Effects of Insulin on Altered Mechanical and Electrical Papillary Muscle Activities of Diabetic Rats

Since insulin compounds can restore some metabolic parameters and lipid profile alterations of the diabetic rat heart, we investigated whether these beneficial effects extend to diabetic rat cardiac dysfunctions. Twenty-four male Wistar albino rats, 6 months of age with an average body weight of 250–320 g, were divided randomly into three groups, each consisting of eight rats: control-group (C) rats were fed with standard rat nutrient and water; diabetic-group (D) rats were treated with a single intramuscular injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 45 mg/kg), dissolved in 0.01 M sodium citrate, pH adjusted to 4.5; and insulin-treated diabetic group (D + INS) rats were treated with subcutaneous injections of 1 IU/l insulin (INS) twice a day after a single intramuscular injection of STZ (45 mg/kg). Treatment of D rats with INS caused a time-dependent decrease in blood glucose. We found that the lipid profile and HbA_1c levels in the D + INS group reached the values of control rats at the end of the treatment period. Contraction force in group D was compared with values from groups C and D + INS (p < 0.05). Values were obtained at a muscle contraction and relaxation time of milliseconds, with contraction time in D compared to C and D compared to D + INS and C (p < 0.05). Rate-dependent changes in action potential configuration in left ventricular papillary muscle obtained from 8-week control, STZ-treated D and D + INS rats showed significant membrane potential changes between C and STZ-treated D animals. Action potential amplitude showed significant changes between matched D + INS and STZ-treated D animals. Depolarization time showed significant changes between C and STZ-treated D animals and between the D + INS and D groups. Half-repolarization time showed significant changes between D + INS and STZ-treated D animals and compared to the D and C groups. Our data suggest that the beneficial effects of insulin treatment on the mechanical and electrical activities of the diabetic rat heart appear to be due to restoration of the diminished K⁺ currents, partially related to the restoration of hyperglycemia.     

水激光与超声洁治对中度慢性牙周炎的疗效对比

目的:探讨水激光与超声洁治对中度慢性牙周炎的疗效。方法:选取81例中度慢性牙周炎患者,年龄27-62岁,随机分为两组:激光组(41例)采用水激光治疗,超声组(40例)采用超声洁治法治疗。通过患者治疗后1个月,3个月的菌斑指数(plaque index,PLI),牙龈指数(gingival index,GI),牙周袋深度(probing depth,PD),牙周附着水平(clinical attachment level,CAL),治疗过程中的VAS评分等观察指标,对水激光与超声洁治进行疗效对比。结果:与基线各项牙周指数相比,激光组和超声组治疗后1个月,3个月的各项牙周指数均明显降低(P0.05)。与超声组相比,激光组治疗后1个月的GI值明显低于超声组,治疗后1个月和3个月的PD值和CAL值均低于超声组(P0.05)。治疗前,两组VAS评分相比,差异没有统计学意义(P0.05),治疗后,激光组的VAS评分明显低于超声组(P0.05)。结论:水激光治疗中度慢性牙周炎,治疗过程痛觉感受轻微,能轻易清除引起炎症的牙石及菌斑,促进牙周组织愈合。     

Cyclophilin a increases CD68<Superscript>+</Superscript> cell infiltration in rat experimental periodontitis

Cyclophilin A (CyPA) is a potent chemokine, which can directly induce leukocyte chemotaxis and contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammation-mediated diseases. This study is to observe the expression and distribution of CyPA and CD68⁺ cells in the histopathogenesis of rat ligation-induced experimental periodontitis, and assess the role of CyPA in CD68⁺ cell infiltration in rat experimental periodontitis. Experimental periodontitis was induced by ligation according to our previous method. CyPA expression in gingival tissues was detected by western blotting. Immunohistochemistry was applied for CyPA and CD68 distribution. For further certifying the role of CyPA in CD68⁺ cell infiltration, the right mandibular first molar received 0.1 μM CyPA locally by gingival injection every 2 days (L?+?C group), while the left mandibular first molar received saline as a control group (L group). The number of CD68⁺ cells in the experimental periodontitis was observed by immunohistochemistry. Alveolar bone destruction was assessed by micro-computerized tomography (micro-CT). Osteoclast was observed through TRAP staining. Nuclear factor (NF)-κB phospho-p65 (p p65) and phosphor-IκBα (p IκBα) expressions were detected to investigate NF-κB activation. CyPA showed an increasing trend at 1–6 weeks after ligation. CyPA and CD68⁺ cells were present in the gingival inflammatory infiltration, and participated in alveolar bone destruction. In the L?+?C group, the number of CD68⁺ cells was increased compared with the L group, and greater alveolar bone destruction was observed. NF-κB p p65 and p IκBα expressions were upregulated in the L?+?C group compared with the L group indicating NF-κB activation. CyPA increases CD68⁺ cell infiltration in rat experimental periodontitis, suggesting CyPA might be an anti-inflammatory therapeutic target.     

Alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase levels in saliva and serum of patients with healthy periodontium,gingivitis, and periodontitis before and after scaling with root planing: A clinico-biochemical study

Periodontitis is commonly diagnosed based on clinical parameters. However, the analysis of a few unique biomarkers of the disease process present in the saliva and blood can further assist the estimation of the rate of disease progression.AimThe present study attempted to correlate the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) levels in saliva and serum between patients with healthy periodontium, gingivitis, and chronic periodontitis.Materials and methodsThe present study was conducted in 135 subjects between 20 and 55 years of age. The subjects were divided into three groups, namely healthy (Group A), gingivitis (Group B), and chronic periodontitis (Group C). The clinical parameters were recorded using the plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and probing depth (PD). Saliva and serum were analyzed for ALP and ACP levels using an auto analyzer. All patients underwent scaling and root planning (SRP) along with oral hygiene instructions. Patients were then recalled after four weeks, and blood and saliva samples were collected to estimate ALP and ACP levels prior to clinical examination.ResultsThe clinical parameters exhibited a statistically significant decrease in the PI and GI in both group B and group C after SRP. A significant change in the PD and attachment levels (AL) was observed in the periodontitis group after SRP. The mean salivary & serum ALP levels exhibited a statistically significant decrease in group B & C after SRP. The mean serum ACP levels exhibited a statistically significant decrease in group B & C after SRP However, the salivary ACP levels decrease after SRP was only statistically significant in group C.ConclusionSerum and salivary ALP and ACP levels were markedly decreased in the gingivitis and periodontitis groups after SRP and were positively correlated with the clinical parameters.     

Treatment of periodontal disease using xanthan based chlorhexidine gel

People of all ages are suffering from periodontal disease. It causes indirect damage in the oral cavity. It is of interest to evaluate the efficacy of xanthan-based chlorhexidine gel (Xan-CHX) in patients with mild-severe chronic periodontitis. Five patients with 60 sites were divided in two groups. Group A (treated with SRP) and group B (treated with Chlosite i.e., SRP + CHL). The recorded clinical parameters were Plaque index (PI), Gingival index (GI), Bleeding index (BI), and Clinical attachment Level (CAL) with sub gingival plaque subjected to microbial analysis. Significant reduction was observed in both groups. However, group B (treated with Chlosite i.e., SRP + CHL) showed statistically significant improvement on above mentioned parameters as compared to group A. Data suggest that in the treatment of periodontal disease (viz. PI, GI, BI and CAL) combination of SRP and Chlosite showed added benefits over only SRP.     

Fermentation of plant cell walls by ruminal bacteria,protozoa and fungi and their interaction with fibre particle size

Abstract

The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the contribution of various ruminal microbial groups to the fermentation of cell walls of corn stover with different particle sizes based on ruminal gas production in vitro. Physical, chemical, and antibiotical methods were used to differentiate groups of bacteria, protozoa and fungi in rumen fluid, offering following rumen microbial groups: whole rumen fluid (WRF), bacterial (B), protozoal (P), fungal (F), bacterial plus protozoal (B + P), bacterial plus fungal (B + F), protozoal plus fungal (P + F), and negative control (CON). Cell walls from corn stover were ground and ball milled to produce two different particle sizes. The results showed that digestion of the cell walls was undertaken by the interaction among ruminal bacteria, protozoa and fungi, and such co-actions seemed to fail alternation by one of three microbial groups or any combinations. However, B + P group showed a significant contribution to the degradation of milled cell walls, and B + F group revealed a great synergy effect on the ground cell walls degradation. Particle size of cell walls also had a considerable influence on their fermentation extent instead of the fermentative patterns by various rumen microbial groups.     

