Optimizing the indication of initial radioiodine oncolytic treatment for metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer by diagnostic 131I scan.

AIM: As a classic theranostic radiopharmaceutical, radioiodine (131I) has been utilized in the management of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) for more than 8 decades, and the refinement of its clinical practice has been raised recently. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of a diagnostic (Dx) 131I scan in optimizing the indication of initial radioiodine oncolytic treatment (ROT) for metastatic DTC by predicting therapeutic outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients (Dx positive, n=29; Dx negative, n=71) were eligible for patient-based analysis. The matching rate was 83.0% between the Dx and the post-therapeutic scans (kappa = 0.648, P<0.001). The biochemical remission rate and structural shrinkage rate induced by the initial ROT in the Dx-positive group were, respectively, greater than those in the Dx-negative group (83.3% vs. 17.4%, P<0.001; 37.9% vs. 4.2%, P<0.001). Notably, the predictive values of positive Dx scans for ROT responsiveness and negative Dx scans for ROT nonresponsiveness reached up to 89.7% and 84.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This Dx scan approach seems viable in characterizing the 131I-avidity of metastatic DTC and plays a pivotal role in optimizing the indication of initial ROT for metastatic DTC.

Quantitative evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage for the treatment of severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children-A new complementary index: Bronchial Insufflation Sign Score.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the value of Broncoplasma Insufflation Sign in lung ultrasound signs in assessing the efficacy of bronchoalveolar lavage in severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children. METHODS: Forty-seven children with severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia were treated with medication and bronchial lavage. Laboratory and imaging results were collected, and lung ultrasonography was performed before bronchoalveolar lavage and 1, 3, and 7 days after lavage to record changes in Bronchial Insufflation Sign and changes in the extent of solid lung lesions. Factors affecting the effectiveness of bronchoalveolar lavage were analyzed using logistic regression and other factors. RESULTS: Bronchial Insufflation Sign Score and the extent of lung solid lesions were the factors affecting the effectiveness of bronchoalveolar lavage treatment. The smaller the area of lung solid lesions and the higher the Bronchial Insufflation Sign Score, the more effective the results of bronchoalveolar lavage treatment were, and the difference was statistically significant, with a difference of p < 0.05. The Bronchial Insufflation Sign Score had the highest sensitivity and specificity for the prediction of the efficacy of bronchoalveolar lavage treatment in the first 7 days after the treatment. CONCLUSION: Bronchial Insufflation Sign Score combined with the extent of solid lung lesions can assess the efficacy of bronchoalveolar lavage in the treatment of severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children; lung ultrasound is a timely and effective means of assessing the efficacy of bronchoalveolar lavage.

Characterization of a DRC1 null variant associated with primary ciliary dyskinesia and female infertility.

PROPOSE: We here present a female case with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and infertility. In this report, we also present the evaluation of the patient family, including her twin sister, also with PCD and infertility. METHODS: Confirmation of the PCD clinical diagnosis was performed through assessment of cilia motility, by high-speed video microscopy (HSVM), axoneme ultrastructure, by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and genetic characterization, by whole-exome sequence (WES). Gene expression studies used qPCR for mRNA expression and immunofluorescence to determine cell protein localization. RESULTS: We identified a homozygous nonsense variant in the DRC1 gene (NM 145038.5:c.352C>T (p.Gln118Ter)) in the female patient with PCD and infertility that fit the model of autosomal recessive genetic transmission. This variant eventually results in a dyskinetic ciliary beat with a lower frequency and a partial lack of both dynein arms as revealed by TEM analysis. Moreover, this variant implies a decrease in the expression of DRC1 mRNA and protein. Additionally, expression analysis suggested that DRC1 may interact with other DRC elements. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the DRC1 null variant leads to PCD associated with infertility, likely caused by defects in axoneme from Fallopian tube cilia. Overall, our outcomes contribute to a better understanding of the genetic factors involved in the pathophysiology of PCD and infertility, and they highlight the interaction of different genes in the patient phenotype, which should be investigated further because it may explain the high heterogeneity observed in PCD patients.

