This study aimed to evaluate the effects of two biomacromolecules, fermented wheat bran polysaccharides (FWBPs) and sodium humate (SH), on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, digestive enzyme activity, antioxidant status, and immunity of broilers. A total of 144 male, one-day-old Arbor Acres broilers were randomly divided into three dietary groups: control (CON), 0.4% FWBPs, and 0.1% SH, with six replicates of eight birds. The FWBPs and SH groups had a greater body weight (BW) at 21 and 42 d, average daily weight gain (ADG) in the starter period, average daily feed intake (ADFl) in the overall period, and feed-to-gain ratio (F:G) in the grower period. However, the ADFI was decreased by FWBPs supplementation and increased by SH supplementation in the grower period. The dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) digestibility were higher in the SH group at 21 d. At 21 d, the FWBPs group had an increased duodenal trypsin and serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity and immunoglobulin M (IgM) concentration, and a decreased liver malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. The SH group had increased duodenal lipase activity, serum IgM, and interleukin-2 concentrations but decreased liver MDA concentrations. At 42 d, FWBPs and SH supplementation decreased duodenal trypsin and chymotrypsin and serum superoxide dismutase activity. Jejunum chymotrypsin activity and liver MDA content were decreased in the SH group. In conclusion, dietary FWBPs or SH supplementation during the starter period can improve growth performance and nutrient digestibility and enhance antioxidant capacity and immunity of broilers.

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.

Abstract In order to study the spatial changes in the Yellow River basin, a new nonparametric method called the 0-1 test algorithm is introduced to detect the change rule between runoff and basin area. The test approach has the virtue of applying directly to the time series without phase-space reconstruction. This thesis takes the logistic map as an example, the numerical results demonstrate the advantages of the method. Then, the runoff time series (2002-2009) collected by the six hydrologic stations (Tangnaihai, Lanzhou, Toudaoguai, Longkou, Sanmenxia and Huayuankou) of Yellow River, are selected to analyze the laws of evolution in different spatial scales. The asymptotic growth rates of Kc are 0.8751, 0.8985, 0.9783, 0.9793, 0.9848 and 0.9976, respectively. Multiple spatial scales runoff data of Yellow River Basin shows chaotic characteristic. The minimum value of Kc is in the upper reaches of the Yellow River (Tangnaihai). The maximum value of Kc is in the lower reaches of the Yellow River (Huayuankou). The spatial runoff process changes greatly in temporal and spatial scales. And the drainage area is an important factor in causing chaos variation. The conclusion illustrates the feasibility of this method and provides scientific data for runoff prediction.

RESUMO O presente trabalho visa investigar os efeitos do extrato de semente de uva Proanthocyanidin (GSPE) sobre o desempenho da produção, o metabolismo e o status antioxidante de gado leiteiro Holstein em lactação precoce. Quarenta e oito vacas leiteiras multíparas Holstein foram divididas em quatro grupos (CON, G20, G40 e G80) e receberam 0, 20, 40 e 80mg de GSPE/kg de peso corporal/dia, respectivamente. O G20 aumentou significativamente o rendimento do leite em comparação com os outros grupos. A proteína e os sólidos não gordurosos do leite foram aumentados nos grupos G20, G40 e G80 somente no sétimo dia durante a experiência. Não foi observada diferença significativa na gordura do leite e na contagem de células somáticas, bem como nos parâmetros de metabolismo energético no sangue, na função hepática e na função renal entre os grupos em relação ao grupo controle. Não houve diferença significativa na glutationa peroxidase, na dimutase de superóxido, na capacidade antioxidante total e no peróxido de hidrogênio entre os grupos, mas o conteúdo malondialdeído do G20 aumentou significativamente no dia 14 em comparação com o CON, e tendia a aumentar no dia 28. Em conclusão, a alimentação de 20mg de GSPE/kg de peso corporal/dia foi associada a um aumento significativo no rendimento do leite, sem efeitos nocivos sobre a função hepática ou a renal, com o metabolismo de energia substancial e a melhoria dos parâmetros antioxidantes de gado leiteiro no início da lactação.

