Complete mitochondrial genome of Hechuan white goat in China (Capra hircus)

The Hechuan white goat (Capra hircus), an indigenous of China. Here, we describe the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Hechuan white goat. The mitogenome is 16,640 nt in length, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes and a control region. As in other mammals, most mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand, except for ND6 and eight tRNA genes, which are encoded on the light strand. Its overall base composition is A: 33.5%, T: 27.3%, C: 26.1% and G: 13.1%. The complete mitogenome of the local subspecies of Hechuan white goat could provide an important data to further explore the breed improvement in Chinese goat.

Variability with altitude of major histocompatibility complex-related microsatellite loci in goats from Southwest China

We aimed to use microsatellite BM1258 loci of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) as an indicator of the influence of genetic diversity of immunity in goats (Dazu Black, Hechuan White, Meigu, and Tibetan goat). In total, 132 animals comprising 50 Dazu Black goats, 24 Hechuan White goats, 34 Meigu goats, and 24 Tibetan goats were examined. Collectively, 18 different alleles and 42 genotypes were found. The overall observed levels of heterozygosity showed large divergence from the expected levels in the four breeds, and an increase in the mean number of alleles of BM1258 accompanied decreasing altitude of the livestock's habitat. Our results indicate that low-altitude regions or plains were more conducive to genetic material exchange and gene flow between different populations. In addition, it seems that the breeds from low-altitude regions were less susceptible to problems introduced by commercial animals.

Dynamic comparison of genetic diversity in a Small Tail Han sheep population using meta-analysis

The aim of this research was to identify the dynamic diversity of Small Tail Han sheep in its main producing areas between different years, and provide a basis for a breeding and genetic resources conservation strategy. For this purpose, 15 microsatellites were genotyped for Small Tail Han Sheep sampled in 2014 from Heze, China, and a comparative analysis of these data with those from a previous study was undertaken using meta-analysis. The results reveal that inbreeding has caused a reduction in diversity of Small Tail Han Sheep from 2008 to 2014. Overall, our results are helpful in understanding the dynamic change in diversity, as well as providing information for a conservation strategy for this population.

Expressional analysis of immune-related miRNAs in breast milk

Immune-related miRNAs in breast milk are extracellular miRNAs that are related to immune organ development and regulation of the immune function in infants and young animals. The goal of this study was to compare the expression levels of five immune-related miRNAs in breast milk in black goats, humans, and dairy cattle. The miRNAs from milk were extracted and the expression levels were assessed using quantitive RT-PCR methods. MiR-146, miR-155, miR-181a, miR-223, and miR-150 were all detected in Dazu black goat milk, and these miRNAs were significantly more highly expressed in colostrum than in mature milk of goats (P < 0.01), except for miR-150. Further, all five miRNAs were expressed in human colostrum, but patterns differed from those in goats: miR-146 and miR-155 were highly expressed (P < 0.01) in human colostrum, whereas miR-223 was abundant in goat colostrum (P < 0.01). In addition, five miRNAs were significantly higher in bovine mature milk than in goat milk (P < 0.01). Taken together, these results confirm that immune-related miRNAs are rich in breast milk with different expression levels depending on the lactation phase and species.

Brief Note Low diversity of the major histocompatibility complex class II DRA gene in domestic goats (Capra hircus) in Southern China

DRA encodes the alpha chain of the DR heterodimer, is closely linked to DRB and is considered almost monomorphic in major histocompatibility complex region. In this study, we identified the exon 2 of DRA to evaluate the immunogenetic diversity of Chinese south indigenous goat. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms in an untranslated region and one synonymous substitution in coding region were identified. These data suggest that high immunodiversity in native Chinese population.

Short Communication: Diversity of TNF-α region in Chinese domestic goats

Tumor necrosis factor-α is a cytokine with a wide range of effects on both lymphoid and non-lymphoid cells. In this study, we identified polymorphisms in major histocompatibility complex class III gene in the 4th exon and the 3' untranslated region of tumor necrosis factor-α to evaluate the immunogenetic diversity of Chinese south indigenous goat. Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms were identified and showed similar frequencies in different except MI loci. These data suggest that the high immunodiversity of the tumor necrosis factor-α region within these breeds can be used for strengthening variety improvement and promoting animal husbandry development in Chinese indigenous goats.

A complete mitochondrial genome of Dazu Black goat

Dazu Black goat is an indigenous goat genetic resource in Southwest of China. Here, we describe its complete mitochondrial genome sequence. The mitogenome is 16,641 bp in length, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes and a control region. As in other mammals, most mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand, except for ND6 and eight tRNA genes, which are encoded on the light strand. Its overall base composition is A: 33.5%, T: 27.3%, C: 26.1% and G: 13.1%. The complete mitogenome of the indigenous goat could provide important data to further explore the taxonomic status of the subspecies and also provide a starting point for further phylogenetic studies.

