Cat Values Research Articles

P0322 Global coagulation assays for the assessment of hypercoagulable states in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Abstract Background Inpatients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are at risk for thromboembolic events, but the risk for flaring outpatients is less understood1. Global Coagulation Assays (GCA) (Thrombin generation assay using Calibrated Automated Thrombogram [CAT] and Rotational Thromboelastometry [ROTEM]) have emerged as aiding tools in the assessment of hypercoagulable states2. Methods Cross sectional, case-control study of IBD outpatients, both Crohn’s Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Clinical activity indices (Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index [SCCAI] for UC and Harvey-Bradshaw Index [HBI] for CD) and biomarkers (c-reactive protein [CRP] and fecal calprotectin [FC]) were registered. Exclusion criteria for IBD patients are listed under table 1. CAT values (endogenous thrombin potential [ETP], lag time [lt], peak, time to peak [ttp]) were compared between the IBD group vs healthy controls (HC) after incubation with PPP-Reagent LOW, MP-reagent and PRP-reagent. ROTEM values (clotting time [CT], clot formation time [CFT], alpha angle, maximum clot firmness [MCF], maximum velocity time [MaxVT] and lysis index at 30 min [LI30]) were assessed using the Non-Activated Thromboelastometry (NATEM) assay and compared with reference values. Heat maps and linear regression were modeled to assess for significant correlation and/or association between continuous variables. Results 55 patients (27 CD, 28 UC) and 75 HC have been included. Baseline characteristics of the IBD population are described in Table 1. No differences were regarded in CAT values between the IBD group vs HC, or IBD ROTEM values vs normal ranges (Figure 1). Significant correlation was found between the following variables (all p values <0.05): CAT-peak with PPPlow and MP-reagent with CRP (ρ=0.38 and ρ=0.32, respectively), CAT-ETP with CRP (ρ=0.28), CAT-peak after incubation with the three agents and SCCAI (ρ=0.5 with PPPlow, ρ=0.5 with MP-reagent and ρ=0.42 with PRP-reagent), CAT-ttpeak and SCCAI (ρ=-0.46), ROTEM-ct and CRP (ROTEM-ct and SCCAI (ρ=–0.38) and ROTEM-MaxVT and SCCAI (ρ=-0.45). Linear regression showed significant association of CAT-peak (after incubation with all three agents) with SCCAI (ß=14.25 for PPP-LOW, ß=22.92 for MP-reagent and ß=13.006 for PRP-reagent, all p values <0.05), ROTEM-MaxVT with SCCAI (ß=-26.1, p=0.01) and ROTEM-ct with SCCAI (ß=-18.02, p=0.02). No other significant associations or correlations were found. Conclusion Correlation of GCA values with CRP and SCCAI suggests enhanced thrombin generation and clot formation in symptomatic outpatients with UC, although overall CAT and ROTEM values are similar in IBD and HC groups. No correlation/association was found between CAT and ROTEM variables with Fcal (globally) or HBI in CD.

Therapeutic Potential of Clove Oil in Mitigating Cadmium-Induced Hepatorenal Toxicity Through Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antiapoptotic Mechanisms.

This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects of clove oil (CLO) against hepatorenal toxicity induced by cadmium (Cd). Twenty rats were equally divided into four groups: a control group, a Cd group treated with 15 mg/kg b.wt CdCl2, a CLO group administered 200 mg/kg b.wt CLO, and a Cd+CLO group. All groups were orally treated for 4 weeks. Cadmium (Cd) exposure caused anemia and hepatorenal damage, as evidenced by increased serum levels of urea, creatinine, uric acid, total bilirubin (including its direct and indirect fractions), and elevated activities of liver enzymes such as alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). However, total protein and albumin levels decreased. Furthermore, there was a decrease in the levels of glutathione, glutathione transferase, and catalase in the liver antioxidant profiles. Meanwhile, malondialdehyde levels increased. Cadmium toxicity caused elevated expression of liver apoptosis markers, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and caspase-3, and inflammation. CLO ameliorated the oxidative effects of Cd through decreasing urea (27.4%), creatinine (41.6%), liver enzymes, and hepatic apoptotic markers while increasing levels of total protein, albumin, and hepatic values of SOD (60.37%), CAT (64.49%), GSH (50.41%), and GST (9.16%). Hematological and biochemical parameters, as well as the antioxidant system, improved following clove oil treatment, leading to a reduction in hepatorenal damage. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that CLO protects rats from inflammation, apoptosis, and hepatorenal oxidative damage caused by Cd poisoning. Comprehensive translational research is required to validate CLO's efficacy and safety of use in humans. Future studies should focus on elucidating the precise molecular mechanisms, optimal dosing strategies, and potential synergistic effects of CLO with other therapeutic agents.

