Electroacupuncture Stimulation Alleviates Inflammatory Pain in Male Rats by Suppressing Oxidative Stress.

In the present study, we focused on whether the analgesic effect of Electroacupuncture (EA) is related to the regulation of oxidative stress. We established a chronic inflammatory pain model in male rats by a single injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) and then treated the animals with daily EA stimulation at the site of "zusanli". The analgesic effect of EA was evaluated by measuring the paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) when rats received mechanical and thermal pain stimulation. The levels of inflammation-related molecules and oxidative stress-related markers in the spinal cord were measured by western blotting or ELISA kits. EA stimulation and antioxidants effectively increased the PWT in CFA rats. Co-treatment of CFA rats with the ROS donor t-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BOOH) further decreased the PWT and weakened the analgesic effect of EA. EA treatment inhibited inflammation and oxidative stress, as shown by decreased levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, and MDA and increased activity of SOD and catalase. Moreover, EA reduced the expression of p-p38, p-ERK, and p-p65 and simultaneously downregulated the expression of TRPV1 and TRPV4 in CFA rats. In an in vitro study, direct stimulation with t-BOOH to the C6 cells increased the production of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, activated p38, ERK, and p65 and up-regulated the expression of TRPV1 and TRPV4, and these effects could be prevented by the ROS scavenger PBN. Taken together, our data indicate that the inhibition of oxidative stress and the generation of ROS contribute to the analgesic effect of EA in male CFA rats.

[The versions of Shiguzhai Hui Ju Jian Bian Dan Fang by Wu Mianxue].

Shiguzhai Hui Ju Jian Bian Dan Fang, was the only medical book for prescription and formula collected and compiled by Wu Mianxue in the period of the Wanli in the Ming Dynasty (1573-1620). It had seven volumes in total with six of them popular at that time. The volumes contained 1,460 folk formula and clinical prescriptions which were divided into 111 categories based on their corresponding symptoms of diseases. The set was issued in the beginning of the 17th century, with only three subsets of the volumes left in China today. The three remained versions were the subset of volumes 4-5 left in the Ming Dynasty in the Medical College of Tianjin, the subset of volumes 1-2 and 6-7, with preface, left in the seventeenth of the Shun Zhi Period in the Qing Dynasty (1660) in the Shanghai University of Chinese Medicine and the subset of volumes 4 and 6-7 from time unknown. Additionally, three unabridged versions were found in the Cabinet Library of the National Archives of Japan. They were the Ming version with preface of the seventeenth of the Shun Zhi Period in the Qing Dynasty and a hand-copied version left in the Edo period. It was found that the preface in the seventeenth of the Shun Zhi Period in the Qing Dynasty in both of these versions in China as well as the version in Japan, were counterfeit. The main texts in these versions were edited according to the Ming version. The hand-copied version in Japan was transcribed by Kasahara Eisan and edited by Tanba Motoken according to the Ming version in the late Edo Period.

Effects of oregano essential oil as an antibiotic growth promoter alternative on growth performance, antioxidant status, and intestinal health of broilers.

This experiment was conducted to assess the comparative effects of dietary antibiotics and oregano essential oil (OEO) addition on growth performance, antioxidant status and intestinal health of broilers. A total of 384 one-day-old broilers were randomly allocated to 4 treatments with 6 replicates of 16 broilers each. The 4 treatments were: an antibiotic-free control diet (control), control + 20 mg/kg colistin sulfate and 20 mg/kg virginiamycin (antibiotics), control + 200 mg/kg natural oregano essential oil (NOEO), and control + 200 mg/kg synthetic oregano essential oil (SOEO). The experiment lasted for 42 d. Results showed that birds fed with OEO had greater (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and lower (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) than those fed with control diet during d 1 to 21. Besides, birds fed with NOEO had the greatest (P < 0.05) ADG in the four groups during d 22 to 42. The serum oxidative stress parameters showed that OEO improved (P < 0.05) the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR) of birds on day 21 and the activity of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) of birds on d 42. Relative to control, NOEO increased (P < 0.05) the activity of T-AOC in jejunum and decreased (P < 0.05) the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum and jejunum. Moreover, OEO supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the concentrations of sIgA in duodenum and jejunum, Lactobacillus and total anaerobes in cecum, as well as activities of trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase and amylase in duodenum, but restrained (P < 0.05) the amount of Escherichia coli. The NOEO supplementation increased (P < 0.05) total anaerobes of broilers on d 42 and the villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH/CD) of ileum. These results suggest that OEO improved antioxidant status and intestinal health of broilers which contributed to the growth performance improvement of broilers. Dietary OEO supplementation can be a promising alternative to antibiotic growth promoters for improving poultry production.

