Accuracies of genomic prediction for twenty economically important traits in Chinese Simmental beef cattle

Genomic prediction has been widely utilized to estimate genomic breeding values (GEBVs) in farm animals. In this study, we conducted genomic prediction for 20 economically important traits including growth, carcass and meat quality traits in Chinese Simmental beef cattle. Five approaches (GBLUP, BayesA, BayesB, BayesCπ and BayesR) were used to estimate the genomic breeding values. The predictive accuracies ranged from 0.159 (lean meat percentage estimated by BayesCπ) to 0.518 (striploin weight estimated by BayesR). Moreover, we found that the average predictive accuracies across 20 traits were 0.361, 0.361, 0.367, 0.367 and 0.378, and the averaged regression coefficients were 0.89, 0.86, 0.89, 0.94 and 0.95 for GBLUP, BayesA, BayesB, BayesCπ and BayesR respectively. The genomic prediction accuracies were mostly moderate and high for growth and carcass traits, whereas meat quality traits showed relatively low accuracies. We concluded that Bayesian regression approaches, especially for BayesR and BayesCπ, were slightly superior to GBLUP for most traits. Increasing with the sizes of reference population, these two approaches are feasible for future application of genomic selection in Chinese beef cattle.

[Applicational value of modified pancreaticojejunostomy and risk factors of pancreatic fistula following pancreaticoduodenectomy]

Objective: To compare the efficacy of modified pancreaticojejunostomy with traditional pancreaticojejunostomy following pancreaticoduodenectomy, and to investigate the risk factors of postoperative pancreatic fistula. Methods: Clinical data of 68 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between October 2017 and October 2018 at the Second Department of Biliary Tract Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital was retrospectively collected and analyzed.According to the method of pancreaticojejunostomy, the patients were divided into two groups: modified pancreaticojejunostomy group (34 patients) and traditional pancreaticojejunostomy group (34 patients). There were 18 males and 16 females, aged (60.4±9.6) years of modified pancreaticojejunostomy groups; there were 17 males and 18 females, aged (58.9±10.9) years of traditional pancreaticojejunostomy group. The major postoperative complications such as pancreatic fistula were compared between the two groups, and the risk factors of postoperative pancreatic fistula were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: All of the 68 operations were successfully completed. The overall incidence of postoperative complications was 51.5% (35/68). The incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula was 13.2% (9/68), of which all were cases of grade B.There were 16 patients (23.5%) occurred with abdominal infection, and 11 patients (16.2%) occurred with delayed gastric emptying, including 1 case of grade A, 1 case of grade B and 9 cases of grade C.And 9 patients (13.2%) occurred with postoperative bleeding was, including 2 cases of mild bleeding, 5 cases of moderate bleeding, and 2 cases of severe bleeding.Biliary leakage occurred in one patient (1.5%) and chylous leakage occurred in two patients (2.9%). The modified pancreaticojejunostomy could significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative bleeding compared with control group (χ(2)=4.610, P=0.032). And there were no significant differences for other postoperative complications between the two groups (all P>0.05). According to the results of univariate analysis: age, intraoperative bleeding and diameter of pancreatic tube were related factors affecting postoperative pancreatic fistula (P=0.025, 0.019, 0.017, respectively). The results of multivariate analysis showed that intraoperative bleeding>400 ml and diameter of pancreatic tube <3 mm were independent risk factors of pancreatic fistula following pancreaticoduodenectomy (P=0.025, 0.008, respectively). Conclusion: The modified pancreaticojejunostomy is feasible with advantages of reducing postoperative bleeding following pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Identification of prognostic risk factors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia based on mRNA expression profiling

We aim to identify prognosis risk factors in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). mRNA microarray data of adult ALL patients were downloaded from TCGA database, whose mRNAs were isolated from bone marrow aspirate fluid mononuclear cells. Then the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between good and poor prognosis samples were screened. Following that, the sample dependency network was constructed based on the Pearson connection coefficients of DEGs in the samples. The prognosis-related genes were collected using logistic regression analysis. A classifier for predict the prognosis of ALL patients was established, which was validated in another independent dataset GSE13280 including 173 ALL samples. A total of 578 down-regulated and 637 up-regulated DEGs for worse prognosis were identified. A sample dependency network was established, comprising 100 samples combined by 246 lines. 13 prognosis-related genes were selected to constructed the prognosis classification model, which had an overall precision of 82.7% on distinguishing prognosis status of ALL patients. Total 4 genes were found as the prognosis risk factors in predicting the prognosis of ALL samples, including ALPK1, ACTN4, CALR, and ZNF695. ALPK1, ACTN4, CALR, and ZNF695 were identified as the potential prognosis risk factors in adult ALL.

