Genetic diversity of Y-short tandem repeats in Chinese native cattle breeds

The aim of this study is to use Y-chromosome gene polymorphism method to investigate regional differences in genetic variation and population evolution history of the Chinese native cattle breeds. Six Y-chromosome short tandem repeat (Y-STR) loci (UMN0929, UMN0108, UMN0920, INRA124, UMN2404, and UMN0103) were analyzed using 1016 healthy and heterogenetic males and 90 females of 9 native cattle breeds (Qinchuan, Jinnan, Zaosheng, Luxi, Nanyang, Jiaxian, Dabieshan, Yanbian, and Menggu) in China. Allele frequency and gene diversity were calculated for the various populations. The results indicated that Y-STRs in the 6 loci have polymorphisms and genetic diversity in Chinese cattle populations. The genetic diversity analysis revealed that the Chinese cattle populations have a close genetic relationship. The analysis of INRA124, UMN2404, and UMN0103 loci revealed the original history of Chinese cattle because of which cattle belonging to Bos taurus or Bos indicus could be determined. Interestingly, a declining zebu introgression was displayed from South to North and from East to West in the Chinese geographical distribution, which implied that cattle population from various regions of China had been subjected to somewhat different evolutionary history. This conclusion supported other evidences such as earlier archaeological, historical research, and blood protein polymorphism analysis.

Expression analysis of Gli1 and Gli2 in different tissues and muscle-derived cells of Qinchuan cattle

The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway regulates the differentiation of many kinds of cells and plays a critical role in many embryonic and postnatal developmental processes. Gli1 and Gli2 are two transcription factors of the Hh signaling pathway. In this study, we used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to detect the relative expression of Gli1 and Gli2 in 13 tissues from three two-year-old purebred Qinchuan cattle, as well as in different cell populations derived from muscle and different stages of myogenic differentiation of myoblasts. The expression levels of Gli1 and Gli2 in muscle were the lowest of the 13 tissues (P < 0.05), and they declined predominantly from preplate (pp)1 to pp6 cells. However, the expression of Gli2 was elevated during myogenic differentiation until the 6th day. We speculated that Hh signaling was negatively activated in myocytes and quiescent myoblasts. The increased expression of Gli1 and Gli2 in the early days of myogenic differentiation suggested that Hh signaling would be activated when the quiescent bovine myoblast was stimulated to initiate myogenic differentiation.

Multiplexed immunoassay based on micromotors and microscale tags

This work reports on the coupling of antibody-functionalized micromotors and microwire-tagged proteins for rapid and multiplexed immunoassays. While micromotor-induced mixing accelerates the immunoreaction, tagging the proteins with microscopic particles of different sizes and shapes allows for their multiplexed discrimination, alerting of the presence of a biological threat.

Velocities of weight, height and fat mass gain during potentially critical periods of growth are decisive for adult body composition

OBJECTIVES

To examine whether maximal velocities of weight, height and fat mass during potentially critical periods of growth were associated with body composition in young adulthood.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Analyses were performed on 277 female and 271 male participants of the DOrtmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed (DONALD) study with anthropometric measurements in young adulthood (18-25 years) as well as early life (0-2 years), mid-childhood (3-8 years) or puberty (9-15 years). Maximum growth velocities were calculated using the SuperImposition by Translation And Rotation (SITAR) routine or polynomial functions and related to adult fat mass index (FMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI).

RESULTS

In early life, faster weight gain was associated with a moderately higher FMI and FFMI in young adulthood in women only (Ptrend=0.01). In mid-childhood and puberty, weight and fat mass velocities were related to adult FMI and FFMI in both sexes (Ptrend⩽0.002): relative differences between the highest and lowest tertiles of these growth velocities ranged 33-69% for adult FMI and 6-12% for adult FFMI. A higher mid-childhood height velocity was related to a modestly higher adult FMI in women only (Ptrend=0.0005).

CONCLUSIONS

Faster gain in weight and body fat during mid-childhood and puberty appear to be particularly relevant for adult fat mass.

Profiling and targeting of cellular bioenergetics: inhibition of pancreatic cancer cell proliferation

BACKGROUND

Targeting both mitochondrial bioenergetics and glycolysis pathway is an effective way to inhibit proliferation of tumour cells, including those that are resistant to conventional chemotherapeutics.

METHODS

In this study, using the Seahorse 96-well Extracellular Flux Analyzer, we mapped the two intrinsic cellular bioenergetic parameters, oxygen consumption rate and proton production rate in six different pancreatic cancer cell lines and determined their differential sensitivity to mitochondrial and glycolytic inhibitors.

