Effect of Zinc on Humoral and Cell-Mediated Immunity of Broilers Vaccinated Against Coccidiosis

Background

The aim of the present study was the comparison of humoral and cell-mediated immunity in broilers fed with different levels of zinc during a coccidiosis challenge.

Methods

One hundred and forty-four one-day-old broiler chicks were used with three dietary zinc (40, 120 and 200 mg/kg). At 14 d of age, all birds were inoculated orally with 5×10³ sporulated oocysts of E. Tenella. At 2, 22, 32, 42 days of age, the blood serums were tested for antibody titer against Newcastle disease vaccine, using the standard HI test. On day 42 the sum of nitrite and nitrate based on the reduction of nitrate to nitrite by cadmium and white blood cell count (WBC) using a hemocytometer were measured.

Results

At 42 d, levels of 120 and 200 mg significantly (P< 0.05) increased the antibody titer in compare with the control. The peak response of CBH was observed at the level of 200 mg Zn/kg diet. Also both level of 120 and 200 mg Zn/kg diet increased WBC count and sum of nitrite and nitrate in serum compared with the control.

Conclusion

The levels of 120 and 200 mg Zn/kg diet could be considered as a non-pharmacologic booster of immunity in broilers chicks infected with E. Tenella.     

Toxicity evaluation of ammonium sulphate and urea to three developmental stages of freshwater snails

Studies were performed to evaluate the toxic effects of ammonium sulphate and urea (chemical fertilizers currently applied in ricelands of Cameroon) against eggs, juveniles, and adults of two species of freshwater snails (Helisoma trivolvis andBiomphalaria havanensis). Results obtained from ammonium sulphate tests indicated 24-h LC₅₀ values of 558 mg/L and 669 mg/L for eggs; 393 mg/L and 526 mg/L for juveniles, and 701 mg/L and 657 mg/L for adults ofH. trivolvis andB. havanensis, respectively. Similar analysis with urea revealed LC₅₀ values of 14,241 mg/L and 13,532 mg/L for eggs; 18,255 mg/L and 24,504 mg/L for juveniles and 30,060 mg/L and 26,024 mg/L for adults ofH. trivolvis andB. havanensis, respectively.Following 48 h exposure, the concentrations of ammonium sulphate killing 100% of snails were 1,250 mg/L and 1,000 mg/L for the adults ofH. trivolvis and ofB. havanensis, respectively. Those of urea were computed to be 25,000 mg/L forH. trivolvis and 35,000 mg/L forB. havanensis. In rice culture in Cameroon, these fertilizers are applied at doses of 100 kg/ha (ammonium sulphate) and of 150 kg/ha (urea); hence, the above found concentrations lethal to snails appeared to be 10 to 13 times (ammonium sulphate) and to be 165 to 235 times (urea) higher assuming an average water depth of 10 cm in these ricefields. Therefore, the use of ammonium sulphate and urea as chemical fertilizers in ricelands of the Republic of Cameroon might adversely affect the survival of freshwater snails only in the case of spills or of stressful environmental conditions. Under normal laboratory conditions, both chemicals show a low molluscicidal activity with urea being about 25 to 35 times less potent than ammonium sulphate.     

Dose-dependent activation of immune function in mice by ingestion of Maharishi Amrit Kalash 4

