[Understanding of Smallpox in Ancient China].

Smallpox was believed afferent before the Sui Dynasty. Some relatively accurate descriptions about smallpox were found in the Sui and Tang Dynasties. Smallpox was recognized as a severe infectious disease caused by pathogenic heat by the observation of its symptoms and appearance. It was believed that smallpox was caused by the heat accumulation in the Zang-Fu organs in the early period of the North Song Dynasty. After that, it was believed caused by the fetus ingesting the filthy liquid from the mother as the prototype of the fetal poison theory. This means that ancient Chinese physicians were able to distinguish the differences among chickenpox, measles and smallpox at that time. The exogenous theory of fetal poison became the mainstream in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Smallpox, therefore, was confirmed not to be re-infected after once infection, and was specifically described with the symptoms and the precise prognosis. It can be seen that the understanding of smallpox by ancient Chinese physicians developed with time, and these understandings opened a way for the invention of the human pox vaccination.

[The biographical information of thirty officials in the Taiyi Hospital in the Guangxu period].

Based on original materials, such as "The Collection of Jinshen Records of the Qing Dynasty", "The Collection of Medical Records of the Qing Palace" and the newspapers and periodicals of the late Qing Dynasty, the biographies of the administrators in the Taiyi Hospital in the Guangxu period were traced back systematically. Professional biographies of four presidents , nine vice presidents and 20 chiefs in the Taiyi Hospital were clarified. The dates of birth and death of four presidents and vice presidents of the Taiyi Hospital were verified. This information supplements the biography of the Taiyi doctors, corrects some errors in some reference books, and provides new historical materials for the study of medical figures.

Protective effects of dietary fish-oil supplementation on skin inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers induced by fine particulate air pollution: a pilot randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to fine particulate matter (with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2·5 µm, PM2·5 ) air pollution has been associated with skin-related diseases or disorders. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the potential skin-protective effects of fish-oil supplementation against PM2·5 exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an exploratory analysis based on a pilot randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial among 65 healthy young adults between September 2017 and January 2018 in Shanghai, China. We randomly assigned participants to take either fish oil or placebo 2·5 g daily for four consecutive months. Four rounds of skin D-Squame® tape samples were collected in the last 2 months, and five secondary biomarkers of skin inflammation and oxidative stress were measured. Fixed-site PM2·5 concentrations on campus were measured in real time. We used linear mixed-effect models to analyse the associations between short-term PM2·5 exposure and biomarkers in each group. RESULTS: The 24-h average PM2·5 concentration was 34·68 ± 15·83 µg m-3 . There were generally weaker associations between PM2·5 and biomarkers in the fish-oil group than in the placebo group, but the associations and the between-group differences varied by biomarkers and lag periods. Compared with the placebo group, for a 10-µg m-3 increase in PM2·5 concentration, the increments of interleukin-1α and carbonyl protein in the fish-oil group were 41·55% smaller [95% confidence interval (CI) 4·61-78·48%] at lag 0-48 h and 22·01% smaller (95% CI 11·25-32·77%) at lag 0-24 h, respectively. No significant between-group differences were observed for other biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that dietary fish-oil supplementation may improve biomarkers of skin inflammation and oxidative-stress response to short-term PM2·5 exposure.

[On the name and authorship of Yi Lüe Zheng Wu Gai Lun].

Yi Lüe Zheng Wu Gai Lun(, Introduction of Corrections to Summaries on Medicine) was written around 1545, the 24th year during Emperor Jiajing's reign in the Ming Dynasty, now it has the only copy extant. Some errors and mistakes happened about this book name and its author in some history books and bibliographies: some reference books describe Yi Lüe Zheng Wu Gai Lun and Yi Lüe Zheng Wu (, Corrections to Summaries on Medicine) as two different books, with their own writer Li Xiang and Li Hanyi respectively. In fact, there is only one book, Yi Lüe Zheng Wu Gai Lun and Yi Lüe Zheng Wu is same book. The author is Li Xiang, but Hanyi is his courtesy name that misunderstood as a different person.

Systemic anti-inflammatory therapy aided by double-headed nanoparticles in a canine model of acute intraocular inflammation.

