[Comparative study on the efficacy and safety between pegfilgrastim (PEG-rhG-CSF) and recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in promoting hematopoietic recovery after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation after hematological malignancy]

Objective: To observe the efficacy and safety between Pegfilgrastim (PEG-rhG-CSF) and Recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) in hematological malignancy after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) . Methods: 157 patients after allo-HSCT were enrolled in this study from June 2015 to November 2016. Two agents of G-CSF were used to stimulate hematopoietic recovery after transplantation. There were 65 cases in PEG-rhG-CSF and 92 cases in rhG-CSF groups. Patients in PEG-rhG-CSF group were given a single subcutaneous dose of 6 mg on the first day and +8 d, while cases in rhG-CSF group were given in dose of 5 μg·kg(-1)·d(-1) by subcutaneous injection from +1 d continuing to neutrophils more than 1.5×10(9)/L, and then the indicators and survival rates in two groups after transplantation were compared. Results: ①There were no significant differences of the neutrophil implantation time[13.5 (8-12) d vs 13 (9-24) d, P=0.393] and platelet implantation time [14 (9-160) d vs 14 (9-92) d, P=0.094] between PEG-rhG-CSF and rhG-CSF groups respectively. There were no significant differences in terms of neutropenia period (P=0.435) , number of cases who got fever during neutropenia (P=0.622) , and the median time of fever in neutropenia period (P=0.460) , respectively between the two groups. There were no significant differences of erythrocyte and platelet transfusions (P=0.074, P=0.059) within 1 month after transplantation. ②There were no significant differences with regard to the incidences of acute GVHD[23.1% (15/65) vs 34.8% (32/92) , P=0.115], chronic GVHD[20.0% (13/65) vs 32.6% (32/92) , P=0.081], Ⅱ-Ⅳdegree of acute GVHD[30.0% (13/65) vs 30.4% (30/92) , P=0.287] and extensive chronic GVHD[9.2% (6/65) vs 20.7% (19/92) , P=0.135] between PEG-rhG-CSF and rhG-CSF groups. ③There were no significant differences in terms of disease free survival (DFS) (62.5% vs 61.4%, P=0.478) and overall survival (OS) (67.4% vs 67.3%, P=0.718) between PEG-rhG-CSF and rhG-CSF groups. ④There was no significant difference of the non-relapse mortality (NRM) between PEG-rhG-CSF and rhG-CSF groups[20.5% (95%CI 11.4%-37.0%) vs 32.6% (95%CI 22.2%-47.9%) , P=0.141]. The relapse rate was not statistically significant[14.9% (95%CI 7.4%-29.8%) vs 10.0% (95%CI 5.0%-20.0%) , P=0.299]. Conclusion: Compared with rhG-CSF, PEG-rhG-CSF could reduce the times of injection. There were no differences in terms of hematopoietic recovery, the incidence of GVHD, relapse rate, DFS and OS rates after allo-HSCT between two groups.

[Effect of ursodeoxycholic acid with traditional Chinese medicine on biochemical response in patients with primary biliary cholangitis: a real-world cohort study]

Objective: To examine the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid combined with Traditional Chinese Medicine on biochemical response in patients with primary biliary cholangitis. Methods: According to the method of receiving treatment, 197 patients with primary biliary cholangitis were divided into Traditional Chinese Medicine plus Western medicine group (93 cases, 47.2%) and Western medicine group (104 cases, 52.8%). From the baseline date, the combined group was treated with ursodeoxycholic acid plus traditional Chinese medicine decoction or Chinese patent medicine for at least one month and the Western medicine group simply took ursodeoxycholic acid . Additionally, Traditional Chinese medicine decoction prescriptions were mainly Xiaoyaosan and Yinchenhao. Chinese patent medicine were restricted to Biejia Ruangan tablets, Fuzheng Huayu capsules, Jiuweigantai capsules and Yinzhihuang capsules, which were used to treat liver fibrosis and cholestasis. The primary efficacy endpoint was defined as ALP level < 1.67 × ULN and ≥ 15% decrease in ALP with baseline level and TBIL≤ULN after 12 months of treatment. Results: The overall biochemical response rate of patients was 35.0% (69/197). The response rate of TCM+ Western medicine group was 43.0% (40/93), and that of Western medicine group was 27.9% (29/104). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ(2) = 4.936, P < 0.05). Further analysis showed that the Chinese and Western medicine group was superior to the Western medicine group alone in reducing γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and TBiL [the median decline were GGT: 160.1 U/L and 111.3 U/L (Z = -2.474, P < 0.05), TBiL: 5.2 umol/l and 3.1 umol/l (Z = -2.125, P < 0.05)]. Conclusion: UDCA combined with TCM therapy can remarkably improve the biochemical response rate in patients with PBC and distinctly decrease the TBIL and GGT levels than UDCA monotherapy.

[Clinical features of adult patients with chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection]

Objective: To investigate the clinical features of adult-onset chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection (CAEBV). Methods: A total of 21 adult patients with CAEBV who were admitted to the department of General Internal Medicine at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2006 to January 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic data, disease duration, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, treatments and prognosis were reviewed. Results: Eighteen females and 3 males were enrolled with a mean age of 39 years. The most common clinical manifestations included fever in 20 patients, splenomegaly in 20 patients, lymphadenopathy in 18 patients, and hepatomegaly in 10 patients, followed by laryngopharyngeal disorders in 6 patients, pleural effusion and peritoneal effusion each in 5 patients, rash in 4 patients, interstitial lung disease in 3 patients, gastrointestinal hemorrhage in 2 patients, and peripheral neuropathy and pulmonary hypertension each in 1 patient. Six patients were complicated with hemophagocytic lymphohis-tioncytosis(HLH) that developed 5-17 (mean: 9) months following CAEBV onset, all of whom experienced hyperpyrexia, pancytopenia, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and liver dysfunction, 3 with hepatomegaly. Nineteen of the 21 patients had received steroid therapy including 10 combined with immunosuppressive agents, 11 with antiviral therapy, and 8 with intravenous immunoglobulin. Thirteen patients died, including 10 of multiple organ failure, (including 6 of HLH) 2 of severe pulmonary infection, and 1 of lymphoma. Six patients remained on follow-up, yet 2 were missing. Conclusions: CAEBV is expected with severe condition and poor prognosis, which is likely to be complicated with HLH. Clinical physicians should pay attention to adult patients with fever, hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenopathy, which suggests possible CAEBV.

[Clinical efficacy of recombinant activated factor Ⅶ a for 16 hematonosis with moderate or severe bleeding]

目的

观察重组人凝血因子Ⅶa（rFⅦa）对血液病及其异基因造血干细胞移植（allo-HSCT）术后出血患者的止血疗效。

方法

以2013年5月至2016年5月住院治疗的16例合并中至重度出血的血液病患者为观察对象，非移植组及移植组患者各8例，两组患者应用rFⅦa的用法、用量无明显差异。同时，以同期15例allo-HSCT后发生肠道急性移植物抗宿主病（aGVHD）肠出血患者为对照组（未应用rFⅦa），将其与allo-HSCT后肠道aGVHD肠出血应用rFⅦa患者进行生存比较，总结患者应用rFⅦa治疗的临床疗效。

结果

①非移植组与移植组患者中，rFⅦa止血显效率分别为75.0%（6/8）和37.5%（3/8），显效中位时间分别为38.5和63.0 h，中位总生存（OS）时间分别为201.0和29.0 d，OS率分别为50.0%（4/8）和25.0%（2/8），出血相关死亡率分别为50.0%（2/4）和83.3%（5/6）。②16例患者中显效者9例，无效者7例，显效组与无效组患者中，中位OS时间分别为268.0和24.0 d，OS率分别为66.7%（6/9）和0（0/7）。③同期肠道aGVHD合并肠出血患者，观察组（6例）与对照组（15例）患者的中位OS时间分别为25.5和20.0 d。

