Whole genome identification, molecular docking and expression analysis of enzymes involved in the selenomethionine cycle in Cardamine hupingshanensis.

BACKGROUND: The selenomethionine cycle (SeMTC) is a crucial pathway for the metabolism of selenium. The basic bioinformatics and functions of four enzymes involved in the cycle including S-adenosyl-methionine synthase (MAT), SAM-dependent methyltransferase (MTase), S-adenosyl-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHH) and methionine synthase (MTR), have been extensively reported in many eukaryotes. The identification and functional analyses of SeMTC genes/proteins in Cardamine hupingshanensis and their response to selenium stress have not yet been reported. RESULTS: In this study, 45 genes involved in SeMTC were identified in the C. hupingshanensis genome. Phylogenetic analysis showed that seven genes from ChMAT were clustered into four branches, twenty-seven genes from ChCOMT were clustered into two branches, four genes from ChSAHH were clustered into two branches, and seven genes from ChMTR were clustered into three branches. These genes were resided on 16 chromosomes. Gene structure and homologous protein modeling analysis illustrated that proteins in the same family are relatively conserved and have similar functions. Molecular docking showed that the affinity of SeMTC enzymes for selenium metabolites was higher than that for sulfur metabolites. The key active site residues identified for ChMAT were Ala269 and Lys273, while Leu221/231 and Gly207/249 were determined as the crucial residues for ChCOMT. For ChSAHH, the essential active site residues were found to be Asn87, Asp139 and Thr206/207/208/325. Ile204, Ser111/329/377, Asp70/206/254, and His329/332/380 were identified as the critical active site residues for ChMTR. In addition, the results of the expression levels of four enzymes under selenium stress revealed that ChMAT3-1 genes were upregulated approximately 18-fold, ChCOMT9-1 was upregulated approximately 38.7-fold, ChSAHH1-2 was upregulated approximately 11.6-fold, and ChMTR3-2 genes were upregulated approximately 28-fold. These verified that SeMTC enzymes were involved in response to selenium stress to varying degrees. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this research are instrumental for further functional investigation of SeMTC in C. hupingshanensis. This also lays a solid foundation for deeper investigations into the physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying selenium metabolism in plants.

[Content analysis and quality evaluation of main active components and mineral elements of Cynomorium songaricum in different habitats].

To clarify the content characteristics of the main active components and mineral elements of Cynomorium songaricum under different habitat conditions, and further explore the relationship between the quality of C. songaricum and habitats, this study took C. songaricum from 25 different habitats in China as the research object, and measured the contents of 8 main active components and 12 mineral elements separately. Diversity analysis, correlation analysis, principal component analysis and cluster analysis were carried out. The results showed that the genetic diversity of total flavonoids, ursolic acid, ether extract, potassium(K), phosphorus(P) and zinc(Zn) in C. songaricum was high. The coefficient of variation of crude polysaccharide, ether extract, gallic acid, protocatechuic aldehyde, catechin, epicatechin, calcium(Ca), sodium(Na), magnesium(Mg), sulfur(S), iron(Fe), manganese(Mn), selenium(Se) and nickel(Ni) were all over 36%, indicating that the quality of C. songaricum was significantly affected by habitats. There were strong synergistic and weak antagonistic effects among the contents of the 8 active components, and complex antagonistic and synergistic effects among the contents of the 12 mineral elements. Principal component analysis revealed that crude polysaccharide, ursolic acid, catechin, epicatechin and total flavonoids could be used as the characteristic components to evaluate the quality of C. songaricum, and Na, copper(Cu), Mn and Ni were the characteristic elements to evaluate the quality of C. songaricum. In cluster ana-lysis, the second group with the main active components as cluster center had better quality in terms of the content of active substances, and the second group with the mineral elements as cluster center had higher utilization potential in the exploitation of mineral elements. This study could provide a basis for resource evaluation and breeding of excellent varieties of C. songaricum in different habitats, and provide a reference for cultivation and identification of C. songaricum.

