Age-Related Response of Rumen Microbiota to Mineral Salt and Effects of Their Interactions on Enteric Methane Emissions in Cattle.

Mineral salt bricks are often used in cow raising as compensation for mineral losses to improve milk yield, growth, and metabolic activity. Generally, effects of minerals are partially thought to result from improvement of microbial metabolism, but their influence on the rumen microbiota has rarely been documented to date. In this study, we investigated the response of microbiota to mineral salt in heifer and adult cows and evaluated ruminal fermentation and enteric methane emissions of cows fed mineral salts. Twelve lactating Holstein cows and twelve heifers fed a total mixed ration (TMR) diet were randomly allocated into two groups, respectively: a treatment group comprising half of the adults and heifers that were fed mineral salt and a control group containing the other half fed a diet with no mineral salt supplement. Enteric methane emissions were reduced by 9.6% (P < 0.05) in adults ingesting a mineral salt diet, while concentrations of ruminal ammonia, butyrate, and propionate were increased to a significant extent (P < 0.05). Enteric methane emissions were also reduced in heifers ingesting a mineral salt diet, but not to a significant extent (P > 0.05). Moreover, the concentrations of ammonia and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) were not significantly altered in heifers (P > 0.05). Based on these results, we performed high-throughput sequencing to explore the bacterial and archaeal communities of the rumen samples. Succiniclasticum and Prevotella, two propionate-producing bacteria, were predominant in samples of both adults and heifers. At the phylotype level, mineral salt intake led to a significant shift from Succiniclasticum to Prevotella and Prevotellaceae populations in adults. In contrast, reduced abundance of Succiniclasticum and Prevotella phylotypes was observed, with no marked shift in propionate-producing bacteria in heifers. Methanogenic archaea were not significantly abundant between groups, either in adult cows or heifers. The shift of Succiniclasticum to Prevotella and Prevotellaceae in adults suggests a response of microbiota to mineral salt that contributes to higher propionate production, which competes for hydrogen utilized by methanogens. Our data collectively indicate that a mineral salt diet can alter interactions of bacterial taxa that result in enteric methane reduction, and this effect is also influenced in an age-dependent manner.

Significance of TNF-α and IL-6 expression in invasive pituitary adenomas.

The aim of this study was to investigate expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in invasive pituitary adenomas (IPAs). The streptavidin peroxidase immunohistochemical method was employed to detect their expression in 40 cases of IPA and 40 of non-invasive pituitary adenoma (NIPA). TNF-α and IL-6 were found to be upregulated in IPA tissue compared with that of NIPA (P < 0.05). These proteins may therefore play important roles in the occurrence and progression of IPA.

The clinical observation of verapamil in combination with interventional chemotherapy in advanced gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the clinical observations of target arterial infusion of verapamil combined with chemotherapy as therapy for advanced gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From March 2012 to December 2015, a total of 63 patients with advanced gastric cancer were admitted to our department. The target artery in the control group was perfused with chemotherapy drugs only, and the target artery in the therapy group was injected with verapamil combined with chemotherapy drugs. RESULTS: The therapeutic effect of the therapy group was significantly better than that of the control group in the primary foci of gastric cancer. Liver metastatic lesions: 11 patients in the control group had liver metastases and 25 patients in the therapy group had liver metastases. The effective rate (CR+PR) of the therapy group was significantly better than the control group. Clinical benefit evaluation: in the therapy group of 43 cases, 40 cases presented positive clinical benefit and 38 cases positive clinical weight in KFS scoring system; the clinical benefit of the therapy group was significantly better than control group. Survival analysis: the disease progression-free rate and survival rate of the therapy group were 12 months and 24 months, which were higher than those in the control group. The median PFS and median OS were also significantly longer than those in the control group (p<0.01). In the therapy group, adverse effects of chemotherapy in 43 patients were relieved in a short time. CONCLUSIONS: Target arterial infusion of verapamil combined with chemotherapy drugs for advanced gastric cancer can significantly improve the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs and prolong the survival of patients.

[Seasonal variation and related influencing factors for tuberculosis].

Tuberculosis is recognized as a chronic respiratory infectious disease and still one of the important public health issues in the world. Douglas reported an unique seasonal pattern (summer peak) of tuberculosis, when compared with most other respiratory diseases in 1996. Since then, there had been many other researchers notified various patterns of seasonality on TB. This paper reviewed all the studies published in the last five years and analyzed the current findings on seasonal variability and influencing factors, in order to explore the risk factors to provide evidence for prevention and control strategies on tuberculosis.