Abstract Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide. To investigate effect of silymarin on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The serum samples of 20 healthy controls, 20 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD and 20 patients with stable COPD were collected. LPS and smoking were used to induce COPD mouse model. Our results showed that in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD, O2-level release from peripheral blood neutrophils were negatively correlated with forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), FEV1 in predicted value, FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC), and arterial partial pressure (PaO2). (r=-0.898, -0.878, -874, -0.890, all P<0.01). Compared with that in the control group, the phosphorylation of NADPH oxidase p47phox factor and peripheral blood neutrophil membrane protein in the stable COPD group and the acute exacerbation COPD group were significantly stronger. Silymarin can inhibit the inflammatory response and oxidative stress. In conclusion, silymarin reduces oxidative stress in phagocytic and non-phagocytic cells, thus decreasing the oxidative stress in COPD patients

RESUMO Objetivo: Explorar o papel preditivo do dímero D para a mortalidade de pacientes com pneumonia adquirida na comunidade (PAC). Métodos: Revisão sistemática e meta-análise. Foram realizadas buscas nos seguintes bancos de dados: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Ovid MEDLINE e Cochrane Library, desde seu início até 26 de julho de 2020. Estudos explorando a relação entre níveis de dímero D no sangue e mortalidade por PAC foram selecionados. Nesta meta-análise, foram calculadas taxa de mortalidade, sensibilidade, especificidade, razão de verossimilhança positiva e razão de verossimilhança negativa. Resultados: A busca identificou 1.073 artigos, dos quais 8 (totalizando 2.126 pacientes) foram incluídos nesta meta-análise. A taxa de mortalidade combinada da amostra total foi de 0,10 (IC95%: 0,08-0,14). Os níveis de dímero D no sangue dos não sobreviventes foram significativamente maiores do que os dos sobreviventes (diferença da média ponderada = 1,03 mg/L [IC95%: 0,81-1,26]; p < 0,00001). A área sob a curva summary ROC para o melhor valor de corte de dímero D como preditor de mortalidade foi de 0,848 (ep = 0,046), e razão de verossimilhança negativa combinada para dímero D dentro da faixa de normalidade foi de 0,24 (IC95%: 0,11-0,53). Conclusões: O dímero D no sangue pode ser útil para a avaliação inicial do risco de mortalidade de pacientes com PAC. Níveis de dímero D dentro da faixa de normalidade indicam baixo risco de mortalidade. Em virtude do pequeno tamanho da amostra do nosso estudo, nossos achados devem ser explorados e validados em estudos futuros com amostras maiores.

ABSTRACT Objective: To explore the predictive roles of D-dimer for the mortality of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Methods: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Ovid MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library from their inception to July 26, 2020. Studies exploring the relationship between blood D-dimer levels and CAP-related mortality were selected. In this meta-analysis, we calculated mortality rates, sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratios, and negative likelihood ratios. Results: The search identified 1,073 articles, 8 of which (a total of 2,126 patients) were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled mortality rate of the overall sample was 0.10 (95% CI, 0.08-0.14). The levels of blood D-dimer in the nonsurvivors were significantly higher than those in the survivors (weighted mean difference = 1.03 mg/L [95% CI, 0.81-1.26]; p < 0.00001). The area under the summary ROC curve for the optimal cutoff value of D-dimer as a predictor of mortality was 0.848 (SE = 0.046), and the pooled negative likelihood ratio for D-dimer within the normal range was 0.24 (95% CI, 0.11-0.53). Conclusions: Blood D-dimer might be helpful for the initial assessment of mortality risk of patients with CAP. D-dimer levels within the normal range indicate low risk of mortality. Because of the small sample size in our study, our findings should be further explored and validated in future studies with larger sample sizes.

ABSTRACT In the present study, we examined the growth parameters of Bacillus licheniformis in solid-state fermentation (SSF) and evaluated the effects of Bacillus licheniformis-fermented products on Clostridium perfringens-challenged broilers. During four and six days of SSF, the highest viable biomass was observed at 5% glucose, 10% soybean meal, 3% yeast, and 50% initial moisture content. The Bacillus licheniformis SSF products were heat- and acid-resistant. Furthermore, the fermented products were able to inhibit the growth of Clostridium perfringens and Staphylococcus aureus in vitro. In feeding experiments, in a similar manner to the antibiotic treatment group, dietary supplementation of Bacillus licheniformis-fermented products significantly improved intestinal morphology and necrotic lesions under Clostridium perfringens challenge, accompanied by increased IFN-γ mRNA expression in the spleen and bursa of Fabricius. These results together suggest that Bacillus licheniformis-fermented products have potential for development as feed additives and use as possible substitutes for antibiotics to treat Clostridium perfringens in the poultry industry.

