UPDATED UNDERSTANDING OF THE MOLECULAR TARGETS OF RADIOIODINE IN DIFFERENTIATED THYROID CANCER.

Radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy is a mainstay adjuvant treatment for thyroid cancer. Administration of RAI therapy after total or near-total thyroidectomy has shown a survival advantage in numerous properly selected patients. However, the role of RAI therapy after reoperation for persistent or recurrent differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTCs) is unclear. One reason may be the possible downregulation of the I- transport system after primary surgery. RAI is transported by the sodium iodide symporter (NIS), PENDRIN, anoctamin 1 (ANO1) and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and emits ß particles that destroy follicular cells. The identification of pathways of iodide (I-) transport has allowed use of the transport system to render tumours susceptible to RAI treatment via gene therapy. This review focuses on the effect of RAI therapy in follicular cell-derived thyroid cancers and offers potential novel targets that enable improved radioiodine uptake and thus an improved prognosis of thyroid cancer.

Resveratrol affects in vitro rumen fermentation, methane production and prokaryotic community composition in a time- and diet-specific manner.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of resveratrol on methane production, rumen fermentation and microbial composition under high-concentrate (HC) and high-forage (HF) diets using the in vitro fermentation system. A total of 25 mg of resveratrol was supplemented into 300 mg of either HC or HF diet. Methane production, total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration, molar proportion of VFA, metabolites of resveratrol and prokaryotic community composition were measured after 12 and 24 h of in vitro fermentation. Resveratrol reduced methane production (ml per mg of dry matter degraded) by 41% and 60% under both HC and HF diets (P < 0.001), respectively, and this result could be associated with the lower abundance of Methanobrevibacter (P < 0.001) in response to resveratrol. The molar proportion of propionate was significantly higher in the resveratrol group only under the HC diet (P = 0.045). The relative abundance of 10 bacterial genera was affected by the three-way interaction of treatment, diet and time (P < 0.05). Resveratrol was partly converted to dihydroresveratrol after 24 h of fermentation, and its degradation could be associated with microbes belonging to the order Coriobacteriales. Our results suggest that multiple factors (e.g. diet and time) should be considered in animal experiments to test the effect of polyphenol or other plant extracts on rumen fermentation, methane emission and microbial composition.

Hyperbaric oxygen inhibits the HMGB1/RAGE signaling pathway by upregulating Mir-107 expression in human osteoarthritic chondrocytes.

OBJECTIVE: MicroRNA (miRNA)107 expression is downregulated but high mobility group box 1 (HMGB-1), Toll-like receptors (TLRs), and receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) are upregulated in osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage. We investigated mir-107/HMGB-1 signaling in OA after hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment. DESIGN: MiR-107 mimic was transfected and the HMGB-1 was analyzed in OA chondrocytes. MiRNA targets were identified using bioinformatics and a luciferase reporter assay. After HBO treatment, the mRNA or protein levels of HMGB-1, RAGE, TLR2, TLR4, and inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were evaluated. The secreted HMGB-1 and matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) levels were quantified. Finally, we detected the HMGB-1 and iNOS expression in rabbit cartilage defects. RESULTS: Overexpression of miR-107 suppressed HMGB-1 expression in OA chondrocytes. The 3'UTR of HMGB-1 mRNA contained a 'seed-matched-sequence' for miR-107. MiR-107 was induced by HBO and a marked suppression of HMGB-1 was observed simultaneously in OA chondrocytes. Knockdown of miR-107 upregulated HMGB-1 expression in hyperoxic cells. HBO downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of HMGB-1, RAGE, TLR2, TLR4, and iNOS, and the secretion of HMGB-1. HBO decreased the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB, downregulated the phosphorylation of MAPK, and significantly decreased the secretion of MMPs. Morphological and immunohistochemical observation demonstrated that HBO markedly enhanced cartilage repair and the area stained positive for HMGB-1 and iNOS tended to be lower in the HBO group. CONCLUSIONS: HBO inhibits HMGB-1/RAGE signaling related pathways by upregulating miR-107 expression in human OA chondrocytes.

