Relation between crust development and heterocyclic aromatic amine formation when air-roasting a meat cylinder

The meat crust that develops during cooking is desired by consumers for its organoleptic properties, but it is also where heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAs) are formed. Here we measured HAs formation during the development of a colored crust on the surface of a beef meat piece. HAs formation was lower in the crust than previously measured in meat slices subjected to the same air jet conditions. This difference is explained by a lower average temperature in the colored crust than in the meat slices. Temperature effects can also explain why colored crust failed to reproduce the plateauing and decrease in HAs content observed in meat slices. We observed a decrease in creatine content from the center of the meat piece to the crust area. In terms of the implications for practice, specific heating conditions can be found to maintain a roast beef meat aspect while dramatically reducing HAs content

Effect of Superovulation on Piglet Production

Sixty gilts with average body weight of 107.80 + 5.10 kg were used in an experiment to study the use of PMSG and hCG as superovulation agent to increase piglet production. In this experiment 60 gilts were assigned into a completely randomized design with 4 treatments of superovulation with dose level 0, 600, 1200 and 1800 IU/gilt. Injections were conducted 3 days before estrus. During gestation, gilts were placed in single pigpen, and maintained to term. The parameters were birth weight, preweaning growth and mortality. The results showed that superovulation dose levels of 600 and 1200 IU/gilt increased the piglet birth weight, litter size, preweaning growth and piglet production at 90 days. It is concluded that superovulation with dose levels of 600 to 1200 IU can improve productivity. (Animal Production 8(1): 8-15 (2006

COX-2 inhibition reduces Brucella bacterial burden in draining lymph nodes

International audienceBrucella is a Gram-negative facultative intracellular bacterium responsible for a chronic disease known as brucellosis, the most widespread re-emerging zoonosis worldwide. Establishment of a Th1-mediated immune response characterized by the production of IL-12 and IFN gamma is essential to control the disease. Leukotrienes derived from arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism are known to negatively regulate a protective Th1 immune response against bacterial infections. Here, using genomics approaches we demonstrate that Brucella abortus strongly stimulates the prostaglandin (PG) pathway in dendritic cells (DC). We also show an induction of AA production by infected cells. This correlates with the expression of Ptgs2, a gene encoding the downstream cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme in infected DC. By comparing different infection routes (oral, intradermal, intranasal and conjunctival), we identified the intradermal inoculation route as the more potent in inducing Ptgs2 expression but also in inducing a local inflammatory response in the draining cervical lymph nodes (CLN). NS-398, a specific inhibitor of COX-2 enzymatic activity decreased B. melitensis burden in the CLN after intradermal infection. This effect was accompanied by a decrease of II10 and a concomitant increase of Ifng expression. Altogether, these results suggest that Brucella has evolved to take advantage of the PG pathway in the harsh environment of the CLN in order to persist and subvert immune responses. This work also proposes that novel strategies to control brucellosis may include the use of COX-2 inhibitors

Influence of 5-fluorouracil-loaded microsphere formulation on efficient rat glioma radiosensitization

PURPOSE: To determine (i) the efficiency of radiosensitizing 5-FU-loaded microspheres and (ii) the impact of microparticle formulation on response to treatment. METHODS: C6 tumor-bearing rats were stereotactically implanted with microspheres and/or allocated to: control groups (untreated) or treatment (only radiotherapy; fast-release 5-FU microspheres + radiotherapy; slow-release 5-FU microspheres + radiotherapy). The next day, fractionated radiotherapy, limited to the hemibrain, was initiated in all treated animals. The irradiation cycle included 36 Gy, given in 9 sessions for 3 consecutive weeks. Tumor development was assessed by T2-weighted MRI. RESULTS: 5-FU microspheres associated with radiotherapy caused a 47% complete remission rate (9/19) as opposed to the 8% rate (1/12) when radiotherapy alone or 0% in control animals. Drug delivery for 3 weeks produced better survival results (57%) compared to one-week sustained release (41%). MR images showed exponentially increasing tumor volumes during the first half of the radiotherapy cycle, followed by a decrease, and the disappearance of the tumor if survival exceeded 120 days. CONCLUSIONS: 5-FU controlled delivery is a promising strategy for radiosensitizing gliomas. Drug delivery system formulation is unambiguously implicated in both the response to treatment and the limitation of toxic side effects

The sleep-inducing lipid oleamide deconvolutes gap junction communication and calcium wave transmission in glial cells.

