The current study aimed to assess the effects of the addition of dietary fermented feed (FF) on the growth performance, blood parameters, intestinal morphology, and number of cecal microorganisms of Sichuan white geese from 1 to 28 d of age. A total of 240, 1-day-old female geese were randomly divided into five groups with six replicates (eight birds per replicate). Geese in the control group were fed the basal diet (0.0% FF) and the experimental groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, and 10.0% FF, respectively. The 5.0% FF and 7.5% FF groups had greater body weights (BW), average daily feed intakes (ADFI), and average daily gains (ADG) than the control group. The feed/gain ratio (F/G) in the 7.5% FF group was higher than the control group. The concentrations of immunoglobulin A (IGA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the 5.0% FF group were higher than those in the control group, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the 5.0% FF group was lower. Moreover, the FF did not affect the plasma biochemical indicators, number of cecal microorganisms, and intestinal morphology of geese in the groups. These findings indicate that 5.0% FF may improve the growth performance (BW, ADG, and ADFI), immunological function, and antioxidant capacity of Sichuan white geese from 1 to 28 days of age.

ABSTRACT In this study, immunohistochemistry and real-time fluorescent-based quantitative PCR were used to evaluate the expression of heat shock protein (HSP) 60, HSP70, and HSP90 in the small intestine of Wenchang chicks. Compared with the control group (CK), the positive expression of HSP60 and HSP60 mRNA in the heat stress group (HS) were initially higher and subsequently lower in the duodenum (p<0.01). In the HS jejunum, the levels of HSP60 were higher (p<0.01) and the HSP60 mRNA was lower (p<0.05). Whereas the levels of HSP60 in the HS ileum were higher (p<0.05) and then lower (p<0.01), and the HSP60 mRNA was higher (p<0.01). The levels of HSP70 were higher (p<0.01) and the HSP70 mRNA was lower in the duodenum (p<0.05), while the expression of both HSP70 and HSP70 mRNA was higher in the jejunum (p<0.01) and the ileum (p<0.05) of the HS. In the HS duodenum the levels of HSP90 were lower and then higher (p<0.01), and the HSP90 mRNA was higher (p<0.01). The expression of both HSP90 and HSP90 mRNA was higher in the HS jejunum (p<0.05). The levels of HSP90 were lower while the HSP90 mRNA was higher in the HS ileum (p<0.01). These results indicate that heat stress disturbed the expression of HSP60, HSP70, and HSP90 in the small intestine of chicks.

ABSTRACT The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is a key neuroen-docrine regulation system involved in the growth and reproduction of poultry. High-temperature conditions lead to the physiological dysfunction of target organs of the HPG axis of poultry, ultimately affecting the animals’ growth and development. In this study, we evaluated the effect of heat stress (HS) on the development of cells secreting major reproductive hormones of the HPG axis (i.e., hypothalamus, pituitary gland, ovary, and testis) of Wenchang chicks. Seventy-two one-day-old healthy Wenchang chicks were randomly divided into control (CK) and HS groups. The HS group was placed in a 40 ± 0.5°C artificial climate chamber for heat-stress treatment from 13:00 to 15:00 daily for six consecutive weeks. As development progressed, compared with the CK group, the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in the hypothalamus and testosterone (T) levers in the testes of male chicks in the HS group were significantly decreased at three weeks of age (p<0.05). However, GnRH levels in the hypothalamus and estradiol (E2) levels in the ovaries of female chicks in the HS group were variable and significantly lower than those of the CK group at four and five weeks of age (p<0.05). In addition, the LH and FSH levels in the pituitary gland were significantly lower than those in the CK group at two and four weeks of age and at four and six weeks of age, respectively (p<0.05). In brief, HS caused dysfunction of the corresponding target organs of the HPG axis in Wenchang chicks, and this affected the normal growth and development of the cells’ HPG axis.

