Dietary resveratrol supplementation on growth performance, immune function and intestinal barrier function in broilers challenged with lipopolysaccharide

This study discusses the effects of resveratrol (RES) on the productive performance, immune function and intestinal barrier function of broiler chickens challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Two hundred and forty 1-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6 replicates each, with 10 broilers per replicate. This experiment used a 2 × 2 factorial design with dietary factors (basal diets or basal diets supplemented with 400 mg/kg RES were administered from d 1 to 21) and stress factors (intraperitoneal injection of 0.5 mg/kg BW of saline or LPS at 16, 18 and 20 d of age). The results showed that LPS challenge had a significant adverse effect on average daily gain (ADG) in broilers at 16 to 21 d of age (P < 0.05), whereas the addition of RES to the diet inhibited the LPS-induced decrease in ADG (P < 0.05). RES also alleviated LPS-induced immune function damage in broilers, which was manifested by the decrease of spleen index (P < 0.05) and the recovery of serum immunoglobulin M and ileal secretory immunoglobulin A content (P < 0.05). The LPS challenge also disrupts intestinal barrier function and inflammation, and RES mitigates these adverse effects in different ways. RES attenuated LPS-induced reduction of villus height in the jejunum and ileum of broilers (P < 0.05). LPS also caused an abnormal increase in plasma D-lactic acid levels in broilers (P < 0.05), which was effectively mitigated by RES (P < 0.05). LPS challenge resulted in a significant decrease in mRNA expression of occludin in the intestinal mucosa (P < 0.05), which was mitigated by the addition of RES (P < 0.05). RES significantly decreased the mRNA expression of toll-like receptor 4, nuclear factor kappa-B and tumor necrosis factor alpha in the ileum tissue stimulated by LPS (P < 0.05). Taken together, this study shows that RES exerts its beneficial effect on broilers challenged with LPS by alleviating immune function damage, relieving intestinal inflammation and barrier damage, and thus improving growth performance.

Effects of Coated Sodium Butyrate on Growth Performance, Intestinal Morphology, and Caecal Short-chain Fatty Acids of Growing Pekin Ducks

1. A dose‒response experiment with six supplemental levels of coated sodium butyrate (CSB) (0, 250, 500, 750, 1,000, and 1,250 mg/kg) was conducted to investigate its effects on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and caecal short-chain fatty acids of growing Pekin ducks aged 14 to 35 d. A total of 288 male 14-d-old Pekin ducks were randomly allocated to six dietary treatments. Each treatment had eight replicate pens of six ducks per pen.2. The daily weight gain, daily feed intake, and feed/gain of ducks from 14 to 35 d of age were not influenced by increasing CSB levels. The relative weight and length of the duodenum, jejunum, and cecum increased linearly or quadratically as supplemental CSB increased (P<0.05).3. For the ileum and caecum, the villus height and height/crypt depth increased linearly or quadratically, and the villus crypt depth decreased linearly as the supplemental CSB increased (P<0.05). As supplemental CSB increased, the goblet cell numbers of the ileum increased and decreased and changed quadratically (P<0.05), but caecal goblet cell number increased quadratically (P<0.05). Increasing the CSB level linearly or quadratically elevated the concentrations of acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid in the cecum (P<0.05).4. It was concluded that CSB can be used as a safe and effective feed additive to promote the intestinal integrity of growing ducks by improving intestinal morphology and increasing the concentration of caecal short-chain fatty acids.

