Characterization of reproductive hormones and related gene expression in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the egg-laying interval in White King pigeon.

The egg-laying interval (LI) directly reflects the laying performance of breeding pigeons, influenced by reproductive hormones. This study aimed to assess reproductive hormone levels in serum and the expression of related genes and their receptors in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in 4 stages: first (LI1), third (LI3), fifth (LI5), and seventh (LI7) days. The results showed that serum gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) level decreased from LI1 to LI7 (P < 0.01) and peaked in LI1. The serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels stayed at high levels from LI1 to LI5. The FSH level decreased slightly from LI5 to LI7 (P > 0.05), but the LH level decreased rapidly (P < 0.01). The prolactin (PRL) levels significantly increased in LI5 (P < 0.01) compared with LI1 and then stayed at a high level. The GnRH1 expression in the hypothalamus had no significant change in LI (P > 0.05). However, the GnRHR first decreased from LI1 to LI3 (P < 0.05) and then increased. The FSH mRNA level in the pituitary gland decreased from LI1 to LI3 and slightly increased in LI5 (P > 0.05). The change pattern of FSHR was similar to that of FSH and peaked in LI5 (P < 0.05). The LH expression level was the highest in LI5 and significantly higher than that in LI3 and LI7 (P < 0.05). However, the LHR mRNA level decreased in LI (P < 0.05). The expression patterns of PRL and PRLR were similar; they were upregulated in LI and peaked in LI7 (P < 0.01). The expression pattern of GnRHR was similar to that of FSH, LH, and FSHR, suggesting the critical role of GnRHR in LI. Furthermore, the expression levels of these genes peaked in LI5, closely correlating with the maturation of the first largest follicle in pigeons. PRL-PRLR signaling inhibited GnRH activity to promote ovulation. This study provided a basis for further investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of reproduction in pigeons.

[Study on the associations of meeting intensive systolic blood pressure control goals with risk for incident cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases among the adult hypertensive patients in China].

Objective: To evaluate the associations of meeting intensive systolic blood pressure (SBP) control goals with risk for incident cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases among the adult hypertensive patients in China. Methods: We used data from adult hypertensive patients from the China Kadoorie Biobank. logistic regression models evaluated the influencing factors of meeting intensive and standard SBP control goals. Cox proportional hazard models evaluated the associations between meeting intensive vs. standard SBP control goals and risk for incident cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Results: A total of 3 628 hypertensive patients who reported continuous medication use were included in this study, of which 5.0% of the participants met the goals of intensive SBP control (≤130 mmHg). Participants with higher educational attainment (OR=2.36,95%CI: 1.32-4.04), healthier diet (OR=2.09,95%CI: 1.45-2.96), daily intake of fresh fruit (OR=1.67,95%CI: 1.17-2.36) and combination treatment (OR=1.82,95%CI: 1.03-3.09) were more likely to meet intensive SBP control goal after adjustment of age, sex and urban/rural areas. During an average follow-up of (10.0±3.7) years, 1 278 cases of composite cardiovascular outcome were recorded. This study did not find a statistical correlation between achieving the goal of enhanced SBP control and the occurrence of composite cardiovascular and cerebrovascular outcomes (HR=0.89, 95%CI: 0.63-1.25). For major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), cerebrovascular diseases, stroke, and ischemic stroke, we observed a trend of decrease in risk of outcomes with more intensive SBP control (trend test P<0.05). Conclusions: We observed decreased risk for MACE and cerebrovascular diseases with more intensive SBP control. However, there was no significant risk reduction for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases when meeting the intensive SBP control goal, compared to the standard SBP control goal.

Optical spectrum analyzers and typical applications in astronomy and remote sensing.

Scientists are increasingly relying on astronomical and remote sensing technologies to gain deeper insights into the Earth and the universe. In these fields, the optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) or spectrometer plays a pivotal role. This Review offers a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles, key parameters, and applications of various branches of traditional OSAs, including prisms, gratings, interferometers, tunable filters, and reconstructive spectrometers. We specifically focus on their latest major applications in astronomy and remote sensing. Additionally, we present a mathematical model of the generalized reconstructive spectrometer and provide a summary of its principles pertaining to spectral mapping, reconstruction, and imaging. Despite its limited aperture and étendue, the reconstructive spectrometer holds great potential for future use in astronomy and remote sensing due to its compact size and exceptional ultrahigh spectral resolution.

