Correlation between canine biochemical analytes and TRP36 ELISA seropositivity for Ehrlichia canis in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Synthetic peptides of tandem repeat proteins (TRPs) have been employed in the serologic analysis of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) and used in epidemiological studies in Brazil. Based on molecular studies of TRPs, different genotypes of Ehrlichia canis have been described, but data on their pathogenicity remain unknown. OBJECTIVES: To correlate hepatic, renal, and muscular alterations in relation to different genotypes of E. canis in naturally exposed dogs using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with TRP19 and TRP36 synthetic protein antigens. METHODS: Two hundred serum samples were subjected to ELISA with the antigens of TRP19 and three genotypes (US, Br, and CR) of TRP36 of E. canis circulating in Brazil. Positive sera were evaluated through eight biochemical parameters, and the results were evaluated by principal component analysis and canonical correlation. RESULTS: ELISA revealed that 47 (23.5%) serum samples reacted to the BrTRP36 peptide, 36 (18%) reacted to the TRP19 peptide, and 8 (4%) reacted to the USTRP36 and CRTRP36 peptides separately. The most frequent biochemical alterations observed were for CK (59.4%), ALB (31.8%), GLO (28.9%), TP (28.9%), ALP (26%), urea (24.6%), creatinine (14.4%), and ALT (14.4%). The most prominent diagnostic method in canonical correlation analysis was BrTRP36, followed by TRP19, which correlated with hyperglobulinemia and hypoalbuminemia. CONCLUSIONS: Antibodies that reacted against the Brazilian genotype of E. canis correlated positively with hyperglobulinemia and increases in serum urea and creatinine. According to our results, the Brazilian genotype of E. canis is related to the chronic phase of CME.

Cryopreservation and germinative behavior of Passiflora spp. seeds.

Cryopreservation is an interesting strategy for the long-term conservation of the seeds of the majority of cultivated plants as well as many of the corresponding wild parents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of the seeds of different passion fruit species to cryopreservation, as well as to apply multivariate tools to better understand the germinative behavior after thawing, to support the application and repeatability of these methods with other Passiflora species. Seeds of P. coccinea, P. edulis, P. gibertii, P. maliformis, P. morifolia, P. setacea, P. suberosa and P. tenuifila were submitted to cryopreservation, and after thawing the following variables were analyzed: emergence percentage (%); mean emergence time (days); mean emergence speed (plantlets.day-1); uncertainty (bit); and synchrony (bit). We applied multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) to the data. The seeds of all the species withstood the freezing well, indicating that cryopreservation is a viable alternative for long-term conservation of Passiflora genetic material. The emergence percentage, average emergence speed and average emergence time were the variables that contributed the most to separation of the species in the first canonical discriminant function (Can1). The seeds of the species studied were found to be tolerant to desiccation because they remained viable even with low water content. The results showed that seeds could be cryopreserved successfully both with and without prior desiccation.

Análise fatorial para detecção do talento esportivo em jogadores de futebol / Factor analysis for detection of sports talent in football players

O objetivo deste trabalho é verificar a aplicabilidade da Análise Fatorial - AF através do cruzamento das variáveis obtidas com os testes propostos por um protocolo de detecção de talento esportivo no futebol, antropometria, flexibilidade e força. Participaram da amostra 38 atletas da categoria sub-19 do Cuiabá Esporte Clube. A avaliação consistiu na aplicação do protocolo de testes iSports para detecção do talento esportivo, testes antropométricos (massa corporal, estatura, Índice de Massa Corporal - IMC, Relação Cintura e Quadril - RCQ), teste de flexibilidade (Sentar e Alcançar), teste de força manual (Hand Grip) e teste de impulsão vertical. Através da AF, 14 variáveis foram reorganizadas em 4 novos fatores levando em consideração suas comunalidades e variâncias. Este tipo de análise estatística multivariada se mostrou eficiente para o reagrupamento de dados e para a possibilidade de ser aplicada como uma ferramenta que contemplar a multidimensionalidade do talento esportivo.

