Displaying publications 381 - 400 of 4601 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Effects of reproductive status and high ambient temperatures on the body temperature of a free-ranging basoendotherm
    Levesque DL, Lobban KD, Lovegrove BG
    J. Comp. Physiol. B, Biochem. Syst. Environ. Physiol., 2014 Dec;184(8):1041-53.
    PMID: 25155185 DOI: 10.1007/s00360-014-0858-4
    Tenrecs (Order Afrosoricida) exhibit some of the lowest body temperatures (T b) of any eutherian mammal. They also have a high level of variability in both active and resting T bs and, at least in cool temperatures in captivity, frequently employ both short- and long-term torpor. The use of heterothermy by captive animals is, however, generally reduced during gestation and lactation. We present data long-term T b recordings collected from free-ranging S. setosus over the course of two reproductive seasons. In general, reproductive females had slightly higher (~32 °C) and less variable T b, whereas non-reproductive females and males showed both a higher propensity for torpor as well as lower (~30.5 °C) and more variable rest-phase T bs. Torpor expression defined using traditional means (using a threshold or cut-off T b) was much lower than predicted based on the high degree of heterothermy in captive tenrecs. However, torpor defined in this manner is likely to be underestimated in habitats where ambient temperature is close to T b. Our results caution against inferring metabolic states from T b alone and lend support to the recent call to define torpor in free-ranging animals based on mechanistic and not descriptive variables. In addition, lower variability in T b observed during gestation and lactation confirms that homeothermy is essential for reproduction in this species and probably for basoendothermic mammals in general. The relatively low costs of maintaining homeothermy in a sub-tropical environment might help shed light on how homeothermy could have evolved incrementally from an ancestral heterothermic condition.
    Matched MeSH terms: Body Temperature/physiology*; Body Temperature Regulation/physiology*; Mammals/physiology*; Reproduction/physiology*; Torpor/physiology
  2. Does performing drop jumps with additional eccentric loading improve jump performance?
    Aboodarda SJ, Byrne JM, Samson M, Wilson BD, Mokhtar AH, Behm DG
    J Strength Cond Res, 2014 Aug;28(8):2314-23.
    PMID: 24796986 DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000000498
    Previous investigators have speculated that applying additional external load throughout the eccentric phase of the jumping movement could amplify the stretch-shortening cycle mechanism and modulate jumping performance and jump exercise intensity. The aims of this study, therefore, were to determine the effect of increased eccentric phase loading, as delivered using an elastic device, on drop jumps (DJs) performed from different drop heights. Of specific interest were changes in (a) the kinetics; eccentric and concentric impulse, rate of force development (RFD), concentric velocity and (b) the electromyographic (EMG) activity of leg muscles. In a randomized repeated-measure study, 15 highly resistance trained male subjects performed DJs from 3 heights (20, 35, and 50 cm) under 3 different conditions: body weight only (free DJ) and with elastic bands providing downward force equivalent to 20% (+20% DJ) and 30% (+30% DJ) of body mass. All DJs were recorded using video and force plate data that were synchronized with EMG data. Results demonstrated that using additional tensile load during the airborne and eccentric phases of the DJ could enhance eccentric impulse (p = 0.042) and RFD (p < 0.001) and resulted in small to moderate effect size (ES) increases in quadriceps intergrated EMG across the eccentric phase (0.23 > ES > 0.51). The observed greater eccentric loading, however, did not immediately alter concentric kinetics and jump height nor did it alter muscle activation levels during this phase. The findings indicated that, in addition to the conventional technique of increasing drop height, using a tensile load during the airborne and eccentric phases of the DJ could further improve eccentric loading of DJs. As it has been suggested that eccentric impulse and RFD are indicators of DJ exercise intensity, these findings suggest that the loaded DJs, using additional elastic load, may be an effective technique for improving DJ exercise intensity without acute effects on the jumping performance and neuromuscular activation level in highly trained athletes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Movement/physiology*; Muscle Contraction/physiology*; Quadriceps Muscle/physiology*; Athletic Performance/physiology; Physical Conditioning, Human/physiology
  3. Fulltext Cross-talk in mechanomyographic signals from the forearm muscles during sub-maximal to maximal isometric grip force
    Islam MA, Sundaraj K, Ahmad RB, Sundaraj S, Ahamed NU, Ali MA
    PLoS One, 2014;9(5):e96628.
