Abstract Background This study examines the association of standard-of-care systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) medications with key outcomes such as low disease activity attainment, flares, damage accrual, and steroid-sparing, for which there is current paucity of data. Methods The Asia Pacific Lupus Collaboration (APLC) prospectively collects data across numerous sites regarding demographic and disease characteristics, medication use, and lupus outcomes. Using propensity score methods and panel logistic regression models, we determined the association between lupus medications and outcomes. Results Among 1707 patients followed over 12,689 visits for a median of 2.19 years, 1332 (78.03%) patients achieved the Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS), 976 (57.18%) experienced flares, and on most visits patients were taking an anti-malarial (69.86%) or immunosuppressive drug (76.37%). Prednisolone, hydroxychloroquine and azathioprine were utilised with similar frequency across all organ domains; methotrexate for musculoskeletal activity. There were differences in medication utilisation between countries, with hydroxychloroquine less frequently, and calcineurin inhibitors more frequently, used in Japan. More patients taking leflunomide, methotrexate, chloroquine/ hydroxychloroquine, azathioprine, and mycophenolate mofetil/mycophenolic acid were taking ≤ 7.5 mg/day of prednisolone (compared to > 7.5 mg/day) suggesting a steroid-sparing effect. Patients taking tacrolimus were more likely (Odds Ratio [95% Confidence Interval] 13.58 [2.23-82.78], p = 0.005) to attain LLDAS. Patients taking azathioprine (OR 0.67 [0.53-0.86], p = 0.001) and methotrexate (OR 0.68 [0.47-0.98], p = 0.038) were less likely to attain LLDAS. Patients taking mycophenolate mofetil were less likely to experience a flare (OR 0.79 [0.64-0.97], p = 0.025). None of the drugs was associated with a reduction in damage accrual. Conclusions This study suggests a steroid-sparing benefit for most commonly used standard of care immunosuppressants used in SLE treatment, some of which were associated with an increased likelihood of attaining LLDAS, or reduced incidence of flares. It also highlights the unmet need for effective treatments in lupus. standardofcare (SLE attainment flares accrual steroidsparing, steroidsparing steroid sparing, sparing APLC (APLC characteristics use models 170 12689 12 689 12,68 219 2 19 2.1 years 133 78.03% 7803 78 03 (78.03% LLDAS , (LLDAS) 97 57.18% 5718 57 18 (57.18% antimalarial anti malarial 69.86% 6986 69 86 (69.86% 76.37%. 7637 76.37% . 76 37 (76.37%) Prednisolone domains countries frequently Japan leflunomide chloroquine mofetilmycophenolic mycophenolic 75 7 5 7. mgday mg day compared effect Odds 95% 95 [95 Interval 1358 13 58 13.5 2.2382.78, 2238278 2.23 82.78 23 82 [2.23-82.78] 0.005 0005 0 005 OR 067 67 0.6 0.530.86, 053086 0.53 0.86 53 [0.53-0.86] 0.001 0001 001 068 68 0.470.98, 047098 0.47 0.98 47 98 [0.47-0.98] 0.038 0038 038 079 79 0.7 0.640.97, 064097 0.64 0.97 64 [0.64-0.97] 0.025. 0025 0.025 025 0.025) treatment 17 1268 1 12,6 21 2. 78.03 780 (78.03 (LLDAS 9 57.18 571 (57.18 69.86 698 6 8 (69.86 763 76.37 3 (76.37% [9 135 13. 2382 2.2382.78 223827 223 2.2 8278 82.7 [2.23-82.78 0.00 000 00 06 0. 530 0.530.86 05308 053 0.5 086 0.8 [0.53-0.86 470 0.470.98 04709 047 0.4 098 0.9 4 [0.47-0.98 0.03 003 07 640 0.640.97 06409 064 097 [0.64-0.97 002 0.02 02 126 12, 78.0 (78.0 57.1 (57.1 69.8 (69.8 76.3 (76.37 [ 238 2.2382.7 22382 22 827 82. [2.23-82.7 0.0 0.530.8 0530 05 08 [0.53-0.8 0.470.9 0470 04 09 [0.47-0.9 0.640.9 0640 [0.64-0.9 78. (78. 57. (57. 69. (69. 76. (76.3 2.2382. 2238 [2.23-82. 0.530. [0.53-0. 0.470. [0.47-0. 0.640. [0.64-0. (78 (57 (69 (76. 2.2382 [2.23-82 0.530 [0.53-0 0.470 [0.47-0 0.640 [0.64-0 (7 (5 (6 (76 2.238 [2.23-8 [0.53- [0.47- [0.64- ( [2.23- [0.53 [0.47 [0.64 [2.23 [0.5 [0.4 [0.6 [2.2 [0. [2. [0 [2

