Impacts of nitrogen fertilization rate on the root yield, starch yield and starch physicochemical properties of the sweet potato cultivar Jishu 25

In recent years, the sweet potato cultivar Jishu 25 has exhibited good characteristics for starch processing in northern China. The storage root dry matter yields of this cultivar can exceed one ton per mu (1/15 of a hectare) at nitrogen (N) rates of 60–90 kg ha^-1 based on soil nutrient content. However, the effect of N fertilizer on the physicochemical properties of starches isolated from this cultivar has not been reported. In order to evaluate these effects, three different N rates, 0 (control, N0), 75 (N1), and 150 kg ha^-1 (N2), were selected for a field experiment in 2017. The results showed that N1 exhibited the highest storage root yield and starch yield. Compared to the control group, N fertilizer significantly increased the total starch content while no significant difference was found in these between the N1 and N2 groups. The amylose (AM) content was highest in the N2 group and lowest in the N0 group. In addition, N fertilizer exhibited no significant effects on the values of [D(v, 0.9)], D [4, 3] and D [3, 2]. Compared to the control group, N1 demonstrated significantly higher setback viscosity (SV), while N2 showed significantly higher peak viscosity (PV), cold paste viscosity (CPV) and SV. However, there were no significant differences in the hot paste viscosity (HPV), peak time and pasting temperature between the N1 and N2 groups. For the thermal properties of starch, there were no significant differences in peak temperature (T_p), conclusion temperature (T_c) or gelatinization enthalpy (ΔH) between the N1 and N2 groups. Overall, for the starch samples of cultivar Jishu 25, N fertilizer exerts significant effects on the starch content, AM content and viscosity properties but little effect on the particle size distribution and ΔH. 75 kg N ha^-1 can easily lead to substantial planting benefits from the high storage root yield, dry matter yield and total starch content of this cultivar.

Low frequency, weak MCP-1 secretion and exhausted immune status of peripheral monocytes were associated with progression of severe enterovirus A71-infected hand, foot and mouth disease

A minority of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) caused by enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) results in severe neural complications. However, whether monocyte-mediated immunity is involved in the disease progression of HFMD remains unknown. One hundred and twenty mild and 103 severe HFMD patients were recruited and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), flow cytometry and Transwell culture were performed in the study. Peripheral monocyte counts were lower in both absolute counts and frequencies in severe cases compared to mild cases. After screening 10 monocyte-related cytokines by ELISA, only monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was found at higher levels in sera of mild cases compared to those with severe symptoms. Monocytes purified from mild cases produced more MCP-1 than the cells from severe patients when stimulated in vitro. We observed that immune exhaustion markers programmed death 1 (PD-1) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) were highly regulated on the surface of monocytes from severe cases compared to mild cases. PD-L1 blockade induced a higher production of MCP-1 in the supernatant of a Transwell system. The production of MCP-1 also increased following PD-L1 blockade of purified monocytes activated by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) combined with R848 or EV-A71 virus. Our results indicate that absolute count, frequency and levels of MCP-1 secretion of peripheral monocytes, together with their immune status, probably contribute to differential disease prognosis in EV-A71-associated HFMD.

EFFECT OF DORSOMEDIAL HYPOTHALAMUS NEUROPEPTIDE Y KNOCKDOWN ON HEPATIC INSULIN SENSITIVITY

Objective

In this study we investigated the effect of dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) neuropeptide Y (NPY) knock-down on hepatic insulin sensitivity in high-fat (HF) diet-fed rats.

Methods

Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to receive bilateral DMH injections of adeno-associated virus AAVshNPY or AAVshCTL and then accessed to regular chow. Five weeks after viral injection, half rats in each group were given access to the HF diet. At 16 weeks, rat livers were collected. Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) mRNA expression was measured by qRT-PCR. Blood glucose levels were measured by the oxidase method, serum insulin, triglyceride, and TC levels were measured by Elisa. Pathological changes in the liver were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. AKT, p-AKT, and GSK-3 levels were measured by western blotting.

