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Objective(s): Cisplatin (CDDP) is a highly effective chemotherapeutic agent, but its clinical application has been limited by nephrotoxicity. Tanshinone Ⅰ (T-I), a phenanthrenequinone compound extracted from the Chinese herb Danshen, has been used to improve circulation and treat cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of T-I on CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity in mice.Materials and Methods: The BALB/c mouse models of nephrotoxicity were established by a single intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg CDDP on the first day of the experiment. Three hours prior to CDDP administration, the mice were dosed with 10 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg T-I for 3 consecutive days intraperitoneally to explore nephroprotection of T-I.Results: Treatment with T-I significantly reduced blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels in serum observed in CDDP-administered mice, especially at a dose of 30 mg/kg. T-I at 30 mg/kg significantly decreased malondialdehyde levels and increased glutathione levels and the enzymatic activity of catalase in kidney tissue compared to CDDP. Additionally, T-I (30 mg/kg) significantly reversed the CDDP-decreased expression level of superoxide dismutase 2 protein in renal tissue. Histopathological evaluation of the kidneys further confirmed the protective effect of T-I. Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate that T-I can protect against CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity through suppression of oxidative stress.

Abstract Background Phytophthora root rot caused by the oomycete Phytophthora capsici is the most devastating disease in pepper production worldwide, and current management strategies have not been effective in preventing this disease. Therefore, the use of resistant varieties was regarded as an important part of disease management of P. capsici. However, our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying the defense response of pepper roots to P. capsici infection is limited. Methods A comprehensive transcriptome and metabolome approaches were used to dissect the molecular response of pepper to P. capsici infection in the resistant genotype A204 and the susceptible genotype A198 at 0, 24 and 48 hours post-inoculation (hpi). Results More genes and metabolites were induced at 24 hpi in A204 than A198, suggesting the prompt activation of defense responses in the resistant genotype, which can attribute two proteases, subtilisin-like protease and xylem cysteine proteinase 1, involved in pathogen recognition and signal transduction in A204. Further analysis indicated that the resistant genotype responded to P. capsici with fine regulation by the Ca2+- and salicylic acid-mediated signaling pathways, and then activation of downstream defense responses, including cell wall reinforcement and defense-related genes expression and metabolites accumulation. Among them, differentially expressed genes and differentially accumulated metabolites involved in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathways were uniquely activated in the resistant genotype A204 at 24 hpi, indicating a significant role of the flavonoid biosynthesis pathways in pepper resistance to P. capsici. Conclusion The candidate transcripts may provide genetic resources that may be useful in the improvement of Phytophthora root rot-resistant characters of pepper. In addition, the model proposed in this study provides new insight into the defense response against P. capsici in pepper, and enhance our current understanding of the interaction of pepper–P. capsici.

The use of ultrasounds has been implemented to increase yeast viability, de-foaming, and cavitation in foods and beverages. However, the application of low frequency audible sound to decrease bubble size and improve foamability has not been explored. In this study, three treatments using India Pale Ale beers were tested, which include (1) a control, (2) the application of audible sound during fermentation, and (3) the application of audible sound during natural carbonation. Five different audible frequencies (20 Hz, 30 Hz, 45 Hz, 55 Hz, and 75 Hz) were applied daily for one minute each (starting from the lowest frequency) during fermentation (11 days, treatment 2) and carbonation (22 days, treatment 3). Samples were measured in triplicates using the RoboBEER to assess color and foam-related parameters. A trained panel (n = 10) evaluated the intensity of sensory descriptors. Results showed that samples with sonication treatment had significant differences in the number of small bubbles, alcohol, and viscosity compared to the control. Furthermore, except for foam texture, foam height, and viscosity, there were non-significant differences in the intensity of any sensory descriptor, according to the rating from the trained sensory panel. The use of soundwaves is a potential treatment for brewing to improve beer quality by increasing the number of small bubbles and foamability without disrupting yeast or modifying the aroma and flavor profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mental disorders are strongly associated with disabilities. National survey on disability could provide a reliable basis for policymaking in care and rehabilitation of disabled persons. This study aimed to describe the disability prevalence rates attributed to mental disorders, their distribution by sociodemographic factors, and utilizations of service. Methods: This study is a secondary data analysis of the Second National Sample Survey on Disability in 2006. The disability and severity were assessed using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0. Mental disorders were diagnosed according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision Classification of Mental and Behavioral Disorders. Using descriptive and analytic epidemiological methods, prevalence rates of disability attributed to mental disorders and service use were calculated. Results: Data of 2,526,145 respondents were analyzed. The disability prevalence rate attributed to mental disorders in China was 6.3‰, accounting for 9.9% of all disabled people. Regarding disability prevalence attributed to mental disorders, it showed that gender, residential area, marital status, education level, and economic area were related to the prevalence distributions. The proportions of mild disability were highest in the disabled people with onset age of 18–64 years, while the proportion of extremely severe disability was highest in the disabled people with onset age of 65 years and above. Only 58.6% of disabled people attributed to mental disorders used some of the services. Conclusions: There are statistical differences of disability prevalence attributed to mental disorders by people and region in China. Service use in disabled people with mental disorders is insufficient.

