An optimized method for Nasonia germ-free rearing

A germ-free rearing system is a crucial method for host–microbiota interactions using Nasonia as a model system. The previous rearing media in 2012 introduced toxic factors like bleach and antibiotics, required significant effort and volume of media preparation, and the rearing protocols in 2012 and 2016 often resulted in embryos, larvae, and enclosing pupae drowning, underfed, or desiccating. In this work, we optimize the germ-free rearing media that excludes the toxic factors and provide a substrate for the developing animals to have constant access to media without the risk of drowning or desiccation. The new process resulted in an increase in full maturation of larvae to adults from 33 to 65%, with no effect on the rate of growth or final adult size. This significantly improves the applicability of germ-free rearing of Nasonia and potentially other parasitoids.

THE EFFECT OF TOASTING, DRY UREA TREATMENT AND SPROUTING ON SOME THERMOSTABLE TOXIC FACTORS IN THE JACKBEAN SEED

Raw unprocessed jackbean seed contains 26 – 32% crude protein and also toxic elements most of which are thermostable, which limit its use as feed ingredient for livestock especially non-ruminant animals. Raw jackbean seeds were divided into three batches. One batch was ground and toasted, the second, batch was ground raw and mixed with 2% of its weight of dry area and allowed to stand for 11days. The third batch was sprouted for four days and later ground into meal. Toxicological studies on the batches of the jackbean meals were conducted for concanavalin A (Con A) and canatoxin in jackbean seed, while sprouting was effective in detoxifying concanavalin A (Con A) and canatoxin but not very effective in detoxifying the urease activity in jackbean seed. Toasting alone did not have appreciable effect on these toxic factors

Respiratory Tract Disorders Associated with Changes of the Mucous Membrane in Workers often Exposed to Pathological and Toxic Factors

This article is investigating changes in the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract in workers who are often exposed to pathological and toxic factors. Research methods and materials: Air sampling was performed by aspirator and gas analyzer. Collected air was checked for chemical composition. Results and discussions: Air sampling of the working area detected toxic substances such as dust, soot and toxic gases: SO2, N2O5, N2O4, NO2, N2O, CO and H2S. Concentrations of these toxic substance and gases varied from 0.06-15.8 mg/m3. Mechanisms of toxic effects causing occupational disorders by various substances and chemicals described. Conclusions: Respiratory tract disorders including chronic bronchitis, allergic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer in workers exposed to pathological and toxic factors have been described.

Different strategies in the liver regeneration processes. Numerical experiments on the mathematical model

It is considered the generalized mathematical model which describes the processes of maintaining / restoring dynamic homeostasis (regeneration) of the liver and obviously depends on the control parameters. The model is a system of discrete controlled equations of the Lotka – Volterra type with transitions. These equations describe the controlled competitive dynamics of liver cell populations’ (hepatic lobules) various types in their various states and controlled competitive transitions between types and states. To develop this model there were accepted such assumptions: homogeneous approximation; independence of biological processes; small toxic factors. In the mathematical model the process of the liver regeneration occurs due to hyperplasia processes, replication, polyplodia and division of binuclear hepatocytes into mononuclear and controlled apoptosis. All these processes are necessary for adequate modeling of the liver regeneration. For example, single and constant toxic functions show that the above processes are not able to cope with the toxic factors that are accumulated in the body. The process of restoring the body’s functional state requires the non-trivial strategy of the liver regeneration. Numerical calculations revealed that the mathematical model corresponds to biological processes for different strategies of the liver regeneration. Based on the calculations in the case of partial hapatectomy it is concluded that the mixed strategy of regeneration should be used for the regeneration process. Henceforward it is planned to extend the mathematical model in the case of the liver regeneration, which occurs under the influence of strong toxins, that is, using the stem cells and fibrosis. It is also supposed to justify the principles and criteria for optimal regulation of the processes of maintaining / restoring liver’s dynamic homeostasis.