ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate the influence of moisture contents and grouser heights on traction force exerted on different surfaces in the track-soil interaction system. A sandy loam was employed for acquiring the soil parameters, such as kc, kφ, n, C, Ca, δ, φ, and γ. These parameters were obtained through the mean of the bevameter technique. Moisture contents of the sandy loam were changed from low to high levels, which could be listed as 1.4%, 8.0%, 14.7%, and 22.2% at last. The direct shear and penetration tests were performed for each soil condition of the moisture content, respectively. The model of the single-grouser-shoe (track model) had a length of 9 cm, a width of 15 cm, and varied grouser heights from 0 to 15 cm with a 0.5 cm interval. Based on the calculation result, in general, the shearing force produced by the bottom surface always performs better than either the shear force on the grouser-tip surface or two lateral surfaces. Simultaneously, prediction results also show that the shearing forces were significantly influenced by the level of moisture content in the soil. tracksoil track system kc kφ n C Ca δ φ γ technique levels 14 1 4 1.4% 80 8 8.0% 147 7 14.7% 222 22 2 22.2 last respectively singlegrousershoe single shoe 05 5 0. interval result general grousertip tip Simultaneously 1.4 8.0 14.7 22. 1. 8. 14.

Abstract We aimed to develop a prognostic model for primary pontine hemorrhage (PPH) patients and validate the predictive value of the model for a good prognosis at 90 days. A total of 254 PPH patients were included for screening of the independent predictors of prognosis, and data were analyzed by univariate and multivariable logistic regression tests. The cases were then divided into training cohort (n=219) and validation cohort (n=35) based on the two centers. A nomogram was developed using independent predictors from the training cohort to predict the 90-day good outcome and was validated from the validation cohort. Glasgow Coma Scale score, normalized pixels (used to describe bleeding volume), and mechanical ventilation were significant predictors of a good outcome of PPH at 90 days in the training cohort (all P<0.05). The U test showed no statistical difference (P=0.892) between the training cohort and the validation cohort, suggesting the model fitted well. The new model showed good discrimination (area under the curve=0.833). The decision curve analysis of the nomogram of the training cohort indicated a great net benefit. The PPH nomogram comprising the Glasgow Coma Scale score, normalized pixels, and mechanical ventilation may facilitate predicting a 90-day good outcome. (PPH 9 25 tests n=219 n219 n 219 (n=219 n=35 n35 35 (n=35 centers 90day day score used volume, volume , volume) all P<0.05. P005 P P<0.05 . 0 05 P<0.05) P=0.892 P0892 892 (P=0.892 well area curve=0.833. curve0833 curve=0.833 833 curve=0.833) benefit 2 n=21 n21 21 (n=21 n=3 n3 3 (n=3 P00 P<0.0 P=0.89 P089 89 (P=0.89 curve083 curve=0.83 83 n=2 n2 (n=2 n= (n= P0 P<0. P=0.8 P08 8 (P=0.8 curve08 curve=0.8 (n P<0 P=0. (P=0. curve0 curve=0. P< P=0 (P=0 curve=0 P= (P= curve= (P

Abstract Objective To explore the value of serum Dickkopf-3 (sDKK3) in predicting Early Neurological Deterioration (END) and in-hospital adverse outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. Methods AIS patients (n = 200) were included and assessed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Rating Scale. Serum Dkk3 levels were assessed by ELISA. END was defined as an increase of ≥ 4 points in NIHSS score within 72h. The biological threshold of sDKK3 level and END occurrence were predicted based on X-tile software. Primary outcomes were END and all-cause death, and the secondary outcome