    PMID: 24802858 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0096628
    This study aimed: i) to examine the relationship between the magnitude of cross-talk in mechanomyographic (MMG) signals generated by the extensor digitorum (ED), extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU), and flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) muscles with the sub-maximal to maximal isometric grip force, and with the anthropometric parameters of the forearm, and ii) to quantify the distribution of the cross-talk in the MMG signal to determine if it appears due to the signal component of intramuscular pressure waves produced by the muscle fibers geometrical changes or due to the limb tremor.
    Matched MeSH terms: Forearm/physiology*; Isometric Contraction/physiology*; Muscle, Skeletal/physiology*; Hand Strength/physiology*; Muscle Strength/physiology*
  4. Lethal and sublethal impacts of predaceous backswimmer Anisops wakefieldi (Hemiptera: Notonectidae) on the life-history traits of the New Zealand mosquito Culex pervigilans (Diptera: Culicidae)
    Zuharah WF, Fadzly N, Lester PJ
    J Med Entomol, 2013 Sep;50(5):1014-24.
    PMID: 24180106
    The presence of predators can have dramatic consequences on prey communities, not only by the direct effects of consumption but also through sublethal effects. We investigated the survival rate and subsequent life history of the mosquito Culex pervigilans Bergroth under the influence of its major predator, the backswimmer Anisops wakefieldi White. We established a field experiment with various treatments: 1) control without predators, 2) free-roaming A. wakefieldi (with one, three, or nine A. wakefieldi per container), 3) caged A. wakefieldi (empty cage without predators, with one, three, or nine A. wakefieldi in each cage, and 4) A. wakefieldi cues (with cues concentrations of one, three, or nine A. wakefieldi). Cx. pervigilans eggs were then taken from these four experimental treatments and reared in two different laboratory conditions: 1) in clean water without any traces of predators, or 2) in water with the same treatments as in field. The survival rate of Cx. pervigilans was significantly reduced by the presence of predators or their cues. Even after a brief exposure to waters containing predators or residual cues, the subsequent progeny and the ontogeny of the remaining survivors were still affected. The percentage of eggs that hatched, and the resulting mosquito population, was influenced by the presence of predators or their cues. Our results suggest that sublethal effects may be carried by surviving individuals primarily through the effects of stress, perhaps by epigenetic mechanisms. We may expect to observe similar plasticity in species or populations with high temporal or spatial variability in predation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Culex/physiology; Larva/physiology; Ovum/physiology; Pupa/physiology; Heteroptera/physiology*
  5. Biomechanical characterisation of ovine spinal facet joint cartilage
    Abd Latif MJ, Jin Z, Wilcox RK
    J Biomech, 2012 May 11;45(8):1346-52.
    PMID: 22483055 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2012.03.015
    The spinal facet joints are known to be an important component in the kinematics and the load transmission of the spine. The articular cartilage in the facet joint is prone to degenerative changes which lead to back pain and treatments for the condition have had limited long term success. There is currently a lack of information on the basic biomechanical properties of the facet joint cartilage which is needed to develop tissue substitution or regenerative interventions. In the present study, the thickness and biphasic properties of ovine facet cartilage were determined using a combination of indentation tests and computational modelling. The equilibrium biphasic Young's modulus and permeability were derived to be 0.76±0.35 MPa and 1.61±1.10×10⁻¹⁵ m⁴/(Ns) respectively, which were within the range of cartilage properties characterised from the human synovial joints. The average thickness of the ovine facet cartilage was 0.52±0.10 mm, which was measured using a needle indentation test. These properties could potentially be used for the development of substitution or tissue engineering interventions and for computational modelling of the facet joint. Furthermore, the developed method to characterise the facet cartilage could be used for other animals or human donors.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cartilage, Articular/physiology*; Hardness/physiology; Compressive Strength/physiology; Zygapophyseal Joint/physiology*; Elastic Modulus/physiology
  6. Fulltext Spawning seasons of Rasbora tawarensis (Pisces: Cyprinidae) in Lake Laut Tawar, Aceh province, Indonesia
    Muchlisin ZA, Musman M, Azizah MN
    Reprod Biol Endocrinol, 2010;8:49.
