Molecular genetic foundation of a sex-linked tailless trait in Hongshan chicken by whole genome data analysis

As a Chinese local chicken breed, Hongshan chickens have 2 kinds of tail feather phenotypes, normal and taillessness. Our previous studies showed that taillessness was a sex-linked dominant trait. Abnormal development of the tail vertebrae could be explained this phenomenon in some chicken breeds. However, the number of caudal vertebrae in rumpless Hongshan chickens was normal, so rumplessness in Hongshan chicken was not related to the development of the caudal vertebrae. Afterwards, we found that rumplessness in Hongshan was due to abnormal development of tail feather rather than abnormal development of caudal vertebrae. In order to understand the genetic foundation of the rumplessness of Hongshan chickens, we compared and reanalyzed 2 sets of data in normal and rumpless Hongshan chickens from our previous studies. By joint analysis of genome-wide selection signature analysis and genome-wide association approach, we found that 1 overlapping gene (EDIL3) and 16 peak genes (ENSGALG00000051843, ENSGALG00000053498, ENSGALG00000054800, KIF27, PTPRD, ENSGALG00000047579, ENSGALG00000041052, ARHGEF28, CAMK4, SERINC5, ENSGALG00000050776, ERCC8, MCC, ADAMTS19, ENSGALG00000053322, CHRNA8) located on the Z chromosome was associated with the rumpless trait. The results of this study furtherly revealed the molecular mechanism of the rumpless trait in Hongshan chickens, and identified the candidate genes associated with this trait. Our results will help to improve the shape of chicken tail feathers and to rise individual economic value in some specific market in China.

Genetic parameter estimation and molecular foundation of chicken beak shape

The bird beak is mainly functioned as feeding and attacking, and its shape has extremely important significance for survival and reproduction. In chickens, since beak shape could lead to some disadvantages including pecking and waste of feed, it is important to understand the inheritance of chicken beak shape. In the present study, we firstly established 4 indicators to describe the chicken beak shapes, including upper beak length (UL), lower beak length (LL), distance between upper and lower beak tips (DB) and upper beak curvature (BC). And then, we measured the 4 beak shape indicators as well as some production traits including body weight (BW), shank length (SL), egg weight (EW), eggshell strength (ES) of a layer breed, Rhode Island Red (RIR), in order to estimate genetic parameters of chicken beak shape. The heritabilities of UL and LL were 0.41 and 0.37, and the heritabilities of DB and BC were 0.22 and 0.21, indicating that beak shape was a highly or mediumly heritable. There were significant positive genetic and phenotypic correlations among UL, LL, and DB. And UL was positively correlated with body weight (BW18) and shank length (SL18) at 18 weeks of age in genetics, and DB was positively correlated with BC in terms of genetics and phenotype. We also found that layers of chicken cages played a role on beak shape, which could be attributed to the difference of lightness in different cage layers. By a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for the chicken UL, we identified 9 significant candidate genes associated with UL in RIR. For the variants with low minor allele frequencies (MAF <0.01) and outside of high linkage disequilibrium (LD) regions, we also conducted rare variant association studies (RVA) and GWAS to find the association between genotype and phenotype. We also analyzed transcriptomic data from multiple tissues of chicken embryos and revealed that all of the 9 genes were highly expressed in beak of chicken embryos, indicating their potential function for beak development. Our results provided the genetic foundation of chicken beak shape, which could help chicken breeding on beak related traits.

Genetic parameter estimation and molecular foundation of chicken egg-laying trait

The age of first egg (AFE) in chicken can affect early and even life-time egg production performance to some extent, and therefore is an important economic trait that affects production efficiency. To better understand the genetic patterns of AFE and other production traits including body weight at first egg (BWA), first egg weight (FEW), and total egg number from AFE to 58 wk of age (total-EN), we recorded the production performance of 2 widely used layer breeds, white leghorn (WL) and Rhode Island Red (RIR) and estimated genetic parameters based on pedigree and production data. The results showed that the heritability of AFE in both breeds ranged from 0.4 to 0.6, and AFE showed strong positive genetic and phenotypic correlations to BWA as well as FEW, while showing strong negative genetic and phenotypic correlations with total-EN. Furtherly, by genome-wide association analysis study (GWAS), we identified 12 and 26 significant SNPs to be related to AFE in the 2-layer breeds, respectively. A total of 18 genes were identified that could affect AFE based on the significant SNP annotations obtained, but there were no gene overlapped in the 2 breeds indicating the genetic foundation of AFE could differ from breed to breed. Our results provided a deeper understanding of genetic patterns and molecular basement of AFE in different breeds and could help in the selection of egg production traits.

Identification of central regulators related to abdominal fat deposition in chickens based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis

Abdominal fat (AF) is one of the most important economic traits in chickens. Excessive AF in chickens will reduce feed utilization efficiency and negatively affect reproductive performance and disease resistance. However, the regulatory network of AF deposition needs to be further elucidated. In the present study, 300 one-day-old female Wannan chickens were reared to 17 wk of age, and 200 Wannan hens were selected to determine the abdominal fat percentage (AFP). Twenty AF tissue samples with the lowest AFP were selected as the low abdominal fat group (L-AFG), and 20 AF tissue samples with the highest AFP were selected as the high abdominal fat group (H-AFG). Eleven samples from L-AFG and 14 samples from H-AFG were selected for RNA-seq and used for weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Among the 25 RNA-seq samples, 5 samples with the lowest and highest AFP values were selected for differential expression gene analysis. Compared with the L-AFG, 225 and 101 genes were upregulated and downregulated in the H-AFG, respectively. A total of 20,503 genes were used to construct the WGCNA, and 44 co-expression gene modules were identified. Among these modules, 3 modules including turquoise, darkorange2, and floralwhite were identified as significantly associated with AFP traits. Furthermore, several genes including acyl-CoA oxidase 1 (ACOX1), stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), aldehyde dehydrogenase 6 family member A1 (ALDH6A1), jun proto-oncogene, AP-1 transcription factor subunit (JUN), and fos proto-oncogene, AP-1 transcription factor subunit (FOS) involved in the "PPAR signaling pathway," "fatty acid metabolism," and "MAPK signaling pathway" were identified as central regulators that contribute to AF deposition. These results provide valuable information for further understanding of the gene expression and regulation of AF traits and contribute to future molecular breeding for AF in chickens.