[Safety and efficacy of toric intraocular lens implantation for more than 5 years]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation for more than 5 years. Methods: This study was a prospective cohort study in which subjects were continuously observed over a two-year period (May 2014 to May 2016) in nine hospitals. The study randomly assigned subjects to two groups using a central dynamic randomization system: the study group, which received Proming^® IQ toric IOL implants, and the control group, which received AcrySof^® IQ toric IOL implants. The subjects completed a one-year follow-up, during which various measures were taken and evaluated, including visual acuity, IOL rotation, postoperative complications, intraocular pressure, and subjective evaluation (preoperatively and at 1 day, 6 months, 1 year, and 5 years post-surgery). The main statistical analysis methods include the Mann-Whitney U test, independent sample t-test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, paired sample t-test, chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test. Results: A total of 45 eyes (26 in the study group and 19 in the control group) completed the five-year continuous observation period. The mean age of the subjects was (72.07±10.67) years and the mean interval from surgery to the last visit was (5.39±0.47) years. After five years, there were no significant differences in uncorrected distance visual acuity (0.20±0.26 vs. 0.16±0.13, t=0.17,P=0.752), best corrected distance visual acuity[0.00(0.00, 0.20) vs. 0.05±0.10, U=188.00, P=0.880], uncorrected near visual acuity[0.50 (0.20, 0.60) vs. 0.42±0.20, t=0.35, P=0.857], and best corrected near visual acuity (0.13±0.16 vs. 0.17±0.23, U=161.00, P=0.884) between the two groups. However, all measures improved significantly from baseline levels in both groups (all P<0.05). Five years after surgery, no matter objective refraction [(-0.67±0.85) D vs. (-0.73±1.08)D] or subjective refraction[-0.50 (-1.00, 0.00)D vs. (0.69±0.87)D], the degree of cylindrical degree is significantly lower than preoperative corneal astigmatism [(1.27±0.49) D vs. (1.34±0.82) D, all P<0.001]. In addition, there were no significant differences in intraocular pressure, subjective evaluation of visual adverse symptoms, distance vision spectacle independence, or overall satisfaction evaluation between the two groups (all P>0.05). The IOL rotation was 3.0°(1.0°, 6.0°) in the study group and 4.0°(2.0°, 6.0°)in the control group (U=185.50,P=0.574), indicating no significant difference between the groups in terms of rotational stability. Five years after surgery, there were 7 cases of posterior capsular opacification in the study group and 4 cases in the control group. There were no cases of IOL glistening in the study group, but 5 cases (26.32%) were observed in the control group. Conclusions: The long-term effects of Proming^® toric IOL implantation in correcting cataracts with regular corneal astigmatism are clear after five years, with few complications and stable results.

[Safety and efficacy of A1-UV aspheric intraocular lens implantation over the postoperative 5 years]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of A1-UV aspheric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation over the postoperative 5 years. Methods: Prospective cohort study. The subjects came from a finished multicenter, randomized and controlled clinical trial with a follow-up period of 1 year from April to November 2012. The clinical research centers were Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Peking University Third Hospital, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, and Daping Hospital of Army Medical University. Cataract patients in the experimental group were implanted with A1-UV type IOL, while cataract patients in the control group were implanted with SN60WF type IOL, and monocular patients were enrolled. From April to May 2018, patients enrolled in the previous study were recalled for follow-up and continued observation. The visual acuity, spherical equivalent, postoperative complications, non-contact intraocular pressure and subjective evaluation results were statistically analyzed preoperatively, at 1 to 2 days, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 5 years after operation. The main statistical methods included Mann Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, independent sample t test, chi square test and Fisher exact test. Results: A total of 42 subjects (22 in the experimental group and 20 in the control group) completed 5-year continuous observation. Among the 42 subjects, 28 were female and 14 were male. The age was (70±9) years, and the time from surgery to recall was (5.77±0.19) years. The age, gender distribution, left/right eye distribution, axial length, IOL power and nucleus hardness classification data of the experimental group and the control group were balanced and comparable (all P>0.05). At different visiting time points, there was no significant difference in the best corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA), best corrected near visual acuity (BCNVA), uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCDVA) and uncorrected near visual acuity (UCNVA) between the groups (all P>0.05). At 5 years after operation, the UCDVA, BCDVA and BCNVA of the two groups were significantly improved compared with the baseline [all P<0.01; UCDVA was improved from 0.75 (0.30 to 1.30) to 0.10 (-0.10 to 0.70) in the experimental group and from 0.75 (0.30 to 1.60) to 0.20 (-0.10 to 0.80) in the control group; BCDVA was from 0.60 (0.10 to 1.00) to 0.00 (-0.10 to 0.54) in the experimental group and from 0.60 (0.10 to 1.60) to 0.10 (-0.10 to 0.50) in the control group; BCNVA was from 0.55 (0.00 to 1.10) to 0.10 (-0.10 to 0.60) in the experimental group and from 0.55 (0.10 to 1.60) to 0.10 (-0.20 to 0.60) in the control group], but there was no significant change in the UCNVA (both P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the spherical equivalent, intraocular pressure, subjective evaluation of visual adverse symptoms, distance vision spectacle independence and comprehensive evaluation of satisfaction between the groups (all P>0.05). In the experimental group, one eye (4.5%) had an abnormal pupil, one eye (4.5%) had an abnormal IOL with a few particles on the surface of the IOL but no glistening, and 3 eyes (13.6%) had posterior capsular opacification (PCO); in the control group, one eye (5.0%) had an abnormal cornea, five eyes (25.0%) had abnormal IOLs [one eye (5.0%) had IOL calcification, and four eyes (20.0%) had IOL glistening], and one eye (5.0%) had PCO with posterior capsular folds and IOL tilt. There was no significant difference in PCO and IOL abnormality between the two groups (both P>0.05), but there was significant difference in the occurrence of IOL glistening (P=0.04). Conclusion: The long-term effect of A1-UV aspheric IOL on improving the UCDVA is stable and good, with high subjective satisfaction of patients, a low incidence of PCO, no glistening and good biocompatibility, over the postoperative 5 years. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2021, 57: 41-47).

