Effects of dietary lysine on productivity, reproductive performance, protein and lipid metabolism-related gene expression in laying duck breeders

This study investigated whether dietary lysine (Lys) affects productive performance and expression of genes related to protein and lipid metabolism in laying duck breeders. Longyan duck breeders (n = 540, 19 wk of age) were randomly assigned to 6 groups with 6 replicates of 15 birds each. Breeders were fed diets with 6 total Lys levels (6.4, 7.2, 8.0, 8.8, 9.6, and 10.4 g/kg) for 26 wk duration. Egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion ratio, hatchability, hatchling weight, albumen weight, eggshell weight, yolk weight, and yolk proportion increased with dietary Lys levels (P < 0.05). Dietary Lys level had a linear (P < 0.05) and quadratic (P < 0.05) effects on maternal hepatic expression of mechanistic target of rapamycin, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1, ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2K (UBE2K), cathepsin B (CTSB), and quadratically (P < 0.05) increased the concentrations of plasma Lys, leucine, threonine, and tryptophan in duck breeders. In contrast, maternal dietary Lys suppressed expression of proteasome 26S subunit, UBE2K, and CTSB in the liver of hatchlings. Moreover, relative expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors alpha, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A, and very low density apolipoprotein-II increased linearly (P < 0.05) and quadratically (P < 0.05), and that of VLDL receptor (VLDLR) decreased quadratically (P < 0.05) in the liver of duck breeders with increasing dietary Lys levels; hepatic triglyceride and cholesterol contents were reduced. Maternal dietary Lys suppressed hepatic expression of VLDLR in the hatchlings. A diet containing 8.6 g Lys/kg promoted protein turnover and lipid metabolism in laying duck breeders, which positively reflected in the productivity and reproductive performance.

Estimation of dietary zinc requirement for laying duck breeders: effects on productive and reproductive performance, egg quality, tibial characteristics, plasma biochemical and antioxidant indices, and zinc deposition

This study evaluated the effects of different dietary zinc (Zn) levels on productive and reproductive performance, egg quality, tibial characteristics, plasma biochemical and antioxidant indices, and zinc deposition in laying duck breeders. A total of 504 Longyan duck breeders aged 21 wk were randomly allocated to 6 treatments and fed a basal diet (Zn, 27.7 mg/kg) or that basal diet supplemented with Zn (as ZnSO₄·H₂ O) at 10, 20, 40, 80, or 160 mg Zn per kg of feed for 20 wk. Each group had 6 replicates of 14 ducks each. Dietary Zn supplementation affected (P < 0.05) the egg production, FCR, and shell thickness of laying duck breeders from 21 to 40 wk, and there was a quadratic (P < 0.05) effect between them. Dietary Zn supplementation affected (P < 0.05) and quadratically (P < 0.001) increased the breaking strength, density, and dry defatted weight of tibias. Alkaline phosphatase, calcium, phosphorus, total superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and malondialdehyde (MDA) activities or content in plasma were affected (P < 0.05), and quadratically (P < 0.01) changed by dietary Zn levels. Dietary Zn supplementation affected (P < 0.01) and increased the Zn deposition in egg yolk (linear, P < 0.05; quadratic, P < 0.001) and tibia (linear, P < 0.05). The dietary Zn requirements, in mg/kg for a basal diet containing 27.7 mg/kg Zn, for Longyan duck breeders from 21 to 40 wk of age were estimated to be 65.4 for optimizing egg production, 68.6 for FCR, 102 for hatchling BW, 94.7 for eggshell thickness, 77.2 for tibial breaking strength, 81.4 for tibial density, 78.9 for tibial dry defatted weight, 69.5 for plasma GSH-Px activity, 72.4 for plasma MDA content, and 94.6 for Zn content in tibia. Overall, dietary Zn supplementation, up to 160 mg/kg feed, affected the productive performance, eggshell thickness, tibial characteristics, plasma antioxidant status, and Zn deposition of layer duck breeders. Supplementing this basal diet (27.7 mg/kg Zn) with 70 to 80 mg/kg additional Zn was adequate for laying duck breeders during the laying period.

