[Progress in research on HIV cluster detection and response]

HIV cluster detection and response (CDR) is a critical strategy to end the HIV epidemic by offering information to identify prevention and care services gaps. The risk metrics for HIV clusters can be classified into three groups: growth-based metrics, characteristic-based metrics, and phylogeny-based metrics. When identifying HIV risk clusters, the public health response can reach people in the affected networks, including people with undiagnosed HIV, people with diagnosed HIV who might not be accessing HIV care or other services, and people without HIV who would benefit from prevention services. To provide references for HIV precise prevention in China, we summarized the risk metrics and the intervention measures for CDR.

An approach combining bioinformatics and machine learning to identify eight autophagy-related biomarkers and construct molecular mechanisms underlying COVID-19 and major depressive disorders

OBJECTIVE

A lack of objective biomarkers is preventing the screening and diagnosis of COVID-19 combined with major depression disorder (COVID-19-MDD). The purpose of this study was to identify diagnostic biomarkers and gene regulatory mechanisms associated with autophagy; a crucial process significantly involved in the pathogenesis of COVID-19-MDD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened using GSE98793 from the GEO2R analysis (GEO) database, and intersected with the COVID-19-related gene (CRGs) and autophagy-related genes (ARGs) to obtain common genes involved in. Then, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses of these common genes were performed. Subsequently, the transcription factor (TF)-gene regulatory network and comorbidity network were constructed. In addition, 10 drug candidates were screened using the DSigDB database. To identify diagnostic markers, we used LASSO regression.

RESULTS

In total, 13 common genes were screened, which were primarily enriched in lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum membranes, and other endomembrane systems also associated with autophagy. Additionally, these genes were involved in neurological cell signaling and have a functional role in pathways related to vascular endothelial growth factor, tyrosine kinase, autophagy, inflammation, immunity, and carcinogenesis. Tumors and psychiatric disorders were the most highly linked diseases to COVID-19. Finally, ten drug candidates and eight diagnostic markers (STX17, NRG1, RRAGD, XPO1, HERC1, HSP90AB1, EPHB2, and S1PR3) were screened.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to screen eight diagnostic markers and construct a gene regulatory network for COVID-19-MDD from the perspective of autophagy. The findings of our study provide novel insights into the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19-MDD.

Diets varying in ratio of sweet sorghum silage to corn silage for lactating dairy cows: Feed intake, milk production, blood biochemistry, ruminal fermentation, and ruminal microbial community

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of partial substitution of corn silage (CS) with sweet sorghum silage (SS) in the diets of lactating dairy cows on dry matter (DM) intake, milk yield and composition, blood biochemistry, and ruminal fermentation and microbial community. Thirty mid-lactation Holstein dairy cows [mean ± standard deviation; 639 ± 42.0 kg of body weight; 112 ± 24.0 d in milk (DIM)] were assigned to 3 groups (n = 10/treatment) by considering parity, milk yield, and DIM. The cows were fed ad libitum total mixed rations containing 55% forage and 45% concentrate, with only the proportion of CS and SS varying in 3 treatments (DM basis): SS0 (0% substitution of CS), 40% CS and 0% SS; SS25 (25% substitution of CS)_, 30% CS and 10% SS; and SS50 (50% substitution of CS)_, 20% CS and 20% SS. Dry matter intake and milk protein concentration tended to linearly decrease with increasing proportion of SS in the diet. Yields of milk (mean ± standard deviation, 30.9 ± 1.12 kg/d), 4% fat-corrected milk (30.0 ± 0.81 kg/d), energy-corrected milk, milk protein, lactose, and total solids, concentrations of milk fat, lactose, somatic cell counts, and milk efficiency did not differ among diets. The concentrations in blood of urea nitrogen, phosphorus, aspartate aminotransferase, and malondialdehyde linearly increased with increasing SS proportion. Blood IgA decreased with increasing SS substitution rate, but blood IgG and IgM were not different among diets. Ruminal pH did not differ among diets, whereas ruminal NH₃-N concentration quadratically changed such that it was greater for SS50 than for SS0 and SS25. Molar proportions of propionate and acetate to propionate ratio were less for SS25 than for SS0. Although the diversity and general ruminal microbial community structure were not altered by partially replacing CS with SS, the relative abundances of predominant bacteria were affected by diets at the phylum and genus levels. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were dominant phyla in the ruminal bacterial community for all diets, and their relative abundance linearly decreased and increased, respectively, with increasing SS substitution rate. Prevotella_1 and Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_group were detected as the most and the second most abundant genera, with their relative abundance linearly increased and decreased, respectively, with increasing SS substitution rate. The relative abundance of Fibrobacter linearly increased with increasing dietary SS proportion, with greater abundance observed for SS25 and SS50 than for SS0. These results suggest that substitution of CS with SS altered the relative abundances of some predominant bacteria; however, these changes had little effect on ruminal fermentation and milk yield. Under the current experimental conditions, substituting up to 50% of CS with SS had no negative effects on milk yield, indicating that SS can partially replace CS in the diets of high-producing lactating dairy cows without adding extra grain, when diets are fed for a short time. As the effects of substituting CS with SS depend upon the chemical composition and digestibility of these silages and the nutrient requirements of the cows, additional grain may be required in some cases to compensate for the lower starch content of SS.

