[Effects of small GTP-binding protein GDP dissociation stimulator on adipocyte hypertrophy and glucose metabolism disorder in mice]

Objective: To explore the effect and mechanism of small GTP-binding protein GDP dissociation stimulator (SmgGDS) on the development of obesity. Methods: (1) 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to normal diet and high fat diet group, with 6 mice in each group. They were fed regular feed and a high fat diet containing 60% fat for 4 months, respectively. The expression of SmgGDS in epididymal adipose tissue (eWAT), liver, and skeletal muscle were measured using Western-blot. (2) 6-week-old wild-type (WT) and SmgGDS knockdown (KD) mice were divided into four groups, each receiving high fat diet for 4 months (7 in each group) and 7 months (9 in each group). Glucose tolerance test (GTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT) were conducted; The weight, adipose tissue, and liver weight of mice were recorded; HE staining examined adipose tissue structural changes; Western-blot determined extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 phosphorylation levels in eWAT; Real time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect mRNA levels of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα), C/EBPβ and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in eWAT. (3) Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) extracted from WT and KD mice were induced for differentiation. Oil red O staining and Western-blot were used to detect lipid droplet and expression of SmgGDS and phospho-ERK; C/EBPα, C/EBPβ and PPARγ mRNA levels were measured using RT-qPCR. (4) 10-week-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned into two groups, with 7 mice in each group. Mice were infected with SmgGDS overexpressing adeno-associated virus (AAV-SmgGDS) or empty vector intraperitoneally, then fed with high fat diet. After 4 weeks, performed GTT and ITT; Recorded the weight and adipose tissue weight of mice; HE staining was used to analyze structural changes of eWAT; Western-blot was used to detect the phosphorylation level of ERK in eWAT. Results: (1) The expression of SmgGDS was significantly upregulated in eWAT of high fat diet fed mice (normal diet group: 0.218±0.037, high fat diet group:0.439±0.072, t=2.74, P=0.034). (2) At 4 months of high fat diet intervention, the glucose tolerance (60 minutes after glucose injection, WT group: 528 mg/dl±21 mg/dl, KD group: 435 mg/dl±17 mg/dl, t=3.47, P=0.030; 90 minutes, WT group: 463 mg/dl±24 mg/dl, KD group: 366 mg/dl±18 mg/dl, t=3.23, P=0.047;120 minutes, WT group: 416 mg/dl±21 mg/dl, KD group: 297 mg/dl±16 mg/dl, t=4.49, P=0.005) and insulin sensitivity (15 minutes after insulin injection, WT group: 77.79%±3.45%, KD group: 54.30%±2.92%, t=3.49, P=0.005; 30 minutes, WT group: 62.27%±5.31%, KD group: 42.25%±1.85%, t=2.978, P=0.024; 90 minutes, WT group: 85.69%±6.63%, KD group: 64.71%±5.41%, t=3.120, P=0.016) of KD mice were significantly improved compared to the WT group, with an increase in eWAT weight ratio (WT: 4.19%±0.18%, KD: 5.12%±0.37%, t=2.28, P=0.042), but a decrease in average adipocyte area (WT group: 5221 μm²±241 μm², KD group: 4410 μm²±196 μm², t=2.61, P=0.026). After 7 months of high fat diet, the eWAT weight ratio of KD mice decreased (WT: 5.02%±0.20%, KD: 3.88%±0.21%, t=3.92, P=0.001) and adipocyte size decreased (WT group: 6 783 μm²±390 μm², KD group: 4785 μm²±303 μm², t=4.05, P=0.002). The phospho-ERK1 in eWAT increased (WT group: 0.174±0.056, KD group: 0.588±0.147, t=2.64, P=0.025), and mRNA level of PPARγ significantly decreased (WT group: 1.018±0.128, KD group: 0.029±0.015, t=7.70, P=0.015). (3) The expression of SmgGDS was significantly increased in differentiated MEF (undifferentiated: 6.789±0.511, differentiated: 10.170±0.523, t=4.63, P=0.010); SmgGDS knock-down inhibited lipid droplet formation in MEF (WT group: 1.00±0.02, KD group: 0.88±0.02, t=5.05, P=0.007) and increased ERK1 (WT group: 0.600±0.179, KD group: 1.325±0.102, t=3.52, P=0.025) and ERK2 (WT group: 2.179±0.687, KD group: 5.200±0.814, t=2.84, P=0.047) activity, which can be reversed by ERK1/2 inhibitor. (4) SmgGDS over expression resulted in weight gain, increased eWAT weight (control group: 3.29%±0.36%, AAV-SmgGDS group: 4.27%±0.26%, t=2.20, P=0.048) and adipocyte size (control group: 3525 μm²±454 μm², AAV-SmgGDS group: 5326 μm²±655 μm², t=2.26, P=0.047), impaired insulin sensitivity(30 minutes after insulin injection, control group: 44.03%±4.29%, AAV-SmgGDS group: 62.70%±2.81%, t=3.06, P=0.019), and decreased ERK1 (control group: 0.829±0.077, AAV-SmgGDS group: 0.326±0.036, t=5.96, P=0.001)and ERK2 (control group: 5.748±0.287, AAV-SmgGDS group: 2.999±0.845, t=3.08, P=0.022) activity in eWAT. Conclusion: SmgGDS knockdown improves obesity related glucose metabolism disorder by inhibiting adipogenesis and adipose tissue hypertrophy, which is associated with ERK activation.

