RESUMO Porcos tibetanos são caracterizados por diferenças fenotípicas significativas em relação aos porcos de planície. Nosso estudo anterior demonstrou que os genes CRYAB e CTGF eram expressos diferentemente nos tecidos do coração entre os porcos tibetanos (raça das terras altas) e Yorkshire (raça das terras baixas), indicando que eles poderiam participar da adaptação à hipoxia. CRYAB (ɑB-crystallin) e CTGF (fator de crescimento do tecido conjuntivo) também foram relatados como estando associados ao desenvolvimento pulmonar. Entretanto, os padrões de expressão do CRYAB e CTGF nos tecidos pulmonares em diferentes altitudes e sua caracterização genética não são bem compreendidos. Neste estudo, o qRT-PCR e a mancha ocidental de tecido pulmonar revelou níveis de expressão de CRYAB mais elevados em porcos tibetanos e Yorkshire de altitude e média altitude do que em seus pares de planície. Com um aumento na altitude, o nível de expressão do CTGF aumentou nos porcos tibetanos, enquanto diminuiu nos porcos Yorkshire. Além disso, foram identificados dois novos polimorfismos de um único nucleotídeo na região flanqueadora de CRYAB (g.39644482C>T e g.39644132T>C) e CTGF (g.31671748A>G e g.31671773T>G). O polimorfismo pode contribuir parcialmente com as diferenças nos níveis de expressão entre grupos a uma mesma altitude. Estas descobertas proporcionam novos conhecimentos sobre as adaptações de hipoxia a alta altitude dos porcos tibetanos.

ABSTRACT Tibetan pigs are characterized by significant phenotypic differences relative to lowland pigs. Our previous study demonstrated that the genes CRYAB and CTGF were differentially expressed in heart tissues between Tibetan (highland breed) and Yorkshire (lowland breed) pigs, indicating that they might participate in hypoxia adaptation. CRYAB (ɑB-crystallin) and CTGF (connective tissue growth factor) have also been reported to be associated with lung development. However, the expression patterns of CRYAB and CTGF in lung tissues at different altitudes and their genetic characterization are not well understood. In this study, qRT-PCR and western blot of lung tissue revealed higher CRYAB expression levels in highland and middle-highland Tibetan and Yorkshire pigs than in their lowland counterparts. With an increase in altitude, the expression level of CTGF increased in Tibetan pigs, whereas it decreased in Yorkshire pigs. Furthermore, two novel single-nucleotide polymorphism were identified in the 5′ flanking region of CRYAB (g.39644482C>T and g.39644132T>C) and CTGF (g.31671748A>G and g.31671773T>G). The polymorphism may partially contribute to the differences in expression levels between groups at the same altitude. These findings provide novel insights into the high-altitude hypoxia adaptations of Tibetan pigs.

