ABSTRACT Purpose: Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MIRI) leads to myocardial tissue necrosis, which will increase the size of myocardial infarction. The study examined the protective effect and mechanism of the Guanxin Danshen formula (GXDSF) on MIRI in rats. Methods: MIRI model was performed in rats; rat H9C2 cardiomyocytes were hypoxia-reoxygenated to establish a cell injury model. Results: The GXDSF significantly reduced myocardial ischemia area, reduced myocardial structural injury, decreased the levels of interleukin (IL-1β, IL-6) in serum, decreased the activity of myocardial enzymes, increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione in rats with MIRI. The GXDSF can reduce the expression of nucleotide- binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain containing nod-like receptor family protein 3 (NLRP3), IL-1β, caspase-1, and gasdermin D (GSDMD) in myocardial tissue cells. Salvianolic acid B and notoginsenoside R1 protected H9C2 cardiomyocytes from hypoxia and reoxygenation injury and reduced the levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and IL-6 in the cell supernatant, decreasing the NLRP3, IL-18, IL-1β, caspase-1, and GSDMD expression in H9C2 cardiomyocytes. GXDSF can reduce the myocardial infarction area and alleviate the damage to myocardial structure in rats with MIRI, which may be related to the regulation of the NLRP3. Conclusions: GXDSF reduces MIRI in rat myocardial infarction injury, improves structural damage in myocardial ischemia injury, and reduces myocardial tissue inflammation and oxidative stress by lowering inflammatory factors and controlling focal cell death signaling pathways.

SUMMARY: The Wnt pathway is essential for the initiation of lizard tail regeneration. The regenerated lizard tails exhibit obvious morphological differences compared to the original ones. The expression of Wnt1 and Wnt2b proteins in the regenerating tail of Scincella tsinlingensis was detected by immunohistochemistry and then comparatively analyzed for ultrastructural changes in the original and regenerated spinal cord. The ependymal layer of the original spinal cord was pseudostratified with multiciliated cells and primary monociliated cells, while the cells of the ependymal layer of the regenerated spinal cord were organized in a monolayer with a few biciliated cells. Immunolocalization indicated that Wnt1 and Wnt2b were mainly distributed in the dermis near the original tail stump, spinal cord, and clot-positive migratory cells during Stage I, 0-1 days post-amputation (dpa). Wnt1 and Wnt2b were predominantly detected in the epaxial and hypaxial musculature near the original tail stump, wound epithelium, and spinal cord in the original tail during Stage II, 1-7 dpa. Mesenchymal cells and wound epithelium showed immunostaining during Stage III and IV, 7-15 dpa. The ependymal tubes contained these signaling proteins during Stage V and VI, 20- 30 dpa. Labeling was mainly observed in nearby regenerative blood vessels, ependymal cells, epaxial and hypaxial musculature in the apical epithelial layer (AEC) after 45-160 dpa. These findings indicated that Wnt1 and Wnt2b proteins presented primarily in regenerating epidermis and nerve tissues were a critical signal for tail regeneration in S. tsinlingensis.

