Dimethyl fumarate attenuates MSU-induced gouty arthritis by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and oxidative stress.

OBJECTIVE: Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) has shown anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. However, the effects of DMF on gouty arthritis remain elusive, and the underlying mechanism is not understood. In this study, we aim to investigate the role of DMF in gouty arthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice were gavage with DMF for consecutive 7 days at two different doses (10 mg/kg/day or 30 mg/kg/day, once daily) in advance and then monosodium sodium urate (MSU) was injected into their joint to establish an acute gout mice model. The pain and swelling of the hind paw in mice were determined. The production of pro-inflammatory cytokine in the paw tissues was assessed by Elisa and the inflammatory infiltration of the joint was determined by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the tissues were measured by commercial kits. In addition, the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and downstream genes were detected by PCR and Western blot. Furthermore, LPS-primed murine macrophages Raw 264.7 cells were treated with different concentrations of DMF (2 µM, 5 µM, 10 µM) for 2 h, and then challenged with MSU (200 µg/mL) for other 12 h to observe the effect of DMF on cell viability via cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in the supernatant of culture medium. Immunofluorescent staining was used to detect the NLRP3 inflammasome activation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in vitro. Caspase-1 activity was measured by corresponding assay kits both in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS: DMF attenuated pain and swelling in MSU-induced gout mice by decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokine production and inflammatory cell infiltration, as well as improved oxidative stress. Moreover, DMF inhibited the activation of NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome and subsequent expression of caspase-1, interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and IL-18 at both mRNA and protein levels. Meanwhile, DMF suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome expression and ROS production in LPS and MSU-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells, thereby protecting the cells from inflammatory injury. CONCLUSIONS: DMF serves as a new approach for the treatment of MSU-induced gouty arthritis by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation and oxidative stress.

Efficacy and safety of intracoronary pro-urokinase injection during percutaneous coronary intervention in treating ST elevation myocardial infarction patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: Intracoronary injection of pro-urokinase (Pro-UK) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) seems to be a promising treatment in improving myocardial perfusion. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed at investigating the efficacy and safety of intracoronary Pro-UK injection during PCI in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive literature searched on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Ovid-MEDLINE, Ovid-Embase, Ovid-Cochrane Databases and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception until June 1, 2022, in English only. The primary outcome was myocardial perfusion, including thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) grades, corrected TIMI frame count (CTFC), TIMI myocardial perfusion grades (TMPG). The secondary outcomes were ST-segment resolution (STR), major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), myocardial marker, cardiac function and hemorrhagic complications. RESULTS: We identified 5 studies (all RCTs) involving 761 participants. Under PCI procedure, compared with placebo, intracoronary Pro-UK injection may improve myocardial perfusion, including increasing the TIMI grades [odd ratio (OR) 0.46; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.28-0.75; p = 0.002; I2 = 0%] , CTFC (OR -3.47; 95% CI [-5.60, -1.33]; p = 0.001; I2 = 0%) and TMPG (OR 0.17; 95% CI [0.06-0.44]; p = 0.0003; I2 = 0%), increase the rate of STR (OR 2.25; 95% CI [1.56-3.26]; p < 0.0001; I2 = 0%), reduce the incidence of MACE (OR 0.51; 95% CI [0.33-0.81]; p = 0.004; I2 = 0%) and reduce myocardial infarct size (CK, standardized mean difference [SMD] -0.45; 95% [CI] [-0.62, -0.28]; p < 0.00001; I2 = 10%. CK-MB, [SMD] -0.43; 95% CI [-0.68, -0.18]; p = 0.0007; I2 = 60%. cTnI, [SMD] -0.31; 95% CI [-0.46, -0.17]; p < 0.0001; I2 = 0%). Moreover, the treatment may improve the cardiac functions (LVFE, pooled mean difference [MD] 1.23; 95% CI [0.66-1.79]; p < 0.0001; I2 = 24%. LVEDd, pooled MD -0.13; 95% CI [-0.17, -0.09]; p < 0.00001; I2 = 0%). But there is no statistically significant difference between the Pro-UK group and placebo in the occurrence of hemorrhagic complications (OR 1.19; 95% CI [0.75-1.87]; p = 0.46; I2 = 0%). CONCLUSIONS: Intracoronary Pro-UK injection during PCI in STEMI patients is an effective and safe treatment to perform. The treatment may improve myocardial perfusion and rate of STR, as well as decreasing the incidence of MACE and myocardial infarct size. Importantly, the treatment may improve the cardiac functions and life quality. In the future, more multi-centered and massive sample studies are required.