High species diversity in Diaporthe associated with citrus diseases in China

Species in Diaporthe have broad host ranges and cosmopolitan geographic distributions, occurring as endophytes, saprobes and plant pathogens. Previous studies have indicated that many Diaporthe species are associated with Citrus. To further determine the diversity of Diaporthe species associated with citrus diseases in China, we conducted extensive surveys in major citrus-producing areas from 2017-2020. Diseased tissues were collected from leaves, fruits, twigs, branches and trunks showing a range of symptoms including melanose, dieback, gummosis, wood decay and canker. Based on phylogenetic comparisons of DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS), calmodulin (cal), histone H3 (his3), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1) and beta-tubulin (tub2), 393 isolates from 10 provinces were identified as belonging to 36 species of Diaporthe, including 32 known species, namely D. apiculata, D. biconispora, D. biguttulata, D. caryae, D. citri, D. citriasiana, D. compacta, D. discoidispora, D. endophytica, D. eres, D. fusicola, D. fulvicolor, D. guangxiensis, D. hongkongensis, D. hubeiensis, D. limonicola, D. litchii, D. novem, D. passifloricola, D. penetriteum, D. pescicola, D. pometiae, D. sackstonii, D. sennicola, D. sojae, D. spinosa, D. subclavata, D. tectonae, D. tibetensis, D. unshiuensis, D. velutina and D. xishuangbanica, and four new species, namely D. gammata, D. jishouensis, D. ruiliensis and D. sexualispora. Among the 32 known species, 14 are reported for the first time on Citrus, and two are newly reported from China. Among the 36 species, D. citri was the dominant species as exemplified by its high frequency of isolation and virulence. Pathogenicity tests indicated that most Diaporthe species obtained in this study were weakly aggressive or non-pathogenic to the tested citrus varieties. Only D. citri produced the longest lesion lengths on citrus shoots and induced melanose on citrus leaves. These results further demonstrated that a rich diversity of Diaporthe species occupy Citrus, but only a few species are harmful and D. citri is the main pathogen for Citrus in China. The present study provides a basis from which targeted monitoring, prevention and control measures can be developed. Citation: Xiao XE, Liu YD, Zheng F, et al. 2023. High species diversity in Diaporthe associated with citrus diseases in China. Persoonia 51: 229-256. doi: 10.3767/persoonia.2023.51.06.