Source identification and ecological impact evaluation of PAHs in urban river sediments: A case study in Taiwan.

The Love River and Ho-Jin River, two major urban rivers in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, are moderately to heavily polluted because different types of improperly treated wastewaters are discharged into the rivers. In this study, sediment and river water samples were collected from two rivers to investigate the river water quality and accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments. The spatial distribution, composition, and source appointment of PAHs of the sediments were examined. The impacts of PAHs on ecological system were assessed using toxic equivalence quotient (TEQ) of potentially carcinogenic PAHs (TEQcarc) and sediment quality guidelines. The average PAHs concentrations ranged from 2161 ng/g in Love River sediment to 160 ng/g in Ho-Jin River sediment. This could be due to the fact that Love River Basin had much higher population density and pyrolytic activities. High-ring PAHs (4-6 rings) contributed to 59-90% of the total PAHs concentrations. Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) had the highest toxic equivalence quotient (up to 188 ng TEQ/g). Moreover, the downstream sediments contained higher TEQ of total TPHs than midstream and upstream sediment samples. The PAHs were adsorbed onto the fine particles with high organic content. Results from diagnostic ratio analyses indicate that the PAHs in two urban river sediments might originate from oil/coal combustion, traffic-related emissions, and waste combustion (pyrogenic activities). Future pollution prevention and management should target the various industries, incinerators, and transportation emission in this region to reduce the PAHs pollution.

Effect of tea saponins on milk performance, milk fatty acids, and immune function in dairy cow.

This study investigated the effects of tea saponins (TSP) on milk performance, milk fatty acids, and blood immune function in dairy cows. A total of 20 early-lactation Holstein cows (days in milk = 66.4 ± 16.8 d; parity = 1.75 ± 0.91; and milk yield = 36.3 ± 7.32 kg/d; mean ± standard deviation) were randomly divided into 4 homogeneous treatment groups, with TSP added at 0, 20, 30, and 40 g/d per head, respectively. All cows had 2 wk of adaptation and 6 wk of treatments. Feed, milk, and blood were sampled and analyzed weekly. At the end of the experimental period (wk 6), the dry matter intake and yields of energy-corrected milk, milk, and milk protein, fat, and lactose in the cows fed TSP showed a quadratic response, with the lowest values in cows fed TSP at 40 g/d. The milk fat content of cows fed TSP increased linearly. Significant interactions for treatment by week were found in milk C16:1 cis-9 and C18:1 cis-9, with the highest values at wk 2, 3, and 4 in the cows fed TSP at 40 g/d. The levels declined quickly after 4 wk of feeding to values similar to those for other TSP treatments and the control at wk 5 and 6. Plasma malondialdehyde concentration decreased as the supplement level of TSP increased. The concentration of superoxide dismutase increased as the supplement level of TSP increased. The plasma concentration of tumor necrosis factor-α increased as the supplement level of TSP increased. In summary, this study showed that an intermediate dose of TSP (20 and 30 g/d) had no significant effect on feed intake, but the supplementation of 40 g/d TSP decreased feed intake, resulting in a lower milk yield. The energy-corrected milk of cows fed 40 g/d TSP declined at first but increased after 3 wk of feeding, indicating the potential adaptation to high doses of TSP supplements in dairy cows. The supplementation of TSP could reduce oxidative stress in cows and improve the immunity of dairy cows during 6 wk of feeding.

Different clinical prognostic factors are associated with improved glycaemic control: findings from MARCH randomized trial.

