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The brain produces steroids de novo from cholesterol, so‐called "neurosteroids." The Purkinje cell, a cerebellar neuron, was discovered as a major site of the biosynthesis of neurosteroids including sex steroids, such as progesterone, from cholesterol in the brain. Allopregnanolone, a progesterone metabolite, is also synthesized in the cerebellum and acts on the Purkinje cell to prevent cell death of this neuron. Recently, the pineal gland was discovered as an important site of the biosynthesis of neurosteroids. Allopregnanolone, a major pineal neurosteroid, acts on the Purkinje cell for the survival of this neuron by suppressing the expression of caspase‐3, a crucial mediator of apoptosis. This review summarizes the discovery of cerebellar and pineal allopregnanolone and its neuroprotective action on Purkinje cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Broiler diets mainly consist of cereals and protein-rich feed sources; in the EU-27, poultry farming consumes 24% of the total amount of protein-rich feedstuffs. Since the EU produces only 30% of the total quantity of protein crops used for feed, it is necessary to promote the use of traditional European protein crops (beans, peas) for feed in livestock farming. The research aim is to identify economic gains from the production of broiler chicken meat, replacing soybean meal with domestic faba beans and field peas in broiler chicken diets. RESULTS Adding field peas and faba beans to the broiler feed ration resulted in a significant live weight increase (5.74-11.95%) at the selling age, a decrease in the feed conversion ratio by 0.61-6.06%, and decrease in the product unit cost (15.34-37.06%) as well as an increase in the production efficiency factor (8.70-48.54), compared with the control group. CONCLUSION The optimum kind of legume species used in the broiler diet was peas, which were added in the amount of 200 g kg−1, resulting in live weight gain, a decrease in the feed conversion ratio and an increase in the production efficiency factor. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of crate type (particularly its height) on selected biochemical indices in captive-reared mallards ( Anas platyrhynchos). The physiological changes in response to 2-h crating in crates of either 20 cm or 26 cm height were monitored in 6-week-old mallards. Plasma corticosterone concentrations showed an increase ( P = 0.036) in mallards crated in crates of 26 cm height in comparison with control non-crated birds, whereas no difference in plasma corticosterone levels was found between mallards crated in crates of 20 cm height and control non-crated birds. Lower concentrations of plasma triglycerides ( P < 0.05) and uric acid ( P < 0.05) were found in crated mallards in comparison with control non-crated birds; the height of the crates had no effect. Mallards crated in crates of 26 cm height also exhibited a higher ( P = 0.032) plasma lactate dehydrogenase concentration in comparison with control non-crated birds, whereas no difference ( P > 0.05) was found in lactate dehydrogenase concentrations in mallards crated in crates of 20 cm height. Our results suggest that crating mallards in lower crates (20 cm) may be less stressful than keeping them in crates allowing vertical movements of the birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sinapic acid is widespread in the plant kingdom (fruits, vegetables, cereal grains, oilseed crops, and some spices and medicinal plants) and as such is common in the human diet. Derivatives of sinapic acid are characteristic compounds in the Brassicaceae family. Sinapic acid shows antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and anti-anxiety activity. 4-Vinylsyringol (a decarboxylation product of sinapic acid) is a potent antioxidative and antimutagenic agent which suppresses carcinogenesis and the induction of inflammatory cytokines. Sinapine (sinapoyl choline) is considered to be an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor which might have therapeutic applications in various disease treatments. Mainly due to their antioxidative activity, these compounds have been suggested for potential use in food processing, cosmetics, and the pharmaceutical industry, and this review aims to summarize current knowledge on the natural sources, chemistry, and biological activity of these substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming and increasing human activity are altering northern ecosystems. In these strongly seasonal environments, small herbivorous mammals may have a significant role in determining the trajectory of ecosystem transitions from one state to another., Arctic ground squirrels Urocitellus parryii are a key component of northern terrestrial food webs and are considered ecosystem engineers, exerting a large impact on their habitat through bioturbation., We review and synthesize diverse information about current and past distribution and density of arctic ground squirrels, their physiology and ecological interactions with other species., Factors that appear to affect