Background and Purpose: With the unexpectedly rapid increase in the prevalence of types of diabetes worldwide, this chronic disease is no longer being viewed as a systemic health issue, but also treated as the start o...Background and Purpose: With the unexpectedly rapid increase in the prevalence of types of diabetes worldwide, this chronic disease is no longer being viewed as a systemic health issue, but also treated as the start of the deadly disease. As the sixth complication of diabetes, periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that leads directly and indirectly to a severer condition of diabetes via its underlying mechanisms. Interestingly, both diseases are not been fully identified in their bidirectional relationships by researchers. Thus, healthcare agencies must pay appropriate attention. This literature review paper aims to investigate and discuss dentists’ role in modulating environmental and epigenetic determinants in the oral health of diabetic patients based on the bidirectional relationship between these diseases, their prevalence and how treatment of one disease affects the other. Methods: The authors conducted electronic searches in PubMed, Google Scholar, One Search UofT, ScienceDirect, and the National Library of Medicine. The paper also included gray literature from government resources related to the topic. The paper will review the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and epigenetics of both diabetes and periodontal disease and their functions with each other. Results: The literature has consistently shown that diabetes and periodontal disease have responded to the formation and severity of each other. Patients with pre- and diabetes have potentially higher risks of causing periodontal disease and other complications if adequate diagnosis and treatment are not involved timely. The combination of risk factors, including individual, social, environmental, and genetic, play a crucial role in the development of diabetes and the severity of periodontitis. Conclusions: Based on the results, the collaboration between dentists and other healthcare practitioners is inevitable in the overall development of treatment for both diseases. With the proper and updated knowledge, dentists can benefit patients’ overall physical conditions through strategic intervention in diabetes patients.展开更多
In the late 1980s the first laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed prompting a sudden rise in technological innovations as the benefits and feasibility of minimal access surgery became recognised.Monocular lapa...In the late 1980s the first laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed prompting a sudden rise in technological innovations as the benefits and feasibility of minimal access surgery became recognised.Monocular laparoscopes provided only two-dimensional(2D) viewing with reduced depth perception and contributed to an extended learning curve.Attention turned to producing a usable three-dimensional(3D) endoscopic view for surgeons;utilising different technologies for image capture and image projection.These evolving visual systems have been assessed in various research environments with conflicting outcomes of success and usability,and no overall consensus to their benefit.This review article aims to provide an explanation of the different types of technologies,summarise the published literature evaluating 3D vs 2D laparoscopy,to explain the conflicting outcomes,and discuss the current consensus view.展开更多
Bioavailability of vitamin E is influenced by several factors, most are highlighted in this review. While gender, age and genetic constitution influence vitamin E bioavailability but cannot be modified, life-style and...Bioavailability of vitamin E is influenced by several factors, most are highlighted in this review. While gender, age and genetic constitution influence vitamin E bioavailability but cannot be modified, life-style and intake of vitamin E can be. Numerous factors must be taken into account however, i.e., when vitamin E is orally administrated, the food matrix may contain competing nutrients. The complex metabolic processes comprise intestinal absorption, vascular transport, hepatic sorting by intracellular binding proteins, such as the significant α-tocopherol-transfer protein, and hepatic metabolism. The coordinated changes involved in the hepatic metabolism of vitamin E provide an effective physiological pathway to protect tissues against the excessive accumulation of, in particular, non-α-tocopherol forms. Metabolism of vitamin E begins with one cycle of CYP4F2/CYP3A4-dependent ω-hydroxylation followed by five cycles of subsequent β-oxidation, and forms the water-soluble end-product carboxyethylhydroxychroman. All known hepatic metabolites can be conjugated and are excreted, depending on the length of their sidechain, either via urine or feces. The physiological handling of vitamin E underlies kinetics which vary between the different vitamin E forms. Here, saturation of the side-chain and also substitution of the chromanol ring system are important. Most of the metabolic reactions and processes that are involved with vitamin E are also shared by other fat soluble vitamins. Influencing interactions with other nutrients such as vitamin K or pharmaceuticals are also covered by this review. All these processes modulate the formation of vitamin E metabolites and their concentrations in tissues and body fluids. Differences in metabolism might be responsible for the discrepancies that have been observed in studies performed in vivo and in vitro using vitamin E as a supplement or nutrient. To evaluate individual vitamin E status, the analytical procedures used for detecting and quantifying vitamin E and its metabolites are crucial. The latest methods in analytics are presented.展开更多
AIM: To examine the methylation levels of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 3(IRAK3) and GLOXD1 and their potential clinical applications in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS: m RNA expression and promoter ...AIM: To examine the methylation levels of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 3(IRAK3) and GLOXD1 and their potential clinical applications in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS: m RNA expression and promoter methylation of IRAK3 and GLOXD1 in HCC cells were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RTPCR) and methylation-specific PCR(MSP), respectively. Using pyrosequencing results, we further established a quantitative MSP(Q-MSP) system for the evaluation of IRAK3 and GLOXD1 methylation in 29 normal controls and 160 paired HCC tissues and their adjacent nontumor tissues. We also calculated Kaplan-Meier survival curves to determine the applications of gene methylation in the prognosis of HCC.RESULTS: IRAK3 and GLOXD1 expression was partially restored in several HCC cell lines after treatment with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine(DNA methyltransferase inhibitor; 5DAC). A partial decrease in the methylated band was also observed in the HCC cell lines after 5DAC treatment. Using GLOXD1 as an example, we found a significant correlation between the data obtained from the methylation array and from pyrosequencing. The methylation frequency of IRAK3 and GLOXD1 in HCC tissues was 46.9% and 63.8%, respectively. Methylation of IRAK3 was statistically associated with tumor stage. Moreover, HCC patients with IRAK3 methylation had a trend toward poor 3-year disease-free survival(P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: IRAK3 and GLOXD1 were frequently methylated in HCC tissues compared to normal controls and nontumor tissues. IRAK3 methylation was associated with tumor stage and poor prognosis of patients. These data suggest that IRAK3 methylation is a novel prognostic marker in HCC.展开更多