Clinical practice guideline for transurethral plasmakinetic resection of prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia (2021 Edition).

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is highly prevalent among older men, impacting on their quality of life, sexual function, and genitourinary health, and has become an important global burden of disease. Transurethral plasmakinetic resection of prostate (TUPKP) is one of the foremost surgical procedures for the treatment of BPH. It has become well established in clinical practice with good efficacy and safety. In 2018, we issued the guideline "2018 Standard Edition". However much new direct evidence has now emerged and this may change some of previous recommendations. The time is ripe to develop new evidence-based guidelines, so we formed a working group of clinical experts and methodologists. The steering group members posed 31 questions relevant to the management of TUPKP for BPH covering the following areas: questions relevant to the perioperative period (preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative) of TUPKP in the treatment of BPH, postoperative complications and the level of surgeons' surgical skill. We searched the literature for direct evidence on the management of TUPKP for BPH, and assessed its certainty generated recommendations using the grade criteria by the European Association of Urology. Recommendations were either strong or weak, or in the form of an ungraded consensus-based statement. Finally, we issued 36 statements. Among them, 23 carried strong recommendations, and 13 carried weak recommendations for the stated procedure. They covered questions relevant to the aforementioned three areas. The preoperative period for TUPKP in the treatment of BPH included indications and contraindications for TUPKP, precautions for preoperative preparation in patients with renal impairment and urinary tract infection due to urinary retention, and preoperative prophylactic use of antibiotics. Questions relevant to the intraoperative period incorporated surgical operation techniques and prevention and management of bladder explosion. The application to different populations incorporating the efficacy and safety of TUPKP in the treatment of normal volume (< 80 ml) and large-volume (≥ 80 ml) BPH compared with transurethral urethral resection prostate, transurethral plasmakinetic enucleation of prostate and open prostatectomy; the efficacy and safety of TUPKP in high-risk populations and among people taking anticoagulant (antithrombotic) drugs. Questions relevant to the postoperative period incorporated the time and speed of flushing, the time indwelling catheters are needed, principles of postoperative therapeutic use of antibiotics, follow-up time and follow-up content. Questions related to complications incorporated types of complications and their incidence, postoperative leukocyturia, the treatment measures for the perforation and extravasation of the capsule, transurethral resection syndrome, postoperative bleeding, urinary catheter blockage, bladder spasm, overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, urethral stricture, rectal injury during surgery, postoperative erectile dysfunction and retrograde ejaculation. Final questions were related to surgeons' skills when performing TUPKP for the treatment of BPH. We hope these recommendations can help support healthcare workers caring for patients having TUPKP for the treatment of BPH.

Concurrent effects of flooding regimes and floodwater quality on sediment properties in a Yangtze River-connected floodplain wetland: Insights from field investigations during 2011-2020.

Changes in flood regimes, floodwater quality, and macrophyte types may affect sediment characteristics post-flooding. However, few studies have attempted to unravel their complex influences in floodplain wetlands. From 2011 to 2020, the physical and chemical properties of surface layer sediment pre- and post-flooding was investigated through field surveys in the Dongting Lake wetland. Results indicated that the pre-flooding soil total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) exhibited an increasing trend during 2011-2020. Soil TP increased post-flooding relative to that pre-flooding. The changes in TN, sediment organic matter (SOM), sediment moisture content (SMC), and sediment bulk density (SBD) fluctuated over the years. The best-fitting multi-regression model demonstrated that the changes in sediment variables post-flooding showed a parabolic trajectory along the inundation duration (ID), except for SMC. Changes in soil properties post-flooding were negatively correlated with ID for sediment with a low IDs (<148 days). Meanwhile, changes in soil properties post flooding were positively correlated with ID for sediment with a high IDs (>193 days). Changes in SBD and SOM post-flooding were positively influenced by the TP content in the floodwater. These findings indicate that changes in the flooding regime, and water quality generated by anthropogenic disturbances such as the Three Gorges Dam significantly affect sediment properties, and subsequently influence the ecological functions of the Dongting Lake wetland.