ABSTRACT Adipose differentiation-related protein (ADFP) is a fatty acid-binding protein that can promote the absorption of long-chain fatty acids. However, few results have been published regarding its role in Yunnan Native chicken breeds. The aim of this study was to determine ADFP gene tissue-specific expression in Piao chickens (PC) and Wuliangshan black-bone chickens (WBC) by RT-qPCR. The ontogenetic expression levels of the ADFP gene were significantly different during growth and development phases in the subcutaneous fat, liver, and pectoralis muscle of PC, and in the subcutaneous fat, liver, and pectoralis muscle of WBC (p<0.05). Individual tissue-differential expression levelswere detectedon d 91 and 112 in PC, with highest levels determined in abdominal fat and subcutaneous fat, respectively. However, in WBC, the highest levels were determined on d 49, 91 and 112 d in the pectoralis muscle and liver. Correlation analysis revealed ADFP expression level in liver of WBC was significantly related with LW and HC (p<0.05), while no significant correlations with carcass fatness (CF) were found in PC (p>0.05). The results suggest ADFPdifferential expression in the liver and pectoral muscles of PC and WBC during the growth and development phases (p<0.05). The observed expression patterns indicate that the ADFP gene plays an important role in lipid metabolism of PC and WBC, and that these patterns are expressed differently in the tissues of different chicken genotypes.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of oxidized soybean oils on the growth performance, metabolic oxidative status and intestinal barrier function of broiler chickens. A total of 240 one-day-old female broiler chickens were assigned to four dietary treatments with six replicates (cages) of 10 birds each. The dietary treatments comprised of a basal diet supplemented with 4% of: non-oxidized (fresh) soybean oil (control treatment, SNX); lowly-oxidized soybean oil (SLX) (oil heated for 10h at 200°C); moderately-oxidized soybean oil (SMX) (oil heated for 18h at 200°C); or highly-oxidized soybean oil (SHX) (oil heated for 30h at 200°C). Diets and water were offered ad libitum. The experiment was lasted 21d.The growth performance of broilers, determined from 1 to 14 d and from 1 to 21 d of age, was not affected by the dietary treatments (p>0.05). Broilers fed oxidized soybean oils presented higher corticosterone serum levels compared with those fed non-oxidized oil (p<0.05). Higher malondialdehyde (MDA) levels onday14 and 21 (p<0.05), and lower total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and totalsuperoxide dismutase (T-SOD) values on day 21were obtained in the liver of broiler fed oxidized oils relative to those fed the non-oxidized oil (p<0.05). Broilers fed the highly-oxidized soybean oil had higher (p<0.05) MDA levels in the jejunum on day 21 compared with those fed non-oxidized soybean oil. Chickens fed moderately- and highly-oxidized soybean oil presented lower (p<0.05) T-SOD activity inileal mucosa compared with those fed non-oxidized soybean oil. Ileal mRNA expression of claudin-1 tended to be down regulated by the dietary addition of oxidized oils (p=0.056). The mRNA expression of interleukin-22 (IL-22) of broilers fed moderately-oxidized and highly-oxidized soybean oil was higher (p<0.05), and the mRNA expression of occludin and catalase was lower (p<0.05) than those fed non-oxidized soybean oil. However, the morphology of the jejunal and ileal mucosa was not influenced (p>0.05) by the dietary oxidized oil treatments. It was concluded that oxidized oils may cause oxidative stress by reducing intestinal and liver antioxidant capacity; increase intestinal permeability by reducing mRNA expression levels of tight-junction proteins claudin-1 and occludin; and cause inflammation by increasing mRNA expression level of the inflammation-related factor IL-22.

Among the novel class of endogenous long non-coding RNAs, circular RNA (circRNA) is known as a key regulator in the development and progression of different cancers. Its function and mechanism in the tumorigenesis of colorectal cancer, however, has not been well studied. This study thus aimed to investigate potential regulation of colorectal cancer by circRNAs and the corresponding regulatory mechanism. We demonstrated that the expression of circRNA hsa_circ_0000523 (also known as circ_006229) was down-regulated in different colorectal cancer cell lines. It was also found that interference of hsa_circ_0000523 induced proliferation and suppressed apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells, the proliferation rate of which was reduced by the overexpression of hsa_circ_0000523. In addition, we found that miR-31 could recognize hsa_circ_0000523 sequence and that it acted as a “sponge” of miR-31, indirectly regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which was involved in the progression of colorectal cancer. The results suggested that the expression of hsa_circ_0000523 correlated to the tumorigenesis of colorectal cancer cells. In addition, as a sponge of miR-31, the low level of hsa_circ_0000523 led to activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, inducing the subsequent progress of colorectal cancer.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether exogenous retinoic acid (RA) can upregulate the mRNA and protein expression of growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43), thereby promoting brain functional recovery in a rat distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of ischemia. A total of 216 male Sprague Dawley rats weighing 300–320 g were divided into 3 groups: sham-operated group, MCAO+vehicle group and MCAO+RA group. Focal cortical infarction was induced with a distal MCAO model. The expression of GAP-43 mRNA and protein in the ipsilateral perifocal region was assessed using qPCR and immunocytochemistry at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after distal MCAO. In addition, an intraperitoneal injection of RA was given 12 h before MCAO and continued every day until the animal was sacrificed. Following ischemia, the expression of GAP-43 first increased considerably and then decreased. Administration of RA reduced infarction volume, promoted neurological functional recovery and upregulated expression of GAP-43. Administration of RA can ameliorate neuronal damage and promote nerve regeneration by upregulating the expression of GAP-43 in the perifocal region after distal MCAO.

