Effects of dietary starch and ruminally undegraded protein on glucogenic precursors in lactating dairy cows

Gluconeogenesis is a large contributor to the blood supply of glucose carbons. The impact of varying dietary starch and ruminally degraded protein (RDP) on glucose entry, and the contributions of propionate and lactate to total plasma glucose entry were evaluated. Six cannulated, lactating, Holstein cows were fed one of four treatment diets arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial within a 4 × 4 partially replicated Latin Square design: (1) 8% RDP (LRDP) and 16% starch (LSt), (2) LRDP and 30% starch (HSt), (3) 11% RDP (HRDP) and LSt, or (4) HRDP and HSt. On d 12 of each period, 2-[13C]-sodium propionate (0.15 g/h) was ruminally infused for 4 h; on d 13, 1,2-[13C2]-glucose (0.2 g/h) was infused into the jugular vein for 1 h followed by 1-[13C]-lactate (0.1 g/h) for 1 h. Blood samples were serially collected starting prior to the infusions, and analyzed for plasma glucose, propionate, and lactate isotopic ratios. A one-compartment, glucose carbon model with inputs from lactate, propionate, and other glucogenic precursors (Oth, primarily absorbed glucose plus amino acids) was fitted to the isotope ratio data to derive glucose entry rates and conversion of the precursors to glucose. Milk protein production additively increased when HSt and HRDP were fed (P = 0.05 and P = 0.02, respectively). Plasma glucose and propionate concentrations increased with HSt (P = 0.04 and P = 0.01, respectively) and LRDP (P = 0.02 and P < 0.01, respectively). Total glucose and Oth entry increased (P = 0.03 and P = 0.03, respectively) with HSt, indicating greater glucose absorption from the small intestine or conversion of amino acids to glucose in the liver. However, neither entry rate was affected by RDP. The lack of an RDP effect suggests the increase in microbial outflow in response to RDP did not significantly alter glucose precursor supplies. Entry rates of propionate and lactate carbon to glucose carbon were not affected by treatment suggesting that neither starch nor RDP significantly affected fermentation or lactate production. Derivation of absolute entry rates and contributions to glucose using isotopic tracers is complicated by single carbon removals in the pentose phosphate (PPP), tri-carboxylic acid (TCA), and gluconeogenic pathways, and label randomization with the PPP and TCA pathways. Multiple tracers must be used to avoid assumptions regarding the proportional entries. These results provide insights on glucose supply and contributors, and draw attention to significant label cycling when utilizing isotope techniques.

Recent research progress on metabolic syndrome and risk of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most widespread neurodegenerative diseases. PD is associated with progressive loss of substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons, including various motor symptoms (e.g., bradykinesia, rigidity, and resting tremor), as well as non-motor symptoms (e.g., cognitive impairment, constipation, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression). PD involves multiple biological processes, including mitochondrial or lysosomal dysfunction, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and neuroinflammation. Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a collection of numerous connected cerebral cardiovascular conditions, is a common and growing public health problem associated with many chronic diseases worldwide. MetS components include central/abdominal obesity, systemic hypertension, diabetes, and atherogenic dyslipidemia. MetS and PD share multiple pathophysiological processes, including insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation. In recent years, MetS has been linked to an increased risk of PD, according to studies; however, the specific mechanism remains unclear. Researchers also found that some related metabolic therapies are potential therapeutic strategies to prevent and improve PD. This article reviews the epidemiological relationship between components of MetS and the risk of PD and discusses the potentially relevant mechanisms and recent progress of MetS as a risk factor for PD. Furthermore, we conclude that MetS-related therapies are beneficial for the prevention and treatment of PD.

[Research advances on mental disorders in patients with extensive burns]

Extensive burns can cause nonnegligible acute and chronic damage to central nervous system of patients. The damage of central nervous system may have a profound impact on patients, including neurobehavioral changes such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and sleep disorder. These changes may persist after injury, greatly affecting patients' integration into society and return to work. This paper systematically reviewed the clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, and current intervention methods of mental disorders in patients with extensive burns, aiming to provide a basis for further understanding, prevention, and treatment of patients with mental disorders after burns.

[Study on the predictive significance of PLR, SII and RPR in ovarian endometriotic cyst]

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), red blood cell distribution width to platelet count ratio (RPR) and systemic immune inflammation index (SII) in the staging and postoperative recurrence of ovarian endometrial cysts. Methods: Retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for ovarian cysts in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2018 to January 2020. The patients with ovarian endometriosis cyst confirmed by pathology after surgery were the observation group (n=350), and the patients with other benign ovarian cyst were the control group (n=150). The preoperative platelet count, platelet distribution width, absolute number of neutrophils, lymphocyte absolute number, absolute number of monocytes, red blood cell distribution width, and serum cancer antigen 125 (CA125) of the patients in two groups were recorded, and PLR, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), RPR, SII, and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) were calculated and analyzed. The general data of all patients and the follow-up data within 2 years after the operation of the observation group were statistically recorded to evaluate the diagnostic value of PLR, RPR and SII for ovarian endometrial cyst, and the predictive value of staging and recurrence within 2 years after the operation. Results: PLR, NLR, SII (median: 147.53, 1.86, and 488.70 respectively) and CA125 (median: 59.41 kU/L) in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group, while RPR (median: 0.16) was lower than that in the control group, with significant differences (all P<0.01). There was no significant difference in SIRI between the two groups (P>0.05). The PLR and SII (median: 122.73, 345.00) of the observation group at stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ were higher than those of patients at stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ, and the RPR was lower than that of patients with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ, with significant differences (all P<0.001). The PLR, NLR, SII, SIRI (median: 179.63, 2.75, 762.96, and 1.06 respectively) and CA125 (median: 108.83 kU/L) in patients with recurrence were significantly higher than those in patients without recurrence 2 years after the operation, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.001). The area under curve (AUC) of CA125 in the diagnosis of ovarian endometriosis cyst was 0.951, the sensitivity was 85.7%, and the specificity was 93.0%, which were higher than those of PLR and SII; the AUC of PLR+SII+CA125 in the diagnosis of ovarian endometriosis cyst was 0.952. The AUC of RPR predicting the stage of ovarian endometriosis cyst was 0.713, higher than PLR and SII, lower than CA125; the AUC of RPR+SII+CA125 in predicting the stage of ovarian endometriotic cyst was 0.825, with sensitivity of 68.7% and specificity of 85.7%. The AUC predicted by SII for recurrence of ovarian endometriotic cyst within 2 years after the operation was 0.803, higher than NLR, PLR, SIRI and CA125; the AUC of PLR+SII+CA125, sensitivity, specificity was 0.813, 81.5% and 73.0%, higher than SII. Conclusion: PLR, RPR and SII are related to the staging of ovarian endometriotic cyst, and SII has a certain predictive value for the recurrence of ovarian endometriotic cyst after surgery.

Role of microglial metabolic reprogramming in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by damage to nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. Key pathogenic mechanisms underlying PD include alpha-synuclein misfolding and aggregation, impaired protein clearance, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. However, to date, no study has confirmed the specific pathogenesis of PD. Similarly, current PD treatment methods still have shortcomings. Although some emerging therapies have proved effective for PD, the specific mechanism still needs further clarification. Metabolic reprogramming, a term first proposed by Warburg, is applied to the metabolic energy characteristics of tumor cells. Microglia have similar metabolic characteristics. Pro-inflammatory M1 type and anti-inflammatory M2 type are the two types of activated microglia, which exhibit different metabolic patterns in glucose, lipid, amino acid, and iron metabolism. Additionally, mitochondrial dysfunction may be involved in microglial metabolic reprogramming by activating various signaling mechanisms. Functional changes in microglia resulting from metabolic reprogramming can cause changes in the brain microenvironment, thus playing an important role in neuroinflammation or tissue repair. The involvement of microglial metabolic reprogramming in PD pathogenesis has been confirmed. Neuroinflammation and dopaminergic neuronal death can effectively be reduced by inhibiting certain metabolic pathways in M1 microglia or reverting M1 cells to the M2 phenotype. This review summarizes the relationship between microglial metabolic reprogramming and PD and provides strategies for PD treatment.

Co-existing squamous cell carcinoma and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia with ASXL1 and EZH2 gene mutations: A case report

BACKGROUND

Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), a rare clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorder characterized by myelodysplastic syndrome and myeloproliferative neoplasms, has a generally poor prognosis, and easily progresses to acute myeloid leukemia. The simultaneous incidence of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors is extremely low, and CMML coinciding with lung malignancies is even rarer. Here, we report a case of CMML, with ASXL1 and EZH2 gene mutations, combined with non-small cell lung cancer (lung squamous cell carcinoma).

CASE SUMMARY

A 63-year-old male, suffering from toothache accompanied by coughing, sputum, and bloody sputum for three months, was given a blood test after experiencing continuous bleeding resulting from a tooth extraction at a local hospital. Based on morphological results, the patient was diagnosed with CMML and bronchoscopy was performed in situ to confirm the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma in the lower lobe of the lung. After receiving azacitidine, programmed cell death protein 1, and platinum-based chemotherapy drugs, the patient developed severe myelosuppression and eventually fatal leukocyte stasis and dyspnea.

