Characterization of reproductive hormones and related gene expression in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the egg-laying interval in White King pigeon.

The egg-laying interval (LI) directly reflects the laying performance of breeding pigeons, influenced by reproductive hormones. This study aimed to assess reproductive hormone levels in serum and the expression of related genes and their receptors in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in 4 stages: first (LI1), third (LI3), fifth (LI5), and seventh (LI7) days. The results showed that serum gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) level decreased from LI1 to LI7 (P < 0.01) and peaked in LI1. The serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels stayed at high levels from LI1 to LI5. The FSH level decreased slightly from LI5 to LI7 (P > 0.05), but the LH level decreased rapidly (P < 0.01). The prolactin (PRL) levels significantly increased in LI5 (P < 0.01) compared with LI1 and then stayed at a high level. The GnRH1 expression in the hypothalamus had no significant change in LI (P > 0.05). However, the GnRHR first decreased from LI1 to LI3 (P < 0.05) and then increased. The FSH mRNA level in the pituitary gland decreased from LI1 to LI3 and slightly increased in LI5 (P > 0.05). The change pattern of FSHR was similar to that of FSH and peaked in LI5 (P < 0.05). The LH expression level was the highest in LI5 and significantly higher than that in LI3 and LI7 (P < 0.05). However, the LHR mRNA level decreased in LI (P < 0.05). The expression patterns of PRL and PRLR were similar; they were upregulated in LI and peaked in LI7 (P < 0.01). The expression pattern of GnRHR was similar to that of FSH, LH, and FSHR, suggesting the critical role of GnRHR in LI. Furthermore, the expression levels of these genes peaked in LI5, closely correlating with the maturation of the first largest follicle in pigeons. PRL-PRLR signaling inhibited GnRH activity to promote ovulation. This study provided a basis for further investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of reproduction in pigeons.

[Effects of rhodiola rosea on oxidative stress and negative emotional states in patients with obstructive sleep apnea].

Objective:The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of rhodiola rosea on oxidative stress, anxiety and depression in patients with OSA. Method:Ninety patients with moderate and severe OSA patients with negative emotions diagnosed by PSG, self-rating depression scale （SDS） and self-rating anxiety scale （SAS） were selected from the respiratory department of our hospital from February 2015 to February 2018. According to the random number table method, the patients were randomly divided into non-invasive ventilator group, rhodiola rosea+non-invasive ventilator group and rhodiola rosea group, with 30 cases in each group. Patients in the non-invasive ventilator group were treated with continuous positive airway pressure （CPAP） for 3 months, and those in the rhodiola rosea+non-invasive ventilator group were treated with oral rhodiola capsules for 3 months on the basis of CPAP, and those in the rhodiola rosea treatment group were treated with pure oral rhodiola capsules for 3 months. The changes of SDS and SAS before and after the three groups were compared, and the changes of serum SOD and MDA were detected by immunoenzyme-linked adsorption for comparative analysis. Result:There were no significant differences in SDS and SAS scores between the three groups （P>0.05）. SDS and SAS scores of patients in the rhodiola rosea+non-invasive ventilator group decreased after treatment （P<0.05） compared with those in the non-invasive ventilator group. SDS and SAS scores of patients in the rhodiola treatment group increased after treatment （P<0.05）. Compared with those in the rhodiola treatment group, SDS and SAS scores of patients in the rhodiola+non-invasive breathing group decreased after treatment （P<0.05）. Three group patients were no significant difference in serum SOD and malondialdehyde （MDA） before treatment （P>0.05）. Compared with before treatment, serum SOD level were all increased and MDA level were all decreased in the three groups after treatment （P<0.05）. Compared with noninvasive breathing unit after treatment, rhodiola+noninvasive breathing unit after treatment in patients with elevated levels of serum SOD, MDA level decreased （P<0.05）, and for the treatment group after treatment in patients with serum SOD levels drop, the MDA levels （P<0.05）, and the after rhodiola rosea treatment group compared, rhodiola+noninvasive breathing unit after treatment in patients with elevated levels of serum SOD, MDA level decreased （P<0.05）. Conclusion:Rhodiola may improve the negative emotions such as anxiety and depression by inhibiting oxygen free radicals and lipid peroxidation in patients with OSA.

