[Efficacy and safety of Kangbingdu granules in the treatment of influenza: a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, positive-drug parallel control multicenter clinical trial].

Objective: To observe the efficacy and safety of Kangbingdu granules (KBD) in the treatment of influenza. Methods: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, and positive-drug parallel control trial was conducted in 27 Grade ⅢA hospitals in China and the subjects were randomly assigned to the KBD test group or the oseltamivir phosphate capsule control group at a ratio of 1∶1. 200 subjects were planned to be enrolled in each group. The experimental group was given KBD (18g each time, 3 times a day) and oseltamivir phosphate simulator orally, while the control group was given oseltamivir phosphate capsule (75 mg each time, twice a day) and KBD simulator orally for 5 days. The primary efficacy indicators included the remission time of major clinical symptoms and the time of complete defervescence. The secondary efficacy indicators included dosage of acetaminophen, the change of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score and the remission time of other important clinical symptoms. The efficacy of KBD in the test group and Oseltamivir phosphate control group were compared. Adverse events or adverse reactions were observed at the same time to evaluate the safety of KBD Granules. Results: A total of 393 subjects from 27 Grade ⅢA hospitals in China were enrolled. The experimental group included 195 subjects and 191 subjects (97.95%) completed the trial, While the control group included 198 subjects and 195 subjects (98.48%) completed the trial. There was no significant difference in the shedding rate and rejection rate between the two groups (P>0.05). In the Full Analysis Set (FAS), the mean age of the experimental group was (34.9±14.4) years old, with 83 males (42.78%). The mean age of the control group was (33.3±13.5) years old, with 78 males (39.59%). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in demographic data, physical examination, viral pathogen detection, total score of TCM syndromes and scores of each symptom at baseline (P>0.05). In the FAS, the remission time M (Q1, Q3) of major clinical symptoms was 3.0 (3.0, 4.0) days in the experimental group and 3.0 (3.0, 4.0) days in the control group, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The time M (Q1, Q3) of complete defervescence was 34.0 (20.3, 49.0) hours in the experimental group and 36.5 (19.6, 48.8) hours in the control group, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). KBD granules had the same effect as Oseltamivir phosphate capsule (P>0.05) in terms of acetaminophen dosage, TCM syndrome effect and disappearance rate of most important clinical symptoms. Meanwhile, the disappearance rate of dizziness and chest distress on day 3 in the KBD granules group was better than that of oseltamivir phosphate capsule (P<0.05). Conclusion: KBD granules have the same efficacy as Oseltamivir Phosphate capsule in the treatment of influenza and the drug safety is good.

Sunflower seed oil containing ginseng stem-leaf saponins (E515-D) is a safe adjuvant for Newcastle disease vaccine.

Vaccination is an effective method to prevent Newcastle disease (ND) in chickens. Marcol 52 and #10 white oil are mineral-based adjuvants and can be found in commercial inactivated ND virus vaccines. The present study demonstrated that a vegetable origin oil E515-D had lower polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and higher flash point than the commercial products Marcol 52 and #10 white oil. E515-D could be mixed with an aqueous phase containing ND virus antigen to form a stable water-in-oil vaccine emulsion and exhibited more potent adjuvant effects on the immune response than Marcol 52 and #10 white oil. Moreover, the absorption of E515-D-adjuvanted vaccine was faster than absorption of Marcol 52- and #10 white oil-adjuvanted vaccines when ND virus vaccines were injected in broilers. Therefore, E515-D was safe and could be a suitable adjuvant used in vaccines for food animals. In addition，E515-D is not easy to be flammable during shipping and storage owing to its higher flash point.

Antioxidative stress of oral administration of tea extract granule in chickens.

