[Identification and expression analysis of whole gene family of Isatis indigotica 4-coumarate: CoA ligase]

The 4-coumarate: CoA ligase(4CL) is a key enzyme in the upstream pathway of phenylpropanoids such as flavonoids, soluble phenolic esters, lignans, and lignins in plants. In this study, 13 4CL family members of Arabidopsis thaliana were used as reference sequences to identify the 4CL gene family candidate members of Isatis indigotica from the reported I. indigotica genome. Further bioinformatics analysis and analysis of the expression pattern of 4CL genes and the accumulation pattern of flavonoids were carried out. Thirteen 4CL genes were obtained, named Ii4CL1-Ii4CL13, which were distributed on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. The analysis of the gene structure and conserved structural domains revealed the intron number of I. indigotica 4CL genes was between 1 and 12 and the protein structural domains were highly conserved. Cis-acting element analysis showed that there were multiple response elements in the promoter sequence of I. indigotica 4CL gene family, and jasmonic acid had the largest number of reaction elements. The collinearity analysis showed that there was a close relationship between the 4CL gene family members of I. indigotica and A. thaliana. As revealed by qPCR results, the expression analysis of the 4CL gene family showed that 10 4CL genes had higher expression levels in the aboveground part of I. indigotica. The content assay of flavonoids in different parts of I. indigotica showed that flavonoids were mainly accumulated in the aboveground part of plants. This study provides a basis for further investigating the roles of the 4CL gene family involved in the biosynthesis of flavonoids in I. indigotica.

[Deletion of Aldh4a1 Leads to Impaired Sperm Maturation in Mice]

ALDH4A1, a member of the aldehyde dehydrogenase superfamily, is a key enzyme in the mitochondrial proline metabolism pathway. Recent studies have shown that mutations in aldh4a1 lead to reduced fertility and reproductive premature aging of male nematodes. However, the effect of ALDH4A1 on fertility of male mice has not been studied. In this study, we used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to construct a knockout mouse model of Aldh4a1 for the first time to explore the effect of this gene on the reproduction of male mice. The results showed that compared with WT male mice, Aldh4a1^(-/-) male mice were fertile, had normal spermatogenesis but defect in sperm maturation in the epididymis documented by impaired motility, increased morphological abnormalities and increased spontaneous acrosome reaction. In addition, transmission electron microscopy showed vacuoles in the sperm mitochondria, and fracture in the neck of sperms and vacuoles in these mice. These results revealed that ALDH4A1 plays a vital role in the structure of sperm flagellum and the process of sperm maturation in mice.

[Hashimoto's encephalopathy presenting with isolated cerebellar ataxia in 13 children]

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of Hashimoto's encephalopathy presenting with isolated cerebellar ataxia in children. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical features, laboratory tests, neuroelectrophysiological examination, imaging, treatment and outcomes of 13 patients with Hashimoto's encephalopathy presenting with isolated cerebellar ataxia, who were admitted to the Department of Pediatric Neurology of Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center from January 2016 to May 2021. Results: Among the 13 cases, 6 were males and 7 were females. The onset age was 2.6 (2.0,3.3) years, 9 children had precursor infection or vaccination before the first course of disease. All the 13 children had gait abnormalities or unsteady sitting, 10 had intentional tremor, 6 had dysarthria, 3 had body tremor, 2 had nystagmus, 3 had fatigue, 3 had hypotonia, 2 had vomiting and 1 had irritability. Thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) was 500.0 (298.9,587.2) kU/L and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) was 621.9 (449.6,869.4) kU/L in 13 cases. Autoantibodies were positive in 9 cases, and cerebrospinal fluid leukocytosis was seen in 4 cases. Regarding electroencephalography result, 4 cases had background slowing and 1 case had occasional sharp waves. Among the 3 patients who had relapses, 1 had cerebellar atrophy shown on cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during the recurrence. All the patients received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and intensive methylprednisolone therapy during the first onset, followed by the disappearance of the symptoms, 1 patient had repeated episodes which was decreased after immunosuppressive treatment with Rituximab.Followed up for 25.0 (22.5,33.3) months after the last episode, 12 achieved complete remission and 1 had a wide base gait. Conclusions: Trunk ataxia is the common symptom of Hashimoto's encephalopathy presenting with isolated cerebellar ataxia in children.Children with cerebellar ataxia should be tested for TgAb and TPOAb to detect Hashimoto's encephalopathy, avoiding missed diagnosis and treatment delays; IVIG and intensive steroid therapy is effective, and immunosuppressive therapy for patients with multiple relapses could reduce the recurrence.