[Scan time and accuracy of full-arch scans with intraoral scanners: a comparative study on conditions of the intraoral head-simulator and the hand-held model]

Objective: To comparatively evaluate the scan time and the accuracy of maxillary full-arch scans using four intraoral scanners (IOS) on conditions of the intraoral head-simulator and the hand-held model, and to evaluate the influence of different scanning conditions on digital scan. Methods: A upper dental arch model with melamine-formaldehyde resin teeth and silica gel gingiva that could be fixed on a head simulator was scanned with an optical scanner (ATOS Core) in order to obtain the standard tessellation language dataset as reference. Intraoral scans were performed on the model fixed on the head simulator by three researchers with four IOS [A: TRIOS 3; B: CS 3600; C: CEREC Omnicam; D: iTero]. For each scanner and each researcher, six scans were performed, to obtain the datasets as the head simulator group. And another six scans with each of the four intraoral scanners were performed by each researcher on the hand-held model to obtain the STL datasets as the hand-held group. The scan time were recorded for each scan. In the Geomagic Wrap software, the digital models were trimmed with only the teeth information retained and supreimposed by best fit alignment function and compared to obtain the root mean square (RMS) values of the discrepancies by three-dimensional compare function. The test datasets of each group were compared with the reference dataset for trueness. The six test scanning datasets with the same scanner of the same researcher were cross compared for precision. Mann Whitney U test was used to statistically analyze the difference values of the scan time, trueness and precision of the same intraoral scanner between head simulator group and hand-held group. Results: Compared to the hand-held group, the scan time of A [142(82) s] and D [119(52) s], which two IOS both with handle, were longer in head simulator group [A: 98(28) s; D: 85(22) s] (P<0.01). However there were no significant differences between the two groups for scan time of IOS B and C (P>0.05). For full-arch scan accuracy (trueness and precision), there were no significant differences between the two groups of IOS A and B (P>0.05), while the trueness of C (P<0.05) and the precision of D (P<0.01) were better in head simulator group [C: 112(38) μm; D: 43(13) μm] compared to hand-held group [C: 135(47) μm; D: 53(18) μm]. However, there were no significant differences for the precision of C (P>0.05) and the trueness of D (P>0.05). Conclusions: The scan time and the accuracy of full-arch digital scans with different IOS may be effected by the scan conditions. For in vitro study of intraoral scanning, head-simulator can simulate the intraoral environment of the real patient to some extent. Meanwhile, the position of the dentist and the patient, and also the limited intraoral space during intraoral scanning are also simulated.

Stabilization of Alfvén Eigenmodes in DIII-D via Controlled Energetic Ion Density Ramp and Validation of Theory and Simulations

Fast-ion driven Alfvén waves with frequency close to the ion cyclotron frequency (f=0.58f_{ci}) excited by energetic ions from a neutral beam are stabilized via a controlled energetic ion density ramp for the first time in a fusion research plasma. The scaling of wave amplitude with injection rate is consistent with theory for single mode collisional saturation near marginal stability. The wave is identified as a shear-polarized global Alfvén eigenmode excited by Doppler-shifted cyclotron resonance with fast ions with sub-Alfvénic energetic ions, a first in fusion research plasmas.

Modulation of rumen fermentation and microbial community through increasing dietary cation-anion difference in Chinese Holstein dairy cows under heat stress conditions

AIMS

The effect of increasing dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) on rumen fermentation and ruminal microbial community in dairy cows under heat stress (HS) conditions were evaluated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study was performed as a two-period cross-over design during the summer season, with eight lactating dairy cows randomly distributed to either a control DCAD diet (CON: 33·5 mEq/100 g DM) or high DCAD diet (HDCAD: 50·8 mEq/100 g DM). Throughout the present study, the temperature and humidity index (THI; 80·2 ± 4·29) was generally elevated above the threshold (THI = 72) that is reported to cause HS in lactating dairy cows. Rumen liquid samples were collected on 15 and 21 d during each 21 d-period. The absolute concentration of ruminal total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) in HDCAD treatment was significantly (P < 0·05) higher than those in the control, whilst the ruminal pH, NH₃ -N, and VFA molar percentages were unaffected through increasing DCAD. Furthermore, the copy numbers of the cellulolytic bacteria Ruminococcus albus and Ruminococcus flavefaciens in rumen fluid significantly (P < 0·05) rose along with the increment of DCAD. Although the Alpha diversity indexes and the bacterial microbiota structure were unaffected, increasing DCAD significantly (P < 0·05) enriched the phylum Fibrobacteres and genus Fibrobacter in the microflora of rumen fluid, whilst the genera Flexilinea and Dubosiella were the most differentially abundant taxa in the control.

CONCLUSIONS

Increasing DCAD under HS conditions resulted in a greater concentration of total VFA without affecting rumen bacteria diversity or structure, although the enrichment of some cellulolytic/hemicellulolytic bacteria was observed.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The present study provides information on the modulation of rumen fermentation and microbial community through the increment of DCAD in Holstein dairy cows under HS conditions.

[Retrospective analysis of factors affecting patency rates and causes of failure in use of single-armed two-suture microsurgical vasoepididymostomy]

Objectives: To analyze the factors affecting the patency rate of microsurgical single-stitch longitudinal intussusception vasoepididymostomy and to explore the possible causes of failure. Methods: The clinical data of 87 patients with epididymal obstructive azoospermia who underwent microsurgical vasoepididymostomy from January 2015 to February 2018 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University were analyzed retrospectively. We observed the patency rate postoperatively and evaluated several factors that possibly related to the patency rates. Preoperative examinations included peripheral blood chromosomes, Y chromosome microdeletions, sex hormones, seminal plasma, etc. After admission, microsurgical single-stitch longitudinal intussusception vasoepididymostomy was performed. During the follow-up, the semen was evaluated to assess the patency rate and the time to patency. Results: The patient's age ranged from 21 to 42 years and the mean age was(25±3) years. Infertility lasted for 1-8 years and the mean infertility time was(2.2±1.1) years. The longitudinal intussusception vasoepididymostomy was successfully completed in 80 patients , 5 cases gave up the anastomosis surgery because of multiple segment obstruction of the vas deferens, complete obstruction of the epididymis or testicular obstruction. Two cases underwent crossed vasovasostomy( sperm was present in the ejaculate in 1 case postoperatively). Of all the patients, 72 were successfully followed up. The follow-up time was 3-29 months, with an average of (12.0±1.7)months. Excluding 3 cases of follow-up time less than 12 months who still had no sperm in the ejaculate, 69 patients' data were in cluded in the final statistics, of which 50 cases with return of sperm in the ejaculate, the overall patency rate was 72.5%(50/69), concentration of sperm was 0.1-137.2 million/ml, and the mean concentration was(29±21) million/ml; with the progressive motile sperm rate ranging from 0-57.9%, the mean rate was(29.9±21.1)%. The patency rates of motile sperm and immobile sperm found in epididymal fluid during surgery were 82.2%(37/45) and 54.2%(13/24), respectively. The patency rate of bilateral and unilateral anastomoses was 77.6%(45/58) and 45.5%(5/11), respectively; the patency rate of caput anastomosis was 47.8%(11/23), and 84.8%(39/46) for corpus or caudal anastomosis. 17 patients achieved natural pregnancy postoperatively, the rate was 34.0%(17/50). Conclusions: The therapeutic effect of microsurgical single-stitch longitudinal intussusception vasoepididymostomy is satisfactory. The motile spermatozoa in epididymal fluid, bilateral surgery and corpus or caudal anastomosis can improve the patency rate postoperatively.