Verify the applicability of Factor Analysis - FA by crossing the variables obtained with the tests proposed by a protocol for detecting talent, anthropometry, flexibility and strength. The sample included 38 under-19 athletes from Cuiabá Esporte Clube. The evaluation consisted of the application of the iSports test protocol to detect sports talent, anthropometric tests (weight, height, BMI, WHR), flexibility test (sit and reach), manual strength test (Hand Grip) and vertical impulsion test. Through PA, 14 variables were reorganized into 4 new factors taking into account their commonalities and variances. Each new factor presents correlations between 2 or more variables that were discussed later. This type of multivariate statistical analysis proved to be efficient for grouping of data and for the possibility of being applied as a tool that helps and seeks to contemplate the multidimensionality of the identification of sporting talents.

Canonical correlative analyses among an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using synthetic peptides, an indirect fluorescent antibody test, and hematologic measurements in dogs infected with Ehrlichia canis.

BACKGROUND: Immunoreactive tandem repeat proteins (TRPs) in amino acid sequences were identified and employed in the serologic diagnosis of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME). OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated using TRP19 and TRP36 synthetic protein antigens with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and compared the results with an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) to diagnose CME in the serum of dogs with suspected CME. METHODS: The sera of 243 dogs that exhibited clinical and hematologic signs suggestive of CME had IFATs performed. An ELISA with synthetic TRP19 and TRP36 antigens from two E canis genotypes (USTRP36 and BrTRP36) that circulate in Brazil were also performed. Canonical correlations and chi-square tests were evaluated on the results of these tests. RESULTS: Among the 243 dogs, 179 (73.6%) were reactive at an IFAT ≥ 40, 167 (68.72%) reacted at the cut-off ≥160, and 149 (61.31%) reacted at ≥640. The ELISA revealed that 172 (70.8%) dogs reacted to TRP19 peptide, 163 (67.1%) reacted to USTRP36, and 114 (46.9%) reacted to BrTRP36. The canonical correlation analyses showed that the TRP19 ELISA was the most effective diagnostic method. Serum total protein levels showed strong positive correlations with the USTRP36 peptide. Qualitative analyses revealed an association between the TRP19 peptide and the presence of anemia, thrombocytopenia, and hyperproteinemia. The IFAT results at titers of ≥160 and ≥640 were associated with thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicated that the TRP19 peptide was an excellent antigen and that the IFAT was diagnostically important in confirming the diagnosis of CME in serum samples.

Multivariate analysis of body morphometric traits in conjunction with performance of reproduction and milk traits in crossbred progeny of Murrah × Jafarabadi buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in North-Eastern Brazil.

We studied the relationship between body morphometric traits, and their underlying association with milk production (MP), lactation length (LL), first calving interval (FCI) and subsequent calving interval (CI) of crossbred progeny of Murrah × Jafarabadi buffalo aiming to assist in selection programs. We carried out principal component analysis (PCA) of the body morphometric traits, which include breast width (BW), thigh width (THW), hip width (HW), rump width (RW), rump length (RL), body depth (BD), body length (BL), height withers (HEW), rear height (RH), shoulder width (SW), thorax width (TW), loin width (LW), distance from the head to ischium (DHI), and thoracic perimeter (TP). We determined the association of morphometric traits with milk/reproduction traits using canonical correlation analysis (CCA). The analysis revealed that the first six PCA accounted for 82.14% of the total observed variation, and the traits THW, HW, TW, LW, RW, HEW, TP, RH, and BW, accounted for almost half (48.00%) of the total variance indicating a higher contribution in body structural conformation. The first canonical function was significant (p<0.05), accounted for 72.46% of the total variance, and the canonical correlation was 0.56, indicating the dependence between both groups of traits. Higher canonical loadings were obtained for LL (0.49), FCI (0.46), BW (-0.71), BL (-0.56), DHI (-0.34), HEW, (-0.38) and TP (-0.50). These traits were most important for the derivation of canonical statistical variables, and presented a higher canonical correlations (r) between the dependent (LL/FCI) and independent (BW, BL, DHI, HEW and TP) groups. The results could suggest that the body morphometric traits THW, HW, TW, LW, RW, HEW, BD, TP, RH, and BW could play important role in body structural composition, indicating a suitable functional type, and aid designing of selection programs for buffalo breeding.

