Effects of seasonal change and parity on raw milk composition and related indices in Chinese Holstein cows in northern China

This study was to investigate the effects of seasonal change and parity on milk composition and related indices, and to analyze the relationships among milk indices in Chinese Holstein cows from an intensive dairy farm in northern China. The 6,520 sets of complete Dairy Herd Improvement data were obtained and grouped by natural month and parity. The data included daily milk yield (DMY), milk solids percentage (MSP), milk fat percentage (MFP), milk protein percentage (MPP), milk lactose percentage (MLP), somatic cell count (SCC), somatic cell score (SCS), milk production loss (MPL), and fat-to-protein ratio (FPR). Data analysis showed that the above 9 indices were affected by both seasonal change and parity. However, the interaction between parity and seasonal change showed effects on MLP, SCS, MPL, and DMY, but no effects on MFP, MPP, MSP, and FPR. Duncan's multiple comparison on seasonal change showed that DMY (23.58 kg/d), MSP (12.35%), MPP (3.02%), and MFP (3.81%) were the lowest in June, but SCC (288.7 × 10(3)/mL) and MPL (0.69 kg/d) were the lowest in January; FPR (1.32) was the highest in February. Meanwhile, Duncan's multiple comparison on parities showed that MSP, MPP, and MLP were reduced rapidly in the fourth lactation, but SCC and MPL increased with increasing parities. The canonical correlation analysis for indices showed that SCS had high positive correlation with MPL (0.8360). Therefore, a few models were developed to quantify the effects of seasonal change and parity on raw milk composition using the Wood model. The changing patterns of milk composition and related indices in different months and parities could provide scientific evidence for improving feeding management and nutritional supplementation of Chinese Holstein cows.

ASCL1 and RET expression defines a clinically relevant subgroup of lung adenocarcinoma characterized by neuroendocrine differentiation

ASCL1 is an important regulatory transcription factor in pulmonary neuroendocrine (NE) cell development, but its value as a biomarker of NE differentiation in lung adenocarcinoma (AD) and as a potential prognostic biomarker remains unclear. We examined ASCL1 expression in lung cancer samples of varied histologic subtype, clinical outcome and smoking status and compared with expression of traditional NE markers. ASCL1 mRNA expression was found almost exclusively in smokers with AD, in contrast to non-smokers and other lung cancer subtypes. ASCL1 protein expression by immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis correlated best with synaptophysin compared with chromogranin and CD56/NCAM. Analysis of a compendium of 367 microarray-based gene expression profiles in stage I lung adenocarcinomas identified significantly higher expression levels of the RET oncogene in ASCL1-positive tumors (ASCL1(+)) compared with ASCL1(-) tumors (q-value <10(-9)). High levels of RET expression in ASCL1(+) but not in ASCL1(-) tumors was associated with significantly shorter overall survival (OS) in stage 1 (P=0.007) and in all AD (P=0.037). RET protein expression by IHC had an association with OS in the context of ASCL1 expression. In silico gene set analysis and in vitro experiments by ASCL1 shRNA in AD cells with high endogenous expression of ASCL1 and RET implicated ASCL1 as a potential upstream regulator of the RET oncogene. Also, silencing ASCL1 in AD cells markedly reduced cell growth and motility. These results suggest that ASCL1 and RET expression defines a clinically relevant subgroup of ∼10% of AD characterized by NE differentiation.

Cell wall degradation and the dynamic changes of Ca2+ and related enzymes in the developing aerenchyma of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under waterlogging

This research was aimed to study the cell wall degradation and the dynamic changes of Ca2+ and related enzymes in developing aerenchyma of wheat root under waterlogging. An examination of morphological development by light and electron microscope revealed that the structure of cell wall in middle cortical cells remained intact after 12 h of waterlogging and turned thinner after waterlogging for 24 h. At 48 h, the aerenchyma has been formed. The cellulase activity gradually increased in middle cortical cells within 24 h of waterlogging, and decreased with the formation of aerenchyma. Fluorescence detection and subcellular localization of Ca2+ showed the dynamic changing of Ca2+ at the cellular and subcellular levels during the development of aerenchyma. The activity of Ca2+-ATPase enhanced markedly in intercellular space, plasma membrane and tonoplast of some middle cortical cells after 8 h of waterlogging and remained high after 24 h, but it decreased after 48 h of waterlogging. All these suggests that cellulase, Ca2+ and Ca2+-ATPase show a dynamic distribution during the aerenchyma development which associated with the cell wall degradation of middle cortical cells. Moreover, there is a feedback regulation between Ca2+ and Ca2+-ATPase.

