[Expression changes of RNA m6A regulators in mouse cerebellum affected by hypobaric hypoxia stimulation]

Objective: To investigate the role of RNA m6A methylation in mediating cerebellar dysplasia through analyzing the phenotypes of the mouse cerebella and the expression of several key m6A regulators upon hypobaric hypoxia treatment. Methods: Five-day old C57/BL6 mice were exposed to hypobaric hypoxia for 9 days. The status of mouse cerebellar development was analyzed by comparing the body weights, brain weights and histological features. Immunostaining of cell-type-specific markers was performed to analyze the cerebellar morphology. Real-time PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemical staining were performed to detect the expression of key m6A regulators in the mouse cerebella. Results: Compared with the control, the body weights, brain weights and cerebellar volumes of hypobaric hypoxic mice were significantly reduced (P<0.01). The expression of specific markers in different cells, including NeuN (mature neuron), Calbindin-D28K (Purkinje cell) and GFAP (astrocyte), was decreased in hypobaric hypoxic mouse cerebella (P<0.01), accompanied with disorganized cellular structure. The expression of methyltransferase METTL3 was significantly down-regulated in the cerebella of hypobaric hypoxic mice (P<0.05). Conclusions: Hypobaric hypoxia stimulation causes mouse cerebellar dysplasia, with structural abnormalities in mature granular neurons, Purkinje cells and astrocytes. Expression of METTL3 is decreased in hypobaric hypoxic mice cerebellum compared with that of normobaric normoxic mice, suggesting that its mediated RNA m6A methylation may play an important role in hypobaric hypoxia-induced mouse cerebellar dysplasia.

High Dietary Folic Acid Supplementation Reduced the Composition of Fatty Acids and Amino Acids in Fortified Eggs

AIMS

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary folic acid (FA) on the production performance of laying hens, egg quality, and the nutritional differences between eggs fortified with FA and ordinary eggs.

METHODS

A total of 288 26-week-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens (initial body weights 1.65 ± 0.10 kg) with a similar weight and genetic background were used. A completely randomized design divided the birds into a control group and three treatment groups. Each group consisted of six replicates, with twelve chickens per replicate. Initially, all birds were fed a basal diet for 1 week. Subsequently, they were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 5, 10, or 15 mg/kg FA in a premix for a duration of 6 weeks.

RESULTS

Supplementation of FA could significantly (p < 0.05) enhance the FA content in egg yolks, particularly when 10 mg/kg was used, as it had the most effective enrichment effect. Compared to the control group, the Glu content in the 10 and 15 mg/kg FA groups showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease. Additionally, the contents of Asp, Ile, Tyr, Phe, Cys, and Met in the 15 mg/kg FA group were significantly (p < 0.05) lower compared to the other groups. Adding FA did not have significant effects on the levels of vitamin A and vitamin E in egg yolk, but the vitamin D content in the 5 and 10 mg/kg FA groups showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase. Furthermore, the addition of FA did not have a significant effect on the levels of Cu, Fe, Mn, Se, and Zn in egg yolk. The dietary FA did not have a significant effect on the total saturated fatty acids (SFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content in egg yolk. However, the total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content in the 5 and 10 mg/kg groups significantly (p < 0.05) increased. These changes in nutritional content might be attributed to the increased very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) protein content. The significant decrease in solute carrier family 1 Member 1 (SLC1A1), solute carrier family 1 Member 2 (SLC1A2), and solute carrier family 1 Member 3 (SLC1A3) gene expression compared to the control group appeared to be the reason for the decrease in amino acid content in egg yolk within the dietary FA group.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that the appropriate addition of FA can enhance the levels of MUFA and vitamin D in egg yolks, thereby improving their nutritional value. Excessive intake of FA can decrease the effectiveness of enriching FA in egg yolk and impact the enrichment of certain amino acids. The yolk of eggs produced by adding 10 mg/kg of FA to the feed contains the optimal amount of nutrients. This study informs consumers purchasing FA-fortified eggs.

α-Linolenic acid-regulated testosterone biosynthesis via activation of the JNK-SF-1 signaling pathway in primary rooster Leydig cells

As a functional fatty acid, α-linolenic acid (ALA) is essential in promoting animal testosterone biosynthesis. This study investigated the effects of ALA on testosterone biosynthesis and the possible mechanism underlying the signaling pathway in primary Leydig cells of the rooster.