RESULTS

There exists a very close relationship among intracellular bioenergetic parameters, depletion of ATP and anti-proliferative effects (inhibition of colony-forming ability) in pancreatic cancer cells derived from different genetic backgrounds treated with the glycolytic inhibitor, 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG). The most glycolytic pancreatic cancer cell line was exquisitely sensitive to 2-DG, whereas the least glycolytic pancreatic cancer cell was resistant to 2-DG. However, when combined with metformin, inhibitor of mitochondrial respiration and activator of AMP-activated protein kinase, 2-DG synergistically enhanced ATP depletion and inhibited cell proliferation even in poorly glycolytic, 2-DG-resistant pancreatic cancer cell line. Furthermore, treatment with conventional chemotherapeutic drugs (e.g., gemcitabine and doxorubicin) or COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, sensitised the cells to 2-DG treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Detailed profiling of cellular bioenergetics can provide new insight into the design of therapeutic strategies for inhibiting pancreatic cancer cell metabolism and proliferation.

IL-6 secreted by cancer-associated fibroblasts induces tamoxifen resistance in luminal breast cancer

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been implicated in the development of resistance to anticancer drugs; however, the role and mechanism underlying CAFs in luminal breast cancer (BrCA) tamoxifen resistance are unclear. We found that stromal fibroblasts isolated from the central or peripheral area of BrCA have similar CAF phenotype and activity. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that CAFs derived from clinical-luminal BrCAs induce tamoxifen resistance through decreasing estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) level when cultured with luminal BrCA cell lines MCF7 and T47D. CAFs promoted tamoxifen resistance through interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion, which activates Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT3) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathways in tumor cells, followed by induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and upregulation of E3 ubiquitin ligase anaphase-promoting complex 10 activity, which targeted ER-α degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Inhibition of proteasome activity, IL-6 activity or either the JAK/STAT3 or PI3K/AKT pathways markedly reduced CAF-induced tamoxifen resistance. In xenograft experiments of CAFs mixed with MCF7 cells, CAF-specific IL-6 knockdown inhibited tumorigenesis and restored tamoxifen sensitivity. These findings indicate that CAFs mediate tamoxifen resistance through IL-6-induced degradation of ER-α in luminal BrCAs.Oncogene advance online publication, 9 June 2014; doi:10.1038/onc.2014.158.

Large-mode-area infrared guiding in ultrafast laser written waveguides in sulfur-based chalcogenide glasses

Current demands in astrophotonics impose advancing optical functions in infrared domains within embedded refractive index designs. We demonstrate concepts for large-mode-area guiding in ultrafast laser photowritten waveguides in bulk Sulfur-based chalcogenide glasses. If positive index contrasts are weak in As2S3, Ge doping increases the matrix rigidity and allows for high contrast (10(-3)) positive refractive index changes. Guiding with variable mode diameter and large-mode-area light transport is demonstrated up to 10 μm spectral domain using transverse slit-shaped and evanescently-coupled multicore traces.

New polymorphisms in the novel LYRM1 gene are associated with body measurement and meat quality traits in Qinchuan cattle

Body measurement and meat quality traits play important roles in the evaluation of productivity in cattle; they are influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Recent studies have shown that LYRM1 is a novel gene related to obesity and may influence fat deposition. We screened for new polymorphisms in the bovine LYRM1 gene and analyzed their association with body measurement and meat quality traits in cattle. DNA samples were obtained from 572 Qinchuan cattle aged from 18 to 24 months. DNA sequencing was used to find the LYRM1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Sequence analysis of LYRM1 revealed four novel SNPs in exon 3: G50A in coding region, C126A, A127T, and T128A in a 3'-untranslated region. G50A, A127T and T128A showed two genotypes: AG and GG, AA and AT, AT and TT, respectively; while C126A showed three genotypes: AA, AC and CC. Analysis showed that these four polymorphisms were significantly associated with body measurement and meat quality traits in the Qinchuan cattle population. We suggest that the LYRM1 gene can be used for marker-assisted selection to improve body measurement and meat quality traits in the Qinchuan cattle population.

Prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity in Chinese rural adults with dental fluorosis

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity (DH) among residents of rural China with dental fluorosis aged 30-69 years. A village located in northern China in which dental fluorosis was common was selected. Some 1250 residents with fluorosis ranging in age from 30 to 69 years completed a structured questionnaire and underwent clinical examination. Diagnosis of DH was based on the combination of the subject's self-evaluation and clinical examination. Dental fluorosis was evaluated using Dean's index (DI). In the village, the fluoride concentration in drinking water was 1.15-1.50 mg L(-1) . The community fluorosis index was 1.47, and 74 (9.7%) of the participants with dental fluorosis were diagnosed with DH. There was no significant difference between men and women. DH was most commonly observed in the lower incisors, and the most common cause of DH was cold stimulation. Logistic regression analysis showed acid reflux to be the only risk factor for DH in the current study. Among subjects with DH, none took treatment measures, visited a hospital or clinic, or used antisensitivity toothpaste. The prevalence of DH in the selected subjects with dental fluorosis was 9.7%. Acid reflux was found to be a risk factor for DH in the current study.

Acceptability and psychometric properties of Brøset Violence Checklist in psychiatric care settings in China

Short-term risk assessment instrument owns great importance for psychiatric nurses in China; however, the lack of a standardized violence risk assessment instrument has disadvantaged them in clinical practice. The Brøset Violence Checklist (BVC), a behavioural observation tool, is the most frequently cited instrument available for evaluating violence risk in psychiatric inpatients, then worth to be tested in Chinese culture. This study, conducted in two closed wards in a psychiatric hospital in Beijing, revealed that the instrument has favourable reliability, validity and predictive accuracy in Chinese population. BVC provides nurses with a quick and easily administered method to screening out patients with violence potential, thus allowing for early intervention. Feedback from the nurses was quite encouraging and the further use of BVC seems promising. The lack of standardized violence risk assessment instrument has disadvantaged nurses in clinical practice in China, where violent behaviour is an increasing problem. This study conducted a validation of the Brøset Violence Checklist that has proven effective in violence risk prediction in other countries. A sample of 296 patients consecutively admitted to two wards of a psychiatric hospital in Beijing was recruited. These patients were assessed on day shift and evening shift for the first seven days of hospitalization. Violence data and preventive measures were concurrently collected from nursing records and case reports. A total of 3707 assessments for 281 patients were collected revealing 93 episodes of violence among 55 patients. Receiver operating characteristics yielded an area under the curve of 0.85. At the cut-off point of one, its sensitivity/specificity was 78.5%/88.2% and the corresponding positive/negative predictive value was 14.6%/99.4%. In some false positive cases, intense preventive measures had been implemented. Positive feedback from the nurses was gained. The Brøset Violence Checklist was proved as an easy-to-use and time-saving instrument, therefore, regarded as a promising tool to determine if the psychiatric users are potentially violent in the short term.

Prospective association of protein intake during puberty with body composition in young adulthood

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association of habitual animal and plant protein intake during the potentially critical period of puberty with body composition in young adulthood.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Multivariable regression analyses were performed on data from 140 female and 122 male participants of the DONALD Study with ≥2 3-day weighed dietary records during puberty (girls 9-14 years; boys 10-15 years) and anthropometric measurements in young adulthood (18-25 years). Fat-free mass index (FFMI) and fat mass index (FMI) were estimated from four skinfolds.

RESULTS

In women, a higher pubertal animal protein consumption was independently related to higher levels of FFMI (ptrend = 0.001), but not to FMI (ptrend = 0.5). Adjusted means of FFMI in energy-adjusted tertiles of animal protein intake were 15.3 (95% confidence interval: 15.0, 15.5), 15.4 (15.1, 15.7), 16.2 (15.9, 16.6) kg/m(2) . In men, a higher animal protein intake was related to a higher FFMI (ptrend = 0.04) and a lower FMI (ptrend = 0.001) only after adjusting FFMI for current FMI levels and vice versa. Plant protein was not associated with body composition among either sex.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that a higher pubertal animal protein consumption may yield a higher fat-free mass in young adulthood.

Tumor vascular disrupting agent 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid inhibits platelet activation and thrombosis via inhibition of thromboxane A2 signaling and phosphodiesterase

BACKGROUND

5,6-Dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA) is a tumor vascular disrupting agent under clinical trials as an adjacent antitumor agent. DMXAA is structurally similar to flavone-8-acetic acid (FAA), an old tumor vascular disrupting agent with antiplatelet and antithrombotic effects. In contrast to FAA, which causes bleeding in tumor patients, no bleeding has been reported in patients receiving DMXAA. Whether DMXAA also affects platelet function is not clear.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effects of DMXAA on platelet function and explore the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS AND RESULTS