High prevalence of early childhood infection by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus in a minority population in China

In China, KSHV seroprevalence varies considerably among different regions and ethnicities. But in Xinjiang province, located in the northwestern China, there is a very high seroprevalence of KSHV in adults of Kazak and Ughur ethnicities. However, KSHV prevalence in children and the risk factors associated with the acquisition of infection are currently not known. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of KSHV infection and identify associated socioeconomic or behavioural risk factors and the humoral immune response among children in this population. This is a cross-sectional study (N = 178) to screen children and their caregivers from Xinjiang for total KSHV antibodies, KSHV neutralizing antibodies and HIV infection. Structured questionnaires were utilized to investigate risk factors associated with KSHV prevalence. KSHV seroprevalence in children and caregivers in Xinjiang was 48.3% and 64.7%, respectively. Neutralizing antibody was detected in most seropositive caregivers (93.8%) but was detected in only 5.8% of the infected children. A significant association was observed between child KSHV seroprevalence and sharing of food among family members. These results suggest that similar to other endemic areas in Africa, KSHV infection in the minority populations of Xinjiang is likely to be occurring during early childhood, probably via horizontal transmission through saliva, and results in high seroprevalence in the adult population.

PTEN hypermethylation profiles of Chinese Kazakh patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Aberrant DNA methylation of promoter region CpG islands may serve as an alternative mechanism to genetic defects in the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) in human malignancies. The aim of this study was to examine the promoter methylation status of the PTEN TSG and its association with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) carcinogenesis in a Chinese Kazakh population, which is known to have a relatively high ESCC incidence and mortality. The methylation status of the PTEN promoter region was determined in patients with ESCC (n = 95) and healthy individuals (n = 65) using highly sensitive Sequenom Epityper assays. The methylation level of the PTEN gene was significantly higher in patients with ESCC than in healthy controls. The median methylation level was 10.0% (interquartile range [IQR]: 7.0-11.0%) in patients with ESCC and 6.0% in controls (IQR: 4.0-9.0%; P = 0.001). PTEN methylation levels were higher in male patients with ESCC than in male controls, whereas a trend toward significance was observed between female patients with ESCC and female controls (P = 0.005 and P = 0.086, respectively). The PTEN methylation level was associated with histopathological grade and lymph node metastasis in patients with ESCC (P = 0.002 and P = 0.009, respectively). To our knowledge, this is the first report to show the presence of PTEN promoter CpG hypermethylation in ESCC and its association with tumor metastasis.

Large-scale development of PIP and SSR markers and their complementary applied in Nicotiana

PIP (Potential Intron Polymorphism) and SSR (Simple Sequence Repeats) were used in many species, but large-scale development and combined use of these two markers have not been reported in tobacco. In this study, a total of 12,388 PIP and 76,848 SSR markers were designed and uploaded to a web-accessible database (http://yancao.sdau.edu.cn/tgb/). E-PCR analysis showed that PIP and SSR rarely overlapped and were strongly complementary in the tobacco genome. The density was 3.07 PIP and 1.72 SSR markers per 10 kb of the known sequences. A total of 153 and 166 alleles were detectedby 22 PIP and 22 SSR markers in 64 Nicotiana accessions. SSR produced higher PIC (polymorphism information content) values and identified more alleles than PIP, whereas PIP could identify larger numbers of rare alleles. Mantel testing demonstrated a high correlation coefficient (r = 0.949, P < 0.001) between PIP and SSR. The UPGMA dendrogram created from the combined PIP and SSR markers was clearer and more reliable than the individual PIP or SSR dendrograms. It suggested that PIP and SSR can make up the deficiency of molecular markers not only in tobacco but other plant.

Postoperative fibrinogen level is associated with postoperative bleeding following cardiothoracic surgery and the effect of fibrinogen replacement therapy remains uncertain

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, a fibrinogen level > 1 g L(-1) has been viewed as the critical plasma concentration required for hemostasis. No definitive trial has investigated the plasma fibrinogen hemostatic threshold and fibrinogen replacement in complex surgical patients with acquired bleeding.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the plasma fibrinogen level required for hemostasis in cardiothoracic surgery patients and assess the association of fibrinogen replacement therapy (using cryoprecipitate or fibrinogen concentrate) with reducing postoperative bleeding rate.

