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OBJECTIVE: FOXO4 has essential roles in cellular metabolism and prevents cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis (OA). Here we aim to provide evidence that deacetylated-FOXO4 stabilizes chondrocyte (CH) extracellular matrix (ECM) related to SOX9 activation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We used Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and Dual-Luciferase reporter assay to verify that the FOXO4 protein activates SOX9 by binding to its promoter. We cultured human CHs with IL-1β to cause degeneration and supplied Sirt1 protein to deacetylate FOXO4. To confirm the function of FOXO4 and SOX9 during CHs degeneration, we also used the FOXO4 and SOX9 silenced CHs by siRNA transfection as a comparison. Western blot assay was used to analyze the protein level of Sirt1, SOX9, and the acetylated condition of FOXO4. Besides, RT-PCR was used to measure the mRNA level of collagen I/II/X, aggrecan, MMP-13, and ADAMTS-5 for determining the ECM states. RESULTS: FOXO4 protein transcriptionally activates SOX9 expression by binding to its promoter. Under the IL-1β stimulation, FOXO4 acetyl-lysine rate increased, and the SOX9 protein expression decreased, which was alleviated after the supplement of exogenic Sirt1 protein. Meanwhile, Sirt1 overexpression increased the collagen II and aggrecan and reduced the collagen I, collagen X, MMP-13, and ADAMTS-5 mRNA expression. However, the silencing of FOXO4 abolished the Sirt1 induced SOX9 expression and weakened the ECM production stability. Additionally, SOX9 silencing also alleviated the effect of the Sirt1 supplement on the degenerated CHs, though the FOXO4 was highly deacetylated. CONCLUSIONS: FOXO4 acetylation aggravates during the degeneration of CHs, and the deacetylation of FOXO4 by Sirt1 could activate the SOX9 expression and result in maintaining the ECM stability of cartilage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A swept frequency method for measuring the magnetic permeability of thin films for frequencies up to 2 GHz with a resolution at 1 GHz of [approximately]0.1 [[micro]meter] in permeance is described. It is based on the measurement of impedance of a strip loop loaded with the sample under test. The method employs a commercial impedance or network analyzer, is simple, and suitable for permeability measurements of thin magnetic films which are used in recording heads and microwave components.

The protection of eco-environment is the basis of economic development. It is the interaction between eco-environment and economic development that promotes the development of human society. Therefore, it is important to obtain relevant data and select an appropriate evaluation method to find out how these two are interacting with each other. In this paper, a new data envelopment analysis (DEA) model based on generalized DEA method and the multi-level index synthesis method is proposed for the first time to evaluate the interaction efficiency between eco-environment and economic development in Chinese provinces. Through correlation analysis of the indices, a scientific index system is established. After index synthesis, the new order of efficient provinces is established, and the improvement information for inefficient provinces has also been obtained. In addition, more scientific suggestions are put forward for the protection of eco-environment and economic development in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By combining molecular beam photodissociation and photoionization measurements with ab initio Gaussian-2 (G2) calculations on the CH3S2 and CH3S+2 systems, we have shown that CH3SS is the dominant isomer formed in the photodissociation process, CH3SSCH3+hν(193 nm) →CH3S2+CH3. The experimental ionization energy for CH3SS (8.97±0.02 eV) and the heat of formation at 0 K for CH3SS+ (217.7±1.2 kcal/mol) are in excellent agreement with the G2 results. The photoionization efficiency spectrum observed for CH3SS is also consistent with the theoretical prediction that the Franck–Condon factor for the photoionization process, CH3SS+hν →CH3SS++e-, is not favorable. Based on the statistical modeling of experimental rates obtained previously for HS loss in the unimolecular decomposition of CH3SSCH+3 and the comparison with G2 ab initio predictions, we conclude that CH2SSH+ is most likely the isomer structure formed near the experimental appearance energy (11.07 eV) observed for the photodissociative ionization process, CH3SSCH3+hν→CH3S+2+CH3+e-. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photoionization efficiency spectrum of supersonically cooled CH2Br has been measured near its ionization threshold. The adiabatic ionization energy (IE) of CH2Br is determined to be 8.61±0.01 eV, in excellent agreement with the value obtained previously using the He i photoelectron spectroscopic method. We have also performed Gaussian-2 (G2) calculations on CH2Br+, CH2Br, and CH2Br- which yield values of 8.47 and 0.97 eV for the IE and electron affinity of CH2Br, respectively. The G2 electron affinity is in accord with the literature value of 1.0±0.3 eV calculated from the acidity of CH3Br. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamics of S(3P2,1,0;1D2) production from the 193 nm photodissociation of CH3SCH3 has been studied using 2+1 resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization techniques. The 193 nm photodissociation cross section for the formation of S from CH3S initially prepared in the photodissociation of CH3SCH3 is estimated to be 1×10-18 cm2. The branching ratio for S(3P)/S(1D) is found to be 0.15/0.85. The fine-structure distribution observed for product S(3P2,1,0) is nearly statistical. Possible potential energy surfaces involved in the 193 nm photodissociation of CH3S(X) have been examined theoretically along the CH3–S dissociation coordinate in C3v symmetry. These calculations suggest that predissociation of CH3S(C 2A2) via the repulsive CH3S(E 2E) surface is most likely responsible for the efficient production of S(1D). For vibrationally excited CH3S(X), a viable mechanism for the dominant production of S(1D) may involve direct dissociation via the CH3S(E 2E) state formed in the 193 nm photoexcitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ionization energy (IE) for CH3SSCH3 has been measured by the pulsed molecular beam photoionization mass spectrometric method. The experimental IE of 8.18±0.03 eV is in excellent agreement with the theoretical prediction of 8.15 eV calculated using the ab initio Gaussian-2 procedure, indicating that the experimental ionization onset can be assigned as the adiabatic IE for CH3SSCH3. The observation of the adiabatic IE(CH3SSCH3) is attributed to the low potential energy barrier for rotation about the S–S bond, which allows CH3SSCH3 to exist dynamically in a wide range of CSSC dihedral angles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives were to examine the aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-binding capacity of silage bacteria and factors affecting the responses. Experiments 1 and 2 examined the effects of bacterial strain and population on the AFB1-binding capacity of 10 bacteria. When applied at 106 cfu/mL to an in vitro medium, only Lactobacillus plantarum PT5B bound the AFB1 and the binding capacity was low (4%). When applied at 109 cfu/mL, all 10 bacteria bound AFB1, but L. plantarum R2014 (Lp) and EQ12, Lactobacillus buchneri R1102 (Lb), and Pediococcus acidilactici R2142 and EQ01 (Pa) had the greatest capacity (23.9 to 33%). Experiment 3 examined the AFB1-binding capacity of viable and nonviable (HCl-treated) forms of Lp, Lb, and Pa at different pH. Nonviable Lb and Lp, but not Pa, increased AFB1 binding. Binding of AFB1 was greatest at pH 2.5 and least at pH 8. As the nonviable Lb and Lp that bound AFB1 in experiment 3 would not be effective silage inoculants, experiment 4 examined effects of benign versus severe treatments (85 vs. 100°C; pH 2.5 vs. <1) on the viability of Lp, Lb, and Pa. The population of bacteria was reduced from 9 to 4 log cfu/mL by treatment with HCl at pH 2.5 and to 2 log cfu/mL by 85 or 100°C, whereas acidification at pH <1 eliminated the bacteria. Experiment 5 determined the effect of the ensiling duration and benign treatment methods [37 (viable cells) or 85°C (heated cells) or acidification with HCl at pH 2.5 (acid-treated cells)] on binding of AFB1 and silage quality during the fermentation of corn forage. Corn forage was ensiled after treatment with only deionized water (control), AFB1 (30 µg/kg of fresh forage), or a mixture of AFB1 and 109 cfu/g of each of the treated bacteria. Adding AFB1 alone to corn forage reduced the pH decline during the first 3 d of ensiling and increased or tended to increase butyric acid concentration and final pH after ensiling for 21 d. Bacterial inoculation inhibited these negative effects. The fermentation profile of silage treated with Lb and Pa did not differ from