Significant Changes In Content Research Articles

Augmented reality as a platform to present green sustainable chemistry to improve preservice teachers’ competency on technological pedagogical content knowledge

Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) plays a pivotal role in ensuring the effectiveness of teaching and learning. Within the context of integrating technology into lessons, PCK has evolved into Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK). The acquisition of TPACK by teachers implies mastery of its seven components. TPACK is both content and context-specific, meaning that a teacher's understanding of TPACK for one teaching strategy may differ from that for another. In the context of Augmented Reality-Green Sustainable Chemistry (AR-GSC), a distinct level of TPACK is required due to its interdisciplinary and holistic nature, setting it apart from other teaching strategies. This study employed embedded mixed method design to explore the changes in TPACK components among a group of 36 chemistry pre-service teachers exposed to AR-GSC. The quantitative findings indicate no significant changes in content, pedagogical, and pedagogical content knowledge. However, significant differences were observed in technological knowledge, technological content, and pedagogical knowledge and TPACK, indicating the emergence of a nuanced understanding of technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge. Qualitative focus group interview involving 15 preservice teachers provided insights for understanding quantitative findings. It is important to note that these findings are preliminary and suggest avenues for further research to validate the relationship between TPACK and AR-GSC.

Effect of Warm-Dry Storage and Supplemental Application of Gibberellins on the Lipid Profile of Chincuya Seeds (Annona purpurea Moc. & Sessé ex Dunal)

Despite ample knowledge of the effect of warm-dry storage on breaking dormancy in chincuya (Annona purpurea Moc. & Sessé ex Dunal) seeds, this paper investigates an important new aspect of this process—the applicability of seed treatment with gibberellic acid and its influence on seed viability and fatty acid profile. Chincuya is an underutilized, tropical wild species native to Mexico, with potential as a biopesticide. The impact of warm-dry storage and gibberellic acid treatment on seed viability and germination was determined to improve that knowledge further. Also, the content and kinetics of fatty acids in chincuya seeds were profiled during warm-dry storage. Seed treatments included storage time (0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months), seed imbibition for 72 h in gibberellic acid at 350 mg L−1, and distilled water imbibition for 72 h for the control treatment. Seed viability was determined using the TTZ classic test. Imbibed seeds were germinated on paper towels and incubated at 30 °C during the day and 25 °C at night in a 12:12 h dark/light photoperiod. The lipid profile was obtained by gas chromatography. During the storage treatment, seeds stayed in darkness at 25 ± 3 °C. Results showed that high viability remained up to month 9 in storage when it significantly decreased. Freshly harvested seeds germinated at a statistically significantly lower rate (26.1%) than six-month-old seeds (65.6%). The profile of fatty acids breaks down as palmitic acid (33.41%), stearic acid (7.72%), and arachidic acid (1.30%), for a total of 42.44% of saturated fatty acids. The detected unsaturated fatty acids (52.15%) were palmitoleic acid (1.52%), oleic acid (43.37%), and linoleic acid (7.24%). No significant changes were detected in fatty acid content; however, the highest fatty acid content (92.84%) occurred with the highest germination rate. Regression analysis showed significant content changes: palmitoleic and palmitic acids increased while oleic acid decreased during dry storage. Arachidic acid showed a slight downward trend. Also, fatty acid content significantly differed between intact seeds (unstored and unincubated) and latent seeds (unstored, incubated, and ungerminated). The total fatty acids content for latent seeds was significantly lower. These results show that Annona purpurea seeds present morphophysiological dormancy. Also, we document the highest germination rate reported (65.6%) and report the presence of arachidic and palmitoleic acids in chincuya seeds.

Screening Universal Stress-Response Terpenoids and Their Biosynthetic Genes via Volatile and Transcriptomic Profiling in Citrus.

