LKB1-MARK2 signalling mediates lipopolysaccharide-induced production of cytokines in mouse macrophages

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an endotoxin involved in a number of acute and chronic inflammatory syndromes. Although LPS-induced signalling has been extensively studied, there are still mysteries remaining to be revealed. In the current study, we used high-throughput phosphoproteomics to profile LPS-initiated signalling and aimed to find novel mediators. A total of 448 phosphoproteins with 765 phosphorylation sites were identified, and we further validated that the phosphorylation of MARK2 on T208 was important for the regulation on LPS-induced CXCL15 (human IL-8 homolog), IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α release, in which LKB1 had a significant contribution. In summary, induction of cytokines by LPS in mouse macrophage is regulated by LKB1-MARK2 signals. Our study provides new clues for further exploring the underlying mechanisms of LPS-induced diseases, and new therapeutic approaches concerning bacterial infection may be derived from these findings.

Molecular and structural imaging in surgically induced murine osteoarthritis

Preclinical imaging in osteoarthritis is a rapidly growing area with three principal objectives: to provide rapid, sensitive tools to monitor the course of experimental OA longitudinally; to describe the temporal relationship between tissue-specific pathologies over the course of disease; and to use molecular probes to measure disease activity in vivo. Research in this area can be broadly divided into those techniques that monitor structural changes in tissues (microCT, microMRI, ultrasound) and those that detect molecular disease activity (positron emission tomography (PET), optical and optoacoustic imaging). The former techniques have largely evolved from experience in human joint imaging and have been refined for small animal use. Some of the latter tools, such as optical imaging, have been developed in preclinical models and may have translational benefit in the future for patient stratification and for monitoring disease progression and response to treatment. In this narrative review we describe these methodologies and discuss the benefits to animal research, understanding OA pathogenesis, and in the development of human biomarkers.

Separation and characterization of unknown impurities in rutin tablets using trap-free two-dimensional liquid chromatography coupled with ion trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

A new high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed for the determination of impurities in rutin tablets to improve on the method of the official monograph in national drug standards. Five impurities in rutin tablets were characterized using trap-free two-dimensional liquid chromatography coupled with ion trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (2D-LC/IT-TOFMS) in both positive and negative ion modes of electrospray ionization.

METHODS

In the first dimension, the LC column was a Thermo Acclaim 120™ C18 (4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5 μm), and the mobile phase was composed of 0.1 M sodium dihydrogen phosphate aqueous solution (pH adjusted to 4.4 with phosphoric acid) and acetonitrile (80:20, v/v). In the second dimension, the column was a Shimadzu Shim-pack GISS C18 (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.9 μm), and the mobile phase was composed of 10 mM ammonium formate solution and methanol.

RESULTS

The structures of five impurities in rutin tablets were deduced based on the MS ⁿ data in both positive and negative ion modes, in which two impurities were unknown. Impurity 1, impurity 2 and impurity 3 were proposed as flavonol 3,7-di-O-glycoside, flavonol mono-O-triglycoside and quercetin 3-O-glycoside, respectively, and impurity 4 and impurity 5 were proposed as kaempferol 3-O-rhamnosylglucoside and isorhamnetin 3-O-rhamnosylglucoside, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The method established in this study was simple and reliable for the routine quality control of rutin tablets. The contradiction between non-volatile salt mobile phase and mass spectrometry was solved by means of a multiple heart-cutting 2D-LC approach and on-line desalination technology. Five impurities were separated and characterized. These results provide a scientific basis for further improving the national drug standard of rutin tablets.