结论

血液病患者尤其是allo-HSCT患者出血相关死亡率高，rFⅦa治疗有一定止血疗效；显效组患者OS率较无效组高；allo-HSCT后肠道出血患者采用rFⅦa治疗止血效果不佳的原因可能与移植后导致出血的并发症控制不佳有关。

Development of a time-of-flight low-energy neutral particle analyzer for EAST tokamak

To understand the erosion effect of neutral particles on the first wall, a low energy neutral particle analyzer (LENPA), based on the time-of-flight method, has been developed for the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST). The LENPA to be installed in the EAST mid-plane mainly consists of a chopper sub-system, a 3 m long flight tube, two sets of detector assemblies, and data acquisition and processing, vacuum, power supply, and control sub-systems. The neutral outflux is gated in bunches of 1 μs time scale by a slotted rotating disc which is driven by a vacuum compatible motor modified from a turbomolecular pump. A He-Ne laser beam is projected through the disc slit to record the instants of chopper slits opening with an avalanche photodiode module. An on-axis electron multiplier detects chopped neutrals, and a central perforated Cu-Be plate is employed to channel the emitted secondary electrons into an off-axis electron multiplier. The radiation peaks of on-axis electron multiplier caused by UV photons projected through the central hole of the Cu-Be plate provide an alternative way to record the chopper slits' opening time. With an additional 4 TB fast memory card, 1 GS/s sampling rate has been realized by using a GaGe acquisition card continuously. The LENPA data from the EAST together with neutral particle material erosion experiments will be used to benchmark the simulation results for better predictions on future fusion reactors, such as ITER and China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR).

[Effects of TLR4-PI3K-Rac1 pathway on cytoskeleton rearrangement and phagocytosis of macrophage]

Objective: To investigate the effects of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) -Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin 1 (Rac1) signaling pathway on macrophage cytoskeleton rearrangement and phagocytosis. Methods: Mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7 was divided into blank group, negative control group and TLR4-RNA interference (RNAi) group. The lentivirus carrying TLR4 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and nonsense control sequence were respectively transfected into TLR4-RNAi group and negative control group. The cells in blank group were not transfected. The silencing efficiency of TLR4 was detected by Western blot. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of PI3K and Rac1 mRNA in each group. The expressions of PI3K, p-Rac1 and Rac1 protein were detected by Western blot. Cytoskeleton was observed by laser scanning confocal microscopy. Mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) and the percentage of cells phagocytosing flurescein inothiocyanate-labeled Eseherichina coli (FITC-E.coli) (Phagocytosed cell %) were detected by flow cytometry. Results: The RAW264.7 cells can be successfully transfected by TLR4-shRNA lentivirus, and the transfection efficiency ranged from 80% to 90%. The silencing efficiency of TLR4 gene was (63±4)%. After silencing the TLR4 gene, the relative expression of TLR4 mRNA and protein (0.20±0.03, 0.37±0.04), PI3K mRNA and protein (0.64±0.06, 0.75±0.06), Rac1 mRNA, protein and p-Rac1 protein (0.75±0.04, 0.76±0.01, 0.74±0.05) in TLR4-RNAi group were significantly lower than those in negative control group and blank group (all P<0.01). The change of cytoskeleton: after silencing the TLR4 gene, the celluar pseudopods were short and stiff, with the impaired capacity of phagocytosing FITC-E.coli. Cells in blank group and negative control group extended good pseudopodia, and the capacity of phagocytosing FITC-E.coli was normal. The MFI and Phagocytosed cells % of TLR4-RNAi group[(7 453±564), (70.20±2.27)%]were significantly lower than those in the blank group and the negative control group (all P<0.01). Positive correlations were existed between mRNA, protein expression of TLR4, PI3K, Rac1 and MFI, Phagocytosed cells% (all P<0.05) in all groups. Conclusion: TLR4-PI3K-Rac1 pathway involves in the cytoskeleton rearrangement and impairs the phagocytosis of macrophages.

Deletion 101 residue at caveolin-1 scaffolding domain peptides impairs the ability of increasing heme oxygenase-1 activity

OBJECTIVE

Resident alveolar macrophages (AMs) are activated and release proinflammatory mediators and chemokines during acute lung injury. We have previous reported that caveolin-1 (Cav-1) scaffolding domain (CSD) peptide inhibited the proinflammatory cytokines expression by up-regulating heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) activity. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of residue R101 in CSD peptide on the activity of HO-1 in AMs.

METHODS

The binding mode between HO-1 and CSD peptides (WT CSD and Δ101 CSD truncation peptides) was analyzed and the free energy was calculated. The inflammatory genes and M1/M2macrophage polarization-associated genes expression were measured by real-time PCR. The activities of HO-1 were determined by the spectrophotometical method. Western blot analyzed the content of Cav-1, HO-1, IκB and MAPK signals (phosphorylated ERK, JNK and p38 MAPK).

RESULTS

Δ101CSD peptide could bind to HO-1 protein and to disrupt the interaction of HO-1 and Cav-1. However, Δ101CSD peptide had lower activity of HO-1 in LPS-treated AMs compared with WT CSD. The expression of IL-1β and MCP-1 and NO content were decreased by WT CSD peptide in LPS treated AMs. However, only MCP-1 expression and NO content were downregulated byΔ101CSD peptide. Meanwhile, compared with those in LPS + hemin + WT CSD group, the mRNA expression of TNF-α, Cd86, IL-12b and NOS2 significantly increased while expression of IL10, Arg1 and CD163 significantly decreased in LPS + hemin + Δ101CSD group. The effect of WT CSD peptide on the inhibition of MAPK signaling pathway were stronger than Δ101 CSD peptide evidenced by the level of phosphorylated ERK, JNK and p38 MAPK.

CONCLUSION

Deletion of residue R101 impairs the ability of CSD peptide to increase HO-1 activity and to dampen inflammatory response in LPS-challenged rat AMs.

Determination of mercury (II) ions based on silver-nanoparticles-assisted growth of gold nanostructures: UV-Vis and surface enhanced Raman scattering approaches

Innovative dual detection methods for mercury(II) ions (Hg^(II)) have been developed based on the formation of gold nanostructures (AuNSs) following the addition of mercury-containing solution to a mixture containing an optimized amount of Au^(III), H₂O₂, HCl, and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). In the absence of Hg^(II), the addition of Au^(III), H₂O₂, and HCl to the AgNP solution changes the solution's color from yellow to red, and the absorption peak shifts from 400 to 526nm, indicating the dissolution of AgNPs and the formation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Because of the spontaneous redox reaction of Hg^(II) toward AgNPs, the change in the amount of remaining AgNP seed facilitates the generation of irregular AuNSs, resulting in changes in absorption intensity and shifting the peak within the range from 526 to 562nm depending on the concentration of Hg^(II). Under optimal conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) for Hg^(II) at a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of 3 was 0.3μM. We further observed that AgNP-assisted catalytic formation of Au nanomaterials deposited on a surface enhanced Raman scattering active substrate significantly reduced the Raman signal of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid, dependent on the Hg^(II) concentration. A linear relationship was observed in the range 0.1nM-100μM with a LOD of 0.05nM (S/N 3.0). As a simple, accurate and precise method, this SERS-based assay has demonstrated its success in determining levels of Hg^(II) in real water samples.

