Time-restricted feeding modulates gene expression related with rhythm and inflammation in Mongolian gerbils.

Time-restricted feeding (TRF) has the potential to modulate circadian rhythm and widely studied in humans and laboratory mice. However, less is known about the physiological responses to TRF in wild mammals. Here, we used Mongolian gerbils, Meriones unguiculatus, to explore the effect of 6-week TRF on gene expression related with circadian rhythm and inflammation. The TRF gerbils had higher cumulative food intake than the ad libitum (AL) group, but body mass, feeding frequency/time and metabolic rate did not differ between groups. In the hypothalamus, downregulation of rhythm-related genes Per3, Cry1 and Dbp was detected in the daytime-restricted feeding (DRF) group and Cry1 was downregulated in the nighttime-restricted feeding (NRF) group. In the liver, the expression of Per1/3, Rev-erbα/ß and Dbp was lower, and Bmal1 was higher in the DRF than in AL group, while NRF gerbils showed no changes. In the colon, the expression of Bmal1 and Cry1 was higher but Per3, Rev-erbα/ß and Dbp were lower in the DRF than in AL group. Further, the expression of inflammation-related genes such as NF-κB, IL-1ß, IL-18 and Nlrp3 was lower in the liver of DRF gerbils, and IL-1ß was lower both in the hypothalamus and liver of NRF gerbils. Moreover, the genes related with inflammation such as NF-κB, Nlrp3, IL-10/18/1ß and Tnf-α were positively or negatively correlated with multiple rhythm-related genes in the central and peripheral organs. In conclusion, TRF, particularly DRF, could modulate rhythm-related genes in the central and peripheral tissues and reduce hepatic expression of inflammation-related genes in gerbils.

Profiles of organochlorine pesticides in earthworms from urban leisure areas of Beijing, China.

In this study, organochlorine pesticides (HCHs and DDTs) in earthworm and soil contacted closely with it were determined for the purpose of the risk assessment of chemicals in the urban leisure environment. The level of total hexachlorocyclohexanes and (HCHs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) in earthworms was 0.6500-44.78 ng g(-1) and 18.97-1.112 x 104 ng g(-1), respectively. Absolutely high levels of DDT and its metabolites in earthworm and correlative soils samples, and the bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of DDTs probably presents certain risk to the higher trophic organisms through its food chain, especially birds.

Levels and chiral signatures of organochlorine pesticides in urban soils of Yinchuan, China.

In this study, residual level and enantiomeric composition of typical organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were surveyed in urban soils of Yinchuan, China. The median levels of summation Sigma HCHs and summation Sigma DDTs were 0.852 and 2.24 ng/g, respectively, which suggested little risk for ecological environment and human health in the study area. Both chiral alpha-HCH and o,p'-DDT displayed the non-racemic signatures in all samples. The isomer ratios of summation Sigma HCHs and summation Sigma DDTs combined with enantiomer fractions (EFs) of alpha-HCH and o,p'-DDT, suggested that contamination source of HCHs derived from historical HCHs (including technical HCHs and Lindane) and that of DDTs originated from old source with the usage of mixed technical DDTs and dicofol.