[Clinicopathologic analysis of primary carcinoid of the ovary]

Objective: To describe the clinicopathologic features, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of ovarian carcinoid tumors. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients diagnosed with primary ovarian carcinoid tumors at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Centre from 2007 to 2017. Results: The histologic analysis of these carcinoid tumors revealed 3 were insular, 1 was trabecular, 1 was mucinous, and 10 were strumal. Histologic features of insular and trabecular carcinoid were similar to other parts of the neuroendocrine tumor. Strumal carcinoid was composed of thyroid tissue intimately admixed with carcinoid tumor, showing trabecular pattern. Mucinous carcinoid was resembles Krukenberg tumor. Most ovarian carcinoid tomours were diffusely positive with at least one neuroendocrine marker, especially synaptophysin (14/14) and CD56(9/10). The median follow-up time was 53 months, 1 patient with squamous-cell carcinoma of cervixrecur rence in vaginal after 37 months, and only 1 patient died of disease. The remaining patients were disease-free survival. Conclusions: Primary carcinoid of the ovary is a very rare low grade malignant monodermal teratomas and somatic-type tumours arising from a dermoid. The diagnosis and differential diagnosis mainly relies on the histopathologic characteristics and the immuno-phenotype. Primary ovarian carcinoid almost always exhibit a benign clinical behavious except mucinous carcinoid.

[Effectiveness of transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy in the treatment of persistent hematospermia, and oligoasthenozoospermia and azoospermia from ejaculatory duct obstruction]

Objective: To analyze the effectiveness of transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy in the treatment of persistent hematospermia, and oligoasthenozoospermia and azoospermia from ejaculatory duct obstruction. Methods: The clinical date of 56 cases of persistent hematospermia, or azoospermia/oligoasthenozoospermia from ejaculatory duct obstruction treated with transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy between November 2013 and January 2016 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University were reviewed. A total of 30 cases were persistent hematospermia for 6 months to 3 years, with no response to routine antibiotic therapy for >4 weeks; 24 cases were obstructive azoospermia; and the other 2 cases were extreme oligoasthenozoospermia. Transrectal ultrasound of the prostate and seminal vesicles, and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed before the surgery, finding seminal vesicle dilation in 28 cases, ejaculatory duct dilation in 18 cases, seminal vesicle and ejaculatory duct dilation in 7 cases, seminal vesicle dilation with ejaculatory duct cyst in 2 cases, and bilateral ejaculatory duct dilation with prostatic utricle cyst in 1 case. After the transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy, follow-up examinations were performed to assess the effectiveness of the surgery for ≥3 months. Results: The surgery was successful in all the patients, with the duration of surgery ranging from 30 to 148 minutes. Among the 30 patients with hematospermia, calculi in ejaculatory duct or seminal vesicle was found in 20 cases, while inflammation or dark red jelly-like substances in seminal vesicle was seen in all cases. In the follow-up of 9.7 months (3.0-13.0 months), hematospermia in 26 (26/30, 86.7%)patients was relieved or cured after 1-6 times of ejaculation; the other 4 (4/30, 13.3%)cases still had hematospermia. In postoperative semen analysis for the 24 cases of azoospermia from ejaculatory duct obstruction, sperms were detected in 16(16/24, 66.7%)cases, but sperms were not found after 6 months following the surgery in 1 of the 16 case, thus re-obstruction was suspected; in the other 8 (8/24, 33.3%)cases, sperms could not be found in multiple semen analyses in >12 months after the surgery. The 2 cases of extreme oligoasthenozoospermia had obvious improvement in routine semen analysis in 1 and 3 months after the surgery. Except for 1 case of scrotum swelling after surgery, no postoperative complications (retrograde ejaculation, urinary incontinence, or rectal injury) were observed. Conclusions: Transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy was an effective therapy for persistent hematospermia. More strict operation indication and careful performance are necessary for azoospermia oligoasthenozoospermia from ejaculatory duct obstruction.

Emergent, remitted and persistent psychosis-spectrum symptoms in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome

Individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) are at markedly elevated risk for schizophrenia-related disorders. Stability, emergence, remission and persistence of psychosis-spectrum symptoms were investigated longitudinally. Demographic, clinical and cognitive predictors of psychosis were assessed. Prospective follow-up over 2.8 years was undertaken in 75 individuals with 22q11DS aged 8-35 years. Mood, anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders and psychosis-spectrum symptoms were assessed with the Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia and Scale of Prodromal Symptoms (SOPS). Four domains of cognition were evaluated with the Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery (executive functioning, memory, complex cognition and social cognition). Psychotic disorder or clinically significant SOPS-positive ratings were consistently absent in 35%, emergent in 13%, remitted in 22% and persistent in 31% of participants. Negative symptoms and functional impairment were found to be predictive of the emergence of positive psychosis-spectrum symptoms and to reflect ongoing deficits after remission of positive symptoms. Dysphoric mood and anxiety were predictive of emergent and persistent-positive psychosis-spectrum symptoms. Lower baseline global cognition and greater global cognitive decline were predictive of psychosis-spectrum outcomes but no particular cognitive domain stood out as being significantly more discriminating than others. Our findings suggest that negative symptoms, functioning and dysphoric mood are important predictors of psychosis risk in this population.

