Total Alkaline Phosphatase Activity Research Articles

Betaine improves growth performance, liver health, antioxidant status, breast meat yield, and quality in broilers fed a mold-contaminated corn-based diet.

Betaine has been demonstrated to improve growth performance and antioxidant status of animals under various stress conditions. However, there is no literature on the effects of betaine in animals exposed to mycotoxins, which are among the most prevalent contaminants in feed. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the influence of dietary betaine on broilers fed a diet based on mold-contaminated corn (MCC). A total of 192 Ross 308 male broiler chicks at 1 d of age were randomly divided into 4 groups with 6 replicates and fed an MCC-based diet supplemented with 0, 250, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg betaine, respectively. Betaine increased average daily gain (linear, P = 0.030) and decreased feed conversion ratio (linear, P = 0.027) of broilers during d 1 – 21, and decreased feed conversion ratio during d 22 – 42 (linear, P = 0.012; quadratic, P < 0.001) and d 1 – 42 (linear, P = 0.003; quadratic, P = 0.004), whereas feed intake was not affected. Total cholesterol (linear, P = 0.024), alanine aminotransferase (quadratic, P < 0.001) and alkaline phosphatase (linear, P = 0.007; quadratic, P = 0.025) activities in serum were decreased by betaine. Betaine linearly increased breast muscle yield (P = 0.003) and pH24 h (P = 0.008), and decreased drip loss (P = 0.022). Betaine increased (linear, P = 0.025; quadratic, P = 0.016) total superoxide dismutase activity in breast muscle and reduced malondialdehyde content in serum (linear, P = 0.006), liver (quadratic, P = 0.006) and breast muscle (linear, P = 0.003). Moreover, the zearalenone concentrations in breast muscle were linearly decreased by betaine (P = 0.006). It was concluded that betaine could improve growth performance, liver health, antioxidant status, and breast meat yield and quality, and reduce zearalenone residue in broilers fed the MCC-based diet, especially at 500 or 1,000 mg/kg.

Effects of planting Melia azedarach L. on soil properties and microbial community in saline‐alkali soil

AbstractSaline‐alkali soils are widely distributed in China, affecting plant growth and sustainable development of ecosystems. Few studies have been done on the improvement of saline‐alkali soils by planting Melia azedarach in phytoremediation. This study characterized the effects of planting M. azedarach on chemical properties and microbial communities in saline‐alkali soils [bare (CK), bulk (BS), and rhizosphere soil (RS)]. Compared with the bare soil, planting M. azedarach lowered salt content and concentrations of extractable Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Cl−, but significantly increased organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, available phosphorus, soil urease activity, and alkaline phosphatase activity in the rhizosphere soil. High‐throughput sequencing results indicated that M. azedarach increased the Chao1 index and Shannon index of soil microbial communities. The three dominant bacterial phyla were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes, and the three dominant fungal phyla were Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Glomeromycota. Redundancy analysis indicated that total phosphorus concentration and alkaline phosphatase activity significantly influenced bacterial diversity, whereas soil Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations were closely related to the fungal community diversity. In conclusion, planting Melia azedarach improved soil properties, increased the diversity and richness of soil microbial communities, and thus ameliorated the saline‐alkali soil.

The parp-1 and bax genes as potential targets for treatment of the heart functioning impairments induced by type 1 diabetes mellitus

Objectives. The present study was designed to assess whether apoptosis-related genes as parp-1 and bax could be targets for treatment of diabetes mellitus and whether vitamin D may exert beneficial effects. Methods. Vitamin D3 treatment for 4 weeks, starting after 4 weeks of the diabetes duration. The expression of parp-1 and bax genes was estimated on mRNA levels using real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results. After 8 weeks, diabetic rats had weight loss, while blood glucose was increased about 4.9-fold compared to control group. Vitamin D3 administration to diabetic animals had no effect on these parameters. It was found that total serum alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly elevated in diabetic rats as compared to control animals and was restored by vitamin D3. Diabetes was accompanied by reduction of nicotinamidadenindinucleotide, a substrate of poly-ADP-ribosylation, level by 31.7% as compared to control rats, which was not reversed in response to vitamin D3 treatment. In diabetic hearts, the mRNA expression level of parp-1 gene was 2.8-fold higher compared to control rats and partially decreased by vitamin D3 treatment. Less significant alterations were observed in diabetic hearts for the mRNA expression level of bax gene that was 2.0-fold higher compared to control animals and vitamin D3 normalized it. These results indicate that cardiomyocytes have a tendency to apoptosis. Conclusions. The findings suggest that investigated genes can be targets at the transcriptional level for vitamin D action that may be contributed to the improving metabolic/signaling pathways induced by diabetes mellitus.