those of the control silage. In all silages treated with the toxin, the AFB1 concentration decreased linearly (from 30 to ≤0.35 µg/kg) within 3 d of ensiling. Certain silage bacteria can bind AFB1 but the efficacy depends on several factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objectives were to examine if adding metal ion cofactors (COF) to exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE) would increase the beneficial effects of the EFE on the preingestive hydrolysis and in vitro digestibility and fermentation of bermudagrass haylage. In experiment 1, 5 COF (Mn2+, Co2+, Fe2+, Ca2+, and Mg2+) were screened to select the best candidates for synergistically enhancing release of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) from bermudagrass haylage by 5 EFE. The 5 EFE (1A, 2A, 11C, 13D, and 15D) were sourced from Trichoderma reesei and Aspergillus oryzae and they were the most effective of 12 EFE at increasing the neutral detergent fiber digestibility of bermudagrass haylage in a previous trial. Adding 1 mM of each of the COF to EFE 2A or 11C synergistically increased release of WSC from bermudagrass haylage, as did adding (1 mM) Fe2+ to 1A, Mn2+, Co2+, or Fe2+ to 13D, or Co2+ or Fe2+ to 15D. The greatest release of WSC responses were obtained by adding Mn2+ to 11C (38%) or by adding Fe2+ to 2A or 13D (10 and 21.9%, respectively). In experiment 2, the effect of increasing the COF dose on in vitro digestibility and fermentation of bermudagrass haylage was examined using the best EFE-COF combinations from experiment 1. Effects of adding increasing doses of these COF on EFE-mediated changes in vitro digestibility depended on the COF-EFE combination. Adding 10 mM Mn2+ alone to bermudagrass haylage increased DMD and NDFD by 2.7 and 6.3% and adding 11C alone increased these measures by 6.6 and 15.5%, respectively. However, adding 10 mM Mn2+ with 11C resulted in 3.5 and 8.1% increases in DMD and NDFD, respectively, beyond the increases caused by adding 11C alone. Adding Fe2+ to 2A had no effects on EFE-mediated digestibility responses, but 2A prevented adverse effects of adding Fe2+ alone on DMD and NDFD. In contrast, adding Fe2+ to 13D reduced the increases in DMD and NDFD caused by adding the EFE alone. This study shows that adding COF to EFE can synergistically increase, decrease, or not affect the hydrolytic effects of EFE on bermudagrass haylage cell walls. The outcome depends on the specific EFE-COF combination and the COF dose. More research is required to understand the mechanisms resulting in these outcomes to exploit beneficial effects of COF on EFE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the molecular characterization and potential association of SLC39A7 gene with carcass traits were investigated in pigs. The sequence of SLC39A7 cDNA was obtained by in silico cloning and RT-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Two transcripts, variant 1 (2398 bp) and variant 2 (2088 bp), of the SLC39A7 gene were identified. Expression analysis of SLC39A7 in 10 different tissues by RT-PCR showed that variant 1 was ubiquitously expressed in all tissues analysed, but variant 2 was not found in fat tissue. The cDNA regions of variant 1 and 2 were organized in seven and eight exons respectively. A c.205G>A substitution in exon 3, which changes a codon for glycine into a codon for arginine, (p.Gly69Arg) and a c.1138-216T>C substitution in intron 6 were detected by PCR- HpaII-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) and PCR- cofI-RFLP respectively. Significant differences were found in the allele frequencies of c.205G>A among six Chinese indigenous pig breeds and two commercial pig breeds. Linkage analysis showed that the c.205G>A polymorphism within the SLC39A7 gene was closely linked to the marker Sw1856 on pig chromosome 7 in a Large White × Meishan F2 resource population. The QTL and association studies between polymorphisms of the SLC39A7 gene and carcass traits were carried out. Significant associations of the SLC39A7 polymorphisms with backfat thickness at thorax-waist (p < 0.05), average backfat thickness (p < 0.05) and leaf fat weight (p < 0.01) were found. Additional F-drop test or marker assisted association analyses also supported the association of the mutation in SLC39A7 with the above traits. Together, the present study provided the useful information for the characterization of SLC39A7 gene and potential association with carcass traits in pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this