Novel approaches circumventing blood-ocular barriers in systemic drug delivery are lacking. We hypothesize receptor-mediated delivery of curcumin (CUR) across intestinal and ocular barriers leads to decreased inflammation in a model of lens-induced uveitis. CUR was encapsulated in double-headed polyester nanoparticles using gambogic acid (GA)-coupled polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA). Orally administered PLGA-GA2-CUR led to notable aqueous humor CUR levels and was dosed (10 mg/kg twice daily) to adult male beagles (n = 8 eyes) with induced ocular inflammation. Eyes were evaluated using a semiquantitative preclinical ocular toxicology scoring (SPOTS) and compared to commercial anti-inflammatory treatment (oral carprofen 2.2 mg/kg twice daily) (n = 8) and untreated controls (n = 8). PLGA-GA2-CUR offered improved protection compared with untreated controls and similar protection compared with carprofen, with reduced aqueous flare, miosis, and chemosis in the acute phase (<4 hours). This study highlights the potential of PLGA-GA2 nanoparticles for systemic drug delivery across ocular barriers.

[Zhu Yilin and his medical works].

Zhaixinglou Zhidou Quanshu (, Encyclopedia of Smallpox from the Star-Picking Pavilion) is considered as the epitome of theory and the experience collected of the doctors treating smallpox in Ming dynasty. There exists some mistakes and lack of detailed introductions about it and its author Zhu Yilin in some bibliographies. Zhu's style name is"Jixiang", and"Yingwo"is his art name. His most active time was during the reigns of Wanli and Chongzhen emperors. He learned medicine because of his illness and became good at treating smallpox. After failing to pass the Imperial examinations, he focused on practicing medicine. Zhu Yilin's printed medical works include Douyan Qulu Ji, Lundou Youxi Pian, Zhidou Dachengji (, Collections of Treating Smallpox), and his medical records. There are the preface of 1st Year of Tianqi Reign wood-block edition, and 2 copied manuscripts, one in Japan and the other in Taiwan. Zhu's descendant Zhu Fa and Zhu Cun collected his works above and compiled as one book, renamed its name to Zhaixinglou Zhidou Quanshu during Qianlong and Daoguang Reign and printed it in 1826, which is called the Daoguang Gengletang edition. Some reference books and textbooks mistake it as compiled in 1619, printed in 1743 or 1765. In addition, Fu Zhichao Zhongdouxinfa (, Supplemented Extracts of Variolation Methods) in Zhaixinglou Zhidou Quanshu was mainly based on Youke Zhongdou Xinfa Yaozhi (, Pediatric Variolation Essentials), and extracted many books like Douzhen Dinglun (, Verdict on Smallpox).

[The traditional Chinese Medicine-The points of view from a Russian doctor in the mid-nineteenth century].

Doctor of Medicine Tatarinov(Татаринов) came to China, as a member of the Russian Orthodox Mission(also known as the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission). He wrote a report on Chinese medicine in 1855. In its preface, he recorded in detail and commented the books of medicine in China, the status of Chinese physicians, and their services of diagnosis and therapy. The records of the clinics in Beijing, its diagnostic fee and service way of the practitioners were very rare in other literatures. Its comments on traditional Chinese medicine reflected western doctors' ideas at that time. His view came from unique angle, and had high value on the study of Chinese medicine history.

