A Molecular Dynamics Study on the Dislocation-Precipitate Interaction in a Nickel Based Superalloy during the Tensile Deformation

In the present paper, the dislocation-precipitate interaction in the Inconel 718 superalloy is studied by means of molecular dynamics simulation. The atomistic model composed of the ellipsoidal Ni3Nb precipitate (γ″ phase) and the Ni matrix is constructed, and tensile tests on the composite Ni3Nb@Ni system along different loading directions are simulated. The dislocation propagation behaviors in the precipitate interior and at the surface of the precipitate are characterized. The results indicate that the dislocation shearing and bypassing simultaneously occur during plastic deformation. The contact position of the dislocation on the surface of the precipitate could affect the penetration depth of the dislocation. The maximum obstacle size, allowing for the dislocation shearing on the slip planes, is found to be close to 20 nm. The investigation of anisotropic plastic deformation behavior shows that the composite system under the loading direction along the major axis of the precipitate experiences stronger shear strain localizations than that with the loading direction along the minor axis of the precipitate. The precipitate size effect is quantified, indicating that the larger the precipitate, the lower the elastic limit of the flow stress of the composite system. The dislocation accumulations in the precipitate are also examined with the dislocation densities given on specific slip systems. These findings provide atomistic insights into the mechanical behavior of nickel-based superalloys with nano-precipitates.

[HCV and Treponema pallidum infection status in HIV/AIDS cases in Yunnan province, January-June, 2020]

Objective: To understand the infection status of HCV and Treponema pallidum (TP) in HIV/AIDS cases in Yunnan province,and identify the risk factors. Methods: Between January 1 and June 30 in 2020,a cross-sectional survey was conducted in Yunnan. Two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used to detect anti-HCV, the positive results of both two kits indicated HCV infection. ELISA and syphilis toluidine red untreated serum test were applied to identify TP infection. Both Excel 2016 and SPSS 22.0 software were used for statistical analysis, and logistic regression model was conducted to identify the relevant factors of HCV and TP infection. Results: A total of 5 922 HIV/AIDS cases were included in this study, the infection rates of HCV and TP were 6.5% (383/5 922) and 5.8% (344/5 922) respectively. The co-infection rate of HCV and TP was 0.4% (22/5 922). The risk for HCV infection in HIV/AIDS cases was higher in younger age groups compared with age group ≥50 years (15-19:aOR=3.53;20-29:aOR=3.02;30-39:aOR=2.91;40-49:aOR=3.61), in males than in females (aOR=2.31), in the married and unmarried than in the divorced or widowed (married:aOR=1.61;unmarried:aOR=1.63), in other ethnic groups than in Han ethnic group (aOR=1.70), in people with lower education level than in people with education level of college and above (primary school degree and below:aOR=4.69;middle school:aOR=3.96), in people living in the central and western Yunnan than in people living in eastern Yunnan (central Yunnan:aOR=2.46; western Yunnan:aOR=7.08), in injection drug users than in MSM (aOR=131.08). The risk of TP infection in HIV/AIDS cases was higher in people with education level of college and primary school than in middle school degree (primary school and below:aOR=1.73;college and above:aOR=1.77), in people with other occupations than in farmers (aOR=1.39), in people living in eastern Yunnan than in people living in western Yunnan (aOR=1.75); in MSM than in people with heterosex (aOR=9.75). Conclusions: A certain proportion of HIV/AIDS cases reported between January and June in 2020 in Yunnan were co-infected with HCV and TP, many factors were associated with the co-infection. It is suggested to strengthen HCV and TP tests in HIV/AIDS cases and conduct active treatment of the co-infection.

Meta-analysis identifying epithelial-derived transcriptomes predicts poor clinical outcome and immune infiltrations in ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

Previous studies revealed that the epithelial component is associated with the modulation of the ovarian tumor microenvironment (TME). However, the identification of key transcriptional signatures of laser capture microdissected human ovarian cancer epithelia remains lacking.

METHODS

We identified the differentially expressed transcriptional signatures of human ovarian cancer epithelia by meta-analysis of GSE14407, GSE2765, GSE38666, GSE40595, and GSE54388. Then we investigated the enrichment of KEGG pathways that are associated with epithelia-derived transcriptomes. Finally, we investigated the correlation of key epithelia-hub genes with the survival prognosis and immune infiltrations. Finally, we investigated the genetic alterations of key prognostic hub genes and their diagnostic efficacy in ovarian cancer epithelia.

RESULTS

We identified 1339 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in ovarian cancer epithelia including 541upregulated and 798 downregulated genes. We identified 21 (such as E2F4, FOXM1, TFDP1, E2F1, and SIN3A) and 11 (such as JUN, DDX4, FOSL1, NOC2L, and HMGA1) master transcriptional regulators (MTRs) that are interacted with upregulated and the downregulated genes in ovarian tumor epithelium, respectively. The STRING-based analysis identified hub genes (such as CDK1, CCNB1, AURKA, CDC20, and CCNA2) in ovarian cancer epithelia. The significant clusters of identified hub genes are associated with the enrichment of KEGG pathways including cell cycle, DNA replication, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, pathways in cancer, and focal adhesion. The upregulation of SCNN1A and CDCA3 and the downregulation of SOX6 are correlated with a shorter survival prognosis in ovarian cancer (OV). The expression level of SOX6 is negatively correlated with immune score and positively correlated with tumor purity in OV. Moreover, SOX6 is negatively correlated with the infiltration of TILs, CD8+ T cells, CD4+ Regulatory T cells, cytolytic activity, T cell activation, pDC, neutrophils, and macrophages in OV. Also, SOX6 is negatively correlated with various immune markers including CD8A, PRF1, GZMA, GZMB, NKG7, CCL3, and CCL4, indicating the immune regulatory efficiency of SOX6 in the TME of OV. Furthermore, SCNN1A, CDCA3, and SOX6 genes are genetically altered in OV and the expression levels of SCNN1A and SOX6 genes showed diagnostic efficacy in ovarian cancer epithelia.

CONCLUSIONS

The identified ovarian cancer epithelial-derived key transcriptional signatures are significantly correlated with survival prognosis and immune infiltrations, and may provide new insight into the diagnosis and treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer.

Identification and validation of inferior prognostic genes associated with immune signatures and chemotherapy outcome in acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a group of heterogeneous hematological malignancies. We identified key genes as ITGAM and lncRNA ITGB2-AS1 through different bioinformatics tools. Furthermore, qPCR was performed to verify the expression level of essential genes in clinical samples. Retrospective research on 179 AML cases was used to investigate the relationship between the expression of ITGAM and the characteristics of AML. The critical gene relationship with immune infiltration in AML was estimated. The clinical validation and prognostic investigation showed that ITGAM, PPBP, and ITGB2-AS1 are highly expressed in AML (P < 0.001) and significantly associated with the overall survival in AML. Moreover, the retrospective research on 179 clinical cases showed that positive expression of ITGAM is substantially related to AML classification (P < 0.001), higher count of white blood cells (P < 0.01), and poor chemotherapy outcome (P < 0.05). Furthermore, based on grouping ITGAM as the high and low expression in TCGA-LAML profile, we found that genes in the highly expressed ITGAM group are mainly involved in immune infiltration and inflammation-related signaling pathways. Finally, we discovered that the expression level of ITGAM and lncRNA ITGB2-AS1 are not just closely related to the immune score and stromal score (P < 0.001) but also significantly positively correlated with various Immune signatures in AML (P < 0.001), indicating the association of these genes with immunosuppression in AML. The prediction of candidate drugs indicated that certain immunosuppressive drugs have potential therapeutic effects for AML. The critical genes could be used as potential biomarkers to evaluate the survival and prognosis of AML.