Cervitec凝胶局部应用结合洁刮治术对牙周炎龈下菌群的影响

目的:探讨Cervitec凝胶局部应用结合洁刮治术对牙周炎龈下菌群的影响效果。方法:选取我院口腔科已确诊为牙周炎患者60例,根据治疗方案不同分为实验组与对照组,对照组进行传统洁刮术治疗,实验组在对照组基础上将Cervitec凝胶涂抹于牙齿及牙周袋周围,比较两组患者的口腔健康指数、探诊及龈沟液水平、菌群抑制效果及主要细菌杀灭水平变化情况,其数据结果应用统计学软件SPSS 17.0处理。结果:与对照组相比较,实验组患者口腔指数、牙龈水平及菌群杀灭抑制效果明显,表现为:菌斑指数、牙龈指数、出血指数明显降低(P0.05);探诊深度、附着水平、龈沟液含量明显下降(P0.05);总菌群、G-及G+菌群抑制程度提高(P0.05);高登链球菌、缓症链球菌、变黑普氏菌、牙龈卟啉单胞菌杀灭程度明显提高(P0.05)。其结果均有统计学意义。结论:Cervitec凝胶局部应用联合洁刮治术对牙周炎牙龈下菌群有良好抑制效果,并维持长久疗效,降低刺激程度及过敏情况,提高临床有效率,保护牙龈健康,对牙体产生较小的副作用。     

Effectiveness of ultrasonic instruments in the therapy of severe periodontitis: a comparative clinical-microbiological assessment with curettes

Patients with deep periodontal pockets were treated with either Vector System (TG) or manual instruments (CG). Clinical assessments by supragingival plaque (PL+), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL) and subgingival plaque collection for microbiological analysis were made prior to and after treatment. Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction was used to determine the presence of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Campylobacter rectus, Eikenella corrodens, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythensis and Treponema denticola. GI, PD, CAL and the number of BOP+ sites underwent a significant reduction over time in both groups. When compared to baseline, the pair-wise analyses showed significantly lower PD and CAL at 6 months in the CG and significant reductions in the GI, PD, CAL and a number of BOP+ sites at 3 and 6 months in the TG. For microbiological results, significant reductions were seen for C. rectus and R. gingivalis in the CG and for T. forsythensis, E. corrodens and T. denticola in the TG. The total bacterial count underwent a reduction in both groups. Both ultrasonic and manual debridement are equally effective in non-surgical periodontal therapy of severe periodontitis in terms of clinical and microbiological effects.     

Effect of dried corn distillers’ grains with solubles and soybean meal supplements on physiological indicators and reproductive performance of ewes

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of adding dried distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGS) to the nutritional regimens of ewes at different time periods on reproductive traits, serum hormones and serum metabolites. In Experiment 1, 100 ewes were divided into 4 groups (n = 25) according to diet. The four diets were grass hay (H) alone (group H), H with barley (group H + B), H with DDGS for the whole feeding period (27 d) (group H + DDGS) or H and DDGS for 5 d (d 8–12 of oestrus cycle) (group H + DDGS5). Serum progesterone concentrations were affected by oestrus cycle (p < 0.001), but not by dietary treatments. However, feeding H + DDGS caused significant increases in serum insulin, leptin and growth hormone concentrations (p < 0.05). In Experiment 2, 30 ewes were divided into 2 groups (n = 15), receiving DDGS or soybean meal (SBM) during the prepartum period. Diets had no significant effect on weights of dams or lambs at birth; however, the weaning weights of lambs born from ewes of group DDGS were significantly higher (p < 0.05). Moreover, serum glucose, blood urea nitrogen, triglyceride and beta hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) concentrations during the prepartum period were affected by dietary treatments and by time (p < 0.001). During the prepartum period, BHBA concentrations of ewes fed SBM were higher, while BHBA levels decreased during the last weeks of pregnancy regardless of diet. Lamb serum immunoglobulin G concentrations increased from 1 h to 24 h after birth (p < 0.001). Colostrum of ewes fed SBM had higher fat-free dry matter (DM) and protein contents in comparison to colostrum of ewes fed DDGS (p < 0.05). In conclusion, DDGS can be included as protein source in pregnancy rations up to 15% of DM to obtain reproductive performance outcomes equal to or exceeding those obtained with SBM.     