BACKGROUND Rapid urinary trypsinogen-2 dipstick test and levels of urinary trypsinogen-2 and trypsinogen activation peptide(TAP) concentration have been reported as prognostic markers for the diagnosis of acute pancre...BACKGROUND Rapid urinary trypsinogen-2 dipstick test and levels of urinary trypsinogen-2 and trypsinogen activation peptide(TAP) concentration have been reported as prognostic markers for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.AIM To reconfirm the validity of all these markers in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis by undertaking a multi-center study in Japan.METHODS Patients with acute abdominal pain were recruited from 17 medical institutions in Japan from April 2009 to December 2012. Urinary and serum samples were collected twice, at enrollment and on the following day for measuring target markers. The diagnosis and severity assessment of acute pancreatitis were assessed based on prognostic factors and computed tomography(CT) Grade of the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare criteria.RESULTS A total of 94 patients were enrolled during the study period. The trypsinogen-2 dipstick test was positive in 57 of 78 patients with acute pancreatitis(sensitivity,73.1%) and in 6 of 16 patients with abdominal pain but without any evidence of acute pancreatitis(specificity, 62.5%). The area under the curve(AUC) score of urinary trypsinogen-2 according to prognostic factors was 0.704, which was highest in all parameter. The AUC scores of urinary trypsinogen-2 and TAP according to CT Grade were 0.701 and 0.692, respectively, which shows higher than other pancreatic enzymes. The levels of urinary trypsinogen-2 and TAP were significantly higher in patients with extended extra-pancreatic inflammation as evaluated by CT Grade.CONCLUSION We reconfirmed urinary trypsinogen-2 dipstick test is useful as a marker for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Urinary trypsinogen-2 and TAP may be considered as useful markers to determine extra-pancreatic inflammation in acute pancreatitis.展开更多
Objective To evaluate the associations of sarcopenia,handgrip strength and calf circumference with cognitive impairment among Chinese older adults.Methods Totally 2,525 older adults were recruited from the Healthy Agi...Objective To evaluate the associations of sarcopenia,handgrip strength and calf circumference with cognitive impairment among Chinese older adults.Methods Totally 2,525 older adults were recruited from the Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study.Cognitive impairment was assessed by the Chinese Mini-Mental State Examination.Handgrip strength was calculated from the means of the right and left hand values.Calf circumference was measured at the site of maximum circumference of the non-dominant leg.The formula developed by Ishii was used to define sarcopenia.Multiple logistic regression was performed to evaluate the associations of sarcopenia,handgrip strength,and calf circumference with cognitive impairment.Results The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 34.36%.The adjusted odds ratio(OR)for cognitive impairment in individuals with sarcopenia was 2.55[95% confidence interval(95%CI):1.86-3.50].Compared with individuals in the first quartile(Q1)of calf circumference,the adjusted ORs in the second,third,and fourth quartiles(Q_(2),Q_(3),and Q_(4))were 0.75(95% CI:0.58-0.96),0.59(95% CI:0.44-0.79),and 0.62(95% CI:0.45-0.8),respectively.Compared with individuals in Q1 of handgrip strength,the adjusted ORs for Q_(2),Q_(3),and Q_(4) were 0.49(95%CI:0.38-0.62),0.31(95% CI:0.23-0.41),and 0.30(95%CI:0.21-0.44),respectively.Conclusion Sarcopenia,identified by low handgrip strength and low calf circumference,was positively associated with cognitive impairment.展开更多
Background:Dietary Reference Intakes are used to guide the energy intake of the Canadian Armed Forces(CAF)field rations provided to military personnel deployed for training or operations.However,the high energy expend...Background:Dietary Reference Intakes are used to guide the energy intake of the Canadian Armed Forces(CAF)field rations provided to military personnel deployed for training or operations.However,the high energy expenditures likely to occur under harsh environmental/metabolically challenging deployment conditions may not be adequately considered.This study examined the Ad libitum energy and nutrient intakes of CAF personnel(n=18)consuming field rations in a resting thermoneutral environment and during a day of standardized strenuous infantry activities at varying environmental temperatures.Methods:Dietary intake was assessed using a measured food intake/food waste method during the experimental treatment and for 6 h after treatment.Four treatments were administered in a randomized counterbalanced design:exercise(as standardized infantry activities)in the heat(30℃),exercise in the cold(–10℃),exercise in temperate thermoneutral(21℃)air temperatures and a resting(sedentary)trial(21℃).Results:The average Ad libitum consumption of field rations was 70%of the provided total energy(2776±99 kcal/8 h)during all treatments.Even with an acute challenge of increased energy expenditure and temperature stress in the simulated field conditions,participants’energy intakes(1985±747 kcal/8 h)under hot,cold and temperate treatments did not differ from energy intake during the sedentary condition(1920±640 kcal/8 h).Participants’energy intakes(1009±527 kcal/6 h)did not increase during the 6 h posttreatment period when the stresses of the strenuous physical activities and the harsh environmental temperatures had subsided.Conclusions:These results should be considered when planning the provision of field rations for CAF personnel expected to be engaged in strenuous physical activities with prolonged exposure to temperature extremes.展开更多
BACKGROUND Large inter-individual and inter-population differences in the susceptibility to and outcome of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 or coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)have been noted.Understan...BACKGROUND Large inter-individual and inter-population differences in the susceptibility to and outcome of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 or coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)have been noted.Understanding these differences and how they influence vulnerability to infection and disease severity is critical to public health intervention.AIM To analyze and compare the profile of COVID-19 cases between China and North America as two regions that differ in many environmental,host and healthcare factors related to disease risk.METHODS We conducted a meta-analysis to examine and compare demographic information,clinical symptoms,comorbidities,disease severity and levels of disease biomarkers of COVID-19 cases from clinical studies and data from China(105 studies)and North America(19 studies).RESULTS COVID-19 patients from North America were older than their Chinese counterparts and with higher male:Female ratio.Fever,cough,fatigue and dyspnea were the most common clinical symptoms in both study regions(present in about 30%to 75%of the cases in both regions).Meta-analysis for the prevalence of comorbidities(such as obesity,hypertension,diabetes,cardiovascular diseases,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,cancer,and chronic kidney diseases)in COVID-19 patients were all significantly more prevalent in North America compared to China.Comorbidities were positively correlated with age but at a significantly younger age range in China compared to North American.The most prevalent infection outcome was acute respiratory distress syndrome which was 2-fold more frequent in North America than in China.Levels of C-reactive protein were 4.5-fold higher in the North American cases than in cases from China.CONCLUSION The differences in the profile of COVID-19 cases from China and North America may relate to differences in environmental-,host-and healthcare-related factors between the two regions.Such inter-population differences-together with intrapopulation variability-underline the need to characterize the effect of health inequities and inequalities on public health response to COVID-19 and can assist in preparing for the re-emergence of the epidemic.展开更多
