Hypothalamic warm-sensitive neurons require TRPC4 channel for detecting internal warmth and regulating body temperature in mice.

Precise monitoring of internal temperature is vital for thermal homeostasis in mammals. For decades, warm-sensitive neurons (WSNs) within the preoptic area (POA) were thought to sense internal warmth, using this information as feedback to regulate body temperature (Tcore). However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which WSNs measure temperature remain largely undefined. Via a pilot genetic screen, we found that silencing the TRPC4 channel in mice substantially attenuated hypothermia induced by light-mediated heating of the POA. Loss-of-function studies of TRPC4 confirmed its role in warm sensing in GABAergic WSNs, causing additional defects in basal temperature setting, warm defense, and fever responses. Furthermore, TRPC4 antagonists and agonists bidirectionally regulated Tcore. Thus, our data indicate that TRPC4 is essential for sensing internal warmth and that TRPC4-expressing GABAergic WSNs function as a novel cellular sensor for preventing Tcore from exceeding set-point temperatures. TRPC4 may represent a potential therapeutic target for managing Tcore.

Cooling-activated dorsomedial hypothalamic BDNF neurons control cold defense in mice.

BDNF and its expressing neurons in the brain critically control feeding and energy expenditure (EE) in both rodents and humans. However, whether BDNF neurons would function in thermoregulation during temperature challenges is unclear. Here, we show that BDNF neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMHBDNF ) of mice are activated by afferent cooling signals. These cooling-activated BDNF neurons are mainly GABAergic. Activation of DMHBDNF neurons or the GABAergic subpopulations is sufficient to increase body temperature, EE, and physical activity. Conversely, blocking DMHBDNF neurons substantially impairs cold defense and reduces energy expenditure, physical activity, and UCP1 expression in BAT, which eventually results in bodyweight gain and glucose/insulin intolerance. Therefore, we identify a subset of DMHBDNF neurons as a novel type of cooling-activated neurons to promote cold defense. Thus, we reveal a critical role of BDNF circuitry in thermoregulation, which deepens our understanding of BDNF in controlling energy homeostasis and obesity.

[Analysis of vitamin D status among children under 7 years of age in some regions of China].

Objective: To explore current vitamin D status and influential factors of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among children under 7 years of age in 11 provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities of China. Methods: According to the "province-city-hospital" sampling technical route, a total of 1 531 healthy children under 7 years of age were sampled from 11 provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities in China by the cluster random sampling method from November 2020 to November 2021. The demographic information, family conditions, behavior and living habits and feeding behaviors were collected using unified questionnaire. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D(25(OH)D) levels were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Serum 25(OH)D<30 nmol/L was considered deficient and 30-50 nmol/L was considered insufficient. With 25(OH)D≤50 nmol/L as the dependent variable, multivariate Logistic regression was applied to analyze the association between vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency and potential influential factors. Results: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among children under 7 years of age in 11 provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities of China was 14.0% (215/1 531), 3.8% (25/664) and 21.9% (190/867) in 0-<3 and 3-<7 of age years, respectively. Compared to children aged 0-<3 years, children aged 3-<7 years had a 2.6-fold increased risk of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency (OR=3.60, 95%CI 1.93-6.72, P<0.001). Frequent sunlight exposure (OR=0.46, 95%CI 0.29-0.73, P=0.001), vitamin D supplementation (sometimes, OR=0.33, 95%CI 0.21-0.51, P<0.001; daily, OR=0.20, 95%CI 0.11-0.36, P<0.001) and infant formula intake(4-7 times per weeks, OR=0.43, 95%CI 0.28-0.68, P<0.001) were protective factors for vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are common among children under 7 years of age in 11 provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities of China, which is affected by age, sunlight exposure, vitamin D supplementation and infant formula intake.

Intervention effect of Potentilla discolor-Euonymus alatus on intestinal flora of type 2 diabetes mellitus rats.

