L-theanine attenuates transport stress-induced impairment of meat quality of broilers through improving muscle antioxidant status

This study was to investigate the effect of dietary L-theanine (THE) supplementation (0, 600 mg/kg) on growth performance, carcass traits, immune organ indexes, meat quality, and muscle antioxidant status of transported broilers. A total of 180 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly allotted to 2 treatment groups including a THE-free group with 12 replicates of 10 birds each and a THE group with 6 replicates of 10 birds each. On the morning of day 42, after a 9-h fast, the birds of THE-free group were divided into 2 equal groups, and then all birds in the 3 groups were placed into 18 crates and were transported according to the following protocols: 0-h transport of birds in the THE-free group (control group), 3-h transport of birds in the THE-free group (T group), and 3-h transport of birds in the THE group (T + THE group). Results showed that dietary THE supplementation improved feed conversion ratio and birds' final body weight (P < 0.05), while transport and dietary THE supplementation did not affect carcass traits of broilers (P > 0.05). Transport increased bird live weight loss, drip loss, L*24 h, muscle malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC) and lactate contents, while it decreased thymus, spleen, and bursa of Fabricius indexes, pH24h, a*, and muscle total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activities and glycogen content (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, compared with birds in the T group, birds in the T + THE group exhibited increased thymus, spleen, and bursa of Fabricius indexes, pH24h, a*24 h, and muscle T-AOC, CAT, and GSH-PX activities and glycogen content, and decreased drip loss, L*24 h, and muscle MDA, PC, and lactate contents (P < 0.05). This study provided the first evidence that dietary THE supplementation prevented transport-stress-impaired immune organ indexes and meat quality of broilers, and the reason for maintenance of meat quality by supplementation of THE may be partly ascribed to the changed muscle glycolysis metabolism and antioxidant status.

Large-Scale Granger Causal Brain Network based on Resting-State fMRI data

The causal connections among small-scale regions based on resting-state fMRI data have been extensively studied and a lot of achievements have been demonstrated. However, the causal connection among large-scale regions was seldom discussed. In this paper, we applied global Granger causality analysis to construct the causal connections in the whole-brain network among 103 healthy subjects (33 M/66F, ages 20-23) based on a resting-state fMRI dataset. We further explored four large-scale cognitive networks which have been widely known: central executive network (CEN), default mode network (DMN), dorsal attention network (DAN) and salience network (SN). These four cognitive networks are particularly important for understanding higher cognitive functions and dysfunction. Based on the above research, Out-In degree were introduced to identify the driving and driven hubs. Studying the driving and driven hub of brain network is of great significance for assessing the functional mechanism of the brain network. There were 817 directed edges identified as significant among the 8010 possible causal connections; seven driving hubs and ten driven hubs were identified in the whole-brain network. In CEN, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DlPFC) and superior parietal cortex (SPC) were the driven and driving hubs, respectively; in DMN, they were posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC); in DAN, they were frontal eye fields (FEF) and intraparietal sulcus (IPS); and in SN, they were frontoinsular cortex (FIC) and medial frontal cortex (MFC). These findings may provide insights into our understanding of human brain function mechanisms and the diagnosis of brain diseases.

[Analysis of related factors affecting evolution of recent small subcortical infarcts with cerebral small vessel disease]

