[Depression status of elderly patients with metabolic syndrome in three provinces of China].

Objective: To understand the depression status and its influencing factors in elderly patients with MS in China and to explore the correlation between various components of elderly MS and depression. Methods: This study is based on the "Prevention and Intervention of Key Diseases in Elderly" project. We used a multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method to complete 16 199 elderly aged 60 years and above in 16 counties (districts) in Liaoning, Henan, and Guangdong Provinces in 2019, excluding 1 001 missing variables. Finally, 15 198 valid samples were included for analysis. The respondents' MS disease was obtained through questionnaires and physical examinations, and the respondents' depression status within the past half month was assessed using the PHQ-9 Depression Screening Scale. The correlation between elderly MS and its components and depression and its influencing factors were analyzed by logistic regression. Results: A total of 15 198 elderly aged 60 years and above were included in this study, with the prevalence of MS at 10.84% and the detection rate of depressive symptoms in MS patients at 25.49%. The detection rates of depressive symptoms in patients with 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 MS abnormal group scores were 14.56%, 15.17%, 18.01%, 25.21%, and 26.65%, respectively. The number of abnormal components of MS was positively correlated with the detection rate of depressive symptoms, and the difference between groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). The risk of depression symptoms in patients with MS, overweight/obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia was 1.73 times (OR=1.73, 95%CI:1.51-1.97), 1.13 times (OR=1.13, 95%CI:1.03-1.24), 1.25 times (OR=1.25, 95%CI:1.14-1.38), 1.41 times (OR=1.41, 95%CI:1.24-1.60), 1.81 times (OR=1.81,95%CI:1.61-2.04), respectively, more than those without the disease. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the detection rate of depressive symptoms in patients with sleep disorders was higher than that with normal sleep (OR=4.89, 95%CI: 3.79-6.32). The detection rate of depressive symptoms in patients with cognitive dysfunction was 2.12 times higher than that in the average population (OR=2.12, 95%CI: 1.56-2.89). The detection rate of depressive symptoms in patients with impaired instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) was 2.31 times (OR=2.31, 95%CI: 1.64-3.26) higher than that in the average population. Tea drinking (OR=0.73, 95%CI: 0.54-0.98) and physical exercise (OR=0.67, 95%CI: 0.49-0.90) seemed to be protective factors for depression in elderly MS patients (P<0.05). Conclusions: Older patients with MS and its component abnormalities have a higher risk of depression than the average population. Sleep disorders, cognitive impairment, and IADL impairment are important influencing factors for depression in elderly MS patients, while tea drinking and physical exercise may help to reduce the risk of the disease.

[Therapeutic effect of gene silencing peptidyl arginine deaminase 4 on pulmonary interstitial lesions induced by collagen-induced arthritis mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of gene silencing peptidyl arginine deaminase 4 (PAD4) on pulmonary interstitial lesions induced by collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice, and possible mechanisms. METHODS: A CIA mouse model was established in DBA/1 mice, followed by a tail vein injection of the virus solution prepared by the PAD4-siRNA expression vector once a week for 8 times. The mice were sacrificed at the end of the experiment. The expression of PAD4 mRNA in lungs was detected by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). The expression of PAD4 protein was detected by tissue immunohistochemistry. Cell culture was performed by spleen tissue. Flow cytometry changes in the ratio of Tfh cells to Tfr cells were examined; lung staining was performed in the lungs to observe changes in lung pathology. RESULTS: (1) Compared with the blank group, the expression of PAD4 mRNA in the lung tissue of the model group increased, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). PAD4 mRNA in the lung tissue of the CIA mice after PAD4-siRNA treatment. The expression level was significantly lower than that of the model group and the negative control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). (2) Red fluorescence was less in the lung tissue of the blank group, while more red fluorescence was observed in the inflammatory cell infiltration area and trachea around the lung tissue of the model group and the negative control group, and the red fluorescence of the three groups after PAD4-siRNA treatment was significantly reduced; (3) Compared with the blank group, the proportion of Tfh cells in the model group increased, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05), the proportion of Tfh cells in spleen cells of the CIA mice after PAD4-siRNA treatment was significantly lower than that of the model group and the negative control group, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05); compared with the blank group, in the mouse spleen cells in the model group the proportion of Tfr cells was slightly decreased, but the difference was not statistically signifi-cant. The proportion of Tfr cells in the spleen cells of the mice increased after PAD4-siRNA treatment, but the difference was statistically significant only in the PAD4-siRNA2 group compared with the model group and the negative control group (P < 0.05); (4) The proportion of Tfh/Tfr in the spleen cells of the model group was increased, compared with the blank group, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05); the ratio of Tfh/Tfr in the three groups after PAD4-siRNA treatment all decreased, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05); (5) Compared with the blank group, the alveolar wall of the lung tissue of the model group was thickened, the inflammatory cell infiltration was increased, and the lung tissue destruction and inflammatory infiltration of the CIA mice were decreased after PAD4-siRNA treatment. The degree of reduction was reduced. CONCLUSION: Gene silencing of PAD4 can reduce the proportion of Tfh cells, increase the proportion of Tfr cells, reverse the proportion of Tfh/Tfr, and reduce the degree of interstitial lesions and inflammatory infiltration of lung tissue.