Chinese gallnut (Galla chinensis) against Vibrio parahaemolyticus: In vitro activity and the use of medicated bath method to treat infected mud crab Scylla paramamosain

Natural herbs, especially traditional Chinese herbs (TCHs), are gaining attention as alternatives to treat bacterial diseases in aquaculture. In order to assess the possibility of using TCHs to cure bacterial diseases of mud crab Scylla paramamosain, firstly, the antibacterial effects of twelve TCHs were determined using the in vitro antimicrobial and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) methods on Vibrio parahaemolyticus, the main pathogen of S. paramamosain. The results showed that Galla chinensis displayed the highest antibacterial effect on the pathogen, with an inhibitory plaque diameter > 35 mm, and MIC <0.2 mg∙mL−1. Subsequently, V. parahaemolyticus-infected S. paramamosain was subjected to medicated bath (20 mg∙L−1 G. chinensis) for three days and monitored for seven days (therapeutic group). At the end of the experiment, the crabs in positive control group (V. parahaemolyticus-infected crabs, non-medicated bath) showed the highest mortality (all died 6 days later), with noticeable changes in total bacteria counts (TBC), as well as total haemocyte counts (THC), and phenoloxidase (PO), lysozyme (LSZ), acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities compared to the negative control group (saline-injected crabs, non-medicated bath). In the therapeutic group, low cumulative mortality (CM) (25%) was observed. The indices of TBC, THC, and PO improved in the therapeutic group compared to positive control group two days after treatment but returned to normal, with no difference to the negative control group at the end of the experiment. Compared with safety group (saline-injected crabs, medicated bath) and negative control group, 20 mg∙L−1 G. chinensis extract showed no adverse effect on crabs other than causing some decrease in THC, 24 h after immersion. It was therefore concluded that certain TCH are able to inhibit the V. parahaemolyticus, and G. chinensis may be useful in the treatment of crab diseases caused by V. parahaemolyticus.

Toxicological Impacts of Some Compounds on Massylaea vermiculata (O.F. Müller 1774), (Gastropoda: Helicidae) Under Laboratory Conditions.

&lt;b&gt;Background and Objective:&lt;/b&gt; Effect of some compounds such as Plant extracts (Techno oil and Berna Star), natural origin compounds (Top-nine, Repcar and Chitosan 5%) and classical chemical pesticides (methomyl and lambda-cyhalothrin) were studied against the terrestrial snail &lt;i&gt;Massylaea vertmiculata&lt;/i&gt; using the bait technique. Material and Methods: LC&lt;sub&gt;50&lt;/sub&gt; of the each tested compound of natural compounds were estimated after 14 days of treatment, while LC&lt;sub&gt;50&lt;/sub&gt; of pesticide were evaluated after 72 hrs of treatment. The impact of LC&lt;sub&gt;50 &lt;/sub&gt;of each tested compound on some biochemical parameters, total protein content, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) activity were determined 48 hrs post treatment. &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; The results revealed that the methomyl and lambda-cyhalothrin were the most effective compounds against test land snails, followed by Repcar, Top-nine and Techno oil, while Berna Star and Nema Ultra Chem come in the last rank. The pesticide compound methomyl was the most toxic one against the tested terrestrial snail species, while the Chitosan 5% was the least toxic one. The results showed that all tested compounds caused fluctuated effect whether increasing or decreasing on all the studies parameters such as total protein content, ALP and ACP activity as well. However, the Techno oil and the Berna Star caused sever decreasing on total protein content and ACP, followed by Top-nine, Repcar, Chitosan 5% (Nema Ultra Chem) and plant extracts. &lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; The both tested natural compounds and plant extracts recorded satisfying results compared with methomyl and lambda-cyhalothrin effect and that can be used in the pest controlling programs against terrestrial snails to reduce the environmental pollution.

