Effects of direct-fed microbial supplementation on performance and immune parameters of lactating dairy cows.

We evaluated the effects of supplementing bacterial direct-fed microbial (DFM) on performance, apparent total-tract digestibility, rumen fermentation, and immune parameters of lactating dairy cows. One hundred fourteen multiparous Holstein cows (41 ± 7 DIM) were used in a randomized complete block design with an experiment comprising 14 d of a covariate (pre-experimental sample and data collection) and 91 d of an experimental period. Cows were blocked based on energy-corrected milk (ECM) yield during the covariate period and the following treatments were randomly assigned within each block: (1) control (CON), corn silage-based total mixed ration without DFM; (2) PRO-A, basal diet top-dressed with a mixture of Lactobacillus animalis and Propionibacterium freudenreichii at 3 × 109 cfu/d; and 3) PRO-B, basal diet top-dressed with a mixture of L. animalis, P. freudenreichii, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus licheniformis at 11.8 × 109 cfu/d. Milk yield, dry matter intake (DMI), and body weight were measured daily, while milk samples for component analysis were taken on 2 consecutive days of each week of data collection. Feces, urine, rumen, and blood samples were taken during the covariate period, wk 4, 7, 10, and 13 for estimation of digestibility, N-partitioning, rumen fermentation, plasma nutrient status and immune parameters. Treatments had no effect on DMI and milk yield. Fat-corrected milk (3.5% FCM) and milk fat yield were improved with PRO-B, while milk fat percent and feed efficiency (ECM/DMI) tended to increase with PRO-B compared with PRO-A and CON. Crude fat digestibility was greater with PRO-B compared with CON. Feeding CON and PRO-A resulted in higher total volatile fatty acid concentration relative to PRO-B. Percentage of neutrophils tended to be reduced with PRO-A compared with CON and PRO-B. The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of anti-CD44 antibody on granulocytes tended to be higher in PRO-B compared with CON. The MFI of anti-CD62L antibody on CD8+ T cells was lower in PRO-A than PRO-B, with PRO-A also showing a tendency to be lower than CON. This study indicates the potential of DFM to improve fat digestibility with consequential improvement in fat corrected milk yield, feed efficiency and milk fat yield by lactating dairy cows. The study findings also indicate that dietary supplementation with DFM may augment immune parameters or activation of immune cells, including granulocytes and T cells; however, the overall effects on immune parameters are inconclusive.

[Clinical analysis of liver dysfunction induced by SHR-1210 alone or combined with apatinib and chemotherapy in patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of abnormal liver function in patients with advanced esophageal squamous carcinoma treated with programmed death-1 (PD-1) antibody SHR-1210 alone or in combination with apatinib and chemotherapy. Methods: Clinical data of 73 patients with esophageal squamous carcinoma from 2 prospective clinical studies conducted at the Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from May 11, 2016, to November 19, 2019, were analyzed, and logistic regression analysis was used for the analysis of influencing factors. Results: Of the 73 patients, 35 had abnormal liver function. 13 of the 43 patients treated with PD-1 antibody monotherapy (PD-1 monotherapy group) had abnormal liver function, and the median time to first abnormal liver function was 55 days. Of the 30 patients treated with PD-1 antibody in combination with apatinib and chemotherapy (PD-1 combination group), 22 had abnormal liver function, and the median time to first abnormal liver function was 41 days. Of the 35 patients with abnormal liver function, 2 had clinical symptoms, including malaise and loss of appetite, and 1 had jaundice. 28 of the 35 patients with abnormal liver function returned to normal and 7 improved to grade 1, and none of the patients had serious life-threatening or fatal liver function abnormalities. Combination therapy was a risk factor for patients to develop abnormal liver function (P=0.007). Conclusions: Most of the liver function abnormalities that occur during treatment with PD-1 antibody SHR-1210 alone or in combination with apatinib and chemotherapy are mild, and liver function can return to normal or improve with symptomatic treatment. For patients who receive PD-1 antibody in combination with targeted therapy and chemotherapy and have a history of long-term previous smoking, alcohol consumption and hepatitis B virus infection, liver function should be monitored and actively managed in a timely manner.

