Exploration of the genetic influence of MYOT and MB genes on the plumage coloration of Muscovy ducks

Plumage color, a pivotal attribute delineating diverse Muscovy duck strains, assumes considerable significance within the field of Muscovy duck breeding research. This study extends the existing research by delving into the hereditary aspects of genes associated with plumage coloration in Muscovy ducks. The principal objective is to discern marker genes conducive to targeted breeding strategies based on plumage color, thereby furnishing indispensable technical foundations for the development of novel Muscovy duck varieties. Our investigation focused on scrutinizing the impact of MYOT and MB genes on the genetic expression of plumage color at both the RNA and protein levels in Muscovy ducks. The results elucidate that black Muscovy ducks manifest markedly elevated mRNA and protein expression levels of MYOT and MB genes in comparison to their white counterparts, indicating that both genes may play a constructive regulatory role in the context of plumage coloration in Muscovy ducks. The outcomes of this study delineate a discernible correlation between MYOT and MB genes and the plumage coloration in Muscovy ducks. Employing gene expression analysis, we successfully identified candidate genes that may be intricately linked to the determination of plumage color in these ducks.

Effect of resveratrol treatment on apoptosis and apoptotic pathways during boar semen freezing

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene, RSV) has been widely used in mammalian cells, but whether it can be used during freezing boar semen is still unknown. The effects of RSV treatment during boar semen freezing on its anti-freezing ability, apoptosis, and possible apoptotic pathways were observed in this study. Sperm motility, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ_m), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive apoptotic state, and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of apoptotic genes involved in different apoptotic pathways after freezing with or without RSV treatment were tested. The results showed that: (1) Compared with fresh sperm, the motility, normal acrosome rate, and plasma membrane integrity rate of frozen boar sperm decreased significantly (P<0.05), and RSV did not significantly increase the sperm motility (0.44 vs. 0.40, P>0.05), but it did significantly improve the normal acrosome rate (57.65% vs. 47.00%, P<0.05) and plasma membrane integrity rate (46.67% vs. 38.85%, P<0.05). (2) After freezing, most boar sperm showed low mitochondrial ΔΨ_m. RSV treatment could increase the rate of high mitochondrial ΔΨ_m of boar sperm. (3) RSV treatment significantly decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels (58.65% vs. 88.41%, P<0.05) and increased the ATP content (0.49 μmol/L vs. 0.25 μmol/L, P<0.05) of boar sperm during freezing. (4) The apoptotic rate of the freezing group (80.41%) with TUNEL detection increased significantly compared to the fresh group (9.70%, P<0.05), and RSV treatment greatly decreased the apoptotic rate (68.32%, P<0.05). (5) Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that not only the genes from the death receptor-mediated apoptotic pathway (tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Fas ligand (FasL), and Caspase-8), but also the genes from the mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway (manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), and Caspase-9) were both significantly changed after freezing. RSV treatment during freezing greatly changed their expression levels. Although RSV treatment during boar semen freezing did not significantly increase motility after thawing, it still played an efficient antioxidant role, which could enhance the mitochondrial function and decrease the apoptotic level induced by both the death receptor- and mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathways.

[Classification of cardiac amyloidosis: an immunohistochemical analysis]