OBJECTIVE: With this study, we aimed at exploring the regulation mechanism of Potentilla discolor-Euonymus alatus on intestinal flora of T2DM (Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus) rats induced by high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: T2DM rats were induced by high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin. There were normal control group, model group, metformin group, high-dose Chinese medicine group and low-dose Chinese medicine group. Each group included 10 rats. Normal control group: normal feeding, no modeling, ordinary feed, and gavage of 0.9% normal saline. Model group: T2DM rats, high-fat diet, and gavage of 0.9% normal saline. Metformin group: T2DM rats, high-fat diet and fed with metformin solution. High-dose Chinese medicine group: T2DM rats, high-fat diet, and gavage of concentrated Chinese medicine at a dose of 6 times the clinical dose. Low-dose Chinese medicine group: T2DM rats, high-fat diet, and gavage of concentrated Chinese medicine at a dose twice the clinical dose. The general situation of T2DM rats was observed, and the changes of intestinal flora were observed with 16SrDNA sequencing. RESULTS: The T2DM rats induced by high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin were molded. After intervention, at the class level, the ratio of γ-proteobacteria was 22.30% in the model group, 11.97% in the metformin group, 3.24% in the high-dose Chinese herbs group and 1.72% in the low-dose Chinese herbs group; the ratio of Erysipelothrix insidiosa was 4.73% in the model group, 4.68% in the metformin group, 3.93% in the high-dose Chinese herbsgroup and 2.92% in the low dose group; the ratio of Lactinobacillus was 2.30% in the model group, 0.01% in the metformin group, 0.00% in the high-dose Chinese herbs group, and 0.00% low-dose Chinese herbs group; at the portal level, the Firmicutes/Bacteroides was 0.88 in the normal control group, 3.40 in the model group, 1.71 in the metformin group, 2.74 in high-dose Chinese medicine group, and 1.34 in low-dose Chinese medicine group; at the genus level, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus in the model group was 3.28%, that of Akkermansia was 1.99%, that of Shigella coli was 22.08%, and that of Vibrio phaseus was 7.67%. All of them were improved after the intervention of metformin and traditional Chinese medicine. CONCLUSIONS: Potentilla discolor-Euonymus Alatus could improve the composition and structure of intestinal flora in T2DM rats and regulate the diversity of intestinal flora. The ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes was adjusted, mainly to increase the number of Bacteroides; the flora related to intestinal barrier was adjusted, mainly to increase the number of Lactobacillus and Akkermansia bacteria.

Environmental impacts of nitrogen emissions in China and the role of policies in emission reduction.

Atmospheric reactive nitrogen (Nr) has been a cause of serious environmental pollution in China. Historically, China used too little Nr in its agriculture to feed its population. However, with the rapid increase in N fertilizer use for food production and fossil fuel consumption for energy supply over the last four decades, increasing gaseous Nr species (e.g. NH3 and NOx) have been emitted to the atmosphere and then deposited as wet and dry deposition, with adverse impacts on air, water and soil quality as well as plant biodiversity and human health. This paper reviews the issues associated with this in a holistic way. The emissions, deposition, impacts, actions and regulations for the mitigation of atmospheric Nr are discussed systematically. Both NH3 and NOx make major contributions to environmental pollution but especially to the formation of secondary fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which impacts human health and light scattering (haze). In addition, atmospheric deposition of NH3 and NOx causes adverse impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems due to acidification and eutrophication. Regulations and practices introduced by China that meet the urgent need to reduce Nr emissions are explained and resulting effects on emissions are discussed. Recommendations for improving future N management for achieving 'win-win' outcomes for Chinese agricultural production and food supply, and human and environmental health, are described. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Air quality, past present and future'.

[A multicentric study on clinical characteristics and antibiotic sensitivity in children with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection].