    PMID: 20482777 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-8-49
    Rasbora tawarensis is an endemic freshwater fish in Lake Laut Tawar, Aceh Province, Indonesia. Unfortunately, its status is regarded as critical endangered with populations decreasing in recent years. To date no information on the spawning activities of the fish are available. Therefore, this study provides a contribution to the knowledge on reproductive biology of R. tawarensis especially on spawning seasons as well as basic information for conservation of the species.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cyprinidae/physiology*; Gonads/physiology; Ovulation/physiology*; Reproduction/physiology; Sexual Maturation/physiology
  7. Fulltext 9th Workshop on the Neurobiology of Epilepsy (WONOEP IX): the transition from the interictal to the ictal state (Teluk Nibong, Langkawi Island, Malaysia, July 4-7, 2007)
    de Curtis M, Murashima Y, Sankar R
    Epilepsia, 2008 Aug;49(8):1475-9.
    PMID: 18754944 DOI: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01618_1.x
    Matched MeSH terms: Neural Inhibition/physiology*; Receptors, GABA-A/physiology*; Signal Transduction/physiology; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/physiology*; Receptors, GABA-B/physiology*
  8. Minimum level of jumping exercise required to maintain exercise-induced bone gains in female rats
    Ooi FK, Singh R, Singh HJ, Umemura Y
    Osteoporos Int, 2009 Jun;20(6):963-72.
    PMID: 18839049 DOI: 10.1007/s00198-008-0760-6
    SUMMARY: This study determines the minimum level of exercise required to maintain 8 weeks of jumping exercise-induced bone gains in rats. It was found that the minimum level of exercise required for maintaining the different exercise-induced bone gains varied between 11% and 18% of the initial exercise intensity.

    INTRODUCTION: This study ascertains the minimum level of follow-up exercise required to maintain bone gains induced by an 8-week jumping exercise in rats.

    METHODS: Twelve groups of 12-week old rats (n = 10 rats per group) were given either no exercise for 8 (8S) or 32 weeks (32S), or received 8 weeks of standard training program (8STP) that consisted of 200 jumps per week, given at 40 jumps per day for 5 days per week, followed by 24 weeks of exercise at loads of either 40 or 20 or 10 jumps per day, for either 5, or 3, or 1 day/week. Bone mass, strength, and morphometric properties were measured in the right tibia. Data were analyzed using one-way analyses of variance.

    RESULTS: Bone mass, strength, mid-shaft periosteal perimeter and cortical area were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the rats given 8STP than that in the 8S group. The minimal level of exercise required to maintain the bone gains was 31, 36, 25, and 21 jumps per week for mass, strength, periosteal perimeter and cortical area, respectively.

    CONCLUSIONS: Eight weeks of jumping exercise-induced bone gains could be maintained for a period of 24 weeks with follow-up exercise consisting of 11% to 18% of the initial exercise load.

    Matched MeSH terms: Fibula/physiology; Osteogenesis/physiology*; Tibia/physiology; Bone Density/physiology*; Compressive Strength/physiology
  9. Fulltext Objective triceps muscle strength measurement using computerized adaptation
    Amalourde A, Vinayaga P, Naveed N, Choon SK, Zaleha O
    Med J Malaysia, 2004 Dec;59 Suppl F:8-13.