[Predictive factors for sequelae of bronchitis obliterans in refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia].

Objective: To investigate the predictive factors for bronchitis obliterans in refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP). Methods: A restrospective case summary was conducted 230 patients with RMPP admitted to the Department of No.2 Respiratory Medicine of Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2013 to June 2017 were recruited. Clinical data, laboratory results, imaging results and follow-up data were collected. Based on bronchoscopy and imaging findings 1 year after discharge, all patients were divided into two groups: one group had sequelae of bronchitis obliterans (sequelae group) and the other group had not bronchitis obliterans (control group), independent sample t-test and nonparametric test were used to compare the differences in clinical features between the two groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to explore the predictive value of Bronchitis Obliterans in RMPP. Results: Among 230 RMPP children, there were 115 males and 115 females, 95 cases had sequelae group, the age of disease onset was (7.1±2.8) years;135 cases had control group, the age of disease onset was (6.8±2.7) years. The duration of fever, C-reative protein (CRP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, the proportion of ≥2/3 lobe consolidation, pleural effusion and the proportion of airway mucus plug and mucosal necrosis were longer or higher in the sequelae group than those in the control group ((17±9) vs. (12±3) d, (193±59) vs. (98±42) mg/L,730 (660, 814) vs. 486 (452, 522) U/L, 89 cases (93.7%) vs. 73 cases (54.1%), 73 cases (76.8%) vs.59 cases (43.7%), 81 cases (85.3%) vs. 20 cases (14.8%), 67 cases (70.5%) vs. 9 cases (6.7%), t=5.76, 13.35, Z=-6.41, χ2=14.64, 25.04, 22.85, 102.78, all P<0.001). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the duration of fever ≥10 days (OR=1.200, 95%CI 1.014-1.419), CRP levels increased (OR=1.033, 95%CI 1.022-1.044) and LDH levels increased (OR=1.001, 95%CI 1.000-1.003) were the risk factors for sequelae of bronchitis obliterans in RMPP. ROC curve analysis showed that CRP 137 mg/L had a sensitivity of 82.1% and a specificity of 80.1%; LDH 471 U/L had a sensitivity of 62.7% and a specificity of 60.3% for predicting the development of bronchitis obliterans. Conclusions: The long duration of fever (≥10 d), CRP increase (≥137 mg/L) may be used to predict the occurrence of sequelae of bronchitis obliterans in RMPP. It is helpful for early recognition of risk children.

Characterization of ovarian follicles, serum steroid hormone concentration, and steroidogenic gene expression profiles in the developing ovarian follicles in White King pigeons.

Paired pigeons only lay 2 eggs in a laying period, which is closely related to ovarian follicle development, but this process is not well understood. In this study, 60 pairs of 12-mo-old White King pigeons were selected and serum and follicles were collected at 4 stages of laying interval (LI), including the first (LI1), the third (LI3), the fifth (LI5), and the seventh day (LI7). Morphological results showed that paired pigeons normally had 2 preovulatory follicles and the second-largest follicle (F2) developed from LI3 and had been selected in LI5. Prehierarchical follicles were coupled and hierarchical, which was in accordance with its clutch size. The P4 concentration increased gradually from LI1 to LI5, reaching a maximum of 30.67 ng/mL in LI5 and decreasing to 27.83 ng/mL in LI7 (P < 0.05). The levels of T in LI1 and LI5 were higher than LI3 and LI7 (P < 0.05), although there was no significant difference in E2 in LI (P > 0.05), but it stayed at high levels. In the TCs of the largest follicle (F1), HSD3B1 mRNA and HSD17B1 mRNA levels peaked in LI7. The expression pattern of CYP17A1 and CYP19A1 was similar, increasing from LI3 to LI5 and then decreasing. In the TCs of F2, the expressions of HSD3B1 and CYP17A1 had no significant difference between LI5 and LI7 (P > 0.05), while the expression pattern of HSD17B1 and CYP19A1 was the opposite. In TCs of SF1, HSD3B1 mRNA level peaked in LI3 while CYP19A1 mRNA levels peaked in LI7. The expression of CYP17A1 had a minor change (P > 0.05) and the expression pattern of HSD17B1 was similar to F1. It was concluded that the morphological characteristics of follicles during the LI for the first time, including the number and diameter of small follicles (SFs) and hierarchical follicles in pigeon and the concentrations of steroid hormones and expressions of steroidogenic genes in TCs of different follicles could explain the growth and selection of 2 preovulatory follicles. This study facilitates further research into the regulation of ovulation and egg production in pigeons.

