[Recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody associated vasculitis in China].

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis (AAV) is a group of systemic small vasculitis characterized by ANCA positive in serum. Three diseases are included in this group of diseases: granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). In China, standardized diagnosis and treatment of AAV is still lacking. Based on the evidence and guidelines from China and abroad, the Chinese Rheumatology Association formulated the standardization of diagnosis and treatment of ANCA associated vasculitis. The purpose is to standardize the diagnosis of AAV and disease activity assessment, and recommend the treatment strategies.

Effects of oxidative stress induced by high dosage of dietary iron ingested on intestinal damage and caecal microbiota in Chinese Yellow broilers.

The objective of this trial was to test the effects of oxidative stress induced by a high dosage of dietary iron on intestinal lesion and the microbiological compositions in caecum in Chinese Yellow broilers. A total of 450 1-day-old male chicks were randomly allotted into three groups. Supplemental iron (0, 700 and 1,400 mg/kg) was added to the basal diet resulting in three treatments containing 245, 908 and 1,651 mg/kg Fe (measured value) in diet respectively. Each treatment consisted of six replicate pens with 25 birds per pen. Jejunal enterocyte ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that a high dosage of dietary iron induced oxidative stress in broilers. Dilated endoplasmic reticulum (ER), autophagosome formation of jejunal enterocytes and decreased villi were caused by this oxidative stress. Compared to the control, concentration of the malondialdehyde (MDA) in jejunal mucosa in the 908 and 1,651 mg/kg Fe groups increased by 180% (p < .01) and 155% respectively (p < .01); activity of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/ZnSOD) increased in jejunum (p < .01); and the concentration of plasma reduced glutathione (GSH) decreased by 34.9% (p < .01) in birds fed 1,651 mg/kg Fe. Gene expression of nuclear factor, erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (Nrf2) and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), in the higher dietary Fe groups was enhanced (p < .05). Species of microbial flora in caecum increased caused by oxidative stress. The PCR-DGGE (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) dendrograms revealed different microbiota (65% similarity coefficient) between the control and iron-supplemented groups (p < .05). These data suggest high dosage of iron supplement in feed diet can induce oxidative stress in Chinese Yellow broilers, and composition of microbiota in the caecum changed. It implied there should be no addition of excess iron when formulating diets in Chinese Yellow broilers.

Positive Association Between Betatrophin and Diabetic Retinopathy Risk in Type 2 Diabetes Patients.

Betatrophin is a recently identified protein that has been shown to be associated with lipid metabolism and insulin resistance. This study aimed to measure serum betatrophin concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and evaluate the association of betatrophin with diabetic retinopthy (DR). Serum betatrophin concentrations were compared between (1) gender-, age- and body mass index-matched T2DM patients with (n=17) or without (n=33) DR; (2) gender-, age-, and body mass index-matched healthy subjects (n=31), newly-diagnosed T2DM patients before treatment (n=24), and T2DM patients under antidiabetic treatment (n=35). Serum betatrophin concentrations were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the association between betatrophin concentration and DR. Serum betatrophin concentration was significantly associated with DR in T2DM patients under treatment (Odds Ratio 2.01; 95% Confidence Interval 1.12-3.60; p=0.019). Betatrophin concentrations were significantly increased in treated T2DM patients compared to the healthy subjects (4.17±0.60 vs. 0.54±0.07 ng/ml; p<0.001). Serum betatrophin concentrations are increased in T2DM patients under antidiabetic treatment and positively associated with diabetic retinopathy.

Effects of high peanut meal with different crude protein level supplemented with amino acids on performance, carcass traits and nitrogen retention of Chinese Yellow broilers.

