[A multi-dimensional analysis of pollen broadcasting concerns in Chinese population: a large-scale multi-center cross-sectional survey].

Objective: To investigate the concern about pollen broadcasting in Chinese population from multiple dimensions and to understand the information about allergic rhinitis (AR) in China by analyzing related factors. Methods: From March 1 to September 30, 2022, a large-scale multi-center cross-sectional survey was conducted based on the Questionnaire Star platform in 21 Chinese hospitals. A total of 7 056 subjects from 7 regions in China: Northeast, North, East, Central, South, Southwest, and Northwest China were included. Basic characteristics (including social demographic characteristics and disease characteristics of AR patients), concern about pollen broadcasting, the willingness of pollen-induced AR (PiAR) patients to receive pollen broadcasting, and the treatment satisfaction rate of AR patients were collected. The chi-square test, multivariate linear regression model, and Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the concern about pollen broadcasting in the Chinese population and related factors from multiple dimensions. Results: Among 7 056 subjects, 23.02% were concerned about pollen broadcasting. Among 3 176 self-reported AR and 1 019 PiAR patients, 25.60% and 39.16% were concerned about pollen broadcasting, respectively, which was higher than that of non-AR or non-PiAR subjects (χ2 value was 21.74 and 175.11, respectively, both P<0.001). Among AR patients, the proportion of spring and autumn allergen-positive patients concerned about pollen broadcasting was higher than that in perennial allergen-positive patients (χ2 value was 20.90 and 19.51, respectively, both P<0.001). The proportion of AR patients with asthma, sinusitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases was higher than those without complications (χ2 value was 50.83, 21.97, 56.78, 7.62, respectively, all P<0.05). The proportion of AR patients in North China who could find pollen broadcasting locally was 31.01%, significantly higher than those in other regions (all P<0.05). Multivariate linear regression model analysis showed that among PiAR patients, those with higher per capita household income and higher AR disease cognition levels had been concerned about pollen broadcasting in the past, and those complicated with allergic conjunctivitis had stronger intention to receive pollen broadcasting (B value was 0.24, 0.13, 0.66, 0.47, respectively, all P<0.05). The higher the disease cognition level of PiAR patients, the stronger their willingness to actively participate in treatment (R2=0.72, P<0.001). Only 18.89% of AR patients felt satisfied with the treatment effect. Logistic regression analysis showed that in AR patients, the treatment satisfaction rate was significantly higher among those concerned about pollen broadcasting compared to those who were not (OR=1.83, P<0.001). Conclusions: Currently, the dissemination of pollen broadcasting in China is hindered by various factors such as disease cognition level. The treatment satisfaction among AR patients remains unsatisfactory.

[Association between periconceptional supplementation of folic acid or multiple-micronutrients containing folic acid and preterm delivery in women].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between periconceptional supplementation of folic acid or multiple-micronutrients containing folic acid(MMFA) and risk of preterm delivery in women with natural conception, singleton pregnancy and vaginal delivery. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed based on the prenatal health care system and hospital information system of Tongzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Beijing and the women who had their prenatal care in the hospital from January 2015 to December 2018 were included. The information of 16 332 women who conceived naturally, had a singleton pregnancy, and delivered vaginally was collected. Compliance scores were constructed based on the time of initiation and the frequency of taking nutritional supplements. The association between maternal periconceptional micronutrient supplementation, including pure folic acid (FA) pills or MMFA and the rate of preterm delivery was evaluated using Logistic regression models. RESULTS: The preterm delivery rate (gestational week < 37 weeks) of the study population was 3.8%, and the mean (standard deviation) of gestational age was (38.98±1.37) weeks. A total of 6 174 (37.8%) women took FA during the periconceptional period, 8 646 (52.9%) women took MMFA, and 1 512 (9.3%) women did not take any nutritional supplements. The association between periconceptional supplementation of FA or MMFA and risk of preterm delivery in women was not statistically significant [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=1.01, 95%CI: 0.74-1.37]. The associations with preterm birth were not statistically significant in further analysis by the type of nutritional supplements, time of initiation, and the frequency of supplementation. In addition, the association between the compliance score of taking supplements and the rate of preterm delivery was not statistically significant, either. CONCLUSION: This study did not find an association between the risk of preterm delivery and the use of FA or MMFA during the periconcep-tional period in women with natural conception, singleton pregnancy, and vaginal delivery. In the future, multicenter studies with large-scale prospective cohort or population-based randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm the association between taking FA or MMFA during the periconceptional period and preterm delivery among women.

The effect of salvianolate on cardiomyocyte remodeling improvement after myocardial infarction through calcineurin/nuclear factor C3 of the activated T cell/B-myosin heavy chain pathway regulation.