Objective: To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of immunohistochemistry (IHC) in the classification of cardiac amyloidosis on endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) and heart allograft. Methods: Twenty cardiac tissues from 19 patients at Fuwai Hospital from January, 1990 to April, 2017 with histopathologic features of amyloidosis and Congo red staining positivity were included. IHC was performed with monoclonal antibodies against AA amyloid and polyclonal antibodies against transthyretin (ATTR), λ-light chain (AL-λ), κ-light chain (AL-κ), ApoAⅠ, ApoAⅡ, ApoA Ⅳ and β(2)-microglobin. The extent of interstitial staining was evaluated by light microscopy, and three patterns were recognized; these included diffuse pericellular pattern, discrete pericellular pattern, and nodular pattern. Two patterns of vascular deposition were also noted, including arterial pattern and venous pattern. Endocardial involvement was also assessed and recorded. Results: Nineteen cases were divided into three groups according to the pattern of proteins expression in specimens. The first group (5 cases) only showed single protein expression on EMB. The second group (6 cases) showed more than one protein expression, but one of them was intensely stained or any staining of any protein together with ApoA Ⅳ co-staining. The third group (8 cases) also showed more than one protein expression and all of them had intense staining. Amyloid deposits were successfully subtyped as AL-λ, ATTR, AL-κ and ApoAⅠby IHC in the former two groups with the sensitivity of 11/19. In the third group, amyloid deposits could not be subtyped by immunohistochemistry due to their poor specificity. The pericellular pattern tended to favor AL over ATTR amyloidosis and vascular deposition tended to favor ATTR. Conclusions: Amyloid deposits can be reliably subtyped in diagnostic cardiac specimens using IHC. The co-deposition of chaperon proteins, the distribution of amyloid proteins and clinical features are also auxiliary to subtype cardiac amyloidosis.

[The clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of patients with gout in China]

Objective: To investigate the demographic characteristics, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of patients with gout in China. Methods: Clinical data of 6 814 patients with gout from 100 hospitals in 27 provinces, municipalities or autonomous regions in China were collected and analyzed. Results: (1) The ratio of male to female in patients with gout was 14.7∶1. The mean age of onset was (48.8±15.1) years old. Mean serum urate level was (526.7±132.3) μmol/L. Patients' education background was of U-shaped distribution; (2) Hypertension was the most common comorbidity [15.8%(1 079/6 814)], then overweight or obesity [51.9%(3 536/6 814)]; (3) Alcohol and high-purine food intake were dominant triggering factors in men. The diagnosis of gout was made after onset in majority of patients with cardinal symptom arthralgia. Most patients had the disease less than 5 years, and the longer the course, the more flares in the previous year of entry; (4) Febuxostat was the mostly used urate-lowering medication. 20.7%(1 412/6 814), 10.8%(739/6 814) and 3.9%(265/6 814) of patients were followed up in 4 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks after registration, and 18.9%(267/1 412), 29.1%(215/739) and 38.1%(101/265) of them reached the control target of serum urate levels, respectively. After treatment, patients' liver function was not affected, but serum creatinine levels decreased significantly. Conclusions: The proportion of gout patients who reach target serum urate level is very low. Further steps including education and survey need to be carried on.

[Analysis on clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with mitral valve prolapse]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics and prognosis of 148 MVP patients who underwent mitral valve surgery in Fuwai hospital from January 2012 to December 2015.The patients were divided into mucoid degeneration group (52 cases) and without mucoid degeneration group(19 cases) according to pathological examination of leaflets and chordate. Results: The clinical symptoms of MVP patients included dyspnea (59.5%(88/148)), chest distress and pain (52.7%(78/148)), and palpitations (36.5% (54/148)). Mitral valve repair was performed in 144 cases (97.3%), and mitral valve replacement was performed in 4 cases (2.7%). Posterior leaflet prolapse was the most common form of MVP (68.9%, 102/148). Pathological examination revealed myxomatous degeneration in 73.2% patients (52/71), fibrosis in 8.5% patients (6/71), and fibrinoid necrosis in 8.5% patients (6/71). Patients with mucoid degeneration had less atrial fibrillation before surgery (5.8%(3/52) vs. 42.1%(8/19), P<0.01), smaller preoperative left atrium diameter ((43.2±6.5) mm vs. (48.2±8.9) mm, P<0.05), more posterior leaflet prolapse (94.2%(49/52) vs. 63.2%(12/19), P<0.01), redundant chordae (26.9%(14/52) vs. 0, P<0.05) and leaflet thickening (76.9%(40/52) vs. 52.6%(10/19), P<0.05) when compared with patients without mucoid degeneration.Echocardiography examination at the postoperative follow-up of 39.0(22.3, 57.0) months revealed smaller left atrium diameter((38.5±7.1) mm vs. (45.3±8.3) mm, P<0.01), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter ((48.9±6.2) mm vs. (57.5±7.6) mm, P<0.01), reduced left ventricular ejection fraction ((61.2±7.1)% vs. (65.1±6.2)%, P<0.01) and less moderate or severe mitral regurgitation (1.4%(2/148) vs. 100.0%(148/148), P<0.01) compared with the corresponding preoperative values. Conclusions: Dyspnea is the main symptom, and mucoid degeneration characterized by redundant chordae and leaflet thickening are the main pathological features of MVP patients.The surgical treatment of MVP patients is related with satisfactory outcome results.

