Exosome-derived uterine microRNAs isolated from cows with endometritis impede blastocyst development

As a common disease of cows occurring during their perinatal period, endometritis is known to affect fertility. At present, the studies on endometritis mainly focus on preventing microbial invasion. However, the mechanism that uterine inflammation affects embryo activity and implantation is unclear. Mainly containing lipids, proteins, mRNAs, and microRNAs, exosomes widely exist in various tissues and body fluids. Exosome extractions were used by commercial kits and confirmed through morphological examinations and Western blot. After exosomes' mRNA profiles were generated using RNA sequencing, it was investigated how uterine cavity fluid exosomes affect the developmental competence of in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos in case of endometritis. In this study, the isolated exosomes were spherical particles with a diameter of 30-150 nm according to the transmission electron microscopy. Identified with Western blotting, positive CD63 and CD9 expressions showed that the isolated exosomes could be used for the subsequent tests. We found 118 differentially expressed miRNAs in the exosomes of the uterine cavity fluid in healthy cows and those with endometritis, among which, 52 miRNAs were down regulated and 66 up regulated. Furthermore, the qRT-PCR results confirmed the up-regulation of three miRNAs and down-regulation of six miRNAs, which were consistent with the deep sequencing results. IVF embryos co-incubated with the endometritis exosomes significantly decreased the blastocyst formation rate in comparison with those co-incubated with the healthy exosomes (21.84+3.17 vs. 32.37+2.69). Therefore, exosome miRNAs may be a cause of infertility in cows with endometritis.

Dietary supplementation with linseed oil improves semen quality, reproductive hormone, gene and protein expression related to testosterone synthesis in aging layer breeder roosters

Omega-3/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3/n-3 PUFAs) play an important role in male reproductive function. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of linseed oil (LO) as a source of α-linolenic acid (ALA, n-3 PUFA) on semen quality, plasma reproductive hormone and expression of key enzyme and protein related to steroidogenesis in aging layer breeder roosters. Ninety-six 57-wk-old Nongda No.3 layer breeder roosters were randomly assigned into one of four dietary treatments. All birds were fed a basal diet for 1wk and then assigned to a corn-soybean meal-based diet containing 0, 1, 2, 4% LO for 4 wk. After feeding trial, the roosters were slaughtered and investigated. The results showed that semen volume was dramatically increased relative to the other treatments in 2% LO group (P < 0.05). With an increase in dietary LO, semen concentration, sperm viability, sperm motility and total sperm count increased linearly (P < 0.05). Plasma follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level increased gradually and reached a maximum when 4% LO was fed (P < 0.01). Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in 1% and 2% LO group were improved significantly (P < 0.05) relative to the control group. Plasma testosterone (T) levels were remarkably improved compared with the control when birds were fed 2% and 4% LO (P < 0.05). A significant increase of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) mRNA expression in 2% and 4% LO group was observed relative to the control group (P < 0.05). An increase in dietary LO supplementation from 1% to 4% markedly enhanced (P < 0.05) the mRNA expression of cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) compared to the control. A significant increase (P < 0.05) in the Steroidogenic Factor 1 (SF-1) mRNA levels was observed in the 2% and 4% LO-added groups. SF-1 protein expression was markedly increased by adding LO in diets (P < 0.05), and reached a maximum in 2% LO group. In conclusion, the results above suggest that dietary LO may improve semen quality by increasing the T hormone secretion, which may be related to higher StAR and P450scc mRNA expression and SF-1 expression. These findings provide a potential for using LO to attenuate the age-related sub-fertility in commercial layer breeder roosters.