was ICU admission during hospitalization. The logistic regression model and Cox risk regression model were applied to evaluate the relationship between DKK3 level and END incidence, all-cause in-hospital mortality, and in-hospital adverse outcomes (ICU admission). Results During hospitalization, the incidence of END in patients with AIS was 13.0 %, and the mortality rate within 7 days after END was 11.54 % (3/26). In patients below the serum DKK3 cutoff (93.0 pg/mL), the incidence of END was 43.5 % (20/48). Patients with lower sDKK3 levels were associated with a 1.188-fold increased risk of developing END (OR = 1.188, 95 % CI 1.055‒1.369, p < 0.0001). However, there was no significant association with admission to the ICU. sDKK3 below the threshold (93.0 pg/mL) was a risk factor for death. Conclusion Predictive threshold levels of serum DKK3 based on X-tile software may be a potential predictive biomarker of in-hospital END in patients with AIS, and low levels of DKK3 are independently associated with increased in-hospital mortality. Dickkopf3 Dickkopf 3 Dickkopf- sDKK (sDKK3 (END inhospital hospital (AIS n 200 Scale Dkk ELISA 72h h Xtile X tile allcause all cause death hospitalization DKK admission. . admission) 130 13 0 13. 1154 11 54 11.5 3/26. 326 3/26 26 (3/26) 93.0 930 93 (93. pg/mL, pgmL pg/mL , pg mL 435 43 5 43. 20/48. 2048 20/48 20 48 (20/48) 1.188fold 1188fold fold 1.188 1 188 OR 1188 9 10551369 055 369 1.055‒1.369 0.0001. 00001 0.0001 0001 0.0001) However (sDKK 115 11. 32 3/2 2 (3/26 93. (93 204 20/4 (20/48 188fold 1.18 18 118 1055136 05 36 1.055‒1.36 0000 0.000 000 3/ (3/2 (9 20/ (20/4 1.1 105513 1.055‒1.3 0.00 00 (3/ ( (20/ 1. 10551 1.055‒1. 0.0 (3 (20 1055 1.055‒1 0. (2 105 1.055‒ 10 1.055 1.05 1.0

ABSTRACT Considering the importance of backyard broiler production in Zambia, this study aimed to characterize this practice in the Serenje district (Zambia). A structured questionnaire was administered to 55 households. Results revealed a male predominance (56.36%) in broiler ownership, with most (69.09%) falling within the 30 to 50 years age group. Most (72.73%) had received at least secondary education. Notably, broiler producers primarily depended on farming (41.82%) and formal employment (32.73%) for income. Marketing channels predominantly involved direct sales to consumers (78.18%), minimizing intermediary involvement. The study highlighted the seasonal demand for broilers. Broiler consumption was common (90.91%) among producers, with most (85.45%) consuming broiler meat up to twice a week. Biosecurity practices varied, and mortality management predominantly involved burning or burial (67.27%). While most (96.36%) farmers practiced vaccinations, disease outbreaks persisted (92.73%), with limited consultation of veterinarians (67.27%). Access to information on broiler production primarily relied on agricultural agencies and organizations (49.09%). Common challenges included feed costs (94.55%), diseases (92.73%), and price fluctuations (87.27%). This study provides valuable insights into the dynamics of backyard broiler production in an urban setting, shedding light on its potential impacts on public health and the overall poultry industry. Zambia Zambia. . (Zambia) 5 households 56.36% 5636 56 36 (56.36% ownership 69.09% 6909 69 09 (69.09% 3 group 72.73% 7273 72 73 (72.73% education Notably 41.82% 4182 41 82 (41.82% 32.73% 3273 32 (32.73% income 78.18%, 7818 78.18% , 78 18 (78.18%) involvement broilers 90.91% 9091 90 91 (90.91% 85.45% 8545 85 45 (85.45% week varied 67.27%. 6727 67.27% 67 27 (67.27%) 96.36% 9636 96 (96.36% vaccinations 92.73%, 9273 92.73% 92 (92.73%) 49.09%. 4909 49.09% 49 (49.09%) 94.55%, 9455 94.55% 94 (94.55%) 87.27%. 