Data-Driven Intelligent Manipulation of Particles in Microfluidics

Automated manipulation of small particles using external (e.g., magnetic, electric and acoustic) fields has been an emerging technique widely used in different areas. The manipulation typically necessitates a reduced-order physical model characterizing the field-driven motion of particles in a complex environment. Such models are available only for highly idealized settings but are absent for a general scenario of particle manipulation typically involving complex nonlinear processes, which has limited its application. In this work, the authors present a data-driven architecture for controlling particles in microfluidics based on hydrodynamic manipulation. The architecture replaces the difficult-to-derive model by a generally trainable artificial neural network to describe the kinematics of particles, and subsequently identifies the optimal operations to manipulate particles. The authors successfully demonstrate a diverse set of particle manipulations in a numerically emulated microfluidic chamber, including targeted assembly of particles and subsequent navigation of the assembled cluster, simultaneous path planning for multiple particles, and steering one particle through obstacles. The approach achieves both spatial and temporal controllability of high precision for these settings. This achievement revolutionizes automated particle manipulation, showing the potential of data-driven approaches and machine learning in improving microfluidic technologies for enhanced flexibility and intelligence.

[Screening of traditional Chinese medicine-derived snail control drug targets based on network pharmacology]

OBJECTIVE

To screen the targets of traditional Chinese medicine-derived potential plant molluscicides based on network pharmacology and explore the mechanisms of molluscicidal actions.

METHODS

The traditional Chinese medicines with molluscicidal actions were screened based on retrospective literature reviews, and their molluscicidal efficiency was summarized. The active ingredients and potential targets of traditional Chinese medicines were captured from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform, Unified Protein Database and literature mining using network pharmacology. The drug-active ingredient-target network was created using the software Cytoscape 3.7.2, and the key targets were subjected to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis using the Metascape software.

RESULTS

A total of 27 types of snail control drugs derived from traditional Chinese medicines were screened from publications and classified into 14 categories. Network pharmacology identified 190 active ingredients, and the active ingredients with a high degree in the drug-active ingredient-target network included quercetin, linoleyl acetate, luteolin, beta-carotene, (24S)-ethylcholesta-5,22,25-trans-3beta-ol, fumarine and arctiin, with 181 corresponding potential targets screened. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that these targets were mainly located in 16 pathways, including the neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, regulation of adipocyte lipolysis and adrenergic signal in myocardial cells.

CONCLUSIONS

This study preliminarily demonstrates the multi-ingredient, multi-target and multi-pathway mechanisms of action of 27 molluscicides. The screened key ingredient may provide the basis for isolation, purification and pharmacological studies of molluscicides, and the screened key targets and key pathways may facilitate the illustration of mechanisms of actions of traditional Chinese medicine-derived molluscicides and development of novel green molluscicides.

Patient age, gender, and early outcome after PVI atrial ablation: analysis of a large regional database

Background

Demographics such as patient age and gender have been inconsistently found to be associated with outcome after ablation to achieve pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). A database created by the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council (DFWHC) includes a collaboration of 90 member hospitals in North Texas reporting data on procedures, diagnoses, and discharges. All patients in this system can be followed longitudinally via unique identification number. The availability of this large, regional database offers opportunities to better characterize trends.

Objective

Characterize the association between age, gender, and 60-day outcome in patients receiving PVI over a 7-year time span.

Methods

Using the DFWHC database, all PVI procedures performed from January 2013 to December 2019 were identified. Follow up visits for this cohort of patients were then obtained, and outcomes recorded. Early mortalities (occurring less than 60 days from PVI), mean age and patient gender were determined for each of the groups and compared.

Results

A total of 11,880 unique PVI procedures were performed over this 7 year timeframe. Mean patient age was 64±10 years, with 66% male and 34% female. A total of 130 mortalities at any time after PVI occurred (1.1%), with 19 (0.16%) occurring within 60 days of the procedure. In multivariate analysis, the risk of 60-day mortality increased with year of procedure (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.4) and female gender (OR 1.43, 95% CI 0.57 to 3.6), and decreased with age (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.03); however no variable demonstrated statistically significant association with outcome.