ABSTRACT Cold waterlogged paddy field is a type of low-yield paddy soil, and opening a drainage ditch has been suggested to improve waterlogged paddy soil and to increase the rice yield. However, little has been done on the role of a drainage ditch in ameliorating waterlogged soil. In the present study, rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield, soil physicochemical properties, microbial abundances and community structures in the surface soil of a cold waterlogged paddy field, which has three treatments with different distances from a drainage ditch including 5, 15 and 25 m were investigated. The results showed that opening a drainage ditch had a significant effect on the rice yield and soil physicochemical properties. Sampling sites near the drainage ditch such as 5 m-site had higher yield and soil nutrients, however, 25 m-site had lower values. Bacterial 16S rRNA gene did not exhibit a regular pattern but fungal abundance decreased sharply with increasing distance from the drainage ditch. The most abundant bacterial phyla across all soil samples were Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Planctomycetes and Chloroflexi. Abundant fungal phyla were Ascomycota, Zygomycota and Basidiomycota. Three treatments had similar microbial community compositions but with different relative abundances. The Bray-Curtis distance demonstrated that microbial community structures were divided into two major groups, samples of 5 m- and 15 m-site clustered into one group and samples of 25 m-site was another group. Moreover, redundancy analysis revealed that soil redox potential and total reducing substances were significant factors in shaping microbial community structures. The abundant aerobic bacteria were observed at the 5 m- and 15 m-site, in contrast, abundant anaerobic bacteria were observed at the 25 m-site. In conclusion, opening a drainage ditch in cold waterlogged paddy fields affects rice yield, soil nutrients, microbial abundances and community structures.

In this study, we analyzed the environmental (physical and chemical) and biological (phytoplankton) data obtained from the Daya Bay, South China Sea, during 4 cruises, carried out in January, April, August and October, 2001. The main objective of this study was to identify the key environmental factors affecting phytoplankton structure in the bay. The results suggest that environmental factors like temperature and nutrients ratios have great influence on phytoplankton succession. Environmental factors are affected by the combination of human activities and nature processes. The limiting factor transited from N limiting in winter to P limiting in spring. Hydrodynamic processes (mixing in winter and stratification in summer) seem to be another main driving force for phytoplankton growth. The diatoms were the dominant group during most of the year and the dominant species were Chaetoceros affinis, Chaetoceros lorenzianus, and Nitzschia pungens all the year round.

En este estudio, se analizaron datos ambientales (físicos y químicos) y biológicos (fitoplancton) obtenidos de Bahía Daya, Mar de China Meridional, durante 4 cruceros, llevados a cabo en enero, abril, agosto y octubre de 2001. El objetivo principal de este estudio fue identificar los factores ambientales clave que afectan la estructura del fitoplancton de la bahía. Los resultados sugieren que los factores ambientales como la temperatura y la proporción de nutrientes tienen una gran influencia en la sucesión del fitoplancton. Los factores ambientales son afectados por una combinación de actividades humanas y procesos naturales. El factor limitante pasó de N en invierno a P en primavera. Los procesos hidrodinámicos (mezcla en invierno y estratificación en verano) parecen ser otro factor forzante para el crecimiento del fitoplancton. Las diatomeas fueron el grupo dominante durante gran parte del año y las especies dominantes fueron Chaetoceros affinis, Chaetoceros lorenzianus, y Nitzschia pungens durante todo el año.

A field experiment established in 1980 was conducted to evaluate the effects of open drainage ditch applied for water removal on bacterial and fungal communities of cold waterlogged paddy soils in 2011. In this experiment, traditional plate counting and temperature gradient gel electrophoresis were employed to characterize the abundance and diversity of soil bacterial and fungal communities. Four different distances from the open drainage ditch, 5, 15, 25 and 75 m with different degrees of drainage were designed for this study. Maximum populations of culturable aerobic bacteria and fungi were at 15-m distance while minimum populations were at 75-m distance. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in fungal populations were observed at all distances from open drainage ditch. The highest diversity of the bacterial community was found at a distance of 25 m, while that of the fungal community was observed at a distance of 5 m. Sequencing of excised TGGE bands indicated that the dominant bacteria at 75-m distance belonged to anaerobic or microaerobic bacteria. Relationships between microbial characteristics and soil physicochemical properties indicated that soil pH and available nitrogen contents were key factors controlling the abundance of culturable aerobic bacteria and fungi, while soil water capacity also affected the diversity of fungal community. These findings can provide the references for better design and advanced management of the drainage ditches in cold waterlogged paddy soils.

