Effects of dietary inclusion of Lactobacillus and inulin on growth performance, gut microbiota, nutrient utilization, and immune parameters in broilers.

The effects of dietary Lactobacillus (BCRC 16092) and inulin on growth performance, intestinal microflora, mineral utilization, and tissue mineral contents were evaluated in broilers. The experiment was conducted using 1,152 one-day-old broilers randomly distributed to 9 treatments in a factorial arrangement (3 × 3) using 3 levels of inulin (0, 1, and 2%) and 3 levels of Lactobacillus addition (108, 109, and 1010 CFU/kg). Broilers (1 D of age; 8 replicates per treatments and 16 broilers per replicate) with an initial body weight of 48.36 ± 0.21g were evaluated for 42 D. A 4-D mineral digestibility trial was conducted during the final week of the experiment. The results showed that Lactobacillus supplementation can increase average daily gain and nutrient digestibility and improve feed/gain in broilers (P < 0.05). Moreover, Lactobacillus and inulin supplementation increased the numbers of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria, increased serum concentration of IgG and IgA, and decreased the numbers of Escherichia coli and pH in ileum and cecum. The present study demonstrated Lactobacillus and inulin fed to broilers has a positive effect on gut microbiota, growth and nutrient utilization, immune system, and mineral metabolism.

Copper bioavailability, blood parameters, and nutrient balance in mink.

A 3 × 3 + 1 factorial experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design to evaluate the effects of different sources of copper on plasma metabolites, nutrient digestibility, relative copper bioavailability, and retention of some minerals in male mink. Animals in the control group were fed a basal diet, which mainly consisted of corn, fish meal, meat and bone meal, and soybean oil, with no copper supplementation. Mink in the other 9 treatments were fed the basal diet supplemented with Cu from reagent-grade copper sulfate (CuSO4), tribasic copper chloride (TBCC), or copper methionine (CuMet). Copper concentrations of the experimental diets were 50, 100, and 150 mg Cu/kg DM. Blood samples were collected via the toe clip at the end of study (d 42) to determine blood hematology and blood metabolites. A metabolism trial of 4 d was conducted during the last week of experimental feeding. There was a linear (P < 0.01) effect of dose of Cu on plasma Cu concentrations, ceruloplasmin concentration, and Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase activity. A linear response to Cu dose was noted for fat (P < 0.05) digestibility. Supplemental dose of Cu linearly increased (P < 0.05) liver Cu and decreased (P < 0.05) liver Zn level but did not alter liver Fe. The concentration of liver Cu of the mink fed with TBCC and CuMet diets was greater (P < 0.05) than that fed CuSO4. Compared with CuSO4 (100%), relative bioavailability values of TBCC were 104 and 104%, based on serum ceruloplasmin and liver copper, respectively, and relative bioavailability values of CuMet were 130 and 111%. CuMet and TBCC are more bioavailable than CuSO4. In conclusion, the relative bioavailability of CuMet obtained in this study was greater than that of CuSO4 and TBCC. Dose of Cu had an important effect on the regulating ceruloplasmin concentration, Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase activity, and the digestion of dietary fat in mink.

Optimization of beta-carotene production by Rhodotorula glutinis using high hydrostatic pressure and response surface methodology.

Rhodotorula glutinis RG6 was treated by high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) of 300 MPa for 15 min for improving its ability of beta-carotene production. After the treatments of 5 repeated cycles, the mutant strain RG6p was obtained, beta-carotene production of which reached 10.01 mg/L, increased by 57.89% compared with 6.34 mg/L from parent strain RG6. To optimize the medium for beta-carotene fermentation by mutant RG6p, a response surface methodology (RSM) approach was used in conjunction with a factorial design and a central composite design, and the maximum yield of beta-carotene (13.43 mg/L), an increase of 34.17% compared to the control, was obtained at a pH 6.7 with an optimum medium (40 mL/250 mL) of yeast extract (4.23 g/L), glucose (12.11 g/L), inoculum (30 mL/L), tomato extract (2.5 mL/L), peanut oil (0.5 mL/L), and (NH(4))(2)SO(4) (5 g/L).