Objective: To explore related factors affecting evolution of recent small subcortical infarct (RSSI) with small-artery occlusion. Methods: A total of 96 RSSI patients with RSSI were admitted from Shanghai Tongji Hospital between January 2015 and December 2018. The age of patients containing 60 men was 64.5 (58-73) years, and MRI follow-up time was 11.6 (6.3-11.8) months. Clinical information of patients, images data at baseline head MRI and evolution outcomes at follow-up MRI were collected. All patients were divided into cavitation group (lacunes) and no cavitation group (white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and disappearance) to analyze related factors. Results: Fifty-nine cases (61.5%) developed to cavities, 32 cases (33.3%) were focal WMH, and 5 cases (5.2%) disappeared.In the univariate analysis, RSSI maximum diameter on the DWI or T(2)WI sequence of cavitation group was significantly higher than non-cavitation group, but male proportion was lower (11.6 (9.9-16.6) vs 8.6 (6.9-13.0) mm, 11.8 (9.7-16.2) vs 8.8 (6.7-13.1) mm, 54.2% vs 75.7%, all P<0.05). In Logistic regression analysis,the maximum diameter on DWI sequence was an independent predictor of cavity formation (P=0.022,OR=1.138).When conducting quantitative analysis of infarct diameter and taking infarct maximum diameter ≤10 mm group as reference, the cavitation risk of maximum diameter>15 mm group was about 7.5 times higher (P=0.010, OR=7.464). The maximum diameter of 10-15 mm lost predictive value for cavity formation (P=0.129, OR=2.444). Conclusions: About 61.5% of RSSI develop to cavitation and 38.5% to WMH or disappear. The RSSI showing larger diameter on DWI has a greater possibility of cavitation.

Selenium reduces the pathogenicity of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum by inhibiting sclerotial formation and germination

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (S. sclerotiorum) is a devastating fungal pathogen with worldwide distribution, and threatened the agro-ecological safety in the long term. To control the damage caused by Sclerotinia diseases, as well as consider the fungicide resistance and chemical residues, strategy of which plant nutritional regulation, as an eco-friendly approach, is gaining much significance. Selenium (Se), as a beneficial microelement for plant, has been manifested to be effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth of S.sclerotiorum in our previous study. In the present study, we observed that Se (both selenate and selenite) inhibited the formation of sclerotia, which is an important life form in the disease cycle of S. sclerotiorum. And the inhibition ratios of number of sclerotia in treatments of Se(VI)_5.0 and Se(IV)_5.0 were 54.55% and 43.84%, respectively; the inhibition ratios of weight of sclerotia in treatments of Se(VI)_5.0 and Se(IV)_5.0 were 42.29% and 25.67%, respectively. Results suggested that Se inhibited mycelial growth, severely damaged sclerotial ultrastructure, reduced the capacity of acid production, decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, increased the content of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and superoxide anion (O₂^-) in mycelium, and all of these resulted in the reduction in sclerotial formation. Further studies revealed that Se application in medium increased Se concentration in sclerotia and thus inhibited sclerotial germination. Moreover, the pathogenicity of mycelia germinating from sclerotia that pretreated with Se, decreased significantly to rape leaves. These findings broadened our understanding of Se application in plant protection, as well as provided evidences for developing environment-friendly fungicide for S. sclerotiorum control.

Selenium (Se) reduces Sclerotinia stem rot disease incidence of oilseed rape by increasing plant Se concentration and shifting soil microbial community and functional profiles

Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR), a soil-borne plant disease, cause the yield loss of oilseed rape. Selenium (Se), a beneficial element of plant, improves plant resistance to pathogens, and regulates microbial communities in soil. Soil microbial communities has been identified to play an important role in plant health. We studied whether the changes in soil microbiome under influence of Se associated with oilseed rape health. SSR disease incidence of oilseed rape and soil biochemical properties were investigated in Enshi district, "The World Capital of Selenium", and soil bacterial and fungal communities were analyzed by 16S rRNA and ITS sequencing, respectively. Results showed that Se had a strong effect on SSR incidence, and disease incidence inversely related with plant Se concentration. Besides, soil Se enhanced the microbiome diversities and the relative abundance of PGPR (plant growth promoting rhizobacteria), such as Bryobacter, Nitrospirae, Rhizobiales, Xanthobacteraceae, Nitrosomonadaceae and Basidiomycota. Furthermore, Soil Se decreased the relative abundance of pathogenic fungi, such as Olpidium, Armillaria, Coniosporium, Microbotryomycetes and Chytridiomycetes. Additionally, Se increased nitrogen metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism and cell processes related functional profiles in soil. The enrichment of Se in plants and improvement of soil microbial community were related to increased plant resistance to pathogen infection. These findings suggested that Se has potential to be developed as an ecological fungicide for biological control of SSR.