Effect of dietary Bacillus subtilis on growth performance and serum biochemical and immune indexes in weaned piglets

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effect of dietary Bacillus subtilis on growth performance of weaned piglets, and also the effects of dietary B. subtilis on serum biochemical parameters and serum growth hormone, cytokines and immunoglobulins levels after Escherichia coli challenge. A total of 24 weaned piglets were housed in single pens and fed the basal diet (NC) either with or without B. subtilis (BS) or chlortetracycline (PC) for a 14-day period. All piglets were orally inoculated with E. coli K88 on day 14, and the blood samples were collected at 6 hours post-challenge. The results showed that dietary BS increased average daily gain and reduced feed conversion rate compared to the NC group. In addition, piglets in the BS group had higher serum growth hormone levels, total protein concentrations and alkaline phosphatase activities than the NC group did. Moreover, dietary BS decreased concentrations of serum IFN-γ and TNF-α and increased concentrations of serum IL-10 compared to the NC group, and BS supplementation increased serum IgA and IgG concentrations compared to those of the NC group. In conclusion, dietary B. subtilis improved growth performance of weaned piglets and attenuated the serum immune response to E. coli challenge.

Clinical and biochemical characteristics of adults with hypophosphatasia attending a metabolic bone clinic.

This study sought to identify the clinical and biochemical characteristics that would help distinguish hypophosphatasia (HPP) from other metabolic bone diseases in adult patients attending a metabolic bone clinic by comparing patients who have genetically confirmed HPP with a group of patients with low bone mineral density (BMD) in the osteoporotic or osteopenic range. Data were collected from February 2016 to October 2018 for 41 patients (n=20 in the HPP group, n=21 in the low-BMD group) attending the metabolic bone clinic at Sheffield, United Kingdom (UK) or who were recruited via the Rare UK Diseases Study (RUDY) platform during the same period. A study questionnaire was administered to all patients, and assessments were conducted for laboratory values, physical functions, BMD, and spine imaging. Patients with HPP were characterized as being younger, more likely to have metatarsal or femoral shaft fractures, and less likely to have vertebral fractures compared with patients in the low-BMD group. The HPP group had lower total and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, higher pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), and lower, albeit sufficient, 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Low-BMD group had lower C-terminal telopeptide and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (61.9% were on bisphosphonates at enrollment). Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) analysis found that the HPP group had higher total hip and lumbar BMD T- and Z-scores compared with the low-BMD group. There were no differences found between the two groups with physical functional assessments. Results of receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated strong diagnostic accuracy of these biomarkers for HPP. Thresholds of total alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of 43IU/L or less and PLP level of 120nmol/L or more were determined to be potentially clinically useful for distinguishing HPP from other metabolic bone diseases. This study supported the use of ALP and PLP measurements as predictive of HPP diagnosis along with certain demographic and clinical characteristics (younger age, metatarsal or femoral fractures without low mean BMD T- and Z-scores on a DXA scan) that can aid in recognizing adults who should be further evaluated for HPP. The critical values identified need to be applied to an independent sample to be tested for diagnostic accuracy.

A Comparison of the Effects of Resistance and Endurance Training Protocols on Serum Irisin Level and Alkaline Phosphatase Activity in Sedentary Obese Women

Abstract Introduction. Studies have revealed that the anabolic effect of irisin on bone is mediated by an increase in alkaline phosphatase. However, few studies have investigated the interactive effect of irisin on alkaline phosphatase after exercise training. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the impact of endurance and resistance training protocols on serum irisin concentration and total alkaline phosphatase activity in sedentary obese women. Material and methods. Forty-five sedentary obese women (age: 48.96 ± 5.2 years, body mass index 32.24 ± 3.76 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to control, endurance, and resistance groups. Endurance (45 to 75 minutes at an intensity corresponding to 50 to 80% of heart rate reserve) and resistance exercise training (3 sets, 10-15 repetitions at an intensity corresponding to 50 to 65% of one-repetition maximum) were conducted for 8 weeks, 3 days per week. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) was estimated using the modified Bruce protocol treadmill test. Fasting blood samples were taken before the first and 48-hr after the last exercise training sessions. The serum concentrations of irisin and total alkaline phosphatase activity were measured using the sandwich ELISA method and photo-metric method, respectively. Results. Both endurance and resistance exercise training protocols caused a significant reduction in BMI and BFP of obese women. In contrast, VO2max significantly increased after both exercise training protocols. However, neither endurance nor resistance training protocols had a significant impact on the serum concentrations of irisin and total alkaline phosphatase activity. No significant inter-group differences were observed between the subjects’ BMI, BFP, VO2max, total alkaline phosphatase, and irisin at the end of protocols. Conclusions. The finding of the current study revealed that neither of the training protocols had a significant impact on bone anabolic parameters. However, performing these types of exercise is suggested for weight management in obese women.

