AIMTo identify metabolic signatures in urine samples from healthy and inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)children.METHODSWe applied liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled to targeted mass spectrometry(MS)-ba...AIMTo identify metabolic signatures in urine samples from healthy and inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)children.METHODSWe applied liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled to targeted mass spectrometry(MS)-based metabolite profiling to identify and quantify bile acids and host-gut microbial metabolites in urine samples collected from 21 pediatric IBD patients monitored three times over one year(baseline,6 and 12 mo),and 27age-and gender-matched healthy children.RESULTSurinary metabolic profiles of IBD children differ significantly from healthy controls.Such metabolic differences encompass central energy metabolism,amino acids,bile acids and gut microbial metabolites.In particular,levels of pyroglutamic acid,glutamic acid,glycine and cysteine,were significantly higher in IBD children in the course of the study.This suggests that glutathione cannot be optimally synthesized and replenished.Whilst alterations of the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids in pediatric IBD patients is known,we show here that non-invasive urinary bile acid profiling can assess those altered hepatic and intestinal barrier dysfunctions.CONCLUSIONThe present study shows how non-invasive sampling of urine followed by targeted MS-based metabonomic analysis can elucidate and monitor the metabolic status of children with different GI health/disease status.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the effects of short-term application of low-dose growth hormone on trace element metabolism and blood glucose in surgical patients METHODS: A total of 48 consecutive patients undergoing abdomina...AIM: To investigate the effects of short-term application of low-dose growth hormone on trace element metabolism and blood glucose in surgical patients METHODS: A total of 48 consecutive patients undergoing abdominal operations were randomized to receive either subcutaneous rhGH (0.15 IU/kg) or placebo (menstruum) injections daily for 7 d after surgery. The two groups had similar nutrition intake. Blood, feces, urine and drain samples were collected to measure zincum, cuprum and ferrum as well as glucose levels. Accumulative intake, excretion and balance of zincum, cuprum and ferrum, apparent absorption (AA) and apparent utilization (AU) of zincum, cuprum and ferrum, blood glucose levels and adverse events were estimated. RESULTS: There were no differences in accumulative intake and drain excretion between the two groups. The feces excretion and accumulative excretion of cuprum were lower in the rhGH group (P 〈 0.05). The urinary excretion of zincum, cuprum and ferrum was all significantly decreased in the rhGH group (P 〈 0.05) and the accumulative balance of zincum, cuprum and ferrum was improved compared with the placebo group (P 〈 0.05). AA of cuprum in the rhGH group was almost twice as much as the placebo group (P 〈 0.05), and AU of zincum, cuprum and ferrum was all improved in the rhGH group (P 〈 0.05). The mean blood glucose level was significantly higher in the rhGH group than in the placebo group from d 3 to d 6 after operation (P 〈 0.05).improves the retention of zincum, cuprum and ferrum and decreases the excretion of zincum, cuprum and ferrum, improves the balance of zincum, cuprum and ferrum, and promotes the AA and AU of zincum, cuprum and ferrum, rhGH can be well tolerated without significant adverse effects and the blood glucose level can be well controlled.展开更多
Metastatic carcinoma of the spleen (MCS) is a rare condition which is frequency misdiagnosed. Research progress on the prevalence, clinicopathological features and diagnosis of MCS from the Chinese and English medical...Metastatic carcinoma of the spleen (MCS) is a rare condition which is frequency misdiagnosed. Research progress on the prevalence, clinicopathological features and diagnosis of MCS from the Chinese and English medical literature was reviewed to increase understanding of all aspects related to MCS. It is hoped that a better comprehension of MCS will increase the diagnotic level and the rate of MCS detection.展开更多
Microbiologically induced corrosion of concrete (MICC) and its protective coatings has a high eco-nomic impact on sewer maintenance and rehabilitation. A better understanding of the micro-organisms and the bio- geni...Microbiologically induced corrosion of concrete (MICC) and its protective coatings has a high eco-nomic impact on sewer maintenance and rehabilitation. A better understanding of the micro-organisms and the bio- genie acids that are generated in the sewer is essential in controlling the corrosion of concrete pipes and protective coatings. The role of succession of micro-organisms growth in the corrosion of concrete and protective coatings was evaluated in this study. Examination of various sewer pipe materials exhibiting various extents of degradation, including concrete, cement based and epoxy based coating revealed the presence of both organic and biogenic sulphuric acids. This reflects the activity of fungi and the thiobacilli strains. Organism growth and metabolism were strongly related to the substrate pH. Fungi were found to grow and metabolise organic acids at pH from 2.0-8.0. Whilst the thiobacilli strains grew and generated sulohuric acids at oH below 3.0. The successive growth of the organisms provides an impgrtant bearing in deyeloping improved strateegies.to better manage sewers.展开更多