Companion animal and equine clinical research: a Nordic perspective.

The societal value of cats, dogs and horses is high, and the companion and sport animal health care sector is growing. Clinical research concerning cats, dogs and horses is crucial for the development of evidence-based medical care that benefits animals and their owners, and has implications for human and environmental health from a One Health perspective. Basic information on companion animal and equine research enables more directed measures to improve conditions for research within the area. The aim of the present study was to describe Nordic companion animal and equine clinical research from 2010 to 2019, including bibliometrics, human resources and funding. There were 2 042 published research publications originating from Nordic countries on cats (n = 282), dogs (n = 1 086), and horses (n = 781) from 2010 to 2019. The majority (83%) of the publications came from the four Nordic universities with veterinary programs. Seven percent of the publications were collaborations between two or more Nordic universities. Approximately 18% of the PhD theses (178 out of 970) from veterinary faculties or corresponding units concerned these species, most of them dogs (n = 86), followed by horses (n = 64), cats (n = 15) or a combination of these species (n = 13). The scientific areas cardiology, infectious diseases, reproduction, and surgery were prominent for all three species. A large proportion of grants were received from small- to medium-sized funding bodies, mainly funding running costs and only to a limited degree salaries. During 2010-2019, costs for veterinary and other services for cats and dogs steadily increased. The growth of the veterinary healthcare sector was not reflected in an increasing number of clinical research publications, for which no increase was seen after 2014. Despite a high societal value of the species, veterinary clinical research on sports and companion animals has not increased, in contrast to the veterinary healthcare sector. Activities stimulating the research area, e.g. funding bodies enabling coverage of salaries, are needed. The development of Nordic veterinary clinical care may benefit from strengthened research cooperation between countries.

Chemotherapy on hematological and biochemical parameters in breast cancer patients.

Drugs used in chemotherapy specifically target and kill the cancer cells during the breast cancer treatment. However, the majority of anti-cancer therapies are non-specific, which will harm the innate cells. Our research work assessed the impact of chemotherapy with adriamycin/cytoxan (AC) on the influence of antioxidant enzymes and hematopathological profiles in the diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer treated with chemotherapy. 40 breast cancer patients treated with AC chemotherapy (Adriamycin 60 mg/m2, Cytoxan 600 mg/m2) between July 2020 and March 2021 are part of this prospective study. The first sample was taken prior to chemotherapy, the second after the intervention's three cycles, and the third after the intervention's last cycle. Spectrophotometric technique was used to evaluate the amounts of antioxidant enzymes in serum samples. Patients' demographic variables, clinical features, biochemical andhematogical parameters data were noted. The data was compared before and after treatment using the Paired-t test. 55% of the patients were detected with carcinoma on left breast and majority was in Grade 3 clinical stage 37.5%. Most of the patients express estrogen and progesterone receptors 72.5%. Our findings demonstrated that a significant decrease in the mean values of antioxidant enzymes MDA, NO, TAS, CAT, GPx, GR, SOD and GST along with hematological parameters after three cycles of AC treatment in breast carcinoma individuals. The p-value is < 0.05. Our research demonstrates that the body's oxidant/antioxidant system, particularly reduction levels and antioxidant enzyme activity, is drastically altered by AC chemotherapy in breast carcinoma individuals.