The nutraceutical and botanical terms are often used by the lay press or for marketing purposes to describe health beneficial food, food supplements or herbs. However, there is no common definition of nutraceuticals o...The nutraceutical and botanical terms are often used by the lay press or for marketing purposes to describe health beneficial food, food supplements or herbs. However, there is no common definition of nutraceuticals or botanicals and moreover a lack of regulation that classifies this category. Concerning their health value, it is unclear if they belong to drugs or food. Currently, they fall into a legal limbo between both. This regulatory lack can lead to misuse of claims indicating a health benefit or the misleading of the consumer. This review will focus on current definitions of nutraceutical, botanical, functional food and food supplements with special emphasis on the differences between the US and European legislation. Some special considerations will be given for Germany, one of the main markets for food supplements in Europe.展开更多
A new product of minced fish meat with high pressurization was produced for individuals with difficulties in mastication and swallowing and for elderly people on a dysphagia diet. Minced fish meat was added to distill...A new product of minced fish meat with high pressurization was produced for individuals with difficulties in mastication and swallowing and for elderly people on a dysphagia diet. Minced fish meat was added to distilled water at ratios of 1:0.5, 1:1 and 1:1.5 by mixing with 1.5% NaCl. Half of the samples were modified by heating (H-gels) and half by high pressure at 400 MPa for 20 min (P-gels). The hardness of the H- and P-gels was 0.97 to 2.83 [×104 N/m2] and 2.25 to 10.03 [×104 N/m2], respectively. For SDS-PAGE analysis, low-molecular-weight proteins in the P-gel were released more easily than those in the H-gel by the difference in gel formation, which is related to the detection of α-actinin in the supernatant of pressurized actomyosin. The ultrastructural observations showed a regular filamentous network structure in the P-gel. For the sensory evaluation, the P-gels were determined to be more lustrous, juicier, more moderately elastic and smoother. These gels conformed to the criteria of Dietary Uses for Dyspahgic Patients and Japanese Dysphagia Diet 2013. High pressure treatment denatured the protein composition of the minced fish meat gel, which led to a clearer three-dimensional network structure. High pressure made it possible to form minced fish meat gels with a low salt concentration. Obtained minced fish meat gels were improved in textural properties by addition of water and under high pressure, which were different from the ones by traditional heating. Improvement in textural properties will raise the sensory evaluation for elderly and dysphagic people. It is expected that the pressurized gels will be practical for a dysphagia diet.展开更多
We previously investigated the physiological effect of an ethanol extract of fermented soymilk on rats and clarified that this extract modulated their hepatic lipid metabolism. Although the soy isoflavones and oligope...We previously investigated the physiological effect of an ethanol extract of fermented soymilk on rats and clarified that this extract modulated their hepatic lipid metabolism. Although the soy isoflavones and oligopeptides are representative functional components of the ethanol extract, it remained unclear whether these substances share a role in lipid metabolism modulation. Therefore, we attempted to clarify the effects of isoflavones and oligopeptides in lactic acid-fermented soymilk on lipid metabolism-related gene expression in rats and HepG2 cells. The fermented soymilk extract had a higher isoflavone aglycone content than the soymilk extract. Sevenweek-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed an AIN-93G diet, a diet plus 70% soymilk ethanol extract, or a diet plus 70% fermented soymilk ethanol extract for 5 weeks. Although both the soymilk and fermented soymilk ethanol extracts did not significantly affect plasma and hepatic lipid profiles, the expression levels of the genes encoding CYP7a1 and SREBP-2 were significantly upregulated in the livers of rats fed with the fermented soymilk extract. Whereas isoflavone aglycones upregulated CYP7a1-encoding gene expression in HepG2, oligopeptides in soymilk and fermented soymilk downregulated this expression. Oligopeptides in fermented soymilk downregulated the expression stronger than that observed with soymilk. On the other hand, no significant change in FAS expression was observed in the livers of rats fed the fermented soymilk extract. Although isoflavone aglycones did not affect FAS expression in HepG2 cells, oligopeptides in fermented soymilk downregulated FAS expression. The downregulation of FAS with oligopeptides from fermented soymilk was stronger than that from soymilk. In the present animal experiment, the effect on reduction of fat synthesis was not found because of insufficient amount of peptides derived from digestion of soy protein. These results suggest that isoflavone aglycones increase CYP7a1 gene expression, whereas oligopeptides decrease FAS expression. Isoflavone glycosides and proteins in soymilk were converted to isoflavone aglycones and oligopeptides by lactic acid fermentation, respectively, and these functional components independently improved the lipid metabolism. In the present study, it was found that isoflavone aglycones and oligopeptides in fermented soymilk differentially regulate hepatic lipid metabolism-related gene expression. Therefore, the consumption of fermented soymilk containing isoflavone aglycones and soy oligopeptides might prevent dyslipidemia more effectively than that of any other soy food. Fermented soymilk is a superior functional food modulating lipid metabolism.展开更多
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world.Accumulating evidence indicates that obesity is strongly associated with the development of cancer.This review aims to understand the underpinning mechanism of...Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world.Accumulating evidence indicates that obesity is strongly associated with the development of cancer.This review aims to understand the underpinning mechanism of how obesity contributes to the development of cancer.As obesity is an exaggeration of normal adiposity associated with extreme chronicity and co-existing conditions,true causality and underlying mechanisms are difficult to evaluate.Moreover,the exact causal relationship is yet to be established.Therefore,it will be unlikely to outline a"one system fits all"mechanism for this obesity-cancer axis;however,the biological processes linking obesity and cancer need to be better understood.In this review,we tried to portray the postulated mechanisms considering common pathophysiology associated with obesity,leading to cancer progression.Obesity-mediated insulin metabolism,sustained low-grade inflammatory signaling,elevated estrogen metabolism,and abnormal microbiome diversity and dysbiosis are among those mechanisms that can lead to tumor and cancer progression.展开更多
Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to determine if there were any differences in various aspects of physical activity such as energy expenditure, intensity, and type of activity between normal-weight and ov...Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to determine if there were any differences in various aspects of physical activity such as energy expenditure, intensity, and type of activity between normal-weight and overweight boys.Methods: Children aged 9—12 years were recruited from 2 elementary schools located in different urban districts in Republic of Korea. The present study included 45 Korean boys, of which 19 were normal-weight and 26 were overweight. Daily physical activity was estimated over the same 1-week study period under free-living conditions using the doubly labeled water(DLW) method and a tri-axial accelerometer. Resting metabolic rate(RMR) was measured using the Douglas bag method and open-circuit indirect calorimetry. We calculated the physical activity level(PAL) as the total energy expenditure(TEE)/RMR.Results: PAL was not significantly different between the groups. In the accelerometer data, time spent in locomotive moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA) was significantly lower in overweight boys than in normal-weight subjects, whereas other variables including non-locomotive activity did not differ between groups. In addition, among all participants, time spent in total locomotive activity was significantly associated with PAL. Time spent in locomotive MVPA was significantly associated with PAL.Conclusion: Overweight boys may be less physically active based on locomotive MVPA, which was positively related with PAL. Our findings suggest that the contribution of locomotive MVPA to the increase in PAL was relatively significant.展开更多