Prevention of neonatal ventilator-associated pneumonia through oral care with the combined use of colostrum and sodium bicarbonate.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the effect of oral care via the combined use of colostrum and sodium bicarbonate on the prevention of neonatal ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 120 infant patients who were hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) from January to October of 2019 were selected and randomly divided into three groups (40 cases in each group), namely, colostrum combined with sodium bicarbonate nursing (experimental group), colostrum (control group I), and sodium bicarbonate (control group II) groups. The primary outcomes measured included incidence rates of VAP and oral infection, positive rate of pathogenic bacteria after sputum culture, mechanical ventilation time, and length of stay (LOS). RESULTS: The incidence rates of VAP and oral infection and the positive rate of pathogenic bacteria after sputum culture of the experimental group, which were 6.67%, 10.00%, and 10.00%, respectively, were significantly different from those of control groups I and II (p < 0.05). The mechanical ventilation time of the experimental group was 156.07 ± 26.67 h, which was shortened by 9.79% and 9.43% compared with those of control groups I and II, respectively. The LOS of the experimental group was 17.6 ± 1.96 days, which was shortened by 17.74% and 17.50% compared with those of control groups I and II, respectively. The differences were statistically significant (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Oral care through the combined use of colostrum and sodium bicarbonate can lower the VAP incidence rate of infant patients and shorten their mechanical ventilation time and LOS.

Wagyu-Angus cross improves meat tenderness compared to Angus cattle but unaffected by mild protein restriction during late gestation.

For the spring-calving beef herds, late gestation coincides with winter and early spring, when cows are dependent on feed supplements with low quality hay, which is hard to meet their nutrient requirements. However, the effects of deficiencies of metabolizable protein intake during late gestation on offspring beef quality are unclear. Wagyu cattle have excellent marbling, and insemination with Wagyu vs Angus semen is a practical option for beef producers to improve beef quality. To test, Angus cows (621 ±â€¯73 kg) were selected and randomly separated into two groups. Each group was inseminated with either Angus or Wagyu semen. During the last 90 days of gestation, cows in each group were further separated and received either a low protein diet (85% of the NRC metabolizable protein requirement), which was a low quality hay-based diet common in northwestern region of the U.S., or an adequate protein diet (108% NRC requirement). All progeny was managed together and harvested at a final BW of 576.5 ±â€¯16.6 kg. Wagyu-sired offspring had higher marbling scores and quality grades than Angus (P < 0.01). Protein supplementation did not affect Slice Shear Force (SSF) in either breeds (P = 0.60). However, Wagyu-sired cattle had lower SSF than Angus-sired (P < 0.01). In addition, Wagyu-sired cattle had higher intramuscular fat (P < 0.05) and total collagen content (P < 0.05), but Angus-sired had greater mature collagen cross-links, as shown by higher contents of Pyridinoline (P < 0.01) and Ehrlich Chromogen (P < 0.01). Consistently, the mRNA expression of enzymes catalyzing collagen cross-linking was higher in Angus-sired offspring, including Plod 1 (P < 0.05), Plod 2 (P = 0.08), and P4Hα 2 (P < 0.01). In conclusion, Wagyu-sired cattle had greater tenderness and marbling score compared to Angus-sired, which was associated with lower collagen cross-links. Feeding mature grass hay-based diet with relatively low protein content during late gestation had no major effect on beef quality of subsequent cattle.

Effects of feeding a Lactobacillus plantarum JL01 diet on caecal bacteria and metabolites of weaned piglets.

Currently, knowledge is limited concerning the impact of a Lactobacillus plantarum JL01 diet for weaned piglets on caecal bacteria and metabolite profiles. In our experiments, 24 weaned piglets were randomly divided into two groups; each piglet in the treatment groups (Cec-Lac) was fed a basic diet and administered 10 ml of L. plantarum JL01 (1·0 × 109  CFU per ml) every day. The control group (Cec-Con) was fed a basic diet. After feeding for 28 days, we analysed the parameters of the caecal digesta of weaned piglets. We used 16S rDNA gene sequencing and mass spectrometry (MS)-based metabolomics techniques to investigate the effect of a L. plantarum JL01 diet on intestinal microbial composition and its metabolite profiles in the caecum contents of weaned piglets. The results showed that the richness estimators (ACE and Chao indices) in the caecal bacteria increased in the Cec-Lac group. Prevotella_2 and Desulfovibrio decreased significantly, while Pantoea and Rectale_group increased in the caecum of weaned piglets in the Cec-Lac group. Furthermore, Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that the genus Rectale_group was positively correlated with indole-3-acetic acid (P < 0·05), and the genus Pantoea had the same correlation with 1-palmitoyl lysophosphatidic acid. The metabolomics analysis revealed that the L. plantarum JL01 diet supplementation had significant effects on tryptophan metabolism and fat digestion and absorption. The results indicated that the L. plantarum JL01 dietary supplementation not only altered the microbial composition but also mediated tryptophan metabolism and fat digestion and absorption in the caecum, factors that may further affect the health of the host.