ABSTRACT Aims to investigate the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) on production performance, metabolism, and anti-oxidative status of Holstein dairy cattle in early lactation. Forty-eight multiparous Holstein dairy cattle were assigned to four groups (CON, G20, G40 and G80) and supplied with 0, 20, 40, and 80mg GSPE/kg of body weight/day. G20 significantly increased milk yield compared with other groups. Milk protein and non-fat-solids were increased in G20, G40 and G80 groups compared with the control group only at the 7th day during the experiment. No significant difference was observed in milk fat and somatic cell count, nor on parameters of energy metabolism in blood, liver function and kidney function between the four groups. There was no significant difference in glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, and hydrogen peroxide between the groups; but the malondialdehyde content of G20 significantly increased at day 14 in comparison with CON, and tended to increase at the 28th day. In conclusion, feeding 20mg GSPE/kg of body weight/day was associated with a significant increase in milk yield without detrimental effects on liver or kidney function and with substantial energy metabolism and antioxidant parameters improvement in early lactation dairy cattle.

The paper describes efforts to find an effective and reasonable method for predicting ground vibrations induced by bench blasting. In order to reflect the effect of actual topography and geological conditions, two concepts - the equivalent path and equivalent distance - are introduced to take into account the effects of topographic features and properties of the rock and rock mass. An equivalent-path-based equation, the EPB equation, is thus proposed, which takes into account the impacts of maximum charge quantity and explosion heat of the explosive, acoustic impedance of the rock, integrity coefficient of the rock mass, as well as the equivalent distance. A total of 48 field seismic monitoring tests were carried out and the constants of the EPB equation were determined. Comparison of the predicted peak particle velocity values with those measured shows that the average error of the prediction is much lower, demonstrating the applicability of the EPB equation in the prediction of bench blasting-induced ground vibrations.

We aimed to study the renal injury and hypertension induced by chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) and the protective effects mediated by angiotensin 1-7 [Ang(1-7)]. We randomly assigned 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats (body weight 180-200 g) to normoxia control, CIH, Ang(1-7)-treated normoxia, and Ang(1-7)-treated CIH groups. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was monitored at the start and end of each week. Renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) was recorded. CTGF and TGF-β were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Tissue parameters of oxidative stress were also determined. In addition, renal levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, nitrotyrosine, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α were determined by immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, and ELISA. TUNEL assay results and cleaved caspase 3 and 12 were also determined. Ang(1-7) induced a reduction in SBP together with a restoration of RSNA in the rat model of CIH. Ang(1-7) treatment also suppressed the production of reactive oxygen species, reduced renal tissue inflammation, ameliorated mesangial expansion, and decreased renal fibrosis. Thus, Ang(1-7) treatment exerted renoprotective effects on CIH-induced renal injury and was associated with a reduction of oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis. Ang(1-7) might therefore represent a promising therapy for obstructive sleep apnea-related hypertension and renal injury.

Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with inflammation and oxidative stress in lung tissues and can lead to metabolic abnormalities. We investigated the effects of angiotensin1–7 [Ang-(1–7)] on lung injury in rats induced by chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH). We randomly assigned 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats (180–200 g) to normoxia control (NC), CIH-untreated (uCIH), Ang-(1–7)-treated normoxia control (N-A), and Ang-(1–7)-treated CIH (CIH-A) groups. Oxidative stress biomarkers were measured in lung tissues, and expression of NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) and Nox subunits (p22phox, and p47phox) was determined by Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Pulmonary pathological changes were more evident in the uCIH group than in the other groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and immunohistochemical staining showed that inflammatory factor concentrations in serum and lung tissues in the uCIH group were significantly higher than those in the NC and N-A groups. Expression of inflammatory factors was significantly higher in the CIH-A group than in the NC and N-A groups, but was lower than in the uCIH group (P<0.01). Oxidative stress was markedly higher in the uCIH group than in the NC and N-A groups. Expression of Nox4 and its subunits was also increased in the uCIH group. These changes were attenuated upon Ang-(1–7) treatment. In summary, treatment with Ang-(1-7) reversed signs of CIH-induced lung injury via inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Our objective was to examine associations of adult weight gain and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Cross-sectional interview data from 844 residents in Wan Song Community from October 2009 to April 2010 were analyzed in multivariate logistic regression models to examine odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) between NAFLD and weight change from age 20. Questionnaires, physical examinations, laboratory examinations, and ultrasonographic examination of the liver were carried out. Maximum rate of weight gain, body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, and alanine transaminase were higher in the NAFLD group than in the control group. HDL-C in the NAFLD group was lower than in the control group. As weight gain increased (measured as the difference between current weight and weight at age 20 years), the OR of NAFLD increased in multivariate models. NAFLD OR rose with increasing weight gain as follows: OR (95%CI) for NAFLD associated with weight gain of 20+ kg compared to stable weight (change <5 kg) was 4.23 (2.49-7.09). Significantly increased NAFLD OR were observed even for weight gains of 5-9.9 kg. For the “age 20 to highest lifetime weight” metric, the OR of NAFLD also increased as weight gain increased. For the “age 20 to highest lifetime weight” metric and the “age 20 to current weight” metric, insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) increased as weight gain increased (P<0.001). In a stepwise multivariate regression analysis, significant association was observed between adult weight gain and NAFLD (OR=1.027, 95%CI=1.002-1.055, P=0.025). We conclude that adult weight gain is strongly associated with NAFLD.