8727 87.27% 87 (87.27%) setting industry (Zambia 56.36 563 (56.36 69.09 690 6 0 (69.09 72.73 727 7 (72.73 41.82 418 4 8 (41.82 32.73 327 (32.73 781 78.18 1 (78.18% 90.91 909 9 (90.91 85.45 854 (85.45 672 67.27 2 (67.27% 96.36 963 (96.36 927 92.73 (92.73% 490 49.09 (49.09% 945 94.55 (94.55% 872 87.27 (87.27% 56.3 (56.3 69.0 (69.0 72.7 (72.7 41.8 (41.8 32.7 (32.7 78.1 (78.18 90.9 (90.9 85.4 (85.4 67.2 (67.27 96.3 (96.3 92.7 (92.73 49.0 (49.09 94.5 (94.55 87.2 (87.27 56. (56. 69. (69. 72. (72. 41. (41. 32. (32. 78. (78.1 90. (90. 85. (85. 67. (67.2 96. (96. 92. (92.7 49. (49.0 94. (94.5 87. (87.2 (56 (69 (72 (41 (32 (78. (90 (85 (67. (96 (92. (49. (94. (87. (5 (6 (7 (4 (3 (78 (9 (8 (67 (92 (49 (94 (87 (

Although bivalirudin has been recently made available for purchase in China, large-scale analyses on the safety profile of bivalirudin among Chinese patients is lacking. Thus, this study aimed to compare the safety profile of bivalirudin and heparin as anticoagulants in Chinese ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A total of 1063 STEMI patients undergoing PCI and receiving bivalirudin (n=424, bivalirudin group) or heparin (n=639, heparin group) as anticoagulants were retrospectively enrolled. The net adverse clinical events (NACEs) within 30 days after PCI were recorded, including major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCEs) and bleeding events (bleeding academic research consortium (BARC) grades 2-5 (BARC 2-5)). The incidences of NACEs (10.1 vs 15.6%) (P=0.010), BARC 2-5 bleeding events (5.2 vs 10.3%) (P=0.003), and BARC grades 3-5 (BARC 3-5) bleeding events (2.1 vs 5.5%) (P=0.007) were lower in the bivalirudin group compared to the heparin group, whereas general MACCEs incidence (8.9 vs 6.4%) (P=0.131) and each category of MACCEs (all P>0.05) did not differ between two groups. Furthermore, the multivariate logistic analyses showed that bivalirudin (vs heparin) was independently correlated with lower risk of NACEs (OR=0.508, P=0.002), BARC 2-5 bleeding events (OR=0.403, P=0.001), and BARC 3-5 bleeding events (OR=0.452, P=0.042); other independent risk factors for NACEs, MACCEs, or BARC bleeding events included history of diabetes mellitus, emergency operation, multiple lesional vessels, stent length >33.0 mm, and higher CRUSADE score (all P<0.05). Thus, bivalirudin presented a better safety profile than heparin among Chinese STEMI patients undergoing PCI. China largescale large scale lacking Thus STsegment ST segment (STEMI . (PCI) 106 n=424, n424 n 424 (n=424 n=639, n639 639 (n=639 enrolled (NACEs 3 recorded (MACCEs 25 2 5 2- 25. 2-5)) 10.1 101 10 1 (10. 15.6% 156 15 6 P=0.010, P0010 P P=0.010 , 0 010 (P=0.010) 5.2 52 (5. 10.3% 103 P=0.003, P0003 P=0.003 003 (P=0.003) 35 3- 2.1 21 (2. 5.5% 55 P=0.007 P0007 007 (P=0.007 8.9 89 8 9 (8. 6.4% 64 4 P=0.131 P0131 131 (P=0.131 all P>0.05 P005 05 groups Furthermore OR=0.508, OR0508 OR 508 (OR=0.508 P=0.002, P0002 P=0.002 002 P=0.002) OR=0.403, OR0403 403 (OR=0.403 P=0.001, P0001 P=0.001 001 P=0.001) OR=0.452, OR0452 452 (OR=0.452 P=0.042 P0042 042 P=0.042) mellitus operation vessels 330 33 >33. mm P<0.05. P<0.05 P<0.05) (PCI n=424 n42 42 (n=42 n=639 n63 63 (n=63 2-5) 10. (10 15.6 P001 P=0.01 01 (P=0.010 5. (5 10.3 P000 P=0.00 00 (P=0.003 2. (2 5.5 (P=0.00 8. (8 6.4 P=0.13 P013 13 (P=0.13 P>0.0 P00 OR=0.508 OR050 50 (OR=0.50 OR=0.403 OR040 40 (OR=0.40 OR=0.452 OR045 45 (OR=0.45 P=0.04 P004 04 >33 P<0.0 n=42 n4 (n=4 n=63 n6 (n=6 (1 15. P=0.0 (P=0.01 ( (P=0.0 6. P=0.1 P01 (P=0.1 P>0. P0 OR=0.50 OR05 (OR=0.5 OR=0.40 OR04 (OR=0.4 OR=0.45 >3 P<0. n=4 (n= n=6 P=0. (P=0. P>0 OR=0.5 OR0 (OR=0. OR=0.4 > P<0 n= (n P=0 (P=0 P> OR=0. (OR=0 P< P= (P= OR=0 (OR= (P OR= (OR

