Surface-enhanced Raman scattering using monolayer graphene-encapsulated Ag nanoparticles as a substrate for sensitive detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene

Chen, Z.,Qiu, L.,Tian, Y.,Lee, Y. I.,Hou, X.,Wu, L. Royal Society of Chemistry 2017 Analytical methods Vol.9 No.21

<P>We developed a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-active substrate based on chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-grown monolayer graphene-encapsulated silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and used it for the detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). Monolayer graphene-encapsulated Ag NPs can be used as a stable substrate for up to 2 months under aerobic exposure. The single layer of graphene can effectively stabilize the Ag NPs against oxidation and corrosion in the presence of H2O2, Na2S and HNO3. Due to the combination of the Ag NPs with graphene, the Raman signals of probe molecules were dramatically enhanced. This platform exhibits extraordinarily high sensitivity and excellent stability for the detection of TNT, with a limit of detection as low as 6.6 x 10(-10) mol L-1. This work provides a simple approach to fabricate graphene-encapsulated Ag NPs for sensitive SERS sensing of TNT after Fenton oxidation degradation.</P>

Derivatization reaction-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for detection of trace acetone

Zheng, Y.,Chen, Z.,Zheng, C.,Lee, Y.I.,Hou, X.,Wu, L.,Tian, Y. Pergamon Press ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2016 Talanta Vol.155 No.-

<P>A facile method was developed for determination of trace volatile acetone by coupling a derivatization reaction to surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). With iodide modified Ag nanoparticles (Ag IMNPs) as the SERS substrate, acetone without obvious Raman signal could be converted to SERS-sensitive species via a chemical derivatization reaction with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4-DNPH). In addition, acetone can be effectively separated from liquid phase with a purge-sampling device and then any serious interference from sample matrices can be significantly reduced. The optimal conditions for the derivatization reaction and the SERS analysis were investigated in detail, and the selectivity and reproducibility of this method were also evaluated. Under the optimal conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) for acetone was 5 mg L-1 or 0.09 mM (3 sigma). The relative standard deviation (RSD) for 80 mg L-1 acetone (n=9) was 1.7%. This method was successfully used for the determination of acetone in artificial urine and human urine samples with spiked recoveries ranging from 92% to 110%. The present method is convenient, sensitive, selective, reliable and suitable for analysis of trace acetone, and it could have a promising clinical application in early diabetes diagnosis. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</P>

Intramuscular Administration of Zinc Metallothionein to Preslaughter Stressed Pigs Improves Anti-oxidative Status and Pork Quality

Li, L.L.,Hou, Z.P.,Yin, Y.L.,Liu, Y.H.,Hou, D.X.,Zhang, B.,Wu, G.Y.,Kim, S.W.,Fan, M.Z.,Yang, C.B.,Kong, X.F.,Tang, Z.R.,Peng, H.Z.,Deng, D.,Deng, Z.Y.,Xie, M.Y.,Xiong, H.,Kang, P.,Wang, S.X. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2007 Animal Bioscience Vol.20 No.5

This study was conducted to determine the effects of exogenous zinc-metallothionein (Zn-MT) on anti-oxidative function and pork quality. After feeding a corn-soybean meal-based diet for two weeks, 48 pigs ($Duroc{\times}Landrace{\times}Chinese\;Black Pig$) were assigned randomly to four groups. Pigs in Group 1 were maintained under non-stress conditions, whereas pigs in Groups 2, 3 and 4 were aggressively handled for 25 min to produce stress. Pigs in Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 received intramuscular administration of saline (control group; CON), 0 (negative control group; NCON), 0.8 (low dose group; LOW), and 1.6 (high dose group; HIGH) mg rabbit liver Zn-MT per kg body weight, respectively. Pigs were slaughtered at 3 and 6 h post-injection. Zn-MT treatment increased (p<0.05) the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-PX) while decreasing the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver. These responses were greater (p<0.05) at 6 h than at 3 h post Zn-MT injection. Zn-MT treatment increased (p<0.05) hepatic SOD mRNA levels in a time and dose-dependent manner and decreased (p<0.05) serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase activities (indicators of tissue integrity). Zn-MT administration decreased (p<0.05) lactate concentration and increased (p<0.05) pH and water-holding capacity in the longissimus thorasis meat. Collectively, our results indicate that intramuscular administration of Zn-MT to pre-slaughter stressed pigs improved tissue anti-oxidative ability and meat quality.