experiment was to examine effects of adding 2 exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE) to the total mixed ration (TMR) on the performance of lactating dairy cows (experiment 1) and the kinetics of ruminal degradation of the diet (experiment 2). Twelve EFE had been screened in a series of in vitro assays that identified the most potent EFE and their optimal doses for increasing the digestibility of bermudagrass. In experiment 1, 66 Holstein cows (21 ± 5 d in milk) were grouped by previous milk production and parity (45 multiparous and 21 primiparous) and assigned randomly to 1 of the following 3 treatments: (1) control (CON, untreated), (2) Xylanase Plus [2A, 1 mL/kg of TMR dry matter (DM); Dyadic International, Jupiter, FL], and (3) a 75:25 (vol/vol) mixture of Cellulase Plus and Xylanase Plus EFE (3A, 3.4 mL/kg of TMR DM; Dyadic International). The EFE were sprayed twice daily onto a TMR (10% bermudagrass silage, 35% corn silage, 5% alfalfa-orchardgrass hay mixture, and 50% concentrates; DM basis) and fed for a 14-d training and covariate period and a 70-d measurement period. Experiment 2 aimed to examine the in situ DM ruminal degradability and ruminal fermentation measurements of the diets fed in experiment 1. Three ruminally fistulated lactating Holstein cows were assigned to the diets. The experiment had a 3 × 3 Latin square design with 23-d periods. In experiment 1, application of 2A increased intakes (kg/d) of DM (23.5 vs. 22.6), organic matter (21.9 vs. 20.9), and crude protein (3.9 vs. 3.7) and tended to increase yields (kg/d) of fat-corrected milk (41.8 vs. 40.7) and milk fat (1.48 vs. 1.44). In particular, 2A increased milk yield (kg/d) during wk 3 (41.2 vs. 39.8, tendency), 6 (41.9 vs. 40.1), and 7 (42.1 vs. 40.4), whereas 3A increased milk yield (kg/d) during wk 6 (41.5 vs. 40.1, tendency), 8 (41.8 vs. 40.0), and 9 (40.9 vs. 39.5, tendency). In experiment 2, EFE treatment did not affect ruminal DM degradation kinetics or ruminal pH, ammonia-N, and volatile fatty acid concentration. Application of 2A to the bermudagrass-based TMR increased DM intake and milk production, implying that this EFE could be used to increase the performance of lactating dairy cows fed diets containing up to 10% bermudagrass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the clinical and pathological characteristics as well as therapies and prognosis of gray zone lymphoma (GZL). The clinical data of 10 GZL patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from December 2016 to December 2022 were retrospectively collected. The clinical and pathological characteristics, therapies and prognosis were analyzed. The cut-off time for follow-up visits was December 31, 2022, and the median time for follow-up visits [ M ( Q 1 , Q 3 )] was 40.0 (28.3, 59.8) months. Treatment efficacy was divided into complete remission (CR), partial remission (PR), stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD).　There were 6 males and 4 females, with a median age [ M ( Q 1 , Q 3 )] of 33.5 (27.3-39.5) years. Among them, 8 patients had mediastinal (thymus) involvement and 7 patients were accompanied with extranodal involvement. According to Ann Arbor staging, 1 case was in the limited stage and 9 cases were in the progressive stage. The immunophenotypes of 4 patients were strong expression of CD20, expression of CD30, and no expression of CD15. The immunophenotypes of 6 patients were unequal expression of CD20 and strong expression of CD30 and CD15. One patient received classical hodgkin lymphoma(cHL)-like immunochemotherapy and only achieved PR, and then received enhanced diffuse large b-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)-like immunochemotherapy to achieve CR. Five patients received enhanced DLBCL-like immunochemotherapy for induction therapy and achieved CR. All 4 patients who did not achieve CR achieved CR after receiving second-line or third-line salvage therapy. All patients were given autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for consolidation therapy. One patient relapsed and died during the follow-up visit in the 33rd month, and the remaining patients currently maintained a state of sustained remission. It is found that GZL mostly occurs in young patients, mediastinal involvement is common, and diagnosis relies on pathological morphology and immunophenotype. GZL may be more sensitive to DLBCL-like intensive immune regimens. Sequential ASCT for consolidation can reduce the risk of relapse.