Caveolin-1 scaffolding domain peptides enhance anti-inflammatory effect of heme oxygenase-1 through interrupting its interact with caveolin-1

Caveolin-1(Cav-1) scaffolding domain (CSD) peptides compete with the plasma membrane Cav-1, inhibit the interaction of the proteins and Cav-1, and re-store the functions of Cav-1 binding proteins. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) binds to Cav-1 and its enzymatic activity was inhibited. In this study, we investigated the effect of CSD peptides on interaction between HO-1 and Cav-1, and on the HO-1 activity in vitro and in vivo. Our data showed that CSD peptides decreased the compartmentalization of HO-1 and Cav-1, and increased the HO-1 activity both in LPS-treated alveolar macrophages and in mice. Meanwhile, CSD peptides obviously ameliorated the pathology changes in mice and lowered the following injury indexes: the wet/dry ratio of lung tissues, total cell numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lactate dehydrogenase activity in the serum. Mechanistically, it was firstly found that CSD peptides promoted alveolar macrophages polarization to M2 phenotype and inhibited the IκB degeneration. Furthermore, CSD peptides down-regulated the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1, and iNOS in alveolar macrophages and in lung tissue. However, the protective role of CSD peptides on LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice could be abolished by zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP, a HO-1 activity inhibitor). In summary, CSD peptides have beneficial anti-inflammatory effects by restoring the HO-1 activity suppressed by Cav-1 on plasma membrane.

Optimization of fMRI methods to determine laterality of cortical activation during ankle movements of children with unilateral cerebral palsy

Measurement of laterality of motor cortical activations may provide valuable information about lower limb control in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP). Evidence from upper limb research suggests that increased contralateral activity may accompany functional gains. However, lower limb areas of activation and associated changes have been underexplored due to challenges with imaging motor cortical leg representations. In this study, methods for a task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) ankle dorsiflexion paradigm were refined with three pilot groups of participants: (i) adults (n = 5); (ii) typically developing (TD) children (n = 5) and; (iii) children with UCP (n = 4). Parameters of experimental design, task resistance, reproducibility, and pre-scan procedures were tested/refined using a staged development approach with additions or changes introduced if image quality did not meet pre-defined standards. When image quality was acceptable for two consecutive participants, the next participant group was recruited to test/refine the next parameter. The final paradigm involved an event-related design of a single dorsiflexion movement against individualized resistance, with two runs per leg. It included a pre-scan session to increase child comfort and determine task resistance. This paradigm produced valid data for laterality index (LI) calculations to determine the ratio of activity in each hemisphere. Ventricle and lesion masks were used in non-linear image registration, and individual thresholds were used for extent-based LI calculations. LI of dominant ankle movements were contralateral (LI ≥ +0.2) for TD children (mean LI = +0.89, std = 0.27) and children with UCP (mean LI = +0.86, std = 0.26). For the affected ankle of children with UCP, LI values indicated ipsilateral and/or contralateral activation (mean LI = +0.02, std = 0.71, range -0.92 to +1.00). This fMRI paradigm will support investigations of cortical activation and mechanisms of skill improvement following lower limb interventions.

Methylene Blue Protects the Isolated Rat Lungs from Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Attenuating Mitochondrial Oxidative Damage

INTRODUCTION

Impaired mitochondrial function is a key factor attributing to the lung ischemia reperfusion injury (LIRI). Methylene blue (MB) has been reported to attenuate brain and renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. We hypothesized that MB also could have a protective effect against LIRI by preventing mitochondrial oxidative damage.

METHODS

Isolated rat lungs were assigned to the following four groups (n = 6): a sham group: perfusion for 105 min without ischemia; I/R group: shutoff of perfusion and ventilation for 45 min followed by reperfusion for 60 min; and I/R + MB group and I/R + glutathione (GSH) group: 2 mg/kg MB or 4 μM glutathione were intraperitoneally administered for 2 h, and followed by 45 min of ischemia and 60 min of reperfusion.

RESULTS

MB lessened pulmonary dysfunction and severe histological injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury. MB reduced the production of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde and enhanced the activity of superoxide dismutase. MB also suppressed the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore and partly preserved mitochondrial membrane potential. Moreover, MB inhibited the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytosol and decreased apoptosis. Additionally, MB downregulated the mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-18).

CONCLUSION

MB protects the isolated rat lungs against ischemia-reperfusion injury by attenuating mitochondrial damage.

[Orbital decompression for intraorbital hematoma after surgery of recurrent nasal polyps: a case report]

A case of intraorbital hematoma after surgery of recurrent nasal polyps in August 2016 was reviewed. The patient underwent emergent orbital decompression after intraorbital hematoma, and followed up for half a year. The eyeball blood stasis of the case had gradually vanished. Ocular movement and vision of the left are still normal now. Orbital decompression is both necessary and effective for intraorbital hematoma after surgery of nasal endoscope.

[The combination of percutaneous iohexol-ethanol injection with radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of primary liver cancer in high-risk locations]

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with percutaneous iohexol-ethanol injection (PIEI), compared with RFA plus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for patients with primary liver cancer(PLC)in high-risk locations. Methods: From January 2012 to December 2014, 54 patients with PLC in high-risk locations were enrolled. They were divided into Group A (RFA combined with PIEI) and Group B (RFA plus TACE). The efficacy and adverse events were assessed. Results: 54 patients had 74 lesions in high-risk locations. There were 26 cases with 40 lesions in Group A, and 28 cases with 34 lesions in Group B. The complete ablation rate of Group A was significantly higher than that of Group B (92.5% vs 70.6%, P=0.014). The two-year local tumor progressionrateand two-year overall survival rate were similar between these two groups (Group A 20.0% vs Group B 38.2%, P=0.083; 90.3% vs 84.3%, P=0.523). Furthermore, the surgery-related severe adverse events of Group A (7.1%, one case of liver abscess and one case ofhematobilia) were more common than that of Group B (0%, P=0.491). No significant differences were found in common adverse events including fever, pain, elevation of aminotransferase and bilirubin. Conclusions: Compared with RFA plus TACE, RFA plus PIEI resulted inbetter complete ablation rate in patients with primary liver cancer in high risk locations. Prospective, randomized, controlled trials are warranted for further evaluation.

The potential role of attitudes towards suicide between mental health status and suicidal ideation among Chinese children and adolescents

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to investigate the contributions of mental health status and attitudes towards suicide on suicidal ideation in a sample of 6568 Chinese children and adolescents in China. Attitudes towards suicide were investigated as a possible moderator and mediator of the influence of mental health status on suicidal ideation.

METHODS

Descriptive statistical analyses, Pearson correlation analyses and hierarchical regression analyses were adopted as methods of data analyses.

RESULTS

Approximately 35.38% of children and adolescents in our study reported having suicidal ideation. Mental health status and attitudes towards suicide both had an independent effect on the severity of suicidal ideation. Results indicated that mental health status was positively associated with suicidal ideation, while attitudes towards suicide were negatively associated with suicidal ideation. Moderation analysis showed that the impact of mental health status on suicidal ideation was significantly greater among children and adolescents who reported favourable attitudes towards suicide. Attitudes towards suicide partially mediated the link between mental health status and the severity of suicidal ideation. Specifically, students who experienced poorer mental health status might be more likely to report significantly more favourable attitudes towards suicide, which in turn promote greater suicidal ideation.

CONCLUSIONS

These results have implications for the prevention of youth suicide, suggesting that mental health status and attitudes towards suicide could be important targets for prevention and intervention for children and adolescents at risk of suicidal ideation.

Thermotolerance, oxidative stress, apoptosis, heat-shock proteins and damages to reproductive cells of insecticide-susceptible and -resistant strains of the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella

In this study, we investigated thermotolerance, several physiological responses and damage to reproductive cells in chlorpyrifos-resistant (Rc) and -susceptible (Sm) strains of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella subjected to heat stress. The chlorpyrifos resistance of these strains was mediated by a modified acetylcholinesterase encoded by an allele, ace1R, of the ace1 gene. Adults of the Rc strain were less heat resistant than those of the Sm strain; they also had lower levels of enzymatic activity against oxidative damage, higher reactive oxygen species contents, weaker upregulation of two heat shock protein (hsp) genes (hsp69s and hsp20), and stronger upregulation of two apoptotic genes (caspase-7 and -9). The damage to sperm and ovary cells was greater in Rc adults than in Sm adults and was temperature sensitive. The lower fitness of the resistant strain, compared with the susceptible strain, is probably due to higher levels of oxidative stress and apoptosis, which also have deleterious effects on several life history traits. The greater injury observed in conditions of heat stress may be due to both the stronger upregulation of caspase genes and weaker upregulation of hsp genes in resistant than in susceptible individuals.