As is commonly understood, the root canal morphology of the maxillary molars is usually complex and variable. It is sometimes difficult to detect the distobuccal root canal orifice of a maxillary second molar with root canal treatment. No literature related to the distobuccal root canals of the maxillary second molars has been published. Objective: To investigate the position of the distobuccal root canal orifice of the maxillary second molars in a Chinese population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Material and methods: In total, 816 maxillary second molars from 408 patients were selected from a Chinese population and scanned using CBCT. The following information was recorded: (1) the number of root canals per tooth, (2) the distance between the mesiobuccal and distobuccal root canal orifice (DM), (3) the distance between the palatal and distobuccal root canal orifice (DP), (4) the angle formed by the mesiobuccal, distobuccal and palatal root canal orifices (∠PDM). DM, DP and ∠PDM of the teeth with three or four root canals were analyzed and evaluated. Results: In total, 763 (93.51%) of 816 maxillary second molars had three or four root canals. The distance between the mesiobuccal and distobuccal orifice was 0.7 to 4.8 mm. 621 (81.39%) of 763 teeth were distributed within 1.5-3.0 mm. The distance between the palatal and distobuccal orifice ranged from 0.8 mm to 6.7 mm; 585 (76.67%) and were distributed within 3.0-5.0 mm. The angle (∠PDM) ranged from 69. 4º to 174.7º in 708 samples (92.80%), the angle ranged from 90º to 140º. Conclusions: The position of the distobuccal root canal orifice of the maxillary second molars with 3 or 4 root canals in a Chinese population was complex and variable. Clinicians should have a thorough knowledge of the anatomy of the maxillary second molars.

Background: Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is the most devastating disease in peanut. Planting resistant peanut cultivars is deemed as the sole economically viable means for effective control of the disease. To understand the molecular mechanism underlying resistance and facilitate breeding process, differences in gene expression between seeds of Rihua 1 (a Virginia type peanut variety resistant to bacterial wilt) inoculated with the bacterial pathogen suspension (10(9) cfu ml-1) and seeds of the same cultivar treated with water (control), were studied using the GenefishingTM technology. Results: A total of 25 differentially expressed genes were isolated. Expression of genes encoding cyclophilin and ADP-ribosylation factor, respectively, were further studied by real time RT-PCR, and full length cDNAs of both genes were obtained by rapid amplification of cDNA ends. Conclusions: The study provided candidate genes potentially useful for breeding peanut cultivars with both high yield and bacterial wilt resistance, although confirmation of their functions through transgenic studies is still needed.

Screening of peanut seeds resulting from 0.39% sodium azide treatment with NIRS calibration equation for bulk seed samples identified a plant with more than 60% oleate. Oleate content in individual seeds of the plant, as predicted by NIRS calibration equation for intact single peanut seeds, ranged from 50.05% ~ 68.69%. Three seeds with >60% oleate thus identified were further confirmed by gas chromatography. Multiple sequence alignments of the FAD2B gene from Huayu 22 (wild type) and peanut seeds with elevated oleate (mutant type) revealed a C281T transition in the coding region causing an I94T substitution in the oleoyl-PC desaturase, which may be responsible for reduction in the enzyme activity.

An efficient DNA extraction method was developed for peanut seed, where only 3-5 mg cotyledonary tissue was enough for more than 50 PCR reactions with a reaction volume of 15 μl. Both low copy number and high copy number DNA sequences were successfully amplified. Processing one seed sample only took about half an hour. Sampling had no significant effects on germination and development. The DNA extraction method makes it possible to identify transformants and conduct molecular marker studies prior to sowing, and thus may greatly hasten research progress.

Bombyx mori and Bombyx mandarina are morphologically and physiologically similar. In this study, we compared the nucleotide variations in the complete mitochondrial (mt) genomes between the domesticated silkmoth, B. mori, and its wild ancestors, Chinese B. mandarina (ChBm) and Japanese B. mandarina (JaBm). The sequence divergence and transition mutation ratio between B. mori and ChBm are significantly smaller than those observed between B. mori and JaBm. The preference of transition by DNA strands between B. mori and ChBm is consistent with that between B. mori and JaBm, however, the regional variation in nucleotide substitution rate shows a different feature. These results suggest that the ChBm mt genome is not undergoing the same evolutionary process as JaBm, providing evidence for selection on mtDNA. Moreover, investigation of the nucleotide sequence divergence in the A+T-rich region of Bombyx mt genomes also provides evidence for the assumption that the A+T-rich region might not be the fastest evolving region of the mtDNA of insects.

Reaction of aromatic hydrocarbons catalyzed by a novel catalytic system consisting of zinc chloride, acetic acid, sulfuric acid and PEG-800 in aqueous media under PTC conditions results in chloromethylation in good to excellent yield.

This paper describes a simple, low cost and reliable DNA template preparation protocol for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using immature leaves from peanut seeds or leaves from field-grown plants. The technique may find wide utility in studies involving PCR-based molecular markers, rapid screening for transformants and gene cloning.