Aging and overnutrition cause obesity in rodents and humans. It is well-known that obesity causes various diseases by producing insulin resistance(IR). Macrophages infiltrate the adipose tissue(AT) of obese individual...Aging and overnutrition cause obesity in rodents and humans. It is well-known that obesity causes various diseases by producing insulin resistance(IR). Macrophages infiltrate the adipose tissue(AT) of obese individuals and cause chronic low-level inflammation associated with IR. Macrophage infiltration is regulated by the chemokines that are released from hypertrophied adipocytes and the immune cells in AT. Saturated fatty acids are recognized by toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) and induce inflammatory responses in AT macrophages(ATMs). The inflammatory cytokines that are released from activated ATMs promote IR in peripheral organs, such as the liver, skeletal muscle and AT. Therefore, ATM activation is a therapeutic target for IR in obesity. The ubiquitin ligase Casitas b-lineage lymphoma-b(Cbl-b) appears to potently suppress macrophage migration and activation. Cbl-b is highly expressed in leukocytes and negatively regulates signals associated with migration and activation. Cbl-b deficiency enhances ATM accumulation and IR in aging- and diet-induced obese mice. Cbl-b inhibits migration-related signals and SFA-induced TLR4 signaling in ATMs. Thus, targeting Cbl-b may be a potential therapeutic strategy to reduce the IR induced by ATM activation. In this review, we summarize the regulatory functions of Cbl-b in ATMs.展开更多
The aim of the present study was to evaluate terpenes degradation rate in the rumen fluid from adapted and non-adapted animals.Four castrated healthy animals,two rams and two bucks,were used.Animals were daily orally ...The aim of the present study was to evaluate terpenes degradation rate in the rumen fluid from adapted and non-adapted animals.Four castrated healthy animals,two rams and two bucks,were used.Animals were daily orally dosed for 2 weeks with 1 g of each of the following terpenes,α-pinene,limonene andβ-caryophyllene.At the end of each week,rumen fluid(RF)samples were assayed in vitro for their potential to degrade terpenes over time.For each animal,a 10 mL reaction medium(RM)at a ratio 1:9(v/v)was prepared and a terpenes solution at a concentration of 100μg/ml each,was added in each RM tube.Tubes were incubated at 39℃ under anaerobic conditions and their contents sampled at 0,2,4,8,21 and 24 h.RF could degrade terpenes as it was shown by the significantly(P<0.05)higher overall degradation rates.Individual terpene degradation rates,were significantly(P<0.05)higher in week 5 for limonene and marginally(P=0.083)higher also in week 5 forα-pinene.In conclusion,the findings of the present preliminary study suggest that terpenes can be degraded in the rumen fluid.展开更多
Environmental contamination of food is a worldwide public health problem. Folate mediated one- carbon metabolism plays an important role in epigenetic regulation of gene expression and mutagenesis. Many contaminants i...Environmental contamination of food is a worldwide public health problem. Folate mediated one- carbon metabolism plays an important role in epigenetic regulation of gene expression and mutagenesis. Many contaminants in food cause cancer through epigenetic mechanisms and/or DNA instability i.e. default methylation of uracil to thymine, subsequent to the decrease of 5-methylte- trahydrofolate (5 mTHF) pool in the one-carbon metabolism network. Evaluating consequences of an exposure to food contaminants based on systems biology approaches is a promising alternative field of investigation. This report presents a dynamic mathematical modeling for the study of the alteration in the one-carbon metabolism network by environmental factors. It provides a model for predicting “the impact of arbitrary contaminants that can induce the 5 mTHF deficiency. The model allows for a given experimental condition, the analysis of DNA methylation activity and dumping methylation in the de novo pathway of DNA synthesis.展开更多
Carcass weight is an economically important trait for beef cattle breeding and markets. The previous studies detected two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with carcass weight of Japanese Black: c.1326...Carcass weight is an economically important trait for beef cattle breeding and markets. The previous studies detected two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with carcass weight of Japanese Black: c.1326T>G in NCAPG gene and FJX_250879 in PLAG1 gene. Here, I carried out multiple marker association analysis for the two SNPs in Japanese Black population of 218 animals. The multiple marker analysis with the model including the main effects of the two SNPs and their interaction detected significant main effects of c.1326T>G and FJX_250879 and a significant interaction between the two SNPs, for carcass weight. These findings suggest the presence of inter-allelic interactions among genes affecting the variation of carcass weight. For effective marker-assisted selection for beef production, interaction between the two markers needs to be considered.展开更多
Fusarium monilljorme, a fungus of established carcinogenic potential, is one of the most common fungal contaminants of maize, millet and other grains in Linxian County, China. Fusarin C, a major product of F. monilljo...Fusarium monilljorme, a fungus of established carcinogenic potential, is one of the most common fungal contaminants of maize, millet and other grains in Linxian County, China. Fusarin C, a major product of F. monilljorme grown on corn in the laboratory, is mutagenic in Salmonella tester strains and in V79 cells. Fusarin C showed several characteristics of malignant transformation including the implantation of the rat esophageal epithelial cell line (RE ?525) in nude mice. The present work demonstrated that fusarin C can induce esophageal and forestomach carcinomas in DBA mice and Wistar rats, and thus the experimental results substantiated further the carcinogenicity of fusarin C.展开更多
Citric acid is known to alleviate physical fatigue and improve athletic performance;however, the underlying mechanism is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of citric acid administration on the expr...Citric acid is known to alleviate physical fatigue and improve athletic performance;however, the underlying mechanism is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of citric acid administration on the expression of key glycolysis-related genes in the liver and skeletal muscle of rats. Eight-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups—control and citric acid groups. The rats were fasted overnight, after which distilled water or citric acid solution was administered intragastrically;after 150 min, the rats were sacrificed, and the liver and skeletal muscle were collected. In the skeletal muscle, namely soleus and gastrocnemius muscles, the phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase gene expression were significantly decreased by citric acid administration. In contrast, the glucokinase and pyruvate kinase gene expression in the liver was significantly increased. These results suggest that exogenous dietary citric acid suppresses glycolysis in the skeletal muscle at the transcription level.展开更多
