Forsythia suspensa extract protects broilers against breast muscle oxidative injury induced by corticosterone mimicked pre-slaughter acute stress

Broilers were used to determine the protective effects of Forsythia suspensa extract (FSE) against breast muscle oxidative injury induced by corticosterone (CS) mimicking pre-slaughter acute stress. A total of 144 male Arbor Acre broilers was randomly allotted to one of 4 treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement that included FSE supplementation (0 or 100 mg/kg) and subcutaneous injection of CS (0 or 4 mg/kg) at 3 h before slaughter. Corticosterone increased live BW loss, and the adverse effect was attenuated by FSE in broilers subjected to CS (P < 0.05). Serum levels of CS, uric acid, and glucose were increased, and postmortem breast muscle pH values at 45 min and 24 h were decreased for CS-challenged broilers (P < 0.05). Corticosterone increased lightness and yellowness values and decreased redness of breast muscle (P < 0.05), and FSE decreased yellowness and increased redness of breast muscle (P < 0.05). Drip loss was increased by CS for birds supplemented without FSE (P < 0.05) and decreased by FSE for birds under CS challenge (P < 0.05). Corticosterone increased monounsaturated fatty acid (FA) and decreased polyunsaturated FA in breast muscle (P < 0.05), and saturated FA was decreased and polyunsaturated FA was increased by FSE (P < 0.05). Malondialdehyde and carbonyl contents in breast muscle were increased by CS and decreased by FSE (P < 0.05). Inhibition of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl was decreased by CS and increased by FSE (P < 0.05). The activities of total-antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase in breast muscle were lower in birds subjected to CS (P < 0.05) and were greater in birds supplemented with FSE (P < 0.05). Collectively, live BW loss and breast muscle oxidative injury were increased by CS in broilers, and these stress-related adverse effects could be attenuated by FSE supplementation via enhanced scavenging ability of free radicals and antioxidant capacity. Therefore, FSE could protect broilers against breast muscle oxidative injury when acute stress happens.

Correlation between the methylation of LIVIN gene and the pathogenesis of bone tumor

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the correlation between the methylation of LIVIN gene and the pathogenesis of bone tumor at the molecular level, in order to improve the treatment method and enhance the cure rate of bone tumor.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression level of Livin protein was detected using Western blot analysis, and its expressions in control group and patients were detected by immunohistochemistry. The methylation frequency of LIVIN gene was calculated by direct sequencing. Finally, the prognosis of treatment was investigated by follow-up.

RESULTS

The experiment found that Livin protein was not expressed in normal cells, while its expression rate was about 71.4% in 112 patients. The methylation frequency of LIVIN gene was gradually decreased with the increase of clinical stage, and had no significant relationship with age and sex. The prognosis experiment indicated that the lower the methylation frequency of LIVIN gene was, the shorter the survival time would be.

CONCLUSIONS

The methylation of LIVIN gene was closely related to the pathogenesis of bone tumor, which may be one of the important factors to induce the formation of a bone tumor. In addition, the methylation frequency of LIVIN gene could be used as a biomarker for the prognosis of bone tumor treatment.

[Effects of high-efficiency particulate air purifiers on indoor fine particulate matter and its constituents in a district of Beijing during winter]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the effect of domestic high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers on the concentrations of indoor fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and its elementary constituents in 20 residences in a district of Beijing during winter.

METHODS

From November 2015 to January 2016, 20 residences in a district of Beijing were selected, where indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 data were collected simultaneously in three time periods according to the operating of air purifiers (Group 0 h: 24 hours before operating; Group 24 h: 24 hours after operating; Group 48 h: 24 to 48 hours after operating). The content of 21 elements in PM_2.5 samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Indoor/outdoor particle concentration ratio (I/O ratios) and ΔI/O ratios were used to describe the pollution levels and the variation range of PM_2.5 and its 21 elementary constituents. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measurement data was applied to compare the I/O ratios of PM_2.5 and its elementary constituents among the different groups, and Bonferroni method was used for comparison in pairs. Wilcoxon signed rank test for paired-samples was used to compare ΔI/O ratios of 21 elementary constituents with that of PM_2.5.