[Development and validation of risk score model for acute myocardial infarction in China: prognostic value thereof for in hospital major adverse cardiac events and evaluation of revascularization].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a simple risk score model of in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including all-cause mortality, new or recurrent myocardial infarction (MI), and evaluate the efficacy about revascularization on patients with different risk. METHODS: The basic characteristics, diagnosis, therapy, and in-hospital outcomes of 1512 ACS patients from Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) study of China were collected to develop a risk score model by multivariable stepwise logistic regression. The goodness-of-fit test and discriminative power of the final model were assessed respectively. The best cut-off value for the risk score was used to assess the impact of revascularization for ST-elevation MI (STEMI) and non-ST elevation acute coronary artery syndrome (NSTEACS) on in-hospital outcomes. RESULTS: (1) The following 6 independent risk factors accounted for about 92.5% of the prognostic information: age > or =80 years (4 points), SBP < or =90 mm Hg (6 points), DBP > or =90 mm Hg (2 points), Killip II (3 points), Killip III or IV (9 points), cardiac arrest during presentation (4 points), ST-segment elevation (3 points) or depression (5 points) or combination of elevation and depression (4 points) on electrocardiogram at presentation. (2) CHIEF risk model was excellent with Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test of 0.673 and c statistics of 0.776. (3)1301 ACS patients previously enrolled in GRACE study were divided into 2 groups with the best cut-off value of 5.5 points. The impact of revascularization on the in-hospital MACE of the higher risk subsets was stronger than that of the lower risk subsets both in STEMI [OR (95% CI) = 0.32 (0.11, 0.94), chi2 = 5.39, P = 0.02] and NSTEACS [OR (95% CI) = 0.32 (0.06, 0.94), chi2 =4.17, P = 0.04] population. However, both STEMI (61.7% vs. 78.3%, P = 0.000) and NSTEACS (42.0% vs 62.3%, P = 0.000) patients with the risk scores more than 5.5 points had lower revascularization rates. CONCLUSION: The risk score provides excellent ability to predict in-hospital death or (re) MI quantitatively and accurately. The patients undergoing revascularization with risk score greater than 5.5 have lower incidence rates of endpoint.

[Effects of micro-sprinkling hose length and width on wheat field water condition and flag leaf chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics in different sampling districts]. / å¾®å–·å¸¦é•¿å®½å¯¹ä¸åŒåŒºæ®µéº¦ç”°æ°´åˆ†å’Œå°éº¦æ——å¶å¶ç»¿ç´ è§å ‰ç‰¹æ€§çš„å½±å“.

A two-year field experiment was conducted in 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 wheat growing seasons to study the effects of micro-sprinkling hose length and width on field water condition, and flag leaf chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics in different sampling districts (D1 to D6 along with the hose laying direction). Six micro-sprinkling hose treatments were set: 60 m (T1), 80 m (T2) and 100 m (T3) lengths under 65 mm width; 60 m (T4), 80 m (T5) and 100 m (T6) lengths under 80 mm width. The results showed that after irrigation at jointing, the Christiansen uniformity coefficient (Cu) of T1 was significantly higher than T2 and T3 under 65 mm hose width. Under 80 mm hose width, T4 and T5 had the highest Cu compared to T6. After irrigation at anthesis, the Cu showed T1>T2>T3 under 65 mm hose width, and T4>T5>T6 under 80 mm hose width. Under 65 mm hose width, the average relative soil water content of 0-40 cm soil layers after irrigation at anthesis, flag leaf ΦPSII, NPQ and ETR at 20 and 30 d after anthesis and the grain yield of different sampling district did not differ in T1; T2 showed the order of D1, D2>D3>D4>D5; T3 showed D1, D2>D3>D4>D5, D6. The average ΦPSII, NPQ and ETR at 20 and 30 d after anthesis, and the average dry matter at maturity of different sampling districts were presented as T1>T2, T3. Under 85 mm hose width, no significant differences were observed in the average relative soil water content of 0-40 cm soil layers after irrigation at ahthesis, flag leaf ΦPSII, NPQ and ETR at 20 and 30 d after anthesis and the grain yield of different sampling districts in T4; in T5, the indexes mentioned above in D1, D2 and D3 sampling districts were significantly higher than those in D4 and D5; in T6, the decreasing order was D1, D2, D3>D4>D5>T6. The average ΦPSII, NPQ and ETR at 20 and 30 d after anthesis, and the average dry matter at maturity of different districts showed the order of T4, T5>T6. The ave-rage grain yield and water use efficiency of T1, T4 and T5 were significantly higher than those in T2, T3 and T6, T1 and T4 had a better irrigation benefit than T5. Under this experimental condition, T1 treatment under 65 mm hose width, T4 treatment under 80 mm hose width were the most recommendable treatments considering high yield and water saving, and T5 treatment was also recommendable under 80 mm hose width.