CONCLUSION

During the treatment and observation of CMML and be vigilant of the growth of multiple primary malignant tumors.

[Pregnancy outcome analysis after radiofrequency ablation of monochorionic twin pregnancy in different gestational weeks and psychological intervention]

Objective: To investigate the effect of different gestational weeks and psychological intervention on pregnancy outcome in patients with monochorionic twin pregnancy. Methods: The clinical data of 68 patients with monochorionic twin pregnancy in the middle and late pregnancy who were treated with radiofrequency ablation in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March 2017 to April 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including 54 patients with single chorionic and single amniotic sac and 14 patients with single chorionic and double amniotic sac. Patients were divided into three groups according to the gestational weeks:<20 weeks (n=36), 20-23 weeks (n=17) and ≥24 weeks (n=15); and were divided into intervention group (n=40) and control group (n=28) according to the preoperative psychological intervention. The pregnancy outcome of patients with different pregnancy reduction and the effect of psychological intervention on pregnancy outcome was analyzed. Results: The age of 68 patients was (30.2±4.6) years old, the gestational age was (22.2±3.2) weeks, and 60 cases (88.2%) were live births after fetal reduction. There were no significant difference in age [(31.8±4.7),(28.3±5.0),(30.3±4.0) years old] (P=0.098), abortion rate, preterm birth rate, live birth rate, delivery mode, gestational week of preterm birth, gestational week of delivery, and neonatal weight between the two groups at different gestational weeks (all P>0.05). The ages of the intervention group and the control group were (30.6±4.7) and (29.4±4.0) years old (P=0.352). After psychological intervention for 40 patients in the intervention group, the anxiety score after pregnancy reduction was reduced from (54.8±6.8) to (37.3±7.3) (P<0.001), while the depression score decreased from (62.7±7.2) to (33.2±2.4) (P<0.001). Compared with patients in the control group (12.5%, n=5), the proportion of postoperative discomfort in the intervention group was higher (53.6%, n=15) (P<0.001). Compared with the control group, there were no statistically significant difference in the postoperative preterm birth rate, abortion rate, live birth rate, delivery mode, gestational week of preterm birth, gestational week of delivery, and neonatal weight in the intervention group (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Radiofrequency ablation is a safe and effective minimally invasive technique. For complex monochorionic twin pregnancies, early fetal reduction (<20 weeks) and preoperative psychological intervention can provide a solid guarantee for a good postoperative pregnancy outcome.

[Status of fungal sepsis among preterm infants in 25 neonatal intensive care units of tertiary hospitals in China]

Objective: To analyze the prevalence and the risk factors of fungal sepsis in 25 neonatal intensive care units (NICU) among preterm infants in China, and to provide a basis for preventive strategies of fungal sepsis. Methods: This was a second-analysis of the data from the "reduction of infection in neonatal intensive care units using the evidence-based practice for improving quality" study. The current status of fungal sepsis of the 24 731 preterm infants with the gestational age of <34⁺⁰ weeks, who were admitted to 25 participating NICU within 7 days of birth between May 2015 and April 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. These preterm infants were divided into the fungal sepsis group and the without fungal sepsis group according to whether they developed fungal sepsis to analyze the incidences and the microbiology of fungal sepsis. Chi-square test was used to compare the incidences of fungal sepsis in preterm infants with different gestational ages and birth weights and in different NICU. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to study the outcomes of preterm infants with fungal sepsis, which were further compared with those of preterm infants without fungal sepsis. The 144 preterm infants in the fungal sepsis group were matched with 288 preterm infants in the non-fungal sepsis group by propensity score-matched method. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the risk factors of fungal sepsis. Results: In all, 166 (0.7%) of the 24 731 preterm infants developed fungal sepsis, with the gestational age of (29.7±2.0) weeks and the birth weight of (1 300±293) g. The incidence of fungal sepsis increased with decreasing gestational age and birth weight (both P<0.001). The preterm infants with gestational age of <32 weeks accounted for 87.3% (145/166). The incidence of fungal sepsis was 1.0% (117/11 438) in very preterm infants and 2.0% (28/1 401) in extremely preterm infants, and was 1.3% (103/8 060) in very low birth weight infants and 1.7% (21/1 211) in extremely low birth weight infants, respectively. There was no fungal sepsis in 3 NICU, and the incidences in the other 22 NICU ranged from 0.7% (10/1 397) to 2.9% (21/724), with significant statistical difference (P<0.001). The pathogens were mainly Candida (150/166, 90.4%), including 59 cases of Candida albicans and 91 cases of non-Candida albicans, of which Candida parapsilosis was the most common (41 cases). Fungal sepsis was independently associated with increased risk of moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (adjusted OR 1.52, 95%CI 1.04-2.22, P=0.030) and severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) (adjusted OR 2.55, 95%CI 1.12-5.80, P=0.025). Previous broad spectrum antibiotics exposure (adjusted OR=2.50, 95%CI 1.50-4.17, P<0.001), prolonged use of central line (adjusted OR=1.05, 95%CI 1.03-1.08, P<0.001) and previous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) duration (adjusted OR=1.04, 95%CI 1.02-1.06, P<0.001) were all independently associated with increasing risk of fungal sepsis. Conclusions: Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis are the main pathogens of fungal sepsis among preterm infants in Chinese NICU. Preterm infants with fungal sepsis are at increased risk of moderate to severe BPD and severe ROP. Previous broad spectrum antibiotics exposure, prolonged use of central line and prolonged duration of TPN will increase the risk of fungal sepsis. Ongoing initiatives are needed to reduce fungal sepsis based on these risk factors.

[Efficacy and safety of radiofrequency catheter ablation of septal hypertrophy guided by intracardiac echocardiography in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy]

Nine patients identified as hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) in Beijing Anzhen Hopspital who underwent ablation from March to July 2019 were included in the study. All patients had left ventricular outflow tract gradient (LVOTG) over 50 mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)with significant symptoms despite not optimal drug therapy. Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) was used to reconstruct septum and surrounding structures, and monitor the effect of ablation during procedure. Nine patients with HOCM were included,.of which 6 men and 3 women. The average age was (51.7±12.2) years. All patients underwent successful ablation after a mean of procedural time of (152.2±31.9) minutes and ablation time of (838.4±227.3) seconds. Except for one patients, all other patients had significant LVOTG reduction(P=0.001)within 50 mmHg after the procedure. Systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve disappeared in all patients after the procedure without major periprocedural complications. The LVOTG of these patients remained stable during follow-up. Radiofrequency ablation using ICE guidance is feasible in treating HOCM with promising efficacy and safety.

[Effects of pretreatment HIV drug resistance on the virological response of HIV-infected patients after 3-year antiretroviral therapy]

Objective: To investigate the impact of pretreatment drug resistance (PDR) on virological effect among HIV-infected patients having received antiretroviral therapy (ART) after three years. Methods: The baseline survey of PDR among HIV-infected patients was conducted in 2018, with a three-year follow up study. The clinic data and virological laboratory test variables were statistically analyzed. Results: Of the 2 433 participants, 41.6% (1 012/2 433) were aged between 18 and 34, 82.8% (2 015/2 433) were males, 46.9% (1 142/2 433) had education of high school or above, 22.4% (544/2 433) were farmers, 33.8% (823/2 433) were unmarried, 48.1% (1 169/2 433) were infected heterosexually and 41.3% (1 004/2 433) were with CRF07_BC. The prevalence of PDR was 4.5% (109/2 433). The prevalence of virological suppression failure (viral load ≥50 copies/ml) and drug resistance at three years follow up after ART was 8.1%(196/2 433) and 2.5%(60/2 433) respectively. The prevalence of virological suppression failure and drug resistance at three years follow up after ART were 18.3% (20/109) and 7.6% (176/2 324), and 4.6% (5/109) and 2.4% (55/2 324) among participants with PDR and non-PDR, respectively. The results of multivariate logistic regression model showed that illiteracy (aOR=3.26, 95%CI: 1.82-5.86), primary and junior high school education (aOR=1.54, 95%CI: 1.09-2.18), CD4⁺T lymphocyte count <200/μl (aOR=2.77, 95%CI: 1.75-4.37) and CD4⁺T lymphocyte count 200-499/μl (aOR=1.55, 95%CI: 1.10-2.18) at a three year follow up visit after ART, missed drugs in the past month (aOR=4.24, 95%CI: 2.92-6.17), and PDR (aOR=2.84, 95%CI: 1.67-4.85) were statistically significant with virological suppression failure on treatment. Conclusions: The prevalence of PDR in China at a low level currently, and the virological suppression failure rate is low after three years of ART. It is necessary to strengthen drug resistance monitoring of HIV-infected patients and pay attention to the influence of PDR on treatment effect.

