AB0630 IMBALANCE BETWEEN Th17 AND REGULATORY T CELLS IN PATIENTS WITH PM/DM COMBINED WITH EBV/CMV VIRAEMIA

Background:

Dermatomyositis and polymyositis (DM/PM) are associated with muscle weakness and inflammatory infiltration within the skeletal muscle. The numerical and functional defects of immune cells, due to long-term uses of glucocorticoids and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) together with immune disturbances associated with disease itself, lead to high risks in opportunistic infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV).1-2We want to observe changes of peripheral lymphcytessubsets in PM/DM patients with EBV and/or CMV infection,especially whether there is imblance between Th17 and Treg cells.

Objectives:

To investigate the characteristics of peripheral lymphocyte subsets in PM/DM with EBV and/or CMV infection, especially the Th17 and Treg cells.

Methods:

From February 2016 to November 2019, PM/DM patients with EBV and/or CMV viremia (infection group, n=34) and without infection (non-infection group, n=31) as well as healthy adult controls (n=20) were enrolled in our study. Absolute numbers of total T, total B, NK, CD4 + T, CD8 + T cells, and CD4 + T subsets (Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg cells) in peripheral blood by flow cytometry combined with standard absolute counting beads.

Results:

(1) Compared with PM/DM patients without infection, 34 PM/DM patients with EBV and/or CMV infection, including 12 patients with EBV, 20 patients with CMV, 2 patients combined EBV and CMV, the absolute number of total T lymph cells (P=0.019), total B lymph cells (P=0.037), NK cells (P=0.033), CD4 + T cells (P=0.000), Th1 cells (P=0.014), Th2 cells (P=0.003), Th17 cells (P=0.003), Treg cells (P=0.004) lower than its of (P=0.003) patients without infection, the absolute number of CD8 + T cells (P=0.427) has no obvious difference between them.

(2) And its the absolute number of total T lymph cells (P=0.000), total B lymph cells (P=0.003), NK cells (P=0.000), CD4 + T cells (P=0.000), CD8 + T cells (P=0.006), Th1 cells (P=0.000), Th2 cells (P=0.001), Th17 cells (P=0.000) and Treg cells (P=0.000) significantly lower than healthy control.

(3) Compared with the healthy control,the absolute number of total T lymph cells (P=0.000), NK cells (P=0.000), CD4 + T cells (P=0.031), CD8 + T cells (P=0.000), Th1 cells (P=0.002), Th2 cells (P=0.031), and Treg cells (P=0.000) in PM/DM without infection evidently lower, but there is no siginificant difference in absolute number of total B lymph cells (P=0.19) and Th17 cells (P=0.171).

Conclusion:

We show that the absolute number of peripheral blood lymphocytes and CD4+T subsets in patients with PM/DM with EBV and/or CMV viremia is further reduced. In addition to Treg cells, a decrease in Th17 cells may also be an important feature of EBV and/or CMV infection in DM/PM. These cell reductions may be the cause and risk indicator of viral infections.

References:

[1]Yang X, Hao Y, Zhang X, et al. Mortality of Chinese patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis. Clin Rheumatol. 2020 Jan 4. doi: 10.1007/s10067-019-04910-w. [Epub ahead of print]. PMID: 31902027

[2]Matsushita T,Kobayashi T, Kano M, et al. Elevated serum B-cell activating factor levels in patients with dermatomyositis: Association with interstitial lung disease. J Dermatol.2019:46:1190-6. doi:10.1111/1346-8138.15117

Figure.

Absolute numbers of peripheral lymphocyte subsets between healthy controls and patients were assessed by fow cytometry using oneplatform method. PM/DM infection group (n=34), PM/DM non- infection group(n=31)and healthy control group (n = 20).(*p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001)

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Thick grain boundary induced strengthening in nanocrystalline Ni alloy

Grain refinement has been extensively used to strengthen metallic materials for decades. Grain boundaries act as effective barriers to the transmission of dislocations, consequently leading to strengthening. Conventional grain boundaries have a thickness of 1-2 atomic layers, typically ∼0.5 nm for most metallic materials. Here, we report, however, the formation of ∼3 nm thick grain boundaries in a nanocrystalline Ni alloy. In situ micropillar compression studies coupled with molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the thick grain boundaries are stronger barriers than conventional grain boundaries to the transmission of dislocations. This study provides a fresh perspective for the design of high strength, deformable nanostructured metallic materials.

