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Deacetylasperulosidic acid (DAA) is a major phytochemical constituent of Morinda citrifolia (noni) fruit. Noni juice has demonstrated antioxidant activity in vivo and in human trials. To evaluate the role of DAA in this antioxidant activity, Wistar rats were fed 0 (control group), 15, 30, or 60 mg/kg body weight per day for 7 days. Afterwards, serum malondialdehyde concentration and superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities were measured and compared among groups. A dose-dependent reduction in malondialdehyde was evident as well as a dose-dependent increase in superoxide dismutase activity. DAA ingestion did not influence serum glutathione peroxidase activity. These results suggest that DAA contributes to the antioxidant activity of noni juice by increasing superoxide dismutase activity. The fact that malondialdehyde concentrations declined with increased DAA dose, despite the lack of glutathione peroxidase-inducing activity, suggests that DAA may also increase catalase activity. It has been previously reported that noni juice increases catalase activity in vivo but additional research is required to confirm the effect of DAA on catalase. Even so, the current findings do explain a possible mechanism of action for the antioxidant properties of noni juice that have been observed in human clinical trials.

Summary: What is known and objective: Jintrolong® is a pegylated recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) (PEG‐rhGH) developed for weekly subcutaneous (sc) injection. The current human tolerability trial and pharmacokinetics (PK) trial evaluated the safety, tolerability and PK of single‐dose Jintrolong® injection in healthy adult subjects. Methods: Both trials were single‐centre, randomized, open‐label and single‐dose studies. In the human tolerability trial, 34 healthy subjects were randomized to receive single‐dose Jintrolong® sc injection (0.01, 0.06, 0.2, 0.5 or 0.8 mg/kg) or placebo. In the PK study, 30 healthy male subjects were evenly randomized into 3 groups to receive single‐dose Jintrolong® sc injection (0.1, 0.2 or 0.4 mg/kg), and the subjects receiving 0.4 mg/kg Jintrolong® were given a single sc injection of conventional rhGH (0.067 mg/kg) after a 14‐day washout period. Safety and PK profiles of Jintrolong® were evaluated. Results and discussion: Jintrolong® was well tolerated with no serious adverse events or local injection responses. The PK trial showed that the plasma growth hormone concentration elevated quickly and stayed at peak level between 12 and 48 hours post‐Jintrolong® injection, then decreased gradually back to baseline within 168 hours. Compared to single‐dose conventional rhGH, Jintrolong® at all doses demonstrated significantly longer half time and time to maximum plasma concentration, lower clearance and higher systemic drug exposure, indicating prolonged presence of GH in the subjects’ circulation. Additionally, systemic exposure to Jintrolong® increased in a dose‐dependent manner. What is new and conclusion: Single‐dose Jintrolong® injection was well tolerated in healthy adult subjects, and the maximum tolerable dose was no lower than 0.8 mg/kg. Jintrolong® was long‐acting with the potential for weekly administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An 8‐week growth trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary fish meal replacement with a vegetable mixture of soybean meal and rapeseed meal (1:1) on growth of juvenile red swamp crayfish. Nine isonitrogenous diets were designed: V0, V34, V50, V65, V73 and V81 with six levels of vegetable proteins, and VA48, VA63 and VA78 by further adding crystalline lysine and methionine into V50, V65 and V81. Compared with V0, V34 significantly improved the specific growth rate (SGR), while V65, V73, V81 and VA78 depressed the SGR (p < .05). Feeding rate showed a decreasing trend as dietary vegetable protein level increased (p < .05), except that in VA48 group. Significantly lower FCR and higher PER were observed in V34 group, whereas all vegetable protein diets depressed the feed utilization of crayfish (p < .05). Crayfish fed with diets containing vegetable proteins showed significantly lower hepatosomatic indices and higher condition factors than the control (p < .05). Muscle lipid content was significantly (p < .05) lowered in V81 group, but not in VA78 group. The results suggested that 338 g/kg vegetable protein improved growth performance of crayfish. Excessive vegetable protein depressed the growth of crayfish, which could be prevented by lysine and methionine supplementation except for the all vegetable protein diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The