[Deep learning based lesion detection from anterior segment optical coherence tomography images and its application in the diagnosis of keratoconus]

Objective: To developed an image analysis system of anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) examination results based on deep learning technology, and to evaluate its effect in identifying various types of corneal pathologies and quantified indices. Methods: A total of 4 026 patients (5 617 eyes), including 1 977 males and 2 049 females, aged (45±23) years, were enrolled in Qingdao Eye Hospital from January 2011 to August 2019. The AS-OCT images were used as a training dataset, which were labeled with location information of 16 corneal pathologies (including corneal epithelial defect, corneal epithelial thickening, corneal thinning and so on) by clinical experts, as well as the tissue stratification of the corneal epithelium and stroma. The labeled AS-OCT images were used to train the corneal pathology detection model and corneal stratification model based on deep convolutional neural network algorithm. Then 1 709 AS-OCT images of the affected eyes were collected as a validation dataset. Compared with the artificial labeling results, the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were evaluated in the corneal pathology detection model, and the overlapping rate (Dice coefficient) between the labeled area of the model and the artificial labeling area was used to evaluate the corneal stratification model. Results: The results of 5 617 training sets showed that there were 1 472 cases of corneal epithelial defect, 2 416 cases of corneal epithelial thickening, 2 001 cases of corneal thinning, 780 cases of corneal lordosis, 2 064 cases of corneal thickening, 358 cases of subepithelial blisters, 486 cases of subepithelial opacity, 1 010 cases of corneal ulcer, 3 635 cases of stromal opacity, 1 060 cases of posterior elastic layer fold, 137 cases of posterior elastic layer detachment, 665 cases of keratic precipitate, 176 cases of corneal perforation, 127 cases of corneal foreign body, 299 cases of after lamellar keratoplasty (LKP) and 234 cases of after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). Among 1 709 images, 1 596 were manually labeled. The average sensitivity and specificity of the corneal pathology detection model were 96.5% and 96.1% compared with the results of manual labeling. Fifteen samples were missed for detection, and the rate was 0.93%. The average Dice coefficients of the corneal stratification model for the corneal epithelium and stroma were 0.985 and 0.917, respectively. Conclusions: Our artificial intelligence-based diagnosis system with AS-OCT is able to give quantified information and location information of corneal lesions with high accuracy, which can help ophthalmologists improve the efficiency and accuracy of diagnosis. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2021, 57: 447-453).

[Observation and quantification of diabetic keratopathy in type 2 diabetes patients using in vivo laser confocal microscopy]

Objective: To study the diabetic keratopathy in type 2 diabetes patients with retinopathy by in vivo laser confocal microscopy. Methods: This was a case-control study. Ninety type 2 diabetes patients were involved in this study from May 2015 to December 2019 in Qingdao Eye Hospital. According to the diabetic retinopathy clinical stage, these patients were divided into the non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) group (30 cases), early stage proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) group (30 cases) and intermediate to late stage PDR group (30 cases). Thirty non-diabetic healthy volunteers were included in the control group. The central cornea was observed with an in vivo laser confocal microscope. The corneal nerve fiber density, nerve fiber length, nerve branch density, and nerve fiber tortuosity were compared between groups. The corneal Langerhans cells, epithelial cells, stromal cells and endothelial cells were also compared. Results: There were more nerve fibers and branches in the control group than the other three diabetic groups. The nerve fiber length in the control group, NPDR group, early stage PDR group and intermediate to late stage PDR group was (21.55±2.57), (14.73±1.56), (11.23±1.40) and (8.02±1.33) mm/mm², respectively, and there were statistically significant differences between the groups (F=316.17, P=0.00). In the nerve fiber density, nerve branch density and curvature, there were statistically significant differences between the groups (F=345.72, 479.46, 167.00, all P=0.00). The basal cell density in the control group, NPDR group, and two PDR groups was (5 761±303), (5 336±367), (4 146±379) and (3 658±365) cells/mm², respectively, and there were statistically significant differences between the groups (F=234.94, P=0.00). The anterior stromal cell density in the four groups was (836±30), (727±57), (544±59) and (360±47) cells/mm², respectively, and there were statistically significant differences between the groups (F=535.08, P=0.00). The hexagonal endothelium cell rate in the four groups was 62.0%±5.5%, 51.1%±3.7%, 40.2%±4.0% and 27.8%±3.9%, respectively, and the Langerhans cell density was (1.5±0.6), (4.2±1.3), (6.8±2.1) and (10.9±2.1) cells/mm², respectively; there were statistically significant differences between the groups (F=342.28, 179.78, all P=0.00). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the corneal endothelial cell density (F=1.58, P=0.20). Conclusions: In type 2 diabetes patients with diabetic retinopathy, the corneal nerve fiber and branch density can be significantly reduced, and the density of the hexagonal corneal endothelial cells, epithelial basal cells and anterior stromal cells can also decrease. Langerhans cells may be involved in the development diabetic keratopathy. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2020, 56: 754-760).

Role of Boron in Enhancing Electron Delocalization to Improve Catalytic Activity of Fe-Based Metallic Glasses for Persulfate-Based Advanced Oxidation

Metallic glasses (MGs) with superior catalytic performance have recently been recognized as attractive candidates for wastewater treatment. However, further improving their performance will require knowledge of how to precisely regulate their electronic structures via compositional control. Here, two Fe-based MGs (Fe₇₈Si₉B₁₃ and Fe₈₀Si₉B₁₁) were prepared to compare how slightly altering boron content affected their electronic structure and catalytic performance. Density functional theory revealed that the Fe₇₈Si₉B₁₃ MG with 2 atom % higher boron exhibits an attractive electron delocalization, a high persulfate adsorption energy, and a superb work function due to precise regulation of the electronic structure, leading to exceptional degradation performance for seven organic pollutants. Furthermore, it can be reused 23 times without significant deterioration of catalytic performance, amorphous structure, and surface morphology. This work provides a new paradigm for the fundamental theory explaining how electronic structure is controlled by composition, creating a solid foundation to explore novel catalysts for water treatment.

Constructing Dual-Molecule Junctions to Probe Intermolecular Crosstalk

Understanding and controlling charge transport across multiple parallel molecules are fundamental to the creation of innovative functional electronic components, as future molecular devices will likely be multimolecular. The smallest possible molecular ensemble to address this challenge is a dual-molecule junction device, which has potential to unravel the effects of intermolecular crosstalk on electronic transport at the molecular level that cannot be elucidated using either conventional single-molecule or self-assembled monolayer (SAM) techniques. Herein, we demonstrate the fabrication of a scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) dual-molecule junction device, which utilizes noncovalent interactions and allows for direct comparison to the conventional STM single-molecule device. STM-break junction (BJ) measurements reveal a decrease in conductance of 10% per molecule from the dual-molecule to the single-molecule junction device. Quantum transport simulations indicate that this decrease is attributable to intermolecular crosstalk (i.e., intermolecular π-π interactions), with possible contributions from substrate-mediated coupling (i.e., molecule-electrode). This study provides the first experimental evidence to interpret intermolecular crosstalk in electronic transport at the STM-BJ level and translates the experimental observations into meaningful molecular information to enhance our fundamental knowledge of this subject matter. This approach is pertinent to the design and development of future multimolecular electronic components and also to other dual-molecular systems where such crosstalk is mediated by various noncovalent intermolecular interactions (e.g., electrostatic and hydrogen bonding).

[Regulation of androgen on singing behavior and song control system of songbirds]

Androgen plays an important role in singing of songbirds. Recent studies have shown that androgen levels in vivo not only affect the external morphology of songbirds, but also affect their singing behavior. Androgens (including derivatives) affect singing behavior and singing system in many ways. Based mainly on the results from our research group in the zebra finch, this review summarizes the effects of androgen on singing behavior, excitability and synaptic transmission of projection neurons of singing system, and the interaction of androgen with other neurotransmitter receptors in the brain of songbirds.