[Surgical pathology analysis of the causes of failure of 48 bioprosthetic heart valves in 40 Chinese cases]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the pathological changes and related factors leading to failure of bioprosthetic valves.

METHODS

The surgical explanted bioprosthetic valves in Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College from January 2006 to December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Calcification, cusp tears, pannus and infectious endocarditis of bioprosthetic valves were evaluated by gross examination, X ray photography and histopathological analysis. Meanwhile, the age and the site at implantation, and the tissue type of bioprosthetic valves, the implantation duration were obtained by chart review and used to be analyzed with the modes of valve failure. U test, χ(2) test and Fisher exact test were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Total 48 bioprosthetic valves were collected from 40 cases with 26 females. Their age at the time of implantation was 12 to 71 years (median 58 years). The tissue types of bioprosthesis included 24 bovine pericardial valves and 24 porcine aortic valves respectively. The implantation sites included mitral in 29 valves, aortic in 14 valves and tricuspid in 5 valves. The implantation duration ranged from 5 days to 27 years (mean (111±77) months). The study showed that the commonest mode of valve failure was structural valve deterioration (32 valves, 66.7%). The fewer modes of valve failure were infectious endocarditis (9 valves, 18.7%) and non-structural valve deterioration (7 valves, 14.6%). No thrombosis was found in this series. The degree of calcification was correlated positively with implantation duration (r=0.52, P=0.000). The implantation duration of bovine pericardial valves was longer than that of porcine aortic valves ((146±74) months vs. (77±68) months, Z=-3.24, P=0.001). Porcine aortic valves had a higher incidence of cusp tears than bovine pericardial valves (66.7% vs. 16.7%, χ(2)=12.34, P=0.000) despite they had a relatively lower incidence of calcification (41.7% vs. 75.0%, χ(2)=5.37, P=0.019). For the age at the time of implantation, the patients ≤60 years old had more calcification of bioprosthetic valves compared with those >60 years old (45.1% vs. 2/17, χ(2)=5.51, P=0.019) whereas the patients ≤60 years old had fewer cusp tears (12.9% vs. 58.8%, P=0.002). Infectious endocarditis was found more frequently in the valves failure within 5 years than those failure after 5 years (6/14 vs. 8.8%, P=0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

Structural valve deterioration is the principle cause of bioprosthetic valve failure while infectious endocarditis mainly involves the valves failure in early and middle terms after surgery. The mode of valve failure in the patients ≤60 years old is different from that in the patients >60 years old at the time of implantation. More calcification would occur in bioprosthetic valve in the younger patients.