Oleamide is a sleep-inducing lipid originally isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of sleep-deprived cats. Oleamide was found to potently and selectively inactivate gap junction-mediated communication between rat glial cells. In contrast, oleamide had no effect on mechanically stimulated calcium wave transmission in this same cell type. Other chemical compounds traditionally used as inhibitors of gap junctional communication, like heptanol and 18beta-glycyrrhetinic acid, blocked not only gap junctional communication but also intercellular calcium signaling. Given the central role for intercellular small molecule and electrical signaling in central nervous system function, oleamide- induced inactivation of glial cell gap junction channels may serve to regulate communication between brain cells, and in doing so, may influence higher order neuronal events like sleep induction

Fracture incidence after 3 years of aromatase inhibitor therapy

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to describe the fracture incidence and bone mineral density (BMD) evolution in a large cohort of post-menopausal women with breast cancer after 3 years of aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective, longitudinal study in real-life setting. Each woman had an extensive medical assessment, a biological evaluation, a BMD measurement, and systematic spinal X-rays at baseline and after 3 years of AI therapy. Women with osteoporosis at baseline (T-score < -2.5 and/or non-traumatic fracture history) were treated by oral weekly bisphosphonates. RESULTS: Among 497 women (mean age 63.8 ± 9.6 years) included in this study, 389 had a bone evaluation both at baseline and after 3 years of AI therapy: 267 women (mean age 61.2 ± 8.6) with no osteoporosis at baseline and 122 women (mean age 67.2 ± 9.1) with osteoporosis at baseline justifying a weekly oral bisphosphonate treatment. Women without bisphosphonates had a significant decrease in spine BMD (-3.5%, P < 0.01), neck BMD (-2.0%, P < 0.01), and total hip BMD (-2.1%, P < 0.01) over the 3 years but only 15 of them (5.6%) presented an incident vertebral or non-vertebral fracture. In osteoporotic women treated with bisphosphonates, spine and hip BMD were maintained at 3 years but 12 of them (9.8%) had an incident fracture. These fractured women were significantly older (74.1 ± 9.8 versus 66.5 ± 8.8) but also presented BMD loss during treatment suggesting poor adherence to bisphosphonate treatment. CONCLUSION: This real-life study confirmed that AIs induced moderate bone loss and low fracture incidence in post-menopausal women without initial osteoporosis. In women with baseline osteoporosis and AI therapy, oral bisphosphonates maintain BMD but were associated with a persistent fracture risk, particularly in older women

Enhancing English Language Proficiency in HRM: A Strategic Imperative for Logistics Efficiency

Good human resource management is critical to organizational success in the frantic logistics environment. The importance of English language skills in this setting cannot be overstated. This study piece dives into the interconnected connection between human resource management and English language abilities in the logistics sector. The internationalization of trade and the spread of supply chains across borders has prompted the development of a common language for communication. English, as the international corporate lingua franca, is critical in overcoming linguistic gaps across varied logistics teams and stakeholders. This article discusses the significant impact that English proficiency has on numerous facets of logistics operations. This study looks into the critical importance of English language competency in human resource management in the logistics industry, focusing on cross-cultural communication, talent acquisition, and retention. A comprehensive analysis of the literature, case studies, and surveys within the logistics industry was conducted to assess the significance of English language skills. Our research demonstrates a significant link between English language competency and effective cross-cultural communication, which is essential for timely information exchange in logistics operations. The strategic importance of English language ability for logistics organizations is highlighted by this research. In order to enable the staff to communicate effectively and promote operational excellence, it highlights the need for ongoing investment in language training programs. The findings of this study highlight the fact that comprehending English is a strategic need in the field of global logistics, not just a desired talent