Plant growth regulators are biologically active signaling molecules that regulate a number of plant physiological processes. Auxin(indole-3-acetic acid) is an important plant growth regulator and is synthesized within...Plant growth regulators are biologically active signaling molecules that regulate a number of plant physiological processes. Auxin(indole-3-acetic acid) is an important plant growth regulator and is synthesized within plant tissues through L-tryptophan(L-TRP)-dependent and-independent pathways. It has been found that plants respond to exogenously applied L-TRP due to insufficient endogenous auxin biosynthesis. The exogenous application of L-TRP is highly significant for normal plant growth and development.L-tryptophan is applied through foliar spray, seed priming, and soil application. Soil-applied L-TRP is either directly taken up by plants or metabolized to auxin by soil microbiota and then absorbed by plant roots. Similarly, foliar spray and seed priming with L-TRP stimulates auxin synthesis within plants and improves the growth and productivity of agricultural crops. Furthermore, L-TRP contains approximately 14% nitrogen(N) in its composition, which is released upon its metabolism within a plant or in the rhizosphere and plays a role in enhancing crop productivity. This review deals with assessing crop responses under the exogenous application of L-TRP in normal and stressed environments, mode of action of L-TRP, advantages of using L-TRP over other auxin precursors, and role of the simultaneous use of L-TRP and auxin-producing microbes in improving the productivity of agricultural crops. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review reporting the importance of the use of L-TRP in agriculture.展开更多
A prominent example of seasonal phenotypic flexibility is the winter increase in thermogenic capacity (=summit metabolism, Msurn) in small birds, which is often accompanied by increases in pectoralis muscle mass and...A prominent example of seasonal phenotypic flexibility is the winter increase in thermogenic capacity (=summit metabolism, Msurn) in small birds, which is often accompanied by increases in pectoralis muscle mass and lipid catabolic capacity. Temperature or photoperiod may be drivers of the winter phenotype, but their relative impacts on muscle remodeling or lipid transport pathways are little known. We examined photoperiod and temperature effects on pectoralis muscle expres- sion of myostatin, a muscle growth inhibitor, and its tolloid-like protein activators (TLL-1 and TLL- 2), and sarcolemmal and intracellular lipid transporters in dark-eyed juncos Junco hyemalis. We acclimated winter juncos to four temperature (3~C or 24~C) and photoperiod [short-day (SD) = 8L:16D; long-day (LD) = 16L:8D] treatments. We found that myostatin, TLL-I, TLL-2, and lipid transporter mRNA expression and myostatin protein expression did not differ among treatments, but treatments interacted to influence lipid transporter proteinexpression. Fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36) levels were higher for cold SD than for other treatments. Membrane-bound fatty acid binding protein (FABPpm) levels, however, were higher for the cold LD treatment than for cold SD and warm LD treatments. Cytosolic fatty acid binding protein (FABPc) levels were higher on LD than on SD at 3℃, but higher on SD than on LD at 24℃. Cold temperature groups showed upregulation of these lipid transporters, which could contribute to elevated Msum compared to warm groups on the same photoperiod. However, interactions of temperature or photoperiod effects on muscle remodeling and lipid transport pathways suggest that these effects are context-dependent.展开更多
Phosphorus (P) is a major limiting factor for plant productivity in many ecosystems and agriculture. The projected increase in atmospheric CO2 is likely to result in changes in plant mineral consumption and growth. ...Phosphorus (P) is a major limiting factor for plant productivity in many ecosystems and agriculture. The projected increase in atmospheric CO2 is likely to result in changes in plant mineral consumption and growth. We studied P depletion by common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) cultured hydroponically under ambient (377±77μmol mol^-1) or elevated (650±32 μmol mol^-1) CO2 in media of low or high P. Under elevated CO2 compared to ambient CO2, the maximum P depletion rate increased by 98% at low P and 250% at high P, and P was depleted about 2-5 weeks sooner; leaf acid phosphatase (APase) activity and chlorophyll content both increased significantly; root-to-shoot ratio increased significantly at high P, although it was unaffected at low P; lateral root respiration rate showed no change, suggesting that COs did not affect P depletion via metabolic changes to the roots; the total biomass at final harvest was significantly higher at both low and high P. Our data showed that the increased rate and amount of P depletion during plant growth under elevated CO2 occurred in association with alterations in leaf biochemical properties, i.e., enhanced activities of leaf APase and increased leaf chlorophyll content.展开更多