[Relationship of serum 25- hydroxy vitamin D and systemic lupus erythematosus].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application value of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Data of 158 patients with SLE in Department of Rheumatology and Immunology in the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from July 2016 to July 2019. All the SLE patients were divided into two groups by SLE scores of the disease activity index (SLEADI): 59 cases of active group (SLEADI > 4), 99 cases of non-active group (SLEDAI ≤4). Fifty healthy people were selected as healthy control group. The patients' general information and their laboratory data including serum 25(OH)D levels were collected. Statistical methods used were t-test, Spearman's correalation analysis and Logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: (1) A total of 208 cases were included in this study. The level of 25(OH)D in SLE group [10.4(5.6, 15.8) µg/L] was significantly lower than that in healthy control group [25.5(22.8, 32.3) µg/L, P < 0.01]. 25(OH)D level in active SLE patients [6.2(3.7, 13.8) µg/L] was significantly lower than that in remission SLE patients [12.3(7.2, 16.7) µg/L, P < 0.01]. The serum 25(OH)D level in lupus nephritis [6.7 (4.4, 12.9) µg/L] was significantly lower than that in SLE without renal involvement [13.3 (7.4, 18.7) µg/L, P < 0.01]. (2) A significant negative correlation was demonstrated between the serum level of 25(OH)D and SLEDAI (r=-0.35, P < 0.01), and the 24h urinary protein excretion (r=-0.39, P < 0.01).Positive correlation was demonstrated between the serum level of 25(OH)D and C3 that decreased (r=0.249, P < 0.05). (3) Univariate analysis showed anti- dsDNA antibodies(ds-DNA), anti-Sm antibodies(Sm), IgG, C3, C4, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), 24h urinary protein quantification(24h-pro) and 25(OH)D were associated with disease activity in the SLE patients; Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that 25(OH)D was associated with the disease activity of the lupus patients. CONCLUSION: The decrease of vitamin D level is related to the disease activity of SLE patients, and may be related to lupus nephritis, which plays an important role in the occurrence and development of SLE.

[The diagnostic value of serum KL-6 in connective tissue disease associated interstitial lung disease].

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of the serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) for the interstitial lung disease associated with connective tissue diseases (CTD-ILD). Methods: 84 patients with CTD-ILD (CTD-ILD group) and 91 patients with connective tissue disease (CTD group) who visited the department of rheumatology and immunology of People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region between January, 2016 and December, 2017 were included. Serum KL-6 levels were measured by commercially available enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Results: The significantly higher levels of KL-6 were determined in the CTD-ILD group than CTD group [1 239 (577, 2 094) vs 152 (89, 280) U/ml] (P<0.001). The optimal cutoff value of serum KL-6 for diagnosis of CTD-ILD was 402 U/ml, and the sensitivity and specificity were 82.1% and 86.8%, respectively. Area Under the Curve (AUC) was 0.905. Logistic regression analysis revealed that elevated KL-6 and decreased Carbon monoxide diffusion capacity were independently correlated with the occurrence of CTD-ILD, the decreased of DLcoSB% (OR=0.928, 95%CI: 0.891-0.968) and increase of KL-6 level (OR=1.005, 95%CI: 1.003-1.007) was the independent risk factor for the occurrence of ILD. Conclusion: The serum KL-6 is an important biomarker for the diagnosis of CTD-ILD and when the level of KL-6 is increased, the ILD should be alert.

Intracellular IL-37b interacts with Smad3 to suppress multiple signaling pathways and the metastatic phenotype of tumor cells.