Characteristics of the mitochondrial genome of four native goats in China (Capra hircus)

Here, we describe the complete mitochondrial genome sequences of Jining Gray goat, Fushun black goat, Youzhou black-skin goat, and Hechuan white goat. The mitogenome of those four goats consisted of 16,640 nt, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes and a control region. As in other mammals, most mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand, except for ND6 and eight tRNA genes, which are encoded on the light strand. The complete mitogenome of these four local breeds of Chinese native goats could provide an important data to further breed improvement and animal genetics resource conservation in China.

Effects of hypoxia on the immunomodulatory properties of human gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells

The environment of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is hypoxic, which plays an important role in maintaining their self-renewal potential and undifferentiated state. MSCs have been proven to possess immunomodulatory properties and have been used clinically to treat autoimmune diseases. Here, we tested the effects of hypoxia on the immunomodulatory properties of MSCs and examined its possible underlying mechanisms. We found that hypoxic stimulation promoted the immunomodulatory properties of human gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hGMSCs) by enhancing the suppressive effects of hGMSCs on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The proliferation of PBMCs was significantly inhibited, while the apoptosis of PBMCs was increased, which was associated with the Fas ligand (FasL) expression of hGMSCs. The in vivo study showed that systemically infused hGMSCs could enhance skin wound repair, and 24-h hypoxic stimulation significantly promoted the reparative capacity of hGMSCs. For mechanism, hGMSC treatment inhibited the local inflammation of injured skin by suppressing the inflammatory cells, reducing the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and increasing anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10), which was promoted by hypoxia. Hypoxia preconditioning may be a good optimizing method to promote the potential of MSCs for the future cell-based therapy.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the Yakow (Bos primigenius taurus × Bos grunniens) in China

The Chinese Yakow, Bos primigenius taurus × Bos grunniens, is a large and commercially important hybrid in family Bovidae. We first determined and annotated its complete mitochondrial genome. The mitogenome is 16,322 bp in length, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes and a control region. As in other mammals, most mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand, except for ND6 and eight tRNA genes, which are encoded on the light strand. Its overall base composition is A: 33.7%, T: 27.3%, C: 25.8% and G: 13.2%. The complete mitogenome of Yakow (B. p. taurus × B. grunniens) could provide an important data to further explore the taxonomic status of Yakow (B. p. taurus × B. grunniens) in B. grunniens and enrich the genetic information or evolutionary history of the Bovidae.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the a rare subspecies of genus Bos, Tianzhu white yak from Tibetan area in China

The population of domestic yak, Tianzhu white yak, from Tibetan area in China is considered as a rare Bos grunniens species. We first determined and annotated its complete mitochondrial genome. The mitogenome is 16,319 bp in length, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes and a control region. As in other mammals, most mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand, except for ND6 and eight tRNA genes, which are encoded on the light strand. Its overall base composition is A: 33.7%, T: 27.2%, C: 25.8% and G: 13.2%. The complete mitogenome of the new subspecies of Bos grunniens could provide an important data to further explore the taxonomic status of the subspecies.

Cross-leg repair of large soft-tissue defects in distal sites of the feet by distally based neuro-fasciocutaneous flaps with perforating vessels

The objective of this study was to introduce a method for repairing large soft-tissue defects on the foot. Distally based neuro-fasciocutaneous flaps with perforating vessels were designed along the saphenous and sural neurovascular axes. The cutaneous perforating branches of the major arteries of the lower extremities were used as pedicles, which provided a rotation arc for the cross-leg flap to cover the large-sized soft-tissue defects on the foot. We transferred 6 neurocutaneous vascular axial flaps, including 4 saphenous neurocutaneous axial flaps (ranging from 25 x 13 to 17 x 9 cm in area) with posterior tibial perforators as the pedicle, and 2 sural neurocutaneous axial flaps (ranging from 29 x 12 to 18 x 7 cm in area) supplied by the perforating branches of the peroneal vessels. These 6 cases of neuro-fasciocutaneous flaps survived with satisfactory cosmetic appearances and functional results on follow-up at 8 to 17 months post-surgery. Placing a distally based neuro-fasciocutaneous cross-leg flap with perforating vessels is an effective method for repairing large-sized soft-tissue defects on the foot.