This study was carried out to evaluate the dose-effects of ingestion of Maharishi Amrit Kalash 4 (MAK 4), an ayurvedic food supplement, on the immune function in female inbred BALB/c mice. Superoxide anion (O₂) production of peritoneal macrophages and the response of spleen cells to concanavalin A (Con A) were examined in mice given MAK 4 by gastric intubation of an aqueous emulsion at the dose of 10, 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg once a day for 20 days. Glucose consumption of peritoneal macrophage in the MAK 4-treated mice at the doses of 10 and 50 mg/kg after not only 24-hour but also 48-hour incubations were significantly high compared with the control group. Glucose consumption of peritoneal macrophages in the MAK 4-treated mice at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg after 48 hours of incubation were significantly lower than that of the control group. O₂ production in the absence of a stimulator was significantly enhanced in the MAK 4-treated groups at the doses of 10 and 50 mg/kg. On the other hand, O₂ production in the presence of a stimulator was significantly high in the MAK 4-treated groups at the doses of 10 and 50 mg/kg, and was significantly low in the MAK 4-treated groups at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg compared with that in the control group. Activities of acid phosphatase in the peritoneal macrophages were significantly low in the MAK 4-treated groups at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg compared with those in the control group. Activities of β -glucuronidase (GLU) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the peritoneal macrophages were significantly increased in the MAK 4-treated mice at the doses of 10 and 50 mg/kg. GLU and LDH activities of peritoneal macrophages in the MAK 4-treated mice at the doses of 100 and 200 mg /kg were significantly low compared with those in the control group. MAK 4 did not enhance spontaneous splenic lymphocyte proliferation at any dose in mice. Stimulation indices in the MAK 4-treated groups at all doses were significantly higher than those of the control group. These results indicate that 10 and 50 mg/kg per day might be appropriate doses to enhance not only macrophage function but also lymphocyte responsiveness for the gastric intubation of MAK 4 in mice. An erratum to this article is available at .     

Chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum in indigenous residents of Cameroon

Thirty-nine percent (36 of 92) of children in Limbe, Cameroon, treated with chloroquine (10 mg/kg body weight on days 1 and 2, and 5 mg/kg on day 3) for falciparum malaria failed to respond within 7 d of treatment. Twenty-two of these children with chloroquine-resistant malaria were successfully treated with Fansidar [one-half tablet (250 mg sulfadoxine and 25 mg pyrimethamine) per 10 kg body weight], while the other 14 children were cured with mefloquine (25 mg/kg body weight). In vitro, a combination of verapamil at 1.0 x 10(-6) M with chloroquine or desethylchloroquine reversed resistance to the antimalarial drug and its primary metabolite in each of the 2 isolates successfully adapted and maintained in continuous culture. Similar combinations had no effect on susceptibilities of a sensitive reference clone, D6, used as control. Both chloroquine-resistant isolates from Cameroon were significantly more susceptible to mefloquine and halofantrine in vitro than the chloroquine-sensitive reference clone. Clinical observation, and in vitro confirmation, of chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria in these indigenous children from Cameroon, and the current socio-economic condition in West Africa, underscore the need for pragmatic health management policies for efficient use of alternative antimalarial drugs in controlling drug resistant Plasmodium falciparum in the region. This observation of reversal of chloroquine resistance in isolates of P. falciparum obtained from West Africa, and a previous report on clones obtained from south-east Asia and South America, suggest that the mechanism(s) of resistance to chloroquine may be identical in resistant parasites from the 3 continents.     

Endemic paragonimiasis in Africa

Human paragonimiasis has been recorded in 4 West African countries but there is clear evidence of endemicity only in certain parts of Nigeria and Cameroon. In Nigeria, the dominant parasite species is Paragonimus uterobilateralis, while in Cameroon it is P. africanus. Both the fresh water crab Sudanonautes africanus and the land crab S. aubryi are proved vectors in Nigeria. Epidemiological studies using Paragonimus skin tests suggest an infection rate of between 5% and 10% in some endemic areas. African paragonimiasis, like its Asian counterpart, responds well to treatment with bithionol.     

Contraception with progestagens in systemic lupus erythematosus

To test the efficacy and tolerance of progestagens as contraceptives in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 200 mg IM norethisterone enanthate was administered to 10 patients, 0.03 mg/day oral levonorgestrel to 15 patients and they were compared with 18 control patients. There were 4 episodes of active SLE in 48 patient-months on norethisterone enantate and 6 episodes in 122 patient-months on levonorgestrel as compared with 9 episodes of active disease in 298 control patient-months (p = ns). There were no pregnancies and intermenstrual bleeding led to discontinuation of medication in 30% of patients. Progestagens may be an alternative contraceptive method in SLE.     