Effects of grape seed extract as a natural antioxidant on growth performance,carcass characteristics and antioxidant status of rabbits during heat stress

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of different levels of dietary supplementation of grape seed extract (GSE) on growth performance, carcass traits and antioxidant status of rabbits under heat stress conditions (temperature humidity index 87.5–93.5). Weaned male New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits about 6 weeks old (n = 144, mean body weight 705 g) were randomly allotted to four dietary groups. The Control group was fed a basal diet without GSE; the experimental groups received the basal diet with 100, 200 and 300 mg GSE/kg (Groups 100 GSE, 200 GSE and 300 GSE, respectively). The experimental period lasted for 8 weeks. Compared with other groups, rabbits of Group 300 GSE had the best body weight gain and feed conversion ratio and the lowest mortality. Dietary GSE improved carcass weight, percentage of hot carcass, intestine and edible giblets, while total non-edible parts were reduced (p ≤ 0.05) in comparison with the Control group. In Groups 200 GSE and 300 GSE, plasma total protein, albumin and globulin were increased (p ≤ 0.05). In contrast, all supplementation levels of GSE reduced (p ≤ 0.05) the plasma concentrations of total lipids, total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins. Antioxidant enzymes of rabbits (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione transferase) and total antioxidant capacity in blood were increased (p ≤ 0.05) by adding dietary GSE. However, malondialdehyde was reduced (p ≤ 0.001) with increasing GSE levels. Generally, grape seeds can be considered as rich source of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. The results of the study revealed that all tested levels of GSE were useful as a natural protection against heat stress to maintain performance, carcass traits and antioxidant status and could reduce the negative effects of heat stress in rabbits.     

Effects of Oenothera biennis L. and Hypericum perforatum L. extracts on some central nervous system myelin proteins,brain histopathology and oxidative stress in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

We investigated the effects of Oenothera biennis L. and Hypericum perforatum L. extracts on brain tissue histopathology, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), myelin basic protein (MBP), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Forty-seven C57BL/6J mice were divided into the following groups: multiple sclerosis (MS), control (healthy mice), MS + H. perforatum treated (MS + HP), MS + O. biennis treated (MS + OB). All groups except the control group were immunized by EAE methods. Two weeks after the immunization, the mice in the MS + HP group were fed normal food containing 18 ? 21 g/kg H. perforatum extract, the mice in MS + OB group were fed normal food containing 18 ? 21 g/kg O. biennis extract, and the mice in control and MS groups were fed normal food for six weeks. Brain tissue samples were collected from all mice for histopathological and biochemical analysis. Clinical signs of the disease were scored using functional systems scores (FSS) daily. The H. perforatum and O. biennis extracts ameliorated the increased brain tissue MOG and MBP values for animals with MS. H. perforatum and O. biennis extract decreased the TOS and OSI values for brain tissue and increased TAS levels in brain tissue of animals with MS. In addition, H. perforatum and O. biennis extracts decreased the clinical signs at the end of the experiment compared to the beginning of extract administration. We found that myelin was lost in MS group vs. control group. H. perforatum and O. biennis extract treatments decreased the amount of myelin loss in the MS + HP and MS + OB groups. We also observed amyloid deposition on vascular walls, in the cytoplasm of the neurons and in the intercellular space in the MS group. O. biennis and H. perforatum treated groups exhibited neither abnormal amyloid deposition nor obvious cell infiltration. The beneficial effects of O. biennis and H. perforatum for attenuating myelin loss and amyloid deposition suggest their therapeutic utility for treatment of MS.     