Volatile terpenoids accumulate in citrus and play important roles in plant defense against various stressors. However, the broad-spectrum response of terpenoid biosynthesis to ubiquitous stressors in citrus has not been comparatively investigated. In this study, volatile terpenoids were profiled under six stressors: high temperature, citrus miner, citrus red mite, citrus canker, Alternaria brown spot, and huanglongbing (HLB). Significant content changes in 15 terpenoids, including β-ocimene, were observed in more than four of the six stressors, implying their possibly universal stress-response effects. Notably, the emission of terpenoids, including β-caryophyllene, β-ocimene, and nerolidol glucoside, was significantly increased by HLB in HLB-tolerant "Shatian" pomelo leaves. The upregulation of CgTPS1 and CgTPS2 and their characterization in vivo identified them as mono- or sesquiterpenoid biosynthetic genes. This study provides a foundation for determining stress resistance mechanisms in citrus and biopesticide designations for future industrial applications.

Development of B-cell response during immunization with inactivated influenza vaccines "Grippol plus", "Sovigripp" and "Ultrix"

The worldwide circulating influenza viruses annually lead to serious medical and socio-economic consequences. It is generally recognized that vaccination is the most effective and safe strategy for preventing influenza and its complications. In order to reduce side effects when using live viruses, split and subunit influenza vaccines are widely used. To date, the characteristics of B cell response after immunization with influenza vaccines remain insufficiently studied. The aim of our study was to compare the effects of immunization with different influenza vaccines, i.e., “Sovigripp”, “Grippol plus” and “Ultrix”, on the B cell response. The study was conducted on the base of Clinical Department at the A.Smorodintsev Influenza Research Institute during the epidemic flu season of 2018-2019. For clinical studies, venous blood samples were obtained from 39 volunteers before vaccination, on the 7th and 21st days after vaccination. The subpopulations of B cells were analyzed by flow cytometry using fluorescently labeled antibodies to CD3, CD19, CD20, CD27, CD38, IgD, IgA surface antigens (BioLegend, USA). Cryopreserved mononuclear cells (1 × 106 cells/sample) were used for analysis. The processing of flow cytometry data was carried out with special software (H., Cytexpert, Beckman Coulter, Inc., USA) and Kaluza 2.0 (Beckman Coulter, Inc., USA). The differences with pre-vaccination data were evaluated using the Mann–Whitney U-test and being considered significant at p < 0.05. As a result of the studies, the following subpopulations of B lymphocytes (CD3-CD19+) were specified: naive B cells (CD20+CD27-IgD+), non-switched memory B cells (CD20+CD27+IgD+), switched memory B cells (CD20+CD27+IgD-), effector memory B cells (CD20+CD27-IgD-), plasmablasts (CD20-CD38hiCD27hi). Activation of the B cell immune response was assessed by measuring the relative content of CD38+B cells belonging to subpopulations of naive, effector B lymphocytes, switched and non-switched memory B cells. The analysis of B cell response showed an increase in both the total number of B lymphocytes and their subpopulations including plasmablasts and activated switched memory B cells after immunization. With adjuvant vaccines “Grippol plus” and “Sovigripp”, as compared with the split “Ultrix” vaccine, an early increase in relative counts of plasmablasts was shown on the 7th day of the study. At the same time, all three vaccines equally contributed to an increase in the number of activated memory B cells with a switched antibody isotype. Thus, the assessment of B cell response revealed significant changes in contents of peripheral blood B cell subpopulations in response to vaccination with “Grippol plus”, “Sovigripp”, or “Ultrix”.

