Inulin alleviates adverse metabolic syndrome and regulates intestinal microbiota composition in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed with high-carbohydrate diet.

A high-carbohydrate diet could achieve a protein-sparing effect, but it may cause negative impacts on the growth condition of fish due to their poor utilisation ability of carbohydrate. How to reduce the adverse effects caused by a high-carbohydrate diet is important for the development of aquaculture. In the present study, we aimed to identify whether inulin could attenuate the metabolic syndrome caused by a high-carbohydrate diet in fish. Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) (1·19 (sd 0·01) g) were supplied with 35 % carbohydrate (CON), 45 % carbohydrate (HC) and 45 % carbohydrate + 5 g/kg inulin (HCI) diets for 10 weeks. The results showed that addition of inulin improved the survival rate when fish were challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila, indicating that inulin had an immunostimulatory effect. Compared with the HC group, the HCI group had lower lipid accumulation in liver and the gene expression analyses indicated that addition of inulin down-regulated genes related to lipogenesis and up-regulated genes relevant to ß-oxidation significantly (P < 0·05). Higher liver glycogen and glucose tolerance were found in the HCI group compared with the HC group (P < 0·05). These results indicated that inulin could alleviate the metabolic syndrome induced by a high-carbohydrate diet. Furthermore, addition of inulin to a high-carbohydrate diet changed the intestinal bacterial composition and significantly increased the concentration of acetic acid and propionic acid in fish gut which have the potential to increase pathogen resistance and regulate metabolic characteristics in fish. Collectively, our results demonstrated a possible causal role for the gut microbiome in metabolic improvements induced by inulin in fish.

Clinical features and prognostic factors of cervical villoglandular adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Villoglandular adenocarcinoma is a rare sub-type of cervical adenocarcinoma. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinicopathological features and evaluate the prognosis of patients with villoglandular adenocarcinoma of the cervix. METHODS: Patient characteristics, procedure, pathology, and surgical outcomes were retrospectively reviewed in patients with villoglandular adenocarcinoma between November 2006 and June 2019 from multiple centers in China. In order to explore the difference between villoglandular adenocarcinoma and routine adenocarcinoma, patients (FIGO 2009 stage IA1-IB2) who had complete data during the same time period were included. RESULTS: A total of 60 patients with villoglandular adenocarcinoma and 104 with standard adenocarcinoma were included. The median age of the patients with villoglandular adenocarcinoma was 42 years (range 27-68). The most common 2009 FIGO stage was IB1 in 39 (65%) patients with villoglandular adenocarcinoma. A total of 23 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery (two total hysterectomies, 21 radical hysterectomies) and the other 37 patients underwent laparotomy (three total hysterectomies, 34 radical hysterectomies). A total of 56 patients underwent lymphadenectomy and three (5.4%) had positive lymph nodes. Fifteen (25%) patients had one or both ovaries preserved. Seven patients were lost to follow-up. The median follow-up time for the entire group was 50.2 months (range 5.1-154.6). No deaths or recurrences occurred. Excluding six patients with FIGO 2009 stage II, the 5-year disease-free survival of the 47 patients with villoglandular adenocarcinoma with FIGO 2009 stage I for whom there was follow-up, was significantly higher than that of the 104 patients with standard cervical adenocarcinoma (100% vs 92.2%, log-rank p=0.039). However, the 5-year overall survival of the two groups did not differ (100% vs 95.7%, log-rank p=0.11). CONCLUSION: Villoglandular adenocarcinoma has a favorable prognosis. Further studies are needed to provide more details of treatment strategies and prognosis.

Protective immunity of grass carp induced by DNA vaccine encoding capsid protein gene (vp7) of grass carp reovirus using bacterial ghost as delivery vehicles.

