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Induction of trained immunity in broiler chickens following delivery of oligodeoxynucleotide containing CpG motifs to protect against Escherichia coli septicemia
No full textOligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG motifs (CpG‑ODN) can promote antimicrobial immunity in chickens by enriching immune compartments and activating immune cells. Innate memory, or trained immunity, has been demonstrated in humans and mice, featuring the absence of specificity to the initial stimulus and subsequently cross‑protection against pathogens. We hypothesize that CpG‑ODN can induce trained immunity in chickens. We delivered single or multiple administrations of CpG‑ODN to birds and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and glycolysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were quantified using Seahorse XFp. Next, chickens were administered with CpG‑ODN twice at 1 and 4 day of age and challenged with Escherichia coli at 27 days of age. The CpG‑ODN administered groups had significantly higher mitochondrial OXPHOS until 21 days of age while cellular glycolysis gradually declined by 14 days of age. The group administered with CpG‑ODN twice at 1 and 4 days of age had significantly higher survival, lower clinical score and bacterial load following challenge with E. coli at 27 d of age. This study demonstrated the induction of trained immunity in broiler chickens following administration of CpG‑ODN twice during the first 4 days of age to protect birds against E. coli septicemia at 27 days of age.Chicken Farmers of SaskatchewanNatural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Discovery programNSERC AllianceCanadian Poultry Research CouncilResults Driven Agriculture Research Program (RDAR
Internal and external nutrient loading in relation to Zostera marina distribution, and stable isotopes in the Wheatley River, Prince Edward Island
No full textHumans have been influencing and altering environmental systems for centuries, and with approximately 40% of the world’s population living within 100 km of a coast these essential aquatic habitats are vulnerable. In Prince Edward Island, Atlantic Canada, one of the most impactful anthropogenic activities affecting coastal ecosystems is farming, at 42.5% of current land use. Nutrients from fertilizer applied to farmland crops (external nutrient loading) eventually make their way into local streams and estuaries through groundwater seepage and surface runoff causing eutrophic conditions which support the release of nutrients from within the system (internal nutrient loading). This study aims to quantify external and internal nutrient loading within the Wheatley River estuary as well as to assess the pattern of factors influencing internal loading along the estuary spatial gradient. Incubation studies were performed to determine the potential for sediments collected (over two time periods - spring and fall of 2019) from ten stations along the estuary to liberate nutrients under anoxic conditions. It was hypothesized that the measured maximum potential internal nutrient loading would be a significant contributor to the overall nutrient load, and furthermore that conditions of hypoxia and local chlorophyll levels could be used to predict this internal loading. Results show that the maximum potential internal loading did exceed external loading for both P and N. It was also determined that N release could be predicted locally with proxy sediment measurements of % N and % C. Finally, it was found that internal nutrient release, hypoxia and chlorophyll levels were all spatially correlated. The ensuing hypothesis was that eelgrass health measures and distribution would also be impacted and related to variables of hypoxia and internal nutrient loading. This was investigated by collecting eelgrass tissue samples monthly between June-August 2020 at five stations along the estuary spatial gradient and analyzing them for above and below ground biomass, as well as C, N and S stable isotopes. Isotopes have been used in many studies to provide insight into a plant’s response to environmental conditions, enabling researchers to assess whether a plant is healthy or stressed. Eelgrass distribution was assessed in 2020 through acoustic surveying and compared to an acoustic survey performed in 2014 in the same estuary. It was concluded that eelgrass distribution in 2020 had increased compared to eelgrass distribution measured in 2014 coinciding with low and high mean daily nitrogen loading, respectively. Eelgrass 13C isotopic signatures and biomass measurements from station 1 (the most upstream station) were consistent with those reported under eutrophic conditions. Eelgrass above ground biomass saw very limited growth between the months of June and August at station 1, compared with all remaining stations which saw growth throughout the summer season. From these findings it was determined that the eelgrass characteristics described above are useful indicators of estuarine health and can be used to compare local conditions within estuaries as well as conditions between estuaries. The findings outlined in this thesis highlight the importance of considering internal nutrient release from estuarine sediments when informing eelgrass management practices, as well as the importance of monitoring eelgrass distribution over time to better understand how this species may be reacting to local environmental conditions
Picturing China's photovoltaic energy future: Insights from CMIP6 climate projections
No full textVigorous development of solar photovoltaic energy (PV) is one of the key components to achieve China's “30•60 Dual-Carbon Target”. In this study, by utilizing the outputs generated by CMIP6 models under different shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) and a physical PV model (GSEE), future changes in PV power generation across China are provided for the outlined carbon neutralization period (2051–2070). The results reveal distinct spatiotemporal characteristics in the changes in PV output across China. Overall, compared to the historical period, annual PV power generation is projected to decrease in northern regions and Tibet Plateau with a maximum decrease of ∼4 % under the high emission scenario (SSP585), while southern and central regions exhibit significant increases. Remarkably, under the green development pathway (SSP126), PV power generation is expected to rise by over 10 % in these regions. The magnitude of decrease in the north and increase in the south is projected to become more pronounced with the continuous increase of future carbon emissions. It is anticipated that the three northern regions of China will experience greater decreases in PV power generation in winter compared to other seasons, especially under SSP585. Additionally, the southeast region shows the smallest increase in summer PV generation out of all seasons. Moreover, under SSP126 trajectory, most regions in China exhibit reduced inter-annual and intra-annual variability in PV generation compared to the historical levels. This suggests that pursuing a sustainable path could substantially mitigate potential risks associated with PV generation fluctuations in China