[Analysis of broadband sinusoidal harmonic acceleration test results for normal young people]

Objective: We tested more frequency (0.01-3.0 Hz) of the sinusoidal harmonic acceleration test(SHAT) by the NKI rotation chair, aimed to analyze the results of the normal youth. Methods: Fifty normal young people were tested with sinusoidal harmonic acceleration by NKI rotation chair. Including 24 men and 26 women, aged from 20 to 40 years old, with median age of 27 years, with no vestibular dysfunction participated in the present study. All the volunteers accepted the sinusoidal harmonic acceleration test by the NKI rotation chair, the frequency included 0.01 Hz, 0.02 Hz, 0.03 Hz, 0.05 Hz, 0.1 Hz, 0.2 Hz, 0.3 Hz, 0.6 Hz, 1.0 Hz, 1.5 Hz, 2.0 Hz, 3.0 Hz. Taken the gain, phase, and asymmetry as the parameters, the trait of each frequency was analysed. Results: From 0.01 Hz to 1.5 Hz, the gain increased close to 1 gradually, and with fluctuates slightly at the 2.0 Hz and 3.0 Hz frequencies. The phase decreased as frequencies increased close to 0 at 0.3 Hz. The frequency above 0.6 Hz presented negative. Asymmetric values were distributed on both positive and negative sides at each frequency and were different from each other, both values were less than 20%. Conclusion: Broadband SHAT can accurately assess the horizontal semicircular canal function at different frequencies in a wider frequency range, and objectively, reflect the physiological function of the horizontal semicircular canal, and expand the clinical value of traditional SHAT.

ULK1 polymorphisms confer susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis in a Chinese population

OBJECTIVE

The autophagy pathway is a critical process in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, and can be regulated by uncoordinated 51-like kinase 1 (ULK1). We investigated the associations between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ULK1 and risk of tuberculosis (TB) in a Chinese Han population.

DESIGN

We recruited 380 pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) cases, 242 extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) cases and 606 healthy controls from a Chinese Han population and sequenced ULK1. Five SNPs in ULK1 were selected to investigate the correlations between ULK1 polymorphisms and TB susceptibility.

RESULTS

The rs7138581 C allele was associated with a reduced risk of PTB (P = 0.001), whereas the rs9481 A allele was associated with an increased risk (P = 0.025). The rs7138581 CG genotype was significantly associated with a low risk of PTB, with a higher PTB disease severity in clinical parameters. Estimation of haplotype frequencies in ULK1 revealed a protective haplotype CCGAA (P = 0.007) and a potential risk haplotype TGAAA (P = 0.010) for PTB.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrated that ULK1 polymorphisms have significant associations with susceptibility to PTB.

The complete chloroplast genome of Epimedium mikinorii Stearn. (Berberidaceae)

Epimedium mikinorii is a vulnerable species in the Epimedium genus of Berberaceae. Here, we sequenced the complete chloroplast genome of E. mikinorii, which is 157,136 bp in length, and is a typical quadripartite circular molecule composed of two inverted repeats (IRs) of 25,896 bp for each, a large single-copy region (LSC) of 88,395 bp, and a small single-copy region (SSC) of 16,949 bp. The complete chloroplast genome of E. mikinorii contains 134 genes, including 83 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 5 pseudogenes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that E. mikinorii was closely related to E. dolichostemon.

The complete chloroplast genome of Epimedium wushanense T. S. Ying. (Berberidaceae), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb

Epimedium wushanense is a well-known medicinal plant in Berberidaceae in China. In this study, we sequenced the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of E. wushanense. The results showed that the cp genome of E. wushanense was 157,283 bp in length, which is composed of a large single-copy region (LSC, 88,579 bp) and a small single-copy region (SSC, 17,082 bp) that were separated by a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRa and IRb, 25,811 bp). The chloroplast genome of E. wushanense contains 112 unique genes, of which are 78 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. The overall GC content was 38.78%. The phylogenetic tree analysis showed that E. wushanense was closely related to E. pseudowushanense, E. lishihchenii, and E. sagittatum.

Dietary mannan oligosaccharide ameliorates cyclic heat stress-induced damages on intestinal oxidative status and barrier integrity of broilers

