Effects of feeding solid-state fermented wheat bran on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens.

Solid-state fermentation has been used to improve the nutritive value of feed ingredients. In the present study, we investigated the effects of solid-state fermented wheat bran (FWB) on growth performance and apparent digestibility in broiler chickens. We measured the growth performance (ADFI, ADG, feed conversion, livability, and European performance efficiency factor) over 38 d in chicks fed a corn-soybean meal control diet (CON) or CON plus wet FWB (25 g/kg [T1]; 50 g/kg [T2]); or T1 plus 3 g/kg (T3); or T2 plus 6 g/kg (T4) soybean oil). The same diets were used to determine nutrient availability in chicks aged 20 d. Regression equations for AME and AMEn were obtained using 20-day-old chicks fed either the corn-soybean meal basal diet only or basal diet partially substituted with 50, 150, or 300 g/kg DM FWB. Diets containing 25 or 50 g/kg wet FBW did not affect the growth performance of broiler chickens, nor the apparent DM, energy, and nitrogen digestibility of the feeds, compared with the control diets (all P > 0.05). Further supplementation with oil did not improve the growth performance of broiler chickens compared with controls or chickens fed FBW. However, chickens fed diets containing soybean oil (T3 or T4) had lower (P = 0.005 and P = 0.040, respectively) apparent DM and energy digestibility than the control and FWB groups. The regression equations for AME and AMEn with the substitution of FWB produced values of 1,854.3 and 1,743.9 kcal/kg DM, respectively, and the equations were Y = 1854.3X + 52.7 (R2 = 0.971, n = 24, P < 0.001), and Y = 1743.9X + 44.6 (R2 = 0.978, n = 24, P < 0.001), respectively. Supplementation with wet FWB did not affect the growth performance of broiler chickens. Therefore, FWB is a suitable feed component for broilers.

[Clinical value of carbon nanoparticles tracer in gastric cancer surgery to increase the number of lymph nodes retrieval].

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of carbon nanoparticles zonal tracer technique in lymph node retrieval of gastric cancer (GC). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out. Clinicopathological data of GC patients who underwent radical D2 resection with carbon nanoparticles tracer in The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University and Hainan Cancer Hospital from December 2015 and February 2019 were collected. Those with postoperative pathology of T1-2, Borrmann IV type GC, distant metastasis, preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy and incomplete data were excluded. A total of 181 patients were enrolled in this study, including 113 cases from the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University and 68 cases from Hainan Cancer Hospital. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the methods of carbon nanoparticles tracer: zonal tracer group and traditional tracer group. In the traditional tracer group, 0.1-0.3 ml of carbon nanoparticle was injected subserously at the upper, lower, left and right 4 injection points 0.5 cm away from the edge of the tumor in the normal serous membrane. In the zonal tracer group, on the basis of the traditional tracer group, 0.1-0.3 ml of carbon nanoparticle was injected subserously at the first branch of the suprapyloric right gastric artery into the stomach, the first branch of the subpyloric right gastroepiploic artery into the stomach, the first branch of the minor curvature left gastric artery into the stomach and the first branch of the greater curvature left gastroepiploic artery into the stomach, respectively. The display of lymphatic vessels in each location and lymph nodes in each group by the tracing method was observed. The number of black-stained lymph nodes, the black staining rate of lymph nodes, the total number of detected lymph nodes, the total number of positive lymph nodes, and the metastatic rate of lymph node were compared between the two groups. Results: Eighty-nine patients were assigned to zonal tracer group, and 92 patients to traditional tracer group. There were no significant differences in baseline information between the two groups (all P>0.05). The median number of black-stained lymph nodes (median: 25.0 vs. 13.5, Z=-7.158, P<0.001) and the black staining rate of lymph nodes [(70.8±12.0)% vs. (47.1±15.7)%, t=11.399, P<0.001) in the zonal tracer group were significantly higher than those in the traditional tracer group. The total detected number of lymph nodes (37.5±11.5 vs. 29.6±11.8, t=4.581, P<0.001) and the total number of negative lymph nodes (31.3±12.5 vs. 24.9±11.1, t=3.621, P<0.001) were significantly higher in the zonal tracer group than those in the traditional tracer group. There were no significant differences in the total number of positive lymph nodes (median: 4.0 vs. 3.0, Z=-1.485, P=0.137), lymph node metastatic rate [78.7% (70/89) vs. 72.8% (67/92), χ(2)=0.834, P=0.361] and metastatic degree [median: 11% vs. 10%, Z=-0.483, P=0.629] between the two groups. Conclusion: The carbon nanoparticles zonal tracer method can increase the black-staining rate of lymph nodes and the detected number of lymph nodes, thus improving the accuracy of gastric cancer staging.

