Discarded polyethylene (PE) mulch film has led to persistent agricultural pollution. Biodegradation of plastic waste is considered as a promising solution that can potentially overcome environmental and economic problems. In this study, a novel bacterium (Bacillus paramycoides) was isolated from a waste mulch recycling plant and showed an extraordinary ability to customize polyethylene film. It was observed by scanning electron microscopy that a large number of pits and wrinkle cracks existed on the polyethylene, indicating that the strain used PE film as the sole carbon source. Meanwhile, the loss of weight of the film was tested continuously, and approximately 12% of the initial weight of the film was found to be lost within 45 days after coincubation with TW-2. The surface hydrophobicity of the polyethylene film decreased while the surface tension increased from 9.755 to 31.013. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis indicated that absorption peaks near 1740 cm^-1 and 2760 cm^-1 were attributed to the stretching vibrations of aldehyde and carboxyl groups, respectively, suggesting that hydrophilic groups were produced. This was also confirmed by XPS spectroscopy analysis. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis also showed that the relative crystallinity decreased from 33% to 11.51%. In addition, GPC analysis showed that the molecular weight decreased, while the proportion of low molecular weight fragments increased. These results strongly indicated that the PE film was able to be degraded to some extent by the strain. Finally, a new biodegradable mechanism for polyethylene was proposed.

01 Aug 2019·Journal of the Association for Research in OtolaryngologyQ1 · MEDICINE

AAV-Mediated Neurotrophin Gene Therapy Promotes Improved Survival of Cochlear Spiral Ganglion Neurons in Neonatally Deafened Cats: Comparison of AAV2-hBDNF and AAV5-hGDNF

Q1 · MEDICINE

Article

Author: Akil, Omar ; Dore', Chantale ; Rebscher, Stephen J ; Leake, Patricia A

Outcomes with contemporary cochlear implants (CI) depend partly upon the survival and condition of the cochlear spiral ganglion (SG) neurons. Previous studies indicate that CI stimulation can ameliorate SG neural degeneration after deafness, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) delivered by an osmotic pump can further improve neural survival. However, direct infusion of BDNF elicits undesirable side effects, and osmotic pumps are impractical for clinical application. In this study, we explored the potential for two adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV) to elicit targeted neurotrophic factor expression in the cochlea and promote improved SG and radial nerve fiber survival. Juvenile cats were deafened prior to hearing onset by systemic aminoglycoside injections. Auditory brainstem responses showed profound hearing loss by 16-18 days postnatal. At ~ 4 weeks of age, AAV2-GFP (green fluorescent protein), AAV5-GFP, AAV2-hBDNF, or AAV5-hGDNF (glial-derived neurotrophic factor) was injected through the round window unilaterally. For GFP immunofluorescence, animals were studied ~ 4 weeks post-injection to assess cell types transfected and their distributions. AAV2-GFP immunofluorescence demonstrated strong expression of the GFP reporter gene in residual inner (IHCs), outer hair cells (OHCs), inner pillar cells, and in some SG neurons throughout the cochlea. AAV5-GFP elicited robust transduction of IHCs and some SG neurons, but few OHCs and supporting cells. After AAV-neurotrophic factor injections, animals were studied ~ 3 months post-injection to evaluate neural survival. AAV5-hGDNF elicited a modest neurotrophic effect, with 6 % higher SG density, but had no trophic effect on radial nerve fiber survival, and undesirable ectopic fiber sprouting occurred. AAV2-hBDNF elicited a similar 6 % increase in SG survival, but also resulted in greatly improved radial nerve fiber survival, with no ectopic fiber sprouting. A further study assessed whether AAV2-hBDNF neurotrophic effects would persist over longer post-injection periods. Animals examined 6 months after virus injection showed substantial neurotrophic effects, with 14 % higher SG density and greatly improved radial nerve fiber survival. Our results suggest that AAV-neurotrophin gene therapy can elicit expression of physiological concentrations of neurotrophins in the cochlea, supporting improved SG neuronal and radial nerve fiber survival while avoiding undesirable side effects. These studies also demonstrate the potential for application of cochlear gene therapy in a large mammalian cochlea comparable to the human cochlea and in an animal model of congenital/early acquired deafness.

01 Oct 2013·TheriogenologyQ2 · AGRICULTURAL & FORESTRY SCIENCE

Fecal estradiol-17β and testosterone in prepubertal domestic cats

Q2 · AGRICULTURAL & FORESTRY SCIENCE

Article

Author: T. Ponchón ; M. Faya ; P. Furlan ; A. Carranza ; C. Gobello ; R. Miotti

The aim of this article was to describe the time course of prepubertal sexual steroids in domestic cats. Fourteen newborn kittens were followed up until puberty (physical, behavioral, and hormonal changes). Fecal testosterone [T; males] and E estradiol 17-β [E2; females] concentrations were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA and two consecutive time windows (TWs) were used to compare changes in both male (postnatal weeks 1-4 vs. 5-14) and females (postnatal weeks 1-5 vs. 6-13). Puberty was achieved 14.3 ± 0.3 and 13.3 ± 0.4 weeks after birth in male and female cats, respectively. In both genders, during TW-1 fecal steroids concentrations were similar (males) or even higher (females) to that previously described for mature cats. Fecal T (P < 0.01) and E2 (P < 0.01) varied throughout the weeks. Differences were found when hormonal concentrations of TW-1 were compared with those of TW-2 both for male (61.4 ± 7.9 vs. 16.9 ± 2.2 ng/g; P < 0.01) and female (78.2 ± 12.5 vs. 11.2 ± 4.0 ng/g; P < 0.01) cats. It is concluded that in domestic cats there is a sexual steroid surge during the first 4 and 5 postnatal weeks in male and female animals, respectively.

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Indication	Highest Phase	Country/Location	Organization	Date
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis	Preclinical	NL	Treeway BV	-

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