Grass carp reovirus (GCRV) is one of the most pathogenic aquareovirus and can cause lethal hemorrhagic disease in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). However, management of GCRV infection remains a challenge. Therefore, it is necessary to find effective means for the control of its infection. The uses of bacterial ghost (BG, non-living bacteria) as carriers for DNA delivery have received considerable attentions in veterinary and human vaccines studies. Nevertheless, there is still no report about intramuscular administration of bacterial ghost-based DNA vaccines in fish. In the current study, a novel vaccine based on Escherichia coli DH5α bacterial ghost (DH5α-BG), delivering a major capsid protein gene (vp7) of grass carp reovirus encoded DNA vaccine was developed to enhance the efficacy of a vp7 DNA vaccine against GCRV in grass carp. The grass carp was injected intramuscularly by different treatments -i) naked pcDNA-vp7 (containing plasmid 1, 2.5 and 5 µg, respectively), ii) DH5α-BG/pcDNA-vp7 (containing plasmid 1, 2.5 and 5 µg, respectively) and iii) naked pcDNA, DH5α-BG or phosphate buffered saline. The immune responses and disease resistance of grass carp were assessed in different groups, and results indicated that the antibody levels, serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, acid phosphatase (ACP) activity and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity and immune-related genes were significantly enhanced in fish immunized with DH5α-BG/pcDNA-vp7 vaccine (DNA dose ranged from 2.5 to 5 µg). In addition, the relative percentage survival were significantly enhanced in fish immunized with DH5α-BG/pcDNA-vp7 vaccine and the relative percentage survival reached to 90% in DH5α-BG/pcDNA-vp7 group than that of naked pcDNA-vp7 (42.22%) at the highest DNA dose (5 µg) after 14 days of post infection. Moreover, the level of pcDNA-vp7 plasmid was higher in DH5α-BG/pcDNA-vp7 groups than naked pcDNA-vp7 groups in muscle and kidneys tissues after 21 days. Overall, those results suggested that DH5α bacterial ghost based DNA vaccine might be used as a promising vaccine for aquatic animals to fight against GCRV infection.

In vitro antiviral efficacy of moroxydine hydrochloride and ribavirin against grass carp reovirus and giant salamander iridovirus.

Moroxydine hydrochloride (Mor) and ribavirin (Rib) have been reported to exhibit multi-antiviral activities against DNA and RNA viruses, but their antiviral activities and pharmacologies have seldom been studied in aquaculture. This paper has selected 3 aquatic viruses including a double-stranded RNA virus (grass carp reovirus, GCRV), a single-stranded RNA virus (spring viraemia of carp virus, SVCV) and a DNA virus (giant salamander iridovirus, GSIV) for antiviral testing. The results showed that Mor and Rib can effectively control the infection of GCRV and GSIV in respective host cells. Further study was undertaken to explore the antivirus efficiencies and pharmacological mechanisms of Mor and Rib on GCRV and GSIV in vitro. Briefly, compounds showed over 50% protective effects at 15.9 µg ml-1 except for the group of GSIV-infected epithelioma papulosum cyprinid (EPC) cells treated with Mor. Moreover, Mor and Rib blocked the virus-induced cytopathic effects and apoptosis in host cells to keep the normal cellular structure. The expression of VP1 (GCRV) and major capsid protein (MCP; GSIV) gene was also significantly inhibited in the virus-infected cells when treated with Mor and Rib. Cytotoxicity assay verified the 2 compounds had no toxic effects on grass carp ovary (GCO) cells and EPC cells at ≤96 µg ml-1. In conclusion, these results indicated that exposing GCRV-infected GCO cells and GSIV-infected EPC cells to Mor and Rib could elicit significant antiviral responses, and the 2 compounds have been shown to be promising agents for viral control in the aquaculture industry.

Effects of three strains of intestinal autochthonous bacteria and their extracellular products on the immune response and disease resistance of common carp, Cyprinus carpio.

