ABSTRACT This study has the objective of investigating the effects of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions (TCM) on serum lipid, abdominal and hepatic fat percentage, cholesterol content in eggs, and mRNA expression of genes apoA I and apoB100. One hundred and thirty five healthy (300-day-old) layers were randomly assigned to three treatments. The hens in control group were fed with the basal diet. The hens in the experimental groups (TCM 1 and TCM 2) were fed with the basal diet supplemented with 1% TCM 1 and 1% TCM 2 respectively over a period of 60 days. Laying performance and the serum parameters relevant to fat metabolism were measured. The results showed that no significant differences were found in average daily feed intake and egg weight among three treatments. Average daily laying rate in TCM treatments was increased, and the cholesterol content in eggs was decreased. The serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in experimental treatments were decreased (p<0.05), while the serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level was increased (p<0.05) compared to the control group. Additionally, abdominal fat percentage decreased in TCM 1 treatment (p<0.05), and hepatic fat percentage decreased in both TCM treatments (p<0.05). The expression of apolipoproteinA I (apoA I) and apolipoproteinB100 (apoB100) mRNA in the liver increased in both TCM treatments (p<0.05). These results suggest that the diet supplemented with TCM could increase the expression of apoA I and apoB100 mRNA in the liver, and decrease lipid content in the serum, and reduce egg cholesterol in layers.

Flotation is widely used to process fine coal. However, problems of concentrate contamination caused by slime coating, entrapment, and entrainment have severely impeded its performance. Oil agglomeration, another physicochemical separation method, works as a substitute to solve the contamination problems. Agglomerates were prepared from coal fines using different stirring times and the ash content and combustible recovery in four size fractions: +500, 500-250, 250-125, and -125 μm determined. The results showed that coal particles finer than 45 μm with low ash content transformed from scattered particles to solid agglomerates. With longer stirring times, the number of large and stabilized agglomerates increased and attained equilibrium. The agglomeration process can be separated into three stages according to the degree of agglomeration at different stirring times.

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.

This study aimed to investigate the antidepressant effect and the mechanism of action of Kai-Xin-San (KXS) in fluoxetine-resistant depressive (FRD) rats. Two hundred male Wistar rats weighing 200±10 g were exposed to chronic and unpredictable mild stresses (CUMS) for 4 weeks and given fluoxetine treatment simultaneously. The rats that did not show significant improvement in behavioral indexes were chosen as the FRD model rats. These rats were randomly divided into four groups: FRD model control; oral fluoxetine and aspirin; oral KXS at a dose of 338 mg·kg–1·day–1; and oral KXS at a dose of 676 mg·kg–1·day–1. Rats continued to be exposed to CUMS and underwent treatment once a day for 3 weeks, then cytokine (COX-2, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TGF-β, and TNF-α) levels in the hippocampus and serum, and organ coefficients were measured. Both doses of KXS improved the crossing and rearing frequencies, sucrose-preference index, and body weight in FRD rats. KXS at a dose of 338 mg·kg–1·day–1reduced COX-2, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α levels, increased IL-10 level in the hippocampus, and reduced IL-2 and TNF-α levels in serum. KXS at a dose of 676 mg·kg–1·day–1reduced TNF-α level in the hippocampus, reduced IL-2 and TNF-α levels in serum, and increased IFN-γ and IL-10 levels in the hippocampus and serum. There were no significant differences in organ-coefficients of the spleen among and between groups. The results suggested that oral administration of KXS in FRD rats was effective in improving behavior disorders by influencing various inflammatory pathways.