This study investigated protective effects of mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) inclusion on growth performance, intestinal oxidative status, and barrier integrity of cyclic heat-stressed broilers. A total of 240 one-day-old chicks were allocated into 3 treatments of 10 replicates each. Control broilers reared at a thermoneutral temperature were fed a basal diet, whereas broilers in heat stress and MOS groups raised at a cyclic high temperature (32 to 33°C for 8 h/d) were given the basal diet supplemented with 0 or 250 mg/kg MOS, respectively. Compared with control group, heat stress decreased (P < 0.05) average daily gain and feed conversion ratio during grower, finisher, and entire periods, average daily feed intake during finisher and entire periods, and ileal superoxide dismutase activity at 42 D, whereas increased (P < 0.05) rectal temperature at 21 and 42 D and jejunal malondialdehyde content at 42 D. Dietary MOS increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio during finisher and entire periods, but decreased (P < 0.05) jejunal malondialdehyde concentration of heat-stressed broilers at 42 D. Heat stress decreased (P < 0.05) jejunal villus height (VH) and claudin-3 gene expression at 21 D, and VH and VH: crypt depth (CD) ratio in jejunum and ileum as well as mRNA abundances of jejunal mucin 2 and occludin, and ileal mucin 2, zonula occludens-1, and occludin, and claudin-3 at 42 D, whereas increased (P < 0.05) serum D-lactate acid content at 21 and 42 D, and serum diamine oxidase activity and jejunal CD at 42 D. The MOS supplementation increased (P < 0.05) jejunal VH at 21 D, VH and VH: CD of jejunum and ileum at 42 D, mRNA abundances of jejunal occludin and ileal mucin 2, zonula occludens-1, and occludin at 42 D, whereas reduced (P < 0.05) ileal CD at 42 D. These results suggested that MOS improved growth performance, and oxidative status and barrier integrity in the intestine of broilers under cyclic heat stress.

Silicosis in rhinestone-manufacturing workers in South China

BACKGROUND

Silicosis is caused by long-term exposure to silica dust. Crystal rhinestone workers can be exposed to high levels of silica dust and are at risk of silicosis.

AIMS

To explore silicosis cases, silica dust exposure and control measures in a rhinestone factory in South China.

METHODS

We extracted and analysed data on new silicosis cases reported to China's occupational disease and occupational health information monitoring system between 2006 and 2012 from a rhinestone factory in South China. We measured the quartz content of bulk dust, static total and respirable dust samples.

RESULTS

Ninety-eight silicosis cases were reported between 2006 and 2012. The mean duration of silica dust exposure was 9.2 years (range 3-16). Drilling and polishing workers accounted for 96 (98%) of cases. We collected 1479 static samples including 690 total dust and 789 respirable dust samples. Mean dust levels for drilling were 1.01 mg/m3 (range 0.20-3.80) for total dust and 0.51 mg/m3 (range 0.04-1.70) for respirable dust. Mean dust levels for polishing were 0.59 mg/m3 (range 0.20-2.10) for total dust and 0.28 mg/m3 (range 0.08-0.71) for respirable dust. Over a third [289/789 (37%)] of total dust samples and 129/690 (19%) respirable dust samples exceeded the national permissible exposure limit.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to silica dust, ineffective dust control measures and inefficient health surveillance may have contributed to the incidence of silicosis in the factory we studied. Identification of silica dust exposure and effective dust control measures would reduce the risk of silicosis in rhinestone workers.

[Objective characteristics of nystagmus in patients with posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo]

Objective: To analyze and discuss the parameters and clinical significance of nystagmus in patients with benign positional paroxysmal vertigo (BPPV) of posterior semicircular canal. Methods: The subjects of the study were 564 BPPV patients diagnosed with posterior semicircular canal canalithis (PSC-can) from January 2016 to July 2017 in Tianjin No.1 Central Hospital, including 186 males and 378 females, with a median age of 57 years. The induced nystagmus in Dix-Hallpike test was recorded by video nystagmuo graph(VNG), and the direction, latency, duration time and intensity characteristics of nystagmus were compared with the position of hanging and sitting.SPSS17.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Vertical torsional nystagmus was both induced with the position of hanging and sitting during Dix-Hallpike test. The vertical direction of the induced nystagmus was upward and downward respectively. The latency, duration time and intensity of lesion side were L(2.65±1.92; 1.44±1.24), D(14.90±10.46; 15.28±8.06), and P(29.75±21.26; 14.08±9.48). The latency and intensity in hanging position were higher than those of sitting. The intensity rate was about 2∶1, with statistically significant difference (t=13.831, and 17.296, P all<0.01). The direction of the induced nystagmus was opposite to turning in HSC-Can BPPV. The intensity turning to normal side was larger than lesion side obviously. The intensity rate was about 2∶1, the difference was statistically significant (t=17.296, P<0.01). There was no statistical difference of nystagmus during time between the two positions(t=-0.735, P>0.05). Conclusions: The nystagmus intensity rate in Dix-Hallpike test between hanging and sitting position of lesion side in PSC-Can is 2∶1, which conforms to the Ewald's law. The direction, latency and intensity of nystagmus can be used as a reference index for the localization diagnosis of PSC-Canotolith.