A collagen membrane influences bone turnover marker in vivo after bone augmentation with xenogenic bone

BackgroundThe aim was to compare early biochemical and histological osseous healing of chronic mandibular defects regenerated with bovine bone substitute with and without collagen membrane in vivo.MethodsEight weeks after formation of a lateral full-thickness perforating bone defect in the mandible of 40 rabbits, bovine bone substitute with (“+”;n = 20) and without (“-”;n = 20) collagen membrane was applied. Blood and bone was collected 24, 72 h, 7, 14 and 21 days after surgery. Total acid phosphatase, bone acid phosphatase, total alkaline phosphatase and bone alkaline phosphatase activities were compared between groups. Formation of new bone was quantified histologically for all time points.ResultsTwenty-four hours after surgery, bone alkaline phosphatase was significantly elevated in “+” group when compared to “-” (p=0.012). After 72 hours, all bone turnover markers except for total acid phosphatase (p=0.078) where significantly elevated in “+” (all p < 0.05). Fourteen days after surgery, the significant highest values for all bone turnover markers were detected in “-” (all p < 0.05). A significant difference in favor of group “-” could also be detected after 3 weeks in terms of both acid phosphatases (p < 0.05). In histology, no significant differences could be detected.ConclusionBone regeneration with bovine bone substitute material and collagen membrane shows a significantly earlier bone remodeling activity but does not seem to influence formation of new bone in histological samples.

Effects of dietary marjoram, Origanum majorana extract on growth performance, hematological, antioxidant, humoral and mucosal immune responses, and resistance of common carp, Cyprinus carpio against Aeromonas hydrophila

The present study aimed to investigate the potential effects of dietary marjoram extract on growth performance, health, and disease resistance in common carp, Cyprinus carpio. To this purpose, the fish were assigned into four treatments and fed by diets supplemented with 0 (control), 100, 200, and 400 mg marjoram extract kg−1 over eight weeks and then challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila. According to the results, 200 mg kg−1 dietary marjoram extract inclusion showed the highest final weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate, and lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR). White blood cell number, Red blood cells, hematocrit, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin were markedly increased particularly at 200 mg kg−1 treatment. Marjoram extract significantly increased plasma superoxide dismutase activity and decreased malondialdehyde level compared to the control treatment. Plasma complement and lysozyme activities and total immunoglobulin levels, mucosal complement, lysozyme and alkaline phosphatase activities and immunoglobulin levels were significantly increased compared to the control group. The lowest post-challenge survival rate was observed in the control treatment, whereas the highest value was related to the 200 mg kg−1 marjoram treatment. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that, marjoram extract is a suitable feed supplements for common carp, as it stimulates the fish growth, antioxidant, and immune systems, which suppress the fish mortality during Aeromonas septicemia. According to the results, 200 mg marjoram extract kg−1 is recommended for carp feed formulation.

Genotoxicity, oxidative stress, and biochemical biomarkers of exposure to green synthesized cadmium nanoparticles in Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

The considerable increment in the use of Nanoparticles in the industry has been recognized as an environmental concern today. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the toxicity effects of green synthesized cadmium nanoparticles [Cd]NPs using Moringa oleifera leaves extract on multi-biomarkers in Oreochromis niloticus after four weeks of exposure. The results showed that LC50 values of [Cd]NPs for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h were 2.17, 1.75, 1.49 and 1.22 mg l−1, respectively. There was a significant decrease in the number of white and red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration value in fish exposed to [Cd]NPs. The mean corpuscular volume and neutrophils were increased. [Cd]NPs exposure to fish has led to cytotoxic and genotoxic changes in the erythrocytes. Significant changes were observed in the cortisol, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine levels of the fish exposed to [Cd]NPs. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase increased. Glucose, total lipids, urea, and creatinine levels increased in the serum of fish exposed to [Cd]NPs, whereas total protein contents and alkaline phosphatase activity decreased. A significant reduction was observed in glycogen, total antioxidant levels, and superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione S-transferase activities of fish exposed to [Cd]NPs. In contrast, the [Cd]NPs exposure resulted in a significant increase in DNA fragmentation percentages, lipid peroxidation, and carbonyl protein levels in different tissues. The results of the present study confirmed that [Cd]NPs has the toxicity potential to cause Cyto-genotoxicity, oxidative damages, changes in the hematological and biochemical changes, and endocrine disruptor in the fish.

