Abstract Sixty Ca-deficient male Wistar rats were divided into six groups to investigate the effect of a calcium-binding bonito hydrolysate (PBH-Ca) on calcium bioavailability in rats, including the normal group, the control groups (PBH + CaCO3 group and the CaCO3 group), and three PBH-Ca groups with doses of 2,000 (PBH-Ca-H group), 1,000 (PBH-Ca-M group), and 500 (PBH-Ca-L group) mg/kg body wt/day. Each group was given the corresponding drug by intragastric administration for 4 weeks. The indices measured included the rate of increase in body weight and body length, apparent calcium absorption rate, serum calcium, serum phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, bone volume fraction (BV/TV), bone mineral density (BMD), and trabecular microstructure of the rats scanned by micro-computed tomography. The results showed that PBH-Ca promoted the growth of rats, significantly increased the apparent calcium absorption rate and the number of bone trabeculae, stabilized serum calcium and serum phosphorus content in serum, significantly inhibited ALP activity, decreased the separation of bone trabeculae, accelerated bone growth of rats, and raised the BV/TV and femoral BMD in the rats. These results illustrate that PBH-Ca has promising potential in a high-quality calcium diet.

Abstract In order to promote the development and application of small molecule oligopeptides from tilapia (SMOT), its anti-fatigue effect was evaluated by using exhaustive swimming in mice. The results showed that compared with the negative control group, SMOT could significantly prolong the exhausted swimming time of mice, reduce blood lactic acid, blood urea nitrogen and malondialdehyde content, and could significantly improve liver glycogen storage status. Meanwhile, the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase of the mice gavaged with SMOT were significantly higher than those in the negative control group. In addition, SMOT could increase the activity of immune factor IL-2, stimulate the secretion of sIgA and regulate the level of inflammatory factors. So SMOT had significant anti-fatigue effect. Its anti-fatigue effect was exerted by increasing energy reserves, eliminating the accumulation of metabolites, reducing oxidative stress, and improving the body’s immune function.

Abstract Auxis thazard meat was hydrolyzed by alkaline protease. Auxis thazard hydrolysate (ATH) obtained was isolated by ultrafiltration, size exclusion chromatography and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Two peptides with high XOD inhibitory activity purified from ATH were identified as Pro-Asp-Leu (PDL, 344.87 Da) and Ser-Val-Gly-Gly-Ala-Leu (SVGGAL, 504.26 Da) by UPLC-MS/MS, which possessed high in vitro XOD inhibitory activity with the IC50 values of 4.37 ± 0.11 mg mL-1 and 5.59 ± 0.09 mg mL-1, respectively. Molecular simulation indicated that PDL and SVGGAL binded to XOD mainly through hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interaction, thereby inhibiting XOD activity. The research results suggested that the two peptides had potential application prospects as a safe XOD inhibitor substance for hyperuricemia treatment.