[The relationship between triglyceride glucose index and risk of cardiovascular disease among Kazakh and Uygur population in Xinjiang: a retrospective cohort analysis].

Objective: To analyze whether triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and the value of TyG index in predicting CVD risk among Kazakh and Uighur population of Xinjiang. Methods: In this study, 5 375 Kazakh and Uygur people of Xinyuan county and Jiashi county were selected as the research objects. Subjects were divided into four groups based on the quartile of the TyG index level. Cox regression model was used to analyze the association between TyG index with the risk of CVD. The dose-response relationship between TyG index and CVD risk was described by restricted cubic splines. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, net reclassification improvement (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) were used to estimate the value of TyG index for predicting CVD. Mediating effect analysis was conducted to analyze the mediating effect of TyG index in the association between body mass index and CVD. Results: The age of subjects was 41.06（30.11，53.00）years old, with 46.30%（2 489/5 375）was male. After multivariate adjustment, there was an increasing trend between the risk of CVD and the higher TyG index Ptrend<0.001, compared with subjects of TyG index in Q1, the HR (95%CI) of Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups was 1.53, 1.23 and 1.73, respectively. Restricted cubic splines showed that TyG index was the linearly associated with the risk of CVD. TyG index could improve the prediction ability of Framingham model for the risk of CVD (NRI=0.106,P=0.010; IDI=0.003,P=0.030). The mediating effect analysis showed that in the relationship between body mass index and CVD, the TyG index had a mediating effect (P<0.001), and the ratio of mediating effect was 12.69%. Conclusion: TyG index is an independent predictor of CVD risk among kazakh and Uygur population in Xinjiang and has a good predictive value for the risk of CVD.

Lactobacillus plantarum and molasses alter dynamic chemical composition, microbial community, and aerobic stability of mixed (amaranth and rice straw) silage.

BACKGROUND: The objective was to determine how molasses and Lactobacillus plantarum affect chemical composition, fermentation quality, aerobic stability, and the microbial community of an ensiled mixture of amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriaus, AF) and rice straw. Treatments were control (C, no addition), L. plantarum (L; 2 × 105 cfu g-1 fresh weight), molasses (M; 40 g kg-1 fresh matter), and their combination (LM). All treatments were ensiled for 1, 3, 5, 7, and 30 days. RESULTS: All additives improved fermentation quality with greater lactic acid (LA), acetic acid, and lower pH than C silage over the ensiling period. The LM silage combination optimized fermentability, manifested as greater LA contents and a more rapid pH reduction during the first 7 days of ensiling than L or M silages. After 30 days of ensiling, inoculant L. plantarum increased Lactobacillus abundance and reduced bacterial diversity and Enterobacteriaceae abundance compared with silage treated with molasses. Molasses addition reduced the relative concentration of structural carbohydrates (neutral and acid detergent fiber, and hemicellulose) after 30 days of ensiling. Finally, there was spoilage after 2 days and 4 days of aerobic exposure in C and LM silages respectively, whereas L silage had not spoiled after 4 days. CONCLUSIONS: Although the combination of L. plantarum and molasses further optimized fermentation characteristics, L silage had better aerobic stability. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

[Studies of the norm of Karitane Parenting Confidence Scale(KPCS)among parents of infants in urban areas of China].

Objective: To establish the norm of the Chinese version of Karitane Parenting Confidence Scale (KPCS) in urban areas of China. Methods: From August to December 2017, the parents of 2 216 children (<36 months old) were selected from 15 cities (Beijing, Lianyungang, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Xi'an, Guangzhou, Changsha, Jinan, Guiyang, Ningbo, Dalian, Qinhuangdao, Maanshan, Chongqing and Wuhan) in 14 provinces by stratified random sampling. The general demographic characteristics and parents' parenting confidence were collected by a self-made questionnaire and KPCS Chinese version. The percentile norm was established. P3, P10 and P25 were used as the criteria to define the degree of lack of parenting confidence. Results: The age of mothers was (30.67±4.29). The age of the father was (32.50±4.99) years old. There were 726 (32.76%), 759 (34.25%) and 731 (32.99%) infants in 6-12, 12-23 and 24-35 months old groups. The total scores of P50, P25, P10 and P3 of KPCS (Chinese version) of infant parents in urban areas in China were 41, 38, 33, and 29 respectively. When the scores of parents were 34-37, 30-33, and ≤ 29, they were judged as mild, moderate, and severe lack of parenting confidence. There was no significant difference in the Chinese version of KPCS between parents of different age groups and parents of different gender (χ²=3.53, P=0.171; χ²=1.41, P=0.236). Each factor score≤P3 is defined as the boundary score, and the corresponding boundary scores of "parenting" "support" and "competence" were 13, 9, and 5 respectively. Conclusion: The Chinese version of KPCS can be used to assess the parenting confidence of infants in urban areas of China. It can used as one of the bases for scientific and objective evaluation of the parenting status of families.