Different amino acid supplementation patterns in low-protein diets on growth performance and nitrogen metabolism of goslings from 1 to 28 days of age.

The investigation aimed to explore the suitable amino acid (AA) supplementation pattern for goslings under low-protein diets. A total of 364 1-day-old male goslings were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups, with 7 pens containing 13 goslings each. The 4 groups were control (CP, 18.55%), LPM (CP, 15.55% + major AA), LPA (CP, 15.55% + all AA), and LPR (CP, 15.55% + AA content reduced proportionally to the control's CP). The corn-soybean meal diets are formulated according to the ideal AA model of goose and its nutritional requirements. The results indicated that the ADG and BW were the lowest, and the F: G was the highest in LPR (P < 0.05); the other three groups were not significantly different (P > 0.05). The ADFI and mortality were not different among all the groups (P > 0.05). Among the AA content in serum and breast muscle, lysine in serum significantly decreased compared with the control (P < 0.05). The UREA content was approximately 2-fold higher in the LPR group than in the LPM and LPA groups (P < 0.05). No difference in IgA, IgG, IgM, and IgE levels was observed among the groups (P > 0.05). The nitrogen excretion was decreased in LPM and LPA compared to the control and LPR (P < 0.05). Nitrogen deposition did not differ among groups (P > 0.05). Nitrogen utilization was highest in the LPA and LPM groups, followed by the control group and LPR (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the patterns of supplementation of major AA and all AA in low-protein diets (CP, 15.55%) had no adverse effect on the growth performance compared with the control (CP, 18.55%) of the goslings. Besides, the two patterns could decrease nitrogen excretion and increase nitrogen utilization. Furthermore, from the perspective of dietary cost and environmental protection, the pattern of supplementing major AA in a corn-soybean meal low-protein diet is suggested.

Effects of different dietary starch sources on growth and glucose metabolism of geese.

This experiment investigated the effects of different dietary starch sources on the growth and glucose metabolism of geese. A total of 240 healthy 35-day-old male geese were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups, with 6 replicates per group and 10 geese per replicate. Four types of diets were prepared, with glutinous rice (rapidly-digestible starch), corn, indica rice and high amylose as their starch sources, and fed for 28 d. Results showed that after consuming different feeds, the blood glucose of geese first increased and then decreased, reaching its maximum value 0.5 h after feeding, and there were significant differences between the groups (P < 0.05). The body weight of the corn and indica rice group geese at 63 d was higher than that of the high amylose group (P < 0.05). The serum total cholesterol (TCHO) content in the glutinous rice and corn groups was higher than in the high amylose group (P < 0.05). The serum insulin content in the glutinous rice group was lower than in the corn and high amylose groups (P < 0.05), while the glucagon content was higher (P < 0.05). The α-amylase activities of the pancreas, jejunal chyme, and jejunal mucosa in the glutinous rice group were higher than in the indica rice and high amylose groups (P < 0.05). The liver glycogen content in the glutinous rice group was higher than the other groups (P < 0.05). The liver glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) content in the glutinous rice group was higher than the high amylose group's (P < 0.05), but the glycogen synthase kinase-3 ß (GSK-3ß) content was lower (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the corn and indica rice diets had a positive effect on the growth performance of the geese, while the high amylose diet had a negative effect. The glutinous rice diet leads to rapid release of glucose, strengthening glucose metabolism pathways such as glycogen synthesis and the pentose phosphate pathway, and further influencing lipid metabolism.

