The genetic secrets of adaptation: decoding the significance of the 30-bp insertion in the KRT77 gene for Chinese cattle.

The KRT77 gene is a type II epithelial cell α-keratin gene family member that plays a crucial role in animal epidermal and coat formation. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the KRT77 gene and the adaptability of Chinese cattle in varying environments by exploring the distribution of an exon insertion of the KRT77 gene in different cattle populations. Our analysis involved amplifying and sequencing DNA samples from 362 individuals from 24 cattle breeds in China. Our findings reveal a gradual increase in the frequency of insertion from the northwest to the southeast population. We conducted an association analysis between the genotypes and climate data, revealing a correlation between the insertion and local annual mean temperature, relative humidity, and temperature humidity index. The study highlights the significance of the newly identified KRT77 gene insertion as a variation associated with environmental adaptation in Chinese cattle.This insertion variation increased insights into the genetic mechanisms that drive adaptation in Chinese cattle, emphasizing the importance of the 30-bp insertion in the KRT77 gene. Our findings facilitate further research to improve cattle breeding strategies for adaptability to changing environments from the northwest to the southeast population. In conclusion, this study provides value.

Dynamic distribution of gut microbiota in cattle at different breeds and health states.

Weining cattle is a precious species with high tolerance to cold, disease, and stress, and accounts for a large proportion of agricultural economic output in Guizhou, China. However, there are gaps in information about the intestinal flora of Weining cattle. In this study, high-throughput sequencing were employed to analyze the intestinal flora of Weining cattle (WN), Angus cattle (An), and diarrheal Angus cattle (DA), and explore the potential bacteria associated with diarrhea. We collected 18 fecal samples from Weining, Guizhou, including Weining cattle, Healthy Angus, and Diarrheal Angus. The results of intestinal microbiota analysis showed there were no significant differences in intestinal flora diversity and richness among groups (p > 0.05). The abundance of beneficial bacteria (Lachnospiraceae, Rikenellaceae, Coprostanoligenes, and Cyanobacteria) in Weining cattle were significantly higher than in Angus cattle (p < 0.05). The potential pathogens including Anaerosporobacter and Campylobacteria were enriched in the DA group. Furthermore, the abundance of Lachnospiraceae was very high in the WN group (p < 0.05), which might explain why Weining cattle are less prone to diarrhea. This is the first report on the intestinal flora of Weining cattle, furthering understanding of the relationship between intestinal flora and health.

Numb negatively regulates the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer through the Wnt signaling pathway.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumors and is associated with a high mortality rate due to the lack of specific biomarkers available for early diagnosis, targeted therapies, and prognostic surveillance. In the present study, we investigated the function of Numb and its underlying mechanism in CRC. Immunohistochemical staining and clinicopathological analysis were used to assess the expression of Numb and its clinical significance in patients with CRC. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, cell proliferation, Western blot, wound healing, Transwell, and TOP/FOP flash reporter assays were used to investigate the function of Numb and its underlying mechanism in CRC. Numb expression was downregulated and negatively correlated with the depth of invasion, tumor size, metastasis, TNM stage, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in CRC specimens. Numb negatively regulates the EMT, proliferation, invasion, migration, and the Wnt signaling pathway in vitro, as well as tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Furthermore, activation of the Wnt signaling pathway by Wnt-3A negated the effect of Numb overexpression, whereas inhibition of the Wnt signaling pathway by IWR-1 impaired the effect of the Numb knockdown on the EMT. We concluded that Numb downregulation is a common event in patients with CRC and is closely correlated with cancer progression and a poor prognosis. Numb functions as a tumor suppressor in CRC, and its tumor suppressor function is mediated by negative regulation of the EMT through the Wnt signaling pathway.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We investigate the function of Numb and its underlying mechanism in colorectal cancer through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, cell proliferation, Western blot, wound healing, Transwell, and TOP/FOP flash reporter assays. We conclude that Numb can negatively regulate the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition through the Wnt signaling pathway to inhibit the development of colorectal cancer.

Expression Analysis of Long Non-Coding RNA HAR1A and HAR1B in HBV-Induced Hepatocullular Carcinoma in Chinese Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical relevance of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) HAR1A and HAR1B expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: In this study, we enrolled 50 cases of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) without cirrhosis, 50 cases of CHB and liver cirrhosis (LC), and 100 cases of HBV and HCC. The expression profiles of lncRNA HAR1A and HAR1B were analyzed using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). RESULTS: The expression levels of HAR1A and HAR1B were significantly lower in the HCC group, compared with the CHB and LC groups (P <.01). HAR1A and HAR1B were negatively associated with histologic grade and TNM (tumor/nodes/metastasis) stage (all P <.05). Univariable multivariable analysis showed that decreased HAR1A (HR = 0.753, P = .02) and HAR1B (HR = 0.551, P = .01) levels were independent predictors for shorter overall survival (OS) in HCC. CONCLUSION: Decreased HAR1A and HAR1B expression in HCC indicates poor prognosis.