The study isolated three strains of intestinal autochthonous bacteria Aeromonas veronii BA-1, Vibrio lentus BA-2, and Flavobacterium sasangense BA-3 from the intestinal tract of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio). To reveal the effects of these three strains of bacteria on the innate immunity of carp, the lysozyme, complement C3, total serum protein, albumin and globulin levels, respiratory burst activity, phagocytic activity by blood leucocytes and the expression of IL-1b, lysozyme-C, and TNF-α were examined after feeding with seven different diets for up to 28 days. Also the survival of carp against Aeromonas hydrophila was challenged for 14 days. The carp were fed seven different diets: one control, three diets supplemented with 1 × 10(8) cell g(-1) of carp intestinal bacteria BA-1 (Group D-I), BA-2 (Group D-II) and BA-3 (Group D-III), and three diets supplemented with extracellular products FA-1 (Group E-I), FA-2 (Group E-II) and FA-3 (Group E-III) which were corresponding to the strains BA-1, BA-2, and BA-3, respectively, up to 28 days. For groups D-I, D-III, E-I and E-III, the innate immune parameters of carp were significantly increased, the expression of three immune-related genes in blood was significantly up-regulated examined during 7, 14, and 21 days of feeding, and the survival rate was improved. The study indicates that the two isolated intestinal autochthonous bacteria A. veronii BA-1 and F. sasangense BA-3 could positively influence immune response and enhance disease resistance of carp against A. hydrophila infection.

In vitro immunocompetence of two compounds isolated from Polygala tenuifolia and development of resistance against grass carp reovirus (GCRV) and Dactylogyrus intermedius in respective host.

The present study was undertaken to isolate some compounds from methanol extract of Polygala tenuifolia and evaluate their immunostimulatory properties and antiviral activity using grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella kidney (CIK) cells and GCRV. By applying insecticidal bioassay-guided, chromatography techniques and successive recrystallization, two purified compounds were obtained. The changes of expression of selected immune genes (Mx1, IL-1ß, TNFα, MyD88 and IgM) in C. idella kidney cell lines were evaluated after exposure to these isolated compounds. The results showed that compound 1 and 2 up-regulated to varying degrees of Mx1, IL-1ß, TNFα, and MyD88 in C. idella kidney cells. WST-8 kit assay verified the two compounds has no toxic effects on CIK cell, and furthermore, have in vitro antivirus activity. Especially, that there is keeping 79% cell viability when exposure to compound 2 (100 mg L(-1)). According to in vivo insecticidal assays against Dactylogyrus intermedius, compound 2 exhibited higher efficacy than compound 1, which was found to be 87.2% effective at the concentrations of 5 mg L(-1) and safe to goldfish (Carassius auratus). Besides, the purified compounds were identified by spectral data as: (1) 1,5-Anhydro-D-glucitol and (2) 3,4,5-trimethoxy cinnamic acid. Overall, the results indicate that bath administration of these compounds modulates the immune related genes in C. idella kidney cells and to some extent, eliminate the virus and parasitic infections.

Aquatic environmental safety assessment and inhibition mechanism of chemicals for targeting Microcystis aeruginosa.

Cyanobacteria are a diverse group of Gram-negative bacteria that produce an array of secondary compounds with selective bioactivity against vertebrates, invertebrates, fungi, bacteria and cell lines. Recently the main methods of controlling cyanobacteria are using chemicals, medicinal plants and microorganism but fewer involved the safety research in hydrophytic ecosystems. In search of an environmentally safe compound, 53 chemicals were screened against the developed heavy cyanobacteria bloom Microcystis aeruginosa using coexistence culture system assay. The results of the coexistence assay showed that 9 chemicals inhibited M. aeruginosa effectively at 20 mg L(-1) after 7 days of exposure. Among them dimethomorph, propineb, and paraquat were identified that they are safe for Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus obliquus, Carassius auratus (Goldfish) and Bacillus subtilis within half maximal effective concentration (EC50) values 5.2, 4.2 and 0.06 mg L(-1) after 7 days, respectively. Paraquat as the positive control observed to be more efficient than the other compounds with the inhibitory rate (IR) of 92% at 0.5 mg L(-1). For the potential inhibition mechanism, the chemicals could destroy the cell ultrastructure in different speed. The safety assay proved dimethomorph, propineb and paraquat as harmless formulations or products having potential value in M. aeruginosa controlling, with the advantage of its cell morphology degrading ability.

