Weight Recovery Research Articles

Ivacaftor ameliorates mucus burden, bacterial load, and inflammation in acute but not chronic P. aeruginosa infection in hG551D rats

BackgroundNewly approved highly effective modulation therapies (HEMT) have been life-changing for people with CF. Although these drugs have resulted in significant improvements in lung function and exacerbation rate, bacterial populations in the lung have not been eradicated. The mechanisms behind the continued colonization are not completely clear.MethodsWe used a humanized rat to assess the effects of ivacaftor therapy on infection outcomes. Rats harbor an insert expressing humanized CFTR cDNA, including the G551D mutation. hG551D rats were treated with ivacaftor either during or before infection with P. aeruginosa. The response to infection was assessed by bacterial burden in the lung and mucus burden in the lung.ResultsWe found that hG551D rats treated with ivacaftor had reduced bacteria present in the lung in the acute phase of the infection but were not different than vehicle control in the chronic phase of the infection. Similarly, the percentage of neutrophils in the airways were reduced at the acute, but not chronic, timepoints. Overall weight data indicated that the hG551D rats had significantly better weight recovery during the course of infection when treated with ivacaftor. Potentiation of the G551D mutation with ivacaftor resultant in short-circuit current measurements equal to WT, even during the chronic phase of the infection. Despite the persistent infection, hG551D rats treated with ivacaftor had fewer airways with mucus plugs during the chronic infection.ConclusionsThe data indicate that the hG551D rats have better outcomes during infection when treated with ivacaftor compared to the vehicle group. Rats have increased weight gain, increased CFTR protein function, and decreased mucus accumulation, despite the persistence of infection and inflammation. These data suggest that ivacaftor improves tolerance of infection, rather than eradication, in this rat model.

SGK1 contributes to ferroptosis in coronary heart disease through the NEDD4L/NF-κB pathway

The prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) has increased significantly with the aging population worldwide. It is unclear whether ferroptosis occurs during CHD. Hence, we aimed to investigate the potential mechanisms associated with ferroptosis in CHD. Bioinformatics was used to characterize differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in CHD-related datasets (GSE21610 and GSE66360). There were 76 and 689 DEGs in the GSE21610 and GSE66360, respectively, and they predominantly associated with immune and inflammatory responses. DDX3Y, EIF1AY, KDM5D, RPS4Y1, SGK1, USP9Y, and NSG1 were intersecting DEGs of GSE21610 and GSE66360. Their expression pattern in circulating endothelial cells (ECs) derived from healthy individuals and CHD patients are consistent with the results of bioinformatics analysis, especially SGK1. In vitro, SGK1 knockdown alleviated the Erastin-induced downregulation of SLC7A11, GPX4, GSH, and GSSG, as well as the upregulation of lipid peroxidation, Fe accumulation, and mitochondrial damage in mouse aortic ECs (MAECs). Notably, SGK1 may interact with NEDD4L according to the String database. Moreover, SGK1 promoted NEDD4L and p-P65 expression in MAECs. Interestingly, the effect of SGK1 knockdown on ferroptosis in MAECs was rescued by overexpression of NEDD4L or PMA (NF-κB pathway activator). In vivo, SGK1 knockdown facilitated the recovery of body weight, blood lipids, and aortic tissue structure in CHD animal models. Furthermore, SGK1 knockdown alleviated Fe accumulation in the aorta and inactivated the NEDD4L-NF-κB pathway. In conclusion, SGK1 contributes to EC ferroptosis by regulating the NEDD4L-NF-κB pathway. SGK1 could be recognized as a therapeutic target related to ferroptosis in CHD.

Protein quality malnutrition.

Protein quality refers to the evaluation of a food or a diet based on its amino acid composition, protein digestibility, and protein bioavailability. When these parameters are specified, either through direct measurement or estimation, the amino acids provided by the diet are compared to those required by a healthy individual, and based on this comparison, an adequacy ratio or score is assigned. Two widely used protein quality scoring systems are the protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) and the digestible indispensable amino acid score (DIAAS), neither of which account for the dietary source of the protein. In malnourished children, metabolic adaptations reduce the endogenous availability of amino acids and increase the demand for protein synthesis. These increased amino acid requirements are primarily driven by the presence of acute infection and the need for tissue accretion. This review examines two large clinical feeding trials involving moderately malnourished children, where dietary protein quality was carefully measured. The finding s suggest that protein quality scores alone do not reliably predict weight gain or recovery in these children and that consuming milk protein provides distinct advantages over vegetable-based proteins.