Effects of the Traditional Chinese Medical Prescription Linba Fang as a Treatment for Lymphedema.

Lymphedema can lead to a series of complicated and irreversible chronic pathological changes, including lymphatic fluid retention, infiltration of inflammatory cells, lipid deposition, and fibrosis of the surrounding tissues. Typically, compression physiotherapy is recommended for early lymphedema. However, the chronic fluid compartments will lead to fat deposition, skin fibrosis, and hyperkeratosis. Few treatment methods are available for patients with lymphedema. Previous studies have attempted to apply diuretics, diosmin, and sodium ß-aescinate to treatment for venous edema, but the curative effect was unsatisfactory. There is currently no established effective treatment for lymphedema. In this paper, we investigated the effects of the traditional Chinese medical prescription Linba Fang as a treatment for lymphedema using a mouse model. A lymphedema model was established in C57BL/6 mice through lymphatic ablation at the base of tails. Negative controls were administered with 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution by gavage twice daily, positive controls with aescuvenforte, and test mice with Linba Fang. Aescuvenforte and Linba Fang were dissolved in 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution to produce a homogeneous mixture. After treatment for 2-4 weeks, tail diameter and weight, inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α), lipid deposition, and fibrosis were evaluated. The results showed that none of the mice died during the treatment with Linba Fang. The levels of tail swelling, inflammation, lipid deposition, and fibrosis in mice treated with Linba Fang were significantly decreased compared with negative and positive controls. Among mice treated with the same dose of Linba Fang, the levels of tail swelling, inflammation, lipid deposition, and fibrosis in mice treated for 4 weeks were significantly lower than those treated for 2 weeks. Among mice treated for the same duration of time, the levels of tail swelling, inflammation, lipid deposition, and fibrosis showed a decreasing tendency following increasing doses. Notably, the inflammation in tail tissues decreased to the similar level of normal group after treatment for 4 weeks using the high dose of Linba Fang. In conclusion, the traditional Chinese medical prescription Linba Fang could inhibit the pathological changes caused by lymphedema, including swelling, inflammation, lipid deposition, and fibrosis.

Effects of dietary pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium supplementation on inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and intestinal morphology in broiler chickens challenged with lipopolysaccharide.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium (PQQ·Na2) on inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in a complete randomized design experiment was used to study the effect of dietary PQQ·Na2 (0 or 1 mg/kg) on broiler chickens with or without a challenge with LPS. A total of two hundred eighty-eight 1-day-old Arbor Acre broiler chickens were randomly assigned to 4 treatments with 6 replicate cages of 12 birds per cage. All experimental broilers were injected intraperitoneally with 0.5 mg/kg body weight of either Escherichia coli LPS or sterile saline at 16, 18, and 20 d of age. Results showed that injecting LPS significantly increased the concentrations of interleukin-1beta (IL-1ß) in serum of birds on day 20 and day 21. Meanwhile, LPS injection increased (P < 0.05) the relative mRNA expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the duodenal mucosa of broilers on day 21. However, dietary supplementation with PQQ·Na2 decreased (P < 0.05) the concentration of IL-6 in serum of birds on day 20 and the levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in serum of broiler chickens on day 21. Besides, supplementation of PQQ·Na2 within diet decreased (P < 0.05) the mRNA expressions of IL-1ß and IL-10 in the duodenal mucosa of birds on day 20. Relative to saline injection, the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in serum and the activities of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and catalase (CAT) in liver were found to be lower (P < 0.05) in broilers after LPS challenge on day 21. However, birds fed with PQQ·Na2 showed higher (P < 0.05) GSH-Px activity in serum and higher (P < 0.05) T-SOD activities in liver on day 21 and day 42. Pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium also significantly attenuated the LPS-induced decreases in villus height to crypt depth ratio in the duodenum of broilers. In conclusion, dietary PQQ·Na2 supplementation significantly exerted protective effects on inflammation damage and oxidant stress of broilers under LPS challenge by regulating the expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-10) and activities of antioxidant enzymes (GSH-Px, T-SOD, and CAT). Moreover, dietary PQQ·Na2 supplementation significantly ameliorated the LPS-impaired intestinal morphology in broilers. Therefore, it has been considered that PQQ·Na2 can be used as a potential feed additive in broiler production.