Multiple signaling pathways that promote tumor cell metastasis are differentially activated in low/non-metastatic and metastatic tumor cells, resulting in the differential expression of metastasis-related genes. The underlying mechanism may involve the alterations of the intrinsic negative regulation in tumor cells. Here we report that the differential expression of interleukin-37b (IL-37b) in tumor cells alters the intrinsic negative regulation of signaling pathways, resulting in the difference of metastatic capacity. IL-37b could bind Smad3 and suppress Smad pathway by interfering with the formation and nuclear translocation of Smad2/3/4 complex. In turn, Smad3 could function as a co-regulator, enabling IL-37b to suppress multiple non-Smad pathways. IL-37b-Smad3 translocated into nucleus to upregulate the expression of non-receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPNs), thus promoting dephosphorylation to suppress the activation of tyrosine phosphorylation-dependent signaling pathways such as ERK, p38 MAPK, JNK, PI3K, NF-κB, and STAT3 pathways. Intriguingly, 13 of 17 PTPNs, most of which are metastasis suppressors, were downregulated in metastatic tumor cells because of the low expression of IL-37b. The marked decrease of intracellular IL-37b attenuated the intrinsic negative regulation in tumor cells, resulting in the enhanced activation of multiple signaling pathways and the increased capacity of invasiveness and metastatic colonization. Consistently, low expression of IL-37b in tumors was significantly associated with poor prognosis of cancer patients. Taken together, these findings reveal that intracellular IL-37b is a critical factor in the negative regulation of multiple signaling pathways that modulate the expression of metastasis-related genes, and suggest that IL-37b expression in tumor cells can potentially be a histopathological prognostic parameter for cancer patients and a therapeutic target for preventing tumor metastasis.

Genetic differences in ChTLR15 gene polymorphism and expression involved in Salmonella enterica natural and artificial infection respectively, of Chinese native chicken breeds, with a focus on sexual dimorphism.

Chicken Toll-like receptor 15 (ChTLR15) has been shown to participate in immune activation in response to various pathogens and in the innate defence against infection. Two genetically distinct Chinese breeds of chicken (Qinyuan Partridge and Baier breeds) were used to study the correlation between ChTLR15 single nucleotide polymorphisms and the natural infection status of salmonella in hens, and also to examine genetic and sex-specific effects on ChTLR15 mRNA expression in heterophils and spleen during acute infection with Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE) from 1 to 10 days after experimental infection. Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (G168A, C726T and A1166G) in a single exon of ChTLR15 were identified in the two breeds, but only C726T showed a significant association with salmonella infection. Compared with layer-type Baier chicks, meat-type Qingyuan chicks showed a higher tolerance for capture stress and (SE) infection, as measured, respectively, by the modified body weight of chicks in the control group and in the infection group. Meanwhile, ChTLR15 down-regulation in heterophils and up-regulation in spleen were involved in the response to pathogenic SE colonization during the acute infection period. These significant genetic effects in females led to greater differences in both innate and adaptive immune responses than those exhibited in males. These results suggest that genetics, time and gender play important roles in the modulation of ChTLR15 mRNA level elicited by the SE-mediated immune response differentially in the two genetically distinct breeds, with a focus on sexual dimorphism.

Molecular characterization, expression, and functional analysis of NOD1 in Qingyuan partridge chicken.

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein-1 (NOD1) is a cytoplasmic pattern recognition receptor (PRR) and a key member of the NOD-like receptor (NLR) family. It has been reported that NLRs recognize a variety of microbial infections to induce the host innate immune response via modulation of NF-κB signaling. However, no reports on chicken NOD1 have been reported to date. In the current study, the full-length cDNA sequence of NOD1 was cloned. The complete open reading frame of NOD1 contains 2856 bp and encodes a 951 amino acid protein. Structurally, it is comprised of one caspase recruitment domain at the N-terminus, seven leucine-rich repeat regions at the C-terminus, and one NACHT domain between the N and C-termini. Phylogenetic analyses showed that chicken NOD1 clusters with duck and turkey. Furthermore, tissue-specific expression analyses of chicken NOD1 were performed using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. NOD1 is widely distributed in various tissues, with the highest expression observed in testes. Finally, induced expression of chNOD1 and its associated adaptor molecule receptor-interacting protein 2, as well as the effector molecule NF-κB, was observed following S. enterica serovar Enteritidis infection. These findings highlight the important role of chicken NOD1 in response to pathogenic invasion. The present study is the first report of the cloning, expression, and functional analysis of chicken NOD1 and provides the foundation for future research on the structure and function of chicken NOD1.