Dietary curcumin enhances intestinal antioxidant capacity in ducklings via altering gene expression of antioxidant and key detoxification enzymes

The study investigated the effects of dietary curcumin supplementation on tissue distribution of curcumin and its metabolites, intestinal antioxidant capacity, and expression of detoxification-related genes in ducks. A total of 720 one-day-old male Cherry Valley Pekin ducklings (initial BW 58.6 ± 0.1 g) were randomly assigned to 4 dietary groups each with 6 replicates of 30 ducks using a single factorial arrangement design. Ducks in the control group were fed a basal diet and the remainder were fed the basal diet supplemented with 200, 400, or 800 mg/kg curcumin. The experiment lasted for 21 D. Curcumin was present at 13.12 to 16.18 mg/g in the cecal digesta, 75.50 to 575.40 μg/g in jejunal mucosa, 35.10 to 73.65 μg/g in liver, and 7.02 to 7.88 μg/mL in plasma. The jejunal and hepatic contents of curcumin increased significantly (P < 0.05) in response to supplementation with 400 and 800 mg/kg of curcumin respectively, compared with 200 mg curcumin/kg group. There was a linear (P < 0.001) effect of dietary curcumin on relative abundance of SOD1, GPX1, CAT, HO-1, and Nrf2 transcripts, and a quadratic (P < 0.001) increase in the activities of GSH-Px and T-AOC in jejunal mucosa. The expression of CYP1A4, CYP2D17 increased and CYP1B1, CYP2A6 decreased linearly (P < 0.001) with dietary curcumin concentrations. In addition, dietary curcumin increased gene expression of GST, MRP6, and ABCB1 in jejunal mucosa. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 200 to 800 mg/kg curcumin enhanced the accumulation of curcumin and its metabolites in jejunum as well as increasing the antioxidant capacity and detoxification potential, which play major roles in the protection of duck intestines against damage.

[Clinical characteristics and related factors of somatization symptoms in outpatients with psychiatric disorders of the department of cardiology in general hospitals]

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics and related factors of somatization symptoms in outpatients with psychiatric disorders of the cardiology department in general hospital. Methods: Cross-sectional survey method was used in this study. From August 2017 to September 2018, 508 outpatients of our department with suspected mental disorders, who complained of physical discomfort and screened by the "Three Questions" method recommended by the Chinese Expert Consensus on Psychological Prescriptions of Cardiovascular Patients in 2014, were consecutively included. General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15) and self-made general demographic questionnaire (including age, sex, marital status, educational level, occupation, duration of disease, clinical diagnosis and the process of medical treatment for the main somatic symptoms in recent one year) were used to investigate these patients, under the assistance of unified training psychological consultants. The detection rate of anxiety and depression, the degree and distribution of somatization symptoms in outpatients with mental disorders were analyzed, and the related factors affecting the occurrence of somatization symptoms were screened by multivariate logistic regression. Results: The selected patients were (51.3±10.1) years old, of which 37.8% (192/508) were males and 62.2% (316/508) were females. The total detection rate of anxiety/depression was 86.8% (441/508), and the detection rate of somatization symptoms was 93.1% (473/508). The number of positive symptom items in PHQ-15 was 8.0±2.7, and the detection rate of anxiety/depression was 78.6% (372/473) in patients with somatization symptoms. There were significant differences in the proportion of women, the average number of outpatient visits and hospitalizations in the past one year, GAD-7 score and PHQ-9 score among the patients with mild, moderate and severe somatization symptoms (all P<0.05). PHQ-15 score was positively correlated with GAD-7 score (r=0.524 5, P<0.001) and PHQ-9 score (r=0.574 9, P<0.001) in patients with somatization symptoms. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that total scores of PHQ-9 (OR=8.020, 95%CI 3.470-18.930, P<0.001) and GAD-7 (OR=6.526, 95%CI 2.903-13.045, P<0.001) and female (OR=4.440, 95%CI 1.059-9.073, P=0.011) were related factors of somatizations. Conclusions: The incidence of somatization symptoms is high in patients with psychological disorders in outpatients of cardiology department in general hospital. Anxiety, depression and gender are the main related risk factors of somatization symptoms in this patient cohort. Degree of anxiety and depression increased in proportion to the severity of somatization symptoms. Anxiety, depression and female is related to somatization symptoms.

