A comprehensive study on the longissius dorsi muscle of Ashdan yaks under different feeding regimes based on transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses

Yak is an important dominant livestock species at high altitude, and the growth performance of yak has obvious differences under different feeding methods. This experiment was conducted to compare the effects of different feeding practices on growth performance and meat quality of yaks through combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. In terms of yak growth performance, compared with traditional grazing, in-house feeding can significantly improve the average daily weight gain, carcass weight and net meat weight of yaks; in terms of yak meat quality, in-house feeding can effectively improve the quality of yak meat. A combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis revealed 31 co-enriched pathways, among which arginine metabolism, proline metabolism and glycerophospholipid metabolism may be involved in the development of the longissimus dorsi muscle of yak and the regulation of meat quality-related traits. The experimental results increased our understanding of yak meat quality and provided data materials for subsequent deep excavation of the mechanism of yak meat quality.

PM2.5 exposure contributes to anxiety and depression-like behaviors via phenyl-containing compounds interfering with dopamine receptor

As a global problem, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) really needs local fixes. Considering the increasing epidemiological relevance to anxiety and depression but inconsistent toxicological results, the most important question is to clarify whether and how PM2.5 causally contributes to these mental disorders and which components are the most dangerous for crucial mitigation in a particular place. In the present study, we chronically subjected male mice to a real-world PM2.5 exposure system throughout the winter heating period in a coal combustion area and revealed that PM2.5 caused anxiety and depression-like behaviors in adults such as restricted activity, diminished exploratory interest, enhanced repetitive stereotypy, and elevated acquired immobility, through behavioral tests including open field, elevated plus maze, marble-burying, and forced swimming tests. Importantly, we found that dopamine signaling was perturbed using mRNA transcriptional profile and bioinformatics analysis, with Drd1 as a potential target. Subsequently, we developed the Drd1 expression-directed multifraction isolating and nontarget identifying framework and identified a total of 209 compounds in PM2.5 organic extracts capable of reducing Drd1 expression. Furthermore, by applying hierarchical characteristic fragment analysis and molecular docking and dynamics simulation, we clarified that phenyl-containing compounds competitively bound to DRD1 and interfered with dopamine signaling, thereby contributing to mental disorders. Taken together, this work provides experimental evidence for researchers and clinicians to identify hazardous factors in PM2.5 and prevent adverse health outcomes and for local governments and municipalities to control source emissions for diminishing specific disease burdens.

Integrative analysis of Iso-Seq and RNA-seq data reveals transcriptome complexity and differential isoform in skin tissues of different hair length Yak

BACKGROUND

The hair follicle development process is regulated by sophisticated genes and signaling networks, and the hair grows from the hair follicle. The Tianzhu white yak population exhibits differences in hair length, especially on the forehead and shoulder region. However, the genetic mechanism is still unclear. Isoform sequencing (Iso-seq) technology with advantages in long reads sequencing. Hence, we combined the Iso-seq and RNA-seq methods to investigate the transcript complexity and difference between long-haired yak (LHY) and normal-haired yak (NHY).

RESULTS

The hair length measurement result showed a significant difference between LHY and NHY on the forehead and the shoulder (P-value < 0.001). The skin samples from the forehead and the shoulder of LHY and NHY were pooled for isoform sequencing (Iso-seq). We obtained numerous long transcripts, including novel isoforms, long non-coding RNA, alternative splicing events, and alternative polyadenylation events. Combined with RNA-seq data, we performed differential isoforms (DEIs) analysis between LHY and NHY. We found that some hair follicle and skin development-related DEIs, like BMP4, KRT2, IGF2R, and COL1A2 in the forehead skin; BMP1, KRT1, FGF5, COL2A1, and IGFBP5 in the shoulder skin. Enrichment analysis revealed that DEIs in both two comparable groups significantly participated in skin and hair follicle development-related pathways, like ECM-receptor interaction, focal adhesion, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways. The results indicated that the hair follicle development of Tianzhu white yak may influence the hair length difference. Besides, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of DEIs showed COL2A1 and COL3A1 exhibited a high degree of centrality, and these two genes were suggested as potential candidates for the hair length growth of Tianzhu white yak.

CONCLUSIONS

The results provided a comprehensive analysis of the transcriptome complexity and identified differential transcripts that enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the variation in hair length growth in Tianzhu white yak.

The 6-kilodalton peptide 1 in plant viruses of the family Potyviridae is a viroporin

Potyviridae, the largest family of plant RNA viruses, includes many important pathogens that significantly reduce the yields of many crops worldwide. In this study, we report that the 6-kilodalton peptide 1 (6K1), one of the least characterized potyviral proteins, is an endoplasmic reticulum-localized protein. AI-assisted structure modeling and biochemical assays suggest that 6K1 forms pentamers with a central hydrophobic tunnel, can increase the cell membrane permeability of Escherichia coli and Nicotiana benthamiana, and can conduct potassium in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. An infectivity assay showed that viral proliferation is inhibited by mutations that affect 6K1 multimerization. Moreover, the 6K1 or its homologous 7K proteins from other viruses of the Potyviridae family also have the ability to increase cell membrane permeability and transmembrane potassium conductance. Taken together, these data reveal that 6K1 and its homologous 7K proteins function as viroporins in viral infected cells.

Complete characterization of the yak testicular development using accurate full-length transcriptome sequencing

Alternative splicing is a prevalent phenomenon in testicular tissues. Due to the low assembly accuracy of short-read RNA sequencing technology in analyzing post-transcriptional regulatory events, full-length (FL) transcript sequencing is highly demanded to accurately determine FL splicing variants. In this study, we performed FL transcriptome sequencing of testicular tissues from 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, and 4-year-old yaks and 4-year-old cattle-yaks using Oxford Nanopore Technologies. The obtained sequencing data were predicted to have 47,185 open reading frames (ORFs), including 26,630 complete ORFs, detected 7645 fusion transcripts, 15,355 alternative splicing events, 25,798 simple sequence repeats, 7628 transcription factors, and 35,503 long non-coding RNAs. A total of 40,038 novel transcripts were obtained from the sequencing data, and the proportion was almost close to the number of known transcripts identified. Structural analysis and functional annotation of these novel transcripts resulted in the successful annotation of 9568 transcripts, with the highest and lowest annotation numbers in the Nr and KOG databases, respectively. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis revealed the key regulatory pathways and hub genes at various stages of yak testicular development. Our findings enhance our comprehension of transcriptome complexity, contribute to genome annotation refinement, and provide foundational data for further investigations into male sterility in cattle-yaks.

Serum Metabolomic Analysis of Synchronous Estrus in Yaks Based on UPLC-Q-TOF MS Technology

The yak is a unique species of livestock found in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its surrounding areas. Due to factors such as late sexual maturity and a low rate of estrus, its reproductive efficiency is relatively low. The process of estrus synchronization in yaks plays a crucial role in enhancing their reproductive success and ensuring the continuation of their species. In order to clarify the characteristics of the serum metabolites of yak estrus synchronization, the yaks with inactive ovaries were compared with the estrus synchronization yaks. In this study, yaks were divided into the inactive ovaries group (IO), gonarelin-induced yak estrus group (GnRH), and chloprostenol sodium-induced yak estrus group (PGF). After the completion of the estrus synchronization treatment, blood samples were collected from the jugular veins of the non-estrus yaks in the control group and the yaks with obvious estrus characteristics in the GnRH and PGF groups. Metabolites were detected by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and differential metabolites were screened by multivariate statistical analysis. The results showed that a total of 70 significant differential metabolites were screened and identified in the GnRH vs. IO group, and 77 significant differential metabolites were screened and identified in the PGF vs. IO group. Compared with non-estrus yaks, 36 common significant differential metabolites were screened out after the induction of yak estrus by gonarelin (GnRH) and cloprostenol sodium (PGF), which were significantly enriched in signaling pathways such as the beta oxidation of very long chain fatty acids, bile acid biosynthesis, oxidation of branched chain fatty acids, steroidogenesis, steroid biosynthesis, and arginine and proline metabolism. This study analyzed the effects of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and prostaglandin F (PGF) on the reproductive performance of yaks treated with estrus synchronization, which provides a theoretical basis for the optimization and application of yak estrus synchronization technology and promotes the healthy development of the yak industry.