[The mechanism of hyperbaric oxygen regulating HMGB1 in the prevention and treatment of encephalopathy after acute CO poisoning].

Objective: To study the expression of high mobility group protein 1 (HMGB1) in the brain of rats after hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment of acute carbon monoxide poisoning (DEACMP) , and to explore the mechanism of HBO in the prevention and treatment of DEACMP pathological process by regulating HMGB1. Methods: 108 SD rats were randomly divided into control group (NC group) and co group (CO group) . HBO treatment group (HBO group) , 48 rats in each group. Co group and HBO group were used to establish CO poisoning model, HBO group were treated with hyperbaric oxygen once a day. Water maze test was used to detect and analyze the memory retention ability of three groups of rats in 3 d, 7 d, 14 d. ELISA was used to detect the plasma concentration of HMGB1、IL-6、TNF-α in three groups of rats on the 1 d, 3 d, 7 d, 14 d, 21 d Concentration. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of HMGB1 and Caspase-3 in the brain of the three groups on the 1 d, 3 d, 7 d, 14 d, 21 d. TUNEL staining was used to detect the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons in the three groups. Results: Compared with NC group, the average escape latency of rats in CO group and HBO group was significantly prolonged, and the activity time of platform quadrant in CO group was significantly shortened on 14 d and 21 d (P<0.05) ; compared with CO group, the average escape latency of HBO group on 7 d, 14 d and 21 d was significantly shortened (P<0.05) . Compared with NC group, plasma HMGB1 in CO group and HBO group were significantly increased (P<0.05) ; after 3 days, HBO group was significantly lower than co group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . The levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in HBO group and co group increased rapidly and then decreased gradually. The increased levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in HBO group were significantly lower than those in CO group (P<0.05) . Compared with NC group, the expression of HMGB1 and Caspase-3 in CO group was significantly increased on 3 d, 7 d and 14 d (P<0.05) ; the expression of HMGB1 and Caspase-3 in HBO group was significantly increased on 3 d, 7 d, 14 d and 21 d (P<0.05) ; compared with CO group, the expression of HMGB1 and Caspase-3 in HBO group decreased significantly on 3 d, 7 d, 14 d and 21 d (P<0.05) . The apoptotic index of nerve cells in CO group began to increase at 3 days, which was significantly different from that of NC group (P<0.05) , and the difference was still statistically significant on 21 d (P<0.05) ; the apoptotic index of nerve cells in HBO group was slightly increased, but there was no significant difference compared with NC group (P>0.05) , and the apoptotic index of 3 d, 7 d, 14 d and 21 d in HBO group was significantly lower than that in CO group (P<0.05) . Conclusion: acute CO poisoning can induce the release of HMGB1 and a variety of inflammatory factors. HMGB1 can promote the apoptosis of nerve cells after acute CO poisoning by up regulating the expression of caspase-3 protein, and participate in the pathological process of DEACMP. HBO can down regulate the expression of HMGB1, IL-6, TNF-α and caspase-3 protein, inhibit the apoptosis of nerve cells, and play a protective role on nerve cells.

[Implementation of the Bethesda system for reporting the thyroid cytopathology: study on 5 729 cases from a cancer center].

Objective: To analyze the data of the Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology applied in a comprehensive cancer center and to evaluate the diagnostic ability of fine needle aspiration (FNA). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 5 729 cases applying this reporting system at Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The series were from 5 011 patients including 1 174 men and 3 837 women, and their median age was 45 years (range, 7-88 years). FNA results were correlated with final histological diagnosis after surgery and the accuracy of FNA diagnosis and the malignancy rates for each of categories were also analyzed. Results: Among 5 729 thyroid aspirates, aside from 456 (8.0%) cases with nondiagnostic or unsatisfactory (ND/UNS) outcomes, 1 055 (18.4%) cases were benign, 409 (7.1%) cases showed atypical of undetermined significance or follicular lesions with undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS), 80 (1.4%) cases were follicular neoplasm or suspicious for follicular neoplasm (FN/SFN), 982 (17.1%) cases were suspicious for malignancy (SUS), and 2 747 cases were malignant (47.9%). Of 5 729 cases, 3 239 had received thyroidectomies after FNA, 95.99% of them were proven histologically to be malignant, with following malignancy rates in individual FNA categories: ND/UNS 75.00%; benign 40.91%; AUS/FLUS 77.67%; FN/SFN 41.67%; SUS 96.86%; and malignant 99.96%. FNA predicted malignancy with sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive values of 98.8%, 60.5%, 97.7%, 98.9% and 59.1%, respectively. Conclusions: The data of the Bethesda reporting system indicates high proportion of malignant diagnosis and high risk of malignancy at all FNA diagnostic categories. FNA offers high diagnostic accuracy and positive predictive value for the diagnosis of thyroid diseases.