Resumo O estresse crônico (SC) pode contribuir para a disfunção em vários órgãos, incluindo fígado e rim. Este estudo foi realizado para investigar as alterações na bioquímica sérica, estrutura histológica, bem como na localização de proteínas tirosina fosforiladas (TyrPho) e proteína de choque térmico 70 (Hsp-70) em tecidos hepáticos e renais de ratos CS induzidas por dois estressores (restrito e natação forçada) por 60 dias consecutivos. Amostras de sangue, fígado e rim foram coletadas de ratos Sprague-Dawley machos adultos em cada grupo. Nossos resultados mostraram que os parâmetros bioquímicos séricos, incluindo corticosterona, glicemia, nitrogênio ureico, creatinina, colesterol, triglicerídeos, HDL-C, LDL-C, ALT, AST, fosfatase alcalina no grupo CS foram significativamente diferentes do grupo normal em ambos os fígados e tecidos renais. Embora a estrutura histológica não tenha sido alterada, a expressão de TyrPho aumentou significativamente no lisado hepático, mas diminuiu significativamente no rim. A expressão de Hsp-70 no fígado aumentou, enquanto que no rim diminuiu. Em conclusão, a CS pode induzir alterações nas funções hepáticas e renais.

Abstract Chronic stress (CS) can contribute to dysfunction in several organs including liver and kidney. This study was performed to investigate the changes in serum biochemistry, histological structure, as well as in localization of tyrosine phosphorylated proteins (TyrPho) and Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp-70) in liver and kidney tissues of CS rats induced by two stressors (restrained and force swimming) for 60 consecutive days. Samples of blood, liver, and kidney were collected from adult male Sprague–Dawley rats in each group. Our results showed that serum biochemical parameters including corticosterone, blood sugar, urea nitrogen, creatinine, cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C, LDL-C, ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase in CS group were significantly different from that in normal group in both liver and kidney tissues. Although histological structure was not changed. TyrPho expression was significantly increased in liver lysate but significantly decreased in kidney. Hsp-70 expression in liver increased whereas in kidney decreased. In conclusion, CS can induce changes in liver and kidney functions.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of seasonal thermal stress on serum hormones, oxidative status, and immune response of periparturient dairy cows. A total of 32 healthy Holstein dairy cows in the perinatal period with the same date of delivery were selected (eight cows per season) and housed in a free-stall barn. Different seasons corresponded to different temperature-humidity indices (THI). Regression analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between THI and rectal temperature and respiratory rate. On the day of calving, the level of progesterone and oestradiol increased and prolactin decreased substantially at a high THI. For oxidative stress biomarkers, the contents of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were substantially higher at a low THI. Glutathione peroxidase was increased at a high THI. For immune responses, the data indicated that low and high THI conditions led to an increase in interleukin-2 and interleukin-10. Low THI cows exhibited a substantially higher level of tumour necrosis factor-a before calving. Oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and endocrine imbalance therefore occur in lactating dairy cows in hot summers and cold-wet winters in comparison with comfortable seasons.