Analysis of genetic diversity in the chloroquine-resistant gene Pfcrt in field Plasmodium falciparum isolates from five regions of the southern Cameroon

Understanding the population genetics of genes which shape resistance to antimalarial drugs can help in devising novel control strategies. The high spread of the resistant strains of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum pose a greater challenge than before to the control programs across the world. Specific mutations in the P. falciparum chloroquine resistant transporter gene “Pfcrt” have been associated with resistance to not only chloroquine, but also to amodiaquine, one of the artemisinin partners used in Cameroon for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria. We here present data on genetic variation at the Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) level in the Pfcrt gene in five distinct geographical settings of the Southern-Cameroon (the most malaria endemic part), i.e. Ebolowa, Yaounde, Bertoua, Douala and Kye-ossi (a city bordering Cameroon and two others African countries). Two novel mutations, hitherto unreported (in Cameroon) were found in the Pfcrt gene and variable genetic diversity was observed across the populations. High linkage disequilibrium was found between few SNPs including one of the novel mutations suggesting a synergistic work for conferring/maintaining a higher level of resistance. The inference of evolutionary pattern of this gene in Cameroon based on the genetic diversity data depicts a signature of Darwinian positive natural selection on these loci. Observation of novel mutations might traduce new variants in chloroquine/or amodiaquine resistance (proposal awaiting an experimental verification) and signal of positive selection can be the result of drug pressure exerted by misuse of chloroquine (though officially banned from the country) and/or amodiaquine. Our findings thus, provide a baseline understanding of the evolution of a malaria drug resistant gene in Cameroon and suggest a successful establishment of chloroquine-resistant strains which requires urgent attention of the malaria control program in Cameroon.     

Traitement des sinusites maxillaires aiguës bactériennes de l’adulte par le cefpodoxime proxétil : comparaison d’une durée de traitement de 5 jours versus 10 jours

Objective: The aim of this multicentric, randomized, double blind study was to compare the efficacy and safety of cefpodoxime proxetil (CPD) administered over a 5–d or a 10–d period in adults suffering from acute maxillary sinusitis.Patients and methods: Adult patients suffering from radiologically confirmed acute maxillary sinusitis (at least purulent rhinorrhea and facial pain) were included. Patients were randomly treated with CPD (200 mg, bid) over a 5–d period followed by 5 d of placebo, or with CPD (200 mg, bid) over a 10–d period.Results: 491 patients (282 from France and 209 from South Africa) were included in the study between January and October 2000. In the per protocol analysis, the clinical cure rates at the end of treatment (D12–D15) were 95.4% (185/194) and 91.2% (196/215) in the 5–d and 10–d group, respectively; δ = 4.2%, 95%CI: 〚– 0.6; 9%〛. Bacteriological cultures were positive in 48% of the patients. The most common pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae (30.5%) and Haemophilus influenzae (25.5%). All the patients infected with penicillin-resistant pneumococci (n = 13) were cured. The bacteriological cure rates at D12–D15 were 90.7% (78/86) in the 5–d group and 92.8% (103/111) in the 10–d group. 2 weeks after completing treatment (D25–D30), the clinically cure rates were 90.7% (176/194) and 82.8% (178/215) in the 5–d and 10–d group, respectively. The lack of adverse effects of CPD was confirmed in both groups.Conclusions: A 5–d course of cefpodoxime proxetil 200 mg bid is as effective as a 10–d course in the treatment of acute maxillary sinusitis in adults.     

米非司酮配伍前列腺素终止孕10～16周妊娠的临床观察

对米非司酮配伍卡前列甲酯栓(PG05)或米索前列醇(米索)用于120例孕10～16周妊娠妇女(随机分为四组)进行了终止妊娠效果的观察。对象一次或分次服米非司酮200mg后48小时,分别使用米索(Ⅰ、Ⅱ组)或PG05(Ⅲ、Ⅳ组),有效率分别为80.0％、80.0％、96.7％、100％。伍用PG05效果明显优于伍用米索。引流产时间分别为5.79、6.54、5.53、6.49小时,四组间无差异。Ⅲ、Ⅳ组副反应高于Ⅰ、Ⅱ组。结论:米非司酮200mg配伍PG05或米索是终止孕10～16周妊娠安全有效的方法。观察中PG05的效果高于米索,考虑可能与米索的剂量偏低有关。由于存在不全流产率较高及潜在的子宫破裂、宫颈裂伤危险,终止妊娠需加强监护。     