DMXAA concentration-dependently inhibited human platelet aggregation and ATP release induced by U46619, arachidonic acid, ADP, collagen, or ristocetin. Furthermore, DMXAA inhibited phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and Akt downstream of thromboxane A2 signaling inhibition. DMXAA also inhibited human platelet phosphodiesterase. The antiplatelet effects were further confirmed using mice administered DMXAA intravenously. DMXAA dramatically inhibited thrombus formation in FeCl3 -injured mouse mesenteric arterial thrombus model and laser-injured mouse cremaster arteriole thrombus model. Notably, at a dose exhibiting antithrombotic effects similar to those of clopidogrel in mice, DMXAA did not significantly increase bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS

For the first time, we found that tumor vascular disrupting agent DMXAA has potent antiplatelet and antithrombotic effects without any bleeding diathesis. As DMXAA inhibits platelet activity with safe profile, DMXAA could be used as an efficacious and safe antiplatelet drug.

Diabetes as a risk factor for dementia and mild cognitive impairment: a meta-analysis of longitudinal studies

This study examined the association of diabetes with the onset of dementia (including Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia (VD) and any dementia) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by using a quantitative meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. EMBASE and MEDLINE were searched for articles published up to December 2010. All studies that examined the relationship between diabetes and the onset of dementia or MCI were included. Pooled relative risks were calculated using fixed and random effects models. Nineteen studies met our inclusion criteria for this meta-analysis, and 6184 subjects with diabetes and 38 530 subjects without diabetes were included respectively. All subjects were without dementia or MCI at baseline. The quantitative meta-analysis showed that subjects with diabetes had higher risk for AD (relative risk (RR):1.46, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.20-1.77), VD (RR: 2.48, 95% CI: 2.08-2.96), any dementia (RR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.31-1.74) and MCI (RR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.02-1.45) than those without. The quantitative meta-analysis showed that diabetes was a risk factor for incident dementia (including AD, VD and any dementia) and MCI.

Large mode area waveguides with polarization functions by volume ultrafast laser photoinscription of fused silica

We present optical designs allowing large mode area light guiding by ultrafast laser photoinscription of bulk fused silica. If usual concepts are based on large core and depressed cladding, evanescently coupled multicore waveguides with coherent mode superposition can be effective solutions, where the introduction of nanostructured defects determines additional polarization functions.

Improved search for ν¯(μ)→ν¯(e) oscillations in the MiniBooNE experiment

The MiniBooNE experiment at Fermilab reports results from an analysis of ν[over ¯](e) appearance data from 11.27×10(20) protons on target in the antineutrino mode, an increase of approximately a factor of 2 over the previously reported results. An event excess of 78.4±28.5 events (2.8σ) is observed in the energy range 200<E(ν)(QE)<1250 MeV. If interpreted in a two-neutrino oscillation model, ν[over ¯](μ)→ν[over ¯](e), the best oscillation fit to the excess has a probability of 66% while the background-only fit has a χ(2) probability of 0.5% relative to the best fit. The data are consistent with antineutrino oscillations in the 0.01<Δm(2)<1.0 eV(2) range and have some overlap with the evidence for antineutrino oscillations from the Liquid Scintillator Neutrino Detector. All of the major backgrounds are constrained by in situ event measurements so nonoscillation explanations would need to invoke new anomalous background processes. The neutrino mode running also shows an excess at low energy of 162.0±47.8 events (3.4σ) but the energy distribution of the excess is marginally compatible with a simple two neutrino oscillation formalism. Expanded models with several sterile neutrinos can reduce the incompatibility by allowing for CP violating effects between neutrino and antineutrino oscillations.

SNPs at 3'-UTR of the bovine CDIPT gene associated with Qinchuan cattle meat quality traits

The CDIPT is crucial to the fatty acid metabolic pathway, intracellular signal transduction and energy metabolism in eukaryotic cells. We detected three SNPs at 3'-untranslated regions (UTR), named 3'-UTR_108 A > G, 3'-UTR_448 G > A and 3'-UTR_477 C > G, of the CDIPT gene in 618 Qinchuan cattle using PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing methods. At each of the three SNPs, we found three genotypes named as follows: AA, AB, BB (3'-UTR_108 A > G), CC, CD, DD (3'-UTR_448 G > A) and EE, EF, FF (3'-UTR_477 C > G.). Based on association analysis of these SNPs with ultrasound measurement traits, individuals of genotype BB had a significantly larger loin muscle area than genotype AA. Individuals of genotype CC had significantly thicker back fat than individuals of genotype DD. Individuals of genotype EE also had significantly thicker back fat than did individuals of genotype FF. We conclude that these SNPs of the CDIPT gene could be used as molecular markers for selecting and breeding beef cattle with superior body traits, depending on breeding goals.