The present study was to evaluate antioxidative effect of tea extract granule (TEG) on oxidative stress induced by cyclophosphamide (Cy) in chickens. In experiment 1, chickens were randomly divided into 5 groups with 10 birds in each. Groups 3 to 5 were orally administered TEG in drinking water for 7 D at doses of 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg body weight, respectively. After that, groups 2 to 5 received intramuscular injection of Cy (100 mg/kg BW) for 3 D. Group 1 was not treated as a control. In experiment 2, chickens were grouped in the same way as in experiment 1. Groups 2 to 5 received intramuscular injection of Cy (100 mg/kg BW) for 3 D. After that, groups 3 to 5 were orally administered TEG in drinking water for 7 D at doses of 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg BW, respectively. Results showed that Cy injection induced significantly decreased body weight and oxidative stress. Oral administration of TEG before or after Cy injection increased body weight, the thymus, bursa, and spleen indices, total antioxidant capacity, and the levels of glutathione; elevated the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase; as well as decreased the protein carbonyl content, lipid peroxide, and malondialdehyde. In addition, TEG administration reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species. Therefore, TEG could be a promising agent against oxidative stress in the poultry industry.

Effects of parental dietary linoleic acid on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and lipid metabolism in domestic pigeons (Columba livia).

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary linoleic acid (LA) on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and lipid metabolism in pigeon squabs by supplementing LA in their parental diets. A completely randomized design that consisted of a control group, 1% dietary LA addition group (LA1%), 2% dietary LA addition group (LA2%), and 4% dietary LA addition group (LA4%) was used. Six squabs from each treatment were randomly sampled at the day of hatch and days 7, 14, and 21 after hatch. The results showed that parental dietary LA had no significant influence (P > 0.05) on body weight (BW) gain or relative organ weights (% of BW) in squabs. The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in the LA1% were significantly increased (P < 0.05) compared with those in the control group. The malondialdehyde content in the LA1% was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that in the control group. The levels of serum triglyceride in the LA1% and LA2% were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) compared with those in the control group, whereas the serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level in the LA1% and LA2% and the free fatty acid level in the LA4% were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of the control group. The activities of lipoprotein lipase, hepatic lipase, and hormone-sensitive lipase in the LA1% were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those in the control group. The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity in the LA1% and the hormone-sensitive lipase activity in the LA4% were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) compared with those in the control group. The mRNA expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1, acyl-CoA 1, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α was significantly upregulated (P < 0.05) in the LA1% compared with that in the control group. The Oil Red O staining area in the LA1% and LA2% was significantly reduced compared with that in the control group. The results indicated that although supplemental LA had negligible effects on growth and development in pigeon squabs, parental dietary LA at a concentration of 1% could have beneficial effects on maintaining squabs healthy as reflected by improved antioxidant capacity and lipid metabolism.

Pedunculoside attenuates pathological phenotypes of fibroblast-like synoviocytes and protects against collagen-induced arthritis.

Objectives: The discovery of alternative and well-tolerated anti-arthritic drugs, especially from natural products, is becoming an area of active research. Pedunculoside (PE) is a novel triterpene saponin extracted from the dried bark of Ilex rotunda Thunb. Limited published papers have reported its pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-myocardial ischaemia, anti-liver injury, and hypocholesterolaemic activities. However, the effect of PE on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains unknown. Here, we investigated the anti-arthritic effect of PE in both in vitro and in vivo models. Method: The inhibitory effects of PE on proliferation, migration, and production of inflammatory mediators in primary fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) were examined by a 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation assay, wound-healing assay, and real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Cellular signalling mechanisms were analysed by Western blot. The in vivo studies were performed using a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model. Multiple methods, including arthritis scoring, enzyme-linked immunoassay, radiography, and histopathological assessment, were used to evaluate the therapeutic effects of PE on CIA rats. Results: The in vitro studies revealed that PE significantly inhibited proliferation and migration of FLSs. PE also decreased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, IL-8, and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Western blot results suggested that PE suppressed TNF-α-stimulated activation of p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase. The in vivo studies showed that PE treatment significantly inhibited synovial inflammation and bone destruction in CIA rats. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that PE exerts an inhibitory role in FLSs and CIA rats, and therefore may have therapeutic value for the treatment of RA.

Combined adjuvant effect of ginseng stem-leaf saponins and selenium on immune responses to a live bivalent vaccine of Newcastle disease virus and infectious bronchitis virus in chickens.