Study on the genetic mutations of 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase deficiency in Chinese patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the CYP17A1 gene mutations in Chinese patients with 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17, 20-lyase deficiency. METHODS: Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. The CYP17A1 gene mutations were detected in 5 cases with 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17, 20-lyase deficiency and their relatives. The genomic DNA of the patients was isolated from whole blood. Seven pairs of primers were used to amplify eight exons and exon-intron boundaries of the CYP17A1 gene. The amplified PCR products were purified by agarose gel and then directly sequenced. In order to confirm the DNA sequences of different alleles, some fragments were inserted into pMD 18-T vector and then sequenced. Sequencing results were compared to the established human CYP17A1 sequence. RESULTS: Briefly, we found 2 kinds of compound mutations, of which were: (1) 6436-6438(TAC-->AA), causing amino acid Y329K, 418X; (2) 6531-6532(GC-->A), causing amino acid L361F, 418X. Among the five cases, four were homozygous for 6436-6438(TAC-->AA), whereas one was compound heterozygous for 6436-6438(TAC-->AA)/6531-6532(GC-->A). The clinical characteristics of 5 cases were all completely combined defects of 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17, 20-lyase, and they all carried two alleles of CYP17A1 gene mutations that all shifted the reading frame and resulted in truncated protein which lack of the activity center site of P450C17, of which corresponding with their clinical feature. CONCLUSION: Nine alleles have the mutation of 6436-6438(TAC-->AA), accounting for 90% of total alleles (9/10). That suggests this kind of mutation may have racial specificity. More study should be done to have better understanding of the function of the truncated P450C17 enzymes.

[High-power holmium laser with percutaneous nephrolithotripsy for kidney calculi].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of the high-power holmium laser with percutaneous nephrolithotripsy for kidney calculi. METHODS: The high-power (60 W: 3.0 J x 20 Hz) holmium laser with percutaneous nephrolithotripsy was performed on 52 patients with single kidney pelvic or calyceal stones (average stone diameter 3.1 cm), 36 patients with multi-kidney pelvic and calyceal stones (average diameter 2.8 cm), 24 patients with staghorn stones (average diameter 6.8 cm). The duration of stone surgery, stone-free rate and complication were assessed. RESULTS: The mean duration of stone surgery was 44 min, the stone-free rate was 66% (74/112) after the first session, 89% (100/112) at the end of session. 3 patients had high fever after percutaneous nephrolithotripsy, no other adverse events were noted. CONCLUSIONS: The high-power holmium laser with percutaneous nephrolithotripsy can fragments calculi quickly and reduces the length of time of operation. It is an effective and safe technique for kidney calculi.

[Effects of plant density and nitrogen level on nitrogen uptake and utilization of winter wheat].

