Residue and distribution of triforine in different cultivars and fruit periods of watermelon under field conditions.

The dissipation of triforine in the immature and mature fruit periods was investigated under field conditions. Residue levels of triforine in watermelon were determined by gas chromatography with an electron capture detector (GC-ECD). The decline curves of triforine residues in the watermelon corresponded with first-order kinetics. The half-lives of triforine in Dark Belle and Shiny Boy were 2.10-2.57 days and 2.31-2.67 days respectively. Meanwhile, the half-lives of triforine in the immature and mature fruit periods were 1.69-2.04 days and 2.89-3.85 days, respectively. In the terminal residue experiment, the terminal residues of triforine in the watermelon flesh and peel were below 0.01 mg/kg to 0.05 mg/kg and 0.03 mg/kg to 0.36 mg/kg, respectively. The dissipation rates of triforine varied in different cultivars of watermelon, and even in the same cultivar, the half-lives of triforine significantly varied in the different fruit periods. Although triforine is a fungicide within the suction, the terminal residues in the peel and flesh were very significant.

Dissipation and residue of clothianidin in granules and pesticide fertilizers used in cabbage and soil under field conditions.

The single application of 0.5 % clothianidin granules, a novel formulation, was used to control pests in vegetables under a high dose. In this article, residues of clothianidin in cabbage and soil samples under field conditions from Guangzhou, Nanning, and Qianjiang were determined by HPLC. The terminal residues of clothianidin in cabbage were less than the limit of detection (

[Personal dose monitoring of radiation workers in medical institutions at the municipal level and below in a city from 2011 to 2014].

Objective: To determine the personal dose level of radiation workers in medical institutions at the municipal level and below in a city, and to provide a scientific support for strengthening the radiation protection in the city's medical institutions. Methods: Information of the successful applicants for the "Radiation Worker Permit" from 174 medical institutions at the municipal level and below was collected from October 1, 2011 to December 31, 2014. The annual effective dose was calculated based on the personal dose monitoring report, and indicators including sex, permit application time, hospital level, type of occupational radiation, length of radiation work, blood test, and micronucleated lymphocyte rate were analyzed. Results: Of the 1 143 radiation worker permit applications submitted by medical institutions the municipal level and below in this city from 2011 to 2014, 1 123 provided at least one personal dose monitoring report. The annual effective dose of the radiation workers was 0-4.76 mSv (mean 0.31±0.40 mSv) , and the collective annual effective dose was 351.96 mSv. The annual effective dose was significantly different between radiation workers with different times of permit application, hospital levels, and types of occupational radiation (P<0.05) . Interventional radiology workers had the highest annual effective dose (0.63 mSv) , and annual effective dose was significantly different between interventional radiology workers with different lengths of radiation work (H=10.812, P<0.05) . Conclusion: The personal radiation dose of radiation workers in medical institutions at the municipal level and below in this city is maintained at a relatively low level, suggesting that the occupational environment is relatively safe for these workers. However, more focus should be placed on clinical interventional radiology workers.

Effects of exogenous melatonin and photoperiod on sexual maturation in pullets.