Identification, expression and molecular polymorphism of T-cell receptors α and β from the glacial relict Hucho bleekeri

The T-cell receptor (TCR) is a specific molecule on the surface of all T cells that mediates cellular adaptive immune responses to antigens. Hucho bleekeri is a critically endangered species and is regarded as a glacial relict that has the lowest-latitude distribution compared with any Eurasian salmonid. In the present study, two TCR genes, namely, TCR α and β, were identified and characterized in H. bleekeri. Both TCR α and TCR β have typical TCR structures, including the IgV domain, IgC domain, connecting peptide, transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. The two TCR genes were constitutionally expressed in various tissues, with the highest expression found in the spleen for TCR α and in the trunk kidney for TCR β. Challenge of H. bleekeri with LPS or poly(I:C) resulted in significant upregulation of both TCR α and β expression in headkidney and spleen primary cells, indicating their potential roles in the immune response. Molecular polymorphism analysis of the whole ORF regions of TCR α and β in different individuals revealed high diversity of IgV domains of these two genes, especially in complementarity-determining region (CDR) 3. The ratio of nonsynonymous substitution occurred at a significantly higher frequency than synonymous substitution in the CDR of TCR α and β, demonstrating the existence of positive selection. The results obtained in the present study enhance our understanding of TCR roles in regulating immune mechanisms and provide new information for the study of TCR lineage diversity in fish.

[Characteristics and diagnostic value of serum bile acids profile in pregnant women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and asymptomatic hypercholanemia of pregnancy]

Objective: To analyze serum bile acid profiles in pregnant women with normal pregnancy, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and asymptomatic hypercholanemia of pregnancy (AHP), and to evaluate the application value of serum bile acid profiles in the diagnosis of ICP and AHP. Methods: The clinical data of 122 pregnant women who underwent prenatal examination in Xuzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from June 2022 to May 2023 were collected, including 54 cases of normal pregnancy group, 28 cases of ICP group and 40 cases of AHP group. Ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to measure the levels of 15 serum bile acids in each group, including cholic acid (CA), chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), deoxycholic acid (DCA), lithocholic acid (LCA), ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), glycolcholic acid (GCA), glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDCA), glycodeoxycholic acid (GDCA), glycolithocholic acid (GLCA), glycoursodeoxycholic acid (GUDCA), taurocholic acid (TCA), taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TCDCA), taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA), taurolithocholic acid (TLCA) and tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA). Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to screen differential bile acids. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the diagnostic efficacy of differential bile acids and combined indicators between groups. Results: (1) Compared with normal pregnancy group, the serum levels of LCA, GCA, GCDCA, GDCA, GLCA, UDCA, TCA, TCDCA, TDCA, TLCA, GUDCA and TUDCA in ICP group were significantly different (all P<0.05), while the levels of LCA, DCA, GCA, GCDCA, GDCA, GLCA, TCA, TCDCA, TDCA, TLCA, GUDCA and TUDCA in AHP group were significantly different (all P<0.05). Compared with ICP group, the serum levels of CDCA, DCA, UDCA, TDCA, GUDCA and TUDCA in AHP group were significantly different (all P<0.05). (2) In the OPLS-DA model, the differential bile acids between ICP group and AHP group were TUDCA, TCA, UDCA, GUDCA and GCA, and their variable importance in projection (VIP) were 1.489, 1.345, 1.344, 1.184 and 1.111, respectively. TCA, GCDCA, GCA, TDCA, GDCA and TCDCA were the differentially expressed bile acids between AHP group and normal pregnancy group, and their VIP values were 1.236, 1.229, 1.197, 1.145, 1.139 and 1.138, respectively. (3) ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of TUDCA, TCA, UDCA, GUDCA and GCA in the differential diagnosis of ICP and AHP was 0.860, and the sensitivity and specificity were 67.9% and 95.0%, respectively. The AUC of TCA, GCDCA, GCA, TDCA, GDCA and TCDCA in the diagnosis of AHP was 0.964, and the sensitivity and specificity were 95.0% and 93.1%, respectively. Conclusions: There are differences in serum bile acid profiles among normal pregnant women, ICP and AHP. The serum bile acid profiles of pregnant women have potential application value in the differential diagnosis of ICP and AHP and the diagnosis of AHP.

Semi-synthesis and structure-activity relationship study yield antibacterial vicenistatin derivatives with low cytotoxicity

Vicenistatin (1) is a 20-membered polyketide macrocyclic antibiotic with potent antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. In this study, to further explore the potential of 1 as candidates of antibacterial drug development, 4'-N-demethyl vicenistatin (2), a secondary metabolite obtained from the ∆vicG mutant strain of Monodonata labio-associated Streptomyces parvus SCSIO Mla-L010, was utilized as a starting material for modifications of 4'-amino group of vicenistatin. Six new vicenistatin derivatives (3-8) were semi-synthesized through a concise route of amino modification with various aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes. Our study reveals that the bioactivity of vicenistatin is closely related to amino modification in sugar moiety, which results from the length of alkyl side chain as well as the presence of electron withdrawing/denoting group on the benzene ring. Importantly, compounds 4 with a butyl group and 8 with a 3,5-dihydroxyl-benzyl group at 4'-amino group, respectively, exhibited good antimicrobial activities, with MIC values spanning 0.5-4 μg ml-1 to Gram-positive pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis, Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus subtilis, with low cytotoxicity. This research promotes the further exploration of structure-activity relationships of vicenistatin and provides new vicenistatin derivatives for development of future anti-infectious agents with reduced cytotoxicity.

Unveiling the antibacterial mechanism of resveratrol against Aeromonas hydrophila through proteomics analysis

This investigation delves into elucidating the mechanism by which resveratrol (Res), a natural polyterpenoid renowned for its antimicrobial properties, exerts its effects on Aeromonas hydrophila, a ubiquitous waterborne pathogen. Our findings underscore the dose-dependent manifestation of resveratrol in exhibiting antibacterial and antibiofilm formation activities against A. hydrophila. Employing a Data-independent acquisition (DIA) based quantitative proteomics methodology, we systematically compared differentially expressed proteins in A. hydrophila subjected to varying concentrations of Res. Subsequent bioinformatics analyses revealed key proteins and pathways pivotal in resveratrol's antimicrobial action, encompassing oxidative stress, energy metabolism, and cell membrane integrity. Validation of the proteomics outcomes was meticulously conducted using the qPCR method at the mRNA level. Dynamic trend analysis unveiled alterations in biological processes, notably the correlation between the cell division-related protein ZapC and resveratrol content. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy corroborated a significant elongation of A. hydrophila cells, affirming resveratrol's capability to inhibit cell division. In concert, resveratrol emerges as a participant in the cell membrane integrity pathway, biofilm formation, and potentially, the regulation of genes associated with cell division, resulting in morphological elongation. These revelations position resveratrol as a promising natural alternative to conventional antibiotics for treating A. hydrophila infections.