A two-year (2011-2012 and 2012-2013) field experiment was conducted on one winter wheat cultivar supplied with two levels, of nitrogen (180 and 240 kg N · hm(-2)) under three plant densities (135 x 10(4), 270 x 10(4), and 405 x 10(4) plants · hm(-2)) . The 15N-labeled urea was injected into 20, 60 and 100 cm soil depths, respectively, aiming to investigate the effect of nitrogen and plant density and their interaction on the N uptake, utilization and nitrate nitrogen contents at different soil depths. The results showed that increasing the plant density from 135 x 10(4) to 405 x 10(4) plants · hm(-2) significantly increased the 15N uptake at depths of 20, 60 and 100 cm averagely by 1.86, 2.28 and 2.51 kg · hm(-2), respectively, and increased the above ground N uptake (AGN) , N uptake efficiency (UPE) averagely by 12.6% and 12.6%, respectively, but decreased the N utilization efficiency (UTE) by 5.4%. Compared to the N input of 240 kg N · hm(-2) the 180 kg N · hm(-2) significantly reduced the 15N uptake at depths of 20 and 60 cm averagely by 4. 11 and 1.21 kg · hm(-2), respectively, and significantly increased the 15N uptake at depths of 100 cm averagely by 1.02 kg · hm(-2). Reducing the N input decreased the AGN averagely by 13.5%, but significantly increased the UPE and UTE by 9.4% and 12.2%, respectively. Equivalent grain yield was observed among N input of 180 kg N · hm(-2) with plant density of 405 x 10(4) plants · hm(-2) and N input of 240 kg N · hm(-2) with plant densities of 270 x 10(4) and 405 x 10(4) plants · hm(-2). Increasing the plant density or reducing the N input could encourage the N uptake at deep soil profile and increased UPE and UTE by 13.4% and 11.9%, respectively. Meanwhile, both the nitrate nitrogen contents in 0-200 cm soil layers at maturity and the ratio of the nitrate nitrogen in 100-200 cm soil layers to that in -200 cm were significantly decreased. Therefore, properly decreasing the N input with increasing the plant density of winter wheat was efficient in absorbing N at deep soil, synergistically obtaining high grain yield, UPE and UTE, and reducing the pollution of residual soil nitrate.

[Effects of regulated deficit irrigation on water consumption characteristics and water use efficiency of winter wheat].

With the high-yielding winter wheat cultivar Jimai 22 as test material, a field experiment was conducted in Yanzhou of Shandong to examine the effects of regulated deficit irrigation on the water consumption and water use efficiency (WUE) of the cultivar. Five treatments were installed, i.e., the soil relative moisture content at sowing, jointing, and anthesis stages being 80%, 65% and 65% (W0), 80%, 70% and 70% (W1), 80%, 80% and 80% (W2), 90%, 80% and 80% (W3), and 90%, 85% and 85% (W4), respectively. Under the condition of 228 mm precipitation in growth season, the total water consumption was higher in treatments W1 and W4 than in treatments W0, W2, and W3, and no difference was observed between treatments W1 and W4. Comparing with W4, treatment W1 decreased the water storage in 0-200 cm soil layer and the water consumption by wheat from jointing to anthesis stages, but increased the water consumption from anthesis to maturity stages. The water consumption rates at the stages from jointing to anthesis and from anthesis to maturity in treatment W4 were higher. Under regulated deficit irrigation, treatment W0 had higher WUE, but the grain yield was the lowest. The WUE in other treatments increased first, and then decreased with increasing irrigation amount. Both the water consumption and the grain yield were the highest in treatments W1 and W4, and treatment W1 had higher irrigation water use efficiency and irrigation benefit than treatment W4, being the best irrigation regime of high-yielding and water-saving in our study.

Determination of triclosan, triclocarban and methyl-triclosan in aqueous samples by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with rapid liquid chromatography.

In this study, dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) combined with ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC)-tunable ultraviolet detection (TUV), has been developed for pre-concentration and determination of triclosan (TCS), triclocarban (TCC) and methyl-triclosan (M-TCS) in aqueous samples. The key factors, including the kind and volume of extraction solvent and dispersive solvent, extraction time, salt effect and pH, which probably affect the extraction efficiencies were examined and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, linearity of the method was observed in the range of 0.0500-100 microg L(-1) for TCS, 0.0250-50.0 microg L(-1) for TCC, and 0.500-100 microgL(-1) for M-TCS, respectively, with correlation coefficients (r(2))>0.9945. The limits of detection (LODs) ranged from 45.1 to 236 ng L(-1). TCS in domestic waters was detected with the concentration of 2.08 microg L(-1). The spiked recoveries of three target compounds in river water, irrigating water, reclaimed water and domestic water samples were achieved in the range of 96.4-121%, 64.3-84.9%, 77.2-115% and 75.5-106%, respectively. As a result, this method can be successfully applied for the rapid and convenient determination of TCS, TCC and M-TCS in real water samples.