Mercury exposure in an endangered songbird: influence of marsh hydrology and evidence for early breeding impairment.

Songbird reproductive success can decline from consuming mercury-contaminated aquatic insects, but assessments of hydrologic conditions influencing songbird mercury exposure are lacking. We monitored breast feather total mercury (THg) concentrations and reproductive success in the U.S.

Protective effect of quercetin loaded on bifunctional periodic mesoporous organosilica against damage induced by irradiation on the male reproductive system.

Preserving fertility is important in men under radiation therapy because healthy cells are also affected by radiation. Supplementation with antioxidants is a controversial issue in this process. Designing a biocompatible delivery system containing hydrophobic antioxidants to release control may solve these disagreements.

Plasma metabolome reveals altered oxidative stress, inflammation, and amino acid metabolism in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy.

Objective: Idiopathic epilepsy (IE) is the most common chronic neurological disease in dogs and an established natural animal model for human epilepsy types with genetic and unknown etiology. However, the metabolic pathways underlying IE remain largely unknown.

Methods: Plasma samples of healthy dogs (n = 39) and dogs with IE (n = 49) were metabolically profiled (n = 121 known target metabolites) and fingerprinted (n = 1825 untargeted features) using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry.

Laser-Induced Olfactory Bulbectomy in Adult Zebrafish as a Novel Putative Model for Affective Syndrome: A Research Tribute to Brian Leonard.

Inducing multiple neurobehavioural and neurochemical deficits, olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) has been developed as a rodent model of depression with potential for antidepressant drug screening. However, the generality of this model in other vertebrate taxa remains poorly understood. A small freshwater teleost fish, the zebrafish (Danio rerio), is rapidly becoming a common model species in neuroscience research.

Fast Neuronal Calcium Signals in Brain Slices Loaded With Fluo-4 AM Ester.

Staining brain slices with acetoxymethyl ester (AM) Ca dyes is a straightforward procedure to load multiple cells, and Fluo-4 is a commonly used high-affinity indicator due to its very large dynamic range. It has been shown that this dye preferentially stains glial cells, providing slow and large Ca transients, but it is questionable whether and at which temporal resolution it can also report Ca transients from neuronal cells. Here, by electrically stimulating mouse hippocampal slices, we resolved fast neuronal signals corresponding to 1%-3% maximal fluorescence changes.

Glyphosate-Based Herbicide Stress During Pregnancy Impairs Intestinal Development in Newborn Piglets by Modifying DNA Methylation.

Glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH), a feed contaminant, has been proven to impair the growth and development of humans and animals. Previous research has revealed that maternal toxin exposure during pregnancy could cause permanent fetal changes by epigenetic modulation. However, there was insufficient evidence of the involvement of DNA methylation in maternal GBH exposure-induced intestinal health of offspring.

Visualizing the DNA Damage Response in Purkinje Cells Using Cerebellar Organotypic Cultures.

Cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) exhibit a unique interplay of high metabolic rates, specific chromatin architecture, and extensive transcriptional activity, making them particularly vulnerable to DNA damage. This necessitates an efficient DNA damage response (DDR) to prevent cerebellar degeneration, often initiated by PC dysfunction or loss. A notable example is the genome instability syndrome, ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T), marked by progressive PC depletion and cerebellar deterioration.

Surgical Transplantation of Tumor Cells into the Spinal Cord of Mice.

Spinal cord gliomas are commonly malignant tumors of the spinal cord, leading to a high rate of disability. However, uniform treatment guidelines and comprehensive data on spinal cord gliomas remain limited due to the lack of suitable preclinical animal models. Developing a simple and reproducible animal model has become essential for advancing basic and translational research.

Left superior cervical ganglia lymph node mimicry and its role in rat ventricular arrhythmias following myocardial infarction.

Aim: Sympathetic overactivation may lead to severe ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) post-myocardial infarction (MI). The superior cervical ganglion (SCG) is an extracardiac sympathetic ganglion which regulates cardiac autonomic tone. We aimed to investigate the characteristics and functional significance of SCG on neuro-cardiac communication post-MI.