[Distribution of allergens and associated risk factors of patients with allergic rhinitis in Qingdao area].

Objective:To analyze the distribution of allergens and the risk factors in patients with allergic rhinitis in Qingdao area. Method:Two hundred and sixteen patients diagnosed with allergic rhinitis and 49 healthy volunteers were admitted to the outpatient clinic of the Otolaryngology Department of the three branches of Qingdao University Affiliated Hospital in Qingdao from August 2018 to March 2019. A total of 271 patients（5-84 years old） were included in the epidemiological investigation. The study conducted a skin stinging test of inhalation allergens. In addition, the questionnaire of allergic disease and self-examination of dust mite allergy were carried out for each group of patients, and the results were analyzed and counted. Result:①In 216 patients with allergic rhinitis, the top six inhalation allergens were dust mites（55.0%）, house dust mites（46.1%）, tropical mites（21.8%）, dog hair（16.6%）, Artemisia halodendron（13.3%）, and German cockroaches（10.3%）. ②Inhalation allergens, the degree of positive of house dust mites and dust mites were mainly（+++）, the degree of positive of Artemisia halodendron were mainly（+++） and（++++）, and the degree of positive of other allergens were mainly（++）. ③There were statistically significant differences in the positive rates of inhalation allergens in different age groups, and the positive rates of inhalation allergens gradually decreased with age after adulthood. ④The single factor and multi-factor logical regression analysis all showed that the history of smoking, family history, age less than 18 years, and 18-40 years old were closely related to the occurrence of allergic rhinitis（P<0.05）. ⑤Using Spearson-related analysis and loess regression analysis, it was found that with the increase of dust mite self-examination score, the positive rate of dust mite increased significantly. Conclusion:The most important inhalation allergens of patients with allergic rhinitis in Qingdao area are dust mites, dog hair and artemisinin. The positive rate of inhalation allergens is influenced by age and there are certain rules in them. Smoking history, family history, age and other factors are risk factors for allergic rhinitis. The dust mite self-examination score can predict the occurrence of dust mite allergy.

Cooperated biotransformation of ginsenoside extracts into ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 by three thermostable glycosidases.

AIMS: The aim of this work was to transform ginsenoside extract into the pharmacologically active minor ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 by three thermostable glycosidases. METHODS AND RESULTS: The GH1 thermostable beta-glucosidase Tpebgl1 from Thermotoga petrophlia was found to have the ability to convert ginsenosides Rb1 and Rb2. Its properties concerning ginsenoside conversion were systematically investigated. It had high specific activity on pNPG (162·20 U mg-1 ) and pNPArp (22·14 U mg-1 ). The Km and Vmax of Tpebgl1 for pNPG were 0·28 mmol l-1 and 470·2 U mg-1 and for pNPArp were 17·30 mmol l-1 and 74·28 U mg-1 . Therefore, it could successfully convert ginsenosides Rb1 and Rb2 into ginsenoside Rd, which has been proven by experiments in this paper then. Tpebgl1 also had good tolerance to glucose and some organic solvents. These made Tpebgl1 a good catalyst candidate for industrial application. Finally, it was applied to convert ginsenoside extract into the pharmacologically active minor ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3, combined with thermostable ginsenoside Rc converting α-1,6-l-arabinofranosidase Tt-Afs and ginsenoside Rd converting ß-glucosidase Tpebgl3. A quantity of 10 g l-1 of ginsenoside extract was transformed into 3·93 g l-1 of Rg3 at 90°C, pH 5·0 for 3 h, with a corresponding molar conversion of 98·19%. CONCLUSION: The thermostable enzyme Tpebgl1 was found to be a ginsenoside-converting enzyme and successfully applied in the preparation of ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 from ginsenoside extract. The three-step cooperate  transformation system of ginsenoside extract was established by using Tpebgl1, Tt-Afs (a thermostable ginsenoside Rc converting α-1,6-l-arabinofranosidase) and Tpebgl3 (a thermostable ginsenoside Rb1 converting ß-glucosidase). SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Converting all the major ginsenosides into protopanaxadiol-type ginsenoside extract would greatly reduce the cost of ginsenoside Rg3 preparation. Enzymes from thermophilic bacteria can meet the requirement of higher reaction temperatures in industrial reactions for substrate solubility promotion and bacterial contamination prevention.