One-stage surgical treatment of 86 cases of aortic coarctation combined with intracardiac malformation / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective@#To summarize the clinical characteristics of coarctation of the aorta(CoA) associated with intracardiac anomalies in infants.@*Methods@#The data from August 2009 to August 2017 of 86 infants who were diagnosed with CoA associated with intracardiac anomalies. Preoperative diagnosis, surgical findings and post-operation follow-up were analyzed retrospectively. There were 56 boys an 30 girls, aqed(95.1±78.0) days, weight(4.6±1.2) kg. Anatomical types included 37 cases of pre-ductal CoA, 44 cases of peri-ducutal CoA, and 5 cases of post-ductal CoA. And this group also included 73 infants complicating VSD, 59 infants complicating ASD, 2 infants complicating DORV, and 1 infant complicating TAPVC.@*Results@#All of the included patients underwent single-stage repair of CoA associated with intracardiac anomalies. Mean operative time was(279.0±56.4) min, mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was(162.3±51.0) min, and mean aorta cross-clamp time was(74.7±25.2) min. Mean length of ICU stay and ventilation time were(7.4±4.7) days and(101.1±75.4) hours, respectively. The residual transcoarctation gradient before discharge was lower than pre-operative transcoarctation gradient significantly [(42.3±17.7) mmHg vs.(22.1±9.4)mmHg, P<0.001], and 7 early deaths were observed after surgery. The mean follow-up time of 79 hospital survivors was(31.0±27.4) months, and no late death was found. Transcoarctation gradient of hospital survivors in the last time follow-up was(21.2±11.0)mmHg. Transcoarctation gradient of 29 cases was higher than 20 mmHg, however, only 4 cases with significant clinical symptom of lower limbs retardation were recommended for ballon angioplasty consultant. The cumulative recoarctation-free survival in 2-year follow-up was 69.2%.@*Conclusion@#To avoid early second-stage operations, single-stage repair of CoA associated with intracardiac anomalies was effective and safe, and the outcomes of early to mid term follow-up were satisfactory.

Investigation of prevalence and risk predictors of depressive tendency in type 2 diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy / 中国基层医药

Objective To investigate the prevalence and risk predictors of depressive tendency in type 2 diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy.Methods From May 2017 to December 2017,150 diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy and 150 diabetic patients without peripheral neuropathy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University were collected.The general clinical data,including age,sex,diabetic duration,height,weight,body mass index (BMI),fasting blood glucose (FBG),fasting insulin (FINS),homeostasis modal assessment-insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR),glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c),blood lipid and blood pressure were collected.The motor nerve and sensory nerve conduction velocity of lower limbs were measured by electromyograph.Zung depression self-rating scale(SDS) was used for self-rating of depression syndrome.Results There were 46 cases(30.67％) suffered from depression(SDS ＞50) in the neuropathic group,and 25 cases(16.67％) suffered from depression in the non-neuropathic group.The incidence rate of depression in the neuropathic group was significantly higher than that in the non-neuropathic group and tended to be severe (x2 =12.732,P =0.005).Non-conditional Logistic multivariate stepwise regression analysis showed that sex,the course of diabetes and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were associated with depressive tendency (x2 =3.994,P =0.049;x2 =5.334,P =0.032;x2 =6.172,P =0.020).Conclusion The prevalence of depression in diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy is higher and tends to be severe.Sex,the course of diabetes and LDL are risk factors of depressive tendency.