PATIENTS/METHODS

Data from a prospectively collated database were used to examine the relationship between postoperative plasma fibrinogen level and the postoperative rate of bleeding within the hour of plasma fibrinogen measurement (n = 430) and to explore the effect of cryoprecipitate infusion (n = 76) or fibrinogen concentrate administration (n = 8) on postoperative bleeding rate.

RESULTS

A low plasma fibrinogen level was significantly associated with bleeding, with an odds ratio of 3.06 for every 1 g L(-1) decrease in fibrinogen (95% confidence interval 1.05-8.90) with adjustment for confounders. A fibrinogen threshold associated with excess bleeding was not identified, but this relationship was a continuum. There was no reduction in bleeding following administration of cryoprecipitate or fibrinogen concentrate to raise the post-infusion fibrinogen level to a median of 2.00 and 1.70 g L(-1) , respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a continuum of bleeding severity with reducing fibrinogen concentration. Fibrinogen concentrate or cryoprecipitate infusion did not significantly reduce bleeding rate; however, confirmation by a randomized controlled trial is required. It remains uncertain whether low postoperative fibrinogen levels are causally associated with postoperative bleeding.

Effects of biotin on growth performance and foot pad dermatitis of starter White Pekin ducklings

1. An experiment with 9 dietary supplemental biotin concentrations (0, 0.03, 0.06, 0.09, 0.12, 0.15, 0.18, 0.21, 1.5 mg biotin/kg) was conducted to study the effects of supplementary dietary biotin on growth performance and foot pad dermatitis (FPD) of White Pekin ducklings from hatch to 21 d of age. 2. One-d-old male Pekin ducklings (n=576) were randomly divided into 9 dietary treatments, each containing 8 replicate pens with 8 birds per pen. Final weight, feed intake and body weight gain increased with increasing dietary biotin levels from hatch to 21 d of age. No differences were observed in feed conversion ratio. 3. The supplemental biotin requirement of ducklings for optimal body weight gain was estimated to be 0.180 mg/kg. 4. At 28 d of age, dehydration, cracks, bleeding and scab, and ulceration were observed in biotin-deficient ducks. The external scores for FPD decreased from 17.50 to 1.00 with increasing dietary biotin. It was concluded that supplemental dietary biotin should not be less than 0.21 mg/kg to minimise the incidence of FPD.

Genetic variations in the Wnt signaling pathway affect lung function in asthma patients

Identifying genetic determinants for lung function is important in providing insight into the pathophysiology of asthma. The Wnt signal pathway plays a role in lung development and in asthma pathogenesis. However, whether genetic polymorphisms of Wnt signal pathway are associated with lung function in asthma patients remain unclear. We genotyped 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, rs2929973 and rs6581612) involved in the Wnt signal pathway in a cohort of 560 Chinese Han asthmatic children. Associations between each SNP and lung function, in a baseline exam, were tested using multiple linear regression models. We found that rs2929973 of the WISP1 gene was significantly associated with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), with the G allele conferring significantly lower FEV1 values. However, the rs6581612 SNP of the WIF1 gene was not associated with differences in FEV1 values. We conclude that genetic variants in Wnt are associated with lung function and suggest that Wnt participates in inflammatory pathways that have an impact on the level of lung function.

Targeted delivery of siRNA-generating DNA nanocassettes using multifunctional nanoparticles

Molecular therapy using a small interfering RNA (siRNA) has shown promise in the development of novel therapeutics. Various formulations have been used for in vivo delivery of siRNAs. However, the stability of short double-stranded RNA molecules in the blood and efficiency of siRNA delivery into target organs or tissues following systemic administration have been the major issues that limit applications of siRNA in human patients. In this study, multifunctional siRNA delivery nanoparticles are developed that combine imaging capability of nanoparticles with urokinase plasminogen activator receptor-targeted delivery of siRNA expressing DNA nanocassettes. This theranostic nanoparticle platform consists of a nanoparticle conjugated with targeting ligands and double-stranded DNA nanocassettes containing a U6 promoter and a shRNA gene for in vivo siRNA expression. Targeted delivery and gene silencing efficiency of firefly luciferase siRNA nanogenerators are demonstrated in tumor cells and in animal tumor models. Delivery of survivin siRNA expressing nanocassettes into tumor cells induces apoptotic cell death and sensitizes cells to chemotherapy drugs. The ability of expression of siRNAs from multiple nanocassettes conjugated to a single nanoparticle following receptor-mediated internalization should enhance the therapeutic effect of the siRNA-mediated cancer therapy.

