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ObjectiveTo analyze the community structure and dynamics of parasitic fleas on the body surface of host animals and nested fleas in different seasons in the natural foci of wild rat plague in Yulong County，Yunnan Province， to explore the relationship between seasonal fluctuation of fleas and the prevalence of plague among animals， so as to provide evidence for plague prevention and control in the natural foci.MethodsNanxi Village， Huangshan Town， the core area of plague epidemic in Yulong County， was selected as the monitoring sample area in December 2019 （winter）， August 2020（summer）， October 2020（autumn） and March 2021（spring）. Host animals were captured by rattrap at night and rat nests were excavated for collecting parasitic fleas on host animals and rat nest fleas in different seasons. Excel 2010 and SPSS 26.0 software were used to analyze the data， and Chi square test was used to compare the rate. Community ecological indicators were used to analyze the community structure and species diversity of the host animals and their parasitic fleas.ResultsA total of 355 vector fleas were captured， belonging to 7 species of 5 genera in 2 families. 441 small animals were captured and 138 rat body fleas were detected with the flea infection rate of 14.51% and the flea index 0.31. 96 effective rat holes were excavated and 217 fleas were detected with the flea infection rate of 35.42% and the flea index 2.26. Among the four seasons， the flea infection rates of rat body and rat nests were higher in summer and winter， showing a significant difference in general （χ2=15.851， P

Objective(s): The aim of this study is to explore the potential neuroprotective effects of Ginkgolide B (GB), a main terpene lactone and active component in Ginkgo biloba, in hypoxia-induced neuronal damage, and to further investigate its possible mechanisms.Materials and Methods: 54 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: the untreated control group (n=18); the hypoxia group (n=18; exposed to 6000 m simulated plateau altitude for six days); and the GB group (n=18; intragastric administration of 12 mg/kg GB three days prior to rapid adaption to 6000 m and on the first two days of hypoxia). After hypoxia exposure for six days, we dissected out the brain hippocampi and performed hematoxylin and eosin staining, Nissl staining, and TUNEL staining. Homogenates of the hippocampi were used to test the oxidative stress indices including malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and catalase. Bax and caspase-3 expression in the hippocampal tissue was measured using qRT-PCR.Results: Treatment with GB before exposure to hypoxia could protect neural cells and increase the number of Nissl bodies. TUNEL and qRT-PCR results demonstrated that GB treatment could decrease apoptotic cells in different areas of the hippocampus. Antioxidant defense systems such as SOD, GSH, and catalase were decreased (P

The evidence for the association between meat intake and the risk of bladder cancer (BC) is still inconclusive. A total of 29 studies involving 1,475,125 participants and 18,836 cases of BC were included in the meta-analysis. Among these studies, 11 reported total meat intake, 20 reported red meat intake, 19 reported processed meat intake, 15 reported white meat intake, and 15 reported fish intake. The results suggested that there was an overall increase in BC risk associated with total meat intake (RR = 1.10; 95% confidence interval: 0.92–1.31; I2 = 55.20%; P = 0.014), and a higher red meat (RR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.08–1.39; I2 = 51.30%; P = 0.004) or processed meat (RR = 1.16; 95% CI: 1.08–1.25; I2 = 28.00%; P = 0.125) intake may increase the risk of BC. In contrast, a higher intake of fish (RR = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.67–0.95; I2 = 62.90%; P = 0.001) was inversely associated with the risk of BC. Moreover, we did not observe an association between white meat (RR = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.83–1.10; I2 = 53.70%; P = 0.007) and the risk of BC. Our findings suggested that dietary intervention may be an effective approach to preventing BC, which still needs to be confirmed by further well-designed observational studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed to investigate the protective effects and elucidate the mechanisms of aqueous extract of Polygonatum sibiricum (PSAE) on glucolipid metabolism during the development of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). C57BL/6J mice fed with 60% high‐fat diet (HFD) combined with streptozotocin (STZ) injection to simulate the occurrence process of T2DM. PSAE was administered daily by oral gavage during the experiment. The results demonstrated the protective effects in mice supplied with PSAE on the indicators of glycolipid metabolism (body weight, fasting blood glucose, the area under the curve, hemoglobin A1c, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and liver triglyceride) compared with the Model group mice. Furthermore, PSAE can ameliorate insulin resistance in mice liver by activating phosphoinositide‐3‐kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway signaling. Overall, our research suggested that PSAE can effectively regulate glucose and lipid metabolism during the development of T2DM as an alternative functional food. Practical applications: Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease which is characterized by abnormal metabolism of glucose and lipoid and nowadays it has been one of the most representative chronic systemic progressive metabolic diseases. Polygonatum sibiricum is a traditional Chinese galenical and it also can be used as food ingredients. PSAE is the aqueous extract of Polygonatum sibiricum. 