[Reduction of the atlantoaxial dislocation associated with basilar invagination through single-stage posterior approach: using Xuanwu occipital-cervical reduction surgical suite]

Objective: To examine the effect of posterior reduction in atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) associated with basilar invagination(BI) using Xuanwu occipital-cervical fusion system in single stage. Methods: Thirty-seven AAD accompanied with BI cases treated at Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical Universiy and the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University were retrospective analyzed. There were 15 males and 22 females with age of (42.3±12.3)years (range: 18-69 yars). All the cases had congenital osseous abnormalities, such as assimilation of atlas and abnormal cervical fusion. Anterior tissue was released through posterior route followed by cage implantation into facet joint and occipital-cervical fixation with cantilever technique. The clinical results were evaluated using Japanese Orthopedic Association scale(JOA) and the main radiological measurements including anterior atlantodental interval (ADI),the distance of odontoid tip above Chamberlain line,clivus-canal angle (CCA) and the length of syrinx were collected.The preoperative and postoperative JOA score and radiological measurements were compared by paired t-test. Results: The mean JOA score of the patients increased from 10.5 to 14.4 at the one-year follow-up(t=14.3,P=0.00).Complete reduction of AAD and BI was achieved in 34 patients.The mean clivus-canal angle improved from 118.0 degrees preoperative to 143.7 degrees postoperative(t=6.2,P=0.00). Shrinkage of the syrinx was observed 1 week after surgery in 24 patients, and 6 months in 31 patients. Twenty-eight patients achieved bone fusion 6 months after surgery. All the patients achieved bone fusion 12 months after surgery. One-side vertebral artery occlusion was diagnosed in 1 case postoperatively for transient dizziness, and relieved in 2 weeks. Two patients developed moderate neck pain after surgery, and relieved in 1 month. No implant failure, spacer subsidence or infection was observed. Conclusions: The treatment of AAD associated with BI using Xuanwu occipital-cervical fusion system from posterior approach in single stage is effective and safe. Cage implantation intraarticularly and fixation with cantilever technique achieve complete reduction in most cases.

[Homosexual behavior and related factors among married men who have sex with men in Mianyang city, Sichuan province]

Objective: To understand the homosexual behavior and related factors among married MSM in Mianyang city. Methods: Between January and October in 2017, a snowball sampling method was adopted to carry out cross-sectional survey through questionnaires plus HIV testing among those MSM in Mianyang city. Logistic regression model was used to analyze homosexual behaviors and related factors among married MSM under study. Statistical analysis was used by EpiData 3.1 and SPSS 19.0 software. Results: A total of 234 MSM participated in this survey. The overall rate of homosexual behavior in these married MSM appeared as 94.9% (222/234). Rate of having anal sex behavior was 94.4% (221/234) in the past 6 months, with rate of condom use as 57.9% (128/221). HIV positive rate was 8.1% (18/222). As for the motives for homosexual behavior after marriage, 87.8% (195/222) were driven by feelings of love, 12.2% (27/222) due to 'releasing pressure'. Proportion of male sex partners would include occasional sex partners (62.2%, 138/222), stable male sex partners (26.1%, 58/222) and stable boyfriends (11.7%, 26/222). Factors from logistic regression analysis showed that homosexual behaviors were related to the factors including education level of senior high school or above vs. education level of junior middle school or below (OR=3.65, 95%CI: 1.33-9.98); local residency over one year vs. the ones having local residency less than one year (OR=23.28, 95%CI:1.67-324.89); having 10 or more friends in the MSM community vs. having below 10 friends in MSM community (OR=4.15, 95%CI: 1.28-13.43); without sex pleasure with spouse vs. having sex pleasure with spouse (OR=3.25, 95%CI: 1.22-8.62); having 2 or more anal sex partners in the past 6 months vs. having less than 2 anal sex partners in the past 6 months (OR=0.28,95%CI: 0.09-0.81). Conclusions: The rate of homosexual behavior and HIV positive rate were high among MSM in Mianyang city. Homosexual behaviors after marriage were influenced by multiple factors among MSM. The motives of homosexual behavior after marriage were driven by feelings of love, the related factors were education level of senior high school or above, local residency over one year, having 10 or more friends in the MSM community and without sex pleasure with spouse. As for the motives of these behaviors was caused by releasing pressure, the related factors was having more than 2 anal sex partners.