[Philology research on the quoting from Compendium of Effective Prescriptions for Women in Korean Euibangyoochui].

Euibangyoochui compiled by the Korean government was finished in 1445. This book is a collection of Korean medicine. It quoted some contents from Compendium of Effective Prescriptions for Women. This paper use the photocopy of the Japanese edition of the first year of Fumihisa(1861)printed in Korea as the master copy of Euibangyoochui, the microfilm of the edition of Qin You Shu Tang in Yuan Dynasty as the master copy of Compendium of Effective Prescriptions for Women, in order to compare the content of Compendium of Effective Prescriptions for Women quoted in Euibangyoochui. There are 42 direct citations from Compendium of Effective Prescriptions for Women in Euibangyoochui, 41 of which are in gynecology, and 1 of which is in pediatrics. The indirect citations are divided into two types: single line big characters and double line small characters, no obvious rules. Meanwhile, it is found that the direct quotation is adjusted according to the style and content, and the differences between the quotation and the yuan edition are mostly small, which can be corrected and supplemented each other, it is of great reference value for collating the Compendium of Effective Prescriptions for Women.

[Development and application of Japanese kampo medicine granules].

This article explores the development process of Japanese kampo medicine granules, which may be related to the popularization of convenience coffee in Japan in the 1940s. The development achievements were made mainly by two people: Itakura Takeshi and Watanabe Takeshi.Itakura Takeshi made the granule in 1944, and Watanabe Takeshi published an article about granule in 1947. In 1950, the granules were applied to clinic by Hosoya Shirou. In 1957, Kotaro pharmaceutical Co. Ltd was the first to sell granules in the market. Ten years later, in 1967, five classes and six kinds of drugs entered the Japanese medical insurance system, which has epoch-making significance in the history of the development of kampo medicine. Later, the guidelines of application and management for granules-The Handbook of Kampo Medicine Prescriptions for General Use-were formulated by experts convened by the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan, it had a great influence on clinical application. At the same time, Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association played a good coordinating role in the process of drug production and marketing.

[Medical historians and traditional Chinese physicians in early Chinese Society of Medical History].

In the early 20th century, the Chinese Society of Medical History was the only specialty society accepting members with traditional Chinese medicine background in the Chinese medical association. Therefore, it is of special significance to study the TCM members of the early Chinese Society of Medical History. By combing the medical journals of this period and referring to the researches today, this paper makes a comprehensive investigation on the life stories and academic works of the early 14 TCM doctors and scholars of the Chinese Society of Medical History, so as to understand their contributions to the development of Chinese medicine and the institute of medical history in this special historical period.

Morphine: double-faced roles in the regulation of tumor development.

Morphine, a highly potent analgesic, is one of the most effective drugs for the treatment of severe pain associated with cancer. It directly acts on the central nervous system to relieve pain, but also cause secondary complications, such as addiction, respiratory depression and constipation due to its activities on peripheral tissues. Besides pain relief, morphine is of great importance on cancer management with its effect on tumor development being the subject of debate for many years with some contradictory findings. Morphine has shown both tumor growth-promoting and growth-inhibiting effects in many published research studies. And various signaling pathways have been suggested to be involved in these effects of morphine. Based on a thorough literature review, we summarized the double-faced effects of morphine in tumor development, including tumor cell growth and apoptosis, metastasis, angiogenesis, immunomodulation and inflammation. And we attempted to optimize morphine administration in cancer patients to attenuate its tumor growth-promoting effects.