Abstract Thai Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. var pruriens (T-MP) seed containing levodopa (L-DOPA) and antioxidant capacity has been shown to improve sexual behavior and male reproductive parameters in rats treated with ethanol (Eth). However, its protective effect on testicular apoptotic germ cells has never been reported. This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of T-MP seed extract on expressions of caspase, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) proteins in Eth rats. Thirty-six male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (9 animals/group), including control, Eth, T-MP150+Eth, and T-MP300+Eth, respectively. Control rats received distilled water, and Eth rats received Eth (3g/kg BW; 40%v/v). The T-MP groups were treated with T-MP seed extract at a dose of 150 or 300 mg/kg before Eth administration for 56 consecutive days. The results showed that the seminiferous tubule diameter and epithelial height were significantly increased in both T-MP treated groups compared to the Eth group. Additionally, the caspase-9 and -3, and PCNA expressions were decreased, but D2R expression was markedly increased in T-MP groups. It was concluded that T-MP seed extract could protect testicular apoptosis induced by Eth via changes in caspase, PCNA, and D2R protein expressions. L. L (L. DC TMP T MP (T-MP LDOPA DOPA (L-DOPA Eth. . (Eth) However reported caspase , (PCNA) D DR R (D2R Thirtysix Thirty six 9 ( animals/group, animalsgroup animals/group animals group animals/group) control TMP150+Eth, TMP150Eth TMPEth MP150+Eth, MP150 T-MP150+Eth TMP300+Eth, TMP300Eth MP300+Eth, MP300 T-MP300+Eth respectively water 3g/kg 3gkg gkg 3g kg g BW 40%v/v. 40vv vv 40%v/v 40 v 40%v/v) 15 30 mgkg mg 5 days Additionally caspase9 caspase- 3, 3 -3 decreased (L (Eth (PCNA TMP150 TMP150+Eth MP150Eth MPEth MP150+Eth MP15 TMP300 TMP300+Eth MP300Eth MP300+Eth MP30 4 1 - TMP15 MP1 TMP30 MP3 TMP1 TMP3

Resumo Thai Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. var pruriens (T-MP) contendo levodopa (L-DOPA) e capacidade antioxidante demonstrou melhorar o comportamento sexual e os parâmetros reprodutivos masculinos em ratos tratados com etanol (Eth). No entanto, seu efeito protetor sobre células germinativas apoptóticas testiculares nunca foi relatado. Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar os efeitos potenciais do extrato de semente de T-MP na expressão de proteínas de caspase, antígeno nuclear de proliferação celular (PCNA) e receptor de dopamina D2 (D2R) em ratos Eth. Trinta e seis ratos Wistar machos foram divididos em quatro grupos (9 animais/grupo), incluindo controle, Eth, T-MP150+Eth e T-MP300+Eth, respectivamente. Ratos controle receberam água destilada e ratos Eth receberam Eth (3g/kg PC; 40%v/v). Os grupos T-MP foram tratados com extrato de semente de T-MP na dose de 150 ou 300 mg/kg antes da administração de Eth por 56 dias consecutivos. Os resultados mostraram que o diâmetro dos túbulos seminíferos e a altura epitelial foram significativamente aumentados em ambos os grupos tratados com T-MP em comparação com o grupo Eth. Além disso, as expressões de caspase-9 e -3 e de PCNA diminuíram, mas a expressão de D2R aumentou acentuadamente nos grupos T-MP. Concluiu-se que o extrato de semente de T-MP pode proteger a apoptose testicular induzida por Eth através de alterações na expressão de proteínas caspase, PCNA e D2R. L. L (L. DC TMP T MP (T-MP LDOPA DOPA (L-DOPA . (Eth) entanto relatado caspase (PCNA D DR R (D2R 9 ( animais/grupo, animaisgrupo animais/grupo , animais animais/grupo) TMP150+Eth TMP150Eth TMPEth MP150+Eth MP150 TMP300+Eth, TMP300Eth MP300+Eth, MP300 T-MP300+Eth respectivamente 3g/kg 3gkg gkg 3g kg g PC 40%v/v. 40vv vv 40%v/v 40 v 40%v/v) 15 30 mgkg mg 5 consecutivos disso caspase9 caspase- 3 - diminuíram TMP. MP. Concluiuse Concluiu se (L (Eth TMP150 MP150Eth MPEth MP15 TMP300 TMP300+Eth MP300Eth MP300+Eth MP30 4 1 TMP15 MP1 TMP30 MP3 TMP1 TMP3