[Clinical effect of nutritional and psychological intervention combined with pulmonary rehabilitation exercise on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Objective: To explore the clinical effect of nutritional and psychological intervention combined with pulmonary rehabilitation exercise on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: A total of 260 patients with COPD admitted to the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from October 2014 to October 2017 were included. They were divided into mild, moderate, severe and extremely severe groups according to forced expiratory volume in one second predicted (FEV(1)%prep) of pulmonary function. The patients were divided into control group and comprehensive management group according to the random number table method. The control group was given routine treatment including smoking quitting persuasion, vaccination, oxygen therapy and standardized medication. The comprehensive management group was given additional nutritional support, psychological intervention and pulmonary rehabilitation exercise. The data of the lung function indexes (FEV(1)%prep, FEV(1)/FVC, PaO(2), PaCO(2)), nutritional indexes [body mass index (BMI), albumin (ALB), nutrition risk screening (NRS)2002], anxiety and depression scores, 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), modified medical research council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, COPD assessment test (CAT), St. George's score, and frequency of acute exacerbations were compared between two groups after 12 months of treatment. Results: After 12 months' treatment, PaO(2) in the comprehensive management group was significantly higher than that in the control group [(51.1±7.2) vs (47.0±9.1) mmHg] (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa); Nutritional risk (NRS2002) decreased obviously [(1.1±1.1) vs (2.2±1.0)]; anxiety score [(4.1±2.2) vs (5.6±2.7)]; depression score [(4.1±2.0) vs (5.5±2.6)] and St. George's score [(36.8±20.8) vs (48.6±19.5)] decreased significantly (P<0.05). And the 6MWD was significantly farther [(368.4±72.0) vs (343.4±75.0) m] in management group. The frequency of acute exacerbations was significantly reduced in the mild, moderate and severe groups (P<0.05). But there was no significant difference in FEV(1)%prep, FEV(1)/FVC, PaCO(2), BMI, ALB, mMRC score and CAT score. Conclusion: Nutritional and psychological intervention combined with pulmonary rehabilitation exercise can reduce the nutritional risk and the frequency of acute exacerbations in patients with COPD, relieve anxiety and depression state and improve the quality of life.

Functional characterization of ultraspiracle in Leptinotarsa decemlineata using RNA interference assay.

A heterodimer of ultraspiracle (USP) and ecdysone receptor (EcR) mediates 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) signalling cascade to regulate insect moulting and metamorphosis. However, at least two questions remain to be addressed in terms of the molecular importance of USP in insect species. First, is USP involved in both regulation of ecdysteroidogenesis and mediation of 20E signalling in non-drosophilid insects, as in Drosophila melanogaster? Second, does USP play any role in larval metamorphosis except as the partner of heterodimeric receptor to activate the downstream 20E signalling genes? In this paper, we found that RNA interference (RNAi) of LdUSP in the final (fourth) instar larvae reduced the messenger RNA levels of four ecdysteroidogenesis genes (Ldspo, Ldphm, Lddib and Ldsad) and 20E titre, and repressed the expression of five 20E signal genes (EcRA, HR3, HR4, E74 and E75) in Leptinotarsa decemlineata. The LdUSP RNAi larvae remained as prepupae, with developing antennae, legs and discs of forewings and hindwings. Dietary supplement with 20E restored the expression of the five 20E signal genes, but only partially alleviated the decreased pupation rate in LdUSP RNAi beetles. Knockdown of LdUSP at the penultimate (third) instar larvae did not affect third-fourth instar moulting. However, silencing LdUSP caused similar but less severe impairments on pupation. Accordingly, we propose that USP is undoubtedly necessary for ecdysteroidogenesis, for mediation of 20E signalling and for initiation of metamorphosis in L. decemlineata.