Conclusions

Although trends towards increasing mortality over time and in female patients were seen, the total number of events remained low, and no statistically significant associations between age, gender, and early mortality were identified in this large regional database.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Deletion in KRT75L4 linked to frizzle feather in Xiushui Yellow Chickens

Bird feathers are the product of interactions between natural and artificial selection. Feather-related traits are important for chicken selection and breeding. Frizzle feather is characterized by the abnormally development of feathers in chickens. In the current study, frizzle feather characteristics were observed in a local breed called Xiushui Yellow Chicken in Jiangxi, China. To determine the molecular mechanisms that underlie frizzle feather in Xiushui Yellow Chicken, four populations of three breeds (Xiushui Yellow Chicken with frizzle feathers, Xiushui Yellow Chicken with normal feathers, Guangfeng White-Ear Yellow Chicken, and Ningdu Yellow Chicken) were selected for whole-genome resequencing. Using a comparative genome strategy and genome-wide association study, a missense mutation (g.5281494A>G) and a 15-bp deletion (g.5285437-5285451delGATGCCGGCAGGACG) in KRT75L4 were identified as candidate mutations associated with frizzle feather in Xiushui Yellow Chicken. Based on genotyping performed in a large Xiushui Yellow Chicken population, the g.5285437-5285451delGATGCCGGCAGGACG mutation in KRT75L4 was confirmed as the putative causative mutation of frizzle feather. These results deepen the understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for frizzle feather, as well as facilitating the molecular detection and selection of the feather phenotype in Xiushui Yellow Chickens.

IL-10 promotes development of acute respiratory distress syndrome via inhibiting differentiation of bone marrow stem cells to alveolar type 2 epithelial cells

OBJECTIVE

To explore whether interleukin-10 (IL-10) could promote the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) via inhibiting differentiation of bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) to alveolar type 2 (AT II) epithelial cells.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

25 ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) patients admitted in our hospital from December 2015 to February 2018 were enrolled. Meanwhile, 25 healthy controls in the same period were selected as control group. Serum level of IL-10 in each subject was detected via ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). BMSCs were isolated and cultured, followed by identification of surface antigens and morphology observation using flow cytometry. For in vitro experiments, expression levels of AT II-related genes induced with or without IL-10 were detected by qRT-PCR (quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction) and Western blot, respectively. The culture medium of BMSCs induced with or without IL-10 was collected for detecting expression levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) by ELISA.

RESULTS

IL-10 was overexpressed in ARDS patients than that of healthy controls. Primary BMSCs were elongated after culturing for 1-3 days. Negative-antigen CD34 (4.32%) and positive-antigen (99.87%) on the surface of BMSCs were identified by flow cytometry. Both mRNA and protein expressions of AT II-related genes increased in a time-dependent manner. ELISA results showed that IL-10 level in cell supernatant decreased with the prolongation of induction days. Moreover, IL-10 intervention downregulated the expressions of AT II-related genes.

CONCLUSIONS

IL-10 promotes ARDS development via inhibiting cell differentiation of BMSCs to AT II.

Synthesis of MoS2/g-C3N4 nanocomposites with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity for the removal of nitric oxide (NO)

Molybdenum disulfide and graphitic carbon nitride (MoS₂-g-C₃N₄) nanocomposites with visible-light induced photocatalytic activity were successfully synthesized by a facile ultrasonic dispersion method. The crystalline structure and morphology of the MoS₂-g-C₃N₄ nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microcopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The optical property of the as-prepared nanocomposites was studied by ultraviolet visible diffusion reflection (UV-vis) and photoluminescence(PL) spectrum. It could be observed from the TEM image that the MoS₂ nanosheets and g-C₃N₄ nanoparticles were well combined together. Moreover, the photocatalytic activity of MoS₂-g-C₃N₄ composites was evaluated by the removal of nitric oxide under visible light irradiation (>400nm). The experimental results demonstrated that the nanocomposites with the MoS₂ content of 1.5 wt% exhibited optimal photocatalytic activity and the corresponding removal rate of NO achieved 51.67%, higher than that of pure g-C₃N₄ nanoparticles. A possible photocatalytic mechanism for the MoS₂-g-C₃N₄ nanocomposites with enhanced photocatalytic activity could be ascribed to the hetero-structure of MoS₂ and g-C₃N₄.