Vaccination with a live bivalent vaccine of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a routine practice in poultry industry in China. This study was designed to evaluate ginseng stem-leaf saponins (GSLS) in combination with selenium (Se) for their adjuvant effect on the immune response to vaccination against NDV and IBV in chickens. A live bivalent vaccine of NDV and IBV was diluted in saline solution containing GSLS or Se or both and used to immunize chickens via a intraocular-and-intranasal route. Results showed that GSLS promoted significantly higher NDV- and IBV-specific antibody responses with the highest antibody response detected in GSLS-Se group. The increased antibody was capable of neutralizing NDV and IBV. In addition, GSLS-Se enhanced lymphocyte proliferation and production of IFN-γ and IL-4. More importantly GSLS-Se was found to promote early production and prolong the duration of the antibody responses. In order to improve the efficacy of vaccination in chicken flocks, the diluent containing GSLS-Se deserves further studies to evaluate its effect on other chicken vaccines.

[Clinical study on traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation and treatment of pneumoconiosis].

Objective: To explore the clinical effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome differentiation in the treatment of pneumoconiosis. Methods: We selected 160 pneumoconiosis patients who were hospitalized in our hospital from July 2015 to July 2016. 102 patients were divided into experimental groups, and the other 58 patients were assigned to the control group. These patients were randomly assigned. The control group was given routine treatment, while the experimental group received conventional treatment combined with TCM syndrome differentiation. We rated patients' quality of life using the SF-36 Quality of Life Scale. C-reactive protein levels in both groups before and after treatment were detected by ELISA. Furthermore, we detected the expression levels of IL-6 mRNA and TGF-ß mRNA in serum before and after treatment by RT-PCR.The analysis was performed with SPSS19.0 software. The normal distribution measurement data was expressed by Mean±SD, and the t-test was used for statistical analysis. Non-normal distribution measurement data were expressed as median(M) and interquartile range (P(25), P(75)), and non-parametric test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Compared with the control group, the readmission rate in the experimental group decreased within 3 months; The SF-36 quality of life score results of the two groups showed a statistically significant difference in BP, VT and RE (P<0.05);The levelofCRPdecreasedsignificantlyafter treatment in bothgroups,and thedifferencewasstatistically significant (P<0.05).Comparedwith thecontrolgroup, the levelsofIL-6mRNAandTGF-ß1mRNA alsodecreased (P<0.05). Conclusion: TCM syndromedifferentiation and treatmentofpneumoconiosis can effectively improve the patient's condition and life quality. We predict that it may inhibit the progression of pulmonary fibrosis in pneumoconiosis.

Weeping forsythia extract alleviates dexamethasone-induced oxidative injury of breast muscles in broilers.

Antioxidants have been always used to improve post-slaughter meat quality in broilers subjected to stress. Forsythia suspensa extract (FSE), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, is generally regarded as a natural source of antioxidants. Therefore, the objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that FSE could protect post-slaughter breast muscles against oxidative injury induced by dexamethasone (DEX) mimicking chronic physiological stress in poultry production. Average daily gain and feed efficiency of poultry were suppressed by DEX and improved by FSE (P < 0.05). Dexamethasone caused the decrease in the redness value and the increase in the lightness and yellowness values and drip loss of the breast muscles (P < 0.05), and FSE had the converse effects (P < 0.05). Dietary FSE supplementation decreased monounsaturated fatty acid (FA) and increased polyunsaturated FA in breast muscles of broilers (P < 0.05). In addition, FSE decreased malondialdehyde and carbonyl content in the breast muscles of DEX-treated broilers (P < 0.05). The inhibition of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl in the breast muscles was decreased by DEX and increased by FSE (P < 0.05). Total-antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase activity in the breast muscles were decreased in birds subjected to DEX and increased in birds supplemented with FSE (P < 0.05). Totally, DEX suppressed growth performance and induced breast muscle oxidative injury in broilers, and FSE supplementation improved antioxidant capacity to attenuate these adverse effects. Therefore, FSE could be a potential natural antioxidant to alleviate oxidative injury of the breast muscles in broilers and to improve the meat quality for human consumption.

Therapeutic effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on mastitis experimentally induced by lipopolysaccharide in lactating goats.