[A comparative study of two chronic obstructive pulmonary disease mouse models established by different methods]

Objective: To compare chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) mouse models established by two different methods-cigarette smoke (CS) exposure alone and CS exposure combined with airway instillation of bacterial LPS. Methods: Male C57 mice were randomly divided into control group(CTL group), CS exposure group (CS group) and intra-tracheal LPS instillation combined with CS exposure group (LPS+CS group) according to the random number table, with 8 rats in each group. After the models were established, we measured the lung function and collected the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) to detect the number of inflammatory cells and the expression of mucin and inflammatory mediators. HE and PAS staining were performed to observe the pathological changes in airway and lung tissue and to detect the goblet cells in airway, respectively. Results: Total lung capacity (TLC), functional residual capacity (FRC) and airway resistance (RI) of the CS and LPS+CS groups were higher than those of the CTL group, while the FEV(50)/FVC of these 2 groups was lower (P<0.05). Moreover, both RI and FEV(50)/FVC in the LPS+CS group were higher compared with the CS group (P<0.05). HE staining of lung tissue showed that the average alveolar intercept and thickness of small airway wall in the CS and LPS+CS groups were higher compared to the CTL group. In addition, the average alveolar intercept in the LPS+CS group was lower than that in the CS group [(47.86±2.82) μm and (61.94±7.68) μm respectively, P<0.05], but the area of bronchial inflammation of LPS+CS group was higher. The number of total white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, macrophages and the level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in BALF of CS and LPS+CS groups were higher than those of CTL group (all P<0.05). Furthermore, the number of neutrophils and IL-6 level in BALF of LPS+CS group were higher in comparison with CS group, while the number of macrophages in BALF of LPS+CS group was lower (P<0.05). PAS staining of lung tissue indicated that the number of goblet cells in large airways of CS and LPS+CS groups increased more significantly compared to the CTL group, and the number of goblet cells in the LPS+CS group was higher than that in the CS group [(0.16±0.02) and (0.09±0.02) respectively, P<0.05]. The expression levels of Muc5ac and Muc5b in BALF of LPS+CS and CS groups were also higher than those of CTL group (P<0.05), and the level of Muc5ac in BALF of LPS+CS group was higher compared with CS group[(2.69±0.72) and (2.19±0.29) respectively, P<0.05]. Conclusions: Combined exposure of LPS and CS for establishing a COPD mouse model could better simulate the pathological characteristics of human COPD during the acute exacerbation period. The COPD mouse model established by CS exposure alone was able to better imitate the basic features of human COPD in the stable period. Researchers could choose a more appropriate modeling method according to different purposes.

Design, synthesis, and photoelectric properties of V-shaped organic fluorescent compounds with a 1,3,4-oxadiazole moiety

A series of symmetric, silicon-linked organic fluorescent compounds with two electron-deficient 1,3,4-oxadiazole units were synthesized and characterized. The compounds possessed a V-shaped structure with a silicon atom, which weakened π–π stacking, promoting aggregation-induced emission. The compounds were fluorescent in both solution and solid-state thin films. The efficient fluorescent behavior of the materials was confirmed through optical and electrochemical measurements. The compounds displayed excellent thermal stability, with decomposition temperatures exceeding 400 °C. Amorphous films of the compounds possessed high morphological stability. These results indicate that the compounds may be promising emissive and electron-transporting materials.

[Anxiety and depression status of coal miners and related influencing factors]

Objective: To analyze the anxiety and depression status of coal miners and related influencing factors, and to provide justifications for occupational health protection. Methods: From April 2017 to June 2017, a total of 650 coal miners in a mining area in Shanxi, China were enrolled; The coal miners were evaluated for their anxiety and depression status using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (14 items) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (17 items) , respectively. The related influencing factors for anxiety and depression of the coal miners were analyzed with nonparametric test, chi-square test, and logistic regression. Results: The incidence rates of anxiety and depression were 51.1% and 60.5%, respectively. As suggested by the scores and detection rates of anxiety and depression, males had significantly higher anxiety and depression scores than females (P<0.05) ; subjects in older-age groups and those working in shifts had significantly higher anxiety scores (P<0.05) ; subjects with higher education degrees and smokers had significantly higher depression scores (P<0.05) ; while subjects with longer length of service, those with poor sleep quality, and those working in the underground mines had both significantly higher anxiety and depression scores (P<0.05) . The detection rate of anxiety was significantly higher in subjects with a drinking habit than in those who did not drink (P<0.05) . The detection rate of depression was significantly higher in subjects with hypertension than in those with normal blood pressure (P<0.05) . A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that work type and length of service were related to anxiety; gender and length of service were related to depression; length of service was positively correlated with both anxiety and depression. Conclusion: The anxiety and depression in coal miners and related influencing factors should be taken seriously. Gender, age, length of service, working in shifts, education degree, smoking, sleep quality, underground working environment, and hypertension may be risk factors for anxiety and depression in coal miners.

[Strategy for prevention and control of imported infectious disease]

The process of globalization increases the risk of global transmission of infectious diseases, resulting in pressure for country's prevention and control of imported infectious disease. Based on the risk assessment of disease importation and local transmission, a strategy that conducting importation prevention and routine prevention and control before the importation of disease and taking emergency control measures after the importation of disease was developed. In addition, it is important to take part in global infectious disease response action, aid the countries with outbreak or epidemic to actively decrease the risk of disease importation.

Mesoporous g-C₃N₄ Nanosheets: Synthesis, Superior Adsorption Capacity and Photocatalytic Activity

Elimination of pollutants from water is one of the greatest challenges in resolving global environmental issues. Herein, we report a high-surface-area mesoporous g-C3N4 nanosheet with remarkable high adsorption capacity and photocatalytic performance, which is prepared through directly polycondensation of urea followed by a consecutive one-step thermal exfoliation strategy. This one-pot method to prepare mesoporous g-C3N4 nanosheet is facile and rapid in comparison with others. The superior adsorption capacity of the fabricated mesoporous g-C3N4 nanostructures is demonstrated by a model organic pollutant-methylene blue (MB), which is up to 72.2 mg/g, about 6 times as that of the largest value of various g-C3N4 adsorbents reported so far. Moreover, this kind of porous g-C3N4 nanosheet exhibits high photocatalytic activity to MB and phenol degradation. Particularly, the regenerated samples show excellent performance of pollutant removal after consecutive adsorption/degradation cycles. Therefore, this mesoporous g-C3N4 nanosheet may be an attractive robust metal-free material with great promise for organic pollutant elimination.

[Effects of androgens on the long-term depression of HVC-RA pathway in adult male zebra finches]

Androgens can affect the singing behavior via regulating the song control system. In the present study, the effect of androgen on the synaptic plasticity of high vocal center (HVC)-robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA) pathway was investigated through electrophysiological recording in vivo. We divided the adult male zebra finches into control, castration and castration plus testosterone implantation groups. The changes of long-term depression (LTD) and the paired-pulse facilitation in HVC-RA pathway induced by high-frequency (400 Hz, 2 s) stimulation of HVC were recorded, respectively. The results showed that high-frequency stimulation could effectively induce LTD in control group, but only evoke short-term depression in the castration group. In castration plus testosterone implantation group, LTD was restored. The paired-pulse facilitation was not obvious in the castration group, whereas it was significantly improved in the control and castration plus testosterone implantation groups. These results suggest that androgens may maintain the stability of song by influencing the level of LTD in HVC-RA pathway in adult male zebra finches, and androgens can affect the short-term synaptic plasticity of HVC-RA pathway.