[Primary investigation of immunoglobulin A synthesis and secretion in human mesangial cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of immunoglobulin A (IgA) in human mesangial cells (HMCs). METHODS: The HMCs were cultured. The subcellular location of IgA was detected by immunofluorescence staining; the transcripts of Igα,Igκ and IgΛ constant region were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and further analyzed by DNA sequencing. The expressions of Igα and IgΛ were detected at transcription level by Western blot after the cytoplasmic protein extraction. The culture supernatant was collected to explore whether IgA could be secreted out of the cell and the protein was further analyzed by mass spectrometry after being purified by affinity chromato-graphy with jacalin-sepharose. The results of DNA sequencing and mass spectrometry were aligned with the mRNA and amino acid sequences in the National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. RESULTS: By immunofluorescence staining, we detected the presence of IgA heavy chain Igα, light chain, both Igκ and IgΛ in expressions of transcripts of Igα1, Igα2, Igκ and IgΛ in the HMCs and the alignment of the sequences of the RT-PCR products with those of the IgCα1, IgCα2, Igκ and IgΛ mRNA in the NCBI database exhibited that the similarities were 99%, 97%, 98% and 97%, respectively. Western blot showed Igα and IgΛ expressions in the cell lysate and secretion of Igα1 and Igα2 heavy chains in cell culture supernatant. To further explore the protein that secreted into the supernatant, after supernatant affinity chromatography with jacalin-sepharose, the proteins were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfonate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and the band approximating to 65 000 was cut and sent to mass spectrometry. The results were aligned with the amino acid sequences of Igα1 and Igα2 constant region in NCBI database, showing that amino acids between No.52 and No.104, amino acids between No.154 and No.221, amino acids between No.276 and No.327 from IgCα1 and amino acids between No.52 and No.113, amino acids between No.151 and No.204, amino acids between No.251 and No.314 from IgCα2 were the same with those derived from B cells. CONCLUSION: Our fin-dings suggested that HMCs could synthesize and secret IgA.

Decreased HoxD10 Expression Promotes a Proliferative and Aggressive Phenotype in Prostate Cancer.

HoxD10 gene plays a critical role in cell proliferation in the process of tumor development. However, the protein expression level and the function of HoxD10 in prostate cancer remain unknown. Using tissue microarray, we demonstrate that the protein expression of HoxD10 is commonly decreased in prostate cancer tissues (n = 92) compared to adjacent benign prostate tissues (n = 77). Functionally, knockdown of HoxD10 resulted in significant promotion of prostate cancer cell proliferation. Moreover, knockdown of HoxD10 strikingly stimulated prostate tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model. We also found a significant association between decreased immunohistochemical staining of HoxD10 expression and higher Gleason score (P = 0.031) and advanced clinical pathological stage (P = 0.011). An analysis of the Taylor database revealed that decreased HoxD10 expression predicted worse biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival of PCa patients (P = 0.005) and the multivariate analyses further supported that HoxD10 might be an independent predictor for BCR-free survival (P = 0.027). Collectively, our data suggest that the loss of HoxD10 function is common and may thus result in a progressive phenotype in PCa. HoxD10 may function as a biomarker that differentiates patients with BCR disease from the ones that are not after radical prostatectomy, implicating its potential as a therapeutic target.

[Analysis on the stationed system for detached medical officer in the Song Dynasty].

The stationed system for detached medical officer, designated by the Royal Hanlin Department, was an important management system in the Song Dynasty for medical aid and epidemic prevention. The selection of the officers was based on the test results of the candidates. The dispatch of such medical officers was considered comprehensively on the local conditions, with priority given to those provinces and counties in shortage of such officers, and sent them in order based on the duration of their working time.The primary responsibility of the stationed medical officers was to provide medical services to locally stationed troops, at the same time also involved in treating and saving people as epidemics occurred in local places. The term of their service was two years. The system is a kind of relatively mature medical management practices, which could improve the level of local army medical services and control the occurrence and spread of epidemics effectively.

