CAT Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

The remains are described of a young small felid found in a Predynastic burial at Hierakonpolis, Upper Egypt. Osteometric and zoogeographical arguments indicate that the specimen, dated to around 3700 B.C. on the basis of the associated... more

The remains are described of a young small felid found in a Predynastic burial at Hierakonpolis, Upper Egypt. Osteometric and zoogeographical arguments indicate that the specimen, dated to around 3700 B.C. on the basis of the associated pottery, belongs to Felis silvestris. In the same cemetery several other animal species, both wild and domestic, have been found. The left humerus and right femur of the cat show healed fractures indicating that the animal had been held in captivity for at least 4–6 weeks prior to its burial. We believe that this pathology suggests early cat taming more convincingly than a buried cat recently reported from Neolithic Cyprus (7500 B.C.). Such taming events were probably part of the processes that eventually led to the domestication of Felis silvestris. However, the absence of the cat in Predynastic and Early Dynastic depictions and its rare attestation in the archaeozoological record indicates that domestic status had not yet been attained during those early periods. Other species that were also held in captivity by Ancient Egyptians probably never became domesticated because they had one or more characteristics that prevented it.

Plant acclimation to stress is associated with profound changes in proteome composition. Since proteins are directly involved in plant stress response, proteomics studies can significantly contribute to unravel the possible relationships... more

Plant acclimation to stress is associated with profound changes in proteome composition. Since proteins are directly involved in plant stress response, proteomics studies can significantly contribute to unravel the possible relationships between protein abundance and plant stress acclimation. In this review, proteomics studies dealing with plant response to a broad range of abiotic stress factors — cold, heat, drought, waterlogging, salinity, ozone treatment, hypoxia and anoxia, herbicide treatments, inadequate or excessive light conditions, disbalances in mineral nutrition, enhanced concentrations of heavy metals, radioactivity and mechanical wounding are discussed. Most studies have been carried out on model plants Arabidopsis thaliana and rice due to large protein sequence databases available; however, the variety of plant species used for proteomics analyses is rapidly increasing. Protein response pathways shared by different plant species under various stress conditions (glycolytic pathway, enzymes of ascorbate–glutathione cycle, accumulation of LEA proteins) as well as pathways unique to a given stress are discussed. Results from proteomics studies are interpreted with respect to physiological factors determining plant stress response. In conclusion, examples of application of proteomics studies in search for protein markers underlying phenotypic variation in physiological parameters associated with plant stress tolerance are given.

In this study, quantification of phenolic compounds and the investigation of antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of the fruit of Solanum torvum Swartz. are described. S. torvum fruit methanol extract (STMe) was administered orally at... more

In this study, quantification of phenolic compounds and the investigation of antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of the fruit of Solanum torvum Swartz. are described. S. torvum fruit methanol extract (STMe) was administered orally at a dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg/day to streptozotocin induced diabetic rats for 30 days. The levels of glucose, insulin, total protein, hemoglobin, glycated hemoglobin, liver glycogen and marker enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism, hepatic function and antioxidants were analyzed. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that STMe contained high levels of phenolic compounds, mainly rutin (1.36% w/w), caffeic acid (12.03% w/w), gallic acid (4.78% w/w) and catechin (0.46% w/w). STMe at 200 and 400 mg/kg reduced blood glucose level by 17.04% and 42.10%, respectively in diabetic rats. The levels and/or activities of other biochemical parameters were restored significantly compared to diabetic control rats due to treatment with fruit extract. Histology of liver and pancreas in STMe treated groups substantiated the cytoprotective action of the drug. Immunohistochemical observation of islets in extract treated diabetic rats showed apparent β-cells regeneration. These findings suggest that S. torvum fruit containing phenolic compounds has great potential as a natural source of antidiabetic and antioxidant drug.► Solanum torvum fruit is used as food material. ► S. torvum is known to possess antimicrobial, antiviral, immunosecretory, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. ► S. torvum fruit contains phenolic compounds. ► S. torvum fruit showed promising antidiabetic and antioxidant effects.

