How do resource dependence and technological progress affect carbon emissions reduction effect of industrial structure transformation? Empirical research based on the rebound effect in China

Under the guidance of carbon peak and carbon neutral targets, the industrial structure transformation is vital for carbon emissions reduction in China. However, there is a rebound effect of carbon emissions during the industrial structure transformation. Resource dependence and technological progress have significant impacts on industrial structure transformation and its carbon reduction effect. This paper explores how industrial structure transformation under resource dependence causes the rebound effect from a technological progress perspective. The key results indicate that (1) resource dependence distorts the carbon emissions reduction effect of industrial structure transformation; (2) with the development of technology, the industrial structure upgrading under resource dependence could cause an increase on carbon emissions at the beginning, but the increase would be weakened subsequently, displaying a two-stage feature; (3) the industrial structure rationalization under resource dependence reduces carbon emissions at first, but the reduction would be weakened as the technology develops, then industrial structure's rationalization shows an insignificant impact on carbon emissions, and finally reduces carbon emissions again, presenting a four-stage characteristic; (4) environmental protection technology can correct the distortion effect of resource dependence on the industrial structure rationalization and amplify the industrial structure rationalization's reduction effects on carbon emissions; (5) with the development of energy-saving technology, industrial structure rationalization has a paradoxical impact on carbon emissions, the industrial structure rationalization first reduces, then increases, and finally reduces carbon emissions, indicating an inverted "N" relationship. Finally, policy recommendations for carbon emissions reduction are proposed from the perspective of industrial structure transformation and technological progress.

Association between blood omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and the gut microbiota among breast cancer survivors

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential nutrients demonstrated to have health benefits, such as decreasing the risk of coronary heart disease, improving parameters associated with metabolic syndrome, and decreasing anxiety symptoms and depression risk. Previous intervention studies indicated the association between blood or tissue PUFA levels and the gut microbiota; however, the details remain incompletely elucidated. We conducted a cross-sectional study to examine the association between PUFAs and the gut microbiota among breast cancer survivors. Adults who had been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer more than one year ago and were not currently undergoing chemotherapy were enrolled. Capillary blood and faecal samples were obtained to assess the blood PUFA levels and gut microbiota compositions. The mean age (n=124) was 58.7 years, and 46% of the participants had a history of chemotherapy. Multiple regression analysis controlling for possible confounders indicated that an increased relative abundance of Actinobacteria was significantly associated with increased levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, beta=0.304, q<0.01). At the genus level, the abundance of Bifidobacterium was positively associated with the level of DHA (beta=0.307, q<0.01). No significant association between omega-6 PUFAs and the relative abundances of gut microbiota members was observed. In addition, analyses stratified by the history of chemotherapy indicated significant associations of PUFA levels with the abundance of some bacterial taxa, including the phylum Actinobacteria (DHA, beta=0.365, q<0.01) and Bacteroidetes (EPA, beta=-0.339, q<0.01) and the genus Bifidobacterium (DHA, beta=0.368, q<0.01) only among participants without a history of chemotherapy. These findings provide the first evidence of positive associations between the abundances of Bifidobacterium among the gut microbiota and the levels of omega-3 PUFAs in the blood. Further studies are required to gain additional insight into these associations in healthy subjects as well as into the causality of the relationship.

Different physiological properties of human-residential and non-human-residential bifidobacteria in human health

Bifidobacteria have increasingly been shown to exert positive health benefits to humans, which are clearly reflected by their application in various commercialised dairy products and supplements. Bifidobacteria naturally inhabit a range of ecological niches and display substantial differences in their ecological adaptation among species. In general, bifidobacteria could be categorised into two major groups; bifidobacterial species of human origins as human-residential bifidobacteria (HRB) while other species which are the natural inhabitants of animals or environment as non-HRB. Current research has focused on the differential physiological features of HRB and non-HRB, such as metabolic capabilities, whilst comparative and functional genomic investigations have revealed the genetic attributes of bifidobacteria that may explain their colonisation affinities in human gut. It is becoming more apparent that distinct residential origins of bifidobacteria are likely contributed to their comparable adaptive health attributes on human host. Notably, debate still remains about the nature of bifidobacteria for use as human probiotics. Clinical evaluations involving supplementation of bifidobacteria of different origins point out the superiority of HRB in human host. Evidence also suggests that HRB especially infant-type HRB may exert better health-promoting effects and therefore serve as a better probiotic candidate for infant use. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the genotypic and physiological differences of bifidobacteria associated with different residential origins and to shed light on the practical considerations for selection of bifidobacteria as probiotics in order to establish a healthy gut microbial community in humans.