Study of the Evolution of a Cohort Of Low-Birth-Weight Newborns at Neonatal Discharge: A Perspective on Health and Sustainable Development Goals

Aims: This study aims to analyze the evolution of a cohort of low-birth-weight newborns at neonatal discharge, identifying key health outcomes and socio-economic factors. The goal is to inform strategies aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), focusing on improving neonatal health, reducing child mortality, and promoting equitable access to healthcare. Method: A 12-month prospective cohort study was conducted from June 2020 to July 2021 at the neonatal and nutrition referral center of the Rabat children's hospital. The study included all newborns admitted with a birth weight under 2500g, regardless of the cause of hospitalization. Results: Among 200 low-birth-weight newborns, 42.5% showed extra-uterine growth retardation at discharge. Of these, 50.6% were full-term newborns and 36% were premature infants. Full-term newborns regained birth weight in an average of 5.96±4.07 days, with a median of 4 days. For premature infants, weight recovery averaged 11±8.09 days, with a median of 8 days. Conclusions: The study assessed the progress of low-birth-weight full-term and premature babies at discharge. Tailored nutritional management is crucial, requiring an adaptable strategy from the start and continued adjustments based on clinical progress. Of the cohort, 36.03% were hypotrophic premature infants, and 50.6% were full-term low-birth-weight babies. Enhancing neonatal care quality remains a key challenge, emphasizing the need for collaboration among healthcare professionals to ensure growth monitoring and meet the specific needs of this vulnerable group.

Optimized administration of human embryonic stem cell-derived immunity-and-matrix regulatory cells for mouse lung injury and fibrosis

BackgroundLung injury and pulmonary fibrosis (PF), frequently arising as sequelae of severe and acute lung disease, currently face a dearth of effective therapeutic potions. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with immunomodulatory and tissue repair functions have immense potential to treat lung injury and PF. However, the optimal route of administration, timing, and frequency of dosing remain elusive. Human embryonic stem cell-derived immunity-and-matrix-regulatory cells (IMRCs) have shown therapeutic potential for lung injury and PF.MethodsTo ascertain the optimal therapeutic regimen for IMRCs in PF, we conducted an experimental study. Utilizing a mouse model of PF induced by bleomycin (BLM), IMRCs were administered via either a single or double intravenous (IV) or intratracheal (IT) injection on the first and seventh days post-BLM induction.ResultsOur findings revealed that IV infusion of IMRCs surpassed IT infusion in enhancing survival rates, facilitating body weight recovery, and optimizing Ashcroft and Szapiel scores among the model mice. Notably, IV administration exhibited a more profound ability to mitigate lung inflammation and fibrosis. Moreover, earlier and more frequent administrations of IMRCs were found to be advantageous in enhancing their therapeutic effects. Specifically, early administration with two IV infusions significantly improved body weight, lung organ coefficient, pulmonary ventilation and diffusion functions, and PF. This was accompanied by an increase in alveolar type I and II epithelial cells and a suppression of macrophage infiltration via CD24.ConclusionCollectively, these results suggested that IMRCs infusion ameliorated lung injury by promoting lung regeneration and inhibiting macrophage infiltration in a route, time, and frequency-dependent manner.

Impact of Maternal Health and Stress on Steroid Hormone Profiles in Human Milk: Implications for Infant Development

