Effects of Dietary Zearalenone on Oxidative Stress, Cell Apoptosis, and Tight Junction in the Intestine of Juvenile Grass Carp ().

Zearalenone (ZEA) is a prevalent mycotoxin with high toxicity in animals. In order to study its effect on juvenile grass carp (), six diets supplemented with different levels of ZEA (0, 535, 1041, 1548, 2002, and 2507 μg/kg diet) for 10 weeks were studied to assess its toxicity on intestinal structural integrity and potential mechanisms of action. Our report firstly proved that ZEA led to growth retardation and body deformity, and impaired the intestinal structural integrity of juvenile grass carp, as revealed by the following findings: (1) ZEA accumulated in the intestine and caused histopathological lesions; (2) ZEA resulted in oxidative injury, apoptosis, and breached tight junctions in the fish intestine, which were probably associated with Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), p38 mitogen activated protein kinases (p38MAPK), and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) signaling pathways, respectively.

Soybean isoflavones improve the health benefits, flavour quality indicators and physical properties of grass carp (Ctenopharygodon idella).

Health benefits, flavour quality indicators and physical properties were analysed after feeding grass carp graded concentrations of soybean isoflavones (SIF) (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 mg/kg) for 60 days. The results demonstrated that optimal dietary SIF supplementation improved the protein and total PUFA content, especially healthcare n-3 PUFA (C18: 3n-3, EPA and DHA), and increased the flavour-related free amino acid [especially umami amino acid] and 5'-inosine monophosphate content, improving the health benefits and flavour quality indicators in the muscle of grass carp. In addition, optimal dietary SIF supplementation (25 or 50 mg SIF/kg diet) enhanced some physical properties [water-holding capacity and tenderness] and increased the collagen content; however, it reduced cathepsin activity and apoptosis.

Postmortem Analysis of 4 Mutation Hotspots of KCNQ1, KCNH2, and SCN5A Genes in Sudden Unexplained Death in Southwest of China.

Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is known to be involved in some sudden unexplained death (SUD) cases. To make clear whether the pathogenic genes of LQTS are involved in SUD in Yunnan province, southwest of China, we examined 4 mutation hotspot segments of KCNQ1, KCNH2, and SCN5A genes in 83 SUD cases using polymerase chain reaction and direct DNA sequencing. Genomic DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded tissues in 83 cases of sudden cardiac death.

Effects of co-administration of ketamine and ethanol on the dopamine system via the cortex-striatum circuitry.

Aim: Ketamine and ethanol are increasingly being used together as recreational drugs in rave parties. Their effects on the dopamine (DA) system remain largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of consuming two different concentrations of ketamine with and without alcohol on the DA system.

The comparison of methods to identify the presence of fibrocytes in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded archival cardiac tissue with coronary heart disease.

The purpose of this study was to find the optimal technical approach to identify the presence of fibrocytes in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded archival cardiac tissue with CHD (coronary heart disease). Using the coexpression markers CD45 and αSMA, the presence of fibrocytes was examined by three different methods, including double immunohistochemistry staining, combination labeling of immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence and double immunofluorescence labeling. Double immunohistochemistry staining was very difficult to identify the CD45(+)/αSMA(+) fibrocytes.

Extracorporeal cardiac shock wave therapy ameliorates myocardial fibrosis by decreasing the amount of fibrocytes after acute myocardial infarction in pigs.

Objectives: Extracorporeal shock wave (SW) therapy ameliorates cardiac remodeling after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, it remains to be examined whether and how SW therapy ameliorates myocardial fibrosis after AMI. Fibrocytes are associated with myocardial fibrosis.

Fibrocytes are associated with the fibrosis of coronary heart disease.

Fibrocytes contribute significantly to fibrosis in many cardiac diseases. However, it is not clear whether fibrocytes are associated with the fibrosis in coronary heart disease (CHD). The aim of this study was to determine whether fibrocytes are involved in cardiac fibrosis in CHD.