Genome-wide association studies uncover genes associated with litter traits in the pig

Litter traits are critical economic variables in the pig industry as they represent a production indicator that can serve to determine sow fertility. In this study, a genome-wide association study on litter traits, including total number born (TNB), number born alive (NBA), litter birth weight (LBW), average birth weight (ABW), and piglet uniformity (PU), was carried out on two pig breeds (Yorkshire and Landrace). A total of 3 637 pigs of both breeds were genotyped using the GeneSeek GGP Porcine 50K SNP BeadChip. A mixed linear model (MLM) and fixed and random model circulating probability unification (FarmCPU) were employed in the genome-wide association studies for litter traits using combined data from the two pig breeds and data from each breed separately. Additionally, the heritability of traits was estimated using three methods-pedigree-based best linear unbiased prediction (PBLUP), genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP), and single-step best linear unbiased prediction (ssGBLUP)-and was found to lie between 0.065 and 0.1289, 0.0478 and 0.0938, 0.0793 and 0.0935, 0.1862 and 0.2163, and 0.0327 and 0.0419 for TNB, NBA, LBW, ABW, and PU, respectively. We also compared the genomic prediction accuracies and unbiasedness for litter traits of the three BLUP models. Our results indicated that the ssGBLUP method provided higher predictive accuracies and more rational unbiasedness compared with the PBLUP and GBLUP methodologies. Furthermore, based on their possible roles, eight candidate genes (INHBA, LEPR, HDHD2, CTNND2, RNF216, HMX1, PAPPA2, and NTN1) were identified as being linked with litter traits. In the middle of the test, these genes were found to be connected with pig metabolism and ovulation rate. Our results provide the insights into the genetic architecture of litter traits in pigs, and the potential single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and candidate genes identified may benefit economic profits in pig-breeding industry and contribute to improve litter traits.

[Investigation on the health status of workers exposed to benzene in one province]

Objective: To explore the health status of occupational benzene exposure workers, and to provide a scientific basis for the development of reasonable health monitoring and effective protective measures. Methods: In March 2019, the occupational health surveillance data were collected including blood pressure, electrocardiogram, blood routine, urine routine, liver function, etc of 7810 benzene contact workers in 150 enterprises in Jiangxi Province in 2017, to analyze and assess their health status. Results: Among the 7810 benzene workers, there were 5451 males and 2359 females; the average age was (40.5±9.9) years; and the median benzene working age was 3.5 years. The detection rate of hypertension was 17.0% (734/4317) , the abnormal rate of urine routine was 15.7% (1227/7810) , the abnormal rate of liver function was 8.6% (356/4147) , and the abnormal rate of electrocardiogram was 12.3%(963/7810). The detection rates of low count number of leukocytes, platelets, neutrophils and occupational contraindications were 4.6%(360/7810) , 1.4%(108/7810) , 4.2%(330/7810) and 1.4%(110/7810) , respectively. The detection rates of low count number of leukocytes, platelets and neutrophils in female were all higher than those in male (P<0.05). The detection rates of low count number of platelets, neutropenia and occupational contraindications increased with age and working age (P<0.05 ). There were significant differences in the detection rates of low count number of leukocytes, platelets, neutrophils and occupational contraindications among benzene workers in different economic types (P<0.05) , and the highest among foreign companies, followed by private enterprise. There were statistically significant differences in the detection rates of low count number of platelets, neutrophils and occupational contraindications in benzene workers of different enterprise sizes (P<0.05) , and the highest was found in micro enterprises, followed by small enterprises. Conclusion: In 2017, the occupational health status of workers exposed to benzene in Jiangxi province is not optimistic. It is necessary to strengthen the occupational health supervision of small and micro-sized enterprises, foreign enterprises and private enterprises, take the initiative to improve health surveillance, and effectively protect the physical and mental health of workers.