Hy-Line Gray commercial pullets were maintained under 8-h photoperiods, 16-h photoperiods and 16-h photoperiods supplemented with a diet containing 20 or 200 mg/kg melatonin (MEL) to investigate the role of MEL in sexual development. A total of 256 Hy-Line Gray commercial pullets were placed, four birds to a cage, in four similar light-proof rooms (8-h photoperiod) at 6 weeks of age. At 70 day, three rooms containing a total of 192 birds were transferred to a 16-h photoperiod, whereas 64 birds were maintained under the 8-h photoperiod. Diets containing MEL at 20 and 200 mg/kg were fed to birds in two of the rooms under 16-h photoperiods. Birds maintained under an 8-h photoperiod matured 11.25 day later than those maintained under a 16-h photoperiod (p < 0.05). The group of birds receiving 20 mg/kg MEL matured 1.19 day later than those maintained under the 16-h photoperiod and 10.06 day earlier than those maintained under the 8-h photoperiod. The group of birds receiving 200 mg/kg MEL matured 3.13 day later than those maintained under a 16-h photoperiod and 8.12 day earlier than those maintained under an 8-h photoperiod. The average body weight of birds maintained under the 8-h photoperiod was greater than that of birds maintained under the 16-h photoperiod (p < 0.05) and was similar between the different MEL groups. The abdominal fat weight was lower in 16L:8D group compared with 8L:16D group (p < 0.05). The concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, oestrogen and insulin did not differ significantly among the groups. The melatonin concentration in 200 mg/kg melatonin group was higher than that observed in the other groups; however, this concentration did not differ significantly (p > 0.05). These data suggest that the birds did not perceive the final 8-h photoperiod as being part of the night when they were given the MEL diets; continuously high plasma MEL was not observed in birds that responded as if they were in constant darkness. However, the later maturity of the groups administered MEL diets compared with the groups maintained under a constant 16-h photoperiod clearly indicated that MEL has some influence on the sexual maturity of pullets.

Molecular characterization and expression analysis of purple acid phosphatase gene from pearl oyster Pinctada martensii.

Purple acid phosphatases (PAPs), also known as type 5 acid phosphatases, are widely present in animals, plants, and fungi. In mammal, PAP was reported to participate in immune defense and bone resorption. In this study, the characteristics and potential functions of a PAP gene from pearl oyster Pinctada martensii (pm-PAP) were examined. The Pm-PAP cDNA was found to be 2777 base pairs, containing a 1581-base pair open reading fragment encoding for 526 amino acids with an estimated molecular mass of 60.1 kDa and theoretical isoelectric point of 5.82. One signal peptide and five conserved motifs [GDXX/GDXXY/GNH(D/E)/XXXH/(A/G)HXH] were present in the entire sequence. Tissue expression profile analysis showed that pm-PAP mRNA was constitutively expressed in all tissues studied with abundant mRNA found in mollusk defense system, including hepatopancreas, gill, and hemocytes. After lipopolysaccharide stimulation, the expression of pm-PAP mRNA in hemocytes was dramatically upregulated at 2 h and achieved the highest level at 36 h. Additionally, pm-PAP mRNA expression was significantly increased and achieved the highest level at 2 days after the surgical implantation during pearl production. These results suggest that pm-PAP is a constitutive and inducible protein that may be involved in the immune defense of pearl oyster.

Molecular cloning and expression analysis of a pearl oyster (Pinctada martensii) heat shock protein 90 (HSP90).

Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is an important molecular chaperone required for proper folding of cellular proteins, and thus, it plays an essential role in protecting cells from damage during stress. In this study, an HSP90 cDNA designated PmHSP90 was cloned from the mantle tissue of the pearl oyster Pinctada martensii using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) coupled with the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) approach. PmHSP90 cDNA was 2584 bp in length, including an open reading frame of 2160 bp, which encodes a polypeptide of 719 amino acid residues, with predicted molecular mass and isoelectric point of 83.0 kDa and 4.87, respectively. Multiple-sequence alignment indicated that HSP90 is highly conserved among species, and PmHSP90 showed 89% sequence identity to Crassostrea gigas HSP90. Five conserved amino acid blocks defined as HSP90 protein family signatures were also observed in PmHSP90, indicating that PmHSP90 may be a cytosolic member of the HSP90 family. Expression levels of PmHSP90 were detected in various tissues of P. martensii and in hemocytes under three different stress conditions using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The results demonstrate that PmHSP90 mRNA is constitutively expressed in all the tested tissues and may be involved in the immune response against thermal stress, lipopolysaccharide stimulation, and nucleus insertion operations. Studies on PmHSP90 are a valuable source to further explore the immune system in pearl oysters during the production of pearls, and may enhance our knowledge of molluscan innate immunity.

Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate restores gastric damages and suppressive autophagy induced by hydrogen peroxide.