34% polysaccharides were detected in PSAE and it can effectively regulate glucose and lipid metabolism during the development of T2DM in mice. Thus, PSAE might be a promising functional food for regulation of glucolipid metabolism and the study also provides a theoretical basis for the development and application of food about Polygonatum sibiricum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the wear resistance of ZL109 aluminum alloy, carbon nanotube additives were added to the micro-arc oxidation electrolyte to explore the influence of carbon nanotube on the growth and wear resistance of micro-arc oxidation ceramic layer of ZL109 aluminum alloy. ZL109 aluminum alloy micro-arc oxidation ceramic layers were prepared by adding 0. 4 g/L to 2 g/L carbon nanotubes into the electrolyte under bipolar pulse constant pressure mode. The growth behavior of ceramic layer was analyzed by the aspects of surface characteristics, microstructure, thickness and phase composition, and the wear resistance of ceramic layer was investigated by reciprocating friction and wear testing machine. The results show that the effect of the electrolyte additive (carbon nanotube) on the growth process of ceramic layers is significant, the characteristics of ceramic layers are significantly changed, the porosity and aperture of the original surface are dramatically lower, but the high concentration carbon nanotube can cause uneven fluctuations on the surface. The carbon nanotube is not directly involved in the ceramic layer,but affect the amount of oxidation products per unit channel area in the process of micro arc discharge through its high storage dielectric microcharging ability, which has a obvious effect on the characteristics of the ceramic layer. The friction coefficient of ceramic layers is increased after the addition of carbon nanotube,but the wear resistance is greatly improved. The ceramic layer prepared by adding 1. 2 g/L carbon nanotube has good wear resistance and low and stable friction coefficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitric oxide (NO) is involved in neuronal modifications, and overproduction of NO contributes to memory deficits after acute hypobaric hypoxia-reoxygenation. This study investigated the ability of the iNOS inhibitor 1400W to counteract spatial memory deficits following acute hypobaric hypoxia-reoxygenation, and to affect expression of NOS, NO, 3-NT and MDA production, and apoptosis in rat cerebral cortex. We also used primary rat microglia to investigate the effect of 1400W on expression of NOS, NO, 3-NT and MDA production, and apoptosis. Acute hypobaric hypoxia-reoxygenation impaired spatial memory, and was accompanied by activated microglia, increased iNOS expression, NO, 3-NT and MDA production, and neuronal cell apoptosis in rat cerebral cortex one day post-reoxygenation. 1400W treatment inhibited iNOS expression without affecting nNOS or eNOS. 1400W also reduced NO, 3-NT and MDA production, and prevented neuronal cell apoptosis in cerebral cortex, in addition to reversing spatial memory impairment after acute hypobaric hypoxia-reoxygenation. Hypoxia-reoxygenation activated primary microglia, and increased iNOS and nNOS expression, NO, 3-NT, and MDA production, and apoptosis. Treatment with 1400W inhibited iNOS expression without affecting nNOS, reduced NO, 3-NT and MDA production, and prevented apoptosis in primary microglia. Based on the above findings, we concluded that the highly selective iNOS inhibitor 1400W inhibited iNOS induction in microglial cells, and reduced generation of NO, thereby mitigating oxidative stress and neuronal cell apoptosis in the rat cerebral cortex, and improving the spatial memory dysfunction caused by acute hypobaric hypoxia-reoxygenation., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To analyze the factors related to the household abundance of rodents in rodent-borne disease foci in the western part of Yunnan province., Methods: From July 2011 to October 2012, 800 households (20 households in 1 village) were randomly selected in 40 natural villages of 10 counties in western Yunnan where rodent borne disease was endemic to conduct a study on relationship between rodent abundance and environmental factors. Five cages were placed in each household for 3 consecutive nights to capture rodents. The rodent species were identified based on their