α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activities and the Interaction Mechanism of Novel Spiro-Flavoalkaloids from YingDe Green Tea.

Flavoalkaloids are a unique class of compounds in tea, most of which have an N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinone moiety substituted at the A ring of a catechin skeleton. 1-Ethyl-5-hydroxy-pyrrolidone, a decomposed product of theanine, was supposed to be the key intermediate to form tea flavoalkaloids. However, we have also detected another possible theanine intermediate, 1-ethyl-5-oxopyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid, and speculated if there are related conjugated catechins. Herein, four novel spiro-flavoalkaloids with a spiro-γ-lactone structural moiety were isolated from Yingde green tea (Camellia sinensis var. assamica) in our continuing exploration of new chemical constituents from tea. The structures of the new compounds, spiro-flavoalkaloids A-D (1-4), were further elucidated by extensive nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy together with the calculated 13C NMR, IR, UV-vis, high-resolution mass, optical rotation, experimental, and calculated circular dichroism spectra. We also provided an alternative pathway to produce these novel spiro-flavoalkaloids. Additionally, their α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were determined with IC50 values of 3.34 (1), 5.47 (2), 22.50 (3), and 15.38 (4) µM. Docking results revealed that compounds 1 and 2 mainly interacted with residues ASP-215, ARG-442, ASP-352, GLU-411, HIS-280, ARG-315, and ASN-415 of α-glucosidase through hydrogen bonds. The fluorescence intensity of α-glucosidase could be quenched by compounds 1 and 2 in a static style.

Edible Bird's Nest Attenuates Menopause-Related Bone Degeneration in Rats via Increaing Bone Estrogen-Receptor Expression.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanistic basis for the attenuation of bone degeneration by edible bird's nest (EBN) in ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Forty-two female Sprage-Dawley rats were randomized into 7 groups (6 in each group). The ovariectomized (OVX) and OVX + 6%, 3%, and 1.5% EBN and OVX +estrogen groups were given standard rat chow alone, standard rat chow +6%, 3%, and 1.5% EBN, or standard rat chow +estrogen therapy (0.2mg/kg per day), respectively. The sham-operation group was surgically opened without removing the ovaries. The control group did not have any surgical intervention. After 12 weeks of intervention, blood samples were taken for serum estrogen, osteocalcin, and osteoprotegerin, as well as the measurement of magnesium, calcium abd zinc concentrations. While femurs were removed from the surrounding muscles to measure bone mass density using the X-ray edge detection technique, then collected for histology and estrogen receptor (ER) immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Ovariectomy altered serum estrogen levels resulting in increased food intake and weight gain, while estrogen and EBN supplementation attenuated these changes. Ovariectomy also reduced bone ER expression and density, and the production of osteopcalcin and osteorotegerin, which are important pro-osteoplastic hormones that promote bone mineraliztion and density. Conversely, estrogen and EBN increased serum estrogen levels leading to increased bone ER expression, pro-osteoplastic hormone production and bone density (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: EBN could be used as a safe alternative to hormone replacement therapys for managing menopausal complications like bone degeneration.