AIMS: Metformin and acarbose have comparable efficacy as initial therapy for HbA1c reduction in Chinese patients with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes. However, not all participants achieved glycaemic control. Our aim was to discover a monotherapy predictor for therapeutic response in Type 2 diabetes on the basis of baseline features. METHODS: Data from the MARCH trial were collected, resulting in 698 individuals being available for longitudinal analyses. All participants were divided into subgroups based on successful and unsuccessful achievement of the glycaemic target according to primary endpoints at week 24 (HbA1c < 53 mmol/mol; 7.0%). Logistic regression analysis with stepwise variable selection was performed to assess the independent risk factors for good glycaemic control of monotherapy with metformin or acarbose. RESULTS: Median HbA1c was 66 ± 1 mmol/mol (8.2 ± 0.07%) in the metformin group at baseline, and 66 ± 1 mmol/mol (8.2 ± 0.07%) in the acarbose group. After 24 weeks of monotherapy, 79.8% of participants in the metformin group achieved glycaemic targets compared with 78.7% of those in the acarbose group. Multivariate regression analysis showed that BMI and fasting blood glucose were significant independent predictors for the maintenance of good glycaemic control in the metformin group, whereas phase I insulin secretion (Insulin/Glucose at 30 min, I30/G30) and duration of diabetes were associated with good glycaemic control in the acarbose group. CONCLUSIONS: For newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes, some clinical features and laboratory parameters are important prognostic factors for predicting drug responsiveness. Participants with a higher BMI and lower fasting blood glucose achieved good glycaemic control when metformin was selected as the initial treatment. Acarbose was best for participants with higher phase I insulin secretion (I30/G30) and shorter duration of Type 2 diabetes.

Influence of dietary slow-release urea on growth performance, organ development and serum biochemical parameters of mutton sheep.

Eighty Dorper × thin-tailed Han cross-bred non-castrated male lambs [mean body weight (BW), 25.87 ± 1.06 kg] were randomly allocated to one of five different concentrations of slow-release urea (urea phosphate, UP). The feed consisted of an equal amount of concentrate diet and roughage; the concentrate feed was formulated to be isoenergetic and isonitrogenic and contained 0%, 1%, 2%, 4% and 8% UP (UP0.0, UP1.0, UP2.0, UP4.0 and UP8.0, respectively) as a replacement for soya bean meal. Feed intake, BW, average daily gain (ADG), feed utilisation efficiency (FUE), absolute and relative organ weights and biochemical and histopathological parameters were measured. Feed intake, BW, ADG and FUE significantly decreased in the group receiving UP8.0 (p < 0.05), but no difference was found among the other groups (p > 0.05). Quadratic equations were developed between the UP dosage in the concentrate feed and ADG or FUE (r2  = 0.973 for ADG and r2  = 0.761 for FUE) to determine the appropriate dosage of UP given the desire to maximise either ADG or FUE, the appropriate dosage (feed concentration) was calculated as 2.01% UP to achieve the greatest ADG or 2.13% UP to achieve the best FUE. The relative weight of the liver (% BW) in the UP2.0 groups was significantly greater than that of UP0.0 (p < 0.05), and the relative weight of the intestine in the UP8.0 was significantly greater than that of UP0.0 (p < 0.05); the relative weight of the carcass, heart, spleen, lung, kidney, rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum did not differ among treatments (p > 0.05). The UP8.0 treatment significantly increased serum phosphorus levels (p < 0.05) and decreased the levels of alkaline phosphatase, glucose and calcium (Ca) compared with the lower UP dosage (p < 0.05). No histopathological differences were found in either hepatic tissues or renal tissues among treatments. Dietary UP as a replacement for soya bean in concentrate feeds for mutton sheep should not exceed 4%, as higher dosing may cause malnutrition and mineral disorders.

Effect of dietary supplementation of rutin on lactation performance, ruminal fermentation and metabolism in dairy cows.