Results

Compared with AAVshCTL-injected rats, AAVshNPY-injected rats showed a significant decrease in blood glucose concentrations; serum insulin, triglyceride, and TC; HOMA-IR; and IRS-1 and PI3K mRNA levels (P<0.05). ISI, GSK-3, and p-AKT levels were significantly increased (P<0.05). HE staining showed that AAVshNPY-injected rats fed the HF diet had mild fatty degeneration.

Conclusion

These results suggest that DMH NPY knock-down improves hepatic insulin sensitivity in HF diet-fed rats by activating the hepatic PI3K/AKT insulin signalling pathway.

The changes in carbon, nitrogen components and humic substances during organic-inorganic aerobic co-composting

In this article, the changes in carbon, nitrogen components, and humic substances during organic-inorganic aerobic co-composting, with adding biochar as an additive or not, were studied. Results showed that adding a certain amount of inorganic fertilizers had no adverse effects on the compost fermentation process. Biochar enhanced the temperature, pH, oxygen content in the compost piles and ultimately hastened the fermentation process. Biochar contributed to the decomposition of hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin and promoted compost humification. Adding biochar increased the contents of acid hydrolysis nitrogen, amino acid nitrogen, amino sugar nitrogen, unidentified organic nitrogen and decreased the content of ammonia organic nitrogen thus improved nitrogen transformation and reduced nitrogen loss. The addition of biochar increased the nutrients contents in mature composts. The amendment of 10-15% biochar by weight as an additive would be optimum for the co-composting of organic-inorganic materials. These results contributed to produce value-added composting fertilizers.

Effect of peer support on diabetes distress: a cluster randomized controlled trial

AIM

To investigate whether peer support would reduce diabetes distress and improve glycaemic control when added to usual diabetes education among adults with Type 2 diabetes in China.

METHODS

We conducted a cluster randomized trial involving 400 adults with Type 2 diabetes from eight communities in Nanjing. All participants received usual education for an average of 2 h each month from physicians, certified diabetes educators, dieticians, psychologists and podiatric nurses. Peer support was led by trained peer leaders and included diabetes knowledge- and skills-sharing at least once a month, as well as peer-to-peer communication. The primary outcome was diabetes distress measured using the Diabetes Distress Scale at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included fasting plasma glucose, 2-h postprandial glucose and HbA_1c concentration. Outcome data were collected from all participants at baseline, 6 months and 12 months.

RESULTS

From 2012 to 2013, there were 200 participants in each study arm at baseline. Compared with the usual education arm, the peer support with usual education arm had greater reductions in regimen-related distress (1.4 ± 0.6 vs 1.2 ± 0.4; P=0.004) and total distress (1.3 ± 0.4 vs 1.2 ± 0.3; P=0.038) at 6 months. At 12 months, the scores for emotional burden (1.2 ± 0.3 vs 1.4 ± 0.6; P=0.002), physician-related distress (1.1 ± 0.3 vs 1.3 ± 0.4; P=0.001) and total scores (1.2 ± 0.3 vs 1.3 ± 0.4; P=0.002) were significantly lower in the peer support with usual education arm than in the usual education arm. Fasting plasma glucose levels were lower in the peer support with usual education arm than in the usual education arm at 6 months (7.5 ± 1.95 vs 8.0 ± 2.2; P=0.044) and 12 months (7.0 ± 2.3 vs 7.6 ± 1.5; P=0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Beyond the benefits of usual education, peer support was effective in reducing diabetes distress for Type 2 diabetes mellitus. (Clinical Trials Registry no: NCT02119572).