Synthesis and photophysical properties of dinuclear N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) copper(I) complexes and their application to photoluminescent light-emitting diodes and anti-counterfeiting

Here, a series of dinuclear N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) copper(I) complexes having 3,3'-(1,4-phenylenebis(methylene))bis(1-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-imidazolylidene as bis-NHC ligand and bis[(2-diphenylphosphino)phenyl]ether (POP) as auxiliary ligand have been successfully prepared, and their photophysical properites were investigaged experimentally and theocitcally. The resulting complexes all exhibited intense green to yellow emission that originated from the thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) with a high photoluminescence quantum yield of up to 0.67 and longer excited-state lifetimes on the microsecond time scale in the solid state. Green and yellow light-emitting diode (LED) devices based on Cu(I) complexes have successfully achieved good color rendering indices. Moreover, the anti-counterfeiting patterns and QR codes made of Cu(I) complexes have been applied to clothing, banknotes, books and glass plates with excellent anti-counterfeiting effects.

Association between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of PRKD1 and KCNQ3 Gene and Milk Quality Traits in Gannan Yak (Bos grunniens)

Protein kinase D1 (PRKD1) functions primarily in normal mammary cells, and the potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily Q member 3 (KCNQ3) gene plays an important role in controlling membrane potential and neuronal excitability, it has been found that this particular gene is linked to the percentage of milk fat in dairy cows. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of PRKD1 and KCNQ3 genes and the milk quality of Gannan yak and to find molecular marker sites that may be used for milk quality breeding of Gannan yak. Three new SNPs were detected in the PRKD1 (g.283,619T>C, g.283,659C>A) and KCNQ3 gene (g.133,741T>C) of 172 Gannan lactating female yaks by Illumina yak cGPS 7K liquid-phase microarray technology. Milk composition was analyzed using a MilkoScanTM milk composition analyzer. We found that the mutations of these three loci significantly improved the lactose, milk fat, casein, protein, non-fat milk solid (SNF) content and acidity of Gannan yaks. The lactose content of the TC heterozygous genotype population at g.283,619T>C locus was significantly higher than that of the TT wild-type population (p < 0.05); the milk fat content of the CA heterozygous genotype population at g.283,659C>A locus was significantly higher than that of the CC wild-type and AA mutant populations (p < 0.05); the casein, protein and acidity of the CC mutant and TC heterozygous groups at the g.133,741T>C locus were significantly higher than those of the wild type (p < 0.05), and the SNF of the TC heterozygous group was significantly higher than that of the mutant group (p < 0.05). The results showed that PRKD1 and KCNQ3 genes could be used as candidate genes affecting the milk traits of Gannan yak.

The diagnosis and treatment of pediatric clinical myocarditis in China: a multicenter retrospective study

This study aims to examine the clinical characteristics and outcomes of clinical myocarditis in pediatric patients in China. This is a multicenter retrospective study. Children diagnosed with clinical myocarditis from 20 hospitals in China and admitted between January 1, 2015, and December 30, 2021, were enrolled. The clinical myocarditis was diagnosed based on the "Diagnostic Recommendation for Myocarditis in Children (Version 2018)". The clinical data were collected from their medical records. A total of 1210 patients were finally enrolled in this study. Among them, 45.6% had a history of respiratory tract infection. An abnormal electrocardiogram was observed in 74.2% of patients. Echocardiography revealed that 32.3% of patients had a left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 50%. Cardiac MRI was performed in 4.9% of children with clinical myocarditis, of which 61% showed localized or diffuse hypersignal on T2-weighted images. Serum levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), and N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were higher in patients with fulminant myocarditis than in patients with myocarditis, making them potential risk factors for fulminant myocarditis. Following active treatment, 12.1% of patients were cured, and 79.1% were discharged with improvement.

CONCLUSION

Clinical myocarditis in children often presents with symptoms outside the cardiovascular system. CK-MB, cTnI, and NT-proBNP are important indicators for assessing clinical myocarditis. The electrocardiogram and echocardiogram findings in children with clinical myocarditis exhibit significant variability but lack specificity. Cardiac MRI can be a useful tool for screening clinical myocarditis. Most children with clinical myocarditis have a favorable prognosis.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• Pediatric myocarditis presents complex clinical manifestations and exhibits varying degrees of severity. Children with mild myocarditis generally have a favorable prognosis, while a small number of children with critically ill myocarditis experience sudden onset, hemodynamic disorders, and fatal arrhythmias. Therefore, early diagnosis and timely treatment of myocarditis are imperative.

WHAT IS NEW

• To the best of our knowledge, this multicenter retrospective study is the largest ever reported in China, aiming to reveal the clinical characteristics and outcomes of pediatric clinical myocarditis in China. We provided an extensive analysis of the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and factors impacting disease severity in pediatric clinical myocarditis in China, which provides insights into the epidemiological characteristics of pediatric clinical myocarditis.

Whole-transcriptome analysis of longissimus dorsi muscle in cattle-yaks reveals the regulatory functions of ADAMTS6 gene in myoblasts

Cattle-yak, which is the hybrid F1 generation of cattle and yak, demonstrates better production performance compared to yak. However, there is limited research on the molecular mechanisms responsible for the muscle development of cattle-yak. To address this knowledge gap, a comprehensive transcriptomic survey of the longissimus dorsi muscle in cattle-yak was conducted. Three transcript types, namely lncRNAs, miRNAs, and circRNAs, along with protein-coding genes were characterized at two developmental stages (6 m, 18 m) of cattle-yak. The results revealed significant enrichment of these transcripts into pathways related to myoblast differentiation and muscle development signaling. Additionally, the study identified the TCONS00024465/circHIPK3-bta-miR-499-ADAMTS6 regulatory network, which may play a crucial role in the muscle development of cattle-yak by combining the transcriptome data of yak and constructing the ceRNA co-expression network. HEK 293 T cells were used to validate that TCONS00024465 and circHIPK3 are located upstream of bta-miR-499, and can competitively bind to bta-miR-499 as ceRNA. The study also verified that ADAMTS6 regulates skeletal muscle development by inhibiting myoblast proliferation, promoting myoblast differentiation, and positively regulating the apoptosis of myoblasts. Taken together, this study provides new insights into the advantages of cattle-yak production performance and offers a molecular basis for further research on muscle development.

Identification of circRNA-associated ceRNA networks in the longissimus dorsi of yak under different feeding systems

BACKGROUND

Yaks (Bos grunniens), prized for their ability to thrive in high-altitude environments, are indispensable livestock in the plateau region. Modifying their feeding systems holds significant promise for improving their growth and meat quality. Tenderness, a key determinant of yak meat quality and consumer appeal, is demonstrably influenced by dietary regimen. Indoor feeding regimes have been shown to enhance tenderness by lowering shear stress and optimizing pH values. CircRNAs, well-known modulators of circulatory function, also play a crucial role in skeletal muscle development across various animal species. However, their functional significance in yak skeletal muscle remains largely unexplored.

RESULTS

In this study, we identified a total of 5,534 circRNAs within the longissimus dorsi muscle, and we found 51 differentially expressed circRNAs (20 up-regulated and 31 down-regulated) between the two feeding groups. Constructing a comprehensive ceRNA network illuminated intricate regulatory mechanisms, with PGP and circRNA_0617 converging on bta-miR-2285q, mirrored by KLF15/circRNA_0345/bta-miR-20b and CTSF/circRNA_0348/bta-miR-146a. These findings shed light on the potential of circRNAs to influence yak muscle development and meat quality, offering valuable insights for future research.

CONCLUSIONS

This investigation unraveled a complex interaction network between circRNAs、mRNAs and miRNAs in yak skeletal muscle. We further elucidated the target genes regulated by these target genes within the network, offering valuable insights into the potential regulatory mechanisms governing muscle development and meat quality-related traits in yaks.

