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Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a pathogenic parasite with worldwide distribution. We investigated curcumin and chitosan in combination on the viability of T. gondii tachyzoites in silico, in vitro and in vivo. Methods: A 3D model was employed in Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran in 2021 to study the interaction between curcumin and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). Ramachandran root-mean-square deviation and VERIFY3D validated the model. Cytotoxicity of curcumin and chitosan was evaluated by MTT viability assay. BALB/c mice infected with 104 Toxoplasma organisms were treated with curcumin, chitosan, and the combination of curcumin+chitosan. Serum levels of inducible NO synthetase (iNOs), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-5, glutamate oxaloacetic transaminases(SGOT), and glutamic pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) were determined. Result: Curcumin-DHFR and curcumin-DHPS (dihydropteroate synthase) interactions and calculated enzyme energy indicated an excellent affinity for curcumin with DHFR, but not DHPS. MTT results of concurrent treatments demonstrated IC50 rates of 0.1, 0.05, and 0.01 mg/ml at 24, 48, and 72h, respectively. IFN-γ, IL-5 and iNOs levels in curcumin+chitosan treated mice were 1.71, 0.51, and 1.51 IU/L, while those of SGOT and SGPT were 76 and 84 IU/L, respectively. Conclusion: The combination of curcumin and chitosan increased survival time of infected mice by seven days. Curcumin and chitosan in combination regulated the immune system and reduced liver damage, potentially forming the basis of a new treatment for toxoplasmosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digestive enzyme activities are known to fluctuate in abalone grown under different environmental conditions however the effects of different dietary regimes are less clear. Therefore, in a 12‐week study, the effects of water temperature and dietary protein levels on digestive enzyme activity in postweaned (6‐month‐old) greenlip abalone (Haliotis laevigata) were investigated. The abalone were fed diets with crude protein levels that ranged from 27% to 36% and cultured at 14°C, 17°C and 20°C. Diets were formulated to be isoenergetic (12.5 MJ kg−1 digestible energy) and isolipidic (3.6% crude lipid). Trypsin, α‐amylase and lipase activities were measured in the gastrointestinal region. Trypsin, α‐amylase and lipase activities significantly increased as water temperatures were raised. In addition, significantly higher α‐amylase activities were observed as protein levels increased, potentially indicating a compensatory effect to increase carbohydrate utilisation for energy metabolism when in short supply. However, abalone fed high dietary protein levels may also utilise protein for energy metabolism. Further research investigating the dietary carbohydrate source for greenlip abalone is recommended. This study provides useful information on the digestive enzyme activity in postweaned greenlip abalone to improve diet strategies for sustainable production. Abbreviated abstract: Post‐weaned greenlip abalone digestive enzyme activity was examined after feeding four dietary protein levels at three different temperatures for a 12‐week period. Enzyme activities were significantly increased with increasing water temperature. Additionally, significantly higher α‐amylase activities were observed as protein levels increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Heat stress is an important performance and welfare issue for exercising horses. The process of thermoregulation is crucial for equine athletes. Excessive metabolic heat generation during exercise, combined with inefficient heat dissipation, can lead to hyperthermia if not detected in time and not effectively managed. Accurately monitoring heat generation during exercise allows for early preventative intervention as body temperature rises. Skin temperature monitoring is commonly used as a non-invasive method to assess body temperature responses pre- and post-exercise. To date, few studies have used infrared thermographic techniques to monitor body temperature continuously during exercise under laboratory conditions and in the field. In reviewing these results, the accuracy of measuring skin temperature as a reliable indication of overall body temperature is discussed. This commentary summarizes the results of studies measuring surface skin temperature in horses, particularly using infrared thermography for exercise-focused monitoring in the field. Hyperthermia and