Mushtaq A. Memon

Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGFβ1, TGFβ2 and TGFβ3) Null-Mutant Phenotypes in Embryonic Gonadal Development

The role transforming growth factor beta (TGFb) isoforms TGFb1, TGFb2 and TGFb3 have in the regulation of embryonic gonadal development was investigated with the use of null-mutant (i.e. knockout) mice for each of the TGFb isoforms. Late embryonic gonadal development was investigated because homozygote TGFb null-mutant mice generally die around birth, with some embryonic loss as well. In the testis, the TGFb1 null-mutant mice had a decrease in the number of germ cells at birth, postnatal day 0 (P0). In the testis, the TGFb2 null-mutant mice had a decrease in the number of seminiferous cords at embryonic day 15 (E15). In the ovary, the TGFb2 null-mutant mice had an increase in the number of germ cells at P0. TGFb isoforms appear to have a role in gonadal development, but interactions between the isoforms is speculated to compensate in the different TGFb isoform null-mutant mice.

Neuroprotective effects of berry fruits on neurodegenerative diseases

Recent clinical research has demonstrated that berry fruits can prevent age-related neurodegenerative diseases and improve motor and cognitive functions. The berry fruits are also capable of modulating signaling pathways involved in inflammation, cell survival, neurotransmission and enhancing neuroplasticity. The neuroprotective effects of berry fruits on neurodegenerative diseases are related to phytochemicals such as anthocyanin, caffeic acid, catechin, quercetin, kaempferol and tannin. In this review, we made an attempt to clearly describe the beneficial effects of various types of berries as promising neuroprotective agents.

Mangiferin attenuates MPTP induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration and improves motor impairment, redox balance and Bcl-2/Bax expression in experimental Parkinson's disease mice

Mangiferin, a polyphenol compound of C-glucoside, is well-known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic and cognitive enhancement properties. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effect of mangiferin against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model of Parkinsons disease (PD), which is most popular and widely used to evaluate therapeutic implications of new protective agents. Male C57BL/6 mice were orally treated with mangiferin (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg body wt.) for 14 days and from 10th day onwards MPTP (30 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected for last 5 days. MPTP treatment leads to enhanced oxidative stress, induction of apoptosis (upregulates the expression of Bax, proapoptotic protein and downregulates the expression of anti-apoptotic marker Bcl-2), and loss of dopominergic neurons which results in motor impairments. Results of our study confirmed that mangiferin prevented MPTP-induced behavioral deficits, oxidative stress, apoptosis, dopaminergic neuronal degeneration and dopamine depletion. Taken together, we conclude that mangiferin attenuates the dopaminergic neurodegeneration mainly through its potent antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties.

Survey of colleges and schools of veterinary medicine regarding education in complementary and alternative veterinary medicine

OBJECTIVE To obtain information on educational programs offered in complementary and alternative veterinary medicine (CAVM) among AVMA Council on Education (COE)-accredited colleges and schools of veterinary medicine. DESIGN Survey. SAMPLE 41 COE-accredited colleges and schools of veterinary medicine. PROCEDURE A questionnaire was e-mailed to academic deans at all COE-accredited colleges and schools of veterinary medicine. RESULTS Responses were received from 34 of 41 schools: 26 in the United States, 2 in Canada, 3 in Australia and New Zealand, and 3 in Europe. Sixteen schools indicated that they offered a CAVM course. Nutritional therapy, acupuncture, and rehabilitation or physical therapy were topics most commonly included in the curriculum. One school required a course in CAVM; all other courses were elective, most of which were 1 to 2 credit hours. Courses were usually a combination of lecture and laboratory; 2 were lecture only, and 1 was laboratory only. Of the 18 schools that reported no courses in CAVM, many addressed some CAVM topics in other courses and 4 indicated plans to offer some type of CAVM course within the next 5 years. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The consensus among survey respondents was that CAVM is an important topic that should be addressed in veterinary medical education, but opinions varied as to the appropriate framework. The most common comment reflected strong opinions that inclusion of CAVM in veterinary medical curricula must be evidence-based. Respondents indicated that students should be aware of CAVM modalities because of strong public interest in CAVM and because practitioners should be able to address client questions from a position of knowledge.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Could Alleviate the Risks of Traumatic Brain Injury – A Mini Review

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an acquired brain trauma that occurs when any sudden trauma/injury causes damage to the brain. TBI is characterized by tissue damage and imbalance in the cerebral blood flow and metabolism. It has been established through laboratory experiments that the dietary supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) could reduce the oxidative stress developed in brain due to TBI. The inclusion of omega-3 FA in diet could normalize the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and thus, it could restore the survival of neuronal cells. BDNF improves the synaptic transmission by regulating synapsin 1 and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element binding protein. The brain tissue analysis of TBI models supplemented with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) showed significantly reduced lipid peroxidation, nucleic acid and protein oxidation, thereby promoting neuronal and glial cell survival. Thus, omega-3 FA intake could be considered as a therapeutic option to reduce the secondary neuronal damages initiated by TBI.

Effect of extenders on sperm mitochondrial membrane, plasma membrane and sperm kinetics during liquid storage of canine semen at 5 °C

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of addition of egg yolk (EY) or soy lecithin (SL) based extenders on dog sperm parameters during 10days storage at 5°C. Four ejaculates of pooled semen from three Mongrel dogs were divided into three aliquots and extended to a final concentration of 200 million sperm/mL using following non-commercial extenders: egg yolk extender (EYE) group - semen+20% Tris-EYE; soy lecithin (SL) group 1 - semen+SL extender with 0.04% SL; SL group 2 - semen+SL extender 0.4% SL. The extended semen samples were stored at 5°C and were evaluated for sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), plasma membrane integrity (%PMI) and computer assisted sperm analyzer (CASA) sperm motility parameters on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 10. The extender, days of storage and extender×days of storage affected the MMP, %PMI and CASA sperm motility parameters (P<0.05). The addition of 0.4% SL extender reduced the speed of deterioration of sperm parameters evaluated in this study compared to EY and 0.04% SL extenders (P<0.05). In conclusion, the addition of 0.4% SL extender enhanced sperm preservation based on the variables evaluated in the present study compared to EYE and 0.04% SL extenders and plausibly preserves sperm quality longer.

Prospects for collaboration between the veterinary professions in the United States and China

Family farming is still the heart of rural China, supporting millions of families, with the typical family farm raising animals and growing crops suitable to the local climatic conditions and fulfilling the needs of local markets. But over the next 10 years, China is expected to experience the greatest degree of urbanization in world history. According to the McKinsey Global Health Institute, 1 the population of China will grow by approximately 350 million by 2025, with a billion people living in cities and 221 cities having a population of a million people or more. This trend toward urbanization is expected to be accompanied by a rapid increase in the size of the middle class, with an attendant tremendous increase in the demand for highquality protein. To meet increasing consumer demands, more Chinese veterinarians will be needed to assist with food animal production. In addition, although most Chinese veterinarians currently work in the areas of food safety, research, government, and agriculture, the increase in the number of middle-income and upper-income families will also result in an increase in the number of pets and an increase in the demand for small animal veterinarians. Given these trends, there is great potential for collaborative efforts of mutual interest and benefit to the US and Chinese veterinary professions. In this article, we explore some of those areas of potential collaboration.