Evaluating diagnostic performance: A comparative analysis of cell-free DNA and serological test in hepatic cystic Echinococcosis.

Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic disease caused by sensu lato. Diagnosing CE primarily relies on imaging techniques, and there is a crucial need for an objective laboratory test to enhance the diagnostic process. Today, cell-free DNAs (cfDNAs) have gained importance regarding their biomarker potential.

Molecular Characterization of Bovine in Equine Sarcoids in Egypt.

Bovine papillomaviruses (BPVs) commonly cause sarcoids in equines worldwide. Equine sarcoids (ESs) reduce the working ability of draft animals and produce untoward cosmetic changes in racing and dancing equine. In this study, nine horses and 16 donkeys with sarcoids were presented to Zagazig University Veterinary Clinic, Zagazig, Egypt.

An Optimized Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory Model Based on Hyperspectral Analysis of Protein Content in Milk Powder.

Protein content is an important index in the assessment of dairy nutrition. As a crucial source of protein absorption in people's daily life, the quality of milk powder products not only has a deep impact on the development of the dairy industry, but also seriously damages the health of consumers. It is of great significance to find a faster and more accurate method for detecting milk protein content.

Comparative Investigation of the Nutritional Profiling and Antipyretic Activity of Leaves, Bark, and Root From Different Sites of Punjab, Pakistan.

The utilization of various plant sections as a medicinal and nutritional source for humans and animals has been the subject of significant research in recent years. This study aimed to investigate the nutritional profiling through proximate analysis and the antipyretic activity of leaves, bark, and root in methanolic extract from different sites of Punjab, Pakistan. Methanolic extract of leaves, bark, and root from sites i to e of Southern Punjab, Central Punjab, and Northwest Punjab as S1, S2, and S3, respectively, at doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg bw showed statistically significant results as compared to the positive and negative controls.

Identification of Sensory Drivers of Liking of Plant-Based Milk Using a Novel Palm Kernel Milk-The Effect of Reformulation and Flavors Addition Through CATA and PCA Analysis.

There is a growing demand for a plant-based diet (meat analogue/plant-based milk) due to an increase in awareness towards health issues, environmental sustainability, and animal ethical issues. The replacement of dairy has recently been one of the market efforts to fulfill such demand. Yet, challenges arise when consumers are reluctant to accept plant-based milk (PBM) due to the mismatch of organoleptic profile between PBM and the actual dairy.

Yogurt Supplementation Can Ameliorate Fatty Liver Diseases and Metabolic Syndrome in High Fat-Induced Conditions in Mice.

Hepatic steatosis/non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a major public health delinquent caused by the excess deposition of lipid into lipid droplets (LDs) as well as metabolic dysregulation. Hepatic cells buildup with more fat molecules when a person takes high fat diet that is excessive than the body can handle. At present, millions of people in the world are affected by this problem.

Acute Kidney Injury Post Hip Fracture Surgery: Local Quality Improvement Project and Review of Literature.

Background:  The aim of the study is to identify the potential risk factors for postoperative AKI in hip fracture patients.

Design And Methods:  Using our local neck of femur (NOF) registration data, patient details were selected using inclusion and exclusion criteria. Electronic records of patients were assessed retrospectively, including blood results, radiological investigations, clinical documentation, and drug charts.

Synaptive Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Stereotactic Radiosurgery.

Introduction The Synaptive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system (Synaptive Medical, Toronto, Canada) is a midfield 0.5 T head-only scanner for imaging the head and neck in adults and pediatrics. The system received US FDA and Health Canada clearance for clinical use in 2020.

Examining the Impact of Digital Detox Interventions on Anxiety and Depression Levels Among Young Adults.

Background: With increasing reliance on digital devices, concerns about their impact on mental health have grown, particularly among young adults.

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the impact of a digital detox intervention on reducing anxiety and depression among young adults across diverse demographic backgrounds.