Effectiveness of delayed-release dimethyl fumarate on patient-reported outcomes and clinical measures in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in a real-world clinical setting: PROTEC

Background

Patient-reported outcomes (PRO) and clinical outcomes give a broad assessment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) disease.

Objective

The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of delayed-release dimethyl fumarate (DMF) on disease activity and PROs in patients with RRMS in the clinic.

Methods

PROTEC, a phase 4, open-label, 12-month observational study, assessed annualized relapse rate (ARR), proportion of patients relapsed, and changes in PROs. Newly diagnosed and early MS (≤3.5 EDSS and ≤1 relapse in the prior year) patient subgroups were evaluated.

Results

Unadjusted ARR at 12 months post-DMF versus 12 months before DMF initiation was 75% lower (0.161 vs. 0.643, p < 0.0001) overall (n = 1105) and 84%, 77%, and 71% lower in newly diagnosed, ≤3.5 EDSS, and ≤1 relapse subgroups, respectively. Overall, 88% of patients were relapse-free 12 months after DMF initiation (84%, newly diagnosed; 88%, ≤3.5 EDSS; 88%, ≤1 relapse). PRO measures for fatigue, treatment satisfaction, daily living, and work improved significantly over 12 months of DMF versus baseline.

Conclusion

At 12 months after versus 12 months before DMF initiation, ARR was significantly lower, the majority of patients were relapse-free, and multiple PRO measures showed improvement (overall and for subgroups), suggesting that DMF is effective based on clinical outcomes and from a patient perspective.Clinical trial: A Study Evaluating the Effectiveness of Tecfidera (Dimethyl Fumarate) on Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Disease Activity and Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROTEC), NCT01930708, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01930708.

[Value of serum HBV RNA in HBeAg-negative patients with chronic hepatitis B]

Objective: To analyze serum HBV-RNA levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B whose serum HBV-DNA has dropped to undetected levels after treatment with entecavir, and to explore the correlation between HBV-RNA level and liver biochemical parameters, which lay the research foundation for the clinical significance of new serological marker HBV-RNA. Methods: HBeAg negatively detected 107 cases with chronic hepatitis B whose serum HBV-DNA test results were lower than detection level for six consecutive months after receiving standard nucleoside therapy for more than 12 months were included. HBV-RNA level was detected by Perkin-Elmer reagent. HBV-DNA level was detected by Roche Cobas. Hitachi automatic biochemical analyzer was used to detect ALT and AST. Architect chemiluminescence analyzer was used to detect HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBe and anti-HBc. RStudio software was performed to analyze the correlation between HBV-RNA level and liver biochemical parameters. Logistic regression was used to analyze the independent factors influencing HBV-RNA level. Results: The positive detection rate of serum HBV-RNA in patients with chronic hepatitis B whose serum HBV-DNA had dropped to undetected levels after ETV treatment was 22.43%. HBsAg, ALT and AST levels in HBV-RNA positive group were slightly higher than HBV-RNA negative group, while anti-HBc levels were slightly higher in HBV-RNA negative group. There was no difference in the level of anti-HBe between the HBV-RNA negative and the positive group. Logistic regression analysis showed that anti-HBc was an independent factor influencing the level of HBV-RNA detection (P = 0.021). Conclusion: HBV-RNA can be detected in some patients with chronic hepatitis B whose serum HBV-DNA level has dropped to undetected levels after ETV treatment. Serum HBV-RNA only comes from the direct transcription of cccDNA, so it is better than HBV-DNA and HBsAg to reflect cccDNA level or activity. Anti-HBc, as an independent factor influencing the level of HBV-RNA, may be used in combination as a new marker to predict the efficacy of antiviral therapy.

Crocin Protects Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells from High Glucose-Induced Injury Via Inhibiting the Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Response

BACKGROUND

Endothelial dysfunction plays a key role in diabetic atherosclerosis. High glucose (HG) is considered a stimulator in the development of diabetic atherosclerosis. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response is involved in HG-induced vascular injury. Crocin has antioxidative and antiapoptotic properties.

OBJECTIVE

The current study was to evaluate whether crocin can protect human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) from HG-induced injury and explored the associated mechanism.

METHODS

HUVECs were treated with 33 mmol/L glucose as the HG condition. The endothelial protective effects of crocin were evaluated by comparison with the control groups.