Effects of bamboo leaf extract on growth performance, meat quality, and meat oxidative stability in broiler chickens.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary bamboo leaf extract (BLE) on growth performance, meat quality, oxidative stability, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) related gene expression of breast meat in broilers. A total of 576 one-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were divided into 6 groups. The control group (CTR) was fed basal diet, while BLE1, BLE2, BLE3, BLE4, and BLE5 were fed basal diet supplemented with 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0 g BLE per kg feed, respectively. Compared with the CTR group, BLE2 and BLE5 increased average daily feed intake from 1 to 21 D and 22 to 42 D (P < 0.05), BLE1 and BLE2 improved average daily gain (ADG) and feed to gain ratio from 22 to 42 D (P < 0.05). Throughout the trial period, the highest body weight and favorable ADG and feed to gain ratio were observed in the BLE2 group. The drip loss at 24 h and pH at 45 min postmortem of breast meat were linearly improved by BLE supplementation (P < 0.05). Shear force was significantly lower in BLE2 and BLE3 than that in CTR group. Increasing supplementation of BLE linearly improved free radical scavenging capacity and decreased malondialdehyde content of breast meat during 12 D of storage (P < 0.05). Total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase activity were linearly increased by BLE supplementation (P < 0.05). Compared with the CTR group, the mRNA expression of Nrf2 and glutathione peroxidase in BLE3, BLE4, and BLE5 groups was significantly promoted, and glutathione S-transferase gene expression was increased in BLE2, BLE4, and BLE5 (P < 0.05). The highest (P < 0.05) heme oxygennase-1 gene expression was observed in BLE5. In conclusion, broiler supplemented with BLE improved growth performance and meat quality, BLE supplementation might activate Nrf2 pathway to alleviate lipid oxidation and increase antioxidant capacity of breast meat. The dosage of 2.0 to 3.0 g/kg BLE in broiler diet was recommanded.

Effect of fermented Ginkgo biloba leaves on nutrient utilisation, intestinal digestive function and antioxidant capacity in broilers.

1. A total of 648 one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly allocated into six equal groups to investigate the effect of diet supplemented with fermented Ginkgo biloba leaves (FGBL) at different levels on nutrient utilisation, intestinal digestive function and antioxidant activity. 2. Broilers in the six groups were offered basal diet supplemented with either 0, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5 and 5.5 g/kg FGBL during the 42-d experiment, respectively. 3. Birds fed with 3.5 g/kg FGBL diet exhibited increased (P < 0.05) body weight gain, feed intake, apparent total tract retention (ATTR) of ether extract (EE) and relative weight of duodenum. Diets supplemented with FGBL increased (P < 0.05) antioxidant and digestive enzyme activities, and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations at different degrees in pancreas and small intestine. The expression of antioxidant related genes was up-regulated (P < 0.05) by the transcription factor Nrf2 in small intestine, especially with supplementation of 3.5 and 4.5 g/kg FGBL in the diet. However, 5.5 g/kg diet significantly decreased (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio and catalase activity (CAT) in the duodenum. 4. Body weight, relative weight of duodenum, amylase and trypsin activities in ileum, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and CAT in duodenum, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in ileum increased linearly and quadratically with FGBL content. Activities of amylase in pancreas, trypsin in jejunum, lipase in ileum, and GSH-PX in duodenum and jejunum increased linearly with FGBL content. Body weight gain, ATTR of EE, activities of trypsin in pancreas and amylase in jejunum, total superoxide dismutase activity in duodenum, T-AOC level and concentrations of MDA in the jejunum and ileum showed a quadratic (P < 0.05) dose response as supplemental FGBL level increased. 5. In conclusion, the addition of FGBL had the potential to improve nutrient utilisation, intestinal digestive function and antioxidant activity of broilers. The optimal dietary supplementation dose for broiler production seemed to be 3.5 to 4.5 g/kg.

[Foreign members and their researches on Chinese medical history in early Chinese Society of Medical History].

Foreign members of Chinese Society of Medical History were more than one-third in Republic of China. But they have not gotten enough attention. This paper introduces their life, and researches on history of medicine of 13 foreign members, includes B. E. Read, Edward.H.Hume, L. S. Huizenga, W. W.Cadbury, H. G.Earle, Frederick Reiss, Maxwell, J.L, W. R.Morse, C. N. Frazier, T. C.Greene, Franz Hübotter, L. G.Kilborn, H. E.Sigerist. Their researches on Chinese medical history played an important role in the western society knowing about traditional Chinese medicine and its medical culture.

[ZHANG Zhongyuan (), President of Imperial Academy of Medicine in the Qing Dynasty].

