The associative effects resulting from the proportions of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and non-fibre carbohydrate (NFC) were explored and assessed by in vitro gas production. Total mixed rations (TMR) composed primarily of alfalfa and corn-soybean concentrate were fed to growing cashmere goats. Treatments were defined by three proportions of NFC and NDF, namely 2.00 (TMR1), 2.35 (TMR2), and 3.00 (TMR3) that were used to grow cashmere goats, and these TRMs were incubated for 48 hours to evaluate their influence on associative effects. The results indicated that the associative influences of these treatments on gas production occurred within the cultures predominantly at 2 - 8 hours, and disappeared gradually as culture time was extended. TMR2 and TMR3 incubation increased gas production compared with that observed in the other groups at all incubation times (P >0.05), and these groups exhibited positive associative effects, particularly during the early hours of incubation (P <0.05). TMR3 displayed the best associative effect.

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) are important regulators of bone repair and regeneration. In this study, we examined whether TGF-β1 and BMP-2 expressions were delayed during bone healing in type 1 diabetes mellitus. Tibial fractures were created in 95 diabetic and 95 control adult male Wistar rats of 10 weeks of age. At 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 weeks after fracture induction, five rats were sacrificed from each group. The expressions of TGF-β1 and BMP2 in the fractured tibias were measured by immunohistochemistry and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, weekly for the first 5 weeks post-fracture. Mechanical parameters (bending rigidity, torsional rigidity, destruction torque) of the healing bones were also assessed at 3, 4, and 5 weeks post-fracture, after the rats were sacrificed. The bending rigidity, torsional rigidity and destruction torque of the two groups increased continuously during the healing process. The diabetes group had lower mean values for bending rigidity, torsional rigidity and destruction torque compared with the control group (P<0.05). TGF-β1 and BMP-2 expression were significantly lower (P<0.05) in the control group than in the diabetes group at postoperative weeks 1, 2, and 3. Peak levels of TGF-β1 and BMP-2 expression were delayed by 1 week in the diabetes group compared with the control group. Our results demonstrate that there was a delayed recovery in the biomechanical function of the fractured bones in diabetic rats. This delay may be associated with a delayed expression of the growth factors TGF-β1 and BMP-2.

The radial approach is widely used in the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease. We conducted a meta-analysis of published results on the efficacy and safety of the left and right radial approaches in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary procedures. A systematic search of reference databases was conducted, and data from 14 randomized controlled trials involving 6870 participants were analyzed. The left radial approach was associated with significant reductions in fluoroscopy time [standardized mean difference (SMD)=-0.14, 95% confidence interval (CI)=-0.19 to -0.09; P<0.00001] and contrast volume (SMD=-0.07, 95%CI=-0.12 to -0.02; P=0.009). There were no significant differences in rate of procedural failure of the left and the right radial approaches [risk ratios (RR)=0.98; 95%CI=0.77-1.25; P=0.88] or procedural time (SMD=-0.05, 95%CI=0.17-0.06; P=0.38). Tortuosity of the subclavian artery (RR=0.27, 95%CI=0.14-0.50; P<0.0001) was reported more frequently with the right radial approach. A greater number of catheters were used with the left than with the right radial approach (SMD=0.25, 95%CI=0.04-0.46; P=0.02). We conclude that the left radial approach is as safe as the right radial approach, and that the left radial approach should be recommended for use in percutaneous coronary procedures, especially in percutaneous coronary angiograms.