Genome-Wide Transcriptome Profiling Reveals the Mechanisms Underlying Hepatic Metabolism under Different Raising Systems in Yak

Yak meat is nutritionally superior to beef cattle but has a low fat content and is slow-growing. The liver plays a crucial role in lipid metabolism, and in order to determine whether different feeding modes affect lipid metabolism in yaks and how it is regulated, we employed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technology to analyze the genome-wide differential gene expression in the liver of yaks maintained under different raising systems. A total of 1663 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified (|log2FC| ≥ 0 and p-value ≤ 0.05), including 698 down-regulated and 965 up-regulated genes. According to gene ontology (GO) and KEGG enrichment analyses, these DEGs were significantly enriched in 13 GO terms and 26 pathways (p < 0.05). Some DEGs were enriched in fatty acid degradation, PPAR, PI3K-Akt, and ECM receptor pathways, which are associated with lipid metabolism. A total of 16 genes are well known to be related to lipid metabolism (e.g., APOA1, FABP1, EHHADH, FADS2, SLC27A5, ACADM, CPT1B, ACOX2, HMGCS2, PLIN5, ACAA1, IGF1, FGFR4, ALDH9A1, ECHS1, LAMA2). A total of 11 of the above genes were significantly enriched in the PPAR signaling pathway. The reliability of the transcriptomic data was verified using qRT-PCR. Our findings provide new insights into the mechanisms regulating yak meat quality. It shows that fattening improves the expression of genes that regulate lipid deposition in yaks and enhances meat quality. This finding will contribute to a better understanding of the various factors that determine yak meat quality and help develop strategies to improve yield and quality.

Mineral Metabolism and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Metabolic Risk Factors: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Observational investigations recommend that mineral supplements were associated with a higher risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its risk factors (insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, and obesity), but the relationship with risk of PCOS, hyperandrogenism, obesity, and insulin resistance was unclear. This study was to investigate the potential causal impact of genetically predicted levels of magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and omega-3 (ω-3) on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its associated risk factors. A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted. The genetic variations obtained from GWAS of individuals with European ancestry were found to be associated with the genetically predicted levels of Ca, Mg, Zn, Se, Fe, or ω-3. The data obtained from the FinnGen Consortium and MAGIC were utilized for the outcome of GWAS. The study found that there was a correlation between genetically predicted higher levels of Se and a reduced risk of insulin resistance, with a decrease of 2.2% according to random-effect IVW (OR 0.978, 95% CI 0.960-0.996, p = 0.015). The association between genetically determined mineral levels and PCOS was found to be limited, with an odds ratio (OR) ranging from 0.875 (95% CI: 0.637-1.202, p value = 0.411) for Ca. Limited scientific proof was found for the efficacy of other genetically determined mineral levels on hyperandrogenism, obesity, and insulin resistance. These findings suggested a causal relationship between genetically predicted higher levels of Se and a reduced risk of insulin resistance. Nonetheless, there is limited evidence supporting a causal association between various genetically determined mineral levels and the risk factors associated with PCOS.

The Resistance of Soybean Variety Heinong 84 to Apple Latent Spherical Virus Is Controlled by Two Genetic Loci

Apple latent spherical virus (ALSV) is widely used as a virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) vector for function genome study. However, the application of ALSV to soybeans is limited by the resistance of many varieties. In this study, the genetic locus linked to the resistance of a resistant soybean variety Heinong 84 was mapped by high-throughput sequencing-based bulk segregation analysis (HTS-BSA) using a hybrid population crossed from Heinong 84 and a susceptible variety, Zhonghuang 13. The results showed that the resistance of Heinong 84 to ALSV is controlled by two genetic loci located on chromosomes 2 and 11, respectively. Cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) markers were developed for identification and genotyping. Inheritance and biochemical analyses suggest that the resistance locus on chromosome 2 plays a dominant dose-dependent role, while the other locus contributes a secondary role in resisting ALSV. The resistance locus on chromosome 2 might encode a protein that can directly inhibit viral proliferation, while the secondary resistance locus on chromosome 11 may encode a host factor required for viral proliferation. Together, these data reveal novel insights on the resistance mechanism of Heinong 84 to ALSV, which will benefit the application of ALSV as a VIGS vector.

[Effect of growth hormone supplementation on liver and lung function in patients with hypopituitarism]

To analyze the clinical features of patients with anterior hypopituitarism (HP) complicated with cirrhosis, and to explore the effects of growth hormone supplementation on liver and lung function. A total of 11 patients with HP complicated with cirrhosis admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2016 to December 2022 were included in the study, including 8 males and 3 females, aged [M(Q1, Q3)]31 (20, 37) years. There were 6 patients with pituitary stalk interruption syndrome, 4 patients after craniopharyngioma resection, and 1 patient after germinal cell tumor chemoradiotherapy. Cirrhosis appeared at [M(Q1, Q3)]7 (1, 16) years after the diagnosis of HP. There were 7 cases complicated with hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS). The liver and lung function of 5 patients were improved significantly after the addition of growth hormone, and the arterial partial pressure of oxygen increased from (47±11) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) to (84±12) mmHg. Timely supplementation of growth hormone can improve the symptoms of fatty liver, cirrhosis and HPS, and postpone or even avoid the transplantation of liver and other organs.

[Relationship between sleep status and occasional hypertension in preschool children in three provinces in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River in China]

Objective: To understand the prevalence of occasional hypertension in preschool children in three provinces in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River in China, and analyze the relationship between their sleep status and occasional hypertension. Methods: From October to November 2017, a total of 24 842 preschool children from 109 kindergartens in 11 cities in Hubei, Anhui and Jiangsu provinces were selected by intentional sampling method. A self-made questionnaire was used to collect basic information about the subjects, and the sleep status data was collected by the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire. Physical examinations were performed on the subjects, and height, weight and blood pressure were measured on-site. The difference in occasional hypertension detection rate among preschool children with different characteristics was compared, and the correlation between sleep status and occasional hypertension detection rate was analyzed by the multivariate logistic regression model. Results: The age of the subjects was (4.4±1.0) years, including 12 729 boys (51.2%). The prevalence of occasional hypertension was 31.8% (7 907/24 842). The prevalence of occasional hypertension among preschool children in three provinces of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River was 31.8%. There were statistically significant differences in the detection rate of occasional hypertension among preschool children of different genders, age groups, family residence, family economic status and parents' education level (all P values<0.05). The detection rate of occasional hypertension in children with less than 10 hours of sleep was higher than those with sufficient sleep, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for factors such as gender, age, family residence, family economic status, parental education level, parental smoking history, and physical constitution, the ORs (95%CI) for less than 10 hours of sleep, turning on the lights while sleeping, and poor sleep quality were 1.09 (1.03-1.15), 1.17 (1.07-1.28) and 1.04 (0.91-1.18), respectively, compared with the corresponding reference group. Conclusion: The detection rate of occasional hypertension is high in preschool children in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and there is a positive correlation between insufficient sleep and turning on the light when sleeping and occasional hypertension in preschool children.

Identification of New EGFR Inhibitors by Structure-Based Virtual Screening and Biological Evaluation

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors have been used in clinical for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer for years. However, the emergence of drug resistance continues to be a major problem. To identify potential inhibitors, molecular docking-based virtual screening was conducted on ChemDiv and Enamine commercial databases using the Glide program. After multi-step VS and visual inspection, a total of 23 compounds with novel and varied structures were selected, and the predicted ADMET properties were within the satisfactory range. Further molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the reprehensive compound ZINC49691377 formed a stable complex with the allosteric pocket of EGFR and exhibited conserved hydrogen bond interactions with Lys 745 and Asp855 of EGFR over the course of simulation. All compounds were further tested in experiments. Among them, the most promising hit ZINC49691377 demonstrated excellent anti-proliferation activity against H1975 and PC-9 cells, while showing no significant anti-proliferation activity against A549 cells. Meanwhile, apoptosis analysis indicated that the compound ZINC49691377 can effectively induce apoptosis of H1975 and PC-9 cells in a dose-dependent manner, while having no significant effect on the apoptosis of A549 cells. The results indicate that ZINC49691377 exhibits good selectivity. Based on virtual screening and bioassays, ZINC4961377 can be considered as an excellent starting point for the development of new EGFR inhibitors.

