Effect of Dietary Protein Level and Origin on the Redox Status in the Digestive Tract of Mice

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of high protein (soybean protein or casein) on the balance between production of free radicals and antioxidant level in digestive organs of mice. For this purpose, male (C57BL/6J) mice were adapted to experimental diets containing soybean protein or casein with 20% (normal protein diets, NPDs) or 60% (high protein diets, HPDs), and HPDs supplemented with 0.06g/kg cysteamine. After two weeks of feeding, oxidative and antioxidative parameters in duodenum, liver and pancreas were measured. The results show that ingestion of high protein markedly increased contents of superoxide anion and malondialdehyde (MDA), decreased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) and Na+ K+-ATPase, and content of reduced glutathione (GSH) in digestive organs of mice (P<0.05). Levels of oxidative parameters were lower and antioxidant capacity of both enzyme and non-enzyme was higher in mice fed with soybean protein than those fed with casein. In groups fed HPDs supplemented with cysteamine, oxidative stress was mitigated. However, oxidative parameter levels were still higher than those of NPD-fed groups. The present study indicates that ingestion of high protein diets could result in an imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant, and thus induce oxidative stress in digestive organs of mice. The oxidative damage was smaller in mice fed with high level of soy protein in comparison with casein

Tumor-directed gene therapy in mice using a composite nonviral gene delivery system consisting of the piggyBac transposon and polyethylenimine

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Compared with viral vectors, nonviral vectors are less immunogenic, more stable, safer and easier to replication for application in cancer gene therapy. However, nonviral gene delivery system has not been extensively used because of the low transfection efficiency and the short transgene expression, especially <it>in vivo</it>. It is desirable to develop a nonviral gene delivery system that can support stable genomic integration and persistent gene expression <it>in vivo</it>. Here, we used a composite nonviral gene delivery system consisting of the <it>piggyBac </it>(PB) transposon and polyethylenimine (PEI) for long-term transgene expression in mouse ovarian tumors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A recombinant plasmid PB [Act-RFP, HSV-tk] encoding both the herpes simplex thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) and the monomeric red fluorescent protein (mRFP1) under PB transposon elements was constructed. This plasmid and the PBase plasmid were injected into ovarian cancer tumor xenografts in mice by <it>in vivo </it>PEI system. The antitumor effects of HSV-tk/ganciclovir (GCV) system were observed after intraperitoneal injection of GCV. Histological analysis and TUNEL assay were performed on the cryostat sections of the tumor tissue.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Plasmid construction was confirmed by PCR analysis combined with restrictive enzyme digestion. mRFP1 expression could be visualized three weeks after the last transfection of pPB/TK under fluorescence microscopy. After GCV admission, the tumor volume of PB/TK group was significantly reduced and the tumor inhibitory rate was 81.96% contrasted against the 43.07% in the TK group. Histological analysis showed that there were extensive necrosis and lymphocytes infiltration in the tumor tissue of the PB/TK group but limited in the tissue of control group. TUNEL assays suggested that the transfected cells were undergoing apoptosis after GCV admission <it>in vivo</it>.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results show that the nonviral gene delivery system coupling PB transposon with PEI can be used as an efficient tool for gene therapy in ovarian cancer.</p

Effects of dietary copper intake on blood lipids in women of childbearing age and the potential role of gut microbiota

BackgroundCopper (Cu) is a vital trace element involved in numerous physiological processes, including glycolysis and lipid metabolism. Imbalances in Cu homeostasis can contribute to various diseases. However, current research on the impact of Cu on lipid metabolism has yielded inconsistent findings. Moreover, studies investigating the effects of dietary Cu intake on blood lipids among women of childbearing age are rare. Understanding of this relationship could enhance lipid management, given that most women obtain Cu through their diet. Additionally, the gut microbiota may play a role in this process. This study aims to investigate the effects of dietary Cu intake on blood lipids in women of childbearing age and to analyze the role of gut microbiota in this process.MethodsThis study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to conduct a preliminary analysis of the correlation between dietary Cu levels and blood lipid indicators in women of childbearing age. Subsequently, an on-site research was conducted to further investigate this relationship, followed by animal experiments to verify the effect of different Cu doses on blood lipid levels. Multiple linear regression models, ANOVA, XGBOOST were employed to analyze the impact of Cu on blood lipids and the role of intestinal microbiota in this process.ResultsIn the population study, the NHANES results were consistent with on-site findings. The TG, and TC levels in women with childbearing were increased with higher dietary Cu intake. Animal experiments have shown that as Cu intake increases, TC levels increase. Furthermore, when the Cu intake reached 8 mg/day (the recommended dietary Cu intake limit of China, RDI), the TG levels in the research animals decrease, alongside a reduction in the abundance of Weissella cibaria (probiotics related to lipid metabolism), and the levels of LPS and IL-6 increase.ConclusionThe blood lipid levels of women of childbearing age increase with higher dietary Cu intake. RDI of 8 mg/day for women of childbearing age in China may need to be appropriately reduced. Regulating the gut microbiota, especially by increasing the abundance of Weissella cibaria may be an effective intervention for blood lipids