Enormous evidences in clinic and experimental studies have demonstrated that salvianolate (Sal) could treat cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction (MI), but the underlying mechanism was still needed to be explored. This study aims to investigate the effect of Sal on cardiomyocyte remodeling after MI in rats and explore whether the possible mechanism was related to decreasing the ß-myosin heavy chain (ß-MHC) expression in cardiomyocytes via the calcineurin (CaN)/nuclear factor C3 of the activated T cell (NFATc3) pathway. Both MI model and angiotensin II induced primary myocardial cells obtained from rats were used in this study. After treatment with Sal, the cardiac function was assessed by color Doppler echocardiography, while MI area, myocardial cell area and heart mass index (HMI) were analyzed via Masson and hematoxylin and eosin staining (HE) stain, respectively. Additionally, CaN activity, and CaN, NFATc3, ß-MHC mRNA and protein expressions in myocardial tissue and myocardial cells were tested via corresponding methods, mainly including real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blot (WB), immunohistochemistry and fluorescence staining analysis. As a result we obtained the high dose of Sal in vivo could perform beneficial effects on cardiomyocyte remodeling of MI rats, mainly manifesting as improving fractional shortening and ejection fraction rates, reducing the MI area, myocardial cross-sectional area and HMI (P<0.05, 0.01), inhibiting the activity of CaN in myocardial tissue, down-regulating b-MHC mRNA and protein expressions, and decreasing the nuclear translocation of NFATc3 (P<0.05). In the in vitro experiments, 10 µmol/L of Sal could inhibit the increase of the myocardial cell area and CaN activity, down-regulate the mRNA and protein of CaN A subunit, ß-MHC; and inhibit the nuclear translocation of NFATc3 (P<0.05, 0.01). In conclusion: use of Sal can improve cardiomyocyte remodeling and down-regulate the expression of ß-MHC in cardiomyocytes, of which the mechanism might be related to the reduction of the nuclear translocation of NFATc3 as well as the down-regulation of CaNA subunit expression and/or the inhibition of CaN activity. The results will provide a laboratory basis for the clinical application of Sal.

[Identification of traditional Chinese drugs containing active ingredients for treating myocardial infarction and analysis of their therapeutic mechanisms by network pharmacology and molecular docking].

OBJECTIVE: To identify traditional Chinese drugs that contain active ingredients for treatment of myocardial infarction (MI) and explore their therapeutic mechanisms using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. METHODS: The TCMSP database was used for screening the traditional Chinese drugs containing active ingredients for treating MI, and the related targets of MI and the candidate drugs were obtained from Genecards, OMIM, PharmGkb and PharmMapper databases. The common target network of the drug targets and disease targets was established using Venny2.1.0 software. GO and KEGG signal pathway enrichment analysis of the common targets was performed, and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed for the targets. The targets in the PPI network were analyzed to identify the key targets, for which GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed. Molecular docking was performed for the candidate ingredients and the key targets, and a total score ≥6 was used as the criteria for screening the therapeutic ingredients and their docking binding with key targets was verified. A human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) model of oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) was used to validate the candidate ingredients and the key therapeutic targets for MI by Western blotting. RESULTS: Our analysis identified Salvia miltiorrhiza and Dalbergiae odoriferae as the candidate drugs rich in active ingredients for treatment of MI. These ingredients involved 16 key therapeutic targets for MI, which participated in such biological processes as inflammatory response, angiogenesis, energy metabolism and oxidative stress and the pathways including HIF-1, VEGF, and TNF pathways. Sclareol and PTGS2 in Salvia miltiorrhiza and formononetin and KDR in Dalbergiae odoriferae all had high docking total scores. Western blotting showed that at medium and high doses, sclareol significantly inhibited PTGS2 expression and formononetin promoted KDR expressions in the cell models in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both Salvia miltiorrhiza and Dalbergiae odoriferae have good therapeutic effects on MI. Sclareol in Salvia miltiorrhiza and formononetin in Dalbergiae odoriferae regulate the expressions of KDR and PTGS2, respectively, to modulate the inflammatory response, angiogenesis, oxidative stress and energy metabolism and thus produce myocardial protective effects.

[24 hours urinary sodium and potassium excretion and association with blood pressure among people aged 18-75 years old in six Chinese provinces].

