Effects of purified zearalenone on growth performance, organ size, serum metabolites, and oxidative stress in postweaning gilts

Zearalenone (ZEA), an estrogenic mycotoxin, is produced mainly by Fusarium fungi. Previous studies indicated that acute ZEA exposure induced oxidative stress and damage in multiple organs. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the adverse effects of dietary ZEA (1.1 to 3.2 mg/kg of diet) on oxidative stress and organ damage in postweaning gilts. A total of 20 gilts (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) weaned at d 21 with an average BW of 10.36 ± 1.21 kg was used in the study. Gilts were housed in a temperature-controlled room, divided into 4 treatments, and fed a basal diet only (control) or basal diet supplemented with purified ZEA at a dietary concentration of 1 (ZEA1), 2 (ZEA2), or 3 (ZEA3) mg/kg of diet for 18 d ad libitum. The actual ZEA contents (analyzed) were 0, 1.1 ± 0.02, 2.0 ± 0.01, and 3.2 ± 0.02 mg/kg for control, ZEA1, ZEA2, and ZEA3, respectively. Gilts fed different amounts of dietary ZEA grew similarly with no difference (P > 0.05) in feed intake. Vulva size increased linearly over the 18 d of feeding in gilts fed diets containing 1.1 mg of ZEA/kg or greater (P < 0.001). Relative weight of genital organs, liver, and kidney increased linearly (P < 0.05) in a ZEA-dose-dependent manner. Serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamate transferase, urea, and creatinine (P < 0.05), and malondialdehyde concentrations in both serum and liver (P < 0.001) were also increased linearly in a ZEA-dose-dependent manner. However, spleen relative weight (P = 0.002) and activities of total superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (in both serum and liver (P < 0.05) were decreased linearly as dietary ZEA increased. Results showed that besides genital organs, the liver, kidney, and spleen may also be target tissues in young gilts fed diets containing 1.1 to 3.2 mg of ZEA/kg for 18 d. Increased key liver enzymes in the serum suggest progressive liver damage caused by feeding ZEA, and an increase in oxidative stress in gilts is another potential impact of ZEA toxicity in pigs.

Beta agonists, inhaled steroids, and the risk of intensive care unit admission for asthma

Although inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use is associated with a decreased risk of hospitalization for asthma, the impact of ICS on the risk of life-threatening asthma exacerbation is less clear. The effect of ICS and inhaled beta agonist (IBA) dispensing on the risk of intensive care unit admission for asthma, a surrogate for life-threatening exacerbation, is evaluated. Using computerized International classification of diseases (ICD)-9 discharge diagnoses, a cohort of all 2,344 adult Northern California members of a health maintenance organization hospitalized for asthma over a 2-yr period were identified. Computerized pharmacy data was used to ascertain asthma medications dispensed during the 3-,6-, and 12-month intervals preceding index hospitalization for asthma. During the 3-months preceding hospitalization, a minority of subjects had no IBA units dispensed (34%), with 14% receiving low level (1 unit), 20% medium level (2-3 units), and 32% high level (> or = 4 units) therapy. A substantial proportion received no ICS units (55%), whereas 13% had low, 16% medium, and 15% high level therapy. In multiple logistic regression analysis, high level IBA use was associated with a greater risk of intensive care unit (ICU) admission for asthma after controlling for asthma severity. There was no relationship, however, between low or medium level IBA use and ICU admission. Conversely, medium level and high level ICS use were associated with a reduced risk of ICU admission. Analysing 6- and 12-month medication dispensing data, similar risk patterns were observed. Inhaled corticosteroid dispensing was associated with reduced risk of intensive care unit admission among adults hospitalized for asthma, whereas the opposite applied for high dose beta agonist usage. This suggests that ICS prescription to adults with moderate-to-severe asthma could reduce the risk of life-threatening exacerbation.

Apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids and the digestible and metabolizable energy content of high-oil corn varieties and its effects on growth performance of pigs