One-stage surgical treatment of 86 cases of aortic coarctation combined with intracardiac malformation / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective To summarize the clinical characteristics of coarctation of the aorta( CoA) associated with intrac-ardiac anomalies in infants. Methods The data from August 2009 to August 2017 of 86 infants who were diagnosed with CoA associated with intracardiac anomalies. Preoperative diagnosis, surgical findings and post-operation follow-up were analyzed ret-rospectively. There were 56 boys an 30 girls, aqed(95. 1 ± 78. 0) days, weight(4. 6 ± 1. 2) kg. Anatomical types included 37 cases of pre-ductal CoA, 44 cases of peri-ducutal CoA, and 5 cases of post-ductal CoA. And this group also included 73 in-fants complicating VSD, 59 infants complicating ASD, 2 infants complicating DORV, and 1 infant complicating TAPVC. Re-sults All of the included patients underwent single-stage repair of CoA associated with intracardiac anomalies. Mean operative time was(279. 0 ± 56. 4) min, mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was(162. 3 ± 51. 0) min, and mean aorta cross-clamp time was(74.7 ±25.2) min. Mean length of ICU stay and ventilation time were(7.4 ±4.7) days and(101.1 ±75.4)hours, re-spectively. The residual transcoarctation gradient before discharge was lower than pre-operative transcoarctation gradient signifi-cantly[(42.3±17.7)mmHgvs.(22.1±9.4)mmHg,P<0.001],and7earlydeathswereobservedaftersurgery. The mean follow-up time of 79 hospital survivors was(31. 0 ± 27. 4) months, and no late death was found. Transcoarctation gradient of hospital survivors in the last time follow-up was(21.2 ±11.0)mmHg. Transcoarctation gradient of 29 cases was higher than 20 mmHg, however, only 4 cases with significant clinical symptom of lower limbs retardation were recommended for ballon an-gioplasty consultant. The cumulative recoarctation-free survival in 2-year follow-up was 69. 2％. Conclusion To avoid early second-stage operations, single-stage repair of CoA associated with intracardiac anomalies was effective and safe, and the out-comes of early to mid term follow-up were satisfactory.

Multivariate analysis of milk yield, lactation length, and calving interval in female buffaloes / Análisis multivariado de la producción de leche, duración de la lactancia y el intervalo entre partos en búfalas / Análise multivariada da produção de leite, duração da lactação e intervalo de parto em búfalas

Abstract Background: The global market has an increasing demand for buffalo by-products due to their unique nutritional characteristics. Many buffalo herds lack suitable breeding control programs, hindering the implementation of selection programs. Objective: To evaluate milk production per lactation (MP), lactation length (LL), and calving interval (CI) of a herd of crossbred Murrah buffaloes to support buffalo clustering according to their potential. Methods: Data from 543 lactations between 2002 and 2014 from 105 crossbred Murrah female buffaloes were used. Data were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis. Results: The first components (PCs) were responsible for 92.32% of the total variation, of which 61.45 and 30.87% were explained by the first (PC1) and second (PC2) components, respectively. The cluster analysis allowed three female buffalo groups according to their potentials. Conclusion: Buffalo farmers can make decisions on nutritional, reproductive management and cow culling based on grouping.

Resumen Antecedentes: La demanda de productos de leche de búfala en el mercado mundial viene creciendo en virtud de sus características nutricionales únicas. La mayoría de los hatos bufalinos no tienen adecuados controles, lo que dificulta la implementación de programas de selección. Objetivo: Analizar la producción de leche por lactancia (MP), duración de la lactancia (LL) y el intervalo entre partos (CI) para apoyar la clasificación de búfalos según su potencial. Métodos: Se recogieron 543 registros de lactancia de 105 búfalas Murrah mestizas entre los años 2002 y 2014. Los datos fueron sometidos a análisis de componentes principales (PCA) y análisis de conglomerados. Resultados: Los primeros componentes (PCs) fueron responsables del 92.32% de la variación total, de los cuales 61.45 y 30.87% fueron explicados por el primer (PC1) y segundo (PC2) componentes, respectivamente. El análisis de conglomerados permitió la formación de tres grupos de búfalas, según su potencial. Conclusión: Los productores pueden tomar decisiones específicas con respecto a la gestión nutricional, reproductiva, y el descarte de hembras bufalinas basados en estas agrupaciones.