Research Note: Development of a sandwich ELISA for determining plasma growth hormone concentrations in goose

Growth hormone (GH) is required for normal postnatal development in poultry; however, no immunoassay exists to assess its levels in geese plasma, hindering the study of endocrine regulation in this species. We developed a sandwich ELISA to determine the GH concentrations in the plasma of geese. Recombinant goose GH was produced using a eukaryotic expression system and purified for use as the reference standard in ELISA and the antigen for producing the polyclonal antibodies in rabbits. Rabbit anti-goose GH polyclonal antibody was used to coat the wells of the ELISA plate, and its biotinylated form served as the detection antibody. An avidin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase was used to bind the detection antibody and catalyze the chromogenic reaction of 3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzidine and H₂O₂. A sigmoidal curve was fitted to the optical density and the log of the standard GH concentration using the four-parameter logistic model. The sensitivity of the assay was less than 0.156 ng/mL. The intra- and interassay coefficients of variation were less than 9 and 13%, respectively. The response curve of the serially diluted plasma samples from geese exhibited a good parallel relationship with that observed for the reference standards. The assay effectively detected differences in GH concentrations in plasma samples from geese at various physiological stages; thus, it will be useful for future study of their growth and metabolism.

Improvement of goose embryonic and muscular developments by wider angle egg turning during incubation and the regulatory mechanisms

Egg turning during incubation plays important roles in achieving high hatching performance and gosling quality. The objective of this study was to improve embryonic and muscular developments so to achieve better gosling quality by wider egg turning angles during incubation, and to unravel the associated regulatory molecular mechanisms. In each of three consecutive incubations, 1,728 goose eggs were divided into 3 groups that were set in the same type of commercial incubators with turning angles adjusted differently to 50°, 60°, and 70°, respectively. On average of the 3 tests, incubation with wider 70° turning angle reduced the post-18-day embryo mortality, promoted embryonic growth and development, improved the hatchability and gosling quality. On embryonic day of 29, gene mRNA expression levels of the hypothalamic growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), pituitary growth hormone (GH), and liver insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) were higher in the 70° turning group than in the 50° or 60° groups. Wider angle turning also increased mRNA expression levels of the muscle development regulatory genes such as MYF5, MyoD, Myogenin (MyoG), and MRF4. Changes in expression of the above genes, together with the upregulation of the Pax3 and Pax7 genes in leg muscles, well explained the enhancement of the muscular growth and development when eggs were incubated by wider turning angles. These results also extended our understanding of the impacts and mechanisms of egg turning during incubation on hatching performance and gosling quality.

Identification of miRNAs, mRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs associated with hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after interferon treatment

To study the molecular mechanism of interferon-alpha (IFN-α) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the molecular markers that can predict the therapeutic effect, differentially expressed (DE)-miRNAs, -mRNAs, -lncRNAs, and -circRNAs were screened between 12 samples collected from 4 patients who had not received treatment (control), 4 patients who had received recombinant human interferon a-2b treatment (case1), and 4 patients who had relapsed after receiving recombinant human interferon a-2b treatment (case2). Enrichment analyses were performed to determine the principal functions of the DE-RNAs. We also constructed protein-protein interactions (PPI) and competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks. In addition, a series-cluster analysis was performed to analyze changes in gene expression across different groups of HCC. Furthermore, the expression of the genes were verified in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. A total of 36 union DE-miRNAs, 175 union DE-mRNAs, 65 union DE-lncRNAs, and 52 union DE-circRNAs were obtained between the control vs case1, and case2 vs case1 groups. DE-mRNAs were mainly involved in the mitochondrial inner membrane. DE-circRNAs were mainly enriched in the Golgi apparatus. ceRNA network contained 68 DE-mRNAs, 26 DE-miRNAs, 45 DE-lncRNAs, and 23 DE-circRNAs. A total of 24 DE-miRNAs, 175 DE-mRNAs, 65 DE-lncRNAs, and 52 DE-circRNAs were classified into eight profiles, respectively. A total of 26 genes showed a significant correlation with prognosis of HCC (p < 0.05). Some genes may be used to predict the efficacy of IFN-α in the treatment of HCC. The results may lay a foundation for investigating the different sensitivities of IFN-α in the treatment of HCC.