[Multidisciplinary efforts to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cirrhosis due to anterior pituitary hypopituitarism]

More and more clinical evidence confirms that hypopituitary dysfunction can lead to liver cirrhosis. The causes of hypopituitary dysfunction include sellarneoplastic diseases, hereditary diseases, perinatal adverse events, etc. Clinically, growth hormone deficiency (GHD) often the first cause in hypopituitary dysfunction.Hypopituitary dysfunction, especially GHD, can lead to liver cirrhosis, which in turn can result in damage to multiple organs such as the secondary lungs, spleen, and heart.Therefore, its clinical manifestations are complex, and the patients are first diagnosed in various departments.Reliable clinical observations have shown that GH replacement therapy at the early stage of the disease can effectively prevent and reverse the progression of cirrhosis, or even avoid inappropriate or unnecessary combined transplantation of liver or liver-related organs.Multidisciplinary collaboration and attention to the new findings that hypopituitary dysfunction can lead to liver cirrhosis will help to improve the accurate diagnosis and treatment of liver cirrhosis.

Isolation of dsRNA from Plants by Cellulose Chromatography

As the constitutive molecules of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) virus genomes and replicative intermediates of single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) viruses, the high-molecular-weight dsRNAs are commonly found in RNA virus-infected plants. Therefore, the dsRNA is recognized as a hallmark of RNA virus infection and the profile of dsRNA has been applied as an efficient tool for diagnoses or characterization of unreported RNA viruses. Cellulose chromatography is one of the most useful procedures for the isolation of viral dsRNAs from total nucleic acids. Here, we describe rapid cellulose-based methods for purification of dsRNAs from plant tissue.

Lung injuries induced by ozone exposure in female mice: Potential roles of the gut and lung microbes

Ozone (O3) is one of the most harmful pollutants affecting health. However, the potential effects of O3 exposure on microbes in the gut-lung axis related to lung injuries remain elusive. In this study, female mice were exposed to 0-, 0.5- and 1-ppm O3 for 28 days, followed by routine blood tests, lung function tests and histopathological examination of the colon, nasal cavity and lung. Mouse faeces and lungs were collected for 16s rRNA sequencing to assess the overall microbiological profile and screen for key differential enriched microbes (DEMs). The key DEMs in faecal samples were Butyricimonas, Rikenellaceae RC9 and Escherichia-Shigella, whereas those in lung samples were DNF00809, Fluviicola, Bryobacter, Family XII AD3011 group, Sharpea, MND1 and unclassified Phycisphaeraceae. After a search in microbe-disease databases, these key DEMs were found to be associated with lung diseases such as lung neoplasms, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respiratory distress syndrome and bronchiectasis. Subsequently, we used transcriptomic data from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) with exposure conditions similar to those in this study to cross-reference with Comparative Toxicogenomic Database (CTD). Il-6 and Ccl2 were identified as the key causative genes and were validated. The findings of this study suggest that exposure to O3 leads to significant changes in the microbial composition of the gut and lungs. These changes are associated with increased levels of inflammatory factors in the lungs and impaired lung function, resulting in an increased risk of lung disease. Altogether, this study provides novel insights into the role of microbes present in the gut-lung axis in O3 exposure-induced lung injury.

Production of Double-Stranded RNA Using the Prokaryotic Promoter-Mediated Bidirectional Transcription

Large-scale and cost-less production of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is the basis for the widespread application of dsRNA in agriculture. Bidirectional transcription of target sequence in RNase III-deficient Escherichia coli strain HT115 (DE3) is an efficient way to produce large amounts of dsRNA. Here, we present a detailed method for the production of dsRNA by bidirectional transcription in E. coli from vector construction, induction of expression by isopropylthio-β-galactoside (IPTG), and purification of dsRNA from E. coli.

Rapid Purification of dsRNA Using Micro-Spin Cellulose Column

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is the replication intermediates of all RNA viruses. Purification and analysis of the profile and sequence of dsRNA is vital in virus diagnoses and/or characterization. Cellulose is one of the common materials used for isolation of dsRNA. Cellulose specifically binds dsRNA fraction under 15% ethanol concentration, which allows to isolate dsRNA from total nucleic acid solution or cell lysate. Here, we describe a rapid and reliable method for purifying dsRNA using a home-made micro-spin cellulose column from the cell lysate of virus-infected plant tissue. This labor-saving and rapid method enables routinely high-throughput isolation and analysis of dsRNA in plant or fungi samples.

Allograft inflammatory factor-1 enhances inflammation and oxidative stress via the NF-κB pathway of bladder urothelium in diabetic rat model

OBJECTIVES

To explore the role of allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1) both in diabetic rat bladder urothelium and in high-glucose-treated human urothelial cell line (SV-HUC-1).

METHODS

Inflammation and oxidative stress (OS) promote diabetic cystopathy (DCP), but the mechanisms are not fully understood. The expression level of AIF-1 in diabetic rat bladder urothelium and in the SV-HUC-1 cells treated with high glucose was detected using tissue immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and western blot assays. AIF-1 was knocked down and NF-κB was suppressed with the specific inhibitor BAY 11-7082 in high-glucose-treated SV-HUC-1 cells.

RESULTS

High-glucose condition induced AIF-1 upregulation in vivo and in vitro. The up-regulated AIF-1 induced the production of inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α and elevation of ROS. Informatics analysis suggested that NF-κB pathway is implicated in DCP. Through knockdown of AIF-1, we confirmed that AIF-1 simulated NF-κB pathway by enhancing the phosphorylation of IκB (p-IκB) and promoting the translocation of NF-κB p65 from cytoplasm into nucleus. Additionally, High-glucose-induced inflammation in SV-HUC-1 cells was attenuated by the addition of NF-κB inhibitor.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides novel information to understand the molecular regulation mechanisms of AIF-1 in DCP.

Considerations in engineering viral vectors for genome editing in plants

Plant viruses have been engineered to express proteins and induce gene silencing for decades. Recently, plant viruses have also been used to deliver components into plant cells for genome editing, a technique called virus-induced genome editing (VIGE). Although more than a dozen plant viruses have been engineered into VIGE vectors and VIGE has been successfully accomplished in some plant species, application of VIGE to crops that are difficult to tissue culture and/or have low regeneration efficiency is still tough. This paper discusses factors to consider for an ideal VIGE vector, including insertion capacity for foreign DNA, vertical transmission ability, expression level of the target gene, stability of foreign DNA insertion, and biosafety. We also proposed a step-by-step schedule for excavating the suitable viral vector for VIGE.

The minus strand of positive-sense RNA viruses encodes small proteins

It is widely accepted that the minus strands of positive single-strand RNA (+ssRNA) viruses function as replication templates only. Gong et al. revealed that the minus strand of two unrelated +ssRNA viruses encodes proteins. This textbook-changing discovery calls for the reconsideration of the molecular mechanisms underlying the infection cycle of +ssRNA viruses.

[Application of omics in the diagnosis of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease]

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide, and the risk of all-cause and liver-related mortality significantly increases with the degree of fibrosis. Early diagnosis of MAFLD and its degree of liver fibrosis are of great significance, so it is particularly important to find an accurate and simple, non-invasive diagnostic method. In recent years, high-throughput omics technology has developed rapidly and played an important role in the non-invasive diagnosis and prediction of fibrosis degree in MAFLD. This article summarizes the application progress of genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, microbiomics, radiomics, and the combination of multi-omics for the diagnosis of MAFLD disease.