[Clinical application of Acutegastrointestinal injury grading system assocaited with clinical severity outcome in critically ill patients: a multi-center prospective, observational study]

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of utilizing the current acute gastrointestinal injury(AGI) grading system, and explore the association of severity of AGI grade with clinical outcome in critically ill patients. Methods: The adult patients from 14 general ICUs in Zhejiang Province with an expected admission to ICU for at least 24 h were recruited, and all clinical, laboratory, and survival data were prospectively collected. The AGI grade was daily assessed based on GIsymptoms, feeding details and organ dysfunctionon the first week of admission to ICU.The intra-abdominal pressures(IAP) was measured using AbViser device. Results: Of 550 patients enrolled, mean values for age and APACHE Ⅱ score were (64.9±17.2) years and (19.5±7.4), respectively. 456 patients(82.9%) took mechanical ventilation, and 470 patients were identified for AGI. The distribution of AGI grade on the frist day of ICU admission were 50.6%(Ⅰ grade, n=238), 34.2%(Ⅱ grade, n=161), 12.4%(Ⅲ grade, n=58) and 2.8%(Ⅳ, n=13), respectively, while the distribution of the global AGI grade based on the 7-day AGI assessment of ICU admission were 24.5%(Ⅰ grade, n=115), 49.4%(Ⅱ grade, n=232), 20.6%(Ⅲ grade, n=97) and 5.5%(Ⅳ, n=26), respectively. 28- and 60-day mortality rate was 29.3%(n=161) and 32.5%(n=179), respectively. The patients with AGI had a higher 28-(31.1% vs 18.8%, P=0.025) and 60-day survival rate(34.7% vs 20.0%, P=0.01) than those with non-AGI, and also there were positive correlations between AGI grade and 28- and 60-day mortality(P<0.001). Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that age, the source of medicial admission, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, the use of vasoactive drugs, serum creatinine and lactate, mechanical ventilation, APACHE Ⅱ score, the AGI grade in the first day of ICU admission and feeding intolerance within the first week of ICU stay were significantly(P≤0.02) associated with mortality. In multivariate analysis including all these variables, the source of medical admission(χ(2)=4.34, P=0.04), diabete mellitus(χ(2)=3.96, P=0.05), the use of vasoactive drugs(χ(2)=6.55, P=0.01), serum lactate(χ(2)=4.73, P=0.03), the global AGI grade in the 7-day of ICU admission(χ(2)=7.10, P=0.008), and APACHE Ⅱ score(χ(2)=12.1, P<0.001) remained independent predictors for 60-day mortality.In the further subgroup analysis including 402 patients with 7-day survival, the feeding intolerance within the first week of ICU stay could provide independent and incremental prognostic value of 60-day mortality wtih increased χ(2)value of Cox regression model(χ(2)=52.2 vs 41.9, P=0.007) . Conclusion: The AGI grading system is useful for identifying the severity of gastrointestinal dysfunction, and could be used as a strong predictor of impaired outcome. The results provide evidence to support that feeding intolerance within 7 days of admission to ICU was an independent determinant of mortality.

Components and Indicators of Frailty Measures: A Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Frailty is a debilitating condition in older adults that is associated with increased risks for adverse outcomes. However, the issue of quantifying frailty remains elusive. There is a lack of consistency in the frailty components and the corresponding indicators used to quantify these components.

OBJECTIVE

1) to describe the components of frailty and examine the existing measures of frailty; and 2) to identify current gaps in knowledge of frailty measures.

METHODS

The PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases were searched. Each study was reviewed to determine its fit with inclusion/exclusion criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 49 studies were identified and comprised the sample. Each study described one unique measure of frailty. The frailty components and corresponding indicators within three domains (physical, psychological, and social) were described. The most frequently reported components of frailty were mobility and balance, nutrition, and cognitive function. Fifteen of 49 frailty measures included components across all three domains. Current frailty measures were critiqued and important areas for future study are identified.

CONCLUSIONS

The frailty components and corresponding indicators vary considerably across different frailty measures. Future studies are needed to address inconsistences in frailty measures and models.