Impairment of testes development in Yangzhou ganders by augmentation of leptin receptor signaling

The aim of this study was to determine the cellular and molecular mechanisms of leptin (LEP) and the leptin receptor (LEPR) in testicular development of prepubertal ganders. In an in vivo animal experiment, active immunization against LEPR severely depressed prepubertal testicular development by significantly reducing testicular weights at 200 and 227 days of age. The number of elongated spermatids in the seminiferous tubules was also significantly decreased by immunization with LEPR at ages of 200 and 227 days. Inhibition of testicular development by LEPR immunization was associated with decreases in LHR, StAR, 3β-HSD, CYP11A1, CYP17A1, and PRLR mRNA expression levels in testicular tissue, which resulted in a significant decrease in testosterone synthesis. In the in vitro experiments, the addition of LEP combined with anti-LEPR antibodies strengthened LEPR signal transduction, and inhibited significantly testosterone production in cultured Leydig cells isolated from prepubertal gander testes. The mRNA expression of LHR, StAR, 3β-HSD, CYP11A1, CYP17A1 also decreased significantly after treatment with LEP combined with anti-LEPR antibodies in cultured Leydig cells. These results suggest that anti-LEPR antibodies strengthen LEPR signaling transduction in the presence of LEP, and immunization against LEPR inhibited testes development and testosterone secretion in prepubertal ganders.

[Clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated optic neuritis in children]

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated optic neuritis (MOG-ON) in pediatric patients. Methods: Clinical data, laboratory examination, the initial best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus, neuroelectrophysiological results, MRI imaging, treatment and prognosis of children diagnosed with MOG-ON from 2016 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: A total of 29 eyes from 16 children were involved, with a male/female ratio of 1∶1, onset age of (7.0±2.9) years. Seven of 16 patients had prodromal infection, with a unilateral/bilateral ratio of 3∶13, and 2 cases had recurrent optic neuritis. Before treatment, BCVA of 19 eyes (65.5%) was ≤0.1, among them, 4 had no sense of light, 5 had light sense, 5 with sense of hands in front of eyes, and 5 with sense of fingers in front of eyes. There were 10 eyes (34.5%) with BCVA of 0.1-0.5. After treatment, there were 4 eyes (13.8%), 5 eyes (17.2%) and 20 eyes (69.0%) in groups with BCVA of 0.1-0.5, 0.5-1.0, and>1.0, respectively. Twelve of 16 patients had optic papillitis in fundus examination during acute phase. The latency was prolonged and the amplitude was decreased in P100 wave of all the children. Thirteen out of 16 children showed swelling and thickening of optic nerve in MRI T2WI. MRI images exhibited intracranial demyelinating lesions in 12 of 16 children and long segment spinal cord lesions in 3 of 16 children. Thirteen of 16 patients showed effective results after intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment. There was no relapse after administration of mycophenolate mofetil in 2 recurrent children. No progression after administration of rituximab was found in 1 child with corticosteroid insensitivity. The average follow-up time was (16±9) months and no recurrence occurred. Ten of 16 patients had full recovery, 4 had significant improvement, and 2 showed no significant improvement. Conclusions: There is no significant gender difference in the incidence of pediatric MOG-ON. Bilateral involvement and severe visual impairment are common in acute phase. Most patients have good response to IVMP combined with IVIG treatment and hence have a good prognosis. Only a few of them have neurological sequelae.

Active immunization against AMH reveals its inhibitory role in the development of pre-ovulatory follicles in Zhedong White geese

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of active immunization against recombinant Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) protein on the ovarian follicular development, egg production, and molecular regulatory mechanisms in broody-prone Zhedong White geese. For this, a recombinant goose AMH protein was expressed using a prokaryotic expression system. Fifty incubating geese from the same genetic background were selected and equally divided into two groups. The immunization group was actively immunized against the recombinant goose AMH protein, whereas the control group was immunized against bovine serum albumin (BSA). Immunization against AMH accelerated ovarian follicular development and increased clutch sizes by one to two eggs in two consecutive laying-incubation cycles. Furthermore, immunization against AMH upregulated the mRNA transcription levels of the FSH-beta gene in the pituitary gland, and FSHR, 3beta-HSD, and Smad4 genes in the granulosa layer of pre-ovulatory follicles; however, immunization downregulated the expression of the OCLN gene in the granulosa layer of pre-ovulatory follicles, and Smad5 and Smad9 genes in the granulosa layer of SYFs. These results suggest that AMH might hinder ovarian follicular development by decreasing both pituitary FSH secretion as well as ovarian follicular sensitivity to FSH. The latter molecular mechanism could be fulfilled by regulating Smad5 or Smad9 signals in SYFs, as well as the FSHR and Smad4 signals that affect progesterone synthesis and yolk deposition in the pre-ovulatory follicles.