exertional heat illness (EHI) are performance and welfare issues for all exercising horses. Monitoring the thermoregulatory response allows for early recognition of metabolic heat accumulation during exercise and the possibility of taking prompt and effective preventative measures to avoid a further increase in core body temperature (Tc) leading to hyperthermia. Skin temperature (Tsk) monitoring is most used as a non-invasive tool to assess the thermoregulatory response pre- and post-exercise, particularly employing infrared thermographic equipment. However, only a few studies have used thermography to monitor skin temperature continuously during exercise. This commentary provides an overview of studies investigating surface skin temperature mainly by infrared thermography (IRT) during exercise. The scientific evidence, including methodologies, applications, and challenges associated with (continuous) skin temperature monitoring in horses during field exercise, is discussed. The commentary highlights that, while monitoring Tsk is straightforward, continuous Tsk alone does not always reliably estimate Tc evolvement during field exercise. In addition, inter-individual differences in thermoregulation need to be recognized and accounted for to optimize individual wellbeing. With the ongoing development and application of advanced wearable monitoring technology, there may be future advances in equipment and modeling for timely intervention with horses at hyperthermic risk to improve their welfare. However, at this point, infrared thermographic assessment of Tsk should always be used in conjunction with other clinical assessments and veterinary examinations for a reliable monitoring of the welfare of the horse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summer mortality impacts the productivity of greenlip abalone, Haliotis laevigata, on land-based farms in South Australia. It is associated with high water temperature (greater than 23[degrees]C), low dissolved oxygen levels, increased bacterial loads, and immune system suppression during summer months. This study aimed to alleviate mortality rates of greenlip abalone by dietary intervention using vitamin [K.sub.1] to support the innate immune system and oxidative status. Dietary vitamin [K.sub.1] at 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 5.0 mg [kg.sup.-1] was added to a commercially formulated diet mash. An additional diet containing 0.5 mg [kg.sup.-1] of [K.sub.3] was also used for comparison. Diets were fed to 3-y-old abalone (71.51 g; 79.91 mm) at 22 and 25[degrees]C water temperatures for 39 days. No mortalities were observed at 22[degrees]C; however, high mortalities were observed in all dietary treatments at the water temperature of 25[degrees]C. Compared with the negative control diet (0.0 mg additional inclusion of [K.sub.1] or [K.sub.3] [kg.sup.-1]) at 25[degrees]C, the inclusion of vitamin [K.sub.1] or [K.sub.3] did not improve survival of greenlip abalone (P > 0.05). Vitamin [K.sub.1] inclusion level resulted in significant increases in vitamin [K.sub.1] concentration of visceral organ and muscle tissues (P < 0.05). Steady-state levels of vitamin [K.sub.1] were not reached. Steady-state levels of [K.sub.2]-MK-4 in visceral organ and muscle were reached when analyzed levels of dietary vitamin [K.sub.1] reached 0.02 mg [kg.sup.-1]. This was also true for [K.sub.2]-MK-7, but in the visceral organ only. Vitamin [K.sub.1] inclusion level did not significantly affect total hemocyte count, phagocytic activity, or phagocytic index (P > 0.05). Increasing water temperature to 25[degrees]C resulted in significant increases in serum catalase activity (22 < 25[degrees]C) and vitamin concentration in muscle tissue (22 < 25[degrees]C). Comparison of vitamin [K.sub.1] or [K.sub.3] at 0.5 mg [kg.sup.-1] resulted in significant changes to serum catalase activity ([K.sub.1] > [K.sub.3]) and vitamin [K.sub.1] concentration in visceral organ ([K.sub.1] > [K.sub.3]). In conclusion, vitamin [K.sub.1] at the doses tested, resulted in significant increases in vitamin [K.sub.1] concentration in visceral organ and muscle tissues, but failed to improve immune function, oxidative status, or survival of greenlip abalone at high summer water temperatures. KEY WORDS: abalone, Haliotis laevigata, vitamin [K.sub.1], vitamin [K.sub.3], high water temperature, survival, tissue concentration, INTRODUCTION Greenlip abalone, Haliotis laevigata, is cultured in land-based facilities in South Australia and is reliant on formulated feeds (Stone et al. 2013). Seasonal fluctuations in water temperatures expose abalone [...]