Objective: To analyze the level of sodium and potassium intake and their association with blood pressure among people aged 18 to 75 years old in six provinces. Methods: From October to December 2018, participants aged 18 to 75 years were selected from Hebei, Hunan, Sichuan, Jiangxi, Qinghai and Heilongjiang provinces by using cluster random sampling method. Demographic characteristics and lifestyle information were collected by using questionnaire survey. Physical measurement and 24-hour urine collection were also conducted. Results: A total of 2 636 subjects were finally included in the analysis. The average urine sodium, potassium and sodium-to-potassium molar ratio were(4 438.4±1 822.8)mg/d, (1 566.2±646.3)mg/d, and 5.2±2.2, respectively. According to World Health Organization standards, 94.5% and 98.7% of the respondents had excessive sodium intake and insufficient potassium intake. After adjusting for related factors, each 1 000 mg increase in sodium excretion was associated with increased systolic blood pressure (1.65 mmHg, 95%CI: 1.07, 2.22) and diastolic blood pressure (0.53 mmHg, 95%CI: 0.21, 0.84), and each 1 000 mg increase in potassium excretion was associated with decreased systolic blood pressure (3.02 mmHg, 95%CI:-4.25, -1.80) and diastolic blood pressure (1.27 mmHg, 95%CI:-2.05, -0.48). Conclusion: The sodium intake in Chinese population remains excessive and potassium intake is insufficient. Sodium and potassium could be associated with blood pressure and the intervention of reducing sodium and supplementing potassium should be conducted in the corresponding population.

[Effects of estrogen and remifemin on neuronal nitric oxide synthase and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 in submandibular gland of ovariectomized rats].

Objective: To investigate the effects of estrogen and remifemin on the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, member 1 and 3 (M1 and M3 receptor) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the submandibular gland of rats. Methods: Forty SD female adult rats were divided into SHAM group (sham operation), OVX group (ovarian removal), OVX+E group (ovarian removal + estrogen treatment) and OVX+ICR group (ovarian removal + remifemin treatment), 10 per group. The rats were recovered for 2 weeks after operation. The SHAM group and the OVX group were treated with distilled water, the OVX+E group and the OVX+ICR group were treated with ß-estradiol and remifemin respectively. After 4 weeks, the location and expression of nNOS, TRPV1, M1 and M3 receptors in the submandibular gland were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The changes of AChE expression in rat submandibular gland were observed by AChE staining. Results: Compared with SHAM group (0.23±0.02, 0.28±0.01, 0.25±0.03, 0.19±0.03), the expression of nNOS, TRPV1, M1 and M3 receptors in OVX group (0.16±0.01, 0.21±0.01, 0.15±0.02, 0.09±0.02) were significantly lower (P<0.05); there were no significant difference between OVX+E group (0.23±0.01, 0.28±0.02, 0.23±0.03, 0.19±0.01) and SHAM group (P>0.05). But compared with OVX group, the expression of nNOS, TRPV1 and M3 receptors in OVX+ICR group were no significantly changed (P>0.05), and only M1 receptor expression (0.22±0.03) was significantly increased (P<0.05). The expression of AChE in OVX group (0.14±0.01) was significantly higher than that in SHAM group (0.10±0.01) (P<0.05). The expression of AChE in OVX+E group (0.15±0.01) was significantly higher than that in SHAM group (P<0.05). The expression of AChE in OVX+ICR group (0.09±0.01) was not significantly different from that in SHAM group (P>0.05). Conclusions: Estrogen can significantly increase the expression of nNOS and TRPV1 in the submandibular gland of rats, suggesting that estrogen may regulate the salivary secretion function of the submandibular gland through nNOS and TRPV1. The mechanism of remifemin is different from that of estrogen, and remifemin does not play a regulatory role by nNOS and TRPV1.

Prevalence of pollen-induced allergic rhinitis with high pollen exposure in grasslands of northern China.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of epidemiologic and physician-diagnosed pollen-induced AR (PiAR) in the grasslands of northern China and to study the impact of the intensity and time of pollen exposure on PiAR prevalence. METHODS: A multistage, clustered and proportionately stratified random sampling with a field interviewer-administered survey study was performed together with skin prick tests (SPT) and measurements of the daily pollen count. RESULTS: A total of 6043 subjects completed the study, with a proportion of 32.4% epidemiologic AR and 18.5% PiAR. The prevalence was higher in males than females (19.6% vs 17.4%, P = .024), but no difference between the two major residential and ethnic groups (Han and Mongolian) was observed. Subjects from urban areas showed higher prevalence of PiAR than rural areas (23.1% vs 14.0%, P < .001). Most PiAR patients were sensitized to two or more pollens (79.4%) with artemisia, chenopodium, and humulus scandens being the most common pollen types, which were similarly found as the top three sensitizing pollen allergens by SPT. There were significant regional differences in the prevalence of epidemiologic AR (from 18.6% to 52.9%) and PiAR (from 10.5% to 31.4%) among the six areas investigated. PiAR symptoms were positively associated with pollen counts, temperature, and precipitation (P < .05), but negatively with wind speed and pressure P < .05). CONCLUSION: Pollen-induced AR (PiAR) prevalence in the investigated region is extremely high due to high seasonal pollen exposure, which was influenced by local environmental and climate conditions.

