Variability in chewing, ruminal fermentation, digestibility and bacterial communities between subacute ruminal acidosis-susceptible and acidosis-tolerant sheep

Sorting behaviour is a common phenomenon observed in ruminants when they are provided with a total mixed ration, which contributes to variations in the severity of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA). Pelleted total mixed ration (PTMR) reduces sorting, but high-grain content increases acidosis risk. However, whether the variability in the severity of SARA exists in sheep fed the same high-grain PTMR is less understood. This study aimed to investigate SARA variability among individual sheep offered a high-grain PTMR, considering chewing activity, ruminal fermentation, bacterial communities and nutrient digestibility. Twenty ruminally cannulated male Hu sheep were individually housed in cages and fed a PTMR comprising 80% concentrate mix and 20% roughage. A 14-day adaptation period to the diet and facilities was provided before a 10-day sample collection period. Continuous monitoring of ruminal pH was conducted for 48 h, during which time chewing activity was also recorded. Ruminal fluid samples were collected for analysis of volatile fatty acid and microbial DNA extraction. Faecal samples were collected to measure nutrient digestibility. Based on their acidosis index, the sheep were classified into two groups: SARA-susceptible group (n = 6) and SARA-tolerant group (n = 6). The SARA-susceptible sheep exhibited a lower ruminal mean pH and minimum pH than the SARA-tolerant sheep (P < 0.05). Additionally, the SARA-susceptible group increased the acidosis index, duration and areas of pH below 5.8 and 5.6 compared to the SARA-tolerant group (P < 0.05). The SARA-susceptible group also exhibited a longer ruminating time than the SARA-tolerant group (P < 0.05). The SARA-susceptible group exhibited a tendency to increase the relative abundance of Firmicutes (P = 0.089), while simultaneously decreasing the copy number of Fibrobacter succinogenes in the rumen, as well as the digestibility of NDF and ADF compared to the SARA-tolerant group (P < 0.05). The acidosis index was found to be positively correlated with ruminating time (min/kg DM intake (DMI)) and total chewing time (min/kg DMI), but negatively correlated with the copy number of Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus albus in the rumen. These findings indicate that there exists variability in the SARA severity among sheep when fed a high-grain PTMR, as evidenced by varied chewing activity, bacterial communities and nutrient digestibility. Ruminating time, total chewing time per kilogram of DMI as well as the copy number of Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus albus in the rumen hold potential as indicators for assessing the severity of SARA.

[Emulation pulmonary nodules localization model:a novel non-invasive localization technique in resection of pulmonary nodules]

Objective: To explore the accuracy and efficiency of a novel 3D-printed emulation localization model of small pulmonary nodules in lung surgery. Methods: From April 2020 to April 2021, a total of 66 patients were selected in the study, who underwent localization and resection of pulmonary nodules with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) guided by the 3D-printed emulation localization model at Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University. There were 13 males and 53 females, aged from 25 to 79 (52.7±11.4) years. Of all patients, 24 (36.4%) had single pulmonary nodule, and 42 (63.6%) had synchronous multiple pulmonary nodules. The chest high-resolution CT image data were utilized for digital reconstruction and 3D printing to make a tailored life-size emulation pulmonary nodules localization model, which was used to navigate real-time intraoperative localization of nodules. Clinical data including operative parameters, localization information, resection types and pathological findings of nodules were analyzed. The pulmonary nodules that doctors planned to resect were categorized into two categories:major nodules and additional nodules, according to their presence of invasion and radiological risk factors. The accuracy of localization and resection efficiency of nodules were evaluated in accordance with the categories of the nodules respectively. Results: On the basis of preoperative evaluation, there were 71 major nodules with median maximal diameter of 0.9 (0.6-1.3) cm, and 77 additional nodules with median maximal diameter of 0.5 (0.4-0.7) cm. All patients underwent VATS surgery, 52 of them (78.8%) were treated with uniportal VATS and 14 (21.2%) with triportal VATS. Among the patients with single nodule, 18 segmentectomies and 6 wedge resections were performed; whereas among the patients with multiple nodules, 5 segmentectomies, 14 wedge resections, and 23 combined pulmonary resections (including 2 cases of lobectomy+segmentectomy, 7 cases of lobectomy+wedge resections, and 14 cases of segmentectomy+wedge resections) were achieved. The median operative time was 93 (45-240) min, and the median resection time for all nodules was 51.4 (6.7-147.0) min. All major nodules were successfully resected and visibly dissected after removal, and all additional nodules were successfully resected with 85.7%(66/77) nodules visibly dissected. The accuracy rate of localization of both types of nodules was 100%. All major nodules were malignant, and the malignancy rate of additional nodules was 21.2%(14/66). Conclusion: This novel 3D-printed emulation localization model of small pulmonary nodules proved to be a non-invasive, accurate and efficient technique. Not only that, it has a unique advantage in localization of synchronous multiple pulmonary nodules.

