This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of ferulic acid (FA) on the growth, nutrient digestibility, digestive enzyme activities, immunity and antioxidant status of broilers. Ninety-six one-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly divided into two groups with six replicates of eight birds each, including control group (CON) and FA group (80 mg/kg diet). The experiment included starter (days 1-21) and finisher (days 22-42) phases. Compared with CON, FA group had higher average daily weight gain (ADWG) and lower feed to gain ratio (F:G) in the starter phase, and higher average daily feed intake (ADFI) in the finisher phase. The digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) were higher in FA-fed broilers in days 19-21, but DM, OM and EE digestibility were lower in days 40-42. Ferulic acid treatment increased duodenal trypsin and jejunal amylase activity on day 21, but decreased duodenal trypsin, chymotrypsin activities and jejunal lipase activity on day 42. FA supplementation increased serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) concentrations on day 21. Ferulic acid-fed broilers had greater hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity and lower serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level on day 21. On day 42, the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, hepatic SOD and GSH-Px activities was decreased in FA group. In conclusion, FA as an exogenous antioxidant at dosage of 80 mg/kg diet enhanced growth performance via improvement of digestive enzyme activities, immunity and antioxidant status of broilers in starter phase.

South Africa (SA) is in the process of amending its patent laws. Since its 2011 inception, Fix the Patent Laws, a coalition of 40 patient groups, has advocated for reform of SAs patent laws to improve affordability of medicines in the country. Building on two draft policies (2013, 2017) and a consultative framework (2016) for reform of SAs patent laws, Cabinet approved phase 1 of the Intellectual Property Policy of the Republic of South Africa on 23 May 2018. Fix the Patent Laws welcomed the policy, but highlighted concerns regarding the absence of important technical details, as well as the urgent need for government to develop bills, regulations and guidelines to provide technical detail and to codify and implement patent law reform in the country. In this article, we explore how reforms proposed in SAs new intellectual property policy could improve access to medicine through four medicine case studies.

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to establish dietary threonine (Thr) levels for Linwu ducks, aged 4 to 8 wk. Experimental diets formulated to contain 0.56, 0.61, 0.66, 0.71, 0.76, and 0.81% Thr fed to Linwu ducks. A total of 360 healthy Linwu female ducks with similar body weight (1183.89±3.83 g) were randomly divided into six groups, with five replicates in each group, and 12 ducks in each replicate. Samples were collected at 8 wk for the determination of growth performance, carcass traits, visceral organ indices, and serum biochemical parameters. As a result of this study, Thr level had no significant influence on the final weight, the daily gain, feed/gain ratio, and average daily intake (p>0.05). Similarly, there were no significant effects of dietary Thr on carcass traits and visceral organ indices (p>0.05). The pancreatic index was highest among all the treatments when the dietary Thr level was 0.66%. The different dietary Thr levels had no significant effect (p>0.05) on the concentration of total protein (TP), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), glucose (GLU), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione (GSH). However, the serum MDA concentration in the 0.66% treatment was lower (P=0.068) than in the other treatments. In conclusion, Thr at 0.66% concentration may have an antioxidant activity and exert positive effect on Linwu ducks.

ABSTRACT Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has an important implication from a preventive medicine perspective as an early recognition and intervention would likely reduce associated mortality and morbidty To better identify the patients at risk for developing MetS and cardiovascular diseases, we conducted a combined cross-sectional and longitudinal study to shed light on the elevated haemoglobin (Hb) level in the elderly. Methods: A total of 10 579 subjects were eligible for analyses. In the first part of the study, the subjects were enrolled in the cross-sectional study to find out not only the correlation between Hb and MetS but also the best cut-off point for Hb with greater chances of having MetS. In the second part of the study, we excluded the subjects with MetS at the baseline from the same study group and performed a median 5.8-year longitudinal study. Results: Haemoglobin was significantly higher in the group with MetS than in the group without for both genders. All the MetS components were associated with Hb in multivariant analyses except high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and systolic blood pressure (SBP). In the longitudinal study, Hb was shown to be a good predictor of MetS in both genders. Moreover, Hb was also a good predictor of future cardiovascular diseases, only in women with a hazard ratio of 1.293. Conclusion: This study suggests that elevated Hb at a cut-off value of 14.6 and 13.7 for the males and the females, respectively, was associated with MetS. Therefore, Hb can potentially be used as a marker to stratify the risks of developing MetS for both genders, and cardiovascular diseases in the female population.