[Correlation between androgen receptor expression and surrogate molecular subtypes in invasive breast carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate androgen receptor(AR)expression in invasive breast carcinoma and the correlation with surrogate molecular breast carcinoma subtypes. Methods: Immunohistochemical staining of AR and other biomarkers was performed in a cohort of 870 cases of primary invasive breast carcinomas collected from August to December, 2016. The association of AR expression with different histological and surrogate molecular subtypes was analyzed. Results: The positive expression rate of AR in the immunohistochemistry-based surrogate subtypes was 96.3%(207/215) for Luminal A, 89.8%(378/421) for Luminal B, 82.4%(75/91) for HER2 overexpression and 37.1%(53/143) for triple negative breast carcinoma, with significant differences among the four groups (P<0.01). AR correlated positively with the expression of ER(P<0.01), PR(P<0.01), HER2(P=0.007), GATA3(P<0.01), GCDFP15(P<0.01)and mammaglobin(P<0.01), while negatively with the expression of Ki-67(P<0.01), CK5/6(P<0.01)and CK14(P<0.01). Conclusions: AR exhibits a high expression in invasive breast carcinoma, which is mainly correlated with ER-positive breast carcinoma. Regardless of the relatively low expression rate, AR is a potential therapeutic target in triple negative breast carcinoma.

[Clinicopathologic study of seromucinous carcinoma of ovary]

Objective: To elucidate the clinicopathologic characteristics, immunophenotype and differential diagnosis of ovarian seromucinous carcinoma. Methods: The clinical and pathological characteristics of 7 cases of ovarian seromucinous carcinoma were analyzed. Immunohistochemical study of selected markers was performed employing the EnVision method. Literature of ovarian seromucinous carcinoma were also reviewed. Results: The age of the 7 ovarian seromucinous carcinoma patients ranged from 27 to 70 years of age (mean=48 years). Two patients had bilateral ovarian tumors. The complaint of most patients was abdominal distention. The serum concentration of CA125 and/or CA19-9 was elevated in most patients.Four patients were found to have ascites during surgery, of whom 2 were also found to have malignant cells in their ascites or peritoneal washings. The maximum dimension of these tumors ranged from 6.0 to 15.0 cm (mean=9.3 cm). Grossly, 6 of 9 tumors were predominantly cystic with protrusions of papillae from the inside wall of the cysts. Among these 6 tumors, 2 had brown viscous material in the cyst. The other 3 tumors were predominantly solid. Microscopically, all 9 tumors contained endocervical-like mucinous cells and other Mullerian cells. The tumor cells had intermediate or severe atypia. A lot of acute inflammatory cells especially neutrophil polymorphs could be seen in the stroma and lumens of all the 9 tumors, which is an apparent feature for ovarian seromucinous tumors. Architecturally, the tumors mainly exhibited complex papillary architectures, compactly back-to-back glandular lumensforming cribriform, labyrinthine formations, or solid growth pattern, with immunophenotype of Mullerian tumors. Mucin stain was performed in 1 tumor with AB positive, PAS positive and D-PAS positive, highlighting intracytoplasmicmucin secretions. Follow-up (3-86 months with a mean of 21 month) data revealed that except 1 patient dying of the tumor at 81 months after surgery, the other 6 patients all survived the malignancy. Conclusions: Seromucinous carcinoma of the ovary possesses relatively special clinicopathologic features, with some morphological and immunophenotypical overlap with endometrioid carcinoma and low grade serous carcinoma of the ovary. It is necessary to thoroughly investigate the pathogenesis and molecular changes involved in the type of tumor to determine whether it is a convincingly distinctive category of ovarian carcinoma.

[Endometrioid carcinoma with sex cord-like formations and hyalinization of the uterine corpus: a clinicopathologic analysis of 5 cases]

OBJECTIVE

Endometrioid carcinoma with sex cord-like formations and hyalinization of the uterine corpus is a rare morphological variant of endometrioid carcinoma. The biphasic morphological features may cause confusion with carcinosarcoma of the uterus, leading to misdiagnosis. The aim of this article is to elucidate the clinicopathological characteristics of such endometrial carcinoma to avoid misdiagnosis.

METHODS

The clinical and pathological data of 5 cases of endometrioid carcinoma with sex cord-like formations and hyalinization of the uterine corpus were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

The age of the 5 patients ranged from 29 to 39 years, with a mean age of 33 years. Four patients underwent surgery of radical hysterectomy, the other dilation and curettage biopsy. Among the former, 3 patients were at FIGO stageⅠA, the other ⅢC1. Microscopically, all 5 tumors contained endometrioid carcinoma components, 4 of which were FIGO gradeⅠ, the remaining one was grade Ⅱ. Each tumor was of variable proportions of corded and hyalinized areas ranging from 10% to 60%. The cells in the corded and hyalinized areas were epithelioid, fusiform and spindle in morphology, admixed with the endometrioid carcinoma component, resulting in a biphasic pattern. The corded and hyalinized component exhibited distinctively different immunophenotypical feature from that by the conventional endometrioid carcinoma component. The results of follow-up for 4 patients of 7 to 68 months (mean=26.5 months) revealed that all patients were alive without recurrence of the malignancy.

CONCLUSIONS

Endometrioid carcinoma with sex cord-like formations and hyalinization of the uterine corpus presents unique morphology, and the patients are usually young with relatively favorable prognosis. The definite mechanism for the pathogenesis of the sex cord-like formations and hyalinization needs further investigation.