Effects of betaine supplementation on reproductive performance of breeding geese.

1. An experiment feeding three concentrations of betaine was conducted using breeding geese to analyse the reproductive performance, serum biochemical indexes, egg quality and intestinal immunity.2. A total of 450 female and 90 male Jiangnan White breeding geese were divided into three treatments, with five pen replicates each containing 30 female geese and 6 male geese.3. The results showed that there was no significant effect on the reproductive performance, serum biochemical indexes or jejunal villi goblet cells of geese with different levels of betaine in the diet (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the addition of 2.5 g/kg betaine to the diet showed a tendency to increase egg mass (P > 0.05) the betaine content in the yolk (P < 0.05). Feeding betaine significantly increased the height of jejunal villi and egg yolk total cholesterol content in female geese (P < 0.05).4. In conclusion, adding betaine to the goose diet was effective in its ability to improve intestinal structures. Adding 2.5 g/kg betaine to feed significantly increased the content of TCHOL and betaine in goose eggs.

Effects of betaine on growth performance, intestinal health, and immune response of goslings challenged with lipopolysaccharide.

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of betaine on growth performance, serum parameters, intestinal health, and immune performance of goslings in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. A total of 168 healthy male 15-day-old Jiangnan White Goslings were randomly divided into 4 groups, with 6 replicates per treatment and seven goslings per replicate. A 2 × 2 factorial arrangement included 2 factors, that is, LPS challenge (injection of LPS or physiological saline) and betaine (added 0 or 0.06% betaine in diet). The results indicated that LPS challenge significantly reduced the average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and body weight (BW) at 21 D of the goslings, while dietary betaine supplementation tended to increase the ADFI during the LPS stress period (P = 0.08) and BW at 21 D of the goslings (P = 0.09). The LPS-challenged goslings showed higher pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1 [IL-1ß], interleukin-6 [IL-6], tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and Interferon-gamma [IFN-γ]) and lower anti-inflammatory cytokine (Interleukin-10 [IL-10]) (P < 0.05) at 21 D of age. Dietary betaine supplementation alleviated LPS-induced increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines. The LPS challenge significantly decreased duodenal and jejunal villus height (VH) and villus height and crypt depth ratio (VCR), while the addition of betaine significantly increased duodenal VH and VCR (P < 0.05). On the other hand, addition of betaine significantly alleviated decline of enzyme activity on lipase, amylase, trypsin, and chymotrypsin in the intestinal of goslings. The LPS challenge significantly increased the content of serum D-lactic acid (D-LA) and the activity of diamine oxidase (DAO) at 21 D of the goslings. The LPS challenge and betaine addition significantly increased the mRNA expression of Occcludin (OCLN) in jejunal mucosa at 28 D of the goslings (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our research demonstrated that betaine can alleviate the decline of growth performance and immune performance in goslings caused by LPS. The results also indicate betaine possesses anti-inflammation properties and improves intestinal barrier functions. We recommend that 0.06% betaine be added into the diet to improve the intestinal health and immune performance of goslings.

[Review of genome-wide association research of aging phenotypes].

"Active health" has been emphasized in "Healthy China 2030" in dealing with the challenges of population aging, so the anti-aging strategies are requires to be more precise and effective at both individual and population levels. Aging is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. In the recent 20 years, the research of genetics of human ageing has been greatly facilitated owning to the development of high-throughput sequencing techniques, statistical methodology for multi-omics data, as well as the growing qualified evidence of large-scale population-based genomic research. This paper provides a review of genome-wide association research of aging.

Dietary amylose and amylopectin ratio changes starch digestion and intestinal microbiota diversity in goslings.