Explorations on Key Module and Hub Genes Affecting IMP Content of Chicken Pectoralis Major Muscle Based on WGCNA

Inosine monophosphate (IMP) is a substance that enhances flavor and plays a crucial role in the umami taste of chicken muscle. It is also an influential factor in determining chicken's economic value. However, the molecular regulatory network underlying the IMP content in muscle remains unclear. To address this issue, we performed transcriptome sequencing on 20 pectoralis major muscle samples from 120-day-old Guangde feathered-leg chicken and used weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify key regulatory factors that influence IMP content. The weighted gene co-expression network was constructed using a total of 16,344 genes, leading to the identification of 20 co-expression gene modules. Among the modules that were identified, it was observed that the purple module (R = -0.51, p = 0.02) showed a significant negative correlation with the IMP content. This suggests that the genes within the purple module had the ability to regulate the IMP content. A total of 68 hub genes were identified in the purple module through gene significance (GS) > 0.2 and module membership (MM) > 0.8. The STRING database was used for a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of hub genes. Furthermore, troponin I type 1 (TNNI1), myozenin 2 (MYOZ2), myosin light chain 2 regulatory cardiac slow (MYL2), and myosin light chain 3 regulatory cardiac slow (MYL3) involved in the "ATP-dependent activity", "cAMP signaling pathway" and "cGMP-PKG signaling pathway" were identified as central regulators that contribute to IMP content. These results offer valuable information into the gene expression and regulation that affects IMP content in muscle.

Transcriptome and Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis for Feather Follicle Density in a Chinese Indigenous Breed

Feather follicle density plays an important role in appealing to consumers' first impressions when making purchasing decisions. However, the molecular network that contributes to this trait remains largely unknown. The aim of this study was to perform transcriptome and weighted gene co-expression network analyses to determine the candidate genes relating to feather follicle density in Wannan male chickens. In total, five hundred one-day-old Wannan male chickens were kept in a conventional cage system. Feather follicle density was recorded for each bird at 12 weeks of age. At 12 weeks, fifteen skin tissue samples were selected for weighted gene co-expression network analysis, of which six skin tissue samples (three birds in the H group and three birds in the L group) were selected for transcriptome analysis. The results showed that, in total, 95 DEGs were identified, and 56 genes were upregulated and 39 genes were downregulated in the high-feather-follicle-density group when compared with the low-feather-follicle-density group. Thirteen co-expression gene modules were identified. The red module was highly significantly negatively correlated with feather follicle density (p < 0.01), with a significant negative correlation coefficient of -0.72. In total, 103 hub genes from the red module were screened. Upon comparing the 103 hub genes with differentially expressed genes (DEGs), it was observed that 13 genes were common to both sets, including MELK, GTSE1, CDK1, HMMR, and CENPE. From the red module, FOXM1, GTSE1, MELK, CDK1, ECT2, and NEK2 were selected as the most important genes. These genes were enriched in the DNA binding pathway, the heterocyclic compound binding pathway, the cell cycle pathway, and the oocyte meiosis pathway. This study suggests that FOXM1, GTSE1, MELK, CDK1, ECT2, and NEK2 may be involved in regulating the development of feather follicle density in Wannan male chickens. The results of this study reveal the genetic structure and molecular regulatory network of feather follicle density in Wannan male chickens, and provide a basis for further elucidating the genetic regulatory mechanism and identifying molecular markers with breeding value.

Role of low-density lipoprotein in mediating the effect of air pollution on coronary heart disease: a two-step multivariate Mendelian randomization study

OBJECTIVE

Air pollution is affecting the health of millions of people all over the world. The causal correlations of PM2.5, PM10, and nitrogen dioxide (NOx), as the main fine particulate matter, and coronary heart disease (CHD) are yet to be explored. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) has been a principal factor in the pathogenesis of CHD. It is an interesting issue to consider whether LDL mediates the effect of air pollutants in CHD pathogenesis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) on the European population, followed up from 2010 to 2018, involving over 400,000 participants, was based on a land-use regression model. The annual mean concentrations of major air pollutant particles, PM2.5 (n=423,796), PM10 (n=423,796), and NOx (n=456,380), were recorded. The large GWAS database of CHD covered over ten million SNPs with independent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). LDL database collected major biochemical blood parameters from over 400,000 patients (n=440,546). Taken together, we conducted independent two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses for the causality between air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, and NOx) and CHD. Multivariate MR analysis was conducted using causal relationships to determine the direct effects of exposure on outcome. The fixed-effect inverse variance weighted (IVW2) method was mainly employed to assess this relationship, with a confidence interval of 95% for the odds ratio (OR). Also, MR-Egger, weighted median, maximum likelihood ratio method, and random-effects inverse variance-weighted (IVW1) method were adopted as supplementary methods.

RESULTS

Two-sample MR results based on the IVW2 method suggested positive correlations between PM2.5 and CHD [OR 1.875 (1.279-2.748), p=0.001], PM10 and CHD [OR 2.586 (1.479-4.523), p=0.001], and NOx and CHD [OR 2.991 (2.021-4.427), p=4.37E-08]. The direct effect and mediating proportion were calculated using multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR). Lastly, the mediating proportions of LDL in the regulatory roles of PM2.5, PM10, and NOx in CHD were 2.82%, 4.73%, and 9.54%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

PM2.5, PM10, and NOx share direct causal associations with CHD, and LDL performs a mediating role in this pathogenic process. Early prevention against air pollution (such as increasing green areas and reducing large-scale industrial dust emissions) and early lipid-lowering treatment can effectively prevent the occurrence of CHD.

Impact of COVID-19 infection experience on mental health status of intensive care unit patients' family members: a real-world study

PURPOSE

Family members of patients hospitalized in intensive care unit (ICU) are susceptible to adverse psychological outcomes. However, there is a paucity of studies specifically examining the mental health symptoms in ICU patients' family members with a prior history of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection.

AIM

This study aimed to investigate mental health status and its influencing factors of ICU patients' family members with previous COVID-19 infection experience in China.

DESIGN

Nationwide, cross-sectional cohort of consecutive participants of family members of ICU patients from 10 provinces randomly selected in mainland China conducted between October 2022 and May 2023.

METHODS

The basic information scale, Self-rating depression scale, Self-rating Anxiety Scale, Impact of Event Scale-Revised, Pittsburgh sleep quality index, Perceived Stress Scale, Connor-Davidson resilience scale, Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire were employed to explore mental health status among participants.

RESULTS

A total of 463 participants, comprising 156 individuals in Covid-19 family member cohort (infection group) and 307 individuals in control family member cohort (control group), met inclusion criteria. The infection group exhibited significantly higher incidence of composite mental health symptoms compared to control group (P = 0.017). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that being female, engaging in physical/mental labor, residing in rural areas, and having children were identified as risk factors for the development of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, while medical history of surgery was protective factor. A predictive model demonstrated a favorable discriminative ability and excellent calibration.

CONCLUSION

COVID-19 infection experience regarded as new traumatic stressors worsen mental health status of ICU patients' family members.

Risk factors for bloodstream infection in paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), a standard treatment for paediatric haematological diseases, is highly associated with bloodstream infection (BSI), which may increase mortality.

AIM

To explore the risk factors for BSI in paediatric HSCT recipients.

METHODS

Three English databases and four Chinese databases were searched from inception to March 17th, 2022. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case-control studies that enrolled HSCT recipients aged ≤18 years and reported BSI risk factors. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias. Using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE), certainty of body of evidence was assessed.

