Effects of flavones of sea buckthorn fruits on growth performance, carcass quality, fat deposition and lipometabolism for broilers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of flavones of sea buckthorn fruits (FSBF) on growth performance, carcass quality, fat deposition, and lipometabolism for broilers. 240 one-day-old Arbor Acres male broilers were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments (0, 0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.15% FSBF) with 6 replicates of 10 birds. Broilers were reared for 42 d. Results showed FSBF quadratically improved average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and final body weight (BW) (P = 0.002, P = 0.019 and P = 0.018, respectively). The abdominal fat percentage in 0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.15% FSBF supplementation groups was decreased by 21.08%, 19.12%, and 19.61% with respect to the control group, respectively (P < 0.05). The intramuscular fat (IMF) content in the breast muscle of the broilers was increased by 7.21%, 23.42% and 6.30% in 0.05%, 0.10% and 0.15% FSBF groups, and that in the thigh meat was raised by 4.43%, 24.63% and 12.32%, compared with the control group, respectively (P < 0.05). FSBF had a quadratic effect on the abdominal fat percentage and IMF in the breast muscle (P < 0.05). Dietary FSBF also modified fatty acids of muscular tissues, resulting in a higher ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids (P < 0.05). Supplementing FSBF in the diet greatly decreased the levels of triglyceride, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.05). Moreover, the quadratic responses were also observed in the levels of insulin and adiponectin in serum (P = 0.020 and P = 0.037, respectively). Abdominal fat percentage was correlated negatively with insulin and positively with adiponectin (P < 0.05). IMF content in the breast and thigh muscles were correlated positively with insulin, and negatively with adiponectin (P < 0.05). A positive correlation existed between breast muscle, IMF, and leptin (P < 0.05). In conclusion, adding FSBF into the diets affected growth performance and fat deposition of broilers by regulating lipometabolism. Fat deposition and distribution of broilers were closely associated with concentrations of insulin and adiponectin. The optimal level of FSBF supplemented in diet was 0.05 to 0.10% in this study.

Left ventricular non-compaction progression to dilated cardiomyopathy following acute myocarditis in an early infant twin

Left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC), previously termed "spongy myocardium", is an abnormal interruption of myocardial compaction in early embryogenesis. It is now considered to be an important etiology of pediatric cardiomyopathy. Here, we report a case of 3-month-old twins with acute viral myocarditis, in which one of the twins, who had LVNC that progressed rapidly to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP) even after maximal medical therapy. The twin without LVNC recovered almost completely after supportive medical therapy. Although several reports have suggested that genetic abnormalities are associated with this disease, genetic research is needed to confirm this. This is the first report of LVNC in twins at 3 months of age who developed DCMP following acute fulminant myocarditis. In addition, this report highlights the fact that LVNC can be an important cause of DCMP, which can be rapidly aggravated after acute viral myocarditis during early infancy.

Attempts to increase inosinic acid in broiler meat by using feed additives

To explore regulation of inosinic acid content in chicken meat as a result of feed additives, 576 one-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allotted into 8 dietary treatments including control, purine nucleotide (P), betaine (B), soybean isoflavone (S), purine nucleotide + betaine (PB), purine nucleotide + soybean isoflavone (PS), betaine +soybean isoflavone (BS), and purine nucleotide + betaine + soybean isoflavone (PBS) by a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. At d 42 of age, broilers were slaughtered, and growth performance, carcass characteristics, inosinic acid content, and activities of enzyme closely related to inosinic acid metabolism of broilers were measured. The results revealed that these feed additives did not affect ADG and ADFI of the broilers (P > 0.05). However, supplementing purine nucleotides lowered feed/gain of broilers in PS and PBS groups (P < 0.05). There was a significant interaction on feed/gain of broilers between purine nucleotides and soybean isoflavone (P < 0.05). The abdominal fat percentages in groups B, S, BS, and PBS were lower than the control group, respectively (P < 0.05). The thigh muscle percentages of groups P and B were higher than that of group PB (P < 0.05). There were certain interactions on the percentage of thigh muscle (P = 0.05) and abdominal fat (P < 0.05) between P, B, and S groups. Compared with the control group, inosinic acid content in broiler breast meat was improved by using feed additives (P < 0.05). Supplementing purine nucleotides, betaine, soybean isoflavone, and their combinations increased alkaline phosphatase activity in breast meat of broilers (P < 0.05). Purine nucleotides improved the activity of adenosine deaminase, but decreased the activity of 5'-nucleotidase. Soybean isoflavone lowered the activity of alkaline phosphatase. There were no significant interactions on activities of creatine kinase, adenosine deaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and 5'-nucleotidase between these additives (P > 0.05). The umami rating of broiler breast meat increased in conjunction with supplementing these additives. In conclusion, supplementing standard feed with the additives investigated in this study could improve inosinic acid content in chicken meat by increasing synthase activity or inhibiting degradation enzyme activity without inferior growth performance and carcass quality.