Bone mineralisation of weaned piglets fed a diet free of inorganic phosphorus and supplemented with phytase,as assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

Sixteen female piglets (58 d of age, 16.8 ± 0.8 kg body weight [BW]) were assigned to two groups (n = 8) and received until day 100 of age (50.3 ± 1.2 kg BW) ad libitum either a diet with a standard (diet C) or low (diet L) total phosphorus (P) content (5.38 and 4.23 g/kg, respectively). Diet C was supplemented with mineral P (1.15 g/kg) and did not contain microbial phytase. Diet L did not contain any inorganic P but 750 FTU/kg of microbial phytase. Despite these treatments, both diets were composed with the same ingredients. Body mineralisation of each gilt was assessed by determining the bone mineral content (BMC), area bone mineral density (BMD) by the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at days 58, 72, 86 and 100 of age. Feeding diet L caused a higher P digestibility (p = 0.008) measured from days 72 to 86 of age and at 100 days of age a higher BMC and BMD (p ≤ 0.01). Furthermore, the gilts of group L deposited more minerals in the body than control pigs (by 2.4 g/d, p = 0.008). It was found that BMD and BMC were positively correlated with body lean mass and digestible P intake. The results indicated that, even for very young pigs, the addition of microbial phytase instead of inorganic P increases the amount of digestible P covering the requirements of piglets for proper bone mineralisation. Furthermore, it was proved that the DXA method can be successfully applied to measure body fat and lean mass contents as well as bone mineralisation of growing pigs using the same animals.     

Effect of epigallocatechin gallate on growth performance and antioxidant capacity in heat-stressed broilers

This study investigated the effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on the growth performance and antioxidant capacity of 35-d-old broilers exposed to heat stress. Broilers, 14 d of age, were divided into four groups with six replicates per group (eight chickens/replicate). Thermoneutral group (Group TN) was fed the basal diet and maintained at 28°C for 24 h/d. The heat-stressed groups were housed at 35°C for 12 h/d and 28°C for 12 h/d and fed the basal diet supplemented with EGCG at 0, 300 and 600 mg/kg diet (Groups HS0, HS 300 and HS600, respectively). Compared with Group TN, heat-stressed groups showed significantly reduced gain, feed intake and serum total protein and glucose levels; inhibited serum alkaline phosphatase activities; and increased serum levels of uric acid, cholesterol and triglycerides and the activity of serum creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase (p < 0.05). Compared with Group HS0, Group HS600 exhibited an increased gain and feed intake; and normalised blood parameters and enzyme activities. Compared with Group TN, the expression of antioxidant-related liver proteins was decreased in Group HS0 and increased in Groups HS300 and HS600 (p < 0.05). The results suggest that EGCG can improve the growth performance and alleviate the oxidant damage by modulating the antioxidant properties of broilers.     

Serum levels of oncostatin M (a gp 130 cytokine): an inflammatory biomarker in periodontal disease

Objective: Periodontitis is considered to be a risk factor for systemic diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, etc., and cytokines play a key role. The present study was carried out to measure the level of serum oncostatin M (OSM) in patients with chronic periodontitis, and to evaluate the effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on the serum OSM concentration.

Materials and methods: Sixty subjects were divided into three groups (each group n?=?20) based on the gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL): group I healthy; group II gingivitis; and group III chronic periodontitis. Group III patients were followed for 8 weeks after non-surgical periodontal therapy as the after-treatment group (group IV). Estimation of serum OSM was done using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: The mean OSM concentrations in serum were highest in the chronic periodontitis group (mean 68.05 pg ml^?1) and decreased following treatment (39.65 pg ml^?1) while OSM was undetectable in healthy subjects or in patients with gingivitis.

Conclusion: Increased serum OSM concentration in patients with chronic periodontitis and its positive correlation with PPD and CAL, suggest its role as an inflammatory biomarker in periodontal disease and it may exaggerate other systemic conditions such as atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.     

Stem Cell Conditioned Media Contains Important Growth Factors and Improves In Vitro Buffalo Embryo Production

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of MSCs-conditioned media (CM) on quality buffalo embryo production in vitro. MSCs were harvested from Wharton’s jelly of 2-3 month old fetus and MSCs CM was collected. Immunocytochemistry and western blot assay revealed that MSCs secrete several important growth factors viz. FGF-2, IGF-1, LIF, TGF-β, and VEGF. Slaughterhouse derived culture grade cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured and fertilized in vitro. Presumptive zygotes were divided in four groups and cultured in vitro in respective media viz. group I (100% mSOF), Group II (100% Knockout Media DMEM+SR), Group III (50% CM + 50% mSOF), and group IV (100% CM). It was found that though the cleavage rate did not changed significantly (p < 0.05), but blastocyst rate was increased significantly (p < 0.05) in Group III and IV (24.24 ± 1.34 and 23.29 ± 1.25, respectively) compared to group I and II (16.04 ± 1.46 and 17.72 ± 0.94, respectively). Similarly, TCN was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in 50% CM and 100% CM replacement group (93.33 ± 1.91 and 92.13 ± 1.04, respectively) than the other two groups. It can be concluded from the study that MSCs secrete several important growth factors and MSCs-CM can be effectively used for enhancement of quality buffalo embryo production in vitro.     