[Clinical features and prognosis of pediatric myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated acute disseminated encephalomyelitis]

Objective: To analyze the clinical features, outcome and prognosis of pediatric myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody associated acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), and provide evidence for improving the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Methods: This study involved 30 MOG antibody-associated ADEM patients in the Department of Neurology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center. Patients' clinical information were analyzed. Results: The mean onset age was (5.2±3.3) years old, the ration of male to female was 16∶14. Fifty percent of these patients had a history of precede infection or vaccination before onset. Encephalopathy and seizures were the most common clinical manifestations, followed by movement disorder. In addition, some patients had other positive autoantibodies. Brain Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed extensive, asymmetrical, indefinite large patchy lesions in bilateral cortical and subcortical areas and the spinal cord was characterized by long segmental myelitis. In acute attack, the patients had a good response to corticosteroid combined immunoglobulin therapy. Most of these patients had a good prognosis and recurrence rate was about 20%. Conclusions: The onset age of MOG antibody-associated ADEM is around 5 years old. Encephalopathy and seizures were the most common clinical manifestations. Most patients have a good response to corticosteroid combined immunoglobulin therapy. Some patients may have a recurrent disease course.

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of low dose prolactin potentiation of testicular development in cockerels

The aim of this study was to determine the cellular and molecular mechanisms of prolactin (PRL) in testicular development of prepubertal cockerels. In an in vivo animal experiment, active immunization against PRL severely depressed prepubertal testicular development by significantly reducing testicular weights at both 122 and 164 d of age. The number of elongated spermatids in the seminiferous tubules was also significantly decreased by immunization with 199-residue chicken PRL (cPRL) at age 122 d. Inhibition of testicular development by cPRL immunization was associated with decreases in LH receptor (LHR), FSH receptor (FSHR), Stat5b, P450scc, steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein, and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) mRNA expression levels in testicular tissue. In in vitro experiments, testosterone production by cultured Leydig cells isolated from prepubertal cockerel testes was dose-dependently enhanced by treatment with bioactive recombinant PRL, but a lesser response was seen with high concentrations of PRL. The distinct changes in testosterone production in response to high and low concentrations of added PRL were paralleled by similar patterns of change in the mRNA levels of Stat5b, LHR, P450scc, StAR, 3β-HSD, and CYP17A1 in cultured Leydig cells, as well as protein amounts of phosphorylated Jak2 and Stat5a/b. In conclusion, low to medium doses of PRL potentiate testis development in prepubertal cockerels by enhancing testosterone secretion from Leydig cells via activation of PRLR/Stat5b signal transduction, which upregulates mRNA expression of LHR and testosterone synthesizing enzymes. However, this positive regulation was weaker in response to a high dose of PRL, which reduced PRLR/Stat5b signal transduction and the expression of genes involved in LH signaling and testosterone synthesis.

[Effect of monoacylglycerol lipase with proliferation of MHCC97H human liver cancer cells in vivo]

Objective: To investigate the effects of different expression of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) with the proliferation of MHCC97H human liver cancer cells in vivo and its mechanism. Methods: Human peripheral blood-derived monocyte was induced to differentiate into M2-type TAMs and was identified by flow cytometry. The co-culture model of TAMs and MHCC97H human liver cancer cells was established, and the expression of MAGL in TAMs cells was detected by qRT-PCR. The expression of MAGL in TAMs cells was detected by plasmid transfection. ELISA and qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels and secretion levels of inflammatory factors in TAMs cells. The subcutaneous tumor model of MHCC97H mice was constructed to observe the effect of different expression of MAGL in TAMs cells with the proliferation of MHCC97H human liver cancer cells in vivo. F-test was used for the measurement of homogeneity of variance between two independent samples. A t-test was used for homogeneity of variance, and the corrected t-test was used for non-homogeneity of variance. Results: Human peripheral blood-derived monocytes were successfully induced to differentiate into M2-type TAMs. An in vitro co-culture model was established. qRT-PCR showed that MHCC97H human liver cancer cells significantly down-regulated the expressional level of MAGL in TAMs cells. The constructed subcutaneous tumor model of mice demonstrated that up-regulation up-regulation of MAGL expression in M2-type TAMs inhibited the proliferation of MHCC97H human liver cancer cells in vivo. Furthermore, the mechanistic study illustrated that the high expression of MAGL promoted the transcription and secretion of inflammatory factors such as interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in M2-type TAMs cells. Conclusion: The overexpression of MAGL inhibits the proliferation of MHCC97H hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vivo, and its mechanism may be associated to the release of inflammatory factors that from TAMs cells.