Assessing the Effectiveness of a Community-Based Sensitization Strategy in Creating Awareness About HPV, Cervical Cancer and HPV Vaccine Among Parents in North West Cameroon

In 2010, the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS) received a donation of HPV vaccine (Gardasil^?) to immunize girls of ages 9–13?years in the North West Region of Cameroon. We evaluated the effectiveness of the CBCHS campaign program in sensitizing parents/guardians to encourage HPV vaccine uptake, identified factors that influence parents’ decisions to vaccinate girls, and examined the uptake of cervical cancer screening among mothers. We conducted a cross-sectional survey in four healthcare facilities run by CBCHS, churches and other social settings. A total of 350 questionnaires were distributed and 317 were used for the analysis. There were high levels of awareness about cervical cancer, HPV and HPV vaccine. 75.5% understood HPV is sexually transmitted and 90.3% were aware of the use of vaccine as a preventive measure. Effectiveness of the vaccine (31.8%) and side effects/safety (18.4%) were the major barriers for parents to vaccinate their daughters. Bivariate analysis further revealed that the level of education (p?=?0.0006), income level (p?=?0.0044) and perceived risks (p?=?0.0044) are additional factors influencing parents’ decisions to vaccinate girls. 35.3% of women had sought a cervical cancer screening, significantly higher than the general estimated rate of screening (<10%) in other parts of Cameroon and sub-Saharan Africa. These results support the viability of a community-tailored sensitization strategy to increase awareness among the targeted audience of parents/guardians, who are critical decision-makers for vaccine delivery to children.     

The hepatitis C virus epidemic in Cameroon: genetic evidence for rapid transmission between 1920 and 1960.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Cameroon is characterized by widespread seropositivity and great virus genetic diversity (3 genotypes and over 10 subtypes). A total of 244 HCV NS5B sequences of 382-405 bp long (95 type 1, 58 type 2, and 91 type 4) were phylogenetically analyzed to estimate the history of the HCV epidemic in Cameroon. The newly developed Bayesian coalescent approach was used to infer the history of each HCV type. The estimated dates of the most recent common ancestors (MRCA) for genotypes 1 (1500; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1300-1650) and 4 (1500; 95% CI: 1350-1700) were in the same range, while the date for genotype 2 MRCA (1600; 95% CI: 1400-1750) was slightly more recent. The mean genetic distance between HCV genotype 1 sequences was greater than that of HCV type 4 sequences, itself greater than that of HCV type 2 sequences. The initial infected populations of all three genotypes did not grow until recently, when they grew exponentially. The growth rate has now begun to slow, with a less steep exponential growth curve. The period of exponential growth of all the three genotypes was between 1920 and 1960. These results (i) confirm that HCV genotypes 1 and 4 have produced long-term endemics, (ii) suggest that genotype 2 was introduced into Cameroon more recently, and (iii) indicate that the exponential spread of the three genotypes between 1920 and 1960 coincided with the mass campaign against trypanosomiasis and mass vaccinations in Cameroon.     

Achieving high uptake of human papillomavirus vaccine in Cameroon: Lessons learned in overcoming challenges

Background

Cameroon has the highest age-standardized incidence rate of cervical cancer (30/100,000 women) in Central Africa. In 2010–2011, the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS) received donated human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Gardasil, from Merck & Co. Inc. through Axios Healthcare Development to immunize 6400 girls aged 9–13 years. The aim was to inform the Cameroon Ministry of Health (MOH) of the acceptability, feasibility, and optimal delivery strategies for HPV vaccine.

Methods and findings

Following approval by the MOH, CBCHS nurses educated girls, parents, and communities about HPV, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccine through multimedia coverage, brochures, posters, and presentations. Because educators were initially reluctant to allow immunization in schools, due to fear of adverse events, the nurses performed 40.7% of vaccinations in the clinics, 34.5% in community venues, and only 24.7% in schools. When no adverse events were reported, more schools and communities permitted HPV vaccine immunization on their premises. To recover administrative costs, CBCHS charged a fee of US$8 per 3-dose series only to those who were able to pay. Despite the fee, 84.6% of the 6,851 girls who received the first dose received all three doses.