morphological characteristics. The data on potential factors related to rodent abundance were collected through questionnaires and field observation. A dataset was established by using EpiData software and the analysis was performed with hurdle regression model under R software., Results: A total of 421 rodents were captured in 800 households, belonging to 9 species, 6 genera, 2 families, 2 orders. Rattus tanezumi was the predominant species (66.03%). The final hurdle regression model showed that the probability of capturing rodents in the households where family member had high education level and the garbage was placed outside declined by 50%-68% ;The probability of capturing rodents in the households of Dai and Yi ethnic groups increased by 2.16-2.87 times;The probability of capturing rodents in the households where rodents were observed or vegetables grown near houses increased by 1.54-1.59 times;In the households where many rodents were believed to exist, the probability of capturing rodents and the number of rodents captured increased by 1.59 and 1.84 times respectively. The number of rodents captured in the houses with cement or tile floor increased by 3.62 times., Conclusion: The household abundance of rodents in the area in western Yunnan, where the rodent-borne disease survey was conducted, seemed to be closely related to the social economy status, human intervention and ecological environment. To control the abundance of rodents effectively, it is necessary to take these factors into consideration.

Tetraspanin protein CD151 is overexpressed in a wide variety of cancer types, including lung cancer, and is closely associated with metastasis and poor prognosis of carcinoma. To investigate whether knockdown of CD151 expression can inhibit the malignant biological behavior of lung adenocarcinoma (LAC), RNA interference technology (RNAi) was used to silence CD151 expression in the A549 LAC cell line. Specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) for targeting human endogenous CD151 were delivered into A549 cells in order to examine the effects on cell proliferation, survival, migration, invasion and colony formation. The expression levels of CD151 were assayed by western blotting, proliferation was evaluated by MTT method and apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. The invasive and metastatic ability of A549 cells was investigated by wound healing and Boyden chamber assays. Colony formation analysis was used to determine the A549 cell growth properties. Finally, the expression of phosphorylated FAK, PI3K‑AKT, MEK‑Erk1/2, MMPs, and VEGF was detected by western blotting. The results demonstrated that CD151‑siRNA significantly decreased the expression level of CD151 in A549 cells. Reduced CD151 expression in A549 cells lead to the inhibition of cellular proliferation, migration, invasion and colony formation and an enhancement of apoptosis. Furthermore, the expression of tumor development‑related proteins, including FAK, PI3K‑AKT, MEK‑ERK1/2MAPK as well as the expression of MMP9 and VEGF, were restrained. Taken together, the present study has shown that CD151 expression is essential for LAC progression. Thus, knockdown CD151 expression by targeted siRNA could inhibit the related downstream intercellular signaling pathways, and this may provide a novel gene therapy for patients with LAC.

The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) plays a key role in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced signal transduction pathways that lead to inflammatory cytokine synthesis in macrophages; however, whether the inhibition of p38 MAPK regulates LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine expression in different types of macrophages remains the subject of debate. Herein, we assessed whether the inhibition of p38 MAPK by SB203580 regulates LPS-induced expression of the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in RAW264.7 and resident peritoneal macrophages. Lipopolysaccharide stimulation of RAW264.7 macrophages or mouse resident peritoneal macrophages significantly increased TNF-α and IL-6 production. The addition of SB203580 to cultures dramatically blocked LPS-induced TNF-α production in RAW264.7 and mouse resident peritoneal macrophages, and dramatically blocked LPS-induced IL-6 production in RAW264.7 macrophages, but not in mouse resident peritoneal macrophages. Additionally, high concentrations of SB203580 resulted in increased IL-6 production. However, LPS-stimulation significantly up-regulated the mRNA transcript levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in RAW264.7 and mouse resident peritoneal macrophages, whereas pretreatment with SB203580 dramatically down-regulated LPS-induced mRNA transcript levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in these cells. Our data show that SB203580 differentially modulates LPS-induced production of the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 in two different sources of macrophages, and that this course of regulation occurs at the IL-6 mRNA post-transcriptional stage.