Epithelial discrimination of commensal and pathogenic Candida albicans

All mucosal surfaces are lined by epithelial cells and are colonised by opportunistic microbes. In health, these opportunistic microbes remain commensal and are tolerated by the immune system. However, when the correct environmental conditions arise, these microbes can become pathogenic and need to be controlled or cleared by the immune system to prevent disease. The mechanisms that enable epithelial cells to initiate the 'danger' signals activated specifically by pathogenic microbes are critical to mucosal defence and homeostasis but are not well understood. Deciphering these mechanisms will provide essential understanding to how mucosal tissues maintain health and activate immunity, as well as how pathogens promote disease. This review focuses on the interaction of the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans with epithelial cells and the epithelial mechanisms that enable mucosal tissues to discriminate between the commensal and pathogenic state of this medically important fungus.

Effects of maternal protein or energy restriction during late gestation on immune status and responses to lipopolysaccharide challenge in postnatal young goats

Knowledge of maternal malnutrition of ruminants and effects on development of the immune system of their offspring is lacking. A study was conducted to investigate the effects of maternal protein or energy restriction during late gestation on immune status of their offspring at different ages. Sixty-three pregnant goats (local breed, Liuyang black goat, 22.2 ± 1.5 kg at d 90 of gestation) were fed control (CON, ME = 9.34 MJ/kg and CP = 12.5%, DM basis), 40% protein restricted (PR), or 40% energy restricted (ER) diets from d 91 of gestation to parturition, after which all animals received an adequate diet for nutritional recovery. Plasma concentrations of complement components (C3, C4), C-reactive protein (CRP) and immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM), jejunum cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, and IL-10) expression levels and morphology in the offspring were measured. Additionally, plasma concentration of complement and IL-6, and cytokines expression levels in gastrointestinal tract obtained at 6 wk from young goats were assessed under saline or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenging conditions. Maternal PR or ER decreased (P < 0.05) plasma C3, C4, IgG, and IgM concentrations, and IL-2 and IL-6 mRNA expression in the jejunum from neonatal kids, but did not alter (P > 0.05) plasma CRP concentration. The IL-10 mRNA expression of jejunum from PR kids was also less (P < 0.01) than that from CON kids. Moreover, jejunum villous height (P < 0.10 in PR, P < 0.05 in ER) and crypt depth (P < 0.05 both in PR and ER) were reduced in neonatal kids from malnourished mothers. At 6 wk of age, there were no differences (P > 0.05) in any plasma or tissue immune parameters among the 3 treatments. However, when given a LPS challenge, ER and PR kids had greater (P = 0.02) IL-6 concentration compared with CON kids. Our results suggest that both PR and ER during late gestation induced short-term as well as long-lasting alterations on immune responses in their offspring, which may make the animals more susceptible to a bacterial pathogen challenge. The present findings expand the existing knowledge in immunological mechanisms responsible for the development of disease in later life.

Effects of energy and protein restriction, followed by nutritional recovery on morphological development of the gastrointestinal tract of weaned kids

Effects of energy, protein, or both energy and protein restriction on gastrointestinal morphological development were investigated in 60 Liuyang Black kids, which were sourced from local farms and weaned at 28 d of age. Weaned kids were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 4 dietary treatments (15 kids per treatment), which consisted of adequate nutrient supply (CON), energy restriction (ER), protein restriction (PR), or energy and protein restriction (EPR). The entire experiment included adaptation period (0 to 6 d), nutritional restriction period (7 to 48 d), and recovery period (49 to 111 d). Three kids from each group were killed at d 48 and 111, and the rumen, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were harvested. On d 48 (end of nutritional restriction), lengths of the duodenum (P = 0.005), jejunum (P = 0.003), and ileum (P = 0.003), and weights of the rumen (P = 0.004), duodenum (P = 0.006), jejunum (P = 0.006), and ileum (P = 0.004) of kids in ER, PR, and EPR were less than those of kids in CON. Compared with CON, PR decreased papillae width (P = 0.03) and surface area (P = 0.05) of the rumen epithelium, villus surface area (P = 0.05), and N concentration (P = 0.02) of the jejunum mucosa on d 48. Compared with CON, EPR decreased papillae height (P = 0.001), width (P = 0.001), and surface area (P = 0.003), N concentration (P = 0.01), and the ratio of N to DNA (P = 0.03) of the rumen epithelium. Compared with CON, EPR also decreased villus height (P = 0.01), width (P = 0.006), and surface area (P = 0.006), N concentration (P < 0.001), and the ratio of N to DNA (P < 0.001) of the jejunum mucosa on d 48. On d 111 (end of nutritional recovery), lengths of the duodenum (P = 0.001), jejunum (P = 0.001), and ileum (P = 0.001), weights of the rumen (P < 0.001), duodenum (P = 0.001), jejunum (P < 0.001), and ileum (P < 0.001) of kids in ER, PR, and EPR were still less than those of kids in CON; N concentrations of rumen epithelium of kids in PR (P = 0.01) and EPR (P = 0.001), and the ratio of N to DNA of jejunum mucosa of kids in EPR (P < 0.001) were greater than those of kids in CON. Results indicate that nutritional restriction of 6 wk can retard gastrointestinal morphological development for kids weaned at 28 d of age and retarded development remains evident, even after nutritional recovery of 9 wk.

Effects of maternal protein or energy restriction during late gestation on antioxidant status of plasma and immune tissues in postnatal goats