[Efficacy and prognosis of infant kidney transplantation].

Objective: To analyze the effect and prognosis of infant kidney transplantation. Methods: Clinical data of 37 cases of infant kidney transplantation under 3 years old in Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from June 1, 2017 to July 31, 2022 were retrospectively collected. These 37 cases included 31 primary kidney transplantation and 6 secondary kidney transplantation. Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw the survival curve of the transplanted kidney and the recipient, and the prognosis and complications were analyzed. Median follow-up was 18 months (range: 6-66 months). Results: The recipients were 20 males and 17 females, with a median age of 16 months (range: 2 months, 26 days to 36 months) and a median weight of 8 kg (range: 3.2 to 14.0 kg). The youngest child was only 2 months, 26 days old, and weighed only 3.2 kg. The most common primary disease of recipients was congenital nephrotic syndrome (13 cases, 41.9%). Intra-abdominal transplantation occurred in 19 cases (51.3%) and intra-iliac fossa transplantation occurred in the remaining 18 cases (48.6%). Postoperative renal function recovery was delayed in 7 cases (18.9%), and thrombosis caused renal function loss in 5 cases (13.5%), of which 4 cases received second renal transplantation and were successful. During the follow-up period, there were 11 cases of acute rejection (29.7%) and 6 cases of CMV pneumonia (16.2%). The estimated glomerular filtration rate 1 year after transplantation was higher than that 1 month after surgery [(101.9±22.1) vs (71.1±25.6) ml/(min·1.73m2), P<0.001], and remained constant 2 years after transplantation. Both the 1-year and 2-year survival rates of the transplanted kidney were 85.3%, and both the 1-year and 2-year survival rates of the recipients were 96.8%. Conclusion: Although the implementation of infant kidney transplantation is difficult, it can still achieve relatively satisfactory efficacy and prognosis.

The correlation of the fecal microbiome with the biochemical profile during menopause: a Brazilian cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Hormonal, biochemical, and metabolic changes after menopause may alter the quality of life of women, leading to vasomotor, psychological, and genitourinary symptoms, and changes in their gut microbiota, which regulates estrogen levels through the estroboloma. Fecal samples were used to investigate the changes in the gut microbiota during aging and hormonal changes in women. A balanced gut microbiota has been associated with health or disease conditions and remains poorly understood after menopause. This study identified the fecal microbiota, and their association with biochemical and hormonal parameters of a cohort of women in the climacteric in the city of Ouro Preto-MG, Brazil. METHODS: A total of 102 women aged 40 to 65 years old were recruited and distributed into three groups according to the STRAW criteria for reproductive stage: reproductive (n = 18), premenopausal (n = 26), and postmenopausal (n = 58). Blood samples were collected to measure their serum biochemical and hormone levels, and the participants answered a questionnaire. The gut microbiota was analyzed from fecal samples by qPCR using the genera Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, and Clostridium. RESULTS: The following parameters showed differences among the groups: total cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL, ApoB, urea, calcium, uric acid, and alkaline phosphatase (p < 0.05). qPCR revealed the genus Clostridium to be the most abundant in all three groups. In the reproductive age group, the significant correlations were: Bacteroides with glucose (r = -0.573 p = 0.0129), and SDHEA (r = -0.583 p = 0.0111). For the premenopausal group, they were: Bifidobacteria with total cholesterol (r = 0.396 p = 0.0451), LDL (r = 0.393 p = 0.0468), ApoB (r = 0.411 p = 0.0368); Lactobacillus and calcium (r = 0.443 p = 0.0232), ALP (r = 0.543 p = 0.0041), LPa (r =-0.442 p = 0.02336); and Bacteroides and urea (r =-0.461 p = 0.0176). In the postmenopausal group, they were Bifidobacterium and ALP (r =-0.315 p = 0.0159), Lactobacillus and urea (r =-0.276 p = 0.0356), and Clostridium and beta estradiol (r =-0.355 p = 0.0062). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the hormonal and metabolic changes during menopause in the population studied were accompanied by a significant change in the fecal microbiota, especially of the genus Clostridium.