Resumo Antecedentes: A demanda por produtos de origem do leite de búfalas no mercado mundial tem crescido em virtude de suas características nutricionais singulares. Grande parte dos rebanhos de búfalos não possuem controle zootécnicos adequados, dificultando a implementação de programas de seleção. Objetivo: Analisar conjuntamente as características produção de leite por lactação (MP), duração da lactação (LL) e intervalo de partos (CI) para subsidiar a classificação das búfalas de acordo com seu potencial. Métodos: Para esse estudo, 543 dados de lactação de 105 búfalas mestiças Murrah foram coletadas entre 2002 e 2014. Os dados foram analisados por análises de componentes principais (PCA) e análises de cluster. Resultados: Os primeiros componentes (PCs) foram responsáveis por 92.32% da variação total, dos quais 61.45 e 30.87% foram explicados pelo primeiro (PC1) e segundo (PC2) componentes, respectivamente. A análise de cluster permitiu a formação de três grupos de búfalas de acordo com o potencial das características estudadas. Conclusão: Baseado nesses agrupamentos, os produtores podem tomar decisões específicas quanto aos manejos nutricional e reprodutivo, e sobre o descarte de búfalas, de acordo com os agrupamentos.

Analysis of pediatric hemoptysis recurrence related to vascular malformations after transcatheter occlusion / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective To investigate pediatric hemoptysis recurrence related to vascular malforma-tions after transcatheter occlusion and offer suitable preventive actions for reducing the rate of hemoptysis recurrence.Methods The clinical data of 27 children,collected form Department of Cardiology,Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between June 2012 and April 2017,with hemoptysis related to vascular malformations were retrospectively analyzed.The clinical manifestation,image feature and occlusion program of children with hemoptysis recurrence were re-analyzed and evaluated. Results All 27 children with hemoptysis received transcatheter occlusion, whose vascular malformations included bronchial-pulmonary artery fistula (24 cases,88.9%) and pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas (3 cases,11.1%) by angiography. Six cases,approximately 26.1%,suffered from recurrent hemoptysis after therapy,and the interval time of hemoptysis recurrence was roughly (5.6 ± 2.3)months.It indicated mycoplasma pneumonia infection in all children with hemoptysis recurrence, and re-angiography showed that more abnormal vessels were found, other minor vessels except for vessels occluded grew thick and large,vessels except for vessels occluded were recanalization in children with recurrent hemoptysis.Conclusion Recurrence is the common complication of hemoptysis related to vascular malformations in children,and bronchial-pulmonary artery fistula is the most common type with hemoptysis recurrence. The main causes of hemoptysis recurrence include mycoplasma pneumonia infection,vessels without occlusion enlargement and recanalization.

Standardized diagnosis and treatment on hemoptysis correlated with vessels in children / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Hemoptysis in childhood is a common clinical manifestation whose severity depends on the rate at which hemoptysis occurs and the degree of bleeding.Hemoptysis occurs for a variety of reasons,among which hemopty-sis correlated with vessels is one of the factors.Although the incidence rate is not common,it is mostly the first cause of hemoptysis.Hemoptysis correlated with vessels exit a relatively backward diagnosis in clinical which due to the gradual process of the diagnosis,and its treatment and prognosis of the disease depends on the type,number,morphology of ab-normal vessels and degree of bleeding.It is important to earlier recognize hemoptysis correlated with vessels,develop a standardized diagnostic procedure,setup appropriate treatment plans and timing for medical staff so as to improve the diagnosis and treatment of the disease and reduce the incidence of complications and hemoptysis recurrence rate.