Steroid hormones are biologically active factors in human milk (HM) that influence the physical and mental development of infants. Critically, maternal psychosocial stress has been associated with changes in HM steroid composition. This work aimed to characterize the steroid hormone profile of HM and pasteurized donor human milk (DHM) and assess the interplay between maternal physical and psychosocial status, the HM steroid profile, and infant outcomes.A targeted ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed to quantify sixteen steroid hormones in HM samples. HM samples from mothers of term infants (N=42) and preterm infants (N=35) were collected at (i) recovery of birth weight or achievement of complete enteral nutrition, respectively, and (ii) 6 months later as well as DHM samples (N=19) from 11 donors. The physical and psychosocial status of mothers and infant neurodevelopment and temperament were assessed through structured interviews and validated questionnaires.Fourteen steroids were detected in HM/DHM samples, with cortisol, 20β-dihydrocortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, pregnenolone, and cortisone being present in > 48% of samples. Pregnenolone, 17α-OH-progesterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone are reported for the first time in HM. Whereas milk cortisol levels were not directly related with maternal physical and psychosocial status nor with infant development, cortisone and pregnenolone correlated positively with maternal weight gain during pregnancy and were associated to maternal well-being and infant growth. The pasteurization process may have a detrimental effect on the steroid hormone levels in HM, what might influence the development of receptors.

Longitudinal changes in neural responses to fearful faces in adolescents with anorexia nervosa – A fMRI study

ObjectiveAlthough proven neuronal changes are correlated with anorexia nervosa (AN), where these changes occur and how they change during the course of this disease are often unclear; this is especially true regarding emotion processing, e.g., of anxiety, despite a growing body of literature on its importance for the pathophysiology and clinical course of patients with AN. MethodsTwenty-two female adolescent patients with AN were scanned during acute starvation and after short-term weight recovery and were compared to 27 healthy controls. A well-established face-matching paradigm involving individuals with different emotions was used during fMRI. ResultsPatients with AN selectively showed significantly increasing neural activation in the somatomotor cortex when viewing fearful faces following short-term weight recovery. No differences were found compared to healthy controls or for neutral, angry or surprised faces. Neural activation in response to fearful faces during acute starvation was associated with lower BMI-SDS and greater illness burden. ConclusionHigher somatomotor activity could represent anxiety-induced preparations for motor reactions (e.g., fight or flight) that are more pronounced in more affected patients. These results align with recent models of AN that increasingly incorporate anxiety into the pathophysiological and prognostic model of AN and help elucidate its underlying neurological mechanisms.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF SUGARCANE CLONES AT PRELIMINARY YIELD TRIAL

In the current study, fifteen (15) sugarcane clones developed from Sri Lanka and Barbados fuzz were evaluated for quantitative and qualitative traits in local set of climatic conditions. After testing and advancement from early stages of sugarcane cultivar development program, these clones were planted in 4th stage i.e. preliminary yield trial to evaluate the performance of clones in comparison to two local check varieties viz. CPF 253 and HSF 240. The testing sugarcane clones along with check varieties were planted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) deploying three replications during the crop season 2022-23. Biometric parameters like germination (%), plant population, plant height, 10-cane weight, cane weight and cane yield alongwith sugar recovery were studied. The biometric traits were compared using two-sided Dunnett's multiple to check the level of significance. The results showed high level of significance for all the biometric traits. The clone BDF-20-174 showed superior performance for plant population, cane yield and sugar recovery as compared to local check varieties. Similarly some other clones surpass the check varieties in some traits but their overall performance remained at par or lower than check varieties. However, further testing and experimentation will be applied to pick more adapted and suitable clones for local agro-ecological conditions

New Insight in Using of Mesenchyme Stem Cell Conditioning Medium for the Impaired Muscle related Biomarkers: In vivo Study with Rat Model.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Umbilical Cord Mesencymal Stem Cell Conditioning Medium (UC MSC-CM) administration on body weight recovery and the level of four molecular biomarkers, namely Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), and myostatin. Secretome was injected intramuscularly twice at 1.5 mL (day 7 and 14) into the right thigh of high-dose, short-term galactose-induced aging rats. The data of day 7 (before) and day 21 (after the administration) were evaluated. The body weights and the four biomarkers were measured before (day 7) and after intervention (day 21). This study showed that the UC MSC-CM intramuscular administrations did not influence body weight regeneration. However, it could increase SOD and VEGF levels and decrease CRP and myostatin levels. Treatment with UC MSC-CM is a promising and potential agent in treating sarcopenia.