It is well known that gastric barrier is very important for protecting host from various insults. Simultaneously, autophagy serving as a prominent cytoprotective and survival pathway under oxidative stress conditions is being increasingly recognized. Thus, this study was conducted for investigating the effect of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) on gastric barrier function and autophagy under oxidative stress induced by intragastric administration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The gastric tight junction proteins [zonula occludens-1 (ZO1), occludin, and claudin1], autophagic proteins [microtubule-associated protein light chain 3I(LC3I), LC3II, and beclin1], and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway (p65 and IκB kinase α/ß) were determined by Western blot. The results showed that H2O2 exposure disturbed gastric barrier function with decreased expression of ZO1, occludin, and claudin1, and reduced gastric autophagy with decreased conversion of LC3I into LC3II in mice. However, treatment with PDTC restored these adverse effects evidenced by increased expression of ZO1 and claudin1 and increased conversion of LC3I into LC3II. Meanwhile, H2O2 exposure decreased normal human gastric epithelial mucosa cell line (GES-1) viability in a concentration-dependent way. However, after being exposed to H2O2, GES-1 exhibited autophagic response which was inconsistent with our in vivo results in mice, while PDTC failed to decrease autophagy in GES-1 induced by H2O2. Simultaneously, the beneficial effect of PDTC on gastric damage and autophagy in mice might be independent of inhibition of NF-κB. In conclusion, PDTC treatment restores gastric damages and reduced autophagy induced by H2O2. Therefore, PDTC may serve as a potential adjuvant therapy for gastric damages.

Molecular characterization of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) in pearl oyster Pinctada martensii.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) is a key signaling adaptor molecule for tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily and Toll-like receptor/interleukin-1 receptor family members. It signals the upstream receptors and is involved in a wide range of biological functions, such as immunity and bone metabolism. In this report, the TRAF6 gene from the pearl oyster Pinctada martensii (designated as PmTRAF6) was identified and characterized. The obtained full-length PmTRAF6 cDNA was 2273 bp, containing a 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of 297 bp, a 3'-UTR of 128 bp with a 42-bp poly (A) tail, and an open reading frame of 1848 bp that encoded 616-amino acid residues. The deduced protein sequence of PmTRAF6 contained a conserved TRAF family motif including a RING-type zinc finger, two TRAF-type zinc fingers, and a coiled-coil region followed by one meprin and TRAF homology domain. Multiple-sequence alignment indicated that TRAF6 was highly conserved among species, and PmTRAF6 showed 53% sequence identity to Azumapecten farreri and Mizuhopecten yessoensis. Furthermore, an amino acid sequence containing a low-complexity region was inserted in the TRAF6s from mollusk. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated that PmTRAF6 was constitutively expressed in all tissues studied, with the most abundant mRNA expression in hepatopancreas and gill in P. martensii. After lipopolysaccharide stimulation, the expression of PmTRAF6 mRNA was dramatically upregulated. These results suggested that the obtained PmTRAF6 was a member of the TRAF6 family and perhaps involved in the innate immune response of pearl oyster.

Exaggerated inflammatory environment decreases BMP-2/ACS-induced ectopic bone mass in a rat model: implications for clinical use of BMP-2.

OBJECTIVE: Numerous recent reports have observed a low osteoinductive efficacy property of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and disappointing long-term outcomes in clinical cases. An alternative hypothesis, that these observations are caused by an exaggerated inflammatory environment, needs experimental evidence. METHOD: Thirty-seven Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were administrated with Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injections and BMP-2/absorbable collagen sponge (ACS) implantation to respectively mimic pre-operative and post-operative inflammatory responses. Blood samples and BMP-2/ACS implants were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), micro-computed tomography (µCT) and histological examination. RESULTS: LPS injections and BMP-2/ACS implantation provoked a significant elevation of inflammatory cytokines in serum and an obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells around BMP-2/ACS implants. The bone volume, mineral content and mineral density of the BMP-2/ACS implants from LPS-injected rats were significantly decreased, indicating that attenuated BMP-2-induced bone mass might be associated with down-regulated bone formation activity and up-regulated bone resorption activity. Furthermore, histological examination of the rhBMP-2/ACS implants showed a decreased expression of osteocalcin (OCN) and an increased number of osteoclasts in LPS-injected rats at 8 weeks; the expression level of bone turnover markers in serum and BMP-2/ACS implants revealed inhibited osteoblastogenesis activity and activated osteoclastogenesis activity in LPS-injected rats. Among the top three elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) showed a suppressive effect on BMP-2-induced osteoblastic differentiation in vitro. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that an exaggerated inflammatory environment may decrease BMP-2/ACS-induced bone mass in vivo by suppressing BMP-2-induced osteoblastic differentiation and by increasing the number or activity of osteoclasts. The negative role of exaggerated inflammation deserves consideration for future clinical use of BMP-2 in inducing bone regeneration.