RESULTS

The median I/O ratios of PM_2.5 in the three groups were 1.27 (P25-P75: 0.50-2.68), 0.45 (P25-P75: 0.27-1.03) and 0.36 (P25-P75: 0.28-2.48), respectively. Compared with Group 0 h, the I/O ratios of PM_2.5 in Group 24 h (P=0.042) and Group 48 h (P=0.006) decreased significantly. However, there was no significant difference between Group 24 h and Group 48 h. Significant differences were found comparing ΔI/O ratios of aluminium, ferrum and titanium to that of PM_2.5, in both Group 24 h and Group 48 h (P<0.05). No significant change was found in the I/O ratios of these three elements among the three groups before and after air purifier operating (P>0.05). Distances from residences to traffic arteries could affect I/O ratios of some elements from traffic-related source (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Domestic HEPA air purifiers could effectively reduce indoor PM_2.5 concentration, and the pollution level of PM_2.5 tend to be stable after the purifier operating for a time. The purifiers had different effects on different elements, among which most showed statistical significances.

Cardiovascular benefits of reducing personal exposure to traffic-related noise and particulate air pollution: A randomized crossover study in the Beijing subway system

To assess the cardiovascular benefits of protecting against particulate air pollution and noise, we conducted a randomized crossover study with 40 young healthy college students from March to May 2017 in the underground subway, Beijing. Participants each received 4 treatments (no intervention phase [NIP], respirator intervention phase [RIP], headphone intervention phase [HIP], respirator plus headphone intervention phase [RHIP]) in a randomized order during 4 different study periods with 2-week washout intervals. We measured personal exposure to particulate matter (PM), noise and electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters (heart rate variability (HRV), heart rate (HR) and ST segment changes), ambulatory blood pressure (BP) continuously for 4 hours to investigate the cardiovascular effects. Compared with NIP, most of the HRV parameters increased, especially high frequency (HF) [21.1% (95% CI: 15.7%, 26.9%), 18.2% (95% CI: 12.8%, 23.9%), and 35.5% (95% CI: 29.3%, 42.0%) in RIP, HIP, and RHIP, respectively], whereas ST segment elevation and HR decreased for all 3 modes of interventions. However, no significant differences were observed in BP among the 4 treatments. In summary, short-term wearing of a respirator and/or headphone may be an effective way to minimize cardiovascular risk induced by air pollution in the subway by improving autonomic nervous function.

Association of size-fractionated indoor particulate matter and black carbon with heart rate variability in healthy elderly women in Beijing

Associations between size-fractionated indoor particulate matter (PM) and black carbon (BC) and heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate (HR) in elderly women remain unclear. Twenty-nine healthy elderly women were measured for 24-hour HRV/HR indices. Real-time size-fractionated indoor PM and BC were monitored on the same day and on the preceding day. Mixed-effects models were applied to investigate the associations between pollutants and HRV/HR indices. Increases in size-fractionated indoor PM were significantly associated with declines in power in the high-frequency band (HF), power in the low-frequency band (LF), and standard deviation of all NN intervals (SDNN). The largest decline in HF was 19% at 5-minute moving average for an interquartile range (IQR) increase (24 μg/m³ ) in PM_0.5 . The results showed that smaller particles could lead to greater reductions in HRV indices. The reported associations were modified by body mass index (BMI): Declines in HF at 5-minute average for an IQR increase in PM_0.5 were 34.5% and 1.0% for overweight (BMI ≥25 kg/m² ) and normal-weight (BMI <25 kg/m² ) participants, respectively. Moreover, negative associations between BC and HRV indices were found to be significant in overweight participants. Increases in size-fractionated indoor PM and BC were associated with compromised cardiac autonomic function in healthy elderly women, especially overweight ones.

Exogenous niacin treatment increases NADPH oxidase in kiwifruit

Kiwifruit are a popular fruit worldwide; however, plant growth is threatened by abiotic stresses such as drought and high temperatures. Niacin treatment in plants has been shown to increase NADPH levels, thus enhancing abiotic stresses tolerance. Here, we evaluate the effect of niacin solution spray treatment on NADPH levels in the kiwifruit cultivars Hayward and Xuxiang. We found that spray treatment with niacin solution promoted NADPH and NADP+ levels and decreased both O2·- production and H2O2 contents in leaves during a short period. In fruit, NADPH contents increased during early development, but decreased later. However, no effect on NADP+ levels has been observed throughout fruit development. In summary, this report suggests that niacin may be used to increase NADPH oxidases, thus increasing stress-tolerance in kiwifruit during encounter of short-term stressful conditions.