Objective: To explore the characteristics of dynamic balance during the onset of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and its prediction of residual symptoms after successful repositioning. Methods: From January 2018 to August 2019, patients diagnosed with unilateral posterior semicircular canal or horizontal semicircular canal BPPV were consecutively enrolled from five otolaryngology clinics in Shanghai. The dynamic balance function was measured by sensory organization test (SOT) before repositioning maneuver, and the residual symptoms and its duration were followed up from one week to up to three months. Results: A total of 260 patients were recruited. After excluding 17 cases, 243 cases were successfully followed up including 89 males and 154 females, with an average age of (52.9±13.0) years. There were 175 cases of posterior semicircular BPPV, 61 cases of horizontal semicircular BPPV and 7 cases of canal conversion (from horizontal to posterior semicircular). Among 243 patients, 118 cases reported residual symptoms, with an incidence of 48.6%. The results of SOT showed that 58.0%(141/243) of the patients had abnormal vestibular input and 41.6%(101/243) were categorized as "near falls". With respect to the detailed residual symptoms, 47 cases (39.8%) reported unsteadiness or floating, 35 cases (29.7%) had fogginess/heaviness feeling, 22 cases (18.6%) had transient dizzy while head moving, and 15 cases (12.7%) reported that the symptom was too subtle to describe. Compared with the group without residual symptoms, the group with residual symptoms had more abnormal vestibular input( χ²= 67.25, P <0.001) and near falls( χ²= 74.78, P <0.001) as identified by SOT test. Cox proportional hazards regression failed to reveal any SOT results having significantly impact on the duration of residual symptoms [abnormal vestibular input ( HR = 0.93, 95% CI : 0.48, 1.80), and near falls ( HR = 0.90, 95% CI : 0.56, 1.46)]. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the duration of residual symptoms among patients with different SOT manifestations [Log rank (Mantel-Cox) test, P >0.05]. Conclusions: The impaired dynamic balance during the onset of BPPV is characterized by "abnormal vestibular input". The residual symptoms are mainly characterized by unsteadiness or floating feeling. The defect of dynamic balance function is a predictor of the residual symptoms after successful repositioning, but not for the duration of such symptoms.

