Calcium Digestibility and Metabolism in Pigs

Gonzalez-Vega, J.C.,Stein, H.H. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2014 Animal Bioscience Vol.27 No.1

Calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) are minerals that have important physiological functions in the body. For formulation of diets for pigs, it is necessary to consider an appropriate Ca:P ratio for an adequate absorption and utilization of both minerals. Although both minerals are important, much more research has been conducted on P digestibility than on Ca digestibility. Therefore, this review focuses on aspects that are important for the digestibility of Ca. Only values for apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of Ca have been reported in pigs, whereas values for both ATTD and standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of P in feed ingredients have been reported. To be able to determine STTD values for Ca it is necessary to determine basal endogenous losses of Ca. Although most Ca is absorbed in the small intestine, there are indications that Ca may also be absorbed in the colon under some circumstances, but more research to verify the extent of Ca absorption in different parts of the intestinal tract is needed. Most P in plant ingredients is usually bound to phytate. Therefore, plant ingredients have low digestibility of P due to a lack of phytase secretion by pigs. During the last 2 decades, inclusion of microbial phytase in swine diets has improved P digestibility. However, it has been reported that a high inclusion of Ca reduces the efficacy of microbial phytase. It is possible that formation of insoluble calcium-phytate complexes, or Ca-P complexes, not only may affect the efficacy of phytase, but also the digestibility of P and Ca. Therefore, Ca, P, phytate, and phytase interactions are aspects that need to be considered in Ca digestibility studies.

Improving Textural Attributes of Corn Tortillas by Means of Opuntia Spp. Flour Addition

Paola Lissette Gonzalez,Maria Luz Reyes-Vega 한국식품과학회 2004 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.13 No.4

Impact of Cassia acutifolia Infusion on Glucose Levels in Obesity and Diabetes Rat Model

Raffoul-Orozco, Abdel Kerim,Avila-Gonzalez, Ana Elisa,Barajas-Vega, Jessica Lucia,Rodriguez-Razon, Christian Martin,Garcia-Cobian, Teresa Arcelia,Ramirez-Lizardo, Ernesto Javier,Rubio Arellano, Edy Da KOREAN PHARMACOPUNCTURE INSTITUTE 2017 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.20 No.3

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Cassia acutifolia on the obesity and the glucose levels in a rat model of obesity and diabetes. Methods: By random selection, 36 Wistar male rats were divided in two control groups, the positive and the negative control groups, and into four experimental groups receiving different infusions of Cassia acutifolia in water ad libitum. Results: The results revealed a statistically significant anti-obesogenic effect (P = 0.02), although this was not considered clinically significant. Additionally, Cassia acutifolia lowered the glucose levels by 30 mg/dL to 90 mg/dL (P = 0.05). However, we observed adverse effects in the liver, a two-fold increase in transaminase levels (P = 0.002), and in the kidneys, decreased creatinine levels (P = 0.001), and these adverse effects had no viable explanation. Conclusion: Cassia acutifolia has anti-hyperglycemic effects in obese diabetic rats. However, Cassia acutifolia also has adverse effects, so it should not be administered to patients.

Simple Colorimetric Determination of the Free Amino Groups in Water Soluble Chitin Derivatives Using Genipin

Luz M. Ramos-Ponce,Mireille Vega,Edith Colunga-Urbina,Georgina C. Sandoval-Fabián,Nagamani Balagurusamy,Juan Carlos Contreras-Esquivel,Francisco J. Rodriguez-Gonzalez 한국식품과학회 2010 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.19 No.3

A colorimetric method for quantitative measurement of free amino groups of water soluble chitin derivatives is described. The method utilizes genipin as a natural and specific reagent for determining the concentration of free amino groups in samples of water soluble chitin derivatives. The blue color adduct (complex) formed during genipin reaction with free amino groups was measured at about 589 nm and Beer-Lambert’s law obeyed over the concentration range of 50 to 300 mg/L. Parameters of analytical conditions were considered and kept constant during the experimental procedure. Highly acetylated water soluble chitin derivatives can be differentiated from water soluble chitosan using this genipin method. The colorimetric method with genipin was proved to be a rapid and efficient technique to determine the free amino groups in water soluble chitin derivatives. This method can also be applied for the detection of the enzymatic activity of chitindeacetylase.