Escherichia coli is a cause of subclinical and clinical mastitis in dairy cattle and goats, and sometimes causes severe clinical disease that may result in death of the animal. Previous investigation showed that ginsenoside Rg1 extracted from Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Araliaceae) has an anti-inflammatory effect on the sepsis induced by E. coli lipopolysaccharide via competitive binding to toll-like receptor 4. We hypothesized that intravenous injection of Rg1 had therapeutic effect on mastitis experimentally induced by intramammary infusion of lipopolysaccharide in lactating goats. In this study, 9 lactating goats were randomly assigned to 1 of the 3 groups: (1) lipopolysaccharide intramammary infusion + saline intravenous injection, (2) lipopolysaccharide intramammary infusion + Rg1 intravenous injection, and (3) saline intramammary administration + saline intravenous injection. Because no adverse clinical signs were observed after intramammary infusion of saline and intravenous injection of Rg1 in a preliminary experiment, and available qualified goats were limited in this study, this treatment was not included in this study. One udder half of each goat received intramammary infusion of lipopolysaccharide (50 µg/kg of body weight; groups 1 and 2) or saline solution (group 3), and the other half was infused with 2 mL of saline solution at h 0. Afterward, intravenous injections of saline solution (groups 1 and 3) or Rg1 (2.5 mg/kg of body weight; group 2) were administered at h 2 and 4 post-lipopolysaccharide challenge. Blood and milk samples were collected 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 48, and 72 h post-lipopolysaccharide challenge, and clinical signs were monitored hourly after lipopolysaccharide challenge within the first 10 h and at the same time points as blood samples. The results showed that Rg1 treatment downregulated rectal temperature, udder skin temperature, udder girth, milk somatic cell count, and N-acetyl-ß-d-glucosaminidase and upregulated milk production, lactose, and recovered blood components, such as white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, total proteins, albumin, and globulin. Considering the positive therapeutic effect on lipopolysaccharide-induced mastitis in goats presented in this study as well as the anti-inflammatory activity found previously, the botanical Rg1 deserves further study as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of E. coli mastitis in dairy animals.

Forsythia suspensa extract attenuates breast muscle oxidative injury induced by transport stress in broilers.

This experiment was conducted with 144 male Arbor Acre broilers (one d old, weighing 45.6 ± 1.3 g) to determine protective effects of Forsythia suspensa extract (FSE) against breast muscle oxidative injury induced by transport stress (TS). The birds were randomly allotted to one of 4 treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. The treatments consisted of broilers fed diets supplemented without or with FSE (100 mg/kg) and challenged without or with TS for 3 h before slaughter. Transport stress increased live BW loss of broilers (P < 0.05), and the adverse effect was attenuated by FSE (P < 0.05). Serum levels of corticoserone and lactate were increased for broilers after transportation (P < 0.05), whereas these parameters were not affected by FSE. After slaughter, neither breast muscle pH value at 45 min and 24 h postmortem nor 24 h drip loss value was influenced by TS or FSE, whereas TS increased the value of pH decline within 24 h postmortem (P < 0.05). Transportation decreased redness and increased yellowness value of breast muscle in broilers (P < 0.05), and FSE tended to have (P = 0.06) or had the converse changes (P < 0.05). Comparing with non-transported birds, the birds subjected to transportation had greater malondialdehyde (MDA) content and avUCP mRNA expression (P < 0.05) and lower 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (P < 0.05) in breast muscle, whereas the birds supplemented with FSE had lower MDA content (P < 0.05) and greater DPPH radical scavenging activity (P < 0.05). Transport caused decreases (P < 0.05) in total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase activity, and the decreases were improved by FSE (P < 0.05). Collectively, live BW loss and breast muscle oxidative injury were increased by TS in broilers and could be attenuated by FSE via directly scavenging free radicals and increased antioxidant capacity. Therefore, FSE could protect broilers against breast muscle oxidative injury induced by TS.

Forsythia suspensa extract protects broilers against breast muscle oxidative injury induced by corticosterone mimicked pre-slaughter acute stress.