The Imperial Academy of Medicine (IAM) was the central medical administrative authority, responsible for the promulgation and implementation of national medical policies. It also was the medical educational institution that trained physicians. The imperial government isolated the physicians at the IAM from the outside world. Therefore, records about them are rare. By studying official archives such as Juezhi Quanlan 《》, Jinshen Quanshu 《》 and Qing Dynasty Imperial medical archives, etc, we provide a brief biography of Zhang Zhongyuan, the last chief administrator of the IAM, and present his rise from the lowest rank of physician to chief administrator. We also discuss his medical activities, diagnosis and treatments for the Imperial family, especially for Empress Dowager Cixi () and Emperor Guangxu (), as well as the management and reforms he advocated for the IAM. Through an analysis of the case of Zhang Zhongyuan, we can have a glimpse of the real life of imperial physicians.

[Medical education in China in early Republic of China and Japan].

In 1912, with reference to the educational system of Japan, the Ministry of Education of the Republic of China issued the Regulation of Medical College, and established the first national medical institution of higher medical education, the Peking Medical Special College. Thereafter, public institutions of Medical Special School were also set up by some local government, such as Jiangsu and Zhejiang, etc. These public and national special medical schools and colleges were all established by the returned medical students studying in Japan, and they copied the model of Japanese medical education, including using the curricula of medical college of Japan, employing Japanese teachers, translating Japanese textbooks and buying Japanese experimental samples and apparatuses, all followed the Japanese models. In a manner of speaking, taking Japan as the template, educational system of western medicine was established in China in early Republic of China. In 1923, learning from that of the United States, a new educational medical system was set up, the medical education in China was further in line with the world.

Effect of supplemental fermented Ginkgo biloba leaves at different levels on growth performance, meat quality, and antioxidant status of breast and thigh muscles in broiler chickens.

The present study was conducted to investigate the influence of dietary supplementation with different levels of fermented Ginkgo biloba leaves (FGBL) on growth performance, slaughter performance, meat quality, antioxidant enzyme capacity, and free radical scavenging activities of muscles in broiler chickens. A total of 648 one-d-old broiler chickens were randomly allocated into six dietary treatments, including control group (CON group: basal diet), FGBL1, FGBL2, FGBL3, FGBL4, and FGBL5 groups (basal diet containing 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, and 5.5 g/kg FGBL, respectively). Body weight gain and feed intake were recorded at 1, 21, and 42 d. At 42 d, 2 birds from each replicate were slaughtered. The results indicated that 3.5 g/kg FGBL diet significantly increased (P < 0.05) ADFI and ADG in 1 to 42 d and ADFI in 22 to 42 d compared with the CON group. In 1 to 21 d, 4.5 g/kg FGBL diet improved (P < 0.05) ADFI and ADG. With dietary FGBL increasing, the feed: gain ratio (F/G) in 1 to 21 d was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). However, birds fed with 5.5 g/kg FGBL had a higher (P < 0.05) F/G compared with other groups in 22 to 42 d and 1 to 42 d. In addition, FGBL3 and FGBL4 showed lower (P < 0.05) L* value in breast muscle, cooking loss in thigh muscle and lower 24 h and 48 h drip loss in both breast and thigh muscles than those of other groups. Furthermore, birds in the FGBL3 and FGBL4 groups increased (P < 0.05) the activity of total superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capability in muscles, and the scavenging activities of 2,2΄-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic) acid radical, OH•, and O2•- in thigh muscle, decreased (P < 0.05) malondialdehyde concentration in thigh muscle, as compared to the CON group. In conclusion, FGBL had the potential to improve the growth performance, meat quality and antioxidant status of broiler chickens. The optimal dose in the present study of FGBL in broiler diets was from 3.5 to 4.5 g/kg.