Abstract This study aimed to compare the effects of diet and exercise of different intensities on antioxidant function, aortic endothelial cell function and serum lipids in NAFLD (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) rats. Fifty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (180-220g) were randomly divided into two experimental groups and fed either a standard rodent chow diet (CON; n=10) or a high-fat diet (HFD; n=40). After 16 weeks, the animals that received the HFD were randomly separated into a high-fat control group (HFC; n=10) or three exercise training groups: HFD and low-intensity exercise (LE; n=10), HFD and moderate-intensity exercise (ME; n=10), and HFD and incremental intensity exercise (IE; n=10). These experimental rats keep sedentary or trained for the next six weeks. A detection kit was used to detect nitric oxide synthase (NOs), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and other markers of aortic oxidative stress. The expression levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (e-NOS) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were detected by immunohistochemistry. TC, TG, and other lipid metabolism parameters were detected by an automatic analyzer. Exercise with different intensities could improve lipid metabolism, enhance antioxidant function, reduce MDA (P<0.01), increase NO (P<0.01), and improve the expression of e-NOS and ET-1 (P<0.01) protein levels in NAFLD rats. Decreased blood lipids were exhibited in all exercise groups. Notably, the moderate-intensity exercise demonstrated more effect on increasing glutathione (GSH) contents (P<0.01) and decreased the expression of ET-1 protein levels (P<0.01). The results showed that exercise at different intensities improved lipid metabolism and enhanced anti-oxidation function. Moderate exercise could improve the function of aortic endothelial cells.

Resumen Este estudio tuvo como objetivo comparar los efectos de la dieta y el ejercicio a diferentes intensidades sobre la función antioxidante, la función de las células endoteliales aórticas y los lípidos séricos en ratas NAFLD (con enfermedad del hígado graso no alcohólico) y alimentados con una dieta estándar para roedores (CON; n = 10) o con una dieta alta en grasas (HFD; n = 40). Después de 16 semanas, los animales que recibieron HFD se separaron aleatoriamente en un grupo de control alto en grasas (HFC; n=10) o tres grupos de entrenamiento físico: HFD y ejercicio de baja intensidad (LE; n=10), HFD y ejercicio de intensidad moderada (ME; n=10), y HFD y ejercicio de intensidad incremental (IE; n=10). Estas ratas experimentales se mantuvieron sedentarias o entrenadas durante las próximas seis semanas. Se utilizó un kit de detección para determinar óxido nítrico sintetasa (NO), óxido nítrico (NO), malondialdehído (MDA) y otros marcadores de estrés oxidativo aórtico. Los niveles de expresión de la óxido nítrico sintetasa endotelial (e-NOS) y endotelina-1 (ET-1) se detectaron mediante inmunohistoquímica. El analizador automático detectó TC, TG y otros parámetros del metabolismo de los lípidos. El ejercicio con diferente intensidad mejoró el metabolismo de los lípidos, mejoró la función antioxidante, redujo la MDA (P <0,01), aumentó el NO (P <0,01) y mejoró la expresión de los niveles de proteína e-NOS y ET-1 (P <0,01) en ratas NAFLD. Se observó una disminución de los lípidos en sangre en todos los grupos de ejercicio. En particular, el ejercicio de intensidad moderada demostró un mayor efecto en el aumento del contenido de glutatión (GSH) (P<0,01) y disminuyó la expresión de los niveles de proteína ET-1 (P<0,01). Los resultados mostraron que el ejercicio a diferentes intensidades mejoró el metabolismo de los lípidos y mejoró función antioxidante. El ejercicio moderado podría mejorar la función de las células endoteliales aórticas.