This study assessed the effects of feeding high peanut meal diets of reduced crude protein (CP) content supplemented with essential amino acids (EAA) on growth performance, carcass traits, biochemical indices in plasma, and nitrogen (N) retention of male and female Lingnan Yellow broilers from day 22 to day 42 of age. Each of four dietary treatments (19%, 18%, 17% or 16% CP, dietary CP level reduced by the reduced dietary peanut meal) contained six replicate pens with 35 birds of each sex (males and females with equal number), separately (1680 in total). The three diets with reduced CP were supplemented with 5 EAA to meet the requirements and provide the same levels as in the 19% CP diet. Average daily gain decreased and feed:gain ratio was worse in both sexes with reduced CP% (linear, p < 0.05). Dressing percentage increased as CP% decreased in males (linear, p < 0.05) and thigh muscle percentage reduced slightly in females (linear, p < 0.05). Abdominal fat percentage of males fed the 17% CP was the lowest (quadratic, p < 0.05). The plasma metabolic indices, concentrations of triglycerides and malondialdehyde, showed linear responses to reduced CP% (p < 0.05) with triglycerides increasing while malondialdehyde decreased. Plasma uric acid increased in females (linear, p < 0.05), but not in males, as CP% decreased. Efficiency of N retention increased and N excretion strikingly decreased with lower CP diets (p < 0.001), and both variables showed significant (p < 0.05) linear and quadratic effects. It is concluded that there was a limit to which dietary CP of broilers could be reduced without adverse effects. Dietary CP could be reduced to 17% for males and 18% for females (or 18% when fed together) between day 22 and day 42, if diets are supplemented with synthetic EAA.

[Phenotypic characteristics of LAP(+) CD4(+) T lymphocytes in colorectal cancer tissues].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the phenotypic characteristics of LAP(+) CD4(+) T lymphocytes and investigate their molecular mechanisms in colorectal cancer (CRC) microenvironment. METHODS: Fifty colorectal cancer patients treated in our two hospitals from January 2014 to May 2014 were included in this study. Their tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues, peripheral blood samples, and peripheral blood samples of 25 healthy donors (HD) were collected to isolate the lymphocytes. The different expressions of CCR7, CD45RA, Foxp3, CTLA-4, CCR4 and CCR5 in LAP(+) CD4(+) T and LAP(-)CD4(+) T lymphocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). RESULTS: The FCM assay detected that the percentage of LAP(+) CD4(+) T cells in peripheral blood of the CRC patients were significantly higher than that of HD [(9.44±3.18)% versus (1.49±1.00)%, P<0.001]. In addition, significantly more LAP(+) CD4(+) T cells were also recruited into tumor tissue than those in the tumor-adjacent normal tissue [(11.76±3.74)% versus (3.87±1.64)%, P<0.001]. LAP(+) CD4(+) T cells in the tumor-adjacent normal tissue and peripheral blood of both HDs and CRC patients mainly displayed a central memory phenotype. However, effector memory lymphocytes were predominant in the tumor tissue.In the tumor tissue, the expression of Foxp3 in the LAP(+) CD4(+) T cells was (3.87±1.12)%, significantly lower than that in the LAP(-)CD4(+) T cells (16.70±2.61)%, (P<0.001); the expression of CTLA-4 in the LAP(+) CD4(+) T cells was (36.36±19.14)%, significantly higher than the (19.60±8.91)% in the LAP(-)CD4(+) T cells (P<0.001); the expression of CCR4 in the LAP(+) CD4(+) T cells was (37.72±11.14)%, significantly higher than the (30.06±9.14)% in the LAP(-)CD4(+) T cells (P<0.001); and the expression of CCR5 in the LAP(+) CD4(+) T cells was (18.86±7.10)%, significantly higher than the (13.92±3.31)% in the LAP(-)CD4(+) T cells (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: LAP(+) CD4(+) T cells with low expression of Foxp3 and high expressions of CTLA-4, CCR4 and CCR5 are tend to be enriched and accumulated in the tumor tissue. The unique phenotypic characteristics make these cells a distinct subset of lymphocytes, apparently different from the traditional CD4(+) CD25(+) Treg cells.