RESUMEN Antecedentes: El síndrome metabólico (SMet) tiene una importante implicación desde la perspectiva de la medicina preventiva, puesto que un reconocimiento e intervención tempranos probablemente reduciría la mortalidad y morbilidad que le están asociadas. Para lograr una mejor identificación de los pacientes en riesgo de desarrollar SMet y enfermedades cardiovasculares, se realizó un estudio transversal y longitudinal combinado con el fin de arrojar luz sobre el nivel elevado de haemoglobina (Hb) en los ancianos. Métodos: Un total de 10,579 sujetos fueron elegibles para el análisis. En la primera parte del estudio, los sujetos fueron enrolados en el estudio transversal buscando encontrar no sólo la correlación entre Hb y SMet, sino también el mejor punto de corte en el cual la Hb tiene mayores probabilidades de desarrollo del SMet. En la segunda parte de nuestro estudio, excluimos los sujetos con SMet en la línea de base, del mismo grupo de estudio y realizamos un estudio longitudinal de 5.8 años promedio. Resultados: La haemoglobina fue significativamente mayor en el grupo con SMet que en el grupo sin SMet para ambos sexos. Todos los componentes de SMet estuvieron asociados con Hb en los análisis multivariantes, excepto la lipoproteína de alta densidad (LAD) y la presión arterial sistólica (PAS). En el estudio longitudinal, se halló que Hb es un buen predictor del SMet en ambos sexos. Además, Hb fue también un buen predictor de futuras enfermedades cardiovasculares, sólo en mujeres con un cociente de riesgo de 1.293. Conclusión: Nuestro estudio sugiere que una Hb elevado en un valor de corte de 14.6 y 13.7 para varones y hembras, respectivamente, se halla asociada con el SMet. Por lo tanto, Hb puede potencialmente utilizarse como marcador para estratificar el riesgo de desarrollar SMet para ambos géneros, y enfermedades cardiovasculares en la población femenina.

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.

After detonation of the explosive, the final blast-induced damage area around the blast-hole falls into three categories, namely crushed zone, fractured zone, and elastic deformation zone. This paper presents a modified model to calculate the size of crushed zone around a blast-hole in drill-and-blast, with the hoop compressive stress and cavity expansion effect taken into account. The material in the crushed zone was assumed to be a granular medium without cohesion, but with internal friction. On this basis, the formula for crushing zone radius was derived. The proposed approach was verified with tests reported in the literature and the simulated results from SPH-FEM coupled models. A full statistical analysis was also carried out, and the predicted values were found to be in better agreement with the test results compared with other models. A sensitivity analysis of the modified model showed that the size of the blast-induced damage area is mainly affected by the following factors: rock mass properties, in situ stress, and borehole pressure. In particular, the roles of borehole pressure and in situ stress are discussed. Finally, suggestions are made on how the size of the crushing zones can be decreased.

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic mechanism of treating SMMC-7721 liver cancer cells with magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) using Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Hepatocarcinoma SMMC-7721 cells cultured in vitro were treated with ferrofluid containing Fe2O3 nanoparticles and irradiated with an alternating radio frequency magnetic field. The influence of the treatment on the cells was examined by inverted microscopy, MTT and flow cytometry. To study the therapeutic mechanism of the Fe2O3 MFH, Hsp70, Bax, Bcl-2 and p53 were detected by immunocytochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). It was shown that Fe2O3 MFH could cause cellular necrosis, induce cellular apoptosis, and significantly inhibit cellular growth, all of which appeared to be dependent on the concentration of the Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Immunocytochemistry results showed that MFH could induce high expression of Hsp70 and Bax, decrease the expression of mutant p53, and had little effect on Bcl-2. RT-PCR indicated that Hsp70 expression was high in the early stage of MFH (<24 h) and became low or absent after 24 h of MFH treatment. It can be concluded that Fe2O3 MFH significantly inhibited the proliferation of in vitro cultured liver cancer cells (SMMC-7721), induced cell apoptosis and arrested the cell cycle at the G2/M phase. Fe2O3 MFH can induce high Hsp70 expression at an early stage, enhance the expression of Bax, and decrease the expression of mutant p53, which promotes the apoptosis of tumor cells.