[Effect and mechanism of intermittent alkaline stimulation on high phosphorus induced calcification in vascular smooth muscle cells of rats].

Objective: To explore the effect and possible mechanisms of intermittent alkaline on rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) calcification induced by high phosphorus. Methods: VSMCs were isolated from rat thoracic aorta and cultured in vitro. The fourth generation VSMCs were randomly divided into control group, high phosphorus+ pH7.4, high phosphorus+ pH7.5, high phosphorus+ pH7.6 and high phosphorus+ pH7.7 group with random number table. The control group was cultured in DMEM with 10% fetal bovine serum. Other groups were cultured in DMEM with 10 mmol/L ß-glycerophosphate and alkalized by 7.4% NaHCO(3) to adjust the pH respectively. After the intervention of 4 hours, the control group was replaced with the normal medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, the other 4 groups were replaced with high phosphorus based on the pH value of the culture medium, and then replaced the culture medium every other day. After 4 days intervention, the mRNA and protein expression of L type calcium channel ß(3) subunit(LTCC ß(3)) and Runt related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. After 4 days intervention, the level of VSMC calcium ion was detected by Fluo-3/AM. After 14 days intervention, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the calcification was observed by measuring calcium content. Results: (1) Compared with control group, the gene and protein expressions of LTCC ß(3) were higher in high phosphorus+ pH7.4 group (0.49±0.03 vs. 0.23±0.02 and 0.45±0.03 vs. 0.26±0.02 respectively, all P<0.05). Compared with high phosphorus+ pH7.4 group, the mRNA(0.86±0.05) and protein(0.62±0.04) expressions of LTCC ß(3) were higher in high phosphorus+ pH7.5 group (P<0.05). Compared with high phosphorus+ pH7.5 group, the mRNA(0.99±0.05) and protein(0.80±0.03) expressions of LTCC ß(3) were higher in high phosphorus+ pH7.5 group (all P<0.05). Compared with high phosphorus+ pH7.6 group, the mRNA(1.16±0.05) and protein(0.93±0.03) expressions of LTCC ß(3) were higher in high phosphorus+ pH7.7 group (all P<0.05). (2) Compared with control group, calcium ion influx were higher in high phosphorus+ pH7.4 group (124.61±6.06 vs. 75.68±7.82, P<0.05). Compared with high phosphorus+ pH7.4 group, calcium ion influx was higher in high phosphorus+ pH7.5 group(210.85±9.75, P<0.05). Compared with high phosphorus+ pH7.5 group, calcium ion influx was higher in high phosphorus+ pH7.6 group(298.44±11.42, P<0.05). Compared with high phosphorus+ pH7.6 group, calcium ion influx was higher in high phosphorus+ pH7.7 group(401.13±11.41, P<0.05). (3) Compared with control group, the mRNA and protein expressions of Runx2 and ALP were higher in high phosphorus+ pH7.4 group (0.60±0.04 vs. 0.34±0.03, 0.42±0.04 vs. 0.21±0.02, 67.2±4.3 vs. 23.2±2.3 respectively, all P<0.05). Compared with high phosphorus+ pH7.4 group, the mRNA(0.76±0.05) and protein(0.68±0.03) expressions of Runx2 and ALP(102.1±5.4) were higher in high phosphorus+ pH7.5 group (all P<0.05). Compared with high phosphorus+ pH7.5 group, the mRNA(0.90±0.05) and protein(0.90±0.05) expressions of Runx2 and ALP(139.3±4.9) were higher in high phosphorus+ pH7.6 group (all P<0.05). Compared with high phosphorus+ pH7.6 group, the mRNA(1.11±0.05) and protein(1.08±0.06) expressions of Runx2 and ALP(197.0±6.7) were higher in high phosphorus+ pH7.7 group (all P<0.05). (4) Compared with control group, the calcium content were higher in high phosphorus+ pH7.4 group ((75.4±4.3)mg/g pro vs.(25.2±2.1)mg/g pro, P<0.05). Compared with high phosphorus+ pH7.4 group, the calcium content were higher in high phosphorus+ pH7.5 group ((100.8±5.7) mg/g pro, P<0.05). Compared with high phosphorus+ pH7.5 group, the calcium content were higher in high phosphorus+ pH7.6 group ((143.5±6.1) mg/g pro, P<0.05). Compared with high phosphorus+ pH7.6 group, the calcium content were higher in high phosphorus+ pH7.7 group ((205.1±8.2) mg/g pro, P<0.05). Conclusion: Intermittent alkaline stimulation can promote high phosphorus induced rat VSMCs calcification possibly through upregulating LTCC ß(3) subunit gene and protein expression, increasing calcium ion influx and enhancing VSMCs phenotypic transformation.