Analysis of the calcium paradox of renin secretion

The secretion of the protease renin from renal juxtaglomerular cells is enhanced by subnormal extracellular calcium concentrations. The mechanisms underlying this atypical effect of calcium have not yet been unraveled. We therefore aimed to characterize the effect of extracellular calcium concentration on calcium handling of juxtaglomerular cells and on renin secretion in more detail. For this purpose, we used a combination of experiments with isolated perfused mouse kidneys and direct calcium measurements in renin-secreting cells in situ. We found that lowering of the extracellular calcium concentration led to a sustained elevation of renin secretion. Electron-microscopical analysis of renin-secreting cells exposed to subnormal extracellular calcium concentrations revealed big omega-shaped structures resulting from the intracellular fusion and subsequent emptying of renin storage vesicles. The calcium concentration dependencies as well as the kinetics of changes were rather similar for renin secretion and for renovascular resistance. Since vascular resistance is fundamentally influenced by myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP), and Rho-associated protein kinase (Rho-K) activities, we examined the effects of MLCK-, MLCP-, and Rho-K inhibitors on renin secretion. Only MLCK inhibition stimulated renin secretion. Conversely, inhibition of MCLP activity lowered perfusate flow and strongly inhibited renin secretion, which could not be reversed by lowering of the extracellular calcium concentration. Renin-secreting cells and smooth muscle cells of afferent arterioles showed immunoreactivity of MLCK. These findings suggest that the inhibitory effect of calcium on renin secretion could be explained by phosphorylation-dependent processes under control of the MLCK.

Identifying barriers to accrual in radiation oncology randomized trials

Background

Data about factors driving accrual to radiation oncology trials are limited. In oncology, 30%-40% of trials are considered unsuccessful, many because of poor accrual. The goal of the present study was to inform the design of future trials by evaluating the effects of institutional, clinician, and patient factors on accrual rates to a randomized radiation oncology trial.

Methods

Investigators participating in sabr-comet (NCT01446744), a randomized phase ii trial open in Canada, Europe, and Australia that is evaluating the role of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (sabr) in oligometastatic disease, were invited to complete a survey about factors affecting accrual. Institutional ethics approval was obtained. The primary endpoint was the annual accrual rate per institution. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to identify factors predictive of annual accrual rates.

Results

On univariable linear regression analysis, off-trial availability of sabr (p = 0.014) and equipoise of the referring physician (p = 0.014) were found to be predictive of annual accrual rates. The annual accrual rates were lower when centres offered sabr for oligometastases off-trial (median: 3.7 patients vs. 8.4 patients enrolled) and when referring physicians felt that, compared with having equipoise, sabr was beneficial (median: 4.8 patients vs. 8.4 patients enrolled). Multivariable analysis identified perceived level of equipoise of the referring physician to be predictive of the annual accrual rate (p = 0.023).

Conclusions

The level of equipoise of referring physicians might play a key role in accrual to radiation oncology randomized controlled trials. Efforts to communicate with and educate referring physicians might therefore be beneficial for improving trial accrual rates.

Probiotic supplementation protects weaned pigs against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88 challenge and improves performance similar to antibiotics