Targeting hippocampal phospholipid and tryptophan metabolism for antidepressant-like effects of albiflorin

BACKGROUND

Current antidepressant therapy remains unsatisfactory due to its delayed clinical onset of action and the heterogeneity of depression. Targeting disturbed neurometabolic pathways could provide a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of depression. Albiflorin is a phytomedicine isolated from the root of Peony (Paeonia albiflora Pall) with excellent clinical tolerance. Until now, the antidepressant-like activities of albiflorin in different subtypes of depression and its effects on neurometabolism are unknown.

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to investigate the rapid antidepressant-like effects of albiflorin in three common animal models of depression and elucidate the pharmaco-metabolic mechanisms of its action using a multi-omics approach.

RESULTS

We found that albiflorin produces rapid antidepressant-like effects in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), olfactory bulbectomy (OBX), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine models of depression. Using a system-wide approach combining metabolomics, lipidomics, and transcriptomics, we showed that the therapeutic effects of albiflorin are highly associated with the rapid restoration of a set of common metabolic abnormities in the hippocampus across all three depression models, including phospholipid and tryptophan metabolism. Further mechanistic analysis revealed that albiflorin normalized the metabolic dysregulation in phospholipid metabolism by suppressing hippocampal cytosolic phospholipases A2 (cPLA2). Additionally, inhibition of cPLA2 overexpression by albiflorin corrects abnormal kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism via the cPLA2-protein kinase B (Akt1)-indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1(IDO1) regulatory loop and directs tryptophan catabolism towards more hippocampal serotonin biosynthesis.

CONCLUSION

Our study contributed to a better understanding of the homogeneity in the metabolic mechanisms of depression and established a proof-of-concept for rapid treatment of depression through targeting dysregulated neurometabolic pathways.

Puerarin from Pueraria lobata alleviates the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea

As a functional bowel disorder, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), especially IBS-diarrhea (IBS-D), affects approximately 9-20% of the population worldwide. Classical treatments for IBS usually result in some side effects and intestinal microbial disorders, which inhibit the clinical effects. Natural edible medicines with beneficial effects and few side effects have received more attention in recent years. Puerarin is the main active ingredient in pueraria and has been used in China to treat splenasthenic diarrhea and as a natural food in folk medicine for hundreds of years. However, there have been no reports of using puerarin in the treatment of IBS-D, and the underlying mechanism is also still unclear. In this study, a comprehensive model that could reflect the symptoms of IBS-D was established by combining neonatal maternal separation (NMS) and adult colonic acetic acid stimulation (ACAAS) in rats. The results showed that puerarin could reverse the abdominal pain and diarrhea in IBS-D rats. The therapeutic effect was realized by regulating the richness of the gut microbiota to maintain the stabilization of the intestinal micro-ecology. Furthermore, the possible mechanism might be related to the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by the suppressed expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor (CRF) 1. At the same time, intestinal function was improved by enhancing the proliferation of colonic epithelial cells by upregulating the expression of p-ERK/ERK and by repairing the colonic mucus barrier by upregulating occludin expression. All these results suggest that puerarin could exert excellent therapeutic effects on IBS-D.

Current Rapid-Onset Antidepressants and Related Animal Models

Depression is a common mental disease, and it is one of the most crippling diseases in the world. Although current pharmacotherapies contribute to the treatment of depression, the high incidence of a partial responses or no responses, and delayed onset of the antidepressants, make many patients to experience unsatisfactory results from treatment. In view of the high suicide rate during the period of drug onset, it is critical to find antidepressant drugs with rapid onset for the treatment of depression. This paper mainly reviews some drugs that have rapid antidepressant effect and their mechanisms, including monoaminergic receptor drugs, glutamate receptor drugs, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling agonist, gamma-aminobutyric acid energy (GABAergic) agonist and drug combinations. In addition, we introduce several rodent models currently used to assess antidepressant onset in this review: chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST), olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) and other models, which provide a methodological approach for assessing the rapid onset of antidepressant drugs.