Effects of Astragalus Polysaccharides, Achyranthes bidentata Polysaccharides, and Acantbepanax senticosus Saponin on the Performance and Immunity in Weaned Pigs

Kang, P.,Xiao, H.L.,Hou, Y.Q.,Ding, B.Y.,Liu, Y.L.,Zhu, H.L.,Hu, Q.Z.,Hu, Y.,Yin, Y.L. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2010 Animal Bioscience Vol.23 No.6

Two trials were conducted to study the effects of two Chinese herbal polysaccharides, Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) and Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharides (ABPS), and one Chinese herbal saponin, Acantbepanax senticosus saponin (ASS), on the immunity and growth performance of weaned pigs. Experiment 1 was a 14-day growth assay, in which 32 weaned pigs were randomly allocated to one of four dietary treatments: i) 0.05% talcum powder control; ii) 0.05% APS; iii) 0.05% mixture of APS and ASS in a 1:1 ratio by weight; and iv) 0.05% mixture of APS, ASS, and ABPS in a ratio of 1:1:1 by weight. Blood samples were collected on day 14 to determine plasma parameters. Feed intake, body weight gain, and feed efficiency were also determined. Experiment 2 was a 21-day immunity assay, in which 16 weaned pigs were randomly allotted to one of two dietary treatments: i) 0.05% talcum powder control; and ii) 0.05% mixture of APS and ASS in a 1:1 ratio by weight. On day 21, pigs were challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and 3 h later blood samples were collected and analyzed for lymphocyte proliferation as well as interleukin 6 (IL-6), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), growth hormone (GH), and cortisol levels. In Experiment 1, feeding Chinese herbal polysaccharides and saponin increased growth performance of the pigs. The effects of the mixture of APS and ASS were especially notable, as there was a significant improvement in growth performance compared with the control (p<0.05). The plasma concentration of immunoglobulin G (IgG), nitric oxide (NO), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) were increased in all treatments groups, with the mixture of APS and ASS increasing the level of IgG and NOS significantly (p<0.05), compared with the control. There was no difference in the NO level between the control and treatment groups (p>0.05). In Experiment 2, Chinese herbal polysaccharides and saponin showed immunostimulating effects. The level of cortisol, GH, and IGF-I were significantly increased (p>0.05), and the level of IL-6 showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the APS and ASS treatment after the LPS challenge. The mixture of APS and ASS could stimulate the blood lymphocyte proliferation significantly whether the LPS was injected or not (p<0.05). These results show that Chinese herbal extracts can improve growth performance and stimulate immunity of weaned pigs. A mixture of APS and ASS, compared with APS alone, could be a new kind of immunostimulant for weaned pigs, which could result in greater positive effects on their growth performance and immunity.

True Digestibility of Phosphorus in Different Resources of Feed Ingredients in Growing Pigs

Wu, X.,Ruan, Z.,Zhang, Y.G.,Hou, Y.Q.,Yin, Y.L.,Li, T.J.,Huang, R.L.,Chu, W.Y.,Kong, X.F.,Gao, B.,Chen, L.X. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.1