Oxidative stress and coronary artery lesions in Kawasaki disease / 国际儿科学杂志

Kawasaki disease(KD) is an acute systemic vasculitis that most commonly involves coronary artery.It is one of the leading causes of acquired heart diseases,but with an unclear mechanism.At present,in the pathological progress of cardiovascular diseases,oxidative stress (OS) has been demonstrated to play an important role.It damages the function of intravascular endothelial cells and weakens the structure of subendothelial layer and tunica media,reducing vascular elasticity and leading to long-term cardiovascular events.In KD patients,it has been believed that OS is likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of coronary artery lesion.Hence,based on the latest studies about KD,this paper reviewed the role of OS in pathophysiological mechanisms of vascular endothelial dysfunction,the possibility of antioxidant pharmacotherapy as a prevention from coronary artery lesion.

Utilização da análise multivariada para dados de hepatites virais b e c: parte 1 / Use of multivariate analysis for data of viral hepatitis b and c: part 1

Objetivo: analisar banco de dados de hepatites B e C, por meio da análise de componentes principais. Método: estudo descritivo e retrospectivo, de abordagem quantitativa. Os dados foram coletados no banco dedados do SINAN. Resultados: no banco de dados de hepatite B, o componente principal 1 (CP 1) explicou maior variabilidade dos dados (26,00%) entre todos os CPs. Existe um contraste entre as variáveis “idade”(coeficiente - 0,76738590) e “escolaridade do paciente” (coeficiente + 0,77306034). Para o banco de dados do VHC, o CP 1 (24,64%) obteve os maiores coeficientes. Existe um contraste entre as variáveis “escolaridade”(coeficiente – 0,68840788) e “bairro do paciente” (coeficiente + 0,64556072). Conclusão: este estudo conclui que os bancos de dados avaliados para as hepatites B e C mostraram maior frequência na população adulta, com relativa baixa e média escolaridade e predomínio do gênero feminino para a hepatite C.

Meta-analysis of insulin aspart versus regular human insulin in diabetes treatment in China / 中国糖尿病杂志

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of insulin aspart (IAsp) versus regular human insulin (RHI) used in basal bolus (BB) or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) regimen in patients with diabetes mellitus in Chinese population.Methods We searched MEDLINE (via OVID),the Cochrane Library,Embase,PubMed,CBM,China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI),and Wanfang databases from the beginning of the databases to November,2015.The randomized controlled trials comparing IAsp and RHI in DM were searched.The meta-analysis in newly diagnosed DM and treated DM was performed by RevMan 5.3.Results A total of 40 trials were included in this study,with 1087 newly diagnosed and 2395 treated DM patients.In both groups,IAsp was better in lowering 2 hours postprandial plasma glucose (2 hPG) after breakfast,lunch and dinner (For newly diagnosed population MD=-1.22,-1.70,-1.44;95%CI:-1.79~-0.64,-2.77~-0.63,-2.12~-0.75;for treated population MD=-1.19,-1.14,-1.03;95%CI:-1.39~-0.98,-1.27~-1.02,-1.25~-0.81) and fasting plasma glucose (For newly diagnosed population MD=-0.55,95%CI:-0.97~-0.12;for treated population MD=-0.24,95%CI:-0.44~-0.03) when compared with RHI.IAsp could shorten the time to achieve blood glucose target(For newly diagnosed population MD=-1.58,95%CI:-1.74~-1.42;for treated population MD=-1.73,95%CI:-2.10~-1.36) and reduce the risk of hypoglycaemia compared with RHI (For newly diagnosed population RR=0.33,95%CI:0.19~0.56;for treated population RR=0.44,95%CI:0.32~0.61) (P<0.05).Moreover,the total daily insulin dose was lower in IAsp therapy than in RHI therapy when using CSII regimen.Conclusion In Chinese DM patients,IAsp shows advantages in controlling 2 hPG,shortening the time to achieve blood glucose target and lowering the risk of hypoglycaemia when compared with RHI.