Evaluation of enzymatically treated Artemisia annua L. on growth performance, meat quality, and oxidative stability of breast and thigh muscles in broilers.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of including enzymatically treated Artemisia annua L. (EA) in broiler diets on growth performance, meat quality, and oxidative stability of breast and thigh muscles. A total of 256 one-d-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly allotted into four groups with eight replicates of eight birds each. Broilers in the four groups were offered basal diet supplemented with 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 g/kg EA during the 42-d experiment, respectively. The ADG, ADFI, and feed/gain ratio (F:G) were measured at 42 d of age. Breast and thigh muscle samples from eight birds per treatment were obtained at 42 d to determine meat quality, free radical scavenging activity, and lipid peroxidation. All treatment groups had similar ADG, ADFI, and F:G during the 42 d experiment (P > 0.05). Drip loss at 24 h and shearing force of breast muscle were linearly (P < 0.05) and quadratically (P < 0.05) decreased by EA addition. The drip loss at 24 h and 48 h, cooking loss and shearing force of thigh muscle followed the same fashion. The supplementation of EA quadratically increased 2, 2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) (P = 0.004) and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (P = 0.035) free radical scavenging activities in breast muscle, and linearly (P < 0.05) and quadratically (P < 0.05) increased ABTS and DPPH scavenging activities of thigh muscle. Increasing levels of EA linearly (P < 0.05) or quadratically (P < 0.05) or both decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in breast and thigh muscle samples during 15 d of storage at 4°C. The results indicated that EA supplementation improved meat quality and oxidative stability of breast and thigh muscles in broilers. The inclusion level of 1.0 g/kg EA in broiler diet was recommended.

A Comparison of Natural (D-α-tocopherol) and Synthetic (DL-α-tocopherol Acetate) Vitamin E Supplementation on the Growth Performance, Meat Quality and Oxidative Status of Broilers.

The present study was conducted to compare the supplementation of natural (D-α-tocopherol) and synthetic (DL-α-tocopherol acetate) vitamin E on the growth performance, meat quality, muscular antioxidant capacity and genes expression related to oxidative status of broilers. A total of 144 1 day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly allocated into 3 groups with 6 replicates of 8 birds each. Birds were given a basal diet (control group), and basal diet supplemented with either 20 IU D-α-tocopherol or DL-α-tocopherol acetate for 42 days, respectively. The results indicated that treatments did not alter growth performance of broilers (p>0.05). Compared with the control group, concentration of α-tocopherol in the breast muscle was increased by the supplementation of vitamin E (p<0.05). In the thigh, α-tocopherol content was also enhanced by vitamin E inclusion, and this effect was more pronounced in the natural vitamin E group (p<0.05). Vitamin E supplementation increased the redness of breast (p<0.05). In the contrast, the inclusion of synthetic vitamin E decreased lightness of thigh (p<0.05). Dietary vitamin E inclusion reduced drip loss at 24 h of thigh muscle (p<0.05), and this effect was maintained for drip loss at 48 h in the natural vitamin E group (p<0.05). Broilers given diet supplemented with vitamin E showed decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the breast (p<0.05). Additionally, natural rather than synthetic vitamin E reduced MDA accumulation in the thigh (p<0.05). Neither natural nor synthetic vitamin E supplementation altered muscular mRNA abundance of genes related to oxidative stress (p>0.05). It was concluded that vitamin E supplementation, especially the natural vitamin E, can enhance the retention of muscular α-tocopherol, improve meat quality and muscular antioxidant capacity of broilers.

First Report of Cucumber mosaic virus in Agastache rugosa in China.

Agastache rugosa (family Lamiaceae) is one of the most common herbs of traditional Chinese medicine in China, and the species increasingly gains popularity on the international market. In June 2012, typical mosaic symptoms were observed on many A. rugosa plants in a field in Shanxi Province. The incidence of this disease reached more than 60% in a 2.6-ha field. Seven symptomatic plants were tested by DAS-ELISA using monoclonal antibodies specific for Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), and Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV); all antisera used in DAS-ELISA were generated and validated in our laboratory. CMV was found in all seven samples tested, but not TMV and ToMV. Double-stranded RNAs (dsRNA) extracted from infected leaves were used as templates in the subsequent two-step RT-PCR reaction (1). In order to further confirm the presence of CMV, a pair of specific primers (forward: 5'-ACGTCGACCATGGACAAATC-3', and reverse: 5'-TACCCGGGTCAGACTGGTAGCACC-3') based on the coat protein gene sequence of CMV were used to amplify PCR products of the expected size (657 bp) from ELISA-positive samples (2). These PCR products were cloned into pUCm-T Vector (Sangon Biotech, Shanghai) and sequenced. Five independent clones have been sequenced to obtain the consensus sequence. This consensus sequence (GenBank Accession No. JQ403529) was compared with other CMV sequences available in GenBank using DNAMAN. The partial CMV coat protein sequence showed the highest 97.9% nucleotide identity with a subgroup IB CMV isolate from China (DQ459481). To our knowledge, this is the first report of the natural occurrence of CMV on A. rugosa. References: (1) M. Krajacic et al. J. Chromatogr. A. 1144:111, 2007. (2) F. Li et al. J. Zhejiang Univ. 26:261, 2000.