ABSTRACT Drought stress and nutrient deficiency are two main factors that restrict the growth and yield of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in arid and semi-arid regions. However, the effects of N fertilizer on root growth and pod yield of peanut under different water conditions are unclear. The growth, root morphology, and pod yield of peanut were studied under different water and N combinations. Two soil water treatments were tested: Well-watered (WW, 80%-85% field capacity) and drought stress conditions (DS, 55%-60% field capacity). Three N treatments were tested: no N application (NN), moderate N (MN, 90 kg ha-1), and high N (HN, 180 kg ha-1). Results showed that pod yield of peanut was limited by drought and N deficiency. Compared with NN, peanut shoot DM and pod yield were improved by MN under DS, with an average increase range of pod yield of 16.2% in the 2 yr. The annual average root length density (RLD) in the deeper soil layer (40-100 cm) was 5.5% higher under DS-MN than DS-NN treatment. The N use efficiency (NUE) was 12.3% higher under WW than DS treatment, and the NUE of MN was significantly higher than that of HN under different water treatments. Root lengths in 40-60 and 60-80 cm soil layers were also positively correlated with pod yield (r = 0.66** and 0.47**, respectively) and NUE (r = 0.60* and 0.85**, respectively). In this study, root growth in deeper soil was improved by MN application under DS, thus increasing yield and NUE of DS conditions.

ABSTRACT Aiming at the low mechanization of paddy field weeding and lack of dedicated agricultural machinery for paddy field weeding in China, a self-propelled system of paddy field weeding machine was designed. The overall structure and working principle of self-propelled system were illustrated and analyzed. The interaction mechanism of wheel-soil during weeding was analyzed. The wheel-soil interaction model was established, then, wheel traction and surface flatness were selected as the evaluation indexes for discrete element simulation experiment. The steering performance, stability, and over ridge ability of self-propelled system were analyzed, and field experiment was carried out. The simulation experiment results show that the wheel traction is approximately 600 N and the surface flatness is less than 30 mm. The field experiment results show that the minimum turning radius of the prototype is 2,050 mm in paddy, overturning limit angle of the prototype is 36°, and maximum height over the ridge is 400 mm. The speed range of the weeding machine on the road and weeding operation was 0~16.20 km/h and the 0~5.40 km/h respectively. The weeder can meet the speed demands of weeding operation. The study results can provide reference for research and development of paddy field operation machinery.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar a variação genética de cultivares de milheto (Setaria italica), de três origens ecogeográficas da China, quanto à captação e à utilização de N pelos genótipos no estádio de plântulas, com vistas ao melhoramento genético desta cultura. Plântulas de 79 cultivares de milheto foram fertilizadas com uma solução nutritiva, em substrato de areia, e avaliadas em condições de baixa (LN, 0,2 mmol L-1 N) e alta (HN, 6,0 mmol L-1 N) concentração de N. Observou-se uma grande variação entre as cultivares, entre as origens ecogeográficas, quanto às características biomassa da parte aérea, teor e concentração de N na parte aérea, e eficiência de uso (NUE), captação (NupE) e utilização (NutE) de N, especialmente em condições de