Long-Term Traditional Chinese Medicine Combined with NA Antiviral Therapy on Cirrhosis Incidence in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients in the Real-World Setting: A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of long-term Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome differentiation combined with antiviral therapy with Nucleos (t) ide analogues (NAs) on the incidence of cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 521 patients with chronic hepatitis B who underwent a treatment course of ≥3 years from 1998-2019. Of the 521 patients, 261 were defined as TCM users while 260 were TCM nonusers (control group). All the enrolled subjects were followed up until February 2019 to measure the incidence and hazard ratio (HR) of cirrhosis, and the Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the independent factors affecting the occurrence of cirrhosis. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of TCM users and nonusers was 6.9% and 13.5%, respectively (P=0.013). Results of the Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that TCM users had a significantly lower cumulative incidence of cirrhosis than TCM nonusers (P=0.011), and TCM users had a significantly lower liver cirrhosis risk than TCM nonusers (adjusted HR = 0.416, 95% CI, 0.231-0.749). The histological evaluation revealed improved fibrosis in 45.0% of TCM users and 11.1% of TCM nonusers (P=0.033). The analysation of the prescriptions including total 119 single Chinese herbs medicinal demonstrated that "replenish qi and fortify the spleen," "clear heat and dispel dampness," and "soothe the liver and regulate qi" are the main treatment methods of TCM for CHB. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that long-term TCM use may attenuate liver cirrhosis risk in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Effectiveness of electroacupuncture for pain after osteosarcoma post surgery: A study protocol of systematic review of randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This study will assess the effectiveness of electroacupuncture (EA) for pain in patients with osteosarcoma post surgery (OSPS). METHODS: In this study, we will comprehensively search the following electronic databases from inception to the present without language restrictions: Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. Two authors will independently carry out study selection, data extraction, and methodological assessments. RevMan 5.3 software will be used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The primary outcome is pain intensity. The secondary outcomes consist of event-free survival, overall survival, quality of life, and adverse events. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study will provide helpful evidence of EA treatment for patients with OSPS. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42019146696.

Effects of long-term crowding stress on neuro-endocrine-immune network of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Low levels of stresses cause eustress while high stressful situations result in distress. Female rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was reared under crowded conditions to mimic the stressful environment of intensive fishery production. Trout was stocked for 300 days with initial densities of 4.6 ±â€¯0.02 (final: 31.1 ±â€¯0.62), 6.6 ±â€¯0.03 (final: 40.6 ±â€¯0.77), and 8.6 ±â€¯0.04 (final: 49.3 ±â€¯1.09) kg/m3 as SD1, SD2 and SD3. We assessed molecular, cellular and organismal parameters to understand the flexibility of neuro-endocrine-immune network during stress. Trout with higher initial density (SD3) displayed the slightly activated hypothalamus-pituitary-interrenal (HPI) axis with positively increased antioxidant enzyme activities and anti-inflammatory cytokine transcriptions on day 60 or 120. These results indicated that low level of stress was capable of exerting eustress by activating neuro-endocrine-immune network with beneficial adaptation. Transition from eustress to distress was induced by the increased intensity and duration of crowding stress on day 240 and 300. The prolonged activation of HPI axis resulted in suppressed growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor (GH-IGF) axis, up-regulated cytokine transcriptions and severe reactive oxygen species stress. Stress means reset of neuro-endocrine-immune network with energy expenditure and redistribution. Digestive ability of trout with distress was also inhibited on day 240 and 300, indicating a decreased total energy supplement and energy distribution for functions are not necessary for surviving such as growth and reproduction. Consequently, we observed the dyshomeostasis of energy balance and neuro-endocrine-immune network of trout during long-term crowding conditions.

Ganji Formulation for Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Who Have Undergone Surgery: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial.

Objective. To ascertain the efficacy and safety of Ganji Formulation (GF) for patients with Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who had undergone surgery. Materials and Methods. A total of 262 HCC patients who had undergone liver resection, local ablation, or transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) were divided randomly into the treatment group and control group. The former was treated with GF and the later with placebo, both for 6 months. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Second endpoints were disease-free survival (DFS) or time to disease progression (TTP). Results. OS of the treatment group was significantly longer than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that, for patients who received TACE, the TTP was significantly longer in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). However, for patients who underwent liver resection or local ablation, there was no significant difference in DFS between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion. GF could improve postoperative cumulative survival and prolong the TTP. This clinical trial number is registered with ChiCTR-IOR-15007349.