RESULTS

The exposure of HUVECs to HG for 24 h remarkably induced the ER stress response and a sequence of injuries, as demonstrated an increase in the apoptotic cell number, the reactive oxygen species level and inflammatory cytokine generation, as well as a decline in vascular endothelial growth factor A expression. These changes were markedly alleviated by pretreating the HUVECs with either crocin or 4-phenylbutyrate (ER stress inhibitor) before exposure to HG.

CONCLUSION

Crocin exerted antioxidative, antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory and proangiogenic effects in the HG-induced HUVEC injury model, which were probably mediated by a favorable modification of ER stress that requires further investigation.

Identification of circular RNAs hsa_circ_0044235 in peripheral blood as novel biomarkers for rheumatoid arthritis

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new class of RNAs that can be used as biomarkers in clinical blood samples. However, little is known about circRNAs' diagnostic values for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, the hsa_circ_0054189, hsa_circ_0008675, hsa_circ_0082689, hsa_circ_0082688, hsa_circ_0010932, hsa_circ_0002473 and hsa_circ_0044235 in peripheral blood were determined by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (qRT–PCR). For hsa_circ_0044235, only one abnormal expression circRNAs in peripheral blood was selected as a targeted circRNA to explore the diagnostic value for RA. Our work demonstrated that the hsa_circ_0044235 in peripheral blood was decreased significantly in RA patients. The hsa_circ_0044235 in peripheral blood from RA patients did not correlate with C‐reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF), anti‐citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) or disease activity score 28 (DAS28). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis suggested that the hsa_circ_0044235 in peripheral blood has significant value in the diagnosis of RA. The risk score based on hsa_circ_0044235 in peripheral blood also distinguished significantly the patients with RA from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study suggests that the hsa_circ_0044235 in peripheral blood may be a potential biomarker of patients with RA.

[Research on the correlation and regulation of bone metabolism related biochemical indexes in different gestational ages]

Objective: To investigate the correlation and metabolic characteristics of the growth hormone (GH) and other bone metabolism related biochemical markers in pregnancy women serum. Methods: Determination of GH, 25 hydroxy vitamin D(25(OH)D), osteocalcin n-terminal fragments (N-MID), total propeptide of type 1 procollagen (TP1NP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in different gestation women serum, the experimental group involving 75 cases of early pregnancy women(11-14 weeks), 135 cases of pregnancy women(15-21 weeks), 62 cases of late pregnancy women(31-40 weeks) and 28 cases of postpartum women(1-3 days). All cases were selected from prenatal screening patients in hospital from February 2016 to February 2017. The control group involving 55 cases of physically healthy nulliparous. The indicators of GH, 25(OH)D, TPINP and N-MID were detected by electrochemiluminescence and ALP were detected by rate method. All data were processed by SPSS. Variance analysis and Pearson correlation analysis were employed. Results: Serum GH level in early pregnancy, pregnancy, late pregnancy and control group were (4.54±2.26), (9.04±3.23), (20.16±4.89), (0.55±0.49)μg/L, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (F=270.037, P<0.01). Serum GH in each group of pregnant women were more higher than those in control group (all P<0.01), and there was statistical difference in different gestational stages(all P<0.01). Serum 25 (OH)D expression in early pregnancy, pregnancy and late pregnancy were (25.60±14.48), (27.10±12.05), (25.45±9.85)nmol/L. Compared with the control group(39.93±14.88)nmol/L, the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.01). Serum TP1NP level in early pregnancy, pregnancy, late pregnancy and control group were (44.44±11.80), (48.41±20.87), (102.63±41.73), (54.73±24.07)μg/L, respectively. The difference was significantly significant (F=54.027, P<0.01) and TP1NP in late pregnancy group was obvious higher than in early pregnancy group, pregnancy group and control group apart(all P<0.01). Serum N-MID level in early pregnancy, pregnancy, late pregnancy and control group were (5.91±2.64), (7.45±2.27), (17.24±6.47), (18.52±6.95)μg/L, and the difference was significantly significant(F=55.699, P<0.01). N-MID in early and middle pregnancy group were apparent lower than that in late pregnancy and control group (all P<0.01). Serum ALP level in early pregnancy, pregnancy, late pregnancy and control group were (49.74±10.14), (77.76±26.90), (168.34±45.15), (52.81±10.33) U/L, and the difference was significantly significant(F=180.349, P<0.01). However, there was noticeable difference in ALP level between late pregnancy and other pregnant group(P<0.01 or P<0.05). The serum GH, TP1NP and N-MID in postpartum women (1-3 days) were (1.44±0.99), (73.41±34.27), (12.10±5.64) μg/L, respectively. Compare with late pregnancy groups, the difference was significantly significant(all P<0.01). The content of GH in serum of 272 cases pregnant women was positively correlated with the concentration of TP1NP, N-MID and ALP, the gestational age and body weight of pregnant women(r=0.509, 0.720, 0.862, 0.827, 0.324, all P<0.01). The content of TP1NP, N-MID and ALP were positively correlated with gestational age, respectively(r=0.603, 0.722, 0.901, all P<0.01). Moreover, TP1NP expression was positively correlated with N-MID (r=0.849, P<0.01), and there was no correlation between other indexes. Conclusions: These findings have revealed that there are different metabolic character of the GH and bone metabolism related biochemical indexes during different pregnancy period. And there is a positive correlation between gestational age and the index of GH, N-MID, TP1NP, ALP, respectively. Finally, the bone metabolism is more active and Vitamin D deficiency is severe throughout pregnancy.

