[Efficacy and prognosis of infant kidney transplantation].

Objective: To analyze the effect and prognosis of infant kidney transplantation. Methods: Clinical data of 37 cases of infant kidney transplantation under 3 years old in Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from June 1, 2017 to July 31, 2022 were retrospectively collected. These 37 cases included 31 primary kidney transplantation and 6 secondary kidney transplantation. Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw the survival curve of the transplanted kidney and the recipient, and the prognosis and complications were analyzed. Median follow-up was 18 months (range: 6-66 months). Results: The recipients were 20 males and 17 females, with a median age of 16 months (range: 2 months, 26 days to 36 months) and a median weight of 8 kg (range: 3.2 to 14.0 kg). The youngest child was only 2 months, 26 days old, and weighed only 3.2 kg. The most common primary disease of recipients was congenital nephrotic syndrome (13 cases, 41.9%). Intra-abdominal transplantation occurred in 19 cases (51.3%) and intra-iliac fossa transplantation occurred in the remaining 18 cases (48.6%). Postoperative renal function recovery was delayed in 7 cases (18.9%), and thrombosis caused renal function loss in 5 cases (13.5%), of which 4 cases received second renal transplantation and were successful. During the follow-up period, there were 11 cases of acute rejection (29.7%) and 6 cases of CMV pneumonia (16.2%). The estimated glomerular filtration rate 1 year after transplantation was higher than that 1 month after surgery [(101.9±22.1) vs (71.1±25.6) ml/(min·1.73m2), P<0.001], and remained constant 2 years after transplantation. Both the 1-year and 2-year survival rates of the transplanted kidney were 85.3%, and both the 1-year and 2-year survival rates of the recipients were 96.8%. Conclusion: Although the implementation of infant kidney transplantation is difficult, it can still achieve relatively satisfactory efficacy and prognosis.

[Analysis of the factors influencing positive predictive value of noninvasive prenatal testing for chromosome aneuploidies].

Objective: To investigate the influence of Z-score and different risk factors on positive predictive value (PPV) of noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for chromosome aneuploidies. Methods: A total of 81 838 NIPT samples from January 1, 2016 to May 31, 2021 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were retrospectively analyzed. Invasive prenatal diagnosis was applied to verify the diagnosis of NIPT-positive results and the corresponding PPV was calculated. The PPV of the samples with different Z-score were compared. The women were divided into high-risk group and non-high-risk group: high-risk group (n=39 114) included those with ultrasound soft index abnormalities, advanced maternal age or high risk for maternal serum screening, while non-high-risk group (n=42 724) included those with intermediate risk for maternal serum screening or no indications. The differences of the PPV between these two groups were compared. Finally, the comprehensive influence of Z-score and different risk factors on PPV were analyzed. Results: A total of 471 high-risk cases were detected by NIPT results, including 362 cases of trisomy 21, 77 cases of trisomy 18 and 32 cases of trisomy 13. For trisomy 21, trisomy 18 and trisomy 13, there were 226 cases, 46 cases and 6 cases which were confirmed via invasive prenatal diagnosis respectively. The corresponding PPV were 79.3% (226/285), 82.1% (46/56) and 27.3% (6/22), respectively. PPV of trisomy 21 and trisomy 18 were positively correlated with the corresponding Z-score (r=0.92, 0.62, all P<0.05), while trisomy 13 could not be analyzed due to the small sample size. The PPV of high-risk group was 85.2% (207/243), which was higher than that of the non-high-risk group with PPV of 59.2%(71/120, χ2=30.30, P<0.01). When the Z-score was between 3-<4 and 4-<5, the PPV of the high-risk group were 46.2%(12/26)and 62.5%(15/24) respectively, which were higher than those of the non-high-risk group [16.0%(4/25) and 14.3%(3/21), χ2=4.10, 8.90, all P<0.05]. With the increase of Z-score, there was no significant difference in PPV between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The PPV of trisomy 21 and trisomy 18 are positively correlated with Z-score. The PPV of high-risk group is higher than that of non-high-risk group. The combination of Z-score and other risk factors may provide more accurate genetic counseling for those with NIPT positive results.

Effects of red cabbage extract rich in anthocyanins on rumen fermentation, rumen bacterial community, nutrient digestion, and plasma indices in beef bulls.