Selenium induces changes of rhizosphere bacterial characteristics and enzyme activities affecting chromium/selenium uptake by pak choi (Brassica campestris L. ssp. Chinensis Makino) in chromium contaminated soil

Understanding the chemical response and characteristics of bacterial communities in soil is critical to evaluate the effects of selenium (Se) supplement on plant growth and chromium (Cr)/Se uptake in Cr contaminated soil. The rhizosphere soil characteristics of pak choi (Brassica campestris L. ssp. Chinensis Makino) were investigated in soil contaminated with different levels and forms of Cr when supplemented with Se. Although inhibition of plant growth caused by Cr stress was not completely alleviated by Se, Cr content in plant tissues decreased in Cr(VI)120Se5 treatment (Cr(VI): 120 mg kg^-1 soil; Se: 5 mg kg^-1 soil) and its bioavailability in soil decreased in Cr(III)200Se5 (Cr(III): 200 mg kg^-1 soil; Se: 5 mg kg^-1 soil) treatment. Moreover, antagonism of Cr and Se on soil enzyme activities and bacterial communities were revealed. Notably, results of Cr(VI) reduction and Se metabolism functional profiles confirmed that bacterial communities play a critical role in regulating Cr/Se bioavailability. Additionally, the increases of Se bioavailability in Cr contaminated soil were ascribed to oxidation of Cr(VI) and reduction of Se reductases proportions, as well as the enhancing of pH in soil. These findings reveal that Se has the potential capacity to sustain the stability of microdomain in Cr contaminated soil.

Selenium alleviated chromium stress in Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. Pekinensis) by regulating root morphology and metal element uptake

Excessive chromium (Cr) causes toxicity to plants, while the beneficial effects of selenium (Se) have been verified in plants under various adverse conditions. Under Cr stress, the impacts of exogenous Se on root morphology and metal element uptake were investigated in root of Chinese cabbage by cellular and biochemical approaches. Exogenous Se alleviated Cr-induced irreversible damage to root morphology, plasma membrane integrity and ultrastructure of root tip cells. Compared with Cr treatment alone, exogenous Se reduced root Cr content by 17%. Se supply changed the subcellular distribution of Cr in root, and the concentration of Cr was reduced in the fractions of plastids and mitochondria, while increased in soluble fraction. Besides, exogenous Se counteracted the nutrient elements (Na, Ca, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) loss induced by Cr. For plant with Se pretreatment, the increase rate of Cr influx was lower than that of plant without Se pretreatment, particularly in solution containing high concentration (100-400 μmol L^-1) of Cr. In addition, higher K_m value was observed in plant with Se pretreatment, which indicated a lower Cr affinity than that of plant without Se pretreatment. The results suggest that Se modified root morphology and regulated nutrient elements uptake by root, which might play a combined role in reducing Cr uptake by root, consequently alleviating Cr stress and maintaining plant growth.

[A preliminary study on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging of brain after anterior cruciate ligament preservation reconstruction with autologous tendon]

Objective: To preliminarily study on the possible mechanism of cerebral cortical dysfunction pattern after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) preservation reconstruction with autologous tendon through resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Methods: From June 2015 to February 2019, 18 patients (10 males and 8 females with an average age of (36±10) years) with left anterior cruciate ligament rupture and treated with arthroscopic preservation reconstruction with autologous tendon were enrolled in this study, and 17 comparable healthy controls were included in Tongji Hospital of Tongji University. fMRI was performed after the postoperative period (2 to 12 weeks). The fMRI data were preprocessed by SPM8 software package and RESTplus software. The amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) in those two groups were calculated. Two-sample t-test was performed on ALFF and fALFF of the two groups, and multiple test corrections were performed by using AlphaSim. These methods were used for contrast studies on the characteristic activities of the brain dysfunction. Results: Compared with those in the control, ALFF in the central cingulate gyrus (cingulum_mid_bilateral), involving the auxiliary movement zone (supp_motor_ area) were significantly higher in the patients (P<0.01 before correction, P<0.05 after AlphaSim correction). The fALFF in activation cluster 1 was significantly higher in the right central gyrus (postcentral_R), the right lower lobule (parietal_inf_R), and the right upper margin (supramarginal_R) in the patients than that in the normal control group, respectively (P<0.01 before correction, P<0.05 after AlphaSim correction); the fALFF in activation cluster 2 in the right central cingulate gyrus (cingulum_mid_R), involving the right auxiliary movement zone (supp_motor_area_R) was significantly higher in the patients than that in the normal control group, respectively (P<0.01 before correction, P<0.05 after AlphaSim correction). Conclusion: The patients' cerebrum cortical function associated with the kinesthesis and their regulations are abnormally changed after anterior cruciate ligament preservation reconstruction with autologous tendon.