[Low power seven-step two-lobe holmium laser enucleation of the prostate technique for surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the seven-step two-lobe holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) technique with low power laser device, and to introduce the detailed operating procedures, key points, short-term outcomes of this modified HoLEP technique. METHODS: From March 2016 to November 2017, 90 patients underwent HoLEP in Peking University Third Hospital. The patients were divided into two groups: high-power group (32 patients) were performed with traditional Gilling's three-lobe enucleation using high power (90 W) laser; Low-power group (58 patients) were performed with seven-step two-lobe enucleation using low power (40 W) laser. The main steps of the low power seven-step two-lobe HoLEP phase included: (1) The identification of the correct plane between adenoma and capsule at 5 and 7 o'clock laterally to the veru montanum; (2) The connection of the bilateral plane by making a adenoma incision at the proximal point of veru montanum; (3) The extension of the dorsal plane under the whole three lobes between adenoma and capsule towards the bladder neck; (4) The separation of the middle lobe from two lateral lobes by making two retrograde incisions separately from apex 5 and 7 o'clock towards the bladder neck; (5) The enucleation of the middle lobe adenoma by extending the dorsal plane through into the bladder; (6) The prevention of the apex mucosa by making a circle incision at the apex of the prostate; (7) The en-bloc enucleation of the two lateral lobe adenomas by extending the lateral and ventral plane between adenoma and capsule from 5 and 7 o'clock to 12 o'clock conjunction and through into the bladder. RESULTS: The mean patient age was (66.25±5.37) years vs. (68.00±5.18) years; The mean body mass indexes were (24.13±4.06) kg/m2 vs. (24.57±3.50) kg/m2; The mean prostate specific antigen values were (3.23±2.47) µg/L vs. (6.00±6.09) µg/L; The average prostatic volumes evaluated by ultrasound was (49.03±20.63) mL vs. (67.55±36.97) mL. There was no significant difference between the two groups. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in terms of perioperative and follow up data, including operative time; enucleation efficiencies; hemoglobin decrease; blood sodium and potassiumthe change postoperatively; catheterization duration and hospital stay; the international prostate symptom scores and quality of life scores pre- and post-operatively. There was 1 transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) conversion in high-power group and 1 transfusion in low-power group during the operations. The follow-up one month after operation showed no severe stress incontinence in both the groups, whereas 3 cases ejaculatory dysfunctions in high-power group versus 1 case in low-power group were observed; Other surgeryrelated complications included: 2 cases postoperative hemorrhage (Clavien II and Clavien IIIb) in high-power group, 2 cases postoperative temperature more than 38 °C (Clavien I) and 1 case dysuria following catheter removal (Clavien I) in low-power group. CONCLUSION: Low power laser device can be applied safe and effectively for HoLEP procedure using the seven-step two-lobe HoLEP technique. The outcomes comparable with high power laser HoLEP can be achieved.

[Acoustic response characteristics of posterior intralaminar nucleus of auditory thalamus in mice].

Objective: To study the response characteristics of the posterior intralaminar nucleus (PIN) of auditory thalamus in VGluT2-Cre transgenic adult mice when exposed to white noise and 10K pure tone stimulation. Methods: All adult male Vglut2-Cre mice (8-12 weeks) were used in this study between Oct, 2017 and Oct, 2018. Using the calcium signal fiber photometry method, optic fiber was employed to locate on PIN by injecting AAV-hSyn-DIO-GCaMP6m virus, and thereafter, the activity of the target cluster neurons during different acoustic stimuli was recorded. Matlab was used for data processing and statistical analysis. Results: (1)In both white noise and 10 kHz pure tone as a continuous three-second stimulation, the peak amplitude of calcium signal activity generated in PIN by white noise was superior to that of pure tone, the statistic result showed significantly difference (n=6, t=2.404, P=0.037 1) . (2)In addition, when white noise and 10K pure tone played as consecutive 3 or 5 pips within three-second stimulation, the stimulus-following ability in a consecutive 3 pulses play within 3 seconds was far better than a consecutive 5 pips play within 3 seconds (in both white noise and 10 kHz pure tone), yet consecutive 3 pips play showed greater signal attenuation speed than that in consecutive 5 pips play, the statistic result showed significantly difference (n=6, t=2.748 P=0.033 4) .(3)Regardless of the intra-group comparisons between white noise and 10 kHz pure tone stimulation, PIN showed better signal response in a consecutive 3 pips play than consecutive 5 pips play or a continuous three-second stimulation. When came to the statistical analysis, the acoustic response degree of a continuous three-second stimulation was an intermediate between two others, both consecutive 3 or 5 pips play showed significantly difference. Conclusions: The results suggest that under the same acoustic intensity, VGluT2-Cre transgenic adult mice's PIN shows greater signal response in white noise than pure tone. PIN shows greater signal attenuation to repetition play of 10 kHz pure tone, which implies PIN shows stronger adaptation to 10 kHz pure tone than to white noise. Lastly, PIN is more responsive to a complex sound information (white noise) than to simple sound information (pure tone).