[Hypophosphatemic osteomalacia caused by urinary mesenchymal tumor: A case report].

This case report concerns a 34-year-old woman who had been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), osteoarthritis (OA), lumbar disc herniation and the like in different hospitals during the past 18 months. She had progressive osteoarthrosis, significant muscle weakness, gait abnormalities in weightbearing areas, however without typical inflammatory low back pain, while the treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was invalid, with normal inflammation index, negative results for rheumatic factor (RF) and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27, and normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). She had hyphosphatemia, normal serum calcium, 1,25-(OH)2-D3 reduction, elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and normal parathyroid hormone (PTH), however with elevated urinary phosphorus. Finally, the medial thigh nodule was found in the subcutaneous of her inner leg by careful examination and imaging scans including B-ultrasound and PET/CT. The final pathology confirmed that the nodule was phosphate urinary mesenchymal tumors. After the tumor was removed, the patient was treated with anti-osteoporosis and phosphorus supplementation. The symptoms of bone pain and muscle weakness were alleviated, and hypophosphatemia was corrected. It was confirmed that the patient had low-phosphorus osteomalacia due to tumor. Tumor-induced hypophosphatemia osteomalacia (TIO) was a rare paraneoplastic syndrome which was caused by excessive phosphorus excretion induced by the tumor, and was thus categorized as an acquired hypophosphatemic osteomalacia. TIO had an occult onset and was associated with a high rate of misdiagnosis, although TIO has some typical clinical features. Early diagnosis, correctly positioning of the tumor, and surgical resection can achieve good outcomes.

Effects of jugular infusions of isoleucine, leucine, methionine, threonine, and other amino acids on insulin and glucagon concentrations, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, and lactational performance in goats.

The supply and profile of absorbed AA may affect milk protein synthesis through hormonal changes and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways; and Ile, Leu, Met, and Thr (ILMT) are the 4 AA that have been reported to have the greatest effect on mammary mTOR signaling. The extent to which ILMT and the other remaining AA (RAA) differ in their effects on milk protein synthesis needs to be systematically investigated. In this study, 5 lactating goats, averaging 120 ± 10 d in milk, fitted with jugular vein and carotid artery catheters, were fasted for 24 h, followed by intravenous infusions of a mixture containing AA and glucose for 8 h in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The AA mixtures were formulated according to the profile of casein. The amounts of AA infused were calculated based on supplies of AA when metabolizable protein (MP) was at requirement (MR). Treatments were an infusate containing glucose without AA (NTAA); an infusate containing 3 × the MR of Ile, Leu, Met and Thr (3F0R); and infusates containing 3F0R plus 1, 2, or 3 × MR of RAA (3F1R, 3F2R, and 3F3R, respectively) according to amounts provided when fed to meet MP requirements for maintenance and lactation for each goat. Milk, arterial blood, and mammary tissue samples were collected immediately after halting the infusion. Relative to NTAA, supplementation of ILMT tended to increase milk protein production and plasma glucose concentrations, and increased milk and lactose production, but had no effects on production or content of milk fat. Graded supplementation of RAA tended to quadratically affect production of milk and lactose. Arterial glucose and glucagon concentrations decreased linearly, and plasma insulin concentrations decreased quadratically with increased RAA. Mammary p70-S6K1 phosphorylation was decreased by addition of ILMT compared with NTAA but increased linearly with increased RAA infusion. Furthermore, EIF4EBP1 gene expression was much lower for 3F-treated goats than for the NTAA treatment. Both MTOR and RPS6KB1 gene expressions were decreased quadratically with increased RAA supply. These results suggested that short-term milk protein yield tended to be increased by elevated ILMT availability, and this trend was not explained by variations in mammary mTOR signaling or pancreatic hormone secretions, whereas graded increase of RAA in combination with ILMT appeared to regulate the efficiency of conversion of glucose to lactose in a manner not involving milk protein production.