DNA repair gene XRCC3 variants are associated with susceptibility to glioma in a Chinese population

The susceptibility to glioma is not well understood. It has been suggested that the X-ray cross complementing group 3 (XRCC3) gene influences the capacity to repair DNA damage, leading to increased glioma susceptibility. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between XRCC3 mutations and glioma risk. Genotypes were assessed in 389 Chinese glioma patients and 358 healthy controls. XRCC3 Thr241Met (rs861539) and 2 additional polymorphisms, rs3212112 (c.774+19T>G) and rs1799796 (c.562-14A>G), were directly sequenced. The frequency of the rs861539 T allele was significantly lower in the glioma group than in healthy controls [11.1 vs 17.7%, odds ratio = 0.62 (0.48-0.80), P < 0.001]; the frequencies of the CT or CT+TT genotypes differed between groups (18.5 vs 31%, 20.3 vs 33.2%, respectively). The frequency of the rs3212112 G allele was significantly higher in the glioma group than in healthy controls [15.8 vs 5.3%, odds ratio = 2.94 (2.07-4.17), P < 0.001]. The frequencies of the GT or TG+GG genotypes differed between groups (25.4 vs 7.8%, 28.5 vs 9.2%, respectively). This study demonstrates that the rs861539 and rs3212112 polymorphisms in the XRCC3 gene may influence the risk of glioma development in Chinese populations.

Green manure plants for remediation of soils polluted by metals and metalloids: ecotoxicity and human bioavailability assessment

Borage, white mustard and phacelia, green manure plants currently used in agriculture to improve soil properties were cultivated for 10 wk on various polluted soils with metal(loid) concentrations representative of urban brownfields or polluted kitchen gardens. Metal(loid) bioavailability and ecotoxicity were measured in relation to soil characteristics before and after treatment. All the plants efficiently grow on the various polluted soils. But borage and mustard only are able to modify the soil characteristics and metal(loid) impact: soil respiration increased while ecotoxicity, bioaccessible lead and total metal(loid) quantities in soils can be decreased respectively by phytostabilization and phytoextraction mechanisms. These two plants could therefore be used for urban polluted soil refunctionalization. However, plant efficiency to improve soil quality strongly depends on soil characteristics.

Indirect comparison of randomised controlled trials: comparative efficacy of dexlansoprazole vs. esomeprazole in the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

BACKGROUND

Dexlansoprazole is a new proton pump inhibitor (PPI) with a dual delayed-release system. Both dexlansoprazole and esomeprazole are an enantiomer of lansoprazole and omeprazole respectively. However, there is no head-to-head trial data or indirect comparison analyses between dexlansoprazole and esomeprazole.

AIM

To compare the efficacy of dexlansoprazole with esomeprazole in healing erosive oesophagitis (EO), the maintenance of healed EO and the treatment of non-erosive reflux disease (NERD).

METHODS

Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) comparing dexlansoprazole or esomeprazole with either placebo or another PPI were systematically reviewed. Random-effect meta-analyses and adjusted indirect comparisons were conducted to compare the treatment effect of dexlansoprazole and esomeprazole using a common comparator. The relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated.

RESULTS

The indirect comparisons revealed significant differences in symptom control of heartburn in patients with NERD at 4 weeks. Dexlansoprazole 30 mg was more effective than esomeprazole 20 mg or 40 mg (RR: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.15-3.51; RR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.39-3.38). However, there were no statistically significant differences between the two drugs in EO healing and maintenance of healed EO. Comparison of symptom control in healed EO was not able to be made due to different definitions used in the RCTs.

CONCLUSIONS

Adjusted indirect comparisons based on currently available RCT data suggested significantly better treatment effect in symptom control of heartburn in patients with NERD for dexlansoprazole against esomeprazole. No statistically significant differences were found in other EO outcomes. However, these study findings need to be interpreted with caution due to small number of studies and other limitations.

Individual patient data meta-analysis of randomized evidence to assess the effectiveness of laparoscopic uterosacral nerve ablation in chronic pelvic pain

BACKGROUND

There have been conflicting results in randomized trials of the effects of laparoscopic uterosacral nerve ablation (LUNA) in chronic pelvic pain. Our objective was to perform a meta-analysis using individual patient data (IPD) to provide the most comprehensive and reliable assessment of the effectiveness of LUNA.