The Impact of Oral Maternal Colostrum Administration on the Immune System of Premature Babies

In children under five years of age, premature complications are now the second leading cause of death. Colostrum has important benefits in promoting the maturity of premature infants' organ functions and preventing infections. Preterm infants are recommended to be given colostrum orally and pharyngeally as early as possible after birth to provide immune protective effects for their bodies. However, the sucking and swallowing functions of preterm infants are often not optimal, partly due to comorbidities, which poses a significant challenge. As a result, the immune system of preterm infants is often low. This literature review aimed to evaluate the effect of oropharyngeal colostrum feeding through subgroup analysis based on complications. Descriptive research was conducted in April-June 2024 using the literature review method with PRISMA guidelines for RCTs. Literature sources were obtained from Pubmed (MEDLINE), Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Cochrane with a publication limit of the last ten years (2014-2023). Of the 1,657 results, 13 articles met the criteria. A total of 1,451 preterm infants were included in the 13 RCT studies. Results showed a lower incidence of late-onset sepsis and Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) in the group that received oropharyngeal colostrum. The administration of oropharyngeal colostrum was shown to have a positive impact on the development and defense of the immune system of preterm infants, reduce health problems such as sepsis and NEC, accelerate the recovery of birth weight, and reduce the incidence of mortality.

804. NUTRITIONAL OUTCOMES AND IMPACT OF MALNUTRITION IN A RANDOMIZED COMPARISON BETWEEN STANDARD AND PROLONGED TIME TO SURGERY AFTER NEOADJUVANT CHEMORADIOTHERAPY FOR ESOPHAGEAL CANCER

Abstract Background Prolonged time to surgery (TTS) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) may enable malnourished oesophageal cancer patients´ nutritional status to recover better, possibly improving outcomes after esophagectomy. Methods This is a substudy within a randomised multicenter controlled trial comparing outcomes in esophageal cancer patients after standard TTS of 4-6 weeks to prolonged TTS of 10-12 weeks after nCRT. Patients were categorized as malnourished or non-malnourished at baseline and compared regarding nutritional endpoints. Results The mean weight decreased significantly from baseline to the standard TTS (p<0.001) while at the prolonged TTS it had recovered to baseline level (p=0.131), Figure 1. There was no significant difference in postoperative complications between patients malnourished at baseline when allocated to standard compared to delayed surgery (OR: 0.90, 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.29-2.77 and OR 1.13, 95% CI: 0.32-4.00, respectively). Patients malnourished at baseline had a strong trend to worse survival after delayed compared to standard TTS, Hazard ratio (HR) 1.72 (95%, CI: 0.82-3.59, p=0.147). which was less pronounced for non-malnourished patients, HR 1.26 (95% CI:0.82-1.94, p=0.291). Conclusions Prolonged TTS led to better weight recovery at time of surgery. Patients malnourished at baseline did not benefit in terms of less postoperative morbidity after delayed surgery and had a stronger trend to detriment in survival from delayed surgery than non-malnourished patients.

Lactobacillus johnsonii colonizing in mice intestine contributes to control the gut barrier function via regeneration of the crypt in DSS‐treated mice

AbstractBackgroundUnbalanced gut microbiota is considered to cause dysfunction of the gut barrier function. Lactobacillus johnsonii MG, isolated from mouse feces as gut associating lactobacilli, enhanced gut barrier function in Caco‐2 cells via interaction with JAM‐2 in tight junctions. In this study, the anti‐inflammatory effects of L. johnsonii MG were investigated in a colitis mouse model developed by treating mice with 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 9 days.ResultsMG treatment of colitis mice resulted in fast recovery of the body weight and showed significant improvement in the disease activity index and histopathological scores. The histomorphological score increased by DSS treatment was significantly improved in the MG‐treated group. In the intestine, the expression of Ocln, Zo1, Itga6, Lama3, and Jam2 genes, which are involved in tight junction functions, were significantly upregulated in MG‐treated colitis mice. In the microflora analysis, the abundance of Ruminococcaceae, Bacteroides, and Lachnospiraceae were reduced in DSS‐treated mice and recovered by MG treatment.ConclusionWe reported the potential of L. johnsonii MG in the regeneration of crypts and integrity of matrix proteins in the gut of mice with colitis through its association with tight junctions. The experimental results provide new insights into the probiotic effect of tight junction associating L. johnsonii MG.