Linseed fibers modulate the production of short-chain fatty acids and improve performance and plasma and skin mucus parameters of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen).

This study was conducted to evaluate the prebiotic action of distinct linseed fibers on diets for silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) juvenile. For this, soluble and insoluble fractions of linseed fiber were concentrated separately and combined in four ratios (1:0.5, 1:1, 1:2, 1:4), which were added in diets and evaluated along with a control diet. After 45days receiving the experimental diets, the animals were submitted to biometry for data collection and samples. The experimental design was completely randomized, data were submitted to analysis of variance, and the means were compared by Tukey's test (P < 0.05). Fish performance was higher for the group that received the 1:2 and 1:4 diets. The production of intestinal acetic acid was higher in fish fed on the 1:2 diet, and butyric acid was higher with 1:4 diet and the propionic acid with the control diet. The control diet led to lower counts of goblet cells. Total proteins and globulins in plasma, mucoprotein, total immunoglobulins, and cutaneous mucus pH were higher in fish fed on diets 1:2 and 1:4. Cortisol levels and intestinal pH were lower in these treatments. The linseed fiber intake increased total plasma immunoglobulins and plasma alkaline phosphatase activity and in mucus. It was concluded that the use of 1:2 and 1:4 soluble fiber/insoluble linseed in the diet beneficially modulates the production of short-chain fatty acids in the digesta, with reflection on growth performance, number of goblet cells in the intestinal epithelium, and improvement in plasma and skin mucus parameters of fish.

Xanthohumol Effect on 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-Treated Japanese Quails in Terms of Serum Lipids, Liver Enzymes, Estradiol, and Thyroid Hormones.

Dioxins are compounds classified as persistent organic pollutants, from which 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is the most toxic to living organisms. TCDD is considered a carcinogen and has proinflammatory influence on animals and humans, promoting free radicals’ formation, and binding with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) leads to expression of cytochrome p-450 genes that in turn predisposes to mutations. Natural flavonoids, in this case xanthohumol (XN), have been reported to attenuate TCDD toxicity through inhibition of the transformation of the AhR. Moreover, XN shows antioxidant properties. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and XN on lipid, liver enzyme, estradiol, and thyroid enzyme levels in the serum of Japanese quails. Adult, six-month-old, Japanese quails were divided into eight groups according to treatment procedures. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TCh), high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), triglycerides (TGs), estradiol, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine, and activities of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were measured. In comparison with the control group, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin significantly decreased concentrations of serum HDLs and thyroid hormones and significantly increased the serum TCh level. Levels of serum TGs, liver enzymes, and estradiol were not changed after 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin treatment. Based on our data, XN treatment may also increase the levels of thyroid hormones. Moreover, the tested dioxin disrupts the liver function, especially changing lipids’ metabolism. Therefore, more studies are needed for better understanding the mechanism of toxic influence of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on key metabolic pathways and organs in living organisms.

Vitamin D Auto-/Paracrine System Is Involved in Modulation of Glucocorticoid-Induced Changes in Angiogenesis/Bone Remodeling Coupling.