The associations between early pregnancy lipid profiles and pregnancy outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between early pregnancy lipid profiles and pregnancy outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective 6 months analysis of 5218 singleton pregnant women. Each participant's demographic and medical data were collected by questionnaires and medical records. Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipid cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipid cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were divided into quartiles, and the women were categorized as having low (<25th percentile), referent (25 to <75th percentile) or high (>75th percentile) TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C values. Differences between groups were tested using t-test and Pearson's χ²-test. Binary logistic regression and multivariate analysis was conducted to evaluate the associations between lipid values and the risk of pregnancy outcomes.

RESULTS

(1) Women who subsequently developed adverse pregnancy outcomes had higher levels of TC, TG, LDL-C and lower levels of HDL-C during early pregnancy (<14 gestational weeks). (2) A trend toward an increasing incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes was noted with increasing levels of TC, TG and LDL-C, and decreasing level of HDL-C. (3) The more numbers of TC, TG and LDL-C above 75th percentile and HDL-C inferior to 25th percentile women had, the higher their risk of developing adverse pregnancy outcomes. (4) Low TG level was a protective factor for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (<1.44 mmol l^-1, odds ratio (OR)=0.706, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.586 to 0.852) and large for gestational age infants (LGA) (<1.44 mmol l^-1, OR=0.769, 95% CI, 0.631 to 0.936), and low LDL-C (<1.89 mmol l^-1) level was protective factor for preterm birth. High TG (>1.40 mmol l^-1, OR=1.327, 95% CI, 1.130 to 1.558), TC (>4.29 mmol l^-1, OR=1.250, 95% CI, 1.062 to 1.471), and LDL-C (>2.62 mmol l^-1, OR=1.25, 95% CI, 1.069 to 1.480) levels and a low HDL-C (<1.89 mmol l^-1, OR=1.190, 95% CI, 1.007 to 1.405) level were associated with increased risk of GDM. A high TG (>1.40 mmol l^-1, OR=1.550, 95% CI, 1.025 to 2.343) level was related to high risk of pre-eclampsia (PE), while a high LDL-C (>2.62 mmol l^-1, OR=1.400, 95% CI, 1.100 to 1.781) level was risk factor for macrosomia. (5) After adjusting for confounders, early pregnancy TC was an independent risk factor for GDM (ajusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.184, 95% CI, 1.085 to 1.291), TG level was independently associated with the prevalence of GDM (aOR=1.253, 95% CI, 1.141 to 1.375) and PE (aOR=1.245, 95% CI, 1.023 to 1.516), and LDL-C level was significantly associated with risk of GDM (aOR=1.162, 95% CI, 1.052 to 1.283) and preterm birth (aOR=1.264, 95% CI, 1.065, 1.501).

CONCLUSIONS

Early pregnancy high levels of TC, TG, LDL-C and low level of HDL-C may be predictive biomarkers for adverse pregnancy outcomes, while early pregnancy low TC, TG, LDL-C levels and high HDL-C levels could have some protective roles.

