Resumo Contexto O cérebro é um órgão que funciona como o centro do sistema nervoso em todos os animais vertebrados e na maioria dos invertebrados. Objetivo O estudo examinou a expressão de neuroglobina (Ngb) e fator-1α indutível por hipóxia (Hif-1α) em tecidos cerebrais de iaques adultos e jovens e forneceu aos pesquisadores uma visão significativa da anatomia, fisiologia e bioquímica desse mamífero. Método O estudo utilizou imuno-histoquímica (IHC), PCR quantitativo em tempo real (qRT-PCR) e western blot (WB) para a obtenção dos resultados. Resultados Ngb e Hif-1α foram significativamente (P < 0,05) expressos no córtex cerebelar, lobo piriforme, medula e corpo caloso do iaque adulto, enquanto nos tecidos cerebrais do iaque jovem as expressões proteicas foram encontradas significativamente na substância branca do cerebelo, glândula pineal, corpo caloso e córtex cerebelar. A expressão de Ngb e Hif-1α apresentou semelhanças e diferenças. Isso pode ter resultado de espécies animais semelhantes, fonte de nutrição, fatores de idade, tamanho do cérebro, atividades emocionais e comunicação. Os resultados documentaram que o Ngb e o Hif-1α são comumente expressos em vários tecidos cerebrais de iaques adultos e jovens. Múltiplos papéis nos tecidos cerebrais de iaques adultos e jovens estão envolvidos na expressão e distribuição e são propostos para desempenhar um papel significativo na adaptação do iaque ao ambiente de alta altitude. Conclusão Este estudo fornece dados significativos para compreender o mecanismo adaptativo à hipóxia e recomendou que os pesquisadores expandissem o mecanismo adaptativo e os tecidos cerebrais que não foram registrados.

Abstract Background The brain is an organ that serves as the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals. Aim The study examined the expression of Neuroglobin (Ngb) and Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (Hif-1α) in adult and young yak brain tissues, and provided researchers with meaningful insight into the anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry of this mammal. Method The study employed immunohistochemistry (IHC), quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and Western blot (WB) to obtain the results. Results Ngb and Hif-1α were significantly (P<0.05) expressed in the cerebellar cortex, piriform lobe, medulla, and corpus callosum of the adult yak while in the young yak brain tissues, the protein expressions were significantly found in the white matter of the cerebellum, pineal gland, corpus callosum, and cerebellar cortex. The Ngb and Hif-1α expression showed similarities and differences. This may have resulted from similar animal species, source of nutrition, age factors, brain size, emotional activities, and communication. The findings documented that Ngb and Hif-1α are commonly expressed in various adult and young yak brain tissues. Multiple roles in the brain tissues of the adult and young yaks are involved in the expression and distribution and are proposed to play a significant role in the adaptation of the yak to the high altitude environment. Conclusion This study provides meaningful data to understand the adaptive mechanism to hypoxia and recommended researchers to expand on the adaptive mechanism and brain tissues that are not recorded.

ABSTRACT Vertical wind profiles of selected tropical cyclones over the South China Sea are studied for the first time using dropsonde measurements by a fixed-wing aircraft of the Hong Kong Government. They are studied in two aspects which have not been conducted before for storms over the South China Sea. First the strengthening and weakening of the tropical cyclones are analyzed based on the radial wind profiles, namely, inflow and outflow, particularly over the atmospheric boundary layer. Second, the vertical wind profiles are fitted using the commonly considered wind profile models reported in the literature and compared with stipulations in Hong Kong and Chinese structural design codes. This would have significant contributions to wind engineering applications in the region. The results are unique for tropical cyclones over South China Sea and would serve as useful reference for the studies of tropical cyclones in this ocean basin.