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of pediatric methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection and the antibiotic sensitivity of the isolates. Methods: The clinical data of children with MRSA infection and antibiotic sensitivity of the isolates from 11 children's hospitals in Infectious Diseases Surveillance of Paediatrics (ISPED) group of China between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018 were collected retrospectively. The children's general condition, high-risk factors, antimicrobial therapy and prognosis, differences in clinical disease and laboratory test results between different age groups, and differences of antibiotic sensitivity between community-acquired (CA)-MRSA and hospital-acquired (HA)-MRSA were analyzed. The t test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used for statistical analysis of the quantitative data and Chi-square test were used for comparison of rates. Results: Among the 452 patients, 264 were males and 188 were females, aged from 2 days to 17 years. There were 233 cases (51.5%) in the ≤1 year old group, 79 cases (17.5%) in the>1-3 years old group, 29 cases (6.4%) in the >3-5 years old group, 65 cases (14.4%) in the >5-10 years old group, and 46 cases (10.2%) in the>10 years old group. The main distributions of onset seasons were 55 cases (12.2%) in December, 47 cases (10.4%) in February, 46 cases (10.2%) in November, 45 cases (10.0%) in January, 40 cases (8.8%) in March. There were 335 cases (74.1%) CA-MRSA and 117 (25.9%) cases HA-MRSA. Among all cases, 174 cases (38.5%) had basic diseases or long-term use of hormone and immunosuppressive drugs. During the period of hospitalization, 209 cases (46.2%) received medical interventions. There were 182 patients (40.3%) had used antibiotics (ß-lactams, glycopeptides, macrolides, carbapenems, oxazolones, sulfonamides etc) 3 months before admission. The most common clinical disease was pneumonia (203 cases), followed by skin soft-tissue infection (133 cases), sepsis (92 cases), deep tissue abscess (42 cases), osteomyelitis (40 cases), and septic arthritis (26 cases), suppurative meningitis (10 cases). The proportion of pneumonia in the ≤1 year old group was higher than the >1-3 years old group,>3-5 years old group,>5-10 years old group,>10 years old group (57.5% (134/233) vs. 30.4% (24/79), 31.0% (9/29), 38.5% (25/65), 23.9% (11/46), χ(2)=17.374, 7.293, 7.410, 17.373, all P<0.01) The proportion of skin and soft tissue infections caused by CA-MRSA infection was higher than HA-MRSA (33.4% (112/335) vs. 17.9% (21/117), χ(2)=10.010, P=0.002), and the proportion of pneumonia caused by HA-MRSA infection was higher than CA-MRSA (53.0% (62/117) vs. 42.1% (141/335), χ(2)=4.166, P=0.041). The first white blood cell count of the ≤1 year old group was higher than that children > 1 year old ((15±8)×10(9)/L vs. (13±7)×10(9)/L, t=2.697, P=0.007), while the C-reactive protein of the ≤1 year old group was lower than the 1-3 years old group,>5-10 years old group,>10 years old group (8.00 (0.04-194.00) vs.17.00 (0.50-316.00), 15.20 (0.23-312.00), 21.79(0.13-219.00) mg/L, Z=3.207, 2.044, 2.513, all P<0.05), there were no significant differences in procalcitonin (PCT) between different age groups (all P>0.05). After the treatment, 131 cases were cured, 278 cases were improved, 21 cases were not cured, 12 cases died, and 10 cases were abandoned. The 452 MRSA isolates were all sensitive to vancomycin (100.0%), linezolid (100.0%), 100.0% resistant to penicillin, highly resistant to erythromycin (85.0%, 375/441), clindamycin (67.7%, 294/434), less resistant to sulfonamides (5.9%, 23/391), levofloxacin (4.5%, 19/423), gentamicin (3.2%, 14/438), rifampicin (1.8%, 8/440), minocycline (1.1%, 1/91). The antimicrobial resistance rates were not significantly different between the CA-MRSA and HA-MRSA groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The infection of MRSA is mainly found in infants under 3 years old. The prevalent seasons are winter and spring, and MRSA is mainly acquired in the community. The main clinical diseases are pneumonia, skin soft-tissue infection and sepsis. No MRSA isolate is resistant to vancomycin, linezolid. MRSA isolates are generally sensitive to sulfonamides, levofloxacin, gentamicin, rifampicin, minocycline, and were highly resistant to erythromycin and clindamycin. To achieve better prognosis. clinicians should initiate anti-infective treatment for children with MRSA infection according to the clinical characteristics of patients and drug sensitivity of the isolates timely and effectively.

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.

Dual functions of eicosapentaenoic acid-rich microalgae: enrichment of yolk with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and partial replacement for soybean meal in diet of laying hens.

Microalgae (Nannochloropsis sp., NS), with high contents of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and crude protein, may be one of the important n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) sources and potential protein feed ingredient. The purposes of this study were to enrich yolk with n-3 PUFA by dietary EPA-rich NS supplementation and to evaluate whether it is feasible to partly substitute for soybean meal in laying hens diet. A total of 360 37-wk-old healthy Lohmann Brown laying hens, with similar laying rate and body weight, were randomly allotted to 5 groups (6 replicates, 12 birds/replicate) and fed 5 experimental diets (0, 1, 2, 4, and 8% NS) for 4 wk. The hen performance and egg quality (except yolk color) were not affected (P > 0.05) by the NS supplemental diets. Yolk color score was increased as NS supplementation in diets (P < 0.001), and peaked on about the seventh day in all NS supplemental groups. The concentration of total n-3 PUFA was increased (P < 0.001), while total n-6 PUFA and n-6/n-3 ratio were decreased (P < 0.001) in yolk with increasing NS levels in diets. The 8% NS group had highest docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and total n-3 PUFA levels, reaching 111.6 mg DHA and 148.6 mg total n-3 PUFA per egg. Maximum DHA, total n-3 PUFA, very long-chain (LC-) n-3 PUFA, and LC-PUFA levels were all observed at day 13 of NS supplementation. In conclusion, dietary NS supplementation enriched yolk with n-3 PUFA (especially DHA) and enhanced yolk color score without adverse effects on performance and egg quality, and indicated the practical feasibility of partial replacement for soybean meal in laying hens diet.