Cladosporium cladosporioides Identified in China on Tobacco Seeds

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is a leafy, annual, solanaceous plant grown commercially for its leaves. China is the biggest single tobacco market and accounts for more than 40% of the global tobacco consumption (1). Tobacco seed harvested in Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China, are commonly contaminated or infected by various fungal pathogens, which can cause abnormal seedlings with dark brown lesions and stunting of roots and decayed seeds. In 2013, five samples of 500 seeds from tobacco cv. Guiyan 4 were tested for germination on moistened paper on petri dishes. On average, 35% of the seeds from all five samples developed into abnormal seedlings or were decayed and were plated onto potato dextrose agar media and grown for 5 days at 25°C in darkness to confirm the presence of a pathogen. However, one fungus was isolated from an average of 10% of the 500 seeds sampled. It was identified morphologically as Cladosporium cladosporioides (Fresen.) de Vries based on the velvety olive-brown with almost black reverse colony color and dimensions and color of conidia and conidiophores. Conidia formed in long branched chains that readily disarticulate, single celled, elliptical to limoniform, 2 to 8 (avg. 4.3) × 2 to 3 (avg. 2.1) μm. Conidia were pale to olive brown and smooth to verruculose. Ramoconidia were 0 to 1 septate, 7 to 14 (avg. 9.2) × 2 to 4 (avg. 2.6) μm, smooth or sometimes minutely verruculose. Conidiophores were pale to olive brown, macro- and micronemateus, smooth or sometimes verruculose, and of various lengths up to 320 μm long and 2 to 5 μm wide. Primer pair ITS1 and ITS4 was employed to amplify the regions of ITS1-5.8s-ITS2 of the pathogens. Sequences of all three isolates (G3, G10, and G18) (Accession Nos. KF841547, KF841554, and KF841560) were identical to each other and to four sequences in GenBank (JX230994.1, JQ768317.1, JQ768322.1, and AB763555.1). Pathogenicity of the three isolates of C. cladosporioides was verified on tobacco seedlings of 3-week-old grown on wet filter paper in the petri dishes (9 cm in diameter). For each isolate, 20 seedlings incubated in one plate were inoculated with 0.5 ml of a suspension of 10⁵ conidia/ml. Twenty seedlings were treated with sterile water as control treatment. After inoculation, the petri dishes were incubated at 25°C, 100 to 120 μEm^-2 S^-1, RH > 80%, and 16 h light per day for disease development. At 96 h after inoculation, symptoms comprising medium brown to black lesions on the roots were clearly visible on inoculated plants but not on the control plants. All seedlings inoculated died 9 days after inoculation whereas control seedlings remained symptomless. Re-isolation attempts on PDA from roots demonstrated C. cladosporioides to be present in symptomatic seedlings but not in roots of the control plants. Moreover, the characteristics of the cultured fungi were exactly the same as those originally isolated. Isolates G3, G10, and G18 (KF841547, KF841554, and KF841560) were deposited with the Tobacco Diseased Fungi, Guizhou Academy of Tobacco Sciences, Guizhou, China. Previously, C. cladosporioides has also been isolated from macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia Maiden & Betche) racemes in South Africa (4), from diseased papaya (Carica papaya L.) in Taiwan province of China (2), and from seeds of Amaranthus spp. in Poland (3). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of C. cladosporioides causing seed disease on tobacco in China and the disease should be considered in existing disease management practices. References: (1) British American Tobacco Annual Report, 8, 2012. (2) R. S. Chen, et al. Plant Dis. 93:426, 2009. (3) W. Pusz. Phytopathologia 54:15, 2009. (4) N. van den Berg et al. Plant Dis. 92:484, 2008.

A novel allele: HLA-B*13:01:06, identified by sequence-based typing in a Chinese individual

HLA-B*13:01:06 has one nucleotide acid change (G→A) at position 219, at codon 49 (GCG→GCA) in exon2 without amino acid change (Ala→Ala).

Microwave torrefaction of rice straw and Pennisetum

Microwave torrefaction of rice straw and pennisetum was researched in this article. Higher microwave power levels contributed to higher heating rate and reaction temperature, and thus produced the torrefied biomass with higher heating value and lower H/C and O/C ratios. Kinetic parameters were determined with good coefficients of determination, so the microwave torrefaction of biomass might be very close to first-order reaction. Only 150W microwave power levels and 10min processing time were needed to meet about 70% mass yield and 80% energy yield for torrefied biomass. The energy density of torrefied biomass was about 14% higher than that of raw biomass. The byproducts (liquid and gas) possessed about 30% mass and 20% energy of raw biomass, and they can be seen as energy sources for heat or electricity. Microwave torrefaction of biomass could be a competitive technology to employ the least energy and to retain the most bioenergy.