文摘Background and Purpose: With the unexpectedly rapid increase in the prevalence of types of diabetes worldwide, this chronic disease is no longer being viewed as a systemic health issue, but also treated as the start of the deadly disease. As the sixth complication of diabetes, periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that leads directly and indirectly to a severer condition of diabetes via its underlying mechanisms. Interestingly, both diseases are not been fully identified in their bidirectional relationships by researchers. Thus, healthcare agencies must pay appropriate attention. This literature review paper aims to investigate and discuss dentists’ role in modulating environmental and epigenetic determinants in the oral health of diabetic patients based on the bidirectional relationship between these diseases, their prevalence and how treatment of one disease affects the other. Methods: The authors conducted electronic searches in PubMed, Google Scholar, One Search UofT, ScienceDirect, and the National Library of Medicine. The paper also included gray literature from government resources related to the topic. The paper will review the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and epigenetics of both diabetes and periodontal disease and their functions with each other. Results: The literature has consistently shown that diabetes and periodontal disease have responded to the formation and severity of each other. Patients with pre- and diabetes have potentially higher risks of causing periodontal disease and other complications if adequate diagnosis and treatment are not involved timely. The combination of risk factors, including individual, social, environmental, and genetic, play a crucial role in the development of diabetes and the severity of periodontitis. Conclusions: Based on the results, the collaboration between dentists and other healthcare practitioners is inevitable in the overall development of treatment for both diseases. With the proper and updated knowledge, dentists can benefit patients’ overall physical conditions through strategic intervention in diabetes patients.
文摘In the late 1980s the first laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed prompting a sudden rise in technological innovations as the benefits and feasibility of minimal access surgery became recognised.Monocular laparoscopes provided only two-dimensional(2D) viewing with reduced depth perception and contributed to an extended learning curve.Attention turned to producing a usable three-dimensional(3D) endoscopic view for surgeons;utilising different technologies for image capture and image projection.These evolving visual systems have been assessed in various research environments with conflicting outcomes of success and usability,and no overall consensus to their benefit.This review article aims to provide an explanation of the different types of technologies,summarise the published literature evaluating 3D vs 2D laparoscopy,to explain the conflicting outcomes,and discuss the current consensus view.
基金Grants from "Forschung für die Praxis" of the Hessisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst to Birringer Mgrants from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft to Lorkowski S as an acknowledgement to the national institutions that currently support our research in the field of vitamin E and its long-chain metabolites
文摘Bioavailability of vitamin E is influenced by several factors, most are highlighted in this review. While gender, age and genetic constitution influence vitamin E bioavailability but cannot be modified, life-style and intake of vitamin E can be. Numerous factors must be taken into account however, i.e., when vitamin E is orally administrated, the food matrix may contain competing nutrients. The complex metabolic processes comprise intestinal absorption, vascular transport, hepatic sorting by intracellular binding proteins, such as the significant α-tocopherol-transfer protein, and hepatic metabolism. The coordinated changes involved in the hepatic metabolism of vitamin E provide an effective physiological pathway to protect tissues against the excessive accumulation of, in particular, non-α-tocopherol forms. Metabolism of vitamin E begins with one cycle of CYP4F2/CYP3A4-dependent ω-hydroxylation followed by five cycles of subsequent β-oxidation, and forms the water-soluble end-product carboxyethylhydroxychroman. All known hepatic metabolites can be conjugated and are excreted, depending on the length of their sidechain, either via urine or feces. The physiological handling of vitamin E underlies kinetics which vary between the different vitamin E forms. Here, saturation of the side-chain and also substitution of the chromanol ring system are important. Most of the metabolic reactions and processes that are involved with vitamin E are also shared by other fat soluble vitamins. Influencing interactions with other nutrients such as vitamin K or pharmaceuticals are also covered by this review. All these processes modulate the formation of vitamin E metabolites and their concentrations in tissues and body fluids. Differences in metabolism might be responsible for the discrepancies that have been observed in studies performed in vivo and in vitro using vitamin E as a supplement or nutrient. To evaluate individual vitamin E status, the analytical procedures used for detecting and quantifying vitamin E and its metabolites are crucial. The latest methods in analytics are presented.
基金We appreciate all the participants and their relatives in the study. And we will thank to the members of the survey teams from the Jidong community. The authors thank the staff of the Recovery Medical Technology Development Co., Ltd for their important efforts. This study was supported by grants from National Key Research and Development program of China （2016YFC1300300）, National Natural Science Foundation of China （Nos.81270186, 81400229）, Scientific Technology Program of Beijing City （Z1411070025 14103）.
基金National Science Council,No.NSC 102-2320-B-016-016-MY3,Taiwanthe Liver Disease Prevention and Treatment Research Foundation,Taiwan
文摘AIM: To examine the methylation levels of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 3(IRAK3) and GLOXD1 and their potential clinical applications in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS: m RNA expression and promoter methylation of IRAK3 and GLOXD1 in HCC cells were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RTPCR) and methylation-specific PCR(MSP), respectively. Using pyrosequencing results, we further established a quantitative MSP(Q-MSP) system for the evaluation of IRAK3 and GLOXD1 methylation in 29 normal controls and 160 paired HCC tissues and their adjacent nontumor tissues. We also calculated Kaplan-Meier survival curves to determine the applications of gene methylation in the prognosis of HCC.RESULTS: IRAK3 and GLOXD1 expression was partially restored in several HCC cell lines after treatment with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine(DNA methyltransferase inhibitor; 5DAC). A partial decrease in the methylated band was also observed in the HCC cell lines after 5DAC treatment. Using GLOXD1 as an example, we found a significant correlation between the data obtained from the methylation array and from pyrosequencing. The methylation frequency of IRAK3 and GLOXD1 in HCC tissues was 46.9% and 63.8%, respectively. Methylation of IRAK3 was statistically associated with tumor stage. Moreover, HCC patients with IRAK3 methylation had a trend toward poor 3-year disease-free survival(P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: IRAK3 and GLOXD1 were frequently methylated in HCC tissues compared to normal controls and nontumor tissues. IRAK3 methylation was associated with tumor stage and poor prognosis of patients. These data suggest that IRAK3 methylation is a novel prognostic marker in HCC.