The effect of long-term dietary supplementation with rutin on the lactation performance, ruminal fermentation and metabolism of dairy cows were investigated in this study. Twenty multiparous Chinese Holstein cows were randomly divided into four groups, and each was offered a basal diet supplemented with 0, 1.5, 3.0 or 4.5 mg rutin/kg of diet. The milk yield of the cows receiving 3.0 and 4.5 mg rutin/kg was higher than that of the control group, and the milk yield was increased by 10.06% and 3.37% (p < 0.05). On the basis of that finding, the cows supplemented with 0 or 3.0 mg rutin/kg of diet were used to investigate the effect of rutin supplementation on blood metabolites and hormone levels. Compared with the control group, the serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration of the 3.0 mg rutin/kg group is significantly decreased (p < 0.05). In another trial, four adult cows with permanent rumen fistula and duodenal cannulae were attributed in a self-control design to investigate the peak occurrence of rutin and quercetin in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract, ruminal fermentation and microbial population in dairy cows. The cows supplemented with 3.0 mg rutin/kg in the diet differed from the control period. Samples of rumen fluid, duodenal fluid and blood were collected at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 h after morning feeding. Compared to the control group, the pH, ammonia nitrogen concentration, number and protein content of rumen protozoa and blood urea nitrogen were lower, but the concentration of total volatile fatty acid (TVFA), microbial crude protein (MCP) and serum lysozyme content were higher for the cows fed the rutin diets. The addition of 3.0 mg rutin/kg to diets for a long term tended to increase the milk yield and improve the metabolism and digestibility of the dairy cows.

Effect of dietary supplementation with resveratrol on nutrient digestibility, methanogenesis and ruminal microbial flora in sheep.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of resveratrol on methanogenesis and microbial flora in Dorper × thin-tailed Han cross-bred ewes. In experiment 1, ten ewes (67.2 ± 2.24 kg BW) were assigned to two dietary treatments, a basal diet and a basal diet supplemented with resveratrol (0.25 g/head·day), to investigate the effect of resveratrol on nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance. In experiment 2, six ewes (64.0 ± 1.85 kg BW) with ruminal cannulae were assigned to the identical dietary treatments used in experiment 1 to investigate supplementary resveratrol on ruminal fermentation and microbial flora using qPCR. The results showed that supplementary resveratrol improved the digestibility of organic matter (OM; p < 0.001), nitrogen (N; p = 0.007), neutral detergent fibre (NDF; p < 0.001) and acid detergent fibre (ADF; p < 0.001). The excretion of faecal N was reduced (p = 0.007), whereas that of urinary N increased (p = 0.002), which led to an unchanged N retention (p = 0.157). Both CO2 and CH4 output scaled to digestible dry matter (DM) intake decreased from 602.5 to 518.7 (p = 0.039) and 68.2 to 56.6 (p < 0.001) respectively. Ruminal pH (p = 0.341), ammonia (p = 0.512) and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) (p = 0.249) were unaffected by resveratrol. The molar proportion of propionate increased from 13.1 to 17.5% (p < 0.001) while that of butyrate decreased from 11.0 to 9.55% (p < 0.001). The ratio of acetate to propionate (A/P) decreased from 5.44 to 3.96 (p < 0.001). Supplementary resveratrol increased ruminal population of Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus albus and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens (p < 0.001) while decreased protozoa and methanogens. In conclusion, dietary resveratrol inhibited methanogenesis without adversely affecting ruminal fermentation.

Effect of Jianpi Bushen prescription on the expression of SHP-1 and apoptosis-related genes in chemically damaged model mice.

