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 learn the prevalence and trends of Brucella disease in Ningxia, in order to provide scientific basis for effective control of the disease. Methods Data of Brucella cases reported through city network from 2004 to 2009 in Yinchuan city, Shizuishan city, Wuzhong city, Guyuan city and Zhongwei city of Ningxia were reviewed and retrospectively analyzed. The data included demographic characteristics, treatment conditions and medical history so on related information. Analytical indicators include reported incidence;with patients' gender, age, regional distribution, urban and rural distribution;become chronic and associated factors;distribution of the cases reporting unit and so on. Results From 2004 to 2009, Ningxia had reported 349 cases of Brucellosis, no deaths, the annual incidence rates reported were 0.017/10 million, 0.543/10 million, 0.151/101 (295/54);The proportion of 34- to 40-year-old age group was higher than other age groups(27.5%, 96/349);Occupational distribution of patients was mainly farmers and herdsmen(70.2% ,245/349), in regional distribution of the patients, the highest percentage was Wuzhong city(61.9%,216/349), followed by Yinchuan city(22.9%,80/349);The proportion of patients in rural areas(97.4% ,340/349) was higher than urban(2.6% ,9/349);the proportion of patients converted to chronic was 11.2% (39/349). With age, the chance of patients converted to chronic was in a decreasing trend(odds ratio was 0.966);cases reported by Centre for Disease Control and Prevention accounted for 74.8%(261/349), by hospital accounted for 25.2%(88/349). Conclusions The reported incidence of Brucellosis in Ningxia is in a rapid upward trend year by year, the patients is mainly young men, the rate of converted to chronic is higher and the ability of hospital in founding and reporting of the cases is weaker.Comprehensive measures should be taken to increase funding, strengthen monitoring, and continuously improve the level of awareness and diagnosis of medical personnel for further strengthen the prevention and control of Brucellosis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of chitosan on the biological activities of the fibroblasts derived from different tissues.

METHODSThe biological activities of the fibroblasts derived from different tissues were evaluated with a MTT method for fibroblast proliferation, photic and electronic microscope for morphologic and subcellular structure, 3H-proline uptake method for collagen secretion and ELISA box for the secretion of TGF-beta 1, FGF-AB, and IL-8.

RESULTSThis study showed that the chitosan inhabited the proliferation of the fibroblasts and the secretion of the TGF-beta 1, FGF-AB and collagen of the fibroblasts with a dose-depended manner in the normal skin, hypertrophic scar and keloid groups, but it stimulated the IL-8. However, there were no significant differences among the three groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe chitosan could inhibit the growth, proliferation, biosynthesis and secretion of the fibroblasts, and it may be used to treat different scars.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Chitin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Chitosan ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; secretion ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Hemostatics ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Interleukin-8 ; secretion ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Peptide Fragments ; secretion ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; secretion

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the impact of nicotine- and tar-free cigarette smoke extract (fCSE) on the serum testosterone (T) level and erectile function of male rats.

METHODSWe randomized 30 male SD rats to three groups of equal number to receive subcutaneous injection of PBS (1.0 ml / 300 g body weight per day), fCSE (1.0 ml/300 g body weight per day), and reduced glutathione hormone (GSH, 200 mg per kg body weight per day) in addition to fCSE (fCSE + GSH), respectively, all for 8 weeks. Then we evaluated the erectile function of the rats by measuring the maximal intracavernous pressure (MICP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), ICP/MAP ratio, time of stimulation to MICP (Tmax), and cavernosal filling fate (CFR). We determined the serum T level, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) , malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the cavernosal tissue, and also observed the morphological changes of the corpus cavernosum.

RESULTSCompared with the controls, the rats of the fCSE group showed obvious decreases in the levels of serum T ([5.37 ± 1.43] vs [3.22 ± 1.11] μg/L), NOS ([2.90 ± 0.27] vs [1.67 ± 0.18] U/mg) , and SOD ([18.41 ± 1.09] vs [13.36 ± 1.18] U/mg prot) and erectile function-related indexes MICP ([85.92 ± 6.36] vs [58.99 ± 10.76] mmHg), MICP/MAP (0.86 ± 0.09 vs [0.56 ± 0.08]), and CFR (2.14 ± 0.44 vs 0.89 ± 0.44), but markedly increased Tmax ([29.90 ± 5.78] vs [42.90 ± 8.56]s), with a positive correlation between the serum T level and CFR (r = 0. 364, P < 0.05). Masson staining revealed a lower ratio of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle tissue to collagen fiber in the fCSE group (0.27 ± 0.04) than in the control (0.98 ± 0.12). Compared with the fCSE group, the fCSE + GSH group exhibited significantly improved MICP ([58.99 ± 10.76 ] vs [77.95 ± 7.71] mmHg), MICP/MAP (0.56 ± 0.08 vs 0.77 ± 0.09), and CFR (0.89 ± 0.44] vs 1.76 ± 0.42) and shortened Tmax ([42.90 ± 8.56 ] vs [32.10 ± 5.84 ] s). The ratio of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle tissue to collagen fiber was higher in the fCSE + GSH than in the fCSE group (0.77 ± 0.09 vs 0.27 ± 0.04) but still lower than in the control (0.98 ± 0.12).

CONCLUSIONNicotine- and tar-free cigarette smoke extract reduces the serum T level and erectile function of rats, which is related to oxidative stress. Antioxidant therapy can improve erectile function but has a limited value for morphological protection of the penile tissue.

Animals ; Erectile Dysfunction ; chemically induced ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Muscle, Smooth ; pathology ; Nicotine ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Penile Erection ; drug effects ; Penis ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Smoke ; adverse effects ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Tars ; Tobacco ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of Huoxue Jieyu decoction (HJD) on patients with depression after craniotomy.