[A multicenter study of the effectiveness and safety of Toric intraocular lens implantation]

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Proming(®)Toric intraocular lens (IOL) in adults with cataract combined with corneal regular astigmatism. Methods: Multicentre, randomized, open and positive parallel controlled clinical study. A total of 121 patients (121 eyes) who had cataract combined with corneal regular astigmatism and met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in 9 hospitals from May 2014 to May 2016. There were 45 males and 76 females and the median age was 71 (42-88) years old. A total of 121 patients (121 eyes) were randomly assigned to the study group and the control group through the Central Randomization System. Sixty patients (60 eyes) of the study group were implanted with Proming(®)Toric IOL (Model: AT1BH-AT6BH) from Eyebright Medical Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., and 61 patients (61 eyes) of the control group were implanted with AcrySof (®)IQ Toric IOL (Model: SN6AT2-SN6AT7) from Alcon Laboratories, Inc. The visual acuity, IOL axial position, slit lamp examination, residual astigmatism and contrast sensitivity were recorded at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. Statistical analysis was performed using χ(2) test, independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, Friedman repeated measured ANOVA on ranks and non-parametric 2-factor variance analysis. Results: A total of 118 patients completed 6 months of follow-up, including 59 from the study group and 59 from the control group. The difference between the two groups in terms of the percentage of best corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) reaching 20/40 was 1.69% [100% (59/59) vs. 98.31% (58/59) ], and the lower limit of the 95% CI (-1.60%) was greater than -10.00%. A total of 90 patients were followed up for 1 year, including 43 patients from study group and 47 patients from control group. At 1 year after operation, the percentages of the BCDVA up to 20/40 were 97.67%(42/43) in the study group and 97.87% (46/47) in the control group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (χ(2)=0.00, P=0.95);the percentages of the uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCDVA) up to 20/40 were 81.40%(35/43) in the study group and 82.98%(39/47) in the control group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (χ(2)=0.04, P=0.84). At 1 year follow-up, the difference of contrast sensitivity at 18.0 c/d under the bright light, dark light, bright glare and dark glare between the two groups was not statistically significant (U=468.50, P=0.17;U=528.00, P=0.28;U=465.50, P=0.19;U=629.00, P=0.39);the difference of residual astigmatism between the two groups was not statistically significant (U=798.50, P=0.08);the difference of IOL rotation degree between the two groups was not statistically significant (U=869.00, P=0.25). There were no severe inflammatory responses nor other complications associated with IOL in both groups at each follow-up point. Conclusion: The visual quality, astigmatism correction effect, rotation stability and safety of Proming(®)Toric IOL for the treatment of cataract combined with corneal regular astigmatism is equivalent to AcrySof(®) IQ Toric IOL. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2018, 54: 349-356).

[Evaluation of the safety and visual quality after implantation of the domestic made aspheric intraocular lens]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the domestic foldable one-piece aspheric intraocular lens (IOL, Model: A1-UV) for the treatment of cataract.

METHODS

A prospective randomized controlled clinical research were conducted. One hundred and nineteen cases (119 eyes) of cataract patients were randomly assigned to the study group (58 cases) and the control group (61 cases). The study group were implanted with the domestic made aspheric intraocular lens (Model: A1-UV) and the control group were implanted with imported aspheric intraocular lens (Model: SN60WF, Alcon Laboratories, Inc.). The visual acuity and the slit lamp examination were evaluated 1-2 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. In addition, the contrast sensitivity tests were carried out 3 months, 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. Data were analyzed by chi-square test and independent t-test.