In vivo effects of high dietary copper levels on hepatocellular mitochondrial respiration and electron transport chain enzymes in broilers

The diet of broiler chickens supplemented with increasing concentrations of copper (Cu) was assessed for the effect of Cu on liver mitochondrial function. A total of 160, 1-d-old Cobb 500 broilers (Gallus domesticus) were randomly assigned in equal numbers into 4 groups, which differed in the concentration of copper supplements in the diet; 11 (control), 110, 220 and 330 mg of Cu/kg dry matter. Liver mitochondrial function was recorded at 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 d of age. Supplementation with 110 mg Cu/kg dry matter enhanced mitochondrial function and activities of complexes I-V, and this was significant at 36 d of age compared with the other diets (P < 0.05). Supplementation with 220 mg Cu/kg dry matter and 330 mg Cu/kg dry matter enhanced mitochondrial function and activities of complexes I-V at 12, 24 and 36 d of age, but displayed reduced function (P < 0.05) at 48 and 60 d of age except in complex IV (P > 0.05). Mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production was also increased (P < 0.05) with an increase of copper supplementation in the diet. The results indicate that appropriate dietary copper supplements are sufficient for improving mitochondrial function and activities of the respiratory complexes. Higher concentrations of copper, on the other hand, lead to copper toxicity by affecting certain respiratory complexes.

Discovery of differentially expressed genes in cashmere goat (Capra hircus) hair follicles by RNA sequencing

The mammalian hair follicle (HF) is a unique, highly regenerative organ with a distinct developmental cycle. Cashmere goat (Capra hircus) HFs can be divided into two categories based on structure and development time: primary and secondary follicles. To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the primary and secondary HFs of cashmere goats, the RNA sequencing of six individuals from Arbas, Inner Mongolia, was performed. A total of 617 DEGs were identified; 297 were upregulated while 320 were downregulated. Gene ontology analysis revealed that the main functions of the upregulated genes were electron transport, respiratory electron transport, mitochondrial electron transport, and gene expression. The downregulated genes were mainly involved in cell autophagy, protein complexes, neutrophil aggregation, and bacterial fungal defense reactions. According to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database, these genes are mainly involved in the metabolism of cysteine and methionine, RNA polymerization, and the MAPK signaling pathway, and were enriched in primary follicles. A microRNA-target network revealed that secondary follicles are involved in several important biological processes, such as the synthesis of keratin-associated proteins and enzymes involved in amino acid biosynthesis. In summary, these findings will increase our understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms of HF development and cycling, and provide a basis for the further study of the genes and functions of HF development.

Temporal and spatial expression of Smads and their correlation with YAP1 expression in sheep

The temporal and spatial patterns of Smad and Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) expression were investigated in skeletal muscle (gastrocnemius muscle and extensor digitorum longus) at different growth stages (2 days old, 2 and 6 months old) in Hu sheep. Smads were differentially expressed in sheep skeletal muscle, with high expression in the gastrocnemius muscle and lower expression in the extensor digitorum longus. Expression of Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 at the 2-day-old stage was significantly higher than at other stages (P < 0.05). The expression of Smad7 in 2-day-old sheep was lower than in 6-month-old sheep, with the lowest levels at 2 months. Smad expression was higher in males than in females at the 2-day-old stage, and expression in 2- and 6-month-old males was lower than that in 2-day-old females. Smad3 expression was higher in the 2-day- and 2-month-old males than in the females. There was a positive correlation (P < 0.01) between YAP1 and Smad2 expression in gastrocnemius muscle at the 2-month-old stage. YAP1 and Smad4/7 expression were positively correlated (P < 0.01) in extensor digitorum longus at the 2-day-old stage. YAP1 expression was negatively correlated with Smad7 in the extensor digitorum longus at 6 months. A significant difference between Smad2 and Smad3 (P < 0.01) expression in muscle was observed, consistent with Smad3 and Smad4 expression, indicating that these inhibit transforming growth factor-β signaling in the same way. There was a positive correlation (P < 0.01) between YAP1 and MSTN expression, suggesting that YAP1 participates in muscle growth in sheep.

Candidate genes for the development of hair follicles in Hu sheep

The aim of this study was to detect candidate genes for the development of hair follicles in the Hu sheep breed. Seven genes have been detected in large, medium, and small wave follicles of Hu sheep using gene chip technology. The histological features of the follicles of newborn Hu-lambs were combined with fluorescence quantitative PCR technology to detect the correlation between the expression of the seven genes and hair follicle development. Among the genes studied, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP7), and sideroflexin 1 (SFXN1) showed a significantly different pattern of expression in large, medium, and small wave follicles (P < 0.05). The expression of MMP2 had a significant positive correlation with secondary follicles in large waves (P < 0.05), while the expression of BMP7 had a significant correlation with primary follicle diameter in small wave follicles, and a highly significant positive correlation with the number of secondary follicles in the small waves (P < 0.01). The expression of SFXN1 was significantly and positively correlated with the diameters of small wave primary follicles; it also showed a highly significant positive correlation with secondary follicle diameters. Although other genes are associated with hair follicles, their expression in large, medium, and small wave follicles was not significant. We propose that BMP7, MMP2, and SFXN1 genes could be important candidate genes for use in breeding Hu lambs with early coat development.