Anti-staphylococcal effects of Myracrodruon urundeuva lectins on nonresistant and multidrug resistant isolates.

AIMS: To evaluate the anti-staphylococcal effects of lectins isolated from bark (MuBL), heartwood (MuHL) and leaves (MuLL) of Myracrodruon urundeuva. METHODS AND RESULTS: The lectins were evaluated for: effects on growth, aggregation, haemolytic activity and biofilm-forming ability of Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates nonresistant (8325-4) and multidrug resistant (LAC USA300); interference with the expression of virulence genes (hla, rnaIII and spa) of the Agr system of S. aureus; and synergistic effect with the antibiotics cefoxitin and cefotaxime. MuBL, MuHL and MuLL reduced growth (minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC): 12·5-50 µg ml-1 ) and viability (minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC): 100 µg ml-1 ) of 8325-4 and LAC USA300 cells. MuLL (at ½MIC and MIC) reduced LAC USA300 agglutination. The lectins did not interfere with haemolytic activity and expression of hla, rnaIII and spa genes. Only MuHL was able to reduce the biofilm production by 8325-4 (50-400 µg ml-1 ) and LAC USA300 (400 µg ml-1 ). CONCLUSION: The M. urundeuva lectins showed antibacterial activity against nonresistant and resistant clinical isolates of S. aureus and synergistic effects with antibiotics in reducing growth and biofilm formation. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This work reports bioactive molecules capable of acting as anti-staphylococcal agents, since there are increasing reports of multiresistant isolates of this bacterium.

Influence of disease phase on embitterment and emotional dysregulation in psoriatic patients.

This study aimed to evaluate the psychosocial differences between patients with psoriasis in different phases of the disease. Seventy-one patients in exacerbation and 83 in remission were evaluated regarding sociodemographic, clinical and psychological variables, on the premise that the visibility of lesions (exacerbation phase) may impact the emotional regulation and embitterment. A regression analysis was performed to identify the variables that contribute to explain embitterment: a diagnosis of anxiety and/or depression and psoriasis severity are the identified ones. The results point to higher values of emotional dysregulation and embitterment, as well as more critical clinical variables in patients with active disease, namely, alcohol and coffee consumption, smoking and less satisfaction with current treatment, more diagnoses and more family history of anxiety and depression, more psychology/psychiatry consultations and more use of anxiolytics and antidepressants. However, only the results referring to alcohol consumption and embitterment are significantly higher in subjects in the exacerbation phase of the disease. Particular clinical attention should be provided to patients in exacerbation phase regarding psychotherapeutic approach.

Epigenetic Markers Associated with Schistosomiasis.

It is important to consider the use of the epigenome as source of complementary data for genome knowledge, which is suitable for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis. Usually, a laboratory diagnosis of schistosomiasis is performed by means of 1. Egg detection in the stool or urine by microscopy remains with limited sensitivity; 2. Immunological screening, in which positivity persists after treatment, and 3. Molecular appraisals prevail over the disadvantages of the currently used methods. In this sense, molecular methodologies are being developed based on epigenetic biomarkers, aiming to improve the diagnosis of the disease and clinical treatment as early as possible to prevent the occurrence of serious liver damage.