These studies evaluated the effects of probiotics (PB) as a potential substitute for antibiotics (AB) on diarrhea in relation to immune responses and intestinal health in weaned pigs challenged with enterotoxigenic (ETEC) K88 (Exp. 1) and the effects of PB on performance and nutrient digestibility in weaned pigs (Exp. 2). In Exp. 1, 24 weaned barrows (4.9 ± 0.4 kg initial BW) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments. The treatments consisted of pigs fed an unsupplemented corn-soybean meal basal diet and not challenged (NON-C) or challenged with ETEC K88 (CHA-C) on d 9 and pigs fed the same basal diet supplemented with AB (100 mg/kg zinc bacitracin, 50 mg/kg colistin sulfate, and 100 mg/kg olaquindox; CHA-AB) or 500 mg/kg PB ( and ; CHA-PB) and challenged with ETEC K88 on d 9. In Exp. 2, 108 weaned pigs (7.5 ± 0.9 kg initial BW) not challenged with ETEC K88 were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments, including an AB-free basal diet (CON) and the basal diet with AB (ABD) or 500 mg/kg PB supplementation (PBD). In Exp. 1, after challenge, CHA-C decreased ( < 0.05) ADG and ADFI, whereas CHA-AB and CHA-PB revealed no significant change compared with NON-C. Compared with CHA-C, CHA-AB and CHA-PB improved ( < 0.05) ADG and ADFI and decreased ( < 0.05) the diarrhea incidence in pigs. Mucosal secretory Ig A contents in the jejunum and ileum were greater in CHA-C than in NON-C ( < 0.05) and lower than in CHA-PB ( < 0.05). The diet containing PB alleviated the increase in the endotoxin and diamine oxidase concentration and cecal count ( < 0.05) and the decrease in intestinal villus height, cecal count, and jejunal mucosal occludin protein abundance ( < 0.05). In Exp. 2, dietary supplementation with AB and PB had positive effects on ADG and feed efficiency ( < 0.05). Compared with CON, apparent digestibility of nutrients in PBD was improved ( < 0.05). Collectively, PB supplementation protected the pigs against ETEC K88 infection by enhancing immune responses and attenuating intestinal damage and improved the performance and nutrient digestibility of weaned pigs. Therefore, PB could be a potential effective alternative to AB for ameliorating diarrhea and improving performance in weaned pigs.

[Feasibility of susceptibility weighted imaging in the evaluation of renal fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction in white rabbits]

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) to reflect the progression of renal fibrosis (RF) induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in rabbits. Methods: Total of 32 New Zealand white rabbits (aged 4-5 months) were used to establish the UUO model (RF group) and were divided into 4 subgroups (including RF-2W group, RF-4W group , RF-6W group and RF-8W group) according to the duration of obstruction(2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks). Another 8 rabbits, underwent sham operation, were used as the control group (Sham group). T2 weighted imaging (T(2)WI) and SWI sequences were performed on the rabbits at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after UUO, respectively. Rabbits were sacrificed and specimens were obtained after MR examination, then hematoxylin&eosin staining and Masson staining were performed to explore the renal tubular injury and interstitial fibrosis. The relationship between the relative signal-to-noise ratio(rSNR)measured on the SWI fusion maps and the degree of renal fibrosis was analyzed. Analysis of variance was used to compare the difference of rSNRs among 5 groups. Results: The rSNRs of the inner medulla gradually decreased over time, the rSNRs of Sham group, RF-2W group, RF-4W group, RF-6W group and RF-8W group was 2.29±0.18, 1.73±0.30, 1.67±0.08, 1.42±0.28, 1.12±0.15, respectively (F=25.876, P<0.01). In RF-2W group, the rSNRs of the outer medulla and cortex increased when compared with those in the Sham group, then they decreased gradually over time in the other groups (F=5.230, 7.621, both P<0.05). The pathological results demonstrated that the morphology of renal tubules in Sham group was normal and no apoptosis or necrosis was seen in the tubular epithelial cells. In the RF-2W group, the main pathological manifestations included renal tubules dilatation, tubular epithelial cell degeneration or necrosis and the infiltration of inflammatory cell. In Masson staining, lots of blue areas were present in the interstitial. As the obstruction time prolonged, the renal tubular collapse, inflammatory cells and fibroblasts increased significantly. Meanwhile blue area also increased significantly in Masson staining. Conclusion: SWI can be used as a noninvasive method to evaluate the pathological progression of fibrosis in the rabbit UUO model.

[The effect of short-term exposure to ambient NO(2) on lung function and fractional exhaled nitric oxide in 33 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients]