Orchestration of protein acetylation as a toggle for cellular defense and virus replication

Emerging evidence highlights protein acetylation, a prevalent lysine posttranslational modification, as a regulatory mechanism and promising therapeutic target in human viral infections. However, how infections dynamically alter global cellular acetylation or whether viral proteins are acetylated remains virtually unexplored. Here, we establish acetylation as a highly-regulated molecular toggle of protein function integral to the herpesvirus human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication. We offer temporal resolution of cellular and viral acetylations. By interrogating dynamic protein acetylation with both protein abundance and subcellular localization, we discover finely tuned spatial acetylations across infection time. We determine that lamin acetylation at the nuclear periphery protects against virus production by inhibiting capsid nuclear egress. Further studies within infectious viral particles identify numerous acetylations, including on the viral transcriptional activator pUL26, which we show represses virus production. Altogether, this study provides specific insights into functions of cellular and viral protein acetylations and a valuable resource of dynamic acetylation events.

The dynamics of protein acetylation during infection remains unexplored. Here, Murray et al. characterize spatio-temporal acetylations of both cellular and viral proteins during HCMV infection, providing new functional insights into the host-virus acetylome that might help identify new antiviral targets.

Research Progress on InDel Genetic Marker in Forensic Science

Genetic markers in forensic DNA typing experienced the variable number of tandem repeats （VNTR） sequences and the short tandem repeats （STR） sequences. With the emerge of sequencing technology, the third generation of genetic markers were found out, which usually have two alleles including single nucleotide polymorphism （SNP） and insertion/deletion （InDel）, also known as biallelic genetic markers. Because of the insertions or deletions of DNA fragments, InDel genetic marker reveals DNA fragment length polymorphism and widely distributes across the whole genome. InDel genetic marker is numerous and has the characteristics of STR and SNP genetic markers, which has been applied in the fields of genetics and anthropology. This review focuses on the research progress of InDel genetic marker in forensic science, aiming to review and summarize the main research findings in recent years and provide clues for future researches.

Co-Existence of Novel PDE6A Mutations and A Recurrent RPGR Mutation: A Potential Explanation for Phenotypic Diversity in Female RPGR Mutation Carriers

BACKGROUND

To report the co-existence of novel biallelic PDE6A mutations and heterozygous RPGR mutation in a Chinese female patient with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and to analyze the intrafamilial phenotypic diversity.

METHODS

Three patients with retinopathy and four healthy family members were included in genetic and clinical analyses. Personal medical records were obtained from another four unaffected female family members who refused blood donation. Family history was carefully recorded. Each patient received comprehensive ophthalmic tests. Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach was performed on the proband to determine the retinopathy causative mutation for this family. In silico analysis was also applied to analyze the pathogenesis of identified mutations.

RESULTS

The two recruited male patients were diagnosed with RP, and the female patient RP sine pigmento (RPSP). Genetic assessments revealed a recurrent RPGR mutation, c.1926_1927insA, carried by all three patients and segregated the disease status. Three other unaffected female family members were confirmed as carriers for the identified RPGR mutation, and another four as obligate carriers. Interestingly, of all the eight female RPGR mutation carriers in this family, only one female developed retinal dystrophy. Comprehensive genetic analysis of this patient unraveled additional biallelic PDE6A mutations, c.[1066-9delT];[2324delG], carried solely by this individual.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, we hypothesize that the phenotypic variability presented by female RPGR mutation carriers may be attributed to the co-existence of other disease-causative mutations. Our study also emphasizes the importance of comprehensive genetic analysis in these female carriers, which will contribute to better diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment for these patients.

[Assessment on Application of 24 Y-STR Loci in Forensic Science]

OBJECTIVES

To select a Y-STR marker system with strong haplotype identification ability, appropriate mutation rate and high compatibility and to assess its forensic application.

METHODS

The 24 Y-STR loci were tested by self-built fluorescent multiplex system, and the forensic assessment was conducted by 139 pairs of father-son samples collected in Jinan, Shandong province.