RESUMEN Se estudian por primera vez los perfiles verticales del viento de algunos ciclones tropicales del mar de China Meridional, utilizando para ello mediciones de radiosondas lanzadas desde una aeronave del gobierno de Hong Kong. Se analizan dos aspectos de dichos perfiles relativos a tormentas en el mar de China Meridional, los cuales no se han abordado antes. Primero, se estudian el fortalecimiento y el debilitamiento de los ciclones tropicales con base en perfiles radiales del viento, específicamente de entrada y de salida, en particular sobre la capa límite atmosférica. En segundo lugar, se ajustan los perfiles verticales del viento utilizando para ello los modelos de perfiles de viento más reportados en la literatura y se les compara con las especificaciones de las normas chinas y hongkonesas para el diseño de estructuras, lo cual constituye una importante contribución a las aplicaciones de ingeniería de vientos en la región. Los resultados son exclusivos para ciclones tropicales en el mar de China Meridional y pueden servir como referencia útil para su estudio en esa cuenca oceánica.

ABSTRACT Toll-like receptors 3 and 7 (TLR3 and 7) mediate immune responses through the recognition of viral single-stranded RNA and double-stranded RNA and therefore play important roles in host defense. Differences in TLR3 or 7 may affect host resistance to RNA viral infection. To illuminate these differences, the partial coding sequence (CDS) of TLR3 and 7 genes were cloned and amplified from the Phasianus colchicus and Numida meleagris, total 64 avian species of TLR3 and 7 sequences were later analyzed. Based on the results, 315 non-synonymous mutation sites and 202 synonymous mutation sites were also observed in the avian TLR3, and 227 non-synonymous mutation sites and 174 synonymous mutation sites were observed in the avian TLR7. Among these sites, 44 and 45 sites were observed in functional regions of TLR3 and 7, used common variation of amino acids in most avian species. A number of these different sites appeared to affect the recognition and were also visualized. H59Y, E60K, G64R, E93K, L112S, K117E, N118K, R120H, V123M, L163F, R443Q, R459K, E460D, C485H, and F511L for TLR3, and I432V, M437V, and T732S for TLR7 were considered. It is possible that these sites bind to ligands and play crucial roles in viral recognition. These data indicated that the positive selection has occurred in the avian TLR3 and 7 genes.

To explore the effects of supplementing a basal diet with green sweet sorghum stalks on the gut microbiota in geese, one hundred and twenty 28-day-old geese were divided into two groups. Group 1 was fed a basal diet and group 2 was fed 92% of the same basal diet with green sweet sorghum stalks ad libitum for 42 days. Three male geese from each group were killed at 70 days old, four gastrointestinal tract segments (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and caecum) were collected, and the hypervariable V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was sequenced. There were obvious changes of microbiome in the caecum compared with the other three intestinal segments after green sweet sorghum stalks were added to the diet. Group 2 had significantly higher alpha diversity in the caecum compared with group 1 (P <0.05). The phyla of bacterial communities in the caecum differed. Group 2 had more abundant Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, but Proteobacteria were more abundant in group 1. At genus level, Bacteroides was more prevalent in group 2, as were Prevotella and YRC22 (P <0.05). Functional analysis revealed that the carbohydrate metabolism, membrane transport, endocrine system and digestive system metabolic pathways were overrepresented in group 2. In conclusion, caecal microbes might play an important role in digesting green sweet sorghum stalks in geese.

ABSTRACT Chinese indigenous chicken breeds are geographically widespread, and a total of 116 indigenous chicken breeds are listed as Chinese national genetic resources. However, these indigenous chicken breeds are facing serious challenges as declining population and germplasm degeneration because lots of commercial chicken breeds had been introduced. In this study, the genetic variations of eleven Chinese indigenous chicken breeds of Sichuan province and three commercial chicken breeds were investigated based on the partial mitochondrial DNA D-loop of 487bp in length. 147 individuals from 14 breeds were examined and 34 haplotypes were observed. Genetic diversity analysis showed that the highest haplotype diversity level was found in Dahen Chicken (DH) population, while the Arbor Acres Chicken (WF) and Roman layer (RM) showed lower genetic diversity levels. The long-term artificial selection may lead to reduced nucleotide diversity. Genetic population differentiation analysis indicated that most of the variation (80.80%) was attributed to variations among breeds. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these individuals were divided into four distinct genetic clades, including cluster A, B, C and D. Eighteen haplotypes were classified as cluster A, eight haplotypes were classified as cluster B, five haplotypes were classified as cluster C and three haplotypes were classified as cluster D. There was no breed-specific clade. Our study firstly identified the population’s genetic structure of Chinese indigenous chickens and the most important commercial breeds in Sichuan province, though the genetic diversity of indigenous breeds did not suffer obvious decrease, but could be helpful for efficient artificial breeding selection and genetic resources conservation.