[Meta analysis on mumps virus seroprevalence and evaluation of immunization effect in Chinese healthy population]

Objective: To systematically analyze the IgG seroprevalence of mumps virus (MuV) in Chinese healthy population, and evaluate the immune effect based on the immunization strategy and the incidence of mumps in China. Methods: The databases of Wanfang data knowledge service platform, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, SinoMed, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched to retrieve literature about the level of MuV IgG antibody in Chinese healthy population from January 1, 2000, to March 31, 2022. The quality of eligible papers was appraised by using the cross-sectional study evaluation tool from Joanna Briggs Institute. Data analysis, including the stratified analysis of the IgG seroprevalence in different generations, regions, gender, immunization status, and age groups, was performed using R 4.1.2 and Stata 16.0. Results: A total of 69 papers (66 in Chinese and 3 in English) were included, involving 97 034 people in 26 administrative regions across China. The results showed that the MuV IgG seroprevalence in Chinese healthy population was 74.87% (95%CI: 71.41%-78.17%) and increased over time according to the cumulative Meta-analysis. The geometric mean concentration of antibody was 177.83 U/ml. The subgroup analysis showed that the positive rate of MuV IgG antibody increased with the age and vaccination doses. The positive rate of antibody in children aged from 0 to 17 months was only 32.42% (95%CI: 25.96%-38.88%). The highest positive rate was reported in North China, about 81.45% (95%CI: 75.76%-87.14%). In addition, the positive rate of MuV IgG antibody in urban population was higher than that in rural population (P<0.01) and the positive rate of MuV IgG antibody in women was higher than that in men (P<0.01). Conclusion: Since the vaccine was included in the expanded immunization program, the positive rate of mumps antibody in China has increased, and the antibody level varies in different regions and populations. It is still necessary to improve the MuV antibody level in Chinese healthy population, so as to better prevent and control the mumps epidemic in the future.

[The success rate of His-Purkinje system pacing in patients with various sites of atrioventricular block]

Objective: To evaluate the success rate of His-Purkinje system pacing (HPSP) in patients with various sites of atrioventricular block (AVB) and provide clinical evidence for the selection of HPSP in patients with AVB. Methods: This is a retrospective case analysis. 637 patients with AVB who underwent permanent cardiac pacemaker implantation and requiring high proportion of ventricular pacing from March 2016 to September 2021 in the Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command were enrolled. The site of AVB was determined by electrophysiological examination. His bundle pacing (HBP) was performed in the first 130 patients (20.4%) who were classified as the HBP group and HPSP included HBP and/or left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) was performed in later 507 patients (79.6%) and these patients were classified as the HPSP group. The basic clinical information such as age and sex of the two groups was compared, and the success rates of HBP or HPSP in patients with different sites of AVB and QRS intervals were analyzed. Results: The age of HBP group was (66.4±15.9) years with 75 males (57.7%). The age of HPSP group was (66.8±13.6) years with 288 (56.8%) males. Among 637 patients, 63.0% (401/637) had atrioventricular node block; 22.9% (146/637) had intra-His block; 14.1% (90/637) had distal or inferior His bundle block. Totally, the success rate of HPSP was higher than that of HBP [93.9% (476/507) vs. 86.9% (113/130), P<0.05]. In each group of patients with various AVB sites, the success rate of HPSP was higher than that of HBP respectively and both success rates of HBP and HPSP showed a declining trend with the distant AVB site. The success rate of HBP in patients with atrioventricular node block and intra-His block was higher than that in patients with distal or inferior His bundle block [95.2% (79/83) vs. 47.1% (8/17), P<0.001; 86.7% (26/30) vs. 47.1% (8/17), P=0.010]. The success rate of HPSP was higher than that of HBP in patients with distal or inferior His bundle block [87.7% (64/73) vs 47.1% (8/17), P=0.001]. In patients with QRS<120 ms, 94.9% (520/548) of AVB sites were in atrioventricular node or intra-His, and HBP had a similar high success rate with HPSP [95.6% (109/114) vs. 96.3% (418/434), P=0.943] in these patients. In patients with QRS ≥ 120 ms, 69.7% (62/89) of AVB sites were at distal or inferior His bundle, and the success rate of HBP was only 25.0% (4/16), while the success rate of HPSP was as high as 79.5% (58/73), P<0.001. Conclusions: In patients with QRS<120 ms and atrioventricular node block or intra-His block, success rates of HBP and HPSP are similarly high and HBP might be considered as the first choice. In patients with QRS ≥ 120 ms and AVB site at distal or inferior His bundle, the success rate of HPSP is higher than that of HBP, suggesting LBBP should be considered as the first-line treatment option.

[Efficacy and initial clinical evaluation of optical genome mapping in the diagnosis of structural variations]

To investigate the efficacy and value of optical genome mapping (OGM) in detecting chromosomal structural variations. In a clinical study about high-precision analysis of genomic structural variation for complex genetic diseases, a retrospective study was performed on the cases with karyotyping at the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Endocrinology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January to December 2021. Ten cases with abnormal karyotype was detected by OGM. Partial cases were verified by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), SNP array or CNV-seq. Results of ten cases, nine were detected with abnormality by OGM, including unbalanced chromosomal rearrangements (n=3), translocation (n=5) and paracentric inversion (n=1), and the results were in concordance with other standard assays. However, one case with breakpoint and reconnected at centromere has not been detected. In conclusion, ten samples were comprehensively analyzed by karyotyping, FISH, SNP array or CNV-seq, and OGM, and results demonstrated that optical genome mapping as a new technology can not only detect unbalanced rearrangements such as copy number variants as well as balanced translocations and inversions, but more importantly, it can refine breakpoints and orientation of duplicated segments or insertions. So it can contribute to the diagnosis of genetic diseases and prevent birth defect. However, the current technology is not yet capable of detecting breakpoints of balanced structural variations lying within unmapped regions.

Metachronous mixed cellularity classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma and T-cell leukemia/lymphoma: A case report

BACKGROUND

The development of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) after chemotherapy for Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) is rare, and highly aggressive TCL/leukemia has not been reported to date. The relationship between HL and PTCL needs further exploration to understand the pathogenesis of metachronous lymphoma (ML) and find effective treatment options. We report a patient with ML, whose biopsy of a right cervical lymph node initially confirmed classical HL (CHL).

CASE SUMMARY

We report a patient with ML, whose biopsy of a right cervical lymph node initially confirmed CHL, with typical reed–sternberg cells expressing CD30 and PAX-5. T-cell leukemia/lymphoma occurred 3 years after treatment, and a lymph node biopsy at the onset confirmed PTCL, nonspecific type, expressing CD3, CD4 and CD8. The patient was treated with standard doses of chemotherapy, programmed cell death-ligand 1 monoclonal antibody, and chidamide, all of which failed to achieve complete remission. The patient was diagnosed with refractory state, and eventually died of leukocyte stasis.

CONCLUSION

The accuracy of the diagnosis needs to be confirmed when chemotherapeutic drugs are not effective.

Evaluation of Molly model predictions of ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestion, and performance by dairy cows consuming ryegrass-based diets

Several studies have been conducted to improve grazing management and supplementation in pasture-based systems. However, it is necessary to develop tools that integrate the available information linking the representation of biological processes with animal performance for use in decision making. The objective of this study was to evaluate the precision and accuracy of the Molly cow model predictions of ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestion, and animal performance by cows consuming pasture-based diets to identify model strengths and weaknesses, and to derive new digestive parameters when relevant. Model modifications for adipose tissue, protein synthesis in lean body mass and viscera representation were included. Data used for model evaluations were collected from 25 publications containing 115 treatment means sourced from studies conducted with lactating dairy cattle. The inclusion criteria were that diets contained ≥45% perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and that dry matter intake, dietary ingredient composition, and nutrient digestion observations were reported. Animal performance and N excretion variables were also included if they were reported. Model performance was assessed before and after model reparameterization of selected digestive parameters, global sensitivity analysis was conducted after reparameterization, and a 5-fold cross evaluation was performed. Although rumen fermentation predictions were not significantly improved, rumen volatile fatty acids absorption rates were recalculated, which improved the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) for rumen propionate and ammonia concentration predictions but decreased CCC for acetate predictions. Similar degradation rates of crude protein were observed for grass and total mixed ration diets, but rumen-undegradable protein predictions seemed to be affected by the solubility of the protein source as was the intestinal digestibility coefficient. Ruminal fiber degradation was greater after reparameterization, driven primarily by hemicellulose degradation. Predictions of ruminal and fecal outflow of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber, as well as total fecal output predictions, improved significantly after reparameterization. Blood urea N and urinary N excretion predictions resulted in similar accuracy using both sets of model parameters, whereas fecal N excretion predictions were significantly improved after reparameterization. Body weight and body condition score predictions were greatly improved after model modifications and reparameterization. Before reparameterization, yield predictions for daily milk, milk fat, milk protein, and milk lactose were greatly overestimated (mean bias of 61.0, 58.7, 73.7, and 64.6% of mean squared error, respectively). Although this problem was partially addressed by model modifications and reparameterization (mean bias of 3.2, 1.1, 1.7, and 0.4% of mean squared error, respectively), CCC values were still small. The ability of the model to predict grass digestion and animal performance in dairy cows consuming pasture-based diets was improved, demonstrating the applicability of this model to these productive systems. However, the failure to predict grass digestion based on standard model inputs without reparameterization indicates there are still fundamental challenges in characterizing feeds for this model.