Efficacy of methotrexate, doxorubicin, and cisplatin for osteosarcoma: Study protocol for a systematic review of randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This systematic review will address the efficacy and safety of methotrexate, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (MAP) for the treatment of patients with osteosarcoma. METHODS: We will retrieve the studies from the following 9 electronic databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, MEDLINE, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Information, and Wanfang Data. Two independent researchers will screen and select the relevant papers for eligibility after the search strategies have been conducted. All articles up to the present in any language, region will be considered in this study. A systematic review and data synthesis will be performed of randomized controlled trials of MAP for the treatment of patients with osteosarcoma. The primary outcome includes event-free survival. The secondary outcomes consist of overall survival, quality of life, and toxicity. In addition, 2 independent researchers will extract data, and will assess the quality of included studies by using Cochrane risk of bias tool. Results data will be pooled and meta-analysis will be conducted if >2 eligible studies will be included. RESULTS: This systematic review will evaluate the efficacy and safety of MAP for the treatment of patients with osteosarcoma. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study will summarize the up-to-date evidence of MAP for osteosarcoma, and may provide the guidance for the clinical practice, as well as the health policy maker. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42018120004.

Efficacy of Duohuojisheng decoction monotherapy for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: A protocol of a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: This systematic review investigates the efficacy and safety of Duohuojisheng decoction (DHJSD) monotherapy for the treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). METHODS: We searched relevant studies on DHJSD monotherapy for KOA from the databases of CENTRAL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Information, and Wanfang Data from the inception to January 1, 2019. Two researchers independently selected studies, collected data, and assessed the methodology quality by using Cochrane risk of bias tool. RESULTS: This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of DHJSD monotherapy for KOA by assessing the pain intensity, stiffness, and disability of affected knee joints, and quality of life, as well as the adverse events. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide latest updated evidence of DHJSD monotherapy alone for KOA. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: No ethical approval is required for this systematic review, because it is based on the published data, and not on individual patient data. Its findings is published in a peer-reviewed journal. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42019120405.

Preparation of camellia oil-based W/O emulsions stabilized by tea polyphenol palmitate: Structuring camellia oil as a potential solid fat replacer.

Water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions with a discontinuous aqueous phase dispersed in a continuous camellia oil phase were prepared by using tea polyphenol palmitate (Tp-palmitate) particle as effective stabilizers and their properties were characterized by droplet size, slip melting point (SMP), stability, microstructure and rheology. The d(4,3) and d(3,2) decreased from 7.96 µm to 4.67 µm and from 5.98 µm to 3.07 µm, respectively, and the SMP rose from 33.73 °C to 38.60 °C when the Tp-palmitate concentration increased from 1.0% to 2.5% (m/v). The storage stability, freeze/thaw stability and thermal stability significantly enhanced and the droplets aggregation progressively increased with the increasing of Tp-palmitate concentration. The liquid camellia oil was transformed into solid-like viscoelastic emulsion gels with a SMP of 38.6 °C when using 2.5% Tp-palmitate as particle stabilizers. This study provides a promising method for production of edible gel-like W/O emulsions using polyphenol-lipid complexes to potentially replace solid fats.

[Effects of Sagacious Confucius' Pillow Elixir on cognitive function in type 2 diabetic rats].

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the leading threat to human health in China, and severe cognitive impairment often occurs in most T2DM patients. Although Sagacious Confucius' Pillow Elixir is a type of classical traditional Chinese medicine for cognitive impairment in clinic, the mechanism has not yet been completely defined. In this study, an experimental model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was established by injecting Sprague Dawley (SD) rats with streptozocin (STZ), so as to compare the learning and memory ability, hippocampal neurons pathological changes, beta amyloid protein (A beta) content, degree of Tau protein phosphorylation, blood glucose and insulin level. The results showed that the Sagacious Confucius' Pillow Elixir could improve the learning and memory ability of STZ injected rats, reduce the level of A beta content both in hippocampus and serum, effectively reduce Tau protein phosphorylation degree, and also significantly alleviate hippocampal pathological injury, blood glucose, insulin and other basic indicators. The results showed that Sagacious Confucius' Pillow Elixir can alleviate the hippocampal pathological damage caused by STZ, and is expected to provide a theoretical basis for human T2DM patients in clinical adjuvant therapy.

[Study on geographical variation of medicinal ingredients contents in Scutellaria baicalensis from different provenances].