Trends of hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment and control in rural areas of northern China during 1991-2011

This study aims to investigate the trends in prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension among rural residents aged 35-74 years in northern China during the country's rapid economic development from 1991 to 2011. Two surveys, conducted in 1991 and 2011, included 2196 and 1939 participants aged 35-74 years from same villages in Ji County, Tianjin of China, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension, adjusted by age and gender using the world standard population in 2000, increased 30% (39.9% vs 51.7%) between 1991 and 2011. The increase was greatest (68%) in women aged 35-44 years. Meanwhile, the prevalence of stage II hypertension increased by 75% overall, with a 4-fold increase in men aged 45-54 years. Although the awareness, treatment and control of hypertension increased significantly during the same period, they remained unacceptably poor. In conclusion, the community-based surveys showed that the prevalence of hypertension in rural residents of northern China aged 35-74 years increased rapidly over the past 20 years, and most dramatically in young women. Efforts in the primary prevention of hypertension, particularly for young women, and promoting education for hypertension awareness, treatment and control are of paramount importance in rural China.

Oxidative stress and DNA damage in utero and embryo implantation of mice exposed to carbon disulfide at peri-implantation

Carbon disulfide (CS2) has reproductive toxicity but the mechanism remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of oxidative stress and DNA damage on embryo implantation of mice exposed to CS2 at peri-implantation. CS2 exposure was on gestational day 3 (GD3), GD4, GD5 and GD6, separately, and the number of embryonic day 9 (E9) mouse embryos was obtained. DNA damage of endometrial cells, oxidative stress and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) level in uterus tissues were tested with time series at different end points after exposure. The number of E9 mouse embryos significantly decreased in all CS2 exposure groups, especially on GD4 exposure. The rates of embryo implantation decreased by 43.05%, 63.74%, 60.45% and 47.26% for CS2 exposure on GD3, GD4, GD5 and GD6, respectively. Oxidative stress significantly increased within 24 h and reached the top level at 18 h after exposure. The same time-dependent trend was observed no matter when the exposure happened at peri-implantation. 8-OH-dG significantly increased at 18 h and 24 h after exposure by 893.8% and 647.4%, respectively, when compared with the control. The indexes of DNA damage significantly increased at 6 h after exposure, which appeared earlier than the changes of oxidative stress and 8-OH-dG. Besides, both oxidative stress and DNA damage showed a strong negative correlation with the number of E9 mouse embryos. The present study illustrated that CS2 directly induced DNA damage in endometrial cells and enhanced the action through oxidative stress, both of which were responsible for CS2-induced embryo loss.

Response to dietary L-glutamine supplementation in weaned piglets: a serum metabolomic comparison and hepatic metabolic regulation analysis

A novel metabolomic method based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was applied to investigate serum metabolites in response to dietary Gln supplementation in piglets. Sixteen, 21-d-old pigs were weaned and assigned randomly to 2 isonitrogenous diets: 1) Gln diet, which contained 1% L-Gln (as-fed basis), and 2) control diet, which contained L-Ala to make this diet isonitrogenous with the Gln diet. Serum samples were collected to characterize metabolites after a 30-d treatment. in addition, 4 liver samples per treatment were collected to examine enzyme activity and gene expression involved in metabolic regulation. Results indicated that 12 metabolites were altered (P < 0.05) by Gln treatment, including carbohydrates, AA, and fatty acids. A leave-one-out cross validation of random forest analysis indicated that Pro was most important among the 12 metabolites. Thus, these data demonstrate that the control and Gln-supplemented pigs differed (P < 0.05) in terms of metabolism of carbohydrates, Pro, Tyr, and glycerophospholipids. Principal component analysis yielded separate clusters of profiles between the Gln and control groups. Metabolic enzyme activities of Ala aminotransferase and hexokinase increased by 26.8% (P = 0.026) and 26.2% (P = 0.004) in the liver of Gln-supplemented pigs vs. control, respectively, whereas pyruvate kinase (PK) activity decreased by 29.1% (P = 0.001). The gene expression of PK in the liver decreased by 66.1% (P = 0.034) by Gln treatment for 30 d. No differences were observed for the mRNA abundance of mammalian target of rapamycin and PPARγ. On the basis of these data, Gln treatment affected carbohydrate, lipid, and AA metabolism in the whole body of the early weaned piglets. These findings provide insight into specific metabolic pathways and lay the groundwork for the complex metabolic alteration in response to dietary Gln supplementation of pigs.