[Construction and preliminary validation of a risk prediction model for the recurrence of diabetic foot ulcer in diabetic patients]

Objective: To develop a risk prediction model for the recurrence of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) in diabetic patients and primarily validate its predictive value. Methods: Meta-analysis combined with retrospective cohort study was conducted. The Chinese and English papers on risk factors related to DFU recurrence publicly published in China Biology Medicine disc, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, VIP Database, and PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, and the search time was from the establishment date of each database until March 31st, 2022. The papers were screened and evaluated, the data were extracted, a meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4.1 statistical software to screen risk factors for DFU recurrence, and Egger's linear regression was used to assess the publication bias of the study results. Risk factors for DFU recurrence mentioned in ≥3 studies and with statistically significant differences in the meta-analysis were selected as the independent variables to develop a logistic regression model for risk prediction of DFU recurrence. The medical records of 101 patients with DFU who met the inclusion criteria and were admitted to Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University from January 2019 to June 2022 were collected. There were 69 males and 32 females, aged (63±14) years. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the predictive performance of the above constructed predictive model for DFU recurrence was drawn, and the area under the ROC curve, maximum Youden index, and sensitivity and specificity at the point were calculated. Dataset including data of 8 risk factors for DFU recurrence and the DFU recurrence rates of 10 000 cases was simulated using RStudio software and a scatter plot was drawn to determine two probabilities for risk division of DFU recurrence. Using the β coefficients corresponding to 8 DFU recurrence risk factors ×10 and taking the integer as the score of coefficient weight of each risk factor, the total score was obtained by summing up, and the cutoff scores for risk level division were calculated based on the total score × two probabilities for risk division of DFU recurrence. Results: Finally, 20 papers were included, including 3 case-control studies and 17 cohort studies, with a total of 4 238 cases and DFU recurrence rate of 22.7% to 71.2%. Meta-analysis showed that glycosylated hemoglobin >7.5% and with plantar ulcer, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, diabetic peripheral vascular disease, smoking, osteomyelitis, history of amputation/toe amputation, and multidrug-resistant bacterial infection were risk factors for the recurrence of DFU (with odds ratios of 3.27, 3.66, 4.05, 3.94, 1.98, 7.17, 11.96, 3.61, 95% confidence intervals of 2.79-3.84, 2.06-6.50, 2.50-6.58, 2.65-5.84, 1.65-2.38, 2.29-22.47, 4.60-31.14, 3.13-4.17, respectively, P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in publication biases of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, diabetic peripheral vascular disease, glycosylated hemoglobin >7.5%, plantar ulcer, smoking, multidrug-resistant bacterial infection, or osteomyelitis (P>0.05), but there was a statistically significant difference in the publication bias of amputation/toe amputation (t=-30.39, P<0.05). The area under the ROC curve of the predictive model was 0.81 (with 95% confidence interval of 0.71-0.91) and the maximum Youden index was 0.59, at which the sensitivity was 72% and the specificity was 86%. Ultimately, 29.0% and 44.8% were identified respectively as the cutoff for dividing the probability of low risk and medium risk, and medium risk and high risk for DFU recurrence, while the corresponding total scores of low, medium, and high risks of DFU recurrence were <37, 37-57, and 58-118, respectively. Conclusions: Eight risk factors for DFU recurrence are screened through meta-analysis and the risk prediction model for DFU recurrence is developed, which has moderate predictive accuracy and can provide guidance for healthcare workers to take interventions for patient with DFU recurrence risk.

Umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells in serum-free defined medium display an improved safety profile

BACKGROUND

Safety evaluations in preclinical studies are needed to confirm before translating a cell-based product into clinical application. We previously developed a serum-free, xeno-free, and chemically defined media (S&XFM-CD) for the derivation of clinical-grade umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UCMSCs), and demonstrated that intraperitoneal administration of UCMSCs in S&XFM-CD (UCMSCS&XFM-CD) exhibited better therapeutic effects than UCMSCs in serum-containing media (SCM, UCMSCSCM). However, a comprehensive investigation of the safety of intraperitoneal UCMSCS&XFM-CD treatment should be performed before clinical applications.

METHODS

In this study, the toxicity, immunogenicity and biodistribution of intraperitoneally transplanted UCMSCS&XFM-CD were compared with UCMSCSCM in rats via general vital signs, blood routine, blood biochemistry, subsets of T cells, serum cytokines, pathology of vital organs, antibody production and the expression of human-specific gene. The tumorigenicity and tumor-promoting effect of UCMSCS&XFM-CD were compared with UCMSCSCM in nude mice.

RESULTS

We confirmed that intraperitoneally transplanted UCMSCS&XFM-CD or UCMSCSCM did not cause significant changes in body weight, temperature, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, blood routine, T lymphocyte subsets, and serum cytokines, and had no obvious histopathology change on experimental rats. UCMSCS&XFM-CD did not produce antibodies, while UCMSCSCM had very high chance of antibody production to bovine serum albumin (80%) and apolipoprotein B-100 (60%). Furthermore, intraperitoneally injected UCMSCS&XFM-CD were less likely to be blocked by the lungs and migrated more easily to the kidneys and colon tissue than UCMSCSCM. In addition, UCMSCS&XFM-CD or UCMSCSCM showed no obvious tumorigenic activity. Finally, UCMSCS&XFM-CD extended the time of tumor formation of KM12SM cells, and decreased tumor incidence than that of UCMSCSCM.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, our data indicate that UCMSCS&XFM-CD display an improved safety performance and are encouraged to use in future clinical trials.

Interpretation of the Yak Skin Single-Cell Transcriptome Landscape

The morphogenesis of hair follicle structure is accompanied by the differentiation of skin tissue. Mammalian coats are produced by hair follicles. The formation of hair follicles requires signal transmission between the epidermis and dermis. However, knowledge of the transcriptional regulatory mechanism is still lacking. We used single-cell RNA sequencing to obtain 26,573 single cells from the scapular skin of yaks at hair follicle telogen and anagen stages. With the help of known reference marker genes, 11 main cell types were identified. In addition, we further analyzed the DP cell and dermal fibroblast lineages, drew a single-cell map of the DP cell and dermal fibroblast lineages, and elaborated the key genes, signals, and functions involved in cell fate decision making. The results of this study provide a very valuable resource for the analysis of the heterogeneity of DP cells and dermal fibroblasts in the skin and provide a powerful theoretical reference for further exploring the diversity of hair follicle cell types and hair follicle morphogenesis.

[Interpretation of the Implant Dentistry Core Outcome Set and Measurement international consensus report]

Selection and measurement of clinical outcome are key components of clinical research in implant dentistry. Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine took the lead and collaborated with multiple internationally renowned colleges of stomatology to develop an international consensus on the core outcome set and measurement in implant dentistry, which took two years and was published in May, 2023 in Journal of Clinical Periodontology and Clinical Oral Implants Research simultaneously. The consensus, aiming at identifying the full spectrum of benefits and harms of interventions, provides a comprehensive, agreed, and standardized set of outcomes that should be measured and reported as a minimum in clinical trials relating with implant dentistry, bone augmentation, and soft tissue augmentation. The present review describes the methodology and key elements of the consensus to help Chinese clinical researchers fully understand and appropriately apply the core outcome set and improve the overall quality of Chinese clinical research in implant dentistry.

Invisible Hand behind Female Reproductive Disorders: Bisphenols, Recent Evidence and Future Perspectives

Reproductive disorders are considered a global health problem influenced by physiological, genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. The increased exposure to bisphenols, a chemical used in large quantities for the production of polycarbonate plastics, has raised concerns regarding health risks in humans, particularly their endocrine-disrupting effects on female reproductive health. To provide a basis for future research on environmental interference and reproductive health, we reviewed relevant studies on the exposure patterns and levels of bisphenols in environmental matrices and humans (including susceptible populations such as pregnant women and children). In addition, we focused on in vivo, in vitro, and epidemiological studies evaluating the effects of bisphenols on the female reproductive system (the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and vagina). The results indicate that bisphenols cause structural and functional damage to the female reproductive system by interfering with hormones; activating receptors; inducing oxidative stress, DNA damage, and carcinogenesis; and triggering epigenetic changes, with the damaging effects being intergenerational. Epidemiological studies support the association between bisphenols and diseases such as cancer of the female reproductive system, reproductive dysfunction, and miscarriage, which may negatively affect the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Altogether, this review provides a reference for assessing the adverse effects of bisphenols on female reproductive health.

