The effects of dietary supplementation with Clostridium butyricum on growth performance and humoral immune response in Miichthys miiuy were evaluated. One hundred and fifty Miichthys miiuy weighing approximately 200-260 g were divided into five groups and reared in 15 tanks with closed circuiting culture system. The animals were fed 5 diets: basal diet only (control) or supplemented of the basal diet with C. butyricum at doses of 10(3) (CB1), 10(5) (CB2), 10(7) (CB3) or 10(9) (CB4) CFU/g. Compared with the control, the serum phenoloxidase activity was significantly increased by the supplementation (P<0.05), acid phosphatases activity was increased significantly (P<0.05) at the doses of 10(9) CFU/g. Serum lysozyme activity peaked at dose of 10(7) CFU/g and in the skin mucus at dose of 10(9) CFU/g. Immunoglobulin M level in the serum and skin mucus was increased except at dose of 10(3) CFU/g (P<0.05). The growth at the dose of 10(9) CFU/g was higher than that of the control (P<0.05). It is concluded that supplementation of C. butyricum can mediate the humoral immune responses and improve the growth performance in Miichthys miiuy.
Animal Feed ; microbiology ; Animals ; Antibody Formation ; physiology ; Clostridium butyricum ; immunology ; Dietary Supplements ; microbiology ; Fishes ; growth & development ; immunology ; Probiotics ; administration & dosage

Objective To study the risk factors of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in children and adolescents in Xi'an City.Methods HFRS laboratory confirmed cases aged under 16 from January 2013-December 2015 were selected,which were reported by Information System of Disease Prevention and Control of the People's Republic of China.A 1:1 matched case-control study was adopted to retrospective investigate the risk factors.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze relationships between various factors and HFRS in single factor analysis,the influence factors in the single factor analysis with statistical significances were further analyzed in the multiple factors analysis.Results Eighty-eight matched pairs were investigated.Single factor Logistic regression analysis found that non-nuclear family [odds ratio (OR) =20.25,95％ confidence interval (CI):2.32-76.80],less hand washing frequency before meals (OR =3.67,95％CI:1.40-9.62),the river or pond around the place (OR =1.55,95％CI:1.32-2.94),sit on the hay and play (OR =1.36,95％CI:1.17-1.80),eating in the snack bar (OR =8.33,95％CI:1.78-9.47),do not spray water when sweeping the floor (OR =2.22,95％CI:1.24-4.12),living in the edge of village (OR =1.55,95％CI:1.32-2.94),and keeping pets in the home (OR =12.00,95％CI:1.12-28.84) were associated with HFRS.In multiple factors Logistic regression analysis,risk factors according to the contribution value from high to low in the order were keeping pets in the home (OR =5.40,95％CI:1.78-16.32),less hand washing frequency before meals (OR =3.96,95％CI:1.89-7.23),living in the edge of village (OR =2.42,95％CI:1.82-5.50),and the river or pond around the place (OR =2.21,95％CI:1.86-2.49).Conclusion Risk factors as keeping pets in the home,less hand washing frequency before meals,living in the edge of village,the river or pond around the place are likely risk factors of HFRS.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the expression pattern of caspase-3 and HCLS1-associated protein X-1 (HAX-1) at different time after cerebral contusion in rat, and explore the new method for estimating the injury interval. METHODS: The cerebral contusion model was established using adult SD male rats. Then the rats were randomly allocated into 8 groups: 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d after cerebral contusion, sham-operation and normal control. Expression of caspase-3 and HAX-1 protein after cerebral contusion in rat was detected by Western blotting. Laser scanning confocal microscope was used to observe the number of HAX-1 positive cells and TUNEL-stained cells after cerebral contusion. RESULTS: The expression of caspase-3 increased parallelly with the time after cerebral contusion and reached the peak value on 3 d. The expression of caspase-3 decreased gradually and still maintained a high level expression on 7 d (P < 0.05). The expression of HAX-1 positive cell went up after injury, and reached the peak value at 6 h (P < 0.05), then turned down gradually after 12 h and went out of detection after 3 d. The number of TUNEL-stained cells increased obviously at 2 h and reached the peak value on 3 d. The number of TUNEL-stained apoptotic cells decreased gradually and still maintained a high level expression on 7 d (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The expression of caspase-3 and HAX-1 after cerebral contusion has time sequential regularity, which may provide new evidence for forensic diagnosis of cerebral contusion interval.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Brain Injuries/pathology* ; Carrier Proteins/metabolism* ; Caspase 3/metabolism* ; Cerebellum/pathology* ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of a low level of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) on intestinal bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, and fermentation characteristics in term infants by comparing with human milk and a standard infant formula without GOS.