1. Research has confirmed that amylopectin (AP) is more easily digested than amylose (AM) because AP polymers have more intramolecular hydrogen bonds and less surface area. Studying the relationship between the amylose:amylopectin (AM:AP) ratio and intestine digestion in goslings can provide useful information for effective utilisation of starch.2. A total of 288 healthy male Jiangnan White Goslings, aged three days old, were randomly allotted to four groups, which included six pen replicates per treatment with 12 goslings per replicate. Four diets were formulated with maize, long-grained rice and glutinous rice as starch sources, with AM:AP ratios of 0.12, 0.23, 0.34, and 0.45. In vitro starch digestion of the four diets was measured, as well as the effect of AM:AP ratio on growth performance, serum amino-acid concentration and intestinal microbiota diversity of goslings.3. In terms of in vitro starch digestion, the increase in dietary AM:AP ratio resulted in a decrease followed by an increase in both rapidly and slowly digestible starch. The glucose release rate at an AM:AP ratio of 0.34 showed a steady upward trend.4. The in vivo study showed that increasing the AM:AP ratio resulted in a quadratic increase in body weight (BW) and average daily feed intake (ADFI; P < 0.05). Goslings fed diets with an AM:AP ratio of 0.34 had lower (P < 0.05) histidine and valine serum concentrations compared with the other three starch sources. Higher AM was beneficial to jejunal microbial and diversity. The species colonisation level of the jejunum microbiota samples at an AM:AP ratio of 0.34 was higher than that in the other groups.5. The results indicated that diets with an AM:AP ratio of 0.34 improved the growth performance and intestinal microbiota diversity of goslings. This may have been due to the higher level of resistant starch in amylose, which resulted in a slow release of intestinal glucose that acted as a substrate for the microbial species, thus providing conditions that were more conducive to growth.

[Clinical features of children with post-primary tuberculosis].

Objective: The aim of this study was to summarize the clinical and imaging characteristics of post-primary tuberculosis in children, so as to improve the early identification and diagnosis of post-primary tuberculosis. Methods: This was a retrospective study which enrolled children who were admitted to the Department No.2 of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University between January 2015 to December 2020 and with a diagnosis of post-primary tuberculosis. Results: A total of 30 patients were enrolled, including 10 males and 20 females. The age on admission were 13.0 (12.0, 13.3) years. Their common symptoms were cough and fever, there were 26 cases (87%) with cough and 23 cases (77%) with fever, but only 4 cases (13%) had other toxic symptoms (night sweat, weakness or weight loss) of tuberculosis other than fever. Blood examination showed that the white blood cell count was (10±3)×109/L, accompanied by elevated proportion of neutrophils (0.69±0.11) and increased level of C-reactive protein (31 (15,81) mg/L). The common radiographic findings of CT were nodular or mass shadow with cavitation (19 cases (63%)), consolidation (13 cases (43%)), bronchogenic spread (12 cases (40%)), hilar or mediastinal lymphadenopathy (5 cases (17%)) in this cohort. The affected locations included the right upper lobe (21 cases (70%)), the left lower lobe (17 cases (57%)) and the right lower lobe (15 cases (50%)). Acid-fast bacillus smears and mycobacterial cultures were attempted for all cases, resulting in 33% (10/30) with smear positivity and 50% (15/30) with culture positivity. Conclusions: Post-primary tuberculosis in children has no specific clinical manifestations. Imaging of chest CT is mainly manifested as nodular shadow with cavitation, consolidation or bronchogenic spread. Accurate identification of post-primary tuberculosis is crucial for preventing the spread and early treatment of tuberculosis.

Effects of dietary paddy rice on growth performance, carcass traits, bare skin color, and nutrient digestibility in geese.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary paddy rice on growth performance, carcass traits, bare skin color, and nutrient digestibility in geese. A total of 300 twenty-eight-day-old male goslings were randomly divided into 5 treatment groups with 6 pens containing 10 goslings each. The geese were raised for 42 d on feed with 0% (control), 13, 26, 39, or 52% dietary paddy rice inclusion. Body weight and feed intake per pen were recorded from the arrival of goslings to the end of the trial. On d 70, two goslings were selected from each pen, one of which was used to measure slaughter performance, meat quality, meat proximate composition, and bare skin color, and one was used to determine nutrient utilization. The results showed that goslings fed a diet containing 26, 39, and 52% paddy rice had a higher final body weight, average daily feed intake, and average daily gain than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The abdominal fat yield in dietary paddy rice groups was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). There were no effects on the moisture, protein, and fat contents of breast and thigh muscle among the five treatments (P > 0.05). Compared to the control group, the breast muscle of geese fed the paddy rice had a lower L* value and a higher a* value (P < 0.05). Dietary paddy rice decreased the bill score of geese (P < 0.05). Geese in the paddy rice groups exhibited higher total starch digestibility than geese in the control group (P < 0.05). The digestibility of energy, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, NDF, and ADF did not differ between groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, paddy rice is an excellent energy source in geese diets and could improve the growth performance, breast muscle color, and utilization of total starch but increase the abdominal fat yield and decrease the bill color of geese.