Effects of supplementing the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) diet with Spirulina and Chlorella on the tissue's cadmium detoxification capacity, growth performance, fatty acid composition, antioxidant defense system and liver histology

This study aimed to determine the effects of the addition of Spirulina and Chlorella of the diets of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) on their growth, nutrient composition, the parameters of their antioxidant defense systems, liver histology, and the cadmium removal process of their tissues. Fish with an average weight of 84.25 ± 3.55 g containing Cd in their tissues were distributed in 15 tanks with 18 fish per tank. The fish were fed diets consisting of 0 % (Control-1), 0 % (Control-2), 4 % Chlorella, 4 % Spirulina and 2 % Chlorella +2 % Spirulina twice a day until they were satiated for a period of 80 days. At the conclusion of the experiment, it was determined that diets containing microalgae demonstrated increased growth rates, and that the growth values obtained from the 4 % Spirulina and the Control-1 were similar (p > 0.05). Regarding the fatty acid content, with the addition of microalgae to the diet, a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in SFA values and a significant (p < 0.05) increase in PUFA values were observed compared to the groups Control-1 and Control-2. On days 40 and 80, Cd levels in the muscle and liver tissue of the fish were found to be significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the groups that were fed diets containing microalgae in comparison with the Control-2 group. On days 40 and 80, the SOD, CAT, GSH, GST, and GPx values of liver tissues were higher (p < 0.05) than those of the Control-2 group. As a result of the semiquantitative histopathological evaluation of the liver tissues, improvements were observed in all groups containing microalgae; however, the most remarkable improvement was achieved in the Spirulina group. The results obtained in the study revealed that the addition of microalgae to rainbow trout feed removed Cd from liver and muscle tissues, reinforced the antioxidant defense system parameters, and increased growth. However, when the groups containing microalgae were compared among themselves, the diets containing 4 % Spirulina and 2 % Chlorella +2 % Spirulina were found to be more effective on these parameters.

Bioinformatics and Computationally Supported Redesign of Aspartase for β-Alanine Synthesis by Acrylic Acid Hydroamination.

Aspartate ammonia lyases catalyze the reversible amination of fumarate to l-aspartate. Recent studies demonstrate that the thermostable enzyme from Bacillus sp. YM55-1 (AspB) can be engineered for the enantioselective production of substituted β-amino acids. This reaction would be attractive for the conversion of acrylic acid to β-alanine, which is an important building block for the preparation of bioactive compounds. Here we describe a bioinformatics and computational approach aimed at introducing the β-alanine synthesis activity. Three strategies were used: First, we redesigned the α-carboxylate binding pocket of AspB to introduce activity with the acrylic acid. Next, different template enzymes were identified by genome mining, equipped with a redesigned α-carboxylate pocket, and investigated for β-alanine synthesis, which yielded variants with better activity. Third, interactions of the SS-loop that covers the active site and harbors a catalytic serine were computationally redesigned using energy calculations to stabilize reactive conformations and thereby further increase the desired β-alanine synthesis activity. Different improved enzymes were obtained and the best variants showed k cat values with acrylic acid of at least 0.6-1.5 s-1 with K M values in the high mM range. Since the β-alanine production of wild-type enzyme was below the detection limit, this suggests that the k cat/K m was improved by at least 1000-fold. Crystal structures of the 6-fold mutant of redesigned AspB and the similarly engineered aspartase from Caenibacillus caldisaponilyticus revealed that their ligand-free structures have the SS-loop in a closed (reactive) conformation, which for wild-type AspB is only observed in the substrate-bound enzyme. AlphaFold-generated models suggest that other aspartase variants redesigned for acrylic acid hydroamination also prefer a 3D structure with the loop in a closed conformation. The combination of binding pocket redesign, genome mining, and enhanced active-site loop closure thus created effective β-alanine synthesizing variants of aspartase.

Antioxidant and Antiapoptotic Effects of Primula vulgaris L. Against Methotrexate-Induced Testicular Damage in Rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects of Primula vulgaris extract against methotrexate (MTX)-induced testicular damage. In this study, 4 groups were formed with 8 rats in each group. Rats in group 1 were given 0.8 mg/kg physiological serum via gavage for 7 days. The rats in group 2 were administered a single dose (30 mg/kg) of MTX intraperitoneally on the first day of the study. The rats in group 3 were administered a single dose (30 mg/kg) of MTX on the first day of the study and then 100 mg/kg of aqueous extract via gavage for 7 days starting from the first day. The rats in group 4 were given 100 mg/kg of aqueous extract via gavage for 7 days. On the 8th day, the testicles and epididymis of the rats were removed under anesthesia and their blood was collected. The removed testicles were used for histological and biochemical analyses. When group 2 was compared with group 1, it was determined that seminiferous tubule diameter, epithelial thickness, sperm count, motility, vitality, and Johnsen scoring values decreased; tubule number that immature cells sloughed into the lumen and apoptotic index (AI) increased. In group 3, it was observed that seminiferous tubule diameter, epithelial thickness, sperm count, motility, vitality, and Johnsen scoring values increased; tubule number that immature cells sloughed into the lumen and AI decreased compared to group 2. When group 2 was compared with group 1, it was found that MDA values increased, and SOD and CAT values decreased in blood plasma and testicular tissue. According to the study results, it was determined that MTX caused damage to the testicle by creating oxidative stress, while Primula vulgaris reduced this damage thanks to its antioxidant effects.