Conclusions and lessons learned

With adequate education of all stakeholders, HPV vaccination is acceptable and feasible in Cameroon. Following this demonstration project, in 2014 the Global Access to Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) Alliance awarded the Cameroon MOH HPV vaccine at a price of US$4.50 per dose to immunize sixth grade girls and girls aged 10 years who are not in school in two districts of Cameroon.     

培养热带假丝酵母提高酶解玉米粉的营养价值

10g玉米粉在500ml的三角瓶中与200ml Na_2HPO_4/KH_2PO_4缓冲液(1/15M,pH6.81,含草酸铵0.6％,MgSO_4 0.01％,FeSO_4 0.002％)混匀,在接种热带假丝酵母B020的同时加入α-淀粉酶1.5g,在摇床中30℃,120r/min通气培养3天,蛋白质含量从8.4％提高到23.4％(P<0.005);硫胺素含量从0.383mg/100g提高到0.767mg/100g(P<0.005);核黄素含量从0.124 mg/100g提高到0.233mg/100g(P<0.05)。蛋白质中赖氨酸含量从32.1mg/g提高到67.5mg/g;色氨酸含量从8.5mg/g提高到12.7mg/g。     

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects of Carvacrol on N-Methyl-N′-Nitro-N-Nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) Induced Gastric Carcinogenesis in Wistar Rats

Carvacrol is a dietary polyphenol from Lamiaceae plants that has been shown to possess a wide range of biological activities including antioxidant and antitumor effects. This study aimed to investigate its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) induced gastric carcinogenesis in Wistar rats. Forty-nine rats were randomly assigned to four treatment and three control groups. Over 60 days, MNNG (200 mg/kg BW) was orally applied to animals of groups 1–5 while the rats in groups 2–5 also received different doses of carvacrol (10, 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg BW, respectively) until the end of the experiment. Group 6 rats were treated with 100 mg/kg BW carvacrol and no MNNG whereas group 7 was the control group without any treatment. After the euthanasia of all rats, the inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress parameters were assessed in the blood and tissues. The expression of caspase 9, Bax, and Bcl-2 proteins in the stomach tissues were investigated through histopathological examinations. Statistically significant differences were observed in the body weight, oxidative stress, and inflammation parameters of groups 1 to 6 compared to group 7 (p ≤ 0.001). Animals in MNNG groups 2 and 3 treated with the low dose carvacrol (10 and 25 mg/kg BW) showed significantly reduced oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptotic effect compared to animals of the MNNG groups receiving increased doses of carvacrol (50 and 100 mg/kg BW) or no carvacrol. Rats exposed to MNNG exhibited gastric cancer cells in several areas. In the MNNG group receiving 100 mg/kg BW carvacrol, the inflammatory cell infiltration was observed in gastric mucosal and submucosal areas whereas MNNG rats supplemented with 10 and 25 mg/kg BW carvacrol showed no pathological alterations of the gastric cells. The results of this study indicate that significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects induced by carvacrol at doses of 10 and 25 mg/kg BW interfered with gastric carcinogenesis induced by MNNG in Wistar rats as well as provide hepatoprotection. However, high doses of carvacrol (50 and 100 mg/kg BW) increased oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.     

Cholesterol,Statins, and Longevity From Age 70 to 90 Years

Background

The importance of cholesterol as a risk factor among older people, particularly among the very old, is controversial. Whether or not hypercholesterolemia warrants medical concern, and whether statins are beneficial among very old people, remain unresolved common clinical dilemmas. This study examines whether increased total cholesterol (TC) was associated with higher mortality from age 70 to 90, and if statins had a protective effect.

Methods

A representative sample (born 1920–1921) from the Jerusalem Longitudinal Cohort Study (1990–2010) was assessed at ages 70, 78, and 85 for fasting serum TC, low-density (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (LDL); triglycerides; statin usage; social, functional, and medical domains; and all-cause mortality data (1990–2010). TC was analyzed as either continuous (10 mg/dL increments) or dichotomous variable (high TC >200 mg/dL). Cox proportional hazards models determined mortality hazard ratios (HRs), adjusting for TC, statin treatment, gender, self-rated health, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, neoplasm, body mass index, albumin, and triglycerides.