circAFF1 Aggravates Vascular Endothelial Cell Dysfunction Mediated by miR-516b/SAV1/YAP1 Axis

Pathological vascular endothelial damage caused by hypoxia is the basis of many vascular-related diseases. However, the role of circular RNA in hypoxic vascular injury is still poorly understood. Here, we found that hypoxia induced AFF1 circular RNA (circAFF1) can activate the SAV1/YAP1 and lead to the dysfunction of vascular endothelial cells. In HUV-EC-C and HBEC-5i cells, circAFF1 was upregulated under CoCl₂ induced hypoxic conditions. The abnormal expression of circAFF1 inhibited the proliferation, tube formation, migration of vascular endothelial cells. The effect of circAFF1 is achieved by the adsorption of miR-516b to release SAV1, which in turn causes the phosphorylation of YAP1. Moreover, we found that the upregulation of circAFF1 in 235 Patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Taken together, we clarify the role of circAFF1/miR-516b/SAV1/YAP1 axis in vascular endothelial dysfunction and its potential early diagnostic value of disease caused by hypoxia injury in blood vessels.

[Feasibility and efficacy of partial superficial parotidectomy with V-shaped incision]

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of partial superficial parotidectomy with V-shaped incision by comparing with the Blair incision and hairline N-shaped incision. Methods: From January 2015 to January 2016, 60 patients (47 males and 13 females, with an age range of 25- 63 years) required for superficial partial parotid gland resection were randomly divided into three groups: V-shaped incision (VI) group, Blair incision (BI) group and hairline N-shaped incision (NI) group, with 20 cases in each group.Intraoperative, postoperative and follow-up indexes were compared between three groups. Operative time and drainage volume in the surgery of tumors at different sites in VI group were compared. SPSS18.0 software was used for statistic analysis. Results: There were no statistically significant differences among the three groups in operative time, drainage volume, postoperative hospital stay, periauricular numbness, fistulas, pain score, facial palsy, and scar score at the 3rd month after surgery (P>0.05). For appearance satisfaction score at the 6th month after surgery, VI group was better than BI group or NI group, with significant differences(VI group vs. BI group: 9.00[8.00, 9.00] vs. 5.00[4.00, 5.25], χ(2)=6.629, P<0.001; VI group vs. NI group: 9.00[8.00, 9.00] vs. 7.00[6.00, 8.00], χ(2)=2.942, P=0.010; BI group vs. NI group: 5.00[4.00, 5.25] vs. 7.00[6.00, 8.00], χ(2)=-3.687, P=0.001). For tumors located in the front, upper and middle of parotid gland, there were no statistically significant differences in operative time and drainage volume between the three groups (P>0.05). For tumors located at the lower part of parotid gland, the difference in operative time between the three groups was statistically significant (F=7.278, P=0.01). With pairwise comparison, operative time in VI group was longer than that in BI group or NI group, but there was no significant difference between BI group and NI group (VI group vs. BI group: (181.00±22.89) min vs. (132.50±9.01) min, t=3.694, P=0.004; VI group vs. NI group:(181.00±22.89) min vs. (149.00±15.94) min, t=2.585, P=0.025; BIgroup vs. NI group, (132.50±9.01) min vs. (149.00±15.94) min, t=1.257, P=0.235). For tumors located at the lower part of parotid gland, the differences in intraoperative drainage volume were not statistically significant between three groups (P>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in operative time and drainage volume in the surgery of tumors at different sites in VI group (P>0.05). Conclusions: By use of V-shaped incision for the surgery of benign parotid gland tumors, the operation time of tumors located only in the lower part of the parotid gland will be prolonged. For tumors in different sites without increasing surgical complications, this modality can get good cosmetic effect.

[Evaluation of human milk feeding in hospitalized very low and extremely low birth weight infants]

Objective: To investigate the current situation of human milk (HM) feeding in hospitalized very low and extremely low birth weight infants. Methods: The study retrospectively extracted the data of 601 infants with birth weight <1 500 g, and admitted within 24 hours after birth to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital from January 2016 to December 2018. The infants were grouped into exclusive mother's-own-milk (MOM) group, donor human milk (DHM) group (partial or none MOM), and mixed (HM and formula) feeding group according to the feeding strategy. Qualitative and quantitative variables in the three groups were compared with One-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, Chi-square test or Fisher exact test. Kappa and McNemar test were used for consistency testing. Results: Among the 601 infants (309 boys and 292 girls), 6 (1.0%) infants had never been fed with MOM. The gestational age and birth weight were (29.3±1.9) weeks and 1 260(1 115, 1 400) g in 601 infants. A total of 8 (1.3%) infants were grouped into MOM group, 542 (90.2%) were grouped into DHM group, and 51 (8.5%) were grouped into mixed feeding group. The percentage of enteral feedings with MOM in the stage of hospitalization 1-7 d, 8-14 d and 15-28 d were 73.6% (42.9%, 86.7%), 97.5% (78.6%, 100.0%) and 99.3% (93.0%, 100.0%), respectively (H=414.95, P<0.01), and the pairwise comparison suggested that the stage of hospitalization 1-7 d was the lowest (adjusted both P<0.05). The average weight adjusted daily dose of MOM were 9.7 (4.3, 18.2), 59.1 (26.5, 93.5) and 116.0 (60.3, 142.6) ml/(kg·d) in the stage of hospitalization 1-7 d, 8-14 d and 15-28 d, respectively (H=759.75, P<0.01), and the pairwise comparison suggested that the stage of hospitalization 1-7 d was the lowest (adjusted both P<0.05). The weight adjusted daily dose of MOM in exclusive MOM group, DHM and Mixed feeding group were 95.2 (40.0, 117.2), 82.9(53.6, 103.1) and 55.7 (16.6, 97.5) ml/(kg·d), respectively (H=10.78, P=0.005).Additionally, the percentage and weight adjusted daily dose of MOM showed a general consistency of 0.703 (P>0.05, Kappa=0.408). Conclusions: The rate of exclusive MOM feeding is low, especially during the first 7 days of hospitalization. The percentage of total enteral feedings with MOM and the average weight adjusted daily dose of MOM can well evaluate the situation of HM feeding during hospitalization quantitively.

[Impact of maternal X chromosome aneuploidies on cell free DNA prenatal screening]

Objective: To investigate the impact of maternal X chromosome aneuploidies on cell free DNA (cf-DNA) prenatal screening. Methods: After genetic counseling, invasive prenatal diagnosis was provided for the 124 cases with high risk of sex chromosome aneuploidie (SCA) indicated by cf-DNA prenatal screening. For cases with discordant results of fetal prenatal diagnosis and cf-DNA prenatal screening, maternal leukocyte was collected for copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) to detect whether the maternal X chromosome was carrying variations. Results: Totally, 124 cases with high risks of SCA indicated by cf-DNA prenatal screening, 9 cases refused to take invasive prenatal diagnosis, while the remaining 115 cases received. Among the 115 cases, 41 cases received accordant results with cf-DNA prenatal screening while 74 cases discordant. Among the 74 cases with discordant results, 19 cases were indicated with maternal X chromosome variations by maternal leukocyte CNV-seq, which accounting for 25.7% (19/74) of the SCA false positive cases, and 15.3% (19/124) of all SCA cases. Conclusions: Pregnant women with X chromosome variations may affect the results of cf-DNA prenatal screening, resulting in false positive or false negative outcomes, it should be emphasized that the cf-DNA results may be affected by maternal X chromosome variations. In cases with discordant results of prenatal diagnosis and cf-DNA prenatal screening, maternal leukocyte CNV-seq is recommended to find the reasons of false positive or negative results. And cf-DNA prenatal screening is not recommended for pregnant women who are already known with X chromosome variations.