ABSTRACT The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene plays a key role in controlling the deposition of melanin. In mammals, the MC1Rgene is regarded as a major candidate gene in the control of melanin formation. In domestic animals, the MC1R gene mainly controls the expression of coat, skin, and plumage color in mammals and birds. In order to breed chickens with dark-green shank faster, we screened the molecular markers for shank color in a HS chicken population by exploring the relationship between polymorphism of the MC1R gene and three different shank colors (light green, dark green and yellow). Two primer pairs for code region of the MC1R gene were designed in the basic of chicken genomic sequence. DNA sequencing was performed to detect the polymorphisms and PCR was used to amplify DNA fragment. Sequences analysis indicated that 7 SNPs were predominant the three HS chicken populations with different shank color, including g.18,287,945C>T, g.18,288,088T>C, g.18,288,150G>A, g.18,288,303A>G, g.18,288,512G>A, g.18,288,513T>C, and g.18,288,520A>C. Association analysis revealed that the dark-green shank population showed moderate polymorphism, whereas the light-green shank population showed low polymorphism among overall 7 SNPs and that SNP6 (g.18,288,513T>C) may be significantly associated with three different shank colors in HS chickens. The haplotype CTGGACA had the largest haplotype frequencies, accounting for 56.22%, and the haplotype combination H1H1 is mainly distributed in the dark-green shank population, and may be used as molecular maker for marker-assisted selection of shank color in HS chickens.

The effect of training system on the content and composition of flavan-3-ols in seeds throughout the development of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes during two consecutive seasons (2011 to 2012) in the northwest of China was evaluated. The applied training systems include the modified vertical shoot positioned (M-VSP); the fan training system with two trunks (F-TT); and the fan training system with multiple trunks (F-MT). The results show that the pattern of flavan-3-ol accumulation was similar for the three training systems in both vintages, with flavan-3-ols being the highest around véraison, before declining as harvest approaches. Compared to the 2011 vintage, the dry vintage of 2012 had a greater accumulation of total flavan-3-ols and individual flavan-3-ol monomers, including (+)-catechin (C), (-)-epicatechin (EC) and (-)-epicatechin-3-0-gallate (ECG). With regard to the effect of training systems, M-VSP contributed to a significantly higher content of total flavan-3-ols, while the percentage of ECG was lower for M-VSP. As for the three flavan-3-ol units (terminal subunits, extension subunits and monomers), the 2012 vintage was more likely to accumulate extension subunits and monomers, and the effect of training system on these three flavan-3-ols units varied between the different vintages. Meanwhile, the proportion of ECG in terminal subunits and of C in extension subunits was higher in 2012, whereas the training system of F-TT had a higher percentage of ECG in extension subunits in both vintages. In addition, the effect of vintage on the composition of flavan-3-ols in harvested grape seeds was more obvious than that of the training system.