In order to investigate the genetic difference on medicinal components of Scutellaria baicalensis from different provenances on the genetic difference, the S. baicalensis provenance tests were arranged by randomized block design.Excavating the crude drugs that have been growing for three years, with the same drying process, the content of baicalin, baicalein, wogonoside, wogonin and laminarin A in S. baicalensis were detected by HPLC, and then the data were analyzed. The results indicated that the content of baicalin in different provenances of S. baicalensis was significantly different (P<0.05), while the variation of baicalein reached extremely significant level (P<0.01). Cluster analysis showed that if the distance was divided by 5.0, the provenances in Chengde, Hebei province were divided into two independent populations, while the other two populations had large geographic spans. The results show that the significant geographical variations exist in the content of medicinal components in S. baicalensis. The study laid a theoretical foundation of provenance selection of S. baicalensis.

Distribution patterns of the contents of five biologically activate ingredients in the root of Scutellaria baicalensis.

As an important herbaceous plant, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Chinese skullcap) is geographically widespread and commonly used throughout the world. In the Chinese medicine market, S. baicalensis has been divided into two primary types, "Ku Qin" (WXR) and "Tiao Qin" (TST). Moreover, TST is also divided into different grades according to the diameter of roots. To explore the distribution patterns of the contents of five biologically activate ingredients (FBAI), we used six-year-old cultivated S. baicalensis and analyzed its growth characteristics as well as the quality difference among different types and diameters in roots. Throughout the entire root, we discovered that contents of the FBAI all initially increased and subsequently decreased from the top to the bottom of the roots. The baicalin content of WXR was less than that of TST. On the contrary, the contents of baicalein, wogonin, and oroxylin A in WXR were up to about two times higher than that in TST. We also found that the 0 to 40 cm part of the S. baicalensis root possessed about 87% of the root biomass and about 92% of the contents of the active ingredients.

Assessment of arsenic trioxide in the heart of Gallus gallus: alterations of oxidative damage parameters, inflammatory cytokines, and cardiac enzymes.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) in the chicken heart, and 72 1-day-old male Hy-line chickens were fed either a commercial diet (C group) or an arsenic supplement diet containing 7.5 mg/kg (L group), 15 mg/kg (M group), or 30 mg/kg (H group) As2O3 for 90 days. The results showed that exposure to As2O3 merely lowered (P < 0.05) the activities of catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in M and H groups at 90 days, significantly downregulated the inhibition ability of hydroxyl radicals (OH·), and upregulated (P < 0.05) the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) in As2O3 exposure groups at 30, 60, and 90 days. Meanwhile, the messenger RNA levels of inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and prostaglandin E synthase (PTGEs)) significantly increased (P < 0.05) in As2O3 exposure groups at 30, 60, and 90 days, and histological and ultrastructural damage was observed in As2O3 exposure groups. Additionally, As2O3-induced cardiac enzyme (aspartate transaminase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (α-HBDH)) levels increased (P < 0.05) at 90 days. These findings suggested that As2O3 exposure led to oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and histological and ultrastructural damage and altered the levels of cardiac enzymes in chicken heart tissues. This result may be helpful for further studies on the toxicological mechanisms of As2O3 in the chicken heart.

[Clinical research for rehabilitation training combined with modified shu-acupuncture for joint dysfunction after meniscal suture surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects on joint dysfunction after meniscal suture surgery between rehabilitation training combined with modified shu-acupuncture and simple rehabilitation training. METHODS: Seventy-one patients with meniscal suture surgery were randomized into an observation group (n=36) and a control group (n=35). Patients in the observation group received modified shu-acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training. Acupuncture for 8 weeks were at Zutonggu (BL 65), Shugu (BL 66), Neiting (ST 44), Xiangu (ST 43), Xiaxi (GB 43), Zulinqi (GB 41), Dadu (SP 2), Taibai (SP 3), Xingjian (LR 2), and Taichong (LR 3), once a day for continuous 6 days with 1 day for rest. Patients in the control group received simple rehabilitation training for continuous 8 weeks. The training included quadriceps femoris, range of knee joint motion and motion and limb walking on the affected side. The effect score for meniscus injury after treatment from Japanese Orthopaedics Association (JOA) and visual analogue scale (VAS) score were recorded before and after treatment. The effects were compared in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the VAS and JOA scores were improved in the two groups (all P<0.05), with better results in the observation group (both P<0.05). The effective rate was 91.7% (33/36) in the observation group, which was better than 80.0% (28/35) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Rehabilitation training combined with shu-acupuncture achieve better effect than simple rehabilitation training for joint dysfunction after meniscal suture surgery.