Effects of Hydrolysed Poultry Byproduct Meal on Metabolic, Inflammatory and Oxidative Parameters in Cats.

Hydrolysed proteins are of interest owing to their potential effects on metabolic and physiological responses, low allergenicity and high digestibility. This study aimed to evaluate the use of hydrolysed poultry byproduct meal (HPM) as a replacement for conventional poultry byproduct meal (PBM) as a protein source and to study its effects on serum cytokines, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity, serum antioxidant parameters, blood pressure, and urinary parameters in cats. The replacement of PBM with HPM was evaluated using five formulations with similar chemical compositions: control (PBM as the sole protein source) and the inclusion of 5%, 10%, 20%, and 30% HPM (on an as-fed basis). Thirty cats were distributed into two randomised blocks of 15 cats, with 3 cats per diet in each block, totalling 6 cats per food. After 10 days of diet adaptation, the urine of the cats was quantitatively collected from Days 11 to 15, and on the day 21 blood samples were collected and blood pressure was evaluated. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and the means were compared by polynomial contrasts. Non-parametrically distributed variables were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test (p < 0.05). All the cats remained healthy throughout the study period. Diet did not affect urine volume; intake and excretion of sodium, potassium, and chloride; blood pressure; ACE plasma activity; or serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels (p > 0.05). Among the oxidative parameters, there was a quadratic increase in lipid peroxidation and glutathione S-transferase (higher values at 10% HPM) (p < 0.05). A quadratic increase was observed for steam cell factor, interferon-γ, IL-4, and IL-8 (p < 0.05), with higher values for cats fed 5% and 10% HPM diets. A nonparametric distribution with higher values for cats fed the 5% HPM diet was observed for monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; tumour necrosis factor-α; IL-2; and regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) (p < 0.05). In conclusion, we observed that the intake of diets containing 5% and 10% HPM stimulated the antioxidant system and the secretion of several cytokines involved in the preparation and function of the immune system, suggesting potential biological functions with implications for cat health deserving further investigation.

Effect of Adding Different Concentrations of Mix-Oil Solution to Drinking Water of Broiler Chickens Ross 308 and Breeders at Elevated Temperatures on Blood Biochemical Characteristics and Oxidative Enzymes at the Age of 14 Days

This study was conducted at Al-Anwar Poultry Station located in Babil Governorate for a period of 35 days, from 10/7/2022 to 14/8/2022, to demonstrate the effect of the mix-oil solution added to the drinking water of broiler chickens on some blood biochemical characteristics and oxidation enzymes at the age of 14. day and under conditions of heat stress, where 300 Ross308 broiler chicks were used, one day old, unsexed, and the average weight of the chicks was 40 gm. The mix-oil was added to the drinking water from the first day, as follows: T1: control treatment without addition, T2: adding 0.25 ml of mix-oil / liter of water, T3: adding 0.50 ml of mix-oil / liter of water, T4: adding 0.75 ml of mix-oil / liter of water, T5: Add 1 ml of mix-oil / liter of water. The experimental birds were exposed to periodic temperatures (28-35-28). The most important results we obtained are summarized as follows: A highly significant (p≤0.01) increase in the blood serum glucose concentration of the T5-treated birds compared to the control treatment. A significant increase was also observed (p≤0.01) in the concentration of total protein, albumin and globulin in the T4 treatment compared to the control treatment, while serum cholesterol was observed. The results of our experiment witnessed a "significant" rise and within the normal limits in the concentration of cholesterol for T4-treated birds on T5, T3, and T2 treatments, but it was "significantly similar" in its concentration with the T1 control treatment. The results showed that there was a highly significant increase (p≤0.01) in the rate of triglycerides for the T4 treatment compared to "with all treatments, while high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) witnessed a significant decrease (p≤0.01) in all addition treatments compared to" control treatment. There was a "significant" decrease (P≤ 0.01) for all addition treatments in the concentration of ALT enzyme compared to the "control treatment", while the T3 treatment had a significant (P≤ 0.01) superiority in the concentration of AST and GSH-PX enzyme compared with the control treatment, while the concentration of the enzyme CAT value decreased in all addition treatments compared to the control treatment, and the rate of MDA increased in the blood serum of T2 treatment birds compared to the control, which recorded the lowest measured rates, but it did not differ significantly with the T5 treatment in its concentration.