Development of a sandwich ELISA for determining plasma prolactin concentration in domestic birds

The present study was conducted to establish a sandwich ELISA for the determination of prolactin (PRL) concentrations in the plasma of domestic fowls. The assay uses a recombinant goose PRL as the reference standard, expressed in a eukaryotic system, and as the antigen for raising a polyclonal antibody in rabbit. This rabbit anti-goose PRL polyclonal antibody was used for coating the wells of the ELISA plate, and its biotinylated form served as the detection antibody. An avidin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase was used to bind the detection antibody and to catalyze the chromogenic reaction using 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine as the substrate. The assay showed a linear relationship between the optical density and concentration of the standard PRL in the 0 to 12.5 ng/mL range, and the assay was sensitive to a concentration as low as 0.39 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-assay CVs were <7% and 11%, respectively. The response curves of the serially diluted plasma samples from goose, duck, and chicken exhibited similar parallel relationships to that observed for the reference standards. Consistent with previous findings, the assay effectively detected differences in PRL concentration in plasma samples from chicken, duck, and goose at various reproductive stages.

Effect and molecular regulatory mechanism of monochromatic light colors on the egg-laying performance of Yangzhou geese

Photoperiodic control is essential for manipulating the reproductive performance of avian species. This study was conducted to assess the neuroendocrine mechanisms that regulate reproductive functions of Yangzhou geese when there are different monochromatic light colors from light emitter diode (LED) sources. A flock of geese was divided into four groups with white, red, blue, and green light treatments being imposed. The results indicated that peak laying rates and reproductive performance were greater in geese treated with white or red as compared with blue or green light treatments. The fertilization rate of eggs and hatchability of fertilized eggs were greater with the white or red as compared with blue or green light treatments. There was a greater abundance of OPN5, Dio2, c-Fos, and GnRH-I mRNA in the hypothalamus earlier in the treatment period and abundances of these hypothalamic factors were greater with the white or red light treatments. Abundances of pituitary LH beta and FSH beta mRNA increased at a lesser rate with the blue or green light treatments and were in greater abundances with the white or red light treatments. The lighting regimen also resulted in photo-refractoriness with there being greater abundances of GnIH, VIP, and PRL mRNA with the use of white or red light treatments. The results indicate that the use of white or red monochromatic lights while imposing a long photoperiod of 11 h daily could result in sustaining functions of the reproductive system of Yangzhou geese for considerably longer times, thus, resulting in greater egg-laying performance.

[The clinicopathological features and curative effect of the bronchoscopic interventional therapy combined with radiotherapy for the treatment of locally recurrent lung adenoid cystic carcinoma]

Objective: To explore the clinical value of endoscopic interventional therapy for locally recurrent primary lung adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). Methods: The clinical data of 42 patients with locally recurrent ACC were retrospectively analyzed, and the differences of tracheal and bronchial diameter, airway scoring grade and airway obstruction degree before and after treatment were compared among three treatment methods: bronchoscopic interventional therapy + palliative radiotherapy, interventional therapy alone, and non-interventional therapy. Log rank test and Cox proportional risk model multi-factor analysis were used to determine the prognostic factors of ACC patients with local recurrence, and the long-term effect of bronchoscopic interventional therapy on ACC with local recurrence was determined. Results: The median overall survival of 42 patients was 59 months and 5-year survival rate was 54.2%.Univariate analysis showed that vascularized cancer, pleural invasion, pulmonary atelectasis, incisal margin, microscopic classification, tumor diameter, initial TNM stage, ki-67 index, and treatment after local recurrence were associated with long-term survival of ACC patients with local recurrence (all P<0.05). Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that margin status (RR=0.272, P=0.011), tumor diameter (RR=2.586, P=0.005), initial TNM staging (RR=0.369, P=0.035), ki-67 index (RR=3.569, P<0.001), and treatment methods after local recurrence (RR=0.126, P<0.001) were independent factors influencing the prognosis of ACC patients with local recurrence. After three months of treatment, the tracheal bronchus diameters, rating of shortness of breath, and degree of airway obstruction were all improved significantly (all P<0.05), both in the interventional therapy + palliative radiotherapy group [(14.5±2.8 mm, 0.86±0.45, (14.50±10.67)%, respectively], and the interventional therapy alone group [(13.7±2.3) mm, 0.97±0.25, (15.38±12.02)%, respectively]. Meanwhile, the difference before and after non-interventional therapy was not statistically significant (all P>0.05). 5-year overall survival rates were 55.8%, 46.6% and 42.6% for patients undergoing interventional therapy+ palliative radiotherapy, interventional therapy alone, and non-interventional therapy after recurrence, with statistically significant differences (P=0.015). Patients underwent bronchial endoscopic interventional therapy and palliative radiotherapy had the best efficacy of treatment. Conclusion: Endoscopic interventional therapy plus palliative radiotherapy is an effective local palliative treatment for locally recurrent ACC patients, which can rapidly relieve airway stenosis, improve the quality of life of patients and prolong the survival time of patients.