[Endoplasmic reticulum stress in INS-1-3 cell associated with the expression changes of MODY gene pathway]

Objective: To profile the gene expression changes associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress in INS-1-3 cells induced by thapsigargin (TG) and tunicamycin (TM). Methods: Normal cultured INS-1-3 cells were used as a control. TG and TM were used to induce endoplasmic reticulum stress in INS-1-3 cells. Digital gene expression profiling technique was used to detect differentially expressed gene. The changes of gene expression were detected by expression pattern clustering analysis, gene ontology (GO) function and pathway enrichment analysis. Real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to verify the key changes of gene expression. Results: Compared with the control group, there were 57 (45 up-regulated, 12 down-regulated) and 135 (99 up-regulated, 36 down-regulated) differentially expressed genes in TG and TM group, respectively. GO function enrichment analyses indicated that the main enrichment was in the endoplasmic reticulum. In signaling pathway analysis, the identified pathways were related with endoplasmic reticulum stress, antigen processing and presentation, protein export, and most of all, the maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) pathway. Conclusion: Under the condition of endoplasmic reticulum stress, the related expression changes of transcriptional factors in MODY signaling pathway may be related with the impaired function in islet beta cells.

Lysozyme in breast milk is a selection factor for bifidobacterial colonisation in the infant intestine

The objective of this work was to study the residential characteristics of bifidobacteria, which can be classified as either human-residential bifidobacteria (HRB) or non-HRB. We investigated the growth of different strains of HRB and non-HRB in human breast milk with the aim of understanding the mechanisms involved in the unique habitation of each taxon. The growth of 37 strains of different bifidobacterial species or subspecies in breast milk was investigated by incubating each under anaerobic conditions at 37 ^°C. The tolerance of each strain to either egg white or human lysozyme was compared. Among the infant-type HRB strains, all strains of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis and Bifidobacterium breve grew well in breast milk, but the growth characteristics of B. longum subsp. longum and B. bifidum were strain-dependent. In contrast, the tested strains of adult-type HRB and non-HRB generally failed to grow and died after incubation in breast milk. Most infant-type HRB strains were tolerant to high concentrations of lysozyme, while adult-type HRB strains possessed intermediate tolerance to lysozyme, and non-HRB strains were susceptible to lysozymes of egg white or human origin. These data suggest that breast milk lysozyme content plays a central role in the exclusion of non-HRB, while other factors, together with lysozyme content, are involved in the growth inhibition of adult-type strains in human milk. Our results suggest that infant-type HRB strains would be suitable candidates for use as infant probiotics.

Bifidobacterium breve prevents necrotising enterocolitis by suppressing inflammatory responses in a preterm rat model

Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is associated with inflammatory responses and barrier dysfunction in the gut. In this study, we investigated the effect of Bifidobacterium breve M-16V on factors related to NEC development using an experimental rat model. Caesarean-sectioned rats were given formula milk with or without B. breve M-16V by oral gavage thrice daily, and experimental NEC was induced by exposing the rats to hypoxic conditions. Naturally delivered rats that were reared by their mother were used as healthy controls. The pathological score of NEC and the expression of molecules related to inflammatory responses and the barrier function were assessed in the ileum. B. breve M-16V reduced the pathological scores of NEC and resulted in some improvement in survivability. B. breve M-16V suppressed the increased expression of molecules related to inflammation and barrier function that resulted from NEC induction. B. breve M-16V normalised Toll-like receptor (TRL)4 expression and enhanced TLR2 expression. Our data suggest that B. breve M-16V prevents NEC development by modulating TLR expressions and suppressing inflammatory responses in a rat model.