Our objectives were to evaluate technical lignins for their antifungal properties against 3 molds and 1 yeast causing hay spoilage, and their ability to preserve ground high-moisture alfalfa hay nutritive value in vitro. In experiment 1, 8 technical lignins and propionic acid (PRP; positive control) were tested at a dose of 40 mg/mL. The experiment had a randomized complete block design (RCBD, 4 runs) and a factorial arrangement of 3 molds × 10 additives (ADV). The effects of the ADV on yeast were evaluated separately with a RCBD. Sodium lignosulfonate (NaL) and PRP were the only treatments with 100 ± 2.8% inhibition of fungi. In experiment 2, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for selected lignins and PRP were determined. At pH 4, NaL had the lowest MIC across the molds (20-33.3 mg/mL) and magnesium lignosulfonate (MgL) for the yeast (26.7) among the lignins. However, PRP had MIC values that were several-fold lower across all fungi (1.25-3.33). In experiment 3, a RCBD (5 blocks) with a 3 (ADV; NaL, MgL, and PRP) × 4 (doses: 0, 0.5, 1, and 3% wt/wt fresh basis) factorial arrangement of treatments was used to evaluate the preservative effects of ADV in ground high-moisture alfalfa hay inoculated with a mixture of the fungi previously tested and incubated under aerobic conditions in vitro. After 15 d, relative to untreated hay (14.9), dry matter (DM) losses were lessened by doses as low as 1% for NaL (3.39) and 0.5% for PRP (0.81 ± 0.77%). The mold count was reduced in both NaL at 3% (3.92) and PRP as low as 0.5% (3.94) relative to untreated hay (7.76 ± 0.55 log cfu/fresh g). Consequently, sugars were best preserved by NaL at 3% (10.1) and PRP as low as 0.5% (10.5) versus untreated (7.99 ± 0.283% DM), while keeping neutral detergent fiber values lower in NaL (45.9) and PRP-treated (45.1) hays at the same doses, respectively, relative to untreated (49.7 ± 0.66% DM). Hay DM digestibility was increased by doses as low as 3% for NaL (67.5), 1% MgL (67.0), and 0.5% PRP (68.5) versus untreated hay (61.8 ± 0.77%). The lowest doses increasing neutral detergent fiber digestibility relative to untreated hay (23.3) were 0.5% for MgL and PRP (30.5 and 30.1, respectively) and 1% for NaL (30.7 ± 1.09% DM). Across technical lignins, NaL showed the most promise as a potential hay preservative. However, its effects were limited compared with PRP at equivalent doses. Despite not having an effect on preservation, MgL improved DM digestibility by stimulating neutral detergent fiber digestibility. This study warrants further development of NaL under field conditions., (Copyright © 2020 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Plasma cell granuloma is a kind of the disease with low incidence at head and neck，which is a benign lesions with malignant biological performance. The diagnosis of plasma cell granuloma is difficult as the symptom is not typical and it is difficult to distinguish with cancers and other diseases through the physical sign and imaging manifestation. The golden standard of diagnosis is histopathological examination. The therapy of plasma cell granuloma is still controversial, but the first choice is the operation. The other therapy such as hormone therapy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy etc., should be applied according to special conditions. Surgery has advantage with high cure rate and very low reoccurance rate. In this paper, we reported a case of plasma cell granuloma, occurred in maxillary sinus and summarizes the experiences about diagnosis and therapy of plasma cell granuloma in maxillary sinus through review previous literature., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© by the Editorial Department of Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery.)

The objectives were to examine the aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 )-binding capacity of silage bacteria and factors affecting the responses. Experiments 1 and 2 examined the effects of bacterial strain and population on the AFB 1 -binding capacity of 10 bacteria. When applied at 10 6 cfu/mL to an in vitro medium, only Lactobacillus plantarum PT5B bound the AFB 1 and the binding capacity was low (4%). When applied at 10 9 cfu/mL, all 10 bacteria bound AFB 1 , but L. plantarum R2014 (Lp) and EQ12, Lactobacillus buchneri R1102 (Lb), and Pediococcus acidilactici R2142 and EQ01 (Pa) had the greatest capacity (23.9 to 33%). Experiment 3 examined the AFB 1 -binding capacity of viable and nonviable (HCl-treated) forms of Lp, Lb, and Pa at different pH. Nonviable Lb and Lp, but not Pa, increased AFB 1 binding. Binding of AFB 1 was greatest at pH 2.5 and least at pH 8. As the nonviable Lb and Lp