Biliverdin Protects the Isolated Rat Lungs from Ischemia-reperfusion Injury via Antioxidative, Anti-inflammatory and Anti-apoptotic Effects

Background:

Biliverdin (BV) has a protective role against ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). However, the protective role and potential mechanisms of BV on lung IRI (LIRI) remain to be elucidated. Thus, we aimed to investigate the protective role and potential mechanisms of BV on LIRI.

Methods:

Lungs were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats to establish an ex vivo LIRI model. After an initial 15 min stabilization period, the isolated lungs were subjected to ischemia for 60 min, followed by 90 min of reperfusion with or without BV treatment.

Results:

Lungs in the I/R group exhibited significant decrease in tidal volume (1.44 ± 0.23 ml/min in I/R group vs. 2.41 ± 0.31 ml/min in sham group; P < 0.001), lung compliance (0.27 ± 0.06 ml/cmH₂O in I/R group vs. 0.44 ± 0.09 ml/cmH₂O in sham group; P < 0.001; 1 cmH₂O=0.098 kPa), and oxygen partial pressure (PaO₂) levels (64.12 ± 12 mmHg in I/R group vs. 114 ± 8.0 mmHg in sham group; P < 0.001; 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa). In contrast, these parameters in the BV group (2.27 ± 0.37 ml/min of tidal volume, 0.41 ± 0.10 ml/cmH₂O of compliance, and 98.7 ± 9.7 mmHg of PaO₂) were significantly higher compared with the I/R group (P = 0.004, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). Compared to the I/R group, the contents of superoxide dismutase were significantly higher (47.07 ± 7.91 U/mg protein vs. 33.84 ± 10.15 U/mg protein; P = 0.005) while the wet/dry weight ratio (P < 0.01), methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (1.92 ± 0.25 nmol/mg protein vs. 2.67 ± 0.46 nmol/mg protein; P < 0.001), and adenosine triphosphate contents (297.05 ± 47.45 nmol/mg protein vs. 208.09 ± 29.11 nmol/mg protein; P = 0.005) were markedly lower in BV-treated lungs. Histological analysis revealed that BV alleviated LIRI. Furthermore, the expression of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-β) was downregulated and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and Jun N-terminal kinase was significantly reduced in BV group (all P < 0.01 compared to I/R group). Finally, the apoptosis index in the BV group was significantly decreased (P < 0.01 compared to I/R group).

Conclusion:

BV protects lung IRI through its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects.

The formation of H bubbles at small-angle tilt grain boundaries in W films

The accumulation of H at the small-angle tilt grain boundary (GB) in the W(001) surface is investigated, on the basis of the first-principles calculations. By exploring the solution and diffusion behaviors of H at the GB, we find that the small-angle GB can capture the H atoms nearby, serving as a nucleation site of H bubbles. With the increasing number of trapped H atoms, the GB expands gradually, and the GBs can be unripped with an areal density of H up to 5.0 × 10¹⁵ H atoms per cm², leading to the formation of H bubbles. Moreover, H₂ molecules are observed, when the areal density of H atoms in GB is over 6.6 × 10¹⁵ atoms per cm². According to our calculations, we propose a possible formation mechanism of H bubbles observed in the experiment, which is valuable for improving the service performance of W as a plasma-facing material in nuclear fusion reactors.

Benzoic acid beneficially affects growth performance of weaned pigs which was associated with changes in gut bacterial populations, morphology indices and growth factor gene expression

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of benzoic acid (BA) on growth performance, intestinal development and intestinal barrier function in weaned pigs. Ninety weaned pigs were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: a basal diet (CON), the basal diet supplemented with 2000 mg/kg benzoic acid (BA1) and 5000 mg/kg benzoic acid (BA2). At the end of days 14 and 42, six pigs per treatment were randomly selected to collect plasma and intestinal samples. Results showed that BA supplementation not only improved final body weight, daily growth and feed conversion ratio from days 15 to 42 and days 1 to 42, but also decreased the activity of plasma diamine oxidase (day 42) and the pH values of jejunal contents (day 14) (p < 0.05). Ileal Bacillus populations (day 14) were increased by BA, while Escherichia coli counts in the ileum and caecum (day 42) were decreased (p < 0.05). Higher Lactobacillus counts occurred in the ileum (day 14, 42) of BA1-fed piglets as compared to CON and BA2-fed piglets (p < 0.05). In addition, BA supplementation increased the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (day 14, 42) and decreased the crypt depth (day 14) (p < 0.05). Growth-stimulating factors (insulin-like growth factor-1, day 42; insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor, day 14, 42) and tight junction protein (occludin, day 14, 42; zonula occludens-1, day 42)-related gene mRNA levels were upregulated in the jejunum of piglets fed BA diets (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study provides the first evidence that BA has beneficial effects on intestinal development and intestinal barrier function of weaned pigs, which can partly explain why growth performance of pigs was improved by dietary BA supplementation.

Exogenous Hydrogen Sulfide Postconditioning Protects Isolated Rat Hearts From Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Through Sirt1/PGC-1α Signaling Pathway

Sirt1 is a highly conserved nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) dependent histone deacetylase which plays an important role in heart diseases. Studies performed with Sirt1 activators indicated that it protects cells from ischemia/ reperfusion (I/R) injury. The protective effects of H2S against I/R injury also have been recognized. Hence, the present study was designed to explore whether Sirt1/PGC-1α participates in the protection of exogenous H2S postconditioning against I/R injury in isolated rat hearts. Isolated rat hearts were subjected to 30 minutes of global ischemia followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion after 20 minutes of equilibrium. During this procedure, the hearts were exposed to NaHS (10 μmol/L) treatment in the absence or presence of the selective Sirt1 inhibitor EX-527 (10 μmol/L). NaHS exerted a protective effect on isolated rat hearts subjected to I/R, as shown by the improved expression of Sirt1/PGC-1α associated with restoration of Sirt1 nuclear localization, cardiac function, decreased myocardial infarct size, decreased myocardial enzyme release, and several biochemical parameters, including up-regulation of the ATP and SOD levels, and down-regulation of the MDA level. However, treatment with EX-527 could partially prevent the above effects of NaHS postconditioning. These results indicate that H2S confers protective effects against I/R injury through the activation of Sirt1/PGC1α.

Association of IL-18 polymorphisms with rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis

Interleukin-18 (IL-18), an important proinflammatory cytokine, has been reported to play a potential pathological role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Results from previous studies on the association between IL-18 polymorphisms and RA are conflicting. To clarify this, an updated meta-analysis of all available studies on IL-18 polymorphisms and RA was conducted. Eligible articles were identified by searching databases, including PubMed, Ovid, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, for the period up to May 1, 2015. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were used to assess the strength of association in the homozygote, heterozygote, dominant, recessive, and additive models. The software STATA (Version 13.0) was used for statistical analysis. Finally, 14 articles were included in the present meta-analysis. The IL-18 -607C/A polymorphism showed pooled ORs and 95%CIs for the homozygote model (AA vs CC: OR = 0.598; 95%CI = 0.395-0.907), and the association between the IL-18 -137G/C polymorphism and RA showed pooled ORs and 95%CIs for the homozygote (CC vs GG: OR = 0.699; 95%CI = 0.364-1.342) and heterozygote (CG vs GG: OR = 0.924; 95%CI = 0.803-1.064) models. In summary, the current meta-analysis, which was based on the most current studies, showed that the -607A/C, -920C/T, and -105A/C polymorphisms in IL-18 were significantly associated with increased RA risk. However, the -137C/G polymorphism was not associated with RA risk under any genetic model. More evidence is needed to support or deny such a conclusion.