Current therapy for pancreatic cancer is multimodal, involving surgery and chemotherapy. However, development of pancreatic cancer therapies requires a thorough evaluation of drug efficacy in vitro before animal testing and subsequent clinical trials. Compared to two-dimensional culture of cell monolayer, three-dimensional (3-D) models more closely mimic native tissues, since the tumor microenvironment established in 3-D models often plays a significant role in cancer progression and cellular responses to the drugs. Accumulating evidence has highlighted the benefits of 3-D in vitro models of various cancers. In the present study, we have developed a spheroid-based, 3-D culture of pancreatic cancer cell lines MIAPaCa-2 and PANC-1 for pancreatic drug testing, using the acid phosphatase assay. Drug efficacy testing showed that spheroids had much higher drug resistance than monolayers. This model, which is characteristically reproducible and easy and offers rapid handling, is the preferred choice for filling the gap between monolayer cell cultures and in vivo models in the process of drug development and testing for pancreatic cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The standard predictive factors of actuarial survival such as T and N stage become less important as patients live for more than 10 years after treatment of cancer. Reports of actual 10-year survivors of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are rare, and demographic and clinicopathological factors associated with 10-year survival have not been well documented. In this research we evaluated factors predictive of actual, as opposed to actuarial, 10-year survival. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 1 046 patients who had undergone oesophagectomy for oesophageal SCC. The demographic and clinicopathological characteristics of patients who were alive more than 10 years after oesophagectomy and those of patients who had died were compared. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that 18 factors differed significantly between the two groups. Based on logistic regression analysis, factors associated with 10-year survival were younger age, female gender, absence of dysphagia, a left transthoracic surgical approach, lower pathological T stage, and fewer metastatic lymph nodes. CONCLUSION: The independent positive predictors of actual as opposed to actuarial 10-year survival are younger age, female gender, absence of dysphagia, lower pathological T stage, and fewer metastatic lymph nodes.

A new organic-inorganic hybrid material was obtained by the intercalation of L-(-)-malic acids into Magnesium Aluminum layered double hydroxides (LDHs). The intercalation was performed by reprecipitation and coprecipitation method, respectively, from which high crystallized supramolecular chrial materials were obtained and L-(-)-malic acid was orientated perpendicularly between layers without carbonate ions. The structure of supramolecular chrial materials was characterized using XRD, FT-IR and DSC-TG, EA, ICP, and the supramoleclar structural model of the compound was given.

A method of bulk liquid membrane using complex of (S, S)-di-n-dodecyltartrate and boric acid was developed for the enantioselective transport of racemic propranolol. It was shown that l - propranolol can be effectively transported. The enantioselectivity of the complex for a specific propranolol enantiomer in BLM systems is mainly based on kinetics and is not thermodynamically driven. The effects of the concentration ratio of propranolol to chiral carrier and the buffer pH were studied, respectively. An appropriate choice for such concentration ratio and the pH in the aqueous solution result to be 1 : 20 and 5, respectively. The developed method is helpful for optimizing the transport of bulk liquid membrane systems and realizing the large-scale production of pure enantiomer.

Distribution behavior of mandelic acid enantiomers was examined in an aqueous-organic solvent of a two-phase system containing L-tartarate. The influences of pH, length of alkyl chain of L-tartarate, organic solvent, concentration of phosphate salt and time of chiral extraction on partition coefficient (k) and separation factor (α) were investigated, respectively. With the rise of pH, k decreases, but α increases. With the addition of length of alkyl chain of L-tartarate, k and α decrease. The organic solvent and concentration of phosphate salt also have a bigger influence on k and α. A new binary chiral selector system is presented, effective for the enantioselective extraction of racemic mandelic acid. The distribution coefficients of D- and L-mandelic acid as high as 14.9 and 7.0, respectively, and the enantioselectivity value of 2.1 were found.