that bound AFB 1 in experiment 3 would not be effective silage inoculants, experiment 4 examined effects of benign versus severe treatments (85 vs. 100°C; pH 2.5 vs. <1) on the viability of Lp, Lb, and Pa. The population of bacteria was reduced from 9 to 4 log cfu/mL by treatment with HCl at pH 2.5 and to 2 log cfu/mL by 85 or 100°C, whereas acidification at pH <1 eliminated the bacteria. Experiment 5 determined the effect of the ensiling duration and benign treatment methods [37 (viable cells) or 85°C (heated cells) or acidification with HCl at pH 2.5 (acid-treated cells)] on binding of AFB 1 and silage quality during the fermentation of corn forage. Corn forage was ensiled after treatment with only deionized water (control), AFB 1 (30 µg/kg of fresh forage), or a mixture of AFB 1 and 10 9 cfu/g of each of the treated bacteria. Adding AFB 1 alone to corn forage reduced the pH decline during the first 3 d of ensiling and increased or tended to increase butyric acid concentration and final pH after ensiling for 21 d. Bacterial inoculation inhibited these negative effects. The fermentation profile of silage treated with Lb and Pa did not differ from those of the control silage. In all silages treated with the toxin, the AFB 1 concentration decreased linearly (from 30 to ≤0.35 µg/kg) within 3 d of ensiling. Certain silage bacteria can bind AFB 1 but the efficacy depends on several factors., (Copyright © 2017 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Many QTLs for fatness traits have been mapped on pig chromosome 7q1.1-1.4 in various pig resource populations. Eight novel markers, including seven SNPs and one insertion or deletion within BTNL1, COL21A1, PPARD, GLP1R, MDFI, GNMT, ABCC10, and PLA2G7 genes, as well as two previously reported SNPs in SLC39A7 and HMGA1 genes, were genotyped in Large White and Meishan pig breeds. Except for two SNPs in HMGA1 and ABCC10 genes, allele frequencies of the other eight markers are highly significant different between Chinese indigenous Meishan breeds and Large White pig breeds. Eight polymorphic sites were then used for linkage and QTL mapping to refine the fatness QTL in a Large White × Meishan F(2) resource population. Five chromosome-wise significant QTLs were detected, of which the QTLs for leaf fat weight, backfat thickness at 6-7th rib and rump, and mean backfat thickness were narrowed to the interval between PPARD and GLP1R genes and the QTL for backfat thickness at thorax-waist between GNMT and PLA2G7 genes on SSC7p1.1-q1.4.

The mtDNA hypervariable segment I sequences (515bp) were sequenced in 83 Zhuangs from Gunngxi Province, with the aim to learn more about the origin and genetic structure of the current Zhuangs. 66 haplotypes were identified in the samples, with 71 sites showing polymorphism. Phylogenetic analysis of the 66 haplotypes suggests that there are geographic differentiation in current Zhuangs, and those from the 4 geographic regions (Nanning, Hechi, Baise and Liuzhou) have different distribution frequencies in the cluster I, II and III in the tree. More than 50% individuals from Liuzhou and Hechi converge into cluster II, while those from Nanning and Baise have high frequency in cluster I. Combined with the analysis of the reported data, the Zhuang ethnic group shows remote affinity to those from North China, whereas it is close to those in South China. The frequencies of the radiation groups in Zhuangs, together with the phylogenetic relationship of the Zhuang ethnic group in the tree suggest that the Zhuang is a typical south population.

102 cases of coronary heart disease (CHD) were divided randomly into two groups, 70 cases were given orally the Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD) for 15 days and were compared with 32 control patients. The effect of BYHWD in treating angina pectoris and the change of EKG before and after the treatment were observed. The results were as follows: in BYHWD group the serum level of lipoperoxide (LPO), apolipoprotein (apo) B100, LPO/SOD (superoxide dismutase) and apo B100/apo A1 were lowered remarkably, the serum of SOD and apo A1 were elevated significantly (P < 0.01) comparing with the control group. The total effective rate of treating angina pectoris was 91.4%. But the difference was insignificant compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The EKG improvement rate was 85.7% in BYHWD group, the difference was very significant comparing with control group (P < 0.05). The results indicated that BYHWD had a good effect on removing the oxygen free radicals, reducing the injury of LPO and regulating the apolipoprotein metabolism in the patients with CHD. Therefore BYHWD is an effective TCM remedy for CHD.