Myocardial ischemic preconditioning upregulated protein 1 (Mipu1) is a newly discovered upregulated gene produced in rats during the myocardial ischemic preconditioning process. Mipu1 cDNA contains a 1824-base pair open reading frame and encodes a 608 amino acid protein with an N-terminal Krüppel-associated box (KRAB) domain and classical zinc finger C2H2 motifs in the C-terminus. Mipu1 protein is located in the cell nucleus. Recent studies found that Mipu1 has a protective effect on the ischemia-reperfusion injury of heart, brain, and other organs. As a nuclear factor, Mipu1 may perform its protective function through directly transcribing and repressing the expression of proapoptotic genes to repress cell apoptosis. In addition, Mipu1 also plays an important role in regulating the gene expression of downstream inflammatory mediators by inhibiting the activation of activator protein-1 and serum response element.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a pleiotropic cytokine, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation; however, the upstream regulation of MIF in atrial myocytes remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated whether and how MIF is regulated in response to the renin-angiotensin system and oxidative stress in atrium myocytes (HL-1 cells). MIF protein and mRNA levels in HL-1 cells were assayed using immunofluorescence, real-time PCR, and Western blot. The result indicated that MIF was expressed in the cytoplasm of HL-1 cells. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), but not angiotensin II, stimulated MIF expression in HL-1 cells. H2O2-induced MIF protein and gene levels increased in a dose-dependent manner and were completely abolished in the presence of catalase. H2O2-induced MIF production was completely inhibited by tyrosine kinase inhibitors genistein and PP1, as well as by protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor GF109203X, suggesting that redox-sensitive MIF production is mediated through tyrosine kinase and PKC-dependent mechanisms in HL-1 cells. These results suggest that MIF is upregulated by HL-1 cells in response to redox stress, probably by the activation of Src and PKC.

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urothelium is often multifocal and subsequent tumors may occur anywhere in the urinary tract after the treatment of a primary carcinoma. Patients initially presenting a bladder cancer are at significant risk of developing metachronous tumors in the upper urinary tract (UUT). We evaluated the prognostic factors of primary invasive bladder cancer that may predict a metachronous UUT TCC after radical cystectomy. The records of 476 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for primary invasive bladder TCC from 1989 to 2001 were reviewed retrospectively. The prognostic factors of UUT TCC were determined by multivariate analysis using the COX proportional hazards regression model. Kaplan-Meier analysis was also used to assess the variable incidence of UUT TCC according to different risk factors. Twenty-two patients (4.6%). developed metachronous UUT TCC. Multiplicity, prostatic urethral involvement by the bladder cancer and the associated carcinoma in situ (CIS) were significant and independent factors affecting the occurrence of metachronous UUT TCC (P = 0.0425, 0.0082, and 0.0006, respectively). These results were supported, to some extent, by analysis of the UUT TCC disease-free rate by the Kaplan-Meier method, whereby patients with prostatic urethral involvement or with associated CIS demonstrated a significantly lower metachronous UUT TCC disease-free rate than patients without prostatic urethral involvement or without associated CIS (log-rank test, P = 0.0116 and 0.0075, respectively). Multiple tumors, prostatic urethral involvement and associated CIS were risk factors for metachronous UUT TCC, a conclusion that may be useful for designing follow-up strategies for primary invasive bladder cancer after radical cystectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To test the efficacy of locally produced Vi vaccine over a time period of longer than one year. METHODS: A double-blinded, randomized field trial was performed in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in south-western China, using 30 mg doses of locally produced Vi. Enrolled subjects were 3-50 years of age, although the majority (92%) were school-aged children, who have the highest rate of typhoid fever in this setting. A total of 131 271 people were systematically allocated a single dose of 30 mg of Vi polysaccharide or saline placebo. The study population was followed for 19 months, with passive surveillance conducted in the Ministry of Health and the Regional Health and Anti-epidemic Centre (HAEC). Clinically suspected cases of typhoid fever were confirmed by blood culture, or by serological reaction with O-antigen (Widal tests). FINDINGS: After 19 months, there were 23 culture-confirmed cases of typhoid fever in the placebo group versus 7 cases in the Vi group (Protective efficacy (PE) = 69%; 95% CI = 28%, 87%). Most of the isolates were from school-aged children: 22 cases in the placebo group versus 6 in the Vi group (PE = 72%; 95% CI = 32%, 82%). No serious post-injection reactions were observed. The locally produced Vi polysaccharide vaccine showed levels of protective efficacy similar to those for Vi vaccine produced in industrial countries. CONCLUSION: The slightly higher dose of vaccine did not seem to alter efficacy significantly in China.

