Dietary calcium and non-phytate phosphorus levels affect the performance, serum biochemical indices, and lipid metabolism in growing pullets.

This experiment aimed to study the effects of dietary calcium (Ca) and non-phytate phosphorus (NPP) levels on performance, serum biochemical indices, and lipid metabolism in Beijing You Chicken (BYC), a local chicken. A 3 × 3 factorial design was adopted, dietary Ca levels were 0.66, 0.71, and 0.76%, NPP levels were 0.25, 0.30, and 0.35%. A total of 648 ten-wk-old BYC growing pullets were randomly divided into 9 groups with 6 replicates per group, and 12 birds per replicate. Growth performance, serum biochemical indices, and lipid metabolism indicators from 10 to 16 wk were measured. The results showed as follows: 1) Dietary Ca and NPP alone did not affect growth performance, but the interaction of dietary Ca and NPP affected average feed intake (AFI) of growing pullets (P < 0.05). The AFI was the lowest for the group with 0.71% Ca and 0.25% NPP (3,550.0 g, P = 0.036). 2) Dietary Ca level significantly affected serum P content (P < 0.05); dietary NPP had an influence trend on serum Ca content (P= 0.054). Dietary NPP levels and the interaction of Ca and NPP significantly affected alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity. 3) Dietary Ca levels significantly affected TC content and HDL-C content (P < 0.05). Dietary NPP level significantly affected TG content (P < 0.05), the TG content in 0.25% and 0.30% NPP groups was significantly lower than that in 0.35% NPP group (P < 0.05). The interaction of dietary Ca and NPP significantly affected TG, TC and HDL-C contents (P < 0.05). TG, TC, and LDL-C levels were lower and HDL-C levels were the highest in the group with 0.66% Ca and 0.25% NPP. In summary, appropriate dietary Ca level can regulate serum TG, TC, and HDL-C content. Dietary Ca and NPP levels can be adjusted in pullet phase to avoid excessive obesity during the egg-laying period. This study recommended that dietary 0.66% Ca and 0.25% NPP benefit for the lipid metabolism of BYC growing pullets without affecting the performance.

Probiotic fermented feed improved the production, health and nutrient utilisation of yellow-feathered broilers reared in high altitude in Tibet.

1. Probiotic fermented feed (PFF) has been widely used in poultry production. The current study was designed to investigate whether PPF could alleviate the negative effects of hypoxia on yellow-feathered broilers reared at high altitude on the Tibet Plateau. 2. A total of 480, one-day-old male Lingnan yellow-feathered broilers were divided into four treatment groups with six replicates, each containing 20 broiler chickens. Broilers in the four groups were offered either a basal diet (without antibiotics) or test diets containing 5, 10 and 15% of PFF respectively. The experiment lasted for eight weeks. 3. Birds fed the 10% PFF diet exhibited increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) on d 28 and 56, body weight (BW) on d 56, total tract apparent digestibility (TTAD) of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and gross energy (GE). Feeding diets supplemented with 10% PFF increased (P < 0.05) digestive activity and gut development in duodenum and jejunum. Supplementation with 10% or 15% PFF significantly increased (P < 0.05) the caecal populations of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria spp. and decreased (P < 0.05) caecal E. coli and Salmonella spp. on d 28 and 56. 4. The ADG and BW on d 56, protease activity in duodenum on d 56 and jejunum on d 28 and 56, villus height and villi absorptive area in duodenum and jejunum and caecal Bifidobacteria spp. showed a quadratic (P < 0.05) dose response as supplemental PFF level increased. The TTAD of DM and CP and caecal Lactobacilli spp. increased linearly with PFF level. The caecal populations of E. coli and Salmonella spp. decreased linearly with PFF level. 5. In conclusion, addition of PFF in broiler diets had the potential to improve production performance, nutrient utilisation, intestinal digestive function and caecal microflora in yellow broiler chickens raised at high altitude.