Expression and diagnostic value of proteins in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

We constructed a prokaryotic expression vector expressing the Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein TB16.3, as well as 3 other proteins, including TB15.3, CFP-10, and Rv2626C, which were purified and analyzed for their effectiveness as detection antibodies. The TB16.3 genes of M. tuberculosis H37Rv genomic DNA were amplified by polymerase chain reaction, inserted into the expression vector pET-30a, and expressed in Escherichia coli. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the 4 M. tuberculosis antibodies. Engineered E. coli bacteria expressing TB16.3 and the 3 other proteins were constructed and found mainly to be soluble. For recombinant TB16.3 proteins, serum samples of 118 tuberculosis (TB) patients and 96 healthy controls were analyzed. Sensitivity, specificity, and adjusted concordance rate for the TB16.3 antibody were 72.9, 86.5, and 79.6%, respectively. The positive rate of Rv2626C antibody in TB patients (44.1%) was significantly lower than that in normal controls (75.0%, χ(2) = 20.8, P < 0.01). TB15.3 and TB16.3 were used for simultaneous detection and showed sensitivity, specificity, and repeatability rates of 69.4, 96.9, and 83.7%. The antibody positive rate and specificity for patients with lung disease was 9.6 and 90.4%, respectively. TB15.3 and TB16.3 were mixed and detected simultaneously. Combined with the results for TB15.3, the sensitivity, specificity, and concordance rates were 82.2, 95.9, and 88.9%, respectively. The concordance rate was the highest value observed. Target genes were cloned into a host strain and expressed successfully. The TB16.3 recombinant protein may be used as a new serological antigen for tuberculosis diagnosis.

Expression and serological diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis CFP-10 and Rv2626c proteins

We constructed a Mycobacterium tuberculosis vector expressing CFP-10 and Rv2626c to examine the expression of these proteins in Escherichia coli as well as their immunoreactivity. The CFP-10 and Rv2626c genes were amplified from tuberculosis H37Rv genomic DNA using polymerase chain reaction. They were ligated into the expression vector PET30a and expressed in E. coli. Histidine tag nickel column chromatography was used to purify the recombinant protein. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for detection. In our E. coli-engineered bacteria containing a CFP10 and Rv2626c plasmid, the target protein was found mainly to be in the soluble form. We formed mixed antigens of the recombinant CFP10 and Rv2626c proteins. ELISA results showed that in 214 blood samples, the positive rate was 77.1%. The target gene was successfully expressed in the host strain. Mixed antigens of the recombinant CFP-10 and Rv2626c proteins can be used as a combination antigen in the serological diagnosis of tuberculosis.

Bifidobacterium breve B-3 exerts metabolic syndrome-suppressing effects in the liver of diet-induced obese mice: a DNA microarray analysis

We previously reported that supplementation with Bifidobacterium breve B-3 reduced body weight gain and accumulation of visceral fat in a dose-dependent manner, and improved serum levels of total cholesterol, glucose and insulin in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity. In this study, we investigated the expression of genes in the liver using DNA microarray analysis and q-PCR to reveal the mechanism of these anti-obesity effects in this mouse model. Administration of B. breve B-3 led to regulated gene expression of pathways involved in lipid metabolism and response to stress. The results indicate that these regulations in the liver are related to the anti-metabolic syndrome effects of B. breve B-3.

Replication of association study between type 2 diabetes mellitus and IGF2BP2 in Han Chinese population

BACKGROUND

The association between IGF2BP2 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been repeatedly confirmed among different ethnic populations. However, in several genome-wide association studies (GWAS) from the Chinese Han population, the gene IGF2BP2 has not been replicated. The results of relevant studies for the association between IGF2BP2 and T2DM showed controversy in Chinese Han population. It is necessary to systematically evaluate the contribution of common variants in IGF2BP2 to T2DM in Chinese Han population.

METHODS

Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, rs4402960 and rs1470579) in IGF2BP2 were genotyped in Chinese Han population (3807 controls/4531 T2DM cases) by Illumina GoldenGate Indexing assay. The association between SNPs and T2DM was evaluated by multiple Logistic Regression analysis. A meta-analysis was used to estimate the effects of IGF2BP2 in 20854 Chinese Han individuals.

RESULTS

rs1470579 and rs4402960 were confirmed to have strong association with T2DM in the Chinese Han population (rs1470579 P = 1.80×10(-7), OR (95% CI) = 1.22 (1.14-1.32), rs4402960 P = 7.46×10(-9), OR (95% CI) = 1.26 (1.17-1.37), respectively). Moreover, 11 studies for rs4402960 were included in the meta-analysis and 7 studies for rs1470579. The meta-analysis also showed the association between T2DM and IGF2BP2 (rs1470579 OR of 1.15 (95% CI = 1.10-1.19), P < 0.0001 under an additive model and rs4402960 OR of 1.14 (95% CI = 1.10-1.18), P < 0.0001 under an additive model).