Abstract Objectives Self-guided, asynchronous, online interventions may provide college students access to evidence-based care, while mitigating barriers like limited hours of service. Thus, we examined the preliminary effectiveness of a 45-minute, self-guided, asynchronous, online, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)-informed stress and anxiety management workshop. College undergraduates (n = 131) were randomized to either workshop (n = 65) or waitlist control (n = 66) conditions. Methods Participants in the workshop condition completed baseline measures of depression, stress, and anxiety, before completing the workshop. Participants in the waitlist control condition only completed the baseline measures. All participants were reassessed at 1-week follow-up. Results Controlling for baseline measures, students in the workshop condition experienced significantly less stress and greater self-efficacy to regulate stress and anxiety at follow-up, compared to waitlist controls. Conclusion A 45-minute, self-guided, asynchronous, online DBT skills-informed stress and anxiety management workshop may reduce stress and improve self-efficacy to regulate stress and anxiety. Selfguided, Selfguided Self guided, guided Self-guided asynchronous evidencebased evidence based care service Thus 45minute, 45minute minute 45 minute, 45-minute selfguided, selfguided self self-guided DBTinformed informed n 131 65 66 conditions depression 1week week 1 followup. followup follow up. up follow-up selfefficacy efficacy followup, up, controls skillsinformed skills 4 13 6

ABSTRACT PreS/S gene mutations could impact virus secretion, infection and immune evasion. However, the relationship between PreS/S mutations and intrauterine transmission has not yet been clarified. Thus, we aimed to explore the associations between PreS/S gene mutations of HBV isolated from mothers and intrauterine transmission. We analyzed the mutations of PreS/S regions of the HBV genome in mothers with HBV DNA levels ≥ 106 IU/mL whose neonates experienced HBV intrauterine transmission (transmission group, GT) and those whose neonates did not experience intrauterine transmission (control group, GC) analyzed using clone-based sequencing. In total, 206 sequences were successfully amplified, including 98 sequences (from 21 mothers) from GT and 108 sequences (from 20 mothers) from GC of genotype C for mutational analysis. Among the 1203 nucleotides of PreS/S regions, there were 219 (18.20%) base substitutions, of which 103 (47.03%) base mutations caused amino acid changes. F80S, A90V and I68T were mutation hotspots. Mothers in GT had a higher mutation rate of A90V in the PreS1 gene than mothers in GC. The A90V mutation increased the risk of HBV intrauterine transmission after adjusting the maternal age and the mode of delivery (OR = 6.23, 95% CI: 1.18–32.97). Moreover, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) for intrauterine transmission due to A90V and a combination of A90V with the mode of delivery were 0.723 (95% CI: 0.575 to 0.891, P = 0.011) and 0.848 (95% CI: 0.723 to 0.972, P < 0.001), respectively. Mothers with the A90V mutation in the PreS1 gene may be a potential risk factor for HBV intrauterine transmission. PreSS PreS S secretion evasion However clarified Thus 10 IUmL IU mL group control clonebased clone based sequencing total amplified 9 2 analysis 120 18.20% 1820 18 (18.20% substitutions 47.03% 4703 47 03 (47.03% changes F80S FS F AV A V IT I T hotspots OR 623 6 23 6.23 95 CI 1.18–32.97. 1183297 1.18–32.97 . 1 32 97 1.18–32.97) Moreover AUC (AUC 0723 0 723 0.72 (95 0575 575 0.57 0891 891 0.891 0.011 0011 011 0848 848 0.84 0972 972 0.972 0.001, 0001 0.001 , 001 0.001) respectively 12 18.20 182 (18.20 47.03 470 4 (47.03 62 6.2 118329 1.18–32.9 3 072 72 0.7 (9 057 57 0.5 089 89 0.89 0.01 01 084 84 0.8 097 0.97 000 0.00 00 18.2 (18.2 47.0 (47.0 6. 11832 1.18–32. 07 7 0. ( 05 5 08 8 0.0 09 0.9 18. (18. 47. (47. 1183 1.18–32 (18 (47 118 1.18–3 (1 (4 11 1.18– 1.18 1.1 1.