Spring wheat yield under application of growth promoting rhizobacterium in soil contaminated with nickel

Impact of growth promoting rhizobacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens 20 on the yield of spring wheat was studied in pot experiment. Plants were grown up to maturity when agrogray soil was contaminated with Ni as NiCl2·6H2O at a rate of 200 mg Ni/kg of soil against background of applying NPK fertilizers. After harvesting, content of nutrients N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu in grain, straw and roots was determined. N was determined by phenol technique. Resistance of plants to Ni toxicity was found under bacterial inoculation. Application of bacterium eliminated phytotoxicity of heavy metal and provided the same biomass production including grain as in control - in non-inoculated plants non-exposed Ni stress. Resistance of plants inoculated with bacterium to Ni toxicity was due to enhanced growth of root system and increase in content and accumulation of Ni in roots and, as a result this was not accompanied by increase in metal incorporation into aboveground organs. Resistance of plants inoculated with bacterium to Ni toxicity was due to enhanced growth of root system and increase in content and accumulation of Ni in roots. Application of bacterium also improved mineral nutrition of plants - increased nutrient uptake from contaminated soil. Increase in nutrient uptake by yield from contaminated soil as influenced by inoculation with bacterium was due to growth promotion and increase of plant weight in general without significant changes in content of most elements in aboveground organs and roots. Bacterium enhanced phytoextraction of heavy metal (soil cleaning) - increased Ni uptake by aboveground organs without significant changes in its content in grain and straw. Increase in Ni uptake by bacterially inoculated plants occurred without changes of soil medium reaction and was probably due to production of bacterial siderophores.

Changes of Activity of Energy and Ion Exchange Enzymes and the Energy Substrates Content in Tissues of Perca fluviatilis and Rutilus rutilus under Toxic Water Pollution

The paper deals with impact of toxic pollution on activity of energy and ion exchange enzymes in roach and perch. Significant changes in content of energy substrates in liver, gills and muscles of perch and roach were established depending on season and toxic load. The glycogen content in liver of perch specimens from the polluted lake (Kyrilivske) was lower than in specimens from the control lake (Babyne). Also, lower activity of SDH in muscles and gills of roach has been established. It should be noted that roach was characterized by higher variability of the studied enzymes' activity. This indicates the species specificity of the metabolic reactions of the studied fishes to counteract toxic pollution.

Psycholinguistic changes in the communication of adolescent users in a suicidal ideation online community during the COVID-19 pandemic

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, increases in suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in adolescents have been registered. Many adolescents experiencing suicidal ideation turn to online communities for social support. In this retrospective observational study, we investigated the communication—language style, contents and user activity—in 7975 unique posts and 51,119 comments by N = 2862 active adolescent users in a large suicidal ideation support community (SISC) on the social media website reddit.com in the onset period of the COVID-19 pandemic. We found significant relative changes in language style markers for hopelessness such as negative emotion words (+ 10.00%) and positive emotion words (− 3.45%) as well as for social disengagement such as social references (− 8.63%) and 2nd person pronouns (− 33.97%) since the outbreak of the pandemic. Using topic modeling with Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), we identified significant changes in content for the topics Hopelessness (+ 23.98%), Suicide Methods (+ 17.11%), Social Support (− 14.91%), and Reaching Out to users (− 28.97%). Changes in user activity point to an increased expression of mental health issues and decreased engagement with other users. The results indicate a potential shift in communication patterns with more adolescent users expressing their suicidal ideation rather than relating with or supporting other users during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Influence of heat processing on the anti-inflammatory activity of fresh Smilax glabra based on PDE4 inhibition.

Smilax glabra Roxb. (SG) is widely used as functional food with various beneficial effects. Fresh SG without processing has been eaten directly for anti-inflammation from ancient China, while the underlying mechanism remains underexplored. This study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of fresh SG by using metabolites profiles, affinity ultrafiltration mass spectrometry, PDE4 enzyme inhibition assay, and in silico analysis. Encouragingly, fresh SG showed promising anti-inflammatory effect with IC50 value (0.009μg/μL) on PDE4 was about 12 times higher than that of processed SG (0.110μg/μL). Astilbin was identified as the main bioactive compound of fresh SG responsible for PDE4 inhibitory activity. We found that heat processing strongly affected astilbin isomerization, leading to significant changes in contents and PDE4 inhibitory activities of four astilbin isomers, resulting in decreased anti-inflammatory activity of fresh SG. This finding will provide theoretical basis for systematic research and food/nutraceutical applications of fresh Smilax glabra in the future.

