Cinnamaldehyde Altered Cellular Immune Responses of Tongue Sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis) In Vitro

Cinnamaldehyde, a liposoluble extract from cinnamon, is a natural compound with immunity enhancement efficacy on terrestrial animals. However, its immunoregulation effects on aquatic animals has rarely been investigated due to its poor water solubility and easy oxidability. Thus, cinnamaldehyde micro emulsion (CME) was prepared to overcome these limitations. Phagocytic, respiratory burst, bactericidal, and proliferative activity of Cynoglossus semilaevis leukocytes stimulated by CME were evaluated in vitro. Leukocytes were incubated with 0, 1, 10, 100 and 1000 μg/ml cinnamaldehyde or 100 μg/ml lipopolysaccharide. Results showed that cinnamaldehyde affected leukocytes phagocytic, respiratory burst, bactericidal and proliferative activity significantly. In conclusion, low doses of cinnamaldehyde (1, 10 μg/ml) exhibited significantly high bactericidal activity, while high doses (100, 1000 μg/ml) inhibited cellular immunity of C. semilaevis

Cellular and synaptic reorganization of arcuate NPY/AgRP and POMC neurons after exercise

Objective: Hypothalamic Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and Neuropeptide Y/Agouti-Related Peptide (NPY/AgRP) neurons are critical nodes of a circuit within the brain that sense key metabolic cues as well as regulate metabolism. Importantly, these neurons retain an innate ability to rapidly reorganize synaptic inputs and electrophysiological properties in response to metabolic state. While the cellular properties of these neurons have been investigated in the context of obesity, much less is known about the effects of exercise training. Methods: In order to further investigate this issue, we utilized neuron-specific transgenic mouse models to identify POMC and NPY/AgRP neurons for patch-clamp electrophysiology experiments. Results: Using whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology, we found exercise depolarized and increased firing rate of arcuate POMC neurons. The increased excitability of POMC neurons was concomitant with increased excitatory inputs to these neurons. In agreement with recent work suggesting leptin plays an important role in the synaptic (re)organization of POMC neurons, POMC neurons which express leptin receptors were more sensitive to exercise-induced changes in biophysical properties. Opposite to effects observed in POMC neurons, NPY neurons were shunted toward inhibition following exercise. Conclusions: Together, these data support a rapid reorganization of synaptic inputs and biophysical properties in response to exercise, which may facilitate adaptations to altered energy balance and glucose metabolism. Keywords: Melanocortin, Energy balance, Leptin receptor, Exercise, Patch-clamp, Electrophysiolog

Knowledge of and attitudes towards hepatitis B and its transmission from mother to child among pregnant women in Guangdong Province, China

<div><p>Background</p><p>Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a serious public health problem worldwide. Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HBV is the major mode of transmission in HBV-endemic areas, including China, where little is known about pregnant women’s knowledge of and attitudes towards HBV infection and MTCT.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A cross-sectional survey, conducted in pregnant women in Guangdong Province, China, measured HBV knowledge and attitudes using a questionnaire, at one tertiary and two rural hospitals.</p><p>Results</p><p>The total response rate was 94.5% (737/780). Of the 11 knowledge questions, the mean score was 6.73 ± 3.04 (mean ± SD). Most pertinent to preventing MTCT, 53.3% of the respondents did not know that HBV can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse and nearly 20% did not know that HBV can be transmitted from mother to infant. The results of the four attitude questions was better with 83% and 85% being willing to be screened for HBV and let their baby receive HBV vaccine and HBIg, respectively. However, only 16.5% of respondents agreed that they would be willing to take drugs that are known not to harm the fetus to prevent MTCT of HBV. In multivariable analysis, higher education level was associated with better knowledge and attitude scores.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Knowledge about HBV among pregnant women was poor and needs to be improved to prevent MTCT of HBV. Health education needs to be directed towards pregnant mothers, particularly less educated mothers, in high HBV endemicity settings.</p></div

Comparison of positive attitudes (Yes response) towards HBV, stratified by hospital.

<p>Comparison of positive attitudes (Yes response) towards HBV, stratified by hospital.</p

Comparison of positive attitudes (Yes response) towards HBV, stratified by hospital.

<p>Comparison of positive attitudes (Yes response) towards HBV, stratified by hospital.</p

Responses to HBV knowledge questions, stratified by hospital.

<p>Responses to HBV knowledge questions, stratified by hospital.</p

Characteristics of the study population.

<p>Characteristics of the study population.</p

Multivariable analysis of factors associated with knowledge scores.

<p>Multivariable analysis of factors associated with knowledge scores.</p

Multivariable analysis of factors associated with attitude scores.

<p>Multivariable analysis of factors associated with attitude scores.</p