Epidemiological studies of short and long sleepers have not been conducted previously. We collected socioeconomic, psychological, and polysomnographic characteristics of 6501 parents (3252 men and 3249 women) of 4036 primary school children in Guangzhou city. The study data were collected in three phases. The overall prevalence of short (5 h or less) and long (10 h or more) sleep duration was 0.52 and 0.64%, respectively. Long sleepers had higher Eysenck Personality Questionnaire neuroticism scores [odds ratio (OR)=1.224, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.047-1.409] and lower education levels (OR=0.740, 95%CI=0.631-0.849) than short sleepers. In the polysomnographic assessment, short, long, and normal sleepers (7-8 h) shared similar durations of Stage 3 sleep (short=25.7±10.7, long=20.3±7.9, and normal=28.0±12.8 min, F=1.402, P=0.181). In daytime multiple sleep latency tests, short sleepers (10/19, 52.6%) were more prone to have a short sleep latency (≤8 min) than long sleepers (2/23, 8.7%). In addition to different sleep durations, neuroticism might also contribute to differences between short and long sleepers in social achievements. Stage 3 sleep might be essential for humans. The short sleep latency (≤8 min) of short sleepers in multiple sleep latency tests should be interpreted cautiously, since it was of the same severity as required for a diagnosis of narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia.

We report a case of a 76-year old female presenting with symptomatic severe hypercalcaemia, and subsequently diagnosed with late onset SLE due to the presence of anaemia, leucopenia, antibodies of antinuclear (ANA), anti-dsDNA, and also kidney impairment. Serum levels of FGF23 and intact-parathyroid hormone (iPTH) were low in this patient. Serum calcium, FGF23 and iPTH levels responded to steroids, which occurred simultaneously with disease activity. On follow-up, the faster increase in FGF23 than in parathyroid hormone suggested that FGF23 might be involved in the pathogenesis of hypercalcaemia in SLE.

Se reporta el caso de una mujer de 76 años de edad que se presentó con hipercalcemia sintomática severa, y a la que posteriormente le fuera diagnosticada LES de inicio tardío con presencia de anemia, leucopenia, anticuerpos antinucleares (ANA), anti-dsDNA, e insuficiencia del riñón. Los niveles séricos del factor de crecimiento fibroblástico 23 (FGF23) y la hormona paratiroidea intacta (iPTH) fueron bajos en este paciente. Los niveles de calcio séricos, FGF23 e iPTH respondieron a los esteroides, que ocurrieron simultáneamente con la actividad de la enfermedad. En el seguimiento, el hecho de que el factor FGF23 aumentara más rápidamente que la hormona paratiroidea, sugiere que el FGF23 podría estar involucrado en la patogénesis de la hipercalcemia en LES.

OBJECTIVE: To survey Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection in Chinese Women of Jiangsu Province and discuss the relationship between HPV and the biology of cervical cancer. METHODS: Two thousand, one hundred and fifty-three sexually active women (including 66 cases of cervical cancer) were selected for high-risk human papilloma virus DNA test with Hybrid Capture II (HCII). RESULTS: The overall HPV prevalence was 32.6% (701/2153) with higher positive rates in cervical carcinoma and Cervical Interstitial Neoplasia (CIN) [93.9% and 54.6%] respectively. For women aged 40-59 years, the overall high-risk HPV prevalence was higher than those of other age groups. Compared with CIN I, the positivity rate and viral load of HPV DNA in CIN III is much higher (80.2% vs 29.9%, 11.89 vs 0.53). Ninety-four per cent (64/66) of patients with Cervical cancer were detected to be HPV positive. There was no significant difference in HPV DNA among each clinical stage and pathologic grade. But the positive rates and the value of HPV DNA were higher in the patients with cervical interstitial incursion. Eighty per cent of patients (20/25) could become negative within six months after operation. CONCLUSIONS: High-risk HPV DNA test is effective in screening for cervical diseases. HC II is an effective method to detect HPV DNA.