DIDACTIC AND METHODOLOGICAL FEATURES OF SCHOOL TEXTBOOKS OF COMPUTER SCIENCE 80S OF ХХ CENTURY

Despite changes in education and society, the textbook remains one of the most important teaching aids. The school textbook on computer science has almost thirty-seven years of history during which has undergone significant changes in content and structure. The analysis of scientific works on school textbooks showed that the problem of creating textbooks on computer science in the 80s of the XX century remained out of the attention of scientists. Therefore, the article presents the results of a study of didactic and methodological features of school textbooks on computer science in the 80s of XX century. The structure of textbooks was clarified with the help of structural analysis, the educational text, control blocks, knowledge acquisition, practical mastering, illustrative material were analyzed. The study analyzes the textbooks that were introduced in Ukrainian schools in the period from 1985 to the late 80’s of XX century. Describes the chronology of the creation of trial textbooks in computer science for schools. Approximate curricula for the course “Fundamentals of Electronic Computer Science” are presented, which allowed the author to identify the dynamics of changes in content. Trends in the creation of educational literature on computer science have been studied. It was revealed that with the advent of electronic computers in educational institutions and their introduction into the educational process, variants of curricula for machine and machine-free computer science courses were developed. It was also found that the common features in the textbooks are the focus on programming and algorithmization, compliance with the requirements of the curriculum. Distinctive features are the presentation of the material, illustrative material, the sequence of studying topics, the apparatus of orientation. The general trend in the creation of educational literature on computer science in the 1980s of the XX century was to study algorithmization and programming, and control and verification units were aimed at the practical solution of problems in mathematics and physics with the help of algorithms.

Recombinant human GLP-1 beinaglutide regulates lipid metabolism of adipose tissues in diet-induced obese mice

SummaryGLP-1 analogs are a class of glucose-lowering agents with multiple benefits in diabetes, but its role in adipose tissues remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to determine the action of recombinant human GLP-1 (rhGLP-1) Beinaglutide (BN) in the insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism of adipose tissues. We have shown that, after BN injection, obese mice displayed lower body weight, fat mass, and plasma lipid levels. In addition, BN promoted the insulin sensitivity in the white adipose tissues. Furthermore, we have found that the BN treatment caused significant changes in content and composition of different lipid classes, including glycerolipids, glycerophospholipids, and sphingolipids, as well as expression of genes in lipid metabolic pathways in the adipose tissues. Taken together, our data demonstrate that BN could resist HFD-induced obesity by targeting the composition of major lipid classes and the expression of genes in lipid metabolism of adipose tissues.

Recombinant Human GLP-1 Beinaglutide Regulates Lipid Metabolism of Adipose Tissues in Diet-Induced Obese Mice

GLP-1 analogs are a novel class of injectable glucose-lowering agents with benefits of weight loss and improved cardiovascular outcomes. Adipose tissues are important regulators of lipid metabolism, but the role of GLP-1 in lipid metabolism of adipose tissues remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to determine the action of recombinant human GLP-1 (rhGLP-1) Beinaglutide (BN) in the insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism of adipose tissues. We have shown that, after 6 weeks of BN treatment, high fat diet (HFD) induced obese mice displayed lower body weight, fat mass, and serum lipid levels. In addition, BN promoted the activity of insulin signaling in the white adipose tissues (WAT) in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, by applying mass spectrometry-based lipidomic assay combined with RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), we have found that the BN treatment caused significant changes in content and composition of different lipid classes, including glycerolipids, glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids, as well as expression of genes in lipid metabolic pathways in the adipose tissues, particular in the subcutaneous WAT. Taken together, our data demonstrate that rhGLP-1 BN could resist HFD-induced obesity and lipid storage by targeting the composition of major lipid classes and the expression of genes in lipid metabolism of adipose tissues.

Evaluation of physiological and biochemical responses of pistachio plants (Pistacia vera L.) exposed to pesticides.