Computed-tomography-based radiomic nomogram for predicting the risk of indeterminate small (5-20 mm) solid pulmonary nodules

PURPOSE: This study aims to develop a diagnostic model that combines computed tomography (CT) images and radiomic features to differentiate indeterminate small (5-20 mm) solid pulmonary nodules (SSPNs). METHODS: This study retrospectively enrolled 413 patients who had had SSPNs surgically removed and histologically confirmed between 2017 and 2019. The SSPNs included solid malignant pulmonary nodules (n = 210) and benign pulmonary nodules (n = 203). The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator was used for radiomic feature selection, and random forest algorithms were used for radiomic model construction. The clinical model and nomogram were established using univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses combined with clinical symptoms, subjective CT findings, and radiomic features. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the performance of the models. RESULTS: The AUC for the clinical model was 0.77 in the training cohort [n = 289; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.71-0.82; P = 0.001] and 0.75 in the validation cohort (n = 124; 95% CI: 0.66-0.83; P = 0.016). The AUCs for the nomogram were 0.92 (95% CI: 0.89-0.95; P < 0.001) and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.78-0.91; P < 0.001), respectively. The radiomic score (Rad-score), sex, pleural indentation, and age were the independent predictors that were used to build the nomogram. CONCLUSION: The radiomic nomogram derived from clinical features, subjective CT signs, and the Rad-score can potentially identify the risk of indeterminate SSPNs and aid in the patient's preoperative diagnosis.

The Recipient Vessel Hemodynamic Features Affect the Occurrence of Cerebral Edema in Moyamoya Disease After Surgical Revascularization: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

Objective: In moyamoya disease (MMD) with direct or combined revascularization, the initially hemodynamic recipient features are likely one of the main causes of acute hemodynamic disruption. Previous studies have explored the relationship between recipient diameter or flow velocity and postoperative complications, but there are still no optimal selection criteria with multiple potential recipient vessels. Cerebral edema is one of the most common radiological manifestations in the acute postoperative period. This study assessed the hemodynamic characteristics of cortex vessels related to postoperative cerebral edema. Methods: All patients who had undergone direct or combined revascularization with preoperative digital subtraction angiography (DSA) between 2019 and 2021 were eligible for inclusion in this study. The application of DSA was performed and regular radiological examinations were employed after surgery. DSA was analyzed with the hemodynamic features within chosen recipient vessels. Cerebral edema was identified as a low-density image on CT or high signaling in the MRI T2 phase. The recipient hemodynamic characteristics and demographic presentation, as well as clinical data, were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Results: A total of 103 patients underwent direct or combined revascularization with preoperative DSA. The mean age of this enrolled cohort was 44.31 ± 10.386 years, in which bilaterally involved MMD accounted for the main part. The preliminary correlation analysis found preoperative disease period (p = 0.078), recipients observed in angiography (p = 0.002), and surgery on the left (p = 0.097) may be associated with cerebral edema. The following regression analysis confirmed low occurrence of cerebral edema was accompanied by recipients observed in angiography (p = 0.003). After subdividing by flow direction and hemodynamic sources, the incidence rate of anterograde direction, anterior sources, and posterior sources were significantly lower than undetected recipients. Conclusions: Cerebral edema is a common radiological manifestation in MMDs after surgery. In this study, the observation in angiography reliably identifies a variety of physiological or pathological recipient detection, flow direction, and hemodynamic sources in patients with MMD after revascularization, which indicates the selection strategy of potential recipients and highlights the importance of recipient observability in DSA. Meanwhile, vascular conditions determined by recipient hemodynamics meditate the occurrence of postoperative cerebral edema.

Bloody fluids located between the temporal muscle and targeted cerebral cortex affect the establishment of indirect collaterals in Moyamoya disease with surgical bypass: A case-control study.