Greenlip abalone (Huliotis laevigata) are commercially farmed in land-based systems in southern Australia and are fed formulated diets that typically do not contain macroalgae. In a 90-day study, the growth and nutrient utilization of juvenile greenlip abalone (1.82 g. 23.23 mm) fed diets containing Ulva sp. protein extract (UPE) were investigated. Animals were fed one of the four formulated test diets containing graded levels of UPE (0%, 5%, 10%, and 20%) or a commercial diet that served as a control for the 0% basal diet. Diets were formulated to contain 37% crude protein. 5% lipid, and 17.5 MJ/kg gross energy. The specific growth rate and shell growth rate ([micro]m/day) of abalone fed the four experimental diets were similar. Dietary inclusions of UPE supported the growth of juvenile greenlip abalone and may be used to reduce dietary inclusions of solvent extracted soybean meal, dehulled lupins, and wheat flour. Currently, UPE is cost prohibitive for commercial use in greenlip abalone diet. As UPE is a by-product of the macroalgae industry, the cost of UPE would likely become more economically viable as macroalgae production increases in the future to include in diets for greenlip abalone. Once economically viable, we recommend a dietary inclusion of up to 20% UPE meal for greenlip abalone. KEY WORDS: Haliotis laevigata, Ulva sp. protein extract, growth, nutrient utilization, nutrition, INTRODUCTION Greenlip abalone (Haliotis laevigata) are native to Australia's southern waters. In the wild, they preferentially consume Rhodophyta (red) macroalgae species (Shepherd 1973). Chlorophyte (green) macroalgae species are consumed by [...]

There has been widespread comment on the use and impact of Web 2.0 technologies in education. Given the use of such technologies, particularly social networking sites such as Facebook amongst the student body, it would be remiss of educators to not consider their use as part of a pedagogical strategy. This paper provides a preliminary investigation into the success of Facebook as a tool for formation of an online learning community amongst a group of undergraduate science students. A quantitative examination of participant numbers and traffic on the site was undertaken. In order to determine functionality of the group, a semi-qualitative examination of category of response posting was also performed. It was concluded that Facebook is a promising tool to establish an online educational community under the conditions imposed in our study. The main benefits are in establishment of affective communication, social support, and a problem-solving strategy.

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tips.2009.08.003 Byline: Roger Yazbeck (1)(2), Gordon S. Howarth (1)(2)(3), Catherine A. Abbott (1) Abstract: Dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 is a member of the S9b serine protease family, which also includes DPP8 and DPP9. DPP4 cleaves a number of regulatory factors, including chemokines and growth factors. DPP4 inhibitors have recently emerged as an effective treatment option for type 2 diabetes. Early in vitro studies demonstrated that DPP4 inhibitors inhibit T-cell proliferation and cytokine production, leading to their investigation in numerous pre-clinical models of inflammatory diseases, including arthritis, multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease. Recent data suggest that the early DPP4-specific inhibitors might also bind DPP8 and DPP9, thus exerting their effects through non-specific binding. This review highlights recent insights into the applicability of DPP inhibitors as novel pharmacological agents for inflammatory disease. Author Affiliation: (1) School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia (2) Centre for Paediatric and Adolescent Gastroenterology, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia (3) Discipline of Agricultural and Animal Science, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Following the identification of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) as a potent trophic factor for the intestine over a decade ago, therapeutic indications have been identified for a range of candidate bowel disorders and diseases in which accelerated intestinal repair is desirable. Subsequent experimental studies in experimentally-induced animal models and genetically-modified mice have supported a therapeutic role for IGF-I in facilitated repair processes in gastrointestinal disorders including radiation enteritis, chemotherapy-induced mucositis and inflammatory bowel disease, conditions associated with either the pre-existence of malignancy or a predisposition to develop neoplasia. Moreover, recent evidence from in vitro, in vivo and human population studies is suggestive of an active role for IGF-I in the development and progression of certain cancers, and although causality remains unproven, antagonism of IGF-I action is being pursued as a potential chemo-preventive strategy. Novel milk and colostrum-derived bioactive formulations containing IGF-I are being developed as adjunctive treatment modalities for certain bowel disorders. Understanding the precise role of the IGF axis in cancer will either identify antagonism of the IGF-I/receptor interaction as an important approach in cancer prevention and risk reduction, or alternatively, support further development of IGF-I as a promising treatment modality for acute gastrointestinal disease. J. KEY WORDS: * insulin-like growth factor-I * intestine * disease * treatment * cancer * risk