[Analysis of microcephaly and related factors among 31 902 infants of Chongqing, China].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the status of head circumference development and related factors of microcephaly among infants in Chongqing, China. METHODS: We included infants aged 7-24 months who had received child health care services at a Chongqing hospital from 1 February 2010 to 1 November 2014. We collected data of sex, age, head circumference, childbirth conditions, mother's pregnancy history, infant feeding patterns, and parents' educational level. Ultimately, 31 902 infants (17 511 males and 14 391 females) were analyzed. The t-test was used to compare head circumference by sex, and logistic regression models used to analyze the related factors of microcephaly. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. RESULTS: Among the different age groups (7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-18, and 19-24 months), head circumferences for males were (44.3±1.3), (45.2±1.4), (46.1±1.5), (46.8±1.4), and (47.8±1.4) cm, respectively; for females, head circumferences were (43.1±1.3), (44.1±1.3), (44.8±1.4), (45.7±1.4), and (46.7±1.3)cm, respectively. Head circumference for males were all greater than those for girls (t-values were 32.09, 27.73, 32.21, 41.66, and 32.03, respectively; P<0.001). The rate of microcephaly was 3.2% (1 025/31 902) among infants. Birth weights and fetal times were related to microcephaly in infants, with OR (95% CI) values 0.15(0.13-0.18) and 1.31(1.11-1.54), respectively. Factors including urban location, delayed birth, cesarean section, formula feeding, and mixed feeding patterns might reduce the risks of microcephaly compared with suburban location, term birth, eutocia, and breastfeeding; OR (95% CI) values were 0.60 (0.52-0.68), 0.55 (0.44-0.70), 0.76 (0.67-0.87), 0.46 (0.32-0.67), and 0.51 (0.34-0.75), respectively. CONCLUSION: Head circumference development among infants in Chongqing was satisfactory. Family environmental factors, birth conditions, and feeding patterns were found to be important factors related to microcephaly.

Serum cytokine modulation after Staphylococcus hyicus infection in BALB/c mice.

Staphylococcal infection is a severe bacterial infection. Finding satisfactory predictable biological markers is essential for the treatment of this condition. In this study, we applied a 32-marker sandwich ELISA-based antibody array to evaluate cytokine changes in Staphylococcus hyicus-inoculated BALB/c mice at 24 and 48 h post infection. Among the cytokines detected, the expression levels of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), interleukin 6 (IL-6), macrophage inflammatory protein 2, and keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC) were increased to levels more than twice higher than those in the control group 24 h after infection, while the expression of interleukin 12p40p70 (IL-12p40p70) was decreased to less than half the level measured in the controls. The expression of G-CSF, IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protei-5, chemokine ligand 11, and KC was upregulated 48 h post infection, whereas IL-12p40p70 expression was still significantly lower (P < 0.05). Among the detected cytokines, the expression levels of G-CSF, IL-6, and KC were constantly upregulated, while IL-12p40p70 was downregulated. This result was then validated by an ELISA assay analysis, which confirmed that G-CSF, IL-6, KC, and IL- 12p40p70 expression levels were specifically modulated after an S. hyicus bacterial infection, while granulocyte monocyte colony stimulation factor, IL-12, and IFNγ levels were significantly increased after a viral infection. Our study indicated the potential of cytokines G-CSF, IL-6, KC, and IL- 12p40p70 as markers for detecting S. hyicus infection. The results of this study may provide useful data for the appropriate use of medication following S. hyicus infection.

Molecular cloning, characterization and expression analysis of WAG-1 in the pistillody line of common wheat.

Wheat WAG-1 is a C-class MADS-box gene, which is orthologous to AGAMOUS in Arabidopsis. In this study, we report the cloning, characterization, and expression patterns of WAG-1 in the pistillody mutant HTS-1 and its sib-line CSTP. The cDNA of WAG-1 was found to be 765 bp in length, which was equal to the length of its open reading frame, encoding 254 amino acids. The location of WAG-1 revealed that it has three homologous genes from the short arm of chromosome 1A, 1B, and 1D. Their genomic sequences were determined to be 5864, 6454, and 6447 bp long, respectively, and possessed seven exons and six introns. Young spikes from HTS-1 contained higher levels of WAG-1 transcript than did those from CSTP, and the transcript levels in the young spikes (7-10 mm in length) of HTS-1 increased 3.3-fold relative to those of the CSTP line. The transcript level in the pistil and pistil-like stamens of HTS-1 was over 2-fold higher than that in the stamens of CSTP, and expression in the pistil-like stamens of HTS-1 was slightly higher than that in its pistils. These data provide a basis for future research into the function of WAG-1, and offer further insight into the molecular mechanism of the pistillody mutation in common wheat.