Interactions of dietary protein and threonine on growth performance in Pekin ducklings from 1 to 14 days of age.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary crude protein (CP) on threonine requirements by determining the interactions of dietary CP levels (16.0, 17.5, 19.0, 20.5, and 22.0%) and supplemental threonine levels (0, 0.07, 0.14, 0.21, and 0.28%) on growth performance of Pekin ducks from 1 to 14 days of age. A total of 1,200 one-day-old male Pekin ducks was randomly allotted to 1 of 25 dietary treatments with 6 replicate pens of 8 birds per pen for each treatment. The results showed that dietary CP and threonine levels affected the average daily feed intake (ADFI, P < 0.0001), average daily gain (ADG, P < 0.0001), ratio of feed/gain (F/G, P < 0.0001) of Pekin ducks, and had an interactions on the ADFI, ADG, F/G (P < 0.0001). The ADG was increased linearly (P < 0.002) and then reached a plateau as the dietary threonine increased at all CP diets. According to the estimation of broken-line models, the dietary threonine requirements at 16.0, 17.5, 19.0, 20.5, and 22.0% CP diets for optimal ADG of ducks were 0.56, 0.61, 0.60, 0.63, and 0.67% when expressed as percentage of diet, or 44.22, 47.65, 47.50, 48.30, and 50.39% when expressed as percentage of dietary lysine, or 3.45, 3.44, 3.12, 3.27, and 2.98% when expressed as percentage of dietary CP, respectively. Threonine requirements of Pekin ducks from 1 to 14 days of age were affected by dietary CP levels according to the Student t test results, but had no difference among the moderate CP level diets (17.5, 19, and 20.5%) when expressed as a percentage of diet or dietary lysine. It was concluded that dietary CP levels affected the threonine requirements of Pekin ducks from 1 to 14 days of age, but threonine requirements were constant within the limiting CP level range (17.5 to 20.5%) with a good balance of dietary amino acid, and were approximately 0.60 to 0.63% of diet or 47.5 to 48.3% of dietary lysine.

Threonine supplementation reduces dietary protein and improves lipid metabolism in Pekin ducks.

1. This study was conducted to investigate the efficiency of threonine (Thr) supplementation on reducing dietary crude protein (CP) content and the effects of Thr on lipid metabolism in Pekin ducks. The effects of dietary CP concentration (160, 190 and 220 g/kg) and Thr supplemental concentration (0, 0.7, 1.4, 2.1 and 2.8 g/kg) on growth performance, carcass, liver lipid and plasma profiles were determined in Pekin ducks from 1-21 d of age. 2. A total of 720-d-old male Pekin ducks were randomly allotted to 1 of 15 dietary treatments with 6 replicate cages of 8 birds per cage for each treatment according to average body weight. 3. Dietary Thr supplementation improved growth performance and breast muscle percentage at all CP diets, and ducks fed Thr-supplemented diets had higher plasma concentrations of some plasma amino acids. Thr supplementation reduced the concentrations of total lipid, triglyceride, cholesterol in liver, and plasma low density lipoprotein cholesterin concentration at 160 and 190 g/kg CP, whereas it increased triglyceride concentration at 160 g/kg CP. 4. Thr requirements based on quadratic broken-line model estimation were 6.6 and 7.0 g/kg for optimal average daily gain (ADG), and 6.7 and 7.3 g/kg for breast muscle percentage of Pekin ducks from 1-21 d of age at 190 and 220 g/kg CP, respectively. The dietary Thr requirements and estimated ADG (55.18 vs. 55.86 g/d/bird) and breast muscle percentage (2.79% vs. 2.75%) of Pekin ducks did not differ between 190 and 220 g/kg CP according to the t-test results. 5. Dietary CP level could be reduced to 190 g/kg in Pekin ducks from 1-21 d of age with Thr supplementation to balance dietary amino acids, and Thr supplementation prevented excess liver lipid deposition in this instance.