HN. As cultivares do Noroeste da China apresentaram as maiores variações de biomassa, teor de N, NUE e NupE. Observou-se, ainda, uma forte correlação positiva entre NUE e NupE, e NUE e NutE, mas não houve correlação entre NupE e NutE. O NupE representou 77,6% da variação total do NUE, e o NutE representou o restante. A captação e a utilização de N apresentam grande variação entre cultivares de milheto no estágio de plântulas, e a variação da captação de N contribui mais do que a da utilização de N para a variação da eficiência de uso de nitrogênio.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to identify the genetic variation of foxtail millet (Setaria italica) cultivars, from three ecogeographic origins in China, regarding the uptake and utilization of N by the genotypes at the seedling stage, aiming at the genetic improvement of this crop. Seedlings of 79 cultivars were fertilized with a nutrient solution, on a sand substrate, and evaluated under low-N (LN, 0.2 mmol L-1) and high-N (HN, 6.0 mmol L-1) concentrations. A large variation was observed between cultivars, among the three ecogeographic regions, for shoot biomass, shoot N content and concentration, and N use efficiency (NUE), uptake efficiency (NupE), and utilization efficiency (NutE), especially under HN conditions. Cultivars of Northwest China showed the highest variation for shoot biomass, N content, NUE, and NupE. A strong positive correlation was observed between NUE and NupE, and NUE and NutE, but there was no correlation between NupE and NutE. NupE accounted for 77.6% of the total variation of NUE, and NutE for the rest. The uptake and utilization of N show a large variation among the foxtail millet cultivars at the seedling stage, and the variation of N uptake contributes more than that of N utilization to the variation of N use efficiency.

ABSTRACT Expression of housekeeping genes is relatively constant in different tissues and cells by RT-qPCR analysis. Housekeeping genes (HGs) are usually utilized as the reference to evaluate and compare mRNA expression abundances of target genes in different cells or tissues sampled. However, the expression stabilities of different HGs in diverse samples may appear divergence. Currently, there is no exact reference data of HGs in hen ovarian follicular tissues during egg-laying period available yet. In this study, we detected the expression of 18SrRNA, ACTB, HOXC8, GAPDH, alpha-A, and alpha-D mRNA in the varied-size ovarian follicles (1-8 mm in diameter and F5), hearts, livers, spleens, lungs, and breast muscles of the laying hens by RT-qPCR, to analyze the results via Ct value, geNorm, Normfinder, and Bestkeeper. The data showed that the expression levels of 18SrRNA, alpha-A, and alpha-D transcripts were more significantly stable than the other three genes for normalizing mRNA expression in the hen ovarian follicles examination. Moreover, alpha-D, 18SrRNA, and alpha-A were also most suitable for the expression normalization in the tissues of the heart, liver, spleen, lung and breast muscle. In contrast, 18SrRNA has the most stable mRNA expression levels in all tissues sampled, so it can serve as an excellent inner control for the evaluation of the transcription levels in chickens. It is a remarkable fact that HOXC8 as a candidate reference should be avoided. Our study establishes a set of stably expressed candidate inner references in the hen ovarian follicles and several tissues, it firstly provided an exact data for validation of the inner references in normalizing transcription levels of a target gene in chickens.