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains isolated in Guangzhou, China, 1996-2001.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility and resistant trends of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains isolated in Guangzhou, from 1996 to 2001. METHODS: The agar dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to four antimicrobials, penicillin G, ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, and spectinomycin. The resistance of all strains to four antibiotics was interpreted according to criteria used in the project of surveillance of gonococcal antibiotic susceptibility in the WHO Western Pacific Region. Penicillinase producing N gonorrhoeae (PPNG) was analysed by the paper acidometric method. RESULTS: 793 consecutive N gonorrhoeae isolates collected in Guangzhou were studied from 1996 to 2001. A total of 55 strains of PPNG were identified and the prevalence rapidly spread from 2% to 21.8%. Of the four antibiotics examined, ceftriaxone and spectinomycin appeared to be the most effective agents although two spectinomycin resistant strains were isolated in 1996. Their MIC(50), MIC(90), and geometric mean MIC (MICmean) were all between the sensitive ranges of the interpretative criteria and remained stable over the years. However, resistance increased continuously to penicillin G and dramatically to ciprofloxacin. In 1996-2001, MIC(50), MIC(90), and MICmean of penicillin G increased from 1 micro g/ml to 2 micro g/ml, 4 micro g/ml to 32 micro g/ml, and 0.68 micro g/ml to 2.35 micro g/ml, respectively; those of ciprofloxacin steeply increased from 0.12 micro g/ml to 4 micro g/ml, 2 micro g/ml to 32 micro g/ml, and 0.14 micro g/ml to 2.62 micro g/ml in 1996-9, respectively, and then declined slightly in 2000-1. The prevalence of resistant isolates spread from 57.2% to 81.8% for penicillin G and from 17.6% to 72.7% for ciprofloxacin over the 6 years. CONCLUSION: Resistance to penicillin and ciprofloxacin increased greatly during 1996-2001. Ceftriaxone and spectinomycin should be used as the first line agents in treating gonorrhoea. It is of great importance to continuously survey the susceptibilities of N gonorrhoeae to antibiotics in controlling the spread of gonococcal infections.

[Mechanism of injury of intestine, liver and lung in acute cholangitis of severe type model and the protective effect of huoxue qingjieling].

Lung capillary permeability was measured with 125I labelled bovine serum albumin, the progression of hepato-cellular injury was quantitatively assessed using atriphenyltetrazolium chloride assay, injury of small intestinal mucosa was determined by the changes of diamine oxidase (DAO) level, content of oxygen free radicals (OFR) was measured by electron spin resonance spectrometer and levels of phospholipase A2(PLA2) of intestine, hepatocellular viability were observed by bioassay methods respectively. The results showed that function of lung, liver and intestine was seriously injuried in ACST rats. These injuries demonstrated by increase of capillary permeability and decrease of hepatocellular viability as well as DAO in intestinal mucosa (P < 0.01) in comparing with control, while the levels of OFR and PLA2 in the above-mentioned 3 organs were elevated simultaneously (P < 0.01). As for the comparison of efficacy of different treatment, Huoxue Qingjieling was the best one, the bile duct decompression or ampicillin showed little benefit on injury protection even aggravated in some tissues, they displayed a close relationship with their influence on the OFR and PLA2. Besides, the levels of OFR or PLA2 in various tissues were different from each other, therefore, the serum levels of OFR or PLA2 can not reflect the real levels occurred in organ or tissue level.

[Effects of dachengqi decoction on gut hormones and intestinal movement after cholecystectomy].

In order to elucidate the mechanism of postoperative intestinal dysfunction and the effects of Dachengqui Decoction (DCQD) on it, somatostatin (SS), gastrin (GAS), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), substance P (SP), motilin (MOT) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were determined, frequency and spectrum of peristaltic sound were simultaneously analyzed in 31 subjects undergoing cholecystectomy, the value of pre-, post-operation and post-medication were compared. Plasma SS and MOT decreased postoperatively (P < 0.05), DCQD elevated SS and MOT to higher level than preoperation, VIP, SP increased for half fold (P < 0.05). Gurgling sound diminished after operation, whereas DCQD normalized it. Peak frequency (Fmax) of gurgling ranging from 234.4 to 468.2 Hz preoperatively, mean frequency (FA) was 341.8 +/- 30.9 Hz postoperatively. FA reduced to 322.3 +/- 79.4, DCQD elevated it to 374.2 +/- 57.1 Hz. The result suggested that intestinal motility was disturbed after cholecystectomy, bowel was in dystonic status, accompanying with decreased plasma MOT, DCQD promoted intestinal peristalsis and enhanced it's tonus. The influence of gut peptides might be one of the important pathway that DCQD works.

[Effects of Tripterygiitotorum in the treatment of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus with islet transplantation].