Effects of lipid form and source on digestibility of fat and fatty acids in growing pigs

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of source (corn DDGS, rice bran, or soybean) or form of oil (extracted or intact) on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and true total tract digestibility (TTTD) of acid-hydrolyzed ether extract (AEE) and fatty acids. The study determined and compared the ATTD or TTTD of AEE and fatty acids in extracted corn oil, rice oil, and soybean oil with intact oil in corn DDGS, full-fat rice bran, and full-fat soybean. Seventy-eight barrows (initial BW = 47.2 ± 3.9 kg; Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) were allotted to 1 of 13 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with 6 barrows in each dietary treatment. The 13 experimental diets included 1 cornstarch-soybean meal basal diet (AEE, 0.56%) and 3 diets containing 6% extracted oils (corn oil, rice oil, and soybean oil) and 9 diets supplemented with 3 levels of corn DDGS (17%, 34%, and 51%), full-fat rice bran (14%, 28%, and 42%), and full-fat soybean (12%, 24%, and 36%). These diets provided about 2%, 4%, and 6% intact oil, respectively. The barrows were housed in individual metabolism crates and were fed the assigned test diets at 4% of initial BW per day. A 5-d total collection of feces followed a 7-d diet adaptation period. The ATTD of AEE were calculated for each diet. The endogenous flow of AEE associated with each ingredient and values for TTTD were calculated using regression methods. The ATTD of AEE were greater ( < 0.05) for extracted oil than for intact oil. Compared to extracted oil, intact oil had lower ( < 0.01) ATTD of palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2), and linolenic acid (C18:3). However, a source by form interaction ( < 0.01) was observed for ATTD of C18:0, C18:2, and C18:3. The ATTD of C18:0, C18:2, and C18:3 in extracted corn and rice oil were greater compared with intact corn DDGS and rice oil ( < 0.05), while there was no significant difference for the ATTD of C18:0, C18:2, and C18:3 between extracted soybean oil and intact oil in full-fat soybean. In conclusion, lipids that are extracted have a greater digestibility compared with intact lipids, and this is especially true regarding saturated fatty acids. The ATTD of AEE in 2 forms of rice oil (intact oil and extracted oil) was less than the values in corn oil and soybean oil. The TTTD of AEE in corn DDGS and full-fat soybeans were greater than in full-fat rice bran.

[Effect of low-dose ionizing radiation on platelet and leukocytes of radiation workers]

Objective: To explore the effect of low-dose ionizing radiation on the platelets and leukocytes of the radiation workers. Methods: We collected data from a total number of 2 055 radiation related workers and with their cumulative doses. Data on platelets and leukocytes was gathered from physical examination of the staff members, from 2013 to 2015 in Chengdu. T test, variance analysis, χ² test, linear correlation, covariance analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Results: Results from the covariance analysis showed that with the increase of cumulative doses, the quantity of platelet and leukocyte appeared a decreasing trend. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, with the increase of BMI levels and the medium cumulative dose and above (>4.333 mSv), the risk of thrombocytopenia became more obvious (trend test as P<0.05). In the group with high-dose exposure radiation (>15.639 mSv) and combined factor as smoking, the risk of developing thrombocytopenia would increase (OR=2.33, 95% CI: 1.23-4.44). Staff with cumulative dose of less than 4.332 mSv and exercised more than 1 time per week, the risk of developing low leukocyte would decrease (OR=0.26, 95% CI: 0.09-0.70). Conclusions: Along with the increase of cumulative doses on exposure to radiation related workers. The quantity of platelet and leukocyte showed a decreasing trend among them. When this high-dose exposure radiation combined with overweight/obesity or cigarette smoking, the risk of developing thrombocytopenia was high. However, physical exercise might have served as protective factor on leukopenia.

[The expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome and its injury to endothelial cells]

Objective: To study the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and its injury to endothelial cells. Methods: According to the PSG test results, subjects who were the first time to take PSG examination without treatment (n=71) were divided into a control group (n=20), a mild OSAHS group (n=19), a moderate OSAHS group (n=15) and severe OSAHS group (n=17). For each patients, 4 ml fasting peripheral blood was obtained when PSG was finished around 6: 30 in the next morning, and the MIF level in plasma was detected with the ELISA method. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from the control group and the severe OSAHS patients were cocultured with umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) for 72 hours. The apoptosis of HUVEC was detected by flow cytometry, while ET-1, NO, sICAM-1 and IL-6 in the supernatants were measured with the ELISA method. Results: The plasma level of MIF in the control group and the mild, the moderate, and the severe OSAHS patients was (26±8), (28±9), (31±14), (39±15) ng/ml, respectively (F=15.65, P<0.001), and it was higher in the severe OSAHS group as compared to the control group(P<0.01). The level of MIF was associated positively with the apnea hypoventilation index (AHI, r=0.365, P=0.008) and the oxygen index reduction (ODI, r=0.308, P=0.308) n but negatively with the lowest blood oxygen (r=0.323, P=0.323). Endothelial cell apoptosis rate in the control group and the severe OSAHS group was (2.94±1.02) %, (8.23± 3.01) %, respectively, t=5.97, P<0.001. ET-1 in the control group and the severe OSAHS group was (6.71±5.52), (9.88±4.79) pg/ml, respectively, t=3.018, P=0.141. sICAM-1 in the control group and the severe OSAHS group was (11±8), (20±7) ng/ml, respectively, t=7.58, P=0.014. NO in the control group and the severe OSAHS group was (35±16), (25±5) mol/L, respectively, t=2.01, P=0.067. IL-6 in the control group and the severe OSAHS group was (220±42), (436±178) mol/L, respectively, t=2.77, P<0.05. Conclusion: MIF is closely related to the degree of OSAHS severity, and it may be involved in the development and endothelial injury in OSAHS.

Wheat bran reduces concentrations of digestible, metabolizable, and net energy in diets fed to pigs, but energy values in wheat bran determined by the difference procedure are not different from values estimated from a linear regression procedure

An experiment was conducted to determine effects on DE, ME, and NE for growing pigs of adding 15 or 30% wheat bran to a corn-soybean meal diet and to compare values for DE, ME, and NE calculated using the difference procedure with values obtained using linear regression. Eighteen barrows (54.4 ± 4.3 kg initial BW) were individually housed in metabolism crates. The experiment had 3 diets and 6 replicate pigs per diet. The control diet contained corn, soybean meal, and no wheat bran. Two additional diets were formulated by mixing 15 or 30% wheat bran with 85 or 70% of the control diet, respectively. The experimental period lasted 15 d. During the initial 7 d, pigs were adapted to their experimental diets and housed in metabolism crates and fed 573 kcal ME/kg BW per day. On d 8, metabolism crates with the pigs were moved into open-circuit respiration chambers for measurement of O consumption and CO and CH production. The feeding level was the same as in the adaptation period, and feces and urine were collected during this period. On d 13 and 14, pigs were fed 225 kcal ME/kg BW per day, and pigs were then fasted for 24 h to obtain fasting heat production. Results of the experiment indicated that the apparent total tract digestibility of DM, GE, crude fiber, ADF, and NDF linearly decreased ( ≤ 0.05) as wheat bran inclusion increased in the diets. The daily O consumption and CO and CH production by pigs fed increasing concentrations of wheat bran linearly decreased ( ≤ 0.05), resulting in a linear decrease ( ≤ 0.05) in heat production. The DE (3,454, 3,257, and 3,161 kcal/kg for diets containing 0, 15, and 30% wheat bran, respectively for diets containing 0, 15, and 30% wheat bran, respectively), ME (3,400, 3,209, and 3,091 kcal/kg for diets containing 0, 15, and 30% wheat bran, respectively), and NE (1,808, 1,575, and 1,458 kcal/kg for diets containing 0, 15, and 30% wheat bran, respectively) of diets decreased (linear, ≤ 0.05) as wheat bran inclusion increased. The DE, ME, and NE of wheat bran determined using the difference procedure were 2,168, 2,117, and 896 kcal/kg, respectively, and these values were within the 95% confidence interval of the DE (2,285 kcal/kg), ME (2,217 kcal/kg), and NE (961 kcal/kg) estimated by linear regression. In conclusion, increasing the inclusion of wheat bran in a corn-soybean meal based diet reduced energy and nutrient digestibility and heat production as well as DE, ME, and NE of diets, but values for DE, ME, and NE for wheat bran determined using the difference procedure were not different from values determined using linear regression.

[Design and verification of Luo-Ye pump-based stress formation for cultivation of tissue-engineered blood vessel]

OBJECTIVE

To improve Luo-Ye pump-based stress-forming system and optimize the stimulating effect on smooth muscle cells during cultivation of tissue-engineered blood vessels (TEBV).