METHODS

Electronic searches were conducted in the Medline, Embase, PsycInfo and Cochrane Library databases from database inception to August 2009. The reference lists of known relevant papers were searched for any further articles. Randomized trials comparing LUNA with no additional intervention were selected and authors contacted for IPD. Raw data were available from 862 women randomized into five trials. Pain scores were calibrated to a 10-point scale and were analysed using a multilevel model allowing for repeated measures.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between LUNA and No LUNA for the worst pain recorded over a 12 month time period (mean difference 0.25 points in favour of No LUNA on a 0-10 point scale, 95% confidence interval: -0.08 to 0.58; P = 0.1).

CONCLUSIONS

LUNA does not result in improved chronic pelvic pain.

Frequency and impact of extracolonic findings detected at computed tomographic colonography in a symptomatic population

Background

Extracolonic findings are frequently recognized alongside colonic pathology at computed tomographic colonography (CTC). This study assessed the clinical impact of extracolonic findings in a symptomatic population at high risk of colorectal cancer.

Methods

CTC was performed in a consecutive cohort of patients assessed in a fast-track colorectal cancer clinic as being at high risk of colorectal cancer. A review of CTC findings and case notes was undertaken. Patients with extracolonic findings were followed up for at least 12 months.

Results

Thirty-one (13·8 per cent) of 225 patients investigated by CTC had colorectal cancer. Extracolonic findings were identified in 81 (53·3 per cent) of 152 patients with normal or non-neoplastic bowel findings, compared with 27 (37 per cent) of 73 patients with colorectal neoplasia (P = 0·025). Twenty-four patients (10·7 per cent) with extracolonic findings underwent further investigation or treatment. The median duration of investigation was 19·5 weeks. Seventy-five clinical events were recorded, including 14 surgical procedures.

Conclusion

A prospective cost–benefit analysis of diagnostic CTC should be performed before it is established as a first-line investigation for colonic symptoms.

Resources and costs associated with incidental extracolonic findings from CT colonogaphy: a study in a symptomatic population

CT colonography (CTC) is increasingly used to detect colonic polyps and cancers, but its impact in practice is also influenced by frequent detection of extracolonic lesions. We have previously documented the frequency and nature of such lesions. The current study was performed to assess the clinical resources and costs associated with the investigation and treatment of extracolonic lesions. We reviewed the reports of 225 consecutive CTC examinations carried out on patients with symptoms of bowel cancer. 116 of the 225 were reported to have one or more extracolonic findings. All 116 patients with an abnormality were followed up for 12-24 months. 24 patients underwent further actions (outpatient attendance, investigations, or surgical procedures) as a result of previously undiagnosed lesions unrelated to bowel cancer. The costs of these further actions were derived from the NHS Reference Costs manual 2004. The total cost for further investigations and interventions was 34,329 pounds sterling and the mean cost over the sample of 225 patients was 153 pounds sterling--more than the cost of the CTC itself. The costs were mainly generated by surgical procedures. Resources consumed as a result of extracolonic findings approximately doubled the costs of diagnostic CTC. These costs, along with inconvenience, anxiety, morbidity and occasionally even mortality suffered by patients, must be offset by the good done to some of those with sub-clinical but potentially lethal diseases.

Incidental lesions found on CT colonography: their nature and frequency

CT colonography has been used to detect colonic polyps and cancers, but its effect in practice will also be influenced by the frequency with which extracolonic lesions of various types are detected. We performed a systematic review of the types of incidental lesions found on CT colonography. This is necessary to model the benefits and harms of detecting extracolonic lesions. Primary clinical studies of extracolonic findings on CT colonography were identified from electronic databases, scanning reference lists and hand searches of relevant journals and conference proceedings. A data collection proforma was used to collect information on extracolonic findings. 17 discreet studies were identified, involving 3488 patients. In total 40% of patients were recorded to have abnormalities and many had more than one abnormality. Nearly 14% of patients had further investigations and 0.8% were given immediate treatment. Extracolonic cancers were detected in 2.7% (0.9% had N0M0 cancers) and 0.9% had an aortic aneurysm. The number of extracolonic findings was high in all studies. While only a small population were judged "important", the prevalence of serious lesions outside the colon was nevertheless higher than in many other screening programs.