Measurement of ground reaction forces in cats after total hip replacement.

The aim of this study was to evaluate ground reaction forces (GRFs) in cats after unilateral total hip replacement (THR) and compare them with cats after femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHO). The databases of the Small Animal Clinic of the Veterinary University in Vienna and three referral clinics were searched for cats that had undergone unilateral THR with the BioMedtrix Micro total hip system or FHO more than 6 months previously. Owners were invited to complete a survey and bring their cats for re-examination, inlcuding clinical and orthopaedic examinations, hip radiography and a gait analysis using a pressure-sensitive plate. Nine cats were included in each group. Cats after THR showed larger GRF values (peak vertical force [PFz] and vertical impulse [IFz] normalised to total force [%TF]) on the operated limb. The resulting symmetry indices (SIs) were lower in terms of vertical force in 7/9 (78%) cats and vertical impulse in 6/9 (67%) cats between the hindlimbs in cats after THR compared with FHO - SI (PFz) = 3.31% ± 2.19% (THR) vs 4.84% ± 2.99% (FHO) and SI (IFz) = 5.17% ± 3.66% (THR) vs 8.27% ± 3.12% (FHO). Cats after FHO showed significantly lower muscle circumference and range of motion (ROM) at the operated hindlimb compared with the contralateral side, whereas cats after THR showed no statistically significant differences between their hindlimbs. Owner surveys revealed significant differences in their subjective assessment of activity and change in gait between the two groups, with better values for cats after THR. This was the first study that measured GRFs in cats after THR. PFz (%TF) and IFz (%TF) values were higher in the operated limb of the THR group than in those of the FHO group, resulting in lower symmetry indices (indicating better symmetry) and better loading of the corresponding hindlimb. This finding is clinically relevant and can help in making decisions regarding the treatment of hip joint pathologies in cats.

Feline dystocia and kitten mortality up to 12 weeks in pedigree cats.

The aim of the present study was to establish the incidence of dystocia in pedigree cat breeds and investigate mortality rates in kittens up to the age of 12 weeks. A retrospective study was conducted that utilised convenience sampling. Registered cat breeders from 29 countries whose cats had given birth within a single year (2019) were asked to complete an online questionnaire. This study is the third in a series over 30 years that have assessed changes in birth-related statistics in cat breeds. Data were collected from 448 breeders on 853 litters, with 3560 live-born kittens from 45 pedigree breeds (as per the queens' breed). The incidence of dystocia that required veterinary intervention was 14.9% and varied by breed (range 0-22.2%). Caesarean section was required for 10.7% of litters, most commonly in Cornish Rex cats. Despite apparent breed variation, there was no statistically significant difference among breeds. Queens aged over 5 years and litters of more than six kittens were associated with a reduced risk of dystocia, whereas a longer gestation period increased the risk. Bengal cats had the highest cumulative kitten mortality up to the age of 12 weeks (23.4%). Significant breed differences (P <0.001) were noted, with Ragdoll and Norwegian Forest Cats having lower litter mortality compared with Bengal and British Shorthair/Longhair cats. The incidence of dystocia in pedigree cats was higher than the historical values for non-pedigree and pedigree cats. The age of the queen, gestation length and litter size affected the incidence of dystocia. Kitten mortality was affected by the requirement for caesarean section, presence of birth defects and breed.

Catalase-peroxidase StKatG2 from Salinicola tamaricis: a versatile Mn(II) oxidase that decolorizes malachite green.