METHODS

A new Luo-Ye pump-based TEBV 3D culture system was developed by adding an air pump to the output of the bioreactor. A pressure guide wire was used to measure the stress at different points of the silicone tube inside the TEBV bio-reactor, and fitting curves of the stress changes over time was created using Origin 8.0 software. The TEBVs were constructed by seeding vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) isolated from human umbilical artery on polyglycolic acid (PGA) and cultured under dynamic conditions with 40 mmHg resistance (improved group), dynamic conditions without resistance (control group) or static condition (static group) for 4 weeks. The harvested TEBVs were then examined with HE staining, masson staining, α-SMA immunohistochemical staining, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy with semi-quantitative analysis of collagen content and α-SMA expression.

RESULTS

The measured stress values and the fitting curves showed that the stress stimuli from the Luo-Ye pump were enhanced by adding an air pump to the output of the bioreactor. Histological analysis revealed improved VSMC density, collagen content and α-SMA expression in the TEBVs constructed with the improved method as compared with those in the control and static groups.

CONCLUSION

Adding an air pump to the Luo-Ye pump significantly enhances the stress stimulation in the TEBV 3-D culture system to promote the secretion function of VSMCs.

Saliva supernatant miR-21: a novel potential biomarker for esophageal cancer detection

OBJECTIVE

To identify whether saliva supernatant miR-21 can serve as a novel potential biomarker in patients with esophageal cancer (EC).

METHODS

32 patients with EC and 16 healthy controls were recruited in this study. Total RNA was extracted from saliva supernatant samples for measurement of miR-21 levels using RT-qPCR and relationships between miR-21 levels and clinical characteristics of EC patients were analyzed.

RESULTS

miR-21 was significantly higher in the EC than control groups. The sensitivity and specificity were 84.4% and 62.5% respectively. Supernatant miR-21 levels showed no significant correlation with cancer stage, differentiation and nodal metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Saliva supernatant miR-21 may be a novel biomarker for EC.

The Nutritive Values in Different Varieties of Corn Planted in One Location Fed to Growing Pigs over Three Consecutive Years

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of variety and planting year on the nutritive values of corn fed to growing pigs. Four corn varieties examined in this experiment were planted in the same village located in Longhua County, Heibei Province, China, in 2012, 2013, and 2014, respectively. During each year, corn was hand-harvested in early October and sun dried to about 14% moisture content. Three batches of twenty-four barrows (33.27±4.30, 31.88±2.93, 34.21±3.81 kg body wight [BW] in 2012, 2013, and 2014, respectively) were used and allotted to a complete block design with 4 diets and 6 replicate pigs per diet. Pigs were individually placed in metabolic crates. The four experimental diets were formulated by mixing each variety of corn and vitamins and minerals, respectively. A five-day collection period followed a seven-day diet acclimation period. The results indicated that variety of corn significantly influenced the available energy content (digestible energy [DE] on dry matter basis, p<0.05; metabolizable energy (ME) on dry matter basis, p<0.05, respectively), and the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of organic matter (p<0.01), dry matter (p<0.05), gross energy (p<0.05), neutral detergent fiber (p<0.01), acid detergent fiber and ether extract (p<0.05). The planting year also significantly influenced the available energy contents (DE on dry matter basis, p<0.05; ME on dry matter basis, p<0.01, respectively) and the ATTD of neutral detergent fiber (p<0.01), acid detergent fiber (p<0.01), crude protein (p<0.01), and ether extract (p<0.01). No interaction was observed between the variety and planting year in DE and ME contents in corn. In conclusion, the variety and planting year significantly influenced the available energy and nutrient digestibility of corn fed to growing pigs.

TM4SF5-CTD-2354A18.1-miR-4697-3P may play a key role in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer

AIMS

Our aim is to identify important lncRNAs and mRNAs which may play a key role in contributing to pathogenesis of gastric cancer.

METHODS

Different LncRNAs and mRNAs are identified by microarray in gastric cancer tissue and corresponding normal tissues. The function and relationship of different LncRNAs and mRNAs is performed by GO analysis and Pathway analysis and made code-non-code network (CNC) by Pearson correlation coefficients (PCC). Then mRNA-miRNA relationship is predicted through mRNA-miRNA relationship software (http://www.targetscan.org). Lastly, mRNA-miRNA-LncRNA network is established for further research.

RESULTS

The expression profiles of 3732 lncRNAs showed different expression (fold change (FC)≥2.0, p<0.05) in gastric cancer tissue and normal tissue and expression profiles of 3994 mRNAs also showed different expression (FC≥2.0, p<0.05) in gastric cancer and corresponding normal tissue.

CONCLUSION

The expression of TM4SF5, CTD-2354A18.1 and miR-4697-3P is in balance at physiological conditions, however, the balance is disrupted by some situations, which may contribute to gastric cancer. GO analysis and Pathway analysis also showed TM4SF5 played an important role in proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Therefore, TM4SF5-miR-4697-3P- CTD-2354A18.1 may play a key role in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer (Tab. 2, Fig. 4, Ref. 30).

A facile and rapid route for synthesis of g-C3N4 nanosheets with high adsorption capacity and photocatalytic activity

A graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) nanosheet and its nanocomposites have recently attracted increasing interest due to their massive potentials in applications ranging from fluorescence imaging to solar energy conversion.

Research of inhibition of survivin in rat HSC-T6 cell by siRNA interference

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects and mechanisms of siRNA targeting survivin of inducing apoptosis in rat HSC-T6 cells.

METHODS

The experiment was divided into blank group, pGPU6/GFP/Neo-shNC group and pGPU6/GFP/Neo-siRNA group. The siRNA was transfected into HSC-T6 cells mediated by LipofectamineTM2000 for 24 h, and then the efficiency of transfection was observed by fluorescence microscopy. After transfection for 48h, the expression of survivin mRNA and protein was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method and Western-blot, and the form of cells was observed by microscopy. The apoptosis rate of HSC-T6 cells was measured by the flow cytometry with PI staining. The expression of caspase-3 protein was assessed by western-blot.

RESULTS

The prominent apoptosis of the pGPU6/GFP/Neo-siRNA group by PI staining was high, there was significant difference comparing with blank group and pGPU6/GFP/Neo- shNC group (p<0.05). The expression of caspase-3 by Western-blot in pGPU6/GFP/Neo-siRNA group was high, there was significant difference comparing with blank group and pGPU6/GFP/Neo-shNC group (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

siRNA targeting survivin can inhibit the expression of survivin mRNA and protein in rat HSC-T6 cells. Expression of survivin is negative correlation with expression of caspase-3. siRNA targeting survivin may up-regulate expression of caspase-3 and increase apoptosis of rat HST-T6 (Fig. 6, Ref. 24).

Determination and prediction of energy values in corn distillers dried grains with solubles sources with varying oil content for growing pigs