Effects of CSF1R-targeted chimeric antigen receptor-modified NK92MI & T cells on tumor-associated macrophages

Tumor immunotherapy has shown great progress for the treatment of cancer; however, both endogenous and exogenous T cells are inhibited by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the microenvironment play pivotal and complex roles in tumor development and progression. Macrophages are categorized as M1 and M2 types. Relevant studies suggest that M2 TAMs correlate with poor prognosis. Colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) controls the formation, differentiation and function of M2 macrophages, which helps tumors grow, metastasize and secrete immunosuppressive cytokines. The objectives of this study were to establish two types of third-generation chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that could specifically target human CSF1R, and to introduce the CARs into NK92MI cells and normal human peripheral blood T cells through lentiviral transduction to produce CAR-natural killer (NK) and -T cells. We then tested their cytotoxicity against cell lines and peripheral blood monocytes expressing CSF1R. In vitro experiments confirmed that third-generation CARs had good target specificity and cytotoxicity. It was expected that CAR-NK and -T cells could specifically kill M2 TAMs in the tumor microenvironment and remove their inhibitory effect. Therefore, CSF1R-targeting CAR-NK and -T cells could represent a novel cellular immunotherapy strategy in conjunction with other antibody-based drugs and targeted therapeutics.

Zkscan3 gene is a potential negative regulator of plasma cell differentiation

We previously showed that the ZKSCAN3 gene codes for a zinc-finger transcription factor that regulates the expression of important genes and plays crucial roles in the development, metastasis, and pathogenesis of rectal cancer, prostate cancer, myeloma, and so on, and in the regulation of autophagy. However, its biological functions under normal physiological conditions remain unclear. In addition, our previous studies showed that the ZKSCAN3 gene may negatively regulate B cell functions. Therefore, we constructed a zkscan3-knockout mouse model and observed that knockout mice contained a greater number of plasma cells than wild-type mice. We also found that the number of plasma cells was significantly increased in either colorectal cancer xenografts or under lipopolysaccharide-induced conditions. RNA-seq and quantitative-polymerase chain reaction assay indicated that the X-inactive-specific transcript is upregulated in B cells of zkscan3-knockout mice, which may represent a potential mechanism how zkscan3 modulates plasma cell differentiation.

[The characteristics of semicircular canal injury frequency in vestibular neuritis patients]

Objective:To evaluate the frequency characteristics of semicircular canal injury in patients with vestibular neuritis. Method:Fifty-three patients with vestibular neuritis were respectively evaluated by caloric test(CT)，head shaking test(HST),video head impulse test (vHIT),which reflects semicircular canal function in the low, middle, high frequency region. The asymmetric value of CT unilateral semicircular canal reaction (UW), head shaking nystagmus induced by HST, gain value of VHIT (VHIT-G) and presence or absence of saccade (VHIT-S) were used as observation indicators. The data were analyzed by SPSS 17.0 statistical software.The characteristics of the results of the three tests in patients with vestibular neuritis was analyzed and the functional status of the high, middle and low frequency regions of the semicircular canal was evaluated. Result:The positive rates of CT, HST, VHIT-G and VHIT-S in 53 patients with vestibular neuritis were 94.3%（50/53）,75.5%（40/53）,81.1%（43/53）,96.2%（51/53）,respectively. The positive rates of CT, HST, VHIT-G and VHIT-S were 92.9%（26/28）,89.3%（25/28）,92.9%（26/28）,96.4%（27/28）in 28 cases with disease course ≤ 7 days, and the positive rates in 25 patients with disease course >7 days were 96.0%（24/25）,60.0%（15/25）,68.0%（17/25）,96.0%（24/25）,respectively. Compared with the positive rate of each index, CT and VHIT-G (P=0.076), HST and VHIT-G (P=0.480) had no statistical significance. The difference between CT and HST (P=0.015), VHIT-G and VHIT-S(P=0.032) was statistically significant. The positive rates of CT, HST, VHIT-G and VHIT-saccade in patients with course of disease ≤7 days were compared, and there was no significant difference. In patients with disease course >7 days, except HST and VHIT-G, there were statistical differences in other indexes. The correlation test between VHIT-G and VHIT-S：r=-0.437, P=0.006. Conclusion:The vestibular injury in patients with vestibular neuritis showed in a manner of full frequency injury. The multi-frequency detection technique is helpful for the clinical diagnosis of vestibular neuritis, and also can reflect the compensation and recovery of vestibular function.