We investigated the effect of Jianpi Bushen prescription (JBP) on the expression of the SHP-1 and apoptosis-related genes in chemically damaged model mice and a compound e-jiao slurry (EJS) group (positive control). Kunming mice received an abdominal injection of 100 mg/kg cyclophosphamide once a day for 3 consecutive days to induce chemical damage. The mice underwent lavage at a suspension of 0.1 g/kg low-dose JBP (100%), high-dose JBP (200%), and 0.2 mL/10 g EJS twice a day for 9 days. mRNA and protein expression of SHP-1 in bone marrow mononuclear cells was detected using real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot; mRNA expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) protein was detected by in situ hybridization. Expression of SHP-1 and Bax mRNA was significantly upregulated in the model group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Expression in the low-dose JBP, high-dose JBP, and EJS groups was significantly downregulated compared with the model group (P < 0.05). The low-dose JBP group exhibited much lower SHP-1 and Bax mRNA expression levels. Compared with controls, Bcl-2 mRNA expression was significantly reduced in the model group (P < 0.05). Expression in the low-dose JBP, high-dose JBP, and EJS groups significantly increased compared with the model group (P < 0.05). The low-dose JBP group showed much higher Bcl-2 mRNA expression. Therefore, JBP regulates the expression of the SHP- 1, Bax, and Bcl-2 genes in chemically damaged mice.

Enhanced anaerobic biodegradation of OCDD-contaminated soils by Pseudomonas mendocina NSYSU: microcosm, pilot-scale, and gene studies.

In this study, microcosm and pilot-scale experiments were performed to investigate the capability and effectiveness of Pseudomonas mendocina NSYSU (P. mendocina NSYSU) on the bioremediation of octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD)-contaminated soils. The objectives were to evaluate the (1) characteristics of P. mendocina NSYSU, (2) feasibility of enhancing OCDD biodegradation with the addition of P. mendocina NSYSU and lecithin, and (3) variation in microbial diversity and genes responsible for the dechlorination of OCDD. P. mendocina NSYSU was inhibited when salinity was higher than 7%, and it could biodegrade OCDD under reductive dechlorinating conditions. Lecithin could serve as the solubilization agent causing the enhanced solubilization and dechlorination of OCDD. Up to 71 and 62% of OCDD could be degraded after 65 days of incubation under anaerobic conditions with and without the addition of lecithin, respectively. Decreased OCDD concentrations caused significant increase in microbial diversity. Results from the pilot-scale study show that up to 75% of OCDD could be degraded after a 2.5-month operational period with lecithin addition. Results from the gene analyses show that two genes encoding the extradiol/intradiol ring-cleavage dioxygenase and five genes encoding the hydrolase in P. mendocina NSYSU were identified and played important roles in OCDD degradation.

Effect of the Jianpi Bushen Prescription on the expression of SHP-1, Wnt3a, and AP-1 proteins in chemically damaged mice.

This study investigated the effect of the Jianpi Bushen Prescription (JBP) on the expression of 3 major proteins in chemically damaged model mice. The 3 proteins were the Wnt3a, the SHP-1, and the transcription factors (NF-E2, c-jun, and c-fos) of the AP-1 protein family. Kunming mice were randomly divided into chemically damaged group (N=48), which received an abdominal injection of (100 mg/kg) cyclophosphamide once a day for 3 consecutive days, and control group (N=12), which received the same amount of saline. Then, the chemically damaged mice were randomly divided into chemically damaged model group (N=12), which received 0.2 mL/10 g of saline twice a day for 9 days, positive control group (N=12), which received 0.2 mL/10 g of the e-jiao slurry (EJS) compound twice a day for 9 days, low dose JBP group (N=12), which received 0.1 g/kg suspension JBP (100% concentration) twice a day for 9 days and high dose JBP group (N=12), which received 0.1 g/kg suspension JBP (200% concentration) twice a day for 9 days. The bilateral femur and tibia bone marrow were collected from the mice in all groups. The protein expression of the specified proteins and transcription factors in the bone marrow mononuclear cells were detected by Western blot analysis. The results showed that the protein expression of Wnt3a was significantly downregulated in the chemically damaged model group compared to the control group (P<0.05). The low dose JBP, high dose JBP, and e-jiao slurry treatments significantly upregulated the protein expression of Wnt3a compared to the chemically damaged model group (P<0.05), with the low dose JBP producing the best results. Compared to the control group, the protein expressions of SHP-1, c-fos, c-jun, and NF-E2 were significantly higher in the chemically damaged model group (all P<0.05). The protein expressions of SHP-1, c-fos, c-jun, and NF-E2 were significantly lower in the chemically damaged model+the low dose JBP, chemically damaged model+high dose JBP, or chemically damaged model+EJS group compared to chemically damaged model (all P<0.05), with the low dose JBP producing the best results. These results indicate that JBP regulates the expressions of SHP-1, Wnt3a, and AP-1 proteins in chemically damaged mice.