ABSTRACT Background: Many causes can lead to shoulder pain and subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) is the most frequently recorded disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effects of diminutive incision acromioplasty assisted with arthroscopy for the treatment of Chinese patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. Subject and Methods: Twenty-two patients with 24-painful shoulders subacromial impingement syndrome were enrolled. All painful shoulders were in Grades II (8) and III (16) according to Neer's classification. Detailed physical examination was performed. Conventional radiography and subsequent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the shoulder region of all patients were done. The University of California at Los Angeles Shoulder (UCLA) score system was used for all patients to evaluate their satisfaction after surgery. The preoperative recordings of the UCLA scores were collected and all enrolled cases including 24-painful shoulders were available for follow-up in 1, 3, 6, 12 months after surgery. Results: According to the UCLA scoring system, the symptom of all painful shoulders were improved after one year postoperatively. The average score before surgery from 15.4 points increased to 31.2 points postoperatively, showing a statistical difference (p < 0.05). Conclusions: A diminutive incision acromioplasty assisted with arthroscopy is a reliable approach to treat Chinese patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. All painful shoulders were obviously improved in one year after surgery.

ABSTRACT Antecedentes: Muchas causas pueden provocar dolor de hombro y síndrome de compresión subacromial (SIS) es el trastorno más frecuentemente registrado. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la clínica. Efectos de la acromioplastia con incisión diminuta asistida con artroscopia para el tratamiento de Pacientes chinos con síndrome de pinzamiento subacromial. Sujeto y métodos: Se incluyeron veintidós pacientes con síndrome de afectación subacromial de 24-hombros dolorosos. Todos los hombros dolorosos estaban en Grados II (8) y III (16) de acuerdo con la clasificación de Neer. Se realizó examen físico detallado. Se realizaron radiografías convencionales y, posteriormente, imágenes de resonancia magnética (IRM) de la región del hombro de todos los pacientes. El sistema de puntuación de la Universidad de California en Los Angeles Shoulder (UCLA) se utilizó para que todos los pacientes evaluaran su satisfacción después de la cirugía. Los registros preoperatorios de las puntuaciones de UCLA se recopilaron y todos los casos incluidos, incluidos 24-hombros dolorosos, estaban disponibles para el seguimiento en 1, 3, 6 y 12 meses después de la cirugía. Resultados: De acuerdo con el sistema de puntuación de UCLA, el síntoma de todos los hombros dolorosos mejoró después de un año después de la operación. La puntuación promedio antes de la cirugía de 15.4 puntos aumentó a 31.2 puntos después de la operación, mostrando una diferencia estadística (p < 0.05) Conclusiones: Una acromioplastia de incisión diminuta asistida con artroscopia es un enfoque confiable para tratar a pacientes chinos con síndrome de pinzamiento subacromial. Todas las lesiones dolorosas se mejoraron obviamente en un año después de la cirugía.

ABSTRACT This study conducted an in-depth investigation on the development of GABAergic neurons and their receptors in HPG axis-related target organs of Wenchang chicks under heat stress. One-day-old healthy Wenchang chicks were randomly divided into control (CK) and heat stress (HS) groups. Chicks in the HS group were placed in a 40±0.5°C climatic chamber for HS treatment from 13:00 to 15:00 daily. By immunohistochemistry and Western blotting, GABA and GABAA receptor (GABAAR) expression in the hypothalamus of the HS group was significantly higher (p<0.05), but GABAB receptor (GABABR) expression was significantly lower than that of the CK group (p<0.05). Expression of GABA and its two receptors in the pituitary tissues of the HS group was significantly lower than in the CK group (p<0.05). Expression of GABA and GABABR in ovaries in the HS group was significantly higher, but expression of GABAAR in the testes of the HS group was lower than that of the CK group (p<0.05). In the male chicks, expression of GABA and its two receptors in the hypothalamus, pituitary, and testicular tissues of the HS group was significantly higher than that of the CK group (p<0.05). Western blotting showed that the GABAAR and GABABR expression of the HS group was significantly higher than that of the CK group at 3 and 5 weeks of age. Thus, HS caused GABAergic nervous system disorder in the HPG axis of Wenchang chicks and seriously hindered the normal development of GABAergic neurons in chicks, leading to the disorder of the expression of GABA and its receptors in tissues.