Anti-leptin receptor antibodies strengthen leptin biofunction in growing chickens

Antibodies against the extracellular domains of the chicken leptin receptor were used to study the biological function of leptin in growing chickens. Both polyclonal and monoclonal anti-LEPR antibodies were administered intramuscularly to 30-d-old Chinese indigenous Gushi pullets. Both antibody preparations increased feed intake for 6 h after injection and reduced plasma concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, and both high- and low-density lipoproteins. The antibody treatments also upregulated agouti-related peptide and neuropeptide Y in the hypothalamus and downregulated proopiomelanocortin, melanocortin 4 receptor, and leptin receptor. The treatments also upregulated leptin receptor, acetyl CoA carboxylase beta, and acyl-CoA oxidase in the liver, abdominal fat, and breast muscle and downregulated sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 and fatty acid synthase. Furthermore, even though the anti-leptin receptor antibodies failed to affect leptin receptor signaling transduction when administered alone, they did augment the induction of leptin receptor signaling transduction by leptin. These results demonstrate that antibodies against the extracellular domains of leptin-specific receptor enhance, but do not mimic, the ability of leptin to activate receptors. Furthermore, the enhanced leptin bioactivity observed after the intramuscular injection of anti-LEPR antibodies confirmed the occurrence of de novo leptin in the peripheral tissues and blood of treated chickens.

[Preoperative dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI can reduce the rate of tumor-positive resection margins after breast conserving surgery in patients with early non-mass breast carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the value of preoperative dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI in reducing the rate of tumor-positive resection margins after breast conserving surgery in patients with early non-mass breast carcinoma. Methods: Seventy-two patients with early non-mass breast carcinoma received ultrasonographic and mammographic examination and subsequently underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI examination before breast conserving surgery. The control group consisted of 74 patients who had early non-mass breast carcinoma. They only received ultrasonographic and mammographic examination and didn't undergo contrast-enhanced MRI examination. The comparison of the rate of tumor-positive resection margins between two groups was performed. The MRI findings that had the significant influence on the rate of tumor-positive resection margins were analyzed using Logistic regression model. Results: In 28 patients (28/72, 38.9%), dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI could correct or supplement the ultrasonographic and mammographic findings and resulted in the reasonable change of surgical program. The preoperative MRI examination group (n=30) had lower rate of tumor-positive resection margins than control group for invasive ductal carcinoma (23.3% vs 40.0%, P=0.02), but there was no significant difference (21.4% vs 26.9%, P=0.10) between two groups for ductal carcinoma in situ (n=28). The preoperative MRI examination group (n=14) had lower rate of tumor-positive resection margins than control group for the other pathologic types of breast carcinoma (14.3% vs 38.9%, P=0.02). The statistical analysis on the basis of Logistic regression model showed that some main MRI findings, including change surrounding the tumor, distance between tumor and nipple and tumor size, had the significant influence on the rate of tumor-positive resection margins. Conclusion: Preoperative dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI significantly increased the accuracy of resection margins evaluation, and greatly reduced the rate of tumor-positive resection margins after breast conserving surgery in patients with early non-mass breast carcinoma.

Effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on expression of 5-HT1AR and neurotransmitters in rats with vascular dementia

5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 1A (5-HT1AR) is closely associated with cognitive functions. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can protect individuals from brain damage following ischemia/hypoxia. To investigate the function of SSRIs in vascular dementia (VD), we established a rat model of VD, and observed the effect of SSRIs on the expression of 5-HT1AR mRNA and neurotransmitters. Male SD rats (6 months) were randomly assigned into sham, model, and SSRI groups (N = 30). VD was achieved by permanent ligation of the bilateral common carotid artery. Escitalopram, a highly selective 5-HT reabsorption inhibitor, was ip injected into the rats for three consecutive weeks. The Morris water-maze was used to test learning and memory. H&E staining for neuronal injury was conducted on cortical and hippocampal tissues. HPLC was used to determine the levels of dopamine (DA), 5-HT, and norepinephrine (NE). RT-PCR was used to determine expression of 5-HT1AR mRNA. As compared to control rats, model animals demonstrated elongated escape latency, lower platform crossing times, and significant injuries to hippocampal CA1 neurons. This was accompanied by reductions in DA, 5-HT, and NE levels in hippocampal tissues, as well as reduced cortical 5-HT and decreased 5-HT1AR mRNA expression (P < 0.05). Escitalopram treatments reduced escape latency, elevated platform crossing times, improved CA1 neuronal damage, increased DA and 5-HT levels in hippocampal and cortical neurons, as well as elevated expression of 5-HT1AR mRNA (P < 0.05). Therefore, SSRIs may improve cognitive dysfunction of VD rats, possibly by stimulating expression of neurotransmitters and protecting neurons.

Electronic structure of organometal halide perovskite CH3NH3BiI3 and optical absorption extending to infrared region

The electronic structure and optical absorption spectrum of organometal halide perovskite compound CH₃NH₃BiI₃ as a substituting candidate of well-concerned CH₃NH₃PbI₃ not only for environmental friendly consideration are studied using the first principles calculations. It is revealed that a Bi replacement of Pb in CH₃NH₃PbI₃ does not change seriously the band edge structure but the bandgap becomes narrow. Consequently, CH₃NH₃BiI₃ exhibits not only stronger visible light absorption than CH₃NH₃PbI₃ does but more strong absorption in the infrared region, which is however absent in CH₃NH₃PbI₃. It is suggested that CH₃NH₃BiI₃ may be one of even more promising alternatives to CH₃NH₃PbI₃ for spectrum-broad and highly-efficient solar cells.

Coupled ferroelectric polarization and magnetization in spinel FeCr2S4

One of the core issues for multiferroicity is the strongly coupled ferroelectric polarization and magnetization, while so far most multiferroics have antiferromagnetic order with nearly zero magnetization. Magnetic spinel compounds with ferrimagnetic order may be alternative candidates offering large magnetization when ferroelectricity can be activated simultaneously. In this work, we investigate the ferroelectricity and magnetism of spinel FeCr₂S₄ in which the Fe²⁺ sublattice and Cr³⁺ sublattice are coupled in antiparallel alignment. Well defined ferroelectric transitions below the Fe²⁺ orbital ordering termperature T_oo = 8.5 K are demonstrated. The ferroelectric polarization has two components. One component arises mainly from the noncollinear conical spin order associated with the spin-orbit coupling, which is thus magnetic field sensitive. The other is probably attributed to the Jahn-Teller distortion induced lattice symmetry breaking, occuring below the orbital ordering of Fe²⁺. Furthermore, the coupled ferroelectric polarization and magnetization in response to magnetic field are observed. The present work suggests that spinel FeCr₂S₄ is a multiferroic offering both ferroelectricity and ferrimagnetism with large net magnetization.

Numerical modelling of the fibre-matrix interaction in biaxial loading for hyperelastic soft tissue models

This paper assumes that a neo-Hookean matrix with neo-Hookean fibres is representative of soft tissue. Under this assumption, a unit cell model is proposed to investigate the fibre-matrix interfacial stress field for biological soft tissue under biaxial loadings. In this unit cell model, the soft tissue is treated as a composite where the matrix is unidirectionally reinforced with a single family of aligned fibres. The results are compared with the model of Guo et al., which accounts for the fibre-matrix interfacial stress field, and Qiu and Pence's model, which does not proceed from the assumption that the fibres are themselves neo-Hookean. It is found that the stress representative of the fibre-matrix interface plays an important role in the deformation of the composite, and the model of Guo et al. underestimates this stress under large biaxial deformation.

Modelling skeletal muscle fibre orientation arrangement

Skeletal muscle tissues have complex geometries. In addition, the complex fibre orientation arrangement makes it quite difficult to create an accurate finite element muscle model. There are many possible ways to specify the complex fibre orientations in a finite element model, for example defining a local element coordinate system. In this paper, an alternative method using ABAQUS, which is combination of the finite element method and the non-uniform rational B-spline solid representation, is proposed to calculate the initial fibre orientations. The initial direction of each muscle fibre is specified as the tangent direction of the NURBS curve which the fibre lies on, and the directions of the deformed fibres are calculated from the initial fibre directions, the deformation gradients and the fibre stretch ratios. Several examples are presented to demonstrate the ability of the proposed method. Results show that the proposed method is able to characterise both the muscle complex fibre orientation arrangement and its complex mechanical response.