Leaf Area Influences Photosynthetic Activity, Yield, Quality and Juice Recovery in Manjari Medika Grape

The study was conducted at ICAR-National Research Centre for Grapes, Pune during October 2023 to March 2024 to assess the leaf area requirement of Manjari Medika grape variety. The variation in leaf above the bunch on a fruit bearing shoot was created such as 10, 12, 14, 16 and >16 leaves. Manjari Medika grapevines grafted on Dogridge rootstock, spaced at 9×5 ft trained to extended Y- trellis was selected for the study. Maximum bunch weight (375.30 g), 50-berry weight (106.49 g), TSS (20.40°B), yield vine-1 (29.20 kg) and juice recovery (70.25%) as well as highest photosynthetic activity such as assimilation rate (14.50 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1) and transpiration rate (2.64 mmol H2O m-2 s-1) and total chlorophyll content (45.25 mg ml-1) was observed in 12 leaves shoot-1 above the bunch while, minimum bunch weight (320.10 g), 50-berry weight (92.55 g), TSS (18.60°B), yield vine-1 (25.60 kg) and juice recovery (65.30%) were observed in 16 leaves above the bunch. However, the leaf area shoot-1 (2760.80 cm2), leaf area vine-1 (69020.00 cm2) and leaf area bunch-1 (878.12 cm2) were found sufficient for quality grape and juice production, which was achieved by maintaining 12 leaves (878.12 cm2) per shoot above the bunch which ensured high-quality grape and juice production in Manjari Medika grape.

Astragalus Polysaccharide improves immunogenicity of influenza vaccine as well as modulate gut microbiota in BALB/c mice

BackgroundVaccination is the best way to prevent influenza virus infection, and insufficient antibodies make it difficult to resist influenza virus invasion. Astragalus Polysaccharide (APS) has a boosting effect on immunity, so we evaluate the effect of APS as an immune adjuvant for H1N1 influenza vaccines in this study. MethodsThe mice were immunized twice with influenza A (H1N1) vaccine and APS. Subsequently, the serum antibody levels were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The frequency of peripheral immune T cells was determined by flow cytometry. Following this, the immunized mice were exposed to a lethal dose of the virus, and changes in body weight and survival rates were recorded. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe pathological alterations in lung and intestinal tissues. Western blot analysis was conducted to detect the expression of intestinal barrier function proteins (Occludin and Claudin-1). ELISA was utilized to measure the expression level of serum inflammatory cytokine TNF-α. Fresh mouse feces were collected after the initial immunization as well as after viral infection for 16S rRNA analysis aimed at detecting alterations in gut microbiota. ResultsCompared to the Hemagglutinin (HA) group, the APS group demonstrated higher levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgG1, and IgG3, as well as neutralizing antibody levels. Additionally, it increased the frequency of CD8+ cells to enhance resistance against lethal infection. On day 14 post-infection, the high-dose APS group exhibited a higher survival rate (71.40 %) compared to the HA group (14.28 %), along with faster weight recovery. Furthermore, APS was found to ameliorate alveolar damage in lung tissue and rectify intestinal structural disorder. It also upregulated the expression levels of tight junction proteins Occludin and Claudin-1 in intestinal tissue while reducing serum TNF-α expression levels. In addition, populations of Colidextribacter, Peptococcaceae, and Ruminococcaceae were the dominant gut microbiota in the APS group after viral infection. ConclusionAPS has an immune-enhancing effect and is expected to be a novel adjuvant in the H1N1 influenza vaccine.

Curcumin loaded high internal phase emulsions: Formulation and potential to alleviate DSS-induced ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, incurable disease that causes great suffering to patients. High internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) are promising carriers of curcumin (Cur), which has a beneficial effect on UC. The retention rate of Cur encapsulated in HIPEs prepared by pea protein isolated nanoparticles/octenyl succinic anhydride-modified linear dextrin composite particles (PPINs/OSA-LD) or PPINs reached 84.85% and 85.98%, respectively, which was significantly higher than that of Cur dissolved in corn oil (73.84%) due to the superior protection of the emulsion interfacial structure. The HIPEs showed higher bioaccessibility of Cur (31.16%) due to the higher degree of free fatty acid release. After emulsion treatment, the symptoms of UC were ameliorated, mainly manifested by the recovery of body weight, growth of the colon, down-regulation of pro-inflammatory factors, up-regulation of anti-inflammatory factors, and balance of gut microbiota composition. The Cur-loaded HIPEs show an outstanding improvement in UC.