To determine the true digestible phosphorus (TDP) requirement of growing pigs, two experiments were designed with the experimental diets containing five true digestible P levels (0.16%, 0.20%, 0.23%, 0.26% and 0.39%) and the ratio of total calcium to true digestible P (TDP) kept at 2:1. In Experiment 1, five barrows (Duroc${\times}$Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire) with an average initial body weight of 27.9 kg were used in a $5{\times}5$ Latin-square design to evaluate the effect of different dietary P levels on the digestibility and output of P and nitrogen. In Experiment 2, sixty healthy growing pigs (Duroc${\times}$Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire) with an average body weight (BW) of 21.4 kg were assigned randomly to one of the five dietary treatments (12 pigs/diet), and were used to determine the true digestible phosphorus (TDP) requirement of growing pigs on the basis of growth performance and serum biochemical indices. The results indicated that the true digestibility of P increased (p<0.05) linearly with increasing dietary TDP level below 0.26%. The true P digestibility was highest (56.6%) when dietary TDP was 0.34%. Expressed as g/kg dry matter intake (DMI), fecal P output increased (p<0.05) linearly with increasing P input. On the basis of g/kg fecal dry matter (DM), fecal P output was lowest for Diet 4 and highest (p<0.05) for Diet 5. The apparent digestibility of crude protein (CP) did not differ (p>0.05) among the five diets, with the average nitrogen output of 12.14 g/d and nitrogen retention of 66% to 74% (p>0.05), which suggested that there was no interaction between dietary P and CP protein levels. During the 28-d experimental period of Experiment 2, the average daily gain (ADG) of pigs was affected by dietary TDP levels as described by Eq. (1): $y=-809,532x^4+788,079x^3-276,250x^2+42,114x-1,759$; ($R^2=0.99$; p<0.01; y = ADG, g/d; x = dietary TDP, %), F/G for pigs by Eq. (2): $y=3,651.1x^4-3,480.4x^3+1,183.8x^2-172.5x+10.9$ ($R^2=0.99$; p<0.01; y = F/G; x = dietary TDP, %), and Total P concentrations in serum by Eq. (3): $y=-3,311.7x^4+3,342.7x^3-1,224.6x^2+195.6x-8.7$ (R2 = 0.99; p<0.01; y = total serum P concentration and x = dietary TDP, %). The highest ADG (782 g/d), the lowest F/G (1.07) and the highest total serum P concentration (3.1 mmol/L) were obtained when dietary TDP level was 0.34%. Collectively, these results indicate that the optimal TDP requirement of growing pigs is 0.34% of the diet at a total Ca to TDP ratio of 2:1.

A Phase 3 Evaluation of Daclatasvir plus Asunaprevir in Treatment-Naive Patients with Chronic HCV Genotype 1b Infection

( L. Wei ),( F. Wang ),( M. Zhang ),( J. Jia ),( A.A. Yakovlev ),( W. Xie ),( E.Z. Burnevich ),( J. Niu ),( Y.J. Jung ),( X. Jiang ),( M. Xu ),( X. Chen ),( Q. Xie ),( J. Li ),( J. Hou ),( H. Tang ),( 대한간학회 2017 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2017 No.1

Background/Aims: Treatment-naive GT 1b-infected patients from mainland China, South Korea and Russia were assessed for SVR at follow-up week 12 (SVR12) after receiving daclatasvir (60 mg, QD) and asunaprevir (100 mg, BID) (DCV+ASV). Methods: Patients were randomized 3:1 to receive DCV+ASV (24 weeks; immediate treatment [IM]) or 12 weeks of placebo followed by DCV+ASV (24 weeks; placebo-deferred treatment [PD]). The primary endpoint was to evaluate SVR12 in the IM arm to the historical rate for peginterferon/ribavirin (70%). Secondary endpoints included overall safety and safety comparisons between the treatment arms during the first 12 weeks. Results: 207 patients were randomized to IM (n=155) or PD (n=52); Asian (86%), female (59%), IL28B CC genotype (68%) and median age 49 (range 18-73) years; cirrhosis (13%), HCV RNA ≥6x106 IU/mL (53%). SVR12 in the IM arm was 92% and broadly unaffected by most baseline factors assessed (Figure); SVR12 was higher in patients without (96%) baseline NS5A-L31M/V or Y93H polymorphisms. There were 6 virologic breakthroughs, 6 relapses and 1 detectable HCV RNA at end-of-treatment in the IM arm. Safety was mostly comparable between the two arms during the first 12 weeks. The most frequent adverse events (AEs; ≥5%) during DCV+ASV (24 weeks) treatment in both arms were aminotransferase, bilirubin and INR elevations, hypertension, fatigue and respiratory tract infections; the most frequent treatment-emergent grade 3/4 laboratory abnormalities were aminotransferase (≤4.5%) and hematologic, lipase and total bilirubin abnormalities (≤2%); one patient (IM) discontinued DCV+ASV for aminotransferase elevations, nausea and jaundice (all reversible); one patient PD) discontinued DCV+ASV for a fatal AE unrelated to treatment. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that DCV+ASV is a highly efficacious and well tolerated treatment for treatment-naive HCV GT 1b-infected patients. Those treated immediately with DCV+ASV achieved a 92% SVR12 rate which was unaffected by factors known to attenuate response to interferon.