Adipose insulin resistance is associated with cardiovascular risk factors in polycystic ovary syndrome.

PURPOSE: The effects of adipose insulin resistance on cardiovascular risk factors in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) remain largely unknown. We aimed to investigate associations between adipose insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk factors in PCOS. METHODS: A total of 207 PCOS and 47 non-PCOS women were recruited from a large reproductive medicine center in this cross-sectional study. The PCOS diagnosis was based on the Rotterdam Criteria. The subjects received a standard oral glucose tolerance test. Adipose insulin resistance was evaluated using a validated index (adipose-IR = fasting insulin × free fatty acid concentrations). RESULTS: The women with PCOS showed a higher adipose-IR index, and the adipose-IR index was tightly associated with the blood pressure, glucose and lipid parameters. A total of 98.0% of the women with PCOS in the highest adipose-IR quartile showed cardiovascular risk factors (obesity, hypertension, glucose intolerance or dyslipidemia), and this percentage was significantly higher than the percentage of those in the lowest quartile (32.7%). In addition, the percentages of women with three (31.4%) and four (13.7%) cardiovascular risk factors were significantly elevated in the highest adipose-IR quartile. The multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that each 1-SD increment in the adipose-IR index resulted in higher risks of obesity (OR = 3.18, 95% CI = 2.12-4.76), hypertension (OR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.31-2.73), glucose intolerance (OR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.73-3.48), and dyslipidemia (OR = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.57-3.01). The C-reactive protein (CRP) level was positively associated with the adipose-IR index in women with PCOS (r = 0.45, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The adipose-IR index was associated with cardiovascular risk factors in women with PCOS. Chronic inflammation may induce insulin resistance in the adipose tissue of women with PCOS.

[Application of totally extraperitoneal renal autotransplantation with Boari flap-pelvis anastomosis in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas treatment].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the totally extraperitoneal renal autotransplantation with boari flap-pelvis anastomosis in the treatment of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), and to review the experience of renal autotransplantation for UTUC treatment. METHODS: One case of applying the totally extraperitoneal renal autotransplantation with boari flap-pelvis anastomosis to the UTUC treatment was reported, and related literature was reviewed. The patient was a sixty-four-year old man who received right radical nephroureterectomy for right ureteral carcinoma 1 year before and diagnosed as left ureteral carcinoma(G2, high grade) this time. In order to preserve his renal function and avoid the shortness of common kidney-sparing surgery, a totally extraperitoneal procedure, including retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy, ureterectomy, renal autotransplantation and Boari flap-pelvis anastomosis, was performed to the patient. RESULTS: The operation was completed successfully without perioperative complications. The renal function recovered to preoperative level within 1 week. No deterioration of renal function during the follow-up and no tumor recurrence was observed under cystoscopy at the 3-month postoperative consult. CONCLUSION: The totally extraperitoneal renal autotransplantation with Boari flap-pelvis anastomosis is a feasible and effective treatment for UTUC. The innovative procedure has several advantages compared to the former ones. The extraperitoneal procedure results in significantly less pain, shorter hospital stay, decreased overall time to recovery and lower bowel complications risk without warm ischemia time extension. Meanwhile, the Boari flap-pelvis anastomosis simplifies the follow -up protocols and creates an easy route for cystoscopy and topical therapy. From the systematic clinical analysis, as well as the related literature review, it's been concluded that the renal autotransplantation can be a reasonable option for the patients who have UTUC in solitary kidney or have bilateral UTUC. This type of treatment possesses advantages of preservation of renal function and total resection of malignant lesions. But long-term data and large cohort study on renal function or tumor recurrence are still absent which will be necessary to confirm the advantages of this approach.