Nanotechnology, which deals with features as small as a 1 billionth of a meter, began to enter into mainstream physical sciences and engineering some 20 years ago. Recent applications of nanoscience include the use of nanoscale materials... more

Nanotechnology, which deals with features as small as a 1 billionth of a meter, began to enter into mainstream physical sciences and engineering some 20 years ago. Recent applications of nanoscience include the use of nanoscale materials in electronics, catalysis, and biomedical research. Among these applications, strong interest has been shown to biological processes such as blood coagulation control and multimodal bioimaging, which has brought about a new and exciting research field called nanobiotechnology. Biotechnology, which itself also dates back ∼30 years, involves the manipulation of macroscopic biological systems such as cells and mice in order to understand why and how molecular level mechanisms affect specific biological functions, e.g., the role of APP (amyloid precursor protein) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This review aims (1) to introduce key concepts and materials from nanotechnology to a non-physical sciences community; (2) to introduce several state-of-the-art examples of current nanotechnology that were either constructed for use in biological systems or that can, in time, be utilized for biomedical research; (3) to provide recent excerpts in nanotoxicology and multifunctional nanoparticle systems (MFNPSs); and (4) to propose areas in neuroscience that may benefit from research at the interface of neurobiologically important systems and nanostructured materials.

Bravecto (fluralaner) chewable tablets have been thoroughly evaluated in multiple countries and are approved as a safe and effective flea, tick and mite treatment for dogs Abstract — Bravecto (fluralaner) is thoroughly tested to... more

Bravecto (fluralaner) chewable tablets have been thoroughly evaluated in multiple countries and are approved as a safe and effective flea, tick and mite treatment for dogs Abstract — Bravecto (fluralaner) is thoroughly tested to international safety standards for veterinary drugs, meeting approval requirements for over 70 countries. This valuable antiparasite (fleas, ticks and mites) treatment contributes to the health of millions of dogs and promotes dog health worldwide by protecting them against dangerous parasite infestations that are known to lead to pathogen transmission, blood loss, local irritation, and skin allergies. In 2017, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) completed an in depth targeted review of all reported adverse events (ADE) related to various potential disorders and confirmed the positive benefit-risk profile of Bravecto. Official records that monitor adverse events are often available online and these reports can be easily misunderstood by people unfamiliar with the procedures and how to interpret monitoring information. For example, many people do not know that the FDA advises " For any given ADE report, there is no certainty that the reported drug caused the adverse event. " This means that the cause of a problem reported to this agency has not been determined, and this is typical of drug use reports. Multiple communications from individual dog and cat owners provided photographs showing how their pet has dramatically improved with the help of fluralaner treatment.

Plants with antidiabetic activities provide important sources for the development of new drugs in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. In the present study, we investigated possible antihyperglycemic and antioxidative activities of the... more

Plants with antidiabetic activities provide important sources for the development of new drugs in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. In the present study, we investigated possible antihyperglycemic and antioxidative activities of the aerial part of the Matricaria chamomilla L. ethanolic extract (MCE) in streptozotocin (STZ; 70 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced diabetic rats. The following groups were assigned; sham (did not receive any substance), STZ + distilled water (control), STZ + 5 mg/kg glibenclamide, STZ + 20 mg/kg MCE, STZ + 50 mg/kg MCE, STZ + 100 mg/kg MCE. Diabetic rats were treated for 14 days by gavage. Postprandial blood glucose levels, malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione (GSH), nitrate, nitrite, ascorbic acid, retinol, β-carotene, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels were measured, and immunohistochemical studies were performed in all of the groups. The obtained data showed that STZ resulted in oxidative stress and affected the antioxidant status. Treatment with different doses of MCE significantly reduced postprandial hyperglycemia and oxidative stress, and augmented the antioxidant system. In histological investigations, MCE treatment protected the majority of the pancreatic islet cells, with respect to the control group. As a result, MCE exhibited significant antihyperglycemic effect and protected β-cells in STZ-diabetic rats, in a dose-dependent manner, and diminished the hyperglycemia-related oxidative stress.

Recently grafted plants have been used to induce resistance to different abiotic stresses. In our work, grafted plants of tomato cultivars differing in water stress tolerance (Zarina and Josefina) were grown under moderate stress, to test... more

Recently grafted plants have been used to induce resistance to different abiotic stresses. In our work, grafted plants of tomato cultivars differing in water stress tolerance (Zarina and Josefina) were grown under moderate stress, to test the roles of roots and shoots in production of foliar biomass and antioxidant response. Stress indicators and activities of selected enzymes related to antioxidant response were determined. Our results showed that when shoots are of the drought tolerant genotype Zarina, the changes in antioxidant enzyme activities were large and consistent. However, when shoots are of the drought-sensitive genotype Josefina, the antioxidant enzyme activities were more limited and the oxidative stress was evident. These results reflect that the technique of grafting using Zarina as scion can be useful and effective for improving the antioxidant response in tomato under water stress.