Decreased miR-503 expression in gastric cancer is inversely correlated with serum carcinoembryonic antigen and acts as a potential prognostic and diagnostic biomarker.

BACKGROUND: Altered expression of miR-503 has been linked to human carcinogenesis. In this present study, we aimed to detect the potential for miR-503 as a novel biomarker for gastric cancer (GC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The relative mRNA level of miR-503 in serum and tissue of 68 GC patients and serum of 32 healthy volunteers was determined by real-time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The miR-503 level was significantly lower in the tissue and serum of GC than their counterparts (all P<0.01). Downregulation of miR-503 was found to be corrected with more aggressive tumor. Patients in the high-miR-503 group showed significantly better overall survival compared to the low-miR-503 group (P=0.021). The serum miR-503 level in GC was inversely correlated with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) (r=-0.624, P<0.001). Furthermore, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for miR-503 discriminating GC patients from healthy individuals was 0.889 (P=0.006), with a sensitivity of 96.8% and a specificity of 79.4%, higher than that of CEA (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve =0.681, P=0.048). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that the expression level of miR-503 may serve as prognostic and diagnostic biomarker for GC.

[Effects on vascular permeability with different fluid resuscitation regimens during burn stage in swines].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of different fluid resuscitation regimens on vascular permeability during burn stage in swines. METHODS: A total of 24 Guangxi-BAMA miniature swines were numbered from 1 to 24 and randomly divided by EXCEL 2007 into 4 groups of succinylated gelatin, hydroxyethyl starch (HES 130/0.4), Parkland (lactated Ringer's solution) and allogeneic plasma (n = 6 each). The model of severe burn shock was established. And fluid resuscitation therapy was applied according to the established regimens of burn shock fluid resuscitation. The parameters of heart rate, blood pressure, urine volume, central venous pressure (CVP) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) were recorded. Blood samples were collected prior to burns and at intervals of 4, 8, 24 and 48 h post-burns. The plasma colloidal osmotic pressure was measured. Evens blue was intravenously injected at 30 min before sacrificing. Then lung tissue samples were obtained and pulmonary vascular permeability index (PMPI) was measured. Statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: All swines survived shock stage. The inter-group comparison revealed no statistical difference in heart rate, blood pressure, urine volume, CVP or PCWP. The plasma colloidal osmotic pressures (mmHg, 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) of four groups at each interval were as follows: (1) pre-burn: 25.4 ± 1.0, 25.9 ± 0.9, 25.5 ± 1.1, 25.0 ± 1.0; (2) 4 h: 24.3 ± 1.0, 25.6 ± 0.9, 13.2 ± 0.5, 25.0 ± 1.1; (3) 8 h: 23.3 ± 0.8, 25.2 ± 1.2, 12.7 ± 0.5, 24.0 ± 0.9; (4) 24 h: 22.0 ± 0.8, 23.1 ± 1.0, 12.4 ± 0.4, 23.3 ± 0.8; (5) 48 h: 22.3 ± 0.8, 24.1 ± 0.8, 18.1 ± 0.4, 23.5 ± 0.9. No statistically significant differences existed at the intervals of pre-burn between four groups (all P > 0.05). The HES 130/0.4 group at 8 h was significantly higher than that of allogeneic plasma group at the same interval (P < 0.05). The Parkland group at 4, 8, 24, 48 h were significantly lower than those of allogeneic plasma group (all P < 0.05). The succinylated gelatin group at 8, 24, 48 h, the HES 130/0.4 group at 8, 24, 48 h, the Parkland group at 4, 8, 24, 48 h and allogeneic plasma at 8, 24, 48 h decreased versus those at pre-burns (all P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences existed in pulmonary vascular permeability between the groups of succinylated gelatin (7.6 ± 0.9) µg/g, HES 130/0.4 (7.9 ± 1.8) µg/g, and allogeneic plasma (7.6 ± 1.2) µg/g, but all lower than the Parkland group (26.1 ± 2.3) µg/g (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Natural colloid or artificial colloid (HES 130/0.4 or succinylated gelatin) have similar effects on vascular permeability in swines with severe burns during shock stage. Both are superior to the Parkland group.