Objectives: To investigate the effect of short-term exposure to ambient NO(2) has influence on lung function and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Methods: A panel of doctor-diagnosed stable COPD patients (n=33) were recruited and repeatedly measured for lung function and FeNO from December 2013 to October 2014. The patients who lived in Beijing for more than one year and aged between 60 and 85 years old were included in the study. We excluded patients with asthma, bronchial tensor, lung cancer and other respiratory disorders other than chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and occupational exposure and chest trauma surgery patients. Because the frequency of each subject visiting to the hospital was different, a total of 170 times of lung function measurements and 215 times of FeNO measurements were conducted. At the same time, the atmospheric NO(2) data of Beijing environmental monitoring station near the residence of each patient during the study period were collected from 1 day to 7 days lag before the measurement. Effects of short-term NO(2) exposure on lung function and FeNO in COPD patients were estimated by linear mixed-effects models. Results: The subjects' forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and exhaled NO of subjects were (3.26±0.83) L, (1.66±0.61) L, (4.13±1.77) L/s, and (48.99±14.30) μg/m(3), respectively. The concentration of NO(2) was (70.3±34.2) μg/m(3) and the interquartile range (IQR) was 39.0 μg/m(3). Short-term exposure to NO(2) resulted in a significant decrease in FVC among COPD patients' which was most obvious in 2 days lag. Every quartile range increased in NO(2) (39 μg/m(3), 2 day) would cause a 1.84% (95%CI: -3.20%- -0.48%) reduction in FVC. The effects of exposure to higher concentration of NO(2) (≥58.0 μg/m(3)) on FVC estimate was -2.32% (95%CI: -4.15%- -0.48%)(P=0.02). No significant relevance of FeNO and NO(2) was observed in this study. Conclusions: Short term exposure to ambient NO(2) may bring down pulmonary function in COPD patients.

Concentration of digestible and metabolizable energy, standardized ileal digestibility, and growth performance of pigs fed diets containing sorghum produced in the United States or corn produced in China

The DE and ME content (Exp. 1) as well as the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of essential AA (EAA; Exp. 2) were compared between Chinese corn and U.S. sorghum. The effects of U.S. sorghum as a potential substitute for Chinese corn on growth performance of 114 weaned pigs (8.8 ± 1.0 kg BW; Exp. 3) and 60 growing pigs (23.4 ± 1.6 kg BW; Exp. 4) were evaluated, and the effect of protease supplementation on N utilization was determined in sorghum-based diets fed to growing pigs (Exp. 4). In Exp. 1, there was no difference in DE and ME content between corn and sorghum. In Exp. 2, the AID and SID of most EAA and the concentrations of standardized ileal digestible Lys, Met, Thr, and His were less in sorghum than in corn ( < 0.05). In Exp. 3, there was no difference in ADG and ADFI among treatments during the experimental period. The G:F and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of CP was decreased for pigs fed diets with sorghum in the first 2 wk ( < 0.05) and for pigs fed diets containing 60% sorghum in the following 2 wk ( < 0.05). The fecal score for pigs fed diets with sorghum, regardless of the substitute level, was less ( < 0.05) or tended to be less ( = 0.086) than that for pigs fed diets containing 60% corn. In Exp. 4, no differences were observed in ADG and ADFI overall among pigs fed diets based on corn and soybean meal (CSBM) or sorghum and soybean meal (SSBM). Pigs fed CSBM or SSBM with protease supplementation had greater ( < 0.05) or tended to have greater ( = 0.062) G:F than pigs fed SSBM. Compared with CSBM, SSBM increased fecal N excretion by more than 25% and decreased the ATTD of CP by more than 7% during the whole experiment ( < 0.05). Protease supplementation reduced fecal N excretion by more than 12% and increased ATTD of CP by more than 6% ( < 0.05). In conclusion, based on optimal G:F and CP digestibility, diets for weaned pigs should contain less than 20% sorghum during the first 2 wk and no more than 40% during the subsequent 2 wk after weaning. Sorghum used as an alternative energy source for corn in diets fed to growing pigs decreases CP utilization by increasing manure N output, which might be partially offset by protease supplementation.

Effect of a lytic bacteriophage on rabbits experimentally infected with pathogenic Escherichia coli

Pathogenic <em>Escherichia coli</em> (<em>E. coli</em>) is severely threatening the rabbit industry in China, and the concern over antibiotic-resistant bacteria has given rise to an urgent need for antibiotic alternatives. In this study, a member (ZRP1) of the <em>Myoviridae</em> family was isolated from rabbit faeces using a strain of rabbit atypical enteropathogenic <em>E. coli</em> (ZR1) as host. The one-step growth curve indicated that the latent period was around 25 to 30 min and the burst size was 144±31 plaque-forming unit/cell. The rate of phage-resistant mutation was 7×10^–5±4×10^–5. When the bacteriophage input at the multiplicity of infection (MOI) was 0.1, 1 or 10, the growth of host <em>E. coli</em> in broth was inhibited for 5 h. A single intravenous injection of ZRP1 at MOI 0.1, 1 or 10 significantly prolonged the survival time of rabbits which simultaneously received a lethal dose of ZR1.