Abstract Objective To explore whether Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (cAMP)-Epac1 signaling is activated in 1-Desamino-8-D-arginine-Vasopressin-induced Endolymphatic Hydrops (DDAVP-induced EH) and to provide new insight for further in-depth study of DDAVP-induced EH. Methods Eighteen healthy, red-eyed guinea pigs (36 ears) weighing 200-350 g were randomly divided into three groups: the control group, which received intraperitoneal injection of sterile saline (same volume as that in the other two groups) for 7 consecutive days; the DDAVP-7d group, which received intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/mL/kg DDAVP for 7 consecutive days; and the DDAVP-14d group, which received intraperitoneal injection of 10 μg/mL/kg DDAVP for 14 consecutive days. After successful modeling, all animals were sacrificed, and cochlea tissues were collected to detect the mRNA and protein expression of the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP-1 and 2 (Epac1, Epac2), and Repressor Activator Protein-1 (Rap1) by Reverse Transcription (RT)-PCR and western blotting, respectively. Results Compared to the control group, the relative mRNA expression of Epac1, Epac2, Rap1A, and Rap1B in the cochlea tissue of the DDAVP-7d group was significantly higher (p< 0.05), while no significant difference in Rap1 GTPase activating protein (Rap1gap) mRNA expression was found between the two groups. The relative mRNA expression of Epac1, Rap1A, Rap1B, and Rap1gap in the cochlea tissue of the DDAVP-14d group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p< 0.05), while no significant difference in Epac2 mRNA expression was found between the DDAVP-14d and control groups. Comparison between the DDAVP-14d and DDAVP-7d groups showed that the DDAVP-14d group had significantly lower Epac2 and Rap1A (p< 0.05) and higher Rap1gap (p < 0.05) mRNA expression in the cochlea tissue than that of the DDAVP-7d group, while no significant differences in Epac1 and Rap1B mRNA expression were found between the two groups. Western blotting showed that Epac1 protein expression in the cochlea tissue was the highest in the DDAVP-14d group, followed by that in the DDAVP-7d group, and was the lowest in the control group, showing significant differences between groups (p< 0.05); Rap1 protein expression in the cochlea tissue was the highest in the DDAVP-7d group, followed by the DDAVP-14d group, and was the lowest in the control group, showing significant differences between groups (p< 0.05); no significant differences in Epac2 protein expression in the cochlea tissue were found among the three groups. Conclusion DDAVP upregulated Epac1 protein expression in the guinea pig cochlea, leading to activation of the inner ear cAMP-Epac1 signaling pathway. This may be an important mechanism by which DDAVP regulates endolymphatic metabolism to induce EH and affect inner ear function. Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 Levels of Evidence Level 5.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Leptin (LEP) is a peptide hormone that acts via leptin receptor (LEPR) binding. Genetic evidence from different human populations has implicated LEP/LEPR in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD), and suggests that certain LEP/LEPR gene polymorphisms may increase the risk of CAD. The aim of this study was to assess two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in LEP genes (rs2167270 and rs7799039) and two in LEPR genes (rs6588147, rs1137100) for association with CAD. METHODS: We enrolled 271 North Chinese Han CAD patients, and 113 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood, and the four SNPs were assessed using a MassArray system. RESULTS: The G allele frequency at rs2167270 was significantly higher among CAD cases than among controls. The AG genotype at rs7799039 was associated with a significantly decreased risk of CAD unlike the AA genotype used as the reference. The A allele was significantly associated with the CAD patient group. Interestingly, statistically significant differences in genotype and allele frequency at LEP rs2167270 and rs7799039 existed among females but not among males. CONCLUSIONS: The current study detected a significant association between genetic variations at LEP rs7799039 and rs2167270 and the risk of CAD in a north Chinese population, and revealed that LEP rs2167270 and rs7799039 gene polymorphisms might act as predisposing factors for CAD.

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to establish dietary threonine (Thr) levels for Linwu ducks, aged 4 to 8 wk. Experimental diets formulated to contain 0.56, 0.61, 0.66, 0.71, 0.76, and 0.81% Thr fed to Linwu ducks. A total of 360 healthy Linwu female ducks with similar body weight (1183.89±3.83 g) were randomly divided into six groups, with five replicates in each group, and 12 ducks in each replicate. Samples were collected at 8 wk for the determination of growth performance, carcass traits, visceral organ indices, and serum biochemical parameters. As a result of this study, Thr level had no significant influence on the final weight, the daily gain, feed/gain ratio, and average daily intake (p>0.05). Similarly, there were no significant effects of dietary Thr on carcass traits and visceral organ indices (p>0.05). The pancreatic index was highest among all the treatments when the dietary Thr level was 0.66%. The different dietary Thr levels had no significant effect (p>0.05) on the concentration of total protein (TP), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), glucose (GLU), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione (GSH). However, the serum MDA concentration in the 0.66% treatment was lower (P=0.068) than in the other treatments. In conclusion, Thr at 0.66% concentration may have an antioxidant activity and exert positive effect on Linwu ducks.