Characterization and evaluation of liver fibrosis grade in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection and normal transaminases

( San Juan Lopez Cristina ),( Casado Martin Marta ),( Gonzalez Sanchez Mercedes ),( Porcel Martin Almudena ),( Hernandez Martinez Alvaro ),( Vega Saenz Jose Luis ),( Parron Carreno Tesifon ) 대한간학회 2018 Clinical and Molecular Hepatology(대한간학회지) Vol.24 No.4

Backgrounds/Aims: The objective of our study was to determine the epidemiological, laboratory, and serological characteristics of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and normal transaminases. The study also aimed to evaluate liver damage by measuring the liver fibrosis (LF) grade and to identify possible factors associated with the presence of fibrosis. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted in patients with chronic HBV infection and classified as inactive carriers or immune-tolerant. Epidemiological variables of age, sex, immigrant, alcohol consumption, and body mass index (BMI), as well as virological variables (HBV DNA) and transaminase level were collected throughout the follow-up. The LF grade was evaluated by transient elastography. The cutoff value for significant fibrosis (SF) was liver stiffness ≥7.9 kPa. Results: A total of 214 patients were included in the analysis, and 62% of them had a BMI ≥25 kg/㎡. During follow-up, 4% of patients showed transaminase elevation (<1.5 times normal). Most patients had a viral DNA level <2,000 IU/mL (83%). Data on LF were available in 160 patients; of these, 14% had SF, 9% F3, and 6% F4. The variables associated with the presence of SF were transaminase alteration during follow-up, as 23% of patients with SF had elevated transaminases versus 3% of patients without SF (P<0.005), and BMI, as the vast majority of patients with SF (88%) had a BMI ≥25 kg/㎡ versus 56% of patients without SF (P<0.05). Conclusions: In patients with chronic HBV infection and normal transaminases, liver damage does not seem to be related to DNA levels, alcohol consumption, or immigrant status. SF seems to be associated with transaminase alteration during follow-up and elevated BMI. It is therefore recommended to measure LF grade with validated non-invasive methods in such patients. (Clin Mol Hepatol 2018;24:384-391)

Awake Craniotomy and Intraoperative Musical Performance for Brain Tumor Surgery: Case Report and Literature Review

( Charles E. Mackel ),( Eduardo E. Orrego-gonzalez ),( Rafael A. Vega ) 대한뇌종양학회·대한신경종양학회·대한소아뇌종양학회 2023 Brain Tumor Research and Treatment Vol.11 No.2

Music experience and creation is a complex phenomenon that involves multiple brain structures. Music mapping during awake brain surgery, in addition to standard speech and motor mapping, remains a controversial topic. Music function can be impaired selectively, despite overlap with other neural networks commonly tested during direct cortical stimulation. We describe the case of a 34-year-old male patient presenting with a glioma located within eloquent cortex, who is also a professional musician and actor. We performed an awake craniotomy (AC) that mapped the standard motor and speech areas, while the patient played guitar intraoperatively and sang. Outcomes were remarkable with preservation of function and noted improvements in his musical abilities in outpatient follow-up. In addition, we performed a review of the literature in which awake craniotomies were performed for the removal of brain tumors in patients with some background in music (e.g., score reading, humming/singing). To date, only 4 patients have played a musical instrument intraoperatively during an AC for brain tumor resection. Using awake cortical mapping techniques and paradigms for preserving speech function during an intraoperative musical performance with singing is feasible and can yield a great result for patients. The use of standard brain mapping over music processing mapping did not yield a negative outcome. More experience is needed to understand and standardize this procedure as the field of brain mapping continues to grow for tumor resections.