FINDINGS

Fourteen studies involving 4602 persons were included. The incidences of BSI and associated mortality in paediatric HSCT recipients were approximately 10-50% and 5-15%, respectively. Meta-analysis of all studies revealed that previous BSI before HSCT (relative effect (RE): 2.28; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19-4.34, moderate certainty) and receiving an umbilical cord blood transplant (RE: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.22-1.97, moderate certainty) were probably associated with an increased risk of BSI. Meta-analysis of studies with low risk of bias reassured that previous BSI before HSCT probably increased the risk of BSI (RE: 2.28; 95% CI: 1.19-4.34, moderate certainty), and revealed that steroid use (RE: 2.72; 95% CI: 1.31-5.64, moderate certainty) was likely a risk factor whereas autologous HSCT was probably a protective factor of BSI (RE: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.45-0.94, moderate certainty).

CONCLUSION

These findings could inform the management of paediatric HSCT recipients, helping identify who may benefit from prophylactic antibiotics.

Simulating nitrogen balance in Canadian agricultural soils from 1981 to 2016

Agriculture produces food, fiber and biofuels for the world's growing population, however, agriculture can be a major contributor of nitrogen (N) losses including emissions of ammonia (NH₃), nitrous oxide (N₂O) and nitrate (NO₃^-) leaching and runoff. A Canadian Agricultural Nitrogen Budget for Reactive N (CANBNr) model was developed to estimate the soil N balance in 3487 soil landscape of Canada polygons from 1981 to 2016. The CANBNr model integrates NH₃ emission from fertilizers, manure from housing, storage and field, as well as direct/indirect N₂O emissions from fertilizers, manures, crop residues and soil organic matter. The NO₃^- leaching is estimated based on the residual soil N (RSN) at harvest and drainage derived with the DeNitrification-DeComposition (DNDC) model. From 1981 to 2016, the N input from fertilizer and N fixation increased at a greater rate than N removal in harvested crops in all provinces of Canada, resulting in an increase in the RSN and N losses. In 2016, the Prairie provinces had lower N losses (11.7 kg N ha^-1) from N₂O, NH₃ and NO₃^- compared with 43.2 kg N ha^-1 in central Canada, and 76.5 kg N ha^-1 in Atlantic Canada. However, the Prairie provinces had 84.3% of the total Canadian farmland (74.3% of the total Canadian N input), while central Canada had 12.9% of Canadian farmland (21.7% of the total Canadian N input). In the Prairie provinces, the total N₂O loss from fertilizer N ranged 4.4-8.6 Gg N whereas NH₃ loss ranged from 17.1 to 44.6 Gg N and these values were influenced by both emission intensity and total land area. Total N₂O losses from manure were highest in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec resulting in 4.8, 4.4, and 3.4 Gg N and NH₃ losses from manure were also highest in these 3 provinces at 61.1, 45.2 and 40.4 Gg N, respectively. Nitrate leaching was impacted by drainage volumes, soil type and N inputs. In the non-growing season, NO₃^- leaching losses (36-yr average) were 63.3 Gg in Ontario and 57.5 Gg N in Quebec compared with 20.8 Gg N for Ontario and 35.5 Gg N for Quebec in the growing season. In contrast, the Prairie provinces showed higher NO₃^- leaching in the growing season (23.1-37.4 Gg N) than in the non-growing season (10.4-13.7 Gg N). In summary, total fertilizer N increased the most over the 36 years in the Prairies which resulted in increased RSN and N leaching losses that will require further intervention.

The safety of human embryos following long-term cryopreservation ( >6 years) on vitrification

BACKGROUND

Vitrification of embryos has become the basic means of assisted reproductive technology (ART) therapy in recent years. Concerns have also been raised about the safety of vitrification and the effect of cryopreservation time. Most of the previous studies were on the data within 6 years of cryopreservation.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of long-term cryopreservation (>6 years) on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This research was a single-center, retrospective analysis, including 426 frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles. Patients who participated in IVF-FET cycles between January 2013 to December 2020 were analyzed. Preferentially matched participants were divided into three groups according to storage time: group A (>72 months), group B (0-3 months, propensity score matching [PSM] according to the age of oocyte retrieval), and group C (0-3 months, PSM according to the age of embryo transfer).

RESULTS

Our results revealed that there were no significant differences in human chorionic gonadotropin [HCG] positive rate, clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, live birth rate, and neonatal outcomes when the embryo storage duration >72 months. But the proportion of high birth weight was higher in group A (>72 months) when matched according to age at embryo transfer.

CONCLUSION

The results of our study showed that long-term cryopreservation had no effect on the pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of vitrification. The results offer evidence for the safety of using long-term cryopreservation embryos after vitrification. DOI: 10.54680/fr23310110612.

Valgus-varus deformity induced abnormal tissue metabolism, inflammatory damage and apoptosis in broilers

1. This study explored the tissue metabolic status and the relationship with inflammation in valgus-valgus deformity (VVD) broilers with increasing age.2. Tissue and blood from VVD and healthy broilers were collected at two, four and five weeks old. A fully automated biochemical analyser, real-time PCR, HE staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to detect tissue metabolic indexes, mRNA levels of inflammation and apoptosis cytokines in immune organs, histological changes and serum inflammation and immune-related protein contents in VVD broilers.3. The results showed that VVD increased the levels of total protein, albumin, alanine aminotransferase at five weeks of age, aspartate aminotransferase, urea and creatine kinase in blood at two weeks of age. It upregulated the gene expression of inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, NF-κB and TGF-β and apoptotic factors FAS, Bcl-2, caspase-3 and 9 in immune organs; increased levels of serum proteins TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 and decreased levels of serum immunoglobulins IgY and CD3⁺.4. In addition, with increasing age, IL-10 gene expression gradually increased in the BF and decreased in the spleen.5. In conclusion, VVD broilers have disorders of liver and kidney metabolism, inflammation and apoptosis of immune organs and increased levels of serum inflammatory factor proteins.