[Clinical features and early diagnostic clues of chronic granulomatous disease].

Objective: To explore the early clinical clues for diagnosis of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). Methods: One hundred and thirty-nine children with CGD seen in Beijing Children's Hospital from January 2007 to October 2020 were included in this study. The clinical features including age of onset, first presentations, reason for being hospitalized, etiology, imaging features, clues for early diagnosis of all patients were evaluated retrospectively. According to the time of diagnosis, the patients were divided into two groups, cases diagnosed before 2015 and after 2015 and 2015. The time of diagnosis, the length of stay and the hospital charges were compared between the two groups. T test and χ2 test were used for statistical analyses. Results: One hundred and nineteen of the cases were males and 20 were females. The age of onset was 4 months (8 d to 14 years), and 103 cases (74.1%) had onset before 1 year of age. The age at diagnosis was 1.8 years (21 d to 14.7 years), and the time of diagnosis delay was 1 year (7 d to 13.7 years). One hundred and thirty-five cases (97.1%) had pulmonary infection as the main reason for hospitalization, of whom 76 cases (56.3%) had positive pulmonary etiology. One hundred and thirty-six patients (97.8%) were referred cases, of whom 5 were suspected of CGD before referral, and the misdiagnosis rate was as high as 96.3% (131/136). Eight early clues for diagnosis were found, the frequency from high to low, large bacillus Callmette-Guer scar in 99 cases (70.5%), left axillary lymphadenopathy or calcification in 73 cases (52.5%), skin or other lymph node infections in 58 cases (41.7%), skin scars in 50 cases (36.0%), multiple lung nodules in 42 cases (30.2%), perianal abscess in 35 cases (25.2%), pulmonary Aspergillus infection in 26 cases (18.7%) and pulmonary Burkholderia infection in 15 cases (10.8%). A total of 120 cases of CGD were diagnosed by respiratory burst test during hospitalization, including 55 cases diagnosed before 2015 and 65 cases diagnosed after 2015. After using these 8 early diagnosis clues, the cases diagnosed after 2015 had shorter time of diagnosis and the length of stay and lower hospitalization charge than cases diagnosed before 2014, and the difference was statistically significant ((25±7) vs. (10±5) d, (29±7) vs. (18±6) d, (3.7×104±1.2×104) vs. (3.2×104±1.2×104) Yuan, t=13.763, 9.262, 2.381, all P<0.05). Conclusions: Patients with CGD are younger at onset and the diagnosis is delayed. Pulmonary infections are the most common. Large BCG scar, left axillary lymphadenopathy or calcification, skin or other lymph node infections, skin scars, multiple lung nodules, perianal abscesses, pulmonary Aspergillus infection and Burkholderia infection can help early diagnosis of CGD.

Dietary supplementation of betaine promotes lipolysis by regulating fatty acid metabolism in geese.

Supplementation of betaine in the diet appears to regulate fatty acid metabolism and decrease fat deposition. This study aims to identify the effects of dietary supplementation of betaine on zootechnical performance, fatty acid synthesis, abdominal fat deposition, and morphology. Three hundred healthy, male, one-day-old Jiangnan White geese of similar body weight were randomly divided into 5 groups, with 6 replicates per treatment and 10 geese per replicate, and given the following amounts of supplementary betaine: 0 (group A), 600 mg/kg (group B), 1,200 mg/kg (group C), 1,800 mg/kg (group D), or 2,400 mg/kg (group E). Feed intake (FI), body weight (BW), abdominal fat and sebum thickness, clinical blood parameters, hepatic enzyme activity, and abdominal fat morphology were monitored during the experiment. All geese had free access to feed and water throughout the study. Our results indicate that supplementation of betaine increased zootechnical performance at 21 and 42 d of age. The percentage of abdominal fat and sebum thickness of geese at 63 d of age decreased linearly with the addition of betaine (P < 0.05). The triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TCHOL) content of serum decreased with the increased level of betaine when measured at 63 d of age (P<0.05). Hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) increased with the level of betaine (P<0.05). However, dietary betaine appeared to decrease the activity of fatty acid synthase (FAS) in the geese at 42 d and 63 d of age (P<0.05). The percentage of total area of lipid droplet decreased with the increased level of betaine supplementation. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of betaine increased lipolysis and decreased fat deposition in the finishing period of geese via reducing feed intake. However, the precise mode-of-action is yet unclear and warrants further research.