Pesticides may manipulate plant physiology as non-target organisms. In this study, we examined biochemical responses of pistachio plants (Pistacia vera L.) to imidacloprid and phosalone as common pesticides used to control pistachio psyllids. Enzymatic characterization in treated plants with pesticides showed greater specific activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S-transferase compared with untreated plants during 14 days after treatment. Further experiments displayed elevated levels of total phenols and total proteins coupled with significant increases in proline and total soluble carbohydrate contents in treated plants in comparison to untreated plants. Moreover, pesticide treatment leads to a significant decrease in polyphenol oxidase activity. Nevertheless, no significant changes in contents of hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, total chlorophyll, and electrolyte leakage index were obtained in treated plants. Pesticides' impacts on host plant physiology resulted in similar responses between two pesticides with differences in peak days. Overall, the findings of this study provide an insight into the side effects of phosalone and imidacloprid, chemicals with no specific target site in plants, on the physiology and biochemistry of pistachio plants at recommended rates.

Antioxidant system status of cucumber plants under pesticides treatment

A plants’ physiology maybe affected by various pesticides through the activation or inactivation of different biochemical pathways in target and non-target plants. In response to pesticides as xenobiotics, plants activate their antioxidant defense systems through both enzymatic and non-enzymatic pathways. In this study, two of the most common pesticides used to control cucumber whiteflies, imidacloprid and dichlorvos were sprayed on cucumber seedlings. Treatment with both pesticides significantly increased the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxide, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. Moreover, total protein, proline, total soluble carbohydrates, and total phenolic content showed a significant elevation in response to the treatment with both pesticides compared to the control. The effects of the separate use of pesticides resulted in variation in the peak day of physiological changes in treated plants. Further experiments showed that pesticide treatment leads to a significant decrease in polyphenol oxidase activity, but no significant changes in contents of hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, and electrolyte leakage index were found. Our results suggest that imidacloprid and dichlorvos had profound effects on the physiological status of cucumber plants at recommended rates. Our data also showed that the responses were similar between the two pesticides with differences in response times following treatment.

Impact of storage on sensory quality of blackcurrant juices prepared with or without enzymatic treatment at industrial scale

Blackcurrant juices prepared with or without enzyme treatment at industrial scale were stored at room temperature or + 4 °C for 1 year, and their sensory profiles, chemical composition and rheological properties were investigated. The juice without enzyme treatment had less intense colour and it was perceived and measured as more viscose than the juice produced with enzyme assistance. Content of monomeric anthocyanins decreased significantly during storage in both juice types under both storing conditions. However, changes in colour intensity were observed only in the non-enzymatic juices. In the discrimination tests based on the appearance, the stored samples were detected as significantly different. Storage resulted in significant changes in contents of hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonols, but this did not have an impact on the bitterness or astringency of the juices. Moreover, sugar and acid contents were mainly unchanged during storage. Storage resulted in a decrease in dynamic viscosity and greater differences in viscoelastic properties for the juice with enzymatic assistance. This study provides important information about the stability of juices typically stored at room temperature for a long time.

Macronutrient Analysis of Human Milk according to Storage and Processing in Korean Mother.

PurposeAs the importance of breastfeeding has been reinforced, human milk is often stored for practical reasons. Therefore, we evaluated optimal storage and processing methods for human milk from a nutritional standpoint.MethodsHuman milk samples were collected between June 2017 and February 2018. Also, data about maternal information were collected. Human milk was analyzed for macronutrients and caloric content. The samples were subdivided into groups for nutrient analysis. The control group (fresh milk) was not stored or processed. The other groups (9 groups) consisted of samples analyzed based on different storage temperatures (room temperature, refrigerated, frozen), defrosting methods (bottle warmer, room temperature thawing, microwave oven), and storage period (1 week, 1 month, 2 months) and compared with the control group.ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference in the nutrient content of human milk among the collected samples. A significant change in the content of macronutrients in milk samples was observed under storage condition at different temperatures for 1 week with subsequent thawing with bottle warmer compared to fresh milk. Under storage at −20°C for 1 week with subsequent thawing with different defrosting methods, a significant change in the content of macronutrients in milk samples was observed compared to fresh milk. After storage at −20°C for different periods and thawing with a bottle warmer, a significant change in macronutrient content in milk samples was observed compared to fresh milk regardless of the storage period.ConclusionUnlike previous guidelines, changes in macronutrient content in milk samples were observed regardless of the method of storing and thawing. Apparently, it is proposed that mothers should feed fresh human milk to their babies without storing.