[Analysis of the histopathological features of recurrent retinoblastoma after vitrectomy]

Objective: To analyze the histopathological features and histopathological risk factors (HRF) of tumor recurrence after vitrectomy in patients with retinoblastoma (RB). Methods: Retrospective case series. Twenty-nine patients (29 eyes) who underwent enucleation from April 2014 to April 2019 at the Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University due to tumor recurrence after vitrectomy in the other hospitals were enrolled and archived. The pathological sections of the other hospitals were read by the pathologists of the department and the pathological report was written. Histopathological features and HRF were analyzed in this group of patients. The HRF used in this study was defined as tumor invasion of the optic nerve, the choroid (the largest diameter ≥ 3 mm and mostly reaching the inner sclera), the sclera, the anterior segment of the eye, and tumor passing through the scleral and growing outside the eyeball. Results: Of the 29 patients with RB recurrence after vitrectomy, 18 (62.1%) were male and 11 (37.9%) were female. The age was 1-10 years with a median age of 3 years. Among 29 eyes, the tumor invaded the ciliary body in 19 eyes (65.5%), the iris in 14 eyes (48.3%), the anterior chamber in 10 eyes (34.5%), and the anterior chamber angle in 7 eyes (24.1%). Of the 29 eyes, 27 eyes (93.1%) had HRF. The most common HRF was invading the anterior segment of the eye(77.8%, 21/27). Conclusions: In patients with recurrence after vitrectomy for RB, the most common tumor invasion site in histopathology is the anterior segment of the eye, particularly the ciliary body. More than 90% of the patients have HRF. Vitrectomy for RB treatment requires a rigorous surgical indication assessment. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55: 854-859).

[A family of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome]

Objective: To analyze the clinical manifestations and gene variations of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS). Methods: Clinical data and gene testing of four children and three adult relatives in a family from Puning, Guangdong were retrospectively analyzed. CD4(+)T cells, CD8(+)T cells, B cells, monocytes and NK cells were assessed by flow cytometry. Plasma level of TNFR receptors were assessed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). TNFRSF1A gene variation was identified by second generation sequencing. Swiss-Model was used to analyze the potential impact of TNFRSF1A gene variation on its protein tertiary structure. Results: For all the patients,periodic fever was the main clinical feature,combined with arthralgia,myalgia,multiple serositis,periorbital edema and migratory cutaneous rash,accompanied with elevated level of acute-phase reactants and increased white blood cell counts during each episode. This disease was found in both gender and every generation in this family. The median age of onset was 2 years, ranging from 6 months to 30 years. The plasma level of TNFR1 of the patients range from 0 to 12.4 ng/L,which was lower than that of the normal controls range from 18.0~22.2 ng/L,while the level of TNFR2 was normal. Also, the numbers of T cells, B cells and monocytes were within normal range; however,number of NK cells in the patients (0.070±0.034) was lower than that in the normal controls (0.152±0.122). The TNFRSF1A variation,located in exon 3: c.295T>A (p.C99S),was found in the proband as well as the other 6 family members,which could induce change of the side chain of amino acid according to the prediction of the three-dimensional structure,subsequently affecting the binding to the receptor. Conclusions: TRAPS is characterized by periodic fever,arthralgia,myalgia,multiple serositis,periorbital edema and migratory cutaneous rash,with a significant decrease in plasma level of TNFR1 and NK cells. The gene sequencing analysis revealed a pathogenic variation in TNFRSF1A gene.

[The effectiveness and safety of topical 0.1% tacrolimus after high-risk penetrating keratoplasty]

Objective: To observe the effectiveness and safety of topical 0.1% tacrolimus(FK506) as immunosuppressant in high-risk penetrating corneal transplantation to prevent the immune rejection and to compare the outcomes with topical 1% Cyclosporin A (CsA). Methods: The study consists of 49 patients (50 eyes), who were fitted with the high-risk corneal transplantation standard and undergone the penetrating keratoplasty(PKP) or combined operation in Beijing Tongren hospital between March 2015 to September. With the time sequence, the patients were divided into observation group (FK506 group) and the control group (CsA group). The observation group included 9 females and 16 males with an average age of 57.8±14.8. Twenty-four patients were in the control group (25 eyes), including 10 females and 14 males, with an average age of (45.1±16.2). Observation group was treated with topical 0.1% tacrolimus, and the control group treated with topical 1%CsA. Both groups' treatment combined glucocorticoid as well. Two groups had 1 year follow-up observation. The incidence of rejection was compared by statistical methods of Cox regression. The adverse reactions were graded and compared using Mann-Whitney U test. Results: After one year, 22 cases of the observation group and 23 cases of the control group were accomplished all observations. The rejection rate was 4.54% in observation group and 27.23% in control group. The difference between the groups was statistically significant (χ(2)=4.291, P=0.038). Control group had high rejection rate. Besides, there was no severe side effects happened in both groups. After 1 month after surgery, 36.4% of the observation group showed mild corneal edema. The ratio of mild to moderate corneal edema in the control group was 26.1% and 8.7%. Three months after surgery, 4.5% of the observation group showed mild corneal edema, while 13.0% and 13.0% of the control group was found mild to moderate corneal edema. Six months after surgery, 4.5% of the observation group showed moderate corneal edema. The ratio of mild, moderate to severe corneal edema in the control group was 17.4%, 17.4% and 8.7%. The degree of corneal edema in the control group was more serious in three monthes(Z=-2.770, -2.018, -2.941, P<0.05). The differences in both monthes were statistically significant. Mild neovascularization occurred in the 13.6% of observation group. Mild to severe neovascularization occurred in the 13.0%, 4.3%, and 4.3% control groups. The degree of neovascularization in the control group was higher than that in the observation group(Z=-3.221, P=0.001). The differences in both months were statistically significant. Mild to moderate neovascularization occurred in the 18.2% and 9.1% of observation group. Mild to extremely severe neovascularization occurred in the 17.4%, 26.1%, 4.3% and 4.3% control groups. The degree of neovascularization in the control group was higher than that in the observation group(Z=-1.988, P=0.047).The differences in both monthes were statistically significant. Conclusions: Both 0.1% tacrolimus and 1% cyclosporine A are safe and effective in reducing the rejection after high-risk corneal transplantation. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55: 419-427).