RESUMEN: La vía Wnt es esencial para el inicio de la regeneración de la cola del lagarto. Las colas de lagarto regeneradas exhiben diferencias morfológicas obvias en comparación con las originales. La expresión de las proteínas Wnt1 y Wnt2b en la cola en regeneración de Scincella tsinlingensis se detectó mediante inmunohistoquímica y luego se analizaron comparativamente los cambios ultraestructurales en la médula espinal original y regenerada. La capa ependimaria de la médula espinal original se pseudoestratificó con células multiciliadas y células monociliadas primarias, mientras que las células de la capa ependimaria de la médula espinal regenerada se organizaron en monocapa con algunas células bicilicadas. La inmunolocalización indicó que Wnt1 y Wnt2b se distribuyeron principalmente en la dermis cerca del muñón de la cola original, la médula espinal y las células migratorias positivas en el coágulo durante la Etapa I, 0-1 días después de la amputación (dpa). Wnt1 y Wnt2b se detectaron predominantemente en la musculatura epaxial e hipaxial cerca del muñón de la cola original, el epitelio de la herida y la médula espinal en la cola original durante la Etapa II, 1-7 dpa. Las células mesenquimales y el epitelio de la herida mostraron inmunomarcaje durante la Etapa III y IV, 7- 15 dpa. Los tubos ependimarios contenían estas proteínas de señalización durante la Etapa V y VI, 20-30 dpa. El marcaje se observó principalmente en vasos sanguíneos regenerativos cercanos, células ependimarias, musculatura epaxial e hipaxial en la capa epitelial apical (AEC) después de 45-160 dpa. Estos hallazgos indicaron que las proteínas Wnt1 y Wnt2b están presentes principalmente en la epidermis en regeneración y en los tejidos nerviosos y eran una señal crítica para la regeneración de la cola en S. tsinlingensis.

RESUMO Introdução: Lesões no esporte geralmente ocorrem durante o ensino e treinamento esportivo, o que diretamente afeta o desempenho da função do corpo humano e o desenvolvimento do desempenho no esporte. Objetivo: Estudar a viabilidade de melhorar o biorritmo em lesões por treino esportivo. Métodos: 120 jovens atletas que praticam atletismo em escolas de atletismo tradicionais na província de Liaoning são os objetos desta pesquisa. Os dados efetivos da hora e dos tipos de lesões por esporte, além da data de nascimento, mês e data dos atletas lesionados durante o treino entre 2005 e 2006 foram coletados. Resultados: Os resultados mostram que, na relação entre o ritmo três do corpo humano e a lesão do atleta no esporte, a probabilidade da lesão no salto triplo é menor; quanto ao ritmo biológico em um ou mais de um período ou período crítico, a probabilidade de dano é de 95%, o que demonstra que a maioria das lesões de atletas no esporte ocorre numa etapa de período baixo e crítico. Conclusões: O manejo do treinamento esportivo deve se adaptar ao ritmo biológico original do corpo humano e o plano de treinamento de ciclo mensal correspondente deve ser feito de acordo com mudanças que ocorrem nos ciclos físicos dos atletas para evitar lesões durante o treino. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos – investigação de resultados de tratamento.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Sports injury often occurs in sports teaching and training, which directly affects the performance of the human body function and the improvement of sports performance. Objective: To study the feasibility of improving the biorhythm in sports training injury. Methods: 120 young athletes who are engaged in track and field training in traditional track and field sports schools in Liaoning Province are taken as the research objects. The effective data of the time and types of sports injuries, and the birth date, month and date of the injured athletes during training from 2005 to 2006 were collected. Results: Results show that in the relationship between human body three rhythm and the athlete's sports injury, the probability of sports injury in triple height is smaller; regarding the biological rhythm in one or more than one period or critical period, the damage probability is 95%, showing that most athletes sports injuries occur at a low and critical period stage. Conclusions: The arrangement of sports training must be adapted to the original biological rhythm of the human body, and the corresponding monthly cycle training plan should be made according to changes that occur in athletes’ physical cycles to avoid injury during training. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.

RESUMEN Introducción: Lesiones en el deporte generalmente ocurren durante la enseñanza y entrenamiento deportivo, algo que directamente afecta el rendimiento de la función del cuerpo humano y el desarrollo del rendimiento en el deporte. Objetivo: Estudiar la viabilidad de mejorar el biorritmo en lesiones por entrenamiento deportivo. Métodos: Os objetos de esta investigación son 120 jóvenes atletas que practican atletismo en escuelas de atletismo tradicionales en la provincia de Liaoning. Se recogieron los datos efectivos de la hora y los tipos de lesiones por deporte, además de la fecha de nacimiento, mes y fecha de los atletas lesionados durante el entrenamiento entre 2005 y 2006. Resultados: Los resultados muestran que, en la relación entre el ritmo tres del cuerpo humano y la lesión del atleta en el deporte, la probabilidad de lesión en el salto triple es menor. Cuanto al ritmo biológico en uno o más de un periodo o periodo crítico, la probabilidad de daño es de 95%, lo que demuestra que la mayoría de las lesiones de atletas en el deporte ocurre en una etapa de periodo bajo y crítico. Conclusión: El manejo del entrenamiento deportivo debe adaptarse al ritmo biológico original del cuerpo humano y el plan de entrenamiento de ciclo mensual correspondiente debe hacerse de acuerdo a los cambios que ocurren en los ciclos físicos de los atletas para evitar lesiones durante el entrenamiento. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos – investigación de resultados de tratamiento.