Changes in the spectrum of proteins and phospholipids in tissues of rats exposed to thiosulfonates

Esters of thiosulfoacids demonstrate a wide range of biological activity. One of their effects is the influence on the metabolism of proteins and lipids in the body. Therefore, the purpose of our experiment was to study the impact of synthesized thiosulfonates on the total content of proteins and phospholipids, as well as their spectrum in the blood, liver, and kidney of rats. For the experiment, allyl, ethyl, and methyl esters of thiosulfoacid were used. The protein profile of rat tissues was investigated by electrophoresis, and the ratio of different fractions of phospholipids by thin-layer chromatography. Our results have shown that short-term administration of thiosulfonates in a dose of 300 mg/kg of body weight did not cause significant changes in the content of total protein and its fractions in liver tissue, whereas the effect of allyl and ethyl esters of thiosulfoacid was accompanied by an increase in the total protein and albumin in the blood plasma. The decrease in total protein was found in the kidney tissue of rats injected with allyl- and methyl thiosulfonates. The newly synthesized compounds did not lead to significant changes in the total content of phospholipids in blood plasma and tissues of rats, except for methyl thiosulfonate, the effect of which was accompanied by an increase in the total phospholipids in the liver of rats. These data may indicate an adaptive reaction of the rat’s organism. Tissue-specific features of the phospholipid spectrum were detected in rats after short-term exposure to thiosulfonates. The most significant effect on the phospholipid profile in the blood was shown for allyl- and ethyl esters of thiosulfoacid. Their action was accompanied by a decrease in the phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol fractions, while phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine increased, respectively. Esters of thiosulfoacid significantly influenced the ratio of different fractions of phospholipids in the liver and kidney tissues. The phospholipid composition of the liver was more influenced by the allyl and methyl esters of thiosulfoacid, whereas for the kidney tissue a greater effect was observed for ethyl and methyl esters. Thus, the action of allyl ester of thiosulfoacid caused a decrease in the asymmetry coefficient of hepatocyte membranes, indicating an elevation of the lipid bilayer saturation and the increase of membrane microviscosity. Similar changes were found in the kidney of rats treated with allyl- and ethyl thiosulfonates.

Multifunctional alkyl ferulate esters as potential food additives: Antibacterial activity and mode of action against Listeria monocytogenes and its application on American sturgeon caviar preservation

The alkyl ferulate esters were prepared through lipase-catalyzed reactions by using green deep eutectic solvent-water binary mixtures. Antibacterial effects screening of alkyl ferulate esters against Listeria monocytogenes demonstrated that hexyl ferulate (FAC6) exerted both bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects on Listeria monocytogenes (minimum inhibitory concentration: 0.1 mM, minimum bactericidal concentration: 0.2 mM). The antibacterial mechanism of FAC6 were further investigated to provide more information on practical applications as a multi-functional food additive. The growth curves and time-kill assay also showed the occurrence of cell lysis and significant inhibition of the growth of L. monocytogenes caused by FAC6. PI uptake analysis and massive leakage of cell constituents (K+, proteins and nucleotide) demonstrated that the membrane integrity and permeability were undermined by FAC6. Alterations in morphology and membrane hyperpolarization of L. monocytogenes cells treated with FAC6 further clearly confirmed that it disrupted the cell membrane. Meanwhile, FAC6 interacted with membrane proteins and affected the protein expression system, causing a significant change in contents, constitution and conformation of membrane proteins. Moreover, FAC6 could bind to L. monocytogenes DNA grooves to form complexes. Overall, this research highlights the effectiveness of FAC6 against L. monocytogenes, suggesting that FAC6 with both antioxidant and antibacterial activities can be used as an effective and safe multifunctional food additive for American (Amer) sturgeon caviar preservation.