Prognostic value of ZFP36 and SOCS3 expressions in human prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: ZFP36 ring finger protein (ZFP36) and the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) have been reported to, respectively, regulate NF-κB and STAT3 signaling pathways. To better understand the correlation of NF-κB and STAT3 negative regulates pathway, we have investigated the involvement of ZFP36 and SOCS3 expressions in human prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS: In the present study, paired patient tissue microarrays were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, and the ZFP36 protein expression was quantitated as immunoreactive scores in patients with PCa. Associations between ZFP36/SOCS3 expression and various clinicopathological features and prognosis of PCa patients were statistically analyzed based on the Taylor database. Then, the functions of ZFP36 and SOCS3 in cancerous inflammation were determined using qPCR and immunohistochemistry in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: ZFP36 protein expression in PCa tissues was significantly lower than those in non-cancerous prostate tissues (P < 0.05). In mRNA level, ZFP36 and SOCS3 had a close correlation with each other (P < 0.01, Pearson r = 0.848), and its upregulation was both significantly associated with low Gleason score (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively), negative metastasis (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively), favorable overall survival (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively), and negative biochemical recurrence (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Functionally, LPS treatment could lead to the overexpression of ZFP36 and SOCS3 in vitro and vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Our data offer the convincing evidence for the first time that the aberrant expressions of ZFP36 and SOCS3 may be involved into the progression and patients' prognosis of PCa, implying their potentials as candidate markers of this cancer.

Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer: a novel poor prognostic marker for human seminomas

OBJECTIVE: Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) is a glycosylated member of the immunoglobulin superfamily whose function in human seminomas is unknown. We have recently determined that EMMPRIN possesses the ability to stimulate fibroblast and endothelial cell matrix metalloproteinase production, and that its expression was frequently up-regulated in several tumours of the urinary system. Thus, EMMPRIN expression might be associated with the progression of human seminomas. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the presence of EMMPRIN in seminoma tissues might help to predict the patients' prognosis. METHODS: Paraffin-embedded tissues from 65 patients with seminomas and 20 normal testes were processed for immunohistochemical staining using a mouse monoclonal antibody generated against human EMMPRIN, as primary antibody, and a biotinylated goat-anti-mouse IgG, as secondary antibody. In addition, the correlation of EMMPRIN expression with clinicopathologic characteristics and patients' prognosis was also analysed. RESULTS: EMMPRIN was detected in cancerous tissues of 53 patients with seminoma, but not normal testes. Thirty- five patients showed weakly to moderately positive and 18 patients intensely positive expression. Moreover, positive EMMPRIN staining correlated significantly with various clinicopathological factors (increased TNM stage and higher histological differentiation type) as well as decreased tumour-specific survival (log-rank, p=0.02). In particular, EMMPRIN expression was an independent prognosticator as shown by Cox regression analysis (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: EMMPRIN expression in a primary tumour predicts an unfavourable prognosis in human seminoma, suggesting its crucial role in the progression of this tumour (AU)

Establishment of a poisoned animal model of toxic encephalopathy induced by 1,2-dichloroethane.

1,2-dichloroethane(1,2-DCE) is toxic, especially by inhalation due to its high vapour pressure. Inhalation of concentrated 1,2-DCE vapor can induce effects on the human nervous system, even encephalopathy. However, 1,2-DCE toxic encephalopathy has seldom been reported, and no adequate data were available to evaluate the encephalopathy of 1,2-DCE in experimental animals. The aim of the present study was to establish a toxic experimental animal model induced by 1,2-DCE. Dose effect and time effect of 1,2-DCE on the nervous system were detected. The rats were treated by 1,2-DCE at various concentrations of 0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 g/m3 for 6 h and treatment of rats at 10.0 g/m3 for 0, 3, 6, and 12 h. Morphology of brain tissue was observed by HE staining and TEM under light and electron microscope, besides water contents in the cortex and medulla of rats were analyzed. The results indicated that 1,2-DCE induced abnormal histopathology, and significantly higher water content were confirmed in the cerebral cortex of toxic animal model in a dose- and time-dependent manner. To declare that 1,2-DCE could induce toxic encephalopathy with a pathological feature of cerebral edema is very important for the medical rescue in urgent toxic accidents.

Forever young: how to control the elongation, differentiation, and proliferation of cells using nanotechnology.