OBJETIVO: Investigar la infección por el virus del papiloma humano (VPH) en las mujeres chinas de la Provincia de Jiangsu y analizar la relación entre VPH y la biología del cáncer cervical o del cuello uterino. MÉTODOS: Dos mil ciento cincuenta y tres mujeres sexualmente activas (incluyendo 66 casos de cáncer cervical) fueron seleccionadas para una prueba de ADN con el fin de detectar el virus del papiloma humano de alto riesgo mediante Captura Híbrida 2 (HC2). RESULTADOS: La prevalencia general de VPH fue 32.6% (701/2153), hallándose las tasas positivas más altas en el carcinoma cervical y la neoplasia intersticial cervical (NIC) [93.9% y 54.6%]. Para las mujeres de 40-59 años de edad, la prevalencia general de VPH de alto riesgo fue mayor que para los otros grupos etarios. En comparación con el CIN, la tasa de positividad y la carga viral de ADN del VPH en el CIN es mucho mayor (80.2% vs 29.9%, 11.89 vs 0.53). Se detectó que noventa y cuatro por ciento (64/66) de las pacientes con cáncer del cuello uterino eran VPH positivas. No hubo ninguna diferencia significativa en el ADN del VPH ADN entre cada fase clínica y el grado patológico. No obstante, tanto las tasas positivas como el valor de VPH ADN fueron más altos en las pacientes con incursión intersticial cervical. Ochenta por ciento de las pacientes (20/25) podrían volverse negativas en seis meses tras la operación. CONCLUSIONES: La prueba de ADN para la detección del virus del papiloma humano de alto riesgo es un medio efectivo para el tamizaje de las enfermedades cervicales. El HC2 es un método efectivo para detectar el ADN del VPH.

Myocardial ischemic preconditioning up-regulated protein 1 (Mipu1), a novel zinc finger protein, was originally cloned using bioinformatic analysis and 5' RACE technology of rat heart after a transient myocardial ischemia/reperfusion procedure in our laboratory. In order to investigate the functions of Mipu1, the recombinant prokaryotic expression vector pQE31-Mipu1 was constructed and transformed into Escherichia coli M15(pREP4), and Mipu1-6His fusion protein was expressed and purified. The identity of the purified protein was confirmed by mass spectrometry. The molecular mass of the Mipu1 protein was 70.03779 kDa. The fusion protein was intracutaneously injected to immunize New Zealand rabbits to produce a polyclonal antibody. The antibody titer was approximately 1:16,000. The antibody was tested by Western blotting for specificity and sensitivity. Using the antibody, it was found that Mipu1 was highly expressed in the heart and brain of rats and was localized in the nucleus of H9c2 myogenic cells. The present study lays the foundation for further study of the biological functions of Mipu1.

The effects of vibration parameters, operating conditions and material properties on bed voidage were investigated using an optical fiber probe approach in a vibrating fluidized bed with a diameter of 148 mm. Variables studied included frequency (0-282 s-1), amplitude (0 mm-1 mm), bed height (0.1 m-0.4 m) as well as four kinds of particles (belonging to Geldart's B and D groups). The axial and radial voidage distribution with vibration is compared with that without vibration, which shows vibration can aid in the fluidization behaviors of particles. For a larger vibration amplitude, the vibration seriously affects bed voidage. The vibration energy can damp out for particle layers with increasing the bed height. According to analysis of experimental data, an empirical correlation for predicting bed voidage, giving good agreement with the experimental data and a deviation within ±15%, was proposed.