RESUMO CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Enzimas dimetilarginina dimetilaminohidrolase (DDAH), codificadas por genes DDAH1 e DDAH2, desempenham papel fundamental na manutenção da função endotelial. Realizamos estudo tipo caso-controle na população chinesa, com três grupos étnicos (han, kazakh e uygur) para investigar sistematicamente a associação entre a variação de genes DDAH1 e DDAH2 e a hipertensão. DESENHO E LOCAL: Estudo tipo caso-controle no Departamento de Medicina Interna e Diagnóstico Genético, Hospital de Tongji, Tongji Medical College, Universidade de Ciência e Tecnologia de Huazhong. MÉTODOS: Este estudo incluiu 1.224 pacientes com hipertensão e 967 indivíduos saudáveis, sem parentesco, como controles. DDAH1 -396 4 N (GCGT) del > ins, rs3087894, rs805304 and rs9267551 foram genotipados usando o ensaio nuclease TaqMan 5'. RESULTADOS: O genótipo G/C de rs3087894 no DDAH1 foi um fator de risco para a hipertensão arterial no grupo kazakh em modelo codominante (G/C versus G/G; OR 1,39; IC 95%: 1,02-1,88; P < 0,05), com o mesmo resultado no modelo dominante (G/C + C/C versus G/G; OR 1,38; IC 95%: 1,03-1,84; P < 0,05). Em contraste, o genótipo C/C de rs3087894 parecia ser um fator de proteção para a hipertensão no grupo uygur no modelo recessivo (C/C versus G/G + G/C; OR 0,62; IC 95%: 0,39-0,97; P < 0,05). Achado semelhante para rs3087894 também foi observado depois de se ajustar a variante à covariante idade. CONCLUSÃO: Os nossos resultados indicaram que o C-alelo de rs3087894 no DDAH1 foi fator de risco para a hipertensão no grupo de kazakh, mas fator de proteção no grupo de uygur.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase enzymes (DDAH), which are encoded by the genes DDAH1 and DDAH2, play a fundamental role in maintaining endothelial function. We conducted a case-control study on a Chinese population that included three ethnic groups (Han, Kazakh and Uygur), to systemically investigate associations between variations in the genes DDAH1 and DDAH2 and hypertension. DESIGN AND SETTING: Experimental study at the Department of Internal Medicine and Genetic Diagnosis, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. METHODS: This case-control study included 1,224 patients with hypertension and 967 healthy unrelated individuals as controls. DDAH1 -396 4N (GCGT) del>ins, rs3087894, rs805304 and rs9267551 were genotyped using the TaqMan 5' nuclease assay. RESULTS: The G/C genotype of rs3087894 in DDAH1 was a risk factor for hypertension in the Kazakh group in the co-dominant model (G/C versus G/G) (OR 1.39; 95% CI: 1.02-1.88; P < 0.05), with the same result in the dominant model (G/C + C/C versus G/G) (OR 1.38; 95% CI: 1.03-1.84; P < 0.05). In contrast, the C/C genotype of rs3087894 seemed to be a protective factor against hypertension in the Uygur group in the recessive model (C/C versus G/G + G/C) (OR 0.62; 95% CI: 0.39- 0.97; P < 0.05). Similar findings for rs3087894 were also observed after adjusting the variable for the age covariate. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that the C-allele of rs3087894 in DDAH1 was a risk factor for hypertension in the Kazakh group but a protective factor in the Uygur group.

Epithelium, a highly dynamic system, plays a key role in the homeostasis of the intestine. However, thus far a human intestinal epithelial cell line has not been established in many countries. Fetal tissue was selected to generate viable cell cultures for its sterile condition, effective generation, and differentiated character. The purpose of the present study was to culture human intestinal epithelial cells by a relatively simple method. Thermolysin was added to improve the yield of epithelial cells, while endothelin-3 was added to stimulate their growth. By adding endothelin-3, the achievement ratio (viable cell cultures/total cultures) was enhanced to 60% of a total of 10 cultures (initiated from 8 distinct fetal small intestines), allowing the generation of viable epithelial cell cultures. Western blot, real-time PCR and immunofluorescent staining showed that cytokeratins 8, 18 and mouse intestinal mucosa-1/39 had high expression levels in human intestinal epithelial cells. Differentiated markers such as sucrase-isomaltase, aminopeptidase N and dipeptidylpeptidase IV also showed high expression levels in human intestinal epithelial cells. Differentiated human intestinal epithelial cells, with the expression of surface markers (cytokeratins 8, 18 and mouse intestinal mucosa-1/39) and secretion of cytokines (sucrase-isomaltase, aminopeptidase N and dipeptidylpeptidase IV), may be cultured by the thermolysin and endothelin-3 method and maintained for at least 20 passages. This is relatively simple, requiring no sophisticated techniques or instruments, and may have a number of varied applications.