TP53 mutational status is predictive of pazopanib response in advanced sarcomas

BACKGROUND

To investigate whether TP53 DNA mutational status impacts progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with advanced sarcomas (soft tissue sarcoma) treated with vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR) inhibition.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 19 cases of patients treated at the Ohio State James Comprehensive Cancer Center with advanced sarcoma treated with VEGFR inhibition who also had next-generation sequencing of their tumors (via FoundationOne Heme panel). We evaluated TP53 as well as mutations that were observed in at least 20% of patients and evaluated its contribution to PFS using the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of available radiology end points.

RESULTS

Mutations that were observed in at least 20% of patients included TP53 and Rb1. Only TP53 was predictive of PFS in the context of VEGFR inhibition. The PFS of patients with TP53 mutations was significantly greater than TP53 wild-type tumors with the median PFS of 208 versus 136 days, respectively [P = 0.036, hazards ratio 0.38 (95% confidence interval 0.09-0.83)].

CONCLUSIONS

Mutations in TP53 may serve as a predictive biomarker of response to VEGFR inhibition in patients with advanced sarcoma. Larger, prospective studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

A phase II and pharmacodynamic study of sunitinib in relapsed/refractory oesophageal and gastro-oesophageal cancers

BACKGROUND

Blockade of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway shows evidence of activity in gastro-oesophageal (GE) and oesophageal cancer. We investigated the efficacy of sunitinib, a multikinase VEGF inhibitor, in patients with relapsed/refractory GE/oesophageal cancer.

METHODS

This was a single-stage Fleming phase II study. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS) at 24 weeks. If five or more patients out of a total of 25 were free of progressive disease at 24 weeks, sunitinib would be recommended for further study. Patients received sunitinib 37.5 mg orally daily and imaged every 6 weeks. Exploratory correlative analysis included serum growth factors, tumour gene expression and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI).

RESULTS

Twenty-five evaluable patients participated in the study. Progression-free survival at 24 weeks was 8% (n=2 patients; confidence interval (CI): 95% 1.4-22.5%), and the duration of best response for the patients was 23 and 72 weeks. Ten patients (42%) had stable disease (SD) for >10 weeks. Overall response rate is 13%. Median PFS is 7 weeks (95% CI: 5.6-11.4 weeks) and the median overall survival is 17 weeks (95% CI: 8.9-25.3 weeks). Most common grade 3/4 toxicities included fatigue (24%), anaemia (20%) thrombocytopenia (16%), and leucopenia (16%). No patients discontinued therapy due to toxicity. Serum VEGF-A and -C levels, tumour complement factor B (CFB) gene expression, and DCE-MRI correlated with clinical benefit, defined as SD or better as best response.

CONCLUSION

Sunitinib is well tolerated but only a select subgroup of patients benefited. Serum VEGF-A and -C may be early predictors of benefit. On this study, patients with clinical benefit from sunitinib had higher tumour CFB expression, and thus has identified CFB as a potential predictor for efficacy of anti-angiogenic therapy. These findings need validation from future prospective trials.

Neuronal repair. Asynchronous therapy restores motor control by rewiring of the rat corticospinal tract after stroke

The brain exhibits limited capacity for spontaneous restoration of lost motor functions after stroke. Rehabilitation is the prevailing clinical approach to augment functional recovery, but the scientific basis is poorly understood. Here, we show nearly full recovery of skilled forelimb functions in rats with large strokes when a growth-promoting immunotherapy against a neurite growth-inhibitory protein was applied to boost the sprouting of new fibers, before stabilizing the newly formed circuits by intensive training. In contrast, early high-intensity training during the growth phase destroyed the effect and led to aberrant fiber patterns. Pharmacogenetic experiments identified a subset of corticospinal fibers originating in the intact half of the forebrain, side-switching in the spinal cord to newly innervate the impaired limb and restore skilled motor function.

Prevalence and genotype of Giardia duodenalis from faecal samples of stray dogs in Hualien city of eastern Taiwan

Giardia duodenalis is a zoonotic protozoan parasite that causes diarrhea through waterborne transmission or fecal-oral infection. The cysts are chlorine-resistant and, therefore, can pollute drinking water and induce a pandemic disease. In this study, we aimed to detect G. duodenalis infection in stray dogs in Hualien, Taiwan. We collected faecal samples from 118 dogs and amplified DNA sequences of the β-giardin gene by nested polymerase chain reactions (nested PCR). Eleven of the 118 faecal samples tested positive for the parasite. The genotype analysis of the 11 samples indicated that 7 samples belonged to assemblage C and four samples belonged to assemblage D. Our study provided a better understanding of the infection rate and genotypes of G. duodenalis in dogs from Hualien City, and human infection could not be induced by this zoonotic infection pathway in Hualien City.

Expression profiles of key transcription factors involved in lipid metabolism in Beijing-You chickens

Intramuscular fat (IMF) is a crucial factor for the meat quality of chickens. With the aim of studying the molecular mechanisms underlying IMF deposition in chickens, the expression profiles of five candidate transcription factors involved in lipid metabolism in several tissues were examined in Beijing-You (BJY) chickens at five ages (0, 4, 8, 14 and 20 wk). Results showed that accumulation of IMF in breast (IMFbr), thigh (IMFth) and abdominal fat weight increased significantly (P<0.01) after 8 wk. Accumulation of both IMFbr and IMFth from 8 to 14 wk exceeded that from 14 to 20 wk; IMFth was 4-7 times of IMFbr. As for the expression profiles of key transcription factors: 1) expression of C/EBPα and PPARγ in abdominal fat was significantly higher than that in breast and thigh muscles at all ages. The expression of C/EBPα was positively correlated with PPARγ in both breast and thigh muscles, which indicated that both C/EBPα and PPARγ promoted fat deposition and might act through a unified pathway; 2) the expression of SREBP-1 in 0, 4, and 8 wk in thigh muscle was significantly higher than that in breast; 3) expression of C/EBPβ at 4 and 8 wk was significantly higher than that at 14 and 20 wk; and it was positively correlated with IMFth and IMFbr from 0 to 8 wk; 4) expression of PPARα in breast and thigh muscles was significantly higher than that in abdominal fat. Taken together, all five transcription factors studied play roles in lipid metabolism in chickens with C/EBPα and PPARγ being important effectors.

An electrochemical surface plasmon resonance imaging system targeting cell analysis

This paper presents an electrochemical-surface plasmon resonance imaging (EC-SPRI) system, enabling the characterization of optical and electrical properties of cells, simultaneously. The developed surface plasmon resonance (SPR) imaging system was capable of imaging micro cavities with a dimension of 10 μm × 10 μm and differentiated glycerol solutions with a group of refractive indices (RIs). Furthermore, the EC-SPRI system was used to image A549 cells, suggesting corresponding RI and morphology changes during the cell death process. In the end, electrochemical and SPR methods were used in combination, recording oxidation peaks of A549 cells in the cyclic voltage curves and SPR response unit increase, simultaneously.

Resource allocation for cellular data services using multiagent schemes

Because the radio spectrum is limited, managing the limited amount of resources is an important issue, especially for high-speed data applications. This paper presents a distributed multiagent scheme (DMAS) that was developed for supporting resource allocation in a customer-accepted and cost-effective fashion. The scheme consists of a collection of problem-solving agents with three modules built into the scheme: the knowledge source, the blackboard system, and the control engine. Through operations and cooperation among the active agents, an allocation policy is selected and a customer-accepted schedule that meets the specified quality of service (QoS) is generated. A comparison of the performance between the DMAS scheme and other references previously proposed was derived using a 55 microcell model. It was found that the proposed scheme gave the highest quality of service satisfaction (around 90% at light loading and 60% at heavy loading).