Two experiments were conducted to compare the nutritional value of normal and high-oil corn for pigs. The normal corn and the two varieties (high-oil corns A and B) of high-oil corn contained 4.41, 7.35 and 8.86% ether extract, on DM basis, respectively. In experiment 1, six non-littermate crossbred barrows (37.8 +/- 1.3 kg BW) were fitted with ileal T-cannulas and used in a double replicated Latin Square digestion trial. Three diets were formulated containing 96.6% of one of the three varieties of corn as the only protein source. Chromic oxide (0.4%) was added as a digestibility marker. Additional vitamins and minerals were added to meet requirements. The digestible energy concentrations for normal corn and high-oil corn A and B were 16.53, 16.99 and 17.07 MJ/kg while the metabolizable energy values were 15.82, 16.32 and 16.36 MJ/kg, on DM basis, respectively. The ileal amino acid digestibility of high-oil corn was generally higher than that of normal corn with significant differences being observed for the essential amino acids isoleucine and phenylalanine. In experiment 2, 96 pigs (8.01 +/- 0.14 kg BW) were used to evaluate four diets in a 2 x 2 factorial design conducted over a 35-day period. Corn variety (high-oil vs. normal corn) and nutrient density (high content of protein and ME vs. low content of protein and ME) were set as the two main effects. During the first 14 days, pigs fed high-oil corn diets consumed more feed and tended to get higher daily gain than pigs fed normal corn. Over the entire 35-day experiment, increasing dietary nutrient density increased daily gain and tended to increase feed conversion, while variety of corn had no significant effects on performance. Overall, the present results indicate that the energy concentration and ileal amino acid digestibility of high-oil corn varieties were equal or superior to those in normal corn and therefore they should be able to be effectively utilized in diets fed to swine.

Zearalenone Altered the Serum Hormones, Morphologic and Apoptotic Measurements of Genital Organs in Post-weaning Gilts

The present study was aimed at investigating the adverse effects of dietary zearalenone (ZEA) (1.1 to 3.2 mg/kg diet) on serum hormones, morphologic and apoptotic measurements of genital organs in post-weaning gilts. A total of twenty gilts (Landrace×Yorkshire×Duroc) weaned at 21 d with an average body weight of 10.36±1.21 kg were used in the study. Gilts were fed a basal diet with an addition of 0, 1.1, 2.0, or 3.2 mg/kg purified ZEA for 18 d ad libitum. Results showed that 3.2 mg/kg ZEA challenged gilts decreased (p<0.05) the serum levels of luteinizing hormone, however, serum levels of prolactin in gilts fed the diet containing 2.0 mg/kg ZEA or more were increased (p<0.05) compared to those in the control. Linear effects on all tested serum hormones except progesterone were observed as dietary ZEA levels increased (p<0.05). Gilts fed ZEA-contaminated diet showed increase (p<0.05) in genital organs size, hyperplasia of submucosal smooth muscles in the corpus uteri in a dose-dependent manner. However, the decreased numbers of follicles in the cortex and apoptotic cells in the ovarian were observed in gilts treated with ZEA in a dose-dependent manner. Degeneration and structural abnormalities of genital organs tissues were also observed in the gilts fed diet containing 1.1 mg/kg ZEA or more. Results suggested that dietary ZEA at 1.1 to 3.2 mg/kg can induce endocrine disturbance and damage genital organs in post-weaning gilts.

Toxicity of increasing aflatoxin B1 concentrations from contaminated corn with or without clay adsorbent supplementation in ducklings

A total of 1,280 1-d-old ducks were used in a study to investigate the effects of increasing aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) concentrations from naturally contaminated corn on young ducklings, and the effectiveness of a clay adsorbent (CA) to protect against those effects. Ducks were randomly allotted to 8 treatments (TRT) in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement with 4 levels of AFB1 (0, 25, 50, and 100 μg/kg) and 2 levels of CA (0 and 0.1%) with 8 pens per TRT and 20 ducks per pen. All ducks were allowed ad libitum access to feed and water during the 21-d experiment. The ADG, ADFI, feed conversion rate, mortality, bill color, and CV of BW of each replicate were measured at the end of the study. Blood and tissue samples from 8 ducks per TRT were obtained on d 21 of the experiment to determine the serum immunoglobulin and protein concentrations, relative organ weights, and intestinal morphology. Average daily gain and relative weights of the liver, spleen, thymus, and bursa of Fabricius decreased linearly (P < 0.05) as dietary AFB1 increased. Serum proteins and intestinal villi heights and villus/crypt ratio followed the same pattern. Bill decolorization ratio, CV of BW, and mortality increased linearly (P < 0.05) as dietary AFB1 increased. Adding 0.1% CA to the diet improved (P < 0.05) the relative weights of the small intestine, spleen, and thymus, and the villus height and villus/crypt ratio of the duodenum and jejunum, as well as the serum IgG and IgM concentrations. Adding CA also reduced (P < 0.05) bill decolorization ratio, CV of BW, mortality, and serum IgA concentration. Therefore, duck performance was negatively affected by increasing AFB1 concentrations in diets. But the addition of 0.1% CA can protect against the detrimental effects caused by AFB1-contaminated corn in diets for ducks.