Presence of Transgenic Genes and Proteins in Commercial Soybean Foods from Mexican Grocery Stores

Yendi Arely Cruz-Flores,Raul Rodriguez-Herrera,Cristobal Noe Aguilar-Gonzalez,Juan Carlos Contreras-Esquivel,Maria de la Luz Reyes-Vega 한국식품과학회 2008 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.17 No.5

Commercial food products from major cities of Coahuila, Mexico were screened to identify residues of transgenic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and/or proteins. After performed, an inventory on all products that contained a soybean-based ingredient in a commercial grocery store in the city of Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, 245 food products were identified and grouped in 15 classes according to the soybean ingredient as well as the manufacturing process used for their elaboration. Similar sampling was made for the different food classes in the cities of Monclova, Piedras Negras, and Torreon. A total of 88 samples were analyzed and DNA was extracted by the hexadecyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide (CTAB) technique with slight modification to obtain better DNA quality (1). In addition, segments of the transgenic genes one that codifies for 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (epsps), cry 1A, and the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) promoter were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The transgenic proteins 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (CP4 EPSPS) and insecticidal crystal protein (Cry 1Ab/Ac) were identified using double antibody sandwich-enzymatic linked immunoassay analysis (DAS-ELISA). Presence of transgenic genes and/or proteins was identified in 35.3% of the commercial products samples.

In vitro Amoebicidal Activity of Borage (Borago officinalis) Extract on Entamoeba histolytica

Catalina Leos-Rivas,M. Julia Verde-Star,Lidia Osuna Torres,Azucena Oranday-Cardenas,Catalina Rivas-Morales,M. Porfiria Barron-Gonzalez,Mario R. Morales-Vallarta,Delia E. Cruz-Vega 한국식품영양과학회 2011 Journal of medicinal food Vol.14 No.7

Borage (Borago officinalis) is a plant with nutritional value that is also used in traditional medicine to treat gastrointestinal disease. This study investigated the amoebicidal activity of a methanol extract of borage. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC_50) of the extract for Entamoeba histolytica was 33 μg/mL. The 50% lethal dose of the extract for brine shrimp was greater than 1,000 μg/mL. The IC_50 of the extract for Vero cells was 203.9 μg/mL. These results support the use of borage to prevent diseases associated with E. histolytica infection.

Self-assembly study of type I collagen extracted from male Wistar Hannover rat tail tendons

Jeimmy González-Masís,Jorge M. Cubero-Sesin,Simón Guerrero,Sara González-Camacho,Yendry Regina Corrales-Ureña,Carlos Redondo-Gómez,José Roberto Vega-Baudrit,Rodolfo J. Gonzalez-Paz 한국생체재료학회 2020 생체재료학회지 Vol.24 No.4

Background: Collagen, the most abundant protein in the animal kingdom, represents a promising biomaterial for regenerative medicine applications due to its structural diversity and self-assembling complexity. Despite collagen’s widely known structural and functional features, the thermodynamics behind its fibrillogenic self-assembling process is still to be fully understood. In this work we report on a series of spectroscopic, mechanical, morphological and thermodynamic characterizations of high purity type I collagen (with a D-pattern of 65 nm) extracted from Wistar Hannover rat tail. Our herein reported results can be of help to elucidate differences in selfassembly states of proteins using ITC to improve the design of energy responsive and dynamic materials for applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Methods: Herein we report the systematic study on the self-assembling fibrillogenesis mechanism of type I collagen, we provide morphological and thermodynamic evidence associated to different self-assembly events using ITC titrations. We provide thorough characterization of the effect of pH, effect of salts and protein conformation on self-assembled collagen samples via several complementary biophysical techniques, including circular dichroism (CD), Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Results: Emphasis was made on the use of isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) for the thermodynamic monitoring of fibrillogenesis stages of the protein. An overall self-assembly enthalpy value of 3.27 ± 0.85 J/mol was found. Different stages of the self-assembly mechanism were identified, initial stages take place at pH values lower than the protein isoelectric point (pI), however, higher energy release events were recorded at collagen’s pI. Denatured collagen employed as a control exhibited higher energy absorption at its pI, suggesting different energy exchange mechanisms as a consequence of different aggregation routes.