Objective: Bypass yields favorable outcomes in the treatment of Moyamoya disease (MMD). Bloody fluids accumulate between the targeted cortex and the temporal muscle after surgical bypass. These fluids are handled empirically via subcutaneous tubes or conservative treatments. However, substances located in certain positions may adversely affect the establishment of indirect collaterals (ICs) from muscular grafts. Methods: Patients in our hospital from January 2014 to December 2019 were eligible for inclusion. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and radiological examinations were used during the perioperative and follow-up periods. Bloody fluid volumes were calculated using computed tomography- (CT-) based 3D Slicer software. The characteristics of bloody fluids, patient demographics, and clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Results: In total, 110 patients underwent indirect or combined bypass with follow-up DSA. The mean age of the enrolled patients was 42.4 ± 11.8 years. Previous ischemia (p = 0.001), previous hemorrhage (p = 0.013), bloody fluid volume (p = 0.049), and the time of imaging (p = 0.081) were associated with indirect outcomes. Ordinal regression analysis confirmed that good indirect outcomes were associated with previous ischemia (p < 0.001) and a large bloody fluid volume (p = 0.013). Further subgroups based on fluid volume were significantly correlated with IC establishment (p = 0.030). Conclusions: A large bloody fluid volume and previous ischemic history were associated with good indirect outcomes. The presence of bloody fluids may reflect impaired degrees of muscular donors due to bipolar electrocoagulation, thus highlighting the importance of appropriate application of bipolar forceps.

Development of a fiber-optic laser delivery system capable of delivering 213 and 266 nm pulsed Nd:YAG laser radiation for tissue ablation in a fluid environment.

Ultraviolet (UV) lasers have the capability to precisely remove tissue via ablation; however, due to strong absorption of the applicable portion the UV spectrum, their surgical use is currently limited to extraocular applications at the air/tissue boundary. Here we report the development and characterization of a fiber-optic laser delivery system capable of outputting high-fluence UV laser pulses to internal tissue surfaces. The system has been developed with a view to intraocular surgical applications and has been demonstrated to ablate ocular tissue at the fluid/tissue boundary. The fifth (213 nm) and fourth(266 nm) harmonics of a Nd:YAG laser were launched into optical fibers using a hollow glass taper to concentrate the beam. Standard and modified silica/silica optical fibers were used, all commercially available. The available energy and fluence as a function of optical fiber length was evaluated and maximized. The maximum fluence available to ablate tissue was affected by the wavelength dependence of the fiber transmission; this maximum fluence was greater for 266 nm pulses (8.4 J/cm2) than for 213 nm pulses (1.4 J/cm2). The type of silica/silica optical fiber used did not affect the transmission efficiency of 266 nm pulses, but transmission of 213 nm pulses was significantly greater through modified silica/silica optical fiber. The optical fiber transmission efficiency of 213 nm pulses decreased as a function of number of pulses transmitted, whereas the transmission efficiency of 266 nm radiation was unchanged. Single pulses have been used to ablate fresh porcine ocular tissue. In summary, we report a method for delivering the fifth (213 nm) and fourth (266 nm) harmonics of a Nd:YAG laser to the surface of immersed tissue, the reliability and stability of the system has been characterized, and proof of concept via tissue ablation of porcine ocular tissue demonstrates the potential for the intraocular surgical application of this technique.

[The impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy on bone mineral density in human immunodeficiency virus infected patients].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)on bone mineral density(BMD) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients and correlating clinical factors. METHODS: The clinical data from 2007 to 2008 were analyzed, including 50 patients treated with HAART (named treated group), 12 HIV-infected antiretroviral-naive patients (named untreated group) and 20 healthy people (named control group). Lumbar, femoral neck, femur, femoral greater trochanter and whole body BMD were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The data were respectively analyzed. RESULTS: There were 19(38.0%) patients with osteopenia and 1 (2.0%) patient with osteoporosis in the treated group. There were 6 (50.0%) patients with osteopenia and 2 (16.7%) patient with osteoporosis in the untreated group. There were 5 (25.0%) patients with osteopenia, no one with osteoporosis in the control group. The prevalence of osteopenia/osteoporosis was statistically higher in the untreated group than that in the control group (P=0.02). The BMD of femur, femoral neck and greater trochanter [(0.97±0.14), (0.91±0.13), (0.76±0.12) g/cm2] in the HIV-infected group (including the treated and untreated group) were significantly lower than that in the control group [(1.04±0.12), (0.98±0.14), (0.84 ± 0.11) g/cm2, P<0.05]. There were no significantly differences in the BMD between the untreated group and the treated group. In the treated group, osteopenia/osteoporosis correlated with body weight less than 60 kg (r=0.074, P=0.004) and the viral load before HAART (r=5.103, P=0.021). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in antiretroviral-naive HIV-infected patients is higher. The BMD of HIV-infected patients are reduced compared with the healthy people. The BMD is similar among HIV-infected patients irrespective of antiretroviral treatment. Body weight less than 60 kg and the viral load before HAART are the risk factors of osteopenia/osteoporosis for the HIV-infected antiretroviral patients.