Effects of nanosized zinc oxide and γ-polyglutamic acid on eggshell quality and serum parameters of aged laying hens

In order to increase zinc (Zn) absorption and improve eggshell quality, diets for aged laying hens were supplemented with different Zn sources and the effects on egg production, eggshell quality and serum parameters were recorded. Seventy-five 64-week old brown layers were individually caged and randomly allotted to five treatment groups: an un-supplemented Control and four groups, where the following Zn sources were added to the diets, ZnO (group ZnO), Zn-methionine (group Zn-Met), nanosized ZnO (group nanoZnO) and γ-PGA-nano ZnO (group γ-PGA-nanoZnO). The Zn level was maintained at 80 mg/kg in the supplemented diet, while the Control group received Zn at 40 mg/kg diet. The results indicated that the average daily feed intake was highest in group nanoZnO (p < 0.05), whereas further performance parameters were not influenced by treatments. Eggshell thickness was increased in group γ-PGA-nanoZnO (p < 0.05). Zn content in eggshells and Zn concentration in serum were increased in groups Zn-Met, nanoZnO and γ-PGA-nanoZnO (p < 0.05). Serum ghrelin concentration was significantly elevated in all Zn-supplemented groups, but further increased in groups nanoZnO and γ-PGA-nanoZnO (p < 0.05). Carbonic anhydrase activity was highest in group γ-PGA-nanoZnO and lowest in group Zn-Met (p < 0.05). Compared to the Control and group ZnO, supplementation of γ-PGA-nanoZnO and nanoZnO increased serum IgG levels (p < 0.001). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of nanoZnO and γ-PGA-nanoZnO increased Zn content in eggshells, serum Zn concentration, ghrelin and IgG levels of aged layers when compared to regular ZnO. Compared to Zn-Met, the serum carbonic anhydrase activity and ghrelin levels were also increased. Thus, nanosized ZnO alone or mixed with γ-PGA has positive effects on the Zn status of aged layers.     

Regional Distribution of Longevity Population and Elements in Drinking Water in Jiangjin District,Chongqing City,China

This study was carried out to determine the protective effects of lithium borate (LTB) on blood parameters and histopathological findings in experimentally induced acute cadmium (Cd) toxicity in rats. Twenty-eight male Wistar albino rats were used, weighing 200–220 g, and they were randomly divided into four groups, including one control and the following three experimental groups: a Cd group (0.025 mmol/kg), a LTB group (15 mg/kg/day orally for 5 days), and a LTB + Cd group (15 mg/kg/day orally for 5 days and Cd 0.025 mmol/kg by intraperitoneal injection on the fifth day). All the rats in the study were anesthetized with ketamine at the end of the sixth day, blood was taken from their hearts, and then the rats were decapitated. The values in the control and LTB group were usually close to each other. White blood cell (WBC), neutrophil %, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels increased in the Cd and LTB + Cd groups while lymphocyte and monocyte levels decreased in a statistically significant manner, in comparison to the other groups. It was determined that the levels of red blood cells (RBCs), hematocrit (Htc), and hemoglobin (Hb) did not change in the groups. The levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the Cd and LTB + Cd groups significantly increased, in comparison to the other groups, while the glucose, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin (ALB), and total protein (TP) levels decreased. According to histopathological findings in the control and LTB groups, the liver and kidney tissues were found to have normal histological structures. In the Cd group, severe necrotic hemorrhagic hepatitis, mild steatosis, and mononuclear cell infiltration were detected in the liver. In the LTB + Cd group, degeneration and mild mononuclear cell infiltration were found in the liver. Regarding the kidney tissue in the Cd group, severe intertubular hyperemia in both kidney cortex and medulla, as well as degeneration and necrosis in the tubulus epithelium, was observed. In the LTB + Cd group, mild interstitial hyperemia and mononuclear cell infiltration was detected. Resultantly, it can be said that LTB at this dose has non-toxic effects and some beneficial effects for liver and kidney damage caused by acute Cd toxicity.     