Mutant ubiquitin found in Alzheimer's disease causes neuritic beading of mitochondria in association with neuronal degeneration

Tan, Z,Sun, X,Hou, F-S,Oh, H-W,Hilgenberg, L G W,Hol, E M,van Leeuwen, F W,Smith, M A,O'Dowd, D K,Schreiber, S S Nature Publishing Group 2007 CELL DEATH AND DIFFERENTIATION Vol.14 No.10

A dinucleotide deletion in human ubiquitin (Ub) B messenger RNA leads to formation of polyubiquitin (UbB)+1, which has been implicated in neuronal cell death in Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. Previous studies demonstrate that UbB+1 protein causes proteasome dysfunction. However, the molecular mechanism of UbB+1-mediated neuronal degeneration remains unknown. We now report that UbB+1 causes neuritic beading, impairment of mitochondrial movements, mitochondrial stress and neuronal degeneration in primary neurons. Transfection of UbB+1 induced a buildup of mitochondria in neurites and dysregulation of mitochondrial motor proteins, in particular, through detachment of P74, the dynein intermediate chain, from mitochondria and decreased mitochondria–microtubule interactions. Altered distribution of mitochondria was associated with activation of both the mitochondrial stress and p53 cell death pathways. These results support the hypothesis that neuritic clogging of mitochondria by UbB+1 triggers a cascade of events characterized by local activation of mitochondrial stress followed by global cell death. Furthermore, UbB+1 small interfering RNA efficiently blocked expression of UbB+1 protein, attenuated neuritic beading and preserved cellular morphology, suggesting a potential neuroprotective strategy for certain neurodegenerative disorders.Cell Death and Differentiation (2007) 14, 1721–1732; doi:10.1038/sj.cdd.4402180; published online 15 June 2007

Effects of Dietary Methionine Levels on Choline Requirements of Starter White Pekin Ducks

Wen, Z.G.,Tang, J.,Xie, M.,Yang, P.L.,Hou, S.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2016 Animal Bioscience Vol.29 No.12

A $2{\times}5$ factorial experiment, using 2 dietary methionine levels (0.28% and 0.48%) and 5 dietary choline levels (0, 394, 823, 1,239, and 1,743 mg/kg), was conducted to study the effects of dietary methionine status on choline requirements of starter white Pekin ducks from 7 to 28 days of age. Four hundred eighty 7-d-old male White Pekin ducks were randomly allotted to ten dietary treatments, each containing 6 replicate pens with 8 birds per pen. At 28 d of age, weight gain, feed intake, and feed/gain were measured and the legs of all ducks from each pen were examined for incidence of perosis. Perosis and growth depression were observed in choline-deficient ducks and supplementation of choline reduced perosis and significantly increased weight gain and feed intake regardless of dietary methionine levels (p<0.05). In addition, significant positive effects of dietary methionine supplementation on weight gain, feed intake, and feed/gain were observed at any choline level (p<0.05). Supplementation of 1,743 mg/kg choline in diets alleviated the depression of weight gain and feed intake caused by methionine deficiency at 0.28% methionine level. The interaction between choline and methionine influenced weight gain and feed intake of ducks (p<0.05). At 0.28% methionine level, 1,743 mg/kg choline group caused 4.92% and 3.23% amount of improvement in weight gain and feed intake compared with 1,239 mg/kg choline group, respectively. According to the broken-line regression, the choline requirements of starter Pekin ducks for weight gain and feed intake were 1,472 and 1,424 mg/kg at 0.28% methionine level and 946 and 907 mg/kg at 0.48% methionine level, respectively. It suggested the choline recommendations of starter Pekin ducks on a semi-purified diet were 1448 mg/kg at 0.28% methionine level and 927 mg/kg at 0.48% methionine level, respectively. Compared with the adequate methionine level, menthionine deficiency markedly increased the choline requirements of ducks.