Betaine improves the growth performance and muscle growth of partridge shank broiler chickens via altering myogenic gene expression and insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling pathway

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of betaine on growth performance, carcass characteristics, myogenic gene expression, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signaling pathway in partridge shank broiler chickens. A total of 192 one-day-old partridge shank broiler chickens were randomly divided into 4 groups with 6 replicates of 8 chickens for a 52-d feeding trial. Broilers were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control), 250 (B250), 500 (B500), or 1,000 (B1000) mg/kg betaine. Compared with the control group, the B500 and B1000 groups had higher (P < 0.05) body weight gain (BWG), and the B500 group had a lower (P < 0.05) feed/gain ratio (F:G) during the whole trial period. Moreover, the B1000 group increased (P < 0.05) the breast muscle yield and decreased (P < 0.05) relative abdominal fat weight. The mRNA expression of myocyte enhancer factor 2B (MEF2B) and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and mTOR phosporylation were higher (P < 0.05) in both breast and thigh muscles in the B500 and B1000 groups than those in the control group. The higher (P < 0.05) concentration and mRNA expression of IGF-1 were also observed in breast muscle in the B500 and B1000 groups. Additionally, the B1000 group up-regulated (P < 0.05) the mRNA level of myogenic differentiation factor 1 (MyoD1) in breast muscle and myogenin (MyoG) in thigh muscle. In conclusion, diets supplemented with 500 or 1,000 mg/kg betaine improved the growth performance of partridge shank broiler chickens during the whole trial period, and the B1000 group significantly improved the breast muscle growth. These improvements might result from increased mRNA expression of MyoD1 and MEF2B in breast muscle and MyoG and MEF2B in thigh muscle, and through alterations in IGF-1/mTOR signaling pathway.

Heat-induced protein oxidation of soybean meal impairs growth performance and antioxidant status of broilers

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of oxidative modification on soybean meal (SBM) proteins after exposure to different heating times, and the effects of the oxidized SBM on the growth performance [average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and feed to gain ratio (F: G)], oxidative redox status [(reactive oxygen species (ROS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), malondialdehyde (MDA), and protein carbonyl (PC)]. A total of 400 one-day-old Arbor Acres chicks were randomly divided into 5 treatment groups with 8 replicates of 10 birds each. Birds in the control group (CON) were fed diet containing non-heated SBM, and those in the treatment groups were fed SBM heated at 100°C for 1, 2, 4, and 8 h, for 42 d. Heated SBM (HSBM) showed a relatively higher PC content in vitro. The ADG decreased, whereas the F:G increased linearly with an increase in heating time during the starter (days 1 to 21), grower (days 22 to 42), and the overall growth phases (days 1 to 42; P < 0.05). However, the ADFI decreased linearly only during the grower phase (P < 0.05). The plasma, liver, and jejunum ROS levels, MDA concentrations, and PC contents increased linearly (P < 0.05) in broilers fed HSBM. Furthermore, the TAC in the plasma and jejunum, and the total SOD and GSH-Px activities in the plasma, liver, and jejunum decreased linearly (P < 0.05) in broilers when feeding HSBM. (P < 0.05). The mRNA level of Nrf2 in the liver and jejunum was lower (P < 0.05) in broilers fed diet containing the SBM after 8 h heat-treatment than in those fed the CON diet at days 42. This study suggested that heat-induced protein oxidation of SBM could decrease growth performance and impair antioxidant status of broilers.

