Explore the vast range of titles available.

Epizootic rabbit enteropathy (ERE) is reproduced successfully in the present study by feeding rabbits a low-fibre diet, and high-throughput sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis were applied to examine the microbial variations in the stomach, small intestine and caecum. The evenness was disturbed and the richness was decreased in the ERE groups. When the rabbits were suffering from ERE, the abundance of the Firmicutes was decreased in three parts of the digestive tract, whereas the Proteobacteria was increased in the stomach and caecum, the Bacteroidetes and Verrucomicrobia were increased in the small intestine. Correlation analysis showed that the reduced concentrations of TVFA and butyrate in the caeca of the ERE group were attributed to the decreased abundances of genera such as Lactobacillus , Alistipes and other fibrolytic bacteria and butyrate- producing bacteria such as Eubacterium and Faecalibacterium . It is concluded that, in terms of microorganisms, the overgrowth of Bacteroides fragilis , Clostridium perfringen , Enterobacter sakazakii and Akkermansia muciniphila and inhibition of Bifidobacterium spp. and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens in the stomach, small intestine and caecum resulted in a decrease in butyrate yield, leading to the incidence of ERE, and the probability of developing ERE could be manipulated by adjusting the dietary fibre level.

Abstract Livestock on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are faced with extreme harsh winters and are often in negative energy balance during this period. Dietary supplementation can improve growth performance of Tibetan sheep and, consequently, we hypothesized that it would also increase microbial abundance and rumen epithelium development. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effect of feed supplementation during the cold season on rumen microbes, fermentation, epithelium development, and absorptive capability in Tibetan sheep. Eighteen 1-yr-old ewes (BW = 29.4 ± 1.79, kg) were offered oat hay ad libitum for 60 d and divided randomly into three groups: 1) no supplement; control group (CON); 2) urea-molasses lick block supplement (BS); and 3) concentrate feed supplement (CS). The ADG of CS ewes (143.3, g/d) was greater (P < 0.05) than BS ewes (87.9, g/d), which was greater (P < 0.05) than CON ewes (44.5, g/d). Serum concentrations of GH, IGF-1, and IGF-2 in the CS and BS groups were greater than in the CON group (P < 0.05). Greater relative abundance of protozoa, Ruminococcus albus, Fibrobacter succinogenes, Streptococcus bovis, and Ruminobacter amylophilus was observed in the CS and BS groups than in the CON group (P < 0.05), and relative abundances of rumen fungi, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, and Prevotella ruminicola in the CS group were greater than in the BS and CON groups (P < 0.05). Ruminal total VFA, ammonia, and microbial protein concentrations in the CS and BS groups were greater than in the CON group (P < 0.05), and in the CS group were greater than in the BS group (P < 0.05). Ruminal papillae width and surface area in the CS and BS groups were greater than in the CON group (P < 0.05), while in the CS group were greater than in the BS group (P < 0.05). The mRNA expressions of IGFBP5, NHE1 (sodium/hydrogen antiporter, isoform 1), DRA (downregulated in adenoma), and Na+/K+-ATPase (sodium/potassium ATPase pump) in ruminal epithelium were greater in the CS and BS groups than in the CON group (P < 0.05), and in the CS group was greater than in the BS group (P < 0.05), while NHE3 (sodium/hydrogen antiporter, isoform 3), MCT1 (monocarboxylate transporter 1), and MCT4 (monocarboxylate transporter 4) mRNA expressions in the CS group were greater than in the BS and CON groups (P < 0.05). It was concluded that supplementing Tibetan sheep during the cold season increases rumen microbial abundance and improves fermentation parameters, rumen epithelium development, and absorptive capability.

Crocodilians are diving reptiles that can hold their breath under water for long periods of time and are crepuscular animals with excellent sensory abilities. They comprise a sister lineage of birds and have no sex chromosome. Here we report the genome sequence of the endangered Chinese alligator （Alligator sinensis） and describe its unique features. The next-generation sequencing generated 314 Gb of raw sequence, yielding a genome size of 2.3 Gb. A total of 22 200 genes were predicted in Alligator sinensis using a de novo, homology- and RNA-based combined model. The genetic basis of long-diving behavior includes duplication of the bicarbonate-binding hemoglobin gene, co-function- ing of routine phosphate-binding and special bicarbonate-binding oxygen transport, and positively selected energy metabolism, ammonium bicarbonate excretion and cardiac muscle contraction. Further, we elucidated the robust Alligator sinensis sensory system, including a significantly expanded olfactory receptor repertoire, rapidly evolving nerve-related cellular components and visual perception, and positive selection of the night vision-related opsin and sound detection-associated otopetrin. We also discovered a well-developed immune system with a considerable num- ber of lineage-specific antigen-presentation genes for adaptive immunity as well as expansion of the tripartite motif- containing C-type lectin and butyrophilin genes for innate immunity and expression of antibacterial peptides. Mul- tifluorescence in situ hybridization showed that alligator chromosome 3, which encodes DMRT1, exhibits significant synteny with chicken chromosome Z. Finally, population history analysis indicated population admixture 0.60-1.05 million years ago, when the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau was uplifted.