UNLABELLED: The therapeutical efficacy of islet transplantation in treating insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients is marked for a short time and the long-term efficacy is unsatisfactory. So 30 IDDM patients given tripterygiitotorum (T II) were compared with 24 IDDM patients without using any immunosuppressive agents after islet transplantation. RESULTS: prior to transplantation both the numbers of T lymphocyte subpopulations such as CD2, CD4, CD8 and the concentrations of C-peptide in all IDDM patients were lowered; after transplantation the numbers of CD2, CD4 were significantly elevated (P < 0.01), the ratio of CD4/CD8 in control group was higher than that in TII group (P < 0.01), while the concentration of C-peptide were greatly increased (normal: 2.24 +/- 0.34; before transplantation: 0.21 +/- 0.01; 15 days after transplantation: 3.24 +/- 1.2 ng/ml). The peak value of C-peptide in TII group began decreasing half a year after transplantation and it gradually dropped to the baseline level. The dose of insulin all were significantly reduced, and 3 patients stopped altogether. Half a year after transplantation TII group remained stable for the requirement of insulin, whereas the control group gradually increased the dose of insulin. (1) Islet transplantation could adjust the immunological disorder in IDDM patients, increase the numbers of T lymphocyte subset such as CD2, CD4, CD8 while the chronic immuno-rejective response occurred. (2) T II inhibited both the numbers and function of T lymphocyte subpopulation and normalized the ratio of CD4/CD8. (3) TII prolonged the survival time of grafts in IDDM patients and suppressed immunological rejection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Lipopolysaccharide-induced cellular immunity response and effect of herbal purgation method in intra-abdominal infection].

The alterations of cytokines (TNF,PGE2), plasma lipopolysaccharide and their prognostic influences in 58 patients with intra-abdominal infection were observed with ELISA and RIA. The effect on physiopathologic process with herbal purgation method was explored. The results showed that as the level of plasma LPS raised the serum TNF, plasma PGE2 elevated obviously and the cellular immunity inhibited elevated in treatment and control groups. There was a linear positive correlation between the plasma LPS and the serum TNF in control group. Between the plasma PGE2 and CD4 lymphocytes of peripheral blood, it existed a linear negative correlation in treatment group. After two treatment courses, the recovery of abnormal indexes in treatment group was earlier than that in control group accompanied by escalation of lessened toxicity rate of LPS, more rapid in reducing the level and detectable rate of serum TNF, and the lowering of complication rate successively and the inhibition of cellular immunity tended to be relieved in treatment group.

[Immune function and abdominal surgery in blood stasis syndrome in patients with gastrointestinal diseases].

52 Patients with Blood Stasis Syndrome (BSS) in abdominal surgical diseases were divided into 3 types according to their symptoms, signs and natures of diseases. Peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets of these BSS patients and 12 healthy persons were studied with Flow Cytometry and monoclonal antibodies. The immunoglobulins and complements of these cases were also studied. There were no difference in T cell subsets, immunoglobulins and complements between Qizhi-BSS group and normal control. The Shire-BSS group showed that CD8 cell, IgG, IgM, and C1, C3c were increased. These results showed that the immune response increased in this type of BSS patients. In the Qixu-BSS group, the CD3 was nearly normal, and the CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and CD16+ were statistically decreased. However, the CD8+ cells markedly increased, the IgG, IgM and IgD were also lowered significantly in this type. The marked morphologic abnormal changes in ultrastructures of T lymphocyte were found in 6 patients with Qixu-BSS group. These results showed that the Qixu type of Blood Stasis Syndrome patients were in the immuno-suppressive status.

[Evaluation of rubidatum treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding after IUD insertion: analysis of 255 cases].

PIP: This paper reports 255 cases of abnormal uterine bleeding after IUD insertion. These patients were treated by traditional Chinese medicine using Rubidatum in 9 hospitals in Shanghai. The results indicated that the effective rates for treatment of menorrhagia and prolongation of the period were 88.2% and 81.3%, respectively. The authors suggest that Rubidatum is useful for decreasing menstrual blood loss and for shortening the menstrual period. Rubidatum has no significant side effects and contraindications and it proved safe and effective for IUD users with abnormal uterine bleeds. (author's modified)^ieng

[Determination of partially cellular and local immune function in patients with spleen deficiency syndrome].

The immune function status as reflected by the peripheral blood OKT system T cell subset classification and the lymphocyte in vitro interleukin 2 (IL2) secretory function were determined in 30 patients with Spleen deficiency syndrome and 20 normal subjects in this study. Experimental results decreased cellular immune function and disturbance of immune regulatory mechanism in the patients. Its manifestations were decreased number of total T lymphocytes and helper T cells (Th), relatively increased suppressor T cells (Ts), abnormal rate of Th to Ts, no marked change of IL2 secretory function of T cell in vitro, increased SIgA level before stimulating with acid but marked decreased SIgA level after stimulating. All these suggest the compensatory stage of local immune function.