[The nystagmus characteristics of two positions of the horizontal semicircular canal cupulolithiasis]

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of nystagmus of horizontal semicircular canal cupulolithiasis(HSC-Cup) in Roll test and Dix-Hallpike test. Methods: Between December 2016 and December 2017, a total of 164 patients with BPPV from Tianjin First Center Hospital, 124 HSC-Can BPPV and 40 HSC-Cup BPPV, were involved.The induced nystagmus in Roll test and Dix-Hallpike test were recorded by video-nystagmograph(VNG), whose direction and intensity characteristics were compared in various BPPV. Results: HSC-Can patients were induced a horizontal nystagmus with Roll test, the nystagmus intensity of the disease and healthy side were (41.3±20.1)°/s (mean standard deviation)and(21.9±9.4)°/s respectively, the difference was statistically significant (t=6.709, P<0.05). HSC-Cup patients were induced a horizontal nystagmus that was opposite to the direction of the Roll test, the nystagmus intensity of the disease and the healthy side were (12.9±6.4)°/s and(29.1±9.3)°/s respectively, with significant difference (t=9.066, P<0.05). Among 124 cases of HSC-Can patients, 120 cases of horizontal nystagmus were recorded in the left and right sides of the Dix-Hallpike test in the same direction as the turning direction, the horizontal nystagmus intensity of the disease and the healthy sides were (15.1±10.0)°/s and(9.4±7.4)°/s respectively, the difference was statistically significant (t=2.365, P<0.05). And 40 cases of HSC-Cup patients were recorded at the head of the Dix-Hallpike test in the opposite direction to the horizontal eye earthquake.The horizontal nystagmus intensity of the disease and the healthy side were (5.3±2.8)°/s and(13.9±4.4)°/s respectively, the difference was statistically significant (t=10.579, P<0.05). Conclusions: Characteristic horizontal nystagmus can be induced by HSC-Cup in both roll test and Dix-Hallpike test. Preliminary localization of Dix-Hallpike Test can also be used for HSC-Cup.

[The characteristics and clinical significance of vestibular autorotation test in patients with vestibular migraine]

Objective: To investigate the characteristics and clinical utility of vestibular autorotation test (VAT) in patients with vestibular migraine(VM). Methods: This study included two groups, a VM group (441 patients from Tianjin First Center Hospital between January 2015 and May 2016) and a control group (65 healthy subjects). Both groups undertook VAT; the parameters evaluated were horizontal gain/phase, vertical gain/phase and asymmetry. The differences in VAT results between the two groups were investigated. Results: There were statistically significant differences in VAT results between the VM and the control group, namely elevated horizontal gain at frequency 2, 3, 4 and 5 Hz, delay horizontal phase at frequency 2, 4, 5 and 6 Hz, elevated vertical gain at frequency 2-6 Hz and delay vertical phase at frequency 4-6 Hz. There was no significant difference in asymmetric values between the VM group and the control group. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that VM patients have elevated horizontal gain and vertical gain, and delay horizontal phase and vertical phase. It is suggested that VAT represents a useful diagnostic tool which may provide objective evidence for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of VM.

[Follow-up research on hearing progression of GJB2 mutation associated hearing loss in children]