Protective effects of lycopene on mitochondrial oxidative injury and dysfunction in the liver of aflatoxin B1-exposed broilers.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of lycopene (LYC) on mitochondrial oxidative injury and dysfunction in the liver of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-exposed broilers. A total of 192 healthy 1-day-old male broilers were randomly divided into 3 groups with 8 replicates of 8 birds each. Birds in the 3 groups were fed basal diet (control), basal diet with 100 µg/kg AFB1, and basal diet with 100 µg/kg AFB1 and 200 mg/kg LYC, respectively. The experiment lasted 42 d. The results showed that AFB1 decreased average daily body weight gain (ADG), average daily feed intake, and gain to feed ratio (G :F) compared to the control group, the LYC supplementation increased ADG and G/F compared to AFB1 group (P < 0.05). Broilers in the AFB1 group had lower mitochondrial glutathione (mGSH) concentration and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), and thioredoxin reductase activities, and higher hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentrations than the control group (P < 0.05). The LYC increased mGSH concentration and GSH-Px and MnSOD activities, and decreased H2O2 and ROS concentrations compared to AFB1 group (P < 0.05). Broilers fed the AFB1 diet showed increased mitochondrial swelling and decreased adenosine triphosphate concentration than the control group, and LYC had opposite effects (P < 0.05). The AFB1 decreased the activities of mitochondrial electron transfer chain (ETC) complexes I, II, III, and V, downregulated the mRNA expression levels of hepatic MnSOD, thioredoxin 2, thioredoxin reductase, peroxiredoxin-3, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α, nuclear respiratory factor 1, and mitochondrial transcription factor A compared with the control group (P < 0.05), and LYC increased activities of mitochondrial ETC complexes III and V, and upregulated mRNA expression levels of these genes in comparison to AFB1 group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the LYC protected broilers from AFB1-induced liver mitochondrial oxidative injury and dysfunction by stimulating mitochondrial antioxidant capacity and maintaining mitochondrial biogenesis.

[Application of endobronchial ultrasound in children: an analysis of 4 cases].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility, clinical efficacy and safety of endobronchial ultasound (EBUS) in children. Methods: The radiological features, EBUS images, pathological results and intraoperative and postoperative complications of 3 cases who underwent EBUS examination and 1 case who underwent EBUS guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Among the 4 cases, 2 were males and 2 were females, with the onset age of 7.4-9.2 years. The child who underwent successful EBUS-TBNA was presented with fever and diagnosed with mediastinal lymphadenopathy before the operation, and the postoperative pathology indicated histiocytic necrotic lymphadenitis (HNL). The other 3 children diagnosed with primary airway tumors, whose pre-operative CT imaging found no infiltration in extra-bronchial structures, had the masses resected through EBUS. According to postoperative pathological findings, two were diagnosed with mucoepidermoid carcinoma and one with bronchial leiomyoma. The lesions were located at the opening of the right main bronchus in 1 case and at the main airway in 2 cases. EBUS showed abnormal echogenicity of the tracheal wall in the 3 cases, including hyperechoic area in the water capsule and mucous layer, relatively hypoechoic area in the submucosal smooth muscle layer, hyperechoic area in the inner cartilage layer, hypoechoic in the cartilage layer and hyperechoic in the outer cartilage layer. In one case, structural disorder of the submucosal smooth muscle layer and partial disruption of the cartilage layer of the tracheal wall were found at the lesion site, while the other 2 cases had intact tracheal wall structure. There were no postoperative complications such as pneumothorax or hemoptysis in the 4 children. Conclusion: EBUS is a safe and feasible technique for evaluating mediastinal lymph node enlargement and the degree of airway wall infiltration in primary airway tumor.