[Role of nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1 on vascular calcification in rats with chronic renal failure].

Objective: To explore the role of nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1) on vascular calcification in chronic renal failure rats. Methods: Nineteen male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham-operated group (n=6), 5/6 Nephrectomy (Nx) group (n=6), 5/6 Nx+ calcitriol group (n=7). Vascular calcification was determined by von Kossa staining and orthocresolphthalein complexone (OCPC) method. Protein expressions of NFATc1 and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) in aortas were measured by immunohistochemistry.In vitro, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were primarily cultured and calcification was induced by ß-glycerophosphate (ß-GP). These cells were then randomly divided into control group, calcification group (10 mmol/L ß-GP) and cyclosporin A (CsA) intervention group (10 mmol/L ß-GP+ 1 µg/ml CsA). Calcium deposition was measured by Alizarin red staining and OCPC method; alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to observe the mRNA and protein expression of VSMCs NFATc1 and Runx2 respectively. Results: Compared to that in sham-operated and 5/6 Nx group, the expression of NFATc1 was obviously up-regulated in 5/6 Nx+ calcitriol group (7.20±0.46 vs 1.52±0.77, 2.04±1.31, P<0.05). In vitro, VSMCs calcification was successfully induced by high phosphorus environment, and RT-PCR and Western blotting showed that the expressions of NFATc1 and Runx2 were up-regulated (P<0.05). The calcification level in CsA intervention group was lower than that in calcification group [(60.86±7.95) vs (107.20±11.07) mg/g, P<0.05], and expression of Runx2 (mRNA and protein level) and ALP activity [(48.63±3.02) vs (98.75±3.46) U/g, P<0.05] decreased as well. Conclusion: NFATc1 contributes to accelerating vascular calcification in rat with chronic renal failure, the possible mechanism of which is that NFATc1 promotes VSMCs transformation to osteogenic phenotype.

Effects of feeding sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate diets to lactating sows on performance, digestibility of nutrients, composition, and fat globule size in milk.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of feeding sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate (SSL) as a new feeding emulsifier diet with and without soybean oil (SO) on the milk fat globule (MFG) size, milk composition, digestibility of nutrients, and performance in lactating sows. Sixty sows (Large White × Landrace) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments according to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Each treatment had 15 replicates composed of 1 sow. The factors included 1) the fat level (0% vs. 3% SO) and 2) the emulsifier content (0% vs. 0.1% SSL). Treatments included 1) Control (without SO and SSL), 2) SO (3% SO without SSL), 3) SSL (0.1% SSL without SO), and 4) SO + SSL (3% SO and 0.1% SSL). During the suckling period, sows in the SO + SSL group lost less back fat thickness ( < 0.05) compared to other groups; sows fed 3% SO diets consumed less feed ( < 0.05) compared to sows fed diets without SO, but there were no significant effects ( > 0.05) of dietary fat and its interaction with a dietary emulsifier on energy intake and the weaning-estrus interval. The digestibility of ether extract in the SO + SSL group was greater than in the SO group ( < 0.05). Moreover, greater digestibility of CP, Ca, and P in the SO+SSL group was observed compared to that of other groups ( < 0.05). Feeding the SO + SSL diet improved the concentrations of milk fat, protein, and total solids on d 11 of lactation compared to other diets ( < 0.05). Also, an interaction between supplemental SSL and SO was observed for the milk fat and total solids concentrations. The average diameter of MFG on d 11 of lactation was significantly decreased by the addition of 0.1% SSL compared to a diet with no SSL supplementation ( < 0.05). No significant differences among the dietary treatments were observed in cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in sows' plasma ( > 0.05). In conclusion, feeding a 0.1% SSL diet to lactating sows may decrease the average diameter of MFG and improve the digestibility of nutrients and composition of milk.

The relation of calcium-phosphorus metabolism-related indexes with cardiac damages.