Dietary anthocyanins (ATH) have probiotic and antioxidant functions in humans. They may also have beneficial impacts on rumen microorganisms and subsequently nutrient digestion in cattle. The experiment aimed to study the effects of dietary red cabbage extract (RCE) rich in ATH on rumen fermentation, rumen bacterial community, and nutrient digestibility in beef bulls. Eight Simmental beef bulls and two RCE levels (0 and 120 g/d) were allocated in a replicated 2 × 2 crossover design. Each experimental period included 15 days for adaptation and subsequent 5 days for sampling. The results showed that dietary addition of RCE increased the ruminal concentration of total volatile fatty acids and the molar proportion of propionate, decreased the acetate to propionate ratio, and tended to decrease the molar proportion of acetate, but it did not affect the ruminal pH and the concentrations of ammonia N, microbial CP, monophenols, polyphenols, and total phenolics. ATH was undetectable in the ruminal fluid of beef bulls in both groups. RCE did not affect the alpha diversity of rumen bacterial community, and the relative abundances of major rumen bacteria at the phylum level, but it increased the relative abundances of Ruminobacter and Anaerovibrio and tended to increase the relative abundances of Oribacterium and Monoglobus at the genus level. RCE tended to increase the plasma concentrations of globulin and total protein, but it did not affect the plasma albumin, urea, triglyceride, glucose, and antioxidant activities. Dietary addition of RCE did not affect the apparent nutrient digestibility. In conclusion, the ATH in RCE was highly hydrolysable in rumen fluid. Dietary addition of RCE increased the ruminal concentration of total volatile fatty acids, decreased the acetate to propionate ratio, and slightly modified the rumen bacterial community, but it did not affect the nutrient digestibility and the plasma antioxidants in beef bulls.

[Five-year clinical outcomes of patients with in-stent chronic total occlusion undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention].

Objective: To evaluate the safety and long-term clinical efficacy of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with in-stent chronic total occlusion (IS-CTO) lesions. Metheds: This is a retrospective analysis. Patients with IS-CTO who underwent PCI in Fuwai hospital from January 2010 to December 2013 were enrolled. A total of 212 patients who met the inclusion criteria were included in the IS-CTO group, 212 matched patients with primary CTO lesions were included in the de novo CTO group. The incidence of complications and the success rate of PCI were compared between the two groups. Successful PCI was defined as successfully implantation of stent(s) at target CTO lesions. The primary endpoint was defined as a composite event of cardiac death and myocardial infarction (MI). Secondary endpoints including PCI success, all-cause death, cardiac death, MI, target vessel related MI, revascularization, target vessel revascularization, heart failure for rehospitalization. The patients were followed up for 5 years after PCI. Results: A total of 424 cases were included. The mean age was (57.8±10.5) years, there were 364 males in this cohort. The left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly lower ((58.7±9.2)% vs. (61.0±7.7)%, P=0.01) and the SYNTAX scores was significantly higher (19.4±8.3 vs. 15.3±10.0, P<0.01) in IS-CTO group than that in de novo CTO group. The proportion of patients with target CTO lesions in left anterior descending artery was significantly higher (42.9% (50/212) vs. 23.6% (91/212), P<0.01) in IS-CTO group than that in de novo CTO group. The rate of successful PCI (71.7% (152/212) vs. 69.8% (148/212), P=0.70) and complication (40.6% (86/212) vs. 36.3% (77/212), P=0.37) was similar between the two groups. The incidence of primary endpoint at 5 years was significantly higher in IS-CTO group (10.8% (23/212) vs. 4.7% (10/212), P=0.02), which was driven by higher incidence of MI (9.0% (19/212) vs. 4.2% (9/212), P=0.05). There were a trend of higher secondary endpoints in IS-CTO group (all P>0.05). Conclusion: The safety and effectiveness of PCI are acceptable in patients with IS-CTO, but the risk of long-term cardiac death and MI is higher among patients with IS-CTO as compared to patients with primary CTO lesions.

[Significance of microRNA 216a, 324-5p and 29a expression in peripheral blood in patients with acute pancreatitis and their correlation with liver injury].