基金Swiss National Science Foundation,No.32003B_135466
文摘AIMTo identify metabolic signatures in urine samples from healthy and inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)children.METHODSWe applied liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled to targeted mass spectrometry(MS)-based metabolite profiling to identify and quantify bile acids and host-gut microbial metabolites in urine samples collected from 21 pediatric IBD patients monitored three times over one year(baseline,6 and 12 mo),and 27age-and gender-matched healthy children.RESULTSurinary metabolic profiles of IBD children differ significantly from healthy controls.Such metabolic differences encompass central energy metabolism,amino acids,bile acids and gut microbial metabolites.In particular,levels of pyroglutamic acid,glutamic acid,glycine and cysteine,were significantly higher in IBD children in the course of the study.This suggests that glutathione cannot be optimally synthesized and replenished.Whilst alterations of the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids in pediatric IBD patients is known,we show here that non-invasive urinary bile acid profiling can assess those altered hepatic and intestinal barrier dysfunctions.CONCLUSIONThe present study shows how non-invasive sampling of urine followed by targeted MS-based metabonomic analysis can elucidate and monitor the metabolic status of children with different GI health/disease status.
文摘AIM: To investigate the effects of short-term application of low-dose growth hormone on trace element metabolism and blood glucose in surgical patients METHODS: A total of 48 consecutive patients undergoing abdominal operations were randomized to receive either subcutaneous rhGH (0.15 IU/kg) or placebo (menstruum) injections daily for 7 d after surgery. The two groups had similar nutrition intake. Blood, feces, urine and drain samples were collected to measure zincum, cuprum and ferrum as well as glucose levels. Accumulative intake, excretion and balance of zincum, cuprum and ferrum, apparent absorption (AA) and apparent utilization (AU) of zincum, cuprum and ferrum, blood glucose levels and adverse events were estimated. RESULTS: There were no differences in accumulative intake and drain excretion between the two groups. The feces excretion and accumulative excretion of cuprum were lower in the rhGH group (P 〈 0.05). The urinary excretion of zincum, cuprum and ferrum was all significantly decreased in the rhGH group (P 〈 0.05) and the accumulative balance of zincum, cuprum and ferrum was improved compared with the placebo group (P 〈 0.05). AA of cuprum in the rhGH group was almost twice as much as the placebo group (P 〈 0.05), and AU of zincum, cuprum and ferrum was all improved in the rhGH group (P 〈 0.05). The mean blood glucose level was significantly higher in the rhGH group than in the placebo group from d 3 to d 6 after operation (P 〈 0.05).improves the retention of zincum, cuprum and ferrum and decreases the excretion of zincum, cuprum and ferrum, improves the balance of zincum, cuprum and ferrum, and promotes the AA and AU of zincum, cuprum and ferrum, rhGH can be well tolerated without significant adverse effects and the blood glucose level can be well controlled.
文摘Metastatic carcinoma of the spleen (MCS) is a rare condition which is frequency misdiagnosed. Research progress on the prevalence, clinicopathological features and diagnosis of MCS from the Chinese and English medical literature was reviewed to increase understanding of all aspects related to MCS. It is hoped that a better comprehension of MCS will increase the diagnotic level and the rate of MCS detection.
文摘Microbiologically induced corrosion of concrete (MICC) and its protective coatings has a high eco-nomic impact on sewer maintenance and rehabilitation. A better understanding of the micro-organisms and the bio- genie acids that are generated in the sewer is essential in controlling the corrosion of concrete pipes and protective coatings. The role of succession of micro-organisms growth in the corrosion of concrete and protective coatings was evaluated in this study. Examination of various sewer pipe materials exhibiting various extents of degradation, including concrete, cement based and epoxy based coating revealed the presence of both organic and biogenic sulphuric acids. This reflects the activity of fungi and the thiobacilli strains. Organism growth and metabolism were strongly related to the substrate pH. Fungi were found to grow and metabolise organic acids at pH from 2.0-8.0. Whilst the thiobacilli strains grew and generated sulohuric acids at oH below 3.0. The successive growth of the organisms provides an impgrtant bearing in deyeloping improved strateegies.to better manage sewers.