Results

Prevalence of high TC at ages 70, 78, and 85 was 75% (n = 344), 65% (n = 332), and 34% (n = 237), and statin use was 0%, 17.9%, and 45.4%, respectively. Survival was increased (not significantly) among subjects with high TC >200 mg/dL versus ≤200 mg/dL from ages 70 to 78, 78 to 85, and 85 to 90: 79.1% versus 73.3% (log rank P = .16), 68.7% versus 61.5% (P = .10), and 73.4% versus 70.3% (P = .45), respectively. Survival was significantly increased among subjects treated with statins versus no statins at ages 78 to 85 (74.7% vs 64.3%, log rank P = .07) and 85 to 90 (76.2% vs 67.4%, P = .01). After adjustment, TC (continuous or dichotomous) was not associated with mortality from 70 to 78, 78 to 85, or 85 to 90. In contrast, statins at age 85 were associated with decreased mortality from age 85 to 90 (adjusted HR 0.61, 95% confidence interval 0.42–0.89).

Conclusions

Among older people, cholesterol levels were unrelated to mortality between the ages of 70 and 90. The protective effect of statins observed among the very old appears to be independent of TC.     

Quantifying ethanol by high performance liquid chromatography with precolumn enzymatic conversion and derivatization with fluorimetric detection

We quantified ethanol by measurement of the subsequent increase in acetaldehyde after reaction with alcohol dehydrogenase and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (ADH-NAD) with a fluorimetric HPLC method. Ethanol standards ranging from 0.3 to 200 mg/dl were investigated and the limit of quantitation of the fluorimetric HPLC method was found to be 6 mg/dl. The accuracy of the HPLC method was assessed by assaying blood samples containing 6–200 mg/dl of ethanol and comparing its results to those of the ADH-NAD enzymatic method (r² = 0.993). The coefficients of variation for intraassay (assayed ten times) and interassay (assayed on 7 consecutive days) were 6.7% and 9.3% for blood samples containing 50 mg/dl of ethanol and 4.0% and 17.9% for blood samples containing 200 mg/dl of ethanol. The blood ethanol concentrations of a volunteer after a pulse of 0.3 g/kg of ethanol determined with the described HPLC method were correlated to the results from the ADH-NAD enzymatic method (r² = 0.986). In conclusion, the fluorimetric HPLC method for measurement of ethanol here described is of potential clinical utility.     

Initial experiences with praziquantel in the treatment of human infections due to Schistosoma haematobium.

Initial studies of the tolerance and efficacy of praziquantel in the treatment of human infections due to Schistosoma haematobium were conducted at the WHO Tropical Diseases Research Centre, Ndola, Zambia. The first stage of the trial was a double-blind assessment against placebo of the tolerance and efficacy of oral doses of 1×20, 2×20, or 3×20 mg/kg in patients with a minimum schistosome egg excretion of 50 per random 10-ml sample of urine. Later a single-blind trial was carried out of the efficacy of three oral doses, each of 20 mg/kg, given at 4-hour intervals, or of a single oral dose of 50 mg/kg.     

10mg米非司酮与左炔诺酮用于紧急避孕的效果对比研究

通过米非司酮与左炔诺酮的临床效果对比,探讨米非司酮用于紧急避孕的最低有效剂量。选择接收无保护同房或避孕失败后72h内要求紧急避孕的健康育龄妇女400例,年龄29±6岁。米非司酮组200例,单次口服10mg(10mg/片);左炔诺酮组200例,首次口服0.75mg(0.75mg/片),间隔12h后再服0.75mg。以服药后月经来潮为成功标准,以Dixon表格计算避孕有效率。两组各妊娠2例,均明显低于预期妊娠数(15.46与10.84),有非常显著意义(P<0.01)。米非司酮组避孕有效率87.06％,与左炔诺酮组的81.55％相比无显著差异(P>0.05)。米非司酮组用药后副反应及对下次月经的影响均较轻微,且单次口服易于被接受,说明10mg米非司酮用于紧急避孕安全、有效、简便。     