Effects of outdoor access days on growth performance, carcass yield, meat quality, and lymphoid organ index of a local chicken breed.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of outdoor access days on growth performance, carcass yield, meat quality, and lymphoid organ index of a local chicken breed. In total, 864 twenty one-day-old male Suqin yellow chickens, with similar body weight (536±36g), were selected and raised in indoor floor pens that measured 1.42×1.42 m (2 m2, 18 birds/m2) in conventional poultry research houses (36 birds per pen). Two hundred and sixteen birds were allowed outdoor access treatments at 21, 28, 35, and 42 d of age, respectively (access to outdoor for 35, 28, 21, and 14 days, respectively). Each treatment was represented by 6 replicates (pens) containing 36 birds (216 birds per treatment). In the outdoor access treatment, the birds had an outdoor free-range paddock that measured 3×8 m (24 m2, 1.5 birds/m2). The body weight of birds at 56 d of age increased linearly with increasing outdoor access days (P<0.001), but there was no effect of the outdoor access days on the body weight at 42 d of age (P=0.161). The daily weight gain, daily feed intake, and feed per gain from 21 to 42 d of age were unaffected by outdoor access days (P=0.401, P=0.463, P=0.223, respectively). However, the daily weight gain and daily feed intake from 42 to 56 and from 21 to 56 d of age increased linearly with increasing outdoor access days (P=0.002, P<0.001; P=0.001, P=0.004; respectively), while the feed per gain tended to decrease linearly from 21 to 56 d of age (P=0.060). The mortality from 21 to 56 d of age was unaffected by outdoor access days (P=0.261). At 56 d of age, the breast yield increased linearly with increasing outdoor access days (P<0.001), while the foot yield decreased linearly (P=0.016). The light (L*) and red (b*) values of leg meat color increased linearly with increasing outdoor access days (P=0.032, P=0.013, respectively). The spleen: the body weight ratio showed a decreasing and then increasing quadratic response to increasing outdoor access days (P=0.047). The litter moisture content at 42 and 56 d of age increased linearly with increasing outdoor access days (P<0.001, P=0.013, respectively). The findings of this study suggest that increasing outdoor access days advantageously affects the body weight, daily weight gain, feed per gain and breast yield as well as the light (L*) and red (b*) values of leg meat color, while decreasing foot yield.

Effect of free-range days on a local chicken breed: growth performance, carcass yield, meat quality, and lymphoid organ index.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of free-range days on growth performance, carcass yield, meat quality, and lymphoid organ index of a local chicken breed. In total, 1,000 one-day-old male Suqin yellow chickens were raised for 21 d. On d 21, 720 birds with similar BW (536 ± 36 g) were selected and randomly assigned to free-range treatment at 21, 28, 35, and 42 d of age (assigned to free-range treatment for 21, 14, 7, and 0 d, respectively). Each treatment was represented by 5 replicates (pens) containing 36 birds (180 birds per treatment). All the birds were raised in indoor floor pens measuring 1.42 × 1.42 m (2 m(2), 18 birds/m(2)) in conventional poultry research houses before free-range treatment. In the free-range treatment, the chickens were raised in indoor floor houses measuring 3 × 5 m (15 m(2), 2.4 birds/m(2)). In addition, they also had an outdoor free-range paddock measuring 3 × 8 m (24 m(2), 1.5 birds/m(2)). The BW of birds after being assigned to free-range treatment for 7 d decreased significantly compared with that in the conventional treatment (P < 0.05). However, there was no effect of the free-range days on the BW at 42 d of age (P > 0.05). The daily weight gain, feed per gain, daily feed intake, and mortality from 21 to 42 d of age were unaffected by free-range days (P > 0.05). At 42 d of age, the breast yield increased linearly with increasing free-range days (P < 0.05), whereas the thigh, leg, thigh bone, and foot yields decreased linearly (P < 0.05). The lung yield showed a significant increasing and then decreasing quadratic response to increasing free-range days (P < 0.05). The water-holding capacity of the thigh muscle decreased linearly with increasing free-range days (P < 0.05), whereas there was no significant difference in the meat color, shear force, and muscle pH (P > 0.05). The absolute thymus weight and thymus:BW ratio showed a significant increasing and then decreasing quadratic response to increasing free-range days (P < 0.05). The findings of this study suggest that increasing free-range days advantageously affects breast yield, but decreases thigh, leg, thigh bone, and foot yields as well as the water-holding capacity of thigh. No evidence was found that increasing free-range days caused changes in growth performance, meat quality, and lymphoid organs except for changes in water-holding capacity and thymus.

Molecular cloning and tissue distribution of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARα) and gamma (PPARγ) in the pigeon (Columba livia domestica).

1. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) are involved in lipid metabolism through transcriptional regulation of target gene expression. The objective of the current study was to clone and characterise the PPARα and PPARγ genes in pigeon. 2. The full-length of 1941-bp PPARα and 1653-bp PPARγ were cloned from pigeons. The two genes were predicted to encode 468 and 475 amino acids, respectively. Both proteins contained two C4-type zinc fingers, a nuclear hormone receptor DNA-binding region signature and a HOLI domain (ligand binding domain of hormone receptors), and had high identities with other corresponding avian genes. 3. Using quantitative real-time PCR, pigeon PPARα gene expression was shown to be high in kidney, liver, gizzard and duodenum whereas PPARγ was predominantly expressed in adipose tissue.

Safety evaluation of phytosterols in laying hens: effects on laying performance, clinical blood parameters, and organ development.

Phytosterols are intended for use as a novel food ingredient with plasma cholesterol-lowering activity. Although phytosterols are naturally present in the normal diet, daily consumption is insufficient to ensure plasma cholesterol-lowering levels. Therefore, phytosterols may be added to the diets to achieve the desired cholesterol-lowering activity. A subchronic laying hen safety study was conducted to examine if high-dose phytosterols could affect the safety of hens. Three hundred sixty 21-wk-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens were randomly assigned to 5 groups with 6 replicates of 12 birds each; after 3 wk, birds were fed diets supplemented with 0, 20, 80, 400, and 800 mg/kg of phytosterols for 12 wk. Throughout the study, clinical observations and laying performance were measured. At the end of the study, birds were subjected to a full postmortem examination: blood samples were taken for clinical pathology, selected organs were weighed, and specified tissues were taken for subsequent histological examination. No treatment-related changes that were considered to be of toxicological significance were observed. Therefore, a nominal phytosterol concentration of 800 mg/kg was considered to be the no-observed-adverse-effect level.

Metabolizable energy and fiber digestibility of uncommon feedstuffs for geese.

This experiment was conducted to study the digestibility of uncommon feedstuffs for geese. Thirty Taihu ganders were selected and divided into 5 groups (n = 6), and one group was allocated as the control. Taihu ganders in the 4 treated groups were force-fed with a weight of different uncommon feedstuffs after 24 h of fasting, and the control group was kept in fasting with no force feeding. All excretion of each gander was collected on a plate for 24 h after force feeding. There was a 12-d recovery period between treatments. In this study, we measured the ME and analyzed neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and hemicellulose of brewers grains, distillers grains, empty-grain rice, ryegrass powder, rice husk, corn stalk, rice straw, wheat straw, wheat husk, mushroom bran, and peanut vine. The TME values were 9.29, 8.67, 8.97, 5.89, 3.85, 3.10, 3.32, 3.02, 5.29, 2.48, and 3.15 MJ/kg, respectively. The digestibility of neutral detergent fiber for the feedstuffs ranged from 6.14 to 45.0%, the digestibility of acid detergent fiber ranged from 4.52 to 32.6%, and the digestibility of hemicellulose ranged from 18.5 to 61.6%. The best TME quadratic prediction equation was TME = 12.2 - 0.232CF, where CF is crude fiber. These results suggest that geese were able to use uncommon feedstuffs with high digestibility, and there was a significant negative correlation between energy digestibility and CF content. The ME values tested in this experiment can provide a foundation for preparation and adjustment of feed formulation for reasonable use of uncommon feedstuffs for geese.

Safety evaluation of daidzein in laying hens: part I. Effects on laying performance, clinical blood parameters, and organs development.

Daidzein, an estrogen-like product, becomes increasingly popular as a dietary supplement, particularly for postpeak-estrus animals seeking a safe natural alternative to play a role of estrogen. However, there is little available safety data of it for raisers and consumers. A subchronic laying hen safety study was conducted to examine if the high-dose daidzein could affect the safety of hens selves, including laying performance, clinical blood parameters and organs development. Seven hundred and sixty-eight 56-week-old Hyline Brown were randomly assigned to 4 groups with 8 replicates of 24 birds each and 3weeks later fed diets supplemented with 0, 10, 50 and 100mg of daidzein/kg for 12weeks. The mortality was significantly decreased (P<0.05). No treatment related adverse clinical signs were observed. Mean egg production, egg mass and feed conversion of whole experiment period was significantly influenced by dietary daidzein supplement (P<0.05), showing significant quadratic response to increasing dietary daidzein supplement (P=0.029, P=0.003 and P=0.019, respectively). There was no statistically significant changes in haematology (P>0.05). In clinical chemistry parameters, total protein, total cholesterol, calcium and phosphorus were significantly affected by dietary daidzein supplement (P<0.05). The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) is considered to be 50mg/kg.