[Clonality relatedness and molecular characteristics of Richter transformation]

Objective: To investigate the clinical, genetic, and clonality related aspects of individuals with Richter transformation (RT) . Methods: From January 2019 to December 2021, 18 RT patients with diagnoses at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Pukou CLL center) were retrospectively examined. The immunoglobin heavy variable (IGHV) gene usage and IGHV-D-J rearrangement pattern of diagnosed CLL/SLL and transformed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) were compared to determine the clonality relatedness. To investigate the risk factors of RT, Clinical and laboratory data from patients with newly diagnosed CLL/SLL and transformed DLBCL were gathered. Results: The median age of RT was 56.5 (41-75) years old. 17 patients transformed to DLBCL and 1 transformed to Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) . Of 17 individuals who had DLBCL transformation, 15 had CLL/SLL-related clonality and 2 had unrelated clonality. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis of 11 paired initially diagnosed treatment-naive CLL/SLL and RT DLBCL found that EGR2、TP53 and NOTCH1 were among the most frequently mutated genes both in treatment-naive CLL/SLL and in RT DLBCL. In several cases, specific mutations were gained or lost throughout RT, indicating clonal evolution. Among 10 patients before exposure to BTK inhibitors before RT, four patients acquired BTK mutation. The aforementioned mutations should be considered high-risk variables for transformation; in addition, TP53 and EGR2 mutations could be linked to a poor prognosis following RT in patients receiving a cocktail of new medicines. Conclusion: Most RT DLBCL patients in our center are clonality related (15/17, 88.2% ) and we recommend all qualified centers to evaluate clonality relatedness of RT DLBCL patients. There was some variability in the mutational landscape between DLBCL that had undergone a transformation and initially diagnosed, treatment-naive CLL/SLL. The underlying molecular mechanism of RT needs more research.

MSX1 Drives Tooth Morphogenesis Through Controlling Wnt Signaling Activity

Tooth agenesis is a common structural birth defect in humans that results from failure of morphogenesis during early tooth development. The homeobox transcription factor Msx1 and the canonical Wnt signaling pathway are essential for "bud to cap" morphogenesis and are causal factors for tooth agenesis. Our recent study suggested that Msx1 regulates Wnt signaling during early tooth development by suppressing the expression of Dkk2 and Sfrp2 in the tooth bud mesenchyme, and it demonstrated partial rescue of Msx1-deficient molar teeth by a combination of DKK inhibition and genetic inactivation of SFRPs. In this study, we found that Sostdc1/Wise, another secreted Wnt antagonist, is involved in regulating the odontogenic pathway downstream of Msx1. Whereas Sostdc1 expression in the developing tooth germ was not increased in Msx1-/- embryos, genetic inactivation of Sostdc1 rescued maxillary molar, but not mandibular molar, morphogenesis in Msx1-/- mice with full penetrance. Since the Msx1-/-;Sostdc1-/- embryos exhibited ectopic Dkk2 expression in the developing dental mesenchyme, similar to Msx1-/- embryos, we generated and analyzed tooth development in Msx1-/-;Dkk2-/- double and Msx1-/-;Dkk2-/-;Sostdc1-/- triple mutant mice. The Msx1-/-;Dkk2-/- double mutants showed rescued maxillary molar morphogenesis at high penetrance, with a small percentage also exhibiting mandibular molars that transitioned to the cap stage. Furthermore, tooth development was rescued in the maxillary and mandibular molars, with full penetrance, in the Msx1-/-;Dkk2-/-;Sostdc1-/- mice. Together, these data reveal 1) that a key role of Msx1 in driving tooth development through the bud-to-cap transition is to control the expression of Dkk2 and 2) that modulation of Wnt signaling activity by Dkk2 and Sostdc1 plays a crucial role in the Msx1-dependent odontogenic pathway during early tooth morphogenesis.

Seasonal Variation of Zooplankton Communities and the Effects of Environmental Factors in the Seawater Near Taishan Nuclear Power Station

In the seawater near Taishan Nuclear Power Station, Zooplankton community composition and abundance, the biomass of major taxa, vertical distribution pattern, together with several environmental factors were investigated to evaluate the variation tendency as the seasons change. The structure characteristics of the zooplankton community were analyzed by Margalef species richness (d), Shannon-wiener species diversity index (H’), Pielou evenness index(J’), zooplankton dominant (Y), and dominant species replacement rate (R). There are 48 species within 11 classes of zooplankton identified, including 32 species of copepods. Zooplankton species richness changed obviously in the four seasons, Spring saw the highest (8010.00 ind.m-3), followed by winter (5100.00 ind.m-3), autumn (1713.75 ind.m-3), and summer (1196.25 ind.m-3). Similar trends were observed for the wet biomass, which was highest in spring (215.90 mg.m-3), followed by winter (181.70 mg.m-3), summer (78.56 mg.m-3), and autumn (24.69 mg.m-3), which gave an annual average of 125.21 mg.m-3. The results indicate that the abundance and biomass in spring were significantly higher than those in other seasons. Altogether 8 dominant species were identified along the whole year: Acrocalanmus gibber, Bestiolina amoyensis, Paracalanus parvus, Acartia danae, Mesocyclops leuckarti, Noctiluca scientillans, Penilla avirostris, and Lucifer penicilliger. The annual average Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Margalef diversity index, Pielou evenness index were 1.75, 1.83, and 0.74, respectively. The effects of environmental factors on the zooplankton community were studied by R and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). According to Pearson correlation analysis and canonical correspondence analysis, the most important environmental factors influencing the changes of zooplankton species composition, abundance and distribution were water temperature, salinity, and pH in the whole year.

Effect of resveratrol on the biofilm formation and physiological properties of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is widely distributed, causing great economic losses to the poultry industry. The formation of APEC biofilms causes chronic, persistent, and repeated infections in the clinic, making treatment difficult. Resveratrol is a natural product, which has good health benefits including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cardiovascular activities. Resveratrol shows efficient inhibition of bacterial biofilm formation. However, a comprehensive understanding of the proteomic properties of APEC treated resveratrol is still lacking. In this study, APEC cells treated by resveratrol were investigated using a label-free differential proteomic method. Several proteins, including those related to a two-component system and chemotaxis, were found to be implicated in APEC biofilm formation. In addition, the physiological properties were significantly changed in terms of purine, pyruvate, and glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism in APEC. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with the identifier PXD025706. We speculated that pyruvate dehydrogenase might be a potential target to inhibit Escherichia coli biofilm formation. Overall, our results indicated that resveratrol inhibits APEC biofilm formation by regulating the levels of proteins in two-component systems, especially chemotaxis proteins. The results showed that resveratrol had a potential application in inhibiting the biofilm formation of APEC. SIGNIFICANCE: This study elucidated the mechanism of resveratrol inhibiting biofilm formation of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) based on a label-free differential proteomics. It was indicated that resveratrol inhibits APEC biofilm formation by regulating the levels of proteins in two component systems, especially chemotaxis proteins. Meanwhile, we speculated that pyruvate dehydrogenase might be a potential target to inhibit Escherichia coli biofilm formation. It shows that resveratrol has a potential application prospect in inhibiting the biofilm formation of APEC.

Development of a 19-plex short tandem repeat typing system for individual identification and parentage testing of horses (Equus caballus)

Individual identification of horses for pedigree verification and registration is important for the sustainable development of the horse industry. Horse individual identification and parentage tests commonly use the 17 short tandem repeats (STRs) recommended by the International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG) and the locus LEX33. While many multiplex STR typing systems have been established for the horse, a sex determining marker is usually absent, and none of them can simultaneously detect all 17 ISAG recommended loci and the locus LEX33. Here, we present a 19-plex STR typing system that contains the 17 ISAG recommend loci, the locus LEX33 and amelogenin as sex determining loci. The results of our sensitivity, species specificity, stutter analysis and population data analysis, indicate that this system is a specific, sensitive, and robust tool for the identification of individuals, parentage testing and genetic research in the horse.