Maternal Behavior,Posture Change,and Production Performance of Lactating Sows Housed in an Enriched Environment

This study aimed to evaluate whether adding straw to a loose-farrowing house promotes maternal functions and production. Forty-eight sows (Landrace× Large White) were housed in either a farrowing pen without straw (C, n = 24) or with straw (S, n = 24). Behaviors were observed using video recordings and were statistically analyzed. Lateral recumbency was higher and standing was lower in S compared with C (p = .034 and p = .020, respectively), and lateral recumbency to other postures, ventral to lateral recumbency and standing to lying were markedly lower in S than C (p = .014, p = .025 and p = .023, respectively) on Day 1 postpartum. However, except piglet losses during the first three days postpartum (p = .032), piglet weight on Day 21 (p = .037), and piglet weaning weight (p = .020), other production performances were not significantly different between the two groups during the whole experimental period (p ?.05). The results suggest the enrichment of a farrowing pen with straw has important beneficial effects on sow and piglet welfare and improves piglet survival rates.     

牙周夹板联合正畸治疗对牙周炎所致前牙扇形移位患者咀嚼功能和龈沟液PGE2、sICAM-1、PAK5的影响

目的:探讨牙周夹板联合正畸治疗对牙周炎所致前牙扇形移位患者咀嚼功能和龈沟液中前列素E2(PGE2)、可溶性细胞间黏附分子-1(s ICAM-1)、p2l活化激酶5(PAK5)的影响。方法:采用随机数字表法,将我院2018年2月~2020年2月间接收的93例牙周炎所致前牙扇形移位患者分为对照组(46例,牙周基础治疗、牙周夹板治疗)和研究组(47例,牙周基础治疗、牙周夹板治疗联合正畸治疗),观察两组疗效,对比两组治疗前后的牙周情况,咀嚼功能、美观度,龈沟液PGE2、s ICAM-1、PAK5水平。结果:研究组的临床总有效率高于对照组(P<0.05)。研究组治疗后牙周菌斑指数(PLI)、探诊深度(PD)、牙龈指数(GI)、附着丧失(AL)、龈沟出血指数(SBI)低于对照组(P<0.05)。研究组治疗后探诊出血率、前牙咬合低于对照组,咀嚼功能评分高于对照组(P<0.05)。研究组治疗后牙周袋深度、前牙覆盖度、牙槽骨高度低于对照组(P<0.05)。研究组治疗后龈沟液PGE2、s ICAM-1、PAK5水平低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:牙周夹板联合正畸治疗可有效恢复牙周炎所致前牙扇形移位患者牙周功能和咀嚼功能,且美观效果好,还可减轻对龈沟液PGE2、s ICAM-1、PAK5水平的影响。     

Intra-individual variability in the sleep of senior and junior rugby league athletes during the competitive season

This study examined the sleep intra-individual variability (IIV) of rugby league athletes across senior and junior levels during one week of the competitive season. Forty-five rugby league athletes across elite senior, sub-elite senior and elite junior levels each wore actigraphy monitors for seven days during the competitive season, and completed a subjective sleep diary each morning upon waking. Linear mixed models were used to assess differences in sleep measures between playing levels. Intra-individual standard deviations for each sleep measure were calculated for each athlete to determine their respective IIV, allowing differences in IIV between groups to be assessed. Elite junior athletes went to bed later (ES = 0.94 ± 0.50, p < 0.05) and woke later than elite senior athletes (ES = 0.94 ± 0.40, p < 0.05), while also displaying greater IIV when considering time in bed (ES = 1.14 ± 0.60, p < 0.05) and sleep duration (ES = 1.53 ± 0.64, p < 0.05) compared with elite senior athletes. Similarly, IIV was more pronounced in elite junior players for time in bed (ES = 0.88 ± 0.60, p < 0.05) and sleep duration (ES = 1.03 ± 0.64, p < 0.05) compared with sub-elite senior athletes. Despite this, elite junior athletes still obtained sufficient sleep duration, efficiency and quality. The outcomes of this investigation show a distinct difference in the habitual sleep-wake patterns of senior and junior rugby league athletes, and show how sleep IIV differs between playing levels in rugby league.