Effect of skeletal muscle mitochondrial phenotype on H2O2 emission
No full textReactive oxygen species (ROS) are a key output of the skeletal muscle mitochondrial information processing system both at rest and during exercise. In skeletal muscle, mitochondrial ROS release depends on multiple factors; however, fiber-type specific differences remain ambiguous in part owing to the use of mitochondria from mammalian muscle that consist of mixed fibers. To elucidate fiber-type specific differences, we used mitochondria isolated from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) red and white skeletal muscles that consist of spatially distinct essentially pure red and white fibers. We first characterized the assay conditions for measuring ROS production (as H2O2) in isolated fish red and white skeletal muscle mitochondria (RMM and WMM) and thereafter compared the rates of emission during oxidation of different substrates and the responses to mitochondrial electron transport system (ETS) pharmacological modulators. Our results showed that H2O2 emission rates by RMM and WMM can be quantified using the same protein concentration and composition of the Amplex UltraRed-horseradish peroxidase (AUR-HRP) detection system. For both RMM and WMM, protein normalized H2O2 emission rates were highest at the lowest protein concentration tested and decreased exponentially thereafter. However, the absolute values of H2O2 emission rates depended on the calibration curves used to convert fluorescent signals to H2O2 while the trends depended on the normalization strategy. We found substantial qualitative and quantitative differences between RMM and WMM in the H2O2 emission rates depending on the substrates being oxidized and their concentrations. Similarly, pharmacological modulators of the ETS altered the magnitudes and trends of the H2O2 emission differently in RMM and WMM. While comparable concentrations of substrates elicited maximal albeit quantitively different emission rates in RMM and WMM, different concentrations of pharmacological ETS modulators may be required for maximal H2O2 emission rates depending on muscle fiber-type. Taken together, our study suggests that biochemical differences exist in RMM compared with WMM that alter substrate oxidation and responses to ETS modulators resulting in fiber-type specific mitochondrial H2O2 emission rates
Organic acid-assisted organosolv fractionation of sawdust and using the fractionated lignin to prepare activated carbon pellets for high-temperature applications
No full textIn present, activated carbon (AC) pellets that are commonly prepared by petroleum-based binders have been used to control NOx, SOx, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions in the iron/steel industry. However, the use of petroleum-based binders leads to great challenges toward sustainability and environment. Alternatively, lignin as a natural bio-binder derived from biomass and organic waste can act as a potential additive for preparing AC pellets. Therefore, in this study, pinewood sawdust was initially fractionated into crude cellulose and lignin by organosolv fractionation method at 90–120 °C for 180 min in an acetic acid/formic acid/water mixed solvent of 3/5/2, 3/6/1, and 5/4/1, vol%/vol%/vol%. Afterward, the fractionated crude lignin was used as bio-additive to substitute 50 wt% of petroleum-derived phenol to synthesize phenol-formaldehyde resole resins (PLPF) and compared with those prepared using 100% petroleum-derived phenol resole resins (PF). PLPF and PF resins were further fabricated to AC pellets by thermal treatment/curing at 150 °C and different loadings of resins (i.e., 10–50 wt%), followed by carbonization at 400 and 700 °C. In the fractionation, it was found that temperature played a role in determining the yield and purity of crude cellulose and lignin, while the effect of solvent composition was insignificant. PLPF resins (loading of 50 wt%)-based AC pellets obtained from thermal treatment at 150 °C followed by carbonization at 400 °C showed a relatively higher compressive strength, which meets the national standard and could ensure their uses as an emission control method in the iron/steel industry. Overall, it can be concluded that lignin-derived from woody biomass by organosolv fractionation in acetic acid/formic acid/water mixture is an alternative bio-binder to prepare AC pellets for emission control at high temperatures
Characteristics of patients with stroke who fall during inpatient rehabilitation
No full textLittle is known about the demographic and functional profile of patients who fall while undergoing inpatient stroke rehabilitation on Prince Edward Island. This analysis of a reporting database revealed the majority of patients who suffered a fall during their treatment over a four-year period fell only once and were older adult males. Patients who fell more than once were equally represented by male and female patients. Longer admission length for this group was observed to be associated with younger age, higher fall frequency, and lower FIM measures of motor function at admission. Developing a local profile of patients who fall can help raise staff awareness that can contribute to long-term patient safety in the high fall-risk environment of inpatient rehabilitation
China's onshore wind energy potential in the context of climate change
No full textChina has great potential for developing renewable energy to achieve its carbon neutrality goals. Orderly development of renewable energy is essential to enhance resource utilization efficiency and ensure safety during the energy system transition process. This study presents a thorough assessment of China's onshore wind power potential by considering the land suitability, the potential and temporal characteristics, and the impacts of climate change. The high-resolution maps combining wind resources with land conditions and climate scenarios are produced to provide insights into system planning, grid integration, and flexibility management. The results show that the capacity potential of onshore wind energy in China is 9.6 TW with an annual generation of 12.6 PWh, and 83 % of total capacity has a cost advantage with the levelized cost lower than the 60 $/MWh threshold. By comprehensively considering geographical, economic, and social criteria, around 8.1 % of the national territorial area is identified as the most suitable area for wind power development, primarily in Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang. The annual electricity generation from these areas can fulfill nearly 69 % of the nation's electricity demand. Future climate change projections indicate a remarkable generalized drop by 18 % in the north and a slight increase by 7 % in the south under the RCP 8.5 scenario. However, significant changes in wind resources are mostly within restricted areas, suggesting that future climate change would like to bring negative but limited impacts on wind power production in China