OBJETIVO: Determinar la eficacia de la vacuna de Vi producida localmente a lo largo de un periodo superior a un año. MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo un ensayo sobre el terreno aleatorizado y en doble ciego en la región autónoma (provincia) de Guangxi Zhuang, en el suroeste de China, usando dosis de 30 mg de la vacuna Vi producida localmente. El intervalo de edades de las personas participantes era de 3-50 años, si bien la mayoría de ellas (92%) eran niños en edad escolar, los más afectados por la fiebre tifoidea en ese lugar. Se asignó de forma sistemática a un total de 131 271 personas para que recibieran ya fuera una dosis única de 30 mg de polisacárido Vi o bien un placebo constituido por suero fisiológico. La población estudiada fue objeto de seguimiento durante 19 meses, y la vigilancia pasiva corrió a cargo del Ministerio de Salud y del Centro Regional de Salud y Lucha contra las Epidemias (HAEC). Los casos con manifestaciones clínicas sugestivas de fiebre tifoidea fueron confirmados mediante cultivo sanguíneo o mediante la reacción serológica con el antígeno O (pruebas de Widal). RESULTADOS: Al cabo de 19 meses se habían confirmado mediante cultivo 23 casos de fiebre tifoidea en el grupo placebo, frente a 7 casos en el grupo tratado con la vacuna Vi (eficacia protectora (EP) = 69%; IC95% = 28-87%). La mayoría de los aislados correspondían a niños en edad escolar: 22 casos en el grupo placebo, frente a 6 en el grupo tratado con Vi (EP = 72%; IC95% = 32-82%). No se observó ninguna reacción grave postinyección. La vacuna basada en el polisacárido Vi producida localmente demostró tener una eficacia protectora similar a la de la vacuna Vi producida en los países industrializados. CONCLUSIÓN: El ligero aumento de la dosis de vacuna no parece haber influido de forma significativa en su eficacia en China.

OBJECTIF:Tester l’efficacité du vaccin antityphoïdique polyosidique Vi de production locale sur une période de plus d’un an. MÉTHODS: Un essai de terrain randomisé en double aveugle a été réalisé dans la région autonome (province) de Guanxi Zhuang dans le sud-ouest de la Chine, au moyen de doses de 30 mg de polyoside Vi de production locale. Les sujets recrutés dans l’étude étaient âgés de 3 à 50 ans, mais étaient pour la plupart (92 %) des enfants d’âge scolaire, groupe qui présente le taux le plus élevé de fièvre typhoïde dans cette région. Au total, 131 271 personnes ont reçu systématiquement une dose unique de 30 mg de polyoside Vi ou un placebo (soluté physiologique). La population d’étude a été suivie pendant 19 mois dans le cadre d’une surveillance passive exercée par le Ministère de la Santé et le Centre régional de la santé et de la lutte contre les épidémies (HAEC). Les suspicions cliniques de fièvre typhoïde ont été confirmées par hémoculture ou par réaction sérologique en présence d’antigène O (test de Widal). RÉSULTATS: Au bout de 19 mois, on a dénombré 23 cas de fièvre typhoïde confirmés par culture dans le groupe placebo contre 7 cas dans le groupe Vi (efficacité protectrice (EP) = 69% ; intervalle de confiance à 95% (IC 95 %) : 28-87 %). La plupart des isolements ont été réalisés chez les enfants d’âge scolaire, avec 22 cas dans le groupe placebo contre 6 cas dans le groupe Vi (EP = 72%; IC 95%: 32-82 %). Aucune réaction grave n’a été observée après l’injection. Le vaccin polyosidique Vi de production locale a montré des taux d’efficacité protectrice similaires à ceux des vaccins produits dans les pays industrialisés. CONCLUSION: La dose légèrement plus forte de vaccin n’a pas semblé modifier l’efficacité de fac¸on significative en Chine.