Modified Rice Straw Enhanced Cadmium (II) Immobilization in Soil and Promoted the Degradation of Phenanthrene in Co-Contaminated Soil

Very limited information is available about heavy metal-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) depollution involving the modified natural material in soil. Using phenanthrene and cadmium (Cd) as model, this study investigated the effect(s) of modified rice straw by a NaOH solution and on PAHs, heavy metal availability, and their interactions. Treatment included chemical contaminant with/without modified/unmodified rice straw. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis revealed that certain functional groups including anionic matters groups, which can a complex with Cd²⁺, were exposed on the modified rice straw surfaces. Therefore, Cd concentration was significantly reduced by about 60%, 57%, 62.5 %, and, 64% in the root, shoot, CaCl₂, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), and extractable Cd, respectively. Subsequently, the prediction of the functional profile of the soil metagenome using Clusters Orthologous Groups (COGs) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database revealed that the significantly changed individual COGs belonged to the carbohydrate metabolism, ion transports, and signaling (including cytochrome P450s) categories. This indicated that ion transports might be involved in Cd management, while carbohydrate metabolism, including bisphenol, benzoate, ethylbenzene degradation, and cytochrome P450s, were rather involved in phenanthrene metabolism. The exposed functional group might serve as an external substrate, and P450s might serve as a catalyst to activate and initiate phenanthrene metabolism process. These finding offer confirmation that modified straw could promote the reduction of heavy metal and the degradation of PAHs in soil.

[Association between resting heart rate trajectory pattern and risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases]

Objective: To examine whether the long-term resting heart rate (RHR) pattern can predict the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs). Methods: This prospective cohort study included 63 040 participants who took part in the health examination in 2006 and one of the health examinations on 2008 or 2010 and were free of myocardial infarction, stroke, arrhythmia, cancer and not treated with β-recepter blocker. The outcomes were the first occurrence of myocardial infarction and stroke during the follow up ended on December 31, 2015. RHRs were measured in 2006, 2008, and 2010. We used latent mixture modeling SAS Proc procedure to identify RHR trajectories. We identified 4 distinct RHR trajectory patterns based on the data derived from 2006 and on the pattern change during 2006 to 2010 (low-stable, moderate-stable, moderate-increasing, elevated-decreasing). Collected the general clinical data of the patients. Cox regression model was used to determine the association between RHR trajectory patterns and the risk of CVDs during follow up. Hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using Cox regression modeling. Results: There were statistical significance among the 4 distinct RHR trajectory patterns on the following variables: age, gender, smoking status, drinking status, physical activity, education status, history of use antihypertensive drugs, history of hypertension,history of diabetes, body mass index, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and the level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (all P<0.01). The moderate-increasing pattern experienced the highest risk of developing stroke and CVDs among all 4 patterns. The cumulative incidence of cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage and CVDs in the order of low-stable trajectory, moderate-stable trajectory and moderate-increasing trajectory. The cumulative incidences of cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage and CVDs in elevated-decreasing trajectory group were significantly lower than those in moderate-increasing trajectory group, but higher than those in moderate-stable trajectory group. Compared to the low-stable pattern, adjusted HR was 1.3 (95%CI 1.0-1.6) for the moderate-increasing pattern after adjustment for potential confounders. Conclusion: Our study finds that individuals with moderate-increasing RHR trajectory pattern are associated with higher risk of cardiovascular and CVDs.