SUMMARY: The microstructure of inner ear in Scincella tsinlingensis was observed by light microscopy and the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in membranous labyrinth among the juvenile age group, subadult age group and adult age group were also detected by methods of immunohistochemistry. The inner ear in S. tsinlingensis resembled those in other Scincid lizards in their anatomy and histology. Large and elongate cochlear duct was slightly bowed or arched laterally. There was no hint of limbic modifications and the limbic lip was absent in cochlear recess. The basilar papilla elongated anteroventrally possessed specialized tectorial sallets. GFAP staining was significantly distributed in supporting cells of the sensory epithelia of cochlear duct, while the utricular macula and canal ampullae showed immunopositive for the GFAP antibody, with weaker staining in the saccular macula. The membranous inner ear of three different age groups revealed the similar pattern of GFAP expression, which suggested that the distribution of supporting cells were independent of age in S. tsinlingensis.

RESUMEN: La microestructura del oído interno en Scincella tsinlingensis fue analizada mediante microscopía óptica y por otra parte, fue cuantificada la expresión de la proteína ácida fibrilar glial (GFAP) en el laberinto membranoso, entre los grupos de edad juvenil, subadulto y adulto, utilizándose métodos inmunohistoquímicos. El oído interno de S. tsinlingensis se asemejaba al de otros lagartos Scincid tanto en su anatomía como en su histología. El conducto coclear mayor estaba ligeramente arqueado o arqueado lateralmente. No había indicios de modificaciones límbicas y no se evidenció el labio en el receso coclear. La papila basilar alargada anteroventralmente poseía sallets tectoriales especializados. La tinción de GFAP se distribuyó significativamente en las células del epitelio sensorial del conducto coclear, mientras que la mácula utricular y la ampolla del canal mostraron inmunopositividad para el anticuerpo GFAP, con una tinción más débil en la mácula sacular. El oído interno membranoso de los tres grupos de edad diferentes reveló un patrón similar de expresión de GFAP, lo que sugiere que la distribución de las células de soporte son independiente de la edad en S. tsinlingensis.