Nicotinamide improves NAD+ levels to protect against acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury in mice

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose causes acute liver injury (ALI). Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is an essential coenzyme, and NAD⁺ is oxidized type which synthesized from nicotinamide (NAM). The present study aimed to investigate the role of NAD⁺ in ALI and protective property of NAM. The mice were subjected to different doses APAP. After 8 hours, the serum activities of alaninetransaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), the hepatic NAD⁺ level and nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) expression were determined. Then, the mice were pretreated with NAM (800 mg/kg), the hepatoprotective effects and the key antioxidative molecules were evaluated. Our findings indicated that APAP resulted in remarkable NAD⁺ depletion in a dose-dependent manner accompanied by NAMPT downregulation, and NAM pretreatment significantly elevated the NAD⁺ decline due to upregulation of NAMPT. Moreover, the downregulated Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap1), upregulated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its translocation activation after NAM administration were confirmed, which were in accordance with improved superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) levels. Finally, NAM dramatically exhibited hepatoprotective effects by reducing the liver index and necrotic area. This study has suggested that APAP impairs liver NAD⁺ level and NAM is able to improve hepatic NAD⁺ to activate antioxidant pathway against APAP-induced ALI.

LINC01116 promotes the proliferation and inhibits the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells

OBJECTIVE

To detect the relative expression of long intergenic non-protein coding ribonucleic acid (LINC) 01116 in gastric cancer (GC) tissues and cells and analyze the correlations of LINC01116 expression with the clinicopathologic characteristics of patients and investigate the biological functions of LINC01116 via in vitro experiments.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The quantitative Real Time Fluorescence-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was applied to detect the relative expression level of LINC01116 in 73 cases of tissues and cells in GC patients. The patients were divided into LINC01116 high expression group and LINC01116 low expression group, and the correlations of LINC01116 with patient's pathological characteristics were statistically analyzed. In vitro experiments [cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry] were adopted to investigate the influences of LINC01116 on the biological functions of GC cells.

RESULTS

According to the results of qRT-PCR, the expression of LINC01116 was upregulated in 54 out of 73 cases of tissues (fold change >1), and it was upregulated in GC cells compared with that in the normal gastric mucosal epithelial cells (GES-1). The statistical analysis manifested that the highly expressed LINC01116 was positively correlated with the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage (p=0.008), lymph node metastasis (p=0.005), and depth of invasion (p=0.007) of the GC patients. The patients with high expression of LINC01116 in the GC tissues had a shorter survival time than those with low expression (p=0.017). After interference in the expression of LINC01116, it was shown in CCK-8 assay and colony formation assay that the proliferative capacity of the cells was decreased. The results of flow cytometry indicated that the cell cycle was arrested at the G1/G0 phase, and the apoptosis rate was increased.

CONCLUSIONS

LINC01116 is highly expressed in GC tissues and cells, and highly expressed LINC01116 indicates poor prognosis of the patients, promotes the proliferation, and inhibits the apoptosis of GC cells.

A new procedure, free from human assessment, that automatically grades some facial skin signs in men from selfie pictures. Application to changes induced by a severe aerial chronic urban pollution

OBJECTIVE

These were two folds: at first, to develop an automatic grading system specifically dedicated to some facial signs of men, similar to the one previously validated on women of different ethnic ancestry and second, to assess its potential in detecting and grading the possible impacts of a severe aerial urban pollution on some facial signs of Chinese men.

METHODS

In both studies, selfie images were obtained from differently aged men. Nine facial signs were automatically graded through a specific A.I-based algorithm and clinically assessed by a panel of experts and dermatologists. Selfie pictures were taken from individual smartphones of variable optical properties. The first study, designed for developing an automatic grading system, involved three comparable cohorts of men from three different regional ancestries (African, Asian, Caucasian, 110 each) the selfie images of which were acquired under four different lighting conditions. As a second use case study, the facial signs of two cohorts of Chinese men (101 and 100, each), differently aged, regularly exposed to very different aerial urban pollution conditions (UP) were analysed by the same algorithm, selfies being taken under only one lighting condition.

RESULTS

-The new automatic grading system of facial signs suits well to men, showing comparable results than that the one dedicated to women and provides data in close agreement with experts' assessments. -In both cases (expert's or automatic methodology), the accuracy of the scores appeared ethnic-dependent. -The applied case confirmed previous results obtained clinically, that is, that many facial signs were found of an increased severity among men exposed to a severe urban pollution, as compared to those living in a less polluted city. -In both studies, statistical agreements between the automatic grading system and expert's assessments were reached. In some facial signs, the automatic grading system seems offering a slightly better accuracy than the assessments made by the experts.

CONCLUSION

Apart from some minor limitations, this A.I-based automatic grading system, free from human intervention, performed as well as the one previously developed in women, in close agreement with expert's assessments. In epidemiological studies, this system offers an easy, fast, affordable and confidential approach in the detection and quantification of male facial signs.

Effects of beak trimming on the performance, beak length, behavior, and carcass traits of a local broiler breed reared in battery cages

This study investigated the effects of beak trimming on a local broiler breed. A total of 648 one-day-old birds were randomly allocated into three treatments: no trimming (NBT), infrared beak trimming (IRBT), and hot-blade beak trimming (HBBT). The performance, beak length, behavior, carcass traits, organ percentages, and meat quality were inspected. The body weight (BW) from 7 to 35 days in the IRBT group was significantly lower than that in the NBT group, and the BW from 7 to 49 days was lower than that in the HBBT group (p < .05). Compared with untrimmed birds, birds in the IRBT group had lower average daily feed intake (ADFI) from 15 to 21 days, and higher heart percentage and L* value in the breast muscle. The upper beak length at 28 and 49 days of age were longest in untrimmed birds, intermediate in birds in the HBBT group, and shortest in the IRBT groups (p <.05). No evidence was found that HBBT caused changes in performance, behavior, carcass traits, organ percentages, and meat quality except for lower change in spleen percentage. Taken together, IRBT had more influence at inhibiting early BW, ADFI, and upper beak length than HBBT in the local broiler breed.