Robotic single-site surgery in benign gynecologic diseases: Experiences and learning curve based on 626 robotic cases at a single institute.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to report on 626 cases of successful robotic single-site (RSS) surgeries to address various types of gynecologic disease and to evaluate the outcomes and learning curve inherent to RSS surgery in the gynecology field. METHODS: A total of 626 cases of RSS surgeries were performed by 3 gynecologic surgeons at Ewha Womans University Medical Center, Robot Surgery Center from November 2014 to January 2018 were collected retrospectively. All of the patients' charts were reviewed, and the clinical characteristics and surgical variables were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the total of 626 cases, there were 220 cases of RSS myomectomy (RSSM), 182 cases of RSS hysterectomy (RSSH), 195 of RSS adnexectomy, 24 of RSS sacrocolpopexy (RSS SCP) and 5 were classified as other RSS surgeries. The patient's mean age was 38.98 ± 10.07 years. There was 3.99 ± 2.15 min of mean docking time and 117.78 ± 51.18 min of mean operating time. The surgical variables were analyzed annually. The total operating time was seen to decrease significantly according to each period. The docking time declined significantly and gradually after 1 year. We also analyzed each of the surgical types by time. The operating time of RSSH, RSSM, RSS adnexectomy and RSS SCP fell over time. The tendency found was for operating time to decline sharply following the first 10 cases. When we analyzed the data at annual intervals, the operating time was most significantly less and stable following the first year. There were a few intraoperative or perioperative complications in 16 cases (2.6%). CONCLUSION: Robotic single-site surgery is a feasible and safe procedure for treating various kinds of gynecologic diseases. The learning curve was approximately 10 cases of RSS surgery in gynecologic disease, having a greater amount of experience at performing RSS surgery was revealed to be key to achieving better surgical outcomes.

A plant growth-promoting bacterium alters the microbial community of continuous cropping poplar trees' rhizosphere.

AIMS: We aimed to develop a biological agent that regulates the microbial community structure of the poplar rhizosphere and alleviates the effects of continuous poplar cropping. METHODS AND RESULTS: Poplar rhizosphere soils were treated with or without Paenibacillus polymyxa CP-S316 microbial fermentation medium. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to measure bacteria and fungi in both groups, and microbial communities were analysed by metabarcoding. In fungi, the operational taxonomic units, abundance-based coverage estimator and Chao index of the CP-S316-treated group were significantly lower than those in the control check (CK) group. In bacteria, the proportions of Bacillus in the CP-S316 and CK groups were 5·20 and 2·38%, respectively, whereas those of Rhizoctonia were 2·20 and 5·82% respectively. The diameter at breast height, culturable bacteria and total bacteria of poplars treated with CP-S316 exceeded those in the CK group. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirmed that CP-S316 could improve the microbial community structure of poplar rhizosphere and promote the growth of poplars. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Research aimed at alleviating continuous cropping obstacles and promoting poplar growth via biocontrol agents is uncommon. We analysed the community structures of bacteria and fungi in rhizosphere soil to illustrate the use of CP-S316 for poplar cropping for improving plant health in the continuous cropping of poplar trees.

Percutaneous fetoscopic closure of large open spina bifida using a bilaminar skin substitute.

OBJECTIVE: We have described previously our percutaneous fetoscopic technique for the treatment of open spina bifida (OSB). However, approximately 20-30% of OSB defects are too large to allow primary skin closure. Here we describe a modification of our standard technique using a bilaminar skin substitute to allow closure of large spinal defects. The aim of this study was to report our clinical experience with the use of a bilaminar skin substitute and a percutaneous fetoscopic technique for the prenatal closure of large OSB defects. METHODS: Surgery was performed between 24.0 and 28.9 gestational weeks with the woman under general anesthesia, using an entirely percutaneous fetoscopic approach with partial carbon dioxide insufflation of the uterine cavity, as described previously. If there was enough skin to be sutured in the midline, only a biocellulose patch was placed over the placode (single-patch group). In cases in which skin approximation was not possible, a bilaminar skin substitute (two layers: one silicone and one dermal matrix) was placed over the biocellulose patch and sutured to the skin edges (two-patch group). The surgical site was assessed at birth, and long-term follow-up was carried out. RESULTS: Percutaneous fetoscopic OSB repair was attempted in 47 consecutive fetuses, but surgery could not be completed in two. Preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) occurred in 36 of the 45 (80%) cases which formed the study group, and the mean gestational age at delivery was 32.8 ± 2.5 weeks. A bilaminar skin substitute was required in 13/45 (29%) cases; in the remaining 32 cases, direct skin-to-skin suture was feasible. There were 12 cases of myeloschisis, of which 10 were in the two-patch group. In all cases, the skin substitute was located at the surgical site at birth. In five of the 13 (38.5%) cases in the two-patch group, additional postnatal repair was needed. In the remaining cases, the silicone layer detached spontaneously from the dermal matrix (on average, 25 days after birth), and the lesion healed by secondary intention. The mean operating time was 193 (range, 83-450) min; it was significantly longer in cases requiring the bilaminar skin substitute (additional 42 min on average), although the two-patch group had similar PPROM rate and gestational age at delivery compared with the single-patch group. Complete reversal of hindbrain herniation occurred in 68% of the 28 single-patch cases and 33% of the 12 two-patch cases with this information available (P < 0.05). In four cases there was no reversal; half of these occurred in myeloschisis cases. CONCLUSIONS: Large OSB defects may be treated successfully in utero using a bilaminar skin substitute over a biocellulose patch through an entirely percutaneous approach. Although the operating time is longer, surgical outcome is similar to that in cases closed primarily. Cases with myeloschisis seem to have a worse prognosis than do those with myelomeningocele. PPROM and preterm birth continue to be a challenge. Further experience is needed to assess the risks and benefits of this technique for the management of large OSB defects. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Atmospheric ammonia alters lipid metabolism-related genes in the livers of broilers (Gallus gallus).