RESULTS

100 patients had completed 1 year of follow-up, among which 49 cases were from the study group and 51 cases were from the control group. No severe inflammation or complications associated with intraocular lens were noted in either group within 1 year follow-up. The mean BCDVA, BCNVA, UCDVA, UCNVA(Log MAR) of the study group and the control group were 0.04±0.11, 0.11±0.17, 0.13±0.20, 0.35± 0.19 and 0.07±0.15, 0.15±0.20, 0.18±0.23, 0.41±0.21 at 1 year postoperatively. No statistically significant differences were noted between groups in mean BCDVA, BCNVA, UCDVA, UCNVA (t=-1.39, P=0.166; t=- 1.25, P=0.216; t=-1.06, P=0.292; t=-1.59, P=0.116) at 1 year postoperatively. And there was no significant difference in visual acuity between the two groups (P>0.05) 1-2 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months postoperatively. The difference of the contrast sensitivity between the two groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05), besides the contrast sensitivity of the study group was significantly better than the control group at 12c/d, 18 c/d under bright light(t=2.18, P=0.031; t=2.67, P=0.009) at 3 months postoperatively. And the mean contrast sensitivity of the study group and the control group at 12c/d, 18 c/d under bright light were 1.31 ± 0.36, 0.86 ± 0.41 and 1.15 ± 0.40, 0.65 ± 0.44 at 3 months postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

The safety and efficacy of the domestic made foldable one-piece aspheric intraocular lens (Model: A1-UV) for the treatment of cataract is equivalent to the imported aspheric intraocular lens (Model: SN60WF).

Morphine alleviates early stages of apoptosis in cultured CEM x174 cells infected with simian immunodeficiency virus

The reduction in apoptosis caused by short-term exposure of CEM x174 cells infected with SIVmac239 to morphine was investigated. Eeffects of morphine on the viability of normal and infected CEM x174 cells were determined by MTS assay. Apoptosis induced by SIVmac239 and the effects of morphine were analyzed by flow cytometry. cAMP levels, PKA activity, and the resulting histone H3 phosphorylation levels were measured. The results show a pronounced decrease in numbers of infected SIVmac239 cells compared to controls. Morphine elevated cell viability in the infected groups. Annexin V binding assays showed that 1 microM l(-1) morphine increased the percentage of viable cells and decreased apoptotic cells. Morphine also downregulated cAMP and PKA activity in both groups, but more markedly in the infected group. Histone H3 phosphorylation was elevated after virus infection and decreased in the presence of morphine. The results indicate that the cAMP-PKA signal transduction cascade is involved in morphine regulation of early SIVmac239-induced apoptosis.

Morphine alleviates early stages of apoptosis in cultured CEM x174 cells infected with simian immunodeficiency virus

The reduction in apoptosis caused by short-term exposure of CEM x174 cells infected with SIVmac239 to morphine was investigated. Eeffects of morphine on the viability of normal and infected CEM x174 cells were determined by MTS assay. Apoptosis induced by SIVmac239 and the effects of morphine were analyzed by flow cytometry. cAMP levels, PKA activity, and the resulting histone H3 phosphorylation levels were measured. The results show a pronounced decrease in numbers of infected SIVmac239 cells compared to controls. Morphine elevated cell viability in the infected groups. Annexin V binding assays showed that 1 microM l(-1) morphine increased the percentage of viable cells and decreased apoptotic cells. Morphine also downregulated cAMP and PKA activity in both groups, but more markedly in the infected group. Histone H3 phosphorylation was elevated after virus infection and decreased in the presence of morphine. The results indicate that the cAMP-PKA signal transduction cascade is involved in morphine regulation of early SIVmac239-induced apoptosis.

[Vitrectomy combined with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation in complicated ocular injuries]

Posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation combined with lensectomy-vitrectomy and/or removal of intraocular foreign bodies in one operation was performed on 12 patients with ocular injuries involving both anterior and posterior segments. There were 6 cases with intravitreal or intraretinal foreign bodies, 3 cases with lens dislocation in the vitreous by blunt trauma and 3 cases with vitreous hemorrhage and cataract. Pre-operatively, the visual acuities of all patients ranged from light perception to 0.02, while postoperatively, their visual acuities were 0.5-1.5 in 8 cases, 0.3 in 2 cases, finger counting and 0.05 in other 2 cases which were related to optic nerve atrophy and retinal vein occlusion, respectively. The results suggest that the combined surgery benefit the fast visual rehabilitation in selected young patients with unilateral ocular injuries.

[Factors affecting the visual prognosis after extraction of congenital cataract with IOL implantation]

Multivariated analysis of corrected visual acuities after extraction of congenital cataract with IOL implantation in 24 patients (41 eyes), including 14 children (22 eyes) under 12 years of age, revealed that 6 factors significantly affected the postoperative results, namely, the pattern of lenticular opacity, monocularity, strabismus, nystagmus, after-cataract formation and its time of onset. Therefore, operation as early as possible is recommended for cases with these factors and IOL implantation considered, with discretion, in children for whom other forms of visual aids are not available.