A newly identified lncRNA lnc000100 regulates proliferation and differentiation of cattle skeletal muscle cells

Cattle skeletal muscle development is a complex and highly coordinated biological process mediated by a series of myogenic regulators, which plays a critical role in beef yield and quality. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to regulate skeletal muscle development. However, the molecular mechanism by which lncRNAs regulate skeletal muscle development is largely unknown. We performed transcriptome analysis of muscle tissues of adult and embryo Angus cattle to investigate the mechanism by which lncRNA regulates skeletal muscle development between adult and embryo cattle. A total of 37,115 candidate lncRNAs were detected, and a total of 1,998 lncRNAs were differentially expressed between the muscle tissue libraries of adult and embryo cattle, including 1,229 up-regulated lncRNAs and 769 down-regulated lncRNAs (adult cattle were the control group). We verified the expression of 7 differentially expressed lncRNAs by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), and analysed the tissue expression profile of lnc000100, which is down-regulated in the longest dorsal muscle during foetal life and which is highly specifically expressed in muscle tissue. We found that the interference of lnc000100 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell differentiation. Lnc000100 was located in the nucleus by RNA-FISH. Our research provides certain resources for the analysis of lncRNA regulating cattle skeletal muscle development, and may also provide new insights for improving beef production and breed selection.

Ectopic pregnancy adjacent to iliac vessels managed successfully by minimally invasive treatment using local methotrexate injection: An extremely rare case and literature review

A case report of successfully treated retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy (REP) is presented. A 36-year-old woman, gravida 3, para 2, was admitted to hospital for suspected ectopic pregnancy with light vaginal bleeding and mild abdominal pain for 3 days at 45 days of gestation by the last menstrual period.Multiple transvaginal ultrasonography and two times laparoscopic probes led to the diagnosis of REP located to the iliac blood vessels closely. Eventually the patient was cured with the treatment using local methotrexate injection under real-time ultrasound guidance and systemic methotrexate administration. We also summarized another 31 cases of REP to further understand this disease, sharing them to arouse clinical attention for the diagnosis and treatment of REP timely.

[Research progress on uranium induced human renal injury and its risk prediction]

Uranium has both radiotoxicity and chemical toxicity. Low enriched uranium is mainly chemically toxic, the kidney is the target organ of uranium chemical toxicity. However, due to the differences among species and the mixed effects of chemical toxicity and radiotoxicity, the dose effect relationship of uranium is not clear, and the current standards in China do not provide chemical toxicity limits for uranium workplaces. This paper reviews the data of acute and chronic human uranium exposure, dose effect relationship and renal injury risk prediction literature at home and abroad, providing reference for the health protection of uranium workers and the establishment of chemical limits in uranium workplaces.

Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic responses to heat stress in a high-altitude fish, Triplophysa siluroides

Species in Triplophysa display strong adaptability to the extreme environment of the plateau, thus offering an ideal model to study the molecular mechanism of fish adaptation to environmental stress. In the present study, we conducted integrated analysis of the transcriptome and metabolism of liver tissue in Triplophysa siluroides under heat stress (28 °C) and control (10 °C) conditions to identify heat stress-induced genes, metabolites and pathways. RNA-Seq identified 2373 differentially expressed genes, which consisted of 1360 upregulated genes and 1013 downregulated genes, in the heat stress group vs. the control group. Genes in the heat shock protein (Hsp) family, including Hsp40, Hsp70, Hsp90 and other Hsps, were strongly upregulated by heat stress. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) pathways were significantly affected by heat stress. Metabolism sequencing identified a total of 155 differentially abundant metabolites, including 118 significantly upregulated metabolites and 37 downregulated metabolites. Combined analysis of the transcriptome and metabolism results showed that ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis and purine metabolism pathways were enhanced in response to acute heat stress to protect cells from damage under stress conditions. The results of this study may contribute to our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanism of the heat stress response in cold-water fish.

Whole-Genome Resequencing Reveals Selection Signatures of Abigar Cattle for Local Adaptation

Over time, indigenous cattle breeds have developed disease resistance, heat tolerance, and adaptability to harsh environments. Deciphering the genetic mechanisms underlying adaptive traits is crucial for their improvement and sustainable utilization. For the first time, we performed whole-genome sequencing to unveil the genomic diversity, population structure, and selection signatures of Abigar cattle living in a tropical environment. The population structure analysis revealed that Abigar cattle exhibit high nucleotide diversity and heterozygosity, with low runs of homozygosity and linkage disequilibrium, suggesting a genetic landscape less constrained by inbreeding and enriched by diversity. Using nucleotide diversity (Pi) and population differentiation (FST) selection scan methods, we identified 83 shared genes that are likely associated with tropical adaption. The functional annotation analysis revealed that some of these genes are potentially linked to heat tolerance (HOXC13, DNAJC18, and RXFP2), immune response (IRAK3, MZB1, and STING1), and oxidative stress response (SLC23A1). Given the wider spreading impacts of climate change on cattle production, understanding the genetic mechanisms of adaptation of local breeds becomes crucial to better respond to climate and environmental changes. In this context, our finding establishes a foundation for further research into the mechanisms underpinning cattle adaptation to tropical environments.

Genome-wide identification of the TCP gene family in Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium and its homologs expression patterns during flower development in different Chrysanthemum species

TCP proteins, part of the transcription factors specific to plants, are recognized for their involvement in various aspects of plant growth and development. Nevertheless, a thorough investigation of TCPs in Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium, a prominent ancestral species of cultivated chrysanthemum and an excellent model material for investigating ray floret (RF) and disc floret (DF) development in Chrysanthemum, remains unexplored yet. Herein, a comprehensive study was performed to analyze the genome-wide distribution of TCPs in C. lavandulifolium. In total, 39 TCPs in C. lavandulifolium were identified, showing uneven distribution on 8 chromosomes. Phylogenetic and gene structural analyses revealed that ClTCPs were grouped into classes I and II. The class II genes were subdivided into two subclades, the CIN and CYC/TB1 subclades, with members of each clade having similar conserved motifs and gene structures. Four CIN subclade genes (ClTCP24, ClTCP25, ClTCP26, and ClTCP27) contained the potential miR319 target sites. Promoter analysis revealed that ClTCPs had numerous cis-regulatory elements associated with phytohormone responses, stress responses, and plant growth/development. The expression patterns of ClTCPs during capitulum development and in two different florets were determined using RNA-seq and qRT-PCR. The expression levels of TCPs varied in six development stages of capitula; 25 out of the 36 TCPs genes were specifically expressed in flowers. Additionally, we identified six key ClCYC2 genes, which belong to the class II TCP subclade, with markedly upregulated expression in RFs compared with DFs, and these genes exhibited similar expression patterns in the two florets of Chrysanthemum species. It is speculated that they may be responsible for RFs and DFs development. Subcellular localization and transactivation activity analyses of six candidate genes demonstrated that all of them were localized in the nucleus, while three exhibited self-activation activities. This research provided a better understanding of TCPs in C. lavandulifolium and laid a foundation for unraveling the mechanism by which important TCPs involved in the capitulum development.