Bounds on the number of hidden neurons in multilayer perceptrons

Fundamental issues concerning the capability of multilayer perceptrons with one hidden layer are investigated. The studies are focused on realizations of functions which map from a finite subset of E(n) into E(d). Real-valued and binary-valued functions are considered. In particular, a least upper bound is derived for the number of hidden neurons needed to realize an arbitrary function which maps from a finite subset of E(n ) into E(d). A nontrivial lower bound is also obtained for realizations of injective functions. This result can be applied in studies of pattern recognition and database retrieval. An upper bound is given for realizing binary-valued functions that are related to pattern-classification problems.

Precisely-controlled fabrication of single ZnO nanoemitter arrays and their possible application in low energy parallel electron beam exposure

Precisely-controlled fabrication of single ZnO nanoemitter arrays and their possible application in low energy parallel electron beam exposure are reported. A well defined polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) nanohole template was employed for local solution-phase growth of single ZnO nanoemitter arrays. Chlorine plasma etching for surface smoothing and pulsed-laser illumination in nitrogen for nitrogen doping were performed, which can significantly enhance the electron emission and improve the emitter-to-emitter uniformity in performance. Mechanisms responsible for the field emission enhancing effect are proposed. Low voltage (368 V) e-beam exposure was performed by using a ZnO nanoemitter array and a periodical hole pattern (0.72-1.26 μm in diameter) was produced on a thin (25 nm) PMMA. The work demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing single ZnO nano-field emitter arrays for low voltage parallel electron beam lithography.

A rare Y chromosome constitutional rearrangement: a partial AZFb deletion and duplication within chromosome Yp in an infertile man with severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia

We report a case of an infertile man with severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia with a partial azoospermia factor b (AZFb) deletion and duplication region within chromosome Yp11.2. The hormonal profile was normal for serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone and oestradiol. The patient, who showed a 46,XY karyotype, had an approximate 2.4 Mb inherited duplication region in Yp11.2 and a de novo partial AZFb deletion, which spanned 5.25 Mb including eight protein coding genes and four non-coding transcripts, but did not remove the RBMY gene family. Both proximal and distal breakpoints of the deletion were outside any palindromic region or inverted repeat sequence and intra-chromosomal non-allelic homologous recombination could not have been the deletion mechanism. The partial AZFb deletion in our case diminished sperm production, but did not completely extinguish spermatogenesis. Considering severe oligozoospermia, spermatozoa in the patient's ejaculate were used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection, resulting in two twin pregnancies.

A sequential method to analyze the kinetics of biomass pyrolysis

The kinetics of biomass pyrolysis was studied via a sequential method including two stages. Stage one is to analyze the kinetics of biomass pyrolysis and starts with the determination of unreacted fraction of sample at the maximum reaction rate, (1-α)(m). Stage two provides a way to simulate the reaction rate profile and to verify the appropriateness of kinetic parameters calculated in the previous stage. Filter paper, xylan, and alkali lignin were used as representatives of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin whose pyrolysis was analyzed with the assumption of the orders of reaction being 1, 2, and 3, respectively. For most of the biomass pyrolysis, kinetic parameters were properly determined and reaction rate profiles were adequately simulated by regarding the order of reaction as 1. This new method should be applicable to most of the biomass pyrolysis and similar reactions whose (1-α)(m) is acquirable, representative, and reliable.

MICA*002:04: a new allele identified by sequence-based typing in a Chinese individual

The novel MICA*002:04 allele differs from MICA*002:01 by a single mutation at position 486 (C>A) in codon 20 (GCC>GCA) in exon 3.

Pyrolysis of biomass by thermal analysis-mass spectrometry (TA-MS)

The kinetic parameters such as pre-exponential factor and activation energy of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin were well determined by the linear regressions of selected, sufficient thermogravimetric data, and close to literature values. The pyrolysis of biomass can be divided into four stages. There was only drying in the zeroth stage (<150°C). In the first stage (150-250°C), some light hydrocarbons were produced with the early pyrolysis of biomass. The biomass was mainly pyrolyzed in the second stage (250-500°C) with higher reaction rates than those of other stages. The productions of H(2) and CO(2) in the third stage (>500°C) may be able to be the evidence of self-gasification of char existing at higher temperatures.

Hydrogen-rich fuel gas from rice straw via microwave-induced pyrolysis

This study aimed to research the productivity of H(2)-rich fuel gas from rice straw using the microwave-induced pyrolysis. The formation constituents of gas product and the mechanism of its production were also discussed. The primary components of gas product were H(2), CO(2), CO, and CH(4), with average percentages of 50.67, 22.56, 16.09, and 7.42vol.%, respectively. According to the TA-MS analysis, it was suggested that focused heating by microwaves made the microwave-induced pyrolysis different from the traditional pyrolysis. A chemical equation could be nearly balanced to illustrate the gas composition generated from rice straw. From the viewpoint of energy consumption, close to 60% of the input energy could be derived and utilized as bioenergy.