CONCLUSION

IGF2BP2 was strongly associated with the risk of T2DM in Chinese Han population.

Improved viability of bifidobacteria in fermented milk by cocultivation with Lactococcus lactis subspecies lactis

The poor survival of probiotic bacteria in commercial yogurts may limit their potential to exert health benefits in humans. The objective was to improve the survival of bifidobacteria in fermented milk. Cocultivation with some strains of Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis improved the survival of bifidobacteria in fermented milk during refrigerated storage. Studies on one strain, Lc. lactis ssp. lactis MCC866, showed that the concentrations of dissolved oxygen were kept lower in the cocultivated fermented milk during storage compared with monocultured Bifidobacterium longum BB536 or samples cocultured with another noneffective Lc. lactis ssp. lactis strain. Degradation of genomic DNA was suppressed in the cocultivating system with Lc. lactis ssp. lactis MCC866. Several genes that participated in protection from active oxygen species (e.g., genes coding for alkyl hydroperoxide reductase and Fe(2+) transport system) were expressed at higher levels during refrigerated storage in Lc. lactis ssp. lactis MCC 866 compared with another noneffective Lc. lactis ssp. lactis strain. Concentration of free iron ion was also lower in supernatants of fermented milk cocultivated with B. longum BB536 and Lc. lactis ssp. lactis MCC866. These results suggest that Lc. lactis ssp. lactis MCC 866 is potentially superior in reducing oxygen damage and consequently improves the survival of bifidobacteria in the cocultivating system. This cocultivation system is of industrial interest for producing fermented milk containing viable bifidobacteria with long shelf life.

Sequence of fat partitioning and its relationship with whole body insulin resistance

BACKGROUND

Currently it is unclear whether lipid accumulation occurs in a particular sequence and its relationship with whole body insulin resistance (IR). This study aimed to answer this question.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed on a normal or a high-fat diet for 20 weeks. Serum triglycerides (TG), serum free fatty acids (FFA), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and liver and skeletal muscle TG were measured. The glucose infusion rate (GIR) and mRNA levels of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) in the liver and skeletal muscle were determined at different stages.

RESULTS

Compared with rats fed on the normal diet, serum FFA was not significantly increased in rats fed on the high-fat diet until 20 weeks. In contrast, liver TG was significantly increased by the high-fat diet by four weeks (20-fold; P < 0.01), and remained elevated until the end of the study. However, skeletal muscle TG was not significantly increased by the high-fat diet until 20 weeks (10.6-fold; P < 0.01), and neither was the FPG. The GIR was significantly reduced (1.6-fold; P < 0.01) by the high-fat diet after 8 weeks. The mRNA levels of ACC gradually increased over time and CPT-1 decreased over time, in both the liver and skeletal muscle in rats fed the high-fat diet.

CONCLUSIONS

Lipid accumulation in the liver occurs earlier than lipid accumulation in the skeletal muscle. Fatty liver may be one of the early markers of whole body IR. Changes in the gene expression levels of ACC and CPT-1 may have important roles in the process of IR development.

[Relationship between oxidative stress and beta cell lipoapoptosis in rats]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of beta cell lipoapoptosis after long term high-fat feeding in rats, and to investigate the relationship between oxidative stress, gene expression and beta cell lipoapoptosis.

METHODS

Forty-one SD male rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: high-fat diet group (HF group) and control group (NC group). At the end of 28 weeks, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutamylcysteinylglycine (GSH) in plasma and pancreatic tissue,the early-phase insulin secretion in beta cells, the beta cell apoptosis (TUNEL technology) and the uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) gene expression in islets were measured.

RESULT

The concentrations of MDA both in plasma and pancreatic tissue were higher in HF group than those in NC group.In contrast, The contents of GSH both in plasma and pancreatic tissue were lower in HF group. Insulin secretion response to glucose load was significantly decreased in HF group (3.0 fold Compared with 5.7 fold, P<0.01). Blood glucose levels at 3 min, 5 min and 10 min during IVGTT were significantly higher in HF group than those in NC group (P<0.05). The frequency of beta cell apoptosis was increased by 40.0% in HF group (P<0.01). The gene expression of UCP2 in islets was increased by 22.4% in HF group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

The frequency of beta cell apoptosis in high-fat feeding rats is affected by oxidative stress, which results in increasing UCP2 gene expression.