Effect of Repeated Wuniu Early Tea Administration on the CYP450 Activity Using a Cocktail Method

Wuniu early tea (Camellia sinensis) is an important beverage consumed in China. Up to date, a lot of methods for identifying and chemical analysing have been done. However, there is no report on the effects of Wuniu early tea on cytochrome P450 isozymes. Therefore, the present objective of our study was to evaluate the potential effects of Wuniu early tea on cytochrome P450 isozymes P2C9, P1A2, P2C19 and P2B6 in rats with a cocktail approach including, matching probe drugs of tolbutamide, phenacetin, omeprazole and bupropion. These four probe drugs were simultaneously administered to rats after repeated Wuniu early tea administration. The pharmacokinetics of the probes in the plasma was simultaneous determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The t_1/2 and AUC_(0-∞) of tolbutamide increased significantly and CL_z decreased remarkably in test rats after repeated Wuniu early tea administration. However, the main pharmacokinetic parameters of the other three probe drugs were not significantly different between control and test rats. The findings in this study suggested that Wuniu early tea could inhibit cytochrome P2C9 while did not influence on cytochrome P1A2, cytochrome P2C19 and cytochrome P2B6.

Successful transcatheter closure of a large patent ductus venosus with the Amplatzer vascular plug II

Patent ductus venosus is a rare form of congenital portosystemic shunt from the fetal umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava. The reported surgical treatments include ligation, banding, and liver transplantation. In addition, transcatheter closure with a coil, stent, or original Amplatzer vascular plug (AVP) has been reported. The AVP II, a redesigned version of the original vascular plug with a finer more densely woven nitinol wire and a large diameter (up to 22 mm) is available. This reported case is the first successful occlusion of a large patent ductus venosus with the new AVP II.

Synthesis and photodynamic action of diphenyl-2,3-dihydroxychlorin: a potential tumor photosensitizer

The synthesis, photophysical properties of diphenyl-2,3-dihydroxychlorin (DPCOH) and its photocytotoxicity to tumor cells are described. DPCOH exhibits photodynamic activity in terms of type I and type II mechanisms under irradiation. The quantum yield of (1)O(2) in CHCl(3) is 0.7. For the photocytotoxicity to tumor cells, DPCOH proved to be 200 times more potent than HPD, and the dark toxicity is low (dark IC(90)>32 microg/mL).

[Metabolism of ginsenoside Rb1 and panaxadiol saponins by fungi]

AIM

To study the metabolic process of ginsenoside Rb1 (G-Rb1) and panaxadiol saponins (PDS) by fungi.

METHODS

Ten strains of fungi were incubated with G-Rb1 and PDS at a certain temperature with shaking. A portion was taken out at different time and mixed up with butanol. The butanol extract was analysed by thin layer chromatography (TLC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and electrospray ionazition mass spectrometry (ESI-MS).