[Value of anti-Müllerian hormone and age in predicting pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer treatment]

Objective: To explore the value of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and age in predicting outcomes of patients undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer treatment. Methods: In this retrospective study, 6 328 Chinese patients who underwent the first in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer treatment in Henan Provincial People's Hospital between July 2016 and July 2018 were analyzed. All the patients were categorized into two groups according to pregnancy or not. Baseline data and outcomes of two groups were compared. The regression analysis was conducted to identify the independent factors of clinical pregnancy rates. Furthermore, correlation analysis was performed between AMH and other factors. Results: (1) The total clinical pregnancy rate was 56.86% (3 547/6 238). Age, AMH, basal FSH, antral follicle number (AFC), starting dose of gonadotropin (Gn), total doses of Gn, duration of Gn, number of oocytes, transferable cleavage embryos and transferred embryos were significantly different (all P<0.01). (2) Correlation analysis showed that AMH had significant passive correlation with age, basal FSH, starting dose of Gn and total doses of Gn (all P<0.01), while showed significant positive correlation with AFC, body mass index, duration of Gn, number of oocytes and transferable cleavage embryos (all P<0.01). Of all the factors, AMH had the strongest correlation with AFC (P<0.01). (3) Multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that age was the independent influencing factor of clinical pregnancy rate (OR=0.938, 95%CI: 0.824-0.952, P<0.01), while AMH not (OR=1.004, 95%CI: 0.984-1.024, P=0.687). In the subgroups according to age, the advanced group (age>35 years old) had lower clinical pregnancy rate and higher cancellation rate for no available embryos. Conclusions: AMH has no predictive value of clinical pregnancy outcomes for patients with in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer treatment, while age has certain predictive value of pregnancy outcomes. AMH level may have indictive value for the evaluation of ovarian reserve.

[Strategy for diagnosis and precise treatment of portal hypertension with hepatic venous pressure gradient: a dream or a reality?]

Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, is a chronic, occult progression that is potentially reversible and complicated. The hepatic venous pressure gradient is a "gold standard" for risk stratification of liver cirrhosis and is superior to pathological examination of liver. This article briefly assesses the invasive and non-invasive measuring methods of the hepatic venous pressure gradient. With the hepatic venous pressure gradient-guided precise treatment for hepatic cirrhosis of portal hypertension, the incidence of clinical endpoints of hepatic portal hypertension can be significantly reduced. Establishing a long-term monitoring and management model similar to "high blood pressure" is a dream for the diagnosis and treatment of future cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

miR-186 inhibits proliferation, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells by targeting Twist1

OBJECTIVE

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent malignancy in women worldwide. Our study aimed to investigate the expression and biological effect of miR-186 in BC.

METHODS

Expression of miR-186 was determined by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Kaplan-Meier curves were calculated for the survival data analysis. Functional assays were performed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and wound healing assay. Protein expression was analyzed by Western blot.

RESULTS

miR-186 was downregulated in BC tissues and cells. Downregulation of miR-186 was associated with tumor metastasis and a poor overall survival in patients with BC. Overexpression of miR-186 inhibited BC cells proliferation, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition process; while suppression of miR-186 exhibited an opposite effects on BC cells. In addition, Twist1 was identified as a direct target of miR-186 in BC and restoration of Twist1 attenuated the biological effect of miR-186 on BC cells.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that miR-186 functions as a tumor suppressor by targeting Twist1 in BC. miR-186 may serve as a novel biomarker in BC diagnosis or a new therapeutic target in BC treatment.