METHODSNinety patients were randomly divided into 2 groups according to the sequence of their consultation. The 45 patients in the treated group were treated with conventional symptomatic treatment plus oral administration of HJD, and the 38 patients in the control group were treated in the same way but with chlorimipramine (anafranil) instead of HJD. Hamilton depression (HAMD) scores before and after treatment, occurrence of adverse effects and long-term therapeutic effect of treatment were observed.

RESULTSThe score of HAMD was insignificantly different in 2 groups before and after treatment (P >0.05), but the occurrence of adverse effects between them was significantly different (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of HJD on depression was similar to that of anafranil, but HJD has less adverse effect and more stabilized long-term effect.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Craniotomy ; adverse effects ; Depressive Disorder ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Postoperative Complications ; drug therapy

Objective To describe the characteristics of sexual debut among college students in China to provide appropriate sex education in that population. Methods An anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted among 33 653 college students selected by multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method in 18 provinces and cities of China. Results The percentage of students who had initiated sexual intercourse before age 14 was 1.9%. Overall, male students (2.8%) were significantly more likely to have initiated sexual intercourse before age 14, than female students (1.1%). The percentage of students who had initiated sexual intercourse from age 15 to 18 was 6.4% in males versus 2.1% in females. while the rates of students who had initiated sexual intercourse after age 19 were 6.9% in males and 2.6% in females. The first sexual intercourse was significantly associated with parental educational attainment, geographic location and family structure. Students whose parents were relatively well educated, living in the western areas of the country China, or with nucleus/extensive families were more likely to have early sex in their puberties. Conclusion Sexual education should be strengthened especially in the western areas, and targeted on the students whose parents with relatively higher educational background or who were from extensive families.

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 103 (CB1), l05 (CB2), 107 (CB3) or 109 (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 109 CFU/g. Serum lysozyme activity peaked at dose of 107 CFU/g and in the skin mucus at dose of 109 CFU/g. Immunoglobulin M level in the serum and skin mucus was increased except at dose of 103 CFU/g (P＜0.05). The growth at the dose of 109 CFU/g was higher than that of the control (P＜0.05). It is concluded that supplementation ofC. butyricum can mediate the humoral immune responses and improve the growth performance in Miichthys miiuy.

Design space approach is applied in this study to enhance the robustness of first ethanol precipitation process of Codonopsis Radix (Dangshen) by optimizing parameters. Total flavonoid recovery, dry matter removal, and pigment removal were defined as the process critical quality attributes (CQAs). Plackett-Burman designed experiments were carried out to find the critical process parameters (CPPs). Dry matter content of concentrated extract (DMCE), mass ratio of ethanol to concentrated extract (E/C ratio) and concentration of ethanol (CEA) were identified as the CPPs. Box-Behnken designed experiments were performed to establish the quantitative models between CPPs and CQAs. Probability based design space was obtained and verified using Monte-Carlo simulation method. According to the verification results, the robustness of first ethanol precipitation process of Dangshen can be guaranteed by operating within the design space parameters. Recommended normal operation space are as follows: dry matter content of concentrated extract of 45.0% - 48.0%, E/C ratio of 2.48-2.80 g x g(-1), and the concentration of ethanol of 92.0% - 92.7%.
Chemical Precipitation ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Codonopsis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVEThe chemical components of essential oil from fruit of Eucalyptus globulus were analyzed by GC-MS.

METHODThe essential oil were extracted by steam distillation, then separated by capillary gas chromatography. The amount of the component from essential oil were determined by normalization methods. Chromatographic conditions were: capillary column DB-WAX (0.32 mm x 30 m, 0.25 microm) was used, column temperature: initial temperature at 40 degrees C for 3 min,ramping 5 C x min(-1) to 250 degrees C (holding for 10 min) the detector MS.

RESULT31 component from the fruit of E. globulus were identified, which accounted for over 93.7% of total volatile oil.

CONCLUSIONThe methods is reliable, stabilize and can be applied to identify the volatile oil from the fruit of E. globulus.

Cyclohexanols ; analysis ; Eucalyptus ; chemistry ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Monoterpenes ; analysis ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Sesquiterpenes ; analysis ; Terpenes ; analysis

Objective To investigate the clinical features and treatment principles of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the urinary bladder (IMTUB).Methods From April 2013 to October 2016,6 cases of IMTUB patients were analyzed retrospectively.All cases were presented with gross hematuria.4 cases underwent ultrasonography,of which 3 cases showed solid mass in bladder,1 case showed inflammatory change.6 cases underwent CT examination,3 cases with bladder cancer,1 case with bladder sarcoma,1 case with malignant transformation of adenoma,1 case with rich blood supply.No lymph node metastasis.Bladder occupying lesions were considered in 2 cases of MRI examination.5 cases of cystoscopy showed bladder solid mass.In 6 cases involved,2 patients received partial cystectomy,2 patients underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor,1 patient underwent radical resection of urachal carcinoma and the other one was treated with chemotherapy.Results Immunohistochemical staining was positive in ALK (100.0％) 、Vimentin(100.0％) 、CK(100.0％) 、SMA (83.3％) 、EMA(66.7％) and Ki-67 (5％-30％),negative in S-100 and Desmin.Final pathological diagnosis was IMTUB.So far,neither recurrence nor metastasis has been detected for 6 ～ 42 months in 5 cases and the other one lost to follow-up.Conclusions IMTUB is a kind of rare benign tumor of bladder.The golden standard of diagnosis is pathological diagnosis.Surgical resection is the first choice for treatment.Recurrence and metastasis are after the surgery treatment.All patients should be followed up closely.