growth response, non‐specific immune activities and disease resistance were measured in sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus Selenka (initial average weight 6.80 ± 0.10 g), when fed diets supplemented with graded levels of guanosine from the guanosine‐5’‐monophosphate disodium (GMP) at 0 (control), 0.3, 0.6 and 1.2 g/kg for 8 weeks. The results showed that GMP supplemented at 0.6 and 1.2 g/kg significantly enhanced the growth of sea cucumber. Sea cucumber fed a diet with 0.6 g/kg of GMP had significantly higher intracellular superoxide anion production, nitric oxide synthase activity, lysozyme activity and the total superoxide dismutase (T‐SOD) activity than those in control group (p < .05). Increased lysozyme activity and T‐SOD activity were also found in sea cucumber fed GMP at 1.2 g/kg. Moreover, there was significantly lower cumulative mortality after the disease challenge in sea cucumber fed the diets with 0.6 and 1.2 g/kg GMP than that in control and 0.3 g/kg GMP groups (p < .05), and no significant difference was observed between 0.6 and 1.2 g/kg GMP groups. These results suggested that feeding GMP at a dose of 0.6 g/kg could enhance growth, non‐specific immunity of sea cucumber as well as its resistance against Vibrio splendidus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary vitamin E on growth performance and antioxidant status of juvenile snakehead. The snakeheads (20.47 ± 0.06 g) were fed with five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic experimental diets that contained 13 (the basal diet), 52, 79, 168 and 326 mg of vitamin E kg−1, respectively. The maximum specific growth rate (SGR) and feed intake (FI) were achieved in fish fed on a diet with 79 mg kg−1 vitamin E (p < .05). No significant differences were found in protein efficiency ratio (PER), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and survival of fish among all groups (p > .05). Vitamin E supplementation improved hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity significantly. A consistent decline in the hepatic and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) content was observed in fish fed diets with the increased supplementation of vitamin E (p < .05). In addition, with the increasing level of vitamin E, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were reduced (p < .05). However, serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities were enhanced in fish fed 79 mg vitamin E kg−1 diet and then decreased significantly as the content of vitamin E in the diet increased (p < .05). Meanwhile, serum albumin (ALB) and globulin (GLB) were not affected by the supplemental levels of dietary vitamin E (p > .05). The vitamin E concentrations in liver and serum increased significantly with increasing dietary vitamin E (p < .05). Based on the broken‐line regression of SGR, vitamin E level in the diet is estimated to be 80.5 mg kg−1 for Channa argus × Channa maculata. In conclusion, this study indicated that the dietary appropriate vitamin E could enhance the growth performance, antioxidant status and non‐specific immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Duck hepatitis A virus (DHAV) is the most common aetiologic agent of duck virus hepatitis (DVH), causing substantial economic losses in the duck industry worldwide. In China, officially approved DHAV‐1 live‐attenuated vaccines have been used widely to vaccinate breeder ducks since 2013. However, following the reports of DVH outbreaks, it has become necessary to assess the epidemiological situation of this virus in China. We conducted molecular epidemiological analyses of 32 DHAV field isolates while analysing the samples from ducks suspected of having hepatitis collected from commercial duck farms in China between May 2010 and December 2015. Considerable changes were observed in the epidemiology of DHAV‐1 and DHAV‐3 in China over time. A higher number of DHAV‐1 strains were isolated during 2010–2012, coinciding with the widespread use of officially approved DHAV‐1 live vaccine strains beginning in 2013. In contrast, a higher rate of DHAV‐3 causing DHAV infections was observed between 2013 and 2015. Phylogenetic analyses based on the full‐length VP1 gene were performed on these field isolates and using reference strains available in GenBank. DHAV‐1 field isolates were evaluated in two groups: one group closely related to prototype strains and circulating in China between 2010 and 2012 and another group exhibiting genetic and serological differences from prototype strains. All DHAV‐3 strains isolated in this study were grouped as monophyletic, which has become the predominant viral type, particularly in Shandong and Sichuan provinces, since 2013. In