[The association between the frequency of prenatal care in childbearing aged women and risk of small for gestational age among neonatal twins in Shaanxi Province]

Objective: To explore the association between the frequency of prenatal care in childbearing aged women and risk of small for gestational age (SGA) among neonatal twins in Shaanxi Province. Methods: From July to December 2013, a total of 30 027 childbearing aged women, who were pregnant from January 2010 to November 2013 and had definite outcomes, were selected from 30 districts (counties) of Shaanxi Province by using the multi-stage random sampling method. The questionnaires with a face-to-face survey method were used to retrospectively collect demographic information, pregnancy history, lifestyle during pregnancy, disease history, nutritional supplements, and health care during pregnancy. Information on the gestational age and birth weight of the newborn were obtained by consulting the medical certificate of birth and were registered as twin A and twin B by birth order. Finally, 356 childbearing aged women and their twin babies with complete data were included in the analysis. A generalized estimation equation model was used to analyze the association between the frequency of prenatal care and the risk of SGA among neonatal twins. Results: The age of childbearing aged women was (27.44±4.68) years old, of which 79.49% (283 women) were rural residents and 44.38% (158 women) had seven or more times prenatal care. The gestational age and birth weight were (37.64±2.51) weeks and (2 510±497) g, respectively. The prevalence of SGA was 51.40% (183/356) for twin A and 53.37% (190/356) for twin B, respectively. The prevalence of SGA was 44.30% (70/158) for twin A with seven or more times prenatal care and 42.41% (67/158) for twin B with seven or more times prenatal care, which was lower than that for twins with less than seven times prenatal care, respectively [57.07% (113/198) and 62.12% (123/198)] (P values were 0.017 and <0.001). The results of generalized estimation equation model suggested that compared to those with less than seven times prenatal care, after adjusting for parity, birth order, place of residence, maternal age, occupation, education, family wealth index, passive smoking, pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome, folic acid, and iron supplement during perinatal period, and gender of the newborn, the OR (95%CI) of risk of SGA among childbearing aged women with seven or more times prenatal care was 0.60 (0.40-0.91). Conclusion: Seven or more times prenatal care could reduce the risk of SGA among neonatal twins in Shanxi Province.

Fermentation of flaxseed cake increases its nutritional value and utilization in ducklings

Flaxseed cake (FSC) is a potential alternative feed source in poultry. However, cyanogenetic glycosides limit its widespread use in feed. In this study, we optimized the parameters of fermentation by Aspergillus niger and Candida utilis and compared the growth performance, serum lipid parameters, and organ indexes of Cherry Valley duckling feed with unfermented FSC (UFSC) or fermented FSC (FFSC). A total of 420 one-day-old male Cherry Valley ducklings were randomly assigned into a 1 plus 2 × 3 factorial design including 2 different FSC resources (UFSC and FFSC) at 3 levels (50, 100, or 150 g/kg) for 3 wk. Each treatment group included 6 pens with 10 ducklings per pen. The hydrocyanic acid (HCN) level was reduced under the following conditions: 1:0.8 FSC:water (w:v), inoculum ratio of 1 mL:1 mL, 30°C, and 60 h. FFSC had higher crude protein (CP) and calcium (Ca) levels and lower HCN levels compared with UFSC (P < 0.05). There was no interactive effect between FSC sources and levels on growth performance. Final body weight (FBW), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and average daily gain (ADG) in UFSC groups and ADFI in FFSC groups decreased linearly with increasing FSC levels (P < 0.01). There were no differences in FBW, ADG, or feed:gain ratio (F/G) among FFSC groups, and all 7 FSC groups had no differences in the F/G ratio (P > 0.05). Dietary FSC supplementation decreased triglyceride (TG) (P < 0.01), total cholesterol (TC) (P < 0.01), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (P = 0.01), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (P < 0.01). No interactive effect between FSC levels and sources was observed for serum TG, TC, HDL, or LDL. Ducklings fed FFSC had lower TG (P < 0.01), TC (P = 0.05), and LDL (P < 0.01) levels compared with ducklings fed UFSC. The 150 g/kg FFSC group had the lowest TG, TC, HDL, and LDL levels among all 7 groups. Flaxseed cake supplementation decreased the relative weight of the left breast, but FFSC increased the relative weight of the gizzard compared with UFSC. In conclusion, fermentation could increase the nutritional value and usage of FSC in ducklings.

Targeted Drug-Loaded Chemical Probe Staining Assay to Predict Therapy Response and Function as an Independent Pathological Marker

Multi-targeted kinase inhibitors, such as sorafenib, have been used in various malignancies, but their efficacy in clinical applications varies among individuals and lacks pretherapeutic prediction measures. We applied the concept of “click chemistry” to pathological staining and established a drug-loaded probe staining assay. We stained the cells and different types of pathological sections and demonstrated that the assay was reliable. We further verified in cells, cell-derived xenograft model, and clinical level that the staining intensity of the probe could reflect drug sensitivity. The stained samples from 300 patients who suffered from hepatocellular carcinoma and used the sorafenib probe also indicated that staining intensity was closely related to clinical information and could be used as an independent marker without undergoing sorafenib therapy for prognosis. This assay provided new ideas for multi-target drug clinical trials, pre-medication prediction, and pathological research.

•

The assay could be used for the rapid sensitivity detection of multi-target drugs

•

The assay could serve as an auxiliary technology for NGS and PDX

•

Sorafenib had multiple unknown primary contribution targets

•

Drug-probe staining could be used as an independent diagnostic and prognostic marker

[Association between congenital heart disease and maternal disease in early pregnancy in women of childbearing age]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between maternal disease in early pregnancy of women of childbearing age and congenital heart disease of neonates. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used in this study and stratified multistage random sampling method was used. A questionnaire survey was conducted in the childbearing-aged women during 2010-2013 in Shaanxi province. Propensity score (PS) matched (1∶1) analysis was used to match participants with diseases to those without disease in early pregnancy. Through the control of the confounders step by step, a logistic regression model was established to evaluate the ORs of congenital heart disease according to the independent variable of maternal disease. Results: A total of 28 680 pairs of mothers and infants were included in this study, the proportion of the women with disease in early pregnancy was 20.25% (5 807). After PS matching, 5 436 pairs were matched. After adjusting all confounding factors, the multivariable logistic regression analysis results showed that maternal disease (OR=1.86, 95%CI: 1.23-2.81), especially cold (OR=2.19, 95%CI: 1.46-3.28), gynecological disease (OR=4.74, 95%CI: 2.03-11.09) and diabetes (OR=14.00, 95%CI: 1.64-119.21), in early pregnancy were the risk factors for congenital heart disease of neonate. Conclusion: In women of childbearing age, disease in early pregnancy, especially cold, gynecological disease and diabetes, can increase the risk of congenital heart disease in neonates.

Effects of jugular infusions of isoleucine, leucine, methionine, threonine, and other amino acids on insulin and glucagon concentrations, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, and lactational performance in goats

The supply and profile of absorbed AA may affect milk protein synthesis through hormonal changes and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways; and Ile, Leu, Met, and Thr (ILMT) are the 4 AA that have been reported to have the greatest effect on mammary mTOR signaling. The extent to which ILMT and the other remaining AA (RAA) differ in their effects on milk protein synthesis needs to be systematically investigated. In this study, 5 lactating goats, averaging 120 ± 10 d in milk, fitted with jugular vein and carotid artery catheters, were fasted for 24 h, followed by intravenous infusions of a mixture containing AA and glucose for 8 h in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The AA mixtures were formulated according to the profile of casein. The amounts of AA infused were calculated based on supplies of AA when metabolizable protein (MP) was at requirement (MR). Treatments were an infusate containing glucose without AA (NTAA); an infusate containing 3 × the MR of Ile, Leu, Met and Thr (3F0R); and infusates containing 3F0R plus 1, 2, or 3 × MR of RAA (3F1R, 3F2R, and 3F3R, respectively) according to amounts provided when fed to meet MP requirements for maintenance and lactation for each goat. Milk, arterial blood, and mammary tissue samples were collected immediately after halting the infusion. Relative to NTAA, supplementation of ILMT tended to increase milk protein production and plasma glucose concentrations, and increased milk and lactose production, but had no effects on production or content of milk fat. Graded supplementation of RAA tended to quadratically affect production of milk and lactose. Arterial glucose and glucagon concentrations decreased linearly, and plasma insulin concentrations decreased quadratically with increased RAA. Mammary p70-S6K1 phosphorylation was decreased by addition of ILMT compared with NTAA but increased linearly with increased RAA infusion. Furthermore, EIF4EBP1 gene expression was much lower for 3F-treated goats than for the NTAA treatment. Both MTOR and RPS6KB1 gene expressions were decreased quadratically with increased RAA supply. These results suggested that short-term milk protein yield tended to be increased by elevated ILMT availability, and this trend was not explained by variations in mammary mTOR signaling or pancreatic hormone secretions, whereas graded increase of RAA in combination with ILMT appeared to regulate the efficiency of conversion of glucose to lactose in a manner not involving milk protein production.