[Accumulation of Cd in Different Crops and Screening of Low-Cd Accumulation Cultivars]

Pot-culture experiments were carried out in Shanghai to screen crop varieties with low bioaccumulation properties with respect to cadmium (Cd). Eight common crops, such as green pepper, cucumber, cowpea, spinach, cauliflower, tomatoes, rice, and wheat, were planted in contaminated soil with different Cd concentrations of 0.23, 0.6, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4, and 3.0 mg·kg^-1 to investigate the effects on biomass, Cd accumulation characteristics, and edible risk safety. The results indicated that:① With the increase in soil Cd content, the aboveground biomass of crops increased firstly and then decreased. The different crop types had different tolerance to Cd, with green pepper showed the strongest tolerance and spinach and tomato showed the least tolerance. ② The bioaccumulation factor of Cd in the edible parts of eight crops ranged in order of wheat > spinach > rice > green pepper > cauliflower > tomato > cucumber > cowpea. ③ Total Cd content in soil was significantly correlated with Cd content in the crops (P<0.05), and the order of the correlation coefficients was spinach > wheat > tomato > cucumber > green pepper > rice > cauliflower > cowpea. ④ The risk threshold value of Cd in soil based on the edible safety of different crops ranged in order of cowpea > cucumber > cauliflower > green pepper > tomato > rice > spinach > wheat. Cucumber, cowpea, and cauliflower were selected as the low-Cd-accumulating varieties according to their tolerance to soil Cd, bioaccumulation capacity, and edible risk threshold values.

[Efficacy and outcome of transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale in patients with cryptogenic stroke]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and outcome of transcatheter patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure in patients with cryptogenic stroke (CS). Methods: Sixty consecutive patients with cryptogenic stroke who undertook transcatheter PFO closure between May 2015 and September 2017 in Beijing Tiantan Hospital were enrolled in this prospective study.Transcranial Doppler (TCD) bubble test was performed and right-left shunt(RLS) was confirmed in all patients.Closure success rate,effective closure rate, complications, recurrence of ischemic stroke and new onset atrial fibrillation were evaluated. Results: A total of 60 patients (42 male,age range 24-68 (47±11)years) were included in the study.PFO size (motionless state) was (1.6±0.6)mm.RLS before closure was graded and 11 patients had moderate RLS and 48 patients had large RLS (include 41 patients who experienced shower or curtain effect).Closure success rate was 100% (60/60).No severe complications were observed.At 6 months,45 patients completed TCD bubble test.Of these, 4 patients suffered from moderate to large residual and thus effective closure rate was 91%(41/45).The mean follow-up period was 2-29 (median 12) months. During the follow-up, only 1 patient experienced recurrent cerebral infarction.New onset atrial fibrillation was not detected. Conclusion: Transcatheter PFO closure is effective,safe and related with a good outcome in reduction of recurrent CS for patients with PFO.

miR-1b overexpression suppressed proliferation and migration of RSC96 and increased cell apoptosis

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is a global problem that leads to severe disability and high healthcare expenditure. Accumulating evidence suggested that the phenotypes of Schwann cells (SCs) could be regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs) and expressions of various miRNAs are altered after PNI. In this study, the expression of miR-1b in the injured nerve and hypoxia-treated SCs was detected through qRT-PCR. The target genes of miR-1b were predicted by bioinformatics prediction and dual-luciferase reporter assay and verified through qRT-PCR and western blot. The effects of miR-1b and its specific target gene on the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of SCs were determined and the regulation of miR-1b on peripheral nerve regeneration after PNI was further investigated in vivo. We found that miR-1b was obviously downregulated in the injured nerve in a rat sciatic nerve transection model and directly targeted N-myc downstream-regulated gene 3 (NDRG3) by binding to its 3'-UTR and caused both mRNA degradation and translation suppression of NDRG3. Overexpression of miR-1b or knockdown of NDRG3 decreased the proliferation and migration as well as increased the apoptosis of SCs. NDRG3 reversed the effects of miR-1b overexpression on proliferation/migration/apoptosis of RSC96. In addition, injection of miR-1b antagomir promoted the expression of NDRG3 in the injured nerve following sciatic nerve injury. Compared to the model group, the rats treated with miR-1b agomir had lower functional recovery rate, and downregulation of miR-1b through injection of specific antagomir improved the functional recovery rate according to the results of sciatic functional index and nerve conduction velocity. Overall, our results will contribute to the development of novel targets for promoting nerve regeneration after PNI.