[Clinical significance of FOXM1 and Gli-1 protein expression in high-grade ovarian serous carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the different expression and prognostic significance of forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) and Gli-l in ovarian high grade serous carcinoma (HGSC). Methods: The expressions of FOXM1 and Gli-1 in 94 cases of HGSC and 20 cases of normal fallopian tube tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox multivariate survival analysis were used to assess the relationship of the FOXM1 and Gli-1 levels with age, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, omental metastasis, and residual foci and prognosis of HGSC. Results: The positive rates of FOXM1 and Gli-1 expression in HGSC were 79.8% (75/94) and 77.7% (73/94), respectively, both significantly higher than those of the normal controls (P<0.05). The expressions of FOXM1 and Gli-1 were significantly correlated with FIGO stage, and both of their positive rates in stage Ⅲ-Ⅳpatients were significantly higher than those in stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ cases (P<0.001). The expressions of FOXM1 in HGSC were positively correlated with Gli-1.Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the 5-year overall survival rates of FOXM1- and Gli-1-positive groups were 8.0% and 6.8%, significantly lower than 36.8% and 38.1% of the FOXM1- and Gli-1-negative groups, respectively (P<0.05 for both). Cox multivariate survival analysis revealed that FIGO stage and overexpression of FOXM1 protein were independent prognostic factors of HGSC patients (P<0.05 for both). Conclusions: The overexpression of FOXM1 and Gli-1 proteins participate in the carcinogenesis of HGSC, and are significantly associated with FIGO stage. The protein expression of FOXM1 is positively correlated with Gli-1 in HGSC. Expression of FOXM1 protein and FIGO stage are independent prognostic factors of HGSC.

A multiplex touchdown PCR for detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in sputum samples

Rapid and accurate detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) in sputum by conventional methods remains problematic. Primers based on capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis gene (cpsA), the region II of the capsulation locus (cap), the insertion sequence IS6110 were designed for Sp, Hib, MTBC respectively. These primers were incorporated in a multiplex touchdown PCR assay for simultaneous detection of Sp, Hib and MTBC. The multiplex touchdown PCR assay was evaluated using standard strains and clinical sputum samples. The multiplex touchdown PCR assay showed 100% specificity in identifying Sp, Hib, MTBC from pure culture of standard strains. The sensitivities of the multiplex touchdown PCR assay were 94%, 98%, 98% for detection of Sp, Hib and MTBC respectively based on culture results while evaluated using 492 consecutive qualified clinical sputum samples; the specificities were all 100%. This highly sensitive and specific multiplex touchdown PCR assay offers a rapid and simple method for detection of Sp, Hib and MTBC in clinical sputum samples.

Enhanced osseointegration of titanium implant through the local delivery of transcription factor SATB2

Titanium implants are widely used in dentistry and orthopedic surgery. Nevertheless, bone regeneration around the implant is a relatively slow process, after placement. This study assessed whether SATB2 can enhance osseointegration of a titanium implant. To determine the effect of SATB2 in implant integration, two different viruses encoding SATB2 (PBABE-Satb2 virus or RCAS-Satb2 virus) were locally administered to the bone defect prior to titanium implant placement in our established transgenic TVA mice. Seven and 21 days post implantation, the femurs were isolated for quantitative real-time RT-PCR, H&E staining, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, and microcomputed tomography (microCT) analysis. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR results demonstrated that the in vivo overexpression of SATB2 enhanced expression levels of potent osteogenic transcription factors and bone matrix proteins. We also found that 21 days after implantation, there were no significant differences in the expression levels of SATB2, Osx, Runx2, COLI, OC, and BSP between the RCAS-Satb2 group and the RCAS group. Histological analysis showed that SATB2 overexpression significantly enhanced new bone formation and bone-to-implant contact after implantation. IHC staining analysis revealed that forced expression of SATB2 increased the number of BSP-positive cells surrounding the implant. MicroCT analysis demonstrated that in vivo overexpression of SATB2 significantly increased the density of the newly formed bone surrounding the implant. These results conclude that in vivo overexpression of SATB2 significantly accelerates osseointegration of titanium implants and SATB2 can serve as a potent molecule in promoting tissue regeneration.