LOAD-CARRYING CAPACITIES FOR CIRCULAR METAL FOAM CORE SANDWICH PANELS AT LARGE DEFLECTION

W. HOU,Z. WANG,L. ZHAO,G. LU,D. SHU 한국소성가공학회 2008 한국소성가공학회 컨퍼런스 Vol.2008 No.10

Gentiana straminea supplementation improves feed intake, nitrogen and energy utilization, and methane emission of Simmental calves in northwest China

Xie K. L.,Wang Z. F.,Guo Y. R.,Zhang C.,Zhu W. H.,Hou F. J. 아세아·태평양축산학회 2022 Animal Bioscience Vol.35 No.6

Objective: Native plants can be used as additives to replace antibiotics to improve ruminant feed utilization and animal health. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of Gentiana straminea (GS) on nutrient digestibility, methane emissions, and energy metabolism of Simmental calves. Methods: Thirty-two (5-week-old) male Simmental clves, with initial body weight (BW) of 155±12 kg were fed the same basal diet of concentrates (26%), alfalfa hay (37%), and oat hay (37%) and were randomly separated into four treatment groups according to the amount of GS that was added to their basal diet. The four different groups received different amounts of GS as a supplement to their basal diet during whole experiment: (0 GS) 0 mg/kg BW, the control; (100 GS) 100 mg/kg BW; (200 GS) 200 mg/kg BW; and (300 GS) 300 mg/kg BW. Results: For calves in the 200 GS and 300 GS treatment groups, there was a significant increase in dry matter (DM) intake (p<0.01), average daily gain (ADG) (p<0.05), organic matter intake (p<0.05), DM digestibility (p<0.05), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility (p<0.05), and acid detergent fibre (ADF) digestibility (p<0.05). Dietary GS supplementation result in quadratic increases of DM intake (p<0.01), ADG (p<0.05), NDF intake (p<0.05), and ADF intake (p<0.05). Supplementing the basal diet with GS significantly increased nitrogen (N) retention (p<0.001) and the ratio of retention N to N intake (p<0.001). Supplementing the basal diet with GS significantly decreased methane (CH4) emissions (p<0.01), CH4/BW0.75 (p<0.05) and CH4 energy (CH4-E) (p<0.05). Dietary GS supplementation result in quadratic increases of CH4 (p<0.01) and CH4/DM intake (p<0.01). Compared with 0 GS, GS-supplemented diets significantly improved their gross energy intake (p<0.05). The metabolizable energy and digestive energy intake were significantly greater for calves in the 100 GS and 200 GS calves than for 0 GS calves (p<0.05). Conclusion: From this study, we conclude that supplementing calf diets with GS could improve utilization of feed, energy, and N, and may reduce CH4 emissions without having any negative effects on animal health. Objective: Native plants can be used as additives to replace antibiotics to improve ruminant feed utilization and animal health. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of Gentiana straminea (GS) on nutrient digestibility, methane emissions, and energy metabolism of Simmental calves.Methods: Thirty-two (5-week-old) male Simmental clves, with initial body weight (BW) of 155±12 kg were fed the same basal diet of concentrates (26%), alfalfa hay (37%), and oat hay (37%) and were randomly separated into four treatment groups according to the amount of GS that was added to their basal diet. The four different groups received different amounts of GS as a supplement to their basal diet during whole experiment: (0 GS) 0 mg/kg BW, the control; (100 GS) 100 mg/kg BW; (200 GS) 200 mg/kg BW; and (300 GS) 300 mg/kg BW.Results: For calves in the 200 GS and 300 GS treatment groups, there was a significant increase in dry matter (DM) intake (p<0.01), average daily gain (ADG) (p<0.05), organic matter intake (p<0.05), DM digestibility (p<0.05), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility (p<0.05), and acid detergent fibre (ADF) digestibility (p<0.05). Dietary GS supplementation result in quadratic increases of DM intake (p<0.01), ADG (p<0.05), NDF intake (p<0.05), and ADF intake (p<0.05). Supplementing the basal diet with GS significantly increased nitrogen (N) retention (p<0.001) and the ratio of retention N to N intake (p<0.001). Supplementing the basal diet with GS significantly decreased methane (CH4) emissions (p<0.01), CH4/BW0.75 (p<0.05) and CH4 energy (CH4-E) (p<0.05). Dietary GS supplementation result in quadratic increases of CH4 (p<0.01) and CH4/DM intake (p<0.01). Compared with 0 GS, GS-supplemented diets significantly improved their gross energy intake (p<0.05). The metabolizable energy and digestive energy intake were significantly greater for calves in the 100 GS and 200 GS calves than for 0 GS calves (p<0.05).Conclusion: From this study, we conclude that supplementing calf diets with GS could improve utilization of feed, energy, and N, and may reduce CH4 emissions without having any negative effects on animal health.