Development of an Incentive Model for General Practitioners in Fengxian District of Shanghai Based on Herzberg's Motivation-hygiene Theory

BackgroundIn view of the shortage of general practitioners (GPs) and limited community healthcare resources, it is urgently necessary for community health institutions to find accurate and scientific incentive methods to retain GPs and help them to realize their full potential, as well as promote the development of both community health institutions and GPs, thereby benefiting the health promotion of community residents.ObjectiveTo develop an incentive model for GPs to test the performance and effectiveness of current incentives for GPs, so as to put forward suggestions to improve the mechanisms of employing and retaining GPs.MethodsIn August 2019, we recruited 204 GPs from 11 community health centers (CHCs) in Shanghai&apos;s Fengxian District using stratified random sampling to attend an online survey using a questionnaire named General Practitioners&apos; Perception and Evaluation of Incentive Measures developed based on our previous research results and Herzberg&apos;s motivation-hygiene theory. Then from August to September 2019, we invited directors responsible for medical care or public health issues, and medical quality control department heads from the above-mentioned 11 CHCs to attend an online survey using a questionnaire named Workload for General Practitioners in Community Health Centers of Fengxian District developed by usbased on a literature review. Then under the guidance of Herzberg&apos;s motivation-hygiene theory, we constructed a structural equation to develop an incentive model for GPs within Fengxian District with representative incentive policies, systems and initiatives related to GPs selected from the survey results as latent independent variables to measure GPs&apos; (responders&apos;) perception and assessment of incentives, and with willingness to work, service radius, and workload of GPs as dependent variables.ResultsThe average scores for the implementation of incentive measures, and its associated influence on GPs&apos; work status assessed by the 204 GPs were (0.77±0.14) , and (0.73±0.19) , respectively. The assessment score for implementation of incentive measures for GPs differed significantly by personal health condition and administrative position in the respondents (P&lt;0.05) . The assessment score for the influence of implementing incentive measures on GPs&apos; work status differed significantly by personal health condition in the respondents (P&lt;0.05) . Spearman correlation analysis showed that GPs&apos; work status was associated with the implementation of 25 incentive measures (one incentive measure at the subdistrict level was not included for analysis) (P&lt;0.05) . The top three most highly correlated incentive measures were performance distribution (rs=0.652) , performance-based salary calculation (rs=0.621) , and wages and benefits (rs=0.614) . Partial correlation analysis indicated that, after controlling for variables such as the regional policy environment, the street and town government, and the work unit, the assessment score for implementation of either regional, or subdistrict or institutional incentive measures for GPs, was positively correlated with the assessment score for the influence of implementation of incentive measures for GPs on GPs&apos; work status (r=0.381, 0.387, 0.528, P&lt;0.001) . Theaverage assessment score for willingness to work by the respondents was (0.76±0.18) points. Theassessment scores of willingness to work by the respondents differed significantly by work unit (P&lt;0.05) . Structural equation modeling revealed that the implementation of policy incentive measures influenced GPs&apos; workload via GPs&apos; willingness to work. Specifically, the implementation of policy incentive measures increased GPs&apos; willingness to work (w1=0.43) , while GPs&apos; willingness to work decreased with the increase of weighted workload (w2=-0.156) .ConclusionThe GPs in Fengxian District showed higher level of willingness to work, namely, relatively high job stability, but they had not been incentivized by policy incentives to be competitive in obtaining improved performance, indicating that although policy incentives have produced partial effects on incentivizing GPs, the effects are still unsatisfactory. In the long run, it is necessary to consider whether there will be changes in GPs&apos; retention status due to the lack of work initiative. For GPs, besides a guarantee of stable income, incentives to get more by doing more are also needed, which may be achieved by increasing the incentive authority and proportion of community health institutions when the total amount of incentives is limited