[Da cheng qi tang on 45Ca content of the isolated colon smooth muscle from experimental colon obstruction rats].

Da Cheng Qi Tang (DCQT) is a classical prescription of Chinese medicine for treatment of acute intestinal obstruction. In this paper, the isolated colon smooth muscle from normal and experimental colon obstruction (CO) rats were used to study the effect of DCQT on 45Ca content. The results showed that the 45Ca content on isolated colon smooth muscle (microns/g wet tissue, mean +/- S) was 0.043 +/- 0.009 in the normal and 0.057 +/- 0.012 in those treated by DCQT respectively. The content of 45Ca in CO was higher than the normal, DCQT can reduce the content of 45Ca in CO. It is known that the higher level of intracellular CA++ is related to the formation and the development of acute intestinal obstruction. The inhibitory effect of DCQT on 45Ca content may play an important role in the treatment of acute colon obstruction.

[Exocrine function of the pancreas and pathological histology of the stomach in patients with stomach yin deficiency syndrome (SYDS) research on SYDS following abdominal operation or with severe acute abdominal diseases (Part 3)].

Exocrine function of pancreas (BT-PABA test) in 13 patients with SYDS was examined and gastric membrane in 5 cases with SYDS other than gastric diseases was observed under light- and electro-microscopy. The results were as follows: urine rate of recovery of PABA in SYDS was 35. 42 +/- 14.33% and that in the control with same age was 64.70 +/- 10.55%. The rate in SYDS was decreased obviously (P less than 0.001). Under light microscopy gastric mucosa of patients with SYDS showed slight gland degenerative atrophy, smaller cytoplasm, eosinophilic decrease of parietal cells and infiltration of inflammatory cells in interstitial tissue. Under electro-microscopy, the main changes of the gastric mucosa with SYDS were severe mitochondria damage, inflating rough endoplasmic pools and large vacuole at which membrane major particles of ribosomes disappeared, degenerated secretory vessels and formation of myelin figure in parietal cells, decrease of secretory particles in main cells, degeneration in some degree and decrease of nervous secretory particles in G cells and damaged interstitial capillaries. The results in this study suggested that the exocrine function of pancreas in patients with SYDS after abdominal operation or with severe acute abdominal diseases was decreased and there were some damages in energy supply and protein manufacturing systems of the gastric mucosa and functional disturbances of main cells, parietal cells and G cells in patients with SYDS.

[Clinical observation on the treatment of acute cholangitis of a severe type with endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage and qingjieling].

In order to find out an effective approach for the improvement of therapeutic results of acute cholangitis of severe type (ACST) and its therapeutic and pathophysiologic problems, clinical observation has been made. In clinical practice, 38 patients with ACST were treated with ERBD and herbs (n = 20) or operative drainage (n = 18). The results suggested that the pressure of bile duct in the patients was very high (20-35 cmH2O). There were high levels of endotoxin in bile and blood, and level of fibronectin in serum was just 25% compared to that of normal level. The value of C3 in serum was only a half of normal level of C3. However, a high level of C-reactive protein in serum was determined. Positive rate of E. coli in bile was 84%. From the significant differences in the series of parameters between the ERBD-herb group and the operative drainage group, it was suggested that the ERBD-herb therapy was more effective than the operative method in promoting immunologic ability, relieving symptoms of ACST, minimizing complications and decreasing mortality. Some new pathophysiologic and therapeutic concepts of ACST have been proposed.

[Effect of li dan ling in decreasing jaundice and improving liver function in patients with obstructive jaundice].

A total of 89 cases with extrahepatic jaundice were studied clinically. All patients were divided into two groups at random: control group and Li Dan Ling treatment group. It was found that: (1) liver functions in the patients with obstructive jaundice were injured severely; bilirubin, R15ICG, m-GOT, and gamma-GT were increased significantly; (2) in patients with incomplete biliary obstruction or after the relief of obstruction, liver functions could be improved gradually. They were improved more quickly in patients of the Li Dan Ling treatment group; (3) for the patients suffering from complete biliary tract obstruction, until the obstruction was relieved liver function could not be improved. After the herbal medicine, all the indicators would be further worsened before the relief of the obstruction, and the value of "b" would be positive. The increase in m-GOT and gamma-GT was higher than in the control group, indicating the liver functions were further injured. Therefore, the herbal cholegogue was not suitable for the patients before the obstruction was relieved. The further investigations showed that excretion of bilirubin from the bile could be accelerated by Li Dan Ling, and after herbal administration, the cholesterol level in bile was lowered significantly; the liver blood flow in normal and jaundiced rats would be increased 30 to 90 min. after administering the herbs.