METHODS

Primary rooster Leydig cells were treated with ALA (0, 20, 40, or 80 μmol/L) or pretreated with a p38 inhibitor (50 μmol/L), a c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor (20 μmol/L), or an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor (20 μmol/L) before ALA treatment. Testosterone content in the conditioned culture medium was detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of steroidogenic enzymes and JNK-SF-1 signaling pathway factors was detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR).

RESULTS

Supplementation with ALA significantly increased testosterone secretion within culture media (P < 0.05), and the optimized dose was 40 μmol/L. Compared with the control group, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) mRNA expression significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the 40 μmol/L ALA group; 17-hydroxylase/c17-20 lyase (P450c17) and p38 mRNA expressions were not significantly different in the 40 μmol/L ALA group; ERK and JNK mRNA expressions were significantly upregulated (P < 0.05) in 40 μmol/L ALA group. In the inhibitor group, testosterone levels were significantly downregulated (P < 0.05). Compared with the 40 μmol/L ALA group, StAR, P450scc, and P450c17 mRNA expressions were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and 3β-HSD mRNA expression in the p38 inhibitor group did not change; StAR, P450scc, and 3β-HSD mRNA expressions were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and P450c17 mRNA expression in ERK inhibitor group did not change; StAR, P450scc, 3β-HSD, and P450c17 mRNA expressions were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in JNK inhibitor group. Additionally, the increased steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) gene expression levels induced by ALA were reversed when the cells were pre-incubated with JNK and ERK inhibitors. The levels in the JNK inhibitor group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

ALA may promote testosterone biosynthesis by activating the JNK-SF-1 signaling pathway to upregulate StAR, P450scc, 3β-HSD, and P450c17 expression in primary rooster Leydig cells.

Effects of dietary pretreated Chinese herbal medicine supplementation on production performance, egg quality, uterine histopathological changes, and antioxidant capacity in late-phase laying hens

Aims: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of pretreated Chinese herbal medicine (PCHM) on egg quality, production performance, histopathological changes in the uterus, antiox idant capacity, and antioxidant gene expression in late-phase layers. Methods: Jinghong No.1 layers (n = 360, 68 weeks old) were assigned randomly to one of f our dietary interventions. Each treatment was replicated six times. Repeat 15 chickens per g roup. All birds were fed a diet composed of a corn-soybean meal-based diet supplemented with 0, 0.2, 0.4, or 0.8% PCHM for 6 weeks. Results: Dietary PCHM supplementation had no significant effects on laying rate, feed con sumption, yolk color, and shape index. With increasing PCHM level the Haugh unit linearly increased (P < 0.05). Supplementation of 0.8% PCHM increased egg weight, compared with the control (P < 0.05). PCHM can effectively alleviated the pathological changes caused by aging in the uterus including hemorrhage, and many inflammatory cell infiltrations. Supplementation of 0.4% PCHM increased glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) in liver, magnum, and plasm considerably, compared with the control (P < 0.05). Supplementation of PCHM decr ease in the liver, magnum, and uterus on malondialdehyde (MDA) content, compared with the control (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, mRNA expressions of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), peroxidase 4 (GPX4), catalase (CAT), and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the magnum, liver, and uterus were dramatically rose in the 0.4% PCHM supplementation group (P < 0.05). In summary, dietary supplementation after PCHM increased egg weight and quality in late-phase laying hens. Conclusion: Dietary PCHM increased the antioxidative capacity of late-phase laying hens, which could be associated with increased mRNA expression of antioxidant enzymes and Nrf2. These findings provide potential for using PCHM to increase the production performance in late-phase laying hens.