Evolutionary origin of genomic structural variations in domestic yaks

Yak has been subject to natural selection, human domestication and interspecific introgression during its evolution. However, genetic variants favored by each of these processes have not been distinguished previously. We constructed a graph-genome for 47 genomes of 7 cross-fertile bovine species. This allowed detection of 57,432 high-resolution structural variants (SVs) within and across the species, which were genotyped in 386 individuals. We distinguished the evolutionary origins of diverse SVs in domestic yaks by phylogenetic analyses. We further identified 334 genes overlapping with SVs in domestic yaks that bore potential signals of selection from wild yaks, plus an additional 686 genes introgressed from cattle. Nearly 90% of the domestic yaks were introgressed by cattle. Introgression of an SV spanning the KIT gene triggered the breeding of white domestic yaks. We validated a significant association of the selected stratified SVs with gene expression, which contributes to phenotypic variations. Our results highlight that SVs of different origins contribute to the phenotypic diversity of domestic yaks.

[Association between circadian rhythm disorder and comorbidity of anxiety and depression in adolescents]

Adolescents are in a transition period from children to adults, during which they are prone to a variety of emotional disorders, with anxiety and depression being the most common disorders. Anxiety and depressive symptoms are highly correlated and the comorbidity of anxiety and depression is common. At the same time, the most prominent behavioral changes in adolescence are the emergence of getting up late and sleeping late, and the circadian rhythm begins to delay. Previous studies have shown that circadian rhythm is closely related to anxiety and depression, but the association between circadian rhythm disorder and comorbidity of anxiety and depression remains unclear. This article reviews the prevalence, association and potential biological mechanism of circadian rhythm disorder and comorbidity of anxiety and depression in adolescents, so as to provide a possible reference for the prevention and control of comorbidity of anxiety and depression in adolescents.

Molecular mechanisms of physiological change under acute total dissolved gas supersaturation stress in yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)

During the dam discharging period, the strong aeration of high-speed water leads to the supersaturation of total dissolved gas (TDG) in the downstream water, which causes gas bubble disease (GBD) in fish and threatens their survival. TDG supersaturation has now become an ecological and environmental issue of global concern; however, the molecular mechanism underlying the physiological effect of TDG supersaturation on fish is poorly known. Here, we comprehensively investigated the effect of TDG supersaturation on Pelteobagrus fulvidraco at the histopathological, biochemical, transcriptomic, and metabolomic levels. After exposure to 116% TDG, P. fulvidraco exhibited classic GBD symptoms and pathological changes in gills. The level of superoxide dismutase was highly significantly decreased. Transcriptomic results revealed that heat shock proteins (HSPs) and a large number of genes involved in immunity were increased by TDG stress. A key environmental sensor PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway was significantly stimulated for defence against stress. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that key metabolites and genes were upregulated in the triacylglycerol synthesis pathway and that amino acid levels decreased, which might be associated with TDG supersaturation stress. The present study demonstrated that TDG supersaturation could cause severe physiological damage in fish. HSP genes, immune functions, and energy metabolic pathways were enhanced to counteract the adverse effects.

Combination of metabolome and proteome analyses provides insights into the mechanism underlying growth differences in Acipenser dabryanus

To analyze the differences between different-sized Acipenser dabryanus, we randomly selected 600 3-month-old A. dabryanus juveniles. Four months later, the blood and white muscle of these fish were analyzed. The results showed no significant difference in the length-weight relationship (LWR) b value between the large and small A. dabryanus. The levels of serum growth hormone (gh) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (igf1) in the large A. dabryanus were significantly lower than those in the small, whereas the activity levels of Total superoxide dismutase (T-sod) and catalase (cat) were opposite to the results of gh and igf1. A total of 212 and 245 metabolites showed significant changes in the positive and negative polarity mode, respectively. Among 3,308 proteins identified, 69 proteins showed upregulated expression, and 185 proteins showed downregulated expression. These results indicated that the growth advantage of A. dabryanus was closely related to glycolysis, protein synthesis, and antioxidant function.

Comparative iTRAQ proteomics identified proteins in fresh and frozen thawed yak spermatozoa

The changes in semen and cryodamage after the cryopreservation process negatively affect sperm function and motility. However, possible proteomic alterations of yak semen during cryopreservation have not yet been achieved. In this study, we compared proteomes of fresh and frozen thawed yak sperm using iTRAQ combined with LC-MS/MS proteome approach. Totally, 2064 proteins were quantitatively identified, including 161 in fresh sperm that showed significant differences compared to frozen thawed sperm. According to the Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) are predominantly associated with spermatogenesis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, ATP synthesis, and differentiation biological process. Furthermore, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that DEPs were mainly involved in metabolic pathways related to pyruvate metabolism, carbon metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, together with the citrate (TCA) cycle. In the analysis of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, 15 potential proteins (PDHB, DLAT, PDHA2, PGK1, TP5C1, etc.) that could be related to the sperm quality of the yaks were obtained. Furthermore, 6 DEPs were validated by parallel reaction monitoring (PRM), confirming that the iTRAQ data were reliable. These results indicate that cryopreservation alters the proteome of yak sperm, which is possibly related to cryodamage and fertilization ability.

[Association between different obesity measurement indexes and serum C-reactive protein in adult women]

Objective: To explore the association of different obesity measurement indexes on serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in Chinese adult women. Methods: The data were obtained from baseline and follow-up surveys of the urban Breast Cancer Screening Program in Shuangliu District, Chengdu. A total of 441 adult women were included in the study. A questionnaire survey, physical examination, and laboratory testing were conducted on the subjects. Multivariate logistic regression model, two-level mixed effects logistic regression model, and restricted cubic spline method were used to investigate the linear and nonlinear correlation between different obesity measurement indexes and serum CRP in adult women. Results: For every 1 unit increase in BMI, waist circumference (WC), and adiposity, the risk of elevated serum CRP or exacerbation of chronic low-grade inflammation in adult women increased by 16.5%, 5.0%, and 11.1% (P<0.05), respectively. Both BMI and adiposity were nonlinear correlated with serum CRP. Using BMI=24.0 kg/m2 as the reference point, serum CRP level increased with the increase of BMI when BMI >24.0 kg/m2. Using adiposity=30% as the reference point, serum CRP level increased with the increase of adiposity when adiposity >30%. Conclusions: Overall, obesity reflected by BMI had the strongest association with serum CRP in adult women, followed by body fat content reflected by adiposity, and central obesity reflected by WC had the weakest association with CRP. Adult women with BMI >24.0 kg/m2 or adiposity >30% are at high risk for obesity-related inflammatory manifestations.

Botulinum toxin in the treatment of sialorrhea in severe neurological patients with tracheotomy

OBJECTIVE

To observe the clinical effect of botulinum toxin type A (BTA) injection into the salivary glands of the severe neurological patients with tracheotomy METHODS: Seven patients with severe neurological disorders after tracheotomy and obvious drooling symptoms were enrolled. BTA was injected into bilateral parotid glands and submandibular glands under the guidance of ultrasound. Unstimulated salivary flow rate (uSFR) and Drooling Severity and Frequency Scale (DSFS) were used to evaluate drooling before injection, 1 week, and 4 weeks after injection. We compared the extubation time, time of changing from balloon cannula to metal cannula, hospitalization time and incidence of recurrent pulmonary infection between these patients and other patients accepted conventional curation.

RESULTS

(1) The drooling severity scale (DSFS-S), the drooling frequency scale (DSFS-F), the drooling frequency and severity scale total score (DSFS-T) were significantly lower at 4 weeks after BTA injection compared to prior-treatment (p < .001). (2) uSFR of 1 week and 4 weeks were both statistically decreased than the untreated condition (p < .001). (3) Compared with the conventional group, the time of changing from balloon cannula to metal cannula was shortened obviously (p < .05) and incidence of recurrent pulmonary infection was clearly decreased (p < .05) after BTA treatment CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided BTA injection into salivary glands can effectively reduce saliva secretion. We also found that the time of changing cannula was shortened obviously and the incidence of recurrent pneumonia infection was reduced. BTA injection of salivary glands to cure drooling could advance to the clinical therapy in severe neurological patients after tracheotomy.