Atmospheric ammonia in animal housing is reported to have adverse effects on livestock performance and animal health. Previous experiments have found that 75 ppm ammonia reduced the production performance and altered body fat distribution quality of broilers. In this study, we examined the body fat distribution, serum metabolites and lipid metabolism gene expression of broiler exposed to ammonia. A total of 400 chickens were randomly allocated to four groups with four replicates and received ammonia treatments at 0, 25, 50 and 75 ppm, respectively, for 3 weeks. The average daily feed intake and weight gain were decreased when broiler was exposed to ammonia concentration exceeding 50 ppm (p < .05). The increased abdominal fat and reduced thickness of subcutaneous adipose were found in broilers of 75 ppm group (p < .05). When ammonia exceeded 50 ppm, the content of fat in breast muscle of broiler was increased, and when ammonia was higher than 25 ppm, the fat in liver was increased (p < .05). It showed that the fat content in liver was a sensitive index for broilers exposed to ammonia. Furthermore, ammonia exposure had no significant effect on total cholesterol and triglyceride in serum, but significantly increased the relative mRNA expression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (p = .046) and malic enzyme in liver (p = .038), which indicated that ammonia exposure may increase the de novo fat synthesis in liver. In addition, ammonia increased the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = .02) and activity of hepatic lipase in serum (p < .001), which indicated that ammonia exposure may improve the transportation of cholesterol to liver. To conclude, our results indicated that ammonia exposure might increase the de novo fat synthesis in liver and increased the transportation of cholesterol to liver. In addition, the concentration of ammonia in poultry house should be limited lower than 25 ppm based on the variation of hepatic fat content.

Genetic diversity and phylogeographic structure of Bactrian camels shown by mitochondrial sequence variations.

The Bactrian camel includes various domestic (Camelus bactrianus) and wild (Camelus ferus) breeds that are important for transportation and for their nutritional value. However, there is a lack of extensive information on their genetic diversity and phylogeographic structure. Here, we studied these parameters by examining an 809-bp mtDNA fragment from 113 individuals, representing 11 domestic breeds, one wild breed and two hybrid individuals. We found 15 different haplotypes, and the phylogenetic analysis suggests that domestic and wild Bactrian camels have two distinct lineages. The analysis of molecular variance placed most of the genetic variance (90.14%, P < 0.01) between wild and domestic camel lineages, suggesting that domestic and wild Bactrian camel do not have the same maternal origin. The analysis of domestic Bactrian camels from different geographical locations found there was no significant genetic divergence in China, Russia and Mongolia. This suggests a strong gene flow due to wide movement of domestic Bactrian camels.

[Application of Metagenomics in Forensic Identification].