[Optical and spectral parameters in Ce3+ -doped gadolinium gallium aluminum garnet glass-ceramics].

The crystalline phases of Ce3+ -doped gadolinium gallium aluminum garnet (GGAG) glass-ceramics were investigated by X-ray diffraction, and the fluorescence spectra were recorded under the pumping of blue light-emitting diode (LED) using an integrating sphere of 10-inch in diameter, which connected to a CCD detector. The spectral power distribution of the glass-ceramics was obtained from the measured spectra first, and then the quantum yield was derived based on the photon distribution. The quantum yield of Ce3+ emission in GGAG glass-ceramics is 29.2%, meanwhile, the color coordinates and the correlated color temperature (CCT) of combined white light were proved to be x = 0.319, y = 0.349 and 6086 K, respectively. Although the quantum yield is a little smaller than the value in Ce3+ -doped YAG glass-ceramics, the CCT of the combined white light is much smaller than that in the latter. The optical behavior of GGAG glass-ceramics provides new vision for developing comfortable LED lighting devices.

Insights into the evolution of myosin light chain isoforms and its effect on sensory defects of dry-cured ham.

To better understand the contribution of myosin light chain (MLC) isoforms to sensory defects in Jinhua ham, dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP) activities, peptide fragments, cleavage sites and the potential of DPP to develop sensory defects of dry-cured ham were evaluated and discussed in normal and defective hams. Higher residual activities of DPP I were found in defective ham compared with normal ham; approximate 3-fold peptide fragments were identified in defective ham than in normal ham. These regions of positions 11-35 and 116-141 in MLC 1, 13-53 and 139-156 in MLC 2, and 18-50 in MLC 3 contributed to the intense generation of peptide fragments in defective ham. PLS-DA further revealed DPP I showing intense response to degrade peptides. Cleavage sites including Glu-128, Tyr-132 and Glu-133 were responsible for the intense release of dipeptides in defective ham. These cleavages could play key role in discriminating taste attributes between defective and normal hams.

