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The effects of the degradation products of fucosylated exopolysaccharide (DFcP) on the infant fecal microflora were evaluated in vitro in this study. The results of single-strain culture showed that DFcP was selectively utilized by Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis ATCC 15697, B. breve ATCC 15700 and Lactobacillus plantarum CGMCC 1.19, and promoted the accumulation of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Compared with 2’-fucosylactose (2’-FL), DFcP was utilized more quickly by the fecal microbiota and led to higher levels of SCFA production (34.57 mmol/L, P < 0.05) during in vitro fermentation. The results of single-molecule real-time sequencing (SMRT) showed that DFcP increased the proportion of Firmicutes in the fecal microbiota, up-regulated the relative abundance of Enterococcus, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which was verified by the results of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In conclusion, DFcP could be rapidly utilized by the infant fecal microbiota, and significantly regulate its structure and promote the accumulation of the beneficial metabolite SCFAs. This study reveals the potential of DFcP as new prebiotics, which provides a theoretical basis for further development of novel fucosylated oligosaccharide resources.

ObjectiveTo analyze changes in volume and position of target regions and organs at risk (OARs) during radiotherapy for esophageal cancer patients.MethodsOverall, 16 esophageal cancer patients who underwent radiotherapy, including 10 cases of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and six of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT), were enrolled. The prescription doses for the planning target volumes (PTVs) were as follows: PTV1, 64 Gy/32 fractions; and PTV2, 46 Gy/23 fractions. Repeat computed tomography (CT) was performed for patients after the 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, and 25th fractions. Delineation of the gross tumor volume (GTV) and OAR volume was determined using five repeat CTs performed by the same physician. The target and OAR volumes and centroid positions were recorded and used to analyze volume change ratio (VCR), center displacement (ΔD), and changes in the distance from the OAR centroid positions to the planned radiotherapy isocenter (distance to isocenter, DTI) during treatment.ResultsNo patient showed significant changes in target volume (TV) after the first week of radiotherapy (five fractions). However, TV gradually decreased over the following weeks, with the rate slowing after the fourth week (40 Gy). The comparison of TV from baseline to 40 Gy (20 fractions) showed that average GTVs decreased from 130.7 ± 63.1 cc to 92.1 ± 47.2 cc, with a VCR of −29.21 ± 13.96% (p