Objective: To investigate the significance of microRNA (miR)-216a, miR-324-5p, miR-29a expression in peripheral blood in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) and their correlation with liver injury. Methods: It was a case-control study design. To select 130 AP patients admitted from June 2017 to May 2019 in the First People's Hospital of Shangqiu, and the patients were divided into mild AP group (MAP group) and moderately severe AP group (SAP group) according to the disease severity, or 54 patients in the liver injury group (20 were MAP and 34 were SAP) and 76 in the non-liver injury group(all were MAP) according to liver injury. And another 40 healthy volunteers were selected as the healthy group. The expressions of miR-216a, miR-324-5p and miR-29a in peripheral blood of MAP group, SAP group, healthy group and liver injury group, non-liver injury group were compared, and the correlation between the miRNA levels and clinical indexes was analyzed. The predictive value of miRNA levels in peripheral blood for AP complicated with liver injury was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: The levels of miR-216a and miR-29a in MAP group and SAP group were higher than those in healthy group, and the level of miR-324-5p was lower than that in healthy group (all P<0.01). The levels of miR-216a and miR-29a in SAP group were higher than those in MAP group, and the level of miR-324-5p was lower than that in healthy group (all P<0.01). Balthazar CT Score, acute physiology and chronic health evaluations (APACHE Ⅱ) score, C-reactive protein level, length of hospital stay were positively correlated with the levels of miR-216a and miR-29a in peripheral blood (all P<0.05), and negatively correlated with the levels of miR-324-5p (P<0.05). The levels of miR-216a and miR-29a in the peripheral blood in the liver injury group were higher than those in the non-liver injury group, and they were higher inSAP patients than those in MAP patients in the liver injury group (all P<0.05). The level of miR-324-5p in the peripheral blood in the liver injury group was lower than that in the non-liver injury group, and it was lower in SAP patients than that in MAP patientsin the liver injury group (all P<0.05). The area under ROC curve of miR-216a, miR-324-5p, and miR-29a in peripheral blood to predicate the AP complicated with liver damage was 0.694, 0.750 and 0.814, respectively. Conclusions: The levels of miR-216a and miR-29a increase in peripheral blood and the level of miR-324-5p decreases in patients with AP, and they are closely related to Balthazar CT score, APACHEⅡ score, C-reactive protein and length of hospital stay. The levels of miR-216a, miR-324-5p, miR-29a has certain predictive value for AP with liver injury, of which miR-29a has the highest predictive value.

Underwater spatially, spectrally, and temporally resolved optical monitoring of aquatic fauna.

A continuous-wave (CW) Scheimpflug underwater multi-spectral lidar system was constructed to monitor aquatic fauna with spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution. Utilizing a 1 W 414 nm diode laser and a detection set-up with a reflective grating, measurements of shrimp pleopod movements at fixed range, and the swimming of small fish trapped in a clear tube were performed in a 5 m ×0.6 m ×0.6 m water tank. The spatial resolution is about 5 mm, the spectral resolution is 10 nm (from 400 nm to 700 nm), and with proper binning of the CCD, a read-out repetition rate up to 150 Hz can be reached. The experimental results demonstrate that the underwater Scheimpflug lidar system has great potential for detailed monitoring of the small aquatic fauna in oceanic environments.

[Diagnostic value of 18F-FDG PET/CT and tumor markers (CEA, CA19-9, CA24-2) in recurrence and metastasis of postoperative colorectal moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of 18F-FDG PET/CT and tumor markers (CEA,CA19-9,CA24-2) in detection for recurrence and metastasis of postoperative colorectal moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Fifty-five patients were enrolled in this study. All of the patients were tested with serum CEA within 2 weeks when they underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT scan, and some patients were tested with serum CA19-9 and CA24-2 simultaneously. According to the pathology and clinical results of their follow-up, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT and tumor markers were calculated based on different divided groups, respectively. RESULTS: According to the pathology and the results of their clinical follow-up, the sensitivity of 18F-FDG PET/CT, CEA, CA19-9, CA24-2 and the combination of those three tumor markers were 95.74%, 68.09%, 28.57%, 40.00% and 74.47%, respectively. The specificity of 18F-FDG PET/CT, CEA, CA19-9, CA24-2 and the combination of those three tumor markers were 75.00%, 50.00%, 66.67%, 71.43% and 50.00%, respectively. The positive predictive valueof 18F-FDG PET/CT, CEA, CA19-9, CA24-2 and the combination of those three tumor markers were 95.74%, 88.89%, 85.71%, 88.89% and 89.74%, respectively. The negative predictive value of 18F-FDG PET/CT, CEA, CA19-9, CA24-2 and the combination of those three tumor markers were 75.00%, 26.67%, 11.42%, 17.24%, 25.00%, respectively. The accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT, CEA, CA19-9, CA24-2 and the combination of those three tumor markers were 92.73%, 65.47%, 32.65%, 44.68% and 70.91%, respectively. There were 2 cases of false positive and 2 cases of false negative in 18F-FDG PET/CT. CONCLUSION: 18F-FDG PET/CT has high value in detecting recurrence and metastasis of postoperative colorectal carcinoma. Tumor markers have the positive value to imply the recurrence and metastasis of postoperative colorectal carcinoma and are useful to indicate when to perform the 18F-FDG PET/CT. The combination of tumor markers could improve the diagnostic efficiency to some extent.