Objective: To analyze the auditory follow-up alteration of GJB2 associated hearing loss children. Method: Forty three children aged 0-5 years with homozygous or heterozygous mutations of gene attach to the Children' s Hearing Diagnostic Center of our hospital were enrolled in this study. Distortion product otoacoustic emissions and acoustic immittance, auditory brainstem response, auditory steady state response, acoustic impedance, pediatric behavior audiometry and other audiological tests were performed. The subjects had at least two audiology diagnosis results at different time; follow-up time was at least three months. According to the genotype, the subjects were divided into two groups: 23 cases(53.49%) in the truncating mutation/truncating mutation (T/T) group and 20 cases(46.51%) in the nontruncating mutation/truncating mutation (NT/T) group. Hearing levels of the first and last diagnoses and progression rate were compared between the two groups, and the progression value and progression rate were analyzed. Result: The average follow-up time was(19.63 ± 16.76) months. The frequency of c. 235delC (56.98%) in GJB2 gene mutations sites was highest in this group, followed by c. 109G> A (22.09%). The first diagnosis of hearing loss, T/T group was mainly severe(60.87%), NT/T group was mainly mild (50.00%); The degree of final hearing loss in the T/T group was mainly severe(50.00%) while the NT/T group was mainly mild(42.50%), and the T/T group was both heavier than the NT/T group. The difference was both statistically significant. Follow-up research on 43 cases(86 ears) showed that 3 cases(4 ears) developed hearing progression, 1 of them were bilateral progression, two was unilateral progression; the overall rate of progression was 4.65%(4/86), and the rate of progression in the T/T group was 2.17%(1/46) while the NT/T group was 7.50%(3/40). There was no significant difference between the two groups. The average progression of 4 ears was 11.25 dB HL, the average progression speed was 0.5 dB HL/month. Conclusion: This study showed that the degree of hearing loss of associated hearing loss children was mild to profound, and those with truncating mutations/truncating mutations were severer than those with nontruncating mutations/truncating mutations. Hearing progression was seen in both groups, it is suggested that children with GJB2 gene mutations hearing progression may occur during growth and development, therefore, they should be followed up regularly. .

Effects of Modified Palygorskite Supplementation on Egg Quality and Mineral Element Content, and Intestinal Integrity and Barrier Function of Laying Hens

This study was conducted to investigate effects of modified palygorskite (MPal) supplementation on the laying performance, egg quality and mineral element content, immunity, oxidative status, and intestinal integrity and barrier function of laying hens. A total of 360 52-week-old Hyline Brown hens were randomly assigned into four dietary treatments for a 7-week feeding trial. The birds were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control group), 0.25, 0.5, and 1 g/kg MPal, respectively. The supplementation of MPal did not alter laying performance and egg quality among groups. Compared with the control group, MPal inclusion decreased lead (Pb) content in yolks at 49 days, and either 0.5- or 1-g/kg MPal supplementation decreased Pb accumulation in yolks at 25 days and manganese (Mn) accumulation in yolks at 25 and 49 days. The contents of jejunal secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), ileal SIgA, and immunoglobulin G were decreased by the dietary 0.5-g/kg MPal supplementation. The supplementation of MPal also decreased malondialdehyde content in jejunum and ileum, and decreased serum diamine oxidase activity of the laying hens at 25 and 49 days. The inclusion of 0.5 and 1 g/kg MPal enhanced villus height in jejunum and ileum, and also increased the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in ileum. In conclusion, MPal supplementation decreased Pb and Mn contents in yolks, and exhibited beneficial effects on the intestinal immunity, oxidative status, and intestinal integrity and barrier function of laying hens and its optimal dosage was 0.5 g/kg.

[A pilot study of the unilateral centrifugation subjective visual vertical in healthy young people]

Objective: To evaluate the data of unilateral centrifugation subjective visual vertical (UC-SVV) in healthy young people.To study the function of utricle. Methods: Between Decem ber 2017 and May 2018, thirty-two healthy young volunteers were tested by static subjective visual vertical(SVV) and low velocity UC-SVV with Neuro Kinetics Inc I-portal 6.0 Video nystagmus recording system and NOTC rotating chair system.The static SVV preset angle were -15.00°, 15.00°, -20.00°, 20.00°, -12.00° and 12.00° respectively.UC-SVV test parameters: rotating chair's peak speed was 60°/s.The shift time from the middle to the lateral position was 30 s and the displacement was 3.85 cm.The chair rotated at 60 s at left, right and middle positions.Subjects underwent SVV during this period.SPSS 17.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results: The mean and standard deviation of static SVV deviation in 32 volunteers was 0.21°±0.17°, 95%CI (-0.14°, 0.55°). The mean and standard deviation of UC-SVV in the left, middle and right positions of the clockwise was 0.24°±0.25°, -0.10°±0.27°, -0.63°±0.26°, 95%CI(-0.26°, 0.74°), (-0.65°, 0.44°), (-1.16°, -0.10°). The mean and standard deviation of UC-SVV in the left, middle and right positions of the counter clockwise was 0.03°±0.27°, -0.11°±0.26°, -0.23°±0.26°, 95%CI(-0.52°, 0.59°), (-0.65°, 0.42°), (-0.76°, 0.30°). There was significant difference in the deviation between the left and the right side of counter clockwise rotation of UC-SVV(t=2.432, P<0.05), however, there was no significant difference in the angle of deviation between the left and right sides and the median position(t value was 0.951, -1.400, both P>0.05). There was no significant difference among each position in clockwise rotation of UC-SVV(F=0.253, P>0.05). Conclusion: UC-SVV test with peak speed of 60°/s can cause vertical line deviation in the left and right lateral position, but the angle is small and the value of clinical application is limited.

