oxides, or the so-called thermally growing oxides (TGO), this vulnerability can be mitigated. The TGO scale acts as a diffusion barrier for oxygen that slows down the oxidation kinetics and prevents internal oxidation that impairs the structural integrity of the metal. This review examines advancements in oxidation-resistant NC alloys, focusing on the interplay between grain size and alloy chemistry. We explore how grain refinement influences diffusion coefficients, particularly the enhanced GB diffusion of Ni and Cr in Ni-Cr-based alloys, which improves oxidation resistance in NC variants like Ni-Cr and Cu-Cr compared to coarse-grained counterparts. We also analyze the role of third elements as oxygen scavengers and the impact of reactive elements such as Hf, Zr, and Y in NiAl alloys, which can slow down diffusion through early establishment of protective TGO layers and enhance oxidation resistance. The concomitant effect of grain size refinement, modifications in alloy stoichiometry, and enhanced atomic diffusion is shown to manifest via drastic reductions in oxidative mass gain, and visualization of the stable, protective oxide scales is delivered through characterization techniques such as TEM, SEM, and EDS. A brief overview is provided regarding stress effects and the role of induced stress in driving oxide scale spallation, which can negatively impact oxidation kinetics. Lastly, we propose future research directions aimed at developing micro-structurally stable NC alloys through multi-solute strategies and surface modification techniques, targeting robust materials for high-stress applications with improved oxidation resistance.

Nutritional status of female rats after acute intoxication with ethyl alcohol and treatment with ketoprofen lysine salt or ketoprofen

Abstract Ketoprofen lysine salt (KL) is a new non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) competing with ketoprofen (K) on the market. The former is believed to have gastroprotective properties and both to kill acute pain. In East Europe binge drinking and taking NSAIDs after is common. Some people use NSAIDs to treat the discomfort when they sober up. Vomiting after alcohol intoxication and gastritis after use of NSAIDs may produce malnutrition. The aim of the study was to compare nutritional status in female rats treated with KL or K after acute intoxication with ethyl alcohol. In this animal model we wanted to mimic human cases of NSAIDs use on the day(s) after binge drinking. The experiment was carried out on 36 female Wistar rats divided into 6 groups of 6: 1. treated with 50% etanol; 2. 0.9% NaCl; 3. 0.9% NaCl and K; 4. 50% etanol and K; 5. 0.9% NaCl and KL; 6. 50% etanol and KL. On day 7 animals were sacrificed. Their body, liver and kidney mass was recorded. The blood was obtained to measure blood morphology and biochemical parameters. K and alcohol in group 4 limited body mass gain (p<0.05 vs ethanol-group 1) and lowered albumin concentration (p<0.05 vs control-group 1). There was also a statistically significant decrease in the level of serum albumin of rats receiving KL (group 5) compared to the saline (group 2). K affects the nutritional status more than KLS after alcohol intoxication.