This study was conducted to determine the DE and ME content of 25 samples of corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) fed to growing pigs and to generate prediction equations for DE and ME based on chemical analysis. The 25 samples included 15 full-oil (no oil extracted; ether extract [EE] > 8%) DDGS and 10 reduced-oil (oil extracted; EE < 8%) DDGS collected from 17 ethanol plants in China. A corn–soybean meal diet constituted the basal diet and the other 25 diets replaced a portion of the corn, soybean meal, and lysine of the basal diet with 28.8% of 1 of the 25 corn DDGS sources. Seventy-eight barrows (initial BW = 42.6 ± 6.2 kg) were used in the experiment conducted over 2 consecutive periods (n = 6 per treatment) using a completely randomized design. For each period, pigs were placed in metabolism cages for a 5-d total collection of feces and urine following a 7-d adaptation to the diets. Among the 25 corn DDGS samples, EE, NDF, DE, and ME content (DM basis) ranged from 2.8 to 14.2%, 31.0 to 46.6%, 3,255 to 4,103 kcal/kg, and 2,955 to 3,899 kcal/kg, respectively. Using a stepwise regression analysis, a series of DE and ME prediction equations were developed not only among all 25 DDGS but also only within 15 full-oil DDGS and 10 reduced-oil DDGS samples. The best fit equations of DE (kcal/kg DM) for the complete set of 25 DDGS, 15 full-oil DDGS, and 10 reduced-oil DDGS were 2,064 – (38.51 × % NDF) + (0.64 × % GE) – (39.70 × % ash), –(87.53 × % ADF) + (1.02 × % GE) – (22.99 × % hemicellulose), and 3,491 – (40.25 × % NDF) + (46.95 × % CP), respectively. The best fit equations for ME (kcal/kg DM) for the complete set of 25 DDGS, 15 full-oil DDGS, and 10 reduced-oil DDGS were 1,554 – (44.11 × % NDF) + (0.77 × % GE) – (68.51 × % ash), 7,898 – (42.08 × % NDF) – (136.17 × % ash) + (101.19 × % EE) (103.83 × % CP), and 4,066 – (46.30 × % NDF) + (45.80 × % CP) – (106.19 × % ash), respectively. Using the sum of squared residuals to compare the accuracy of the 3 groups of prediction equations revealed that separate equations for full-oil DDGS and reduced-oil DDGS each provided a better fit than a single equation for the entire set of DDGS sources. These results indicated that the DE and ME values in corn DDGS are related to the chemical composition, primarily the EE and fiber concentrations. Specific prediction equations derived from full-oil and reduced-oil DDGS are better than equations derived from the entire set of DDGS.

Prediction of digestible and metabolizable energy content of rice bran fed to growing pigs

Two experiments were conducted to determine the digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) content of 19 rice bran samples and to develop prediction equations for DE and ME based on their chemical composition. The 19 rice bran samples came from different rice varieties, processing methods and regions. The basal diet was formulated using corn and soybean meal (74.43% corn and 22.91% soybean meal and 2.66% vitamins and minerals). The 19 experimental diets based on a mixture of corn, soybean meal and 29.2% of each source of rice bran, respectively. In Exp. 1, 108 growing barrows (32.1±4.2 kg) were allotted to 1 of 18 treatments according to a completely randomized design with 6 pigs per treatment. The treatment 1 was the control group which was fed with basal diet. The treatments 2 to 18 were fed with experimental diets. In Exp. 2, two additional rice bran samples were measured to verify the prediction equations developed in Exp. 1. A control diet and two rice bran diets were fed to 18 growing barrows (34.6±3.5 kg). The control and experimental diets formulations were the same as diets in Exp. 1. The results showed that the DE ranged from 14.48 to 16.85 (mean 15.84) MJ/kg of dry matter while the ME ranged from 12.49 to 15.84 (mean 14.31) MJ/kg of dry matter. The predicted values of DE and ME of the two additional samples in Exp. 2 were very close to the measured values.

MiR-21/RASA1 axis affects malignancy of colon cancer cells via RAS pathways

AIM: To determine how the oncogene miR-21 regulates the RAS signaling pathways and affects colon cancer cell behaviors.

METHODS: RAS p21 GTPase activating protein 1 (RASA1) protein expression in six colon cancer cell lines was assessed by Western blot. Colon cancer RKO cells were chosen for transfection because they are KRAS wild type colon cancer cells whose RASA1 expression is significantly decreased. RKO cells were transfected with vectors overexpressing or down-regulating either miR-21 or RASA1. Furthermore, a luciferase reporter assay was used to determine whether RASA1 is a gene target of miR-21. Then, changes in mRNA and protein levels of RASA1, RAS-GTP, and other components of the RAS signaling pathways were assessed in transfected RKO cells by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot and immunoprecipitation. Finally, cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and tumor formation ability were assessed by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide dye assay, flow cytometry, transwell assay, and animal experiment, respectively.

RESULTS: RASA1 protein levels were significantly decreased in RKO cells compared with the other 5 colon cancer cell lines, and RASA1 was confirmed as a target gene of miR-21. Interestingly, RASA1 mRNA and protein levels in pre-miR-21-LV (up-regulation of miR-21) cells were lower than those in anti-miR-21-LV (down-regulation of miR-21) cells (P < 0.05). In addition, pre-miR-21-LV or siRASA1 (down-regulation of RASA1) cells showed higher cell proliferation, reduced apoptosis, increased expression of RAS-GTP, p-AKT, Raf-1, KRAS, and p-ERK1/2, and higher invasion and tumor formation ability, compared with control, anti-miR-21-LV or pcDNA3.1-RASA1 (up-regulation of RASA1) cells (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: RASA1 is a target gene of miR-21, which promotes malignant behaviors of RKO cells through regulation of RASA1 expression.

AEG-1 affects expression of HIF-1α and miR-34a in colorectal cancer cells

AIM: To construct a stable expression system for astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) using lentiviral vector in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and assess its relationship with miR-34a and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α).

METHODS: AEG-1 expression in CRC cells was examined by Western blot analysis. A lentiviral vector carrying AEG-1 was constructed, identified by PCR and DNA sequencing, and then transfected into 293FT cells using lentiviral packaging systems. SW1116 cells were infected with the virus and analyzed by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Expression of miR-34a and HIF-1α was detected using qRT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTS: Western blot analysis showed that AEG-1 expression was the lowest in SW1116 among 7 CRC cell lines (P < 0.05). AEG-1 lentiviral vector was constructed successfully as revealed by DNA sequencing. The stable expression of AEG-1 was validated by qRT-PCR and Western blot (0.53 ± 0.44 vs 2.02 ± 0.22, P < 0.05; 0.71 ± 0.14 vs 2.02 ± 0.22, P < 0.05). Up-regulation of AEG-1 inhibited miR-34a expression (P < 0.01) but increased HIF-1α expression (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: An AEG-1 lentiviral vector has been successfully constructed. AEG-1 can down-regulate the expression of miR-34a and up-regulate the expression of HIF-1α.

Lentiviral-mediated RNAi targeting caspase-3 inhibits apoptosis induced by serum deprivation in rat endplate chondrocytes in vitro

Current studies find that degenerated cartilage endplates (CEP) of vertebrae, with fewer diffusion areas, decrease nutrient supply and accelerate intervertebral disc degeneration. Many more apoptotic cells have been identified in degenerated than in normal endplates, and may be responsible for the degenerated grade. Previous findings suggest that inhibition of apoptosis is one possible approach to improve disc regeneration. It is postulated that inhibition of CEP cell apoptosis may be responsible for the regeneration of endplates. Caspase-3, involved in the execution phase of apoptosis, is a candidate for regulating the apoptotic process. In the present study, CEP cells were incubated in 1% fetal bovine serum. Activated caspases were detected to identify the apoptotic pathway, and apoptosis was quantified by flow cytometry. Lentiviral caspase-3 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) was employed to study its protective effects against serum deprivation. Silencing of caspase-3 expression was quantified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blots, and inhibition of apoptosis was quantified by flow cytometry. Serum deprivation increased apoptosis of rat CEP cells through activation of a caspase cascade. Lentiviral caspase-3 shRNA was successfully transduced into CEP cells, and specifically silenced endogenous caspase-3 expression. Surviving cells were protected by the downregulation of caspase-3 expression and activation. Thus, lentiviral caspase-3 shRNA-mediated RNAi successfully silenced endogenous caspase-3 expression, preventing inappropriate or premature apoptosis.