Effects of rumen-protected methionine and other essential amino acid supplementation on milk and milk component yields in lactating Holstein cows.

Objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of supplementing rumen-protected methionine (RP-Met), threonine (RP-Thr), isoleucine (RP-Ile), and leucine (RP-Leu) individually or jointly to a low-protein diet, on the performance of lactating dairy cows, as well as to determine the effects of these amino acids (AA) on the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in vivo. Ten lactating Holstein cows were randomly allocated to a repeated 5 × 5 Latin square experiment with five 19-d periods. Treatments were high-protein diet (16% crude protein, positive control; HP), low-protein diet (12% crude protein, negative control; LP), LP plus RP-Met (LPM), LP plus RP-Met and RP-Thr (LPMT), and LP plus RP-Met, RP-Thr, RP-Ile, and RP-Leu (LPMTIL). The dry matter intakes (DMI) of the LP, LPM, and LPMT diets were lower than that of the HP diet, whereas the DMI of the LPMTIL diet was intermediate between the HP diet and the other LP diets. Supplementing RP-Met to the LP diet increased the yields of milk and milk protein, increased the content of milk urea N, and tended to increase milk N efficiency. Co-supplementation of RP-Thr with RP-Met resulted in no further milk production increase. Co-supplementation of all 4 rumen-protected amino acids (RP-AA) increased milk and lactose yields to the level of the HP diet and tended to increase milk protein yield compared with the LPMT diet. We found no significant differences in the contents and yields of milk components between the LPMTIL and HP diets except for a lower milk urea N content in the LPMTIL diet. Venous concentrations of the measured AA were similar across the LP and LP diets supplemented with RP-AA. Relative to levels of the HP diet, LP diets had higher venous concentrations of Met and Gly and tended to have higher Phe concentration and lower concentrations of Val and BCAA. The LPMTIL diet had higher venous concentrations of Arg, Lys, Met, Phe, and Glu, and a lower Val concentration. Phosphorylation status of the measured mTOR components in LPM and LPMT treatments were similar to those in the LP treatment but phosphorylation status of mTOR and eIF4E-binding protein 1 (4eBP1) in LPMTIL treatment were higher. The phosphorylation rates of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) in the 4 LP and LP plus RP-AA diets were higher than that of the HP diet. Overall, results of the present study supported the concept that under the relatively short time of this experiment, supplementing RP-AA, which are believed to stimulate the mTOR signal pathway, can lead to increased milk protein yield. This increase appears to be due to increased DMI, greater mTOR signaling, and greater eEF2 activity.

Effects of Astragalus glycoprotein on Th17/Treg cells in mice with collagen-induced arthritis.

In this study of Th17/Treg cells, the therapeutic effect of Astragalus glycoprotein on collagen-induced arthritis in mice (CIA) was explored, and a basis for the clinical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is provided. Sixty mice were selected for the establishment of a CIA mouse model, and were then randomly divided into a CIA model group, a hydrocortisone control group, a low, medium, and high dose group of Astragalus glycoprotein, respectively. The same number of control groups with same number of mice was established and after basic immunization, intraperitoneal injections were given once daily for two weeks in the treatment. At the end of the treatment, the mice in each group were selected and the proportion of Th17/Treg cells was detected by flow cytometry. The expression and positive expression of RORt, Foxp3, P-STAT3 and P-STAT5 protein were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Astragalus glycoprotein was shown to potentially improve the diet and mental state, reduce the arthritis index score and improve the pathological state of synovial membranes in the mice. Moreover, flow cytometry results showed that, compared with the CIA model group, the proportion of Th17 cells in the four other groups of mice decreased, while the proportion of Treg cells increased. This difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.05). From the experiment, the following conclusions were drawn: Astragalus glycoprotein can reduce Th17 cells and their transcription factors in the peripheral blood of CIA mice, up-regulate Treg cells and their transcription factors, and correct the balance of Th17/Treg cells so as to achieve an effective of treatment for CIA mice.