Analysis of the spatiotemporal expression of major genes in the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and correlation analysis using Hu sheep muscle tissue

The mRNA expression levels of key genes (Smads, MSTN, and MyoG) in the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in Hu sheep at different growth stages (2 days, 2 months, and 6 months of age) and in different skeletal muscles (longissimus dorsi muscle and soleus muscle) and different genders were detected; and correlation of the Smad family (Smad2, Smad3, Smad4, and Smad7), MSTN, MyoG expressions was analyzed in Hu sheep. The results showed that the expression of Smads was higher in the soleus muscle than in the longissimus dorsi muscle; the expressions of Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 were significantly higher in 2-day-old sheep than in sheep belonging to the other age groups (P < 0.05); the expressions of Smad2, Smad4, and Smad7 were higher in rams than in 2-day-old ewes, but lower in rams than in 2-month-old and 6-month-old ewes; and the expression of Smad3 was higher in rams than in 2-day-old and 2-month-old ewes, but lower in rams than in 6-month-old ewes. In the 2 different muscle tissues, expression of Smad2 was significantly positively correlated (P < 0.01) with that of Smad3. The expression of Smad3 was significantly positively correlated (P < 0.01) with that of Smad4, which showed that the Smad family genes could have an inhibitory effect on the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.

Detection of tubule boundaries based on circular shortest path and polar-transformation of arbitrary shapes

In studies of germ cell transplantation, counting cells and measuring tubule diameters from different populations using labelled antibodies are important measurement processes. However, it is slow and sanity grinding to do these tasks manually. This paper proposes a way to accelerate these processes using a new image analysis framework based on several novel algorithms: centre points detection of tubules, tubule shape classification, skeleton-based polar-transformation, boundary weighting of polar-transformed image, and circular shortest path smoothing. The framework has been tested on a dataset consisting of 27 images which contain a total of 989 tubules. Experiments show that the detection results of our algorithm are very close to the results obtained manually and the novel approach can achieve a better performance than two existing methods.

Sheep YAP1 temporal and spatial expression trend and its relation with MyHCs expression

RT-PCR was used to study the temporal and spatial pattern of Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) and myosin heavy chain (MyHC) expression in four different skeletal muscles (i.e., longissimus dorsi muscle, soleus muscle, gastrocnemius muscle, and extensor digitorum longus) and three growth stages (i.e., 2 days old, 2 and 6 months old) of Hu Sheep. The results showed that YAP1 was differentially expressed in skeletal muscles of sheep, that expression increased gradually with age, and that there were high levels of expression in the gastrocnemius muscle and lower levels in the longissimus dorsi muscle. MyHCI was expressed at high levels in the soleus muscle and at lower levels in the longissimus dorsi muscle. In contrast, MyHCIIA and MyHCIIX were expressed at high levels in the extensor digitorum longus and at lower levels in the soleus muscle. The expression of MyHCI and MyHCIIA decreased with increasing age while that of MyHCIIX increased. YAP1 expression was negatively correlated with MyHCII (P < 0.01) and positively correlated with MyHCIIX (P < 0.01) across all growth stages and skeletal muscle types studied. We speculate that after birth, the thicker muscle fiber diameter is associated with the high expression of MyHCIIX. Therefore, we conclude that YAP1 expression affects sheep muscle fiber development after birth and provides important genetic information for the selection candidate genes for sheep muscle growth.

Three-Dimensional Optoacoustic and Laser-Induced Ultrasound Tomography System for Preclinical Research in Mice: Design and Phantom Validation

In this work, we introduce a novel three-dimensional imaging system for in vivo high-resolution anatomical and functional whole-body visualization of small animal models developed for preclinical and other type of biomedical research. The system (LOUIS-3DM) combines a multiwavelength optoacoustic tomography (OAT) and laser-induced ultrasound tomography (LUT) to obtain coregistered maps of tissue optical absorption and speed of sound, displayed within the skin outline of the studied animal. The most promising applications of the LOUIS-3DM include 3D angiography, cancer research, and longitudinal studies of biological distributions of optoacoustic contrast agents.