Two agroinfection-compatible fluorescent protein-tagged infectious cDNA clones of papaya leaf distortion mosaic virus facilitate the tracking of virus infection.

Papaya leaf distortion mosaic virus (PLDMV, the genus Potyvirus) is an emerging threat to papaya production. Here, agroinfection-compatible fluorescent protein-tagged PLDMV infectious cDNA clones driven by the Cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter were successfully constructed using one-step Gibson assembly. The clones were directly transformed into Agrobacterium tumefaciens to prevent potential problems such as plasmid instability during propagation in Escherichia coli. Ninety-five percent of papaya seedlings infected with PLDMV-GFP or PLDMV-mCherry developed systemic symptoms typical of those caused by wild-type PLDMV. Green and mCherry red fluorescence was observed in leaves, stems, and roots of infected papaya plants. The fluorescent protein-tagged agroinfectious PLDMV cDNA clones were stable in papaya for more than 90 days and during six serial passages at 30-day intervals. The availability of these infectious clones will contribute to research on PLDMV-host interactions and can be applied in the papaya breeding program for PLDMV resistance.

[Effects of Na(+) /H(+) exchanger 1 inhibitor on intestinal injury of rats with burn sepsis and the mechanism].

Objective: To observe the effects of Na(+) /H(+) exchanger 1 (NHE1) inhibitor on intestinal injury of rats with burn sepsis, and to explore the possible mechanism preliminarily. Methods: Ninety SD rats were divided into control group, pure sepsis group, and NHE1 inhibitor group according to the random number table, with 30 rats in each group. Full-thickness scald (hereinafter referred to as burn) model with 20% total body surface area were reproduced on the back of rats in pure sepsis and NHE1 inhibitor groups, and then 50 µL liquid of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 (2×10(5) colony forming unit/mL) were injected into the center of wounds on the back. Rats in NHE1 inhibitor group were intraperitoneally injected with 0.1 mmol/L NHE1 inhibitor cariporide (0.4 mg/kg) rapidly after the successful establishment of burn sepsis model, while rats in pure sepsis group were injected with the same volume of normal saline. Except for not being made burn wounds nor receiving bacterination, rats in control group were treated the same as those in pure sepsis group. Rats with burn sepsis in each group were laparotomized and injected with 200 mL fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran in the concentration of 0.1 mol/L in terminal ileum at 12 hours post injury, and their left ventricular blood and terminal ileum were collected 30 minutes later. The serum content of FITC-dextran was detected with fluorescence spectrophotometer (n=10); the morphology of intestinal tissue was observed with HE staining (n=10); the content of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in serum and intestinal tissue was determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (n=20); the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in serum and intestinal tissue was detected with colorimetric method (n=20); the protein expression of nuclear factor-kappa B-p65 (NF-κB-p65) and phosphorylation levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal pathway related proteins p38MAPK, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2) were determined by Western blotting (n=4). The same samples of rats in control group were collected for related detection at the same time point as above. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and SNK test. Results: (1) The serum content of FITC-dextran of rats in pure sepsis group was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.01), while the serum content of FITC-dextran of rats in NHE1 inhibitor group was significantly lower than that in pure sepsis group (P<0.01). Compared with that in control group, infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells, ulcer and necrosis of intestinal mucosa of rats in pure sepsis group were observed. The injury condition of intestine of rats in NHE1 inhibitor group was better than that in pure sepsis group. (2) The serum content of IL-6, TNF-α, and MPO of rats in pure sepsis group was (387±42) and (164.7±10.1) ng/mL, and (7.5±1.5) U/mL, respectively, significantly higher than that in control group [(75±17) and (13.1±6.5) ng/mL, and (2.3±0.7) U/mL, respectively, with P values below 0.01]. The serum content of IL-6, TNF-α, and MPO of rats in NHE1 inhibitor group was (176±37) and (64.9±9.3) ng/mL, and (5.9±0.8) U/mL, respectively, which was significantly lower than that in pure sepsis group (with P values below 0.01). (3) The content of IL-6, TNF-α, and MPO in intestinal tissue of rats in pure sepsis group was (190±13) and (172.8±29.7) ng/mL, and (8.7±1.5) U/mL, respectively, significantly higher than that in control group [respectively (20±3) and (11.9±2.3) ng/mL, and (2.9±0.3) U/mL, with P values below 0.01]. The content of IL-6, TNF-α, and MPO of intestinal tissue of rats in NHE1 inhibitor group was (35±6) and (45.2±6.1) ng/mL, and (5.3±0.6) U/mL, respectively, significantly lower than that in pure sepsis group (with P values below 0.01). (4) The protein expression of NF-κB-p65 and phosphorylation levels of p38MAPK and ERK1/2 in intestinal tissue of rats in pure sepsis group were significantly higher than those in control group (with P values below 0.01); the protein expression of NF-κB-p65 and the phosphorylation level of p38MAPK in intestinal tissue of rats in NHE1 inhibitor group were significantly lower than those in pure sepsis group (with P values below 0.01); phosphorylation levels of JNK1/2 in intestinal tissue of rats in the three groups were similar (with P values above 0.05). Conclusions: The inhibition of NHE1 can significantly alleviate the intestinal injury, and the mechanisms may be attributed to the regulation of NF-κB and p38MAPK signal pathway, resulting in inhibition of the inflammatory response of intestinal tract.