Risk of bladder cancer in renal transplant recipients: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Renal transplantation has been associated with a significantly increased risk of developing cancers during long-term follow-up, but for bladder cancer, this risk is less clear. We therefore performed a meta-analysis to determine whether bladder cancer risk in renal transplant recipients was increased. METHODS: Eligible studies were identified through searches of PubMed and other public resources. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to pool overall estimates for standardised incidence ratios (SIRs). Heterogeneity test, sensitivity analysis, and assessment of publishing bias were also performed. RESULTS: We identified a 3.18-fold higher SIR (95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.34-7.53, P=0.008) of bladder cancer in patients following renal transplantation compared with the general population, based on data from 79,988 patients with a total follow-up of 308,458 patient-years. When stratified by ethnicity, the SIRs for bladder cancer were 2.00 (95% CI: 1.51-2.65, P=0.001) and 14.74 (95% CI: 3.66-59.35, P<0.001) between European and Asian renal transplant recipients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that the risk of developing bladder cancer in transplant populations was increased. Such association suggests that physicians should be more vigilant in checking for bladder cancer in transplantation recipient population.

[Progress of circulating tumor DNA in the clinical management of colorectal cancer].

Despite the great progress in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC), the current standard treatment protocols still have many limitations, and there is an urgent need for more effective biomarkers for personalized patient treatment. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), as a dynamic, non-invasive liquid biopsy approach, overcomes the limitations of tissue biopsy in detecting tumor heterogeneity and molecular evolution. Current evidence from several studies suggests that ctDNA shows great promise in stratifying recurrence risk, guiding treatment decisions, and monitoring early recurrence. In addition, ctDNA can improve the efficiency of clinical research and drug development. However, the lack of standardisation of pre-ctDNA test variables and analysis procedures and the high technical costs limit its promotion and development. In this review, we summarize the available evidence on ctDNA in the clinical management of CRC and present its limitations and strategies for improvement.

[Application and research advances of delayed sural neurotrophic vascular flap for diabetic foot ulcers].

Diabetic foot ulcer is one of the serious complications of diabetes. Diabetic wounds are of great difficulty to repair, causing a high amputation rate and a great burden to patients and their family members and society. Researches showed that the delayed sural neurotrophic vascular flap has a great effect in repairing diabetic foot ulcers. This article mainly reviewed the clinical status and research advances of the delayed sural neurotrophic vascular flap in repairing diabetic foot ulcers, intending to provide a reference for its application and research.

[Clinical repair strategy for ischial tuberosity pressure ulcers based on the sinus tract condition and range of skin and soft tissue defects].

Objective: To investigate the clinical repair strategy for ischial tuberosity pressure ulcers based on the sinus tract condition and range of skin and soft tissue defects. Methods: The study was a retrospective observational study. From July 2017 to March 2023, 21 patients with stage Ⅲ or Ⅳ ischial tuberosity pressure ulcers who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, including 13 males and 8 females, aged 14-84 years. There were 31 ischial tuberosity pressure ulcers, with an area of 1.5 cm×1.0 cm-8.0 cm×6.0 cm. After en bloc resection and debridement, the range of skin and soft tissue defect was 6.0 cm×3.0 cm-15.0 cm×8.0 cm. According to the depth and size of sinus tract and range of skin and soft tissue defects on the wound after debridement, the wounds were repaired according to the following three conditions. (1) When there was no sinus tract or the sinus tract was superficial, with a skin and soft tissue defect range of 6.0 cm×3.0 cm-8.5 cm×6.5 cm, the wound was repaired by direct suture, Z-plasty, transfer of buttock local flap, or V-Y advancement of the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel flap. (2) When the sinus tract was deep and small, with a skin and soft tissue defect range of 8.5 cm×4.5 cm-11.0 cm×6.5 cm, the wound was repaired by the transfer and filling of gracilis muscle flap followed by direct suture, or Z-plasty, or combined with transfer of inferior gluteal artery perforator flap. (3) When the sinus tract was deep and large, with a skin and soft tissue defect range of 7.5 cm×5.5 cm-15.0 cm×8.0 cm, the wound was repaired by the transfer and filling of gracilis muscle flap and gluteus maximus muscle flap transfer, followed by direct suture, Z-plasty, or combined with transfer of buttock local flap; and transfer and filling of biceps femoris long head muscle flap combined with rotary transfer of the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel flap; and filling of the inferior gluteal artery perforator adipofascial flap transfer combined with V-Y advancement of the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel flap. A total of 7 buttock local flaps with incision area of 8.0 cm×6.0 cm-19.0 cm×16.0 cm, 21 gracilis muscle flaps with incision area of 18.0 cm×3.0 cm-24.0 cm×5.0 cm, 9 inferior gluteal artery perforator flaps or inferior gluteal artery perforator adipofascial flaps with incision area of 8.5 cm×6.0 cm-13.0 cm×7.5 cm, 10 gluteal maximus muscle flaps with incision area of 8.0 cm×5.0 cm-13.0 cm×7.0 cm, 2 biceps femoris long head muscle flaps with incision area of 17.0 cm×3.0 cm and 20.0 cm×5.0 cm, and 5 posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel flaps with incision area of 12.0 cm×6.5 cm-21.0 cm×10.0 cm were used. The donor area wounds were directly sutured. The survival of muscle flap, adipofascial flap, and flap, and wound healing in the donor area were observed after operation. The recovery of pressure ulcer and recurrence of patients were followed up. Results: After surgery, all the buttock local flaps, gracilis muscle flaps, gluteus maximus muscle flaps, inferior gluteal artery perforator adipofascial flaps, and biceps femoris long head muscle flaps survived well. In one case, the distal part of one posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel flap was partially necrotic, and the wound was healed after dressing changes. In another patient, bruises developed in the distal end of inferior gluteal artery perforator flap. It was somewhat relieved after removal of some sutures, but a small part of the necrosis was still present, and the wound was healed after bedside debridement and suture. The other posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel flaps and inferior gluteal artery perforator flaps survived well. In one patient, the wound at the donor site caused incision dehiscence due to postoperative bleeding in the donor area. The wound was healed after debridement+Z-plasty+dressing change. The wounds in the rest donor areas of patients were healed well. After 3 to 15 months of follow-up, all the pressure ulcers of patients were repaired well without recurrence. Conclusions: After debridement of ischial tuberosity pressure ulcer, if there is no sinus tract formation or sinus surface is superficial, direct suture, Z-plasty, buttock local flap, or V-Y advancement repair of posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel flap can be selected according to the range of skin and soft tissue defects. If the sinus tract of the wound is deep, the proper tissue flap can be selected to fill the sinus tract according to the size of sinus tract and range of the skin and soft tissue defects, and then the wound can be closed with individualized flap to obtain good repair effect.