Mortality and prognostic factors in Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives To investigate the mortality and causes of death in Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Methods We collected the clinical data of all consecutive adult systemic lupus erythematosus patients at the Rheumatology department of Peking University First Hospital between January 2007 and December 2015. The primary causes of death were identified, the standardized mortality ratio and years of life lost were calculated, and the survival and variables associated with mortality were determined by Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis respectively. Results The mean age of all 911 patients (814 females and 97 males) was 37.8 ± 14.7 years, the median disease duration at recruitment was 2.6 (0.5-7.0) years, and the median follow-up duration was 3.0 (1.4-5.1) years. Among the 911 patients who were successfully followed up, 45 patients died. Infection (31.1%) was the leading cause of death followed by renal failure, pulmonary arterial hypertension and cerebrovascular diseases. The overall age and sex-adjusted standardized mortality ratio was 3.2 (95% confidence interval 2.4-4.0), and the years of life lost for women and men were 29.8 and 9.4 respectively. Overall survival at 1, 5 and 10 years was 98.2%, 95.3% and 93.7% respectively. Older age at disease onset, infection, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and pulmonary arterial hypertension were independent risk factors for the mortality of systemic lupus erythematosus patients, and longer disease duration at recruitment was an independent protective factor. Conclusions Mortality of systemic lupus erythematosus patients in China was substantial, especially in females, with infection the leading cause of death. Older age at disease onset, infection, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and pulmonary arterial hypertension were associated with poor outcomes.

[The influence of molecular classification of breast cancer on the safety of breast-conserving surgery].

Objective: To analyze the relationship between the breast cancer molecular classification and the prognosis of patients underwent breast-conserving therapy and to discuss the safety of the breast conserving surgery from the choice of operation in terms of breast cancer molecular classification. Methods: Clinical data of 618 patients with breast-conserving therapy in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from August 2005 to August 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the molecular classification when breast cancer was diagnosed, patients were subdivided into five groups, including Luminal A, Luminal B1, Luminal B2, HER-2-positive and Triple-negative. Clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis were compared among five groups and the influencing factors of local recurrence, distant metastasis and overall survival were analyzed. Results: Among 618 patients, there were 148 cases Luminal A, 231 cases Luminal B1, 63 cases Luminal B2, 40 cases HER-2-positive and 136 cases Triple-negative. The age, family history, TNM stage, calcification, histological grade, pathological type and response to endocrine therapy of these 5 molecular types of breast cancer patients were significantly different (all P<0.05). The 5-year local regional recurrence-free survival rates of Luminal A, Luminal B1, Luminal B2, HER-2-positive and Triple-negative were 99.3%, 98.7%, 98.4%, 94.9% and 95.9%, respectively, without significant differences (P=0.104). The 5-year distant metastasis-free survival rates of these 5 types were 97.3%, 95.7%, 93.7%, 87.5% and 91.4%, respectively, with significant differences (P=0.013). Moreover, the 5-year overall survival rates of these 5 types were 98.6%, 97.8%, 98.4%, 92.5% and 95.6%, respectively, without significant differences (P=0.153). Multifactor analysis showed that radiotherapy (HR=0.036, P=0.049) and the number of lymph node metastases (HR=10.72, P=0.004) were independent factors of local recurrence of breast cancer patients underwent breast-conserving therapy. The age (HR=0.369, P=0.046), status of surgical margin (HR=5.486, P=0.007), number of lymph node metastases (HR=2.882, P=0.023) and molecular typing (HR=5.191, P=0.008) were independent factors of distant metastasis of above breast cancer patients. None of the factors were found to be independent factors of the overall survival of these breast cancer patients. Conclusions: Breast conserving therapy does not increase the risks of local recurrence and death of HER-2-positive and Triple-negative breast cancer patients. Therefore, breast conserving therapy can be accepted by patients with HER-2-positive and Triple-negative breast cancer.

Immunohistochemical localization of sex hormone receptors in two Raillietina tapeworms.