Ferric citrate is half as effective as ferrous sulfate in meeting the iron requirement of juvenile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus x O. aureus

Two growth experiments were conducted to estimate the minimum dietary iron requirement for juvenile hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus x O. aureus. Purified diets containing 0, 10, 30, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 400 mg Fe/kg from ferric citrate (Experiment 1) and 0, 10, 30, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg Fe/kg from ferrous sulfate (Experiment 2) were fed to tilapia (mean initial weight: 0.63 +/- 0.01 g, Experiment 1; 0.64 +/- 0.01 g, Experiment 2) for 8 wk. In Experiment 2, 150 mg Fe/kg from ferric citrate was also included for comparison. The rearing water contained 1.07 micro mol/L iron, and supplemental levels were confirmed by analysis. Each diet was fed to three replicate groups of fish. In Experiment 1, weight gain and feed efficiency (FE) were highest (P < 0.05) in fish fed the diet supplemented with 150 mg Fe/kg, followed by fish fed diets with 50, 100 and 200 mg Fe/kg and lowest in fish fed the unsupplemented control diet. Hepatic iron concentration was highest in fish fed diets supplemented with >150 mg Fe/kg, followed by fish fed the diet with 100 mg Fe/kg and lowest in fish fed diets with /=100 mg Fe/kg and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were higher in fish fed diets with >/=150 mg Fe/kg than in fish fed the diet without iron supplementation. In Experiment 2, weight gain was higher in fish fed the diet with 50 mg Fe/kg than in fish fed diets with 150, 200 and /=50 mg Fe/kg and the ferric citrate comparison diet than fish fed diets with /=50 mg Fe/kg than in fish fed the unsupplemented control diet. Analyses by polynomial regression of weight gain and by broken-line regression of hepatic iron and blood Hb concentrations indicated that the dietary iron requirement for tilapia is approximately 150-160 mg Fe/kg and 85 mg Fe/kg with ferric citrate and ferrous sulfate as the iron source, respectively; it also appears that ferric citrate was approximately 50% as effective as ferrous sulfate in meeting the iron requirement.     

YG-1 Extract Improves Acute Pulmonary Inflammation by Inducing Bronchodilation and Inhibiting Inflammatory Cytokines

YG-1 extract used in this study is a mixture of Lonicera japonica, Arctic Fructus, and Scutellariae Radix. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of YG-1 extract on bronchodilatation (ex vivo) and acute bronchial and pulmonary inflammation relief (in vivo). Ex vivo: The bronchodilation reaction was confirmed by treatment with YG-1 concentration-accumulation (0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, and 1 mg/mL) in the bronchial tissue ring pre-contracted by acetylcholine (10 μM). As a result, YG-1 extract is considered to affect bronchodilation by increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate, cAMP) levels through the β2-adrenergic receptor. In vivo: experiments were performed in C57BL/6 mice were divided into the following groups: control group; PM2.5 (fine particulate matter)-exposed group (PM2.5, 200 μg/kg/mL saline); and PM2.5-exposed + YG-1 extract (200 mg/kg/day) group. The PM2.5 (200 μg/kg/mL saline) was exposed for 1 h for 5 days using an ultrasonic nebulizer aerosol chamber to instill fine dust in the bronchi and lungs, thereby inducing acute lung and bronchial inflammation. From two days before PM2.5 exposure, YG-1 extract (200 mg/kg/day) was administered orally for 7 days. The PM2.5 exposure was involved in airway remodeling and inflammation, suggesting that YG-1 treatment improves acute bronchial and pulmonary inflammation by inhibiting the inflammatory cytokines (NLRP3/caspase-1 pathway). The application of YG-1 extract with broncho-dilating effect to acute bronchial and pulmonary inflammation animal models has great significance in developing therapeutic agents for respiratory diseases. Therefore, these results can provide essential data for the development of novel respiratory symptom relievers. Our study provides strong evidence that YG-1 extracts reduce the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and the incidence of non-specific lung diseases and improve bronchial and lung function.