Allergic rhinitis and allergy are risk factors for otitis media with effusion: A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS

We systematically reviewed the associations between allergic rhinitis or allergy and otitis media with effusion, by reference to published data.

STUDY DESIGN

A meta-analysis of case-controlled studies.

DATA SOURCE

Five databases (Pubmed, Highwire, Medline, Wanfang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure) were searched for relevant studies in the English language published prior to November 12, 2015.

STUDIES CHOSEN

Studies with clearly defined experimental and control groups, in which the experimental groups had otitis media with effusion together with allergic rhinitis or allergy, were selected.

METHODS

We performed a meta-analysis on data from the identified cross-sectional and case-controlled studies using fixed- or random-effects models (depending on heterogeneity). We used Reviewer Manager 5.3 software to this end.

RESULTS

Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in patients with otitis media with effusion and the control groups differed significantly in three studies (P<0.00001), as did the prevalence of allergy (in six studies; P=0.003).

CONCLUSION

Allergic rhinitis and allergy appear to be risk factors for otitis media with effusion.

Safety and radiation-enhancing effect of sodium glycididazole in locoregionally advanced laryngeal cancers previously treated with platinum-containing chemotherapy regimens: A preliminary report

PURPOSE

To determine the safety and radiation-enhancing effect of sodium glycididazole in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (stage T3-4,N0-3,M0) with conventional radiotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with locoregional advanced laryngeal cancer (stage T3-4,N0-3,M0) were included: group 1(control, n=30)were not administered of sodium glycididazole; group 2 (test, n=30) received sodium glycididazole at a dose of 700 mg/m(2) intravenous infusion 30 minutes before radiotherapy three times a week. Surrogate end-points of efficacy were tumor and nodal size. Safety parameters were vomiting, nausea, mucositis, laryngeal edema, esophagus and skin reaction, dysphagia, dyspnea, neurological deficit. Patients were evaluated weekly during treatment for 7 weeks and thereafter monthly for 3 months.

RESULTS

In the test, the overall response rate was 88.89% (95%CI, 71.00-97.00%) at 7 weeks and 92.59% (95%CI, 76.00 to 99.00%) at 1 month of follow-up. In the control, the overall response rate was 62.5% (95%CI, 41.00 to 81.00%) at 7 weeks and 58.33% (95%CI, 37.00 to 78.00%) at 1 month of follow-up. The short-term locoregional response rate was better in the test group at 7 weeks (p=0.027) and at 1 month (p=0.005) of follow-up. The test group had significantly more nausea and vomiting in weeks 1 (p=0.047), 2 (p=0.007), and 3 (p=0.01) of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The study indicates sodium glycididazole is an effective radiation-enhancing agent that improves short-term locoregional control and is well tolerated in patients with locoregionally advanced laryngeal cancer.

Radiation-enhancing effect of sodium glycididazole in patients suffering from non-small cell lung cancer with multiple brain metastases: A randomized, placebo-controlled study

PURPOSE

Median survival of patients with brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer is poor. This study was to investigate the radiation-enhancing effect of sodium glycididazole combined with whole-brain radiotherapy of multiple brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty-four patients with multiple brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer were included: the study group (n=32) received whole-brain radiotherapy combined with sodium glycididazole at a dose of 700mg/m(2) intravenous infusion 30minutes before radiotherapy, three times a week; the control group (n=32) only received whole-brain radiotherapy. The primary end point was central nervous system (CNS) progression-free survival and overall survival. The treatment-related toxicity was also recorded.

RESULTS

The CNS disease control rate was better (90.6% vs 65.6%, P=0.016) in the study group than in the control group at 3 month of follow-up. The median CNS progression-free survival time was longer in the study group than in the control group (7.0 months vs 4.0 months, P=0.038). There was no significant difference of the median overall survival time between the study group and the control group (11.0 months vs 9.0 months, P=0.418). On the other hand, the treatment-related toxicity showed no statistically significant difference between these two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The study indicated that sodium glycididazole was an effective, promising radiation-enhancing agent that improved CNS disease control rate, extended the median CNS progression-free survival time and was well tolerated in patients suffering from non-small cell lung cancer with multiple brain metastases.