Effects of dietary energy and lysine levels on growth performance and carcass yields of Pekin ducks from hatch to 21 days of age.

A 2 × 6 factorial experiment, using 2 dietary apparent metabolizable energy (AME) levels (2,750 and 3,050 Kcal/kg) and 6 supplemental lysine (Lys) levels (0, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.40, and 0.50%), was conducted to study the effects of dietary energy and lysine levels on growth performance and carcass yields of Pekin ducks from hatch to 21 d of age. A total of 576 one-day-old male White Pekin ducks was randomly allotted to 12 dietary treatments, each containing 6 replicate pens with 8 birds per pen. At 21 d of age, body weight gain, feed intake, and feed/gain were measured, and then 2 ducks selected randomly from each pen were slaughtered to evaluate the yields of abdominal fat, breast meat, and leg meat. As a result, birds that were fed basal diets with no Lys supplementation showed growth depression, and significant positive effects of dietary Lys supplementation on body weight gain (P < 0.001), feed intake (P < 0.001), and feed/gain (P = 0.002) were observed as dietary Lys increased gradually among all the groups. In addition, increasing energy levels did not affect overall body weight gain (P > 0.05), but feed intake (P = 0.001) and feed/gain (P = 0.009) decreased significantly between the groups. Dietary Lys levels influenced the yields of breast (P < 0.001) and leg (P = 0.001) meat among all the groups, but dietary energy levels had a significant positive effect only on abdominal fat yield (P = 0.014). The interaction between dietary energy and Lys influenced body weight gain of ducks significantly (P = 0.004). According to the broken-line regression analysis, Lys requirements of Pekin ducks for weight gain at 2,750 and 3,050 Kcal of AME/kg were 0.94 and 0.98%, respectively. It suggested that Lys requirement was higher at 3,050 Kcal of AME/kg than at 2,750 Kcal of AME/kg. Dietary energy content determined feed intake of the ducks, and high-energy diets will require a higher amino acid concentration to compensate for a lower feed intake.

Chemoradiation combined with regional hyperthermia for advanced oesophageal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Hyperthermia is an effective treatment modality that augments the anticancer effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Hyperthermia-chemo-radiotherapy (HCRT) is a combination therapy that can strengthen anticancer effects through a synergistic interaction between heat, chemotherapy and radiation. Here, we carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of chemoradiation combined with regional hyperthermia (HCRT) for oesophageal carcinoma. METHODS: We conducted computer searches of foreign databases, including Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Chinese databases, including CBM, CNKI and WanFang; we also retrieved other sources as supplement. All relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were collected to compare HCRT and other therapies, including chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy (CRT) and radiotherapy alone (RT). After literature screening, data extraction and quality evaluation performed by appropriate criteria, the meta-analyses were conducted using RevMan 5.1 software (The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Nineteen RCTs were included, comprising 1519 patients. Meta-analysis showed that the 1-, 3-, 5- and 7-year survival, complete response and total effective rates of the HCRT group were higher than those of the CRT group; the rates of gastrointestinal reaction, leucocytopenia and radiation oesophagitis in the HCRT group were lower than those of the CRT group, indicating significant differences (P < 0·05). The 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year survival, complete response and total effective rates of the HCRT group were higher than those of the RT group, the recurrence and distant metastasis rates of the HCRT group were lower than those of the RT group, and there were significant differences in all of the indicators (P < 0·05). WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSIONS: This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate HCRT for oesophageal carcinoma. Compared with CRT or RT, HCRT can improve long-term and short-term curative effects; it is also safe and feasible. Additional high-quality and large sample size RCTs will be necessary to further demonstrate the long-term survival benefits and comprehensive safety profile of HCRT.

Effects of low-protein diets on growth performance and carcass yield of growing White Pekin ducks.