Reproductive performance of Matou goat under sub-tropical monsoonal climate of Central China

The aim of the current study was to estimate reproductive parameters of Matou goat to evaluate a meat breed. Data on 2,560 kids from 1,197 kidding records of 638 does and on puberty of 546 females kids were collected from farmer household herds of Matou goats in six counties of Shiye city under Hubei Province in China. Statistical analyses on puberty, estrus, gestation length (GL), litter size (LS) and survival rate (SR) of kids at puberty were performed with software Genstat 5 (Release 3.1) by using descriptive statistics and regression models. The results showed that age at puberty of female kids was 108.4+/-19.1 days while estrus duration and cycle averaged 58.6+/-15.9 hours and 19.7+/-1.5 days respectively. Gestation length (GL) and litter size (LS) averaged 150+/-7.4 days and 2.14+/-0.9 respectively with 90.8% of survival rate (SR) of kids. GL was unassociated with parity, but delayed as LS increased. SR of kids at birth differed remarkably among parity 1 to 5, decreased significantly at parity 6 to 7, and then increased at 8th parity. In Matou goat over all twinning and triplet percentage was 45.4 percent and 16.3 percent whereas percentage of single birth was 27.4 percent. As twins and triplets birth rate is considerably higher in Matou goat so, this breed can be recommended to other parts of China and the world having similar climatic conditions.

[Effects of fenofibrate on gene expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 in liver and skeletal muscle and its influence on insulin sensitivity]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effects of fenofibrate (FF), a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) alpha activator, on the expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT-1) mRNA in liver and muscle and its influence on insulin sensitivity.

METHODS

Thirty-two normal 8 week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal control group, fed with normal food for 3 weeks (NC group, n = 10), high fat diet group, fed with high fat food (HF group, n = 10), and high fat diet supplemented with FF group, fed with high fat food and given with gastric perfusion of FF (50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) (FF group, n = 12). Fast serum triglyceride (TG) level was tested by automatic biochemical analyzer after 8-10 h fasting. Euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp method was used to calculate the glucose infusion rate (GIR) so as to evaluate the insulin sensitivity. By the end of experiment the rats were killed with their internal organs taken out. The triglyceride (TG) contents of liver and skeletal muscle were measured using Folch method. Real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression. of CPT-1 in the liver and skeletal muscles.

RESULTS

As compared with the NC group, the TG levels of serum, liver, and skeletal muscle of the HF group were higher than those of the NC group by 0.45-fold, 2.14-fold, and 10.64-fold respectively. The GIR of the HF group was (6.2 +/- 0.8) mg x kg(-1) x min(-1), significantly lower than that of the NC group (15.8 +/- 2.1) mg x kg(-1) x min(-1), (P < 0.01), and that of the P < 0.01. The CPT-1 mRNA expression in liver of the HF group was not significantly different from that of the NC group (P > 0.05); the expression of CPT-1 mRNA in skeletal muscle of the HF group was lower than that of the NC group by 71% (P < 0.01). The CPT-1 mRNA expression in liver and skeletal muscle of the FF group were significantly higher than those of the HF group by 1.00 and 1.05 times respectively (both P < 05). The GIR was negatively correlated with the levels in the liver (r = -0.87, P < 0.01) and in the skeletal muscle (r = -0.78, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Fenofibrate promotes the oxygenation of fatty acids by up-regulating the CPT-1 mRNA expression in the liver and skeletal muscles, thus improving the insulin sensitivity.

[The mechanism of and relationship between lipid metabolism genes expression and insulin resistance in high fat-fed mice]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the relationship between changes of genes expression related to lipid metabolism and insulin resistance induced by high fat diet in SD rats.

METHODS

Normal 8-week old male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups. They were fed with normal chow (NC, n = 10), high fat diet (HF, n = 10) and high fat diet supplemented with pioglitazone 15 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) (HP, n = 12). The TG content of liver and skeletal muscle of the rats was measured. Glucose infusion rate (GIR) was used to evaluate the insulin sensitivity by using euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp method. Genes expression was investigated using real-time PCR method.