Effects of dietary supplementing tannic acid in the ration of beef cattle on rumen fermentation, methane emission, microbial flora and nutrient digestibility.

Four adult Simmental male cattle (376 ± 9.0 kg initial BW), fitted with permanent rumen cannulas, were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design to investigate the effects of dietary supplementing tannic acid (TA) on rumen fermentation, methane (CH4 ) production, rumen microbes, nutrient digestibility and plasma biochemical parameters. Four levels of TA, that is 0, 6.5, 13.0 or 26.0 g/kg dry matter (DM), were added to the basal ration (composed of corn silage and concentrate mixture) as experimental treatments respectively. Each experimental period consisted of a 12-day adaptation phase followed by a 3-day sampling phase. The results showed that supplementing TA at 26.0 g/kg DM decreased the relative abundance of protozoa, methanogens and Ruminococcus albus to the total ruminal bacterial 16S rDNA in beef cattle (p < 0.05). The results also showed that supplementing TA at 6.5, 13.0 or 26.0 g/kg DM decreased (p < 0.01) the CH4 production (l/kg DM intake) by 11.1%, 14.7% and 33.6% respectively. Supplementing TA at 13.0 or 26.0 g/kg DM decreased the ratio of acetate to propionate and ammonia nitrogen (NH3 -N) (p < 0.05) and tended to decrease the total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration of rumen fluid (p = 0.07). Supplementing TA at 26.0 g/kg DM decreased DM and organic matter (OM) digestibility (p < 0.05), supplementing TA at 6.5, 13.0 or 26.0 g/kg DM decreased (p < 0.01) crude protein (CP) digestibility by 5.0%, 8.6% and 15.7%, respectively, and supplementing TA at 6.5, 13.0 or 26.0 g/kg DM increased (p < 0.05) the plasma total antioxidant capability. It was concluded that supplementing TA in the ration of beef cattle decreased the CH4 production and digestibility of CP of beef cattle. Supplementing TA could be an effective option to mitigate CH4 emission form cattle, further research is necessary to study the effects of TA on the performance of cattle.

[Analysis of hemoperfusion in the treatment of thinner poisoning effect].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the combination of drugs in blood perfusion-based rescue therapy of acute poisoning thinners. METHODS: Our department were retrospectively analyzed in May 2011 to October 2014, 54 cases thinners poisoning patients choose the thinner should be 44 cases of acute poisoning patients were divided into two groups. Toluene, xylene group 8 cases; Halogenated hydrocarbon group 34cases; Give blood perfusion 3 to 7 times, compared before and after the blood perfusion of toxicant concentration, results and biochemical indicators. RESULTS: By selection of 44 patients with acute thinners poisoning in 42 patients were successfully treated, the cure rate was 96%. And treatment in patients with successful both in toluene, xylene, or halogenated hydrocarbon group after blood perfusion its toxicant concentration significantly decreased; 42 patients blood perfusion treatment of the indexes of liver function after than before treatment significantly improved. CONCLUSION: The early hemoperfusion is a very effective way of acute poisoning thinners currently rescue.