Histidine supplementation improves insulin resistance through suppressed inflammation in obese women with the metabolic syndrome: a randomised controlled trial.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Increased inflammation and oxidative stress are associated with insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic disorders. Serum histidine levels are lower and are negatively associated with inflammation and oxidative stress in obese women. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of histidine supplementation on IR, inflammation, oxidative stress and metabolic disorders in obese women with the metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS: A total of 100 obese women aged 33-51 years with BMI ≥ 28 kg/m² and diagnosed with MetS were included following a health examination in the community hospital in this randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Participants were allocated to interventions by an investigator using sequentially numbered sealed envelopes and received 4 g/day histidine (n = 50) or identical placebo (n = 50) for 12 weeks. Participants then attended the same clinic every 2 weeks for scheduled interviews and to count tablets returned. Serum histidine, HOMA-IR, BMI, waist circumference, fat mass, serum NEFA, and variables connected to inflammation and oxidative stress were measured at baseline and 12 weeks. Participants, examining physicians and investigators assessing the outcomes were blinded to group assignment. In addition, the inflammatory mechanisms of histidine were also explored in adipocytes. RESULTS: At 12 weeks, a total of 92 participants completed this trail. Compared with the placebo group (n = 47), histidine supplementation significantly decreased HOMA-IR (-1.09 [95% CI -1.49, -0.68]), BMI (-0.86 kg/m² [95% CI -1.55, -0.17]), waist circumference (-2.86 cm [95% CI -3.86, -1.86]), fat mass (-2.71 kg [95% CI -3.69, -1.73]), serum NEFA (-173.26 µmol/l [95% CI -208.57, -137.94]), serum inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, -3.96 pg/ml [95% CI -5.29, -2.62]; IL-6, -2.15 pg/ml [95% CI -2.52, -1.78]), oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase, 17.84 U/ml [95% CI 15.03, 20.65]; glutathione peroxidase, 13.71 nmol/ml [95% CI 9.65, 17.78]) and increased serum histidine and adiponectin by 18.23 µmol/l [95% CI 11.74, 24.71] and 2.02 ng/ml [95% CI 0.60, 3.44] in histidine supplementation group (n = 45), respectively. There were significant correlations between changes in serum histidine and changes of IR and its risk factors. No side effects were observed during the intervention. In vitro study indicated that histidine suppresses IL6 and TNF mRNA expression and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) protein production in palmitic acid-induced adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner, and these changes were diminished by an inhibitor of NF-κB. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Histidine supplementation could improve IR, reduce BMI, fat mass and NEFA and suppress inflammation and oxidative stress in obese women with MetS; histidine could improve IR through suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, possibly by the NF-κB pathway, in adipocytes.

Energy, amino acid, and phosphorus digestibility of phytase transgenic corn for growing pigs.

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate energy, AA, and P digestibility in a phytase transgenic corn (PTC) containing a phytase gene (phyA2) isolated from Aspergillus niger compared with a nontransgenic near-isoline conventional corn (CC) grown in the same environmental conditions for growing pigs. Experiment 1 was an energy balance experiment conducted to measure DE and ME in PTC and CC. Eighteen growing barrows (initial BW 25.8±0.3 kg) from 9 litters were allotted by BW and litter to 1 of 2 dietary treatments with 9 pigs per treatment in a randomized complete block design. Pigs were individually placed in metabolism cages and fed diets based on the 2 corns. The DE and ME in PTC (3,967 and 3,941 kcal/kg of DM, respectively) were greater (P<0.05) than those in CC (3,917 and 3,848 kcal/kg of DM, respectively). Experiment 2 was conducted to measure apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) values of CP and AA in the 2 corns. Eighteen growing barrows (initial BW 41.8±0.7 kg) were equipped with a T-cannula in the distal ileum. Pigs were placed in metabolism cages in a completely randomized design with 3 dietary treatments of 6 pigs each. An N-free diet was used to estimate basal endogenous losses of CP and AA. The AID and SID values for CP and all AA did not differ between the 2 corns. Experiment 3 was conducted to measure apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) values of P in the 2 corns. Eighteen growing pigs (initial BW 30.5±0.5 kg) from 6 litters were placed in metabolism cages in a randomized complete block design with 3 dietary treatments of 6 pigs each based on BW and litter. Two diets were based on the 2 corns, and a P-free diet was used to measure endogenous P losses. The ATTD and STTD values of P were greater (P<0.05) in the PTC diet (71.4% and 76.9%, respectively) than those in the CC diet (27.6% and 33.4%, respectively). Pigs fed the PTC diet had a greater (P<0.05) P retention (70.7%) than those fed the CC diet (27.1%). It was concluded that PTC had a greater digestibility of energy and P than CC for growing pigs. As a consequence, if PTC replaces CC in a pig diet, the DE and ME in the diet will increase, and less inorganic P will need to be supplemented to the diet, and thus P excretion in manure will be decreased.