Assessment of vitamin A requirement of gosling in 0-28 d based on growth performance and bone indexes.

A dose-response experiment assessing 6 total dietary vitamin A (VA) levels (0, 3,000, 6,000, 9,000, 12,000, and 15,000 IU/kg) was conducted to study the effects of different levels of VA on growth performance and bone indexes of 0 to 28 d goslings. A total of 360 healthy 1-day-old goslings with similar body weights were randomly divided into 6 groups with 6 replicates in each group and 10 goslings in each replicate. The experiment duration was 28 d. The experimental results showed that the VA content in the serum and liver of gosling increased with increasing VA amount (P < 0.05). When the diet was supplemented with 9,000 IU/kg VA, the content of vitamin D in serum and the liver was higher than those in other groups (P < 0.05). The 28-day body weight and average daily gain in gosling in the 9,000 IU/kg VA group were higher than those in the 0, 3,000 and 15,000 IU/kg VA groups (P < 0.05). Growth hormone, thyroxine, and parathyroid hormone levels in the 9,000 IU/kg VA group were higher than those in the 0, 3,000, 6,000 and 15,000 IU/kg VA groups (P < 0.05). The insulin level in the 9,000 IU/kg VA group was higher than those in the other groups (P < 0.05). The osteocalcin (BGP) levels in the VA supplementation groups were higher than that in the no VA groups (P < 0.05). The tibia length and phosphorus content in the 9,000 IU/kg VA group were higher than those in the 12,000 IU/kg VA group and 15,000 IU/kg VA group (P < 0.05). The tibia shear hardness values in the 6,000, 9,000 and 12,000 IU/kg VA groups were higher than those in the 0, 3,000 and 15,000 IU/kg VA groups (P < 0.05). The tibia calcium content in the 9,000 IU/kg VA group was higher than those in the 0 and 15,000 IU/kg VA groups (P < 0.05). The tibia crude ash content in the 9,000 IU/kg VA group was higher than that in the 15,000 IU/kg VA group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the optimum dietary VA supplementation for 0- to 8 day gosling was 9,000 IU/kg.

[Clinical features and interventional bronchoscopic treatment of primary airway tumor in 8 children].

Objective: To summarize the clinical manifestations and to evaluate the feasibility of therapeutic bronchoscopy in pediatric primary airway tumors. Methods: The clinical data of 8 children presented with airway tumors in Beijing Children's Hospital from November 2016 to March 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Descriptive analysis was used to summarize the outcome and prognosis of these children after interventional bronchoscopy. Results: Among the 8 children, 5 were male and 3 were female, aged from 4 years and 8 months to 9 years and 2 months. The main clinical manifestations were cough and wheezing in 6 cases, hemoptysis in 3 cases and recurrent pulmonary infection in 2 cases, and none of them had lymph node metastasis and extra-pulmonary metastasis. All 8 children underwent bronchoscopic resection of the tumors, and the 4 children with blood-rich tumors had bronchial artery embolization at the blood supply site before the resection. No major bleeding or pneumothorax occurred during or after the operation. Four cases had low grade malignant bronchial mucoepidermoid carcinoma, 2 had inflammatory myofibroblastoma, and the rest two had pleomorphic adenoma and bronchial smooth muscle spindle cell tumor. Postoperative follow-up lasted 2 to 4 years, and 3 had tumor recured. Among the 3 cases, 2 had inflammatory myofibroblastoma who underwent surgical resection of the lesion and combined chemotherapy, respectively; and one had mucoepidermoid carcinoma who was under follow-up after interventional cryotherapy. Conclusions: The clinical manifestations of primary airway tumors in children are atypical. The main clinical manifestations are dry cough, wheezing, recurrent pulmonary infection and hemoptysis. Interventional bronchoscopy is a feasible choice for the treatment of pediatric airway tumors.