Different sensitivities to rocuronium of the neuromuscular junctions innervated by normal/damaged facial nerves and somatic nerve in rats: the role of the presynaptic acetylcholine quantal release

BACKGROUND

Muscles present different responses to muscle relaxants, a mechanism of importance in surgeries requiring facial nerve evoked electromyography under general anaesthesia. The non-depolarizing muscle relaxants have multiple reaction formats in the neuromuscular junction, in which pre-synaptic quantal release of acetylcholine was one of the important mechanisms. This study was to compare the pre-synaptic quantal release of acetylcholine from the neuromuscular junctions innervated by normal/damaged facial nerves and somatic nerve under the effect of rocuronium in rats in vitro.

METHODS

Acute right-sided facial nerve injury was induced by nerve crush axotomies. Both sided facial nerve connected orbicularis oris strips and tibial nerve connected gastrocnemius strips were isolated to measure endplate potentials (EPP) and miniature endplate potentials (MEPP) using an intracellular microelectrode gauge under different rocuronium concentrations. Then, the pre-synaptic quantal releases of acetylcholine were calculated by the ratios of the EPPs and the MEPPs, and compared among the damaged or normal facial nerve innervated orbicularis oris and tibial nerve innervated gastrocnemius.

RESULTS

The EPP/MEPP ratios of the three neuromuscular junctions decreased in a dose dependent manner with the increase of the rocuronium concentration. With the concentrations of rocuronium being 5 µg/ml, 7.5 µg/ml and 10 µg/ml, the decrease of the EPP/MEPP ratio in the damaged facial nerve group was greater than that in the normal facial nerve group. The decrease in the somatic nerve group was the biggest, with significant differences.

CONCLUSIONS

Rocuronium presented different levels of inhibition on the pre-synaptic quantal release of acetylcholine in the three groups of neuromuscular junctions. The levels of the inhibition showed the following sequence: somatic nerve > damaged facial nerve > normal facial nerve. The difference may be one of the reasons causing the different sensitivities to rocuronium among the muscles innervated by the normal/injured facial nerves and the somatic nerve. The results may provide some information for the proper usage of muscle relaxants in surgeries requiring electromyographic monitoring for the pre-surgically impaired facial nerves.

Effects of monochromatic light on mucosal mechanical and immunological barriers in the small intestine of broilers

Our previous studies demonstrated that green and blue monochromatic lights were effective to stimulate immune response of the spleen in broilers. This study was designed to investigate the effects of monochromatic light on both gut mucosal mechanical and immunological barriers. A total of 120 Arbor Acre male broilers on post-hatching day (P) 0 were exposed to red light, green light (GL), blue light (BL), and white light (WL) for 49 d, respectively. As compared with broilers exposed to WL, the broilers exposed to GL showed that the villus height of small intestine was increased by 19.5% (P = 0.0205) and 38.8% (P = 0.0149), the crypt depth of small intestine was decreased by 15.1% (P = 0.0049) and 10.1% (P = 0.0005), and the ratios of villus height to crypt depth were increased by 39.3% (P < 0.0001) and 52.5% (P < 0.0001) at P7 and P21, respectively. Until P49, an increased villus height (33.6%, P = 0.0076), a decreased crypt depth (15.4%, P = 0.0201), and an increased villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (58.5%, P < 0.0001) were observed in the BL group as compared with the WL group. On the other hand, the numbers of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (27.9%, P < 0.0001 and 37.0%, P < 0.0001), goblet cells (GC, 22.1%, P < 0.0001 and 18.1%, P < 0.0001), and IgA(+) cells (14.8%, P = 0.0543 and 47.9%, P = 0.0377) in the small intestine were significantly increased in the GL group as compared with the WL group at P7 and P21, respectively. The numbers of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (36.2%, P < 0.0001), GC (26.5%, P < 0.0001), and IgA(+) cells (68.0%, P = 0.0177) in the BL group were also higher than those in the WL group at P49. These results suggest that both mucosal mechanical and immunological barriers of the small intestine may be improved by rearing broilers under GL at an early age and under BL at an older age.

An overview of odorant-binding protein functions in insect peripheral olfactory reception

Insect olfactory perception involves many aspects of insect life, and can directly or indirectly evoke either individual or group behaviors. Insect olfactory receptors and odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are considered to be crucial to insect-specific and -sensitive olfaction. Although the mechanisms of interaction between OBPs or OBP/ligand complex with olfactory receptors are still not well understood, it has been shown that many OBPs contribute to insect olfactory perception at various levels. Some of these are numerous and divergent members in OBP family; expression in the olfactory organ at high concentration; a variety of combinational patterns between different OBPs and ligands, but exclusive affinity for one OBP to specific binding ligands; complicated interactions between OBP/ligand complex and transmembrane proteins (olfactory receptors or sensory neuron membrane proteins). First, we review OBPs' ligand-binding property based on OBP structural research and ligand-binding test; then, we review current progress around the points cited above to show the role of such proteins in insect olfactory signal transmission; finally, we discuss applications based on insect OBP research.

Comparison of breast muscle meat quality in 2 broiler breeds

On the basis of meat quality traits, muscle fiber characteristics, and nutrient components and contents in chickens at market age, 120-d-old Beijing-you (BJY) chickens (the Chinese local breed) had distinct breast muscle features when compared with 42-d-old Arbor Acres (AA) chickens (the genetically improved broiler line). The phospholipid (P < 0.05) and essential fatty acid (P < 0.05) contents in BJY chickens were significantly higher than those in AA chickens. No differences (P > 0.05) were found between the breeds in the contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids, protein, or amino acids. Breast muscle fiber diameter was significantly smaller (~55.76%) and fiber density was higher (~174.86%) in BJY chickens than in AA chickens (P < 0.05). In this study, breast muscle from 120-d-old BJY chickens was judged to have better quality of phospholipids and essential fatty acid contents and muscle fiber characteristics than breast muscle from 42-d-old AA chickens.

X-Ray spectra and electronic correlations of FeSe(1-x)Te(x)

Critical issues concerning emerging Fe-based superconductors include the degree of electron correlation and the origin of the superconductivity. X-Ray absorption spectra (XAS) and resonant inelastic X-ray scattering spectra (RIXS) of FeSe(1-x)Te(x) (x = 0-1) single crystals were obtained to study their electronic properties that relate to electron correlation and superconductivity. The linewidth of Fe L(2,3)-edges XAS of FeSe(1-x)Te(x) is narrower than that of Fe-pnictides, revealing the difference between their hybridization effects and localization character and those of other Fe-pnictides. While no significant differences exist between the Fe L-edge XAS and RIXS of FeSe(1-x)Te(x) and those of Fe-pnictides, Se K-edge and Te K-edge XAS exhibit substantial edge shift, suggesting that the superconductivity in an Fe-Se superconductor is strongly associated with the ligand states. A comparison of the Se K-edge and Te K-edge spectra reveals that the charge transfer may occur between Se and Te. Given the Coulomb interaction and the bandwidth, the spectral results indicate that FeSe(1-x)Te(x) is unlikely to be a weakly correlated system unlike the Fe-pnictides of the "1111" and "122" families. The spectral results further demonstrate that superconductivity in this class of Fe-based compounds is strongly associated with the ligand 4p hole state.