Broilers were used to determine the protective effects of Forsythia suspensa extract (FSE) against breast muscle oxidative injury induced by corticosterone (CS) mimicking pre-slaughter acute stress. A total of 144 male Arbor Acre broilers was randomly allotted to one of 4 treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement that included FSE supplementation (0 or 100 mg/kg) and subcutaneous injection of CS (0 or 4 mg/kg) at 3 h before slaughter. Corticosterone increased live BW loss, and the adverse effect was attenuated by FSE in broilers subjected to CS (P < 0.05). Serum levels of CS, uric acid, and glucose were increased, and postmortem breast muscle pH values at 45 min and 24 h were decreased for CS-challenged broilers (P < 0.05). Corticosterone increased lightness and yellowness values and decreased redness of breast muscle (P < 0.05), and FSE decreased yellowness and increased redness of breast muscle (P < 0.05). Drip loss was increased by CS for birds supplemented without FSE (P < 0.05) and decreased by FSE for birds under CS challenge (P < 0.05). Corticosterone increased monounsaturated fatty acid (FA) and decreased polyunsaturated FA in breast muscle (P < 0.05), and saturated FA was decreased and polyunsaturated FA was increased by FSE (P < 0.05). Malondialdehyde and carbonyl contents in breast muscle were increased by CS and decreased by FSE (P < 0.05). Inhibition of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl was decreased by CS and increased by FSE (P < 0.05). The activities of total-antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase in breast muscle were lower in birds subjected to CS (P < 0.05) and were greater in birds supplemented with FSE (P < 0.05). Collectively, live BW loss and breast muscle oxidative injury were increased by CS in broilers, and these stress-related adverse effects could be attenuated by FSE supplementation via enhanced scavenging ability of free radicals and antioxidant capacity. Therefore, FSE could protect broilers against breast muscle oxidative injury when acute stress happens.

In vivo evaluation of the efficacy of Sophora moorcroftiana alkaloids in combination with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) treatment for cystic echinococcosis in mice.

Human cystic echinococcosis is a widespread, chronic, endemic, helminthic zoonosis caused by larval tapeworms of the species Echinococcus granulosus. At present, there is no rational and effective therapy for patients with echinococcosis. The present study evaluated whether the combination of alkaloids from Sophora moorcroftiana seeds (SMSa2) and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) was effective in the treatment of experimental echinococcosis. After 20 weeks of secondary infection with protoscoleces, mice were randomly allocated to five groups and treated for 6 weeks by daily intragastric administration of albendazole (ABZ, 100 mg/kg), SMSa2 (100 mg/kg), BCG (abdominal subcutaneous injection at 5 × 106 CFU), SMSa2 + BCG (100 mg/kg SMSa2 and 5 × 106 CFU BCG) or normal saline (untreated group), respectively. The results indicated a significant reduction in the weight of hydatid cysts in the SMSa2 + BCG group compared with the untreated, SMSa2 and BCG groups. The rate of inhibition of hydatid cyst growth in the SMSa2 + BCG group (76.1%) was obviously increased compared with that in the SMSa2 (25.7%) and BCG (26.6%) groups, respectively. Compared with the untreated control, the SMSa2 + BCG group showed a non-significant increase in serum interleukin-4 (IL-4). Furthermore, the serum levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) between the untreated and SMSa2 + BCG groups were not statistically different. Therefore, the combination of alkaloids from S. moorcroftiana seeds and BCG can reduce cyst burden and is an effective therapeutic regimen against echinococcosis.

The effect of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy under different anesthesia on pain and immunity of patients with prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy under different anesthesia on pain and immunity of patients with lumbar disc herniation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 92 cases of patients with lumbar disc herniation in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from February 2015 to January 2016 were collected. These patients were randomly divided into control group and observation group (n = 46). Patients in the control group underwent percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy with the use of local anesthesia, while patients in the observation group used continuous epidural anesthesia. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Visual Analogue Scale of Pain (VAS) were used to compare the surgical effect and the degree of pain of patients in the two groups. Adverse reactions (nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness) of patients in two groups were compared. T lymphocytes subset level (CD4+, CD8+) and inflammatory cytokines (IL-2, TNF) in the immune system were compared on the 1st, 3rd, and 10th day post-operatively. RESULTS: The pain degree of patients in the two groups had no significant difference before their operations (p > 0.05). The intraoperative pain rate of patients in the observation group was significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05). Patients in both groups achieved a remarkable decrease of pain intensity on month 1 and month 3 post-operatively (p < 0.05). There is no significant difference between the two groups (p > 0.05). ODI scores of patients in the two groups had no significant difference pre-operatively (p > 0.05). Patients in both groups achieved a remarkable decrease of ODI scores after surgery (p < 0.05), and there is no significant difference between the two groups (p > 0.05). The occurrence of adverse reactions in the observation group was significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05). On day 1 and 3 post-operatively, CD4+ and CD8+ levels of patients in both groups were lower than before operation, and data in the control group decreased more than the observation group (p < 0.05). IL-2 and TNF-α levels of patients in the two groups were significantly higher than pre-operatively, and data in the control group was higher than the observation group (p < 0.05). On day 10 post-operatively, all the indexes returned to the preoperative level. CONCLUSIONS: Both continuous epidural anesthesia and local anesthesia can reduce or avoid perioperative pain, but continuous epidural anesthesia has more advantages than local anesthesia, and it can improve the immune function for patients undergoing PTED for LDH.