Effects of plastic antipecking devices on the production performance, beak length, and behavior in Chinese Wannan chickens

This study examined the effects of plastic antipecking devices (PAD) on the production performance, upper beak length, behavior, and plumage condition of a local Chinese chicken breed. Three hundred sixty 63-d-old Wannan chickens with intact beaks were randomly allocated into 3 groups. Birds were fitted with the PAD at 63 d (PAD63d) and at 77 d of age (PAD77d). Control birds were not fitted with PAD. The results showed that there were no significant effects of PAD on the BW, carcass traits, and meat quality (P > 0.05). The mortality in the PAD63d and PAD77d groups was lower than that in the control group. Compared with those in the PAD77d and control groups, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) from 63 to 112 d of age was lower in the PAD63d group. The ADFI of birds from 63 to 112 d of age was lowest in birds in the PAD63d group, intermediate in birds in the PAD77d group, and highest in control birds (P < 0.05). Birds in the PAD63d and PAD77d groups showed a lower frequency of walking and running, a higher frequency of sleeping, and higher plumage scores of the back and tail than those of control birds (P < 0.05). Birds' daily walking steps in the PAD77d group decreased compared with that of birds in the control group (P < 0.05). The upper beak length at 91 d and 112 d of age was longest in birds in the PAD63d group and shortest in control birds (P < 0.05). Overall, PAD appeared to be effective at reducing mortality, FCR, overall activity, and plumage damage and increasing the upper beak length.

Effect of 0.01% atropine eye drops on choroidal thickness in myopic children

PURPOSE

To examine the effects of low-dose atropine on the choroidal thickness (CT) of young children in Shanghai, China, as well as the ocular biometrics of myopic patients.

METHODS

A total of 59 eyes of 35 myopic children had subfoveal CT and ocular biometry measurements taken before and after 2weeks, 4weeks, and 8weeks of treatment with 0.01% atropine. All eyes were measured using swept-source optical coherence tomography. CT and changes in it were also recorded.

RESULTS

The choroid exhibited significant and continuous thickening under the fovea after patients were treated with 0.01% atropine. The magnitude of change in CT varied with the location and with the duration of treatment. The greatest change was observed in the fovea. There was no significant relationship between changes in subfoveal CT and axial length.

CONCLUSIONS

Using 0.01% atropine eye drops significantly increased CT in eyes of young myopic children, by variable magnitude depending upon location.

Effects of monochromatic green light stimulation during embryogenesis on hatching and posthatch performance of four strains of layer breeder

Providing green light during incubation has been shown to accelerate the embryo development and shorten the hatching time in broilers. Few studies have concentrated on the exact effects on layer breeders in the aspects of hatching and posthatch performance. In this study, 4 strains of layer breeder eggs, namely White Leghorn, Rhode Island Red, Columbia Rock, and Barred Rock were used to assess the effects of monochromatic green light during embryogenesis on hatching performance, chick quality, and pubertal growth. Each strain of 600 eggs was incubated under photoperiods of either 12 h of light and 12 h of darkness (12L:12D, light group) or 0 h of light and 24 h of darkness (0L:24D, dark group) for 18 D, with 2 replicates for each treatment. The results showed hatch time, time reaching 90% hatch, and average hatch time were significantly shorter among the 4 strains in the light group (P < 0.01). In addition, hatch window and peak hatching period were not extended by the green light stimulation (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in hatchability of fertile eggs, chick weight/egg weight, or chick quality among the 4-strain eggs between the light group and dark group (P > 0.05). There was no difference (P > 0.05) in posthatch BW between different light treatments of the 3 strains (White Leghorn, Columbia Rock, and Barred Rock), whereas the BW of Rhode Island Red was higher in light group than that of the dark group at 8 to 12 wk of age (P < 0.05) and the difference disappeared from week 14. The results demonstrate that 12L:12D monochromatic green light stimulation during embryogenesis shortens the hatching time with no negative effects on hatching and posthatch performance. These effects were consistent among the 4 layer strains.

HIF-1α Mediates Osteoclast-Induced Mandibular Condyle Growth via AMPK Signaling

During the mandibular condylar growth, the absorption of calcified cartilage matrix induced by osteoclasts is crucial for the continuous endochondral osteogenesis. Meanwhile, recent studies showed that subchondral bone resided within the low-oxygen microenvironment, and our previous study revealed that hypoxia-inducible transcription factor 1α (HIF-1α) promoted osteoclastogenesis under hypoxia. However, whether HIF-1α regulates the function of osteoclasts in the mandibular condyle cartilage remains elusive. Our study indicated that severe deformity of the mandibular condyle was displayed in 10-wk-old osteoclast-specific HIF-1α conditional knockout (CKO) mice, accompanied by shortened length of condylar process and disorganized fibrocartilage. In 1-, 2-, and 4-wk-old CKO mice, the size of the hypertrophic layer and chondrocytic layer was significantly thickened. In the chondrocytic layer, chondrocytes were atrophied, showing a form of apoptosis in 4-wk-old CKO mice. Furthermore, an increase in the thickness of the fibrous and proliferating layer was observed in 10-wk-old CKO mice, as well as a significant decrease in that of the chondrocytic and hypertrophic chondrocyte layers. Interestingly, the articular surface of the condylar process abnormally presented a horizontal concave shape, and a disk-like acellular connective tissue appeared. In addition, genetic ablation of HIF-1α blunted cartilage matrix loss by subchondral osteoclast deficiency, resulting in a high subchondral bone mass phenotype, accompanied with a decreased number of blood vessels, alkaline phosphatase staining, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. Mechanistically, the number of osteoclasts in the center of the condyle in CKO mice was significantly reduced by attenuated expression of adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling. These findings reveal a novel influence of HIF-1α function in osteoclasts on maintenance of osteoclast-induced resorption of calcified cartilage matrix via AMPK signaling, as well as subchondral bone formation through VEGF-dependent angiogenesis in bone marrow.

Significant Day-time Ionospheric Perturbation by Thunderstorms along the West African and Congo Sector of Equatorial Region

The equatorial Congo has been recognized as the most active lightning chimney region in the Globe. Although the perturbation of tropospheric thunderstorms on the lower ionosphere has been noticed in the middle latitudes through their transient lightning electric fields or convective gravity waves, the effects on equatorial ionosphere and the horizontal extent of this perturbation remains a mystery because of the difficulties in extracting the effects due to the sporadic nature of the equatorial ionosphere. Here we present observational results showing solid evidence of deviations in ionospheric total electron content (TEC) and its direction of propagation associated with thunderstorms using the method of polynomial filtering, by utilizing the TEC measured from equatorial Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver stations along the West African region-Congo Basin. The TEC deviations due to the thunderstorms were found to be mostly propagated in a specific direction from the point of the event, with the highest absolute peak TEC at ~±1.5 TECUs. The internal dynamics of the equatorial ionosphere have been found to be suppressed by large thunderstorm effects during the daytime, with negligible impact at night.