Effects of supplementing rare earth element cerium on rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance and plasma biochemical parameters in beef cattle.

The objectives of the trial were to investigate the effects of supplementing rare earth element (REE) cerium (Ce) on rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibility, methane (CH4 ) production, nitrogen (N) balance and plasma biochemical parameters in beef cattle. Four Simmental male cattle, aged at 14 months, with initial liveweight of 355 ± 8 kg and fitted with permanent rumen cannulas, were used as experimental animals. The cattle were fed with a total mixed ration (TMR) composed of concentrate mixture and corn silage. Four levels of cerium chloride (CeCl3 ·7H2 O, purity 99.9%), that is 0, 80, 160 and 240 mg CeCl3 /kg DM, were added to basal ration in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Each experimental period lasted 15 days, of which the first 12 days were for pre-treatment and the last 3 days were for sampling. The results showed that supplementing CeCl3 at 160 or 240 mg/kg DM increased neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility (p < 0.05) and tended to increased acid detergent fibre (ADF) digestibility (p = 0.083). Supplementing CeCl3 at 80, 160 or 240 mg/kg DM decreased the molar ratio of rumen acetate to propionate linearly (p < 0.05). Supplementing CeCl3 at 160 or 240 mg/kg DM decreased total N excretion, urinary N excretion and increased N retention (p < 0.05), increased excretion of total urinary purine derivatives (PD) (p < 0.05) and decreased CH4 /kg DMI (p < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementing CeCl3 at 160 or 240 mg/kg DM in the ration of beef cattle increased the digestibility of NDF, decreased the molar ratio of rumen acetate to propionate, increased N retention and microbial N flow and decreased CH4 /kg DMI.

Effects of rare earth element lanthanum on rumen methane and volatile fatty acid production and microbial flora in vitro.

The objectives of the trial were to study the effects of rare earth element (REE) lanthanum (La) on the in vitro rumen methane (CH4 ) and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production and the microbial flora of feeds. Four feed mixtures with different levels of neutral detergent fibre (NDF), that is 20.0% (I), 31.0% (II), 41.9% (III) and 52.7% (IV), were formulated as substrates. Five levels of LaCl3 , that is 0, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 mmol/kg dry matter (DM), were added to the feed mixtures, respectively, as experimental treatments in a two-factor 5 × 4 randomized design. The in vitro incubation lasted for 24 h. The results showed that supplementing LaCl3 increased the total gas (p < 0.001) production and tended to increase the total VFA production (p = 0.072) and decreased the CH4 production (p = 0.001) and the ratios of acetate/propionate (p = 0.019) and CH4 /total VFA (p < 0.001). Interactions between LaCl3 and NDF were significant in total gas production (p = 0.030) and tended to be significant in CH4 production (p = 0.071). Supplementing LaCl3 at the level of 0.8 mmol/g DM decreased the relative abundance of methanogens and protozoa in the total bacterial 16S rDNA analysed using the real-time PCR (p < 0.0001), increased F. succinogenes (p = 0.0003) and decreased R. flavefaciens (p < 0.0001) whereas did not affect R. albus and anaerobic fungi (p > 0.05). It was concluded that LaCl3 decreased the CH4 production without negatively affecting feed digestion through manipulating rumen microbial flora when feed mixtures with different levels of NDF were used as substrates.

Prediction of urinary and fecal nitrogen excretion by beef cattle.

An analysis of predicting urinary and fecal N excretion from beef cattle was conducted using a data set summarizing 49 published studies representing 180 treatment means for 869 animals. Variables included in the data set were initial BW (kg), DMI (kg/d), dietary CP content (% of DM), N intake (g/d), apparent total tract N digestibility (%), and urinary and fecal N excretion (g/d). Correlation analysis examined relationships between animal and dietary variables and N excretion. A mixed model regression analysis was used to develop equations to predict N excretion in urine and feces and the proportion of urinary N in total N excretion as a function of various animal and dietary variables. Of the single animal and dietary variables, N intake was the best predictor of N excretion in urine and feces, whereas apparent total tract N digestibility was best to predict the proportion of urinary N in total N excretion. Low prediction errors and evaluation of the equations using cross-validation indicated the prediction equations were accurate and robust. Urinary and fecal N excretion can be accurately and precisely predicted by N intake, whereas the proportion of urinary N in total N excretion was best predicted solely using apparent total tract N digestibility.