Early Inflammation and Interferon Signaling Direct Enhanced Intestinal Crypt Regeneration after Proton FLASH Radiotherapy.

Ultra-high dose rate ("FLASH") radiotherapy (>40-60 Gy/s) is a promising new radiation modality currently in human clinical trials. Previous studies showed that FLASH proton radiotherapy (FR) improves toxicity of normal tissues compared to standard proton radiotherapy (SR) without compromising anti-tumor effects. Understanding this normal tissue sparing effect may offer insight into how toxicities from cancer therapy can be improved. Here, we show that compared to SR, FR resulted in improved acute weight recovery and survival in mice after whole-abdomen irradiation. Improved morbidity and mortality after FR were associated with greater proliferation of damage-induced epithelial progenitor cells followed by improved tissue regeneration. FR led to the accelerated differentiation of revival stem cells (revSCs), a rare damage-induced stem cell required for intestinal regeneration, and to qualitative and quantitative changes in activity of signaling pathways important for revSC differentiation and epithelial regeneration. Specifically, FR resulted in greater infiltration of macrophages producing TGF-β, a cytokine important for revSC induction, that was coupled to augmented TGF-β signaling in revSCs. In pericryptal fibroblasts, FR resulted in greater type I IFN (IFN-I) signaling, which directly stimulates production of FGF growth factors supporting revSC proliferation. Accordingly, the ability of FR to improve epithelial regeneration and morbidity was dependent on IFN-I signaling. In the context of SR, however, IFN-I had a detrimental effect and promoted toxicity. Thus, a tissue-level signaling network coordinated by differences in IFN-I signaling and involving stromal cells, immune cells, and revSCs underlies the ability of FLASH to improve normal tissue toxicity without compromising anti-tumor efficacy.

Enhanced bioremediation of soils contaminated with nicosulfuron using the bacterial complex A12.

To construct an efficient bacterial complex to degrade nicosulfuron and clarify its degradative characteristics, promote the growth of maize (Zea mays), and provide a theoretical foundation for the efficient remediation of soil contaminated with nicosulfuron. Biocompatibility was determined by the filter paper sheet method by mixing Serratia marcescens A1 and Bacillus cereus A2 in a 1:1 ratio, yielding A12. The optimum culture conditions for the bacterial composite were obtained based on a three-factor, three-level analysis using response surface methodology, with 29.25g l-1 for maltodextrin, 10.04g l-1 for yeast extract, and 19.93g l-1 for NaCl, which resulted in 92.42% degradation at 4 d. The degradation characteristics of A12 were clarified as follows: temperature 30°C, pH 7, initial concentration of nicosulfuron 20mg l-1, and 4% inoculum. The ability to promote growth was determined by measuring the ratio of the lysosphere diameter (D) to the colony diameter (d), and the ability of the complex A12 to promote growth was higher than that of the two single strains. Nicosulfuron degradation in sterilized and unsterilized soils reached 85.4% and 91.2% within 28 d, respectively. The ability of the strains to colonize the soil was determined by extraction of total soil DNA, primer design, and gel electrophoresis. The bioremediation effect of A12 was confirmed by the maximum recovery of fresh weight (124.35%) of nicosulfuron-sensitive crop plants and the significant recovery of soil enzyme activities, as measured by the physiological indices in the sensitive plants.

Leaf Area Influences Photosynthetic Activities, Raisin Yield and Quality in Manjari Kishmish Grape Variety

The ideal leaf area is essential for optimizing photosynthesis and resource distribution, which improves both yield and quality. Leaf retention is a cultural practice that involves maintaining definite number of leaves above the bunch to optimize photosynthetic efficiency and fruit quality. The experiment was conducted at the ICAR-National Research Centre for Grapes with different treatments of number of leaves above the bunch (10, 12, 14, 16 and >16 leaves). The parameters measured included leaf area, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, bunch weight, berry quality and raisin recovery. The results revealed that retaining 14 leaves above bunch with leaf area of 1066.33 cm2 resulted in maximum bunch weight (365.00 g), 50-berry weight (123.31 g), yield/vine (23.72 kg) and raisin recovery (26.54 %) while, minimum bunch weight (300.00 g), 50-berry weight (103.48 g), yield/vine (19.20 kg) and raisin recovery (24.35 %) were observed in more than16 leaves above the bunch. However, the leaf area/shoot (2888.00 cm2), leaf area/vine (69312.00 cm2), leaf area/bunch (1066.33 cm2) and leaf area/g berry weight (2.92 cm2/g) were found sufficient for high quality grape and raisin production in a vine spaced at 9 X 5 feet distance which was achieved through 14 leaves above the bunch in Manjari Kishmish grape. It is therefore recommended to maintain approximately 14 leaves above the bunch in Manjari Kishmish that will help to maximize photosynthetic efficiency, enhance leaf area distribution and support higher yield, raisin and better berry quality.