Differences between nitrogen-tolerant and nitrogen-susceptible sweetpotato cultivars in photosynthate distribution and transport under different nitrogen conditions

To characterize the differences in photosynthate distribution and transport between nitrogen(N)-tolerant and N-susceptible sweetpotato cultivars under different N conditions, three N levels, including 0 (N0), 120 (N120), and 240 kg ha-1 (N240), were used in field experiments with the Jishu26 (J26) and Xushu32 (X32) cultivars in 2015 and 2016. The results from both years revealed that high N application reduced the tuberous root yield, the tuber/vine rate of carbon-13 (13C), and top-to-base (three equal segments of stem divided from the fifth opened leaf of the shoot tip to the main stem, defined as the top, middle, and base parts, respectively) gradients such as sucrose, ammonia N and potassium along the stem. 'J26' showed a higher yield than 'X32' under N0 but lower yield than 'X32' under N120 and N240. It also exhibited a higher 13C distribution to tuberous roots compared with that of 'X32' under N0, and the opposite trend was observed under N120 and N240. Under N0, 'J26' showed a steep top-to-base amino acid gradient and a significantly lower top-to-base sucrose increase along the stem in the late growth stage. Under N120 and N240, 'X32' exhibited a greater top-to-base decrease in the ammonia N along the stem during the main growth stages, a steep top-to-base sucrose gradient along the stem in the early growth stage, and a lower top-to-base sucrose increase along the stem in the middle and late growth stages. The formation of a reasonable photosynthate distribution structure attributed to high yield was related to a desirable sucrose, ammonia N or K+ gradient downward along the stem. These results might help provide farmers with sweetpotato cultivars using less or no N fertilizer in soils of different fertility and enhance the knowledge of yield-related physiology.

[Application of MOAS for Evaluating of Violence Risk in the Inpatients with Mental Disorders]

OBJECTIVES

To explore the value of Modified Overt Aggression Scale （MOAS） on predicting serious aggressive behavior in the inpatients with mental disorders and to provide theoretical basis for violence risk assessments in the inpatients with mental disorders.

METHODS

Total 918 inpatients in a psychiatric hospital were evaluated by trained medical workers using MOAS in September 2009, and their serious violent behavior were followed up for 2 years. The value of MOAS on predicting violence in the inpatients with mental disorders was analyzed by SPSS 21.0.

RESULTS

（1） Compared to the patients without serious aggressive behaviors, the patients with serious aggressive behavior within 2 years showed significantly higher scores （P＜0.05） on verbal aggression, aggression against property, physical aggression and total weighted score of MOAS; （2） Significant correlation was found between the score of verbal aggression and the serious acts of violence within 2 years （P＜0.05）; （3） Scores of verbal aggression, physical aggression and total weighted score of MOAS had predictive value on serious aggressive behaviors within 2 years.

CONCLUSIONS

MOAS has certain value on predicting the serious aggressive behaviors of patients with mental disorders within 2 years.

Influences of high-voltage electrical burns on the pulmonary microcirculation in rabbits

This study was performed to investigate the effects of high-voltage electrical burns (HEB) on the pulmonary microcirculation in rabbits. Total of 120 rabbits were randomly divided into control and HEB group using a random number table. HEB model was developed with a voltage regulator and experimental transformer. Laser Doppler perfusion imager was utilized to monitor and quantify the blood perfusion in pulmonary microcirculation. The microvascular morphologic changes of the lung were observed using light microscopy and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The lung wet/dry weight ratio and the PaO2 were determined. The values of blood perfusion in rabbit pulmonary microcirculation in the HEB group were decreased at 5 min, but increased at 1 h after burn (P <  0.01) and then decreased gradually. Light microscopy reveals microthrombus formation in pulmonary venules and bleeding in venous capillaries in HEB group. We found the number of microvilli in the capillary endothelial cells decreased, the rough endoplasmic reticulum expanded and severe degranulation occurred, the mitochondrial cristae fused or disappeared, and severe edema surrounded the capillary endothelial cells by TEM. The values of lung wet/dry weight ratio were higher and the PaO2 were lower than that of before burn group (P <  0.01). These results demonstrated that microcirculatory disorders play a major role in the development of progressive lung damage after high-voltage electrical burns.