Two new fatty acids esters were detected in ginseng stems by the application of azoxystrobin and the increasing of antioxidant enzyme activity and ginsenosides content.

Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer is a valuable herb in China that has also gained popularity in the West because of its pharmacological properties. The constituents isolated and characterized in ginseng stems include ginsenosides, fatty acids, amino acids, volatile oils, and polysaccharides. In this study, the effects of fungicide azoxystrobin applied on antioxidant enzyme activity and ginsenosides content in ginseng stems was studied by using Panax ginseng C. A. Mey. cv. (the cultivar of Ermaya) under natural environmental conditions. The azoxystrobin formulation (25% SC) was sprayed three times on ginseng plants at different doses (150ga.i./ha and 225ga.i./ha), respectively. Two new fatty acids esters (ethyl linoleate and methyl linolenate) were firstly detected in ginseng stems by the application of azoxystrobin as foliar spray. The results indicated that activities of enzymatic antioxidants, the content of ginsenosides and two new fatty acids esters in ginseng stems in azoxystrobin-treated plants were increased. Azoxystrobin treatments to ginseng plants at all growth stages suggest that the azoxystrobin-induced delay of senescence is due to an enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity protecting the plants from harmful active oxygen species (AOS). The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in azoxystrobin-treated plants was about 1-3 times higher than that in untreated plants. And the effects was more significant (P=0.05) when azoxystrobin was applied at dose of 225ga.i./ha. This work suggests that azoxystrobin plays an important role in delaying of senescence by changing physiological and biochemical indicators and increasing ginsenosides content in ginseng stems.

Hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) during early ovarian development and under dense rearing condition.

The objective of this study was to determine the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axis of female rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) during early ovarian development and under high rearing density. Trouts were sampled from 240 (ovarian stage II) to 540 (ovarian stage IV) days following hatching (DFH) as control group (Ctrl, 4.6-31.1kg/m(3)) to determine HPG axis during early ovarian development. Trouts from the same batch of fertilized eggs were reared in two higher densities during 240-540 DFH as stocking density 1 and 2 (SD1, 6.6-40.6kg/m(3); SD2, 8.6-49.3kg/m(3)) to elucidate effects of high density on reproductive parameters. Dopamine, E2 (estradiol), 17α,20ß-P (17α,20ß-dihydroxy4-pregnen-3-one) and P4 (progesterone) were evaluated by radioimmunoassay or ELISA. mRNA expression of hypothalamic gnrh-1, -2 (gonadotropin-releasing hormone-1, -2), pituitary gonadotropins (fsh/lh, follicle-stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone) and their cognate receptors (fshr/lhr) in ovaries were examined by qRT-PCR. Our findings demonstrated mRNA expression of hypothalamic sgnrh-1, pituitary fsh and ovarian fshr increased in early ovarian development (360 DFH). Serum 17α,20ß-P and pituitary lh mRNA expression first increased when trouts were in ovarian stage III (420 DFH). Ovaries were at different stages when reared in different densities. Long-term high density treatment (over 31.7kg/m(3)) resulted in decreased hypothalamic sgnrh-1, pituitary fsh, ovarian fshr, serum E2, and increased hypothalamus gnrh-2 and serum dopamine during vitellogenin synthesis, suggesting HPG of rainbow trout might be retarded under dense rearing condition.