[Molecular epidemiologic study on Mycobacterium tuberculosis from drug resistance monitoring sites of Guangdong Province, 2015]

Objective: To understand the characteristics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in epidemiology and distribution from Guangdong Province, and to explore the risk factors associated with drug resistance. Methods: A total of 225 clinical strains of MTB collected from 5 drug resistance monitoring sites of Guangdong Province in 2015 were tested by Regions of Difference 105 (RD105) deletion test and 15 loci mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units (MIRU) were used for genotyping. Gene clustering was analyzed using BioNumerics7.6. Drug susceptibility test was tested by proportion method. The statistical analysis used chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression. Results: There were 158 (70.2%) Beijing family strains from the 225 cases. Hunter-gaston index of MIRU loci varied from each other. The MTBs from Guangdong Province were categorized into 2 gene clusters by clustering analysis in which the rate of cluster of complexⅠwas significantly higher than complexⅡ(χ(2) values were 9.331, P values were 0.020). It was found by multivariate logistic regression that Qub11b was associated with resistance to rifampicin and isoniazid (P values were 0.013, 0.012 respectively.), ETR F with resistance to isoniazid, streptomycin, ethambutol and ofloxacin (P values were 0.039, 0.040, 0.023 and 0.003 respectively), Mtub21 with resistance to capreomycin (P values were 0.040), and QUB26 with resistance to ethionamide (P values were 0.047). Conclusions: The genes of MTB from Guangdong Province were of polymorphisms and the distribution of strains were stable. QUB11b, ETR F, Mtub21 and QUB26 could be related to biomarkers for predicting drug resistance.

[Artemisinin inhibits proliferation of gallbladder cancer cell lines through triggering cell cycle arrest and apoptosis]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of artemisinin on proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of gallbladder cancer cells.

METHODS

Gallbladder carcinoma cell lines(GBC-SD and NOZ)were cultured in vitro. The effects of artemisinin in different concentration on proliferation of the two cell lines in vitro were examined using MTT assay. The cell cycle distribution of GBC-SD and NOZ cells 24 h after treatments with artemisinin(20 μmol/L) were examined using flow cytometry. The apoptosis of GBC-SD and NOZ cells 24 h after treatments with artemisinin (20 μmol/L) were examined using Annexin V/PI staining.The expressions of p-ERK1/2, CDK4, cyclin D1, p16, cytochrome C and caspase-3 were examined by Western blot assay. t-test and one way ANOVA were used to evaluate the differences between two groups and more than two groups, respectively.

RESULTS

The cell proliferation was significantly inhibited by artemisinin, the IC50 of artemisinin against GBC-SD and NOZ cells were 14.05 μmol/L and 12.42 μmol/L, respectively.Artemisinin induced cycle arrest, and G1 population of GBC-SD and NOZ cells increased to 74.60% and 78.86%. Cell apoptosis and apoptotic population of GBC-SD and NOZ cells were increased to 15.67% and 16.51% after dealt with artemisinin, respectively. In addition, expression of p16 was increased, and expressions of p-ERK1/2, CDK4 and cyclin D1 were down-regulated by artemisinin(all P<0.05). Cytochrome C was released from mitochondria to cytoplasm leading to the activation of caspase-3 and PARP after dealt with artemisinin(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The inhibition effect of artemisinin on the proliferation gallbladder cancer cells is accompanied by down-regulation of ERK1/2 signaling pathway, G1 phase arrest and triggering caspase-3-mediate apoptosis.