RESULTS

It was found that there were ginsenoside-Rd (G-Rd), ginsenoside-F2 (G-F2), compound K (CK) and 20(S) protopanaxadiol (Ppd) metabolites beside the prodrug G-Rb1 induced by fungi (No. 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9).

CONCLUSION

The six strains of fungi have different degrees of ability to metabolize G-Rb1 and PDS. The possible metabolic process could be as follows: G-Rb1 (or PDS)-->G-Rd-->G-F2-->CK-->Ppd.

Sodium etiobilirubin-IVgamma-C10-sulfonate: a highly solvated bile pigment structure containing two different non-ridge-tile conformers in the unit cell

The crystal structure of the title compound is the first example of a bilirubin existing in both extended and cyclic conformations and the first bile pigment structure showing two markedly different conformations in the unit cell. In contrast to previous rubin structures the dipyrrinone rings are twisted out of planarity in both conformers. Because of numerous hydrogen-bonding and ionic interactions a highly complex tetrameric structure is observed in which each extended conformer is held pincer-like by another.

[Clinical observation on effect of intervention therapy with anticoagulant in treating patients of hypertension complicated with acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease]

OBJECTIVE

To study the changes of blood coagulation-fibrinolysis-C protein system in patients of hypertension with acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease (AICVD) after anticoagulation therapy.

METHODS

Fifty-seven cases of AICVD were grouped and treated with heparin and Xueshuantong (XST) respectively, and the levels of prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (FIB), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) and activated protein C (APC) were determined before and after treatment.

RESULTS

The clinical markedly effective rate in the heparin group and the XST group was 69.2% and 67.7% respectively with no significant difference (P > 0.05). In the heparin group, level of PT and APTT prolonged, FIB decreased, t-PA activity elevated and PAI activity lowered, and APC unchanged. In the XST group, same changes in FIB, t-PA and PAI were shown but with APC increased, and PT and APTT unchanged.

CONCLUSION

Both heparin and XST have good anticoagulatory function and show good clinical effect in treating patients with hypertension complicated with acute ischemic cerebrovascular diseases.

Neonatal fungemia caused by Hansenula anomala: a case report

Hansenula anomala, an ascosporogenous yeast of the class Ascomycetes, is a free-living organism isolated from the environment. It is also a part of the normal or transient flora of the human throat and alimentary tract. It has been recognized as an opportunistic pathogen and its infection is very rare. A premature infant, a victim of right femoral osteomyelitis and right hip arthritis caused by oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, was found to have developed H. anomala fungemia just before the initiation of the antimicrobial therapy with teicoplanin. Antifungal agents (fluconazole and amphotericin B) were prescribed for 10 days despite the absence of clinical sign of systemic fungal infection. His general condition remained good, with a subsequent sterile blood culture. The patient was discharged after completing 5 weeks of antimicrobial therapy, and he remained well during follow-up at our outpatient clinics. Here, we also review the risk factors, the clinical presentations, and the therapeutic strategies of H. anomala infection in the literature.

Invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae infections of children in central Taiwan

We carried out a retrospective study on childhood invasive pneumococcal infections (IPI) diagnosed from the January 1990 through the April 2000 at a medical center in central Taiwan. Their clinical features, outcome of the patients and the resistance patterns of the isolates were analyzed. A total of 95 clinical isolates from 72 patients younger than 14 years of age were included in this study. Of these 72 patients, 51 had bacteremia, 28 meningitis, 14 bacteremic pneumonia, 12 pleural empyema, eight otitis media, four arthritis, three sinusitis, two periorbital abscesses, one deep neck infection, one psoas muscle abscess, one peritonitis, one urinary tract infection, and one cutaneous infection. Ancillary diagnostic tests, including Gram stain smears and latex agglutination tests, were applied and the sensitivities were 86.2% and 54.3%, respectively. The prevalence rate of penicillin nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae has increased dramatically since 1995 in central Taiwan, with rates of 5.6% and 74.1% before and after 1995, and the overall mortality rate was 20.8% and 53.3% respectively. Ten of 19 children (52.6%) with pneumococcal meningitis who survived had long-term sequelae.