To reduce production costs and increase efficiency in ageing coal mines, a system that utilizes two shearers in a fully mechanized longwall working face is proposed. Using theoretical and engineering experience, three issues pertaining to the system were determined: (a) the two-shearer mining technique; (b) matching and modifying the equipment; (c) and coal-cutting task allocation for each shearer. Two mining processes are proposed, with the two shearers travelling in either the same or opposing directions. To avoid breakage of chains and pan extrusion of the armoured face conveyor (AFC), the length of the AFC 'snake' was controlled. To ensure continuous cutting and transporting of coal, the cross-sectional dimensions of the AFC were checked and the shearer closer to the head drive was modified. Based on the assumption of equal cutting times for each shearer, the meeting position of the two shearers was obtained by using a theoretical model of mining task allocation. Application of this technique at No. 2 Jining Mine, China, has shown remarkable benefits: daily production capacity was increased by 54% and personnel efficiency was improved by 33 t/d per person.

ABSTRACT Under routine feeding conditions, 1-day-old male chicks were randomly divided into control group (CK), heat-stress group (HS), and GABA + heat stress group (GABA+HS). The thymus contents of IL-1, IL-2, TGF-β1, IFN-γ, GH and HSP70 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The results showed that: (1) IL-1 and TGF-β1 contents of HS group were significantly lower than those of the CK group (p<0.05), and those of the GABA+HS group were significantly higher relative to the HS group (p<0.05); (2) IL-2 and IFN-γ contents of the HS group were significantly higher than those of the CK group (p<0.05), and those of the GABA+HS group were significantly lower relative to the HS group (p<0.05);(3) the thymus GH content of all three groups first increased and then decreased. The expression levels GH of the HS and GABA+HS groups were significantly lower than CK group (p<0.05); and (4) HSP70 expression levels in the thymus were significantly higher in the HS and GABA+HS groups relative to the CK group (p<0.05). These results indicate that heat stress affected thymus development, immune functions, and overall growth of chickens. Furthermore, it was shown that feeding GABA may significantly improve the immune responses of heat-stressed chickens by increasing the expression levels of IL-1 and TGF-β1, and effectively alleviate the negative effects of heat stress on thymus development by changing HSP70 expression and GH secretion.

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and analyse its risk factors using the International Association of Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Groups’ diagnostic criteria. Method: Pregnant women (n = 650) were selected for our study. The related risk factors of GDM were collected using a questionnaire. The 75 g oral glucose tolerance test was done from the 24th to the 28th week of their gestation. Their blood glucose levels were measured. Results: The GDM prevalence was 32.8%. Age, pre-pregnancy weight, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain, weight at birth and triglycerides in the GDM group were significantly higher than that of the normal glucose tolerance group (p < 0.05). The correlation analyses revealed that: age, pre-pregnancy weight, weight gain during pregnancy, the weights of the pregnant women at delivery, family history of diabetes, birth times, previous history of adverse pregnancy and hypertriglyceridaemia, were significantly correlated with the development of GDM (p < 0.05). Stratified analyses showed that the prevalence of GDM increased gradually with age and increased pre-pregnancy BMI. The pregnant women with a history of multiple pregnancies and previous adverse pregnancy had a significantly increased risk of developing GDM. Multiple stepwise regression analyses data indicated that prepregnancy weight, weight gain during pregnancy, family history of diabetes, previous adverse pregnancy, and hypertriglyceridaemia were the independent risk factors that contributed to the development of GDM in the pregnant women. Conclusion: The use of newly defined criteria has increased the apparent prevalence rate of GDM in the pregnant women we studied. Intervention treatment should be administered if the risk factors for GDM are established in order to reduce the incidence of GDM in pregnant women.