Sex hormone receptors play critical roles in development and reproduction. However, it is not known whether they exist in Raillietina tapeworms, and if they do, whether they have a similar function to that in vertebrates. We examined the immunohistochemical distributions of androgen receptors (ARs), estrogen receptors (ERs), and progesterone receptors (PRs) in the tissues of two tapeworm species: Raillietina echinobothrida and Raillietina tetragona. Immunopositive ARs were found in the entire reproductive system of R. echinobothrida, including the testes, ovaries, and oocysts, and weakly immunopositive ERs and PRs were found in the testes, ovaries, and oocysts. Immunopositive ARs were also found throughout the entire reproductive system of R. tetragona, including the testes, ovaries, and oocysts, and weakly immunopositive ERs were in the testes and oocysts; the PRs were distributed in an immunonegative manner. The results show that androgens and their receptors play critical roles in reproductive system development in the two tapeworms. The immunoreactivity and tissue localizations of the sex hormone receptors suggest that, in both species, they have similar functions as in vertebrates, and modulate reproduction.

[Impact of immediate breast reconstruction on the onset of adjuvant chemotherapy and on the postoperative complications].

Objective: To explore the impact of immediate breast reconstruction on the onset of adjuvant chemotherapy and on the postoperative complications. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data from female breast cancer patients treated by either modified radical mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction(IBR) ( n=108) or modified radical mastectomy alone(n=115), followed by adjuvant chemotherapy at our department between January 2011 and December 2012. Results: There was no significant difference in the overall complication rates between the IBR group and modified radical mastectomy group (49.1% vs. 52.2%, P=0.87). However, more secondary surgery was applied in the IBR group than the modified radical mastectomy group (13.0% vs. 1.7%, P=0.001). However, the incidence of hematoma in the modified radical mastectomy group was significantly higher than the IBR group (17.4% vs. 4.6%, P=0.003). There was a significant difference in the onset of adjuvant chemotherapy between the IBR group and modified radical mastectomy group (21 days vs. 11days, P<0.001). Conclusions: Immediate breast reconstruction has no significant impact on the overall complication rate, but increases the incidence of secondary surgery, especially after the initiation of chemotherapy. In addition, it slightly delays adjuvant chemotherapy in the patients.

[Correlation between polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene and the lower extremity atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients].

Objective: To explore the correlation between polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene and lower extremity atherosclerosis (LEA) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Methods: A total of 380 patients diagnosed with T2DM in Department of Endocrinology from June 2015 to March 2016 were enrolled and divided into two groups: group A had no LEA (n=120) and group B had LEA(n=260). Color doppler ultrasound was used to detect the vascular lesions of the patients. For all patients in groups A and B, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to determined the insertion/deletion polymorphism in intron 16 of the ACE gene of the patients. Then the blood pressure, blood lipid, glycated hemoglobin, and renal function were measured. Furthermore, the measured data was compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the independent risk factors for LEA. Results: There was no significant statistical difference in age, sex, smoking and disease course between the two groups. The frequencies of DD genotype and D allele in the ACE gene of group B were much higher than those in group A. More specifically, DD genotype frequency was 18.8% in group B and 9.2% in group A, D allele frequency was 36.8% in group B and 29.2% in group A (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that DD genotype in ACE gene (OR=2.744, 95% CI: 1.326-5.682), systolic blood pressure (OR=1.725, 95% CI: 1.072-2.778), total cholesterol (OR=3.785, 95% CI: 1.796-7.978), and glycated hemoglobin (OR=2.612, 95% CI: 1.602-4.258) were risk factors for LEA in T2DM patients. Conclusions: ACE gene insertion/deletion polymorphism was associated with the incidence of LEA in T2DM patients. DD genotype of the ACE gene may be a genetic risk factor for T2DM patients with concurrent atherosclerosis.

Effects of cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein 1 (CDMP1) transgenic mesenchymal stem cell sheets in repairing rabbit cartilage defects.

The aim of this study was to investigate the abilities of cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein 1 (CDMP1) transgenic cell sheets in repairing rabbit cartilage defects. Rabbit CDMP1 transgenic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) sheets (CDMP1-BMSCs) were cultured on temperature-sensitive culture dishes, and CDMP1 expression and type II collagen protein in the cell sheets were detected. Tissue-engineered cell sheets were constructed and transplanted into defect rabbit thyroid cartilage, to investigate the expression of engineered cartilage collagen protein and proteoglycan (GAG). The experiment was divided into three groups; A) BMSC sheet, B) Ad-CMV-eGFP-transfected cell sheet, and C) Ad-CMV-hCDMP1-IRES-eGFP-transfected cell sheet. The expression of CDMP1 was detected in the transgenic cell sheets. The engineered cartilage exhibited positive immunohistochemical and Alcian blue staining. The expression levels of type II collagen protein and GAG in group A were positive, whereas those in group B and group C were negative (P < 0.05). The CDMP1-BMSC sheets had a good cartilage differentiation activity, and could effectively repair rabbit laryngeal cartilage defects.