[Clinical experience of 60 patients underwent three-dimensional video assisted thoracoscopic mitral valvuloplasty]

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the clinical experience of 60 patients underwent three-dimensional video assisted thoracoscopic mitral valvuloplasty.

METHODS

Sixty patients were enrolled retrospectively from March 2014 to January 2016 in Department of Cardiacvascular Surgery, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute. They underwent three-dimensional video assisted thoracoscopic mitral valvuloplasty. There were 37 male and 23 female patients. The range of age was 15 to 78 years (the median age was 47 years). The techniques of mitral valvuloplasty included chordae tendineae transplantation (53 patients), annuloplasty (58 patients), posterior leaflet resection (13 patients), anterior leaflet resection (2 patients), commissure resection (1 patient). Their information from charts were collected. The follow-up time was lasting 3 to 25 months by telephone or outpatient department interview. The data was analyzed via paired t test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

RESULTS

Conversions to mitral valve replacement were performed for two patients. No patients underwent thoracotomy. The operation time was (213±37) minutes, cardiopulmonary bypass time was (129±31) minutes, aortic cross clamping time was (81±21) minutes. Postoperative hospital stay was (7±3) days. During follow-up period, there were no re-operation and no death. Mitral regurgitation level and New York Heart Association class were both improved (Z=-6.286, P=0.000, Z=-6.237, P=0.000), respectively. Besides, there was also no new atrial fibrillation patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Not only does three-dimensional video assisted thoracoscopic mitral valvuloplasty maintain the advantages of 2-Dimensional thoracoscopy, but also have the similar view of median thoracotomy. This technique showed promising clinical value in the future.

Gut microbes in correlation with mood: case study in a closed experimental human life support system

BACKGROUND

Gut microbial community, which may influence our mood, can be shaped by modulating the gut ecosystem through dietary strategies. Understanding the gut-brain correlationship in healthy people is important for maintenance of mental health and prevention of mental illnesses.

METHODS

A case study on the correlation between gut microbial alternation and mood swing of healthy adults was conducted in a closed human life support system during a 105-day experiment. Gut microbial community structures were analyzed using high-throughput sequencing every 2 weeks. A profile of mood states questionnaire was used to record the mood swings. Correlation between gut microbes and mood were identified with partial least squares discrimination analysis.

KEY RESULTS

Microbial community structures in the three healthy adults were strongly correlated with mood states. Bacterial genera Roseburia, Phascolarctobacterium, Lachnospira, and Prevotella had potential positive correlation with positive mood, while genera Faecalibacterium, Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, and Anaerostipes were correlated with negative mood. Among which, Faecalibacterium spp. had the highest abundance, and showed a significant negative correlation with mood.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Our results indicated that the composition of microbial community could play a role in emotional change in mentally physically healthy adults.

Association between a point mutation at the -743-bp region of the transthyretin (TTR) gene and familial vitreous amyloidosis

The aim of this study was to identify changes in the base sequence of the upstream regulatory region of the transthyretin (TTR) gene. Whole-blood DNA was extracted from ten subjects belonging to a family with familial amyloidosis vitreoretinopathy; the upstream regulatory sequence was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, detected by gel electrophoresis, and sequenced. The DNA sequence of the upstream regulatory region of the TTR gene was successfully sequenced, and a point mutation (-743A→T) was identified in six of the ten blood samples: four patients and two family members without disease incidence. Therefore, a point mutation was identified in the upstream regulatory region of the TTR gene in a Han Chinese family with familial vitreous amyloidosis.