[Effect of electroacupuncture with different frequencies on hindlimb locomotor function and expression of LC3, Beclin 1 and cleaved Caspase-3 proteins in spinal cord injury rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of different frequencies of electroacupuncture (EA) on motor function and expression of autophagy-related proteins microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3), etc. in spinal cord injury (SCI) rats, so as to reveal its underlying mechanisms and provide a reference for clinical application. METHODS: A total of 100 male SD rats were randomly divided into sham control, model, 2 Hz-EA, 100 Hz-EA and 2 Hz/100 Hz-EA groups(n=20 in each group). EA (2 Hz, 100 Hz or 2 Hz/100 Hz, 0.4-0.5-0.6 mA increased by 0.1 mA every10 min) was applied to "HuatuoJiaji" (EX-HN1, T9 and T11) for 30 min, once a day for 7 days. The rat's hindlimb motor function was assessed by using Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan(BBB) locomotor rating scale, inclined plane test and plantar imprinting test, separately. The histological changes and neuronal apoptosis of the spinal cord tissue were observed by Fluoro-Jade B (FJB) and Nissl staining, respectively. The expression of LC3, Beclin 1 and cleaved Caspase-3 proteins in the spinal cord was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: After modeling, the BBB scores and the angles of inclined plane on day 1, 3 and 7 were significantly decreased (P<0.001), and the number of FJB positive cells, and the expression levels of Beclin 1 and cleaved Caspase-3 proteins were considerably increased in the model group compared with the sham control group (P<0.001, P<0.05). After EA intervention, the BBB score and the angles of inclined plate on day 3 in the 2 Hz/100 Hz-EA group (rather than in the 2 Hz- and 100 Hz-EA groups), the BBB score and the angles of inclined plate on day 7 in both 2 Hz/100 Hz and 100 Hz-EA groups(rather than in the 2 Hz-EA group), and the expression levels of Beclin 1 and LC3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ in both 2 Hz/100 Hz and 100 Hz-EA groups (rather than in the 2 Hz-EA group) on day 7 were obviously increased (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.05), while the number of FJB-positive neurons in the 3 EA groups, and the expression of cleaved Caspase-3 protein in both 2 Hz/100 Hz and 100 Hz-EA groups and the LC3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ in the 2 Hz-EA group were obviously decreased relevant to the model group (P<0.001, P<0.05). The expression of Beclin 1 in the 100 Hz-EA group was obviously decreased relevant to the 2 Hz/100 Hz-EA group (P<0.05) .Nissl staining displayed appearance of cavities and fuzzy shape of Nissl bodies with light coloration in the injured spinal cord of model group, which was milder in both 2 Hz/100 Hz-EA and 100 Hz-EA groups. Plantar imprinting tests showed dragging gait prints in the model group due to disability in movement, and relatively distinct foot imprints in both 2 Hz/100 Hz and 100 Hz-EA groups. CONCLUSION: Both 100 Hz and 2 Hz/100 Hz-EA can effectively promote the recovery of hindlimb locomotor function of SCI rats, which may be related to its function in promoting autophagy of damaged nerve cells and in reducing neuronal apoptosis.

Evaluating the effect of protein modifications and water distribution on bitterness and adhesiveness of Jinhua ham.

Defects with textures and flavors are a common problem, causing many economic losses in the dry-cured ham industry. To obtain a better understanding of the defects of dry-cured ham, texture, protein denaturation, protein structure, and water distribution of normal and defective hams were investigated. Compared with normal ham, more than 1.5-fold values in adhesiveness and bitterness, and less than 0.8-fold values in hardness were found in defective ham. The intense denaturation of sarcoplasmic proteins and actin, and the dramatic transformation of α-helix to ß-sheet were the key modification of proteins; a high proportion (92.39%) of immobile water contributed to the excessive softness and adhesiveness of defective hams. Furthermore, high denaturation of proteins could accelerate the degradation of proteins, which further developed the bitterness and adhesiveness of defective hams. Partial least squares regression demonstrated that the discrepancies in protein denaturation, protein structure and water distribution were related with bitterness and adhesiveness of Jinhua ham.

Label-free proteomics reveals the mechanism of bitterness and adhesiveness in Jinhua ham.

To obtain better understanding of the formation mechanisms of bitterness and adhesiveness, protease activities, proteolysis index and protein degradation were investigated among raw, normal and defective hams. Normal and defective hams both showed a decrease in cathepsin B and B + L activities compared with raw ham, while higher residual activities were observed in defective ham. Approximate 1.2-fold values of proteolysis index were observed in defective ham than in normal ham, indicating that cathepsin B and B + L activities were key contributors in degrading muscle proteins of dry-cured ham. 322 proteins were identified by label-free proteomics, and 49 down-regulated proteins were found in the comparison between normal and defective hams. Creatine kinase, myosin, α-actinin and troponin-T showed the most intense response to bitterness and adhesiveness of dry-cured ham, confirmed by partial least squares regression analysis. Myosin could be a suitable biomarker to monitor bitterness and adhesiveness of dry-cured ham.