Osteoporosis is a devastating side effect of chronic glucocorticoid (GC) treatment. Despite the crucial role of vitamin D (VD) in bone homeostasis, the precise molecular mechanisms of its action on GC-induced disturbances of bone remodeling remain undefined. The study was performed to elucidate the relation of VD status to GC-induced changes of the angiogenesis/osteogenesis/bone resorption coupling in bone tissue. Female Wistar rats received prednisolone (5 mg/kg of b.w.) with or without VD3 (1000 IU/kg of b.w., for 30 days). Biomechanical parameters of rat femurs were assessed by the three-point bending test. The levels of calcium, inorganic phosphate, activity of total alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and its isoenzymes were determined spectrophotometrically. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and caspase-3 protein levels were detected by western blotting. Vdr and Cyp27b1 mRNAs were measured by qRT-PCR. Receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (RANK) expression in bone sections was visualized immunohistochemically. Serum 25(OH)D was assayed by ELISA. GC administration led to a decrease in maximal load (by 1.2-fold) and stiffness and toughness (by 1.3-fold), which was accompanied by a 3-fold reduction of 25(OH)D level, an elevation of the ALP bone isoenzyme activity in serum, hypocalcaemia, and hypophosphatemia. Along with prednisolone-induced VD deficiency, an impaired synthesis of Vdr (−30%) and Cyp27b1 (+71%) mRNA was observed, reflecting deregulation of bone tissue VD-auto-/paracrine system. GC caused an increase in caspase-3 content, suppressed the synthesis of the osteoclastic marker RANK, and altered angiogenesis/osteogenesis coupling by significantly reducing the level of VEGF-A.VD3 treatment restored serum 25(OH)D content and the expression of key components of the VD-auto-/paracrine system. VD3 supplementation diminished cell apoptosis and strongly improved angiogenesis/osteogenesis coupling as well as mineral metabolism and biomechanical parameters of femurs in GC-administered rats. Thus, VD3 can have a beneficial effect on the correction of GC-induced pathological changes in bone remodeling.

Magnetic Nanoparticles Synergize with Pulsed Magnetic Fields to Stimulate Osteogenesis In Vitro.

Delayed bone healing is a major challenge in orthopedic clinical practice, highlighting a need for technologies to overcome ineffective cell growth and osteogenic differentiation. The objective of this study was to investigate the synergistic effects of the PhysioStim (PEMF) signal with iron-ion doped tri-calcium phosphate bone substitute on human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) osteogenesis in vitro. Intrinsically magnetic nano-bone substitutes (MNBS) were developed with single particles on the order of 100 nm, saturation magnetization of 0.425 emu/g, and remanent magnetization of 0.013 emu/g. MNBS were added to hMSC culture and cell viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, mineralization, and osteogenic gene expression in the presence and absence of PEMF were quantified for up to 10 days. MNBS attached to the surface of and were internalized by hMSCs when cultured together for 4 days and had no impact on cell viability with PEMF exposure for up to 7 days. Although total ALP activity was significantly increased with PEMF treatment alone, with a peak at day 5, PEMF combined with MNBS significantly increased ALP activity, with a peak at day 3, compared with all other groups (p < 0.01). The shift can be explained by significantly increased extracellular ALP activity beginning at day 2 (p < 0.01). PEMF combined with MNBS demonstrated continuously increasing mineralization overtime, with significantly greater Alizarin Red S concentration compared with all other groups at day 7 (p < 0.01). Increases in ALP activity and mineral content were in agreement with osteogenic gene expression that demonstrated peak ALP gene expression at day 1, and upregulated BMP-2, BGLAP, and SPP1 gene expression at day 7 (p < 0.05). The results of this study demonstrate the synergistic effects of PEMF and MNBS on osteogenesis and suggest that PEMF and MNBS may provide a method for accelerated bone healing.

Schistosomiasis prevention option: toxicological evaluation of Vernonia amygdalina on the tissues of Bulinus truncatus at different pH conditions

Research into, and the use of plant products in the control of vectors of pathogens is being revived and seriously considered as an alternative or complete replacement for the classical synthetic agents. The study was designed to investigate toxicological assessment of the aqueous leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina on mortality and tissue level damages of the freshwater snail Bulinus truncatus at different pH levels. The effects of the extract on total protein concentration and activities of acetylcholinesterase, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase in the tissues of the snail were assayed using standard methods. Compared to the control (snail group not treated with the extract of V. amygdalina), there were significant (p < 0.05) reductions in the total protein concentrations and acetylcholinesterase activity in the snails' tissues of the treated groups (0.20 mg/L, 0.40 mg/L and 1.00 mg/L) at all the pH conditions (3.5, 7.0 and 10.5). The reverse of this trend followed in the case of acid and alkaline phosphatases’ activities. The study provides a substantial possibility of exploiting local indigenous plant resources such as V. amygdalina for control of freshwater snails and monitor water pollution. The study also raised a possibility of the locals living around freshwater bodies prone to trematode borne diseases to reflexively control freshwater snail population by just squeeze-washing their V. amygdalina around the river banks.