Effect of Oxidative Damage Due to Excessive Protein Ingestion on Pancreas Function in Mice

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of oxidative damage due to excessive protein diet on pancreas function in mice. For this purpose, thirty male (C57BL/6J) mice were randomly divided into three groups and fed on different diets as follows: group 1 was fed on a normal diet, group 2 was fed on an excessive protein diet and group 3 was fed on an excessive protein diet supplemented with 0.06 g/kg cysteamine. Each group was fed for 2 weeks, and then pancreas samples were collected to examine oxidative and antioxidant parameters and pancreas function. The results showed that ingestion of an excessive protein diet markedly increased contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased T-AOC and activities of antioxidants SOD and GSH-Px, compared with a normal diet (P < 0.05). Pancreas weight and concentration of protein, DNA and RNA were significantly higher (P < 0.05), digestive enzyme activities were significantly lower and levels of somatostatin and insulin were higher in mice fed with an excessive protein diet than those fed with a normal protein diet. In the group fed with excessive protein diet supplemented with cysteamine, oxidative stress was mitigated and pancreas function was improved. These data demonstrate that excessive protein ingestion could increase oxidative damage of free radicals on pancreas function through destroying the balance of oxidants and antioxidants

The Effect of Raw Soybean on Oxidative Status of Digestive Organs in Mice

The present study was undertaken to specify the effect of raw soybean on oxidative status of digestive organs in mice. For this purpose, thirty male (C57BL/6J) mice were randomly divided into three groups and fed on different diets as follows: Group 1 was fed on control diet, Group 2 was fed on raw soybean diet and Group 3 was fed on raw soybean diet supplemented with 30 mg/kg cysteamine. After two weeks of feeding, duodenum, liver and pancreas samples were collected to measure oxidative and antioxidative parameters. The results show that ingestion of raw soybean markedly increased contents of superoxide anion and malondialdehyde (MDA) and activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), decreased activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), T-AOC and content of reduced glutathione (GSH) in digestive organs of mice (P < 0.05). In the group fed with raw soybean diet supplemented with cysteamine, oxidative stress was mitigated. However, oxidative parameter levels were still higher than those of control diet-fed group. The present study indicates that ingestion of raw soybean could result in an imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant, and thus induce oxidative stress in digestive organs of mice

Associations of Educational Attainment, Occupation, Social Class and Major Depressive Disorder among Han Chinese Women

Background The prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) is higher in those with low levels of educational attainment, the unemployed and those with low social status. However the extent to which these factors cause MDD is unclear. Most of the available data comes from studies in developed countries, and these findings may not extrapolate to developing countries. Examining the relationship between MDD and socio economic status in China is likely to add to the debate because of the radical economic and social changes occurring in China over the last 30 years. Principal findings We report results from 3,639 Chinese women with recurrent MDD and 3,800 controls. Highly significant odds ratios (ORs) were observed between MDD and full time employment (OR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.25–0.46, logP = 78), social status (OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.77–0.87, logP = 13.3) and education attainment (OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.86–0.90, logP = 6.8). We found a monotonic relationship between increasing age and increasing levels of educational attainment. Those with only primary school education have significantly more episodes of MDD (mean 6.5, P-value = 0.009) and have a clinically more severe disorder, while those with higher educational attainment are likely to manifest more comorbid anxiety disorders. Conclusions In China lower socioeconomic position is associated with increased rates of MDD, as it is elsewhere in the world. Significantly more episodes of MDD occur among those with lower educational attainment (rather than longer episodes of disease), consistent with the hypothesis that the lower socioeconomic position increases the likelihood of developing MDD. The phenomenology of MDD varies according to the degree of educational attainment: higher educational attainment not only appears to protect against MDD but alters its presentation, to a more anxious phenotype