RESULTS

After high fat feeding for 20 weeks, the serum TG, the content of TG in the liver and skeletal muscle of the rats in the HF group increased 0.45, 2.28 and 9.31 fold respectively as compared with those in the NC group. The change of TG content in the liver and skeletal muscle was associated with the reduction of GIR [(6.16 +/- 0.75) mg x kg(-1) x min(-1) vs (15.82 +/- 2.10) mg x kg(-1).min(-1) (P < 0.01)]. As compared with the NC group, the expression of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and fatty-acid synthase (FAS) gene in the HF group was enhanced by 28.2% and 21.3%, respectively (P < 0.05). In addition, the expression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase1 (ACC1) mRNA in the liver increased 48.3% (P < 0.05), increased 101.1% (P < 0.01) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT-1) decreased 71.0% (P < 0.01) in the skeletal muscle in the rats of HF group. As compared with those in the HF group, GIR increased 1.54 fold in the HP group and on the contrary, serum TG, liver TG and muscle TG decreased about 66%, 64.5% and 59.6% respectively in the HP group (P < 0.05). Accordingly, the expression of FAS and HSL in the adipose tissue and the expression of ACC1 in the liver were reduced (P < 0.05) and the expression of CPT-1 was enhanced and ACC2 was reduced in the muscle (P < 0.01) in the HP group.

CONCLUSIONS

The changing expression of genes related to lipid metabolism may play a role in the accumulation of lipids in non-adipose tissue and the induction of insulin resistance in rats fed with high fat diet.

Fluctuation of fecal microbiota in individuals with Japanese cedar pollinosis during the pollen season and influence of probiotic intake

BACKGROUND

We have previously reported the results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that found the intake of yogurt supplemented with a probiotic strain, Bifidobacterium longum BB536, alleviates symptoms and affects blood parameters in individuals with Japanese cedar pollinosis (JCPsis) during the pollen season.

OBJECTIVE

In the present study, fecal microbiota were investigated to examine whether any changes occur during the pollen season and whether any influence is exerted by probiotic intake.

METHODS

Yogurt either with BB536 (BB536 yogurt) or without BB536 (placebo yogurt) was administered for 14 weeks at 2 x 100 g per day to 40 subjects (17 men, 23 women) with a clinical history of JCPsis. Fecal samples were obtained from 23 subjects (placebo group, n=13; BB536 group, n=10) before and during the intervention (weeks 4, 9 and 13) and fecal microbiota were analyzed using terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods.

RESULTS

From the fluctuation patterns of terminal-restriction fragments, the Bacteroides fragilis group and bifidobacteria were among the species that changed most with pollen dispersion. Real-time PCR analyses indicated that the cell numbers of the B fragilis group increased significantly along with pollen dispersion in both BB536 and placebo groups. Cell numbers of bifidobacteria were significantly higher in the BB536 group compared with the placebo group (P < .05 at weeks 4 and 9). The ratio of cell numbers of the B fragilis group to bifidobacteria increased significantly during the pollen season in the placebo group (P < .01 at weeks 9 and 14), but not in the BB536 group. An in vitro study using peripheral blood mononuclear cells from JCPsis subjects indicated that strains of the B fragilis group induced significantly more helper T cell (T(H)) type2 cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6) but fewer T(H)1 cytokines (IL-12 and interferon) compared with those of bifidobacteria.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest a relationship between fluctuation in intestinal microbiota and pollinosis allergy. Furthermore, intake of BB536 yogurt appears to exert positive ihfluences on the formation of anti-allergic microbiota.

Immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleotide from Bifidobacterium longum suppresses Th2 immune responses in a murine model

We have reported previously that novel immunostimulatory sequence (ISS) oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) BL07S from a probiotic strain of Bifidobacterium longum inhibited immunoglobulin (Ig) E production in vitro. However, whether ISS-ODNs from probiotics regulate T helper type 2 (Th2)-polarized immune reactions in vivo remains unclear. To evaluate the inhibitory effects of ODN BL07S on type I allergic response, BALB/c mice were injected with or without ODN BL07S in the presence of ovalbumin (OVA) on days 0 and 14. Serum Ig levels (IgE, IgG1 and IgG2a) and cytokine levels (interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-12, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and IL-13) were investigated in splenocyte cultures from days 14-28. Production of OVA-specific and total IgE were significantly suppressed by administration of ODN BL07S, but not by ODN BL06S, a non-ISS-ODN. Compared to controls, ODN BL07S induced significantly lower levels of Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-5) in splenocyte cultures, and significantly higher levels of serum OVA-specific IgG2a. These effects of ODN BL07S on modulation of Th2 immune response were dose-dependent. The present results demonstrate that ODN BL07S from genomic DNA of B. longum BB536 prevents antigen-induced Th2 immune responses in vivo, suggesting that ISS-ODNs from probiotics might be useful in preventing allergic disease.