[Infiltration of tumor associated macrophages in multiple myeloma and its clinical significance]

目的

探讨肿瘤相关性巨噬细胞（TAM）在多发性骨髓瘤（MM）中的临床意义及其与肿瘤血管生成、免疫抑制的关系。

方法

以2015年8月至2017年6月就诊的70例MM患者为观察对象，以20例良性血液病（缺铁性贫血13例，巨幼细胞性贫血7例）患者为对照，采用免疫组化法检测骨髓标本中CD163、CD34、VEGF的表达，采用流式细胞术检测Treg细胞比例，采用ELISA法检测IL-10水平，结合临床特征进行分析。

结果

①70例患者中，男31例，女39例，中位年龄65（50~78）岁。MM患者组的TAM浸润密度、微血管密度（MVD）、VEGF表达水平、Treg细胞比例及IL-10水平均较对照组升高（P值均<0.05）。②在MM患者组中，疾病稳定组（15例）患者的上述指标均较初诊组（35例）和复发难治组（20例）低（P值均<0.05）；后两组差异无统计学意义（P值均>0.05）。③35例初诊MM患者中27例完成4个疗程治疗，有效组（15例）治疗后TAM浸润密度较治疗前明显下降，差异有统计学意义[（20.20±7.66）对（28.87±11.97）个/高倍，t=2.362，P=0.025]；无效组（12例）治疗前后差异无统计学意义[（42.00±13.76）对（48.25±13.59）个/高倍，t=1.119，P=0.275]。④硼替佐米方案治疗有效组患者（21例次）的TAM浸润密度较非硼替佐米方案治疗有效组（18例次）减低[（16.52±4.26）对（19.27±5.82）个/高倍，t=1.662，P=0.170]。⑤MM患者的TAM浸润密度与MVD、VEGF表达水平、Treg细胞比例及IL-10水平呈正相关（P值均<0.001）。

结论

骨髓微环境中浸润的TAM与MM发生、发展、疗效及治疗耐药有关，其作用机制可能与TAM促进肿瘤血管形成及抑制免疫反应有关。

[Association between congenital heart disease and medication taken during pregnancy among women of childbearing age]

Objective: To analyze the relationship between medication taken during pregnancy and congenital heart disease of the newborns. Methods: A large cross-sectional survey was conducted between August and November 2013. A questionnaire survey was conducted among the childbearing aged women, selected through multistage stratified random sampling in Shaanxi from 2010 to 2013. All of the childbearing aged women under study were in pregnancy and with definite pregnancy outcomes. Multivariable Poisson regression was conducted for data analyses. Results: A total of 28 680 cases were included in this study. The proportion of medication taken at any time during pregnancy was 16.0%, and the prevalence of congenital heart disease among the newborns was 67.9/10 000. After adjustment for factors as general demographic characteristic, history of heart disease and drug allergy and the situation of disease during pregnancy of these women, results from the multivariable Poisson regression showed that, factors as taking drugs (RR=1.95, 95%CI: 1.42- 2.68), cold medicine (RR=1.68, 95%CI: 1.07-2.64), antibiotics (RR=1.90, 95%CI: 1.25-2.90), salicylates (RR=5.01, 95%CI: 1.84-13.64) and antifungal drugs (RR=10.22, 95%CI: 3.25-32.19) during pregnancy were all related to congenital heart disease, and with the history of taking cold medicine (RR=1.90, 95%CI: 1.01-3.61), antibiotics (RR=2.18, 95%CI: 1.17-4.06), salicylates (RR=6.07, 95%CI: 1.45-25.41), antifungal drugs (RR=21.01, 95%CI: 4.17-105.87) and other drugs (RR=2.31, 95%CI: 1.19-4.47) during early pregnancy. These factors were with higher risks for congenital heart disease. Conclusion: Women of childbearing age who took cold medicine, antibiotics, salicylic acid drugs, antifungal drugs and other drugs during early pregnancy would increase the risks related to congenital heart diseases.

Doxycycline attenuates paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis by downregulating the TGF-β signaling pathway

Background

Paraquat (PQ) is a highly efficient herbicide that remains widely used in agriculture. However, the inappropriate application of this herbicide may cause multiple organ injuries including pulmonary injury. In this study, we report that doxycycline (Doxy) treats PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF).

Methods

Mice with PQ-induced PF were treated with different doses of Doxy by intragastric administration. Human lung cancer cell line A549 pre-treated with TGF-β1 (5 ng/mL) were treated with Doxy hydrochloride (3.4 µM).

Results

PF was observed from day 28 in PQ-treated group and Doxy treatments significantly reduced pulmonary coefficient, histopathological score and collagen content in a dose-dependent manner. Doxy can inhibit the expression levels of plasma inflammation cytokines at day 28 after modeling and reduced inflammatory response at early stage of PQ-induced lung injury. Immunohistochemical staining assay and proteomic analysis indicated that Doxy could restore ectopic epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by PQ-treatment by regulating numerous TGF-β signaling related proteins.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that Doxy can restore the balance of epithelial-mesenchymal cells and attenuate PQ-induced PF by downregulating the TGF-β signaling pathway.

[Predictive value of serial platelet function testing on outcome in patients undergoing complex percutaneous coronary intervention]

Objective: To observe the predictive value of serial platelet function testing (PFT) on outcome in patients undergoing complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: Six hundred and two consecutive patients undergoing complex PCI in Anzhen hospital were enrolled during October 2011 to June 2012.Adenosine diphosphate(ADP)-induced platelet aggregation was measured by light transmission aggregometry on the first, sixth and twelfth month after PCI and the mean value was calculated.The cut-off value of high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) was defined as 40%.The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral event (MACCE). Clinical outcomes were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method and differences were compared using the log-rank test.Multivariate analyses by Cox proportion hazards regression were applied to identify variables independently associated with the adverse outcomes. Results: Five hundred and eighty-five patients (HTPR, n=285; non-HTPR, n=280) finished the follow-up ((28.47±7.45) months). A total of 33 cases of MACCE were observed during the follow-up, among which 29 cases(8.42%) were in HTPR group and 9 cases (3.21%) in the non-HTPR group.Kaplan-Meier analysis suggested that HTPR was associated with an increased incidence of MACCE (log-rank test, P=0.01). The Cox multivariate analysis indicated that HTPR was an independent risk factor of MACCE (HR=2.69, 95%CI 1.23-5.85, P=0.01) in patients undergoing complex PCI.Incidence of MACCE was similar between HTRP patients receiving standard dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) or prolonged DAPT (>12 months). Conclusion: Serial PFT could predict the long-term prognosis of patients underwent complex PCI.

Effects of dirty housing and a Typhimurium DT104 challenge on pig growth performance, diet utilization efficiency, and gas emissions from stored manure

The objectives of this study were to elucidate the effects of a dirty environment and a challenge plus associated environmental contamination on pig growth performance, diet utilization efficiency, and gas emissions (CO, NH, CH, NO, and HS) from stored manure. Twenty-four weaned barrows, aged 31 d at initiation of the trial, were randomly allotted to 3 different treatments in a completely randomized design. Treatments were: pigs housed in cages with manure removed and cages washed daily (Clean); pigs housed in cages sprayed daily with manure slurry mixtures (Dirty); or pigs challenged with Typhimurium DT104 and housed in cages that were not washed, but manure was removed daily ( challenge). Rectal temperature, body weight, daily feed intake, manure output, manure composition, and gas emissions from stored manure were measured throughout the 24-d animal phase. The Dirty and challenge treatments were statistically compared to the Clean treatment to evaluate individual effects. Dirty housing tended to decrease ADG from d 1 to 24 ( = 0.06) but there were no other effects on pig performance compared with the Clean treatment. In contrast, a challenge was associated with a marked reduction in each of the measured indicators of pig performance. challenge increased the carbon to nitrogen ratio, ether extract, and lignin concentrations in excreted manure ( = 0.02, 0.01, 0.003, respectively), and increased manure and head space temperatures in manure tanks ( < 0.0001). Gas emissions from stored manure of pigs on the Dirty or treatments were increased for each of the measured gases as compared to the Clean treatment ( < 0.01) when expressed per unit of BW gain. When gas emissions from manure of pigs housed in the Dirty treatment were expressed per unit of manure volatile solids (VS), they were increased for NH, CH, and HS ( < 0.02). challenge was associated with increased emissions of CO, and NO and decreased emissions of HS per kilogram manure VS compared to the Clean treatment ( = 0.06, 0.03, 0.04, respectively). Collectively, these results indicated that a challenge and associated housing contamination caused depressed growth rate and increased manure gas emissions, while exposure to a Dirty environment slightly reduced growth performance and clearly increased manure gas emissions per unit of BW gain as compared to Clean control.

[Utility of texture analysis of magnetic resonance imaging in differential diagnosis of common pediatric cerebellar tumors in children]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze magnetic resonance images of the posterior cranial fossa tumors, and evaluate the texture characteristics of three kinds of children's posterior cranial fossa tumors by support vector machine (SVM).

METHODS

From May 2008 to August 2015, a total of 76 patients with children's posterior cranial fossa tumors in First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were retrospectively analyzed, texture analysis was performed on the three types of tumors.

RESULTS

The 5 texture parameters extracted from the gray level co-occurrence matrix had at least 3 parameters which had statistically significant difference between the two different classes of data sets (P<0.05). For all kinds of data sets, the variance parameters of gray value of ROI region had statistically significant differences.The accuracy rate of SVM test in the remarkable difference of the ependymomas and medulloblastomas, the ependymomas and astrocytomas and the medulloblastomas and astrocytomas was 86.15%±4.16%, 73.63%±5.82% and 74.32%±5.85%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The analysis of texture features can provide more quantitative information which could provide a new thought and method for the differential diagnosis of tumors in the posterior cranial fossa.

The association of uric acid with leukoaraiosis

Objective

To explore the possible correlation between uric acid levels and leukoaraiosis (LA).