Radiosensitization of breast cancer cells by TRAIL-endostatin-targeting gene therapy

One of the key issues in cancer radiotherapy research is to sensitize tumor cells to the cell killing effects of ionizing radiation while leaving normal tissues intact. One potential approach to achieve this is gene-radiotherapy, i.e. a combination of radiation therapy and gene therapy. It is to choose certain exogenous radiation-inducible regulatory genes, for example, early growth response-1 (Egr-1), and transcript its downstream tumor-therapeutic genes under ionizing radiation so as to kill the tumor cells synergistically by the expressed gene products together after transfection and irradiation exposure. In this study, we engineered a plasmid encoding both TRAIL and endostatin under the control of the radiation-inducible Egr-1 promoter, and evaluated its anti-tumor efficacy in combination with radiotherapy. Our plasmid showed significant efficacy in up-regulating the levels of TRAIL and endostatin proteins after transfected into breast cancer cells and exposed to X-ray irradiation. The detected cellular effects in vitro manifested that TRAIL-endostatin-based gene therapy could enhance radiosensitizing effects in breast cancer cells in terms of tumor cell growth inhibition, promoting apoptosis and the induction of cell cycle arrest. In summary, our results suggest that TRAIL-endostain-targeting approach might be a promising method to sensitize solid tumors to radiation therapy.

[Study on force feedback of acupuncture at Fengchi (GB 20)]

Acupuncture manipulations on Fengchi (GB 20) of famous doctors were taken through force feedback device, then the data was input into a digitized virtual human. Virtual Fengchi (GB 20) acupuncture force feedback simulation system was built through the virtual reality technology to achieve one-to-one high simulative manipulation effect for acupuncture students. The interaction force of the needle body and human tissues was analyzed during the acupuncture process on the 3D digital human integrated with information of Fengchi (GB 20) according to the physical characteristics of the tissues under this point. The mechanical model which is used to imitate the stress received by the body of the needle was established, and transmitted truly to the operator by the force feedback device. Thus, Fengchi (GB 20) virtual acupuncture force feedback simulation was preliminary established, and the sense of touch could be reproduced lively on the visualized virtual acupuncture human. It is held that Fengchi (GB 20) acupuncture force feedback research is a preliminary exploration for virtual acupuncture that integrated with the information of visual, tactile and force feedback. And it also provided a dynamic one-to-one simulation approach for acupuncture teaching.

Polymorphisms of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene affect antihypertensive response to angiotensin receptor blockers in hypertensive Chinese

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system plays a key role in regulating blood pressure by maintaining vascular tone and the water/sodium balance. Many antihypertensive drugs target the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, but the effect differs considerably among hypertensive patients. We investigated whether genetic variants of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor are associated with blood pressure response to angiotensin II receptor blockers in hypertensive Chinese patients. After a 2-week single-blind placebo run-in period, 148 patients with mild-to-moderate primary hypertension received monotherapy with 80 mg/day telmisartan and then were followed up for 8 weeks. The 1166A/C, 573T/C, -810A/T, and -521C/T polymorphisms of the AT1R gene were determined through PCR and RFLP analysis. The relationship between these polymorphisms and changes in blood pressure was observed and evaluated after 8 weeks of treatment. Patients with the AT1R -521CC genotype had a significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure compared to those carrying the T allele. No significant reduction in blood pressure was found in individuals with the 1166A/C, 573T/C, or -810A/T polymorphisms of the AT1R gene. We conclude that only the AT1R -521CC genotype is associated with a significant decrease in blood pressure in response to telmisartan treatment in Chinese hypertensive patients.