RESULTS

Totally 176 alleles were identified among the 24 Y-STR loci in the sample of 139 unrelated individuals labeled with father, and the gene diversity （GD） distributed between 0.083 7 （DYS645）-0.966 9 （DYS385a/b）. According to the 24 Y-STR loci, 139 different haplotypes were detected from 139 unrelated male individuals labeled with father in Han population of Shandong province and with no shared haplotype observed. The overall haplotype diversity （HD） was 1 and the discrimination capacity （DC） was 1. A total of 5 one-step mutations events were observed among the 24 Y-STR loci in 139 pairs of father-son. The average mutation rate was 0.001 5 [95% CI （0.000 5, 0.003 5）].

CONCLUSIONS

The system of 24 Y-STR loci shows a strong individual recognition ability and low mutation rate in the population in Jinan, Shandong province, and it has good application value in forensic science.

Recombinant phosphoglucomutase and CAMP factor as potential subunit vaccine antigens induced high protection against Streptococcus iniae infection in flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

AIMS

The aim of this study was to screen vaccine candidates from virulence factors of Streptococcus iniae in flounder model.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The immunogenicity of recombinant phosphoglucomutase (rPGM) and rCAMP factor was confirmed by Western blot. The percentage of surface membrane immunoglobulin-positive (sIg⁺ ) lymphocytes in peripheral blood leucocytes, the specific and total serum IgM and the activity of acid phosphatase (ACP) and peroxidase (POD) in flounder were determined with flow cytometry, ELISA and commercial enzyme activity kits, respectively, after intraperitoneal immunization with rPGM and rCAMP factor. The results showed that rPGM and rCAMP factor could induce significant rise in sIg⁺ lymphocytes, specific serum IgM and activities of ACP and POD. Additionally, the relative percent survival rate of the vaccinated flounder was 64 and 54% in challenge experiment using S. iniae, respectively. These results indicated that rPGM and rCAMP factor could evoke humoural and innate immune response in flounder and provide high-efficiency immunoprotection against S. iniae infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Phosphoglucomutase (PGM) and CAMP factor were promising vaccine candidates against S. iniae in flounder.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Phosphoglucomutase and CAMP factor have the potential to be vaccine candidates, which provide important information for us to develop the effective subunit vaccines, especially the multivaccine, against S .iniae in aquaculture.

[Forensic Application of SiFaSTR™ 23plex DNA ID System in Han Population of Eastern China]

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the genetic polymorphism of 21 autosomal STR loci and DYS391 locus of SiFaSTR™ 23plex DNA ID system in Han population of eastern China and to evaluate its application value in forensic science.

METHODS

Typing test of 2 000 unrelated individuals was performed using SiFaSTR™ 23plex DNA ID system. The population genetic parameters of STR loci were statistically analysed. A total of 3 198 parentage confirmed cases were detected with that system and the mutation conditions were observed in 21 autosomal STR loci.

RESULTS

All the 21 autosomal STR loci showed no significant departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium （P>0.05）. The Ho ranged from 0.617 5 to 0.927 0. The DP ranged from 0.796 4 to 0.986 9, as well as the PIC distributed from 0.561 1 to 0.912 3. The CDP was 0.999 999 999 999 999. The CPE_duo was 0.999 997 431 701 961, while CPE_trio was 0.999 999 999 654 865. Five alleles were detected in DYS391 locus, with the allele frequency from 0.004 0 to 0.729 0, and GD was 0.418 9. Except D13S317 and D10S1248, seventy-six mutation events were observed at the rest nineteen autosomal STR loci. Among them, seventy-five （98.68%） were one step mutation, and only one （1.32%） was three steps mutation. The mutation rate ranged from 0.246 5×10⁻³ to 2.711 4×10⁻³, and the averaged mutation rate was 0.892 1×10⁻³ （95% CI： 0.70×10⁻³-1.10×10⁻³）. In 33 trio mutation cases, the proportion of the paternal mutation and the maternal mutation was 2.09:1.

CONCLUSIONS

The involved STRs are highly polymorphic in Eastern Han population with acceptable mutation rates by the SiFaSTR™ 23plex DNA ID system, which is suitable for paternity testing and individual identification.