[Efficacy and safety of Xiaoaiping combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced esophageal cancer].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Xiaoaiping combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced esophageal cancer. Methods: This is a multi-center, randomized, open label and parallel controlled study. A total of 124 advanced esophageal cancer patients with Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score ≥60 and expected survival time≥3 months were enrolled. We adopted design and divided the patients into study and control group. The patients in study group received Xiaoaiping combined with S-1 and cisplatin. The control group received S-1 and cisplatin. Each group included 62 patients and 21 days as a treatment cycle. The efficacy and adverse events in patients of the two groups were observed and compared. Results: 57 patients in the study group and 55 in the control group were included in efficacy assessment. The response rate was 54.4% and 34.5% in the study group and control group, respectively(P<0.05). Disease control rates were 86.0% and 69.1%, respectively(P<0.05). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 7.97 in the study group and 6.43 months in the control group(P<0.05). The median overall survival(OS) was 12.93 in the study group and 10.93 months in the control group(P<0.05). The most common adverse events in the two groups were nausea and vomiting, thrombocytopenia, anemia, neutropenia, liver damage, pigmentation, oral mucositis, renal impairment and diarrhea. The incidences of nausea, vomiting, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, neutropenia and diarrhea in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05). Conclusion: Xiaoaiping combined with S-1 and cisplatin significantly increased response rate, and prolongedpatients' survival in patients with advanced esophageal cancer.

Molecular cloning of type I collagen cDNA and nutritional regulation of type I collagen mRNA expression in grass carp.

Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) are important Chinese freshwater fish, and in China, the faba bean has been used as the sole food source for grass carp to transform them into crisp grass carp. Because of this, crisp grass carp has become an economically important fish because of its increased muscle hardness. To study the nutritional regulation of type I collagen in faba bean-fed grass carp, we isolated type I collagen alpha 2 (COL1A2) on the basis of our isolation of COL1A1. The COL1A2 cDNA was found to be 4899 bp in length and included a 4059-bp coding sequence (CDS) and encoded a polypeptide of 1352 AA. The protein peptide molecular weight was 127.39 kD, and the theoretical isoelectric point was 9.37. The COL1A2 protein possessed five α-helixes, eight ß-sheets, 16 regions of triple helical repeats, 21 low-complexity regions, 10 function domains and two zinc-binding sites; however, no calcium-binding sites were observed. The mRNA expression of COL1A1 and COL1A2 was assessed in eight tissues (muscle, hepatopancreas, intestine, gills, skin, fin, kidney and spleen) from grass carp and crisp grass carp by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Expression of COL1A1 in the muscle, intestines and skin of crisp grass carp was higher than that in grass carp, and expression of COL1A2 in the muscle, gills, fin and skin of crisp grass carp was higher than that in grass carp. In the muscle of crisp grass carp, expression of COL1A1 and COL1A2 was higher than that in grass carp, which was further confirmed by real-time PCR, and collagen content also was enhanced. These results demonstrated that type I collagen was closely related to the increased muscle hardness of faba bean-fed grass carp.

Hepatocellular carcinoma following renal transplantation: experience in northern Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) have been reported to be the most common post-renal transplantation malignancy in Taiwan; they are considered to be related to the use of herbal drugs. However, in 2004, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was the most prevalent malignancy at our institute. We therefore extended our observations through 2006 to include a larger renal transplant cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were given an immunosuppressive regimen consisting of either cyclosporine or FK 506, mycophenolate mofetil, and copticosteroid. Critical diagnostic follow-up procedures were performed trimonthly. Aggressive surgical procedures were performed when operable cancers were found. Immunosuppressants were reduced thereafter to prevent recurrence. RESULTS: Among 663 patients, 55 developed 58 malignancies which were diagnosed after a mean of 70 months posttransplantation. Among these 55 patients, 25 died. HCC accounted for 22 malignancies, followed by 15 cases of TCC, and 8 cases of posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). Fifteen known hepatitis B carriers received lamivudine therapy; none had recurrences and only 2 acquired HCC. These 2 patients are still living, whereas the remaining 20 subjects with HCC are deceased. Of the 37 patients who received anti-CD25 induction therapy, none displayed PTLD. CONCLUSIONS: HCC remains the most common post-renal transplantation malignancy in northern Taiwan. The high rates of hepatitis B and C endemic to Taiwan and the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b infections in northern Taiwan may explain this finding. Frequent alpha-fetoprotein measurements and liver ultrasonograms are recommended for early detection of HCC among Taiwanese renal transplant recipients. Anti-CD25 induction therapy appears to be helpful to prevent the development of PTLD among Taiwanese renal transplant recipients.