OBJECTIVE: To observe and analyze the relation of calcium-phosphorus metabolism-related indexes with cardiac damage-related indexes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and to explore the roles of calcic and phosphor metabolization in cardiac damage and provide references for prevention of cardiovascular events in CKD patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 98 inpatients, from Urology Department, who were not undergoing dialysis treatment and diagnosed with stages 3, 4, and 5 CKD according to K/DOQI guide were recruited. We measured the calcium-phosphorus metabolism-related indexes (including serum calcium (Ca), the serum phosphate (Pi), the intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), the ß-collagen-specific sequences (ß-CTX), the total N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (TPINP), the N-terminal-mid fragment of osteocalcin (N-MID), the cardiac damage-related indexes (including left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), the interventricular septal thickness (IVST), the left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWT), the ejection fraction (EF), the blood flow velocity at mitral diastolic late phase (A) and mitral diastolic early phase (E) via echocardiography. Then, we conducted a correlation analysis employing these two types of indexes. RESULTS: We found an escalating trend in the level of calcium-phosphorus metabolism-related indexes from stage 3 to stage 5 CKD. The difference between stage 3 and 5 is statistically significant (p < 0.05) while that between stage 3 and 4 is not (p > 0.05). Among 98 CKD patients, the myocardial hypertrophy accounted for 35.9% (n = 36), the diastolic dysfunction accounted for 72.1% (n = 70), and systolic dysfunction accounted for 27.5% (n = 27). Levels of ß-CTX, N-MID, TP1NP, Pi, and iPTH are positively associated with the myocardial hypertrophy and yet negatively associated with cardiac systolic (EF) and diastolic function (A/E value). CONCLUSIONS: Calcium-phosphorus metabolism disorder in the context of kidney dysfunction may contribute to the damages of cardiac structure and functions.

Effects of beta 2 adrenergic agonists on axonal injury and mitochondrial metabolism in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis rats.

The primary aims of this study were to investigate mitochondrial metabolism during experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) animal model axonal injury and to determine the correlation among neurological function scores, pathological changes, and the activities of the BB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-BB), catalase (CAT), and calpain in the brain tissues of EAE rats. Another goal was to preliminarily define the mechanism of mitochondrial metabolism resulting from the effect of beta 2 adrenergic agonists in the process of EAE animal model axonal damage. EAE was induced in specific pathogen free Wistar rats by guinea pig spinal cord homogenate, complete Freund's adjuvant, and pertussis vaccine. We recorded the behavioral change in EAE rats, detected pathological changes in central nervous tissue, and observed the changes of the CK-BB, CAT, and calpain in the EAE rat brain and spinal cord. The results indicated that the average neurologic function score increased in the EAE group compared to that of the controls (P < 0.01). In addition, CAT and CK-BB activities significantly decreased and the calpain activity significantly increased compared with those of the control group (P < 0.05). The decrease of the activity of central nervous CK-BB and CAT content, as well as the increase of calpain activity at the highest time point were considered to be the consequences of EAE. Furthermore, the results revealed that use of salbutamol could alleviate disease symptoms and reduce the recurrence of the EAE disease.

Effects of DL-2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio) butanoic acid on broilers at different dietary inclusion rates.

1. A growth experiment was conducted to determine the effectiveness of liquid analogue, DL-2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio) butanoic acid (HMTBA), compared to powder DL-methionine (DLM), in commercial maize-soybean-meal broiler diets similar to those commonly used in China, on feed conversion ratio (FCR), growth performance and European Production Index (EPI) of broilers. 2. A 4 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement of treatments was used in which HMTBA or DLM was fed at 4 concentrations (low, medium, high and very-high inclusion rates) of supplementation at 100% equivalence on an equimolar basis. Negative control diets were commercial starter, grower and finisher feeds with no added methionine. A total of 1008 commercial-type Arbor Acres 1-d-old chicks were randomly distributed into 9 groups, with 8 replicates of 14 (7 male + 7 female) birds per treatment. 3. The body weight gain of the control group was significantly lower than that of the others in the starter period but did not show any differences during the other periods. The FCR of the control group was higher than that of the others except for those with HMTBA in the grower period. It was also observed that the FCR dropped as the supplemented concentration of methionine was increased regardless of the source. Some of the treatment groups produced a better breast yield than the control. The EPI between the two products did not show any significant difference. 4. In conclusion, both of the methionine sources were equally effective in ameliorating the effects of a dietary deficiency of total sulphur amino acids.