With the development of molecular biology and genomics, metagenomics is playing a more important role in forensic science and forensic identification. In recent years, as a branch discipline studying the composition profile and diversity of microbe flora as well as studying the interaction within microbe and with environment, the application of metagenomics has gradually risen and brought new opportunities for forensic identification-related area. In this review, strategy of metagenomics and its application in forensic identification including individual identification, origin determination of biological stain in crime scene and drug abuse detection are summarized. This article aims to elucidate the role and application value of metagenomics in forensic science.

Expression of Estrogen Receptors Alpha (ER-α), Beta (ER-ß), and G Protein-Coupled Receptor 30 (GPR30) in Testicular Tissue of Men with Klinefelter Syndrome.

Men with Klinefelter syndrome (KS) present severe hormonal dysregulation, particularly elevated serum estradiol concentration. Estrogens act through specific receptors and regulate testes development and spermatogenesis. Herein, we evaluated GPR30, ERα, and ERß mRNA expression in testis of KS men and men with 46XY karyotype by reverse transcriptase and quantitative PCR. ERß transcripts are the most abundant in testicular tissue of 46XY men. Notably, testicular GPR30 transcription in KS men was approximately 12 times higher. Since GPR30 is essential to mediate estrogen effects over steroidogenesis, our data illustrate that GPR30 may underpin the testicular alterations observed in KS men.

Comparative analysis of perinatal outcomes among different typesof deliveries in term pregnancies in a reference maternity of Southeast Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the perinatal outcomes of women undergoing an elective cesarean section (CS) with those who had an emergency CS during the labor. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Hospital Estadual Azevedo Lima (HEAL), Niteroi, Brazil. METHODS: We analysed elective CS, emergent CS and vaginal delivery as dependent variables and neonatal data (admission in intensive care unit) as independent variables. Using the Statement of Live Birth during a three-month period, all patients who had their children after 38 complete weeks of pregnancy were selected. χ2 test and Student t-tests were applied to compare the groups. RESULTS: When patients who had vaginal delivery were compared with those who had an elective CS, we observed 219 normal deliveries with 1.8% of hospitalizations in neonatal intensive care units (NICU), and 88 patients of elective CS with 2.3% of admissions in closed units (p = 0.401). We had a sample of 108 newborns delivered by CS during the labor with 8.3% rate of hospitalization in NICU versus 1.8% of 219 newborns delivered vaginally (p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: The worst perinatal outcomes occurred when emergency CS were performed.

Embryological, clinical and ultrastructural study of human oocytes presenting indented zona pellucida.

Human oocyte dysmorphisms attain a large proportion of retrieved oocytes from assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment cycles. Extracytoplasmic defects involve abnormal morphology of the zona pellucida (ZP), perivitelline space and first polar body. The aim of the present study was to describe a novel dysmorphism affecting the ZP, indented ZP. We also evaluated the clinical, embryological and ultrastructural features of these cases. We evaluated all ART treatment cycles during 7 consecutive years and found 13 treatment cycles (six patients) with all oocytes presenting an indented ZP. In addition, these oocytes presented total or partial absence of the perivitelline space, absence of resistance to ZP and oolemma penetration during microinjection, and low ooplasm viscosity during aspiration. This novel described dysmorphism was recurrent and attained all oocytes in three cases that had more than one treatment cycle. When compared with controls, data showed significant low oocyte maturity (42% versus 81.6%) and high cycle cancellation (30.8% versus 8.5%) rates, normal degeneration (3.4% versus 6.3%) and fertilization rates (69% versus 69.5%), and low pregnancy (15.4% versus 33.3%) and live-birth delivery (7.7% versus 27.7%) rates per cycle. Ultrastructure analysis revealed a zona pellucida structure with large empty electrolucent regions, an outer ZP layer with an indented surface with protuberances and a thick inner ZP that obliterated the perivitelline space. There was evidence of exocytosis of ZP material by the oocyte. In conclusion, oocytes with this novel described dysmorphism (indented ZP) are associated with low maturity, pregnancy and live-birth delivery rates.