Abstract Rosa roxburghii Tratt polysaccharide (RRTP) has various physiological functions that benefit the human body. Therefore, improving the extraction rate of RRTP is of crucial for its promotion and application. In this study, RRTP was extracted using an intermittent ultrasound-assisted enzymatic method, and the effects of five factors on the extraction rate of RRTP were studied using a single factor test and response surface methodology. The regression equation model was significant and had good reliability, and the enzyme concentration, liquid-solid ratio and ultrasonic temperature exhibited a positive and significant effect on the RRTP content. The optimal extraction conditions were a power of 360 W, an enzyme concentration of 2.0%, a liquid-solid ratio of 40 mL/g, an ultrasonic temperature of 60 °C and an ultrasonic time of 25 min. Under these conditions, the crude polysaccharide of RRT (CRRTP) yield was 15.03%, and the RRTP content was 4.50%. The RRTP comprised mannose, rhamnose, galacturonic acid, glucose, galactose and arabinose with molar percentages of 3.39%, 2.91%, 26.73%, 35.16%, 21.21% and 10.61% by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), respectively. These results suggested that the intermittent ultrasonic-assisted enzymatic method can improve the extraction rate of RRTP.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To explore the potential impact of traditional Chinese herb FuZhengHuaYuJiangZhuTongLuo recipe (FZHY) on renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) at cellular and molecular levels. Methods: Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) rats were established as the RIF model in vivo. The rats were given intragastric administration with FZHY once a day for consecutive 7, 14 and 21 days, respectively. The renal function parameters and inflammation indicators in kidney tissues were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the CD4+/CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood was detected using flow cytometry, the renal fibrosis degree was estimated using Masson’s staining, and the fibrosis-related genes’ expression was detected using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry analyses. Results: FZHY prescription reduced the serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, decreased the levels of c-reactive protein, interleukin-1, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in kidney tissues, and increased the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood. FZHY prescription suppressed the renal tissue fibrosis and reduced the levels of laminin, fibronectin, collagen I and collagen III. Conclusions: FZHY prescription suppressed the renal fibrosis and improved the condition of “Healthy Qi Deficiency and Evil Qi Excess” in rats with UUO, which may provide an effective method for CKD treatment.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To explore the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) model application for predicting outcome of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma using targeted agents. Materials and Methods: We performed a literature review of 989 articles. The selecting process used preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). All included studies were assessed by Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Results of individual studies were pooled using Stata 14.0 software. Results: A total of 17 articles were included. Most articles provided univariate and multivariate analysis of IMDC model prognosis. Combined HRs were 1.58 (95% CI 1.34-1.82) and 3.74 (95% CI 2.67-4.81) for univariate PFS of intermediate to favorable and poor to favorable respectively. In the category of multivariate PFS, combined HRs were 1.27 (95% CI 0.99-1.56) and 2.29 (95% CI 1.65-2.93) with intermediate to favorable and poor to favorable respectively. Regarding univariate OS, combined HRs were 1.93 (95% CI 1.62-2.24) and 6.25 (95% CI 4.18-8.31) with intermediate to favorable and poor to favorable respectively. With multivariate OS, combined HRs were 1.32 (95%CI 1.04-1.59) and 2.35 (95%CI 1.69-3.01) with intermediate to favorable and poor to favorable respectively. Conclusion: In summary, analysis of currently available clinical evidence indicated that IMDC model could be applied to classify patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma using targeted agents. However, different types of targeted agents and various areas could affect the accuracy of the model. There was also a difference in predicting patients' PFS and OS.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Investigar os efeitos curativos da manipulação lombar com o movimento de puxar oblíquo combinado a terapia por exercícios de sling-training para dor lombar baixa crônica não específica. METODOLOGIA: Um total de 60 pacientes com dor lombar baixa crônica não específica no ambulatório foram incluídos neste estudo. Esses pacientes foram divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos: o grupo de observação e o grupo de controle. O grupo de controle aderiu apenas à terapia por exercícios de sling-training três vezes por semana, enquanto o grupo de observação aderiu à manipulação lombar com o movimento de puxar oblíquo combinado à terapia por exercícios de sling-training uma vez por semana. O tratamento durou quatro semanas. RESULTADOS: (1) Antes e após o tratamento, o escore de ODI foi comparado no grupo. Uma significância estatística notável foi observada a partir do terceiro dia (P<0,05). No terceiro mês de acompanhamento, a diferença nos escores de ODI entre os dois grupos foi estatisticamente significante (P<0,05). (2) Antes e após o tratamento, observou-se que diferenças nos escores de VAS a partir do terceiro dia foram estatisticamente significantes (P< 0,05). (3) A diferença de força muscular entre os dois grupos apresentou significância estatística notável no terceiro mês de acompanhamento (p<0,05). CONCLUSÃO: A função de reabilitação efetiva da manipulação lombar com o movimento de puxar oblíquo combinada à terapia por exercícios de sling-training em pacientes com dor lombar baixa crônica não específica é superior à da terapia por exercícios de sling-training sozinha.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To investigate clinical curative effects of lumbar oblique-pulling manipulation in combination with sling-exercise-therapy training on chronic nonspecific lower back pain. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with chronic nonspecific lower back pain in the Outpatient Department were included in this study. These patients were randomly divided into two groups: the observation group and the control group. The control group adopted a single sling-exercise-therapy training three times a week, while the observation group adopted lumbar oblique-pulling manipulation in combination with manipulation treatment once a week. The course of treatment lasted for four weeks. RESULTS: (1) Before and after treatment, the ODI score was compared within the group. A remarkable statistical significance was observed from the third day (P<0.05). At the third month of follow-up, the difference in ODI scores between these two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). (2) Before and after treatment, it was observed that differences in VAS scores from the third day were statistically significant (P<0.05). (3) The difference in muscle strength between these two groups had remarkable statistical significance in the third month of follow-up (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The effective rehabilitation function of lumbar oblique-pulling manipulation in combination with sling-exercise-therapy training in patients with CNLBP is superior to that of sling-exercise-therapy training alone.

ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene on plumage coloration in mule ducks. PCR-high-resolution melting analysis (PCR-HRM) and DNA sequencing were used to identify the SNP variability of the MC1R gene in white common ducks. Three non-synonymous SNP (MC1R gene exon 1, c.52G>A, c.376G>A, and c.409G>A) were identified in white Tsaiya ducks. Mating test (white Tsaiya ducks × white Muscovy drakes) in combination with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was performed to investigate the effect of non-synonymous SNP of different maternal lines on plumage coloration in mule ducks. Genotyping results from 58 white Tsaiya ducks revealed the significant associations between genetic variations (c.52G>A, c.376A>G, and c.409G>A) and plumage color in two maternal populations. After genotyping of 266 mule ducks, these three non-synonymous SNP identified in white Tsaiya ducks were significantly associated with plumage color of mule ducks. Therefore, the polymorphisms of MC1R gene at c.52G>A, c.376A>G, and c.409G>A in white Tsaiya duck could be used in marker-assisted selection to improve the plumage color of mule ducks.

Abstract: The objective of this study is to determine optimum parameters for double dowels in medium density fiberboard components, and the maximum value of the strength of joints loaded in tension and compression bending. This study analyzes dowel diameter, clearance or interference fit value, and dowel spacing by using the orthogonal experiment method. Optimum parameters for double dowels in medium density fiberboard component structures were obtained by orthogonal experiment and verified by simulation using ANSYS finite element analysis software. Experimental and simulation-based results revealed that the optimal parameters for double dowel joints with maximum tensile strength were a dowel diameter of 10mm, an interference fit of 0,20mm, and a spacing of 64mm.The optimal parameters for double dowel joints with maximum bending strength were a dowel diameter of 10mm, an interference fit of 0,10mm and a spacing of 48mm.

Summary Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the analgesic effect and safety of using local incision analgesia to treat acute postoperative pain in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Method: A cohort of 60 patients undergoing liver cancer resection was randomly divided into three groups (n=20 per group): local incision analgesia (LIA) group, which received local infiltration with ropivacaine combined with a postoperative analgesia pump; intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) group, which received fentanyl intravenous analgesia postoperatively; and the control group, which received tramadol hydrochloride injection postoperatively according to the NRS scoring system. The postoperative analgesic effect in each group was compared and tumor recurrence (survival) was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: NRS scores, rate of analgesic usage, ambulation time (h) and intestinal function recovery time (h) were significantly reduced in LIA group compared with the control group at each postoperative time point (6, 12, 24 and 48 hours; p<0.05). Additionally, the NRS scores of LIA patients at 12 hours post-surgery was significantly reduced compared with PCA group (p<0.05), and the occurrence of postoperative adverse events in LIA group was significantly lower than that in PCA group (p<0.05). Survival analysis demonstrated that the mean survival time (tumor recurrence) was significantly increased in LIA group compared with the control group (χ2=4.749; p=0.029). Conclusion: Local incision analgesia improves the analgesic effect, causes fewer adverse reactions and increases postoperative survival time. Our study demonstrated that local incision analgesia is a safe and effective method of postoperative pain management following hepatectomy.

The NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is the most frequently studied in the central nervous system and has been linked to neuropathic pain. In this study, a post-translational mechanism of microRNA (miR)-186 via regulating the expression of NLRP3 in the complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-treated mice was investigated. The injection of CFA was used to induce trigeminal neuropathic pain in mice. miRs microarray chip assay was performed in trigeminal ganglions (TGs). CFA treatment significantly increased the mRNA expression of NLRP3, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-18 in TGs compared to the control group. Moreover, 26 miRs were differentially expressed in TGs from trigeminal neuropathic pain mice, and the expression of miR-186 showed the lowest level of all the miRs. Further examination revealed that NLRP3 was a candidate target gene of miR-186. We delivered miR-186 mimics to CFA-treated mice. The head withdrawal thresholds of the CFA-treated mice were significantly increased by miR-186 mimics injection compared with CFA single treatment. The mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3, IL-1β, and IL-18 in TGs from trigeminal neuropathic pain mice were significantly inhibited by miR-186 mimics treatment compared to the CFA group. miR-186 was able to suppress the neuropathic pain via regulating the NLRP3 inflammasome signaling.

Abstract Objective: Maintaining a right balance between Th17 and Treg might be critical to the immunopathogenesis of active tuberculosis (TB). This study aimed to assess whether the Th17/Treg balance is altered in active TB patients. Methods: 250 study subjects (90 active TB patients, 80 latent TB subjects, and 80 healthy controls) were recruited for the study. The expression of Th17 and Treg in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in the 250 subjects was investigated by flow cytometry. Plasma levels of cytokines IL-17 and IL-10, which are related to Th17 and Treg, respectively, were determined by ELISA. Results: The percentages of Th17 and Treg in PBMCs from active TB patients were significantly higher than those from latent TB or control groups (Th17: 4.31 ± 1.35% vs. 1.58 ± 0.71% or 1.15 ± 0.49%, p < 0.05; Treg: 11.44 ± 2.69% vs. 7.54 ± 1.56% or 4.10 ± 0.99%, p < 0.05). The expression of IL-17 and IL-10 was significantly increased in active TB patients in comparison to that in latent TB or control groups (IL-17: 16.85 ± 9.68 vs. 7.23 ± 5.19 or 8.21 ± 5.51 pg/mL, p < 0.05; IL-10: 28.70 ± 11.27 vs. 20.25 ± 8.57 or 13.94 ± 9.00 pg/mL, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our study demonstrated an altered balance of Treg/Th17 in active TB patients, with higher percentages of Th17 and Treg in PBMCs. Further research on this imbalance may offer a new direction for TB treatment.

We investigated the distribution of vibrios in Shenzhen coastal waters in order to obtain valuable information for the aquaculture industry and a health warning system. Quantities of vibrios from surface waters ranged from 0 to 4.40×10(4) CFUs mL-1 in April (spring), while from 0 to 2.57×10³ CFUs mL-1 in September (autumn); the abundance of V. alginolyticus-like species from surface water ranged from 0 to 6.72×10³ CFUs mL-1 in April (spring) and from 0 to 1.28×10³ CFUs mL-1 in September (autumn); higher counts were observed in spring. The V. alginolyticus-like species was dominant in Shenzhen coastal waters, with the highest abundance in the clean region (stations YMK001 and GDN064) in April, suggesting that Vibrio spp. were naturally occurring bacteria in marine environments. The correlation between the abundance of vibrios (including V. alginolyticus-like species) and environmental factors varied in different regions and different seasons. There were no vibrios detected when the salinity was less than 11.15‰ in the Zhujiang River estuary, which indicated that salinity played a key role in the distribution of vibrios and V. alginolyticus-like species.