Methods

This cross-sectional study enrolled patients who presented with some neurological discomfort (e.g. dizziness, headache, mild cognitive impairment). Potential demographic and clinical risk factors associated with LA, including sex, age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, alcohol consumption, dyslipidaemia, plasma fibrinogen, D-dimer, uric acid, and homocysteine, were investigated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results

A total of 268 patients were enrolled in the study and divided into the LA group (n = 164) and the non-LA group (n = 104). Compared with the non-LA group, uric acid was significantly higher in the LA group (mean ± SD: 356.49 ± 121.85 µmol/l versus 289.96 ± 102.98 µmol/l). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that uric acid was an independent risk factor for LA (odds ratio 1.285; 95% confidence interval 1.062, 1.556).

Conclusion

Hyperuricaemia was an independent risk factor for leukoaraiosis in Chinese patients.

Divergence and polymorphism analysis of IGF1Ra and IGF1Rb from orange-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides (Hamilton)

Orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) is one of the most important marine fish and has a high market value. The insulin-like growth factor type 1 receptor (IGF1R) is a component of the insulin-like growth factor signaling system, and demonstrates important roles during growth. Based on information from livestock, we used IGF1R as a candidate gene to survey single nucleotide polymorphisms. In the present study, the sequences of IGF1Ra and IGF1Rb from orange-spotted grouper were obtained from the genome sequences and their clustering in clades a and b, respectively, was confirmed by phylogenetic analysis. Fourteen critical amino acids underlying functional divergence were detected between the two clades, revealing the molecular basis of their functional differences. Nearly one-fourth (22 kbp) of the genomic sequence of IGF1Ra was sequenced in a mass cross population, and nucleotide diversity and linkage disequilibrium levels were investigated. Nucleotide diversity was 0.00328 for π and 0.00344 for θ_w. The half decay of the squared allele-frequency correlation was 10,835 base pairs. Comparatively, the relatively high level of linkage and the significant deviation from neutrality-based codons in IGR1R showed that this gene was under selection. A site (KR269824.1:g. 63762C>T), located in the sixth intron, was significantly associated with eyeball diameter (P = 1.39 x 10^-4, Q-value: 2.33 x 10^-2), which accounted for 11.1% of phenotypic variance. These results highlight the important function of IGF1R in orange-spotted grouper and may be beneficial in the breeding of this species.

A two-step method for identification of the Chinese glutinous rice Suyunuo, based on ISSR-SCAR and allele-specific markers

Suyunuo is a valuable glutinous rice variety cultivated mainly in the Lake Taihu area of China. Historically, Suyunuo was presented to emperors as a tribute, and, still today, enjoys a great reputation in China. This study aimed to develop a unique, specific molecular marker for the identification of Suyunuo rice. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) molecular markers was performed on Suyunuo and 11 other glutinous rice varieties that are mainly cultivated in the Yangtze River Delta region. A Suyunuo-specific band was detected in the PCR products generated from primer ISSR-807. A sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) primer pair targeting a Suyunuo-specific band was subsequently designed. The SCAR primers amplified a target band in all individuals of Suyunuo and in four glutinous indica varieties, whereas no bands were found in the seven glutinous japonica varieties. Subsequently, sequences amplified by the SCAR primer pair were analyzed to facilitate the design of Suyunuo allele-specific primers. The allele-specific primer pair produced target bands in all individuals of Suyunuo rice but no bands in individuals of any of the other 11 rice varieties. This study provides a theoretical guideline for rice germplasm identification and innovation of other valuable rice landraces.

Design of Hydrogen Storage Alloys/Nanoporous Metals Hybrid Electrodes for Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries

Nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries have demonstrated key technology advantages for applications in new-energy vehicles, which play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the world's dependence on fossil fuels. However, the poor high-rate dischargeability of the negative electrode materials-hydrogen storage alloys (HSAs) limits applications of Ni-MH batteries in high-power fields due to large polarization. Here we design a hybrid electrode by integrating HSAs with a current collector of three-dimensional bicontinuous nanoporous Ni. The electrode shows enhanced high-rate dischargeability with the capacity retention rate reaching 44.6% at a discharge current density of 3000 mA g(-1), which is 2.4 times that of bare HSAs (18.8%). Such a unique hybrid architecture not only enhances charge transfer between nanoporous Ni and HSAs, but also facilitates rapid diffusion of hydrogen atoms in HSAs. The developed HSAs/nanoporous metals hybrid structures exhibit great potential to be candidates as electrodes in high-performance Ni-MH batteries towards applications in new-energy vehicles.

Insertion DNA Accelerates Meiotic Interchromosomal Recombination in Arabidopsis thaliana

Nucleotide insertions/deletions are ubiquitous in eukaryotic genomes, and the resulting hemizygous (unpaired) DNA has significant, heritable effects on adjacent DNA. However, little is known about the genetic behavior of insertion DNA. Here, we describe a binary transgenic system to study the behavior of insertion DNA during meiosis. Transgenic Arabidopsis lines were generated to carry two different defective reporter genes on nonhomologous chromosomes, designated as "recipient" and "donor" lines. Double hemizygous plants (harboring unpaired DNA) were produced by crossing between the recipient and the donor, and double homozygous lines (harboring paired DNA) via self-pollination. The transfer of the donor's unmutated sequence to the recipient generated a functional β-glucuronidase gene, which could be visualized by histochemical staining and corroborated by polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing. More than 673 million seedlings were screened, and the results showed that meiotic ectopic recombination in the hemizygous lines occurred at a frequency  >6.49-fold higher than that in the homozygous lines. Gene conversion might have been exclusively or predominantly responsible for the gene correction events. The direct measurement of ectopic recombination events provided evidence that an insertion, in the absence of an allelic counterpart, could scan the entire genome for homologous counterparts with which to pair. Furthermore, the unpaired (hemizygous) architectures could accelerate ectopic recombination between itself and interchromosomal counterparts. We suggest that the ectopic recombination accelerated by hemizygous architectures may be a general mechanism for interchromosomal recombination through ubiquitously dispersed repeat sequences in plants, ultimately contributing to genetic renovation and eukaryotic evolution.

Analysis of genetic diversity of Brassica rapa var. chinensis using ISSR markers and development of SCAR marker specific for Fragrant Bok Choy, a product of geographic indication

Non-heading Chinese cabbage [Brassica rapa var. chinensis (Linnaeus) Kitamura] is a popular vegetable and is also used as a medicinal plant in traditional Chinese medicine. Fragrant Bok Choy is a unique accession of non-heading Chinese cabbage and a product of geographic indication certified by the Ministry of Agriculture of China, which is noted for its rich aromatic flavor. However, transitional and overlapping morphological traits can make it difficult to distinguish this accession from other non-heading Chinese cabbages. This study aimed to develop a molecular method for efficient identification of Fragrant Bok Choy. Genetic diversity analysis, based on inter-simple sequence repeat molecular markers, was conducted for 11 non-heading Chinese cabbage accessions grown in the Yangtze River Delta region. Genetic similarity coefficients between the 11 accessions ranged from 0.5455 to 0.8961, and the genetic distance ranged from 0.0755 to 0.4475. Cluster analysis divided the 11 accessions into two major groups. The primer ISSR-840 amplified a fragment specific for Fragrant Bok Choy. A pair of specific sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) primers based on this fragment amplified a target band in Fragrant Bok Choy individuals, but no band was detected in individuals of other accessions. In conclusion, this study has developed an efficient strategy for authentication of Fragrant Bok Choy. The SCAR marker described here will facilitate the conservation and utilization of this unique non-heading Chinese cabbage germplasm resource.

Optimization of polarizer azimuth in improving signal-to-noise ratio in Kerr microscopy

The magneto optical Kerr effect (MOKE) is a widely used technique in magnetic domain imaging for its high surface sensitivity and external magnetic compatibility. Optimization of Kerr microscopy will improve the detecting sensitivity and provide high-quality domain images. In this work, we provide a method to optimize the polarizer azimuth in improving the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) in longitudinal Kerr microscopy with the generalized magneto optical ellipsometry. Detailed analysis of the MOKE signal and the noise components are provided to study the optimum polarizer and analyzer azimuth combinations. Results show that, for a fixed polarizer angle 1°, the laser intensity noise and the shot noise, which vary with the input laser power, have a similar amplitude and decline with the analyzer azimuth increasing. When the analyzer is set at the extinction place, the Johnson noise plays a dominate role in the total noise. Then, the S/N values are calculated to find the optimum polarizer and analyzer azimuth. Results show that the optimum polarizer and analyzer azimuth combination for Permalloy is (18.35°, 68.35°) under an incident angle of 45°. After that, the S/N of 200 nm Permalloy at different analyzer angles with the polarizer azimuth set at 18.35° is measured to verify the validity of the simulation results. At last, the S/N at different incident angles is calculated. Results show that the optimum incident angle of 200 nm Permalloy film to improve the S/N is 70.35° under the polarizer and analyzer angles set at the optimal combinations (18.35°, 68.35°).