the distribution and abundance of arctic ground squirrels include increasing temperatures, changes in flooding probability, permafrost thaw, shifting phenology, habitat change, new predators and invasive diseases. Increases in the distribution and density of arctic ground squirrels in northern latitudes and high altitudes could accelerate ecosystem change through facilitation of disturbance-tolerant species, while decreases in southern and milder climates could remove an important agent of disturbance and prey item., Despite their pervasive ecological influence throughout most of their range, arctic ground squirrels are underrepresented in ecological research, based on a comparison of the number of publications about arctic ground squirrels with the number about other species of the same genus, and about other arctic herbivores., The widespread distribution of arctic ground squirrels, along with their potential to exacerbate and alter trajectories of ecosystem change under global warming, makes them a valuable indicator of ecosystem change and therefore a candidate for increased monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to describe normal electrocardiogram (ECG) patterns and values in unanesthetized green peafowl ( Pavo muticus). The standard bipolar and augmented unipolar limb leads ECGs were recorded in the birds. The waveforms were analyzed in all leads at 50 mm/sec and at 10 mm = 1 mV to determine P, PR (segment and interval), QRS, ST, QT durations, P, net QRS complex and T amplitudes. The polarity of each waveform was tabulated in all leads. The mean electrical axis (MEA) for the frontal plane was calculated using leads II and III. The mean heart rates were calculated from lead II that was 257.5±5.33 beats/min. The P wave was dominantly positive in all leads. The dominant pattern of waveforms of the QRS complexes were QS in leads II, III, and aVF. In leads I, aVR and aVL, the R pattern was dominant. The T wave was almost positive in leads I, II, and aVF. The average value of the heart MEA was −96.75±3.31°. Description of normal ECG parameters will facilitate a better realizing of ECG changes of unhealthy green peafowls. Zoo Biol 30:542-549, 2011. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thiamine status of ruminants is adversely affected in acidic rumen conditions. However, there have been limited published case study data related to thiamine deficiency of ruminants with acute ruminal lactic acidosis (ARLA). Hypothesis: Thiamine deficiency would occur in sheep with ARLA. Animals: Thirteen Ak-Karaman (white Karaman) sheep with ARLA, aged 1 year (ARLA group) and 10 healthy Ak-Karaman sheep, aged 1 year (control group) were used. Methods: After clinical examination, rumen fluid samples of all sheep were obtained with a stomach tube and examined immediately. Blood samples were taken from a jugular vein of the sheep. Erythrocytic transketolase enzyme activity and hence thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) effect were determined according to Clausen's method. Results: History revealed that all sheep in the ARLA group had accidentally consumed excessive amounts of cracked barley. During clinical examination of the ARLA group, disturbed general condition, engorged scleral vessels, moderate to severe dehydration, and ruminal atony were recorded in the sheep. The results of the ruminal fluid analyses of the ARLA group demonstrated characteristics of ARLA. The results of clinical and ruminal fluid examination of control group were normal. The mean TPP effect (%) in the ARLA group (109 ± 28) was significantly higher than in the control group (22.2 ± 3.7) ( P < .001). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The present study revealed that severe thiamine deficiency occurred in sheep with ARLA. This result indicates that thiamine administration to sheep suffering from acute ruminal acidosis caused by overconsumption of readily fermentable carbohydrates could be beneficial in alleviating thiamine deficiency caused by ruminal acidosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to analyze the effects and the modes of action of elemental sulfur (S0) in bioluminescence and respiration of Vibrio fischeri cells and the enzymes crude luciferase, pure catalase, and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). Metallic copper removed sulfur and reduced the toxicity of acetone extracts of sediment samples analyzed in the bioluminescence test. The sulfur inhibition of cell bioluminescence was noncompetitive with decanal, the luciferase substrate; reversible, with maximum toxicity after 15 min (EC50 = 11.8 μg/L); and almost totally recovered after 2 h. In vitro preincubation of crude luciferase extract with sulfur (0.28 ppm) weakly inhibited bioluminescence at 5 min, but at 30 min the inhibition reached 60%. Increasing the concentration of sulfur in the parts per million concentration range in vitro decreased bioluminescence, which was not constant, but depended on exposure time, and no dead‐end/total inhibition was observed. The redox state of enzymes in the in vitro system significantly affected