Search

A 35 d trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary lactulose on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, meat quality, relative organ weight, and excreta microflora in broilers. A total of 816 1-day-old male Ross broilers (40.2 ± 0.4 g) were allotted to 4 dietary treatments using 12 cages with 17 chicks per cage. Treatments were: 1) CON, basal diet; 2) L05, CON + 0.05% lactulose; 3) L10, CON + 0.10% lactulose; and 4) L15, CON + 0.15% lactulose. Higher (P < 0.05) body weight gain (BWG) and lower (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed in broilers fed the L15 diet compared with those fed the CON diet during d 22 to 35. During d 0 to 35, BWG was higher (P < 0.05) and FCR was lower (P < 0.05) in broilers fed lactulose diets than those fed the CON diet. Additionally, broilers fed L15 diets had the highest BWG (P < 0.05) and lowest FCR (P < 0.05). The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of DM and nitrogen (N) was increased (P < 0.05) in broilers fed the L15 diet compared with those fed the CON diet. Drip loss was decreased (P < 0.05) in L10 and L15 treatments compared with CON treatment on d 1, d 3, and d 5. On d 3, lowest (P < 0.05) drip loss was observed in the L15 treatment. Excreta E. coli counts in the L15 treatment were decreased (P < 0.05) on d 14, but Lactobacillus counts in the L15 treatment were increased (P < 0.05) on d 14 and d 35 compared with the CON diet. A linear effect (P < 0.05) was observed on BWG (d 22 to 35), FCR (d 0 to 35), the ATTD of DM and N, drip loss, E. coli (d 14), and Lactobacillus (d 14 and d 35) counts. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 0.15% lactulose can improve growth performance and nutrient digestibility; as well as increase the proliferation of Lactobacillus and decrease E. coli counts in excreta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present new observations for the eclipsing binary EP Aurigae, which were performed by using three small telescopes in China from 2003 December to 2014 January. With the updated 2003 version of the Wilson–Devinney code, the photometric elements were deduced from three sets of light curves. Based on all available eclipsing times, the orbital period changes were investigated. It is discovered that the ( O – C ) curve may show an existence of light-time effect due to an unseen third body, which was weakly identified by the photometric solution. The modulated period and amplitude of the cyclic variation are P 3 = 71.2 ( ± 8.0 ) yr and A = 0.0101 ( ± 0.0008 ) day , respectively. In the co-planar orbit with the binary system, the mass of the third body is M 3 = 0.18 ( ± 0.02 ) M ⊙ . The photometric results imply that EP Aur is an Algol-type binary with a mass ratio of q = 0.831 ( ± 0.004 ) . Its primary component almost fills its Roche lobe. Therefore, EP Aur may consist of a normal main-sequence star and a cool Roche-lobe filling subgiant, which may be undergoing rapid mass transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Dietary glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) typically have a positive relationship with obesity and diabetes, which are risk factors for liver cancer. However, studies on their association with liver cancer have yielded inconsistent results. Therefore, we assessed the association of GI, GL, and carbohydrates with liver cancer risk. Patients and methods A total of 72 966 women and 60 207 men from the Shanghai Women's Health Study (SWHS) and the Shanghai Men's Health Study (SMHS) were included for analysis. Food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) data were used to calculate daily dietary GI, GL, and carbohydrate intake. These values were energy adjusted and categorized into quintiles. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated with adjustment for potential confounders. Results After a median follow-up time of 11.2 years for the SWHS and 5.3 years for the SMHS, 139 and 208 incident liver cancer cases were identified in the SWHS and SMHS, respectively. In multivariable Cox regression models, no statistically significant trends by quintile of GI, GL, or carbohydrate intake were observed. Stratification by chronic liver disease/hepatitis, diabetes, or body mass index (BMI) did not alter the findings. Conclusions There is little evidence that dietary GI, GL, or carbohydrates affect the incidence of liver cancer in this Asian population. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aim: To evaluate the added value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) combined with conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the detection of new, very small hepatocellular carcinoma lesions (≤1 cm) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma following interventional therapy compared to conventional MRI alone. Materials and methods: After interventional therapy, 45 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma underwent conventional MRI and DWI with a b-value of 0 and 700 s/mm2. Twenty-one new, small hepatocellular carcinoma lesions were confirmed in 16 patients at follow-up MRI. Two observers independently retrospectively analysed the two imaging sets in random order. The diagnostic performance using each imaging set was evaluated by received operating characteristic curve analysis. Results: Twenty-one new, very small hepatocellular carcinoma lesions found in 16 patients was confirmed as the final result. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the DWI/conventional MRI combination (observer 1, 0.952; observer 2, 0.976) and conventional MRI images alone (observer 1, 0.905; observer 2, 0.905) were statistically significant. The kappa value of the DWI/conventional MRI combination was 0.884, and that of conventional MRI was 0.722. Among the 21 lesions, 100% (21/21) of the lesions were both recognized by two independent reviewers on DWI, while only 76% (16/21) and 71% (15/21) of the lesions were regarded as very small hepatocellular carcinomas on conventional MRI. Conclusion: Due to the higher detection rate of new subcentimetre lesions in hepatocellular carcinoma patients following interventional therapy, DWI could be considered complementary to conventional MRI in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: CCD photometric observations of the shortest period field contact binary, GSC 1387-0475, obtained in the observing season in 2008–2009, are presented. From new observations, eleven light minimum times were derived and the orbital period was revised. The light curves in BVR bands were analyzed using the W-D program. It is found that GSC 1387-0475 is an overcontact binary. The derived absolute physical parameters of this binary are: , , and . From the LogL-LogM diagram, the primary component is found to be an evolved star. The additional component of GSC 1387-0475 may remove angular momentum from the central system. With the angular momentum decreasing, the separation between components may decrease, which will cause the inner and out critical Roche lobes to shrink, resulting in an increase degree of overcontact. Finally, GSC 1387-0475 with a deep overcontact degree (i.e., ) may evolve into a rapid-rotating single star. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background Data on the efficacy and safety of sorafenib in combination with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are lacking. Patients and methods In this multicenter retrospective study, 222 consecutive HCC patients receiving combination therapy were enrolled between June 2008 and July 2011. Results Chronic hepatitis B was the predominant cause of HCC (86%). Eighty percent patients were at Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage C, and 86% patients were in Child-Pugh (CP) A class. The overall median survival was 12 months (95% CI 10.1–13.9). The overall incidence of adverse events (AEs) was 87%. In 177 BCLC-C patients, performance status, the number of HCC nodules, Child-Pugh score and macrovascular invasion were significantly associated with overall survival (OS) and were included in the final risk scores (R), where R = 5 × (vascular invasion: 0 if no, 1 yes) + 6 × (CP: 0 if A, 1 if B) + 7 × (no. of lesions: 0 if 1–2, 1 ≥3) + 8 × ( Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, ECOG: 0 if 0, 1 ≥1). Conclusions Sorafenib in combination with TACE should be considered a safe and effective therapy for advanced HCC. Further validation of the new subgroup of BCLC-C stage is warranted in an independent patient cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background Epidemiological studies evaluating the association between cruciferous vegetables (CVs) intake and female lung cancer risk have produced inconsistent results. Patients and methods This study followed 74 914 Chinese women aged 40–70 years who participated in the Shanghai Women's Health Study. CV intake was assessed through a validated food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) at baseline and reassessed during follow-up. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence interval (CIs) were estimated by using Cox proportional hazards models. Furthermore, we carried out a meta-analysis of all observational studies until December 2011. Results After excluding the first 2 years of follow-up, 417 women developed lung cancer over a mean of 11.1 years of follow-up. An inverse association of borderline statistical significance was observed between CV consumption and female lung cancer risk, with HR for the highest compared with the lowest quartiles of 0.73 (95% CI 0.54–1.00, P trend = 0.1607). The association was strengthened in analyses restricting to never smokers, with the corresponding HR of 0.59 (95% CI 0.40–0.87, P trend = 0.0510). The finding of an inverse association between CV intake and lung cancer risk in women was supported by our meta-analysis of 10 included studies. Conclusions Our study suggests that CV consumption may reduce the risk of lung cancer in women, particularly among never smokers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background No prospective study has investigated the relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the risk of primary liver cancer (PLC) in mainland China, and little is known about the effect of diabetes duration on PLC risk. Design Data from two population-based cohorts (the Shanghai Men's Health Study, SMHS, 2002–2006 and the Shanghai Women's Health Study, SWHS, 1996–2000) were thus used to assess the associations among T2DM, diabetes duration and PLC risk in Chinese population. Results During follow-up through 2009, 344 incident PLC cases were identified among 60 183 men and 73 105 women. T2DM is significantly associated with the increased risk of PLC in both men [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06–2.51] and women (HR = 1.64, 95% CI 1.03–2.61). The highest risk of incident liver cancer was observed in the first 5 years after diabetes diagnosis, and decreased substantially with the prolonged diabetes duration (Ptrend < 0.001). No synergistic interaction in the development of PLC was found between diabetes and other known risk factors. Conclusions T2DM is associated with the increased risk of subsequent liver cancer within 5 years after diagnosis in