Opposing TNF-α/IL-1ß- and BMP-2-activated MAPK signaling pathways converge on Runx2 to regulate BMP-2-induced osteoblastic differentiation.

In patients who were treated with exogenous BMP-2 to repair bone fractures or defects, the levels of the inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1ß in sera are significantly elevated, which may affect the outcome of bone regeneration. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38, and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2) have a crucial role in osteogenic differentiation and are activated by both BMP-2 and TNF-α/IL-1ß. However, previous studies suggested that the effects of BMP-2 and TNF-α/IL-1ß in osteoblastic differentiation are opposite. Here, we investigated the exact role of MAPKs in a BMP-2 and TNF-α/IL-1ß co-existed condition. Treatment with TNF-α/IL-1ß inhibited BMP-2-induced alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium deposition, osteogenic transcriptional factor Runx2, and the expression of osteogenic markers in C2C12 and MC3T3-E1 cells. This inhibitory effect was independent of the canonical BMP/Smad pathway, suggesting the presence of an alternate regulatory pathway for BMP-2-induced Runx2 activity and subsequent osteoblastic differentiation. We then confirmed that BMP-2, TNF-α, and IL-1ß alone can activate p38, ERK1/2, and JNK1/2, respectively. However, only inhibition of p38 and ERK1/2 signaling were required to modulate BMP-2-induced Runx2 expression. Finally, we determined that TNF-α/IL-1ß decreased BMP-2-induced Runx2 expression through the activation of p38 and ERK1/2 signaling. Furthermore, strong activation of p38 and ERK1/2 signaling by transfection with CA-MKK3 or CA-MEK1 inhibited BMP-2-induced Runx2 expression and osteoblastic differentiation in C2C12 and MC3T3-E1 cells. Based on these results, we conclude that TNF-α/IL-1ß- and BMP-2-activated p38 and ERK1/2 signaling have opposing roles that converge on Runx2 to regulate osteoblastic differentiation. The elucidation of these mechanisms may hasten the development of new strategies and improve the osteoinductive efficacy of BMP-2 in the clinic to enhance osteoblastic differentiation and bone formation.

CpG island shore methylation regulates caveolin-1 expression in breast cancer.

Caveolin-1 (Cav1) is an integral membrane, scaffolding protein found in plasma membrane invaginations (caveolae). Cav1 regulates multiple cancer-associated processes. In breast cancer, a tumor suppressive role for Cav1 has been suggested; however, Cav1 is frequently overexpressed in aggressive breast cancer subtypes, suggesting an oncogenic function in advanced-stage disease. To further delineate Cav1 function in breast cancer progression, we evaluated its expression levels among a panel of cell lines representing a spectrum of breast cancer phenotypes. In basal-like (the most aggressive BC subtype) breast cancer cells, Cav1 was consistently upregulated, and positively correlated with increased cell proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, and migration and invasion. To identify mechanisms of Cav1 gene regulation, we compared DNA methylation levels within promoter 'CpG islands' (CGIs) with 'CGI shores', recently described regions that flank CGIs with less CG-density. Integration of genome-wide DNA methylation profiles ('methylomes') with Cav1 expression in 30 breast cancer cell lines showed that differential methylation of CGI shores, but not CGIs, significantly regulated Cav1 expression. In breast cancer cell lines having low Cav1 expression (despite promoter CGI hypomethylation), we found that treatment with a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor induced Cav1 expression via CGI shore demethylation. In addition, further methylome assessments revealed that breast cancer aggressiveness associated with Cav1 CGI shore methylation levels, with shore hypermethylation in minimally aggressive, luminal breast cancer cells and shore hypomethylation in highly aggressive, basal-like cells. Cav1 CGI shore methylation was also observed in human breast tumors, and overall survival rates of breast cancer patients lacking estrogen receptor α (ERα) negatively correlated with Cav1 expression. Based on this first study of Cav1 (a potential oncogene) CGI shore methylation, we suggest this phenomenon may represent a new prognostic marker for ERα-negative, basal-like breast cancer.