The effect of remifentanil on the incidence of agitation on emergence from sevoflurane anaesthesia in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy.

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of remifentanil on the incidence of emergence agitation in preschool-aged children undergoing adenotonsillectomy with sevoflurane anaesthesia. Sixty children, aged three to seven years, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II, were randomised into either group S (sevoflurane alone, n=30) or group R (sevoflurane plus remifentanil, n=30). Anaesthesia was induced with an intravenous bolus injection of fentanyl 3 microg/kg and propofol 2.5 mg/kg. Endotracheal intubation was facilitated by vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg. All patients were ventilated with 50% nitrous oxide and 1.5 to 2.5% sevoflurane in oxygen. End-tidal CO2 was maintained at 35 +/- 4 mmHg. Group S received no other medication while group R received remifentanil 1 microg/kg/minute intraoperatively. Mean blood pressure, heart rate, pulse oximetry, eye-opening time and extubation time were recorded in the operating room. In recovery, emergence agitation was assessed using the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium scale with a score > or =10 taken as indicating agitation. Emergence agitation occurred in 20 of the 30 patients in group S and seven of the 30 patients in group R (P < 0.01). In preschool-aged children undergoing adenotonsillectomy with sevoflurane general anaesthesia, after propofol and fentanyl induction, intraoperative remifentanil decreased the incidence of emergence agitation.

Studies of SARS virus vaccines.

1. Intranasal vaccination using inactivated SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) vaccine with adjuvant can induce strong systemic (serum immunoglobulin [Ig] G) and respiratory tract local (tracheal-lung wash fluid IgA) antibody responses with neutralising activity. 2. RBD-Fc (protein-based vaccine) is able to induce effective neutralising antibodies able to provide protection from SARS-CoV infection in animal models. 3. A single dose of RBD-rAAV vaccination can induce adequate neutralising antibody against SARS-CoV infection. 4. Additional doses of vaccine increased the production of neutralising antibody 5-fold compared with a single dose. 5. RBD-rAAV vaccination provoked a prolonged antibody response with continually increasing levels of neutralising activity. 6. Intranasal vaccination with RBD-rAAV induced local IgA and systemic IgG neutralising antibodies and specific T-cell responses, able to protect against SARS-CoV infection in animal models. 7. When compared with the RBD-rAAV prime/boost vaccination, RBD-rAAV prime/RBD-peptide boost induced similar levels of Th1 and neutralising antibody responses that protected vaccinated mice from subsequent SARS-CoV challenges,but stronger Th2 and CTL responses. 8. Overall, our findings suggest that the inactivated vaccine, RBD-Fc and RBD-rAAV, can be further developed into effective and safe vaccines against SARS and that intranasal vaccination may be the preferred route of administration.

Relationship between the in vitro-estimated utilizable crude protein and the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System crude protein fractions in feeds for ruminants.

The objectives of this experiment were to study the regression relationship between the in vitro-estimated utilizable crude protein (uCP) and the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) crude protein fractions, i.e. PA, PB1, PB2, PB3 and PC of feeds for ruminants, and the possibility of using CNCPS crude protein fractions for the estimation of uCP of feeds for ruminants. The CP, the non-protein nitrogen (NPN), the soluble cru de protein (SCP), the neutral detergent insoluble crude protein (NDICP) and the acid detergent insoluble crude protein (ADICP) of 30 single feeds were determined and the CP fractions, i.e. PA, PB1, PB2, PB3 and PC, were then calculated based on CNCPS. The uCP of the 30 feeds was estimated using the in vitro incubation technique of Zhao and Lebzien (2000). It was found that there was a significant multiple regression relationship between the uCP [g/kg dry matter (DM)] and the CNCPS crude protein fractions, i.e. PA (% DM), PB1 (% DM), PB2 (% DM), PB3 (% DM) and PC (% DM) of the feed samples. uCP = (9.95 +/-2.73)PA + (2.92 +/- 1.36)PB(1) + (7.24 +/- 0.86)PB(2) + (8.20 +/- 3.33)PB(3) + (17.67 +/- 3.79) PC + (63.26 +/- 18.02), r2 = 0.90, n = 30, p < 0.0001. It was suggested that the multiple regression relationship shown above could be used for the estimation of the uCP of feeds based on the CNCPS crude protein fractions PA, PB1, PB2, PB3 and PC of feeds for ruminants.