ABSTRACT Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotype Enteritidis (SE) has caused foodborne infections over decades. It is transmitted mainly from contaminated eggs to humans. SE is commonly present in layer houses, and closely interacts with environmental factors. The objective of the present study was to develop a viable PCR method to identify SE in environmental samples collected in layer farms of different sizes, and to evaluate SE contamination status in four main egg-production provinces of northern China. After specificity retrieval using Primer-BLAST against the NCBI database, three SE specific oligonucleotide primers were selected as candidate primers. The primers targeting Prot6e gene were adopted and primers targeting Sdf I were also selected to validate the results, after testing eight different types of pooled poultry environmental samples (overshoe, air, drinking nipple, feed, egg collection belt, eggshell, air inlet, and air outlet) by PCR. A PCR detection limit of 1 CFU/mL was determined using cell lysates from pure cultures. Testing time was less than 48 h. On-farm samples were collected from two layer farm sizes (one housing more than 50,000 layers, and the other, less than 50,000 layers) in each province. The applied PCR method was shown to be simple, inexpensive and effective for screening SE in a large amount of farm samples. The study identified only one SE-positive farm, which a large farm and where nine samples were found to be contaminated with SE: drinking nipples (3), egg collection belt (1), air inlet (1), air (1), overshoe (1) and eggshell (2).

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of feeding conditions on methylation status of FATP1 gene, which is an important candidate gene of Intramuscular fat and important indicator of chicken meat quality. We selected Daninghe (DNH) and Qingjiaoma (QJM) chickens under scatter-feeding and captivity-feeding conditions as experimental animals, and detected the methylation status of FATP1 genes in chicken breast muscle using Bisulfite Sequencing PCR method. The results showed that the methylation level of FATP1 in scatter-fed chicken was lower than in captivity-fed conditions in DNH and QIM chicken breast tissues; DNA methylation in the promoter and exon1 region was demonstrated to negatively regulate the expression of the FATP1 gene. These results suggested that feeding conditions affect the methylation status and expression level of FATP1, thereby affecting the Intramuscular fat content in DNH and QJM chicken breast muscle.

ABSTRACT Background: To investigate the effect of the personality traits on development of acute moun-tain sickness (AMS). Methods: One hundred and eighty-nine healthy male subjects transported from the plains (Chengdu, China) to high altitude area (Tibet, China) were enrolled in this study. Ninety-six sub-jects experienced AMS within two days after arriving at the Tibet plateau (AMS group). There were 93 subjects without AMS (healthy control without AMS group). The symptoms of AMS, state trait anxiety and personality traits of subjects were assessed using self-assessment and AMS questionnaire (Chinese criteria). Results: The AMS group had a significantly higher prevalence of self-assessed anxiety, compared with the healthy control group without AMS. Personality traits estimation based on data obtained by Eysenck personality questionnaire revealed higher neuroticism and extraversion scores in the AMS group. Neuroticism, extraversion and anxiety level expressed highly significant levels of mutual concordance. Conclusion: The anxiety level was the highest in patients with AMS and it corroborated with neuroticism and extraversion level from the Eysenck scale. Psychological disturbances and extra-version can affect the development of AMS in rapid entry population. It would be helpful for people with anxiety-trait or personality traits to deal with the stress, in order to decrease the risk of developing AMS.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Investigar el efecto de los rasgos de personalidad en el desarrollo del mal agudo de montaña (MAM). Métodos: Ciento ochenta y nueve hombres sanos transportados desde las llanuras (Chengdu, China) al área de altitudes altas (Tíbet, China) fueron incluidos en este estudio. Noventa y seis sujetos experimentaron MAM dentro de dos días después de llegar a la meseta del Tíbet (grupo con MAM), mientras que 93 sujetos permanecieron sanos, sin MAM (grupo de control). Los síntomas de MAM, ansiedad de estado-rasgo, y los rasgos de la personalidad de los sujetos fueron evaluados utilizando la autoevaluación y el cuestionario MAM (criterios de China). Resultados: El grupo MAM tuvo una prevalencia significativamente mayor de ansiedad auto-evaluada, en comparación con el grupo de control sano sin MAM. La valoración de los rasgos de personalidad basada en datos obtenidos mediante el cuestionario de personalidad de Eysenck arrojó puntuaciones de mayor neuroticismo y extraversión en el grupo MAM. El nivel de neuroticismo, extraversión y ansiedad expresó un nivel de concordancia mutua altamente significativo. Conclusión: El nivel de ansiedad fue mayor en los pacientes con MAM y se correspondió con el nivel de neuroticismo y extraversión de la escala de Eysenck. La extraversión y los disturbios psicológicos pueden afectar el desarrollo de MAM en la población de entrada rápida. Sería útil para las personas con rasgos de ansiedad rasgo o rasgos de personalidad lidiar con el estrés, con el fin de disminuir el riesgo de desarrollo de MAM.