[Discussion and evaluation of diagnostic criteria for hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic pre-liver failure]

Objective: To investigate the concept of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic pre-liver failure (pre-ACLF), and to develop and evaluate the diagnostic criteria for this disease. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 754 patients with severe acute exacerbation (SAE) of HBV-related chronic liver disease, and their clinical features were identified. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors for acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). The inclusion rate of patients with SAE-HBV-related chronic liver disease and the detection rate of ACLF patients were analyzed to evaluate the value of four different versions of diagnostic criteria for pre-liver failure. The t-test, an analysis of variance, the Mann-Whitney U test, and the chi-square test were used for statistical analysis based on data type. Results: The incidence rate of ACLF in the patients with SAE-HBV-related chronic liver disease was 9.9% and the time to progression to ACLF was 12.0 ± 6.7 days. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HBV reactivation (odds ratio [OR] = 5.118), direct bilirubin ratio (D/T) (OR = 1.041), age (OR = 1.033), total bilirubin (TBil) (OR = 1.005), prothrombin activity (PTA) (OR = 0.880), and serum sodium (Na) (OR = 0.918) were independent risk factors for ACLF. Group B (51.3 μmol/L < TBil < 171.1 μmol/L and 40%≤PTA < 60%, 4.2%) had a significantly lower incidence rate of ACLF than group A (51.3 μmol/L < TBil < 171.1 μmol/L and PTA < 40%, 13.7%) and group C (TBil > 171.1 μmol/L and 40% < PTA < 60%, 20.3%) (P < 0.001). Group C had a significantly shorter time to progression to ACLF than group A (10.5 ± 6.1 days vs 15.6 ± 7.4 days, P = 0.008). A total of 45 patients met the diagnostic criteria developed by Chongqing and the incidence rate of ACLF was 2.2%; 154 patients met the diagnostic criteria developed by Zhejiang and the incidence rate of ACLF was 7.1%; 188 patients met the diagnostic criteria in the Chinese guidelines and the incidence rate of ACLF was 6.4%; 117 patients met the diagnostic criteria for SAE-CHB and the incidence rate of ACLF was 9.4%. Conclusion: At present, these four versions of diagnostic criteria for pre-liver failure are not fully applicable to the clinical practice in China. The diagnostic criteria for HBV-related pre-ACLF should include important assessment indices which affect its progression to ACLF.

[Analysis of radiation workers health status in a city]

Objective: To investigate the health status of radiation workers in a city and provide evidence for the health management of radiation workers. Methods: To investigate the health status of radiation workers in a city and provide evidence for the health management of radiation workers. Results: The majority of radiation workers are engaged in diagnostic radiology, male is more than female. The abnormal rate of micronuclear (0.59‰) and chromosome aberration (0.47%) was highest in nuclear medicine workers. The abnormal rate of micronuclear and chromosome aberration was similar with interventional and diagnostic radiology. Expect for micronuclear (χ(2)=32.945, P<0.01) and chromosome aberration (χ(2)=75149.737, P<0.01) , other radiation sensitive indicators have no difference. The abnormal rate of thyroid function (18.8%) (χ(2)=12.084, P<0.01) , micronuclear (0.25‰) (χ(2)=57.359, P<0.01) , chromosome aberration (0.08%) (χ(2)=17.209, P<0.01) in group whose service length exceeding 20 years was higher than other service length groups. There is no statistical difference in other radiation sensitive indicators among different service length group. Conclusion: Long-term low doses of ionizing radiation could affect radiation worker's health, expecially radiation workers engaged in nuclear medicine and radiotherapy. We must pay attention to occupaitonal health care and management to ensure radiation worker's health.

Immune Tolerance Induced by Decitabine Combined With Multiple Allogeneic Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cell Infusion

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to investigate the strategy of immune tolerance induced by the demethylating drug decitabine (DAC) combined with multiple allogeneic bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMMNC) infusions.