Ecological restoration of eroded karst utilizing pioneer moss and vascular plant species with selection based on vegetation diversity and underlying soil chemistry.

Soil erosion in karst areas not only destroys the natural environment but also accelerates the decline in land productivity together with the associated increase in poverty for local communities. There are no simple or straightforward answers to controlling soil erosion on karst. Such erosion has become a serious problem in China. This study addresses both the diversity of vegetation (mosses, herbs, shrubs and trees) on karst and the underlying soil chemical characteristics, in order to provide a scientific basis by which suitable plant species can be selected for recovery and restoration of karst degraded by soil erosion. Vegetation diversity and soil chemistry were assessed in areas with five different grades of soil erosion in Guiyang Karst Park, Guizhou, China. Mosses are more tolerant than vascular plants of soil erosion and associated environmental degradation of karst and the order of species diversity was: mosses > herbs > shrubs > trees. Mosses were found to play a major role in ecological restoration of microhabitats on karst. Soil microbial biomass carbon was found to be significantly higher in soil under mosses than in bare soil associated with other plant categories. Mosses were more effective in converting unavailable potassium to available potassium. Vascular plants were found to have a positive effect on total nitrogen fixation and the availability of phosphorus in the soil. Increasing soil degradation was associated with lower levels of total Nitrogen in soil underlying mosses than in soil underlying vascular plants. Thus, based on their different but complementary contributions to soil chemistry, mosses and vascular plants in combination can provide the most practical outcome for the repair and restoration of areas of karst affected by soil erosion. The combination of the moss species, Homomallium plagiangium, Cyrto-hypnum pygmaeuman and Brachythecium perminusculum, the herbs Veronica arvensis and Youngia japonica, and the tree Prunus salicina, are recommended as suitable pioneer plant species to cultivate for use in restoration of regions of karstic soil erosion.

An experimental study on the use of icariin for improving thickness of thin endometrium.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of icariin (ICA) on thin endometrium in a rat model. To this end, 6- to 8-week-old female Sprague Dawley rats (105) were randomly divided into 7 groups: untreated, vehicle-treated (lavage with NaCl), high-dose ICA (lavage with ICA at 200 mg∙kg-1∙day-1), medium-dose ICA (lavage ICA at 100 mg∙kg-1∙day-1), low-dose ICA (lavage with ICA at 50 mg∙kg-1∙day-1), sham model (injected with NaCl at uterus horn), and sample group. To induce thin endometrium, rats of all groups (except sham-model) were injected with 95% ethanol via the uterine horn. Each group underwent its respective treatment for 3 estrous cycles, after which 5 rats from each group were sacrificed, and endometrial thickness was measured. The expression of CD31, factor VIII, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cytokeratin (CK), and vimentin were detected via immunohistochemistry. The results showed that CD31, factor VIII, and VEGF were primarily expressed in the cytoplasm of endometrial and vascular epithelial cells. No difference in the expression of these factors was detected between the ICA lavage groups and the untreated groups. However, high dose ICA-treated group exhibited significantly higher expression of CD31, factor VIII, and VEGF compared to that in the low dose and vehicle-treated groups. CK and vimentin in the endometrial tissue were significantly higher in the untreated and treatment groups compared to the vehicle-treated group. This study demonstrated that ICA increases thickness of the endometrium, and it may modulate expression of VEGF, CD31, and factor VIII.

Characterization of Causal Agents of a Novel Disease Inducing Brown-Black Spots on Tender Tea Leaves in China.