Development of Aldrichina grahami (Diptera: Calliphoridae) at Constant Temperatures

Aldrichina grahami (Aldrich) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a forensically important species mainly found in Asia and is one of the first species to colonize a corpse in early spring and late autumn when the ambient temperature is slightly lower. In this study, A. grahami was collected from the Yangtze River Delta region and reared at seven constant temperatures ranging from 16 to 34°C to investigate the indices of development duration, accumulated degree hours, and larval body length. Using these results, we generated an isomorphen diagram, thermal summation model, and isomegalen diagram for A. grahami. Equations of the variation in larval body length with time after hatching and variation in time after hatching with body length were also obtained. A. grahami can complete its life cycle in 16-28°C, while its development was incomplete at 31 and 34°C, where puparia failed to transform into adults and eggs failed to hatch, respectively. The mean (±SD) developmental durations of A. grahami from egg to adult at 16, 19, 22, 25, and 28°C were 685.5 ± 18.8, 540.3 ± 15.9, 454.3 ± 19.4, 388.8 ± 19.0, and 335.5 ± 8.7 h, respectively. The mean (±SE) developmental threshold temperature D0 and the thermal summation constant K were determined as 4.33 ± 0.21°C and 7,985.9 ± 104.5 degree hours, respectively. The results of this study provide fundamental development data for the use of A. grahami in minimum postmortem interval estimations.

[Clinical observation of postprandial hypotension in patients with hypertensive and coronary heart disease]

Objective: To explore the prevalence and clinical characteristics of postprandial hypotension(PPH) in patients with essential hypertension and coronary heart disease. Methods: A total of 197 patients with essential hypertension and coronary heart disease, who had been treated in the First Department of Cardiology of the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from December, 2013 to December, 2014 were included. The patients' blood pressure before breakfast, lunch and dinner and 30, 60, 90, 120 minutes after the meal were monitored. Subjects were classified into PPH group (n=37) and non-PPH group (NPPH, n=160) according to postprandial decrease in systolic blood pressure, to explore the clinical characteristics and related factors and the major adverse cardiac and cerebral vascular events of PPH. Results: Among 197 patients, 37 cases (18.8%) showed at least once postprandial decline in systolic blood pressure greater than and equal to 20 mmHg. The incidence of PPH after breakfast and dinner were higher than lunch (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of PPH among different age groups, among patients accompanied with different diseases, and among patients with different dining position (all P>0.05). According to the baseline systolic blood pressure, patients can be divided into 4 groups(<120 mmHg, 120-129 mmHg, 130-139 mmHg, >140 mmHg), the higher the level of the baseline systolic blood pressure was, the higher the incidence of PPH was. And the incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebral vascular events in patients during hospitalization were increased by PPH. Conclusions: The prevalence of PPH in the patients with essential hypertension and coronary heart disease is 18.8%. The incidence of PPH after breakfast and dinner is higher than lunch. The baseline systolic blood pressure is considered to be the risk factor of PPH. And PPH could lead to an increase of the incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebral vascular events.

A 4-miRNAs signature predicts survival in glioblastoma multiforme patients

BACKGROUND

Although O(6)-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status is an important marker for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), there is considerable variability in the clinical outcome of patients with similar methylation profles.

OBJECTIVE

We examined whether a MicroRNA (miRNA) signature can be identified for predicting clinical outcomes and helping in treatment decisions.

METHODS

The differentially expressed miRNAs were evaluated in 6 pairs of short- (⩽ 450 days) and long-term survivors (> 450 days) by using microarray. Real time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was applied to further verify screened miRNAs with a greater number of samples (n= 48). Meanwhile, functional interpretation of miRNA profile was carried out based on miRNA-target databases. In addition, MGMT promoter methylation status was tested by means of pyrosequencing (PSQ) testing.

RESULTS

Six miRNAs were upregulated in the long-term survival group (fold change ⩾ 2.0, P< 0.05). The further verification by qRT-PCR indicated that the increase in let-7g-5p, miR-139-5p, miR-17-5p and miR-9-3p level in long-term survivors was statistically significant. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that high expression of a prognostic 4-miRNA signature was significantly associated with good patient survival (p= 0.0012). The signature regulated signaling pathways including Calcium, MAPK, ErbB, mTOR and cell cycle involved in carcinogenesis from glial progenitor cell to primary GBM.

