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As a fluoroquinolone antimicrobial agent, danofloxacin is mainly used to treat avian bacterial and mycoplasma infections. The pharmacokinetic characteristics of danofloxacin are usually explored in healthy animals, while those in endotoxemic broilers are still rare. This study aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetics of danofloxacin in endotoxemic broilers induced by Escherichia coli (E. coli) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) after single oral administration. Ten healthy 5‐week‐old Arbor Acres (AA) broilers with similar body weight (BW) were randomly and equally divided into LPS and control groups. The LPS group was intravenously injected with an LPS of E. coli O55: B5 at 2.5 mg/kg BW, and the control group was intravenously injected with the same volume of sterile saline. Danofloxacin was administered orally at a dose of 5 mg/kg BW immediately 1 h after the intravenous injection of LPS or sterile saline. Rectal temperature was measured at predetermined times points in all broilers, and plasma and serum samples were taken. The interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) levels in serum samples were detected by the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits, and danofloxacin concentrations in plasma were detected through the high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method and subjected to a compartmental analysis using Phoenix software. The LPS challenge led to biphasic adaptive changes in broiler body temperature and increased the levels of IL‐6. Compared with the control group, LPS treatment significantly prolonged the time to the peak concentration (LPS: 8.75 ± 3.88 h; Control: 3.20 ± 2.20 h). However, there were no significant differences in the other pharmacokinetic parameters between both groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background SPARC (secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine) is closely related with the progress, invasion and metastasis of malignant tumor and angiogenesis. Methods Using human colon adenocarcinoma tissues (hereinafter referred to as colon cancer) and their corresponding non-diseased colon from 114 patients' biopsies, the expression of SPARC and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were investigated by immunohistochemistry staining to assessment the relationship between SPARC and VEGF, as well as their prognostic significance in patients. Evaluation of VEGF expression level with the same tissues was used to establish the antigenic profiles, and the marker of CD34 staining was used as an indicator of microvessel density (MVD). Results SPARC expression was mainly in the stromal cells surrounding the colon cancer, and was significant difference in those tissues with the lymph node metastasis and differentiation degree of tumor. Expression of SPARC was significantly correlated with the expression of VEGF and MVD in colon cancer tissues. Patients with low or absence expressing SPARC had significantly worse overall survival and disease-free survival in a Single Factor Analysis; Cox Regression Analysis, SPARC emerged as an overall survival and disease-free survival independent prognostic factor for colon cancer. Conclusion The low expression or absence of stromal SPARC was an independent prognostic factor for poor prognosis of colon cancer. SPARC maybe involved in the regulation of anti-angiogenesis by which it may serve as a novel target for colon cancer treatment as well as a novel distinctive marker.

Monitoring and assessing the effects of contaminants in the aquatic eco-environment is critical in protecting human health and the environment. The zebrafish has been widely used as a prominent model organism in different fields because of its small size, low cost, diverse adaptability, short breeding cycle, high fecundity, and transparent embryos. Recent studies have demonstrated that zebrafish sensitivity can aid in monitoring environmental contaminants, especially with the application of transgenic technology in this area. The present review provides a brief overview of recent studies on wild-type and transgenic zebrafish as a model system to monitor toxic heavy metals, endocrine disruptors, and organic pollutants for toxicology. The authors address the new direction of developing high-throughput detection of genetically modified transparent zebrafish to open a new window for monitoring environmental pollutants. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:11-17. © 2013 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is an essential enzyme that protects red blood cells from oxidative damage. Although G6PD‐deficient alleles appear to confer a protective effect of malaria, the link with clinical protection against Plasmodium infection is conflicting. Methods: A case–control study was conducted on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea and further genotyping analysis used to detect natural selection of the G6PD A‐ allele. Results: Our results showed G6PD A‐ allele could significantly reduce the risk of Plasmodium falciparum infection in male individuals (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.20–0.93; p <.05) and homozygous female individuals (AOR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.01–0.84; p <.05). Additionally, the parasite densities were significantly different in the individuals with different G6PD A‐ alleles and individual levels of G6PD enzyme activity. The pattern of linkage disequilibrium and results of the long‐range haplotype test revealed a strong selective signature in the region encompassing the G6PD A‐ allele over the past 6,250 years. The network of inferred haplotypes suggested a single origin of the G6PD A‐ allele in Africans. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) A‐ allele could reduce the risk of P. falciparum infection in the African population and indicate that malaria has a recent positive selection on G6PD A‐ allele. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To build a digital visible model of the mandible in order to provide morphological data for image diagnosis and operation of mandible diseases., Methods: A male adult cadaver specimen was taken for the purpose of study. A digital human databank was got after fixation, perfusion, refrigeration, embedding, section and photograph of the specimen. The thickness of each layer was 0.1 mm. To select mandible image data from chin to condyle and to draw an outline of mandible and teeth image of each layer in 2D Adobe photoshop 8.0. Finally, reconstruct 3D model of mandible was set up in Amira reconstruction software., Results: A 3D model of mandible was formed accurately using of digital human data. The model was fine, visible and displayed cross-section image of mandible. The anatomical shape of nmandible and mandibular teeth were vividly reappeared in three-dimension. The location and trend of mandibular nerve canal were clearly appeared in the transparent model of mandible. The model could be revolved in 3D., Conclusion: The study got a complete and exact cross-section data. The visualization of mandible can be realized in Amira reconstruction software. The reconstituted organs can be recovered to the natural state.

Purpose: This study is designed to reconstruct 3-D digital visible mandibular model using digital human database., Methods: An appropriate cadaver was fixed, and fused through arterial infusion, then embedded and sliced. The 2-D imaging data of mandible were obtained from this virtual human, and the virtual mandible was reconstructed using Amira software., Results: Complete and accurate data of the mandible sections were collected, with which the virtual mandible was reconstructed three dimensionally. This virtual mandible displayed accurately the anatomical structure of the actual mandible, including the location and direction of the mandibular teeth and the mandibular canal., Conclusion: The 3-D mandible was constructed through the database of the digital human. The visible mandibular model will be an important learning tool in oral and maxillofacial anatomy and surgery, diagnosis and operation of mandibular diseases, and mandibular dental implantation.