文摘BACKGROUND Rapid urinary trypsinogen-2 dipstick test and levels of urinary trypsinogen-2 and trypsinogen activation peptide(TAP) concentration have been reported as prognostic markers for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.AIM To reconfirm the validity of all these markers in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis by undertaking a multi-center study in Japan.METHODS Patients with acute abdominal pain were recruited from 17 medical institutions in Japan from April 2009 to December 2012. Urinary and serum samples were collected twice, at enrollment and on the following day for measuring target markers. The diagnosis and severity assessment of acute pancreatitis were assessed based on prognostic factors and computed tomography(CT) Grade of the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare criteria.RESULTS A total of 94 patients were enrolled during the study period. The trypsinogen-2 dipstick test was positive in 57 of 78 patients with acute pancreatitis(sensitivity,73.1%) and in 6 of 16 patients with abdominal pain but without any evidence of acute pancreatitis(specificity, 62.5%). The area under the curve(AUC) score of urinary trypsinogen-2 according to prognostic factors was 0.704, which was highest in all parameter. The AUC scores of urinary trypsinogen-2 and TAP according to CT Grade were 0.701 and 0.692, respectively, which shows higher than other pancreatic enzymes. The levels of urinary trypsinogen-2 and TAP were significantly higher in patients with extended extra-pancreatic inflammation as evaluated by CT Grade.CONCLUSION We reconfirmed urinary trypsinogen-2 dipstick test is useful as a marker for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Urinary trypsinogen-2 and TAP may be considered as useful markers to determine extra-pancreatic inflammation in acute pancreatitis.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China[82025030,81941023,81872707,81273160 and 81573247]National Science and Technology Planning Project[2018YFC2000300]NIH/NIA P30AG028716。
文摘Objective To evaluate the associations of sarcopenia,handgrip strength and calf circumference with cognitive impairment among Chinese older adults.Methods Totally 2,525 older adults were recruited from the Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study.Cognitive impairment was assessed by the Chinese Mini-Mental State Examination.Handgrip strength was calculated from the means of the right and left hand values.Calf circumference was measured at the site of maximum circumference of the non-dominant leg.The formula developed by Ishii was used to define sarcopenia.Multiple logistic regression was performed to evaluate the associations of sarcopenia,handgrip strength,and calf circumference with cognitive impairment.Results The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 34.36%.The adjusted odds ratio(OR)for cognitive impairment in individuals with sarcopenia was 2.55[95% confidence interval(95%CI):1.86-3.50].Compared with individuals in the first quartile(Q1)of calf circumference,the adjusted ORs in the second,third,and fourth quartiles(Q_(2),Q_(3),and Q_(4))were 0.75(95% CI:0.58-0.96),0.59(95% CI:0.44-0.79),and 0.62(95% CI:0.45-0.8),respectively.Compared with individuals in Q1 of handgrip strength,the adjusted ORs for Q_(2),Q_(3),and Q_(4) were 0.49(95%CI:0.38-0.62),0.31(95% CI:0.23-0.41),and 0.30(95%CI:0.21-0.44),respectively.Conclusion Sarcopenia,identified by low handgrip strength and low calf circumference,was positively associated with cognitive impairment.
基金funded in part by Defence Research&Development Canada(DRDC)approved by the Canadian Forces Surgeon General’s Health Research Programthe Department of National Defence(DND)policy。
文摘Background:Dietary Reference Intakes are used to guide the energy intake of the Canadian Armed Forces(CAF)field rations provided to military personnel deployed for training or operations.However,the high energy expenditures likely to occur under harsh environmental/metabolically challenging deployment conditions may not be adequately considered.This study examined the Ad libitum energy and nutrient intakes of CAF personnel(n=18)consuming field rations in a resting thermoneutral environment and during a day of standardized strenuous infantry activities at varying environmental temperatures.Methods:Dietary intake was assessed using a measured food intake/food waste method during the experimental treatment and for 6 h after treatment.Four treatments were administered in a randomized counterbalanced design:exercise(as standardized infantry activities)in the heat(30℃),exercise in the cold(–10℃),exercise in temperate thermoneutral(21℃)air temperatures and a resting(sedentary)trial(21℃).Results:The average Ad libitum consumption of field rations was 70%of the provided total energy(2776±99 kcal/8 h)during all treatments.Even with an acute challenge of increased energy expenditure and temperature stress in the simulated field conditions,participants’energy intakes(1985±747 kcal/8 h)under hot,cold and temperate treatments did not differ from energy intake during the sedentary condition(1920±640 kcal/8 h).Participants’energy intakes(1009±527 kcal/6 h)did not increase during the 6 h posttreatment period when the stresses of the strenuous physical activities and the harsh environmental temperatures had subsided.Conclusions:These results should be considered when planning the provision of field rations for CAF personnel expected to be engaged in strenuous physical activities with prolonged exposure to temperature extremes.