[Clinicopathological observation of adamantinoma of long bone]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features and differential diagnosis of adamantinoma of long bone. Methods: Seven cases of adamantinoma on long bone were selected at Jiangsu Province People's Hospital from June 2012 to May 2018. Clinicopathologic details, immunohistochemical and molecular analysis were performed,and the relevant literature reviewed. Results: There were 6 males and 1 female patients,age ranging from 21 to 60 years (mean 38 years). Six cases were on the right side and one case was on the left; in five cases the tumors arose from tibia, one from patella and one from humerus. Microscopically,tumour cells were mainly composed of spindle cells arranged in bundles or braids,with irregular epithelial island. Immunohistochemically,the epithelial island expressed high molecular weight cytokeratin but not CK8/18. Both epithelial and spindle components expressed vimentin. One case that was microscopically similar to intraosseous synovial sarcoma did not show SYT gene rearrangement. Clinical follow-up was available for five patients: one patient had axillary metastases seven months after operation, one patient had recurrence 34 months after surgery, 3 patients were uneventful with follow up duration from half a month to 32 months. Conclusion: Adamantinoma occurring in long bones is very rare. The correct diagnosis requires adequate sample selection, careful morphologic observation, immunohistochemistry and molecular genetics.

Antidepressant-like effects of dietary gardenia blue pigment derived from genipin and tyrosine

Gardenia blue pigments derived from genipin reacting with amino acids have been used as natural food colorants for nearly 30 years in East Asia. However, their pharmacological effects, especially antidepressant-like effects, have not been reported so far. In this study, one of the gardenia blue pigments, was obtained from the reaction of genipin with tyrosine (genipin-tyrosine derivant (GTD)), and its antidepressant-like effects were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) models. The results showed that GTD could attenuate depressive-like behaviors in both animal models. GTD reversed the LPS-induced cytokine increase of TNF-α, IL-6, and corticosterone (CORT) in mice plasma and hippocampus. In CUMS rats, GTD treatment significantly reduced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis-related stress hormone levels in plasma including those of CORT, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). Besides, GTD increased plasma testosterone and hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in CUMS rats. GTD increased serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE) in rat hippocampus and corpus striatum. Consistently, hippocampal metabolomic analysis demonstrated that GTD restored monoamine neurotransmitter metabolism, mitochondrial oxidative function, and membrane structural integrity. Our data suggested that GTD produced antidepressant-like activity through the restoration of the HPA axis hormone balance and the regulation of neurotransmitter release.

[Evaluation of radioimmunotherapy in the multimodality treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)]

The evaluation of radioimmunotherapy using 131I-anti HCC isoferritin IgG antibody in the multimodality treatment of HCC was reported. Forty three patients with surgically verified unresectable HCC have been treated by radioimmunotherapy as a part of multimodality treatment during 1985-1990. The short-term responses and prolong survival were compared with that in control group of 39 patients with HCC receiving conventional multimodality treatment. The rates of tumor shrinkage, AFP level decline and second resection in radioimmunotherapy group were 67.4% (29/43), 69.6% (16/23) and 30.2% (13/43) respectively, significantly higher than those in control group 23.1% (15/39), 40.0% (8/20) and 10.3% (4/39) respectively. The 1, 3, 5-year survival rates were 61.5%, 40.4% and 35.5% in radioimmunotherapy group, however, in control group were 51.3%, 20.1% and 15.5%, respectively. The results suggested that radioimmunotherapy is one of modalities of choice, particularly for the treatment of unresectable HCC in the multimodality treatment regimen.

Picosecond pulse generation in Nd:BEL with a high-frequency acousto-optic mode locker

By using a high-frequency acousto-optic mode locker, 7.5-ps FWHM pulses were obtained from a diode-pumped Nd:BEL laser. After the pulses were compressed with a fiber-grating compressor, l.0-ps FWHM pulse durations were achieved.

Pulsed FM mode locking of a Nd:BEL laser

A novel but simple and practical mode locker was built and demonstrated for a diode-pumped Nd:BEL laser. Fast electrical pulses from a comb generator drive a LiNbO(3) crystal, which produces pulsed electro-optic phase modulation in the laser cavity. Stable mode-locked pulses of 7.5-ps duration were obtained at a repetition rate of 250 MHz.

High-frequency acousto-optic mode locker for picosecond pulse generation

We modeled, designed, and built a 500-MHz acousto-optic mode locker with a diffraction efficiency of 28% per 1 W drive power. The transducer is zinc oxide sputtered onto a sapphire substrate. A new figure of merit is defined for the mode-locker design, which indicates that sapphire is a good substrate material. Pulse widths of less than 10 psec with an average power of 150 mW were achieved from a 500-MHz pulse-rate, diode-pumped, cw mode-locked Nd:YLF laser using a pump power of 700 mW.

Broadband cubic-phase compensation with resonant Gires-Tournois interferometers

We discuss our design, construction, and characterization of thin-film Gires-Tournois interferometers for cubic-phase correction of ultrashort (<10-fsec) laser pulses. We include in the theory of the group delay of Gires-Tournois interferometers the dispersion of the thin-film layer, an important effect in the broadband limit. We characterize and use specific broadband, high-efficiency, low-dispersion substrates for this application.