[Analysis on the characteristics of natural foci of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Gansu Province, 2012-2022].

Objective: To explore the characteristics of natural foci of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Gansu Province. Methods: The information of HFRS case data and rodent density monitoring data from 2012 to 2022 in Gansu Province were collected and epidemiological methods were used to analyze and investigate the characteristics of the epidemic focus. Results: A total of 869 cases of HFRS were reported, and four patients died from 2012 to 2022. The annual incidence rate is between 0.05 per 100 000 and 1.21 per 100 000. The cases were mainly distributed in the eastern, southeast, southern, and south of the central region of Gansu Province. Most cases were distributed between age 20-60, and the sex ratio was 1.85∶1 (564∶305). Most cases were farmers (61.80%, 537/869), herdsmen (19.79%,172/869) and students (6.33%, 55/869). In a wild rat-type epidemic focus,the incidence peak was from November to January of the following year. The natural rodent hosts of HFRS were Rattus norvegicus, Apodemus agrarius, and Mus musculus. The hantaan virus carriage rates were 2.79% (21/754), 0.42% (5/1 179) and 0.31% (2/643),respectively. Three epidemic foci were defined: two derived from the Pingliang and Gannan prefecture new outbreaks epidemic foci, respectively, while the other was the residue of the Dingxi epidemic focus. Conclusions: The southern, south of the central region and eastern part of Gansu Province are current key HFRS epidemic foci dominated by Rattus norvegicus, Apodemus agrarius, and Mus musculus, respectively. The virus genotype is hantaan virus. Case reporting areas should strengthen epidemic monitoring; the key epidemic areas should strengthen and implement various prevention and control measures to reduce the harm caused by HFRS.

Dietary isoleucine supplementation enhances growth performance, modulates the expression of genes related to amino acid transporters and protein metabolism, and gut microbiota in yellow-feathered chickens.