Effect of in vitro exposure to lead chloride on semen quality and sperm DNA fragmentation.

Exposure to lead may cause changes in the male reproductive system. We evaluated the effect of lead chloride (PbCl2) in vitro on semen quality from 31 individuals. Samples were incubated at room temperature for two exposure times (4 h and 8 h) and with two concentrations of PbCl2 (15 µg/ml or 30 µg/ml). Results showed that PbCl2 significantly inhibited rapid progressive motility and caused an increase in the percentage of tail anomalies in both times and concentrations assessed, as well as a decrease in vitality in the group exposed to 30 µg/ml PbCl2. A significant increase in immotile sperm was also observed between the group control and the groups submitted to lead. Total motility and DNA fragmentation also showed a significant decrease and increase, respectively, after 4 h of incubation in the group exposed to 30 µg/ml and in both groups after 8 h of incubation. In conclusion, PbCl2 affected sperm parameters and DNA integrity, which are essential for male fertility.

Effects of the consumption of rice from non-KBD areas and selenium supplementation on the prevention and treatment of paediatric Kaschin-Beck disease: an epidemiological intervention trial in the Qinghai Province.

OBJECTIVE: Based on the aetiological hypothesis of Kaschin-Beck disease (KBD), different interventions were adopted, and the preventive and therapeutic effects of interventions was observed and evaluated in this trial. DESIGN: A total of 358 children from seven villages of Qinghai Province in China were examined, and 280 children aged 6-11 years old were eligible for the trial. The children were divided into three groups that received either no intervention (n = 64), 150 kg/person of rice from non-KBD areas (n = 103) or 7 kg/family of selenium-iodine salt (n = 113) for 12 months. Data were collected and used to calculate the proportion of patients with X-ray lesions, the proportion of new patients and the metaphyseal repair rate. All indicators were analysed with Pearson chi-square or Fisher's exact tests. The registration number of this trial is ChiCTR-PNRC-12002309 (http://www.chictr.org). RESULTS: After interventions, the proportion of patients with X-ray lesions increased dramatically in the control group and decreased significantly in two intervention groups; significant differences were seen between the control group and two intervention groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, significant differences were observed in the proportions of new patients and the metaphyseal repair rates between the control group and two intervention groups (P < 0.05). Additionally, the proportion of new patients was lowest and the metaphyseal repair rate was highest in group B. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of eating rice from non-KBD areas and selenium supplementation on the prevention and treatment of paediatric KBD were notable, the consumption of rice might be the most effective and safest intervention and should be encouraged.

Antioxidant capacity and meat quality of broilers exposed to different ambient humidity and ammonia concentrations.

To investigate the effect of humidity and ammonia on the antioxidative capacities and meat qualities of broilers, 192 broilers were divided into 2 groups: high (H, 70 ppm) and low (L, 30 ppm) ammonia concentration. These groups were divided into 30% (Treatment humidity, T) and 60% (Control humidity, C) humidity, giving 4 treatments: C+L, C+H, T+L, and T+H. Blood and muscle antioxidative capacities and meat quality were measured. In the H group, body weight (BW), average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily weight gain (ADG), blood and muscle antioxidative capacities, and postmortem pectoral muscle a* of broilers were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and pectoral muscle thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) contents and drip losses, postmortem pectoral muscle b* (P < 0.05) and L* (P = 0.054), and pectoral muscle shear forces (P = 0.075) increased. In the T condition, BW, ADFI, pectoral muscle superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, and pectoral muscle L* decreased (P = 0.053), and pectoral muscle shear forces and TBARS contents increased (P < 0.05). In the T+H group, BW, ADFI, ADG, blood antioxidative capacities, pectoral muscle SOD and GSH-Px activities, and postmortem pectoral muscle a* were significantly lower than those of the C+L group, but postmortem pectoral muscle TBARS contents and pectoral muscle drip losses and shear forces significantly increased (P < 0.05). These results revealed that T+H could significantly reduce growth performance, antioxidative capacities, and meat quality of broilers; T intensified these negative effects.