Methods: A pre-test, followed by a digital detox intervention, and a post-test using an online survey was carried out.

Clinical Outcomes of Liver Abscesses in Adults: A 10-Year Experience at a Tertiary Care Center in Northern India.

Purpose Hepatic abscesses remain a significant clinical challenge due to high morbidity and mortality. This research aims to examine the etiological spectrum, management approaches, clinical features, and results in hepatic abscesses in a tertiary care facility in northern India, emphasizing the distinctions among pyogenic liver abscesses (PLAs) and amoebic liver abscesses (ALAs). Methods This retrospective study was done at GSVM Medical College, Kanpur, analyzing 725 patients with hepatic abscesses over a 10-year period.

Molecular epidemiology, evolution, and transmission dynamics of raccoon rabies virus in Connecticut.

In North America, raccoon rabies virus (RRV) is a public health concern due to its potential for rapid spread, maintenance in wildlife, and impact on human and domesticated animal health. RRV is an endemic zoonotic pathogen throughout the eastern USA. In 1991, an outbreak of RRV in Fairfield County, Connecticut, spread through the state and eventually throughout the Northeast and into Canada.

Proteomic identification of a sporozoite-specific antigen using HDAC3 inhibitor-treated tachyzoites as surrogate.

The apicomplexan parasite has a complex life cycle. Access to sexual stages and sporozoite-containing oocysts, essential for studying the parasite's environmental transmission, is limited and requires animal experiments with cats. Thus, alternatives and resource-efficient methods are needed.

Design and synthesis of coumarin-based amphoteric antimicrobials with biofilm interference and immunoregulation effects.

Bacterial infections pose a threat to human and animal health, and the formation of biofilm exacerbates the microbial threat. New antimicrobial agents to address this challenge are much needed. In this study, several new amphoteric compounds derived from the natural product coumarin were designed and synthesized by mimicking the structure and function of antimicrobial peptides.

NIR Triggered Bionic Bilayer Membrane-Encapsulated Nanoparticles for Synergistic Photodynamic, Photothermal and Chemotherapy of Cervical Cancer.

Purpose: A synergistic treatment strategy of phototherapy and chemotherapy has been shown to improve efficacy and offer unique advantages over monotherapy. The purpose of this study is to explore a new nanocarrier system with liposome as the inner membrane and erythrocyte membrane as the outer membrane, which aims to realize the leak-free load of phototherapy drug indocyanine green (ICG) and chemotherapy drug doxorubicin (DOX), prolong the circulation time in vivo and improve the therapeutic effect.

Patients And Methods: In this study, bilayer membrane-loaded ICG and DOX nanoparticles (RBC@ICG-DOX NPs) were prepared and characterized.

A Ferritin-Based Eg95 Nanoparticle Vaccine Adjuvanted with pCpG Eliciting Robust Immune Responses Against Cystic Echinococcosis in Mice Model.

Introduction: Cystic echinococcosis (CE), a chronic disabling parasitic zoonosis, poses a great threat to public health and livestock production and causes huge economic losses globally. The commercial Quil-A-adjuvanted Eg95 vaccine was empirically effective for CE control; however, it is expensive and has side effects and insufficient immunity.

Purpose: This study aimed to employ a novel adjuvant consisting of a delivery system and an immune potentiator and assess its adjuvanticity to Eg95 antigen, thereby developing a safe and cost-effective novel vaccine against the disease.

Development of Solid Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System of Rhein to Improve Biopharmaceutical Performance: Physiochemical Characterization, and Pharmacokinetic Evaluation.

Introduction: Rhein, a natural bioactive lipophilic compound with numerous pharmacological activities, faces limitations in clinical application due to poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability. Thus, this study aimed to develop a rhein-loaded self-nano emulsifying drug delivery system (RL-SNEDDS) to improve solubility and bioavailability.

Methods: The RL-SNEDDS was prepared by aqueous titration method with eucalyptus oil (oil phase), tween 80 (surfactant), and PEG 400 (co-surfactant) and optimization was performed by 3 factorial design.