RESUMO OBJETIVOS A HOXB2 é um novo indicador prognóstico para o câncer de pulmão. Mas não está claro se a HOXB2 tem algum efeito na progressão do glioblastoma (GBM). O objetivo deste artigo foi sondar as influências da HOXB2 na patogênese do GBM. MÉTODOS Foram analisados o nível de expressão e o poder prognóstico da HOXB2 em pacientes com GBM. Em seguida, os níveis de expressão proteica e mRNA da HOXB2 em linhagens de células de GBM foram testados por qRT-PCR e western blotting. A proliferação, a invasão e migração celular foram determinadas por CCK8 e ensaios transwell, várias vezes. Os níveis proteicos das proteínas associadas à via PI3K/AKT foram analisados pelo método western blotting. RESULTADOS Os resultados indicaram que havia uma clara superrexpressão da HOXB2 em pacientes com GBM e que a alta expressão da HOXB2 estava relacionada a um prognóstico negativo. Além disso, a expressão da HOXB2 foi mais elevada em todas as linhagens de células do GBM U251, U-87MG, GOS-3 do que nas células HEB (controle normal). Entretanto, a diminuição da expressão de P-PI3K e p-AKT foi identificada após a redução da expressão da HOXB2. CONCLUSÕES Esses dados demonstram que a HOXB2 desempenha um papel vital na progressão do GBM, podendo ser um alvo promissor para o tratamento do GBM.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES HOXB2 is a new prognostic indicator for lung cancer. But it is unclear whether HOXB2 holds an effect in glioblastoma (GBM) progression. The purpose of this article was to probe the influences of HOXB2 on GBM pathogenesis. METHODS HOXB2 expression level and prognostic power in GBM patients were analyzed. Then the mRNA and protein expression levels of HOXB2 in GBM cell lines were tested by qRT-PCR and western blotting. Cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were determined by CCK8 and transwell assay, severally. The protein levels of PI3K/AKT-pathway associated proteins were analyzed by western blotting. RESULTS The results indicated that HOXB2 was distinctly overexpressed in GBM patients and high expression of HOXB2 was related to a poor prognosis. Moreover, the expression of HOXB2 was higher in all GBM cell lines U251, U-87MG, GOS-3 than that in HEB cells (normal control). Meanwhile, decreased expression of p-PI3K and p-AKT were identified after HOXB2 knockdown. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrated that HOXB2 had a vital role in GBM progression and could serve as a promising target for GBM treatment.

This study aimed to explore changes in nanoscale elastic modulus of the synovium using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in addition to investigate changes in synovial histomorphology and secretory function in osteoarthritis (OA) in a rat anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) model. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to sham control and ACLT OA groups. All right knee joints were harvested at 4, 8, or 12 weeks (W) after surgery for histological assessment of cartilage damage and synovitis in both the anterior and posterior capsules. AFM imaging and nanoscale biomechanical testing were conducted to measure the elastic modulus of the synovial collagen fibrils. Immunohistochemistry was used to visualize the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in the synovium. The OA groups exhibited progressive development of disease in the cartilage and synovium. Histopathological scores of the synovium in the OA groups increased gradually. Significant differences were observed between all OA groups except for the posterior 4W group. The synovial fibril arrangement in all OA groups was significantly disordered. The synovial fibrils in all ACLT OA groups at each time point were stiffer than those in the sham controls. OA rats displayed a significantly higher expression of IL-1β and MMP3 in the anterior capsule. In summary, synovial stiffening was closely associated with joint degeneration and might be a factor contributing to synovitis and increased production of proinflammatory mediators. Our data provided insights into the role of synovitis, particularly stiffening of the synovium, in OA pathogenesis.

Abstract Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of death worldwide, and angiogenesis plays important roles in CHD. Thus, in the present study, the angiogenic efficacy of four common cardiovascular medicines (aspirin, pravastatin, metoprolol and isosorbide mononitrate (ISMN)) was determined by the number and length of zebrafish intersegmental vessels (ISVs) after immersing zebrafish embryos in different medicines. Results showed that ISMN significantly increased the length and number of ISVs. ISMN is a long-acting nitrate ester drug. It has been used as a vasodilator to dilate arteries and veins to reduce the cardiac preload and postload. However, the effect of ISMN on angiogenesis remains unclear. Thus, by in vitro experiments, the angiogenic mechanism of ISMN was evaluated through detecting the viability and proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the expression of angiogenesis-related genes and miRNAs. Results indicated that ISMN could increase the viability and proliferation of HUVECs by decreasing apoptosis, and elevated the expressions of vedf, kdrl, pdgfr in zebrafish embryos. Furthermore, the expressions of miR-126, miR-130a and miR-210 were also regulated in ISMN-treated HUVECs. In conclusion, ISMN could promote angiogenesis in zebrafish embryos and HUVECs, implying ISMN may be a potential therapeutic in treating angiogenesis-related diseases.