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus (TAC) combined with corticosteroids in treating patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). One hundred seventy-seven biopsy-proven IMN patients were recruited in this retrospective clinical study. Sixty patients received TAC (target blood concentration of 4–8 ng/mL) and 117 patients received daily cyclophosphamide (CYC, 100 mg) combined with prednisone. Remission rates at the end of the first, second and third month in the TAC group were significantly higher than that in the CYC group (1st: 35.0 vs 19.7%, P<0.05; 2nd: 56.7 vs 38.5%, P<0.05; 3rd: 76.7 vs 59.0%, P<0.05). In the first 3 months, daily urinary protein and serum albumin in the TAC group obtained a better improvement than that in the CYC group (P<0.05). At the end of the sixth and the twelfth month, the remission rates, daily urinary protein and serum albumin were all comparable between the two groups (P>0.05). No significant difference of relapse rate between the groups was found (16.3 vs 12.0%, P>0.05). Patients were more likely to develop glucose intolerance in the TAC group. The TAC regimen obtained more benefits in treating IMN patients, especially in the first 3 months, than the CYC regimen.

We aimed to study the effect of fentanyl (Fen) preconditioning on cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats. A total of 120 Sprague Dawley male rats (age: 3 months) were randomly divided into: sham operation group (S group), I/R group, normal saline I/R group (NS group), and fentanyl low, middle, and high dose groups (Fen1: 2 μg/kg; Fen2: 4 μg/kg; Fen3: 6 μg/kg). Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), ±dp/dtmax, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, creatine phosphokinase-MB (CK-MB), and cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) were measured. Myocardial ischemic (MI) area, total apoptotic myocardial cells, and protein and mRNA expressions of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bax were detected. HR and MAP were higher, while LVDP and ±dp/dtmax were close to the base value in the Fen groups compared to those in the I/R group. Decreased MDA concentration and CK-MB value and increased SOD activity were found in the Fen groups compared to the I/R group, while cTnI concentration was significantly lower in the Fen1 and Fen2 groups (all P<0.05). Myocardial damage was less in the Fen groups compared to the I/R group and the MI areas and apoptotic indexes were significantly lower in the Fen1 and Fen2 groups (all P<0.05). Furthermore, significantly increased protein and mRNA expressions of Bcl-2, and decreased protein and mRNA expressions of Bax were found in the Fen groups compared to the I/R group (all P<0.05). Fentanyl preconditioning may suppress cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by I/R in rats by regulating Bcl-2 and Bax.

The aim of this research was to explore whether IL-18 can be a serological marker for the diagnosis of systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA). A total of 23 sJIA patients (13 males, median age 8.2), 20 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients, 18 patients with severe infections (SIF), 26 Kawasaki disease (KD) patients, 18 juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients, and 25 healthy control patients were selected for this study. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to determine the serum concentrations of the S100A8, S100A9, and IL-6 proteins. The serum IL-18 levels were detected by a cytometric bead array (CBA). The serum IL-6 concentrations in various disease groups were significantly higher than that in the healthy control group. The IL-6 concentrations exhibited no significant difference between disease groups. The S100A8 level in the sJIA group was significantly higher than those of the ALL, JIA, and healthy control groups but showed no significant difference compared to the SIF and KD groups. The S100A9 serum concentration in the sJIA group was significantly higher than those in the ALL and healthy control groups and exhibited no significant difference from the SIF, KD, and JIA groups. The IL-18 level of the sJIA group was significantly higher than that of the other febrile disease groups. The IL-18 serum concentration may be used as a biological serum marker to distinguish sJIA from other febrile diseases.

