ABSTRACT Homeobox B9 (HOXB9) gene has been demonstrated to be associated with melanogenesis in chicken plumage by high-throughput RNA sequencing. In this study, we cloned and characterised HOXB9 in black-boned chickens. Two alternative splice variants (HOXB9-1 and HOXB9-2) were identified in chicken feather bulbs. Expression analysis of HOXB9 in 11 different chicken tissues by RT-PCR indicated that the two transcripts were only expressed in the kidney, abdominal fat, feather bulbs, skin, and small intestine. No HOXB9-1 or HOXB9-2 transcripts were detected in the breast muscle or the ovary. The two HOXB9 variants were expressed at significantly different levels in black feather bulbs and white feather bulbs (p<0.01), and in black skin compared with white skin (p<0.01). The results indicate that HOXB9-1 and HOXB9-2 may be involved in melanin formation in the plumage and skin. The expression of HOXB9-2 was higher in white than in black muscles (p<0.05), HOXB9-2 may play a role in muscle melanogenesis. Our results suggest that HOXB9, which is partially regulated by alternative splicing, may be involved in the process of melanogenesis in the black-boned chicken.

The study investigated the effects of various levels of isoflavone aglycone-enriched fermented soybean meal (FSBM) on the redox status, serum hormones and milk quality of ewes from late pregnancy to early lactation. Twenty Chongming White ewes were chosen and divided into four treatment groups (n = 5): basal diet without FSBM (CON); basal diet with 2% (FSBM2); 4% (FSBM4); and 6% FSBM (FSBM6) replacing equal amounts of soybean meal (SBM). At parturition, maternal serum, the placenta and colostrum were collected. At day 21 of lactation, maternal serum and milk were collected. Results showed that, compared with CON, feeding ewes with FSBM6 reduced the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) concentration in the placenta. At parturition and day 21 of lactation, the serum SOD activity and T-AOC concentration in FSBM4 and FSBM6 were higher than those in CON. Furthermore, the concentration of serum 8-iso prostaglandin (8-ISO-PGF2a) was markedly lower in FSBM6 than in CON. Serum prolactin (PRL), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentrations were increased in FSBM4 and FSBM6 compared with CON. PRL concentration was increased in FSBM2. FSBM4 increased the levels of fat, protein, lactose, IgA, IgG and IgM in colostrum and milk. In conclusion, feeding ewes with FSBM from late pregnancy to early lactation seemed to increase maternal and placental anti-oxidative capacity, and improve serum hormones and milk quality. Considered overall, the level of 4% supplementation is recommended.

We aimed to study the renal injury and hypertension induced by chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) and the protective effects mediated by angiotensin 1-7 [Ang(1-7)]. We randomly assigned 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats (body weight 180-200 g) to normoxia control, CIH, Ang(1-7)-treated normoxia, and Ang(1-7)-treated CIH groups. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was monitored at the start and end of each week. Renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) was recorded. CTGF and TGF-β were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Tissue parameters of oxidative stress were also determined. In addition, renal levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, nitrotyrosine, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α were determined by immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, and ELISA. TUNEL assay results and cleaved caspase 3 and 12 were also determined. Ang(1-7) induced a reduction in SBP together with a restoration of RSNA in the rat model of CIH. Ang(1-7) treatment also suppressed the production of reactive oxygen species, reduced renal tissue inflammation, ameliorated mesangial expansion, and decreased renal fibrosis. Thus, Ang(1-7) treatment exerted renoprotective effects on CIH-induced renal injury and was associated with a reduction of oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis. Ang(1-7) might therefore represent a promising therapy for obstructive sleep apnea-related hypertension and renal injury.

Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with inflammation and oxidative stress in lung tissues and can lead to metabolic abnormalities. We investigated the effects of angiotensin1–7 [Ang-(1–7)] on lung injury in rats induced by chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH). We randomly assigned 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats (180–200 g) to normoxia control (NC), CIH-untreated (uCIH), Ang-(1–7)-treated normoxia control (N-A), and Ang-(1–7)-treated CIH (CIH-A) groups. Oxidative stress biomarkers were measured in lung tissues, and expression of NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) and Nox subunits (p22phox, and p47phox) was determined by Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Pulmonary pathological changes were more evident in the uCIH group than in the other groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and immunohistochemical staining showed that inflammatory factor concentrations in serum and lung tissues in the uCIH group were significantly higher than those in the NC and N-A groups. Expression of inflammatory factors was significantly higher in the CIH-A group than in the NC and N-A groups, but was lower than in the uCIH group (P<0.01). Oxidative stress was markedly higher in the uCIH group than in the NC and N-A groups. Expression of Nox4 and its subunits was also increased in the uCIH group. These changes were attenuated upon Ang-(1–7) treatment. In summary, treatment with Ang-(1-7) reversed signs of CIH-induced lung injury via inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress.