Effects of overexpression of endogenous phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PALrs1) on accumulation of salidroside in Rhodiola sachalinensis.

Salidroside, a novel effective adaptogenic drug extracted from the medicinal plant Rhodiola sachalinensis A. Bor, can be derived from phenylalanine or tyrosine. Due to the scarcity of R. sachalinensis and its low yield of salidroside, there is great interest in enhancing production of salidroside by the plant. In this study, a cDNA clone encoding phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) was isolated from R. sachalinensis using rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The resulting cDNA was designated PALrs1. It is 2407-bp long and encodes 710 deduced amino acid residues. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA indicated that the PAL gene family is composed of three to five genes in the R. sachalinensis genome. Northern blot analysis revealed that transcripts of PALrs1 were present in calli, leaves and stems, but expression in roots was very low. The PALrs1 under the 35S promoter with double-enhancer sequences from CaMV-Omega and TMV-Omega fragments was transferred into R. sachalinensis via Agrobacterium tumefaciens. PCR and PCR-Southern blot confirmed that the PALrs1 gene had been integrated into the genome of transgenic plants. Northern blot analysis revealed that the PALrs1 gene had been expressed at the transcriptional level. High-performance liquid chromatography indicated that overexpression of the PALrs1 gene resulted in a 3.3-fold increase in p-coumaric acid content, as expected. In contrast, levels of tyrosol and salidroside were 4.7-fold and 7.7-fold, respectively, lower in PALrs1 transgenic plants than in controls. Furthermore, overexpression of the PALrs1 gene resulted in a 2.6-fold decrease in tyrosine content. These data suggest that overexpression of the PALrs1 gene and accumulation of p-coumaric acid did not facilitate tyrosol biosynthesis; tyrosol, as a phenylethanoid derivative, is not derived from phenylalanine; and reduced availability of tyrosine most likely resulted in a large reduction in tyrosol biosynthesis and accumulation of salidroside.

Anticonvulsant effect of water extract of Scutellariae radix in mice.

Since a previous study indicated that the water extract of Scutellariae radix (SR) had high affinity for the benzodiazepine (BDZ) binding site of GABA(A) receptors, the present study examined whether SR water extract has an anticonvulsant effect in vivo and an enhancing effect on gamma-amino-n-butyric acid (GABA)-stimulated uptake of 36Cl(-) in cortex preparation in vitro in mice. The results showed that SR water extract had little effect on pentylenetetrazol (PTZ, 85 mg/kg, s.c.)-induced clonic seizures but significantly inhibited maximal electroshock-induced tonic seizures with an ED(50) of 3.6 g/kg. The BDZ agonist chlordiazepoxide (10 mg/kg, i.p.) had anticonvulsant activity on both types of seizures. In 36Cl(-) uptake assay, SR water extract (1-500 microg/ml) had no significant effect on 25 microM GABA-stimulated 36Cl(-) uptake, whereas chlordiazepoxide (10 microM) increased the 36Cl(-) uptake to 125% of control. Therefore, the present results showed for the first time that SR water extract had anticonvulsant activity against maximal electroshock-induced tonic seizures, and suggested that this anticonvulsant effect might be not via the activation of the BDZ binding site of GABA(A) receptors, but probably via the prevention of seizure spread.

Zinc sulphate solution enema decreases inflammation in experimental colitis in rats.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that zinc sulphate contributes an anti-inflammatory action in many animal models; however, the impact of zinc in colitis remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to examine the role of zinc sulphate in experimental colitis. METHODS: Colitis was induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNB) in rats. Beginning at the first day of TNB colitis, the rats were treated with a zinc sulphate enema once daily for 6 days. The rats were examined 8 days later. RESULTS: The TNB induced severe colitis as evidenced by increased mucosal lesion area, mucosal myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) levels. Six days after the application of the zinc sulphate enema, the mucosal lesion area, MPO activity, PGE2 and LTB4 levels all decreased significantly. Mucosal superoxide dismutase activity remained unchanged after zinc treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that zinc sulphate enemas have an anti-inflammatory action on experimental colitis.