[Primary implantation of posterior chamber intraocular lenses in eyes with defective posterior capsule]

Primary implantation of posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) was performed in 70 eyes with defective posterior capsule following extracapsular cataract extraction. The visual acuity was 0.5 or better at 3 months and 12 months postoperative in 97.1% and 88.6% of the cases respectively. Complications were rare. The authors put forth the following principles for such cases: (1) injection of air or Healon to maintain a deep anterior chamber: (2) the insertion or rotation of the IOL should be away from the area of capsular rupture; (3) the long axis of the IOL should cross the meridian of the posterior capsule rupture: (4) the residual anterior capsule may be utilized to support the IOL; (5) complete clearance of any vitreous in the anterior chamber; and (6) performance of at least 2 peripheral iridectomies to guard against pupillary block. This technique is applicable in eyes with peripheral posterior or capsule defect of less than 120 degrees or with central rupture of less than 4mm.

[Suture fixation of posterior chamber intraocular lenses in the absence of capsular support]

By transscleral suture fixation, posterior chamber IOLs were implanted in 29 eyes (27 patients), including secondary implantation in 13 eyes 6 months to 10 years after intracapsular cataract extraction, fixation of dislocated IOL in 2 eyes, and primary implantation in 14 eyes with ruptured capsules due to complicated extracapsular extraction or traumatic cataract. All the patients enjoyed better postoperative vision, e.g. 20/20 or better in 20 eyes (69%) and 20/40 or better in 27 eyes (93.1%). Complications occurred in 2 eyes, one of cystoid macular edema and the other of early IOL tilt. This technique makes it possible for almost all eyes after cataract extraction to be implanted posterior chamber IOL.

Upstream sequences within the terminal hairpin positively regulate the P6 promoter of B19 parvovirus

For the B19 parvovirus P6 promoter, a 96-nt minimal truncation mutant retained activity in transient reporter gene assays. Deletion of sequences further upstream from this minimal promoter markedly diminished reporter activity in certain cell lines. This upstream region lies within the terminal hairpin from -249 to -157 and contains a 14-nt sequence that is protected by DNase I footprinting. The exact sequence is directly repeated further within the hairpin, suggesting a regulatory role. The hairpin termini of parvoviruses were known to serve as origins of replication and to catalyze virion packaging. We now suggest that, in addition to these functions, they exert cis-acting effects on B19 P6-promoted gene expression.

[Pupil capture of the posterior chamber intraocular lens: cause and management]

Pupil capture is a rare complication in posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. Among 259 eyes with PC IOLs, pupil capture was noted in 6 eyes (2.3%), all J-loop planar lenses (6/119 or 5%), while none of the other 140 eyes with angled or modified J-loop lenses had pupil capture. The complication was successfully corrected by a loop compression maneuver through the sclera, and the patients had visual acuities over 1.0 on follow-up. Based on clinical observations and an experimental model, it was presumed that the arching forward of planar lenses could be the major cause of pupil capture.

Novel transcription map for the B19 (human) pathogenic parvovirus

The B19 parvovirus, a small single-stranded DNA virus of 5.4 kilobases, is pathogenic in humans. B19 has remarkable specificity for erythroid progenitor cells and has been propagated in vitro only with human erythroid bone marrow. Replication of viral DNA and the viral protein products of B19 appear similar to those of other animal parvoviruses. However, B19 transcription had unusual features in comparison with that in other animal parvoviruses. At least nine overlapping poly(A)+ transcripts were identified in infected cells; all but one contained large introns. B19 differed from other parvoviruses in the initiation of all transcripts at a strong left side promoter (p6) and the absence of a functional internal promoter; the presence of short 5' leader sequences of about 60 bases and very large introns for RNAs encoded by the right side of the genome; two separate transcription termination sites, in contrast to cotermination at the far right side of the genome for other parvoviruses; the probable utilization by three transcripts of a variant polyadenylation signal (ATTAAA or AATAAC) in the middle of the genome; and the abundance of two unique transcripts from the middle of the genome which did not code for capsid proteins. The unusual transcription map of B19 suggests that regulation of the relative abundance of transcripts occurs by splicing and termination-polyadenylation events rather than by promoter strength. In combination with the published nucleotide sequence, the novel transcription map separated the pathogenic B19 virus at a molecular level from other animal parvoviruses and human adeno-associated virus.