文摘BACKGROUND Large inter-individual and inter-population differences in the susceptibility to and outcome of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 or coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)have been noted.Understanding these differences and how they influence vulnerability to infection and disease severity is critical to public health intervention.AIM To analyze and compare the profile of COVID-19 cases between China and North America as two regions that differ in many environmental,host and healthcare factors related to disease risk.METHODS We conducted a meta-analysis to examine and compare demographic information,clinical symptoms,comorbidities,disease severity and levels of disease biomarkers of COVID-19 cases from clinical studies and data from China(105 studies)and North America(19 studies).RESULTS COVID-19 patients from North America were older than their Chinese counterparts and with higher male:Female ratio.Fever,cough,fatigue and dyspnea were the most common clinical symptoms in both study regions(present in about 30%to 75%of the cases in both regions).Meta-analysis for the prevalence of comorbidities(such as obesity,hypertension,diabetes,cardiovascular diseases,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,cancer,and chronic kidney diseases)in COVID-19 patients were all significantly more prevalent in North America compared to China.Comorbidities were positively correlated with age but at a significantly younger age range in China compared to North American.The most prevalent infection outcome was acute respiratory distress syndrome which was 2-fold more frequent in North America than in China.Levels of C-reactive protein were 4.5-fold higher in the North American cases than in cases from China.CONCLUSION The differences in the profile of COVID-19 cases from China and North America may relate to differences in environmental-,host-and healthcare-related factors between the two regions.Such inter-population differences-together with intrapopulation variability-underline the need to characterize the effect of health inequities and inequalities on public health response to COVID-19 and can assist in preparing for the re-emergence of the epidemic.
文摘The nutraceutical and botanical terms are often used by the lay press or for marketing purposes to describe health beneficial food, food supplements or herbs. However, there is no common definition of nutraceuticals or botanicals and moreover a lack of regulation that classifies this category. Concerning their health value, it is unclear if they belong to drugs or food. Currently, they fall into a legal limbo between both. This regulatory lack can lead to misuse of claims indicating a health benefit or the misleading of the consumer. This review will focus on current definitions of nutraceutical, botanical, functional food and food supplements with special emphasis on the differences between the US and European legislation. Some special considerations will be given for Germany, one of the main markets for food supplements in Europe.
文摘A new product of minced fish meat with high pressurization was produced for individuals with difficulties in mastication and swallowing and for elderly people on a dysphagia diet. Minced fish meat was added to distilled water at ratios of 1:0.5, 1:1 and 1:1.5 by mixing with 1.5% NaCl. Half of the samples were modified by heating (H-gels) and half by high pressure at 400 MPa for 20 min (P-gels). The hardness of the H- and P-gels was 0.97 to 2.83 [×104 N/m2] and 2.25 to 10.03 [×104 N/m2], respectively. For SDS-PAGE analysis, low-molecular-weight proteins in the P-gel were released more easily than those in the H-gel by the difference in gel formation, which is related to the detection of α-actinin in the supernatant of pressurized actomyosin. The ultrastructural observations showed a regular filamentous network structure in the P-gel. For the sensory evaluation, the P-gels were determined to be more lustrous, juicier, more moderately elastic and smoother. These gels conformed to the criteria of Dietary Uses for Dyspahgic Patients and Japanese Dysphagia Diet 2013. High pressure treatment denatured the protein composition of the minced fish meat gel, which led to a clearer three-dimensional network structure. High pressure made it possible to form minced fish meat gels with a low salt concentration. Obtained minced fish meat gels were improved in textural properties by addition of water and under high pressure, which were different from the ones by traditional heating. Improvement in textural properties will raise the sensory evaluation for elderly and dysphagic people. It is expected that the pressurized gels will be practical for a dysphagia diet.
文摘We previously investigated the physiological effect of an ethanol extract of fermented soymilk on rats and clarified that this extract modulated their hepatic lipid metabolism. Although the soy isoflavones and oligopeptides are representative functional components of the ethanol extract, it remained unclear whether these substances share a role in lipid metabolism modulation. Therefore, we attempted to clarify the effects of isoflavones and oligopeptides in lactic acid-fermented soymilk on lipid metabolism-related gene expression in rats and HepG2 cells. The fermented soymilk extract had a higher isoflavone aglycone content than the soymilk extract. Sevenweek-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed an AIN-93G diet, a diet plus 70% soymilk ethanol extract, or a diet plus 70% fermented soymilk ethanol extract for 5 weeks. Although both the soymilk and fermented soymilk ethanol extracts did not significantly affect plasma and hepatic lipid profiles, the expression levels of the genes encoding CYP7a1 and SREBP-2 were significantly upregulated in the livers of rats fed with the fermented soymilk extract. Whereas isoflavone aglycones upregulated CYP7a1-encoding gene expression in HepG2, oligopeptides in soymilk and fermented soymilk downregulated this expression. Oligopeptides in fermented soymilk downregulated the expression stronger than that observed with soymilk. On the other hand, no significant change in FAS expression was observed in the livers of rats fed the fermented soymilk extract. Although isoflavone aglycones did not affect FAS expression in HepG2 cells, oligopeptides in fermented soymilk downregulated FAS expression. The downregulation of FAS with oligopeptides from fermented soymilk was stronger than that from soymilk. In the present animal experiment, the effect on reduction of fat synthesis was not found because of insufficient amount of peptides derived from digestion of soy protein. These results suggest that isoflavone aglycones increase CYP7a1 gene expression, whereas oligopeptides decrease FAS expression. Isoflavone glycosides and proteins in soymilk were converted to isoflavone aglycones and oligopeptides by lactic acid fermentation, respectively, and these functional components independently improved the lipid metabolism. In the present study, it was found that isoflavone aglycones and oligopeptides in fermented soymilk differentially regulate hepatic lipid metabolism-related gene expression. Therefore, the consumption of fermented soymilk containing isoflavone aglycones and soy oligopeptides might prevent dyslipidemia more effectively than that of any other soy food. Fermented soymilk is a superior functional food modulating lipid metabolism.
文摘Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world.Accumulating evidence indicates that obesity is strongly associated with the development of cancer.This review aims to understand the underpinning mechanism of how obesity contributes to the development of cancer.As obesity is an exaggeration of normal adiposity associated with extreme chronicity and co-existing conditions,true causality and underlying mechanisms are difficult to evaluate.Moreover,the exact causal relationship is yet to be established.Therefore,it will be unlikely to outline a"one system fits all"mechanism for this obesity-cancer axis;however,the biological processes linking obesity and cancer need to be better understood.In this review,we tried to portray the postulated mechanisms considering common pathophysiology associated with obesity,leading to cancer progression.Obesity-mediated insulin metabolism,sustained low-grade inflammatory signaling,elevated estrogen metabolism,and abnormal microbiome diversity and dysbiosis are among those mechanisms that can lead to tumor and cancer progression.