Prevalence and risk factors of post-kidney transplant hyperparathyroidism: a single-center study

Objective:to assess the prevalence of hyperparathyroidism (HPT) and the factors affecting its development in kidney transplant recipients.Materials and methods. The single-center observational cohort study included 97 kidney transplant recipients – 40 men, 57 women, age 50 ± 9 years. Inclusion criteria: more than 12 months of post-transplant period, 3 months of stable renal transplant function. Non-inclusion criterion: therapy with vitamin D, with its alternatives or with cinacalcet. Dialysis ranged from 0 to 132 months (median 18); 46% of patients had pre-operative secondary HPT. A comprehensive laboratory study included evaluation of serum concentrations of parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25-OH vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, total alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, albumin, creatinine and daily proteinuria. At the dialysis stage, the target PTH range of 130–585 pg/ ml was used, in the post-transplant period – ≤130 pg/ml. Glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the CKD-EPI (Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration) formula.Results.Patients were divided into two groups based on PTH threshold level (130 pg/ml): the first with HPT (PTH &gt;130 pg/ml, median 203), the second without HPT (PTH ≤130 pg/ml, median 101). Both groups were comparable in terms of gender, age, primary renal disease, dialysis modality, post-transplant follow-up, and immunosuppressive therapy regimen. In group 1 and group 2 recipients, dialysis therapy, pre-transplant median PTH level, incidence of reoperation and incidence of immediate renal graft function were 30 (14; 50) and 14 (6; 28) months (p = 0.004), 681 (538; 858) and 310 (182; 556) pg/ml (p &lt; 0.001), 17% and 2% (p = 0.028), 51% and 80% (p = 0.005), respectively. At the time of the study, 72% of group 1 recipients had eGFR &lt;60 ml/min, versus 36% of group 2 (p &gt;&lt; 0.001). Among HPT biochemical parameters, there were differences for ionized serum calcium (1.32 ± 0.07 versus 1.29 ± 0.04 mmol/l, p = 0.017) and ALP activity (113 ± 61 versus 75 ± 19 u/l, p = 0.021). Serum vitamin D in both groups reduced in equal measures – 14 ± 4 and 15 ± 6 ng/ml.Conclusion.Persistent HPT in the long-term post-transplant period reaches 48.5%. Risk factors for its development included dialysis for more than 18 months, pre-operative secondary HPT, repeated kidney transplantation, delayed graft function, and eGFR &lt;60 ml/min.

BIOCHEMICAL INDICES OF ORAL FLUID AS MARKERS FOR THE FEATURES OF THE STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL STATE OF THE STOMATOGNATIC SYSTEM IN PERSONS WHO WERE BORN WITH MACROSOMIA

Two hundred sixty eight people in the Kharkiv and surrounding Provinces' population have been examined: one hundred sixty eight persons were born with macrosomia, and fifty persons were born with weight and height parameters that correspond to the norm. The macrosomic-at-birth persons were divided into groups, with allowance for the features of their intrauterine development.&#x0D; The levels of total calcium, inorganic phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase activity were determined in an unstimulated oral fluid.&#x0D; In the macrosomic-at-birth persons, who did not show the symptoms of overweight at the time of birth (Subgroups 1 and 2), the high levels of calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase have been revealed in the oral fluid over younger age periods, which may be a consequence of intrauterine hyperthyroidism. The high calcium levels may also be due to the exposure to the elevated concentrations of growth hormone, which stimulated bone growth, and which shifted the peak of jaw growth to a younger age. This is an explanation for the high prevalence of dentoalveolar abnormalities in children.&#x0D; In such individuals, a significant increase in the activity of alkaline phosphatase and in the levels of phosphorus and calcium in the oral fluid is observed to occur with age, which is associated with the formation of dystrophic and inflammatory disorders of periodontal tissues with a predominance of the inflammatory component (periodontitis).&#x0D; In the 4–11-year-old macrosomic-at-birth persons born with the signs of overweight (Subgroups 3 and 4), a decrease in the activity of alkaline phosphatase and in the levels of phosphorus and calcium in the oral fluid has been revealed, which provides evidence for a low level of bone mineralization in such individuals, obviously due to an intrauterine decrease in thyroid activity. This explains the formation of a higher percentage of dentoalveolar abnormalities and agrees well with the information about the high intensity of deciduous and permanent teeth caries.&#x0D; In such individuals, the level of calcium in the oral fluid significantly increased in older age periods, which is consistent with information on the formation of dystrophic and inflammatory disorders of periodontal tissues in most of these individuals with a predominance of dystrophic component (periodontosis). Due to the modulation of the activity of the corresponding enzymes, an increase in the level of calcium is associated with hypercortisolemia and with the effect of cortisol on bone remodeling processes, and it is a consequence of the progression of metabolic inflammation.&#x0D; Conclusions. Changes in the indices of phosphorus-calcium metabolism and in the activity of alkaline phosphatase in the oral fluid can be used as markers for the development of disorders of the stomatognathic system, for various variants of the course of dystrophic-inflammatory diseases of periodontal tissues, and for caries in individuals who were born with macrosomia, taking into account their various anthropometric parameters at birth.