To construct an ethogram of Sacalia quadriocellata and introduce coding system into chelonian behavior research for quantitative comparison, 15 captive S. quadriocellata (eight females and seven males) were observed for one year using a digital surveillance system, and an ethogram constructed. Fourteen types of states and 84 types of events were recorded. Seventy-five behaviors were defined and described, and these were classified into eight categories of behavior: Feeding, Elimination, Conflict, Alert, Rest, Locomotion, Courtship, and Other. Feeding, Elimination, and Locomotion are frequent behaviors, whereas Conflict and Other behaviors are seldom observed. Mainly, this may be caused by environmental conditions that eliminate these plastic behaviors (e.g., Conflict and Other behaviors) and keep the nonplastic behaviors (e.g., Feeding, Elimination, and Locomotion). Finally, the comparison between S. quadriocellata and other chelonian species indicate that the behavioral patterns are similar on the whole, but the Conflict behaviors of S. quadriocellata are milder than other species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 168 courtship sequences from 12 male and 18 female adult captive Sacalia quadriocellata were recorded on video. Thirty male and four female discrete motor patterns were defined and described. The behavioural sequences were summarized in an intra-individual dyadic transition matrix and analyzed using chi-square and kappa analyses. Courtship behaviour models and a flow diagram were constructed for this species. The male display patterns involved tactical and visual signals to induce female receptivity to mating. In response, females may emit olfactory signals for gender recognition. Female rejection of male suitors resulted in a male success rate of 4.17%. Only seven copulations were observed. Copulation only occurred when a female became quiescent and relaxed her tail for coition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the fundamental way of black and odorous water treatment, based on the study of the purification function of natural water body and the analysis of root cause and direct cause of black and odorous water body, we elaborated the scientific connotation and ecological function of "ecological living water", and fully revealed the scientific principle and technical advantages of "ecological living water" for sewage treatment. "Ecological living water" was the original ecological water control in situ. Through the rapid water reaeration, the micro-ecosystem of living water was created. Meanwhile, with the support of micro-speed circulating water, the continuous and efficient purification was realized. The practice of black and odorous water treatment in Yangzhou showed that, 3-5 days after the treatment of "ecological living water", the black and odorous water was completely eliminated and transformed into "green water". 15-20 days after the treatment, water quality reached the national surface water class 3 water standard. Therefore, "ecological living water" may be a kind of sustainable water control technology system with investment of less resources and equipment, fast pollution control speed, low operation cost, good water control effect and both symptoms and treatment.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) can be viewed as an autoimmune disease. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with its regenerative, cellular multi-lineage and immunomodulatory abilities can influence the repair of damaged tissues in UC. This study investigated the effects of MSCs transplantation on the mice intestinal barrier in response to oxidative stress injury., Methods: Colitis was induced by daily consecutive administration of 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) solution for 7 days. Male murine MSCs were isolated and transplanted into female mice via injection in the tail vein. Serum and colon specimens were collected at 12 h, 24 h, 3 d, 7 d and 14 d after injection. Serum levels of D-lactate (D-LAC), diamine oxidase (DAO), colonic levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were quantified. The SRY protein of the male sex determinant gene expression and E-cadherin were also ascertained intracellularly., Results: Three days after receiving male MSCs transplantation, SRY protein expression was detected. The quantity increased on successive days. Serum levels of D-LAC and DAO, colonic MDA and SOD normalized in a shorter time period compared to controls (p<0.05). Not surprisingly, histological regeneration of tissue and E-cadherin expression in the colon of MSCs transplanted mice also occurred in a shorter time period than controls., Conclusions: Transplanted MSCs restored mucosal permeability, and minimized oxidative stress related injury.

Fermi resonance is a very common phenomenon in molecule vibration spectra, especially in polyatomic molecule with complex structure. Fermi resonance appears when a fundamental vibration frequency lies closely to an overtone or combination frequencies. One can observe two peaks coming from Fermi resonance and the energy transfer also occurs between the two peaks. Fermi resonance phenomenon appears in both infrared spectrum and Raman spectrum. The Raman spectrum of CCl4 was measured. The frequency separation between the two peaks in a Fermi resonance doublet was observed and the integrated intensities were calculated with the software of Origin Pro 7.5. Fermi resonance interaction was caused by the CCl4 C-Cl f-symmetrical stretching fundamental nu3 coupling. The combination frequency (nu1 + nu4) of C-Cl a1-symmetrical stretching nu1 and band C-Cl2 f-symmetrical bending nu4 was calculated. Based on Bertran's theory, Fermi coupling coefficient W was calculated and the theoretical value nu3(0) of nu3 was estimated. The present article provided good reference for better understanding of the relationship between molecular vibration frequency and molecular structure.

To observe the expression and clonal expansion of TCR Vbeta subfamily T cells induced by AML-M(2a) cells in vivo and in vitro, complementary determining region 3 (CDR3) of TCR beta with variable region genes was amplified by using RT-PCR in both peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) and T cells from mixed lymphocyte and tumor culture (MLTC) from four AML-M(2a) patients. The positive products were further analyzed to identify the clonality of T cells by genescan. The results showed that the similarity distribution of TCR Vbeta subfamily T cells was found Vbeta in PBMNC and MLTC. One or two clonality expansions of T cells could be found in predominant TCR Vbeta subfamily T cells induced by A ML-M2a cells from 3 cases in vivo and in vitro. It was concluded that clonal expansion of TCR Vbeta subfamily T cells stimulated selectively by AML-M(2a) cells may be a specific immune response of patient's T cells to AML-M(2a) cells associated antigen. The clonal proliferation of TCR Vbeta subfamily T cells were affected somewhat by environmental difference in vivo and in vitro.