基金supported by a National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government (NRF2013S1A5A2A03044895 JHP)
文摘Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to determine if there were any differences in various aspects of physical activity such as energy expenditure, intensity, and type of activity between normal-weight and overweight boys.Methods: Children aged 9—12 years were recruited from 2 elementary schools located in different urban districts in Republic of Korea. The present study included 45 Korean boys, of which 19 were normal-weight and 26 were overweight. Daily physical activity was estimated over the same 1-week study period under free-living conditions using the doubly labeled water(DLW) method and a tri-axial accelerometer. Resting metabolic rate(RMR) was measured using the Douglas bag method and open-circuit indirect calorimetry. We calculated the physical activity level(PAL) as the total energy expenditure(TEE)/RMR.Results: PAL was not significantly different between the groups. In the accelerometer data, time spent in locomotive moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA) was significantly lower in overweight boys than in normal-weight subjects, whereas other variables including non-locomotive activity did not differ between groups. In addition, among all participants, time spent in total locomotive activity was significantly associated with PAL. Time spent in locomotive MVPA was significantly associated with PAL.Conclusion: Overweight boys may be less physically active based on locomotive MVPA, which was positively related with PAL. Our findings suggest that the contribution of locomotive MVPA to the increase in PAL was relatively significant.
基金Supported by The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science KAKENHI(to Tomoki Abe),No.JP15K16208
文摘Aging and overnutrition cause obesity in rodents and humans. It is well-known that obesity causes various diseases by producing insulin resistance(IR). Macrophages infiltrate the adipose tissue(AT) of obese individuals and cause chronic low-level inflammation associated with IR. Macrophage infiltration is regulated by the chemokines that are released from hypertrophied adipocytes and the immune cells in AT. Saturated fatty acids are recognized by toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) and induce inflammatory responses in AT macrophages(ATMs). The inflammatory cytokines that are released from activated ATMs promote IR in peripheral organs, such as the liver, skeletal muscle and AT. Therefore, ATM activation is a therapeutic target for IR in obesity. The ubiquitin ligase Casitas b-lineage lymphoma-b(Cbl-b) appears to potently suppress macrophage migration and activation. Cbl-b is highly expressed in leukocytes and negatively regulates signals associated with migration and activation. Cbl-b deficiency enhances ATM accumulation and IR in aging- and diet-induced obese mice. Cbl-b inhibits migration-related signals and SFA-induced TLR4 signaling in ATMs. Thus, targeting Cbl-b may be a potential therapeutic strategy to reduce the IR induced by ATM activation. In this review, we summarize the regulatory functions of Cbl-b in ATMs.
文摘The aim of the present study was to evaluate terpenes degradation rate in the rumen fluid from adapted and non-adapted animals.Four castrated healthy animals,two rams and two bucks,were used.Animals were daily orally dosed for 2 weeks with 1 g of each of the following terpenes,α-pinene,limonene andβ-caryophyllene.At the end of each week,rumen fluid(RF)samples were assayed in vitro for their potential to degrade terpenes over time.For each animal,a 10 mL reaction medium(RM)at a ratio 1:9(v/v)was prepared and a terpenes solution at a concentration of 100μg/ml each,was added in each RM tube.Tubes were incubated at 39℃ under anaerobic conditions and their contents sampled at 0,2,4,8,21 and 24 h.RF could degrade terpenes as it was shown by the significantly(P<0.05)higher overall degradation rates.Individual terpene degradation rates,were significantly(P<0.05)higher in week 5 for limonene and marginally(P=0.083)higher also in week 5 forα-pinene.In conclusion,the findings of the present preliminary study suggest that terpenes can be degraded in the rumen fluid.
文摘Environmental contamination of food is a worldwide public health problem. Folate mediated one- carbon metabolism plays an important role in epigenetic regulation of gene expression and mutagenesis. Many contaminants in food cause cancer through epigenetic mechanisms and/or DNA instability i.e. default methylation of uracil to thymine, subsequent to the decrease of 5-methylte- trahydrofolate (5 mTHF) pool in the one-carbon metabolism network. Evaluating consequences of an exposure to food contaminants based on systems biology approaches is a promising alternative field of investigation. This report presents a dynamic mathematical modeling for the study of the alteration in the one-carbon metabolism network by environmental factors. It provides a model for predicting “the impact of arbitrary contaminants that can induce the 5 mTHF deficiency. The model allows for a given experimental condition, the analysis of DNA methylation activity and dumping methylation in the de novo pathway of DNA synthesis.
文摘Carcass weight is an economically important trait for beef cattle breeding and markets. The previous studies detected two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with carcass weight of Japanese Black: c.1326T>G in NCAPG gene and FJX_250879 in PLAG1 gene. Here, I carried out multiple marker association analysis for the two SNPs in Japanese Black population of 218 animals. The multiple marker analysis with the model including the main effects of the two SNPs and their interaction detected significant main effects of c.1326T>G and FJX_250879 and a significant interaction between the two SNPs, for carcass weight. These findings suggest the presence of inter-allelic interactions among genes affecting the variation of carcass weight. For effective marker-assisted selection for beef production, interaction between the two markers needs to be considered.
文摘Fusarium monilljorme, a fungus of established carcinogenic potential, is one of the most common fungal contaminants of maize, millet and other grains in Linxian County, China. Fusarin C, a major product of F. monilljorme grown on corn in the laboratory, is mutagenic in Salmonella tester strains and in V79 cells. Fusarin C showed several characteristics of malignant transformation including the implantation of the rat esophageal epithelial cell line (RE ?525) in nude mice. The present work demonstrated that fusarin C can induce esophageal and forestomach carcinomas in DBA mice and Wistar rats, and thus the experimental results substantiated further the carcinogenicity of fusarin C.
文摘Citric acid is known to alleviate physical fatigue and improve athletic performance;however, the underlying mechanism is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of citric acid administration on the expression of key glycolysis-related genes in the liver and skeletal muscle of rats. Eight-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups—control and citric acid groups. The rats were fasted overnight, after which distilled water or citric acid solution was administered intragastrically;after 150 min, the rats were sacrificed, and the liver and skeletal muscle were collected. In the skeletal muscle, namely soleus and gastrocnemius muscles, the phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase gene expression were significantly decreased by citric acid administration. In contrast, the glucokinase and pyruvate kinase gene expression in the liver was significantly increased. These results suggest that exogenous dietary citric acid suppresses glycolysis in the skeletal muscle at the transcription level.