Expression and function of MUC1 in uterine tissues during early pregnancy in sheep after natural oestrous or artificially-induced oestrous

Mucin 1 (MUC1), a cell surface glycoprotein, is expressed mainly in the endometrial luminal epithelium (LE) and glandular epithelium (GE) of the endometrium in many mammalian species including mice, rats, pigs, sheep, horses and humans during various stages of a menstrual or oestrous cycle, where it plays an important role in embryo implantation and placentation. However, the expression and function of MUC1 in uterine tissues during early pregnancy in sheep after artificially-induced oestrous is not known. Therefore, we investigated the expression and function of MUC1 in the early pregnant and non-pregnant uterine tissues of sheep with natural oestrous or artificially-induced oestrous on days 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 of the cycle by in situ hybridization, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemical staining and western blotting methods. According to our results, MUC1 mRNA and protein expression increased initially but then decreased from days 10-18, peaking on day 14 in the uterine tissues of non-pregnant ewes after both natural and artificially-induced oestrous. MUC1 protein localisation was observed in the LE on days 10, 12 and 14 and in the GE on days 16 and 18. In contrast, MUC1 mRNA and protein expression increased on days 10 and 12, decreased on day 14, but increased again on days 16 and 18 in the uterine tissues of pregnant ewes both in natural oestrous and in artificially-induced oestrous. Additionally, the MUC1 mRNA and protein expression levels in the uterine tissues of the early pregnant sheep were significantly lower than those in the non-pregnant sheep on days 10, 14, and 18, except on day 16(P < 0.01). Enhancing MUC1 protein expression with oestrogen or/and progesterone decreased the blastocyst adhesion rate when blastocysts were co-cultured with endometrial epithelial cells (EECs), while inhibiting MUC1 protein expression with IFN-τ increased the blastocyst adhesion rate when the blastocysts were co-cultured with EECs. Compared with the ewes undergoing natural oestrus, the expression trend and regulation of MUC1 did not change, and the MUC1 expression levels only increased under artificial oestrus conditions. Our data provide important information for improving the conception rate in sheep undergoing artificially-induced oestrus and offer some reference points relating to embryo transfer, oestrus synchronisation and superovulation.

Efficacy and safety of uninterrupted low-intensity warfarin for cryoballoon ablation of atrial fibrillation in the elderly: A pilot study

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

Uninterrupted warfarin during cryoballoon ablation (CB-A) of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been widely accepted. However, to our knowledge, no previous studies exist investigating the optimal intensity of anticoagulation with warfarin for CB-A. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of uninterrupted low-intensity warfarin for CB-A of AF in the elderly.

METHODS

Paroxysmal AF patients (age ≥ 70 years) who underwent CB-A were enrolled prospectively. The participants were stratified into 2 groups based on international normalized ratio (INR) before ablation (INR in group A: 1.5 to 2.0; INR in group B: 2.0-2.5). Primary endpoints included periprocedural thromboembolic complications and major bleeding. Secondary endpoints were new asymptomatic cerebral emboli (ACE) and minor bleeding.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A total of 144 patients were enrolled (group A: 65; group B: 79). In group A, the use of concomitant antiplatelet drugs was more common. Also, the mean HAS-BLED score was significantly higher (2.4 ± 0.8 vs 2.0 ± 0.6, P < .01) and the mean activated clotting time (ACT) during the procedure was significantly lower (302 ± 14 s vs 311 ± 11 s, P < .01). Other clinical characteristics were balanced between the 2 groups. No thromboembolic complications and major bleeding occurred in either group. The incidence of periprocedural ACE was comparable between the 2 groups (9.2% vs 6.3%, P = .74). The incidence of minor bleeding in group A and group B was 4.6% and 11.4%, respectively (P = .14).

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Compared with standard-intensity warfarin, uninterrupted low-intensity warfarin might not increase the incidence of thromboembolic complications and might be associated with less bleeding risk during the perioperative period of cryoballoon ablation in the elderly. Large trials are needed to confirm these results.