Effect of the Jianpi Bushen Prescription on expressions of the Wnt3a and Cyclin D1 genes in radiation-damaged mice.

The effects of the traditional Chinese drug Jianpi Bushen Prescription (JBP) were investigated on expressions of Wnt3a and Cyclin D1 genes in radiation-damaged mice. The radiation damage model was induced in Kumming mice by single total body irradiation treatment for 9 days. Mice were divided into the radiation group, low-dose (100%) JBP group, high-dose (200%) JBP group, or batyl alcohol group (positive control), which were administered twice a day for 9 days. mRNA and protein expressions of Wnt3a were detected in bone marrow mononuclear cells by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, whereas Cyclin D1 mRNA was detected by in situ hybridization. Wnt3a expressions were significantly downregulated in the radiation damage model group compared with all other groups (P < 0.05). The positive cell rate of Cyclin D1 mRNA expression and the number of granulocyte macrophage colonies were significantly decreased in the radiation damage model group relative to all other groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, mRNA and protein expressions of Wnt3a, the positive cell rate of Cyclin D1 mRNA expression in bone marrow cells, and the number of granulocyte macrophage colonies were all significantly higher in the low-dose JBP group than in the high-dose JBP group (P < 0.05). In summary, JBP plays a protective role on radiation-induced bone marrow through the activation of the Wnt3a signaling pathway, and promotes the transcription and expression of Cyclin D1.

Moxibustion attenuates inflammatory response to chronic exhaustive exercise in rats.

Exercise is recognized as an activator to elicit an inflammatory response whilst moxibustion in traditional Chinese medicine has been previously found to modulate immune functioning. However, whether moxibustion can alleviate the inflammatory cytokines response to chronic exhaustive exercise remains unknown. In the present study, rats were randomly assigned to a sedentary control group (Sed), a sedentary moxibustion group (Sed + Moxa), and 2 trained groups- one submitted to a 3-week exhaustive swimming (Trained), and the other a trained moxibustion group (Trained + Moxa). We found that chronic exhaustive exercise significantly increased the serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, TNF-α, IFN-γ) and the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio, and decreased the anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10). Moxibustion treatment markedly reduced the serum levels of IL-1ß, IFN-γ and the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio, while elevated the IL-4 and IL-10 productions in trained rats. However, TNF-α level was not significantly affected. Our results suggested that an excessive inflammatory response and a potential inflammatory damage may be involved during chronic exhaustive exercise. Moxibustion could attenuate the inflammatory impairment and have an anti-inflammatory effect. The beneficial effects of moxibustion might be mediated by reducing the pro-inflammatory cytokines, increasing the anti-inflammatory cytokines, and modulating the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Effects of tea polyphenols and their polymers on MAPK signaling pathways in cancer research.

The biological activities and mechanisms of tea polyphenols and their polymerics have been attractive issues in cancer research. The inhibition of tea polyphenols on cancer cells decreased cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. Tremendous evidences have shown that tea polyphenols suppress tumor promotion by inhibiting enzyme activities and blocking signal transduction pathways. Specifically, the mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathways have been implicated as an important target molecular for cancer prevention and therapy. The purpose of this review is to discuss the relationship between tea polyphenols and MAPK signaling pathways in cancer.

First Report of Fusarium oxysporum Causing Wilt of Dendrobium candidum in Zhejiang Province, China.