    PMID: 15941154
    In our centre the non-availability computerized exercise machines limits the objective monitoring of strength rehabilitation. We undertook this research programme to objectively measure triceps muscle strength by interfacing NORSK-Gym machine with accelerometer and positional transducers to a computer. This data was tabulated and processed using Microsoft Excel. The positional transducer was first calibrated and it showed an excellent Pearson Correlation Coefficients against a standard metric reading (r = 0.9999). Peak Force was used as a test parameter for isotonic triceps muscle strength measurements. The criterion-referenced validity was established as the peak forces measured using the accelerometer and positional transducer demonstrated identical Peak Forces (r = 0.94). Analysis of our mean Peak Force measurements using non-biological force as well as the intra-individual reproducibility demonstrated excellent Pearson Correlation Coefficients (r) = 0.982-0.998 and 0.929-0.972 respectively. This computerized adaptation of the NORSK-Gym machine produced an objective, valid and reproducible triceps muscle strength measurement.
    Matched MeSH terms: Adaptation, Physiological/physiology*; Hand/physiology*; Movement/physiology; Muscle Contraction/physiology*; Muscle, Skeletal/physiology*
  10. Fulltext P300 correlates with learning & memory abilities and fluid intelligence
    Amin HU, Malik AS, Kamel N, Chooi WT, Hussain M
    J Neuroeng Rehabil, 2015;12:87.
    PMID: 26400233 DOI: 10.1186/s12984-015-0077-6
    Educational psychology research has linked fluid intelligence with learning and memory abilities and neuroimaging studies have specifically associated fluid intelligence with event related potentials (ERPs). The objective of this study is to find the relationship of ERPs with learning and memory recall and predict the memory recall score using P300 (P3) component.
    Matched MeSH terms: Brain/physiology; Intelligence/physiology*; Learning/physiology*; Memory/physiology*; Event-Related Potentials, P300/physiology*
  11. Compression and texture in socks enhance football kicking performance
    Hasan H, Davids K, Chow JY, Kerr G
    Hum Mov Sci, 2016 Aug;48:102-11.
    PMID: 27155962 DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2016.04.008
    The purpose of this study was to observe effects of wearing textured insoles and clinical compression socks on organisation of lower limb interceptive actions in developing athletes of different skill levels in association football. Six advanced learners and six completely novice football players (15.4±0.9years) performed 20 instep kicks with maximum velocity, in four randomly organised insoles and socks conditions, (a) Smooth Socks with Smooth Insoles (SSSI); (b) Smooth Socks with Textured Insoles (SSTI); (c) Compression Socks with Smooth Insoles (CSSI) and (d), Compression Socks with Textured Insoles (CSTI). Reflective markers were placed on key anatomical locations and the ball to facilitate three-dimensional (3D) movement recording and analysis. Data on 3D kinematic variables and initial ball velocity were analysed using one-way mixed model ANOVAs. Results revealed that wearing textured and compression materials enhanced performance in key variables, such as the maximum velocity of the instep kick and increased initial ball velocity, among advanced learners compared to the use of non-textured and compression materials. Adding texture to football boot insoles appeared to interact with compression materials to improve kicking performance, captured by these important measures. This improvement in kicking performance is likely to have occurred through enhanced somatosensory system feedback utilised for foot placement and movement organisation of the lower limbs. Data suggested that advanced learners were better at harnessing the augmented feedback information from compression and texture to regulate emerging movement patterns compared to novices.
    Matched MeSH terms: Foot/physiology; Football/physiology*; Movement/physiology; Psychomotor Performance/physiology; Lower Extremity/physiology
  12. Electroencephalographic Motor Imagery Brain Connectivity Analysis for BCI: A Review
    Hamedi M, Salleh ShH, Noor AM
    Neural Comput, 2016 06;28(6):999-1041.
    PMID: 27137671 DOI: 10.1162/NECO_a_00838
    Recent research has reached a consensus on the feasibility of motor imagery brain-computer interface (MI-BCI) for different applications, especially in stroke rehabilitation. Most MI-BCI systems rely on temporal, spectral, and spatial features of single channels to distinguish different MI patterns. However, no successful communication has been established for a completely locked-in subject. To provide more useful and informative features, it has been recommended to take into account the relationships among electroencephalographic (EEG) sensor/source signals in the form of brain connectivity as an efficient tool of neuroscience. In this review, we briefly report the challenges and limitations of conventional MI-BCIs. Brain connectivity analysis, particularly functional and effective, has been described as one of the most promising approaches for improving MI-BCI performance. An extensive literature on EEG-based MI brain connectivity analysis of healthy subjects is reviewed. We subsequently discuss the brain connectomes during left and right hand, feet, and tongue MI movements. Moreover, key components involved in brain connectivity analysis that considerably affect the results are explained. Finally, possible technical shortcomings that may have influenced the results in previous research are addressed and suggestions are provided.