Metformin in treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with chronic kidney disease:research advances / 国际药学研究杂志

Metformin is the preferred first-line drug by current global recommendation for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mel?litus. Drug safety of patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD)has always been the focus of concern,so treatment of CKD by metfor?min has always been controversial. Recent studies at home and abroad have found that metformin′s treatment of CKD is safe ,and the additional benefits far exceed the potential risks. The latest domestic and international guidelines also agree that CKD is not an abso?lute contraindication to metformin,and suggest relaxing the restriction of metformin for the treatment of mild and moderate renal insuf?ficiency,but the use of metformin for medium and severe renal insufficiency remains controversial. The latest research data and guide?lines about the safety of metformin′s treatment of CKD are reviewed in this article to provide a reference for clinical rational use of met?formin.

Multivariate analysis to evaluate genetic groups and production traits of crossbred Holstein × Zebu cows.

The objective of this research was to try to unveil the relationship between production traits and genotypic proportions of crossbred dairy cattle using principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis. The herd consists of crossbred animals of Holstein (H) and Zebu (Z) (Gir and Guzerat) in different genotypic proportions; the composition of which varies from 12.5 to 100.0 % of the genetic group H. For this study, 834 milk production records from 257 cows from the years 1997 to 2014 were analyzed. The animals were all managed at a farm located in northeastern Brazil. The variables in the PCA were total milk yield per lactation (MY), milk yield adjusted to 305 days (MY305), lactation length (LL), and proportion of H and Z breeding. This analysis reduced the size of the sample space from the original five variables to two principal components (PCs) that together explained 89.4 % of the total variation. MY, MY305, LL, and genotypic proportion of H all contributed positively to PC1. The genotypic proportion of Z contributed negatively, which established a contrast between H and Z. Further cluster analysis identified two distinct groups when considering production performance and genotype of the animals. The high-performance group was predominantly Holstein breeding, while the lower performing group consisted mostly of Zebu. Under the environmental and management conditions in which this research was conducted, the best performances for the traits considered were achieved from cows whose genotypic proportion was between 38.0 and 94.0 % Holstein breeding.

Glucose-lowering rate influences cardiomyocyte apoptosis via ERK1/2 pathway / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective To explore the effects of extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signal pathway on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression at different glucose-lowing rates,and the influence of glucose-lowing rate on cardiomyocyte injury and inflammatory secretion function,as well as its mechanism.Methods Cardiomyocytes of Wistar neonate rat were maintained in medium supplemented with 25 mmol/L glucose for 72 h.Then the medium was changed to different concentrations of glucose and all cells were divided into five groups.Group A was control group whose medium supplemented with 25 mmol/L glucose.Medium of group B,C,D,E was supplemented with 20,15,10,5 mmol/L glucose (glucose-lowing rate was 5,10,15,20 mmol/L) respectively.Survival rate of cardiomyocyte was measured by CCK8 kit.Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry instrument and laser confocal microscope after Annexin V-PI.TNF-α was measured by ELISA.ERK1/2 protein and phosphorylation were measured by Western blot.Cardiomyocyte apoptosis and TNF-α levels were measured again after U0126 was added.Results At the same time point,along with the glucose-lowing rate increased,survival rate of cardiomyocyte in group A was increased and those in group C,D,E were decreased (P＜ 0.05).TNF-α concentration was increased in group B,C,D and decreased in group E.After 24 h,apoptosis rate decreased in group B and increased in group C,D,E (P＜0.05).ERK1/2 phosphorylation level increased in group B,D,and E(P＜0.05).The ERK1/2 phosphorylation level in group B was the lowest.After U0126 was added,survival rates of cardiomyocyte in all groups were increased (P＜0.01) while TNF-α concentrations were decreased (P＜0.05).In every group,survival rate of eardiomyocyte after 48 h was lower than that after 3 h and 24 h,while TNF-α concentration was higher (P＜0.05).Conclusion Influence of glucose-lowering rate for cardiomyocyte apoptosis and TNF-o is caused by ERK1/2 pathway.In the glucose-lowering course,ERK1/2 pathway promotes cardiomyocytes apoptosis and TNF-α secretion is related with not only osmotic pressure,but also ERK1/2 signal pathway activation as well.

