OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of long-term exposure to particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) from automobile exhaust on the reproductive function of Sprague Dawley (SD) rats.

METHODSForty-five male SD rats, weighing 80 - 94 g and aged 28 days, were randomly assigned to receive intra-tracheal administration of 0.9% normal saline (control group, n = 15), PM2. 5 at 2 μg per 100 g body weight per day (low-dose PM2.5 group, n = 15), and PM2.5 at 16 μg per 100 g body weight per day (high-dose PM2.5 group, n = 15), qd, for 60 successive days. After the last 24-hour exposure, 10 rats were taken from each group for copulation with normal female ones, while the others were sacrificed, their testes removed for sperm count and deformity, pathological examination, and determination of the Connexin43 expression.

RESULTSThe conception rate was significantly decreased in the low- and high-dose PM2.5 groups as compared with that of the control (70% and 50% vs 100%), and so were the sperm count and quality. The rats in the PM2.5-exposed groups showed significantly disordered histological structure of the seminiferous tubules, reduced sperm count in the testicular lumen, some exfoliated secondary spermatocytes, downregulated Connexin43 expression in the testis, and damaged blood-testis barrier.

CONCLUSIONLong-term exposure to PM2.5 from automobile exhaust damages the reproductive function of male SD rats.

Animals ; Blood-Testis Barrier ; Body Weight ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; Fertilization ; Male ; Particulate Matter ; toxicity ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reproduction ; Seminiferous Tubules ; Sperm Count ; Spermatocytes ; Testis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vehicle Emissions ; toxicity

Objective To compare the differences of psychopathologic symptoms between smokers and non-smokers in chronic and first-episode,drug-nalve schizophrenics.then it was attempted to explain the reasons why there is higher rate of smoking behavior in schizophrenia.Methods In all.427 male chronic schizophrenic patients(332 smokers and 95 non-smokers)and 63 male first-episode drug-naive patients with schizophrenia(22 smokers and 41 non-smokers)were collected.All patients were assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS).Results In chronic patients.the item scores of poor rapport and passive/apathetic social withdrawal of PANSS negative subscale were significantly lower in smokers than non-smokers(3.9 ±1.5 vs.4.4±1.7;3.6±1.6 vs.4.0±1.7.respectively,P＜0.05),and so was the total scores of PANSS negative subscale(24.0±8.2 vs.26.3±9.5).In first-episode.drug-ndive patients.the itern scores of emotional withdrawal and passive/apathetic social withdrawal of PANSS negative subscale were significant lower in smokers than non-smokers(2.7±1.3 vs.3.5±1.3:2.7±1.3 vs.3.5±1.4,respectively,P＜0.05).Conclusion It is suggested there are positive effects of cigarette smoking on the psychopathological symptoms of patients with schizophrenia,which misht be one of the mechanisms for higher rates of smoking behavior in schizophrenia.

Objective To compare the differences of psychopathologic symptoms between smokers and non-smokers in chronic and first-episode,drug-nalve schizophrenics.then it was attempted to explain the reasons why there is higher rate of smoking behavior in schizophrenia.Methods In all.427 male chronic schizophrenic patients(332 smokers and 95 non-smokers)and 63 male first-episode drug-naive patients with schizophrenia(22 smokers and 41 non-smokers)were collected.All patients were assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS).Results In chronic patients.the item scores of poor rapport and passive/apathetic social withdrawal of PANSS negative subscale were significantly lower in smokers than non-smokers(3.9 ±1.5 vs.4.4±1.7;3.6±1.6 vs.4.0±1.7.respectively,P＜0.05),and so was the total scores of PANSS negative subscale(24.0±8.2 vs.26.3±9.5).In first-episode.drug-ndive patients.the itern scores of emotional withdrawal and passive/apathetic social withdrawal of PANSS negative subscale were significant lower in smokers than non-smokers(2.7±1.3 vs.3.5±1.3:2.7±1.3 vs.3.5±1.4,respectively,P＜0.05).Conclusion It is suggested there are positive effects of cigarette smoking on the psychopathological symptoms of patients with schizophrenia,which misht be one of the mechanisms for higher rates of smoking behavior in schizophrenia.

The effect of sowing date on grain protein, hordein fraction content and malting quality of two-rowed spring barley was investigated by using ten commercial cultivars with different grain protein content and the relationships among these traits were examined. The results showed that grain protein content and B hordein content increased as the sowing date postponed and were significantly affected by sowing date, while C and D hordein contents were less influenced by sowing date. There were significant differences in grain protein and hordein fraction content among the ten cultivars. The coefficient of variation of D hordein content was much larger than that of B and C hordein contents, suggesting its greater variation caused by different sowing dates. Beta-amylase activity and diastatic power were also significantly affected by sowing date, with malt extract being less affected. Significant differences in measured malt quality were found among the ten cultivars. Grain protein was significantly correlated with B hordein and malt extract positively and negatively, respectively. There was no significant correlation between beta-amylase activity or diastatic power and grain protein content. B hordein was negatively and significantly correlated with malt extract, but no significant correlations between C hordein, D hordein and malting quality traits.
Edible Grain ; chemistry ; Food Analysis ; Food Technology ; Glutens ; Hordeum ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Plant Proteins ; metabolism ; Seeds ; growth & development ; metabolism