RESUMEN Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la prevalencia de la diabetes mellitus gestacional (DMG) y analizar sus factores de riesgo usando los criterios de diagnóstico de la Asociación Internacional de Grupos de Estudio de Diabetes y Embarazo. Método: Seis cientos cincuenta mujeres embarazadas (n = 650) fueron seleccionadas para nuestro estudio. Los factores de riesgo relacionados de la DMG se recogieron utilizando un cuestionario. La prueba de tolerancia de glucosa oral de 75 g se realizó de la semana 24 a la semana 28 de la gestación. Se midieron los niveles de glucosa en sangre. Resultados: La prevalencia de DMG fue del 32.8%. La edad, índice de masa corporal antes del embarazo (IMC), peso antes del embarazo, aumento de peso gestacional, peso al nacer y los triglicéridos en el grupo de DMG fueron significativamente mayores que en el grupo de tolerancia normal a la glucosa (p < 0.05). Los análisis de correlación revelaron que la edad, el peso antes del embarazo, el aumento de peso durante el embarazo, el peso de las mujeres embarazadas en el parto, los antecedentes familiares de diabetes, los tiempos de nacimiento, los antecedentes de embarazo adverso, y la hipertrigliceri-demia, se correlacionaban significativamente con el desarrollo de la DMG (p < 0.05). Los análisis estratificados mostraron que la prevalencia de DMG aumenta gradualmente con la edad y el mayor IMC antes del embarazo. Las mujeres embarazadas con antecedentes de embarazos múltiples y embarazos anteriores adversos tenían un riesgo significativamente mayor de desarrollar DMG. Nuestros datos del análisis de regresión múltiple paso a paso indicaron que el peso antes del embarazo, el aumento de peso durante el embarazo, los antecedentes familiares de diabetes, los embarazos adversos anteriores, y la hipertrigliceridemia eran factores de riesgo independientes que contribuían al desarrollo de la DMG en las mujeres embarazadas. Conclusión: El uso de los criterios definidos recientemente aumentó la prevalencia aparente de DMG en las mujeres embarazadas que estudiamos. Si se determina que existen factores de riesgo de DMG, debe administrarse un tratamiento de intervención con el fin de reducir la incidencia de DMG en las mujeres embarazadas.

A 55-year-old male presented with fever, stupor, aphasia, and left hemiparesis. A history of head trauma 3 months before was also reported. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging revealed slight contrast enhancement of lesions under the right frontal skull plate and right frontal lobe. Because of deterioration in nutritional status and intracranial hypertension, the patient was prepared for burr hole surgery. A subdural empyema (SDE) recurred after simple drainage. After detection of Brucella species in SDE, craniotomy combined with antibiotic treatment was undertaken. The patient received antibiotic therapy for 6 months (two doses of 2 g ceftriaxone, two doses of 100 mg doxycycline, and 700 mg rifapentine for 6 months) that resulted in complete cure of the infection. Thus, it was speculated that the preexisting subdural hematoma was formed after head trauma, which was followed by a hematogenous infection caused by Brucella species.

ABSTRACT We investigated the effect of heat stress (HS) on the expression of the GABA receptor in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis of Wenchang chickens. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to quantify the GABA receptor mRNA levels along the HPG axis of chickens under HS (40±0.5 °C) for 1-6 weeks. Our results showed that the expression of GABAA and GABAB receptor at the mRNAs levels in the tissues of HPG axis exhibited fluctuation and variability. After HS, the mRNA level of GABAA receptor was significantly reduced in the hypothalamus of 1-week-old and in the pituitary of 3-week-old chickens, but significantly increased in the pituitary of 1-, 4-, and 5-week-old chickens. The GABAB receptor mRNA level significantly declined in the hypothalamus of 1-week-old and in the pituitary of 3-week-old chickens, but was significantly upregulated in the pituitary and testis of 1- and 2-week-old chickens. At other time points, the expressions of GABAA receptor and GABAB receptor showed no significant differences compared with control group. These results indicated that the levels of GABAA receptor and GABAB receptor mRNAs varied in different tissues of the HPG axis in chickens of different ages, displaying temporal and spatial variations. GABA receptor behaved as a positively-regulated gene by HS, i.e., its mRNA was increased by HS; similarly, it was a negatively-regulated gene by HS, when its expression was reduced by HS.

ABSTRACT One-day old chicks were randomly distributed into acute heat stress (AHS) or persistent heat stress (PHS) groups. Each group was further divided into control (CK), and three AHS ages (1, 2,or 3 weeks of age) experimental subgroups. The chicks in AHS subgroups were submitted to acute heat stress (40oC for two hours between 12:00 and 14:00 hours during the weekend) and the effects of heat stress on several daily behaviors were observed. At 8 days of age, the chicks of PHS subgroups were submitted to heat stress (40oC daily). The heat treatment ceased during the weekends and the effects on the behavior were observed three times daily for three consecutive days. The results showed that, compared with the CK group, the duration and frequency of drinking and lying-down behaviors of the AHS birds increased, whereas the duration of feeding and standing significantly decreased (p<0.01). The time spent walking by PHS birds was significantly longer than that of the CK groups (p<0.01), and drinking was also significantly longer than that of the CK group and was significantly different when birds were three weeks old (p=0.05). When heat stress lasted for two and three weeks in PHS group, the duration of lying down was longer compared with the CK group; however, this behavior was significantly shorter than the CK group when birds were three weeks old (p<0.05). These results indicate that heat stress significantly affects the daily behavior of broilers, including feeding, drinking, lying, standing, and walking.