Chinese population, suggesting that hyperinsulinaemia rather than hyperglycaemia is more likely to be a primary mediator for this association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Epidemiological studies have reported inconsistent associations between cruciferous vegetable (CV) intake and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. To our knowledge, a comprehensive and quantitative assessment of the association between CV intake and CRC has not been reported. Methods Relevant articles were identified by searching MEDLINE. We pooled the relative risks (RR) from individual studies using a random-effect model and carried out heterogeneity and publication bias analyses. Results Twenty-four case–control and 11 prospective studies were included in our analysis. When all studies were pooled, we yielded a significantly inverse association between CV (RR: 0.82; 95% confidence interval 0.75–0.90) intake and CRC risk. Specific analysis for cabbage and broccoli yielded similar result. When separately analyzed, case–control studies of CV intake yield similar results, and the results from the prospective studies showed borderline statistical significance. Moreover, significant inverse associations were also observed in colon cancer and its distal subsite both among prospective and case–control studies. Conclusions Findings from this meta-analysis provide evidence that high intake of CV was inversely associated with the risk of CRC and colon cancer in humans. Further analysis on other specific CV, food preparation methods, stratified results by anatomic cancer site, and subsite of colon cancer should be extended in future study. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: It is well known that chronic ethanol consumption damages CNS through oxidative stress which results in many dysfunctions. Recently, it has been demonstrated that as a promising strategy to treat several neurological diseases, transplanted bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can secrete lots of protective factors that in turn promote function recovery. In the present study, we assessed the potential effects of MSCs conditioned medium (MSC-CM) against chronic ethanol-associated damage on PC12 cells and primary cortical neurons. We found that pretreatment with MSC-CM notably improved cell survival, prevented chronic ethanol-associated apoptosis and abolished the robust deterioration in oxidative status. In addition, we also discovered that chronic ethanol exposure induced an inactivation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and a lasting activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in both PC12 cells and primary cortical neurons which were able to be reversed by MSC-CM. The PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) was able to reduce the antioxidative and cytoprotective effects conferred by MSC-CM, in part, and the ERK1/2 inhibitor (PD98059) was able to elicit significant protection from chronic ethanol cytotoxicity but not rescue the deterioration in oxidative status induced by chronic ethanol. Taken together, these findings provide the first evidence that MSCs might have potent antioxidant action to shield the apoptotic impairment from chronic ethanol exposure in PC12 cells and neurons, which is involved in upregulation of PI3K/Akt and modulation of ERK1/2 activation, at least partially. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Molecular definition of disease at the level of the gene and advances in recombinant DNA technology suggest that many diseases are amenable to correction by genes not bearing the defective elements that result in disease. Many questions must be answered before this therapy can be used to correct chronic diseases. These questions fall into safety and efficacy categories. Experience with transplanting cellular elements of skin or skin substitutes (defined as skin that possess the cell types and a dermal structure to develop into a functioning skin) to athymic rodents is considerable and is seen as a system where these questions can be answered. This paper reviews these questions and presents our early analysis of genetically modified cells in skin substitutes in vivo and in vitro. Experimental data demonstrate that both a matrix of woven nylon, housing a fibroblast generated collage, and dead dermis can be utilized to shuttle genetically modified human fibroblasts from the laboratory to an in vivo setting. Genetically modified fibroblasts do not migrate from the shuttle to the surrounding tissue. The survival of significant numbers, ∼ 70%, of genetically modified fibroblasts for at least 6 weeks in these shuttles, supports this general approach as having clinical utility. It is also concluded that skin substitute systems can be used to generate a genetically modified skin in vitro that has the capacity to develop into functional skin in vivo. Further, as genetically modified keratinocytes differentiate there is increased production by the transgene, supporting the concept that keratinocytes have true potential as shuttles for therapeutic genes. This work demonstrates that transplantation of systems containing genetically modified cells of the skin can be used to experimentally define many aspects of gene therapy using skin before this technology is taken to the clinic.Examples include determining the effect of gene transduction and expression on structure and function of the genetically modified skin as well as on distant skin and an assessment of the translational capacity of the transgene as function of time and cell number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]