Research on the nitrogen transformation in rhizosphere of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) under molybdenum addition

Molybdenum (Mo), an essential microelement for plants, animals, and microorganisms, is reported can reduce soil nitrogen (N) residues and regulate plant root growth, but little is known about its effect on soil N transformation in plant-root region. A specially designed rhizobox was used in the present study to investigate the N processes in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils of winter wheat applied with different rates of Mo fertilizer. (1) In the rhizosphere soil, pH values increased with increasing rates of Mo application, nitrate (NO₃^--N) accumulated at the rates of 0.15 and 0.3 mg Mo kg^-1, potential denitrification activity (PDA) was significantly reduced by application of 0.15-1 mg Mo kg^-1, and the copy numbers of narG and nosZ genes were increased by application of 0.15-1 mg Mo kg^-1. (2) In the non-rhizosphere soil, NO₃^--N content decreased by application of 0.15-0.3 mg Mo kg^-1, and narG gene abundance increased obviously by application of 0.3-1 mg Mo kg^-1. (3) Soil pH, NO₃^--N, apparent nitrification rate (ANR), and nosZ gene abundance were significantly higher in rhizosphere than in non-rhizosphere soil. On the contrary, NH₄⁺-N and total N, PDA, the abundance of AOB, and nirK and nirS genes were significantly higher in non-rhizosphere soil. The results indicated that the N transformations in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils were differently affected by soil application of Mo fertilizer, and rhizosphere played a more important role in soil N cycle processes. The regulatory effects of Mo on these processes were to increase plant biomass and N uptake, promote the NO₃^--N accumulation in rhizosphere soil, and weaken the denitrification in both rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils.

Primary Disruption of the Memory-Related Subsystems of the Default Mode Network in Alzheimer's Disease: Resting-State Functional Connectivity MRI Study

Background: Recent studies have indicated that the default mode network (DMN) comprises at least three subsystems: The medial temporal lobe (MTL) and dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC) subsystems and a core comprising the anterior MPFC (aMPFC) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). Additionally, the disruption of the DMN is related to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, little is known regarding the changes in these subsystems in AD, a progressive disease characterized by memory impairment. Here, we performed a resting-state functional connectivity (FC) analysis to test our hypothesis that the memory-related MTL subsystem was predominantly disrupted in AD.

Method: To reveal specific subsystem changes, we calculated the strength and number of FCS in the DMN intra- and inter-subsystems across individuals and compared the FC of the two groups. To further examine which pairs of brain regional functional connections contributed to the subsystem alterations, correlation coefficients between any two brain regions in the DMN were compared across groups. Additionally, to identify which regions made the strongest contributions to the subsystem changes, we calculated the regional FC strength (FCS), which was compared across groups.

Results: For the intra-subsystem, decreased FC number and strength occurred in the MTL subsystem of AD patients but not in the DMPFC subsystem or core. For the inter-subsystems, the AD group showed decreased FCS and number between the MTL subsystem and PCC and a decreased number between the PCC and DMPFC subsystem. Decreased inter-regional FCS were found within the MTL subsystem in AD patients relative to controls: The posterior inferior parietal lobule (pIPL) showed decreased FC with the hippocampal formation (HF), parahippocampal cortex (PHC) and ventral MPFC (vMPFC). Decreased inter-regional FCS of the inter-subsystems were also found in AD patients: The HF and/or PHC showed decreased FC with dMPFC and TPJ, located in the DMPFC subsystem, and with PCC. AD patients also showed decreased FC between the PCC and TLC of the dMPFC subsystem. Furthermore, the HF and PHC in the MTL subsystem showed decreased regional FCS.

Conclusion: Decreased intrinsic FC was mainly associated with the MTL subsystem of the AD group, suggesting that the MTL subsystem is predominantly disrupted.