METHODS

An animal model with C57BL/6 mice as recipients and a BALB/c mouse as the donor was established. C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the following groups: DAC, BMMNC, DAC+BMMNC, and the control groups. Mice in the DAC and DAC+BMMNC groups were given DAC (5 μg/kg) on days 1, 2, 7, 8, 13, and 14. On experimental days 3, 9, and 15, BMMNCs (5 × 10⁶/mouse/time) from BALB/c mice were infused into mice of the BMMNC and DAC+BMMNC groups. One-way mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), interleukin-2 reverse test, and in vitro adoptive transfer experiments were performed. The ratio of regulatory T cells in splenocytes, chimera detection, and median survival time of skin grafts were recorded.

RESULTS

MLR showed that the stimulation index of the DAC+BMMNC group was significantly lower compared with the other 3 groups (P < .01), but still showed a strong proliferative response to the third-party unrelated donor KM mice, with no significant difference compared with the other 3 groups. The MLR low reactivity of the DAC+BMMNC group could be reversed by exogenous interleukin-2. After adding an equal amount of splenocytes from a C57BL/6 mouse in the DAC+BMMNC group, MLR of control group significantly decreased (P < .05). Flow cytometry showed the ratio of regulatory T cells in splenocytes from DAC and DAC+BMMNC groups was significantly higher than that from the BMMNC and control groups (P < .05). Chimeric rate of the DAC+BMMNC (60%) group was significantly higher than that of the BMMNC group (30%). Moreover, survival time of skin grafts in the DAC+BMMNC group was significantly longer than that in the other 3 groups (P < .001). No death or graft-vs-host disease was observed.

CONCLUSION

DAC combined with multiple allogeneic BMMNC infusion could successfully induce specific immune tolerance in mice, which may provide some new strategies to improve immune tolerance after organ transplant.

Towards high-energy, high-resolution computed tomography via a laser driven micro-spot gamma-ray source

Computed Tomography (CT) is a powerful method for non-destructive testing (NDT) and metrology awakes with expanding application fields. To improve the spatial resolution of high energy CT, a micro-spot gamma-ray source based on bremsstrahlung from a laser wakefield accelerator was developed. A high energy CT using the source was performed, which shows that the resolution of reconstruction can reach 100 μm at 10% contrast. Our proof-of-principle demonstration indicates that laser driven micro-spot gamma-ray sources provide a prospective way to increase the spatial resolution and toward to high energy micro CT. Due to the advantage in spatial resolution, laser based high energy CT represents a large potential for many NDT applications.

Acupuncture for patients with chronic functional constipation: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Acupuncture is used to treat chronic functional constipation (CFC) in China, despite limited evidence. We aim to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in managing CFC.

METHODS

A multicenter randomized controlled trial was performed involving 684 patients with CFC; the patients were randomly allocated to receive He acupuncture (n = 172), Shu-mu acupuncture (n = 171), He-shu-mu acupuncture (n = 171), or oral administration of mosapride (n = 170). Sixteen sessions of acupuncture were given in the treatment duration of 4 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs) at week 4 (at the end of treatment) compared to baseline. The secondary outcomes included stool consistency (Bristol scale), the degree of straining during defecation, and adverse events.

KEY RESULTS

The SBMs increased in all the four groups at week 4, and the magnitude of increase was equivalent in the four groups (He acupuncture, 2.7 [95% CI, 2.3-3.1]; Shu-mu acupuncture, 2.7 [95% CI, 2.3-3.0]; He-shu-mu acupuncture, 2.2 [95% CI, 1.9-2.5]; and mosapride, 2.4 [95% CI, 2.0-2.9]; P = .226). However, the change in SBMs at week 8 was significantly smaller in mosapride group (1.4 [95% CI, 1.0-1.8]) than the three acupuncture groups (2.4 [95% CI, 2.1-2.7], 2.3 [95% CI, 1.9-2.7], 2.1 [95% CI, 1.7-2.5] in He, Shu-mu, and He-shu-mu group, respectively, P = .005).

CONCLUSIONS & INTERFERENCES

The three acupuncture treatments were as effective as mosapride in improving stool frequency and stool consistency in CFC, but the magnitude of the treatment effect is unknown due to the lack of sham acupuncture control.

Prokaryotic expression and identification of scavenger receptor B2

There is still no effective clinical antiviral drug against human enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection, which causes hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in children. Scavenger receptor class B member 2 (SCARB2) is an important receptor of EV71 as it plays a vital role in the early steps of viral infection. In this study, recombinant SCARB2 protein was expressed and purified in a prokaryotic expression system, and was identified by western blot with a monoclonal antibody and mass spectrometry analysis. Detection of the sera from mice immunized with the recombinant SCARB2 protein using ELISA and western blot showed good immunogenicity of the recombinant protein. Furthermore, in the neutralization test cytopathic effect was significantly decreased when EV71 was incubated with the immune sera before infection. In summary, the SCARB2 protein was expressed successfully, and the immune sera showed obvious antiviral effect against EV71. This study provides useful information about the interaction mechanism between SCARB2 and EV71, and is also helpful for further clinical treatment research of HFMD.