In order to control the CaO-Al_2O_3-SiO_2-MgO system inclusions in 50 CrVA spring steel in a lower melting temperature region,high temperature equilibrium experiments between steel and slag were performed in the laboratory,under the conditions of the initial slag basicity within 3-7and the content of Al_2O_3 between 18-35mass%,to investigate the formation and evolution of this type of inclusion.The results indicate that the total oxygen content in the steel decreases with the increase of slag basicity and the decrease of Al_2O_3 content in slags,and CaO-Al_2O_3-SiO2-MgO inclusions tend to deviate from the low melting point region with the increase of Al_2O_3 content in slags.The most favorable composition for the refining slag is composed of 51-56mass% CaO,9-13mass% SiO_2,20-25mass% Al_2O_3 and 6mass% MgO.In this case,the inclusions in 50 CrVA spring steel are mostly in the low melting point regions,in which their plasticities are expected to improve during steel rolling.The MgO-based inclusions were observed in the steel matrix and the formation mechanism was theoretically and schematically revealed.It is also found that adding around 11mass% of MgO into the refining slags is beneficial to reducing the refractory corrosion.Further work should be carried out focusing on the evolution rates of MgO-based inclusions.

Hispidulin, a polyphenolic flavonoid extracted from the traditional Chinese medicinal plant S involucrata, exhibits anti-tumor effects in a wide array of human cancer cells, mainly through growth inhibition, apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest. However, its precise anticancer mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms that contribute to hispidulin- induced apoptosis of human clear-cell renal cell carcinoma （ccRCC） lines Caki-2 and ACHN. Hispidulin （10, 20 pmol/L） decreased the viability of ccRCC cells in dose- and time-dependent manners without affecting that of normal tubular epithelial cells. Moreover, hispidulin treatment dose-dependently increased the levels of cleaved caspase-8 and caspase-9, but the inhibitors of caspase-8 and caspase-9 only partly abrogated hispidulin-induced apoptosis, suggesting that hispidulin triggered apoptosis via both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. Moreover, hispidulin treatment significantly inhibited the activity of sphingosine kinase 1 （SphK1） and consequently promoted ceramide accumulation, thus leading to apoptosis of the cancer cells, whereas pretreatment with K6PC-5, an activator of SphK1, or overexpression of SphK1 significantly attenuated the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of hispidulin. In addition, hispidu~in treatment dose-dependently activated ROS/JNK signaling and led to cell apoptosis. We further demonstrated in Caki-2 xenograft nude mice that injection of hispidulin （20, 40 mg.kg＇l〈1-1, ip） dose-dependently suppressed tumor growth accompanied by decreased SphK1 activity and increased ceramide accumulation in tumor tissues. Our findings reveal a new explanation for the anti- tumor mechanisms of hispidulin, and suggest that SphK1 and ceramide may serve as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of ccRCC.

In order to control the CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-MgO system inclusions in 50 CrVA spring steel in a lower melting temperature region,high temperature equilibrium experiments between steel and slag were performed in the laboratory,under the conditions of the initial slag basicity within 3-7and the content of Al2O3 between 18-35mass%,to investigate the formation and evolution of this type of inclusion.The results indicate that the total oxygen content in the steel decreases with the increase of slag basicity and the decrease of Al2O3 content in slags,and CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-MgO inclusions tend to deviate from the low melting point region with the increase of Al2O3 content in slags.The most favorable composition for the refining slag is composed of 51-56mass% CaO,9-13mass% SiO2,20-25mass% Al2O3 and 6mass% MgO.In this case,the inclusions in 50 CrVA spring steel are mostly in the low melting point regions,in which their plasticities are expected to improve during steel rolling.The MgO-based inclusions were observed in the steel matrix and the formation mechanism was theoretically and schematically revealed.It is also found that adding around 11mass% of MgO into the refining slags is beneficial to reducing the refractory corrosion.Further work should be carried out focusing on the evolution rates of MgO-based inclusions.

Dear Editor, Four patients with erectile dysfunction （ED） induced by pituitary prolactinoma presented to our clinic from 2007 to 2008. The patients had been misdiagnosed nearly 2 years earlier at other hospitals because severe ED was the initial symptom. None of these patients had experi-enced successful and satisfactory intercourse in approximately 2 years despite being treated with numerous medications, including the repeated administration of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors （PDE5is） （sildenafil 100 mg and/or tadalafil 20 mg）. However, after successful treatment for pituitary prolactinoma, the response to PDE5is improved dramatically. The four cases are described in this report.

Dear Editor, We present an interesting case of a patient with erectile dysfunction （ED） and testosterone deficiency （TD） who was treated with testoster- one supplementation therapy （TST） in combination with sildenafil for 45 months. The patient continued to respond well even after the discontinuation of sildenafil for 8 months. Major side effects and complications were not reported at the long-term follow-up.

In this work, the mechanical properties and microstructures of vermicular graphite cast iron processed by selective laser surface alloying with ultra-fine ZrO2 ceramic particulates were investigated. A particulate-reinforced metal matrix composite coating with the thickness of -650 μm was fabricated by laser treatment on the sample surface. The particulates were uniformly distributed in the microstructure of the coating. The tensile strength and microhardness both increased with the particulate fraction, since more tensile load was transferred from the matrix to the reinforcement showing essential strengthening effect. The composite coating also sharply reduced the wear mass loss and thus improved the wear resistance.

Ankylosing spondylitis （AS）, which primarily affects the sacroiliac joints, spine, and enthuses, is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disorder. Acute anterior uveitis is the most common ophthalmologic involvement, whereas optic neuritis （ON） rarely coexists with AS.r~j ON is an immune-mediated inflammation of the optic nerve, which could be the initiated symptom of multiple sclerosis （MS） or neuromyelitis optica （NMO）. Bilateral simultaneous ON with long enhanced optic nerve lesions in magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） was considered as features of NMO spectrum disorders （NMOSDs）. However, comprehensive review of the current literature showed little evidence of AS as an accompanied autoimmune condition in NMO,121 and the specific biomarker aquaporin-4 antibody （AQP4-Ab） was negative in our patient. In the current report, we present the first case of ON with active AS in a Chinese male patient. The association between the two diseases remains to be evaluated.