Effects of isobutyrate supplementation on ruminal microflora, rumen enzyme activities and methane emissions in Simmental steers.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of isobutyrate supplementation on rumen microflora, enzyme activities and methane emissions in Simmental steers consuming a corn stover-based diet. Eight ruminally cannulated Simmental steers were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square experiment. The treatments were control (without isobutyrate), low isobutyrate (LIB), moderate isobutyrate (MIB) and high isobutyrate (HIB) with 8.4, 16.8 and 25.2 g isobutyrate per steer per day respectively. Isobutyrate was hand-mixed into the concentrate portion. Diet consisted of 60% corn stover and 40% concentrate [dry matter (DM) basis]. Dry matter intake (averaged 9 kg/day) was restricted to a maximum of 90% of ad libitum intake. Population of total bacteria, cellulolytic bacteria and anaerobic fungi were linearly increased, whereas that of protozoa and total methanogens was linearly reduced with increasing isobutyrate supplementation. Real-time PCR quantification of population of Ruminococcus albus, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens and Fibrobacter succinogenes was linearly increased with increasing isobutyrate supplementation. Activities of carboxymethyl cellulase, xylanase and ß-glucosidase were linearly increased, whereas that of protease was linearly reduced. Methane production was linearly decreased with increasing isobutyrate supplementation. Effective degradabilities of cellulose and hemicellulose of corn stover were linearly increased, whereas that of crude protein in diet was linearly decreased with increasing isobutyrate supplementation. The present results indicate that isobutyrate supplemented improved microflora, rumen enzyme activities and methane emissions in steers. It was suggested that the isobutyrate stimulated the digestive micro-organisms or enzymes in a dose-dependent manner. In the experimental conditions of this trial, the optimum isobutyrate dose was approximately 16.8 g isobutyrate per steer per day.

Protective effect of icariin on kidney in 5/6 nephrectomized rats and its mechanism.

The aim of this study was to investigate the renal protective effect of icariin in 5/6 nephrectomized rats and the molecular mechanisms involved. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: sham-operated group, 5/6 nephrectomy model group, icariin groups (20 and 40 mg/kg), and benazepril group. After 12-weeks treatment, 24-h urine and serum were collected, and urine protein, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen were determined. The rats were then sacrificed and fresh kidney tissues were prepared to obtain single cell suspensions. Cell cycle distribution and cell apoptosis were determined by annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) double staining using a flow cytometer. mRNA expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was examined using quantitative real-time PCR. After 12-weeks treatment, urinary protein, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen in the icariin-treated group were much lower than in the untreated group compared with 5/6 nephrectomy model. Icariin reduced the percentage of S phase cells, increased the percentage of G0/M phase cells, and inhibited apoptosis in the renal cells. mRNA expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was decreased. In conclusion, icariin has a renal protective effect in 5/6 nephrectomized rats, which may be related mainly to alterations in cell cycle distribution and expression of apoptotic genes.

Effects of chromium picolinate on the viability of chick embryo fibroblast.

Chromium picolinate (CrPic), which is used as a nutritional supplement and to treat type 2 diabetes, has gained much attention because of its cytotoxicity. This study evaluated the effects of CrPic on the viability of the chick embryo fibroblast (CEF) using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, morphological detection, and flow cytometry. The results show that lower concentrations of CrPic (8 and 16 µM) did not damage CEF viability (p > 0.05). However, higher CrPic concentrations (400 and 600 µM) indicated a highly significant effect on the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species, alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular calcium ion concentration, and the apoptosis rate (p < 0.01), contrary to lower CrPic concentrations (8 and 16 µM) and control group. Moreover, apoptotic morphological changes induced by these processes in CEF were confirmed using Hoechst 33258 staining. Cell death induced by higher concentrations of CrPic was caused by an apoptotic and a necrotic mechanism, whereas the main mechanism of oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction was apoptotic death.

Allelopathic effects of the extracts from an invasive species Solidago canadensis L. on Microcystis aeruginosa.

This study investigated allelopathic effects of Solidago canadensis L. on Microcystis aeruginosa. The results showed that S. canadensis L. extracts could significantly inhibit the growth of M. aeruginosa. The inhibition ratios of samples with 0·3 and 0·5 g l(-1) extracts were over 90% after 7 days, and the transmission electron microscopy images showed the damage of M. aeruginosa cells during the incubation. In physiological and biochemical measurements, the membrane permeability and malondialdehyde (MDA) content rapidly increased with the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the content of antioxidant molecules (ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione (GSH)) increased. Although the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT)) increased at low extracts concentrations, the effects were inhibitory when the extracts concentration increased. In conclusion, this study provided a new idea to utilize the detrimental weed S. canadensis L. to control harmful cyanobacteria. The alterations in physiology and biochemistry of M. aeruginosa cell were not in isolation, but with the stimulation of intracellular ROS that could play a fundamental role in inhibitory effects of S. canadensis L. extracts. It was inferred that terrestrial plants could have the same algistatic mechanisms as hydrophytes.

FISH applications for genomics and plant breeding strategies in tomato and other solanaceous crops.