A dose-response experiment with 6 analyzed dietary crude protein (CP) levels (13.54, 14.37, 14.71, 16.04, 16.61, and 17.22%) was conducted to investigate the effects of low-protein diets on growth performance and carcass yield of growing White Pekin ducks from 14 to 35 d of age. All diets were formulated to contain a similar dietary energy level and the standardized ileal digestible amino acid profile including lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, arginine, isoleucine, valine, and glycine. A total of 288 14-day-old male White Pekin ducks were divided into 6 experimental treatments and each treatment contained 8 replicate pens of 6 birds. Ducks were raised in wire-floor pens from 14 to 35 d of age. At 35 d of age, the weight gain, feed intake, feed/gain, and the yield of carcass, breast meat, leg meat, and abdominal fat of ducks from each pen were measured. As dietary CP decreased from 17.22 to 13.54%, weight gain and feed intake were not affected (P > 0.05) but feed/gain increased when dietary CP decreased to 13.54% (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the yield of carcass, leg meat, and breast meat was not influenced by reducing dietary CP (P > 0.05) but the abdominal fat increased when dietary CP was 13.54% (P < 0.05). Based on broken-line regression, the 14.81 and 14.94% were the minimum dietary CP to keep the feed/gain and abdominal fat similar to the ducks fed with 17.22% CP diets, respectively. In summary, with crystalline amino acid supplementation based on a similar standardized ileal digestible amino acid profile, it was possible to formulate the low-protein diets containing about 15% CP for Pekin ducks without adverse effects on their growth performance and carcass yield.

Effects of low-protein diets on growth performance and carcass yields of growing French meat quails (France coturnix coturnix).

A dose-response experiment with 5 analyzed dietary crude protein (CP) levels (17.61, 19.73, 21.58, 23.24, and 25.32%) was conducted to investigate the effects of low-protein diets on growth performance and carcass yields of French meat quails from 15 to 42 d of age. All diets were formulated to contain a similar dietary energy level and amino acid profile. A total of 400 fifteen-day-old French quails were divided into 5 experimental treatments and each treatment contained 4 replicate pens of 20 birds (10♂+10♀). At 42 d of age, weight gain, feed intake, CP intake, feed/gain, and the yields of breast part with bone, leg part with bone, and liver of quails from each pen were measured. The results showed significant effects of the low-CP diets on CP intake, weight gain, feed intake, and feed/gain at different experiment periods except for the sixth wk of age (P < 0.05). In addition, as dietary CP decreased from 25.32 to 17.61%, feed intake and feed/gain were increased linearly (P < 0.05), whereas CP intake showed the opposite trend and decreased gradually. On the other hand, the carcass yields of quail were not influenced by reducing dietary CP at 42 day of age (P > 0.05). Based on broken-line regression, 23.0%, 22.5%, and 20.4% were the minimum dietary CP to keep weight gain similar to the quails fed with 25.32% CP diets during the third, fourth, and fifth wk of age, respectively. In summary, with crystalline amino acid supplementation based on a similar amino acid profile, it was possible to formulate the low-protein diets containing about 22.0% CP for growing meat quails without adverse effects on growth and carcass yields of meat quails.

[A brief history of Beijing Shijitan(Century Altar) Hospital].

Founded in 1914, the Jing-Han Railway Hospital has undergone through four different stages during its 100 years' transition, viz., from 1914 to 1949, from 1949 to 1979, from 1980 to 2003 and from 2004 to the present, with its title changing from Peking-Hankou Railway Hospital, Beijing Health Care Station, Peiping Railway Hospital, Beijing Railway General Hospital and today's Beijing Shijitan Hospital. As a railway hospital, in addition to offering services to Chinese railway health, it has also participated in many public welfare activities, such as major disaster rescues, important domestic medical services, the international medical assistance, hospitals' counterpart support, Lifeline Express and so on.In a sense, the establishment and development of the hospital are connected with Beijing Railway Health Services and is not only closely related with China's railway healthcare, but also to modern social transformation and changes.

Effects of Dietary Methionine Levels on Choline Requirements of Starter White Pekin Ducks.