Maternal malnutrition can have temporary or long-lasting effects on development and physiological function of offspring. Our objective was to investigate whether maternal protein or energy restriction in late gestation affects the antioxidant status of plasma, immune organs (thymus and spleen), and natural barrier organs (jejunum) in neonatal goats and whether the effects could be reversed after nutritional recovery. Forty-five pregnant goats (Liuyang Blacks) of similar age (2.0 ± 0.3 yr) and BW (22.2 ± 1.5 kg at d 90 of gestation) were assigned to 3 dietary treatments during late gestation: control (ME = 9.34 MJ/kg and CP = 12.5%, DM basis), 40% protein restricted (PR), and 40% energy restricted (ER) until parturition, after which offspring received the normal diet for nutritional recovery. Plasma and tissues of kids were sampled to determine antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and catalase (CAT)] and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes (Cu/Zn-SOD [SOD1], CAT, and peroxiredoxin 2 [PRDX2]). Maternal protein or energy restriction decreased (P < 0.05) SOD activities in plasma, liver, thymus, and spleen and SOD1 expression in thymus, and maternal energy restriction also decreased (P < 0.05) plasma GSH-Px activity and expressions of SOD1 and CAT in liver at birth. After nutritional recovery of 6 wk, SOD activities in thymus (both in PR and ER) and spleen (only in PR) were greater (P < 0.05), but CAT activity of thymus (both in PR and ER) and CAT expression (only in ER) were less (P < 0.01) than those in control. After nutritional recovery of 22 wk, SOD1 and PRDX2 expression in thymus (both in PR and ER) and SOD1 expression in liver (only in ER) were greater (P < 0.05) whereas CAT expression in thymus (both in PR and ER) was less (P < 0.001) than in control. The current results indicate that maternal protein or energy restriction can decrease the antioxidant capacity of the neonatal kids and result in an imbalance of SOD and hydrogen peroxide-inactivating systems in thymus, even after 6 or 22 wk of nutritional recovery.

Effect of tea catechins on regulation of cell proliferation and antioxidant enzyme expression in H2 O2 -induced primary hepatocytes of goat in vitro

Tea catechins (TC) are polyphenols that have potent antioxidant activity. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of TC on antioxidant status of hepatocytes challenged with H2 O2 . Primary hepatocytes of goat were exposed to 1 mm H2 O2 without or with 5, 50 and 500 μg/ml TC. The cells were harvested at 48 h post-treatment to determine effects of TC on proliferation, apoptotic features and membrane integrity of cells, and expression of genes and activities of antioxidant enzymes. H2 O2 exposure caused damage to cells (p < 0.001). A lower concentration of TC (5 μg/ml) displayed a protective effect by inhibiting exorbitant cell proliferation and DNA degradation. Both H2 O2 exposure and TC pre-incubation affected expression of antioxidant enzymes at mRNA and protein levels (p < 0.001). The activities of catalase (CAT) (p = 0.027), CuZn-superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) (p < 0.001) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (p < 0.001) increased with TC pre-incubation followed by H2 O2 challenge. Changes of CuZn-SOD activity induced by H2 O2 and TC basically paralleled the changes in the corresponding mRNA and protein levels, but the correlation in CAT and GPx expression displayed slightly different patterns at different concentrations of TC. These findings infer that oxidative stress can induce deleterious cellular responses and this unfavourable condition may be alleviated by treatment with TC.

Milk powder induced lipid peroxidation reduction using Ku Ding tea (Lactuca taiwaniana Maxim) in rats

The effects of Ku Ding tea (Lactuca taiwaniana Maxim) and milk powder on biochemical and immunological parameters of Sprague-Dawley rats were investigated and the possibility of use of Ku Ding tea to reduce physiological discomfort of drinking milk powder was assessed. Eighty rats were randomly assigned to four treatments: basal diet (control), basal diet plus whole milk powder (WM), basal diet plus Ku Ding tea (KD) and basal diet plus whole milk powder and Ku Ding tea (MK). Data was collected on animals' final body weight, hematological values, blood biochemical parameters, antioxidation parameters and immune organ weight index. Results showed that final body weight of male KD was significantly lower than that of WM. White blood cell count, monocyte count and granulocyte count of KD rats were significantly lower than those of WM. Compared to the control, single milk powder supplementation numerically increased plasma malondialdehyde. The malondialdehyde in the male KD and MK rats were lower than those in WM and control, although the differences were not significant. No significant differences were found in Na(+)K(+)-adenosine triphosphatase activity, spleen and thymus index in each group. Consumption of Ku Ding tea appeared to lower lipid peroxidation that was induced by milk powder in the rats.

Effects of variety, sowing season and maturity stage on ruminal phosphorus release from whole maize stover and its morphological fractions

An in situ degradation technique was used to investigate the effects of variety, season and maturity stage on ruminal Phosphorus (P) release from whole maize stover and morphological fractions from five varieties of maize (conventional maize, CM; sweet maize, SM; waxy maize, WM; high oil maize, HOM; and fodder maize, FM). Maize plants were harvested in 2005, 17 and 31 days after tasselling and manually separated into leaf blade, leaf sheath, stem and husk. Results showed that the values of rapidly released P fractions (a), slowly released P fractions (b), rate constant of P release for fraction b (c) and effective disappearance (ED) of P were significantly influenced by variety, sowing season and maturity stage (p < 0.05). The ED of P in whole maize stover among the varieties decreased in the following order: FM (89.8%) > HOM (87.9%) > CM (87.0%) > SM (86.9%) > WM (83.9%). Advanced maturity stage increased (p < 0.001) the a and ED values of P in the leaf blade and leaf sheath, but decreased (p < 0.001) these parameters in the husk. The a fraction and ED of P were higher (p < 0.001) for maize sown in spring than those sown in summer. Significant (p < 0.05) interactions among variety, sowing season and maturity stage were noted in the a and ED values of P. Effective disappearance of morphological fraction varied significantly (p < 0.001) and followed the order: stem (90.3%) > leaf sheath (88.2%) > leaf blade (85.2%) > husk (84.9%). In conclusion, most of P in maize stover could be released in the rumen. The potential pollution resulting from P excretion in faeces may be alleviated, when maize stover is largely used as the main forage source of ruminants.

Effects of yeast culture and fibrolytic enzyme supplementation on in vitro fermentation characteristics of low-quality cereal straws

The effects of yeast culture and fibrolytic enzyme preparation (containing cellulase and xylanase) on in vitro fermentation characteristics of rice straw, wheat straw, maize stover, and maize stover silage were examined using an in vitro gas production technique. Four levels of yeast culture and fibrolytic enzyme supplements (0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 g/kg of straw DM, respectively) were tested in a 4 x 4 factorial arrangement. Supplementation of yeast culture increased the cumulative gas production, theoretical maximum of gas production, rate of gas production, IVDMD, and in vitro OM disappearance (IVOMD), and decreased the lag time for each type of straw. Fibrolytic enzyme supplementation tended to increase cumulative gas production, theoretical maximum of gas production, and rate of gas production; prolonged lag time of gas production; and enhanced IVDMD and IVOMD for 4 types of cereal straws, with the significance of this effect being dependent on the level of supplemented enzymes. There were significant interactions between fibrolytic enzymes and yeast on all in vitro gas production parameters, IVDMD, and IVOMD of each type of straw. The outcome of this research indicated that the application of fibrolytic enzyme preparation and yeast culture could improve in vitro gas production fermentation of cereal straws.