This study investigated the effects of dietary isoleucine (Ile) on growth performance, intestinal expression of amino acid transporters, protein metabolism-related genes and intestinal microbiota in starter phase Chinese yellow-feathered chickens. Female Xinguang yellow-feathered chickens (n = 1,080, aged 1 d) were randomly distributed to 6 treatments, each with 6 replicates of 30 birds. Chickens were fed diets with 6 levels of total Ile (6.8, 7.6, 8.4, 9.2, 10.0, and 10.8 g/kg) for 30 d. The average daily gain and feed conversion ratio were improved with dietary Ile levels (P < 0.05). Plasma uric acid content and glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase activity were linearly and quadratically decreased with increasing dietary Ile inclusion (P < 0.05). Dietary Ile level had a linear (P < 0.05) or quadratic (P < 0.05) effect on the jejunal expression of ribosomal protein S6 kinase B1 and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1. The relative expression of jejunal 20S proteasome subunit C2 and ileal muscle ring finger-containing protein 1 decreased linearly (P < 0.05) and quadratically (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary Ile levels. Dietary Ile level had a linear (P = 0.069) or quadratic (P < 0.05) effect on the gene expression of solute carrier family 15 member 1 in jejunum and solute carrier family 7 member 1 in ileum. In addition, bacterial 16S rDNA full-length sequencing showed that dietary Ile increased the cecal abundances of the Firmicutes phylum, and Blautia, Lactobacillus, and unclassified_Lachnospiraceae genera, while decreased that of Proteobacteria, Alistipes, and Shigella. Dietary Ile levels affected growth performance and modulated gut microbiota in yellow-feathered chickens. The appropriate level of dietary Ile can upregulate the expression of intestinal protein synthesis-related protein kinase genes and concomitantly inhibit the expression of proteolysis-related cathepsin genes.

[Overview of design and construction of hypertensive disorders of a pregnancy-cohort in Shenzhen].

Hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP) involves two major public health issues: mother-infant safety and prevention and controlling major chronic disease. HDP poses a serious threat to maternal and neonatal safety, and it is one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, as well as an important risk factor for long-term cardiovascular disease (CVD). In order to explore effective strategies to prevent and control the source of CVD and reduce its risk, we have established a cohort of HDPs in Shenzhen for the primordial prevention of CVD. The construction of the HDP cohort has already achieved preliminary progress till now. A total of 2 239 HDP women have been recruited in the HDP cohort. We have established a cohort data management platform and Biobank. The follow-up and assessment of postpartum cardiovascular metabolic risk in this cohort has also been launched. Our efforts will help explore the pathophysiological mechanism of HDP, especially the pathogenesis and precision phenotyping, prediction, and prevention of pre-eclampsia, which, therefore, may reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, and provide a bridge to linking HDP and maternal-neonatal cardiovascular, metabolic risk to promote the cardiovascular health of mothers and their infants.

LXRß activation increases intestinal cholesterol absorption, leading to an atherogenic lipoprotein profile.

OBJECTIVES: Liver X receptors (LXRs) are essential for the regulation of intestinal cholesterol absorption. Because two isoforms exist, LXRα and LXRß, with overlapping but not identical functions, we investigated whether LXRα and LXRß exert different effects on intestinal cholesterol absorption. DESIGN: Wild-type (WT), LXRα(-/-) and LXRß(-/-) mice were fed control diet, 0.2% cholesterol-enriched diet or 0.2% cholesterol-enriched diet plus the LXR agonist GW3965. RESULTS: When fed a control diet, all three genotypes showed similar levels of cholesterol absorption. Of interest, a significant increase in cholesterol absorption was found in the LXRα(-/-) mice, but not in the WT or LXRß(-/-) animals, when fed a diet enriched with 0.2% cholesterol or 0.2% cholesterol + GW3965. Reduced faecal neutral sterol excretion and a hydrophobic bile acid profile were also observed in LXRα(-/-) mice. Greater increases in the apolipoprotein (apo)B-containing lipoproteins in serum were seen in the LXRα(-/-) mice. A 0.2% cholesterol +GW3965 diet suppressed intestinal Npc1l1 protein expression to the same extent for all genotypes, while Abca1 and Abcg5 were elevated to the same degree. CONCLUSIONS: In the intestine, LXRα and LXRß seem to exert similar effects on expression of cholesterol-transporting proteins such as Npc1l1. Selective activation of LXRß may generate effects such as increased cholesterol absorption and elevated serum levels of apoB-containing lipoproteins, which seem to be counteracted by LXRα. Therefore, an intestinal LXRß-specific pathway might exist in terms of cholesterol transportation in addition to the main pathway.