Effect of probiotic Bifidobacterium longum BB536 [corrected] in relieving clinical symptoms and modulating plasma cytokine levels of Japanese cedar pollinosis during the pollen season. A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Probiotic microorganisms have been shown to be effective in the treatment of allergic inflammation and food allergy, but their efficacy remains controversial. This study tested the effect of a yogurt supplemented with a probiotic strain Bifidobacterium longum BB536 in the treatment of Japanese cedar pollinosis (JCPsis). Forty subjects with a clinical history of JCPsis were given yoghurt either containing BB536 (BB536 yoghurt) or without BB536 (placebo yoghurt) at 2 X 100 g per day for 14 weeks, in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Subjective symptoms and self-care measures were recorded daily and blood samples were taken before and during the intervention (at weeks 4, 9, and 14) to measure the blood parameter levels related to JCPsis. Yoghurt supplemented with BB536 significantly alleviated eye symptoms compared with placebo yoghurt (odds ratio 0.31; 95% confidence interval 0.10-0.97; p = 0.044). Although no statistically significant differences were detected, nasal symptoms such as itching, rhinorrhea, and blockage, as well as throat symptoms tended to be relieved with the BB536 yoghurt. BB536 tended to suppress the decreasing blood levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-y) and the increasing blood eosinophil rates; a significantly higher IFN-gamma level was observed for the difference from baseline at week 4. A decreased trend in the difference from baseline levels of JCP-specific IgE levels was also observed at week 4 in the BB536 group compared with the placebo group. In conclusion, these results suggest that intake of BB536-supplemented yoghurt may relieve JCPsis symptoms, probably through a modulating effect on Th balance.

[Electrical impedance spectroscopy method for measuring cold hardiness of plants]

Electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a method for measuring cold hardiness of plants. It has been widely used in the fields of agriculture, forestry and horticulture. In this paper the following aspects were introduced and discussed: (1) physical and physiological factors of impedance measurements in plants, (2) suitable models for measuring EIS, and (3) method for assessing cold hardiness by means of EIS. In traditional EIS analysis, after completion of the artificially controlled freezing tests, the extracellular resistance (r(e)) is the best parameter for determining cold hardiness of plants. It has been reported recently that cold hardiness might be determined just after sampling using EIS analysis without a controlled freezing test. The relaxation time (tau(1)) is the most suitable parameter: in the rapid hardening phase, differences in the hardening patterns of various provenances of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) could be distinguished by the relaxation time with an accuracy of +/-2 degrees C without a controlled freezing test.

Effects of milk products fermented by Bifidobacterium longum on blood lipids in rats and healthy adult male volunteers

The effects of milk products fermented by Bifidobacterium longum strain BL1, a probiotic strain, on blood lipids in rats and humans were studied. Rats were fed a cholesterol-enriched experimental diet, supplemented with lyophilized powders of 1) acid milk (control), 2) milk fermented with a mixed culture of ordinary yogurt starters composed of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (SL), and 3) bifidobacterium milk fermented with the probiotic B. longum strain BL1, respectively. The bifidobacterium milk feeding brought about significant lowering of the serum concentrations of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides, in comparison with the control, while no change in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration was observed. On the other hand, supplementation with SL milk resulted in only slight, nonsignificant decreases in serum lipid concentrations in comparison with the control. In the human study, 32 subjects with serum total cholesterol ranging from 220 to 280 mg/dl were randomly assigned to two treatments: 1) intake of a low-fat drinking yogurt prepared with ordinary yogurt starters composed of S. thermophilus and L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (P-group) and 2) intake of a low-fat drinking yogurt prepared with the two ordinary yogurt starters plus B. longum strain BL1 (B-group). After intake for 4 wk at 3 x 100 ml/day, reduction of serum total cholesterol was observed in approximately half of the B-group subjects; a particularly significant decrease in serum total cholesterol was found among subjects with moderate hypercholesterolemia (serum total cholesterol > 240 mg/dl). However, the serum lipid concentrations in the P-group subjects were almost stable during the experimental periods. The present results indicate the potential of the probiotic B. longum strain BL1 in serum lipid improvement.