Estimation of the net energy requirements for maintenance in growing and finishing pigs

The objective of this experiment was to determine the net energy requirements for maintenance of growing and finishing pigs using regression models. Thirty-six growing (27.38 ± 2.24 kg) and 36 finishing (70.25 ± 2.61 kg) barrows were used and within each phase. Pigs received a corn-soybean meal diet fed at 6 levels of feed intake, which were calculated as 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, or 100% of the estimated ad libitum ME intake (2,400 kJ ME/kg BW(0.6)·d(-1)) of the pigs. Measurements were conducted on 6 pigs per feeding level and per stage of growth. After a 5-d adjustment period, barrows in the fasted treatment were kept in respiration chambers for 2 d to measure the fasting heat production. Barrows in the other treatments were kept individually in respiration chambers for a 5-d balance trial followed by a 2-d fasting period. Heat production (HP) in the fed state was measured and feces and urine were collected in the balance trial. The total HP increased (P < 0.01) with increasing feeding levels. Fasting HP increased (P < 0.01) as previous feeding level increased and was less (P = 0.012) in finishing pigs than growing pigs if calculated per kilogram BW(0.6) per day. When using an exponential regression analysis, ME requirements for maintenance were estimated at 973 and 921 kJ/kg BW(0.6)·d(-1) and NE requirements for maintenance were estimated at 758 and 732 kJ/kg BW(0.6)·d(-1) for growing and finishing pigs, respectively. The efficiencies of using ME for growth and for maintenance were estimated at 66 and 78.7% for growing and finishing pigs, respectively. It is concluded that exponential regression between HP and a wide range of ME intake may be used as a new method to determine the NE requirement for maintenance.

SK channels modulate the excitability and firing precision of projection neurons in the robust nucleus of the arcopallium in adult male zebra finches

OBJECTIVE

Motor control is encoded by neuronal activity. Small conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels (SK channels) maintain the regularity and precision of firing by contributing to the afterhyperpolarization (AHP) of the action potential in mammals. However, it is not clear how SK channels regulate the output of the vocal motor system in songbirds. The premotor robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA) in the zebra finch is responsible for the output of song information. The temporal pattern of spike bursts in RA projection neurons is associated with the timing of the acoustic features of birdsong.

METHODS

The firing properties of RA projection neurons were analyzed using patch clamp whole-cell and cell-attached recording techniques.

RESULTS

SK channel blockade by apamin decreased the AHP amplitude and increased the evoked firing rate in RA projection neurons. It also caused reductions in the regularity and precision of firing. RA projection neurons displayed regular spontaneous action potentials, while apamin caused irregular spontaneous firing but had no effect on the firing rate. In the absence of synaptic inputs, RA projection neurons still had spontaneous firing, and apamin had an evident effect on the firing rate, but caused no significant change in the firing regularity, compared with apamin application in the presence of synaptic inputs.

CONCLUSION

SK channels contribute to the maintenance of firing regularity in RA projection neurons which requires synaptic activity, and consequently ensures the precision of song encoding.

[Long-term plasticity of HVC-RA synapses in adult male zebra finches]

Long-term synaptic plasticity is considered as a key part of the neural mechanism of learning and memory. The production of learned vocalization of male zebra finches is closely related to high vocal center (HVC)-robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA) pathway. However, the long-term plasticity of HVC-RA synapses is unclear. This study investigated the long-term plasticity of HVC-RA synapses in adult male zebra finches through in vivo field potential recording. The results showed that physiologic stimulation, i.e., δ rhythmic stimulation and low frequency stimulation could not effectively induce long-term synaptic plasticity. The former leaded to no change of the amplitudes of evoked population spikes, and the latter induced short-term depression (STD) of the amplitudes of the second evoked population spikes caused by paired pulses. But high frequency stimulation induced long-term depression (LTD) of the amplitudes of evoked population spikes to show out long-term synaptic plasticity. These results suggest that LTD represents the long-term plasticity of HVC-RA synapses in adult male zebra finches, which may be a key part of the neural mechanism of vocal learning and memory and can explain the plasticity of adult song to some degree.

[Effects of syringeal denervation on the vocalization in red-billed Leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea)]

In this study, the unilateral and bilateral syrinx nerve (NXIIts) were resected in the red-billed Leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea) to assess the roles of NXIIts in vocalization. Wavesurfer and Sound Analysis Pro were used to analyze pre- and postsurgical acoustic changes. After resecting of unilateral NXIIts, red-billed Leiothrix produced the common calls with lengthened syllable interval, shortened duration and a declined FM index. The effects of left NXIIts resction on temporal and spectral characteristics of syllables were more significant than that of right NXIIts. These results indicated that the neural control of NXIIts was unilateral and left-side dominated. Moreover, the left NXIIts could produce high frequency components and harmonic waves. After resecting of bilateral NXIIts, the calls were characterized by monotone, reduced loudness and increased syllable pulse numbers.

Butyrate promotes the recovering of intestinal wound healing through its positive effect on the tight junctions

Postweaning diarrhea is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in weanling piglets. Feeding sodium butyrate to weanling piglets decreased the incidence of diarrhea, but the mechanism has not been fully elucidated. The present study was to evaluate the effect of sodium butyrate on diarrhea in relation to wound healing of intestinal barrier using IPEC-J2 cell model. Cultured cells were scratched to induce wound and then were treated with 4 mM sodium butyrate. The results showed that supplementation of the cells with sodium butyrate significantly promoted the process of wound healing, indicating the protective effects of butyrate on the intestinal mucosa. Butyrate treatment enhanced mRNA expression of the intestinal mucosal tight junction proteins occludin and zonula occluden protein-1 (P < 0.05), which suggested that the promotion of wound healing by butyrate is related to the maintenance of the function of the intestinal barrier. In addition, in the butyrate-treated group, intestinal total superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (P < 0.05), two of the main antioxidant enzymes, as well as glutathione (P < 0.05), one of the nonenzymatic antioxidant components, were enhanced whereas the malondialdehyde level, a marker of free radical mediated lipid peroxidation injury, was decreased (P < 0.05) compared with the control group. Collectively, these results indicate that dietary sodium butyrate might, at least partly, play an important role in recovering the intestinal tight junctions having a positive effect on maintaining the gut integrity.

Decreased expression of DAB2IP in pancreatic cancer with wild-type KRAS

BACKGROUND

KRAS mutation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer. However, the role of wild-type KRAS in the progression of pancreatic cancer remains unknown. The present study was to investigate the expression of the Ras GTPase activating protein (DAB2IP) in pancreatic cancer and its clinical significance.

METHODS

The expression of DAB2IP in pancreatic cancer cell lines and normal human pancreatic ductal epithelial cells was analyzed by Western blotting and real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR). The KRAS mutational types of pancreatic cancer tissues obtained from pancreatic cancer patients (n=20) were also analyzed. Subsequently, DAB2IP expression was detected in pancreatic cancer tissues, adjacent and normal pancreatic tissues (n=2) by immunohistochemistry, and the relationship between DAB2IP expression and the clinical characteristics of patients was evaluated.

RESULTS

Western blotting and qRT-PCR results showed that DAB2IP expression in pancreatic cancer cells with wild-type KRAS was lower than that in those with mutation-type KRAS and normal human pancreatic ductal epithelial cells (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed that DAB2IP expression was lower in pancreatic cancer tissues than that in adjacent and normal pancreatic tissues (Z=-4.000, P=0.000). DAB2IP expression was lower in pancreatic cancer patients with the wild-type KRAS gene than that in those with KRAS mutations (WilcoxonW=35.000, P=0.042). Furthermore, DAB2IP expression in patients with perineurial invasion was lower than that in those without invasion (WilcoxonW=71.500, P=0.028). DAB2IP expression was lower in patients with more advanced stage than that in those with early clinical stage (WilcoxonW=54.000, P=0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

DAB2IP expression was reduced in patients with pancreatic cancer compared with those with no cancer. DAB2IP expression was correlated with the KRAS gene, perineurial invasion and clinical stage of the disease. Our data indicated that DAP2IP expression can be used as a potential prognostic indicator and a promising molecular target for therapeutic intervention in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Evaluation of energy digestibility and prediction of digestible and metabolizable energy from chemical composition of different cottonseed meal sources fed to growing pigs

The present experiment was conducted to determine the digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME) content, and the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of energy in growing pigs fed diets containing one of ten cottonseed meals (CSM) collected from different provinces of China and to develop in vitro prediction equations for DE and ME content from chemical composition of the CSM samples. Twelve growing barrows with an initial body weight of 35.2±1.7 kg were allotted to two 6×6 Latin square designs, with six barrows and six periods and six diets for each. A corn-dehulled soybean meal diet was used as the basal diet, and the other ten diets were formulated with corn, dehulled soybean meal and 19.20% CSM. The DE, ME and ATTD of gross energy among different CSM sources varied largely and ranged from 1,856 to 2,730 kcal/kg dry matter (DM), 1,778 to 2,534 kcal/kg DM, and 42.08 to 60.47%, respectively. Several chemical parameters were identified to predict the DE and ME values of CSM, and the accuracy of prediction models were also tested. The best fit equations were: DE, kcal/kg DM = 670.14+31.12 CP+659.15 EE with R² = 0.82, RSD = 172.02, p<0.05; and ME, kcal/kg DM = 843.98+25.03 CP+673.97 EE with R² = 0.84, RSD = 144.79, p<0.05. These results indicate that DE, ME values and ATTD of gross energy varied substantially among different CSM sources, and that some prediction equations can be applied to predict DE and ME in CSM with an acceptable accuracy.