Changes in hydrocarbon content of heavy oil during hydrothermal process with nickel, cobalt, and iron carboxylates

We conducted autoclave modeling experiments to study the process of upgrading heavy oil in the reservoir conditions and used carboxylates of transition metals (Ni, Co, Fe) as catalyst precursors. The process was carried out at temperatures of 250, 300, and 350 °C in the presence of a naphthenoaromatic hydrogen donor. We found that significant content changes of oil occur at temperatures of 300 and 350 °C accompanied by an increase of light fractions and a decrease of high molecular weight hydrocarbons. We studied the hydrocarbon composition of the initial oil and the products of the hydrothermal process as well as tetralin (proton donor) transformations to determine the patterns of influence of the process conditions and catalyst precursors.

Retinal proteome changes following experimental branch retinal vein occlusion and intervention with ranibizumab

Animal models of experimental branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) provide a unique opportunity to study protein changes directly in retinal tissue. Results from these experimental models suggest that experimental BRVO is associated with an upregulation of extracellular matrix remodeling and adhesion signaling processes. To study whether these processes could be blocked by inhibition of VEGF-A, a porcine model of experimental BRVO was combined with proteomic analyses. In six Danish Landrace pigs experimental BRVO was induced with argon laser in both eyes. After 24 h an injection of 0.05 mL ranibizumab was given in the right eyes of the animals while left eyes received an injection of 0.05 mL 9 mg/mL sodium chloride water. Retinas were dissected three days after BRVO and the retinal samples were analyzed with label-free quantification as well as tandem mass tag based proteomics. In retinas treated with ranibizumab five proteins exhibited statistically significant changes in content with both proteomic techniques. These five proteins, which were all decreased in content, included integrin β-1, peroxisomal 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase, OCIA domain-containing protein 1, calnexin and 40S ribosomal protein S5. As anti-integrin therapies are under development for inhibition of angiogenesis in retinal diseases it is interesting that inhibition of VEGF-A in itself resulted in a small decrease in the content of integrin β-1. The decreased content of integrin β-1 indicates that extracellular matrix remodeling and adhesion processes associated with BRVO are at least partly reversed through inhibition of VEGF-A.

Behavioral and Neurochemical Deficits in Aging Rats with Increased Neonatal Iron Intake: Silibinin's Neuroprotection by Maintaining Redox Balance.

Aging is a critical risk factor for Parkinson’s disease. Silibinin, a major flavonoid in Silybum marianum, has been suggested to display neuroprotective properties against various neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, we observed that neonatal iron (120 μg/g body weight) supplementation resulted in significant abnormality of behavior and depletion of striatal dopamine (DA) in the aging male and female rats while it did not do so in the young male and female rats. No significant change in striatal serotonin content was observed in the aging male and female rats with neonatal supplementation of the same dose of iron. Furthermore, we found that the neonatal iron supplementation resulted in significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and decrease in glutathione (GSH) in the substantia nigra (SN) of the aging male and female rats. No significant change in content of MDA and GSH was observed in the cerebellum of the aging male and female rats with the neonatal iron supplementation. Interestingly, silibinin (25 and 50 mg/kg body weight) treatment significantly and dose-dependently attenuated depletion of striatal DA and improved abnormality of behavior in the aging male and female rats with the neonatal iron supplementation. Moreover, silibinin significantly reduced MDA content and increased GSH content in the SN of the aging male and female rats. Taken together, our results indicate that elevated neonatal iron supplementation may result in neurochemical and behavioral deficits in the male and female rats with aging and silibinin may exert dopaminergic neuroprotection by maintaining redox balance.