Within the emerging field of stem cells there is a need for an environment that can regulate cell activity, to slow down differentiation or proliferation, in vitro or in vivo while remaining invisible to the immune system. By creating a nanoenvironment surrounding PC12 cells, Schwann cells, and neural precursor cells (NPCs), we were able to control the proliferation, elongation, differentiation, and maturation in vitro. We extended the method, using self-assembling nanofiber scaffold (SAPNS), to living animals with implants in the brain and spinal cord. Here we show that when cells are placed in a defined system we can delay their proliferation, differentiation, and maturation depending on the density of the cell population, density of the matrix, and the local environment. A combination of SAPNS and young cells can be implanted into the central nervous system (CNS), eliminating the need for immunosuppressants.

Behavioral testing and preliminary analysis of the hamster visual system.

The dependence of visual orienting ability in hamsters on the axonal projections from retina to midbrain tectum provides experimenters with a good model for assessing the functional regeneration of this central nervous system axonal pathway. For reliable testing of this behavior, male animals at least 10-12 weeks old are prepared by regular pretesting, with all procedures carried out during the less active portion of the daily activity cycle. Using a sunflower seed attached to a small black ball held at the end of a stiff wire, and avoiding whisker contact, turning movements toward visual stimuli are video recorded from above. Because at the eye level, the nasal-most 30 degrees of the visual field can be seen by both the eyes, this part of the field is avoided in assessments of a single side. Daily sessions consist of ten presentations per side. Measures are frequency of responding and detailed turning trajectories. Complete assessment of the functional return of behavior in this testing paradigm takes 3-6 months to complete.

Study on OELs for enzyme-containing detergent in China.

This study is aimed at setting occupational exposure levels for total detergent dust and enzymes in detergent industries. The study population consisted of 795 workers from four enzyme-containing detergent manufacturing plants (A1, A2, B1 and B2), and 156 control workers from an electronic assembly factory. Work environment monitoring was conducted using high volume of air sampler fro measuring the concentration of total dust (mg/m3), and analyzing the level of enzyme (ng/m3) by ELISA method. A standard questionnaires, pulmonary function test, and skin prick test are used to assess health effects. The levels of detergent total dust varied from 0.2 mg/m3 to 12.54 mg/m3. For enzyme levels, in A1, B1 and B2, the concentration ranged from non-detectable to 9.92 ng/m3 and in A2, the concentration was analyzed by enzyme activity methods and was expressed as Gu/m3 (1 Gu/m3 = 16 ng/m3). The concentration is between 0.16-31.36 ng/m3. Non-specific irritation rates in exposed workers were significantly higher than that in controls. Based on the data collected from A1, B1 and control plants, 95% benchmark dose lower bound were calculated as 1.17 mg/m3. The difference of pulmonary function between exposed workers and controls is not significant. The results of SPT showed that neither Savinase- nor Alcalase-induced sensitization was found in controls. The prevalence rates of sensitization for Savinase and Alcalase were ranged between 3.2% and 31% in all enzyme-containing detergent manufacturers investigated. No case of occupational asthma was observed. For total dust, 1 mg/m3 is suggested as permissible concentration-time weighted average (PC-TWA), and 2 mg/m3 as permissible concentration-short term exposure limit (PC-STEL). For the enzyme Subtilisins, 15 ng/m3 is suggested as PC-TWA, and 30 ng/m3 as PC-STEL.

Stress in expatriates.

With economic globalization, the rate and effects of culture shock stress in expatriates and their families are expected to increase. The stressor may occur from the micro-environment, the macro-environment, or the mega-environment. The effects of stress are frequently due to predictable reactions such as insecurity, distress, and homesickness. These symptoms can progress to more severe psychosomatic symptoms, including depressive reactions and overt psychopathic behavior. Cross-cultural training programs are currently the best preventive strategy for culture shock and subsequent stress; however, the true efficacy of these programs is not well characterized. Substance abuse is probably a significant underlying problem for international business travelers; however, the true magnitude and effects of this issue are not well characterized in the expatriate community. There are substantial opportunities for additional medical research in these areas.