Whole-genome scan for signatures of recent selection reveals loci associated with important traits in White Leghorn chickens

Chicken is considered to be an excellent model for genetic studies of phenotypic and genomic evolution, with large effective population size, specialized commercial lines, and strong human-driven selection. High-density chicken SNP chips can help to achieve a better understanding of the selection mechanisms in artificially selected populations. We performed the genome-wide tests for the selection signature in 385 White Leghorn hens and mapped positively selected regions to the genome annotations. Ten QTL related to egg production, egg quality, growth, and disease resistance traits were selected for extended haplotype homozygosity tests to give a brief overview of recent selection signatures in chicken QTL. We also reported 185 candidate genes/CDSs showing top P-values and slower decay of haplotype homozygosities. Some of these genes seemed to have significant effects on important economical traits, and most of them have not been reported in chickens. The current study provides a genome-wide map of linkage disequilibrium extents and distributions and selection footprints in the chicken genome. A panel of genes, including PRL, NCKX1, NRF1, LHX2, and SFRP1 associated with egg production, metabolism traits, and response to illumination were identified. In addition, there were more genes identified that have not yet been reported in chickens, and our results provide new clues for further study.

A genome-wide SNP scan reveals two loci associated with the chicken resistance to Marek's disease

Marek's disease (MD) is a neoplastic disease in chickens, caused by the Marek's disease virus (MDV). To investigate host genetic resistance to MD, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 67 MDV-infected chickens based on a case and control design, including 57 susceptible chickens in the case group and 10 resistant chickens as controls. After searching 38 655 valid genomic markers, two SNPs were found to be associated with host resistance to MD. One SNP, rs14527240, reaching chromosome-wide significance level (P < 0.01) was located in the SPARC-related modular calcium-binding 1 (SMOC1) gene on GGA5. The other one, GGaluGA156129, reaching genome-wide significance (P < 0.05), was located in the protein tyrosine phosphatase, non-receptor type 3 (PTPN3) gene on GGA2. In addition, expression patterns of these two genes in spleens were detected by qPCR. The expression of SMOC1 was significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05), whereas the expression of PTNP3 did not show significance when the case group was compared with the control group. Up-regulation of SMOC1 in susceptible spleens suggests its important roles in MD tumorigenesis. This is the first study to investigate MD-resistant loci, and it demonstrates the power of GWASs for mapping genes associated with MD resistance.

9-(2-Bromo-eth-yl)-9H-carbazole

In the title compound, C(14)H(12)BrN, the fused-ring system is slightly buckled as its two benzene rings are inclined to one another by 3.41 (14)°.

[Effects of C-reactive protein on the expression of transforming growth factor β1 and receptors on human renal tubular epithelial cells]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of C-reactive protein (CRP) on the expression of Fcγ receptors in human renal tubular epithelial cells and determine the role of Fcγ receptors in CRP-induced expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1).

METHODS

Human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) were cultured and stimulated with recombinant human CRP. The mRNA expression of Fcγ receptors, including FcγRI (CD64), FcγRIIa (CD32a) and FcγRIII (CD16), was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). On the basis of real-time PCR results, CD32a was selected for further analysis: the CD32a expression in HK-2 cells incubated with 10 mg/L CRP for 24 h was determined by flow cytometry and Western blotting. HK-2 cells were preincubated with or without anti-CD32a IgG, followed by the addition of recombinant human CRP. Subsequently the biological effects of CRP were tested. TGFβ1, type I collagen (ColI) and type IV collagen (ColIV) released into media were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. And TGFβ1 mRNA expression was measured by real-time PCR.

RESULTS

On real-time PCR, CRP was found to significantly up-regulate the CD32a mRNA expression in HK-2 cells in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01). The peak up-regulation was observed at a dose of 10 mg/L. In contrast, mRNAs of CD16 and CD64 were not detected in HK-2 cells. Flow cytometry showed that CD32a expressed on HK-2 cells incubated with 10 mg/L recombinant human CRP for 24 h accounted for 23.35% ± 7.43%, significantly higher than that on non-CRP-treated cells (1.66% ± 0.28%, P < 0.01). Western blotting showed that CRP up-regulated CD32a expression in a dose-dependent manner. And 10 mg/L CRP induced the peak effect. Antibodies to CD32a inhibited the stimulatory effect of CRP on the generation of TGFβ1, ColI and ColIV (all P < 0.05) and down-regulated the expression of TGFβ1 mRNA (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The stimulation of CRP can significantly increase CD32a expression in renal tubular epithelial cells and up-regulate the expression of transforming growth factor TGFβ1 through CD32a receptor.

Ethyl 2-[4,5-bis(butylsulfanyl)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene]-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-c]pyrrole-4-carboxylate

In the title mol­ecule, C₁₉H₂₅NO₂S₆, the butyl chains are each disordered over two conformations in a 0.689 (10):0.311 (10) ratio. In the crystal, pairs of N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link mol­ecules into centrosymmetric dimers. Short S⋯S contacts of 3.553 (4) Å are observed.

1-(1,3-Benzothiazol-2-yl)-3-phenyl-2-pyrazoline

In the title compound, C₁₆H₁₃N₃S, the pyrazoline ring forms dihedral angles of 6.89 (14) and 4.96 (11)° with the benzene ring and the benzothia­zole group, respectively. In the crystal, weak C—H⋯N inter­actions link the mol­ecules into chains extending along the b-axis direction.

Electrochemiluminescent detection of mucin 1 protein and MCF-7 cancer cells based on the resonance energy transfer

A novel sensing strategy for sensitive detection of mucin 1 protein (MUC1) and MCF-7 cells based on electrochemiluminescence (ECL) resonance energy transfer (ERET) from bis(2,2'-bipyridine)-(5-aminophenanthroline)ruthenium(II) (Ru1) to graphene oxide (GO) was proposed. The MUC1 aptamer was covalently combined with Ru1 (Ru1-aptamer) using aqueous carbodiimide coupling chemistry. Due to the strong noncovalent interaction between the Ru1-aptamer and GO, the ECL of Ru1 was efficiently quenched because of the ERET. In the presence of a target MUC1 protein, the binding between the Ru1-aptamer and MUC1 disturbed the interaction between the Ru1-aptamer and GO. These interactions led to the release of the Ru1-aptamer from GO, and resulted in the restoration of Ru1 ECL. This was shown to detect MUC1 protein sensitively in a linear range from 64.9 to 1036.8 nM with a detection limit of 40 nM. With further application in the detection of MCF-7 cells, the presented method could respond at concentrations as low as 30 cancer cells per mL. By substituting the aptamer and the corresponding target, this method could be conveniently extended for the sensitive detection of other biomolecules.

(E)-Methyl 3-(1H-indol-3-yl)acrylate

In the title compound, C₁₂H₁₁NO₂, the indole and methyl acrylate mean planes are inclined at an angle of 10.6 (1)°. In the crystal, N—H⋯π inter­actions link mol­ecules into chains along [010] and weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds further consolidate the crystal packing.