Safety evaluation of daidzein in laying hens: part II. Effects on calcium-related metabolism.

Daidzein, an estrogen-like product, has become increasingly popular as a dietary supplement, particularly for postpeak-estrus animals seeking a safe natural alternative to play a role of estrogen. However, there is little available safety data of it for raisers and consumers. A subchronic laying hensafety study has been conducted to examine if the high-dose daidzein could affect calcium-related metabolism (eggshell quality and bone mineralization). Seven hundred and sixty-eight 56-week-old Hyline Brown were randomly assigned to 4 groups with 8 replicates of 24 birds each (192 laying hensper group) and 3weeks later fed diets supplemented with 0(control), 10, 50 and 100mg of daidzein/kg for 12week. Eggshell thickness, eggshell percentage, eggshell strength, eggshell Ca concentration was increased linearly with increasing dietary daidzein supplementation (P=0.001, P=0.007, P=0.002 and P=0.000, respectively). Serum Ca increased linearly with increasing dietarydaidzein supplementation (P=0.042), and serum P showed a significant quadratic response to dietarydaidzein supplementation (P=0.036). Bone ash and bone Ca were significantly influenced by dietarydaidzein supplementation (P<0.05). These findings indicate that daidzein hold no observed adverse effect on calcium metabolism, but also a safe and effective food additive for calcium metabolism in animals and humans.

Effects of stocking density on growth performance, carcass yield, and immune status of a local chicken breed.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of stocking density on growth performance, carcass yield, and immune status of a local chicken breed. In total, 840 one-day-old male Suqin yellow chickens were placed into 4-m(2) cages in groups of 50 (low), 70 (medium), or 90 (high) birds. Each treatment was represented by 4 replicates (cages). The cages measured 2.84 × 1.42 m; half of the area of the cage (2 m(2)) was used from 1 to 28 d and the whole cage was used from 29 to 42 d. Stocking densities were 25, 35, and 45 birds/m(2) from 1 to 28 d and 12.5, 17.5, and 22.5 birds/m(2) from 29 to 42 d (low, medium, and high, respectively). Final production (live bird mass after fasting) per unit area was 14.46, 19.46, and 24.23 kg/m(2), respectively, at 42 d of age. Several immune parameters were evaluated, and the growth performance, carcass yield, and meat quality were determined. Body weight at 28 and 42 d of age was significantly reduced as the stocking density increased (P < 0.05). A depression in daily weight gain was noticed from 1 to 28 d and 1 to 42 d of age, and daily feed intake decreased significantly in each period as density increased (P < 0.05). The feed/gain from 29 to 42 d and from 1 to 42 d of age decreased as density increased (P < 0.05). At 42 d, there was no effect of the stocking density on carcass, eviscerated carcass, breast, and abdominal fat yields (P > 0.05). The thigh yield of chickens in the medium-density group improved significantly (P < 0.05) compared with those of the other 2 groups. The water-loss rate, shear force, and meat color of the muscle were unaffected (P > 0.05) by the stocking density, but pH values increased slightly as density increased. No significant difference was noted in the immunological parameters, but the blood total protein and potassium were significantly affected by stocking density (P < 0.05). The findings of this study suggest that increasing the stocking density advantageously affected feed/gain and decreased the final BW, whereas no evidence was found that stocking density caused changes in any of the measured immune parameters.

Effects of rice husk diluted dietary switching on the phenotypic change of gastrointestinal tract in adult ganders.

1. An experiment was conducted to test the directionality, scaling and reversibility of phenotypic responses of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of adult ganders to rice husk (RH) diluted dietary switching. 2. A total of 96 140-d-old ganders were acclimatised to a basal diet for 2 weeks. The birds were randomly assigned to 4 treatments. On d 1, diets in the experimental groups were switched from the basal diet to diets which contained 200, 400 or 600 g/kg RH by mass, with no RH in the basal diet. After 21 d, the diet of all the experimental birds was switched back to the basal diet until d 42. 3. Increasing RH content significantly increased feed intake, and a decreased trend appeared after diet-switching. The weights of geese fed on the 600 g/kg RH diet for 21 d reduced, and were significantly less than those of the other three groups, while body weights (BW) of the geese in all groups increased after diet-switching back to the basal diet. At d 21, significantly heavier relative weights of proventriculus, gizzard and all gut components, except duodenum, were observed in birds fed on a 600 g/kg RH diet, and significantly heavier relative weights of gizzard were observed in birds given a 400 g/kg RH diet. Thickness of the two gastric walls, gizzard length and all gut components lengths increased significantly in birds given a 600 g/kg RH diet compared with the other three groups. At d 42, no significant differences were noted in the relative weights or lengths of GIT, except for the caeca, which were significantly heavier in birds fed on 600 g/kg RH diet. 4. The results of the experiment were in accordance with the predictions of the hypothesis that there is matching between loads and capacities. The observed phenotypic responses were directional and scaled to the demands.