conclusion, these data provide updated information on the genetic and serological diversity of DHAV‐1 and DHAV‐3, and our findings may serve as a foundation for the prevention of, and vaccine development for, DHAV in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Aspergillus carbonarius is considered the major cause of ochratoxin A (OTA) contamination in grape products, especially wine. The lipopeptides produced by Bacillus subtilis have been found to inhibit A. carbonarius contamination and OTA production in grapes. In order to assess the potential application of these lipopeptides during the winemaking process, they were tested alone or in combination with SO2 to evaluate their effect on fungal growth and OTA contamination. Methods and Results Lipopeptides at 200 and 400 mg/L were added alone or in combination with SO2 during the winemaking process using naturally contaminated grapes. Aspergillus carbonarius was also manually inoculated before fermentation to simulate grapes with a high fungal contamination and to investigate the inhibitory effect of lipopeptides on OTA-producing fungi. The lipopeptides inhibited significantly fungal contamination and OTA production, much stronger than SO2 against OTA-producing A. carbonarius, at an optimum level of 200 mg/L. Yeast growth and biosynthesis of esters and acids were also promoted by lipopeptides during winemaking, which led to an improvement of wine flavour. Conclusions Lipopeptides isolated from B. subtilis had a more potent inhibitory effect on fungal contamination and OTA accumulation than that of SO2 during winemaking. Moreover, lipopeptides had no negative effect on fermentation, wine composition and sensory attributes. Significance of the Study These findings highlight the interesting possibility for the application of lipopeptides to replace or reduce the amount of SO2 added during winemaking, especially when the inhibition of fungal contamination and OTA accumulation is considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is known and objective Essential hypertension ( EH) is a common disease exhibiting large individual difference in occurrence, development and treatment response. Genetic factors are implicated in the development and progression of EH. This study aimed to explore the association between NPR3 single nucleotide polymorphism rs2270915 (A/G, Asn521Asp) and the risk of EH in a Chinese Han population by a case-control study. Methods The study was a single-centre, case-control trial, in which a total of 287 EH patients and 289 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled. The inclusion criteria were as follows: Han Chinese origin, male or female patients, systolic blood pressure ( SBP) ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90 mm Hg. The healthy controls were subjects without histories of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases. NPR3 rs2270915 polymorphism was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism ( PCR- RFLP). In addition, primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells ( HUVECs) were isolated from 19 fresh human umbilical cords and cultured. Atrial natriuretic peptide ( ANP) concentration in cell medium was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). NPR3 mRNA expression was determined by real-time semi-quantitative PCR. Results and discussion No significant difference in genotype distribution of NPR3 rs2270915 polymorphism was observed between cases and controls ( P>.05). Patients carrying the rs2270915 G allele showed decreased SBP, and the difference was marginal. As compared with cells carrying the rs2270915 AA genotype, those with the AG genotype showed significantly lower NPR3 mRNA expression levels ( P<.05) and lower medium ANP concentration ( P<.001). What is new and conclusion This study suggested that NPR3 rs2270915 polymorphism was associated with decreased SBP level marginally in EH patients in a Chinese Han population, and the polymorphism may function through decreasing NPR3 mRNA expression and ANP level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is known and objectives Veillonella parvula is usually regarded as a contaminant bacteria associated with polymicrobial infection. Here we report a rare case of sepsis caused by V. parvula, which was successfully treated by chloramphenicol. In addition, the therapeutic strategy for V. parvula infection was reviewed. Case summary A 55-year-old woman underwent surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis and developed high fever (39.5°C) after surgery, accompanied by chills and fatigue. V. parvula was isolated in blood culture and shown to be probably sensitive to both meropenem and chloramphenicol. No improvement