Transmission electron microscopic studies of deformed high-palladium dental alloys

Objective. The purpose of this study was to employ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to investigate the microstructures of Pd-Cu-Ga and Pd-Ga dental alloys that had been permanently deformed, in order to obtain information about the deformation behavior of individual phases and changes in microstructure brought about by that deformation.Methods. Heavily deformed regions taken from fractured tensile test bars of the two alloys in the as-cast condition were prepared for TEM analysis, using mechanical grinding and polishing, ion milling, and plasma cleaning. The specimens were examined in the TEM using bright-field and dark-field diffraction contrast imaging. Selected-area and convergent-beam electron diffraction patterns were employed to analyze the structures of the phases, and standardless energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry was used to determine their mean compositions.Results. For both alloys, tweed structures underwent permanent deformation by twinning, whereas dislocation movement occurred in the face-centered cubic (fcc) palladium solid solution matrix. A body-centered cubic (bcc) phase, previously unreported in our TEM studies and containing a high density of dislocations, was identified in the Pd-Cu-Ga alloy, while fine-scale, stress-induced precipitates were found in some regions of the fcc matrix in the Pd-Ga alloy.Significance. The present results have provided novel information about the mechanical deformation behavior of high-palladium alloys. The stress-induced precipitation in the Pd-Ga dental alloy studied may be a critical component of strengthening mechanisms.

Effects of diet and exercise in preventing NIDDM in people with impaired glucose tolerance. The Da Qing IGT and Diabetes Study

OBJECTIVE

Individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) have a high risk of developing NIDDM. The purpose of this study was to determine whether diet and exercise interventions in those with IGT may delay the development of NIDDM, i.e., reduce the incidence of NIDDM, and thereby reduce the overall incidence of diabetic complications, such as cardiovascular, renal, and retinal disease, and the excess mortality attributable to these complications.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In 1986, 110,660 men and women from 33 health care clinics in the city of Da Qing, China, were screened for IGT and NIDDM. Of these individuals, 577 were classified (using World Health Organization criteria) as having IGT. Subjects were randomized by clinic into a clinical trial, either to a control group or to one of three active treatment groups: diet only, exercise only, or diet plus exercise. Follow-up evaluation examinations were conducted at 2-year intervals over a 6-year period to identify subjects who developed NIDDM. Cox's proportional hazard analysis was used to determine if the incidence of NIDDM varied by treatment assignment.

RESULTS

The cumulative incidence of diabetes at 6 years was 67.7% (95% CI, 59.8-75.2) in the control group compared with 43.8% (95% CI, 35.5-52.3) in the diet group, 41.1% (95% CI, 33.4-49.4) in the exercise group, and 46.0% (95% CI, 37.3-54.7) in the diet-plus-exercise group (P < 0.05). When analyzed by clinic, each of the active intervention groups differed significantly from the control clinics (P < 0.05). The relative decrease in rate of development of diabetes in the active treatment groups was similar when subjects were stratified as lean or overweight (BMI < or > or = 25 kg/m2). In a proportional hazards analysis adjusted for differences in baseline BMI and fasting glucose, the diet, exercise, and diet-plus-exercise interventions were associated with 31% (P < 0.03), 46% (P < 0.0005), and 42% (P < 0.005) reductions in risk of developing diabetes, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Diet and/or exercise interventions led to a significant decrease in the incidence of diabetes over a 6-year period among those with IGT.

[Relationship between obesity and risk factors of coronary heart disease in nondiabetics]

We analysed the data of 395 nondiabetic obese (BMI 25-42.2, impaired glucose tolerance, IGT, 257 and normal glucose tolerance, NGT, 138) and 482 nonobese subjects (BMI 15.9-24.9, IGT 170 and NGT 312). The blood pressure, plasma glucose, insulin, triglyceride and total cholesterol in obese were higher than that in nonobese, while HDL-c level was lower after controlling for age and sex (P < 0.001). This difference remained to be significant even after the adjustment of age, sex, insulin and 2-hours plasma glucose. Therefore, it was suggested that obesity was easy of access to coronary heart disease risk factors independent of hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia.

Rousselianone A, novel antibiotic related to phenalenone produced by Phaeosphaeria rousseliana

Novel antibiotic, rousselianone A, was produced by fermentation of Phaeosphaeria rousseliana L2144. Rousselianone A was characterized as a new derivative of phenalenone. The antibiotic showed no antimicrobial activity in vitro, but exhibited in vivo antifungal activity against plant diseases with a relatively broad spectrum.