Manganese (Mn) oxidation processes have garnered significant attention recently due to their potential for degrading organic pollutants. These processes are primarily catalyzed by Mn(II) oxidases. Salinicola tamaricis F01, an endophytic bacterium derived from wetland plants, has demonstrated Mn(II)-oxidizing capacity. In this study, a catalase-peroxidase, StKatG2, was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli from the strain F01. The purified recombinant StKatG2 exhibited Mn(II)-oxidizing activity with K m and K cat values of 2.529 mmol/L and 2.82 min-1, respectively. Optimal catalytic conditions for StKatG2 were observed at pH 7.5 and 55°C, with 45.1% activity retention after an 8-h exposure to 80°C. The biogenic manganese oxides produced by StKatG2 exhibited mixed-valence states with Mn(II), including Mn(III), Mn(IV), and Mn(VII). Furthermore, StKatG2 demonstrated superior decolorization efficiency for malachite green (MG), achieving decolorization rates of 73.38% for 20 mg/L MG and 60.08% for 50 mg/L MG, while degrading MG into 4-(dimethylamino)benzophenone. Therefore, the catalase-peroxidase StKatG2 exhibits multifunctionality in Mn(II)-oxidizing activity and has the potential to serve as an environmentally friendly enzyme for MG removal.

Efficacy of ultrasonographic diaphragmatic parameters in distinguishing diaphragmatic dysfunction in cats.

Diaphragmatic dysfunction (DD) is often underdiagnosed in veterinary medicine. Various ultrasonographic diaphragmatic parameters, including diaphragmatic excursion (DE), diaphragmatic thickness (Tdi) and diaphragmatic thickening fraction (DTF), can be used to identify DD. We aimed to establish normal reference intervals in healthy cats, examine the effects of intrinsic factors on diaphragmatic parameters and evaluate the efficacy of these parameters in identifying DD in healthy and diseased cats. This prospective observational study was conducted on 22 healthy cats and 12 diseased cats using ultrasonographic techniques to evaluate DE, Tdi and DTF. The correlation between diaphragmatic parameters and intrinsic factors, including sex, age, body weight and body condition score, was analysed using Pearson correlation analysis. Cut-off values for healthy and diseased cats were established using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The mean DEs of the left and right hemidiaphragms were 0.66 ± 0.16 and 0.64 ± 0.18 cm, respectively. The mean Tdis in the end-inspiration phase were 0.13 ± 0.03 and 0.12 ± 0.03 cm for the left and right hemidiaphragms, respectively, whereas in the end-expiration phase the mean Tdi was 0.07 ± 0.03 cm for both hemidiaphragms. The DTF ranges for the left and right hemidiaphragms were 23.90-122.1% and 38.80-107%, respectively. Intrinsic factors had no significant impact on DE, Tdi and DTF. The DE measurements for the left hemidiaphragm were more accurate for evaluating diaphragmatic function. To distinguish between healthy and diseased cats, the cut-off value, sensitivity and specificity were 0.458 cm (area under the curve [AUC] 0.846), 75.00% and 86.36%, respectively, for the left hemidiaphragm and 0.423 cm (AUC 0.704), 41.67% and 100%, respectively, for the right hemidiaphragm. Normal reference values for DE, Tdi and DTF were established for healthy cats. DE, particularly in the left hemidiaphragm, obtained using routine ultrasonography, improves the efficacy of identifying DD and assists clinicians in the diagnosis and treatment of cats with cardiorespiratory disease.

Study on the Artistic and Cultural Value of Tile Cats in Heqing, Yunnan Province

Study on the Artistic and Cultural Value of Tile Cats in Heqing, Yunnan Province

DLKcat cannot predict meaningful k cat values for mutants and unfamiliar enzymes.

The recently published DLKcat model, a deep learning approach for predicting enzyme turnover numbers (k cat), claims to enable high-throughput k cat predictions for metabolic enzymes from any organism and to capture k cat changes for mutated enzymes. Here, we critically evaluate these claims. We show that for enzymes with <60% sequence identity to the training data DLKcat predictions become worse than simply assuming a constant average k cat value for all reactions. Furthermore, DLKcat's ability to predict mutation effects is much weaker than implied, capturing none of the experimentally observed variation across mutants not included in the training data. These findings highlight significant limitations in DLKcat's generalizability and its practical utility for predicting k cat values for novel enzyme families or mutants, which are crucial applications in fields such as metabolic modeling.