Abstract In order to realize the rapid nondestructive detection of mildew peanut in the process of peanuts storage, hyperspectral imaging technology was proposed to detect mildew peanut. A total of 200 peanuts were selected from 5 kinds of peanuts purchased in the market for moldy treatment, and the remaining 400 peanuts were kept sterile. After completion, samples were collected with a hyperspectral instrument to obtain spectral data of the samples. According to the characteristics of the data, 10 pre-processing algorithms were used to de-noise the data, and Median Filtering (MF) had the best effect, with the recognition accuracy reaching 97.7%. GBDT, LightGBM, CatBoost and XGBoost algorithms were used to extract important feature bands in the spectral data pre-processed by MF. GBDT, LightGBM, CatBoost and XGBoost algorithms were used to model the extracted feature bands. The results showed that LightGBM is the best algorithm with a detection rate of 99.10%. Optuna algorithm was used to tune its parameters. Compared with the previous model, the running time of the optimized model was improved by about 0.25 s. The results showed that hyperspectral imaging provides an efficient and nondestructive method for detecting mildew in peanut storage.

Abstract Conventional strong alkali spray peeling method for peeling yellow peach resulted in process hazard and negative environmental impacts. The efficacy of using infrared (IR) heating as an alternative method for peach peel removal was investigated to improve the operation safety and peeling quality. Herein, we introduce the Box-Behnken central combination method for conducting IR radiation tests. A multivariate regression model combining radiation distance, heating time and IR power as variable factors and surface temperature, full peeling time and firmness loss of yellow peach as the objective functions was developed to establish the optimal IR radiation parameters for peeling the skin of yellow peach. We found radiation distance of 76.18mm, heating time of 256.36 s, and IR power was 1000 w were the optimal conditions for this process. These conditions achieved surface temperature of 211.7 °C, firmness loss of 3.8 × 105 Pa, and full peeling time of 149.6 s. Thus, IR radiation is a feasible mechanism for peeling yellow peach, providing a new, safer and quality method for industrial processing of the fruit.

Resumo As plantas medicinais são as principais fontes de cuidados de saúde entre as pessoas dos países em desenvolvimento, nas aldeias e cidades locais. É importante documentar e relatar o conhecimento tradicional de plantas medicinais, dado que pode contribuir para o desenvolvimento da pesquisa farmacêutica. Por esta razão, apresentamos neste estudo nossas descobertas sobre plantas etnomedicinais do condado de Lingchuan, Shanxi, China, uma área inexplorada e rica em recursos de plantas medicinais. As informações sobre as plantas etnomedicinais foram coletadas por meio de questionário/entrevista semiestruturada com 180 participantes, incluindo curandeiros. As pesquisas de campo foram realizadas em 53 aldeias do condado de Lingchuan, entre 2017 e 2018. O consentimento informado foi obtido de cada participante antes de conduzir o processo de entrevista. Foi realizada uma análise quantitativa de cada espécie registrada, através da Frequência Relativa de Citação (RFC), Valor de Uso (UV) e Fator de Consenso dos Informantes (FCI). As doenças foram categorizadas em doze grupos. Foram registradas 138 espécies de plantas medicinais, pertencentes a 123 gêneros de 58 famílias. Asteraceae foi a família de plantas dominante, totalizando 19 espécies, seguida pelas famílias Rosaceae e Fabaceae. As ervas foram consideradas como as principais formas de vida vegetal usadas, com 96 espécies, seguidas por arbustos e árvores (15 espécies cada). As raízes foram as partes de plantas mais utilizadas com 58 espécies, seguidas de plantas inteiras e frutos (28 espécies cada). A maioria das espécies relatadas foram estabelecidas como não tóxicas (84, 60%), seguida de plantas com toxicidade desconhecida (35, 25%), venenosas e menos tóxicas (19, 14%). A análise quantitativa revelou que a espécie Forsythia suspensa alcançou o maior (0,33) valor de RFC, e a Scutellaria baicalensis obteve o maior (0,91) valor de UV registrado. As doenças tratadas foram categorizadas em 12 grupos e avaliadas pelos seus respectivos valores de FCI, onde as doenças ginecológicas apresentaram maior (0,93) valor de FCI, seguido pelas doenças do sistema urinário. Foi concluído que a maioria das plantas medicinais são usadas para amenizar calores e alívio tópico. O presente estudo revelou que a população local do condado de Lingchuan confia no uso de plantas etnomedicinais para lidar com seus problemas de saúde. Seria válido aprofundar as investigações relativas aos índices mais altos obtidos nas análises quantitativas das espécies analisadas, visto que podem possuir compostos fitoquímicos valiosos que podem resultar em novos medicamentos para o tratamento de diversas doenças humanas.