Gene expression profile in the liver tissue of geese after overfeeding

Geese form a fatty liver after feeding on a carbohydrate-rich diet, possibly as an evolutionary adaptation to accumulate reserves for migration. To gain insight into the gene-regulation processes of hepatic steatosis in geese, we examined the profile of transcriptional expression in goose fatty liver and control liver by suppression subtractive hybridization and measured the levels of serum biochemical variables. We found 107 genes whose expression was different between the treatment and control groups. The main functions of these genes are metabolic processes, including the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, and lipids. Twenty-four genes were classified using the Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes pathways. Twelve genes that related to metabolic and cellular processes were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR. A specific positive effect of feeding was observed on the expression of genes involved mainly in unsaturated fatty acids and triglyceride synthesis, and a negative effect was observed on genes involved in β-oxidation, cholesterol metabolism, and glycolysis. The results could serve as an important reference for the development of goose breeding for fatty liver production and human liver disease research.

[Identification and genetic analysis of SNPs in duck adiponectin gene]

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the duck adiponectin gene were detected by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) using 5 pairs of primers to amplify an area spanning the open reading frame. Eight duck breeds, including Kunshan Sheldrake, Cherry Valley Meat duck, Gaoyou duck, Shanma duck, Jinding duck, Longbai duck, Jingjiang Sheldrake and White feather Muscovy duck, were used. Seven nucleotide variations were found, of which G430A, A457G, and T523C resulted in amino acid changes of A144T, I153V, and Y175H, respectively. The remaining 4 SNPs were C507T, T540C, C576T and C597T. Eight genotypes (AA, AB, AC, BB, BC, CC, DD, and DE) were detected in the 8 breeds. Chi(2) analysis showed that the distribution of the eight genotypes was very different among the different breeds (P < 0.01). Ex-cept for the Jingding duck, all breeds were in accordance with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Genetic analysis indicated that homozygosity was highest in the Jinding duck, lowest in the Gaoyou duck and similar in other breeds. Polymorphism information content (PIC) was low in the Jinding, high in the Gaoyou and intermediate in other breeds. These results showed that the adiponectin gene had a high level of polymorphism in different duck breeds, and could be used as a candidate gene to analyze the correlation between its polymorphism and fat traits in duck.

A comparative study on SWCNT and DWCNT field-effect transistors

Field-effect transistors have been fabricated using single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs), and their electrical transport properties have been studied comparatively. While a semiconducting SWCNT exhibits better field-effect characteristics than a DWCNT counterpart, the DWCNT shows more complicated response to external gate modulation. Depending on the nature of the two shells of a DWCNT, i.e., whether the shell is semiconducting (S) or metallic (M), a DWCNT device can be described as either S-S, or S-M, or M-S, or M-M. It was found that the S-S and M-M or M-S devices show similar field-effect characteristics to those found in SWCNT devices. But for S-M DWCNT devices, distinct field-effect characteristic was found and attributed to the combined effects of intershell interactions and screening by free carriers of the inner metallic shell. The S-M DWCNT devices thus provide a perfect system for studying the important intershell interaction, and information on the effect of this interaction on the electrical properties of a multi-walled carbon nanotube can be obtained by a comparative study of S-M DWCNT and S-SWCNT devices.

DIP: The Database of Interacting Proteins: 2001 update

The Database of Interacting Proteins (DIP; http://dip.doe-mbi.ucla. edu) is a database that documents experimentally determined protein-protein interactions. Since January 2000 the number of protein-protein interactions in DIP has nearly tripled to 3472 and the number of proteins to 2659. New interactive tools have been developed to aid in the visualization, navigation and study of networks of protein interactions.

Serotonin-like immunoreactive fibers in the medial dorsal accessory group and the anterior fornical nucleus of the magnocellular neurosecretory system in the rat

The area lateral to the stria medullaris and the fornix at the level of the interventricular foramen, an area known to be occupied by the medial dorsal accessory group and the anterior fornical nucleus of the magnocellular neurosecretory system, was found to be studded with serotonin (5-HT)-like immunoreactive (LI) varicosities. Double immunostaining with antisera against 5-HT and oxytocin (OXY) proved that the 5-HT-LI varicosities were in close proximity to the OXY-LI neurons in the medial dorsal accessory group and the anterior fornical nucleus. These nuclei were distributed more densely with 5-HT-LI varicosities than other cell groups in the magnocellular neurosecretory system.