Genome-wide association study of fleece traits in Inner Mongolia Cashmere goats

Inner Mongolia Cashmere goat is a well-known local cashmere goat breed in China. It is famous for excellent fleece quality and a significant advantage in cashmere yield compared to other cashmere goat breeds. In this study, a genome-wide association study was used to investigate fiber length, fiber diameter, and cashmere yield of 192 Inner Mongolia Cashmere goats using the Illumina GoatSNP52K Beadchip panel. We discovered that four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) reached genome-wide significance levels. These SNPs were located in some genes, e.g. FGF12, SEMA3D, EVPL, and SOX5, possibly related to fleece traits in Inner Mongolia Cashmere goat. Gene ontology enrichment analysis revealed that these genes were enriched in several biological pathways that were involved in hair follicle development in cashmere goats. In summary, the identified significant SNPs and genes provide useful information to explore genetic mechanisms underlying the variation in fleece traits and genomic selection of Chinese cashmere goat.

[Tweed-Merrifield analysis for Chinese Shangdong adults]

OBJECTIVE:This study was to establish cephalometric normals for Shangdong Chinese based on the Tweed-Merrifield analysis. MEHTODS: Lateral cephalograms of 80 young adults(40 female and 40 male) with normal occlusions were selected.The ages was 18-24. RESULTS: To establish cephalometric normals for Shangdong Chinese based on the Tweed-Merrifield analysis,and discover FMA female>male,AFH,PFH,IND(P/A) female>male. CONCLUSION: These normals will be used to orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning for Shangdong adult patients.

[Discharge patterns of respiratory related neurones in the medial areas of nucleus retrofacialis of medulla]

Experiments were performed on rabbits and SD rats, both anesthetized with urethane (1.0 g/kg, i.v. or i.p.). Discharges of phrenic nerve and the diaphragmatic muscle electric activities were monitored. Discharge patterns of the respiration-related neurons (RRNs) in the medial area of nucleus retrofacialis (mNRF) were recorded and analyzed. Among the 249 RRNs recorded in the mNRF of the rabbits, 118 were inspiratory (I, 47.4%), 91 expiratory (E, 36.5%), and 40 phase-spanning (PS, 16.1%). Both I and E neurons could be further subdivided into 4 subtypes, the PS neurons into E-I and I-E type. In the 153 RRNs recorded in rats, 68 were I (44.5%), 55 E (35.9%), 30 PS (19.6%). It was found that a group of E-I PS neurons that fire preceding phrenic nerve respiratory activity are located in the mNRF, which was believed to be important in the generation of the basic respiratory rhythm.

Timed dose-response relationship of depressive action of ouabain on toad heart contraction in vitro

Timed dose-response relationship (TDRR) of depressive action of ouabain (Oua) 0.01-30 mmol.L-1 on toad heart contraction in vitro was studied by simultaneous recordings of mechanical tension and electrocardiography. It was found that the inhibition of contraction tension, the latency, the half equilibrium time of depression, and the cardioplegia time (CPT) were all concentration-dependent (P < 0.01). The EC50 +/- L95 of Oua was 35 +/- 8 mumol.L-1, in which L95 is the average 95% confidence limit. The TDRR data of latency or CPT were fitted to the hyperbolic 4-parameter model II weighted with the square of SE inversely: Y = 25.9492(7.2757)/(1nX + 23.5906)(6.2757) + 72.7732 for latency and Y = 20637.37/(1nX + 3.0947)(3.5907) + 196.7069 for CPT. It was concluded that the hyperbolic type of TDRR was present in Oua depressive action on the toad heart contraction in vitro.

Effect of blocking medial area of nucleus retrofacialis on respiratory rhythm

Experiments were performed on anaesthetized, vagotomized rabbits. Respiratory movement and phrenic rhythmical discharge were reversibly abolished by the symmetrical injection of 1% procaine into the medial area of the nucleus retrofacialis (mNRF). Blocking other areas of the medulla had no obvious effect on respiratory rhythm, with the exception of the rostral portion of the ventral respiratory group (VRG), which overlaps with the mNRF. When the mNRF was blocked, most inspiratory and expiratory neurons recorded in the VRG and DRG (dorsal respiratory group) gradually started to fire continuously, and no longer exhibited respiratory rhythm. A minority of respiratory neurons was inactivated during apnea. Stimulation of the caudal portion of the DRG and VRG evoked only a short cluster of phrenic discharges instead of rhythmical firing, indicating that the respiratory neurons situated in these areas cannot generate rhythmic activity by themselves. This suggests that the mNRF plays an important role in the genesis and maintenance of basic respiratory rhythm.

[Role of the medial region of nucleus retrofacialis of the rabbit in the generation of respiratory rhythm]

The medulla of rabbits were exposed from ventral surface. When 1% procaine (0.3-1.0 microliters) was injected bilaterally through a micropipette into the medial region of nucleus retrofacialis (mNRF), the respiratory movement and phrenic rhythmical discharge could be reversibly abolished in all of 20 rabbits tested. The area related is very limited, about 1.0 x 1.0 x 1.0mm. Histological examination has shown that the effective injected area is mNRF. Discharge patterns of the respiratory-related neurons (RRNs) in mNRF of the rabbit were analyzed. The result showed that there were many E and E-I PS neurones in the mNRF. Blockade of mNRF caused continuous firing of most inspiratory and expiratory neurons recorded in the VRG and DRG and abolishment of respiratory rhythm. The minority of respiratory neurons were inactivated during apnea. Stimulation of the caudal portion of VRG and DRG during apnea could evoke only a short cluster of phrenic discharges instead of rhythmical firing, indicating that respiratory neurons located in these areas can not generate rhythmic activity themselves. The results suggest that an important area of the respiratory rhythm generators may be located in the medial region of nucleus retrofacialis.