Epigenetic silencing of PTPRR activates MAPK signaling, promotes metastasis and serves as a biomarker of invasive cervical cancer.

Epigenetic modifications are a driving force in carcinogenesis. However, their role in cancer metastasis remains poorly understood. The present study investigated the role of DNA methylation in the cervical cancer metastasis. Here, we report evidence of the overexpression of DNA methyltransferases 3B (DNMT3B) in invasive cervical cancer and of the inhibition of metastasis by DNMT3B interference. Using methyl-DNA immunoprecipitation coupled with microarray analysis, we found that the protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type R (PTPRR) was silenced through DNMT3B-mediated methylation in the cervical cancer. PTPRR inhibited p44/42 MAPK signaling, the expression of the transcription factor AP1, human papillomavirus (HPV) oncogenes E6/E7 and DNMTs. The methylation status of PTPRR increased in cervical scrapings (n=358) in accordance with disease severity, especially in invasive cancer. Methylation of the PTPRR promoter has an important role in the metastasis and may be a biomarker of invasive cervical cancer.

Effect of dietary arginine and N-carbamoylglutamate supplementation on reproduction and gene expression of eNOS, VEGFA and PlGF1 in placenta in late pregnancy of sows.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the potential mechanisms of dietary arginine (Arg) and N-carbamoylglutamate (NCG) supplementation on reproductive performance of sows. Twenty-seven crossbred (Landrace×Large White) sows with similar body weight and parity at day (90±1) of gestation were assigned randomly into 3 groups (n=9) control group, Arg group, NCG group, and fed with the following diets: a control diet, and the control diet supplemented with 1.0% Arg or 0.1% NCG. Litter size was recorded. Blood samples were obtained for biochemical analyses. Placenta chorioallantoic membrane tissue collected immediately after birth to preserve in RNA stabilizer for mRNA analysis of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), endothelial growth factor a (VEGFA) and placenta growth factor 1 (PlGF1) by real time-PCR. The results showed that compared with the control group, the average birth weight of all piglets born alive were 16.2% and 14.3% higher in the Arg and NCG groups (P<0.05), respectively; plasma VEGFA was higher in the Arg group (P<0.05). The expression of VEGFA in the allantochorion tissue of the NCG-supplemented group was higher (P<0.01), and tended to be higher in the Arg-supplemented group (0.05

Fermentation characterization of chinese yam polysaccharide and its effects on the gut microbiota of rats.

Rat was used to characterize Chinese Yam polysaccharides (CYPs). In Exp. 1, maximum volume and rate of gas production in CYP 3-supplemented group were higher than other CYP-supplemented groups and control group, while pH values and NH3 contents in CYP 2-, CYP 3-, and CYP 4-supplemented groups were lower than control group. Contents of acetate, propionate and butyrate increased by supplementing CYP 3 or CYP 4 compared to other groups, except for glucose-supplemented group. Contents of isobutyrate for CYPs groups decreased compared to control group. CYP 3 enhanced beneficial gut microbiota, but suppressed bacterial pathogens. In Exp. 2, contents of acetate and butyrate in cecal digesta of rats fed 0.25 or 0.5 g/kg CYP 3 were higher than other groups on day 7. pH values in 0.25 and 0.5 g/kg groups were lower than 1.0 g/kg group. Contents of acetate in 0.25 and 0.5 g/kg groups were greater than other 2 groups on day 21. Gut microflora in CYP 3-supplemented rats had greater diversity than non-supplemented rats. CYP 3 enriched beneficial gut microbiota, but suppressed bacterial pathogens in rat cecum. These findings suggested that CYP 3 is a good source of carbon and energy, and may improve bacterial community diversity and modulate short-chain fatty acid production in hindgut of rats.