Zinc(II)-Catalyzed Asymmetric Diels-Alder Reaction of ( E)-1-Phenyl Dienes with β,γ-Unsaturated α-Ketoesters

A highly regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselective Diels-Alder reaction of β,γ-unsaturated α-ketoesters with ( E)-1-phenyl dienes has been accomplished by using a stable and easily available chiral N,N'-dioxide/zinc(II) complex as catalyst. Only one isomer of the corresponding cyclohexenes with three chiral centers was obtained in good to excellent yields with excellent ee values under mild reaction conditions. The configurations of the product and chiral N,N'-dioxide/zinc(II) catalyst were identified by X-ray diffraction analysis. In addition, a possible catalytic model was proposed to explain the origin of the asymmetric induction.

Action of selenium against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum: Damaging membrane system and interfering with metabolism

Selenium (Se) in soil is beneficial for environmental stress tolerance of plants, and it has widespread toxic effects on pathogens. Based on the fact that Se significantly inhibited the growth of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, we set experiments with different concentrations of Se to investigate the action of Se against S. sclerotiorum in this study. The results showed that Se (>0.5 mg L^-1) changed the morphology of S. sclerotiorum mycelia, and higher Se concentrations severely damaged mycelial structures. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis indicated that Se treatment induced the chemical composition of mycelia with much abundance of functional groups such as alcohols, ketones, ammonium and esters, and 0.5 mg L^-1 Se maximized their concentrations. Under Se treatments, the electrical conductivity of mycelia increased in a time-dependent manner, and osmolyte concentrations of mycelia increased as well. Se supplementation significantly reduced polymethylgalacturonase (PMG) and carboxymethylcellulase (Cx) activities, which protecting plants from infection, and increased the energy expenditure in S. sclerotiorum. Combined action of Se damage on membrane system, osmoregulation, reduction of cell wall degrading enzymes activities and improvement of energy expenditure resulted in the inhibition of S. sclerotiorum growth. Findings in this study provided evidences for using Se as a potential fungicide to control S. sclerotiorum.

Cross-Kerr effect in a parity-time symmetric optomechanical system

The cross-Kerr effects between the cavity and the mechanical oscillator in a parity-time symmetric optomechanical system are investigated. It is found that in the double-passive case there appears an asymmetric optomechanically induced transparency (OMIT) spectrum which is composed of a broad absorption peak located around the resonant point and a absorption line at the frequency position mainly determined by the Kerr interaction. The distinctive asymmetry induced by the cross-Kerr coupling is precisely demonstrated by the analytic findings. In the passive-active case, the resonance peaks in the OMIT spectrum are increased with the weak tunnel coupling, which is contrary to that in the double-passive case. When the tunnel coupling is increased up in the strong coupling region, the broad absorption peak and the absorption line in the OMIT spectrum are sequentially changed into the amplification ones, and the central amplification dip is split into two parts due to the normal mode splitting induced by the strong tunnel coupling. This can be used to realize a switching from absorption to amplification by only adjusting the tunnel interaction.

Resveratrol alleviates heat stress-induced impairment of intestinal morphology, microflora, and barrier integrity in broilers

This study was to investigate the effect of resveratrol on intestinal morphology, microfloras, and barrier integrity of broilers subjected to heat stress. Two-hundred-seventy 21-day-old Cobb male broilers were randomly allocated to 3 treatment groups, each of which included 6 replicates with 15 birds per replicate. The 3 treatment groups were as follows: the control group, in which birds were exposed to thermoneutral condition (22 ± 1°C), and the heat stress group and heat stress + resveratrol (400 mg/kg) group, in which birds were exposed to cyclic heat stress (33 ± 1°C for 10 h/d from 0800 to 1800 h and 22 ± 1°C for the remaining time. Compared with birds in the control group, birds in the heat stress group exhibited decreased (P < 0.05) final body weight, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, villus height, villus height to crypt depth ratio, goblet cells numbers, populations of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, and mRNA levels of mucin-2, claudin-1, occludin, zona occludens-1, and E-cadherin, and increased (P < 0.05) crypt depth, serum D-lactic acid and fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran contents and diamine oxidase activity, and populations of Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Clostridium. Compared with birds in the heat stress group, birds in the heat stress + resveratrol group exhibited decreased (P < 0.05) crypt depth, serum D-lactic acid and fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran contents, and populations of Escherichia coli, and increased (P < 0.05) final body weight, villus height, villus height to crypt depth ratio, goblet cells numbers, populations of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, and mRNA levels of mucin-2, claudin-1, occludin, and E-cadherin. Taken together, these results indicated for the first time that dietary addition of resveratrol was effective in partially ameliorating the adverse effects of heat stress on intestinal barrier function in broilers by restoring the impaired villus-crypt structure, modifying the profiles of intestinal microfloras, and altering the mRNA expression of intestinal tight junctions- and adherence junctions-related genes.