A 2×5 factorial experiment, using 2 dietary methionine levels (0.28% and 0.48%) and 5 dietary choline levels (0, 394, 823, 1,239, and 1,743 mg/kg), was conducted to study the effects of dietary methionine status on choline requirements of starter white Pekin ducks from 7 to 28 days of age. Four hundred eighty 7-d-old male White Pekin ducks were randomly allotted to ten dietary treatments, each containing 6 replicate pens with 8 birds per pen. At 28 d of age, weight gain, feed intake, and feed/gain were measured and the legs of all ducks from each pen were examined for incidence of perosis. Perosis and growth depression were observed in choline-deficient ducks and supplementation of choline reduced perosis and significantly increased weight gain and feed intake regardless of dietary methionine levels (p<0.05). In addition, significant positive effects of dietary methionine supplementation on weight gain, feed intake, and feed/gain were observed at any choline level (p<0.05). Supplementation of 1,743 mg/kg choline in diets alleviated the depression of weight gain and feed intake caused by methionine deficiency at 0.28% methionine level. The interaction between choline and methionine influenced weight gain and feed intake of ducks (p<0.05). At 0.28% methionine level, 1,743 mg/kg choline group caused 4.92% and 3.23% amount of improvement in weight gain and feed intake compared with 1,239 mg/kg choline group, respectively. According to the broken-line regression, the choline requirements of starter Pekin ducks for weight gain and feed intake were 1,472 and 1,424 mg/kg at 0.28% methionine level and 946 and 907 mg/kg at 0.48% methionine level, respectively. It suggested the choline recommendations of starter Pekin ducks on a semi-purified diet were 1448 mg/kg at 0.28% methionine level and 927 mg/kg at 0.48% methionine level, respectively. Compared with the adequate methionine level, menthionine deficiency markedly increased the choline requirements of ducks.

Excitatory amino acid glutamate: role in peripheral nociceptive transduction and inflammation in experimental and clinical osteoarthritis.

Although a large proportion of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) show inflammation in their affected joints, the pathological role of inflammation in the development and progression of OA has yet to be clarified. Glutamate is considered an excitatory amino acid (EAA) neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). There are cellular membrane glutamate receptors and transporters for signal input modulation and termination as well as vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs) for signal output through exocytotic release. Glutamate been shown to mediate intercellular communications in bone cells in a manner similar to synaptic transmission within the CNS. Glutamate-mediated events may also contribute to the pathogenesis and ongoing processes of peripheral nociceptive transduction and inflammation of experimental arthritis models as well as human arthritic conditions. This review will discuss the differential roles of glutamate signaling and blockade in peripheral neuronal and non-neuronal joint tissues, including bone remodeling systems and their potentials to impact OA-related inflammation and progression. This will serve to identify several potential targets to direct novel therapies for OA. Future studies will further elucidate the role of glutamate in the development and progression of OA, as well as its association with the clinical features of the disease.

Choline requirements of male White Pekin ducks from 21 to 42 d of age.

1. A dose-response experiment with 6 dietary choline concentrations (0, 342, 779, 1285, 1662 and 1962 mg/kg) was conducted with male White Pekin ducks to estimate the choline requirement from 21 to 42 d of age. 2. Ninety 21-d-old male White Pekin ducks were allotted to 6 dietary treatments, each containing 5 replicate pens with three birds per pen. At 42 d of age, final weight, weight gain, feed intake and feed/gain were measured. Liver was collected to determine total liver lipid, triglyceride and phospholipids. 3. Significant positive effects of dietary choline on final weight, weight gain and feed intake were observed. In addition, dietary choline supplementation significantly decreased liver lipid and triglyceride content and increased liver phospholipids of Pekin ducks. 4. According to broken-line regression analysis, the choline requirements of male White Pekin ducks from 21 to 42 d of age for weight gain, feed intake and total liver lipid were 980, 950 and 1130 mg/kg. Pekin ducks needed more choline to prevent excess liver lipid deposition than to maintain growth.

Threonine requirement of White Pekin ducks from hatch to 21 d of age.

1. A dose-response experiment with 5 dietary threonine concentrations (5.0, 5.8, 6.6, 7.4 and 8.2 g/kg) was conducted to estimate the threonine requirement of White Pekin ducks from hatch to 21 d of age. 2. A total of 240 one-d-old male White Pekin ducks were allotted to 5 experimental treatments and each treatment contained 6 replicate pens with 8 ducks per pen. Ducks were reared in raised wire-floor pens from hatch to 21 d of age. At 21 d of age, growth performance and intestinal morphology were determined. 3. The weight gain and feed intake of Pekin ducks increased and feed/gain of these birds decreased linearly or quadratically as dietary threonine increased from 5.0 to 8.2 g threonine/kg. Compared to ducks fed on diets containing 5.0 g threonine/kg, ducks given diets containing 7.4 g threonine/kg had higher villus height in duodenum, jejunum and ileum. 4. The threonine requirements for weight gain of White Pekin ducks from hatch to 21 d of age was estimated to be 6.72 g/kg when dietary crude protein concentration was 189.8 g/kg and threonine supply was critical for maintaining intestinal structure of these birds.