The fluorescence recovery of polydiacetylene/fluorophore vesicles by interaction with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide

Polydiacetylene (PDA) has been widely used as a biosensor candidate because it exhibits specific blue-red transition upon varied external stimulations, such as heat, pH, or mechanical pressure. We prepared mixed vesicles using the 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid (PCDA) and fluorescence probe BO558, and investigated the interaction of surfactant with PCDA/BO558 vesicles. Experiments exhibited that the fluorescence of BO558 was significantly quenched owing to the ene-yne conjugated backbones in the PCDA vesicles. However, the fluorescence was gradually recovered in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) to the system. Meanwhile, the turbidity of the mixed solution decreased greatly with the increase of CTAB concentration. We investigated the mechanism of the fluorescence quenching and recovery in the system of PCDA/BO558 vesicles and CTAB by UV-vis spectrum, stable fluorescence, transmission electron microscopy. The morphology of vesicles transformed with the change of surfactant concentration.

Inhibition of hepatitis B virus replication by pokeweed antiviral protein in vitro

AIM: To explore the inhibitory effects of pokeweed antiviral protein seed (PAP-S) and PAP encoded by a eukaryotic expression plasmid on hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication in vitro.

METHODS: HepG2 2.2.15 cells in cultured medium were treated with different concentrations of PAP-S. HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA in supernatants were determined by ELISA and fluorescent quantitative PCR respectively. MTT method was used to assay for cytotoxicity. HepG2 were cotransfected with various amounts of PAP encoded by a eukaryotic expression plasmid and replication competent wild-type HBV 1.3 fold over-length plasmid. On d 3 after transfection, HBsAg and HBeAg were determined by using ELISA. Levels of HBV core-associated DNA and RNA were detected by using Southern and Northern blot, respectively.

RESULTS: The inhibitory effects of PAP-S on HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA were gradually enhanced with the increase of PAP concentration. When the concentration of PAP-S was 10 &mgr;g/mL, the inhibition rates of HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA were 20.9%, 30.2% and 50%, respectively. After transfection of 1.0 &mgr;g and 2.0 &mgr;g plasmid pXF3H-PAP, the levels of HBV nucleocapside-associated DNA were reduced by 38.0% and 74.0% respectively, the levels of HBsAg in the media by 76.8% and 99.7% respectively, and the levels of HBeAg by 72.7% and 99.3% respectively as compared with controls. Transfection with 2 &mgr;g plasmid pXF3H-PAP reduced the levels of HBV nucleocapside-associated RNA by 69.0%.

CONCLUSION: Both PAP-S and PAP encoded by a eukaryotic expression plasmid could effectively inhibit HBV replication and antigen expression in vitro, and the inhibitory effects were dose-dependent.

[Optimal lamivudine treatment duration and the relationship between its early response and long term effect]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between the method of administration of lamivudine and the therapeutic effect of the treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

METHODS

One hundred and seventy-nine patients were given lamivudine 100 mg daily for 1 to 3 years. The relationships of the therapeutic effect and the early response, YMDD mutants and duration of treatment were analyzed.

RESULTS

Alanine aminotransferase normalization rate, the negativity rate of HBV DNA and HBeAg, and HBeAg sero-conversion all were increased gradually with prolonged treatment. At the end of 1 year, HBV DNA negativity rate (57.0%) reached its peak, HBeAg negativity rate (39.7%) and HBeAg sero-conversion rate (16.8%) were higher than those at the end of 3 months (chi2 = 28.489, 33.238, 12.690, P<0.01). The lower the HBV DNA level was at the end of 3 months, the higher the HBV DNA negativity and HBeAg sero-conversion rates were at the end of 52 weeks and at the end of the 6 months follow-up. When the duration of treatment reached 1 year and 1.5 years, HBV DNA rebound rate in the patients (40.0% and 40.0% respectively) with HBeAg sero-conversion was obviously less (chi2 = 12.424, 10.237, P<0.01) than in those without sero-conversion (88.2% and 85.0% respectively).

CONCLUSION

Lamivudine therapy for HBV infection is safe and effective. The optimal duration of treatment was 1.5 years. The early responders had better therapeutic effects. HBV DNA positivity persisting at the end of 3 months medication or no HBeAg sero-conversion in 1 year predicts poor therapeutic effects.