Influence of whole corn feeding on the performance, digestive tract development, and nutrient retention of geese.

The objective of the current study was to investigate the influence of including whole corn (WC) in goose diets on the performance, digestive tract development, and nutrient retention. A total of 112 Yangzhou geese, 7 d old and with similar BW, were distributed into 8 pens of 14 birds/pen (7 male, 7 female). Each treatment was represented by 4 replicates. Geese were fed corn-soybean-based diets containing 640 g (8-28 d) and 615 g (29-70 d) of corn/kg of diet from 8 to 70 d of age, and 2 particle sizes of corn grains were used: ground corn (GC) and WC. During the period from 8 to 49 d, daily feed intake (P < 0.05) and daily weight gain (P = 0.054) of WC-fed birds tended to be lower than that of GC-fed birds. However, WC diet tended to improve (P = 0.07) G:F from 50 to 70 d of age. Higher relative weights of the gizzard (P < 0.05) at 28, 49, and 70 d, proventriculus at 49 d, and duodenum at 28 and 70 d of age were observed in birds fed the WC diet compared with those fed the GC diet. Intestinal wall thickness in the jejunum and crypt depth and intestinal wall thickness in the ileum were greater (P < 0.05) in WC-fed birds at 28 d of age. Villus height and intestinal wall thickness in the duodenum and villus height in the jejunum were greater in birds fed the WC diet compared with those fed the GC diet at 70 d of age, and birds fed the WC diet had a greater (P < 0.05) intestinal wall thickness, villus height, and crypt depth measurements in the ileum compared with those fed the GC diet. The retention ratio of CP and neutral detergent fiber were higher (P < 0.05) in birds fed the WC diet than in those fed the GC diet. Overall, no negative effect was observed in birds fed the WC diet compared with those maintained on the GC diet.

Response of growing goslings to dietary methionine from 28 to 70 days of age.

1. A dose-response experiment with 5 dietary methionine concentrations (23, 33, 43, 53 and 63 g/kg) was conducted with goslings to estimate the growth performance and carcase quality response of growing goslings to dietary methionine from 28 to 70 d of age. 2. A total of 150, 28-d-old birds were randomly distributed to 15 pens with 10 birds per pen according to similar pen weight. There were 5 dietary treatments, each containing three replicate pens. Weight gain, feed intake and feed/gain of goslings from each pen were measured at 2-week intervals from 28 to 70 d of age. At 70 d of age, 4 goslings were selected randomly from each pen and slaughtered to evaluate carcase quality. 3. Significant effects of dietary methionine on daily weight gain (28-56 d) and daily feed intake were determined. Daily weight gain from 28 to 42 d and 28 to 56 d, daily feed intake and gain/feed showed significant quadratic response to increasing dietary methionine, while abdominal fat proportion showed a significant linear response. 4. When dietary CP concentration was 1582 g/kg, the optimal methionine concentrations for growing goslings from 28 to 42 d and 28 to 56 d of age for maximum daily weight gain were 407 and 4.14 g/kg, respectively.

Two new triterpenoids from Picria fel-terrae.

Two new triterpenoids, picfeltarraegenin VII (1) and picfeltarraenin X (2), have been isolated from Picria fel-terrae Lour., along with three known ones, picfeltarraegenin VI (3), picfeltarraenins VI (4) and VII (5). Their structures have been elucidated by means of spectroscopic methods.

A new cucurbitacin from Picria fel-terrae.

A new cucurbitacin, picfeltarraenone II (1) as well as four known cucurbitacins, picfeltarraegenin I (2), picfeltarraenin IA (3), picfeltarraenin IB (4), and picfeltarraenin IV (5), have been isolated and characterized from the whole plant of Picria fel-terrae. The purity of picfeltarraenin IA has been determined by TLC and HPLC.