Protective Effect of Vitamin E on laying performance, antioxidant capacity, and immunity in laying hens challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis.

Vitamin E (VE) has proven to function as potent lipid-soluble antioxidant, a signaling molecule, and a regulator of the immune system. The objective of the study was to assess the protective effect of VE on laying performance, antioxidant capacity, and immunity in laying hens exposed to Salmonella Enteritidis (SE). A total of 80 32-week-old salmonella-free double negative Hy-Line brown laying hens were randomly assigned to 4 treatments with 20 replicates each (1 bird per replicate) according to a 2 × 2 factorial design with 2 VE supplementation levels [0 IU/kg (VE0) vs. 30 IU/kg (VE30)], and 2 challenge treatments [SE vs. physiological saline solution (PS)]. During the last 3 D of week 43 of age, birds were orally challenged with 1.0 mL suspension of 109 cfu/mL S. Enteritidis daily, whereas the birds of negative treatments (VE0) received the same volume of PS. The egg mass of VE0 treatment decreased (P < 0.05) in contrast to VE treatment after challenge. The serum concentrations of interleukins (IL-1ß and IL-6) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of SE treatments increased (P < 0.05) at week 44 and week 46, respectively. In both VE30 treatments, the decrease (P < 0.05) in birds' mortality was associated with higher IgA, IgG, IgM concentrations at week 44, and higher IgA, IgM concentrations at week 46. There is an interaction (P < 0.05) between SE challenge and VE levels with regard to feed conversion, daily egg mass, and serum MDA, IgA, and IgM levels. It can be concluded that supplemental VE (30 IU/kg) in diets for laying hens may alleviate oxidative and immune stress due to SE challenge.

Evaluation of the overall impact of antibiotics growth promoters on broiler health and productivity during the medication and withdrawal period.

The effectiveness of some common combination of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) on growth performance, gut health, and meat quality was evaluated during the medication and withdrawal period in broilers. A total of 540 male Arbor Acre broilers at 0 D of age were randomly assigned to 5 treatments, with 6 replicates of 18 chicks. Broilers received diets during the medication period (0 to 42 D) as follows: NC (control diet without AGP), EN (NC + enduracidin 8 ppm + colistin sulfate 8 ppm), BZ (NC + bacitracin zinc 40 ppm + colistin sulfate 8 ppm), CT (NC + chlortetracycline 50 ppm + colistin sulfate 8 ppm), and VG (NC + virginiamycin 20 ppm + colistin sulfate 8 ppm). Broilers were switched to the same finisher diet without AGP during the withdrawal period (43 to 49 D). The feed:gain ratio in EN, BZ, CT, and VG groups were significantly decreased by 0.07, 0.10, 0.06, and 0.05 during 0 to 42 D (P < 0.05), but increased by 0.19 (P > 0.05), 0.33 (P > 0.05), 0.49 (P < 0.05), and 0.69 (P < 0.05) during the withdrawal period, respectively. The jejunum villus height (VH) increased in EN group (P < 0.05) and crypt depth (CD) reduced in BZ, CT, and VG groups (P < 0.05) at 42 D, while jejunum VH increased in EN and BZ groups (P < 0.05) at 49 D compared to NC group (P < 0.05). Meat quality detection at 49 D found all AGP groups with the higher cook loss of the breast muscle, while CT group with the higher cook loss of thigh muscle. Consequently, the overall effects of 4 AGP combinations in the whole period were not significant on growth performance. Their poor growth performance during the withdrawal period should be partly attributed to the falling off a cliff of most digestive enzyme activities from 42 to 49 D. Attention should be paid to the adverse effects of AGP supplementation on meat quality, especially cook loss.

Dietary supplementation of organic or inorganic chromium modulates the immune responses of broilers vaccinated with Avian Influenza virus vaccine.