Chronic granulomatous disease: a case report

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a rare inherited disorder caused by defects in the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase complex of phagocytic leukocytes. The leukocytes of the CGD patients cannot produce adequate amount of superoxide and other oxygen metabolites which are toxic to microorganisms. As a result, the phagocytes fail to kill the ingested microorganisms, especially those with catalase activity. Typically, CGD patients suffer from recurrent pyogenic infections starting from the first year of life. We report a young boy who had experienced recurrent perianal abscess, osteomyelitis and bacterial enterocolitis. Flow cytometric analysis revealed defects in the neutrophil respiratory burst pathway and defined the carrier state of his mother and younger sister. He received antimicrobial prophylaxis at our out-patient clinics and remained well at present. We try to make clinical physician keep in mind the diagnosis of CGD by presenting this typical case. In the meantime, we review the recent literature regarding the advances in diagnosis and management of CGD.

Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis: a case report

Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA) is a very rare genetic disorder of the peripheral nervous system characterized by recurrent episodes of unexplained fever, generalized anhidrosis, insensitivity to pain and temperature, and accompanied by self-mutilating behavior and mental retardation. We report on a 16 month-old boy with CIPA who exhibited these characteristic clinical features. A sural nerve biopsy revealed markedly reduced numbers of unmyelinated and small myelinated fibers, consistent with the characteristic features of CIPA.

Changes of neonatal mortality rate between 'pre' and 'post' surfactant period

The objective of this study was to determine how the neonatal mortality rate has changed since surfactant (S) therapy was introduced in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and to evaluate the efficacy of surfactant therapy in respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) patients. Incidences of risk babies such as outborns, prematurity, low birth weight infants and RDS, and neonatal mortality rates were compared between 'pre' (control, 1988 to 1991, n=4,861) and 'post' S period (study, 1993 to 1996, n=5,430). In RDS patients of 'post' S period, neonatal mortality rate was compared between S-treated and non-treated patients, and chest X-ray and ventilatory parameters were compared between pre- and post-72 hr of surfactant treatment. Surfactant therapy showed short term effects, judging by the decrease of early neonatal deaths and improvement of chest X-ray and ventilatory parameters in RDS patients. The overall neonatal mortality rate had a tendency to decrease in spite of increased incidences of risk babies in 'post' S period but it was less than expected. The reasons were thought to be that we had a high proportion of risk babies, and there was some bias in patient selection for surfactant therapy and its use. In conclusion, with the active prevention of risk baby delivery and appropriate use of surfactant, better results could be expected.

Constrictive pericarditis after surgical closure of atrial septal defect in a child

Constrictive pericarditis following an open cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease is very rarely encountered in children. We report a case of constrictive pericarditis, diagnosed at 22 months after surgical closure of an atrial septal defect, in a 14-year-old boy who presented postpericardiotomy syndrome. Cardiac catheterization revealed uniformity of elevated diastolic pressures in all chambers, prominent x and y descents in the right atrial pressure tracing, and typical "dip and plateau" contour of ventricular end-diastolic pressures. Pericardiectomy improved the hemodynamic status of the patient. He remains symptom-free during the follow-up period of 12 months.

Intermittent form of maple syrup urine disease: report of one case

We present a Chinese female infant with an intermittent form of MSUD whose early development was relatively well. A total of three episodes of stupor and metabolic acidosis developed with a concurrent illness after the age of 13 months. The initial analyses of plasma amino acid and urinary organic acid were normal. Initially, an abnormal oral glucose lactate stimulation test and high signal in the bilateral globus pallidus over T2-weighted brain MRI led us to suspect a mitochondrial disorder. The final diagnosis was made after the patient died at 31 months of age.