Dietary supplementation with Chinese herbal powder enhances ileal digestibilities and serum concentrations of amino acids in young pigs.

This study was designed to determine the effect of ultra-fine Chinese herbal powder as a dietary additive on serum concentrations and apparent ileal digestibilities (AID) of amino acids (AA) in young pigs. In Experiment 1, 60 Duroc x Landrace x Yorkshire piglets weaned at 21 days of age were randomly assigned to one of three treatments, representing supplementation with 0 or 2 g/kg of the powder, or 0.2 g/kg of colistin (an antibiotic) to corn- and soybean meal-based diets (n = 20 per group). Blood samples from five piglets per group were collected on days 7, 14, and 28 to determine serum AA concentrations. In Experiment 2, 12 barrows with an average initial body weight of 7.64 kg were randomly assigned to one of the three dietary treatments, followed by surgical placement of a simple T-cannula at the terminal ileum. All of the diets contained 0.1% titanium oxide as a digestibility marker. The samples of terminal ileal digesta were collected on day 7 for determining AID of AA. Results show that dietary supplementation with the herbal powder increased (P < 0.05) serum concentrations and AID of most AA by 10-50% and 10-16%, respectively. As an indicator of improved intestinal function, AID values of calcium were also enhanced in piglets supplemented with the herbal powder. Dietary supplementation of colistin increased serum concentrations and AID values of some AA by 8-44% and 10-15%, respectively, in comparison with the non-supplemented group. These novel findings demonstrate that the herbal powder can enhance the digestibility of dietary protein and the intestinal absorption of AA into the systemic circulation in post-weaning pigs, therefore providing a new mechanism for its growth- and immunity-promoting efficacy.

Dietary supplementation with Astragalus polysaccharide enhances ileal digestibilities and serum concentrations of amino acids in early weaned piglets.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on growth performance, apparent ileal digestibilities (AID) of amino acids (AA), and their serum concentrations in early weaned piglets. In Exp. 1, 60 pigs were weaned at 21 days of age (BW 7.35 +/- 0.23 kg) and allocated to three treatments (20 pigs/treatment), representing supplementing 0.0% (control), 0.02% colistin (antibiotic), or 0.1% APS to a corn- and soybean meal-based diet. Average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed/gain ratio (F/G) were measured weekly. Blood samples were obtained from five pigs selected randomly from each treatment for the measurement of serum free AA concentrations on days 7, 14, and 28. In Exp. 2, 12 pigs were weaned at 21 day of age (BW 7.64 +/- 0.71 kg), assigned to three treatment groups as in Exp. 1, and surgically fitted with a simple T-cannula at the terminal ileum. Ileal digesta samples were obtained for the measurement of AID of AA on days 7, 14 and 28. Dietary APS did not affect ADFI, but enhanced (P < 0.05) ADG by 11 and 4.4%, and improved F/G by 5.6 and 8.4%, respectively, compared with the control and antibiotic groups. Addition of APS to the diet increased AID and serum concentrations of most nutritionally essential and non-essential AA (including arginine, proline, glutamate, lysine, methionine, tryptophan, and threonine) on days 14 and 28. Circulating levels of total AA were affected by the age of pigs and treatment x time interaction. Collectively, these findings indicate that APS may ameliorate the digestive and absorptive function and regulate AA metabolism to beneficially increase the entry of dietary AA into the systemic circulation, which provide a mechanism to explain the growth-promoting effect of APS in early weaned piglets.

Dietary starch sources affect net portal appearance of amino acids and glucose in growing pigs.