Probiotic supplementation protects weaned pigs against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88 challenge and improves performance similar to antibiotics.

These studies evaluated the effects of probiotics (PB) as a potential substitute for antibiotics (AB) on diarrhea in relation to immune responses and intestinal health in weaned pigs challenged with enterotoxigenic (ETEC) K88 (Exp. 1) and the effects of PB on performance and nutrient digestibility in weaned pigs (Exp. 2). In Exp. 1, 24 weaned barrows (4.9 ± 0.4 kg initial BW) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments. The treatments consisted of pigs fed an unsupplemented corn-soybean meal basal diet and not challenged (NON-C) or challenged with ETEC K88 (CHA-C) on d 9 and pigs fed the same basal diet supplemented with AB (100 mg/kg zinc bacitracin, 50 mg/kg colistin sulfate, and 100 mg/kg olaquindox; CHA-AB) or 500 mg/kg PB ( and ; CHA-PB) and challenged with ETEC K88 on d 9. In Exp. 2, 108 weaned pigs (7.5 ± 0.9 kg initial BW) not challenged with ETEC K88 were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments, including an AB-free basal diet (CON) and the basal diet with AB (ABD) or 500 mg/kg PB supplementation (PBD). In Exp. 1, after challenge, CHA-C decreased ( < 0.05) ADG and ADFI, whereas CHA-AB and CHA-PB revealed no significant change compared with NON-C. Compared with CHA-C, CHA-AB and CHA-PB improved ( < 0.05) ADG and ADFI and decreased ( < 0.05) the diarrhea incidence in pigs. Mucosal secretory Ig A contents in the jejunum and ileum were greater in CHA-C than in NON-C ( < 0.05) and lower than in CHA-PB ( < 0.05). The diet containing PB alleviated the increase in the endotoxin and diamine oxidase concentration and cecal count ( < 0.05) and the decrease in intestinal villus height, cecal count, and jejunal mucosal occludin protein abundance ( < 0.05). In Exp. 2, dietary supplementation with AB and PB had positive effects on ADG and feed efficiency ( < 0.05). Compared with CON, apparent digestibility of nutrients in PBD was improved ( < 0.05). Collectively, PB supplementation protected the pigs against ETEC K88 infection by enhancing immune responses and attenuating intestinal damage and improved the performance and nutrient digestibility of weaned pigs. Therefore, PB could be a potential effective alternative to AB for ameliorating diarrhea and improving performance in weaned pigs.

Supplemental lipoic acid relieves post-weaning diarrhoea by decreasing intestinal permeability in rats.

Lipoic acid (LA) is a naturally existing substance which widely distributed in the cellular membranes and cytosol of animal cells. Its intracellular functions include quenching of free radicals and repairing oxidized proteins. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of LA on post-weaning diarrhoea using a rat model. Sixty weaned rats were fed either a basal diet or a LA-supplemented diet, or a zinc oxide (ZnO)-supplemented diet as a positive control. Rats in the LA and ZnO groups had better performance and reduced incidence of diarrhoea (p < 0.05). Both LA and ZnO treatments enhanced intestinal homeostatic and architecture, significantly decreased urinary lactulose to mannitol ratios (p < 0.05) and increased the expression of the intestinal mucosal tight junction proteins occludin (OCLN) and zonula occludens protein-1 (ZO-1) (p < 0.05). LA significantly increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, and reduced glutathione while decreasing the levels of oxidative glutathione and malondialdehyde in the intestinal mucosa (p < 0.05). Furthermore, an in vitro study indicated that supplementation with LA in IEC-6 intestinal epithelial cells significantly enhanced the expression of OCLN and ZO-1 under hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress. Collectively, these results suggest that LA relieves post-weaning diarrhoea by reducing intestinal permeability and improving antioxidant indices.