ABSTRACT This study was designed to explore the pharmacokinetic regularity of the plasma concentration, tissue distribution and excretion of orcinol glucoside from aqueous extracts of raw and processed Curculigo orchioides Gaertn., Hypoxidaceae. The experiment first used an ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry approach with multiple reaction monitoring and a positive mode to separate orcinol glucoside from naringin to obtain the plasma concentration curves, bar graph of tissue distribution and excretion curves. These results might be beneficial for reasonable clinical application of C. orchioides and for further development of its wine and salt-processing mechanism.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo é investigar a expressão de Id-1 em tecidos de adenocarcinoma colorretal em humanos e investigar sua correlação com os parâmetros patológicos clínicos de câncer colorretal. MÉTODOS: Os níveis de expressão de proteína e mRNA Id-1 em 50 amostras de tecido colorretal normal e 50 amostras de tecido de adenocarcinoma colorretal foram detectados através de reação em cadeia de polimerase precedida de transcrição reversa e western blot. Além disso, a proteína Id-1 foi detectada através de imuno-histoquímica. A correlação entre a expressão de Id-1 e características clínico-patológicas foi analisada. RESULTADOS: O nível de expressão de mRNA Id-1 em tecidos de adenocarcinoma colorretal e tecidos colorretais normais foi de 0,96 ± 0,03 versus 0,20 ± 0,04, respectivamente; a diferença foi estatisticamente significativa (P= 0,011). Além disso, a expressão da proteína Id-1 foi maior em tecidos de adenocarcinoma colorretal do que em tecidos colorretais normais (0,82 ± 0,04 versus 0,31 ± 0,02, P= 0,020). Além disso, a taxa de expressão positiva de proteínas Id-1 foi maior em tecidos de adenocarcinoma colorretal do que em tecidos colorretais normais (72,00% vs. 24,00%, X2=23,431, p=0,000). A expressão de Id-1 foi correlacionada com a profundidade da invasão tumoral, estágio TNM, metástases linfonodais, invasão vascular e metástase hepática (P<0,01). Todavia, essa expressão não se correlacionou com o tamanho do tumor e graus de diferenciação (P>0,05). CONCLUSÃO: A alta expressão de Id-1 em tecidos de adenocarcinoma colorretal desempenham um importante papel no processo do câncer, e é esperado que se torne um novo indicador de monitoramento de tumores para o diagnóstico clínico, tratamento e estimativa de prognóstico.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the expression of Id-1 in human colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues and explore its correlation with the clinical pathological parameters of colorectal cancer. METHODS: The Id-1 mRNA and protein expression levels of 50 specimens of normal colorectal tissues and 50 specimens of colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues were detected using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot. Furthermore, Id-1 protein was detected using immunohistochemistry. The correlation between the expression of Id-1 and clinicopathologic features was analyzed. RESULTS: The mRNA expression level of Id-1 in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues and normal colorectal tissues was 0.96 ± 0.03 vs. 0.20 ± 0.04, respectively; and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.011). Furthermore, Id-1 protein expression was higher in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues than in normal colorectal tissues (0.82 ± 0.04 vs. 0.31 ± 0.02, P=0.020). In addition, the positive protein expression rate of Id-1 was higher in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues than in normal colorectal tissues (72.00% vs. 24.00%, X2=23.431, P=0.000). The expression of Id-1 was correlated with the depth of tumor invasion, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, vessel invasion, and liver metastasis (P<0.01). However, this expression was not correlated with tumor size and differentiation degrees (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The high Id-1 expression in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues play an important role in the process of cancer, and is expected to become a new tumor monitoring indicator for clinical diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis judgment.