Model research on repairing meniscus injury in rabbits using bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and silk fibroin meniscus porous scaffold

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the histocompatibility and feasibility of structure and function of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and silk fibroin meniscus porous scaffolds in repairing meniscus injury in rabbits.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

BMSCs were cultured and identified in vitro, silk fibroin meniscus porous scaffolds were prepared and the histocompatibility of porous scaffolds was evaluated via in vitro culture. Silk fibroin-BMSCs porous scaffolds were implanted into the meniscus defect area of New Zealand white rabbits as the experimental group, the blank scaffold group without BMSCs, pure BMSCs group and blank control group were set up with 10 rabbits in each group. Joint capsules were opened for general observation at 6 weeks and 12 weeks after operation. The specimens received the HE staining, alkaline toluidine blue staining, and immunohistochemical staining of Type I and Type II collagen and S100 protein.

RESULTS

In vitro HE staining and SEM observation showed that the scaffolds showed the sponge-like structure with abundant microporous structure on the surface and inside, which had a good histocompatibility with BMSCs. At 6 and 12 weeks after operation in experimental group, meniscus-like tissues were found in the meniscus defect area. HE staining showed the fibrous cartilage-like structure and obvious collagenous fiber structure around arranged in an orderly manner. Alkaline toluidine blue staining showed the cartilage-specific glycosaminoglycan (GAG); Type I and Type II collagen and S100 protein staining were strongly positive. However, the above changes were not seen in other groups.

CONCLUSIONS

BMSCs and silk fibroin meniscus porous scaffolds have a better histocompatibility and feasibility of structure and function in repairing meniscus injury in rabbits.

Global transcriptome analysis to identify critical genes involved in the pathology of osteoarthritis

Objectives

The aim of this study was to identify key pathological genes in osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

We searched and downloaded mRNA expression data from the Gene Expression Omnibus database to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of joint synovial tissues from OA and normal individuals. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were used to assess the function of identified DEGs. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and transcriptional factors (TFs) regulatory network were used to further explore the function of identified DEGs. The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was applied to validate the result of bioinformatics analysis. Electronic validation was performed to verify the expression of selected DEGs. The diagnosis value of identified DEGs was accessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

A total of 1085 DEGs were identified. KEGG pathway analysis displayed that Wnt was a significantly enriched signalling pathway. Some hub genes with high interactions such as USP46, CPVL, FKBP5, FOSL2, GADD45B, PTGS1, and ZNF423 were identified in the PPI and TFs network. The results of qRT-PCR showed that GADD45B, ADAMTS1, and TFAM were down-regulated in joint synovial tissues of OA, which was consistent with the bioinformatics analysis. The expression levels of USP46, CPVL, FOSL2, and PTGS1 in electronic validation were compatible with the bio-informatics result. CPVL and TFAM had a potential diagnostic value for OA based on the ROC analysis.

Conclusion

The deregulated genes including USP46, CPVL, FKBP5, FOSL2, GADD45B, PTGS1, ZNF423, ADAMTS1, and TFAM might be involved in the pathology of OA.

Cite this article: X. Zhang, Y. Bu, B. Zhu, Q. Zhao, Z. Lv, B. Li, J. Liu. Global transcriptome analysis to identify critical genes involved in the pathology of osteoarthritis. Bone Joint Res 2018;7:298–307. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.74.BJR-2017-0245.R1.

Real-time transmission of 16 Tb/s over 1020km using 200Gb/s CFP2-DCO

We demonstrate real-time transmission of 16 Tb/s (80x200Gb/s) over 1020km TeraWave ULL fiber with 170km span length using the world's first 200Gb/s CFP2-DCO module with a record low power consumption less than 0.1W/Gbps.

[Risk factors for short-term outcome of patients with HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the risk factors for the short-term outcome of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), and to establish a risk model for predicting the short-term outcome of these patients.

METHODS

A total of 338 patients with HBV-related ACLF who were admitted to 30 Lod hospital of PLA hospital from January 2010 to January 2014 were enrolled, and a prospective clinical follow-up was performed for them. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the risk factors for short-term (12 weeks) outcome, the predictive model with logistic regression equation was established, and the predictive value of this model was evaluated.