METHODSA total of 371 term infants from four hospitals of China were enrolled. The infants started with breast feeding. After 1-2 weeks, some of the infants were changed to feeding with formula milk and then were randomly assigned to two formula-feeding groups: with or without GOS supplementation (2.4 g/L). Growth, stool characteristics, and side effects were recorded in a 3-month-follow-up. Faecal samples were collected for analysis of intestinal bacteria (culture technique), acetic acid (gas chromatography) and pH (indicator strip) at postnatal 3 months.

RESULTSCompared with the formula-feeding group without GOS, the contents of bifidobacteria, lactobacilli and acetic acid and stool frequency increased, and faecal pH decreased significantly in the GOS-formula-feeding and the human milk group. There were no significant differences between the GOS-formula-feeding and the human milk groups. Supplementation with GOS did not lead to an increase in the incidence of crying, regurgitation and vomiting.

CONCLUSIONSA supplementation of low levels of GOS in infant formula seemed to improve stool frequency, decrease faecal pH, and stimulate intestinal bifidobacteria and lactobacilli up to levels as found in breast-fed infants.

Bifidobacterium ; isolation & purification ; Dietary Supplements ; Galactose ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Infant Formula ; Infant, Newborn ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Lactobacillus ; isolation & purification ; Oligosaccharides ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the bone-implant interfaces of two kinds of implants with different surfaces in different time in vivo.

METHODSCDIC and ITI-TPS solid-screw cylinder pure titanium implants were selected and implanted in the regions of posterior molars of rhesus monkeys. 1 month, 2 months, 3 months and 1 year after surgery, the bone-implant interfaces were evaluated respectively through oral examination, X-ray inspection, light microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation.

RESULTSNone of the implants was loose. Soft tissue around implants appeared no inflammation. There were no apparent transparent shadow around the implants interfaces in X-ray photos except little angle-shaped absorption was showed in neck region of CDIC implants of one-month. New bone was observed around implants of one-month through light microscope and SEM. More bone growing around ITI implants were seen than that around CDIC implants except the interfaces of one-year.

CONCLUSIONThe osseointegration of ITI implants are better than that of CDIC implants during three months after implanting without loading. The bone formation at the interfaces of ITI and CDIC implants has no significant difference after one year without loading.

Animals ; Dental Implants ; Macaca mulatta ; Molar ; Osseointegration ; Titanium

OBJECTIVEEplets mismatch based on HLAMatchmaker software evaluates the clinical application of kidney transplantation.

METHODSIn 239 cases of renal transplant,merits of methods of the traditional HLA six antigen matcheing criteria, cross reaction groups standard and Eplets mismatch based on HLAMatchmaker standard were compared respectively.

RESULTSThe number of mismatchs with three methods in 239 cases, were grouped according to low-high mismatchs. The results revealed that HLAMatchmaker algorithm could significantly increase the number of low mismatchs group 54 (22.6%), compared with the HIA group 19(7.9%) and CREGs group 32 (13.4%). The comparison was discovered statistical significance among the three groups (P<0.001), so the comparison between each group was.

CONCLUSIONHLAMachmaker of donor-recipients matching, is a more efficient, time-saving and high sensitivity matching solution to allograft renal transplantation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Histocompatibility Testing ; methods ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Software ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Young Adult

The study was conducted to investigate fasting effects on flesh composition and antioxidant defenses of market-size Sparus macrocephalus. Two hundred fish (main initial weight 580 g) were divided into two groups (control and fasted) and reared in 6 cages. After two weeks of adaptation, group I fasted for 28 d; group II was fed normally as a control. In 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 d, 6 fish per group were sampled for proximate flesh composition, liver antioxidant enzyme activities and malondialdehyde flesh content analyses. In fasted fish, the reduction of lipid content in muscle occurred after day 3, and, compared to controls, the content of protein decreased from day 14, the activities of liver antioxidative enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) increased from day 3, and flesh malondialdehyde levels increased from day 21. Flesh fat reduction shows that fasting may be used as a technique to reduce flesh lipid content in Sparus macrocephalus. However, considering flesh protein loss and the subsequent oxidative stress, the fasting technique should be used with precautions.
Animal Feed ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Fasting ; physiology ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Liver ; enzymology ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Muscles ; metabolism ; Perciformes ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