[Utilizable value of wild economic plant resource--acron kernel]

Peking whites breeding hens were selected. Using true metabolizable energy method (TME) to evaluate the available nutritive value of acorn kernel, while maize and rice were used as control. The results showed that the contents of gross energy (GE), apparent metabolizable energy (AME), true metabolizable energy (TME) and crude protein (CP) in the acorn kernel were 16.53 mg/kg-1, 11.13 mg.kg-1, 11.66 mg.kg-1 and 10.63%, respectively. The apparent availability and true availability of crude protein were 45.55% and 49.83%. The gross content of 17 amino acids, essential amino acids and semiessential amino acids were 9.23% and 4.84%. The true availability of amino acid and the content of true available amino acid were 60.85% and 6.09%. The contents of tannin and hydrocyanic acid were 4.55% and 0.98% in acorn kernel. The available nutritive value of acorn kernel is similar to maize or slightly lower, but slightly higher than that of rice. Acorn kernel is a wild economic plant resource to exploit and utilize but it contains higher tannin and hydrocyanic acid.

Expression of platelet C1 inhibitor

Human platelets contain a pool of C1 inhibitor (C1 INH) distinct from that in plasma. Twelve normal platelet samples washed by centrifugation had a mean platelet C1 INH antigen level of 19.3 +/- 2.8 ng (mean +/- SEM) per 10(8) platelets. These values contrast with the mean +/- SEM platelet C1 INH antigen level of 6.1 +/- 0.9 per 10(8) platelets from 12 C1 INH-deficient patients. The level of platelet C1 INH correlated (r = .7) with the level of plasma C1 INH in normal individuals and patients with classic hereditary angioedema. Platelet C1 INH, like plasma C1 INH, was a 105-Kd protein on immunoblots of solubilized platelets and in thrombin- or collagen-induced platelet releasates. On indirect immunofluorescence, morphologically and immunochemically identifiable elutriated human megakaryocytes had C1 INH antigen. Using nested primer polymerase chain reaction, C1 INH mRNA was detected in megakaryocytes. When activated, human platelets expressed a portion of their total pool of C1 INH antigen on their membrane. Using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for C1 INH as a quantitative, indirect antibody consumption assay, the surface of unstimulated platelets had 0.55 +/- 0.4 ng C1 INH/10(8) platelets (mean +/- SEM). When activated with thrombin, platelets secreted 7.37 +/- 2.2 ng C1 INH/10(8) platelets into the suspension buffer and simultaneously expressed 4.4 +/- 1.2 ng C1 INH/10(8) platelets on their external membrane. These studies showed that activated platelets secreted 38% of their C1 INH and externalized another 23% of the total platelet C1 INH on their membrane. Furthermore, in 125I-anti-C1 INH Fab' binding experiments to platelets, about 8 ng of the antibody fragment specifically bound to 10(8) activated platelets. These data suggest that level of platelet C1 INH packaged into platelet alpha-granules is modulated by the amount of protein produced in megakaryocytes. Platelet alpha-granule C1 INH can both be secreted from platelets and expressed on their activated membranes. The cell membrane expression of C1 INH may be important to modulate the activity of the proteases of the complement and contact systems of plasma proteolysis in the microenvironment of the inflammatory response.

[Sedative-hypnotic effect of caulis Polygoni multiflori decoction]

The sedative-hypnotic effect of Caulis Polygoni multiflori decoction (CPMD) was studied by the rolling cylinder method in mice and by the somnopolygraphic recording method in rats. The result from the rolling method in mice showed that CPMD (9g/kg) did have synergic action with the subthreshold hypnotic dose of sodium pentobarbital (20mg/kg). The result from the somnopolygraphic recording experiment showed that the immediate hypnotic effect of an effective dose of CPMD (20g/kg) was basically similar to that of diazepam (5mg/kg) used under the same experimental condition, chiefly an increase in the duration of slow wave sleep phase (SWS) and a decrease in the duration of paradoxical sleep phase (PS). By the end of a three-day session in dose of twice a day the hypnotic effect appeared more prominent and the reduction of SWS latency became significant.