Benzodiazepine binding site-interactive flavones from Scutellaria baicalensis root.

A benzodiazepine binding assay directed separation led to the identification of 3 flavones baicalein (1), oroxylin A (2), and skullcapflavone II (3) from the water extract of Scutellaria baicalensis root. Compounds 1, 2, and 3 interacted with the benzodiazepine binding site of GABAA receptors with a Ki value of 13.1, 14.6 and 0.36 micromol/L, respectively.

Aloe-emodin effects on arylamine N-acetyltransferase activity in the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.

Arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activities with p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and 2-aminofluorene (AF) were determined in H. pylori collected from peptic ulcer patients. Cytosols or suspensions of H. pylori with or without different concentrations of aloe-emodin co-treatment showed different percentages of AF and PABA acetylation. The data indicate that there was decreased NAT activity associated with increased aloe-emodin in H. pylori cytosols. Inhibition of growth study from H. pylori demonstrated that aloe-emodin elicited dose-dependent growth inhibition in H. pylori cultures. The report is the first finding of aloe-emodin inhibition of arylamine NAT activity in a strain of H. pylori.

A clinical study on physiological response in electroacupuncture analgesia and meperidine analgesia for colonoscopy.

Fifty-nine patients underwent consecutive colonoscopic examination with premedication of electroacupuncture analgesia (EA) were compared with conventional meperidine analgesia (MA) in pain relief and changes of neurotransmitters in serum. The results showed that analgesic efficacy of both groups were the same but with less side effects in the EA group (P < 0.01) especially in regard to dizziness. Serum concentration of beta-endorphin in both groups has a similar curve change at 4 different phases during colonoscopy. Serum concentration of epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine and cortisol showed no significant difference between these two groups. The analgesic effect of EA and MA during colonoscopic examination may be closely related to beta-endorphin production in serum.

Evaluation with receptor binding assay on the water extracts of ten CNS-active Chinese herbal drugs.

In the present study, we established receptor binding assays to evaluate the water extracts of ten central nervous system (CNS)-active Chinese herbal drugs. These ten herbal drugs are Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri), Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong), Danggui (Radix Angelicae sinensis), Danshen (Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae), Duhuo (Radix Angelicae pubescentis), Hangqin (Radix Scutellariae), Qinjiao (Radix Gentianae macrophyllae), Shengma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae), Suanzaoren (Semen Zizphi spinose), and Yangjihua (Flos Daturae). The results indicated that these water extracts contained the principles acting on the dopamine (D1 & D2), muscarinice acetylcholine (M1), or 5-HT (5-HT1A & 5-HT2) receptors, or the benzodiazepine and the gamma-amino-n-butyric acid (GABA) binding sites of GABAA receptors as determined by receptor binding assays. The receptors or binding sites which predominantly acted by each water extract are listed as follows: Chaihu: D2, 5-HT1A, GABA; Chuanxiong: GABA, 5-HT1A; Danggui: GABA, 5-HT1A; Danshen: BDZ; Duhuo: GABA, 5-HT1A, D2, D1; Hangqin: BDZ, D1, 5-HT1A; Qinjiao: GABA, BDZ, 5-HT1A, D2; Shengma: 5-HT1A; Suanzaoren: 5-HT1A, 5-HT2, GABA; Yangjihua: M1, 5-HT1A, 5-HT2. These results provided evidence to explain the CNS effects of these herbal drugs at the receptor level. Furthermore, these results provided information to direct the isolation and purification of receptor-interactive compounds from these herbal drugs.

The effects of tetrandrine (TT) and polyvinylpyridine-N-oxide (PVNO) on gene expression of type I and type III collagens during experimental silicosis.