A novel disease characterized by small brown-black spots (1 to 2 mm in diameter) on tender tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) has been observed in many regions of Hubei Province, China, which severely affects the yield and quality of tea. Tea leaf samples with typical symptoms were collected from three major tea-cultivation regions of Hubei, and were subjected to pathogen isolation for etiological analysis. As a result, 34 Pestalotiopsis isolates were obtained from 20 samples, and they were identified as Pestalotiopsis theae (14 isolates), P. camelliae (12), and P. clavispora (8), determined by morphologies and phylogenetic analysis based on internal transcribed spacer, and partial ß-tubulin and translation elongation factor 1-alpha genes. Pathogenicity tests on detached tea leaves showed that no matter what mycelial discs or conidium suspensions were used, inoculation of the Pestalotiopsis fungi could result in small brown-black spots (1 to 2 mm in diameter) on wounded leaves, similar to those observed in the field in the sizes and colors. It also revealed that only P. theae had pathogenicity on unwounded tea leaves, and P. theae and P. clavispora showed significantly higher virulence than P. camelliae. Inoculation test with conidium suspension on intact tea leaves in the field further confirmed that P. theae as the pathogen of brown-black spots. Reisolation of the pathogens from diseased leaves confirmed that the symptom was caused by the inoculation of Pestalotiopsis fungi. The P. theae isolates responsible for brown-black spots were also compared with those for tea gray blight disease in growth rate, pathogenicity, and molecular characteristics in parallel. To our knowledge, this is the first report that the Pestalotiopsis fungi cause brown-black spot disease on tender tea leaves. The results provide important implications for the prevention and management of this economically important disease.

Effects of icariin on the expression of ER, VEGF, and KDR in the endometrial cells of thin endometrium.

We explored the effects of icariin on the expression of estrogen receptor (ER), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and kinase insert domain receptor (KDR) in the endometrial cells of the thin endometrium. Primary endometrial cells were obtained and divided into a blank control group, a high-, a middle-, and a low-dose icariin groups, as well as an estrogen treatment group to undergo cellular identification by immunocytochemistry. The expression levels of ER, VEGF, and its receptor were estimated by western blotting. The expression levels of ER, VEGF, and KDR gradually increased from the control group to the estrogen (E2) treatment and icariin treatment groups; the differences were statistically significant. However, the differences were not statistically significant among the different icariin dose groups. The endometrium may be thickened by icariin treatment by increasing the expression levels of ER, VEGF, and KDR in endometrial cells.

Stimulation of dendritic cell maturation and induction of apoptosis in lymphoma cells by a stable lectin from buckwheat seeds.

The present study aims to purify and characterize lectin from tartary buckwheat seeds and study its properties as well as biological activities to determine its possible biomedical applications in promoting maturation and proliferation of peripheral blood DCs derived from healthy donors and to study the effect of inducing apoptosis in human leukemia U937 cells. A novel tartary buckwheat lectin (TBL) protein, purified from tartary buckwheat seeds, showed a single band with a molecular mass of 65 kDa in SDS-PAGE. The purified TBL hemagglutinated both human and animal erythrocytes and showed preference for blood type O and the rabbit blood type. TBL is active at up to 60°C, and it is acid- and alkali-stable. TBL (25 µg/mL) combined with 5 x 10(-5) M rhIL-4 promotes maturation and proliferation of peripheral blood dendritic cells (DCs), which is stronger than that promoted by rhTNF-α (20 ng/mL). Exposure of DCs to 50 µg/mL TBL for 48 h resulted in extensive upregulation of maturation markers CD83 and CD40. These TBL-DCs were capable of producing several pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interleukin-12 (IL-12). The results of the treatment of human leukemia U937 cells with TBL in doses of 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL showed that tartary buckwheat-derived lectin induces apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Our results encourage the use of tartary buckwheat and tartary buckwheat-derived lectins as immunopotentiating foods, targeted to strengthen immune responses and display a potential dietary supplement for cancer prevention.

Effects of feeding fatty acid calcium and the interaction of forage quality on production performance and biochemical indexes in early lactation cow.