[Forensic Application of HuaxiaTM Platinum Kit]

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the genetic polymorphism of 23 autosomal STR loci of Huaxia™ Platinum kit in Chinese Han population, and to evaluate the forensic efficiency of Huaxia™ Platinum kit.

METHODS

A total of 500 unrelated healthy individuals from Han population were genotyped with Huaxia™ Platinum kit. The frequency distribution and the parameter of population genetics of STR loci were analysed statistically. Huaxia™ Platinum kit was compared with other 7 commercial STR kits commonly seen at home and abroad in the number of STR loci, interior label, fluorescent mark, total number of alleles in Ladder and system effectiveness.

RESULTS

All the 23 autosomal STR loci were consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium （P>0.05）. The discrimination power was 0.791 5-0.986 2. The polymorphism information content （PIC） was 0.559 0-0.914 0. The combined discrimination power （CDP） was 1-4.1×10⁻²⁸, while combined probability of paternity exclusion in trio （CPET） and in duo （CPED） were 1-4.1×10⁻¹⁰ and 1-8.4×10⁻⁷, respectively. Compared with other 7 kits, Huaxia™ Platinum kit contained the most number of alleles within the Ladder.

CONCLUSIONS

All the 23 autosomal STR loci of Huaxia™ Platinum kit with highly polymorphic in Han population can be used for paternity testing and individual identification. Compared with other 7 kits, it appears that Huaxia™ Platinum kit can provide more genetic information.

Screening somatic cell nuclear transfer parameters for generation of transgenic cloned cattle with intragenomic integration of additional gene copies that encode bovine adipocyte-type fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP)

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is frequently used to produce transgenic cloned livestock, but it is still associated with low success rates. To our knowledge, we are the first to report successful production of transgenic cattle that overexpress bovine adipocyte-type fatty acid binding proteins (A-FABPs) with the aid of SCNT. Intragenomic integration of additional A-FABP gene copies has been found to be positively correlated with the intramuscular fat content in different farm livestock species. First, we optimized the cloning parameters to produce bovine embryos integrated with A-FABP by SCNT, such as applied voltage field strength and pulse duration for electrofusion, morphology and size of donor cells, and number of donor cells passages. Then, bovine fibroblast cells from Qinchuan cattle were transfected with A-FABP and used as donor cells for SCNT. Hybrids of Simmental and Luxi local cattle were selected as the recipient females for A-FABP transgenic SCNT-derived embryos. The results showed that a field strength of 2.5 kV/cm with two 10-μs duration electrical pulses was ideal for electrofusion, and 4-6th generation circular smooth type donor cells with diameters of 15-25 μm were optimal for producing transgenic bovine embryos by SCNT, and resulted in higher fusion (80%), cleavage (73%), and blastocyst (27%) rates. In addition, we obtained two transgenic cloned calves that expressed additional bovine A-FABP gene copies, as detected by PCR-amplified cDNA sequencing. We proposed a set of optimal protocols to produce transgenic SCNT-derived cattle with intragenomic integration of ectopic A-FABP-inherited exon sequences.

Diode-pumped Alexandrite lasers in Q-switched and cavity-dumped Q-switched operation

We present the first study of Q-switched Alexandrite lasers under continuous-wave diode-pumping with operation up to 10 kHz repetition rates in TEM₀₀, with spatial quality M² 1.15. With a pulsed-diode dual-end-pumped design, pulse energy is scaled to a record level of 3 mJ. We also demonstrate, for the first time, cavity-dumped Q-switching of diode-pumped Alexandrite lasers under continuous-wave and pulsed diode-pumping, up to 10 kHz. Pulse energy of 510 μJ is demonstrated with 3 ns pulse duration and 170 kW peak power, in TEM₀₀ with M² < 1.2. Second harmonic generation of the cavity-dumped Q-switched pulses was used to generate UV wavelength 379 nm with conversion efficiency of 47%.