In the screening tests of drugs for silicosis in our laboratory, we found that TT, a type of alkaloid isolated from Stephania tetrandra, could inhibit the development of experimental silicosis of rats and the synthesis of collagen in rat lung. Chest X-rays of silicotic patients treated with TT for 1-3 years showed obvious changes. The silicotic nodules became smaller and shadows became clearer. PVNO was proved to have anti-silicotic effect on animal and clinically. This presentation reports the effect of them on collagen mRNA. Dot blot results showed that alpha 1 (I) and alpha 1 (III) mRNA levels increased significantly at 60 and 120 days after the rats were exposed to silica dust. The mRNA levels went down at 1 and 3 months after treated by TT and PVNO. In situ hybridization observation revealed that the silver grains of Type I and Type III collagen were scattered within the fibroblasts in cellular nodules and in thickened interstitium of silicosis tissue. The amounts of mRNA silver grains decreased in the lung tissue treated by TT and PVNO. It was suggested that TT and PVNO may inhibit the gene expression of collagen during silicosis.

[The potentiation effect of haloperidol on the binding of etorphine to brain membranes in acupuncture analgesia].

[3H]-etorphine was used in receptor binding studies on membrane preparation from rabbit brain. Scatchard analysis revealed that rabbit brain had two different affinity binding sites. In the high affinity site, the dissociation constant (Kd1) of the control group was 2.57 +/- 0.33 nmol/L. When analgesia was induced by haloperidol or acupuncture, the Kd1 values decreased respectively (P < 0.05) to 1.44 +/- 0.03 nmol/L and 1.53 +/- 0.05 nmol/L. These Kd1 values further decreased to 1.25 +/- 0.03 nmol/L when acupuncture analgesia was potentiated by combined action of acupuncture and i.v. haloperidol (P < 0.01). In case of autoradiographic analysis of brain slices showed that the density of opioid receptors in many brain regions, such as N. Caudatus, preoptic lateral area, N. Paraventricularis, N. Centromedianus, Periaqueductal gray, showed significant increase, a results indicating that the upregulation of opioid receptors in rabbit brain may be one of the mechanisms in the potentiating action of haloperidol on acupuncture analgesia.

Antitrichomonal action of emodin in mice.

Emodin, an active component contained in the root and rhizome of Rheum palmatum L. (Polygonaceae), was found to have an inhibitory effect on the pathogenicity of Trichomonas vaginalis in mice. Emodin delayed the development of subcutaneous abscesses due to infection of this parasite. Also, it cures the intravaginal infection of trichomonads through oral administration. In cell cultures, it reduced the cytotoxic effect of this parasite towards mammalian cells. This inhibition was markedly reversed by the coexistence of free radical scavengers, indicating the possible mediation of free radicals.

[Effect of D1 and D2 dopamine receptor antagonists on acupuncture analgesia].

Some highly selective D1 or D2 receptor antagonists were tested on rabbit skin pain model to investigate the effect of the subtypes of dopamine receptor on acupuncture analgesia. It was found that iv. of D2 receptor antagonists haloperidol and clozapine, had a potentiating effect on acupuncture analgesia. Icv. of D2 receptor antagonists domperidone and sulpiride and D1 receptor antagonist SCH23390 also enhanced acupuncture analgesia markedly. The effect of D1 and D2 receptor on acupuncture analgesia was discussed.

Anaerobic growth and oxygen toxicity of Rhizopus cultures isolated from starters made by solid state fermentation.

To explore the relationship between Rhizopus growth and its microaerophilic characteristics the present study was undertaken. A survey of 18 Rhizopus cultures growing in anaerobic or microaerobic condition found that 11 of the cultures grew quite well under microaerobic condition, but all the cultures grew poorly under absolutely anaerobic condition. Among the 18, 8 showed definitely banded mycelial growth below the surface of the medium in the tube. Six of 18 cultures--RT-1-8, RT-43, RT-46, A-1, C-1, and E-1--grew with much aerial hyphae when they were cultivated on media supplemented with different detoxifying agents under aerobic condition. These six strains are comparatively sensitive to oxygen toxicity (H2O2 or O2- or OH.) under aerobic condition, as many microaerophilic bacteria are. There were nine strains whose aerial hyphal growth was greatly enhanced by the presence of Aspergillus niger catalase. However, the growth of the majority of the cultures was not influenced by supplements of bovine liver catalase or bovine liver superoxide dismutase. In conclusion, some Rhizopus cultures from the starters exhibited both microaerophilic and aerobic growth. The phenomena of growth in low O2 condition, and the subsurface growth of mycelia in tubes, may provide a clue to exploitation of the microaerophile-like characteristics in some starter molds.