Genetic variability and diversity of the main resources of lily assessed via phenotypic characters, pollen morphology, and ISSR markers.

Lily (Lilium spp), which belongs to Lilium, is one kind of monocotyledon. As a perennial ornamental plant with extremely high esthetic, edible, and medicinal value, lily has gained much favor due to its mostly showy flowers of various colors and elegant shape. In this research, we studied experimental materials in a sample of 49 individuals including 40 cultivars, nine species of wild lily, and their variants. The collection of 40 cultivars covered all six hybrids in the genus, i.e., Asiatic hybrids, Oriental hybrids, Longiflorum hybrids, LA hybrids, LO hybrids, and OT hybrids. Genetic diversity and inter-relationships were assessed through analysis of phenotypic characteristics, pollen morphology, and ISSR molecular markers. Quantitative characters were selected to analyze phenotypic variation, with results indicating greater variability in petiole length as compared to other characters. Pollen morphological observations suggested that the largest variation coefficient between all hybrids and wild species was the lumina. ISSR makers demonstrated that both cultivars and wild species possess a high level of genetic diversity. Specifically, the genetic diversity of wild lily was higher than cultivars.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: coffee consumption and the risk of gallstone disease.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic evidence on coffee consumption reducing the risk of gallstone disease has been contradictory. AIM: To perform a meta-analysis of observational studies, to investigate an association and dose-response of coffee consumption with gallstone disease. METHODS: We used PubMed and EMBASE databases to identify all published studies before June 2015. A random-effects model was used to compute a pooled relative risk (RR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: One case-control study and five prospective cohort studies (with seven cohorts) involving 227,749 participants and 11,477 gallstone disease cases were included. Coffee consumption was significantly associated with a reduced risk of gallstone disease (RR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.76 to 0.89; I(2) = 35.9%), based on prospective studies; specifically, we observed an inverse relation in females, but not in males. The case-control study did not reveal any association between coffee and gallstone disease (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.64 to 1.53). In a dose-response analysis, the RR of gallstone disease was 0.95 (95% CI, 0.91 to 1.00; P = 0.049) per 1 cup/day of coffee consumption. A significant nonlinear dose-response association was also identified (P for nonlinearity = 0.0106). For people who drank 2, 4 and 6 cups of coffee per day, the estimated RRs of gallstone disease were 0.89 (95% CI, 0.79 to 0.99), 0.81 (95% CI, 0.72 to 0.92) and 0.75 (95% CI, 0.64 to 0.88), respectively, compared with the lowest level drinkers. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that coffee consumption is related to a significantly decreased risk of gallstone disease.

Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F extract suppresses proinflammatory cytokine-induced expression of matrix metalloproteinase genes in articular chondrocytes by inhibiting activating protein-1 and nuclear factor-kappaB activities.

The major pathologic manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are joint inflammation and articular cartilage resorption by proinflammatory cytokine-stimulated matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and aggrecanases. The Chinese herbal remedy Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TWHF) is effective for treatment of various types of arthritis. However, mechanisms and targets of its actions are poorly understood. Anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts of this plant were previously attributed to inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA and prostaglandin E(2) synthesis. Here, we show that in primary human femoral head osteoarthritic and normal bovine chondrocytes, TWHF partially or completely inhibited mRNA and protein expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1, and IL-17-inducible MMP-3 and MMP-13. This agent also inhibited cytokine-stimulated MMP-3 protein expression in human synovial fibroblasts. A dose range of 2.5 to 10 ng/ml of TWHF was effectively inhibitory for IL-1. Pretreatment for 30 min or 1 h (but not 2-10 h) after IL-1 treatment with TWHF inhibited MMP-3 RNA induction. The inhibitory doses had no adverse effect on the viability of chondrocytes. Mechanistic studies revealed no impact on the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase mitogen-activated protein kinases. Instead, TWHF partially inhibited DNA binding capacity of cytokine-stimulated activating protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) transcription factors. Therefore, besides its anti-inflammatory activity, this agent may also be effective in blocking cartilage matrix resorption by MMPs by impairing AP-1 and NF-kappaB binding activities. Thus, TWHF extract contains novel inhibitors of MMP expression that may be of therapeutic potential in arthritis and other conditions associated with increased MMPs.