[Efficacy of minimally invasive pulmonary surfactant administration in preterm infants with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome: a multicenter clinical trial]

Objective: To explore the feasibility and safety of minimally invasive surfactant administration (MISA) in preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS). Methods: In this multicenter prospective randomized controlled trial, 92 preterm infants with gestation age ≤30 weeks and diagnosed with NRDS were enrolled in 8 level Ⅲ neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region from 1(st) July 2017 to 31(st) December 2018. They were randomly assigned to minimally invasive surfactant administration (MISA) group or endotracheal intubation surfactant administration (EISA) group according to random number generated by computer. Infants in both groups received calf pulmonary surfactant preparation at a dose of 70-100 mg/kg. The data of demography, perinatal situation, medication administration, complications, clinical outcomes in the two groups were compared with Chi-square test, Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test or Fisher's exact test. Results: Among the 92 preterm infants, 53 were males, 39 were females; 47 were in the MISA group (25 males), and 45 were in the EISA group (28 males). The gestational age and birth weight were (29.5±1.2) weeks and (1 271±242) g in all patients, (29.5±1.4) weeks and (1 285±256) g in the MISA group, and (29.6±0.9) weeks and (1 255±227) g in the EISA group. The duration of surfactant infusion and the length of whole procedure in the MISA group were significantly longer than that in the EISA group (60 (18, 270) s vs. 50 (30, 60) s, Z=3.009, P=0.003; 90 (60, 300) s vs. 60 (44, 270) s, Z=3.365, P=0.001). For the outcomes, the incidence of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) were lower in the MISA group than in the EISA group (36% (17/47) vs. 67% (30/45), χ(2)=8.556, P=0.003; 26% (12/47) vs. 47% (21/45), χ(2)=4.464, P=0.035). Conclusions: Minimally invasive surfactant administration is applicable in preterm infants ≤30 weeks gestational age with NRDS. Although the length of whole procedure is longer than route endotracheal administration, the benefit of decreasing the incidences of hsPDA and BPD outweighs this demerit.

Genome-wide Identification of Foxf2 Target Genes in Palate Development

Cleft palate is among the most common structural birth defects in humans. Previous studies have shown that mutations in FOXF2 are associated with cleft palate in humans and mice and that Foxf2 acts in a Shh-Foxf-Fgf18-Shh molecular network controlling palatal shelf growth. In this study, we combined RNA-seq and ChIP-seq approaches to identify direct transcriptional target genes mediating Foxf2 function in palate development in mice. Of 155 genes that exhibited Foxf2-dependent expression in the developing palatal mesenchyme, 88 contained or were located next to Foxf2-binding sites. Through in situ hybridization analyses, we demonstrate that expression of many of these target genes, including multiple genes encoding transcription factors and several encoding extracellular matrix-modifying proteins, were specifically upregulated in the posterior region of palatal shelves in Foxf2^-/- mouse embryos. Foxf2 occupancy at many of these putative target loci, including Fgf18, in the developing palatal tissues was verified by ChIP-polymerase chain reaction analyses. One of the Foxf2 target genes, Chst2, encodes a carbohydrate sulfotransferase integral to glycosaminoglycan sulfation. Correlating with ectopic Chst2 expression, Foxf2^-/- embryos a exhibited region-specific increase in sulfated keratan sulfate and a concomitant reduction in chondroitin sulfate accumulation in the posterior palatal mesenchyme. However, expression of the core protein of versican, a major chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan important in palatal shelf morphogenesis, was increased, whereas expression of collagen I was reduced in the corresponding region of the palatal mesenchyme. These results indicate that, in addition to regulating palatal shelf growth through the Fgf18-Shh signaling network, Foxf2 controls palatal shelf morphogenesis through regulating expression of multiple transcription factors as well as through directly controlling the synthesis and processing of extracellular matrix components in the palatal mesenchyme. Our ChIP-seq and RNA-seq data sets provide an excellent resource for comprehensive understanding of the molecular network controlling palate development.

Genome-wide re-sequencing and transcriptome analysis reveal candidate genes associated with the pendulous comb phenotype in domestic chickens

To determine the causative variations associated with two chicken comb phenotypes, pendulous comb (PC) or upright comb (UC), two pooled genomic DNA samples from PC and UC chickens were re-sequenced by Next-Generation Sequencer, and genome-wide Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected. Using three selective sweep approaches, F_ST , θπ, and Tajima's D, with top 5% window values serving as the threshold, a total of 84 positively selective genes (PSGs) were identified. There were no SNPs in exons of the PSGs with significant differences in allele frequencies between the two comb phenotype groups. Then, 515 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the PC and UC were identified by RNA-seq. Three genes including CD36 (CD36 molecule), ADAMTSL3 (ADAMTS-like 3), and AOX1 (aldehyde oxidases 1) are overlapped between PSGs and DEGs. After genotyping seven candidate SNPs in the regulatory regions of the three overlapping genes in 120 chickens from two other breeds, two variants (rs14607046 and rs731818051) in the regulatory regions of AOX1 and ADAMTSL3 were found to have significant differences in allele frequency between the PC and UC, suggesting that the two variants may be causative mutations for PC. Overall, our study shed light on the genetic basis underlying the PC phenotype in chickens.

Rapid Identification of Four New Synthetic Cannabinoids in Whole Blood

Objective To establish accurate and rapid methods to identify four new synthetic cannabinoids （JWH-203, JWH-122, 5F-APINACA and AB-CHMINACA） in blood samples. Methods The whole blood samples were extracted by acetonitrile and methanol, screened by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS） then confirmed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （LC-MS/MS） method, and multiple reaction monitoring （MRM） mode was used for quantitative analysis. Results The GC-MS method needed 21 min to complete the analysis, while the LC-MS/MS method needed 5 min. The AB-CHMINACA, JWH-203, 5F-APINACA and JWH-122 all used quasi molecular ion peak as a parent ion. The precursor-product ion combinations were m/z 357.4→312.2, m/z 340.2→125.0, m/z 384.1→135.1 and m/z 356.4→169.2. The four synthetic cannabinoids in blood samples had good linearity in the 1-250 ng/mL mass concentration range （r>0.99）. The limits of detection （LODs） were in the range of 0.1-0.5 ng/mL, the recovery rate was 85.4%-95.2%, the RSD less than 10.0%, and the matrix effect was 80.3%-92.8%. Conclusion The GC-MS and LC-MS/MS chromatographic behaviors and mass spectrometry analysis information of four synthetic cannabinoids were obtained in this study, and the possible causes of differences in chromatographic behaviors were discussed preliminarily. Therefore this study has a suggestive effect on judging the development trend of synthetic cannabinoids. This method can be used for rapid identification of four synthetic cannabinoids in blood, which can provide reference for identification of new synthetic cannabinoids when they are proliferating at present.