This paper describes the use of advanced fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technologies for genomics and breeding of tomato and related Solanum species. The first part deals with the major determinants of FISH technology: (1) spatial resolution, which depends on the diffraction limit of the microscope and the type of chromosome, chromatin or isolated DNA fibres as target for the hybridisation; (2) the detection sensitivity, which is limited by the sensitivity and dynamic range of the CCD camera and the quality of the microscope, and the amplification system of the weak signals from tiny probe molecules; (3) simultaneous detection of multiple probes labelled directly or indirectly with up to 5 different fluorophores, whether or not in different combinations and/or mixed at different ratios. The power and usability of such multicolour FISH is indispensable when large numbers of bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) or other vectors with genomic DNA are available. Mapping of multiple BACs on chromosomes are powerful instruments confirming their assumed genetic position, whereas pooled BACs for a given chromosome arm will reveal the gaps between the BACs or derived contigs of their physical maps. Tandem and dispersed repeats, which are abundant in the genomes of most species, can be analysed in repeat bar coding FISH, showing the major blocks of repeats in heterochromatin and euchromatin areas. Repeat-rich areas of the chromosomes can also be demonstrated by hybridisation of probed Cot fractions of sheared genomic DNA; a powerful method to elucidate the heterochromatin domains for genomic studies. In addition, unlabelled Cot DNA, as blocking agent in BAC-FISH painting, suppresses repetitive sequences from the BACs to hybridise on the chromosomes. Cross-species BAC-FISH painting with labelled probes from tomato and potato BACs and hybridised on the chromosomes of related species, under appropriate conditions, is a powerful instrument to demonstrate chromosomal rearrangements, including inversions and translocations. The technology not only supports phylogenetic studies between the taxa under study but can also be helpful in breeding programs with crops containing introgressed regions from related species when linkage drag or meiotic pairing disturbances between the homoeologues are assumed. In the next steps in comparative genomics, we now can detect smaller chromosomal and DNA rearrangements, diminutions and amplifications of repeats and changes of the epigenetic status of introgressed regions.

Potentiating effect of spinosin, a C-glycoside flavonoid of Semen Ziziphi spinosae, on pentobarbital-induced sleep may be related to postsynaptic 5-HT(1A) receptors.

Previous results have suggested that spinosin, a C-glycoside flavonoid of Semen Ziziphi spinosae, potentiates pentobarbital-induced sleep via the serotonergic system. The present study investigated whether spinosin potentiates pentobarbital-induced sleep via serotonin-1A (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT(1A)) receptors. The results demonstrated that spinosin significantly augmented pentobarbital (35 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced sleep in rats, reflected by reduced sleep latency and increased total sleep time, non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep time, and REM sleep time. With regard to NREM sleep duration, spinosin mainly increased slow-wave sleep (SWS). Additionally, spinosin (15mg/kg, i.g.) significantly antagonized 5-HT(1A) agonist 8-OH-DPAT (0.1mg/kg, i.p.)-induced reductions in total sleep time, NREM sleep, REM sleep, and SWS in pentobarbital-treated rats. These results suggest that spinosin may be an antagonist at postsynaptic 5-HT(1A) receptors because these effects of 8-OH-DPAT were considered to be mediated via postsynaptic 5-HT(1A) receptors. Moreover, co-administration of spinosin and the 5-HT(1A) antagonist 4-iodo-N-{2-[4-(methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl}-N-2-pyridinylbenzamide (p-MPPI), at doses that are ineffective when administered alone (spinosin 5mg/kg, p-MPPI 1mg/kg), had significant augmentative effects on pentobarbital-induced sleep, reflected by reduced sleep latency and increased total sleep time, NREM sleep, and REM sleep. In contrast to the attenuating effects of p-MPPI on REM sleep via presynaptic 5-HT(1A) autoreceptors, 15mg/kg spinosin significantly increased REM sleep. These results suggest that the effect of spinosin on REM sleep in pentobarbital-treated rats may be related to postsynaptic 5-HT(1A) receptors.

Research on antioxidant effects and estrogenic effect of formononetin from Trifolium pratense (red clover).

Antioxidant and estrogenic effects of formononetin on ovariectomized mice have been investigated in the present study. The adult female Kunming mice were divided into 5 groups: sham-operated group, ovariectomized group, stilbestrol replacement therapy group (0.20 mg/kg day), low-dose formononetin group (0.05 g/kg day) and high-dose formononetin group (0.5 g/kg day). The mice in the latter 4 groups were ovariectomized. The drug was given by oral administration for 6 months. Estrogenic effect was determined by the change of uterine weight, and oxidant effects were determined by the content of SOD, GSH-Px, CAT and MDA. The intake of formononetin increased the uterine weight of the mice significantly as well as the content of SOD, GSH-Px, CAT, and reduced MDA in body. Formononetin had obvious antioxidant effects and estrogenic effect, and the estrogenic effect was not dosage-related.