PROPÓSITO: Avaliar de forma sistemática se esteroides orais podem ser utilizados com a mesma eficácia e segurança em comparação com o regime intravenoso para o tratamento de recaídas da esclerose múltipla (MS). MÉTODO: Foram pesquisados Medline, Embase e Cochrane Library e sistematicamente revistos artigos comparando resultados de esteroides orais versus intravenosos para recaídas agudas em pacientes com diagnóstico de esclerose múltipla clinicamente definida. RESULTADOS: Seis artigos com 414 participantes no total foram analisados. Cinco dos estudos incluídos relataram a proporção de doentes com melhoria através de "Expanded Disability Status Scale" depois de receber um ou outro tratamento: metilprednisolona oral ou intravenosa por quatro semanas. Os resultados combinados mostraram que não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa (OR 0,96; 95% 101 0,60, 1,54 ; p = 0,86). Três estudos mostraram os resultados detalhados de eventos adversos, indicando que os dois tratamentos parecem ser igualmente seguros. Dois ensaios revelaram que não havia nenhuma diferença significativa no aumento de atividade de gadolínio via imagens por ressonância magnética. Um estudo mostrou que a área média sob as curvas de concentração-tempo (AUC) às 24 horas e 48 horas não diferiram entre os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas em termos de clínicos (benefícios e eventos adversos) ou nos resultados radiológicos e farmacológicos em pacientes pós-esteroides por via oral ou intravenosa no tratamento de várias recaídas de esclerose. Nossa metanálise fornece evidências de que a terapia com esteroides por via oral não é inferior à terapia com esteroides por via intravenosa. Assim, a administração oral pode ser um substituto favorável para medicação intravenosa de recidivas da esclerose múltipla.

PURPOSE: To systematically evaluate whether oral steroids can be used with the same efficacy and safety in comparison with the intravenous regimen for treatment of multiple sclerosis relapses. METHOD: We searched Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library and systematically reviewed articles comparing outcomes of oral versus intravenous steroids for acute relapses in patients with a clinically definite diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. RESULTS: Six articles with 414 participants in total were analyzed. Five of the included trials reported the proportion of patients experiencing improvement in Expanded Disability Status Scale after receiving either oral or intravenous methylprednisolone treatment at four weeks; the pooled results showed that there was no statistically significant difference (OR 0.96; 95% CI 0.60, 1.54; p=0.86) between treatments. Three trials reported the detailed results of adverse events, indicating the two treatments appear to be equally safe. Two trials revealed that there was no significant difference in gadolinium enhancement activity on magnetic resonance imaging. One trial showed that the mean area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) at 24 and 48 hours did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: No significant differences were found in terms of clinical (benefits and adverse events), radiological and pharmacological outcomes in multiple sclerosis relapses in patients after oral or intravenous steroids treatment. Our meta-analysis provides evidence that oral steroid therapy is not inferior to intravenous steroid therapy. Thus oral administration may be a favorable substitute for intravenous medication of multiple sclerosis relapses.

O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar um novo modelo de relações topológicas fuzzy para objetos espaciais simples em Sistemas de Informações Geográficas (SIG). Aplica-se o conceito de espaço topológico fuzzy a objetos fuzzy simples para resolver as relações topológicas de modo mais eficiente e acurado. Inicialmente é proposta uma nova definição para segmentos de linha fuzzy e para regiões fuzzy com base na topologia computacional. Em seguida propõe-se um novo modelo para calcular as relações topológicas fuzzy entre os objetos espaciais. A análise do novo modelo aponta: (1) relações topológicas de dois objetos "crisp"; (2) relações topológicas entre um objeto "crisp" e um objeto fuzzy; (3) relações topológicas entre dois objetos "crisp". Finalmente, discutem-se alguns exemplos para demonstrar a validade do modelo, por meio de um experimento e comparações entre modelos existentes. É possível demonstrar que o método proposto pode realizar distinções mais precisas e á mais expressivo do que os modelos fuzzy existentes.

The goal of this paper is to present a new model of fuzzy topological relations for simple spatial objects in Geographic Information Sciences (GIS). The concept of computational fuzzy topological space is applied to simple fuzzy objects to efficiently and more accurately solve fuzzy topological relations, extending and improving upon previous research in this area. Firstly, we propose a new definition for simple fuzzy line segments and simple fuzzy regions based on computational fuzzy topology. And then, we also propose a new model to compute fuzzy topological relations between simple spatial objects, an analysis of the new model exposes:(1) the topological relations of two simple crisp objects; (2) the topological relations between one simple crisp object and one simple fuzzy object; (3) the topological relations between two simple fuzzy objects. In the end, we have discussed some examples to demonstrate the validity of the new model, through an experiment and comparisons of existing models, we showed that the proposed method can make finer distinctions, as it is more expressive than the existing fuzzy models.