    Matched MeSH terms: Brain/physiology*; Imagination/physiology*; Motor Skills/physiology; Nerve Net/physiology*; Psychomotor Performance/physiology*
  13. The effects of negative emotion on encoding-related neural activity predicting item and source recognition
    Yick YY, Buratto LG, Schaefer A
    Neuropsychologia, 2015 Jul;73:48-59.
    PMID: 25936685 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2015.04.030
    We report here a study that obtained reliable effects of emotional modulation of a well-known index of memory encoding--the electrophysiological "Dm" effect--using a recognition memory paradigm followed by a source memory task. In this study, participants performed an old-new recognition test of emotionally negative and neutral pictures encoded 1 day before the test, and a source memory task involving the retrieval of the temporal context in which pictures had been encoded. Our results showed that Dm activity was enhanced for all emotional items on a late positivity starting at ~400 ms post-stimulus onset, although Dm activity for high arousal items was also enhanced at an earlier stage (200-400 ms). Our results also showed that emotion enhanced Dm activity for items that were both recognised with or without correct source information. Further, when only high arousal items were considered, larger Dm amplitudes were observed if source memory was accurate. Three main conclusions are drawn from these findings. First, negative emotion can enhance encoding processes predicting the subsequent recognition of central item information. Second, if emotion reaches high levels of arousal, the encoding of contextual details can also be enhanced over and above the effects of emotion on central item encoding. Third, the morphology of our ERPs is consistent with a hybrid model of the role of attention in emotion-enhanced memory (Pottage and Schaefer, 2012).
    Matched MeSH terms: Brain/physiology*; Emotions/physiology*; Pattern Recognition, Visual/physiology*; Mental Recall/physiology; Recognition (Psychology)/physiology*
  14. Effects of long-term visual display terminal usage on visual functions
    Yeow PT, Taylor SP
    Optom Vis Sci, 1991 Dec;68(12):930-41.
    PMID: 1787950
    Since their rapid introduction into the workplace visual display terminals (VDT's) have been the source of a number of studies aimed at detecting effects on office workers. The published studies have been either short-term or cross-sectional, with one exception. The results have shown varying degrees of relation but by not having a comparable control group all have been limited in their value. We set out to monitor at regular intervals over a 2-year period specific visual functions that have been reported to be affected by VDT usage, and to compare VDT and non-VDT users in the same office environment. By assessing the VDT operators from the time the systems were introduced we have an accurate baseline to work from when assessing change due to the introduction of the VDT.
    Matched MeSH terms: Accommodation, Ocular/physiology*; Convergence, Ocular/physiology*; Fixation, Ocular/physiology; Visual Acuity/physiology*; Vision Disparity/physiology
  15. Autophagy and senescence: A new insight in selected human diseases
    Rajendran P, Alzahrani AM, Hanieh HN, Kumar SA, Ben Ammar R, Rengarajan T, et al.
    J Cell Physiol, 2019 12;234(12):21485-21492.
    PMID: 31144309 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.28895
    Senescence and autophagy play important roles in homeostasis. Cellular senescence and autophagy commonly cause several degenerative processes, including oxidative stress, DNA damage, telomere shortening, and oncogenic stress; hence, both events are known to be interrelated. Autophagy is well known for its disruptive effect on human diseases, and it is currently proposed to have a direct effect on triggering senescence and quiescence. However, it is yet to be proven whether autophagy has a positive or negative impact on senescence. It is known that elevated levels of autophagy induce cell death, whereas inadequate autophagy can trigger cellular senescence. Both have important roles in human diseases such as aging, renal degeneration, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Therefore, this review aims to highlight the relevance of senescence and autophagy in selected human ailments through a summary of recent findings on the connection and effects of autophagy and senescence in these diseases.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aging/physiology; Autophagy/physiology*; Homeostasis/physiology; Cell Aging/physiology*; Telomere Shortening/physiology
  16. Fulltext Association of anthropometric parameters with amplitude and crosstalk of mechanomyographic signals during forearm flexion, pronation and supination torque tasks
    Talib I, Sundaraj K, Lam CK
    Sci Rep, 2019 11 07;9(1):16166.
