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Photobiomodulation, originally used red and near-infrared lasers, can alter cellular metabolism. It has been demonstrated that the visible spectrum at 451–540 nm does not necessarily increase cell proliferation, near-infrared light promotes adipose stem cell proliferation and affects adipose stem cell migration, which is necessary for the cells homing to the site of injury. In this in vitro study, we explored the potential of adipose-derived stem cells to differentiate into neurons for future translational regenerative treatments in neurodegenerative disorders and brain injuries. We investigated the effects of various biological and chemical inducers on trans-differentiation and evaluated the impact of photobiomodulation using 825 nm near-infrared and 525 nm green laser light at 5 J/cm2. As adipose-derived stem cells can be used in autologous grafting and photobiomodulation has been shown to have biostimulatory effects. Our findings reveal that adipose-derived stem cells can indeed trans-differentiate into neuronal cells when exposed to inducers, with pre-induced cells exhibiting higher rates of proliferation and trans-differentiation compared with the control group. Interestingly, green laser light stimulation led to notable morphological changes indicative of enhanced trans-differentiation, while near-infrared photobiomodulation notably increased the expression of neuronal markers. Through biochemical analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, we observed marked improvements in viability, proliferation, membrane permeability, and mitochondrial membrane potential, as well as increased protein levels of neuron-specific enolase and ciliary neurotrophic factor. Overall, our results demonstrate the efficacy of photobiomodulation in enhancing the trans-differentiation ability of adipose-derived stem cells, offering promising prospects for their use in regenerative medicine for neurodegenerative disorders and brain injuries.

Abalone is a gourmet seafood with a high commercial value, particularly when obtained as a live product. During live transportation, abalone encounter stressors causing biochemical modifications to tolerate the changes. Using semi-targeted metabolomics, this study characterised the left and right gill metabolite profiles of Blackfoot abalone, Haliotis iris, following transportation (48 h) and recovery (48 h). This study reports the association between left and right gill metabolites, to enhance our physiological understanding of the interplay between gills. The left gill metabolites are mainly active following transportation, while both gills partake in the metabolite response following recovery. Transportation necessitated increased metabolites linked to the glycolysis pathway, the Krebs cycle, amino acid, and nucleotide metabolism, for energy production, achieved via aerobic and anaerobic pathways. The recovery phase supported the replenishing of glycogen, triglycerides, and protein stores, albeit metabolic homeostasis was not achieved following two-days of water immersion recovery. This study showcases the well-adapted metabolic mechanisms implemented by H. iris in response to transportation stress and show that metabolites are in the process of returning to the same concentrations as measured pre-transport stress. The findings herein can be applied to improve animal health during transport and subsequent survival, which in-effect supports profitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Trail running is a popular off-road sport involving running in natural environments over various terrains, often in remote locations. This study aims to investigate the epidemiology and risk factors of injuries and illnesses, i.e. medical encounters, on race day among trail runners in a high-altitude ultra trail race. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study on an ultra trail race (38 km, 65 km and 100 km) in South Africa, included participants 18 years or older. Of the 331 race participants, 285(86.1%) consented to participate in the study. Data collection included demographic details, injuries (body region, specific body area, tissue type, pathology) and illnesses (organ system, symptom cluster, etiology). Risk factor analysis includes sex, age, weight, height, race distance, illness and injury history, training and running experience. Frequency (n, %), prevalence (%) and odds ratios (OR; 95%CI) are reported. Results: Eighty-nine (31.2%) individuals reported 131 medical encounters [49 injuries (37.4%); 82 illnesses (62.6%)]. Injuries were sustained by 14.7% of athletes, and 22.5% reported illnesses. For injuries, the lower limb was mainly involved (n = 41; 83.7%). Most injuries affected the foot (n = 18; 36.7%), ankle (n = 10; 20.4%) and knee (n = 7; 14.3%). Tissue types mainly involved skin (n = 21; 42.8%), ligament (n = 7; 14.3%) and muscle (n = 7; 14.3%). Multiple (n = 45; 54.9%) and gastrointestinal (n = 17; 20.7%) organ systems were mainly involved in illnesses. Only 100 km runners reported dehydration (n = 28; 31.5%), and one in every six of these runners (n = 5; 17.9%) did not finish. Runners reporting fatigue (n = 21; 23.6%) had a high (n = 8; 38.1%) did not finish rate. Two in every five participants (n = 36; 40.4%) with a medical encounter, did not finish. No medical encounter-associated risk factors were identified. Conclusions: Illnesses were more common than injuries during the mountainous ultra trail race. Sustaining a medical encounter increased the chance of not completing the race. Further research on the epidemiology of race day medical encounters in trail running is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The amount of calcium and phosphorus in the empty, feather-free bodies of Cobb 700 breed males and females was measured from hatch to 15 weeks of age. 2. A four-phase ad libitum feeding programme was used to feed 400 chicks of each sex. Feeds contained commercial levels of calcium and phosphorus which met or exceeded the requirements for energy, protein and amino acids. All birds were weighed weekly. Ten birds per sex were sampled at 0, 7, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84 and 105 d of age. Defeathered birds were minced, freeze-dried and then analysed for protein, ash, calcium and phosphorus content. 3. Amounts of Ca in males and females at 105 d averaged 54 and 37 g, respectively, and 105 d P content in males and females averaged 35 and 27 g, respectively. The allometry of ash, Ca and P with empty, feather-free body protein was assessed. Ash was isometric with body protein, while an allometric exponent greater than 1 was established for Ca and P with body protein. 4. The allometric models and means for Ca and P relative to body protein were compared with models and means found in the literature. Comparison of the Ca/protein ratios with previous data suggested that modern broilers may not reach their potential bone mineral deposition with current dietary guidelines, even when growth rates were maximised. 5. Theoretical allometric relationships between Ca and P in bone and bone-free body and body protein have now been proposed. The allometric relationship between Ca and P and empty, feather-free body protein offers a suitable way to model the growth of these minerals in the broiler body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]