Abstract Medicinal plants are the primary sources of healthcare among the people of developing countries in villages and local towns. Documenting and reporting the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants may contribute to pharmaceutical research development. For this reason, we present our findings on ethnomedicinal plants from Lingchuan County, Shanxi, China, an unexplored area rich in medicinal plant resources. Information of ethnomedicinal plants were collected through questionnaire/semi-structured interviews from 180 informants, including traditional healers. Field surveys were conducted in 53 villages of Lingchuan County from 2017 to 2018. Informed consent was obtained from each participant before conducting the interview process. Quantitative analysis was performed for each recorded species, such as Relative Frequency Citation (RFC), Use Value (UV), and Factor of Informant Consensus (FIC). Diseases were categorized into twelve groups. A total 138 species of medicinal plants were recorded, belonging to 123 genera of 58 families. Asteraceae was the dominant plant family with 19 species, followed by Rosaceae and Fabaceae. Herbs were dominant among plant life-forms with 96 species, followed by shrubs and trees (15 species each). Roots were the most commonly used plant parts with 58 species, followed by whole plants and fruits (28 species each). Most plant species were reported non-toxic (84, 60%), followed by unknown toxicity (35, 25%), poisonous, and less toxic (19, 14%). Quantitative analysis revealed that Forsythia suspensa was with higher (0.33) RFC value, and Scutellaria baicalensis was recorded with a higher (0.91) UV. Treated diseases were categorized in 12 groups and evaluated by their FIC value, in which gynecological diseases have higher (0.93) FIC value followed by urinary system diseases. Most medicinal plants are used to clear away heat and relieve the surface. The present study revealed that local people of Lingchuan County confidently use ethnomedicinal plants for their healthcare needs. The higher indices value of a plant species resulted from quantitative analysis warrants further investigation, which may possess valuable phytochemical compounds that may result in new drugs for treating various human disorders.

Resumo Investigar a concentração ideal de andrógenos em cultura de folículos pilosos de carneiro Hetiano e detectar os efeitos da concentração de andrógenos na proliferação e apoptose de células foliculares, por meio de imunofluorescência e de determinação quantitativa, em tempo real, da fluorescência dos níveis de expressão gênica de proteína associada à queratina. Folículos pilosos foram isolados por microdissecção, e folículos de lã e pedaços de pele foram cultivados em várias concentrações de di-hidrotestosterona (DHT) em meio de cultura. Em seguida, medições diárias de crescimento longitudinal dos folículos capilares foram obtidas usando um micrômetro microscópico. Folículos de lã cultivados de Hetianos foram corados pelo método SACPIC para revelar a estrutura do folículo piloso, enquanto fatias de pele de carneiro foram usadas para observar a proliferação celular por imunocoloração e apoptose celular por meio do método TUNEL. Em âmbito da biologia molecular, a expressão gênica da proteína associada à queratina (Kap) foi estudada usando folículos capilares cultivados por vários dias, in vitro. Os efeitos das concentrações de andrógenos no crescimento e desenvolvimento dos folículos de lã de Hetianos foram estudados experimentalmente. Ensaios de proliferação de EdU revelaram que o andrógeno promoveu a proliferação celular dentro das papilas dérmicas do folículo piloso. A detecção de apoptose por TUNEL demonstrou que o tratamento com andrógeno poderia atrasar a apoptose celular. Os resultados da reação em cadeia da polimerase transcrição reversa quantitativa (qPCR) demonstraram que os padrões de expressão gênica da proteína de enxofre Kap1.1, KIF1.2, Kap2.12 e Kap4.2 foram significativamente maiores no grupo de ovinos Hetianos de montanha. Uma concentração de androgênio de 100 nM pode promover o crescimento de células foliculares de lã de Hetianos in vitro, resultando na superexpressão de alguns genes da família Kap.