ABSTRACT External iliac arterial obstruction is relatively rare in renal transplantation, and may cause surgical failure and ipsilateral leg ischaemia. Prompt diagnosis and management of this kind of complication is essential to rescue the patient and allograft. Four patients with external iliac arterial obstruction caused by Satinsky atrauma forceps in renal transplantation were analysed and summarized. In case one, the obstruction of the external iliac artery distal to the renal allograft caused ipsilateral leg ischaemia. After surgical fixation of the endarterium, the patient recovered from the lower limb ischaemia. In case two, the obstruction of the external iliac artery was located proximal to the renal allograft. Since the endarterial rupture was not found and fixed in time, the renal allograft was lost. The third case was similar to the second. Based on the previous experience, we fixed the endarterium promptly, and transplanted the kidney back successfully. In case four, there was endarterial rupture with atherosclerosis located around the anastomosis stoma. After taking out the atherosclerotic plaque and fixing the endarterium, the blood supply of kidney and lower limb was good. External iliac arterial rupture and obstruction caused by Satinsky atrauma forceps in renal transplantation is rare, but may cause severe and depressing outcome. The critical step is to find and fix the impaired endarterium as early as possible.

RESUMEN La obstrucción arterial ilíaca externa es relativamente rara en el trasplante renal, y puede causar fracaso quirúrgico e isquemia ipsilateral de la pierna. Un pronto diagnóstico y tratamiento de este tipo de complicación es esencial para salvar al paciente y el aloinjerto. Los casos de cuatro pacientes con obstrucción arterial ilíaca externa causada por fórceps Satinsky atrauma en el trasplante renal, fueron analizados y resumidos. En el primer caso, la obstrucción de la arteria ilíaca externa distal al aloinjerto renal, causó una isquemia ipsilateral de la pierna. Después de la fijación quirúrgica del endarterio, el paciente se recuperó de la isquemia de la extremidad inferior. En el segundo caso, la obstrucción de la arteria ilíaca externa fue localizada proximal al aloinjerto renal. Como que la ruptura endarterial no fue detectada y corregida a tiempo, se perdió el aloinjerto renal. El tercer caso fue similar al segundo. Basado en la experiencia anterior, fijamos el endarterio rápidamente, y trasplantamos el riñón de nuevo con éxito. En el cuarto caso, hubo una ruptura endarterial con ateroesclerosis situada alrededor del estoma de la anastomosis. Después de sacar la placa aterosclerótica y fijar el endarterio, el suministro de sangre del riñón y del miembro inferior fue bueno. La ruptura arterial ilíaca externa y la obstrucción causada por fórceps Satinsky atrauma en el trasplante renal ocurren raramente, pero pueden traer consigo un resultado severo y deprimente. El paso fundamental es encontrar y fijar el endarterio dañado lo antes posible.

The T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain (TIM) family is associated with autoimmune diseases, but its expression level in the immune cells of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients is not known. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the expression of TIM-3 mRNA is associated with pathogenesis of SLE. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis (qRT-PCR) was used to determine TIM-1, TIM-3, and TIM-4 mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 132 patients with SLE and 62 healthy controls. The PBMC surface protein expression of TIMs in PBMCs from 20 SLE patients and 15 healthy controls was assayed by flow cytometry. Only TIM-3 mRNA expression decreased significantly in SLE patients compared with healthy controls (P<0.001). No significant differences in TIM family protein expression were observed in leukocytes from SLE patients and healthy controls (P>0.05). SLE patients with lupus nephritis (LN) had a significantly lower expression of TIM-3 mRNA than those without LN (P=0.001). There was no significant difference in the expression of TIM-3 mRNA within different classes of LN (P>0.05). Correlation of TIM-3 mRNA expression with serum IgA was highly significant (r=0.425, P=0.004), but was weakly correlated with total serum protein (rs=0.283, P=0.049) and serum albumin (rs=0.297, P=0.047). TIM-3 mRNA expression was weakly correlated with the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI; rs=-0.272, P=0.032). Our results suggest that below-normal expression of TIM-3 mRNA in PBMC may be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE.

The microbial residues, due to their closely connection with humic substances (HS), aroused our considerable interest. The method of shake-flask in liquid culture was adopt to accumulate them, in which the cellulose served as the sole C source. The microbial suspensions including Trichoderma viride (Tv), Aspergillus niger (An), Penicillium (P) and mixed strains (Ms) were inoculated into the cellulose culture fluid respectively. The incubation was performed for 70 days at a constant temperature of 28 °C. The results showed that different microbial treatments had different effects on the C turnover in the cellulose fluid, among which Ms performed the most effective role in accumulating microbial residue and consuming organic C of cell metabolic product, Tv followed. As compared to cellulose, large amounts of inorganic N in the fluid could be transferred into the organic N components of residue. In the mean time, the proportion of aromatic rings could be increased at the cost of losing O-containing groups. Specifically, the degrees of condensation were enhanced by Tv and An, however their degrees of oxidation were inhibited. On the contrary, the P and Ms treatments had a significant advantage in the oxydative degradation of cellulose. Although some intermediate products (polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, carboxylic groups and syringyl units etc.) of HS could be detected in the microbial residues treated by Tv and An, their organic molecules did not still achieve the polymerization degree of real HS.