White Dendrobium (Dendrobium candidum Wall. ex Lindl.) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb that is used raw or processed for health care products in China (4). It is propagated by tissue-cultured seedlings largely because of its dramatic decrease in the wild from heavy market demand. In July 2011, a wilt disease was observed on 1-year-old seedlings in a cultivated field in Yueqing City, Zhejiang Province, China. Initial symptoms were one to several chlorotic leaves in a cluster of plants. As the disease progressed, leaves wilted before dropping. Vascular discoloration was not observed in infected stems. Individual plants wilted, bent, and rotted starting from the base and eventually all plants in a cluster wilted. Three strains isolated from stem tissues collected at different sites were grown on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and carnation leaf agar (CLA) under a 12-h alternating cycle of light and dark at a temperature of 25°C. Macroconidia were sparse, three-septate, slightly curved, and ranged from (21.1) 23.9 to 32.7 (36.9) × (2.8) 3.3 to 4.2 (4.8) µm. Microconidia were abundant, unicellular, oval to reniform, and ranged from (5.3) 6.0 to 8.2 (9.4) × (2.2) 2.5 to 3.3 (3.6) µm on PDA. Abundant chlamydospores formed after 3 weeks on CLA. Chlamydospores were single and sometimes in pairs, terminal and intercalary, rough walled, and measured (6.7) 7.6 to 10.2 (11.9) × (5.9) 6.8 to 8.8 (10.4) µm. Strains were identified as Fusarium oxysporum on the basis of morphological features (2). PCR amplification of genomic DNA using the primers ITS6 and ITS4 as well as ef1 and ef2 (translation elongation factor 1-α gene) generated sequences of approximately 500 bp and 670 bp, respectively. ITS sequences were submitted to the NCBI database (Accession Nos. JQ809654, JQ809655, and JQ809656), and were identical to the sequence for F. oxysporum, Accession No. HQ379654 (3). Three sequences of a portion of TEF-1α (Accession Nos. JQ809657, JQ809658, and JQ809659) had 99% similarity with an isolate of F. oxysporum isolate from chickpea (Accession No. HQ731057) (1), thus confirming the identity of the pathogen. The roots of five to seven transplanted seedlings of a cluster grown for 2 months in pasteurized potting media (primarily chipped pine bark) were inoculated with 15 ml of a 107 conidia ml-1 suspension of each isolate. There were 10 replicates for each isolate treatment. Sterile water was used as a negative control. Plants were grown in the greenhouse at 28 ± 2°C. Lateral roots turned brown 15 days after inoculation. Leaves started to turn yellow 1 month after inoculation and the plants began to wilt 2 months after inoculation. Noninoculated controls did not develop disease symptoms. The pathogenic isolates were reisolated from all diseased plants. Isolates have been deposited at the Biotechnology Institute, Zhejiang University (F_01, F_02 and F_03). To the best of our knowledge, this is first record of Fusarium wilt of D. candidum in China. References: (1) D. Jiménez-Fernández et al. Plant Dis. 95:860, 2011. (2) J. F. Leslie and B. A. Summerell. The Fusarium Laboratory Manual. Blackwell Publishing, Ames, IA, 2006. (3) N. Rajmohan et al. Plant Pathol. 131:631, 2011. (4) J. Z. Zhang et al. Plant Pathol. 57:370, 2008.

Effect of narrow-band UVB phototherapy on soluble cell adhesion molecules in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

This study investigated the effect of narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy on serum levels of the soluble cell adhesion molecules sE-selectin, sP-selectin, sL-selectin and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) in 58 patients with psoriasis vulgaris. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores significantly decreased after treatment, confirming the efficacy of NB-UVB phototherapy. Serum levels of sE-selectin also decreased significantly after treatment, and levels of sICAM-1 showed a significant correlation with PASI score and with levels of sE-selectin. The efficacy of NB-UVB phototherapy in improving psoriatic lesions may be a function of decreased serum levels of E-selectin. These findings emphasize the complex roles of soluble cell adhesion molecules in the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis.