The effect of dietary carbohydrate (CHO) level on serum physiological response, hepatic antioxidant abilities and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression of Wuchang bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) was studied. Two isonitrogenous (28.56% crude protein) and isolipidic (5.28% crude lipid) diets were formulated to contain 30% or 53% wheat starch. Diets were fed for 90 days to fish in triplicate tanks (28 fish per tank). At the end of feeding trial, significantly higher serum triglyceride level, insulin level, cortisol level, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were observed in fish fed the 53% CHO diet, while significantly lower serum total protein content, alkaline phosphatase activity, superoxide dismutase activity and total antioxidative capacity were found in fish fed the 53% CHO diet compared with those fed the 30% diet. The relative level of hepatic heat shock protein 70 mRNA was significantly higher in the 53% CHO group than that in the 30% CHO at 6, 12 and 48 h after feeding. Ingestion of 53% dietary CHO impacts the nonspecific immune ability and causes metabolic stress in Megalobrama amblycephala.

Lineage 2 West Nile virus (WNV) strains are endemic in South Africa and cause severe neurological disease in horses. An inactivated lineage 1 vaccine, Duvaxyn WNV, protects mice against challenge with a neuroinvasive South African lineage 2 strain of WNV. To evaluate the potential of Duvaxyn WNV to protect horses against lineage 2 strains of WNV, serum neutralising antibody responses of horses against lineage 1 WNV strain NY385/99 and lineage 2 WNV strain SPU93/01, isolated from a human with meningo-encephalitis in South Africa, were compared following vaccination with two doses of Duvaxyn WNV, 28 days apart, and a third dose one year later. Twenty-two seronegative horses were randomly assigned to two treatment groups: 16 to a vaccinated group and six retained as unvaccinated controls. Blood samples were taken from all horses on study days 0, 28, 35, 42, 49, 91, 141, 182, 231, 274, 322, 364 and 413. Primovaccination with Duvaxyn WNV resulted in high titres of serum neutralising antibodies against both strains. Following a single dose of Duvaxyn WNV on day 399, one year after primovaccination, there was a strong anamnestic response with a log(2)5-fold rise in the titres of neutralising antibodies against strains NY385/99 and SPU93/01. These results provide further evidence that Duvaxyn WNV is likely to protect horses against infection with lineage 2 strains of WNV and that a single annual booster may be sufficient to maintain immunity against lineage 2 WNV infection in horses.

The chromosomes (2n = 2x = 24) of Larix principis-rupprechtii are composed of six pairs of large metacentrics and six pairs of medium-sized submetacentrics. The identification of homologous pairs is hampered by their high degree of similarity at the morphological level in each group. As one of the most extensively used methods in molecular cytogenetics producing chromosome landmarks, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has significantly facilitated karyotype construction, especially in species with morphologically similar chromosomes. This study developed a simple but effective use of combinatorial labeling probes to distinguish chromosomes of Larix principis-rupprechtii by multicolor FISH. Three highly repetitive sequences in Larix were selected: 25S rDNA hybridized at all of the secondary constrictions of two pairs of metacentrics and the largest pair of submetacentrics; 5S rDNA hybridized at subtelomeric sites of one pair of metacentrics that also harboured 25S rDNA on different arms; LPD family sequences are tandem repeats hybridized at proximal regions of 22 chromosomes. The three different probes were labeled with only two different labels, hybridized to metaphase chromosomes of Larix principis-rupprechtii, simultaneously visualized, and unequivocally distinguished in a single FISH experiment. These multicolor FISH marks largely improved the karyotype analysis of Larix principis-rupprechtii