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and analyse its risk factors using the International Association of Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Groups’ diagnostic criteria. Method: Pregnant women (n = 650) were selected for our study. The related risk factors of GDM were collected using a questionnaire. The 75 g oral glucose tolerance test was done from the 24th to the 28th week of their gestation. Their blood glucose levels were measured. Results: The GDM prevalence was 32.8%. Age, pre-pregnancy weight, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain, weight at birth and triglycerides in the GDM group were significantly higher than that of the normal glucose tolerance group (p < 0.05). The correlation analyses revealed that: age, pre-pregnancy weight, weight gain during pregnancy, the weights of the pregnant women at delivery, family history of diabetes, birth times, previous history of adverse pregnancy and hypertriglyceridaemia, were significantly correlated with the development of GDM (p < 0.05). Stratified analyses showed that the prevalence of GDM increased gradually with age and increased pre-pregnancy BMI. The pregnant women with a history of multiple pregnancies and previous adverse pregnancy had a significantly increased risk of developing GDM. Multiple stepwise regression analyses data indicated that prepregnancy weight, weight gain during pregnancy, family history of diabetes, previous adverse pregnancy, and hypertriglyceridaemia were the independent risk factors that contributed to the development of GDM in the pregnant women. Conclusion: The use of newly defined criteria has increased the apparent prevalence rate of GDM in the pregnant women we studied. Intervention treatment should be administered if the risk factors for GDM are established in order to reduce the incidence of GDM in pregnant women.

RESUMEN Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la prevalencia de la diabetes mellitus gestacional (DMG) y analizar sus factores de riesgo usando los criterios de diagnóstico de la Asociación Internacional de Grupos de Estudio de Diabetes y Embarazo. Método: Seis cientos cincuenta mujeres embarazadas (n = 650) fueron seleccionadas para nuestro estudio. Los factores de riesgo relacionados de la DMG se recogieron utilizando un cuestionario. La prueba de tolerancia de glucosa oral de 75 g se realizó de la semana 24 a la semana 28 de la gestación. Se midieron los niveles de glucosa en sangre. Resultados: La prevalencia de DMG fue del 32.8%. La edad, índice de masa corporal antes del embarazo (IMC), peso antes del embarazo, aumento de peso gestacional, peso al nacer y los triglicéridos en el grupo de DMG fueron significativamente mayores que en el grupo de tolerancia normal a la glucosa (p < 0.05). Los análisis de correlación revelaron que la edad, el peso antes del embarazo, el aumento de peso durante el embarazo, el peso de las mujeres embarazadas en el parto, los antecedentes familiares de diabetes, los tiempos de nacimiento, los antecedentes de embarazo adverso, y la hipertrigliceri-demia, se correlacionaban significativamente con el desarrollo de la DMG (p < 0.05). Los análisis estratificados mostraron que la prevalencia de DMG aumenta gradualmente con la edad y el mayor IMC antes del embarazo. Las mujeres embarazadas con antecedentes de embarazos múltiples y embarazos anteriores adversos tenían un riesgo significativamente mayor de desarrollar DMG. Nuestros datos del análisis de regresión múltiple paso a paso indicaron que el peso antes del embarazo, el aumento de peso durante el embarazo, los antecedentes familiares de diabetes, los embarazos adversos anteriores, y la hipertrigliceridemia eran factores de riesgo independientes que contribuían al desarrollo de la DMG en las mujeres embarazadas. Conclusión: El uso de los criterios definidos recientemente aumentó la prevalencia aparente de DMG en las mujeres embarazadas que estudiamos. Si se determina que existen factores de riesgo de DMG, debe administrarse un tratamiento de intervención con el fin de reducir la incidencia de DMG en las mujeres embarazadas.

An analytical model is developed to examine a low impulsive projectile impact on a fully clamped sandwich beams by considering the coupled responses of the core and the face sheets. Firstly, based on the dynamic properties of foam cores, the sandwich beam is modeled as two rigid perfectly-plastic beams connected by rigid perfectly-plastic springs. Different from the previous sandwich beam model, the transverse compression and bending effects of the foam core are considered in the whole deformation process. Based on this model, different coupling mechanism of sandwich beams are constructed so that an analytical solution considering small deformation is derived. The coupled dynamic responses of sandwich beams with different core strengths are investigated. The results indicate that this model improves the prediction accuracy of the responses of the sandwich beams, and is available for the situation when the sandwich beam undergoes moderate global deformation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the plow pan on the production of spring corn. We evaluated SPAD values and chloroplast ultrastructure in premature ear leaves of spring maize at the grain-filling stage. The maize plants were grown in simulated plow pan or simulated subsoiling treatments. Plants in the simulated plow pan treatment showed irreversible damage to chloroplasts, including changes in chloroplast shape, disintegration and rupture of chloroplast membranes, and blurriness and cloudiness of grana lamellae. The chlorophyll content decreased, which is a typical characteristic of senescence. Subsoiling cultivation practices resulted in chloroplasts with a more stable ultrastructure in maize leaves. This extended the functional period of leaves after flowering, avoiding premature senescence of spring maize and increasing yields.