was seen after 3 days of treatment with meropenem, and then, iv chloramphenicol (1.5 g once daily) was added to the regimen. The symptoms and fever resolved in 2 days. She was continuously treated with chloramphenicol for another 10 days before discharge. What is new and conclusion The reported antibiotics in the therapy of infections caused by veillonella species include penicillins, metronidazole, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, imipenem, clindamycin, doxycycline, erythromycin and chloramphenicol. To our knowledge, this is the first case describing successful treatment of V. parvula-caused sepsis with chloramphenicol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose Inflammation comprises important aspects of large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA) stroke pathophysiology. YKL-40 is a new and emerging biomarker that is associated with both acute and chronic inflammations. Elevated serum concentrations of YKL-40 have been reported in patients with atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases. This study investigates whether serum YKL-40 concentrations on admission can predict 3-month clinical outcomes after LAA stroke. Methods We recruited control patients (n=85) and those with LAA stroke (n=141) according to the TOAST classification system. The modified Rankin scale at 3 months after stroke was used to evaluate the prognosis. The prognostic accuracy was assessed by the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results Serum YKL-40 level was significantly higher for LAA patients than for controls ( P<.001). Patients with poor outcomes (n=36) had significantly increased serum YKL-40 concentrations on admission ( P=.01). High YKL-40 levels predicted poor functional outcome (OR=6.47, P=.02). Moreover, the combination of YKL-40 level and the NIHSS score could improve the prognostic accuracy of the NIHSS in predicting functional outcome (combined areas under the curve, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.80-0.94; P<.001). Conclusions The level of serum YKL-40 is a significant and independent biomarker to predict the clinical outcome of LAA stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to estimate the optimum requirement of dietary phosphorus (P) for Channa argus × Channa maculata. Effects of dietary P levels on the tissue composition, serum biochemical parameters and antioxidant status were also examined. Five practical diets were formulated to contain graded levels (4.8 g kg−1, 6.4 g kg−1, 7.9 g kg−1, 9.4 g kg−1 and 11.0 g kg−1) of available P from dietary ingredients and monocalcium phosphate ( MCP). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 30 juvenile fish (initial body weight, 20.50 ± 0.53 g) for 8 weeks. The results showed that the specific growth rate ( SGR) and weight gain ( WG) were all significantly improved by dietary P up to 9.4 g kg−1 ( P < 0.05) and then levelled off beyond this level. Broken-line analysis showed maximum weight gain ( WG) was obtained at dietary available P concentrations of 9.6 g kg−1. With the increase in dietary P level, protein efficiency rate ( PER) increased significantly and reached a plateau, while the feed conversion ratio ( FCR), the mesenteric lipid somatic index ( MSI) and the whole-body lipid content significantly reduced ( P < 0.05). Dietary P levels also affected the mineralization (ash and P) of whole body, vertebrae and scale ( P < 0.05). Quadratic analysis based on P contents in whole body, vertebrae, scale and ash content in vertebra indicated that the available P requirements were 10.4, 9.8, 10.0 and 10.3 g kg−1, respectively. However, no differences were found in the whole-body moisture, crude protein, serum calcium (Ca) contents or Ca/P value, as well as the viscerosomatic index ( VSI) and hepatosomatic index ( HSI) among all the treatments ( P > 0.05). Triglyceride ( TG), total cholesterol ( TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C) decreased significantly, while serum P content, HDL-C/ TC and HDL-C/ LDL-C value increased significantly with dietary available P levels ( P < 0.05). No significant changes in superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde ( MDA) content were observed ( P > 0.05), but serum catalase ( CAT) and glutathione peroxidase ( GPx) activities and the ratio of CAT/ SOD and GPx/ SOD increased significantly with increasing dietary P levels ( P < 0.05). In conclusion, the optimal P requirement of juvenile snakehead in practical feed was 9.6 g kg−1. Signs of P deficiency were characterized by poor growth, slightly reduced mineralization and the antioxidant capacity and an increase in body lipid content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]