Effects of dietary methionine and lysine sources on nutrient digestion, nitrogen utilization, and duodenal amino acid flow in growing goats

This study investigated the effects of supplementation of various sources of Met and Lys on nutrient digestion, N utilization, and duodenal AA flows in growing goats. Four 4-mo-old Liuyang Black wether goats were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square experiment and were assigned to 4 dietary treatments: (1) control, (2) control + lipid-coated Met-Zn chelate and Lys-Mn chelate (PML), (3) control + Met-Zn chelate and Lys-Mn chelate (CML), and (4) control + dl-Met, l-Lys-HCl, ZnSO(4).7H(2)O, and MnSO(4).H(2)O (FML). Compared with control, PML reduced (P < 0.05) ruminal NH(3) concentration, urinary N excretion, and plasma urea N concentration and increased (P < 0.05) the activity of ruminal endo-1,4-beta-d-glucanase and beta-glucosidase, the duodenal flow of N, N retention (g/d as well as % of absorbed N), the duodenal flows of Met, Lys, His, Val, and total essential AA, and plasma concentrations of Lys, Val, Phe, and total essential AA. Supplementing Zn-Met and Mn-Lys chelates had similar (P > 0.05) but lesser effects on these measures compared with PML, and the effects on most of the measures were not statistically significant (P > 0.05) when compared with control. Supplementing free-form Met and Lys had no effects compared with control (P > 0.05). The results indicate that lipid coating and chelating of AA provide a protection, and to a lesser extent by only chelating, of the AA from microbial degradation in the rumen and possibly has effects on rumen fermentation, which increases MP supply. This technology could improve productive performance and be of potential benefit to ruminant production if cost-effective products are developed.

Pharmacological actions of nerve growth factor-transferrin conjugate on the central nervous system

Transferrin (Tf) undergoes receptor-mediated transport through the blood-brain barrier in vivo. This property allows transferrin to act as a vector for drug transport to the brain. The present investigation examines both the profile of brain delivery of nerve growth factor (NGF)-transferrin conjugate, and its therapeutic effects on CNS neurodegeneration, which affect locomotion and memory. Delivery of NGF-Tf conjugate to the brain was measured and found to be 0.075% of the injected dose per gram of brain, which is 5-fold higher than that of biotin-NGF. The increased delivery using the NGF-Tf conjugate can be attributed to an increased BBB permeability surface area product, which is about 8-fold higher than that of biotin-NGF. Intravenous injection of biotin-NGF/Tf-avidin conjugate significantly increased neuronal survival in the substantia nigra of a Parkinson's disease mouse model. In addition, this conjugate also improved recognition and memory in Alzheimer's disease rat model. In summary, these results demonstrate that using transferrin as a delivery vector is effective in targeting NGF to the central nervous system (CNS), and may optimize the therapy of age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

[Purification of recombinant hEGF expressed in yeast Pichia pastoris and the study on its characters]

OBJECTIVE

To obtain recombinant human epidermal growth factor(hEGF) that can be used in animal experiments and clinical trial.

METHOD

Chemically synthesized hEGF gene was expressed in Yeast Pichia pastoris and the secretory hEGF was purified by Phenysepharose 6 Fast Flow(high sub), Q-sepharose High Performance, and Superdex 30 chromatography, and its characters were studied by respective methods.

RESULTS

The purified hEGF doesn't contain pyrogen, endotoxin, or yeast chromosome DNA and the purity reached 98%. The recombinant human EGF has correct molecular weight, pI, N-terminal amino acids sequences, peptide map, ultraviolet spectrum and well-biological activity.

CONCLUSION

The purified hEGF is in accord with the requirements for animal experiments and clinical trial which provides the basis of preparing EGF agents for clinical test.

[Fluorescence in situ hybridization applied to the meiotic analysis and spontaneous chromosome translocation in the pollen mother cells of hybrids of Triticum-Haynaldia]

Fluorescence in situ hybridization was applied to the meiotic analysis and chromosome pairing in the pollen mother cells of hybrids of Triticum-Haynaldia. The results indicated that most (90.5%-93.2%) of the PMCs of two Triticum-Haynaldia hybrids contained two univalents involving one Haynaldia chromosome at metaphase I, and only 1 of 320 PMCs with homologous pairing between one wheat chromosome and one Haynaldia chromosome was observed in the hybrid of Guinong 22 x common wheat Chinese Spring, the frequency was 0.3%. The frequencies of the PMCs with mis-dividing chromosome ranged from 32.7% to 37.5% at anaphase I and from 20.5% to 24.4% at anaphase II in the hybrids between Triticum-Haynaldia. The frequency of Haynaldia chromatin translocating into Triticum chromosome was about 0.7% at anaphase I in the hybrid of Guinong 22 x common wheat Chinese Spring and was 0.8%-1.7% at anaphase II in two wheat-Haynaldia hybrids. Otherwise, the chromosome morphology involving Haynaldia chromatin was observed at preleptotene I, and the frequencies of chromatin nucleus at tetrad stage and at microspore stage were investigated. The time of chromosome translocation in meiosis and the transmitting frequencies of Haynaldia chromosome in wheat background were discussed.

[Regeneration of HNP transgenic alfalfa plants by Agrobacterium mediated gene transfer]

Transgenic plants regenerated from cotyledons of M. sativa L. infected using Agrobacterium tumefaciens A281 with plasmid pBF649 containing a gene encoding protein of high sulfur-amino acid content (HNP) were obtained successfully. The plants grew and fertiled well in field. Cotyledon explants were better recipient for transformation of M. sativa L. Environment of suitable temperature (15 degrees C) and high humidity on high viability of the plants transplanted into soil were essential conditions.