ABSTRACT DNA polymerase eta (Pol η) is one of several Y family translesion synthesis (TLS) polymerases in humans and plays an important role in maintaining genome stability after ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, as it carries out error-free TLS at sites of UV-induced lesions. We performed site-directed mutagenesis of human polymerase η gene (Y52E), confirmed by sequencing, then cloned wild-type mutant and POLH genes into the eukaryotic vector pEGFP-N1. After transfecting wild-type and mutant plasmids into HaCaT keratinocytes, we tested for UV-induced cis-syn cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPDs) DNA lesions, and analysed cellular viability by MTT cell proliferation assay. The results showed that CPD levels decreased with empty vector control (EVC), wild-type POLH and Y52E-POLH over 48 hours post-UV irradiation with 0.1 mW/cm2 UVB for 15 minutes (p = 0.025). The rate in CPD reduction of mutant POLH was less than in wild-type POLH. Cell viabilities of all three groups increased over 48 hours after UV irradiation, with the increased rate in the wild-type being higher than for mutant protein (p = 0.046). We conclude that Y52E POLH has reduced capacity to bypass UV-induced DNA lesions in HaCaT cells.

RESUMEN La ADN polimerasa eta (Pol η) es una de las varias polimerasas de la familia Y en los seres humanos, que hace posible la síntesis de translesión (TLS), y desempeña un papel en el mantenimiento de la estabilidad del genoma luego de una radiación UV, ya que lleva a cabo TLS libre de errores en los sitios de las lesiones inducidas por rayos UV. Realizamos mutagénesis de sitio dirigido, del gen η (Y52E) de la polimerasa humana, confirmada por secuenciación, y entonces clonamos genes POHL y genes mutantes de tipo salvaje, transformándolos en un vector eucariótico pEGFP-N1. Después de transfectar los plásmidos de tipo salvaje y mutantes en queratinocitos HaCaT, realizamos pruebas buscando las lesiones dímero de pirimidina cis-syn ciclobutano (CPD) del ADN, inducidas por UV, y analizamos la viabilidad celular mediante ensayo de proliferación de células MTT. Los resultados mostraron que los niveles de CPD disminuían con el control de vector vacío (EVC), el gen POHL de tipo salvaje, y el POHL Y52E, en 48 horas de post irradiación de UV con 0.1 mW/cm2 UVB durante 15 min (p = 0. 025). La tasa de reducción del CPD del mutante POHL fue menor que en el POHL de tipo salvaje. Las viabilidades celulares de los tres grupos aumentaron a las 48 horas después de la irradiación con UV, con un incremento de la tasa del tipo salvaje con respecto de la proteína mutante (p = 0.046). Concluimos que el POHL Y52E ha reducido la capacidad para reparar por bypass replicativo las lesiones del ADN inducidas por la luz ultravioleta en células HaCaT.

The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of different land uses on soil glycosidase activities (a- and (β-glucosidase, α- and (β-galactosidase), water soluble organic carbon (WSOC) and their relationships. Glycosidase activities showed significant differences under different land use types, the highest one was woodland. (β-glucosidase had the highest activity among the four glycosidases. The activities of these glycosidases decreased with increasing soil depth, being all significantly affected by change of soil depth. Except grassland, the four glycosidase activities intercorrelated each other. Woodland had the highest content of WSOC in the soil depth of 0-20 cm and at increasing soil depth, WSOC content decreased sharply under woodland and grassland. Glycosidase activities had positive and significant relationships with WSOC. Glycosidase activities and WSOC all had significant correlations with soil total organic carbon (TOC) and pH, which were sensitive to different land use types. We found that glycosidase activity indirectly impacts on nutrient recycling and energy flow in soil under different land use types.