    PMID: 31700129 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52536-4
    This study aimed to quantify the association of four anthropometric parameters of the human arm, namely, the arm circumference (CA), arm length (LA), skinfold thickness (ST) and inter-sensor distance (ISD), with amplitude (RMS) and crosstalk (CT) of mechanomyography (MMG) signals. Twenty-five young, healthy, male participants were recruited to perform forearm flexion, pronation and supination torque tasks. Three accelerometers were employed to record the MMG signals from the biceps brachii (BB), brachialis (BRA) and brachioradialis (BRD) at 80% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Signal RMS was used to quantify the amplitude of the MMG signals from a muscle, and cross-correlation coefficients were used to quantify the magnitude of the CT among muscle pairs (BB & BRA, BRA & BRD, and BB & BRD). For all investigated muscles and pairs, RMS and CT showed negligible to low negative correlations with CA, LA and ISD (r = -0.0001--0.4611), and negligible to moderate positive correlations with ST (r = 0.004-0.511). However, almost all of these correlations were statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that RMS and CT values for the elbow flexor muscles recorded and quantified using accelerometers appear invariant to anthropometric parameters.
    Matched MeSH terms: Forearm/physiology*; Muscle Contraction/physiology*; Pronation/physiology*; Supination/physiology*; Muscle, Skeletal/physiology*
  17. Comparative study of trait emotional intelligence and executive functioning among youth
    Alavi M, Mehrinezhad SA, Amini D, Ninggal MT, Latif AA
    J Gen Psychol, 2019 01 07;146(1):50-67.
    PMID: 30612531 DOI: 10.1080/00221309.2018.1535484
    This study investigated the relationship between trait emotional intelligence (TEI) and executive skills (ESs), and the differences between TEI and ESs among Malaysian and Iranian youths. In this study, 226 Malaysians and 248 Iranians completed the TEIQue-SF and Executive Skills Questionnaire. Hypotheses were tested with Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings indicated that TEI had significant predictions on ESs, depending on cultural contexts. Significant differences were found in the effects of TEI on ESs, including emotional control, metacognition, goal-directed persistence, response inhibition, planning/prioritization, sustained attention, stress tolerance, task initiation, and working memory among Malaysian and Iranian youth. No significant difference was found in the effects of TEI on ESs, including flexibility, organization, and time management across both groups. This study makes a unique contribution to emotional intelligence and executive functioning research literature by considering several ESs at the same time for personal development and promoting healthier lives. Comparison of the effect of TEI on ESs in the Malaysian and Iranian contexts using advanced analysis methods is one of the most important methodological contributions of the study.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attention/physiology*; Memory, Short-Term/physiology*; Personality/physiology*; Executive Function/physiology*; Emotional Intelligence/physiology*
  18. Association between apoptotic neural tissue and cell proliferation in the adult teleost brain
    Lim FT, Ogawa S, Parhar IS
    Brain Res, 2016 11 01;1650:60-72.