Multiparous early lactation Holstein cows (n = 16) were used in a randomized complete block design to determine the effects of feeding fatty acid calcium and the interaction of forage quality on production performance and biochemical indexes in early lactation cow. Treatments were as follows: (i) feeding low-quality forage without supplying fatty acid calcium (Diet A), (ii) feeding low-quality forage with supplying 400 g fatty acid calcium (Diet B), (iii) feeding high-quality forage without supplying fatty acid calcium (Diet C) and (iv) feeding high-quality forage with supplying 400 g fatty acid calcium. This experiment consisted 30 days. The milk and blood samples were collected in the last day of the trail. Intakes were recorded in the last 2 days of the trail. Supplementation of fatty acid calcium decreased significantly dry matter intake (DMI) (p < 0.01). Addition fatty acid calcium decreased milk protein percentage (p < 0.01) and milk SNF percentage (p < 0.01), but increased MUN (p < 0.05). Supplemented fatty acid decreased concentration of blood BHBA (p < 0.05), but increased TG, NEFA, glucagon, GLP-1, CCK, leptin, ApoA-IV, serotonin and MSH concentration in blood, the CCK concentration and feed intake showed a significant negative correlation (p < 0.05).

Rutin, quercetin, and free amino acid analysis in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) seeds from different locations.

In this study, five common buckwheats and nine tartary buckwheats grown at different locations were analyzed for the contents of rutin, quercetin, and amino acids by high-performance liquid chromatography and spectrophotometry. The rutin content was higher than quercetin in buckwheat seeds. Rutin content was in the range from 0.05 (0.05 g per 100 g dry seeds) to 1.35% of buckwheat seeds. Quercetin content varied from 0.01 to 0.17% and in some common buckwheats it was even difficult to detect. Comparatively, tartary buckwheat seeds contained more rutin and quercetin than common buckwheat seeds. Meanwhile, the bran has higher rutin content than the farina in tartary buckwheat seeds, with a respective content of 0.45 to 1.19% and 0.14 to 0.67%. It was found that amino acid contents were around 1.79 to 12.65% (farina) and 5.74 to 7.89% (bran) in common buckwheats, and 1.73 to 5.63% (farina) and 2.64 to 16.78% (bran) in tartary buckwheat seeds. The highest total rutin content was found to be 1.35% in tartary buckwheat seeds from Sichuan, China. The highest total amounts of amino acid were detected to be 20.13% in tartary buckwheat seeds from Changzhi, Shanxi Province (China). Our results suggested that food products made of whole-buckwheat flour are healthier than those made of fine white flour.

Biogeography and variability of eleven mineral elements in plant leaves across gradients of climate, soil and plant functional type in China.

Understanding variation of plant nutrients is largely limited to nitrogen and to a lesser extent phosphorus. Here we analyse patterns of variation in 11 elements (nitrogen/phosphorus/potassium/calcium/magnesium/sulphur/silicon/iron/sodium/manganese/aluminium) in leaves of 1900 plant species across China. The concentrations of these elements show significant latitudinal and longitudinal trends, driven by significant influences of climate, soil and plant functional type. Precipitation explains more variation than temperature for all elements except phosphorus and aluminium, and the 11 elements differentiate in relation to climate, soil and functional type. Variability (assessed as the coefficient of variation) and environmental sensitivity (slope of responses to environmental gradients) are lowest for elements that are required in the highest concentrations, most abundant and most often limiting in nature (the Stability of Limiting Elements Hypothesis). Our findings can help initiate a more holistic approach to ecological plant nutrition and lay the groundwork for the eventual development of multiple element biogeochemical models.

Effect of taurine on intestinal morphology and utilisation of soy oil in chickens.

1. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of taurine on intestinal morphology and utilisation of dietary fatty acids in chicken. One-day-old broilers chickens were fed with a maize- and soybean-based diet containing soy oil, and supplemented with taurine at either 0 or 0·5 g/kg. 2. Result showed that the total bile acid in blood and lipase activity in the small intestine were elevated in 3-week-old broilers given the taurine-supplemented diet. No differences were observed for total serum bile acid and lipase activity between the groups of 6-week-old broilers. 3. The development of the jejunum villus and ileum villus was inhibited, and the weight of jejunum and the relative height of intestinal mucosa were decreased in the chickens fed the taurine-supplemented diet. 4. The rate of diet fatty acid utilisation was not different between the groups of 3- and 6-week-old chickens. 5. Our results showed that dietary supplementation with taurine had no beneficial effect on intestinal morphology or utilisation of a soy oil diet in chickens.