The suitability of a faecal suspension of sheep as inocula for the estimation of utilizable crude protein of feeds by in vitro incubation.

The objective of the experiments was to study the suitability of using a faecal suspension of sheep for the estimation of the utilizable crude protein (uCP) of feeds for sheep by an in vitro incubation. Twenty-four single feeds and eight feed mixtures were used as incubation substrates. In Experiment 1, the gas production after the in vitro incubation with rumen fluid or with a faecal suspension of a sheep were compared using the Hohenheim gas test. It was found that there were significant linear regression between the 24, 48 and 72 h gas production with rumen fluid and those with faecal suspensions of 35, 50, 100 and 150 g wet faeces of sheep (which were 18.6, 23.5, 52.0 and 70.5 g faeces DM, respectively) per litre McDougall's buffer (P < 0.0001). The highest regression coefficient (r2) was calculated between the gas production after inoculation with a suspension of 100 g wet faeces per litre McDougall's buffer (x, ml x 200 mg (-1) feed DM) for 48 h and the gas production after inoculation with rumen fluid (y, ml x 200 mg (-1) feed DM) for 24 h: y = 0.82 (+/- 0.07)x + 9.87 (+/-3.83), r2 = 0.82, n = 32, P < 0.0001. Based on these results, in Experiment 2 the estimation of utilizable crude protein (uCP) of feeds was compared by using the in vitro incubation technique of Zhao and Lebzien (2000), where feeds were inoculated either with rumen fluid or with a faecal suspension (100 g wet faeces of sheep, i.e. 52 g faeces DM per litre McDougall's buffer). The results indicated that there were no significant differences of the estimated uCP after inoculation with rumen fluid or the faecal suspension (P > 0.05). A significant regression was found between the uCP after incubation for 48 h with 100 g wet faeces (x, g x kg (-1) DM) and the uCP after incubation for 24 h with rumen fluid (y, g x kg(-1) DM): y = 0.95 (+/-0.10)x - 4.90 (+/-26.70), r2 = 0.75, n = 32, Although this regression was significant, the coefficient r2 was not high. Therefore, further research is needed before sheep faeces could replace rumen fluid as an inocula for the estimation of uCP by the in vitro incubation technique.

The estimation of utilizable amino acids (uAA) of feeds for ruminants using an in vitro incubation technique.

The in vitro incubation technique of Zhao and Lebzien (2000; Arch. Anim. Nutr. 53, 293-302) was used for the estimation of utilizable amino acids (uAA) (sum of amino acids from undegraded feed protein and microbial protein, when N is not limiting) of feeds for ruminants. The rumen fluid from a cow fed only with hay (Expt. 1) and that from a sheep fed with a mixed ration (Expt. 2) was compared with respect to estimation of uAA. In Expt. 1, 30 feeds and feed mixtures were tested and in Expt. 2, 33 feeds and feed mixtures were tested. A close linear relationship was found between the utilizable crude protein (uCP=undegraded feed protein + microbial protein) (X, g/kg) calculated from in vivo experiments and the uAA (Y, g/kg) estimated from in vitro incubations both in Expt. 1: y= 0.95 x-1.39, r2=0.85, p<0.001,n=30; and in Expt. 2: Y=0.85X-6.67,r2= 0.85,p<0.001,n=33. Statistical analysis indicates that there was a significant regressive relationship between uAA determined with the rumen fluid of a sheep (X, g/kg) and uAA determined with the rumen fluid of a cow (Y, g/kg): Y=1.06X+12.4,r2= 0.80,p<0.001,n=27. The results indicate that the in vitro incubation technique of Zhao and Lebzien (2000) can be used for the estimation of uAA of feeds for ruminants. As a rumen-fistulated cow is more expensive than a rumen-fistulated sheep, it is suggested to use a sheep fed a mixed ration as the donor of rumen fluid for the estimation of uAA of feeds with in vitro incubation. Further experiments should be performed to standardize the method and to test the most valid length of the incubation period.