Comparisons of amino acid availability by different methods and metabolizable energy determination of a Chinese variety of high oil corn

TME, true amino acid availability (TAAA), AME, and apparent amino acid availability (AAAA) were determined in Chinese high oil corn (CHOC) and conventional corn (CC). The CC and CHOC contained 4.58 and 8.44% ether extract (DM basis), respectively. A precision-fed rooster assay was used in which each corn sample was tube-fed (50 g) to 16 roosters and excreta were collected for 48 h. A N-free diet and fasting methods were used to evaluate endogenous amino acid (AA) losses. Endogenous losses of 10 AA were different (P < 0.05) with the N-free and fasting methods; in most cases the mean value for the N-free treatment was greater (P < 0.05) than for the fasting treatment. The TME value for CHOC was greater than for CC (4,193 vs. 3,961 cal/g DM; P < 0.05). The true availability of aspartic acid, threonine, isoleucine, and leucine of CC and CHOC was higher (P < 0.05) for the N-free method than for the fasting method. When compared within the N-free or within the fasting method, the true availabilities of lysine, methionine, and proline were higher (P < 0.05) in CHOC than in CC, but the true availability of phenylalanine was lower (P < 0.05) in CHOC than in CC. The AAAA values, although lower, followed similar patterns as the TAAA values. The results of this study indicated that availability of AA in CHOC is equal or superior to that in CC and that the available energy for poultry is higher in CHOC than in CC.

Serum levels of selenium in patients with brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer before and after radiotherapy

PURPOSE

This study was to evaluate the influence of radiotherapy on the selenium serum levels of non-small cell cancer patients with brain metastases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This prospective study included 95 non-small cell cancer patients with brain metastases treated by radiotherapy from December 2007 until November 2010. Plasma selenium levels were determined before and at the end of the radiotherapy. Age, body mass index (BMI), prior chemotherapy, pathological type and personal habits (smoking and alcoholism) were recorded for each patient.

RESULTS

The mean age was 63 years; the mean BMI was 27.6. Seventy-six patients (80%) were non-smokers. Sixty-two patients (65.3%) showed no drinking habits and 8 (8.4%) have no prior chemotherapy. Thirty-nine patients (41.1%) were adenocarcinoma, 51 (53.7%) were squamous cell carcinoma and five (5.3%) were large cell carcinoma. At the beginning of radiotherapy, the mean selenium level for all patients was 90.4 μg/l and after radiation this value dropped to 56.3 μg/l. Multivariate analysis showed statistically significant difference in the plasma selenium concentration before and after radiotherapy for age (P<0.001), BMI (P<0.001), smoking (P<0.001), alcoholism (P<0.001), prior chemotherapy (P<0.001) and pathological type (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Significant reduction in plasma levels of selenium was recorded in patients undergoing radiotherapy, suggesting attention to the nutritional status of this micronutrient and other antioxidant agents.

Serum C-reactive protein predicts poor prognosis in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with chemoradiotherapy

BACKGROUND

We aimed to evaluate the association of serum C-reactive protein (crp) with prognosis in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with chemoradiotherapy.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 79 patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (cT3-4N0-3M0) treated with chemoradiotherapy. Chemoradiotherapy consisted of external-beam radiotherapy to the nasopharynx (70-80 Gy), the lymph node-positive area (60-70 Gy), and the lymph node-negative area (50-60 Gy) combined with 3 cycles of various platinum-based regimens delivered at 3-week intervals. Elevated crp was defined as more than 8 mg/L. The survival rate was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and univariate and multivariate analyses (Cox proportional hazards model) were used to identify factors significantly associated with prognosis.

RESULTS

During the median follow-up of 3.9 years (range: 1-5.5 years), 23 patients died from nasopharyngeal cancer. The 5-year cancer-specific survival (css) rate was 62.90%. Before chemoradiotherapy, 18 patients had high serum crp; the css rate in that subgroup was significantly worse than the rate in the remaining patients (p = 0.0002). Multivariate analysis showed that crp was an independent prognostic indicator of css, with a hazard ratio of 3.04 (95% confidence interval: 1.22 to 7.55; p = 0.017). Among the 18 patients with elevated serum crp, 9 achieved normal serum crp after chemoradiotherapy, of whom 5 remained living with no evidence of recurrence or metastasis during follow-up. By contrast, the remaining 9 patients in whom serum crp did not normalize after chemoradiotherapy died within 4.2 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated serum crp before treatment predicts poor prognosis in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with chemoradiotherapy.