Production and genetic analysis of partial hybrids from intertribal sexual crosses between Brassica napus and Isatis indigotica and progenies.

With the dye and medicinal plant Isatis indigotica (2n = 14) as pollen parent, intertribal sexual hybrids with Brassica napus (2n = 38, AACC) were obtained and characterized. Among a lot of F1 plants produced, only five hybrids (H1-H5) were distinguished morphologically from female B. napus parents by showing low fertility and some characters of I. indigotica, and also by having different chromosome numbers. H1-H4 had similar but variable chromosome numbers in their somatic and meiotic cells (2n = 25-30), and H5 had 2n = 19, the same number as the haploid of B. napus. GISH analysis of the cells from H1 and H5 detected one I. indigotica chromosome and one or two chromosome terminal fragments. New B. napus types with phenotypic and genomic alterations were produced by H1 after pollination by B. napus and selfing for several generations, and by H5 after selfing. A progeny plant (2n = 20) was derived from H1 after pollination by I. indigotica twice and had a phenotype similar to a certain type of B. rapa, showing that hybrid H1 likely retained all chromosomes of the A genome and lost some of the C genome in parental B. napus. The reasons for the formation of the partial hybrids with unexpected chromosomal complements and for the chromosome elimination are discussed.

Comparison of the relative dissipation rates of endosulfan pesticide residues between oolong and green tea.

The dissipation behaviour of endosulfan in dry made-tea leaves of oolong and green tea was compared to establish whether there was any difference in dissipation rates between the two teas. The dissipation of endosulfan in oolong and green tea corresponded with a first-order kinetics curve. The average half-life of endosulfan (n = 12) was 1.60 +/- 0.44 days in green tea and 2.01 +/- 0.55 days in oolong tea, showing a statistically significant difference, and indicating that the dissipation of the pesticide was significantly slower in oolong tea than that in green tea. Although the initial levels of residual endosulfan were lower in oolong tea, due to the slower dissipation rate, the residues 5-7 days after application were higher in oolong than in green tea. It is suggested that the minimum interval between endosulfan application and tea leaf harvesting is 7 days for green tea and 10 days for oolong tea in the case where the maximum residue limit of endosulfan in made-tea is fixed as 10 mg kg(-1).

Effect of cadmium in feed on organs and meat colour of growing pigs.

One hundred and ninety-two barrows (Duroc x Landrace x Yorkshire, initial weight 27.7 kg) were used to investigate the effects of cadmium in feed on the function of selected organs and meat colour of growing pigs. The pigs were randomly allocated into four different treatments. Each treatment included three replications with 16 pigs per replicate. The animals were fed corn-soybean basal diet and supplemented with 0, 0.5, 5.0, 10.0 mg/kg cadmium (as CdCl(2)), respectively. The feeding trial ended when the average body weight of the pigs reach 90 kg. The results showed that, compared with controls, addition of 10 mg/kg cadmium to the diet resulted in significant elevations of relative weight of liver and spleen by 18.3% (p<0.05) and 19.7% (p<0.05) respectively, and of serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) activities by 17.8% (p<0.05) and 27.4% (p<0.05) respectively; and significant decreases of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity in the liver by 24.6% (p<0.05), the redness of longissimus dorsi by 26.6% (p<0.05) and 24.9% (p<0.05) at 0.75 h and 16 h post mortem, respectively, and of the myoglobin content of longissimus dorsi by 19.4% (p<0.05). No changes were found in these indices above when the pigs were fed the diet supplied with 0.5 or 5 mg/kg cadmium (p>0.05), nor in renal functions among cadmium-treatment treatments (p>0.05) as indicated is the activities of urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and the content of urinary protein. The study indicated the adverse effects of 10 mg/kg cadmium in feed on liver functions and meat colour of growing pigs.