We aimed to investigate the effect of etanercept, a tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitor, on rat cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and its underlying mechanism. Primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats. The model of rat cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was induced by endothelin, and then treated with different concentrations of etanercept (1, 10, and 50 μM). After treatment, cell counts, viability and cell apoptosis were evaluated. The mRNA levels of myocardial hypertrophy marker genes, including atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and MMP-13, were detected by qRT-PCR, and the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2 and Bax) were measured by western blotting. The protein levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) were determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. In the present study, TNF-α level in cardiomyocytes with hypertrophy was significantly enhanced (P<0.05). Compared to the model group, cell number and viability were significantly increased and ratio of apoptotic cells was reduced by etanercept (P<0.05, P<0.01, or P<0.001). In addition, etanercept remarkably reduced the mRNA levels of ANF, MMP-9 and MMP-13, inhibited the expression of Bax, and increased the expression of Bcl-2 compared to the model group (P<0.05). ELISA results further showed that etanercept lowered the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, LIF and CT-1 but not TGF-β1 compared to the model group (P<0.05). Etanercept may protect rat cardiomyocytes from hypertrophy by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines secretion and cell apoptosis.

ABSTRACT Background: The aim of parapelvic cyst treatment is to have complete drainage of cyst fluid and prevent its further compression of the kidney and collective system. This study explores the efficacy and safety of surgical approaches with holmium laser ureteroscopic internal drainage in the treatment of parapelvic cyst. Methods: The compression effect of parapelvic cyst on the renal collective system was observed by rigid ureteroscope using retrograde ureteroscopic technology. With direct vision, the cyst wall on the obvious parapelvic compression site was cut. The diameter of the cyst wall cut was about 1 cm. The internal drainage was obtained by double-J tubes. When the cyst was in the inferior pole of kidney or where the rigid ureteroscope could not reach, a flexible ureteroscope was used. Results: In 28 cases of operation, 27 cases were successful. The cyst treatment time was eight to 40 minutes (average 26 minutes). During the operation, no massive haemorrhage, damage of nearby organ and ureter, or other complications happened. Time of follow-up was 10–72 months (average 39 months). The results of follow-up showed that in 22 cases, the cyst disappeared; the diameter of the cyst in four cases was reduced by more than half, and one case recurred. Conclusion: The treatment of parapelvic cyst by internal drainage operation using holmium laser and ureteroscopy was effective. The operation was safe with few complications.

RESUMEN Antecedentes: El objetivo del tratamiento de quiste parapélvico es lograr el drenaje completo del líquido del quiste y prevenir su compresión ulterior del riñón y el sistema colectivo. Este estudio explora la eficacia y seguridad de los abordajes quirúrgicos cn drenaje interno mediante ureteroscopia con láser de holmio en el tratamiento de quiste parapélvico. Métodos: El efecto de la compresión del quiste parapélvico del sistema colectivo renal fue observado mediante ureteroscopio rígido utilizando la tecnología ureteroscópica retrógrada. Con visión directa, la pared del quiste fue cortada en el sitio obvio de la compresión parapélvica. El diámetro de la pared del quiste cortada era alrededor de 1 cm. El drenaje interno se obtuvo con catéteres doble J. Cuando el quiste estaba en el polo inferior del riñón o donde no podía llegar el ureteroscopio rígido, se utilizaba un ureteroscopio flexible. Resultados: De 28 casos de operación, 27 casos tuvieron éxito. El tiempo de tratamiento del quiste fue de ocho a 40 minutos (un promedio de 26 minutos). Durante las operaciones, no hubo hemorragias masivas, daños de órganos y uréteres, u otras complicaciones. El tiempo de seguimiento fue de 10 a 72 meses (un promedio de 39 meses). Los resultados del seguimiento mostraron que en 22 casos, el quiste desapareció. En cuatro casos, el diámetro del quiste se redujo en más de la mitad, y reapareció en uno de los casos. Conclusión: El tratamiento de quiste parapélvico por operación de drenaje interno con láser de holmio y ureteroscopia fue eficaz. La operación fue segura con pocas complicaciones.