Utility of urinary organic anion transporter 5 as an early biomarker of obstructive nephropathy.

Ureteral obstruction is a relevant cause of kidney damage. The traditional parameters used in clinical practice for the detection of renal injury are insensitive and non-specific for the diagnosis of obstructive renal disease. The organic anion transporter 5 (Oat5) is a carrier expressed exclusively in the kidney. In this study, the Oat5 urinary excretion (Oat5u ) was evaluated as a potential biomarker of obstructive nephropathy, comparing it with traditional markers of renal function and with neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in urine (NGALu ), a more recent biomarker of renal pathology. Bilateral ureteral obstruction (BUO) was induced in male Wistar rats, by complete ligation of ureters for 1hour (BUO1), 2hours (BUO2), 5hours (BUO5), or 24hours (BUO24). After 24hours of ureteral releasing, urea and creatinine plasma concentrations, creatinine clearance, urinary total proteins, urinary glucose, and alkaline phosphatase activities in urine were evaluated. Oat5 and NGAL levels were assessed in urine samples by immunoblotting. All parameters of renal function were altered in the BUO24 and some also in BUO5, while the Oat5u increased in all of the experimental groups analyzed. After a long time of ureteral obstruction (BUO24), the urinary excretion of Oat5 markedly increased, in parallel with the alteration in the other parameters evaluated. Nevertheless, in BUO1 and BUO2, Oat5u appeared as the only parameter modified. Therefore, Oat5u could be proposed as a novel early biomarker of ureteral obstruction, with the additional potential to inform about the severity of the obstructive injury suffered by the kidney.

Dietary seaweed (Enteromorpha) polysaccharides improves growth performance involved in regulation of immune responses, intestinal morphology and microbial community in banana shrimp Fenneropenaeus merguiensis

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of marine polysaccharides from seaweed Enteromorpha on growth performance, immune responses, intestinal morphology and microbial community in the banana shrimp Fenneropenaeus merguiensis. Two thousand and four hundred juvenile shrimps with an average body weight of 2.18 ± 0.06 g were fed for 42 d with diets containing different levels of Enteromorpha polysaccharides (EPS): 0 (control), 1, 2 and 3 g/kg as treatment groups, each of group was replicated three times with two hundred shrimps per replicate. Dietary supplementation of 1 g/kg EPS showed a consistent improvement in the final weight, weight gain, average daily gain rate (ADGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) (P < 0.05), while showed a decrease in the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of shrimp (P < 0.05). Besides, the total anti-oxidative capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), lysozyme (Lyz), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and phenoloxidase (PO) activities in hemolymph were enhanced by dietary supplementation of 1 g/kg EPS (P < 0.05), while it reduced the hemolymph MDA content (P < 0.05). Shrimp fed 1 g/kg EPS supplemented diets up-regulated FmLyz, FmSOD5 and FmCLAP gene expression level of hepatopancreas and gill (P < 0.05), and also improved the intestinal FmLC2, FmLyz, FmSOD5 and FmCLAP gene expression levels (P < 0.05). In addition, shrimp fed diets containing 1 g/kg EPS increased the villus width (P < 0.05) and resulted in a higher villus surface area (P < 0.05). According to 16S rRNA sequencing results, dietary supplementation of 1 g/kg EPS tended to increase the relative abundance of Firmicutes at phylum level (P = 0.07) and decrease the relative abundance of Vibrio at genus level (P = 0.08). There was a significant positive correlation between the relative abundance of Firmicutes and mRNA expression of intestinal immune-related genes (P < 0.05). These findings revealed that dietary 1 g/kg EPS could improve growth performance, enhance nonspecific immunity and modulate intestinal function of banana shrimp F. merguiensis.