Molecular characterization and upregulation of cytosolic manganese superoxide dismutase by imidazole derivative KK-42 in Macrobrachium nipponense.

Imidazole derivative KK-42 is a well-known regulator of insect growth. KK-42 pretreatment has been shown to promote the survival of Macrobrachium nipponense infected with Aeromonas hydrophila, possibly via activation of superoxide dismutase (SOD). In this study, the cytMnSOD gene was cloned from the hepatopancreas of M. nipponense using the rapid amplification of cDNA ends technique. The full-length cDNA of cytMnSOD was 1233 bp long, and the open reading frame was 858 bp long, encoding a 286-aa protein with a 60-aa leader sequence. The calculated molecular mass of the translated cytMnSOD protein was 31.33 kDa, with an estimated isoelectric point of 5.62. cytMnSOD contained two N-glycosylation sites, four conserved amino acids responsible for binding manganese, and a manganese SOD domain (DVWEHAYY). Real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that cytMnSOD was expressed in all tissues examined with the highest expression observed in the hepatopancreas. Levels of the cytMnSOD transcript in the hepatopancreas were highest in stage C of the molting cycle. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that cytMnSOD expression increased significantly 3, 6, and 12 h after KK-42 treatment, with simultaneous increases in SOD activity from 6 to 12 h. Our results demonstrate that cytMnSOD expression and SOD activity may be induced by KK-42, which may represent one of the molecular mechanisms through which KK-42 promotes increased survival of prawns infected with A. hydrophila.

Exploring Northwest China's agricultural water-saving strategy: analysis of water use efficiency based on an SE-DEA model conducted in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province.

Worldwide, water scarcity threatens delivery of water to urban centers. Increasing water use efficiency (WUE) is often recommended to reduce water demand, especially in water-scarce areas. In this paper, agricultural water use efficiency (AWUE) is examined using the super-efficient data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach in Xi'an in Northwest China at a temporal and spatial level. The grey systems analysis technique was then adopted to identify the factors that influenced the efficiency differentials under the shortage of water resources. From the perspective of temporal scales, the AWUE increased year by year during 2004-2012, and the highest (2.05) was obtained in 2009. Additionally, the AWUE was the best in the urban area at the spatial scale. Moreover, the key influencing factors of the AWUE are the financial situations and agricultural water-saving technology. Finally, we identified several knowledge gaps and proposed water-saving strategies for increasing AWUE and reducing its water demand by: (1) improving irrigation practices (timing and amounts) based on compatible water-saving techniques; (2) maximizing regional WUE by managing water resources and allocation at regional scales as well as enhancing coordination among Chinese water governance institutes.