Dietary resveratrol supplementation prevents transport-stress-impaired meat quality of broilers through maintaining muscle energy metabolism and antioxidant status

This experiment was to evaluate the effect of dietary resveratrol (Res) supplementation (0, 400 mg/kg) on growth performance, meat quality, and muscle anaerobic glycolysis and antioxidant capacity of transported broilers. A total of 360 21-day-old male Cobb broilers was randomly allotted to 2 dietary treatments (Res-free group and Res group) with 12 replicates of 15 birds each. On the morning of d 42, after a 9-hour fast, 24 birds (2 birds of each replicate) were selected from the Res-free group and then equally placed into 2 crates, and the other 12 birds (one bird of each replicate) were selected from the Res group and then placed into the other crate. All birds in the 3 crates were transported according to the following protocols: 0-hour transport of birds in the Res-free group (control group), 3-hour transport of birds in the Res-free group (T group), and 3-hour transport of birds in the Res group (T + Res group). The results showed that Res not only improved feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05) but also tended to improve birds’ final body weight (P < 0.10). In the Res-free group, a 3-hour transport increased serum corticosterone concentration, muscle malondialdehyde (MDA) and lactate contents, and muscle lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, while it decreased muscle glycogen content, total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activities (P < 0.05), which induced decreased breast meat quality (lower pH_24h and higher drip loss and L*_24 h, P < 0.05). Nevertheless, compared with the T group, Res increased muscle glycogen content and T-SOD and GSH-PX activities (P < 0.05 or P < 0.10), while it decreased muscle MDA content and LDH activity (P < 0.05), which is beneficial to the meat quality maintenance of transported broilers (lower drip loss, L*_24 h, and higher pH_24h, P < 0.05 or P < 0.10). This study provides the first evidence that dietary resveratrol supplementation prevents transport-stress-impaired meat quality of broilers, possibly through decreasing the muscle anaerobic glycolysis metabolism and improving the muscle antioxidant capacity.

Nitric oxide acts downstream of abscisic acid in molybdenum-induced oxidative tolerance in wheat

Our study first reveals that Mo mediates oxidative tolerance through ABA signaling. Moreover, NO acts downstream of ABA signaling in Mo-induced oxidative tolerance in wheat under drought stress. Nitric oxide (NO) is related to the improvement of molybdenum (Mo)-induced oxidative tolerance. While the function of Mo in abscisic acid (ABA) synthesis and in mediating oxidative tolerance by the interaction of ABA and NO remain to be studied. The -Mo and +Mo treatment-cultivated wheat was separated and subsequently was pretreated with AO inhibitor, ABA synthesis inhibitor, exogenous ABA, NO scavenger, NO donor or their combinations under polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG)-stimulated drought stress (PSD). The AO activity and ABA content were increased by Mo in wheat under PSD, however, AO inhibitor decreased AO activity, correspondingly reduced ABA accumulation, suggesting that AO involves in the regulation of Mo-induced ABA synthesis. Mo enhanced activities and expressions of antioxidant enzyme, while these effects of Mo were reversed by AO inhibitor and ABA synthesis inhibitor due to the decrease of ABA content, but regained by exogenous ABA, indicating that Mo induces oxidative tolerance through ABA. Moreover, NO scavenger inhibited activities of antioxidant enzyme caused by Mo and exogenous ABA, but the inhibitions were eliminated by NO donor, indicating that NO is involved in ABA pathway in the regulation of Mo-induced oxidative tolerance in wheat under PSD. Finally, we proposed a scheme for the mechanism of Mo-induced oxidative tolerance.