inhibition. Hydrogen peroxide restored fully and the reducing agent dithiothreitol, itself toxic, restored only partially luciferase activity in the presence of sulfur. Sulfur (5.5 ppm) slightly inhibited ADH and catalase, and dithiothreitol enhanced sulfur inhibition. High sulfur concentrations (2.2 ppm) inhibited the bioluminescence and enhanced the respiration rate of V. fischeri cells. Elemental sulfur data were interpreted to show that sulfur acted on at least a few V. fischeri cell sites: reversibly modifying luciferase at sites sensitive to/protected by oxidative and reducing agents and by affecting electron transport processes, resulting in enhanced oxygen consumption. Sulfur together with an enzyme reducing agent inhibited the oxidoreductive enzymes ADH and catalase, which have —SH groups, metal ion cofactors, or heme, respectively, in their active centers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 19: 372–386, 2004. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Baltic Sea is a heavily polluted area. To assess the current contaminant pressure on the common guillemot (Uria aalge) living there, whole-body extracts of guillemots from the Baltic Sea were prepared and subdivided over six fractions, which differed in composition due to lipophilicity and polarity of the contaminants. The fractions were tested in the chicken embryo assay and compared to fractions of Atlantic guillemot extracts. Fertilized chicken eggs were injected with 0.03, 0.3, or 3 bird egg equivalents (BEQ) of the contaminants present in the fractions and then incubated for 19 d. Endpoints were selected to cover several mechanisms that may play a role in reproductive failures of fish-eating birds. Fractions I and IV from the Baltic guillemots induced ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity up to 15-fold in embryos exposed to 0.3 BEQ and up to 17-fold in embryos exposed to 3 BEQ. Corresponding Atlantic fractions induced EROD activity only at the higher dose of 3 BEQ. Morphological alterations were observed in the bursa of Fabricius in embryos exposed to the fractions that induced EROD, and for the Baltic fractions, this was apparent at the dose of 0.3 BEQ. The higher toxic potency of fractions I and IV was confirmed by higher mortality and occurrence of malformations among embryos exposed to these fractions. No other effects were observed; morphometry, hepatic porphyrin levels, thiamine-dependent enzymes, and acetylcholinesterase activity were not affected by any fraction. During inter-pretation of the results, concentrations in the whole-body guillemot extracts were compared to concentrations reported in field studies. In general, concentrations in the guillemot extract were lower than those associated with biomarker responses in other wild-bird species. However, because the relative sensitivity of guillemot toward immunotoxic effects remains to be resolved, effects on the immunocompetence of guillemot could not be excluded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 2-month-old mix-breed calf developed acute blindness and ataxia. Serum thiamine concentration was deficient. In antemortem magnetic resonance imaging there were laminar T2-hyperintense regions extending along the cerebral cortex that primarily affected the gray matter. The lesions were relatively symmetric between the left and right hemispheres but no abnormalities were present at the frontal lobes. At necropsy, laminar autofluorescence of the cerebral cortex was observed under ultraviolet exposure at 365 nm, consistent with a diagnosis of polioencephalomalacia. Polioencephalomalacia in the bovine species is compared with that in other species, namely humans, dogs, and cats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Over‐nutrition and its late consequences are a dominant theme in medicine today. In addition to the health hazards brought on by over‐nutrition, the medical community has recently accumulated a roster of health benefits with obesity, grouped under "obesity paradox." Throughout the world and throughout history until the 20th century, under‐nutrition was a dominant evolutionary force. Under‐nutrition brings with it a mix of benefits and detriments that are opposite to and continuous with those of over‐nutrition. This continuum yields J‐shaped or U‐shaped curves relating body mass index to mortality. The overweight have an elevated risk of dying in middle age of degenerative diseases while the underweight are at increased risk of premature death from infectious conditions. Micronutrient deficiencies, major concerns of nutritional science in the 20th century, are being neglected. This "hidden hunger" is now surprisingly prevalent in all weight groups, even among the overweight. Because micronutrient replacement is safe, inexpensive, and predictably effective, it is now an exceptionally attractive target for therapy across the spectrum of weight and age. Nutrition‐related conditions worthy of special attention from caregivers include excess vitamin A, excess vitamin D, and deficiency of magnesium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]