Purification, characterization, and cloning of a novel phytase with low pH optimum and strong proteolysis resistance from Aspergillus ficuum NTG-23.

A novel phytase was isolated from Aspergillus ficuum NTG-23 with a procedure involving ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, CM-cellulose and FPLC-gel filtration on Superdex 75. The protein exhibited a molecular mass of 65.5kDa in gel filtration and SDS-PAGE. It possessed an optimal pH of 1.3 and an optimal temperature of 67 degrees C, and manifested a K(m) of 0.295mM and a V(max) of 55.9nmol (phosphate)/min. Phytase activity was not significantly affected by metal ions such as Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Mn(2+), Zn(2+), but was slightly stimulated in the presence of EDTA. The phytase was stable at 60 degrees C with no obvious loss of activity upon its incubation at 70 degrees C for 20min. The enzyme exhibited a broad substrate selectivity and showed strong resistance toward pepsin and trypsin. The unique properties suggest that the phytase has the potential to be useful as an animal feed supplement.

Randomized phase II trial on mitomycin-C/cisplatin +/- KLT in heavily pretreated advanced breast cancer.

A randomized phase II study using mitomycin (MMC)/cisplatin (DDP) regimen with or without Kanglaite (KLT, a traditional Chinese medicine) as salvage treatment was conducted to exploit KLT's potential effects on patients with advanced breast cancer (ABC). Triweekly regimen consisted of mitomycin (8 mg/m(2)) administered intravenously on day 1, and cisplatin (25 mg/m(2)) intravenously on days 1 to 3. KLT (100 ml) was given intravenously per day on days 1 to 14 every 3 weeks. Between April 2006 and July 2007, 60 patients with a median age of 48 years were randomized into MMC/DDP with or without KLT treatment. In all, the objective response rate (ORR) was 17.5%. There were no significant differences between experimental and control treatments in terms of ORR (14.3% vs. 20.7%, p = 0.730), clinical benefit rates (24.1% vs. 28.6%, p = 0.468), median time to progression (TTP; 3.63 vs. 4.0, p = 0.872), and overall survival (OS; 7.17 vs. not reached, p = 0.120). The median TTP for patients with complete or partial responses was 6.0 months, but only 2.1 months for patients with stable or progressive disease (SD or PD; p = 0.028). While the median OS for patients who obtained clinical benefit from chemotherapy was not reached, that of patients with SD of no more than 6 months or PD was only 7.17 months (p = 0.004). There is no additional benefit when KLT is added to the MMC/DDP doublet in the management of ABC. Patients who obtained clinical benefit from chemotherapy had a longer TTP and OS.

Asthma, eczema, and reports on pollen and cat allergy among pupils in Shanxi province, China.

OBJECTIVES: To study self-reported asthma, eczema, and pollen and furry pet allergy among pupils (9-20 years) in Shanxi province, China, in relation to dietary and environmental factors. METHODS: A standardised questionnaire was distributed to pupils in two primary and two secondary schools, one in Taiyuan city (3.0 milj. inhabitants), the others in Qingxu county, a rural area 30 km outside Taiyuan. Totally, 2,116 pupils (90%) participated. RESULTS: Fifty percent were girls, 61% had been growing up on the countryside, 18% lived in Taiyuan now, 1.7% had ever had asthma, 0.8% had doctor's diagnosed asthma, 1.4% pollen allergy, 1.7% cat allergy, and 0% had dog allergy. Multiple logistic regression was applied, controlling for age, gender, diet, indoor exposures, rural childhood, and current urban residency. Girls had less eczema (OR = 0.51; 95%CI 0.28-0.92). Pupils in the city had more eczema (OR = 5.05; 95% CI 1.11-23.3). Those with a rural childhood had less asthma (OR = 0.17; 95% CI 0.05-0.60), eczema (OR = 0.15; 95% CI 0.13-0.66) and pollen/cat allergy (OR = 0.50; 95%CI 0.25-0.99). None of the indoor variables was related to asthma or allergy. Children with frequent fruit consumption had less asthma (OR = 0.40; 95% CI 0.19-0.82) and pollen/cat allergy (OR = 0.49; 95% CI 0.29-0.84). Those with frequent fish consumption had less asthma (OR = 0.32; 95% CI 0.11-0.97). Those with frequent hamburgers consumption had more asthma (OR = 2.05; 95% CI 1.09-3.87) and eczema (OR = 1.85; 95% CI 1.12-3.04). CONCLUSION: Asthma, eczema, and pollen or pet allergy was uncommon, compared with western countries and other areas in China. Pupils with a rural childhood had less asthma and allergy, which is consistent with the "hygiene hypothesis". Fruit and fish consumption may reduce, and fast food consumption may increase the risk for asthma. Finally, the higher prevalence of asthma and eczema among younger children, born in the 1990s, indicates a cohort effect similar to that observed in western countries.