Background: Personality disorders can lead to some disability. However, little is known about the disability prevalence and function impairments. This study aimed to describe the disability prevalence attributed to personality disorders, its distribution, impairments of daily activities and social functions, and risk factors in China. Methods: Using a descriptive and analytic epidemiological method, data from the Second China National Sample Survey on Disability in 2006 were analyzed. The disability prevalence attributed to personality disorders, its distribution in different people and regions, and risk factors were statistically calculated. Results: Respondents included 1,909,205 adults. The disability prevalence rate attributed to personality disorders in China was 5.9/100,000. The disability rate attributed to personality disorders of males was higher than that of females (P = 0.012), while the rate of the unemployed was higher than that of the employed (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the rates of unmarried/divorced/widowed people and the illiterate population were higher than those of married and educated people (P < 0.001). Regarding the severity of disability attributable to personality disorders, mild disability accounted for a majority or 60% of the respondents. The data showed that disability mainly impaired respondents' ability to engage in daily activities, get along with people, and participate in social situations. According to the case-control study, marriage, employment, and higher education were protective factors of disability. Conclusions: The prevalence of disability attributed to personality disorders is low in China and always leads to mild disability. The distribution of disability attributed to personality disorders also varies in the Chinese population.

Background: The Composite International Diagnostic Interview-3.0 (CIDI-3.0) is a fully structured lay-administered diagnostic interview for the assessment of mental disorders according to ICD-10 and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria. The aim of the study was to investigate the concurrent validity of the Chinese CIDI in diagnosing mental disorders in psychiatric settings. Methods: We recruited 208 participants, of whom 148 were patients from two psychiatric hospitals and 60 healthy people from communities. These participants were administered with CIDI by six trained lay interviewers and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I, gold standard) by two psychiatrists. Agreement between CIDI and SCID-I was assessed with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value. Individual-level CIDI-SCID diagnostic concordance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve and Cohen′s K. Results: Substantial to excellent CIDI to SCID concordance was found for any substance use disorder (area under the receiver operator characteristic curve [AUC] = 0.926), any anxiety disorder (AUC = 0.807) and any mood disorder (AUC = 0.806). The concordance between the CIDI and the SCID for psychotic and eating disorders is moderate. However, for individual mental disorders, the CIDI-SCID concordance for bipolar disorders (AUC = 0.55) and anorexia nervosa (AUC = 0.50) was insufficient. Conclusions: Overall, the Chinese version of CIDI-3.0 has acceptable validity in diagnosing the substance use disorder, anxiety disorder and mood disorder among Chinese adult population. However, we should be cautious when using it for bipolar disorders and anorexia nervosa.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) could differentiate into various cell types including adipocytes and myocytes, which had important scientific significance not only in the field of tissue regeneration, but also in the field of agricultural science. In an attempt to exhibit the characterization and differentiation into adipocytes and myocytes of porcine BMSCs, we isolated and purified porcine BMSCs by red blood cell lysis method and percoll gradient centrifugation. The purified cells presented a stretched fibroblast-like phenotype when adhered to the culture plate. The results of flow cytometry analysis and immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that the isolated cells were positive for mesenchymal surface markers CD29, CD44 and negative for hematopoietic markers CD45 and the adhesion molecules CD31. Cells were induced to differentiate into adipocytes with adipogenic medium containing insulin, dexamethasone, oleate and octanoate. Oil Red O staining demonstrated that the porcine BMSCs successfully differentiated to adipocytes. Moreover, the findings of real-time PCR and Western blotting indicated that the induced cells expressed adipogenic marker genes (PPAR-γ, C/EBP-α, perilipin, aP2) mRNA or proteins (PPAR-γ, perilipin, aP2). On the other hand, porcine BMSCs were induced into myoctyes with myogenic medium supplemented with 5-azacytidine, basic fibroblast growth factor, chick embryo extract and horse serum. Morphological observation by hochest 33342 staining showed that the induced cells presented as multi-nucleus muscular tube structure. And myogenic marker genes (Myf5, desmin) mRNA or proteins (Myf5, MyoD, myogenin, desmin) were found in the induced cells. In addition, the results of immunofluorescence staining revealed that myogenic marker (Myf5, MyoD, myogenin, desmin, S-MyHC) proteins was positive in the induced cells. Above all, these results suggested that the isolated porcine BMSCs were not only consistent with the characterization of mesenchymal stem cells, but also exhibited the multipotential capacity to form adipocytes and myocytes, which provided the basis to investigate the regulation mechanism involved in the selective differentiation of porcine BMSCs.

The use of ultrasounds has been implemented to increase yeast viability, de-foaming, and cavitation in foods and beverages. However, the application of low frequency audible sound to decrease bubble size and improve foamability has not been explored. In this study, three treatments using India Pale Ale beers were tested, which include (1) a control, (2) the application of audible sound during fermentation, and (3) the application of audible sound during natural carbonation. Five different audible frequencies (20 Hz, 30 Hz, 45 Hz, 55 Hz, and 75 Hz) were applied daily for one minute each (starting from the lowest frequency) during fermentation (11 days, treatment 2) and carbonation (22 days, treatment 3). Samples were measured in triplicates using the RoboBEER to assess color and foam-related parameters. A trained panel (n = 10) evaluated the intensity of sensory descriptors. Results showed that samples with sonication treatment had significant differences in the number of small bubbles, alcohol, and viscosity compared to the control. Furthermore, except for foam texture, foam height, and viscosity, there were non-significant differences in the intensity of any sensory descriptor, according to the rating from the trained sensory panel. The use of soundwaves is a potential treatment for brewing to improve beer quality by increasing the number of small bubbles and foamability without disrupting yeast or modifying the aroma and flavor profile.