Abstract To investigate the optimal androgen concentration for culturing Hetian sheep wool follicle and to detect effects of androgen concentration on wool follicle cell proliferation and apoptosis using immunofluorescence labeling and real-time quantitative fluorescence determinations of wool keratin-associated protein gene expression levels. Wool follicles were isolated by microdissection and wool follicles and skin pieces were cultured in various concentrations of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in culture medium. Next, daily lengthwise growth measurements of wool follicles were obtained using a microscopic micrometer. Cultured Hetian wool follicles were stained using the SACPIC method to reveal wool follicle structure, while sheep skin slices were used to observe cell proliferation by immunostaining and cell apoptosis using the TUNEL method. At the molecular biological level, keratin-associated protein (Kap) gene expression was studied using wool follicles cultured for various numbers of days in vitro. Effects of androgen concentrations on Hetian wool follicle growth and development were experimentally studied. EdU proliferation assays revealed that androgen promoted cell proliferation within wool follicle dermal papillae. TUNEL apoptosis detection demonstrated that androgen treatment could delay cell apoptosis. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) results demonstrated that gene expression level patterns of Hetian mountain sheep super-high sulfur protein. Kap1.1, KIF1.2, Kap2.12 and Kap4.2 gene expression level of the mountainous experimental group was significantly higher than plains Hetian sheep. An androgen concentration of 100 nM can promote the growth of Hetian wool follicle cells in vitro, resulting in overexpression of some genes of the Kap family.

Abstract We studied the correlation between the soil microbial status and the crop yield or medicinal properties of Angelica s.. Soil from different counties of China were collected and used in this study. Readfq, SOAP denovo, MetaGeneMark, and DIAMOND Resistance Gene Identifier (RGI) software were used in the analysis. A total of 131,345 genes of high quality were obtained, with the number of genes in all samples ranging from 483-42,545 and the average length ranging from 354.88-523.47. The acidobacteria in the non-sterilized group were significantly increased by comparing with the sterilized group, while actinobacteria in the non-sterilized group were significantly reduced by comparing with the sterilized group. There was a strong correlation between the two groups of the planting group and the two groups of the non-planting group, while the correlation between the planting and non-planting group was very weak. There were significant differences in the soil microbial community structure between Min county and Yunnan, as well as significant differences between the dominant genera of Min county and Yunnan. In summary, our study showed that the soil microbial flora in different areas affected the characteristics of Angelica s. roots, while sterilized soil was not conducive to the growth of Angelica s.

RESUMO Um filhote de porquinho-da-índia (Cavia porcellus) foi recebido para atendimento após histórico de ataque por cão. Na avaliação física, observou-se edema, dor e crepitação em membro pélvico direito, sugestivo de fratura. Na avaliação radiográfica, confirmou-se fratura Salter-Harris tipo I em epífise distal da tíbia. A resolução cirúrgica escolhida foi a associação de pino transarticular e coaptação externa com tala de Altman. O paciente teve acompanhamento radiográfico semanal e obteve alta médica no 35o dia de pós-cirúrgico, quando se observou consolidação com completo remodelamento ósseo.