Protective effects of zinc-bearing clinoptilolite on broilers challenged with Salmonella pullorum.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of zinc-bearing clinoptilolite (ZnCP) on broilers challenged with Salmonella pullorum for a 21-d feeding trial. A total of 240 one-day-old chickens was allocated into 4 treatment groups: 1) nonchallenged control (CON) fed basal diet; 2) S. pullorum-challenged control (SCC) fed basal diet; 3) Salmonella challenge fed basal diet plus antibiotic (ANT); 4) Salmonella challenge fed basal diet plus 0.2% ZnCP (ZnCP). Compared with CON, Salmonella challenge caused adverse effects on ADG (P<0.05), ADFI, feed/gain ratio in broilers, Salmonella and Lactobacillus colonies at 7 d (P<0.05) and 21 d, and serum diamine oxidase (DAO) activity. Moreover, the relative weight of spleen of 21-d birds, malondialdehyde (MDA) content of jejunual and ileal mucosa at 21 d, and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of ileal mucosa were also significantly negatively affected by SCC treatment (P<0.05). Supplementation of ZnCP in basal diet significantly improved ADG and reduced Salmonella colonies in cecal contents and serum DAO activity both at 7 and 21 d (P<0.05), compared with SCC. Furthermore, supplementation with ZnCP as well as ANT significantly decreased the relative weight of spleen at 21 d, reduced MDA contents of jejunual and ileal mucosa at 21 d (P<0.05), and improved the SOD activity of ileal mucosa at 7 d as compared with SCC (P<0.05). The results suggested that ZnCP addition in feed exerted protective effects on performance and gut health of broilers against S. pullorum infection.

Maternal energy and protein affect subsequent growth performance, carcass yield, and meat color in Chinese Yellow broilers.

This experiment was carried out to investigate effects of maternal ME and CP levels on growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of broiler offspring. A total of 1,134 thirty-week-old Chinese Yellow broiler breeders was randomly assigned to 3 dietary ME levels (11.09, 11.51, and 11.92 MJ/kg) and 3 CP levels (15.5, 16.5, and 17.5%) in a 3×3 factorial arrangement. Each dietary treatment had 6 replicates with 21 hens per replicate. At 39 wk of age, 30 settable eggs per replicate were selected for hatching. All broiler offspring were fed the same diets. There were significant ME×CP interactions in egg CP and ether extract (EE) contents, BW at d 1, 22 to 42 d ADG, ADFI during 1 to 21 d and 43 to 63 d, shear force, plasma albumin, cholesterol, and triglycerides contents of broiler offspring. Dietary ME at 11.92 MJ/kg increased average egg weight, egg EE content, and broiler 1-d-old BW compared with 11.09 MJ/kg group at 16.5%, 15.5%, and 17.5% CP levels, respectively (P<0.05). Maternal 11.51 and 11.92 MJ/kg of ME increased 1 to 21-d ADFI, and 11.51 MJ/kg of ME decreased lightness (L*) value of broiler offspring compared with 11.09 MJ/kg group at 17.5 and 16.5% CP levels, respectively (P<0.05). Broiler breeder dietary CP at 17.5% decreased egg EE content, increased average egg weight, egg CP content, BW at d 1, and 1 to 21-d ADFI of broiler offspring compared with 15.5% CP group at 11.92 MJ/kg of ME level (P<0.05). Maternal dietary 15.5% CP increased dressing percentage and decreased yellowness (b*) value of broiler offspring compared with 16.5% and 17.5% CP groups at 11.51 MJ/kg of ME level, respectively (P<0.05). Collectively, the results indicate that maternal diets composed of 11.51 to 11.92 MJ/kg of ME and 17.5% CP at 39 wk of age increased growth performance during 1 to 21 d in Chinese Yellow broiler, whereas 11.51 MJ/kg of ME and 15.5% CP improved carcass dressing percentage and meat color of their offspring.

[Research advances on the clinical characteristics and diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune disease-related ulcers].

Studies have shown that autoimmune disease (AID)-related ulcers are disease complications that lead to serious poor prognosis such as infection and disability. It is difficult to make a clear diagnosis and there are contradictions between the applications of immunosuppressive therapy and anti-infectious therapy. Improper diagnosis and immunosuppressive therapy can easily delay the timing of anti-infectious therapy and surgery for patients, which bring adverse effects on the prognosis of patients. This paper reviews the concept, clinical characteristics and treatment suggestions of each subtype of AID-related ulcers, in order to provide more ideas for AID-related ulcers' clinical diagnosis and treatment.