Effect of Dietary Zinc on the Antioxidant Parameters of Juvenile Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Zinc (Zn) is an essential micro mineral needed for the proper growth and immune function of fish. This investigation was designed to examine the antioxidant role of a fortified diet with different Zn levels in the muscle and liver tissues of carp fry. A four-iso-nitrogen (35% crude protein) practical diet was produced that included graded levels of dietary zinc sulphate as a nutritional zinc resource in the fundamental diet supplemented with increased zinc levels (T1, control, 85 mg Zn kg-1, T2 105 mg Zn kg-1, T3, 125 mg Zn kg-1 and T4, 145 mg Zn kg-1). Even though the SOD and CAT analysis results did not show a linear increase in the increasing Zn ratio in the diets, higher values were obtained compared to the control groups. SOD highest values in T3 for the liver (0.713 ± 0.220 U/ml) and T1 for muscle (0.751 ± 0.144 U/ml), CAT values were highest in T2 for the liver (0.849 ± 0.115 nmol/dk/m) and T2 for muscle (1.059 ± 0.148 nmol/dk/m) was obtained. MDA values were completely higher for the muscle than for the control group, and for the liver, a lower value was obtained in the T2 trial group than in the control group (1.671 ± 0.230 µM). The results of the study showed that Zn contributed significantly to the nutrition of carp fish. It can be concluded that the findings of SOD and CAT analysis endorse the positive contributions of using 105 mg Zn in the diets to promote the antioxidant defense of juvenile carp fish.

Investigation of the protective effects of different forms of selenium in freezing dog semen: Comparison of nanoparticle selenium and sodium selenite.

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of nanoparticle selenium (SeNP) and sodium selenite (SS) on preventing oxidative stress during the freezing process of dog semen. A total of six dogs were used in the study. The ejaculate was collected from dogs three times at different times by massage method. A total of 18 ejaculates were used and each ejaculate was divided in five experimental groups. The experimental groups were designed to tris extender containing no antioxidants control, 1 μg/mL SeNP1, 2 μg/mL SeNP2, and 1 μg/mL SS1 and 2 μg/mL SS2. Extended semen were equilibrated for 1 h at 4°C, then frozen in liquid nitrogen vapour and stored in liquid nitrogen (~-196°C). After thawing, semen samples were evaluated in terms of CASA motility and kinematic parameters, spermatozoa plasma membrane integrity and viability (HE Test), spermatozoa morphology (SpermBlue) and DNA fragmentation (GoldCyto). Antioxidant enzyme activity (glutathione peroxidase; GPX, superoxide dismutase; SOD, catalase; CAT) and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde; MDA) were evaluated in frozen-thawed dog sperm. When the results were evaluated statistically, the progressive motility, VCL, and VAP kinematic parameters in the SeNP1 group were significantly higher than the control group after thawing (p < .05). The highest ratio of plasma membrane integrity and viable spermatozoa was observed in the SeNP1 group, but there was no statistical difference found between the groups (p > .05). Although the ratio of total morphological abnormality was observed to be lower in all groups to which different selenium forms were added, compared to the control group, no statistical difference was found. Spermatozoa tail abnormality was significantly lower in the SeNP1 group than in the control and SS2 group (p < .05). The lowest ratio of fragmented DNA was observed in the SeNP1 group, but there was no statistical difference was found between the groups (p > .05). Although there was no statistical difference between the groups in the evaluation of sperm antioxidant profile, the highest GPX, SOD and CAT values and the lowest lipid peroxidation values were obtained in the SeNP1 group. As a result, it was determined that 1 μg/mL dose of SeNP added to the tris-based extender in dog semen was beneficial on spermatological parameters, especially sperm kinematic properties and sperm morphology, and therefore nanoparticle selenium, a nanotechnology product, made a significant contribution to the freezing of dog semen.