The beneficial effect of Radix Dipsaci total saponins on bone metabolism in vitro and in vivo and the possible mechanisms of action.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-osteoporotic effects of Radix Dipsaci total saponins (RTS). We showed that RTS was able to improve bone properties by either an increase of osteoblastic activity or a decrease in osteoclastic activity. INTRODUCTION: Radix Dipsaci has long been used as an anti-osteoporotic drug. The present study investigates the anti-osteoporotic effects of RTS. METHODS: Three-month-old female rats were randomly assigned into a sham-operated group (sham) and five ovariectomy (OVX) subgroups, namely, OVX with vehicle (OVX), OVX with 17ß-ethinylestradiol (E(2)), and OVX with graded doses of RTS (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg/d). RTS and E(2) were administered orally, daily from 1 week after OVX treatment for 4 months. Bone mass, turnover, and strength were evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, biochemical markers, and the three-point bending test. The trabecular bone microarchitecture was assessed by microCT. In vitro experiments were performed to determine the potential molecular mechanisms of the anti-osteoporotic effect of RTS. RESULTS: RTS prevented the loss of bone mass induced by OVX. The preventive effect on bone loss was primarily indicated by decreasing levels of bone turnover markers and confirmed by the changes in urinary calcium and phosphorus excretion. The treatment also enhanced the biomechanical strength of bone and prevented the deterioration of trabecular bone microarchitecture. RTS induced MC3T3-E1 and primary osteoblastic cell maturation and differentiation and increased bone formation by increasing BMP-2 synthesis. In addition, RTS inhibited osteoclastogenesis through an increase in osteoprotegrin and a decrease in NF-kB ligand expression in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: RTS treatment can effectively suppress the loss of bone mass induced by OVX and in vitro evidence suggests this could be through actions on both osteoblasts and osteoclasts.

454 EST analysis detects genes putatively involved in ginsenoside biosynthesis in Panax ginseng.

Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer is one of the most highly valued medicinal plants in the world. To analyze the transcriptome of P. ginseng and discover the genes involved in ginsenoside biosynthesis, cDNAs derived from the total RNA of 11-year-old, wood-grown P. ginseng roots were analyzed by 454 sequencing. A total of 217,529 high quality reads (expressed sequence tags, ESTs), with an average length of 409 bases, were generated from a one-quarter run to yield 31,741 unique sequences. The majority (20,198; 63.6%) of the unique sequences were annotated using BLAST similarity searches. A total of 16,810 and 16,577 unique sequences were assigned to functional classifications and biochemical pathways based on Gene Ontology analysis and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes assignment, respectively. Nine genes involved in the biosynthesis of ginsenoside skeletons and many candidate genes putatively responsible for modification of the skeletons, including 133 cytochrome P450s and 235 glycosyltransferases, were identified. From these candidates, six transcripts encoding UDP-glycosyltransferases that were most likely to be involved in ginsenoside biosynthesis were selected. These results open a new avenue by which to explore and exploit biosynthetic and biochemical properties that may lead to drug improvement. These 454 ESTs will provide the foundation for further functional genomic research into the traditional herb P. ginseng or its closely related species.