CONCLUSIONS

The 4-miRNA signature was identified as an independent prognostic biomarker that identified patients who have a favorable outcome.

Precision Study of η^{'}→γπ^{+}π^{-} Decay Dynamics

Using a low background data sample of 9.7×10^{5}  J/ψ→γη^{'}, η^{'}→γπ^{+}π^{-} events, which are 2 orders of magnitude larger than those from the previous experiments, recorded with the BESIII detector at BEPCII, the decay dynamics of η^{'}→γπ^{+}π^{-} are studied with both model-dependent and model-independent approaches. The contributions of ω and the ρ(770)-ω interference are observed for the first time in the decays η^{'}→γπ^{+}π^{-} in both approaches. Additionally, a contribution from the box anomaly or the ρ(1450) resonance is required in the model-dependent approach, while the process specific part of the decay amplitude is determined in the model-independent approach.

Effect of dietary supplementation of organic or inorganic zinc on carbonic anhydrase activity in eggshell formation and quality of aged laying hens

This study evaluated the effects of different dietary levels and sources of zinc (Zn) on performance and carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity in eggshell formation and quality in aged laying hens. A total of 504 Hy-line Grey layers aged 59 wk were fed a basal diet (Zn, 28.4 mg/kg) for 4 wks, then randomly allocated to 7 groups that were fed a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with inorganic (ZnSO4·H2O) or organic (amino acid metals, 9.58%) Zn at 35, 70, or 140 mg Zn per kg of feed for 6 weeks. Each group had 6 replicates of 12 hens. Results showed that egg weight decreased linearly with the supplemental level of organic Zn (P < 0.05). Dietary Zn supplementation had linear and quadratic effects on the CA activity in plasma (P < 0.05), and it was higher in the organic Zn-added groups at wks 2 and 4 (P < 0.05). Dietary Zn supplementation had a quadratic effect on the CA activity in the eggshell gland (P < 0.05). Shell thickness was greater in the organic Zn-added groups (P < 0.05), and its relationship with the supplemental level of Zn showed linearly and quadratically, increasing with the organic Zn and with the inorganic Zn at wk 4, while linearly increasing with the inorganic Zn at wk 6 (P < 0.05). At wk 4, the supplemental level of inorganic Zn had a linear effect on shell weight, and linear and quadratic effects on shell index and ratio (P < 0.05), while shell weight, the index, and ratio increased linearly and quadratically with the organic Zn level in the diet (P < 0.05), with more obvious effects in the organic Zn-added groups (P < 0.05). Overall, dietary Zn supplementation, up to 140 mg/kg feed, could increase eggshell thickness by enhancing CA activity in the plasma and eggshell gland of aged layers; thicker eggshells were found in the organic Zn-added groups, but the breaking strength did not increase despite the eggshell thickness increasing.

[Prognostic analysis of stage Ⅰb2 andⅡa2 cervical squamous cancer without high risk factors treated with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and radical hysterectomy]

Objective: To analyze the prognosis of Ⅰb2 and Ⅱa2 cervical squamous cancer without high risk factors treated with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and radical hysterectomy. Methods: This retrospective study included patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage Ⅰ b2 and Ⅱ a2 cervical squamous cancer without high risk factors who underwent platinum-based NACT followed by radical surgery from January 2008 to January 2015. The responses of NACT were observed and compared in their effect on postoperative pathologic risk factors. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis were performed to analyze survival status. Results: This study was recruited 282 patients with the average age of (44.4±6.7) years old. After NACT, 42 patients achieved complete response [CR, 14.9% (42/282) ], while 138 patients achieved partial response [PR, 48.9% (138/282) ] and 102 stable disease [SD, 36.2% (102/282) ]. The rate of pathologic diameter ≥4 cm, deep stromal invasion (DSI) positive and lymph-vascular space invasion (LVSI) positive rate decreased significantly in CR and PR group compared with SD group (P<0.05) . The number of postoperative risk factors in CR, PR and SD groups varied significantly (χ(2)=64.869, P=0.000) . Besides, the rate of multiple intermediate risk factors was respectively 0 vs 13.8% vs 45.1% (χ(2)=7.107, P=0.008) . The disease relapsed in 23 patients, and 12 died. On the whole series, 5-year overall survival rate was 91.7%, and 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was 88.9%. The rate of recurrence (P=0.002) and mortality (P=0.036) were higher in LVSI positive patients compared with LVSI negative. And the rate of recurrence was higher in patients with multiple intermediate risk factors, compared with no or one intermediate risk factors (P=0.002) . Univariate analysis revealed that LVSI positive and multiple intermediate risk factors were the factors predicted recurrence and mortality (P<0.05) , and no significance in age, stage, tumor grade, tumor diameter before or after NACT, response to NACT, or DSI positive factors (all P>0.05) . The multivariate analysis showed that, the factor of primary tumor diameter ≥6 cm (P=0.022) and multiple intermediate risk factors (P=0.001) were independent prognostic variables for recurrent-free survival. Besides, multiple intermediate risk factors was independent prognostic variable for overall survival (P=0.034) . After surgery, 107 patients did not receive adjuvant therapy, while 175 patients received adjuvant therapy with 26 radiotherapy, 46 chemotherapy and 103 concurrent radiochemotherapy. On survival analysis of postoperative adjuvant treatment, 5-year recurrence-free survival rate of radiotherapy group was significantly lower in patients with the factor of SD response to NACT (P=0.011) and multiple intermediate risk factors (P=0.008) , while overall no significance in overall survival rate (P>0.05) . Conclusions: NACT may be play beneficial role in relieving the status of intermediate risk factors for stage Ⅰ b2 and Ⅱ a2 cervical squamous cancer without high risk factors. The status of multiple intermediate risk factors is independent prognostic factors for recurrence and mortality. For patients with multiple intermediate risk factors, postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy or concurrent radiochemotherapy might be the better choice to prevent relapse.