RESULTS

The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, a family history of hepatitis B, hepatic encephalopathy (HE), hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), white blood cell (WBC), platelet (PLT), international normalized ratio (INR), total bilirubin (TBil), total bile acid (TBA), creatinine, Na, HBV DNA, and HBeAg were the independent risk factors for the short-term outcome of these patients. Logistic(p) = -4.466 + 1.192 age + 1.631 family history of hepatitis B + 1.091 HE + 1.631 HRS + 1.208 WBC -1.487 PLT + 1.092 INR + 1.446 TBil + 1.608 TBA -1.101 CHE + 1.279 CRE -1.713 Na + 1.032 HBV DNA + 0.833 HBeAg. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the model for the prediction of short-term outcome was 0.930, the cut-off value was 3.16, the sensitivity was 0.860, and the specificity was 0.871. With the increasing scores of the equation, the mortality of patients tended to increase gradually.

CONCLUSION

Age, a family history of hepatitis B, HE, HRS, WBC, PLT, INR, TBil, TBA, CHE, CRE, Na, HBV DNA, and HBeAg are the independent risk factors for the short-term outcome of patients with HBV-related ACLF. The model for predicting short-term outcome established on the basis of independent risk factors has a better clinical value in guiding clinical therapy.

Impact of ixekizumab treatment on skin-related personal relationship difficulties in moderate-to-severe psoriasis patients: 12-week results from two Phase 3 trials

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis symptoms may decrease quality of life for patients. Skin-related personal relationship difficulties in psoriasis patients are common, under-reported and poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of ixekizumab (IXE) treatment on skin-related personal relationship difficulties in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

METHODS

Pooled data (N = 2570) on skin-related relationship problems were obtained from two large phase 3 trials (UNCOVER-2 and UNCOVER-3) in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis randomized to subcutaneous placebo (PBO, N = 361), etanercept (ETN; 50 mg twice weekly, N = 740), or 80 mg IXE as one injection every 4 (IXEQ4W, N = 733) or 2 weeks (IXEQ2W, N = 736) for 12 weeks, following a 160-mg initial dose. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) Personal Relationships Domain (PRD) (Items 8 and 9) was used to assess how much the skin caused any personal relationship difficulties at weeks 0, 2, 4 and 12. Improvement was compared for IXE vs PBO and ETN using logistic models. Factors associated with improvement were assessed using multiple linear regressions. DLQI Item 9, assessing sexual difficulties, was also analysed separately.

RESULTS

PRD scores (mean ± standard deviation) at baseline were similar across all treatment groups (PBO: 1.8 ± 1.9; ETN: 1.7 ± 1.8; IXEQ4W: 1.6 ± 1.8; IXEQ2W: 1.7 ± 1.8). Treatment with IXE rapidly and significantly improved the mean PRD score compared to PBO and ETN (P < 0.001 at all time points). Baseline PRD score was the strongest negative predictor of improvement. IXE enabled significantly more patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis to reduce their skin-related sexual difficulties at Week 12 compared to PBO (P < 0.001) or ETN (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Ixekizumab improves patient-reported skin-related PRD difficulties in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Role of IL17A rs2275913 and rs3748067 polymorphisms in the risk cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is a serious public health problem and is associated with high cancer-related mortality in females worldwide. The expression of IL17A can increase the migration and invasiveness of cervical cancer cells by activating the NF-κB signal pathway. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can alter gene function and protein expression. We examined the association between two IL17A SNPs (rs2275913 and rs3748067) and the risk of cervical cancer. We also investigated the interaction between IL17A -174G/C and -572C/G mutations and environmental factors. Our 1:2 matched case-control study included 185 cervical cancer patients and 370 healthy controls. The IL17A rs2275913 and rs3748067 SNPs were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Using logistic regression analysis, we found that individuals harboring the TT genotype of IL17A rs3748067 had an increased risk of cervical cancer compared with those carrying the CC genotype, and the adjusted OR (95%CI) was 6.29 (2.30-19.81). Moreover, individuals carrying the T allele of IL17A rs3748067 were more susceptible to cervical cancer than those with the C allele, and the adjusted OR (95%CI) was 2.31 (1.53-3.50). No significant interaction was observed between the IL17A rs2275913 polymorphism and cervical cancer risk. In conclusion, our study suggests that the IL17A rs3748067 polymorphism is independently associated with the risk of cervical cancer, and has a relationship with human papillomavirus infection with regard to the risk of cervical cancer.