Effect of dietary supplemental nicotinic acid on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality in three genotypes of chicken

The effects of dietary supplemental nicotinic acid (NA) on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality were investigated in three genotypes of chicken. Fast-growing AA (Arbor Acres) broilers were compared with two genotypes of a slow-growing local breed, Beijing-You, that had undergone selection for and against intramuscular fat content respectively (BJY+IMF and BJY-IMF). The treatments were arranged 3×4 factorial completely randomized design. Day-old females (n=624) were allocated to four treatments with six replicates per treatment and fed diets (basal contained ~25 mg NA/kg) supplemented with 0, 30, 60 and 120 mg NA/kg. A sample of 72 birds from each genotype was slaughtered at market time (8 weeks of age for AA and 16 weeks of age for BJY). The breast muscles of AA broilers were darker, had less redness and yellowness, lower drip loss and higher shear force as compared to the BJY genotypes (p<0.01). The highest drip loss and the lowest shear force among the three genotypes were apparent in BJY+IMF (p<0.01). Increasing supplementation from 0 to 60 mg NA/kg tended to increase average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake, width of intermuscular fat band, thickness of subcutaneous fat (including skin) and percentage of abdominal fat but, for most variables, values decreased slightly with 120 mg NA/kg. Increasing supplementation to 60 mg NA/kg decreased (quadratic, p<0.001) drip loss, but it increased at 120 mg NA/kg. The present results indicate that (i) the AA broilers fed corn-soybean meal based-diets require approximately 60 mg NA/kg to maximize ADG and meat product yield and decrease the drip loss of breast muscle; (ii) the addition of 30 mg NA/kg meets the requirement of BJY genotypes; and (iii) there seems to be no beneficial effect of NA supplementation on chicken meat quality except for limiting the drip loss.

Correlation between polymorphisms in ADSL and GARS-AIRS-GART genes with inosine 5'-monophosphate (IMP) contents in Beijing-you chickens

1. The association of single nucleotide polymorphisms identified within the ADSL (adenylosuccinate lyase deficiency) gene and GARS-AIRS-GART (glycinamide ribonucleotide synthetase-aminoimidazole ribonucleotide synthetase-glycinamide ribonucleotide transformylase) gene with the content of inosine 5'-monophosphate (IMP) was studied in a population of male Beijing-you (BJY) chickens slaughtered at 90 d of age. 2. A single nucleotide polymorphism in exon 2 of the ADSL gene had an effect on IMP content. Chickens inheriting the positive allele at ADSL, both homozygous and heterozygous genotypes, had a higher content of IMP in breast muscle than did individuals without it. 3. Similar results were obtained for the GARS-AIRS-GART gene. The marker at the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of the GARS-AIRS-GART gene was also significant for the IMP value. Chickens inheriting the genotypes with the positive allele at this locus had a much higher content of IMP than did those homozygous for the unfavourable one. 4. Interactions between ADSL and GARS-AIRS-GART were detected for such traits as body weight and muscle yields in the tested population. The two loci acted in an additive fashion. Because IMP is one of the most important flavour components in meat, markers developed at these two genes, as well as the combination genotypes, could be used as potential molecular markers for improving chicken quality.

Airway management in pediatric patients undergoing suspension laryngoscopic surgery for severe laryngeal obstruction caused by papillomatosis

OBJECTIVES

To review perioperative airway management and ventilation strategy during the surgical removal of papilloma under suspension laryngoscopy in pediatric patients with severe airway obstruction.

METHODS

Seventy pediatric patients with degree III and IV laryngeal obstruction who underwent suspension laryngoscopy to remove laryngeal papillomatosis, between July 2005 and March 2009, were included in the study. All patients were intubated initially to secure the airway. Controlled ventilation through an endotracheal (ET) tube was used during the papilloma debulking near the glottis vera. Spontaneous ventilation or apneic technique was adopted based on the stage of the surgical procedure and the location of the remaining tumor. Hemodynamic parameters, pulse oxygen saturation (SpO(2)), and CO(2) were closely monitored, and adverse events were recorded.

RESULTS

The duration of the surgical operation and the duration of the extubation period were 5-35 min and 5-20 min, respectively. Thirty cases with degree III and twenty cases with degree IV laryngeal obstruction received inhalation induction. Sixteen cases with degree III laryngeal obstruction were given an intravenous induction. Four patients admitted with a comatose status were emergently intubated without any anesthetics. The ET tube size was determined by assessing the opening through the tumor mass or glottic aperture under direct laryngoscopy. SpO(2) was maintained above 97% after the airway was secured and sufficient ventilation established. Controlled ventilation was used in all children during the bulk removal of tumor. Spontaneous respiration and apneic technique were adopted for the removal of the remaining tumor in the hypolarynx or trachea in 16 and 28 cases, respectively. Three patients had to be re-intubated postoperatively because of persistent desaturation or laryngospasm.

CONCLUSION

Key points of perioperative airway management in pediatric patients with papillomatosis-induced severe laryngeal obstruction include careful preoperative airway evaluation; the proper choice of induction methods, and ET tube size; maintenance of an adequate depth of anesthesia; and flexible ventilation strategy, continuous and close monitoring during the extubation and postextubation period; and prompt management of adverse events.

Effect of conjugated linoleic acid on growth performances, carcase composition, plasma lipoprotein lipase activity and meat traits of chickens

1. The effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid isomers (CLAs) on productive traits, carcase yield and meat quality were investigated in Beijingyou (Chinese) chickens. A total of 360 male chicks were allocated to 5 dietary treatments (0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00% CLA) and fed for 126 d. 2. The results showed that CLA supplementation did not significantly influence body weight, but increased feed conversion and decreased intramuscular fat in breast and thigh muscles. Mortality was significantly higher in the control group. 3. The addition of 1.0 and 2.0% CLA decreased abdominal fat percentages. At CLA dietary levels greater than 0.5%, lipoprotein lipase activity in plasma was significantly decreased. 4. Hunter L* and a* values were not significantly affected by CLA supplementation. However, Hunter b* values were lower in chickens supplemented at levels greater than 0.5% CLA. Supplementing diets with CLA modified the fatty acid composition of breast muscle. The proportions of CLA, saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids were increased whereas the proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids was decreased.

Effects of dietary vitamin E on immunological stress of layers and their offspring

In the present study, two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of vitamin E (VE) supplementation of a commercial layer diet on the laying performance and immunological stress responses of hens and their offspring. In experiment 1, responses to increased dietary VE levels were evaluated on 180 White Leghorn layers between 20 and 35 weeks of age. There were three levels of VE in the diets (0, 40 and 100 IU/kg) and five replicates per treatment, each containing 12 hens. Results showed that the high level of VE supplementation (100 IU/kg) had a beneficial effect on feed intake and feed efficiency of hens (p < 0.05), compared with the VE-deficient or low-level group. In experiment 2, 540 female progeny from the VE-treated hens in experiment 1 were used. The experimental design consisted of three levels of VE supplementation (the same as their mothers') × 3 vaccinating routines, the first vaccination being administered on day 5, 8 or 11. All vaccines and the subsequent vaccinating intervals were identical. In the interim of the experiment, each bird was injected celiacly with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The results showed that antibody titres against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) or avian influenza virus (AIV) and the plasma concentration of interleukin (IL)-1 were increased by the high level of VE supplementation. There were significant effects of the day of initial immunization with infection bursal disease on the NDV and AIV antibody titre, H/L ratio and plasma concentration of corticosterone and IL-1 before and after injecting LPS, suggesting the occurrence of immunological stress. There was also significant interaction between VE and vaccination routine on the immune functions of experimental birds. Considered together with the results of experiment 1, VEs biological function appeared to be dose-dependent, especially with regard to its positive effect on the immune responses of young chickens.

Manufacturing of 50 kA superconducting transformer for ITER correction coil conductor test

To meet the specifications of International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor correction coil (CC) conductor, a 50 kA superconducting transformer has been designed and manufactured to provide the short sample of the CC conductor the current. The transformer consists of two concentric layer-wound superconducting solenoids with the primary inside the secondary coil. In order to test the transformer, the two legs of the secondary coil were directly connected by superconducting cables. A 500 W/4.5 K refrigerator was used to provide the supercritical helium. The maximum current of 56.3 kA in the secondary coil loop was obtained.