ABSTRACT A guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) cub presented edema, pain, and crepitus in the right pelvic limb after being attacked by a dog. Radiographic examination revealed Salter-Harris type 1 fracture on the distal region of the tibia. The surgery technique to correct the fracture involved an association of transarticular pinning and external coaptation with Altman splint. After surgery, radiographs of the patient were performed weekly and on the 35th post-surgery day, the bone was completely remodeled and healed, and the animal was dismissed.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of glutamine (Gln) on the intestinal mucosal structure and immune cells of broilers infected with Salmonella Enteritidis. 160 1-d-old commercial Arbor Acres (AA) broilers were randomly selected to receive one of four treatments, each of which had 5 replicates. Each replicate consisted of 8 chicks subjected to a 21-d feeding trial. Group I served as the unchallenged (CON). All birds in groups II (SCC) - IV were challenged with 2.0 × 104 CFU/mL of S. Enteritidis. The birds in groups III and IV were treated with 0.5% and 1.0% Gln. The results showed that S. Enteritidis infection led to a decrease in the relative length and weight, villus height:crypt depth (VH:CD) of the jejunum and ileum, the number of intraepithelial lymphocyte cells, and number of goblet cells and an increase in the number of mast goblet cells compared with the measurements of these parameters in the CON group (p<0.05). In addition, the Gln groups had increased relative length and weight, VH:CD of the jejunum and ileum, numbers of intraepithelial lymphocyte cells, and numbers of goblet cells and decreased crypt depth in the jejunum and ileum and numbers of mast goblet cells compared with the measurements of these parameters in the SCC group (p<0.05). It was concluded that Gln added to broiler diets can effectively alleviate the intestinal mucosal damage caused by S. Enteritidis infection and improve its normal defense barrier function.

Mining method selection is one of the most important decisions to be made by mining engineers. To solve the decision-making problem regarding selection of the optimal longwall mining method for thin coal seams, we propose an approach that combines Monte Carlo simulation and the conventional analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Economic, technical, and ergonomic factors are taken into consideration in the process. With this approach, the confidence level of each method's score, as calculated by AHP, is determined by Monte Carlo simulation. The proposed approach is applied to a panel in Liangshuijing coal mine in China and the appropriate mining methods for this panel are ranked.

RESUMO O presente artigo é um relato sobre uma fêmea de D. novemcinctus que foi capturada de forma imprevista, durante um projeto de avaliação sanitária de animais silvestres sinantrópicos do município de Toledo/PR (autorização Sisbio/Ibama n. 55109-1). Durante a avaliação física, amostras de fezes foram coletadas após defecação espontânea e encaminhadas para análise. O material foi submetido aos métodos de flutuação simples em solução hipersaturada de cloreto de sódio e centrífugo-flutuação em sacarose. Na leitura das lâminas obtidas pelo método de centrífugo-flutuação em sacarose, foram observadas estruturas com comprimento de aproximadamente 10µm, forma bicônica e um tampão em cada extremidade, compatíveis com esporocistos de Monocystis sp. Protozoários do filo Apicomplexa, os Monocystis sp., são geralmente parasitas de anelídeos, como as minhocas. Esse organismo é comumente correlato a pseudoparasitismo em vários animais, porém não foram encontrados relatos de pseudoparasitismo desse agente em tatus-galinhas, logo essa é a primeira descrição de Monocystis sp. em espécime de D. novemcinctus.

ABSTRACT The present article is an account of a female of D. novemcinctus which was captured during a sanitary evaluation project of synanthropic wild animals of the municipality of Toledo/PR (license SISBIO/ICMBIO n°. 55109-1). During a physical evaluation, samples of feces were collected, after spontaneous defecation, and sent for analysis. The material was subjected to simple flotation methods in hypersaturated sodium chloride solution and centrifugal-flotation solutions in sucrose. In a test reading by the centrifugal-flotation method in sucrose, structures with approximately 10µm, biconical shape and one plate at each end were observed, compatible with sporocysts of Monocystis sp. Protozoa of the phylum Apicomplexa, like Monocystis sp., it is common parasitic annelids, such as worms. This organism is a correlate of pseudoparasitism in several animals but was not found to describe this product as an agent in nine banded armadillos, so this is a first description of Monocystis sp. in specimen of D. novemcinctus.