Central core disease associated with scoliosis: report of one case

A 13 year-old girl with scoliosis and central core disease is reported. She was noted to have mild psychomotor developmental delay since early infancy. Scoliosis with minimal muscle weakness was noted at about five years old. The neurological examination disclosed absent knee jerk. The spine MRI showed no significant finding. The serum CK revealed 518 U/L. The muscle biopsy obtained from the quadriceps femoris muscle showed Type 1 fiber atrophy and predominance, as is commonly seen in congenital myopathies. Under nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase (NADH) and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) stains, core structures were identified and the diagnosis of central core disease (CCD) was made. Since kyphoscoliosis usually becomes prominent as muscle weakness progresses to loss of ambulation in other myopathies, the disproportionate spinal involvement in central core disease appears to be a striking feature. We suggest that all patients with idiopathic scoliosis deserve a thorough neurological evaluation if congenital myopathies are suspected. Muscle biopsy should also be recommended for a confirmatory diagnosis even if only minimal muscle weakness present. Besides, early detection of CCD helps us to identify the population who are at a higher risk for malignant hyperthermia.

Verapamil responsive incessant ventricular tachycardia resulting in severe ventricular dysfunction in a young child: successful management with oral verapamil

In young children with incessant ventricular tachycardia and severe ventricular dysfunction, the management of tachycardia with conventional antiarrhythmic drugs remains a major therapeutic challenge because most of these drugs can further depress myocardial function. We report a four year old boy with verapamil responsive incessant ventricular tachycardia and severe ventricular dysfunction in whom oral verapamil treatment eliminated both the arrhythmia and the picture of dilated cardiomyopathy. On oral verapamil, the patient remains asymptomatic without recurrence of the ventricular tachycardia over a follow up period of 10 months.

Anomalous origin of the left anterior descending coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk associated with type B interrupted aortic arch

An extremely rare congenital anomaly of the coronary circulation in a neonate with type B interrupted aortic arch is reported in which the left anterior descending coronary artery arose from the pulmonary trunk and the right and left circumflex coronary arteries from the aorta. An anomalous coronary artery was demonstrated by selective pulmonary angiography and then confirmed at necropsy.

Hypocrellin-A sensitized photooxidation of bilirubin

Hypocrellin A (HA) extracted from Hypocrellia bambusae (b.et Br.) sace, a derivative of 3,10-dihydroxy-4,9-perylenequinone, is a highly effective photosensitizer. Kinetic studies of the HA-sensitized photooxidation of bilirubin IX alpha (BR) in different solvents in the presence of various active oxygen quenchers indicate that in aprotic solvents the photooxidation goes via a Type II (1O2) mechanism, whereas in alkaline protic solvents Type I (electron transfer from an excited state of HA to the ground state of oxygen or the BR substrate). Type II and probably free radical reactions may occur simultaneously.

Intussusception anastomosis of the esophagus: a new method of anastomosis after resection of esophageal or cardiac carcinoma

A new method of anastomosis after resection of esophageal or cardiac carcinoma was carried out in 141 patients in Anyang Cancer Hospital from February 1983 to September 1985. After resection of the tumor, the proximal end of the esophagus was intussuscepted into the stomach lumen and extroversion sutures were applied on the esophageal mucosa to prevent bleeding and stenosis. In this series, the operative mortality was 0.7% (1/141) and no anastomotic leakage was found. We consider that this modified operative procedure is fairly easy, simple, and beneficial in reducing surgical complications.

[Invagination anastomosis of the esophagus--a new method of anastomosing after resection of esophageal or cardial carcinoma]

A new method of anastomosis after resection of esophageal or cardial carcinoma was carried out in 141 patients in our hospital from Feb. 1983 to Sept. 1985. After resection of the tumor, the proximal end of esophagus was invaginated into the stomach lumen and a tight suture was applied between the outer wall of esophagus and stomach. Extroversion suture of the mucosa in the esophageal end, being free in the stomach lumen, was made to prevent bleeding and stenosis. The operative mortality was 0.7% (1/141) and no anastomotic leak was found. Our experiences indicate that this operative procedure is easy, simple and obviously reduces the complication in the anastomotic region.