MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from a healthy volunteer. CGF was then prepared using specialized centrifugation equipment (Medifuge, Silfradent, Santa Sofia FC, Italy) and protocol. Antimicrobial activity of the CGF was observed and recorded on standard strains of S. aureus and S. mutans using a well diffusion method to determine the inhibition zone, broth microdilution to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and crystal violet assay for biofilm assessment, with chlorhexidine (CHX) 0.12% used as a positive control. Statistical analysis was then performed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey Test post hoc analysis.
RESULTS: It was observed that there was a presence of clear zones of inhibition around the CGF after 24 hours of incubation. The mean diameter of the inhibition zone was 1.26 ± 0.12 nm and 1.20 ± 0.06 nm for S. aureus and S. mutans, respectively, with significance difference (p
METHODS: Phylogenetic analysis was used to identify candidate Dendrobium catenatum R2R3-MYB (DcaMYB) sequences associated with pigment and cell shape development. Gene silencing of candidate DhMYBs in Dendrobium hybrid by direct application of dsRNA to developing flowers was followed by observation of gene expression level and flower phenotypes. Silencing of the structural gene chalcone synthase was used as a comparative control.
KEY RESULTS: Ten candidate flower-associated DcaMYBs were identified. Flowers treated with dsRNA of DhMYB22 and DhMYB60 sequences were less pigmented and had relatively low expression of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes (F3'H and DFR), lower total anthocyanin concentration and markedly lower levels of cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside. Petals of DhMYB22-treated flowers and sepals of DhMYB60-treated flowers showed the greatest colour difference relative to the same organs in untreated flowers. DhMYB22-treated flowers had relatively narrow and constricted lips, while DhMYB60-treated flowers had narrow and constricted sepals. No significant difference in shape was observed for DhCHS-treated or untreated flowers.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that DhMYB22 and DhMYB60 regulate pigment intensity and floral organ shape in Dendrobium. This is a first report of MYB regulation of floral organ shape in orchids.
METHODOLOGY: A total of 56 consecutive children aged 6 to 18 years old were recruited from the pediatric obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) clinic in University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) from 2016 to 2019. Data on anthropometric measurements, clinical components of metabolic syndrome and fasting serum insulin were collected. Triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG: HDL-C), Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and Single Point Insulin Sensitivity Estimator (SPISE) were calculated. Transient elastography was performed with hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis assessed by controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM), respectively.
RESULTS: A total of 44 children (78.6%) had liver steatosis and 35.7% had presence of significant liver fibrosis (stage F≥2). Majority (89.3%) are obese and 24 children (42.9%) were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. Higher number of children with T2DM and significant liver fibrosis were associated with higher tertiles of TG: HDL-C ratio (p<0.05). Top tertile of TG: HDL-C ratio was an independent predictor of liver fibrosis (OR=8.14, 95%CI: 1.24-53.36, p=0.029). ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of HOMA-IR (0.77) and TG: HDL-C ratio (0.71) were greater than that of metabolic syndrome (0.70), T2DM (0.62) and SPISE (0.22). The optimal cut-off values of HOMA-IR and TG: HDL-C ratio for detecting liver fibrosis among children with NAFLD are 5.20 and 1.58, respectively.
CONCLUSION: Children with NAFLD and higher TG: HDL-C ratio are more likely to have liver fibrosis. TG: HDL-C ratio is a promising tool to risk stratify those with NAFLD who are at risk of developing advanced liver disease.
Materials and Methods: This study included pre-weaning kids aged 1 month, as well as post-weaning kids aged 3-6 months. 10 pre-weaning purebred Saanen kids (n = 5 male and n = 5 female) and 20 post-weaning Saanen kids (n = 10 male and n = 10 female) were employed in this investigation. Pre-and post-weaning kids' live weights were assessed weekly on a weighing scale, and BCS was calculated based on their body frame. In the data analysis, the two-sample t-test with Minitab Software was utilized.
Results: The findings revealed that pre-weaning Saanen kids gained weight steadily from week 1 to week 6, with males being heavier than females. The p-value, on the other hand, suggested that there was no difference in live weight between pre-weaning male and female Saanen kids. Over 6 weeks of sampling, the male had a larger proportion of live weight gain (80%) than the female (75%). Meanwhile, the BCS of pre-weaning Saanen kids grew from week 1 to week 6. It is critical to account for the development of muscle mass while still evaluating the fat cover to determine whether the kids are maintaining an adequate BCS. However, the live weight of post-weaning kids was inconsequential because they were still in the growing phase. As a result, from the 1st to 6th week, post-weaning kids' body weight and BCS increased as their growth progressed. After 6 weeks of sampling, females had a higher percentage of live weight than males. This is because the kids raised on the farm do not have complete control over the environmental effects. Over 6 weeks of sampling, female post-weaning Saanen kids grew a slightly higher percentage of live weight (88%) than males (85%).
Conclusion: This study conducted a direct assessment study, which monitored and determined the live weight and BCS of pre-and post-weaning Saanen kids. Pre-weaning kids' average values of live weight were calculated as insignificant at the age of 1 month. The mean live weight is most affected by milk consumption from its mothers, the management of the farm, and the environment. For the post-weaning Saanen kids, the females have a slightly higher average live weight gained for 6 weeks than the males (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the live weight changes of Saanen kids during the weaning stages are independent of the BCS.
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess workers' lifetime occupational pesticide exposure and examine the relationship with neurobehavioral health.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 158 pesticide-exposed and 176 non-exposed workers. To collect historical exposure and job tasks, a questionnaire and an occupational history interview were used. Pesticide exposure was measured in a subgroup of workers via inhalation and skin contact. The total pesticide intake of each worker was assessed using inhalation and dermal exposure models. CANTAB® computerised neurobehavioral performance assessments were used.
RESULTS: The participants' mean age was 31 (8) years. Pirimiphos-methyl (median = 0.569 mg/m3, Interquartile range [IQR] = 0.151, 0.574) and permethrin (median = 0.136 mg/m3, IQR = 0.116, 0.157) had the highest measured personal inhalation concentrations during thermal spraying. The estimated total lifetime pesticide intake for exposed workers ranged from 0.006 g to 12800 g (median = 379 g and IQR = 131, 794 g). Dermal exposure was the predominant route of pesticide intake for all workers. Compared to controls, workers with high lifetime pesticide intake had lower Match to Sample Visual (adjusted B = -1.4, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = -2.6, 0.1), Spatial Recognition Memory (adjusted B = -3.3, 95% CI = -5.8, 0.8), Spatial Span (SSP) (adjusted B = -0.6, 95% CI = -0.9, 0.3) scores. Workers with low pesticide intake performed worse than controls (adjusted B = -0.5, 95% CI = -0.8, -0.2) in the SSP test, but scored higher in the Motor Screening test (adjusted B = 0.9, 95% CI = 0.1, 1.6). Higher Paired Associates Learning test scores were observed among higher (adjusted B = 7.4, 95% CI = 2.3, 12.4) and lower (adjusted B = 8.1, 95% CI = 3, 13.2) pesticide intake groups. There was no significant difference between the Reaction Time and Pattern Recognition Memory tests with lifetime pesticide intake after adjusting for confounders.
CONCLUSION: Pesticide exposure has been linked to poorer neurobehavioral performance. As dermal exposure accounts for a major fraction of total intake, pesticide prevention should focus on limiting dermal exposure.