Dietary supplementation with the organic chromium (Cr) has been shown to positively affect the immune function of poultry. However, to our knowledge, no experiment has been done to directly compare the impacts of Cr chloride and chromium picolinate (CrPic) on the immune responses of broilers vaccinated with Avian Influenza (AI) virus vaccine. Therefore, the present experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of supplemental Cr sources (Cr chloride and CrPic) and levels on the growth performance and immune responses of broilers vaccinated with AI virus vaccine so as to provide an effective nutritional strategy for improving immune function of broilers. A total of 432 1-day (d)-old male broiler chicks were used in a 1 plus 2×4 design. Chickens were given either a diet without Cr supplementation (control) or diets supplemented with 0.4, 0.8, 1.6, or 3.2 mg Cr/kg as either Cr chloride or CrPic for 42 d. Compared to the control, dietary Cr supplementation had no effect (P>0.05) on average daily gain, average daily feed intake and gain : feed of broilers during the starter and grower phases, but increased (P<0.05) the relative weights of bursa of fabricius on d 21 and thymus, spleen, or bursa of fabricius on d 42, serum antibody titers against AI virus on d 21, 28, 35 and 42, blood T-lymphocyte transformation rate on d 28 and 42, blood T-lymphocyte percentage on d 42, and serum interleukin-2 contents on d 28. Broilers fed the diets supplemented with the inorganic Cr chloride had higher (P<0.05) weights of thymus, spleen and bursa of fabricius than those fed the diets supplemented with the CrPic on d 42. In addition, broilers fed the diets supplemented with the CrPic had higher (P<0.05) antibody titers against AI virus than those fed the diets supplemented with the inorganic Cr chloride on d 21 and 35. These results indicate that dietary Cr supplementation improved immune responses of broilers vaccinated with AI virus, and the inorganic Cr chloride was more effective than the CrPic in increasing the relative weights of lymphoid organs, however, the CrPic was more effective than the inorganic Cr chloride in enhancing the serum antibody titer against AI virus.

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

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

Tea polyphenols protect bovine mammary epithelial cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage in vitro by activating NFE2L2/HMOX1 pathways.

Periparturient dairy cows are likely subject to altered intracellular reduction-oxidation (redox) balance due to the high metabolic rates and physiological adaptations occurring around parturition. Such conditions could induce oxidative damage. In nonruminants, it is well established that nuclear factor erythroid 2 like 2 (NFE2L2) is a critical transcription factor for maintaining cellular redox balance by inducing adaptive responses against oxidative stress (OS) that can otherwise lead to uncontrolled inflammation. Tea polyphenols (TP), the major polyphenolic constituents of green tea, are potent antioxidants that could exert protective effects on bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMEC) by scavenging free radicals. We used NFE2L2 short interfering RNA (siRNA) to downregulate NFE2L2 expression in cultured BMEC to investigate whether TP could inhibit H2O2-induced OS by activating the NFE2L2/heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1) pathway. Isolated BMEC were exposed to H2O2 (600 µM) for 6 h to induce OS. Optimal doses of TP (0, 60, 80, and 100 µg/mL) were evaluated by pretreatment of BMEC for 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 h, followed by a H2O2 (600 µM) challenge for 6 h. The BMEC were transfected with NFE2L2-siRNA for 48 h, pretreated with 100 µg/mL of TP for 12 h, then challenged by 600 µM H2O2 for 6 h. Results revealed that after H2O2 exposure a concentration of TP of 100 µg/mL during a 12-h incubation led to greater cell viability, protein, and mRNA abundance of NFE2L2, and lower intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. In addition, transfection with NFE2L2-siRNA decreased abundance of NFE2L2 and HMOX1 in spite of exogenous TP supplementation, whereas ROS production was increased in response to exogenous H2O2 (600 µM). Overall, TP had beneficial effects on redox balance in BMEC, slowing down cellular OS-related injury through decreasing the production of ROS and enhancing mechanisms controlled at least in part by the NFE2L2/HMOX1 pathway.

Electroacupuncture for patients with refractory functional dyspepsia: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: To test the efficacy of electroacupuncture for patients with refractory functional dyspepsia (FD). METHODS: A 24-week, 2-arm, single-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted at three hospitals in China. Patients with refractory FD were randomly assigned to receive 20 sessions of authentic or sham electroacupuncture in a treatment duration of 4 weeks. The primary outcome was complete absence of dyspeptic symptoms at 16 weeks after initiation of acupuncture (week 16). The secondary outcomes included adequate relief of dyspeptic symptoms, Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire (LDQ), Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI), and adverse events. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed. KEY RESULTS: Two hundred patients were included, of which 196 (98%) completed follow-up data at week 24. At week 16, 17 (17%) patients in the authentic electroacupuncture group vs 6 (6%) patients in the sham group achieved the primary outcome (P = .014). Sixty-two (62%) patients had adequate relief in the authentic electroacupuncture group, as compared to 22 (22%) in the sham group (P = .001). The scores of LDQ and NDI were significantly improved in both groups at week 16, and patients in the authentic electroacupuncture group have more improvements (LDQ, mean difference, -2.2, 95% confidence interval, -2.3 to -2.1, P < .001; NDI, -7.3, -10.5 to -4.2, P < .001). Results were similar for all the outcomes assessed at week 24. No serious adverse events were reported in both groups. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture efficaciously improves dyspeptic symptoms in patients with refractory FD.