Members of the ERF transcription-factor family participate in a number of biological processes, viz., responses to hormones, adaptation to biotic and abiotic stress, metabolism regulation, beneficial symbiotic interactions, cell differentiation and developmental processes. So far, no tissue-expression profile of any cucumber ERF protein has been reported in detail. Recent completion of the cucumber full-genome sequence has come to facilitate, not only genome-wide analysis of ERF family members in cucumbers themselves, but also a comparative analysis with those in Arabidopsis and rice. In this study, 103 hypothetical ERF family genes in the cucumber genome were identified, phylogenetic analysis indicating their classification into 10 groups, designated I to X. Motif analysis further indicated that most of the conserved motifs outside the AP2/ERF domain, are selectively distributed among the specific clades in the phylogenetic tree. From chromosomal localization and genome distribution analysis, it appears that tandem-duplication may have contributed to CsERF gene expansion. Intron/exon structure analysis indicated that a few CsERFs still conserved the former intron-position patterns existent in the common ancestor of monocots and eudicots. Expression analysis revealed the widespread distribution of the cucumber ERF gene family within plant tissues, thereby implying the probability of their performing various roles therein. Furthermore, members of some groups presented mutually similar expression patterns that might be related to their phylogenetic groups.

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.

Phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure occurs during the cell death program and fluorescein-labeled lactadherin permits the detection of PS exposure earlier than annexin V in suspended cell lines. Adherent cell lines were studied for this apoptosis-associated phenomenon to determine if PS probing methods are reliable because specific membrane damage may occur during harvesting. Apoptosis was induced in the human tongue squamous carcinoma cell line (Tca8113) and the adenoid cystic carcinoma cell line (ACC-2) by arsenic trioxide. Cells were harvested with a modified procedure and labeled with lactadherin and/or annexin V. PS exposure was localized by confocal microscopy and apoptosis was quantified by flow cytometry. The detachment procedure without trypsinization did not induce cell damage. In competition binding experiments, phospholipid vesicles competed for more than 95 and 90% of lactadherin but only about 75 and 70% of annexin V binding to Tca8113 and ACC-2 cells. These data indicate that PS exposure occurs in three stages during the cell death program and that fluorescein-labeled lactadherin permitted the detection of early PS exposure. A similar pattern of PS exposure has been observed in two malignant cell lines with different adherence, suggesting that this pattern of PS exposure is common in adherent cells. Both lactadherin and annexin V could be used in adherent Tca8113 and ACC-2 cell lines when an appropriate harvesting procedure was used. Lactadherin is more sensitive than annexin V for the detection of PS exposure as the physical structure of PS in these blebs and condensed apoptotic cell surface may be more conducive to binding lactadherin than annexin V.

A numerical moment method (NMM) is applied to study groundwater flow and solute transport in a multiple-scale heterogeneous formation. The formation is composed of various materials and conductivity distribution within each material is heterogeneous. The distribution of materials in the study domain is characterized by an indicator function and the conductivity field within each material is assumed to be statistically stationary. Based on this assumption, a general expression is derived for the covariance function of the composite field in terms of the covariance of the indicator variables and the statistical properties of the composite materials. The NMM is used to investigate the effects of various uncertain parameters on flow and transport predictions in two case studies. It is shown from the study results that the two-scale stochastic processes of heterogeneity will both significantly influence the flow and transport predictions, especially for the variances of hydraulic head and solute fluxes. This study also shows that the NMM can be used to study flow and transport in complex subsurface environments. Therefore, the method may be applicable to complex environmental projects.