文摘Plant growth regulators are biologically active signaling molecules that regulate a number of plant physiological processes. Auxin(indole-3-acetic acid) is an important plant growth regulator and is synthesized within plant tissues through L-tryptophan(L-TRP)-dependent and-independent pathways. It has been found that plants respond to exogenously applied L-TRP due to insufficient endogenous auxin biosynthesis. The exogenous application of L-TRP is highly significant for normal plant growth and development.L-tryptophan is applied through foliar spray, seed priming, and soil application. Soil-applied L-TRP is either directly taken up by plants or metabolized to auxin by soil microbiota and then absorbed by plant roots. Similarly, foliar spray and seed priming with L-TRP stimulates auxin synthesis within plants and improves the growth and productivity of agricultural crops. Furthermore, L-TRP contains approximately 14% nitrogen(N) in its composition, which is released upon its metabolism within a plant or in the rhizosphere and plays a role in enhancing crop productivity. This review deals with assessing crop responses under the exogenous application of L-TRP in normal and stressed environments, mode of action of L-TRP, advantages of using L-TRP over other auxin precursors, and role of the simultaneous use of L-TRP and auxin-producing microbes in improving the productivity of agricultural crops. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review reporting the importance of the use of L-TRP in agriculture.
文摘A prominent example of seasonal phenotypic flexibility is the winter increase in thermogenic capacity (=summit metabolism, Msurn) in small birds, which is often accompanied by increases in pectoralis muscle mass and lipid catabolic capacity. Temperature or photoperiod may be drivers of the winter phenotype, but their relative impacts on muscle remodeling or lipid transport pathways are little known. We examined photoperiod and temperature effects on pectoralis muscle expres- sion of myostatin, a muscle growth inhibitor, and its tolloid-like protein activators (TLL-1 and TLL- 2), and sarcolemmal and intracellular lipid transporters in dark-eyed juncos Junco hyemalis. We acclimated winter juncos to four temperature (3~C or 24~C) and photoperiod [short-day (SD) = 8L:16D; long-day (LD) = 16L:8D] treatments. We found that myostatin, TLL-I, TLL-2, and lipid transporter mRNA expression and myostatin protein expression did not differ among treatments, but treatments interacted to influence lipid transporter proteinexpression. Fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36) levels were higher for cold SD than for other treatments. Membrane-bound fatty acid binding protein (FABPpm) levels, however, were higher for the cold LD treatment than for cold SD and warm LD treatments. Cytosolic fatty acid binding protein (FABPc) levels were higher on LD than on SD at 3℃, but higher on SD than on LD at 24℃. Cold temperature groups showed upregulation of these lipid transporters, which could contribute to elevated Msum compared to warm groups on the same photoperiod. However, interactions of temperature or photoperiod effects on muscle remodeling and lipid transport pathways suggest that these effects are context-dependent.
基金supported by the Truman State University Math Bio Programthe National Science Foundation, USA (Nos. 0436348 and 0337769)
文摘Phosphorus (P) is a major limiting factor for plant productivity in many ecosystems and agriculture. The projected increase in atmospheric CO2 is likely to result in changes in plant mineral consumption and growth. We studied P depletion by common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) cultured hydroponically under ambient (377±77μmol mol^-1) or elevated (650±32 μmol mol^-1) CO2 in media of low or high P. Under elevated CO2 compared to ambient CO2, the maximum P depletion rate increased by 98% at low P and 250% at high P, and P was depleted about 2-5 weeks sooner; leaf acid phosphatase (APase) activity and chlorophyll content both increased significantly; root-to-shoot ratio increased significantly at high P, although it was unaffected at low P; lateral root respiration rate showed no change, suggesting that COs did not affect P depletion via metabolic changes to the roots; the total biomass at final harvest was significantly higher at both low and high P. Our data showed that the increased rate and amount of P depletion during plant growth under elevated CO2 occurred in association with alterations in leaf biochemical properties, i.e., enhanced activities of leaf APase and increased leaf chlorophyll content.