Hair follicle transcriptome profiles during the transition from anagen to catagen in Cashmere goat (Capra hircus)

Previous molecular genetic studies of the goat hair life cycle have focused primarily on a limited number of genes and proteins. To identify additional genes that may play important roles in hair follicle cycle regulation, Illumina sequencing technology was used to catalog differential gene expression profiles in the hair growth cycle (anagen to catagen) of goat, comparing the primary hair follicle with the secondary hair follicle. There were 13,769 and 12,240 unigenes assembled from the reads obtained from primary hair follicle and secondary hair follicle, respectively. Genes encoding keratin proteins and keratin-associated proteins were the most highly expressed. A total of 5899 genes were differentially expressed in anagen vs catagen primary hair follicles, with 532 genes up-regulated and 5367 genes down-regulated. A total of 5208 genes were differentially expressed in anagen vs catagen secondary hair follicle, including 545 genes that were up-regulated and 4663 genes that were down-regulated. Numerous hair growth genes are expressed in the goat hair follicle, of which 73 genes showed co-up-regulation in both hair follicles during the anagen stage. Many of these up-regulated genes, such as STC2, VEGFR, and ROR2, are known to be transfactors in the process of cell differentiation and in the cell cycle. The differential gene expression profiles between primary hair follicles and secondary hair follicles obtained provide a foundation for future studies examining the network of gene expression controlling hair growth cycle in Cashmere goat.

Correlation between sheep YAP1 temporal and spatial expression trends and MSTN and MyoG gene expression

The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) gene expression after birth on the development of muscle and the relationship between YAP1 and myostatin (MSTN) and myogenin (MyoG). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze the trends in YAP1, MSTN, and MyoG temporal and spatial expression levels in various skeletal muscles (i.e., longissimus dorsi muscle, soleus muscle, gastrocnemius muscle, and extensor digitorum longus) and across 3 different growth stages (i.e., 2 days old, 2 and 6 months old) of Hu Sheep. The results showed that YAP1 expression was significantly different in the skeletal muscles of sheep; the expression level gradually increased with age; it was highly expressed in the gastrocnemius muscle and minimally expressed in the longissimus dorsi muscle. MSTN, a negative regulator of skeletal muscle development, was minimally expressed in the soleus muscle and might be related to the enlargement of muscle fiber diameter. MyoG, an important factor in regulating skeletal muscle development, was minimally expressed in the longissimus dorsi muscle and extensor digitorum longus, and highly expressed in the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles; it might inhibit the enlargement of muscle fiber diameter after birth. YAP1 expression was significantly (P < 0.05) or extremely significantly (P < 0.01) and positively correlated with MSTN and MyoG at 2 days old, 2 and 6 months old. YAP1 expression was related to muscle fiber development after birth and might be a candidate gene for the regulation of muscle growth.

Developmental changes in IGF-I and MyoG gene expression and their association with meat traits in sheep

In the present study, real time-polymerase chain reaction was applied to analyze the expression of IGF-I and MyoG genes in Hu sheep longissimus dorsi at different growth stages and their association with meat traits. Expression of the IGF-I gene in Hu sheep differed significantly between males and females at the two day-old (0.01 < P < 0.05), one-month old (0.01 < P < 0.05), and three month-old (P < 0.01) stages. IGF-I gene expression in male longissimus muscles was higher than that of females at all growth stages, except for the three month-old stage. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between males and females at any growth stage in expression of the MyoG gene. MyoG gene expression in male longissimus muscles tended to be higher than that of females at all growth stages, except for the six month-old stage. IGF-I gene expression was significantly and positively correlated with live weight (P < 0.01) and carcass weight (0.01< P < 0.05), and was non-significantly positively correlated with net meat weight (P > 0.05). In contrast, MyoG gene expression was non-significantly and positively correlated with live weight, carcass, and net meat weight (P > 0.05). Carcass traits showed highly significant positive correlations (P < 0.01). Furthermore, expressions of IGF-I and MyoG genes showed highly significant positive correlations (P < 0.01). We conclude that the expressions of IGF-I and MyoG genes are significantly and positively correlated with early muscle traits of Hu sheep.