Dietary supplementation with selenomethionine enhances antioxidant capacity and selenoprotein gene expression in layer breeder roosters

This study's objective was to investigate the effects of dietary Se (in the form of selenomethionine) on the antioxidant activity and selenoprotein gene expressions in layer breeder roosters. One hundred and eighty, 36-wk-old Jingfen layer breeder roosters were randomly allocated to one of 5 dietary treatments (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, or 2 mg/kg Se) for 6 wk on a corn-soybean meal-based diet. Antioxidant parameters and selenoprotein gene expressions were assessed at the end of the experiment. The results showed that Se supplementation significantly increased the activity of T-SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, and superoxide anion scavenging ability in plasma (P ≤ 0.05), and activities of T-SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, superoxide anion scavenging ability, and hydroxyl radical scavenging ability in the liver, kidney, and testis (P < 0.05). Moreover, MDA levels were significantly reduced in plasma, liver, kidney, and testis (P < 0.01), compared to the control group. Furthermore, the dietary administration of Se significantly increased TrxR2 and GPx4 mRNA levels in kidney and testis, and ID1 mRNA levels in liver and kidney. Most of the antioxidant parameters and selenoprotein-related gene expressions significantly increased, and MDA significantly decreased at dietary supplementation with 0.5 mg/kg Se. Whereas a higher dose of Se level (1 or 2 mg/kg) inhibited the activities of some of the antioxidant enzymes and selenoprotein-related gene expressions in selected tissues. In conclusion, dietary Se supplementation with 0.5 mg/kg significantly improved roosters’ antioxidant status and selenoprotein-related gene expression in liver, kidney, and testis, while higher doses led to inhibit these; dietary Se might increase reproductive performance by enhancing their antioxidant status in roosters.

Elevated Serum FGG Levels Prognosticate and Promote the Disease Progression in Prostate Cancer

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) threatens the health of men in general and no effective therapeutics currently exists for the treatment of CRPC. It is therefore of great importance to find a novel molecule that can be a biomarker and a therapeutic target for CRPC. First, we found that the serum fibrinogen gamma (FGG) levels in patients with CRPC were significantly higher than those with localized prostate cancer (PCa) through iTRAQ proteomics and ELISA experiments. Immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot also showed an increase of FGG expression in CRPC tissues and cells. Then we proved the proliferation, invasion and migration ability of CRPC cells were significantly reduced after FGG knockdown. The number of apoptotic cells increased at least sixfold after FGG silencing, and was observed in conjunction with an upregulation of p53, caspase 3, clea-caspase 3, and Bax, and a downregulation of Bcl2 and survivin. FGG knockdown in DU145 cells resulted in smaller xenografts than control cells in a mouse model. and we established that FGG is modulated by IL-6 which was increased in CRPC patients via phosphorylation of STAT3. The data suggests that FGG may be a potential therapeutic target and prognostic marker for CRPC.

The expression of melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2 is regulated by E2 in sheep oviduct

Some of the functions of melatonin in mammals are exerted through its membrane receptors (MRs) and studies have shown that estradiol (E2) might play an important role in regulating the expression of these proteins in female reproductive organs. However, no reports have reported the expression of MRs in the sheep oviduct or whether they are regulated by E2. Thus, herein, we detected the localization of MT1 and MT2 in the sheep oviduct. Moreover, we also investigated the expression pattern of these markers in the ovulating and non-ovulating side of the oviduct in the sheep ampulla and isthmus. Immunohistochemistry analyses revealed that both MT1 and MT2 are mainly expressed on oviduct epithelial cells. Both real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot analyses showed that MT1 and MT2 genes and proteins are highly expressed on the non-ovulating side of the oviduct ampulla, but not the ovulating side. However, regarding the oviduct isthmus, there were no significant differences between the ovulating and non-ovulating sides. In vitro, 10 ng/ml and 1 µg/ml of E2, as well as 1 µg/ml of E2 combined with 0.1 µg/ml, 1 µg/ml, and 10 µg/ml of ICI182780 (a non-selective estrogenreceptor antagonist), were used to treat oviduct epithelial cells. We found that E2 inhibited the expression of MT1 and MT2 in cultured oviduct cells. Moreover, the inhibitory effect was suppressed by ICI182780. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that MRs are present in the sheep oviduct, and that E2, via the ER pathway, regulates their expression in the oviduct.