Associations of A-FABP and H-FABP markers with the content of intramuscular fat in Beijing-You chicken

This study has assessed the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) identified in the adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) and heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) genes with the content of intramuscular fat (IMF) in a population of male Beijing-You chickens. A previously described SNP in the chicken A-FABP gene had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on IMF content. Chickens inheriting the homozygous BB genotype at A-FABP had a significantly higher content of IMF in thigh muscles and breast muscles than did those inheriting the AA and AB genotypes. A novel SNP, identified here, in the H-FABP gene was also significantly (P < 0.05) associated with IMF content in thigh and breast muscle. Chickens inheriting the genotypes of DD and CD had much higher content of IMF than those inheriting the homozygous genotype of CC. Markers at the A-FABP and H-FABP genes were associated with IMF content in the studied population. Chickens inheriting the BB genotype at A-FABP, along with the CD genotype at H-FABP, produced muscles with a much higher content of IMF when compared with all other genotypes. A weak interaction between A-FABP and H-FABP was detected (P < 0.09) for IMF content in the tested population. The statistical significance of interaction is tentative because of the limited number of observations for some genotypic combinations. Markers identified within the A-FABP and H-FABP genes are suitable for future use in identifying chickens with the genetic potential to produce more desirable muscle with higher IMF content, at least in the population of Beijing-You male chickens.

Live performance, carcass composition, and blood metabolite responses to dietary nutrient density in two distinct broiler breeds of male chickens

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of varying nutrient density with constant ME:CP ratio on growing performance, carcass characteristics, and blood responses in 2 distinct broiler breeds of male chickens (Arbor Acres, a commercial line, and Beijing-You, a Chinese nonimproved line). Experimental diets were formulated with high, medium, or low nutrient densities for 3 growing phases. Starter diets (1 to 21 d) contained 23, 21, and 19% CP with 3,059, 2,793, and 2,527 kcal/kg of ME; grower diets (22 to 35 d) contained 21, 19, and 17% CP with 3,150, 2,850, and 2,550 kcal/kg of ME; and finisher diets (36 to 42 d for Arbor Acres and 36 to 91 d for Beijing-You) had 19, 17, and 15% CP with 3,230, 2,890, and 2,550 kcal/kg of ME. Male hatchlings (216 of each breed) were randomly assigned to 6 replicates of 12 birds in each treatment. Arbor Acres broilers had better (P < 0.001) BW gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and carcass yield, but had greater (P < 0.001) abdominal and carcass fat deposition. In both breeds, the higher nutrient density increased (P < 0.05) BW gain, protein efficiency ratio, and energy efficiency ratio while decreasing (P < 0.05) feed intake and FCR. The breed differences were increased for FCR, protein efficiency ratio, and energy efficiency ratio in the starter period and decreased for carcass chemical composition, respectively, by higher nutrient density. These findings indicate that 1) genetic improvement has a significant effect on broiler responses to dietary nutrient density, 2) performance differences between breeds are lessened with diets of low nutrient density, 3) carcass quality differences are less when birds were fed diets of high nutrient density, 4) carcass composition is hardly modified by nutrient density and both breeds exhibit similar metabolite responses to dietary concentrations, and 5) optimal diets are deduced for these breeds for the 3 growing phases.

Effect of dietary omega6/omega3 on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality and fatty acid profiles of Beijing-you chicken

The effects of varying the omega6 to omega3 fatty acid ratio (omega6/omega3) of diets on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality and fatty acid composition of breast muscle were investigated in Beijing-you chickens grown to 92 days. A total of 360 one-day-old female BJY chickens were fed diets containing 0%, 0.12%, 0.42%, 1.00% or 1.97% linseed oil replacing equal weights of maize oil to make dietary omega6/omega3 to be approximately 30:1, 20:1, 10:1, 5:1 and 2.5:1. Subcutaneous fat thickness and intramuscular fat content increased significantly in birds fed up to 10:1 omega6/omega3. a* values (redness of meat, dimension of the CIELAB-system) progressively increased as the diets contained increasing omega3 content, up to the 10:1 omega6/omega3.The changes in b* (yellowness of meat, dimensions of the CIELAB-system) were also significant but the pattern was almost the reverse of changes in a*. Shear force increased significantly as dietary omega6/omega3 was reduced from 30:1 to 5:1. Decreasing the dietary omega6/omega3 clearly decreased the content in breast muscle of C20:1 and C22:1, but increased that of C24:1. C20:4, C20:5 and C22:5, increased significantly by decreasing the dietary omega6/omega3, and the birds fed the 10:1 diet had higher contents of C22:6 than other treatments. This study has clearly demonstrated that decreasing the dietary omega6/omega3, increases the deposition of desirable omega3 and omega6 long chain PUFA in the edible tissue, thereby achieving nutritionally enriched meat.

Influence of dietary vitamin E supplementation on meat quality traits and gene expression related to lipid metabolism in the Beijing-you chicken

1. The effects of dietary vitamin E (DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate) on carcase and meat quality, oxidative stability, fatty acid composition of muscle lipids, and gene expression related to lipid metabolism were studied in Beijing-you chickens. 2. A total of 360 female birds were distributed among 6 treatments, containing 6 replicates, each of 10 birds. The feed for each treatment was supplemented with vitamin E (0, 10, 50, 100, 150, or 200 mg/kg feed). At 120 d, 30 birds from each treatment were slaughtered to examine the effect of dietary vitamin E supplementation on evaluated traits. 3. The results showed that supplemental vitamin E in diet significantly increased alpha-tocopherol contents of breast and thigh muscles, reduced the drip loss and improved tenderness but did not influence carcase yield, meat colour or pH value 24 h after slaughter. 4. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) values decreased with increase in dietary vitamin E, and the addition of 100 mg/kg or more vitamin E had a beneficial effect on oxidative stability as indicated by TBARS values during storage up to 7 d. 5. Dietary vitamin E supplementation significantly altered fatty acid composition of breast muscle. Supplementing with 200 mg/kg vitamin E led to lower saturated fatty acids and greater polyunsaturated fatty acids proportions in breast muscle than control and 10 mg/kg vitamin E treatments. 6. Vitamin E supplementation significantly inhibited expression of the cytosolic phospholipase A(2) gene (cPLA(2)) in breast muscle, while enhancing that of the peroxisome proliterator-activated receptor beta (PPAP-beta) and heart fatty acid binding protein genes (H-FABP). The results indicate that dietary supplementation with vitamin E increased lipid stability in muscle and improved meat quality and fatty acid composition, probably by its influence on the expression of genes related to lipid metabolism.

The nanoindentation of a copper substrate by single-walled carbon nanocone tips: a molecular dynamics study

This study dealt with deep nanoindentation of a copper substrate with single-walled carbon nanocones (SWCNCs) as the proximal probe tip, using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. As an important feature, during the indentation the end part of the SWCNC tip will suffer a narrowing effect due to the radial component of resistant compression from the substrate and then forms into a somewhat flat arrowhead-like shape. The effective cross-sectional area of the SWCNC tip inside the substrate that the resistant force is acting on therefore is reduced to lower the normal resistant force on the tip. The narrowing effect is more significant for longer SWCNC tips. Two categories of SWCNCs are therefore classified according to whether the SWCNC tip buckles at its part inside or outside the substrate. SWCNCs of the first category defined in this paper are found able to indent into the substrate up to a desired depth. Further analyses demonstrate that a longer SWCNC tip of the first category will encounter smaller repulsive force during the indentation and thus require less net work to accomplish the indentation process. Raising temperatures will weaken the narrowing effect, so an SWCNC tip of the first category also encounters greater repulsive force and larger net work in the indentation process performed at a higher temperature. Notably, a permanent hollow hole with high aspect ratio will be produced on the copper substrate, while copper atoms in close proximity to the hole are only slightly disordered, especially when the indentation is manipulated at a lower temperature by using a longer SWCNC tip.