Study of retinal microvessels in a Rhesus monkey model of chronic high intraocular pressure.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in retinal vessels, especially macular capillaries, under high IOP using the Rhesus monkey high IOP model. METHODS: The trabecular meshwork of the adult Rhesus monkey was cauterized by laser to induce increased IOPs with different degrees of damage. The eyeballs were enucleated, and the optic nerves were stained with toluidine blue in semithick slices. Part of the retina was observed under electron microscope, and the rest was stained by the ADPase method. The damage levels of the optic nerve were evaluated by axon count, and the pathological appearance of the macular capillaries were observed. RESULTS: Five mildly damaged eyes, three moderately damaged eyes and three severely damaged eyes were evaluated. Dense and intact perifoveal vascular rings were observed in all the eyes. The vessels' area percentages, as well as area, perimeter and diameter of the foveal avascular zones, were measured, and no statistically differences were found among different groups (P-values were 0.269, 0.500, 0.951, and 0.555 separately). The ultra structures of the normal capillaries showed regular tubes and intact basement membranes, while lipoid substances in capillary tubes, swollen mitochondria in endothelial cell bodies, and uneven basement membranes were found in the high IOP-damaged eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with normal eyes, no obvious differences were found in macular microvessels and foveal avascular zones in the Rhesus monkey model of high IOP. However, presence of swollen mitochondria in endothelial cells and lipoid substances in capillary tubes might suggest that high IOP could damage the capillary endothelial cells.

Effects of moroxydine hydrochloride and ribavirin on the cellular growth and immune responses by inhibition of GCRV proliferation.

Moroxydine hydrochloride (Mor) and ribavirin (Rib) are known for their multi-antiviral activities against DNA and RNA viruses but little information is available about the pharmacological impact in aquaculture. The present study was undertaken to investigate the response of host cells to antiviral compounds during the anti-GCRV treatment. The scanning electron microscope results showed that Ctenopharyngodon idella kidney (CIK) cells have a higher death rate at 72h post virus infection. At the concentration of 40µgmL-1, Mor and Rib had a significant protective effect on virus-infected cells. Moreover, the gene expressions of vp5, vp6 and NS66 were significantly inhibited by treatment with Mor or Rib, especially gene expression of the vp5. For the immunoregulatory action, no distinct induction of the expression of immune genes was observed after the addition of Mor and Rib to the virus-free cells. However, the compounds significantly decreased the virus-induced gene overexpression of Myd88, Mx1, IL-1ß, IL-8, I-IFN and TNFα in CIK cells. Moreover, Mor and Rib significantly inhibited the immune genes upregulation which was induced by GCRV in kidney, liver, muscle and gill of grass carp, despite greater partial gene expressions were detected than the virus-free control group. Besides, Mor and Rib blocked cell cycle changes, cytopathic effects, cellular death and virus proliferation in CIK cells thereby maintaining normal morphological structure. Overall, Mor and Rib as antiviral compounds are effective for the control of GCRV replication and the indirectly regulation of cellular immune response.

Increased levels of transforming growth factor-betal and -beta2 in the aqueous humor of patients with neovascular glaucoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To measure the concentrations of transforming growth factor-betal and beta2 (TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2) in the aqueous humor of patients with neovascular glaucoma (NVG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were divided into four groups: NVG secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (group 1), NVG secondary to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (group 2), central retinal vein occlusion without rubeosis (group 3), and senile cataract (group 4). The total TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta2 concentrations in the aqueous humor of the four groups were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The mean concentrations of total TGF-betal were 600.7 +/-436.7 microg/mL in group 1, 802.0 +/-359.5 pg/mL in group 2, and undetectable in groups 3 and group 4 (P < .05). The mean concentrations of total TGF-beta2 were 6,307.9+/- 2,206.2 microg/mL in group 1, 5,908.0+/-2,033.2 microg/mL in group 2, 899.7+/- 425.6 microg/mL in group 3, and 385.7 +/-89.9 microg/mL in group 4. The total TGF-betal and TGF-beta2 concentrations in groups 1 and 2 were significantly higher than those in groups 3 and 4, whereas the total TGF-beta2 concentration in group 3 was significantly higher than that in group 4 (P < .05). There was no significant difference in the TGF-betal or TGF-beta2 concentrations between groups 1 and 2 (P> .05). CONCLUSIONS: The abnormally high concentrations of TGF-betal and TGF-beta2 in the aqueous humor of patients with NVG may explain some aspects of the pathogenesis of NVG and the high failure rate of filtering operations in NVG.