[Relationship between occupational stress and working ability of workers in a petroleum processing enterprise in high altitude area].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between occupational stress and working ability of workers in a petroleum processing enterprise in a high altitude area. Methods: A total of 728 workers in a petroleum processing enterprise at an altitude of 2850 m were subjected to a survey using Occupational Stress Inventory (OSI) , Work Ability Index (WAI) Scale, Occupational Role Questionnaire (ORQ) , Personal Strain Questionnaire (PSQ) , and Personal Resource Questionnaire (PRQ) from May 2014 to August 2016. Results: Of the 728 workers, 55 (7.6%) had a poor working ability, moderate in 262 (35.9%) , and good in 411 (56.5%). There were significant differences in WAI between the workers with different types of work, sexes, ages, and working years (P<0.05). There was a significant difference in WAI between different occupational stress groups (P<0.05). WAI was negatively correlated with ORQ score and PSQ score (r(s)=-0.387, P<0.05; r(s)=-0.467, P<0.05) and positively correlated with PRQ score (r(s)=0.343, P<0.05). The multiple linear regression analysis showed that high ORQ score and PSQ score were the inhibitory factors for high WAI (B=-0.058; B=-0.082) and high PRQ score was a contributing factor for high WAI (B=0.029) . Conclusion: Occupational stress is an influencing factor for the working ability of workers in the petroleum processing enterprise in the high altitude area. Hypoxia in high altitude area may further reduce the working ability. In order to reduce occupational stress and improve work ability, it should be considered to strengthen skills training, improve the working environment, and pay attention to mental health.

Concentration of digestible and metabolizable energy, standardized ileal digestibility, and growth performance of pigs fed diets containing sorghum produced in the United States or corn produced in China.

The DE and ME content (Exp. 1) as well as the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of essential AA (EAA; Exp. 2) were compared between Chinese corn and U.S. sorghum. The effects of U.S. sorghum as a potential substitute for Chinese corn on growth performance of 114 weaned pigs (8.8 ± 1.0 kg BW; Exp. 3) and 60 growing pigs (23.4 ± 1.6 kg BW; Exp. 4) were evaluated, and the effect of protease supplementation on N utilization was determined in sorghum-based diets fed to growing pigs (Exp. 4). In Exp. 1, there was no difference in DE and ME content between corn and sorghum. In Exp. 2, the AID and SID of most EAA and the concentrations of standardized ileal digestible Lys, Met, Thr, and His were less in sorghum than in corn ( < 0.05). In Exp. 3, there was no difference in ADG and ADFI among treatments during the experimental period. The G:F and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of CP was decreased for pigs fed diets with sorghum in the first 2 wk ( < 0.05) and for pigs fed diets containing 60% sorghum in the following 2 wk ( < 0.05). The fecal score for pigs fed diets with sorghum, regardless of the substitute level, was less ( < 0.05) or tended to be less ( = 0.086) than that for pigs fed diets containing 60% corn. In Exp. 4, no differences were observed in ADG and ADFI overall among pigs fed diets based on corn and soybean meal (CSBM) or sorghum and soybean meal (SSBM). Pigs fed CSBM or SSBM with protease supplementation had greater ( < 0.05) or tended to have greater ( = 0.062) G:F than pigs fed SSBM. Compared with CSBM, SSBM increased fecal N excretion by more than 25% and decreased the ATTD of CP by more than 7% during the whole experiment ( < 0.05). Protease supplementation reduced fecal N excretion by more than 12% and increased ATTD of CP by more than 6% ( < 0.05). In conclusion, based on optimal G:F and CP digestibility, diets for weaned pigs should contain less than 20% sorghum during the first 2 wk and no more than 40% during the subsequent 2 wk after weaning. Sorghum used as an alternative energy source for corn in diets fed to growing pigs decreases CP utilization by increasing manure N output, which might be partially offset by protease supplementation.