Effects of naturally mycotoxin-contaminated corn on nutrient and energy utilization of ducks fed diets with or without Calibrin-A

One hundred sixty-two 21-d-old ducks were randomly allotted to 6 treatments with 3 levels of mycotoxin-contaminated corn (0, 50, and 100% M) and 2 levels of Calibrin-A (CA, a clay mycotoxin adsorbent, 0 and 0.1%) to evaluate the effects of increasing levels of mycotoxin-contaminated corn on nutrient utilization in ducks fed diets with or without CA. Endogenous losses were obtained from another 27 ducks. Excreta samples were collected to determine DM, OM, CP, amino acids, and gross energy. Gross energy was analyzed for computation of AME and TME. The apparent digestibility (AD) and true digestibility (TD) of the nutrients in all treatments with and without CA had common (P > 0.05) intercepts and slopes except Pro (P < 0.05). The AME, TME, AD, and TD of DM, OM, Phe, and Gly were linearly (P < 0.05) decreased as the concentration of contaminated corn in the diet increased. Ducks fed the 100% M diet supplemented with 0.1% CA increased AD and TD of Gly compared with the 100% M diet, and ducks fed 50 and 100% M diet supplemented with 0.1% CA increased AD and TD of Pro compared with 50% M and 100% M diet, respectively. In the present study, ducks fed mycotoxin-contaminated corn decreased nutrient digestibility in dose-dependent manner, and 0.1% CA supplementation improved AD and TD of Gly and Pro.

Using regular and transcriptomic analyses to investigate the biotransformation mechanism and phytotoxic effects of 6:2 fluorotelomer carboxylic acid (6:2 FTCA) in pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima L.)

Although 6:2 fluorotelomer carboxylic acid (6:2 FTCA), which is one of the most popular substitutes for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), has been widely distributed in environments, little is known about its biotransformation mechanism and phytotoxic effects in plants. Here, we showed that 6:2 FTCA could be taken up by pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima L.) roots from exposure solution and acropetally translocated to shoots. Biotransformation of 6:2 FTCA to different carbon chain perfluorocarboxylic acid (PFCA) metabolites (C2-C7) via α-and β-oxidation in pumpkin was observed, and perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) was the major transformation product. The results of enzyme assays, enzyme inhibition experiments and gene expression analysis indicated that cytochrome P450 (CYP450), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters were involved in the metabolism of 6:2 FTCA in pumpkin. Plant-associated rhizobacteria and endophyte also contributed to 6:2 FTCA degradation through β-oxidation. The chlorophyll (Chl) content and genes involved in photosynthesis were significantly improved by 6:2 FTCA. The reductions of antioxidant and metabolic enzyme activities reflected the antioxidant defense system and detoxification system of pumpkin were both damaged, which were further confirmed by the down-regulating associated genes encoding phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, endoplasmic reticulum-related proteins, ascorbate-glutathione cycle and ABC transporters. This study is helpful to understand the environmental behaviors and toxicological molecular mechanisms of 6:2 FTCA in plants.

Comparative efficacy of whole-brain radiotherapy with and without elemene liposomes in patients with multiple brain metastases from non-small-cell lung carcinoma

PURPOSE

We explored and compared the clinical effects of whole-brain radiotherapy (wbrt) with and without elemene liposomes in patients with multiple brain metastases from non-small-cell lung carcinoma (nsclc).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 62 patients with multiple brain metastases from nsclc who received wbrt (30 Gy in 10 fractions) at Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from January 2012 to May 2013. In 30 patients, elemene liposomes (400 mg) were injected intravenously via a peripherally inserted central catheter for 21 consecutive days from the first day of radiotherapy. Overall survival (os) and nervous system progression-free survival (npfs) for the two groups were compared by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Factors influencing npfs were examined by Cox regression analysis. Chi-square or Fisher exact tests were used for group comparisons.

RESULTS

The median os was 9.0 months in the wbrt plus elemene group and 7.8 months in the wbrt-alone group (p = 0.581); the equivalent median npfs durations were 5.2 months and 3.7 months (p = 0.005). Patient treatment plan was an independent factor associated with npfs (p = 0.002). Tumour response and disease-control rates in the wbrt plus elemene group were 26.67% and 76.67% respectively; they were 18.75% and 62.5% in the wbrt group (p = 0.452). Compared with the patients in the wbrt-alone group, significantly fewer patients in the wbrt plus elemene group developed headaches (p = 0.04); quality of life was also significantly higher in the wbrt plus elemene group both at 1 month and at 2 months (p = 0.021 and p = 0.001 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of elemene liposomes to wbrt might prolong npfs in patients with multiple brain metastases from nsclc, while also reducing the incidence of headache and improving patient quality of life.