PEMODELAN DISTRIBUSI KUCING TANDANG (Prionailurus planiceps) DI KAWASAN RESTORASI EKOSISTEM RIAU DI SEMENANJUNG KAMPAR, RIAU

The flat-headed cat is categorized as a threatened species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). As the beginning of a conservation strategy for species that are difficult to find in nature, knowing the actual distribution of species in the field is important. Maximum entropy (Maxent) has emerged as an accurate prediction method for species distribution. This study aimed to analyze the distribution of flat-headed cats and important variables affecting their distribution in the Riau Ecosystem Restoration (RER) area on the Kampar Peninsula, Riau. A total of 6 finding points and 17 environmental variables were used in the modeling of this study. The Area Under Curve (AUC) value of the flat-headed cats was 0.890, indicating that the model performance was categorized as satisfactory. High habitat suitability was predicted ≥ 19% or (24,736.83 ha) of the total area. Environmental variables that influenced their distribution were distance from trails, distance from canals, and distance from rivers. The high suitability of the flat-headed cats’ habitat in the PT GCN concession is potentially along the Sangar River. In the PT SMN concession in the central and northwestern parts of the concession. PT TBOT concession is in areas adjacent to the Turip and Serkap Rivers. Although not detected in previous surveys, PT GAN has the potential to detect the presence of flat-headed cats in the eastern part and adjacent to the Serkap River.

Effect of Ginger Root Extract on Intestinal Oxidative Status and Mucosal Morphometrics in Broiler Chickens.

This study was designed to assess the effect of ginger root extract (GRE) supplementation on the oxidative status and intestinal mucosal development in broiler chickens for 6 weeks. Day-old chicks (Ross 708 strain, n = 432) were distributed into six treatments with six replicate of twelve birds each: Negative CON (basal), MX (basal diet + bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD) 0.055 g/kg diet), GRE-1 (basal diet + 0.375% GRE), GRE-2 (basal diet + 0.75% GRE), GRE-3 (basal diet + 1.5% GRE), GRE-4 (basal diet + 3% GRE). Growth indices, goblets cell count, mucin (MUC2) in ileum tissue, antioxidant (SOD, CAT, and GPX) in ileum and liver, biological antioxidant potential (BAP), and reactive oxygen metabolite level in blood and intestinal villi measurement were determined. Body weight (BW) was highest (p < 0.05) in all groups except GRE-4, body weight gain (BWG) was best in GRE-1, while FCR was least in all groups except GRE-4. Optimum MUC2 gene expression, SOD, CAT, blood antioxidants, and intestinal morphometric values were observed in GRE-3. The inclusion of ginger root extract up to 1.5% improved growth and reduced oxidative stress while enhancing mucosal development in broiler chicks.

Effects of isorhamnetin on liver injury in heat stroke-affected rats under dry-heat environments via oxidative stress and inflammatory response

Isorhamnetin is a natural flavonoid compound, rich in brass, alkaloids, and sterols with a high medicinal value. This study investigated the effects of isorhamnetin on liver injury and oxidative and inflammatory responses in heat-stroke-affected rats in a dry-heat environment. Fifty Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal temperature control (NC, saline), dry-heat control (DHC, saline), low-dose isorhamnetin-pretreated (L-AS, 25 mg/Kg), medium-dose isorhamnetin-pretreated (M-AS, 50 mg/Kg), and high-dose isorhamnetin-pretreated (H-AS, 100 mg/Kg) group. Saline was administered to the NC and DHC groups and corresponding concentrations of isorhamnetin were administered to the remaining three groups for 1 week. Blood and liver tissue were analyzed for oxidative stress and inflammation. The liver histopathological injury score, serum liver enzyme (alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and lactate dehydrogenase), liver oxidative stress index (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], and malondialdehyde), and inflammation index (tumor necrosis factor α [TNF-α], interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, and lipopolysaccharides) were significantly higher in the DHC group than in the NC group (P < 0.05). These index values in the L-AS, M-AS, and H-AS groups were significantly lower than those in the DHC group (P < 0.05). The index values decreased significantly with an increase in the concentration of isorhamnetin (P < 0.05), while the index values of CAT and SOD showed the opposite tendency (P < 0.05). The expression of liver tissue nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), caspase-3, and heat shock protein (HSP-70) was higher in the DHC group than in the NC group (P < 0.05). Comparison between the isorhamnetin and DHC groups revealed that the expression of NF-кB and caspase-3 was decreased, while that of HSP-70 continued to increase (P < 0.05). The difference was significant for HSP-70 among all the isorhamnetin groups (P < 0.05); however, the NF-кB and caspase-3 values in the L-AS and H-AS groups did not differ. In summary, isorhamnetin has protective effects against liver injury in heat-stroke-affected rats. This protective effect may be related to its activities concerning antioxidative stress, anti-inflammatory response, inhibition of NF-кB and caspase-3 expression, and enhancement of HSP-70 expression.