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Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), an enzyme expressed in mammalian testes, exerts a direct effect on spermatogenesis, however, its protein characteristics in bovine testes remain unknown. Here, we analysed bovine testicular structure, MTHFR bioinformatics profile, mRNA, and protein expression characteristics in yellow-cattle (y-c) and yak testis using histological procedures, bioinformatics analysis, qRT-PCR, and western blot. Testes from 13 bovines, &le, 2 years juvenile (y-c, n = 3, yak, n = 3) and &ge, 3 years adult (y-c, n = 3, yak, n = 4) were collected and analysed. Anatomical characteristics of testis in y-c and yak were similar except the weight or size for which that of y-c was significantly higher or greater than yak. In y-c, an open reading frame (ORF) for 2600 nucleotides sequence, encoding 655 amino acids showed high homology with zebu cattle (99.51%) and wild yak (98.68%). Secondary and 3D protein structures were similar to that of humans with differences in the number of nucleotides, amino acids, and some physico-chemical characteristics. MTHFR mRNA expression in y-c and yak were significantly higher in adult testes compared with juvenile ones. However, its protein expression was higher, but not statistically significant, in adult y-c and yak compared to the juvenile ones. The highlights and inferences of these and other findings are discussed.

Salusin-α and salusin-β are newly found bioactive peptides of 28 and 20 amino acids, respectively, which are widely distributed in the hematopoietic system, endocrine system, and central nervous system. Salusins exert cardiovascular effects, including hypotension and bradycardia; promote vascular inflammation; and so on. However, little information is available yet on the relationships of salusin-β with sepsis. In this study, we investigated the distribution and content of endogenous salusin-β in septic rats. A total of 72 specified pathogen-free (SPF) male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group (sham operation, n = 36) and experimental group (n = 36) with sepsis rat model by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The model group rats were sacrificed after 6, 12, and 24 h of treatment. The concentration of salusin-β in spleen, stomach, small intestine, hypothalamus, and serum specimens was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). It showed that salusin-β was endogenously generated in rat tissues, including spleen, stomach, small intestine, hypothalamus, and serum. The content of salusin-β in the spleen was higher than that in other tissues. The content of salusin-β in the spleen, stomach, and small intestine, together with the serum level of salusin-β, increased significantly at 6 h after CLP compared with the control group ( P < 0.05). The content of salusin-β in spleen and serum peaked at 12 h, and in small intestine, it reached the summit at 24 h. Meanwhile, no significant fluctuations in salusin-β content were observed in the stomach. The content of salusin-β in hypothalamus began to increase at 6 h, and a significant increase appeared 12 h after CLP ( P < 0.05). In conclusion, this study shows that the time-dependent alterations of salusin-β in septic rats suggest that salusin-β might be involved in the pathogenesis of sepsis.

To investigate the efficacy and mechanism of mandibular advancement device (MAD) treatment on obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients.Eighty OSAS patients treated with a mandibular protraction appliance were included in the study. Three-dimensional reconstruction technique was used as to measure the changes of upper airway structure and volume before and after MAD treatment. The data was analyzed using SPSS 17.0 software package.The anatomic structure and the reinforcement of soft tissue's collapse in the upper airway changed after application of MAD in OSAS patients; velopharyngeal and laryngopharynx configuration was significantly increased (P0.01), while oropharyngeal configuration was significantly decreased (P0.05).This study demonstrated that pathogeny of OSAS based on morphological characteristics may be removed by mandibular advancement device, the mechanism of efficacy of MAD treatment can be the reduction of airway internal fluctuation and vortex of air.

The jet swell effect in the wet spinning of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber was studied by optical microscopy and the jet swell ratio was obtained through directly measuring the diameter of the freely extruded fibers. For reflecting the actual drawing situation of the fibers in the coagulation process, the jet stretches were then corrected from the apparent values to the true values, and their effect on the cross-sectional morphology, internal structure, and orientation of the wet-spun PAN fibers was studied by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction, respectively. The results showed that jet stretch plays an important role in eliminating the adverse effects caused by the jet swell effect and affects the fiber structure; PAN fibers of uniform denier, dense and homogenous structure, and high orientation can only be obtained at a suitable jet stretch.

Obstructive sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is characterized by obstruction of upper airway and respiratory disturbance, excessive daytime sleepiness and tiredness.The possible causes are obesity, hypertension, and upper airway malformations,etc. The location and degree of upper airway structure narrowing in patients have been investigated in many ways, such as X-ray, multi-slices spiral computed tomography, etc. With multi-planar reconstruction technique,3-dimensional construction of upper airway can be established which shows the delicate changes of the upper airway structure. Mandibular advancement device is known as an effective treatment on mild and moderate OSAHS. By advancing the mandible forward, it can increase the space of upper airway, especially the oropharyngeal space. This paper reviewed the methods of investigating on OSAHS and the change of upper airway structure in OSAHS patients treated with mandibular advancement device. Supported by Combined Research Fund of Bureau of Health, Yunan Province and Kunming Medical College(Grant No.2009CD205).

To study the interobserver variation and its sources in classifying chest radiographs of pneumoconiosis for improving diagnostic quality.A set of 240 high-voltage chest radiographs including different stages of pneumoconiosis was developed and 5 sets of copies were made in the same condition. It was read by 7 experienced readers independently in eligible situation. Results of reading were recorded in unified reading sheets. The profusion of small opacities and the stage of pneumoconiosis were recorded as corresponding numerical value for analysis.The coefficients of variation of 7 readers in total profusion of small opacities, average profusion of small opacities and stage of pneumoconiosis were 15.17%, 15.91%, 12.06%, respectively. The judgement of the presence or absence of small opacities, large opacities and coalescence of small opacities were closer, and the rates of consistency were 91.09%, 91.93% and 76.41% respectively. Technical quality of the radiographs in this study could not make a considerable impact on the reading results. If the shape of small opacities were recorded consistently by most readers as small rounded opacities or small irregular opacities, the judgement of total profusion of small opacities and stage of pneumoconiosis were more consistent; if the shape of small opacities were recorded inconsistently, the difference of judgement was higher.Interobserver variation exists actually among different readers and the main sources of the variation come from uncertain judgement of the shape of small opacities.

To approach the effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and tumor necrosis factor receptor II (TNFRII) gene polymorphisms on genetic susceptibility of coal worker's pneumoconiosis and their relationship with pulmonary fibrosis.Two hundred and thirty-four cases of coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP) and four hundred and forty coal mine workers (controls) were selected, and the cases of CWP were divided into three subgroups based on the various stages of I, II and III. 3 ml peripheral vein blood was drawn from every subject. Using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP) techniques, TNF-alpha and TNFRII gene polymorphisms were analyzed.In both group matching and 1:1 paired matching, there was no significant difference between CWP workers and controls in distribution frequencies of G/A + A/A (TNF-alpha -308) and T/G + G/G (TNFRII 196) genotypes. The distribution frequency of G/A + A/A genotype in CWP with stage III (20.00%) was higher than those in control (10.91%), and CWP cases with stage I (10.34%) and II (7.50%) respectively. The risk of CWP with stage III in those with G/A + A/A genotype was 2-fold higher than with G/G genotype (OR = 3.00, 95% CI: 0.35 approximately 25.84) for 1:1 paired matching.TNF-alpha and TNFRII gene polymorphisms does not play an important role in susceptibility to CWP of Han race. TNF-alpha gene promoter polymorphisms might be related with the degree of severe pulmonary fibrosis in CWP.