[Impact of the 21-gene recurrence score assay in clinical treatment and prognosis analysis for patients with hormone receptor positive early-stage breast cancer]

Objective: To explore the association between the 21-gene recurrence score (RS) and clinicopathologic characteristics as well as prognosis in patients with axillary lymph node negative, hormone receptor (HR) positive breast cancer. Methods: The clinicopathologic data of 439 early breast cancer patients who underwent 21 gene RS testing was retrospectively analyzed. According to the 21 gene RS, the patients were divided into low risk (295 cases), intermediate risk (111 cases) and high-risk (33 cases) group. The relationship between the 21 gene RS and clinicopathological characteristics, treatment, recurrence and metastasis was analyzed. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were used to analyze the risk factors for relapse free survival (RFS). Results: Tumor grade, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and Ki-67 index were significantly different among the 3 risk cohorts (P<0.001 for all). After a median follow-up of 32 months, the recurrence rate in low risk group (3.7%) was significantly lower than that in the intermediate-high risk group (9.0%), the locoregional recurrence (LRR) rate of low, intermediate and high risk group was 2.4%, 6.3% and 9.1%; and the distant metastasis (DM) rate in low risk group was 1.4% and 2.1% in the intermediate-high risk group. Univariate analysis showed RS, ER status and endocrine therapy were prognostic factors for RFS (P<0.05 for all). Multivariate analysis showed that RS was an independent significant predictor for RFS (P=0.04). Conclusions: The 21-gene RS is related to tumor grade, ER, PR and Ki-67 index. RS is an independent risk factor for RFS in patients with hormone receptor positive early-stage breast cancer.

[Impact of the 21-gene recurrence score assay in clinical treatment and prognosis analysis for patients with hormone receptor positive early-stage breast cancer]

Objective: To explore the association between the 21-gene recurrence score (RS) and clinicopathologic characteristics as well as prognosis in patients with axillary lymph node negative, hormone receptor (HR) positive breast cancer. Methods: The clinicopathologic data of 439 early breast cancer patients who underwent 21 gene RS testing was retrospectively analyzed. According to the 21 gene RS, the patients were divided into low risk (295 cases), intermediate risk (111 cases) and high-risk (33 cases) group. The relationship between the 21 gene RS and clinicopathological characteristics, treatment, recurrence and metastasis was analyzed. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were used to analyze the risk factors for relapse free survival (RFS). Results: Tumor grade, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and Ki-67 index were significantly different among the 3 risk cohorts (P<0.001 for all). After a median follow-up of 32 months, the recurrence rate in low risk group (3.7%) was significantly lower than that in the intermediate-high risk group (9.0%), the locoregional recurrence (LRR) rate of low, intermediate and high risk group was 2.4%, 6.3% and 9.1%; and the distant metastasis (DM) rate in low risk group was 1.4% and 2.1% in the intermediate-high risk group. Univariate analysis showed RS, ER status and endocrine therapy were prognostic factors for RFS (P<0.05 for all). Multivariate analysis showed that RS was an independent significant predictor for RFS (P=0.04). Conclusions: The 21-gene RS is related to tumor grade, ER, PR and Ki-67 index. RS is an independent risk factor for RFS in patients with hormone receptor positive early-stage breast cancer.

