Genome-wide association study identifies variants associated with semen volume in white-feathered broilers

Semen is a measure of the reproductive efficiency of roosters, which affects the economic benefits of white-feathered broilers. Over the years, research in this field has mainly focused on hens, while there have been fewer studies on the reproductive traits of roosters. To identify the genes related to the semen traits of roosters, we used a chicken 55 K SNP chip to genetically type the white-feathered population (220) and performed imputation with resequencing data from 97 roosters. In total, 1 048 576 SNPs were obtained and used for genome-wide association analysis of semen volume, from which 197 genome-wide significant markers were identified, all within the interval of 13.82-16.12 Mb on chromosome 7. By combining our results with the biological functions of genes in the interval, four candidate genes were identified that potentially relate to semen volume: FAPP1, OSBPL6, SESTD1 and SSFA2. Our findings may provide a basis for further research on the genetic mechanism and marker-assisted selection of semen volume in white-feathered broilers.

Schisandrin B attenuates the inflammatory response, oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by traumatic spinal cord injury via inhibition of p53 signaling in adult rats

Schisandrin B is an active monomer of the Chinese magnolia vine (Schisandra chinensis) that can reduce transaminase activity in liver cells, inhibit lipid peroxidation, enhance antioxidant status, has protective effects in the liver and has antitumor effects. The present study investigated the potential protective effects of schisandrin B on the p53 signaling pathway in attenuating the inflammatory response, oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in adult rats. Behavioral examination, inclined plate test and spinal cord water content were used to evaluate the protective effect of schisandrin B in TSCI rats. The expression levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), nuclear factor (NF)-κB subunit p65 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were examined using ELISA kits. Western blot analysis was performed to analyze the protein expression of caspase-3 and phosphorylated (p)-p53 in TSCI rats. In the present study, schisandrin B improved behavioral examination results and the maximum angle of inclined plate test, and inhibited spinal cord water content in rats with TSCI. Notably, schisandrin B reduced the activation of traumatic injury-associated pathways, including SOD, MDA, NF-κB p65 and TNF-α, in TSCI rats. In addition, schisandrin B suppressed the TSCI-induced expression of caspase-3 and p-p53 in TSCI rats. These results indicated that schisandrin B may attenuate the inflammatory response, oxidative stress and apoptosis in TSCI rats by inhibiting the p53 signaling pathway in adult rats.

A submerged ceramic membrane reactor for the p-nitrophenol hydrogenation over nano-sized nickel catalysts

The catalytic hydrogenation of p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol over nano-sized nickel catalysts was carried out in a submerged ceramic membrane reactor. It has been demonstrated that the submerged ceramic membrane reactor is more suitable for the p-nitrophenol hydrogenation over nano-sized nickel catalysts compared with the side-stream ceramic membrane reactor, and the membrane module configuration has a great influence on the reaction rate of p-nitrophenol hydrogenation and the membrane treating capacity. The deactivation of nano-sized nickel is mainly caused by the adsorption of impurity on the surface of nickel and the increase of oxidation degree of nickel.

The menarcheal age of Chinese girls

The menarcheal age of Chinese girls was analysed based on a national survey in 1985. A total of 162,902 girls, aged 7-22 years, of Han nationality and 34,232 girls, aged 7-18, of 27 minority nationalities were sampled. Data were further subdivided into urban and rural areas. It was found that the curves of menstruating percentage in each of the subgroup were in long sigmoid shapes. The menstruating rate (MR) of Han girls was higher than that of the minority girls in almost every age group. The median menarcheal age (MMA) of Han girls was significantly lower than that of the minority girls. In Han nationality the urban girls showed higher MR and lower MMA than the rural girls. The influence of hereditary, cultural and economical factors on menarcheal age in Chinese girls is discussed. The data of this study were also compared with research reports from other world literature.

Developmental perspective of pulse rate, blood pressures and vital capacity in Chinese children

Physiological development in Chinese children was analysed based on a national survey sample. Close to half a million children and adolescents, aged 7-18 years, from Han and 27 minority nationalities were assessed for pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and forced vital capacity in these 12 age groups. The factors of age, sex, race, and region (urban/rural, north/south) were analysed. P95 hypertension screening standard was established for each age group. These results were compared with research reports from world literature.