Effects of dietary methionine on growth performance, meat quality and oxidative status of breast muscle in fast- and slow-growing broilers

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary methionine (Met) on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality and oxidative status of breast muscle in fast- (Arbor Acres, AA) and slow- (Partridge Shank, PS) growing broilers from 1 to 42 d of age. The broilers were divided into a 2 × 3 factorial design with 6 replicates per treatment. Diets were formulated to contain low (LM, 0.35 and 0.31% during 1 to 21 and 22 to 42 d), adequate (AM, 0.50 and 0.44%) and high (HM, 0.65 and 0.57%) Met, respectively. The main effects showed that the AA broilers had superior (P < 0.05) growth performance and carcass traits compared with those of the PS broilers. The breast muscle of the AA broilers had lower (P < 0.05) drip loss and malondialdehyde (MDA) content but higher (P < 0.05) cooking loss and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity than that of the PS broilers. Compared with the LM diets, the AM and HM diets increased (P < 0.05) 42-d BW, ADG, eviscerated yield and breast muscle yield only in the AA broilers. The AA broilers fed the HM diets had higher (P < 0.05) pH but lower (P < 0.05) L*, cooking loss and ether extract content in breast muscle than those fed the LM diets. Compared with the LM diets, the HM diets resulted in strain-dependent changes (P < 0.05) in muscle oxidative status, with total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) increased in the AA broilers, GPX activity increased and MDA content decreased in the PS broilers, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased in both strains of broilers. No differences were observed between the AM and HM diets except for T-AOC in breast muscle. In conclusion, the LM treatment negatively affected broiler growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality and oxidative status of breast muscle in a strain-dependent manner, particularly in the AA broilers, whereas the HM treatment had limited effects compared to the AM treatment.

Identification and expression of cathepsin B from the freshwater mussel Cristaria plicata

Cathepsin B plays crucial roles in host immune defense against pathogen infection. In present study, a cathepsin B gene from the freshwater mussel, Cristaria plicata (CpCathB) was cloned and characterized. The full-length cDNA of CpCathB was 1825 bp, and contained a 5' untranslated region (UTR) of 36 nucleotides, an open reading frame (ORF) of 1044 bp and a 3' UTR of 745 bp with a poly (A) tail. The deduced CpCathB protein was encoded as a preproenzyme with 347 amino acid residues and predicted molecular weight of 38.55 kDa. Sequence alignment revealed that CpCathB protein shared 56% - 60.7% identity comparison with other species. The predicted tertiary structure of CpCathB protein was highly similar to that of human. The CpCathB mRNA was expressed in hemocytes, hepatopancreas, adductor muscle, gills and mantle tissues of healthy mussels, and the highest expression level was in hepatopancreas. The transcripts of CpCathB were increased in hemocytes and hepatopancreas from mussels after Aeromonas hydrophila challenge. Moreover, the recombinant CpCathB was expressed in the Escherichia coli Rosetta-gami (DE3) strain. The maximum titer of the anti-CpCathB polyclonal antibodies was 1:640,000.The CpCathB protein had a higher expression in hepatopancreas and mantle and a lower level in hemocytes.