A comparative study of asthma, pollen, cat and dog allergy among pupils and allergen levels in schools in Taiyuan city, China, and Uppsala, Sweden.

We compared the school environment, asthma and allergy in 10 schools in Taiyuan, China, with eight schools in Uppsala, Sweden. In total 2193 pupils (mean age 13 years) participated. Chinese pupils had more respiratory symptoms, particularly daytime breathlessness after exercise (29.8% vs. 7.1%; P < 0.001), while cat allergy (1.2% vs. 6.6%; P < 0.001) and dog allergy (1.3% vs. 4.0%; P < 0.01) was less common. Cumulative incidence of asthma (1.8% vs. 9.5%; P < 0.001) and doctor's diagnosed asthma (1.2% vs. 9.0%; P < 0.001) were less common in China, indicating an under-diagnosis of asthma. Chinese classrooms were colder (mean 14.7 vs. 21.4 degrees C), more humid (mean 42% vs. 31% RH) and had higher CO2-levels (mean 2211 vs. 761 ppm). Levels of cat (Fel d1), dog (Can f1) allergens were low in settled dust from China (< 200 ng/g dust), but high in airborne dust on Petri-dishes (GM 16.8 ng/m2/day for Fel d1 and 17.7 for Can f1). The Swedish settled dust contained cat, dog and horse allergens in high levels (median 1300 ng/g, 1650 ng/g, 1250 U/g dust, respectively). In conclusion, there were large differences in the school environment, and in respiratory symptom and allergy. Allergen measurements in settled dust only may largely underestimate the classroom exposure. Practical Implications There is a need to improve the school environment, both in China and Sweden. The Swedish schools contained high levels of cat, dog and horse allergens and more amounts of open shelves and textiles that can accumulate dust and allergens. The air measurements indicated that Chinese schools may contain significant amounts of cat and dog allergen, and analysis of settled dust only may not reflect the true allergen exposure. Since the Chinese schools had no mechanical ventilation, they could not fulfill the ventilation standard in winter, and hence there is a need for improving the ventilation. The great discrepancy between respiratory symptoms and reports on asthma, and the high prevalence of attacks of breathlessness without wheeze, may have implication for future questionnaire studies on asthma in China.

The distribution patterns of trace elements in the brain and erythrocytes in a rat experimental model of iodine deficiency.

Cretinism is a disease characterized by neurological defects associated with severe iodine deficiency. In a rat model of severe iodine deficiency, we investigated the distribution pattern of trace elements (iodine [I], selenium [Se], and bromine [Br] in brain tissue samples; potassium [K], calcium [Ca], manganese [Mn], iron [Fe], copper [Cu], zinc [Zn], rubidium [Rb], and lead [Pb] in erythrocytes) after supplementing the rats with I and/or Se. Neutron activation analysis, proton induced x-ray emission and x-ray fluorescence were used. The serum levels of total and free thyroxine (T4, FT4), and of total, free, and reverse triiodothyronine (T3, FT3, rT3, respectively) were assessed by radioimmunoassay. The results were statistically evaluated by one-way analysis of variance and bivariate correlation. The study indicated that the levels of T4, FT4, and rT3 increased in the serum of iodine-deficient rats supplemented with I or I + Se. In the same animals, we documented alterations of the content of Br in the brain, and of Zn, Mn, Cu, and Rb in erythrocytes, whereas the brain content of I and Se was unchanged. Thus, I and I + Se supplementation improves thyroid hormone metabolism but affects the content of selected trace elements in erythrocytes and of Br in the brain. The data stimulate further clarification of the role of trace elements in the central nervous system.