Forensically Important Boettcherisca peregrina (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) in China: Development Pattern and Significance for Estimating Postmortem Interval

Sarcosaprophagous flesh flies are insect species frequently found on corpses, and their developmental patterns can be used as reliable indicators for estimating minimum postmortem interval (PMImin). In this study, the Boettcherisca peregrina Robineau-Desvoidy was reared at seven constant temperatures ranging from 16 to 34 °C to investigate the indexes of development duration and larval body length. Using these results, we generated three development models, including isomorphen diagram, isomegalen diagram, and thermal summation model. Regression analysis was conducted to obtain simulation equations of the variation in larval body length with time after larviposition, and variation in time after larviposition with body length. The developmental durations of B. peregrina from larviposition to adult eclosion under 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31 and 34 °C were 1,064.7 ± 34.8, 756.0 ± 19.0, 559.6 ± 5.5, 414.3 ± 3.9, 315.0 ± 2.0, 278.0 ± 4.0, and 258.0 ± 3.5 h, respectively. The developmental threshold temperature of B. peregrina was 10.87 ± 0.49 °C, and the thermal summation constant was 5,809.7 ± 291.4 degree days. The results of this study provide basic data for the use of B. peregrina for estimating PMImin.

Demographic Characteristics of Voluntary Donors Registered in Beijing Tongren Hospital Eye Bank of China: A Retrospective Study From 2007 to 2016

BACKGROUND

Lack of willingness to pledge eyes among the general population is the main cause for the shortage of cornea tissue in China. A few studies have implied that general-population adults with specific demographics showed more willingness to donate their eyes.

METHODS

In this study, we analyzed the demographic characteristics of 918 voluntary donors registered in Beijing Tongren Hospital Eye Bank in the past 10 years for possible predictors that might help us to identify potential donors in Beijing and increase the donation rate. All copies of voluntary eye donation application forms filled by the registrants from 2007 to 2016 were collected. Basic demographics listed in the application form were extracted for analysis. Demographics were described as proportions and compared by means of a χ² test. Besides that, donor counts and proportions of combining 2 demographics from the 4 main demographics were described and compared.

RESULTS

Voluntary donors greater than 50 years of age (n = 477, 53.0%) predominated the proportions. Regarding education level and occupation, donors with tertiary education (n = 484, 57.4%) were more numerous than donors with primary and secondary education (n = 355, 42.1%); office clerks, workers, and government officers were more willing to pledge eyes than were donors engaged in other occupations. In addition, donors of the Han race (n = 856, 94.9%) made up the majority and mainly were distributed in 5 central administrative districts of Beijing (n = 629, 77.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggests that older women (>50 years of age), living in a central district, with higher education level and engaged in white-collar work, were possible predictors for potential donors.

Determination of the Spin and Parity of the Z_{c}(3900)

The spin and parity of the Z_{c}(3900)^{±} state are determined to be J^{P}=1^{+} with a statistical significance larger than 7σ over other quantum numbers in a partial wave analysis of the process e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}J/ψ. We use a data sample of 1.92  fb^{-1} accumulated at sqrt[s]=4.23 and 4.26 GeV with the BESIII experiment. When parametrizing the Z_{c}(3900)^{±} with a Flatté-like formula, we determine its pole mass M_{pole}=(3881.2±4.2_{stat}±52.7_{syst})  MeV/c^{2} and pole width Γ_{pole}=(51.8±4.6_{stat}±36.0_{syst})  MeV. We also measure cross sections for the process e^{+}e^{-}→Z_{c}(3900)^{+}π^{-}+c.c.→J/ψπ^{+}π^{-} and determine an upper limit at the 90% confidence level for the process e^{+}e^{-}→Z_{c}(4020)^{+}π^{-}+c.c.→J/ψπ^{+}π^{-}.

Observation of Λ_{c}^{+}→nK_{S}^{0}π^{+}

We report the first direct measurement of decays of the Λ_{c}^{+} baryon involving the neutron. The analysis is performed using 567  pb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collision data collected at sqrt[s]=4.599  GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. We observe the decay Λ_{c}^{+}→nK_{S}^{0}π^{+} and measure the absolute branching fraction to be B(Λ_{c}^{+}→nK_{S}^{0}π^{+})=[1.82±0.23(stat)±0.11(syst)]%. A comparison to B[Λ_{c}^{+}→p(K[over ¯]π)^{0}] provides an important test of isospin symmetry and final state interactions.