Requirement of Hyaluronan Synthase-2 in Craniofacial and Palate Development

Cleft palate is a common major birth defect resulting from disruption of palatal shelf growth, elevation, or fusion during fetal palatogenesis. Whereas the molecular mechanism controlling palatal shelf elevation is not well understood, a prevailing hypothesis is that region-specific accumulation of hyaluronan, a predominant extracellular glycosaminoglycan in developing palatal mesenchyme, plays a major role in palatal shelf elevation. However, direct genetic evidence for a requirement of hyaluronan in palate development is still lacking. In this study, we show that Has2, 1 of 3 hyaluronan synthases in mammals, plays a major role in hyaluronan synthesis in the neural crest-derived craniofacial mesenchyme during palatogenesis in mice. We analyzed developmental defects caused by tissue-specific inactivation of Has2 throughout the cranial neural crest lineage or specifically in developing palatal or mandibular mesenchyme, respectively, using Wnt1-Cre, Osr2-Cre, and Hand2-Cre transgenic mice. Inactivation of Has2 either throughout the neural crest lineage or specifically in the developing palatal mesenchyme caused reduced palatal shelf size and increased palatal mesenchyme cell density prior to the time of normal palatal shelf elevation. Whereas both Has2f/f;Wnt1-Cre and Has2f/f;Osr2-Cre mutant mice exhibit cleft palate at complete penetrance, the Has2f/f; Wnt1-Cre fetuses showed dramatically reduced mandible size and complete failure of palatal shelf elevation, whereas Has2f/f;Osr2-Cre fetuses had normal mandibles and delayed palatal shelf elevation. All Has2f/f;Hand2-Cre pups showed reduced mandible size and about 50% of them had cleft palate with disruption of palatal shelf elevation. Results from explant culture assays indicate that disruption of palatal shelf elevation in Has2f/f;Hand2-Cre mutant fetuses resulted from physical obstruction by the malformed mandible and tongue. Together, these data indicate that hyaluronan plays a crucial intrinsic role in palatal shelf expansion and timely reorientation to the horizontal position above the tongue as well as an important role in mandibular morphogenesis that secondarily affects palatal shelf elevation.

Effects of exercise on carcass composition, meat quality, and mRNA expression profiles in breast muscle of a Chinese indigenous chicken breed

In this study, we evaluated the effects of exercise on the growth performance, carcass composition, meat quality, and mRNA expression profile of breast muscle in a Chinese indigenous chicken breed. Briefly, 300 female Huainan chickens (60-day-old) with similar BW were selected and raised in a free-range environment. Daily steps were counted by pedometer for all birds from 61 to 140 D of age. At 140 D of age, based on the average counts of steps per day, 15 birds with the highest number of steps (HS), 15 birds with a medium number of steps (MS), and 15 birds with low numbers of steps (LS) were selected for use in subsequent experiments. The HS group had heavier BW than the other two groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the LS group, the HS group displayed higher meat redness and lower shear force, drip loss, cooking loss values, and the percentage of breast muscle weight (P < 0.05). Moreover, a total of 150 differentially expressed genes were identified from the pectoralis major muscles of the HS and LS group. Therefore, enhanced exercise increased BW, improved meat quality by increasing WHC and decreasing shear force values, and decreased percentage of breast muscle weight but had no effect on others carcass parameters. Additionally, the differentially expressed genes in breast muscle between the HS and LS groups were mainly associated with skeletal muscle tissue development and meat quality traits.

P3623Integrating depression and acute coronary syndrome care in low-resource hospitals in china: primary results from the I-Care randomised clinical trial

Background

Depression and acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are significant public health challenges. Patients with ACS often experience depression, which adversely affects prognosis. Low-cost, sustainable, and effective service models that integrate depression care into the management of ACS patients to reduce depression and improve ACS outcomes are critically needed.

Purpose

I-CARE study is a multi-center, randomised clinical trial (RCT) to evaluate the efficacy of an 11-month integrated care (IC) intervention compared to usual care (UC) in the management of ACS patients.

Methods

The I-CARE RCT was conducted between October 2014 and March 2018 in 16 rural Chinese hospitals. A total of 4041 patients with ACS were consecutively enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to an IC intervention consisting of nurse-led risk factor management, group-based counseling supplemented by individual problem solving therapy and antidepressant medications as needed, or UC. The primary outcome was change in Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores from baseline to 6 and 12 months. Secondary outcomes included incidence of major adverse events (MAEs) after discharge, quality of life (EQ5D), and adherence to ACS secondary prevention medications. Data analysis used a multilevel mixed-effects model with hospital-level and subject-level random-effect intercepts and hospital-level random slope incorporated to adjust for clustering effect. Primary analyses followed the intent-to-treat principle.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 61±10 years and 63% were men; however, only 3.3% were classified as depressed based upon a cutoff of ≥10 on the PHQ-9, and 26.9% had PHQ-9 scores between 5 to 9 at the baseline. There were no significant differences in patients' clinical characteristics between IC and UC groups. Changes in PHQ-9 scores from baseline to 6- and 12-months did not differ between treatment groups (−1.47 in IC group vs −1.40 in UC group; adjusted mean difference, −0.04; 95% CI, −0.17 to 0.08 at 6-months; −1.62 in IC group vs −1.54 in UC group; adjusted mean difference, −0.06; 95% CI: −0.19 to 0.06 at 12-months).The risk of MAEs after discharge between IC and UC groups also did not differ significantly (42.1% vs 43.1%; p=0.307).

Conclusions

Results from the I-CARE trial showed that a nurse-coordinated ACS and depression IC intervention did not reduce depression or improve clinical outcomes among patients with ACS compared to usual care controls. The low prevalence of depression was unexpected and may have minimized the potential added benefits of the IC intervention on depression and clinical outcomes compared to UC.

Acknowledgement/Funding

This study is supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH100332).

A novel 86-bp indel of the motilin receptor gene is significantly associated with growth and carcass traits in Gushi-Anka F2 reciprocal cross chickens

1. A previous whole-genome association analysis has identified the motilin receptor gene (MLNR), which regulates gastrointestinal motility and gastric emptying, as a candidate gene related to chicken growth.2. MLNR mRNA was expressed in all tissues tested, and the expression level in digestive tissues was greater than in other tissues. Expression levels in the pancreas, duodenum and glandular stomach at day old and one, two and three weeks of age indicated a possible correlation with the digestive system. This suggested that the MLNR gene plays a central role in gastrointestinal tract function and affects the growth and development of chickens. Moreover, there was a significant difference in expression in the glandular stomach tissue between Ross 308 and Gushi chickens at six weeks of age.3. Re-sequencing revealed an 86-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in the downstream region of the MLNR gene. The mutation locus was genotyped in 2,261 individuals from nine different chicken breeds. MLNR expression levels in the glandular stomach of chickens with DD genotypes were greater than those in chickens with the ID and II genotypes. The DD genotype was the most dominant genotype in commercial broiler's (Ross 308 and Arbor Acres broilers), and the D allele frequency in these breeds exceeded 91%. The deletion mutation tended towards fixation in commercial broilers.4. Association with growth and carcass traits analysed in a Gushi-Anka F₂ intercrossed population, showed that the DD genotype was significantly associated with the greatest growth and carcass trait values, whereas values associated with the II genotype were the lowest in the F₂ reciprocal cross chickens.5. The results suggest that the mutation is strongly associated with growth related traits and it is likely to be useful for marker-assisted selection of chickens.