Melatonin protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced epididymitis in sheep epididymal epithelial cells in vitro

Melatonin has protective effects against inflammation but its role in epididymitis is unknown. We addressed this in the present study using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated sheep epididymal epithelial cells as an in vitro inflammation model. We found that interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor α, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA levels; COX-2 and Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 protein levels; and nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 phosphorylation were increased by LPS treatment. These effects were reversed in a dose-dependent manner by melatonin (10^-11-10^-7 M). Quantitative reverse transcription PCR and immunofluorescence analyses showed that the melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2 were expressed in sheep epididymal epithelial cells. The inhibitory effect of melatonin on inflammation was abrogated by the MT1 and MT2 receptor antagonist luzindole and the MT2 ligand 4-phenyl-2-propanamide tetraldehyde. Thus, melatonin exerted anti-inflammatory effect in epididymal epithelial cells by inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB signaling, suggesting its potential as an effective drug for the treatment of epididymitis in sheep.

Effects of Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus on serpin and antibacterial peptide expression in B. mori

The silkworm (Bombyx mori) is a typical and economically important lepidopteran species, and research has resulted in the development and accumulation of breeding lines. Studies of immune-related silkworm genes not only promote our understanding of silkworm immune response mechanisms, but they also inform insect immune molecular diversity research. Here, silkworm proteins were screened using proteomics after Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV) infection, and 2368 silkworm proteins were identified, including six antimicrobial peptides and 12 serpins. The mRNA expression levels of these 18 proteins were examined at different times. The results indicated that attacin had the highest expression level, while serpin-5 and cecropin-D exhibited a negative regulatory correlation. These results provide a significant step toward a deeper understanding of B. mori immunoregulation.

iTRAQ proteomic analysis of the interactions between Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus and silkworm

The silkworm hemolymph is an important defense system against bacteria and viruses. In this study, silkworms were infected with Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus to investigate the subsequent immune response at the protein level. Proteomes were analyzed before and after infection using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation and LC-MS. A total of 456 differentially expressed proteins were identified, of which 179 were upregulated and 193 were downregulated. Changes in expression were validated by western blot for several proteins. Eleven of the differentially expressed proteins were involved in immunity. For example, modular serine protease and cecropin, which were downregulated, facilitate Toll and Imd signaling, while autophagy-related protein 3, which was upregulated, protects cells against oxidative damage. Collectively, the data highlight the unique interactions of baculovirus with the silkworm immune system.

BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

This is the first time isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation were used to analyze B. mori proteins mobilized against B. mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus, and to investigate the immunity-associated proteome in B. mori. The results are a significant step towards a deeper understanding of immunoregulation in B. mori.

SIGNIFICANCE

This is the first time isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation were used to analyze B. mori proteins mobilized against B. mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus, and to investigate the immunity-associated proteome in B. mori. The results are a significant step towards a deeper understanding of immunoregulation in B. mori.

WO3-x Nanoplates Grown on Carbon Nanofibers for an Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

The search for non-noble metal catalysts with high activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is crucial for efficient hydrogen production at low cost and on a large scale. Herein, we report a novel WO3-x catalyst synthesized on carbon nanofiber mats (CFMs) by electrospinning and followed by a carbonization process in a tubal furnace. The morphology and composition of the catalysts were tailored via a simple method, and the hybrid catalyst mats were used directly as cathodes to investigate their HER performance. Notably, the as-prepared catalysts exhibit substantially enhanced activity for the HER, demonstrating a small overpotential, a high exchange current density, and a large cathodic current density. The remarkable electrocatalytic performances result from the poor crystallinity of WO3-x, the high electrical conductivity of WO3-x, and the use of electrospun CNFs. The present work outlines a straightforward approach for the synthesis of transition metal oxide (TMO)-based carbon nanofiber mats with promising applications for the HER.

Soft tissue chondroma of the parapharyngeal space: a case report

Benign chondroma affecting the soft tissues is uncommon. This tumour is particularly rare in the neck. We present the first case of soft tissue chondroma arising in the parapharyngeal space of a 20-year-old man with a two-year history of a gradual sensation of a swelling in the pharynx with increasing snoring. The CT and pathological features of this lesion will be discussed. We suggest that a peroral approach should be considered for benign parapharyngeal tumour which has been demonstrated on imaging to be in the anterior parapharyngeal space, especially for tumours that are medial to the pterygoid muscles even though the tumour is a large one.