A study on the effects of metacinnabar (β-HgS) on weight and appetite recovery in stressed mice

Ethnopharmacological relevanceDepression is a prevalent stress disorder, yet the underlying physiological mechanisms linking stress to appetite and weight loss remain elusive. While most antidepressants are associated with excessive weight and appetite gain, sertraline (SER) exhibits a lower risk of these side effects. Metacinnabar (β-HgS), the primary component of Tibetan medicine Zuotai, has been shown to enhance mice's resilience against external stress without causing excessive increases in weight or appetite. However, the precise physiological pathway through which β-HgS restores appetite and weight in stressed mice remains unclear. Aim of the studyThe objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of β-HgS in ameliorating weight loss and appetite suppression induced by pressure stimulation in mice, as well as elucidate its potential mechanisms of action. MethodsThe present study employed chronic restraint stress (CRS) and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) as experimental models to simulate environmental stress encountered in daily life. Subsequently, a series of experiments were conducted, including behavior tests, HE staining of rectal and hippocampal pathological sections, detection of depression-related biological indicators, analysis of intestinal flora diversity, as well as metabolomics analysis of hippocampal and intestinal contents. ResultDysregulation of glycerophospholipid metabolism may represent the principal pathway underlying reduced appetite, body weight, neurotransmitter and appetite hormone levels, heightened inflammatory response, hippocampal and rectal tissue damage, as well as altered composition of intestinal microbiota in stressed mice. Following intervention with SER and β-HgS in stressed mice, the deleterious effects induced by stress can be ameliorated, in which the medium-dose β-HgS exhibited superior performance. ConclusionThe aforementioned research findings suggest that the stress-induced decrease in appetite and body weight in mice may be associated with dysregulation in glycerophospholipid metabolism connecting the gut-brain axis. β-HgS exhibits potential in ameliorating depressive-like symptoms in mice subjected to stress, while concurrently restoring their body weight and appetite without inducing excessive augmentation. Its therapeutic effect may also be attributed to its ability to modulate glycerophospholipid metabolism status and exert influence on the gut-brain axis.

Neuroprotective Effects of AER-271 in a tMCAO Mouse Model: Modulation of Autophagy, Apoptosis, and Inflammation.

Following ischemic stroke, aquaporin 4 (AQP4) expression modifications have been associated with increased inflammation. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. This study aims to elucidate the mechanistic basis of post-cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) inflammation by employing the AQP4-specific inhibitor, AER-271. The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was used to induce ischemic stroke in mice. C57BL/6 mice were randomly allocated into four groups: sham operation, I/R, AER-271, and 2-(nicotinamide)-1,3,4-thiadiazole (TGN-020) treatment, with observations recorded at 1day, 3days, and 7days post-tMCAO. Each group consisted of 15 mice. Procedures included histological examination through HE staining, neurological scoring, Western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence staining. AER-271 treatment yielded significant improvements in post-stroke weight recovery and neurological scores, accompanied by a reduction in cerebral infarction volume. Moreover, AER-271 exhibited a noticeable influence on autophagic and apoptotic pathways, affecting the activation of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Alterations in the levels of inflammatory biomarkers MCP-1, NLRP3, and caspase 1 were also detected. Finally, a comparative assessment of the effects of AER-271 and TGN-020 in mitigating apoptosis and microglial polarization in ischemic mice revealed neuroprotective effects with no significant difference in efficacy. This study provides essential insights into the neuroprotective mechanisms of AER-271 in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, offering potential clinical applications in the treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular disorders.