This study examined the effects of dietary alpha-tocopheryl acetate supplementation on antioxidant enzyme activities and fillet quality in commercial-size Sparus macrocephalus. Three hundred fish [main initial weight (350+/-12) g] were divided into three groups (E250, E500 and E1000) and reared in 9 cages. The fish were fed for 8 weeks with three diets containing different levels of dietary alpha-tocopheryl acetate (289, 553, 1 069 mg/kg). Over the experimental period, fish were fed to satiation and reached a final mean weight of (465+/-28) g without significant body weight difference and proximate composition difference. Fillet alpha-tocopherol was significantly (P<0.05) different between groups, reaching levels of 14.2, 22.1, 30.9 microg/mg fillet for groups E250, E500 and E1000, respectively. Total serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased significantly (P<0.05) in fish fed the diets high in alpha-tocopheryl acetate, but serum glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity was unaffected. In storage on ice, fillets of fish fed the diets high in alpha-tocopheryl acetate exhibited significantly lower (P<0.05) levels of oxidation. These results suggested that increased dietary alpha-tocopheryl acetate could increase its flesh deposition, increase the activity of SOD and prevent lipid peroxidation of Sparus macrocephalus fillets in retail storage on ice.
Abattoirs ; Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Dietary Supplements ; Enzyme Activation ; drug effects ; Food Analysis ; Meat ; classification ; Oxidoreductases ; metabolism ; Tocopherols ; alpha-Tocopherol ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives

OBJECTIVETo investigate the virological response in prolonged therapy of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with low-dose peginterferon alpha-2a.

METHODSThe 92 cases of in-patients with chronic hepatitis C in September 2004 to September 2006 were divided to three groups according the endurance of interferon. The dose of peginterferon alpha-2a was 67.5 microg, 90 microg and 180 microg per week in group A, B and C respectively. The treatment duration of peginterferon alpha-2a was 96 or 48 weeks in HCV genotype 1b and 2a in group A and B, and in the group C the duration was 48 or 24 weeks in genotype 1b and 2a patients respectively. Meanwhile, ribavirin for 900-1200 mg per day combined treated with all patients. The quantitation of serum HCV RNA were conducted to determine the rapid virological response (RVR), early virological response (EVR) and sustained virological response (SVR) respectively.

RESULTSThere were no significant difference between the three groups in the rate of RVR, EVR and SVR (P > 0.05). There was a higer rate of RVR, EVR and SVR in the genotype 2a group than the genotype 1b group (P < 0.05). HCV genotype was the independent predictor (OR = 12.78, 95%, CI = 11.97-82.89, P = 0.0075) of SVR.

CONCLUSIONThere was a similar virological response between prolonged therapy of chronic hepatitis C with low-dose peginterferon alpha-2a and the standard dose and duration. The genotype was the independent predictors of SVR in peginterferon alpha-2a antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis C.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Female ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Recombinant Proteins ; Ribavirin ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo identify the mutation of solute carrier family 34 member 2 (SLC34A2) gene in a Chinese family with pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM).

METHODSGenomic DNA was extracted from the family members. DNA sequencing was carried out to confirm the mutation detected by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphisms (PCR-SSCP). The fragments with variation were screened in 100 healthy controls by PCR-SSCP.

RESULTSIn both patients of the family, a homozygous mutation of the SLC34A2 gene was identified in exon 8 (c.A910T), resulting in a premature stop codon. In addition, a homozygous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was found in intron 2 in both patients and the daughter of proband.

CONCLUSIONA novel homozygous mutation in SLC34A2 gene, leading to a premature stop codon therefore a truncated protein, was probably responsible for the PAM in this family. The SNP in intron 2 needs further study.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Case-Control Studies ; Exons ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Sodium-Phosphate Cotransporter Proteins, Type IIb ; genetics