Expression of HSP70-2 gene during germ cell apoptosis in rat unilateral cryptorchid testes

To investigate the role of Hsp70-2 gene in germ cell apoptosis induced by heat stress, its expression changes were examined in rat normal and unilateral cryptorchid testes by using in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and northern blot analysis techniques. The results showed that the expression level of Hsp70-2 gene declined slightly at the early stage of germ cell apoptosis, and dropped dramatically when most of the germ cells were undergoing apoptosis on day 7.5 after the induction of cryptorchidism. This report suggests for the first time that Hsp70-2 gene might not inhibit the apoptosis of germ cells at the early stage in cryptorchid testes. Hsp70-2 gene does not belong to the immediate early related genes that are responsible for germ cell apoptosis induced by heat stress.

[Germ cell apoptosis and regulation in testis]

Both spontaneous and induced germ cell apoptosis occur during the process of germ cell differentiation in testis, which is an important mechanism to remove surplus and abnormal germ cells. It has been known that germ cell apoptosis is under the control of endocrine, cell social association and gene. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which germ cell apoptosis is regulated and the elements of the death machinery will provide a basis for effective management of male infertility as well as more targeted approaches to male contraception.

Cloning of novel temperature-related expressed sequence tags in rat testis during spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis needs the relatively cool environment of the scrotum in most mammals, it would be arrested when the testis was exposed to abdominal temperature. In this study, we have used a differential display PCR technique (DD-PCR) to screen temperature-related ESTs during spermatogenesis (TRS) in scrotal testes through a unilateral cryptorchid rat model after in situ analysis of testis cell DNA fragmentation. We reported here the cloning and sequencing of three such ESTs: TRS1, TRS3, and TRS4. Northern blot analysis confirmed that they were expressed specifically in scrotal testes. In situ hybridization showed that TRS1 was mainly expressed in the spermatocytes and the round spermatids in scrotal testis. Homology searches revealed that TRS1 and TRS3 were unknown cDNA sequences, and TRS4 was identical to a known EST whose function had not been reported. TRS1, TRS2, and TRS3 were first found to be temperature-related during spermatogenesis.

Localization of plasminogen activator and inhibitor, LH and androgen receptors and inhibin subunits in monkey epididymis

Epididymis is a site of sperm maturation and storage. Limited and directed-proteolysis regulated by plasminogen activator (PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) and other related factors may play an essential role in these processes. Our previous studies have demonstrated that rat epididymis expressed luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR), tissue type (t) and urokinase type (u)PA, mRNAs, and tPA activity was stimulated in vitro by human chorionic gonoadotrophin (HCG). In the present study we further examined localization of mRNAs for tPA, uPA, LHR, androgen receptor (AR), as well as inhibin subunits alpha, betaA and betaB in rhesus monkey epididymis. Using in-situ hybridization with digoxygenin-labelled cRNA probes, we have demonstrated that tPA and PAI-1 mRNAs were localized in epithelial cells of adult monkey epididymis. uPA mRNA was localized in the same areas, but to a much smaller extent. tPA, uPA and PAI-1 mRNAs were greatly expressed in the caput and corpus of adult epididymis than in other regions. In-vitro experiments showed that both tPA and uPA activities in epididymal cells were dramatically stimulated by HCG, but not by follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). LHR (but not FSH receptor) and AR mRNAs were localized in the epithelial cells of the epididymis. However, LHR mRNA was detected in both adult and immature infant monkeys, whereas AR was found only in the adult. Inhibin alpha, betaA and betaB mRNAs were also detected in this organ, betaA mRNA being more strongly expressed in the caput than in other regions of the epididymis. We suggest that LH and androgen may be the key hormones in coordination with the PA-PAI-1 system in regulating epididymal differentiation and sperm maturation.