A visco-hyperelastic model for skeletal muscle tissue under high strain rates

In this paper, a visco-hyperelastic skeletal muscle model is developed. The constitutive relation is based on the definition of a Helmholtz free energy function. It is assumed that the Helmholtz energy can be decomposed into volumetric and isochoric parts; furthermore, the isochoric energy can be decoupled into hyperelastic and viscous parts. The model developed involves 14 material parameters and its performance is evaluated by comparing the finite element simulation results with the published experimental studies on the New Zealand white rabbit tibialis anterior muscle. Results show that this model is able to describe the visco-hyperelastic behaviour of both passive and active skeletal muscle tissues under high strain rates (10/s and 25/s).

The effects of surface and initial stresses on the bending stiffness of nanowires

A simple closed-form analytic solution has been obtained for the effect of initial residual stress on the bending stiffness and hence the natural frequency of a coaxial core-shell nanowire. The result obtained also applies for a pre-stressed macro core-shell structure or a simple nanowire. The relative effect of the initial residual stress is generally limited to the range of the material yield strain. The effect of the surface elasticity on the bending stiffness of a nanowire reduces with the increase in the diameter, but the initial surface stress effect can be retained for a nanowire or microwire at a constant level of up to the limit of elastic strain if it can be controlled, for example by the application of an electrical potential.

Removal of organic compounds during treating printing and dyeing wastewater of different process units

Wastewater in Shaoxing wastewater treatment plant (SWWTP) is composed of more than 90% dyeing and printing wastewater with high pH and sulfate. Through a combination process of anaerobic acidogenic [hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 15h], aerobic (HRT of 20h) and flocculation-precipitation, the total COD removal efficiency was up to 91%. But COD removal efficiency in anaerobic acidogenic unit was only 4%. As a comparison, the COD removal efficiency was up to 35% in the pilot-scale upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactor (HRT of 15h). GC-MS analysis showed that the response abundance of these wastewater samples decreased with their removal of COD. A main component of the raw influent was long-chain n-alkanes. The final effluent of SWWTP had only four types of alkanes. After anaerobic unit at SWWTP, the mass percentage of total alkanes to total organic compounds was slightly decreased while its categories increased. But in the UASB, alkanes categories could be removed by 75%. Caffeine as a chemical marker could be detected only in the effluent of the aerobic process. Quantitative analysis was given. These results demonstrated that GC-MS analysis could provide an insight to the measurement of organic compounds removal.

Novel headspace gas chromatographic method for determination of oxalate in oxygen delignification liquor

A novel headspace gas chromatographic (HS-GC) method is demonstrated for an indirect determination of oxalate in oxygen delignification liquors. A small volume (50-100 microL) of liquor sample is introduced into a sampling vial that contains 1.0 mL of 2 mol/L sulfuric acid. After removal of carbon dioxide (generated from carbonate in the acidic medium) by heating, the sample was mixed with a 0.5 mL of 0.02 mol/L potassium permanganate solution in a closed testing vial. At an elevated temperature (70 degrees C), the oxalate in the sample is rapidly converted to carbon dioxide by reacting with permanganate. The carbon dioxide in the headspace can be measured by gas chromatography with a thermal conductive detector. Using a multiple headspace extraction (MHE) measurement technique, the kinetics of formation of the carbon dioxide from the other organic species in the sample can be determined, and thus a correction can be made for minimizing the interferences. The present method is simple, accurate and can be easily automated.

A mechanics model for the compression of plant and vegetative tissues

The mechanics analysis of plant or vegetable tissue under a compressive stress has been developed based on large deformation elasticity theory. The tissue was treated as a lattice of regular perfect three-dimensional hexagonal cells. The cell walls were assumed to be impermeable under the time-scale of the loading. The cell walls of plants and vegetables are polymeric composite materials, consisting of a relatively amorphous matrix and a highly structured network of microfibrils embedded in the cell wall matrix. The micromechanical features of the individual cells have been related to the macroscopic properties of the whole tissue. The effects of microfibrillar stiffening factors k(1) and k(2), the cell wall matrix property alpha and the initial cell expansion ratio nu(i) on the compressive behaviour of a plant or vegetable tissue have been investigated. The predicted results have also been related to some experimental evidence.