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la compactación del suelo debido a la labranza en la producciòn de maíz de primavera. Evaluamos los valores de SPAD y la estructura del cloroplasto en hojas prematuras de maíz de primavera en la fase fenológica de llenado de grano. Las plantas de maíz crecieron en condiciones simuladas de compactación de suelo o de rotura de dicha compactación. Las plantas que crecieron en condiciones de suelo compactado mostraron daño irreversible en la estructura de los cloroplastos, cambios en la forma de los cloroplastos, desintegración y ruptura de la membrana de los cloroplastos, y reducción de la visibilidad en la lamela de las granas. El contenido de clorofila se redujo, lo cual es una característica tìpica de la senescencia. Las prácticas de cultivo que rompieron la compactación del suelo mostraron cloroplastos con una estructura más estable en hojas de maíz. Esto prolongó el período de actividad de las hojas luego de la floración, evitando una senescencia prematura e incrementando los rendimientos en maíz de primavera.

PURPOSE: To investigate the role of protein kinase G (PKG) in blocking post-shock mesenteric lymph (PSML) return ameliorating the calcium sensitivity in hemorrhagic shock rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham, shock, shock+ligation (shock plus mesenteric lymph duct ligation (MLDL)), shock+drainage (shock plus PSML drainage) groups. After shock (hypotension 40mmHg) for three hours or corresponding times, the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) was taken out for detecting the PKG and phospho PKG (p-PKG) contents, and the vascular rings of SMA were prepared for assaying the calcium sensitivity using an isolated organ perfusion system. RESULTS: The PKG and p-PKG contents of SMA in shock group were significantly increased than that of sham group, and MLDL or PSML drainage reducing the levels of PKG and p-PKG. Meanwhile, the vascular calcium sensitivity in shock group was significantly lower than that of sham group, MLDL or PSML drainage enhanced the calcium sensitivity. After incubating with PKG regulators in shock+ligation and shock+drainage groups, the PKG agonist 8Br-cGMP reduced the contractility of vascular rings to gradient calcium ions and Emax and the PKG inhibitor agonist KT5823 elevated the calcium sensitivity significantly. CONCLUSION: Protein kinase G plays an important role in post-shock mesenteric lymph blockage improving vascular calcium sensitivity.

Arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AA-NAT) is critical enzyme in Melatonin (MLT) biosynthesis for MLT regulating the animal seasonal breeding. In this study, DNA sequencing methods were applied to detect the polymorphisms of the AA-NAT gene in 179 Chinese sheep belonging to two non-seasonal reproduction breeds and two seasonal reproduction breeds. One mutation at exon 3 (NM_001009461:c.486A > G) was firstly described at the sheep AA-NAT locus. Hence, we described the SmaI PCR-RFLP method for detecting EX3 486A > G mutation, frequencies of the AA-NAT-G allele varied from 0.871 to 0.908 in two non-seasonal reproduction breeds and 0.517 to 0.578 in two seasonal reproduction breeds. The associations of SmaI polymorphism with estrus traits was analyzed in non-seasonal reproduction breeds sheep and seasonal reproduction breeds sheep, the significant statistical results were found between them, the GG genotype frequencies was higher in non-seasonal reproduction breeds (p < 0.001), while, the GA genotype frequencies was higher in seasonal reproduction breeds (p < 0.05). Hence, the EX3 486A > G mutation could facilitate association analysis and serve as a genetic marker for Chinese sheep breeding and genetics.

Proton angular distributions are measured for the exotic proton-halo nucleus 8B on a 58Ni target. The proton spectra are well described by statistical model calculations using the code PACE if both complete and incomplete fusion are taken into account. Fusion cross sections are deduced by using calculated proton multiplicities, a technique that is first successfully tested with the better known beam 6Li. The resulting fusion excitation function shows a large enhancement that requires a strikingly large barrier radius in order to be described, consistent with the assumption of a proton halo for 8B.

Se midieron las distribuciones de protones producidos en la reacción del núcleo con halo protónico 8B con 58Ni. Si toma en cuenta tanto fusión completa como incompleta, los espectros de protones son bien descritos con el modelo estadístico implementado en el código PACE. Las secciones eficaces de fusión se deducen, usando las multiplicidades predichas. Primero se verificó la validez del método usando, aplicandolo en forma satisfactoria para un proyectil de 6Li. La función de excitación obtenida, presenta un acercamiento grande, que para ser descrito, requiere de un valor sorprendentemente grande del radio de la barrera, lo cual es consistente con la suposición del halo protónico para el 8B.