Four male pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire; average initial (mean ± SEM) BW = 22.5 ± 1.1 kg), fitted with permanent catheters in the portal vein, ileal vein and carotid artery, were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square experimental design to measure the effect of dietary starch sources on the net portal appearance of glucose and amino acids. Dietary starch sources were resistant starch (RS), maize, sticky rice and brown rice. Diets were provided at 0730, 1530 and 2330 h during a 6-day adjustment period and 1-day collection period. On day 7 of each period, blood samples were collected from the portal vein and carotid artery at 0730 h (prior to feeding) and hourly up to 8 h after meal. Blood samples were used to determine glucose, amino acid, packed cell volume and partial pressure of oxygen (pO2). When calculated per 100 g feed intake, cumulative portal glucose appearance was lower (P < 0.05) for resistant starch than for maize, sticky rice or brown rice up to 8 h after the meal. Cumulative portal glucose appearance was higher (P < 0.05) for sticky rice and brown rice than for other diets until 4 h after the meal, but maize had higher cumulative glucose appearance after 4 h. Net cumulative portal concentrations of most amino acids for resistant starch were also reduced (P < 0.05) than for the other starch sources. Cumulative portal appearance of amino acid represented 48.39%, 63.76%, 61.80% and 59.18% of dietary intake for resistant starch, maize, sticky rice and brown rice, respectively. Collectively, our results indicate that dietary starch sources substantially affect the appearance of amino acids and glucose in the portal circulation.

Are humoral factors involved in the colonic mucosal lesion in portal hypertensive rats?

AIMS: With a prehepatic portal hypertensive rat model, we explored the involvement of humoral factors to the occurrence of portal hypertensive colopathy (PHC), another clinical entity besides portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) in portal hypertension, by investigating the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), endothelial constitutive NOS (ecNOS), endothelin-1 (ET-1), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the colonic and gastric mucosa. METHODS: Portal hypertension was produced by a two-stage ligation of portal vein plus ligation of the left adrenal vein in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Two weeks after complete obstruction of the portal vein, the portal pressure was measured and the expression of iNOS, ecNOS, ET-1, TNF-alpha and VEGF in the colonic and gastric mucosa were detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry methods. RESULTS: A 1.8 fold (P < 0.01) elevation of the portal pressure was detected in the portal hypertensive rats as compared to control. Significantly up-regulation of the mRNA levels of iNOS (P < 0.01), ET-1 (P < 0.05) and TNF-alpha (P < 0.01), but not ecNOS and VEGF, were detected in the colonic mucosa of portal hypertensive rats compared with control. The mRNA of iNOS, ecNOS, ET-1, TNF-alpha and VEGF were all significantly increased at varied levels in the gastric mucosa as compared to control (P all < 0.05). No difference of the appearance and localization of immunostaining of iNOS, ecNOS, ET-1, TNF-alpha and VEGF in the colonic and gastric mucosa were seen between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest the involvement of the upregulation of iNOS, ET-1 and TNF-alpha in the colonic mucosal lesion of portal hypertensive rats.

Effects of photoperiod on ovarian morphology and carcass traits at sexual maturity in pullets.

This paper is concerned with the effects of photoperiod on ovarian morphology and carcass traits at sexual maturity in egg-type hens. Two hundred fifty-six commercial egg-type pullets were initially subjected to a photoperiod of 23L:1D, which was reduced to 22L:2D at 1 wk, to 18L:6D at 2 wk, and to 16L:8D at 3 wk. From 4 to 20 wk, the photoperiod was 8L:16D. At 20 wk, 32 pullets were individually caged in individually lit cages, with 8 cages per unit. Two cage units were placed into 4 photoperiods of 17L:7D, 15L:9D, 13L:11D, and 11L:13D, respectively. Each bird was processed when it reached sexual maturity (SM), and carcass and ovarian morphology were assessed. The results showed that photoperiod had an effect on the timing of SM, and the age at first egg was 5.7 d earlier for hens exposed to the 17L:7D photoperiod than the 11L:13D photoperiod. However, photoperiod had no effect on BW at SM. A photoperiod of 11L:13D limited ovarian follicle formation and increased carcass protein and lipid compared with birds on longer photoperiods, whereas the 17L:7D photoperiod restricted ovary and oviduct full development. These results indicated that excessively long and short photoperiods can restrict reproductive development in egg-type hens.