    PMID: 27568467 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2016.08.033
    Injury to neuronal tissues in the central nervous system (CNS) of mammals results in neural degeneration and sometime leads to loss of function, whereas fish retain a remarkable potential for neuro-regeneration throughout life. Thus, understanding the mechanism of neuro-regeneration in fish CNS would be useful to improve the poor neuro-regenerative capability in mammals. In the present study, we characterized a neuro-regenerative process in the brain of a cichlid, tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Morphological observations showed that the damaged brain region (habenula) successfully regrew and reinnervated axonal projections by 60 days post-damage. A fluorescent carbocyanine tracer, DiI tracing revealed a recovery of the major neuronal projection from the regenerated habenula to the interpenduncular nucleus by 60 days post-damage. TUNEL assay showed a significant increase of apoptotic cells (~234%, P<0.01) at one day post-damage, while the number of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-positive proliferative cells were significantly increased (~92%, P<0.05) at 7 days post-damage compared with sham-control fish. To demonstrate a potential role of apoptotic activity in the neuro-regeneration, effects of degenerative neural tissue on cell proliferation were examined in vivo. Implantation of detached neural but not non-neural tissues into the cranial cavity significantly (P<0.01) increased the number of BrdU-positive cells nearby the implantation regions at 3 days after the implantation. Furthermore, local injection of the protein extract and cerebrospinal fluid collected from injured fish brain significantly induced cell proliferation in the brain. These results suggest that factor(s) derived from apoptotic neural cells may play a critical role in the neuro-regeneration in teleost brain.
    Matched MeSH terms: Brain/physiology; Nerve Regeneration/physiology*; Apoptosis/physiology; Tilapia/physiology*; Cell Proliferation/physiology
  19. Safety of probiotics: translocation and infection
    Liong MT
    Nutr Rev, 2008 Apr;66(4):192-202.
    PMID: 18366533 DOI: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2008.00024.x
    The long history of safety has contributed to the acceptance of probiotics as a safe food adjunct. Consequently, many probiotic products and their applications have been granted GRAS (generally regarded as safe) status. However, this classification has been frequently generalized for all probiotic strains regardless of their application. Cases of probiotics from the genera Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus, Enterococcus, and Bifidobacterium have been isolated from infection sites, leading to the postulation that these probiotics can translocate. Probiotic translocation is difficult to induce in healthy humans, and even if it does occur, detrimental effects are rare. Despite this, various reports have documented health-damaging effects of probiotic translocation in immunocompromised patients. Due to probiotics' high degree of safety and their morphological confusion with other pathogenic bacteria, they are often overlooked as contaminants and are least suspected as pathogens. However, the antibiotic resistance of some strains has increased the complexity of their eradication. Probiotic translocation and infection deserve further investigation and should become a facet of safety assessment so the negative effects of probiotics do not outweigh the benefits.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bifidobacterium/physiology*; Lactobacillus/physiology*; Pediococcus/physiology; Enterococcus/physiology; Bacterial Translocation/physiology*
  20. Fulltext Influence of container design on predation rate of potential biocontrol agent, Toxorhynchites splendens (Diptera: Culicidae) against dengue vector
    Mohamad N, Zuharah WF
    Trop Biomed, 2014 Mar;31(1):166-73.
    PMID: 24862057 MyJurnal
    Toxorhynchites splendens larvae are a natural predator of dengue vector mosquito larvae, Aedes albopictus. This study was carried out to evaluate the predation rate of Tx. splendens third instar larvae on Ae. albopictus larvae in 24 h. Each predator was offered prey at a density between 10 to 50 individuals. Predation rate of Tx. splendens were also tested with two manipulated factors; various types of container and different water volumes. The experiment was evaluated in man-made containers (tin cans, plastic drinking glasses and rubber tires) and natural container (bamboo stumps) which were filled with different water volumes (full, half full, 1/4 full, and 1/8 full). The prey density and the characteristics of the container were found as significant factors which influence the predation rate of Tx. splendens. The predator consumed significantly more prey at higher prey densities (40 and 50 preys) compared to the lowest density (10 preys) (F=3.935, df=4, p=0.008). The results showed significantly higher consumption in horizontal shaped container of rubber tire than in vertical shape of bamboo stumps (F=3.100, df=3, p=0.029). However, the water volume had no significant effect on predation rate of Tx. splendens (F=1.736, df=3, p=0.162). We generally suggest that Tx. splendens is best to be released in discarded tires or any other containers with horizontal shape design with wide opening since Tx. splendens can become more effective in searching prey in this type of container design. This predator is also a suitable biocontrol candidates to be introduced either in wet and dry seasons in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aedes/physiology*; Insect Vectors/physiology*; Culicidae/physiology*; Predatory Behavior/physiology*; Water/physiology
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links