Effect of oxidative stress on the apoptosis of bovine retinal capillary pericytes cultured under high glucose media / 中国综合临床

Objective To study the effects of oxidative stress on apoptosis of bovine retinal capillary pericytes(BRPs) under high glucose condition.Methods BRPs were cultmred for 6 days respectively in control group(5.5 mmol/L)and in high glucose conditions (15,25,35 mmol/L).The sub-cellular structure was observed under electron microscope.Contents of malondialdehyde ( MDA ) and superoxide dismutase ( SOD ) activities were detected respectively.Results The BRPs showed typical apoptotic morphograpy in the high glucose conditions with the apoptosis rates of(28.35 ±0.84)％,(40.43 ±0.93)％ and(50.16 ±0.60)％ in 15 mmol/L,25 mmol/L and 35 mmol/L glucose condition,much higher than that of control group (4.41 ± 0.66) ％ ( F =21.97,P ＜ 0.01 ).The MDA content/SOD activity of BRPs in high glucose groups were higher than those in the control group(P ＜ 0.01 ).The MDA content/ SOD activity was positively correlated with the apoptosis ratc of BRPs( r =0.893,P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusion Oxidative stress may participated in the apoptosis of bovine retinal capillary pericytes under high glucose condition.

Clinical retrospective analysis of the relationship between serum calcium levels and apathetic hyperthyroidism / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

The difference in serum calcium levels between patients with typical hyperthyroidism and apathetic hyperthyroidism was analyzed. Serum calcium levels in patients with apathetic hyperthyroidism were higher than those in patients with typical hyperthyroidism, while bone-specific alkaline phosphatase levels were lower. The atypical manifestation of apathetic hyperthyroidism may be due to the significant elevation of serum calcium level.

The role of mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in the apoptosis of cultured bovine retinal capillary pericytes induced by constant and intermittent high glucose / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective To study the effects of constant and intermittent high glucose on the apoptosis of cultured bovine retinal capillary pericytes (BRPs), and to investigate the role of mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in the apoptosis of BRPs. Methods After being cultured under glucose with different concentrations tot 6 days, the change of uhrastructure of BRPs was observed under electronmieroscope, the apoptosis of pericytes was detected by TUNEL method, the mitochondrial inner transmembrane potential (△Ψm) was detected by laser scanning confocal microscopy, the change of cytochrome c (cyt-c) was assayed by spectrophotometer and the expression of apoptotic genes was detected by immunohistochemical method and RT-PCR. Results (1) BRPs showed typical changes of apoptosis in constant and intermittent high glucose concentrations. The apoptosis induced by constant high glucose concentration was more obvious than that by intermittent high glucose. (2) Constant and intermittent high glucose concentrations obviously decreased △Ψm compared with control group. The △Ψm of BRPs was correlated negatively with the apoptotie rate of BRPs (r = - 0.89, P < 0.01) ; (3) Constant and intermittent high glucose concentrations increased the release of cyt-c from mitochondria to cytoplasm, and the concentration of cyt-c in the cytoplasm was correlated positively with the apoptotic rate of BRPs (P < 0.01) ; (4) Constant and intermittent high glucose concentrations increased the expression of proapoptotie gene Bax and decreased the expression of prosurvival gene Bcl-2, resulting in increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was negative correlatied with the △Ψm of BRPs, and positively eorrclaticd with the concentration of cyt-c in cytoplasm and apoptotic rate (both P < 0.01).Conclusion Constant and intermittent high glucose concentrations could decrease △Ψm, increase the release of cyt-c and induce the apoptosis of BRPs, the effects being stronger with constant high glucose concentration. The mitochondrial apoptotic pathway plays an important role in the apoptosis of BRPs, in which Bax and Bcl-2 are involved.