Association of Apolipoprotein A1, B with Stenosis of Intracranial and Extracranial Arteries in Patients with Cerebral Infarction

BACKGROUND

To investigate the distribution of stenosis of intracranial and extracranial arteries of Han population patients suffering from cerebral infarction in the city of Quanzhou in Fujian and to determine the correlation of apolipoprotein A1 and apolipoprotein B with intracranial and extracranial atherosclerosis stenosis.

METHODS

For this study, we enrolled patients with cerebral infarction between December 2009 and October 2012 at the Neurology Department of The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University. All patients were examined by computed tomography angiography (CTA). Past medical history, demographic data, and biochemical markers were collected. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to study the association between apo A1, apo B, and cerebral atherosclerosis stenosis.

RESULTS

A total of 412 patients were included in this study. 137 cases (33.3%) were classified as the intracranial atherosclerosis stenosis (ICAS) group, 74 cases (18.0%) as the combined intracranial and extracranial atherosclerosis stenosis (COAS) group, 44 cases (0.7%) as the extracranial atherosclerosis stenosis (ECAS) group, and 157 cases (38.1%) as the non-cerebral atherosclerosis stenosis (NCAS) group. Middle cerebral arteries (43.8%) were the most common lesions of intracranial arterial atherosclerosis stenosis. Extracranial carotid stenosis (30.7%) were more likely to be stenoses in the extracranial internal carotid arteries. Compared with the NCAS group, apo B was significantly higher (p < 0.001), apo A1 was significantly lower in the ICAS group and COAS group (p = 0.02 and p = 0.030). Compared with the mild atherosclerosis stenosis group, apo B was higher in the severe extracranial atherosclerosis stenosis group (p = 0.03), apo A1 was lower in the severe intracranial atherosclerosis stenosis group (p < 0.001). The multiple logistic regression analyses showed that when apo A1 > 1.28 g/L, it was an independent protective factor of intracranial stenosis (OR, 0.39), apo B was an independent risk factor of the cerebral atherosclerosis stenosis group, and when apo B > 1.16, it is significantly associated with the cerebral atherosclerosis stenosis group (ICAS: OR, 6.41) (ECAS: OR, 5.15).

CONCLUSIONS

1. The occurrence of atherosclerosis stenosis in intracranial arteries is more frequent than that in extracranial arteries in population with cerebral infarction; 2. Apo B is an independent risk factor of intracranial and extracranial arterial stenosis, apo A1 is associated with the degree of intracranial stenosis and an independent protector of intracranial stenosis.

Transcriptomic analysis of Camellia ptilophylla and identification of genes associated with flavonoid and caffeine biosynthesis

Camellia ptilophylla, or cocoa tea, is naturally decaffeinated and its predominant catechins and purine alkaloids are trans-catechins and theobromine Regular tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Ktze.] is evolutionarily close to cocoa tea and produces cis-catechins and caffeine. Here, the transcriptome of C. ptilophylla was sequenced using the 101-bp paired-end technique. The quality of the raw data was assessed to yield 70,227,953 cleaned reads totaling 7.09 Gbp, which were assembled de novo into 56,695 unique transcripts and then clustered into 44,749 unigenes. In catechin biosynthesis, leucoanthocyanidin reductase (LAR) catalyzes the transition of leucoanthocyanidin to trans-catechins, while anthocyanidin synthase (ANS) and anthocyanidin reductase (ANR) catalyze cis-catechin production. Our data demonstrate that two LAR genes (CpLAR1 and CpLAR2) by C. ptilophylla may be advantageous due to the combined effects of this quantitative trait, permitting increased leucoanthocyanidin consumption for the synthesis of trans-catechins. In contrast, the only ANS gene observed in C. sinensis (CsANS) shared high identity (99.2%) to one homolog from C. ptilophylla (CpANS1), but lower identity (~80%) to another (CpANS2). We hypothesized that the diverged CpANS2 might have lost its ability to synthesize cis-catechins. C. ptilophylla and C. sinensis each contain two copies of ANR, which share high identity and may share the same function. Transcriptomic sequencing captured two N-methyl nucleosidase genes named NMT1 and NMT2. NMT2 was highly identical to three orthologous genes TCS2, PCS2, and ICS2, which did not undergo methylation in vitro; in contrast, NMT1 was less identical to TCS, PCS and ICS, indicating that NMT1 may undergo neofunctionalization.

Cloning and prokaryotic expression of the porcine lipasin gene

Lipasin has recently been demonstrated to be involved in lipid metabolism. In this study, two specific primers were used to amplify the lipasin open reading frame from porcine liver tissue. The polymerase chain reaction product was cloned to a pGEM®-T Easy Vector, digested by SalI and NotI, and sequenced. The lipasin fragment was then cloned to a pET21(b) vector and digested by the same restriction enzyme. The recombinant plasmid was transferred to Escherichia coli (BL21), and the lipasin protein was induced with isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside. The protein obtained was identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blotting. A pET-lipasin prokaryotic recombinant expression vector was successfully constructed, and a 25.2-kDa protein was obtained. This study provides a basis for further research on the biological function of porcine lipasin.

Effects of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus on pig growth, diet utilization efficiency, and gas release from stored manure

The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection and vaccination on pig growth, dietary nutrient efficiency of utilization, manure output, and emissions of CO, CH, HS, NO, and NH gases from stored manure. Forty-eight pigs, aged 21 d at the start of the study, were subjected to 1 of 4 treatment combinations arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design with main factors of PRRSV vaccination and PRRSV infection. Body weight, ADFI, manure output, and nutrient efficiency of utilization were assessed and gas emissions from stored manure were determined daily from 50 to 78 d of age and for 24 d after completion of the animal phase. Infection with PRRSV markedly reduced final BW, ADG, and ADFI ( < 0.01) and reduced efficiencies of ADF and ether extract utilization ( = 0.05 and = 0.02, respectively) regardless of vaccination status. No significant treatment effects were found on manure output, manure pH, efficiencies of lignin utilization, and N retention. Infecting pigs with PRRSV increased daily manure CO emission per pig ( = 0.01). There was an interaction between immunization and infection for NO per pig with manure from uninfected, vaccinated pigs producing as much as the manure from infected, vaccinated pigs whereas there was a difference by PRRSV infection state for nonvaccinated pigs. There were also interactions between treatments for HS and NO emissions per kilogram of manure volatile solids excreted ( = 0.01 and = 0.0001, respectively) with the same pattern as for NO per pig; that is, the vaccinated pigs had similar rates of emission regardless of infection state. Pigs infected with PRRSV increased NO nitrogen per kilogram of total N excreted compared with noninfected groups ( = 0.03). Collectively, these results indicated that PRRSV infection caused decreased growth rates and nutrient utilization efficiency and increased gas emissions from stored manure.

Molecular cloning and tissue distribution profiles of the chicken R-spondin1 gene

Rspo1 belongs to the Rspo family, which is composed of 4 members (Rspo1-4) that share 40 to 60% sequence homology and similar domain organizations, and regulate the WNT signaling pathway via a common mechanism. Rspo1 plays a key role in vertebrate development and is an effective mitogenic factor of gastrointestinal epithelial cells. We report the cloning of chicken Rspo1 and its gene expression distribution among tissues. It contained an open reading frame of 783 bp encoding a protein of 260 amino acids, and its molecular weight was predicted to be 28.80 kDa. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction-based gene expression analysis indicated that chicken Rspo1 was highly expressed in the stomach muscle tissue, but was expressed at low levels in the lung, brain, jejunum, cecum, ileum, spleen, pancreas, kidney, and glandular stomach. These results suggest that Rspo1 plays a major role in muscular immune protection.

Effect of ozone treatment on deoxynivalenol and quality evaluation of ozonised wheat

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is the secondary metabolite of Fusarium graminearum, which is always found in Fusarium head blight of wheat. In this study, gaseous ozone was used to treat both DON solution and scabbed wheat to investigate the effectiveness of ozone treatment on DON degradation and the effect of ozone on the quality parameters of wheat. It was found that gaseous ozone had a significant effect on DON reduction in solution, when 10 mg l(-1) gaseous ozone was used to treat a 1 μg ml(-1) of DON solution, the degradation rate of DON was 93.6% within 30 s. Lower initial concentrations of DON solution treated with higher concentrations of ozone, and longer times showed higher DON degradation rates. Gaseous ozone was effective against DON in scabbed wheat. The degradation rate of DON increased with ozone concentration and processing time. The correlation between the time and degradation rate was y = -1.1926x(2) + 11.427x - 8.7787. In the process of ozone oxidation, a higher moisture content of wheat was more sensitive than that of lower moisture content to ozone under the same conditions. All samples were treated with different concentrations of ozone for 4 h to investigate the effect of ozone on wheat quality. No significant detrimental changes in the starch pasting properties of wheat were observed after all the samples were treated with ozone within 4 h. On the other hand, there was a slight rise in the dough development time and stability time, which meant the quality of flour improved after ozone treatment.