The effects of adding branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs, including L-valine, L-leucine and L-isoleu-cine), L-phenylalanine and a mixture of them (BCAAs + Phe) on the fermentation profiles of wine yeast EC1118 and the production of volatile compounds were investigated in synthetic grape juice. The addition of selected amino acids had no considerable influence on the yeast growth and primary metabolites of the sugars. Adding BCAAs increased the production of higher alcohols, medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) and their corresponding ethyl esters. In comparison, adding Phe promoted the production of 2-phenyl-ethanol, 2-phenylethyl acetate and ethyl esters of MCFAs. Nevertheless, the supplementation of BCAAs + Phe further heightened the production of MCFAs, acetate esters and ethyl esters of MCFAs compared to the single additions, but it attenuated the production of various higher alcohols (1-propanol, 2,3-butane-diol and methionol) compared to the addition of BCAAs, and of 2-phenylethanol and 2-phenylethyl acetate contents compared to the Phe addition. These results suggest that adding BCAAs or Phe is an efficient way to adjust wine's aromatic composition and complexity. Meanwhile, the combined addition of BCAAs + Phe could be a potential tool to further manipulate wine's aromatic profile by accentuating or suppressing the formation of certain aroma compounds.

Nontyphoidal Salmonella infections often present with self-limited gastroenteritis. Extraintestinal focal infections are uncommon but have high mortality and morbidity. Urinary tract infection caused by nontyphoidal Salmonella is usually associated with structural abnormalities of the urinary tract. Nephrocalcinosis and nephrolithiasis are the major risk factors. Although primary hyperparathyroidism has been reported to increase the risk of nephrocalcinosis and nephrolithiasis, little is known about the association between hyperparathyroidism and Salmonella urinary tract infection. We report the case of a 37-year old man who had a history of primary hyperparathyroidism and bilateral nephrocalcinosis and who developed urinary tract infection. Salmonella Group D was isolated from his urine specimen. Salmonella should be considered as a possible causality organism in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and nephrocalcinosis who develop urinary tract infection. These patients need to be aware of the potential risks associated with salmonellosis.

Las infecciones por Salmonella no tifoidea se presentan a menudo con gastroenteritis auto-limitada. Las infecciones extra-intestinales focales son poco frecuentes, pero tienen una alta mortalidad y morbilidad. La infección de las vías urinarias causada por la Salmonella no tifoidea se asocia generalmente a anomalías estructurales de las vías urinarias. La nefrocalcinosis y la nefrolitiasis son los principales factores de riesgo. Aunque se ha reportado que el hiperparatiroidismo primario aumenta el riesgo de la nefrocalcinosis y la nefrolitiasis, poco se sabe sobre la asociación entre el hiperparatiroidismo y la infección de las vías urinarias por Salmonella. Damos a conocer aquí el caso de un hombre de 37 años con una historia de hiperparatiroidismo primario y nefrocalcinosis bilateral, que desarrolló una infección de las vías urinarias. La Salmonella del grupo D fue aislada de su muestra de orina. La Salmonella se debe considerar como un posible organismo de causalidad en pacientes con hiperparatiroidismo primario y nefrocalcinosis que desarrollan infección del tracto urinario. Estos pacientes necesitan tomar conciencia de los riesgos potenciales asociados con la salmonellosis.

The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) on intestinal epithelial cell permeability and the expression of tight junction proteins. Caco-2 cells were plated onto Transwell® microporous filters and treated with TNF-α (10 or 100 ng/mL) for 0, 4, 8, 16, or 24 h. The transepithelial electrical resistance and the mucosal-to-serosal flux rates of the established paracellular marker Lucifer yellow were measured in filter-grown monolayers of Caco-2 intestinal cells. The localization and expression of the tight junction protein occludin were detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis, respectively. SYBR-Green-based real-time PCR was used to measure the expression of occludin mRNA. TNF-α treatment produced concentration- and time-dependent decreases in Caco-2 transepithelial resistance and increases in transepithelial permeability to the paracellular marker Lucifer yellow. Western blot results indicated that TNF-α decreased the expression of phosphorylated occludin in detergent-insoluble fractions but did not affect the expression of non-phosphorylated occludin protein. Real-time RT-PCR data showed that TNF-α did not affect the expression of occludin mRNA. Taken together, our data demonstrate that TNF-α increases Caco-2 monolayer permeability, decreases occludin protein expression and disturbs intercellular junctions.