[The genetic behavior of an Agropyron intermedium chromosome conferring BYDV resistance in wheat background]

Based on the chromosome origin identification of an Agropyron intermedium chromosome with BYDV resistance in Yi4212, a BYDV-resistant substitution line derived from the hybrids between 77-5433 and Zhong5, its ability compensating the lost wheat chromosomes and its transmission rate were investigated. The results indicated that the BYDV-resistant chromosomes originated from Zhong 5 could compensate the wheat chromosomes of homotologous group 2, 5 and 7. The chromosome conferring resistance to BYDV showed the intendance to substitute 2D rather than 2A, 2B wheat chromosomes in disomic substitution lines. In (77-5433/Zhong 5) selfing F2 population, 10 kinds of chromosome constitutions, including 9 expected and 1 unexpected kinds, and much chromosome number variation and little chromosome structure variation were observed. The transmission rate of the BYDV-resistant chromosome and the gametes carrying this chromosome were 56.3% and 33.0% respectively, both are lower than the expected ratio 75.0% and 50.0%. Some reasons were given to explain the related results, and chromosome in situ hybridization was an efficient and accurate way in studying the alien chromosome behavior in wheat background.

[Isolation and verification of Triticum aestivum-Eremopyrum orientale addition lines and substitution lines by GISH]

Eremopyrum is a potential genus in wheat improvement. To breed T. aestivum-Er. orientale additional and substitutional lines, chromosome number of 96 BC2F3 individuals were accounted. Fifteen plants with 2n = 43 and eight plants with 2n = 44 were checked out. GISH results of the individuals with 43 chromosomes showed that they blonged to three different monosomic additions. Two disomic additions, one double-monosomic addition, one trible-monosomic addition and one monosomic addition were found in the 2n = 44 individuals. One double-monosomic substitution and one monosomic substitution were obtained. We also proved that it is relatively easier to obtain addition lines in the selfing population than to obtain double-monosomic additions.

Brain delivery of biotinylated NGF bounded to an avidin-transferrin conjugate

Recent study showed that transferrin receptors were concentrated on the plasma membrane of brain endothelia cells and mediated transcytosis of transferrin (Tf) through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This property allows the transferrin to act as the brain drug transporter vector. The present investigation examined the pharmacokinetic behavior of nerve growth factor (NGF), which was conjugated to transferrin by the avidin/biotin technology, especially its brain-uptake efficiency. The area under the plasma concentration curve and the mean residence time were not significantly different for either bio-NGF or bio-NGF/AV-Tf. At the first hour after single intravenous injection, the BBB permeability surface area product of bio-NGF/AV-Tf was 0.77 microliter/min/g; it was about 8-fold higher than that of bio-NGF, and equal to that of AV-OX26. The delivery of bio-NGF/AV-Tf to brain was 0.075% of injected dose per gram brain, and it was 5-fold higher than that of bio-NGF, and 2-fold higher than that of AV-OX26. In summary, these studies demonstrated that the use of Tf as brain drug delivery vector was as effective in transporting biotinylated therapeutics as OX26, and avoided the disadvantages of its antigenicity.

Anisodamine as an effective drug to treat snakebites

Anisodamine is a natural alkaloid drug isolated from the plant Anisodus tanguticus growing in western China. The chemical structure and pharmacological action are just like the cholinergic receptor blocking agents atropine or scopolamine. The specific characteristic of the drug is being able to relieve the dangerous situation of microcirculatory failure, especially in case of DIC or renal failure. The prognosis of the patients will be quite good. Another characteristic of the drug is that no serious toxic reaction occurs even in successive doses given intravenously up to 500 mg a day. This is about fifty times greater than a common dose of 10 mg. Since we begin with the drug as a routine medication for the symptomatic treatment of renal failure, DIC bleeding, and microcirculatory failure, we should say that the specific antivenin and anisodamine are two treasure drugs for snakebites.

Bioactivities of nerve growth factor from Chinese cobra venom

The nerve growth factor, NGF, from Chinese cobra Naja naja atra venom was isolated by gel-filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. Cobra NGF was characterized by analytical HPLC techniques as well as SDS-PAGE, and was proven to be a glycoprotein with a mol. wt. of 23 (+/- 2) kD and a pI of 9.2. The amino acid analysis and N-terminal sequencing were performed using conventional methods. Bioassays with cultured chick embryos ganglia and rat pheochromocytoma PC-12 cells revealed a promotion of fiber outgrowth, which is typical of NGF activity. Absence of enzymatic, toxicological, and teratogenic activities were shown by quality inspection. Since 1994, many clinical cases about volunteers receiving NGF treatment have been reported in mainland China. Bioactivities of NGF deal with a wide range of disciplines and technologies. In this paper we will discuss neuronal and non-neuronal effects of NGF treatment. Does the NGF cross the blood-brain barrier by transcytosis into the brain tissue? How is NGF important in wound healing, especially in peripheral nerve injury and diabetic neuritis? NGF may also be useful for male volunteers suffering from sterility, because it is possible that the sexual cells of testis can be promoted to maturity.

[A three-year follow-up study of hepatitis C virus infected individuals from Beixie village, Gu-an county, Hebel province, China]

A total number of 42 anti-HCV positive individuals from Beixie village, Gu-an county, was followed for three years to study the dynamic change of alanine aminotransminase (ALT), anti-HCV titers as well as HCV RNA in serum. Research results showed that 18.1% to 26.2% of the individuals exhibited a rise in ALT values while the positive rate of HCV RNA was 80%. The yearly negative seroconversion rate of anti-HCV was only 0.95%. The geometric mean titer (GMT) of anti-HCV was around 160 and showed no significant difference between the paired serum samples collected in 1991 and in 1994. There were no statistical associations between the GMT value of anti-HCV and ALT level as well as HCV RNA in serum.