[Association between CETP polymorphisms and haplotypes with dyslipidemia in Xinjiang Uygur and Kazak residents].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between the polymorphisms and haplotypes in the CETP gene and dyslipidemia among Xinjiang Kazak and Uygur residents. METHODS: A population status survey was performed from 2010 to 2011 in Kashgar Xinjiang Uygur and Kazak residents, stratified cluster sampling method was used to select Uygur, Kazak residents with abnormal blood lipid values (n=367 and 345, respectively) as the dyslipidemia groups, and to select residents with normal lipid values as control group from the same area (n=374 and 390, respectively). SNaPshot technology was applied to detect the DNA of CETP gene rs3764261, rs1800775, rs708272 and rs5882 loci in all selected residents, and linkage disequilibrium analysis and haplotype construction were performed. RESULTS: (1) In Uygur residents, the dyslipidemia risk of rs708272 CT (OR=0.64, 95%CI 0.46-0.91, P=0.01) and TT genotype (OR=0.60, 95%CI 0.40-0.91, P=0.02) was significantly lower than CC genotype. Dyslipidemia risk of rs3764261 GT (OR=0.55, 95%CI 0.40-0.74, P=0.00) and TT genotype (OR=0.47, 95%CI 0.28-0.78, P<0.01) was significantly lower than GG genetype. Dyslipidemia risk of the rs1800775 CC genotype was higher than AA genotype (OR=1.79, 95%CI 1.17-2.74, P=0.01). There was no statistical significance in CETP gene of the 4 genotype and allele frequency between the dyslipidemia and normal lipid groups in Kazak residents (all P>0.05). (2) In Uighur residents with dyslipidemia, HDL-C level was significantly higher in rs708272 TT genotype carriers than in CC and CT genotypes (all P<0.05) and in rs3764261 TT genotype carriers than in GG genotype carriers (P=0.008), while was significantly lower in rs1800775 CC genotype carriers with AA genotype carriers (P=0.008). (3) Linkage disequilibrium analysis showed that there was strong linkage disequilibrium between rs3764261 and rs708272 (D'=0.869, r(2)=0.869), rs1800775 and rs708272 (D'=0.845, r(2)=0.446) in Uighur residents, and there was strong linkage disequilibrium between rs3764261 and rs708272 (D'=0.963, r(2)=0.963), rs1800775 and rs708272 (D'=0.988, r(2)=0.630) in Kazak residents. (4) Significant differences were observed in frequency distribution of haplotype GACA(OR=0.579, 95%CI 0.388-0.864, P=0.006), GATA (OR=2.183, 95%CI 1.231-3.873, P=0.006), GCCA (OR=0.723, 95%CI 0.549-0.954, P=0.001), TATA (OR=0.723, 95%CI 0.549-0.954, P=0.021) and TATG (OR=0.601, 95%CI 0.429-0.841, P=0.002) in Uighur residents with normal or abnormal lipid profiles, while significant difference was observed in frequency distribution of haplotype GCCG (OR=1.961, 95%CI 1.207-3.188, P=0.005) in Kazak residents with normal or abnormal lipid profiles. CONCLUSION: CETP genotype rs708272, rs3764261 and rs1800775 polymorphism is closely related to dyslipidemia and haplotype GACA, TATA and TATG will reduce the risk of dyslipidemia, while haplotype GATA, GCCA will increase the risk of dyslipidemia in Uygur residents. The four CETP polymorphisms are not related to the risk of dyslipidemia, but haplotype GCCG is related to increased risk of dyslipidemia in Kazakhs residents.

Expression of N-cadherin in myocardial tissues during the development of a rat heart.

We investigated the expression and distribution of N-cadherin during the development of a rat heart. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to detect the expression and distribution of N-cadherin in the myocardial tissues of rats at embryonic day 18 (E18d), postnatal day 5 (P5d), postnatal day 19 (P19d), postnatal day 40 (P40d), and postnatal year 1 (P1y). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to determine mRNA expression levels of N-cadherin in the myocardial tissues at E18d, P5d, P19d, P40d, and P1y. The IHC results showed that at E18d N-cadherin was dispersedly distributed both on the cell surface and in the cytoplasm of the myocardial cells, and gradually became concentrated at the end-to-end intercalated discs of the cardiomyocytes from birth through immaturity. In the young, middle-aged, and old rats, N-cadherin was typically distributed at the intercalated discs at the end of the myocardial cells. No significant differences in the mRNA expression levels of N-cadherin were detected in the myocardial tissue of rats at E18d, P5d, P19d, P40d, and P1y. During the development of the rat heart, observable changes in the distribution of N-cadherin occurred in the myocardial tissues, but there were no detectable changes in the expression of N-cadherin, indicating that N-cadherin is indispensable to maintaining the physical structure and function of the heart.

Dynamical evaluation of vaginal micro-ecosystem in a Chinese woman with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.

We reported a rare case of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) in this study. Through dynamic evaluation of the vaginal micro-ecosystem, we found that only depuratory degree, spores, blastospores, and hyphae were specific indicators and the "barometer" of RVVC development. Therefore, an understanding of vaginal micro-ecological changes can help clinicians to improve the treatment of patients with RVVC.